31st August 2011: Appleton's Roger Mitty dubbed "Mr Charity" on Radio Oxford! Roger Mitty, a resident of Eaton Road, was interviewed on Radio Oxford by Malcolm Boyden on Wednesday 31st August with Malcolm dubbing Roger "Mr Charity"! Roger regaled listeners stories of his fascinating life, his work in the charity sector (Oxfam, Help the Aged and Mission Aviation Fellowship, Vale Housing to name but a few) and some of his personal stories. Appleton has some remarkable people - and Roger is certainly one.

31st August 2011: A Service in celebration and thanksgiving for the life of Margaret “Dot” Purbrick took place today at St. Laurence Church.

29th August 2011: Big Music Bash at The Plough. Nonstop - MUSIC from 12noon Bands include: The Truth, Lost dogs, Yellow Fever, Jaggy Edges, Disclosure, Evolution, Chris Grant, All the Clever Lines and more. Food available all afternoon from 1pm. Bucking Bronco arriving mid afternoon. Marquees on standby..! Whatever the weather 25 musicians will be playing for you.DON’T MISS IT Fun for ALL the family

16th August 2011: The Village Hall Committee is looking for a Deputy Secretary to help Barbara with the minutes (occasionally) and cover when she is on holiday. Duties involve taking minutes when the Hon.Secretary is away and assisting the Hon. Secretary in other duties. The committee meets about 8 times a year and there are no onerous tasks involved. If you want to volunteer, please contact Robert Munro (861791) or Barbara Kimsey (863262). The Village Hall is a cornerstone of the community and this could be your chance to be involved!

15th August 2011: "Apple Day in Appleton": Sunday 9th October : The Village Hall Committee is organising a fund raising event on Sunday 9th October. 

15th August 2011: Grants for books and Tools: Appleton Trust, set up in 1970 and with the purpose of helping parish causes, gives grants of up to £100 to young people who live in the parish of Appleton with Eaton either entering further education and requiring books for their course, or apprentices who require tools for their trade. This amount can vary and each application is awarded at the discretion of the Trustees – and the amount available is dependent on funds available at the time. The awards are not in cash but specific tokens for either books or tools. Applications should be sent in writing to the Trustees c/o David Dymock at The Orchard, 73 Eaton Road, Appleton and if you require further information please telephone on 863709.

15th August 2011: Bulk Oil Delivery. Sweetfuels will be delivering over 15,000 litres of domestic oil to the parish tomorrow! Thanks to all who have supported this bulk order. The price charged was £0.5165 per litre + VAT. Ed.

1st August 2011: Nominations of Volunteers in the Vale from Appleton & Eaton: The Chairman of the Vale of White Horse District Council Cllr Alison Thomson is seeking nominations of people who should be recognised "for their achievements in the local community". See Volunteers in the Vale and the nomination form. The parish has been honoured in the past with Maureen Alner being nominated as an "Unsung Hero of the Vale" in 2009 and Richard Clanfield nominated as a person "Caring for the Vale" in 2010.

21st July 2011: School Leaver's Service: Thursday. Due to the Leaver's Service, there might be parking in the middle of the village between 9:00am and 11:00am

19th July 2011: Cat found in Thatched Tavern Lane: Please see Cat Found and phone the number if you know about this cat.

18th July 2011: Pre School Sports Day Cancelled: Sadly no-one had the courtesy to advise Sportsfield Secretary Graham Rose on Sunday, when it was cancelled. Graham commented: “I was at the Sportsfield at 7:30am on Monday morning, cleaning the pavilion and setting up the roped area for the Pre School Sports event. Sadly no-one thought to advise me on Sunday when others were informed. I am becoming used for the work at the Sportsfield to be taken for granted. This is a sad reflection on the way people behave today.”

15th July 2011: the first Thursday night Bangers and Mash night at The Plough went well! With 3 different types of sausage, proper mash and delicious onion gravy, all for £8.95! Come and enjoy some traditional pub grub from 6pm! Child size portions are available!

14th July 2011: Appleton School Open Day and Concert. Yesterday afternoon a packed Appleton School Hall listened intently to a concert given by children of the school. Parents, friends and members of the Appleton community enjoyed seeing the school facilities and the work undertaken by children in the class rooms.

14th July 2011: Rob Ford and Three Peaks: Mission accomplished. Well done Rob and team. see Rob Ford and Three Peaks for a report.

13th July 2011: Child's Flashinbg Strom Scooter found at the Appleton Sportsfield see Child’s Scooter found probably "borrowed" from house in Netherton Road?

12th July: beware of the flour - it was Hash Runners on Sunday! 12th July 2011. It is believed there were runners in the village on Sunday and flour was used to mark their route? Must have used several bags of flour!

11th July 2011: Theft of wood: Appleton Lower Common. Canada woodland is a strip of wood that is part of Appleton Lower Common; it is owned by The Appleton Trust. It has just been discovered that timber is being taken from the wood and currently there are 6 felled trees. A lightning-damaged tree has also been cut down and a second standing tree has been cut part through and is in a very dangerous condition. These are big trees. David Dymock, Clerk to the Appleton Trust, commenetd: "Could we ask if anybody has seen people cutting or taking wood from Canada woodland to let the police or me know. Names or vehicle registration would be good." The crime report number is ME 3865480/11 10th July 2011. The police number at Kidlington is 08458505505

11th July 2011: Plough Quiz: As always last Sunday's quiz was fantastic fun, Well Done to the "Bossy Possy" who claimed victory by 1 1/2 points over the "shy Teds"! With Special Thanks to Nick and Robin! The Next quiz night will be on Sunday the 24th July, come along and join in the fun!

11th July 2011: Theft of wood Appleton Common: Canada woodland is a strip of wood that is part of Appleton Lower Common; it is owned by The Appleton Trust. It has just been discovered that timber is being taken from the wood and currently there are 6 felled trees. A lightning-damaged tree has also been cut down and a second standing tree has been cut part through and is in a very dangerous condition. These are big trees. David Dymock, Clerk to the Appleton Trust, commenetd: "Could we ask if anybody has seen people cutting or taking wood from Canada woodland to let the police or me know. Names or vehicle registration would be good." The crime report number is ME 3865480/11 10th July 2011. The police number at Kidlington is 08458505505

10th July 2011: Appleton School Open Day Wednesay 13th July 4:00pm to 6:15pm. All in the community are welcome to Appleton School "Open Day" which starts at 4:00pm to 5:15pm with tours of the school and from 5:15pm to 6:00pm by a concert. This means heavy congestion of vehicles is likely in the middle of Appleton between about 3:30pm and 6:15pm

8th July 2011: David Farrant on farming and J&C Catering! David Farrant, who has farmed in Eaton most of his farming life, spoke earlier this week to about 40 members of The Friends of Tuesday Group on the topic “The changes in farming in my lifetime”.Describing the early years of basic farm equipment and the need to be physically robust to carry out the day-to-day duties, David talked about farming today at Manor Farm Eaton using state-of-the-art equipment. With highly automated milking parlours – cows are milked on a moving platform – he also described how genuinely concerned they are for animal care and additionally they dedicate several acres of the 500-acre farm to nature. Questions flowed and David held the attention of the group for about an hour and a half: these ranged from animal husbandry to views on organic farming.David then stayed for a ploughman’s lunch and continued to answer questions!The excellent ploughman’s lunch was provided – a good old-fashioned “ploughman’s” followed by fresh fruit salad and cream! The meeting of The Friends of Tuesday Group was held at the Appleton Sportsfield Pavilion and the group comprises people who have had dysphasic strokes, their carers and volunteers. Villager Judith Rose is chairman of the group’s organising committee.

6th July 2011: South Lawn week end fund raising: The combination of Opera in the Garden and the Music and Dance Festival generated over £3,000 with nearly 300 people taking part in the two events. The proceeds are being shared between Parents and Children Together (PACT) with £2,500 and the Friends of Appleton School £500. Claire Barratt commented: “The Music and Dance Festival was enjoyed by all who came, and all of the workshops and other acts were very well received. The organising committee is already planning next year’s Festival with a few minor tweaks. The week end was a busy week end all over the county, and we were delighted with the support for both the Opera in the Garden and the Festival. Many thanks to all concerned – particularly those who worked so hard behind the scenes”.

3rd July 2011: Woodfest well attended: Reports have reached the website editor the Besselsleigh Woodfest held yesterday was an enormous success. More news and pictures later in the week. Well done to all concerned.