An Archive of Village News: December 2011

15th December 2011: Wet weather warning: Thursday night: UPDATE 15TH December 1900hrs Since the weather warning yesterday, Dr John Evans says: "Things have changed. The rainfall has moved to past midnight to-night. It has also lessened. But the temperature has fallen and it is likely (40%) that this will fall as snow in the night. By fist light Friday morning there could be 1-2" of snow on the ground." As ever, a forecast may over or under estimate the actual events.

14th December 2011: Villagers thanks Bus Driver Brian. Last week villagers thanked Brian Kilham see Oxford Mail Extra Help

14th December: Charity Opera Evening. Last Friday’s Charity Opera held in St Laurence Church was well attended and enjoyed by all. The event raised £344 which will greatly help to keep St. Laurence Church warm this winter. Lyn Sapwell said: “I am most grateful to Claire Barratt for all her hard work in organising this lovely start to our Christmas celebrations.”

14th December 2011: Fair success. Congratulations to the Friends of Appleton School for raising £636.59 from the Fair held in the Appleton Village Hall earlier this month. Milly Lay, a member of the organising committee, said: “Many thanks to all those who attended this Fair and making it such a success.”

14th December 2011: Church Bazaar success. With only some minor costs to take into account, the November 2011 Church Bazaar made a profit of over £2,400. Reverend Lyn Sapwell commented: "Many thanks to those who helped with this wonderful result - the great team organising the stalls and those who came and supported the event".

7th December 2011: Ex villager comes back for the day! Steve Tolan, who lived in Appleton from 1952 to 1965, and whose mother was Eileen Pratley, paid Appleton a visit during his brief holiday from his home in Zambia. He was enthralled and delighted with a visit around the outside of Appleton Manor, conducted by Mrs Alison Jeffreys, where both his mother and grand mother had worked: a brief visit to Appleton School, where he was inspired by the teaching of Harvey Dunkley, knocking on the door of his parent's house 89 Eaton Road to no avail, a visit to Northmoor Weir and a chat with his old school friend of the 1950s Reuben White at Cheers Farm, was part of his afternoon of reminiscing! "Everything seemed so much smaller" commented Steve. "I guess as a youngster, and I was born in Appleton in 1952, everything then seemed so big"! Examining the Village Album, Steve commented: "I must come back and spend some more time looking at this fantastic record of the Parish." Steve and his wife Anna both retired from Thames Valley Police force 13 years ago and created an education wildlife centre in Zambia. Details at www.chipembele.org. The website editor will, when he has some time (contrary to some impressions ... he does not spend all day long on his PC!), write up Steve's entertaining story!

6th December 2011: Bulk oil buying co-ordinator required. Oxfordshire Rural Community Council (ORCC) provides invaluable support to the Community Shop and are running a group oil buying scheme. ORCC Trading have been running the scheme for approximately 1 year and are looking for a local co-ordiantor to manage the scheme in Appleton & Eaton. The annual joining fee for this scheme is £20 per household: however the co-oridinator would be a member free of charge. ORCC Trading now have over 30 co-ordinators in the county and the scheme is gaining momentum. So would you be interested in being a co-ordinator for Appleton with Eaton? If the answer is yes, please contact the village website at appleton.website@dsl.pipex.com for further details of the scheme.

5th December 2011: Appleton Cookbook as a Christmas present? The Appleton Cookbook, organised by Appleton Pre-school with contributions from many different village organisations, having sold out the first edition, is available again and just in time for Christmas! See Appleton Cookbook and, for £8.75 from the Appleton Community Shop, have it wrapped for Christmas. All profits to the Pre School. Wondering what recipes to cook at Christmas? How about Mince Pies with Almond and Orange Pastry? What about a tried and tested Festive Mulled Wine? Have you thought of Christmas Crumble as an alternative to Christmas pudding? Do you know the ingredients of a culinary White Christmas? All these appear in the Appleton Village Cookbook and it might be just what you're after for yourself or for a Christmas present.

2nd December 2011: Parking in the middle of Appleton. Concern expressed by both residents and Appleton School has promted the Appleton with Eaton Parish Council to publish a map - see Parish Council School Parking Map for details. Any comments should be sent to parishclerk.appletonwitheaton@gmail.com