Enstone Ensign – Enstone Parish Council

ENSTONE ENSIGN

Number 480 January 2025

Newsletter for Enstone Parishioners

THE CHASE BENEFICE – JANUARY

SERVICES FOR JANUARY:-

Sunday 5^th January

0800 BCP Holy Communion Enstone

1000 CW Holy Communion Spelsbury

Sunday 12^th January

0800 BCP Holy Communion Chadlington

1000 CW Holy Communion Ascott

Sunday 19^th January

0800 BCP Holy Communion Spelsbury

1000 CW Holy Communion Enstone

Sunday 26^th January

0800 BCP Holy Communion Ascott

1000 CW Holy Communion Chadlington

Coffee morning at St Kenelm’s Church, Saturday 18^th January, 10.00-12.00

Join us for a chat over coffee/tea and cake, plus a raffle.

All items for the February Ensign in by 25^th January (or sooner, if you have it ready) please, to Hillside (blue door opposite the Harrow Inn) or ring 677231 for shorter items. You can also email me at info@andreabates.co.uk

PARISH COUNCIL NEWS DECEMBER

Planning Application:-

• Southcombe Farm, Oxford Road, Southcombe, 24/02674/FUL, Construction of replacement dwelling and associated works. No objection

Decisions Received:-

– Land West Of Chapel Lane Chapel Lane Enstone Oxfordshire, 24/01570/FUL – Erection of a detached self-build dwelling with new access and associated works. Approved Subject to Legal Agreement

– Whiteways Technical Centre, Enstone, 24/02563/FUL – Erection of an extension to the Wind Tunnel Building together with associated development – Approved

Licensing Application:-

• The Harrow Inn, Enstone, W/24/01255/PRMA – Enstone Parish Council has no objection to this licensing application provided the restriction of no drinking outside after 10.30 pm is applied. The owners will also be tidying up the area outside The Harrow.

Biodiversity Plan

The Parish Council has created a Biodiversity Action Plan (which is on the

website) to ensure that, as a community, we are engaging in all the ways we

can actively support local wildlife. This topic is increasingly important:

according to the 2023 State of Nature report, one in six species faces national

extinction in the UK.

The parish of Enstone and surrounding landscape are home to rare biodiversity,

including endangered wildflowers such as Meadow clary and Red Listed

farmland birds that are supported and monitored by local initiatives. Through

our new Biodiversity Action Plan, we will continue to actively support

biodiversity. We are grateful to Enstone Eco who proposed the plan and

whose efforts are appreciated.

The Planks – damaged following the recent floods

The County Council has been informed about the damage to the planks,

requesting that they be repaired.

Precept 2025/2026

The Parish Council has finalised its budget for 2025/2026 with an increase of

4.83 %. Monies have been budgeted for a pavement along Cox’s Lane from

the Parish Hall to the junction of the Charlbury Road which many residents

requested in last year’s parish questionnaire. Monies have also been put

towards the restoration of The Marshall Fountain in Church Enstone (after

requests by residents) and Biodiversity which is now a statutory requirement.

Monies have also been put towards a replacement noticeboard in Church

Enstone. Following a site visit at St. Kenelm’s Church last summer with

members of the Parish Council and Parochial Church Council, several areas in

the graveyard will be cut more regularly than this current year to keep the

churchyard looking tidy.

Dates of Next Meetings – 7.00 pm Enstone Parish Hall

Thursday 23^rd January
Thursday 20^th February
Thursday 20^th March

Parish Website …..

The parish website is for information from all organisations within the parish so please let me know if you wish to have any information put onto the website (https://enstone-pc.gov.uk). The Parish Council thanks Mrs Rachel Hunt, webmaster honorarium, for all her dedicated and hard work relating to the management of the website.

Mrs Beth Sinclair, Enstone Parish Clerk, Briery Cottage, 9 Alexandra Square, Chipping Norton, OX7 5HL

Tel: 07896 150265 Email:- clerk@enstone-pc.gov.uk

AREN’T WE LUCKY…

…to have such a wonderful, impressive, well-stocked village shop, open all hours, run by friendly, courteous, hard-working people. You can literally buy anything there, and if they don’t have it, they get it in for you. I have heard it called “The Fortnum and Mason of Enstone”. They even offer home delivery where necessary. Three cheers for Rooban, Tharaka, Reegan and the team! (Ed)

ENSTONE WI

We gathered happily for our festive evening with mince pies to create Reindeer inspired Christmas decorations. A big thank you to Ruth for leading the craft session and organising all the materials for us. Secret Santa popped by too…. Thank you very much!

Discussions were made towards planning the program for 2025. Why not join us for an evening ….New members always welcome – contact Angela on 677728.

Next meeting 9^th January, 12:00 noon is our New Year’s Meal at the Bird in Hand, Don’t forget to confirm your place.

2 DAY WATERCOLOUR COURSE WITH BBC TV ARTIST DERMOT CAVANAGH

…in the Cotswolds village of Church Enstone from 15^th to 16^th January 2025. – Expert daily tuition 10:00am to 4:30pm with all painting materials provided. Price: £199.00 – Suitable for painters of all abilities, including beginners,

Dermot Cavanagh is the artist behind 74 episodes of the hit BBC TV series, ‘Awash with Colour’. He inspired millions and taught a host of celebrities to paint. Suzanne Dando, Charlie Dimmock, Gloria Hunniford, Barry McGuigan and John Craven to name a few all took up painting under Dermot’s expert guidance.

Now you can join him for a 2-Day learn-to-paint experience in a comfortable and tranquil setting. He will teach and demonstrate many invaluable watercolour tips and techniques. People say they’ve learned more from Dermot’s courses in a couple of days than from years attending other classes.

Lunch is available at the village pub beside the venue. For further information or booking, Call 02887784166 – Email info@dermotcavanagh.com

ENSTONE ECO

At Enstone Eco, our winter months are mostly focused on developing ideas and researching initiatives for the year ahead. You can still make a valuable contribution to the wildlife in Enstone and surrounding areas, however!

Get ready for the Big Garden Birdwatch from 24–26 January, the world’s largest wildlife survey by the RSPB! Spend just one hour recording the highest number of each bird species that lands in your garden or local patch. This simple activity helps track the health of the UK’s bird populations—so grab a hot drink, a notebook, and enjoy some birdwatching! More details can be found on their website.

In 2025, we are planning on teaming up with the Chipping Norton Green Gym for some exciting projects, including creating and developing wildflower meadows in the village, monitoring Japanese knotweed and its invasion to the area, and joining the Parish Council’s litter pick.

Even though the cold months are near, don’t forget your garden can be a haven for wildlife during the colder months as they need their shelter and protection too! Think about building a log pile for insects, plant native spring bulbs, or maintain bird boxes to help nature thrive. Even leaving leaves and seed heads can provide vital shelter and food.

ENSTONE GARDEN CLUB

Enstone Garden Club News

Upcoming events January and beyond

A happy new year from the Garden Club!

January Gardeners’ Forum, Seed Collection and AGM

Monday 13 January, Parish Hall (Litchfield Room) 7.00

All current members and any potential members/interested Enstone residents are invited to the Garden Club’s January meeting at 7.00 pm on 13 January. We will be holding a Gardeners’ Forum/Q&A session when any topics of interest or gardening problems encountered can be aired and shared. There will also be a brief AGM and the annual seed orders will be available for distribution. Annual membership can be renewed at the same time.

Willow weaving workshop, St Kenelm’s Church Enstone

Saturday 29 March, 2.00 – 5.00

We have rescheduled the willow weaving workshop to 29 March at St Kenelm’s in Church Enstone. Led by expert willow weaver Rachel Harwood we will be creating plant supports for use in the garden. The cost for the three-hour workshop will be £50.00 including all materials and refreshments. We are looking forward to an enjoyable, sociable and creative afternoon.

Numbers will be limited, so please sign up asap by contacting the secretary of the garden club on 07771 594927.

Spring Flower Show – Saturday 12 April

Make a date in your calendar for this annual festival of spring flowers.

NO ONE SHOULD FACE A COLD WINTER (OXFORDSHIRE CC)

A warm, safe home is essential for good health and well-being of our Oxfordshire residents. Cold, damp housing can lead to serious health issues, including respiratory problems, heart disease, and mental health challenges across all age groups.

We’re here to help
There’s support available to help our residents stay warm this winter and beyond. We’ve created a toolkit of resources to help you find the right support, from the Better Housing Better Health service, the new Energy App and warm welcome from local libraries.

Why is this important?
Investing in warmer homes is a proactive approach to improving health and reducing the risk of illness. By addressing the root causes of health problems, we can build stronger, healthier communities.

How you can help
Spread the word! Share our toolkit and the messages with your networks and community groups to ensure that everyone in need knows about the available support. The toolkit includes posters, leaflet, thermometer cards and stickers which can be ordered, as well as digital resources and text for newsletters etc.

KATHARINE HOUSE HOSPICE

Katharine House Hospice is putting festive waste to good use with the return of its Christmas Tree-cycle, an innovative fundraising initiative that makes disposing of your old Christmas tree hassle-free while supporting a vital cause.

Katharine House, which provides support for people affected by life-limiting illnesses, is offering to collect and recycle real Christmas trees in exchange for a donation.

After the festive season, participants who live in the below postcodes can register for the service and volunteers will pick up their tree directly from their doorstep. The trees will then be chipped by Acreman’s Arboriculture Ltd into eco-friendly mulch, supporting local environmental efforts.

The hospice will arrange pick ups from postcodes:

OX7 (3,4,5,6)
OX15 (0,4,5,6)
OX16 (1,2,3,9)
OX17 (1,2,3)
NN13 (5,6,7).

To take part in the Christmas Tree-cycle, visit our partner JustHelping’s website to register your tree collection and make a donation to the hospice. Then leave your tree outside your home from 8am on 9 January and Katharine House will take care of the rest.

ENSTONE SPORTS & SOCIAL CLUB

Coming up:

Bingo in February – date T.B.C
Keep an eye out on our Facebook page and at the club.
Meat draw every Friday.
The club is open every Friday 7pm-11pm, Saturday 3pm till close and Sundays from 12pm to 3pm.
Sky sports, now with SkyQ, on every Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
All welcome, The club is open to everyone.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

January 9 – W.I New Year’s Meal 12:00 noon Bird in Hand

13 – Gardeners’ Forum, Seed Collection & AGM 7pm PH (Litchfield Room)

15-16 – Dermot Cavanagh Painting Course St Kenelm’s

18 – Coffee morning 10-12, St Kenelm’s

23 – Parish Council meeting 7pm, Parish Hall

25 – Final Date for Copy

Current & previous Ensigns as pdf.