Author Archive: dorchadmin

Dorchester Preschool

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I would like to firstly say slightly late a good bye to Elsa Dougan who has been at Dorchester Pre-school for over 20 years and has now retired to spend more time with her grandchildren, Elsa’s 3 boys all attended the Pre-school then onto the school so she has been around for many years. We wish her well. We said goodbye to our 11 school leavers , they will be off to Clifton , Marsh Baldon and Dorchester school. We will miss them all and hope they settle into school life well.

We have limited places for 2/3/4 year olds, we accept the government funding at the setting and you can find us on our website or by calling the setting in September. We are now closed to September 2nd 2021.

From Helen (Pre-school Manager)

 

As a committee we would like to thank all of the staff for their fantastic work over a challenging year. As parents we have been unable to enter the setting so being able to attend the (distanced) sports day was really special, and it was lovely to see how well all of the children interacted with each other and their teachers.

We would especially like to thank Elsa as she moves on to spend more time with her own family.

Next year we will be welcoming new children to the setting and hope to be able to hold more fundraising events (restrictions allowing) as we hope to be able to create a sheltered outside area. As a committee we are always open to welcoming more members so if you would be interested in volunteering with us, or supporting us on a one off event, please email secretary@dorcehsterpreschool.co.uk .

From Rachel (Pre-school Committee Secretary)

WI

Warborough & Shillingford WI – August 2021

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WI

It has been a delight to meet up with people for real in July – we had lots of catching up to do!

On the 3rd July a team from the WI and Lunch Club provided Tea&Cake for Bloomin’ Marvellous Open Gardens to raise funds for the restoration of St Laurence Church. We were in Tim and Sarah Martins beautiful barn right in the centre of the village on the Green and the weather was kind.

On the 14th July we had our ‘delayed from 2020’ afternoon visit to Bach Flower Remedy gardens and café, Brightwell cum Sotwell. A fascinating 20 min film gave us the history of Dr Bach and his search for flower remedies; the house museum contains many of his and his assistants note books and equipment; and the garden is full of the plants whose flowers he discovered were therapeutic. Nora’s Café is a gem. Check the website for opening times. www.bachcentre.com

Another postponed visit from 2020 was to Broughton Castle and gardens on 28th July when WI and Mowers and Growers joined forces and 40 villagers enjoyed an early evening tour of the moated and castellated historic house and garden. The view from the roof over the moat, walled gardens and parkland was dramatic under glowering skies but there was enough sun for a rainbow. www.broughtoncastle.com

In August the members are going to celebrate all their Covid birthdays with a Birthday Tea Party on the Green

In September we will be back on Zoom for a Live Streamed tour of Cambridge – a first for us. We will report back.

The Walking Group is having a short break over August whilst we all catch up with old friends and family but will be back in September.

W&S WI Centenary 2022. Plans are underway.

Community projects are progressing well.

Membership is rising with 5 new members this summer so far. Welcome everyone and a huge thank you to all of you who have stuck with us through the Covid year.

Dorchester residents There are already 7 Dorchester residents and we would love more of you to join us! And lifts are available. Please call Ann Wells a Dorchester resident on 01865 341 246 if you would like more information.

Warborough and Shillingford residents we would love you to join us.

Pat Norman, Secretary, pnorman87@btinternet.com

Book Group

Red Notice by Bill Browder was very popular and despite us having to resort to Zoom when it was too wet to meet on The Green, it generated a huge amount of discussion about 21st Century Russia.

A Single Thread by Tracy Chevalier was lighter and a quick read centred on Winchester and the broderers who embroidered kneelers and cushions for the cathedral but explored the ‘left over’ women in the period between the wars and how they began to change attitudes to women in the 20th Century.

  • Thirteen by Steve Cavanagh
  • Darling by Rachel Edwards
  • The Sealwoman’s Gift by Sally Magnusson
  • The Ginger Tree by Oswold Wynn
  • Christmas – Desert Island Books
  • The Moth and the Mountain by Ed Caesar

People across South and Vale urged to have their say on the Ox-Cam Arc

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People across South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse are being urged to have their say on the Oxford-Cambridge Arc, a government led project which will have an impact on the district in the future.

The Oxford-Cambridge Arc includes the area between Oxford, Milton Keynes and Cambridge and aims to make significant economic, social and environmental improvements across the region by 2050 and beyond.

The government is currently developing a vision for the Spatial Framework – a long-term strategic plan for growth across the area – which will help support planning for the future with the aim of helping to create jobs, drive investment, protect and enhance the environment, and provide infrastructure to make the Arc a better place to work and live.

The government has announced a 12-week public consultation on the future of the Ox-Cam Arc and people are being encouraged to help to create the Spatial Framework’s vision for the area to 2050 under the following themes:

  • The Environment
  • The Economy
  • Connectivity and Infrastructure
  • Place-making

Once agreed, the shared vision will help to determine which new policies are developed and ultimately will shape government plans for the Oxford to Cambridge Arc region.

The consultation also seeks views on the work the Government has done to set the scope of the Sustainability Appraisal, and the Government has also announced a new expert panel to advise on sustainable economic and housing growth in the Arc.

Cllr Sue Cooper, Leader of South Oxfordshire District Council, said: “The Ox-Cam Arc will have an impact on our residents in South Oxfordshire for many generations to come, especially if the high population growth forecasted materialises. It is therefore vital that development is properly managed and planned and that the project’s vision really focusses on protecting and enhancing our natural environment, while also providing green focussed improvements to our local infrastructure and employment opportunities which will have genuine benefits for people living and working here.

“We as a council we will do what we can to influence the direction of this project, however it’s very important that people understand what this project means and that they are able to have their say at each stage of the process.

“I therefore urge everyone who lives and works in South Oxfordshire to have their say in this consultation, particularly our younger residents who will be most impacted by the longer-term effects of any Arc projects.”

Cllr Emily Smith, Leader of Vale of White Horse District Council, said: “This is really the first opportunity that our residents have had to see or comment on the government’s plans for the Arc region and their Arc Spatial Framework, which will become part of national planning policy.

“As a council we are already pushing for stronger environmental policies and powers along with investment in green technology. We know that people are concerned about the potential levels of growth and making sure that any benefits that the Arc projects bring benefit all existing residents across our communities.

“The Arc projects are likely to have a significant impact on our communities and will play a key role in how we are able to come together as a wider region to tackle the climate emergency. It’s particularly important that residents, businesses, and local partners in the Vale have a say in shaping this vision as it will help determine what policies and investments happen next.

“I urge everyone who lives and works here to find out more about the government’s vision for the Arc region and to have your say in this initial consultation.”

How to have your say

This public consultation is the first of three that will guide a new Spatial Framework over the next two years.

To find out more and to have your say visit placebuilder.io/futureofthearc. The consultation is open until 12 October 2021.

About the Oxford-Cambridge Arc

The Oxford-Cambridge Arc (the Arc) is a globally significant area between Oxford, Milton Keynes and Cambridge. It is formed of five ceremonial counties: Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire.

It supports over two million jobs, adds over £110 billion to the economy every year and houses one of the fastest growing economies in England.

For more information, please visit the government’s website.