In the May 2020 edition of Dorchester News we wrote about a proposal to improve some of the water retaining features in the Hurst meadow. The work had been planned for last summer but Covid19 restrictions intervened. We were able to carry over into 2021 the grant which we had received for this project, so we plan to go ahead in July or August this year. We have received the necessary permissions for the work from the Environment Agency and from SODC.

For approximately a week a contractor will be excavating a new scrape in an existing depression close to the present scrape, and will be deepening sections of the channel which runs through the meadow parallel to the river Thame (see diagram). During this time, and for a period following the completion of work, there will be restricted access along the mown permissive paths beside the river Thame and the Hurst channel. Initially this will be to ensure safety of the public while machinery is working, and then to allow the soil and vegetation to settle following the work. Barrier tape and signs will be erected to guide walkers, and trustees will be on site monitoring the work of the contractor.

The public footpath across the Hurst, from the main gate to the stile at Overy, will remain open.

We are confident that Dorchester residents will be understanding about the minor restrictions and will be helpful and compliant in keeping themselves and their dogs safely away from the contractor’s machinery. If anyone has any concerns, particularly when work is in progress, please contact the Secretary of the Trust (details below).

Work on Old Bridge Meadow and Ovey Mead Piece

Also, starting in late July, the Earth Trust will be undertaking excavation work to enhance the wetland habitat on our other two meadows. The Earth Trust will be responsible for further notifications about this and for managing the work on site. All the costs of this work are being met by the Earth Trust which has received grant funding. The part played by the Hurst Water Meadow Trust has been to agree to this work occurring on the land that we look after on behalf of the community. Further information can be found on the website www.earthtrust.org.uk/projects/river-of-life-ll/.

During the period of work on all the projects every effort will be made to minimise inconvenience to walkers and residents.

Gillian Johnson, Hon Secretary www.hurst-water-meadow.org.uk
hurstwatermt@gmail.com
01865 340925

Choral singers are invited to join a socially-distanced ‘Come and Sing’ day at Dorchester Abbey on Thursday 19th August.

Led by acclaimed composer and conductor Matthew Coleridge, the scratch choir will spend the day learning to sing Matthew’s “exquisitely beautiful” Requiem, before giving a performance in the Abbey at 6:30pm.

Award-winning cellist Sarah Gait will also perform one of Bach’s solo Cello Suites.

Singers can register online at www.matthewcoleridge.com/dorchester.

Audience tickets will be strictly limited and must be booked advance via the same link.

We’re Open!

Remember the Museum is now open every Wed, Thurs, Sat and Sun, 2.00-5.00pm until the end of September, as well as bank holiday Mondays.

So please do pop in to say hello and have a look at the exhibits and the wide selection of greeting cards and small gifts in our shop. It’s great to see our visitors both local and from afar coming back again now that people are getting out and about more.

Please be assured that you’ll feel safe in the Museum as we have careful Covid-19 protection protocols in place: hand sanitizer, one-way system, social distancing, only a small number of people allowed entry at the same time, etc.

Celebrating the Museum’s 60th Anniversary

A social gathering in the Cloister Gardens for all Museum volunteers, current and past, on Monday 26 July. You’ll receive an individual invitation to attend – please reply, so we know numbers for catering.

The Riverside outdoor heated pool and campsite in Wallingford will reopen for its full summer season from the May bank holiday weekend under Covid-19 safety guidelines.

South Oxfordshire District Council and its leisure contractor Better UK have confirmed the news that the campsite and pool will open on their usual opening weekend, following weeks of hard work to ensure the site can be used safely.

The measures put in place mean local residents and visitors will be able to make the most of the sunshine and enjoy the heated pool and campsite at the picturesque location on the edge of Wallingford Town Centre while keeping themselves and Riverside staff safe. The summer season will come to an end as usual in early September.

This bank holiday will also be the first-time swimmers will have the opportunity to use a fully refurbished surface in the swimming pool area. Last year when Covid guidelines meant the outdoor pool was closed, the district council took the opportunity to carry out the refurbishment to improve the experience for swimmers.

The pool’s reopening is subject to there being no further changes to Covid guidelines, and there are some additional rules, including:

• sessions must be booked in advance via the Better UK App or on the Better UK website
• a reduced capacity for the number of swimmers
• a one-way route around the changing rooms

Changes at the campsite include:

• self-service entry
• socially distanced pitches
• reduced capacity in the changing block
• increased cleaning by Riverside staff.

Cllr Maggie Filipova-Rivers Cabinet Member for Community Services said: “This is such a popular place for our residents and visitors to have some fun and enjoy the sunshine in Wallingford, and I am so pleased that we are in a position now to reopen it after we had to keep it closed last year due to the pandemic.

“I am expecting the pool and campsite will be in high demand, so don’t forget to book, and please do follow the Covid safety guidelines so everyone can enjoy themselves. We are really keen to give our residents the chance to enjoy their summer this year, as well as hopefully providing an economic boost to Wallingford town centre, but of course keeping everyone safe is a top priority.”

All the details about the new safety guidelines and opening times for the outdoor pool and campsite are available on the Better UK website where you can also find details for how to book your sessions.

 

These road works will have a definite impact upon Dorchester residents although, hopefully, the planned mitigation measures specified by OCC in the following emails will mean that it is minor rather than a serious problem.

• All through traffic will be diverted from further south at the Shillingford Roundabout to follow the A329 which is the recognised diversion route.
• There will be additional signage at the Shillingford roundabout informing traffic that there is a prohibition on LGV/HGV traffic through Dorchester.
• Signs will also state to follow the signed diversion and NOT the vehicle’s Sat Nav’s.
• Signs will be erected at the Shillingford roundabout stating “Road Ahead Closed”.
• There will be a manned hard closure point at the Henley Road turn leading into Dorchester, with the gatemen at this location turning around any traffic attempting to use this as an alternative route.
• Access will only be permitted for local traffic and residents of Dorchester.
• The main diversion and HGV signage along with “Road Closed Ahead” signage will be back at Clifton Hampden so through traffic is diverted from further back.
• Manned hard closure point will be at the Abingdon Rd turn into Burcot, with gateman turning around all traffic apart from local access/residents.

TRAFFIC REGULATION NOTICE
ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT, 1984

Notice is hereby given pursuant to Section 14(2) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act, 1984, that the Oxfordshire County Council

TEMPORARILY PROHIBITS THE USE OF AND WAITING ON THE HIGHWAY
BY ALL MOTOR VEHICLES

LOCATION: Berinsfield. A415 / A4074 Berinsfield Rbt

REASON: To facilitate carriageway resurfacing and the subsequent reinstatement of all lining and road markings.

DURATION: Starting on 28 June 2021
The anticipated completion date is 06 July 2021. (date included). The road will be closed for a maximum period of 5 nights within this period.
(Traffic Regulation Notices cover a maximum of 5 consecutive days.)

ACCESS: Limited access will be maintained for emergency service vehicles and for frontages within the closed section of road, subject to the progress of the works

The “No Waiting” restriction means that wherever there are in place yellow “No Waiting” cones, you will not be able to park vehicles on the highway.

SUGGESTED ALTERNATIVE ROUTE:via Southbound traffic A4074, B4015, B480, A329, A4074 and vice versa or A415, B4015, and vice versa.

Jason Russell, Corporate Director – Communities
Date: 11 March 2021