Category Archives: Events in and around Dorchester

Potential post office mobile van to visit Dorchester

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We have just been made aware of this potential post office van in the last few days.

Please note that this consultation process includes the introduction of a mobile post office service for Dorchester-on-Thames.

The period closes on 17th April and so there is time for it to appear in the April Dorchester News.

 

I’m pleased to let you know that we are proposing to restore Post Office services to the communities of Stadhampton and Stoke Row, with the introduction of a Mobile van service.

Since the closure of the above services we have continued to work to identify a solution to restore services to the local communities. We are therefore planning to introduce a Mobile service, which is a tried and tested way of maintaining service to smaller communities. The Mobile Service is a travelling Post Office aboard a specifically designed vehicle that brings Post Office services and retail products to communities without relying on fixed premises that has formed part of our operational network for some years now.

I am therefore pleased to inform you that the Postmaster from Warborough Post Office has been appointed to run the mobile van service in the above localities. The establishment of Mobile services presents the best possible solution to restore Post Office services to these communities.

In addition to restoring these services, we will also be reinstating services as a temporary Mobile service to Benson RAF, Checkendon, Dorchester on Thames, Nettlebed, Radley and Tetsworth while we continue to seek a permanent solution.

Why We Are Consulting

We would like you to tell us what you think about the suitability of the proposed new service.

Give Us Your Views

Online Survey

 

Original article: https://www.postofficeviews.co.uk/national-consultation-team/warbourough-ox10-7dd-401137/

Waste Collection – snow update

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Below is an update on waste collection this week from southandvale due to the snow.

We are expecting some disruption to recycling collections today due to the snow and ice. It’s unlikely that conditions will have improved sufficiently for the crews to catch up tomorrow, so if we aren’t able to empty bins today, we’re asking residents to leave them out on Monday and we will try and catch up.

If we haven’t emptied them by the end of the day on Monday, they should bring them back in and we will empty them next time they’re due. If this is the case they will be able to leave out extra recycling beside their bin in a clear sack or an open box if it is full up.

Dorchester-on-Thames Neighbourhood Development Plan Referendum

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When: 15th March 2018

Where: Dorchester on thames village hall

The face of the countryside as we know it is being changed and rural communities like ours must adapt to accommodate the need for more homes to be built in our part of the world. If you as a resident of Dorchester-on-Thames have an interest in or concern for the future of our village, particularly in the areas of its:

  • HOUSING
  • ECONOMY
  • TOURISM AND LEISURE
  • HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT
  • NATURAL ENVIRONMENT, WILDLIFE AND BIODIVERSITY

It is vital that you exercise your right to vote on the Plan at the forthcoming referendum on: 15th March 2018

The Plan can be viewed on the village website www.dorchester-on-thames.co.uk/ndp and also at the George, the White Hart, the Fleur, Lily’s, Hair and the Abbey.

The Parish Clerk will also have a copy.

Proxy and postal votes are available and can be applied for at www.gov.uk/apply-vote-proxy

There will be at least one drop-in session at the Village  Hall (date and times to be announced) prior to the Referendum for you to come and discuss any questions, issues or concerns with members of the Parish Council and NDP team. Any questions you may have in the intervening period should be sent to the Parish Clerk parishclerk@dorchesteronthames.co.uk who will ensure that a member of the NDP team comes back to you with an answer as soon as possible.

So please remember, this is a unique opportunity for you to influence the future shape of your village and your vote is vital

 

Expressway Action Group – urgent request for action

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The group, of which Dorchester is a member, held  a “Stakeholder Engagement” meeting with Highways England’s team and their Engagement contractors Jacobs in late December.  Because Highways England recognise that the Expressway Action Group represent a large number of communities across Oxfordshire and beyond and have a wide range of issues of concern re the Expressway, they have given EAG a special status alongside the ‘Environmental’ groups they are consulting. This allows us to bring evidence to them on the O2C Expressway’s impact in economic, amenity, growth and other areas as well as our important Environmental / Wildlife evidence.
They have opened an email address for us, so that we can submit evidence directly to the Highways England experts who are studying the 3 proposed Corridors for possible O2C Expressway routes: we are already submitting evidence using this new portal, including environmental data as they become available.This gives EAG and its member communities and their environment / wildlife friends direct access to the technical team at Highways: so we want to maximise this opportunity to affect O2C corridor and route choice – and we need your help.
We have been asked by Highways to gather as much information on important wildlife habitat areas, heritage sites and other risk areas and places which an Expressway would harm, either directly or by running nearby within the ’Noise Footprint” which a major dual-carriageway / motorway-standard road would generate.
Can I therefore ask all of you to speak to your, neighbours and friends within your Parish, and draw up a list of important locations in the parish which would be impacted by an O2C through / past your community: this needs to be in the form of a list giving details of each site / heritage building, plus a map showing those sites.
Please note, the evidence has to be based on objective data and should ideally be validated by one of the recognised Oxfordshire wildlife organisations: they may be willing to help you with data on your local key wildlife areas.
These include important Heritage sites – for example, here in Dorchester-on-Thames we would want to include Dorchester Abbey on the list of sites threatened by Noise pollution: we would list the Abbey and give a short description of its huge historical importance etc. There will undoubtedly be many Heritage sites and buildings which Highways team may overlook if we don’t tell them…!
We have very little time to gather this information – if we don’t get it to Highways England by the weekend of the 3rd February, we may miss the boat. Anyone able to make a submission should tryto get a map and list of sites back to us by the 3rd February: that will give us a few days to collate everything and submit it for inclusion. Please note, YOUR SUBMISSIONS WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE, AND COULD SAVE YOUR COMMUNITY FROM THE EXPRESSWAY’S IMPACT – so please do what you can!
Dawn McGiveron in the Baldons is kindly helping us by gathering all this data together: please send your responses back to her marked “EAG Evidence Pack from Dorchester on Thames Parish” at dawn@mcgiveron.co.uk as soon as it’s ready.
On the wider campaign there is an opportunity to meet the Treasury Minister on the 6th Feb in Whitehall, to make EAG’s case: we are also meeting John Howell MP and Ed Vaizey MP on the 2nd Feb to do the same (many thanks to Cllr Lynda Atkins and Cllr Lorraine Lindsey-Gale for setting up the Howell / Vaizey meeting).

Volunteers needed: Could you help a child to read and change their life forever?

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St Birinus Primary have a need for ARCh Reading Helper Volunteers to support a number of their older children (aged 7 and above) who are not heard reading at home, and need the real boost that trained ARCh volunteers provide.

Could you help a child to read and change their life forever?

Volunteers needed

ARCh (Assisted Reading for Children) is a local registered charity which operates in Oxfordshire primary schools to help children who are struggling with reading.

All it takes is one and a half hours twice a week during the school day as an ARCh volunteer in a primary school near you.

Full training is given and we provide ongoing support and reimburse travel expenses.

To find out more, visit our website www.archoxfordshire.org.uk

Or telephone us on 01869 320380

The charity obtains enhanced DBS checks on all volunteers before placement

Registered Charity Number 1146276