BRIZE NORTON
Breeze
‘For the
betterment
of our
community’
Christine tells us about the
new project to install
Public Art in the Village
One Saturday
morning...
Annabel tells the story of a
1 in a billion occurence
‘For the
betterment
of our
community’
Christine tells us about the
new project to install
Public Art in the Village
One Saturday
morning...
Annabel tells the story of a
1 in a billion occurence
February to April 2023 • Distributed to over 750 homes in Brize Norton Village
The Season
for yummy cakes
Jane & Julie give their
recipes for delicious delights
How our
Village
can help your
mental health
Ben, Jayne and Vicky explain
how community and sleep
are so important right now
Lisa & her Mam
give top tips on gardening
to beat the frost!
Issue176
‘Happy reading’
Wendy launches the new version
of the Brize Norton Magazine
February to April 2023 • Issue 176 • @BrizeBreeze
ON THE COVER
5 HAPPY READING
• Wendy launches the new
version and seeks new
Councillors!
6 ADY STATE - COVER
• “... since I’ve lived here
I think the sense of
community means even
more”
8 FOR THE BETTERMENT
OF OUR COMMUNITY
• Get involved in our Public Art
Project for Mary Ellis
Country Park
15 WORKING ON THE
GARDEN?
• Lisa and her Mam give top
tips for Winter to Spring
gardening
16 THE SEASON FOR
YUMMY CAKES
• Bananas, apples and
chocolate... what more
would you need?
19 HOW THE VILLAGE CAN
HELP YOUR MENTAL
HEALTH
• Ben looks at how those
around you can support your
mental health
20 RETRAIN YOUR SLEEP
PATTERN
• According to the NHS, 1
in 3 adults suffer sleep
problems... Jayne looks at
sleeping habits
22 STEP AWAY FROM THE
BIGGER PICTURE FOR A
MINUTE
• Vicky explains the benefits
to focussing upon the
community around you
32 ONE SATURDAY
MORNING...
• Annabel tells of how they
woke up to a 1 in a billion
event one morning...
AROUND OUR
VILLAGE
10 UPDATE
• Les provides updates on the
various developments going
on around the village
11 IDEAL CAREHOMES
• Maria writes about Brize
Meadow Lodge
12 THE STATE OF NATURE
• Ady, Les and Rachel give
updates on how we can help
our environment and give a
progress update
14 BRIZE NORTON
HORTICULTURAL SHOW
• Tony looks at the 2023 event
and asks for Volunteers
23 ST BRITIUS CHURCH
• Carolyn updates us on
what’s going on at St Britius
24 THE HUMBLE BUMBLE
• An update on the HBC
community from Bev and the
team
25 BRIZE NORTON FC
• Finishing top of Division 2!
25 BRIZE NORTON S&SC
• Looking forward to the year
ahead!
26 VILLAGE SCHOOLS
• Brize Norton Pre-School and
Primary School give us their
updates
28 KEEPING OUR VILLAGE
SAFE
• Our PCSO gives us an
update on how to keep our
homes safe and who to
contact
• Attacking fly-tipping in
our village and the use of
FixMyStreet
31 ELDER BANK HALL
• Calendar of weekly
bookings in the hall
31 OVER 60’S & DANCING
• Joy introduces the Over
6-0’s Club and Dancing in
Elder Bank Hall
INTEREST,
REFERENCE &
DIRECTORIES
30 WALKING ENGLAND
• John gives us tips on
free resources to get you
out and about walking
throughout our gorgeous
countryside
34 OUR PARISH
COUNCILLORS
• Who’s who
35 VILLAGE DIRECTORY
• Adverts of businesses in
and around the Village and
useful contacts
Welcome to the new version of
the Brize Norton Newsletter,
BRIZE NORTON
Breeze
We would like to say a HUGE thank you to all of our
wonderful article writers who helped contribute to our newly
redesigned magazine and also to the kind businesses who
advertised in this magazine and supporting our village.
This magazine has been written by people who live in our
village and friends who have donated their hard-earned free
time to help, so for this, we thank you.
If you would like to send an article or would like to advertise
in our next edition, out in May 2023, email Jayne via
jayne@chapelhilldesign.co.uk
CONTENTS
Chairman of Brize Norton Parish Council
Wendy Way, focuses on Community
W
elcome to our new
look village magazine
– the Brize Breeze.
The Parish Council would
like to thank everyone who
submitted their ideas. It was a
difficult choice as there were
so many good ideas.
So much has happened in
the last twelve months. No
one could have predicted the
events that unfolded – from
learning to live with Covid-19,
the war in Ukraine, the sad
death of Queen Elizabeth II
and the rising costs of living.
We have welcomed a number
of Ukrainian families to the
village, some of whom have
moved on and others have
remained with us.
I hope that you continue
to enjoy living in Brize
and becoming part of the
community.
The rising costs of living is
affecting us all. Providing
warm spaces, supporting the
lonely or vulnerable are just
some of the ways that our
local councils are helping
communities deal with the
this. If you are in need of
any help or searching for
advice then please check
the noticeboards around the
village for information, look on
the WODC website or contact
the Parish Council via the
Clerk’s email.
The Parish Council still has
vacancies for Councillors.
Unfortunately, due to family
and work commitments, David
Golding resigned as Councillor
in December. We would like
to take this opportunity to
thank him for his support and
wish him the very best of luck
for the future.
If you are interested then
there are some free online
sessions organised by the
Oxfordshire Association of
Local Councils that sets
out what being a Councillor
involves and gives you a
chance to ask questions. See
the details on the opposite
page.
It only leaves me to say
‘Happy reading’
“We would like to
take this opportunity
to thank
David Golding”
ave you ever thought of
becoming a Councillor and
would like to serve for your village?
o you want to make a
positive difference in your
community?
f so, Oxfordshire Association of
Local Councils are running some
free online sessions.
ALC has put together a one
hour session which sets out
the basics of being a councillor
with the opportunity to ask
questions as well.
‘So, you want to be a Councillor?’
sessions are running over the next
few weeks.
IF YOU FEEL YOU MIGHT BE A
POSSIBLE CANDIDATE then please
come and see by joining in on a
one hour session on
15th March 2-3pm
no need to book!
Zoom joining details:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/871250121
09?pwd=VzZkYzkwajlqTTJSWEdrcmVxT
Us2QT09
Meeting ID: 871 2501 2109
Passcode: 386520
To contact
Wendy (Chairman) or Jo (Clerk)
w.way@brizenortonparishcouncil.co.uk
clerk@brizenortonparishcouncil.co.uk
February 2023 | @BrizeBreeze
February 2023 | @BrizeBreeze
hen Ady State retired
from a career in
electronics he was keen to
make a difference to his local
community.
So, being able to do it in a
place where his grandparents
lived and where he spent
time as a child has been extra
special.
Although he is Witney born
and bred, Ady’s family ties to
Brize Norton meant he always
had a close connection with
the village.
So when he
retired in 2020
and moved to
Brize Norton, he
was determined
to throw himself
into village life.
This wasn’t easy
at first. His move
to the village
coincided with
Covid restrictions,
and Ady admits
that it was lonely
initially.
“But I then had
the good sense to
get an allotment,”
he said. “Within two or three
days I seemed to know half
the village!”
And Ady is now busier than
ever. A year after moving to
the village he became a parish
councillor and he also devotes
a lot of time to helping two
friends look after and monitor
the local owl population.
Together, they take care of
170 boxes for barn owls in
West Oxfordshire, regularly
clearing out and repairing the
boxes and putting in new ones
throughout winter, and then
tagging baby owls in spring
to help monitor their progress
and keep an eye on numbers.
It’s hard but rewarding work
and Ady is looking for new
helpers, although he admits
it’s not for fair-weathered folk.
“When it’s raining and cold
and you’re stood up a tree, it’s
By Victoria Tilley
Ady suggested a new name for our
magazine, it proved to be the most
popular! So he kindly agreed to be our
‘Villager’s Voice’ and tell
Victoria Tilley all about himself...
not always so appealing!”
Ady, who studied
environmental biology at
Oxford Brookes University,
described how his interest in
the natural world started as a
child.
“I could be a bit disruptive at
school so one of my teachers
put me in charge of the nature
table and I started bringing in
things for that most days.
“My father knew someone
who had just started going
to the West Oxfordshire Field
Club, so I joined when I was 11
and here I am 57 years later!”
Passionate about poetry
and plays, Ady used to go to
the theatre in London most
weeks and attended Edinburgh
Fringe every year. He is also
well travelled, having worked
in Europe and Asia – with
Lisbon and Dublin among his
favourite cites.
However, he is now perfectly
content at home reading his
daily newspaper.
“I am a people person, I love
oddballs and characters, but I
do also love a couple of hours
to myself.”
He also enjoys being able
to help other people out,
and is always happy to put
up a shelf for a neighbour
or give them a lift.
“I have always been
community minded but
since I’ve lived here I think the
sense of community means
even more. People here really
do care about each other,” he
said.
“It’s funny because I lived in
Witney most of my life but
never felt as rooted there as I
do here. I love living here, it is
a real community.”
Thank you to Ady for taking part. You’ll
see Ady’s article, ‘The State of Nature’ a
little later on in the magazine.
“I have always been
community minded
but since I’ve lived here
I think the sense of
community means
even more. ”
If you’d like to
nominate someone from
the Village to be our next
‘Villagers Voice’, email
jayne@chapelhilldesign.co.uk
February 2023 | @BrizeBreeze
February 2023 | @BrizeBreeze
By Christine Payne
or those of us who live
in the Parish of Brize
Norton, we have an amazing
opportunity to create and
develop an exciting Public Art
Project; with a focus on the
‘betterment of our community
and cultural wellbeing’.
This project is being funded
through the S106 Public Art
Fund which is derived from the
Brize Meadow development
being constructed by Bloor
Homes Ltd.
Committee
A voluntary committee has
been formed to explore ways
to provide information and
engage the village community
in the process and to bring
forward Public Art Projects.
The committee members are
Christine Payne, Les Goble,
Tim Gush, Ben Campion, and
Claire Stewart. We have been
meeting over the previous few
months to explore ideas and
ways to launch this project.
Our strap line is
‘for the betterment of
our community’
which provides us with our
key focus. One of our initial
goals is how we involve the
whole community, and as part
of this objective, we welcome
members of our community
to join the committee. We
meet regularly at the Humble
Bumble Cafe in the Sports
Pavilion. If interested, please
contact us via the email
details at the end of the
article.
Public Art
- in its widest sense
Public Art is intended to
enhance and develop the
quality, distinctiveness, and
future heritage of a place. Our
project will involve the arts in
its widest sense (please see
the poster opposite) and raise
ideas and questions which
will help us to use the funding
wisely and for the benefit of
our community. Can we foster
connections between each
other and the land on which
we live? Can we use art to
sustain us, our environment,
and our community? Can we
use art and group activities to
help us interact with our green
spaces? Can art enhance our
surroundings? Can art help us
nurture ourselves and nature?
We need creative, innovative,
and new ideas from groups,
children and individuals who
live in the parish, to help us
explore possible art related
projects. There will be many
opportunities to contribute
to the process and ongoing
discussions. Your thoughts
and comments, via the email
Leased
Field
north
Parish boundary
Parish boundary
Copse
Leased
Field
south
10
11
12
Brize Norton - green spaces - map ref: 008
KEY
1 Recreation Ground
2 Allotments
3 War Memorial
4 SuDS area
5 Monahan Way Sports Pitches
6 Kilkenny Lane Country Park
7 Mary Ellis Country Park
- South
8 Mary Ellis Country Park
- North
9 Brize Meadow Sports Pitches
10 New Village Green
11 New Allotments
12 New Neighbourhood equipped
Area for Playing (NEAP)
Public
ublic
Art
rt
below, are welcomed and as
the project develops; we hope
to use an online survey to help
further guide decisions.
We are very fortunate that
our accessible green spaces
are increasing in size, with
additional footpaths, a
proposed nature trail, the
Mary Ellis Country Park,
a ‘Queens Green Canopy’
and a village green for Brize
Meadow, all contributing to
the existing network of green
corridors and parks, which in
turn, increases connectivity.
The more we walk, play, make,
draw, read, write, photograph,
sit, exercise, and create in
our green spaces, the more
we will see, hear, notice, and
appreciate our surroundings.
This will help us connect to
and support our wellbeing.
Plans for
Community
Engagement
We plan to
engage further
with the
community during Spring 2023.
We have already planned
an interactive presentation
including a map which invites
individual responses, the
development of a webpage,
and will include updates in
each Parish Newsletter.
Other ideas include an artist-
led walkabout to see what
we notice in our green spaces
and a treasure hunt styled
adventure which sets out
‘clues’ across our parish.
We are at the
beginning of the
journey to enhance
our community through the
Arts and look forward to
exploring ideas with villagers
across the parish.
Why not get involved?
To contact the committee managing
the Public Art project
email: public.art@brizenortonparishcouncil.co.uk
Recycled metal deer sculpture, Sherbourne House, Glos.
Credit: Stephen Shepherd
“Public art is a
community led project
for the betterment of all
who live in our village.”
The Gruffalo, Old Wood Trail, Westonbirt Arboretum, Glos.
Credit: Julie Munckton
Public Art Project
THE PUBLIC ART PROJECT IS COMMUNITY LED, FOR
THE BETTERMENT OF ALL WHO LIVE IN THE VILLAGE.
We would like to hear your ideas
creative
SEATING
climbing
WALL?
WELL-BEING
CYCLE
PATHS
‘The Fledglings’ Fantasywire Sculpture, Trentham Estate
Credit: Fantasywire - FB: @Fantasywire
February 2023 | @BrizeBreeze
February 2023 | @BrizeBreeze
To contact Ideal Carehomes, call
0113 465 4000 or
for media related enquiries,
contact Terri Kidd
Terri.Kidd@idealcarehomes.co.uk
07508 214038
Around
Our Village
By Les Goble
BRIZE MEADOW
he Parish Council
continues to have
monthly online updates
and three monthly on-site
meetings with Bloor Homes
to discuss numerous items,
both on and off site, which
are relative to the Council and
residents of Brize Norton.
CONNECTIVITY
It’s lovely to see how many
people are now using the new
section of foot/cycle path
which runs down the east side
of the development next to
where the new allotments will
be situated.
At the southern end, the path
ends at a very muddy link
down to Carterton Road but
now that Thames Water has
completed their works outside
the new pumping station, we
have asked Bloor Homes if
the foot/cycle path can now
be completed so that we can
have an integrated, accessible,
continuous link between
Carterton Road and Monahan
Way (which leads onto the
Kilkenny Lane Country Park)
and down to Burford Road.
BUILD OUTS
At long last,
the build-
outs on
Station Road,
Carterton Road
and Elm Grove
are completed.
We have been
advised that by the time you
read this, the street lights
will be working and the
groundworks completed.
ROAD NAMES
Some of you have asked where
the origin of the road names
used on Brize Meadow have
come from and so in the next
issue, I will share with you
how the names were chosen.
HAVE YOU
SEEN THE
SIGNS?
We’ve recently
had our 20mph
signs installed
throughout the
village. At the moment, they
are sprayed over while the
scheme is progressing, but
keep an eye on noticeboards
and social media for more
information.
“It’s lovely to see how many
people are now using the new
section of foot/cycle path.”
BRIZE MEADOW LODGE
An open letter to the
Brize Norton community
from Maria Taylor,
Commissioning Director
at Ideal Carehomes, due to
open Brize Meadow Lodge
care home in April 2023.
n behalf of everyone
at Ideal Carehomes, I
would like to wish you all a
Happy New Year and share
some exciting news about our
upcoming care home, Brize
Meadow Lodge.
As you will know, our care
home is currently under
construction and coming
along nicely. We are right on
schedule to open our doors in
April 2023, so keep an eye out
for our exclusive preview day
which will be towards the end
of April. I’m looking forward
to inviting the Brize Norton
community into the care home
to take a look around the
facilities.
Brize Meadow Lodge is now
looking to recruit its first
team members to provide
compassionate care to our
future residents.
We are recruiting for various
positions including care
management, care assistants
and kitchen, domestic and
admin staff. Our new team
will be invited to complete
a thorough induction period
before the home opens,
providing first-rate residential
and dementia care.
The team will
be focused
on creating
a welcoming
and fulfilling
lifestyle for
the people
who live at
Brize Meadow
Lodge through
round-the-
clock support,
regular and varied activities,
healthy and nutritious food
and laundry and housekeeping
service.
This is a great time to join the
Ideal Carehomes family and
even to start a career in social
care if you are new to the
care sector. We have unique
training and development
initiatives through our Ideal
Academy, including industry-
leading training, career
progression opportunities via
a range of learning resources
such as E-learning and
specialist workshops.
Ideal Academy was founded
with the idea that anyone can
have a career in care, training
our teams all the way from
care assistant through to
Home Manager via the Ideal
Futures course. Our starting
salary for care assistants is
£22,000 per annum and our
benefits include paid breaks,
uniform, discounts and offers
at stores, a refer a friend
scheme, and regular staff
social events.
We recognise our teams each
year with a glitzy awards gala
awards evening, the Ideal
Care Awards. This was last
held in October 2022 at Casa
Hotel in Sheffield, where we
celebrated with 120 members
of staff who had been
nominated by their colleagues,
residents and families and
friends for consistently going
the extra mile to make a
difference to the lives of our
residents.
We can’t wait to welcome
our new Brize Meadow Lodge
team to the Ideal Carehomes
family. If you are interested
in working at Brize Meadow
Lodge, you can find all our
current vacancies on our
website www.idealcarehomes.
co.uk/careers.
If you have any questions
about Brize Meadow Lodge, or
our work at Ideal Carehomes,
please get in touch using the
details below and I’d be happy
to answer any queries that
you might have about our
incredible new care home.
Thank you,
Maria Taylor
10
February 2023 | @BrizeBreeze
11
February 2023 | @BrizeBreeze
I find that my own nest
boxes are not only used
during the nesting season
but are also much used
by roosting birds
throughout the
winter months.
(Here is a QR
code to make a swift
box).
I have a camera in one nest
box and when I check it in the
evenings I can see two blue
tits sleeping in there.
I hope many of you will put
up nest boxes and help to
increase the bird life in Brize
Norton, now is the ideal time
to do it.
MARY ELLIS COUNTRY
PARK
By Les Goble
Good news, is that the trees
which died off in the summer
have been replaced and new
whips planted adjacent to
the fence in the north west
corner. There is still ongoing
work required with the land
drainage in the north east
corner of the park and the
new foot/cycle path, between
the northern edge of the
development and Burford Road
is still to be completed.
On the south east side of the
development, there are still
some paths and landscaping
to be carried
out to
complete
the Country
Park.
KILKENNY LANE COUNTRY
PARK
By Rachel Crookes
The Kilkenny Conservation
Crew have had a successful
first year of volunteering
at the country park and
beyond. The group has met
on a monthly basis to carry
out tasks such as vegetation
clearance, coppicing bays
in scrub, tree thinning and
hedgerow planting. 2023 brings
new opportunities for the
volunteers to learn new skills
in wildflower identification and
scything, along with sessions
involving tree guard removal
and coppicing across the site.
If you are interested in joining
the KCC, please email WODC’s
Biodiversity and Countryside
Land Management Officer at
WODC (details below).
Homes for our birds
By Ady State
ne of the biggest
problems facing our
native birds is a lack of nesting
sites.
This has come about because
our homes have now been
sealed much more
thoroughly than ever
before. While this has
been done for all the
right reasons, to make our
homes warmer and more
energy efficient, it has caused
many of our garden birds a
problem as they do not have
the crevices and holes they
need to make their nests in.
This problem has a solution
however, and that is for us to
provide new homes for the
birds on our houses and in our
gardens.
For the migratory birds like
the Swift, Swallow and House
Martin there are specialised
nests available. For Swifts
a ‘Swift brick’ can be easily
installed in new builds. There
is a current
government
petition
asking for
these to be
mandated for all
new builds.
(Use this QR code
please to sign if
you agree).
For older properties there
are Swift boxes that can be
installed beneath the eaves of
a property. Artificial nests for
swallows and Martins can also
be purchased
and installed
in a similar
location.
For sociable
birds such
as House Sparrows there are
‘Sparrow terraces’, which are
nest boxes with 3 or more
chambers in one nest box.
I installed one of these last
year and on cleaning it in
the autumn discovered that
all three chambers had been
used.
For other small birds such
as Blue tits, Great tits,
Starlings and Robins there
are a selection of boxes
commercially available.
It is rather easy to make
Get in touch with Ady via a.state@
brizenortonparishcouncil.co.uk
Email Les via l.goble@
brizenortonparishcouncil.co.uk
To Volunteer, contact
climate.action@westoxon.gov.uk
“No previous
experience needed,
just an enthusiasm
for being outdoors! ”
these yourself though, and
far more satisfying
when a wild bird
occupies your own
handiwork.
(Here is the QR
code link to help).
The boxes vary considerably
with different sized entry
holes for various species and
open fronted boxes for birds
like the Robin.
They should always be
situated in positions that
are inaccessible to cats and
children and well away from
the bird feeder areas where
other birds congregate. To
minimise heat from full
sunlight they should be placed
between East and North
where practicable. Most boxes
should be positioned 2- 4
metres high on the side of a
building with the exception
of a robin box which is best
hidden in vegetation 1-2
metres above the ground.
If you have access to a nest
camera these can make
a wonderful addition to a
nest box and you will enjoy
watching the hard working
parents feeding the growing
young.
The boxes should be cleaned
out between September and
November each year and the
contents disposed of, this
will help remove any build up
of parasites that can affect
breeding success.
The Kilkenny Conservation Crew 2022
Credit: Rachel Crookes
12
February 2023 | @BrizeBreeze
13
February 2023 | @BrizeBreeze
To Contact Lisa or her Mam, please
email jayne@chapelhilldesign.co.uk
Working on your garden?
WINTER TO SPRING GARDENING
FROM LISA-MARIE & HER MAM
By Tony Shillingford
DEAR RESIDENTS
I
included a brief
article and some
information about
last years Brize
Norton Horticultural
Show in the last issue
of the Parish magazine.
I have had some response
to my request for help with
organising future shows
but we still need more
involvement and if you were
thinking about coming forward
don’t hesitate any longer
and contact me using the
information below.
I am aware that we have
not been having the best
gardening weather of late but
the start of a new year means
that spring is just around
the corner and the time for
planning and planting your
garden or allotment is just a
few weeks away.
If you are interested in
flowers, vegetables, cooking or
Brize Norton Horticultural Show
2023 AND BEYOND...
Open Gardens 2023:
Beautiful roses from Stone Cottage
crafts please come forward so
that you will be available for
our first planning meeting of
2023.
Our village show follows a
traditional format and your
entries in the vegetable,
flower, produce and craft
categories are judged by two
professional and experienced
judges.
There’s nothing like the
satisfaction of getting a ‘First
in Class’ and you might end
up the winner of one of the
trophies.
Traditional it may be, but
we are always open to
suggestions for themes,
recipes and crafts.
Please join us! Your knowledge
and suggestions could be just
what we need to make this
years show bigger and better
than ever.
To offer some time to help with the
Horticultural Show,
Get in touch with Tony via
tonyshillingford@yahoo.co.uk or
telephone 07824 878486
friends
Brize Norton
Annual
Horticultural
Show
❶
❷
❸
❹
❺
Blue tit in crab apple blossom, early spring
Credit: Getty
By Lisa Hudson
his time of the year it’s
a little wet and cold, so
now’s a great time to think
ahead of the warmer days
and plan your garden.
FEBRUARY
🌼Plan your veggie plots,
remembering to rotate crops
in order to prevent pests.
🌼Check any plant supports1
and fleeces in your garden,
as the wind may have
loosened them!
🌼Pop out to your shed /
greenhouse to check for
any rot / mould2 on your
begonias or dahlias you may
have stored.
🌼If you have rhubarb cover
with an upside-down
terracotta pot or forcer to
encourage an early crop.
🌼It may be a good idea to
wash all your seed trays
ready for sowing seeds.
🌼On a dry day, why not go
out and dead head winter
pansies and primroses to
stop them getting scraggy
and encourage more flowers.
🌼Remember to feed the birds3
(and even buid a bird box, as
Ady mentioned earlier)!
🌼February is a good time
to sow4 tomatoes, carrots
and aubergine seeds in a
sheltered place.
🌼If you haven’t yet pruned5
your roses back you can do
so now, wisterias too.
🌼Your begonia and dahlia
tubers can be potted in
compost as long as they are
sheltered with light. Don’t
forget to water them.
🌼If your shrubs and hedges
need cutting back, think
about doing it now before
the birds start nesting in
spring.
🌼If you didn’t clean your bird
boxes in the autumn, now
would be a good time to do
it. Check for any damage
and replace or add new bird
boxes ready for nesting in
the spring.
🌼Think about servicing your
lawn mower and any other
garden tools.
MARCH
🌼This is our favourite time of
the year as all those spring
bulbs give pops of colour and
the trees start to change
green, everything looks
much cheerier - Woo Hoo6!
🌼With the weather feeling
milder, head out into the
garden to do some light
weeding. Look out for green
/ black fly, slugs and snails.
🌼Now is the time to plant
summer flowering bulbs like
lilies, gladiolis, and dahlias.
You can also plant potatoes,
onions and asparagus too.
🌼If any spring bulbs have gone
over, don’t cut the leaves.
Tie them up and let them rot
down naturally.
🌼Moss and algae grow on
paths and patios during
winter leaving them slippery
so why not give them a clean.
🌼On a warm, dry day trim your
lawn. Cut it long, and if you
have moss - rake it out and
add a lime feed.
Happy Gardening!
14
February 2023 | @BrizeBreeze
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February 2023 | @BrizeBreeze
INGREDIENTS
•
8 large flour tortillas
•
320g chocolate spread
•
8 small/medium bananas
•
1 egg (beaten)
•
100g butter (melted)
•
75g caster sugar
•
1/2 tsp cinnamon
•
240g dark chocolate drops
•
160ml boiling water
INGREDIENTS
•
3 eggs
Tip: use the weight of the eggs as a guide for
everything else!
•
Self-raising flour
•
brown or white sugar
•
softened butter or marg
•
a tsp of cinnamon
•
chopped and peeled apples
(2-3 dependant on size)
•
I sprinkle cinnamon and ginger on top
Banana and chocolate roll-ups
Image credit: thehappyfoodie.co.uk
Apple Cake
Image credit: www.jocooks.com
“Inspired by Nadiya Hussain’s
Banana & Peanut Butter
Roll-ups, but with
less peanut butter..!”
“Inspired by...
over 30 years
of practice ”
METHOD
1. Preheat the oven to 200
degree’s C or gas mark 6
2. In the centre of a wrap, put
a heaped spoon of chocolate
spread and evenly spread it
side to side to make a bed for
your banana. Place your peeled
banana on the spread making
sure there is no banana over the
edge of the wrap.
3. Lift the flap of tortilla at each
end of the banana and fold over.
Lift the tortilla half closet to
you and flap it over the banana.
Now hold it firmly and roll it
until you get just to the end,
brush the edge with the egg,
then finish rolling leaving it
seam down to help it stick and
keep the yummy contents in.
Place on a baking tray and make
the rest of the wraps in the
same way.
4. Brush them all with the melted
butter making sure they are all
covered and place them seam
down again back on the tray.
You should have some butter
left which we will use later.
Bake in the oven for about 8
mins or until golden and crisp.
5. Whilst they are cooking mix
together the cinnamon and
sugar on a tray or plate.
6. Switch the oven off and turn on
your grill to a high heat.
7. Using the leftover butter, brush
all the wraps and then roll them
in the sugar / cinnamon, placing
them back on the tray. When
all 8 have been rolled, pop
them under the grill for about a
minute but keep an eye on them
as they may not need the whole
time to turn golden and shiny.
8. Take them out of the grill and
melt the dark chocolate using a
bowl and the boiling water and
then use as a dip or pour over
the wraps and enjoy whilst still
warm!
METHOD
Everyone has their own
way of doing this, but try
this...
1. Preheat the oven to 180
degree’s.
2. Mix sugar and softened butter
until fluffy with mixer or
muscle power. If you sieve the
sugar and put it close to the
bowl, it retains more of
the ‘air’...
3. Use eggs at room temperature
to stop the mixture curdling
and break these one at a time
into the sugar and butter while
stirring
4. Self-raising flour already has
baking soda in, so this isn’t
needed (unless you want
to). Fold the flour into the
mixture slowly and the add the
cinnamon as you go.
5. Chop and peel apples, then mix
gently into the mixture, so the
air doesn’t knock out of it.
6. Pop the mixture into a lined
loaf tin for 35-45 mins
7. Use a skewer to check it’s
cooked and when you smell
delicious cake, it’s more than
likely ready!
Jane is Deputy Manager at
Brize Norton Pre-School and a
fabulous Photographer from Brize.
Thanks for your recipe Jane!
Julie is a School Teacher and has lived
in the village for way over 30years!
Thank you so much for
your recipe, Julie!
Yummy Treats
from Brize Villagers
Amazing
Apple Cake
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February 2023 | @BrizeBreeze
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February 2023 | @BrizeBreeze
Ben both supports and runs
businesses and community
groups in Brize Norton.
To Contact Ben, email
jayne@chapelhilldesign.co.uk
By Ben Campion
e live in a delightful
village; people tend
to ‘care’ for one another
and there is a real sense of
‘community’ when we get
together for village events.
This is a truly positive side of
village life, however that is
not the whole story… all of us
from time to time don’t ‘feel’
it. We don’t ‘feel’ happy. We
don’t ‘feel’ we fit in. We don’t
‘feel’ we can cope…
So what can we do about it?
Hmmm…
There have always been
mental health problems;
the ancient Greeks and
Romans reported cases of
Melancholia for depressed
mood, hallucinations,
delusions… even anxiety. They
even treated ‘melancholia’
with Stoic practices similar
to modern
cognitive
behavioural
therapy, such as focusing
on the present or analyzing
the possible outcomes of a
situation… so we can’t say this
is ‘new’.
What IS new is that we can
talk about our feelings and
emotions without being
judged the way we used to
be… Everyone gets stressed
and depressed from time to
time; to say you have never
been down or anxious is to lie
to yourself. What has changed
is that the modern world
doesn’t force you to feel Guilt,
Blame or Shame when you are
struggling
OK… so what can we do about
it?
Well, thank fully we live in
a nice village where there
is help about. An Open Door
for us when we are lonely
is offered by our church, our
café and our two pubs… and
the groups and events are all
there to get out and be with
the amazing people from Brize
Norton village.
Being Honest with yourself
and Talking to Others is all
part of seeking Reassurance
that you
are doing
alright; yes,
you could do
better, but you are doing as
well as you can Here & Now.
– you are an integral part to
your own family, your social
group, our village community.
Whether you do paid work,
volunteer or help others,
our fundamental instinct
to Be Useful in life should
be acknowledged – and
acknowledge that you are
Being Useful, every hour of
every day.
And finally… a Healthy Body
is needed for a Healthy Mind.
Look after yourself; have three
healthy meals a day. Sleep is
essential. Regular exercise and
interesting hobbies make life
more… well, just ‘more’…
Look after Yourself and your
community will look after you.
I love
Brize Norton village!
“Things have changed
since my day… There
wasn’t any mental
health when I was a kid”
“Feeling compassion
for yourself is achieved
by admitting that
you add value to life”
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February 2023 | @BrizeBreeze
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February 2023 | @BrizeBreeze
sleep (dream-sleep, where we deal
with the emotions of the day), moving
into deeper sleep where the brain
waves change and the ‘cleaning’ and
‘storage’ takes place.
We have proportionally more deep
sleep earlier in the night, with more
REM dreaming sleep as we progress
toward morning.
“ACCORDING TO THE NHS...
1 IN 3 ADULTS SUFFER FROM
SLEEP PROBLEMS... ”
...but most of us in the UK are a little
sleep deprived and it’s often blamed
on stress or smartphones. Most of us
feel OK with that, trying to catch up at
the weekend, but we just can’t do that!
Sleep deprivation has a detrimental
effect on our medium-term health too
– there are direct links between sleep
deprivation and Alzheimer’s/dementia,
diabetes, heart disease, mental health
issues and cancer. Eeek!
SO, IS THERE ANY GOOD NEWS?
Yes! You can do plenty to improve
your sleep quality. There are simple
sleep hygiene tasks, such as reducing
caffeine & alcohol, having a relaxing
bedtime routine, using dim lamps or
candlelight in the evening and getting
15 mins of bright light in the morning.
If you’ve had minor sleep disturbances for a
short period (a few months), you can retrain
your brain by following 3 simple rules for 2-4
weeks:
1. Getting up at the same time EVERY
day, no matter what time you went to
bed.
2. NO napping in the day during this
period.
3. ONLY go to bed when you are literally
dropping asleep.
By Jayne Attwood
o, do you wake
naturally without an
alarm? Do you think you’re
getting enough sleep?
Are you a lark, night owl
or permanently confused
pigeon?! If you’re finding
that your sleep is a bit
disrupted, the good news
is that YOU CAN improve it
with 3 simple rules.
FIRST OF ALL, HOW MUCH
DO YOU KNOW ABOUT
SLEEP?
Us humans need somewhere
between 7 - 9 hours a night.
Most of us in the Western
world short-change ourselves
at about 6 - 7 hours for more
time on our tv/phones/laptops.
Our sleep patterns change
throughout our lives;
(compare the sleep of a
newborn baby with that of a
senior), but sleep can also be
affected by external factors
such as a new baby, working
shifts, drinking alcohol or
internal factors (hormonal
changes or stress).
We still don’t fully understand
why we switch off our senses
and paralyse our bodies every
night, but we do know that a
proper sleep pattern helps the
body repair itself and helps
the brain organise and store
our memories and learning.
We’ve also recently discovered
that deep sleep helps our
brain ‘clean’ itself, getting rid
of toxins including the proteins
associated with Alzheimer’s
and dementia.
A normal sleep pattern
consists of several repeating
cycles of 60-90mins, with
varying depths of sleep,
starting with light or REM
vinyasa
Pilates 4 all
tuesday
pilates flex
wednesday
MONday
movement&
mobility
2023 timetable
carterton community centre
07968 344681
contact us
first class free
book via gymcatch
www.adastrayoga.org
friday
“the good news
is that YOU CAN
improve it with
3 simple rules.”
You need to be aware you might be tired while
you’re trying this, but applying these rules
should see your sleep length and quality improve
significantly within 2-3 weeks. If you’re still
struggling, do go to see your GP for a chat.
Sweet dreams!
Jayne has very kindly supported this
issue by paying for an advert. Thank You!
If you would like to contact Jayne about this article
or yoga & pilates, please see the details in the advert above.
20
February 2023 | @BrizeBreeze
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February 2023 | @BrizeBreeze
By Victoria Tilley
I
think it’s fair to say that
the national news of late
has not always made for easy
reading or viewing.
And while things should soon
(she says hopefully) start to
feel a bit easier as we spring
into the lighter, brighter
months of March and April -
most us are still really feeling
the cost of living crisis.
In tough times, community
spirit comes into its own. We
saw it during the pandemic,
which (amid the tragedy and
hardship) showcased the very
best of British. And we are
seeing it again now.
Across the country I’ve read
about some inspirational
examples of communities
coming together to help each
other out, from car sharing
schemes to community
fridge projects. One town
in Derbyshire has created a
Friendship Orchard, where
anyone can pick fruit for free
from the trees in publicly
accessible places, such as
people’s front gardens,
schools and verges.
And I love the sound of pubs
hosting clothes swap events
to help people refresh their
wardrobes - I think there is
even one in Witney’s Langdale
Hall next month..
Locally, lots of organisations
have also stepped up to offer
support, advice and practical
help to those who need it.
Good Food Oxfordshire, for
example, has launched a
new campaign sharing tips
and resources for eating on a
budget, including a map where
you can search for community
food services such as food
banks and community larders.
Elsewhere in the county, lots
of community organisations,
including churches in Witney
and Carterton, are offering
their buildings as warm spaces
for anyone who wants to
warm up, grab a cup of tea
and some company.
Of course, there are lots
of steps we can all take to
help stay positive during
challenging times - including
following the excellent advice
elsewhere in this magazine
on the importance of getting
good sleep and looking after
your mental health.
Here are some other
simple suggestions of
things that might help:
Step away from the bigger
picture and focus instead on
the small productive things
you can achieve personally
– even if this is just calling a
friend
Enjoy the free things in life –
such as spending time with
family and friends, or getting
out and about in the glorious
West Oxfordshire countryside!
Lastly, helping others is a
great way of looking after your
own wellbeing. If you do want
to help out, West Oxfordshire
District Council’s website has
some ideas of how people can
practically support each other,
from looking out for your
neighbours to volunteering
with a local support group.
See westoxon.gov.uk/
costoflivingsupport for lots of
information about the local
support that is available and
how to lend a hand if you can.
“Limit your intake of
news and social media –
this can sometimes
help if you’re feeling
anxious or worried”
Step away from the
Bigger Picture
for a minute...
By Carolyn Peach
hank you to everyone
who has supported
and helped us over the past
three months. In November,
the bonfire evening was
again very well supported
and the hotdogs, soup and
brownies that we served went
down well. At our Service
of Remembrance we made a
collection for the Royal British
Legion of £54. We were also
able to send 33 complete
boxes to the T4U Christmas
shoe box appeal thanks to
some generous monetary and
gift donations.
At the Village Christmas
market in December hosted by
the Humble Bumble we had a
second hand book stall. Our
Benefice children’s worker,
Gary Long ran a Christingle
craft and games afternoon
for 14 children in the church
followed by a Christingle
service led by the children.
Our carol service was well
attended and accompanied by
Saxophony; the church looked
beautiful decorated by flowers
and candlelight. On a damp
evening carol singers visited
the Fosse Way, Squire’s Close,
Daubigny Mead, ending up in
The Chequers – thank you to
the Brownies for joining us.
In January we had an
enjoyable Epiphany
lunch at The Chequers
and there is a weekly
opportunity for you to join
us for fellowship and chat
at the church each Tuesday
lunchtime, 12 noon to 1pm,
over a bring your own and
share lunch. Please contact
Ben Campion (358690) for
more information.
We raise monies through
various initiatives and would
welcome your support to
keep St Britius a visible
and permanent sign of the
Christian community in the
village.
On Shrove Tuesday, we
welcomed everyone to a
fundraising pancake supper
evening where everyone
enjoyed sweet and savoury
pancakes and helped to raise
funds for the church from a
raffle as well
Thank you to everyone who
has renewed their membership
of the Friends and supported
us over the last year. We ask
for a minimum donation of
£10 to help us maintain our
beautiful historic building
and keep it safe for future
generations. For more details
of all fundraisers please
contact Phil - 843856 or
Carolyn - 844102.
WE WELCOME YOU TO
JOIN US for the following
events and special services:
• Mothering Sunday Service
is Sunday 19th March, come
to collect a posy.
• Our Celebration of Easter
starts on Palm Sunday 2nd
April with the 9.15am family
friendly, all-age service and
then continues as follows:
• Maundy Thursday 6th April
Holy Communion at 7.30pm
• Good Friday 7th April
Tenebrae service of
reflection and prayer at
4pm
• Easter Day 9th April Holy
Communion at 9.15am.
St Britius
Church
For details of other church services refer
to the notices on the church door or log
onto the website www.bncommunity.org
Thank you to Vicky for kindly offering
to write our ‘Bigger Picture’ piece.
If you’d like to contact Vicky, email
jayne@chapelhilldesign.co.uk
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February 2023 | @BrizeBreeze
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February 2023 | @BrizeBreeze
To find out more about the community
events going on at The Humble Bumble
Cafe, take a look at their facebook page
If anyone has any old photos, memories
or stories to share please pass on to
Adam Harris or Myself or email
jayne@chapelhilldesign.co.uk
If you wish to contact Tim about the
Sports & Social Club, please email
jayne@chapel hilldesign.co.uk
s I write this article and
reflect yet again on the
last few months here @HBC,
How individuals and groups
continue to pull together to
support each other through
the highs and lows of daily
life.
As always amidst the cakes,
coffee, and chat with your
help we continue to raise
awareness and money
for various charities. Our
memory walk and Elf Day for
Alzheimer’s raised over £150
and a lot of giggles from the
dancing elves serving your
lattes! Thank you, Les Goble,
for being our walk leader!
We were also asked by the
lovely Clare - a Neonatal Nurse
- to help raffle Kevin the giant
carrot in aid of the neonatal
unit at the JR. As many of
you having experienced their
amazing care and support
at the JR over the years, you
helped us to raise over £200
with a Giant Carrot!
One of our biggest events
of the year is the Christmas
Craft market, each year taking
a slightly different form. This
year due to the last-minute
cancellation of our big bash
we combined the event with
the PTA, Church and Preschool
to help boost their funds.
There was a showcase of
beautiful local crafts on offer,
carol singing, Saxophony and
the wonderful Abingdon brass
band playing for us to get
into the festive season. Huge
thank you to all these groups
for their time and skills and to
you all that visited, supported
these local crafters and
enjoyed a mulled wine from
the BNS&SC.
Our other Christmas event
was more for the small people
that we love to see in the café.
Stories, crafts, and biscuit
decorating filled the day and
got us all in the Christmas
mood. We love these days
and remind us of the joy of
Christmas again!
MOVING FORWARD…
…for those of you who have
been to see us since the New
year you will know there have
been a few changes within the
café. As with many businesses
we are having to adapt and
change to survive the current
financial challenges so thank
you or your continued support;
every coffee bought makes a
difference.
We are all Looking forward to
2023, the beautiful daffodils
and bright spring weather will
be with us before we know
it. We are hoping to offer
Valentine specials, Easter
treats, our afternoon teas and
more local fundraising so keep
an eye on our social media
pages! The Humble Bumble
horse box will be out at many
of our local events so come
and say hello…
Much love and thanks
Queen Bee Bev
and the Worker Bees team…
Brize Norton
Sports &
Social Club
appy New Year to all.
Let us hope that it will
be happy and peaceful one.
The plans for the new pavilion
are creeping ever nearer and
it is hoped that plans and
costings will be finalised this
year. It has been a long time
coming but we should be able
Simon Cook
rize went into the
Christmas break top of
Division 2!
Although we were initially
defeated by Cassington in
September on the Groundhop
day, lost to Kingham in the
Junior Shield and Chadlington
from the Premier Division in
the Fred Ford Cup, Brize have
won 7 league games in a row...
great effort all!
By Tim Gush
By Bev Campion
“it never fails to amaze me
how adaptable, kind, and
thoughtful we are as a
community and society.”
The Humble Bumble
Brize Norton
Football Club
OUR CURRENT LEAGUE
RECORD:
Pld: 10 W:9 D:0 L:1 F:45 A:16 PTS:27
Top Scorers
•
Dylan Briggs – 8
•
Jacob Hambridge - 8
•
Joe Hatt - 8
•
Morgan Oxendale - 5
•
Jason Hirshfield – 4
•
Matthew Webster – 4
7 other goalscorers share the
remaining goals.
Manager Adam Harris said:
“ Since the loss on the
Groundhop day we’ve
shown great character...”
to build ourselves up and
go on a winning streak that
sees us top of the table for
Christmas. When we restart in
the New Year we want to see
the same character to see
us push on and compete for
the Division 2 title.
This year also sees the
60TH ANNIVERSARY OF
THE CLUB after it was Re-
Formed in 1963.
We are planning a celebration
and will keep you informed of
those plans and if you could
help, please contact us.
to look forward to a lovely new
pavilion in the not so distance
future.
Thanks to everyone who
helped and more importantly,
supported the club last year.
We have a similar range of
events already organised for
this year, so look forward to
seeing you all then. And of
course there is the coronation
of King Charles III, on Saturday
6th May, I am sure there will
be celebrations to be had over
that weekend. Further news to
follow.
Both football and cricket are
being played and we always
welcome new members. See
their article in this newsletter.
Here’s to a bright 2023.
Best wishes
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February 2023 | @BrizeBreeze
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February 2023 | @BrizeBreeze
purchase a new mud
kitchen and Den for our
outside learning area. We’ve
also been able to buy a lovely
new shed for the pre-school
garden as well.
As a charity run pre-school,
it is essential for us to raise
additional funds to ensure our
children have the best possible
range of resources, activities
and experiences.
Bessie & Billie Carter have
kindly chosen our pre-school
as their nominated charity for
their ‘Three Peaks Challenge’
that they are completing
in July 2023. If you’d like to
support this amazing couple
in their challenge whilst
supporting a village charity
please visit their JustGiving
Page. www.justgiving.com/
crowdfunding/bessieandbilly.
Brize Norton Village
Pre-School is very busy
school, full of energy,
colour, excited children and
wonderful people who care
for them all. Jackie tells a
little more...
t’s been a busy start to
the year at pre-school.
We’ve been busy bees with
visits from Crocodiles of
the World, Outside the
Box travelling Pantomime
company and a trip to St
Britius Church with Gary
Long and to Humble Bumble
Cafe and the Post Office.
As we move towards Spring
we look forward to all the fun
and learning that takes place
on our allotment. Our grant,
we gratefully received from
Gentian, has allowed us to
By Jackie Hampton
This time of year is always a
good opportunity to reflect
on what has been and think
about where we want to go.
ith the children we
are thinking about
our dreams and our goals
and as staff we have been
reflecting on our goals for
the school and reflecting on
the journey we
are on. We have
much to celebrate
as we have
seen the launch
of many new
initiatives since
the beginning
of the academic
year: the implementation of
our wider curriculum is under
way, the new website is now
live and provides a window
into the life of our busy village
school, our new classroom
(named The Hanger) has been
fully furnished and is now
in operation and we have
received the furniture for our
new library which we are now
developing with the help of
charitable donations.
Our journey continues as we
are continuing to reach for our
goals. We are now building on
the successful implementation
of our new phonics scheme in
the lower school with a new
focus this term on reading
across the whole school.
We value the importance of
reading for all, and especially
for our children. Not only is
it an essential life skill for
children to have, but it should
also be a
pleasure for all
to enjoy. This
term has seen
us launch our
new reading
curriculum
across the
classes which
will not only progressively
support children in learning
the skills of reading and
interpreting what they have
read, but with the use of
high quality texts, will inspire
children to become lifelong
readers who love to get lost in
a book.
This term we have also
welcomed a new member of
our team to the school, Mrs
Penn. Mrs Penn has joined
us from Kingfisher School in
Abingdon and has taken on
the role as class teacher and
SENCo. She brings a wealth
of knowledge and experience
with regards to Special
Educational Needs and will
help drive the work we have
already begun on our inclusive
practice here at the school.
As a part of our practice, last
term we launched Zones of
Regulation. This is a toolkit
which provides an easy way
for children to think and
talk about how they feel on
the inside and in doing so,
sort their feelings into four
coloured Zones, all of which
are expected in life. Once
children understand their
feelings and zones they are
attributed to, they can then
learn to use tools/strategies
to manage their different
Zones in order to meet goals
like doing schoolwork or other
tasks, managing big feelings,
and healthy relationships with
others.
Emotional literacy and
regulation is so important
for children to grasp in order
for them to get the very best
out of life; Mrs Penn is going
to continue to embed this
practice across the school this
year. Finally...
Village Schools • Village Schools
By Robyn Jones
You can also help raise funds
through the SmileAmazon
program. This is where
Amazon donate a small
percentage of purchases to
chosen charities so every time
you shop with Amazon you’re
also supporting us.
Our pre-school remains full
for the remainder of this
academic year through to July
2023. We have now allocated
and confirmed all places for
September 2023 through to
July 2024.
With our village community
continually growing in size, our
advice remains to register your
child on our waiting list as
soon as possible. A waiting list
application can be found on
our ‘Registration page’ of our
website.
We are also holding two open
afternoons in June on the 9th
& 23rd from 1pm-2.30pm.
“A huge THANK YOU
to Gentian for supporting
our pre-school.”
To contact Brize Norton Pre-School about
places, open days or registration,
Text/WhatsApp: 07769 617697
brizenortonpreschool@hotmail.co.uk
www.brizenortonpreschool.co.uk
To contact Brize Norton Primary School,
visit their new website at
www.brizeprimary.org
Brize Norton
Primary School
“...Aim high,
and set those goals”
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February 2023 | @BrizeBreeze
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February 2023 | @BrizeBreeze
Our PCSO Richard Conner
give a few tips to help keep
our village safe and secure.
est Oxfordshire is one
of the safest places
to live in the Thames Valley,
but now that Christmas is
over and the darker nights
are continuing, it is a good
time to think about protecting
yourself, your home and your
belongings.
• Leave a light on: Close and
lock all your doors and
windows when going out
or to bed
• Keep valuables out of site
• Don’t advertise you are
away on social media
• Leave a light on or invest
in a timer switch
• For crime updates sign up
to www.thamesvalleyalert.
co.uk
• Register valuables
at
www.immobilise.
com
• To keep those
valuable items
safe, record their
serial number,
photograph items
and register them.
You can mark your larger
electrical items with a
permanent Ultra Violet marker
pen, using your postcode
which can only be seen by
ultra violet light
Other ideas to protect your
home
• Install CCTV following the
guidelines you can find on
the internet
• Install security Lighting
which will activate when
intruders enter your
property
• Ensure to lock your gate if
you have one
• Ensure your fencing is
secure
Many of you may have
received a new bicycle for
Christmas! You can register
this with www.immobilise.com
The identifying number of the
bicycle can be found under the
frame below the pedals.
It is essential when riding a
bicycle that you wear a cycle
helmet which is adjusted
correctly, also wear bright
clothing or a florescent jacket,
it is a legal requirement to
have lights during the hours of
darkness.
Finally if you leave your bicycle
outside the home remember
to lock it.
The Carterton Neighbourhood
team are there for help and
advice. If you would like to
speak to one of the team,
contact them using the details
below.
Fly-
tipping
There seems to have been
a spate of fly-tipping in and
around the village over the
past couple of months.
If you see a fly-tip, make a
note of where it is, take a
photo if you can and report it
to your local district council:
West Oxfordshire District
Council (https://www.
westoxon.gov.uk/environment/
fly-tipping)
Your local district council will
investigate fly-tipping and
other waste related offences.
The exception is illegal waste
disposal sites run by the
landowner or the persons
controlling the land.
If you see a fly-tip in action -
please call the Police on 101 or
report on
www.fixmystreet.com
I need to
Fix My Street!
Many of you around the
village will have seen pot
holes (pretty likely), broken
curb stones, street lights that
aren’t working, signs that are
damaged, excessive litter,
over-flowing bins or even
pavements that are broken or
obscured by vegetation, stones
or other debris.
It can sometimes be a little
difficult to know who to report
this to, and know who may be
responsible for that area.
FIX MY STREET is a
website which helps you to
report all sorts of issues.
Once an issue is logged, it
forwards the issue to the
relevent council or utility
provider; for example, it will
forward highway matters to
Oxfordshire County Council,
or issues with overflowing
public bins to the District
Council. The system also logs
comments or any actions
taken to help keep you to
informed until the matter is
resolved.
For the tech-savvy amongst
us, you can help identify
locations of issues by
uploading a photo and more
broader description via any
smartphone.
Residents can also register to
become Super Users of Fix My
Street.
Keeping our Village safe
Brize Norton has a Neighbourhood watch group, so please sign-up if you can!
“Over 100,000 bikes were
stolen across the UK last year.
Less than 5% of those recovered,
were returned to their
owners as the Police were
unable to trace them.”
To contact the Carterton Neighbourhood
Team, email CartertonBamptonBurford
NHPT2@thamesvalley.police.uk
Or PCSO Richard Conner
richard.conner@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk
Further information for FixMyStreet and
other services are available in the Village
Directory at the back of the magazine
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February 2023 | @BrizeBreeze
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February 2023 | @BrizeBreeze
Walking
England
TIME TO GET WALKING
AGAIN!
ith Spring on its
way we start to
think about getting out to
walk in the beautiful English
Countryside again, but where
to find new and interesting
walks?
Walking in Oxfordshire https://
www.walkinginengland.co.uk/
oxfordshire has loads of walks
to download and print, free,
it also has books of walks,
details of all the walking
groups in the county and much
more. Whether you want to
walk on your own or with a
group all the information is
there in one place.
There is so much walking
information on the web but
it is difficult to find. Walking
in Oxfordshire (part of the
Walking in England website)
has brought it together in
one place so whether you are
walking from home, or away
on holiday, you will be able to
find a walk suitable for you.
With walks from half a mile
to twelve miles plus long,
and a note of suitability for
pushchairs and wheelchairs,
everyone can find a walk to
enjoy.
John Harris
Over 60’s
& Dancing
BRIZE NORTON
DANCE CLUB
We are a club of local
members meeting every
Thursday evening from 7.30pm
to 9.30pm in the Elder Bank
Hall. We dance ballroom,
latin and sequence dances
to music on CDs. We have an
interval when we enjoy a chat
with tea and biscuits. Any
new members would be most
welcome.
For more information please
ring Joy on 01993 842373.
BRIZE NORTON
OVER 60’s CLUB
May we wish you all a Happy
New Year.
We had a very enjoyable
meal before Christmas at The
Chequers and also enjoyed
Christmas stories with Gary.
We are looking forward to
our future programme up to
Easter:
• Tues 7th March |
Midday meal – 12 Noon, at
The Masons Arms
• Tues 21st March |
Poems by Doreen
• Tues 4th April |
Cliff at the keyboard
We are a small club of local
people. We meet at 2.00pm at
4 Squires Close, Brize Norton
on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of
each month.
If you have an interesting
job or hobby and would be
prepared to come along and
tell us about it we would love
to hear from you.
Ring Joy for more
information on 842373.
Details of both the above programmes
are posted on the village notice boards
or you can call Joy on 01993 842373
“... So home or away,
check out the websites
and get walking!”
To find out more about Walking England
both in Oxfordshire and further afield,
explore www.walkinginengland.co.uk
or email john@walkinginengland.co.uk
Thank you to Carterton Gymnastics Club at The Vault
for placing an advert and supporting our magazine.
If you would like to advertise,
contact jayne@chapelhilldesign.co.uk or see our
facebook page @BrizeBreeze
Our
nd Club
Championships
is coming this EASTER
Bunny Hops & Ducklings
Classes!
No ORDINARY
gymnastic club...
Carterton Gymnastic Club CIC prides itself on being able to
offer inclusivity and accessibility to all adults and children alike
We offer many classes, to all abilities, 6 days a week at our purpose built
state-of-the-art facility in Carterton.
Whether you are looking for gymnastics (pre-school to adults), yoga, cheer
leading, exercise classes, a kids party or even simply letting your children
have a little ‘free play’ and run wild...then we’re hoping we can help!
For more info, go to:
www.cartertongym.co.uk • 01993 870778
• FB: @CartertonGymnasticsClub
Carterton
Gymnastics Club CIC
The Vault
31
February 2023 | @BrizeBreeze
• PRE-SCHOOL
(Term-time only)
Monday - Thursday, 9 - 3.00pm
Friday, 9 - 12 midday
• BROWNIES
Mondays 6 - 7.30pm
• WOODTURNING (WOWA)
1st Tuesday in the month
8 - 10.00pm
• YOU CAN FITNESS
Every Tuesday 6 - 7.00pm
(Not the 1st Tuesday
of the month)
• KARATE
Wednesday 6 - 7.30pm
Friday 6 - 7.00pm
• 20:20:20 FITNESS CLASS
Wednesday 7:45 - 8:45pm
• OVER 60’S DANCING
Thursday 7.30 - 9.30pm
• JUDO CLUB
Saturdays 9.30am-11.30am
Elder Bank Hall is available for private hire
Contact: Diane Davies - Telephone 843430
Elder Bank Hall
Calendar
China and Turkey.
I got a call from BBC
Oxford Radio wanting
an interview - this is
well outside of my
comfort zone but I
decided to give it a go
for personal development and
I was so nervous! Then I got
a call from BBC South Today
who wanted to put me on the
TV! What the heck I thought!
I had ITV News trying to get
hold of me and this world of
ours had turned upside down.
My 11 year old kept refreshing
Google shouting ‘Now we’re
in The New York Post - we’re
famous!’ Her friends were
messaging saying she keeps
popping up and we made it
onto a friend’s Google News
feed whilst on holiday!
We watched the number of
‘watchers’ increase to over
300 on our ebay auction but
sadly the egg didn’t sell for
what we needed. However, the
kind buyer ran a memborilla
website and planned to resell
the egg, donating the
funds to the BHWT to
help rescue more hens
as he had expected
it to sell for me and
wanted to help out
with the original plan! I was
so nervous packing that egg
to ship- it was already very
fragile due to its unusual
shape and sufice to say, a lot
of Andrex was used!
The company that supplies the
runs (Omlet), then contacted
me asking to do an interview
and in exchange, they would
donate the run I needed!
Twinksie sadly died not long
after she laid her egg - it was
her last egg. But in a way,
her last act was to produce
something that has enabled
three more of her ex-caged
friends to enjoy a free range,
totally spoilt retirement
Chickens make great pets;
they are so full of personality
- people don’t often realise.
Twinskie was nicknamed ‘The
Labrador’ because wherever I
went in the garden, she would
follow. If I would sit down,
she would slide down my back
and sunbathe by my side and
if I stood still for too long, she
would nestle down on my feet
and go to sleep
in the sun! If
you have space
in your garden,
get some ex-
caged hens- you’ll
get delicious eggs, plenty of
entertainment, good garden
pest control, free manure and
that feel-good feeling you’ve
done something nice.
By Annabel Mulcahy
n a Saturday morning
last year, I went to
collect my chickens eggs
as normal after my run. On
opening the nesting box, I
peered in and saw two eggs
and a third which looked as
if the pointed end was stuck
downwards in the straw. I
picked it up first and was
amazed to see it was actually
a sphere; one of our chickens
had laid a round egg!
Being a bit of a hen
enthusiast, I was able
to tell which hen it was-
Twinksie, rescued from
the British Hen Welfare
Trust (BHWT) just two
months before.
I ran in to show my family
shouting ‘I’ve got something
you have never seen in your
life!’. I heard doors opening
and footsteps running down
the stairs (both daughters and
even my husband had come).
My daughters gasped as I
revealed the egg from behind
my back and placed it on
the worktop next to the two
others. ‘What on earth is
that?’ my 8 year old asked. ‘An
egg,’ I told her, ‘your chicken
laid it,’ as I rolled it across the
worktop like a marble.
I got a bowl to crack it open
so we could see if the yolk
was normal (as often strange
shaped eggs give a double-
yolker and the kids like to
guess). Just as I raised it to
crack on the edge of the bowl,
for some reason I stopped.
I phoned my mum who quickly
called back and said ‘Do you
know how rare they are? One
in a billion!’ I was gobsmacked!
Late that night I decided it
might be fun to tell the Oxford
Mail if they really are that
rare, so I emailed them and
went to bed. The next day I
got a call back whilst I was at
a friend’s, telling me they’d
like to run the story!
Then that same day, the
reporter called back and said
could he pass the story onto
other newspapers. I was so
surprised at the interest - it
was becoming surreal. I
had decided by this point to
auction to egg to try and raise
money for an extension to our
coop so we could rescue
more hens. ‘Sure’ I said,
hoping the extra publicity
would help.
I had no idea how far this
story would go. Within hours
we were in The Telegraph, The
Guardian, The Mirror, The Daily
Mail - a few hours later we
were being translated in the
United Arab Emirates, India,
Early one
Saturday
morning...
Annabel tells the story of
how, on a Saturday morning,
the collection of the
mornings eggs...
was not a normal one.
“Just as I raised it to crack
on the edge of the bowl,
for some reason I stopped.”
“My 11 year old kept refreshing
Google shouting ‘Now we’re in
The New York Post- we’re famous!’”
If you would like to know more about
Annabel’s story, keeping chickens or
even where to buy her eggs, contact
jayne@chapelhilldesign.co.uk
32
February 2023 | @BrizeBreeze
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February 2023 | @BrizeBreeze
WENDY WAY - CHAIRMAN
• I moved to Brize Norton in the late
1980s and joined the Parish Council
in 2016 after taking the decision
to move to part-time working.
My hobbies are gardening and the
allotment, and I enjoy supporting
my partner who races an Aston
Martin DB4 which takes us to
various motor racing circuits around
the UK and Europe. You will also
see me out walking our Cockerpoo,
Maude.
LES GOBLE - COUNCILLOR
• I moved to Brize Norton from
Worthing, West Sussex in 1997.
I’m semi-retired and joined the
Parish Council in 2018.
My interests are motorsport;
I currently race an Aston Martin
DB4 with its owner and I have
previously owned and raced a
Lotus Cortina, bought specifically
to race at the Goodwood Revival
Meeting in 1998, which I did a
total of eight times, twice with Sir
Sterling Moss.
CHRIS WOODWARD - VICE CHAIR
• I have spent over 12 years on
Local Councils, including both
Witney Town Council and Brize
Norton. With many years of
experience under my belt,
I am hopeful it will be of
benefit to the village.
I moved to the village in 2016
and live with my beautiful wife
Jayne, our daughter Mackenzie,
and our golden lab, Meg.
Our village
Parish Council
DARREN TRUMAN - COUNCILLOR
• I have lived in the village of Brize
Norton since 2007 and now live in
Brize Meadow. I have always
enjoyed being part of the
community and having worked
in the village for many years I’ve
gotten to know many people in
the area and enjoy the community
spirit that comes with living in a
smaller village.
In my free time I love spending time
with my family, either walking the
village, finding new places
to explore or socialising in the
local pub garden. I enjoy running
when I can and like to get on the
trails through local fields, villages
and woodlands.
JO WEBB - CLERK
• I moved to the village in 2000
and live with my husband and
three sons. We enjoy village life
and the community spirit within
Brize Norton. This is my second
stint as Parish Clerk, I liked it
so much I came back to do it all
again! Please feel free to say
hello if you see me walking my
large, rather bouncy dog.
ADRIAN STATE - COUNCILLOR
• On retirement in 2020 I moved
from Witney to Brize Norton.
Much of my life has been spent
working in the electronics and
software fields and this has lead to
extensive travel throughout
the world.
I have a BSc in Environmental
Biology which reflects my
lifelong interest in the natural
world. I am also a very keen
birdwatcher and can often be
found walking the local lanes
and footpaths with my trusty
binoculars.
Simon Rhodes
Painter & Decorator
Painter & Decorator
Needing
a little help?
• Interior and exterior painting
• Over 25 years trade experience
• Based in Brize Norton
• 07919 871523
• simonarhodes@hotmail.co.uk
To find out more about our Parish Council
and the work they are doing, go to
www.brizenortonparishcouncil.co.uk or
visit facebook @brizenortonvillage
THE VILLAGE DIRECTORY
LOCAL BUSINESSES
TOTALLY PLASTERED
Internal/external plastering,
renovations, extensions,
dry lining, rendering
Based in Brize Norton
T: 07748 113776
E: Totallyplastered@hotmail.co.uk
ADVERTISE YOUR
BUSINESS HERE!
From as little as £10 per issue...
Next issue due out May 2023
For an advertising pack, contact:
Jayne, Chapel Hill Design
E: jayne@chapelhilldesign.co.uk
OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION
LOCAL INFORMATION
34
February 2023 | @BrizeBreeze
• Brize Norton Parish Council
clerk@brizenortonparishcouncil.co.uk
• St Britius Church - 846996
• Brize Norton Primary School - 842488
www.brizeprimary.org
School Governors - Alistair Doran - 07788 214 663
adoran@brize-norton.sch.co.uk
BNPS SA - Emma Baughan - bnsa_fundraising@outlook.com
• Brize Norton Pre-School - 07769 617 696
Jackie Hampson
brizenortonpreschool@hotmail.co.uk
• Brize Norton Football Club - 841096
Simon Cook - / 07825 002 298
Adam Harris - 07415 331645 - adam.harris@aplan.co.uk
• BN S&SC/Cricket Club
Tim Gush - Contact via facebook: @bnssc
• Elder Bank Hall - 843430
Diane Davies
• Over 60’s 842373
Joy Douglas
• Open Gardens
Dawn Humphris & Brian Trott
dawnhumphris@btinternet.com - brian.trott3@btinternet.com
• Post Office at the Sports Pavilion
9.30am – 12.30pm Tuesday & Thursday
• Police (Witney)
• Call 101
10.00am - 6.00pm Monday to Friday (closed Sat/Sun)
• NHS helpline
• Call 111
(24/7 urgent medical conditions)
• Council Information
The Green Party District Councillor for Brize Norton
and Shilton Ward - Councillor Rosie Pearson
Contact details: rosie.pearson@westoxon.gov.uk
Conservative County Councillor for Burford and
Carterton North East Division -
Councillor Nicholas Field-Johnson
Contact details: (01993) 878309
Member of Parliament for Witney - Robert Courts MP
Contact details: robert@robertcourts.co.uk
• Planning proposals for Brize Norton
and Surrounding area
Contact details: www.westoxon.gov.uk
/planning proposals
Brize Meadow Lodge Care Home
Miles Drive, Brize Norton, Carterton, OX18 1NZ
0113 465 4081
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