More historic images uploaded
Another five historic images have been uploaded. This time they’re all of Aston House which no longer exists.
See https://www.astonrowantparishcouncil.gov.uk/historic-images/
Check it before you chuck it!
Keep an eye out for a sticker which will appear on your recycling bin soon encouraging you to ‘Check it before you chuck it.’
Every week thousands of the wrong items end up in our recycling bins by mistake. It can be very difficult to remove non-recyclable items and, if it’s food waste or other messy items then it could result in whole truckloads of recycling being contaminated and rejected.
We all need an occasional reminder to ensure we get it right, so we’re encouraging everyone to check our website before you throw things away.
Even if the label says that something can be recycled, you should still check to make sure – recycling labels on packaging are often incorrect and we may not be able to recycle that item locally.
By ensuring you only put the correct items in your recycling bin, you will play your part in helping to keep us among the top recyclers in the country!
To find out more, visit southandvale.gov.uk/checkit
Foraging for Food
An introduction to ‘foraging for food‘ is being held this Sunday 24 September, 1430 to 1600hrs, at Cowleaze Woods (OX49 5HX).
It’s a free event for all. See the attachment below for more information.
Wear suitable clothing and footwear!
Contact: 07769 825305 for more information to to book in.
The Big Quiz Night
Following the success and popularity of ‘The Big Quiz Night’ back in March the KBPFCo are holding another quiz night on Friday 13th October 2023 at the Kingston Blount Village Hall to help support our fundraising efforts for the playground refurbishment.
The event promises a fun-filled evening with the bar opening at 1900hrs (cash only); serving prosecco, wine, beer, lager and soft drinks. The quiz, starting at 2000hrs, will be followed by a raffle offering some exciting prizes.
Tickets are £10.00 per person, £5 per raffle strips (available on the night) and BYO nibbles.
More historic images online
Another five images of the parish from yesteryear are now online.
See: https://www.astonrowantparishcouncil.gov.uk/historic-images/
Chiltern Conservation Board Autumn Walking Festival
Peter Hetherington is leading a walk for the Chiltern Conservation Board Autumn Walking Festival on Sunday 15 October at 10.00hrs.
Themed ‘Chiltern Beech Woods and Autumn tints’, it is a four mile walk featuring three hills, no stiles and will be walked at a leisurely pace. The walk is suitable for accompanied children over 10 and dogs on leads.
If you want to join, park in side roads in Stokenchurch alongside the Kings Hotel, HP14 3TA.
Booking is essential – either on line though the board website or by phoning Peter on 07767 647714.
FTTP – a new update
As per my message about FTTP a week ago, I’ve been trying to find out more about the project and when we will see it finally come to the parish.
My usual contact is neither responding to email or calls. However, my emails were picked up by another and finally, I have a response of sorts.
And frankly it’s bl##dy irritating – see the attachment below.
In essence, despite everything I’ve been told by Openreach, directly witnessed, and be informed of by others in the parish who’ve seen Openreach engineers, work to complete and bring FTTP to the parish won’t start until April 2024 and even then will take a few months to finish.
We will get FTTP from Openreach but are going to have to wait longer. With the likes of Airband, Gigaclear and Trooli coming to the parish Openreach may well lose custom.
There is now little else that I can do other than wait with everyone else to see when FTTP finally arrives. No doubt, like London buses, Openreach, Airband, Trooli and Gigaclear will all arrive at the same time.
ARCC this weekend
The league cricket season has now finished with only two more weekends of cricket before the end of season.
On Saturday 8th September is the annual Presidents day with two games on the top field. The first game starts at 10.30 and features the Aston Rowant Cricket Club Legends. The second starts at 1pm is ARCC v Presidents XI.
The bar is open from 12.00 and both games will be followed by the End of Season Ball at Chinnor Rugby Club.
The bar is also open on Friday night.
Next, the new pavilion. Following the successful consultation meeting recently held at the club we have submitted a full planning application, P23/S2916/FUL the details of which are on the parish council website. If you wish to comment the deadline is 25th September. The parish council will discuss this at their meeting next week – 13 September at 1930hrs in the church.
Kop Hill Climb – 16th and 17th September
Whether you’re a die-hard fan, a casual enthusiast, or someone looking to enjoy a day of family-friendly entertainment, the Kop Hill Climb has something for everyone.
In Princes Risborough, on 16th and 17th September, it’s a unique two day event, organised totally by volunteers. The wonderful mix of family friendly festival and commemorative hill climb for cars and motorcycles raises funds for local charities and projects. Help push the amount raised since the event’s revival in 2009 of £977,000 over the £1million mark this year!
So what can you expect from this year’s Festival? Well if it’s cars and bikes, the hill will be packed with both, with commemorative runs celebrating motoring through the ages from the early 1900’s to the modern day.
This is not just a static display, but history in motion as over 400 cars and bikes each day take on the famous hill in a recreation of its illustrious past.
Although Kop Hill Climb is no longer a competition, and is not timed, it showcases an extraordinary spectrum of motoring history. Why not buy a Grandstand ticket and get a unique vantage point to view all the action on the hill.
In the Paddock you can get up close to the vehicles and drivers, visit the fun fair and ride the dodgems and check out the Soapbox Challenge competition. You can even get a bird’s eye view of the event with a helicopter ride!
Make sure to look to the skies during the lunch break for a thrilling flypast on Saturday of a Spitfire and on Sunday a Lancaster, both courtesy of the BBMF.
With so many things to see and do a break for some food and drink will definitely be in order. Relax in the food court while taking in the sounds of the stage, with a fantastic line up. Then why not browse the many exhibitors and indulge in a spot of retail therapy.
Whether cars and bikes are your thing or not rest assured this year’s Kop Hill Climb Festival is a family affair.
For full event details and discounted advance tickets please go to www.kophillclimb.org.uk
FTTP update
It’s been a while since I’ve posted about FTTP in the parish and that’s because that there’s nothing else to say at present and getting hold of my contact at Openreach is very difficult.
I know work is going on behind the scenes: I’ve seen and quizzed engineers outside my home in Aston Rowant who said that they were ‘proving the network’. I’ve also been told by other parishioners in Kingston Blount of Openreach engineers working on FTTP.
We will get it… especially as copper-related telephony sales were halted by Openreach as of yesterday, 5 September.
It’s a waiting game and as soon as I have more – any – information I shall share it.
Cllr. Adam Bernstein