BATMAN, GODZILLA and UFOs.  Award-winning Wildlife Photography with a difference, by Paul Colley CB OBE ARPS.  Friday 22 Nov 7pm, Shrivenham Memorial Hall
 
A large screen presentation of stunning new wildlife images and the fascinating stories behind them.  From footage of giant Manta Ray encounters in Indonesia to beautiful pictures of rare bats taken while working with bat conservation groups in Wiltshire, West Sussex and Gloucestershire. Paul is Chairman of the British Society of Underwater Photographers and was British Wildlife Photographer of the Year in 2018. His talk is not-for-profit; proceeds will support Bat Conservation Trust and Wiltshire Bat Group projects. 
 
Tickets £8 in advance available now on line at https://paulcolley.photium.com/wildlife-talks or from 22 Oct at Shrivenham Post Office.  £10 at the door.  £5 for under-16s.  Cash bar.
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Our next exciting concert at Stonevale will be on Sunday, the 17th of Nov. We haven’t had Manus for a few years!  Some of you have been asking for a long time when we will get him back. At last!

Please be sure to reserve seats, as Manus’ concerts in the past were packed. 

Best wishes, 

Lynette

Yesterday morning and afternoon (Friday 8th November), someone we believe to be a member of a group of car thieves and burglars whose activities are known to the police in Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and most recently Shrivenham, has been surveying and photographing the village houses, drives, gardens and back gardens and even knocking on peoples' doors. Two questions that were asked were 'where is the vicar's house?' and 'is there a way out of the village at the lower end?'
 
As an urgent precaution please ensure cars, houses, sheds etc are kept locked whether or not you are at home; please look out windows and take photos and report anyone behaving suspiciously; and if you have neighbours not on this mailing list, please alert them.
 
Lauren Gale
Neighbourhood Watch Officer

Have you noticed how cosy the Reading Room is nowadays with the (relatively) new thermostat? Come and test it for comfort this Sunday, when the theme will be

Season of Mellow Fruitfulness

With Sticky Ginger, Pineapple, Carrot and Pear cakes, Pumpkin Pie with maple cream, plus other not-fruity favourites including Chocolate Ripple cheesecake.
 
We’ll be mulling cider to put you in the mood for purchasing a raffle ticket for the beautiful handmade Christmas Cake below by Pauline Durham (all proceeds to the village Park).

This will take place as usual at the War Memorial on Sunday at 12 noon.
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Open House every Wednesday morning 10.30 – 11.30

Drop in to the Reading Room for coffee and conversation, news and views

Everyone welcome, walkers, talkers and listeners.
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Volunteers and staff from Citizens Advice Oxfordshire South and Vale were joined by representatives from the town and district councils at the Guildhall in Abingdon on 15 October to celebrate 80 years of service to the local community. 

Citizens Advice was founded on 4 September 1939, the day after World War II was declared, to help people deal with the impact of war. Volunteers gave advice on evacuation, ration books, new housing for those whose homes had been bombed, and even provided recipes using the limited ingredients available on rationing.

Eighty years on, the issues may have changed, but the core values of Citizens Advice remain the same: to provide free, confidential and impartial advice to everyone everywhere. 

Last year, Citizens Advice Oxfordshire South and Vale, an independent charity, helped 11,999 people resolve 20,200 problems including debt, housing, Universal Credit, benefits, family problems and consumer issues. For many people this service is a lifeline.

Jon Bright, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice Oxfordshire South and Vale, said: “This service is only possible thanks to the dedication and commitment of our 160 highly trained volunteers who give up their time to help people in our community find a solution to their problems.” 
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The number of people seeking advice has increased by 30 per cent over the last three years and the local offices need more volunteers to keep the service running. Volunteer posts include: advisers, receptionists, administrators, IT support and fundraisers. If you are interested, contact Citizens Advice Oxfordshire South and Vale for more information on 01235 550553 or email recruitment@osavcab.org.uk
 
Jane Richardson, Chair of Trustees, and Liz Johnson, Manager, ,shown above, celebrate 80 years of Citizens Advice
 
For more information, please contact:
Catherine Whitmarsh, Fundraising and Events Coordinator
Citizens Advice Oxfordshire South and Vale 
Abbey House
Abbey Close
Abingdon
OX14 3JD
 
Email: catherine.whitmarsh@osavcab.org.uk
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