Wally was born on the Isle of Dogs in London and was a gunner who served with 20th Anti-Tank Regt, Royal Artillery in Egypt and Palestine, 1946-1948.

Before that he was evacuated to Great Coxwell, along with many others.

The Imperial War Museum have audio of Wally talking about many things and he does talk about Great Coxwell, the barn, the farms and the pub - not in great detail but still interesting

Hart, Walter 'Wally' (Oral History)

If anyone recalls Wally or the other evacuees please let me know and I can add to his Great Coxwell story - email web@greatcoxwell.com.

To mark their 21st Anniversary the challenge was to do a specific thing 21 times. We decided that we would walk our two donkeys, Dora and Fee, around their paddock and so far they have reached 38 circuits and they are still going strong.

The audience of cows was always fun and we would find them all lined up at the fence waiting for us when we took the donkeys out in the morning. If it gets windy Dora gets very excited when the wind blows into her big ears and they both get quite boisterous when we walk them in opposite directions round the field particularly if they meet in the middle and are then asked to carry on walking away from each other.

Please support this Air Ambulance appeal by donating online at www.tvairambulance.org.uk/donate or by phone 0300 999 0135 .

Many thanks for your support, Angela and Peter Scales-not forgetting Dora and Fee.
                       

Knitted dolls for Christmas,  Father Christmas, Mother Christmas, and Snowmen, approx 6/7ins high.

Plus other themed dolls.

£5 each, proceeds to St Giles church.

Contact Jane Holmes, Foxley,  tel.241367

17th November 2020

 VACANCY FOR A PARISH COUNCILLOR
 
The Council has one vacancy at the moment and would like to co-opt a Councillor.
 
If you would like to be considered, please send CV/Letter of interest to the Clerk.

Deadline for applications 11th Dec 2020
 
 For further information, please see our website details below or contact the Clerk or Chair Richard May.

clerk@greatcoxwell.com
cllr-may@greatcoxwell.com
https://www.greatcoxwell.com/parish-council.html
​

 Please take note of the following alert from Thames Valley Police - please be vigilant when out and about.

www.thamesvalleyalert.co.uk/da/349808/Theft_from_motor_vehicles_in_beauty_spots.html

You can keep up to date with these alerts on our Neighbourhood Watch page.

Take care

Remembrance Sunday was marked on Sunday as planned by our small group of three who laid the wreaths at the War Memorial and read the Act of Remembrance and the Kohima Epitaph.  It was good to see the villagers who stood at their doors or gateways and joined in the two-minute silence with us.  It leant an air of normality to the proceedings and added solemnity to the occasion.  

We hope that next year we will be able to be back to normal.

Thursday, Armistice Day is also the day of the funeral of Revd Dr Derek Turner.  Please remember him and Revd Maureen on the day and in your prayers.

If you have not seen it elsewhere, you may be interested in this link that was sent to me by a friend in the Arts Society Upper Thames, which tells the story of the burial of the Unknown Soldier in Westminster Abbey, commissioned by Westminster Council and including the Military Wives Choirs singing 'Abide with Me'.

https://westminster.gov.uk/unknownwarrior100

Keep safe, everybody.

Our smelly black bin has disappeared from in front of TOBAN late on Sunday.

If it has wandered off accidentally please could it return?

We have nowhere to put our smelly bags!

Thanks, Anne and Colin
TOBAN

Sadly, we are back in lockdown once again.  But at least this time we are a little more prepared and we know what to expect.  We have grown accustomed to this new way of living and systems are in place to assist us through the next month or so.  We just need to observe the new Lockdown 2 Rules until 2nd December and hopefully, we will start to edge through this second wave of Covid infections. 

This lockdown is a little less restrictive than the first one.  For example, we can get outside and meet one individual from another household, keeping our social distance, in a public place, to exercise, and to have a conversation…  But self-isolation isn’t easy, especially if you’re alone, feeling unwell or need help with something.  During the first lockdown earlier this year, we had the benefit of evenings getting lighter and improving weather.  This time, some may be finding it more difficult as the nights draw in and the weather turns for the worse.  Remember, if you live alone or you’re a single parent who lives alone with your children, you can meet with one other household without social distancing.  This is called a support bubble.

During this Lockdown, mental health will be a worry for some.  There is helpful advice on the NHS Coronavirus (COVID19) website, including 10 tips to help if you are worried about Coronavirus.  It’s worth a look, but I have summarised their advice at the bottom of this email.

The established team of volunteers in the village remain in place and are willing to assist those during this second COVID-19 emergency.  They were each allocated a cluster of houses throughout the village to establish contact in the first lockdown.  Each volunteer has maintained that contact as and when required.  If you are new to the village or have not been contacted and would like assistance from a volunteer, please call me, Mandy Burns (contact details below). The village Support Group Volunteers are there to assist with 

• urgent shopping needs 
• a friendly chat.   
• Prescriptions are being collected separately by a volunteer dedicated to do this for the village.

You may already have someone who helps you and we would not want to interfere with current arrangements with established carers, friends and neighbours.  But if they should need back up – Support Group volunteers are there to help.  

You may not feel you need help at this stage but if in the future you decide you do, just contact me and let me know.

Prescriptions

We have a dedicated volunteer who collects prescriptions each week

Wednesday – Faringdon White Horse Surgery

Thursday – Elm Surgery Shrivenham

I collect the names of those who wish prescriptions to be collected and pass a list each week to the volunteer.  

Please provide:

1. Name
2. Address
3. EMIS Number (if you have it)
4. Surgery
5. Date prescription due to be collected.

If there is a need for an emergency prescription, we should also be able to respond accordingly.  

Please do not hesitate to contact me. 

Volunteers

The current volunteers from the village have already agreed that they are willing to carry on in this next lockdown and able to assist where necessary.  But we are always looking for more - If you have not already been in contact and are available to assist neighbours in the village who might need help with these things, again please contact me.

Bad weather may present other challenges whilst we are in lockdown. If you are able to assist and respond for snow clearance of paths etc, again please let me know.

Best wishes to everyone during these difficult times.

Stay safe,
Mandy  xx

Please contact MANDY BURNS on 01367 240142 and leave a message, or mail her on: burns.amanda@btinternet.com.

Ten tips to help if you are worried about coronavirus.

Tip 1 - Stay connected with people. Maintain healthy relationships with people you trust.

Tip2 - Talk about your worries.  Its Ok to share your concerns with those you trust.

Tip 3 - Support and help others.  Helping someone else can benefit you as well as them.

Tip 4 - Feel prepared.  It can help to think through a typical week how will you continue to be affected and what will you do to solve any problems.

Tip 5 -  Look after your body.  Our physical health can have a big impact on how we feel.

Tip 6 - Stick to the facts.  Find a credible source you can trust like GOV.UK or the NHS website.

Tip 7 - Stay on top of difficult feelings. Try to focus on the things you can control.

Tip 8 - Do things you enjoy.  Focusing on your favourite hobby, relaxing or connecting with others can help with anxious thoughts and feelings.

Tip 9 - Focus on the present.  Focusing on the present, rather than worrying about the future, can help with difficult emotions.

Tip 10 - Look after your sleep.  Good quality sleep makes a big difference.
​

Whilst walking through the village with grandchildren 2 weeks ago, I stopped at the War Memorial to show my granddaughter the name of my Uncle, her great great Uncle, James Leonard Wearn who was killed in the Second World War. To my amazement placed beneath his name was a small wooden remembrance cross which had been written on with

“2020 In remembrance of James Leonard Wearn from Deborah and Victoria Wearn”

I immediately phoned my sisters and brother who were completely unaware of the existence of the 2 ladies who are apparently related to us. 

Mike
​

After much consultation it has been decided that because of the latest Covid-19 situation we should not hold our usual Act of Remembrance at the War Memorial this year. However, we feel it is only right that we mark the occasion in some way albeit in a much more simplified way.
 
In order to lay the usual wreaths on Sunday, Richard May on behalf of the Parish Council and Pam Smith on behalf of the WI, will carry the wreaths to the War Memorial, leaving the cross roads at 10.50 and keeping two metres apart down the road.
 
At the War Memorial, the words of Remembrance will be said and the wreaths will be laid. This will then be followed by the two minute silence at 11 o’clock.
 
The words of the Kohima Epitaph will end the ceremony. We will then return up the village.

We would ask you not to attend the ceremony so that the Government guidelines can be observed, as otherwise we would have to prepare risk assessments, etc.

Those along the route are welcome to observe from their doorsteps.
 
Anyone who wishes to lay a personal wreath or cross is, of course, welcome to do so but are asked to wait until the road is clear (about 11.10).
 
Thank you
​​