Anyone looking for a woodwork project during lockdown?  I have quite a lot of reclaimed hardwood looking for someone who might want it: 

1. 20 or so mahogany or teak planks, 120 x 10 x 2cm (reclaimed, totally solid, just need planing/sanding)
2. 10 off solid oak boards, 32” x 7” x 1.5” reclaimed from an early 1900s bureau.  
3. a dozen or so long oak trim strips, half-round section, different lengths but a lot there (also reclaimed from old bureau).

 
There is a lot more but rather than list everything, email russpayne999@gmail.com  with what you’re looking for and then pop over (Stonevale) for a socially-distanced check-out.

Dear Town and Parish Council colleagues
 
We're sure you've been following the news carefully, but as of Boxing Day, we will be in Tier 4, the highest of the national four-tier alert levels. The key public message for our residents is to stay at home.
 
The latest data shows that the virus is spreading much faster than expected given the existing restrictions already in place. In the past seven days alone, cases across the whole of Oxfordshire have increased by 86 per cent to 1,636, with rises seen across all districts. Among the over 60s, cases have more than doubled in the space of a week. The county's weekly rate currently stands at 236.5 per 100,000, which compares with 126.9 for the week ending 11 December. Hospital admissions are rising rapidly as a result.
 
The rapid spread is being attributed to a new variant of COVID-19, which is passed on far more easily. Although there is currently no evidence that this variant causes a more severe illness nor that the vaccine will be any less effective, it is 70 per cent more transmissible. This new variant is increasingly becoming the dominant strain across the country.
 
From Boxing Day, we will join our neighbours in Berkshire, who were placed in tier 4 at the start of this week. Tier 4 signifies that we have reached a very critical point in the pandemic. It is a stark warning that we must all be extra vigilant, follow the rules, and take every precaution. The need to follow public health guidance has never been so important. By adhering to the rules, washing our hands regularly, maintaining social distancing, and wearing a face covering, we can turn this trend around. But it requires us all to pull together and act now.
 
Our Community Hub will be open for calls between Christmas and New Year from 9-5 on Tuesday 29 December to Thursday 31 December - the number on these days for anybody who needs support is 01235 422600. Anybody in need of urgent support on Christmas Eve should call 07919 381 605. The full details are at www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/communityhub.
 
Our public services at the district council will remain largely unaffected when we open in the new year with the exception of our leisure centres, which must close from Boxing Day under tier 4 restrictions - full details will be kept up to date on GLL's Better website.
 
We will be working with partners across the Oxfordshire system to issue extended communications urging people to stay at home over the festive period. We'll be adding some messages specific to our districts to make sure our residents are aware that, even though we've historically had lower numbers here, the virus is very real in the Vale and the numbers are rising - put simply we need our residents to stay home, stay safe, follow the government's guidance and protect themselves, their families and communities, and the NHS at their busiest time of year.
 
We would be very grateful for your support in promoting these messages to residents in your towns and parishes.
 
Businesses

The closure of hospitality venues and non-essential shops will once again have an impact on our local businesses - there are now a range of grants available and so please do direct businesses to our South and Vale Business Support website at www.svbs.co.uk
 
Clinically Extremely Vulnerable (shielded) residents

Anybody who has been told by the government that they're Clinically Extremely Vulnerable must follow the guidelines on the government's website.
 
Anyone in urgent need of food or medical supplies should contact our Community Hub.
 
What does tier 4 involve?

• Stay at home, except for permitted reasons. This includes shopping for food and other essentials, exercise, education, childcare, collecting prescriptions, medical appointments, essential work, and attending a place of worship.
• Everyone who can work effectively from home should do so.
• You cannot meet other people socially indoors or in a private garden, unless you live with them or they are part of your support bubble.
• You can exercise (unlimited) or meet in a public outdoor place with people you live with, your support bubble (or as part of a childcare bubble), or with one other person at a safe social distance.
• Don't travel to other areas - it is not permitted (other than for legally permitted reasons) to help slow the spread of COVID-19.
• Shops selling non-essential goods and market stalls not selling food must close.
• Cafes, restaurants, bars and pubs remain closed but can serve takeaways, click and collect and delivery orders.
• Personal care, hair and beauty salons must close, as should tattoo, massage and spa venues.
• Entertainment venues, indoor attractions and leisure facilities must close.
• Clinically extremely vulnerable people are advised to stay at home as much as possible, except to go outdoors for exercise or to attend health appointments. If they cannot work from home, they are advised not to go to work and claim any support where eligible.

 
Further information is at Tier 4: Stay at Home - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

The Great Coxwell band will play some carols at Stonevale, at 4pm on the 24th.   Please join us at a distance with instruments/ singing or just bring a glass of wine. I am including a list to those who might decide to join in - it looks very long, but we are only playing one verse at quite a pace, so it will be music making for no more than 20-30 minutes.  And if you are walking past, you will know which carol comes next, according to our list!  (Weather looks cold but sunny).
 
Carols:
1. Away in a Manger (G)
2. Coventry Carol (g)
3. First Nowell (G)
4. God Rest You Merry Gentleman (e)
5. Good Christian Men Rejoice (F)
6. Good King Wenceslas (G)
7. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (G)
8. The Holly and the Ivy (G)
9. I Saw Three Ships (G)
10. Jingle Bells (C)
11. O Come, all ye faithful (G)
12. Once in Royal David's City (G)
13. Silent Night (C)
14. Unto us a boy is born (C)
15. We Three Kings (e)
16. While shepherds watched their flocks (G)
17. Away in a manger (A) - yes for the second time, different key arrangement!
18. Deck the hall with boughs of holly (A)
19. Jingle Bells (A)
20. O little town of Bethlehem (G)
21. Sleigh Ride (Bflat)
22.  We wish you a Merry Christmas (C)
 
Hope to see you on Thursday!
Lynette

As we are in Tier 2, outdoor carol singing is permitted, but please keep a 2 metre distance between yourselves and those who are not in your household, and feel free to wear a mask if you feel safer (it is quite good in holding off the cold as well).  

Full guidance details here, please stay safe and do not put yourself or others at risk.

www.gov.uk/guidance/guidance-for-the-christmas-period#carol-singing

I echo Judy's sentiments  completely and say my own thank you to all involved in the "goodies" acquisition, assembly and distribution on Sunday. May we continue to maintain our village caring cohesion.
 
Ted Nieass
Sandcroft
​

Thursday 24th December - Christmas Eve 6.00 pm
As there could be no service in the Great Barn on Christmas Eve this year, we decided to replace Midnight Mass with a Holy Communion service at 6 o’clock.  The Revd Dick Whittington will again take the service.  At the time of writing (Monday morning) we still plan to go ahead, although that may change, of course.

Please let  me know if you plan to attend either by email – phemes43@gmail.com or phone 241632 so that we can plan for social distancing.  Please remember to bring a mask.  Sanitising gel and wipes are available inside the church.  We hope to see you there.
 
Batemans Trust Charity - Reminder
As many of you know, we usually send half of the collection from the Barn service on Christmas Eve to the Batemans Trust, a tradition which was started many years ago by Geoff Lee.  I would like to be able to send them something this year.  If you would like to make a donation please let me have it in an envelope marked    ‘Donation to the Bateman’s Trust’ (3 Cherry Orchard – the white house) and I will send the total off to them towards the end of the year.  I have put their latest news) letter up in the church porch.  If you are not familiar with their work in India this will give you a good idea.  Their website is www.batemans.org.uk.
 
I hope you are all able to have a good Christmas despite the restrictions. Stay safe and keep well.  Hopefully the village will be able to return to  some sort of normality next year.
 
Thank you
I have to echo Judy’s words in yesterday’s newsletter.  Special thank you to all those ‘Santa’s Elves’ that left us our mulled wine and mince pies on the doorstep.  What a lovely idea.  At the ‘swearing in’ of the Churchwardens of the benefice last Saturday week we were asked by the Area Dean what we had to thank God for.  My reply was for bringing me to this village which is so special and where I have made more friends that ever before.  I hope all those who are new to the village this year will  find that and be able to experience the normal village activities in the year to come.
 
Stay safe and well.
 
Pat
 
Pat Cook, Churchwarden.

I would like to say a big THANK YOU to all the young ones (every one is young when you are in your eighties) for all the lovely things they have done during the year, from Easter eggs to mince pies and everything in between. The village has always come together for royal celebrations, Christmas parties and some great money raising ideas.

​It is great to know this is continuing with the next generation!
 
We are so lucky to live in this village with such caring people who make these horrible times so much easier.

Judy Gregson
​

I would like to share a costly, unfortunate and negative experience to avoid anybody else being caught.

Having moved in to Toban in August I engaged a roofing contractor to reroof my garage and refurbish it.

He more or less completed the roofing work, took a substantial advance for the dry lining and then disappeared for a month, returned and walked off site having refused to refund the advance monies.

Colin - Toban

Check out this OCC site for advice and guidance on selecting local businesses.
​

Save the date!

4pm next Sunday 20th December come out to your doorsteps with a glass of mulled wine and a mince pie to toast your neighbours and enjoy a Great Coxwell Christmas lockdown style!

The "Elf Isolation" team will be dropping something off on Saturday 19th to help you celebrate.

There are still places available for the Great Coxwell  Zoom Christmas Quiz on Saturday 19th December at 19:00pm.  There will be a mix of General Knowledge, Christmas Themed and Village questions to get the little grey cells going.  Entry is £5 per team (a team of 1 is fine as unfortunately we can’t get together indoors) and you will be sent the Zoom link so that you can join.  If you would like to take part please either e-mail Pam Holley at pamela.ruth.holley@gmail.com or drop a note to Winterbourne with the e-mail address that you would like the zoom link sent and the £5 entry fee by the end of Thursday (17th Dec) so that all the final arrangements can be made.
 
Thanks
Pam

The village has been very generous with donations for the raffle this year and you can see there are some great prizes to be won.

There is still time to buy your tickets, they are available to buy until tomorrow (Thursday 17th).

​£1.00 per ticket, please call Pam Smith on 240233