23/02/2009 by SheelaghHill.

I saw that the agenda for the last PC meeting mentioned kissing gates. I
don’t know why the P.C. was discussing this but it is important to know that
the local (Henley & Goring) Ramblers recently voted at their AGM not to
sponsor from their funds kissing gates. Among the views expressed are the following:

- there is no research to prove one way or another whether kissing gates do
increase access to the countryside to people who would not otherwise venture out;

- in some cases, access could be enhanced very simply by removing one tier
of the existing stile rather than replacing it with a gate (the stile at the end of my garden was recently ‘accidentally’ lowered to provide easier access to the field for some more ’senior’ neighbours who had complainted that it was too high for them to negotiate but there has been little evidence of that being enough to encourage them out. I suspect that the height of a stile is not what deters people for going walking…);

- gates are potentially less convenient for buggies, baby back-packs or any
other kind of rucksacs carrier and cyclists;

- with fewer and fewer animals in the countryside, it is often the case that there is not longer a need for any kind of gate or stile;

- the metal gates are hideously ugly and industrial, in stark contrast to
the rural environment;

- the purchase and installation (by volunteers) of ’sponsored’ metal gates is hugely
cost-effective for the local authority / environment agencies but at the
risk of defacing the countryside for a long time ahead (I don’t know the projected life of a galvanised gate but I presume they are expected to last longer than wooden ones which seem to have a life span of at least 50 years)

I have a personal interest in this topic as I certainly don’t want an ugly, clunky metal gate at the bottom of my garden but aesthetically, as a keen photographer and painter, I have already seen the impact of these hideously industrial ’silver’ gates in the beautiful rural scenery of South Oxfordshire.

I can’t get to the PC meeting to find out why they have kissing gates on the agenda but I would be interested to hear the views of other villagers.

Posted in Footpaths | 1 Comment »

14/02/2009 by richard.pawson.

About a dozen volunteers turned up and we were able to clear the verges and ditches of most of the roads in the village (not all, sadly).

Hope to see more of you next time.  For those who aren’t keen, may I recommend the Excuse-O-Mat

Incidentally, while clearing a bag of drinks cans (both empty and full) from the ditch on Emmer Green Road, a rather damp £10 note fell out.  I shall dry it out and donate it to the Village Society.  A modicum of justice in that, I feel.  Perhaps we should adopt this as an incentive scheme to involve some of our children in the tidy-up.

Posted in Litter | 1 Comment »

06/02/2009 by David.Harrison.

With all the white stuff around this week I got to thinking of Spring, here is a picture of the Blue Bells in High Wood.

(Editor:  I have reduced the image size as it was slowing the page download considerably.)

Posted in Pictures | 2 Comments »

06/02/2009 by David.Harrison.

I was sorting out some photos from my digital camera and thought these chaps deserved a wider audience….  Rick and Nick, who were “selling” balloons to raise funds for the Flower Show in 2008.

Also some pictures of the wheel barrow races’ enthusiastic participants, its not just about the beer you understand!

Does anyone have any old photos from times past when there was the wheel barrow race from the Bottle and Glass to the White Hart (via the New Inn)?  I think its time to put this fun event back on the map ……

David

Posted in Pictures, Flower Show | 1 Comment »

05/02/2009 by richard.pawson.

You’ve probably seen the notice up on Dunsden Way about the forthcoming road closure  -  for maintenance.  I’ve received the following additional information, via Mandy Sermon, clerk to the Parish Council. 

 According to James Wakelin, Assistant Public Transport Manager from Oxfordshire Count Council, there will be a Mini Bus service arranged  -  because the 800 bus service will be forced to divert.  This service will conicide with the 800 at Shiplake and then the 23 at the County Boundary.

 Here’s the route:

Posted in Highways | 2 Comments »