St James's Church

The Christmas festivities got off to a good start with a packed church for the Crib Service on Christmas Eve. In addition to Rev. Hancock retelling the Christmas story, helped by youngsters dressed as Nativity characters, the congregation was also treated to a beautiful rendition of 'Silent Night', performed by The Shrivenham Handbell Ringers and 'Everyone's in the Stable', sung by members of the Bourton Children's Choir. 

The next church service at St James's Church will be at 10.00 on Saturday 3rd January. Everyone is welcome.

Wishing you all a happy and healthy 2015!

Crib Service

The Crib Service will be held at St James's Church at 6pm on Christmas Eve. Mulled wine will be served to help lubricate the vocal chords and the service will include some musical treats. 

Children are invited to come dressed as their favourite Nativity character.

Messy Time

The village hall was a hive of activity on Tuesday afternoon when a group of enthusiastic youngsters attended Bourton's first ever Messy Time.

An industrious hour was spent making sparkly angels, brightly coloured cards and Christmas boxes. 

After all the hard work, everyone sat down to hot chocolate with marshmallows and the story of 'Jesus' Christmas Party' told by the vicar (complete with sound effects!)

Judging by the happy faces, a good time was had by all!

Christmas Concert

A packed village hall enjoyed an evening of Christmas music and mulled wine at the annual Bourton Christmas Concert on Saturday. 

Music was provided by the Forte Band and the recently formed Bourton Children's Choir.

The hall was looking very festive and everyone agreed that the audience singing this year was the best ever!

Messy Time

Bourton’s Family Messy Time!

Tuesday 16^th December

4 till 5pm

Bourton Village Hall

Please come along and join in Christmas craft activities, cakes, hot chocolate and marshmallows!

All ages welcome.

Sponsored by St James church Bourton

50/50 December 2014

Congratulations to December's winners.

76     Rebecca French
57     Simon Woddy
35     Wendy Woodhouse

Bourton Christmas Concert

You are invited to Bourton’s

 Christmas Concert

at

Bourton Village Hall

 on

 Saturday 13th December

 5.00pm

           

Band                    Woodwind Ensemble

Carol Singing           Children’s Choir 

Mulled Wine  Mince Pies    Festive Raffle

December Church Services

Our next church service will be held on Saturday, 6th December at 10 am.  The family service will be followed by refreshments and a chance to catch up with your neighbours.

The Crib Service will be held at 6.00pm on Christmas Eve. Everyone is welcome and children are invited to dress up as Nativity characters. Mulled wine and squash will be served before the service so arrive early and bring your families and friends. Please note the time of the service, as it has been advertised differently in the Shrivenham News.

Don't miss the Pinewood Christmas Fair this coming weekend ...

Pinewood Christmas Fair

Saturday 29th November

10.00am – 2.00pm £3 Adults / Children Free

The annual Christmas fair held at the school is a very good chance to get in some early Christmas shopping.  With the Friends of Pinewood giving a percentage of takings to charity. Supporting: Splash Wiltshire, Bag4Sport Foundation and The Shonda Project.

Many stalls on the day, including:

• Peas in a Pod ~ 3D contemporary boxed artwork
• Made by Nell ~ Animal and flower name art
• Lucinda Roper Paintings ~ Animal portrait artist
• Georgie B ~ Bespoke lamps and handmade pottery
• Kristina Charrington Jewellery ~ Gold and Silver Jewellery
• Claire Callow ~ Hand-made Silver Jewellery
• Herb Storage ~ Herb storage products
• Love Lockets ~ Memory lockets and charms
• All Wrapped Up ~ Faux Fur Products
• Brown Cow ~ Gifts in fur and leather
• Amy Morris-Adams ~ Milliner
• Fioriblu ~ Italian Leather goods
• Little Bags ~ Canvas Tote Bags
• Old School Signs ~ School signs
• Talolo Wellies ~ Funky wellies
• Hannah Redman bulbs in Pots ~ Bulbs in pots
• Candle Mademoiselle ~ Candles and diffusers
• Minnow Photos ~ Contemporary place mats
• Cheeky Little Monkeys ~ Quality hand puppets soft toys
• Hector and Queen ~ Award winning childrens’ sleepwear, slippers
  and bunting
• Miss Hall ~ Girls clothes
• Caramel and Grey ~ Homeware gifts
• Conkers & Caterpillars ~Nature inspired gifts for children
• PJs ~ Colourful pyjama bottoms for all ages
• Shonda Project ~Shonda Charity Table
• Shalbourne Collection ~ Creative workshops, talks and tours
• Cake Stall ~ Amazing cakes
• SdeR Trading ~ Cashmere and silk products
• Stainswick Farm ~ Rapeseed oil products
• Duntisbourne Studios ~ Beautiful handmade ceramics
• Ila ~ Luxury skin creams made in the Cotswolds
• Wiltshire Liqueurs ~ Original fruit liqueurs
• Tinder and Tide ~ Stylish products for the great outdoors
• Pure Leather Company ~ Leather mittens, slippers and accessories
• The Tuck Shop ~ Confectionery for children and gifts

WANTED FOR THE BOURTON CHRISTMAS CHOIR

singers up to the age of 12 years

to sing in the choir 

Bourton Carol Concert

at the Village Hall 

on

Saturday 13th December, 5pm

Crib Service 

at St. James's Church

on

Wednesday 24th December, 6pm

If you would like to take part in either or both of the above events, please come to the rehearsals at the Village Hall on

Saturday 29th November, 10.45 - 11.15am

and 

Saturday 6th December, 11.00 - 11.30am

For more details, please contact Sue on 782066

50/50 November 2014

Congratulations to November's winners

74          William Wallace
67          Rebecca French
54          Jim and Sarah Bischoff

November services ....

Our next church service will be held on Saturday, 1 November at 10 am.  This will be a shared service with Pinewood School.   It is always a treat for the Village to be included in the Pinewood services and to have the pleasure of singing along with the youngsters.  

Our Remembrance Service will take place as usual at The Pinnacle in the Village on Sunday, 9 November at 12 noon.

More Meditation and Art ...

due to demand, Alison Davis and our very own Margaret McIntyre are putting on another Meditation and Art day on Tuesday, 21 October running from 10.30 am to 4 pm.  As before the course will be run in the peace and tranquillity of Shrivenham House.  The course costs just £30 per person and is in support of two charities - Future for Heroes (www.f4h.org.uk) and Maggies (www.maggiescentres.org).  If you are interested in joining in, please call Alison on 01793 780750.

A bumper Harvest Festival service ....

was held at St James' Church yesterday!

Rev Richard had some enthusiastic help acting out The Enormous Turnip!

and a merry little band accompanied the congregation for the final hymn!

the vegetable competition entries were amazing!  Bourton certainly has talent ...

Rev Richard had a hard time judging but finally picked the Howell family's entry as the winner - well done Sarah, James, Harriet and Beatrice!

after all that activity, refreshments were much appreciated!

All donations will be taken to the Swindon Food Bank.

50/50 October 2014

Congratulations to October's winners

89          Alan Thomas
62          Jack Webster
19          David Rutley

Harvest Festival Service ...

It's Bourton's Harvest Festival next weekend - Saturday, 4th October at 10 am.  There will be a fruit/vegetable character competition mainly for the children but adults can join in too!  So get creating something from a fruit or vegetable and bring it along to the service.

All food donations will be taken to Swindon Food Bank.  You can leave your donations in the Church next week or bring them along on the day.  If you have any queries please contact our Church Warden Amanda Benbow on 07880 500874.

Another break-in ...

The Police are appealing for witnesses after a burglary in Lower Bourton.  Overnight between Saturday (20/09) and Sunday (21/09) offender(s) gained entry by forcing a door to a workshop at a property in Lower Bourton. Power tools, leaf blower, strimmer and a chain saw were stolen, and an attempt was made to steal a quad bike.

Residents are advised to be extra vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the police as soon as possible. If you have seen any suspicious looking people or vehicles in the area or have any information relating to this message please call the police on 101.

Alternatively if you have any information but wish to remain anonymous, please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online @ crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.

Ride and Stride 2014

It was a perfect day for cycling, just the right temperature and no breeze, when four intrepid cyclists met at St James's Church to embark on the annual Ride and Stride.

We made sure we completed the undulating part of our route early on and after tackling the Compton Beauchamp hill, the rest of our journey through the autumnal Oxfordshire countryside was relatively easy.

We visited ten churches and one pub where we enjoyed much needed refreshments. We passed many other Striders but didn't spot the Bishop, although we think he was having lunch in the King and Queen as we passed by,  judging by the number of bikes parked outside.

Thank you to Carole for manning St. James's all morning and to my fellow cyclists, Maggie, Carolyn F and Carolyn W.

So far, thanks to some generous sponsors, we have raised £210, half of which will go directly to our village church. It's not too late to donate, just contact Sue (782066).

Look out for a Bishop on a bike ...

on Saturday because it's the Oxfordshire Historical Churches Trust Ride and Stride event.  Sue and Maggie are planning to ride again and it's not too late to join them.  If you can't make it on the day, then please sponsor them.  Whatever is raised, 50% will go towards our Church!

Have fun girls and I hope the weather is kind to you!

PS:  If anyone does see the Bishop - can you please take a picture for our village blog - thank you!

Catch-up with your neighbours ....

at Saturday mornings church service.  The service starts at 10 am and will be followed by tea, coffee and biscuits and a chance to have a good chat and catch-up with friends and neighbours after the summer break.

50/50 September 2014

Congratulations to this month's 50/50 winners

73      Rebecca French
 9       Carolyn Francis
 8       Carol Baker

Striders 2014

The Striders event is on Saturday 13th September. Please contact Sue on 782066 if you would like a sponsor form.

Bourton Summer Fete 2014

The last day of August was warm and sunny, perfect for the Bourton Summer Fete which was held in the lovely setting of Pinewood's Top Field.

The steady stream of visitors enjoyed browsing the stalls, taking part in games and sampling the delicious refreshments on offer, while being entertained by live music.














A big thank you to everyone involved in another successful event for our village!

Just to remind you all ....

Bourton Fete is this coming Sunday (31 August) starting at 12 noon!  

Just follow the signs in the village for a rat-splatting, welly-wanging, burger-eating, stall-browsing and prize-winning fun time for all the family.  The forecast looks good for Sunday - however, should the weather not hold up, alternative arrangements are in in place and the event will still go ahead!  So come along with all your family and friends and have a fun afternoon!

If you fancy lending a hand on the day there is still time to volunteer.  Just call Amanda Benbow on 078805 00874.

And finally, don't forget to take your contributions (cakes, Tombola prizes, DVD's, CD's, books, teddies, raffle prizes and home produce) along to the Village Hall on Saturday, 30th August between 3 pm and 5 pm.  All contributions will be gratefully received!

Closure of A417 ....

Please be aware that the A417 will be closed at Challow Railway Bridge for 3 months from 6 September.  This is to allow Network Rail undertake work as part of their electrification programme.  

For further information visit
www.networkrail.co.uk/greatwesternelectrification.

Bourton Village Fete - Sunday, 31st August ...

Ride and Stride - Saturday 13th September 2014

Bishop Colin is planning to cycle around some churches in the Vale of the White Horse on Saturday 13th September. If you would like to join him, here is his itinerary.

Route For Bishop Colin In Vale Of The White Horse (VoWH) - Ride & Stride 2014

Church	Timings	Distance to Next Church/Waypoint	Remarks
St Mary, Uffington	Depart at 10.00am	2 miles	Start Point.  Arrive at about 09.45am.  Leave cars.  (Grant in 2011 for repairs to windows.)
St Nicholas, Baulking	Arrive at 10.10am Depart at 10.20am	3 miles	(Grant been applied for.)
All Saints Chapel, Goosey	Arrive at 10.40am Depart at 10.50am	3.2 miles	Depart via Park Lane (Grant a few years ago.)
St Denys, Stanford-in-the-Vale	Arrive at 11.10am Depart at 11.20am	1.4 miles
St George, Hatford	Arrive at 11.30am Depart at 11.40am	1.6 miles
St Faith, Shellingford	Arrive at 11.50am Depart at 12.00pm	2.1 miles
St John, Fernham	Arrive at 12.15pm Depart at 12.25pm	1.5 miles	(Grant a few years ago.)
Methodist Chapel, Longcot	Arrive at 12.35pm Depart at 12.45pm	40 yards
St Mary, Longcot	Arrive at 12.45pm Depart at 12.55pm	100 yards	(Grant in 2008 for repair of skeelings and 2014 for repair of vestry roof and window in nave.)
King & Queen, Longcot	Arrive at 1.00pm Depart at 2.00pm	2.4 miles	Pub Lunch.
St Thomas, Watchfield	Arrive at 2.15pm Depart at 2.25pm	1.1 mile
St Andrew, Shrivenham	Arrive at 2.35pm Depart at 2.45pm	300 yards	(Grant in 2012 for conservation of benefactions board.)
Methodist Chapel, Shrivenham	Arrive at 2.50pm Depart at 3.00pm	5 miles
All Saints, Woolstone	Arrive at 3.30pm Depart at 3.40pm	1.5 miles	(Grant a few years ago.)
St Mary, Uffington	Arrive at 3.55pm	End	Afternoon Tea and Relaxation

NB. 

1.  Route keeps off A420 and B4507 as they are not particularly safe.  The Ride is a little over 25 miles of lovely flat terrain with just a couple of slopes.  Average speed is estimated at 10 mph.

2.  Recent grants to other churches in VoWH: St Mary Ashbury; St Michael and All Angels, Eaton Hastings.

50/50 August 2014

Congratulations to August's winners!

39       Carolyn Francis
4         Ed Benbow
12       Douglas Hamlin

Church temporarily closed ...

Sadly our Church has had to be temporarily closed as someone has broken in to our store cupboards.  Nothing of value has been taken but the Police would like it to remain closed until the crime has been fully investigated.  Please be extra vigilant and if you have any information regarding this incident please let our Community Officer know - or John Bean.

Thank you.

Meditation and Art ...

at Shrivenham House held by Alison Davis, DipBsoM-Diploma in Meditation Teaching and Bourton's very own Margaret McIntyre who studied at Gray's School of Art in Aberdeen and South Africa.

Find peace and calm through the dual lens of Meditation and Art.  Learn to meditate finding inner peace and strength using your inner resources.  Pick up a paintbrush and learn to reach inner peace through creativity, allowing your inner self to come through.

Come and Join Alison and Margaret for a day of peace and tranquillity at Shrivenham House.  To include basic meditation techniques and practical tips to allow you to find the peace within, vegetarian lunch followed by the opportunity through painting to find your inner calm.

Available dates 8, 22 and 26 August with the day running from 10.30 am - 4.00 pm.  Please call Alison to discuss details and availability on 01793 784937.  Cost £30 per person in support of two charities; Future for Heroes (www.f4h.org.uk) and Maggies (www.maggiescentres.org).

Ride and Stride 2014

Help preserve the history on your doorstep by taking part in a sponsored cycle, walk or horse ride around Oxfordshire's churches. All funds raised go to Oxfordshire Historic Churches Trust and 50% will be passed on to our own village church, St. James's. This year's event will take place on

  Saturday 13th September.

As in previous years, a group of us will be cycling around our corner of Oxfordshire, visiting churches and stopping for lunch en route. You are very welcome to join us. Other villagers are planning to walk to some local churches.

For more information and a sponsor form, please contact

Sue Hayes on 782066.

If you would like to order an OHCT High Viz Vest to wear on the day, please contact Sue no later than 28th July as the orders need to be submitted by the end of the month.  

We celebrated ...

at St James' Church today as it has been 10 years since we saved our Church from redundancy ...

50/50 July 2014

Congratulations to July's winners

43       Brian Baker
86       Maggie Brown
35       Wendy Woodhouse

On a beautiful summer's evening, ....

the village cricket team did battle once again with the Pinewood Extras in front of a sizeable crowd of villagers. As well as seasoned regulars from years gone, it was particularly gratifying to be joined by newcomers to the village Simon Woddy and Simon French. Simon F was himself a pupil at Pinewood and this was his return after over 40 years.

The highlights of the bowling were provided by the youth of the team in the form of Harrison Baker and Harry Buckley. In the end the Pinewood total of 177 proved too rich for the village side but both Tom Swann and Ed Wormington reached 25 and were mandatorily retired as the village amassed a creditable 121 for 4 in the 20 overs available.

The game was followed by beer and hot dogs in the sunshine on the terrace, served personally by Headmaster Philip Hoyland.

Russell Hayes

We're having a party ...

to celebrate 10 years since our Church was saved from closing!

Come along and have a glass of bubbly and cupcake to help celebrate!  Bouncy castle for the children!

Bourton is saying a sad farewell to Dennis and Sue Offer ...

at the end of June.  The Offers have lived here for 19 years and have always been enthusiastic supporters of village events - even letting us use their beautiful garden!  Dennis was the driving force in saving St James' Church and he established our 'Bourton Flyer'.

All our best wishes go with you Sue and Dennis.  Bourton will miss you and we hope you will come back and visit us often!

What a beautiful evening for a Concert ...

and what a beautiful concert it was!  

Many congratulations to all Sue's students who played so well on Friday night!  They were ... Zoe, Imogen, Seamus, Abby, Lucy V, Luke, Elana, Niall, Eleanor, Alex, Helen, Mariam, Joselyn, Phoebe, Annabelle, Freya Br, Freya Bu, Bethany D, Bethany H, Ciaran, Lucy B, Caitlin, Cerys, Elizabeth V, Elizabeth G, Jonathan and Darcey.

The Concert raised a fantastic £105.90 for the Nordoff Robbins Charity!  (www.nordoff-robbins.org.uk)

Thank you Sue for a special evening!

Bourton v Pinewood School cricket match ...

The annual village cricket match versus the Pinewood Extras is on Monday 30 June starting at 6pm. Please let Russell Hayes know at russphayes@aol.com if you would like to play or come along to the school to watch.”

Come along to a Summer Concert ....

Sue Hayes will be holding her annual Summer Concert in Bourton Village Hall this Friday, 13 June, starting at 7 pm.   This is a lovely event, which gives Sue’s students the opportunity to perform for friends, family and villagers.  

Proceeds from the evening will go to Nordoff Robbins, which is a national music charity.