News

Tim Huckvale writes: Our first returning swift this year flew in at about 8.10pm this evening.

Chris Brant, the Liberal Democrat candidate (1310 votes), has been elected to Cherwell District Council for the Cropredy, Sibfords & Wroxton Ward, replacing long-serving George Reynolds, Conservative (1056 votes). The full result is on the CDC website. According to the Banbury Guardian, the Liberal Democrats are now the biggest party on the District Council, having gained seven seats from the Conservatives.

Matthew Barber, the Conservative candidate, has been re-elected as Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley. The full result is on the CDC website.

Chris Pennell writes: I would like to thank John Wass for organising such a valuable and informative CPR training session this week (30 April), and also our Community Responders Kelly & James for volunteering their time and expertise.

I would strongly encourage every member of our community to attend one of these events. In the event of a cardiac arrest the first 10 minutes are critical to survival, so although responders will arrive as soon as they can, it might be up to you to save the life of your loved one, friend, colleague, or fellow villager. For the sake of a couple of hours training wouldn’t you want to know how?

These events are very informal, you don’t need to book, no details are taken, and there is no ongoing responsibility. Please do attend one if you are able.

Results of the May draw:

Tempted? Read more about the Village Hall Lottery

John Wass writes: We very much encourage you to come to our training session on resuscitation in the Village Hall on Tuesday 30th April at 6.30pm. The session is provided free by the St John Ambulance Team and is an essential part of life experience in being able to help in an emergency.

In Norway 70% of the population are trained in resuscitation. I am very keen to move our figure in the UK up and especially locally.

Holy Trinity churchwarden Barbara Foster writes: In recent weeks we have been experiencing a mild form of vandalism in our church building: candles have been removed from their holders around the lectern and dropped onto the floor, hymn number cards removed from their box and scattered on the floor and, more seriously, toner scattered around the photocopier, damaging and staining the surrounding carpet, skin and clothing.

Please would villagers be vigilant when they approach the church  and inform churchwardens Diana Thompson 01295 788 751 or Barbara Foster 07773 404 088 of any unusual happenings.

Ivan Tyrell’s stimulating talk on The Rise and Fall of Civilisations generated much discussion among Sibford folk in the days following. Here is a list of the books he mentioned, should you wish to learn more about the topics covered, and a one hour video of the entire talk and questions.

Ibn Khaldûn: Muqaddimah

Jim Penman: Biohistory

Sir John Glubb: The Fate of Empires and Search for Survival

Iain McGilchrist: The Master and His Emissary, The Matter With Things

Edward T. Hall: Beyond Culture

William Ophuls: Immoderate Greatness

Books by Ivan Tyrell and Joe Griffin:

• Human Givens: the new approach to emotional health and clear thinking
• How to lift depression … fast
• An Idea in Practice: Using the human givens approach
• Release from Anger: Practical help for controlling  unreasonable rage
• Godhead: The Brain’s Big Bang – the explosive origin of  creativity, mysticism and mental illness
• Listening to Idries Shah: how understanding grows

The Bishop of Dorchester has announced that the Revd Emily Robottom-Scott has been appointed to be the new Rector of the Wykeham Benefice. Subject to legalities, she will be installed as our new Rector on Tuesday 27th August at 7.30pm at Broughton Church.

Revd Emily writes: It is a great privilege, and I am very excited, to be called to join you all in the Wykeham Benefice. Currently I am serving my curacy at St Peter’s Church in Sutton Coldfield, but I have deep love of the countryside, a passion for rural ministry and a background working with horses. I will be moving with my lively 8 month old Sprocker puppy, Sable and my Siamese cat, Scrannit. You are all held firmly in my prayers as I prepare to move and I look forward to meeting and carrying out God’s work with you all.

John Wass writes: Reminder: Resuscitation Training at 6:30pm in the Village Hall on Tuesday the 30th of April

We have organised a further session with the St John Ambulance Team for resuscitation training. This really is an important part of your everyday life, that you know what to do if somebody drops down next to you and in order to save their life.

Please consider coming on Tuesday the 30th.

In Norway 70% of the population are trained as to what to do and I think that we in the UK, because it really makes a difference to outcomes, need to head in that same direction.

Results of the April draw:

Tempted? Read more about the Village Hall Lottery

The Sibford Gower Parish Council in conjunction with CDC has organised equipment for a Spring clean of the villages!  If you have some time to spare to help keep our village verges clean and litter free, please call Alan Berks on 01295 780652 to organise collection of your litter picking kit (limited numbers available).  Ideally the litter picks would take place before 28 April.  The equipment should be returned to Alan and the rubbish can go to him too, or disposed of in your own wheelie bins.

We are looking for volunteers to cover the following areas – Pound Lane, High Meadow, Backside Lane, Main Street, Acre Ditch, Bonds End Lane, Colony Road, Barley Close, Sycamore Close, Hawks Lane, Surgery Road.

Thank you.