Sibford Scene Archive

I believe that a Chief Barker is a member of the Theatrical Profession who is elected to supervise and organise philanthropic ventures.

My “Chief Barker” is Keith Sabin’s dog who alerted Keith to my serious trouble when I slipped and fell flat on my back on the small lawn at the back of “Hillcrest” on Wednesday, 17th February at 5p.m. In my left hand I clutched an empty milk bottle, which surprisingly remained there unbroken, and in my right hand a plastic bag full of ash from the kitchen stove, for placing in the “wheely-bin”. This bag remained unbroken and I placed it under my head as a pillow. Now in the gathering gloom and with a slight drizzle falling, l began to call “Help”, and “Help me”. I continued for 40 to 45 minutes not realising until the end that the “Chief Barker” was responding to my calls to the extent that Keith realised something was wrong and came round and found me and prompted Miss Judith Weeks to phone for an ambulance. Meanwhile Judith and her lady guest covered me with warm coats plus a hotwaterbottle on my chest; the milk bottle remained in my left hand and I recalled that my last plan to attract attention would be to hurl it over the fence at the ground floor windows of the neighbouring flat.

The ambulance with paramedics arrived at about 7.15p.m. and by 8 o’clock I was in the Accident and Casualty at the Horton and was soon X-rayed and a broken femur confirmed.

The main purpose of this story is to pay sincere and heartfelt tribute to Keith’s dog and to Keith in the belief that, had I not been found but had lain prostrate on my back all night, I might not have been here to tell the tale. My sincere thanks also to Judith Weeks and her friend and to the ambulance crew who lifted me into their vehicle with such expert care. My thanks also to those good friends who have visited me and sent me gifts. As to the Horton Doctors, Surgeons and Staff, they have shown me the utmost kindness and care coupled with their expert skills; truly we are fortunate in having such a gem of a hospital in Banbury. I think my recovery is several weeks ahead and I shall then have a chance to thank “Bonzo” in person, although he will probably try to bite me – such is the perversity of canine nature! As soon as I am sufficiently recovered and at home I will thank everybody by phone or letter.

Reg Craig

Representatives from the Gower and Ferris Parish Councils and the Town Estate Charity, met to set guidelines for the use and management of the field, and it was for that reason that opinions had been asked for in the last issue of the Scene.

The meeting was unanimous and emphatic in wanting to thank all those whose donations made the purchase possible. Neither the donations alone nor the Charity’s funding alone could have achieved the objective. The final financial figures are not yet available, but will be made public in due course.

Most importantly the field is now safe from any building development in perpetuity; this will be ensured by making a copy of this announcement part of the minutes of both the Charity and Parish Councils.

The meeting received a number of opinions regarding the usage of the field, for which it was very grateful. These were all considered and they contributed to the following conclusions:.

In order to produce some income to help defray the cost of maintaining the field, it would have to be let for grazing. Opinion clearly did not favour it being let as pony paddock, and it is certainly not to be used in any way as a sports field or recreation ground. When let, the rights and privacy of the tenant will have to be respected.

Therefore there will be no use of the field for car parking except in very rare circumstances, and the delegates agreed that the field could be used next year for the Millennium Pageant.

There is clearly a strong desire to give the field a meadowy character. This is welcomed, but can only be achieved in one of two ways: cultivate the land and sow a mix of grass and flower seed, which would be very expensive, or allow individuals to plant plants in the existing grass, and it follows that neither of these two options could take place until after June next year.

Possibly some trees will be planted in the future and there will be suitable hedge planting along the new fence; also the roadside hedge will be laid when sufficient growth allows. The desire was also expressed for there to be seating, and the possible location and nature of an amenity area is being studied.

Our Sibford Millennium Panels are now displayed at The Mill Arts Centre until 9th May. I do hope you will make every effort to visit them, it is a wonderful opportunity to view them in a public gallery during their first public show.

Sixty-seven contributors have worked hard and produced six large panels. Fresh, colourful and packed with interest, they should make every Sibford resident glow with pride. A real community project and a real achievement.

Sibford School have added a richness to this project producing their own independent panel. The Sibford School Panel shows the variety of school buildings while the delightful figures depict school life.

Keith Hicks has produced three lovely, informative display boards related to the Pageant which complement our panels.

To complete the exhibition we have included work by:

• Zella Andrews whose idea for producing a Mill Panel which was not possible, combined with the proposed Pageant and request for ideas to celebrate the Millennium led to the Sibford Millennium Panels.
• Joan Shields, Beryl Sabin and Kathleen Winter who have advised and helped with the practical work. Without their help and support we would not have these panels.

We welcome Fred inns as our last contributor. Fred made our frames to complete and display the panels.

Visiting our exhibition will give some of you an opportunity to visit The Mill perhaps for the first time. A lovely gallery, a friendly, welcoming environment where you can enjoy a cup of coffee. The Mill aims to offer something to everybody, offering a very varied programme of entertainment and classes.

Special thanks to:- All contributors some of whom produced several pieces of work. All those responsible for stitching down the work onto the background, some spending many hours hemming and some taking work home. John and Luke Mulley for their help and support. Luke helped stretch the panels and he then placed them on the frames.

Our next project will be our records.

Now that the panels are complete we can all turn to the Pageant, our next community project, to work for and enjoy.

Mollie Picken (Mulley)

A Special Meeting of the PCC was held on April 6th to consider whether or not we should go ahead with the roof repair project. David Soden, the Treasurer, gave an up to date report on the position of the Appeal: effectively this was that with cash received and present promises including loans, together with expected tax refunds on Gift Aid and Covenants, we were still short by about £15,000.

This sum is very close to the entire capital which the church would have after its own contribution of £17,500 towards the bill.

It was reported that the Town Estates Charity had confirmed a generous grant and that personal visits to those living in the village was receiving a most generously high level of response. An appeal to charities interested in helping churches with building repairs was just about to go out and that the Archdeacon of Oxford had offered help from his discretionary fund.

In all the circumstances, it was decided to authorise the Architects to instruct the builders to proceed with the work and it is hoped that it will start in June and he completed by the autumn. The PCC has decided that during this time, the church will not be open for services which will take place in other churches in the benefice, although burials will continue as may be necessary.

The Council wishes to put on record its deep appreciation of the support and generosity received from so many people in the villages and from all denominations. It is very much hoped that further financial support will be forthcoming so that the church funds are not extinguished and that continuing annual support will enable us to pay our way in the future and repay the loans that have been made.