Sibford Scene Archive

There have, over the past few month, been a number of thefts and damage. done to parked cars in Sibford Gower. These are becoming quite unacceptable. On the last two occasions the Police have been informed, who appear to think they can do nothing about this. A visit from them is now being awaited.

If anyone does suffer such damage or theft, could they please report it each time to the Police. It is time consuming but this kind of stupid vandalism must be stopped and it is up to each and everyone of us to try and do something about it. We may be wasting the Police Department’s time but by continuing to report this, perhaps they will then take it a little more seriously.

Name & Address supplied

With the better weather and longer evenings the Tuesday Bike Rides are going well. With around twenty riders most weeks we split into two groups for a shorter or longer distance. Most of our routes take in the local villages and the quieter lanes which makes for pleasant riding, but last week saw a new departure when the longer route set out from Hornton, led by two of our regulars who drive to Sibford to join us. We covered 17 miles taking in Hanwell, Cropredy and Warmington before a fast run through Edge Hill and back to Hornton.

Anyone is welcome to come and join us. We leave Lanes End Corner (Ferris Crossroads) at 7 o’clock every Tuesday. We ask that children be accompanied. For more details Contact Adrian Lamb or Joanna Gilkes.

Many of you may not know that the Millennium Pageant has its own web site at http://www.sibford.co.uk/2000/ . The internet pages were created to publicise not only the Pageant but also the villages of Sibford Ferris, Gower and Burdrop. The web site is currently attracting around 20 visitors each week and we have had several requests for e-mails whenever the site is updated.

The web site contains background information about the villages, and their most famous inhabitant, Frank Lascelles. Pageant newsletters are also posted as they appear. Further details of the Pageant will be posted on the web site, when available.

Editorial contributions from any local organisation are welcome as it is intended to continue with the development of the site once the Pageant is over. A directory of local services and organisations is planned with a free one line listing for local groups and businesses. Please forward details if you wish to be included.

An additional aim for the web site is to raise funds for the Pageant. Advertising is available on the web pages with all payments going directly into the Pageant’s coffers. As little as £5 per month will place your advertisement on one of the web pages.

Please give me a call on if you want to know anything more about the site, or drop me an e-mail to geoff@sibford.co.uk.

Geoff Powell

Clap-netting

“Sometimes we calls it sparrer-ketching. We goes at night with a dark lantern and opens it to dazzle ’em. Used to catch no end of sparrers, thrushes, blackbirds, sometimes a nice fat pigeon. You wouldn’t find that number nowadays, reckon it’s these pesticides.”

“Used to make pocket-money that way. Mr. Gaydon the farmer, he gives us I think it were three-‘apence a sparrer… Yes, 1s.6d. a dozen. We called it the sparrer club. And Dan’l Sabin at Woodway Farm, he’d got ivy a-growing up the walls and one night four or five on us, we shook it with our net and l can’t tell you how many comes a-fluttering out – leastways I can, because we counted and it were 99, and old Dan’l sez ‘Damn it, get yer century?’ so we had another go, and it were 104.”

Copy of an original letter to the Gower Post Office

Banbury
27 Nov 1896

Mrs Inns, Sibford Gower

On and from 1st Dec your bags will be conveyed by mail cart instead of by Rural Postman and the following changes will be made:- viz

• The mail cart will be due at your office at 7.15am
• The present allowance for delivery to Gallows Hill @ 2/- will cease
• The following duties will have to be provided for and allowances for some will commence
  1. Delivery at Burdrop, Sibford Ferris, The School, Dr Rouths, Sibford Elm, P.O. Hook Norton road, Woodway House, Temple Mills, The Colony and a collection at night from Sibford Ferris S.O. 4.55pm, Burdrop WB 5 pm due at your office 5.15pm. Wages 5/- (H Elley to be employed)
  2. Delivery Sibford Gower village (except the part on the way to Rye Hill beyond the Vicarage or Green) Handywater, Tyne Hill and Blenheim. Wages 3/-
  3. Delivery in Sibford Gower beyond Green and to Rye Hill and Coombeslade. Wages 1/6
• The sealed bag for Sibford Ferris will arrive at your office enclosed in your bag.

Despatches

Your box will be cleared at 5.15pm the Mail cart being due to arrive at 5.25pm. Endeavour to prevent delaying the cart on either journey. The letters collected by Elley from Burdrop box to be stamped and dealt with as if posted in your box.

The Sibford Ferris S.O. bag to be handed to the Mail driver loose, that is not enclosed in your bag.

Instructions for clearing the box are herewith. You will see that a tablet is brought in each day as evidence that the box has been duly cleared. Send them back on Monday and Tuesday. Small bag for that purpose on Monday. The key of the Burdrop Wall Box shall be sent to you on Monday night. Elley must always use a pouch when clearing the box and the key returned to you nightly. It would be well if Elley went with Barrett and saw the box cleared one night he would then understand the lock.

J Davenport
Postmaster