Sibford Scene Archive

It has now been almost ten years since Barney arrived at Wheathills from the Blue Cross. Barney came as a new companion for Harrods after the death of his friend, Sherman. Harrods and Sherman were much-loved village mascots, looked after by Tony and Eileen Haynes; but when Sherman passed away at the incredible age of forty three, Harrods was very lonely and needed a friend.

A year later the tiny and very nervous Blue Cross pony Troy joined the herd. Harrods lived for a couple more years, but he never really got over the loss of Sherman, his companion of nineteen years. Shortly after he sadly passed away fate seemed to intervene again, when, just before Christmas, another Shetland was looking for a good home. This was the gorgeous Smudge who, for almost two years was left in a field with his companion, Star, without any care. The rescued ponies were quite ill and Star sadly died in Hook Norton veterinary hospital. Smudge spent a year in good care but because of changed circumstances he needed a new home. There was nothing for it but, with the help of Mike and Sue Etherington-Smith, to hitch up the trailer and bring him to Wheathills. Smudge is a wise and forgiving mediator — Troy’s best friend and the only pony with whom Barney would ever share his hay. They love living in the paddock that for many years was home to Harrods and Sherman and, at Christmas, they get dressed up for a festive walk to wish the villagers a happy holiday.

Ann and Piotr Murasik

A strange flying saucer-like craft has landed in the grounds of Sibford School near Banbury. Children returned after the Christmas break to discover that an unidentified flying object had crashed into their Forest School area. By the time the children arrived, the scene of the crash had been cordoned off with police tape and investigations are on-going as to how and why the space ship came to land at Sibford.  Junior School Head, Edward Rossiter said: “To say the children were surprised would be an understatement! We had received reports of strange sounds and flashes being seen in the sky overnight but the scene at the crash site and the size of the craft was incredible and really left the children in awe.”

Traditionally, Sibford Junior School marks the first half of the Spring Term with a creative curriculum where by all lessons are centred around a central theme. In the past, topics have included Beneath the Waves and The Rainforest and, as luck would have it, the theme for 2017 is Out of this World!

Said Edward Rossiter: “I suspect it will take the children a good five weeks to really get to the bottom of what happened here!”

The outdoor gym equipment in Sibford Ferris is available for use by all those over 12 years of age. Installed adjacent to the Multi-Use Games Area in the grounds of Sibford School it can be accessed on foot or by bicycle along the Bridleway which runs from Back Lane to Small House Lane (Wade Lane) parallel to the Main Street.

The five pieces of equipment provide different forms of exercise and each piece has instructions for its use and the benefits gained. They are used entirely at your own risk but, provided by the Parish Council for community use, offer an opportunity to exercise at no cost.

If improved fitness is part of your personal plan for 2017 please make use of this excellent facility in its lovely setting.

Maureen Hicks