Archive News

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E-mail from Australia

The following e-mail was received from a Haseley decendent - who has been undertaking some painstaking and fascinating research into his family history. If you can provide any information, please contact Peter via the e-mail address below.

"I would like to make contact with someone with an interest in the history of Great Haseley and/or Great Milton; or more particularly - family history.

I have traced my ancestors to Great Haseley and Great Milton but do not know if I have any distant relatives still living there. Some of the information I have is:

John NELMS, and his son Alfred, sailed from England to Australia aboard the barque 'Indus' in 1873. John was baptised on 27 July 1828 at Great Haseley, Oxfordshire. His parents were Cook NELMS of Shabbington and Harriet LOVEGROVE of Haseley. Alfred NELMS was baptised as Alfred DINGLE (born to the unwed Fanny DINGLE) on 7 Oct 1855 at Great Milton.

The 1851 census lists John NELMS, 22, of Haseley, as a footman for the Thornhill family at Stoke Talmage Park in southeast Oxfordshire. The 1861 census lists the following, all of Great Milton: Cook NELMES, 65; Harriet NELMES, 59; John NELMES, 32; Alfred NELMES, 6.
Cook NELMS was baptised on 18 Jan 1795 at Shabbington and married Harriet LOVEGROVE at Great Haseley on 13 Sep 1824.

Harriet was baptised at Great Haseley on 10 Oct 1802 and her father was John LOVEGROVE who was baptised at Great Haseley on 4 Aug 1770. John's parents were Thomas Lovegrove, who was buried in 1792, and Betty Read who were married at Great Haseley in 1769. Witnesses at Cook and Harriet's wedding were Richard Shrimpton and John Cooper. The 1851 census lists Cook as 'Tetsworth Turnpike Gatekeeper'. Cook and Harriet's children were Maryanne (1824), John (1828), Henry (1831), Alfred (1833), Elizabeth (1836) and Elizabeth (1839). Harriet was buried at Great Milton on 3 Jan 1869 and Cook on 8 May 1870.

I would be really grateful if this could be passed on to someone with an interest in the local history and may be willing to correspond with me.

Thanking you in anticipation. Regards,"

Peter J. Nelms
Canberra, Australia

Local Litter Blitz
Sadly it would seem that even the Haseleys and surrounding villages are not immune from litter and discarded rubbish.
To tackle the nuisance, SODC is spreading the message 'Dont drop it, Bin it.' A litter action pack is available, containing useful facts and information on litter, including posters and details on how to organise a litter blitz.

Fly tipping carries heavy penalties with fines of up to £20,000 or 6 months imprisonment.

-------- October | 2003 ----------

Footpaths
M Newdick reported that he had sent the comments regarding footpath 10 at Rycote and was informed that the process would probably take 2-3 years

Village Hall
As little work has been done to complete the renovation of the Village Hall, S Webster said he would talk to the Chairman of the Village Hall Committee to try and get things moving

Playing Fields
These were looking very brown due to the lack of rain and all further grass cutting for the season had been cancelled. D Simcox asked if Scion Estates could be asked to cut the footpath through to the Church as it was very overgrown. It was noted that the Pumpkin Show was intending to use the event to in part raise money for the new play equipment on the Playing Fields

Cross Field
The hedge boundaries of the area needed cutting back and D Pickett was asked to contact Scion Estates to get them to do it

Allotments/Millenium Wood
It was agreed that posts should be sunk into the ground to stop vehicles going onto the wood.

---------- September | 2003 ----------

Village Hall
The Parish Council asked for a status report on the work being undertaken on the village hall for the next Parish Council Meeting

Transport
C Duncan reported that, as expected, the village bus service has been reduced to a two hourly service due to lack of use by villagers. However, there is a new bus service to Haddenham and Thame Parkway return and it was felt that this should be publicised to encourage people to use it

----------- March | 2005 ---------------

Parish Council Budget 2005
The Parish Council has agreed a budget for the next 12-months. There are few suprises in the precept which was set at £10,500 for 2005/06. The key features of the budget include:

1.Grass cutting at the recreation ground and cross field will continue to be funded, as will insurance for these areas.
2. A donation to the village hall committee
3. Printing of The Haseleys
4. Repayment of a loan to the Public Work Loan Board in respect of the allotments purchased by the Council in 1990.

In addition to this a salary is paid to the Clerk to the Council and a valuable contibution is made to te Concessionary Fares Scheme. Within the budget, the Council has also provided an amount for environmental improvements to be spent in the next financial year - similar to the village notice boards that we invested in last year.

Some of the exciting new projects that are under consideration include the renewal of damaged or missing street name signs as well as planned improvements to the areas opposite the village hall and in front of the Institute. The school gardens are also under consideration.

The overall financial position of the Council is sound with capital reserves standing at around £8,000 which is similar to that of other Parish Councils.

Bell Ringing
There will be no practice in Holy Week, commencing 21st March. We hope to ring the bells on Easter Sunday. We are always looking for new people to join us. If you would like to try your hand, call Hilarie Rogers on 01865 890163.

Local Litter Blitz
Sadly it would seem that even the Haseleys and surrounding villages are not immune from litter and discarded rubbish. Deirdre Mann and the Parish Council is organising a litter blitz to tidy up the village.

To tackle the nuisance, SODC is spreading the message 'Dont drop it, Bin it.' A litter action pack is available, containing useful facts and information on litter, including posters and details on how to organise a litter blitz.

Fly tipping carries heavy penalties with fines of up to £20,000 or 6 months imprisonment.

---------- May 2005 -------

It's Strictly Dancing (with a disco with a difference)

Great Haseley Sports Club are having a night of fun, dancing and non-stop music on Saturday 23rd April when they present a disco with a difference. It promises to be a great night - and a real social event. Organiser Jennifer Webster says, "They're always good value and everybody is guaranteed to have a good time. This time there'll be a chance to learn some salsa moves, too. So no excuse! Get a ticket."

In a development that puts The Haseleys at the centre of the digital revolution, you can buy your tickets online for the first time by clicking on the following link. DWAD tickets.

Recent News - September/October 2005

Pumpkin Show 2005
Another year and another great night/early morning for some....
This year's event was very well attended and a huge thank you to all of those who entered, bidded, helped out or just drank and were merry.

This year's winner with a very respectable 92lbs was Louise Bird from Back Way. No stranger to horticultural success, this is the second time that Louise has won. She has been nuturing her pumpkin over the last few months at the allotments.

Second place with a weight of 87lbs was Steve Webster's entry, followed by Malcolm Prior with 82 lbs. The smallest was 1/2 lb from Charlotte Wooster.

This year's winner for the best effort and continued contribution over the years despite no success is Richard Sheehan. He received the Elvid Gibbons Cup - awarded in memory of Mr. Gibbons who was an extremely keen gardener, supporter of the show and well thought of member of the community.

The total raised after expenses was £2,800.

On behalf of Dave Pickett and those in the committee, thanks to all for your continued support.

Great Haseley Sports Club Disco
Saturday 19th November is an important date for your diaries. It's the day of the Great Haseley Sports Club Disco - an event not to be missed! Featuring a live band, disco and fish & chip supper (as well as a champagne bar) it will be a night to remember.

Tickets are £12.50 and are available from Morgan & Associates or from Jennifer Webster (01844 279296). Alternatively, you can order your tickets online by clicking here. This will e-mail your request through to Richard West.

Don't leave it late. Numbers are restricted to 120 and by October 7th, 50 tickets had been sold.

Keeping it clean
Chairman of the Playing Feilds Committe, Nick Morgan, has requested that dog owners exercising their dogs on the Playing Field be respectful of other users. Nick says, "The contractor who cuts the playing fields said that it is the worst playing field for dog mess in the area. We're simply asking owners to clean up after their dogs. Bins are provided so there is no excuse."

Unfortunately the problem isn't confined to the playing fields. The following e-mail was sent by a frustrated Great Haseley resident:

Welcome to Great Poosley!

Would'nt it be nice to wander the streets and footpaths of Haseley without having to scan the ground in front of you for dog mess. The problem is as great as ever. The ratio of conscientious owners are obviously outnumbered. One owner even picks up the mess in their blue bags and then throws it to one side in the fields!

Worst sites are The Grove, Backway up towards the Windmill, Playing Fields and connecting paths and Rectory Road.

If you own a dog please ensure that at the very least you encourage the dog to squat away from the footpaths and especially not on the village pavements at all!

Bins are provided at a cost to the tax payers so please use them. If you see someone leaving a pile please ask them to clear it up. I am sure they would not tolerate this on their own door step.

For details of the law covering this subject you can go to http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/localenv/dogs/foul.htm

it is an offence to allow your dog to foul a public place and not clear up after it. If you spot someone commiting this offence you can report them, local councils can serve a fixed penalty notice of £50.00 or take persistant offenders to court where there is a maximum fine of £1000.00.

To all those owners who clear up, a big thankyou for your care and understanding.

August 2005

Players and spectators flock to Great Haseley & Great Milton tennis fun day

The sun shone. The rain clouds stayed away and people from The Haseleys and Great Milton turned out in numbers for a day of tennis and cricket that attracted over 150 players and spectators on Sunday 10th July.

With four different tournaments catering for everyone including ‘Under 8s’, ‘Under 12s’, Juniors, Adults and Adult ‘Rusty Racquets’ the day was set for over 40 matches played out in sunshine that had players and spectators reaching for the High Factor sunsceens well into the afternoon and early evening.

Starting at 1230, the day got going with the ‘Tots’ competition (aged 8 and under), which saw some excellent action from the likes of young Ed Wooster - who went on to win the Under 8s final.

All the players in the ‘Under 8s’ category received medals which were presented by Neil James, LTA Coach at both clubs.

Commenting on the event, Neil said, "It’s excellent that so many youngsters are taking up tennis early. It’s important that they keep enjoying the game, so events like today are really important."

Jo’s the fastest server in town

The afternoon wasn’t totally given over to playing matches. Oxford based rackets specialists, Rackets Direct, supported the day by supplying prizes for the raffle as well as bringing a speed gun for the ‘’Fastest Serve’ competition.

Iit proved to be one of the most popular events of the afternoon with Jo Al-Hillawi coming out on top, with a recorded speed of 99mph. Extremely hot on his heels was Dale (98 mph), Mike Block (93 mph), Richard Dodds (88 mph), Fabienne Morgan (88 mph) and Anthony Fry (87 mph).

Raffle Prize winners

With a first prize ‘Lunch for Two’ at Le Manoir Aux Quat’ Saisons, the raffle was eagerly anticipated.

In the end, it resulted in a nail-biting bidding war - as winner Kate Webster generously resubmitted the prize for auction. Elaine West made the winning bid after a titanic struggle with James Wooster!

Other prize winners were Richard Dodds, Susan Read and an anonymous buyer.

Who owns the 'black and white' terror?

Angry residents from the Lachford Lane area are becoming increasingly concerned about a black and white Tom cat that has started attacking local cats. At least four cats have been attacked badly enough to merit a visit to the vet. One woman believes her cat was so badly traumatised by the unknown intruder, he ran away and was found dead last week, having been run over outside Little Haseley.

Now the residents are saying that unless someone comes forward to claim the stray, the Cat Protection League will be called to deal with him. Darrell Wade has called on the owner to do something. He says, "The cat has been seen around the Church end of Latchford Lane. No body seems to own him, but he's become a real pest and a threat to several peoples pets. If he's not claimed soon, we will call in the Cat Protection Agency to remove him. So if he's yours, please come and collect him."

If you are the owner, or think you know the owner, please contact Richard West via The Haseleys.

2006

Top entertainers come to The Haseleys

The Haseleys can look forward to some exciting nights of fun and entertainment in the coming months with the launch of its arts and entertainments club. The idea for the club, which came about after some recent events proved so popular, promises to bring a range of entertainers to the village, from jazz to blues and comedy to classical.

The first event kicks off on Friday 3^rd March with ‘Blues in the Night’, a fantastic night’s entertainment, presented by The Hilary James Trio. The trio, which comprises Hilary James (described by BBC Radio 4’s ‘Arts Programme’ as ‘One of Britain’s finest voices,’), and multi-instrumentalists Simon Mayor and Richard Collins, is one of the most popular blues bands on the touring circuit.

Playing a mixture of blues, swing and jazz that dips deep into the songbooks of Ella Fitzgerald and other legendary singers, the evening promises a mixture of outstanding vocals and top-drawer musicianship. Simon’s mandolin playing is legendary, but there’s plenty of swing fiddle playing too. Richard is three times UK banjo champion – so there’ll be other surprises during the evening.

Tickets are priced at £8 and are available from

- Ann Maloney 01844 279244 and Nick Morgan 01844 279183 in Great Haseley - Richard West 01844 278466 in Little Haseley,
- Fleur Enser 01844 279051 in Great Milton

or from Morgan & Associates 01844 279990 in Little Milton

You can also order them online by e-mailing your ticket order to the Box Office.

One of the people behind the idea, Richard West said, “ People living in the Haseleys’ really appreciate having a good time. That why we want to put on events that will be remembered as being fantastic nights out right here on our doorstep – without the hassle of driving into Oxford or London.”

Whether the entertainment club takes off depends on local support.

So if you would like to find out more, you can visit the Haseleys website and register your interest. In the meantime – make sure you put the date in your diary: Friday 3^rd March 2006.

Bell Ringing News

Ken, a regular service and practice ringer at his own Church and at Haseley, is sadly leaving shortly for Northern parts, and the peal was by way of a thankyou and farewell to him.

On Saturday 29th May (2004?) we will be ringing to celebrate the wedding of Joanna Bennett and Jim Shrimpton. No 'extra' ringing is scheduled for the month and there will be no practice session on the bank holidays 3rd and 31st.

On related matters (well, it involves the knowledge of John Apsley) John has been asked to give a report on the clock. This is featured in the History section of the website.

Horticultural Society

The Manor House, Bledlow, Bucks - Wednesday June 23rd 2004 15.00

This beautiful garden has been designed and recreated over a period of 50 years by Lord and Lady Carrington. It is a large garden and, amongst other things, there is a walled harbaceous and kitchen garden, topiary garden, sculpture garden and a water garden through which runs the River Lyde - a tributary of the River Thames.

The Head Gardener will introduce the garden.

Members £4.50 Non-Members £5.50

For further information and tickets in advance from: Mary Isaac, Brooks Cottage, Gt Haseley

WI 2003

Little Milton W.I.A Victorian lamppost in St. Giles, the Martyrs Memorial, gargoyles outside Wrens’ Sheldonian theatre, the “Bridge of Sighs’, remains of the city walls, colleges and towers, Botanical Gardens, punts on the rivers; these were but a few of the landmarks shown during May Parker’s talk ‘Oxford - Your City’ at the August meeting. Mrs. Jean Davies thanked the speaker but at the same time wondered how she had managed to photograph the city without any traffic. Apparently most of the photographs were taken during the afternoon and it was just luck.

The next meeting in Little Milton Village Hall is on Thursday 11th September 2003at 7.45 p.m. when Christine Bloxham will talk about History in Miniature. New members and visitors are always most welcome. The W.I. offers more than just one meeting a month. There is an opportunity to meet more people and take part in many activities organised by various committees. On 17th October “Food, Farming and Wildlife” at Didcot Civic Centre 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. provides an opportunity to see displays and buy locally made and produced food. For artistic members a Silk Painting Workshop will take place at Tackley on the 30th October and a group of Little Milton members will join a coach party to visit Birmingham Art Gallery and Museum on Thursday 6th November.