Victoria Road residents pitched in to repaint one of the road sings before the Queen’s Jubilee and the neighborhood’s Seven Roads Party. Many thanks to Jonathan for the paint job, and to Sally for supervising. We are sure that this is only one of many indirect benefits of the celebrations.
Jonathan at Work
Missed a Spot
The Exuberant Trust, Oxfordshire’s's very own charity supporting local young people to realise their creative potential in the arts, is embarking on a summer season of fundraising concerts – see attached for full details of events at The Limes in Standlake, and the Jacqueline du Pre Music Building at St Hilda’s College. Last year’s Ballet in Small Spaces programme and tour were supported by the Trust through grants to talented musicians and designer Ellen Stewart, and some of the excellent musicians reconvene this year as the Exuberant Quartet for two concerts. In these difficult times your support for young people in the arts is especially welcome – and what nicer way to spend a late Sunday afternoon? So please join one of these events.
For further information about the Trust and what it does see:
www.exuberant-trust.org.uk
Sally actually skydived for Parkinson’s Awareness Week April 16-22 2012. See her photos at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sallybromley/sets/72157629822695877/
Do join me for this final push to raise funds for Parkinson’s UK, and help our Oxford Branch do well.
PARKINSON’S – CHANGE ATTITUDES. FIND A CURE. JOIN US.
There is still time to donate to Sally’s web-page at www.justgiving.com/sally-bromley0
OxClean is an Oxford Civic Society initiative in partnership with Oxford City Council and The Oxford Times and is dedicated to keeping Oxford clean and tidy all year round – ensuring that our beautiful city is a welcoming and pleasant place for people to live, work and visit. Each year, Victoria Road has been able to field a strong group of litter pickers to help clean up. Plan to help this year.
OxClean Victoria Road Group 2011
Minutes of VICTORIA ROAD GROUP MEETING
Held at No 59 (Sally and Jonathan’s), Tuesday 19th April, 8pm
1 Attended by: Sally, Jonathan, Gordon, Betty, Bill, John (chair)
2 Minutes taken by John.
3 Apologies: Lindsey and Derek, Nick Lee, Jelly and Bob, Sam and Ali, Paul and Mary, Mick and Philipa, Da, Mireille and Mike, Sue Austin, Elman Poole, Peter and Susie, Ruth, Oona.
4 Minutes of last meeting.
Minutes approved.
5 The Annual Photographic Competition.
With help from Sam and Manda, Elman and John have finalised an Announcement letter to be sent to all residents shortly.
In summary:
The job involves receiving entries, passing them round the judges ensuring that judges don’t know who the entrant is, recording judges’ decisions, preparing the award cheques and certificates, organising the exhibition of entries and the prize giving. Elman will give support and guidance. He has considerable experience with such competitions!
If you are interested in photography, have a knack for working an administrative process, and can drive a computer, please volunteer to JohnFClarke@hotmail.com or 310248!
6 Events
VRG Chair John can’t be here on the 14th. So the people who have volunteered will have to organise themselves and sort out any unexpected emergencies!
People who gave apologies but volunteered for GBD: Jelly for leafleting; Nick and Sue; Mick and Philippa for anything except judging the pet show; Sam and Ali; Lindsey and Derek later in the morning.
Mary and Paul will be back well before the day.
Invites:
Days before 14th:
o Urn – we thought Mary and Paul had this – Jonathan/Bill.
o Extension lead – if there is one with the urn, use that otherwise Jonathan, for example, can supply – Jonathan/Bill.
o Serving tables, sitting tables and some garden seats – are at #59, plus additional seats/tables and parasols/sun-shields would be welcome. – Jonathan/Bill.
o Plates – Diana.
In time for start at 10:30:
From 10:30 to 1:00:
o 10:30 – 11:00 Gordon and Jonathan
o 11:00 – 11:30 Sally and Betty
o 11:30 – 12:00 Mick and Diana (suggested)
o 12:00 – 12:30 Nick and Philippa (suggested)
o 12:30 – 13:00 Derek and Lindsey (suggested)
If suggested times are unsuitable, please sort it out between you on the day!
o 12:00 Pet Show – Ali
o John has suggested to Dick that any appropriate Street Music would be well-received. Any volunteer performers, coordinate with Dick. — Dick.
At 15:00:
7 Communications received
We agreed that a discrete uniform presence would be OK for GBD, and might even help PC Kerman’s aims. It’s less clear that this would work at events held in peoples’ houses or gardens. John will email PC Kerman, and suggest
8 AOB
Nothing arising.
9 Thanks to hosts Jonathan and Sally.
10 The next meeting will be on Wednesday 8th June at Bill and Diana’s.
1 Summer Garden Party 19th July at Sally and Jonathan’s
2 The next Music Evening is planned for the Autumn.
Ideas gratefully received on how we might broaden it to include Dance and/or Drama, and maybe even thread Music together with some kind of overall narrative, perhaps linked to some local historical story. What was here before Victoria Road was built?
http://www.communigate.co.uk/oxford/victoriaroadgroup/index.phtml
Minutes of VRG Meeting
| Action by | |||
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Appointment of Minute Taker | Nick Lee volunteered. | Nick Lee |
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Apologies
Present
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Manda, Paul, Jonathan, Pete
Betty (Hooray!), Ali, Anna, Barbara, Bill, Carol, Celia, Diana, Gordon, Jelly, John (Chair), Mary, Mick, Nick, Philippa, Sally, Sam, Sue A, Sue C (19 people – a record?)
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Minutes of last meeting | Agreed | – |
| Matters arising: | |||
| a. Induction of new Recycling Champion – Carol | Carol has kindly agreed to take over as recycling champion from Nick. Nick will brief her on what is involved. The battery recycling will stay where it is.
The next VRG meeting will review all recycling needs, the role of the champion, etc.[1] |
Carol & Nick, John | |
| b. Water on the pavement – anything to report?
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What is needed in front of #67 is a covered gully cut in the pavement so that water can drain on to the street. The council should do this. Jonathan has information on contacting the Council, and will supply this to John who will send photos. Sam will put the Council contact details on the notice-board and suggest that others submit their concerns too. | John, Jonathan, Sam, others interested | |
| c. Paul guidance email on the website, etc.
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Paul and Bill are producing instructions on the website and blog for distribution by email and for Nick to put in the Welcome Pack. | Paul, Bill, Nick | |
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Events
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| a. Green Book Day retrospective
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Great fun once again! Thanks to Sue for hosting, to Mary and Paul for set up and table.
Next year:
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(John) | |
| b. Christmas Drinks retrospective
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A very successful and enjoyable event! Thanks to Sally & Jonathan for hosting, John for the carols, and Nick for the mulled wine preparation.
There was a discussion about what to do with the leftover wine. Agreed:
John adds: Sally and Jonathan have now been reimbursed, and will make a list of the bottles available and at what cost price, which we will circulate to VRG. Anyone who would like to take some bottles should then apply to Sally and Jonathan, and reimburse VRG funds. |
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| c. Film Night/Season – Paul
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Paul was away, but had sent some notes to John. Proposals are:
Possible pilot films:
There was discussion of: Funding – The general feeling was that the VRG might subsidise the pilot event by maybe £25 pounds but in general the season should be self-financing through voluntary donations. The cost of equipment might be reduced by using that already in someone’s house in the road. Venue(s) – o The (newly redecorated) URC Hall provides an alternative to the St Michael’s Hall. It is cheaper. o For the season, best to have venues that mean that the evenings are open to all in the street. Films to be shown – There was concern that the pilot film should be of broad appeal, (e.g. ‘Some like it hot’) to show people that the season is designed for all in the street. Format of the evening – Good to have someone to introduce each film (e.g. Paul for the first one), and some discussion after. Perhaps meet for drinks before the film starts at 20.30. Date – 18th March was agreed. Follow-up:
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John & Paul | |
| c. Fix a date for Green Balloon Day
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Date agreed: Saturday 14th May. | — | |
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Proposal for a mini-questionnaire on group activities and new events – John. | John proposed writing to people in the street, to ask them to tell him of interests such as music, collecting, knitting, etc, so the he can connect those who might like to meet those of a similar persuasion. (To be done with respect for confidentiality.)
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John |
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OxClean now booked
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Booked for
ü 5th March. ü Litter-picking ü 10.30 – 12.00 ü Soup and bread and cheese for litter-pickers at Nick and Sue’s afterwards
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John & volunteers; Nick & Sue |
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AOB
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a. Sam – next LCON meeting on 25 Jan – car clubs.
b. Paul and Mary have had 3 quotes for putting photovoltaic cells on their roof, and are happy to advise others. c. Celia – Closure of Summertown library – please get involved in the campaign to stop it. d. Nick – The Labour city administration is planning to emasculate the Area Committee Meetings. Again, please act. e. Diana – Is the City Council collecting Christmas Trees? They can be dropped off by the children’s’ play area at Sunnymeade Rec Ground. Nick to check where else. Alexandra Courts – and see http://www.oxford.gov.uk/PageRender/decN/RecycleyourChristmastreethisyear.news f. Anna – A new second signatory is needed for the VRG account. (Nick is moving on.) Mary kindly volunteered.
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As indicated |
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Date of next meeting | Wed 23 March, at Sam and Ali’s.
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OxClean litter picking – 5th March at 10:30
Film Night pilot – 18th March
Green Balloon Day – 14th May
The next Music Evening is planned for the Autumn of 2011.
[1] Note from Nick. The role is actually defined by the City Council, so I guess that we would need to discuss whether one is wanted at all for VRG, then if any VRG-specific aspects of the role.
Present: John (chairman), Sue, Nick, Betty, Gordon, Sally, Jonathan, Mary, Paul, Mick, Philippa, and Oona.
1 Appointment of Minute Taker
Philippa
2 Apologies
Received from Anna, Sam, Ali and Celia
3 Events
a Garden Party(review)
This went extremely well. Approximately 50 – 60 people attended. Formal thanks were expressed to Da and Andrew for hosting.
b Quiz Night 2010
We decided on 16th October, and there will be a meeting of the organising team on Wednesday 8th September 8pm at number John’s.
c Green Book Day 2010
The date of 13th November was proposed and agreed. Sue and Nick volunteered to host.
d Christmas Drinks 2010
The date of Sunday 5th December was proposed and agreed. Jon and Sally offered to host. There would be carols beforehand as usual.
e A new event was proposed: Film Night.
Paul would think through the logistics to discuss in more detail at the next meeting.
It was suggested that we try to keep the list of events fresh and have new events which would give as many people as possible to participate in something.
4 Matters arising
It was proposed to include some drama and dance, including some revue-style sketches. It would be held in the upper hall. The first half of the evening would be in the existing format and would include those children who were participating, followed by adult musicians. After the interval the revue-style performances would take place. It was suggested that an open evening be held a couple of months before the event to explore performance ideas.
There was a discussion of venue and several possibilities mooted: this would be explored nearer the time. The music evening would take place no more frequently than every 18 months. It would start and finish earlier providing more time to socialise afterwards. We would return to discussing this further in early 2011.
In Anna’s absence, John provided the Treasurer’s report. The VRG financial situation was good: the bank balance was £435.12; Cash box balance £73.22; total balance £508.34.
There were no outstanding items apart from some possible expenses for the Garden party.
Transactions since 1st May:
Green balloon day: £50.88 taken in cash for refreshments, expenses £8.19, net income £42.69.
Garden party: £6.14 so far in expenses for invitation printing.
It had been thought that joining a local branch of one of the national schemes might be possible. Having looked into this in more detail it appeared to be too much work for this to be feasible. Thanks were expressed to Jonathan for looking into it. It was agreed that spare cars for informal sharing might be advertised through the website.
The photocopier was remaining with Mary and Paul for now. At some future time it might be housed by Ali’s mother.
The tasks of this office include:
i) Being available to give advice to Street members
ii) keeping the battery recycling box
iii) signing up with the City Council
iv) attending a Council meeting every few months.
Not onerous, but important. If you want to know more, contact Nick (jaylee@phonecoop.coop) or propose yourself, contact the VRG Chair (JohnFClarke@hotmail.com).
A proposal to discontinue the website and to concentrate instead on the blog was considered
It was agreed that firstly the communication requirements of the group needed to be specified. A calendar of events and a message board were agreed to be useful. To consider this further, including what web tools would best do the job, Paul volunteered to convene a subgroup and Jonathan agreed to participate. Oona reported that her husband Paul would be willing to set up the website if it was decided to continue with one, provided that someone else was willing to host it.
Anyone with views to contribute should contact Paul – paul@my-lewis.co.uk.
Jonathan reported that there was a lack of clarity as to whether the City or County Council was responsible. Both had given friendly responses but no result so far.
There were a number of ideas worth pursuing, and some people had come forward and were very interested in this. Jon and Sally would talk further with Sam and Nick and Paul and draw the information together.
5 Neighbourhood Watch talk from Oona and Paul.
Steve Morant of Thames Valley Police very kindly attended to give an overview of the Neighbourhood Watch scheme. People were invited to sign up to receive notifications from the local contact (Oona) and information leaflets about this were distributed. Mick agreed to put up the neighbourhood watch signs on lampposts as you approached or entered the street.
Contact Oona at oona@feezey.net if you there are any specific questions you’d like answered.
6 AOB and letters received
a) On 3rd July, we received a glossy from CAG OXFORD.
“Community Action Groups, is a network of local volunteer groups in Oxfordshire. They organise events and initiatives to raise awareness and take action on climate change issues … to live a more sustainable and less resource dependent life in their local community.”
b) On 11th June, we received a formal notification of a planning application for a single storey extension to No. 50.
c) On 22nd June, we received an email giving the date of Spring Clean 2011 (the next Oxclean event) as 4th and 5th March next year.
d) Streets for people – Seven streets event: Sally had spoken to several folk who were not keen to close the streets. Other streets were working towards achieving what Victoria Road had already done.
e) Street cleaning: Sally’s osteospermum plant had been destroyed! The Streetscene officer was going to call.
7 Thanks to Sally and Jonathan for hosting the meeting and to Betty for distributing the agenda.
8 Date of Next meeting: the next meeting would be on 21st September at Mick and Philippa’s.
http://www.communigate.co.uk/oxford/victoriaroadgroup/index.phtml
Hi everyone,
We are looking for someone who might be able to look after our cat, Pacha, for four weeks from the end of July to end August. She is very used to Victoria Road and happy to wander about and sleep in the sun most of the time. She just needs to be fed twice a day and fussed a bit. We are moving out of Victoria Road at the end of July and will be (hopefully) moving into a house in Wentworth Road when we get back from our holiday, so Pacha would need to be based at your home.
If you can help, please call Wendy on 07732 951938 or 311322. Thanks.
Two corner desks plus some pedestal-type storage units. Free to VRG residents or will be available on Green Balloon Day – May Day
I have some very high quality speaker cable – two runs with terminators – plus a pair of good, tonally tuned speaker stands. Anyone interested should call Paul on 452821
