2017 Approaches

Christmas seems to have come and gone and it does not seem long ago when I joined everyone at our annual Grove Parish Council Carol Service around the Christmas tree by Millbrook Square accompanied by the Wantage Silver Band.

This year, it was a fine evening and it was good to share coffee and mince pies in the Methodist Church hall with residents in the village. 

Yesterday, I took a walk to Letcombe Brook by The Green to take in a breathe of fresh air and I was struck by the evening glow on the brook as I stood on the bridge.  No snow this year, as it has been mild so far, but frost and fog in the early mornings is now to be expected.

I should therefore like to wish everyone a very healthy and prosperous New Year in 2017.  I have now fixed up my councillor surgeries in Grove Library up until the May elections.  The next one will be held on Saturday 14th January between 10.30 am and 11.30 am. No appointment necessary.

Christmas Approaches!

On Monday evening,  I was in County Hall to see the Christmas lights switched on.  You can see the beautiful tree which was donated by the Blenheim Estate in the photograph at the top of this blog post.  Children from the choir at Longfields Primary School sang carols around the tree to entertain us during the evening.  

Afterwards, there was an opening of the artwork display presented to County Hall to decorate the corridor from secondary schools around Oxfordshire.  I was pleased to have helped to deliver and collect the canvas from King Alfred's Academy in Wantage, which is shown above.  Schools were asked to paint a scene depicting their surrounding area, and I think the painting above captures a scene of our historic Ridgeway and Downland views very well.

I am sure that everyone will be busy in the run up to Christmas, but hopefully I shall see many residents at our annual carol service in Grove at the Christmas tree near Millbrook Square.