Monthly Archives: July 2017

New bus (138) serving Dorchester thanks to “Going Forward Buses”

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For those that may have seen signs up around the village and been confused, here is a little more information on a new bus service coming to the village.

  • – Runs on Monday/Wednesday/Thursday to/from Wallingford
  • – It appears to Drop off within the village when coming back from Wallingford BUT the collection is a little more confusing.  We believe that you pick up the Bus in the way from Wallingford in the village, go to the Berinsfield roundabout and travel back from there.  But the timetable also says you can pick up from the bypass, so we are not 100% sure until someone uses the route and reports back.
  • – £3 for a single (but concessionary passes do apply)

So this certainly is great, and we should thank Going Forward buses for trying to fill the gap from the recently lost bus route.  Hopefully the fact in only picks up on weekdays, and only picks up from the bypass, does not deter people.

Please let us know if you learn more though, as all our info is from their website, or leaflets picked up from the Wallingfortd information center.

From 31st July Going Forward Buses will run from Wallingford to Shillingford and Dorchester via Shillingford Hill.  The service will operate on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, with three return journeys each day.  The service will pick up and set down at any safe place along the route, but please do use the existing bus stops where possible.  There are stops right outside Shillingford Hill Home Park and Dorchester Abbey.  If you are travelling from Dorchester, please board the bus on the outward journey towards Berinsfield roundabout as it will return direct along the Dorchester by-pass to Shillingford.  Please see below for the new timetable and fares.  Concessionary pass holders of course travel free after 09.00 in Oxfordshire.

Some journeys run through to or from Goring railway station for convenient connections with half hourly trains to Reading (15 minutes) and London.  The station has level access or lifts to all platforms (unlike Cholsey!).

More info: https://www.goingforwardbuses.com/the-138/

New events and courses at Berinsfield Adult Learning Centre

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Craft Cafe, Discussion Cafe, Everyday Computer Skills, Maths/English.

 

Learn a new craft for free at our Craft Café 1-3pm on Thursdays starting 7th September

Come and join us at Berinsfield Adult Learning Centre, Wimblestraw Road on Thursday afternoons to learn a new skill, enjoy a drink, and meet like-minded people in the relaxing environment of our well stocked craft room.

Find more details on our website. Enrol by emailing natalie.prescott@abingdon-witney.ac.uk, by calling 01235 216230 or texting 07387 412106.

 

Current Affairs Discussion Café

Come and join us at our fortnightly gathering to discuss current affairs in an in-formal setting. All are welcome to enjoy a cup of coffee and a biscuit while we set the world to rights with like-minded people from our local community. Our group facilitator will choose some hot topics of the week and gently challenge us to examine our thoughts and opinions.

Every other Monday 13:30-15:00

  • 7th August
  • 21st August
  • 4th September
  • 18th September
  • 2nd October
  • 16th October
  • 30th October
  • 13th November
  • 27th November
  • 11th December

Berinsfield Adult Learning Centre, Wimblestraw Road, Berinsfield, OX10 7LZ

You are most welcome to just turn up on the day, but for an informal chat or to register your interest in coming along, please enquire via our website, email natalie.prescott@abingdon-witney.ac.uk, call 01235 216230 or text 07387 412106.

 

 

Everyday Computer Skills

For complete beginners, or those with limited experience, our everyday computer skills course starts with introducing the components of a computer and includes mouse and keyboard skills, an introduction to using the internet and email, and how to stay safe online.

  • Tuesdays 13:30-15:30 12th September to 17th October. Berinsfield Adult Learning Centre, Wimblestraw, Berinsfield, OX10 7LZ

Microsoft Word and Excel for Work and Leisure

Whether you wish to enhance your skills for work or learn for use at home, come along to our 6 week introduction to Microsoft Word and Excel and discover the basics of word processing and spreadsheet software packages.

Find more details on our website. Enrol by emailing natalie.prescott@abingdon-witney.ac.uk, by calling 01235 216230 or texting 07387 412106.

  • Tuesdays 09:30-11:30 12th September to 17th October. Berinsfield Adult Learning Centre, Wimblestraw, Berinsfield, OX10 7LZ

 

 

Would you like to improve your English and maths skills?

Come to one of our initial assessment sessions to discover which course is best for you.

  • Tuesdays 1pm – 4pm 25th July, 1st August, 15th August, 22nd August
  • Tuesdays 6pm – 8.30pm 29th August, 5th September

Don’t feel confident enough to commit to enrolling on a course?

Why not come to one of our fun taster sessions where you can try out some fun and relaxed activities to show you how you can improve your maths and English skills in a supportive environment. We can tell you about our fully funded functional skills and GCSE qualifications and, if you are ready to progress, arrange initial assessments.

  • Tuesday 1.00pm – 3.30pm 8th August

Book online or contact Tricia Godfrey at tricia.godfrey@abingdon-witney.ac.uk on 07768 140232 to find out more.

Thames Valley Police

Thames Valley Police: Increase in lead roof theft

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We have seen an increase in the theft of lead from roofs, particulary schools and churches.

Please consider the following if you have a lead roof:

  • Security marking – marking the lead will make the crime less attractive and make it harder for the offenders to sell on. If you use a DNA marking solution i.e. SmartWater it can be traced back to the owner if recovered.
  • Keep gates locked and restrict vehicle access.
  • Maximise surveillance levels i.e. cutting back tall trees.
  • Encourage members of the local community to keep an eye on the building and report anything suspicious.
  • Remove things that might help thieves get access to the roof, like water butts, bins and tall trees.
  • Conduct regular checks of the roof so the theft is detected at the earliest possible time.
  • Apply anti-climb paint to drain pipes and guttering.
  • Install CCTV.

If you have any information relating to these crimes please call us on 101.

114 bus will end operation from Saturday 22nd July

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I am not sure how many were aware of this, but the 114, which has been running a very reduced service over the last year, is about to end completely in a couple of days time.

More info can be found here: https://www.thames-travel.co.uk/news-service-updates/changes-july-2017/

Below is a quote from the thames travel website on this though:

“Thames Travel has served the communities of South Oxfordshire for almost 20 years. For the most part, this has been through strong partnership with Oxfordshire County Council and its provision of subsidies to routes which otherwise would not be commercially viable. After the withdrawal of these subsidies in July 2016 we took a considerable risk with many services, amending them to improve efficiency in the hope of maintaining them. Unfortunately after nearly a year, some of these services are still operating at a substantial loss which we regrettably cannot continue to absorb.”