We have been informed by the Police today that person(s?) are knocking on resident’s doors, claiming to be from this practice and offering Covid vaccines appointments for a fee.  THIS IS A SCAM.   Should this happen to you, or you hear about this please report this to the Police.
 
Dr Russ, GP Partner.  White Horse Medical Practice.

Talk on Thursday 14th January 2021 at 2.30pm by Zoom
 
The speaker is Jessica Beare who works for the Vale of White Horse District Council as their Recycling and Education Officer.  Recycle or bin?   Part of Jessica’s job is to explain to local communities what happens to the waste which is collected from the kerbside and how recycling works.

The talk is accessed on Zoom and all U3A members will be sent zoom access about one week before the meeting.
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I have an 89 year old mother who is unable to go out much.  What keeps her going through these difficult times are jigsaw puzzles.  Unfortunately she has exhausted her supply of puzzles and so I thought I would just ask that should anybody have a puzzle (or two) at the back of the cupboard that they don't want anymore whether they would mind letting me have them so that I can pass them on to her (the more difficult the better!).
 
Alison at 2 The Laurels

Roll up roll up!
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Many thanks to all of you who have donated prizes so generously to the village Christmas raffle. The prizes will be on show later this week but in the meantime if you would like to take part and buy your tickets please:

call Pam Smith on 240233 to purchase your tickets at £1 each.
 
Please pass this on to those who don't get the newsletter, good luck!

Dear Villagers,
 
During this long and unusual year, one constant, as always in Great Coxwell; has been our wonderful caring community.  
 
With Christmas fast approaching and our village traditions sadly missing from the 2020 calendar; the Community Fund, the Village Support Group and the WI have joined forces with a plan to 'socially distance' and raise a glass to our neighbours.
 
We would like to create a dazzling display and light up the village.  If you would like to join us, illuminate your doors, decorate your windows or front gardens, and at 4pm next Sunday 20th December (like clap for carers), come out to your doorsteps with a glass of mulled wine and a mince pie to toast your neighbours and enjoy a Great Coxwell Christmas lockdown style!
 
Don't worry about going out and buying anything, keep an eye out for Santa's elves in the village on Saturday 19th December who will be delivering a little something to your doorstep.  Very generously donated with the use of the Community Fund.
 
Please mention this to anyone you know who doesn't get the village newsletter.
 
Happy Christmas!
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This week sees the NHS embark on its largest ever immunisation programme as COVID-19 vaccinations start in 50 hub hospitals across England – this started 8th December.

The Churchill Hospital at Oxford University Hospitals (OUH) NHS Foundation Trust has been selected as one of the hubs to roll out the vaccination programme in the initial wave, with the first vaccinations taking place on Tuesday 8th December. This hub will serve residents across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and West Berkshire in the first instance.

The vaccine will be given first to those people from each county who are either most at risk or need it because of the work they do. In this initial phase, vaccinations will be prioritised for those aged 80 and over, care home workers, and healthcare workers who are at higher risk. The prioritisation has been set nationally by the independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation.

We are working closely with our NHS partners and care home providers to ensure that arrangements are in place to start delivering the vaccination programme to care workers as soon as possible.
The advent of a safe and effective vaccine is a landmark moment in the fight against COVID-19, and the fact that the Churchill Hospital has been chosen as one of the first hubs to deliver the vaccination programme is a matter of immense pride for Oxfordshire.

In the coming weeks, more hospitals will start vaccinating as the programme ramps up. GPs and other primary care staff are also preparing to start delivering vaccinations, with planning underway for a number of vaccination sites in Oxfordshire. Vaccination centres treating large numbers of people in sporting venues and conference centres will subsequently stand up across the country when further supplies of vaccine come on stream.

We look forward to seeing Oxfordshire residents being vaccinated through the priority groups, starting in 2020 and continuing throughout the first few months of 2021, and we will continue to update you as this major programme progresses.

CEO Oxfordshire County Council
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Services in December

Sunday 13th December Holy Communion 10.30am

The Revd Dick Whittington will take the service.  Please let Pat Cook (Churchwarden) know if you plan to attend either by email – [email protected] or phone 241632 so that we can plan for social distancing.  Please remember to bring a mask.  Sanitising gel and wipes are available inside the church.  We hope to see you there.

Thursday 24th December - Christmas Eve 6.00 pm

As there will be no service in the Great Barn on Christmas Eve this year, we have decided to replace Midnight Mass with a Holy Communion service at 6 o’clock.  The Revd Dick Whittington will again take the services.

If you see people about the church on Saturday morning next it is because the Area Dean is coming to ‘swear in’ the churchwardens of our benefice at our church at 11.30 in a short service.  This is normally a very important Deanery wide service which like so many other things has had to be postponed from last May.  We have still been doing the job though so it is really just a formality this year!
 
Church Flowers

Would you like to help with Flowers in Church?

When we are able to get back to having more regular services (and hopefully St Giles being open for the steady trickle of visitors we have usually had throughout the year), it is really nice to see some fresh flowers and foliage displayed. We have a very small regular rota of helpers for this but we would love to welcome some new members to the group. We usually work in pairs (you and a friend?) and everyone combines effort for Easter, Christmas and Harvest. In normal circumstances you are only called upon about once every three months, so it is not too arduous.  Is this something you might be able to help with? If you would like to know more before you volunteer, please do contact [email protected] (tel 241179).
 
Batemans Trust Charity

As many of you know, we usually send half of the collection from the Barn service on Christmas Eve to the Batemans Trust, a tradition which was started many years ago by Geoff Lee.  I would like to be able to send them something this year.  If you would like to make a donation please let me have it in an envelope marked ‘Donation to the Bateman’s Trust’ and I will send the total off to them towards the end of the year.  I have put their latest newsletter up in the church porch.  If you are not familiar with their work in India this will give you a good idea.  They also have a number of ‘gifts’ that you can purchase to help their pupils , ranging from 2 footballs £15, mattress, bedsheet and pillow £30, art and craft materials for one term £35 to college fees for one term £120, tables and chairs for a classroom £100 and a solar panel, £150.  I have further details if you are interested.

Stay safe and keep well.  Hopefully a better year is in sight for us next year.
 
Pat Cook, Churchwarden

17th November 2020

 VACANCY FOR A PARISH COUNCILLOR
 
The Council has one vacancy at the moment and would like to co-opt a Councillor.
 
If you would like to be considered, please send CV/Letter of interest to the Clerk.

Deadline for applications 11th Dec 2020
 
 For further information, please see our website details below or contact the Clerk or Chair Richard May.

[email protected]
[email protected]
https://www.greatcoxwell.com/parish-council.html
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If anyone in the village might want chocolates delivering, especially if you are unable to get out then have a look at the Christmas catalogue from Jenny and Graham who live in the village and run Wicked Chocolate in the covered market in Oxford.

​Jenny Carter
Wicked Chocolate Oxford
01865 247084