Thanks to everyone who has helped, funded and supported the ‘defibrillator project’.  Particular thanks go to the Parish Council for their support; to Pam Holley for helping with the fund-raiser; to the team of ’custodians' who will ensure that the machine is maintained and always ready for use, and to Howell and Collins Electricians for their prompt friendly and efficient installation of the device’s cabinet.
 
The defibrillator arrived yesterday and was activated and installed today.  A message has been sent to the ambulance service with details of the machine to register it with them. 
 
The ambulance service will provide the cabinet unlock code if someone calls 999.  The machine is really compact, lightweight and totally intuitive to use, with spoken and ‘pictogram' instructions for users. There is absolutely no need for operators to have any prior training in its use.  
 
Here’s some information about the device for those of you who are interested.
(Link updated)

Ian & Karen Mason

Scottish and Southern Electricity are carrying out some repair work and the electricity will be off on the morning of the 28th June 2021.

If you are directly affected you should receive a letter.

This Fund was set up in 2017 and it seems appropriate now to reprint the information that was put in the Newsletter at that time.
 
"The Village Community Fund
The group came about because of the great success of the Artweeks cafe and plant sale. In previous years the Artweeks group consisted mainly of village artists but as the years have gone on the demographic has changed and now less than 10% of the artists come from the village. So, where in the past the decision as to who benefitted from the proceeds of the Artweeks Cafe and plant sale was made by the artists, now we need people who know the village and its needs to make that decision.
 
The group consists of Pam Smith, Pauline Durham, Sylvia Athawes, Annabelle Zinovieff and Steve McNally. The people in the group have been chosen to reflect different groups in the village in the hope that all interested parties have a voice.
 
Our aim is to decide year on year where the money goes from the profit from Artweeks. This is kept flexible. One year all the money might go to one needy cause only. It is the group’s decision. Key to the decision is that money is to be spent in the village.
 
Our aspirations are that the Village Fund will enable more to happen in the village, more people to get involved and the assets the village will be improved or added to. If you have an idea, want some money to start up a village project, a sports group, a social group or can think of something the village needs, please get in touch with any of the group named above."
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FUNDRAISING TARGET MET!  DEFIBRILLATOR ORDERED!!
 
Thanks to twenty-seven donations from our kind supporters, the target for the Parish defibrillator was exceeded within just a few days - with over £2600 raised.   We were lucky enough to secure a generous grant from the supplier, London Hearts, and therefore the machine cost nearly £400 less than anticipated - £1211.   We need to reserve £500 for maintenance and replacement consumables, but that leaves enough money to arrange for CPR/First Aid training for parishioners if we wish, and a healthy balance to be donated to the Parish Community Fund.  
 
The machine has been ordered and will be with us shortly.  
 
Thanks you all again for your help and generous support.
 
Kind regards
 
Ian & Karen
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Defibrillators save lives.
 
Estimates vary, but fewer than 1 in 10 people in the UK survive an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. The chances of survival increase from around 6% to 75% if a defibrillator is available. For every minute someone is in cardiac arrest without CPR (cardio-pulmonary resuscitation) and access to a defibrillator their chance of survival drops by up to 10%.
 
Why does Great Coxwell need one?
 
The risk of heart disease such as the heart stopping (cardiac arrest) or having a dangerously abnormal rhythm (cardiac arrythmia) increases with age.  These conditions can be improved or rectified by defibrillation and lives can be saved. 
 
Data from a 2019 survey indicate that there are at least 150 parishioners over the age of 60 in Great Coxwell. Furthermore, the popularity of the National Trust's Great Barn and events such as the monthly teas and Art Week attract many visitors to the village thereby further increasing the risk of the incidence of an acute episode of life-threatening heart disease.
 
Defibrillators are a common sight in towns, retail outlets, leisure centres and in villages. In Oxfordshire, local to Great Coxwell, they can be found in many local villages. 
 
There is an urgent need for Great Coxwell to acquire and install its own device. The nearest ones to the village are found outside the Little Eagle pub in Little Coxwell (0.71 miles) and the Faringdon Community College (1.06 miles).  Fetching a device from either of these locations if someone suffers a heart attack in the village could lead to a potentially fatal delay.  Furthermore, some devices only work within 250-1000 metres of their cabinet and so it is possible that these devices might not be operable, even if bought back to Great Coxwell in time.
 
Where will it be sited?
 
The Parish Council has kindly agreed that the defibrillator can be sited on the outside wall of the Parish Reading Room.
 
What happens if we need to use it?
 
If someone collapses, is a funny colour or you can’t find a heart-beat or pulse:
Call 999, start CPR, send someone to fetch the defibrillator; listen to the ambulance service’s advice and follow the instructions on the device.  The in-built computer software in the defibrillator will prevent the machine from administering a shock unless it is indicated.

Will we need trained operators to use it?

No formal training is required by anyone using the defibrillator as the device provides instructions on its use and it will always be used under the supervision of the ambulance service (see above).  However, some providers of defibrillating equipment will provide free First Aid training as part of their ‘package’ to communities, and we have also identified experienced First Aid trainers who live locally and may be able to arrange training sessions with them for parishioners who wish to undertake it. 

Who’ll look after it?

We have a group of 10 local volunteers who are willing to help with the weekly checks on the device and the monthly on-line returns to the ambulance service.  (There are plenty of people who support the project and are willing to help.  Karen and Ian Mason, from Orchard End will coordinate the team of volunteers to ensure that there is always adequate cover.)
 
What about running costs and maintenance?

The maintenance costs for the device are extremely small.  The electricity costs are negligible - around £3.00 per annum and the Parish Council has kindly agreed to cover this amount.  The batteries need to be replaced roughly once every 5 years – and usually after each use - and cost around £170. The pads and other consumables need to be replaced every two to five years, depending on the defibrillator model – and after any use - and the cost is around £80. 
 
How you can help:

We are aiming to raise £1600 for the purchase of a defibrillator for Great Coxwell.  The Parish Community fund has pledged £500 towards this project and we have already received several generous pledges from local residents towards the scheme.  The Parish Council has agreed to pay for the electrical installation costs.  However, we are still some way from achieving our target.
Please consider supporting this valuable, potentially life-saving initiative. The crowd-funding bank account details are: Account name: ‘Miss Pamela Holley’; Sort code: 40-18-37; Account number: 41390872.   Don’t forget to add your name as a reference so we know who the money’s from.  Or you can drop cheque off here at Orchard End, if you prefer.  (With thanks to Pam for setting up this dedicated account to hold the funds)

(In the event that donations exceed our target, £500 will be retained for running costs, consumables and maintenance of the device for the next 5 years and the balance will be transferred to the Parish Community Fund to enable them to continue to support worthwhile projects and events within our community.)
 
Thank you in anticipation of your support
 
Ian & Karen Mason
 
For more details about the defibrillator project contact Ian & Karen Mason at Orchard End ([email protected])
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Dear friends, 

Thank you so much for your support for the project.

The auction just closed and the land was sold for £116,000, so we were outbid by a huge margin. 

We're so sad about the result but so glad that you were so amazing in your response.  Raising £59,000 in just a few days was truly spectacular.

It's certainly heartening to know that there are so many people who care so much for wildlife that they're willing to help a little community, sometimes from the other side of the world! We'll do what we can to work with the new owners to protect the site.

We will close the crowdfunder in a moment and your fantastic pledges will be refunded. The crowdfunder site says that refunds should be processed within 5 working days, so please keep an eye out.

Thanks again for your support. It's made us all the more determined to do what we can to make our little patch of the world greener.

Best wishes,
"Greener Great Coxwell"
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It is with great sadness that Nic, Dave, Kate and Sean would like to announce that sadly our mother, Anne O’Farrell passed away peacefully on Thursday 22 April.  She lived in the village for over 47 years and made some amazing friends in that time.  As a family we would like to thank everyone who sent cards to her whilst she was unwell and also to those who have kindly send cards of condolence since.
 
The funeral will be held on Tuesday 18 May at 3.00pm and there is a link below if you wish to join.  It would be lovely to see you.
 
Kind regards
Anne’s Family  
 
Service order for 
Anne Mary Aline O'Farrell
Service Date 18-May-21 at 3:00
Service Chapel Chapel - Kingsdown
Website https://www.obitus.com/

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It was with great sadness that George Peck passed away on 15th April 2021, aged 89.  He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

George was a well-respected and liked member of the Great Coxwell community, having lived in the village for over 60 years, after building his own bungalow here.  His skills and craftmanship will remain in many of the homes in the village for many years to come.

In retirement, George was always willing to lend a hand to his neighbours and friends.

The funeral will take place at Kingsdown Crematorium at 1.30pm on 12th May.  It is expected that the hearse will leave the village at about 12.25pm.

RIP George.
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​It is with sadness that Kate Norman has informed me that her mother Anne O’Farrell died peacefully at home on Thursday last. Her family were with her. 

Nicola, David, Kate and Sean would like to extend their sincere thanks for all the cards that Anne received while she was in hospital and afterwards. She read then all and without doubt they raised her spirits. We would also like to thank all the residents of Great Coxwell for their kindness and long friendships to our wonderful and brave mum. 
 
Arrangements for her funeral will follow later.
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I am looking for accommodation for 20th - 30th December.

My sister, husband and 2 twenty plus year old sons.

B&B would be great. Please contact me 01367 244318.

Thank you.
Sally Tipple
Clayton Villa