Blog and Diary

 

Events relating to Council Activities  personal events in brackets:

May 2011

Jan and I  returned from 3 weeks sailing around the Abaco Islands in the Bahamas in time to vote NO for AV

We drove direct to the Polling Station from Heathrow having had a relaxing time on a 40ft Catamaran

I had a large backlog of over 400 emails and that took about four days to clear although I had answered all urgent calls using my laptop when we had Wi-Fi access in the harbours.

10th  May - I attended Islip, Kirtlington and Shipton and Thrupp parish council meetings.

11th  Visited Bletchington School to discuss the future of the school  and then Cherwell DC Conservative Group Meeting followed by Bletchington Annual Parish Meeting

3rd June 12 May Meeting at Banbury for briefing for Annual Council meeting on 18th then a dash to Upper Heyford, Horton cum Studley and Fencott/Murcott Annual Parish Council meetings. At Murcott our MP John Howell joined us. 54 miles round trip!

17th  May OCC Full Council Meeting at 9am to 4pm

18th  May Cherwell DC Annual Council Meeting where I was voted in as Chairman for 2011-12 followed by a buffet that I will have to pay most of the cost so as not to be a cost on council tax payers. Incidentally the Chairman of Cherwell DC receives no allowances unlike other DC and OCC Chairmen.

        Taking over from George Parish as Chairman of Cherwell DC - note contrary to some beliefs, the Chairman of Cherwell DC receives no extra money for his year as Chairman.

19th May attend the Lord Mayor's making at Oxford Town Hall followed Hampton Poyle and Kirtlington Annual Parish Meetings.

26th May OCC Strategy and Partnership Committee 9am to 1pm

27th May CDC Voluntary Organisations Forum - Bodicote House 9 am to 1pm. Give welcome address.

1st June - Lord Lieutenants and Bishop of Dorchester reception for Mayors and Chairmen at Dorchester Abbey attended by High Sherriff and 22 Deputy Lieutenants.

2nd June Meeting at Bletchington School with OCC Cabinet Member for Schools Improvement. Should have also attended Annual Governance meeting at Bodicote but Bletchington meeting lasted longer than expected.

3rd June went to Chiropractor with bad back then to Royal Military Academy Sandhurst for dinner that I had organised for the Institute of Directors where I entertained to Commanding Officer of the USAF station at Croughton and  a colleague from the US State Department.

7th June Oxford Preservation Trust Trustees Meeting and then Horton cum Studley Parish Council.

8th June Chaired CDC Parish Liaison meeting at Bodicote House.

9th June Meeting at Bicester to be briefed on the MOD plans for development of Craven Hill and Arncott sites. OCC Conservative Group meeting in the evening.

(10th  - 12th June - wedding in North Wales )

13th June - Community Partnership meeting OCC

14th June Oxford County Council - full council meeting then Merton Parish Council and Islip PC.

(19th - 22 June friends from Hungary staying)

20th June - Armed Forces Community Covenant. Joined Leader of OCC, Chairmen of the other District Councils and City plus Deputy Lord Lieutenant, High Sheriff and service chiefs to sign Covenant on behalf of Cherwell DC.

Signing the Covenant on behalf of Cherwell District Council

22nd June Annual Review of Oxfordshire Girl Guides.

(23rd - 28th June friend from Edinburgh staying)

26th June Victoria County History charity day at Chagrove Manor (I am a Trustee of the VCH)

28th June South East Regional Forces and Cadets Association meeting (I represent OCC)

29th June Cherwell DC Conservative Group meeting

30th June OCC Conservative Group meeting

1 July USAF Independence Day celebration at RAF Croughton.

(2-3rd July staying with friends in London)

6th July Oxford Preservation Trust AGM then Weston on the Green Parish Council

7th July - Banbury Museum launch of Cropredy Festival, then OCC Conservative Group meeting followed by English Speaking Union (ESU) AGM at Christ Church.

With  Chris Leslie and Ric Sanders of Fairport Convention - two very nice guys! http://www.fairportconvention.com/

At the ESU AGM I was voted onto the committee to help organise local events to raise funds for educational scholarships. http://www.esu.org/

(8th June lunch and tour of Le Manoir Aux Quat' Saisons)

(10th June Masonic Charity Lunch TBC)

12th July Garden Party Buckingham Palace. Normally the Chairman of the Council is invited to one of the three Garden Parties along with about 6000 other people.  Met with John Howell MP and a number of other people we know.

13th July Oxfordshire Scout Review Kidlington

(15th - 16th July London )

(17th July relatives for lunch)

18th July Forces Covenant Meeting

20th July School Governors training for OCC Councillors

21st July Strategy and Partnership Committee OCC (followed by flight to France for wedding)

The Jewish Wedding in a garden near Aix

(21st July to 31st July Aix en Provence and Camargue)

  

Mas de la Fougue, Hotel  and Flamingos

1st August Briefing on NW Bicester town extension (Eco Town)

10th August ( reunion at Sandhurst of Cadets commissioned 50 year ago from the Royal Military Academy)

12th August - funeral of Councillor Carol Steward.

13th August Polo at Kirtlington Park -England v Zimbabwe.

15th August meeting in Beckley to discuss Woodeaton Quarry and visit and photo 16th.

25th August RAF Benson Open Day

How did they miss?

4th September - Wychwood fair.

5th September - English Speaking Union, Oxfordshire Committee.

6th September - LGA Rural Commission - Bath

7th September-  Weston on the Green Parish Council, Otmoor Archaeological & Historical Society - The Didcot Hoard

8th September - County Hall Accessing funding for communities briefing, OCC Conservative Group Meeting, Oxford Open Doors Launch.

10th September - Open Doors begins with talk in the Divinity School then Oxford Spires Cleft Centre Annual Charity Ball

Doing the Raffle at the Cleft Charity Ball with Jonty Hearnden (Antiques Road Show and Cash in the Attic)

11th September - South Northants DC Chairman's Service, Towster

13th September - County Council meeting, Islip, Merton, Kirtlingtonn and Shipton/Thrupp Parish Councils, Institute of Directors late Summer social.

14th September -CDC Conservative Group Meeting

15th September - Site Meeting MOD site at Graven Hill Bicester, Hampton Poyle and Hoton cum Studley Parish Councils

16th September - Plaque unveiling at RAF Barford St John

With Colonel Jeffrey Renner USAF

17th September - Beaver Scout event at Banbury then Green-Templeton College, Oxford dinner.

18th September - Battle of Britain service Banbury.

19th September - Kidlington area locality meeting.

21st September - Banbury Museum Art Exhibition Opening.

Exhibition at Banbury Museum with ART2 - 2011 winner Julie Wigg

22nd September - Lower Heyford Parish Council.

23rd September-  English Speaking Union Dinner St Edmund Hall

Speaker TV producer Peter Bazalgette (Ready-Steady, Cook; Big Brother etc)

26th September - Meeting about Bletchingdon School at Bodicote House

27th September - Early Intervention Briefing County Hall, Oxford Preservation Trustees meeting

29th September - Strategy and Partnership Committee County Hall, Cherwell DC Council briefing then Cherwell DC Full Council (chairing)

30th September - Friends of St Edward's School charity event. Bicester Mayor's Dinner

1st October - My brother's wedding in Stafford!

3rd October - Lord Lieutenants Awards Radley College

The Lord Lieutenant Tim Stevenson OBE with the award winners.

see http://www.serfca.org/dnn/PhotoGallery/tabid/361/Default.aspx

4th October  - OCC Data Observatory briefing. Oxford University Silver Dinner (All Souls)

5th October - Oxfordshire Blue Plaque committee, Otmoor Archaeological & Historical Society - Peter Chivers Oxfordshire Medieval Wall Paintings 8pm Islip VH

10th October - Oxfordshire Association of Local Councils, Victoria County History Trustees,  OCVA Awards.

11th October - High Sherriff's Law Lecture, Islip, Merton, Kirtlington Parish Councils

The Rt Hon, The Lord Mance who gave Law Lecture in the University Church being introduced by the High Sherriff, Mrs Penelope Glen.

12th October - Woodstock Civic Reception

13th October - OCC Conservative Group Meeting, Horton cum Studley PC with John Howell MP

14th October - Change of Command ceremony RAF Croughton (USAF CO)

15th October - Blue Plaque unveiling SALVADOR de MADARIAGA

The once Headington home of Salvador de Madariaga with Professor Isabel de Madariaga (aged 94)  with the Lord Mayor of Oxford, Elise Benjamin and Fidel Alvarez from the Spanish Embassy.

16th October -Oxfordshire Yeomanry AGM and lunch.

17th October - Treasury Management County Hall.

18th October Larkrise Care Centre opening (Princess Alexandra), St Frideswide Service, Oxford Preservation Trust Awards.

19th October - Banbury Fair Opening with Town Mayor of Banbury Cllr Alastair Milne-Home

20th October - Depart for Oman

21st October - 1 November - leading a team of bird watchers from the Army Ornithological Society to Oman

    Sharjah Museum reception for a Minister and  us            -                          Main Mosque in Muscat              -                     White Storks resting on migration in South Oman     -                     Typical lunch in a tent

Oman is the most friendly country I have ever visited!

1st November - Oxfordshire County Council - Princess Anne visit Bicester

The Lord Lieutenant Tim Stevenson OBE introducing us to HRH - Sue Smith CE of Cherwell DC and Rose Stratford Mayor of Bicester

2nd November - Oxford Strategic Shareholders Meeting, Cherwell CD Conservative Group Meeting, Otmoor Archaeological & Historical Society - Mrs Christine Banks- May Day Mummers.

3rd November - CDC Licensing Committee, Oxford Preservation Trust Awards - St Catherine's College.

4th November - visit St John's, St Antony's and St Anne's Colleges. Vale of White Horse DC Chairman's Dinner.

5th November - C S Forester book launch Pershore.

7th November - Churchill Lodge

8th November - Community Lead Planning briefing, Merton, Islip, and Shipton Parish Councils

9th November - CDC Parish Liaison Meeting (Chairing)

Webcast: http://www.cherwell.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/67073

10th November - visit to Rotary Concert, Banbury

11th November - (private Dinner Party)

12th November - (private Dinner Party)

13th November -Remembrance Sunday - laying wreaths in Bicester and Bodicote.

15th November (Alfred Chapter 333 Banbury Road)

16th November- Institute of Directors event at Nominet

17th November - English Speaking Union Committee

18th November - Society for Graduates Linacre College.

19th November - (Tettenhall College alumni dinner London)

21st November - Grandson born to Philip and Sadie 8.25 Monday Morning - Samuel Hallchurch 7lbs 4oz

24th November - OCC Strategy & Partnership Scrutiny Committee, Katherine House Service, Lower Heyford PC.  (King Solomon's Quarries Lodge London can make it!)

25th November - Society for Graduates - Linacre College.

27th November - English Speaking Union Thanksgiving Lunch (Randolph)

ESU Thanksgiving Lunch - Randolph Hotel - speaker Lady Judith English former principal St Hilda's College introduced by Michael  Robson, acting chairman. Colonel Charles Hamilton USAF with Dr Jan Stokes Carter, Ms Sandie Borrowdale with Mrs Wendy Hamilton (in blue)

28th November -  Glittering Star Lodge Leamington Spa

29th November - BT Broadband Showcase- Milton Park, Cherwell Disability Forum.

30th November - Institute of Directors Karting Event Banbury

1st December - Oxford Preservation Trust Christmas Lecture, OCC Conservative Group meeting.

2nd December - Society for Graduates - Linacre College. Visit Hampton Gay ruined manor to discuss conservation with John Howell MP and owner Christopher Buxton.

3rd - 4th December - London staying with friends

5th December - Churchill Lodge, Victoria County History Lecture.

6th December - Autism Alert Card Scheme Launch - Bodicote

7th December - Otmoor Archaeological & Historical Society - giving talk on English Silver marks

8th December - Cherwell DC Full Council (in chair) and if it finishes early South East Reserve Forces and Cadets Association meeting

9th December - Institute of Directors Dinner Blenheim Palace

10th - 12th December - Neunkirchen-Seelscheld (Germany) Christmas Market  as guest of Burgomaster.

Giving my speech in German - a real test of memory!

13th December - Bodicote House meetings and staff Christmas drinks. Islip, Merton, Kirtlington Parish Councils

With CDC Officers

14th December -OSJ Carols Ashmolean.

15th December - OCC Strategy and Partnership Scrutiny Committee .

16th December - Oxford Preservation Trust  Trustees meeting.

17th December - Son and wife arrive from Australia for Christmas

18th December - Carol Service at Rousham

Family for lunch

Back row Jacquie Hallchurch (from Australia), Jan, Susannah, Me, Philip (sitting) with Baby Samuel Hallchurch (age 1 month) and Sadie, Andrew Hallchurch (from Oz) in front.

18th December - South Northants DC Christmas Carol Service

20th December - Cherwell DC walk about with Chief Executive Cherwell DC.

22nd December - Funeral of former Cllr Eric Heath.

 

2012

28th December - fly to Guadeloupe for 10 days holiday.

10th January - Islip, Merton, Kirtlington & Shipton Parish Councils

12th January - Strategy and Partnership Committee OCC.

14th January - Royal British Legion Conference, Kidlington

17th January -Strategic Tenancy Policy meeting

19th January - OCC Conservative Group meeting - start "Particle Physics and Origins of the Universe" course at Ewart House (Kellogg College)

23rd January - Oxfordshire Association of Local Councils meeting

24th January - Licensing Sub-committee Bodicote House

25th January - Burns's Night party at Hampton Court

26th January - Ewart House lecture

27th January - Holocaust Memorial at County Hall. Burn's Night dinner at RAF Croughton

RAF Croughton The haggis is piped in by an RAF piper and the address by an RAF officer. Sitting at the table Mrs Wendy Hamilton wife of the CO Colonel Charles Hamilton USAF, Lord Boswell (formerly Tim Boswell MP) and wife of the Chairman of Croughton Parish Council. Colonel Charles Hamilton in the Hamilton tartan gives his speech.

 

30th January - Cherwell DC Full Council (Chairman)

1st February - Otmoor Archaeological and Historical Society - Battle of Cropredy Bridge 1644

2nd February - Military Covenant meeting Bodicote House - Chairman. Ewart House lecture (Particle Physics course)

6th February - Churchill Lodge

8th February - Oxfordshire CC Group Meeting.

9th February -  Ewart House

10th February OCC County Council meeting - all day.

11th February University Mark Lodge meeting.

13th February - Noke parish meeting.

14th February - Islip. Kirtlington, Merton and Shipton PC meetings.

15th  February - Banbury Operatic Society.

16th February - Ewart House

17th February - Society for Graduates, Linacre College. Robin Stafford Allen from Weston on the Green " "The Energy Crisis and Nuclear Fusion".

22nd February - Cherwell DC Conservative Group meeting

23rd February - CDC Licensing Committee, Ewart House

24th February - Society for Graduates Linacre College Oxford.

27th February - Bletchington School, village hall and housing development meeting. Cherwell DC Full Council (Chairing)

29th February - North Oxfordshire Conservative Association Antiques Road Show and lunch

1st March - Ewart House

2nd March - Mayor of Banbury Charity Dinner

3rd March - (Private Lunch with friends including Master of Balliol College)

4th March - Church at Rousham

5th March - (Churchill Lodge initiation of Oxford Brooks University graduate)

7th March - Otmoor Archaeological and Historical Society - fascinating talk on Francis Bacon by Dr Allan Chapman.

Dr Allan Chapman making his point!

8th March Ewart House

9th March - Lord Mayor of Oxford Charity Dinner

12th March - Funeral of former Cllr Tony Tallents.  Victoria County History Trustees meeting Kellogg College. Community Infrastructure briefing County Hall.

13th March - Oxford Preservation Trust Trustees, Merton, Kirtlington, Islip and Shipton Parish Councils

14th March - Oxford Scout and Guide Gang Show Oxford

15th March - Strategy & Partnership Scrutiny Committee County Hall, Ewart House

16th March - Churchill Lodge Dinner Corpus Christi College

17th March - North Oxfordshire Conservative Association AGM, Birthday Dinner Party Hampton Court.

20th March - Oxfordshire County Council, Full Council, Alfred Lodge.

22nd March - Ewart House

23rd March - Chairman OCC Charity Dinner

24th March - Private Birthday Party Old Parsonage Oxford.

25th March - Oxfordshire Guards Association Service Kidlington.

26th March - Otmoor Archaeological & Historical Society committee meeting Noke.

27th March - Bletchington Project meeting Bletchington VH.

28th March - LGA Rural Commission meeting London, Blue Plaque Committee, Oxford, Cherwell DC Group Meeting.

29th March - South Oxfordshire Conservative Association AGM, OCC Group meeting

30th March - South Northants Chairman's Charity Dinner Northampton.

 

31st March - Private wedding reception Green-Templeton College.

3rd April - Oxfordshire County Council

4th April - Otmoor Archaeological & Historical Society (OAHS) AGM Islip

6th April - OSJ Concert Dorchester Abbey http://www.osj.org.uk/

7th April - Canvassing for local elections in Kidlington

12th April - Horton cum Studley Parish Council

13th April - Cherwell District Council Chairman's Dinner in aid of the ABF Soldiers Charity & Oxford Spires Cleft Charity. My thanks to Dr Jan Stokes Carter and Mediation in Action for sponsoring the band and Bicester Village for the wines.

Chairman West Oxfordshire DC, V Chairman South Oxfordshire CC, Chairman OCC,  Mayor of Banbury, Leader Oxfordshire OCC. Others attending Dr John Howell OBE MP, Colonel Charles Hamilton, Commanding Officer RAF Croughton, Robert Buckeldee, Brig Ian Inshaw and Mrs Miranda Markham - Deputy Lord Lieutenants.

With the Spires Cleft Charity team, Dr and Mrs Currie and Sandip and Sonia Popat.  Cllr Kieran Mallon the MC with Dr Jan Stokes Carter and Mr Malcolm Walker and Mrs Lyn Walker.

16th April - Oxfordshire CC  Planning Committee

17th April - Fencott & Murcott Parish Council

18th April - Opening of Oxford University Science Park Begbroke new link road, Bletchington School and Village Hall project meeting

The car that drives itself at Begbroke Science Park - the car opened the new road by breaking the tape.

 

19th April - Cherwell DC signing letters and other matters at Bodicote House.   Oxford University Ewart House for Trinity Term Astronomy and the Universe.

20th April - RAF Croughton Plaque unveiling at WWII fighter bunker.  Society for Graduates, Linacre College Allan Chapman.

RAF Croughton

Because of heavy rain there was a remote unveiling in the hall. Sitting with Lady Boswell, Cllr Alastair Milne Home, Mayor of Banbury and Cllr Patrick Green, Chairman of Oxfordshire County Council

24th April - Kingsmere Housing Bicester opening.

26th April - Oxfordshire CC Conservative Group meeting to select new leader. Ewart House course.

The count for the election of the new leader of Oxfordshire County Council (counting votes in the corner). Congratulations on Cllr Ian Hudspeth for being elected leader of the conservative group who will then be elected as leader of the council in May.

Congratulations to Cllr Don Seale for being elected as Chairman or the council. I was elected as Vice Chairman.

 Forces of the Universe course at Oxford University. David Chapple our tutor.

27th April - Society for Graduates

28th April - Blue Plaque unveiling - Mary Ward 17 Bradmore Rd, OX2 6QP

Address by Dr Kate Tiller Chairman of Oxfordshire Blue Plaque Board and unveiling by Mary Wards's Great Grandson

1st May - English Speaking Union reception Rhodes House

ESU members being shown round the gardens by the head gardener.

2nd May - Churchill Lodge annual meeting

3rd May - Ewart House

4th May - (London for weekend with friends)

Original London Taxi in Museum of London and views from friends house in Highgate.

8th May -Shipton & Thrupp Parish Council, Kirtlington PC. Hosting the Duke of Kent on his visit to Oxford University Science Park

Photo - University of Oxford Science Park.

John Harwood (L) Deputy Lord Lieutenant, Duke of Kent (R) Prof Pete Dobson back to camera.

 

9th May - Girlguiding Annual Review

10th May - Upper Heyford and Horton cum Studley Annual Parish Meetings. Ewart House

11May - 13 May (Army Ornithological Society AGM Leconfield, Yorks and Flamborough Head)

14th May - Bicester Mayor Making

15th May - Oxford County Council annual meeting - elected Vice-Chairman of Oxfordshire County Council. Banbury Mayor Making

16th May Cherwell District Council Annual Meeting - hand over Chairmanship to Cllr Colin Clarke.

Colin gets the chain for his year as Chairman. Colin then pins the Past Chairman's Medal and I present Jan with flowers as a thanks for all the time and work she has put in over the year.

I will now start a new blog to coincide with a new council year.

Blog ends.

In addition I have attended in the period, lodge meetings and rehearsals, given Aromatherapy Treatments and three out of four weekends with house guests.