Image of a stall with graphics containing information about Eye & Dunsden

January news from E&D

Parish News

Welcome to another collection of news about what makes the place you live so special. In this issue don’t miss the chance to go on some free guided walks about the history and character of our villages, and don’t forget the evening of excellent musical entertainment coming up in our wonderful village hall. 

Neighbourhood Plan News

A Happy New Year to you all from the NDP Team!  After a break for Christmas, we’re all looking forward to getting back to work on the next steps of the NDP process.

“Do you want SODC to use the Neighbourhood Plan for Eye & Dunsden to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area?”

This is the question that residents will be asked in the Referendum which marks the conclusion of the NDP process (providing we all agree!). People who are on the electoral roll in the neighbourhood plan area (which for us is the Parish of Eye & Dunsden) will be entitled to vote. And if more than 50% of those who vote vote “yes” then the neighbourhood plan becomes part of the statutory development plan for the area. As the question states, SODC will then refer to the recommendations and proposals within the NDP plan when deciding on planning applications in our parish.

The NDP team are working hard to enable the Referendum to take place this summer, although there are still many stages of the process to work through – we will of course tell you when we next need your informal feedback. Our goal is to ensure that when the referendum takes place, residents will be happy to vote YES and support the neighbourhood plan.

Keep up-to-date with all that is happening with the neighbourhood plan by following us on social media (details below) Please note that this newsletter will now be produced bi-monthly so expect the next one in March.

NDP dates for your diary

Saturday 12 March, 2022 at 10.30am – a second chance to find out more about the fascinating story of Dunsden on a free guided walk of the village with David Woodward and John Plumer. Meeting Point: Dunsden Green, followed by coffee at Loddon Brewery. Please join us!

Saturday 23 April, 2022 at 2.00pm – Guided Walk in Sonning Eye with David Woodward – despite the miserable weather, this walk was very well-attended when we ran previously so, if you weren’t able to make it along, you have another opportunity. Don’t miss it again!

Saturday 7 May, 2022 at 2.00pm – Nature Walk – this guided walk will enable you to share some of the information from the environmental reports we have commissioned as part of the NDP process. More details to follow.

Queen's Jubilee emblem

How would you like to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee?

It has been suggested that a beacon, linking to others locally,  might be lit at the top of the village hall field (perhaps it could even be seen in Windsor!). The idea of planting a commemorative grove of trees on the field has also been proposed, perhaps with a celebration. What do you think and have you any other ideas? Please email the Parish Clerk, Mandy Sermon.

You may also like to hold a street party. The main festivities will be over the weekend of 4 June, beginning with a special Bank Holiday on Thursday 2 June. Why not join the big picnic on the playing field at Binfield Heath at which there will be a live relay of the London celebrations? There are loads more ideas on the national Jubilee website.

Things that go bump in the night

A number of local people have expressed concern about noise nuisance, whether from late night car or motorbike racing on the Henley Road or at Thames Valley Park, where Police have taken action. The Parish Council is investigating funding speed monitoring on the Henley Road which would enable Police to take further action there.

Other nuisances

The Parish Council is also represented on the Tarmac Liaison Committee which deals with operating issues at the gravel works. Residents with particular issues can also email the site manager, Kevin Browne.

Fly-tipped rubbish continues to be a problem locally. It has to be collected by District Council contractors at considerable cost. If you see fly-tipping – or the results of it – please report it directly to admin.southoxford@biffa.co.uk Similarly, potholes are increasingly a problem. If you are aware of one locally please contact fixmystreet.com and tell them the area, address and if possible, postcode. It’s the fastest way to get results.

Book now for a top night at the hall, Ninebarrow are back: 4 March, 2022

Ninebarrow by Greg Funnell

The hall committee have booked the hugely popular duo Ninebarrow for a performance on Friday 4th of March. They make superb and award-winning music, and have a big following.

Tickets are selling fast and are available here. A full refund will be issued in the event of cancellation. Don’t miss this top class event.

Snowdrop Sunday: 20 February, Dunsden Church

A free event to enable you to visit the beautiful churchyard with its carpet of snowdrops and aconites, and to enjoy some short entertainments inside.  Homemade tea and cakes will also be available. From 10am to 4pm.