Didcot Diary

Issue 7 April 2013

Annual Town Meeting

Parks and Gardens

Didcot Town Fayre

Contents

Rock with the Mayor 2

Didcot Town Fayre 3

Allotments 3

Park Life 4

Ladygrove Lakes 5

TRAIN restart Project 5

Adverse Weather Advice 6

Energy Saving Trust 6

Oxfordshire Woodfuel 7

County Council Elections 7

Marie Curie 8

Spinal Injuries Association 9

Didcot Runners 10

Litter Picking 10

Didcot Devils 11

University of the Third Age 12

Didcot Civic Ball 12

Wallingford Blues & Beer 12

Annual Town Meeting 13

Volunteer Lock Keepers 13

OAB 14

Against Breast Cancer 14

What’s on at the Civic Hall 15

Welcome to the latest issue of the Didcot Diary. Easter has been and gone and there is still little sign of spring . The extended cold spell has delayed the completion of the sports courts at Edmonds Park, see page 4 for more information.

March was a busy month for us with the Annual Town Meeting on the 16th and the Civic Ball on the 22nd. The ball coincided with the last generating day for Didcot A power station and a message of thanks was projected on the cooling towers by npower.

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Despite the cold, wet weather the gardeners have been kept busy and the newly gravelled paths around the lakes are much appreciated by walkers and anglers.

The litter pick organised for Saturday 16th March was cancelled due to the incessant rain that fell on the day but it has been rescheduled for Saturday 11th May. It can be great fun so if you have a couple of hours to spare on that date why not come along and give a hand. More Information is on page 10.

If you are interested in volunteering and raising money for charity this issue contains much that might be of interest to you, from walking the Great Wall of China to eating fish and chips or dancing with the Mayor!

Didcot Town Fayre

The Didcot Town Fayre is a new event to celebrate the richness and diversity of our town. The first, of what will hopefully become an annual event, will take place in Edmonds Park on Saturday 13th July between 12noon and 5pm.

The fayre will be an afternoon of fun for all the family and to help make it a success local businesses, charities, dance groups and organisations are invited to join in the Town’s summer celebrations. It is planned that the afternoon will include baking and produce competitions and a craft tent.

If you, or your business or group wish to participate then please contact Karen Dodd or Sue Atkins on 01235 821637 or council@didcot.gov.uk before the 30th April 2013.

Allotments Update

Lease

Periodically the rules for allotment holders are

reviewed to make sure the allotment sites are being

run fairly, effectively and legally.

We have just completed this process and all allotment

plot holders are being asked to sign a new lease agreement

when they pay their rent for the coming year.

The only change that has been made relates to rent due dates. Allotment rents are due

on the 1st April and in previous years plot holders have had six months to pay. This year

the rent must be paid by the 10th May.

Bonfires

In 2011 and 2012 permission was granted to hold bonfires on allotment sites during

specified dates. Plot holders reported that this was useful and it has been decided to

repeat this in 2013. Bonfires will be allowed on allotment sites, for site rubbish only,

between the following dates:

Tuesday 2nd April to 15th April inclusive

and

Tuesday 22nd October to Tuesday 5th November inclusive.

If you have any questions about the allotments or would like to go on the waiting list for a

plot please contact Sue Atkins on 01235 812637 or council@didcot.gov.uk

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Park Life Sports Courts at Edmonds Park

It was hoped that the refurbished sports courts at Edmonds Park would be open for use by

Easter. The majority of the work has been completed and anyone who has used the park

In recent weeks will have noticed the smart new fence around the courts.

The surface has been freshly tarmaced and

new curb stones laid. In fact the only thing

that remains to be done is the painting and

lining of the courts.

This can’t be done until the temperature rises

to at least 14°C so the prolonged cold spell

has delayed the completion of the courts by a

few weeks.

Check our website; www.didcot.gov.uk or future issues of the Didcot Diary for progress or

Contact us on 01235 812637 or council@didcot.gov.uk/

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Spring Colour

The constant cold weather has not stopped bulbs from

showing colour. Early Aconites and snowdrops have been

in bloom along the Broadway and in the Jubilee Garden at

the rear of the Civic Hall, where mixed Crocus are now in

flower. White and purple Crocus are also in bloom along

Hitchcock Way which will be followed by dwarf Tulips,

Fritellaria and large purple Alliums. Most daffodils are

waiting for better, sunnier weather before they open – and

who can blame them!

Grass Cutting

Grass cutting in the parks has just started for this season as the severe frosts have held us back,

along with most gardeners here in the south. The town’s verges have had their 1st cut in

March in readiness for the coming grass cutting season.

Play Equipment

Ladygrove Park is in the middle of having a piece of play kit replaced: the concrete base is

in position and when the base is set a new nest swing will be erected. These nest swings

have proven popular in our other parks.

Ladygrove Lakes

Geese enjoying the newly gravelled

paths

Two of four new fish refuges

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The new fishing season started on 1st April and permits for Didcot residents are available

from Acorn Angling at Brasenose shops. Day and guest tickets are on sale at the Didcot

Angling Centre.

There would normally be a closed season for 6 weeks at this time of year but because of

the predation by Cormorants on site we have waived that so that angler presence on the

lakes can deter them.

As reported in the February issue of the Didcot Diary

at the last netting session on the large lake there were

practically no silverfish – these are the fish bred from

last year’s spawning. This is thought to be due to

Cormorants as they can easily decimate fish stocks

once they find easy pickings, so it is important to scare

them off our patch.

Fish refuges have been installed on the lakes which

will help the smaller fish, which are vulnerable, to have

somewhere to hide when Cormorants are about

The fishing club’s clean up Sunday took place on 7th April when club members tidied the site

of any snagged tackle, cut back overhanging branches and clear litter from site. All are

welcome to help spruce up the lakes.

The continued wet weather has caused the paths

around the lakes to become muddy so the gardeners

have been hard at work laying new gravel on the paths

Fish refuges on the lakes

TRAIN Restart Project

TRAIN are holding a fund raising quiz on Saturday 20th April at St Birinus School at

7.30pm

There will be a quiz, fish and chip supper, a raffle and a charity

auction.

Auction lots are needed so if you can make a donation or would

like more information please contact Paul Gander on

paul@didcottrain.org.uk To ensure there are plenty of chips to go round please confirm

Attendance to Paul before 15th April.

Adverse Weather Advice

The snow and ice have melted away and spring

cannot be too far away so now is a good time to

reflect on how we can all be better prepared for

next time.

With this in mind Oxfordshire County Council

have told us of a problem they encountered

when trying to spread grit along the Hagbourne

Road between Broadway and Jubilee Way.

Parked cars along this stretch of road are making it very difficult for the gritter lorries to

treat this section of road and this section may be removed from the route.

In icy conditions it is important to have as many roads gritted as possible so please do not

park on the Hagbourne Road when the gritter lorries may need access.

More than two MILLION South East homes could benefit from loft insulation

upgrades, with the Green Deal creating huge opportunities for tradespeople,

Energy Saving Trust experts have revealed.

Opportunities through the scheme are widespread in the South East where

more than a million homes have un-insulated cavity walls and nearly 640,000 are in need of

better double glazing.

The Green Deal, an innovative new Government financing mechanism which enables

people to pay for energy efficiency improvements through savings on their energy bills,

offers a unique chance for installers to take advantage of these opportunities.

Tom Lock, certification manager at Energy Saving Trust said:

“The Green Deal is a great opportunity for tradespeople across

all sectors in the South East. Getting certified is an essential first

step to working under the Green Deal and the Energy Saving

Trust is one organisation registering tradesmen to operate as part

of the scheme. These Green Deal installers can then use our

trusted backing to boost their business. This provides reassurance

to members of the public, and can help turn consumer interest into

actions.”

Energy Saving Trust is an independent, trusted organisation which

is accredited by UKAS, the United Kingdom Accreditation Service,

to provide Green Deal Installer certification at a fixed price. Energy

Saving Trust is the only consumer-facing organisation providing Green Deal Installer

certification, making it a recognised brand for consumers.

Tradespeople can go to bit.ly/12JmJij or email greendealcert@est.org.uk for details of how

to get certified.

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Oxfordshire Woodfuel Programme bulletin

As ash trees come into leaf, it will become apparent if

they have chalara (ash die-back). Signs include wilting

leaves and browning of young stems.

Forestry Commission advice is not to fell ash trees

unless they are ill. The felled wood can be

used as firewood. See www.forestry.gov.uk/chalara.

This is the time to buy firewood and store it for next autumn, and also to think about installing

a wood stove or boiler. See www.oxonwoodfuel.org.ukfor advice.

There will be woodfuel themed study visits on 15 April, 1 June and 8 June. The first and last

of these will each involve a visit to a woodland, a wood processor and an interesting wood

boiler.

The 1 June event is at a Ministry of Defence woodland, and involves tasting wild rabbit and

taking away firewood if you want. More information is at

www.oxonwoodfuel.org.uk/woodfuel-site-visits.

We have had five successful 'logs for labour' events this spring, and will run more next autumn.

If you are a woodland owner who could use some free help with woodland management, or

you would like to work outdoors in return for some firewood, please see

www.oxonwoodfuel.org.uk/logs-for-labour.

The Oxfordshire Woodfuel Programme is setting up a quality standard for firewood called

'OxLogs'. OxLogs suppliers will clearly state the volume, type,

length and moisture content of their wood.

For more information contact Riki Therivel on

manager@oxonwoodfuel.org.uk or 01865 243488.

Oxfordshire County Council Elections The County Council elections will take place on

Thursday 2nd May. The Civic Hall will have two

rooms available as polling stations on the day.

For more information go to:

www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/cms/content/county-council-election-2013

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Take on a Life Changing Experience by Trekking the Great Wall of China for Marie Curie Cancer Care! Marie Curie Cancer Care is sending out the

call for Oxfordshire residents to join them in

a life changing trek along the Great Wall of

China in May 2014, exploring one of the

wonders of the world and experiencing the

people and culture of rural China.

This nine day challenge, from 16th to 24th

May, offers participants the chance to trek the

15th Century Ming Dynasty hard rock wall,

before descending on local trails to experience

the rural life of people in Hebei Province, and

discovering true Chinese culture, supported

by local guides. Each night participants will

be able to camp in the wilds and enjoy eating

freshly cooked food beneath the stars. On the

last day participants will have the opportunity

to discover the sights and sounds of Beijing.

Marie Curie Cancer Care Events Fundraiser Ed Turnham said, “This is the perfect trip to

transform your life view and gain confidence by overcoming physical and mental obstacles

in this great challenge. Our participants will work hard as a team to find self confidence

and a real sense of achievement. The trek aims to raise £120,000 for Marie Curie Cancer

Care, whose nurses provide free care to people with terminal cancer and other illnesses in

their own homes and in the charity’s nine hospices.”

Open to anyone over the age of 18, the trip has limited availability so it is advisable to

register early to avoid disappointment. Registration costs £299 and everyone is asked to

raise a minimum sponsorship of £3,000. The trek aims to raise £120,000 for Marie Curie

Cancer Care, with £180 paying for a nine hour shift for a Marie Curie nurse in a patient’s

home, or £435 for the cost of caring for in-patients at our Marie Curie Hospices.

For further information, please visit http://www.mariecurie.org.uk/fortune

or call 01604 442313.

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Great British Fish and Chip Supper

Friday 17th May 2013

If you want to support a good cause but trekking the Great Wall of China is not for

you, why not hold a Fish and Chip Supper to help spinal cord injured people live full

and independent lives.

If you want to do something different, raise money where you live or work and eat Fish and

Chips while raising money for charity, hold a fish and chip supper on Friday 17th May 2013

to raise awareness of spinal cord injury and support the Spinal Injuries Association’s (SIA)

information and support services.

SIA are hoping to raise £10,000 from the Great British Fish and Chip Supper in 2013.

They can provide a fundraising pack containing hints and tips, recipes, invitations and

donation envelopes.

The money raised from the suppers will help the SIA offer support to individuals who

become paralysed and their families, from the moment a spinal injury occurs, and for the

rest of their lives by providing services and publications which enable and

encourage paralysed people to lead independent lives.

Community Fundraising Manager, Elizabeth Wright,

says:

“The Fish and Chip Supper is a wonderful opportunity

for a great evening with friends and family. We are also

encouraging people who work to hold a Fish and Chip

Lunch in their work places to raise even more funds.

You may be even a local community group wanting to

run a fun evening with your group.

Be a part of something special and make a real

difference to help spinal cord injured people gain access

to the information and support they need to enable them

to live full and independent lives.”

For more information or request a fundraising pack

call Elizabeth Wright on 0845 071 4350.

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Didcot Runners take on London! Eleven members of the Didcot Runners running club are taking part in the London

Marathon on Sunday the 21st April 2013 in this, their 10th Anniversary Year!

Didcot Runners is a fast growing club with almost 100 members who meet on Tuesdays

and Thursdays throughout the year.

The members running this year are Kirsty Reade, Paul Griffiths, Rob Sharp, Eileen

Naughton, Ceri Davies, Julie Shand, John Scarborough, Stuart Howes, Mathew Browne,

Chris Birch and Jane Manclark. To have eleven members take part in the London

Marathon is a fantastic achievement for such a small club.

Most of the runners are raising money for their chosen charities and the links for these

can be found on our website at www.didcotrunners.co.uk,

so if you would like to support any of our runners, please take a look.

Organisers have arranged a coach to take runners

and supporters to London and back on the day, so if

you are interested in offering your support to them

and would like to experience the London Marathon

first hand, please get in touch via the Didcot Runners

website.

The website includes information about the club so

if you’ve ever fancied taking up running please get in

touch, or if you’re already a runner and are tempted

to join a club, why not give them a try. If you have

any questions about the club, please contact

the Club Secretary by using the link on their website.

Litter Picking

The litter picking event that was scheduled to

take place on Saturday 16th March was cancelled

because of the wet weather.

A new event has been arranged for Saturday 11th

May between 9am and 12 noon. Volunteers are

asked to met in the Civic Hall car park at 9am.

If you would like to take part or if you know of an

area that would benefit from a tidy up please

contact Karen Dodd on 01235 812637 or

council@didcot.gov.uk.

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The Didcot Devils Basketball

Club Celebrate success

The Didcot Devils Basketball Club continue

to go from strength to strength.

The club plans to enter an U13 squad in the

National Basketball League next year,

and will be the first ever club in Oxfordshire

to enter a team at this age group and this

level.

Didcot Devils basketball club is celebrating

a Clubmark award, having grown to 60

junior members since launching in 2009.

The club has particularly strong community ties and runs a primary school league

for pupils in years 5 and 6 attending after-school clubs. Having boosted its

numbers following the Olympics, the club is broadening its appeal by launching a

satellite club at Didcot Girls School.

Club Treasurer Heather Coombs explained that :

"Clubmark is a quality accreditation for junior sports clubs, and applying for it

helped the us put the right procedures in place, like training a welfare officer and

preparing a development plan that will see us grow to 100 members in the next

three years. I would like to thank the Didcot Town Council for the grant aid award

that enabled us to purchase some equipment and pay for training for the coach.”

Club coach Serguei Terekhov commented that:

"I am proud of all of our players and especially our U12 squad who won their

matches through playing as a strong team. Working as a team is something our

youngest players learn at the mini-basketball academy, and I am very pleased to

see so many younger players joining us this year. Very few clubs offer basketball

coaching for under 9s but I think this shows we have a winning formula.

For more information see www.didcotdevils.org.

Pictured above are members of Didcot Devils under 12, under 14 and under 16 squads at a club 3 vs 3

tournament with coaches Serguei Terekhov (far left) and Peter Finnegan (far right). 11

The April meeting of the Didcot & District University of the Third Age will be meeting again at

2pm on Tuesday 16 April 2013 at Didcot Civic Hall. The topic will be The Berks, Oxon and

Bucks Air Ambulance.

U3As are self-help, self-managed lifelong learning co-operatives for older people no longer

in full time work, providing opportunities for their members to share learning experiences in

a wide range of interest groups and to pursue learning not for qualifications, but for fun.

A wide range of interest groups has already been set up including wine appreciation,

creative writing, walking, bridge, crafts, books, poetry, singing, photography and five

languages.

Tel: 07804159993 Email: didcotdistrictU3A@virginmedia.com

Website: http://u3asites.org.uk/didcot

Didcot & District University of the Third Age

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Didcot Civic Ball

The Didcot Civic Ball took place on Friday 22nd March. The event was attended by many local

residents who enjoyed a fabulous meal, an interesting

talk from Dr Peter Agulnik, founder of RESTORE and live

music from the Limitations.

Over £600 was raised for the Mayor’s charities which this

year are RESTORE and the Alzheimer's Society.

The ball takes place early each year so if you are interested

in coming along to the next one please contact Sue Atkins

on 01235 812637 or council@didcot.gov.uk

Wallingford Blues and Beer Festival will take place on Friday 7th and Saturday 8th June 2013. Real ales, ciders and bbq. Plus live music.

Tickets cost from £5 for Saturday afternoon only to £30 for the full weekend.

For more information go to www.bluesandbeer.co.uk

Annual Town Meeting

The Annual Town Meeting took place in the Civic Hall at

7.30pm on Tuesday 19th March. The meeting was attended

by Council members and staff and local residents.

SOLL Leisure recently won the contract to manage the

Willowbrook Leisure Centre for the next 10 years and

representatives from SOLL attended the meeting to talk about their plans for the future of

the Willowbrook.

The new Civic Hall manager, Rachael Spindler, spoke about her role and offered tours of

the hall after the meeting.

During the question and answer session there were some lively discussions regarding the

waste reception site in Sutton Courtenay, the Civic Hall finances, speeding along the

Abingdon Road and the Annual Art Exhibition to name just a few.

The minutes of the meeting, the Annual Report and Budget for 2013/2014 are all available

on the website www.didcot.gov.uk or on request from the council office. We can be

contacted on 01235 812637 or council@didcot.gov.uk.

Wanted - Volunteer Lock Keepers

The Environment Agency, which is the navigation authority for the Thames, would like to recruit volunteer lock keepers for 2013. Volunteers need to commit to assisting at least one day a week between May and the end of September.

Volunteers can agree their hours with lock keepers but need to be available at least from 11am to 5pm. Volunteers are particularly needed along the river between Reading and Lechlade.

Volunteering is a great way to meet people and to find out more about the Thames, its history, wildlife and management. Volunteer assistant lock keepers work alongside paid lock keepers, helping boats pass through the lock safely and with other tasks.

Volunteers are provided with some uniform and can claim mileage for travel to and from their lock

If you would like to find out more about volunteering on the Thames or would like to receive an information pack and application form, please contact the Volunteer team on 01491 828360 or email thames.volunteers@environment-agency.gov.uk

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The Oxfordshire Association for the Blind (OAB) is a local charity that helps blind and partially

sighted people and their carers.

OAB is the only charity which specifically focuses on providing services for visually impaired

people throughout the county with the help of the Campoli Centre, a brand new resource centre which opened in 2012.

The Campoli Centre offers the largest and most comprehensive drop-in centre in Oxfordshire

and displays a wide range of specialist equipment.

The increased space enables OAB to have a designated room for a counselling and support

service. OAB also offer a telephone advice and information service and information sessions

at local libraries. The Didcot and Wallingford group meet twice a month on Thursdays between

10.30am and 2.00pm at Manor Farm, Blakes Field. Coffee is provided on arrival and lunch is

available at a small cost.

The next one to be held in Didcot Library will be on Wednesday 8th May at 2pm. OAB staff will

be available and will demonstrating a small range of the available equipment.

Part of OAB’s vision is to work more closely with other local service providers, such as Age

UK Oxfordshire, to provide a new outreach service for visually impaired people in South

Oxfordshire. The group is very social with a regular quiz and outings twice a year. If you or

someone you know is interested in attending the group please contact Pam Organ on

01235 813391. Additionaly, OAB have a talking newspaper, DAWN, that covers the Didcot,

Abingdon and Wantage areas.

For more information about services provided by OAB please visit www.oxeyes.org.uk or

Email information@oxeyes.org.uk or call 01865 725595.

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The classic Oxfordshire bike ride and family fun day will

take place on Sunday 5th May on the Harwell Oxford Recreation

Ground between 10.30am and 4pm/ Free entry.

If you would like to take part there are routes from 12 miles (for families) to 70 miles . The

Family Fun Day includes children’s games and activities, Punch and Judy shows, food and

drink, a craft fair, licenced bar and Against Breast Cancer raffles.

Everyone is welcome to come and join in the fun, and you don’t have to arrive on your bike,

there is free parking available off of Fermi Avenue.

The money raised at the event will support Against Breast Cancer’s unique research in to the

secondary spread of breast cancer. It is our aim to find vital information to increase survival

after diagnosis and ultimately to discover a vaccine against breast cancer.

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What’s on @ the Civic Hall

Special Events in the Civic Hall On Wednesday 10th April the Newbury Building Society will be holding a talk for first time buyers, starting at 4pm. The University of the Third Age return on Tuesday 16th of April. The topic is the Berks, Oxon and Bucks Air Ambulance. The Harwell Philatelic Society will be holding a stamp fair on Sunday 21st of April from 10am.

New Regular Events Friday nights are band nights, the 3rd May sees the first of a new regular item in the Civic Hall calendar. This is a fantastic opportunity to see up and coming bands at a bargain price of just £3 each. Please note that 31st May is under 18s night and the bar will not be open.

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Didcot Town Council

All Saints Ward

Annie Birchall 07788 645989 c/o Didcot Town Council am.birchall@ntlworld.com

Nick Hards 01235 510146 184 Abingdon Road OX11 9BP nickjhards@aol.com

Jane Murphy 07970 932054 Bramley Cottage OX14 4DP janemurphy6@hotmail.com

Margaret Turner 01235 812958 18 Bosleys Orchard OX11 7NY maggieann.turner@talktalk.net

Robert Bulman 61 Oxford Crescent OX11 7AL

Ladygrove Ward

Tony Harbour 01235 810255 48 Prestwick Burn OX11 7UZ Tony.harbour@southandvale.gov.uk

Neville Harris 01235 511363 180 Abingdon Road OX11 9BP nevharl@aol.com

Chris Harrison 07531 025403 106 Wessex Road OX11 7SU chris.harrison.didcot@mail.com

Roger Hawlor 01235 519061 11 Haydon Road OX11 7JB rogerhawlor@yahoo.com.uk

Phil Hayward 01235 819799 19 Ouse Close OX11 7FE philhayward@live.co.uk

Bill Service 01235 510810 15 Nunney Brook OX11 7FW bill.service@hotmail.co.uk

Northbourne Ward

Andrew Bailey 07889 581635 c/o Didcot Town Council vfrbailey@aol.com

Bernard Cooper 01235 811806 1 Loyd Road OX11 8JX bcooper@ntlworld.com

Axel Macdonald 07425 176404 56 Campion Hall Drive OX11 9RN councilloraxel@gmail.com

Peter Read 01235 211754 6 East Street OX11 8EJ millliways@ntlworld.com

Scott Wilgrove 01235 812181 130 Wantage Road OX11 0AJ scott@wilgrove.net

Park Ward

Margaret Davies 01235 816496 15 Evenlode Drive OX11 7XG mldaviesbb@btinternet.com

Eleanor Hards 01235 510146 184 Abingdon Road OX11 9BP eleanorhards@aol.com

Des Healy 01235 212102 19 Collingwood Avenue OX11 0AL

Catherine Kiely 01235 811596 195 Broadway OX11 8RU cmekiely@yahoo.co.uk

John Moody 01235 210242 63 Norreys Road OX11 0AW Jmoody.dtc@virginmedia.com

Council and Committee meetings in April , May and June

2013

April

Planning and Development 3rd

Personnel and Administration 22nd

Planning and Development 24th

Finance and General Purposes 29th

May

Planning and Development 8th

Council (Annual Meeting) 13th

Finance and General Purposes 20th

June

Environment 3rd

Planning and Development 5th

Council 10th

Finance and General Purposes 24th

Planning and Development 26th

Staff

Dominic Stapleton Town Clerk

Karen Dodd Deputy Town Clerk

Brenda Andrews Outdoor Services Manager

Sharon Hickman Finance and Administration

Sue Atkins Information Centre Manager

Paul Copley Grounds Supervisor

Steve Andrews Gardener

Richard Dowling Gardener

Justin Strong Gardener

John Jones Gatekeeper

Neressa Copley Pavilion Cleaner

All meetings commence at 7.30pm and are

held in the Civic Hall unless otherwise

stated.

The Council operates a policy of public

participation at meetings. For more

Information please contact us.

Email: council@didcot.gov.uk or phone 01235 812637 or fax 01235 512837

or write to Didcot Town Council, Civic Hall, Britwell Road, Didcot, Oxon, OX11 7HN or visit

our website www.didcot.gov.uk..

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