Death
road speed cut demanded
 THE speed limit on the A4074 between Crowmarsh
and Benson could be slashed from 70 m.p.h. if concerned residents
get their way.
And further changes could be made to the new traffic island
at the Benson Lane junction after county councillor Tony
Crabbe claimed it had not been built to ‘satisfactory
safety standards’.
Worried residents branded the stretch of road, which last
year claimed the life of Benson teenager Abigail Haythorne,
a ‘death trap’ at Benson Parish Council’s
annual meeting last week.
One villager said: “It is an accident waiting to happen,
a death trap. Something needs to be done — cars are
going much too fast on that road.”
Speaking to the audience at the parish hall, Cllr. Crabbe,
recently named Oxfordshire County Council chairman, said: “I
think the speed limit by the marina should be as low 30 m.p.h.
It is a fast road.
“ The traffic island acts like a sharp chicane, and could be
dangerous.
“
I wasn’t consulted on the scheme, and had I been I
would not have been particularly complimentary. The area
engineer also didn’t find it appropriate, and is now
doing a review at my request.
“ It is there to help the increasing number of passengers using
the bus but, as I see it, things have been made safer for
20 or 30 bus users a day and more dangerous for thousands
of car users
“ All we can do now is hope to improve it, and make it safer.”
The audience passed a resolution for the parish council to
examine the speed limits on the road.
Art
therapy boost for care home residents
Residents
at Watlington and District Care Home have picked up their
paintbrushes and discovered their artistic
side under a new scheme called ‘art therapy’.
After input from Maria Parson, a specialist consultant in
dementia care, the home launched the initiative to give residents
confidence and boost their recovery.
So successful was the scheme, run under the watchful eye
of artist Moira McCarthy, the home held an art exhibition
to showcase the work. A care home spokesman said: “It
has been an absolute joy to see the reactions of the residents
and what they have achieved, and how this makes them feel.
“
The most amazing part is the work which has been produced.
But another interesting aspect has been how the residents’ confidence
has developed and the impact it has had on what they are
able to do.”
Explosive
theme for science youngsters
Budding scientists at Watlington Primary School
showcased their talents last week at an explosive science
day.
Parents had the chance to visit an array of stalls where
youngsters were embarking on various scientific journeys.
Budding scientists - the reception class at Watlington Primary
School
Some created volcanoes by mixing vinegar and baking soda,
while others tested the absorbency of rocks. Heat conductors,
insulation and just how much watercress needs to grow were
also examined.
Excitement mounts as pupils prepare to tackle an explosive
subject
Youngsters were placed in groups in the morning and had to
carry out research, and make predictions about the experiments.
Using laptops to chart the results, pupils were able to draw
conclusions as the day went on.
Head teacher Angela Briggs said: “It was a fantastic
day, and the pupils all did extremely well. They seemed
to have lots of fun and learn plenty of important science.”
Pupils
'grow their own' to boost healthy eating
Lewknor
Primary School has launched a new ‘kitchen
garden’ in a drive to give pupils a hands-on experience
of healthy eating.
The school has teamed up with nearby organic farmer Charles
Bennett to give youngsters a vivid demonstration of food ‘beyond
the supermarket shelf’.
Pupils at work on the kitchen garden
Parents and volunteers stripped out two large flower beds
and prepared the soil for planting earlier this year. Since
then children have been busy sowing and planting seeds every
Friday and at the after school nature club.
And the first signs of growth were beginning to show when
Mr. Bennett formerly opened the gardens last week.
Organic farmer Charles Bennett opens the kitchen garden
The
school’s eco-work is supported by the Lewknor Chiltern
Gateway Project, which aims to promote care for the environment
both locally and globally. Project worker Jane Pendlenton
led much of the initial work, helping staff and pupils pinpoint
what needs to be done to boost the school’s eco
credentials.
Pupils have launched a blitz on any energy wasting, and
launched monthly eco
assemblies and an ‘eco calendar’.
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