It’s always busy with the Parish Council and the last few months have been no different to usual. Following are some of the areas we would like to provide an update or are looking for assistance. Firstly however, I would like to say that the Parish Council and many members of the community would like to wish our fellow Councillor and Vice Chair, Douglas Bamber, a speedy recovery after a recent illness. Since becoming a Councillor Douglas’ vast experience has been put to so much good use and he is sorely missed.

Funding for Sport
As result of the new houses which have been built by Cala Homes and the ones which will be built on Mount Owen Road, the village is due for some so-called 106 money, which the developers are obliged to give to the community to compensate for the impact of new houses.
Some of this money is earmarked for sport and the Parish Council has been carrying out a consultation exercise to find out which improvements residents would like to see at the Recreation Ground.
We are currently going through the responses but so far the most requested items are to improve facilities for young people and provide more to do for non-club members. We are therefore looking at developing the skate park, creating a new play area as well as an outdoor gym. We are also looking into the possibility of a new, floodlit, Astroturf, or similar multi-sport area and increasing the size of the pavilion.
The next step is to cost these and see if we can apply for additional grants. We can then draw up a plan of action, which will most likely be to build the new facilities one by one, rather than all at once, as this is how the funding will come in.

Bowls
When investigating how we could improve sports facilities in Bampton the subject of indoor carpet bowls was raised. This was also an item on the agenda back when the Recreation Ground was conceived so the Pavilion already has a mat and some bowls, and also the requisite space to set them up. However, the Trustees do not have the expertise or knowledge to start a club so if anybody reading this would like to see what we have and perhaps get a club going please do call the Clerk on 01993 851870 <tel:01993%208517870> soon.

Bampton Emergency Response Plan
The Parish Council updated its plan this year and distributed it with the last edition of the Beam in the summer. As the plan states an emergency situation is the responsibility of the Emergency Services, Oxfordshire County Council and West Oxfordshire District Council. The ERP has been drawn up to assist these organisations. Part of this help is to call out volunteers whose details are held confidentially by the Parish Council. At the moment we have around a dozen volunteers and we are looking to reinforce this band of helpers. We would like parishioners with skills such as plumbers, electricians, gas engineers, computer skills and owners of 4x4s, anything which can help in a difficult situation. If you don’t have these skills don’t be put off, we need people to help man the communications centre, check on vulnerable people within the community and of course making tea and serving refreshments.
If you think you can help please get in touch with the Parish Council;
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Neighbourhood Watch
This would not operate in the way that people historically think of Neighbourhood Watch with people looking out from behind twitching net curtains to see what is happening in their street. This would use modern technology to allow the police to feed out and take in information, designed to allow local people to be alerted to problems in an area as soon as the police are aware of it. This neighbourhood watch group would also feed information into a larger group, formerly the Neighbourhood Action Group, who covers the area which takes in Brize, Carterton, Burford, Clanfield and the villages towards the river at and around Radcot.
Once established it is thought that any group will run and co-ordinate themselves.
 In the first instance if people are interested they can make contact via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Christmas Fair
The Bampton Christmas Fair will be on Friday December 6th from 6 o’clock in the village square.
There will be carols, mulled wine, minced pies, roasted chestnuts, craft stalls and even a small band as well as the usual fair rides. The Christmas tree lights will be turned on at 6.30. Do come!

Neighbourhood Plan
The Parish Council is looking into developing a Neighbourhood Plan. This would enable us to have more say over future development in the village. The Plan would cover the whole Parish and take several years to complete. If anyone would like more information or has comments please email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Thank you in advance and wishing you all a happy festive season and prosperous 2020.