I HAVE received a timely message from my Neighbourhood Watch. Following a number of vehicle break-ins in many diverse parts of the village last Tuesday and Wednesday, please be extra vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the Control Room on 01296 396000 and if possible keep your car in a locked garage. There is also a reminder about some dubious doorstop selling involving home security systems do not allow entry unless you are sure you want to buy.

MARJORIE Johnston has found one all-correct entry in her Christmas cryptic quiz. Sue Barrington of Oxford was the winner but the Baptist Missions will receive over £350 from the sale of quiz sheets.

IF you have just received your Village News sheet you will already know that the Health News previously distributed by the Health Supporters Group will in future be amalgamated with the Village News. Doctors and Health Centre staff appreciate the value of regular information being published and it is expected that volunteers who had distributed the Health Supporters News will be asked to assist with the distribution of the Village News. This will make the job less time-consuming for all concerned.

WHEN Michael Whitney resigned from the parish council it looked as though the outing to Haddenham, Cambridgeshire, would be in jeopardy again (last year it was cancelled due to the Foot and Mouth epidemic). The Village Society were unable to find an organiser but the Parish Clerk, Gill Dudley, has come forward as a volunteer. The date is fixed for May 12, and Gill will soon have details available.

GRANTS totalling £1,200 have been awarded by the parish council to local groups and support agencies. £75 has been given to assist the newly-formed U3A group. A proposed grant of £200 to the Health Centre has been held over until the future of the newsletter has been decided. An offer of a grant to the Fish Scheme, which provided transport for the elderly and disabled, was declined as the group has sufficient funds.

YOU may be puzzled over the date (Tuesday, February 4) given in the Village Newsletter for the refuse freighter at Banks Park. I have spoken with AVDC refuse department who assure me that the freighter will come on Monday, February 4, from midday to 3.30pm.

THE Safe Walking and Cycling Group is requesting the county council to put signposts on the Cobwebs and Pond Close footpaths indicating the distances to their destinations. For instance, the distance from the railway bridge at Pond Close to Kingsey is 0.8 miles. I didn't know that.

THE Parish Council, in its annual plan for 2002/3, is to include a provision for improving existing street lighting, more trees to be planted and others replaced, the provision of Dragons Teeth at entrances to the village to discourage speeding, and the provision of an information board at Banks Pond.

A TOY sale is being organised by Year Two at St Mary's School today, from 3pm to 4.30pm. It is in aid of the Blue Peter Wheel Appeal.

MONDAY, February 4, at 7.30pm see democracy at work the parish council meets in the Walter Rose Room at the Village Hall.

By Joyce Davis