We’ll Meet Again – a joyous VE Day celebration in words and music – photos
Steeple Aston marked the 80th anniversary of VE DAY on the day itself, Thurday, 8th May, with a service in the church. Then on Saturday, 10th May locals gathered in the Village Hall for a sell-out celebration called We’ll Meet Again. Some serious words, lots of wonderful music and much laughter combined to make it a memorable village occasion.
The organiser Margaret Bulleyment reports:
Celebration, Commemoration and Reflection. It had finally arrived! The postponed 2020 VE celebration had transformed into the 80th anniversary party and villagers clad in red, white and blue, streamed into a bunting-adorned hall, clutching flags of all sizes, ready to party.
After a moment of reflection with Siegfried Sassoon’s, Reconciliation, read by Tina Ferguson, the most popular song of WWII – Lilli Marlene – warmed up the audience. Lorraine Vera Watling lead the singing, with Paul Herrington, honorary resident of SA, accompanying on the piano. This was the first of nine iconic musical numbers.
Paul Rodgers set the scene, reading Noel Coward’s Lie in the Dark and Listen, describing planes flying out the troops, while those responsible for the war, slept snugly below.
Stuart Cummins read the first of SAVA’s local stories, which included an evacuee, a civilian and a housewife. This one was personal, as Reggie, the airman writing the letter, stationed at Upper Heyford, was a friend of Stuart’s great-uncle. Reggie was ‘billeted’ in a hayloft, over the stables at Jersey Manor Farm, Somerton. Sadly, just weeks later, Reggie was dead, and by the end of the war, two more of his friends and Stuart’s great-uncle, Denis, had also given their lives.
A brisk Run, Rabbit Run followed and then WI members dotted around the hall, performed Cathy Lawday’s wonderful Don’t Underestimate the WI! in which the ladies described their many wartime activities to Mr. Hitler. The climax where they brandished their various props – including hammers, saucepans and onions, would have scared anyone.
Next came a disgraceful episode in which an inebriated Private Brewer tried to persuade Sgt. Vaughan ‘Smeck’ to tuck him up in bed, just like his mother. In the end, both soldiers retired to their respective beds with a teddy and a dolly.
From the ridiculous to the sublime, A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square – a lovely performance from Vera – took us to a magical world far beyond smoggy London – and sunny France, where it was written.
The audience now had to sing for its sausage rolls, in The Quartermaster Store. Please note there was no ‘cheese with shocking dirty knees’ offered in the interval.
The second half began with a soaring version of Eric Coates, Dambusters’ March, for which Paul Herrington received thunderous applause.
The White Cliffs of Dover changed the mood entirely. All the evening’s songs had been written just before, or during the war, so ‘Tomorrow when the world is free,’ was a hope, not a certainty.
The hall was getting livelier, as Nigel and Kay Francis skilfully demonstrated The Lambeth Walk, before others joined them on stage for a stompin’ performance. Oi!
Stuart returned, to give us some wartime recipes, far more stomach-churning than anything in The Quartermaster Store.
A bellringer is not just for Christmas, the audience was reminded, as the Handbell Ringers struck up a jaunty medley of wartime favourites, for more hum-a-long and sing-a-long.
The party climax, the Elgarian There’ll Always be an England, came with the instruction to raise roofs in Deddington, but by the end, flags a-waving, Banbury was suffering.
After plaudits to participants and helpers, there were special thanks to Lorraine and Paul (without whom the event could not have happened.) The final thanks went to Barbara Brewer, who was attending a Village Hall event for the last time, as Chair of the VH Committee.
The final song, We’ll Meet Again – says it all. It was joyous!
For lots more wonderful photos from Nigel Francis, please go to the Photogallery. Click on the first photo to enlarge and then navigate by using the arrows.
Local election results send a confusing message
In the local elections on May 1st, villagers elected a new Oxfordshire County Councillor, and a new Cherwell District Councillor, both for the Deddington ward – and both for different parties.
In the county council election, voters followed the trend in Oxfordshire electing Gareth Epps as our new Liberal Democrat representative. He defeated the sitting Tory Arash Fatemian who had been on the council since 2009 and represented Deddington since 2013.
Councillor Epps says: “Thank you to all those who we chatted to on the doorstep. I’m delighted to have been elected as the county councillor for the Astons, Deddington, Heyford Park and the surrounding villages. I’m very happy to take up any issues or try and answer concerns residents may have.” His email address is gareth.epps@oxfordshire.gov.uk
Another notable loser was Eddie Reeves, leader of the Conservative opposition on the county council, who is also one of our Deddington district councillors. He keeps that job but failed to win back his Cropredy seat as the Tories lost more than half their county counsellors. The Liberal Democrats have now taken control of Oxfordshire County Council with a majority for the first time.
The vote for a new district councillor was a by-election caused by the resignation of Councillor Andrew McHugh. Here the Conservative candidate managed to buck the trend and was elected with a large majority. She is Zoe McLernon, a former Bicester Town Councillor and caseworker for Victoria Prentis, the previous local MP and now member of the House of Lords.
She says: ” I’m Zoe McLernon, the new Cherwell District Councillor for the Deddington Ward, alongside your existing councillors, David Rogers and Eddie Reeves. I live in Hook Norton with my fiancé and dog and know Steeple Aston very well.
I’ve worked in the transport sector (mainly rail) for several years and have lived in Oxfordshire all my life (minus university and a stint living in Europe). Please do get in touch with me if you have any concerns or questions. The best way of contacting me is by email. I don’t have my CDC email address set up yet so for now, please use zoe.mclernon94@gmail.com.”
The full results are as follows:
Oxfordshire County Council – Deddington Ward
Gareth Epps Liberal Democrats 1050 Elected
Arash Fatemian Conservatives 870
Paul Yoward Reform UK 637
Sian Tohill-Martin Labour Party 273
Aaron James Bliss Green Party 249
Electorate 7765 Turnout 39.8%
Cherwell District Council – Deddington Ward
Zoe McLernon Conservatives 1560 Elected
Nick Mylne Liberal Democrats 916
Helen Oldfield Labour Party 478
Aaron James Bliss Green Party 370
Electorate 7673 Turnout 44.34%
Environmental survey shows most concern for nature
Steeple Aston Environment and Sustainability Committee recently surveyed villagers about their priorities for future action. They found that they care most about ‘nature, habitats and environment’.
Steeple Aston Parish Council established its Environment and Sustainability Committee (ESC) in 2022. The committee works to secure a sustainable future for the village and its residents.
In its short life, the committee has succeeded in accelerating the introduction of a 20mph limit to the village, enabled residents to identify energy savings through the loan of a thermal camera, and made wide-ranging contributions to the (badly delayed) Mid-Cherwell Neighbourhood Plan. They are currently exploring the potential to install public EV chargers in the village.
But they say they need to do more, so surveyed villagers to help to decide their priorities for the future.
Carl Tomlinson, the Chair of the Committee reports on the results:
We have had 34 replies to our survey. This is a summary of the key points:
Nine respondents (26%) were not aware we exist as a committee. The average awareness of our work was 5/10.
We asked the respondents to prioritise seven areas of activity for the committee.
Based on the top three priorities for each respondent, it is clear that respondents feel that ‘nature, habitats and environment’ are the most important priority, followed by climate change resilience and reducing energy consumption.
Water management and sustainable transport probably edge sustainable food consumption and production into last place over the survey as a whole.
We will be using this information to guide our future activities.
Revised MCNP Plan open for consultation
From the Mid-Cherwell Neighbourhood Plan Forum:
We’re pleased to inform you that the Review of the Mid-Cherwell Neighbourhood Plan has now been published, and we would welcome your comments and feedback on it. The Consultation remains open until Friday, 23rd May 2025. Please click here to go to the consultation website.
The updated Plan includes several important new planning policies, including the allocation of housing sites in some of the villages, aimed at meeting the needs of local people. There are also policies protecting the Mid-Cherwell environment, its landscape and biodiversity, and we’ve added more Local Green Spaces and more Local Gaps for protection from possible future development.
We want to know what you think about the new Plan: we have tried to make it as easy as possible for you to respond with our online questionnaire. If you prefer to use email or post to respond, a downloadable form is available on the website.
We have also printed a limited number of copies of the Plan document – your Parish Clerk has copies of these if you would like to see one. Copies will also be available at Deddington, Bicester and Banbury Libraries.
Thank you
MCNP Forum
Lots of new talent on show for Spring
Vicky Clifton, Show Secretary writes:
Sunday 23rd March saw the first show of the year for the Steeple Aston and Middle Aston Horticultural Society . With 80 exhibitors entering over 300 exhibits, the Village Hall was brimming with Spring blooms, blossom and talents. We had lots of new names taking part and quite a lot of change in the cup winners. Please do take a look at the results. I am always delighted when children transition from their age category in to the territory of the ‘adult’ divisions and win prizes – full credit to them for taking the plunge, certainly keeps us old timers on our toes. Sadly there were a few classes that had no entries at all, so next year, if you have a cactus or spring planters please do take part and enter them, it all adds to a beautiful display.
Whilst we as a committee enjoy a few days rest, we’re already formulating some exciting plans for our Summer Show on Bank Holiday Monday 25th August. The schedule for this event is already live here and printed paper copies will be available in the village shop from the end of July. If you’d like one sooner please get in touch. Email vmcstedman@btinternet.com
Once again thank you to all that took part and came along to the show during the afternoon.
Spring Show 2025 photos. Many thanks to Nigel Francis. Click on the first picture to enlarge and then scroll through using the arrows.
Poppies on display in the church for VE Day
Around 3,000 poppies made by villagers were on display in the church for the VE Day service on Thursday, 8th May.
Adults and children, including members of the WI and the Valentine Club, and the Brownies and many more, have been making poppies which will be displayed in a commemorative cascade from the church tower for Remembrance Day in November. Pupils at Dr Radcliffe’s School made their own poppies which were attached to the pillars in the church.
Members of the Poppy Committee have been busy attaching the poppies to a net which will form part of the cascade. Their progress so far will be on display in the church for the special service of remembrance and gratitude on Thursday, 8th May to mark 80 years since the end of the war in Europe,
Committee member Merrill Bayley reports: “The end of April count for the poppies has inched up to 2,840 and we are pleased to say ‘and we are still counting’.
“We have a temporary pause in sewing on poppies whilst the work done so far goes on display in the Church for VE Day. We have sewn poppies on the netting down to 28 feet and 20” wide. However, for the actual cascade we will be widening as we descend!
“This photo shows the work rolled up and ready to be taken to the Church for VE Day.”
Once the VE celebrations are over they’ll be collecting more poppies for the November display. If you’d like to contribute, patterns, wool and needles are available in the Poppy Box in the Church.
If you need any help or information, please contact the members of the committee: Eileen (eileen@baglinjones.com) Hildy, Kay or Merrill (01869 347802, merrill.bayley@gmail.com).
Time to report those pesky potholes
Graham Porcas, our local pothole expert, writes:
Now the weather is starting to improve we can get on with tidying up after winter and fixing potholes again.
In Steeple Aston we use the Fix My Street system and as your Parish Council was an early supporter of the scheme we are well established with the Highway Authority and are very fortunate to have excellent support from them to get defects fixed quickly. But how does it work?
The FMS system is very effective, either go online and enter details of any potholes yourself or contact Cathy, our parish clerk, with details which she will pass on to me.
I am what is referred to as an FMS SuperUser and can then carry out the necessary checks to make sure the pothole can be repaired using what is now the standard cut and fill repair process. Provided it complies with the criteria then I can directly action the repair by council contractors without requiring a highways department inspection making the process quick and simple.
Repairs will then be made within 28 days, usually much less, the record is same day!
When filling in the FMS report please try and keep the details concise and most importantly accurate, exaggerating the severity of the problem does not help, nor does making extravagant claims or wild accusations, short and simple is best and will ensure the quickest response.
The minimum criteria for a fault to be actioned on the FMS system is that it must be more than 40mm deep and at least 150mm across, if less then it will not count although we do have other facilities for filling less severe defects in special cases. If you believe that yours is one of these special cases then please let Cathy know rather than wasting an FMS report as if it does not comply it will be rejected immediately.
Let’s get reporting!
Contact Parish Clerk, Cathy Fleet on 07989 398 838 or email parishclerk.steepleaston@gmail.com