Upper Brailes, Lower Brailes & Surrounding Community - One Village.

Brailes Village Hall & Brailes Sports Pavilion

Hire either hall for Clubs & Events, see Diary & bookings.

The Village Hall diary - how to hire & more info

Sports Pavilion diary

To book call/email Lisa Bryan Tel: 01608 685 437 mobile: 07800 771368 email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Tee Time Thursdays

Every Thursday in May Feldon Valley will be offering non members the opportunity to play our 18 hole par 71 course at greatly reduced green fees;

7.00am - 9.00am at £10.00 per golfer
9.00am - 11.00am at £20.00 per golfer
11.00am - 2.00pm at £30.00 per golfer and
2.00pm - 5.00pm at £10.00 per golfer

Please call the Pro Shop on 01608 685 633 to book your slot or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Place are limited and booked on a first come first served basis.

"GARDENING TIPS AND ADVICE"

MAY BRINGS FLOCKS OF PRETTY LAMBS

SKIPPING BY THEIR FLEECY DAMS

Dont forget to check it out and Thank you to Stuart and Mick for keeping our section going so well .

Happy Gardening................And dont forget to listen out for The Cuckoo!!!

See Micks tips for now or the month ahead

Brailes & Winderton Parish Council Action Plan

We are pleased to invite you on

Saturday 26th May 2012

to Brailes Sports Pavilion

The findings and results of the Action Plan survey will be on display during the day for two sessions 9.30am – 11.30am and 1.30pm – 3.30pm.

There will be a presentation at 10.30am and 2.30pm

Please call in during these sessions, to see what you had to say

AGM

ON MONDAY 21 MAY 2012 AT 7.30PM

IN BRAILES VILLAGE HALL

ALL WELCOME

We are especially looking for a Vice Chair or if you would just like to be part of the Management Committee and help with this vital Village facility

PLEASE CONTACT

CHRIS RIGHTON ON 01608 685345

BEDLINGTON TERRIER ASSOCIATION INVITES YOU TO
Bedlington Terrier and Lurcher
Fun Day For All Breeds
Specials for Bedlingtons & Lurchers
at Brailes Village Hall, Nr Banbury OXON OX15 5AS
Sunday May 20th 2012 Commencing 10am

Weekend Camping Friday-Monday £5 a night

3 Working Bedlington Classes and 3 Working Lurcher Classes
BOB rosette for Best Bedlington and for Best Lurcher
Trophy Awarded for overall Winner and BIS

Lurcher and Terrier Simulated Coursing
Lurcher and Terrier Timed Sprint Racing
Rosettes to all the winners and prize money for the sprint winners.

Beginners Bedlington Terrier show 3 Classes open to KC registered dogs and handlers
who have not won a first prize any championship show
(Dogs do not have to be in show trim)

Lots of Events and Competitions Open To All Dogs
Agility, Basic Obedience Comp (trophy to the winner) Good Citizen Bronze Test,
Races, Competitions, Games, Fancy Dress, Best Veteran
Hot and cold homemade food served all day

Entry Fee Adults £1 ~ Children Free

Full details on the BTA Website or contact
Mrs J. Hurley, The BTA Secretary, 01980 862600

Interested in playing Cricket this summer?

Sibford Gower CC are looking for players. For more information see the Sports page.

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THE QUEEN'S DIAMOND JUBILEE

CELEBRATIONS PROPOSED FOR BRAILES

SATURDAY 2ND JUNE TO TUESDAY 5TH JUNE 2012

SUNDAY 3RD JUNE - UNITED SERVICE ST. GEORGE'S 11AM

THE JUBILEE JAMBOREE IN JUNE

THE FOLLOWING ARE THE CURRENT PLANS

BANK HOLIDAY MONDAY 4TH JUNE - STARTING AT 4PM IN BRAILES VILLAGE HALL A PRODUCTION BY BRAILES DRAMA CLUB

MUSIC AND SKETCHES THROUGH THE DECADES

FOLLOWED BY A PICNIC ON THE FIELD FROM 6PM - PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN FOOD AND DRINKS ETC

GAMES ON THE FIELD, 5 A SIDE FOOTBALL, ROUNDERS, SKITTLES ETC

LOCAL MUSICIANS

BEACONS

THE PLAN THEN IS TO LIGHT THREE BEACONS AROUND THE VILLAGE BETWEEN 10 AND 10.30PM TBC

BANK HOLIDAY TUESDAY 5TH JUNE

AN ORGANISED WALK IN/FROM BRAILES

CAN YOU HELP?

The Drama Club needs donations or loans of (clean) clothing and props to reflect the decades 1950's to the present day; also they need black and white (rigid i.e. folding but not collapsible) normal sized (i.e. not golf) black and white umbrellas. In additional we need material (oddments) for making bunting red, white and blue.

LET'S MAKE BRAILES COLOURFUL IN YOUR GARDEN FOR THE JUBILEE WITH A RED, WHITE AND BLUE THEME

ANY QUESTIONS: PLEASE CONTACT JOHN CRITCHLOW ON 01608 685293 OR SUSAN GILKES ON 01608 686248 MANY THANKS

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I am a Brailes girl born and bred but now live in Herefordshire (perhaps a bit too old to be called 'girl' ) my parents are Charlie & Mary Cuthbert of Jeffs Close. I have a photo of Springfield Lodge (we used to live there when I was growing up.) There are a couple stood outside who my mum thinks worked for the people in the big house. Mum also thinks the couples name is Sharpe, and is probably the great great grandad of mums friend Thelma, she is not 100% on that though. I have attached photo but if you would like the original to copy please let me know.
Best Wishes
Julia Parsons
PS The Brailes village website is brilliant and brought back a lot of memories.

Shipston Safer Neighbourhood Team -- Safer-neighbourhoods.co.uk

[Message from Warwickshire Police]
Alarms for heating oil containers
In the Shipston area we have seen an increase in heating oil thefts. Heating oil is now being used as a fuel subsitute for vehicles. Alarms are a great way of altering you if anyone tampers with the tank and may prevent thefts. We are aware that heating oil is expensive and we want to give you some crime prevention ideas. Below are some links below that may prevent your oil from being stolen.

Oil Tank Security – Oil Tank Alarm

Fuel Tank Security System Oil Alarms

Watchman ALARM :: wireless remote oil tank level gauge & combined oil theft alarm

Please CLICK HERE for the latest Shipston SNT Newsletter

Link to Shipston Safer Neighbouhood Team

BRAILES GARDENING CLUB

We meet at 7.30 p.m. on the third Thursday in the month
During the year there are talks and in the warmer lighter months of the year we usually arrange some garden visits.

We are a small club needing to grow
New members and visitors are always welcome to our meetings
Please come along to see what it’s all about.
You do not need to be an accomplished gardener to benefit and enjoy our meetings

Contact. Julia Stirman 01608 686 776

Click here for forthcoming Gardening trips in 2012

The Banbury WEA is a charity which runs adult educational courses and we have the following courses on offer:
Detective in Fiction - Literacy Course - Tuesday 1st May 2012 for 6 weeks, 7pm – 9pm Fee: £ 47.40
Six Oxfordshire Guided Walks Course - Saturday for 6 weeks Saturday 26th May 2012, Fee: £47.40

We also hope to have further courses, please contact Jenny if you would like to be told about new courses coming this Summer. Description of courses are on our website.

For further information ring Jenny Gough on 01295 690326 or ring the branch mobile on 07711855890 or visit the website http://banburywea.moonfruit.com

Parish Plan Surveys 2011

Thank you to everybody in the village who has completed and returned the Parish Plan Survey Questionnaires. So far 84% have been returned or collected which is an outstanding repines. We are aware there are a few still outstanding so don't panic if you still have one. Somebody should be round to collect. Analysis has already started and we expect to have a revised Parish Plan available in Spring 2012.

For more information on the Parish Plan contact Duncan Bailey on 685471

WOULD YOU LIKE TO KEEP BEES?

A lot of people keep bees because they produce honey, one of the healthiest and most natural foods and one which has been valued by man since prehistory as a sweetener. Others keep bees because they are interested in the study of bees and of their habits; bees are fascinating creatures and there is always something new to learn about them. With no means of dealing with the varroa mite that is now present in all UK honey bee colonies, a feral honey bee nest is unlikely to remain viable for more than a couple of seasons. With the help of beekeepers it is only managed colonies that can survive to carry out the essential pollination our food crops. Beekeeping is an enjoyable open air hobby bringing you in contact with people from all walks of life. Bees can be kept by almost everyone except a very small minority who are allergic to bee stings.

Shipston Beekeepers

Are holding an “Introduction to Beekeeping” day on Saturday 14th April at the Old Free School, Brailes OX15 5HT.

The day will deal with the basics of beekeeping for the complete beginner or those with very limited experience of this craft.
Arrive at 09.30 for coffee prior to a prompt 10.00 start.

Refreshments and a light lunch are included in the day’s price of £30. The event is scheduled to finish at 15.30 approx.
Contact Douglas Nethercleft on 01295 680041 or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it to book your place. Numbers are limited

Two coaches travelled from Warwick to Windsor in aid of 'Help for Heroes' and stopped at the George in Brailes for refreshments last Thursday morning at about 11.30. Quite a few locals turned out to see them.

by John Harding see the other photos, click here

Brailes Cider Press Restored, read on.........

A dusty barn in Brailes was the scene of much merriment this week as a piece of history was brought to life thanks to the dedication of villagers who were determined to restore their two hundred year old cider press which had lain rotting away in a hedge. The Brailes Press had been used for generations by families around the village who brought their apples to be crushed for cider but in the late 1970’s the press had started to fall into disrepair and was eventually left in a field.

But the local garage owner, Ian Haycock was determined to rescue the machine and put it back to good use. Now he’s hoping this will be the start of the revival of the traditional November Cider Fortnight “People used to bring their apples to be crushed for next year’s cider and they’d also bring a bit of last year’s cider for tasting it was very sociable and not without a bit of rivalry, we’d love to bring that back to Brailes.”



It’s taken four years of hard work to get the old press and the scratting machine, which pulps the apples, back to full working order and it’s been done by Ian, his sons and friends around the village including 16 year old Sam Inns who worked with his father to get replace the rotting base of the press and its engine. Although officially, he’s too young to drink it, Sam is vital in keeping that tradition of cider making going. “It’s just important, people should remember how things are made and that you don’t just have to buy it in a supermarket. You can make it.”



One man who knows that is Will Spencer from Preston on Stour who filled two forty gallon barrels in his trailer with the apples from his orchard. “It really is wonderful, my family farmed here so I know that my great, great grandfather used this very press and it’s incredible that now I can use it for the purpose it was made for.” It’s been a couple of years of trial and error getting the recipe right as his friends, Clifford Lane and David Thompkinson from Preston pointed out. “Well the first years cider wasn’t too good we called it Preston old Squitter but it’s getting better.” “Yes the next one was The Sleeper, that’s because we kept finding him in the field and you could tell it was good because the donations box was full of IOU’s.”



For this season’s cider, everyone took turns to twist the levers that press the weights onto the mats filled with apple pulp and the juice flooded out. In the past, hunks of meat were put into cider barrels to get the fermentation going but now most prefer to just add a bit of sugar and leave the rest to fate. The cider won’t be ready for drinking until next spring and traditionally you open the barrel when you hear the first cuckoo but for Ian Haycock the most important thing is keeping the skills our forefathers had and passing them on to our children. “It’s so easy to lose something like this, parts of our heritage disappear every day but I know that that this press can keep on going. I’d like to see it being used by my grandchildren and their children and then their grandchildren too, there’s no reason why it shouldn’t.”

The Brailes Cider Press is open to the public this Sunday 30th October between 2-4pm at Manor Farm, Castle Hill, Upper Brailes. People can bring their own apples to crush and need to bring containers for the juice.

STOUR VALLEY WILDLIFE ACTION GROUP
WEBSITE www.stourvalleywildlifeactiongroup.org

Monthly winter ordering is back in progress! Last winter the Brailes Oil Syndicate saved its members collectively over £17000!
With savings of up to 6p per litre can you afford to miss out?
Join now and start saving. Tell your friends & neighbours, the more people we have join ...the bigger the orders ...the bigger the savings!

Did I mention it's FREE to join?

Click here for details on how to join the Syndicate. Also have a look at the Frequently Asked Questions page.

Regular orders start again this month so join today.
email orders to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it / phone orders taken by Margaret Pogmore (685260).

PLEASE NOTE NEW START TIME OF 9.15AM - DROP THE KIDS AT SCHOOL AND JOIN THE PARTY EARLY!

"DITCH THE WORKOUT AND JOIN THE PARTY"

ZUMBA CLASSES
9.15am IN BRAILES VILLAGE HALL
FOR DETAILS CONTACT RACHEL TAME ON 01608 664424 or find us on facebook SHIPSTON ZUMBA for details of other classes available to

Brailes History Group

Were you a member? Do you know anyone who was a member?
Follow this link to see what's being organised by the

Warwickshire Local History Society

Fostering

The W C C Young People and Families Directorate are constantly trying new ways to recruit foster carers in order to meet the needs of children and young people who require support at different times in their lives.
If you feel you could help and want to know more telephone 01926 746956

Old Brailes Photographs

Could this be the same Mr Jeffs who sold the land for "Jeff's Close" to be built?

Thanks you for finding and sending in these wonderful images of Brailes

Please send your images to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or old photos in person to Jane Bennett to be copied/scanned & returned. For us all to enjoy Brailes & its past. Look at all our old pictures can you help us find more to add to this site? Brailes Old Photos

Lower Brailes, Upper Brailes, Winderton, Sutton under Brailes, Shutford, Cherrington, Stourton, Aylesmore

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