News and Aticles

9 - CRIMESTOPPERS

CRIMESTOPPERS Crimestoppers is a national charity providing a telephone line where members of the public can give information they have regarding crimes they have committed. Although it is a national telephone number it is answered within each police force area. Information is given anonymously and then passed to the relevant police station for action. As result ofo calls to Crimestoppers since its launch in 1994 to 2006, 2838 people have been arrested in West Mercia. In 2006 we received 1838 calls and 258 people were arrested and charged. Callers to Crimestoppers are offered the opportunity of a reward for information which leads to the arrest and charge of someone. The reward is also paid anonymously. The public can help by ensuring they know the Crimestoppers number and publicise this to their friends, family, work colleagues etc.

The telephone number to call with information is West Mercia Crimestoppers 0800 555 111

1. NEW SERVICES AT OXON CHURCH

In July 2008 the Parochial Church Council of Oxon Church began a review and consultation of the Sunday worship services. The reasons for this were; we are an ageing congregation, there is a need to consider how best to nurture the congregation and serve the community and a variety of service styles at the 10.30am service, week by week, causes confusion and can inhibit growth. After taking advice from Lichfield Diocese and conducting a consultation with the existing congregation, the PCC have agreed the following course of action:

· With immediate affect the 9.00am Service will be a Traditional BCP Communion Service every week. The 10.30am service will become a weekly Modern Communion service. The first Sunday of the month will be a specially adapted Family Communion Service.

· From the 1st January 2010 the times of the services will be half an hour earlier: 8.30am. Traditional BCP Style Communion every Sunday. 10.00am Modern Communion with the first Sunday of the month being a Family Communion.

3 Christ Church Shelton and Oxon Building Repair Appeal.

The background to our appeal was urgent unforeseen repair work. This was needed in three area's of the Church. All three if not repaired would deteriorate and possibly cause further damage and would definitely cost more to repair at a later date.

Windows.
We had three stained glass windows damaged by vandals who made several holes and cracks in each window. All have have been restored and refitted back into their frames. The Church had to pay an insurance excess. The remainder was paid by our insurance policy.

Roof. The South side of the roof had a major leak. A close up visual inspection by both architect and builder discovered a similar potential leak on the North side. So one leak turned into two. It was decided to repair both sides of the roof thus reducing the cost of having to pay for two lots of scaffolding rather than one. In addition while repairing the roof a major crack was found on the South Wall, along with several loose coping stones. Also the Bell chain was found to have serious rusting problems and was worn to paper clip thickness. These repairs obviously had to be addressed before the chain broke and became unusable.

Carpets. When the Font was removed from the rear of the Church to the front it left a large area un-carpeted, efforts were made to secure the edges of the remaining carpet to the floor, sadly all un-successful. As the area was in the main entrance of the Church and heavily used, it posed a real "Trip Hazard" therefore had to be replaced. An order has been placed with a local company and hopefully by the time you read this article the carpet will have been laid.

All the above work could not have been carried out without the financial support of all those people who contributed to the appeal. The figure reached on Monday 30th Aug was Ł3900.00. A very sincere thanks to all who contributed to the amount needed to carry out these important repairs to "Your Church". We still have a way to go before we reach our target, and should any readers like to make a donation this can be made either by handing it to either Church Wardens: Ann Hartley or Syd Hopgood or any member of the PCC on a Sunday morning.

Alternatively, send your donation (Cheques only please) to "Revd. Sue Caddy, Oxon Vicarage, Shelton Gardens, Bicton Heath, SY3 5AG" payable to "PCC Christ Church Shelton and Oxon".

Once again thank you all for the generous financial support you have shown during this appeal. Syd Hopgood Church Warden

2 - CHURCH SERVICES TO BE HELD AT THE SCOUT HEADQUARTERS, RAD VALLEY ROAD

Oxon Church are holding occasional services at the Scout Headquarters on Rad Valley Road. The following information gives dates, times and styles of service. Everyone is welcome.

ALL SERVICES ARE ON A SUNDAY AND WILL BEGIN AT 3.00PM

27TH SEPTEMBER - HARVEST

1ST NOVEMBER - ALL SAINTS (REMEMBERING OUR LOVED ONES WHO HAVE DIED)

13TH DECEMBER - CHRISTMAS CAROL SERVICE

4 - Community Regeneration

Bowbrook, Copthorne and Radbrook Area Local Joint Committee

Hello

I am the Community Regeneration Officer responsible for the above area.

Our next meeting will take place at 7 PM on Wednesday 21.10.09 at Radbrook Primary School, Calverton Way, Radbrook. SY3 6DZ. This is an opportunity for residents and local organisations to meet and speak with Councillors and Officers and highlight priorities for your area. Funding is available to support and address these priorities and I will be available to assist and advise with the process.

Anyone interested in their local community is encouraged to attend and have their say. For more information regarding your Local Joint Committee please visit the web site at www.shropshire.gov.uk or contact the Community Working Team for Shropshire Council on 01743 253077.

Gwyn Bevan,Community Working Team, Shropshire Council, The Shirehall, Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury, Shropshire. SY2 6ND.

Tel: 01743 253077. e mail gwyn.bevan@shropshire.gov.uk

5 - THE CHURCH HALL REGAINS IT'S SHINE

School Hall Floor In the summer of 2007 our School Hall Floor was re-varnished by volunteers as part of a complete redecoration plan. The floor had decades of floor polish and varnish caked into the real Oak floor panels. After many days of hard, manual, back breaking work, the team produced a wonderful finished floor a credit to them all.

Now in Aug 2009 that same floor was in need of a couple of coats of varnish to maintain its pristine look and preserve its integrity. "V" day was Friday 21 August with kick off at 8am starting with the removal of furniture, hoovering, and washing the floor. Once dried it was on hands and knees and with brushes re-varnishing commenced. I feel very humble and proud to be part of a team who without hesitation gives up so much time on our behalf to help improve our facilities. "Thank you both "for a job well done. Their efforts can be seen in the attached photo or go and have a look at the finished article yourself.

Syd Hopgood

6 - BRITISH LEGION, FORD AND DISTRICT BRANCH NEWS

Remembrance Sunday:
If you require a Poppy Wreath for a Remembrance parade or for a personal tribute please contact Mr Peter Benford on 01743 851099.The County Festival of Remembrance is on 17th October at Alington Hall, Shrewsbury School at 7.30pm. Price Ł5.00 advance booking, Ł6.00 on the door. To book tickets please contact RBL Network House on 01743 245104.

Branch Lunches: The next lunch is on 14th October 12.30pm for 1.00pm. at the Four Crosses. If you would like more details please contact Branch Secretary, Val Thompson on 01743 850479. Non members are very welcome to join them for their lunches.

7 - MEMORIAL SERVICE AT OXON CHURCH

The next Memorial Service will be on Sunday, 25th October at 6.00pm. Everyone is welcome to attend. If you would like your loved one remembered in the service please let Revd. Sue Caddy know by Monday, 19th October. Contact details on the back page.

8 - DIARY DATES FOR ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS

Sunday, 29th November, 6.00pm.- Advent Service
Saturday, 5th December, 2.00pm - Christmas Fayre at Gains Park Community Centre
Sunday, 6th December, 4.00pm - Christingle Service PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGE OF TIME
Sunday, 13th December, 3.00pm - Carol Service at the Scout Headquaters on Rad Valley Road.
Sunday, 20th December, 6.00pm - Parish Carol Service Christmas Eve, 6.00pm - Crib Service
Christmas Eve, 11.30pm - Midnight Mass
Christmas Day, 10.00am - Family Communion Service with Carols
Sunday, 27th December, 10.30am - Carols, Coffee and Mince Pies in the Old School Hall.