Do you love cats and want to make a difference?

The West Oxfordshire Branch of the Cats Protection League was established in 1997 and manages to help and re-home somewhere in the region of 220 to 250 cats and kittens every year. The work of the Branch involves helping all sorts of cats - from those whose owners simply cannot manage any more to those who’ve never had an owner and a family to care for them.

The Branch has always been responsible for raising all of the money it requires to function on a day to day basis.  In an average year the costs of food and litter alone can be as much as £3000 and veterinary bills are often around the £5000 - £6000 mark. On top of this there are general day to day running and maintenance costs for the cattery, pens, telephone lines and Branch van, as well as booking fees for event venues and stock to
re-sell at these events. The list is almost endless and therefore the fundraising has to be tireless. West Oxon Cats relies completely on a willing band of volunteers who give up what little spare time they can to help with fundraising, publicity, home-checks, vet-runs and administration, as well as helping at events.

West Oxon Cats are always delighted to welcome new volunteers as there is always so much to be done and  and there’s more information on the website at www.westoxoncats.org.uk . The following volunteers are urgently needed:

Publicity Officer:

Responsible for:

*      Keeping the branch profile as high as possible in the the local media

*      Maintaining a good rapport with local press contacts

*     Publicise branch events, cats needing homes etc

Homing Officer:

Responsible for:

*      Placing all branch cats in suitable homes and ensuring home visits are carried out

*     Receiving calls from members of the public wishing to adopt a cat/kitten

*      Liasing with Publicity Officer regarding publicity for re-homing cats

Both the above posts require people with good organisational and people skills.

The Gypsy’s Revenge – Old Mill Hall, Grove – Dec 6^th- 8^th

Which is better – a traditional play or something a bit different?  Stagelights theatre group in Grove has answered this question by going for the best of both worlds.  The Gypsy’s Revenge, to be staged at Old Mill Hall, Grove near Wantage on December 6^th to 8^th, is described by its author, Michael Lambe, as “a comedy melodrama”. 

Edward, the wicked young squire, seduces and murders Xenia, the werewolf, who then bites him.  He then seduces Victoria, and her maidservant, Mabel.  When Victoria is about to go into labour with his illegitimate child, he casts her out and she gives birth to a werewolf.  Bela, Xenia’s mother, tries to exact retribution for the murder of her daughter and, after much thunder and lightning, hooting and howling, Edward gets his just deserts for seven murders, three seductions and much more!

“As with any piece of theatre”, says Director Ian Dews, “our most important aim is to entertain people, but we think the audience will also find something to think about in this combination of two traditional approaches.”

Tickets are £5.00 (concessions) and £6.00 available from Bretts Chemist, Grove, Vale & Downland Museum, Stagelights web site or on Tel: 01235 - 765562.

Warning: Some adult content.

Bands Wanted for THE Big Faringdon Gig!

After the floods …Hanney War Memorial Hall

Although the water may have drained away long ago, the clean up operation after last July’s floods is still ongoing in many places, including the village of East Hanney. One of the buildings damaged by the flood water was Hanney War Memorial Hall. The Hall is actually three rooms – a large Main Hall complete with balcony, stage and seating capacity of 200; the cosy Olde Hanney Room, which has a bar and seating for 40; and a small Committee Room. When the water entered it flooded the underfloor central heating ducts and severely damaged the maple strip flooring in the Main Hall – the strips buckled and curled up and repair was impossible.

Led by the indefatigable Owen Wright and Jo Barrett, who are responsible for the caretaking and maintenance of the Hall, Committee members and volunteers from the village have worked tirelessly to repair the damage and it is hoped that the Main Hall will be ready for use in the New Year – the annual pantomime takes place in February so that’s the target for reopening. So far the ruined flooring has been removed and for the last few months huge dehumidifiers have been running constantly to dry out the concrete footings. This process is actually running ahead of schedule and it won’t be long before new maple flooring can be laid, varnished and painted out with markings for badminton and the walls can be replastered ready for use.

The work is expected to cost at least £15,000, which will be covered by insurance, but sadly there are further losses because of the number of groups and events that have been cancelled or moved elsewhere whilst the work has been going on. Normally over twenty groups use the Hall on a regular basis and while some have been able to use the smaller rooms instead, many have had to relocate. The Hall is also a regular venue for social events like parties and receptions and of course that revenue has also been lost throughout the busy summer and Christmas periods.

However, thanks to the hard work of the Committee the Hanney War Memorial Hall should soon be back in full use, and bookings are being taken now for 2008. If you would like to book the Hall either for a regular event or meeting or a special occasion, please contact the Bookings Secretary on 01235 869047.