Below you will find useful links to the the facilities, amenities and services within and local to our Parish:
Police, Security and Neighbourhood Watch
Our local Police Community Support Officer is:
PCSO Rich Osborn C9323, Abingdon Outers, Abingdon Police Station Abingdon On Thames
Richard.osborn@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk
Mobile number 07980 924693 or 101. Please text or email first rather than call as he may be occupied.
There are regular updates on Neighbourhood Policing from the Abingdon Team in the WADS Newsletter WADS Newsletters
Do Not Give Burglars A Sneak Preview of Your Gifts This Christmas
As nights draw in and Christmas gets closer, it is really important for everyone to do as much as they can at home this year to ensure that their house is protected and that they are not an attractive target for burglars. We know that the period following the clocks going back and in the run up to Christmas often sees the number of burglaries start to rise. We will of course be out on patrol, targeting offenders and locations across the Thames Valley, only with COVID restrictions in place some of our traditional crime prevention outreach work has not been possible. Burglary is significantly down on previous reported levels, but we must not be complacent. These figures will no doubt have been impacted by the stringent lockdown measures that have been in force earlier in the year and most recently through the month of November. You can reduce the risk of becoming a victim of burglary by taking a few simple steps which can find here or check out our Home Security Guide.
Detective Superintendent Ailsa Kent, the force lead for burglary said: “As Christmas draws ever closer and much of our shopping is done online, it’s more important than ever to be protecting your home and belongings from burglars. Please make sure items are delivered when you are at home to receive them, or have them delivered to a trusted alternative address. Also be sure to cut up packaging, especially for any expensive items, so that it will fit inside your refuse bin – never leave boxes next to the bin where they can be seen. Remember, if you leave your purchases and gifts on display or you’re sharing photos of them on social media, potential burglars can also see these. Don’t give burglars a sneak preview of your gifts this Christmas!”
Abingdon Food Bank – Referral required https://abingdon.foodbank.org.uk/
Abingdon Community Fridge – No referral necessary https://fisd.oxfordshire.gov.uk/kb5/oxfordshire/directory/service.page?id=ZZVsCqFgec4
Wootton & Dry Sandford Community Centre
Sandleigh Recreation Ground
The playground and gym are open from 2 December 2020.
We have introduced the following rules for the COVID safe use of the playground and gym:
Dalton Barracks Community Centre
Friends of Shippon
The Friends of Shippon is a local community group of residents founded in 2007. They meet on the second Friday of the month at 7.30pm, in Shippon Church Hall, with the aim of getting residents together for interesting talks and social events. As a recognised group within the area they are regularly used to provide a community view on a range of issues.Membership is open to all residents and friends of Shippon. The cost of annual membership is £15 with visitors welcome for a small charge of £4 for individual talks or events,There are two affiliated groups;
The Book Club – this meets once a month at individual members’ houses.
The Bridge Club – this meets weekly at Shippon Church Hall on alternate Wednesdays and Thursdays.
New members are always welcome.
Due to the current Coronavirus restrictions there are no events planned nor meetings of the affiliated groups until further notice.
Details of forthcoming events will be published when confirmed.
For further information contact Val Dawson on 01235 529596
Schools
State schools
Dry Sandford Primary School https://www.dry-sandford.oxon.sch.uk/
Carswell School, Abingdon (Shippon is within Catchment) https://carswell.oxon.sch.uk/
Larkmead School, Abingdon (Shippon is within Catchment) https://www.larkmead-school.com/
“Larkmead is a happy and vibrant secondary school packed full of energy and opportunity. Each student gets the very best experience to enable them to achieve their ambitions. Our pastoral care provides compassion, security and confidence, nurturing students to be happy, to develop and to thrive. Our vision is that our school reflects a culture of ambition and aspiration for all, where confidence is created through celebration and challenge, where students acquire knowledge in a way which develops skills and helps them to achieve their hopes and dreams. The Larkmead School motto is ‘one community, individual minds, creating futures’, and we encourage our students to take an active and responsible interest in the wider world. This starts with their local community at home and at school in the parish of St Helen Without.” Jonathan Dennett, Headteacher, Larkmead School
Fitzharries School, Abingdon (Cothill / Dry Sandford / Shippon are within catchment)
John Mason School, Abingdon https://www.johnmason.oxon.sch.uk/
Mathew Arnold School, Kennington https://www.maschool.org.uk/
Didcot Girls’ School, Didcot https://www.didcotgirls.oxon.sch.uk/
Independent schools
Cothill House School, Cothill https://www.cothill.net/
Manor School, Shippon
“Founded in 1907 and situated on the outskirts of Abingdon, The Manor Preparatory School is an outstanding independent co-educational day school that welcomes boys and girls aged 2-11. The Manor has a wonderfully happy, creative atmosphere where each individual is challenged, cherished and inspired to reach their full potential. Every child is encouraged to push themselves to new heights, ensuring that outstanding results are achieved academically, on the sports field, and in creative and performing arts.”
Website: www.mamorprep.org
Email: schoolsecretary@manorprep.org
Telephone: 01235 858458
Churches
St Mary Magdalene, Shippon
Christmas Services
20 December – 10.30am informal worship / 6pm Carol music, readings and poetry (NB Seats limited due to social distancing)
24 December – 3pm Crib Service and Christingle (Outside) / 4pm Christmas Communion (in church)
https://www.achurchnearyou.com/church/247/
St Helen’s Church, Dry Sandford
http://www.sthelensdrysandford.org/
Currently, the church building is closed due to structural issues. Services are continuing at St Lawrence Church, Tubney. https://www.achurchnearyou.com/church/6027/
Pubs
Prince of Wales, Barrow Rd, Shippon
We have decided that we will be opening from 3 December 2020 to serve food:
Thurs 6 – 8.30
Fri 6- 9
Sat 6 – 9
Sun 12- 2
PLEASE BOOK your family or support bubble table on 07548 165695 or e-mail nicmwilkins@aol.com
Take away is available but please book a collection slot.
Please note that we are not a restaurant and that our kitchen staff are doing me an enormous favour cooking for us, so service will be, what it will be. Please bear with us. Becoming a restaurant is not our choice but government regulations.
What’s On is on the Facebook page “The Feathers, Shippon”.
Friday 4th December – The Shippon village Christmas tree was put up in the car park of the Prince of Wales and the lights switched on.
The landlady, Nicola Wilkins, can be messaged from the Facebook page or telephoned on 01235 538546 or emailed on nicmwilkins@aol.com .
Merry Miller, Cothill
https://www.merrymiller.co.uk/
Care Homes
Stowford House, Faringdon Rd, Shippon
https://www.stowfordhousecarehome.co.uk/
Shops
Costcutters, Shippon
Food Outlets / Caterers
Bus Services:
No 4 bus timetable: https://city.oxfordbus.co.uk/timetables-fares/city4-A-B
Taxi Services
Train services: https://trainsplit.com/
Trainsplit can save significantly on the cost of rail journeys by splitting tickets. It is also an app for smartphones.
Footpaths and Trails – Heritage / Nature
Countryside Access map https://publicrightsofway.oxfordshire.gov.uk/Web/standardmap.aspx
Nature reserves – link to BBOWT website
Cothill Fen is an internationally important wetland site supporting many sensitive freshwater plants and animals and is the largest remaining alkaline fen in Central England.
Circular Walk: Cothill Fen, Parsonage Moor and Lashford Lane Fen https://www.bbowt.org.uk/sites/default/files/2018-01/Cothill%20Wild%20Walk.pdf
Parsonage Moor https://www.bbowt.org.uk/nature-reserves/parsonage-moor
Dry Sandford Pit https://www.bbowt.org.uk/nature-reserves/dry-sandford-pit
Local Trades / Services
Nextdoor is a neighbourhood hub for connections and the exchange of helpful information, goods, and services. The website: https://nextdoor.co.uk/