Edited from letter sent to Ian Grey (CLP Group member) Hi Ian We read the piece you put in the [St Filica] newsletter. We are totally against any new builds, anywhere in the village, it would lose its appeal and become like many other villages now overcrowded and ruined. Old buildings that have architectural interest if empty and derelict, would be better to be converted and can be done to accommodate the requirements needed for todays living. People move to villages for the country living and the countryside to be protected and also for wildlife that is worryingly suffering and in decline. So much (HS2 and all the new builds have contributed to this) more needs to be done to protect wildlife and also grow crops for the ever increasing population. We are somewhat deflated about fighting though. WODC just don’t listen... [Planning applicants] know they will get away with it. The council don’t seem to care on preserving areas, they just want to tick boxes. WODC have no care of the character of villages, they just don’t listen to objections from villagers and just go ahead regardless. They say more houses need to be built but this area has had an explosion of them. Roads are now congested and does this area have enough work for all this influx?!! Schools and hospitals etc just haven’t the capacity for more and more homes. There are now so many air b&b and 2nd homes in this area that need to be restricted for this use and become permanent homes which would help with this housing problem! Best Regards

I would love to be able to get to Carterton (and thence to Oxford, London) from Filkins by public transport. Alternatively if I felt I could cycle safely that would also help.

Bus link from F&BP to Lechlade, to Carterton, to Burford

I have spoken to a number of villages that have developed a volunteer service (minibus) that can be used as a shuttle service ie to local towns and bac=k morning and evening, and also can be hired by villagers for use. (A leaflet is available.) Perhaps a shuttle service could help here Witney, Burford, Lechlade, Filkins, Carterton... All of which towns have connections and services to go further.

Design a poster encouraging dog owners to keep our pahs clean and litter free. (Children's designs?) We could display posters in Village Hall, and distribute around village lampposts etc.

Could we plant wild flowers / bluebells, and put up bird and bat boxes in Vale Wood. Involve children in these activities also.

Coffee and Cake and Book sale stopped during lockdown. If people are interested to join and make a rota... Once a month?

Clanfield have a repair shop, and do it very well. We must have enough talented people in our villages to start one... Sewing machines, sharpening tools, plant swaps etc... And tea / coffee and cake while you wait.

This was such a great community event in the Village Hall. Every 2 or 3 years.Welcome new people. And great for clubs etc to display what they do.

"Meet the locals" in St Filica Newsletter... 5 questions and answers.

Pop-up restaurant... See Ruby's Barn in Birdlip, a static bar in a barn and rotating chefs running pop up food. Apparently v popular with the locals

Community First Responders work with NHS. This will save lives!

Reinstate coffee morning and book sale for village hall. Would be happy to see how we can do this. Could tie in with other sales too... Plants, odds/sods etc.

Reinstate the film club!

Can we have some contact numbers/names re unreasonable airplane noise, particularly on a Thursday night?

We need to keep this going, and thriving.

We (three of us) would like to start a new coffee morning once a month.

How about Karaoke Nights?

Exploit the village hall by putting on concerts by tribute bands. Theseare cheaper than the real thing and if advertised widely enough people will travel quite some distance to hear their favourite band's music being reproduced.

Combined winter 'warm space', use of internet, coffee morning.