Spring Newsletter 2025
Annual General Meeting Thursday 1st May 2025
We are pleased to announce that our next AGM will be held in the Old Headington Village Hall at 8 pm on Thursday 1 May 2025. The outline Agenda is shown below. Draft minutes of the previous AGM are available on our website. Non-members are very welcome, but please note that only those who can show a 2025 membership card may vote. All 2025 membership cards will be delivered before the AGM for those who have paid, but if you need to renew your membership, or would like to join, do come in before 8.00; we will be available from 7.30pm. Refreshments will be provided after the meeting.
Agenda
Apologies for absence
Adoption of the draft minutes of the AGM held on Friday 19 April 2024
Matters arising from the minutes
Oxford Preservation Trust: Report on Larkins Lane Field
Treasurer’s report
Adoption of annual accounts for 2024
Appointment of independent examiner of the accounts
Chair’s report
Traffic report
Enhancement award 2025
Election of trustees
Any other business
Notice of agenda items and election of trustees
The Secretary must receive notice of additional agenda items by 14 April 2025. We are also seeking nominations for trustees. In accordance with the Trust Deed, the Secretary must receive nominations by 8pm on Thursday 24 April 2025. A nomination form can be downloaded HERE.
Enhancement award
This award is made for work on buildings, walls, trees etc... that in your opinion, and ultimately that of the trustees, has enhanced the conservation area. To qualify, any proposal must be for work completed since the last AGM and visible from the street. Please send your nominations to Elspeth Mladek at secretary@foh.org.uk or 3 The Old Stables, St Andrew’s Lane, OX3 9DP by 24 April 2025 using the form which can be downloaded HERE. The trustees welcome nominations from residents, but if no single project nomination stands out they may decide not to make the award.
Subscriptions for 2025
Our Membership Secretary is Peter McCarter membership@foh.org.uk, and he would be grateful if those who still owe £5 for their 2025 subscription could send it to him at Monckton Cottage, 56 Old High Street, OX3 9HW. Please note that this is £5 per person - not per property. We would encourage those who have not yet set up a standing order for their annual payment to do so for 2025, as this saves time and effort for you and for us. It would help if those with Standing Orders for later in the year could amend these so that they are payable in January. Forms can be downloaded from the website, and copies are available from the Membership Secretary.
The Friends has Gift Aid status, so we are keen that as many members as are eligible sign a declaration so that income from subscriptions is maximised; do please consider helping us in this way. Forms are appended to the subscription form and are available on the website; trustees will help with Gift Aid declarations at the AGM.
Open Gardens and Growers’ Group
The date for Open Gardens 2025 is Sunday 29 June. Open Gardens this year will include the usual array of beautiful gardens, teas and cakes in the Village Hall, and a plant stall and membership desk on the lawns in front of the ‘pink’ houses on St Andrew’s Road. As you may be aware, a group has been established who will grow plants for the Friends in readiness for Open Gardens. If you feel you could help with this, please contact the Secretary on secretary@foh.org.uk.
Larkins Lane Field
Oxford Preservation Trust will again open up the field at the end of Larkins Lane as part of Open Gardens on Sunday 29th June and will be on hand to answer questions about the work they’ve been doing in and around Old Headington.
The restoration of the alkaline valley fen and the grassland habitats of Larkins Lane field is coming along well. The space is now more accessible thanks to a boardwalk built across the fen by Oxford Conservation Volunteers in June 2024, funded by Cllr Roz Smith's County Councillor Priority Fund. Volunteers to help with the restoration and the on-going opening up of the field are most welcome. There is a monthly work party on the 4th Friday of every month, from 9:30 until 12:30. No experience is necessary and all tools are provided.
To register your interest, or if you have any questions, please email OPT’s Green Spaces Officer, Hannah Brockwell, h.brockwell@oxfordpreservation.org.uk. For more information on OPT green spaces and events please see their website: www.oxfordpreservation.org.uk
Bury Knowle Parking
Charging for medium-stay parking at Bury Knowle is to commence shortly. Chris Smowton, Liberal Democrat City Councillor for Headington Ward, has provided this overview of the planned charges. Parking will remain free of charge for up to a two-hour stay; after that there will be a charge of £4.20 for a 2-3 hour stay, £6.70 for 3-6 hours, or £15.70 for 6 hours or longer. The car park has had ongoing problems with long-term parking leaving little space available for library and park users.
FOH trustees
James Malcomson (Chair)
Peter McCarter (Treasurer and Membership)
Elspeth Mladek (Secretary)
Howard Stanbury (Planning)
Julie Harrod
David Cartwright
Hugh Ferris
Peter Mladek
Nathan Quintanilla
Guy Hudson
President: Lady Kenny
Vice-President: Dr Sonia Brough
If you have any questions please contact Elspeth Mladek (Secretary) secretary@foh.org.uk.