Letters
Letters to the editor.
Please write to us about anything, we welcome all memories, comments, likes and dislikes about Chinnor and the folk who live and have lived here over the years.
For privacy sake, we will remove full names, and contact details unless requested they be shown.
Please email your letter
- Details
Following on from the “Celebration of Life” for Bryan Roebuck on 22nd August, Janet and her family would like to thank everyone for coming to share their memories and a reminder that if you weren’t able to write a memory on the day, it’s not too late, please just pop it through mum’s letterbox or hand it to her when you next see her.
Donations on the day totalled £733 for which we are very grateful and this amount will be split between Prostate Cancer and The Alzheimer’s Society.
Thank you.
- Details
Dear Editor,
I’d just like to say thank you to you and your team for a very professional issue (August 440). It was an enjoyable and entertaining read. Long may the pump continue.
D. Newman
- Details
Dear Editor
There have been references in recent editions of ‘Chinnor Pump’ to the increasing incidents of anti-social behaviour in the village.
We have lived in Chinnor for 20 years. We loved it when we came here - quiet and friendly, beautiful countryside etc. Sadly, it has changed for the worse in recent years.
I wonder if it would be possible to put a piece in the ‘pump’ reminding people what constitutes anti-social behaviour, because there seems to be a lack of consideration for others nowadays;-
1/ people blasting out loud music at all hours
2/ disregard of the 20mph limit and speeding through the village
3/ allowing dogs to bark for hours
4/ allowing dogs to foul pathways/verges and not clearing it up
5/ illegal/selfish parking
Perhaps Thames Valley Police and/or South Oxfordshire District Council could be invited to submit a piece for the magazine on this subject?
Regards,
Name and address supplied
- Details
Dear Editor,
I saw Party Piece on Thursday, and sent my thoughts to my neighbour Pat Hardiman. She asked me to pass them to The Chinnor Pump, so I am!!
A bunch of us went to the Opening Night of Party Piece, a comedy by Richard Harris performed by Chinnor Players!!
We were laughing throughout!! Chinnor Players are a very accomplished group, and the audience feel that “energy bounce” between the actors. Mum, Mrs Hinson, was outstanding! Her face said it all!! I could feel Roma’s sadness; doing everything she could to make her husband happy ( impossible task as it turned out). Toby Hancock, the party loving anaesthetist!! His physicality was great!! Man-eating estate agent Sandy Lloyd-Meredith was gifted wonderful lines! I loved “phonette” and “pixie” and the way she had the men eating out of the palm of her hand!!
Fab-u-Lous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Gabriella Kennedy
- Details
Dear Editor,
Below is a copy of a letter recently sent to MidCounties Co-operative
For some considerable time it has been clear that the Chinnor Co-op is being underfunded. Rarely are all the chiller cabinets working. Frequently, as a result, food items that require chilling or refrigeration are not available. To rely on this store is no longer possible.
Too often, what should be unnecessary trips to the market town of Thame, are essential to meet the requirements of a weekly shop.
If there is an intention, or even a likelihood that this store is to cease trading, in any aspect of its business, Chinnor will be poorly served and would need a suitable replacement. Or is it simply a matter of poor management?
But it's not all bad news...
The Co-op: Saturday. I went to buy the only thing I needed; a garlic bulb. I took it to the cashier saying I had to put it on my card, as I had no cash. She told me she could only take cash, as the card system was not working! Here we go again? No!
A lady behind me in the queue said "is that all you're buying?"
"It is," I said glumly.
"I'll buy that for you. It will help keep the vampires away" said my saviour.
And my day suddenly got better.
I didn't ask the lady's name, and I did keep saying thank you. Happy to say it again. Thank you.
Brian Fowler
- Details
Dear Editor:
“What's happening in our village"
You ask the above question in your March 2025 edition. The problem is caused by over-development of the village as a result of OCC's policy of raping Oxfordshire. Just look at
what is happening to Watlington, Benson, Wallingford and Chinnor. You never see a Policeman - they are tucked up in their offices completing unnecessary paperwork and drinking coffee. There have been several letters in the Daily Telegraph from readers who have completed 500 or 1000 mile round journeys by car and have never come across a single police car.
There is no civic pride in this country - contrast this with Switzerland or even La Gomera in the Canaries where not a single piece of litter was seen in a 10 day holiday last March.
School children need to be taught about unsightly litter. Covid has produced a massive number of impatient drivers none of whom take any notice of the 20 mph limits (although
I personally do not favour the blanket introduction of such by OCC). There are countless instances of vandalism in the country - there is a report in today's paper of a graveyard
being damaged. This inept and useless Government does absolutely nothing - too busy taxing, spending and borrowing.
Nigel Williams
- Details
Dear Editor
I have just leant from LLOYDS BANK that a very kind person, found my debit card, which I had lost and cancelled. May I express my sincere thanks to whoever it was. LLOYDS would not pass on my thanks and were unwilling to give me any means by which to say thank you, thank goodness that through the Pump I am able to say thank you.
Elaine
- Details
Dear Editor,
On Sunday 20th July I am opening my garden from 2-4 pm to raise funds for Cancer research and to remember my Ex Son - in -Law Austin Naylor who passes away in December last aged 52
One of his daughters Lana and his son Sam are doing the Jurassic Coastal walk to raise funds and this will go towards their fundraising.
£5 to include tea/coffee/soft drink and cake. There will be a raffle and/or tombola and plants for sale.
Please support this worthy cause - sorry no dogs
Sandy Russell
18 Golden Hills Chinnor OX39 4PT
- Details
Dear Editor,
This is not a random email, it has been specifically sent to your parish as we support people in your area. In April we sent out an appeal for your help/support. Sobell House Hospice (NHS, part of OUH) are currently recruiting Bereavement Volunteers. Although the appeal in April was partially successful, we are still short of our goal…. hence this fresh appeal.
At present we support referrals from all over Oxfordshire and at time even into the bordering counties. It makes sense to recruit and train Bereavement Volunteers from these areas.
We need your help/support to continue helping people who have lost loved ones in your area, by - circulating the attached poster, either on your website or on community
Noticeboards or local supermarkets? Also, maybe you can place the advert in your local newsletter/paper? Or all the above, it is down to you, we need a big push from the communities we support.
The training for the new Bereavement volunteers starts in September 2025, so we are now on very tight deadlines.
I look forward to hearing from you, and if you can support us with our recruitment campaign, it would be genuinely appreciated.
Kind Regards
Mark Lymn
Pathway Coordinator (Bereavement and Voluntary Services)
Sobell & Katharine House Hospices
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Tel: 01865 225944| Email:
- Details
Dear Editor
I’d just like to say on behalf of all the Chinnor Residents who receive the Pump every month, a big thank-you to the hard working delivery people, they must walk miles carrying their heavy loads. Well done all.
Pat.