The last month has been a busy month in the village socially. Significant wedding
anniversaries and big birthdays have been well celebrated with the appropriate musical
accompaniment.
It's all change at Red Fox Bam in Park Farm Yard. Goodbye to Jamie and Emily and hello to
Jamie and Emily, which keeps things simple for those who struggle with names! Romeo the
dog has moved in too. The New Jamie is Oxford United's goal keeper and he and Emily run a
business together called Mighty Slice, producing high protein desserts. Emily said to get in
touch if any one would like to sample their delicious and nutritious cheesecakes.
September 14th was the day of the annual Historic Churches Trust "Ride + Stride" to raise
money for the upkeep of historic churches from which Waterstock has recently benefited. The
idea of the fundraiser is that people get themselves sponsored to visit as many churches as they
can that day where they 'sign in.' Of the money they raise half goes to their own church and
half to the fund itself. Even though Waterstock had no riders or striders this year and only one
visitor to the church during the whole day, we somehow raised a magnificent £220 as if by a
miracle but actually through the generosity of Waterstock folk.
Continuing the theme of the generosity of the people of Waterstock, can I remind you about
the annual British Legion Poppy appeal. I will be round the village with the poppies once the
appeal is launched at the end of October. But do you ever wonder where all those poppies
come from?
The answer is the Poppy Factory in Richmond upon Thames.
Major George Howson MC founded the Poppy Factory in l922. His vision was to provide
work for wounded, sick and injured veterans of the First World War. A thriving community of
veterans was quickly established in Richmond Upon Thames and the legacy continues today.
During his working life Nick had the responsibility of supplying the red and green paper used
in the making of the poppies and had the privilege of touring the factory on several-occasions
as well as attending The Field of Remembrance Service at Westminster Abbey, first held in 1928
and attended by members of the Royal Family. Preparation for the next year's Remembrance
Day begins as soon as the previous Remembrance Day is over with the selection and ordering
of carefully coloured matched paper. The work of the Poppy Factory and the British Legion
helping veterans physically and mentally affected by their service transition back into a
meaningful place in society continues today, so please be as generous this year as you have in
the past.
Waterstock has its own little charity, the Charitable Trust of Ambrose Bennett, established in
the early 17th century. Its stated aim is the relief of poverty in elderly widows and widowers in
the parish of Waterstock. It has a tiny annual income but it is properly registered with the
charity commission and administered by three trustees, including myself. At least one trustee is
looking to step down so if anyone would like to be involved please do contact me. We usually
only have one meeting a year and to be honest it's not a very onerous task to be a trustee of
such a small charity and it's rewarding to feel part of a Waterstock tradition which has been
going for so long.
Susie Edmondson.
