News - February 2019
Management Committee
“Wotcha lads and lassies!” “Wotcha Willie!” Sorry, I was just remembering two of the more memorable lines from the Deddington players’ pantomime Dick Whittington, which is currently in full swing. Looking forward to two more sell-out shows today, it’s great to see the Windmill packed out and everybody having such a good time. We are grateful to all our other regular Windmill users for your understanding in accommodating this hilarious annual village event. Panto week does tend to take over the whole building!
We’ve made a small start to all the refurbishment I mentioned in December and if you came to the panto you may have noticed new curtains and blinds around the place. Over the coming months we will be overseeing more substantial improvements including new heating in the Main Hall, improved WiFi, new lighting, new signage, new fire doors, new upstairs flooring, new showers and new loos. We are very grateful to the Parish Council for their support.
It’s all going on! And with the contractors coming in to start work on the brand-new children’s play area – more from Mary below – I think you will soon see the Windmill transformed. Remember you can find information about everything that goes on at the Windmill at www.thewindmilldeddington.orgor on our Facebook page. If you want to enquire about hiring a space or make a booking you can email enquiries@thewindmilldeddington.orgor call us on 07720 834006. We look forward to seeing you soon.
Vaughan Jones
vaughan@englishlanguagematters.com
Development Group
It’s all about to happen …
Work will start on the new children’s play area at the Windmill on 28 January – unless we’re under a blanket of snow. Contracts have been signed with Creative Play for the steel equipment and the timber zip-wire, swings and woodland pieces. The design and construction of the multi-play centrepiece has been a bit more troublesome, but we’re pleased to say that it will be built by Trevor Stewart, a local supplier whose work we’ve all seen in Steeple Aston and many other villages.
Before that some of hedging on the northern side of the bowling green will be removed to allow access. And planting the buffer zone between the play area and Mill Close houses will also happen mid-February. There will be a builders’ compound on the car park to allow for unloading of equipment and materials, and the work area will be protected by Heras fencing. Parents, be aware of work areas, and contractors’ vehicles moving in the daytime, and please keep your children safe!
We’re very much hoping the new play park will be ready for use by the Easter school holidays, but it’s all weather dependent.
Dogs are now only allowed on leads on the Windmill site. Signs were put up in December, bins have been relocated, an additional bin is on the way, and the 6-month trial is now in place. A recommended dog-walking path is also way-marked. Sports team are saying the dog poo situation on the playing field is much better, so let’s hope it stays that way. No one wants a complete ban …
We’ve got wind of a government initiative – Pocket Parks – and have applied for a £25K grant which would allow us to refurbish the Under-6 play area equipment. Deadline is 25 January so we have to move fast. We tick all the boxes, but it depends on the competition. Think lucky …
Mary Robinson
Development Group