Beckley & Area Community Benefit society Limited (BACBS)

The Abingdon Arms

Great news – the Abingdon Arms is open again! Under Tier Two, only households/bubbles can sit at a table together until that rule is relaxed. Suzy is arranging some tables for drinkers and providing a ‘substantial’ meal (£1) to go with those sitting at those tables (30 min slots to give everyone a fair crack!). Do support the pub over this ‘festive’ period and make sure it becomes the hub of the village again. The shop and takeaway service continues with pizza available on more days – see https://www.theabingdonarms.co.uk/

Message from Suzy et al.

The Abingdon Arms is back open and has a brand-new festive menu. Familiarise yourself with the website as there have been a few changes to opening times and the offerings prior to lockdown 2.0. Suzy has some fantastic new ales on tap and Alex and the kitchen team are working harder than ever to bring some new tasty dishes to the table. We understand that not everybody is feeling confident enough to eat out yet, but we really are relying on all our amazing locals to keep the pub thriving in December. If you haven't already, please send your email address to theabingdonarmsoxford@gmail.com with the note 'subscribe' so that Vicky can add you to their mailing list and keep you in the loop with all the promotions and ongoing changes. Thank you and wishing you a Merry Christmas!

The pub may open Christmas Day but, given the uncertainties over the rules by then, this has not been decided. If you might be interested in coming to the pub on Christmas morning for a drink (assuming allowed by then) please email Suzy at theabingdonarmsoxford@gmail.com so she can gauge demand.

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Even More than a Pub Programme

SUNDAY DECEMBER 13th 18:30-19:30

The secret world of codes and ciphers: Roger Heath-Brown FRS, Emeritus Fellow at both Worcester and Magdalen Colleges, Oxford. Professor of Pure Mathematics at the University of Oxford until his retirement in 2016, Roger's research interests centre on the study of prime numbers. His talk will look at the history of codes from ancient times to the internet age. It will be accessible to all, and will involve audience participation! Roger lives in Garsington.

Zoom link https://zoom.us/j/5841030100?pwd=a0x3dHNSSUt5OEJSd3ZkT0trZjBxdz09

Meeting ID: 584 103 0100

Passcode: 2tACKF (Usually not necessary).

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BACBS Annual Members’ Meeting held on 11th November

This was held by the now ubiquitous Zoom. There were over 30 members logged in. Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer reports were given, as well as information about some minor society rule changes. A search for new committee members to replace Mike Hobbs (chairman), Adrian Hampshire (secretary) and Gabriel Brodetsky (Treasurer), who had come to the end of their terms of office, was reported on. Gabriel re-applied alongside Cathy Davies and Jerry Bloomfield, so that no election was necessary. Heartfelt thanks were given to Mike, Adrian and Gabriel for the enormous amount of work they have put into BACBS since its beginning, not only to ensure that the pub survived, but also for innovative ideas to bring the community together. The new roles were decided at the committee meeting on 23/11/2020 appointing John Stradling as chair, Sam Clarke as vice chair, Gabriel Brodetsky as Secretary, and Adam Jeffrey as Treasurer. The rest of the committee consists of Cathy Davies, Dave Drew, Jerry Bloomfield, Lise Estcourt, Susy Jepson, and Nin Kelay.

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gOOD nEIGHBOUR sCHEME

This scheme is still operating albeit at a low level. We are lucky in Beckley and surrounding villages that the majority of people have help where needed from family, friends and neighbours. However, the service is still available to give lifts to those with no other transport , to collect items from surgeries, Stanton village shop etc., as well as to the Barton/Green Road roundabout where buses into Headington and central Oxford are frequent. We may even be able to collect take-aways from the Abingdon Arms. To request a lift, ring either 07514 791919 (answerphone if no answer) or email BACBSgoodneighbour@gmail.com. Given COVID issues, both driver and client need to be satisfied with both parties wearing masks and having open car windows.

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