Bicester 2015
Annual guide for serving personnel and their families in the Bicester station detailing Local Amenities, Housing, Education & Leisure activities in the area.
Annual guide for serving personnel and their families in the Bicester station detailing Local Amenities, Housing, Education & Leisure activities in the area.
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<strong>Bicester</strong> <strong>2015</strong><br />
<strong>Bicester</strong><br />
Garrison<br />
Service Community Official Guide<br />
Current from April <strong>2015</strong> - March 2016<br />
www.bicester-garrison.co.uk<br />
<strong>2015</strong> <strong>2015</strong> <strong>2015</strong> <strong>2015</strong> 20<br />
<strong>2015</strong> <strong>2015</strong> <strong>2015</strong> <strong>2015</strong> 20<br />
<strong>2015</strong> <strong>2015</strong> <strong>2015</strong> <strong>2015</strong> 20<br />
<strong>2015</strong> <strong>2015</strong> <strong>2015</strong> <strong>2015</strong> 20<br />
<strong>2015</strong> <strong>2015</strong> <strong>2015</strong> <strong>2015</strong> 20<br />
<strong>2015</strong> <strong>2015</strong> <strong>2015</strong> <strong>2015</strong> 20<br />
<strong>2015</strong> <strong>2015</strong> <strong>2015</strong> <strong>2015</strong> 20<br />
<strong>2015</strong> <strong>2015</strong> <strong>2015</strong> <strong>2015</strong> 20<br />
<strong>2015</strong> <strong>2015</strong> <strong>2015</strong> <strong>2015</strong> 20<br />
<strong>2015</strong> <strong>2015</strong> <strong>2015</strong> <strong>2015</strong> 20<br />
<strong>2015</strong> <strong>2015</strong> <strong>2015</strong> <strong>2015</strong> 20<br />
<strong>2015</strong>
Guide Sections<br />
Section One:<br />
The Garrison<br />
Section Two:<br />
Health Matters<br />
Section Three:<br />
Your Accommodation<br />
Section Four:<br />
Education Matters<br />
Section Five:<br />
Leisure Time<br />
This Guide, provided by Method<br />
Publishing in co-operation with <strong>Bicester</strong><br />
Garrison, is an authoritative source of<br />
information for all Service personnel,<br />
families and dependants. It is hoped the<br />
information contained in the Guide will<br />
be of use at the time of your arrival and<br />
throughout your stay. Please retain this<br />
Guide in your accommodation for future<br />
reference.<br />
Welcome to<br />
<strong>Bicester</strong><br />
Garrison<br />
Service Community Official Guide<br />
Current from April <strong>2015</strong> - March 2016<br />
Published annually for Service Personnel in <strong>Bicester</strong> by<br />
Method Publishing, Golspie, Sutherland, Scotland KW10 6RA<br />
Editorial Matter: © Crown Copyright <strong>2015</strong><br />
Design, Artwork & Typography: © Method Publishing <strong>2015</strong><br />
No part of the typography or illustrations within this Guide may be reproduced by any process or in any form without permission in writing from Method<br />
Publishing. All advertisements are accepted on the express condition that they in no way contravene the provisions of the Trades Descriptions Act 1968 nor<br />
any prevailing statute in the United Kingdom.<br />
The Guide is produced for YOU, so<br />
please let us know of any additions<br />
or changes you think will improve it.<br />
Continual feedback is vital to ensure it<br />
remains up-to-date, accurate and relevant.<br />
Please pass on any comments and<br />
suggestions to:<br />
The Editor, <strong>Bicester</strong> Service<br />
Community Guide<br />
Tel: 01235 543578<br />
A Classified Index and a Handy Index appear<br />
at the back of the Guide and you can find<br />
information on Emergencies on page 72 .<br />
www.bicester-garrison.co.uk Contents Page 1
The Garrison<br />
Page 2<br />
www.bicester-garrison.co.uk
Foreword<br />
by Colonel RA Mathie<br />
Commander <strong>Bicester</strong> Garrison<br />
“Welcome to <strong>Bicester</strong> Garrison. This Service Community Official guide aims to provide a handy<br />
ready reference for all service families and single soldiers. The guide includes local information and<br />
practical advice about your home as well as key Medical, Welfare, Recreational and Emergency<br />
services available within the Garrison. The cost of providing this guide is entirely funded through<br />
advertising so I am most grateful for the enduring support of those firms and organisations that support<br />
us. You may wish to use their services in return!<br />
<strong>Bicester</strong> Garrison is becoming an increasingly important base for the Army and it is a lively and energetic<br />
environment to serve in one of the fastest growing towns in Western Europe with new road and rail links<br />
coming online in <strong>2015</strong> (It will take 14 mins from <strong>Bicester</strong> town to Oxford by train).We have excellent<br />
community relations with the local towns and villages and we are firmly embedded into civic life. I would<br />
ask you to embrace this life and fully engage with everything that <strong>Bicester</strong> has to offer, from sports clubs to<br />
various hobby groups and societies – there should be something for everyone!!<br />
Turning to the Garrison specifically, over <strong>2015</strong> we should get back to normal operating with DEMS Trg Regt<br />
firmly established, 241 sig Sqn fully arrived and 1 Regt RLC arriving during the course of the year. Larger changes<br />
to the DE&S Logistic Services footprint continue to evolve with D and E sites and being handed over to Cherwell<br />
District Council in 2019. Work on Graven Hill should start in the summer of <strong>2015</strong>. There will doubtless be some<br />
friction points, not least as resources are, as ever, in short supply and wherever these affect you, particularly with<br />
regard to welfare and housing provision, I ask you to continue to involve your unit commanders and welfare staff<br />
directly at the local level whenever required. At Ambrosden the Garrison Headquarters has been working extremely<br />
hard to maintain and improve facilities over the last year, with the clean up of the site, the installation of CCTV and the<br />
new Youth Club being notable achievements. The team at the HQ will continue to work hard on your behalf making<br />
the links with local services and government institutions.<br />
Any guide such as this is only as good as the information contained within it and I therefore welcome any suggestions<br />
for its improvement. Any new information or ‘inside’ knowledge regarding the local area that could be of benefit to the<br />
military community as a whole will be gratefully received, so please feel free to feed your comments to our Community<br />
Development Worker (Lynn Waite) or to the Garrison Community support Clerk or at the local HIVE..<br />
I wish you all the very best for your tour in <strong>Bicester</strong> and sincerely hope this book proves useful to you and your family.<br />
Thanks in advance for your help”<br />
www.bicester-garrison.co.uk<br />
Page 3
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Armed Forces<br />
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1<br />
• You’ll have the option to put your AA Membership<br />
on hold, for example when you’re on duty overseas<br />
• AA Membership covers the whole of the UK<br />
including Northern Ireland<br />
• Save as much as 34% off 1 AA Breakdown Cover on our<br />
online prices at enrolment and 20% at renewal every year 2<br />
• More dedicated patrols than any other UK breakdown service 3<br />
To join, call<br />
0800 048 0075<br />
Quoting reference F690<br />
Breakdown Cover<br />
1. Applies to Family Roadside and Relay cover in first year only. Other levels of cover are available and varying discounts apply. Offer only available to Armed<br />
Forces personnel by calling the number given, quoting the stated reference and paying annually by direct debit under a recurring transaction arrangement.<br />
Enrolment offer available to new Members for their first 12 months of Membership only. Offer not available in conjunction with any other offer/discount or<br />
on any other AA product/service. Details correct at time of issue. 2. Renewal offer available to Armed Forces personnel who are existing AA Members, or who<br />
join under the enrolment offer, and will be available at each renewal date until they cease to be Armed Forces personnel or the withdrawal of this scheme.<br />
3. Mintel – UK Vehicle recovery report, September 2013.<br />
Automobile Association Insurance Services Limited is an insurance intermediary authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.<br />
Registered office: Fanum House, Basing View, Basingstoke RG21 4EA. Registered in England & Wales, number 2414212.
One<br />
section<br />
The Garrison<br />
Page 7: Local Shopping<br />
Page 8: Compassionate Leave<br />
Page 12: Telephone Numbers<br />
Page 14: Telephone Helplines<br />
Page 17: UK Websites<br />
Page 19: AWS<br />
Page 22: HIVE<br />
Page 23: Local Information<br />
Page 25: Garrison Community<br />
Centre<br />
Page 28: AFF<br />
www.bicester-garrison.co.uk The Garrison Page 5
Established since 1977<br />
Tel: 01869 322838<br />
Closed Tuesdays<br />
www.wahhong.co.uk<br />
Tel: 01869 322888<br />
Lunchtime<br />
Special<br />
£5.00<br />
We do not accept<br />
credit or debit cards<br />
www.wahhong.co.uk
Local Shopping Facilities<br />
The town of <strong>Bicester</strong> offers a fairly comprehensive shopping centre and caters for most general needs. Please refer<br />
to the Classified Index of Advertisers at the back of this Guide. <strong>Bicester</strong> has a selection of supermarkets, clothing<br />
shops, furniture and electrical stores, butchers, bakers, hairdressers, dry cleaners and travel agents. All the leading<br />
banks have branches in the town as do the majority of the more popular building societies. There is a very good<br />
street market in <strong>Bicester</strong> town every Friday, with many stalls and a wide range of goods for sale. Buses run regularly<br />
between <strong>Bicester</strong> town centre and Ambrosden. There are several car parks in the town.<br />
Families living in Ambrosden need not travel to <strong>Bicester</strong> for all their shopping. There are several more local<br />
alternatives. In the middle of the families quarters estate is located the Garrison Amenity Centre which, among many<br />
other facilities, houses the Costcutter Families Shop. The Costcutter Families Shop is open at the following times:<br />
Open: Monday-Friday 0700-2030 hrs, Saturday & Sunday 0900-2030 hrs<br />
In the village there is also a hairdressers and a Post Office.<br />
There is also Arncott Emporium, a convenience store at 53 Woodpiece Road, Upper Arncott Tel: 01869 369060<br />
Should you ever tire of the shopping facilities offered in the <strong>Bicester</strong> area you might choose to explore the superb<br />
shopping centres to be found in nearby Oxford, Aylesbury and Banbury.<br />
The Garrison<br />
Public Transport<br />
The Ambrosden estate is served by buses travelling to and from <strong>Bicester</strong> town centre. From <strong>Bicester</strong> it is possible<br />
to connect with other buses regularly serving Aylesbury, Banbury, Bedford, Brackley, Buckingham, Milton Keynes,<br />
Northampton and Oxford. In addition, there is a local bus service running between Ambrosden and Oxford city<br />
centre. Timetables for all the above facilities can be obtained on request from the HIVE which is located in <strong>Bicester</strong><br />
Army Learning Centre.<br />
To ensure you are able to vote,<br />
you must be registered<br />
Moved recently?, Would like to vote?<br />
We can give advice on Proxy Voting,<br />
Postal Voting, and any registration matters<br />
www.gov.uk/register-to-vote phone: 01295 227005<br />
email: elections@cherwellandsouthnorthants.gov.uk<br />
CherwellDistrictCouncil @CherwellCouncil<br />
www.bicester-garrison.co.uk<br />
The Garrison<br />
Page 7
Important Numbers<br />
& Services<br />
Compassionate Leave<br />
(For Service Personnel, their Dependants based<br />
abroad, Territorial Army and Mobilised Reservists)<br />
If circumstances should arise whilst your relative is<br />
overseas (including N Ireland) either on a posting,<br />
at sea, or on deployment, that make it necessary for<br />
you to apply for his/her return on compassionate<br />
grounds (such as a death in the family, serious illness<br />
or serious family crisis) you should telephone:<br />
The Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre<br />
(JCCC), Innsworth,<br />
Gloucester GL3 1HW Tel: +44 (0) 1452 519951<br />
This number is continually manned 24 hours a day<br />
including weekends and Bank Holidays.<br />
When you call you will be asked for the following<br />
information: Service Number, Rank, Name, Parent<br />
Unit and current location of the Service person,<br />
together with full details of the relative concerned,<br />
their location and name of Doctor, Hospital and/or<br />
any other organisation involved in the case. Please<br />
be aware that any information will be verified with<br />
the appropriate organisations before Compassionate<br />
Leave Travel may be recommended and authorised.<br />
Although you may wish to contact your relative or<br />
his/her parent unit for advice or support, contact<br />
the JCCC directly, so that your case can be dealt<br />
with without delay. Your relative’s unit cannot<br />
authorise Compassionate Travel, and therefore<br />
any information you pass to them will have to be<br />
forwarded to the JCCC which will waste valuable<br />
time in dealing with your request.<br />
For further information on Welfare and Community<br />
Support services available to Service families, see the<br />
following websites:<br />
RNcom.mod.uk www.army.mod.uk/welfaresupport/casualty/4877.aspx<br />
SSAFA – Forces Help<br />
Forcesline<br />
Forcesline is run by SSAFA Forces Help. Previously<br />
known as the Confidential Support Line, it has been<br />
helping people connected to the Armed Forces since<br />
1997.<br />
Forcesline is open Monday to Friday, including Bank<br />
Holidays from 1030-1930 hrs.<br />
Forcesline is a free and confidential helpline for you<br />
to talk to one of our experienced civilian staff about<br />
any personal concerns, worries or problems.<br />
We will not judge you; we will simply listen and give<br />
you factual information or signpost you to additional<br />
support if that is what you want.<br />
We know how important confidentiality is to our<br />
callers, which is why:<br />
• Forcesline is independent of the military chain of<br />
command<br />
• All our staff sign a lifelong confidentiality<br />
agreement<br />
• We cannot tell where anyone is calling or emailing<br />
from<br />
You, your family or friends can call Forcesline if you<br />
are currently serving in any of the Armed Forces or if<br />
you have previously served.<br />
We want to provide you with the best possible<br />
service. We welcome feedback via our website<br />
and are proud to be accredited by The Helplines<br />
Association.<br />
Freephone Numbers<br />
UK 0800 731 4880 / Germany 0800 1827 395 /<br />
Cyprus 080 91065<br />
Falkland Islands #6111 / Rest of the World<br />
+44(0)1980 630854 (staff can call you back<br />
immediately)<br />
Paradigm’s phone system, dial the appropriate<br />
access number then enter *201 at the PIN prompt.<br />
Confidential, Secure Email Via www.forcesline.org.uk<br />
AWOL Support Line Service personnel who are<br />
Absent Without Leave can speak, in confidence, to<br />
our AWOL Support Line worker on 01380 738137<br />
from 0900-1000 hrs, Monday to Friday (answering<br />
machine call back outside these times)<br />
Page 8<br />
The Garrison<br />
www.bicester-garrison.co.uk
Kirtlington<br />
Golf Club<br />
a fresh approach<br />
KIRTLINGTON 18 HOLE COURSE<br />
Full Greens all year round<br />
BLENHEIM 9 HOLE COURSE<br />
All year round buggy track<br />
DRIVING RANGE<br />
15 Bays and Grass Tees<br />
FULLY EQUIPPED CLUBHOUSE<br />
VISITORS WELCOME<br />
KIRTLINGTON GOLF CLUB<br />
01869 351133<br />
kirtlingtongolfclub.com<br />
info@kirtlingtongolfclub.com<br />
Kirtlington Golf Club, Oxon OX5 3JY<br />
Situated 5 mins from M40 J9<br />
10 mins from <strong>Bicester</strong>, Kidlington<br />
Woodstock<br />
15 mins from Oxford<br />
20 mins Banbury and Witney
The Garrison<br />
Telephone Numbers<br />
<strong>Bicester</strong> North Railway Station 01869 245900<br />
<strong>Bicester</strong> Police Station 01869 320919<br />
EMERGENCY – POLICE<br />
(Internal) 2222 OR 999 from Home<br />
- FIRE (Internal) 2222 OR 999 from Home<br />
- AMBULANCE (Internal) 2222 OR 999 from Home<br />
Thames Valley Police Non Emergency<br />
101 from home<br />
NHS Healthcare Non Emergency<br />
111 from home<br />
Garrison Community Centre Ambrosden:<br />
23 Pioneer Regt Welfare Office 01869 256457 Ext 2457<br />
Community Development Worker 01869 256135 Ext 2135<br />
Community Support Clerk 01869 256411 / 257819 Ext 2411 / 3819<br />
HIVE Information Support Officer 01869 256158 Ext 2158<br />
<strong>Bicester</strong> Army Learning Centre Reception 01869 256560 Ext 2560<br />
Costcutter Shop 01869 253274<br />
Defence Estates:<br />
Carrillion Amey 0800 707 6000<br />
Garrison Headquarters:<br />
Garrison Welfare Officer 01869 257816 Ext 3816<br />
Guardrooms:<br />
St Georges Barracks 01869 257741 Ext 2741<br />
St David’s Barracks 01869 257078 Ext 3078<br />
Medical:<br />
Ambrosden Medical Centre 01869 256336<br />
Langford Village Medical Centre 01869 245665<br />
MRS St George’s Barracks 01869 257747 Ext 3747<br />
Other useful Numbers:<br />
Garrison Chaplain 07789 033889<br />
Roman Catholic Priest 01869 253277<br />
Church of England Parish Priest 01869 247813<br />
Police MOD 01869 256150 Ext 2150<br />
Police RMP 01869 256448 Ext 2448<br />
SSAFA Forces Help 01235 548039<br />
Taxis & Private Hire<br />
Apollo Cars 01869 323236<br />
AA Cars 01869 248248 or 245245<br />
Ivor’s Taxis Long Distance & Airports a speciality 01869 327777<br />
GW’s Private Hire,Unit 2b Hatch End Poultry Farm,<br />
Middle Aston, <strong>Bicester</strong> 01869 347306<br />
Genesis Cars & Chauffeur Hire, 23 Hemingway Drive, <strong>Bicester</strong> 01869 600800<br />
Page 12<br />
The Garrison<br />
www.bicester-garrison.co.uk
More Useful Numbers<br />
Councils – County<br />
Oxfordshire County Council<br />
County Hall, New Rd, Oxford 01865 792422<br />
Councils – District<br />
Cherwell District Council<br />
Bodicote House – Banbury 01295 252535<br />
Local Office:<br />
38 Market Square, <strong>Bicester</strong> 01869 253154<br />
The Garrison<br />
Councils – Town/Parish<br />
<strong>Bicester</strong> Town Council Offices,The Garth, Launton Road <strong>Bicester</strong><br />
Town Clark: Mrs Wilson 01869 252915<br />
Ambrosden Parish Clerk 01869 357787<br />
Arncott Parish Clerk 01869 379645<br />
Register Offices<br />
Births & Death The Garth, Launton Road, <strong>Bicester</strong> (by appt) 08451 295900<br />
Marriages The Garth, Launton Road, <strong>Bicester</strong> (by appt)<br />
Mon & Thu 0900-1530 hrs, Tue-Closed, Wed & Fri 0900-1600 hrs<br />
Libraries<br />
<strong>Bicester</strong> Library, Old Place Yard<br />
Mon 0930-1900 hrs, Tues 0930-1700 hrs, Wed & Thur 0930-1900 hrs, Fri 0930-1730 hrs,<br />
Sat 0900-1630 hrs, Sun CLOSED 01869 252181<br />
Civic Amenity Sites<br />
Ardley Fields Farm, Ardley 01869 343459<br />
Mon-Fri 0830-1730 hrs, Sat 0830-1600 hrs, Sun 1000-1600 hrs<br />
Doctors Surgeries<br />
<strong>Bicester</strong> Health Centre, Coker Close, <strong>Bicester</strong> 01869 249333<br />
Montgomery House Surgery, Piggy Lane, <strong>Bicester</strong> 01869 321888<br />
North <strong>Bicester</strong> Surgery, Bure Park, <strong>Bicester</strong> 01869 323600<br />
Victoria House, Buckingham Road, <strong>Bicester</strong> 01869 248585<br />
Langford Medical Practice, Langford Village, <strong>Bicester</strong> 01869 245665<br />
Ambrosden Medical Centre, Ambrosden 01869 256336<br />
Veterinary Services<br />
<strong>Bicester</strong> Veterinary Centre 01869 252077<br />
Hart Veterinary Centre 01869 323223<br />
Cherwell District Council Dog Warden 01295 2525<br />
www.bicester-garrison.co.uk<br />
The Garrison<br />
Page 13
Important Numbers & Services<br />
National Telephone Helplines & Web Addresses<br />
The numbers and Websites listed offer confidential services provided by trained staff and all<br />
the helplines will provide information about other agencies offering support on similar issues.<br />
They are only an example of the services available in the UK. Further numbers are listed in<br />
the alphabetical sections of your local phonebook or in the Telephone Helplines Directory<br />
available from public libraries or the Telephone Helplines Association (THA).<br />
In confidence<br />
None of the helplines listed use equipment that displays or stores your telephone number<br />
when you ring them.<br />
Important<br />
Please be aware that any helpline number you call may be listed on your telephone bill –<br />
you can prevent this by calling from a public phone box.<br />
Alcohol<br />
National Association for Children of<br />
Alcoholics 0800 358 3456<br />
Support for Young People 12-20 affected by<br />
someone else’s drinking www.nacoa.org.uk<br />
ALATEEN. 0207 407 0215<br />
Tel: 0207 403 0888<br />
AL-Anon Family Groups UK & Eire.<br />
Offers advice, information/support to anyone<br />
concerned about their own or someone else’s<br />
drinking. 24hrs at weekends.<br />
www.al-anonuk.org.uk<br />
ALANON. 0207 403 0888<br />
www.al-anon.org.uk<br />
Alcoholics Anonymous. Call 0845 769 7555<br />
www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk/<br />
help@alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk<br />
CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE<br />
ChildLine. Helpline for children and young<br />
people in danger, distress or with any problem.<br />
Call free on 0800 11 11<br />
www.childline.org.uk<br />
NSPCC. For anyone concerned about a child at<br />
risk of abuse. Staffed by social work counsellors.<br />
Call free on 0808 800 5000<br />
www.nspcc.org.uk<br />
SSAFA Forcesline 100% confidential<br />
Call free on 0800 7314880<br />
www.forcesline.ork.uk<br />
Open from 1030-1930 hrs<br />
SCOPE ABOUT Disability UK network<br />
of disability information and advice services run<br />
by people with direct experience of disability.<br />
0808 800 3333 www.scope.org.uk<br />
Page 14<br />
Page 14<br />
Bereavement<br />
Cruse Bereavement Line. Helpline for<br />
bereaved people and those caring for<br />
bereaved people 0844 477 9400<br />
Children 0808 808 1677<br />
Child Death Helpline. Telephone helpline<br />
for anyone affected by the death of a child.<br />
Call free on 0800 282 986 or free from a UK<br />
mobile on 0808 800 6019. 1900-2200 hrs<br />
every evening. Mon to Fri 1000-1300 hrs.<br />
Tues & Wed 1300-1600 hrs<br />
The Compassionate Friends. Supporting<br />
bereaved parents and their families<br />
08451 232304 www.tcf.org.uk<br />
Northern Ireland 0288 7788016<br />
GET CONNECTED<br />
Finds young people the best help, whatever the<br />
problem 0808 808 4994<br />
www.getconnected.org.uk<br />
Carers UK<br />
Carers Line. Advice/information for all carers.<br />
0808 808 7777 www.carers.org<br />
Belfast Office 02890 43 9843<br />
The Garrison<br />
Domestic violence<br />
Refuge. 24 hour crisis line providing practical<br />
advice and emotional support for women<br />
experiencing domestic violence & is access<br />
point to Refuge Service throughout England.<br />
www.refuge.org.uk<br />
Freephone 0808 2000 247 (24hrs)<br />
(Domestic Abuse Helpline)<br />
DRUGS<br />
Frank. Helpline for drug users, their<br />
families, friends and carers. Call free on 0300<br />
123 6600 www.talktofrank.com<br />
Release. Advice on health and welfare aspects<br />
of drug use and the legal consequences.<br />
www.release.org.uk<br />
020 7324 2989<br />
1100-1300/1400-1600 hrs Mon-Fri<br />
ask@release.org.uk<br />
Emotional crisis<br />
The Samaritans. Confidential, emotional<br />
support for anyone in a crisis.<br />
08457 90 90 90 local call rate<br />
www.samaritans.org<br />
www.bicester-garrison.co.uk
FAMILY<br />
Family Lives, formerly called Parentline Plus.<br />
A free 24 hour telephone helpline for the parents<br />
and carers of children on<br />
0808 800 2222 or visit the website on<br />
www.familylives.org.uk<br />
HEALTH<br />
NHS 111. is a new service to make it easier for<br />
you to access local NHS healthcare services. You<br />
can call 111 when you need medical help fast<br />
but it’s not a 999 emergency. NHS 111 is a fast<br />
and easy way to get the right help, whatever the<br />
time. NHS 111 is available 24 hours a day, 365<br />
days a year. Call 111 free from landlines and<br />
mobile phones www.nhs.uk/111<br />
Gamcare. Support for people with Gambling<br />
problems. 0808 8020 133<br />
www.gamcare.org.uk<br />
AgeUK formerly Age Concern.<br />
Telephone service for older people, their families<br />
and people working with them. 0800 169 6565<br />
www.ageuk.org.uk<br />
PREGNANCY<br />
British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS).<br />
Expert information and comment on abortion,<br />
emergency contraception, vasectomy, female<br />
sterilisation and more. Call 03457 30 40 30<br />
Outside UK<br />
+ 44 1789 508 211 www.bpas.org<br />
home-start<br />
Home-start is a voluntary organisation in which<br />
volunteers offer regular support, friendship and<br />
practical help to young families under stress in<br />
their own homes.<br />
Call 0800 0686 368<br />
www.home-start.org.uk<br />
Immigration AdviCE<br />
UK Border Agency Home Office<br />
For advice on British Immigration Controls. Call<br />
0870 606 7766<br />
www.gov.uk/government/organisation/uk<br />
visa-and-immigration<br />
Legal<br />
Accident Line. For people who have suffered<br />
an injury in an accident. Will refer on to local<br />
solicitors if appropriate.<br />
Call 0800 19 29 39<br />
www.accidentlinedirect.co.uk<br />
Missing persons<br />
Missing People. Counselling, listening and<br />
practical support for anyone missing relatives or<br />
immediate family members.<br />
Freephone 116 000<br />
www.missingpeople.org.uk<br />
Message Home Service. Enables people to<br />
record a free, confidential message for families or<br />
friends which will be passed on.<br />
Call free on 0800 700 740<br />
Money<br />
National Debtline. Help for anyone in debt<br />
or concerned they may fall into debt.0808 808<br />
4000 local call rate.www.nationaldebtline.co.uk<br />
Money Force a new programme designed to<br />
improve the financial capabilities of members of<br />
the Armed Forces.<br />
www.moneyforce.org.uk provides easy to<br />
digest Armed Forces specific information to help<br />
plan their finances.<br />
Marie Stopes International<br />
Specialist sexual health help & advice. Counselling,<br />
abortion, contraception, sterilisation and vasectomy<br />
0845 300 80 90 – 24 hrs<br />
life Information, support and confidential<br />
counselling for crisis pregnancy and for those<br />
suffering following abortion.<br />
Call 0800 8025433<br />
www.lifecharity.org.uk/home<br />
Rape and sexual abuse Helpline for<br />
women and girls who have been raped or sexually<br />
assaulted www.rasasc-guildford.org<br />
Helpline 0808 802 9999<br />
Survivors UK supports and provides resources<br />
for men who have experienced<br />
any form of sexual violence. Call<br />
0845 122 1201 www.survivorsuk.org<br />
Social welfare<br />
Shelter. Helpline for anyone facing a housing<br />
emergency. Call 0808 800 4444<br />
www.shelter.org.uk<br />
Citizens Advice Bureau<br />
Please refer to alphabetical listing in Business and<br />
services. www.citizensadvice.org.uk<br />
Victim Support<br />
Victim Support. Practical advice for anyone<br />
affected by crime. www.victimsupport.org.uk<br />
Call 0845 3030 900 National<br />
0845 6039213 for Scotland<br />
Important Numbers & Services<br />
www.bicester-garrison.co.uk<br />
The Garrison Page 15
Military Helpline Page – National<br />
The Garrison<br />
Important Numbers & Services<br />
ABF The Soldiers’ Charity<br />
Mountbarrow House<br />
6-20 Elizabeth Street,<br />
London SW1W 9RB<br />
0845 241 4820<br />
The Officers Association<br />
1st Floor<br />
Mountbarrow House<br />
6-20 Elizabeth Street,<br />
London SW1W 9RB<br />
0845 873 7140<br />
Union Jack Club<br />
Sandell St, Waterloo<br />
London SE1 8UJ<br />
020 7902 6000<br />
SSAFA Forces Help -<br />
0845 1300 975<br />
Army Families Federation<br />
Marlborough Lines,<br />
Andover, Hants SP11 8HJ<br />
01264 382324<br />
Service Personnel & Veterans<br />
Agency<br />
Norcross, Blackpool<br />
Lancs FY5 3WP<br />
0800 169 2277<br />
Confidential Support Lines<br />
UK 0800 731 4880<br />
Germany 0800 1827 395<br />
Cyprus 0800 91065<br />
Falkland Islands #6111<br />
Others<br />
UK 0044 1980 63085<br />
COMBAT STRESS<br />
(Ex Services Mental Welfare<br />
Society)<br />
24hr helpline<br />
0800 138 1619<br />
Family Escort Service<br />
UK 020 74639249<br />
Germany JHQ Mil: 4751<br />
or 02161 472 4751<br />
Royal British Legion<br />
Contact Centre (National)<br />
8am-8pm, 7 days a week<br />
0808 802 8080 (calls are<br />
free from UK landlines and main<br />
mobile networks)<br />
Children’s Education Advisory<br />
Service<br />
01980 618244<br />
WRVS<br />
029 2023 2668<br />
Regular Forces Employment<br />
Association<br />
Mountbarrow House<br />
6-20 Elizabeth Street,<br />
London SW1W 9RB<br />
0121 236 0058<br />
RAF Brampton<br />
01480 52151<br />
HQ Army Welfare Service<br />
Floor 1 Zone 2 HQ Sp Comd<br />
Montgomery House, Queens<br />
Ave. Aldershot GU11 2JN<br />
01252 787663/4<br />
If any of the above numbers are wrong then please call your nearest Army Welfare Service office or<br />
HIVE for the appropriate information.<br />
If anyone thinks a contact name & number should be added to this list then please inform the AWS<br />
Service Community Guide Focus Point, AWS Business Support Manager on<br />
01252 787586 (Ald Mil 94222 ext 7586).<br />
Military Helplines <strong>Bicester</strong><br />
Unit Welfare Officers<br />
<strong>Bicester</strong> Garrison..................................................................................................................01869 257816<br />
DEMs Trg Regt......................................................................................................................01869 329002<br />
23 Pnr regt...........................................................................................................................01869 256467<br />
241 Sig Sqn...........................................................................................................................01869 257859<br />
Your nearest HIVE is contactable on............................................................01869 256158 / 01235 543588<br />
Your nearest Resettlement centre and contact number is:......................................................01869 256650<br />
Your nearest Army Welfare Service Office is located at: ................................................................................<br />
Your nearest Housing Contact is is:.......................................................................................0800 707 6000<br />
Page 16<br />
The Garrison<br />
www.bicester-garrison.co.uk
UK & BFG Websites<br />
Adventure Sports Online<br />
www.adventuresports.co.uk<br />
ABF The Soldiers’ Charity<br />
www.soldierscharity.org<br />
Army Families Federation<br />
www.aff.org.uk<br />
Army Welfare Service – Home Page<br />
www.army.mod.uk/welfare-support<br />
British Army – Home Page<br />
www.army.mod.uk<br />
Directory of Essential Services<br />
www.scoot.co.uk<br />
Ex-Service Housing<br />
www.haighomes.org.uk<br />
Help With Moving Home<br />
www.iammoving.com<br />
HIVE<br />
www.army.mod.uk/hives<br />
Joint Service Housing Advice Office<br />
www.gov.uk/housing-for-servicepersonnel-and-families<br />
Naval Families Federation<br />
www.nff.org.uk<br />
Postal Services<br />
www.gov.uk/british-forces-post-officeservices<br />
RAF Families Federation<br />
www.raf-ff.org.uk<br />
Royal Air Force Community<br />
Support<br />
www.raf.mod.uk/community<br />
RAF HIVE<br />
www.raf.mod.uk/community/support/<br />
rafhiveinformationservice<br />
Royal British Legion<br />
www.britishlegion.org.uk<br />
RN/RM HIVE<br />
www.royalnavy.mod.uk/Community/<br />
Royal-Navy-Community/HIVE<br />
SSAFA<br />
www.ssafa.org.uk<br />
Submariners Association<br />
www.submarinersassociation.co.uk<br />
Yellow Pages<br />
www.yell.com<br />
Important Numbers & Services<br />
Publishers to The Ministry of<br />
Defence and to Army Garrisons and<br />
Establishments throughout the world<br />
The Hair Lounge<br />
METHOD PUBLISHING<br />
Sutherland Press House Main Street<br />
Golspie . Sutherland KW10 6RA<br />
Telephone . 01408 633871<br />
Facsimile . 01408 633876<br />
Email . admin@methodpublishing.co.uk<br />
www.methodpublishing.co.uk<br />
www.bicester-garrison.co.uk<br />
Highly experienced stylist,<br />
a friendly and welcoming<br />
atmosphere with<br />
competitive prices.<br />
Merton Road, Ambrosden<br />
<strong>Bicester</strong>, Oxfordshire OX25 2LS<br />
01869 241866<br />
www.thehairloungebicester.co.uk<br />
The Garrison Page 17
The Garrison<br />
Family business est. 1972<br />
A long established small garage business<br />
with an excellent reputation.<br />
Where traditional mechanical experience<br />
combines with modern technology.<br />
Try us… You won’t be disappointed<br />
• Motor Repairs & Servicing for all Cars &<br />
Light Commercials<br />
• MOT Testing Station (including Class 7)<br />
• Diagnostic Checks<br />
• Tyres, Exhausts, Clutches, Timing Belts, etc<br />
• Car Sales<br />
• Courtesy Car Available<br />
• Free Fitting of Wiper Blades (must be<br />
supplied by ourselves)<br />
Lower Arncott, <strong>Bicester</strong> OX25 1NY<br />
www.sandsmotorsbicester.co.uk<br />
Traditional, Local, Friendly<br />
Tel: 01869 320100<br />
MOT, Servicing, Repairs<br />
Computer Diagnostic, Clutches, Cam Belts<br />
Tyres, Balancing and Tracking<br />
Puncture repairs also available<br />
GREENCOURT<br />
BOARDING<br />
KENNELS<br />
& CATTERY<br />
JAKI & ALAN<br />
New Full Grooming Facility<br />
Large Heated Kennels<br />
Individual Runs<br />
Daily Walks in quiet countryside<br />
Open all year • Inspection preferred<br />
Fully licensed and insured<br />
Telephone:<br />
01869 327810<br />
Fax: 01869 320896<br />
Email: greencourt@btinternet.com<br />
Web: www.greencourtdogand cat.co.uk<br />
Clue Hill Farm, next to Bullingdon<br />
Prison, Nr Brill HP18 9UZ<br />
Three Corners Garage<br />
Local collection and delivery by appointment<br />
Courtesy cars available<br />
10% OFF WITH THIS ADVERT<br />
Page 18<br />
The Garrison<br />
www.bicester-garrison.co.uk
Army Welfare Service (AWS)<br />
The AWS provides community support and a CONFIDENTIAL social and occupational<br />
welfare support service to all single, married, regular, and reservist soldiers and their families<br />
both serving and ex-serving.<br />
Community Support<br />
The purpose of AWS Community Support is to provide learning opportunities, activities and<br />
experiences that are sociable, recreational, educational and responsive to need, but also<br />
locally accessible, affordable and of good quality.<br />
This provision is likely to include Pre-school groups, Community Centres, Youth Centres<br />
and projects within the community as well as provision for children and young people during<br />
some school holidays.<br />
To enable the best possible use of premises and resources we need your help as a volunteer.<br />
You are the vital resource of AWS Community Support.<br />
We believe that the best way to support our communities is to listen and develop an<br />
understanding of their needs and concerns and then where possible facilitate a programme<br />
that meets these.<br />
Make the Difference<br />
Telephone or see your AWS Community Support staff today!!<br />
Personal Support<br />
The Army Welfare Service staff are trained and knowledgeable. They are sympathetic to<br />
people’s needs and can give confidential support to enable Service personnel and their<br />
families to cope with the stresses and strains of Service life. The Army Welfare Service<br />
operates a strict confidentiality code; the code is fully explained in the ‘Confidentiality Code’<br />
leaflet available from your Army Welfare Service Office. Everyone who works within The<br />
Army Welfare Service is required to follow the confidentiality code no matter who they are.<br />
*** Confidentiality has to be broken only to prevent: the risk of self harm, a danger to others,<br />
a serious crime, civil or military, a breach of security or the effectiveness of a soldier being<br />
compromised in the course of their duty.<br />
We strive to provide a social and occupational welfare support service to assist with the<br />
challenges that arise in personal and Service lives.<br />
Some of the issues AWS can help with include:<br />
Relationship difficulties Post Divorce<br />
Bereavement<br />
CSA concerns<br />
Parenting skills<br />
Child care<br />
Special Needs<br />
Housing<br />
Benefits information<br />
Medical concerns<br />
For your nearest AWS Intake and Assessment Team (for referrals)<br />
please contact 01904 662 613<br />
Important Numbers & Services<br />
www.bicester-garrison.co.uk<br />
The Garrison Page 19
Important Numbers & Services<br />
General Points<br />
Throughout the Army Welfare Service we aim to:<br />
• Provide a confidential, non-discriminatory professional support service that responds<br />
appropriately to the needs of our Service community.<br />
• Give guidance and support to soldiers and their families.<br />
• Be positive and polite in our approach.<br />
• Ensure that our information is up-to-date, accurate and timely.<br />
• Be open and fair in our dealings with complaints, responding to them within 7 working<br />
days of receipt.<br />
• Ask our customers their views and use them to evaluate and improve our service.<br />
• Provide staff with time to listen.<br />
• Provide the best service by liaising with civilian agencies including schools.<br />
As the customer, we hope you will:<br />
• Understand that we may not always be able to meet all of your expectations.<br />
• Please let us know when you need to cancel or change an appointment.<br />
• Treat our staff with the same respect that you expect from us.<br />
If you have Complaints, Compliments or Suggestions:<br />
If we have or haven’t got it right and you want to let us know about the service you have<br />
received please:<br />
• First discuss it with the member of staff concerned or a member of the local AWS staff.<br />
• If you find that this does not resolve your problem please contact:<br />
Col AWS, HQ Army Welfare Service, Floor 1, Zone 2, HQ Sp Comd,<br />
Montgomery House, Queens Avenue, Aldershot GU11 2JN<br />
Tel: 01252 787663 (94222 7663).<br />
You will receive an acknowledgement within seven working days of receipt and a reply as<br />
soon as the matter has been thoroughly investigated.<br />
Remember you can always speak at any time to your Commanding Officer or your Unit<br />
Welfare Officer.<br />
Page 20<br />
The Garrison<br />
| Local Services<br />
www.warminster-garrison.co.uk<br />
www.bicester-garrison.co.uk
ADMISSION CHARGES<br />
Adult £4.50, all concessions £3.80, child 5-16 £2.50, under five free<br />
Annual Membership, pay once and get 12 months free<br />
FAMILY<br />
2 adults and up to 4 children £36.00<br />
1 adult and up to 4 children £27.00<br />
1 adult and up to 2 children £18.00<br />
OPENING TIMES<br />
Tuesday to Saturday 10am-5pm • Sunday 2pm-5pm<br />
Last admi ssion 4:15pm<br />
Kids Cart, Trails, Dress Up, Changing Exhibitions, Family Events<br />
Join us Saturday June 27th 10-4pm for our Family Fun Day.<br />
Free entry for MOD90 card holders.<br />
All visitors are advised to visit the website before they plan their visit.<br />
Tel: 01993 810 210 • www.sofo.org.uk
Important Numbers & Services<br />
The Army HIVE Information Service aims to respond swiftly and efficiently to enquiries from<br />
anyone within the Service community. Enquiries are welcomed from serving personnel, their<br />
dependants, partners, extended families, veterans, war widows (ers) and MOD civilians.<br />
The HIVE information Support Officers (HISOs) who manage the HIVE information centres<br />
have a wide range of information available, focusing on local area education, housing and<br />
accommodation, employment and training opportunities, childcare, travel, leisure and health<br />
facilities. They hold comprehensive new arrival location overviews for serving accompanied<br />
and single serving personnel which aim to assist anyone settling into their new location. When<br />
it is time to move on HISOs are ready to provide the answers to questions on the next posting<br />
location.<br />
The Army HIVE information service has excellent links with Service and civilian agencies which<br />
ensures that up to date, useful and important information is passed on quickly. Close contacts<br />
with local civilian authorities and unit staff further ensure that local information is kept current.<br />
HISOs work closely with the Unit welfare staff at times of operational deployment and provide a<br />
deployment communication pack designed to keep families in touch during these times.<br />
In addition to the information provision role HISOs are able to confidentially refer you to the right<br />
person should you have a need for personal help or support and will feedback to the chain of<br />
command concerns on issues affecting the Service community.<br />
To find your nearest HIVE go to www.army.mod.uk/hives<br />
Page 22<br />
The Garrison<br />
www.bicester-garrison.co.uk
Local Welfare Information<br />
Below is a list of staff who are here to help you in any way they can. They are only a telephone call away, so if you<br />
require help telephone and make an appointment to be seen by a professional.<br />
Army Welfare Workers<br />
Tel: 94271 2694 or 01962 887694 during normal working hours.<br />
Although based in Abingdon, we are available for appointments made in <strong>Bicester</strong>, Monday to Friday from 0800-1600<br />
hrs. Should you have any problems or worries please do not hesitate to contact us. You should all be in possession of<br />
a Customer’s Charter which outlines your rights and what you can expect from the Service. We have been established<br />
for your benefit so please if you have any worries on whatever subject, please telephone for advice or a visit. We are<br />
here for you!<br />
Each Commanding Officer is responsible for the welfare of the officers and soldiers of his unit. He is also responsible<br />
for the welfare of their families.<br />
We are fortunate in having a number of individuals and organisations concerning themselves with the welfare of Service<br />
families in <strong>Bicester</strong> Garrison. The following notes are intended as a brief introduction to some of these agencies.<br />
The Garrison<br />
The AWS Community Development Worker (CDW)<br />
Your Community Development Worker (CDW), is located in the Families Centre in Alder Drive. They are there to<br />
provide the families in <strong>Bicester</strong> Garrison with all the necessary community activities such as summer playscheme, half<br />
term amenities and any other activities that the community wish to see developed. They keep all families aware of<br />
what is going on in the Garrison by way of a regular newsletter.<br />
The Community Development Worker is always available for a chat, so pop in to Alder Drive, have a coffee and<br />
discuss your ideas. Telephone number is Mil Ext 2135 or Civil 01869 256135.<br />
The Families Centre<br />
The families centre is located behind the gym and provides a meeting place for all families. In the same building the<br />
following can be found; Community Development Worker on 01869 256135, 23 Regt RLC Unit Welfare Officer on<br />
01869 256457 and the Community Support Clerk on 01869 256411 or 257819.<br />
The Community Police<br />
MOD Police 24 Hrs – <strong>Bicester</strong> 256150/Mil 2150<br />
RMP Ambrosden Detachment <strong>Bicester</strong> 256448/Mil 2448<br />
RMP Station 24 Hrs – 01252 347323/Mil 94222 2323<br />
The Ministry of Defence Police is a civil police force, which serves the military and military dependants alike. To this end<br />
we are here to serve you as military dependants living within Ambrosden estate.<br />
As civilian police officers we see our role as preventative and protective. Ambrosden, albeit a small community, is a<br />
target for crime as much as any other part of Oxfordshire, fortunately Ambrosden is a low crime area. The Ministry<br />
of Defence Police in conjunction with the Royal Military Police remains committed to providing a high quality police<br />
service in an effort for it to remain so.<br />
Both the Ministry of Defence Police and the Royal Military Police have a wealth of knowledge in policing activities<br />
ranging from community safety issues to crime reduction advice and initiatives.<br />
Current initiatives by MDP/RMP include amongst others:-<br />
1) House checks whilst you are away.<br />
2) OX25 – Household property marking scheme.<br />
The offices are situated at the Garrison Centre between the Costcutter shop and Ambrosden Surgery.<br />
If you feel you are able to assist with the ongoing review of police activities within the estate, please use your voice, we<br />
are open to pertinent suggestions, it is your community we work for.<br />
www.bicester-garrison.co.uk<br />
The Garrison<br />
Page 23
<strong>Bicester</strong> Youth Services Provision<br />
The HUB is run by Oxfordshire County Council as an Early Intervention HUB. Many groups use the facilities, including<br />
Jesters (Youth Coffee Bar), T2 (Youth Club), Courtyard Playgroup, <strong>Bicester</strong> Volunteer Link, <strong>Bicester</strong> Friends of the<br />
Earth, and Stonham Housing Association, and it is the base for the Community Youth Project worker for the area. (It is<br />
rapidly becoming a vibrant focus for youth work and community projects for the town and, as such, provides a discreet<br />
and inconspicuous location for our clients to visit.)<br />
The Garrison<br />
RELATE – Marriage Guidance<br />
Relate – formerly known as the Marriage Guidance Council – offers a confidential service to<br />
those having difficulties in their marriage or other personal relationships.<br />
A counselling appointment in Oxford or Banbury may be arranged by calling the National call number - 0300 100 1234<br />
A limited number of appointments are also available at the Health Centre, Coker Close, <strong>Bicester</strong>. These appointments<br />
may be made by telephoning Relate’s Oxford number.<br />
The Voluntary Network<br />
All men and women serving in the Armed Forces, and their families, are eligible for help from the voluntary network<br />
of SSAFA Forces Help. With 5,000 trained volunteers throughout the British Isles, help is always close at hand. In your<br />
local volunteer you have a friend who is independent of the Service organisation, is sympathetic and knowledgeable,<br />
will treat your conversation as strictly confidential and can offer practical help and support or make financial grants<br />
when needed. The joint SSAFA Forces Help network does, of course, help tens of thousands of ex-Service people and<br />
their families every year and the work is increasing. Many Branches are constantly in need of volunteers of all ages and<br />
backgrounds.<br />
The SSAFA Forces Help confidential Helpline can be contacted on 01235 548039.<br />
PW TRAINING ACADEMY<br />
We provide training to those who are looking to<br />
update existing skills or a change in career.<br />
We pride ourselves in maintaining a high standard<br />
of training to a nationally recognised standard.<br />
At PW Training Academy we offer the following<br />
training:<br />
• Car Tuition including Pass Plus with a qualified<br />
DVSA Approved Driving Instructor (ADI)<br />
• Forklift with ITSSAR Accredited Instructors (our<br />
training centre is located in Banbury)<br />
• Safe and Fuel Efficient Driving (SAFED) for car &<br />
LGVs drivers<br />
• NVQ and Apprenticeships<br />
• Manual Handling<br />
• Digital Tachograph<br />
Special Forces Discount Available<br />
Covering <strong>Bicester</strong> & Banbury in Oxfordshire. But<br />
please do not hesitate to contact us as we do<br />
travel to other locations throughout the UK<br />
TEL: 07504304754<br />
Email: pwtrainingacademy@gmail.com<br />
www.pwtrainingacademy.co.uk<br />
Just moved to the area?<br />
Looking for a job with flexible<br />
hours that you do not need<br />
previous experience for?<br />
If so, come and join the team<br />
at Bluebird Care. We are a family<br />
run business who care for our<br />
staff in the same way that we care<br />
for our customers.<br />
Call our friendly team on<br />
01869 324293<br />
for more information.<br />
Send your CV to:<br />
Cherwell@bluebirdcare.co.uk<br />
Page 24<br />
The Garrison<br />
www.bicester-garrison.co.uk
The Garrison Community Centre<br />
The Garrison Community Centre was opened in 2005 and has proven to be a popular facility. The centre comprises:<br />
• A large hall with a small podium in one corner.<br />
• A fully equipped kitchen with fridges, cooker, crockery, cutlery and a dishwasher.<br />
• The usual toilet facilities plus a toilet for the disabled.<br />
• Provision for baby changing.<br />
• A fitted sound system and DVD player with a large screen.<br />
The Centre provides a range of activities for the whole community. These range from social, welfare and educational<br />
activities which will benefit married families, dependent children and single soldiers. The Centre is also available for<br />
private hire.<br />
Over the last few years we have hosted a variety of private functions from Christening Parties, Birthday Parties, Table<br />
Top Sales, Craft Shows and Promotion Parties. We have also facilitated some Education Courses and the Summer<br />
Playscheme. Annually we also hold Christmas parties for children and Christmas Craft Sessions for everyone. Besides<br />
these events the Centre also has regular users and a timetable for these is to be found below:<br />
The Garrison<br />
Monday: Rompers & Stompers 0930-1115 hrs<br />
Guides<br />
1800-2000 hrs<br />
Tuesday: Playbus 1030-1200 hrs<br />
Rompers & Stompers 1245-1445 hrs<br />
Brownies<br />
1645-1815 hrs<br />
Youth Club Age 5 to 7 1630-1730 hrs<br />
Wednesday: Coffee Morning 0930-1200 hrs<br />
Garrison Housing surgery (Every 3rd wed of the Month at 1000 hrs in the Education Centre)<br />
Royal British Legion Outreach Visit (Every 3rd Wednesday of the month visit the coffee<br />
morning to speak to them)<br />
Youth club Age 12 plus 1730-1900 hrs<br />
Thursday: Youth Club School Age 8-12 1715-1830 hrs<br />
Friday: Rompers & Stompers 0930-1115 hrs<br />
For further information about the Garrison Community Centre and the Garrison Families’ Centre and to make<br />
bookings please contact:<br />
Community Support Clerk: <strong>Bicester</strong> Military 94240 2411 / 3718 Civilian: 01869 256114 / 257718<br />
Email: <strong>Bicester</strong>Gar-CSC@mod.uk<br />
www.bicester-garrison.co.uk<br />
The Garrison<br />
Page 25
<strong>Bicester</strong> Army Learning Centre (77AEC)<br />
The Garrison<br />
<strong>Bicester</strong> Army Education Centre (<strong>Bicester</strong> AEC) is<br />
situated in the Ambrosden Amenities Centre, right<br />
beside the Gymnasium. It is a lively centre of learning<br />
and advice and is open to Military personnel and their<br />
dependants along with MOD civilian staff.<br />
<strong>Bicester</strong> AEC runs mandatory career courses for<br />
military personal as well as providing elective learning<br />
opportunities; personal development is high on the<br />
Army’s agenda. The Education Officers within the AEC<br />
are happy to discuss learning and study opportunities<br />
available to individuals along with possible financial<br />
support through the Standard Learning Credits or<br />
Enhanced Learning Credit’s Scheme. For information on<br />
personal development courses, or to arrange a personal<br />
development course, or to arrange an interview to<br />
discuss personal development opportunities available,<br />
please contact the AEC using the phone numbers below.<br />
The Elective Learning Centre (ELC), a suite of eight<br />
Internet terminals, is available for online study towards<br />
civilian certified courses. It is open to the whole of<br />
the service Community. The ELC Navigator will<br />
provide guidance with finding the right course from<br />
the thousands on offer through Learndirect and other<br />
providers. There are fees for some of the courses -<br />
the European Computer Driving Licence/ITQ costs<br />
from £45 .Various NVQs as well as Maths and English<br />
Qualifications are also available and please note the vast<br />
majority are free. Should computers be free then users<br />
are also able to surf the net and send personal Emails.<br />
Advice is available from the Individual Education and<br />
Resettlement Officer on all aspects of Resettlement.<br />
Resettlement Interviews, booked through Unit<br />
Resettlement Officers, are also held at <strong>Bicester</strong> AEC.<br />
Our Basic Skills Development Manager gives advice on<br />
how to handle learning difficulties such as Dyslexia, to<br />
the whole Service community. Soldiers and their families<br />
who wish to improve their skills in English and Maths up<br />
to GCSE can attend a variety of courses that run within<br />
the AEC. Most of these courses are run in partnership<br />
with local Education providers, such as Abingdon and<br />
Witney College. All personal interviews are confidential<br />
and individuals are encouraged to seek advice from the<br />
AEC directly. Advice on Boarding School Education and<br />
Special Education Needs can also be obtained from the<br />
Education Officers.<br />
<strong>Bicester</strong> AEC also has internet terminals available for<br />
use by those looking for future employment, personal<br />
development courses, as well as for those service<br />
personnel looking for housing opportunities in and<br />
around the local area, or further afield.<br />
To arrange an appointment with any of the <strong>Bicester</strong> AEC<br />
officers and for information about any of our services,<br />
please telephone the Chief Clerk on <strong>Bicester</strong> Military<br />
2560 or 01869 256560.<br />
DRAGONFLY GARDEN SERVICES<br />
• Hedgecutting • Weeding/clearance/tidyups<br />
• Grasscutting • FENCING/TURFING<br />
• Qualified (NPTC/BTC/NDH) • Insured to £5million<br />
• All Aspects Covered • LOCAL SERVICE<br />
For further details please call Rowland Davies<br />
on <strong>Bicester</strong> 01869 351556<br />
Mobile: 07947 277931<br />
Email: villardavies@gmail.com<br />
Web: www.gardenerbicester.co.uk<br />
Page 26<br />
The Garrison<br />
www.bicester-garrison.co.uk
Garrison Activities<br />
There is always a great deal always going on in <strong>Bicester</strong><br />
Garrison. Because every activity is sponsored by<br />
individuals who may be posted in and out, it follows<br />
that the enthusiasm for any particular activity may vary<br />
from year to year. However, it is usually possible to find<br />
thriving groups of people taking part in Swimming, Golf,<br />
Shooting and a variety of others.<br />
The youngsters are also catered for with youth groups<br />
taking place, these include The Youth Club, Rainbows,<br />
Guides and Brownies.<br />
For details of the Youth Club please contact the CDW<br />
01869 256135<br />
The Summer Playscheme<br />
One particular event extending over four weeks which<br />
interests children of all ages is the Ambrosden Summer<br />
Playscheme. Various activities are available for all the<br />
children from the Garrison and the surrounding villages.<br />
Each morning there is cooking, arts & crafts and gym<br />
activities provided for the older children of 5 years and<br />
upwards.<br />
During the course of the year family outings and half<br />
term and other holiday activities are on offer.<br />
The Play scheme has very valuable support from<br />
the Garrison, but many of the activities are run by<br />
volunteers from the local community. The success of<br />
the Playscheme depends largely upon parents willing to<br />
become involved so if you would like to help please call<br />
at the Families Centre, Alder Drive, Ambrosden.<br />
Wrap Around Care<br />
The Garrison offers a provision of Wrap Around care<br />
which operates from the community room at Five Acres<br />
School Ambrosden. The setting offers child care from<br />
8.00 a.m. until the start of school and then after school<br />
3.00 p.m. until 6.00 p.m. term time. In the school<br />
holidays it operates from 8.00 a.m. until 6.00 p.m.<br />
Monday to Friday.<br />
The Garrison<br />
Local Churches<br />
Roman Catholic<br />
The Rev’d Fr John Batthula<br />
The Presbytery, The Causeway, <strong>Bicester</strong>.<br />
Tel: 01869 253277<br />
Times of worship:<br />
Church of the Immaculate Conception<br />
Mass Saturday 1800 hrs<br />
Mass Sunday 0900 & 1100 hrs<br />
Church of England<br />
There is no Church of England Garrison church, instead,<br />
we share the local Parish church of St Mary the Virgin,<br />
Ambrosden.<br />
Holy Communion, Morning Prayer or Family Service at<br />
1030 hrs.<br />
Requests for baptisms, banns, weddings etc should be<br />
made throughThe Revd Charles Masheder<br />
Tel: 01869 247813<br />
<strong>Bicester</strong> Methodist Church<br />
Sundays 1045 & 1830 hrs<br />
Elim Pentecostal Church<br />
<strong>Bicester</strong> Community College<br />
Sunday 1000 & 1800 hrs<br />
Orchard Baptist Fellowship<br />
Cooper School <strong>Bicester</strong> Sunday 1030 hrs<br />
www.bicester-garrison.co.uk<br />
The Garrison<br />
Page 27
The Garrison<br />
Page 28<br />
The Garrison<br />
www.bicester-garrison.co.uk
The Garrison<br />
www.bicester-garrison.co.uk<br />
The Garrison<br />
Page 29
The Garrison<br />
<strong>Bicester</strong>:<br />
01869<br />
241769<br />
OX 26 6LG<br />
We are on the<br />
first floor<br />
opposite<br />
Superdrug<br />
Page 30<br />
The Garrison<br />
www.bicester-garrison.co.uk
JOIN TODAY AND SAY YES TO<br />
SAVINGS!<br />
The Garrison<br />
As an employee of the Armed Forces<br />
you qualify for Individual Membership*<br />
Costco is a membership warehouse club that sells a wide selection of top<br />
quality brand name merchandise at low warehouse prices.<br />
Individual Membership<br />
To join Costco and start saving please provide your employee ID card<br />
or current pay slip to prove your employment, PLUS a current utility bill<br />
(electricity, gas, telephone, water) or a bank statement addressed to your<br />
home.<br />
The annual membership fee for Standard Individual Membership is £25<br />
(plus VAT), which includes a complimentary card for your spouse or<br />
domestic partner.<br />
The annual membership fee for Executive Individual Membership is £55<br />
(plus VAT), which also includes a complimentary card for<br />
your spouse or domestic partner. Executive Individuals<br />
earn a 2% Reward on most purchases up to a<br />
maximum of £300 per year, and receive this in their<br />
annual renewal notice, to use against goods in the<br />
warehouse.<br />
Costco Milton Keynes<br />
Mandeville Drive<br />
Kingston<br />
Milton Keynes<br />
MK10 0DB<br />
T: 01908 285 020<br />
E: marketing117@costco.co.uk<br />
SIGN UP FOR MEMBERSHIP WITH THIS<br />
ADVERT AND RECEIVE A £5 VOUCHER TO<br />
SPEND IN THE WAREHOUSE!<br />
COSTCO MILTON KEYNES ONLY. VALID UNTIL 31/08/15.<br />
www.costco.co.uk<br />
*Membership Criteria applies. Membership must be obtained<br />
before purchases can be made. Costco accepts cash, debit<br />
card, cheque or American Express<br />
JN8474<br />
www.bicester-garrison.co.uk<br />
The Garrison<br />
Page 31
The Garrison<br />
Page 32<br />
The Garrison<br />
www.bicester-garrison.co.uk
Two<br />
section<br />
Health<br />
Matters<br />
Page 35: Medical Agencies<br />
Page 36: Dental Care<br />
Page 37: Helplines<br />
www.bicester-garrison.co.uk Health Matters Page 33
Health Matters<br />
08457 90 90 90* (UK)<br />
01865 722122* (Oxford)<br />
www.samaritans.org<br />
A registered charity<br />
*Please see our website for latest call charges<br />
Page 34<br />
Health Matters<br />
www.bicester-garrison.co.uk
Medical Arrangements for Families<br />
Registration with a Civilian Doctor<br />
Having moved into a families quarter in the <strong>Bicester</strong> area<br />
it is the responsibility of every family to arrange for their<br />
acceptance on the list of one or other of the local civilian<br />
doctors. It is important that this is one of the first things<br />
you do upon arrival in your new home.<br />
How to Register<br />
Visit the Surgery of your choice and collect all the NHS<br />
forms needed to register, once completed please return<br />
them to the surgery and have proof of ID (Passport)<br />
and a utility bill with your new address on. For children<br />
under 5 the red book is needed. Should you not have<br />
received a Utility bill yet, ask your UWO for a letter of<br />
confirmation of occupation.<br />
If this is your first NHS Doctor<br />
If you have arrived from abroad and this is your first NHS<br />
Doctor, you will need to provide your date of arrival to<br />
the UK.<br />
Civilian Doctors<br />
Langford & Ambrosden Garrison Families Medical Centre<br />
The selection of a family doctor is a personal choice. However, the majority of Service families living on the<br />
Ambrosden Estate have chosen to register with the above practice. The Garrison Medical Centre has the following<br />
doctors:<br />
Dr T W D Anderson<br />
Dr J R Jones<br />
Dr D R Grimshaw<br />
Dr E Van Stigt<br />
Dr J R Jackman<br />
Dr E Hill<br />
Dr S Ronaghy<br />
Telephone: 01869 245665<br />
Daily Surgery<br />
Hours: Ambrosden Surgery Langford Surgery<br />
Mondays 1100-1300 hrs 0800-1800 hrs<br />
Tuesdays Closed 0800-1800 hrs<br />
Wednesdays 1000-1200 hrs 0800-1800 hrs<br />
Thursdays Closed 0800-1800 hrs<br />
Fridays 1100-1300 hrs 0800-1800 hrs<br />
Other Clinics:<br />
Baby Immunisation Clinic Langford Tuesdays 1100-1230 hrs<br />
Baby Drop in Clinic at Children’s Centre, Ambrosden<br />
Appts booked with midwifeThursday 1300-1400 hrs<br />
Bumbs with babiesThursday<br />
1300-1500 hrs<br />
Ante-Natal/Bookings at Ambrosden/Langford<br />
Monday<br />
1330-1430 hrs<br />
Tuesdays<br />
1000-1600 hrs<br />
Wednesdays<br />
1000-1600 hrs<br />
Appointments for Baby clinics can be made by telephoning the surgery on 01869 245665. Ante Natal bookings should<br />
be made by telephoning the Midwife team on 01869 243763.<br />
Health Matters<br />
www.bicester-garrison.co.uk<br />
Health Matters Page 35
Child Health Clinic<br />
The Ambrosden Child Health Clinic is held at the Children’s Centre Ambrosden every Thursday 1300-1400 hrs for<br />
baby weighing and immunisations. There is a Breast feeding Café 1300-1530 hrs. All children up to age of 5 years are<br />
welcome. The clinic is for babies and children. If illness is suspected the routine surgery should be attended instead.<br />
Ante-Natal Clinic<br />
Full ante-natal care is available. The Ante-Natal Clinic is run by the GPs together with the district midwife. Hospital antenatal<br />
supervision and delivery arrangements are at either the John Radcliffe Hospital or at the Horton General Hospital,<br />
Banbury.<br />
Health Matters<br />
Other Services<br />
Practice Nurse<br />
A nursing sister is available to give general health advice,<br />
attend to dressings, minor injuries, removal of stitches,<br />
ear syringing, injections, smears etc.<br />
Health Visitor<br />
A health visitor is available to give general advice<br />
concerning health and illness and problems arising from<br />
them.<br />
District Nurse and District Midwife<br />
A district nurse and district midwife are attached to the<br />
practice to perform nursing duties in the home and<br />
arrange obstetric care. The district midwife attends the<br />
Ante-Natal Clinics and also carries out home visits after<br />
early discharge from hospital following delivery.<br />
Home Visits<br />
A request for a home visit should only be made if the<br />
patient is too ill to attend surgery. Children can usually<br />
be brought to surgery. Please make home visit requests<br />
before 1000 hrs.<br />
Out of Hours and Night Calls<br />
Urgent calls outside surgery hours are dealt with by<br />
the doctor on call. Details can be obtained by phoning<br />
<strong>Bicester</strong> 245665 at all times.<br />
Visitors<br />
Persons taken ill while staying locally in Ambrosden, but<br />
temporarily away from their own homes, can be seen by<br />
arrangement at the surgery.<br />
Dispensary<br />
The dispensary is open during surgery hours and<br />
medicines prescribed by the doctor can be obtained at<br />
the surgery dispensary. The NHS prescription charge<br />
applies to all persons not entitled to free prescriptions<br />
under the NHS. Repeat prescriptions are available, but<br />
should be requested after 1130 hrs and at least 48 hours<br />
in advance.<br />
Welfare Services<br />
There is a close liaison between the medical services<br />
provided from the Ambrosden Surgery and the Army’s<br />
own welfare services.<br />
Dental Care<br />
The Army does not provide dental treatment for<br />
Servicemen’s families living in the area. It is, therefore,<br />
desirable that families should arrange to register with a<br />
civilian dentist in <strong>Bicester</strong> as soon as possible after arrival.<br />
There are a number of dentists with practices in the<br />
town.<br />
<strong>Bicester</strong> Dental Centre 01869 252788<br />
Mr Buckland 01869 252394<br />
Mr Chohan 01869 253261<br />
Mr Pomeroy 01869 252228<br />
Page 36<br />
Health Matters<br />
www.bicester-garrison.co.uk
Hospitals<br />
<strong>Bicester</strong> Community Hospital<br />
Kings End, <strong>Bicester</strong> (Minor Injuries Dept out of normal surgery hours) 01869 876500<br />
Hospitals with Accident and Emergency Departments:<br />
John Radcliffe Hospital, Headley Way, Oxford 01865 741166<br />
Horton Hospital, Banbury 01295 275500<br />
Chipping Norton Maternity 01608 641682<br />
Oxford Eye Hospital 01865 231730<br />
Helplines<br />
Aids National Freephone 0800 567123<br />
Al Anon – Support for families of alcoholics 0207 403 0888<br />
Alcoholics Anonymous 01865 242373<br />
Childline Freephone 0800 1111<br />
Drug Addiction Freephone 0800 776600<br />
Families Anonymous – support for families of drug users 0207 498 4680<br />
Gamblers Anonymous – Gam Anon support for gamblers and their families 0207 384 3040<br />
Meningitis Research Foundation 24hr helpline 0808 800 334<br />
NSPCC – Child Protection Helpline 0800 800500<br />
Parentline – Helpline for parents with stress 01865 726600<br />
Freephone 0808 8002222<br />
RSPCA 0300 1234999<br />
Rape Crisis 01865 726295<br />
Samaritans Local 01865 722122<br />
National Linkline 0845 790 9090<br />
Victim Support 01295 277990<br />
Health Matters<br />
www.bicester-garrison.co.uk<br />
Health Matters Page 37
Health Matters<br />
VASECTOMY AND<br />
ABORTION TREATMENT<br />
NHS and PRIVATE<br />
APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE<br />
Marie Stopes is the UK’s leading<br />
reproductive health charity offering<br />
treatment to men and women.<br />
We offer a personal, safe<br />
and confidential service to all<br />
our patients.<br />
To book your appointment now or<br />
for more information phone our<br />
24 helpline or visit our website<br />
0345 300 80 90<br />
www.mariestopes.org.uk<br />
Working for victims of crime<br />
Victim Support is a national<br />
charity which helps<br />
victims of crime offering.<br />
• Emotional Support<br />
• Information<br />
• Practical Help<br />
through trained volunteers based in<br />
local Scheme and Witness Services:<br />
Victim Supportline<br />
0845 30 30 900<br />
PO Box 11431, London SW9 6ZH<br />
Open 9am – 9pm weekdays<br />
9am – 7pm weekends<br />
& 9am – 5 pm Bank Holidays.<br />
All UK calls charged at local rates<br />
Page 38<br />
Health Matters<br />
www.bicester-garrison.co.uk
Trust<br />
<strong>Bicester</strong> Vets<br />
to care for<br />
your pets<br />
Why Choose <strong>Bicester</strong> Vets?<br />
Peace of mind for pet owners…<br />
●<br />
●<br />
●<br />
●<br />
●<br />
Compassionate & Caring at all times<br />
Long opening hours for your convenience.<br />
24 hour on-site nursing care as standard for all our hospitalised patients.<br />
24 hour emergency service provided by our vets at our practice.<br />
‘A service that’s second to none from North Oxfordshire’s es most<br />
established, independent, speciality small animal practice.’<br />
Call today on 01869 252077<br />
<strong>Bicester</strong> Vets • Victoria Road • <strong>Bicester</strong> • OX26 6PJ<br />
Follow us on twitter @bicestervets and Like us<br />
on facebook at www.facebook.com/bicestervets<br />
www.bicestervets.co.uk
Don’t forget<br />
to check your<br />
Health Matters<br />
batteries<br />
regularly.<br />
A smoke alarm<br />
with dead batteries<br />
is not a smoke alarm.<br />
Page 40<br />
Health Matters<br />
www.bicester-garrison.co.uk
section<br />
Three<br />
Your<br />
Accommodation<br />
Page 42: Services Families Housing<br />
Page 44: Walk Away Scheme<br />
Page 46: Local Arrengements<br />
Page 48: Families Quarters<br />
Page ??49: JSHAO<br />
Page 50: Carillion Amey<br />
www.bicester-garrison.co.uk Your Accommodation Page 41
Service Families Housing (SFA)<br />
From 1 December 2014 a new UK-wide ‘one stop’ housing service has been introduced and<br />
CarillionAmey is the company responsible for delivering the new service on behalf of the Defence Infrastructure<br />
Organisation (DIO).<br />
The ‘One Stop’ service now covers: SFA Applications.<br />
Allocations and Furniture, Maintenance and Repairs, Housing Improvements.<br />
Move In and Move Out appointments.<br />
Accommodation<br />
The Garrison<br />
Page 42<br />
Your Accommodation<br />
www.bicester-garrison.co.uk
Accommodation<br />
www.bicester-garrison.co.uk<br />
Your Accommodation<br />
Page 43
Accommodation<br />
The Garrison<br />
Page 44<br />
Your Accommodation<br />
www.bicester-garrison.co.uk
Schedule of Rates<br />
Accommodation<br />
Garrison Church, St Mary’s Ambrosden.<br />
www.bicester-garrison.co.uk<br />
Your Accommodation<br />
Page 45
Location of <strong>Bicester</strong> Garrison Families Quarters<br />
There are just over 340 families quarters (SFA) available<br />
for occupation by families of Army personnel serving in<br />
the <strong>Bicester</strong> area. Well over 90% of these quarters are<br />
located at Ambrosden, a village which lies between 2 and<br />
3 miles to the south-east of <strong>Bicester</strong>. The remaining 10%<br />
are located in Caversfield North of bicester.<br />
All the Ambrosden quarters are houses which have been<br />
built during the past 40 years.<br />
It is because the vast majority of families will be living<br />
in Ambrosden that this Guide concerns itself almost<br />
exclusively with the facilities and arrangements applicable<br />
to that area.<br />
Accommodation<br />
The Garrison<br />
Local Arrangements – for Refuse Collections,<br />
Gas and Electricity Supply<br />
Normal Refuse Collections<br />
Weekly collections of refuse from Ambrosden quarters<br />
take place each Friday morning. Occupants are expected<br />
to deposit their wheelie bins at the kerbside in front of<br />
their homes early on the Friday morning.<br />
Bulk Rubbish Collections<br />
Occupants of families quarters from Ambrosden can have<br />
bulk rubbish collected from their homes. This can be<br />
arranged by calling 01295 221940 (a charge will be made<br />
for this service).<br />
Garden Refuse<br />
Garden refuse collected in the alternate week to the<br />
normal household refuse collection and will only be<br />
collected if in the brown wheelie bin, supplied by the<br />
Council. Contact no for Cherwell District Council is<br />
01295 227 001.<br />
Gas Supply<br />
All the families quarters in Ambrosden are supplied with<br />
mains gas for heating and cooking.<br />
On first arrival at your new home you will find that the<br />
gas supply is connected. You should, with the help of<br />
your DIO Ops Accn Customer Care Officer, confirm<br />
the gas meter reading which is shown on your takeover<br />
documents. You will then be responsible for all gas<br />
consumed from that point on.<br />
Bills, based on regular meter readings, will arrive<br />
quarterly from relevant utility company. It is<br />
your personal responsibility to ensure that<br />
these bills are settled promptly. All families<br />
are advised to investigate the advantages of<br />
arranging a Budget Account with the Gas<br />
Company whereby – by means of regular<br />
monthly payments – they can spread their<br />
heating costs evenly over the whole year.<br />
Electricity Supply<br />
Again, as with the gas, you will find<br />
that the electricity supply is connected<br />
when you take over your new<br />
families quarter at either Ambrosden<br />
or in one of the outlying areas.<br />
Also, in the same way that you<br />
checked the gas meter, you<br />
should check to confirm the<br />
reading of the electricity<br />
meter which is shown on the<br />
takeover documents, for you<br />
then become responsible<br />
for paying for all electricity<br />
subsequently consumed.<br />
Page 46<br />
Your Accommodation<br />
www.bicester-garrison.co.uk
Local Letting Agents/Estate Agents<br />
Abbott Anstey Reader –<br />
Land Estate Agents, Oak Apple Farm, Marsh Gibbon 01869 245585<br />
Alexander Estate Agents 49 Market Square, <strong>Bicester</strong> 01869 600400<br />
Bradford – Bingley ADKIN 46 Market Square, <strong>Bicester</strong> 01869 244787<br />
Connell Estate Agents 5 Market Square, <strong>Bicester</strong> 01869 244761<br />
Michael Crouch & Co 37 Market Square, <strong>Bicester</strong> 01869 241166<br />
Thomas Merrifield 39 Market Square, <strong>Bicester</strong> 01869 253253<br />
Tobin Jones Property 27 Sheep St, <strong>Bicester</strong> 01869 248254<br />
Accommodation<br />
www.bicester-garrison.co.uk<br />
Your Accommodation<br />
Page 47
Accommodation<br />
The Garrison<br />
Local Regulations Concerning<br />
Families Quarters<br />
Pets<br />
Written approval must be obtained from the Area<br />
Manager DIO Ops Accn before a pet may be kept in a<br />
family’s quarter. Families wishing to keep a pet should ask<br />
their Customer Care Officer for the necessary form of<br />
application.<br />
It is customary for permission to be granted to keep<br />
one dog in a family’s quarter. In exceptional cases an<br />
application to keep an additional dog may be submitted<br />
to HQ <strong>Bicester</strong> Garrison, through the Area Manager<br />
DIO Ops Accn, for consideration and possible approval.<br />
Once approval has been given for a family to have one<br />
or more dogs, the owners are to ensure that:<br />
a. The dog is both cared for and controlled at all times,<br />
and<br />
b. Any dog outside the owner’s house or garden is<br />
wearing a collar bearing a tag with the owner’s name<br />
and address.<br />
General<br />
It is particularly important that the owners of any pet<br />
should make adequate and proper arrangements for the<br />
care of the animal during any periods of leave. Similarly,<br />
those finding themselves unable either to maintain a pet<br />
or to take it to their next duty station are to arrange for<br />
the animal to be transferred to another caring owner or<br />
to be humanely destroyed by a veterinary surgeon or<br />
RSPCA clinic.<br />
Garages and Car Parking<br />
There are not sufficient garages at Ambrosden to meet<br />
the needs of all occupants of soldiers’ families quarters<br />
who wish to park their cars under cover. A waiting list<br />
is therefore maintained of car owners who wish to be<br />
allocated one of these pool garages. Applications for<br />
use of a garage are to be made to the Customer Care<br />
Centre who will allocate on the basis of ‘first come,<br />
first served’. The occupier of a garage is responsible for<br />
keeping it clean. He is advised to keep the door locked –<br />
whether or not the car is in the garage.<br />
Car owners who are not fortunate enough to have<br />
a garage are to ensure that they park their vehicles in<br />
a position where they do not constitute a hazard to<br />
other road users. It is particularly important that roads<br />
on the estate are not blocked to ambulances or other<br />
emergency vehicles.<br />
It is not permitted for any car, caravan or trailer to be<br />
driven over the grassed areas which surround the families<br />
quarters.<br />
Television Licences<br />
You are reminded that you must hold a current television<br />
licence if you have a TV set.<br />
Trading from Families Quarters<br />
No member of a family occupying a families quarter<br />
is permitted to use that house for any form of trading<br />
whatever.<br />
Cleanliness of Outside Areas<br />
Occupants are reminded of their responsibility for the<br />
cleanliness and removal of litter from the open-plan<br />
grassed areas around their homes. Similarly they are<br />
responsible for the tidiness of their gardens and patios.<br />
Until recently, people were employed to pick up<br />
rubbish around the estate and generally to maintain the<br />
appearance of the area. We can no longer provide this<br />
service. It follows, therefore, that if Ambrosden is not to<br />
become an untidy eyesore then we – and our children –<br />
must learn to put our rubbish in the waste bins provided<br />
around the estates.<br />
The Problem of Vandalism<br />
It can be disheartening when some carefully planned<br />
improvement which has involved much hard work over a<br />
long period is destroyed by an act of mindless vandalism.<br />
The Customer Care Officers and the vast majority of<br />
families are doing all they can to make Ambrosden a<br />
pleasant and attractive area in which to live. Please do all<br />
you can to help them by ensuring the good behaviour of<br />
your own children. In addition you are asked to report<br />
any case of vandalism which you might observe.<br />
Page 48<br />
Your Accommodation<br />
www.bicester-garrison.co.uk
The Joint Service Housing Advice Office<br />
(JSHAO)<br />
Your Transition to Civilian Housing Starts Here<br />
What is the JSHAO?<br />
The JSHAO provides Service Personnel and their dependants with civilian housing information and advice.<br />
We can advise on how best to access Social Housing, and offer guidance on all other civilian housing<br />
options available to you.<br />
Housing Briefings<br />
We provide a range of housing briefings for Service Personnel. Our Civilian Housing Briefings are held at<br />
Regional Resettlement Centres in the UK and Education Centres in Germany and Cyprus.<br />
These ½ day briefs are designed to give you the information to help you make informed choices on your<br />
civilian housing. While Civilian Housing Briefings are normally attended in the last two years of Service, any<br />
Service Personnel and/or their partner is welcome at any stage of their Service.<br />
The MoD Referral Scheme<br />
The JSHAO runs the Ministry of Defence Referral Scheme. This scheme may be able to help you if you<br />
are looking for Housing Association housing on leaving the Service. Applicants can apply for housing in<br />
a number of areas, however we cannot guarantee that accommodation will become available in your<br />
chosen areas, or that applicants will be housed through the scheme. For more information and application<br />
forms visit our website or call the office and speak to the MoD Referral Scheme Coordinator.<br />
Affordable Housing Options<br />
Service Personnel (and ex service personnel within 12 months of discharge) have priority status with<br />
regard to government affordable housing initiatives. For more information on the current government<br />
housing schemes and MoD funded initiatives available, please contact the JSHAO team.<br />
‘Housing Matters’ Magazine<br />
Ten months a year the JSHAO produces a magazine. It contains information designed to help you when<br />
you are considering your civilian housing. Copies should be easily available within your Unit but if you<br />
have difficulty obtaining a copy please ring the JSHAO or visit our website.<br />
JSHAO Contact Details<br />
Joint Service Housing Advice Office, Montgomery House, Hammersley Barracks, Queens Avenue,<br />
ALDERSHOT, Hampshire GU11 2JN<br />
Tel: Mil: 94222 7574 Civ: 01252 787574<br />
www.gov.uk/housing-for-service-personnel-and-families<br />
Single Person Accommodation Centre for the Ex-Services – SPACES<br />
If you are single and about to leave, SPACES may be able to help you find somewhere to live. SPACES is<br />
tasked by the MoD to help place single Service Leavers in appropriate accommodation.<br />
Tel: 01748 833797<br />
Email: spaces@riverside.org.uk<br />
www.bicester-garrison.co.uk<br />
Your Accommodation<br />
Page 49
Accommodation<br />
The Garrison<br />
Reporting Faults through the CarillionAmey<br />
Helpdesk<br />
The CarillionAmey Helpdesk telephone number is:<br />
0800 707 6000 (Freephone)<br />
The Helpdesk is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a week and provides a translation line for non English speakers. All<br />
faults should be reported to the Helpdesk, to report a fault, you will need to call the Helpdesk and provide the Agent<br />
with the following information:<br />
• Name • Address • Telephone number • Details of defect or problem reported.<br />
The Agent is likely to ask you a series of questions to help identify the problem<br />
in more detail. We may also need to inspect the problem before arranging work and whether there is any immediate<br />
action you should take.<br />
The Helpdesk advisor will then agree an appointment, with you based<br />
on the response times below:<br />
• Emergency – attend within three hours and make safe within 24 Hours<br />
• Urgent – Attend and rectify the problem within working five days<br />
• Routine – Attend and rectify the problem within 15 working days<br />
You will be provided with an AM or PM appointment on an agreed date for all your Response maintenance requests<br />
reported to the Helpdesk. You will then receive an appointment letter or email depending on your preference<br />
confirming the details for Urgent and Routine jobs.<br />
Emergency calls are defined as a problem that could have immediate consequence for your health, safety and security, or<br />
where it is necessary to prevent serious damage to the property. In these circumstances, if a repair is complicated, it will<br />
be made safe<br />
until a permanent repair can be organised.<br />
Examples of Emergency Call Outs include:<br />
• Total loss of electrical power or light • Blockage to your only toilet.<br />
• Blocked drains (but not gullies blocked by leaves etc.) • Loss of water supply.<br />
• Burst pipes or taps that will not turn off (but not dripping taps) • Severe roof leaks.<br />
• Loss of heating in winter when no other heating is available, especially where<br />
children or elderly people are affected.<br />
Please be aware that:<br />
• If you call out a contractor to complete an emergency repair, which is not justified, then you may be charged for the<br />
costs involved.<br />
• Emergency problems will be made safe within 24 hrs. (Permanent repairs longer)<br />
• If the contractor is unable to obtain reasonable access to emergency and urgent repairs they will be downgraded to<br />
routine.<br />
Please note: Under extreme circumstances, when there is a clear and present danger to occupants, you may be<br />
instructed to vacate the premises until the danger can be made safe.<br />
SMELL OF GAS or NO GAS? Ring Transco IMMEDIATELY on 0800 111 999.<br />
If you smell Gas or lose your Gas supply TURN OFF THE GAS SUPPLY AT THE METER and refer to your Occupants<br />
Handbook or the Gas page in the Telephone Book for other precautionary measures.<br />
PLEASE NOTE:- CarillionAmey will not arrange for work to be carried out on any gas system where there is an<br />
invalid gas safety certificate, except to make a system safe.<br />
Page 50<br />
Your Accommodation<br />
www.bicester-garrison.co.uk
Four<br />
section<br />
Education<br />
Matters<br />
Page 54: Scholls in the Area<br />
Page 55: Independant Schools<br />
www.bicester-garrison.co.uk Education Matters Page 51
Cukoos<br />
Children’s Clothes Shop<br />
CUKOOS –UNIQUE HANDMADE CLOTHING FOR CHILDREN<br />
DELIGHTFULLY DIFFERENT<br />
‘My daughter was so pleased with her new dress,<br />
especially the wording on the fabric – I LOVE YOU.’ TS<br />
Website: cukoos.com<br />
Contact email: sarah@cukoos.com<br />
Please browse my handmade children’s clothing and if you see something you<br />
like but want it in a different fabric let me know. ORDERS GLADLY<br />
TAKEN. Please allow 14 - 21 days from time of order to completion. Check<br />
out my blog for information about the RSPB, How to sew, and life in general.<br />
The Education Garrison<br />
‘My son won’t go anywhere without his camo jacket. Keeping him still for a picture was<br />
another matter. But wanted to show you.<br />
Thank you Sarah for an excellent jacket.’ C Machin<br />
10% Discount Code: BIC10M – please use this code at checkout.<br />
Email me sarah@cukoos.com for FREE delivery within the<br />
<strong>Bicester</strong> Area. FREE postage in the OX26 Area<br />
IndIvIdualIsm at an affordable prIce.<br />
IndIvIdualIsm for your specIal lIttle one.<br />
Page 52<br />
Education Matters<br />
www.bicester-garrison.co.uk
Phone: 01869 600573, Email: launtonpg@hotmail.com<br />
Website: www.launtonplaygroup.co.uk<br />
Gosford Hill School<br />
Judged by Ofsted as ‘Good’ in every category<br />
Education<br />
“Good behaviour in lessons<br />
enables teachers to deliver<br />
high quality lessons”<br />
“Safeguarding of students is<br />
robust and effective”<br />
“Many students participate in<br />
the wide range of after school<br />
activities”<br />
Ofsted<br />
GCSE 66% 5 A* - C average over 3 years<br />
Learn Lead<br />
Inspire<br />
Gosford Hill School, Oxford Road, Kidlington, Oxfordshire OX5 2NT Telephone: 01865 374971<br />
Email: office.4060@gosford-hill.oxon.sch.uk www.gosford-hill.oxon.sch.uk<br />
www.bicester-garrison.co.uk<br />
Education Matters<br />
Page 53
Schools in the Area<br />
The Education Garrison<br />
The following notes on local educational facilities will<br />
be of interest to parents who have recently arrived in<br />
<strong>Bicester</strong> or who are about to do so. Information can be<br />
obtained from the HIVE on 01869 256158 on Ext 2158<br />
or 01235 543588.<br />
Pre-School / EYFS and Playgroup<br />
There are three settings in Ambrosden catering for<br />
children between the ages of 18 Months and 5 Years.<br />
These are: Tiddlywinks Pre-School 01869 256555, is<br />
situated by the Families Centre Building on Alder Drive,<br />
The setting is open between 0830-1130 hrs and 1150-<br />
1450 hrs Monday to Friday, during school term time<br />
only. Children may stay all day as wrap around care is<br />
provided at an additional cost. For further details either<br />
please ring the above number or feel free to drop in any<br />
time to talk to the Supervisor.<br />
The Ambrosden Village Playgroup, which is held in the<br />
Village Hall each weekday 0815-1115 hrs Monday to<br />
Friday and 1150-1450 hrs Monday and Tuesday during<br />
school terms. For further details you should contact the<br />
Playgroup Leader Tel: 07759 755179 at the Village Hall.<br />
Child First Playgroup, Launton Road, <strong>Bicester</strong>.<br />
Tel: 01869 323730.<br />
Nursery School<br />
Five Acres Foundation Stage School (FSS), Ambrosden<br />
Tel: <strong>Bicester</strong> 253193. The FSS forms part of the main<br />
Five Acres School but has its own gardens and play area.<br />
Children may start at the FSS usually the term before<br />
their 4th birthday, maybe earlier if spaces are available,<br />
morning or afternoon may be offered. Session times:<br />
0910-1130 hrs & 1230-1500 hrs.<br />
The staff invite visitors to discuss the FSS in more detail.<br />
Just call in to arrange a time.<br />
Primary Schools<br />
Children living in Ambrosden can attend the following<br />
Primary Schools. Five Acres County Primary School,<br />
Ambrosden Tel: <strong>Bicester</strong> 253193. This school takes<br />
Infants (5-7 years) and Juniors (7-11 years). It caters for<br />
all children of primary school age, ie from the beginning<br />
of the term after a child becomes 5 until the summer<br />
term following his 11th birthday.<br />
It will assist the school if parents would supply basic<br />
details of new children before their arrival in the<br />
Garrison, eg full names, dates of birth and prob able date<br />
of arrival. Enrolment can be made on the morning before<br />
the first day of each term. Parents are welcome at the<br />
school at any time to discuss problems or difficulties, but<br />
are requested to see the headteacher in the first instance.<br />
Children living in Caversfield can attend the following<br />
Primary Schools: Southwold Primary School<br />
Tel: 01869 324061 or Glory Farm Primary School<br />
Tel: 01869 244050.<br />
St Mary’s Roman Catholic Primary School, <strong>Bicester</strong><br />
Tel: 01869 252035. St Mary’s is a voluntary aided<br />
school for children between 4 and 11 who are baptised<br />
Catholics. Children enter the Early Years Unit at the<br />
age of 4, usually on a part-time basis, and there is a<br />
playgroup called PEGS on three afternoons for 3 year<br />
olds. Children are prepared for the Sacraments of<br />
Reconciliation, the Eucharist and Confirmation. At the<br />
age of transfer (11), most pupils transfer to the Catholic<br />
Comprehensive School, Blessed George Napier, in<br />
Banbury. Transport is provided to St Mary’s by the local<br />
education authority and there is subsidised transport from<br />
<strong>Bicester</strong> to Banbury.<br />
Visits to the School are welcomed by the Headteacher,<br />
Mrs Kate Harper. It is helpful if parents telephone to<br />
make an appointment so that they and their children can<br />
see the School on a working day.<br />
Children with special educational needs will normally<br />
attend: Bardwell School Tel. <strong>Bicester</strong> 242182.<br />
An Oxfordshire County day school for Children with<br />
Special Needs. It does take on referral children under 5<br />
years of age.<br />
Secondary Schools<br />
Children are no longer required to take the 11+<br />
examination in the <strong>Bicester</strong> area. Children from the<br />
Ambrosden and Caversfield area normally attend:<br />
<strong>Bicester</strong> Community College, Queens Avenue, <strong>Bicester</strong><br />
Tel: 01869 243331<br />
Cooper School, Churchill Road, Glory Farm, <strong>Bicester</strong><br />
Tel: 01869 242121<br />
Gosford Hill School, Kiddlington, Oxford<br />
Tel: 01865 374971<br />
Blessed George Napier Roman Catholic Secondary<br />
School, Banbury Tel: 01295 264216. This is a grant<br />
aided secondary modern school for boys and girls. Daily<br />
transport is available from Ambrosden by arrangements<br />
with the school.<br />
Page 54<br />
Education Matters<br />
www.bicester-garrison.co.uk
Independent Schools<br />
Parents who wish to send their children to private<br />
schools can see the advertisements in this Guide. Please<br />
refer to the Classified Index of Advertisers at the back of<br />
the Guide, under the heading ‘Schools & Colleges’.<br />
The Army provides education allowances to ensure<br />
that children have continuity of education which would<br />
otherwise be denied them if they were to accompany<br />
their parents on frequent postings. Advice on private and<br />
boarding schools can be obtained from <strong>Bicester</strong> Army<br />
Education Centre. Parents are strongly urged to arrange<br />
an interview with OC Biester Army Education Centre<br />
before embarking on a boarding school education for<br />
their children.<br />
Children’s School Documents<br />
From the time a child starts school at the age of 5 or<br />
earlier, medical, dental and educational record cards<br />
are kept. Throughout school life, details of medical and<br />
dental history are entered and educational progress, year<br />
by year, is recorded. Most children only have one, or at<br />
the most two changes of school. This is when they move<br />
from primary to secondary school. Service children, on<br />
the other hand, tend to change school every two or<br />
three years. Whenever this happens, it takes time for<br />
the child to settle down and for the new teachers to find<br />
out what a child knows and does not know. If the school<br />
record cards are available in the new school when<br />
the child arrives there, they can enable the child to be<br />
placed correctly in the appropriate class or group. This<br />
saves time and will prevent the child perhaps having to<br />
move from one class to another just when he or she is<br />
beginning to make new friends.<br />
These record cards are confidential and are<br />
sent by the child’s present headteacher to the<br />
new one. But to do this, the headteacher<br />
must be told that the child is leaving the<br />
present school and the headteacher must<br />
be told the name and address of the<br />
new school. If this is not known the<br />
parents’ new address will suffice. It is<br />
the parents’ responsibility to give the<br />
headteacher this information.<br />
Please do so before you leave<br />
<strong>Bicester</strong>.<br />
Education<br />
Five Acres Primary School Ambrosden<br />
East Hawthorn Rd<br />
Ambrosden 01869 253193<br />
<strong>Bicester</strong> OX25 2SN<br />
Headteacher Mr Darrell Wood<br />
<br />
www.fiveacres.org.uk<br />
Nursery to Year Six<br />
Nurturing the potential of every child in a secure, happy and inspiring environment<br />
www.bicester-garrison.co.uk<br />
Education Matters<br />
Page 55
The Leisure Garrison Time<br />
OX4 6LJ<br />
Page 56<br />
Leisure Time<br />
www.bicester-garrison.co.uk
Five<br />
section<br />
Leisure Time<br />
Page 58: <strong>Bicester</strong> Garrison Past<br />
and Present<br />
Page 62: 23 Pioneer Reg RLC<br />
Page 62: 241 Signal Regiment<br />
Page 64: Places of Interest<br />
Page 67: Youth Organisations<br />
Page 68: Local Clubs<br />
Page 69: Places to Eat<br />
www.bicester-garrison.co.uk Leisure Time Page 57
<strong>Bicester</strong> Garrison – Past and Present<br />
The Leisure Garrison Time<br />
<strong>Bicester</strong> Garrison has its main area located south of<br />
<strong>Bicester</strong> town and incorporates what was once the site of<br />
a Roman Military Settlement. The local military command<br />
of the Roman General comprised of a legion of soldiers<br />
and a Roman Army Supply base at Alcester. The <strong>Bicester</strong><br />
Garrison emblem incorporates some of the elements of<br />
the Roman General’s standard.<br />
Whilst <strong>Bicester</strong> Garrison has responsibilities extending<br />
to Banbury in the north, Milton Keynes in the east and<br />
Oxford city in the south, the <strong>Bicester</strong> site occupies an<br />
area of some 12 square miles. This is primarily because<br />
of the storage depots which were spread out and<br />
dispersed to minimise the effects of conventional aerial<br />
bombing. The Garrison roads stretch over 32 miles<br />
and the Army railway has over 41 miles of track which<br />
connects into the main line rail network south of <strong>Bicester</strong><br />
Town. The perimeter fence is 23 miles long round the<br />
storage areas, but the estate boundary is considerably<br />
more.<br />
Construction of the Central Ordnance Depot (COD)<br />
<strong>Bicester</strong>, as it was called, began in 1941 and by<br />
September 1942, the Headquarters and first storehouse<br />
had opened and in 1943, the Depot assumed its role<br />
as a main Support Base for future operations in Europe<br />
and an Army Mobilisation Centre. The Depot achieved<br />
its peak activity in the later part of the war, when some<br />
20,000 troops and members of the ATS were employed<br />
here. Since then the Depot has had a number or roles<br />
but have still had storage as its central raison d’être.<br />
It was in 1961 the COD <strong>Bicester</strong> was selected to<br />
perform a key and central role in a major reorganisation<br />
of the UK Base Ordnance Installations. The Ordnance<br />
Depots at Didcot and Branston, together with<br />
their associated ‘out-stations’ were closed and their<br />
functions concentrated on <strong>Bicester</strong>. OSDD Ruddington<br />
closed in 1983 and this meant the transfer of further<br />
responsibilities to <strong>Bicester</strong>. Some of the sites within the<br />
Garrison such as at Caversfield have been sold off as they<br />
no longer play a part in the current plans as have a large<br />
number of married quarters as the military numbers have<br />
reduced.<br />
The other main areas with the <strong>Bicester</strong> site are: St<br />
David’s Barracks; which has been home to 23 Pioneer<br />
Regiment RLC who have been disestablished as part of<br />
ARMY 2020 and they are due to be replaced by 1 CLS<br />
Regt RLC in the later end of <strong>2015</strong> and it is located on<br />
the side of Graven Hill on the <strong>Bicester</strong> Town outskirts.<br />
The Depot has always had a strong association with the<br />
Pioneers, stretching back to its opening in 1942 and they<br />
have had a continual presence in <strong>Bicester</strong> ever since. St<br />
George’s barracks; which, is at the southern end of the<br />
site, on Arncott Hill, is the current home of the Garrison<br />
Headquarters and the Garrison Support Unit. The<br />
support unit provides the Quartermastering, personnel<br />
administration and pay support to all military within the<br />
Garrison, less the resident RLC Regiment, which as<br />
an operational unit, is self supporting. The other main<br />
units are the Defence Explosive and Munitions School<br />
(DEMS) training Regiment and 241 Signals Sqn – 10<br />
Regt Royal Signals Regt. There is also a Medical<br />
Reception Centre and a Defence Dental Service<br />
Centre which covers both the Garrison area and<br />
North Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire units.<br />
Currently about 1000 Servicemen and 1200<br />
Civilians work within the <strong>Bicester</strong> site resulting in<br />
the Garrison being one of the largest employees<br />
in the Cherwell District Councils’ area. The<br />
Garrison therefore plays a significant role in<br />
the life of and in the local economy of <strong>Bicester</strong><br />
Town. The Regiment has been granted liberty<br />
of the town by the <strong>Bicester</strong> Town Council and<br />
its peoples and exercised its rights during the<br />
disbandment process.<br />
Looking to the future, the Garrison is set<br />
to continue in importance with the recent<br />
opening of the National Search Centre,<br />
the Defence Explosives Munitions Search<br />
School <strong>Bicester</strong>, which opened in Sept<br />
2012. This involved a major new build<br />
project, the refurbishment of a number of<br />
buildings within St George’s Barracks and<br />
the expansion of the same barracks to<br />
include some of the Depot site, namely<br />
B Site. This school is run by the DEMS<br />
Training Regiment. Student numbers<br />
will run at about 250 – 300 per week<br />
and it will deliver IED search training<br />
for all units deploying on operations.<br />
There are plans being considered to<br />
concentrate the remaining elements<br />
of IED training onto the DEBS Trg<br />
Regt site in <strong>Bicester</strong>.<br />
Page 58<br />
Leisure Time<br />
www.bicester-garrison.co.uk
The following is a list of the main units within the Garrison area, most of<br />
whom most are located within the <strong>Bicester</strong> site:<br />
HQ <strong>Bicester</strong> Garrison and Garrison Support Unit (HQ BG & BGSU)<br />
23 Pioneer Regt RLC/1 CSL Regt RLC<br />
DEMS Trg Regt<br />
241 Signals Squadron – 10 Signal Regiment<br />
299 Signals Squadron (SC) – Bletchley<br />
<strong>Bicester</strong> Army Learning Centre 77 AEC<br />
Logistic Commodities and Services (DES LCS))<br />
262 Signal Squadron – 15th Signal Regiment (IS) – LogNEC (Fwd)<br />
16 Cadet Training Team (CTT)<br />
Defence Storage Group (DSG)<br />
DES Log NEC PMG<br />
142 Veh Sqn RLC – Banbury<br />
710 Op Hygiene Sqn RLC – Aylesbury<br />
Oxford University Officer Training Corp<br />
Army recruiting Team<br />
HQ OxonBucks Cadet Force<br />
Extending a warm<br />
welcome to service<br />
personnel and their<br />
families<br />
Leisure Time<br />
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www.bicester-garrison.co.uk<br />
Leisure Time<br />
Page 59
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Leisure Time<br />
Page 61
23 Pioneer Regiment RLC<br />
The Royal Pioneer Corps was one of the five forming<br />
Corps, which, in April 1993, were amalgamated to<br />
form the Royal Logistic Corps. 23 Pioneer Regiment<br />
became the focal point for Pioneers within the British<br />
Army and their home is St David’s Barracks at Graven<br />
Hill, in <strong>Bicester</strong>. It has been a reasonably turbulent time<br />
for the Regiment since the Army 2020 announcement<br />
was made to disband the Regiment. There have been<br />
268 soldiers made redundant – of which 75% were<br />
volunteers, 130 transferred to different trades within the<br />
RLC or to a different cap badge with 87 Pioneer soldiers<br />
from Cpl – Warrant Officer remaining in the RLC. The<br />
Regiment has remained competitive and successful across<br />
military skills competitions and sporting events achieving<br />
great results.<br />
In July 2014 the Regiment, and Pioneer Association,<br />
marched through <strong>Bicester</strong> for the last time. Having had<br />
a Pioneer presence in the town since the 1940s it was a<br />
special day and one where the local community displayed<br />
just how much respect and affection they have for 23<br />
Pioneer Regiment RLC. On Friday 26th September<br />
2014 the flag was lowered, axes handed over and the<br />
Regiment marched off the parade square for the final<br />
time in the presence of Royalty – a sad but memorable<br />
day and one which every Pioneer and member of the<br />
Regiment demonstrated the PIONEER SPIRIT.<br />
The Rear Ops Group (ROG) will see out the remaining<br />
Tranche 4 volunteers in June <strong>2015</strong> along with drawing<br />
down of any remaining equipment and the closure of<br />
all accounts by the summer of <strong>2015</strong>. The ROG will<br />
formally hand over St David’s Barracks to 1 Regiment<br />
RLC in August <strong>2015</strong>. 1 Regiment RLC will be arriving<br />
from Gutersloh in Germany.<br />
The Leisure Garrison Time<br />
241 Signal Squadron, 10th Signal Regiment.<br />
241 Signal Squadron was created in its current guise<br />
at MOD Corsham in 2006. Since then it has moved<br />
a number of times in search of a permanent home. In<br />
2014, 241 Signal Squadron was relocated to St George’s<br />
Barracks in <strong>Bicester</strong> to provide a new permanent<br />
location. The role of the Squadron in to provide<br />
specialist fixed communications cabling and Information<br />
Communication Systems (ICS) to the wider Armed<br />
forces globally.<br />
The Squadron is made up of Royal Corps of Signals<br />
Installation Technicians, a trade group which traces<br />
its lineage though Royal Signals Telecommunications<br />
Mechanics, Royal Signals Cable Jointers, Royal Signals<br />
Linemen, Royal Engineers Telegraphy installers, right back<br />
to Military Electric Telegraph Cablemen who expanded<br />
the civilian Empire Underwater Telegraph system into<br />
the Crimea in 1835. Since the invention of Telegraph,<br />
Telephone and latterly Data communications the Army<br />
has had a need for skilled tradesmen to utilise these<br />
technologies.<br />
To date every Operation worldwide in the last 150 years<br />
has encompassed a number of Installation Technicians<br />
in one form or another, from Telegraph cabling in the<br />
Crimea to Fibre Optic Installations in Afghanistan, we<br />
have been there providing a robust and professional<br />
service in every climatic condition imaginable.<br />
The Squadron is rightfully proud of its forebears and<br />
their achievements, but is constantly keeping one eye<br />
on the training and development of its soldiers for<br />
future Operations. The dawn of the communications<br />
age and the rapidly developing technologies mean that<br />
staying ahead of the game is no small feat. Already for<br />
the next 12 months we are planning and preparing for<br />
deployments to 13 countries with the potential to cover<br />
a number of others.<br />
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DEMS Trg Regt<br />
The Defence EOD Munitions and Search Training<br />
Regiment (DEMS Trg Regt) formed in December<br />
2012 following the amalgamation of the Defence EOD<br />
Munitions and Search schools based at Kineton in<br />
Warwickshire and Chattenden in Kent. DEMS Trg Regt<br />
consists of four instructional wings. Two wings are based<br />
in Kineton and two, with the Regimental Headquarters,<br />
occupy a brand new facility in St Georges Barracks,<br />
<strong>Bicester</strong>. The Regiment consists of 201 Civilian and<br />
Military personnel – mostly SNCO/Officer instructors<br />
– and is responsible for training almost 4000 individuals<br />
every year with approximately 400 students on courses<br />
at any one time.<br />
DEMS Trg Regt is the UK’s sole military provider for all<br />
EOD, Munitions and Search Training. The Regiments’<br />
instructional staff are drawn from all three Services and<br />
train UK and international students in a wide range<br />
of specialist roles and skills running over 60 different<br />
types of courses annually. The courses cover many<br />
different subjects including how to safely store and<br />
move ammunition, the conduct of search operations<br />
worldwide, Counter IED training, the safe disposal of<br />
unexploded military ordnance and how to neutralise<br />
Improvised Explosive Devices. The courses vary in<br />
length from 4 days all the way up to 17 months long (the<br />
Ammunition Technical Officers Course).<br />
The predecessor DEMS schools were justifiably regarded<br />
as world leaders in the field of EOD and Search training.<br />
The merger of these schools to form one Regiment<br />
allows us to combine, for the first time since WW2, all<br />
specialist EOD, Munitions and Search training under one<br />
command and the new unit is already being recognised<br />
as an International Centre of Excellence. The Regiment<br />
has bespoke training facilities on both of its sites which<br />
simulate all types of operating environments for our<br />
students – these facilities include urban and rural training<br />
areas, a railway station, underwater EOD trainers, cave<br />
complexes and demolition ranges. In addition, DEMS<br />
Trg Regt continues to develop the use of other learning<br />
technologies such as simulators and virtual environments<br />
as part of its continuous improvement regime.<br />
Despite operations in Afghanistan drawing to a close in<br />
2014, DEMS Trg Regt will not see any significant drop off<br />
in its output in the near future. UK training will continue<br />
in order to preserve specialist capability. If anything,<br />
DEMS Trg Regt will become busier in support of the<br />
UK Government aim to assist international partners in<br />
building their own specialist military capabilities.<br />
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Page 63
<strong>Bicester</strong> and the Surrounding Area<br />
<strong>Bicester</strong> is a busy market town set in the open<br />
countryside of North Oxfordshire. The town has a<br />
population of approx 26,000. These numbers continue<br />
to grow as more houses are built and new businesses<br />
are encouraged to set up in the industrial estates on the<br />
edge of the town.<br />
<strong>Bicester</strong> itself sits roughly in the centre of a circle formed<br />
by Oxford, Banbury, Buckingham and Aylesbury – each<br />
of these places being some 15 miles from the Garrison.<br />
For those wanting to explore the area around <strong>Bicester</strong><br />
there is no shortage of things to do and places to see. In<br />
the following pages we have listed just some of the very<br />
many attractions of the district. Our lists are by no means<br />
exhaustive and we are sure you will discover many things<br />
that will please you – whatever your particular interests<br />
might be, if in doubt please contact Emma at the HIVE on<br />
ext 01869 256158.<br />
Should you be wanting to travel further afield, you will<br />
find that <strong>Bicester</strong> is well placed as a location from which<br />
to strike out in any direction. This is particularly so if you<br />
intend travelling by car, as the town is within reasonable<br />
distance of the main trunk routes and motorways.<br />
Farmers Market<br />
<strong>Bicester</strong> Farmers Market was established in December<br />
1999. It is held in Sheep Street on the second Thursday<br />
of each month from 0830-1400 hrs. Meats, vegetables,<br />
honey, biscuits, bread, cakes, eggs, beer and wine and<br />
other wares can be regularly found at the market.<br />
<strong>Bicester</strong> Village<br />
<strong>Bicester</strong> Village is one of a collection of nine Chic Outlet<br />
Shopping ® Villages, operated by Value Retail. Home to<br />
some 900 outlet boutiques the worlds leading fashion<br />
and lifestyle brands, the collection offers an unrivalled<br />
luxury shopping experience for discerning shoppers.<br />
Open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday<br />
1000-1900 hrs<br />
Thurs 1000-2000 hrs<br />
Saturday 0900-1900 hrs<br />
Sunday 1000-1900 hrs<br />
The Leisure Garrison Time<br />
Places of Interest to Visit<br />
Here are brief details of a few local places of interest<br />
which you might wish to visit once you have settled<br />
into your new home in <strong>Bicester</strong>. Without a doubt, the<br />
easiest way to reach them all is by means of a private<br />
car. However, even if you do not have transport of your<br />
own, many of these spots can be reached by bus from<br />
<strong>Bicester</strong>. The list is not complete. It is simply intended<br />
to whet your appetite and get you out exploring a<br />
particularly attractive part of the country. We hope you<br />
have a great deal of fun discovering for yourself the very<br />
many interesting places around <strong>Bicester</strong>.<br />
Ascott, Buckinghamshire<br />
Ascott is a gentle, half-hour drive from <strong>Bicester</strong> and lies<br />
on the edge of the village of Wing, nr Leighton Buzzard,<br />
6 miles from Aylesbury. The Ascott Collection, together<br />
with the house and grounds of 261 acres, are National<br />
Trust property. There are 30 acres of splendid gardens<br />
and inside the house a unique collection of works of art.<br />
Boarstall Duck Decoy, Boarstall<br />
The Duck Decoy is situated on the edge of the village<br />
of Boarstall, off the Thame-<strong>Bicester</strong> Road B4011,<br />
signposted through Manor Farm. Walk in the woodlands<br />
and see a demonstration of the art of duck decoying.<br />
Exhibitions, wildlife books etc. Open Sat/Sun/Bank<br />
Holidays 1000-1700 hrs and Wed 1600-1900 hrs from<br />
Easter weekend until the end of August.<br />
Claydon House, Middle Claydon, Nr Winslow<br />
This fine 18th century house is a National Trust<br />
property. It is open each year from April to the end of<br />
October. Among its many attractions is a museum with<br />
mementoes of Florence Nightingale.<br />
Cotswold Wild Life Park, Burford<br />
Situated some 25 miles from <strong>Bicester</strong> on the A361<br />
Burford-Swindon Road, a short way south of Burford<br />
Roundabout on the A40, Cotswold Wild Life Park is<br />
an agreeable mixture of parkland, gardens, recreation<br />
grounds and menagerie. There is a wide variety of<br />
animals but larger zoo creatures are not kept. There is a<br />
restaurant Tel: Burford 2005. The Park is open every day<br />
except Christmas Day from 1000 till dusk.<br />
Tel: Burford 3006.<br />
Hell Fire Caves, West Wycombe<br />
Highlight of a summer’s day, Hell Fire Caves are situated<br />
at the junction between the A40 and A4010. The caves<br />
‘cut’ out of chalk consist of various connecting rooms. A<br />
bridge crosses an underground river.<br />
Oxford Colleges, Oxford<br />
They are very old, yet beautifully preserved and in<br />
current use. Most colleges may be visited by the public<br />
after 1200 hrs free of charge. There are also several<br />
museums within Oxford, a botanical garden of note<br />
and, of course, a modern shopping centre including<br />
particularly comprehensive bookshops.<br />
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Quainton Working Railway Museum, Quainton<br />
Station<br />
A visit to Quainton offers the whole family a chance<br />
to look over a number of restored steam locomotives<br />
and to take a ride in a steam train. Quainton Station lies<br />
between Waddesdon and the village of Quainton and so<br />
is only some 12 miles from Ambrosden.<br />
Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre<br />
81-83 High Street, Great Missenden, Bucks.<br />
Tel: 01494 892192<br />
Waddesdon Manor, Waddesdon<br />
Waddesdon Manor is situated 10 miles from <strong>Bicester</strong><br />
and 6 from Aylesbury on the A41 in the village of<br />
Waddesdon. It is more than a manor house, being built<br />
on the lines of a French château. The house has recently<br />
undergone extensive renovation work. A National Trust<br />
property, there are beautiful grounds, an aviary, shop and<br />
tea-room.<br />
Warwick Castle<br />
One hour’s drive from <strong>Bicester</strong> via Banbury is Warwick<br />
Castle, a perfect 14th century medieval fortress. The<br />
castle is big enough to occupy the family all day and<br />
once the entrance fee has been paid everything to see is<br />
without further charge! There is a ghost tower, old crypt,<br />
dungeons, and a restaurant hung with banners.<br />
Woodstock and Blenheim Palace<br />
One of the most interesting day’s outings in the area is to<br />
Woodstock and Blenheim Palace. Take the A4095 from<br />
<strong>Bicester</strong> and then the A34 just outside Woodstock, which<br />
is an exceptionally pretty little town built of local stone<br />
with some of the nicest ‘small’ shops in the area.<br />
St Tiggywinkles<br />
Haddenham, Bucks Tel: 01844 292292<br />
Opening hours: Christmas to Easter<br />
Mon-Fri 1000-1600 hrs,<br />
Easter to Christmas<br />
Mon-Sun 1000-1600 hrs<br />
Admission: Adult £1.50, Children (Under 16) OAPs and<br />
Students £1.00 Family Ticket £4.00<br />
Cogges Manor Farm Museum<br />
Church Lane Witney Tel: 01993 772602<br />
Opening hours: Mar 23-Oct 31<br />
Sat & Sun 1200-1730 hrs<br />
Tue-Fri and Bank Holiday Mondays 1030-1730 hrs<br />
Admission: Adults £3.50, Children £1.75, OAPs £2.25,<br />
Family £10.00<br />
Hatton Country World<br />
Dark Lane, Hatton, Warwick Tel: 01926 843411<br />
Open every day 1000-1700 hrs excluding Christmas<br />
Day and Boxing Day.<br />
Open until 1400 hrs Christmas and New Year’s Eve<br />
Free Admission to Shops and Café/Bar, charges for Farm<br />
Park and Soft Play Centre<br />
Shire Horse Centre<br />
Clifford Rd, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire<br />
Tel: 01789 415274<br />
Opening times: March to October Open every day<br />
1000-1700 hrs<br />
November to February Sat to Wed 1000-1700 hrs<br />
Blenheim Palace<br />
Home of the Eleventh Duke of Marlborough Blenheim<br />
Palace was built in 1704 and the palace alone covers 7<br />
acres. The grounds of 2,500 acres, like the palace, are<br />
open to the public. They are beautifully landscaped with<br />
lakes, cascades, temples, bridges and monuments, and<br />
across the park at Bladon Village Winston Churchill is<br />
buried in the churchyard. Blenheim Palace is open daily<br />
1030-1730 hrs from mid-March to the end of October.<br />
The grounds are open to visitors throughout the year.<br />
Tel: 01993 811325 24 hour information<br />
Water Fowl Sanctuary & Children’s Farm<br />
Wiggington Heath, Banbury Oxon Tel: 01608 730252<br />
Open 364 days a year 1030-1800 hrs or dusk<br />
Admission: Adults £3.00, Children £2.00, OAPs £2.90<br />
Milletts Farm and Garden Centre<br />
Frilford Tel: 01865 392200<br />
Wiggy’s World<br />
Abingdon<br />
Leisure Time<br />
Cotswold Farm Park<br />
Guiting Power, Nr Stow on the Wold<br />
Tel: 01451 850307<br />
Open: 1st April-1st Oct, 1030-1700 hrs (to 1800 hrs<br />
Sundays & Bank Holidays)<br />
Admission: Adults £4.50, Children £2.30, OAPs £4.00,<br />
Family ticket £12.00 admits 2 adults and 2 children.<br />
Curioxity<br />
Hands on Science Exhibition, 40 St George St. Oxford<br />
Tel: 01865 247004<br />
www.bicester-garrison.co.uk<br />
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Gullivers Land<br />
Milton Keynes<br />
Wyevale Garden Centre, <strong>Bicester</strong><br />
Further details of some places of interest to visit may be<br />
found in the advertisements in this Guide.<br />
National Childbirth Trust, <strong>Bicester</strong><br />
Antenatal Classes in <strong>Bicester</strong> and Ambrosden, new<br />
mother’s groups, social events. Nearly New Sales, Free<br />
support 1:1 and in groups Tel: 01869 320786.<br />
Home-Start <strong>Bicester</strong><br />
Supports families with at least one child under five, by<br />
providing a friendly visiting parent every week to give<br />
practical help and support. We are always looking for<br />
parents with 3 hours a week to join this magnificent<br />
service!<br />
Free training, expenses paid, good support, social<br />
gatherings Tel: 01869 320099<br />
<strong>Bicester</strong> Village.<br />
The Leisure Garrison Time<br />
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Youth Organisations<br />
Army Cadet Force Jayne Sutherland 01865 778844<br />
Air Training Corps Fl Lt C Breward 01865 270505<br />
Careers<br />
Unit 6 Minton Place, Victoria Rd<br />
<strong>Bicester</strong><br />
Mon, Wed & Fri 1000-1300 hrs<br />
Tue & Thu 1300-1600 hrs 01869 253886<br />
Duke of Edinburgh Award – Mr Hamblin 01295 254324<br />
Football Bardwell Boys – Mrs Simmons 01869 252434<br />
<strong>Bicester</strong> Town Colts – Mrs M Todd 01869 246196<br />
Chesterton Boys – Mrs Hawkins 01869 249956<br />
Highfield Boys – Mr Hall 01869 600347<br />
KEA Football (U8s-U15s) – Mrs Robbins 01869 252711<br />
Oxfordshire Football Association<br />
Mini Soccer – Mr T Williams 01993 705922<br />
Originally a Coaching Inn the Fox dates back to 1803.<br />
With its cosy fireside bar and range of real ales that are constantly<br />
rotating. Our traditional style home cooked menu is varied.<br />
We have 4 cosy en suite bedrooms consisting of 3 Doubles & 1 Twin.<br />
The Fox is nestled in the picturesque village of Souldern,<br />
on the Oxfordshire/Northamptonshire border,<br />
Close to junction 10 of the M40.<br />
Leisure Time<br />
Open Hours: Mon- Fri, 10-3pm, 5-11pm<br />
Sat 12-11pm Sun12-4pm<br />
Food Served: Mon-Sat 12-2pm, 6-9pm,<br />
Sun 12-3pm<br />
The Fox Inn, Fox Lane, Souldern,<br />
Nr. <strong>Bicester</strong> OX27 7JW<br />
Tel: 01869 345 284<br />
Email: enquiries2@thefoxatsouldern.co.uk<br />
www.thefoxatsouldern.co.uk<br />
www.bicester-garrison.co.uk<br />
Leisure Time<br />
Page 67
Local Clubs, Organisations & Sport<br />
The Leisure Garrison Time<br />
Athletics - <strong>Bicester</strong> Athletic Club – 01869 240846<br />
Badminton - <strong>Bicester</strong> Badminton Club Lu Ward – 018769 253914<br />
Bereavement Support - Oxford CRUSE – Bereavement care 01865 245398<br />
Bowls - <strong>Bicester</strong> Bowls Club – 01869 252757<br />
British Red Cross - Mrs Cashman – 01869 242337<br />
Carers Support - Oxfordshire Carers – 0845 050 7666<br />
Chess - <strong>Bicester</strong> Chess Club – 01869 601294<br />
Childcare - Childminders Association- Mrs Leach – 01869 243572<br />
Cricket - <strong>Bicester</strong> & North Oxford cricket Club – www.bnocc.com<br />
01869 325953<br />
Drama- Launton Players – www.launtonvillageplayers.org.uk<br />
Football - Ardley United – 07711 009198 / 01869 345597<br />
Launton Ladies –<br />
<strong>Bicester</strong> Colts (Children)<br />
www.launtonladiesfc.co.uk<br />
www.bicestertowncoltsfc.co.uk<br />
Hockey - <strong>Bicester</strong> Hockey Club – www.bicesterhockeyclub.org.uk<br />
Horticulture - <strong>Bicester</strong> Floral Club – 0118 947 0737<br />
History - <strong>Bicester</strong> Local History Society – 01869 350662<br />
Martial Arts - <strong>Bicester</strong> Aikido – 01869 321375<br />
<strong>Bicester</strong> ECKA Karate Club – 07834 022463<br />
Music - <strong>Bicester</strong> Choral and Operatic Society – 01280 700544<br />
admin@bcoswesing.org.uk<br />
Netball - <strong>Bicester</strong> Leisure Centre – 01869 253914<br />
Rugby - <strong>Bicester</strong> Rugby Club – 01869 241993<br />
Slimming - Weight Watchers – www.weightwatchers.co.uk<br />
Slimming world –<br />
www.slimmingworld.co.uk<br />
Tennis - <strong>Bicester</strong> Lawn Tennis Club – 07712 182089<br />
Women’s Support Rape Crisis – 0808 802 9999<br />
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Local Amenities<br />
<strong>Bicester</strong><br />
There is certainly no shortage of amenities in and<br />
around the town of <strong>Bicester</strong>. A great range of clubs and<br />
organisations exist to cater for almost every need. The<br />
list of these clubs runs from Allotments and Angling at<br />
one end of the alphabet to Tennis and Weightwatchers<br />
at the other. Your Community Worker can give you<br />
details of any clubs or activities in which you might be<br />
interested.<br />
There is a modern Sports Centre in Queens Avenue,<br />
<strong>Bicester</strong>, which offers swimming, badminton, squash<br />
and other indoor games. <strong>Bicester</strong> Adult Education<br />
classes are held in Cooper School, Churchill Road,<br />
and in the Community College in Queens Avenue. A<br />
great number of different subjects are also on offer in<br />
Oxford and Banbury. Admission to classes is normally in<br />
September and serving soldiers may be eligible to have<br />
their fees paid by the MOD. Wives will have to pay<br />
the normal fees, which are very reasonable. Details of<br />
courses and application forms are available at The Army<br />
Education Centre.<br />
A pleasant public park is situated in Launton Road,<br />
within a short walk of the main shopping area of<br />
<strong>Bicester</strong>. The park, which is open throughout the year,<br />
includes a fully equipped children’s play area. There is a<br />
Vue cinema in Pioneer Square, <strong>Bicester</strong>.<br />
Ambrosden<br />
The Garrison offers a number of amenities – all of them<br />
being based at the Garrison Centre.<br />
Thrift Shop<br />
This is a popular amenity run by volunteers, selling a<br />
wide range of clothing, books, and bric-a-brac. It is<br />
situated at the rear of the Spar Shop in the Garrison<br />
Families Centre. The Thrift Shop is open as follows:<br />
Thursday<br />
1030-1500 hrs.<br />
<strong>Bicester</strong> Garrison Gym and Swimming Pool<br />
The Garrison Gym and Swimming pool are open at<br />
different times, dependant upon staff manning.<br />
Please contact the QMSI direct on 01869 256571<br />
mil 94240 2571<br />
A Selection of places to eat in <strong>Bicester</strong><br />
Hotels/Restaurants<br />
Littlebury Hotel, Kings End Tel: 01869 252595<br />
Yin Hong, 63 Sheep St Tel: 01869 320383<br />
Pub/Wine Bars<br />
The Nightingale, Nightingale Place, Langford Village<br />
Tel: 01869 369492<br />
Places to eat in Oxfordshire<br />
Hotels and Restaurants<br />
The Pointer Church St, Brill Tel: 01844 238339<br />
The Trigger Pond, <strong>Bicester</strong> Rd, Bucknell<br />
Tel: 01869 252817<br />
Bignell Park, Chesterton Tel: 01869 241444<br />
Red Cow, Alchester Rd, Chesterton Tel: 01869 241337<br />
The Butchers Arms, Stratton Audley Rd, Fringford<br />
Tel: 01869 277363<br />
The Penny Black, 58 Sheep St Tel: 01869 321535<br />
The Plough & Anchor, Kingswood<br />
(on the A41 towards Aylesbury)<br />
Plough Inn, Marsh Gibbon Tel: 01869 277305<br />
The Jersey Arms, Middleton Stoney Tel: 01869 343234<br />
Ristorante Rigoletto, <strong>Bicester</strong> Rd, Middleton Stoney<br />
Tel: 01869 343216<br />
The Five Feathers, Waddesden<br />
(on the A41 towards Aylesbury)<br />
Denise’s, Sheep Street, <strong>Bicester</strong><br />
Tea Rooms etc<br />
Jenny’s, 13 Market Square Tel: 01869 604605<br />
Nash’s Tea Rooms, 28 Sheep St Tel: 01869 252965<br />
Costa’s, Sheep Street, <strong>Bicester</strong>.<br />
Take Aways<br />
Fish & Chips, Barbury Place, Bure Park, <strong>Bicester</strong><br />
Chinese: Wah Hong, Market Square, <strong>Bicester</strong><br />
Leisure Time<br />
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Page 69
HOME OF THE OXFORDSHIRE<br />
COUNTY DARTS TEAM<br />
• Darts • Pool • Dominoes<br />
• Indoor Aunt Sally<br />
• Entertainment every Saturday and<br />
occasionally on Fridays and Sundays<br />
• Cheap Drink<br />
• Function Room Hire (free to members)<br />
• Children Welcome<br />
Open 7 Days A Week<br />
Ex-Services & <strong>Bicester</strong> Families Social Club<br />
Tel: 01869245367<br />
The Leisure Garrison Time<br />
Picture Frames • Plant & Flowers<br />
Greeting Cards • Pet food<br />
Rugs • Dog Beds<br />
Fish • Fruit & Veg<br />
Underwear stall • Mirrors<br />
16+ Ladies Fashion • Jewellery<br />
Hats & Scarves • Olives • Bags<br />
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Classified Index of Advertisers<br />
This index provides a quick and easy way of locating any product or service you require. Production of this<br />
Guide is made possible by the support of the advertisers listed below and, in turn, it is hoped that all readers will<br />
lend their support to these businesses.<br />
ANIMAL BOARDING: Greencourt Kennels & Cattery (32)<br />
ANTIQUE RESTORATION & REPAIRS VALUATIONS: INSURANCE, PROBATE & ADVICE: Aylesbury Bullion<br />
Company (Inside Back Cover)<br />
COUNSELLING SERVICES/HELPLINES: Oxfordshire Mind (38); Samaritans Oxford (34)<br />
EDUCATION & TUITION, SUPPORT & ADVICE: <strong>Bicester</strong> Rural Children’s Centre (Inside Front Cover); Five Acres<br />
Primary School (55); Gosford Hill School (53)<br />
ENTERTAINMENT & LEISURE: Didcot Railway Centre (Great Western Society Ltd) (67); Ex-Services & <strong>Bicester</strong><br />
Families Social Club (70); Karting Oxford (56); Kirtlington Golf Club (9); New Theatre Oxford (61); Soldiers of<br />
Oxfordshire Museum (21)<br />
FAST FOOD OUTLETS: Sun Wah/Wah Hong Chinese Take-Away (6)<br />
FINANCIAL SERVICES: RIFT (10 & 11)<br />
HAIR & BEAUTY: Freeman Hairdressing (32); Hair Lounge (17); Red Barn Retreat (60); Salon Scandinavia (30)<br />
HEALTH SERVICES: Marie Stopes International (38); Red Barn Retreat (60)<br />
HOTELS & PUBS: The Fox Inn (67)<br />
JEWELLERS/DIAMOND MERCHANTS & ENGRAVING: Aylesbury Bullion Company (Inside Back Cover)<br />
MOTOR SERVICES: County Chevrolet (Outside Back Cover); S & S Motors (18); The AA (4); Three Corners<br />
Garage (18)<br />
NURSERY SCHOOLS & PLAYGROUPS: Launton Playgroup (53)<br />
RECRUITMENT/EMPLOYMENT: Bluebird Care Cherwell & North Bucks (24); Oxfordshire Army Cadet Force (60);<br />
PW Training Academy (24)<br />
RETAIL: <strong>Bicester</strong> Market (70); COSTCO (31); Cukoos (52)<br />
SCHOOLS after page 32<br />
SHOPPING CENTRES: <strong>Bicester</strong> Village (59)<br />
TRADES & SERVICES: Cherwell District Council - Recycling Services (47); Cherwell & Sth Northamptonshire<br />
Councils - Electoral Services (7); Dragonfly Garden Services (26)<br />
VETERINARY PRACTICES: <strong>Bicester</strong> Veterinary Centre (39); The Hart Veterinary Centre (34)<br />
www.bicester-garrison.co.uk Leisure Time Page 71
Handy Index<br />
AFF......................................................28<br />
Army Welfare Service...........................19<br />
Emergencies<br />
Police<br />
Dial 999 – ask for Police<br />
State clearly the location of the incident<br />
Churches & Chaplains..........................27<br />
Helplines.............................................14<br />
Fire<br />
Dial 999 – ask for Fire Brigade<br />
State clearly the location of the fire<br />
HIVEs..................................................22<br />
JSHAO.................................................49<br />
Local Arrangments...............................46<br />
Places to Eat.........................................69<br />
Pre-School Groups..............................54<br />
Medical<br />
For Ambulance in an Emergency: Dial 999 – ask for Ambulance<br />
State clearly the location of the patient<br />
<strong>Bicester</strong> 256222 ext 2222<br />
Medical Reception Station<br />
(for Medical Officer on Call) <strong>Bicester</strong> 257702<br />
Enter your own Doctor’s details below:<br />
Doctor .................................................................................................<br />
The Leisure Garrison Time<br />
Schools................................................54<br />
Shopping...............................................7<br />
The Place Where You Live...................58<br />
Tel ........................................................................................................<br />
Address ................................................................................................<br />
Transport.............................................12<br />
UK & BFG Websites......................17<br />
Page 72<br />
Leisure Time<br />
www.bicester-garrison.co.uk
10-20-30<br />
Military Personnel<br />
Discount<br />
10% PARTS DISCOUNT<br />
£20 M.O.T.<br />
30% LABOUR DISCOUNT<br />
Exclusively for Military personnel and families and civil<br />
service employees engaged in supporting our troops.<br />
Simply show your Military ID to recieve your discount<br />
CountyChevrolet<br />
County Vauxhall Chevrolet • The Engine Room • Buckingham Road • <strong>Bicester</strong> • OX26 4EL<br />
Tel: 01869 600 600 • Visit: www.CountyChevrolet.co.uk
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