News from Oxfordshire

Clay Shoot

10th June 2007

The RABI Oxfordshire committee held a charity Clay Shoot on Sunday 10th June 2007 at Hill Far, Steventon by kind permission of Mr and Mrs Alan Binning.

The weather held and a good day was had by all.  The total raised is not yet confirmed but details will be posted here as soon as they are known.

Many thanks to everyone who attended and to those whose hard work made it such a success.

 

Click on image to enlarge.

Henley Show

September 2006

For the first time RABI had a small stand at the Henley Show, in the Countryside Marquee. Despite the time of year there was quite a lot of interest in the range of Christmas cards.

Stephen Bitmead, the chairman of the Oxfordshire committee was on hand to receive a cheque for £3000 from Brigadier Nigel Mogg DL and the show president, Mr David Palmer DL. Many thanks to the Henley and District Show Association for their support of our charity.

Click on image to enlarge.

London 10K 2006

July 2006

Once again congratulations to the Buck/Oxon team who ran the London 10K for RABI. It was especially well done to you all given the extreme heat. The amount raised has not yet been finalised but watch this space for further details.

Click on image to enlarge.

Hook Norton Vets

July 2006

On a very warm Sunday morning on the 2nd July, the crack team of cyclists from Hook Norton Veterinary Surgeons, namely Steve Glanvill, Juliet Owens, Andrew Gemmell, Debbie Thomas, Daisy Baldwyn and Lucy Warner, looked at each other, looked at the sun above and very nearly went home. But the tremendous support we had received from our clients cemented our resolve and off we set on a variety of two-wheeled appendages, from Steve's slick, narrow-tyred triathlon bike to Debbie's heavy, wide-tyred mountain bike.

At 8.30am we reached the Firs Garage, resisted the temptation to nab a vehicle and had a lovely freewheel down to Temple Mill which enabled us all to check out our brakes - thankfully all worked. As we learned, the downside of a freewheel is a climb the other side and what a climb it is from Temple Mill to Sibford Heath. We nearly lost half the party on the first hill. But despite the heat and tired legs the team showed they were not to be beaten and battled on to Tysoe.

At this point Pauline Richards joined us. Funny how she agreed to meet us after the Sibford Hill climb, but her worth was soon to be discovered. On it's way through Tysoe, Steve's slick narrow-tyred machine developed a rattle, investigation soon revealed a puncture and Pauline quickly showed Steve how to change an inner tube in under 5 minutes. It still took 20 minutes cycling before catching the others up in Kineton.

On to Moreton Morrell crossroads on the Fosse Way, where drinks and biscuits were devoured, multivitamin injections administered and oxygen freely available. It was 10.00am and we had completed 15.4 miles, nearly half way. Wills were written before braving the traffic on the Fosse! The next 10 miles along the Fosse were hard going, but our support vehicle driven by Robin Woolgrove with accompanying trailer and signs warning following cars of the cyclists ahead and their purpose was a life saver.

Off the Fosse and onto Offchurch where the biggest disappointment of the day was that the Stag's Head was shut, it was only 11.15am and no drinks or beer were on offer. After water refreshments we forged on through Cubbington to the main gate of Stoneleigh and the Royal Show, where we celebrated our arrival with a little swig of Champagne and a few photos.

After a quick towel down and clothes change we were on the XL Vets stand at the Royal for 12.30pm, where we did get a beer or two. All participants in one piece and only walking a little awkwardly.

We managed to raise over £1,500 from Hook Norton Veterinary Surgeons for RABI which when added to the other 29 practices fundraising will enable a donation of over £20,000. Very worthwhile. We also had a lot of fun doing it with no injuries before, during or after.

Oxford Annual Dinner

March 2006

The Oxfordshire committee held their bi-annual dinner at Keble College, Oxford on the 29th March 2006. It was a great evening in a spectacular setting. Congratulations to Stephen Bitmead and all the committee members for raising over £15,500 for RABI.

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Contact regional officer
Sally Field
sally@fieldofficer-se.fsnet.co.uk