Smoke Alarms
The smoke alarms on Waterside are now 12-13 years old and the lithium batteries are starting to fail. When this happens, they go "peep....peep... peep..." every few minutes. At this point, it is suggested that you change them in order to ensure you have an effective smoke alarm. However, it's not that simple; the batteries themselves are not replaceable separately as the unit contains a small radioactive source and cannot, therefore, be opened. So you need to buy a new smoke alarm. Assuming we were all fitted with the same systems, they are available as follows:
Supplier: TLC (Oxford), 9 Nuffield Industrial Estate, Ledgers Close, Oxford, OX4 6JS (Tel: 01865 401234) They deliver.
Type: TLSD 151 TL Mains Ionisation Smoke Alarm and lithium battery
Cost: £21-20 plus VAT.
However, you can buy a 10-year lasting smoke alarm in Argos for £10-99.
Phil & Jim Catchment Area
The catchment area for the Phil & Jim school is currently north of an imaginary line drawn east-west through the middle of Merrivale Squarel. Children on the south side of the Square and beyond go to St Barnabas. Some parents are upset about the fact that they are unable to send their children to Phil & Jim. Others seem unconcerned. Waterside children currently attend both schools and, historically, had to go to St Barnabas. Both seem to be very good schools.
Recycling and rubbishcollection
If you are not aware of Oxford's recycling scheme as it affects door-to-door collections, you have probably been fined by now, or dragged off in chains. Our weekly collection day is Friday, with all rubbish out at the kerbside by 7am. Broadly speaking, all material that can be recycled goes in the blue wheelie-bin. Everything else, apart from green and food waste goes in the green wheelie bin. While the food waste box is emptied weekly, the green bin and blue bin/green sack cycle is fortnightly.
Litter picking
There are regular litter picks on Waterside. These are organized by Amanda Spriggs and Liz Kershaw. Anyone interested in joining in should contact Amanda or Liz (see Committee list for details).
Speeding on Waterside
All residents (and their visitors) are reminded that the whole of Waterside is part of the Jericho/North Oxford 20mph zone.
Access for emergency vehicles
Fire engines have in the past been prevented from accessing Waterside via Aristotle Lane - the emergency services can unlock the bollards - due to a vehicle parked across the entrance. Please ensure that neither you nor your visitors park so as to block the Plater Drive/Aristotle Lane access.
Burglaries on Rutherway
There have been the occasional thefts/burglaries on Waterside. In particular, bikes are popular targets for thieves, particularly if unattached to something fixed. Please be warned, be alert and do take sensible precautions such as locking bikes to a bike rack, leaving a light on a timer when you are away, always ensuring your external doors are locked (even when you are at home), telling neighbours when you are away, etc. If you see someone acting suspiciously, don’t hesitate; either approach them or call the police.
New to Waterside?
If you have recently arrived onto Waterside - whether as a tenant or owner - you are most welcome. OWRA has a newcomer information pack, which provides all sorts of useful information. Just call Stuart Skyte (see committee list for details). All newcomers are, of course, welcome to join OWRA for the annual fee of £5 per household.
Community notice-board
Our community notice-board is at the southern end of Rutherway. Please look at this regularly as notices change very fast. If you have a notice you’d like to post, contact Stuart Skyte or Barbara Cowell (9 Rutherway).
New Bike Racks
Many additional bike racks have been placed on Waterside over the last decade. If you feel one or more is needed in a specific location, contact someone on the Management Company Board..
Visitor parking
With one or two exceptions, each house has been allocated one parking space for their permanent use. This cannot be sold or rented to anyone else. At the same time, the allocated visitor spaces are for the cars of guests of residents and not for the residents' own cars on a permanent basis.
Wheelie-bin nuisance
A number of people - particularly in Plater Drive and Merton Court - are leaving their bins outside their house-fronts all week. This is acceptable if they are hidden behind shrubs but often they are left out on the pavement. They are not only unsightly and unpleasant, but obstruct people with push-chairs, disabled people, etc.
Why not join the committee?
The OWRA committee is not bureaucratic or time-consuming. If you would like to contribute to your community, why not consider joining the committee at the AGM in June. Ideally, members of the committee take responsibility for a particular aspect of OWRA's work.