Well if you haven't already heard, we, at the Four Shires office are in full swing getting ready for the Four Shires show in August, which promises to be bigger and better then the event last year. We are moving into the New Banbury Market Place and there will be an array of food and drink producers from the local area, Many offering free tasters!

NEW to this year's event will be the addition of a two day beer festival in the Banbury Town Hall, running Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd August.

Before then however I (Cathy) shall be at the Brackley Carnival on saturday, handing out free back issues of the magazine, along with my partner Crian so please come and say hello! Hope to see you there!

Oh well back the July edition of the magazine and further preparations for the show!

TTFN!

Having been seduced by the balmy weather of the season - not a week from the start of the 'official' summer, traditional British weather returns - RAIN. One mustn't grumble - the allotment will be soaking it up!

I think winter has finally packed its bags - and thank goodness for that. I am looking forward to spring and summer and the wonderful Four Shires holds something for everyone. We are getting word of some great events at Silverstone, the wonderful Fairport Convention Folk festival planning is well under way - Status Quo are appearing along with the fantastic reggae all stars. Cornbury Park is holding what has come to be termed 'Poshstock' - ah the summer barbecues are sizzling in my head already.

I love sledging on snow, I love frosty mornings - but I've had enough of the cold weather now. I've seen the snowdrops so I'm quite ready for warmer weather now.

I have very little to say on the subject - I know that if every square inch of road and pavement were gritted our council tax bills would skyrocket etc etc - But, this morning in an act of public spirited bonhomie, I marched to the end of my road to witness cars sliding on the hill that joins the junction to the main road. I was armed with my shovel, ready to cast grit on the incline and ease the motorists ire - what did I find? You've guessed it - the grit hopper was full of Big Mac boxes and empty tins of cider. No grit - no surprise really!

Hello!

I am writing this latest entry from the wiles of Culworth, as the adverse weather conditions have forced me to work from home for the last couple of days. I wouldn't mind but it's warmer in the office then it is in my house! As I sit here writing this I have 4 layers on and I am thinking about reaching for the gloves!

I have seen the odd 4x4 driving, albeit slowly through the village, but with the lack of gritting in this area and down the Banbury Lane, means that my poor little Micra could not make the 8 mile journey to Banbury!

Never fear though the February magazine is still on target to hit deadline, as I have always got plenty of work I can do out of the office. Once I have finished this entry I will be working on some wedding copy for this months main feature. The theme for it shall be spring and summer weddings, a far cry from the cold conditions we are experiencing at the minute!

I am sure by the time the February magazine hits the streets the country will have come out of this weather spell, that as usual were are not prepared for, well heres hoping anyway. Don't get me wrong I do like making the odd Snow person and throwing snowballs at my unsuspecting boyfriend but I really would like to feel my fingers some time soon!

Please be safe on the roads if you really do have to travel, leave plenty of time for your journey and don't sit too close to the car in front of you.

Happy sledging!

Well, at 6.30am this morning I wasn't too keen to get out of bed - considering it was -3.0c outside! Ah well, back to work and life seems great - beautiful blue skies and none of those horrible grey 'tupperware' British skies that Bill Bryson is so fond of. Oh - the January 2010 magazine is out and looks great. It is priced at £2.50 - a  price rise - I know, but considering it's been 5 years since the last increase I think we've been doing pretty well.

Well, it's official the last page of the January Edition has just been laid out!!! It will hopefully be whisking its way to the printers tomorrow to be with us on the 30th!

The first issue of 2010 promises to be a beauty. It has 3 wonderful features, Education, Helath and Beauty and Homes and interiors along with all the usuals. There is also a glorious double page spread celebrating banburyshire nativities and a feature on the 12 years of the four shires!

AN ISSUE NOT TO BE MISSED

I hope that you all have a wonderful festive season and an equally spiffing 2010!