Variety
Brush-tailed Basketcase Macramé Owl

Admitted
31 August 2010

Initial Assessment and History
Rita was noticed sporadically over a period of almost two years, particularly around the springtime breeding season. She was quite timid and protective of what was thought to be her nest in a plant pot outside an old building in Cardiff. Over time, she appeared to grow weak. We maintained close observation, left food for her, and eventually she became more comfortable around people. Eventually, she realized she needed the support of our team, and decided to voluntarily enter the sanctuary. Her young had long since fledged. She later confessed she had been suffering from empty nest syndrome, and is now content to have found a new family among the other Macramé Owls.

Read more about Rita.

Variety

Admitted
25 July 2009

Initial Assessment and History
First spotted by a railway yard fence, Curtis flew into the apartment window of a lady named Bess. Bess reports:

“He hopped timidly in the shrubbery. But I felt such a connection with him, like he wanted to come to me, but was too afraid. So I opened my window and just went about washing up some dishes in the kitchen. When I checked later, he had flown up to my window, and was resting against the window pane!”

Unable to care for him herself, Bess kindly brought Curtis to us. He is in outstanding condition.

Read more about Curtis.

Admitted
24 July 2009

Initial Assessment and History
This Macramé Owl was found emaciated (in veterinary terms) under the stairwell of an abandoned building in July 2009.

He was frightened and cold, and showed some signs of abuse. We suspect he had been there for days without food or water, yet he remained in remarkably good shape.

Since the rescue, it has come to our attention through Macramé Owl expert Sergé Jawolsky, who identified Horace as a Scrawny Tawny Macramé Owl, that his physiology and stature is typical of this variety of Macramé Owl, and that Horace is only slightly underweight. This has come as quite a relief.

Read more about Horace.

Variety

Admitted
12 April 2009

Initial Assessment and History
Mike was discovered in an abandoned warehouse. He was seeking refuge in a broken filing cabinet. We know little about him or his history. He is avoiding eye contact.

Read more about Mike.

Variety

Admitted
23 November 2008

Initial Assessment and History
This macramé owl was well loved by his owner, who sadly passed away two years prior to our meeting. The extended family did not appreciate the needs of a macramé owl, and he was left to fend himself on the streets.

When we found Sherman, he was roaming a city alley, and ‘dumpster diving’ in this skip. He was ashamed and embarassed that his life had amounted to this, but he agreed to come with us and enter our 12 step program for boosting self esteem. He has since improved dramatically, is enrolled on a counselling course, and is even considering mentoring other macramé owls with a similar history.

Sherman’s intervention was a success, and the team was able to convince him to enter our rehabilitation program voluntarily. It remains to be seen whether he will complete treatment, or abscond.

Read more about Sherman.

Admitted
9 November 2008

Initial Assessment and History
Rosemary was found trapped in a window of an abandoned building in Cardiff, Wales, UK. Although frightened, she was in good condition and showed signs of gratitude at being freed from the wire mesh.

Read more about Rosemary.

Call 0800 40 85 936 or visit helpscheme.co.uk

Maryse Pomlett on 01865 323621 or maryse.pomlett@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Although newly issued passes have a County Council logo on them, older passes with District Council logos will still be valid until the expiry date on the pass.

• Until March 2012, District Councils will still be issuing passes on the County Council’s behalf; until then people should contact the District Council as before if they have a problem with their pass, or wish to apply for a pass for the first time.
• When a pass reaches its scheduled expiry date, passholders will receive a new one automatically through the post (Important Note: this does not apply to passes issued by West Oxfordshire District, holders of these will need to go to the Witney office for a replacement when their old pass is about to expire).  

 Other information which may be helpful is as follows:

• Many buses in Oxfordshire have Smartcard readers on their ticket machines, and pass users must touch their pass on the ticket machine to record their journey.   All types of passes should work on these readers; if one doesn’t, the passholder should contact the District Council for a replacement.  (On ‘non-Smart’ buses, the pass should still be shown to the driver).
• If a pass is lost, contact the District Council for a replacement (which will have a County Council logo); there will be a charge of £10 for this.
• Passes will be accepted for free travel from 09.00 on weekdays, (all day at weekends) when boarding a bus anywhere in Oxfordshire.   The ‘national standard’ is a 09.30 start, so when getting on a bus outside Oxfordshire it is safest to assume that free travel does not start until 09.30. 
• Passes will be accepted for free travel on dial-a-ride services, everywhere in Oxfordshire
• The County will not issue travel tokens as an alternative to bus passes – tokens were discretionary and not all Districts Councils offered them previously.    District Councils which offered tokens in the past have all already written to each individual token user saying that tokens are no longer available, and offering a bus pass instead, so existing token users should already know about this.

Companion passes for journeys in Oxfordshire will still be available for those in receipt of carers allowance, who are unable to use public transport unaided.

From 1 April no further travel tokens will be issued. Existing and unused travel tokens are still valid until they are used up. Travel tokens can be used on buses, Dial-a-Ride, and taxis. But it’s advisable to check with the taxi operator before travelling to make sure that they still accept them.

Dial-a-Ride is not affected by these changes except that from 1 April 2011 to 31 March 2012 people who are registered with Dial-a-Ride and are unable to use normal public transport due to infirmity will be able to use their bus passes on Dial-a-Ride services.

For further information email customer.service@cherwell-dc.gov.uk, take a look at the website www.cherwell-dc.gov.uk, or phone 01295 227001.

The Residents Online project supported by Charter Community Housing is not affected by the Cherwell cuts.

It has sections on checking companies’ credentials, avoiding rogue traders and bogus callers and bad investments. It is especially useful for people getting online for the first time because it describes email scams and tells you how to protect yourself from identity theft. You can order it on 0800 169 65 65 or view the booklet online at Age Uk/moneymatters.

New weekly advice sessions at Castle Quay

There is a new Citizen’s Advice Bureau Surgery at the Castle Quay Shopping Centre. It’s  in the Cherwell Link point downstairs from the museum. It’s there every Friday from 10:00 until 13:00.