Taking on the longstanding Car Scheme was among our new challenges. At the time organiser David Miller was ready to move on and was looking for a new team.
We were apprehensive. David had set up a minimal bureaucracy system — no time-consuming form filling for his volunteers. But that was the days when rules were coming in saying that volunteers had to be checked for criminal records. What would existing drivers think of that? Would they move over to us and fill in the forms? Would some of them think that it was a good moment to stop?
In the event we did well. The majority of drivers did join the new management. Over the next ten years there have inevitably been changes. We have welcomed many new recruits to the team. We have respected those who have taken the tough decision that it is time to stop driving altogether. And we have also been saddened by the deaths of several of our team. We have a team in 2025 of 20 volunteers.
We are grateful to everyone who volunteers. But today we want to celebrate just five people. They were already on the driving team back in 2015 — and these five car scheme drivers are still with us ten years on! Here is what they say.
Kathie Tanner
My first car scheme drive was in March 2014. It was the start of over 6 years of driving to & from hospitals, opticians, physios & dentists in the Oxford area & as far as Banbury. I really enjoyed getting to know different clients. Many of them told me their life stories — which was really interesting too. Chatting led to doing gardening for some of the ladies and I got to know them better. Covid and roadworks meant I decided to stop driving the clients. As assistant treasurer I now do the recording that allows the drivers to claim expenses. It also shows us just how many people we help in a year. It is all very satisfying - but I do miss those conversations!
Dianne Hothersall
We retired to Eynsham in 2002 and I found I lived in close proximity to David Miller, who at that time was running the village driving scheme. Having been involved with driving schemes in other villages earlier in my working life and most recently, in Brittany, I was very happy to start again. It is a wonderful way when new to an area to get to know lots of people and hear about their experiences in the village. But for me too, I quickly found that I’d made at least six life-long friends - all wonderful ladies who I enjoy helping and all of whom help me when problems arise. Eynsham is a most wonderful place to live. I’m recovering from a period of rubbish health and really looking forward to driving a lot more again.
Graham Griffiths
Firstly, I enjoy driving for its own sake and I get some much-needed practice in city traffic. Secondly, it gives me an opportunity to make a small contribution to the wonderful community spirit in our village. Moreover, the time may come when I can no longer drive, and will be glad of someone to take me to appointments. Thirdly, our clients are lovely people; many are long-term villagers, having interesting stories to tell about their younger days. All of them are always so grateful for our help.
ENCS is an amazing asset to the village: something we can all be proud of.
Sue Butler
On retiring from a full-time occupation, I wanted to help people in our community who had difficulty in helping themselves in some way.
The car scheme gave me just the right opportunity to do that. I don't need to commit to a particular day or a particular time. I can get out my diary, look at the list of drives and pick the one that works best for me.
I enjoy meeting many interesting people on our car journeys and I happily listen to the stories they want to tell me about their earlier lives.
Caroline Walker
When I retired from work, I decided that driving for the car scheme was an ideal way to meet people from Eynsham. It gave me a feeling of being useful and chatting in the car, I was also able to learn new things about the village. Not having to make a regular commitment as is the case for many volunteer activities was a bonus.
More recently, I have been a user of the service. It was such a relief to know I could call on the Eynsham Car Scheme when I needed help myself.
Eynsham Car Scheme is a partner in Eynsham Good Neighbour Network