Parking improvements at community pavilion

The car park has been extended, resurfaced and spaces reconfigured to create an extra 44 parking bays at the pavilion in Monahan Way, Carterton, bringing the total to 80.

An additional three disabled spaces have been created directly outside the pavilion and a one-way system is being introduced to help with access and parking.

The pavilion is used as a gathering point during RAF Brize Norton repatriations and volunteers provide refreshments and support.

The work has been done by West Oxfordshire District Council, which owns the pavilion, funded by a £76,000 grant from Oxfordshire County Council.

Support for families of fallen soldiers

Councillor Richard Langridge, Cabinet Member for Communities at the District Council, said: “We are keen to support the families of fallen soldiers and we hope this work will make access easier for those wishing to pay their respects to the fallen.

“The pavilion is also used by the community and various sports groups, so this work will benefit local people as well.”

Councillor Ian Hudspeth, the Leader of Oxfordshire County Council, said: "I have attended a repatriation ceremony at RAF Brize Norton and I, like everybody, was moved by the passage of the cortege.

"I hope that the upgrade of the Sports Pavilion car park will make access easier for those attending the ceremonies."

The parking improvements follow work earlier this year to create a new community room, which can be used as a private area for bereaved families, and upgrade toilet and kitchen facilities, as part of a joint project by the District Council and Carterton Town Council.

This work was carried out with £33,000 of funding from a Ministry of Defence grant scheme and donations from military and other charitable organisations.