The public consultation is being run jointly by Oxfordshire County Council, Oxfordshire Care Partnership and The Orders of St John Care Trust (OSJ). It is considering the future of residential care at the two sites, including whether the care homes should close. No decisions have been made.

People are being encouraged to respond before the consultation closes on 21 October and to make sure their views help inform the recommendations that will be considered by the council’s cabinet at a public meeting on 1 December.

The residents of both care homes and their families remain at the centre of the process. They are being supported throughout, including residents who pay for their own care.

The council’s digital engagement and consultation platform, Let’s talk Oxfordshire, includes frequently asked questions that address some of the points already raised during the consultation.

The responses cover care provision in the surrounding communities, the future use of the buildings and the context of the proposals.

Karen Fuller, Director of Adult Social Services, said: “No decisions have been made. I encourage everyone with an interest in the future of Henry Cornish Care Centre or Townsend House to respond while there is still time and make sure their views are heard.

“The residents of these two care homes and their families are our main priority. We would also encourage employees and members of the community to have their say by taking part in the public consultation and sharing their views directly with the council.

“We understand that there are some concerns in the surrounding communities, and we want to hear as many viewpoints as possible.”

There are two separate consultations running in parallel, one for each care home. They can be found on Let’s talk Oxfordshire.

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The Ambassador hit the road as part of the ‘domestic roadshow’ launched by the Government earlier this year, in which Ambassadors and High Commissioners are being dispatched to meet businesses around the country to support them to expand into key growth-driving markets, such as the EU.

Over half of the UK’s total trade last year was with the EU - valued at £813 billion – and the visit marks an important step in the Government’s reset with the EU to improve economic cooperation and drive Growth as part of the Government’s Plan for Change.

Ambassador Appleby met with Oxfordshire County Council Leader Liz Leffman and local businesses during a two-day tour of Oxfordshire to discuss trade and investment opportunities.

On Monday, 6 October, he toured the Bicester Motion community of world-leading automotive and aviation technology businesses, visited the FarmED regenerative agriculture centre near Chipping Norton to discuss sustainable farming and biodiversity initiatives with the North East Cotswolds Farmer Cluster, and hosted a networking reception at Blenheim Palace with representatives from businesses across Oxfordshire. 

On Tuesday, 7 October, Ambassador Appleby visited Harwell Science and Innovation Campus and The Oxford Science Park for discussions about Oxfordshire’s thriving science and technology offer, before visiting Oxford Brookes University to discuss the higher education sector. 

Cllr Liz Leffman, leader of Oxfordshire County Council, said: “Oxfordshire is a place of national and global significance, with the power to change lives.  From world-class universities and cutting-edge science parks to our rich cultural heritage and stunning natural landscapes, Oxfordshire plays a vital role in driving innovation and economic prosperity for the region and nation.  

 “That’s why we’re committed to working with partners in the UK and abroad to unlock Oxfordshire’s full potential, supporting sustainable and inclusive growth for the county.  It has been a pleasure to welcome the ambassador and introduce him to the breadth of what Oxfordshire has to offer. We look forward to the benefits this visit will bring as we deepen our international partnerships for the mutual benefit of Oxfordshire, the UK and our global collaborators.” 

Minister for Europe Stephen Doughty said:  “Throughout the world, our Ambassadors and High Commissioners play a crucial role in connecting British businesses to global export opportunities and delivering investment, jobs and growth to our towns and cities.

“This government led the reset of our relationships with our European partners so we could strengthen the UK’s trade and investment ties with our biggest economic market, and Ambassador Appleby’s visit to Oxfordshire is one more step in that process.

“Diplomacy must always deliver for working people. That is why building partnerships between businesses and our key markets around the world is a central part of this Government’s Plan for Change.”  

 Ambassador Appleby said: “I was thrilled to be in Oxfordshire to meet with local leaders to discuss how I can help to drive overseas investment into the area and help local businesses with export opportunities. 

“So many of these innovative and excellent Oxfordshire products and services could find a market in Europe.

“Over half of the UK’s total trade last year was with the EU - valued at £813 billion. The government has reset our relationship with our European partners to improve economic cooperation. 

 “This is why we’re now hitting the road to speak directly to community leaders and businesses, so that not a single opportunity is missed to generate trade and investment wins overseas. 

 “The UK Government’s Plan for Change is making Britain the best country to do business with, and I am looking forward to supporting Oxfordshire on the international stage.”  

To date over a dozen Roadshow visits have taken place across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, helping to build international connections for local businesses.

Oxfordshire County Council is awarding the grants, ranging from £500 to £36,000, to fund new routes and services, vehicle running costs, and drivers’ expenses.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management, said: “Oxfordshire’s community transport sector is a lifeline to many people who don’t drive or don’t have a car.

“The grants will make a big difference to all four organisations and help them to continue the great work they are doing. We are extremely grateful for all the work they and other community transport groups do to make life easier for residents.”

The recipients, who will receive their grants over between one and five years to support continuation of their schemes are Daybreak Oxford, Thame Senior Friendship Centre, Filkins & Broughton Poggs volunteer doctor and hospital car service, and Wallingford Town Council.

The Wallingford project, in association with Going Forward Buses, is already in operation, with the new 131 town bus service going live from 1 September.

Daybreak Oxford, which transports people with dementia to and from day centres and takes the older population on shopping trips, received £25,072 to provide new provision in areas of the city not previously served.

Community transport is part of the voluntary sector and plays a key role in filling gaps in service where public transport is not available. It helps provide safe, accessible, cost effective, flexible transport run by the community for the community in rural and urban areas.

Community transport can include car clubs, community minibuses, dial-a-ride, lift shares, taxi shares and voluntary car schemes.

Some groups offer services just for their members, while others are open to the public. They can take disabled people to work, children to school, sick people to healthcare and older people to the shops. Some run local bus routes and provide transport for a wide range of clubs and other groups.

Last month, the Villager Community Bus Services unveiled a new electric minibus, which was part funded by £50,000 awarded in 2024’s round of grants.

It runs the Chippy Shuttle, an hourly, weekday service connecting residential areas in Chipping Norton with town centre shops, services and the out of town health centre.

It has been running for nine years and provides an essential service for residents who have mobility problems and no access to their own transport. The new electric minibus replaces its previous diesel vehicle.

Keith Gowing, Chairman of the Villager Community Bus Services, said: “Our new battery powered bus enables us to continue providing the shuttle service to our many loyal customers whilst reducing our impact on the environment in terms of reduced carbon emissions, air pollution and vehicle noise.

“We could not have afforded this without the help of Oxfordshire County Council.”

The council supports the development of not for profit community transport groups and services.

Small start-up grants to help groups in their development are available, while the council can also help with the cost of training volunteers as minibus and passenger assistants.

More information is available on Oxfordshire County Council’s website.

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Oxfordshire County Council last week (24 April) approved local cycling and walking infrastructure plans (LCWIPs) for Chipping Norton and Woodstock.

The LCWIPs set out how to improve the rural market towns’ walking and cycling networks, reducing the reliance on single occupant motor vehicles to help cut congestion between residential areas, the historic town centres, schools, public open spaces and local services and facilities.

Paul Fermer, Oxfordshire County Council’s Director of Environment and Highways, said: “These plans are designed to provide well planned, joined up connectivity and real choice for how people move around their communities. We are particularly keen to encourage independent, healthy travel choices among school children and young people.

“In rural areas such as these, cars are essential for many people to get around, and we’re not trying to stop that. We just want to make it safer and more convenient for more people to walk or cycle for short journeys, or as part of longer journeys combined with using public transport in these towns and beyond.

“These LCWIPs will help achieve a culture of walking and cycling, as they have done elsewhere around the county. This can create  thriving, healthy, inclusive and climate sensitive communities, where improvements enhance the environment that makes Woodstock and Chipping Norton great places to live, work and visit.”

The decisions bring the number of LCWIPs in Oxfordshire up to nine, following on from Oxford, Didcot, Bicester, Abingdon, Witney, Banbury, and Kidlington – and more are planned.

The approval of the plans is expected to make it easier for the council to negotiate funding from developers and the government to deliver improvements.

The latest LCWIPs were developed and amended through discussions with local councillors at parish, town, district and county levels and feedback from public consultation. They provide a long-term strategy for safe, convenient and well-connected walking (including wheeling) and cycling networks that are accessible for people of all abilities, ages and backgrounds.

The aim is for these networks to connect people to where they want to go, including improving routes to access public transport.

Hundreds of specific improvements are proposed in the LCWIPs, including the provision of crossings, narrowing junctions, implementing dropped kerbs and tactile paving, and creating more space for cycling. It is hoped the improvements identified in the plan can be delivered by 2035, subject to funding.

In Chipping Norton, the A44/ A361 New Street junction and London Road are the highest prioritised areas for improvement due to the positive level of impact they would bring.

In Woodstock, reducing the speed limit on part of the A4095 between Bladon and Hanborough to reduce the danger to cyclists and pedestrians is listed as the top priority.

The plans, which were developed following government guidance, will be reviewed every two years to ensure they reflect local needs. The level of change in cycling and walking numbers will be monitored and modifications made if necessary.

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People living or travelling in Chipping Norton are being asked to help shape a draft plan to make walking, wheeling, and cycling easier, safer, and more enjoyable for everyone.

Oxfordshire County Council has worked with Chipping Norton Town Council and local residents, businesses and community organisations to draft the active travel plan for Chipping Norton. The plan will set out how to improve the town’s walking and cycling network over the next 10 years, identifying where things like cycleways and pedestrian crossings should be added or improved.

People can view the draft plan and area maps, and have their say at: letstalk.oxfordshire.gov.uk/chipping-norton-lcwip until 27 February 2025.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management, said: “Getting around our local neighbourhoods should be simple and enjoyable and there should be multiple options for making safe journeys to where we want to get to.

“We want to improve the travel network to help people have better opportunities for walking, wheeling, or cycling. It brings great benefits for health and wellbeing while helping to improve air quality in the county.

“I’m looking forward to feedback to help us understand where things work, where there are challenges and tailor the plan so that is the best fit for residents. We also realise that walking or cycling is not necessarily an option for everyone and would like to hear from people who find it more difficult to move around the area.”

The plan’s vision for Chipping Norton is a thriving town with good air quality, where walking for local trips is the norm for everyone, where possible. This is supported by safe, accessible, and connected walking and cycling routes between residential areas, the historic town centre, schools, public open spaces and local services and facilities.

The final version of the plan, incorporating amendments reflecting the feedback received, will then go through a process at Oxfordshire County Council that will allow it to be formally adopted as council policy. This will help get funding to improve walking and cycling in Chipping Norton and the surrounding area.

Ends

For more information about this release contact the Oxfordshire County Council communications team on 01865 323870 or email press.office@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Notes to editors

• Measures in the central Oxfordshire travel plan and Oxfordshire’s local transport and connectivity plan are designed to make Oxfordshire a better place for everyone.
• The active travel plan for Chipping Norton is a Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP). LCWIPs are designed to:
  • identify cycling and walking infrastructure improvements for future investment in the short, medium and long term
  • ensure that consideration is given to cycling and walking within local planning and transport policies and strategies
  • make a case for future funding for walking and cycling infrastructure.

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An electric car club pilot scheme has proved so popular that 15 vehicles are set to remain in place at more than 10 new and existing locations around the county, following the end of the 18 month trial period.

Since the pilot scheme was launched in April 2023, it has attracted over new 1,200 members, seen over 5,200 individual hiring sessions and led to more than a quarter of a million electric miles being driven.

The scheme has been coordinated by Oxfordshire County Council and is supported by Oxford City Council and Cherwell, South Oxfordshire, Vale of White Horse and West Oxfordshire district councils who have hosted the pilot vehicles in their car parks. The vehicles have been provided and operated by hire companies Co Wheels, Enterprise CarClub and Zimbl.

The success of the extended trial scheme means that car club vehicles are set to continue in the following locations:

• Abingdon – Cattle Market and West St Helen Street car parks (Co Wheels)
• Banbury – Calthorpe Street West and Windsor Street car parks (Zimbl)
• Bicester – Claremont car park (Zimbl)
• Eynsham – Back Lane car park (Co Wheels)
• Henley – Greys Road car park (Co Wheels)
• Oxford – Redbridge and Seacourt Park and Rides (Co Wheels and Zimbl)
• Wallingford – Cattlemarket car park (Co Wheels)
• Witney – Woodford Way car park (Enterprise CarClub).

New car club vehicles are also set to be introduced at these new locations:

• Chipping Norton – New Road car park (Zimbl)
• Woodstock – Hensington Road car park (Zimbl)
• Thame – Upper High Street (Co Wheels).

Councillor Pete Sudbury, Deputy Leader of Oxfordshire County Council with Responsibility for Climate Change, Environment and Future Generations, said: “The popularity of the EV car clubs has led to the continuation of the schemes in many places, meaning even more residents and businesses can try out these shared cars for themselves.

“Car clubs give people the chance to use an EV when they need one, without the expense of owning or leasing one outright. They can make it much more affordable for people who don’t drive every day and provide real-world experience of driving electric without a long-term commitment.”

It is estimated that a successful car club vehicle can take on average 20 individually owned cars – often petrol or diesel vehicles – off the road.

EVs in the scheme can be hired from £5.95 per hour, including insurance, plus 12p per electric mile.

If demand for car clubs continues and funding can be identified, then it’s likely more car club locations will be introduced within the next few years. Residents can submit locations where they would like to car clubs using Oxfordshire County Council’s EV charger and car club demand tracker.

Updated details about the EV car club pilot and where your nearest car club location is can be found on the Oxfordshire County Council website.

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Covering the medieval market town of Chipping Norton along with Hook Norton, Over Norton, the Rollrights, Salford, and Swerford, it is the 21st volume produced by the Victoria County History of Oxfordshire (VCH), in partnership with Oxfordshire County Council.

VCH is a nationally organised local history project that aspires to create detailed histories for every town and village in the county.

Councillor Neil Fawcett, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Community & Corporate Services, said: “From the Cotswolds, Cherwell Valley and Chilterns to the City of Oxford, Oxfordshire is a stunning county with so much history. Victoria County History Oxfordshire allows us to document some of this colourful history.

“After the launch of the 20th volume two years ago, focusing on the South Oxfordshire Chilterns, I am pleased to see the launch of this latest edition on the fascinating history of Chipping Norton.

“This new book draws on four years of intensive work by the small team, working in part with local groups and combining archival research with investigation of buildings and landscape. It will certainly be both a valuable resource, and an interesting read.”

Some of the highlights of this volume include the prehistoric Rollright Stones; the abandoned motte-and-bailey castle at Swerford; deserted medieval settlements; and Chipping Norton itself. Chipping Norton was laid out above a pre-existing Norman castle and church in the mid 12th century and was later famous as the home of Bliss's tweed mill.

The book will be initially made available through public libraries and to buy.

The existing published volumes are available in Oxford’s Westgate Library, various branch libraries and Oxfordshire History Centre. They can be purchased at boydellandbrewer.com, and most can be accessed online on British History’s website.

Hook Norton Brewery hosted the launch as part of its 175th anniversary celebrations and has produced a special limited edition VCH bottle label to mark the occasion.

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Funded by Oxfordshire County Council, with support from local partners including the city and district councils, local area coordinators are based in communities and are available to connect with residents, guiding them to find local resources that might make a difference to their lives.

Cheryl Huntbach (pictured) is the first Oxfordshire local area coordinator to take up their post, covering Chipping Norton. 

Cheryl said: “Oxfordshire has a wealth of amazing community and voluntary organisations, all having a huge positive impact on their members and people they support.

“But sometimes people struggle to know what’s available to them and how to get involved. That’s where local area coordinators come in. As we’re embedded in communities, we can take the time to really get to know people, learning more about them and helping them to find groups and organisations that are right for them.”

A local area coordinator is a community-based worker and can meet anyone for any reason through a simple introduction. No referral is needed and there are no time limits or barriers to access the support.

By working closely with people, families, carers, groups and local services, the local area coordinator will help people identify and achieve their vision of a better life, often by finding and planning less formal solutions to any challenges or concerns they might be experiencing.

The local area coordinator can also support local groups and people who wish to start their own activities and help people get involved.

Local people and organisations have been actively involved in the development of this approach and the recruitment of the local area coordinator themselves, ensuring the selected person is well-suited.

Oxfordshire’s programme is being rolled out gradually, with another local area coordinator starting in east Bicester next month, and further plans for positions in Kidlington and Didcot later this year.

Karen Fuller, Oxfordshire County Council’s Director of Adult Social Care, said: “One of our key objectives is to support more people to live happy, independent lives within their own communities – it’s something we call The Oxfordshire Way.

“Local area coordinators can help us make this vision a reality. By walking side by side with people and listening to them to understand what might make a real difference, our local area coordinators can support residents to understand what’s available on their doorstep, tapping into the amazing resources in their area.

“By putting residents in the driving seat and giving them the power to find the best solutions to the difficulties they might be facing, we can help prevent more complex challenges from developing in the future.”

For residents living in Chipping Norton, Cheryl Huntbach is now available for a face to face introduction by contacting her by email at cheryl.huntbach@oxfordshire.gov.uk or by calling 07789088173.

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The owner of Oxfordshire Roofing Company, Mr Jesse Shepherd, was sentenced to 30 weeks custody, suspended for two years, following an investigation by Oxfordshire County Council’s trading standards team.

Mr Shepherd, 56, from the Beeches, near Chipping Norton, pleaded guilty to the two offences relating to defective roofing work carried out at a property in Chalgrove, Oxfordshire in 2020. This was after he changed his pleas on 22 November 2023, near the start of a trial.

He was also sentenced to pay £4,200 in compensation to the victim, £3,000 towards the Council’s costs and a victim surcharge.

Councillor Dr Nathan Ley, Cabinet Member for Public Health, Inequalities and Community Safety, said: “The vast majority of Oxfordshire’s builders complete their work on time and to their customers’ satisfaction. When this is not the case and traders take money for rushed bodge jobs, then our trading standards team are here to protect residents from the actions of rogue traders.”

The fraud charges arose from false representations made by Mr Shepherd to his client, namely that work would be done to a reasonable and competent standard – “A grade materials” would be used and that workmanship and materials were covered with a 20 year guarantee.

Despite these assurances, the roof began leaking within days of being completed. An expert instructed by trading standards, who later evaluated the work, described the materials used as being “cheap” and “inadequate” and that a broken tile had been “bodged up with mastic,” instead of being replaced.

The expert also concluded that the work carried out by Oxfordshire Roofing Company was so poor that it had no value at all, as there was no alternative but for the new roof to be entirely replaced by another trader.

Mr Shepherd was paid £1,700 towards the £3,400 he had quoted for the roofing work, but the remaining sum was not paid as a leak occurred before this payment was made. The £3,400 quote was also unrealistic to complete the job, as the same expert who assessed the work done by Oxfordshire Roofing Company priced the job at £7,248 including VAT to be done properly.

 This is the second time Mr Shepherd has been prosecuted by Oxfordshire County Council for an offence of fraud for defective roofing work. He was previously fined following a guilty plea at Oxford Magistrates’ Court in 2009, at which time he was trading as Right Choice Roofing.

Jody Kerman, Oxfordshire County Council’s Head of Trading Standards, said: “We advise anybody who is looking for a reliable trader to always get a number of detailed quotes, check with friends and family for trusted recommendations and consider a trading standards’ approved trader, from our Buy With Confidence scheme.

“We would also advise that customers resist calls for payment ahead of when sums are due to be paid under the agreement they have with a trader. It is unfortunately very common for rogue traders to seek as much money as possible either upfront or at a very early stage in the works and then either fail to order materials that have been paid for or substitute them with cheaper, less suitable materials, than what has been invoiced for.”

Any Oxfordshire resident that has concerns about activity of this nature should report it to trading standards via the Citizens Advice national consumer helpline 0808 223 1133.

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Oxfordshire’s Lord Lieutenant, Mrs Marjorie Glasgow BEM, attended the prestigious event to present ‘Her Majesty, The Queen’s Long Service and Good Conduct’ medals to eleven firefighters, each for 20 years’ service.

Rob MacDougall, Oxfordshire County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service’s Chief Fire Officer, said: “It is really important to celebrate the remarkable achievements of these incredible people who have served their local communities for 20 years and more. It reflects the service and public’s appreciation and gratitude for their devotion to duty. Just as importantly, we recognise the efforts of our support teams, fire cadets, volunteers and those members of the public who have also risked their own safety to save others.

“To preside over the awards evening is a real privilege. The county council’s community safety teams are here to protect our communities, reduce harm and save lives. The event allows us to congratulate those individuals who have reached an impressive milestone in their career or have gone that extra mile that deserves specific recognition. It is impossible to walk away from the night without an overwhelming feeling of pride and gratitude.” 

Emily Spencer, Head of Operations at Blenheim Palace, said: “Hosting Oxfordshire County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service’ awards ceremony is a great honour for us. We are excited to host this event, recognising such heroic achievements, in Clementines on the Lawn, a unique glass marquee with a special view across the south lawn to the palace.

“We would like to add our own thanks and recognition to the dedication and the bravery of our amazing firefighters.”

Notes to Editor

The Queen’s medal title has been retained this year, even though King Charles III is the new monarch – this is due to the individuals achieving their 20 years’ service in the reign of Queen Elizabeth II and in line with the royal warrant.

Photo captions

Image 1 (above)

Oxfordshire County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service’ extrication team (based at Kidlington Fire Station) received a special recognition award:

Rob MacDougall (Chief Fire Officer) – top left – with Justin Stanley, Paul Roberts, Chris Aust, Danny Toop, Chris Battle.

Image 2 (below)

Chipping Norton – winners of fire station of the year:

Rob MacDougall (Chief Fire Officer) – top left – with Dave Cuthbert, James Smith, Sam Cleaver, Clare Jarratt, Harvey O'Brien.

Image 3 (below)

Chief Fire Officer, Rob MacDougall – right – with

Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Matt Cook who was awarded his twenty years’ long service and good conduct medal.

Your Oxfordshire

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Christopher Doherty and Jaye Cardy (both aged 29), who traded as All Type Roofing, undertook work on the home of an elderly Oxfordshire resident, who lived near Chipping Norton, charging them £15,900.

However, the work – carried out between July 2020 and August 2020 – was done to a very poor standard, with a lack of necessary care and skill, leading to an independent expert valuing the work of being nil in value.

Doherty from Leicestershire and Cardy from Hertfordshire both pleaded guilty to one breach of the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008, contravening the requirement to undertake their work with professional diligence.

Councillor Jenny Hannaby, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Services and Safety, said: “These types of incidents can not only lead to Oxfordshire residents paying out large sums of money for work that is either not carried out properly, or not carried out at all, but also suffering the emotional distress that comes with such situations.

“Our trading standards team will continue to work hard to protect residents, whilst also protecting the reputation of the majority of builders who want to do the best for their customers.”

Jody Kerman, Oxfordshire County Council’s Head of Trading Standards, added: “If you are looking to have some repairs or improvements made to your home, take all the time you need to ensure you have found the right trader for you, at a price you are happy to pay. Never agree to having work done by somebody who is just passing or to take their word that any work needs to be done – no matter how small the price may seem or how urgent they claim it to be. If it is out of the blue, it’s not for you!

“Talk with friends and family about any tried and tested recommendations they might have, or consider a trading standards approved trader from our Buy With Confidence scheme.”

Your Oxfordshire

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The final EV charging hub in the Park and Charge Oxfordshire project went live this month at Claremont short stay car park in Bicester.

It marks the completion of the 20th hub successfully delivered in the project and means a total of 250 EV charging points have been delivered across the county since May 2021.

Councillor Pete Sudbury, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change Delivery and Environment, said: “The reaction from Oxfordshire residents has been overwhelmingly positive, from EV drivers and prospective EV drivers alike.

“Park and Charge is enabling local people who don’t have private off-street parking to have a convenient location to charge their EVs overnight, meaning more Oxfordshire residents have the opportunity to drive electric. It’s another great reason to make sure your next vehicle is an EV.”

The hubs have been seeing very promising usage level with over 3,300 individual EV charging sessions taking place across the Park and Charge network in October alone – a 23 per cent rise in the number of charging sessions since the previous month.

The EV chargers have been designed and produced by local Bicester-based company – EZ Charge – who will operate the chargers for the next 10 years.

Oxfordshire has the highest uptake of electric vehicles (EVs) in the country, with 32 per cent of all new vehicles sold in August being fully battery electric EVs.

The 20 Park and Charge locations, each containing between 10 and 16 EV charging points, are:

• Cattle Market and Claremont car parks in Bicester
• Curtis Place car park, Kidlington
• Windsor Street and Calthorpe Street West car parks in Banbury
• Woodford Way car park in Witney
• Black Bourton car park in Carterton
• Hensington Road car park in Woodstock
• Back Lane car park in Eynsham
• New Street car park in Chipping Norton
• Cattlemarket and Goldsmith’s Lane car parks in Wallingford
• Kings Road and Greys Road car parks in Henley
• Southern Road car park in Thame
• West St Helens, Audlett Drive and Cattle Market car parks in Abingdon
• Portway car park in Wantage
• Southampton Road car park in Faringdon.

Councillor Sue Cooper, South Oxfordshire District Council Cabinet Member for Environment, Climate Change and Nature Recovery, said: “We’ve been pleased with the interest in the EV chargers in South Oxfordshire, with one car park in Henley alone having more than 1,000 sessions in its first three months. The uptake of charging bays has been higher than expected in some car parks but in others it will take longer as habits change.

“Having plenty of spaces to charge EVs will help those thinking of buying an EV but do not have a charging point at their property.”

Councillor Sally Povolotsky, Vale of White Horse District Council Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency and Environment, said: “We’ve been very pleased to bring EV chargers to the Vale-run car parks as part of our council goals to reduce carbon emissions. There has already been a high rate of EV ownership in Oxfordshire which is why we have undertaken this long-term project investing in the infrastructure to make it easier for those to make the switch to an EV whether or not they have access to easy charging at home.

“The scheme has been designed to encourage local residents without off-street parking to switch to an EV as they can park and charge in our car parks overnight. This has already proved popular in Abingdon with nearly 20 per cent of charging sessions at West St Helen car park being done overnight.”

Councillor Andrew Prosser, Cabinet Member for Climate Change at West Oxfordshire District Council, said: “Latest statistics suggest that a third of all new cars bought in Oxfordshire are now fully battery electric, which is well ahead of the rest of the UK. Projects such as Park and Charge are helping to build countywide EV infrastructure that supports this growth in EV ownership.

“We want to make it easier for EV drivers to charge up and give motorists the confidence to purchase their first electric vehicle. Maximising opportunities to grow this network will accelerate the shift to ultra-low emission transport and our pathway to net zero carbon emissions.”

Councillor Dan Sames, Cherwell District Council’s Portfolio Holder for Cleaner and Greener Communities, said: “The pioneering EV charging project has exceeded expectations and usage continues to grow. We are delighted to have been able to expand the project and create more charging hubs within Cherwell.”

The £5.4 million project was funded by grants from Innovate UK and the Office for Zero Emissions Vehicles as well as private investment from local companies Zeta and Urban Integrated. It has provided the biggest ever single boost to public EV charging infrastructure in the county.

The network of ‘fast’ EV chargers have a power rating of 7kW to 22kW, which means EV drivers can get between 25 and 75 miles of charge for every hour they charge, depending on the rate at which their vehicle can charge. These innovative chargers are highly robust and reliable, and have multiple payment options including contactless ‘tap and go’, ensuring that EV drivers can always get a charge when they need one.

More details on how to use the chargers and the Park and Charge scheme are available at www.parkandchargeoxfordshire.co.uk.

The Park and Charge project is a key part of the Oxfordshire Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Strategy, which was named Public Sector Infrastructure Strategy of the Year at the 2022 Electric Vehicle Innovation & Excellence Awards (EVIEs).

Oxfordshire County Council is currently working with all other councils across Oxfordshire to roll out further residential EV charging hubs in car parks right across the county, pending securing appropriate funding.

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Care Home Open Week, coordinated by Championing Social Care, is an annual event celebrating the role care homes play in supporting local communities. 

Councillor Tim Bearder, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said: “Care Home Open Week provides homes with the opportunity to show what they have to offer, their fantastic facilities, activities and services, reminding the public that they are there if they need support and so much more. t's also an opportunity for individuals to learn more about some of the brilliant career opportunities available within social care.

“I'm really looking forward to visiting staff and residents in some of the homes next week - discovering more about the incredible work they do and, of course, getting to know some of the residents.”

Patsy Just, Order of St John Care Trust (OSJCT)’s Regional Director for Oxfordshire, said: “Care Home Open Week celebrates the vital role that care homes play in our communities. Throughout the week, OSJCT homes are hosting free events for the public and will be showcasing our high-quality facilities and services. After a challenging couple of years, we are really delighted to be able to welcome back visitors and reconnect with our local communities.”

Events at participating Oxfordshire care homes include meeting staff, coffee mornings, gardening, arts and crafts, and much more.

Jane Wood, Marketing Manager, Oxfordshire Association of Care Providers, said: “Care Home Open Week is the perfect opportunity to showcase the fantastic career opportunities and job roles available across Oxfordshire in social care. Every day is different and incredibly rewarding – if you enjoy working with people, social care is the place for you!”

More information

Activities summary for Order of St John Care Trust’s participating homes in Oxfordshire:

 Henry Cornish Care Centre in Chipping Norton

• Come Gardening with Us, Monday 27 June at 10.30am
• Cake and Natter, Tuesday 28 June, 2 to 4pm
• Church Service, Wednesday 29 June at 2.30pm
• Meet the Manager, Thursday 30 June, 11am to 3pm

Isis House in Donnington

• Singing with Donna Chalcroft, Tuesday 28 June at 2pm
• Saxophone player, Friday 1 July at 2pm

 Larkrise Care Centre in Banbury

• Pride Day, Monday 27 June, 2 to 3.30pm
• Young and Free with St Mary’s Playgroup, Tuesday 28 June 10 to 11.30am
•  Larkrise Sports Day in the afternoon

Madley Park House in Witney

• Chickens visit the home, Monday 27 June
• Meet the Manager, Wednesday 29 June from 10am-12noon
• Fish ‘n’ Chips and ice-cream van, Friday 1 July

Marston Court in Oxford

• Pets as Therapy dog visit, Monday 27 June
• Coffee morning, Tuesday 28 June at 10.45 am
• Meet the Manager, Tuesday 28 June at 2pm
• Church service, Thursday 30 June at 11am
• Book Club, Thursday 30 June at 2pm
• Entertainer Doug Loveridge, Friday 1 July at 11am

Spencer Court in Woodstock

• G-Fitness with Jade, Tuesday 28 June
• Ribberty Rabbit arts and crafts, Friday 1 July

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Hosted for the third consecutive time by Oxfordshire County Council, and the county’s city and district councils, Oxfordshire is the venue for the final stage of this year’s six stage race.

Riders will be flagged off in Chipping Norton’s High Street at 11am on a 90 mile route to the finish along Oxford’s historic St Giles’ at around 3pm. 

Carterton pupil, Chester Youd, aged 7, from St John the Evangelist CE Primary School, won the competition to design the starter flag.  Read his story here, and see his Union Jack inspired artwork below:

The route - detailed on the Women's Tour website - will pass through many picture-postcard locations, including taking in one of Britain’s most loved areas, the Cotswolds. It will head as far north as Milcombe – a short distance from Banbury where Italian rider Marta Bastianelli triumphed in the 2021 race – before changing course and travelling south through West Oxfordshire towards RAF Brize Norton in Carterton.

Stage six will also visit Faringdon, Wantage and Abingdon in the Vale of White Horse; and Didcot and Wallingford in South Oxfordshire, where a large section of the route will follow the stunning scenery of the North Wessex Downs.  Those watching at Burcot will have the thrill of welcoming riders for the final sprint of this year’s tour, which is estimated at around 2.25pm.

Riders will cross the River Thames using the Folly Bridge as the race enters Oxford from its south side. In what promises to be a truly stunning end to the 2022 race, the stage will finish on the historic St Giles’ around 3pm.

Councillor Liz Leffman, Leader of Oxfordshire County Council, said: “The Women’s Tour is a fantastic way to showcase our wonderful county to the world. I’m confident this event will support and raise awareness of cycling and its benefits, as well as bring an economic boost to our communities – so important as businesses recover from the pandemic. Hosting this prestigious race for a third time is a great collaborative effort between the county council and our local authority colleagues.”

Rolling road closures

There will be rolling road closures from 11am at the race start area in Chipping Norton, controlled by police and route marshals, which will then continue along the route. This will involve highways and junctions, with access roads onto the route, closing for short periods while the race passes through. The length of closure depends on how dispersed the riders are.

Road closure locations along the route, with predicted race timings, are listed in full on Oxfordshire County Council’s website.

Redbridge Recycling Centre, temporary closure

 As the race will pass close to Redbridge Recycling Centre, the site will be closed between 1:30pm and 3pm. All other household waste and recycling centres are scheduled to remain open as normal. 

Economic and health benefits

Oxfordshire is expecting economic and health benefits from hosting the prestigious event, with cycling fans expected to visit the county to watch the race, generating additional business for restaurants, bars, hotels, B&Bs and shops.

Over 100 professional riders will weave their way through towns, villages and rural areas, and it is hoped that local schools will be inspired to organise themed sport and fitness lessons.

Families are expected to line the route to cheer on competitors, turning the event into an exciting community spectacle. Spectators will be encouraged to use healthy and environmentally friendly transport to reach vantage points to watch the race.

Councillor Andy Graham, Leader of West Oxfordshire District Council, said: “It’s fantastic to have such a prestigious race taking place in our district and it’s a great honour for Chipping Norton to be hosting the start of the race. We hope the Women’s Tour will leave a positive legacy with more people getting into cycling and making the most of our beautiful countryside in West Oxfordshire.”

Councillor Louise Upton, Cabinet Member for Health and Transport at Oxford City Council, said: “Oxford is extraordinarily beautiful, one of the most scenic cities in the world. As these amazing women ride through the city to a well-deserved hero’s welcome at St Giles’, they will see many of the things that make Oxford such a special place, from the first park and ride in the country to the ancient University colleges that have produced so many world-beating athletes.

“We hope to create a really festive atmosphere to celebrate the Women’s Tour ending in Oxford and will have lots of fun activities to keep the crowd entertained as they wait for the nail-biting finish.”

Councillor Eric de la Harpe, Cycling Champion at Vale of White Horse District Council, said: “I’m very proud that we’ve been able to bring The Women’s Tour to Oxfordshire and I’m really excited to see a fantastic finale on 11 June. Like many sports, cycling can be seen as quite a male dominated environment, but events like this can really help to encourage a new generation of female cyclists. Across the county we are seeing many more residents join our growing cycling community and the Women’s Tour has played a real part in inspiring people to get on their bike, whether that’s to get around the local area, to improve health and fitness, or more seriously as part of a cycling club.”

Councillor Sam Casey-Rerhaye, Cycling Champion at South Oxfordshire District Council, said: “Coming just days after the Jubilee celebrations, the Women’s Tour will be another wonderful event for our communities to enjoy. I’m really looking forward to seeing people join with friends and family to line the streets to mark the occasion and cheer the riders on. I hope the event brings more visitors to the area on Saturday and that they make the most our wonderful pubs, cafes and shops. If you are coming along to watch the race, make sure you check the times carefully as the cyclists go through each area very quickly, so we wouldn’t want anyone to miss out!”

Councillor Phil Chapman, Cherwell District Council’s Portfolio Holder for Healthy Communities, said: “Watching a world class bike race is a truly thrilling experience and one I definitely recommend to anyone who’s not seen one before. It’s a privilege to once again be supporting the Women’s Tour and have it pass through our district for local people and visitors to enjoy.”

Leading law firm Blake Morgan is sponsoring the final stage of the Women’s Tour.

About the Women’s Tour

Created by SweetSpot Group in 2014, the Women’s Tour is the UK’s first international stage race for women, bringing the world’s top riders to compete in Great Britain as a part of the UCI Women’s WorldTour.

The race, which has been won by the likes of Marianne Vos (2014), Lizzie Deignan (2016, 2019) and Demi Vollering (2021), attracts an annual roadside audience of 300,000, as well as over three million fans through linear and online platforms.

Follow the Women’s Tour on Twitter (#WomensTour), Facebook, and Instagram or via the event’s official website at womenstour.co.uk.

Your Oxfordshire

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The road was previously classed as one of the 50 most dangerous A road sections in the UK by the International Road Assessment Programme. In response, the county council carried out the £5.1 million A361 Safety Improvements Project with funding from the Department for Transport (DfT).

Work on a wide range of safety improvements for the 16km stretch were completed last year, including the installation of a new Toucan crossing, and a glowing 2.5 metre-wide, 2000 metre-long, shared use path.

Councillor Tim Bearder, Oxfordshire County Council Cabinet Member for Highway Management, said: “We were pleased to be involved in this important lifesaving project and are delighted that all the hard work has been recognised with this award.”

The project consisted of:

• Carriageway resurfacing to improve skid resistance.
• Surface water drainage improvements to prevent overflowing.
• Footway improvements including conversion to a shared use pedestrians/cycleway to allow safe off-road cycling.
• Vegetation clearance to improve visibility, especially at bends.
• Conversion of an existing Pelican crossing to Toucan to allow safe connection between Ell’s Lane and Bloxham’s Warriner School.
• Reduction in speed limits from 50mph to 40mph between Banbury and Wykham Lane and from 60mph to 50pmh in southern sections.
• Road markings and signage improvements, including yellow backed and raised signs for better visibility, and introduction of road studs on all bends to better guide motorists at night.

The £100 million Safer Roads Fund was established by the DfT following a successful programme delivered by the Road Safety Foundation and commissioned and financially supported by the RAC Foundation. The Safer Roads Fund programme focused on treating the 50 highest risk local A road sections in England with remedial road safety engineering interventions.

His Royal Highness Prince Michael of Kent, Executive Director of the Road Safety Foundation, said: “I was delighted when the government announced the Safer Roads Fund. The importance of sound investment at local level will provide many long-overdue improvements, not just in the 50 most dangerous stretches of A roads in England, but elsewhere too.”

Roads Minister Baroness Vere said: “I am delighted our Safer Roads Fund has been recognised for its lifesaving work. It was designed to prevent thousands of tragedies on our roads, and the department will continue to work tirelessly on this priority as we move forward.”

Dr Suzy Charman, Executive Director of the Road Safety Foundation, said: “We are delighted that the DfT’s investment in the Safer Roads Fund is recognised with this award. We share this award with the RAC Foundation whose initial support allowed us to undertake the pathfinder project that was a catalyst to the Safer Roads Fund and, of course, we also share the award with our local authority partners who worked hard to design and implement their schemes.”

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Following the installation of the first park and charge EV hub at Bicester’s Cattle Market car park in May, the locations of the remaining 19 sites have been announced. Work started earlier this month and is due to be completed by March 2022.

The park and charge scheme allows residents without off-street parking to park for free overnight and charge up using a ‘fast’ 7 - 22kw EV charging point. The chargers will also provide much needed battery top-ups to commuters and visitors during the daytime.

The project is being delivered by a consortium of partners including Oxfordshire County Council, University of Oxford, Urban Integrated UK, and Bicester firm Zeta Lighting which is running the EV charging service under the trading name EZ-Charge. Cherwell, West Oxfordshire, South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse District Councils are also supporting the scheme and hosting the EV charging hubs.

Councillor Pete Sudbury, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change Delivery and Environment, said: “Many councillors have already had residents who don't have off-street parking asking about charging EVs, and we at the county council know we need to accelerate different solutions to that problem. Park and charge is a key part of the Oxfordshire EV strategy, helping people to move away from using diesel and petrol vehicles.”

The locations set to benefit from park and charge hubs, each containing between 10 and 16 EV charging points, are:

• Claremont car park, Bicester
• Curtis Place car park, Kidlington
• Windsor Street and Calthorpe Street West car parks in Banbury
• Woodford Way car park in Witney
• Black Bourton car park in Carterton
• Hensington Road car park, Woodstock
• Back Lane car park, Eynsham
• New Street car park, Chipping Norton
• Cattlemarket and Goldsmiths Lane car parks in Wallingford
• Kings Road and Greys Road car parks in Henley
• Southern Road car park, Thame
• West St Helens, Audlett Drive and Cattle Market car parks in Abingdon
• Portway car park in Wantage
• Southampton Road car park in Faringdon.

Councillor Sue Cooper, South Oxfordshire District Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment, Climate Change and Nature Recovery, said: “This is great news for residents as they will have access to 62 new chargers across the district. This could be the difference to those living in Thame, Wallingford and Henley, to make the switch to EV ownership knowing they have easy access to charging points. Being part of this project also shows the council’s determination to take action to tackle the climate emergency, which we are prioritising as part of our corporate plan.”

Councillor Catherine Webber, Vale of White Horse District Council Cabinet member for the Environment and Climate Emergency, said: “We are delighted that we can accommodate so many EV charging points across the Vale in our car parks. It should really help those wishing to switch to EVs but who live in town centres such as Abingdon, Faringdon and Wantage and have on-street parking which can make it difficult to access charging. More chargers should mean more people can make the switch to cleaner travel.”

Councillor Dan Sames, Cherwell District Council’s Lead Member for Clean and Green, said: “The pioneering electric vehicle charging project has exceeded expectations and usage continues to grow. We are delighted to be able to expand the project and create more charging hubs within Cherwell. The added bonus is that we are using home grown technology developed by a Bicester-based company.”

Councillor David Harvey, Cabinet Member for Climate Change at West Oxfordshire District Council, said: “With transport emissions being the largest contributor to greenhouse gases and air pollution in the district, moving to electric vehicles is a hugely important step in reaching our local and national net zero targets. The positive news is that recent statistics suggest that one in six cars now sold have a plug. We are delighted to be a partner in the park and charge Oxfordshire project, which will see more EV charging points installed across the county and here in West Oxfordshire, making it even easier for residents and business to make the switch to ultra-low emission vehicles.”

It is predicted that by 2030, one in five cars on Oxfordshire’s roads will be an EV, according to data modelling by the University of Oxford.

The £5.4 million programme is among the first of its kind in the UK and is being funded by the Office for Zero Emissions Vehicles through Innovate UK and the government’s On-Street Residential Charging Scheme.

Transport Minister Trudy Harrison said: “Providing accessible and reliable charging infrastructure is fundamental in our mission to achieve net-zero. I am delighted Oxfordshire County Council has received funding through our £20m On-Street Residential Chargepoint scheme and I hope it gives the area a boost to go green and to make it easier for drivers to make the important switch to electric.”

More details about the scheme are available on the Park and Charge website.

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In addition, the Oxfordshire Museum and Woodstock Library will re-open from Wednesday 12 August. Their hours will be Weds to Sat 11am – 5pm Last admission 4.30pm Sunday 2pm - 5pm.

Oxfordshire County Council has already successfully reopened 15 libraries with Abingdon, Banbury, Bicester, Blackbird Leys, Carterton, Cowley, Didcot, Headington, Henley, Kidlington, Summertown, Thame, Wantage, Witney and the Oxfordshire County Library in Westgate having successfully reopened.

Opening hours for all sites are those pre-Covid-19 with the exception that no library will open past 5pm.

Councillor Lorraine Lindsay-Gale, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and Cultural Services said:

“The fact that more of our county libraries are reopening to serve the community is a great step, especially now the summer holidays have begun. I’d like to thank our library staff for their hard work in making this possible.

“Please take care of yourselves and others when visiting libraries as there will be some important adjustments made for your safety and that our staff. Remember also that a wealth of electronic services and e-books can still be accessed via our library website.”

The county council has been receiving overwhelmingly positive feedback from customers as each library has reopened. One social media post relating to Banbury Library recently read: “Just want to say how impressed I was with Banbury library’s set up today. They were very kind and welcoming and made me feel at ease!”

Please check our website for any changes and advice for visiting libraries as they reopen at our library service page:

https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/residents/leisure-and-culture/libraries

The junction of Wykham Lane will be closed from 7am on 9 March for two weeks so that safety alterations to the kerb lines can be done.

Access to Ells Lane will be closed from 7am on 14 April for two weeks to complete pavement works linking the new shared footway, including new tactile pavement.

The work is being done as part of the £4.135m A361 Safety Improvements Project funded by DfT and initiated by the Road Safety Foundation, which aim at reducing the serious accidents and deaths by implementing safety improvements on A361 between Banbury and A3400 Roundabout in Chipping Norton.

The improvements being delivered by the A361 scheme include:

• Carriageway resurfacing and drainage - to improve skid resistance
• Vegetation clearance - to improve sightlines and visibility for drivers
• Footway improvements and conversion of the footway to a shared cycle/pedestrian facility - to create a safer environment for the users
• Wykham Lane and Bloxham Grove Road junctions’ improvements (e.g. removal of tapers to prevent divers from undertaking other vehicles, which was the main reason for all accidents at those sites),
• Road markings and signage improvements – review of all signs and road markings, installation of new /renewal of old road markings and signs. Introduction of road studs on all bends.
• Speed limits reduction

County Councillor Liam Walker, Cabinet member for highways operations and delivery said: “We appreciate the patience of local people and travelling public while we undertake the safety improvements.

“In the overall scheme of things, the impact of the works is temporary but this busy and dangerous section of A361 will ultimately see an improvement in the safety for all users and reduction in serious and fatal accidents, saving a predicted 27 lives in the next 20 years.

“Our team are working hard to get the job done as quickly as possible while taking into account the needs of residents and road users.

“The good news is that the end is in sight for this project and I would urge those travelling through the area to take note of the signs on site and marked diversion routes.”

All the main resurfacing, drainage, road marking and vegetation clearance works including improvements to Bloxham Grove Road junction and South Newington bend have been completed.

Wykham Lane works have been scheduled for 9 March (Phase 1 – civil works) and 23^rd March (Phase 2 – resurfacing) and will be completed by the end of March 2020.

The shared footway and works are progressing well and are due to be completed in large at the end of March 2020, with the additional section from Ells Lane to crossing, the crossing conversion and small section around Vantage Business Park to be completed by the end of April.

You can find out more here - https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/residents/roads-and-transport/roadworks/major-current-roadworks/a361-road-safety-improvements

Pictured at the ceremony are: West Oxfordshire Neighbourhood Police Inspector, Steve Hookham; County Councillors Ian Hudspeth and Judith Heathcoat; and Chief Fire Officer for Oxfordshire County Council Fire and Rescue Service, Rob MacDougall.

Chief Fire Officer for Oxfordshire County Council Fire and Rescue Service, Rob MacDougall, said: “We are committed to thriving communities; working in partnership with other emergency services and organisations that focus on community safety. Co-locating teams at Chipping Norton, as we have at Woodstock, makes absolute sense for our communities.

“It will undoubtedly improve relationships and information sharing between firefighters and neighbourhood police officers, making sure we are doing the very best for residents and businesses while delivering efficiencies by sharing properties.

“Being in the same building will provide more opportunities for our teams to problem solve and identify new ways to deliver our prevention initiatives in a joined-up way, whether that is reducing the vulnerability to crime, fire or other community safety issues.”

West Oxfordshire Neighbourhood Inspector, Steve Hookham, said: “This is the second co-location with Oxfordshire County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service, following Woodstock, and we look forward to taking this opportunity to work more closely with them and build on our existing partnership working.

“The relocation of the neighbourhood policing teams to this new facility ensures that Chipping Norton and the surrounding communities will continue to benefit from a locally based police presence for the foreseeable future.”

The county council is making major improvements to the A361 as part of a £4.135m project funded by the Department for Transport.

When complete the route will benefit from resurfacing, improved drainage, improved visibility and ‘cats eyes’ on the bends, footpath improvements, junction improvements on Wykham Lane and Bloxham Grove Road, better signs and lining and speed limit reductions.

The extent of the project is from the new Roundabout in Banbury to A3400 Roundabout in Chipping Norton. Resurfacing will be done along the 16km stretch according to need so that the best use is made of the available funds.

Reducing accident risk

The Road Safety Foundation (RSF) identified A361, between Banbury and Chipping Norton, as one of the 50 sections of UK A-class roads with the highest risk of fatal and serious road traffic accidents.

The accidents recorded on the route were quite diverse but include loss of control incidents, particularly at bends and junction accidents. The higher severity accidents are mainly on the more rural stretches, with comparatively few being recorded within the two villages Bloxham and South Newington.

Much-needed investment

County Councillor Yvonne Constance, Cabinet member for Environment, said: “This is a major and much-needed investment into one of the area’s most used routes.

“The work is progressing well and with the roads being quieter during the school holidays it shouldn’t have too much of an impact on too many people.

“However, if you do use the route I would advise you to look at the website and find out what’s ahead so that you can plan your journeys.”

You can find out more about the work here - https://bit.ly/31rRzBx

In the coming months the team will be designing a shared-use footway to run from Crouch Cottages to Chipperfield Park Road, working on detailed designs for the Wykham Lane junction with work expected to start in the new year, improving one of the bends south of South Newington and, finally, programming the signing and lining works. Bloxham Grove Rd/Ell’s Lane Junction design have now been completed and the improvement works will start in September.

However we thought it interesting enough to show you the results of our road repair team's visit to Worcester Road in Chipping Norton as the previously potholed areas are now smooth and flat.

As you can see from the pictures the crew have stripped out some tired and crumbling sections of tarmac and resurfaced them to make for a smoother ride for all road users.

Aaron’s story is a real testament to the fact that being in care does not have to mean that a person becomes disadvantaged for the rest of their life.

“Being in care is not the end of the world. For me it has opened more doors to me than may otherwise have been the case,” he says looking back at the time when he first came into the care of Oxfordshire County Council.

“The council placed me in to the care of foster parents and they have been absolutely incredible. They are called David and Davina and I refer to them as my mum and dad. They’ve fostered around 150 children over the last forty years and it really shows. They’re experts. I was their son straightaway.

“Being fostered means you’ll have a stable family life compared to what may well have come before. I still live with my foster parents now.”

Born in Witney, Aaron has lived most of his life in Chipping Norton and attended the local secondary school, where he also credits his former headteacher Simon Duffy with a key part in his journey to adulthood.

“He had faith in me all the way through. I ended up with six GCSEs and that was what opened the door for me to get to where I am now studying at Ruskin College in Oxford for a degree in social and political studies.”

Strong links

Councils continue to have responsibilities towards people who were previously children in their care. As a care leaver Aaron still has a social worker who acts as a person advisor but his strongest links with the county council and the care system come from choice rather than process.

“I’m a member of the Children in Care Council and I’ve been the Chairman of the organisation for two years now. It’s a very important and strong organisation in Oxfordshire that gives you the chance to have your say or suggest positive changes for the future.”

In 2014 he was elected to the national youth parliament and has twice debated in the chamber at the House of Commons. He enjoys the cut and thrust of debate and would like to be involved in politics for many years to come.

For the meantime he’s writing his own autobiography recounting his days as a child in care right through to the present day.

“I’ve got very close ties to the county council. People will often think of the roads or libraries when they think of the council but children’s social care is so important and my story to date just shows how important it is.”

There are around 700 children in the care of the county council at any one time and several more care leavers with whom the council maintains strong links in just the same way that parents do with their children once they become young adults.

A good start in life

Lucy Butler, Director for Children’s Services at Oxfordshire County Council said: “We’re extremely proud of Aaron. Our aim is to give all children a good start in life and that very much applies to children who have been in care. When a child comes in to care the council effectively becomes that child’s parent. It’s a responsibility that all of us – including our county councillors – take seriously. Aaron is a shining example of what children who have been in care can achieve. He’s got a great future ahead of him and we look forward to seeing him go from strength to strength.”

A total of 28 couples will be tying the knot at Oxfordshire County Council’s Registration offices throughout the county on Saturday, May 19 – the same day that Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle at St George’s Chapel.

Jon Sherwood, 33 will be marrying his Barcelona-born fiancée Mariona Casals-Caces, 34 at the Oxford Registration office on Tidmarsh Lane having proposed to her last May.

And Lizzie Lavender, 28 and Jason Flint, 31, will marry at Stratton Court Barn near Bicester having known each other since being teenagers - with an Oxfordshire County Council marriage celebrant overseeing proceedings.

Jon and Mariona work in the health sector - Jon as a scientist for Public Health England and Mariona for the NHS in Oxford as a Project Manager.

“We didn’t deliberately choose the same day as the Royal Wedding but it’ll be interesting to see how much of an influence it has on our day. We chose May because I proposed to Mariona last May,” said Jon.

“It’ll be interesting to see if there are any events in Oxford that’ll become part of the scenery of our day. It’s likely there’ll be lots of people around watching the television.

“There’ll be a reception at the Randolph Hotel following the ceremony – and it’ll have a theme of afternoon tea, which is obviously a very English thing. Mariona’s visiting family from Spain will enjoy that and they’re also very curious about the royals and excited that we are sharing a wedding date with them.”

May will also always be the special month for Lizzie and Jason who became a couple in May 2010, were engaged in May 2016 and will now marry in May 2018. They live together in Carterton.

“We’ve known each other since I was 14 and Jason 16 when we both played semi-professional paintball,” said Lizzie who is a Housing Officer for a Housing Association based in Witney.

“It’s lovely to be sharing the same day as the royal wedding – we’re quite relaxed about the whole thing, although one of our guests can’t attend because they are part of the armed forces who’ll be on duty at the event.”

Special day

Superintendant Registrar Alicja Gilroy said: “”We conducted 2400 ceremonies last year in Oxfordshire and overall the county council’s Registration Service has 100 venues licensed for weddings and civil partnerships.

“Oxfordshire is a beautiful county and we attract people who from outside our borders who want to marry at the amazing venues we have to offer. That brings income in to the county which helps the county thrive.

“I’m sure the 28 couples who will have ceremonies on May 19 will forever member that their special day was shared with that of the royal couple.”

Schools are being invited to sign up to an ‘anti-bullying’ charter to strengthen the response to bullying across the county and ensure the voices of children and families are always heard and acted upon.

The charter, which contains 10 pledges on tackling bullying, was launched at Chipping Norton School by the council’s Cabinet Member for Education and Public Health Hilary Hibbert-Biles.

The secondary school, along with neighbouring primary schools St Mary’s and Holy Trinity, are the first to sign up. Others are now being encouraged to join them and help send a strong message that bullying will not be tolerated in Oxfordshire and the concerns of children and families will always be taken seriously.

Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and Public Health Hilary Hibbert-Biles (second right) presents the anti-bullying charter to Chipping Norton School headteacher Simon Duffy (back, centre) and St Mary’s Primary School headteacher Yvonne Stallwood-Barnes (far left), alongside pupils from both schools.

Reducing impact of bullying

Cllr Hibbert-Biles said: “All schools have a responsibility to tackle bullying wherever they find it, and we know the majority do a good job in supporting their pupils and families. We also know that bullying of all descriptions remains a big problem for many children – in Oxfordshire like everywhere else - and we want to work with schools to reduce the impact it can have on young people’s lives.

“By formally signing up to a countywide set of values, schools can focus on ensuring those values are embedded in every aspect of school life. It also sends out a very clear message to their pupils and families that bullying will not be allowed to go unchallenged, and that no one should ever feel the need to suffer in silence.”

The full list of pledges that make up the charter can be viewed here.

Headteacher at St Mary’s Primary School Yvonne Stallwood-Barnes said: “We were really keen to sign up because I feel that all schools should provide a safe and secure environment for learning to take place. This charter has all the key points that all anti-bullying policies should have, and it summarises the way we are all working to make sure schools are safe and happy places to be.”

Pupils’ views

Chipping Norton School pupil Will Porter, 12, said: “Knowing that you’re going to a school that doesn’t tolerate bullying, and going to a school that you know will care for you, if you’re being bullied it will help you deal with the effects of bullying. It can help you feel cared about and a lot more comfortable.”

Seven-year-old Darcy Portman, of St Mary’s Primary School, added: “Bullying should stop because we don’t want everyone getting hurt. We don’t want our schools to be full of bullying because bullying is an unkind thing to do.”

Sign up and further advice on bullying

Schools can sign up to the charter by contacting anti-bullying@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Further advice for parents if your child is being bullied can be found here

The ten-year-old from Chipping Norton had been diagnosed with moderate hearing loss and the county council’s Sensory Impairment Team has helped transform her life by providing her with some practical equipment.

Following an assessment by Mark Cove, an Equipment Support Worker with Oxfordshire County Council,, Emma was provided with a with a flashing doorbell and vibrating alarm clock. Emma is now setting her alarm clock and waking up independently.

Emma was also provided with a ‘Amplicomm Stethoset’ for the television. The audio lead from this can be plugged directly into the FM receiver giving Emma the choice of how to access the sound (Stethoset or Hearing Aids) even with the television on mute. 

Liz Church, Emma’s mum, said: “ When Emma first put on the Stethoset and was watching TV her exact words to me were, ‘This is the best thing that I have ever had!’. I have said thank you to the county council and Mark Cove for making life a little easier for Emma and for me too!

Councillor Steve Harrod Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Children & Families said: “Emma’s story is a joyful one. Our Sensory Impairment team is an example of how the council uses modern equipment to make the lives of people with health difficulties so much better.

“As a council we strive to give every child a good start in life and we certainly hope we’re helping achieve that in Emma’s case.”

Traffic restrictions and road closures ahead of Remembrance Day parades and events this weekend.

11 November

Remembrance Day Witney
11 November 08-13:00
Church Green
Welch Way

Didcot Armistice Day Ceremony
11 November 10:55 - 11:05
B4493 High Street, Didcot

12 November

Abingdon
12 November 10:30 - 11:45
Ock Street

Chipping Norton
12 November 10:25-12:15
High Street

Burford
12 November 10:40 - 11:20
High Street

Carterton
12 November 10:15 - 11:30
Burford Road

Faringdon
12 November 09:00 - 12:30
Gloucester Street Gravel Walk

And11 November - Exhibition on A4095 Market Place

Marcham Remembrance Parade
12 November 10:30 - 12:30
New Road

Kennington
12 November 10:30 - 11:30
Kennington Road

Goring
12 November 10:50-11:15
Section of B471

Woodstock
10:00-12:30 Remembrance parade
Unknown road

Wantage
12 November 10:30 - 13:00
Market Place

Wallingford
12 November 10:00 - 12:00
St Martins Street

Benson Remembrance Parade
12 November 10:15 - 11:45

Remembrance Day - Chinnor
12 November 10:25 - 11:10

Henley Remembrance Sunday
12 November 10:15 - 12:00
Station Road

Charlbury
12:00-13:30
School Road

Didcot
12 November 10:20 - 11:30
Broadway

Harwell
12 November 10:20 - 11:30
B4493 Drewitts Corner

Grove
12 November 09:35 - 09:45
Main street

Godstow
12 November 10:20-11:45
Godstow road

Oxford: St Giles Remembrance Sunday Parade
12 November 07:00-14:00
St Giles

Thame
12 November 13:00
High Street

Have we missed any? Let us know in the comments.

Blanket testing is taking place at the following locations during October:

• Oxford - Monday 2 October
• Banbury - Tuesday 3 October
• Witney - Wednesday 4 October
• Wallingford - Thursday 5 October
• Abingdon - Friday 6 October
• Oxford - Monday 16 October
• Bicester - Tuesday 17 October
• Chipping Norton - Wednesday 18 October
• Thame - Thursday 19 October
• Wantage - Friday 20 October

Councillor Judith Heathcoat, Oxfordshire County Council’s Deputy Leader, said: ““I urge people to book their place at one of the testing days. As the cold winter months approach, many people will be dusting off their electric blankets ready for use.

"If the condition of the blanket is allowed to deteriorate there is the possibility that it could have become faulty, which could lead to injury and fire.

“We want to ensure that they are still safe for use, so come along and encourage any elderly neighbours to attend too. It is better to be safe than sorry.”

In 2016 831 blankets were tested and 177 blankets failed, a rate of 21%.

To book your safety check appointment call 01865 898642 or email: communityengagement@oxfordshire.gov.uk

ENDS

Notes to editors:

· This advice is part of Oxfordshire County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service’s 365alive initiative.

· For more information about the initiative, please visit www.365alive.co.uk

The pavements have been rejuvenated with the old failing surface replaced with new bitumen. Channels have also been installed to carry water from building downspouts which will help prevent water damage and ice in the future.

The work took around 10 days to complete and cost £37,000.

In August we’ll be working to improve the surfaces in Wantage, Woodstock and Abingdon.

Community services will complement the council’s new service for 0-19 year-olds, which will meet the needs and aspirations of children at risk of abuse and neglect in Oxfordshire, and ensure that families who need extra help are identified at an early stage.

Total adds up

When added to previously considered applications, the approval of these latest proposals would give a total of 25 funded community schemes for services such as ‘stay and play’ to continue at children’s centres across the county.

On top of this, open access sessions are continuing at the Children and Family Centres and satellite centres at the heart of the council’s new Children’s Service.

Fantastic response

Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Local Communities Councillor Mark Gray said: “Over the last year we have seen a tremendous response from local communities who have taken up the baton for the delivery of open access children’s services across the county.

“In many cases what parents will see when they come into these centres will be little different from when they were fully funded by the council, and that’s testament to the commitment and hard work of local people who have made this happen.”

He added: “It has never been the council’s desire to see children’s centres close, and through the transition fund we have worked alongside a large number of community groups to help them bring their plans to fruition.”

List of applicants / children’s centres recommended to receive third-round transition funding:

• Ambrosden 4 Children (Ambrosden Children’s Centre): £5,964

• Donnington Doorstep (Florence Park Children’s Centre): £32,239

• St Johns Church – Grove PCC (Grove & Wantage Children’s Centres): £40,000

• HBC Superdads (Marston Northway Children’s Centre): £5,940

• Henley Baptist Church and D:two (Rainbow Children’s Centre): £8,000 (Received £21,900 in previous funding round)

• Abingdon Baby Café (North Abingdon Children’s Centre): £5,000

• Abingdon Carousel (South Abingdon Children’s Centre): £35,500

• Sunshine Centre (Sunshine Children’s Centre): £18,585

• Witney Churches (Witney Children’s Centre): £30,000

• Friends of Brittania Road (Brittania Road Children’s Centre, Banbury): £6,414

• The Kings Church (South Didcot): £20,000

  List of proposals approved in second round transition funding:

• Ace Centre Charity (Ace Centre, Chipping Norton): £29.983
• Barton Community Association (Barton EI Satellite, Oxford): £14,000
• Employment Action Group (Berinsfield Children’s Centre): £35,000
• Chalgrove Primary School (Chalgrove and Watlington Children’s Centres) £30,000
• Faringdon Town Council (Faringdon Children’s Centre): £30,000
• Kidlington with Hampton Poyle PCC (Kaleidoscope Children’s Centre, Kidlington): £35,000
• Friends of Maple Tree (Maple Tree Children’s Centre, Wheatley): £30,000
• Cutteslowe Community Association (North Oxford Children’s Centre): £30,000
• Wallingford Town Council (Wallingford Children’s Centre): £30,000

List of proposals approved in first round:

• Bloxham Primary School (Butterfly Meadows, Children’s Centre): £29,384
• Carterton Town Council (Carterton Children’s Centre): £30,000
• Botley Bridges (Elms Road Children’s Centre, Oxford): £30,000
• Grandpont Nursery (Grandpont Children’s Centre, Oxford): £35,600
• St Nicholas Primary School (Marston Northway Children’s Centre): £8,000
• Sharing Life Trust (Red Kite Children’s Centre, Thame): £30,000

List of Children and Family Centres and satellite centres:

• Banbury
• Bicester
• Witney
• Abingdon
• Didcot
• Barton
• Rose Hill
• Blackbird Leys
• East Oxford (satellite centre)
• Banbury (satellite centre).

Chipping Norton’s Walterbush Road, Witney’s Book End and Woodstock’s Brook Hill all now have new or improved double yellow lines which further enhance road safety and traffic management.

Witney and Woodstock were funded by local businesses and Chipping Norton by a developer, with all three schemes being combined together as one project.

The county council launched its Oxfordshire Together conversation with local communities in late 2015 – giving local communities the chance to redesign the way public services are planned and delivered in their locality - with a shift towards enabling people and communities to take ownership of local priorities.

Councillor Gray will take on oversight of this work along with work related to equalities, community funding, the work of county councillors in their localities, work with the voluntary and community sector and Neighbourhood Plans.

Other cabinet appointments are listed below. Councillor Yvonne Constance joins cabinet as Cabinet Member for Environment and Councillor David Bartholomew joins as Cabinet Member for Finance.

Councillor Judith Heathcoat (formerly Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care) becomes the council’s Deputy Leader of the council, Councillor Lawrie Stratford (formerly Cabinet Member for Finance) takes on the role of Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care.

Councillor Steve Harrod takes on the role of Cabinet Member for Children and Families having previously held the role of portfolio as Cabinet Member for Education. Councillor Hilary Hibbert-Biles now takes on the Education portfolio alongside retaining Public Health.

Councillor Ian Hudspeth, the Leader of Oxfordshire County Council, said: “Following the recent elections the cabinet takes on a fresh look with experienced county councillors in the shape of Yvonne Constance and David Bartholomew joining the team and working alongside colleagues who have served previously on the cabinet.

“Councillor Gray’s role is an exciting one seeking to build on work the council has been undertaking for some time now to strengthen its links with Oxfordshire’s localities. It is a role to which he is well suited and for which he is very enthusiastic.”

On-call firefighters are people that will go about their daily everyday life until they are alerted to an emergency incident in their area; then they have five minutes to get to their local fire station and respond as a professional firefighter.

Those who attend a two-hour taster session will have the chance to talk to on-call firefighters, try out practical assessments such as ladder climbing, hose running and putting on breathing apparatus and find out more about the recruitment process. 

Firefighting is open to people from all backgrounds

Group manager Paul Bremble said: “Our on-call firefighters are the backbone of Oxfordshire’s Fire and Rescue Service and the taster sessions are a great way for anyone who is considering applying to find out more about the role. Firefighting is a career that is open to people from all backgrounds and we are keen for women and people from ethnic minority communities to consider how it might suit them. These sessions are designed to help people decide as you get to experience some of the drills and tasks firefighters get involved with and ask any questions you have about the role.”

Book onto a two-hour taster session

Anyone interested in finding out more about becoming an on-call firefighter in Oxfordshire and is over the age of 18 is welcome to book onto a session.  Participants are advised to wear trainers and clothes suitable for exercising when attending the session.

Sunday April 23 - Have A Go Day at Henley Fire Station

• Session 1: 10am to midday
• Session 2: Midday to 2pm
• Session 3: 2pm to 4pm

For more information or to book your place at one of the sessions please contact:

• Nick Windsor, Tel: 07775 827256, Email: nick.windsor@Oxfordshire.gov.uk

Saturday April 29 - Have A Go Day at Chipping Norton Fire Station

• Session 1: 9am to 11am
• Session 2: 11am to 1pm
• Session 3: 1pm to 3pm

For more information or to book your place at one of the sessions please contact:

• Simon Piper, Tel: 07775 827277, Email: simon.piper@oxfordshire.gov.uk

In total there are around 200 voluntary sector daytime support providers for older people and people with disabilities in Oxfordshire. In excess of 150 of these operate without any financial support from the county council. More than 40 currently receive funding that covers some or all of their costs.

The council wants to support as many of these services as possible to continue, but recognises this is a decision for those organisations. The vast majority have applied for transition funding from the £300,000 budget set aside by council in February. Only six have not bid for funding, two of them because they decided they are ready to continue without support from the council.

All but one were assessed by the cross-party panel as meeting the criteria to receive funding, and a final decision will be taken by the county council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Councillor Judith Heathcoat, on April 19.

The transition funding will support these voluntary sector providers from September to March, as they action their plans to become more self-sustaining. Later in 2017 they will once again be able to bid for £250,000 of transitional funding in 2018/19, as well as funding from two further grants pots – a Sustainability Fund and an Innovation Fund.

Which services are proposed for transition funding

Age UK run day centres are proposed for a combined £98,000 of funding:

• Bluebells, Henley

• Burford Lunch Club

• Kidlington Area Day Centre

• Kingsmoor Day Centre, Hinton Waldrist

• Oakwood Centre, Faringdon

• Share Care Day Centre, Holton

• St Francis Court, Headington/Anchor Court, Oxford – two services which are merging.

Daybreak Oxford run day centres are proposed for a combined £50,000 of funding:

• The Lilacs, Kidlington

• The Limes, Oxford

• Rosewood, Oxford

Other providers:

• Berinsfield Voluntary Day Centre £10,106

• Bromsgrove Day Centre, Faringdon £6,800

• Carterton Day Centre £9,500

• Chalgrove Day Centre £8,000

• Charlbury Day Centre £3,742

• Chinnor Day Centre £8,000

• Cluster Care Group, Banbury £4,500

• Eynsham Day Centre £2,625

• Goring and District Community Centre Lunch Club £2,900

• Grove Day Centre for the Elderly £7,000

• Hanborough and District Day Centre £6,378

• Highlands Day Centre, Chipping Norton £5,000

• Hook Norton Day Centre, £2,625

• The October Club, Wantage £14,000

• Chinese Community Day Centre, Oxford £7978

• Happy Place Day Centre, Oxford £3,300

• Cornhill, Banbury £2,625

• West Way Day Centre, Botley £5,466

• St Mary’s Thursday Club, Bloxham £4,786

• Stonesfield Lunch Club £2,906

• Thame and District Day Centre £12,500

• The Thursday Social Club, Watlington £2,500

• Watlington and District Age Concern Drop In £1,500

• Windmill Thursday Club/Deddington Day Centre £5,000

• Wychwoods Day Centre £3,390

• Volunteer Link Up £14,625

The services who have decided they do not need to bid to continue to operate

• Bampton Bush Day Centre

• Fielding Lunch Club, Sibford Gower

The services who have not made a bid

• Leonard Cheshire Disability (open access self-help group)

• Leonard Cheshire Disability (Tryard Disability Group)

• Order of St John, Lake House, Adderbury

• The Alzheimers Society, Abingdon service

Cholsey Day Centre does not quality for funding as it has reserves of £340,000.

The information provided in the application for Marston Court, provided by Order of St John Care Trust, was not sufficient to evaluate the bid. Further information has been requested.

How will the council’s own service be configured?

• The county council is continuing to provide a core service for people who are eligible for social care support, which makes sure they have the care and support they need. This is planned to be a countywide service with an annual budget of £4.5m and a wide range of flexible, costed support options. The council will replace its current Health and Wellbeing Centres and Learning Disability Daytime Support services (22 building-based services) with eight new bases at the Abbey Centre, Abingdon; Redlands in Banbury; Bicester Health and Wellbeing Centre; The Meadows in Didcot; Oxford Options; High Street, Wallingford; Witney Resource Centre and the Charlton Centre in Wantage.

• These bases will run from October and would be subject to ongoing review in terms of locations. People with different needs will be supported in the same buildings but there would be a range of different spaces and facilities to meet different needs and interests.

• The plans include transport to and from services for everybody who is eligible for it or who chooses to purchase it.

• The council-funded Dementia Support Service provides support to people with dementia and their families across Oxfordshire through Dementia Advisors. It provides face-to-face support to an average of 120 people per week. This service will continue to be funded.

• The council-funded Wellbeing and Employment Service, “OxForward” provides support to people over the age of 18 with learning disabilities, autism and physical disabilities. It supports 700 people each year providing opportunities such as moving in to and maintaining volunteering roles and employment. This will continue with its existing budget.

• The council will continue to work with the Age UK provided Community Information Network service. The Community Information Network is working with people affected by the changes, to help manage a personalised transition from current daytime support services for those people who do not have eligible needs/ who choose not to use the new service.

• In addition the council will be permanently investing £25,000 a year in training for services around dementia and autism and £100,000 a year in enabling people to make choices about the use of their personal budgets.

Adam Bradley Coaching and his team will once again be hosting their popular Football School at Tucker Park, during the Easter School Holidays. Bring a packed lunch and plenty to drink plus some spending money for the tuck shop during lunch time.
Farindon

Art weeks with Sally Wyatt at Cogges
Saturday 13th May- Sunday 21st May

Cogges is delighted to be exhibiting drawings, mixed media, paintings and textiles from popular, local artist, Sally Wyatt. From expressive painterly sketching in watercolour to abstraction in oils and collage, Sally's work is informed by the landscape and flora of Cogges.
Witney

Ashventure Ancient Greece: Olympic Games at the Ashmolean Museum
Saturday 8 April
Join our regular gallery Ashventures: stories, gallery hunts, games, object handling and crafts. All welcome, particularly suitable for ages 4+ 2 - 2.45 pm repeated at 3.15 - 4 pm • No booking required Meet in gallery 21
Oxford

Banbury (People's Park) Play & Activity Day
Wednesday 26th July
OPA Play & Activity Days 2017 - Come and join us for a fun filled event offering both FREE Entrance and FREE Activities to ensure that we have an inclusion for ALL

You will be able to undertake a range of Playful activities all designed…You will be able to undertake a range of Playful activities all designed to keep you Physically Active, Healthy and Well. We will also show you how to play on a budget using Recycled and Natural Materials
Banbury

Barracks Lane Community Garden - Family friendly Saturday Social Gardening Club
Every Saturday 11am – 4pm from April 1st to Oct 2nd 2017

Barracks Lane Community Garden is a community run green space off the Cowley Road in Cowley/East Oxford. The Garden is a wonderful peaceful place to spend time and relax. Funded by National Lottery Awards for All, we are starting up a new group this spring.
Barracks Lane, Cowley Marsh, Oxford
 

Better Extreme Trampoline Park
Open 7 days a week
At our trampoline you'll find a huge main jump arena with unique features allowing you to pull off some crazy flips. We also have a whole range of other cool features for you to enjoy with your family and friends, including a fidget ladder!
Link Leisure Centre West Swindon District Centre, Swindon

Boys' Dance Day at Chipping Norton Theatre
Monday 10th April, 10am - 4pm

This workshop is designed especially for boys, providing them with the rare opportunity to dance with other boys and explore contemporary and urban dance techniques. Led by a male dancer, the workshops are suitable for all levels of experience. The day culminates in a demonstration of the skills learned, on our stage.

Spring Street, Chipping Norton

Brain Power! at the Museum of Natural History
Monday 17th April - Wednesday 19th April

Discover the Brilliant things your brain does from your head to your toes! Suitable for all
Museum Of Natural History Parks Road Oxford

Breakfast and Tea with the Easter Bunny at Bicester Avenue Garden Centre
Breakfast 9.00am & Tea 3.00pm on 8, 9, 13, 14, 15, 16 & 17 April

The Easter Bunny will be hopping into our restaurant soon. Come and enjoy our special Easter event, a treat for kids of all ages (and grown ups too!)
Bicester Avenue, Oxford Road, Bicester

Breakfast with the Easter Bunny at Hilltop Garden Centre
Sunday 16th April The Easter Bunny invites you to bring your Little Bunnies to Hilltop Garden Store and enjoy a yummy breakfast and eggciting games on Easter Sunday. Each child will be given surprise gifts to take home. Happy, hoppy Easter!!

Hilltop Garden Centre, Witney Road, Ramsden, Chipping Norton

 

Brilliant Bugs at Harcourt Arboretum
Tuesday 18 April 1-4pm

Discover some of the marvellous mini-beasts that live at the Arboretum before making some simple crafts to take home. Create a bug hotel for your garden, some super racing snails and a brilliant bee game.

Oxford Lodge, Nuneham Courtenay, Oxford


Charlton Spring Festival
Thursday April 13th 11am - 2pm

On Thursday 13th April, our family friendly Spring Festival returns for another year at the Charlton Centre (Charlton Village Road, Wantage, OX12 7HG). There will be kids’ crafts, live music, cream teas, cakes and treats. Also, plants for sale, a bouncy castle, the ever popular Easter Egg Trail and lots more. Gates are open 11a.m. to 2p.m. £1 for adults, kids go free. Please note there is limited parking on site and no dogs are allowed. Money raised will go towards the Wantage Market Garden Project which creates gardening opportunities for everyone. Come and enjoy the spring flowers and bring a picnic.

Charlton Village Road, Wantage

Clumps Club at the Earth Trust11th - 12th April

Wild adventures for children aged 7-11yrs! A different activity each day, join us for one or both. £30 per child per day
Earth Trust, Little Wittenham, Brightwell



Combe Mill in Steam - Sunday 16th April
Sunday 16 April 10.00am - 5.00pm

Enjoy this working industrial Museum with its late 19th Century Steam Beam Engine, working Waterwheel, Dual Blacksmiths Forge. Alongside all our steam and water powered machinery we welcome visiting Steam Engines and Vehicles to Combe Mill as well as woodworking machinery fully working and various projects and puzzles.

Have a go at making a poker in our blacksmiths’ forge. See how country houses and farms would have powered their machinery. Demonstrations of craftsmen's tools plus a collection of Working Historic Tower Clocks make for an enjoyable visit. See our working Beam Engine and Line Shafting together with the Restored Waterwheel. Discover the natural history of the adjacent River Evenlode and forest. You can relax by the River Evenlode in the riverside picnic area. There is a Millie-the-mill-cat trail for the children to win a `Millie` badge. There is plenty to enjoy and do with refreshments available in our Riverside Tea Room… a place to discover.

Combe Mill, Blenheim Palace Sawmills, Long Hanborough, Witney

Cre8tive Kids Easter Holiday Camp

Monday 10th April - Thursday 13th April 9.00am - 3.00pm each day

CRE8TIVE KIDZ is back... This Easter Cre8tive Kidz will be at Mill Lane Community Primary School for another fun filled 4 days of dancing, singing, arts and crafts. This 4 day holiday club for children aged 4+ will run from Monday 10th April

Mill Lane Chinnor

Creation Station Bicester Easter Family Fun

Wednesday 12th AprilCome along for some creative Easter fun with the Creation Station Bicester on Wednesday 12th April from 10-11am in the Tesco Community space. We will have some clay fun making an Easter Bunny or Chick and an Easter Egg Mobile. Booking is required and tickets are £5.50 per child and £3.00 per sibling.

Lakeview Drive Bicester 

Creepy Crawly Comics at Earth Trust

Monday 10th April, 10am-3pmYou’ll be the bees’ knees at creepy crawly comic drawing after attending our session with popular cartoonist Neill Cameron, whose work features in The Phoenix comic. You’ll explore the nature reserve and then create your comic inspired by what you discover. For 7-11 year olds; parents welcome to stay. £30 (ask about our discount for siblings).

Earth Trust Little Wittenham Abingdon

Deer Park Wood Nature Day organised by Earth Trust22nd April

Find out all about the amazing wildlife that lives on this lovely little nature reserve in Witney, including:

• Moth magic - what was caught in the moth traps last night?
• Night wanderers - take a look at the camera traps to see what animals were out and about last night
• Mini beasting - identify some of the marvellous minibeasts inhabiting the reserve
• Big beasting - will we catch anything small and furry in the live traps? Let's take a look...
• Plant detectives - learn to identify the different trees, flowers and plants on the reserve and record what you see

Deer Park Wood Deer Park Road Witney

Discover and Play at the Earth Trust

Friday 21st April, 10am - 12pm

Forest School for the under-5s. Come and join us for a morning of play and discovery in our woodlands. Forest School offers hands on learning experiences in a natural environment. Sessions are led by a trained Forest School leader. £4 suggested donation per child, accompanying…

Earth Trust, Little Wittenham, Abingdon,



Easter activities at the River and Rowing Museum

Monday 12 - Wednesday 14 April

Legendary LongboatsMonday 10 April 10.30 – 12.30Journey on a quest with Norseman Noggin the Nog and build your own Viking longboat! 7 – 11yrs £8.50

A Bottle for BagpussTuesday 11 April 10.30 – 12.30Hear the story about Bagpuss and a ship in a bottle. Make a ship in a bottle and a Bagpuss mascot to wear.4 – 7yrs £8.50

Farmyard Frolics! Wednesday 12 April 10.30am – 4pmMeet the gorgeous animals from Mill Cottage Farm Experience including goats, rabbits and chicks and get crafty in the Museum.Free with admission

Henley-On-Thames


Easter Activities in Buckinghamshire
Throughout the holidays

From Easter Egg hunts to eggtastic sporting activities, crafts to cooking, there's loads going on across Buckinghamshire to keep the family entertained this Easter. We have hundreds of different activities, camps and days out and free low cost things to do.

County Hall Walton Street Aylesbury

Easter Activity Day with Bright Sparks Science at Abingdon
Wednesday 19 April

Bright Sparks Events science holiday activities are designed to entertain primary school aged children during the school holidays. We provide a safe environment for children to come along and experiment for themselves, take part in our science challenges and investigate how things work.

Join us for a day, jam packed full of science tricks, messy experiments, fun games and science crafts. We will be running a whole day of science activities in various venues during the Easter half term: £28 per child (aged 5-11 years).

Rush Common School, Hendred Way, Abingdon

The proposals, which will receive a total of £305,883, are among the latest to be considered as part of the transition from council-funded to community-led services at children’s centre locations.

Community services will complement the council’s new service for 0-19 year-olds, which will meet the needs and aspirations of children at risk of abuse and neglect in Oxfordshire, and ensure that families who need extra help are identified at an early stage.

Total adds up – and more to come

When added to previously considered applications, the approval of these 12 schemes means funded plans are now in place for services such as ‘stay and play’ to continue at 18 children’s centres, with business cases at a further six centres supported in principle but deferred to the final round of the Transition Fund for more work.

Added to this, open access sessions will also continue at the eight Children and Family Centres and two satellite centres at the heart of the council’s new Children’s Service.

In total, it means a combination of council-funded and community-led solutions for open access services are now confirmed or supported in principle at 34 buildings across the county – with more to come when applications for the final round of transition funding are considered.

Fantastic response

Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet member for Children and Family Services Melinda Tilley said: “The response of local communities has been fantastic, and we are well on the way to seeing solutions in place at the vast majority of children’s centre locations. It has never been the council’s intention to close children’s centres – quite the opposite in fact.

“I suspect many people didn’t think this was possible, but we now have the makings of a truly countywide distribution of locations where ‘drop-in’ children’s services will continue to operate. I look forward to these schemes getting up and running as soon as possible, as I’m sure do many families across Oxfordshire.”

List of applicants / children’s centres to receive second round transition funding:

• Ace Centre Charity (Ace Centre, Chipping Norton): £29.983

• Barton Community Association (Barton EI Satellite, Oxford): £14,000
• Employment Action Group (Berinsfield Children’s Centre): £35,000
• Friends of Britannia Road (Britannia Road Children’s Centre, Banbury): £10,000 (*interim award pending submission to final round)
• Chalgrove Primary School (Chalgrove and Watlington Children’s Centres) £30,000
• Faringdon Town Council (Faringdon Children’s Centre): £30,000
• Grove PCC (Grove and Wantage Children’s Centres): £10,000 (*interim award pending submission to final round)
• Kidlington with Hampton Poyle PCC (Kaleidoscope Children’s Centre, Kidlington): £35,000
• Friends of Maple Tree (Maple Tree Children’s Centre, Wheatley): £30,000
• Cutteslowe Community Association (North Oxford Children’s Centre): £30,000
• D:two (Rainbow Children’s Centre, Henley): £21,900
• Wallingford Town Council (Wallingford Children’s Centre): £30,000

List of proposals approved in first round:

• Bloxham Primary School (Butterfly Meadows, Children’s Centre): £29,384
• Carterton Town Council (Carterton Children’s Centre): £30,000
• Botley Bridges (Elms Road Children’s Centre, Oxford): £30,000
• Grandpont Nursery (Grandpont Children’s Centre, Oxford): £35,600
• St Nicholas Primary School (Marston Northway Children’s Centre): £8,000
• Sharing Life Trust (Red Kite Children’s Centre, Thame): £30,000

List of bids deferred to final round for more work but supported in principle:

• Aflah Nursery (Florence Park Children’s Centre, Oxford)
• The Nature Effect (Florence Park Children’s Centre, Oxford)
• Mortimer Hall (Marston Northway Children’s Centre)
• The Kings Church Didcot (South Didcot Children’s Centre)
• Sunshine Centre (Sunshine Centre, Banbury)
• Witney Methodist Church (Witney Children’s Centre)

List of Children and Family Centres and satellite centres providing council-funded open access services:

• Banbury
• Bicester
• Witney
• Abingdon
• Didcot
• Barton
• Rose Hill
• Blackbird Leys
• East Oxford (satellite centre at the current Early Intervention Hub)
• Banbury (satellite centre at the current East Street Children’s Centre.

Total locations set to continue open access services: 34

Community services will complement the council’s new service for 0-19 year-olds, which will meet the needs and aspirations of children at risk of abuse and neglect in Oxfordshire, and ensure that families who need extra help are identified at an early stage.

Total adds up – and more to come

When added to previously considered applications, the approval of these 12 schemes would mean funded plans are now in place for services such as ‘stay and play’ to continue at 18 children’s centres, with business cases at a further six centres supported in principle but deferred to the final round of the Transition Fund for more work.

Added to this, open access sessions will also continue at the eight Children and Family Centres and two satellite centres at the heart of the council’s new Children’s Service.

In total, it means a combination of council-funded and community-led solutions for open access services are now confirmed, recommended for approval or supported in principle at 34 buildings across the county – with more to come when applications for the final round of transition funding are considered in June.

Fantastic response

Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet member for Children and Family Services Melinda Tilley said: “The response of local communities has been fantastic, and we are well on the way to seeing solutions in place at the vast majority of children’s centre locations. It has never been the council’s intention to close children’s centres – quite the opposite in fact.

“I suspect many people didn’t think this was possible, but we now have the makings of a truly countywide distribution of locations where ‘drop-in’ children’s services will continue to operate. I look forward to these schemes getting up and running as soon as possible, as I’m sure do many families across Oxfordshire.”

List of applicants / children’s centres recommended for second round transition funding:

• Ace Centre Charity (Ace Centre, Chipping Norton): £29.983

• Barton Community Association (Barton EI Satellite, Oxford): £14,000
• Employment Action Group (Berinsfield Children’s Centre): £35,000
• Friends of Britannia Road (Britannia Road Children’s Centre, Banbury): £10,000 (*interim award pending submission to final round)
• Chalgrove Primary School (Chalgrove and Watlington Children’s Centres) £30,000
• Faringdon Town Council (Faringdon Children’s Centre): £30,000
• Grove PCC (Grove and Wantage Children’s Centres): £10,000 (*interim award pending submission to final round)
• Kidlington with Hampton Poyle PCC (Kaleidoscope Children’s Centre, Kidlington): £35,000
• Friends of Maple Tree (Maple Tree Children’s Centre, Wheatley): £30,000
• Cutteslowe Community Association (North Oxford Children’s Centre): £30,000
• D:two (Rainbow Children’s Centre, Henley): £21,900
• Wallingford Town Council (Wallingford Children’s Centre): £30,000

List of proposals approved in first round:

• Bloxham Primary School (Butterfly Meadows, Children’s Centre): £29,384
• Carterton Town Council (Carterton Children’s Centre): £30,000
• Botley Bridges (Elms Road Children’s Centre, Oxford): £30,000
• Grandpont Nursery (Grandpont Children’s Centre, Oxford): £35,600
• St Nicholas Primary School (Marston Northway Children’s Centre): £8,000
• Sharing Life Trust (Red Kite Children’s Centre, Thame): £30,000

List of bids deferred to final round for more work but supported in principle:

• Aflah Nursery (Florence Park Children’s Centre, Oxford)
• The Nature Effect (Florence Park Children’s Centre, Oxford)
• Mortimer Hall (Marston Northway Children’s Centre)
• The Kings Church Didcot (South Didcot Children’s Centre)
• Sunshine Centre (Sunshine Centre, Banbury)
• Witney Methodist Church (Witney Children’s Centre)

List of Children and Family Centres and satellite centres providing council-funded open access services:

• Banbury
• Bicester
• Witney
• Abingdon
• Didcot
• Barton
• Rose Hill
• Blackbird Leys
• East Oxford (satellite centre at the current Early Intervention Hub)
• Banbury (satellite centre at the current East Street Children’s Centre).

Total locations set to continue open access services: 34

Around 20 youngsters and their families dropped in to watch A Muppet Christmas Carol on a projector screen as part of wider yuletide celebrations taking place in Chippy on Friday evening (2 December).

The festive flick, starring Michael Caine alongside a cast of Jim Henson’s famous creations, proved a hit with young and old alike.

Putting library at "heart of the community"

Library Manager Sally-Ann Moore said: “We really want to bring the library into the heart of the community, and what better way to do that than to take part in an event like this.

"It’s great to do things like this to attract new people who haven’t been before and who will hopefully come again as a result.”

She added: “The adults enjoyed it as much as the children. It’s a great film with some brilliant Christmas songs so we were pleased we chose it.”

Thursday 24 November - 6pm-9pm

Come along for all the fun of the fair; with side shows, rides, parades and food stalls, the Didcot Christmas Street Fair is an entertaining evening for all.

The Broadway and Orchard Centre, Didcot OX11 7LL

Website

Christmas Market at Waterperry Gardens

Saturday 26 - Sunday 27 November & Saturday 10 - Sunday 11 December

Get Christmas off to a flying start with our Christmas Market Weekend. Local artists and craftspeople will provide beautiful and unique gift ideas and there are inspirational presents-a-plenty in the Gift Barn and Gallery. Watch our staff making beautiful wreaths and decorations and pick up…

Waterperry Gardens, Waterperry, Oxford, OX33 1JZ

01844 339254  Website

Father Christmas at Cogges Christmas Market

Saturday 3rd & Sunday 4th December 2016

Come along to the annual Cogges Christmas Market on Saturday and Sunday 3rd & 4th December 2016 10.30am - 4pm. The Christmas market in the Wheat barn and Barley Barn will have over 30 stalls from local businesses, crafters and makers offering hand-made gifts, rural crafts from textiles to wood, festive decor, garlands made to order as well as local produce, cakes, pies, speciality local beers and ciders, gift bags and hampers from local breweries. Meet Father Christmas in the cosy back kitchen with an open fire and take home a present.

Witney OX28 3LA

01993 772602 Website

Henley Christmas Festival

Friday 2 December

This is an annual magical event with a Christmas Market, Fairground rides, Carol singing around the tree, Santa’s Grotto and the Switching-on of the lights on the large Christmas tree. All local retailers are encouraged to stay open late. 

Market Square, Market Place, Henley-on-thames RG9 2AA

 Website

Wallingford Christmas Festival

Sunday 4th December

Featuring live entertainment throughout the day, with Christmas activities and fun for all the family, and many market stalls selling festive treats in the Market Place. There will be plenty of opportunities to buy gifts in the town's independent shops and businesses. The ‘Christmas Countdown’ is at 17.00, and the annual switching on of the Christmas tree lights will be followed by a spectacular firework display. A great way to finish what we know will be a very happy and enjoyable day!

Market Place, Wallingford, OX10 0AD

Website

Abingdon Christmas Extravaganza 2016

26 November 2016

Our Christmas Market will be located in Bath Street, from 9am – 4pm. There will be entertainment throughout the day with various local charities, community groups and traders. Island Farm donkey sanctuary join us here as well.

The parade will leave Queen Street at 12 noon, then travel along Stert Street, East St Helen Street, Lombard Street, West St Helen Street and back along High Street. It will then turn onto the Market Place in front of NatWest bank. After the parade, you can meet Father Christmas on the Market Place while enjoying the musical entertainment throughout the afternoon.

Guild Hall, Abbey Close, Abingdon OX14 3HL

Website

Christmas in Chippy

December 2 at 4.00pm

New for 2016. Christmas in Chippy is an exciting event with something for everyone: Children’s Christmas lantern procession Christmas Market – selling arts, crafts, food and drink, giant snow globe – for the ultimate Christmas selfie! Live music and carol singing

High Street Chipping Norton OX7 5AD

 Website

Christmas Cracker at Blue Cross

3 December

Festive fun for all the family including the four legged ones. Come along to our Christmas market and find stocking fillers and gifts for pets and people alike. Superb local pet portrait artist Heather Moulding, fab pet accessory store Cooler Bandanas, preloved Pandora jewellery store Pandomania (what a fab idea) and funky Oxford designer Joseph Wilson will all be there as well as loads of fabulous Blue Cross stalls. Shop till you drop and then get into the festive spirit with our seasonal refreshments, try your luck in the raffle and on the tombolas. You might even catch a glimpse of Santa...Doggy friends/family members are most encouraged to join the fun :)

The Blue Cross, London Road, Lewknor, Watlington OX49 5RY

Website

Thanks to Visit Henley and Oliver Woods for use of the photo above.

This information has been collected from third party providers and Oxfordshire County Council cannot accept responsibility for the accuracy of the information nor does inclusion represent a recommendation or an endorsement. Parents, carers, young people and professionals are recommended to check that organisations and services are appropriate and safe before they attend.See: Help on how to choose services safely

Which markets are you looking forward to? 

Have we missed any? Let us know and we'll add them to the list!

Oxfordshire County Council’s Fire & Rescue Service and Trading Standards are urging electric blanket owners to get their blankets tested free of charge ahead of the approaching colder months.

Testing electric blankets annually is important as all electrical systems have the potential to go wrong. In 2015 a total of 22 per cent of the electric blankets failed the safety test and were declared unsafe to use.

They can be perfectly safe to use provided they are in good condition and have the necessary overheating safeguards incorporated into the design.

Station Manager Chris Barber of Oxfordshire County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service said: “Like any other piece of electrical equipment, it is vitally important that electric blankets remain in safe working order.”

“There are a variety of electric blankets including under-blankets and over-blankets, pre-heating blankets and all-night blankets. Whichever type you use we urge you to take up the free electrical safety checking service to make sure your blanket is safe to use this winter”.

How to book

Testing is by pre-booked appointment only, strictly on a first come, first served basis. If you would like to get your electric blanket tested please call Trading Standards on 01865 815 000 option 4 to arrange an appointment or email communityengagement@oxfordshire.gov.uk.

The electric blanket testing team will be visiting the following different locations around the county:

• Monday 3rd - Oxford

• Tuesday 4th - Banbury

• Wednesday 5th - Wallingford

• Thursday 6th - Abingdon

• Friday 7th - Witney

• Monday 17th - Wantage

• Tuesday 18th - Bicester

• Wednesday 19th - Henley

• Thursday 20th - Oxford

• Friday 21st - Chipping Norton

Make sure you stay safe by ensuring that your under blanket is secured to the bed using the supplied safety ties which prevent the blanket from moving and damaging the elements. When the blanket is not in use, store it flat or, if it must be folded, ensure that it is not folded too tightly.

Why do electric blankets fail their test?

• because they were over 10 years old and had no safety features built into the controller

• because of a leakage of voltage to the surface of the blanket

• the elements were able to move around inside the blanket with the potential to rub together and cause a short circuit

• elements were not secured within the blanket and were exposed to the surface

• power lead fasteners were broken and unable to be secured

  the surface of the blanket was worn, exposing the elements.

  Notes to editors:

• This advice is part of Oxfordshire County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service’s 365alive initiative.

• For more information about the initiative, please visit www.365alive.co.uk

• Photo opportunities can be arranged at any of the above venues.

  Data

• 2011 – 911 blankets tested, 322 blankets failed, 36% failure rate

• 2012 – 903 blankets tested, 314 blankets failed, 35% failure rate

• 2013 – 806 blankets tested, 191 blankets failed, 24% failure rate

• 2014 – 779 blankets tested, 189 blankets failed, 24% failure rate

• 2015 – 737 blankets tested, 162 blankets failed, 22% failure rate