Edition #1602
28 January 2016
Intro Music
A Witney-born grandmother is searching for her missing full sister Patricia, believed to reside in West Oxfordshire. Born in Kilkenny Farm during the 1940s and 50s, she was reunited with a half-sister three months ago and now hopes to find her full sibling to complete her family picture.
Long-serving Poppy Appeal organisers retire across Oxfordshire; Volunteers sought to replace them after years of service; Jean Hollis, a grandmother who has led Woodstock’s Poppy Appeal for 14 years, stepping down.
Design students from Abingdon and Witney College created play equipment designs for Smuga. Their work was commissioned, and some students will be offered work experience. Students drew inspiration from various art movements.
A local resident won £1000 in the People’s Postcode Lottery. The winner was randomly selected based on their postcode. Nearly £1000000 has been raised for charities through the lottery to date.
Plans for 260 affordable homes in Witney face uncertain delay despite local opposition homes face months-long wait for approval, despite residents’ concerns about floods and views Gladman Holmes proposal awaiting Council decision on Burford Road land
The Yellow Submarine Cafe stands out as Witney’s top-rated cafe, earning consistent 5-star reviews, and attracting regular customers in its first six months. The cafe employs seven apprentices and trainees, empowering them to develop confidence and future job prospects.
Terminally ill patients welcome boost to hospice care; £4 million investment for new specialist facility; Call for expanded palliative care at home.
Volunteer recruitment drive draws crowds; Opportunities available at various charities; Initiative highlights urgent need for volunteers in West Oxfordshire
Volunteers gardened at Cogsmanor Farm Museum, replacing a greenhouse and planting rhubarb. The farm holds monthly big digs. Andy Holwell and Robert Hokstable enjoyed volunteering, with visible results expected in spring. The heritage site is grade 2 listed and a scheduled ancient monument.
Fundraising drive underway to enhance accessibility and add interactive exhibits at Fairytale Farm near Chipping Norton. Aiming to raise £91,000, projects include interactive fairy and dinosaur zones, hoist for disabled children, and improved animal handling area. Donations encouraged via fundraising page.
Road repair spending in the county more than doubled last year. The increase was larger than other local authorities, with £110,000 spent on projects and £4.2 million on pothole repairs. A resident worries about the durability of repairs after recent bad weather.
Road repairs continue; Mark Morrell highlights Witney’s pothole issue; Council spends £142,282 on repairs, grandmother still awaiting compensation.
Cyclist safety campaign reaches £30,000 milestone. BikeSafe group wants a safer path between Eynsham and Botley. Despite council support, group fundraises and will prepare planning application.
Thousands of sheep caused a ramjam on Aston Road as they migrated to new pastures for spring lambing; Farmer Randall Strange led the 2-mile trek lasting half an hour; This traditional method created EWE-turns for around 50 cars, but no incidents were reported.
The reflection discusses accepting one’s flaws and embracing uniqueness.
Be yourself
Witney’s rugby team suffered their first loss in seven games, dropping to 4th place after a 10-18 defeat at Tosteson’s. The game saw Callum Godfrey’s early try and Rhys Morgan’s effort in the first half, along with a late surge, but ultimately Witney’s fortunes waned, leaving them tied on points with Newbury Blues. Meanwhile, other sports covered include hockey and motorsports.
Local deaths announced: Matthew Caulcott, aged 31, passed away on January 19; Kim Hawkins, formerly Bassett, aged 54, passed away on January 20; Joyce Maine, formerly Dixon, aged 82, passed away on January 17; Pamela Morgan, aged 86, passed away on January 11.
Two mothers are running for the Witney Gazette’s OX5 run to raise money for Oxford Children’s Hospital after their sons battled cancer, Zach Durk, 7, battling leukaemia since 2013, now in treatment until September, Bisley White, 11, diagnosed with bone cancer in 2013 and had leg operation in 2020, mothers Tabitha Durkin and Susan White formed fundraising team after overcoming illnesses
12 Oxfordshire community groups received cash from Mid-County’s Co-op for various projects; £18,900 distributed, with Clean Slate using it for abuse counseling and Dry Sandford School PTA for playground equipment; other groups also benefited, more grants available.
Local hairdresser honoured; Russell Barker wins fellowship with honours; Recognition praised by Prime Minister David Cameron.
Hornton Abbey wins fourth National Television Award for Best Drama; Shown on ITV, based on Oxfordshire locations; Talk by military author on Oxfordshire Youth regiments happening at Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum.
David Cameron praised Oxfordshire’s tourism networking event. Over 150 businesses attended. The event showcased the recently renovated experienceOxfordshire facility.
An art sale offers discounted local artwork; The gallery is clearing space for a Feb exhibition; Over 40 years since its inception, West Ox Arts hosts regular shows.
West Oxfordshire district councillors voted to increase their allowances by £150 a year, making the annual cost about £360,000, a rise of £11,000. This is the first increase in six years, following a recommendation from an independent remuneration panel.
A town adopts a giraffe named Gerald as a nod to a local eccentric’s pet camelopardus; The giraffe was available for adoption and coincidentally shares the adoption town’s name; Faringdon officially takes legal responsibility for Gerald but will continue to house him at a nearby wildlife park.
Rare photos highlight volunteers decoratingHailey Hall in 1970; Youth club members stepped in to paint when funds were low; One volunteer, Leslie Knype, was unexpectedly female.
Oxford University’s last remaining Bulldog police officers continue tradition, despite force’s disbandment in 2002. Lindsay Mills, 75, still proudly wears the iconic bowler hat and uniform. She has guarded prominent figures like Nelson Mandela and Queen Elizabeth II.