Edition #1707: Planes, Potholes & Pensioners

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Potholes Hit Chipping Norton after Winter Woes

Potholes plague Chipping Norton streets after harsh winter, with hundreds reporting damage to council’s ‘Fix My Street’. Council promises repairs but warns of ongoing dangers.

Phone Co-Op Leaves Chippy

Phone Co-op moving from Chipping Norton after 19 years, affecting local jobs; Relocating to Bloxham Mill for growth; Concerns raised over finances and cooperative ethos

Save Community Buses

Pensioners urged to pay £1 per trip to save community bus services in West Oxfordshire. The initiative aims to boost funding for West Oxfordshire Community Transport. Proposed fee would be £2 for daily users, with proceeds supporting buses connecting villages to Witney and Chipping Norton.

Four Arrested in Witney Drug Raids

Drug raids shock Witney residents; 4 men arrested and weapons seized; Police urge community cooperation to combat drug dealing

Thames Valley Police Contact System Delayed

Thames Valley Police’s new contact system is delayed due to £3M overbudget, expected to launch in late spring. The new system aims to improve response times and enhance protection for vulnerable individuals.

Airspace Plan Is a Step Towards Major Expansion of the Airport

Oxfordshire’s aerospace to triple, raising concerns for gliders; Pilot warns of commercial hub expansion; Public uninformed about implications

Care Home Marks Progress but Still Fails

Care home improves but still faces safety concerns. Beach Court Nursing Home in Eynsham, previously breaching legal requirements, made improvements after April 2017 inspection. Despite progress, it still requires improvement due to safety issues like overflowing waste bins and inadequate infection control.

Blenheim Palace Green Fleet Rolled Out

Blenheim Palace launched its first electric vehicle for operations, with two Nissan Leaf cars arriving soon; Aims to reduce carbon emissions through energy-saving programs and renewable sources like solar and hydroelectric; Targeting 15% renewable energy generation this year.

Councils Unified for Further Devolution

Oxfordshire Councils unite to argue for further devolution; Senior officer optimistic despite postponement in 2016; Housing and growth deal secured in meantime

Lost Relatives Meet after 100 Years

Great grandsons of World War I soldier reunite after a century, meeting for the first time at commemoration service. The soldier’s children were taken into care after his death, with no contact until recently. Lieutenant Colonel Button and Paul Bruff were united in Oxford after learning of their shared relative.

FairTrade Fortnight Launched

Free banana promotion marks Fair Trade Fortnight, Mid-County Cooperative urges shoppers to choose fair trade, Schoolchildren to receive free bananas as part of awareness campaign.

Cogges Manor Farm’s Easter Spectacular

Manor Farm reopens this month, offering activities like cooking and animal feeding. Visitors can enjoy house tours on the weekends.

OX5 Hits 1000 Runners

1000 runners signed up for OX5 charity run milestone at Blenheim Palace. Event aims to raise over £1 million for Oxford Children’s Hospital. Play specialist Grace Midwinter praises the event’s atmosphere and impact on families.

Barn Owl Sightings

Barn owl sighting reported at Chimney Meadows Nature Reserve in West Oxfordshire. The rare sighting highlighted the importance of preserving traditional grasslands and hedgerows for barn owl habitats. Locals urged to protect local wildlife.

Oxfordshire’s Water Vole Boost

Water vole population surges in Oxfordshire, bucking national decline trend. Habitat conservation efforts lead to steady increases along Thames riverbanks. National Wildlife Trust network calls for nationwide habitat conservation.

Chipping Norton’s New Mayor

Chipping Norton to welcome new mayor; After five years, Mike Taiso steps down; Don Davidson proposed, election on May 21.

Crumble Cat Found

Local cat Crumble found after 6-day disappearance; Hidden in van, now reunited with family; Family thanks public plea in local news

6-Year Red Lion Pub Crawl for Charity

A couple visited every Red Lion pub in Britain for charity, raising money for a rare lung disease. Over 2.5 years, they drove around 20,500 miles, visiting 632 pubs. The journey was completed on February 23rd with a final visit to a Red Lion in the New Forest.

Reflection Introduction

Cogs Farm Museum historian Dave Hill shares reflection; Details historical context from 1066; Museum grateful for Hill’s contribution.

Reflection at Cogges Manor Farm

Cogges Museum’s history spans 1000 years, featuring notable figures like William the Conqueror’s associate, Waddard. It changed hands multiple times, passed to the Harcourt family, and was later a Victorian farm. After county council’s ownership, volunteers now maintain and interpret the site’s rich history.

Editor’s Choice - Times Passed

Warm clothing during cold periods discussed; Early expeditions’ clothing choices highlighted; Neglect in fuel poverty and isolation can lead to tragedy, emphasized by a neighbor’s Facebook offer to help.

Renault F1 Hopes for Sun at Barcelona Test

Runo Faces Wet Weather Disruptions in F1 Testing; Team Optimistic Despite Low Lap Count; Key Players Report Positive Feedback on New Car.

Horse to Watch: Pendra at Cheltenham

A 10-year-old racehorse, Pendra, is back in good form after recovering from a leg injury, aiming for victory at the Cheltenham Festival after last year’s close defeat. Pendra could compete in either the Martin, Kim Muir Challenge Cup or the Ultima handicap chase, either way providing trainer Charlie Kingston with his first Cheltenham Festival win.

Noticeboard

A weekly notice board announcing events and welcoming a new listener, Mr. Maurice Gillam of South Leigh. Upcoming talks include gardening and orchid care at Hailey and Freeland Gardening Clubs, while Witney Macular Group hosts a demo and tasting. Burford Orchestra performs at St Mary’s Church, Witney.

Quiz

A quiz on historical figures and sciences; The most questions about famous bands; Fewer queries this week cover various subjects.

Deaths

Four local deaths were announced in Witney Gazette this week. These include Harry South aged 86, Ivan Gordon Richard Witney of Burford aged 77, Mike Paddy Harper aged 88, and Margaret Ann Puller Smith of Burford aged 89.

Stars Visit Blue Cross Animal Sanctuary

Visiting celebrities pose for portraits with adoptable pets at Blue Cross Animal Sanctuary in Burford. Stars like Miranda Richardson and Joanna Stanton met cats, dogs, and rabbits for charity portraits by Rankin.

Village Shop Proposed by School Pupils

Benson Norton Primary School pupils pitched ideas for village improvements to parish council. After research, pupils suggested a shop, play area, and wider paths. Headteacher Anna Fairhurst lauded their community engagement and project genuineness.

Eynsham Launches Neighbourhood Watch

New Neighbourhood Watch scheme launched in Eynsham. Community police officer Helen Keynes invites locals to join. Aim is to enhance community safety and support vulnerable residents.

Charlbury Beer Festival Announced

Country’s biggest one-day beer festival announced for June 30th in Charlbury. Over 3000 visitors expected to enjoy 50 real ales and live music. Event raises funds for local and international community projects.

Witney Welcomes World Pooh Sticks Championship

The 35th World Acoustics Championships, held annually since 1977, returns to Witney’s Langdale Common on June 3rd, 2018. The event, organized by the Rotary Club of Oxford Spires, will once again involve competitors dropping colorful sticks off a bridge and racing them across. This year’s event promises to be as fun-filled as last year, with hoped-for sunny weather.

Easter Fun at Blenheim Palace

Blenheim Palace offers Easter activities, March 30th - April 2nd. Expect interactive experiences and family shows. Website for details.

Goodbye!

Instructions on returning playback units, importance of timely return highlighted, volunteers and readers acknowledged.

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