Edition #2109: Food Festival & Voting Victory
21 May 2026
Join us as we dive into the triumphant fundraisers at Witney Food and Drink Festival and the fight for independent shops. Plus, a major bakery chain sets up in town, and political victories unfold after local elections.
The titles and summaries on this page were generated with AI assistance and may not be fully accurate.
The audio recording is produced entirely by our volunteer team.
Opening Theme
Music, Cocktails & Clues
The Witney Food and Drink Festival raised funds for the upkeep of St. Mary’s Church while entertaining visitors with live music, craft beers, ciders, cocktails, food from local producers, and a scavenger hunt for children.
Fears for Independents
Independent shops struggle in Cotswold region with recent closures; high house prices driving away skilled workers
Major Bakery Chain to Open
Cornish Bakery to open first Oxfordshire shop in Witney this month
Independent Pub Wins Award
An independent pub in Witney wins a prestigious award for being named Best Pub for several consecutive years.
Liberal Democrat Alliance Retains West Oxfordshire Council
The Liberal Democrat-led alliance retains control over West Oxfordshire District Council after local elections where no party won outright majority; voter turnout increased.
Gant says Hate Online is Horrid
Outgoing transport boss Andrew Gantt condemns online hatred he faced while overseeing emission zones and congestion charge; admits abuse influenced decision to step down.
County Leader Quits
The transcript discusses the resignation of Oxfordshire Council’s leader, Liz Lefman, after nearly five years in office due to upcoming elections for new unitary councils.
West Oxfordshire Lowlands Plan
Reflection with David Harper
The speaker introduces new diet trends such as ‘Beggary’, ‘Dry January’, and discusses a hypothetical month called ‘No Mao May’. He then invents month-specific themes: ‘Soon in June’ for upcoming events, and ‘Supply in July’ for helping others.
Almost 900 People Join Fundraising Walk
Nearly 900 people participated in a 10-mile undressing walk at Blenheim Palace, raising funds for breast cancer research and support.
Charity Ball Raises £500,000
A charity ball raised over £500,000 for Starlight, a national charity supporting play for hospitalized children.
Children’s Charity’s Cause on Bus?
A children’s charity from Oxfordshire is among the top finalists for a competition that could see its work promoted on a double-decker bus.
Tribute to “Pink Day” Jeanne
Tributes paid to Jean Chatto, founder of Witney in Pink Day charity event, who stepped down as chair last year after raising over £300,000 for breast cancer research.
Editor’s Choice
The transcript discusses the importance of giving and volunteering as illustrated by Winston Churchill’s words and the National Trust’s history.
Quiz
This week’s quiz focuses on happiness: questions cover colors associated with joy, hormones linked to positivity, well-being practices, and definitions of shared happiness.
Noticeboard
Four death notices and a birthday announcement.
College All Set for Shake Up
The transcript discusses changes to higher education at Abingdon and Witney College, including new modular courses focusing on skills shortages, allowing adults to balance work and learning. The Department of Education aims to support lifelong learning through flexible student finance.
Scholars Special Dinner Celebration
A special dinner was held at Cokethorpe School to celebrate the achievements of top pupils in its scholars program. The scholars presented their research findings and published articles in an annual journal.
Better Value Fares on GWR
GWR to return to public ownership on December 13th; Operator promises punctual service and support for regional growth.
New Transport Plan
West Oxfordshire’s draft MAP plan proposes rapid transit options like rail or tram between Witney, Carterton, Eynsham and Oxford. It aims to reduce reliance on private vehicles with Dutch-style interchanges to prioritize cyclists’ safety.
Boxing Brothers Found Stability Through Foster Carer
Identical twin brothers from Charlbury found stability through foster care, enabling them to pursue boxing careers and university studies.
World War II Veteran Turns 106
A World War II veteran and Witney resident turned 106 years old.
Goodbye!
Guidelines on how to listen to previous editions online or by phone, plus return instructions for used sticks. Thanks given to contributors and volunteers.