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Come back reguarly to find out about current news and information.

OPPORTUNITIES TO HAVE YOUR SAY

  

 
New Crime website for South Oxfordshire
 

There is now a new website that informs residents of the work being done to reduce crime in West Oxfordshire.

 

www.saferwestoxon.co.uk, which replaces Who’s My Bobby, focuses on the work of the West Oxfordshire Community Safety Partnership, and includes the following agencies:

 

Thames Valley Police
West Oxfordshire District Council
Oxfordshire County Council
Oxfordshire Youth Offending Service
Oxfordshire Primary Care Trust
Oxfordshire Race Equality Council
Cottsway Housing
Oxfordshire Drugs and Alcohol Action Team
Thames Valley Partnership
Thames Valley Magistrates Courts
Thames Valley Probation Service

 

Safer West Oxon covers a wide range of issues with information and advice on anti social behaviour, drugs and alcohol, neighbourhood policing, domestic violence and crime reduction. It also contains local crime news, a video blog and a monthly viewpoint from the West Oxfordshire Area Commander Chief Inspector Jack Malhi.

 

As with the previous website, members of the public are able to find details of their local police team, contact them and read their monthly updates through this new site.

 

 

  

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New Community Groups across OXON aims to support people with memory loss & dementia

 

Local people wanted to join one of six new community learning groups in rural Oxfordshire.

 

This project, led by Oxfordshire Adult Learning and supported by Guideposts Trust, Age UK Oxfordshire and the Oxfordshire Rural Community Council, aims to bring together local people of all ages and backgrounds to learn from specialists all about living with memory loss and dementia. The course will explore practical ways in which each of us can make a difference in talking with and supporting people we know with memory problems. During the six free sessions participants will be able to share their experiences and together create a local plan for a dementia-friendly community.

 

Information events are being held in December

 

Hook Norton – contact Catharine for details

Bampton – contact Catharine for details

 

Refreshments and things to do and see. All ages are welcome and no experience is necessary. There are also volunteering opportunities.  

 

For more information speak to Catharine Arakelian 01865 849768 catharine@newdementiacare.org.uk 

This project has been funded by the Skills Funding Agency.

 

 

    This is Aston - Looking for clues

 
Aston History Group has completed a 60 minute film about Aston’s history. It is available now on DVD.This is not a comprehensive history but a look at various aspects of the past starting from clues in the village of today. Available from The Post Office in Aston or from Church Green Books in Witney – Price £10. More info..

 
 
Witney to Airport Shuttle Buses
 

There is now a daily shuttle bus service between Witney and Heathrow, Gatwick and Luton airports. From £40 pp return and up to 9 timetabled, services per day we offer a friendly and convenient service and drop at all terminal buildings. We can be contacted via freephone 0800 043 4633 or details can be found on our website www.witneyshuttle.com

 
 Important information for local Clubs and Societies

 

Oxfordshire County Council is currently up dating its database for Positive Youth Activities and they are wanting to gather information on the activities currently being run in the local area.

 

They are particularly interested in any sports activities, drama and theatre groups, dance classes, cubs, scouts girl guides and brownies, as well as any other activities that are specifically aimed at young people aged 8-12 and/or 13-19.

 

Click here for a form to send in if your are interested in having your activity advertised on the OCC database.  Once all of the mandatory sections on the form have been completed it should be emailed to the Youth Activities Team at julia.horsley@oxfordshire.gov.uk and they will set up the entry on the database.

 

 

 

Also would you to see your local Club or Society on this website?

 

It's a great way to keep everyone up to date and informed on what's going on or to encourage others to join. Just send some information and images to astoncote@hotmail.com

 

 

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Council offers discounted insulation grants

 

West Oxfordshire District Council is offering discounted insulation schemes so that residents can improve the energy efficiency of their homes and keep the costs of energy bills down.

 

For only £99* householders will be able to have cavity wall or loft insulation fitted, normally this would cost between £150 and £500. Anyone aged 70 or over, and those in receipt or certain state benefits, may qualify to have the work done free.

 

Cllr David Harvey, Cabinet Member for Environment said, “After such a long cold winter we are all very aware of the high costs of heating bills and so we hope that many people will take advantage of this excellent offer. With reduced heating bills residents will soon get their money back and will make savings year after year. As well as reducing fuel bills, insulation helps protect the environment so overall it’s a win-win situation.”

 

The District Council is able to offer the energy incentive scheme by working in partnership with the United Sustainable Energy Agency (USEA) based in Milton Keynes.

 

The incentive is managed by USEA’s Cocoon service.  To get started householders can contact the Cocoon website: www.cocoonyourhome.co.uk or call 0800 8048777 and ask for the 'West Oxfordshire Special'. Lines are open 8am - 9pm Monday to Friday.

 

*Residents may have to pay more if the property is larger than average or if access is difficult or extra vents are required.

 

 

  Which Plastic Can We Recycle?

 

Many villagers have commented on the fact that not all their plastic is being collected for recycling and being left in their recycling bins. This has been due to the WODC waste and recycling contractor May Gurney’s contention that the contract specification states that only plastic bottles, plant pots, carrier bags and rigid household plastic materials would be collected for recycling and thus other plastic materials will not be collected at this time.

 

However, WODC’s contractual understanding is that all plastic materials would be collected and recycled. WODC Officers believed that this commitment was given in the company’s method statement and during mobilisation discussions.

 

After several discussions at the end of June between WODC and May Gurney, the contractor has agreed to collect some additional plastic materials. The definitive plastic list is now:

* plastic bottles (e.g. milk bottles, water & drink bottles, washing up bottles, cosmetic bottles)

* plastic tubs (margarine, butter & ice cream tubs)

* plastic pots (e.g. yoghurt pots)

* plant pots

* food trays

* carrier bags

* small clear food packaging (e.g. fruit, salad and

sandwich bags)

* biscuit trays

 

Following careful negotiation with May Gurney, agreement has been reached to add the collection of * polythene

* bubble wrap

* shrink wrap

* cling film

* compost bag

to the other plastic items which will be collected for recycling.  This will initially be carried out for a 3 month ‘trial’ period to enable May Gurney to gain a full understanding of operational implications. 

 

 

Source: Trevor Askew, Head of Environment & Commercial Services, WODC