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News & News Archive

Signpost Nov 23

on Wed, 01/11/2023 - 6:00pm

Dear Friends,  
During November the days grow shorter and the nights longer, leaving us with 
less light and increasing darkness.  As well as our physical need for light in 
November, there is also a spiritual need in the midst of this darkness, be it outer or 
inner we need the Light of Christ. 
This Christ Light can be our guide and solace, to help us navigate the challenges 
of life in November.  Christ can give us the strength to endure, the courage to 
persevere and the hope to keep going. 
As we celebrate All Souls’ Day and reflect on our loved ones who have departed 
this life and the loss we feel of living without them, let us recall ...He is the 
“resurrection and the life” (John 11:25).  He has conquered death and opened the 
way to eternal life for all. 
May I invite you to turn to Christ for the light you may need at this time of year. 
Light a candle and invite the Light and Love of Christ into your heart. He is the 
light of the world, wanting to guide us through the darkness, helping us to re-ignite 
the light within ourselves and each other, leading us eventiually to eternal life with 
and in Him. 

Debbie Webb

Childrey and Sparsholt Newsletter November 2023

on Fri, 27/10/2023 - 7:00pm

District Councillor Paul Burrows October 2023 Report

on Mon, 16/10/2023 - 7:00pm

District Councillor Report for Childrey Parish Council October 16th 2023

Community bus service
An e-survey has just been sent out to the Parish websites/newsletters etc. to gauge opinion,
likely use and preferred destinations. OCC are also now exploring a reinstatement of a limited
service of the old 57 route covering our villages west of Wantage and this has been put out
to tender and an offer accepted although this has not yet been publicised. The service will run
until the middle of 2015. I will keep you updated as soon as we hear officially but at least
there is some good news for the restoration of a community bust service for 18 months at
least.


Wantage Hospital
I have updated you on the continuing discussions about the future of Wantage Hospital. There
is now an opportunity for the public to have a discussion with the NHS (Oxford Health NHS
Trust and The BOB [West Berks, Oxfordshire and Bucks] ICS [Integrated Care System]). There
will be a further public engagement event at The Beacon on Tuesday 17th October 15.00-
16.30. Please attend if you want to have an input.


Roads, drains and weeds!
We are expecting a visit from Andrew Gant, the county councillor with responsibility for
highways, to this ward in the next few weeks. Apart from the state of the roads generally and
several roads specifically, I am anxious to talk to hm about (i) the road drainage in several
villages, and (ii) the gradual encroachment of weeds along the roadsides and pavements in
most of our villages. It will be important to speak to Andrew Gant because Highways have
responded to me about the encroachment of weeds on the highways (Including the
pavement) with the advice “Please put it on FixMyStreet”!!!!!!
There is also considerable interest in reducing the speed limit along the B4507, from the 30
mph limit near Wantage to the West Challow turning, and on the A417 from near the West
Challow turn to Haynes. This is being discussed with East and West Challow and Letcombe
Regis parish councils.


Plans for Abingdon reservoir continue despite local objections (from VOWHDC
Communications)

Plans for an expanded controversial reservoir near Abingdon have again been criticised by
local communities, with Vale of White Horse District Council urging water providers to
consider alternative solutions.
The council has reaffirmed its objections to the reservoir in a formal letter to Thames
Water following submission of their revised Draft Water Resources Management Plan
(WRMP) to government. The alliance of the six water companies in the Southeast (Water
Resources Southeast or WRSE) also submitted its revised draft Water Resources South East
regional plan to government at the same time.
The draft WRMP not only progresses plans for the reservoir, known as the South East
Strategic Reservoir Option (SESRO), but proposed to increase the capacity by 50% from
100Mm3
to 150Mm3

!!! Meanwhile, the proposed Severn to Thames Water transfer has been downgraded as an option.

The council argues that the plans fail to consider fully the long-term impacts to the local
community and the environment, both during a decade of construction and the irreparable
damage to the countryside.
A reservoir would also come at the expense of significant carbon emissions which the council
argues would impact the district’s ability to become carbon neutral by 2045.
Clearly. The Vale and County Council continue their objections.
The revised draft Water Resources Management Plan will now be reviewed by Government
and, if endorsed, will be finalised and published in 2024.
Thames Water will continue with the development of their SESRO project, focusing on
environmental data collection and ground investigation surveys over the coming months,
with engagement and updates to stakeholders to be held in Autumn this year.


Childrey Way/Bridleway
We now know that the stretch of Childrey Way/Bridleway between Cornhill Farm and Silver
Lane/Whitelands Rd., West Challow will be repaired during the week of October 23rd and
should make walking to Childrey, with or without and dog or children, cycling or hacking much
easier.

Cllr Dr Paul Barrow
Ridgeway Ward
Vale of White Horse District Council
October 15th 2023

Future of Wantage Hospital - have your say 11th October

on Wed, 11/10/2023 - 7:00pm

Oxford Health are holdng  two opportunies for public input about the future of Wantage Hospital. 

The venue and dates are:

The Beacon on Wednesday 11th October 12.30-14.00 and Tuesday 17th October 15.00-16.30.

 

From

Dr Paul Barrow

Ridgeway Ward

Vale of White Horse District Council

The Future of local NHS services - have your say

on Wed, 11/10/2023 - 7:00pm

Help shape potential future services at Wantage Community Hospital.

You can either take part in one of the sessions listed below, or fill in the online survey. Visit https://bit.ly/3tcr866 for more information.

  • Wednesday 11th October 12:30-14:00 - Public engagement session at The Beacon
  • Wednesday 11th October 15:00-16:30 - Focus group for People living with long term/chronic health conditions at The Beacon
  • Tuesday 17th October 12.30pm - 2.30pm - Public engagement session at The Beacon
  • Wednesday 18th October 2pm - 3pm - Public engagement session Via Zoom for those unable to attend a face to face session
  • Thursday 19th October 7pm - 8pm - Focus group online- via Zoom for Families with children and young people OR adults 18- 40 years living in or around Wantage and Grove.

There will also be a drop in session with people present to help you complete the survey or answer questions on Saturday 28th October - 10am - 4pm at the Beacon.
If you have any questions please contact: [email protected]

Julie Mabberley
Campaign Manager

Wantage and Grove Campaign Group
www.wantageandgrove.org

Appeal for witnesses following serious injury road traffic collision –

on Mon, 02/10/2023 - 7:00pm

Childrey and Sparsholt Newsletter Oct 2023

on Sun, 01/10/2023 - 7:00pm

Signpost Oct 23

on Sun, 01/10/2023 - 7:00pm

New Oxfordshire wide air quality website launched

on Sun, 01/10/2023 - 7:00pm

New Oxfordshire wide air quality website launched. A new Oxfordshire air quality website was launched on 18 September, providing up to date air quality guidance and resources for across the county. You can see details on our website by clicking this link

Opinion Sort - Bus Survey - please contribute by 26 October

on Wed, 27/09/2023 - 7:00pm

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