This weekend sees the start of the season for both the Home Counties League and the Cherwell League.
After the third and fourth teams were promoted at the end of last season, we look forward to new challenges for both as they will often be playing against rival first teams.
In addition to the usual junior training, bar and BBQ on Friday night, on Saturday we have the following games;
The First team at home to Slough in the Home Counties Premier League starting at 11.30.
The Second team away to local rivals Horspath second team in Cherwell league 1.
The Third team at home to Wolvercote first team in Cherwell League 3 starting at 12.30.
And the Fourth team away at Great Horwood first team in Cherwell League 7.
Let’s talk rubbish 2026 – tell us what you think of our waste and street cleaning services
Residents across South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse are being encouraged to share their views on how rubbish, recycling and street cleaning services are run in their area, via an annual survey.
Whether you think things are working well or could be improved, your feedback will play a vital role in shaping the future of waste and street cleaning services across both districts.
Last year, more than 2,100 people took part in the 2025 survey, with more than 81 percent of respondents indicating they were satisfied or very satisfied with the waste collection service. As a result of the feedback, staff received extra training to help ensure bins are returned correctly after emptying, further checks were put in place around litter bin emptying and measures put in place ensure street cleaning standards across the area. There has also been increased communication on which items go in which bin, especially around food waste.
A new survey has now launched for 2026 giving residents another opportunity to have their say on everything from household waste and recycling collections to street cleaning and local waste reduction initiatives.
If you have any questions or need the survey in an alternative format (including large print, Braille, audio, Easy Read or other languages), please email or call 01235 422146.
This survey focuses on services provided by South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils. It does not cover any questions relating to Household Waste Recycling Centres as these services managed separately by Oxfordshire County Council.
Welcome to the start of the new cricket season with a reminder that all are welcome – especially if you are new to the parish… you will be made very welcome and have the opportunity to meet many parishioners.
On the field, whilst the league season doesn’t start until 9 May, junior training is already in full swing with a wonderful turn out last week in the blazing evening sunshine.
This weekend we have a series of friendly games as well as the usual junior training on Friday. The first team are playing in the Home Counties T20 competition at Banbury. The second and fourth teams are at home to Cumnor and Bledlow Ridge respectively, whilst the third team take the short journey to Bledlow Ridge. On Sunday we are delighted to host the Heartaches team to a game against an Aston Rowant X1.
The bar will be open Friday, Saturday and Sunday together with a BBQ on Friday night.
Can we direct you to our website astonrowantcricket.co.uk or more details, membership details are also on the site.
The county council is warning residents planning to use Oxfordshire’s household waste recycling centres about a series of short closures to enable essential work to be carried out.
For safety reasons, Oxfordshire County Council will be shutting the centres for two days each to allow for deep cleaning and essential maintenance.
Temporary Road Closure and “No Waiting” restriction at Kingston Blount, B4009
In the interests of public safety, it will be necessary for Oxfordshire County Council to close the road and impose a ‘No Waiting’ restriction as detailed above to facilitate surface dressing works
A temporary Notice is being made to implement the temporary closure and will operate 26 April 2026 up to and including 30 April 2026. This will operate between 04:00 and 18:00.
A Temporary Traffic Regulation Notice is being made to implement the temporary closure and restriction and will operate on the days shown above.
Please note that Notices for urgent works can last up to 5 consecutive days only.
Access will be maintained for emergency service vehicles and for those frontages within the closure area, subject to the progress of the works and liaison with the works supervisor.
A copy of the drawing showing the extent of the closure and restriction and also the alternative route for traffic is below.
Further information regarding the works may be obtained by contacting Tim Belton – M Group / Oxfordshire County Council on 0345 310 11 11
https://www.astonrowantparishcouncil.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/occ-logo.jpg467700Adam Bernsteinhttps://www.astonrowantparishcouncil.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/ar-logo-e1746534606667.pngAdam Bernstein2026-04-23 15:17:022026-04-23 15:15:30Road closure - 26-30 April
Aston Rowant Parish Council has successfully completed the refurbishment of the Kingston Blount village playground which was opened to the public in July 2024 following two weeks of refurbishment works.
The parish council has been supported by the Kingston Blount Park Fundraising Committee (KBPFCo) which was formed in November 2022. The committee, made up of a group of parents from within the community, was asked to manage the project from concept through to completion and to generate the much-needed funding.
Discovery Timber Play was selected to conduct the work which included the replacement of damaged play equipment and the installation of brand-new equipment.
A target of £59,000 (including VAT) was required for the planned works, in addition to the replacement of playground fencing and other restoration works on existing equipment in good condition that were to be retained.
As well as the council committing £9,535 to the project, the KBPFCo raised £1,354 from individual donations and £6,604 from community events. It also secured a number of grants to enable the project to be financially viable.
The council would like to acknowledge the generosity of the following organisations for their donations:
£20,413 South Oxfordshire District Council
£6,000 Persimmon Homes
£4,100 Cozen’s Bequest
£4,000 Hillwerke Recreation Trust
£2,500 Janet and Bryan Moore Charitable Trust
£2,000 Bouttell Bequest
£1,000 Doris Field Charitable Trust
£480 Chinnor Open Gardens
The total funding secured exceeded the original target, allowing the project to be delivered in full and enabling additional enhancements to be included within the scheme.
As a result of the additional funds raised, two wooden spring rockers were installed in January 2025 and a zip wire has just been installed alongside additional picnic benches, including one designed to provide improved access for wheelchair users and pushchairs.
Since the installation of the new equipment the playground has seen an increase in visitors with feedback being incredibly positive. The parish council is delighted that the playground will serve local families and visiting children for years to come and would like to thank the KBPFCo for their efforts in managing the project, and also those in the community who have donated or supported the project.
The images below illustrate the latest additions.
https://www.astonrowantparishcouncil.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/IMG_6857-scaled.jpeg19202560Adam Bernsteinhttps://www.astonrowantparishcouncil.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/ar-logo-e1746534606667.pngAdam Bernstein2026-04-16 16:58:412026-04-16 16:58:41Playground refurbishment is now complete
A complaint was recently made to SODC with regard to “the burning of farm waste” at a location on the Stert Road, Kingston Blount.
It reported that waste was “being burnt in field adjacent to farmyard. Black smoke, chemical smell. Visible metal debris.”
Notably, the complainer wanted to stay anonymous yet felt the need to use my contact details – phone and address – saying that “as a parishioner I wish to remain anonymous, but have entered the details of my Parish Council on my behalf.”
This is wholly unacceptable; the person complaining entered, without permission, the details of an individual who happens to serve as a councillor.
I have spoken to SODCs Waste Team about the complaint and my details have been removed. The complaint now has no named complainer and so is no longer considered a complaint.
The complaint has consequently failed as SODC will not be taking any action.
Going forward, if a resident has a complaint that they wish to raise anonymously, AND it is within the competence and powers of the parish council, the correct route would be ask the clerk () to raise the complaint. Such a complaint must be made by someone who is identifiable albeit with their details requested to be kept confidential.
By definition, applying the parish council’s details to a complaint does not necessarily mean that it will be taken up by the council.
I would ask residents to not use the personal details of councillors on complaints or elsewhere without consent else their contact information will be removed entirely from the parish council website.
Adam Bernstein
Chairman, Aston Rowant Parish Council
https://www.astonrowantparishcouncil.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/arowant-default-fi.jpg612716Adam Bernsteinhttps://www.astonrowantparishcouncil.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/ar-logo-e1746534606667.pngAdam Bernstein2026-04-13 13:49:242026-04-13 19:19:10Please don't use councillors details without consent
Residents with a permit for the district councils’ garden waste collection service in South Oxfordshire or the Vale of White Horse can have extra garden waste collected for free, on their normal scheduled collection day only, between 20 April and 1 May 2026.
Permit holders can put out a maximum of four additional sacks of garden waste for each garden waste permit, presented next to their brown bin.
To be eligible for a collection, please follow this guidance:
Only present garden waste, such as cut grass, plants or small branches as set out in the garden waste service terms and conditions.
Please use standard sized (60L) black refuse-style sacks or boxes / containers with a combined total no more than a standard bin when its full. Crews will only collect up to a maximum of four sacks for each garden waste permit. Additional sacks will not be emptied.
Please DO NOT use sacks larger than 60L (including one tonne builders’ type waste bags) – our crews will not collect any garden waste from these, as they are too heavy to lift and empty into the vehicle.
Sacks and containers must be left open so crews can easily empty them into the rear of the vehicle and be able to check there are not contaminants.
All the garden waste collected will be taken to a facility near Wallingford where it is composted. The compost is then sold on to local farmers for use on their farmland as a soil conditioner.
Garden Waste Permits
This service is only available for households that have purchased a 2026/27 garden waste permit.
https://www.astonrowantparishcouncil.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/South-Oxfordshire-District-COuncil-870x500-1.png500870Adam Bernsteinhttps://www.astonrowantparishcouncil.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/ar-logo-e1746534606667.pngAdam Bernstein2026-04-08 10:12:262026-04-08 10:12:26Extra garden waste collection for permit holders this April
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