Archive for category: News

Fun games, badminton, football and pickleball are just some of the free and low-cost activities available for children and their families to enjoy this February half-term, hosted by South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils.

Two free community days are taking place at Long Furlong Community Centre, Abingdon, on Tuesday 18 February and Thame Leisure Centre on Wednesday 19 February. Come along and try a new sport and enjoy a mix of activities for all ages provided by the councils’ Active Communities and Better Leisure teams.

In Abingdon, enjoy fun games, football, seated exercise, and family activities like the Xplorer challenge and New Age Kurling. Over in Thame, take part in football, multisports, dance, seated exercise, table tennis, and much more.

The activities are expected to be very popular so, where required, residents are encouraged to book now to avoid disappointment.

There’s plenty of family fun this half-term at Cornerstone Arts Centre inDidcot, with craft workshops and live theatre for all to enjoy. Children can get creative by decorating their own photo frame on Wednesday 19 February from 11am to midday. Families can enjoy an exciting evening as award-winning magician James Phelan presents his new show, The Dreamer, on Saturday 15 February.

For the Taylor Swift lovers of the family, The Beacon in Wantage is the place to be. The Eras Experience hits The Beacon during half term on Friday 21 February, with a tribute to Taylor Swift’s music.

For a full run down of what’s on and details on how to book, visit southandvale.gov.uk/holidayactivities  

The February / March 2025 issue of the Parish Notes is now online here.

In the year 2000 the parish council asked Di Eaton and Jan Gooders to republish a book they’d written a while earlier on the history of the parish.

The original book required much research to uncover local history along with some wonderful images; readers could clearly see that their efforts bore fruit.

As the book is now out of print the authors have given the parish council permission convert and upload the files in downloadable PDF format to this website.

It’s a good read and is available free of charge here.

Due to the high likelihood of serious volumes of snow, followed by rain, the decision has been taken to cancel the parish walk tomorrow, 5 January.

This New Year’s walk is open to all – not just parishioners and ramblers members.

The pace will be leisurely and starts at The Lambert Arms, Aston Rowant. OX49 5SZ at 10.00 am on Sunday 5 January. Please park in the side road by Lambert Arms.

The route will take in Lewknor, Aston Rowant Nature Reserve Bald Hill, Cowleaze Wood, Wormsley Estate, returning down Linkey Hill.

We may stop at the Leathern Bottle, for a drink, snack or a Sunday lunch just before the end of the walk.

I suggest you wear walking boots. Bring a drink and a snack. There’s no need to book for the walk.

No dogs please as there will be sheep in fields.

We will walk at the pace of the slowest and there is a possibility for shortening the route if necessary. It takes in two hills with no stiles. The route was chosen to be least muddy in the area.

Please have ICE details with you on your mobile or in your wallet.

 

Peter Hetherington  07767 647714

Leader for Aston Rowant Parish Council and Thame and Wheatley Ramblers.