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On Sunday 23 July the church in Aston Rowant will be open from 1400 to 1600hrs for tours of the church tower along with the serving of cream teas.
Considering the climb to the top of the tower, it’s recommended that appropriate shoes are worn and that the tower can only be climbed by those over eight years of age.
The Kingston Blount Park Fundraising Committee are really pleased to share the refurbishment designs for the Kingston Blount playground.
We will be keeping equipment in good working order, replacing damaged equipment and we have made some exciting additions too…. yes, there is a ZIP WIRE!!
Importantly, the replacement of the fence will also be happening as a priority this summer.
The total renovation costs are £50,000. We have conducted fundraising events within the community, been successful in a number of grant applications, and received funding from the Hillwerke Recreation Trust and Aston Rowant Parish Council – all totalling £17,000.
Our remaining fundraising target is therefore £33,000. Whilst we have further grant applications in the pipeline and additional fundraising events to come, we need your help to make these plans become a reality!
If you value this much loved community asset – please donate.
More information on the playground refurbishment designs and how to donate can be found in our flyer (attachment – below).
Thank you for your continued support. Please give what you can as every little helps.
The KBPFCo
(Kingston Blount Park Fundraising Committee)
Are you ready for a summer of fun? South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils have organised a summer packed full of fun free and low-cost activities for the whole family to enjoy!
Starting Monday 24 July and running through to Friday 1 September activities will be taking place across the districts to ensure nobody misses out on the opportunity to get involved.
Whether you like exploring the great outdoors, taking part in fitness classes, table tennis, or unwinding with some light yoga, there’s something for everyone.
Here’s just a few of the highlights for children and families over the summer holidays:
More information about the activities taking place can be found on the South Oxfordshire District Council website and the Vale of White Horse District Council website.
Please make sure that children under 16 are accompanied by adults when attending events and booking is recommended to avoid disappointment. A booking form can be found on the websites.
And for anyone interested in helping the environment South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils have created a free Waste and Recycling Activity Pack for the school holidays.
This colourful and easy-to-read pack provides some fun activities for young children to enjoy during the summer which will help teach them about waste and recycling and about reducing waste around the home.
To download your pack, visit southandvale.gov.uk/activitypack
South Oxfordshire District Council Leader Cllr David Rouane is writing to GWR to raise concerns that proposed closures of ticket offices at railway stations in South Oxfordshire will affect vulnerable passengers and put people off using public transport.
Cllr David Rouane said: “We need to remove barriers to the use of public transport rather than private cars, and safety concerns for those travelling alone constitutes one of those barriers. These concerns have prompted me to write to GWR about the proposed changes and raise these issues.
“I will seek assurances from the companies that the closure of ticket offices is not a back door to reducing the number of staff present on stations to provide advice, support and reassurance to all travellers but especially to the most vulnerable.
“Although my local station Didcot is very busy and generally well-staffed throughout the day, I am aware that those using smaller stations such as Culham, Goring or Cholsey will have greater concerns.
The consultations are happening as part of an industry-wide set of proposals, from rail companies under the Rail Delivery Group.
To share your views on the issue you can respond to the consultation on changes to ticket offices by going to the GWR website https://www.gwr.com/haveyoursay.
RMT has a link to all the companies consulting about closures: https://www.rmt.org.uk/campaigns/rail/save-ticket-offices/
The parish council has limited funds with which to look after the area we all live in. From time-to-time ad hoc tasks need attention. It’s clear that South Oxfordshire District Council and Oxfordshire County Council have less money to play with. Indeed, no doubt you’ll have noticed the ‘rewilding’ of roadsides and elsewhere; this appears to be cover for saving money… by not cutting grass. This means that the parish will have to cover more of their responsibilities.
Parish councillors have a choice when it comes to maintenance:
The council doesn’t want to increase the precept – which feeds into council tax – any more than necessary. It also doesn’t want the parish to go to rack and ruin. That leaves us with only the second of the options – doing what we can ourselves.
Where you come in
The parish council wants to create a network of parishioners who are happy to be called upon to lend an occasional hand. The network will be run via a WhatsApp group. When up and running, a call for help will be put out and those available asked to respond. Residents not on WhatsApp can be called by phone.
It’s hoped that we won’t need to make regular requests but when one is made there will be no pressure to help.
So, can you help us build a network of community-minded people who have a little time, on occasion, to give to the parish? As long as your fit and over 16 you’ll be welcomed. And if you’re new to the parish, it should be a great way to meet others.
If you are interested, please email or call 07785 905120.
We would like thank everyone who attended Rowachella last weekend; it was good to see so many parishioners at the event and enjoying themselves.
Secondly, the weather forecast for the weekend is very poor so please check on the events/matches planned over the weekend – including the junior training on Friday night. The bar will open as usual but may close earlier than normal if there is no demand.
The matches scheduled at home for the weekend are part of the double headers against Banbury and Great Horwood.
Aston Rowant 2nd v Banbury 2nd starting at 12.30
Aston Rowant 4th v Great Horwood 2nd starting at 1pm.
The first team will be playing Banbury 1st team at Banbury and the 3rd team at Great Horwood.
It is a huge weekend for the club both on and off the field.
Saturday night is the Rowachella festival. At time of writing a few, very few, tickets are still left. If you don’t have a ticket yet, please go to the club website.
Earlier on Saturday we have two big games at home. In both we are at home to the respective league leaders – the first team is up against High Wycombe starting at 11am, while the third team is playing Tetsworth starting at 12.30.
Please note the club bar will close at 8pm as the festival starts.
On Friday, after last week’s washout, we have the usual junior training with the bar open.
After another weekend when all four senior teams won again we have another busy weekend. On Saturday, we have the first team at home to Finchampstead, starting at 11.30. Also the third team, on a roll after four consecutive wins, are at home to East Oxford, starting at 12.30.
The bar is open as usual from 1pm.
After that, we have the payday Saturday evening when there will be a barbecue and music from a DJ. This is the second payday event which will repeat on the first Saturday of the month until the end of the season.
Also, please remember next Saturday is the Rowachella music festival, tickets are selling quickly, but there are some left. Our website astonrowantcc.com has more details and tickets.
If you’re struggling with money because of the cost-of-living crisis, there are two events coming up that could help. SODC be joining BBC Radio Oxford at its events at Abingdon marketplace on Monday 10 July and outside Cornerstone Arts Centre in Didcot on Wednesday 2 August from 10am – 1pm.
There will be lots of information and advice on what help there is for people struggling to make ends meet at the moment. Everyone is welcome and in the meantime there’s information on SODC’s website.
The church in Aston Rowant, in conjunction with a number of other organisations, is hosting a ‘bat walk’ in the vicinity, on Saturday 8 July, between 2130 and 2230hrs.
Book your place by calling Tim on 07802 787109.
Meet at 2100hrs for refreshments. Nothing is required other than suitable clothing and footwear.
See the attachment below for more information.