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Archive for category: News

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Playground refurbishment is now complete

/in News/by Adam Bernstein
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.

Please don’t use councillors details without consent

/in News/by Adam Bernstein

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

Extra garden waste collection for permit holders this April

/in News/by Adam Bernstein

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.

More information about garden waste collections, including how to buy a permit, can be found on the South Oxfordshire garden waste page or the Vale garden waste page.

Communities invited to get moving with Everyone Active Grant

/in News/by Adam Bernstein

Local community groups are invited to apply for funding to help residents across South Oxfordshire be more active, improve their health, and enjoy new wellbeing activities.

The Everyone Active grant scheme opened on Monday 30 March, with a total of £50,000 available. Organisations can apply for grants of up to £1,000 to support projects that make a real difference to the physical and mental wellbeing of residents in the district.

South Oxfordshire District Council is providing £50,000 in funding, with a maximum grant of £1,000 for each project.

Applicants will need to show that their projects will help communities to become more active or sustain activity.

The funding can be used in a variety of ways including:

  • Buying new leisure or playground equipment
  • Projects to introduce or improve physical activity
  • Running training courses for volunteers or staff to help improve physical and mental wellbeing
  • Setting up a community garden to share the physical and health benefits of growing fruit and vegetables

The scheme is open to a wide range of groups and organisations in the district, not-for-profit groups (including sports clubs), town and parish councils and parish meetings, not for profit preschools, Parent Teacher Association’s (PTAs) and other local authority run schools or academies for non-statutory elements of the education programme.

The grant scheme will close once all the budget has been spent, or at midday on

Friday 22 May, whichever is sooner. More information can be found on the council’s website or organisations can contact the Community Enablement team on  01235 422405 or email  with any questions about the grant and application process.

This grant is one of several community grant schemes available over the coming year, with South Oxfordshire District Council approving more than £1.5 million in Community Grants in its 2026/27 budget.

There are also two drop-in events that community organisations can attend to find out more about the funding and how to apply. For more information about the upcoming drop-in events, visit southoxon.gov.uk/grants.

Parish Notes

/in News/by Adam Bernstein

The latest issue of the Parish Notes is now online. See here.

It should also be through letterboxes shortly.

Thame & Wheatley Ramblers April to June walks

/in News/by Adam Bernstein

Below is the latest – April to June – schedule of walks from Thame & Wheatley Ramblers.

There are “a record number of walks for the next quarter – including one from Aston Rowant”.

Hop into Easter with lots of fun for all the family 

/in News/by Adam Bernstein

Families can enjoy a jam-packed line-up of Easter activities this spring, with events taking place across South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse from 30 March to 11 April.

The holidays start with an Activity Morning in Cholsey and an Activity Afternoon at The Junction in Abingdon. Followed by Born to Move fun fitness sessions in Wallingford and a football day in Faringdon. Midweek, join the Easter themed Xplorer challenge in Botley and younger children can finish off the first week with a Mini Fun Day in Abingdon.

In the second week, on Wednesday 8 April the fun continues with an Xplorer session and a Mini Fun Day in Didcot. Followed by a free Fun Day at Thame Leisure Centre on Thursday 9 April. And to round off the holiday, everyone is invited to an Open Day at The Junction in Abingdon, where families can drop in and try a range of fun activities including crafts, soft play and New Age Kurling.

There’s also plenty of Easter holiday fun at The Beacon in Wantage, with films, creative sessions and theatre experiences to keep families entertained throughout the holiday, including relaxed movie mornings, hands-on crafts and a play-along theatre adventure for children aged 2–6.

At Cornerstone Arts Centre in Didcot, families can also enjoy free Easter-themed activities, including egg painting and much more, suitable for children of all ages when accompanied by an adult.

This Easter children can enjoy Kids Swim for £1 at the council’s Better Leisure Centres. Family Fun Swims will be running throughout the holidays as well as Swimming Lesson Courses. Better Leisure also has lots of other activities lined up including, Drop in Badminton, Tennis, Pickleball Sessions, Bouncy Castle Sessions and Junior Gym Sessions. More details can be found on the leisure centre’s Facebook pages, Better UK website and app.

Job advert: Parish litter picker

/in News/by Adam Bernstein

The parish council is looking for someone to pick litter.

See the advert below.

Next parish walk – Sunday 19 April

/in News/by Adam Bernstein

The next parish walk is on Sunday 19 April, 1000hrs.

Meet in the car park in Stokenchurch by the fire damaged Kings Hotel in the centre of the village. The walk is 4.5 miles long and is very varied passing through Beech Woods and along ancient pathways,

It was selected as a route which is recommended at this time of year as it is dry when others can be very wet and muddy. There are a few inclines but no stiles.

We will make a brief stop halfway round so please bring water and a light snack. Wear walking boots or walking shoes.

Please meet at 0950hrs for a 1000hrs start; expect to be back by 1215hrs. Unfortunately, the café in Stokenchurch is closed but the Cherry Tree in Kingston Blount will be open after the walk.

The walk is organised by the Aston Rowant Footpath and Amenities Group and Thame and Wheatley Ramblers but is open to all comers.

Peter Hetherington

07767 647714

Litter pick this weekend – 7 and 8 March

/in News/by Adam Bernstein

The next parish litter pick will be held this weekend – Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th March.

On the Saturday, meet 1000hrs at the Cherry Tree and on the Sunday, by the Lambert Arms.

Please bring gloves and wear suitable shoes/boots. Picks and bags will be provided. Over 16s only please.