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Because of the sheer volume of rain in recent weeks it should not come as a surprise that this year’s Duck Race on Sunday 15 February has had to be cancelled; Fiveways corner and the paths around and down to it are a quagmire. It’ll be back in 2027.
The good news is that cream teas and cakes are still being served in the church from 1400hrs to 1600hrs with monies raised going towards church funds.
From SODC:
The government has launched a consultation on options to reorganise local councils across Oxfordshire and West Berkshire. Local Government Reorganisation is a government-led reform to change how councils in two-tier areas are structured, replacing county and district councils with single unitary structures responsible for local services.
The upcoming consultation asks residents for their views on each of the three proposals put forward for Oxfordshire.
This consultation will inform the government’s decision later in the year on which proposal to implement. The change in council structures provides an opportunity to transform how councils work to deliver services, drive economic growth and support local communities.
In late 2025, a clear consensus emerged when five councils in Oxfordshire and West Berkshire formally supported a proposal for two new, innovative, responsive and locally accountable unitary authorities to address current inefficiencies, enhance services, and save millions.
These councils agreed that the two-unitary model offers the best outcomes for local residents and have urged the government to adopt it when making its decision later in the year.
The clear benefits of the two-unitary proposal put it ahead of the other options:
Forming two unitary councils has the potential to save money by re-imagining and redesigning services across a sensible geography, making use of scale and local delivery where it works best. The two-unitary approach would create authorities that are big enough to be efficient, stable, and reliable, but small enough to care for and be responsive to communities.
During decision-making last year, the councils raised concerns about the other proposals.
For the single-unitary proposal, they expressed concerns that it was too large and too remote from communities and that it did not show the ambition local communities and businesses deserved. Additional concerns have since been raised about whether services with a county-wide footprint, such as highways maintenance, are sustainable and can be funded at that scale, given cuts proposed in recent budgets.
For the three-unitary proposal, they expressed concerns that it would not create financially sustainable councils, would fail to meet the government criteria, and would negatively impact Oxford and damage the green belt.
The government intends to decide on which structure is implemented in Oxfordshire before the government’s summer recess in July. The preferred model is expected to be fully operational in 2028, replacing the current councils.
Residents can take part in the consultation by visiting https://consult.communities.gov.uk/local-government-reorganisation/oxfordshire
The consultation is open from 5 February to 26 March 2026.
Residents can read the full two-unitary proposal or a shortened version on the website www.twocouncils.org. The proposal covers all the key points, including how services will be run, financial modelling, implementation plans, and the vision for the future.
The other two proposals can be found at:
The parish walk has been re-arranged for Sunday 19 April, meeting at 10.00 from Stokenchurch, Kings Hotel, bus stop. The original walk on 4 January was cancelled due to ice on roads and footpaths.
This is a very scenic 4.5 mile circular walk-through beech woods and is on well-maintained footpaths. The walk is stile free and will be at a leisurely pace. There are three hills, but they will be taken slowly.
Please bring a light snack and some water. It is expected that we will return by 12.30 at the very latest.
The walk is organised by Aston Rowant Footpath and Amenities Group in conjunction with Thame and Wheatley Ramblers. It is open to all the public. Please come and join us. But please note that we do start the walk on time.
Park in the minor roads near the hotel or in the adjacent small car park.
Peter Hetherington
07767 647714
Accredited Ramblers Walk Leader.
Regrettably, the parish walk scheduled for Sunday 4 January has had to be cancelled due to the cold and icy conditions.
Below is the Thame and Wheatley Ramblers Programme for January to March 2026.
All walks are circular and start at 10am unless otherwise stated.
Please check the website to confirm details as programme subject to change: www.ramblers-oxon.org.uk/thame-wheatley/walking.html
Leaders’ contact details and whether walks are suitable for dogs can also be found on the website.
The parish council has placed salt bins around the villages. They are checked annually to ensure that they are full. They also (should) each have long rubber gloves and a shovel.
The council does not organise the spreading of salt and relies on residents to be good Samaritans to spread salt when necessary… but only on public footpaths and public highways.
Do let me know if gloves or shovels are missing from any of the salt bins.
Adam Bernstein
Chairman, Aston Rowant Parish Council
OCC is introducing a new booking system at its Household Waste Recycling Centres to make visits quicker and easier.
From Wednesday 14 January 2026 everyone will need to book a time slot to visit one of its sites. Residents can book 30 minutes before their visit (subject to availability) or up to two weeks in advance.
To help Oxfordshire recycle even more OCC is also asking residents to sort their recyclable items form their waste either before they arrive, which will speed up their visit or they can use the sorting area on site.
See more detail here.
To ensure crews can collect the additional waste and recycling produced over Christmas, brown bin collections will be paused between 25 December and 8 January. The service will resume on Friday 9 January.
For all you need to know about changes to bin collections and everything else to do with Christmas waste and recycling, visit South Oxfordshire garden waste page.
If you vote by post, you now need to reapply every three years.
This means if you applied for your current postal vote before 30 January 2024 you’ll need to re-apply by 31 January 2026, otherwise your postal vote will expire.
If you’re not sure when you applied for your postal vote, don’t worry, SODC will write to you when your application is up for renewal.
More information on postal voting can be found on the Electoral Commission website.
Below is a guide to council services over the Christmas and New Year period when the council offices are closed to the public.
Abbey House – Reception will close at Abbey House from 5pm on Wednesday 24 December 2025 and will reopen on Monday 5 January 2026.
Waste collections – all you need to know about waste collections over the Christmas and New Year period – including the changes to the collection dates and what to do if collections are disrupted – is on our Christmas waste page.
Housing – If you know anyone who is at immediate risk of being made homeless while our offices are closed, contact our out-of-hours service, which is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The number to call 01235 422410. If you see someone sleeping rough you can go to Streetlink’s website.
Cost of living help – The Community Hub will be closed from 5pm on Wednesday 24 December 2025 and will reopen on Monday 5 January 2026 at 8.30am. If you need support or advice over the festive period please go to our cost of living webpage for more information or please contact our emergency out of hours phone number – 01235 422410.
Planning – Any planning applications or post submitted/received after 4.30pm Wednesday 24 December 2025, including electronic submissions, will be treated as having been received on our next working day, Monday 5 January 2026.
Council tax and benefits services – If anyone needs urgent help with council tax or benefits during the holidays, Capita’s phone lines will be open as usual between 29 and 31 December and on 2 Jan.
Emergency Situations – There are details of what to do and who to contact during an emergency on our websites – Emergency situations
Leisure Centres and Warm Spaces – over the Christmas period there will be changes to the opening times of our Better Leisure Centres, please check via the Better UK website or with staff at your local centre for details.
Our Leisure Centres are also open as Warm Spaces this winter from 9am to 2pm Monday to Friday. Pop in and charge your phone, have a hot drink and chat with others.
Winter in South Oxfordshire
You may also find the winter guide to services useful.