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.

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

Residents who receive garden waste collections in South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse are being reminded to buy a new permit if they wish to continue receiving collections from 1 April through to 31 March 2027.

South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils introduced the garden waste permit scheme in spring 2025. More than 69,000 residents across both districts signed up in the first year, helping to support a reliable and sustainable garden waste collection service.

Brown bin permits expire on 31 March each year and residents must buy a new one annually to keep receiving the service. The quickest and easiest way to buy a new permit to do so online at southandvale.gov.uk/gardenwastepermit

Anyone who needs help to buy a permit can call the councils’ Customer Services team on 01235 422422.

When residents receive their new permit sticker, they are asked to keep their current permit on the bin until after their final March collection. The new permit should then be placed on the bin lid ready for April collections.

Spring is coming – and so is your chance to give your garden a natural boost. South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils are inviting residents to collect free, nutrient-rich compost at special giveaway events this March. It’s the perfect way to recycle, reduce waste and grow something great!

Event Details:

• Saturday 7 March – 9am to 11am – Howbery Business Park, Benson Lane, Wallingford, OX10 8BA
• Sunday 8 March – 9am to 11am – White Horse Leisure and Tennis Centre(overflow car park), Audlett Drive, Abingdon, OX14 3PJ

The councils’ Waste and Recycling Team will be on hand to answer your composting questions and share top tips for greener living.

How it works:

• Bring your own bags and spade.
• Collect up to three bags of compost per household.
• Available while supplies last.

Helping residents access compostable material recovered from the waste process is part of the councils’ Rethinking Waste – Waste Resources and Street Cleansing Strategy 2024, which focuses on the key themes of reduce, reuse, recycle and recover.

By turning food and garden waste into compost at home, it helps to reduce the amount of waste that needs to be collected.