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Parking charges will be re-introduced in district council car parks across South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse from Monday 8 June.
South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils have allowed free parking since 26 March, to support key workers and those who need to shop for essential food or medical supplies during the Coronavirus pandemic after travel restrictions were put in place.
However with many restrictions now lifted, and following the government’s announcement that outdoor markets and car showrooms can re-open on 1 June and non-essential retail on 15 June, the councils will now re-introduce parking fees.
Car parks will operate as normal, meaning that motorists must display a ticket or have a valid online or text payment confirmation, including during any free hours offered in the charging period. Normal rates will apply. New permits will be issued or re-issued to anyone whose permit would’ve normally expired since lockdown began.
NHS staff and care workers who display a national COVID-19 pass can continue to park for free. To claim a pass, staff should email , including proof of their employment.
https://www.astonrowantparishcouncil.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/photo-from-above-of-vehicles-parked-near-building-753876-scaled.jpg14382560Adam Bernsteinhttps://www.astonrowantparishcouncil.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/ar-logo-e1746534606667.pngAdam Bernstein2020-06-03 07:28:192020-06-02 07:31:26Council parking charges to be re-introduced
Web conferencing app developer, Zoom, has publicly stated that to continue using the desktop version of its app after May 30 users must update to the most current version.
The parish council is, for the short-medium term at least, meeting via Zoom. To continue being able to login and watch the proceedings please make sure that you’re using the most up to date version of Zoom.
Not only can it be antisocial but there are some with breathing difficulties who are also dealing with the effects of hayfever; smoke from a bonfire only compounds their problems.
SODC has advice on the matter at: http://www.southoxon.gov.uk/services-and-advice/environment-and-neighbourhood-issues/report-problem-noise-and-nuisance/bonfires-
https://www.astonrowantparishcouncil.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/fire-orange-emergency-burning-1749.jpg8801280Adam Bernsteinhttps://www.astonrowantparishcouncil.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/ar-logo-e1746534606667.pngAdam Bernstein2020-05-24 16:07:482020-05-24 16:07:48Advice on bonfires
To reiterate, Airband’s fibre to the premises offers two packages – speeds of around 150Mb down and 50Mb up (£29.99/month) or speeds of around 250Mb down and 75Mb up (£39.99). There is no installation cost and the equipment is supplied free.
This service is not being endorsed by the parish council but it is the only one presently on offer to the parish at a price that is economic.
If you have any questions, Andrew Roberts is more than happy to answer them. He’s available via or 07495 543046.
https://www.astonrowantparishcouncil.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/john-adams-1xIN4FMR78A-unsplash-scaled.jpg17072560Adam Bernsteinhttps://www.astonrowantparishcouncil.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/ar-logo-e1746534606667.pngAdam Bernstein2020-05-21 09:20:022020-05-25 16:09:59Fibre to the Premises broadband update - websites now live
The following is not an endorsement by the parish council; just a statement of fact. There are other providers out there but at substantially greater cost.
If you’re on fibre broadband right now you’ll be on what’s known as fibre to the cabinet (FTTC) where the connection from the exchange to the cabinet is fibre, but from there to your home you’ll be on a traditional copper wire. If there’s a weak link causing slow speeds or line drops it’ll be the copper wire. Fibre to the premises (FTTP) is markedly faster and more reliable.
Being where we are the likes of BT and Virgin won’t be coming to the parish for some time as the economics (for them at least) don’t stack up. They normally charge a £250 per household survey fee, a five figure installation fee and require a two year contract with charges of around £120/month.
However, the parish council has found Airband.co.uk, a provider which is currently building a FTTP network in a number of areas including Chinnor, Lewknor and Watlington. Airband is proposing – if it gets enough support – to link those sites up via our parish… to our benefit.
If the plans get the green light there would be no installation fee and the router will be provided completely free – all under the Rural Gigabit Voucher scheme that is promoted by the government. Airband will complete all of the applications.
As an added enticement, any exit fees from a current provider up to £250 will be covered by Airband, subject to a 30 day cooling off period (30 days after connection to the fibre network) and on presentation of closing bill.
The unlimited packages on offer are either £29.99/month on a two year contract for 150Mbps download / 50Mbps upload, or £39.99/month on a two year contract for 250Mbps download / 75Mbps upload. At some point in the future, the line speed will be upgraded to true gigabit.
Householders should soon receive direct mail with a link to a community page for Aston Rowant and a separate one for Kingston Blount/Crowell where residents can register interest, place an order or track the project. The pages for Chinnor and Watlington – to see how it all works – can be seen at https://www.airband.co.uk/community. When our page is live residents can use the code OXON-DLP-24 to sign up. Airband can be contacted on 01905 676121 or .
Completion for this cluster is this Autumn, however Airband will need a significant number of orders to make the project viable.
To reiterate, the parish council is not endorsing this project; it is merely publicising it as at present there are no viable alternatives to those wanting ultrafast broadband.
Note: The Airband flyer can be downloaded below.
https://www.astonrowantparishcouncil.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/john-adams-1xIN4FMR78A-unsplash-scaled.jpg17072560Adam Bernsteinhttps://www.astonrowantparishcouncil.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/ar-logo-e1746534606667.pngAdam Bernstein2020-05-16 08:44:372020-05-16 08:57:07Fibre to the premises broadband is coming
