The Oxfordshire Tobacco Control Alliance is refreshing the Oxfordshire Tobacco Control Strategy (OTCS) for 2026-2030 and would like to hear the views of Oxfordshire residents on its priorities. This strategy is a significant step towards reducing smoking rates in our county, aiming to make Oxfordshire smokefree and promote a healthier environment for all residents.
 
We would like to encourage all people living and working in Oxfordshire to take a few moments to complete the Public Consultation survey on Let’s Talk Oxfordshire website. It should take 10-15 minutes to complete and closes on 10th August 2025.
 
The survey is collecting feedback on the targets and priorities set out in the draft strategy in 5 areas: supporting people who smoke to quit; preventing uptake among young people; creating smokefree environments; enforcing regulations; and working in partnership. Your feedback will help us understand if we need to make any changes to the draft strategy before it is agreed.
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The Buscot and Coleshill NT volunteer scything team will be scything the wildflower meadows in the Contemplation Garden on Wednesday 30th July from 10am. 

You are welcome to come and watch. 

We are grateful to the National Trust for volunteering to do this as part of their plan to re-nature the NT Buscot and Coleshill Estate.

For anyone who might like to take part there will be spare rakes available to help clear the spoil.

Rev Maureen Turner. St Giles Church.
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​Faringdon and the local area has a wealth of writing talent. To support this Faringdon Writers are holding their annual Book Fair on Saturday 22nd November in the Corn Exchange, Faringdon from 10.00am-3.00pm. This is for published and self-published local authors of fiction, non-fiction and poetry who are unable to access the more prestigious literary festivals, thereby giving them a chance to showcase and share what they do with a wider audience. If you are interested in having a table at this event please get in touch at [email protected] for further details.

Please note this event gets more popular each year and there are a limited numbers of tables so do not delay. With books for all this is always a popular place for people to pick up those Christmas gifts that are a little bit different.
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Faringdon Writers would like to invite you to participate in their annual Short Story competition. 

This year’s theme is  ’The Bell’  so let your imaginations ring out.

Open to all members of the local community both young, old and in between. So have a go and send us your stories.

There are three age groups: Child (age 5-11) 500 words,  Youth (age 12-17) 1000 words. and Adult (18+) 1500 words.

All entries are free and the Deadline for entries is 5th October 2025

Each winner will have their story published in the next Voices from Faringdon Anthology with a display in Faringdon Library during December.

Winners and runners-up of each age group will be announced at the Faringdon Writers Book Fair on Saturday 22rd November in the Corn Exchange, Faringdon.

For further information and full rules please email: [email protected]
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Seven charity groups across the Vale have received a total of £9,000 of unrestricted funding to support their work with local communities thanks to the White Horse Community Lottery. 
This July marks the fourth anniversary of the lottery launched by Vale of White Horse District Council, which has raised £109,050 to support local organisations, charities, and community groups committed to strengthening local communities and caring for the environment. 
 
Players of the lottery can choose a good cause they wish to support including the White Horse Community Fund, which distributes funding to good causes selling 20 tickets or more a week.  
 
Sustainable Shrivenham runs a community hub and repair workshop, helping and encouraging people to make more sustainable choices in everyday life, they received £864.

The team at Sustainable Shrivenham said: “We are absolutely delighted with this extra lottery fund. Not only does the regular money support us with the work we do regularly we now have funds towards our next big refill shop project in the village!” 

Vale Community Impact who offers free advice on debt, benefits and employment, plus volunteer transport and befriending for those in need received £729. 

Anna Mabbett, from Vale Community Impact said: “We are thrilled to have received £729 from the White Horse Community Lottery! This support allows us to continue providing our core services: advice, community transport, and our Good Neighbour Scheme, to people across the Vale. With this funding, we can reach even more people and make a meaningful difference in their lives.” 

Cllr Helen Pighills, Cabinet Member for Community Health and Wellbeing, Vale of White Horse District Council said: “I'm really pleased we’re able to support these organisations and give them a well-deserved boost to reach even more people in our communities. Thank you to everyone who plays a part in supporting our local good causes through the lottery. Your contributions make a real difference, helping charities and community groups continue their vital work across the Vale.” 

Lottery prizes range from free prize draw entries to a weekly £25,000 jackpot. Tickets cost just £1 with 60p from every ticket sold going to support charities and community groups across the district. 

See our website whitehorsedc.gov.uk/white-horse-community-lottery for more information on how organisations can join the lottery and how residents can support good causes in the district. 

See below for details from Oxfordshire County Council - click image for details.

Attached are the notices relating to the above closure, key details are:

LOCATION:
Coleshill, B4019 (between the entrance to Colleymore Farm and the junction with Fresden Lane)

DURATION:
Starting on 01 September 2025

The anticipated completion date is 02 September 2025 (date included). This will operate between 07:00 and 19:00

( Traffic Regulation Notices cover a maximum of 5 consecutive days.)

Full details in the attached, including the diversion route.

b4019_coleshill_-_draft_letter.pdf
​b4019_coleshill_diversion_p01_signed.pdf
​b4019_coleshill_ga_p03_signed.pdf
​notice_t15775_coelshill_b4019_coleshill.pdf
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You may be aware that there are proposals in place in response to an announcement made by the Government in December 2024 which will see two-tier authorities, as seen in Oxfordshire, end and new unitary councils created. Unitary councils provide the same services as county and district councils - bringing them together under one roof.

For each of these they are looking for your views and feedback via a survey or similar.

There is a proposal from the 5 of the 7 current councils - read more here twocouncils.org

There is a proposal from for a Greater Oxford Council, which you can read about here https://greateroxford.org/ 

And there is a proposal for a single Oxfordshire Council which you can read about here www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/council/local-government-reorganisation-and-devolution

​In addition Oxford City Council are asking for your views on plans to implement six temporary congestion charge locations for cars in Oxford. For further details and to find the link to the survey which closes 3rd August go to: https://letstalk.oxfordshire.gov.uk/congestion-charge