Olivia Churchill
Latest news and stories
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Local Businesses unite to celebrate World Kindness Day with gifts for new parents
Local businesses celebrated World Kindness Day by donating artisan gift bags to new parents at Chipping Norton’s maternity unit. Led by Tall Trees Care Home, the gesture brought joy, comfort, and a sense of community to families welcoming newborns.
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Nearly 70,000 drainage gullies cleaned as Oxfordshire accelerates countywide programme
Oxfordshire County Council has already cleaned nearly 70,000 gullies under its new drainage improvement programme. Doubling crew numbers and using advanced equipment, the county aims to clear all 145,000 gullies by March 2026 to improve flood resilience and road safety.
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Mental health charity One-Eighty wins Brand the Bus 2025 competition
One-Eighty has won the 2025 Brand the Bus competition, securing a year-long bus wrap and £100K advertising package. The charity supports young people with mental health and SEND challenges, delivering over 2,000 interventions annually across Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire.
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Local bat numbers double as Graven Hill’s conservation plan thrives in Bicester
Graven Hill’s bat population has nearly doubled in a year thanks to a decade-long conservation strategy, new habitats, and expert monitoring. Waterman’s latest surveys show rising roost numbers and growing species diversity across the Bicester development.
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Heartbreak as £2,200 of meat stolen in overnight break-in at Oxford City Farm
Three storage areas – including sheds and containers – were forcibly entered, and roughly 120kg of pork, from two pigs carefully reared over the summer, was taken.
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Pakistan gifts landmark Islamic artwork to Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies
The Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies has added its first Pakistani artwork to its permanent collection – a striking Amin Gulgee sculpture gifted by the Government of Pakistan, symbolising deepening academic and cultural ties.
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Monkey Music to launch new early childhood classes for Banbury families
Monkey Music is bringing its award-winning early childhood classes to Banbury, offering free trials from January 2026. Designed for babies and toddlers, the sessions support development, connection and community.
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Canada’s former deputy PM Chrystia Freeland named next Warden & CEO of Rhodes Trust
Chrystia Freeland, former Canadian Deputy Prime Minister and Rhodes Scholar, has been appointed the next Warden and CEO of the Rhodes Trust. She will begin the role on 01 July 2026.
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Voting begins to select neighbourhoods for Oxford’s Christmas Light bus
Oxford’s Christmas Light Bus returns this December, and residents can vote to choose its 2025 route. The illuminated bus will tour the city across four evenings, spreading festive cheer with music, treats and community celebrations.
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Free after-dark walking club launches at Leys Pools to support women this winter
Leys Pools and Leisure Centre has introduced a free after-dark walking club to support This Girl Can’s Let’s Lift the Curfew campaign, encouraging women to stay active during winter. Weekly guided sessions with high-vis clothing are open to everyone.
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Inspectors confirm effective progress in Oxfordshire’s SEND services
Ofsted and the CQC have praised Oxfordshire’s progress in improving SEND services, highlighting stronger leadership, better communication and improved support for children and families. Inspectors said effective action has been taken but noted continued work is needed to maintain improvements.
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Audley Shiplake Meadows to host annual Christmas fair
Audley Shiplake Meadows will welcome residents and visitors to its free annual Christmas Fair on 23 November, offering festive treats, carols and stalls featuring local produce and handmade gifts. The event aims to bring the community together in a joyful seasonal celebration.
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Mollie’s launches festive stays and seasonal dining for Christmas 2025
Mollie’s brings festive cheer to its Oxfordshire and Bristol sites with discounted December stays, seasonal diner menus and group feasts. Guests can enjoy cosy rooms, Christmas treats and easy access to local markets, illuminations and winter attractions.
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Oxfordshire approves major changes to household waste recycling centres
Oxfordshire County Council has approved new operating hours and policy changes for its household waste recycling centres, including a booking system, visitor charges for non-residents and updated permit rules. The revisions follow extensive public consultation and will be introduced from 2026 onwards.
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Pulhams Coaches engineering apprentice named Go-Ahead apprentice of the year
Pulhams Coaches apprentice Rebecca MacDonald has been named Apprentice of the Year at the Go-Ahead Gold Awards, recognised for her technical skill, initiative and leadership. The Oxford Bus Group also received further nominations across multiple categories.
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Ask Me: Education launches to improve grief support for young people in UK schools
Oxford’s Nell Davies-Small is helping launch Ask Me: Education, a new campaign urging schools to improve support for bereaved students. With most young people feeling unsupported, the initiative calls for greater empathy, personalised care, and student-led bereavement plans.