Olivia Churchill
Latest news and stories
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County Council continues to endorse One Council as best option for future
Oxfordshire County Council has reiterated its view that a single county unitary council should be the way forward for local government in the county when change happens in a few years’ time.
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One-Eighty wins Oxford Bus Company’s 2025 Brand the Bus Competition
Children’s mental health and behaviour support charity One-Eighty has won the Oxford Bus Company’s seventh Brand the Bus competition. The charity will now have its branding emblazoned across one of company’s electric double-decker buses.
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Plans unveiled for Greater Oxford Council as local government faces major reform
Oxford City Council has unveiled proposals for a new Greater Oxford Council as part of a major local government shake-up, aiming to bring planning, transport and housing decisions closer to the communities they affect.
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5 reasons why the Blenheim Palace Triathlon 2025 is the must-do event this June
The Blenheim Palace Triathlon, taking place this June, offers a one-of-a-kind race experience at a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Set against the stunning backdrop of Blenheim Palace’s gardens and lakes, the event is beginner-friendly, with various formats including a duathlon.
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Oxfordshire Freemasons support Westfield Health British Transplant Games in Oxford
The Oxfordshire Freemasons have joined the 2025 Westfield Health British Transplant Games as key supporters, sponsoring the vital volunteer programme. Held in Oxford this August, the Games celebrate transplant recipients, donors, and families.
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Big Splash Weekend brings free swimming lessons to Oxford families
Oxford’s Big Splash Weekend takes place on 07 – 08 June across four local leisure centres: Hinksey Outdoor Pool, Ferry, Leys, and Barton. The event features free swimming lessons, fun family swim sessions, and inflatable obstacle courses.
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The Very Hungry Caterpillar™ trail set to delight families at Cliveden until 29 June
Families are loving The Very Hungry Caterpillar™ trail at Cliveden, now extended until 29 June 2025. Children follow illustrated signs, hunt for juicy fruits, and pass through a giant 3D cocoon. The trail features brass rubbings, games, and augmented reality elements that teach counting, days of the week, and the butterfly life cycle.
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Winston’s Wish urges summer walking challenge to support bereaved children
Winston’s Wish, the UK’s first children’s bereavement charity, is inviting locals to join the Cotswold Way Ultra Challenge this June – walking, jogging, or running distances from 10km to 100km through stunning Gloucestershire landscapes to raise vital funds and awareness for grieving young people.
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Oxford Bus Company champions community with chatty bus during mental health week
Oxford Bus Company and Thames Travel relaunched their Chatty Bus initiative during Mental Health Awareness Week to tackle loneliness and isolation. Volunteers engaged passengers on the 5A service with friendly conversation between Oxford, Cowley Centre, and Littlemore.
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Oxfordshire sees surge in scouting with over 6% growth in youth membership
Scouting is thriving in Oxfordshire, with a 6.39% rise in youth participation from 2023 to 2025. The Scouts (ages 10–14) grew by 3.63%, while Explorers (ages 14–18) increased by 15.89%.
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Croudace Homes promotes site safety at Sires Hill Primary in Didcot
The initiative, part of the Willowbrook Park development, educated children on construction safety and supported the school with three new welly storage units to enhance outdoor learning.
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Young people praise Oxfordshire Youth Support in new peer review
Young people have praised Oxfordshire County Council’s targeted youth support service in a peer review led by the National Youth Agency. The service, launched in 2021, supports youth facing difficulties to prevent escalation to authorities.
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Oxford City Council approves New Blackbird Leys community centre plans
The purpose-built community centre will provide flexible, welcoming spaces for local residents and groups, with three large halls, a range of office spaces, and comfortable places for people to meet and relax.
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Oxford’s low-carbon housing project reaches highest point of construction
Oxford City Council’s housing company OX Place and Lucy Developments have reached the “topping out” milestone for Marston Paddock, a low-carbon housing project in Old Marston. Due for completion in Autumn 2025, the development will provide 40 affordable homes – 21 for social rent and 19 for shared ownership.
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Wildlife protections barely affect UK planning decisions according to The Wildlife Trusts
The Wildlife Trusts has published new research claiming that protected species are a factor in just 3% of planning appeal decisions, contradicting the UK Government’s claims that environmental regulations obstruct development.
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Taylor Wimpey supports Oxfordshire Young Farmers County Show in Blewbury
Taylor Wimpey Southern Counties sponsored the Oxfordshire Young Farmers County Show with a £500 donation. The show celebrated Oxfordshire’s agricultural heritage with livestock displays, competitions, and local products, attracting nearly 5,000 attendees.