Olivia Churchill
Latest news and stories
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Interactive map of roads in Oxford that could get a temporary congestion charge
Explore the roads in Oxford that could face a temporary congestion charge on our interactive map.
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Oxford secures £21m government boost for city-wide low-carbon heat network
Oxford is set to launch a city-wide low-carbon heat network with £21m in government funding and an initial £100m from developer 1Energy. The Oxford Energy Network could grow to £500m, cutting carbon emissions by 15,000 tonnes annually and reducing fossil gas demand by 10%.
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Brianna Dale promotes volunteering in Oxford for National Volunteers’ Week
Brianna Dale, a National Management Trainee at Oxfordshire County Council, is inspiring others to give back during National Volunteers’ Week. Discover her journey from moving to Oxford to volunteering with local charity Jacari, where she tutors refugee and migrant children in English.
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Great Big Green Week returns to Oxfordshire with £5,000 in local grants
Dozens of events are happening across Oxfordshire from 7–15 June as part of Great Big Green Week, the UK’s largest celebration of community climate action. Oxfordshire County Council has awarded £5,000 in grants to nearly 30 groups, funding activities like wildlife workshops, upcycling, and eco-gardening.
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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.