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Brews and Books Café run by Wantage Literary Festival at The Beacon in Wantage has celebrated its first birthday.
Open Monday to Friday from 9.45am to 1.30pm and run by volunteers, it has proved so popular in its first year that Vale of White Horse District Council, who own and manage The Beacon, and Wantage Literary Festival have agreed that Brews and Books Café is here to stay.
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About 18,500 people turned out to see in May Morning today (1 May), compared to 16,500 in 2025, according to Oxford City Council.
The traditional celebration of the coming of Spring brought together Oxford’s communities, visitors and people of all ages to enjoy dancing, singing and revelry.
The celebrations, which are more than 500 years old, started at 6am with Magdalen College choir singing Hymnus Eucharisticus from the college’s Great Tower.
Traditional events and activities, including Morris Dancing and folk singing, then took place across the city as the bell of the Great Tower rang out.
Oxford City Council organises the May Morning event at Magdalen Bridge with the support of partners, including Thames Valley Police, Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, Oxford Direct Services, Oxfordshire County Council and Magdalen College.
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Work has now started on a new development of 80 affordable homes on land west of Mill Lane in Old Marston. The site will deliver high‑quality homes, for rent (32) or shared ownership (48).
The project is a significant step toward addressing Oxford’s severe housing need, while creating new homes that sit comfortably within the character and landscape of the village.
All the new homes will be affordable, including homes for social rent, where tenants typically pay around 40% of local private rents, and shared ownership, offering a flexible route onto the housing ladder in one of the UK’s most unaffordable cities.
Construction of the development is expected to take just over two years, with the new homes due to complete towards the end of 2028.
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Responsibility for managing Oxford’s public on-street electric vehicle (EV) charging network will transfer to Oxfordshire County Council during March and April 2026.
The change includes both the existing on-street EV chargepoints across the city and the future rollout of more than 300 additional chargepoints planned through the Government-funded Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) scheme.
Connected Kerb will operate Oxford’s on-street charging network and will manage the day-to-day operation of bollard-style chargepoints.
This change will support a coordinated, countywide approach to EV infrastructure, helping to ensure consistent standards, efficient rollout and long-term management of on-street charging.
EV chargers at Redbridge Park and Ride and Seacourt Park and Ride will also continue to be managed by Oxford City Council.
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West Oxfordshire District Council has reported another strong quarter of performance, with high customer satisfaction, excellent planning results, reliable frontline services and significant progress on key community projects.
The quarter three review, covering October to December 2025, highlights both consistent day-to-day service delivery and tangible progress on major priorities set out in the Council Plan.
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West Oxfordshire District Council will publish its Biodiversity Duty Report this month, setting out how nature is being protected and restored across the district.
The report explains how the Council is meeting its legal duty to conserve and enhance biodiversity. This duty was strengthened by the Environment Act 2021 and requires councils to publish what they have achieved and what they will do next.
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Plans to build more than 230 affordable new homes at Redbridge Paddock are set to be approved by the Cabinet at Oxford City Council on Wednesday 18 March.
The proposed development would deliver 237 homes on the council-owned former landfill brownfield site located opposite the Redbridge Park and Ride. Half of the homes (118 homes) would be affordable, with 93 being offered at Social Rent, the other 25 as shared ownership.
The development would be brought forward by OX Place, the council’s wholly owned housing company, with the council purchasing the affordable homes once construction is complete. The site is allocated for housing in both the current Local Plan 2036 and the emerging Local Plan 2045.
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Oxford City Council’s Cabinet will discuss the £97.6 million scheme on Wednesday 18 March and is expected to give the green light to begin the legal and planning processes required to bring the site forward.
This development will deliver 100% affordable housing on council-owned land, with 79% of the new homes let at Social Rent levels, and the rest offered for shared ownership.
OX Place, the council’s wholly owned development company, will act as the development agent, while the council will directly procure and manage the construction contract.
The site, currently a recreation ground, is identified in the Council’s emerging ‘Local Plan 2045’ for at least 300 homes. With a new train station planned, it is also expected to become a key gateway for the recently confirmed Cowley Branch Line.
The scheme forms part of Oxford City Council’s longstanding ‘Affordable Housing Supply Programme’, which aims to deliver over 1,600 much needed affordable homes between April 2025 and March 2029, with at least 850 at Social Rent levels.
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South Oxfordshire residents have the chance to comment on potential changes for town and parish councils, including the area they cover, the number of elected councillors and how local wards are organised.
People taking part in the 2026 Community Governance Review will play their part in helping to ensure that their local council is effective, efficient and better reflects the interests of the communities it serves.
South Oxfordshire District Council is conducting these reviews in response to parish council requests.
The requests include:
Residents can view the full details of the proposals and submit their feedback through the council’s online survey at southoxon.gov.uk/CommunityGovernance
The consultation is open now and will close on Thursday 09 April 2026.
Anyone who can’t access the survey online should contact 01235 422 425.
Following the consultation, the council’s Community Governance and Electoral Issues Committee will collate all feedback to produce draft proposals.
A follow up consultation is then expected to take place later this year, with any final changes scheduled to be implemented in time for the May 2027 local elections.
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Construction is officially underway to deliver a new community centre in Blackbird Leys, following a groundbreaking ceremony this week.
The redevelopment, which is being delivered by Peabody and construction partner, The Hill Group in partnership with Oxford City Council, will create a new community centre at the heart of a revitalised District Centre, alongside new affordable homes, new shops, green spaces, and improved roads and cycle routes.
The new community centre redevelopment 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.
The building will be complemented by a new public square, including play areas for children and young people, a rain garden, accessible play equipment, and public art, with opportunities for local people to help create the final artwork.
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South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils are inviting residents to collect free, nutrient-rich compost at special giveaway events this March. It’s the perfect way to recycle, reduce waste and grow something great!
Event details:
The councils’ friendly Waste and Recycling Team will be on hand to answer your composting questions and share top tips for greener living.
How it works:
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Scaffolding is being removed from Oxford Town Hall as restoration of the stone façade progresses. Work on the lower levels continues, with phased removal along St Aldates and Blue Boar Street. The project is on track for completion by the end of March.
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Residents and community groups in Didcot are invited to a free Didcot Community event on Wednesday 18 March at Cornerstone Arts Centre, from 5.00pm to 7.30 pm, to learn about future local plans.
Hosted by South Oxfordshire District Council and Didcot Garden Town partners, the event will provide updates on infrastructure projects, the Broadway and Valley Park developments, public art and wayfinding schemes, new walking, cycling, and bus routes, and community grants.
Attendees can speak directly with council officers, developers, and partner organisations about projects shaping the town’s growth and connectivity.
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Council leaders in Swindon and Oxfordshire have welcomed confirmation from Rail Minister Peter Hendy backing plans for a two-hourly direct rail service between Swindon and Oxford.
Following a successful trial by Great Western Railway, the proposal strengthens links between two fast-growing economies, supporting jobs, investment and greener travel across the Thames Valley.
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Residents of Greater Leys and Blackbird Leys are being invited to an information session on Saturday 28 February at The Barn to learn about a £20 million government investment through the Pride in Place programme.
Led by a Neighbourhood Board with local residents, businesses, and community groups, the initiative will enable the community to shape long-term improvements to green spaces, public services, and local facilities.
Attendees can explore opportunities to join the board and influence how funding is spent locally.
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