Edition #1601

Volunteer shortages plague West Staffordshire as demand grows; Recruitment fair aims to boost helper numbers; Community responds with elderly support services

Witney residents urged to create community bus services to prevent rural route cuts; Council threatens to axe subsidized routes 213 and 214; Proposed service to be funded by passengers, developers, and local employers

Buses in West Oxfordshire face potential cuts, threatening community connectivity. Over 400 people have signed a petition opposing the reduction in subsidies. Rural residents risk isolation without the X9 bus service.

Oxford County Council faces £51M cuts, affecting services like mobile libraries and children’s centers. Campaigners’ efforts failed to prevent reductions. Further cuts of £11M needed, with council tax set to rise by 3.99%.

Public participation in West Oxfordshire District Council boosted; Motion discusses improving engagement and transparency. The council also considers “Yes to Homes” campaign for affordable housing; Community leadership emphasized.

Oxfordshire lunch clubs celebrate 30 years of combating elderly loneliness; Bampton Bush club marks milestone with photo exhibition; Exhibition features memories from 1986 to 2016.

A woman in her late 60s cycled home after experiencing symptoms of a heart attack. She was unaware she had suffered a cardiac event until after reaching her Freeland home in November 2010. Mrs. Sue Hall, a bell ringing enthusiast, was later treated at the John Radcliffe Hospital and is now an advocate for heart health awareness.

A Witney couple will run London Marathon 2016 for children with cancer under ‘superhero’ personas; Both have beaten personal records, spurred by seven-year-old Zach’s diagnosis; They host a charity Bouncerthon beforehand.

Father of two, Piers Lewis, will swim the English channel for charity on July 26th, aiming to raise £20,000 for Teenage Cancer Trust. He has prepared thoroughly, including participating in a channel relay last October. The challenging swim, predicted to take 14 to 16 hours, will honour two friends who suffered from cancer during his youth.

Two friends plan to walk from London to Brighton for charity, hoping to raise funds for visually impaired ex-servicemen and women. Gareth Davis, who grew up visually impaired himself, was inspired to take on the challenge after meeting a veteran supported by Blind Veterans UK. Davis’s best friend Neil Cassidy will join him in a team of seven.

A golden retriever puppy, Derek, joins medical detection dogs charity to train in detecting impending emergencies; Volunteer Debbie Roberts fosters Derek for a year to expose him to various social situations; Derek’s presence raises over £20,000 for the charity and they now have a team of 7 speakers.

Thousands of wildflowers to be planted along Witney roads, Richard Mackenzie’s project approved by Ian Hudspeth, Community groups to create plots honoring Queen’s birthday and Oxygen United.

The Vale of Whitehorse takes 2nd place nationally for recycling with a rate of 65.6%. It’s the district’s 3rd consecutive year in the top 3. Locals have embraced new curbside recycling services for electronics and textiles, with over 13 tons and 11 tons collected respectively in less than 2 months. However, contaminated recycling poses challenges as new legislation could send whole loads to landfill.

Care home wins prestigious award for superior service, Staff at Ferendune Court Care Home celebrated after winning Best Care Home Group in 2015’s National Care Awards, Recognition reflects team’s exceptional dedication to resident’s happiness and wellbeing

Firefighters from Eynsham prepare for Tough Mudder by rowing 36.5km on gym machines in town square on Jan 30. The event is first in a series of training events before the 12-mile obstacle course in Cirencester. Funds raised support Cancer Research UK, Helen & Douglas House Hospice, and firefighters’ charity.

Tim Partridge reflects on faith’s importance during challenging times. The reverend emphasizes personal transformation and community support.

Be yourself

Rugby player turns preacher’s life into a test of faith; He responds to profanity with humor, changing team’s habits; Humble lifestyle helps build trust and helps parishioners.

A charity walkaround Blenheim Palace raised £3000 for Swell House Hospice. Around 250 participants braved cold weather to complete the 4.5-mile route. This year’s event saw high attendance, as it coincides with the charity’s 40th anniversary.

David Lennock, a Ukrainian man, after being imprisoned at 14 in a forced labour camp, escaped, crossed the Danube river naked, and resettled in England. After 50 years, he reunited with his family in Ukraine, despite his mother’s deathbed. He lived a remarkable life and recently passed away.

Witney Royals remain bottom after drawing with Minster Lovell in football. Max Lucas scored twice but his team couldn’t secure victory. West Witney retains its lead after a 7-1 win over Ducklington.

The quiz recaps last week’s answers and reveals this week’s questions on witch creatures, historical battles, maps, and pencil types.

Grateful for birthday card donation for Mrs. Gertrude Chapman; Forgot name, unable to acknowledge; Immaculus Society meeting on Jan 27th for vision loss sufferers; Chipping Norton tourism group meeting Feb 27th to discuss improvement ideas.

Carpenter Ernie Clack, a longtime volunteer at the Oxford Bus Museum, has died at 86. Born in Witney, he used his joinery skills to maintain museum vehicles for over a decade. A dedicated employee, he later worked for the West Oxford District Council until his retirement.

D-Day veteran Robert Elmore, a tireless community worker and founder of multiple social care organisations, passed away at age 91. He served as chairman of various charitable bodies in Oxfordshire, including a Witney-based dementia charity for 20 years. Initially a surgeon’s assistant in World War II, Elmore later became a devout pacifist.

Overweight microLight aircraft crashed at Enstone airfield, killing Dr. Ed Morris and Keith Poulton. AAIB report suggests excess weight and pilot’s lapsed rating contributed to fatal crash. Local flying enthusiasts devastated by loss of experienced pilot.

Refugee aid delivered for Lesbos and Calais camps, with locals donating clothes, food, and money. Collection surpasses expectations

David Cameron praised Stitcher’s tapestry depicting Witney landmarks; The Prime Minister endorsed Eynsham Hall’s refurbishment; He discussed boosting Oxfordshire’s tourism with 150 businesses.

The Witney Festival of Food and Drink is expanding with a record-breaking attendance last year. Expected this May, it will feature live music, dancing, and family activities. David Cameron and Alexander Armstrong endorse the event.

The Royal British Legion’s Witney branch raised £25,000 through poppy sales and other fundraising efforts from 2014 to 2015. The community’s support helped achieve the highest amount raised in five years despite challenging weather conditions.