Crime & Safety
Oxfordshire reading volunteers thanks for helping literacy
At a celebration event in Kidlington, more than 100 reading helpers from Oxfordshire charity Assisted Reading for Children (ARCh) were thanked for their dedication to supporting children’s literacy.
The event was attended by ARCh patrons, broadcaster Will Gompertz and Lucy Walters, who spoke to over 100 volunteers about the importance of sharing stories with children, thanking them for all they are doing.
Jane Rendle, joint founder and CEO of ARCh, said: “Our Spring gathering highlighted the continued growth and strength of ARCh’s volunteer network which reinforces our mission to ensure every child in Oxfordshire has the support they need to develop a lifelong love of reading.”
Mike Rowley, deputy lord mayor of Oxford, also spoke at the event, emphasising the impact that reading helpers have on children’s confidence.
ARCh reading helpers work with primary schools across Oxfordshire to deliver reading sessions with children, helping to spark a love of books and language through stories and conversation.
The charity’s team, led by joint CEOs Elaine Adams and Jane Rendle, includes ex-teachers and former ARCh Reading Helpers.
Its tri-annual event offers an engaging programme of activities designed to bring stories to life, helping volunteers to inspire and engage young readers.
ARCh is supporting the National Year of Reading 2026.
The pursuit of a White Audi began in Reading on Thursday, March 26, before officers brought the vehicle to a halt on White Hill (A4130), on the approach to Henley Bridge.
Photos shared with The Reading Chronicle showed multiple police cars parked on the curb near Leander Club with blue lights flashing, as officers stood in the background.
Tyrique Landers, 25, of Hawthorne Crescent, Slough, was remanded in custody and has since been charged for 12 counts of nine different offences.
READ MORE: Reports of boys throwing mud from Oxfordshire Starbucks roof
He was charged with three counts of criminal damage to property, valued under £5,000, two counts of assault by beating, and one count each of; using violence to secure entry to premises, using a motor vehicle in public without third-party insurance, intentional strangulation, possession of a knife blade/sharp pointed article in public, driving a motor vehicle dangerously, driving while disqualified, failing to provide a specimen for analysis as a vehicle driver.
The suspect was initially arrested on suspicion of domestic abuse, dangerous driving, and driving while disqualified.
He is due to appear at Reading Crown Court later this month on Monday, April 20.
Residents reported seeing the smoke early this evening (Tuesday, April 7) above the city centre and towards the Iffley area.
One local on X said: “What on EARTH is going on regarding the massive billowing CLOUD of BLACK SMOKE in central Oxfrod and greater Iffley area?”
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Chantelle Gunby posted a photograph of the large smoke cloud on the social media site and added: “Uhm? What’s on fire?”
Rod Hiles added: “I was just saying the same. Sirens are going off.”
The smoke has now largely dispersed as of 7.30 pm, with no confirmation as of yet on what caused the billowing to take place.
Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service has been approached for comment on the situation.
We will bring you an update on this incident as soon as we get more information.
Children’s channel CITV is being turned off for good, having launched in 1980.
The channel was home to hit shows like Art Attack, My Parents Are Aliens, Tots TV, and Fraggle Rock.
However, it has now been reported that CITV will be closed for good on April 10.
ITV is closing down CITV
CITV first began as Watch IT, then was rebranded as Children’s ITV and later shortened to CITV.
In 2006, its late-afternoon slot on ITV1 was axed as it got its own channel on Freeview but was still available on weekend mornings on ITV channels.
The CITV Freeview was later shut down and replaced by the streaming service ITVX Kids Hub on ITVX in 2023, with the weekend showings moving to ITV2.
It has now been claimed by a media account that the ITV2 showings will now be ending, marking the end to CITV after 42 years on air.
Reporting the claims, X account, Media Central UK, wrote: “In TV news, the CITV block on ITV2 is officially ending on 10th April. This really means the end of the iconic CITV brand that has been around for 42 years.
“Farewell CITV, this time for real.
In TV news, the CITV block on ITV2 is officially ending on 10th April. This really means the end of the iconic CITV brand that’s been around for 42 years.
Farewell CITV, this time for real. CBBC will have some of CITV’s programming while the rest will be under ITVX Kids pic.twitter.com/IFlNQx81D7
— Media Central UK (@MCUK_Official) April 3, 2026
“CBBC will have some of CITV’s programming, while the rest will be under ITVX Kids.”
Those who grew up with CITV have begun reminiscing on the TV channel and the shows it brought to audiences.
As one X user said, “Grizzly Tales for gruesome kids was awesome on CITV when I was a kid.”
Another former CITV watcher wrote: “End of an era …. I remember watching the Pokémon movies on this channel.”
Recommeded Reading
A third person said, “I feel bad for CITV’s closure as shows such as Horrid Henry, Rosie and Jim, Art Attack and Sooty (of course) put a smile on my face in my childhood and I had said goodbye to its TV channel too.”
ITV has been contacted for a comment.
What was your favourite show on CITV? Let us know in the comments below.
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