Crime & Safety
Banbury Town Council opens new allotments at Bloxham Vale
Located in Easington South, the new facility gives residents space to grow their own flowers, fruit, and vegetables in dedicated garden plots.
The site was formally opened during a ceremony led by Banbury Town Mayor, Councillor Kieron Mallon, who described the allotments as a valuable addition to the expanding town.
Councillor Mallon said: “I have been working with local residents to finally get these allotments from the developer and Cherwell.
“As the local member for Easington I personally had to intervene in the prolonged legal negotiations.
“The result is a fantastic addition to the amenities of this new part of our town, now to be managed by the Town Council.
“As a former allotmenteer myself I know the great satisfaction of growing your own can bring, now for the planting and sowing.”
Ownership of the Bloxham Vale site transferred to the council on February 25, and since then the area has been upgraded to meet the council’s standards.
Banbury Town Council, which manages several allotment sites across the area, prepared the site with soil improvements, plot dividers, and green waste composting facilities.
Drawing on experience from its other locations, the council designed the site to be accessible and easy to use for all plot holders.
Residents had expressed strong interest in the new allotments, and the council created a waiting list prior to the official opening to ensure a fair allocation of plots.
Demand for the new space was unprecedented and reflects a clear need for additional garden plots in the community.
Residents who have secured plots are now encouraged to begin cultivating their gardens and contributing to the growing success of the site.
Banbury Town Council hopes the new facility will not only support sustainable living but also help foster a stronger sense of community in the Bloxham Vale area.
Allotments have seen a resurgence in recent years, with many communities turning to home-growing as a way to improve food security, reduce environmental impact, and support well-being.
Banbury Town Council said it looks forward to seeing the allotment flourish in the months ahead and encourages residents who have taken a tenancy to get involved cultivating and producing home-grown produce.
Additional information about Banbury Town Council events and services is available online at www.banbury.gov.uk.
The council can also be reached by phone at 01295 250340.
Updates and news are regularly shared on the council’s Facebook and Instagram pages.
Residents and staff from Oxford Beaumont Care Community in Boars Hill visited the Wallingford museum on Thursday, April 9.
They spent the afternoon exploring the museum’s collections, learning about the mechanics and designs, and revisiting the car manufacturer’s history.
Jokingly, some of the residents picked their favourite vehicles to take back home.
The care home said it values community engagement and regularly organises outings to interesting locations.
Beaumont Care Community said: “At the Oxford Beaumont we understand the importance of getting out in the community as often as possible.
“We are always discovering new and interesting places to visit; to open up new experiences, memories and reminiscing opportunities.”
Easter celebrations was the latest weekly theme for club members and they posted a wide variety of colourful shots on the club’s Facebook page.
Flowers, chocolate, rabbits, and nature scenes were a popular choice with photos taken across Oxfordshire and beyond.
READ MORE: New cafe opening in town creates 20 jobs
It’s always tricky to select a winner for photo of the week but Julia Johnson-Fry’s colourful picture of pretty pansies in a garden stood out and confirmed that spring has definitely arrived.
Each week, camera club members are given a theme and then post their photos on the club’s Facebook page.
A selection of photos are featured in the Oxford Mail, The Oxford Times and online and one photo is chosen as photo of the week.
The next theme is signs of spring.
Kinghams Auctioneers in Moreton-in-Marsh will hold the sale of the Alain Rouveure Collection on Thursday, April 23.
The collection includes diverse pieces from the 17th to 20th century, providing a rare glimpse into the artistry and daily life of Himalayan communities.
Among the items on sale are hand-carved Mustang milk jugs and high-ranking lama beds and thrones.
Some of these unique items have previously been displayed in museums and galleries in Paris, Venice, Milan, and Switzerland.
Alain Rouveure, a passionate collector and advocate for Nepalese culture, assembled the collection over decades of travel.
Proceeds from the sale will go to The Alain Rouveure Nepal Fund, a UK-registered charity dedicated to supporting social work and community projects in Nepal.
This support is deemed more essential than ever, as communities continue to battle the legacy of the 2015 earthquakes.
Mr Rouveure, who splits his time between Nepal and the Cotswolds, also runs not-for-profit exhibition galleries in Todenham, near Kinghams’ home base.
The auction will offer both online and in-person live bidding, starting at 10am.
Those interested in viewing the collection can do so on Tuesday, April 21, from 10am to 7pm, and on Wednesday, April 22, from 10am to 4pm.
For more information, visit the Kinghams Auctioneers website.
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