Southerndown Care Home in Chipping Norton welcomed residents, families, friends, and staff to a calming event designed to promote relaxation and positive connections.

The session was led by Sarah Jones of Brave Kind Minds, based in Chipping Norton, who created a warm and inclusive atmosphere.

Subra Krishnan, general manager at Southerndown Care Home, said: “We are delighted to have hosted such a meaningful session.

“It was wonderful to see residents, loved ones, and our team come together to enjoy a moment of tranquillity and shared experience.”

Participants took part in mindfulness activities aimed at encouraging calm, connection, and wellbeing.

Southerndown Care Home, operated by Barchester Healthcare, provides residential care, nursing care and dementia care for 81 residents from respite care to long-term stays.

The care home extended its thanks to Ms Jones for delivering the session.

It’s estimated that an estimated £3m will be needed to conserve and revitalise Chipping Norton’s historic Town Hall.

The ambition restoration project has taken a significant step forward, following the acceptance of the town’s ‘Expression of Interest’ by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The Town Hall Restoration Group has been set up comprising a committee of town councillors and local volunteers with expertise in architecture, sustainability and heritage.

The steps at Chipping Norton Town Hall is said to be an ‘area of concern’ for antisocial behaviour

The group now has 12 months to develop detailed proposals for a ‘Round One’ funding application.

One of the first steps will be a public engagement exercise to gather local views on how the Town Hall can be adapted to better meet community needs. A range of technical studies will also be undertaken during this period.

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Built in the heart of Chipping Norton in 1842, the Town Hall has been a focal point for governance, celebration and collaboration for more than 180 years.

Both an architectural landmark and an embodiment of collective civic memory and aspiration, the building is integral to local identity.

Serving as both the seat of local government and a cultural anchor for the town and surrounding villages, it hosts a wide range of activities, including council meetings, public assemblies, festivals, exhibitions, faith gatherings, private celebrations, charitable events, polling and more.

Structural issues existing today include recurrent damp, roof leaks, damaged ceilings, dry rot and inadequate insulation.

Accessibility is also a concern: wheelchair users cannot move between levels internally without leaving the building, and accessible toilet facilities require redesign.

Heating and lighting systems are outdated, ventilation is poor, and inefficient environmental controls contribute to high running costs while compromising user comfort.

Tom Festa, Chipping Norton town councillor (Image: Chipping Norton Town Council)

Town Hall Restoration Group chairman and Chipping Norton town councillor Tom Festa labelled the town hall an “exceptional heritage landmark”.

“Our vision is to secure its future as a restored, welcoming, adaptable, and sustainable civic hub,” he said.

“We aim to conserve and showcase the building’s original architectural character while introducing energy-efficient heating, insulation and lighting, guided by a full energy audit and upgrade strategy.

“This will reduce both the carbon footprint and running costs, in line with local and national climate goals.

“We also plan to achieve full internal accessibility, redesign flexible meeting and event spaces for all ages and abilities, and ensure the building remains affordable for community groups.

“Alongside this, we will establish robust management structures, build operational reserves, and diversify income through increased lettings, hospitality, and creative programming while embedding public engagement and user feedback at the heart of governance.”

Seventy-one organisations across Oxfordshire have been nominated for the 2026 Brand the Bus competition, which will see one charity’s branding take over an electric Oxford Bus Company double-decker for a full year.

Now in its eighth year, the scheme is organised by Oxford Bus Company and Thames Travel, with public voting currently open.

Luke Marion, managing director of Oxford Bus Company and Thames Travel, said: “We’re really pleased to have received nominations from a wide range of fantastic causes across Oxfordshire.

“The sheer number of entrants and interest in Brand the Bus this year demonstrates the scope of the competition and the positive impact it can have on local organisations.

“Brand the Bus continues to build and grow year-on-year, and we’re incredibly proud of what it continues to achieve.”

The public can cast votes until April 30, with the 10 most popular charities progressing to a final judging panel.

Mr Marion said: “If you have a favourite, now is the time to have your say and give that local good cause or charity the best possible chance of making the top 10 and the judging panel.”

Backed by partners Get Radio and Oxford City Football Club, the competition offers a £100,000 promotional package.

The winning charity will receive a year-long full-wrap advertisement on an electric double-decker bus, along with free advertising on all Oxford Bus Company and Thames Travel vehicles.

Radio advertising on Get Radio is also included, and the winner will become Oxford City’s charity of choice for the 2026/27 season.

The organisation will also collaborate with Oxford Bus Company to design the bus wrap, which is expected to be unveiled in the autumn.

A runner-up prize worth £5,000 will also be awarded, which includes on-bus digital advertising.

Last year’s winner was children’s mental health charity One-Eighty. Helen & Douglas House, the world’s first children’s hospice, was named as the inaugural runner-up.

Other past winners include Girlguiding Oxfordshire, Home-Start Oxfordshire, Blue Skye Thinking, Restore, SeeSaw, and Oxford Hospitals Charity.

The judging panel will award prizes to the organisations that, in their opinion, best meet the competition’s criteria.

Mr Marion said: “We’re now onto the voting phase of this year’s competition, with the public having until the end of April to select who they think should be the winner.”

More details about the competition and the full list of nominees are available at oxfordbus.co.uk/brand-the-bus-2026.