Crime & Safety
Community garden in West Lockinge celebrates anniversary
This month, during World Parkinson’s Month, the charity Parkinsons.Me, which is marking its 10th anniversary this year, is celebrating the continued growth of its Community Garden at West Lockinge, near Wantage.
The garden has been created as a welcoming, accessible space where people living with Parkinson’s, their families, and the wider community, including Gardening on Prescription groups, can come together in a supportive outdoor environment.
Designed with accessibility at its core, the garden includes raised beds, easy-access pathways, and adaptable features that allow people of all abilities to take part.
More than a garden, it offers a place to connect, reduce isolation, and support both physical and mental wellbeing.
The initiative reflects a growing focus on the role of nature and community in supporting long-term health conditions.
Activities in the garden encourage gentle participation, social interaction, and a renewed sense of purpose.
As Parkinsons.Me celebrates its 10-year anniversary, the garden stands as an example of how local, community-led initiatives can make a difference to everyday life.
With national attention on inclusive garden design through this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show, the West Lockinge Community Garden highlights how these principles are already making an impact at a local level — offering a space that can be enjoyed all year round.
Community members are also invited to visit and get involved throughout April.
Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological condition that affects the brain and impacts movement, coordination, and a wide range of non-motor functions.
In the UK, around 153,000 people are currently living with Parkinson’s, and this number is expected to rise as the population ages.
While it is more common in people over the age of 60, younger people can also be diagnosed.
Symptoms vary from person to person but can include tremor, stiffness, slowness of movement, fatigue, and mental health challenges.
As a long-term condition with no cure, Parkinson’s affects not only those diagnosed but also their families and carers, making community support and accessible wellbeing initiatives increasingly important.
Parkinsons.Me is a local, community-focused charity dedicated to supporting people living with Parkinson’s and their families.
Through practical initiatives, social opportunities, and wellbeing-focused programmes such as the West Lockinge Community Garden, the charity helps individuals stay active, connected, and supported in their everyday lives.
Now celebrating its 10th anniversary, Parkinsons.Me continues to develop inclusive, person-centred projects that make a meaningful difference across Oxfordshire.
Long Toll near Woodcote in South Oxfordshire is currently impassable due to the tree which is across the width of the road.
The tree is believed to have come down in the strong winds from Saturday and into Sunday, April 5.
Meanwhile, Abingdon’s Easter event in the town centre was also cancelled on Saturday afternoon, April 4 due to the strong winds.
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Parts of England have been issued with either a yellow or amber weather warning due to Storm Dave, although Oxfordshire has no warnings in place.
The strongest gust overnight was 93mph at Capel Curig in North Wales, while gusts of 75mph were recorded in West Yorkshire and in Cumbria, and one of 73mph was recorded at in Aberdeenshire, the Met Office said.
Marco Petagna, a Met Office spokesman, said: “The winds eased down a bit more quickly than forecast across Scotland, northern England and Wales.
“Storm Dave is pulling away and the warnings are easing more quickly than forecast so the yellow warnings were no longer warranted.”
Before the severe amber weather warning was lifted, the Met Office had forecast “severe gales” across central and northern areas of the country overnight into Sunday.
The Energy Networks Association, which represents electricity network operators, said on Saturday: “The storm has the potential to affect local power infrastructure, increasing the risk of a power cut and fallen power lines.
“Network operators are increasing staffing for operational teams, and moving spare equipment to where the weather is expected to be most disruptive, so it’s ready to use if needed.”
Charlotte Sullivan, of Ayres Drive, Bloxham, near Banbury, was caught on December 25 last year at Barford Road, Bloxham.
The 36-year-old pleaded guilty to one count of drink driving in a Vauxhall Safira when she appeared at High Wycombe Magistrates’ Court recently.
She was breathalysed, with the result being 120 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. This is more than three times over the limit of 35 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath.
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Sullivan was ordered to pay costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £114.
She was also ordered to abstain from drinking alcohol for 90 days and must comply with the orders of the responsible officer to attend appointments for a maximum of six days.
Sullivan was also banned from the road for 30 months, but this can be reduced by 30 weeks is a course is completed by November 5 next year.
Immigration Enforcement officers visited Rai Convenience Store on Main Road, Middleton Cheney near Banbury after a tip-off was made. Rai Convenience Store, also known as Sanderz News & Convenience Store.
Home Office documents published by West Northants Council say that during an interview with the illegal worker, she admitted that she had worked at the shop for “the last three to four years”.
It said: “She usually works no more than four days a week for three to four hours a day stacking shelves.”
Home Office checks showed the illegal Indian worker entered the UK on a student visa valid from September 2009 to February 2012
The Indian woman submitted multiple applications for leave, but they were all rejected, the documents say.
The Home Office said: “There was one illegal worker encountered at the premises and both the worker and manager confirmed she worked at the premises.
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“From account, it was clear that all parties encountered were aware of [the Indian woman’s] immigration status and that she had no right to work in the UK.
“Whether by negligence or wilful blindness illegal workers were engaged in activity on the premises, yet it is a simple process for an employer to ascertain what documents they should check before a person can work.
“It is an offence to work when a person is disqualified to do so, and such an offence can only be committed with the co-operation of a premises licence holder or its agents.
“It is also an offence to employ an illegal worker where there is reason to believe this is the case.
“All employers are dutybound by law to conduct these checks, and guidance can be found on the gov.uk website or by using a search engine.”
Sanderz Ltd, trading as Sanderz News & Convenience Store, was subsequently fined £45,000 for employing the illegal worker.
There is currently an active proposal to strike off the registered company on Companies House.
Immigration Enforcement wrote to the district council asking for the convenience shop to have its licence revoked.
However, the Banbury Guardian reported last year that Rai Convenience Store, also known as Sanderz News & Convenience Store, surrendered its licence to the council.
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