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.
Oxford Stand Up To Racism has accused Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, of inciting the ‘awful violent scenes’ in Southampton on Tuesday night (June 2).
The city where 18-year-old Henry Nowak died and where his killer, Vickrum Digwa, lived became a scene of destruction after hundreds descended to smash car windows, hurl bricks and cause eleven officers and a police dog to be injured.
READ MORE: New date set for Tommy Robinson appearance in Oxford
Following the disorder, the chief of Hampshire police said those involved were ‘determined to spark fear and division’.
Yaxley-Lennon, who has been jailed multiple times for a variety of offences including when he was imprisoned in October 2024 for contempt of caught, addressed the crowd at the riot.
He said: “I heard someone say this wasn’t about race, this is about race.
“A white boy who done nothing was handcuffed, a murderer in possession of a knife who stabbed someone five times isn’t.”
Oxford Stand Up to Racism is now renewing its call for the Oxford Union to withdraw its invitation for the ‘riot agitator’ to speak on June 17 on the subject of Islam.
He was originally due to speak at the historic debating society on Thursday, May 28 before his appearance was postponed over security concerns and after massive backlash.
READ MORE: Major emergency response in Oxford as paramedics on scene
Ian McKendrick, a member of the anti-racism group, said: “Despite Henry Nowak’s family clearly requesting that his death should not be used to promote further hatred, Robinson was at the centre of protests in Southampton last night and clearly inciting violence.
“Giving him a televised platform at the Oxford Union legitimises hate and violence, and gives him the opportunity to incite violence to an audience of millions.
“It does not promote free speech – instead, it promotes fear and intimidation among minoritised communities.
“Already we have seen Oxford fascists alongside Robinson in Southampton and now mobilising to bring more hate onto Oxford’s streets.”
Members of Raise the Colours: Oxfordshire were called to attend the Southampton protest on Tuesday night, with the leader of the group posting on Facebook to ask followers to join the ‘justice for Henry Nowak’ protest.
Mr McKendrick added: “There is a concerted effort by far right leaders and fascist groups to incite outrage and bring people on to the streets to riot.
READ MORE: Traffic chaos in Witney amid report of ‘major incident’
“We risk an explosion of violence similar to what we saw around the Southport murders across the UK.
“We’re calling on Oxford to say a clear ‘no’ to this hate and division by protesting against Yaxley-Lennon’s appearance at the Oxford Union.”
Faith and civic leaders of Oxford already wrote to the Oxford Union asking it to rescind the controversial figure’s invitation, and hundreds have signed an open letter calling for the same.
A reported incident at a junction in Witney is causing traffic chaos in the town, with drivers coming off the A40 and elsewhere stuck in long queues.
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An incident occurred in St Aldate’s, outside the entrance to Christ Church Meadows, at about 4pm on Tuesday, June 2.
At least three ambulances were responding to what appeared to be a medical emergency on the pavement.
READ MORE: Oxfordshire footbridge over A-road a collapse risk for years
An individual was scene on a stretcher being cared for by paramedics.
An eyewitness said the incident occurred opposite the Alice Shop, and the medical teams ‘evacuated’ the person.
Apart from the pavement briefly being blocked while the first responders dealt with the emergency, it did not appear to affect traffic or block the road in busy St Aldate’s.
South Central Ambulance Service has been contacted for comment.
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