Oxford News
Dozens of new affordable homes completed in Woodstock
Cottsway has delivered 37 modern apartments for people over 55 on Flemings Road in Woodstock, replacing a former sheltered housing scheme.
The upgraded scheme features more spacious one and two-bedroom apartments equipped with balconies, contemporary fittings, and eco-friendly amenities including solar panels, air source heating, and EV charging points.
Richard Reynolds, chief executive of Cottsway, said: “We are delighted to have completed this latest redevelopment, reflecting our commitment to providing safe, high-quality homes that meet the standards our customers expect and deserve.
“We are especially pleased to be able to provide these apartments for social rent, which means rent at around 60% of the market cost.
“This will provide opportunities for people in housing need who cannot afford to buy or rent on the open market and is vital in a town like Woodstock, where prices are very high.”
With a £4.07 million grant from Homes England supporting its own investment, Cottsway worked with Feltham Construction Ltd to completely redevelop the site.
Work began in June 2024 and followed an appraisal that identified redevelopment as the best option for the site.
Nineteen properties dating back to the 1950s and 60s were demolished to make way for the new scheme.
Mr Reynolds thanked the community for its patience.
He said: “We would like to thank the local community for their patience and understanding while building work has taken place, Homes England for their substantial grant support to make this possible, and Feltham Construction for working closely with us to deliver these much-needed affordable new homes.
“I hope our new customers are very happy living here.”
All homes are available for social rent and customers will be moving in shortly.
Simon Lampard, construction director at Feltham Construction Ltd, said: “It has been a pleasure to partner once again with Cottsway and provide quality housing that is affordable for people who need it.
“We take great pride in what we do, and I am proud of our team’s work and innovation to deliver this scheme to a very high standard, ensuring that things have gone smoothly and keeping the local community informed.”
The apartments are arranged across four buildings, named Ballard House, Grierson House, Marshall House, and Shelmerdine House after four authors who have compiled historical books of Woodstock.
Cottsway is the largest social housing provider in West Oxfordshire, owning and managing almost 6,000 homes.
Oxford News
All the Oxfordshire locations used as TV and film sets
We’ve made a gallery of pictures showing all the Oxfordshire spots which have been used for TV and film sets over the years.
Some of the biggest productions filmed here in Oxfordshire include Spectre in the James Bond franchise, which transformed Blenheim Palace in Woodstock into the Palazzo Cardenza in Rome.
Blenheim Palace featured as a key movie set for the James Bond film, Spectre, when it was dressed up as the Palazzo Cardenza in Rome, 2015 (Image: Andrew Walmsley)
READ MORE: Abandoned Oxfordshire home used as drugs den shut down
Many period dramas were also created in the county, like the BBC adaptation of Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall, which was partly filmed at Chastleton House in the Cotswolds.
Cotswolds villages have been repeatedly transformed and used as filming locations for their historical appeal, like the villages of Brill, Broadwell and Castle Combe.
Find all the pictures in this archive gallery of historic Oxfordshire filming locations here.
Oxford News
Aureus School girls were inspired by Navy’s women’s day
Three Year 10 pupils from Aureus School in Didcot travelled to London for the Royal Navy International Women’s Day event, held on HMS President during Careers Week and designed to showcase opportunities within the Royal Navy and beyond.
Students Antonia Pop, Ellie Swan and Tilly Mulvey are all taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme.
Ellie Swan said: “It was fantastic to see the possible career paths within the Navy.”
Rob Hayden, Duke of Edinburgh’s Award manager at Aureus School, accompanied the students to the event.
He said: “During the day, students had talks from individuals within the Navy and from guest speakers, including Hannah Botterman, who last year won both the Rugby World Cup and the Six Nations with England.”
He said: “Students also had the chance to network with the speakers and other attendees.
“The event showed the students a wide range of inspirational females within the Navy and other careers.”
Aureus School, part of the GLF Schools multi-academy trust, says its vision is focused on ‘cultivating ambition’ and ‘high standards for all’.
Headteacher Kirsty Rogers says the Didcot-based co-educational comprehensive has undergone a ‘transformative journey’, creating a community where students feel a strong sense of belonging. She emphasises inclusivity, high expectations, and a broad curriculum that encourages ambition, resilience and respect, supported by dedicated staff and diverse extra-curricular opportunities.
Oxford News
Ryanair launches two new routes in significant move
The flights mark a major boost to the airport’s connectivity ahead of the budget airline’s record Summer 2026 schedule.
The new routes form part of Ryanair’s expanded Glasgow programme for Summer 2026, which will see the airline operate over 100 weekly flights across eight routes.
The new double-daily London Stansted service further strengthens Glasgow’s access to the English capital, while the launch of the Warsaw service enhances Glasgow’s international offering.
Jonathan Ford, portfolio manager at AGS Airports, said: “It’s fantastic to see Ryanair’s new services to London Stansted and Warsaw take off today.
“The double-daily Stansted route offers even more flexibility for business and leisure travellers heading to and from England’s innovation corridor, while Warsaw provides a valuable new link that expands the international connectivity available to our passengers.
“These launches mark the start of what will be a record summer for Ryanair at Glasgow, and we look forward to welcoming even more travellers through our doors.”
Last month, Ryanair launched its 2026 plan for Glasgow with 10 routes, including holiday hotspots like Lanzarote, Palma de Mallorca, and Tenerife, as well as city break destinations like Barcelona and Pisa.
The budget airline will also operate extra frequencies on its Alicante, Faro, Pisa, Malaga and Murcia routes.
The new schedule is underpinned by Ryanair’s two Glasgow Prestwick-based aircraft.
-
Crime & Safety2 weeks agoOxford: ‘Next generation’ LimeBikes in city from today
-
Jobs & Careers2 weeks agoWhy Join Oxford | Oxford University Jobs
-
Jobs & Careers2 weeks agoExplore our Careers
-
Student Life2 weeks agoThe independent cinema battling Oriel College to stay open
-
Oxford Events2 weeks agoMichelin Guide Oxfordshire Restaurants – The Oxford Magazine
-
Oxford Events2 weeks agoOxford News and Events, What’s on in Oxford, Exhibitions
-
Jobs & Careers2 weeks agoInternal Job Board for University vacancies
-
Crime & Safety2 weeks agoCrash partially blocks A40 and causes severe Oxfordshire traffic
