Oxford News
Faringdon’s young performers take to the stage at festival
The annual Faringdon Performing Arts Festival took place on March 19 at Faringdon Community College and featured 13 performances from pupils across Cambrian Learning Trust schools.
Acts included live music, singing, dancing, and drama, with the evening concluding in a group performance of The Climb.
Paul Chadwick, trust enrichment Lead, said: “The Performing Arts Festival is one of the key events in our calendar every year.
“As a trust, we want to celebrate all of the performing arts and by hosting this event we are highlighting the importance of the arts across our trust.
“The event today was incredible and it shows how much talent we have in our schools – we have seen some future stars perform on stage tonight!”
The festival highlighted the dedication of both staff and students, who worked together to deliver high-quality performances.
Joe Moore, one of the lead organisers, said: “Thank you so much to everyone who came – the best Performing Arts Festival we’ve had.
“The effort, talent, variety and quality on display was amazing. The children should be so proud and what a confidence boost for them all.
“The joint song at the end was a truly heart-warming moment.”
The festival was designed to celebrate the arts across the trust and to give students the opportunity to perform in front of a live audience.
Cambrian Learning Trust offers enrichment programmes to help students develop new interests, build confidence, and nurture their talents.
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.
Oxford News
Drug driving arrest carried out in Oxfordshire market town
Thames Valley Police said it stopped a vehicle yesterday evening (Saturday March 28) after noting it had defective lights in Woodstock.
The car “smelt of cannabis” and following a “positive drugs test” the police arrested the motorist.
READ MORE: Investigation launched as unidentified Toyota ‘hits’ pedestrian near Uni Parks
A positive drugs test (Image: TVP)
A spokesperson for the the roads policing unit said they “stopped a vehicle this evening with defective lights in Woodstock”.
They added: “The vehicle smelt of cannabis. The driver provided a positive drug wipe and was arrested.”
Driving under the influence of drugs (drug driving) is a criminal offence and if found guilty, the driver could face an automatic driving ban, a hefty fine, and potential prison time.
Oxford News
New walking bus in Witney promotes safer school journeys
Launched on Monday, March 23, the first Walking Bus began at the Woodgreen Council Offices in Witney and ended at Witney Community Primary School.
The scheme allows pupils to join at set points along the route and walk to school together under adult supervision.
Councillor Rachel Crouch, executive member for stronger, healthy communities, said: “It was such a lovely morning seeing children chatting, smiling and enjoying the walk together.
“It’s a simple idea, but it makes a real difference.
“Families can spend time together, children arrive ready for the day, and we all benefit from quieter, safer streets.”
Described as a ‘bus route’ on foot, the Walking Bus aims to encourage daily activity, boost confidence and reduce congestion around schools.
It also offers a way for children to build friendships and start the day in a relaxed environment.
A volunteer who joined the first walk said: “It made the morning feel much calmer and more enjoyable.
“It’s a great way to start the day, and it was lovely to see the children feel part of something.”
One child taking part said: “It’s like an adventure!”
The Walking Bus will now run every school day, with routes tailored to participating families, and more routes could be added if interest grows.
The initiative is part of the council’s wider efforts to promote healthier living and sustainable travel within the community.
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