Lombard Road in Abingdon, between East St Helen Street and West St Helen Street, will be shut from July 3 to July 7 to allow Oxfordshire County Council to carry out footway slurry works.

The closure is being put in place in the interests of ‘public safety’.

In a social media post, Abingdon-on-Thames Town Council said: “A Temporary Traffic Regulation Notice is being made to implement the temporary closure and restriction and will operate on the days shown above.”

Access will be maintained for emergency service vehicles and for those frontages within the closure area, subject to the progress of the works and liaison with the works supervisor.

For more information about the works, contact Tim Belton at Oxfordshire County Council on 07812 237621.

It may be a little early in the year to have the cold stuff on the brain, but as the sun has miraculously made an appearance for the end of the Easter bank holiday weekend, we can’t help it.

To entice the summer, we’ve found some mouth-watering nostalgic pictures of ice cream in Oxfordshire over the years.

An ice cream van dispensing ice cream at the Riverside festival Charlbury, 2014 (Image: Mark Hemsworth)

READ MORE: Reports of major police incident at Oxfordshire lock

These Oxford Mail archive pictures show people indulging in soft-scoop, Mr Whippy, various sorbets and gelatos over the years.

Those featured in this gallery are pictured digging in at different occasions, from festivals to fetes, at ice cream shops or outdoor fun days.

Take a look back through this Oxford Mail archive gallery to see pictures of ice cream over the years.

The scheme, which came into effect this month, is part of a wider package of measures including pay rises and lower energy bills, now beginning to reach millions of people.

The fund is designed to help those facing the greatest financial pressure, particularly households dealing with high energy and essential living costs.

Support may include help with:

• Heating and fuel bills, including heating oil
• Emergency household expenses
• Short-term financial hardship

How to apply for the £1bn Crisis Fund

Unlike some national benefits, the fund is not paid automatically.

Instead, support is typically distributed through local councils and support schemes, meaning the process can vary depending on where you live.

“We know that many families worry about the family finances – and a sudden change in circumstance can lead to huge problems for people”

Today, we launched the Crisis and Resilience Fund to help councils support people on low incomes in England who face a financial crisis pic.twitter.com/BFhpGlKLCQ

— Department for Work and Pensions (@DWPgovuk) April 1, 2026

Steps to access support:

1. Check your local council website

Most applications will be handled locally, with guidance on eligibility and how to apply. Find your local council on gov.uk.

2. Look for cost of living or hardship support schemes

These may be listed under emergency help, household support, or welfare assistance.

3. Apply online or contact your council directly

Some areas offer online forms, while others may require phone or in-person applications.

4. Provide details of your financial situation

You may need to show income, expenses, or evidence of hardship.

Who is likely to qualify

While criteria vary by area, support is generally aimed at:

• Low-income households
• People receiving certain benefits
• Those facing sudden financial hardship
• Households with high energy costs or specific needs

What other cost of living support has come in this month

Alongside the fund, several cost of living measures are now in effect:

• The National Living Wage has increased to £12.71 an hour
• The National Minimum Wage has risen to £10.85
• Energy bills have fallen by an average of £117 a year
• Prescription charges have been frozen

Keir Starmer said the changes are designed to provide immediate relief.

He said: “More support will be available for people who need it most.”