The Wantage Orchestra Spring Concert at the Old Mill Hall in Grove was celebrated as “an inspired afternoon” with the highlight being a recital by 17-year-old Katherine Payne.

The young violinist has been described as a “virtuosic performer” and is in her final year at the Yehudi School of Music.

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She will go on to study violin further once she turns 18 and is the recipient of many prizes including the Celia Walker overall prize.

Ms Payne was the leader of the Thames Valley Youth Orchestra and was playing on a Castagneri violin and a Morizot bow, sponsored by the Cherubim Trust.

Typically these violins sell at auction for between £5,000 and £15,000.

Katherine Payne performing with The Wantage Orchestra (Image: Polly Biswas Gladwin)

At the performance on Saturday, March 21 there was standing room only with Beethoven’s Symphony no.7 and Rossini’s The Thieving Magpie being played.

Conductor Christopher Fletcher Campbell called it “an inspired afternoon”, with home made cakes made available at the interval

One audience member said: “We enjoyed the Wantage Orchestra concert yesterday.

“Lovely programme, and Katherine was very accomplished. Good to see it so well supported.”

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Another added: “What a wonderful afternoon performance, beautiful sunshine outside and amazing performance inside.

“The choice of pieces brought out the best from everyone and they bought enjoyment to us all.  Thank you I look forward to future concerts.”

The group’s next concert will be on Sunday, July 5 at 7pm at The Wantage Parish Church, with more information available on its website.

Originally scheduled to close on April 10, Blueprints of Power at Blenheim Palace will now remain open until May 31.

The decision marks 300 years since the death of Sir John Vanbrugh, the architect behind the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Heather Carter, managing director of the visitor attraction at Blenheim Palace, said: “Blueprints of Power has sparked remarkable momentum, opening conversations across generations.

“The response has been excellent, so we’re pleased to be extending the exhibition to give visitors more time to explore Sir John Vanburgh’s remarkable life.

“From his architectural brilliance to his larger-than-life character, never-before-seen items, interactive experiences and an immersive finale in the Long Library make it a must-visit for history enthusiasts, architecture fans and anyone curious about the fascinating story behind Blenheim Palace.”

The exhibition offers an immersive journey through Vanbrugh’s diverse career, from playwright to architect, and sheds light on his complex relationship with the First Duchess of Marlborough, Sarah Churchill.

Visitors begin in the Great Hall, where models, plans, and letters introduce Vanbrugh’s work, before moving through other rooms that explore his influences and connections.

A highlight of the exhibition is the finale in the Long Library, featuring a projection experience with light, sound, and motion.

This segment tells the story of Blenheim Palace’s construction.

Admission to the Blueprints of Power exhibition is included with a valid day ticket or Pass to Britain’s Greatest Palace.

Members of the public across the diocese contributed their views to help define the qualities needed in the next Bishop of Oxford.

This feedback has informed a Statement of Needs, a document outlining the role, context, and opportunities, and desired qualities for the next bishop, and the character of the Diocese of Oxford.

Rev Canon Geoff Bayliss, chair of the Vacancy-in-See Committee, said: “Our Statement of Needs is the result of a huge amount of work by very many people and gives a wonderful picture of the life of our diocese.

“It was informed by the consultation to which over 2,500 people very generously contributed.”

The document will guide the Crown Nominations Commission (CNC) in its search for potential candidates.

Following the completion of the Statement of Needs, the vacancy-in-see committee elected six representatives to serve on the CNC.

They will join six members from the wider Church of England to form the full commission, which is responsible for shortlisting candidates and recommending a nominee to the King and Downing Street.

The Diocese of Oxford covers Oxfordshire, Berkshire, and Buckinghamshire.

It has the largest number of churches of any diocese in the Church of England, with more than 800 churches in 609 parishes.