Identical twins Chris and Johnny Taylor, 18, from Charlbury, entered care at age 14 and have since found direction in life thanks to the structure and encouragement provided by their foster carer.

The twins, who train as boxers at Banbury Boxing Club and are currently studying for their A-levels, credit their progress to the environment provided by foster care.

Johnny said: “Our days are very structured now and that’s something that could only have happened through being fostered.

“When we first moved in with our brilliant foster carer, Lucy, life felt uncertain and we weren’t always sure what support would be available to us.

“Everything felt strange and new. However, over time, that began to change.

“Routine and structure gradually became a source of reassurance, helping us feel more secure and confident, something we hadn’t really had until that point.

“At first, it felt like staying at a friend’s house, then after a while it felt like home.”

The twins now train together and coach others at Banbury Boxing Club.

They also share sports and fitness advice through their social media channels, including TikTok (@thetaylortwins07) and Instagram (@thetaylortwins.07).

The brothers, who have both been offered unconditional places to study psychology and sports performance at the University of Portsmouth, will begin their degrees in September.

They say the chance to feel settled has been crucial to their success.

Johnny said: “Once you’re settled, then you can dream – your ambition and drive kick in.”

Having their own bedrooms and enjoying regular family routines such as shared meals and holidays has helped them to feel truly at home.

Chris said: “It just makes everything calm, you know. It’s like we can wake up, we know what we’re doing, no stress.”

Their foster carer Lucy is supported by Oxfordshire County Council’s foster care team, which provides assistance, peer support, and training.

The twins’ story is being shared during Foster Care Fortnight (May 11-24) to encourage more Oxfordshire residents to consider fostering.

Councillor Sean Gaul, the county council’s cabinet member for children, education, and young people’s services, said: “Chris and Johnny’s experience shows how fostering can make a real difference for children and young people, replacing uncertainty with stability, support, and a sense of belonging that is now helping them pursue their ambitions.”

“I hope in Chris and Johnny we have two future boxing stars and I wish them the very best.

“We have 147 approved fostering families and I admire and congratulate each and every one of them for their dedication and commitment to young people.

“Our foster care service is not for profit, and where possible we are committed to keeping children and young people near to their birth families, friends and schools.”

More information about fostering is available at oxfordshire.gov.uk/fostering.

The ranking comes from a new study by outdoor play specialists Outdoortoys, which considered factors including childcare costs, school performance, safety, access to green space and the number of child-friendly attractions per 100,000 people.

Oxford came sixth overall, offering 42 attractions, 575 square metres of green space, and an impressive 71 per cent of schools rated outstanding or good.

Alex Price, product manager at Outdoortoys, said: “Where children grow up has a lasting impact on how they spend their time.

“When there’s somewhere nearby to play, children tend to spend more time being active and independent.

“Over time, that builds confidence, social skills, and a sense of freedom that’s much harder to develop when outdoor time is limited or heavily planned.”

Sheffield topped the list thanks to its abundance of green space, while Milton Keynes and Swindon placed second and third respectively.

The study is available in full at outdoortoys.com.

More than 200 people gathered in Burford for the 50th Levellers’ Day, an annual event held in honour of three 17th-century political dissidents who were executed in the town in 1649.

The Levellers were early Christian socialists who challenged Cromwellian rule and influenced later movements, including the American and French revolutions.

The day included performances from bands and singers (Image: Supplied)

The commemoration took place in the graveyard of St John the Baptist Church and at Warwick Hall.

Rev Mark Chapman, a professor of theology, led the remembrance ceremony and the laying of poppies in memory of Cornet Thompson, Corporal Church, and Private Perkins.

A fourth set of posies was laid in memory of Tony Benn, after whose visit to the church in 1976 the Day was launched.

It was placed by long-standing friend and Labour MP John McDonnell.

The day included a historical tour through Burford (Image: Supplied)

Mr McDonnell, MP for Hays and Harlington and former Shadow Chancellor, also addressed the crowd in a session titled ‘Fighting Reaction.’

Mr McDonnell said: “This is the most significant political moment in my lifetime.

“You cannot out-Reform Reform. You simply play into their hands. You end up encouraging people to go towards Reform.

“This is a spiral leading to the very pits of an authoritarian state.

Labour MP John McDonnell addressed the crowd in a session titled ‘Fighting Reaction’ (Image: Supplied)

“And it is a Labour Government that is allowing this to happen.”

He stopped short of calling for Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer’s resignation.

He said: “We have gone down a cul-de-sac. But we can pull it back.

“We need new policies to unite the country, to bring people together.

“That is why I remain in the party. Give him a chance.”

More than 200 people gathered for the event (Image: Supplied)

The day began with performances by the Seagreen Singers and the Didcot Red Kites choirs in the graveyard, followed by music from folk rock band Stocious and a historical tour through Burford.

Organisers said they were “very pleased” with the turnout.

Attendees travelled from across the region, including from London.

One organiser said: “We want to express our support for freedom of expression, and for the rights of men and women to chose who governs us.”