The planters, donated by sustainable housebuilder Greencore Homes, were gifted to St Blaise CE Primary School and Sutton Courtenay C of E Primary School near to its Milton Heights development, The Canopies.

Becky Costello, headteacher at St Blaise CE Primary School, said: “Outdoor learning plays such an important role in children’s overall wellbeing.

“Opportunities to spend time outside, working together and connecting with nature can build confidence and encourage curiosity.

“The planters will be a wonderful resource for helping our children to thrive beyond the classroom and we thank Greencore Homes for its generous donation.”

Greencore Homes, known for its emphasis on sustainability, donated the planters as part of its commitment to supporting nearby communities.

Both schools plan to use the planters for gardening activities and environmental education.

Raluca Chende, headteacher at Sutton Courtenay C of E Primary School, said: “Supporting children to grow plants and vegetables is a brilliant way to introduce sustainability from an early age.

“It helps them understand where food comes from and inspires a sense of responsibility for the environment.

“We’re excited about the opportunity to grow our own plants and vegetables and provide hands-on learning.

“We can’t thank Greencore Homes enough for their contribution.”

Sobell House provides specialist palliative care and end-of-life support for adults in Oxfordshire living with life-limiting conditions.

Charley Watts, corporate relationships fundraiser at Sobell House, said: “We are absolutely blown away by the kindness and support that Cottsway Housing has given us over the past year.

“Support like Cottsway’s helps ensure we can continue to be there for those who need us in the future.”

The funds raised could provide more than 267 hours of specialist nursing care.

Cottsway, based in Witney, manages nearly 6,000 homes across West Oxfordshire and supports more than 13,000 customers.

The company encourages social value through its community engagement and charity work.

Each year, staff nominate and vote for a charity to support through the Cottsway Charity Committee.

Alex Hart, chair of Cottsway’s Charity Committee, said: “Through our work with our customers and local communities, we see first-hand the difference organisations like Sobell House make.

“Every event, donation, and contribution helps to make a real difference, and I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved collectively.”

The committee volunteers time to organise fundraising activities for the chosen cause.

For 2026-27, Cottsway staff have selected Oxfordshire Mind as their charity of the year.

More details about Cottsway’s community work are available at www.cottsway.co.uk.

The councils have proposed that motorists will be required to register their vehicles using the machine, by phone, online, or via an app before parking at council sites.

South Oxfordshire District Council plans to introduce a series of updates to car parks in towns including Thame and Wallingford under new civil enforcement orders.

The changes form part of the South Oxfordshire District Council (Civil Enforcement Off-Street Parking Places) (No.1) Order 2026, revoking the 2024 order currently in effect.

As part of the proposals, all council pay-and-display car parks would move to a ticketless system, requiring vehicles to be registered at the payment machine, by phone, online or via an app.

Fifteen parking spaces would be lost at the Cattlemarket car park in Thame to enable the redevelopment of an adjacent commercial property.

Disabled parking spaces would be relocated to maintain the current provision.

Other changes include extending the charging period to allow all-day parking at the Southern Road car park in Thame, which is currently short-stay only.

The order would also introduce a revised fee structure at two long-stay car parks in Wallingford to offer what the council describes as ‘more flexibility’.

Details of the proposed order and the council’s rationale are available for public inspection at Abbey House in Abingdon between 9:30am and 12:30pm and 1:30pm and 4:00pm Monday to Friday (not including bank holidays).

Please call 01235 422 422 to make an appointment to view these documents.

Members of the public who wish to comment or object can do so by emailing technicalservices@southandvale.gov.uk, using the consultation link on the council’s website, or writing to the technical services manager at Abbey House, Abbey Close, Abingdon, OX14 3JE.

Comments must be submitted by 11.59pm on Friday, May 8.

All feedback will be considered by the council’s Cabinet before a final decision is made.

If approved, the new system will require vehicle registration upon arrival to park, using the machine, a mobile phone, or via the app.

This applies even during free periods or when a valid permit is required.

Motorcycles and vehicles displaying a valid disabled badge will remain exempt from parking charges across all affected locations, but time limits still apply.

Additional administrative charges may apply, including £16 for replacement permits.

Other recent notices across the area include changes to parking regulations in Vale of White Horse, where the district council is proposing similar updates.

Vale of White Horse’s plan to move to a ticketless pay-on-arrival model across its car parks will involve revoking the existing 2022 orders and implementing new orders for 2026.

Documents are available for public review at Abbey House.

Appointments can be arranged by calling 01235 422 422.

Feedback must be received by 11.59pm on Friday, May 8, 2026.

In Oxford, temporary road closures are set to take place for May Day celebrations.

Oxfordshire County Council has issued an order closing several roads in the High Street and Longwall Street area on Friday, May 1, between 2am and 9am.

This is to protect public safety during May Day celebrations centred on Magdalen Bridge.

The closures will affect the High Street from The Plain to just east of King Edward Street, as well as Longwall Street to Holywell Street, Rose Lane, Queens Lane, and Merton Street at the High Street junction.

Exemptions apply for emergency vehicles and authorised property access.

The alternative route for motor vehicles from the south is either via Iffley Road, Donnington Bridge Road, Weirs Lane, and Abingdon Road towards central Oxford; from the east via St Clements Street, Marston Road, Cherwell Drive, Marston Ferry Road, Banbury Road and vice versa.

The order will remain in effect for the duration of the May Day event.

Anyone affected or wishing to review further details can contact the Traffic Regulations Team at County Hall.

To keep up to date with the latest public notices, please visit: https://publicnoticeportal.uk/