Crime & Safety
Wantage children invited to take part in reading challenge
The Big Book Share is a new project launched by Cambrian Learning Trust across its schools as part of the National Year of Reading and the first-ever Wantage Children’s Books Festival.
Pupils are encouraged to respond creatively to three selected books through artwork, poems, reviews and more.
Richard Evans, chief executive at Cambrian Learning Trust, said: “We are delighted to launch the Big Book Share, giving pupils across Cambrian Learning Trust the chance to celebrate stories creatively and share their love of reading in a truly exciting way.”
The three books – Dot in the House by Camilla Reid, Anisha, Accidental Detective by Serena Patel, and Amazing by Steve Antony – were gifted to every Cambrian Learning Trust primary school by departing Trustee Beth Taylor.
Kate Daniell, primary English lead at the trust, said: “It’s so exciting to have a children’s literary festival launching in Wantage this year.
“Reading is a huge priority in all the Cambrian Learning Trust schools and we’re always looking for ways to show our young people the joys and opportunities that reading can bring to their lives.
“Meeting authors can be so inspiring, both for students’ reading and their writing, so we will be encouraging them to come along to the festival.”
Entries from pupils will be showcased at The Beacon in Wantage during the festival on Saturday, May 30, alongside participating school logos.
The Wantage Children’s Books Festival is a new, free event to be held at The Beacon Centre on May 30.
Co-founded by bestselling children’s author Camilla Reid, the festival aims to inspire families to develop a lifelong love of books and reading.
The programme features workshops, storytelling, and talks from award-winning authors and illustrators, including Serena Patel, Steve Antony, Wendy Shearer, Rob Biddulph, Jonathan Stroud, and Alex T. Smith.
Camilla Reid, festival co-founder, said: “In this age of distraction and anxiety, we’re now realising how essential reading is for connection and family wellbeing, so this festival couldn’t come at a more important time.”
Research from the National Literacy Trust shows that reading enjoyment among children aged 8–18 has fallen significantly since 2005, prompting the UK Government to designate 2026 as the National Year of Reading.
Families can still book free tickets for events with authors including Jonathan Stroud (ages 10+), Iszi Lawrence (ages 7+), and Wendy Shearer (ages 6+).
Further information and tickets are available at: www.wantageliteraryfestival.co.uk/childrens-festival.
It was back to the 1940s at the rail heritage centre when a team of actors dressed up in period costumes to bring back memories of the Second World War.
Hundreds of visitors enjoyed watching the actors at the visitor centre next to Didcot Parkway over the Bank Holiday weekend.
READ MORE: Controversial transport boss stands down
Frank Dumbleton, a volunteer at the centre who is also a photographer, said: “It was great fun at the railway centre over the Bank Holiday weekend with the Steam Into the 40s event.
“Hundreds of visitors were entertained by dozens of re-enactors to show what life would have been like on the railways during the Second World War.”
Thousands of steam railway fans visit the centre every year, enjoying the opportunity to ride on the steam trains and visit other attractions, include a cafe, engine shed, shop and museum.
Oxford’s Campaign for Real Ale branch named its best pub of this year as The Crafty Pint Bar in Langdale Court, Witney, which describes itself as a ‘fiercely independent’ craft beer bar.
The Oxford Branch of CAMRA, which covers the whole of Oxfordshire, said picking an overall winner for the coveted title of best of the year was ‘next to impossible’ with the top three narrowed down to The Crafty Pint, The Brewery Tap in Abingdon and The Red Lion in Yarnton.
With 85 people voting, which ‘may be the largest number ever’, according to the organisation, The Crafty Pint Bar came out on top.
READ MORE: Oxfordshire transport boss Andrew Gant standing down
Melanie Cassidy, landlady of the craft beer bar, said: “It was so lovely to see everyone come out and support The Crafty Pint Bar as we received this monumental award, voted by CAMRA members.
“So many friendly faces came to see us and it humbled me to think this space means so much to everyone not just me.
“The beers are one thing and I’m proud of the ever changing selection we offer, but it’s the people, the community, the way everyone welcomes everyone and how new friendships are forged that makes The Crafty Pint Bar what it is.”
Oxford’s CAMRA added that ‘every candidate was someone’s pub of the year’ as each of the venues nominated won votes from members, and commended the ‘excellent’ quality of the contest.
Paul Westcott, of Coxwell Road, Faringdon, appeared at Oxford Crown Court on Monday, May 11.
The 56-year-old had initially been due to stand trial, but entered four guilty pleas.
He pleaded guilty to stealing three Mercedes cars and £42,000 from the Hrycko family between October and December 2019.
READ MORE: Banbury woman jailed after lying to police about kidnapped children
He also pleaded guilty to three counts of fraud by false representation to Michael Hrycko relating to a Mercedes C220d, Range Rover and a Mercedes A180.
The court heard Westcott had a previous conviction of a similar nature from 2012.
A pre-sentence report was ordered ahead of the sentencing hearing set for July 7.
Judge Maria Lamb told the defendant to put his affairs in order as his sentence will be one of immediate custody.
Didcot steam railway fans enjoy watching wartime re-enactors
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