Oxford News
Wantage leisure centre is to mark its 50th anniversary
Wantage Leisure Centre, officially opened on May 22, 1976, by Oxfordshire-born athlete Mrs R Brightwell (nee Ann Packer), has become a cornerstone of community life in the Vale of White Horse.
Andy Crawford, cabinet member for property and housing at Vale of White Horse District Council and ward member for Wantage, said: “Since it opened its doors in 1976, Wantage Leisure Centre has played an important role in our community, helping generations of residents stay active and healthy and offering a place to socialise.
“From swimming lessons and children’s activities to gym memberships and community events, the centre has always offered a place to improve people’s health and wellbeing and I am delighted to say that thanks to all the improvements, this will be the case for many years to come.”
To mark its 50th anniversary, the centre is hosting a celebratory open weekend from May 22 to May 24, inviting the public to enjoy free activities, including gym taster sessions, group exercise classes, and pickleball.
Operated by GLL under its Better brand, the centre is undergoing nearly £1 million of investment this year to double the size of the gym and refurbish swimming pool changing areas.
The work will introduce state-of-the-art equipment and improved facilities, including a new layout, upgraded toilets, and LED lighting.
Kevin Williams, GLL partnership manager, said: “Reaching 50 years is a fantastic achievement and reflects the continued support of local residents, members, partners, and staff who have helped shape the centre over the past five decades.
“The team is delighted to be working closely with Vale of White Horse District Council to celebrate this landmark occasion and recognise the important role the centre continues to play in the community.”
Environmental upgrades are also part of the centre’s future.
Decarbonisation work includes a renewed roof, extra insulation, and the installation of two air source heat pumps powered by 127 solar panels, replacing gas boilers.
The upgrade of the gym and changing area will cost £982,000 and will be funded by developer contributions in the area (CIL and S106) and Capital funding from the council’s budget.
A joint use agreement with Oxfordshire County Council provided additional funding for roof refurbishments, improving energy efficiency and helping the council move towards its 2030 net zero target.
The decarbonisation work was made possible by a successful bid to the government’s Public Sector Decarbonisation Fund.
The centre is not only investing in health and fitness, but also in long-term sustainability for the community.
Oxford News
Harley Davidson crash – Motorists told to avoid rural road
The crash was on the B4015 Clifton Hampden Road, which was closed between the A4074 and Chiselhampton Village.
Thames Valley Police has confirmed the road will be closed for several hours and motorists are being told to avoid the area.
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Police said: “The B4015 Clifton Hampden Road, Oxfordshire is currently closed following a serious collision. The B4015 is closed between the A4074 and Chiselhampton Village whilst officers investigate a serious collision.
“This closure is anticipated to be in place for a number of hours – please avoid the area and find an alternative route.
“If you were on the B4015 around 07:50 this morning, Sunday 9th August, and witnessed the collision, or a Harley Davidson Motorcycle in the moments leading up to the collision, please contact Thames Valley Police quoting reference 43260411339.”
The road re-opened at around 11.25am.
Oxford News
Truck Festival 2026 at Hill Farm, Oxfordshire ‘was best ever’
A record crowd of 27,500 people descended on Hill Farm, Steventon, near Didcot, for four days of live music and dancing from an impressive bill of big name stars and up-and-coming acts.
Organisers have now finished tidying up the site, which for rest of the year is a peaceful mixed arable and dairy farm.
While always a sell-out event, this year’s festival attracted a record crowd – with families of young children making up much of the increased numbers. They joined a friendly crowd made up of everyone from enthusiastically partying teenagers to veteran artists and festival-goers and volunteers serving up treats to revellers to raise money for local charities and good causes.
Truck Festival, Steventon, 2026. Picture by Tim Hughes
They enjoyed an array of rock, pop, country and dance acts including indie-rock bands The Maccabees, Two Door Cinema Club, The Wombats, The Vaccines and The Cribs.
Also playing the hallowed Truck Stage were Bobby Gillespie’s dance-rock band Primal Scream, fans’ favourite Kaiser Chiefs and The K’s. Among the best-known bands were iconic rabble-rousing rockers The Libertines who delighted the Sunday night crowd with a punchy, poetic set of familiar tunes – bandmates Carl Barât and Peter Doherty bonding over their songs having healed their much-publicised supposed rift.
Truck Festival, Steventon, 2026. Picture by Tim Hughes
The best-loved section of the festival for lovers of the Oxford music scene was the so-called Veterans and Virgins stage, which featured bands and artists who had played previous Truck Festivals along with new talent making their debut.
The stage is curated by brothers Robin and Joe Bennett of the band The Dreaming Spires, who set up the festival in 1998 as a birthday celebration for Robin – now a Green councillor on South Oxfordshire District Council.
While the brothers no longer run the whole festival, they continue to attract international and local artists to their popular stage as well as performing.
Robin, who launched his own solo act at the festival on the Sunday, said: “It has been a really good one this year. The sun has helped and everyone seems happy. We have had some great music.”
Truck Festival, Steventon, 2026. Picture by Tim Hughes
Robin was joined by charismatic Guatemalan/ Los Angeles rocker ‘Y’ on drums, guitar and vocals. He said: “It was the best one yet. It’s a great festival. You find new friends and always meet old friends – it’s like that first sip of wine. It’s Truck-tacular!”
Festival organisers said: “It’s hard to think of a Truck Festival weekend that has left us so delighted and full of joy than this one. From the moment gates opened on the Thursday, that atmosphere which makes Truck so special has shone bright and has made this year one that’s going to sit as the biggest and best Truck in festival history.
“Looking out across the festival site under stunning summer skies, we couldn’t help but feel emotional and grateful for the love and support that Truckers have showed us this year.”
A highlight was a surprise appearance by Supergrass star Gaz Coombes, from Wheatley, who joined the Oxford Symphony Orchestra as a special guest.
Fellow artist Nick Fowler, who lives near Wantage, also joined the orchestra – as well as making a number of other appearances on guitar throughout the weekend.
He said: “I have been going to Truck since 2003 and this was the best one yet. Having Gaz Coombes join the Oxford Symphony Orchestra was unbelievable – and the audience reaction was amazing. What a moment!”
Hill Farm’s Richard Binning was among those helping to feed punters at the Feel Good Food Hall, in which volunteers from charities and local good causes served everything from corn on the cob and steak sandwiches to Thai curry and macaroni cheese – with proceeds going to their respective organisations.
Truck Festival, Steventon, 2026. Picture by Tim Hughes
Richard follows in the footsteps of his farmer father, Alan, who, for many years, manned the grill with Didcot Rotary Club members, serving bacon butties, burgers and chips.
Richard joined volunteers dishing up steak sandwiches. He said: “This has been a great year. The weather makes a difference and the atmosphere has been fantastic.
“Having volunteers raising funds for good causes is what makes Truck Festival so unique. There is nothing else like it.”
Oxford News
Banbury development in final stages with 95 per cent sold
David Wilson Homes’ The Pavilions, located on Bowlers Close, is now over 95 per cent sold, with just seven homes remaining.
The development offers three and four-bedroom properties designed to suit first-time buyers and growing families.
Helen Lewis, managing director at David Wilson Homes Mercia, said: “We are delighted to announce that we are over 95 per cent sold at The Pavilions and it’s the final opportunity to secure a new home in the community.”
Launched in September 2021, The Pavilions will provide a total of 148 new homes.
The project also includes more than 23 acres of green space, 49 bird and bat boxes, 325 new trees, a wetland meadow, and community allotments.
Ms Lewis added: “We’ve enjoyed great success at the development and it’s been fantastic to see the community take shape.
“We encourage anyone interested in securing a place at The Pavilions to visit our marketing suite to learn more about the properties available.”
More than £750,000 was pledged to support the local area through S106 agreements, including £300,000 for schools and early year education, £186,869 for onsite outdoor sports facilities, and a £34,230 bus infrastructure contribution.
The developer has supported the wider Banbury community through event sponsorships and donations to organisations such as Banbury Men’s Shed and The Let’s Play Project.
All remaining homes are ready to move into, with prices starting from £390,000.
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