
Residents
given chance to sign up for FREE garden waste collections
West Oxfordshire householders now have the
chance to sign up for new FREE garden waste collections.
West
Oxfordshire District Council is giving all households the
opportunity to receive free fortnightly collections of
garden waste from November 2010.
Residents who want this service need to sign up now by
logging onto
www.westoxon.gov.uk/garden or by calling 01993 861025.
Anyone who does not sign up will
not receive collections when the new service starts.
It is the
first time that free garden waste collections will be
available in West Oxfordshire. At present, this is a
paid-for service available only to around 5,000 households.
Existing garden waste customers will automatically
receive
the free service from November, unless they inform the
Council that they do not want it.

The
Council is introducing the free collections as part of a
new, improved recycling and waste service which will be
rolled out across the district from the end of November.
All garden
waste collected will be composted, helping to reduce the
amount of waste sent to landfill. When land-filled,
garden waste rots and produces harmful greenhouse gases and
pollution.
Don’t
miss out!
Budding
Democracy
A class
of Year 3 children welcomed a visit from Witney’s Town
Mayor, when he dropped in to congratulate them on a project
they had undertaken.

Class Teacher, Gez
Cornish and Mayor, James Mills discuss the survey
Gingko
class at St Christopher’s C of E school in Langford had
visited Witney, undertaken a traffic survey, visited the
shops and then conducted a survey of 41 people in their home
villages to find out what people liked and disliked about
David Cameron’s constituency town.

A sample page from the
study
Led by
class teacher, Gez Cornish, they then produced detailed
reports and graphs which Mr Cornish then sent to Sharon
Groth, Town Clerk at Witney Town Council hoping for a letter
of acknowledgement to show the children.
The Town
Clerk recognised all the hard work involved and in
discussion with Mayor, Councillor, James Mills, decided that
a visit to the primary school was in order.
The Mayor
arranged to visit in person and after meeting Gingko class
and answering all their questions he attended the school
assembly where he presented them with a Certificate of Merit
in recognition of Great Citizenship through Inspired Work.
The children were delighted with the award which bore the
Mayor’s seal.

The
children quizzed the Mayor on such matters as how and when
he had become Mayor and were very interested in his chain of
office. Councillor Mills explained the significance of the
items on the crest and when and where the chains were worn.
He talked a little about his role and the responsibilities
of the Town Council and how this relates to them; for
example they can all relate to the fact that the Town
Council provides most of the playgrounds, and is responsible
for keeping the parks clean and safe.
The
Mayor congratulated the children on their hard work and the
significance of their findings. They had discovered that the
most popular thing about Witney was the free parking and
Councillor Mills confessed that Witney was very proud of
this and that it was part of what made the town so
appealing.
One
burning question was how much money the Mayor earned.
Although their teacher seemed a little taken aback at the
directness of the question, the Mayor replied that he had an
everyday job to make a living because you are not paid for
being Mayor, but do have a small allowance to cover
travelling to all the civic functions. He added, ‘It is very
important that you all continue to ask those types of
questions of people that are serving you and your
communities’.
Finally,
when asked if it is hard being the Mayor, Councillor Mills
admitted that although there were lots of really good things
about being Mayor, it was sometimes difficult to do the
right thing for everyone because people want different
things. He added that you just have to believe you are doing
the very best for your community.
Before
leaving the Mayor once again applauded the children for
their hard work and thanked them for welcoming him to the
school.
The class examine the Badge from the Chain of
Office

Gingko Class proudly display their Certificate of Merit
The
Buttercross - update
30th June 2010
Following the recent closure of the Buttercross to
public access on the advice of the Council's buoding
surveyor, S J Treloar & Associates Ltd; Witney Town
Council wish to provide an update on the progress, to
date, on this very important building.
Steel work is being fabricated by a
local engineering company, including corner brackets and
bracing, which will be clamped to existing timber
sections to ensure the building is structurally sound.
This immediate work will enable the Butterccross to
reopened for public access.
Further structural work will be
undertaken in the near future and the Council's building
surveyor is working very closely on this project with
the conservation officer at West Oxfordshire District
Council to ensure that the building is repaired
appropriately.
The
Buttercross
The Council’s building surveyor, S J Treloar &
Associates Ltd. undertook a structural survey on the
Buttercross on Friday 4 June 2010. The Town Council
planned to undertake general repair work on the building
this year; however the results of the survey required
that the Buttercross was immediately securely fenced to
prevent access by the public until remedial works can be
carried out.
The surveyor is working very closely on this project
with the Conservation Officer at West Oxfordshire
District Council to ensure that the building is repaired
appropriately.
The Buttercross stands in the very heart of Witney and
is a Grade II* Listed market building. The Buttercross
is said to be the base of an ancient preaching cross of
uncertain age. In 1606 the sum of £50 was given by
Richard Ashcombe to build a cover over the cross and in
1683 a bequest by William Blake of Cogges enabled a
clock to be placed on top of the building. The
Buttercross was refurbished in the 19th
century and the clock mechanism was replaced in 1962.
The property is owned by Witney Town Hall Charity, but
Witney Town Council is the tenant.
ENDS
Witney's Mayor
2010
Cllr JAMES MILLS has
been elected as Mayor of Witney for a second year running,
to serve until May 2011. Cllr HARRY EAGLESTONE has
also been re-elected as Deputy Mayor of Witney.
Cllr Mills said: “It is a great privilege to serve as Mayor
of Witney for one year so to have this opportunity to serve
a second year is a huge honour and I am deeply grateful to
my fellow Councillors for their support and endorsement. I
am very pleased that Cllr Eaglestone has been re-elected as
Deputy Mayor and to have him working with me again.
Harry and I look forward to
supporting many good causes, community events and
representing Witney at official functions during the coming
year. If anyone wishes us to support their event please
contact the Town Hall.”
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Hot Stepping for Charity
They Did It!

Click on
the image to see the video at You Tube!!
Press
release below
On the evening of Thursday March 11th in the Market
Square, Witney, 35 brave individuals took part in a
very short sponsored walk. It lasted a grand total
of just under 7 minutes. When you learn that they
were walking barefoot across 20 feet of embers
burning at in excess of 1236 degrees F the short
time scale suddenly becomes very understandable.

The group included a Mayor, 3 Ministers and 2
publicans and town Mayor, Councillor James Mills,
commented, ’It sounds like the start of a corny
joke!’
The event was far from a joke and the walkers were
only allowed to attempt the feat after an intensive
and boisterous 2 hour motivational session, somewhat
fearsomely referred to as ‘Learn or Burn’, with a
qualified FireMaster from the professional company,
Blaze, that ran the event. 
The evening got off to a rousing start with the
Witney Town Band playing some motivating tunes such
as, Those Magnificent Men and the theme from The
Great Escape.
Hot Dogs were provided by the Rotary Club, Pink
Doughnuts by Against Breast Cancer and Tea and
Coffee by Helen and Douglas House. The ATC were also
in attendance looking after the crowd and collecting
donations.

The walkers were led out to watch the fire being lit
before returning inside for their final moments of
training. Peter Rhodes Brown, compere for the
evening, officially announced the arrival of the
walkers and the real action began.

Encouraged
by the cheers and shouts of the crowd and their
fellow walkers and led by the Mayor, one by one they
all faced the flames and took that incredibly brave
first step. Some were casual, others jubilant and
triumphant and some gave a dramatic flourish, but
every single one of them stepped up without
hesitation. Some of the loudest cheers were for
Joan, at 81, the oldest participant.

‘The crowd were brilliant and so enthusiastic, said
Sharon Groth, Town Clerk, I am sure their support
helped all the walkers overcome their fears.’ She
added, ‘I must admit when the fire was first lit
they went a little quiet and circumspect especially
those with loved ones taking part!’

The
final figures are not yet available but the amount
raised should be in the thousands with individuals
walking for Helen and Douglas House, Base 33,
Against Breast Cancer and a team from the New Inn
who raised money for Help for Heroes.
Video of all walkers available
here
|

The
Mayor's Firewalk

On the
evening of Thursday March 11th Witney’s Town
Mayor, Councillor James Mills and Witney’s Team Rector,
Rev’d Toby Wright, will be performing a FIREWALK
in the Market Square in Witney.
They will be raising money
for the Mayor’s chosen charities; Helen and Douglas
House and Base 33.
For more information on how to take part or sponsor
others please contact Sue Partlett at the town Hall on
01993 777821 or email her
sue.partlett@witney-tc.gov.uk
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A Perfect Blanket of Snow

Witney at 9.30 on a
Wednesday Morning. The
recent snowfall offered some
wonderful opportunities for
photography and capturing
some of Witney's landmarks
in a very different light.
The downside of course, was
that many businesses and
schools were closed
as staff struggled with
journeys to work.
-
Remember to check on
your
neighbours to see
that they are coping,
particularly if they are
elderly, disabled or
have small children.
-
This is especially
important in the event
of a power outage.
-
You could be of help
if you are making a
journey to the shops as
they may be unable to go
themselves and a pint of
milk or a loaf of bread
might be very welcome
indeed.
-
If you are going out
dress warmly with plenty
of layers and make sure
someone knows where you
are going.
-
Keep up to date with
traffic , road
conditions and
weather reports on
local radio and heed any
warnings to drivers
about unnecessary
journeys.
-
Ensure you have good
visibility for driving
and clear all your
windows thoroughly.
-
Equip your car with
plenty of fuel,
blankets, a mobile phone
and charger and some
food and drink to keep
you going if you do get
stranded.
-
Only call the emergency
services in a genuine
emergency where a life
is at risk or there is
grave danger.
-
Never risk walking on
frozen ponds, rivers or
lakes. Ice can appear
deceptively thick!
OTHER COLD WEATHER NEWS AND
ADVICE
New
dates for Christmas tree
chipping
West
Oxfordshire District
Council's
FREE tree chipping service
has been put back for
one week until the 16th
and 17th January
(weather permitting)
Highways - Road and Pavement
Gritting
Unfortunately, Witney Town
Council do not have access
to grit or salt for any
public areas but West
Oxfordshire District Council
are assisting
Oxfordshire County Council
with clearing snow on
pavements and main walkways
in the town centres.
HELP YOUR NEIGHBOURS
Click on the image for
details

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Witney has a new Councillor
Councillor Clive Knowles,
was co-opted on to the council at the end of last year. He
will be representing the North Ward.
Christmas Lights
Switch-On 2009
Click here for excellent newsreel coverage of the event,
courtesy of John Richards at Screen At The Square, Witney

Thousands of revellers
packed the Market Square for the Christmas Lights
Switch On event.
The evening included some great entertainment and
special guests. A stilt walking Fairy and Christmas
Tree and a roller skating Christmas Pudding helped
Father Christmas entertain the crowds.
There was music from the Oxford Caledonian Pipes and
Drums and The Witney Town Band along with Voice Box
and the Sanctuary in Music singers.

Town Mayor, James Mills, was joined on Stage by The
Right Hon David Cameron MP and new team Rector of St
Mary's Church, Toby Wright. Father Christmas and
this year's Winter Princess, 10 year old Eleanor
Scammell were also on hand to assist MC, Martin
Cornish with the proceedings.

The winners of the
Town Council School's Christmas Competitions were
awarded their prizes along with the winners of the
best Christmas Displays.

David Cameron gave a short but rousing speech before
switching on the lights, counted down by an
enthusiastic crowd.
The fine weather held so that everyone made the most
of a cold, clear night exploring all that the market
square had to offer including the entertainers, charity stalls, real
live reindeer and displays of vintage vehicles.

We'd like to
say a huge thank you to
everyone who helped out on the night to make the event so
special!!
Changes to create more longer stay parking in Witney
West
Oxfordshire District Council is extending the parking time
limit of some spaces at Witney’s new Marriotts Walk
multi-storey car park.
The
Council has taken on board requests from people who want to
stay longer in Witney and is changing the parking limit from
3 to 5 hours for 150 spaces - a quarter of the overall car
park spaces available. They are on the car park’s two upper
floors.
The
remaining spaces will continue to have a three-hour parking
limit and, as with all Council-owned car parks, parking at
Marriotts remains free.
The
changes will come into force on Friday 4th
December and are applicable between 8am and 6pm. After 6pm
there are no parking time restrictions, as has been the case
since the car park opened at the end of October. The car
park closes at 1am daily and re-opens again at 7am.
PRESS
RELEASE - Provision of Allotments - July 2009