We have some heroes working really hard to get the splash park up and running. The team of electricians at Techlec have successfully identified an electrical fault and new equipment for that is on its way. The pump that has failed is a specialist item that we cannot just get off the shelf. A new one has been ordered but in the mean time Chris Marshall at C & C Pumping UK Ltd has amazingly built a makeshift pump from our broken one and spares that he had at his depot. This has involved him making 5 hr round trips to and from Newark on the last two days for us! Once the electrical equipment is here we can try the makeshift pump out and hopefully get the splash pads toilets and showers at the Pavilion up and running while the new pump arrives. We are doing everything we can and will continue to post updates even over the weekend so if there is good news you will find it here. Thank you all for your patience and to the guys at Techlec and C& C pumping for their determination to fix things!
Splash Park Update. Although power has been restored in Station Lane there is an issue with a waste water pump further along in the systems that serve the Pavilion and toilets, the depot, and the Splash Park. The public toilets at the far end are still useable. The Adventure park is fine and useable. Specialist technicians are investigating and outside agencies working hard with us to resolve the pump problem. It is unlikely, however, that the water sprays will be in use again before the weekend but we will keep you updated once we know more.
This flyer is available to download here and copies will be delivered to residents on the estates that the service will cover. Timetables we displayed at stops. You can also call into the Town Hall and collect a copy
Hopefully it will be sorted soon
ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT, 1984
Notice is hereby given pursuant to Section 14(2) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act, 1984, that the Oxfordshire County Council
TEMPORARILY PROHIBITS THE USE OF AND WAITING ON THE HIGHWAY
BY ALL MOTOR VEHICLES
LOCATION: Witney, B4022 West End
REASON: to facilitate carriageway maintenance
DURATION: Starting on 25 July 2016
The anticipated completion date is 29 July 2016
ACCESS: limited access will be maintained for emergency service vehicles and for frontages within the closed section of road, subject to the progress of the works
The “No Waiting” restriction means that wherever there are in place yellow “No Waiting” cones, you will not be able to park vehicles on the highway.
SUGGESTED ALTERNATIVE ROUTE: Via B4022, Farmers Close, New Yatt Road, Broad Hill, A4095 Woodgreen and vice versa.
Mark Kemp, Deputy Director – Commercial
Environment & Economy Date 20 June 2016
To be eligible for the prize,
Download the Witney Town Council App
Click the ‘More’ tab and complete our short survey about Witney Lake and Country Park to be entered in the draw to win a Bird Hide Access Key worth £10.
WIN UNLIMITED ACCESS TO THE BIRD HIDE AT RUSHY COMMON NATURE RESERVE AND THE TWO HIDES AT STANDLAKE COMMON NATURE RESERVE.
or search Witney Town Council in your App Store
(Terms and conditions apply)
Prize Draw Rules
The survey is also available online but entries made here are not eligible for the draw
Lake and Country Park Online Survey
Sanctuary Housing are running a competition to encourage residents of the Windrush Valley Estate to beautify the estate and to encourage people to get out into the fresh air and enjoy their gardens. Witney Town Councillor Alan Beames and Councillor Andrew Coles of WODC are on the judging panel. There is a first prize of a £50 National Garden Gift Voucher for the winner and there will be a celebratory event at Fettiplace Road on 15th September 1-3pm.
The competition runs from Friday 1st July to Friday 12th August 2016 so there is plenty of time to get involved.
Witney Town Council has agreed a proposal put forward by the Community Services committee to pledge £10,000 towards a Town Centre Circular Bus service. This will serve the residential areas of Madley Park, Smiths and Cogges estates after the termination of the existing Stagecoach 213, 214 and 215 services due to withdrawal of Oxfordshire County Council subsidies from 20 July this year.
This is the first stage in a process that will see the Town Council seeking partnerships with other local organisations and businesses to see what level of support and collaboration can be achieved.
Witney Town Council has worked closely with its Independent Transport representative who has assessed the needs of the bus users including the town’s most vulnerable residents and has identified a suitable timetable that provides for these needs.
Cllr Suzanne Bartington, Chair of public Transportation Working Party, commented
‘’I am delighted that Councillors have responded to the concerns of Witney Bus Users and pledged funding to support a future Town Centre circular bus service. Provision of an effective and reliable service is vital for our most vulnerable residents, particularly those who have limited mobility. We hope that both existing and new passengers will support the service and recognise the wider benefits of public transport for reducing traffic congestion and improving air quality.
It’s been a privilege to work with Stagecoach to find a solution. They have been incredibly helpful and supportive .I’d also like to pass on thanks to other local bus companies for their vital input ”
Further information about a likely start date and any additional information about the new service will be published as it becomes available. If you would like to be involved in the Witney Bus User Group please contact the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Witney-Bus-Users-1101651073213236/?fref=ts or contact info@witney-tc.gov.uk and we will pass your contact details on to Cllr Suzanne Bartington and Cllr Laura Price
On the evening of Tuesday 21st June the Armed Forces flag was raised to mark Armed Forces Week. The flag was raised by the Mayor’s cadets from Witney Air Training Corps 2120 Sqn. and the Witney Detachment Army Cadet Force. Representatives from both forces along with Deputy Mayor Cllr Chris Woodward, Town Councillors and Officers were also in attendance.
All are welcome to join Deputy Mayor Cllr Chris Woodward, representatives of Oxfordshire Battalion (The Rifles) Somme Coy – Witney Detachment ACF, 2120 Squadron (Witney) Air Cadets, Councillors and staff.
Please gather beneath the Town Hall for 19.15. The Union flag will be lowered and replaced by the AFD flag which will be raised by the Mayor’s cadets.
Groundwork South, an environmental and community charity, are working in partnership with Tesco to administer their Bags of Help community grants scheme, funded by the 5p carrier bag charge. The grant scheme funds a wide range of outdoor space projects that provide community benefit.
They’ve received lots of applications but the scheme is currently under-subscribed in our area, so we are making sure groups have heard of this opportunity who might be interested in applying.
Elligible projects include local spaces such as play areas, woodlands, community gardens/allotments, public parks, school grounds that need improving.
Llocal groups or charities who have or are involved in outdoor areas might also be interested? – Environmental groups, schools, assisted living facilities, scout and guide groups, etc. within Witney?
The application process is pretty straightforward – you will need to apply online at
www.groundwork.org.uk/tescobagsofhelp
This website has loads of information about the funding scheme.
The deadline for you to submit your application has been extended until 19th June so you have plenty of time to fill it in. If you need help or would like to run a project past please get in touch for anymore more information; with
Katherine Davies
Green Spaces Supervisor &
Community Enabler (Tescos Local Community Grants Scheme)
Groundwork South (Thames Valley Area)
Direct Dial: 07702 532755
Notice of a Referendum on the UK’s membership of the European Union on Thursday 23rd June 2016
The Cogges Meadow Park Community Group is a new voluntary organisation of independent local residents to support improvement of outdoor spaces for people to enjoy, play, exercise and relax.
They are working with Witney Town Council and local stakeholders to improve the Oxlease Area; known to many locally as Wadard’s Meadow.
Please take this opportunity to complete a short survey to help them know how you use this area and what improvements can be made by clicking on the link below
Oxlease Recreation Area Community Survey
Witney’s new Mayor is Councillor Chris Holliday who as a Town Councillor serves the East Ward of Witney. Originally from Yorkshire, Chris has lived in West Oxfordshire for 20 years, and has lived on Madley Park for the last 10 with his wife Lisa and 3 daughters. He served for a number of years in the Armed Forces. Now retired, he commits much of his time to the local community which includes being a Trustee of Madley Park Hall and Cogges Welfare Trust. For relaxation Chris enjoys reading and going to the cinema with his family, collecting political cartoons and in October will begin his BA (Honours) History degree with the Open University.
The mayor has chosen Ditto as his supported charity throughout his term.
Set up 4 years ago, D.I.T.TO, (Doing It Together To Overcome), is a unique group that offers help, advice and support to a wide range of disabled, elderly and vulnerable people, (regardless of age), and their carers.
Deputy Mayor is Councillor Chris Woodward is 30, happily married to Jayne since 2012 and enjoys home life with their 2 year old Golden Labrador, Meg! He joined the council in the 2011 elections and has been an active member sitting on most standing committees since the start. Chris is proud to serve as Facilities Manager at the Iffley Academy, an Ofsted Outstanding school for children with special and complex educational needs. He brings a wealth of operational experience to the council, having been a governor at both Witney Community Primary School and Wood Green. Chris is also proud to sit on the board of trustees of Witney Educational Foundation and the new Corn Exchange Trust. He is relishing the challenge!
Cllr Woodward commented,
“I am absolutely thrilled and honoured to accept the office of Deputy Mayor. It’s a real privilege to be working with our brilliant new Mayor Chris Holliday. Witney is a fantastic town with magnificent Cotswold character. Both Mayor Chris and I love to meet and help people as much as we can; and we can’t wait to get started
Witney Town Council is working with Clubbercise to bring you a very different sort of Community Coffee Morning! Witney’s 1st Community Fitness Class Fiesta will be held at the Corn Exchange on Saturday 14th May between 11am – 6pm.
Free classes will include; Hiit, Kettlecise, Pure Stretch, AbCore, Jazzercise, Kangoo Jumps, Piloxing, Boogie Bouncing, Clubbercise and Zumba.
This is a great opportunity to trial a free class and find something that suits you. Let’s get Witney moving.
Healthy food options are available.
Further details can be found by clicking on the poster above.
As part of our on-going, long term Cemetery Maintenance Program we will be carrying out grave levelling work in Tower Hill Cemetery. This will involve adding layers of topsoil and seeding the surface of selected graves that have sunk.
Some graves are noticeably more in need of this than others and these will take priority. Work on all graves that need levelling will be undertaken in time.
Work will begin in early May 2016
Due to the popularity of the Leys Splash Park and Adventure Play area, repairs are necessary to the grassed area just inside the gate. While the ground is levelled and seeded the main gate will remain locked, but access to the park is still possible via a fence panel a little further along. We apologise for any inconvenience and thank you for your co-operation. Work will finish by the end of May.
Join one of the Beacon Lighting parties at Burwell and Oxlease Parks on the evening of Thursday 21st April. Beacons lit at 7.30pm. More information can be found on the posters
Witney Town Council is working with Clubbercise to bring you a very different sort of Community Coffee Morning! Witney’s 1st Community Fitness Class Fiesta will be held at the Corn Exchange on Saturday 14th May between 11am – 6pm.
Free classes will include; Hiit, Kettlecise, Pure Stretch, AbCore, Jazzercise, Kangoo Jumps, Piloxing, Boogie Bouncing, Clubbercise and Zumba.
This is a great opportunity to trial a free class and find something that suits you. Let’s get Witney moving.
Healthy food options are available.
Further details can be found by clicking on the poster above.
