Morse, Murder and Mayhem

This was the theme of tonight's event with Colin Dexter (pictured signing books) hosted by Wesley Smith at Wantage Civic Hall. It was an entertaining evening where the audience heard many amusing stories during the interview. Fun was had by everyone and all proceeds in aid of Vale House - the Alzheimers Home at Botley. The Chairman of the Vale of White Horse District Council, Cllr. Alison Rooke had organised the event to support this worthy cause. Find out more here.

Sweatbox Reviewed

Yesterday afternoon we had a meeting to discuss the management review of the Sweatbox. We had a number of interested parties around the table including officers from the council, police, street pastors, residents and young people from the Sweatbox Union. I chaired the meeting until the Cabinet member arrived, as she was held up in traffic.

There were 20 recommendations in the report - and we did agree to them all adding a few more. The gist will be that the Sweatbox is definitely re-opening as a music event on Friday evenings from May (final date is now planned for later in the month instead of 7th). In fact, it is hoped that it will be able to open during school holidays too.

What came out of the review was that the Grove venue had also closed and there are searches on to find an alternative. Apparently the adult education centre where it was held has been deemed 'not fit for purpose' and perhaps the Cornerstone cafe at Grovelands shopping centre could be an alternative.

The re-launch event will be ticket only, so that plans can be made to cater for around 250 young people attending. All bags will be searched and there will be no re-admission. There will be no breathalysers used until this has been looked at by the County Council. So a positive outcome and pleased that this looks like it is resolved for now, although obviously the situation will be monitored along the way.

Film and Piano in Wantage, Folk in Oxford

Last night (Saturday), saw a Film and Piano Double at Wantage Parish Church. The evening started with a piano recital by Mark Viner - an outstanding young pianist from Faringdon who played three Chopin pieces. This was followed by the film "Bright Star" about the last three years of the life of the poet John Keats, which was organised by Abingdon College & District Film Society. This was the first pre-festival event for the Wantage Betjeman Festival, which is planned for September 2011. Interestingly, the pew that John Betjeman used to occupy in Wantage Church was pointed out during the evening - a few places from where I sat. Using the church as a cinema worked very well, except next time I must remember to take a cushion.

Over the weekend, it was also the seventh Oxford Folk Festival and today (Sunday) I happened upon some of the Morris dancing in Cornmarket Street and at the Castle as shown in the photos.

Kingfishers and Letcombe Brook

The news is currently dominated by the volcanic ash from Iceland, but many in Grove and Wantage will also remember another event which had a big impact on everyday life - the floods that hit Oxfordshire on 20 July 2007.

Kingfishers was one of the worst hit areas in Grove due to the proximity of Letcombe Brook. It is good to be able to report on recent works that have been done to improve the flow of the brook. An old bridge, which had fallen into disrepair and impeded the stream, has now been removed with the banks being landscaped. This should remove one of the constrictions where branches and debris could accumulate. This was all done with a grant from the Vale of White Horse District Council and the Environment Agency who manage the brook.

The Political Race

Whilst on the racing theme, which has developed over the last few posts, on Tuesday it was announced that the General Election will be on May 6th. This came as no surprise to many of us politicians. In fact, the news came as we were all in the debating chamber at County Hall where a number of significant issues were raised. It was the Annual Council meeting of Oxfordshire County Council, so a new chairman and vice chairman were elected. Again the ruling group broke with tradition and elected both Conservatives, a repeat of last year when they took control of the council for a second term. I proposed Cllr. Purse who had been a previous vice chairman, but this was turned down.

I did, however, have some success on Tuesday by getting my motion through the county council on the funding of personal care for the elderly. As I have previous pointed out on my blog, this will be the subject of some debate in the general election because the issue is whether or not we have a 'National Care Service' and how will it be paid for? Should it be paid through general taxation, an insurance scheme or should local authorities pick up the bill? My motion proposed that the council write to the Secretary of State outlining our concerns and this was agreed by all but the Labour group. Not surprising. You can read more here and my speech is here.

2010 White Horse Half Marathon

Today saw the 28th half marathon (about 13 miles) organised by the local White Horse Harriers Athletics Club and held in fine weather. This has taken place every year since 1983 and the course starting and finishing in Grove after wandering through the local countryside and villages such as Denchworth and Charney Bassett.

This photo shows the finish on Pound Green in Grove. A sports massage was even on offer to the competitors. Sponsorship this year was in aid of the The Prostate Cancer Charity.

Grand National 2010

Congratulations to local jockey Tony McCoy who won today's Grand National on Don't Push it. This was his 15th attempt with three 3rd places his previous best over the years.

This photo shows him signing autographs in Lambourn on Good Friday.

Election Matters

I have had a number of telephone calls from local residents in Grove and Wantage concerned about the polling station shown on the official poll cards that they have just received for the General Election on 6 May. Unfortunately, there has been a printing error and incorrect details about the station are shown on some cards (including my own).

New cards are being printed and were being posted out last night - at no cost to the district council may I add. Further details can be found here.

Please note that details about proxy voting and postal voting in the Vale can be found here. The latest date for applications to be received for inclusion on the electoral register - a necessary condition for any form of voting - is 20 April.

Daffodils

There is always something about daffodils that brighten up springtime - especially Easter - and raise the spirit after a long winter. It has been a bit of a struggle for them to make their appearance this year, particularly in places like the Lake District, which is known for its carpets of daffodils especially around Ambleside... as well as the Wordsworth association.

In Grove, the lines of daffodils along the A338 always provide a welcome sight on entering and leaving the village. This photo from today (Easter Monday) shows that they are just starting to come into their own and we should have some colourful blooms for the next few weeks.

Wantage Station in the National News

Good to see the case for reopening Wantage Station (and Kidlington) mentioned in the national news. This has, of course, been a long standing local Lib Dem campaign. More information on the national campaign here.

Lambourn - Mixed Weather, but Brilliant Horses

It was a wet morning in Lambourn today and the weather curtailed some of the afternoon activities of the Open Day, such as the showjumping. However, we were still treated to a brilliant display by the Household Cavalry. As always, the stars of the show were the horses - although A.P. McCoy, Mick Fitzgerald and John Francome were all there to support the event. Some pictures above.