Stockham Farm Housing Exhibition

Last night after a busy day, I managed to call in at the Dandara public consultation exhibition regarding another 100 homes on the Stockham Farm site.  The exhibition is taking place at Stockham Primary School and will open again tomorrow if you wish to have another chance to take a look.  It will take place from 10am until 12pm.  You can see the website here.

There were a large number of residents there to discuss the planning issues.  As many people are aware, 200 homes have already been given approval and work to clear the site has begun.  I do hope that there will be some contributions from developers towards highways and transport improvements.  I could not see any evidence of this whilst I was there asking the questions.  I shall be following this up.  300 new homes in this area is not going to come without added cars to our busy roads.  This should certainly be taken into account.

Raising the Flag on Armed Forces Day

Yesterday it was time to celebrate Armed Forces Day at Oxfordshire County Council, so along with many dignitaries, representatives and councillors, we went along to watch the 'Raising of the Flag' ceremony which was held at the Oxford Castle complex next door.  We all came out of the first meeting of the Performance Scrutiny Committee which was taking place next door.

In the afternoon, I went along with some of my council group to visit the University of Oxford Department of Oncology at the Old Road Campus in Headington.  This was an excellent opportunity to see the innovative and inspiring work which is going on in cancer research and treament.  It is the centenary of the Medical Research Council this year, so a good time to celebrate the work which has been undertaken so far.  We have gone a long way over the years and todays' pioneering research will hopefully go even further in the future.  Of course, a lot of this would not happen without generous donations from Cancer Research UK.

Oxford University Encaenia

 Yesterday I had the pleasure of attending the University of Oxford Encaenia at the Sheldonian Theatre (see photo above).  Honorary degrees were presented to The Honourable Andrew Li Kwok Nang, Dame Anne Owers, Professor Anthony Grafton, Sir Tom Stoppard, Professor Ingrid Daubechies, Baroness (Tanni) Grey-Thompson, Mr. Colin Smith and Mr. Murray Perahia.  This was followed by lunch at Rhodes House and a Garden Party at Trinity College. 

It was a beautiful sunny day and it was a wonderful occasion which I am sure many of us will long remember.  

Wantage Summer Festival Opens

This weekend kicked off the start of the 18th Wantage Summer Festival which brought with it some sunny weather too!  Last night,  I attended the Evening Supper Concert in the New Band Hall (see photos above) on Tugwell Field in Wantage where The 12th Street Brass Quintet played some well-loved numbers which everyone enjoyed.  An excellent evening all organised by Wantage Silver Band.

Today was the Ray Collins' Wantage Carnival in the Market Square where the funfair and many  stalls were on display.  There seemed to be a good turnout again, I am sure because of the lovely sunshine.  Money was being raised for Wantage Church of England School, Charlton Acorns pre-school and several other charities.

There are lots of events to go to over the next few weeks so do check out the programme which can be seen here.  Tickets can be booked at the Vale and Downland Museum (Tel: 01235 760176 or 771447).