Choral Concert in Wantage

Last night I attended an excellent choral concert at Wantage Civic Hall in memory of Barbara Cooper which raised funds for Helen and Douglas House. We heard songs from the Newport Male Voice Choir (above left) and Wantage Male Voice Choir and for some pieces we heard joint choirs sing together (above right).  There were some new songs paying tribute to Betjeman as this  was the last weekend of the excellent Wantage (not just) Betjeman Literary Festival which has been another success.

The hall was packed with many friends, family and colleagues of Barbara's who were able to come along to remember her and the excellent work she did both at King Alfred's College and within the community.  We were told that £2700 was raised last night to go towards the work of Helen and Douglas House.  A very enjoyable evening, despite the wet and windy weather.

A34 Closures Coming Up!

This is to warn motorists of closures on the A34 in both directions so that the Highways Agency can undertake essential maintenance work to refurbish the College Farm Bridge at Beedon.

Works are scheduled to take place from Monday 28th October until the end of November 2013.
To undertake these works safely, it will be necessary to close the A34 at this location at various times, and have in place narrow lanes and a temporary 50 mph speed limit.

TWO WEEKEND CLOSURES ARE CURRENTLY PLANNED FOR:

Friday 15th November (10pm) through to Monday 18th November (6am) - Southbound carriageway closure between the A4130 Milton Interchange and M4 Junction 13

Friday 22nd November (10pm) through to Monday 25th November (6am) - Northbound Carriageway closure from the M4 Junction 13 Interchange

Significant delays are expected, so please allow extra time or avoid this route where possible.

Full details can be found at the Highways Agency website here or contact Highways Agency Information Line (HAIL) at 0300 123 5000

White Lines Refreshed in Grove

I have arranged for the white lines to be refreshed on the Denchworth Road in Grove from Newlands Drive (shown above left), including the mini-roundabout at the end of Brereton Drive (shown above right) all the way down to the mini-roundabout, which joins Main Street and Oxford Lane.

This has come out of my Area Stewardship Fund with which I was able to secure several schemes in the village last year, and which I am continuing to use this year, but with a decreased budget.  The white lines were refreshed at the end of Vale Avenue and in Oxford Lane last year as you will see from these blog posts.

I am hoping to improve some of the footpaths around the village, have provided funding for weedkilling and have had vegetation cut back on the cycleway and footpaths between Grove and Wantage.  I will update residents on these projects as soon as they are completed.

Public Meetings on County Council Budget

We have been told that we have another £60 million of savings to make on top of over £120 million already saved on the County Council's budget.  There will be tough decisions to make in the forthcoming spending round this year and the budget proposals which have to be set next February 2014.

There are a series of public consultation meetings coming up around Oxfordshire where the Leader of the Council and Chief Executive are to hear your views.

For the Vale area, this will take place on Monday 21st October at Wantage Civic Hall from 7.30 - 9pm.  All welcome to attend.

For details of the event, click here which also gives other venues if you are unable to attend locally.