Welcome to the website for the village of Long Wittenham, Oxfordshire, England. Within these pages you will find information on the village, the Parish Council and its activities, a directory of local businesses and services, information on clubs and groups, and lots of other things too such as information about Coronavirus.
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Arts and entertainment in South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse have gone online! If you’re struggling to keep the kids entertained, or you’re fed up with endlessly scrolling through uninspiring choices on video streaming services, Cornerstone Arts Centre and The Beacon can help.
South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse district councils’ Arts Development team has pulled together a host of free, entertaining and exciting online content to keep boredom at bay.
Cornerstone – keeping you entertained
Cornerstone is providing a full #CornerstoneAtHome schedule of great theatre, music and comedy shows all streamed online for free.
Family fun with daily story time – join facebook.com/CornerstoneDidcot at 4pm each day for the latest instalment of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, read by Jessie Coller (Cornerstone Arts Centre’s Arts Development Officer), or watch each session in your own time.
Also, on facebook.com/CornerstoneDidcot, find out about special National Theatre shows available to watch for free for a limited period on YouTube, including One Man Two Guvnors and Jane Eyre.
If it’s classes that you’re after, make sure you visit cornerstone-arts.org to find out how you can get involved with online video sessions – over the coming weeks you can try your hand at classes from theatre to photography. Alongside this they will be offering everyone the chance to check out some truly unique specially commissioned interactive content – don’t miss out!
While you’re on Cornerstone’s website don’t forget to look at some of the great online art that the Arts Development team is showcasing – such as the virtual gallery of Sudden Portals, William Cotterill’s latest paintings, objects and prints.
The Beacon – there for the local community
Visit beaconwantage.co.uk and facebook.com/TheBeaconWantage for #BeaconAtHome, including world class theatre online and some special performances from favourite local acts. There will also be new online classes and groups for you and your family to enjoy from home courtesy of their regular hirers.
Check out the gallery at beaconwantage.co.uk of the famous Rainbow illustrations, made by children in the local area this display is guaranteed to put a smile on people’s faces.
Popular covers band, The Zoots were scheduled to play The Beacon on Saturday 18th April – instead, Jamie from the band will now be performing a special 60s and 70s live acoustic set from his garage on The Zoots Facebook page at 7.30pm: www.facebook.com/thezoots – fans can requests songs in advance.
You can also find out about the online classes and content provided by local groups, and resources and information about providing practical help in the community.
Despite the uncertainty of this period it has given the district Arts community an opportunity to work together. Starting with the #MakeALeaf project in partnership with Didcot Garden Town asking us all to create leaves in whatever form, the size of your hand at most to be hung on a display tree in Cornerstone Arts Centre when we are out of lockdown.
We are pleased to report that not everyone in Long Wittenham is restricted from leaving home at this time.
See the delightful video below of duckings leaving their nest on the Thames backwater behind the High Street. It was taken by Gay and Chisholm Ogg from the bottom of their garden at Evelegh’s, yesterday (Wednesday 8th April) afternoon. Click on the photo to watch the video. Continue reading
Oxfordshire County Council (OCC) is warning residents to be on their guard against criminals and scammers exploiting the Coronavirus situation.
Some scammers are claiming to be charity workers, offering assistance with shopping, or requesting donations.
Here are some tips from OCC’s Trading Standards team on how to check charity workers are genuine: Continue reading
Richard May, the administrator of the Village Hall 200 Club writes:
April marks the start of the new year for the 200 Club – the time when our team of diligent collectors would normally be visiting you during April and May to collect membership subscriptions. However the restrictions placed on movement, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, would make it extremely difficult (and potentially unsafe) to collect subscriptions, or to distribute prizes.
It has therefore been decided to suspend the operation of the 200 Club for an initial period Continue reading
As many of you will have no doubt expected, because of the current Coronavirus situation, the Beagle Welfare Treasure Hunt originally scheduled for 10th May has been postponed. The organisers would like to offer many thanks to everyone who was planning to support this event, either by coming along to take part or by offering help and/or prizes. The event will take place when it is safe to do so.
The Parish Council has been asked to inform residents that NRS HealthCare is asking people to return health care equipment they no longer need to help with the Coronavirus crisis.
The items needed are chairs, beds, wheeled commodes, mattresses, any electrical items, bed rails, walking and toilet frames, and telecare items and slings. Much of this equipment could be recycled and reused. It helps to get the equipment to the people who Continue reading
The Parish Council has been asked to inform residents that South Oxfordshire District Council (SODC) has put a range of measures in place to help people who are being affected financially by the Coronavirus pandemic:
Hardship fund for people on Council Tax Reduction
The government has confirmed details of a £500 million hardship fund. Under this scheme, people in receipt of Council Tax Reduction will receive a minimum of £150 off Continue reading
The work of the voluntary and community sector across Oxfordshire is invaluable and the county has some of the best initiatives across the country. It is therefore no surprise that all local authorities in the county have been inundated with offers of help and support at this time.
To ensure that residents know where to turn, all community groups, community organisations and local businesses have been asked to include details of their initiatives on Continue reading
Despite the difficult situation, there is a plan to hold an Easter Egg Hunt for the children in the village from Good Friday 10th April through to Easter Monday 13th April (and beyond, if you feel like it).
With over a week to go, parents have time to be a bit creative and get the children to draw, decorate or make some eggs which could be stuck in your window, or perhaps your front garden if the weather is nice. Go on! Be creative! Continue reading
South Oxfordshire District Council (SODC) has asked the Parish Council to pass on the following information:
The council has launched an online form to help local businesses apply for small business and retail grants. The form and more details can be found on the SODC website.
The council is working with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) to understand the UK Government’s support for businesses through this period of Continue reading
