19 april 2018 oxfordshire guardian witney

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Your guide for your

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Witney, Carterton and villages Thursday, April 19 - Wednesday, April 25, 2018

Campaigners join to oppose airspace plan

Weekly leisure guide for in and around Oxford

oxfordshireguardian.co.uk

Marathon challenge awaits runners

Page 5

Out& About leisure time in &

around Oxfordshi

re

Classics with French flourishes Review: The Black Horse, Thame

Ivor Novello awa rd-winning mus ician shares his personal

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VIP package for

Win! six children Page 28

Pages 18&19

Inclusive play areas greeted with excitement by families By Owen Hughes PLAYGROUND plans for two new sites in Witney have been unveiled much to the delight of Madley residents. The existing Cedar Drive play area will be fully remodelled to create the new playground which will encompass an inclusive play area with a separate skate facility and tarmacked sports court. A climbing frame with slide, spinning web climber and a number of inclusive pieces of equipment to suit all abilities are also included in the plans. Designs also feature a wheelchair accessible trampoline, roundabout, sensory panels and a wheelchair accessible picnic table. The playing fields behind the park will be developed for older children. The existing skysurfer will be joined by a zip-wire, multi-use games area and a skate ramp with a grind bar. One Madley Park resident said the designs look “amazing”. Nicola Gargan wrote on Facebook: “There seems to be something for all ages – do I let on to my son (who hasn’t managed yet to stand on his fi rst skate board for more than a couple of seconds) that there will be a skate park?! “He’ll be so excited.” Paige Lewin wrote: “Fantastic to see it’s going to be inclusive for all.

Especially being so close to Springfield. Fun for all!!!” Plans for the areas have been prepared following extensive consultations with Madley Park residents, playground experts, the police, and children from the area. Following a grant from West Oxfordshire District Council of up to £30,000, existing funds allocated from section 106 money from developers’ contributions and a number of community fundraising events, nearly fi fty per cent of the £130,000 needed for the play area has been raised. David Bates, chair of the Madley Park Residents’ Association, said: “There’s a fantastic community spirit on Madley, lots of people are supporting our efforts to fundraise for the new play areas as well as getting involved in other community events.” More than 60 people from the surrounding community got together for a spring litter pick on Saturday morning, organised by the residents’ association. The fundraising team are still looking for businesses in the area to sponsor pieces of equipment set to feature in the park. Anyone interested in sponsoring play equipment should email activatemadley@gmail.com Individuals can also donate online via JustGiving at https://bit.ly/ 2J2fGO1

Pony tales

Mane attraction: George Brown, 13, a member of Witney Young Farmers Club meets Mr Fuddles ADORABLE pint-sized pony Mr Fuddles delighted children and grown-ups in equal measure when he trotted out to promote the upcoming Oxfordshire Young Farmers County Show and Rally. The miniature Shetland pony, star of his own Facebook and

Instagram pages, made a special appearance under the clock tower of Witney’s Woolgate Shopping Centre on Saturday. Mr Fuddles proved a big hit with shoppers as he posed for pictures with adoring fans. This year’s annual showcase of

farming and rural skills arrives in Ducklington with a day of crafts, displays, entertainment and competitions, expected to attract more than 7,000 people over the bank holiday weekend event on May 26, organised by Witney Young Farmers Club.

More printed copies than any other weekly newspaper in Oxfordshire (16,103 audited JICREG pending)

Is YOUR Garden Ready for Spring? B U I L D E R S

M E R C H A N T S

80-82 Station Road, Brize Norton, Carterton, Oxfordshire, OX18 3QB Tel: 01993 842172 www.aktimms.co.uk


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