GROUP Didcot, Wallingford, Thame & Henley-on-Thames Thursday, October 5 - Wednesday, October 11, 2017
Mother’s story of her battle for justice for son
Free
oxfordshireguardian.co.uk
Making science fun for pupils at primary school
Pages 12&13
Having a ball to mark 10 years of Play2Give
Page 16
Page 18
Slimming World consultant is big winner in People’s Postcode Lottery
Piling on the pounds! By George Welch A SLIMMING World consultant is counting the pounds instead of trying to shed them after winning more than £250,000 as part of the People’s Postcode Lottery. Didcot resident Carol Walden collected her cheque for £267,642 on Saturday at a special event in Steventon where a £3million prize pot was divvied out between the 406 players in the OX11 8 area. The 45-year-old, who attended with husband Malcolm, was in shock when her postcode, OX11 8BE, was revealed
as the big winner. She said: “I can’t stop shaking. I honestly would have been thrilled no matter what we went away with, but this is just unbelievable. “I’ve been doing Slimming World for four years and have made so many friends through it. I’m delighted that so many of them are here winning too.” Mrs Walden plans to help buy some furniture for her 22-year-old son James, who is moving out of the family home. Husband Malcolm, meanwhile, has his eye on a new car.
“I originally signed up to play because of all of the money that goes to charity,” she said. “It makes such a big difference without you even noticing it coming out of your bank account.” The hundreds of players had no idea how much they would win as they attended the event at Milton Hill House. The remaining 405 winners in the postcode sector OX11 8 took home between £5,800 and £23,200 each, depending on how many tickets they play with. Husband and wife Willie and Sarah
Coates, who play with six tickets, won a combined total of £34,800. The couple are using their winnings to fund a trip to Majorca to satisfy Mrs Coates’ love of scuba diving. Vic Langley who plays with three tickets and was joined at the event by partner Bev, took home £17,400. The 58-year-old said: “It’s brilliant, I’m speechless. I’ve been playing for four years but only moved into my new postcode in August so I’m feeling especially lucky. We just got back from holiday in the USA but I think we’ll look at somewhere further afield next year now.”
The moment Carol Walden found out she had won top prize and above with husband Malcolm; left, Willie and Sarah Coates and right, Vic Langley and partner Bev Pictures: Darren Casey/DCimaging Residents are not the only big winners, as the game donates at least 31 per cent from each ticket to charity.
Come and join us. Whole School Open Morning Saturday, 7 October 9:30am -12:00pm Excellence in Independent Education for Boys aged 3-11 and Girls aged 3-16 www.cranfordhouse.net