Firefighters honoured with national award
Read this newspaper online at www.oxfordshireguardian.co.uk
News Bites Burning food BLACKBIRD LEYS: Fire crews were called to an unoccupied house in Juniper Road on May 21, after neighbours heard the smoke alarm going. It was discovered that a pan of food had been left on the stove, but was not a danger to the house and was discarded safely. The owner returned shortly afterwards.
Peacock killed COWLEY: A peacock which got caught on the front of a car in Peterlee Road on May 20, had to be put to sleep. It was badly injured by the accident. It is unsure how long it was stuck on the car’s front when it was found at 5.45am. RSPCA animal collection officer Dennis Lovell said: “We would ask drivers to be careful on the roads.”
Crash on A40 OXFORD: A man was taken to hospital after a collision on the A40 between Headington and Wheatley last Thursday. Only one car was involved in the crash, and the man had to be extracted from the car by the Fire and Rescue Service. The incident is being investigated by police.
To advertise call 01235 511700
FIREFIGHTERS from Oxford have won a prestigious award after raising more than £14,000 by cycling 463 miles to Germany. A team of 20 fi refighters rode from Bonn Square in Oxford to the city of Bonn in Germany last July, passing through France and Belgium along the way. They raised more than £14,000, which was donated to The Fire Fighters Charity. And for their efforts, they won the Team of the Year category at the national Spirit of Fire Awards on May 16. As well as completing the mammoth ride, fi refighters have also been promoting cycle safety in primary school children over a nine month period. David Etheridge, Oxfordshire County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service’s chief fi re officer, was delighted with the honour. He said: “I am extremely proud that Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue has been named Team of the Year. “I would like to personally thank every member of my staff involved for the great effort that was put in raising the money through the cycle ride and for volunteering their own time to
Thursday, May 29 - Wednesday, June 4, 2014 11
By Adam Flinn adam@taylornewspapers.co.uk
promote cycle safety to youngsters. “The Fire Fighters Charity is an excellent charity which supports serving and retired fi refighters and their families, and the Fire and Rescue Service is delighted to support it in any way that we can.” Louise Chapman, the council’s cabinet member with responsibility for the Fire and Rescue Service, was delighted with their efforts. She said: “Residents of Oxfordshire are fortunate that they have an extremely dedicated Fire and Rescue Service who go that extra mile to support the community. “This award is recognition of the excellent work that is done locally. “I would like to congratulate everybody involved.” Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue was also shortlisted as Brigade of the Year. The county council was shortlisted as Corporate Supporter of the Year at the awards in Park Plaza hotel in Westminster.
Centre given TLC ahead of the summer AN OUTDOOR education centre near Oxford has been given a spruce up ready for the summer. Hill End Centre, in Eynsham Road, Farmoor, has seen volunteers clear an overgrown footpath, fences painted and the wooden walls of a dormitory structure preserved. Nineteen staff from the Carillion Capita Partnership, who provide management services on behalf of Oxfordshire County Council, helped tidy up
the centre. Selby Dickinson, business and skills manager at Hill End, said: “We are delighted that Carillion and Capita provided an army of volunteers for this council-owned site. “The team managed to get an enormous amount of work done. “The kind donation of paint from decorating suppliers Johnstone’s was also a real bonus.” Jess Stone, communications
manager for the Carillion Capita Partnership, added: “The partnership is committed to investing in the local community. “Staff who volunteered thoroughly enjoyed helping to make a little difference at a site Oxfordshire communities have to enjoy.” The centre offers residential visits, training courses and workshops who want to be closer to the natural environment.
FREE microchipping for your dog from Dogs Trust…at a vet near you! Microchipping helps identify your dog if lost or stolen and it will soon be a legal obligation for all dogs to be chipped* – so don’t miss out. Call: 0330
123 0334 or visit www.chipmydog.org.uk for your nearest participating vet.
*
By March 2015 in Wales and April 2016 in England
Registered Charity Number: 227523