Newspaper cutting mentioning the new Cala Homes development and the Path to Nowhere. Oakwood Gate

General Election 12th December 2019 3rd Flyer
Jo Swinson was Liberal Democrat Candidate
Joanne Kate Swinson CBE FRSA was Leader of the Liberal Democrats from 22 July to 13 December 2019. She was the first woman and the youngest person to hold the position, as well ... »

Copy of letter to Janet and Terry Rouse, from Sarah Wollaston setting out her reasons for leaving Conservative Party. and promoting her support for Jo Swinson Liberal Democrats

The pub in the High Street named The Morris Clown (as at 2018) began life as The George. Steve the present landlord found the ancient wooden name board in the cellar but it fell to dust when he tried to lift it. A long time ago it became the New Inn as seen in the first photograph which is at least pre 1920 because the cottage at the est end of the Market Square is still standing and that was pulled down to make way for the War Memorial. Over the door can be seen a sign which says Clinch's Entire Eagle Brewery, Witney. There is another line underneath which sadly is not readable. The lower board says Commercial Inn, Lila Clack and two more lines of text which I can't read. The opposite side of the road is the department store owned by T. W. Pembrey which ran the length of present day No7 High Street, Lesta House, Strawberry Cottage and across Bushey Row, then called New Inn Street the shop on the corner. On the end wall of the New Inn on the third picture text can be seen which in part says Commercial something and Posting House. A little of this lettering can still be seen in 2018. What was Pembrey's is now Busby's department store. Note the thatched hay rick camera side of Lime Tree House. Thatching hay ricks kept the hay in good condition and shed the rain off; rick thatching was a specialist job and in Bampton Ben Tanner and his brother were particularly skilled and Reg Rouse was also.

Robert Courts was elected to take over as MP for Witney and West Oxfordshire when David Cameron retired from being MP for the constituency. Robert emails a news roundup more less weekly and this one has much in regarding Coronavirus, also referred to as COVID-19.

Robert has given me permission to copy his letter and put it on this website and wishes me to make all aware of his email address robert@robertcourts.co.uk

The outbreak of Coronavirus in 2020 has caused devastation to the way of life all around the world. New restrictions and advice were being given daily by the Prime Minister Boris Johnson and two specialist advisers each day at 5pm from the week beginning Monday March 16th 2020.

It was announced during this week that all schools were to close but the pupils of key workers could still go to nominated schools to allow their parent to continue with his or her essential job. Also, pupils who would normally have free school meals would be able to go in order to have at least one square meal per day.

On Friday, the list of key workers was published and this article from the on-line Witney Gazette lists those key workers.

An instruction from the Archbishops of Canterbury and York this week said there would be no services until the risk of catching coronavirus has passed. Weddings can take place with a maximum of 5 people attending but that did not say if it was the bride and groom and the clergy plus two, or those 3 plus 5. Not helpful.

Francis Shergold explains how Reg Hall from Croydon came to play for the Bampton Traditional Morris Men in the late 1950s and he still played for them in 2019. https://youtu.be/XNBXdTcF_c4

Special Edition for 75th Anniversary of VE Day. Articles about how people celebrated VE Day at the end of the War 2 in and around Oxford.

Poster advertising a show by Ian Keable a magician, performing some of the magic tricks by Charles Dickens This was held in the Village Hall on January 25th (year not mentioned possibly 2020). Ian an award winning magician and comedian who
performed all over the world - from Los Angeles to Zurich. In addition to numerous television appearances, he presented a documentary on mind readers for BBC Radio 4. A member of the prestigious Inner Magic Circle.

The Paddocks has permission for 8 plots with one static and one travelling caravan supposed to be on each plot. These articles detail how this has been breached. It also reports on the death of Donna Smith at the site who had been placed in a car and left there all night and then all day on one of the hottest days of the year.