Witney Gazette December 3rd 2014. Sisters unite in requesting a public inquiry after each of their brothers died from starvation after their benefits were drastically cut.
Cathie Wood and Gill Thompson, sisters to Mark Wood of Bampton and David Clapson spoke of the "austerity war" at a public meeting in Witney. Mark died weighing just over four and a half stones after an assessment by Atos, for the DWP claimed he was fit to work and his disability benefit was cut. Similarly David, a diabetic, had his benefits were suspended and without electricity he could not refrigerate his insulin.
Whistle-blowers at the ambulance service, which covers West Oxfordshire have warned lives are being put at risk because of staff shortages. There are 265 vacancies but funding available for only 90 paramedics in this year. There was a 10% increase in the use of private ambulances in the year. Much more info in the article
These three maps are all labelled as 2nd edition 1899. They cover the area Central Bampton, north & south, east nearly to Aston, Black Bourton south to Cowleaze Corner, east to Elephant & Castle in Bridge Street and Mt Owen Rd, west to road going up to Lew now called Station Road. They not only show the buildings but someone has written on in pencil when certain plots were sold and to whom. Interesting to see the clear fish-farming area with the Deanery then called Deanery Farm, Cobb House simply called Vicarage, Churchgate House called Trinity Vicarage. The third vicarage is today called Kilmore House and is almost opposite the East window of St. Mary's. What today is called Bridge Street was then called Mill Street and the mill was just to the left of path to Sandford Field from Bridge St. The legend is the mill wheel was buried in the plot to the left of the brook walking to the field from Bridge St and the tree there today was planted at its centre.
Work by three artist was exhibited in the Gallery in October 2002Terry Wigley - photographerGilly Whittington - potterChristopher Townsend -sculptor/artist
