Dear [Forename]

This isn't too long so if you are on child minding duties over the holidays it won't take much reading - so put the kettle on and take a short break.

First Local Elections. Don't forget that this is your once in 4 years opportunity to make sure that the Parish and District Councillors are listening to you. They will be knocking on doors throughout the area from now until May so make sure you tell them what you think of what they have done for you in the last 4 years or should do in the next. If you want any ideas then you could look back at my wish list for 2023 https://wantageandgrove.org/newsletter.php?DateID=2301091536.
You will need to take a photo-ID when you go to vote.

The Annual Council meetings where the Councillors tell you what they have done in the last 12 months are coming up so you could speak to them then. Wantage held their meeting on 22 March and the number of Councillors present were very slightly outnumbered by members of the public - but then these meetings are never well advertised. Most other meetings are still to take place.
Grove Meeting is on 28 April in Old Mill Hall at 7.30pm. The two Hanney Parish Councils are holding a joint Annual Parish Meeting, on Weds 26th April, 7.30pm in the village hall. The Letcombe Regis meeting is after the election on 15 May in Letcombe Regis Village Hall at 7pm, but I haven't managed to find out any information about the other Ox12 parishes.

Grove Airfield (Wellington Gate) Planning Applications
Those of you who have been receiving these emails for some time might remember that we were invited to comment on Persimmon's outline plans for the Airfield Community Centre and we told them what you thought of their plans (see the 23 December 2023 newsletter). They have now submitted the application for the Local Centre Development Brief P23/V0801/DIS so if you would like us to submit comments on this final version, please get in touch.

Oxfordshire County Council have released some interesting news recently.
First they are running a pilot of shared electric vehicles across the county (including in Wantage) see https://news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/electric-car-club-pilot-scheme-puts-hire-vehicles-in-car-parks-across-oxfordshire/ - they don't believe in short page links do they?
Then they have a survey about Dental Care in Oxfordshire which I'm sure you would like to complete, if only to remind them about the lack of NHS dental services in this area. https://letstalk.oxfordshire.gov.uk/oxfordshire-oral-health-needs-assessment
They are also reminding us to beware of rogue traders https://news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/rogue-traders-posing-as-gardeners-and-roofers/ so please be cautious if anyone knocks and offers to repair your home or garden, particularly if they are pushy or claim that urgent repairs are required.

There will be a Health and Wellbeing Event on Saturday 22 April in the Beacon 12.00 - 16.00
Come along to find out more about what exciting activities are available in and around the area to enable you to enjoy a healthier and more fulfilled lifestyle.
There will be informative talks and demonstrations from local groups and health care professionals.
For more details see the website https://wellbeing.ox12.org

Also you can read earlier newsletters on our website at https://wantageandgrove.org/newsletters.php and our columns from the Herald at https://wantageandgrove.org/columns.php and find a list of many of the sports, cultural and community organisations in OX12 at https://wantageandgrove.org/organisations.php

Finally don't forget that Botley Road will close for at least 6 months from 11th April, leaving only pedestrian and cycle access to the centre of Oxford from the west. For other roadworks see https://one.network/

Thanks for reading.

Best wishes
Julie

Julie Mabberley
Campaign Manager

Wantage and Grove Campaign Group
www.wantageandgrove.org

https://www.facebook.com/groups/wantageandgrovecampaigngroup