Headington Headlines #133

TonyOX3

No Headington Headlines last week as I was away, but now here again is my weekly round-up of local news, this time for 14 – 20 October.

The Oxford Times reported that St Andrew’s School is the most popular primary school in the county, measured in terms of the number of people who put schools down as their first, second or third preference compared with the number of places offered. On this measure there were 8.3 applications per place at St Andrew’s.

The County’s consultation on issues around a transport strategy for Headington closed last week. Here are links to some of the reponses by interested groups:

The map of the area proposed to be covered by the Headington Neighbourhood Plan has been submitted to Oxford City Council for approval. The Headington Plan website has an explanatory commentary. The Neighbourhood Plan Forum met on Thursday (report not yet published).

@headingtonnews pointed out that Barton West lies in the parish of St Andrew’s, Old Headington and wondered if this will change.

Professor Audrey Mullender, Principal of Ruskin College, announced her retirement with effect from 30 November. She has held the role since 2004.

Carl Sprake posted a blog about lichens in St Andrew’s churchyard in Old Headington.

In what looks suspiciously like a troll the Oxford Mail carried a story saying that in the long term, Christ Church might sell some of the land it owns adjacent to the West Barton development. The land is in South Oxfordshire District and is Green Belt so I suggest the chances of anything happening in the forseeable future are vanishingly small.

The Butchers Arms @ButchersArmsOxfhas a new shark-themed logo (with no apostrophe).

Police are looking for a Headington 17-year old who is charged with rape and who failed to attend a court hearing.

Up & Running moved across the road into the old Cartridge World shop, but there’s still no sign of Morrison’s opening.

Rosemary Restaurant continued to strip its façade of all signage. Unconfirmed rumours are that it will re-emerge with a different name.

Headington Ward’s LibDem councillors and the Friends of Old Headington have pooled funds to provide a grit bin on Ethelred Court (it’s off Dunstan Road if you didn’t know). The bin’s on order.

Active topics on the Headington & Marston e-democracy forum this week:

  • Has anyone got a large Santa suit they could loan for a day?
  • Headington Transport Strategy Consultation
  • Some Concerns about Headington
  • Headington Neighbourhood Plan Forum
  • New Headington bus routes
  • Punctuality Problems on No 4 Bus
I try to cover news from the OX3 postcode in Headington and out as far as Barton, Sandhills and Risinghurst (see map). To feed into next week’s summary you can comment on this article, or tweet either with the hashtag #ox3 or @mentioning @TonyOX3.

Headington Headlines #132

TonyOX3

Here’s my weekly round-up of local news for 30 September – 6 October.

Ownership of Warneford Meadow has been taken by the Oxford Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust from the Department of Health. The Trust has promised to continue the agreement under which the Meadow is maintained by the Friends of Warneford Meadow for the benefit of the community.

The agents selling the Fairview Inn on Glebelands have set a deadline of 11 October for commercial bids. You’ll remember that locals failed to raise the money to buy it after it was designated an Asset of Community Value. What happens if they don’t get any acceptable bids isn’t clear.

Sandfield Road residents have been complaining about the number of smokers from the JR Hospital who use nearby roads and a children’s play area for their cigarette breaks. But the JR, Churchill and Nuffield hospitals will get their smoking shelters. The planning application was approved on Wednesday by the East Area Planning Committee.

Headington’s 20mph zones may be more rigorously enforced by the police. In keeping with the formula applying to higher limits, action will be taken against motorists doing 24mph or more.

Up & Running will move into the old Cartridge World shop. Hancock’s Funeral Directors had an official opening 8 months after, er, opening. Daisy Chain in Windmill Road reopened after a major refurbishment.

Headington is one of the areas of Oxford that will get free wifi hotspots thanks to a governemt grant.

The Headington & Marston e-democracy forum lit up on Saturday night when people discovered that Headington Hill Park sometimes hosts wedding receptions. If only they paid more attention to Headington Headlines (June this year) they’d have known about it already.

My favourite Headington-related tweet of the week:

Active topics on the Headington & Marston e-democracy forum this week:

  • JR Hospital Trust Staff Travel Scheme
  • Warneford Meadow, Oxford – Notice of Intention to Dispose
  • New Headington bus routes
  • Licence for new Brookes building on Gypsy Lane
  • It is time Headington had a business club
  • After 6 months found a fence contractor
  • Traffic in Headington
  • 20 m.p.h speed limits on roads to be strictly enforced
  • Risinghurst Fireworks Display 9th November 2013
  • Marston Heating Supplies
  • Commercialisation of Headington Hill Park?
I try to cover news from the OX3 postcode in Headington and out as far as Barton, Sandhills and Risinghurst (see map). To feed into next week’s summary you can comment on this article, or tweet either with the hashtag #ox3 or @mentioning @TonyOX3.

Headington Headlines #131

TonyOX3

Here’s my weekly round-up of local news for 23 – 29 September.

As expected, the East Area Planning Committee approved the outline plans for the Barton West development at their meeting on Tuesday evening.

New ‘Cyclists Dismount’ bollards have been installed at each end of the footpath connecting Parry Close and Purcell Road in Marston.

As Morrison’s opening edged ever nearer a notice appeared advertising for staff. You can apply online but hurry, the closing date is the end of the month.

There’s a possibility Wood Farm and Lye Valley might become a new controlled parking Zone.

The Barton Young Achievers Awards dinner was held on Saturday. Reports from, among others, @VanCllrvcoulter @SharonDirckx @ThriveBarton and @Robin_Peake were unanimous in their praise.

Active topics on the Headington & Marston e-democracy forum this week:

  • Bus Users’ Forum Tue 15 Oct
  • Quarry Gate pub
  • County Council service changes
  • New Headington bus routes
  • Betting Shop Licenses
I try to cover news from the OX3 postcode in Headington and out as far as Barton, Sandhills and Risinghurst (see map). To feed into next week’s summary you can comment on this article, or tweet either with the hashtag #ox3 or @mentioning @TonyOX3.