Barton

More on local Credit Unions

TonyOX3

As a follow-up to my recent article on local Credit Unions it turns out that the Blackbird Leys CU is in discussions to merge with the larger Oxford Credit Union. This would seem to be a sensible move as hyper-local CUs such as Blackbird Leys will struggle to find the resources to keep their operations going. This report from the Oxford Mail has more information.

Another interesting development is that @robin_peake who is involved in the @ThriveBarton project, is looking at the possibility of setting up a credit union in Barton (a personal project of his).

Headington Headlines #122

TonyOX3

Here’s my weekly round-up of local news for 22 – 28 July.

New High Street was closed for several days for resurfacing.

Next street along, several residents in Kennett Road have objected to an application to create a disabled parking space. There’s a suggestion the applicant may already have somewhere to park off the street.

@TVP_Oxford raided a number of properties in Barton and Headington on Wednesday morning on suspicion of drug offences. The targets were in Cranley Road and Waynflete Road in Barton and John Snow Place on the London Road. At least one man has been charged.

News broke that @OxfordshireCC are conducting a strategic transport review of Headington’s traffic problems. Headington transport and cycling groups, Neighbourhood Plan team and other interested groups were unaware until about two weeks ago and there seem to be no plans to involve them. Describing the review as ‘major’ is rather exaggerated as the Council has apparently budgeted less than £25,000 for the consultants they have commissioned.

The cricket wicket in Margaret Road park was refurbished. Councillors @delia_sinclair @MarkLygo and @LaurencepBaxter celebrated.

Having acknowledged a while ago that their ban on smoking anywhere on site was unenforceable in practice, the JR Hospital has submitted a planning application to erect five smoking shelters.

There was a snatch robbery on the London Road on Wednesday the week before last. Police appeal for information.

Morrisons was granted an alcohol licence for 6am to midnight at the old Blockbuster shop.

Barton is getting £14,575 from @OxfordCity‘s Social Inclusion Fund for youth work, advice work and the Barton Bash.

The Film under the Stars screening in Bury Knowle Park on Saturday had to be cancelled because of the rain. @FilmOxford say it will be rescheduled for later in the school holidays.

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

  • Plans for the new Barton estate now available
  • New High Street Re-surfacing
  • Supermarkets in Headington
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 #108

TonyOX3

Here’s my weekly round-up of local news for 15 – 21 April.

A man was arrested in Bury Knowle Park at around 2.15pm on Friday after a shooting incident in Bristol earlier in which the same man is thought to have been involved. The arrested man was taken to the JR Hospital as a medical emergency “after taking medication”.

St Mary’s Church hall in Bayswater Road, Barton has been declared to be becoming unsafe and will have to close by July next year.

The County Council cabinet approved the expansion of St Joseph’s School (Headley Way) to a full 2-form entry from its current 1.5-form.

Martin Young got planning permission for 29 Old High Street but says he won’t be starting work as he would prefer to go ahead with the plans in his newest planning application, ref 13/00880/FUL. The change of use application for 255 Marston Road from a plumbers’ merchant to a taxi office was refused.

A couple from Waynflete Road, Barton were given suspended 12 month sentences and 250 hours of community service for attempting to smuggle a baby into the country from Nigeria.

Work has started on the access to Thornhill Park & Ride. Disruption is expected until August. The lower part of Staunton Road at the junction with Headley Way is also closed from today (Monday 22 April) for about two weeks for work on a raised surface, and Jack Straws Lane is closed too.

My favorite Headington-related tweet this week:

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

  • Bus Users’ Forum | Thu 4th Apr | Town Hall | 18:30
  • St Joseph’s school expansion
  • Road defect reporting in Oxfordshire now using FixMyStreet.com
  • Thornhill Park and Ride Expansion Plans.
  • Planning application for 255 Marston Road
  • Headington Pollution
  • Public Democracy
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.