Meet our friendly Community Hub

Come and meet our friendly Community Hub team in the café at Cornerstone Arts Centre in Didcot. We’ll be there from 2pm to 5.30pm on Tuesday 6 June. Drop in to find out more about cost-of-living help, food support and advice.

A vital part of our work is the Homes for Ukraine scheme so we can also offer guidance and information for anyone curious about becoming a host for the Homes for Ukraine scheme or offering support to guests on this scheme.

If you can’t come and meet us in person but need help because you’re struggling financially or just finding life difficult, we can help. Whether it’s practical support or advice, we encourage you to get in touch. Call us on 01235 42260 or email communitysupport@southandvale.gov.uk

For more information, visit the cost-of-living advice and support pages on our website.

The Great Big Green Week returns

Next month marks the return of The Great Big Green Week, the national celebration of community action to tackle climate change and protect nature.

It takes place from 10 to 18 June, when we will be encouraging people to do something to make everyone’s world a little greener. There are a host of events being held locally ranging from a tour of West Mill Solar Farm in Watchfield to Henley’s Great Big Green Fair. Find out more on The Great Big Green Week website.

Please help to count the bees (and other pollinators)

This summer, you can play a vital role to help support important research about bees and other insects that transport pollen. All you need to do is to download a special app and then head outside to an area of green space for ten minutes to keep a count of bees and other pollinators. By recording the results, you will help to support the work of the Wallingford-based UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (UKCEH) to keep track of the pollinator population across the country - visit the UK Pollinator Monitoring Scheme website to find out how you can get involved.

Have you seen our Let It Bee signs?

New signs have appeared across the district highlighting the sites of our wildflower meadows and new Let It Bee areas. We’re letting the grass grow at a number of specific sites all through the growing season as a trial with the aim of increasing biodiversity.

For more information, visit our Let It Bee page.

Bank holiday bins

Don’t forget, due to the bank holiday we’ll be emptying your bins a day later than usual next week. For details, or to download our full 2023-24 holiday collections calendar, visit our waste calendar page

Other News

Council leaders and cabinet confirmed

Following our annual council meeting last week, Cllr David Rouane has been confirmed Leader of South Oxfordshire District Council. You can find details of our new cabinet on our website.

Cllrs David Turner and Kellie Hinton will continue as Chair and Vice Chair for 2023-24.

Riverside park and pool is ready for summer!

Riverside outdoor pool in Wallingford opens for the summer season on Saturday 27 May with the return of the Swim Doctor, aqua aerobics, and a special day of events on the 24 June to mark the summer solstice.

The splash pad is getting a new look with a refurbishment costing almost £300,000, paid for by developer contributions, and will include a new brightly coloured soft rubber crumb finish, sensor operated water jets, tall sprinklers, tipping buckets and water tunnels which will provide everyone with hours of entertainment. The splash pad will be ready for visitors from early July.

Swimming sessions at the pool can be booked now via the Better UK app or the Better UK website.

Celebrate pride with Cornerstone

Celebrate Pride with Cornerstone Arts Centre from 9 to 15 June where everyone is welcome!

Audiences can enjoy workshops, captivating theatre performances, and a dazzling drag cabaret show ensuring a memorable experience for all attendees.

The festivities conclude with the not to be missed circus duet, The Chosen Haram, which delves into the intricate aspects of identity. For further details just visit the Cornerstone website.

This month