News

Brian Hodgson's Funeral

Charlbury's former County Councillor, Brian Hodgson's funeral will take place in Stonesfield Parish Church on Friday, 7th September at 2pm. Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to Adopt-A-Minefield, Kensington Charity Centre, 4th Floor, Charles House, 375 Kensington High Street, London W14 8QH. Brian helped raise £32,000 for this cause from West Oxordshire United Nations Association. Despite our political differences I regarded him as a friend who did an amazing amount for this Town during his years on the County Council, including being the prime mover of the Home Zone. He was always generous with his time, ready to help anyone. I assisted him with two Auctions of Promises, one for Adopt-A-Minefield and one for the Community Centre; he called me his right hand woman but then Brian was "vintage" not "new" Labour. He was also a great support to the Friends of Charlbury Library always offering a bottle of wine for the raffle and finding speakers for talks. I can only recall him missing one Town Council meeting and that was because it clashed with the rehearsal for his son's wedding. He was very proud that the lovely bride had asked him to give her away. He will be sadly missed our thoughts and prayers are with his family.

Amanda Epps · Fri 31 Aug 2007, 12:33 · Link

Carton recycling comes to Oxfordshire

Keen, green Oxfordshire residents are being told they can add a new item to the list of things that they can now recycle thanks to a deal struck by the county council.

Beverage cartons can now be recycled at each of the councils eight waste recycling centres. Each year UK beverage carton manufacturers produce around 55,000 tonnes of paper-based cartons for milk and juices and, increasingly, chopped tomatoes and wine.

This equates to around 2.3kg of cartons per household which could be recycled instead of being thrown in the rubbish bin and landfilled.

Oxfordshire County Council, Tetra Pak Ltd and the carbon industry body ACE UK (Alliance for Beverage Cartons and the Environment) have each signed up to the project that makes it possible to recycle the cartons at recycling centres.

Where are the eight recycling centres?

Alkerton: Stratford Road, Alkerton, Nr Banbury,
Ardley Fields: Brackley Road, Ardley,
Dean: Grove Lane, Chadlington, near Chipping Norton
Dix: Linch Hill, Stanton Harcourt.
Redbridge, Old Abingdon Road, Oxford
Drayton: Steventon Road, Drayton, near Abingdon
Stanford in the Vale: Faringdon Road, Standford in the Vale
Oakley Wood, Henley Road, Crowmarsh, near Wallingford.
Even though these cartons cartons can still not be placed in household recycling bins in Oxfordshire, the new project means that used cartons can now be recycled through the special collection bins (taking paper-based cartons only) at the Recycling Centres.

What happens to the cartons?
Once collected they are taken away to be baled and transported to a recycling mill. They can be recycled into a number of different products ranging from plasterboard liner to high strength paper bags and envelopes.
Councillor Roger Belson, Oxfordshire County Council's Cabinet Member for Sustainable Development, said: "The residents of Oxfordshire have always responded well to the different recycling schemes that we have implemented across the county. However, we've still got some tough targets to meet, both as a county and a nation.
"We are delighted that Tetra Pak and the carton industry is supporting us to help increase the number of cartons that can be recycled in Oxfordshire."
Richard Hands, Environment Manager at Tetra Pak and Chairman of ACE UK, added: "While cartons are successfully recycled in large volumes for many years throughout Europe, the UK has a long way to go. It is therefore fantastic news that Oxfordshire County Council is taking a lead by adding cartons to the list of materials for recycling and we hope very much that the initiative is successful.
"We and our industry partners are committed to increasing the level of carton recycling in the UK with the aim of reaching a national network of carton recycling by the end of 2008. Our work with Oxfordshire County Council takes us and households in the area one step closer to achieving that."
For more information on carton recycling in Oxfordshire or a photo opportunity contact John Cherry, Waste Management Service Development Officer on 01865 815225. You can also visit www.tetrapakrecycling.co.uk

Colin Critch · Tue 28 Aug 2007, 21:21 · Link

Cornbury development shelved?

Reports suggest that the proposed holiday home development at Cornbury Park ("Finstock Heath") has been withdrawn.

Richard Fairhurst · Sat 25 Aug 2007, 09:32 · Link

Brian Hodgson

Everyone will be saddened by the news that Brian Hodgson, our County Councillor for many years and stalwart supporter of many of our community activities, passed away on Saturday 18th August.

Deepest sympathies go to his family.

More details at the Oxford Mail.

Geoff Holmberg · Sun 19 Aug 2007, 21:36 · Link

Chalrbury Street Fair - Street Parade 15th September 2007 6.30pm

We need the support of all the groups/societies/clubs/businesses or simply groups of friends in Charlbury or the local area. Enter the street parade with a float or on foot and not only will your entry bring some reccognition for your grouo, but you may also win a cash prize!! The theme for the parade is Magic and Mystery.
To enter please contact Sarah 01608 813050

Sarah Eaton · Sun 5 Aug 2007, 20:12 · Link

Train service back to normal

The scheduled service on the Cotswold Line has returned, with slightly extended journey times due to speed restrictions between Kingham and Moreton.

For details, see this forum thread.

Richard Fairhurst · Fri 3 Aug 2007, 16:20 · Link