Patients at Witney Community Hospital are continuing to enjoy a full range of arts and crafts activities despite the impact of Covid-19.
The Creating With Care project has gone from strength to strength, not only providing patients with activities and shows but also helping them keep in touch with relatives and friends during lockdown.

Arts Co-ordinator Angela Conlan, who leads the Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust initiative, said: “When lockdown first started we provided patients with activity packs and then online performances by musicians who have been taking live requests via an iPad. We have also recently started concerts in the garden.
“Our hospitals have not permitted visitors, so we have worked hard to combat patients’ sense of isolation. I’ve been arranging Facetime conversations so that patients can speak to their relatives and loved ones.
“For many it has been their first adventure in using this technology and is an introduction to the technology and it has been great to see them take to it and enjoying using it so much.”
The VE Day anniversary celebrations also proved a focal point with patients working with staff to create art installations and paintings with a patriotic theme.
Angela added: “VE Day came at a point when no-one was going out and people needed cheering up. It really helped with staff wellbeing as well.”
Angela also works with volunteers including 17-year-old Henry Box School student Megan Rendell who has enjoyed spending time with the patients, helping them develop art projects.
Megan said: “I want to be a doctor but I have not really been in a hospital environment before. I enjoy talking to people and helping them with Facetime because they can get a bit lonely. It’s very rewarding.”
Creating with Care was started by West Oxfordshire District Council more than two years ago and has been funded by Section 106 money provided by housing developers. Angela originally came in as an artist in residence but the project has been such a success that she now works in community hospitals across Oxfordshire, supported by trust and charitable funds.
She said: “I have been able to highlight the benefits of using the arts in therapy and treatment in both mental and physical health. The Council, Oxford Health and Witney Community Hospital have played a large part in that.”
Cllr Michele Mead, Cabinet Member for Leisure and Health, said: “This is a fantastic initiative and it is wonderful to see how many people have benefited from it during lockdown.”

Residents should take extra precautions this week with "heatwave" conditions set to hit Oxfordshire and much of England.
Temperatures are set to hit a sweltering 30 degrees celsius in some areas of the county over the next few days, and while many of us will be looking forward to fun in the sunshine, it’s vital to do so safely. There are several steps that we can all follow to stay sun safe:

• try to keep out of the sun between 11am to 3pm, as this is when UV exposure is at its strongest.
  
• wear UV sunglasses, seek shade, apply sunscreen with a minimum of SPF15, wear a hat or light scarf, and wear light, loose-fitting cotton clothes.
• drink lots of cool drinks but try avoiding caffeine, fizzy drinks, or alcohol.
• look out for others especially vulnerable groups such as the older people, very young children, and people with serious illnesses, who are particularly vulnerable during heatwave-like conditions
• never leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle, especially infants, young children or animals
• try to keep your bedroom and living space cool by closing the curtains on windows that receive the sun, and opening your windows at cooler times of the day and overnight when you can.
• turn off non-essential lights and electrical items as these generate heat.

Oxfordshire county council consultant in public health, Dr Eunan O’Neill said:
"Everyone can enjoy the sun safely by keeping out of the heat at the hottest time of the day, avoiding sunburn and staying hydrated with plenty of cool drinks. The older people and those with long-term illnesses are particularly vulnerable to the effects of very hot weather, so it’s important to look out for them and keep indoor areas as cool as possible."

Dr Kiren Collison, GP and clinical chair at Oxfordshire CCG said:

"The warm weather is enjoyable for most but for some people – especially older people and those with underlying health conditions –-the summer heat can bring real health risks. We would encourage everyone to keep an eye on those you know who may be at risk this summer and if you’re able, ask if your friends, family or neighbours need any support. Follow guidance on COVID-19 at all times and when using public cool spaces including shaded outdoor spaces please remember social distancing measures do still apply."

URL : http://news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/scorching-temperatures-set-for-oxfordshire-this-week/

Outline planning permission for the Oxfordshire Cotswolds garden village is expected to be submitted to West Oxfordshire District Council this week.
The move by Grosvenor Developments, land promoters acting on behalf of the owners of the site near Eynsham, has been highly anticipated and will represent a major milestone in the planning process.

It comes as a key piece of legislation for the site, the Area Action Plan (AAP), nears completion.
The AAP is the culmination of comprehensive work involving public meetings, events and consultations along with the compilation of expert reports showcasing the concept, vision and proposals for the garden village.
It will provide the legislative framework against which the outline planning application will be measured.
The final public consultation relating to the garden village AAP will take place this summer once approved by full Council on 29 July. A planning hearing is anticipated in the autumn with adoption by the Council by the end of the year.
The official name of the garden village will also be unveiled at the Council meeting following a competition which generated more than 100 suggestions.
Cllr Jeff Haine, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, said: “Public consultation and community engagement has been at the heart of this process since we lodged our bid with the Government for a garden village to be sited here.
“We intend to continue with that process of engagement as the planning process progresses. It is important that everyone appreciates there will two lots of consultation running closely together – one for the Area Action Plan and one for the outline planning application from Grosvenor Developments. They serve different purposes and if you want your views to carry maximum weight please respond to both.
“These are exciting developments which will help bring the Garden Village project to life in the not too distant future.”
For more information see:
www.thegardenvillage.org and
https://www.westoxon.gov.uk/planning-and-building/planning-policy/oxfordshire-cotswolds-garden-village/

Plans to modify Witney town centre are rolling out.

Traffic restrictions along the High Street up to the Market Square have now been introduced with the road closed to non-authorised vehicles, although shops will still be able to receive deliveries.

The scheme is designed to ensure shoppers and pedestrians have adequate room for safe social distancing.
Barrier sleeves with the logos ‘Stay safe, shop local’ and ‘Please keep a safe distance’ are being introduced to reinforce the message.
Cllr Toby Morris, Cabinet Member for Resources, said: “We have had to work quickly to bring about these changes which are now being rolled out but have been listening to businesses and residents during the process.
“We have also worked with partners including Witney Town Council and Oxfordshire County Council to ensure the town centre is a safe place for pedestrians while supporting the local economy.
“Significantly, these remain experimental changes which will be kept under review.”
On Friday parking wardens will re-direct non-authorised vehicles away from the High Street while the three disabled parking bays outside Boots have been relocated further up the road.
The number 15 Stagecoach bus to Abingdon and the number 19 to Carterton are being rerouted down Corn Street from tomorrow in readiness for the closure of part of Welch Way on Friday 26 June.  

Plans to modify Witney town centre following the reopening of non-essential shops are set to be put in place by the end of the week.
Plans to modify Witney town centre following the reopening of non-essential shops are set to be put in place by the end of the week.

The scheme, which involves the imposition of a 20mph speed limit across the town, partial closure of Welch Way and restricted traffic movements on the High Street, has received many positive responses from residents and businesses.
Now the final touches are being put to the plan to ensure adequate signage is in place across the town before it is implemented.
Cllr Toby Morris, Cabinet Member for Resources at West Oxfordshire District Council, said: “We have been listening to residents and businesses since we announced this plan and their feedback has been hugely appreciated.
“We all recognise that we need to ensure our town centre is a safe environment in which to work and shop and these measures will help ensure that happens while allowing the local economy to be supported.”
Meanwhile, 500 packs of useful information, social distancing stickers and a poster have been distributed to small and independent businesses across the District.
Rich Hikins of High Street-based computer and ‘phone repair shop iRepairTech said: “We would like to thank the Council for the efforts they have made to help us reopen.
“The pack has loads of information that helps businesses get back to what we should be doing.”