Local News

The change comes into effect from the start of the 2026 school year An extra 2,017 children in the Banbury constituency will be able to have free school meals following changes to the eligibility criteria, announced by the government yesterday. From the start of the 2026 school year every pupil whose household is on Universal […]

Look out for local events including a bug and moth hunt and a wildlife day A number of events are lined up as part of Great Big Green Week next week.   It’s the UK’s biggest celebration of community action to tackle climate change and protect nature. Oxfordshire County Council has provided funding totalling £5,000 to […]

There are differing views as to which would be the best arrangement for our area Battle lines have been drawn with our local council’s trying to persuade us theirs is the best vision of how a new unitary authority for our area will look. Currently local government services here are provided by both Cherwell District […]

The community are hoping to use a Thorpe Close unit as their Gurdwara Banbury’s MP Sean Woodcock has stepped in to support the town’s Sikh community after they spoke to him about difficulties progressing their planning application to use a commercial unit on Thorpe Close in Banbury as their place of worship. Their current Gurdwara […]

Earthline Limited want to extract a further 750,000 tonnes of ironstone A second consultation on a planning application to extract more ironstone from land to the west of Wroxton village is about to begin. Earthline Limited already extracts minerals from Wroxton Fields Quarry but now wants to work in new areas of the site.   This […]

Reform UK took control of West Northamptonshire at May’s local elections by Nadia Lincoln, Local Democracy Reporter West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) will be one of the frontrunners to receive a visit from Reform UK’s new audit team, inspired by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in the United States. The party revealed that it […]

“After years of operating as a small practice, the time had come for us to seek new opportunities” A Banbury firm of solicitors which was established in 1739 has been sold. Aplins Solicitors on West Bar has been acquired by Alsters Kelley – one of the largest solicitor’s firms in the region.  14 members of […]

The scheme has 36 objections and no comments in support from the public by Esme Kenney, Local Democracy Reporter Unpopular plans to build up to 55 homes in a rural Oxfordshire village are set to be approved by the district council. Gladman Developments Ltd submitted the plans for the land northwest of Railway Farm on […]

Councillor Bernie Tiller took over as Town Mayor at an event on Saturday Brackley’s new Town Mayor has selected an organisation dedicated to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of the town’s youngsters as his charity of the year during his time in office. Bernie Tiller was robed up and wore the chains of office […]

The appointment follows the club serving notice to Simon Hollyhead Banbury United have appointed Kelvin Langmead as their new first team manager. The announcement was made this morning and follows the news that the club had served notice to Simon Hollyhead and placed him on gardening leave. Langmead was a player with the Puritans during […]