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Witney Photos
A selection of photos taken in and around Witney, Oxfordshire
The Witney Photos website is updated regularly, the most recent photos being displayed to the left of the page. Many of the photos are taken on a mobile device and uploaded within seconds of them being taken. Click on any of the photos on the left to view the full-sized image.
Witney News
A selection of news stories from the Witney area
Community litter blitz can you help?
West Oxfordshire District Council is calling on parish and town councils and local community groups to help keep the district spick and span during 2012.
Cllr David Harvey, Cabinet Member for Environment said, This will be an exciting year - with both the 2012 Olympic torch relay coming through the district, and the forthcoming Jubilee celebrations, there are plenty of reasons for even more people to visit West Oxfordshire.
Together this is our chance to showcase our beautiful countryside and historic towns and villages. But we need your help to keep West Oxfordshire clean and would like as many volunteers as possible to help with litter picking in their local area.
The District Council will provide interested volunteer groups with:
* Litter grabbers
* Safety equipment such as gloves and hi visibility tabards
* Refuse bags
* Any necessary training
The Council will also collect any bagged up litter after a community clean up.
Cllr Harvey went on to say As well as being an eyesore, dropping litter is a serious offence. There are many groups in West Oxfordshire already dedicated to keeping their local environment clean and carrying out regular litter picks. Compared to other districts, West Oxfordshire has low levels of litter and our standards are much higher than the national average. With the support of the community, our aim is to keep it that way.
Advice and assistance is also available for issues such as graffiti removal, fly-tipping and other similar concerns.
For more information, including finding out how your community can get involved, visit: www.westoxon.gov.uk or call 01993 861465.
Deadline looms for nominating Districts sporting heroes
The closing date for this years sports award nominations is fast approaching with the deadline on 20th February.
The awards, run by West Oxfordshire District Council, recognise the contribution and commitment of sporting individuals and organisations in the district.
Cllr Richard Langridge, Cabinet Member for Communities, said: This is a great opportunity to honour those who work tirelessly in the community to support and maintain sports clubs and facilities.
I urge people to nominate their local sporting hero as a way of acknowledging the great work they do.
The awards recognise the contribution and commitment of individuals and the achievement of clubs across the district through three different categories.
Coach of the Year
This award recognises individuals who have made a huge impact through coaching others to develop their sporting skills within the community.
Witney Road Runners Mike Miles picked up the award last year for his contribution to the running clubs success in producing more young members achieve their goal of competing at a national level as well as integrating disability sport.
On receiving his award, Mike said: This award means a lot to me. I do what I do because I love it and weve had some really big successes over the years.
Unsung Hero of the Year
Previously known as Sports person of the Year, this award acknowledges people who have made a significant impact within their club or community.
This could range from supporting their club through grounds-keeping to fundraising and organising social events.
Last years recipient John Hawtin has been a member of Enstone Sports and Social Club since 1960.
Described as a great asset by the club, groundsman John spends up to 14 hours a week preparing the clubs football and cricket pitches.
Sports Club of the Year
This award honours sporting clubs committed to its members, local community and the sport it represents.
Chipping Norton based Higher Energy Trampolining Club scooped the award last year. The only trampolining club in the District, it has grown to having around 200 members and is now competing in regional competitions.
Further information and nominations forms can be downloaded from the West Oxfordshire District Council website www.westoxon.gov.uk or by calling 01993 861557.
Positive waste and recycling survey results
West Oxfordshire residents responding to a waste and recycling survey have said that they are making good use of the service and are now recycling much more.
The survey, completed by 1,500 householders, asked about their waste and recycling collections and what they felt worked well and what improvements can be made
It reviewed the service from 2010 when the Council appointed a new contractor and changes included the introduction of food waste and free garden waste collections.
Satisfaction was high with all aspects of the new service, recycling collections scored 90% and household rubbish 94%.
Cllr David Harvey, Cabinet Member for Environment said, Thank you to everyone who responded to the survey, we are very pleased to receive such a positive report. Since the new service started our recycling rates have already almost doubled, but what is also important is how the service is viewed by residents and what we can do to make it better. The survey report findings are key to helping us plan for the future as well as making any improvements we can straightaway.
Dry recycling
Most people (98%) said they now recycle more and felt it was important to stop putting waste into landfill as there is a need to save natural resources and protect the environment for future generations.
Residents generally understood the service, but around 15% did not know they could recycle batteries, textiles, shoes, aerosols or tetrapaks.
Items listed as what residents would like to see collected for recycling included polystyrene, electricals and light bulbs.
Food and garden waste
The survey showed a high number using food waste containers (80%), with those not using them tending to compost regularly.
Eighty six per cent had also signed up for free garden waste collections, with over half using it all year round, and a quarter using it frequently during certain seasons.
Household rubbish (landfill)
Almost half are putting a lot less rubbish in their grey wheelie bin. Of the remainder, 29% said they put slightly less rubbish in their wheelie bin and 17% said about the same amount.
For most residents the size of their grey wheelie bin was adequate and they only had excess rubbish at certain times, for example public holidays/birthday parties, etc. Most said they were sending less to landfill since the new service began.
Nearly everyone said they knew that household waste, garden tools, polystyrene and dry recycling could not go in the garden wheelie bin. Only 8% of those surveyed did not know that they cannot put garden waste in their grey wheelie rubbish bin.
Communication
Most people (93%) were using their waste collection calendar. Many did not know they could sign up for email alerts, but the majority of those signed up found them useful.
Over a quarter wanted more information on waste collections and what can and cannot be recycled. Most are kept informed through the Creating Futures council newsletter, waste booklet and council website, www.westoxon.gov.uk,
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