General

The family of the late Lord and Lady Wardington has gifted the ownership of the Cricket Ground to the Trustees* of Wardington Memorial Hall with immediate effect. In practice all the village community facilities, the Memorial Hall, the Cricket Ground and the Children’s Playground, will now have common ownership. However each of the current or future user organisations will continue to manage their activities independently. Some fifty years ago Lord Wardington made an unwritten agreement whereby Wardington Cricket Club may have continued use of the Cricket Ground so long as cricket continued to be played there. A condition included in the transfer effectively continues that agreement in perpetuity by stating that the owners of the Cricket Ground may not permit

ST MARY MAGDALENE CHURCH THE CHURCH TENOR BELL WILL BE TOLLED WITH 99 STRIKES DURING THE 30 MINUTES PRIOR TO THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH'S FUNERAL SERVICE AT 3.00pm ON SATURDAY  

The Rt Revd Dr Steven Croft, Bishop of Oxford, writes: "The prayers of the whole Diocese of Oxford are with Her Majesty the Queen and the Royal Family today and in the coming days as we mourn the death of Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh. "We give thanks for Prince Philip’s long and extraordinary life, his faithful service to Queen and country, his support especially for young people, his humour, honesty and integrity and strong Christian faith and especially his steadfast support to the Queen over the long years of their marriage. "Philip has been at the centre of our national life for so many decades offering a model of strength and stability. He will be greatly missed. May

EASTER DAY AT ST MARY MAGDALENE CHURCH WARDINGTON 10.00am EASTER FAMILY SERVICE WITH HYMNS IN THE CHURCHYARD EASTER EGGS FOR ALL CHILDREN! SOCIAL DISTANCING AND  FACE COVERINGS LED BY: SUE UPTON (WEATHER PERMITTING - IF NOT, IN THE CHURCH)

Neighbourhood Watch Network is supporting Sussex's Police and Crime Commissioner, Katy Bourne, who, in partnership with the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC), has created an online survey designed to understand the public’s perception of dog theft, enforcement, and the prosecution of offenders. The survey includes a question seeking views on whether dogs should be treated in law merely as property when they are stolen. Having a common understanding of how the public feels about this issue will help inform discussions that PCCs and NWN will have nationally, as well as allow police forces to better understand the public’s views. Mrs Bourne said: "Pet theft, dog theft in particular, is a growing concern for the public and their fear

The Parish Council has recently purchased some litter pickers for village use.  If you are feeling community minded and feel like doing some litter picking then please contact the Clerk to borrow one: wardingtonparishcouncil@hotmail.co.uk

In recognising the vital contribution that community and voluntary groups continue to make in the efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19, Supporting Communities Through COVID-19 is open to funding applications from small informal groups as well as established organisations. Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action (OCVA) and Community First Oxfordshire (CFO) are managing this grant scheme on behalf of Oxfordshire County Council. You can apply for a maximum of £10,000 for community action projects and a maximum of £50,000 for collaborative, broad reach projects. CLICK HERE FOR AN APPLICATION FORM If you require any further guidance about completing the application form or ask any questions about this grant scheme please contact communications@ocva.org.uk. Grant applications must be received by 10am, Friday

Covid-19 - Infections, Testing and Vaccinations update Infection Rate and Local Communications - In the seven days up to 15 January 2021 there were 801 new cases in Cherwell. This is equivalent to a weekly rate of 532.2 per 100,000 residents. Whilst slightly down on last week, the figures for Cherwell are still over six times higher than they were in early December, so we still have a long way to go. Moreover, the NHS in Oxfordshire is currently caring for twice the number of COVID-19 patients than at the peak of the first wave in spring 2020 and is under immense pressure. We need to make sure the recent fall in cases is sustained and the only way we

Action Fraud is raising awareness of another coronavirus vaccine scam, after it received a high volume of reports relating to a phishing email on Monday 25 January. The email, which attempts to trick people into handing over their bank details, was reported more than 1,000 times in 24 hours. It appears to come from the NHS and asks the recipient to click on a link to accept or decline an invitation to receive the coronavirus vaccine. If they click accept, they are asked to input personal information and their bank card details. The national reporting centre for fraud and cyber crime has previously warned about coronavirus vaccine scams, with many people reporting receiving fake text messages purporting to be from the

ST MARY MAGDALENE CHURCH WARDINGTON   WHILST CHURCH SERVICES ARE STILL PERMITTED, IN VIEW OF THE OVERALL LOCKDOWN AND THE CONTINUED RISE IN COVID-19 CASES IN CHERWELL DISTRICT, IT HAS BEEN DECIDED THAT THERE WILL BE NO CHURCH SERVICES IN WARDINGTON FOR THE REMAINDER OF JANUARY AND INTO FEBRUARY. THIS ALSO APPLIES TO ALL THE CHURCHES IN SHIRES' EDGE BENEFICE. THE POSITION WILL BE REVIEWED IN MID-FEBRUARY AHEAD OF ASH WEDNESDAY AT THE BEGINNING OF LENT. Revd HILARY CAMPBELL WILL BE HOLDING SUNDAY PRAYERS VIA ZOOM AT 10.00am EACH SUNDAY. PLEASE CONTACT HER ON 01295 750385 FOR SIGN-IN DETAILS. IF ANYONE FEELS IN NEED OF PASTORAL SUPPORT - OR KNOWS OF ANYONE ELSE WITH SUCH A NEED - PLEASE CONTACT