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Council services over Christmas and New Year 2025/26

A guide to council services over the Christmas and New Year period when the council offices are closed to the public. 

Charlotte Westgate

From LR: Kevin Williams South and Vale Partnership Manager for GLL, Dan Pawlowski from Baily Garner, Cllr Mocky Khan ward councillor, Cllr Georgina Heritage Cabinet Member for Communities, Gary Starkey Head of Service GLL, Jan Smith Leisure Projects Officer at South Oxfordshire District Council, Rebecca Richmond General Manager Didcot Wave.

November 27, 2025

New studios open at the Didcot Wave 

Published Thursday 27 November 2025 Two new studio spaces opened at the Didcot Wave Leisure Centre this month, with further work starting on improvements to dryside changing rooms at the centre.  The leisure centre in Didcot has benefited from £140,000 worth of improvements – with the creation of a multi-use studio, suitable for a range of […]

October 29, 2025

Five councils launch ambitious plan for local government reform

Change is coming to local government across England, and five councils have worked together to create a proposal for two new, innovative and locally accountable unitary authorities for Oxfordshire and West Berkshire that will tackle existing inefficiencies, improve services, and support local communities in response to the government’s call for reform of council structures.

Wallingford Rowing Club with their new blades next to the River Thames

October 29, 2025

Deadline for community grant only weeks away

Published 29 October 2025 There’s still time for non-profit groups to apply for funding to support their community projects in South Oxfordshire.  Each South Oxfordshire District Councillor has £7,500 with their Councillor Community Grant Scheme, to support projects in their ward. Groups can apply for funding ranging from £250 to £15,000 for capital projects and […]

Riverside Pool in Wallingford on a sunny day with water safety and first aid equipment ready for a public training session

October 21, 2025

Thousands of visitors help make the Riverside summer season a sizzler! 

Published 21 October 2025 Over 22,000 visitors enjoyed the facilities at Riverside Park and Pools in Wallingford this summer.  South Oxfordshire District Council and its leisure provider GLL, who manage the site at Riverside Park and Pools on behalf of the council, saw a 45 per cent increase in visitors compared to 2024.   The pool […]

An illustration of people from different cultures, ages, genders and races to reflect the 10 protected characteristics

October 16, 2025

Roadshow celebrates equality and diversity across the districts 

Published 16 October 2025 ‘What does equality mean to you?’ – that’s a question officers from South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils will be asking residents on their Equalities Roadshow starting on Tuesday 21 October.  Council officers will be travelling across the districts to speak to the public about what the councils […]

Young people auditioning for Beauty and the Beast at Cornerstone Arts Centre

September 25, 2025

Local young stars join the cast of Beauty and the Beast at Cornerstone Arts Centre

Published Thursday 25 September 2025 This Christmas, Cornerstone Arts Centre in Didcot will be filled with sparkle, song and festive magic as Beauty and the Beast takes to the stage and the production will shine even brighter thanks to the addition of a talented youth cast. Following open auditions earlier this month, 49 children from […]

A dog swimming in a pool

September 1, 2025

Outdoor pools season extended and doggy swims are back!

Published 1 September 2025 Swimmers and families will get to enjoy an extra week of fun at the Riverside outdoor pool in Wallingford and Abbey Meadow outdoor pool in Abingdon! Both pools and splash pads will be open until Sunday 7 September. GLL who manage the outdoor pools and splash pads on behalf of South […]

Dorchester Parish Council basketball court

August 18, 2025

Community projects in South Oxfordshire can now apply for a financial boost 

Published 18 August 2025 A ‘boosted’ pot of funding launches today for community projects in South Oxfordshire.  More funding has been made available for South Oxfordshire District Council members to award community projects through the Councillor Community Grant Scheme.  Previously council members had £5,000 to award community and voluntary organisations in their wards, but this […]

August 5, 2025

Cornerstone announces this year’s panto and it’s a beauty! 

Published 5 August 2025 Panto will be returning to Cornerstone Arts Centre in Didcot (oh yes it will!) for at least three years off the back of the success of Cinderella in 2024.  This year’s pantomime will be Beauty and the Beast and it will start on Thursday 18 December with a special preview night […]

house image

July 11, 2025

Local authority owned housing in South Oxfordshire gets £10 million boost

Ten million pounds has been made available to purchase new housing for South Oxfordshire, following a decision by councillors. The money had been earmarked for a proposed new building at the Gateway site in Didcot, opposite the railway station, which would have played a major part in the regeneration of the town centre, included office […]