Longford Park
Winter 2017
Residents Newsletter
keep u to datep
Changes to the Community Facebook page
The Longford Park Community Facebook page continues to be a great medium for bringing residents from across the development together. The page has over 600 followers and regularly attracts in the region of 500 interactions a week. However feedback from residents indicated people were not always seeing visitor posts, and the inclusive spirit of the page has seen it become abused by internet trolls on occasion. To combat this the admin team have set up a closed community sub-group “Longford Park Community Group”, with the aim of ensuring only residents and trusted individuals from the wider community participate. The aim is to create a secure forum in which any resident can contribute news and opinion safely, courteously and respectfully. Trolling will not be tolerated! Once there are sufficient numbers this sub group will become the sole Longford Park Community forum and the original page will change to become a locked news source.
Let’s create a great community not a divided one!
Dance to Health sessions start in Oxfordshire
falls pre ven session tion
In partnership with South East Dance and NHS Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group, Aesop is delighted to announce that Dance to Health sessions will start in Oxfordshire next month. Dance to Health is a pioneering older people’s falls prevention dance programme developed by Aesop, an arts charity and social enterprise. It combines evidence-based physiotherapy with the creativity and energy of dance. Dance to Health in Oxfordshire is delivered by professional Dance Artists from South East Dance; Rose Kigwana, from South East Dance says – ‘In 2015 and 2016 South East Dance delivered a pilot programme in Oxfordshire, which was highly successful. We are delighted to be working with Aesop again and with new health partners including Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group and the Royal British Legion. We have a great team of experienced and professional dance artists and assistants on board
who have been trained to deliver the falls prevention programme. We look forward to welcoming volunteers and participants to the classes’. If you are an older person who has had a fall or is worried about falling, Dance to Health is a FREE and fun falls prevention session. No Dance experience necessary! Weekly sessions lasting 60 – 90 minutes, with 30 minutes for refreshments at the end, start from January 2018.
Find out more
To find out more about the programme and how to sign up for the taster session or the sessions generally call Hannah Gray, Dance to Health Coordinator Oxfordshire on 01993 870 158, email HannahGray@ae-sop.org or visit www.dancetohealth.org/Oxfordshire
www.ae-sop.org | www.aesopmarketplace.org | www.dancetohealth.org @AesopHealth | @Dance_to_Health
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Longford Park Residents Newsletter
Winter 2017
Longford Park
Public Art Scheme A section 106 agreement for public art at Longford Park presents an exciting opportunity to devise a unique public art scheme. To maximise the opportunity, expertise has been brought in the shape of Eastside Projects from Birmingham to project-manage and ‘curate’ four Public Art Commissions on the site. Many residents will have met and engaged with Rosalie Schweiker, an artist with a different approach to public art commissioning. Rather than decide what artwork would work best for the community, she has turned it into a participatory budgeting exercise for the whole community to decide how they would like to
see the money spent. The public vote in the summer resulted in a consensus to ‘save it until the new community centre is built’. Now that the build has finally started, it is hoped that the Community Association will be able to determine the path forward. The other three commissions are also underway. From sculptural features in the country park, to rehousing solutions for the displaced bird population, artists Nicolas Deshayes, Richard Wood, and Heather and Ivan Morison are busy refining their imaginative and surprising ideas. For more information, contact Tara Murtagh-Stewart at Cherwell District Council
We’ve been running Job Club sessions since 2009 and have helped over 2,500 people back into work. We run fortnightly job clubs in Banbury (Town Hall) and in Bicester (Library) on Friday mornings, 11am to 1pm. They are free and open to everyone. The Job Club operates with the support of our partners. They come from a range of backgrounds and have the skill and knowledge to support you back into work. We provide:• Free and confidential one to one advice to help you return to work • Help with CV writing and interviews • Individual action plans • Volunteering opportunities • Latest vacancies • Free use of IT equipment For more information email: jobclub@cherwell-dc.gov.uk or call 01295 221863.
Healthwatch Oxfordshire is your voice on health and social care. Whether it is improving services today, or helping to shape them for tomorrow, Healthwatch Oxfordshire is all about enabling local voices to help shape health and social care in our county. Healthwatch Oxfordshire hears what people have to say about health and social care services, and strengthens the voice of patients and the public, so that service providers and commissioners listen to what they have to say. To do this, we need as many people as
possible to speak out about their experiences, so that we can speak up on their behalf. Please tell Healthwatch how you would like to be treated and cared for, and what is important to you when using health and social care services, and we can make a difference together.
To find out more about Healthwatch Oxfordshire,
please visit our website, www.healthwatchoxfordshire.co.uk Contact us on 01865 520 520 or email hello@healthwatchoxfordshire.co.uk You can also follow us on @HealthwatchOxon and find us on www.facebook.com/HealthwatchOxfordshire
days open On Thursday, 7 December, Longford Park Primary School celebrated the milestone of 100 days open with a lunchtime party for 100 invited guests, including parents, governors and senior GLF staff. Executive Headteacher Julie Hiddleston said “It’s been a privilege to be involved in the opening of a brand new school for Banbury. It has been challenging, but so worth it when we opened our doors in September and watching the children flourish”. Applications are welcomed for pupils wishing to start in September 2018 in Nursery, Reception and Year 1.
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Longford Park can boast a
World Record holder amongst its residents
Sarah Gibbs of Chaffinch Way not only holds the “Sprint”, the “1 Minute” and the 500 Metre” in the Lightweight Women’s Category for but is also currently 2nd in the world rankings for the “2000 Metre Sprint”. “I have been rowing since November 2014 and entered my first Indoor Rowing competition in December 2015 where I came 6th in the British Indoor Rowing Championships.” explains Sarah.
Fitness fanatic Sarah is also a founder member of the Esprit Indoor Rowing Team who compete at indoor rowing competitions around the country as well as on-line. This is in addition to being a full time mum of three, but Sarah has also found the time and energy to become a qualified level 3 Personal Trainer, and an Approved Indoor Rowing Instructor on the Concept 2 Indoor Rowing Machine.
“I am really excited about what 2018 will bring,” said Sarah “I am launching a new business called SG Fitness and will be offering one-on-one training incorporating indoor rowing as well as using weights, specific bodyweight and TRX Suspension Trainer exercises.” Sarah is keen to stress that Indoor rowing is a great low impact exercise for all ages. “It gives you an all-over body workout and greatly improves your cardiovascular system as well as being excellent for your mental health. I will be offering one-onone lessons on how to indoor row using the correct techniques to help you stay injury free.” ForComing any information Soon to regarding Sarah’s new business, SG Fitness, Longford Park please “private message” her on Plans are being made to open a Rainbow & Brownie Facebook. Unit for girls aged 5 upwards on Longford Park.
We’re hoping to open both units after Easter 2018, and To find out more will meet at the Community Centre (once finished!!) information or to register
Parking and speeding
Kill your speed
There have been many concerns about inconsiderate parking across Longford Park. All residents will have clear details of where they are able to park in their contracts of sale or letting agreements. It is essential for the safety of all residents that everyone abides by these conditions. We remind all residents that the speed limit across the whole development is 20mph. The Consortium of developers have been asked to improve the junction outside the Primary School, where Longford Park Road, Hobby Road and Songthrush Road converge, as it is currently not clear to motorists who has priority. To clarify: when coming from the Oxford Road direction, Longford Park Road is the spine road and therefore has priority. We are in discussion with both the Consortium and Oxfordshire County Coming Soon Council about this junctionto and road safety across the development. Longford Park Residents are also very concerned at the lack of crossing points the school, and the Plans are beingoutside made to opento a Rainbow danger children & ofBrownie the speeding cars. Unit for girls aged 5
OCC will noton become responsible for the upwards Longford Park. roads until they are satisfied that the agreed We’re hoping to open both Until that standards have been achieved. units after Easter 2018, and point Consortium remains responsible will the meet at the Community for all issues to do with roads, pavements, Centre (once finished!!) landscaped areas and street lighting. It is most We’re also residents on the look outRosie Phillips helpful when alert for leaders to help run via email about any issues, as she can then these units. pass these on to those who have the power to address them.
interest please We’re also on the look out for leaders to help run Emily East these units.
contact on firstlongfordparkbrownies@ gmail.com
Coming soon to Longford Park To find out more information or to register interest please contact Emily East on firstlongfordparkbrownies@ gmail.com
Pl ope
Plans are being made to open a Rainbow Brownie Unit The& sooner you register, the more chance there is of for girls aged five upwards on Longford your Park. daughter(s) being The sooner you register, the more chance there is of your daughter(s) being offered a place.
Girlguiding is the largest voluntary info about Girlguiding: organisation for girls andMoreyoung Becoming a Leader: women; which gives them their own space to grow in confidence, raise their aspirations and have fun. It hopes to open both units after Easter 2018, and will meet at the Community Centre once it is https://www.girlguiding.org.uk
offered a place.
available. Details are being taken Girlguiding is also on the look out for girls not yet of Rainbow/Brownie for leaders to help run these units. More info about Girlguiding: age, and the group expect to be https://www.girlguiding.org.uk To find out more information able toBecoming offer places once they are a Leader: or to register interest please https://www.girlguiding.org.uk/get-involved/become-a-volunteer/ways-ofold enough. The sooner you register, contact Emily East on volunteering/ the more chance there is of your firstlongfordparkbrownies@gmail.com daughter(s) being offered a place.
https://www.girlguiding.org.uk/get-involved/become-a-volunteer/ways-ofvolunteering/
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To find out more information or to register interest please contact 11/12/2017 12:09 Emily East on
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Longford Park Residents Newsletter
Winter 2017
Banbury Town
Longford Park
Community Forum
Neighbourhood Watch Group The Longford Park Neighbourhood Watch Group was setup in April 2017. So far we have managed to enrol around 20 households on the development. We have been quietly working away, trying to sort out antisocial behaviour by reporting it as and when we have seen it via 101 – which the police told us to do at the initial NHW meeting. If we all join NHW, keep an eye out, call 101 at the sight of any antisocial behaviour I think we will be able to stamp it out quickly.
Call 101 at the sight of any antisocial behaviour Over the past six months NHW members have been putting signage up around the development and phase 3 signage will be organised in 2018.
area as and when they happen. We will also be delivering NHW packs with lots of information on home security. A NHW meeting will be organised for the New Year which will have a member of the Neighbourhood Policing Team in attendance. Details will be given out on the Closed Longford Park Facebook Page nearer the time. If you would like any information on the NHW please private message me on Facebook. Sarah Gibbs NHW Co-ordinator for Longford Park Steve Stoddart NHW Deputy Co-ordinator for Longford Park.
We have delivered letters to people who expressed an interest in joining NHW, and will input them onto the Thames Valley Alert System which tells you of any crimes taking place in our
d e v l o v n i t e G in your community!
Residents are welcome to attend the forum to hear about local crime concerns. These are held approximately every quarter at Banbury Fire Station, and are attended by the local officers from Thames Valley Police, the fire service, Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinators, Community Workers and local residents. The next meeting is Thursday, 1 February, 6.30 – 8pm.
Community Safety Wardens In 2018 there will be a new team of Community Safety Wardens who will be available to give talks to local resident groups, and assist individuals with Fire Safety. For more details please contact the Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Station Manager Mark Ames on mark.ames@oxfordshire.gov.uk
Running for Sense On 22 April 2018, Fredrica Slater, will be will tackling her toughest challenge ever by running the London Marathon. Here is what she says about why she is running the London Marathon: “I’m only a comfortable 5k runner and definitely nothing more, down to a total lack of ability and arthritis. So this is an enormous enormous challenge. But more importantly I am running for Sense - a charity that supports Deafblind people. I have had the pleasure of meeting many inspiring deaf people so deafness is a cause very close to me.” Fredrica appreciates every penny that is donated, motivating her to do that extra mile. Please visit her Just Giving page: www.justgiving.com/fredrica
Longford Park Community Centre & Community Association
At a very well attended public meeting at Longford Park Primary School on 21 November residents heard that the building of the new Community Centre and Youth Wing will start on 4 December! A Community Association is being set up with a core committee who will make all the key decisions about activities, hire costs, fixtures and fittings, with the assistance of Rosie Phillips (CDC community development partner) and Tessa Hall (Community First Oxfordshire).
It is projected to be ready for autumn 2018 and will feature a landscaped garden area, a main hall, kitchen, and flexible meeting space in the community centre. There will also be a youth coffee bar and meeting room in the youth space which is in a separate part of the building. Both sections of the building will have their own entrances, office spaces and have been carefully designed to be as flexible as possible.
For more information and to get involved, please email Rosie via rosie.phillips2@cherwellandsouthnorthants.gov.uk who will pass any enquiries onto the committee. 4
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