The old Spiceball Sports Centre may now just be a distant memory, but parts of it will live on and are set to provide years of service to other community facilities in Cherwell.
Whilst works are progressing well on the old site, parts of the now demolished building will get a new lease of life around the district.
In addition to normal building salvage methods, the internal doors, wooden flooring and sanitary ware are all being used again - they've been given away for free to town and parish councils, and village halls in Cherwell.  Woodgreen Leisure Centre has also benefitted with the refurbishment of wooden floors to the main hall and meeting rooms.
Councillor George Reynolds, Cherwell District Council's portfolio holder for environment, recreation and health, said: "The old Spiceball Sports Centre may have been superseded by the new leisure centre, but it's good to know some parts of the old building will have a new lease of life. Rather than sending re-usable items to landfill, we've given it away to communities, helping to enhance local facilities and demonstrating good recycling too."

British Waterways – guardian of the nation’s canals and rivers - is inviting nature lovers of all ages to visit their local canal, river, reservoir or dock and tell us what creatures they see there. This year’s survey will focus on the splendid regent of the waterways – the kingfisher, whose numbers are expected to have fallen due to the recent harsh winter.

Mark Robinson, British Waterways’ national ecology manager, explains: “We have had a hard winter this year and although nature is pretty resilient, we think many species will have suffered. The good news is that our waterways act as green corridors connecting towns, cities and farmland, and providing vital shelter and a winter larder for wildlife struggling to survive and recover.

“However, some species will have been particularly hard hit. Frozen water and plummeting temperatures may have significantly reduced kingfisher populations, with the possibility that many lost the battle against the cold. It is therefore particularly important for us to monitor what species will need our support over the coming year and we’re asking the public to help us do that. Now the weather has warmed up kingfishers are starting to nest and so now is a great time to see them.”
With spring firmly here, the annual waterways wildlife survey is a perfect family activity and will continue throughout the year until the autumn. British Waterways wants nature novices and seasoned spotters to record sightings of all wildlife they see on the waterways at www.waterscape.com/wildlifesurvey www.waterscape.com/wildlifesurvey

A new initiative has been launched by the Banbury Young Homeless Project at an allotment site in Banbury. Co-ordinator Martin Hurst commented: "It's great to see the youngsters down here connecting to the growing process. We encourage the youngster to plant, weed, nourish and grow their own vegetables and then at the end of the process eat the end result!"

The allotment site has been equipped by donations and features raised beds as well as a covered section and shed.

"We decided to split the site up into sections as an undug full allotment can look a little intimidating," said Martin. "Youngsters down here are amazed to see that the seeds they grow turn into something. They are very often faced with failure in their lives - growing things is a successful venture for them."

Pictured are Martin, Lee Ferris and Ben O' Donovan. Lee and Ben enjoy growing carrots and coriander - the perfect ingredients for a delicious winter soup!

The Rotary Club of Banbury Cherwell held a Charity Dinner at the Whately Hall Hotel recently.
At first glance, one would have thought there were some notorious criminals at the tables, as among them were pictures of Ronnie Biggs, Bruce Reynolds and Buster Edwards, but moving up to the top tables any concerns were laid to rest as there were photos of ‘Slipper of the Yard’ and PC John Woolley.  In fact, the speaker was John Woolley, the first policeman on the scene at Leatherslade Farm - the Great Train Robbers’ hideout in 1963.  John recounted the events which led to his discovery of sacks of money at the farm and the eventual convictions of the notorious robbers.
The proceeds of the evening, amounting to £1,050, will be divided equally between Katharine House and Rotary Charities.

Johnny Wilkinson’s World Cup winning ball, the football from the first ever Olympic football final, WW1 amputee croquet hero, 1930s football etiquette and the murderous thoughts of Atlantic rowers are all highlights from an exhibition - Our Sporting Life, a series of 100 exhibitions across the UK exploring our addiction to sport and our sporting heritage. The first exhibition is based at the River & Rowing Museum, Henley on Thames.  Our Sporting Life will reveal hidden sporting histories, forgotten heroes, objects and stories in communities across the UK.  Local people and sports organisations are being asked to put forward objects and memorabilia that can help tell the story of their sporting life and work with museums to create their Our Sporting Life exhibition.  Highlights from each exhibition will become part of the largest ever exhibition of British sporting life and heritage and will be held in London for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.  Objects and stories from the nations and regions will be joined by icons and treasures from our national sports, such as the Ashes Urn, Calcutta Cup, and the football from the 1966 World Cup Final to name a few will provide a unique insight into how sport has shaped the country, its communities and people. People can also get involved and submit ideas on line via the Our Sporting Life website: www.oursportinglife.co.uk

 

March will see the return to pubs in of Hook Norton’s First Light.
A beer named by drayman Roger Hughes is the second in Hook Norton’s Brewers Selection of 11 beers which will be available throughout the year.
Roger named the beer First Light, a very pale and light brew, as its colour reminded him of the sunshine in the in the early morning falling on the brewery yard.
First Light, at 4.3 per cent ABV, has complex hop aroma and is ideal to drink on its own as a thirst quenching drink or as an accompaniment to food.
Hook Norton Managing Director James Clarke said: “First Light’s continental type palate is from the high proportion of malted wheat used to make the beer, which is used in addition to malted barley.
“A salute to the approaching longer, warmer days, First Light is a pale, light brew with a complex aroma anticipating, heady days alfresco. The malted barley and malted wheat give it an exotic palate. The finest Styrian hops are added, which gives a fruity nose, with hints of watermelon and lychees.”
April sees the return of 303AD – brewed to celebrate the death of England’s St George.