KV
Kidlington Voice
Local Writers for Local Readers


 December 2025 

flourish flourish
Kidlington Voice
Online Magazine

kvoice.co.uk

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1.1 kvoice.co.uk



Today KV 2026


Wednesday
3 December 2025


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New Bridge



Plans are unveiled for a new walk bridge from Kidlington's Parkway railway station to an Oxford University College's computing education and data centre

Computing Education

    'EXOq' [short for 'Exeter College Oxford, Quantum'] is home for global research, innovation, and education—including Further Education for aged 16+— set within parkland in a highly sustainable location on land owned by Exeter College alongside Kidlington in Cherwell District. In addition, the parkland will provide additional flood storage capacity. New footpaths will connect to canal-side walks, cycle paths and the footbridge to Oxford Parkway providing east-west connectivity. A further education college will provided skilled local employment opportunities in hardware and Information Technology.

    Rector of Exeter College, Dr Andrew Roe CB, said: “This strategic development represents a significant investment in both national capability and the local community.”

Click here to find out more about plans for EXOq.

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Employment



Kidlington's Alex Ingram secures a job with the help of Oxfordshire's Supported Employment Programme

Employment Support

    Alex Ingram, aged 21, who lives in Kidlington, had faced challenges in securing and sustaining work, until he connected with Oxfordshire County Council's Supported Employment programme. With guidance from the council's Employment Advisor, Linda Walker, and the backing of a supportive employer in Kidlington, Alex was offered a full-time role in a warehouse at Savona Food Service. The company was so impressed after meeting him that they created a daytime position specifically for Alex, having previously only offered night shifts. Linda worked closely with both Alex and Savona to ensure a smooth transition into the workplace. Since joining, Alex has flourished; growing in confidence and recently achieving a major milestone: earning his forklift truck licence.

    Councillor Tim Bearder, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care at Oxfordshire County Council, said: "This is what Supported Employment is all about. "It's not just about helping someone into a job ‒ it's about recognising their strengths, supporting their growth, and working with employers to create opportunities that change lives. "Alex’s story is a shining example of what can be achieved through purposeful collaboration and tailored support."

Click here to find out more about Oxfordshire's Supported Employment Programme.

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KV 2026 About Us

KV is free-to-view and welcomes everyone with an interest in the future of Kidlington. KV is also QI (quite interesting): see KV's list of Notable Dates published up to 12-months ahead of time. KV is supported by advertisers who seek to increase local awareness about their business enterprise. KV is managed by people focused on developing local journalism online.

We publish, you write.


To have something published

CONTACT
Alice Parker-James
Publishing Director
alice@kvoice.co.uk





KV 2026 About You

Be a local reporter. Submit an article. Publish your story. Advertise your business. Promote your brand. Add an upcoming event. Subscribe to our newsletter. Vote in a KV poll. Be seen on KV.

You write, we publish.


To submit an article

CONTACT
Alice Parker-James
Publishing Director
alice@kvoice.co.uk

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Local Writer
David Meara
David Meara

David highlights two of his recent publications:

  • Oxford: A Potted History

  • 50 Gems of Oxfordshire



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Notable Dates
December 2025

Notable Dates

  17-Wed & 18-Thu Dec 2025  

KAOS Christmas Concert

KAOS Christmas Concert

7.30pm at St Mary's Church, Kidlington. Kidlington Amateur Operatic Society's Christmas Charity Concert: 'Nowell Nowell'. For tickets plus more information about KAOS click the poster above.





Notable Date

  13 Dec 2025 Sat  

Repair Café

Repair Cafe

10.00am to 12-noon at Kidlington Methodist Church, 53 Oxford Road, OX5 2BP. Repairs available for electrical items, small household goods, bicycles, toys, textiles etc. Knife and tool sharpening also available. Open on the second Saturday of each month. For more information click logo above.





Notable Date

  12 Dec 2025 Fri  

Christmas Party

Lincroft Meadow Care Home

10.30am to 12-noon at Lincroft Meadow Care Home, The Moors, Kidlington OX5 2AA. Little Ones at Lincroft Christmas Party. To reserve your place or to find our more, please telephone Suzi Morgan on 01865-950500 or email suzanne.morgan @porthaven.co.uk For more information about Lincroft Meadow click the poster above.





  Kidlington Voice
Thomas Merrifield




Notable Date

  9 Dec 2025 Tue  

Kidlington & District Historical Society

Historical Society 7.30 pm at The Baptist Church, High Street, Kidlington, OX5 2DS. A 17th century Christmas. A talk by Tim Healy. Visitors are always welcome and need not be accompanied by a member. The charge is £5.00 on the door (50p if under 26).

  Kidlington Voice
Solicitors




Notable Date

  6 Dec 2025 Sat  

Kidlington Community Singers

Kidlington Methodist Church 2.00pm at Kidlington Methodist Church. Christmas Concert by the Kidlington Community Singers. Refreshments served after the concert. Donations to Yellow Submarine, an Oxfordshire charity supporting those with learning difficulties and autism.

Notable Date

  5 Dec 2025 Fri  

First Friday Lunch Club at
Lincroft Meadow Care Home


Lunch Club

From 12-noon at Lincroft Meadow Care Home. Lincroft would like to invite you to join their friendly and informal lunch club. Attendees can look forward to a delicious freshly prepared lunch and the opportunity to meet new people in a warm and welcoming environment but please reserve your place: for details and to make contact, CLICK here.





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1.3 New Book



Kidlington's Lincroft Meadow hosts a book launch of "Mistress: A History of Women and their Country Houses"

Lincroft Meadow Care Home

    In late October 2025 there was cause for celebration at Lincroft Meadow Care Home as residents, families and members of the local community gathered to honour retired historian and fellow resident, Anthony Fletcher and co-author Dr Ruth Larsen, following the publication of their latest book, Mistress: A History of Women and their Country Houses. Anthony Fletcher, who enjoyed an academic career as a historian of Tudor and early modern Britain and is widely known for works such as Tudor Rebellions, began researching for Mistress many years before moving into the home. Since joining the Lincroft Meadow family in 2021, he has been supported by family, former postgraduate students, including Dr Ruth Larsen and the home's care team to see this long-term project through to publication.

    Elaine Ratcliffe, home manager at Lincroft Meadow, said: “Watching Anthony speak about his work, surrounded by people who respect and admire him, was something we'll never forget at Lincroft Meadow. It reminded everyone in the room that independence and purpose don’t stop when you move into care, in fact, they can flourish with the right support. Our whole team felt so proud to play even the smallest part in helping Anthony finish what he started, and to see his achievement recognised by so many people who care about him."

Click here to find out more about Lincroft Meadow Care Home.

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Local Photo
KVoice Magazine
Local Photo

Kidlington girl, aged 10, offers a picture of her artwork for this month's KV photo. October 2025.

KV says, "Thank you, young Miss B."

Do you have a local photograph to publish on KV?

Send your photo to:
alice@kvoice.co.uk






Puzzle Club


Puzzle

The Daily Puzzle Club is based in Kidlington.

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Gabriella

Gabriella Blakey retires from Oxford's Ashmolean Museum

Gabriella Blakey

    The Ashmolean Museum has announced to its colleagues: "I am writing to share the news that Gabriella Blakey, one of our brilliant Gallery Lecturer team, will be retiring after over 30 years at the Ashmolean. Gabriella first joined the Museum as a Gallery Invigilator before moving into her long-standing role as a Gallery Lecturer, where she has delivered tours and talks for a wide variety of groups – from schools to community organisations and evening visitors. Throughout, she has shared her knowledge, creativity and warmth with audiences of all kinds. We have especially valued her generosity and insight into the stories within the collection. I know that many colleagues who have worked alongside her will also hold fond memories of her time here."

    Gabriella writes: "The moment for saying 'farewell' to the Ashmolean has come, and my fingers are typing some words in the hope the right ones will come swiftly in winged thoughts of thanks and gratitude, for the experience I have had of being among the best collection of art in the world. Guiding taught me to share with the public the value of the artists' freedom to express themselves and have this extraordinary wealth of artistic individuality to be considered, studied and appreciated. For the aim of the artist has always been to represent the world we are in. Works of art, such as paintings, are windows into our own human complexity. Is not the Museum the place where the inspiring muses live? Yes, because they are the souls of each works we call Art. So farewell. I will miss you!"

Gabriella has also been a long-standing supporter of Kidlington Voice, and we wish her every good fortune in her retirement. Please click here to see some of Gabriella's own marquetry work.


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Rosie

Kidlington's Magic Elephant

In 1937, Rosie the elephant helped two young goats – Capra and Carmelita – escape from Kidlington's Zoo.

Click to download the story, here:

Kidlington Story
Image generated by AI
Rosie could perform magic tricks and make things disappear.

Do you have a Kidlington Story to tell?

Send your story to:
alice@kvoice.co.uk





Your Story

Do you have a local story to tell?

Help Writing
Image generated by AI


Contact alice@kvoice.co.uk to have your story or article produced and published here on Kidlington Voice Online Magazine.

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2.1Newsletter

NEWSLETTER 2026. Would you like to receive an occasional newsletter by email from KV in 2026?


We'll send an occasional email highlighting significant updates posted here on KV including upcoming notable dates, articles by local writers, and promotions from local businesses.

Intuit Mailchimp

You may unsubscribe if you no longer wish to receive our occasional emails.

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2.2
Notable Dates
January 2026

Notable Date

  27 Jan 2026 Tue  

Kidlington & District Historical Society

Historical Society 7.30pm at The Baptist Church, High Street, Kidlington, OX5 2DS. 'The Commonwealth War Graves Commission', a talk by Dick Richards. Visitors are always welcome and need not be accompanied by a member. The charge is £5.00 on the door (50p if under 26).

Notable Date

  10 Jan 2026 Sat  

Repair Café

Repair Cafe

10.00am to 12-noon at Kidlington Methodist Church, 53 Oxford Road, OX5 2BP. Repairs available for electrical items, small household goods, bicycles, toys, textiles etc. Knife and tool sharpening also available. Open on the second Saturday of each month. For more information click logo above.





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3.1
Parish

Kidlington: Village or Town?

Parish Council Monthly Reports

Kidlington Parish Council
Read the most recent report from Kidlington Parish Council.


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3.2
Notable Dates
February 2026

Notable Date

  24 Feb 2026 Tue  

Kidlington & District Historical Society

Historical Society 7.30pm at The Baptist Church, High Street, Kidlington, OX5 2DS. 'Morris Minors in the Media – not about engines and gearboxes', a talk by Ann & John Ford. Visitors are always welcome and need not be accompanied by a member. The charge is £5.00 on the door (50p if under 26).

Notable Date

  14 Feb 2026 Sat  

Repair Café

Repair Cafe

10.00am to 12-noon at Kidlington Methodist Church, 53 Oxford Road, OX5 2BP. Repairs available for electrical items, small household goods, bicycles, toys, textiles etc. Knife and tool sharpening also available. Open on the second Saturday of each month. For more information click logo above.





imFeb
3.3
Home School

Are you a parent or guardian faced with the prospect of home-schooling your child, but you don't know where to begin?


Education Otherwise


UK Charity Reg No 1055120

Education Otherwise is a charitable organisation which has been supporting home education and home educating families for over forty years.

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University

Eco

Kidlington Eco Group

Kidlington Eco Group
Photo: Kidlington Eco Group

Kidlington Eco Group is a network of ecologically-minded agencies, groups, and individuals working towards a greener Kidlington and world.

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Police

Thames Valley Police

Thames Valley Police

The local Police Force works closely with the Kidlington & District Community Forum to consider matters of common concern to our local area.





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4.1

2026
PLAN AHEAD

Reserve a place on KV to
advertise your business or
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4.2
Notable Dates
March 2026

Notable Date

  31 Mar 2026 Tue  

Kidlington & District Historical Society

Historical Society 7.30pm at The Baptist Church, High Street, Kidlington, OX5 2DS. 'Wick Hall – from bin bag to book', a talk by John Duddington. Visitors are always welcome and need not be accompanied by a member. The charge is £5.00 on the door (50p if under 26).

imMar
4.3
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4.4
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5.1

2026
PLAN AHEAD

Reserve a place on KV to
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5.2
Notable Dates
April 2026

Notable Date

  28 Apr 2026 Tue  

Kidlington & District Historical Society

Historical Society 7.30pm at The Baptist Church, High Street, Kidlington, OX5 2DS. 'The story of how John (a foundling baby) found his mother', a talk by John Caldecott. Visitors are always welcome and need not be accompanied by a member. The charge is £5.00 on the door (50p if under 26).

imApr
5.3
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5.4
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6.1

2026
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6.2
Notable Dates
May 2026

Notable Date

  26 May 2026 Tue  

Kidlington & District Historical Society

Historical Society 7.30pm at The Baptist Church, High Street, Kidlington, OX5 2DS. 'Knossos – Myth or Reality', a talk by Dr Andrew Shapland. Visitors are always welcome and need not be accompanied by a member. The charge is £5.00 on the door (50p if under 26).

imMay
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7.1

2026
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7.2
Notable Dates
June 2026

Notable Date

  30 Jun 2026 Tue  

Kidlington & District Historical Society

Historical Society 7.30pm at The Baptist Church, High Street, Kidlington, OX5 2DS. AGM and members evening with coffee and quiz. Visitors are always welcome and need not be accompanied by a member. The charge is £5.00 on the door (50p if under 26).

imJun
7.3

2026
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7.4
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8.1

2026
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8.2
Notable Dates
July 2026

Notable Date

  28 Jul 2026 Tue  

Kidlington & District Historical Society

Historical Society 7.30pm at The Baptist Church, High Street, Kidlington, OX5 2DS. 'Exercise Southern Reach - the conception of an Antarctic expedition', a talk by Al Sylvester Visitors are always welcome and need not be accompanied by a member. The charge is £5.00 on the door (50p if under 26).

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9.1

2026
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9.2
Notable Dates
August 2026

imAug
9.3

2026
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10.1

2026
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10.2
Notable Dates
September 2026

imSep
10.3
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11.1

2026
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11.2
Notable Dates
October 2026

imOct
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12.1

2026
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12.2
Notable Dates
November 2026
imNov
12.3

2026
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12.4
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Kidlington Voice Online Magazine
December 2025
Writers
To offer an article on a theme of your choice contact alice@kvoice.co.uk


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Write to Alice

alice@kvoice.co.uk

Alice Parker-James
Publishing Director
KVoice Magazine