Matt Drake

The Herald Series lists 10 recent death notices and funeral announcements for people connected with Abingdon, Didcot and surrounding areas. The notices remember Martin Roger Smith, Pamela Joyce Dunning, Reverend Canon Peter Turbitt, Ingrid Eaton, Ronald Moore, Christopher Pollard, Peter Frederick Peck, Eira Eluned Hoare, Jennifer Berrell and Patricia Anne Stone, including details about their families, ages, deaths and community connections.

The Herald Series lists two recent death notices from the Abingdon area. Phil McKean, aged 63, died peacefully at home on July 27, 2026, while James “Jim” Anthony Francis Carter died peacefully in Worthing on August 2, 2026, after a short illness. The notices provide brief family tributes and direct readers to the full announcements and additional death notices.

Stowford House care home in Abingdon will host a summer food festival on August 8 from 12:30pm to 3:30pm as part of Care UK’s nationwide “A Taste of Home” campaign. The event will offer a barbecue, live music from Tamzin Osborn and Laurence Williams, and locally brewed beer, while inviting residents, families and neighbours to share food, recipes and traditions. The festival is intended to strengthen community connections, showcase the care home and promote sustainable, community-focused practices.

South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse district councils have reaffirmed their commitment to welcoming transgender and non-binary residents and staff. Both councils passed motions supporting engagement with LGBTQ+ groups, raising awareness, and maintaining safe access to services and public spaces following revised Equality and Human Rights Commission guidance on single-sex facilities. They are reviewing council buildings, considering staff training, and asking the UK Government to fund any required changes.

Cornerstone Arts Centre in Didcot will host free African Caribbean food and arts workshops throughout August, including children’s creative sessions, adult cookery classes and activities focused on wellbeing, heritage and community connection. The programme is organized with South Oxfordshire District Council’s Be Together initiative and the African Caribbean Autism Family Support Group, and is intended to build cultural understanding while including SEND children and families. Sessions will take place on Saturdays and some weekdays, with limited places requiring advance registration.

The Herald Series publishes two recent death notices and funeral announcements: Peter Neal, who died peacefully surrounded by family at age 88, and Elizabeth Christopher, who died at age 91. Readers are directed to the full notices and to options for sending condolences or placing additional death notices.

Recent death notices report the passings of David Pulley of Wantage and David Charles Devall, including brief tributes and information about their families, with links provided to their full notices and options to submit condolences.

A local production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Pirates of Penzance will be staged in Wantage by AmEgos Theatre at King Alfred’s Academy, featuring a cast of 17 performers and 12 musicians. Lead actor Joshua McFarland highlights strong rehearsals and the show’s energetic musical and dance elements. Performances run from July 23 to 25, with tickets starting at £14.

South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse district councils are offering a six‑week programme of free and low‑cost summer activities for families, including sports, outdoor challenges, and fun days at multiple leisure centres. Council representatives emphasise the programme’s value for family engagement and encourage early booking due to expected high demand, with full details available via the councils’ website.

A free Go Electric Oxford event at Seacourt Park and Ride will showcase electric vehicles, e‑bikes and solar technology, offering residents hands‑on demonstrations and impartial advice on low‑carbon options. Oxford City Council’s Anna Railton encouraged attendance, highlighting public interest in greener choices. Industry experts and EV owners will provide guidance and test drives as part of the council’s wider effort to reduce carbon emissions and promote low‑emission transport.

Residents of Bridge House Care Home in Abingdon helped create a wildlife‑friendly garden featuring pollinator areas, wildflowers, insect habitats, and accessible pathways. The project supports sustainability goals and enables participation for residents of varying abilities, including those living with dementia. Contributions came from the home’s repair café, community volunteers, and local Brownies. Staff describe the garden as a unifying and purposeful space that strengthens community ties and enhances residents’ wellbeing.

An event in Parliament led by MP Freddie van Mierlo and Alzheimer’s Research UK highlighted recent progress in dementia research, with Oxfordshire scientists presenting advances in understanding disease-causing proteins and early-stage treatments. Organisers called for accelerating development of new therapies as dementia cases rise nationally, while Alzheimer’s Research UK emphasised growing scientific breakthroughs in diagnosis and treatment.

The Wallingford Accessible Boat Club received a Highly Commended recognition in the Volunteer Organisation of the Year awards from Oxfordshire Community & Volunteering Action for its work providing free river trips to disabled and less mobile residents. Chairman John Jenkins praised the dedication of the club’s more than 60 volunteers as three team members accepted the award at OCVA’s June celebration event in Oxford.

Sixteen Alstom rail workers hand‑hauled the 25‑tonne 1897-built No. 1340 ‘Trojan’ steam locomotive along a 250‑metre track at Didcot Railway Centre, raising £1,500 for Variety, the Children’s Charity. The challenge, supported by Great Western Railway, Alec’s Angels and the museum, exceeded its fundraising target and was praised by organisers and charity representatives for its community impact.

A new eight-bay EV charging hub has opened at Milton Gate near Abingdon, offering 300kW ultra-rapid charging developed by Source as part of its plan to build 300 hubs across the UK and Ireland. The site, powered by renewable energy with infrastructure from SSE and technology from TotalEnergies, provides fast charging access for travellers on the A34 and visitors to nearby amenities. The hub supports contactless payment and 24-hour customer assistance.

Roythornes Solicitors received the top-level Green award from the Investors in the Environment scheme for the twelfth consecutive year, reflecting sustained investment in sustainability measures such as solar energy, electric vehicle initiatives and expanded recycling efforts. Operations director Ann Barrasso highlighted the firm’s environmental awareness, particularly in its work with farmers and landowners, and credited staff commitment across its six offices. The iiE scheme independently audits organisations on environmental performance, with the Green award representing its highest tier.