News

Villages Becoming 'Ghettos' for Rich

Efforts to preserve a 'picture postcard' countryside are turning rural villages into wealthy ghettos, claims a rural housing expert. read more...

Low Carbon Communities Handbook Launched

New resource from Community Action Groups Oxfordshire and the Oxfordshire Low Carbon Hub read more...

Cottsway Housing Association Completes New Affordable Homes in Langford

The Oxfordshire Rural Housing Partnership adds to its track record in delivering much-needed new homes for local people read more...

Chair of the Board of Directors

Oxfordshire Rural Community Council is seeking a new Chair to work with its Board in setting the organisation's strategic direction through a period of significant change. read more...

Oxfordshire residents invited to The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Garden Party

People living in Oxfordshire are being given the chance to attend a unique summer garden party to celebrate The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. Four thousand guests, together with The Queen and The Duke of ... read more...

Latest ORCC Policy Bulletin

Keep up to date with government legislation, consultations and local and national news that will have an impact on Oxfordshire's rural communities read more...

Community Led Planning: the gold standard for localism

The new toolkit for Community Led Planning provides step-by-step guidance for communities who want to take action and produce a holistic plan that will guarantee the sustainability and wellbeing of th... read more...

Celebrating the Small Rural Towns Programme in Oxfordshire

The recent publication of the Mary Portas Review on the future for the High Street has drawn attention to how small towns will maintain their vibrancy and coincides with the ending of SEEDA’s Small Ru... read more...

Planning Changes, an Opportunity for Affordable Housing?

The government this week published the revised National Planning Policy Framework read more...

Celebrating the Small Rural Towns Programme (SRTP)

43 delegates from across the county gathered at Carterton Community Centre on Tuesday 17th Jan 2012 to hear about the achievements of the small rural towns programme. The programme, funded by The Regi... read more...

ORCC Trading's Bulk Oil-buying Direct Line

The bulk oil-buying scheme now has a direct telephone line - 01865 733214. The office hours are Monday-Thursday 9 am to 4.30 pm. read more...

Affordable Housing- What's Happening in Oxfordshire?

From Housing Needs Surveys to landowner discussions and completed developments, The Oxfordshire Rural Housing Partnership has had a busy few months read more...

250 Free Memberships of Oil Scheme

Thanks to funds from a new Department of Health scheme called WARM HOMES HEALTHY PEOPLE, ORCC Trading can offer one year’s FREE membership of the Community bulk oil buying scheme to 250 vulnerable peo... read more...

Latest ORCC Policy and News Bulletin

Keep up to date with government legislation, consultations and local and national news that will have an impact on Oxfordshire's rural communities read more...

Village Shop of the Year Competition 2011

The Oxfordshire Village Shop of the Year Competition 2011 was judged during December and we are delighted to announce the results as follows: read more...

Beth's Blog on Communities

Are you a community that breaks out in a cold sweat or runs for the hills every time the phrase ‘social media’ is thrown around? read more...

Oil Scheme hits the headlines

In recent days ORCC Trading's bulk oil buying scheme has featured on Radio Oxford , BBC Oxford TV News and in the Oxford Mail. Linda Watson, ORCC Chief Executive, Chris Pomfret, Scheme Negotiator and... read more...

Latest Oxfordshire Rural Housing Partnership Newsletter

The times may be challenging but the ORHP continues to deliver much needed affordable homes read more...

Oil scheme heads for national coverage

ORCC Trading's community bulk oil-buying scheme has proved such a success that it is spreading rapidly across the whole of England. Other Rural Community Councils have been so impressed that they are ... read more...

Kirtlington Plan for the Future

Kirtlington start the new year with a Published Community Led Plan setting out their resolutions for future years to come. read more...

All I want for Christmas is... a new home?

But a National Housing Federation report reveals that the average home in Oxfordshire now costs £311,944- 13.8 times average earnings read more...

Great Haseley’s Farmers Market

On Sunday 11 December Great Haseley held their special Christmas edition of their farmers market. Held every second Sunday of the month, the farmers market gives local producers the opportunity to sh... read more...

New Government Community Energy Fund

The Local Energy Assessment Fund (LEAF) is designed to provide funding for community groups to carry out energy efficiency assessments and renewable energy feasibility studies. read more...

New ORCC Policy and News Bulletin

Keep up to date with government policy and local and national developments of direct relevance to rural communities. read more...

Stonesfield show support for Community Led Plan

Over 100 people gathered together for wine and nibbles at a lively open evening in Stonesfield Village Hall back in October. read more...

Rock Salt Bulk Buying Group

Say 'no' to slippery paths this winter! read more...

Celebrate your West Oxfordshire business success!

The West Oxfordshire Business Awards (WOBA) offer a fantastic way for local businesses in the area to celebrate their success and raise their profile by recognising and rewarding their achievements. read more...

Improve rural access to the library service for all, urges ORCC

ORCC has published its response to the County Council review of library service provision calling for improved access to the service for everyone in Oxfordshire’s rural areas, not just those in commun... read more...

New community groups across rural Oxfordshire aim to support people with memory loss and dementia

When Alison gets up in the morning she isn’t sure who she is or where she is. Roused by a loving voice, guided gently through her breakfast and daily routine, she later goes out for a walk along roads... read more...

Oil scheme members make great savings

ORCC Trading’s last oil order was the biggest yet, as members got their tanks topped up ready for the winter. In total, we ordered over 110,000 litres of oil, at a price 4.03p per litre lower than the... read more...

The Rise of Unaffordable Rents

Research by Shelter reveals ordinary working families face unaffordable private rents in 55% of local authorities in England read more...

Volunteers wanted to help with Digital Switchover

Support the outreach work in South Buckinghamshire’s and South Oxfordshire’s villages and towns. How we receive our television signal is changing. In the southern areas of Buckinghamshire and Oxfords... read more...

Oxfordshire wakes to a new digital dawn

Switchover complete, Freeview viewers must retune. All analogue TV channels in Oxfordshire, parts of Berkshire and Buckinghamshire were switched off for good on 28 September, signalling the dawn o... read more...

NHS reforms – Have your say

A series of consultation workshops will give you the opportunity to have your say on the future of NHS services in Oxfordshire. Will planned services meet the needs of the local people across the cou... read more...

Latest discounted price for oil

Members of ORCC Trading's bulk oil buying scheme made usual good saving on the price. read more...

Oxfordshire Village Shops of the Year Competition 2011

Proud of your village shop? Grateful for the difference it makes to your community? Want to show your appreciation? If the answer is ‘yes, yes, yes!’, then nominate your shop as the ORCC’s Oxfordshire... read more...

6 new village plans started

This summer ORCC has been very busy helping six communities to launch their community led plans. Nuneham Courtenay, Tiddington, Sandford on Thames, Marcham, Islip and North Aston all held successful... read more...

Savings on oil purchases

Once again ORCC Trading Bulk Oil Buying members have made large savings. Following intensive negotiations with all the local suppliers (independents and large nationals) we placed an order with Tot... read more...

ORCC's AGM

ORCC's annual general meeting will take place on Monday 3 October at Chalgrove Village Hall at 8.30 pm. read more...

New Grants supporting links between the Forces and the Community

Oxfordshire organisations and communities have an early call on a new grants scheme aimed at strengthening ties or mutual understanding between members of the Armed Forces Community and the wider comm... read more...

Oxfordshire protects its subsidised bus services

So far, Oxfordshire's subsidised bus services have been relatively protected, but of course, this may not be the case in the next couple of years. read more...

Delighted members save £49.50!

The ORCC Trading Oil Buying Group bought over 74,000 litres of oil on Friday 29th July for 67 members throughout the county. Negotiations took place with 12 local and national suppliers. Once again,... read more...

Digital Television Switchover Advice Points

Oxfordshire, parts of Berkshire and Buckinghamshire will begin switching to digital-only TV on 14 September 2011. The two-stage process will complete two weeks later on 28 September. This means the ... read more...

Duns Tew Parish Plan Refresh:Q & A with the Chair

Duns Tew have recently completed their Parish Plan refresh. Charles McBean, the Chair of the Parish Council tells us about it…. read more...

Take part in the library service consultation

The County Council is taking a revised approach to providing library services across the county and communities are invited to give their views by 30 September. read more...

Mileage Allowance Increase

One major surprise in the current Budget is the change to the Approved Mileage Allowance Payments (AMAP) rates. From 6 April 2011 the AMAP rates rose to 45 pence per mile for the first 10,000 miles an... read more...

Understanding what Neighbourhood Plans might mean for Oxfordshire communities

ORCC will be keeping a close eye on the development of Neighbourhood Planning, so that we can be in a prime position to understand the implications for Oxfordshire communities and to support those who... read more...

A Very Successful Rural Housing Conference

40 delegates attended the Oxfordshire Rural Housing Partnership conference on 11 July read more...

Views on support for voluntary and community activity

Your views are wanted on what kind of support services are needed to encourage voluntary and community activity and self-help. There is a County Council public consultation process now underway via ... read more...

Working to achieve better rural high speed broadband access

Are you concerned about rural access to broadband and mobile phone coverage, especially high speed coverage? read more...

Oxfordshire Rural Housing Partnership Conference

ORHP and ORCC invite you to a county-wide event to discuss affordable rural housing read more...

Oxfordshire Community Shops Network

There was a warm welcome from the committee of the Wootton Community Shop to the twenty five members of the Oxfordshire Community Shops Network at their meeting on 22 June 2011. The members, represent... read more...

Oxfordshire Village Shops Handbook

The Oxfordshire Village Shops Handbook has recently been updated and reprinted. read more...

Cameron Opens Affordable Housing

The latest Oxfordshire Rural Housing Partnership development was opened by the Prime Minister at Blackditch, Stanton Harcourt on Friday 17 June read more...

Big Carbon Challenge Competition Winners Announced!

And the winners are... read more...

New Website for Oxfordshire Rural Housing Partnership!

Information about the affordable housing process, pictures of completed developments, the latest ORHP news.... read more...

Successful Launch of Woodstock Homeworkers Group

The launch of the new Woodstock Business Group on a sunny June morning 14 June was a joyful and well-attended event. Fourteen homeworkers and small business owners from Woodstock, Wootton, Bladon, Kid... read more...

Rural Community Councils to help delivery of Digital TV Switchover

Oxfordshire Rural Community Council (ORCC), Gloucestershire Rural Community Council (GRCC) and Community Impact Bucks (CIB) have joined forces to mobilise an army of charities and volunteers to help r... read more...

Oxfordshire Rural Housing Partnership Newsletter Summer 2011

The latest affordable housing news read more...

Ridgeway Business Group Meeting

The second meeting of the Ridgeway Business group based in Blewbury will be on June 7. read more...

Oxfordshire Climate Action Update: June 2011

News, events, communities updates, eco-renovation.... read more...

Oxfordshire’s Community Shops to get together!

The next meeting of the Oxfordshire Community Shops Network will be held on Wednesday 22 June at 7.30pm in the Village Hall at Wootton by Woodstock. read more...

Digital Switchover Small Grants Fund

Television across the UK is going Digital. This means the existing analogue TV signal will be switched off and replaced with a new, stronger digital TV signal. The Central TV region served by the Ox... read more...

You're the boss! Home workers welcome event at Bloxham Mill

Bloxham Mill opens its doors to local home workers at a special event on Tuesday 21 June. read more...

Good news for Woodstock home workers

A new initiative by a local business woman who works from home in Woodstock is launching on Tuesday 14 June. read more...

Climate Challenges- Local Councils, Carbon Budgets and the Energy Bill

The UK’s ability to positively and robustly and meet the challenges of climate change will be influenced by ongoing developments at national and local level. read more...

Celebrating 50 years of environmental improvement through community action

The Oxfordshire Rural Community Council is celebrating the 50 year lifespan of its pioneering Best Kept Village Competition by publishing a history compiled from fascinating old records. read more...

The Switchover to Digital is coming

This September, the analogue television signal will be switched off forever and replaced with a digital signal. Your TV equipment will need to be digital-compatible, otherwise you will not be able to... read more...

Would £2,000 make a difference to your project?

TOE2 is an exciting new venture developed by the Oxfordshire Rural Community Council (ORCC) to drive the strategic direction of community environmental initiatives in Oxfordshire. TOE2 provides funde... read more...

Building your community: helping everyone join in your community

Evidence shows that all of us live happier and enjoy more fulfilled lives when we are valued and welcomed as part of a community. Oxfordshire County Council has been working with the ORCC and other vo... read more...

Oxfordshire community shop wins regional award

Many congratulations to Chadlington Quality Foods (CQF) who have once again been judged winners in the South England region in the recent Countryside Alliance Best Rural Retailer Awards. Last year the... read more...

Rural homes slash annual oil bills

Members of the bulk oil buying scheme continue to make healthy savings on their oil purchases. Our order in April had a price of 57.75 pence per litre compared with the market average of 61.5 pence p... read more...

Community responses to proposals to re-structure the County library service

ORCC wants to help communities across the county to respond to County Council proposals to re-design the library service and has produced a second briefing paper providing up-dated information. read more...

Sibfords spring into Community Led Planning

Closely following the 9 step process, the two villages of Sibford Ferris and Sibford Gower are working together to create a vision of how they want both villages to be in the future. Well over 100 peo... read more...

Celebrating 50 Years of Environmental Improvement through Community Action

The Oxfordshire Rural Community Council is celebrating the 50 year lifespan of its pioneering Best Kept Village Competition by publishing a history compiled from fascinating old records. read more...

Spring Online with Silver Surfers’ Day 2011

Spring Online with Silver Surfers’ Day (16-20 May 2011) is a national campaign delivered by Digital Unite that aims to get older people using computers and the internet at thousands of events across t... read more...

Oil Scheme takes off

ORCC Trading Ltd’s new venture has got off to a flying start, with 18 local community co-ordinators and over 100 members in place, more than half of the members already enjoying the benefits of bulk-b... read more...

Renewable Energy Guide for Rural Communities

Time to Get Generating! read more...

Human Induced Climate Change and Extreme Weather: New Evidence

For the first time, scientists have quantified the impact of human-induced climate change read more...

CPRE seeks Branch Director

The Oxfordshire Branch of the CPRE is currently looking for a Branch Director (part-time). This new paid post of Director has been created to strengthen CPRE’s resources and enable the Branch to focus... read more...

Public Libraries supporting micro-businesses

There are free business reference services available in all Oxfordshire public libraries with computers. read more...

Increasing fuel prices push volunteer drivers to the limit

Volunteer drivers have contended with high fuel costs for a number of years, but the recent increase in fuel duty has led to some volunteer drivers re-evaluating whether they can afford to continue. read more...

How To Set Up a Village Business Group

On 11 March ORCC launched a free online resource to support people working from home in rural communities. read more...

ORCC's new trading company

ORCC is delighted to announce the launch of a new Bulk Oil Buying venture that we hope will be good for you, good for the environment, good for the new 'TOE' and good for ORCC. read more...

Rural Homelessness 'Rockets'

New figures released by the National Housing Federation show that the number of rural homeless has increased by 25% in the last year read more...

New Oil Buying Scheme

The huge level of interest in ORCC Trading's new oil buying scheme has certainly kept us on our toes over the last few weeks and it's great to see how many communities have already responded positivel... read more...

Community responses to proposals to re-structure the library service

ORCC wants to support communities likely to be affected by the current County Council proposals to re-structure the library service and has produced a briefing paper. read more...

Updating of Community Shop Handbook

Interested in knowing how to set up a Community Shop in your village? ORCC has recently updated its handbook guiding you through the process of setting up a community shop from identifying local need ... read more...

A Question of Timing - Rural Sustainability and the Big Society

At our 90th AGM last October, we asked people to tell us what questions they would like to put, and to whom, on the theme of rural sustainability. We promised we would follow up the questions, pass t... read more...

The Sibfords Get Off to a Good Start

Representatives from the parishes of Sibford Gower and Sibford Ferris and ORCC came together to host a Community Led Planning Launch event to gather support and interest to undertake the process in De... read more...

Great Haseley plan for the future

The Parish of Great Haseley, with its three villages including Little Haseley and Milton Common, had a fantastic start for their community led plan (CLP) at an evening event supported by ORCC. With ov... read more...

Big Carbon Challenge Launch

The weekend of 15/16 January saw the official launch of the Cottsway Housing Association sponsored competition read more...

Greening Wallingford Wins Empowerment Award

Wallingford Greening Campaign, part of the Sustainable Wallingford group, has taken first prize of £1000 in The Oxfordshire Community Empowerment Awards 2010. Overall the judges were very impressed wi... read more...

Broadband and mobile coverage in Oxfordshire

Oxfordshire County Council have embarked on a project to make sure everyone in Oxfordshire has broadband and mobile coverage. About one third of the county has very poor or no coverage at all. These a... read more...

Oil Crisis: the best approach

Regular users of central heating oil will know that over the last couple of weeks the industry has reached the point of crisis and suppliers are unable to provide oil for customers, in spite of the se... read more...

Oil Supplies

Since ORCC Trading Ltd launched the new county-wide bulk oil-buying scheme, the weather has done its worst and people have suddenly lurched from being worried about the rocketing prices, to worrying a... read more...

Beyond the Cancun Climate Conference

Despite the continued absence of a legally-binding commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions climate action in Oxfordshire must continue read more...

The Runaway Climate Challenge- Oxfordshire's Community Climate Conference

The conference took place on Saturday 13 November. A full report on what proved to be an informative, engaging and inspiring day will be available on the ORCC website in early December read more...

ORCC welcomes new staff members

Jo Ord and Catharine Arakelian have joined the ORCC team. read more...

Raising awareness - the Radley way

Radley Community Led Plan Team have been tireless in their dedication to reach out to everyone in the village over the past year. An amazing amount of effort has gone into raising awareness about the ... read more...

Free advice roadshows for local businesses in Oxfordshire

A number of local business support organisations and local authorities have come together to host 12 FREE evening drop-in advice roadshows for local business people. The events are being held in town... read more...

Islip Village Shop notches up 10 years’ service to the community

Villagers at Islip have been celebrating the success of their community-owned shop which reached its 10th birthday in October. The store, which is situated in the Village Hall, is run by manager Maral... read more...

Hailey's PACT with the Parish

Hailey PACT (Parish Action Consultation Team) came a close second in the Community Empowerment Awards competition. The group used the Community Led Planning process to successfully involve their villa... read more...

We are the Champions [project]

My Life My Choice is a self-advocacy organisation run by and for people with learning disabilities. Based in Oxford, they have over 450 members. As well as promoting choice, empowerment and participat... read more...

90th AGM and Conference

ORCC celebrated its 90th birthday in style on Friday 8th October 2010 – 90 years to the day (and almost to the hour!) since the organisation was first set up by a group of Oxford University academics ... read more...

Chilton New Home Worker Group

The first meeting of a new group for home workers and people running businesses from home has set up. read more...

Adderbury Friday Club - going the distance

The Adderbury Friday Club is 10 years old this October. This is a remarkable achievement for an informal club for people working from home. read more...

A problem shared…home workers getting together in Oxfordshire

Is your business based at home? Want to meet people in your area who are doing what you’re doing and facing similar challenges? Perhaps you miss the social chat with other workers? Or do you just wan... read more...

Oxfordshire Climate Action Update: October 2010

Latest communities news read more...

Oxfordshire Climate Action Update: October 2010

Latest climate change news and resources read more...

Royal Society Clears the Air on Climate Change

A new, short guide 'Climate Change- a summary of the science' explains the areas of wide consensus and continuing debate among climate scientists read more...

Big Carbon Challenge Competition 2010

Want to help reduce carbon emissions and win some cash for your climate action group? read more...

ORCC wins quality mark

Oxfordshire Rural Community Council is pleased to be celebrating the achievement of an internationally recognised quality kite mark, 'ISO 9001'. read more...

Action in Steeple Aston

Steeple Aston are already seeing the results from their Parish Plan published earlier this year. read more...

Runaway Climate Challenge

Oxfordshire's Community Climate Conference. SAVE THE DATE: Saturday November 13 2010 read more...

Oxfordshire Stronger Communities

This new grant fund will be launched on 6th September 2010 and there will only be one grants round with a final closing date of 11th January 2011. All applications received will then be considered a... read more...

Oxfordshire Climate Action Update: August-September 2010

Latest communities news read more...

Oxfordshire Climate Action Update: August-September 2010

Latest climate change news and resources... read more...

Joining the Board of Trustees

Would you like to be an ORCC trustee? ORCC has a very capable and committed board of trustees, who are all up for election at the AGM on 8 October. We are likely to have three vacancies to fill and ... read more...

Doors open for Kirtlington Youth Club

Following discussions as part of their Parish Plan, residents from Kirtlington have come together to form a Youth Club Management Committee and to help set up a new Youth Club in the village hall read more...

£99 Home Insulation Deal

And the catch is there is no catch read more...

New Climate Action Handbook!

ClimateXchange, together with ORCC and Community Action Groups Oxfordshire, has launched a Do It Yourself guide to getting active in stopping climate change read more...

Community Central- a web-based tool and forum to help enable sustainable communities

Community Central can provide you with the support and contacts you need to make a real difference. read more...

Business and Community Links Worker

Would you like to help us to encourage and promote informal, locally based networks for people who work from home in order to improve social, business and community links? read more...

Eve Project World Record Tombola

Women’s Wellbeing Project breaks the tombola world record! read more...

'Caring for Someone Guide' now available

The 2010 edition of the 'Caring for Someone Guide' is now available free of charge from any of the three carers centres in Oxfordshire read more...

90th Birthday Event

Over 100 people from rural communities across Oxfordshire got together on 3 July to celebrate the 90th birthday of Oxfordshire Rural Community Council (ORCC) and the wealth of ideas, enterprise and ef... read more...

Inspired by Creation

A little patch of earth. A quiet spot to reflect. A view that stops you in your tracks read more...

Oxfordshire Climate Action Update-July 2010

Latest low carbon news, events, courses, campaigns- its all here... read more...

Rural Housing Information Centre

A new website has been launched to support the 'Rural Affordable Housing Project' of the Homes and Communities Agency read more...

Crossing the Threshold 2010

30 September 2010 from 10.00-4.00pm read more...

Social Change Awards

Are you passionate about making a positive change in society? Do you deserve recognition for your work? Do you know someone else who does? If yes, then you could be nominated for a Social Change Award... read more...

ladder4learning

ladder4learning provides a regional workforce development resource for the Community and Voluntary sectors and social enterprises across the South West and South East. read more...

TOE@oxonrcc.org.uk

Trust for Oxfordshire's Environment has a new email address - please update your records and discontinue using toe@ruralnet.org.uk read more...

'Step Change' Needed to Meet Carbon Reduction Targets

The government's Committee on Climate Change has warned that the pace of reductions in carbon emissions has to speed up. read more...

Big Lottery Community Wildlife Fund

The Big Lottery Fund Community Wildlife programme will offer grants of between £300 and £10,000 to projects that bring communities together to improve or protect the natural environment by raising awa... read more...

Oxfordshire LINk research project

Oxfordshire LINk are about to start a research project to understand individuals' experience of the social care system and are keen to listen to those who are already in receipt of home care or respit... read more...

The personal touch

An exciting change is about to take place in Oxfordshire for people who use social care and support services. Oxfordshire County Council is introducing a new, personalised way of supporting people and... read more...

OPFA@oxonrcc.org.uk

Oxfordshire Playing Fields Association has a new email address - please update your records and discontinue using opfa@ruralnet.org.uk read more...

Low Carbon Arkadia

If you were sailing away on an Ark to a low carbon future, what would you take with you and what would you leave behind? read more...

Vacancy for OPFA Community Development Officer

Oxfordshire Playing Fields Association are looking for someone with an appropriate range of skills, a flexible approach and a willingness to work in partnership with others to deliver the information ... read more...

Low Carbon Communities Programme Update

As part of the LCC project, ORCC is working hard to help communities build climate action groups. Read the first LCC update here! read more...

Oxfordshire Climate Action Update- June 2010

From Swap Shops to Eco-Fairs to talks and workshops, there's a lot going this month... read more...

'Affordable House Building Could Grind to a Halt'

Current projects in rural areas could be withdrawn and future funding cut read more...

Deprivation in rural Oxfordshire: sorting out the facts from the figures

Over 60 people attended a half-day conference at County Hall on 11 June to hear about recent work on improving our understanding of rural deprivation in Oxfordshire. The event was organised by the Ox... read more...

Vacancy for a Community Development Worker (maternity cover - Sept 2010 to April 2011)

We are seeking someone with relevant skills and experience to pick up and progress work tasks whilst one of our Community Development Workers is on maternity leave from September 2010 to April 2011. read more...

Safe from harm... free from harm... free from abuse

Protecting vulnerable people from abuse is everybody's business. read more...

ORCC promoting Business and Community Links

We soon hope to develop a new area of work to support home-based businesses and their communities in rural areas– are you interested? read more...

Oxford(shire) Pride

Oxford Pride is a celebration of lesbian, gay, bi, trans and queer life in Oxfordshire. The events supported or arranged by Oxford Pride promote awareness of LGBTQ issues through providing information... read more...

A new Community Led Planning website!

Anton has worked with other South East Rural Community Councils on a new website to bring the amazing work created by Community Led Plans into your home and the offices of your local council by mappi... read more...

ladder4learning

ladder4learning provides a regional workforce development resource for the Community and Voluntary sectors and social enterprises across the South West and South East. read more...

Make the most of Local Flavours

The new guide to eating fresh locally-produced food and drink in season is launched by the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Milton Keynes and Oxfordshire (BBO) Food Group CIC. Under the title Make the... read more...

Rural Development Programme (RDPE) funding available for South Oxfordshire

SEEDA to provide funding for rural broadband projects - expressions of interest by 31 May 2010 read more...

New Campaign Highlights Challenges Faced By Rural Elderly

A new campaign is highlighting the challenges faced by older rural people. read more...

Councillors' Views Sought on Future of Rural Housing

Councillors across the country are to be asked their views on the future of rural housing. read more...

Welcome to the new ORCC website!

ORCC is celebrating its 90th birthday in good shape after a challenging period of re-organisation and new building works. It’s hard to believe that in a few short months we’ve recruited 5 new staff an... read more...

600 villagers volunteer their time in Chalgrove

Chalgrove have completed their village plan with a series of celebratory feedback meetings. These highlighted their findings while identifying 16 possible future village projects. Throughout each of t... read more...

A new PAGE for Drayton St Leonard

On a sunny Saturday in April, villagers in Drayton St Leonard came together to celebrate the opening of their newly refurbished village hall. The event combined a grand ribbon-cutting ceremony with fe... read more...

Making the Connection

What a fantastic turnout for a Saturday! - more than 120 delegates gathered together at Unipart, Oxford on the 6th March to explore together the value of Community Led Planning. Attendees came from c... read more...

ORCC – a quality organisation

We are delighted to announce that we have just been awarded 'Level 3' of the national ‘ACRE Quality Standards’. The standards are designed to ensure that all aspects of our organisation’s operations –... read more...

Affordable Rural Housing

A new DVD on affordable rural housing in Oxfordshire was launched recently at a seminar for local Councillors in southern Oxfordshire. The DVD, which is designed to show the importance of small rural ... read more...

The freedom of working from home

Do you work from home? Are there times during the day when you could use some human company? Well you probably aren’t alone. read more...

Celebrating the best of 21st Century Village Life

At ORCC’s recent AGM, Calor made the announcement that they were pulling out from their national sponsorship of the Village of the Year Competition in 2010. read more...

Communities leading the way

Anton and Aimée are finding themselves in the middle of a sudden upsurge of interest in community led planning. Their ground work with communities is vital in generating local interest. read more...

Busy year for village halls service

Lynne Newin, our Village Halls Adviser somehow manages to juggle a host of activities that all help local hall management committees to be effective and to understand their legal obligations. read more...

Shops service in big demand

Village shops are widely regarded as a cornerstone of village life and the support that ORCC gives to local shopkeepers and community-run shops is highly thought of. And when Village Shops Development... read more...

Transport keeps moving

It’s amazing how quickly the working week rushes past. And when you come to look at how much is squeezed into it, it’s hardly surprising that our staff are fully occupied. On top of doing all the regu... read more...