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Write to Alice

Alice Parker-James
Publishing Director
kvoice.co.uk

alice@kvoice.co.uk

ABOUT

KVoice Magazine 2025
Local Journalism Online
kvoice.co.uk

KV is
not social media. KV is free-to-view and QI (quite interesting) for people local to Kidlington to see what's new and coming up — see our Notable Dates for the next 12-months.

KV is
supported by local advertisers who seek to increase awareness about their enterprise (if you contact a KV advertiser, let them know you saw their advert on this KV page).

KV is
powered by people passionate about promoting local journalism online.

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Write to Alice.

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for Local Readers

• Submit an article
Tell us your story.

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Promote your brand.

• Add an upcoming event
Notable Dates
are published here — up to 12-months
in advance of the event.

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from KV, occasionally.

In 2025
be seen
on KV

Kidlington Voice
Online

What's Up?

'Story Garden'
July 2025

Summer Reading Challenge

When?

Between July and September 2025

Where?

Kidlington Library

It's for children of all ages

For details, see Notable Dates for July 2025, below

2-Sisters

Open Now in Kidlington's central shopping precinct, the 2-Sisters Afro Shop offers a wide range of authentic African, Asian, and Caribbean groceries.

Click photo, above, for details.

Performance

September 2025
Join the coach trip from Kidlington to see the Birminham Royal Ballet's performance of 'Black Sabbath'. For details, and to reserve your place, scroll down to September's list of Notable Dates.

Oh Dear

Image generated by AI

NOTE TO ADVERTISERS*

Online advertisers aim to reach a broader audience than from printed publications. But, the expectation of making a sale comes further down the list. Sales follow a sequence: awareness, knowledge, liking, preference, conviction, sale. Yet, creating awareness is always the first step. Here's a test: are there any organisations on this page that you had not heard of before today, even if you might never buy from them?

*It's not about you selling to them. If they need to buy, it's about them buying from you.

Artweeks

Artists at St Marys
MAY 2025
Local Artists will be exhibiting their work at St Mary's Church Kidlington from Saturday 17th May to Monday 26th May 2025.
For details, download the poster from the list of Notable Dates in May 2025, below

Headlines

TODAY'S HEADLINES

Friday
16 May 2025
at 3:10am

Stadium

Oxford United Football Club

Read about the latest developments directly from OUFC.

Parish

Kidlington Parish Council Monthly Reports

The most recent report from Kidlington Parish Council is available to read from the Community Notice below this section. Or read the latest report directly from here.

Volunteering

Are you considering Volunteering in 2025?

You'll get valuable advice about how to get involved with volunteering from the Oxfordshire Volunteers website here:

Your Story

Do you live in Kidlington with a local story to tell but cannot easily find the words to express it?

Image generated by AI
Contact alice@kvoice.co.uk to have your article written and published here on Kidlington Voice.

Tell us your story. Contact Alice.

Obituary

The 13th May 2025 is the 1st anniversary of my brother Franco's death. He was born on 8th July 1933 in Rome, Italy. He was the eldest child in our family and we looked up to him with respect and awe. He looked to us so grown up then. He was educated in the classical studies. He embodied and promoted an all round education of a gentlemen of his own generation.

After his marriage to Nell de Roquefeuil he made France his home, not far from le Mont St Michel in rural Normandy. He worked as a correspondent for the Italian Rai and Television in Paris. His life followed the usual all too human pattern of happiness and sorrow. His only son Emmanuel was born with a congenital heart disease, and needed constant attention. He accepted this with courage knowing that life doesn’t arrange things according to our own expectations. He provided his son with the best of medical cures and advice. Emmanuel lived until the age of 28 in the harmony and affection of his family at home. After the death of his son first and later of his wife in 2009, I and my English husband Tim, travelled on the ferry from Portsmouth to St Malo to see him 3 to 4 times a year.

It is true that looking at elderly people we often forget that they had once been children. My brother and I were lucky to find we had our childhood to share. He had several portraits painted of his wife and son, also of our mother and one of himself at the age of 4. As his memory started to fail him, he would ask me with expectation if I remembered old so and so and he was always delighted with my positive answer. He appreciated this feeling of belonging. He hadn’t been sure weather those early recollections had been real or a fabrication of his mind. Some time his solitude left him in a vacuum state in spite of the weekly contact and affection of his in laws living not far away.

Later on, he had forgotten all the things he had achieved with intelligence, hard work and pride, although it was important to him to have done them. He really felt it was time to move on. Adieu Franco, God be with you!

Gabriella Blakey

Marquetry

ARTICLE

My Favourite Marquetry Tools

by Gabriella Blakey

New Bus Route

Extended Services 700 & 100 between Kidlington and Cowley Centre.

KV is grateful to former transport rep, Chris Huntingford, for giving us early notice of an extended bus route between Kidlington and the shopping centre at Cowley.

Chris writes, "There is a major enhancement to the local bus service starting 19th May 2025. On Mondays to Fridays, the 700 hospital bus route will be extended to the Temple Cowley Centre and then on to Blackbird Leys. This extended route opens up the possibility of direct buses to multiple shops and superstores in Cowley. The service frequency is every half hour. This new route is part of a long-held ambition to offer more 'orbital' routes in Oxford, reducing the need to change often in the city centre."

Click to download the new timetable direct from the Oxford Bus Company.

Vacancies

Edward Feild Primary School, Kidlington, offers an opportunity for teaching assistants and lunchtime supervisors to join its team.

Click here for details:

Edward Feild Primary School

Dementia

Information session held at Kidlington Library about living well with Dementia, on Monday 19th May 2025.

Click here for details:

KV Award

Hey — we won an award.

Most Dedicated Online News & Events Platform 2024 – Oxfordshire: here.

Green Buses

"Purring Green Buses" — Giles Woodforde reports on the new all-electric buses serving Kidlington.

CLICK TO READ

Marquetry

Local Business
ADVERTISEMENT

Art in Wood

Gabriella Blakey
Unique handcrafted objets d'art.

To continue the series of my commissioned bamboo jewellery boxes, I was asked to decorate this one with 'Passiflora Caerulea'. This plant is an evergreen climber with large white flowers and central filaments of cornflower blue and purple. It was already by 1569 a well known herbal remedy in Brazilian folklore. However, it was the Jesuit Ferrari who later gave the plant its Christian symbolism by seeing in the flower the instruments of Jesus's Passion and Resurrection such as: the 3 nails of the cross and the crown of thorns. That's why it seems to add a touch of paradise to any gardens. With the slim tendrils I shaped the initials of the names of the couple who commissioned the box. As both share the same letter H, I interlaced them into a romantic monogram.

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Local Links

Kidlington Photo Group

Camera Club

Camera Club
Picture reproduced from the website of KCC Photo Group.
Photo by Melissa Bastin, Polo Images Photography.

CLICK for more.

Send your own local photo and its story to:
alice@kvoice.co.uk

Rosie

Did you know?

Rosie the elephant helped Capra and Carmelita escape Kidlington's Zoo? What happened next?

Click to download the story, here:

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

Local Writer

David Meara

Local Writer, David Meara, highlights two of his recent publications:

Oxford: A Potted History
and
50 Gems of Oxfordshire

Marquetry

Local Writers for Local Readers

St. Tryphon & The Magic of Marquetry

by Gabriella Blakey

Read how an ancient Saint depicted in the medium of Marquetry travelled through the centuries via Oxford to honour a mother in Greece.

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Parish Council

COMMUNITY NOTICE

Kidlington Parish Council
Monthly Reports

The series of monthly reports from Kidlington Parish Council is available to read from here.

Police
COMMUNITY NOTICE

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.

Your News

KVoice Magazine
Kidlington Voice Online

Do you have something to publish online for the local community?

A news story? An article? A family announcement? An upcoming event? A commercial advertisement? A photograph? A link to your business website?

Write to
alice@kvoice.co.uk
KVoice Publishing
K I D L I N G T O N
Oxfordshire UK

Local Writers for Local Readers

kvoice.co.uk

Jun 2025

Notable Dates
JUNE 2025

21 Jun Sat Antique & Collectors Market — 9.00am to 1.00pm at Kidlington Methodist Church OX5 2BP. Details from organiser Graham Kirby: Tel 01865-371494 or Email graham316@protonmail.com

19 Jun Thu Author Talk — 5.30pm to 6.30pm at Kidlington Library. We are excited to welcome Charlie Hedges MBE to Kidlington Library. He is one of the UK's foremost experts on missing persons, particularly children and those who are abducted and trafficked. Come and hear about Charlie's fascinating career and how his vast experience has inspired his latest book 'Missing'. For details, see the full poster here.

14 Jun Sat Abingdon Air and Country Show — 10.00am to 4.30pm at Abingdon Airfied, Dalton Barracks, OX13 6JQ. For details, see the full poster here.

10 Jun Tue Unpaid Carers — 1.00pm to 4.00pm at Kidlington Library, 23 Oxford Road, Kidlington, OX5 2BP.
A free and friendly drop-in session for unpaid carers. Come along to chat with Carers Oxfordshire advisers, get information, advice and support. Cared-for are welcome to attend. Venue is wheelchair accessible. No need to book.

For details click here.

6 Jun Fri First Friday Lunch Club at Lincroft Meadow — From 12-noon at Lincroft Meadow Care Home. Lincroft would like to invite you to join them for 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 in advance: for details and to make contact, click here.

3 Jun Tue NEW: Street Dance Classes — Run by MF-Dance with classes for ages 3-6, 7-11, and 12-18 held in the evening at West Kidlington Nursery School OX5 1EA. For details and to request a free trial class --- click here.

NOTABLE DATES
Add your upcoming event by email to:
alice@kvoice.co.uk

Estate Agent

Local Business
ADVERTISEMENT

Thomas Merrifield

Estate Agent
1B The Hampden Building
High Street
Kidlington OX5 2DH
01865-379880

Be the first to know about exclusive updates, local property news, industry insights and market updates. Visit our website and sign up to receive our property newsletter.

KVAD30937345714

Lockdown

Local Writers for Local Readers

A Year Locked Down in Kidlington
by James Hamilton

A portrait by the artist in words and watercolours of the local landscape.

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Monthly

COMMUNITY NOTICE
May 2025

Jul 2025

Notable Dates
JULY 2025

26 Jul Sat Antique & Collectors Market — 9.00am to 1.00pm at Kidlington Methodist Church OX5 2BP. Details from organiser Graham Kirby: Tel 01865-371494 or Email graham316@protonmail.com

5 Jul Sat 'Story Garden' Reading Challenge — At Kidlington Library — from 5th July 2025 to 6th September 2025 children across Oxfordshire can collect stickers and rewards as they enjoy reading library books.

The 2025 Summer Reading Challenge named 'Story Garden' celebrates adventure, fantasy, and the great outdoors. It inspires children to tap into a world of imagination through reading and exploring the magical connection between storytelling and nature. Children who finish the Challenge will get a medal and a certificate. Under 4's can take part in a mini challenge with their own special collector's folder and stickers.

CLICK HERE to download the full poster.

4 Jul Fri First Friday Lunch Club at Lincroft Meadow — From 12-noon at Lincroft Meadow Care Home. Lincroft would like to invite you to join them for 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 in advance: for details and to make contact, click here.

NOTABLE DATES
Add your upcoming event by email to:
alice@kvoice.co.uk

Portrait

Local Writers for Local Readers

Honoured at Oxford
by Gabrielle Matthews

The story behind Oxford University's portrait of Kidlington's Dr Norma Aubertin-Potter.

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Property

Local Business
ADVERTISEMENT

Finders Keepers is a highly regarded property agency that has been serving Oxfordshire for over 50 years. With eight offices spread across the county, it is a trusted and reliable source for anyone looking to rent, let, buy, sell or invest in property.

226 Banbury Road
Summertown
Oxford OX2 7BY

01865-311011

We launched in 1972 as an acquisition and investment service and soon became the leading letting agents in Oxford, letting and managing thousands of homes from our offices in North Oxford, Central Oxford and East Oxford, Abingdon, Banbury, Bicester and Witney. Our experienced and knowledgeable teams offer a personalised service to each of our clients.

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Aug 2025

Notable Dates
AUGUST 2025

30 Aug Sat Antique & Collectors Market — 9.00am to 1.00pm at Kidlington Methodist Church OX5 2BP. Details from organiser Graham Kirby: Tel 01865-371494 or Email graham316@protonmail.com

1 Aug Fri First Friday Lunch Club at Lincroft Meadow — From 12-noon at Lincroft Meadow Care Home. Lincroft would like to invite you to join them for 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 in advance: for details and to make contact, click here.

NOTABLE DATES
Add your upcoming event by email to:
alice@kvoice.co.uk

Tattoo

Local Business
ADVERTISEMENT

Tattoo Artist Kidlington

Tattoo Artist Kidlington
Paul Humphreys
Evolution Tattoo Studio
OX5 1JE
07999-337508

For our most recent tattoo images uploaded this month visit our website and click on our links to our Instagram and Facebook. To book an appointment drop a message to 07999-337508.

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Literature

Local Writers for Local Readers

The Tipping Point
by John Batchelor

John Batchelor considers how English Literature reflects the mood of an era.

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Sep 2025

Notable Dates
SEPTEMBER 2025

27 Sep Sat Antique & Collectors Market — 9.00am to 1.00pm at Kidlington Methodist Church OX5 2BP. Details from organiser Graham Kirby: Tel 01865-371494 or Email graham316@protonmail.com

18 Sep Thu Birmingham Royal Ballet — Black Sabbath The Ballet: Stalls tickets available for the Matinee performance at Birmingham Hippodrome on Thursday Saturday 18th September, 2025. Total cost (inc coach) £83.00. Coach leaves Kidlington High Street—by the Baptist Church— at 10.30am. To book a ticket contact Olive Williams on 01865 372795.

5 Sep Fri First Friday Lunch Club at Lincroft Meadow — From 12-noon at Lincroft Meadow Care Home. Lincroft would like to invite you to join them for 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 in advance: for details and to make contact, click here.

NOTABLE DATES
Add your upcoming event by email to:
alice@kvoice.co.uk

Retirement

Property in Kidlington
ADVERTISEMENT

Marlborough Lodge

All apartments at Churchill Living in Kidlington are self-contained with their own front door. There is a choice of one and two bedroom apartments: all come with a tiled shower room, while some have separate en-suites and cloakrooms

We are delighted to have welcomed our first owners, who are now enjoying retirement in this popular development in the heart of Kidlington. Why not discover more about retirement living by visiting our brand-new show complex? View our thoughtfully designed one- and two-bedroom show apartments and meet our owners at a regular event in our comfortable owners’ lounge.

KVAD50947392793

KAOS

Kidlington Amateur Operatic Society

Providing a fun, friendly, inspiring environment in which people, regardless of age, gender or experience can learn and perform a wide variety of choral music.

Did you know that KAOS has been presenting concerts and musical shows in Kidlington for over 40 years? We usually put on three performances a year: a Spring Concert, a staged Autumn Production and a Christmas Charity Concert. In 2024, KAOS hosted two "Come & Sing" days: in June, '100 Years of Broadway', and in October 'Pirates of Penzance'. We hope to see you soon!

KVAD53568396774

Independent

Local School
ADVERTISEMENT

d'Overbroeck's School

A leading independent, co-educational school in Oxford for students aged 11 to 18

CLICK FOR ADMISSIONS
registrar@ doverbroecks.com

At d'Overbroeck's we welcome students from all backgrounds and nationalities. Our entry requirements vary depending on the child’s age and the year group they’ll be joining. We want the very best for every child. And that's why we offer a progressive and fully personalised education that embraces individual talents and ambitions. From the moment a pupil joins us, they’ll feel a sense of belonging. Our informal yet stimulating environment is designed to bring out the best in every student. Empowered by exceptional teachers, our students can confidently be themselves and do what they love, while they flourish both academically and personally.

KVAD63199529313

Optician

Local Business
ADVERTISEMENT

Cherwell Opticians

Cherwell Opticians
33 High Street
Kidlington
OX5 2DH
01865-842044

Cherwell Opticians (previously Pitman Optometrists) is conveniently situated in the centre of Kidlington. Cherwell Opticians is owned and managed by Bridget and Elvis Annor. We are well placed to provide complete eye care for all the family.

KVAD33340323876

Oct 2025

Notable Dates
OCTOBER 2025

25 Oct Sat Antique & Collectors Market — 9.00am to 1.00pm at Kidlington Methodist Church OX5 2BP. Details from organiser Graham Kirby: Tel 01865-371494 or Email graham316@protonmail.com

3 Oct Fri First Friday Lunch Club at Lincroft Meadow — From 12-noon at Lincroft Meadow Care Home. Lincroft would like to invite you to join them for 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 in advance: for details and to make contact, click here.

NOTABLE DATES
Add your upcoming event by email to:
alice@kvoice.co.uk

Football

Local Business
ADVERTISEMENT

Oxford United Football Club

Latest News

Oxford United's proposed new stadium will be more than our new venue for football matches. We want it to be part of the community of Kidlington, with facilities and services open to you every day. Our stadium will be your stadium. Our detailed plans are still emerging. We want to continue to hear your views which will help shape our ongoing plans.

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Ecology

COMMUNITY NOTICE

Kidlington Eco Group

A network of local groups working towards a greener world.

Nov 2025

Notable Dates
NOVEMBER 2025

22 Nov Sat Antique & Collectors Market — 9.00am to 1.00pm at Kidlington Methodist Church OX5 2BP. Details from organiser Graham Kirby: Tel 01865-371494 or Email graham316@protonmail.com

7 Nov Fri First Friday Lunch Club at Lincroft Meadow — From 12-noon at Lincroft Meadow Care Home. Lincroft would like to invite you to join them for 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 in advance: for details and to make contact, click here.

NOTABLE DATES
Add your upcoming event by email to:
alice@kvoice.co.uk

Independent

Local School
ADVERTISEMENT

d'Overbroeck's School

A leading independent, co-educational school in Oxford for students aged 11 to 18

CLICK FOR ADMISSIONS
registrar@ doverbroecks.com

At d'Overbroeck's we welcome students from all backgrounds and nationalities. Our entry requirements vary depending on the child’s age and the year group they’ll be joining. We want the very best for every child. And that's why we offer a progressive and fully personalised education that embraces individual talents and ambitions. From the moment a pupil joins us, they’ll feel a sense of belonging. Our informal yet stimulating environment is designed to bring out the best in every student. Empowered by exceptional teachers, our students can confidently be themselves and do what they love, while they flourish both academically and personally.

KVAD63988529516

Solicitors

Local Business
ADVERTISEMENT

SE-Solicitors
Bicester Office
5 Sheep Street, OX26 6JB
Tel: 01869-252861

History

LOCAL HISTORY

CLICK for more from the
Kidlington & District

A Tribute to Kidlington's Rosie The Elephant

Kidlington Zoo opened in 1931 and closed in 1937 when the whole collection moved to Dudley Castle in the West Midlands.

Solar

Local Business
ADVERTISEMENT

UK Solar Generation

Turn your property into a mini power station by installing roof-mounted solar panels supplying electricity directly, and you can sell the excess.

Oxfordshire-based UK Solar Generation prides itself on its mission to provide decarbonised solutions to households in the UK by working with the private sector to meet the demanding budgets households have to face.

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Awards

Visitor Statistics
Monthly Reports

2023 SME Southern Enterprise Awards – KV awarded 'Most Innovative Local Journalism Platform.'

2022 Global Awards Corporate-Livewire – KV awarded 'Magazine Publication of the Year.'

2021 SME Midlands Enterprise Awards – KV awarded 'Most Popular Online Village Magazine.'

KV Visitor Statistics here .

Family

Family Announcements

Births • Marriages • Deaths • Anniversaries

To post a family announcement or publish a full obituary with photographs, please write to:

alice@kvoice.co.uk

Morse

Local Writers for Local Readers

Morse, Lewis, Endeavour
by Giles Woodforde

Giles Woodforde bids farewell to the long-running TV series.

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Dec 2025

Notable Dates
DECEMBER 2025

5 Dec Fri First Friday Lunch Club at Lincroft Meadow — From 12-noon at Lincroft Meadow Care Home. Lincroft would like to invite you to join them for 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 in advance: for details and to make contact, click here.

NOTABLE DATES
Add your upcoming event by email to:
alice@kvoice.co.uk

Friendship

Local Care Home
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