Past Papers
From October 2020 ...

First published October 2020
 Yarnton Level Crossing 
Yarnton Parish Council (YPC) • Councillor David Brown sets out YPC's opposition to the plan by Network Rail to close the level crossing at Sandy Lane.

David Brown, October 2020.

First published October 2020
 Article 
Honoured at Oxford • A long-time resident of Kidlington village has had her portrait commissioned by the University of Oxford. But what's the story behind this special painting which now hangs high at the Examination Schools in the centre of the City?

October 2020.

First published October 2020
 Article 
Remembrance Sunday: Public Gathering or Private Gratitude? • Bruce Gillingham invites more personal ways to give thanks for our cherished freedoms.

Bruce Gillingham, October 2020.

Past Papers
From November 2020 ...

First published November 2020
 Article 
Stargazing November 2020 • Roger Davies places black holes and an Oxford Nobel Prize winner at the centre of November's look up at the skies over our region.

Roger Davies, November 2020.

Past Papers
From December 2021 ...

First published December 2021
 Article 

One Last Job • James Hamilton directs us to the value of art on display in public places and leads us to an evocation of local memories sited at the very heart of Kidlington Village.

James Hamilton, December 2021.

Past Papers
From January 2022 ...

Published January 2022
 Article 

Begbroke Village • Read about Norma Aubertin-Potter's new book publication available in 2022: an updated History of Begbroke Village printed in three parts.

Norma Aubertin-Potter, January 2022.

Past Papers
From February 2022 ...

Published February 2022
 Article 

Paw Prints • Orange, pinky-purple, blue, and green are the colours. But what do they mean, and where do you end up if you follow them?

Giles Woodforde, February 2022.

Past Papers
From February 2021 ...

First published February 2021
 Article 

Alice in Lockdown • John Batchelor highlights the various confinements which Alice endured and how she overcame them in the books by Lewis Carroll.

John Batchelor, February 2021.

First published February 2021
 Article 

A Pocket Full of Change • A friend in Kidlington tells of a soldier in WWI whose coins in his pocket saved him from more serious injury.

Graham Kirby, February 2021.

First published February 2021
 Article 

Stargazing February 2021 • Throughout February — due south at 9.00pm, the constellation of Orion is our signpost to the Winter skies.

Roger Davies, February 2021.

Past Papers
From March 2021 ...

First published March 2021
 Article 

Going to the Pictures • Giles Woodforde recollects – as longer-term residents also will know – that the Tesco building in Kidlington started life in 1938 as the Sterling Cinema.

Giles Woodforde, March 2021.

First published March 2021
 Article 

How many streets in Kidlington? • Andrew Young narrates the odyssey of his son George who journeyed all the streets of Kidlington in a single day.

Andrew Young, March 2021.

Past Papers
From March 2020 ...

First published March 2020
 Article 
There's much yet to celebrate • James Hamilton marks the official first day of the lockdown with a morning walk in the fields around Kidlington.

James Hamilton, March 2020.

First published March 2020
 Article 
Yellow Bus • Giles Woodforde discovers why Kidlington's buses have changed colour.

Giles Woodforde, March 2020.

First published March 2020
 Article 
Pavements and Lids • 'In these odd times one notices odd things,' writes James Hamilton.

James Hamilton, March 2020.

First published March 2020
 Article 
Zig-Zag • Lilian Cooper wonders if we might evolve to walk in single file.

Lilian Cooper, March 2020.

First published March 2020
 Article 
On Creative Writing • In her short story which begins in Oxford and ends in Kidlington, Rosemary Hutchinson asks, 'Why do you think the author's daughter used her computer to create a facial composite of the young man featured in the story?'

Rosemary Hutchinson, March 2020.

Past Papers
From April 2021 ...

First published April 2021
 Article 

A Year Locked Down in Kidlington • A portrait by the artist in words and watercolours of the local landscape noticed within half a mile of the spire of St Mary's Church over 12-months.

James Hamilton, April 2021.

First published April 2021
 Article 

Mindful Art • Creating portraits and landscapes helped Kidlington's Douglas Lloyd refocus and detach from the stresses of everyday life during lockdown.

Douglas Lloyd, April 2021.

First published April 2021
 Article 

My Father and the Merchant Navy • Norman Alfred Potter was born on 24th February 1904, married on 29th November 1947 in Begbroke, and died at Kidlington on 10th December 1974.

Norma Aubertin-Potter, April 2021.

Past Papers
From April 2020 ...

First published April 2020
 Article 
Stargazing April 2020 • Roger Davies begins his series of articles about the sky at night over the Kidlington area.

Roger Davies, April 2020.

First published April 2020
 Article 
Defoe's Journal of the Plague Year and the Current Pandemic • John Batchelor reminds us that the author of Robinson Crusoe also documented the Great Plague in London of 1665.

John Batchelor, April 2020.

First published April 2020
 Article 
Kidlington 1220 • In his wry take on local history, Alan Quarry imagines a conversation among the stonemasons tasked with building the first large church in Kidlington over 800 years ago.

Alan Quarry, April 2020.

First published April 2020
 Article 
Nocturne • James Hamilton takes a short walk without leaving the house.

James Hamilton, April 2020.

First published April 2020
 Article 
Why Dexter wrote Morse • Paul Humphreys observes young Colin Dexter attending his first Latin lesson at school.

Paul Humphreys, April 2020.

Local Writers for Local Readers
 Contact us 
  Write to Louise

  louise.lloyd@kvoice.co.uk
  Publishing Director, KVoice Magazine
  Kidlington Voice Online

 What we do for you 
 ♥ Writers—we publish your article
 ♥ Directors—we promote your business
 ♥ Organisers—we publicise your event
And for everyone in our local community—we help you to spread the word when you tell us what's what.

Notable Dates in May 2022 3 May 2022 Tue ● Rhymetime every Tuesday at Kidlington Library 2.15pm to 2.45pm. Stories, songs and rhymes for the under-fives. Free, but children must be accompanied by an adult. Numbers limited. Contact 01865-373067.

5 May 2022 Thu ● Digital Helpers are on hand every Thursday morning at Kidlington Library to help you get started using computers and the Internet. But please book your free session by phone 01865-373067 or email kidlington.library@oxfordshire.gov.uk

10 May 2022 Tue ● Research your family history at Kidlington Library 9.45am to 12.30pm. Expert volunteers will help you to use the library's online and print resources to find more about your ancestors. Book your free 30-minute session by phone 01865-373067 or email kidlington.library@oxfordshire.gov.uk

● Rhymetime every Tuesday at Kidlington Library 2.15pm to 2.45pm. Stories, songs and rhymes for the under-fives. Free, but children must be accompanied by an adult. Numbers limited. Contact 01865-373067.

● Pyjamarama at Kidlington Library 5.00pm to 5.30pm. No need to book and all ages are welcome. Bring your favourite teddy or soft toy and wear your pyjamas to this bedtime story event. All children must be accompanied at all times by an adult. For details telephone 01865-373067 or email kidlington.library@oxfordshire.gov.uk

15 May 2022 Sun ● Open Day at Bridewell Gardens

17 May 2022 Tue ● Rhymetime every Tuesday at Kidlington Library 2.15pm to 2.45pm. Stories, songs and rhymes for the under-fives. Free, but children must be accompanied by an adult. Numbers limited. Contact 01865-373067.

21 May 2022 Sat ● Artweeks Oxfordshire. Local artists are exhibiting their work at St. Mary's Church, Kidlington. 12-noon to 6.00pm. For details visit www.artweeks.org

22 May 2022 Sun ● Artweeks Oxfordshire. Local artists are exhibiting their work at St. Mary's Church, Kidlington. 12-noon to 6.00pm. For details visit www.artweeks.org

23 May 2022 Mon ● Artweeks Oxfordshire. Local artists are exhibiting their work at St. Mary's Church, Kidlington. 12-noon to 6.00pm. For details visit www.artweeks.org

● Oxfordshire Family History Society. A talk by David Annal at Exeter Hall: "My Ancestor was a Liar: Ignorance, Half Truths or Wilful Deceit?". Doors open from 7.15pm. Talk begins at 8.00pm. For details, visit the website of the Oxfordshire Family History Society.

24 May 2022 Tue ● Artweeks Oxfordshire. Local artists are exhibiting their work at St. Mary's Church, Kidlington. 12-noon to 6.00pm. For details visit www.artweeks.org

● Rhymetime every Tuesday at Kidlington Library 2.15pm to 2.45pm. Stories, songs and rhymes for the under-fives. Free, but children must be accompanied by an adult. Numbers limited. Contact 01865-373067.

25 May 2022 Wed ● Artweeks Oxfordshire. Local artists are exhibiting their work at St. Mary's Church, Kidlington. 12-noon to 6.00pm. For details visit www.artweeks.org

26 May 2022 Thu ● Artweeks Oxfordshire. Local artists are exhibiting their work at St. Mary's Church, Kidlington. 12-noon to 8.00pm. For details visit www.artweeks.org

27 May 2022 Fri ● Artweeks Oxfordshire. Local artists are exhibiting their work at St. Mary's Church, Kidlington. 12-noon to 6.00pm. For details visit www.artweeks.org

28 May 2022 Sat ● Artweeks Oxfordshire. Local artists are exhibiting their work at St. Mary's Church, Kidlington. 2.30pm to 6.00pm. For details visit www.artweeks.org

29 May 2022 Sun ● Artweeks Oxfordshire. Local artists are exhibiting their work at St. Mary's Church, Kidlington. 12-noon to 6.00pm. For details visit www.artweeks.org

31 May 2022 Tue ● Rhymetime every Tuesday at Kidlington Library 2.15pm to 2.45pm. Stories, songs and rhymes for the under-fives. Free, but children must be accompanied by an adult. Numbers limited. Contact 01865-373067.

Stop Press Today
Wednesday 18th May 2022

Past Papers
From May 2021 ...

May 2021: ArtWeeks
  Local Artists Online  


Abstraction by Ann Holland.

  Oxfordshire's annual ArtWeeks Festival 2021 includes an online exhibition by local artists who in non-Covid times would normally exhibit in person at St. Mary's Kidlington. This virtual exhibition displays the works of local artists including those of: Bobbie Coon, Steve Daggit, Trish Friedemann, James Hamilton, Nic Hamilton, Ann Holland, Elizabeth Kirkham, Rosemary Meara, Charlotte Orr, Lynn Pilgrim, Thomas Shepherd, Richard Stephens, Danielle Teper, and Jean Wykes.

Click to view all

Past Papers
From May 2020 ...

First published May 2020
 Article 
Stargazing May 2020 • Roger Davies continues his series of articles about the sky at night over the Kidlington area.

Roger Davies, May 2020.

First published May 2020
 Article 
The Queen's Music • Artist Alan Kestner tells about his elaborate pencil drawing inspired by his love of music and the Queen's speech to the nation in May 2020.

Alan Kestner, May 2020.

First published May 2020
 Article 
Home Again • Student Ella Gauci makes her way back home not long after starting at University.

Ella Gauci, May 2020.

First published May 2020
 Article 
Blossom Fortnight • 'This must be blossom fortnight all over Kidlington,' writes James Hamilton.

James Hamilton, May 2020.

First published May 2020
 Article 
A Swarm in May • Andy Pedley safely relocates a swarm of bees nesting in a street in Kidlington.

Andy Pedley, May 2020.

First published May 2020
 Article 
Young Saint • Paul Humphreys writes, 'A little shy of ten miles from Kidlington in the direction of Oxford, a life-sized figure sculpted in Italian marble stood high on a plinth of stone in the quadrangle of Salesian College, a secondary school for boys.'

Paul Humphreys, May 2020.

First published May 2020
 Article 
Fandilay • 'He was not the sort of person to invent a new word — or so he thought,' writes Paul Humphreys.

Paul Humphreys, May 2020.

First published May 2020
 Article 
Diary of a Novice Beekeeper • Henrietta Batchelor takes delivery of her first beehive and discovers she has a whole new language to learn.

Henrietta Batchelor, May 2020.

First published May 2020
 Article 
Lockdown Medal • Graham Kirby considers VE-Day and reflects on how prisoners of war in Europe supported each other.

Graham Kirby, May 2020.

Notable Dates in June 2022

2 June 2022 Thu ● The Queen's Jubilee Beacon lit at Exeter Hall Kidlington as part of the Queen's official Jubilee celebrations. Everyone welcome. For more information and to get involved in preparations, please contact cherwellcollective@gmail.com

4 June 2022 Sat ● The Queen's Jubilee Picnic held at Exeter Hall Kidlington. Everyone welcome. To get involved in preparations during May 2022 for this community picnic please contact cherwellcollective@gmail.com

9 Jun 2022 Thu ● Digital Helpers are on hand every Thursday morning at Kidlington Library to help you get started using computers and the Internet. But please book your free session by phone 01865-373067 or email kidlington.library@oxfordshire.gov.uk

14 Jun 2022 Tue ● Research your family history at Kidlington Library 9.45am to 12.30pm. Expert volunteers will help you to use the library's online and print resources to find more about your ancestors. Book your free 30-minute session by phone 01865-373067 or email kidlington.library@oxfordshire.gov.uk

18 June 2022 Sat ● Open Day at Bridewell Gardens

19 June 2022 Sun ● Open Day at Bridewell Gardens

27 Jun 2022 Mon ● Oxfordshire Family History Society. A talk by Alan Simpson at Exeter Hall: "From One House to Another". Doors open from 7.15pm. Talk begins at 8.00pm. For details, visit the website of the Oxfordshire Family History Society.

Past Papers
From June 2020 ...

First published June 2020
 Article 
Going back to University • Ella Gauci returns with sage advice about continuing to study.

Ella Gauci, June 2020.

First published June 2020
 Article 
Oxymoronica • Louise Lloyd discovers a new word in Summertown. But where did she find it — and what does it mean?

Louise Lloyd, June 2020.

First published June 2020
 Article 
The Tracy Way • Lyn Mason pays tribute to her Kidlington friend Tracy Jameson whose life featured in the BBC TV documentary Miriam's Dead Good Adventures.

Lyn Mason, June 2020.

First published June 2020
 Article 
Church Street Honey • Kitty Knight explains the harvesting process for producing Church Street Honey.

Kitty Knight, June 2020.

First published June 2020
 Article 
In Praise of Cow Parsley • James Hamilton reveals a presence hidden in every corner of every field.

James Hamilton, June 2020.

First published June 2020
 Article 
Stargazing June 2020 • Roger Davies continues his series of articles about the sky at night over the Kidlington area.

Roger Davies, June 2020.

First published June 2020
 Article 
Poetry and Crisis: Edward Thomas • John Batchelor recalls the times, settings, and poetry of Edward Thomas.

John Batchelor, June 2020.

Past Papers
From July 2021 ...

First published July 2021
 Article 

Kidlington meets Tennyson • Kidlington meets Tennyson 'In among the bearded barley' — in John Batchelor's analysis of The Lady of Shalott.

John Batchelor, July 2021.

Past Papers
From July 2020 ...

First published July 2020
 Article 
A Personal Reflection • In his personal reflection on the year to date, Giles Woodforde asks, 'Is the Union Jack upside down?'

Giles Woodforde, July 2020.

First published July 2020
 Article 
An Extraordinary Journey • James Hamilton takes a phenomenal flight high above the buttercup fields of Kidlington.

James Hamilton, July 2020.

First published July 2020
 Article 
The Manic Minute • Firefighter Gideon Ring tells his recruitment story into Oxfordshire's Fire Service.

Gideon Ring, July 2020.

First published July 2020
 Article 
Stargazing July & August 2020 • Roger Davies invites us to look up and take in the big picture as he describes the sky at night over Kidlington.

Roger Davies, July 2020.

First published July 2020
 Article 
Summer's Gardens and The Poets • John Batchelor leads us onto an immaculate lawn with Marvell, Kipling, and Shakespeare.

John Batchelor, July 2020.

First published July 2020
 Article 
Comet Neowise • 'Possibly the most dramatic comet since Hale-Bopp in 1997,' writes Roger Davies.

Roger Davies, July 2020.

First published July 2020
 Article 
The Kidlington Pie • Oxford poet Stilly bakes an exceptional pie for Kidlington: it's a pie that's the pride of the WI.

Poet Stilly, July 2020.

Past Papers
From August 2021 ...

First published August 2021
 Article 

My First Essay • Kidlington's Ella Gauci relates the lessons she learned after the first student essay she submitted at University.

Ella Gauci, August 2021.

Past Papers
From August 2020 ...

First published August 2020
 Article 
Effective Notetaking • Starting back at Secondary School or University? You'll find this report by Paul Humphreys contains handy advice about how to remember things for upcoming tests and exams.

Listen to a summary.

Paul Humphreys, August 2020.

First published August 2020
 Article 
To Zoom or to Teams • Norma Aubertin-Potter considers the ups and downs of meetings held online.

Norma Aubertin-Potter, August 2020.

First published August 2020
 Article 
Breathless in Kidlington • Ian Wilson raises our heartbeat as we join him on an exhilarating run around the village.

Ian Wilson, August 2020.

First published August 2020
 Article 
Storks over Kidlington • Adrian Gray witnesses an historic sighting high above the village.

Adrian Gray, August 2020.

First published August 2020
 Article 
Future Historians and the Pandemic of 2020 • 'What will historians of the future make of our response to Covid-19?' asks Norma Aubertin-Potter.

Norma Aubertin-Potter, August 2020.

First published August 2020
 Article 
Old Money • Graham Kirby re-visits our pre-decimalisation currency of pounds, shillings, and pence — and reveals the model for Britannia whose " ... cloak stands out as if windswept."

Graham Kirby, August 2020.

Notable Dates in September 2022

1 Sep 2022 Thu ● Digital Helpers are on hand every Thursday morning at Kidlington Library to help you get started using computers and the Internet. But please book your free session by phone 01865-373067 or email kidlington.library@oxfordshire.gov.uk

11 Sep 2022 Sun ● Open Day at Bridewell Gardens

13 Sep 2022 Tue ● Research your family history at Kidlington Library 9.45am to 12.30pm. Expert volunteers will help you to use the library's online and print resources to find more about your ancestors. Book your free 30-minute session by phone 01865-373067 or email kidlington.library@oxfordshire.gov.uk

26 Sep 2022 Mon ● Oxfordshire Family History Society. A talk by Mark Davies at Exeter Hall: "Felons, fellows, and females: the completion of the Oxford Canal". Doors open from 7.15pm. Talk begins at 8.00pm. For details, visit the website of the Oxfordshire Family History Society.

Past Papers
From September 2020 ...

First published September 2020
 Article 
My Lockdown Books • Norma Aubertin-Potter reveals her reading list: Daniel Defoe, HG Wells, and a snoop into Donald Trump's White House are included.

Norma Aubertin-Potter, September 2020.

First published September 2020
 Article 
Stargazing September 2020 • Roger Davies brings Mars into focus in this month's look at the planets.

Roger Davies, September 2020.