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July 2026
Print date 1 July 2026 · web release 1 August 2026
News & opinion
A Tale of Two Spaces
Woodstock citizens surely applaud WOBL’s concern for the greening of Woodstock’s public spaces, as seen in its recent support for the St Mary Magadlene Churchyard, now flourishing again.
19 August 2026
Clubs & societies
Bladon and Woodstock Flower Club
On 6 June the club had a coach to the Windsor Flower Festival, which was lovely, but the weather was not very kind to us. On 14 July we welcome Andrew Key with his title ‘May to September’. This is the first time we will meet Andrew, so we are all looking forward to his demonstration.
19 August 2026
Schools
Bladon Primary School: Take One Picture
This year, the whole school participated in the Take One Picture program, which is run by The National Gallery. Every year the gallery selects a focus painting from their collection to inspire cross-curricular learning in classrooms across the country.
19 August 2026
Heritage
Bladon Snippets from the Past
Village roads in Bladon - one road was known by several names and there was a great deal of aggravation as to which should be officially confirmed.
19 August 2026
Sport
Blenheim Park Cricket Club
Blenheim Park is a unique cricket club and they play locally in Woodstock on the beautiful South Lawn directly in front of the Palace. As a club, we not only welcome all cricket supporters but anyone wanting a fun day out with their family. A perfect place for a family picnic or to enjoy a glass or two in the sunshine.
19 August 2026
Council
Council Matters
Woodstock and Bladon News has reported on Council meetings since at least 2022. All reports are available to view on our website: wobl.news/council-matters. Policy for the magazine, as always, is to endeavour to remain professional, balanced, and accurate.
19 August 2026
Faith
Curate's Log
By the time you are reading this, I will have been ordained priest. It feels both exciting and humbling to reach this point, and it has prompted me to reflect on my first year as a curate, serving as a deacon.
19 August 2026
Arts & culture
Cutting a Dash on Woodstock Town Square
One Monday evening in June, how lovely to see a large group of Morris Dancers and musicians arriving to perform for the interested spectators. They consisted of teams from Kirtlington, Wolvercote, and the Mason’s Apron Morris team from North Leigh who had come together to dance ‘somewhere different’.
19 August 2026
From the editor
Editorial
I am finding it hard to believe that this Editorial - the last for the current year - is the twentieth that I have written.
19 August 2026
Community
FEASTOCK 2026
On a balmy Saturday in June, 58 Woodstock residents picked up their envelopes, put on some comfy shoes and set off across town for another Feastock, our annual safari supper and, one of my fave events of the year.
19 August 2026
What's on
Friends of The Oxfordshire Museum: Summer Events
Our Monthly talks are free to Members and are also available on Zoom. Visitors welcome - £5 per talk. Talks take place in the Coach House, Oxfordshire Museum, Woodstock
19 August 2026
Quiz & puzzles
Italian History Quiz
This month, the questions are all about Italian History. Answers can be found on Page 36.
19 August 2026
Community
Keep It Local
There are few sounds more closely associated with the ideal of an English town or village than the melodious peal of church bells ringing out. They are part of our heritage and provide the soundtrack to our historic moments and community celebrations: they announce the weekly Parish Eucharist, call out to mark weddings, or toll for funerals. During the Second World War, bells were silenced and were only to ring out if there was a German invasion.
19 August 2026
Letters
Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor,
19 August 2026
Schools
The Marlborough C of E School
At 3:30am Friday, 1st May, a rather sleepy coachful of students and teachers departed the Marlborough School set for Heathrow. Thirty five GCSE History and German students, joined by Mr Moss, Miss Soame, Miss Cox, and Miss Sheridan, set off for our annual Berlin trip.
19 August 2026
Community
Meme of the Month
People will always have something to say. That's our society.
19 August 2026
Nature
Nature Matters
July holds the warmth and ease of high summer, a time when the countryside feels open, generous, and full of steady activity. Vegetation is at its fullest now, with tall grasses rippling in the breeze and wildflowers creating bright, shifting mosaics across meadows and banks.
19 August 2026
Heritage
Oxford Bus and Morris Motors Museums
On Sunday 2 August we shall be holding a special event at the museum, when we shall have lots of visiting coaches and buses from the 1950s and 1960s. We shall try to recreate the atmosphere in Gloucester Green Coach Station in its heyday.
19 August 2026
What's on
The Oxfordshire Museum: Summer events
The Oxfordshire Museum
19 August 2026
Sport
Panniers
Dozens of youngsters from all over the county braved one of the hottest days of the year to tackle a cycling obstacle course at the Marlborough School playing fields in June.
19 August 2026
Community
Play facilities in Woodstock
There is a small group of volunteers from within our community trying to bring new and upgraded play facilities to our town. We thought you might like an update on the latest news!
19 August 2026
People
Portrait of the Month: Birgit Pederson
Birgit Pederson came to England at sixteen on a school trip, returned at eighteen as an au pair, married her childhood sweetheart at twenty-one, and never quite left. "We spread our wings," she laughs, "and suddenly it was our silver wedding anniversary." She is 89 now, and tells anyone who asks without a moment's hesitation.
19 August 2026
What's on
Regular Events
If you would like your event included here, please email editor@wobl.news.
19 August 2026
Heritage
SOFO review: Lee Miller - A Woman at War
Whether you’ve an interest in the history of the Second World War, in war photography and journalism, in women and art, or the history of women in wartime, SOFO, the Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum in Woodstock, has a really wonderful exhibition for you, exploring the wartime work of Elizabeth ‘Lee’ Miller, Lady Penrose (1907-77). Don’t miss it!
19 August 2026
Heritage
SOFO review: The Rise and Fall of the British Army
Review of talk by Brigadier Ben Barry, International Institute for Strategic Studies. 'The Rise and Fall of the British Army’ on 13 June 2026
19 August 2026
Nature
Sustainable Woodstock: Jeremy Clarkson - right and wrong
Some WOBL readers may have noticed West Oxfordshire’s most famous farmer admitting climate change is now real due to drought and deluges to have hit his pastures in recent years. It’s a few decades and quite a few anti-green articles late, but Jeremy Clarkson’s recognition of the facts should be welcomed. It highlights the extreme pressure farmers around Woodstock and Bladon face from extreme weather. They are on the climate frontline, 24/7. Where Jezza was wrong though was his assertion that ‘there’s nothing I can do about it’. It’s easy to feel in the face of our mad world we have no agency or means to respond. It’s also complete balderdash.
19 August 2026
Council
Updates on Botley West
Updates on ‘Botley West’
19 August 2026
Business
Wake Up To Woodstock
Running a business in Woodstock brings a unique mix of opportunity and challenge. The town benefits from a strong identity, a thriving visitor economy and a loyal local community, yet many independent businesses still face the reality of balancing visibility, marketing and growth alongside the demands of day-to-day operations.
19 August 2026
What's on
What's On
Saturday 04 Jul 2026, 19:00
19 August 2026
Community
WOBL Around The World
From top to bottom, left to right:
19 August 2026
Clubs & societies
Woodstock & District u3a
Our AGM was held on 7 May 2026. This was followed by a talk given by Mandy Massam from Oxfordshire Age UK on the prevention of scams.
19 August 2026
Schools
Woodstock CE Primary School
Our Year 6 pupils enjoyed an exciting residential visit to the Rock UK Centre, where they took part in a wide range of adventurous activities, including abseiling, raft building, kayaking, mountain biking and zip lining. Although the weather was certainly mixed, it did nothing to dampen the children's enthusiasm or determination. There were plenty of muddy boots, soggy clothes and tired faces, but even more smiles, laughter and unforgettable experiences. The trip provided countless opportunities for the children to challenge themselves, build confidence and create lasting memories with their friends.
19 August 2026
Books & literature
Woodstock Literary Connections: Michael Place
Interviewed in Woodstock by Judd Flogdell
19 August 2026
Books & literature
Woodstock Literature Society: W. H. Auden - Early and Late
“W.H.Auden: Early and Late”
19 August 2026
Books & literature
Woodstock Literature Society: From Oxford to Narnia
By Professor Simon Horobin From Oxford to Narnia: the Worlds of C.S.Lewis
19 August 2026
News & opinion
Going, going, and (almost) gone?
Woodstock is fortunate to have in its midst an invaluable community asset in the form of Woodstock Post Office, currently competently run by Rana and Swarn Lally, aided by the lovely 'Linda of the Post Office' behind its counter.
19 August 2026
What's on
Wootton Talks: Nicky Shaw
Our next speaker at 7.30pm on Friday 3 July is Nicky Shaw, the multi-award winning international set and costume designer working mainly in opera, but also in theatre, musicals, television and film.
19 August 2026
Music
Another artist
Some text
18 August 2026