Bicester Heritage is holding its first event of 2017 on 8th January from 9.00am to 2.00pm. This “Sunday Scramble” at Bicester Airfield is aimed at classic car enthusiasts and offers the opportunity to view the classic cars and motorcycles visiting the event and also to see inside the specialist workshops, showrooms and buildings used at Bicester Heritage for restoration and storage of vintage and classic vehicles. Depending on the weather, Bicester Gliding Club can be seen in operation. Further details can be found on the Bicester Heritage website.

Car parking is free, and there will be a variety of catering outlets on site serving food and drink. Tickets for the event are normally £8.00, but Bicester Heritage is offering discounted tickets to local residents of OX26 and OX27 for only £4.00 (plus a booking service charge); children under 16 are free when accompanied by an adult ticket holder. The link for discounted tickets can be found here; note that you will be asked to enter your address to confirm eligibility as part of the purchase process.

Bicester Heritage, which aquired Bicester Airfield from the MOD in 2013 to develop a business park dedicated to historic motoring and aviation, is holding a public event on 3rd January 2016. At this “Sunday Scramble”, visitors will be able to view classic cars, motorcycles and other vehicles and also see some of the restoration and other specialist businesses on site. This is an opportunity to see Bicester Gliding Centre in operation, and food and drink will be available from various catering outlets. For further information see the Bicester Heritage website.

Advance tickets can be obtained online. These are normally £5.00 each, but a 50% discount is available for local residents living in postcode districts OX26 and OX27. Adult (16+) tickets are £2.50 each (plus a booking service charge), and children under 16 are free when accompanied by an adult ticket holder. Parking is also free. Click here for the link to discounted ticket booking. Full-price tickets may be available at the gate on 3rd January, though this cannot be guaranteed if the event is sold out.

Apple Day is being held at Langford Community Orchard from 2.00 – 4.00pm on Sunday 4th October. Activities include apple pressing, face painting, a scarecrow competition and bug hunting with the local wildlife trust. There is also a seed, plant and produce swap table, plus cakes and drinks. Entry is free.

Visitors will have an opportunity to sign a petition to have the orchard designated as a Local Green Space to protect the land from future development. Further details of this can be seen in the agenda and minutes of the June 2015 meeting of Bicester Town Council Environment Committee.

The orchard is located opposite Dunlin Court along the footpath running between Mallards Way and London Road (see map).

Councillor Dan Sames is organising a litter pick around Langford on Saturday 25th July, meeting at the community hall in Nightingale Place at 09.30. Bags and litter pickers will be provided.

Please participate if you can and bring the family along as well.

Message sent via Thames Valley Alert on behalf of Thames Valley Police:

A burglary took place in  Sanderling Close between 1pm-3pm on Friday 29th May.

Please alert neighbours and remain extra vigilant, If you saw anything suspicious or have any information that may help with police enquiries, please telephone Bicester Police Team on the non-emergency number 101 with information or 999 for immediate police attention. Alternatively if you have information that could help us but wish to remain anonymous, please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Future alert messages relevant to Langford residents will continue to be posted on the LVCA website, but if you wish to receive emails about these and other messages from Thames Valley Police you can register online at  https://www.thamesvalleyalert.co.uk/

Message sent via Thames Valley Alert on behalf of Thames Valley Police:

Amongst a number of crimes committed in Bicester over the spring bank holiday, a property in OSPREY CLOSE was targeted sometime between 12:30pm & 5.45pm on the 25th May. No entry was gained but damage to the front door lock and letterbox were reported.

If you can help with enquiries in relation to this or other such crimes, please call the non-emergency number 101, or if you wish to remain anonymous you may call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Future alert messages relevant to Langford residents will continue to be posted on the LVCA website, but if you wish to receive emails about these and other messages from Thames Valley Police you can register online at  https://www.thamesvalleyalert.co.uk/

Update: 7th May 18.45

Mallards Way Meadows now clear of travellers. Some litter left and a few tyre tracks in the grass, but overall it could have been a lot worse.

Congratulations to the police and councillors for resolving this issue so quickly.

Update: 7th May 15.30

Bicester Town councillors Dan Sames & Nick Cotter report that Town Council staff and Thames Valley Police have met with the travellers and asked them to leave this afternoon. If necessary, Thames Valley Police will serve notice to leave by 18.00 under Section 61 of the Crime & Disorder Act and if enforcement is then required, the police will take action although this may be delayed until tomorrow morning to ensure adequate resources.

Original Article

On Wednesday 6th May a number of travellers moved onto the meadows  between Mallards Way and Langford Brook. This land is Bicester Town Council property and the Council Chief Officer promptly contacted Thames Valley Police, who have visited the site and issued a “code of conduct” (see Thames Valley Police document, Appendix C) pending further action by Bicester Council. In the meantime, the police have asked residents to report any cases of antisocial behaviour or criminal activity and they will respond to it.

A Home Office summary of available powers to deal with unauthorised encampments (2015) can be viewed here, together with the accompanying letter sent to local authorities and police.

Further updates to this post will be added when available.

A litter pick organised by Councillor Melanie Magee is being held on Saturday 4th October, meeting at the Community Hall in Nightingale Place at 10.00.

Please come along if you can, and bring the whole family to join in. Refreshments will be provided afterwards at the Community Hall, courtesy of the LVCA.

APPLE DAY is being held at Langford Community Orchard (opposite the footpath by Dunlin Court, Bicester, OX26 6WQ) on Sunday 28th September, from 2.00-4.00pm. Free entry.

Refreshments will be available, and there is also a treasure hunt, apple press, apple bobbing and produce table (donate/swap your surplus fruit & veg), plus arts & crafts.

A scarecrow competition is being held – design and build your own scarecrow and bring along to Apple Day for a chance to win a prize.