December 1976 to August 2026
This archive contains issues of Harwell News from December 1976 to December 2025.
Issues from December 1976 to April 2001, including earlier predecessor publications produced by Harwell Parish Council, are presented as historical records. They reflect the language, views, editorial standards and statutory context of their time and may not align with current policies, legislation or community expectations.
Every effort has been made to make these documents accessible and searchable. The files have been digitised from original printed copies and include optical character recognition (OCR) to support searching and screen-reader use.
Editions from July 2001 to December 2025 were produced as digital publications and are therefore easier to read electronically and are more fully searchable.
If you experience accessibility difficulties or need help locating information, please contact the Parish Clerk at clerk@harwellparish.gov.uk or 07749 361957.
Use the search box below to search across all archived issues of Harwell News.
You can search by issue number, year, month or keywords. Results are displayed newest first. Important: The numbered links at the bottom of the page (e.g. 1–10, 11–20) are navigation pages, not Harwell News issue numbers.
Issue 229 - Aug 2021
Open Download Copy Link 3.96 MB 2026-02-01 1st February 2026 2026-02-01 1st February 2026
Key topics: Community life cautiously reopening following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions; installation of new Harwell Village Hall entrance signs funded via Section 106 public art contributions, celebrating the village’s cherry and orchard heritage; continued public-health focus including vaccination awareness, scam warnings and support for vulnerable residents; Parish Council reporting on governance, committees, staffing, risk management, recreation ground use, and ongoing objections to aspects of the Valley Park development, particularly healthcare provision and transport impacts; District and County Councillor updates addressing garden-waste collection disruption, infrastructure strategy consultations, climate leadership, biodiversity, highways maintenance and overgrown hedges; strong emphasis on community wellbeing through Age UK Oxfordshire’s specialist exercise DVDs, digital inclusion via Getting Oxfordshire Online, and local volunteering; commemoration of the D-Day anniversary at the RAF Harwell Memorial Stone under pandemic constraints; rich cultural and social content including Big Ginger Tom Music live performances, WI centenary celebrations, Orchard Film Club reopening, Parish History Group research displays, youth and early-years provision, and local heritage and museum fundraising. Organisations featured: Harwell Parish Council; Harwell Village Hall Trustees; Vale of White Horse District Council; Oxfordshire County Council; Age UK Oxfordshire; Sustainable Harwell; Big Ginger Tom Music; Harwell WI; Harwell Parish History Group; Orchard Film Club; Royal British Legion (Harwell Branch); Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum; Healthwatch Oxfordshire; Little Pippins Pre-School; Getting Oxfordshire Online.
Issue 228 - Jun 2021
Open Download Copy Link 4.1 MB 2026-02-01 1st February 2026 2026-02-01 1st February 2026
Key topics: Gradual easing of COVID-19 restrictions and the cautious reopening of village life following the spring roadmap; strong focus on community recovery, volunteering and mutual support as in-person activities begin to resume; updates on the Harwell Community Orchard project including planting progress and community involvement; Parish Council reporting on governance matters, land management, finance, and local planning issues; District and County Councillor updates covering public health, transport, climate initiatives and development pressures; continued emphasis on local clubs, societies and cultural activity adapting to post-lockdown conditions; features on wildlife, sustainability, and local heritage alongside regular community notices, events and services. Organisations featured: Harwell Parish Council; Sustainable Harwell; Harwell Community Orchard Group; District and County Councillors; Harwell WI; Harwell Gardeners’ Club; Harwell History Group; local charities, clubs and voluntary organisations.
Issue 227 - Apr 2021
Open Download Copy Link 2.63 MB 2026-02-01 1st February 2026 2026-02-01 1st February 2026
Key topics: COVID-19 recovery and phased reopening of village life under the Government roadmap, including reopening of Harwell Village Hall for children’s activities and parent-and-child groups; introduction of a new circular parish walk linking Townsend, Cow Lane, Great Western Park and Didcot Road, highlighting increased use of footpaths during lockdown and anticipated loss of countryside to Valley Park development; Sustainable Harwell activities including biodiversity talks, orchards and hedgerows, Solar Streets initiative, and advocacy on Valley Park roundabout design and active-travel safety; Parish Council governance including Speed Indication Device (SID) deployment, continued support for Harwell Helpers, tree and open-space management, creation of an Environmental Advisory Committee, Equality & Inclusion Policy debate, and consultation on leasing recreation ground land to the Harwellian Club for outdoor café seating; Valley Park planning deferment with focus on healthcare provision, B4493 roundabout safety, biodiversity offset funding and community engagement; Great Western Park updates including phased reopening of community centres, transfer of sports facilities, floodlighting installation and Garden Town engagement; community health and wellbeing including vaccination rollout progress, testing availability, business support grants and winter support funding; cultural adaptation during the pandemic including socially-distanced live music promoted by Big Ginger Tom Music, online WI meetings, virtual History Group talks and remote Scouting; education updates including Harwell Primary School reopening to all pupils, remote-learning resilience, residential visit planning and swimming pool reopening; community fundraising and volunteering including Amy’s 5k-a-day cancer fundraiser; parish heritage features from the History Group on Edward Caudwell, local wartime history and Easter traditions; extensive village diary reflecting cautious optimism and planned return to in-person activities. Organisations featured: Harwell Parish Council; Sustainable Harwell; Vale of White Horse District Council; Oxfordshire County Council; Harwell Helpers; HarBUG (Harwell Bicycle Users Group); Harwell Village Hall Trustees; Harwellian Club; Harwell Primary School; Harwell WI; Harwell Parish History Group; Big Ginger Tom Music; Harwell Scouts; Harwell Fun Club; Royal British Legion Harwell Branch; Great Western Park Residents’ Association; NHS England; Public Health England; Citizens Advice Oxfordshire South & Vale; Age UK Oxfordshire; BBOWT (Berkshire Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust); Didcot Garden Town; Thames Valley Police; MP David Johnston.
Issue 226 - Feb 2021
Open Download Copy Link 2.65 MB 2026-02-01 1st February 2026 2026-02-01 1st February 2026
Key topics: Third national COVID-19 lockdown impacts on village life, services and governance; strong emphasis on community resilience, mutual aid and adaptation through digital platforms; launch of a Monthly Harwell Photo Competition via the Harwell Community Facebook page, celebrating local landscape and encouraging seasonal photography, with plans to produce a 2022 fundraising calendar for village causes; return of the Hive Market planned for March 2021, promoting local food, crafts, low-carbon shopping and community enterprise (subject to Covid restrictions); MP David Johnston update covering vaccine rollout, local volunteering at vaccination centres, Harwell Campus role in vaccine manufacturing (VMIC), telecoms security legislation, chalk-stream protection and national sewage-pollution policy; Village Hall closure during lockdown, booking suspensions, and appeal for new trustees; District and County Councillor reports on vaccination rollout at Didcot Civic Hall, laptop-donation schemes to support remote learning, Community Support Hub services, Winter Support Scheme for fuel and food poverty, business Covid-grant schemes, garden-waste collection disruption, and continued Valley Park development engagement; Parish Council governance including 2021-22 budget and precept setting, co-option of new councillors, suspension of Hall advertising charges, rent relief for community organisations, carbon-reduction discussion prompted by Sustainable Harwell, speed-monitoring proposals, footpath extension application, cemetery management changes, and Zoom-based Annual Parish Meeting planning; extensive planning matters including Meadow View development, Valley Park revised plans, pedestrian and cycle infrastructure requirements, sustainability standards, allotment provision, noise mitigation and infrastructure capacity concerns; strong cultural adaptation with Big Ginger Tom Music live-streamed performances, Didcot Phoenix Drama Group’s virtual pantomime, online WI meetings, virtual Gardeners’ Club talks, Scouts’ remote activities and fundraising, and online history talks; education under lockdown with Harwell Primary School delivering live remote learning, virtual Christmas events and outdoor planting with Sustainable Harwell; Little Pippins Pre-School remaining open for eligible children, supporting families through online learning journals; historical and cultural reflection through Harwell Parish History Group articles on village name origins, wartime history research appeals, and online programming; health and wellbeing support including Healthwatch Oxfordshire care-home visitation survey, Citizens Advice volunteer recruitment, and ongoing charitable fundraising such as the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal. Organisations featured: Harwell Parish Council; Harwell Community Facebook Group; Sustainable Harwell; Hive Market / The Hive Hut; Thames Valley Police; Vale of White Horse District Council; South Oxfordshire District Council; Oxfordshire County Council; Harwell Village Hall Trustees; David Johnston MP; Harwell Primary School; Little Pippins Pre-School; Harwell WI; Harwell Gardeners’ Club; Harwell Scout Group; Didcot Phoenix Drama Group; Big Ginger Tom Music; Harwell Parish History Group; Healthwatch Oxfordshire; Citizens Advice South & Vale; Royal British Legion; Friends of the Ridgeway; VMIC Harwell Campus.
Issue 225 - Dec 2020
Open Download Copy Link 3.61 MB 2026-02-01 1st February 2026 2026-02-01 1st February 2026
Key topics: Parish Council governance and community leadership through the winter phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, including continued remote working arrangements, updates on national lockdown tiers and local restrictions, and clear communication of public-health guidance ahead of Christmas; emphasis on community resilience, mutual aid and neighbour support, particularly for vulnerable residents during periods of isolation, reduced services and heightened uncertainty; significant impact of COVID-19 on village facilities and social life, with the Village Hall, clubs, societies and events operating under strict limitations, cancellations or closures, and cautious adaptation where permitted; planning and administrative activity continuing despite constraints, covering minor applications and statutory processes adjusted for pandemic conditions; highways, environmental and waste-management services maintained, with reassurance around continuity of collections and essential services coordinated with Vale of White Horse District Council; community safety messages aligned with winter conditions and pandemic considerations; strong reflective and seasonal community content marking an unprecedented Christmas period, highlighting how schools, pre-schools, churches, charities and local organisations re-imagined festive activities, fundraising and celebrations in socially distanced or virtual forms, alongside messages of thanks, solidarity and cautious optimism as the year closed. Organisations featured: Harwell Parish Council; Vale of White Horse District Council; Oxfordshire County Council; NHS and public health bodies; Harwell Village Hall Committee; Harwell Primary School and School Association; Little Pippins Pre-School; Harwell churches; Harwell Feast Committee; local volunteer and mutual-aid groups; village clubs, charities and community organisations.
Issue 224 - Oct 2020
Open Download Copy Link 3.32 MB 2026-02-01 1st February 2026 2026-02-01 1st February 2026
Key topics: Parish Council governance during the second phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, including continued use of remote meetings, updates on national and local restrictions, and communication of public-health guidance as infection rates rose again in the autumn; ongoing community support and resilience activity, with emphasis on protecting vulnerable residents, sustaining volunteering networks and adapting services to changing regulations; impacts of COVID-19 on village facilities and organisations, including revised arrangements for the Village Hall, recreation ground, clubs and societies, and the cancellation, postponement or redesign of events; planning activity continuing under pandemic conditions, covering permissions and applications for minor development alongside procedural changes to consultation and decision-making; highways, transport and environmental matters including traffic behaviour, maintenance issues and waste and recycling services coordinated with Vale of White Horse District Council; community safety updates reflecting both routine issues and pandemic-related concerns; strong community-life coverage showing how schools, pre-schools, youth groups, churches, charities and local organisations adapted autumn programmes, fundraising and social activities to socially distanced or online formats, capturing a village adjusting to prolonged uncertainty while maintaining civic and social connections. Organisations featured: Harwell Parish Council; Vale of White Horse District Council; Oxfordshire County Council; NHS and public health bodies; Harwell Village Hall Committee; Harwell Primary School and School Association; Little Pippins Pre-School; Harwell Feast Committee; village volunteer and mutual-aid groups; local clubs, charities and community organisations.
Issue 223 - Aug 2020
Open Download Copy Link 2.58 MB 2026-02-01 1st February 2026 2026-02-01 1st February 2026
Key topics: Parish Council governance and community leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, including adaptation of meetings and services, updates on national and local restrictions, and communication of public-health guidance to residents; community resilience and mutual aid activity across the village, with strong emphasis on neighbour support, volunteering, and practical help for vulnerable residents during lockdown and easing phases; impacts of COVID-19 on village facilities including the Village Hall, recreation ground, clubs and societies, with closures, cautious reopenings and revised operating arrangements; highways, transport and environmental matters continuing at a reduced but steady pace, including traffic behaviour, maintenance issues and waste and recycling services coordinated with Vale of White Horse District Council; planning activity proceeding under pandemic constraints, covering permissions and applications for minor development; community safety messages reflecting both pandemic-related concerns and routine local issues; rich community-life coverage highlighting how schools, pre-schools, youth groups, churches, charities and local organisations adapted activities, events and fundraising to online or socially distanced formats, alongside reflections on village life under unprecedented conditions and the gradual return of some outdoor and summer activities. Organisations featured: Harwell Parish Council; Vale of White Horse District Council; Oxfordshire County Council; NHS and public health bodies; Harwell Village Hall Committee; Harwell Primary School and School Association; Little Pippins Pre-School; Harwell Feast Committee; local mutual-aid and volunteer groups; village clubs, charities and community organisations.
Issue 222 - Jun 2020
Open Download Copy Link 2.76 MB 2026-02-01 1st February 2026 2026-02-01 1st February 2026
Key topics: COVID-19 community response and coordination under the banner Harwell and the fight against Covid-19 (cover story, pages 1–3) detailing the formation and operation of Harwell Helpers in partnership with GWP Community Support, Chilton Mutual Aid and East Hendred; mobilisation of over 100 volunteers completing more than 450 shopping, prescription, dog-walking and welfare trips; production and distribution of scrub bags and facemasks by local seamstresses and tailors; local Meals on Wheels initiative supported by Fingers & Forks and Ann Laing Flowers; establishment of the Covid-19 Welfare Fund administered via St Matthew’s Church; proposals for a community fridge to reduce waste and support families; Parish Council emergency governance including suspension of in-person meetings, transition to Zoom meetings, delegation of decision-making, online-only newsletter distribution with printing savings redirected to support groups, and donation of £1,000 to Covid-19 response; traffic and cycling surveys paused or adapted during lockdown; Science Vale Cycle Network construction commencing on Route 1 between Wantage and Harwell Campus; district and county council coronavirus service updates including waste services, business grants, council tax relief, remote committee meetings and public participation online; public health guidance and scam warnings; reopening of recycling centres with restrictions; Age UK Oxfordshire and Active Oxfordshire Share Your Warmth campaign impact and delivery of home-exercise resources for older residents; Sustainable Harwell activities including cycling survey results, lobbying for low-carbon housing, tree and hedgerow planting plans and online meetings; adaptation of village organisations to lockdown including Harwell WI virtual meetings and sewing for NHS staff, Orchard Film Club postponements, BBOWT online environmental education, and History Group research into past pandemics including 1918–1920 influenza impacts in Harwell; Little Pippins Pre-School closure and phased reopening planning; Harwell Primary School transition to home learning supported by community laptop donations; extensive listings of Covid-19 support contacts and helplines. Organisations featured: Harwell Parish Council; Harwell Helpers; GWP Community Support; Chilton Mutual Aid; Blewbury Good Neighbours; St Matthew’s Church Harwell; All Saints Church Chilton; Vale of White Horse District Council; Oxfordshire County Council; NHS England; Public Health England; Age UK Oxfordshire; Active Oxfordshire; Sustainable Harwell; Science Vale Cycle Network; Little Pippins Pre-School; Harwell Primary School; Harwell WI; Harwell Parish History Group; Orchard Film Club; BBOWT (Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust); Citizens Advice Oxfordshire South & Vale; Thames Valley Police; Fingers & Forks; Ann Laing Flowers; Diamond Light Source; Covid Print Oxford; RAF Harwell heritage groups.
Issue 221 - Apr 2020
Open Download Copy Link 2.24 MB 2026-02-01 1st February 2026 2026-02-01 1st February 2026
Key topics: COVID-19 emergency response and rapid re-organisation of village life; establishment and coordination of local mutual-aid networks including Harwell Helpers, GWP Community Support, Blewbury Good Neighbours and Chilton Mutual Aid; District and County Council coronavirus service updates including closure of council offices, suspension of meetings, shielding support lines, business support guidance, waste-collection continuity measures, suspension of parking charges, and closure of leisure centres, play areas and community buildings; Parish Council emergency governance including delegation of decision-making to Chair and Vice-Chair during the pandemic, cancellation or uncertainty of the Annual Parish Meeting, continuation of planning work, traffic surveys and tendering for a new staff building; Reading Road A417 traffic survey results showing severe speeding and quality-of-life impacts, with future engagement deferred by COVID-19 restrictions; cancellation of major community events including Harwell Feast 2020, D-Day Commemoration, Ridgeway Friends Day, concerts, WI meetings, U3A activities and film screenings; explicit warnings about coronavirus-related scams; promotion of volunteer coordination platforms and Oxfordshire “All In” response map; extensive public-health messaging including shielding guidance, hygiene advice and NHS service use; community resilience narratives highlighting volunteer mobilisation and neighbour support; school and pre-school life immediately before closure including Leap Year Ball (29 February 2020) fundraising for Harwell Primary School and Little Pippins; transition to online and remote community engagement; history group talk postponements and research continuity; gardening, arts and culture adapting to lockdown conditions; suspension of newsletter hand-delivery and move to online-only distribution. Organisations featured: Harwell Parish Council; Vale of White Horse District Council; Oxfordshire County Council; Harwell Helpers; GWP Community Support; Blewbury Good Neighbours; Chilton Mutual Aid; NHS England; NHS 111; Public Health England; Thames Valley Police; Citizens Advice Oxfordshire South & Vale; Age UK Oxfordshire; Harwell Primary School; Little Pippins Pre-School; Harwell Parish History Group; Royal British Legion Harwell Branch; Harwell WI; Didcot & District U3A; Sustainable Harwell; Orchard Film Club; Friends of the Ridgeway; Swan Community Bank; Action for Carers Oxfordshire; BBOWT; SOFEA; Oxfordshire Volunteers; MP David Johnston.
Issue 220 - Feb 2020
Open Download Copy Link 2.27 MB 2026-02-01 1st February 2026 2026-02-01 1st February 2026
Key topics: Parish Council governance including approval of the 2020–21 budget (£111,203 precept; Band D £60.87), review of spending, tree works in the recreation ground, website accessibility improvements, interim audit findings, and planning objections relating to Orchard Way and the Old Pumping Station at the Winnaway; community traffic concerns including Reading Road survey responses, Grove Road and Westfield path connectivity, and ongoing discussions around the HarBUG application to upgrade the Winnaway from footpath to bridleway; engagement with residents over safety, near-miss incidents, and the need for layout changes before any status modification; district council policy updates following General Election purdah, including climate emergency commitments, EU citizens’ rights, low-carbon investment, Didcot Garden Town governance, and the opening of parts of the Great Western Park Neighbourhood Park; community health messaging urging appropriate NHS use during winter, promotion of NHS 111 and minor injury units, and Age UK winter wellbeing guidance; extensive youth and family activity including Scouts pavilion refurbishment, fireworks success, Beetle Drive planning, Little Pippins admissions and fundraising, Fun Club sessions, and Harwell Primary School performances and joint Spring Ball planning; strong cultural and heritage programme including History Group lectures, Sustainable Harwell energy-efficiency talks, WI events, Orchard Film Club screenings, sculpture and science heritage on Harwell Campus, and BBOWT half-term wildlife activities; major community fundraising and volunteering appeals including Bernadine Soul School of Dance selection to represent England at the Dance World Cup in Rome (planned June 2020), Citizens Advice volunteer recruitment, and Oxfordshire Care Awards nominations; full calendar of forthcoming events, quizzes, concerts, trips and meetings scheduled through spring 2020. Organisations featured: Harwell Parish Council; Vale of White Horse District Council; Oxfordshire County Council; HarBUG (Harwell Campus Bicycle Users Group); Bernadine Soul School of Dance; NHS England; NHS 111; Age UK Oxfordshire; Citizens Advice Oxfordshire South & Vale; Harwell Primary School; Little Pippins Pre-School; Harwell Scouts; Harwell WI; Harwell Parish History Group; Sustainable Harwell; Orchard Film Club; BBOWT (Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust); Royal British Legion Harwell Branch; Didcot & District U3A; Harwell Village Hall; Harwell Gardeners’ Club; Power for People; Oxfordshire Care Awards; Thames Valley Police; Ringmaster.
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