Welcome to Radley and Kennington
A guide to your villages and all they have to offer
Getting involved – joining in Welcome to The Lawns
For the very young
Radley Parish Council would like to welcome you to your new home at The Lawns; Baby Sensory Classes In Radley Village Hall on Wednesday mornings. we hope you will be very happy here with us. www.babysensory.com/oxford-south
Kennington Baby and Tuesday mornings (9.30-11.30 am) in the Village Centre. The Lawns sits in the Parish of Radley, but it is closely connected with both Radley Toddler Group Parents are encouraged to drop in. Facebook group: and Kennington. These villages are vibrant and busy communities and we hope Kennington Oxford Toddler you will want to join in as much as possible. This booklet has been produced to Kennington For children from 2 years to 5 years. give you some idea of the activities and opportunities in the villages, as well as a Playgroup www.kenningtonplaygroup.org.uk short directory of those services that can be difficult to locate when first moving Little Lambs Kennington Church’s time for pre-school children and their into a new community. parents and carers. Second and fourth Wednesdays (9.15 am)
More detail of the activities listed here can be found on the individual Parish For the young Council websites (www.radleyvillage.org.uk and www.kennington-pc.gov.uk). To keep informed about events and news, also look at the Kennington Chronicle Brownies Both villages have thriving Brownie Packs. The Radley Pack meet in Radley Village Hall, while the Methodist Church hosts (available in the Kennington Library and at www.kenningtonchronicle.org.uk), the Kennington Pack. [email protected]; the monthly Radley News (available in Radley Village Shop), and the Kennington www.kenningtonguides.org.uk Connected and Radley Village Facebook groups. The Lawns Residents Association also has its own Facebook group: groups/lifeonthelawns. Guides and Scouts Radley Guides meets on Thursdays in the Village Hall. [email protected]. Kennington has both Guides and
Sea Scout groups www.kenningtonguides.org.uk; The Parish Council is here to represent their village as well as help where we can; www.kenningtonscouts.org.uk so please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any concerns or need any further information. Youth Club The Youth Club in Kennington meets every Wednesday from 7 to 8.30 pm for school years 5-8, and a Youth Café meets on With our best wishes for your new beginning as part of this community. the first Wednesday of each month for years 8-10, starting at 3.30 pm. The Youth Club Hall is next to the Village Centre.
www.kenningtonyouthclub.com CONTENTS A thriving group for all ages and abilities, which meets in the Youth Wind Band Church Hall on Saturdays. Beginners from 4.45 pm. Others Getting involved Churches and faith groups from 5.30 pm. Dates vary: contact - joining in [email protected] for details. - keeping active Going out and about - supporting your community - library For adults - shops and services Apple Café A community café in Kennington Church Hall; open Thursday Schools - eating out and Saturday 10.30 – 12.30 pm - travel and transport [email protected] Map Amateur Dramatic Producing musical theatre and pantomime for all ages. Keeping healthy and safe Society www.kenningtonads.co.uk; @KenningtonADS
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Getting involved – joining in Getting involved – keeping active
Art Classes Monday and Tuesday mornings and Tuesday afternoons, in Radley Retirement Second Tuesday in the month at 2pm in Radley Village Hall. Radley Church Room. [email protected] Group 01235 555187
Bell Ringers At Radley Church on Thursday Rock Choir Thursday mornings at 11.00 am in Radley Village Hall
evenings. [email protected] Scarlet Ribbons Every Thursday from 8.30 pm in Kennington Methodist Church Bingo Held fortnightly on Wednesday at Radley Village Hall at 7.30 Round Dance Club Hall. Beginners’ entry sessions are held for four weeks every pm. year. [email protected]
Café Radley Meets in Radley Church Room every Friday between 10.00 and Women’s Institute Radley WI meets on the first Thursday at 7.30 pm (except 12 noon. www.radleyvillage.org.uk August) in Radley Village Hall. Kennington WI on the first Wednesday at 2.15 pm in Kennington Methodist Church Hall. The Oxfolk Ceilidh is on the second Saturday from October to Ceilidhs www.kenningtonwi.com Pat Taylor 01235 533935 May in Kennington Village Centre www.oxfolk.org.uk Women’s Fellowship Third Monday in Radley Church Room. Open to any Sundays at 10.30 am in the Village Centre. Kennington Brass denominations. 01235 521289 Band www.mrcontrol.co.uk/kob2005/index.htm
Kennington Festival A social get-together for the over-60s. On the second and Getting involved – keeping active Group fourth Mondays from 2.00 pm in the Village Centre.
Kennington Sewing Beginners meet on Tuesday and Thursdays, with additional Kennington Badminton Club meets every Monday from 8.30 dressmaking classes on Wednesday. All classes begin at 7.00 Badminton Classes pm in the Village Centre. www.kennington-pc.gov.uk pm in Kennington Village Centre. [email protected]
Cricket Radley Cricket Club plays in the Oxfordshire junior and senior Kennington United In addition to the local church choirs, singers from all churches leagues, with home matches being played at Radley College in as well as the villages meet on Friday evenings at 7.45 pm in Choirs July and August. www.radleycc.co.uk Kennington Methodist Church Hall to produce and perform a variety of choral music. www.kenningtonchoir.org.uk Fishing Fishing in the Thames from Sandford Lock, through Radley, to Nuneham Railway Bridge is controlled by the Abingdon and History Clubs Radley History Club meets at 7.30 pm on the second Monday Oxford Angling Alliance. Membership from local tackle shops. of each month, in Radley Church. Kennington History Society Permits from the Environmental Agency www.gov.uk/fishing- has talks on the third Monday of each month starting at 7.45 licences pm in the Methodist Church. www.radleyhistoryclub.org.uk; [email protected]; www.kennington- Football Both Kennington and Radley run their own youth football pc.org.uk teams which compete in the Oxford Mail league. Radley football club plays on the Gooseacre pitch. Kennington AFC Horticulture Allotments are available in Radley (contact also runs a senior men’s first and reserve teams, a ladies’ team, [email protected]). The Kennington Horticultural Society and a Sunday team. All their teams play on the Playfield Road meets on the third Wednesday at 7.30 pm in the Village pitches. www.radleyfc.co.uk; [email protected]; Centre. www.kenningtonhortsoc.org.uk . Radley Flower Show www.kenningtonathleticfc.com happens every summer, and the Kennington Horticultural Show is in early autumn. Park Run Saturdays 9.00 am in Abingdon www.parkrun.org.uk/abingdon
Luncheon Club At 12 noon on third Wednesday in Radley Church Room. Pickleball Pickleball happens every Friday at 11.30 am in Kennington 01235 531082 Village Centre. www.pickleballoxon.org.uk
Pilates Pilates for beginners and mixed ability groups run on Mondays
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Getting involved – keeping active Getting involved – supporting your community
(12.00-1.00 pm and 1.15-2.15 pm) and Tuesdays (6.30-7.30 pm Kennington and Radley villages flourish through the work of its volunteers. Many and 7.45-8.45 pm) in Radley Village Hall. of the activities listed in this booklet can only happen through their hard work, Pop-up Pilates run classes St Swithun’s Church Hall. www.pop- and in addition there are a number of other volunteer groups working within the up-pilates.com villages. Taking part in these is a great way of meeting people and integrating into Sports Centre and Radley College Sports Centre offers a 25m swimming pool, your new community. golf course fitness suite, weights room, squash courts, a real tennis court and a gymnasium. Monthly and annual memberships are Friends of Radley The group works to support the station and create a welcome available. There is also a 9-hole golf course for members only. to visitors as well as regular travellers (see noticeboard at the [email protected]; [email protected] Station station). www.radleyvillage.org.uk
Swimming for the Dolphins Disabled Swimming Club meets at 9.00 am on Friends of Radley An independent group that seeks to support the Earth Trust disabled Saturdays at Radley College Pool. 01235 522843 Lakes in its work to manage and develop Radley Lakes as a nature Table tennis Table tennis for the over 65s takes place on Tuesdays at reserve. www.radleylakes.org.uk
Kennington Youth Club, starting at 11.00 am. Friends of Kennington Volunteers who keep the village’s public library thriving. This Walking Groups Kennington Walkers meets every Monday and Thursday, for Library very active group organises activities for all ages. Many of walks in the local area, starting at 10.00 am from the Village the activities are free; others are fund-raising events to Centre car park. www.kennington-pc.gov.uk support the Library. (More details on page 14). Health Walks from Abingdon’s Audlett Drive Leisure Centre, www.friendsofkenningtonlibrary.org.uk
meeting at the centre café at 10.15 am. Walks, lasting an hour, Radley Village Shop This is a community co-operative run by a team of more than are free and accommodate varying levels of activity. 50 volunteers, with a paid shop manager. A great way to take Walking Netball In Kennington Village Centre on Fridays at 10.00 am. part in village life. (More details on page 15).
Yoga Yoga classes are held in Radley on Wednesday evenings Headway Oxford Volunteers can help this Kennington-based charity which [email protected] and in Kennington on weekdays (except provides support for those affected by brain injury, as well as Tuesdays) at a variety of times and venues. raising funds for the national charity. www.alphayoga.co.uk www.headwayoxford.org.uk
Zumba Zumba classes are held in Kennington every Wednesday from Kennington Memory A place where people with a diagnosis of dementia can meet 6.15 am in St Swithun’s Church Hall. Club in a safe, friendly and supportive environment for company [email protected] and interesting activities. Zumba Gold (seated Zumba) takes place in Radley Village Hall www.kenningtonmemoryclub.org.uk
every Monday from 3.00 – 4.00 pm. Kennington Strollers A voluntary group helping people with long-term health
conditions get out for some exercise.
Good Neighbour Both villages have active schemes which are there to support Schemes their community. (More details on page 18).
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Schools Schools
Nurseries and playgroups Radley CE Primary School Small World Nursery For children from 6 months to 5 years, including an (catchment area for The Lawns.) after-school club as well as full day care from 8.00 am to 6.00 pm. www.smallworldmontessori.co.uk Based on Christian values, Radley Church of
England Primary School is a happy and Kennington Flexible sessions for 2+ year olds from 8.00 am Monday to exciting place to learn, where the children Playgroup Friday. www.kenningtonplaygroup.org.uk make us proud of their responsible, Primary School Kennington and Radley primary schools both have nurseries, positive and caring attitudes. We are Nurseries which are open to all children once they have reached their committed to inspiring teaching, third birthday. promoting a love of learning and to high standards. Primary schools
Here are some of the comments about the school from the children: St Swithun’s CE Primary School, Kennington
“Radley Primary is a welcoming place where all the staff are extremely friendly. It is really St Swithun’s is a large successful primary school, special because we have lots of kind, helpful children and staff.” with a real ‘family feel’. The children on our School Council would like to introduce you to some of the “Every term we have a special themed week about an exciting topic. We have lots of clubs things that the school has to offer: and school trips, including a residential visit to Kilvrough in Wales with activities like
bodyboarding and climbing. Due to our massive field we have lots of space to play at “At our school, we are so lucky to have brilliant break and lunch!” teachers. We have lots of clubs too, such as football, hockey, science, gardening, Zumba, dance, choir and French. There is an After School Club until 6.00pm every day. We raise If you would like to visit us at the school, please contact the headteacher – Grace Slater - lots of money for charities to help others who are not so lucky as us.” through the School Office on 01235 520814 or email: [email protected]
www.radley-pri.oxon.sch.uk “There is a team of cooks who cook our dinners for us. We have things such as pizza, spaghetti Bolognese and on Wednesdays it is roast dinner day! We have school councillors, State secondary schools in the area anti-bullying ambassadors, sports leaders, librarians and worship leaders.” Fitzharry’s School, Abingdon Larkmead School, Abingdon The catchment school for The Lawns Matthew Arnold School, Botley “We are very lucky to go on lots of school trips. At John Mason School, Abingdon The Oxford Academy, Oxford Kilvrough and Woodlands you stay for three or four nights and do activities such as rock climbing, canoeing, coastal Independent schools in the area walking and caving.” Chandlings Prep School co-ed Our Lady’s Abingdon co-ed
The Manor Prep School co-ed Radley College boys, boarding Headteacher: Mrs Atkinson Abingdon School boys St Helen and St Katherine www.stswithunsprimary.org; Magdalen School boys + co-ed 6th form girls 01865 415105; [email protected]
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Church and community Church and community
Kennington Parish Church (St Swithun’s) Radley Parish Church and Kennington Parish Church offer a wide range of styles of Christian worship. Rob Glenny is the vicar of both churches, and you can find out more by Set in the heart of the community, getting in touch with him at [email protected], 01235 554739, or visiting the church St Swithun’s is dedicated to serving websites. through generosity and hospitality. During the week we run activities Radley Parish Church (St James the Great) for all stages of life, from pre-
The church community of St. James in school worship at Little Lambs, to Radley welcomes all people, whatever Sunday night Youth Group, and a age or stage in life. It’s a great place monthly ‘Bus Pass’ group for older to meet people in the community, people. We are made up of people and there is lots going on, from our who have lived in the village all Youth Group to Café Radley. their lives, and those who have www.stjamesthegreatradley.org moved here recently. www.stswithunskennington.org
On Sundays 9.30 am Holy Communion (with Children’s church for ages
0-11)
Our main act of worship together
Third Sunday in the month: Messy Church for children and
adults 8.00 am Holy A quiet service in traditional language
Communion (BCP) On Wednesdays Little Lambs is an informal time for pre-school children,
parents and carers, with coffee, cake, play and worship. On 11.00 am Holy Our main act of worship together the second and fourth Wednesdays, from 9.15 am. Communion First Sunday of the month: Messy Church for children and adults, a very informal gathering especially suitable for those On Thursdays 10.30 am Holy Communion new to church life. Other places of worship nearby 6.00 pm Different styles of service each week of the month: see the website for details There are numerous Christian churches in Oxford and Abingdon, and for other faith communities, find details at Kennington Methodist Church Buddist www.thebuddhistcentre.com/oxford The church was built in 1967, and is part of the Oxford Methodist Circuit. Hindu www.oxfordhindutemple.org Islamic www.abingdonmuslims.com; www.centraloxfordmosque.org.uk Services are held every Sunday at 10.30 am. The third Sunday in the month usually Jewish Oxford Jewish Congregationwww.ojc-online.org includes Holy Communion, and other Sundays combine traditional worship with services in LDS Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Oxford a more contemporary style for all ages. Sikh www.gurdwarasgndjoxford.org.uk ww.oxfordmethodists.org.uk/kennington
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Going out and about Going out and about
Kennington Library Local shops
Sited in the Village Centre, this thriving community library is open Monday 2.00 - 5.30 pm, In Radley Wednesday 10.00 am -12.30 pm, Friday 2.00 - 7.00 pm, and Saturday 10.00 am - 1.00 pm. Radley Village Shop (open every weekday, 7.00 am – 6.30 pm, and Saturday and The full range of public library services is available, including free Wi-Fi and internet access, Sunday mornings) www.radleyvillageshop.com and the library is a great source of local information. Radley Mobile Post Office (every Tuesday from 9.00 – 10.00 am, outside the Village Shop). www.postoffice.co.uk/branch-finder The library is supported by The Friends of Kennington Library (see page 7), and In Kennington together we organise events such as Story (Kennington Road) (Playfield Road) and Rhyme times, author talks, coffee Avicenna Pharmacy Clair Hair, fashion, nails and beauty; mornings, and a Board Games Café. www.avicennapharmacy.org; 01865 736593 www.clairehairfashion.weebly.com; Best One Convenience Store Rub-a-Dub-Dub Launderette 01865 www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/libraries Co-Op Supermarket 739148
Kennington Post Office
Kennington Barbers
In Sandford Village Hall Eating out (a short walk across the Thames lock) Monday to Friday shop and café, plus Saturday Market The Bowyer Arms Pub in Radley www.greeneking-pubs.co.uk; 01235 523452 selling local produce. www.sandfordtalkingshop.org The Tandem Pub in Kennington www.hungryhorse.co.uk; 01865 735386
In North Abingdon Al-Taif Indian Playfield Road, Kennington www.altaif.co.uk; 01865 736300 Wells Stores at Peachcroft Farm is famous for its wide restaurant range of cheeses and stocks a selection of local and Playfield Road, Kennington www.luckychopsticks.co.uk; 01865 The Lucky Chopsticks delicatessen foods. Chinese takeaway 735831
Peachcroft Shopping Centre Wells Stores Café Peachcroft Farm, Abingdon www.wellsstores.com; 2.6 miles from The Lawns, the centre has a Budgens supermarket, a hairdresser, pharmacy, 01235 535978 newsagent, fish and chip shop, Chinese takeaway, off-licence, bookmakers, and the College
The King’s Arms at An easy 10-minute walk away for those looking for a drink and Oak pub. Plus plenty of free parking Sandford-on-Thames a meal by the River Thames. www.chefandbrewer.com; 01865 777095 Larger supermarkets, for the weekly shop
Sainsbury’s At Heyford Hill (3.2 miles away)
Waitrose In Abingdon (3.4 miles away)
Tesco Superstore in Abingdon (5.4 miles away)
Lidl In Cowley (4 miles away)
Aldi In Horspath, Oxford (4 miles away)
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Going out and about Going out and about
Transport links Towns nearby
Sustrans Cycle Route 5 provides excellent connectivity for The Lawns. Northwards, the We are blessed living so close to Oxford, surely one of the most beautiful of all European fully tarmacked track gives cyclists a very attractive commuting option to Oxford. cities. For an excellent source of information about what’s on, visit www.dailyinfo.co.uk Southwards, the route (due to be upgraded soon) connects The Lawns with Radley with its station, to Abingdon, and beyond. Abingdon-on-Thames is a charming market town, with good shops, places to eat, clubs and societies for all ages, an independent cinema, leisure centre, and lots of entertainment. Radley is fortunate to have its own railway station, providing frequent trains to Oxford, Find out more at www.abingdon.gov.uk Reading, Didcot Parkway and beyond. The station is well served by bicycle racks. Spaces to hire
The City 35 bus service (every 15-20 minutes) connects The Lawns to Radley with its Both Radley and Kennington have a number of facilities which can be hired if you wish to station, to Abingdon, and beyond. run an activity. www.radleyvillage.org.uk; www.kennington-pc.gov.uk
Walking In Radley
Living in The Lawns means you are very well placed for leisure walking, for example • The Church Room. Situated next to the Church, it consists of a furnished meeting room with adjoining kitchen, an entrance lobby, and toilets. Booking contact: • Short walk down Sandford Lane to Sandford Lock/Kings Arms pub and then a very [email protected] viable attractive walk along the Thames Path to the Isis pub and beyond into • Radley Village Hall. Used by many village groups, it also serves as a venue for public Oxford meetings and as a polling station on election days. Next to the Hall is a children’s play area and behind the hall is the playing field. Contact: [email protected] • Alongside Sugworth Lane up to Radley Large Wood (of great historic interest) and In Kennington then northwards along the public footpath to Kennington Memorial Field and back down to Kennington Road, or southwards through Radley Little Wood and • Village Centre Main Hall provides space for up to 150 for receptions and Radley College’s grounds. conferences. It has a stage with full curtains, and can seat up to 200 for stage productions. Well equipped kitchen. Curtained stage. Performing Rights, Public There are a large number of public footpaths for those wishing to enjoy the wider Entertainment and Theatre Licences available. countryside on foot. The best source of routes is OS Explorer map: 170: Abingdon, • St Swithun's Church Hall – 01865 739758 Wantage & Vale of White Horse. • Methodist Church Hall – 01865 735885 • Scout Hut (off Otter’s Reach) – [email protected] Radley Lakes is a beautiful and restful place to visit. Formed from old gravel workings, • Youth Club Room – www.kenningtonyouthclub.com/venue-hire the area is being developed into a nature reserve, ideal for a quiet family walk. The Lawns Community Centre As part of the development, the Parish Council is planning to develop a community centre on The Lawns. This will be designed to meet the needs of the residents, and there will be a thorough consultation process before final plans are produced. For the latest details, visit www.radleyvillage.org.uk
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Other useful numbers Other useful numbers
Health Veterinary Services
Kennington Health Located at 200 Kennington Road, this is a branch surgery of Abivale Veterinary Group and Boundary Veterinary Centre are both in Abingdon. Centre Botley Medical Centre. The practice provides a full and www.abivale.com; www.boundaryvets.co.uk comprehensive service to Kennington, Radley and the surrounding areas. www.botleymedicalcentre.co.uk; Recycling
01865 730911 • Household waste and other items can be taken to the Redbridge Household Waste Long Furlong Medical This North Abingdon centre also serves the Radley Recycling Centre; Old Abingdon Road, OX1 4XG. Centre community. www.longfurlongmedicalcentre.co.uk • The Binzone app provides details on bin collection from your home.
Dentists In Kennington: Mr Galvin 01865 739474 For advice
Osteopathic and In Kennington Village Centre • NHS 111 for non-life-threatening situations, call 111 or 0845 345 8995 Pilates Practice www.kenningtonosteo.co.uk; [email protected] • Oxfordshire County Council 01865 792422; www.oxfordshire.gov.uk
• SlimFit Diet and fitness club meeting on Thursday at 5.30 pm in the Vale of White Horse District Council 01235 520202; www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk Kennington Village Centre. www.slimfitclasses.co.uk; • Citizens Advice, Abingdon 03444 111444 [email protected] • Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline 03454 040506 • Neighbourhood Police Team for Kennington and Radley; call101; Slimming World Meetings take place on Wednesday at 5.30 and 7.30 pm in www.thamesvalley.police.uk the Methodist Church Hall. Adrienne on 07967 596929 • Community Fire Safety; www.365alive.co.uk for tips and advice
Zen meditation In Kennington Village Centre at various times of the week. www.tumble.home.blog In an emergency
Mindful Hatha Flow Classes take place in St Swithun’s School on Monday, • Accident and Emergency medical care is provided by the A and E department at the Yoga Thursday and Friday. www.alphayoga.co.uk John Radcliffe Hospital (24 hours) • Minor Injuries Unit at Abingdon Community Hospital (10.00 – 10.30 pm)
• Environment Agency 0870 8506506; www.environment-agency.gov.uk The Good Neighbours scheme • Floodline 0845 988 1188 Both villages have active Good Neighbour schemes. Run by • Thames Water 0845 920 0800 volunteers, the scheme offers a service to those in need of help and • SSE Electricity Power 0800 072 7282 support which cannot be supplied through Social Care and Health • National Gas Emergency Service 0800 111 999 and other professional care agencies. The people who may need support from the scheme include older people, people with disabilities, single parents and young mothers, people temporarily in With thanks to the following need through illness or anyone who may be isolated in the community. Design: Brigid Sundaram; Front cover and page 12 linocut: Sue Wheeler www.susanwheelerprints.co.uk; Maps: Olivia Sundaram; Photographs: Steve Daniels and Don Cload at www.geograph.org.uk; Phil Henderson; John and Joyce Huddleston Radley: www.radleygoodneighbours.org; Kennington: [email protected]
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This Welcome Book was produced by Radley Parish Council and Radley and Kennington churches. Details were checked at February 2020. Information may change, and if we have omitted anyone please accept our sincere apologies. Do let us know of any corrections needed, ready for version two, by contacting [email protected].
Keep in touch with community events and news at www.facebook.com/groups/lifeonthelawns