Leys CDI Youth Sessions
Messy Jam Dance school are looking for new members / dancers. No experience needed, just a passion for dance. Why not come along to a class, I guarantee you’ll like be it ❤️
Word has it that Cheltenham officials are getting nervous. Not because of the going, or the weather, or a loose favourite in the paddock but because three unexpected jockeys have been spotted thundering down the course: Simon “Silky Hands” Ferguson, Walter “The Leys Lightning” Spencer, and Jean “No Photo Finish Needed” Dyer.
While Cheltenham has its four-day frenzy, the Clockhouse has something far more enduring: a year-round festival of wellness, laughter, movement, and community.
The Sessions: A Full Racing Card
Think of the week’s programme as the Leys CDI Festival, where every session is a race in its own right:-
• Zumba Hurdles – They may omit the fences, but there’ll be plenty of jumping. Some members even attempt a cheeky “photo finish” at the end.
• Chair-Based Conditioning Chase – A steady pace, good rhythm, and no unseated riders… unless someone laughs too hard.
• Crafting Stakes – A colourful field, with more vibrant silks on display than in the Cheltenham parade ring.
• Social Sessions Handicap – Open to all ages 55 plus, abilities, and energy levels. No weight penalties here, just tea, biscuits, and fruit to keep everyone in top form.
• The Big Screen Novices’ Race Review – Courtesy of our friends at Peabody, seniors can now gather around the new super-sized TV to watch the daily races. Think of it as the Clockhouse’s very own Royal Box but with more banter and better biscuits.
And unlike Cheltenham, where the Guinness tent is the main attraction, the Clockhouse offers something even more reliable: a constant refreshment station of tea, coffee, biscuits, and healthy fruit. No queues, no tokens, no £7 pints, just warmth, welcome, and a good natter.
The Winners’ Enclosure (Also Known as the Clockhouse)
At Cheltenham, only one horse wins each race.
At the Clockhouse, everyone who walks through the door is already in the winners’ enclosure.
There are no losing bets, no fallers, no pulled-up runners, just a community galloping forward together, laughing, moving, connecting, and celebrating the joy of being part of something special.
So, saddle up, put on your finest colours, and trot down to the Clockhouse. The festival is in full swing and the finish line is nowhere in sight.
See you in the winners’ enclosure, where ‘EVERYONE IS WELCOME’.
🌸 Women Only Class
Empower yourself with strength and self-defense skills in a comfortable, ladies-only setting.
⏰ Every Tuesday: 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM
📍 Location: Oxford and District Indoor Bowls Club, Sandy Lane, Littlemore, Oxford OX4 6F.
Presented by Cainedo Oxford. Don’t wait—come down and try something new !
DM us for more details or to book your spot! 📩
#OxfordMartialArts #Littlemore #CainedoOxford #OxfordFitness #WomenSelfDefense #OxfordEvents
Oxford City Leisure Centres – Promotional offer
Kickstart your New Year at our leisure centres
Kickstart your New Year with fun and fitness at one our Council leisure centres. If you join now and pay nothing until February!
From themed ice-skating nights at the Oxford Ice Rink to soft play adventures and climbing at Leys Pools and Leisure Centre, there’s something for everyone to enjoy this January.
Full details and opening times can be found at www.oxfordcityleisure
Tribute to Pearl Wellington
1976 – 2025
Dedicated to the memory of Pearl Wellington
This is a tribute to Pearl Wellington.
She is much loved and will always be remembered. Pearl sadly passed away peacefully on 22nd December 2025, surrounded by her family. Pearl will be deeply missed, not only by her children Xiomara, Zephaniah (Blue) and Zhaunnay (Ney) but by everyone who knew her. A service to celebrate Pearl’s life will be held at St. Johns Chapel, Oxford Crematorium on Friday 23rd January 2026 at 4pm. Donations will be collected in Pearl’s Memory on the day and on online to go to the great work of Sobell House HospiceC/O Jackson & Browning Funerals Ltd. 9 Knights Road, Blackbird Leys Oxford, OX4 4HU
Donations for Pearl 👇🏼
We are currently recruiting panels of local people to decide how funding gets spent.
We would love for you to join! Please click the link https://forms.office.com/e/WhirXfUuSm
Windale Community Hub was delighted to hosted Her Royal Highness Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, and celebrate community leaders, groups and a wider group of volunteers contributing to local community. She commended the tireless efforts of everyone involved in making the Windale Community Hub such a success. She highlighted the importance of community spirit and the collective power of individuals working together to create positive change. The Duchess’s visit to the Windale Community Hub on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, served as a powerful affirmation of the invaluable work being done by local community groups in the Leys community of Oxford, showcasing their dedication to improving lives and strengthening the fabric of society.
Date: 24th September 2025
Dovecote Voluntary Parent Committee a community-based organisation dedicated to supporting
disadvantage children, young people, families, and local residents by creating welcoming, accessible
opportunities and activities that are both engaging and inclusive is thrilled to announce it has been
awarded a four-year grant from the National Lottery Community Fund through its Reaching Communities
programme.
The substantial funding will enable Dovecote Voluntary Parent Committee to expand and deepen its work
with children, families and senior living in Blackbird Leys and surrounding areas]. The grant will support the
charity’s efforts to tackle social isolation, improve mental health, create community-led initiatives, etc.
“This funding is a game-changer for us,” said Rachel Partlett Chair of Dovecote Voluntary Parent
Committee “It means we can continue working alongside our community, growing our services and
responding to the real needs people are facing every day. We’re incredibly grateful to National Lottery
players for making this possible.”
Over the next four years, the grant will enable us to sustain our existing services while developing a range
of new initiatives to meet the evolving needs of our community. This includes the creation of welcoming
‘warm spaces’ like a Tea & Toastie Café, a wider programme of social and family events, and stronger
partnership working with local organisations. The funding will also help us make greater use of the
Dovecote by collaborating with other groups, create new community hubs, offer more volunteer
opportunities, and expand our team with new staff roles.
Quote from a community member, “ It’s really nice interacting with the kids at the SKIP (Senior & Kids
Intergenerational Programme) session. Staff are great with the children and make the sessions fun for the
young and us oldies from the Leys” Jean
The Reaching Communities fund is designed to help voluntary and community organisations make positive
changes in their communities by supporting people who are facing challenges and bringing communities
together.
For more information about Dovecote Voluntary Parent Committee and its programmes, visit
www.dovecoteproject.com or follow facebook; dovecotevoluntaryparentcommittee, Instantgram:
thedovecotecentre
Long standing after school and holiday club provide BLAP is due to close its doors in September unless they can secure 40k of additional funding to secure their provision for the year and bed in their fundraising strategy.
Find more details on their website and message to parents and do get in touch if you can help! http://blap.org.uk email them at [email protected]
