We (Gemma and Leanne) have recently set up a Baby Bank, called First Steps Baby Bank, to support families in need within Didcot and the surrounding villages, which includes those living in Upton.
Baby Banks work in a similar way to Food Banks, supplying families in need with essential babyrelated items free of charge. There are more than 300 Baby Banks running successfully across the UK but there were none in the Didcot area. We are a non-profit organisation so rely solely on funding and donations from the local community. We are
not yet registered as a charity but hope to be in the future.
Like the Food Bank, we work on a referral-only basis from a professional within the community such as a GP, Nurse, Health Visitor, Teacher, Religious leader. We have recently gone live with referrals and are trying to spread the word so that the community is aware we are here to support families in need. We are currently supporting mums and their children up to the age of 2 years.
If you need further information please see our website and/or Facebook page. You can also email us.

The school summer holidays are fast approaching. This is a reminder that
from the 24th of July to the 3rd of September, during the School summer
holidays, we will be operating our reduced hours of 9am – 12pm, Monday to
Friday. Thank you for your understanding during this time.
We have fresh kitty’s eggs and local honey on sale. As well as a variety of
sweet treats, ice lollies, chocolate and cool drinks available to help keep
cool this summer.
As well as sending parcels, you can also do all your banking at the post
office, including cash withdrawals, cash deposits and cheque deposits.
We look forward to seeing you in the post office soon.
Thanks so much,
Sarah, Karen and Andrew

The school summer holidays are fast approaching. This is a reminder that
from the 24th of July to the 3rd of September, during the School summer
holidays, we will be operating our reduced hours of 9am – 12pm, Monday to
Friday. Thank you for your understanding during this time.
We have fresh kitty’s eggs and local honey on sale. As well as a variety of
sweet treats, ice lollies, chocolate and cool drinks available to help keep
cool this summer.
As well as sending parcels, you can also do all your banking at the post
office, including cash withdrawals, cash deposits and cheque deposits.
We look forward to seeing you in the post office soon.
Thanks so much,
Sarah, Karen and Andrew

A change from Shakespeare…A gem of a play, full of action, humour, music, and emotion…
Grusha, a maid, flees with abandoned baby Michael and face many challenges to protect him. This is a story as
old as Solomon, of motherhood and maternal love.
What makes a good mother: a mother by blood or mother by nurture?
Azdak a drunk or genius -judge or villain? Who will he protect – the landowners or the people?
The Caucasian Chalk Circle welcomes the audience into a world of
huge characters, big emotions, and the eternal question of who has the right
to claim ownership – who should own what?
Directed by Erica Harley. This adaptation provides an alternative and more
accessible version than the more traditional text. Described as a
masterpiece of 20th century drama.
Box office – Tickets will be available online at www.blewburyplayers.co.uk.
Priority booking opens 5 June (using a code that will be sent to them).
General Box Office opens 7 June.
To become a Friend and get priority booking for Blewbury Players’
productions and an annual entertainment and newsletter, please contact
Roger at bpfriends123@gmail.com. Subscription is £15 and is renewable on
1st May 2024.
Front of House roles. Fancy joining the front of House Team? Please call
David Long on 01235 851574 or 07484 360169 or @ blewburyplayers@gmail.com
Jeff and Peter’s Music Quiz – 9 November 2024 More news nearer the date
Puss In Boots Auditions – September 2024 We are excited to confirm that
we will be performing another pantomime in 2025! This has been written
and will be directed by Blewbury’s very own Andy Jarvis. More information
about auditions soon.
For updates on events refer to www.blewburyplayers.co.uk, Facebook or
Instagram. We can contact us at blewburyplayers@gmail.com

As summer approaches we hope you are enjoying the warmer weather ☀
We have tickets for the summer preschool raffle for sale. They have some
excellent prizes so please do come along and buy some to support your
local preschool. Tickets for the BVS summer dance are also available.
We have fresh kitty’s eggs and local honey on sale as the hayfever season
kicks in. We have a variety of sweet treats, ice lollies, chocolate and cool
drinks available to help keep cool this summer.
As well as sending parcels, you can also do all your banking at the post
office, including cash withdrawals, cash deposits and cheque deposits.
We look forward to seeing you in the post office soon.
Thanks so much,
Sarah, Karen and Andrew

Just a little update on our spring opening hours.
The post office will be closed on Monday 6th
of May and Monday 27th May
due to the spring bank holidays. We will also be closed on Friday 17th of
May due to staff holiday.
From the 28th May to the 31st of May, during the School Half term, we will
be operating our reduced hours of 9am – 12pm, Tuesday to Friday. Thank
you for your understanding during this time.
Don’t forget we have fresh kitty’s eggs and local honey on sale as the
hayfever season approaches. We have a variety of sweet treats and
chocolate for sale so do come and have a look.
You can also do all your banking at the post office, including cash
withdrawals, cash deposits and cheque deposits.
We look forward to seeing you in the post office soon.
Thanks so much,
Sarah, Karen and Andrew

Are you on a low income and struggling to pay for food, energy or necessary
household items? We are a local charity able to support people living in
Blewbury, the Astons and Upton by providing one off payments to help you,
or someone you know in need.
To apply there is a short application form to complete which can be picked
up from St Mary’s Church porch, Blewbury Post Office or requested by email
to unitedcharities@outlook.com. We can help you fill in the form if needed.
All applications are assessed on an individual basis but, as our funds are
limited, we give priority to those in receipt of benefits such as Universal
Credit, Tax Credits and Pension Credit or those who have extenuating
circumstances such as ill health or vulnerability. Please don’t be reluctant to
ask for help, all applications are dealt with confidentially.
Here we are, already in the middle of Spring, with no sign of economic
improvement on the horizon in the country. We continue to receive a steady
flow of requests for financial help from local people who find themselves
unable to make ends meet. Looking ahead, we are going to struggle to help
as many individuals and families in Blewbury, Upton and the Astons as we
would like, unless we can generate more funds.
If anyone of you out there in the community feel able to help by donating
any amount, small or large, we would be extremely grateful. You can do this
through our Just Giving page www.justgiving.com/ucab
Thank you very much in advance, and if you have any questions, please do
get in touch with us by email unitedcharities@outlook.com

United Charities of the Ancient Parish of Blewbury Registered Charity No: 20353

Spring has sprung in the post office and we are now getting a regular
delivery of fresh kitty’s eggs. You can also buy our lovely local honey. We
have a variety of sweet treats and Easter chocolate for sale so do come and
have a look.
From the 28th of March to the 14th of April we will be hosting the
BLEWBURY EASTER TRAIL. Find the chicks around Blewbury to win a treat.
Pick up a map from the post office or the Blueberry pub. Maps are £2 per
child and every completed map can be exchanged for a treat at the end of
the trail.
From now on our opening hours have slightly changed and we will be closed
on a Wednesday afternoon going forward. Our new opening hours are:::
Monday 9am – 3pm
Tuesday 8.30am – 12pm and 2.30pm – 5pm
Wednesday 9am – 12pm
Thursday 9am – 3pm
Friday 8.30am – 12pm and 2.30pm – 5pm
If you are ever unsure of our opening hours, google is up to date.
Our Easter opening times are as follows:
Good Friday 29th March: Closed
Saturday 30th March: Closed
Sunday 31st March: Closed
Easter Monday 1st April: Closed
From the 2nd April to the 12th of April, during the School Easter Holidays,
we will be operating our reduced hours of 9am – 12pm, Monday to
Friday. Thank you for your understanding during this time.
Royal Mail have announced prices will be rising on the 2nd April 2024. The
prices of 1st and 2nd class stamps will both increase by 10p to £1.35 and
£0.85 respectively. Stock up your stamps quick to save some pennies!
We have a variety of special stamps in stock including Harry Potter, Spice
girls and many more. We have commemorative stamps celebrating 100
years being released on 16th April. You can also do all your banking at the
post office, including cash withdrawals, cash deposits and cheque deposits.
We look forward to seeing you in the post office soon.
Sarah, Karen and Andrew

Spring has sprung in the post office and we are now getting a regular
delivery of fresh kitty’s eggs. You can also buy our lovely local honey. We
also have a variety of sweet treats and chocolate for sale so do come and
have a look.
From now on our opening hours have slightly changed and we will be closed
on a Wednesday afternoon going forward. Our new opening hours are:
Monday 9am – 3pm
Tuesday 8.30am – 12pm and 2.30pm – 5pm
Wednesday 9am – 12pm
Thursday 9am – 3pm
Friday 8.30am – 12pm and 2.30pm – 5pm
We have a variety of special stamps in stock including Harry Potter, Spice
girls and many more. You can also do all your banking at the post office,
including cash withdrawals, cash deposits and cheque deposits.
Sarah, Karen and Andrew