Keeping warm

We’ve been lucky so far this autumn that for the most part the weather has remained fairly mild. But with the rising cost of living and the recent increases in fuel bills, there’s a risk that many people will start to find it hard to keep their homes heated when the weather turns chillier.

The City and County Councils have been working to provide help for people in difficulties: experience from the pandemic has provided a model for co-operating with local organisations in challenging times. The County Council will be offering warm places through the winter, focusing on libraries, and has established a grants scheme to help community venues with energy costs provided they stay open for a set time each week – the plan is for this to support existing activities (such as lunch clubs) as well as new initiatives. There is a £100,000 fund for organisations to bid to.
The City Council is planning on using community and leisure centres in a similar way, and intends working with local organisations to provide support. Meanwhile here in Wolvercote, the White Hart community pub has a local warm room for two mornings each week: there will be a log fire, free tea and coffee, newspapers and magazines, and excellent company! It’s to be hoped that other similar initiatives will follow across our area.
Welcome to Lower Wolvercote’s Warm Space at The White Hart 10am till 1pm Every Wednesday and Friday.
Bring your laptop or knitting and enjoy a log fire, free tea, coffee (and later soup?)
Newspapers, book swap and a food hub table.