Michael Ribbeck

4 days ago | oxfordmail.co.uk | Michael Ribbeck

2 1/1 The founder of an equine therapy charity has raised £2,500 for a pony's veterinary surgery. Dr Loes Koorenhof, founder of Equilore, was the first woman to finish the Marlborough Downs Challenge. She completed the 33-mile race in five hours and 48 minutes, raising £2,500 for the charity. Equilore is a charity based in Croughton that provides equine-facilitated therapy and learning for people in Oxfordshire, Northamptonshire, and Buckinghamshire.

4 days ago | oxfordmail.co.uk | Michael Ribbeck

Money donated to Sustainable Didcot (Image: Persimmon) A builder involved in a major Didcot development has donated £1,000 to a local environmental group. Persimmon Homes Wessex, a builder behind the Valley Park development, presented the cheque to Sustainable Didcot as part of its Community Champions programme. Sustainable Didcot is a community action group focused on activities that protect and enhance the natural environment and strengthen the local community.

4 days ago | swindonadvertiser.co.uk | Michael Ribbeck

4 1/1 Thousands of children in Swindon enjoyed a creative Easter holiday, thanks to a special programme. More than 8,400 parents were invited to sign up for the Holiday Activities and Food Programme (HAF), which provides free activities for children to enjoy during the break. This included time at Revolution Performing Arts where children and teens sang, danced, acted, played games, and did arts and crafts.

4 days ago | swindonadvertiser.co.uk | Michael Ribbeck

3 1/1 Lydiard House is celebrating 70 years since it first opened to the public. The historic house, located in Lydiard Park, was bought by Swindon Corporation in 1943 to save it from demolition after being home to the St John family for more than 500 years. It was awarded Grade I listed status in January 1955, and the State Rooms were officially opened in May of that year.

4 days ago | swindonadvertiser.co.uk | Michael Ribbeck

Surge in calls for help from new mums (Image: Supplied) Referrals to community mental health services for new mums in the South West have increased by around 80 per cent in the last three years. Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust (AWP) received 4,816 referrals in 2024/25, up from 2,668 in 2022/23. This coincides with Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week, which runs from May 5 to May 11, 2025.