Cllr Ruth Smith
@labourruth.bsky.social
Councillor on WODC and WTC. Leader, Witney Town Council. Witney East ward. Fairness, climate, sewerage, active travel. Labour & Co-operative. Happy to interact here. Please email me at my cllr address for casework.
I am in Derby today, under my own steam, for the @publicissues.bsky.social Joint public Issues Team conference, For Goodness Sake #ForGood25 about social justice and action. I am keen to learn more about the Constituency Action Network jpit.uk/can
November 8, 2025 at 11:34 AM
I am in Derby today, under my own steam, for the @publicissues.bsky.social Joint public Issues Team conference, For Goodness Sake #ForGood25 about social justice and action. I am keen to learn more about the Constituency Action Network jpit.uk/can
The Gallopers Service to bless the Feast is earlier this year - today it's at around 12:45pm at the carousel. There will be a procession from the church you can join in or meet on the field. And the fair opens today!
September 14, 2025 at 9:25 AM
The Gallopers Service to bless the Feast is earlier this year - today it's at around 12:45pm at the carousel. There will be a procession from the church you can join in or meet on the field. And the fair opens today!
Date for your Sept diary - Wed 3rd, 6-8pm, Corn Ex, Witney Bus Users Meeting. This was a huge success last year. Come and feed into the continued improvement of bus services.
August 7, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Date for your Sept diary - Wed 3rd, 6-8pm, Corn Ex, Witney Bus Users Meeting. This was a huge success last year. Come and feed into the continued improvement of bus services.
The new splash park in Witney is brilliant. I just went to see. My kids loved it when it was new 10 years ago. And now this new one is in glorious technicolour. 🌈🖍️💦
May 22, 2025 at 4:09 PM
The new splash park in Witney is brilliant. I just went to see. My kids loved it when it was new 10 years ago. And now this new one is in glorious technicolour. 🌈🖍️💦
More sunshine on Cogges with @duncanenright.bsky.social and the team today. Lots of recognition and support.
April 5, 2025 at 5:27 PM
More sunshine on Cogges with @duncanenright.bsky.social and the team today. Lots of recognition and support.
Lots of interesting conversations in Market Square this morning as the sunshine brought 10 councillors and, thankfully, more residents out to talk at Councillors at the Café.
April 5, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Lots of interesting conversations in Market Square this morning as the sunshine brought 10 councillors and, thankfully, more residents out to talk at Councillors at the Café.
8 and 9 April, Corn Ex, a brilliant chance to see Every Brilliant Thing. Kate will perform a show close to her heart, by a Witney playwright. And raise money for the Mayor's Charities. Not to be missed.
March 28, 2025 at 8:49 PM
8 and 9 April, Corn Ex, a brilliant chance to see Every Brilliant Thing. Kate will perform a show close to her heart, by a Witney playwright. And raise money for the Mayor's Charities. Not to be missed.
Pictured is Citizen of the Year, Keith Crawford, who has given years managing the High St Methodist Church's buildings for community use, in the Rotary Club and on the board of Witney Museum, bringing all sorts of good to the town.
March 22, 2025 at 9:25 AM
Pictured is Citizen of the Year, Keith Crawford, who has given years managing the High St Methodist Church's buildings for community use, in the Rotary Club and on the board of Witney Museum, bringing all sorts of good to the town.
On Monday there will be official pictures, but last night was the Witney Citizen of the Year awards and it was rather moving to hear about and honour the groups who shaped and served Witney so well in 2024.
March 22, 2025 at 9:25 AM
On Monday there will be official pictures, but last night was the Witney Citizen of the Year awards and it was rather moving to hear about and honour the groups who shaped and served Witney so well in 2024.
Tomorrow/Weds evening, please come along to Witney's Annual Town Meeting, for Witney residents. 7:30pm, Corn Ex.
Raise issues. Ask questions.
And please read the excellent Annual Report
democracy.witney-tc.gov.uk/documents/s1...
Raise issues. Ask questions.
And please read the excellent Annual Report
democracy.witney-tc.gov.uk/documents/s1...
March 18, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Tomorrow/Weds evening, please come along to Witney's Annual Town Meeting, for Witney residents. 7:30pm, Corn Ex.
Raise issues. Ask questions.
And please read the excellent Annual Report
democracy.witney-tc.gov.uk/documents/s1...
Raise issues. Ask questions.
And please read the excellent Annual Report
democracy.witney-tc.gov.uk/documents/s1...
Tell your young people about the half term youth café at the Corn Ex, 5-8pm weekdays. Run by the awesome team from The Station.
www.thestation.life
www.thestation.life
February 9, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Tell your young people about the half term youth café at the Corn Ex, 5-8pm weekdays. Run by the awesome team from The Station.
www.thestation.life
www.thestation.life
Now we are hearing from Local Government minister, Jim McMahon, about local government reorganization and how it can make the whole of the public sector work better.
February 9, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Now we are hearing from Local Government minister, Jim McMahon, about local government reorganization and how it can make the whole of the public sector work better.
I am at a Labour Local Government Association conference. Angela Rayner outlined how funds and long term planning and local decisions are being brought back to communities. One of these decisions is Local Power generation. Exciting stuff.
February 9, 2025 at 1:38 PM
I am at a Labour Local Government Association conference. Angela Rayner outlined how funds and long term planning and local decisions are being brought back to communities. One of these decisions is Local Power generation. Exciting stuff.
I am at the Labour local government conference this weekend.
So far, I have learned more about how other councils work towards community cohesion, and how they engage with residents most effectively.
Lots of chat about local government reorganization.
So far, I have learned more about how other councils work towards community cohesion, and how they engage with residents most effectively.
Lots of chat about local government reorganization.
February 8, 2025 at 5:03 PM
I am at the Labour local government conference this weekend.
So far, I have learned more about how other councils work towards community cohesion, and how they engage with residents most effectively.
Lots of chat about local government reorganization.
So far, I have learned more about how other councils work towards community cohesion, and how they engage with residents most effectively.
Lots of chat about local government reorganization.
From 10 Feb, to allow Shores Green slip roads to be built, the speed limit after the 20 mph zone to the A40 will be 30 mph and the A40 will have a 50 mph section. We almost have a sensible 2-way junction at Shores Green! It's really happening!
www.facebook.com/share/p/1BLi...
www.facebook.com/share/p/1BLi...
January 27, 2025 at 9:09 PM
From 10 Feb, to allow Shores Green slip roads to be built, the speed limit after the 20 mph zone to the A40 will be 30 mph and the A40 will have a 50 mph section. We almost have a sensible 2-way junction at Shores Green! It's really happening!
www.facebook.com/share/p/1BLi...
www.facebook.com/share/p/1BLi...
£50 for 50 grant scheme - if you are a Witney group or organisation who could spend £50 on a project, now is the time to apply for a small grant to finish celebrating Witney Town Council's 50th year.
www.witney-tc.gov.uk/services/gra...
www.witney-tc.gov.uk/services/gra...
January 16, 2025 at 7:29 PM
£50 for 50 grant scheme - if you are a Witney group or organisation who could spend £50 on a project, now is the time to apply for a small grant to finish celebrating Witney Town Council's 50th year.
www.witney-tc.gov.uk/services/gra...
www.witney-tc.gov.uk/services/gra...
Blue Christmas at High St Methodist, Witney. Tues 17 Dec, 7pm.
"Do you or someone you know find Christmas tough? Many people do for so many different reasons. We'd love to give you space to be authentic at this time of year, and give you time to bring them to God, or to let us."
"Do you or someone you know find Christmas tough? Many people do for so many different reasons. We'd love to give you space to be authentic at this time of year, and give you time to bring them to God, or to let us."
December 15, 2024 at 8:38 PM
Blue Christmas at High St Methodist, Witney. Tues 17 Dec, 7pm.
"Do you or someone you know find Christmas tough? Many people do for so many different reasons. We'd love to give you space to be authentic at this time of year, and give you time to bring them to God, or to let us."
"Do you or someone you know find Christmas tough? Many people do for so many different reasons. We'd love to give you space to be authentic at this time of year, and give you time to bring them to God, or to let us."
It didn't take long. We are normally outside in a gazebo and we have an A-board and a collapsible banner. The Corn Ex café is too busy really for us to occupy space. People do seek us out. And pass by.
December 7, 2024 at 5:46 PM
It didn't take long. We are normally outside in a gazebo and we have an A-board and a collapsible banner. The Corn Ex café is too busy really for us to occupy space. People do seek us out. And pass by.
It was a problem in Pompeii too. Their solution is not ideal but had the principle of pedestrians staying at one level at heart.
November 27, 2024 at 12:37 AM
It was a problem in Pompeii too. Their solution is not ideal but had the principle of pedestrians staying at one level at heart.
Anyway, the grit bin near the bridge nearest Cogges is full of grit, if the path looks set to freeze at any point. The trouble is finding time in daylight hours to shovel it about. We are all very grateful when people do that.
November 19, 2024 at 10:14 PM
Anyway, the grit bin near the bridge nearest Cogges is full of grit, if the path looks set to freeze at any point. The trouble is finding time in daylight hours to shovel it about. We are all very grateful when people do that.
I wasn't sure why the stretch of path between the two bridges on Langel was so clear. Was it gritted? Or sheltered by trees? Or warmer underneath?
November 19, 2024 at 10:10 PM
I wasn't sure why the stretch of path between the two bridges on Langel was so clear. Was it gritted? Or sheltered by trees? Or warmer underneath?
I walked in to school this morning, in case it was too slippy to cycle. But the paths were actually sheltered by trees and well-trodden so were just mushy. Here is Langel Common under a thin layer of snow first thing.
November 19, 2024 at 10:07 PM
I walked in to school this morning, in case it was too slippy to cycle. But the paths were actually sheltered by trees and well-trodden so were just mushy. Here is Langel Common under a thin layer of snow first thing.
It's Witney Central by-election day for the town council. Time to buck the trend on the world stage and Elect More Women, as my T-shirt says. (It's a bit cold for a tee today though). Please vote for Yvonne Robineau to restore our team and continue our work.
November 14, 2024 at 7:49 AM
It's Witney Central by-election day for the town council. Time to buck the trend on the world stage and Elect More Women, as my T-shirt says. (It's a bit cold for a tee today though). Please vote for Yvonne Robineau to restore our team and continue our work.