Oxfordshire weekly round-up: 25 December - 30 December 2023

Southbank Sinfonia orchestra will perform for the concert series in June 2024

A story about an orchestra's fundraiser was among our most read this week in Oxfordshire.

A variety of local issues featured on the BBC News website, BBC Radio Oxford and South Today.

We have picked five stories to keep you up to date.

Man who died in construction fall was 'devoted dad'

Thames Valley Police is investigating the fall

The wife of a man who fell to his death at a building site said he had "a heart of gold".

Amarpreet Bhatti was working at the Oxford North construction site just off the A40 near Wolvercote on 4 December when the incident happened.

The 47-year-old father-of-two was described as a "dedicated man" who "touched so many people's lives".

Council pledges to provide free period products

A motion calling for freely available sanitary products was passed unanimously.

Cherwell councillors have promised to look for places where period products can be provided.

The NHS does not provide free sanitary products universally in the UK but resolved in 2019 to offer free tampons to NHS patients in England.

Concert series launches 40th anniversary campaign

Soprano singer Nardus Williams took part in Music at Oxford's 2023 season opening concert at the Sheldonian Theatre

An independent concert series launched a fundraising campaign as part of its 40th anniversary.

Music at Oxford was established in 1983 as a year-round programme of classical music within the city's iconic and hidden architectural gems.

It now aims to raise £40,000 by the end of 2024 towards its work with diverse schools and community groups.

Police and housing provider unveil 1,000-homes plan

Thames Valley Police is joint owner of the land west of Howes Lane

Outline plans for 1,000 homes in Oxfordshire have been submitted by a housing association and a police force.

The joint application by A2Dominion and Thames Valley Police also includes land for a primary and secondary school at North West Bicester.

The plans include community facilities, improved infrastructure and new green spaces.

Blenheim Palace's Christmas lights trail

Blenheim Palace's Christmas lights trail was unveiled.

It featured a "Capability" Brown-designed landscape, which features singing Christmas trees and a cascade of fire.

The trail will be illuminated until New Year's Day.