In early May 2025 there was a PPW Training Day in Tiddington and an idea was put forward to replace several stiles with gates on the Oxfordshire Way where it passes through the village.  It was almost a case of ‘no sooner said than done’ as by 6th June the T&W Path Maintenance Team had replaced three of the stiles with gates.

The first stile was the most challenging as it required excavating 60cm deep post holes through broken concrete and very hard dry soil.  The second was a dream in comparison, possibly because it was located adjacent to ‘Sandy Lane’ so the excavation of the post hole through the sandy soil could be done easily with a double shovel.  The biggest problem putting in the third gate was working in 34°C temperatures!

Later in the year T&W hosted a celebratory walk round Tiddington, passing through the three new gates.  It included a ceremony with team leader Bob Merry cutting a ribbon to ‘open’ the new gate!