Wayland Private Hire

19/06/2026

Many of you will know that Wayland Private Hire donates £1 from every journey to the Wayland Start-Up Fund, helping local young people take their first steps into business.

That commitment is ongoing and will continue as normal.

However, between now and the end of August, I will also be donating an additional £1 from every journey that I personally undertake to support my daughter Laurel's fundraising challenge for Arthritis UK.

Last year, Laurel was diagnosed with Psoriatic Arthritis. Having previously run three marathons in a year, she suddenly found herself struggling to walk due to a condition that causes painful inflammation of the joints.

Rather than letting it define her, Laurel and three friends have signed up to cycle from London to Paris this September to raise money for Arthritis UK, a charity supporting millions of people living with arthritis and funding research into better treatments and, hopefully one day, a cure.

So, for every journey I personally undertake between now and 31st August:

✅ £1 will continue to go to the Wayland Start-Up Fund (as it always does)

✅ An additional £1 will be donated to Laurel's Arthritis UK appeal

If you are travelling with me this summer, you'll be supporting both causes at no extra cost to yourself.

If any of my followers would also like to make a small donation directly to Laurel's appeal, no matter how modest, please let me know and I will send you the link. It would be very much appreciated.

Thank you, as always, for your ongoing support.

John

30/05/2026

YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS WANTED

The video is a joke.

This isn't.

If you're aged 18–24, live locally, and have a business idea you'd like to pursue, we'd like to hear from you.

We've created a small fund to help local young people take their first step into business.

No complicated forms.
No Dragons' Den pitches.
No endless paperwork.

Just tell us:

• Who you are
• What you'd like to start
• What help you need

Send us a private message.

You don't need a perfect business plan. Just an idea and the determination to have a go.

Because every successful business started with someone deciding to take that first step.

If you know a young person with ambition and a business idea, please share this post with them. We'd hate for someone to miss out simply because they didn't see it.

The Wayland Start Up Fund

Helping local young people turn ideas into reality.

24/05/2026

22/05/2026

Great local business started by a young and local entrepreneur Grace & Ivy Florist

(Emily started her business journey selling home made jewellery at an event in Bourton Village Hall 15 or so years ago)

If you have a moment, please support them by voting in the Muddy Stilettos Awards 🙏

Please support by voting in the Muddy

The Muddy Stilettos Awards 2026 | Free UK Lifestyle Awards celebrate the best local lifestyle businesses in Bucks & Oxon, across the UK - and they're totally FREE to enter.

21/05/2026

WAYLAND START UP FUND

As someone obsessed with starting small businesses (it’s a life sentence), heartbreaking seeing how difficult things are becoming for young people trying to find work and build a future.

Whether it’s:

- the news,
- social media,
- or simply chatting to customers,

it feels pretty clear that opportunities for young people are becoming increasingly limited due to:

- the economy,
- rising costs,
- and the explosion of AI and automation.

Inspired recently by two young Shrivenham lads starting their own bin cleaning business, myself and Kevin have decided to launch:

The Wayland Start Fund

Nothing corporate.
No committees.
No KPIs.
No “outputs” (whatever they are).

Just simple financial and practical help for local young people with a genuine idea who simply need a hand getting started.

We are still working out the nuts and bolts, but the basic premise is very simple:

£1 from every journey completed by Wayland goes into "The pot".

Then, when a local young person is genuinely trying to build something for themselves, we help them take that first step.

Not huge amounts.

But sometimes funding for:-

- a website,
- leaflets,
- tools,
- insurance,
- or a first bit of stock

can completely change a youngsters direction.

You do not need to invent the next Apple, YOU JUST NEED TO START

Importantly, this would simply be a gift/donation with no strings attached.

No “Dragon’s Den”.
No humiliating presentations.
No corporate nonsense.

Just local people trying to help local young people take a chance on themselves. Open to 18-23 year olds (possible exceptions).

Would really appreciate any thoughts or ideas.

John (Wannabe Simon Squibb)
Kevin

17/05/2026

Hi all,

A quick reminder to Shrivenham and Watchfield residents that if you have mobility issues and need prescriptions or a few essentials picking up, please feel free to get in touch.

Myself or Kevin will happily drop them off when we are passing through the villages.

There is no charge, although if anybody wishes to, you may make a small donation to the Shrivenham, Watchfield fete committees or Root and Branch Brighter Futures GWH instead.

John
Wayland Private Hire

25/04/2026

Today I’d like to ask something a little more personal of our wonderful Wayland Private Hire community.

A local mum has reached out after the heartbreaking loss of her son, Iain, in October. She is now trying to create something positive in his memory by raising awareness and support for better mental health care for mental health patients.

She has started this petition in Iain’s name, with the hope of helping others and preventing other families from experiencing the same pain.

They need 100,000 signatures for it to be discussed in Parliament.

If you have a moment, please consider signing and sharing. Sometimes the smallest action can make the biggest difference.

Thank you for always being such a kind and supportive community ❤️

Petition link:
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/764140

Why do we allow people struggling with mental health to be discharged alone. We think this is a huge safeguarding issue and not protecting the vulnerable. A review should consider requiring that patients are discharged into the care of someone. We think this could prevent the loss of lives.

01/04/2026

01/04/2026

Apps, algorithms and big brands may battle it out above our heads…

But on the ground, what still matters is trust, kindness, and knowing exactly who is turning up for you.

Whether it’s Heathrow, hospital appointments, station runs or helping someone who simply needs a little extra care, personal service never goes out of fashion.

That’s what Wayland will always focus on.

John
Wayland Private Hire
0800 799 9682
waylandprivatehire.co.uk