News
Charlbury's Bookshop and the future
As you may know unless a new tenant is found for the bookshop in the next few weeks Jon Carpenter will be closing down in the early New Year. This is very sad, but all bookshops are finding retail conditions difficult unless there is a back-up or supporting business. The availability of a book shop here has been an important feature in many people's lives and internet purchases, though extremely important, do not enter into the fabric of Charlbury life in the same way.
I made clear in a recent public meeting that I was willing to accept, at the current low rent, any individual or group of people who wanted to continue running a bookshop although both Jon and I recognise that a supporting activity is almost essential to any shop in the town. If nothing changes within the next month I am willing to consider reasonable offers to take on the tenancy of the shop, with or without a supporting business, provided that the shop is likely to be of benefit to the locality.
If no suitable offer comes along, alternative non-residential uses linked my involvement in DustScan Ltd will be pursued since this is thriving business and we need more space.
Geoffrey Walton
sue radbourne ·
Tue 29 Oct 2013, 15:07 · Link
Christmas trees: bookings are now closed
It is no longer possible to order trees and brackets through the volunteer-run scheme announced here and on 250 leaflets put through town centre doors. The deadline was last Friday but cannot be further extended.
Trees can be bought from the end of the month from Geoff Burroughs at Halcyon Farm (Woodstock Road, top of the hill on the left). If you want a tree to fit a bracket, ask for it to be trimmed appropriately.
You may still be able to order or buy brackets from Wychwood Wrought Iron in Ascott. They make the brackets for Charlbury and know exactly what is required.
Jon Carpenter ·
Tue 29 Oct 2013, 13:01 · Link
New Autumn Menu at The Bull
We have just launched our new autumn menu, which has been very well received so far! There is also a new range of bar snacks available. Please see our website for all the latest details - www.bullinn-charlbury.com
Looking forward to seeing you soon!
Alix Blumsom ·
Sat 26 Oct 2013, 12:07 · Link
Southill Solar is seeking volunteers please
Southill Solar is soon to distribute questionnaires about attitudes to community renewable energy to all the homes in Charlbury, Finstock and Fawler. We would love help with collecting the questionnaires from homes in your street between 3rd and 13th of November.
Our aim is to have as many volunteers as possible to minimise the number of homes from which the collection must be made.
If you are willing, please contact me on this email or on 01608 811212.
Liz Reason ·
Fri 25 Oct 2013, 12:23 · Link
ARTWEEKS 2014
Calling all artists in Charlbury.... now is the time to register for this great event!
We had a wonderful turnout last year - let's make it even bigger next year! It would be ideal if you have your own space to exhibit your work but it is possible to collaborate with other artists with bigger studios or even share in the hire of a public space.
Do get in touch with me if you are interested in getting involved in Charlbury next year and have any questions:
Maureen Sparling
(Artweeks Area Coordinator)
www.artweeks.org
maureen@wychwoodgraphics.co.uk
Maureen Sparling ·
Thu 24 Oct 2013, 16:38 · Link
Charlbury stars in Channel 5's 'The Railway'
'The Railway', a fly-on-the-wall documentary series about First Great Western, visited Charlbury station in tonight's episode.
The programme follows FGW's North Cotswolds station manager Teresa Ceesay - familiar to hundreds of regular Charlbury passengers, of course - coping with the influx of passengers for the Wilderness Festival this August.
You can watch the programme online; the Charlbury section starts at 12m45 in. It will be repeated on Wednesday 23rd October at 12.15.
Richard Fairhurst ·
Thu 17 Oct 2013, 23:16 · Link
Christmas Trees and Brackets for the Town Centre
As usual, a small group of local people are organising the provision of Christmas trees for businesses and homes in the town centre. Appropriate brackets for the trees are also available for premises that do not have one.
About 300 leaflets have been delivered, but it's always possible that we have missed someone out or just failed to find a letterbox. Or you may have mislaid it.
And if you have moved into the centre recently, or are one of those people whose property is a conspicuous gap in the Christmas display, do read it!
You can download the leaflet here. The deadline for returning the form is Friday October 25.
Jon Carpenter ·
Fri 11 Oct 2013, 11:12 · Link
Don’t sleep on it – get your electric blanket tested
Electric blanket owners are being urged to get them tested before the winter weather draws in.
Oxfordshire County Council's Fire and Rescue Service and Trading Standards are supporting an initiative to provide free tests at locations across the county to ensure that residents have a safe and warm winter.
Where and when
Testing runs from 9am to 4:30pm in five minute slots. Please book using the instructions below for details of venues.
Oxford Monday 7 October
Abingdon Tuesday 8 October
Thame Wednesday 9 October
Banbury Thursday 10 October
Witney Friday 11 October
Oxford Monday 21 October
Didcot Tuesday 22 October
Chipping Norton Wednesday 23 October
Bicester Thursday 24 October
Wantage Friday 25 October
How to book
Testing is by pre-booked appointment only, strictly on a first come, first served basis. If you would like to get your electric blanket tested please call Oxfordshire County Council's Trading Standards on 0845 051 0845 option 4 to arrange an appointment or email communityengagement@oxfordshire.gov.uk
If you cannot attend any of the events listed, local fire stations are happy to collect your fire blanket and arrange to have it tested for you. For more information, contact:
Deb Lamb
Station Support Officer
Charlbury Fire Station
01608 810217
07554116580
Valou Pakenham-Walsh ·
Wed 9 Oct 2013, 07:23 · Link
MARY WOOD, 100
Many Charlbury residents will remember Mary Wood, as a friend, as a regular visitor to the Library or the shops, or simply through seeing her, with walking frame, making her way along Market Street.
In 2012, after several years confined to her home in Forest Court and needing more continuous care, she moved to Spencer Court, Woodstock, where she still lives.
Mary is 100 years old on Monday 7 October.
Congratulations Mary! Have a very Happy 100th Birthday
Tony Graeme ·
Sun 6 Oct 2013, 21:25 · Link
Street Fair Quiz Night - Friday 1st Nov
Teams of six are welcome to pit their wits in this year's Quiz Night which will be taking place in the Memorial Hall at 7:30pm.
£9 per person to include sausage and mash supper.
email info@charlburystreetfair.org for a booking form or phone 07775 553242
John Munro ·
Sat 5 Oct 2013, 14:50 · Link
Charlbury Debating Society
Residents (and our local Member of Parliament) may be interested to know that the highly acclaimed Charlbury Debating Society convened on Friday night for a stormy but highly instructive session.
The motion: "The EU: We've got to get out to get on", presented by Philip Vander Elst and opposed by Liz Leffman, was defeated by 20 votes to 9, with one abstention.
Congratulations to all who took part, and commiserations to those who missed it!
Lidia ·
Sat 5 Oct 2013, 00:02 · Link
Recycling calendar for 2013/2014
West Oxfordshire District Council is no longer distributing printed recycling calendars to everyone in the district. Instead, people are asked to download one from their website.
Using the 'My West Oxfordshire' site
WODC say: "You can find your waste & recycling collection calendar by entering your postcode and clicking on your property's address using the council's My West Oxfordshire search."
Direct link
The above link may not work if you have WODC sacks rather than wheelie-bins, so here's a direct link:
On the Charlbury website
You'll now see a reminder on the front page four days before each collection, saying what sort of collection it is and which day. It's below the live train times and weather.
(The calendar link and website display apply to all properties whose usual collection day is Tuesday.)
Richard Fairhurst ·
Wed 2 Oct 2013, 11:13 · Link
Charlburys Community Led Plan
For those of you who came to see us at Street Fair, we had a summary update on the work we have done so far. This isn't a conclusion, just a way to keep you up to date with progress. We are continuing with further consultation, at the Bowls Club on the 8th Oct. & The Fire Station on the 10th Oct., both at 3pm to 4.30pm. Just drop by to add your views to those already gathered.
Go to our community page on the website to see what we are doing.
Jim Holah
Jim Holah ·
Tue 1 Oct 2013, 19:06 · Link
