News

Maundy Money

Derek Fowler is to receive Maundy Money from the Queen at Christ Church Cathedral today

Leah Fowler · Thu 28 Mar 2013, 07:15 · Link

Charlbury Weather Station

John Dora has upgraded his weather station (seen at www.dora.abelgratis.com/assets/Charlbury_Weather.html and 'live' at http://www.dora.abelgratis.com/assets/CharlburyWDL.html) having now commissioned a Davis Vantage Pro 2 instrument.

This now permits near live updates (every 2 -3 seconds) on the 'WDL' site, and measures rain and wind to a greater degree of accuracy and sensitivity than before. One day it'll be able to measure snowfall!

We hope you enjoy this development.

On a related note, the river gauge graph somehow was showing levels on the River Glyme at Woodstock. It has now been adjusted back to depict the River Evenlode levels at Shipton. Maybe the gauge at Woodstock had been affected by customers at the nearby Black Prince?

John Dora · Sat 23 Mar 2013, 17:23 · Link

Packed meeting hears plans for community centre

The Memorial Hall was standing room only on Thursday evening for the public meeting organised by the Thomas Gifford Charity, the charity that is building the new Community Centre on the derelict land at the Spendlove site.

For the trustees, Ian Cox gave a presentation describing the current plans, which can be summarised as:

• A multi-function sports hall capable of hosting indoor football/cricket, basketball etc. (the size of three badminton courts), but also capable of being reused for antiques fairs, wedding receptions and so on
• A library and education/club space, roughly equivalent in size to the full footprint of the Memorial Hall building
• 10 two-bedroom apartments, to be sold commercially (leasehold) to help fund the community facilities

The centre could potentially be open in mid-2015. The default funding plan is to cover the £1.1m cost using £350,000 held by Oxfordshire County Council from the sale of the old primary school site; £150,000 from the public appeal; £65,000 from Charlbury Town Council; £25,000 of the Thomas Gifford Charity's own funds; and £550,000 from the sale of the apartments. The meeting aimed to determine whether there was consensus for this approach or whether the people of Charlbury would prefer another method of raising funds.

You can download the full presentation here (200k PDF).

• community_centre_march_2013.pdf

Richard Fairhurst · Fri 22 Mar 2013, 23:29 · Link

Charlbury Street Fair

Stallholder bookings are now being accepted for this year's Street Fair on Saturday 21st September. Booking forms have been emailed to previous attendees, but if you haven't yet received yours, or you are a potential new stallholder, please email csfstalls@charlburystreetfair.org or visit www.charlburystreetfair.org

John Munro · Fri 22 Mar 2013, 06:05 · Link

Calling all Charlbury Organisations, Societies etc

This list, which can be found on the Town Council website was last updated in 2009 and it has been brought to my attention that several contact details have changed. I am in the process of updating this list, and wish to also insert email addresses. I would be grateful for any changes to the list, details, names, telephone numbers, email addresses etc plus any that should be removed or added. Please email me at susanna_finch@hotmail.com The list can be found here

Susie Finch · Tue 19 Mar 2013, 00:36 · Link

Donation in memory of Luke Nappin

Charlbury and Overseas Community Projects Ltd gratefully acknowledges the very generous donation of almost £1200 from the Nappin family, made on behalf of Luke Nappin's many friends in his memory. We look forward to distributing this money to good causes in the coming months. We know that young people and their sporting and recreational activities were always close to Luke's heart, and grant applications from community groups promoting these activities in and around Charlbury will be especially welcomed.

Independently of this wonderful donation, the committee of the Charlbury Beer Festival (the fundraising side of Charlbury and Overseas Community Projects) will be sponsoring a barrel in Luke's memory at this year's Festival on Saturday 29 June. We are confident that it will be - like Luke himself - extremely popular.

Mon 18 Mar 2013, 20:26 · Link

The Oxfordshire Project

The Oxfordshire project was set up initially in Witney in March 2012. It is a business and community networking group, with the aim to encourage Oxfordshire businesses to trade with each other and support each other. There are monthly meetings in Bicester, Cumnor, Witney, Chipping Norton and Charlbury, with the Charlbury meeting being at The Bell Hotel on the third thursday of the month from 12 to 2pm. Please look at the website www.oxfordshireproject.co.uk/ and do approach me if you have any questions or would like to attend the next meeting on 21st March to meet some like minded business people. Nicola.leyland@travelcounsellors.com

Nicola Leyland · Mon 18 Mar 2013, 10:56 · Link

Police appeal for witnesses - Criminal damage in Charlbury

Police are appealing for witnesses or anyone who has any information on the recent spate of criminal damage to vehicles in the Evenlode Close and Church Lane area. At this time it appears that three vehicles have had tyres punctured with a sharp implement.

It is believed the offences occurred in the early hours of the 15th of March.

Please contact police on 101

Follow us on Twitter on @tvp_chippy

Valou Pakenham-Walsh · Sat 16 Mar 2013, 09:01 · Link

Charlbury Solar Farm

Sustainable Charlbury has been in positive discussions with Cornbury Estate about the potential for setting up a 5 MW community-owned solar PV farm on its land. We are planning to hold a public meeting for those who would like to know more and/or get involved.

8pm Tuesday 26th March in the Cornbury Suite at The Bell

Liz Reason · Thu 14 Mar 2013, 17:47 · Link

Public Meeting - Thomas Gifford Trust

21st March 2013 at 19.30 inthe Memorial Hall

You are invited to a public meeting of the Thomas Gifford Trust to hear and discuss the Trust's proposals for the New Community Centre, on the Spendlove site.

After the meeting refreshments will be available, and there will be a further chance to discuss issues informally, with the Trustees, members of the community centre appeal committee and find out how you can get involved in the project.

russell robson · Fri 8 Mar 2013, 16:22 · Link

Free energy audits, energy-saving advice and energy performance certificates

Warming Oxfordshire/ Chipping Norton is able to provide free energy audits and reports as part of promoting the new Green Deal. Definitely worth pursuing if you're interested. This will be a time-limited offer so make contact soon as indicated on the leaflet.

Liz Reason · Wed 6 Mar 2013, 17:59 · Link

Little Lees affordable housing available

Soha Housing, the developers of the new site on Little Lees, are inviting applications for four "shared ownership" properties.

Two of the properties are two-bedroom houses, and two are two-bedroom flats. The value of each flat is estimated at around £175,000, and of each house at £205,000. Typically the purchaser would take out a mortgage to buy 50% of the property, and then pay Soha a subsidised monthly rent for the remaining 50% (of around £180-£210 per month).

Applicants must have a local connection with Charlbury. For further details, contact West Oxfordshire District Council's Housing Services department.

Soha will also be providing 11 rental properties on the same development.

Richard Fairhurst · Tue 5 Mar 2013, 12:40 · Link

Groovy Growing Project for children aged 4-14

This Charlbury Garden Society project focuses on children actively growing a variety of salad, flowers and vegetables throughout the year.

NEW this YEAR "Where does our Food come from?" research and activities

If you would like to join in and be kept informed of dates and details, please contact:

Wendy Clifford
Tel: 01608 811006
e-mail: wmf.clifford@virgin.net

NB. The first show is the Spring Show on Saturday 6th April in the Memorial Hall, Charlbury.

Christine Elliott · Mon 4 Mar 2013, 21:25 · Link