News

Southill Solar's line C proposal receives near-unanimous approval

At its third public meeting held in the Memorial Hall on Thursday 16th October, an audience of around 40 people saw the results of Southill Solar's Brolly Day. The exercise clearly demonstrated that the visual impact of the proposed solar farm would be minimal if all the panels were sited on or below line C. Even though this might mean a development a bit below 5 MW, the meeting was (almost) unanimous that the illustrations provide a compelling argument to planners about the limited visual impact of the scheme and the efforts of the community demonstrate its willingness to respond to the concern of planners and the AONB. A further report of the discussion will be provided on the Sustainable Charlbury website during the course of next week.

Liz Reason · Fri 17 Oct 2014, 08:32 · Link

Criminal damage to vehicles on Pooles Lane

Over the weekend of 11th/12th of October a vehicle has its tyre puncture multiple times.

This has happened again today the 16th on Pooles Lane to another vehicle during the day.

Can I please urge all residents to come forward and report any damage you have had to your vehicle.

The Police really need the help of the community help to catch this culprit who has caused thousands of pounds of damage to the residents of Charlbury.

If you have any information at all please contact police on 101.

Wes Smith
PCSO c9837
Chipping Norton
TEL: 101

Fri 17 Oct 2014, 06:50 · Link

Do you know these children?

Charlbury Museum would welcome your help in identifying the children in this photograph of Charlbury School around 1923. The teachers are John Barton and Mrs Ethel Thornett, but who are these girls and boys? We know that the girl on the far right of the middle row was born in 1916.

Janet Jeffs · Thu 16 Oct 2014, 10:55 · Link

Charlbury Community Centre Local praise from a surprise VIP

What do community cohesion, five aside football, a hightech library, lots of hard work and a fish 'n' chip van have in common? Answer: they all received praise from the Prime Minister when he made a surprise appearance at a buffet luncheon on Friday 10th October organised by Margie and Dine Glasgow.

The Rt Hon David Cameron took a couple of hours out of his busy international schedule for a milestone constituency matter - namely the fact that our proposed Charlbury Community Centre can now go ahead since funds have reached in excess of £1million.

In his speech, Mr Cameron paid tribute to the fundraising achievements of local organisations and individuals who have worked tirelessly to raise the necessary funds: "This is a clear demonstration of 'the big society' in local action - everyone working together to make things happen. And, as your MP, I'm delighted that you can now build this long-awaited centre for the benefit of everyone in the area."

The Prime Minister went on to note that additional funds will be required to fit the centre out and hoped that there will be cheque books at the ready to support CCCA's future fundraising events. He highlighted the fact that local people will be able to participate in indoor sports whereas previously they have had to travel further afield or not be involved at all. The sports facilities would be most welcome for children and teenagers as well as adults - cricket nets, five aside football, badminton, short tennis, yoga etc.

Mr Cameron concluded on a high note: "The inclusion of a state-of-the-art library in the scheme will be a vital 21st century resource for all Charlbury residents and I understand that the new Community Centre will complement all existing Charlbury amenities rather than replace them. But what about the Spendlove fish 'n' chip van that provides us with the occasional family supper which I collect on the way home from Witney?". Thankfully we were able to assure the Prime Minister that we hope to accommodate all the fast food vendors.

For further information please contact : Marjorie Glasgow, Chair, Thomas Gifford Trust mglasgow@theridgegroup.com

Jim Holah · Wed 15 Oct 2014, 12:00 · Link

Rico's Pizza

Rico's Pizza has informed us that they will be changing to their winter programme from Sunday 19th October, from the usual Monday evening to weekly on every Sunday until next year.
The Thomas Gifford Trust own the land at the Spendlove site and bring to you the various fast food outlets each week.

Jim Holah · Wed 15 Oct 2014, 11:46 · Link

Electrification being considered for Charlbury railway line

A new study published by Network Rail airs the possibility of electrifying the railway line from Oxford to Charlbury, and potentially running a train every half hour.

According to the document:

"In the short term, increased service frequency at the Oxford end of the route may provide an efficient means of serving demand growth... If this option was to be achieved by the extension of services from London Paddington terminating at Oxford onto the Cotswold line, then the possible electrification of the route between Wolvercot Junction and Hanborough or Charlbury would need to be considered as the most efficient system solution."

Network Rail forecasts that the current service will be sufficient until at least 2019, but notes:

"Should local factors cause growth to exceed that forecast then interventions are expected to be limited to train lengthening or through the provision of additional peak services at the eastern end of the route, utilising the existing turn back capability at Charlbury and/or Moreton-in-Marsh. There is also the potential for an additional Hanborough/Charlbury starting service to economically serve rail passenger demand noting that this may drive the requirement for the extension of electrification from Oxford."

Network Rail does not envisage full redoubling at any point before 2043, but notes that redoubling between Wolvercote Junction and Hanborough would provide a more "robust" service.

Richard Fairhurst · Mon 13 Oct 2014, 21:47 · Link

Halloween 'No Trick or Treat' Cards Available from Thames Valley Police

Residents wishing to not receive trick or treat callers this Halloween can display a card in their window informing visitors not to call. If anyone would like a card, please contact PCSO Wes Smith on wesley.smith@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk

Police will be carrying out patrols in the evenings to make sure that people who are trick-or-treating are doing so in a friendly manner and not causing a nuisance.

If you feel unsafe:
•Don't open your door if you're unsure who is there. Use your spyhole, look out of a window, and use your door chain if you do decide to open your door.
•Have a contact number of a close relative or good neighbour to hand by your telephone, just in case you need to phone them.
•If you are part of a Neighbourhood Watch scheme, let your coordinator know that you will be on your own at Halloween. If you are a coordinator, please identify people in your scheme that may be vulnerable and offer them reassurance.

Thames Valley Police will not tolerate any anti-social behaviour at any time of the year.

Mon 13 Oct 2014, 13:25 · Link

Recycling survey now on line

WODC is carrying out a survey in Chipping Norton, Witney and Carterton to find out why people take so much extra rubbish to the bring sites. People in Charlbury have asked to be able to complete the survey too, so Liz Leffman has got the questions from officers and the survey can now be done on line at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/KKBRX3G

As not everyone has access to a computer, a printed version will be distributed with Liz Leffman's next leaflet, with instructions about where to leave the completed forms for collection

Liz Leffman · Sun 12 Oct 2014, 16:27 · Link

CHRISTMAS HAMPER RAFFLE

A Christmas Hamper full of Christmas food and drink worth approximately £180 will be raffled off on 14 December to raise funds for St Teresa's Church, Charlbury.

Tickets are £5 a strip of 5 tickets (or £2 a single ticket)
and available at Cotswold Frames, News and Things and the Post Office.
A full list of contents is posted in these three venues.

The Draw will be held at the Mulled Wine and Mince Pie Reception after the St Teresa's Advent Carol Service on 14 December.

The funds raised will help with rising maintenance costs.

(Please note hamper not included - for display only)

For more information please contact:
Madeleine Wheare (mad@wheare.org) 810092

Madeleine Wheare · Sat 11 Oct 2014, 00:06 · Link

Reports of criminal activity in Charlbury

Between 29th/30th of September (suspected to be in the early hours) 3 properties on Playing Close have been burgled.

It appears the offenders have broken off key safes which are usually located by the front door of the properties, then broken the safes and retrieved the key from inside and gained entry that property.

Between the 28/29th of September a catalytic converter was stolen from a vehicle on Jefferson's Piece. 4x4 vehicles are targeted because of the easy access under the vehicle.

On the 28th of September on Marlborough Place offenders were disturbed breaking in to a vehicle. The offenders then left in a dark coloured estate vehicle with a loud exhaust.

If you have a key safe on your property we would suggest you remove the key from inside for the time being. The investigations are still ongoing trying to locate the offenders.

If anyone has any further information about these crime please contact police on 101

Wed 1 Oct 2014, 10:28 · Link