News

Gold Rollerball Bracelet Found

Thank you to all who have been looking. Ken found it today, despite the long grass. I am so very lucky!!!

Helen Josephine Wright · Fri 29 May 2015, 15:05 · Link

Peter Kenrick is new Town Council chairman

At the Annual Meeting of Charlbury Town Council on 20th May, Peter Kenrick was elected unopposed as the new chairman.

Peter was until recently chairman of Street Fair, and before that chairman of Charlbury Scouts & Guides. He has lived in Charlbury for over 30 years.

The council voted its thanks to Nick Potter who has served as chairman for 20 years continuously.

The new vice-chairman is Richard Fairhurst.

Wed 27 May 2015, 16:28 · Link

CCCA launches "Buy a Brick" Campaign

Charlbury Community Centre Appeal, Launch of "Buy a Brick"

We need your help to get the very best Community Centre we can afford. So we're asking people to 'buy a brick' and make a personal contribution to the new building. In return, your name will be permanently displayed in the Centre.

In reality there aren't any actual bricks to buy, due to the design of the building! However for just £25 you can metaphorically 'buy a brick' which means your name will be displayed on a permanent feature honouring supporters in the foyer. If you can donate more, please feel free to do so. If you want to include all your family, you can either buy individual 'bricks' or make one £25 donation and your family name eg. 'The Bloggs Family' will be displayed on the list.

What a great way to be remembered by future generations as one of the original people who helped to get our Community Centre off the ground. Whatever level of support you choose, your contribution is greatly appreciated and will be put to good use.

There are several ways you can 'buy a brick':
Via the internet please visit www.charlburycommunitycentre.org.uk/ and pay using Just Giving. NB: it's important to fill in the 'LEAVE A MESSAGE BOX' saying your donation is for your Buy a Brick plus PRINT the name or family name exactly how you want it to appear on the display.

Alternatively you can pay by cash, cheque or bank transfer by contacting sarah@sarahaeaton.com or ask for more information.

Tanya Stevenson · Tue 26 May 2015, 15:28 · Link

Tool thefts from work vans

Chipping Norton Police are urging residents to be vigilant following a number of thefts of tools and other items from work vans in recent weeks. The two most recent offences have been in Charlbury on Ticknell Piece Road and The Green between the 21st and 22nd of May.

Offences have been reported across the Chipping Norton and surrounding villages and neighboring towns. The types of vans targeted have been Citroen Berlingo, Mercedes Sprinter, Ford Transit. There has been a number of Ford Transit vans targeted however it is unknown how offenders are gaining entry as there is no damage to the vehicle and the vehicles have definitely been locked by the owners.

All of the offences have taken place overnight and have occurred on residential roads and driveways.

We would like to make local residents aware of the current increase in offences towards unattended vans, and to take additional care with their vehicles and property, as well as considering additional security measures for their vans.

Tools are extremely valuable and can have a huge impact on small businesses when stolen. It is really important that tradesmen and tradeswomen take action to secure their vehicles over and above the standard provided by vehicle manufacturers.

Please consider installing lock boxes, additional interior alarms, and above all mark your tools and other property. Marking property using etching tools and selecta DNA is preferable. This is essential in helping us identify victim's property when we recover suspected stolen property.

We ask that the public be extra vigilant around unattended vans parked in the area after dark. Please report any suspicious activity and anyone loitering around vans to police. We are also keen to hear from anyone who can identify people selling tools in unusual circumstances or for unusually cheap prices to contact the police immediately.

Officers are undertaking additional patrols in areas where the offences are taking place.

Anyone with any information about who may be committing this type of crime is encouraged to contact the 24-hour Thames Valley Police Enquiry Centre on 101.

If you don't want to speak directly to the police, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.

The following prevention/reduction actions and advice will assist police and partners to reduce the potential risk of crime and prevent members of the public from becoming victims.

Crime prevention advice

• Always remove tools from your vehicle where possible and keep them in a locked store
• If you own a garage, always use it to secure your vehicle
• Always check that your vehicle has locked correctly if using a key fob, don't assume that it has locked- double check
• If you have to park your vehicle in a public place ensure that it is parked in a well lit location ideally covered by CCTV cameras
• Consider fitting an internal alarm system to your vehicle separate from the installed vehicle alarm, low cost alarms are readily available
• Fit internal security lockers or cages for your tools and use good quality padlocks to secure them
• Consider fitting additional external security locks and use good quality padlocks.
• Post-code or mark all tools using ultraviolet pens or engravers, forensic marking such as Selecta DNA or Smartwater can also be used
• Keep a record of all your tools including serial numbers and identifying marks.

Additional security to your vehicle try the Texting Shed Alarm - Mini PIR SMS Alarm with Remote Control (which also works in your vehicle): go to www.personalalarms.com and search for the above item.

Wes Smith
PCSO c9837

Wesley Smith · Sat 23 May 2015, 15:02 · Link

Charlbury resident selected to compete at Miss Oxfordshire 2015

Layla Claridge, resident of Park Street, Charlbury, has been selected to compete for the title of Miss Oxfordshire on 7th June 2015 at the Oxford Belfrey. If Layla wins the competition she will represent Oxfordshire in the iconic Miss England competition later on in the year.
Layla opened Charlbury Street Fair in 2013 and compered Riverside Festival under her Miss Oxfordshire Inspiration title from 2013. Since then she has been working as an Excursion's Leader on board cruise ship M/V Aegean Odyssey for Voyages to Antiquity, a company based in Summertown, Oxford. Now back on home soil Layla is keen to promote Charlbury and Oxfordshire again which has encouraged her to enter Miss Oxfordshire, to have a chance to represent the city and hopefully England in one of the most famous pageants. Layla is keen to promote the values of having beauty and intelligence and using those assets to the best means, whilst also encouraging the younger generation to follow their dreams.
Layla is looking forward to getting involved in the local community and will be happy to attend any functions or events.
You can follow Layla's progress here www.missengland.info/regionals/oxfordshire
For further information please contact Layla Claridge on 00447500017382 or Layla-claridge@sky.com

LaylaM · Sat 23 May 2015, 03:58 · Link

Charlbury Deli and Cafe - can you help?

Charlbury Deli & Cafe, a community-owned business at the heart of the town, is looking for new directors due to retirement.

The aim is that the new board of directors will kickstart a creative review of the best way forward for the Deli - so that it continues to be a thriving and successful shop.

This is an opportunity to:

• share your business or retail expertise
• help shape the future of this popular local shop
• contribute your ideas

To express your interest in this voluntary role, please email deli@charlbury.info by 8 June.

Richard Fairhurst · Thu 21 May 2015, 17:24 · Link

Latest planning applications to West Oxfordshire District Council

The following planning applications have recently been lodged. Click on the address to see full details at the WODC website.

• Land North Of Ditchley Road Charlbury Oxfordshire
  Demolition of exisitng range of single storey sheds and erection of six dwellings with associated access, parking and landscaping works.
  WODC reference: 15/01563/FUL - Thu 14 May 2015 - Under consideration

Wed 20 May 2015, 17:12 · Link

Notice of Town Councillor Election

Nominations are invited for the one vacant seat on Charlbury Town Council. The following excerpts are taken from the official notice:

"Nomination Papers may be obtained from the offices of the Returning Officer, Council Offices, Woodgreen, Witney, Oxon, OX28 1NB on Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm (excluding any bank holidays). They may alternatively be obtained from the Clerk of Charlbury Town Council (Roger Clarke, 01608 810608).

"Nomination Papers must be delivered to the Returning Officer, at the Electoral Services Office, Council Offices, Woodgreen, Witney, Oxon, OX28 1NB, on any date after the date of this notice, on Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm (excluding any bank holidays), but not later than 4pm on Friday 29 May 2015

"(If the) election is contested, the poll will take place on Thursday 25 June 2015."

For further information, see www.westoxon.gov.uk/elections or telephone 01993 861410.

Susie Finch · Mon 18 May 2015, 21:07 · Link

(edited) Cally Robson's funeral at St Mary's Church

Following the death of Charlbury resident Cally Robson, there will be a service at St Mary's Church at 2 p.m. Thursday 4th June to celebrate her life. Those who knew Cally and who would like to join us, her family and out of town friends, would be most welcome. The dress code will be 'summer colours'!

Cut flowers were never a favourite of Cally's, so we would suggest that you don't bring or send flowers.

After the service, please also join us at our tea party at North Lodge, Cornbury Park.

So that we will have an idea of numbers attending, please message me through this site if you plan to come.

Jenny Chambers · Mon 18 May 2015, 12:06 · Link

Sustainable Charlbury re-submits planning application for Southill Solar

Sustainable Charlbury re-submitted its planning application for the proposed Southill Solar community-owned solar farm on Friday 1st May. The application is expected to be heard at the Uplands Planning Committee at its meeting on Monday 6th July.
The revised, much smaller scheme has been designed to reduce visual impact to negligible or nil from all vantage points. Further information, and opportunities for the public to discuss the proposals, will be available on the Sustainable Charlbury website later this week.

Liz Reason · Mon 18 May 2015, 08:12 · Link

Latest planning applications to West Oxfordshire District Council

The following planning applications have recently been lodged. Click on the address to see full details at the WODC website.

• Land West Of Fawler Road Charlbury Oxfordshire
  Erection of Photovoltaic panels, boundary fencing and associated equipment. Hedgerow, stone wall and landscape restoration
  WODC reference: 15/01523/FUL - Tue 28 Apr 2015 - Under consideration

Mon 18 May 2015, 07:05 · Link

LOST: GOLD BRACELET

LOST GOLD BRACELET

LOST on Thursday, 14th May

During Dog Walk at Ticknell Piece

(Area walked: Car Park near Bowls Club : Millenium Wood Lane near Quarry
& Field)

Description: Hand-made Gold Chain Bracelet;

each oval chain link connected by round thicker link & free moving.

Reward offered: Helen Wright 07702 087802

Jean Andrews · Fri 15 May 2015, 21:40 · Link

Latest planning applications to West Oxfordshire District Council

The following planning applications have recently been lodged. Click on the address to see full details at the WODC website.

• Frankswell House Fishers Lane Charlbury
  Proposed works to fell a tree.
  WODC reference: 15/01661/TCA - Thu 07 May 2015 - Under consideration
• The Old Bake House Market Street Charlbury
  Conversion of offices and erection of new build to form 3 dwellings - Variation of Condition 2 of permission 13/1717/P/FP to allow alterations to fenestration
  WODC reference: 15/01554/S73 - Thu 30 Apr 2015 - Under consideration
• Anvil Cottage Pooles Lane Charlbury
  Alterations to include replacement windows and doors, installation of new window, widening of existing access to garden, removal of existing fence, new stone all to form bin store and erection of timber garden store.
  WODC reference: 15/01436/HHD - Wed 22 Apr 2015 - Under consideration

Mon 11 May 2015, 07:05 · Link

Andy Graham elected to District Council

Andy Graham (Liberal Democrat) has been elected as the new West Oxfordshire District Council member for Charlbury and Finstock, joining Liz Leffman. The seat was formerly held by Hywel Davies of the Conservatives.

The turnout, at 77.53%, was the second highest in the district. All other District Council seats up for election yesterday were taken by the Conservatives.

• Andy Graham (Liberal Democrats), 1018
• Rory MacArthur (Conservative), 790
• Celia Kerslake (Green), 255
• Georgia Mazower (Labour), 171
• Stephen Nash (UKIP), 123

Results for the Witney parliamentary constituency, which includes Charlbury, are:

• David Cameron (Conservative), 35201
• Duncan Enright (Labour), 10046
• Simon Strutt (UKIP), 5352
• Andy Graham (Liberal Democrat), 3953
• Stuart Macdonald (Green), 2970
• Clive Peedell (National Health Action), 616
• and six candidates with under 200 votes each

(Figures from the WODC website.)

Richard Fairhurst · Fri 8 May 2015, 07:17 · Link

Cement mixer overturns on Nine Acres Lane

A Breedon Aggregates cement mixer has overturned on Nine Acres Lane, demolishing the adjacent stone wall. No-one was injured.

The accident took place on Wednesday afternoon, immediately after the sharp 90-degree bend and junction with Nine Acres Close. Police have closed the road for recovery to take place.

Richard Fairhurst · Wed 6 May 2015, 18:24 · Link

"Pub licensees outraged by community listing"

From the Morning Advertiser:

"Freeholder Stuart Matthews of the Bull Inn, Charlbury, west Oxfordshire, voiced his anger after his pub was given an ACV [Asset of Community Value listing] when he applied for planning permission to convert it into dwellings.

"Matthews said: 'I understand that ACVs can be enormously helpful in protecting pubs against large developers but we're a private enterprise with just one site. We applied to change the use of the site on the basis the town is well subscribed with alternative venues. Even selling the pub wasn't an option because pub prices have been so decimated.

"'Communities can apply for pubs to be ACVs but there's no law that says they have to use the pubs. It's handcuffs slapped on you by a very one-sided piece of legislation.'

"Charlbury, a town of 2,000 people, has another three pubs alongside numerous sports and social clubs and cafés.

"West Oxfordshire district council said that the Bull Inn met the criteria for an ACV and was therefore listed accordingly but declined to comment further. Matthews contacted his local MP, Prime Minister David Cameron, about the listing, who confirmed he had spoken to the district council and been assured the correct processes had been followed."

Tue 5 May 2015, 12:30 · Link

Latest planning applications to West Oxfordshire District Council

The following planning applications have recently been lodged. Click on the address to see full details at the WODC website.

• Linwall Sturt Road Charlbury
  Remove conservatory and erection of single storey extension.
  WODC reference: 15/01532/HHD - Wed 08 Apr 2015 - Under consideration

Mon 4 May 2015, 07:05 · Link