We have just taken delivery of the Charlbury jigsaw map consisting of 408 pieces making an overall size of 47cm x 31cm, ideal Christmas present or something for holiday rentals or air B&B establishments.
Tim Widdows · Wed 30 Nov 2022, 16:51 · Link
Churches Together in Charlbury are again running a Reverse Advent Calendar project for The Porch Oxford. Flyers are available in the churches and in Cornerstone with ideas of what can be put in your box or bags. Once completed please bring them to St Marys or Cornerstone by the 14th January when they will be delivered to the Porch.
Many thanks.
You may have noticed that along with the Community Centre we have a Christmas Tree in Cornerstone. This is decorated with tags marked with Christmas hamper items. You can take a tag and bring us back the Christmas foods which will go towards making up Christmas hampers. This is being run by the Branch charity in Chipping Norton and hampers will be provided to households in need including those we support in Charlbury.
We will also be distributing vouchers to our families to help them purchase gifts for their children, and we will do an extra food parcel for Christmas. If you would like to help us financially with this, please do come in and donate in store.
A number of people have been kind enough to donate us their energy rebates - we are very happy to receive more of these. Details of how to donate can be found at https://www.charlburychurch.co.uk/cornerstone
Finally, we have Christmas cards for sale in Cornerstone so do come and have a browse.
Many thanks all
Many thanks to all who filled Christmas Shoeboxes for needy children and families in Eastern Europe this year . Special thanks to the children of Charlbury Primary School and their families for taking part and to those who used their sewing and knitting skills to make additional gifts to accompany the boxes.
Seventy eight shoeboxes were collected in all, which will go to children and families in Romania and Moldova this year.
Joan Belshaw
Christine Pearce · Tue 29 Nov 2022, 23:02 · Link
After a very successful Poppy Appeal this year, I am delighted to announce that £5865.06 was raised by the communities and businesses of Charlbury, Taston, Chilson, Finstock and Fawler. A huge thank you to all our volunteers who worked tirelessly for weeks with house to house and street collecting, the Coffee Morning and Band Concert events we organised and the team who counted all the monies collected. And to all of our communities who showed such huge support for the Poppy Appeal, THANK YOU.
Kindest regards, Kim Harrison, Poppy Appeal Organiser, Charlbury.
Kim Harrison · Tue 29 Nov 2022, 12:03 · Link
Contrary to an erroneous posting in a local publication, the next CRAG TEA-CONCERT will take place at 1500 hrs in the Memorial Hall on Sunday DECEMBER 4th.
We are delighted to welcome the fabulous choir of SOMERVILLE COLLEGE Oxford who will offer a seasonal programme of beautiful music for Advent. Their concert in the 2019 series was a sell-out success so be sure to get your ticket very soon! Tea and homemade cakes included. Please email nick.parker@cooptel.net for tickets
Nick Parker · Tue 29 Nov 2022, 09:11 · Link
Please keep a look out for our juvenile hedgehogs. This one weighed only 300grams, not enough to make it through the winter. It is being fostered, kept warm and fed through the winter and will be released in the Spring (not necessarily in Charlbury). Probably its sibling was squashed by a car along Pooles Lane.
Flora Gregory · Mon 28 Nov 2022, 16:56 · Link
The Town Council has an e-bike for Charlbury (adult) residents to borrow. Residents can borrow it for a couple of weeks at a time completely free of charge. We are interested to know what people think about it, how it fits into their lives and what type of journeys people are using it for.
If you would like to borrow it then request it here: https://charlbury-tc.gov.uk/borrow-the-council-e-bike/. It is available from this weekend (4th December).
Note: you will have to provide your own cycle helmet.
Lisa Wilkinson · Mon 28 Nov 2022, 16:06 · Link
The following planning applications have recently been lodged. Click on the address to see full details at the WODC website.
Mon 28 Nov 2022, 06:15 · Link
Over 100 Christmas trees have now been delivered to houses and businesses around Charlbury. They will be decorated with lights and then placed in brackets on buildings to decorate the town centre for Christmas. Some were actually in position and lit shortly after delivery!!
Thank you to all who support this scheme, started by the then Chamber of Commerce many years ago. We know from comments received that it is greatly appreciated.
We would also like to give a big "thank you" to Team Christmas Trees (Liz and Anna, Stephen, Bob and Simon) , the group of volunteers who have helped to continue the scheme since the demise of the Chamber of Commerce.
Hopefully, a tree (or trees) has been delivered to all those who ordered. Delivering the trees around Charlbury, with its narrow streets and nooks and crannies, is no mean feat. If there are any issues, please contact Charlbury Christmas Trees on 01608 810260 or 07969208518.
Thank you to again to all who support the scheme. Enjoy the Christmas lights.
Janet Burroughs · Sun 27 Nov 2022, 06:36 · Link
Just wanted to give you a quick update as promised...
The Christmas Fair is open tomorrow (27th November) from 10am until 3pm in the Memorial Hall, with Santa having confirmed his arrival at 11am.
There is a Cafe serving hot and cold refreshments, a raffle and Street Fair are holding a tombola to raise funds for the Corner House and Memorial Hall.
Other stalls include jewellery; wooden gifts/crafts; hand painted rocks, pots and boxes; a Charlbury Artist, Emma Hunt, selling fabulous cards and prints; stained glass decorations; knitted hats and gnomes; metal ornaments; hand sewn bags, bunting and other wonderful items; printed bags; the WI with their preserves and cakes (and there will be marmalade as promised at the Coffee Morning); bear based gifts and nappy cakes; soap and skincare; Ben Williams stone carver; bug houses; handmade chocolates and last, but not least, Camtali's dog bakery.
We do hope as many of you as possible come to support this event and look forward to seeing you there.
Nikki Frankum · Sat 26 Nov 2022, 14:18 · Link
It is not too late to sponsor and decorate a tree for your organisation for the St Mary’s Christmas tree festival 2022!
We still have some left and are keen and light up the churchyard with Christmas joy. It is a wonderful event, and a great way to advertise your organisation.
Don’t forget the 2 events that will be taking place, as well as the café.
The ‘Jazz &Trees’ bubbly & canapé party on Friday 9th December and the Wychwood Chorale will be holding their annual Christmas concert on Saturday 10th December. The ‘Jazz &Trees’ will be a ticketed event, with tickets available from the Cornerstone from early November.
Please apply using the booking form below and if you can help with baking cakes, catering, stewarding or sponsoring or have any questions, please get in touch:
Maureen Sparling · Fri 25 Nov 2022, 08:58 · Link
As so many people have recently asked at Cafe de la Gare when Charlbury Station ticket office is going to be open, I have asked for a schedule of opening times. I can advise that the station is only due to be open on Wednesday 30th November and thereafter possibly from 5th December, subject to confirmation. I will post further updates as and when I receive them.
For clarity, the station opening times are supposed to be weekdays 05:50 - 12:00 and Saturdays 06:45 - 13:15.
Hugo Pickering · Wed 23 Nov 2022, 09:10 · Link
The Town Council is holding an information session on 3rd December about how to keep warm and reduce energy bills.
We are printing a leaflet to be delivered to every household in Charlbury. Any volunteers to help with the delivery of these would be very much appreciated.
Thank you
Lisa Wilkinson · Tue 22 Nov 2022, 14:52 · Link
If you are passing by the museum please wander into the garden and take a look at the museum's new sign, created by stone carver Ben Williams, of Charlbury.
Carved in York stone and featuring a beautifully carved gauntlet, an appropriate image from Charlbury's historic gloving trade.
The sign was commissioned by Charlbury Museum in memory of Jennifer Bartlett (1935 - 2020), Jennifer was born in the town and had a long association with both the museum and the Charlbury Society. She was a talented artist, and the museum wished commemorate her life by commissioning a contemporary work from another Charlbury artist/craftsperson.
Sue Rangeley · Mon 21 Nov 2022, 11:30 · Link
There are a few places left for the Christmas Wreath-Making Workshop organised by the Garden Society for the 5th December, see https://www.charlbury.info/events/8325.
Geneviève Hug · Mon 21 Nov 2022, 09:00 · Link
The following planning applications have recently been lodged. Click on the address to see full details at the WODC website.
Mon 21 Nov 2022, 06:15 · Link
The 2022 WFT AGM will take place at Leafield Village Hall on November 22nd from 6.30pm to 9.30pm.
Our CEO, Neil Clennel, will offer an update on the year's activities on our nature reserves and an overview of plans for 2023.
This year, we are also delighted to welcome the nature author and conservationist Hannah Bourne-Taylor. Fresh from her London event, The Feather Speech, she will talk to us about why Every Bird Counts.
On 5th November, in collaboration with the RSPB, Hannah presented The Feather Speech, unclothed and painted in feathers, at Speaker's Corner in Hyde Park before proceeding to Downing Street to deliver a petition to protect swifts. Her mission is to start a national conversation about biodiversity in Britain, particularly red listed birds, in the run up to COP 15 Biodiversity in early December.
We are very grateful to Hannah, who lives locally and is a great supporter of the WFT, for taking the time to come and talk to us and answer any questions.
It looks set to be a really engaging evening. Please come and enjoy a glass of wine and a mince pie. We look forward to seeing you there! All welcome.
In order to help us manage numbers, please email maeve@wychwoodforesttrust.co.uk if you will be attending.
Maeve Bradbury · Wed 16 Nov 2022, 13:59 · Link
A drop-in event highlighting sources of support in dealing with cost-of-living increases will be held at the Corn Exchange, Market Square, Witney, OX28 6AB on Thursday, 24 November from 10.00 a.m.to 1.00 p.m.
A range of organisations including Citizens Advice, Cottsway, West Oxfordshire District Council, Oxfordshire County Council, CAP Debt Help and Oxfordshire Mind will be on hand to offer advice and support.
If you would like to go to this event but do not have private or public transport (the X9 goes to Witney and there is a bus stop by Market Square), ATIC may be able to help (call them on 01993 776277 (9.00 to 1.00 on weekdays, giving plenty of notice)
Please pass this information on to anyone you think might be interested and who may not see this notice on the website.
Meryl Smith · Wed 16 Nov 2022, 12:08 · Link
St Mary's are hosting Charlbury's Antique Roadshow on Saturday, 19th November from 10.30am. Come along to have your treasures valued by Nicholas Granger, professional auctioneer seen on Antiques Road Trip. There will be tea, coffee and cake while you wait. No need to make an appointment, just come along on the day. More info on events tab.
daniela jenkins · Tue 15 Nov 2022, 12:34 · Link
From First Group:
On both Saturday 19th and Monday 21st November, RMT members at Network Rail’s signalling centre near Didcot Parkway will be on strike. This is regarding a local disciplinary matter and unrelated to the other strikes that have taken place this year.
As this is a crucial part of the network controlling all signalling between London Paddington, the Cotswolds, south Wales, west and south west of England, we will only be able to run a reduced number of services and those in the affected area will start much later and finish much earlier than usual. The train schedule is currently being confirmed and will be in online systems later this week. As with previous strikes, there will be a knock-on impact for the days after strikes, on Sunday 20th and Tuesday 22nd November. For further information please see www.gwr.com/strike.
As this isn’t a national strike the level of awareness isn’t high, and will affect many passengers including heading to the rugby at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff and Twickenham Stadium in London. We’d be grateful if you could share this information through your networks.
We have also received notice that the ASLEF union (train drivers) will be on strike on Saturday 26th November. As with previous ASLEF action, this will severely limit train services and we expect to only be able to operate a very limited service between Bristol and London, Reading and Oxford, and Reading and Basingstoke. Exact details of the train schedule will be confirmed next week.
We will write to you again later this week when the train schedule for Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday as well as Saturday 26th has been confirmed.
Gareth Epps · Mon 14 Nov 2022, 18:42 · Link
The following planning applications have recently been lodged. Click on the address to see full details at the WODC website.
Mon 14 Nov 2022, 06:15 · Link
After the success of The Lionesses in the summer, Charlbury Town West Oxfordshire Wildcats Under 14 won the Autumn League.
After a disappointing first game against a strong Oxford Blackbirds, we beat Summertown Allstars, Chinnor, Wantage and Witney Vikings.
The final game of the Autumn League was against Harwell and Hendred, who had only lost one league game in two years. Anything but a win for us would have seen Harwell and Hendred win the league.
Within 20 minutes we were winning 3-0, and went into half-time leading 3-1. We produced a strong defensive display in the second-half and were leading 4-2 with 10 minutes to go. Harwell and Hendred scored with 5 minutes remaining, but we managed to see the game out to win 4-3 and win the league, which is our first trophy.
We are extremely proud of the way the team have played this Autumn.
Steve and Shelley
Shelley Parsons · Sat 12 Nov 2022, 20:09 · Link
The trees that decorate the town centre for Christmas will be delivered Saturday 26 November.
Reference previous news item, if you missed the deadline but want a tree for your bracket we can still arrange this if you contact us.
Please contact us on Charlbury Christmas Trees by email (burroughs871@btinternet.com) or by phone (810260).
Janet Burroughs · Sat 12 Nov 2022, 11:03 · Link
Alexandra Pilates and Oxfork Present: The Sunday Sessions
Deep-dive pilates workshops followed by delicious communal dinners. Suitable for all levels at The Memorial Hall in Charlbury brought to you by two local small businesses.
Exploring Fascia - Sunday 27th November
A full-body pilates experience exploring myofascial pilates and self-guided massage. For those looking to feel energised, lengthened and re-balanced.
Pre-Christmas Grounding - Sunday 18th December
Focusing on awakening the deep stabilising muscles, postural alignment (ideal for those desk-working or feeling the strain) complimented by a breathwork session to feel relaxed and positive.
Introduction to Pilates - Sunday 8th January
Exploring the fundamentals of STOTT Pilates. Ideal for those wanting to start (or are coming back to) pilates.
Gift voucher available (treat your loved one to the gift of pilates!)
Each workshop will be followed by a lovely, nutritious two course dinner from Chloe at Oxfork using local, seasonal (and mostly organic) produce.
Sunday Sessions run at Charlbury Memorial hall from 5.45pm (for 6pm start) - 9pm
Early bird rate (until 20th November): £40 (£45 thereafter)
Book any two workshops: £75
To book: alexandrapilates@outlook.com
Chloe Horner · Fri 11 Nov 2022, 16:26 · Link
We still have spaces left for this event, which includes a two course meal after the talk. It's taking place in the Memorial Hall next Saturday 19th November, doors will open at 5.45 and the talk will start at 6.
If you'd like to book a place and a meal please email secretary@charlburyrefugee.org.uk by Thursday 17th November. Please let us know if you’d like a vegetarian or meat chilli for the meal and if you have any dietary restrictions. There will be wine and soft drinks available too. We're suggesting a £10 donation on the door per person (to include the meal) and all proceeds will go to charity.
If you'd just like to come along on the night to listen to the talk, but not stay for the meal, that would be fine too. The talk should finish at about 7.30.
You can read more about Freshta, who is a refugee living in Oxford, on our event page.
Vicky Buser · Fri 11 Nov 2022, 09:11 · Link
Have your treasures valued by Nicholas Granger, professional auctioneer seen on Antiques Road Trip.
Join us at St Mary's on Saturday, 19th November from 10.30am to 3pm to support St Mary's and its community initiatives. No need to make an appointment, just turn up with your treasures. There will be tea, coffee and cake while you wait. See Events tab for more details.
daniela jenkins · Wed 9 Nov 2022, 09:32 · Link
According to the Pulhams Coaches website, the X9 bus from Charlbury to Chipping Norton and Witney now takes card payments.
You can see the X9 timetable on the Pulhams site.
Richard Fairhurst · Tue 8 Nov 2022, 15:24 · Link
There's still time to complete the survey on the proposed zebra crossing on The Slade. The closing date is 14th November. Find the survey at: https://charlbury-tc.gov.uk/
Thank you
Lisa Wilkinson · Tue 8 Nov 2022, 10:45 · Link
Come and hear Afghan educator Freshta Karim, now a refugee living in Oxford, talk about her experience setting up children’s libraries in Kabul.
Sat 19th November, doors open at 5.45 for a 6pm start in Charlbury Memorial Hall. To book a place email secretary@charlburyrefugee.org.uk by Thursday 17th November. Please let us know if you’d like a vegetarian or meat option for the meal and if you have any dietary restrictions. A £10 donation on the door (cash or card) is suggested, and all proceeds will be used to support Afghan refugees.
Freshta has featured on the BBC's list of 100 influential women in 2021, Forbes 30 Under 30 and Young Global Leaders for the World Economic Forum. Find out more on our event page: https://www.charlbury.info/events/8224
Vicky Buser · Sun 6 Nov 2022, 11:54 · Link
From First Group:
You may have seen the news this afternoon that the RMT union has called off its strike action planned for tomorrow (Sat 5th), Monday 7th and Wednesday 9th November at both Network Rail and train operators, including GWR. We welcome these developments and we’re hopeful that today’s news brings us a step closer to resolving this long-running dispute.
Unfortunately the very late notice cancellation of strike action – less than 12 hours before it was scheduled to begin – means train services this weekend and into the start of next week will remain severely disrupted with some parts of our network having no service whatsoever, as per our updates earlier this week.
This includes travel to the rugby international at Cardiff tomorrow (Saturday) between Wales & New Zealand; our advice to those travelling to the match remains to not travel by train.
Customers should continue to only travel by train if necessary, and to make alternative arrangements. Anyone planning to travel should check their journey using https://www.journeycheck.com/greatwesternrailway/ and our dedicated strike page at www.gwr.com/strike. Ticketing arrangements for the proposed strike days remain in place, including refunds and the ability to travel on a different day up to and including Friday 11th November. We will also be sharing the latest on our social media via www.twitter.com/gwrhelp.
Any help you can give to share this message – including this tweet https://twitter.com/GWRHelp/status/1588564161696792578 – amongst your networks would be greatly appreciated.
We will continue to keep you updated as the situation develops, including at the start of next week.
Best wishes
Tom & Toby
Thomas Lydon
Public Affairs Manager, Great Western Railway
Toby Elliott
Head of Communications, Network Rail Western
Gareth Epps · Fri 4 Nov 2022, 17:56 · Link
Up to 3 native tree saplings can be ordered FREE for planting in your garden. Use the illustrated garden tree guide to help you choose the most appropriate trees for your small, medium, or large garden. Applications must be in before 23rd November and trees can be collected in Charlbury. Numbers are limited and will be offered on a first come first served basis.
This Garden Tree Giveaway is being funded by the International Tree Foundation which is supporting Oxfordshire Trees Collaborate, a partnership of community tree planting groups and supporting organisations working together to encourage appropriate tree planting in the Oxfordshire.
Christine Elliott · Thu 3 Nov 2022, 11:26 · Link
There is still time to book your tickets for the much anticipated Quiz being held on 12th November at St Mary's church. To book a table contact Dine Glasgow at dglasgow@theridgegroup.com - don't delay, so you don't miss out on a fun night out.
More details can be found on the Events Page. All proceeds to support St Mary's and its community initiatives.
daniela jenkins · Wed 2 Nov 2022, 16:51 · Link
The 1st Charlbury Unit Girl Guides have been working on their photography badge and have a display up in the Community Centre. We’ve been learning that all the aspects of ‘old-school’ photography still apply in the digital realm.
We are offering our photos for sale to raise funds for both the Guiding unit and to help offset the cost of repairs to the roof of the Scout and Guide Hut.
Photos are for sale for £10 each. Why not grab some original work by a Charlbury Guide and make a charitable contribution at the same time?!
Get in touch for more info!
Michele and Eric
Charlbury Girl Guides
07817 890 787
michele marietta · Wed 2 Nov 2022, 09:23 · Link
booking_form_ctf_2022_3.docx