Get ready for the 2023 gardening season by joining or renewing your membership with the Garden Society at the Community Centre, on Wednesday 4th January 2pm-4pm, or Saturday 7th January 10am-12am.
See https://www.charlbury.info/events/8385
Geneviève Hug · Thu 29 Dec 2022, 11:44 · Link
Apologies to anyone who has tried to contact Fran Webber on the landline number advertised on CRAG's poster, to offer items for the Bring & Buy sale taking place on 7 January. Unfortunately, she has had problems with her landline and the number on the poster is unavailable. The number to ring for those with items to offer is 07929 290203.
Frances Webber · Wed 28 Dec 2022, 11:09 · Link
The following planning applications have recently been lodged. Click on the address to see full details at the WODC website.
Mon 26 Dec 2022, 06:15 · Link
Just a reminder that this year's Boxing Day Morris and Mumming mayhem takes place in the Corner House garden this year. Details here. (Don't want fans showing up at the wrong place and thinking we're on strike or something.)
Richard Broughton · Sat 24 Dec 2022, 17:05 · Link
Street Fair has - for auction to the highest bidder - a Family Ticket for a day on the Severn Valley Railway - see https://www.svr.co.uk. The ticket covers two adults and up to four children's and the SVR is one of the country's premier heritage railways with much character in its buildings and coaches as well as its locomotives.
They have also a nice museum at Highley Station.
Please send bids to csfchairman@charlburystreetfair.org by 6th January 2023.
Prof. John Dora,
Chair, Charlbury Street Fair Committee.
Update from GWR:
“In case you weren't already aware, the ticket office at Charlbury has unfortunately suffered a water leak in the void area between the ceiling and the roof. The leak, which lasted for a minimum of 15 hours, was caused by a frozen water pipe and flooded the ticket office, as well as saturating the ceiling, walls and floor. As a result, the ceiling may have to be replaced.
“Due to the unknown structural damage, potential risk to the electrics and the fact that the ceiling is lined with asbestos, the station building is currently condemned, and nobody will be allowed to enter until the new year. A surveyor will attend and assess the building in the first week of January.
“We wanted to make sure you are aware of the reasons behind the ticket office closure, and will be sure to keep you updated on any news.”
Thu 22 Dec 2022, 12:41 · Link
West Oxfordshire District Council will pick up real Christmas trees from all households following this year’s New Year festivities as it urges residents to reduce waste over Christmas to help the environment and make the most of their kerbside recycling services to save resources.
Residents wishing to recycle their trees will be able to leave them out on their scheduled garden waste collection day between Monday 9 to Friday 20 January. The service is available to all households - including those without a current garden waste licence - just so long as all the lights and decorations have been removed and the tree is presented by 6am on the scheduled day of collection.
Councillor Lidia Arciszewska, Cabinet Member for Environment at West Oxfordshire District Council, said: “With many of us favouring a real Christmas tree over an artificial one we are pleased to be collecting real Christmas trees for all households who need this service for a second year. We know residents really value this service as Christmas trees can be bulky and awkward to dispose of, particularly once the needles start to drop.
“However, it's not only Christmas trees. West Oxfordshire’s residents are some of the most dedicated recyclers in the country so with all the extra cardboard packaging, drink cans and bottles, and food waste that inevitably gets produced at this time of year, we’re asking everyone to keep up the good work and recycle as much as possible over the festive season and to reduce waste where they can. Anyone who is uncertain as to what items are accepted in the kerbside recycling can check the District Council’s website for details.”
To assist crews, residents are asked to cut their trees down to around 1-metre lengths which can either be left ready at the kerbside or put inside the garden waste bin if available.
However, there are other options for real Christmas trees. Trees with root balls can be re-potted so they can be kept for future years, while cut trees can be successfully home composted with a little bit of effort. Trees can be shredded and used as a mulch, or cut and stacked in the garden to create new habitats for insects.
Garden waste collections take place on the alternate week to the refuse collection for most properties. Anyone who is unsure when their collection is due can either visit the waste pages of the Council’s website (www.westoxon.gov.uk/binday) to view or download the waste calendar for their property or call the customer services team on 01993 861000 during office opening hours.
Real Christmas trees, along with excess recycling and refuse created over the Christmas break, can also be taken to one of Oxfordshire’s local Household Waste Recycling Centres. The sites, including Dix Pit in Stanton Harcourt, will open between 8am to 3pm on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve and will be shut on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.
Wed 21 Dec 2022, 09:55 · Link
CRAG’s bumper collection of donated items, including some donated by members of the St Mary’s church congregation, reached Calais on 13th December, in good time for Christmas and in the middle of a freezing cold snap which made them all the more welcome.
This time, with several depots closed or overflowing, Care4Calais was unable to help with transport and we relied instead on brilliant volunteers from Charlbury. Thank you so much to everyone who offered to drive - it was heartening to get so many responses to our plea for help.
Supporters of CRAG kindly donated funds for the costs of fuel and renting the van. We nearly filled a large van with boxes and bags of clothes, boots and shoes, sleeping bags, tents, blankets, hygiene items and more. Some of the items, such as socks and underwear, were brand new and had been bought specially.
Georgie Bradley, the volunteer driver, describes the effort:
The van was loaded at Alice’s house in record time on Monday afternoon thanks to extra help from Clare Salter and Rosie Foster. Georgie Bradley and Libby Robok set-off at 5.30am on Tuesday for Folkestone through the snowy Surrey countryside due to various accidents on the M25!
Arriving in Calais (the Care4Calais warehouse is a short drive from the Eurotunnel) they were greeted by a lovely team of cold but smiley and very grateful volunteers. The van was unloaded onto pallets for sorting by the 30 strong team of volunteers who work with the charity every day over the winter period.
It was wonderful to see the brightly coloured posters, maps, flags and drawings decorating the inside of the warehouse and encouraging you to discover more about different countries and cultures.
The warehouse stays open for deliveries and collections until 1.30pm when the volunteers then load up their vans for afternoon distributions in the local area. It is wonderful to be donating to such an enthusiastic, hard-working team - full of energy for this cause.
Georgie and Libby's photos (you can see them all here) give a good picture of the operation, and Ollie McAllister who runs the warehouse explains how the material is distributed:
The way in which we run our distributions is that refugees form a single file line at the back of our van (sometimes up to 250 people) and depending on the week, it might be that everybody receives a winter coat on one day.
We size the guys up, but they are given two or three choices for which coat they might want. On other weeks, we might do a trouser distribution and give people a choice between jeans or joggers. Or it might be that guys can choose one item from a possible three or four choices e.g jeans/ sleeping bag/ rucksack. If we get the sizing wrong on clothing items then there is the opportunity for the guys to change their item. We just have to consider the time that a distribution takes and how long people might be standing in a line for whilst it is cold, raining or snowing!
We distribute women's clothing in Dunkirk once a week so yes, this sort of donation would also be really warmly received. We give out a mixture of trousers, tops, coats, underwear, hats, scarves, gloves etc.
Future calls for donations will be sent out in due course, and people are already asking when the next one will be. The most helpful thing to do at the moment would be to hang on to the items if possible, in a safe, dry space until we are ready to sort and store another consignment. Our experience has been that donations tend to arrive in a steady flow for several weeks after a call has been sent out, and during that time they need to be stored and sorted, ready for transport to Calais. Realistically therefore, CRAG can expect to deal with this sort of collection and distribution about two or three times in a year.
Meanwhile, and until the next time, WARMEST THANKS from all the CRAG team, and we are joined in that by the volunteers giving their time and energies in Calais.
Vicky Buser · Tue 20 Dec 2022, 21:40 · Link
For more than half a century, Charlbury volunteers have made and delivered meals year round for local people in Charlbury, Chadlington, and Stonesfield. Some recipients now were the volunteers of earlier years.
This year's Christmas meal was prepared, cooked, and delivered today by a wonderful team who keep the tradition alive.
Thank you to all and Happy Christmas everyone.
Marjorie Glasgow · Tue 20 Dec 2022, 18:31 · Link
The Council has set up a Charlbury Alerts system. If you want to hear via email about Town Council events and current work (such as the bus survey posted previously), then please sign up to it here: https://charlbury-tc.gov.uk/welcome-to-charlbury-alerts/
Thank you
Lisa Wilkinson · Mon 19 Dec 2022, 13:13 · Link
The Town Council would like to know more about the bus services in Charlbury. Do you use them? If not, why not? If you have 2 minutes to spare please could you complete the short survey found here: https://charlbury-tc.gov.uk/home/bus-use-survey/
Thanks very much.
Lisa Wilkinson · Mon 19 Dec 2022, 11:55 · Link
The following planning applications have recently been lodged. Click on the address to see full details at the WODC website.
Mon 19 Dec 2022, 06:15 · Link
Apologies to all, today's event at Enstone has been postponed, due to the risk of ice/rain on frozen surfaces.
We hope to re-schedule the event for later this week, when it's safer and more enjoyable for everyone, please look out for updates.
Thanks, Charlbury Scout Group
Cheryl Horsey · Sun 18 Dec 2022, 11:27 · Link
My last cinnamon bun-run of the year will be to help raise funds for @charlburycornerstone
As most of you will know amazing charity helps feed and support local families and individuals who are struggling.
All sales of buns (not just profits) will go direct to this great charity.
To order drop me a line: hello@oxfork.co and Let me know what you’d like. Buns will be available to collect from @charlburycornerstone on Monday 19th December from 10-1pm (if you can’t make those timings let me know and we’ll try and sort something). Buns are £3 each or 4 for £10. They take cash or card.
Cornerstone are also seeking donations of tinned and ambient foods so if you’re local why not have a cupboard clear-out over Christmas. You can also buy from the Charlbury Co-op and leave items in the box labelled ‘Cornerstone’ by the door.
Hope to see you on the 19th. Wishing you all a very Happy Christmas!🎄❤️🎄
Chloe Horner · Thu 15 Dec 2022, 14:10 · Link
The trustees of Sustainable Charlbury are delighted to have been named as Low Carbon Hub's community group of the month. To find out how Charlbury Bowls Club, Charlbury School and others have benefitted from our grants programme please click on the following link https://www.lowcarbonhub.org/p/community-group-of-the-month-sustainable-charlbury/ ;
Interested in finding out how your group might benefit..? Please visit https://www.sustainablecharlbury.org/
This winter the UK Government’s Energy Bills Support Scheme gives £400 support with energy bills to every household, regardless of need. There will be people in Charlbury who do not need these funds and who want to do more to help those who do need the support.
If you are one of those who wish to help, please consider donating all or part of your £400 (or more if you can) to the Cornerstone. Many thanks to those who have donated already
We will use the funding to support families and individuals on low incomes to meet pressing needs such as food, household items or clothing.
Every penny will benefit someone who really needs it.
Send your payment to
Account Name: Charlbury PCC
Sort Code: 40-52-40
Account Number: 00032374
Reference: UK Energy Bill, Cornerstone
Thank you.
The Christmas trees in St Mary's Churchyard look wonderful in the snow. Go and have a look.
P Gallagher
Patrick Gallagher · Mon 12 Dec 2022, 10:42 · Link
Please make sure repeat prescriptions are ordered in good time to avoid running out over the Christmas period.
Charlbury Medical Centre will be closed on Monday, December 26; Tuesday, December 27 and Monday, 2 January. Pharmacies may also be closed, or offer reduced opening hours.
The quickest, most efficient way to order a repeat prescription is by using the NHS App, or Patient Access. Please register and use these methods if you can.
Thank you, Charlbury Patient Participation Group.
susan smith · Mon 12 Dec 2022, 09:54 · Link
The following planning applications have recently been lodged. Click on the address to see full details at the WODC website.
Mon 12 Dec 2022, 06:15 · Link
Hi Everyone as you may know I have been selling my books in Cotswold Frames for a while now. Well I have created a brand new Colouring book and this should be available in Cotswold Frames in the week running up to Christmas. Yes The Colouring Book Of Dinosaurs is about to roar into Charlbury. With 50 designs thiat will keep the best colourers occupied. Also available are the dog and cat colouring books.
It is also available to order from Amazon
Christopher Geary · Sat 10 Dec 2022, 15:47 · Link
Looking forward to Street Fair on 16th September 2023, we start our preparations in January with a call for volunteers!
If interested, do please meet in the Old Three Horseshoes at 7.30PM on Thursday 12th January OR 5.30PM in the Memorial Hall's Garden Room on Saturday 21st January. A couple of committee posts are needed. Normally an hour or two a month from March is all that's needed, then twice that from July, then help on the day.
Also sought are helpers for the day...
Want to know more? Please come along (..or email me or call me).
John Dora, Chair, Charlbury Street Fair Committee
e: csfchairman@charlburystreetfair.org
t: 07837 116226
Charlbury Street Fair raises money for the Corner House and War Memorial Hall
Oxfordshire County Council has been informed of a temporary emergency road closure on the Road to Walcot whilst fire hydrant install 0 to 6” works are carried out for public safety reasons.
A temporary Emergency Notice is being made to implement the temporary closure and will operate from 05 December 2022 up to and including 08 December 2022.
Access will be maintained for emergency service vehicles and for those frontages within the closure area, subject to the progress of the works and liaison with the works supervisor.
Further information regarding the works may be obtained by contacting Thames Water Helpdesk on 0800 316 9800.
Lisa Wilkinson · Tue 6 Dec 2022, 15:45 · Link
DEADLINE ALERT: if you plan to take part in the May Festival 2023, you must register for membership and register your exhibition entry for the festival guide via www.artweeks.org/artists by 31st December.
The Artweeks office closes for Christmas on Friday 17th December and reopens on Monday 3rd so they recommend you complete your entry before the 17th – then they will be on hand to help if you run into any difficulties.
Maureen Sparling (Area Coordinator)
Maureen Sparling · Mon 5 Dec 2022, 17:08 · Link
A third juvenile hedgehog has been found today near Pooles Lane, during the day.
* Correction - Actually along Fisher's Lane near Hixet Wood.
Please keep a close look out for our juvenile hedgehogs as they are very vulnerable. They will not make it through the winter as they are not big enough. If you find one take it speedily to Mandy, the Hedgehog Nurse in Over Norton where it will have a health check. Her no is 01608 430 980, leave a message if the machine is on. Once the hedgehog is healthy, it will be fostered through the winter for release in the Spring.
Contact charlburywildlifesociety@gmail.com or Flora Gregory if you need help.
Thanks
Flora Gregory · Mon 5 Dec 2022, 14:14 · Link
Late night Christmas Shopping this Friday 9th December shops open till 8pm, just what the doctor ordered, come and pay homage to your local shops and join in the festive fun, hope to see you all there.
Tim Widdows · Mon 5 Dec 2022, 10:13 · Link
Southill has been a high profile case study in a recent (Dutch) PhD thesis on the energy transition and landscape acting as a catalyst in the shift to renewables. This research has also been part of a more substantive publication The Power of Landscape. These academic publications are a fascinating account of how landscape, rather than being the obstacle to renewable transition, can act as the catalyst, using case studies to demonstrate the argument. We are extremely honoured to have been selected as a model case study for these publications and they are a tribute to all those who have worked so hard, voluntarily in most cases, developing and continuing to develop this amazing community asset.
