News

History Walk to Shorthampton Church

Join the Walkers are Welcome team this Thursday 23rd October for a 5 mile walk along the Evenlode Valley visiting the medieval All Saints Church at Shorthampton.  Meet on the Playing Close by the Victoria Fountain at 10am.

A local expert will be on hand to share the fascinating history of the church and its wall paintings.

If you don’t feel able to do the walk, you can still join us at the church to hear about its history. Please arrange to arrive at Shorthampton Church by 12 noon at the latest. The car park at the church will be open.

If you are walking with us, please wear good walking footwear - some sections could be muddy after rain. Dogs MUST be kept on a lead at all times.

Peter Kenrick · Sat 18 Oct, 17:46 · Link

Street Fair 2025

I am delighted to report that the Charlbury Street Fair have just given the Corner House £7,000 towards their ongoing improvements! There will be a further £1,000 to come once all the money has been received.

Thanks to everyone who helped in any way to make it such a success.

Elisabeth Partington · Thu 16 Oct, 11:49 · 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.

• Peartree Cottage Dancers Hill Charlbury
  Walnut (1), oak (2) and a silver birch (3) - cutting back to boundry
  WODC reference: 25/02477/TCA - Wed 08 Oct 2025 - Under consideration
• 75 The Green Charlbury
  Japanese maple ? Remove tree to facilitate renovation of driveway for 2 vehicle parking
  WODC reference: 25/02480/TCA - Wed 08 Oct 2025 - Under consideration
• Melody House Hixet Wood Charlbury
  Field maple - Remove tree
  WODC reference: 25/02427/TCA - Wed 01 Oct 2025 - Under consideration
• 36 Little Lees Charlbury
  T1 Ash tree -reduce over extended branches and to remove major deadwood Outside of TPO area
  WODC reference: 25/02397/TPO - Mon 29 Sep 2025 - Under consideration

Mon 13 Oct, 06:15 · Link

Stalls for the Scout Hut Xmas fair - Sat 29 Nov

The Xmas craft fair will return to the Scout Hut on Saturday 29 November (10 - 12). We are taking bookings from anyone who would like to sell crafts, cards, gifts or food items. Stalls are £10, the stallholder keeps all takings. Half the stalls are already reserved, so please get in touch soon if you would like to reserve your place by emailing 1stcharlburyexec@gmail.com

Many thanks!

Claire Wilding · Thu 9 Oct, 15:44 · Link

Invitation to Tender – Grass Cutting Contract

Charlbury Town Council is inviting tenders for the Grass Cutting of Highway Verges, Recreation Areas, Mill Field and the Town Cemetery for a three-year contract starting 1 April 2026.

Contractors may tender for:

✅ Nine Acres only (grass and headlands)

✅ All other areas (excluding Nine Acres)

✅ Or both

Tender documents are available now from the clerk on clerk@charlbury-tc.gov.uk

📅 Deadline for submissions: 12 midday on 31 December 2025

This contract will help maintain our much-loved open spaces to a high standard while supporting biodiversity across Charlbury. 

 #Charlbury #TownCouncil #Tender #GroundsMaintenance #Biodiversity #CommunitySpaces

Lisa Wilkinson · Thu 9 Oct, 11:19 · Link

Community Grants – Closing Soon!

Do you have a project or idea that could make a difference in Charlbury? 🌿🎭🏏

Our Town Council Community Grants help local groups that support Charlbury Town Council's community objectives:

•  Improving health, wellbeing, inclusivity and resilience

• Keeping our town pleasant, safe and well looked-after

• Creating opportunities to exercise, socialise and enjoy green spaces

• Supporting and working with our strong, active community

🗓️ Applications close at 12 noon on Friday 31st October – so don’t miss out!

Find out how to apply and read the full details here: charlbury-tc.gov.uk/apply-for-a-grant

 Supporting the people and projects that make Charlbury shine.

Lisa Wilkinson · Wed 8 Oct, 15:53 · Link

Noye's Fludde Film Premiere

Sunday afternoon saw the world premiere of the film made to show the story of the making of Noye's Fludde. This community opera by Benjamin Britten was performed in April to a large and enthusiastic audience in St Mary's Church.

Over the course of its development, a small team of photographers, trained by television producer and video journalist Michael Rosenblum, filmed behind the scenes. They recorded the rehearsals, set building, mask and costume making. This has all been edited into a short film to capture the story of this ambitious project and is followed by a full recording of the performance.

The film will be shown again at the Charlbury Art Society meeting on Wednesday 8th October at 7.30 in the Memorial Hall. 

Everyone is welcome. Entry is £5 payable on the door. Free for Art Society members and members of the cast.

Tony Lloyd · Mon 6 Oct, 15:44 · 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.

• 7 Hughes Close Charlbury
  Discharge of conditions 4 (materials), 6 (access details), 11 (Construction Method Statement) and 12 (provision for bats, birds and hedgehogs) of planning permission 23/01493/FUL.
  WODC reference: 25/02406/CND - Tue 30 Sep 2025 - Under consideration

Mon 6 Oct, 06:15 · Link

The Victoria Fountain is shining again!

The scaffolding has now come down and the fountain at the Playing Close is looking fantastic after its careful clean and maintenance works.

The gentle DOFF steam cleaning has brought out the details of the stone carvings beautifully, and the long-safeguarded carvings kept safe by a local resident have now been reattached to the top of the fountain.

Thank you to everyone for your patience while the scaffolding was in place — we hope you agree the results have been worth it! 🌿

 Here it is, freshly restored and looking wonderful in its autumn setting.

Lisa Wilkinson · Fri 3 Oct, 11:13 · Link

Free trees for your garden

Trees are brilliant for people, wildlife and our planet and we urgently need to plant more. So the International Tree Foundation is giving away free garden trees to people in our area. Claim yours from TODAY 3 October 2025. To find out more and claim your trees visit internationaltreefoundation.org/garden-tree-giveaway

Christine Elliott · Fri 3 Oct, 08:46 · Link