News

Hidden treasures on the Playing Close

If you have seen a man waving a stick and carrying a spade on the Playing Close and wondered what on earth he was doing, read on...

The Playing Close has been used since medieval times and the Charlbury Museum has an ongoing project to research its history.

A definitive way to learn about its history would be to bring in a team of archaeologists to remove the topsoil and dig trenches. And indeed if this were done, and if we dug deep enough, we might find medieval coins and artefacts, as well as arrow heads (in medieval times the Playing Close was used for archery practice).

Another, less invasive approach is to search the area with a metal detector. With permission from the Thomas Gifford Trust and in association with the Charlbury Museum, Charlbury resident Neil Pakenham-Walsh has been searching the area.

What have we found? Loads of ringpulls! Lots of decimal coins: 1/2p, 1p, 2p... Several old pennies and halfpennies going back to Victoria. And three interesting finds, all within a few inches of the surface:

The first, and oldest, is a dandy button. These were especially popular in the late 1700s and were worn by men who wanted to be seen. Wikipedia describes dandy as 'a man who places particular importance upon physical appearance and personal grooming' and with penchant for large buttons. There are doubtless still a few strutting around Charlbury today.

The second is a badge of some kind and we would like to ask your help to identify it. We do know that political rallies were held on the Playing Close in the 1800s. At this time there was growing tension between farm workers and landowners. This is recounted in a book published in Charlbury: the Ascott Martyrs, which relates how women and children were cruelly imprisoned, with their children, simply for protesting in solidarity with their farm worker husbands. Sue Rangeley has found that in that same year, 1873, there was a Charlbury Labourers Union meeting on the Playing Close. Perhaps this badge was lost then?

The third item is particularly lovely. It is made of solid silver and is set with marcasite, which glistens like diamonds. We think it is a Royal Artillery sweetheart brooch from World War Two, given by a soldier as he left for war. It would be wonderful to reunite it with their descendants.

These items will be on display in the Playing Close Exhibition when the museum reopens in April 2026.

So where are the medieval finds and arrowheads? They are there, but they are likely to be at least 2-3 feet deep. Much deeper than a metal detector can go (8-10 inches). The Playing Close has had repeated changes of use over the past 500 years and each change of use adds another layer, so that previous coins and artefacts become deeper and deeper. By contrast, if you detect arable fields or pasture you will find medieval, saxon, roman and even bronze age artefacts going back to 2500 BC in the top few inches.

To see examples of what might lie *deep* under the Playing Close, see the 214 coins and artefacts from Oxfordshire that Neil has registered with the British Museum's Portable Antiquity Scheme (those found in Charlbury are on display in the Museum): https://finds.org.uk/database/search/results/finderID/PAS62A6F70C00103D/show/100

If you have a piece of land and would like to learn more about its history, contact Neil at neil@hifa.org

Acknowledgements: With thanks to Sue Rangeley and the Charlbury Museum for the opportunity to contribute to Charlbury’s history, and to Kim Harrison, Trustee, and the Thomas Gifford Trust for permission to search.

Neil Pakenham-Walsh · Fri 21 Nov, 13:18 · Link

Charlbury Christmas Tree Festival

We are excited to invite the community to take part in the 7th Annual Christmas Tree Festival (CTF) this year, which will run from December 12th to January 2nd, 2026.

Please join us for our Turning on the Lights event on Friday, 12 December, from 5:30 to 6:30 pm, featuring delicious walking tacos and music from the children's choir. There will also be a special performance by the Wychwood Chorale at St Mary’s at 5 pm on December 13th.

Schools, charities, streets, friends or families are invited to sponsor and decorate a tree. Booking forms are available at https://forms.gle/9FS9GutGXW6tt4gt9

or from Anna at the CTF email below. The booking form is now open! If you or your organisation would like to participate in the festival this year, support us, or have any queries, please do register or reach out.

The money raised will be donated to the St Mary’s appeal and will contribute to the parish's outreach work. We would love to hear from you if you're interested in getting involved.

Anna Boardwell - charlburyctf@gmail.com

St Mary’s Church Office - parishoffice@charlburychurch.uk

Anna Boardwell · Thu 20 Nov, 18:03 · Link

West Oxfordshire Local Plan consultation – what it means for Charlbury

West Oxfordshire District Council (WODC) is currently consulting on its Preferred Spatial Options as part of the early stages of updating the West Oxfordshire Local Plan. Two areas in Charlbury have been included as possible future development sites at this stage:

• Land between Jeffersons’ Piece and Hundley Way

• Land to the rear of Hydac

A number of residents have asked whether this means planning applications have been submitted. To be clear: there are no planning applications for either site at the moment. These are simply draft options within the consultation, and WODC is asking for feedback before making any decisions.

Because the consultation is being run by WODC, the Town Council is not making any decisions on the proposals. The Town Council meeting on Wednesday 19 November (Corner House) will not be discussing these sites.

If you would like to comment, there are several ways to do so:

Best way to have your say

WODC is holding a series of drop-in events where you can view the plans, speak directly to the Planning Policy team, and share your thoughts. You do not need to book – just turn up.

Drop-ins this week

Witney – The Corn Exchange

Tuesday 18 November, 5–8pm

Long Hanborough – Recreation Hall

Thursday 20 November, 4–7pm

Further event dates

Date Location & Venue Time

Tuesday 25 November Brize Norton – Elderbank Hall Extension 4–7pm

Wednesday 26 November Bampton – Village Hall 4–7pm

Tuesday 2 December Milton Under Wychwood – Village Hall 4.30–7.30pm

Tuesday 9 December Standlake – Village Hall 4–7pm

You can also read the consultation documents and submit comments online via WODC’s consultation platform. The full exhibition boards are available here:

www.westoxon.gov.uk/media/lsipohqp/exhibition-boards-preferred-spatial-options.pdf

If you are unable to attend in person and have accessibility needs or questions, WODC’s Planning Policy team can assist via planning.consultation@westoxon.gov.uk

Town Council planning meeting

The Town Council will hold a Planning Committee meeting on Monday 24 November at the Memorial Hall, where members of the public may speak during the usual public participation session. However, this is not a formal decision on the sites – it will only be an opportunity for the Council to consider whether to submit a response to WODC’s consultation.

Lisa Wilkinson · Mon 17 Nov, 15:09 · Link

An invitation to be part of Southill’s energy transition

It is now over 9 years since the Southill Solar farm was installed and commissioned, generating sufficient energy to supply the needs of most of the homes in Charlbury, Finstock & Fawler.

We wanted to update you on some exciting developments at Southill Community Energy. We are delighted to have been awarded a Community Energy Fund (CEF) government grant of £40,000 to carry out a feasibility study exploring local supply of energy. Thanks to a change in the regulations governing the energy market, it is now possible to supply electricity directly to customers who register with a local energy club. The concept is simple:

* Locally-generated renewable energy made available to local residents and businesses

* Discounted (more affordable) energy for customers

* Better revenue from electricity sales for Southill Community Energy

* More surplus funds available for community benefit

In order to achieve this we need to conduct an analysis of the energy demands (and generation, if you have solar panels, for example) of individual home types and businesses within the local network. We can then model the profile of your demand to see how it correlates with energy output at Southill solar farm. We have partnered with appropriate specialists to carry out this technical work, led by Iquira.ai who will carry out the modelling, Sharenergy who will look at storage and generation options and Low Carbon Hook Norton who have already paved the way for this kind of study.

If you support these objectives and would like to be involved please let us know by 21st November, responding to tim.crisp@southillcommunityenergy.co.uk

Alternatively, you can move straight to the next stage…. Obtaining your energy data is easily arranged by using an app called Bright which provides access to the data from all the smart meters in the country.

Once downloaded, you will be able to see your half-hour, daily, weekly and monthly energy demands. When you’ve done that, we’ll explain how you can share your data with Iquira.

Welcome to our energy club!

Tim Crisp and Liz Reason

Directors

Tim Crisp · Mon 17 Nov, 10:25 · 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.

• Appletrees Thames Street Charlbury
  Erection of rear extension, and relocation of entryway to front elevation with alterations to front external appearance. Demolition of existing side extensions and greenhouse, removal of 2 trees, and associated works
  WODC reference: 25/02630/HHD - Wed 05 Nov 2025 - Under consideration

Mon 17 Nov, 06:15 · Link

Christmas Trees lighting up Charlbury

Charlbury is getting ready to be decorated for Christmas with Christmas trees with sparkling lights which will light up the town. 

The order forms were delivered last week to properties with brackets. If anyone did not receive a form please accept our apologies. Tim Widdows at No. 5 Market Street has some spare forms.

A big thank you to the early birds who have already returned their forms to Tim at No 5.

And a gentle reminder, if you have yet to return your form, that the deadline for return is Monday 24th November.

Janet Burroughs, Charlbury Christmas Trees.

Janet Burroughs · Thu 13 Nov, 15:27 · Link

Friday Coffee Club at Charlbury Community Centre

Did you know that every Friday morning at 10.30am, a bunch of friendly, retired community members get together for tea or coffee and a chat in our warm, comfortable Community Centre Café? Our long-standing participants would love to welcome some newcomers to their 'Friday morning Youth Club'! You'll be assured of a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, hot drinks are priced at a very reasonable £1.50 and there is always a variety of locally baked sweet or savoury treats. Why not combine it with your next library visit or trip to the Co-op? Hope to see you soon.

daniela jenkins · Thu 13 Nov, 11:49 · Link

Announcing our BAKE-OFF contestants!

📢Announcing our Bakers!

The competition will be tough for our first ever Bake-Off this Saturday!

💥Eileen Hipgrave

💥Vanessa Heywood

💥Naomi Coleman

The 3 super-talented, deeply-passionate, joy-filled contestants will compete on Saturday at 4pm on 3 distinct challenges.

Come along and cheer them on!

💡This year's theme is

2075: A TEATIME ODYSSEY

The bakers are asked to imagine what the traditional afternoon tea will be like in 50 years' time.

More info on the theme and the specific challenges coming very soon!

🎟️Get your tickets here https://charlbury-bakeoff.eventbrite.com

Stav Kounadea · Mon 10 Nov, 19:47 · Link

Christmas Shoebox Appeal Update

Many thanks to all who took part in this year’s Shoebox Appeal. In all, sixty four boxes were collected, which will be distributed to needy children and families across Eastern Europe. Special thanks to all the creative people who used their sewing and knitting skills to make additional gifts of blankets, teddies, scarves and mittens to accompany the boxes.

Joan Belshaw

Christine Pearce · Mon 10 Nov, 19:39 · 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.

• 6 Hill Close Charlbury
  T1 - Mountain ash - Reduce height and spread by 2 metres to form more compact shape. Crown raise to 3 metres
  WODC reference: 25/02738/TCA - Thu 06 Nov 2025 - Under consideration
• Land North Of Woodstock Road Charlbury Oxfordshire
  Discharge of condition 21 (archaeological written scheme of Investigation) of planning permission 24/02171/FUL.
  WODC reference: 25/02709/CND - Tue 04 Nov 2025 - Under consideration
• Ivy House Church Lane Charlbury
  Discharge of conditions 8 (external lighting), 9 (bat and bird features) and 10 (surface water drainage scheme) of planning permission 25/00881/HHD.
  WODC reference: 25/02717/CND - Tue 04 Nov 2025 - Under consideration

Mon 10 Nov, 06:15 · Link