News

Christmas Tree Festival at St Mary’s Church : One month to go

With only one month to go until our opening event we are delighted to provide more details of what you can look forward to. 

We are very pleased to share that our Friday ‘Turning on the Lights’ event is being supported by our local Co-op Store who are providing mulled wine and soft drinks and The Bell who are providing mince pies. Charlbury Children’s Choir will be bringing some festive cheer with a selection of  seasonal songs.

Our Saturday Soirée features local jazz quartet ‘The Mingus Tree’ . We will have the chance to enjoy red  and white wine and a selection of cheeses provided by The Bull and their new General Store which is opening soon.

We are very grateful to everyone who has already registered to sponsor a tree. There is still time for new tree sponsors using the booking form link here 

Alison Doyle · Wed 11 Nov, 12:17 · Link

Small town. Big to-do list!

Charlbury Town Council is looking for a Deputy Town Clerk!

There's quite a lot going on in Charlbury, and we're looking for someone to help keep things running.

It's a varied role covering everything from allotments and planning to council meetings, communications and helping residents with their enquiries.

You don't need to have worked for a council before. We're looking for someone organised, confident with computers, good with people and happy to get stuck in.

10 hours a week | Flexible working | £15.56–£16.61 per hour

Closing date: 12 noon, Wednesday 2 December 2026

Full details, including the job description, person specification and how to apply, are on our website: https://charlbury-tc.gov.uk/deputy-town-clerk-vacancy/

Lisa Wilkinson · Fri 6 Nov, 16:21 · Link

One week left to comment on Charlbury's draft walking and cycling plan!

The consultation on the Charlbury Area Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) closes on Thursday 12 November.

If you haven't responded yet, there's still time to look at the proposals and let Oxfordshire County Council know what you think.

https://letstalk.oxfordshire.gov.uk/charlbury-lcwip

• charlbury_lcwip_one_week_poster_docx.pdf

Lisa Wilkinson · Wed 4 Nov, 15:21 · Link

Closure of Paddington Station

The Cotswold Line Promotion Group (CLPG) has been asked by Great Western Railway to advise you of major engineering work causing the closure of Paddington Station at the end of November and again over the Christmas and New Year period.

On Saturday 28th November & Sunday 29th November and from Sunday 27th December until Sunday 3rd January inclusive, all GWR services along the North Cotswold Line from Hereford, Great Malvern and the Worcester stations will terminate at Reading. Passengers for London will have the opportunity to change at Oxford, for Chiltern Railways services to London Marylebone or Reading, for South Western Railways services to London Waterloo.

Please plan ahead, allow extra time and check journey planners before travelling, by going to GWR.com/Upgrade or nationalrail.co.uk/journey-planner/ or nationalrail.co.uk/dolphinjunction/ where further details can be found.

Be aware that Twickenham Stadium will be the venue for rugby matches on November 28th and 29th and also on December 28th, meaning that trains between Reading and Waterloo are likely to be very crowded.

Brian Murray, CLPG

Brian Murray · Sun 1 Nov, 18:59 · Link

🌿 CHARLBURY, HAVE YOU DISCOVERED EVOLVE YET?

Half-term been all about everyone else? With a new month beginning and the children heading back to school, perhaps it’s time for a little YOU time! 🫶🏼

We’re EVOLVE Reformer Studios, established in 2023, and we’ve recently opened our newest boutique studio in the beautiful Cornbury Park Estate, on the outskirts of Charlbury.

🤍 Small group classes - just 6 reformers

🤍 Experienced, welcoming teachers

🤍 Classes from complete beginners to advanced

🤍 A gorgeous countryside setting

✨ NEW CLIENT OFFER | 2 CLASSES FOR £30 ✨

Whether you’re completely new to Reformer Pilates or looking for somewhere new to practise, we’d love to welcome you into our EVOLVE community!

📍 Cornbury Park Estate, Charlbury

📱 IG: @evolve_reformerstudios

🖥️ evolvereformerstudios.co.uk

Sian Young · Sun 1 Nov, 09:58 · Link

Christmas Trees lighting up Charlbury for Christmas

For more than 20 years the town centre has been decorated at Christmas when more than 100 households and businesses place a Christmas tree with lights in a bracket on the front of their property. The effect is quite magical.

This community initiative was started by the Chamber of Commerce and has continued to operate thanks to the support of a stalwart group of volunteers and of householders and businesses. It is enjoyed by all.

Order forms have been delivered this week to properties with brackets. Tim Widdows of No 5, formerly known as Cotswold Frames, has again kindly agreed to accept the order forms. The deadline for ordering is Monday 23rd November (apologies, for error in the order form – 23rd is a Monday, not a Friday). We plan to deliver the trees on Sunday this year, Sunday 29th November, weather permitting. Any change to this will be notified via the News section of the website.

Let’s light up Charlbury again this Christmas.

Janet Burroughs, Charlbury Christmas Trees

Janet Burroughs · Sun 1 Nov, 07:43 · Link

Charlbury Town Ladies

Are you missing playing football, looking to get back into the game, but yet to find a team?

If you are not sure, why not come to training on a Tuesday evening to see if we are the team for you. We train at the MUGA behind the Leisure Centre in Chipping Norton.

If you would like further details, please get in touch.

Shelley Parsons · Thu 29 Oct, 14:57 · Link

Charlbury Museum's last open weekend of 2026

Last chance to see The Playing Close exhibit. This years display of photos and detailed research on the history of this special place in the center of Charlbury. Featuring a replica of the 16th century document from St. John's College, Oxford, signed by the first trustees of the Thomas Gifford Trust.

Enjoy a browse around the collection and see the very latest acquisition, the 18th century clock by Thomas Gilkes, a purchased from the late Ron Prew's estate with a generous donation from the Charlbury Society.

Open on Saturday 10.30 -12.30 & 2.30 -4.30, Sunday 2.30 -4.30.                                    On Sunday 25th, one of the museum's trustees will be stewarding and guiding visitors

We look forward to welcoming you, and thank you to all those who have visited and supported the museum during the year.

The photograph of the Playing Close was taken around 100 years ago

Sue Rangeley · Fri 23 Oct, 17:29 · Link

John Cox 1940 - 2026

At the request of the family I am sharing the sad news that John Cox passed away at home recently aged 86. Many people will remember him as the Station Master in Charlbury between 1996 and 2001. Prior to that he had a long and distinguished career with Barclays Bank. John's funeral is being held at North Oxford Crematorium on Wednesday 28th October at 2pm. Family flowers only. Donations can be made to RNLI in John's memory if desired.

Lynn Gorton · Sun 18 Oct, 20:28 · Link

Christmas Tree Festival 2026: BOOKING NOW OPEN

We are pleased to invite Individuals, Community Groups, and Organisations to confirm they would like to take part and sponsor a Christmas Tree or make a donation.

Tree Bookings or Donations can be made using the link HERE

The Festival will take place from Friday, 11th December 2026, to Saturday, 2 January 2027, with an official opening reception scheduled for Friday, 11th December, from 5.00 to 7:00 pm.

A Children’s choir will be performing carols from 5-6 pm.

The sponsorship options this year are:

Outdoor trees: £40 : Lights only which will be provided

Indoor trees (inside the church): £45 Lights provided plus any non breakable decorations sponsors wish to use. Indoor spaces are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis

The Christmas Tree Festival is a much loved Charlbury Tradition. Tree Sponsorship and any additional donations allow the Festival to continue to play a vital role in enabling the ongoing work of the church in the community

For further information, please contact charlburyctf@gmail.com .

The organisers look forward to welcoming participants and visitors to what promises to be another memorable celebration of community, creativity, and festive spirit.

Maureen Sparling · Sun 18 Oct, 17:47 · Link