News
Charlbury Museum ~ A cool place to visit !
Exhibition now on: The Playing Close ~ through the centuries. Explore the history of this much-loved verdant space in the middle of Charlbury. The displays unravel the story of Thomas Gifford and the Manor of Charlbury in the Elizabethan age. Fascinating insights into the historic buildings of the Playing Close. Old photographs and reportage interplay to capture the spirit of life on this special place. (Photo: School children strolling along Playing Close 1949)
New donation : a 1958 school desk from the Spendlove School An intriguing history of past school days lies inside the desk:the graffiti covered interior reveals the names of pupils, dates, forms and classroom romances - a very cool addition to the museum collection! To be displayed at Street Fair after conservation work, the museum looks forward to learning more about the graffiti scribblers (1958 -1971). With thanks to Alan Jenkins for his donation.
Museum opening times: Saturdays 10.30 - 12.30, Sundays & Bank Holiday Mondays 2.30 - 4.30. During August: Saturdays 2.30 -4.30
Sue Rangeley ·
Fri 11 Jul, 15:09 · Link
Thomas Gifford Trust Raises Over £4,000 at Charlbury Beer Festival
The Thomas Gifford Trust is delighted to announce that its Pimm's Stall at this year’s Charlbury Beer Festival raised just over £4,000, a fantastic result that will go a long way in supporting community activities and initiatives in Charlbury.
The Trust would like to extend heartfelt thanks to The Bell for their generous support of the stall, which played a key role in its success. The Bell’s generous contribution highlights their strong commitment to backing local projects and bringing the Charlbury community together.
Profits from the Pimm's Stall will help fund the ongoing work of the Thomas Gifford Trust, including the maintenance and development of the Charlbury Community Centre, as well as other valuable youth and community projects that benefit our town.
The Trust is very grateful to all who visited the stall, enjoyed a refreshing Pimm's, and contributed to a great cause.
Charlbury Community Centre ·
Thu 10 Jul, 13:31 · Link
A forthcoming opportunity to access a range of information about support for quality of later life
Would you like to find out more about information and practical help available from a range of local statutory and voluntary agencies to support independent living and care at home?
Age UK Oxfordshire Services, including Dementia Oxfordshire and Carers Oxfordshire, are organising an Information Fair on Tuesday, 15 July from 10.30 to 2.30 in the Glyme Hall, Burford Road, Chipping Norton OX7 5DZ..
A wide range of different organisations will have displays and information stands there offering opportunities to pick up information and speak face to face with service providers. Topics covered will include the following:
• Understanding hearing and sight impairment and what resources and services are available to support people affected
• How to get alarms and gadgets (assistive technology) that can support you in everyday life.
• Care and other support at home
• How to get advice on legal issues relating to sensible planning for later life
• Advice on community safety and how to avoid being scammed
The Glyme Hall is an accessible venue with wheelchair access and parking adjacent to the hall including disabled parking. It is located next to the Leisure Centre on the Secondary School site on the A361 Burford to Chipping Norton Road before you reach the Town Centre. The site is served by the Pulhams X9 Witney to Chipping Norton bus service which runs through Charlbury. There is a bus stop outside the Chipping Norton School site – ask for Chipping Norton School.
For further information about the Fair, contact Katie Smok at katiesmok@dementiaoxfordshire.org.uk Tel: 07827 235441
Meryl Smith ·
Wed 9 Jul, 13:42 · 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.
- The White House Charlbury Road Fawler
1. Crab apple - Section fell to ground level. Systemically treat stump with eco-plug max Glyphosate herbicide. 2. Field maple - Crown reduction within 1.5 metres of boundary
WODC reference: 25/01547/TCA - Wed 25 Jun 2025 - Under consideration
Mon 7 Jul, 06:15 · Link
Stay in the Loop with Charlbury Alerts!
Want to be the first to hear from the Town Council about local updates, consultations, events and town news? Sign up to Charlbury Alerts – our email newsletter that keeps you in the know without flooding your inbox. 📨
It’s the easiest way to stay connected with what’s going on in and around Charlbury. Just a few clicks and you’re all set!
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Tell your neighbours too – the more of us signed up, the better informed our community is!
#Charlbury #TownUpdates #CommunityMatters #CharlburyAlerts
Lisa Wilkinson ·
Mon 30 Jun, 11:01 · 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.
Mon 30 Jun, 06:15 · Link
CBF Culture programme announced
We are pleased to announce the Culture programme at the Charlbury Beer Festival on Saturday 28 June. As usual there will be a family-friendly printmaking workshop from midday, followed by a series of talks: Rupert Ponsonby on nature, the environment, and beer (2.15) – the Bodleian Library’s Debbie Hall on ‘Adventures in Maps’ (3.00) – Rachel Morris on her book ‘The Years of the Wizard: The Strange History and Home Life of Renaissance Magicians’ (3.45) – then James Clarke of Hook Norton Brewery will mark Ukraine’s Constitution Day by talking about the charity that he pioneered, NOXAIDUK, which delivers life-saving support to victims of the war in Ukraine (4.30) – and anti-corruption campaigner and poet Athol Williams will talk about life and politics in South Africa (5.15). The Charlbury Ukulele Group will be on from 6.00 – come and join in!
Go to https://www.charlburybeerfestival.org/live-music-and-entertainment/ for full details.
Edward Fenton ·
Fri 27 Jun, 15:34 · Link
Charlbury Beer Festival: Get Ready for a Glorious Day!
The Charlbury Beer Festival committee and its amazing volunteers are buzzing with activity at the Cricket Ground putting the final touches on what promises to be a fantastic day for everyone in the community tomorrow, Saturday, June 28.
The fun kicks off from noon until 9 pm, and we can't wait to welcome you! The weather forecast is looking glorious, for which we are very thankful. Please do wear sunscreen and feel welcome to bring a small gazebo to pitch near the central fencing for some shade.
Get ready for a jam-packed schedule! The Culture Tent will host a range of engaging talks and workshops, while live music acts are set to entertain throughout the day. Families will find plenty to do with lots of activities in the Kids Tent, and the popular Kevin's Community Circus is making a welcome return.
Thirsty festival-goers will be pleased to hear there are 5,500 pints of beer ready to be served! If beer isn't your preference, there's also wine, gin, Pimm's, and a wide selection of non-alcoholic and soft drinks, plus tea and cake. Three food vendors will be on hand to satisfy your hunger, and the Kids Tent will even have ice lollies.
Don't miss the exciting World Aunt Sally Competition for some unique local fun!
Please note: Unfortunately, we cannot allow parking on site, and for everyone's safety, we are restricting vehicles. There is parking at the train station (for a fee).
A huge thank you in advance to all the volunteers who have so freely given their time to make this wonderful community event possible. Remember, it's all for charity, so please do come along and have a great time!
www.charlburybeerfestival.org
Tickets available on the gate. Cash or card.
Sean Hosking ·
Fri 27 Jun, 15:06 · Link
Local Governance in Oxfordshire
Proposals for Governance in Oxfordshire
The UK government's White Paper, released in December 2024, sets out the Government’s intention to create a number of Strategic Authorities across the country. These will sit above the current councils and either be designated as a Foundation Strategic Authority or Mayoral Strategic Authority. The latter will be led by an elected mayor.
In the areas – like Oxfordshire – where a two-tier system for principal authorities remains, this must be abolished for a single unitary authority. The two-tier system is when two different councils handle different services, as is the case in Oxfordshire (i.e. we have a District Council and a County Council, both handling different responsibilities.)
The various Councils that operate in Oxfordshire have been discussing options and are preparing proposals for what the single unitary authority could be and how areas/populations can be divided. Proposals must be submitted by November.
What are the proposals?
There are currently three options being developed for local government in Oxfordshire. It is likely that all three proposals will be submitted to the Government, which will ultimately make the decision for our area.
Option 1: One authority
Oxfordshire County Council is proposing a single unitary authority for the county of Oxfordshire. More details about the rationale and potential benefits of this approach are available here: County council continues to endorse one council as best option for future local government in Oxfordshire
Option 2: Two authorities
Five councils in Oxfordshire and West Berkshire have collaborated on the proposal for two authorities. The proposal would divide the five existing councils into two new authorities: Oxford & Shires Council and Ridgeway Council.
Oxford & Shires Council would include Cherwell, Oxford City and West Oxfordshire. Ridegway Council would include South Oxfordshire, Vale of White Horse and West Berkshire.
More details are available on this proposal on the website: Home - Two Councils
There is a public consultation open until 16 July on this proposal and a number of public engagement sessions are happening across the area. The details are available on the website. Once the consultation closes, a revised proposal will be produced.
Option 3: Three authorities
Oxford City Council is proposing three unitary authorities be created to cover Oxfordshire and West Berkshire:
Oxford Council - comprising Oxford on expanded boundaries
Northern Oxfordshire Council - comprising much of the existing West Oxfordshire and Cherwell districts
Ridgeway Council - comprising much of the existing South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse districts combined with the existing West Berkshire unitary
More information about the proposal and its potential benefits is available on this website: A greater Oxford | Oxford City Council
When will all this happen?
The proposals are currently being developed and will be submitted by 28 November 2025, with decisions expected to be made during 2026. Shadow councils will be established during 2027 to start the transition process, with the new councils being formally created (or vested) in 2028.
Option 2 - two councils, supported by West Oxfordshire District Council, is currently being consulted on. To complete the survey please go to Home- the Two Councils
Option 1 - one council, supported by Oxfordshire County Council, will be consulted on later this month
Lisa Wilkinson ·
Thu 26 Jun, 10:31 · Link
Questions for the Wilderness organisers?
It's nearly time for Wilderness Festival in Cornbury Park. In advance, the event team are holding two Local Forum meetings to answer any queries you have and respond to feedback. Here are the details of the meetings:
Online Forum: 3rd July 17:30 - 19:00
They will present traffic plans and noise measures, in addition to discussing pedestrian access routes and any ticket or other questions you have.
Join using this link
In person: 22nd July 17:30-19:00
They will be at Charlbury Community Centre to answer any queries and respond to feedback. There will be biscuits!
The Wilderness Team look forward to meeting you on Zoom or in person. A reminder that you can join their Local Mailing List to be the first to hear Wilderness news. You can visit their Resident's Information Webpage or email residents@wildernessfestival.com if you have any queries.
Lisa Wilkinson ·
Tue 24 Jun, 10:27 · Link
