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20mph speed limit and zebra crossing proposal

Only a few days left to have your say on the proposed 20mph speed limit and installation of a zebra crossing on the Slade:

https://letstalk.oxfordshire.gov.uk/charlbury_20mph30mph_crossing2023

Closing date is Friday 3rd March

Lisa Wilkinson · Mon 27 Feb 2023, 10:34 · Link


Charlbury Street Fair quiz night

Last chance to get tickets for the the annual Charlbury Street Fair quiz night to be held on Saturday, 11th March 2011 at the War Memorial Hall. Doors will open from 7pm, with the quiz starting at about 7:30 pm.

Bookings can be made for teams of up to six people at a cost of £15 each. The entry ticket includes the price of supper. There will be a vegan option which can be chosen at booking time.  There will be a prize for the winning team members as well as a consolation one for the members of the team awarded the wooden spoon.

There will be a licensed bar operated.

Booking (or any other enquiries) to csfquizbooking@gmail.com or to Karen Simpson on 07776 147782.

karen simpson · Sun 26 Feb 2023, 17:53 · Link


Trees planted in memory of the late Queen

Thanks to a generous Bursary applied for by the Patient Group Committee, and subsequently received from Wilderness, we have now planted three trees , in keeping with the late Queen’s wish to plant a million trees for her Jubilee last summer .

Two of these are on Nine Acres , a native oak and a field maple, with a small rowan outside the Medical Centre.    Many thanks to all those who helped source the trees, decide on the site, plant and stake them, and are continuing to look after them through regular watering .

Nikki Rycroft · Sat 25 Feb 2023, 13:49 · Link


Wilderness Local Weekend Tickets Now Open

Hi all,

We wanted to give you a little reminder that registration for Wilderness Local Weekend tickets opens from this Saturday 11am-4pm at the Charlbury Community Centre.

Available to residents within the postcodes OX7 3** and OX29 9**. 

The request form for these is now OPEN and AVAILABLE HERE.

Please remember, submitting this form does not guarantee tickets to Wilderness 2023 - requests are only confirmed once you have registered, in person, at Charlbury Community Centre on the dates outlined below:

Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th Feb: 11am - 4pm

Sunday 5th March: 2pm - 4pm

Sunday 12th March: 2pm - 4pm

Sunday 19th March: 2pm - 4pm

Don't delay, this offer is only available whilst stocks last.

To Register at the Community Centre, you will need:

1. Proof of address

2. Proof of identity

3. Registration form

Full details of the request and registration process are available on the REQUEST FORM HERE.

All our best and have a lovely weekend

Wilderness HQ x

Emma Kirkby · Fri 24 Feb 2023, 18:01 · Link


Charlbury ArtRoom

Charlbury ArtRoom is celebrating a year of success. The ArtRoom opened at the beginning of last year and is now well established in The Corner House. There are around twenty signed up users with many more coming to workshops and life drawing groups, but we still have space for additional painters and printmakers who would like to make use of this facility.

The Larcum Kendall Room is a large, well-lit space with huge windows and a wooden floor. It is well stocked with art materials for members to use, there are easels available and a small library of art books. We are very proud of our large etching press which is perfect for intaglio and relief printmaking.

The project was set up under the umbrella of The Charlbury Art Society to support creativity in the community. It provides space for people who either do not have enough room at home or who like to work together with others to learn and share ideas. The kettle is always on.

Members can have the use of this room for £ 2.50 per week, the cost of buying a coffee. You can choose your day to share with a small group of other artists. The room is secure, and you will have a large box in which to store your materials. The space is available at all times of the day to members who have the entry code.

In addition to individual activity the room is ideal for workshops and for group creative activities. We are always looking for people to organise workshops and to run them in the evenings or at weekends.

If you would like to join the ArtRoom, or want further information, please contact Jane Crane fjanecrane@gmail.com.

Tony Lloyd · Fri 24 Feb 2023, 16:43 · Link


Ticknell Park Clear-up

Ticknell Park clear up day 5 March

Please come along between 2pm and 4pm to help us pick litter, cut back hedges, paint the goalposts and tend the wildflower patch. 

 All welcome, please bring gardening gloves. We can provide litter pickers. 

Meet at the skate park.

 Hope you can make it.

Lisa Wilkinson · Fri 24 Feb 2023, 15:31 · Link


Wilderness line up revealed!

Wilderness is thrilled to share our biggest line up announcement to date with you.

A glorious array of talent has just joined our transcendental Twelfth Season. Arlo Parks, Franc Moody, GoGo Penguin, Joesef and Flyte, join our already-announced headliners - The Chemical Brothers, Christine and the Queens, and Fatboy Slim - on The Wilderness Stage in Cornbury Park.

As day turns to night, lose yourself in The Valley: the undisputed capital of rave. Under a starlit woodland canopy, a world-class collection of masters from the electronic world unite to throw down. Step forward Laurent Garnier, Honey Dijon, Todd Terry and Eats Everything.

This is only the start, discover the full line up below. The stars are aligning, prepare for the wildest Wilderness yet.

All this and so much more! Discover the full line up at www.wildernessfestival.com

Jen Reay · Fri 24 Feb 2023, 12:55 · Link


The Big Thank You at Charlbury Community Centre

FROM THE OXFORDSHIRE LIEUTENANCY

Concerns about declining volunteerism seem to be unfounded, at least if the case of Charlbury, represents the rest of the UK. Over 115 local residents who give at least 100 hours per year attended the first annual Charlbury Big Thank You. The event was held last evening at the Charlbury Community Centre.

The Oxfordshire Lieutenancy hosted the event to celebrate local people who give their time in schools, local sports teams, town council, local clubs, faith groups, youth organisations, national charities, local support groups, and simply by helping their neighbours.

Marjorie Glasgow, the Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire, said, ''We see people helping out in their communities and the country in many ways. Volunteering is a way of life. We are grateful for the strong communities in our area and wanted to toast the contributions made by so many.''

The Coronation in May this year will focus on volunteering and communities, with the weekend's festivities culminating in the Big Help Out. The aim of the Big Help Out is to highlight the positive impact volunteering has on communities across the country. It is hoped that the Big Help Out will encourage people to come out and support causes that are important to them.

Photo: Edmund Blok

daniela jenkins · Fri 24 Feb 2023, 11:05 · Link


Graham Snell

I'm sorry to report the passing of Graham Snell on Friday 10th February 2023. Graham and his late wife Fiona were heavily involved with Charlbury life, including most notably as Treasurer and supporter to the Scouts and Guides for many years, and a volunteer at the Beer Festival (from the very start).

In his professional life he was a well-respected Club Secretary at three of London's clubs. He will be sorely missed.

Funeral at the Church of St Mary the Virgin, Charlbury, on Thursday 9th March at 2 p.m. Family flowers only, we suggest donations in memory of Graham are given to Maggie’s Centre Oxford; these may be made at the service, or sent directly to; Maggie’s Oxford, The Patricia Thompson Building, Old Road, Headington, Oxford OX3 7LE.

Gareth Epps · Thu 23 Feb 2023, 18:08 · Link


Railway line reopening 22 February

Latest message from GWR:

We promised to update you on progress with repairs to the rail line serving Oxford to Worcester. You will remember that on Friday 10 February a road bridge over the railway collapsed onto the rail line near Yarnton.

Network Rail engineers have completed initial repairs to the structure along with repairs to the embankment, enabling the railway line to reopen this morning.  A temporary 20mph speed restriction will be in place under the bridge until the second phase of longer-term repairs to reinforce the structure and ground are completed. 

Construction for this phase of work is due to begin at the end of next week.  We expect this to take a couple of weeks to complete. The work will however be carried out overnight to limit disruption to passengers.  We will continue to keep you updated on progress.

Lisa Wilkinson · Wed 22 Feb 2023, 10:28 · Link


E-bike mechanic wanted

Volunteer mechanic needed

Our amazing volunteer mechanic can no longer continue in the role.

Are you interested in helping out?

Full training would be provided by Windrush Bike Project

Volunteer Bike Mechanic Duties include:

Carrying out safety checks between loans

Ensuring tyres are inflated correctly

Referring any maintenance issues to Windrush Bike Project

Handover of the e-bike to new borrowers

Possible additional duties (depending on individual’s circumstances)

If you are interested in helping then please contact Lisa on clerk@charlbury-tc.gov.uk

Lisa Wilkinson · Tue 21 Feb 2023, 11:43 · Link


DEC Turkey-Syria Appeal

In view of the terrific response to the sale of my cards for Ukraine last year, I have designed a new set of cards to raise funds for the Turkey-Syria earthquake appeal.  They are available on my website or outside my front door in fine weather.

Maureen Sparling · Thu 16 Feb 2023, 12:46 · Link


Latest on the trains - 16th Februry

GWR have just confirmed that trains will run through to Hanborough from Worcester on Thursday 16th, so there is no rail replacement at Charlbury - those going to Oxford will be able to take a train from Charlbury then change at Hanborough for buses from there.

Lisa Wilkinson · Thu 16 Feb 2023, 10:08 · Link


Latest on train cancellations

Following our update on Monday, we’re writing to provide you the latest about the landslip at Cassington Road bridge in Oxfordshire last Friday (10 February) which closed the railway between Oxford and Moreton-in-Marsh.

Network Rail engineers have been on site investigating options to secure the embankment so that the road bridge and railway underneath it can be safely reopened. The land is extremely unstable and currently poses a significant risk to the stability of the bridge.

Detailed design work on fixing the embankment and bridge is being completed and materials have been ordered. From Friday (17 February), sheet piling will start to be installed to reinforce the embankment and the bridge; with the aim of reopening the railway to passengers on Wednesday 22 February, at a cautionary speed.

We are working to safely reopen the road and railway as soon as possible. Until the railway reopens, there is an amended train service operating:

During peak times, London <–> Worcester train services will continue to divert via Swindon

A replacement bus service is operating between Oxford and Kingham, calling at Hanborough, Charlbury and Kingham. Kingham is currently being used as the interchange between train and the replacement bus services as it is more suitable for bus traffic.

A shuttle train service is operating between Worcester/Great Malvern and Charlbury – passengers for onward travel should change at Kingham.

Journey planners are being updated and the replacement bus services are in online journey planners. There also continues to be ticket acceptance in place with Chiltern, CrossCountry, Avanti West Coast, and West Midlands Trains.

For the latest travel information, please visit https://www.gwr.com/travel-information/travel-updates/check-your-journey. We will update you further as we work to reopen the road and railway.

Lisa Wilkinson · Wed 15 Feb 2023, 16:09 · Link


Trustees Wanted - CPRE - Oxfordshire

TRUSTEES WANTED - Campaign to Protect Rural England - Oxfordshire

Do you care about your local countryside?

Want to make a difference?

Due to retirement of current trustees, we are looking for an Honorary Secretary and a Board Member to join our team.

This is an excellent opportunity to play an influential role in a respected and long-standing environmental charity, applying your experience to make a real difference and to be part of a friendly group that is passionate about the Oxfordshire countryside.

Application deadline is 30 March 2023 in the first instance, but we are happy to receive expressions of interest on an ongoing basis.

For further info, please contact our Branch Director, Helen Marshall.

E: director@cpreoxon.org.uk

T: 01491 612079

See our website for more information: www.cpreoxon.org.uk

Tue 14 Feb 2023, 15:27 · Link


Train services to Oxford/London cancelled

Message just received from GWR:

We wanted to update you following a landslip next to the railway between Oxford and Hanborough that occurred on Friday evening, meaning that section of line is currently closed and is likely to be closed until the weekend.

A landslip near Yarnton happened on the line, as well as parts of Cassington Road bridge collapsing meaning the line has been blocked. Network Rail engineers are onsite investigating the causes and working on a solution to safely reopen the railway and the road bridge as soon as possible, however due to the complexities it is likely to closed until the weekend.

The line between Oxford and Moreton-in-Marsh remains closed today. They have rail replacement buses in place between Moreton-in-Marsh and Oxford, and a shuttle rail service between Moreton-in-Marsh and Worcester. GWR Worcester-London services will run on a diversionary route via Swindon and we also have ticket acceptance in place with Chiltern, CrossCountry, Avanti West Coast and West Midlands Trains.

Journeys can be checked at https://www.journeycheck.com/greatwesternrailway/ where customers can also sign up for specific alerts.

Lisa Wilkinson · Mon 13 Feb 2023, 13:29 · Link


Charlbury Street Fair Quiz Night Returns on 11th March

Charlbury Street Fair's hugely popular annual charity quiz night and supper returns this year on Saturday 11th March at 7.30 p.m at the Memorial Hall. We are now taking bookings for teams of up to six (£15 per head including supper). All proceeds go to the preservation and improvement of the Memorial Hall and Corner House. Tickets are limited - to book, please email Karen Simpson csfquizbooking@gmail.com or text/call 07776 147782 by 4th March.

Tilly Beaumont · Fri 10 Feb 2023, 19:34 · Link


Coronation Big Lunch

Put Sunday 7th May in you diary for the Coronation Big Lunch at Nine Acres.

More details as they are confirmed will be posted here:

https://charlbury-tc.gov.uk/news/celebrate-the-charlbury-community-for-the-kings-coronation/

Lisa Wilkinson · Fri 10 Feb 2023, 14:23 · Link


The Big Help Out

Come along to the Volunteer Fair, run in conjunction with the Oxfordshire Lieutenancy, at the Memorial Hall on Monday 8th May to find out how you can help one of our amazing local groups. Find an organisation who needs your skills and ignites your interest.

We hope to offer free afternoon tea.

More details will be added here as they are confirmed. :

https://charlbury-tc.gov.uk/news/celebrate-the-charlbury-community-for-the-kings-coronation/

If your voluntary organisation is interested in having a stall at the fair, please contact Lisa

Lisa Wilkinson · Fri 10 Feb 2023, 14:10 · Link


S3 bus times change from 5 March

Stagecoach has published a revised timetable for the S3 bus to Oxford, to take effect in March. The occasional 7 bus will no longer serve Charlbury: they are being redirected to Witney instead.

The main changes are that the bus has a more regular hourly timetable through the day; and the late night service from Oxford will no longer run. The last bus from Oxford to Charlbury will be the 21.55.

Morning buses to Oxford will leave the Bell at 05.52, 07.17, 08.27 and 09.27.

Full timetable (PDF).

Richard Fairhurst · Thu 9 Feb 2023, 11:21 · Link


B4026 road closure between Charlbury and Spelsbury

The B4026 will be closed between Charlbury and Spelsbury for SSE to make an electricity connection to a property on the southern side of the road.

one.network currently states that the closure will begin at 7am Tuesday and end at 5pm Wednesday.

Richard Fairhurst · Sun 5 Feb 2023, 11:42 · Link


CLPG charter train connects Cotswolds with Torbay

The Cotswold Line Promotion Group (CLPG) is delighted to announce that its first charter train since 2019 will take passengers from stations along the line to Taunton, Exeter and Torbay.

A nine-car Great Western Railway (GWR) InterCity Express Train (IET) will make the trip to the South West on Saturday, April 22, starting from Oxford and heading to Worcester, before running to Somerset and Devon.

On the return journey, the train will be routed from Taunton to Oxford and will then drop off passengers at stations towards Worcester.

Members of the CLPG were given priority to book reserved seats on the train, but non-members are now welcome to make bookings as well.

While final timings are subject to confirmation, the train is due to leave Oxford at 06.00, calling at Charlbury at 06.18, then dropping off passengers at Taunton, Exeter St David’s and Paignton, where it is due to arrive at 10.41.

The return journey will leave Paignton at 15.54, calling to pick up passengers at Exeter St David’s and Taunton, before reaching Oxford at 18.53 and Charlbury at 19.14 on its way back to Worcester.

Standard class tickets are £55 for adults (£45 for CLPG members) and £30 for children aged 5 to 16 (£25 for members’ children). Children aged under five can travel free of charge. All first class tickets have been sold. Payment can be made by cheque or using online banking.

Full details of the train and a booking form are available on the CLPG’s new website at https://clpg.online

Any enquiries should be made to Chris Bates at chrisjbates@btinernet.com or call (before 7.30pm) 07803 902030.

Picture caption: GWR IET 800320 is pictured on the Devon coast at Dawlish on May 26, 2022. Picture: Steve Widdowson

William Crossley · Sat 4 Feb 2023, 12:30 · Link


Southill on Sky News Climate Show podcast

https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=1561243909&i=1000597924341

Also on Sky News The Climate Show with Tom Heap later this afternoon

Here is the relevant Climate Show episode on YouTube  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vd8qqbN9Bsc&list=PLG8IrydigQfff8mUzKAZQv-CN2Yh2EQnv&index=22

Tim Crisp · Sat 4 Feb 2023, 10:14 · Link


Charlbury Street Fair Quiz 2023- 11th March

Charity Quiz Night and Supper 

Get your thinking caps on Charlbury Street Fair Quiz and supper is returning to the Memorial Hall on Saturday 11th March at 7.30pm (doors open at 7pm).

Time for head-scratching questions from our two champion quiz masters Steve and John. Gather teams of up to SIX and enjoy the licensed bar and some pub grub. Prize for the successful team and a wooden spoon for the losers. 

Naturally all profits going to our vital community spaces- the Corner House and War Memorial Hall Charity. 

For booking please email Karen Simpson on csfquizbooking@gmail.com. or phone/text on 07776147782

Meals: Meat and Vegan options available - all options will be GF.

karen simpson · Fri 3 Feb 2023, 19:13 · Link


Consultation on extending 20mph limit to the whole town

Oxfordshire County Council has opened a consultation on a proposal to extend the 20mph limit to the whole of Charlbury.

In addition, the 30mph limit on the Spelsbury Road would be extended as far as the campsite; and a zebra crossing installed on the Slade between Ticknell Piece Road and Crawborough.

You can see the plans, and make comments, at https://letstalk.oxfordshire.gov.uk/charlbury_20mph30mph_crossing2023.

Richard Fairhurst · Thu 2 Feb 2023, 11:26 · Link


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