News

Chloe's at Alder House to Close

It’s been quite an amazing couple of years, but as they say, all good things must come to an end… and I’m here to let you know that we’ll be closing Chloe’s at Alder House on Friday 11th July.

We can get into the whys-and-wherefores another time, but please know that this is a really positive move for me and my family. Rest-assured that me and the Chloe’s crew will continue to host events and pop-ups in the spirit of what we’ve started here on Market Street. If you would like to collaborate on something, we’d love to hear from you!

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our lovely customers for your continued support of my little business plus our amazing staff, suppliers and our families. In particular I’d like to express my love and gratitude to Kate, Caz and Tom who have really been instrumental to everything we’ve created so far and worked with so much care and love and getting on-board with making Chloe’s such beautiful thing!

We have thought really hard about what would work best for Charlbury on the shop site, and I am absolutely thrilled to let you know that there’s something wonderful coming (more news in the next week-or-so). Everyone has asked about is opening the space here more: and this is exactly what’s going to happen!

Hope to see you for one last dinner (or two!)

Chloe and the gang xxx

P.S. I have included details of our final weeks on the Forum page

Chloe Horner · Thu 29 May, 15:30 · Link

Charlbury Saturday Market this Saturday 31st May 9.30am - 12 midday

🎉 It’s market time again and we’ve got a delicious line-up waiting for you this week! 🧺

We’re thrilled to welcome back Gatineau with their heavenly breads, buttery quiches and irresistible pastries – yes, your favourites are back! 🥐🍞

Don’t miss Kitchen Preserves – a proper treat with their old-fashioned, homemade preserves that taste just like grandma used to make. 🍓🫙

We’re also very happy to say that Padstow Fish are back with their fresh, responsibly sourced fish.

And as always, you’ll find the freshest, tastiest seasonal fruit and veg from the lovely folks at Styan. 🍓🥬🥕

Pop down, say hello and fill your basket with the best local produce around. See you there! 👋 #CharlburyMarket #ShopLocal #FarmersMarketDelights

Lisa Wilkinson · Wed 28 May, 10:39 · 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.

• 7 Kearsey Court Charlbury
  Variation of condition 2 of Planning Permission 25/00215/HHD to allow the addition of a greenhouse
  WODC reference: 25/01206/S73 - Fri 16 May 2025 - Under consideration

Mon 26 May, 06:15 · Link

Update - Annual Parish Boundary Walk is back! - Sun 25th May

Just a reminder - SORRY NO DOGS are allowed on the Cornbury stretch of the walk as deer are currently fawning, in addition there are ground nesting birds which are vulnerable at this time of year.

First half of the walk has some very overgrown sections, so not suitable for young children.

For full details of the walk see below in News or Events section of Charlbury info.

Mark Jones · Sat 24 May, 09:21 · Link

Need to keep the kids busy ?

Just arrived at No.5 

The Charlbury Activity Pack.

Each pack contains 4 pages of fun puzzles, including wordsearch, spot the difference and the Charlbury maze, also included is a set of pencils for colouring in.

Available now at No.5 Market St 

Tim Widdows · Thu 22 May, 10:19 · Link

Charlbury Beer Festival Needs You! Sponsor a Barrel – Just Over a Month to Go!

Charlbury - Get ready! The Charlbury Beer Festival is fast approaching on Saturday, 28th June 2025 – just over a month away! Organisers are calling for crucial barrel sponsors to help make this beloved community event a success.

Sponsoring a barrel is a great way to support local and overseas charities funded by the festival. Whether you're an individual, an organisation or a business, your name (or chosen words) will be featured on a barrel and in the festival programme, plus you'll receive complimentary tickets.

Sponsorship Tiers:

* Standard: £120 (includes 2 tickets)

* Premium: £200 (includes 4 tickets)

Show your support and get involved! To sponsor a barrel, please email Sean Hosking at seanhosking@charlburybeerfestival.org or visit the festival's sponsorship page: https://www.charlburybeerfestival.org/sponsors/

Let's make this year's festival the best yet!

Sean Hosking · Sun 18 May, 09:28 · Link

Road closure - Charlbury Station- Forest Road 13th May

Temporary Road Closure and “No Waiting” restriction at Charlbury, B4437

In the interests of public safety, it will be necessary for Oxfordshire County Council to close the road and impose a ‘No Waiting’ restriction as detailed above to facilitate surface dressing works.

A temporary Notice is being made to implement the temporary closure and will operate from 13 May 2025.

The anticipated completion date is 16 May 2025, 04:00 to 18:00 hours.

Access will be maintained for emergency service vehicles and for those frontages within the closure area, subject to the progress of the works and liaison with the works supervisor.

A copy of the drawing showing the extent of the closure and restriction and also the alternative route for traffic is attached.

Lisa Wilkinson · Mon 12 May, 15:22 · Link

🚶‍♀️🌿 Annual Parish Boundary Walk is back! 🌿🚶‍♂️

We're delighted to say that the Charlbury Annual Parish Boundary Walk is returning this year  on Sunday 25th May— and everyone’s welcome to join in this wonderful local tradition!

📍 Start Point: Lay-by at the top of Forest Road (Point 1 on the map)

🕙 Time: 10:00am, just turn up – no booking needed!

This is your chance to be part of a centuries-old tradition, known as “beating the bounds” — an ancient way of checking the boundaries of the parish (and a great excuse for a scenic countryside walk!). 🗺️🌼

🧭 The full walk is around 12 miles and takes roughly 6 hours, including a lunch stop. The route takes in some stunning views and paths not usually open to the public, thanks to the kind permission of local landowners.

🥪 Lunch break will be at Ditchley Model Farm, generously hosted by Rob and Maxine Hobill. Please bring:

A packed lunch

Snacks and plenty of water

Emergency contact info (just in case)

SORRY NO DOGS are allowed on the Cornbury stretch of the walk as deer are currently  fawning, in addition there are ground nesting birds which are vulnerable at this time of year. 

🧢🌞 What to wear/bring:

Sturdy walking boots

Long trousers (to avoid nettles and Blandford fly bites)

Insect repellent, sunhat and sunscreen

There are several points along the way where you can join in or head home if you don't fancy the full distance. See the map for details (Cornbury Bridge (4) , Layby by Solar Farm (7), Saltway/ Woodstock Road crossing (10), Ditchley Farm (11) and Enstone Road crossing (12)) and please let the walk leader know if you're leaving the group partway.

Let’s come together to celebrate local heritage, enjoy the countryside, and get a bit of fresh air and exercise too! 🥾🍃

#CharlburyWalk #BeatingTheBounds #CharlburyTraditions #GetOutside #OxfordshireEvents

Lisa Wilkinson · Mon 12 May, 11:03 · Link

Community Centre Open Day

Charlbury Community Centre is excited to welcome residents of all ages to its Open Day on Sunday, 11 May 2025, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. This free, family-friendly event is a great chance to explore the centre's facilities, try out some activities, and meet the team.

The day kicks off with a high-energy Fun Family Circuits session at 9:45 AM, followed by a variety of taster sessions, tours, and a BBQ courtesy of The Bell in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.

Charlbury’s Youth Ambassador will be present to share information about youth activities connected to the centre. It’s a great opportunity for families to learn more about what’s on offer for young people.

In addition, representatives from Charlbury Library will be attending to answer questions, talk about upcoming events, and help people register for library cards.

Highlights include:

Free Fun Family Circuits class at 9:45 AM

Taster sessions and class demos

Meet instructors and tour the centre

Chat with Charlbury’s Youth Ambassador

Register for a library card with visiting librarians

Enjoy a BBQ and refreshments

No booking is required—just drop in and join the fun. Whether you’re new to town or a long-time resident, the Open Day is a great way to connect with Charlbury Community Centre and see what’s happening right here.

Charlbury Community Centre · Thu 8 May, 17:09 · Link

VE Day in Charlbury 1945

After nearly six years of war, the surrender of the German armed forces to the Allies on 7th May 1945 came as a huge relief. In Britain the next day was declared a national holiday. We can get a good idea of how Charlbury marked VE Day from a detailed account published in The Leaflet. At 11.30 a spontaneous service was held in St Mary’s and the church bells were rung when the Prime Minister announced the official end of the war in Europe at 3pm that afternoon. The army put on a free dance in Victory Hall in Church Street.

The next day sports were held for children and adults organised by the Red Triangle club, with prizes donated by the town’s tradespeople. ENSA put on a concert in Church Street at 8pm and dancing continued until the early hours of the morning. Many children didn't make it to school the next day! A school service took place in St Mary’s on the Friday for children and parents.

Sunday 13th May was declared National Thanksgiving Day, marked by a service in St Mary’s at 3pm. The Leaflet records "…there were present: ROAC, ATS, Home Guard, Air Training Corps, Civil Defence, Red Cross, St John Ambulance Brigade, National Fire Service, Women’s Voluntary Service, Girl Guides and Brownies. The church was packed to the door. The collection of £12 12s was given to the Welcome Home fund.” That evening there was community singing in Church Street.

However mixed with the celebrations was grief of the loss of  life. Eight Charlbury men were killed in the fighting, with others wounded or changed by their experiences. Research by Diana and Peter Bennett has discovered at least 115 Charlbury men and women who served in the forces, and many others served in organisations like the Red Cross and the Home Guard. 

 We have more information in the museum should you wish to visit and explore more of the history of the war years in the town. We are open on Saturday mornings 10.30-12.30, Sunday afternoons 2.30-4.30, and on Bank Holiday Monday afternoons.

             Roll of Honour World War II

John Bowen: Royal Engineers d.1940    

Ronald Collins: Royal Air Force  d.1943

Kenneth Cooper: Royal Army Ordnance Corps d.1941

Trevor Kilby: Oxon & Bucks Light Infantry d.1943

Henry Maling: Royal Artillery d.1940

William Parsons: Oxon & Bucks Light Infantry d.1944

Alfred Sandalls: Royal Navy d.1944     

Peter Ryding: Welch Regiment d.1944

Judy Dod · Wed 7 May, 22:30 · 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.

• Charlbury Community Centre Enstone Road Charlbury
  Discharge of conditions 5 (lighting design strategy for biodiversity) and 6 (details of roosting opportunities) of Planning Permission 23/00749/FUL
  WODC reference: 25/01111/CND - Wed 30 Apr 2025 - Under consideration
• Woody Lane House Woody Lane Charlbury
  Demolition of existing extension comprising swimming pool and conservatory and erection of single storey extensions to create entrance porch, study and boot room. Alterations to fenestration and french door, Installation of first floor dormer in SE elevation and provision of additional chimney stack. Removal of existing garage/gardeners store and construction of detached outbuilding comprising garage and stores with first floor above.
  WODC reference: 25/01026/HHD - Fri 25 Apr 2025 - Under consideration

Mon 5 May, 06:15 · Link

Nature Recovery Theme for this year's Open Gardens

We are delighted to announce that this year's Open Gardens follows the lead of our Town Council and is on the theme of Nature Recovery.

Elisabeth Partington · Sat 3 May, 17:55 · Link

Liz Leffman re-elected as Charlbury's county councillor

Liz Leffman has been re-elected as Liberal Democrat county councillor for Charlbury & Wychwood.

Results were: 

• Liberal Democrat 1828
• Conservative 769
• Reform UK 722
• Green 255
• Labour 169

Richard Fairhurst · Fri 2 May, 14:21 · Link