Welcome to the November 2024 edition of the Town Council’s newsletter.
Revitalising Glyme Hall
Chipping Norton Town Council is excited to announce that, from January 2025, terms have been agreed for the Council to take on a new lease of Glyme Hall, a valued community hub. This marks an important step forward in ensuring the hall continues to serve as a vibrant space for the local community, supporting a range of activities from adult learning programmes to youth services, health and wellbeing initiatives, and more
Once the contract has been completed, all existing users will be contacted to ensure that the venue continues to be used for the benefit of the community. Our goal is to develop Glyme Hall into a bustling centre for community activities, where residents of all ages can come together to learn, connect, and enjoy a variety of events and services.
With the Council’s established resources, expertise, and dedicated team, we are fully committed to providing effective management and ensuring that Glyme Hall remains accessible and welcoming to all. The Council is well-placed to manage the hall sustainably and efficiently, using our experience in running community services. We are committed to maintaining a high standard of service and developing the hall to meet the needs of Chipping Norton’s residents.
Town Mayor, Cllr Sandra Coleman adds “Whether it’s hosting educational workshops, fitness classes, youth clubs, or local meetings, Glyme Hall will continue to be a cornerstone of the community under the Council’s stewardship. We are excited to embark on this new chapter and look forward to working closely with residents and community groups to ensure Glyme Hall thrives as a hub of activity and inclusivity.”
Community Awards 2024
Celebrating Community Spirit: Chipping Norton Community Awards
Inspirational Chippy Folk join together for an evening of celebration
The Chipping Norton Community Awards brought together residents, dignitaries, and volunteers to recognise outstanding contributions across various categories, celebrating the inspiring individuals and groups who enrich our town.
Young Person Award
Sara Ahmet took home the Young Person Award for her remarkable achievements. Runners-up included Bernadette and Harvey McCallum, for volunteering at the Chipping Norton Town Festival, and brothers Charlie, Stan, and Ronnie Hanks for their dedication.
Mayor’s Civic Awards
Community Service: Chipping Norton News, with special thanks to Keith Ruddle and Jill Thorley for their tireless reporting.
Civic Pride: Mr Snips (Steve Parsons), known for his long-standing service to Chipping Norton.
Care of the Environment: The Green Gym, with Heather Leonard honoured for her commitment to nature conservation.
Going Above and Beyond: Yasin Jussab, recognized for his extraordinary community contributions.
Beacham Award for Sporting Achievements and Group / Organisation Award
Local sports teams and organisations were celebrated, including Chipping Norton Cricket Club (Under 13s) and Rugby Club (Under 14s), as well as groups like Little Footsteps and the Park Run Marshals.
The evening was brought to life with Garry Whichello’s playful piano renditions for each award, adding a joyful surprise to the ceremony. Special thanks to our host, Geoff Coleman, and all the presenters and volunteers who helped make the event a success.
Read the full article and see more highlights here.
Public Art Workshops – Reflecting Chipping Norton
What a fantastic weekend, that was not hindered by the last minute change when the outdoor event at The Pillars Sunday workshop was hit by stormy weather. We are very grateful to Willow Gardens Care Home for allowing us the use of their arts and crafts room so that the workshop could continue.
Public Art Workshops Wrap-Up: A Creative Community Success
Chipping Norton’s recent Public Art Workshops brought over 100 residents together to celebrate creativity and community. The first workshop took place at the Town Hall on Saturday, 21st September, while the second was moved from the Pillars Play Area to Willow Gardens care home due to stormy weather on Sunday, 22nd September.
Local artist Luke Embden led participants in creating vibrant artwork that reflects “What Community and Chipping Norton mean to you.” The final mural will be displayed on the windows of our historic Town Hall, showcasing the diversity and spirit of our town.
This project, funded by Section 106 developer contributions for public art, highlights how art can unite us all. We thank everyone who contributed to making this event a resounding success and look forward to unveiling the completed mural soon!
Watch this space for the installation!
Keep Chippy Beautiful
Many thanks to all the volunteers, Town Mayor and Councillors that took part, it was a really lovely day!
11 bags of litter were collected! Making Chippy a cleaner, greener space for everyone.
We will be arranging another date soon, so watch this space.
More to look forward to from the Town Hall
Keep an eye on our Town Hall Facebook Events Listings to know what events, groups and activities are coming up that you could be a part of.
September sees us picking up the pace again with our regular groups starting back after the Summer holidays, and lots of events getting booked in:
Some of the Weekly Favorites to Keep You Busy:
- Zumba with Revival Therapies: Kickstart your week with energy and movement! Our new Zumba Revival class is set to bring the heat every Monday at 6 pm in the Lower Hall. This fun, high-energy dance workout is designed to lift your spirits and keep you moving, with expert instructors guiding you through invigorating routines. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned dancer, this class is all about having fun, staying fit, and enjoying the beat!
- Chipping Norton Theatre Dance 50 – Dance Class: Wednesday mornings bring movement and joy to the Upper Hall, where our community’s Dance 50 class encourages fitness, fun, and connection. With guidance from experienced instructors, this class offers a relaxed and supportive atmosphere for all involved. Join us from 9:45 am to 11:45 am to embrace the rhythm and stay active.
- Chipping Norton U3A Presentation: If you’re interested in lifelong learning, this monthly led session might be just for you. The Chipping Norton U3A group gathers from 2 pm to 4 pm in the Upper Hall, with presentations and discussions that spark curiosity and friendship among its members. It’s a wonderful way for older adults to stay engaged and keep the mind active.
- Can Sing Group: Feel the joy of music with Chipping Norton Theatre’s Can Sing Group, meeting on Thursdays from 6:25 pm to 7:25 pm in the Upper Hall. This friendly singing group is ideal for anyone wanting to enjoy singing together without the pressure of formal choir commitments. It’s all about fun, community, and the love of music!
- Enigma Music Class: An after-school treat for young musicians, Enigma Music classes in The Snug run from 4 pm to 7 pm every Friday. These sessions nurture young talent with hands-on guidance and a chance to explore various instruments in a creative and supportive environment. Perfect for budding musicians in Chipping Norton!
- Muslim Prayers: Every Friday from 1 pm to 2 pm, the Lower Hall offers a quiet, welcoming space for the community’s Muslim prayer group. This regular gathering provides a peaceful environment for spiritual practice and connection.
Special Events to Mark on Your Calendar:
- Remembrance Sunday 10th November 2024 Join Town Mayor Sandra Coleman from 09:30 in the marketplace to march to St Mary’s church for the Remembrance Service. Returning with the Royal British Legion, Air Cadets and Dignitaries, in the parade down the A44 to the Town Hall steps, for the ceremonial speeches. Refreshments will be available in the Town Hall, and food provided by Southerndown Care Home.
- Armistice Day Monday 11th November 2024 Join Town Mayor Sandra Coleman and the Royal British Legion at the War memorial for the laying of the wreaths from 10:30.
- Polling Day 14th November 2024 Reminder that WODC by-election which will take place in the Lower Hall this year to minimise disruption to the 5 sessions already booked in to the Upper Hall on that day. WODC are content that the by-election is small enough to manage in the Lower Hall.
- Reclaimed Home Fair Christmas Market 7th December 2024 as it says on the box – The reclaimed Home Fair have bought their Christmas Market to Town Hall – moving from an existing location as they have more traders in 2024 than previous years.
- Lawrence Nursing Home Team Candle Light Event 20th December 2024 Join the Lawrence Home Nursing Home Team for a Candle Light Event from 18:00 – 20:30
For more details on any of the above, contact the event organisers directly, and if you need to connect with them, please do email events@chippingnorton-tc.gov.uk. We can’t wait to see you here!
Chipping Norton Town Council to Bring Grounds Maintenance In-House from April 2025
At Chipping Norton Town Council, we have listened to your concerns, and we are excited to share a significant step we’re taking to improve the appearance and upkeep of our town. From April 2025, the Council will be bringing the grounds maintenance service in-house, providing us with greater control, flexibility, and the ability to respond swiftly to any issues.
Why this change? One of the most common enquiries and complaints we receive is about the state of the town’s public spaces. From overgrown grass to untidy planters, our residents want Chipping Norton to be a town that we can all be proud of. Civic pride is important to us all, and that’s why we’re making this bold move to bring grounds maintenance under direct Council management.
What does this mean for you? By having our own dedicated, in-house grounds and maintenance team, we will be able to:
- Increase flexibility: Our team will be on the ground daily, able to react quickly to any issues that arise.
- Improve accountability: Because the service is being delivered directly by the Council, we will ensure standards are consistently high.
- Showcase our passion for Chipping Norton: Our staff will take pride in their work, with an emphasis on creating a welcoming, attractive town environment.
- Control costs more effectively: In-house management means we can use our resources more efficiently and eliminate the need for external contractors in many areas.
What are the benefits? You will notice the difference around town with:
- Well-maintained planters, beds, and hanging baskets: These will be carefully looked after and developed to bring vibrancy and colour to our town centre, making it a more pleasant place to live, work, and visit.
- Improved grass cutting and weed control: Regular, high-quality grass cutting and weed management will ensure that our public spaces remain tidy and well-kept throughout the year.
- Enhanced general upkeep: A dedicated team will handle regular upkeep, ensuring that public areas, pathways, and community spaces are clean and attractive.
- Cemetery care: Our cemetery will be maintained to a higher standard, with attention to detail and respect.
- Cost savings: Our team will also provide maintenance in town-owned facilities like the Town Hall and Glyme Hall, reducing the need to hire external contractors and saving money in the long run.
Impact on the Precept As we prepare to bring this service in-house, there will be a modest increase in the precept (the portion of your Council Tax that goes to Chipping Norton Town Council). This increase is necessary to cover the additional costs of staffing, equipment, and improved services. However, we believe this investment will greatly enhance the appearance and pride in our town, and in the long run, it will bring more value to the community.
More details will be published about this over the coming weeks and months.
Remembrance events in Chipping Norton
Everyone welcome to attend. Thanks to Chipping Norton Royal British Legion.
Christmas Lights Switch on and Big Chippy Singalong
Let the whole town come together to celebrate the start of Christmas. With thanks to the Chipping Norton Choral Society for their support in hosting our Community Singalong from 6pm, we hope that you will come and singalong with them before the magical Lantern Parade with children from St Mary’s and Holy Trinity Schools, and the Christmas Lights Switch On at 6:30pm.
Santa will be visiting and hosting present giving in his Grotto, as well as Hot Chocolate, Minced Pies, Mulled Wine and Hot Dogs being available to warm yourself from the cold. It will a lovely way to find trinkets for Christmas from local stalls and charities.
Christmas in Chippy Market
Christmas Market – Sunday, December 8th, 2024
We are delighted to be working with Cotswold Markets to provide a wonderful Christmas Market in 2024.
Running from 10:00 to 17:00, the Christmas Market will feature 70 stalls offering a range of unique and festive goods as well as food and drink stalls, with a seated area.
There will also be food and drink vendors, an indoor market at the Town Hall, and to top it all off, Kaleb Cooper’s tractor run will take place at the end of the event.
Join us, and encourage your friends and family to visit Chippy for a traditional Christmas shopping experience for local gifts and produce from the Cotswolds.
Rusty Riders
Rusty Riders are pausing until March – thanks to everyone that have attended this year and we are looking forward to seeing you again in March 2025.
You can read more about this here:
Flag-flying at the Millennium Garden
In October we flew:
- The Royal British Legion 100 years Flag – Saturday 12th October
- The United Nations Flag – Thursday 24th October. United Nations Day, on 24 October, marks the anniversary of the entry into force in 1945 of the UN Charter.
In November we will be flying:
The Human Rights Flag on Monday 25th November for International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women
An Introduction to Councillor Natasha Whitmill
We will use this space to introduce your town councillors.
This month we asked Cllr Natasha Whitmill to tell us a bit about herself and why she decided to become a Councillor:
My family moved to Chippy over 20 years ago while I was finishing school. I went on to study politics at the University of Nottingham and used to come home in the holidays and work behind the bar at Stones (now Bitter & Twisted)!
I moved away for a bit to discover the bright lights of London and worked in Parliament. We came back to West Oxfordshire when we decided to have a family and have lived in Chippy for over 13 years now. Alongside my husband, we run a catering company in the town and our two boys go to Chipping Norton School.
While it’s certainly grown in size, a number of issues which face our town today were the same as I remember over 20 years ago:
- HGVs tearing through the centre
- Lack of housing
- Not enough activities/facilities to engage our young people It’s the last issue which inspired me to stand for Town Council. Having been a young person living in Chipping Norton and now a mum of young people growing up here, I can honestly say that we do not have good enough resources for them. That’s why I am committed to doing what I can to help the brilliant Chipping Norton Skatepark Group and our Town Council in their mission to get this long-awaited and much-wanted amenity built! If you would like to join us on the journey please get in touch.
Stepping Down as Town Clerk and CEO: A Personal Note
I am incredibly proud of all that we have achieved together at Chipping Norton Town Council. It has been a privilege to work with such a dedicated and passionate team, and I am grateful for the support and trust I have received from colleagues, councillors, and the wider community. Together, we’ve taken on new initiatives, strengthened community ties, helped shape the future of our town and become an award winning Council – rooted in good governance, transparency and community engagement.
Over the past few weeks I have been working with the Council and staff to ensure a smooth transition. I have every confidence in the team and the leadership that will continue to guide Chipping Norton Town Council through this period of change, and deliver the bold aspirations of the town. The Council will be in the very safe and capable hands of the wonderful Katherine Jang, who will be Acting Town Clerk and CEO in the interim period.
I look forward to staying connected with the incredible people I’ve had the pleasure of working alongside and supporting Chipping Norton. Thank you all for the trust, support, and collaboration over the years. See you at the Christmas Lights event!
Luci x
You can contact staff and Councillors here:
Get involved
As part of our work in securing a Local Cycling/Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) for Chipping Norton, we’re very keen to hear from people with disabilities or mobility difficulties about the areas of the town that are particularly difficult for them to navigate. Please contact Katherine on: deputyclerk@chippingnorton-tc.gov.uk with your views.
Dates for your diary
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