Newsletter: December 2024 - Chipping Norton Town Council

Welcome to the December 2024 edition of the Town Council’s newsletter.

Remembering Dr. Sheila Parker

With heavy hearts, we remember Dr. Sheila Parker, whose passing marks the end of an era in Chipping Norton. Together with her late husband, Dr. Bruce Parker, Sheila dedicated her life to the wellbeing and vitality of this town, leaving an indelible mark on the lives of countless residents.

Arriving in Chipping Norton in 1958 as a young couple, Bruce and Sheila built their lives and careers here, working tirelessly as local GPs, committed to their patients and to raising healthcare standards in our community. Sheila’s career was a testament to the values of compassion, dedication, and personal connection. She once wrote, “When one lives amongst and shops with everyone else, it’s a community.” Sheila truly embodied this belief, always there to listen, advise, and comfort her patients, especially the elderly, who found in her a trusted friend and healer.

Her work extended far beyond her role as a GP. Sheila co-founded the Highlands Day Centre, which opened in 1993 as a cherished haven for the elderly in Chipping Norton. She was deeply involved in community groups, from leading the Brownies as Brown Owl to establishing the Trefoil Guild and working with disabled Guides at Penhurst School. Sheila gave her time and heart to organisations like Inner Wheel, Town Twinning, and many other local causes.

In recognition of their lifetime of service, Bruce and Sheila were awarded Honorary Citizenship in 2008 at a heartfelt ceremony in the Town Hall, attended by friends, family, and the community they had served so well. Even in retirement, they remained active, with Sheila frequently seen at the tea counter at community events, always ready with a warm smile and helping hand.

Sheila’s life was one of service, kindness, and strength—a legacy that will live on in the community she loved so much. Her dedication to Chipping Norton was unwavering, and her impact will be felt for generations.

As we say goodbye, we do so with deep gratitude, remembering Sheila not only as a doctor but as a friend, mentor, and pillar of Chipping Norton. Our thoughts are with her family and friends, and we are certain that her spirit will continue to inspire us all.

🎄 Chipping Norton Christmas Lights Switch-On & Big Chippy Singalong: What a Night! 🎶

Last Thursday, 28th November, Chipping Norton came alive for our Christmas Lights Switch-On and Big Chippy Singalong. It was a night packed with festive fun, music, and community spirit – and honestly, we couldn’t have asked for more.

🎅 Santa’s Grotto & Late-Night Shopping
The evening kicked off with late-night shopping around town and a very busy Santa’s Grotto, which St Mary’s School beautifully set up. Over 25 stalls filled the Town Hall, offering everything from handmade crafts to charity goodies – the perfect mix for some Christmas shopping and supporting local causes.

🎤 The Big Chippy Singalong
The Chipping Norton Choral Society and the newly formed Cotswold Youth Choir absolutely smashed it as they led the Big Chippy Singalong. Their voices carried through the town as they got everyone joining in with classic carols and festive bangers. Special mention to the Cotswold Youth Choir – this was their first big performance, and they were just incredible. What a way to make your debut!

🎙️ Witney Radio (WRFM) Live Broadcast
Big love to Witney Radio, who were out in full force, keeping the crowd entertained with their live broadcast, interviews, and all-round festive vibes. It was so much fun seeing them chat with locals and capture the magic of the evening for anyone listening at home.

🎁 Freemasons & Santa’s Sleigh
The Freemasons joined in on the action, with their friend Santa and his Sleigh, making an appearance – it’s always a bit of a talking point and had plenty of people taking selfies!

✨ The Grand Switch-On
And then – the big moment. The town held its breath as Sara Ahmed, this year’s Young Person of the Year, joined the Mayor to light up the town. The cheer that went up when the Christmas lights sparkled to life was something else. What a brilliant way to mark the start of the festive season.

This night couldn’t have happened without the amazing support of our volunteers, performers, stallholders, and everyone who turned up to enjoy the fun. You made it what it was – a magical evening. Here’s to a joyful and festive December for all of us in Chippy! 🎄

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.

Santa will with us at the Town Hall, on his Sleigh before he visits all the local street in Chippy before Christmas.

The Town Hall will be open for drinks and a warm space in Upper Hall and Transitions Chipping Norton alongside Boogie Bounce will be providing fun activities and fun boogie sessions in the Lower Hall.

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.

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:

The Reclaimed Home Fair at Christmas: If you are a fan of the Reclaimed Home Fair that regularly visits Chippy, then they have a delight for you – as this year they are bringing their Christmas event to the Town Hall on Saturday 7th December!
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.
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:

Chipping Norton Christmas Market 8th December 2024 Join us as Cotswold Markets host the Christmas Market this year. With over 70 stalls and Upper Hall and Lower Hall open, it will be a lovely Christmas shopping event for you to enjoy – with many local tradespeople joining the event.
Kaleb’s Tractor Run 8th December 2024 The Christmas Market will be ending this year with a fantastic Tractor Run starting in the Town Centre, from everyone’s favourite local farmer Kaleb Cooper. Come and watch the start of their Christmas Tractor Parade from 17:00.
Amnesty Chipping Norton 10th December 2024 A vigil for peace will be hosted on the Town Hall Steps from 18:00. They would love as many people as possible to join them on the evening.
Lawrence Nursing Home Team Candle Light Event 20^th 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!

Precept 2025-26

As we prepare to bring the grounds maintenance 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.

Town Mayor, Cllr Sandra Coleman adds “I am really pleased that we are able to take this positive step towards making our town an attractive place to live and work, in keeping with our beautiful location in the Cotswolds. I hope that residents will also support this work by taking their own steps to care for our town, by using the litter and dog waste bins and supporting our Keep Chippy Beautiful campaign.”

The exact figures will be considered by Full Council on the 9th December and once the precept has been formally declared it will be published on the Town Council’s website and social media on the 10th December 2024.

EV car sharing scheme

Chipping Norton now has its very own EV car sharing scheme – hooray! 😊 This and other good news is covered in this OCC press release from earlier in the week: Oxfordshire car clubs to continue after successful trial.

Local Banbury-based start-up Zimbl are providing this fully battery electric car for local residents and businesses to use on a pay-per-hour or per day basis. This lovely new EV is based at the Park and Charge EV charging hub in West Oxon District Council’s New Street car park and can be hired for just £8 per hour or £80 per day with no membership fees. You only pay for the hire time and the battery spent, with the first 5kWh provided for free. Zimbl also offer a ‘deliver to your door’ service which might appeal to residents a bit further afield or people who are not able to get to New Street.