Welcome to the February 2025 edition of the Town Council’s newsletter.
A Taste of Kindness: Café Le Raj Serves Up Free Meals for Those in Need
Salman Ahmed, owner of Café Le Raj in Chipping Norton, is working in partnership with the Mayor, Sandra Coleman and our Local Area Coordinator, Cheryl Huntbach, to provide free meals for some residents.
This generous offer will extend to ten individuals or families per month and will run throughout the year. The scheme is aimed at people who are finding things a bit difficult, especially financially. For this offer, Café Le Raj have three set meals to choose from, complete with rice and naan.
You can nominate yourself, or someone you being supported by can do this for you by contacting Salman, Sandra or Cheryl with your name and contact details. We will then make arrangements for a voucher which can be exchanged for food which can be collected from Cafe le Raj.
Contact Cheryl, our Local Area Coordinator, if you, or someone you know would benefit from this fantastic community service from the team at Cafe le Raj – Call Cheryl on 07789 088 173.
Start Your Brilliant Business Now – Oxfordshire
Get the help you need to start your brilliant business in the next month, rather than ‘one-day’!
If you have an idea or a passion to get started in your own business, as a sole trader, limited company or social enterprise, then this support is for you.
This morning workshop is being run in parallel with our targeted support for West Oxfordshire and Cherwell residents, but is open to anyone living in Oxfordshire.
After this workshop you can access further support delivered through a range of online events and 1:1 support activities.
Start-up businesses are the lifeblood of a local thriving economy, so we are creating more opportunities for residents to get started right, to secure their first customers and to grow.
Whether you’re a seasoned professional looking to transition into entrepreneurship or a budding visionary seeking guidance, this workshop is tailor-made to equip you with the fundamental first steps and strategies required to transform your passion into a thriving business venture.
During this power-packed session, you will create your first draft of a one page business plan, making sure you know what to do to get started.
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to gain the knowledge and inspiration you need to launch your dream business!
Register for our “Start Your Brilliant Business Now” event and take the first step towards making your entrepreneurial dreams a reality.
Town Hall TLC: Keeping Our Community Hub in Shape!
Town Hall Heating Issues – Temporary Arrangements in Place
Chipping Norton Town Hall is currently facing heating issues, with both boilers unfortunately out of action. We understand that this is a challenging situation, especially during the colder months, and we are working hard to resolve the issue as soon as possible.
In the meantime, we want to thank the local community groups for their patience and flexibility. Many of them have temporarily relocated to Glyme Hall, ensuring that their activities can continue with minimal disruption. Glyme Hall is also accommodating groups while essential roof works take place at the Town Hall, which means the accessibility ramp is also temporarily out of action.
We appreciate everyone’s cooperation and will provide updates as soon as we have news on the boiler repairs. If you have any concerns or need assistance regarding bookings, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Restoring Chipping Norton Town Hall: Window Repairs Underway
As part of the ongoing upkeep of Chipping Norton Town Hall, work is now in progress to renew two windows at the Fox end of the building. Following an inspection, it was discovered that the woodwork had deteriorated, and two panes had slipped, making repairs essential to preserve the integrity of the historic building.
We’re pleased to share that the new windows are currently being expertly manufactured by our friends at CN Glass, a trusted local business known for their craftsmanship. The installation is scheduled to take place after the Music Festival in March, ensuring minimal disruption to upcoming events.
These repairs are another step in maintaining the Town Hall as a welcoming and well-preserved space for the community. We appreciate everyone’s patience as this essential work is carried out and look forward to seeing the new windows in place soon!
Town Hall Roof Repairs Underway
Work is now underway at Chipping Norton Town Hall to address the ongoing roof leak, which has caused issues over the past months. This is a temporary repair to mitigate further water damage while we await a larger-scale project to fully restore the roof.
The long-term plan includes a comprehensive roof refurbishment, which will not only improve the integrity of the historic building but also pave the way for the installation of solar panels, making the Town Hall a more sustainable community space for the future.
There really is a lot going on to keep our loved building a great place for everyone in the community. Some work may take a while to complete and in the meantime, some disruption is expected, and we appreciate the patience of everyone using the Town Hall. We will keep the community updated on progress and timelines.
More to look forward to from the Town’s Venues To Hire
Turning Point Extends Hours to Support Recovery in Chipping Norton
There is more spring in people’s steps in Chippy, thanks to Turning Point supporting many people in the community on the road to recovery.
We are delighted to share that Turning Point has extended its hours at the Town Hall, offering even more support to those in need of recovery services in Chipping Norton. This is a fantastic step forward, ensuring that people can access essential help at more convenient times.
Turning Point now operates on a fortnightly schedule, alternating between:
✔ Full-day sessions (9:00 AM – 5:00 PM)
✔ Afternoon sessions (12:00 PM – 5:00 PM)
The next full-day session will take place on Tuesday, February 4th at the Town Hall. If you or someone you know could benefit from support, please do drop in.
It’s great to see this valuable service being well-used by the Chipping Norton community, and we encourage anyone seeking help or advice to make the most of these extended hours.
For more information about Turning Point’s recovery support, visit their website or contact their team directly.
Moving out of Winter – events are getting booked in!
First Community Supper of the Year – at Glyme Hall!
We’re excited to announce that the much-loved Community Supper, hosted by Alan and Bev in partnership with the Community Church, is back for 2025! The first supper of the year will take place on Friday, 9th February, but with a new venue—Glyme Hall, rather than the Town Hall.
Join them from 5pm, where this fantastic initiative continues to bring people together over a warm, welcoming meal, fostering community spirit and connection. If you haven’t been before, it’s a great opportunity to meet new people and enjoy some delicious food in a friendly setting. There is no charge but prebooking is required to help with catering arrangements.
If you’d like to come please email cncommunitysuppers@gmail.com with number of places requested and any dietary requirements.
A huge thank you to Alan, Bev, and the Community Church for their dedication to supporting Chipping Norton! Stay tuned for more details on future suppers.
Winter Warmers
As we welcome the arrival of spring, Chipping Norton is gearing up for an exciting first weekend in March with two standout events at the Town Hall.
Reclaimed Home Fair – Saturday, March 1st
The much-anticipated Reclaimed Home Fair returns on Saturday, March 1st, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the Town Hall. This event is a treasure trove for enthusiasts of antiques and vintage homewares, offering a curated selection of unique pieces to add character to any home. With a reputation for quality and charm, the fair promises a delightful experience for all attendees.
With a ticket price in of £2, even if you’re not buying – it’s a great way to get some fantastic ideas for your own up-cycling projects.
Pit Kitchen’s Culinary Delights – Evenings of March 1st and 2nd
Adding to the weekend’s excitement, Pit Kitchen will be serving their renowned open-fire-cooked dishes on the evenings of March 1st and 2nd. Known for their ever-changing, seasonal menus that cater to meat lovers, vegetarians, and vegans alike, Pit Kitchen brings a taste of East London’s vibrant food scene to the Cotswolds. Their commitment to using high-quality, locally sourced ingredients ensures a memorable dining experience.
Don’t miss this opportunity to enjoy a weekend filled with unique finds and exceptional food in the heart of Chipping Norton.
You can see What’s On at the Online Calendars for Glyme Hall and Town Hall below – catch up on whats happening and the groups you could be joining in and having fun with . Check them out below:
Check out the activities from kid’s dance sessions and exercise for our more mature friends to support groups and more, all happening in Glyme Hall.
Choirs, singing groups, fairs, events, religious groups and so much more – it’s all happening in Town hall – as well as your Banking Hub for Town with Barclays and T.S.B. – take a look to see what you could be joining in with or getting support from.
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.
EV car sharing scheme – New to Chipping Norton
At the car club pilot scheme launch in 2023
An electric car club pilot scheme has proved so popular that 15 vehicles are set to remain in place at more than 10 new and existing locations around the county, following the end of the 18 month trial period.
Since the pilot scheme was launched in April 2023, it has attracted over new 1,200 members, seen over 5,200 individual hiring sessions and led to more than a quarter of a million electric miles being driven.
The scheme has been coordinated by Oxfordshire County Council and is supported by Oxford City Council and Cherwell, South Oxfordshire, Vale of White Horse and West Oxfordshire district councils who have hosted the pilot vehicles in their car parks. The vehicles have been provided and operated by hire companies Co Wheels, Enterprise CarClub and Zimbl.
The success of the extended trial scheme means that car club vehicles are set to continue in the following locations:
- Abingdon – Cattle Market and West St Helen Street car parks (Co Wheels)
- Banbury – Calthorpe Street West and Windsor Street car parks (Zimbl)
- Bicester – Claremont car park (Zimbl)
- Eynsham – Back Lane car park (Co Wheels)
- Henley – Greys Road car park (Co Wheels)
- Oxford – Redbridge and Seacourt Park and Rides (Co Wheels and Zimbl)
- Wallingford – Cattlemarket car park (Co Wheels)
- Witney – Woodford Way car park (Enterprise CarClub).
New car club vehicles are also set to be introduced at these new locations:
- Chipping Norton – New Street car park (Zimbl)
- Woodstock – Hensington Road car park (Zimbl)
- Thame – Upper High Street (Co Wheels)
Updated details about the EV car club pilot and where your nearest car club location is can be found on the Oxfordshire County Council website.
Flag-flying at the Millennium Garden
This month will be flying the Chippy Scouts Flag on Saturday 22nd February.
Next month we will be flying the Suffragette Flag for International Woman’s Day on Saturday 8th March:
The Commonwealth Flag to mark Commonwealth Day on Monday 10th March
The Human Rights Flag, on behalf of Chipping Norton Amnesty International, on 24th March to mark the International Day for the Right to Truth concerning Gross Human Rights Violations & for the Dignity of Victims
You can contact staff and Councillors here:
Dates for your diary
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