Welcome to the May 2024 edition of the Town Council’s newsletter.
Pop up Skate Park – Sunday 12th May 2024
As part of the skatepark project, and following on from last year’s success. Chipping Norton Town Council are hosting a second pop up skatepark with Rollback World on Sunday 12th May from noon at New Street Recreation area. All welcome!
The Council have now published the procurement notice, specifications and design principles for a preferred contractor to submit designs for the Council to consider. This is a significant step forward in the project. Once a detailed design is agreed, we will be in a position to submit funding applications to support the project. The skatepark users group put together the design principles document, informed by the community consultation carried out over the winter. You can read the survey results and design principles document here:
In the summer, we will also be speaking with residents who live closest to the skatepark to ensure we share information and mitigate concerns. The proposed site is 90m away from the nearest residential property, with guidelines confirming that a skatepark should be between 30m and 100m away from residential properties, we have a site that is placed at the far end of these boundaries.
Blossom Day 2024
Come along to Chippy’s Annual Blossom day at the Community Orchard off Worcester Road!
The orchard is off the Worcester Road (A44), near the Cemetery (OX7 5XW). Turn up the tree-lined avenue marked ‘Elmsfield Farm’ next to the Cemetery. Or walk a few yards across the Common, from the kissing gate at the bottom of the slope in the Recreation Ground, down to the foot bridge (FB on the map below) and up the field on the other side.
When attending an Apple Day or Blossom Day Festival please come on foot if possible or use the small “field” car park available on the day only, at the junction of the Elmsfield Farm drive and the A44. Access by car to the orchard entrance is for disabled “drop-off” only. When visiting on other days, restricted parking is available at the far end of the drive, past the orchard entrance, on the right.
There is also vehicle access along the “Elmsfield and Primsdown Industrial Estates” road. Follow this almost to its end; where it crosses the footpath to Salford, opposite a metal field gate by a metal kissing gate the (gateless) footpath leads downhill to the top gate of the orchard. At this point there is roadside parking for a few cars.
Mayor Making 2024-25
On Thursday 13th May, Chipping Norton Town Council will elect the Town Mayor for the municipal year 2024-2025 at the annual meeting of the Council to be held at 6:30pm in the Upper Hall of Chipping Norton Town Hall. All welcome! The agenda and papers for the meeting will be published on this page:
Chipping Norton Pride
Saturday 1st June 2024 All Day and into the night……..
Chipping Norton Pride 2024 is coming; An opportunity to celebrate the variety of our community and embrace individuality, from our Brand New and Superb Chipping Norton Pride team of volunteers:
On 1st June 2024 Chipping Norton Town Hall and topside car park will become a dynamic and colourful marketplace with performance, music and the arts.
This year with the inspirational and exciting motto of ‘express yourself’ we are looking to bring the town alive with creativity as well as a focus on the continuing story for liberation and equality. This is a community-based initiative and we are looking for local partners who can support us, not just on the day but also in the weeks before and after.
If you were lucky enough to attend last years Pride event you will know how successful it was, it exceeded the organisers expectations and we aim to build on that success. The day consisted of the main stage in the town hall, which had a programme of music and talks. Stalls were situated in the upper part of the town hall and Withers Court; this year we have more stalls and a wider reach of the arts, including film, art and youth inclusion.
The new Chipping Norton Pride team is a strong band of volunteers from diverse aspects of our town coming together to fulfill a vision of recognition of how far the pride movement has come locally and globally.
10:00 – 16:00 – Food and Drink stalls, craft fair and entertainment throughout the day in the Town Hall and Topside.
19:30 – 23:00 – Pride party in the Town Hall
We are really looking forward to this year’s Pride, and what the New Team will bring in 2024! If you would like to be involved on the day and help as a volunteer please email chippingnortonpride@gmail.com
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 you could be a part of that are coming up.
- Thursday 2nd May 2024 – Don’t forget your photo ID when you come to the Town Hall to vote for District and Police Commissioner Elections
- Tuesday’s throughout May 2024 – Hannah and Tony from Turning Point open the doors in the Lower Hall from 13:00 – 16:00 for any one with alcohol or substance misuse problems. It’s a very relaxed and informal space with a breakout space for private chats if needed. Its understandable that anyone in this situation may feel nervous, or anxious about starting the road to recovery, so please do give them a call on 01993 849405, they would very much like to hear from you.
- Friday 10th May 2024 – from 19:30 – 21:30 in the Lower Hall, the Community Church offer a Games and Activities evening. They host the event once a month on a Friday evening- so if you want to know more about this great community minded group, and all their other outreach groups that you could become a part of, please Contact Chipping Norton Church.
- Monday 13th May 2024 – Join us as we host the Annual Meeting of the Council, as Councillors vote in the next Mayor of Chipping Norton. Refreshments will be available at the end of the evening.
- Friday 17th May 2024 – Yes, it’s Back Again! Delighting everyone will be Jeremy Clarkson as he hosts the annual fundraiser for Chipping Norton Lido, Clarkson’s Auction of Promises. Clarkson’s Auction Tickets.
- Saturday 18th, Friday 24th, Monday 27th and Wednesday 29th May – If you are looking for new ways to invigorate your health and wellbeing, Hypnoheal will be providing 4 group hypnotherapy sessions at the end of May. Find out more about Hypnoheal and book in with Timothy Crowe.
- Saturday 25th May 2024 – the J-Team are hosting a fabulous Live Music event to raise funds for Oxford Hospitals Charitable Trust. With food from our fantastic Whistlers restaurant and big loud bands throughout the night – this look like it will be a great evening to enjoy, as your hearts warm knowing you will be supporting one of the greatest hospitals in the World whilst having a great time!
- Saturday 1st June 2024 – Chipping Norton Pride brings you a whole day and into the evening event for your enjoyment – with the theme ‘Express Yourself’ – so come along to the Town Hall where the new Pride Team will be hosting Pride Festival stalls on Topside and stalls and entertainment in the Town Hall – with a Pride Party in the evening too! To Get Involved with Pride on the day please email: chippingnortonpride@gmail.com.
Renovating our Street Signs
Our Maintenance Operative has almost completed the task of hand painting the traditional cast iron street signs in the town. We’re sure you’ll all agree they look like new. We will continue to maintain and restore these signs as part of our programme of works.
Elections May 2024
Notice of West Oxfordshire District Council and Police and Crime Commissioner Elections on Thursday 2nd May 2024. You can see the notices and read more about this here:
The Electoral Commission have provided a useful booklet reminding residents of the recent changes, including the Voter ID requirements. Please read the guide below:
Join Our Team
Vacancy: Admin and Customer Service Assistant
Salary: SCP 7-12 £14,773 – £16,067 pro rata (£24,294 – £26,421 FTE)
Part time post: 9:00 am to 1:00 pm Monday to Friday, with an additional 2.5 hours to be worked at the candidate’s preference (30 minutes at the beginning or end of opening hours) Total: 22.5 hours
Location: The Guildhall, Chipping Norton
Chipping Norton Town Council is at the heart of community service in Chipping Norton, dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for all residents. As an integral part of this vibrant town, we are committed to providing efficient and effective services, maintaining a positive environment, and fostering community engagement.
We are seeking a diligent and dynamic individual to join our team as an Admin and Customer Service Assistant. Reporting to the Deputy Clerk and Estates Manager, this role plays a crucial part in ensuring the smooth running of our council operations and delivering excellent customer service to residents.
Key Responsibilities:
- Reception Administration: Managing the council’s reception, handling calls, directing enquiries, and maintaining a welcoming environment.
- General Administration: Undertaking office tasks, maintaining records, ordering supplies,and supporting various administrative functions.
- Cemetery Administration: Assisting with burial bookings and liaising with funeral directors and the public
Benefits include:
Competitive salary, automatic enrollment into the Local Government Pension Scheme (subject to eligibility), supportive working environment and 23 days annual leave (pro rata).
For an informal chat to discuss your suitability for the role please contact the Town Clerk Luci Ashbourne on 07842 230595 or email townclerk@chippingnorton-tc.gov.uk
Closing date for applications is Monday 13th May 2024.
You can download the recruitment pack and application form here:
Rusty Riders
Cycling enthusiasts, both new and returning, have a monthly meet up to look forward to at the Rusty Riders Clinic. The event will be held on the first Saturday of the month from 10 am to midday. This unique event, hosted in collaboration with Transition Chipping Norton, is designed to cater to individuals who are either new to cycling or considering a return to the saddle after a hiatus. The Rusty Riders Clinic offers a three-part workshop, combining essential elements to ensure a safe, enjoyable, and educational experience for participants.
You can read more about this here:
Flag-flying at the Millennium Garden
Town Mayor Cllr Sandra Coleman raised the St George’s Cross on April 23rd to mark St George’s Day 2024. Over the weekend The Chipping Norton Scouts celebrated St George’s day together. St George is the Patron Saint for The Scouts because he symbolises courage, bravery, loyalty and trust.
On Monday 22nd April Mayor Sandra Coleman and Linda Aspey from People, Planet, Pint (Chipping Norton) raised the Ecology and Earth Day flags for #EarthDay2024!
http://climateactionoxfordshire.org.uk has resources to get involved with local projects
Pop along to one of People, Planet, Pint’s Chippy meetups at The Blu Boar anytime between 6-9pm on the first Thursday of each month.
Upcoming flag flying days:
The Pride Progress Flag, Saturday 1st June 2024
The Refugee Nation Flag, Thursday 20th June 2024
and the Armed Forces Day flag, Saturday 29th June 2024
Meet our new Venue Assistant – Will Doherty
We would like to welcome our newest team member Will Doherty to the Town Hall staff as Events Assistant for the Town Council. Will brings a wealth of experience as a fixer of all things broken, but also a breadth of knowledge in technical and theatre craft. Will is looking forward to helping all the town hall visitors enjoy their time with us.
An Introduction to Councillor Athos Ritsperis
We will use this space to introduce your new town councillors.
This month we asked Cllr Athos Ritsperis to tell us a bit about himself and why he decided to become a Councillor:
I relocated with my family to Chipping Norton in 2021 from Portsmouth, following my wife Debra’s retirement from Regular Service in the Army. I work as a Space Systems Programme Manager at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, commissioning research into the military applications of Space, such as Satellite communications.
As a family we are part of the congregation at St Mary’s Church, and I serve on the Parochial Church Council. I also serve as a Magistrate, am a Reservist in the Royal Air Force, and a pension trustee of the Royal Aeronautical Society of which I am a Fellow.
I have really enjoyed my transition to a more rural community and joining the Council was one thing I felt I could do to give something back. During my tenure I am keen to ensure that local initiatives, such as The Branch community hub, are fully integrated into the Council’s strategic plans, and optimised to meet local needs.
You can contact staff and Councillors here:
Get involved
Do you have skills or experience that might be useful in our discussions about the ECN development? Or just feel that you would like to contribute? To join the Build Chippy Better group, please contact Katherine on: deputyclerk@chippingnorton-tc.gov.uk
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. Again, please contact Katherine on: deputyclerk@chippingnorton-tc.gov.uk with your views.
Dates for your diary
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