Welcome to the September 2024 edition of the Town Council’s newsletter.
Remembering Betty Hicks, Honorary Citizen of Chipping Norton
It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Betty Hicks, a cherished honorary citizen of Chipping Norton. Betty was a remarkable individual whose dedication to the community spanned decades, leaving a legacy that will be remembered by all who knew her.
Betty was born in Bradford in 1929 and moved to Chipping Norton in 1947 after joining the Land Army. It was here that she met and married Bill Hicks, with whom she raised five children. Despite the loss of her husband in 1993, Betty continued to devote herself to the service of others, becoming a beloved figure in the town. Her contributions included transporting residents to hospital appointments, organising clubs for the elderly, and tirelessly supporting the Royal British Legion, particularly through her work with the annual Poppy Appeal.
In 2015, Betty was honoured as Chipping Norton’s seventh honorary citizen, a recognition of her extraordinary charitable work and community spirit. The title also granted her the historic right to graze animals on the town’s pastures, a gesture she accepted with her characteristic humility and humour, noting she had no plans to purchase any sheep.
Betty’s funeral was held recently, and in her honour, the Town Council flew the town flag at half-mast from the Millennium Garden flagpole. The ceremony was attended by her family, friends, Councillors, and former Mayors, who gathered to pay their respects to a woman who truly embodied the spirit of community.
Town Mayor Sandra Coleman reflected “It was my pleasure and privilege to perform a simple ceremony at our flagpole yesterday in memory of this remarkable woman and meet her family, many of whom still live in this town and hear some of her amazing story.”
Betty leaves behind a large and loving family. Her kindness, energy, and unwavering commitment to helping others will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her.
Community Awards 2024
We have been delighted with the response for you all in the Chippy community, who have nominated some very worthy people for the all-new awards in 2024!
The panel, made up from Councillors in the Community Committee will be meeting in the first week of September to assess the nominations and to choose a winner and runner up from each of the 4 categories. We will be contact those people as soon as possible to invite them to the Awards ceremony in the Town Hall on 27th September 2024, where we will welcome them with a drinks reception to celebrate them receiving their awards.
Public Art Workshops – Reflecting Chipping Norton
Upcoming Art Workshops in Chipping Norton – Join the Creative Journey!
Chipping Norton is set to embark on a vibrant and community-driven art project that invites residents of all ages to participate. We are excited to announce two upcoming workshops, led by local artist Luke Embden, that will give you the chance to contribute to a unique public art installation in our beloved town.
For more information and to sign up to take part please click on the link below:
Free Community Defibrillator Training
Date: Saturday, 7th September
Time: 11am – 2pm
Location: Upper Hall, Chipping Norton Town Hall
Spaces are limited to 20 participants, so make sure to RSVP as soon as possible. To register, email us at office@chippingnorton-tc.gov.uk or call 01608 642 341.
Join us to learn lifesaving skills and help make our community safer!
Keep Chippy Beautiful Litter Pick – 5th October
Our next ‘Big Clean-up’ litter pick event will be held on Saturday 5th October from 10am-Midday. Meeting on the steps of Chipping Norton Town Hall.
If you would like to take part please sign up here:
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:
- Coffee, Chat and More: Monday mornings are getting lots of engagement in the Lower Hall with our regular coffee morning hosted by the Mayor, Sandra Coleman. With a lovely chat over a coffee and the community jigsaw, and other activities, to particpate in. these session are proving to be a real benefit to people for connections and joy on a Monday morning.
- Cotswold Youth Choir and the Chipping Norton Choral Society: They are back in action after the school holidays – and if you are looking for a wonderful choir to join – this could be the people to connect with. With the Youth Choir taking place from 5 pm – 7 pm and the Adult choir from 7 pm to 10 pm, we think its a great midweek activity to take part in.
- Turning Point Drop-in Support Service: We have been so happy to see so many people attending the Turning Point session in Chippy, and helping themselves on the road to recovery. If you need help and support with alcohol or substance misuse, pop-in! Turning Point Oxfordshire is here every Tuesday from 12 pm to 5 pm in the Lower Hall to help you.
- Age UK Oxfordshire Active Fitness Class: Stay flexible and keep moving every Friday from 9:45 am to 11:15 am in the Upper Hall. Gentle exercises designed to keep you active and healthy.
- Sarah Hartley FitSteps: Its a great way to stay fit and have fun! FitSteps uses Ballroom and Latin dance techniques to help you stay fit and healthy. It’s an incredibly fun session, delivered with great music by an excellent professional instructor on Wednesdays.
- Little Footsteps Playgroup: On Thursday mornings from 9:30 am to 12 pm the Community Church open up the big doors for young families to get together and have a great time with their babies and toddlers. With drinks and refreshments and plenty of play activities, its a wonderful way to meet other parents and chat all things kids.
Special Events to Mark on Your Calendar:
- World Textile Fair: is back for their 3rd event in the Town Hall, and we are looking forward to them transforming the Town Hall with all their beautiful and colourful textiles from around the Globe on 14th September 2024.
- Helen and Douglas House Charity Sewing Day: Helen and Douglas House are hosting 2 sewing workshops during the day, please get in touch with the team there if you would like more info in participating.
- Reflection of Chippy – A Public Art Workshop: we are delighted to have secured the funding to work on a Public Art Project with local artist Luke Embden. The project will take place over 2 workshops, 21st September from 1 pm to 4 pm at the Town Hall and 22nd September from 1 pm to 4 pm at The Pillars. The final artwork will be installed in the Upper Hall Windows, Stage end, facing the Fox. You can read more about it here
- Chipping Norton Mop Fair: Our annual Mop Fair is back as usual, with the Topside road closure in effect from midnight on the 19th Sept – 4 am on the 22nd Sept 2024.
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!
Free courses in Care and Green Skills funded by WODC
Advance your career with free courses in Green Skills and Care, funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).
Chipping Norton Town Council is excited to offer free defibrillator training for our community, thanks to a resident’s request. This training will prepare anyone who wants to learn how to use the defibrillator stations around town in an emergency.
Abingdon & Witney College has been awarded significant funding from West Oxfordshire District Council to help address local skills needs in Care and support Green Skills training. Eligible participants must live or work within West Oxfordshire, which includes the OX7 post code.
This offers a brilliant opportunity for locals already working within the care sector or in construction and building services an opportunity to upskill, and for local residents who are new to the industry an excellent chance to get their foot in the door.
Celebrating Success
We are thrilled to announce that Chipping Norton Town Council has been honoured with the prestigious Quality Award as part of the Local Council Award Scheme. This esteemed recognition highlights the council’s dedication to excellence in governance, community engagement, and continuous improvement.
What is the Quality Award?
The Quality Award is a significant milestone that sets apart councils demonstrating exceptional standards. It is not merely about meeting the basic legal obligations; it showcases a council’s commitment to going above and beyond. The Quality Award is granted to councils that already meet the criteria of the Foundation Award and provide additional evidence of good governance, effective community engagement, and a proactive approach to council improvement.
Receiving this award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire Chipping Norton Town Council team. As noted by the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) Chair in a congratulatory letter, the council has excelled in serving the community and supporting its Local Council Award Scheme application. The council’s efforts have not only met but surpassed the requirements, showcasing a commitment to leading the community and fostering continuous development.
Town Mayor, Cllr Sandra Coleman notes that “A successful Council requires a good relationship between elected Councillors and paid members of staff. Working for this award has helped us put the right procedures in place to cement these relationships and in doing so achieve the best outcome for local residents. I am very grateful to staff and my fellow Councillors for the work that has been put in to achieve this award and pleased to see this formally recognised.“
The Quality Award serves as an inspiring reminder of the importance of good governance and active community engagement. It celebrates the efforts of councils that strive for continuous improvement and development. Chipping Norton Town Council’s achievement is a source of pride and a stepping stone towards even greater accomplishments.
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 10am 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:
Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) consultation
West Oxfordshire District Council is seeking to introduce a Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) for certain forms of residential and commercial development, to help fund the provision of new and improved infrastructure across the district.
An 8-week public consultation on a new draft ‘charging schedule’ will be open for comment from until 27 September 2024. You can read more and share your views here:
Flag-flying at the Millennium Garden
In July and August we flew:
- The NHS flag – Friday 5th July
- The Town Crest in Memory of Honorary Citizen Betty Hicks – Thursday 15th August
- The RAF Ensign – Tuesday 20th August
An Introduction to Councillor Emily Weaver
We will use this space to introduce your new town councillors.
This month we asked Cllr Emily Weaver to tell us a bit about herself and why she decided to become a Councillor:
“I moved to Chipping Norton 16 years ago with my husband and two sons but I have been involved in the community of Chipping Norton since beginning teaching at St Mary’s Primary School in Chippy 21 years ago.
Before qualifying as a teacher I completed a degree in Archaeology and a Masters in Anthropology. My dreams of becoming Indiana Jones changed however, whilst working on an Archaeological dig, then I realised I got more of a buzz explaining the history to school children than actually being in a trench.
My boys both attended St Mary’s and made full use of all the amazing opportunities we have for extracurricular activities locally and I truly believe Chippy is a perfect place to bring up a young family.
As well as teaching I became the Children’s Director for Chipping Norton Literary Festival, a volunteer role where I was responsible for programming the Children’s events for both schools and the Festival weekend. This allowed me to work with all the schools in the local area and deliver my passion for reading and its importance for young people.
Last year I left my job at St Mary’s, a scary step but one which has allowed me to further develop my role in the community. I now supervise the Chippy Larder, which allows me to connect with many people and I am thoroughly enjoy getting to know more of our residents.
I have been a member of Chipping Norton Operatic Society for 16 years and have enjoyed playing a range of roles on the Chippy Theatre stage.
Currently I am learning British Sign Language, partly because I would like to go into Special Education but also because I want the council to be accessible to all.
Hopefully you can tell my passion is working within the community to better outcomes for families and young people and it is my hope that being a Town Councillor will assist me in this goal.”
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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