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Newsletter: December 2023

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

Christmas Lights 2023

We are delighted that due to updated infrastructure and professional installation, we were able to host a Christmas Lights Switch-on event for Chipping Norton in 2023.

There was a truly amazing turn-out for the Switch-on and Big Chippy Singalong, with a fabulous community of people joining together to celebrate the start of the Yuletide season. Did you listen to WRFM- Radio for Oxfordshire & The Cotswolds if you couldn’t make it? They popped along and had a great time interviewing people from across the town.

We have so many thanks to so many people for joining us – from all the stall holders selling their wares; the local groups and charities offering information and advice; The Theatre Chipping Norton singing groups and the Buttercross Ukulele Group all offering the most brilliant and uplifting entertainment. It was also so special to watch everyone join the Chipping Norton Choral Society in song, and watch the young people of St Mary’s and Holy Trinity Primary Schools with their brightly lit lanterns, made a few weeks ago with Theatrix Arts, proudly shining their way around the building.

Santa’s visit to the Grotto was a resounding success, as was the hot choc station – so much so we couldn’t actually get through the crowds to get a photo!

Finally, the countdown and switch-on itself was incredible: Outside the town hall was bustling as we counted down to watch the beautiful sparkling lights compliment our gorgeous town with shimmering Christmas cheer

More to look forward to this Christmas from 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.

  • Saturday 2nd December 2023 – Chipping Norton Theatre in collaboration with Town Hall events is bringing you a fabulous Latin Fiesta with Mamba Tropical
  • Friday 8th December 2023 – St Mary’s Primary School Talent Show will be delighting us all with fabulous music, dance and performing – we can’t wait for them to take over the Town Hall
  • Saturday 9th December 2023 – Chipping Norton Community Church Wreath Making Event, with demonstrations, refreshments and a raffle – tickets are only £5 from Kath Room
  • Monday 18th December 2023 – The Chippy Larder will be hosting their annual Hamper Event in Town Hall.

Skate park consultation

Community Grants

We are now accepting grant applications for the second tranche of grant funding to be allocated at the Finance and Resources Committee in February – We are now accepting applications from community organisations. Deadline for applications is 22nd January 2024.

For the revised policy and application forms, please visit our Grants page:

Flag-flying at the Millennium Garden

We will be flying the Human Rights flag with Chipping Norton Amnesty on Sunday 10th December 2023:


10th December - Human Rights Day 

The Chipping Norton Amnesty Group is flying this flag to commemorate the day, 75 years ago, when the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

This Human Rights flag was designed by Chinese artist and activist, Ai Weiwei, to celebrate universal human rights. He was inspired by seeing so many barefooted children in refugee camps, all making their footprints in the muddy ground, and so all equally able to make their mark on the world.

An Introduction to Councillor Ian Finney

We will use this space to introduce your new town councillors. This month we asked Ian Finney to tell us a little bit about himself and his role of local Councillor.

I moved to Chipping Norton in October 2018 and so I am definitely a newbie.

I am originally from Stoke-on-Trent, did my degree at the University of Exeter in Economic History and Economics and much later did an MBA at Wolverhampton University. My career was in accounts and I retired as the Financial Director of an SME.

I have always had an interest in my community being a regular church member, a Chair of Governors, a trustee and director of a charity, a board member of the Walsall Education Business Partnership and an Assessor for Investors in People in Walsall.

Since moving to Chippy, I have become a member of St Mary’s Church and did a spell as voluntary Debt Centre Manager, for Christians Against Poverty (CAP) helping local residents. I still help where I can with CAP.

I was proud to join the council this year and to become involved with the civic community and to do what I could to improve life in Chippy. My vision encompasses doing all within the Council’s power to improve the environment, reduce traffic, improve local shopping, develop a thriving local market and maintain and improve the community activities of the town.

I know that Chippy has proud traditions, but change is inevitable  and so it is better to manage that change to our benefit where we can and minimise the negatives where necessary.

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

  • 2nd Dec, 8-11pm in the Town Hall. Latin Fiesta with Mamba Tropical.
  • 4th Dec, 6:30-8:30pm in the Lower Hall- Full Council, Chipping Norton Town Council
  • 8th Dec, in The Town Hall- St Mary’s Primary School Talent Show.
  • 9th Dec, 7-9:30pm in the Town Hall – Community Church Wreath Making.
  • 19th Dec, 10-11:30am at Chippy Theatre – Parent Mental Health Support Group, Free Tickets Here
  • 25th Dec – 2nd Jan (inclusive) – The Guildhall, Chipping Norton Town Council offices are closed during these dates
  • 22nd Jan, 6:30-8:30pm in the Council Chamber- Community Committee, Chipping Norton Town Council
  • 25th Jan, 2-4pm in the Council Chamber- Traffic Advisory Committee, Chipping Norton Town Council
  • 29th Jan, 6:30-8:30pm in the Council Chamber- Strategic Planning Committee, Chipping Norton Town Council

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Published
1 December 2023
Last Updated
1 December 2023