Welcome to the June 2025 edition of the Town Council’s newsletter.
VE Day 80th Anniversary Celebrations at the Town Hall
A Wonderful Community Coming Together
Chipping Norton Town Hall was filled with community spirit and celebration on 8th May as we marked the 80th anniversary of VE Day. It was wonderful to see so many residents come together to commemorate such an important moment in our history.
The day began with a helping hand from local favourite ‘Pinky’, who assisted in decorating the Hall with flags — setting the scene perfectly for the day ahead. A huge thank you goes to Joyce and Arthur, who ran the cake stall with smiles and good humour, supported by the generosity of our community, who donated a fantastic array of homemade cakes and bakes.
The event was officially opened by the Mayor, welcoming everyone throughout the afternoon. We were also delighted to welcome Alan Brain, who brought along a fascinating collection of photographs from years past, much to the enjoyment of attendees young and old. His display sparked many fond memories and conversations.
Visitors also had the chance to browse a selection of interesting historical articles and view a screening of the original ‘End of the War’ documentary, offering a poignant reminder of the significance of VE Day.
Special thanks go to MP Sean Woodcock for attending, and to our dedicated Town Hall staff who not only served up endless cups of tea and coffee but did so dressed in wonderful land girl outfits — a detail that many visitors appreciated and commented on throughout the day.
The highlight of the day, was Lizzie Soden, who treated us to four lively sing-along sessions,. Her energy and song choices had everyone joining in — creating a truly memorable and heartwarming atmosphere.
We are truly grateful to everyone who attended, sang along, and contributed to making the day such a resounding success. It was a fitting tribute to the spirit of 1945 and to the community spirit that continues to thrive here in Chipping Norton.
Chipping Norton Welfare Charities
35 HORSEFAIR – TO LET
One of the Charity’s properties, 35 Horsefair, Chipping Norton is available to let.
The property is most suitable for a single person.
Applications for the lease on this dwelling are welcome from people in need of housing, who currently live within the parish of Chipping Norton/Over Norton.
Application forms are available from: townclerk@chippingnorton-tc.gov.uk
Clerk to the Trustees The Guildhall Chipping Norton Oxfordshire OX7 5NJ
The closing date for applications is Wednesday 9th July 2025 – Charity No. 238991
Age UK Oxfordshire – find out what support is available in the community
Come and join Age UK Oxfordshire and a host of other services to find out what support is available in your community.
There will be lots of information stalls to explore and the chance to speak face-to-face with those who are offering support.
Along with the Age UK Oxfordshire services, including Dementia Oxfordshire and Carers Oxfordshire, other organisations will be offering information about:
- Home support services
- Sensory Impairment Support
- Assistive Technology Support
- Legal Advice
- Scam Advice
and lots more!
Do come along on:
- Tuesday 15th July from 10:30am – 2:30pm
- At Glyme Hall, Burford Road, Chipping Norton, OX7 5DZ
Contact Katie Smok on katiesmok@dementiaoxfordshire.org.uk / 07827 235441
Chipping Norton Town Hall
‘Reflecting Chipping Norton’ our Community Mural is nearly here!
Join Us for the Community Art Installation Open Day!
Date: Saturday, 14th June 2025 Time: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM Location: Chipping Norton Town Hall
Come and be part of something special! Our Town Hall windows are about to be transformed with a brand-new Community Art Installation created through S106 Funding — and you’re invited to watch the magic happen.
Throughout the afternoon, you’ll see the new murals taking shape as over 100 artworks created by members of our community are installed across the Hall’s windows. This is a chance to witness the installation grow in real time — a celebration of creativity, collaboration, and community spirit.
Highlights of the Day:
- Meet the Artist — Chat with Luke Embden about his creative process and the inspiration behind the final design.
- View the Original Artworks — See the wonderful individual pieces drawn by our community that make up the larger mural on display.
- Live Music & Refreshments — Enjoy a relaxed atmosphere with music and a bar to keep the celebration flowing.
This project truly belongs to everyone who contributed, and we would love for as many people as possible to come and see the impact of your collective creativity. Whether you submitted a piece or simply want to enjoy the results, we look forward to welcoming you.
No booking required — just drop in🧑🤝🧑 Open Doors, Open Arms – This is an open house event – you’re welcome to drop in at any time from 2:00 to 5:00 PM. Whether you stay for 10 minutes or all afternoon, we’d love to see you.
For more information: 📞 07561 707238 / 📧 events@chippingnorton-tc.gov.uk
Wheelchair accessible | Free entry | All generations welcome
Chipping Norton Town Festival – Sunday 29th June 2025
Summer in Chipping Norton wouldn’t be complete without the much-anticipated Town Festival, returning this year on Sunday 29th June. From 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM, the Market Place will transform into a vibrant hub of music, food, and community spirit.
Organised by a dedicated team of volunteers, the festival showcases the best of local talent and creativity. Attendees can look forward to a diverse lineup of live music, featuring performances from bands such as GTO, delivering classic rock anthems; Shambolic!, known for their eclectic mix of indie and pop; and Good Intent, bringing timeless tunes from the ’60s to today. The St Mary’s School Singing Club will also charm audiences with their delightful renditions.
Beyond the music, the festival offers a plethora of attractions. Families can enjoy the live music, explore a variety of craft stalls, and indulge in delicious offerings from local food vendors. The event is designed to be a free, inclusive celebration for all ages, reflecting the town’s rich community spirit.
For more details and updates, visit the official festival website or follow the Chipping Norton Town Festival Facebook page.
What’s On In Our Town Venues
You can see What’s On at the Online Calendars for Glyme Hall and Town Hall below – catch up on what’s happening and the groups you could be joining in and having fun with . Check them out below, or follow the Town Hall Facebook Page to see public events that have been listed:
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.
Elections Results May
Flag-flying at the Millennium Garden
We will be flying the following flags in the month of June:
The Refugee Nation Flag, Friday 20th June 2025
and the Armed Forces Day flag, Saturday 28th June 2025
Introducing our new Assets and Operations Officer Lou Arkley
Hello Chipping Norton!
I’m delighted to introduce myself as the newest member of your Town Council team. My career has taken me on quite a journey—across the UK and overseas—working in both the Aviation and Facilities Management sectors. Each role has been a new adventure, but I can honestly say I was thrilled when I saw the opportunity to join Chipping Norton Town Council. There’s something truly special about serving a community, and I’m excited to get started.
I spent three wonderful years working for Malmesbury Town Council managing events and facilities. That experience gave me a real appreciation for the power of community and the importance of well-run spaces and events. I look back on those days with fondness and am eager to bring the same energy and dedication to Chipping Norton.
My career has also taken me further afield—one highlight was managing the soft services contract at Ferrari World, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. I’ll never forget the day I climbed onto the roof to watch the rope access cleaning teams in action, just before the F1 Grand Prix. It was a reminder that behind every great event and facility, there’s a dedicated team working hard to make it happen.
Now, I’m looking forward to meeting you all, listening to your ideas, and working together to make Chipping Norton an even better place to live, work, and visit. Please don’t hesitate to say hello or share your thoughts—I’m here for our community, and I can’t wait to get involved!
email address: estates@chippingnorton-tc.gov.uk
You can contact staff and Councillors here:
Dates for your diary
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