New Charity wanted by M&S Foodhall

The Team from M&S Chipping Norton Foodhall are looking for a new local Charity to support! Since they opened in 2019 they’ve been helping Lawrence Home Nursing Team – with raffles, fundraising events, and a ‘Charity Day’ when staff can choose something they can do.

They normally choose a Charity for 1 year. If you run or support a Charity and would like to be considered please email Kerry Spencer, their Charity Champion at 23454379@mnscorp.net with a summary about the charity – or leave it for Kerry at the Click & Collect desk. M&S Chipping Norton colleagues will choose in a vote.

Vote Chippy on 6 May!

It’s your chance to ‘Vote Chippy’ in the 6 May Local Elections – for County, District, Town Councils and Police & Crime Commissioner. Here are the profiles sent by the local council candidates to the Chipping Norton News. See next week’s May Chippy News for these and news on all the issues, but we’ve put these online early for postal voters who can vote from 20 April

Will we lose ‘our’ Guildhall?

Should we be consulted? Chippy’s 16th century Guildhall, used as Town Hall for years, was owned by the old Chipping Norton Borough – but taken over, at no cost, by the new West Oxfordshire District Council in 1974. Our Town Council had the right to use part of it. Now WODC don’t want it, and want to sell it or charge a commercial rent – with none of the proceeds likely to stay in the Town….and they haven’t asked us. Our Town Council are discussing their response. See April’s Chippy News.

6 May Election – Polling Station help

Could you help make sure our local elections on Thursday 6 May run smoothly?

West Oxfordshire District Council who run the elections, need (paid) staff to help as either Presiding Officer or in support at polling stations in local town and village halls including Chipping Norton, Spelsbury, Salford, Swerford, and Sandford St Martin.  Hours on the day are  6.15am through to 10pm inclusive of breaks. Please contact election.staff@westoxon.gov.uk for further information.

APRIL CHIPPY NEWS IS OUT NOW

CALLING ALL CANDIDATES – Are you standing in Chippy for Town, County or District Councils in May’s local elections? Please send your picture and 100 word profile to chippymail@aol.com by 9 April. We’ll put them all in next month’s Election Special. Our 2000 readers would like to know!

It’s SAFE STEPS TO SUMMER with Chippy’s own ‘reopening roadmap’. Let’s support our shops and businesses and have some fun. This month: search for Chippy’s covid superheroes; help smarten up the town; ideas for youth projects wanted; the future of our Guildhall; dogwatch to combat thefts; join Chippy’s firefighters……. and find those APRIL FOOL news stories.

NEWS ON SALE for 50p at: Aldi, Sainsbury’s, Coop supermarket, Post Office, Coop Pharmacy, Costcutter, Esso Londis garage, Gill & Co., Caffè Nero, West St News, Old Mill Bistro, Cotswold Newsagents, Rogér’s Fish and Deli, CN Health Centre, CN Hospital, and Café de la Post Chadlington. Other outlets may reopen in April.Thanks to everyone for their contributions – and to all our readers. Send us your ideas for May – Deadline 9 April. Email Chippymail@aol.com

The end of Chippy’s Recycling Sites

WODC decided last November to close all Community Recycling Sites in the District. It’s a done deal; no argument  – just the timing and process to sort with parish and town councils. See this month’s Chippy News.

But now in March, they’ve written to Chippy Town Council saying they will close Albion Street ‘with immediate effect’, and increase policing of the New Street Car Park site until eventual closure. The recycling sites have become unmanageable, unsightly and sometimes unsafe, with people leaving large electrical items, commercial waste and even building waste instead of disposing of this responsibly.  The Town Council has until Friday 26 March to respond.

Stand for Chipping Norton Town Council

Would you like to stand and become a volunteer Town Councillor? There are 5 vacancies. March’s Chipping Norton News is on sale around Town – with news of the important 6 May Local Elections.

Find out more about Council issues in this month’s Chippy News: a 30-point agenda for town improvements, bus stop consultation, East Chipping Norton expansion, HGVs through town, youth facilities, our new Town Clerk, Town Centre parking, how the Town Council runs its business, and more.

March Chippy News is out! – ‘MARKET TOWN MAKEOVER’

It’s time to buy your March Chipping Norton News from the shops – still only 50p. Will Chippy join other Market Towns leading a recovery post Covid? There’s the Town Council’s 30 point action list to smarten up the Town Centre and more on new investments – but anger all round on that recycling and rubbish mess in our car parks.

Schools are all returning in full, Chippy’s vaccine roll-out motors on – and, in spite of lockdown, there’s lots to report from our Arts, Clubs, Sports and Schools sections. Don’t forget the letters – with thoughts on how Chippy should adapt for the future.

Buy the News at Aldi, Sainsbury’s, Coop supermarket, Post Office, Coop Pharmacy, Costcutter, Esso Londis garage, Gill & Co., Caffè Nero, West St News, Old Mill Bistro, Cotswold Newsagents, Rogér’s Fish and Deli, CN Health Centre, CN Hospital, and Café de la Post Chadlington. Other outlets may reopen in April.Thanks to everyone for their contributions – and to all our readers. Send us your ideas and input for April and Easter –  Deadline is 12 March. Email Chippymail@aol.com

Street sign upgrade!

Does your Chippy street name sign need a makeover or replacement? The Town Council would like to know – to give WODC a list for action. Please email Kay Linnington at cntc@btconnect.com with details and a picture by 8 March.

Town Councillors needed

Have you read the two page feature about our Town Council in February’s Chippy News? Are you passionate about our Town and community? Could you help take Chipping Norton forward by becoming a Town Councillor?

Do you know people who would do a good job? After recent resignations there should be 5 council seats up for election on 6 May and nominations will need to be in by 8 April. Chippy’s County and one District seat are also up for grabs. Watch out for election news and read more in this month’s Chippy News – on sale as usual for 50p in 15 places around town.