It’s estimated that an estimated £3m will be needed to conserve and revitalise Chipping Norton’s historic Town Hall.

The ambition restoration project has taken a significant step forward, following the acceptance of the town’s ‘Expression of Interest’ by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The Town Hall Restoration Group has been set up comprising a committee of town councillors and local volunteers with expertise in architecture, sustainability and heritage.

The steps at Chipping Norton Town Hall is said to be an ‘area of concern’ for antisocial behaviour

The group now has 12 months to develop detailed proposals for a ‘Round One’ funding application.

One of the first steps will be a public engagement exercise to gather local views on how the Town Hall can be adapted to better meet community needs. A range of technical studies will also be undertaken during this period.

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Built in the heart of Chipping Norton in 1842, the Town Hall has been a focal point for governance, celebration and collaboration for more than 180 years.

Both an architectural landmark and an embodiment of collective civic memory and aspiration, the building is integral to local identity.

Serving as both the seat of local government and a cultural anchor for the town and surrounding villages, it hosts a wide range of activities, including council meetings, public assemblies, festivals, exhibitions, faith gatherings, private celebrations, charitable events, polling and more.

Structural issues existing today include recurrent damp, roof leaks, damaged ceilings, dry rot and inadequate insulation.

Accessibility is also a concern: wheelchair users cannot move between levels internally without leaving the building, and accessible toilet facilities require redesign.

Heating and lighting systems are outdated, ventilation is poor, and inefficient environmental controls contribute to high running costs while compromising user comfort.

Tom Festa, Chipping Norton town councillor (Image: Chipping Norton Town Council)

Town Hall Restoration Group chairman and Chipping Norton town councillor Tom Festa labelled the town hall an “exceptional heritage landmark”.

“Our vision is to secure its future as a restored, welcoming, adaptable, and sustainable civic hub,” he said.

“We aim to conserve and showcase the building’s original architectural character while introducing energy-efficient heating, insulation and lighting, guided by a full energy audit and upgrade strategy.

“This will reduce both the carbon footprint and running costs, in line with local and national climate goals.

“We also plan to achieve full internal accessibility, redesign flexible meeting and event spaces for all ages and abilities, and ensure the building remains affordable for community groups.

“Alongside this, we will establish robust management structures, build operational reserves, and diversify income through increased lettings, hospitality, and creative programming while embedding public engagement and user feedback at the heart of governance.”

Seventy-one organisations across Oxfordshire have been nominated for the 2026 Brand the Bus competition, which will see one charity’s branding take over an electric Oxford Bus Company double-decker for a full year.

Now in its eighth year, the scheme is organised by Oxford Bus Company and Thames Travel, with public voting currently open.

Luke Marion, managing director of Oxford Bus Company and Thames Travel, said: “We’re really pleased to have received nominations from a wide range of fantastic causes across Oxfordshire.

“The sheer number of entrants and interest in Brand the Bus this year demonstrates the scope of the competition and the positive impact it can have on local organisations.

“Brand the Bus continues to build and grow year-on-year, and we’re incredibly proud of what it continues to achieve.”

The public can cast votes until April 30, with the 10 most popular charities progressing to a final judging panel.

Mr Marion said: “If you have a favourite, now is the time to have your say and give that local good cause or charity the best possible chance of making the top 10 and the judging panel.”

Backed by partners Get Radio and Oxford City Football Club, the competition offers a £100,000 promotional package.

The winning charity will receive a year-long full-wrap advertisement on an electric double-decker bus, along with free advertising on all Oxford Bus Company and Thames Travel vehicles.

Radio advertising on Get Radio is also included, and the winner will become Oxford City’s charity of choice for the 2026/27 season.

The organisation will also collaborate with Oxford Bus Company to design the bus wrap, which is expected to be unveiled in the autumn.

A runner-up prize worth £5,000 will also be awarded, which includes on-bus digital advertising.

Last year’s winner was children’s mental health charity One-Eighty. Helen & Douglas House, the world’s first children’s hospice, was named as the inaugural runner-up.

Other past winners include Girlguiding Oxfordshire, Home-Start Oxfordshire, Blue Skye Thinking, Restore, SeeSaw, and Oxford Hospitals Charity.

The judging panel will award prizes to the organisations that, in their opinion, best meet the competition’s criteria.

Mr Marion said: “We’re now onto the voting phase of this year’s competition, with the public having until the end of April to select who they think should be the winner.”

More details about the competition and the full list of nominees are available at oxfordbus.co.uk/brand-the-bus-2026.

A letter by the 84-year-old actress to Oxford City Council has resurfaced as the greyhound racing track hits trouble.

Sports broadcaster Sports Information Services is to stop covering racing at Oxford Stadium in Sandy Lane from Monday in a move described as “disastrous” to greyhound racing.

Oxford Speedway promoter Jamie Courtney has reassured Cheetahs fans in light of the announcement that events on Wednesday will still go ahead.

Greyhound racing (Image: Photo: Fortitude Communications)

Back in 2022, Ms Margolyes wrote to Oxford City Council urging it to oppose the venue which she said is being used for “cruel blood sport” in favour of an animal-free alternative.

She wrote: “I’m not alone in thinking it would be abominable for Oxford to support greyhound racing: an archaic and – let’s face it – sadistic ‘sport’ that is responsible for so much suffering and death.

“In fact, 71 per cent of the local public with an opinion on the matter would prefer that Oxford Stadium be used for another, kinder purpose, for example as a velodrome.”

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Ms Margolyes, from Oxford, said there is “much I love about the city I grew up in” but said greyhound racing should remain “firmly in the past”.

“Let’s be clear: this is not a sport. It’s animal abuse, and it has no place at Oxford Stadium,” the Harry Potter actress said.

“This ghastly business causes thousands of dogs each year ailments ranging from broken legs to heart attacks.

“Some are even doped with drugs like cocaine, and it’s hardly surprising that many animals die as a result of being forced to race.

“But the casualties don’t end there. Once their racing days are over, many dogs are killed or abandoned in shelters that are already bursting at the seams.

“An additional 12,000 greyhound puppies may be killed every year because they’re deemed not fast enough for racing.

Oxford Stadium

“We call dogs ‘man’s best friend’, but greyhounds used for racing don’t have a warm bed to lie in or a human companion to love and care for them.

“When these sociable animals are not being forced to race, they spend 95 oer cent of their time confined to a cramped cage or kennel, often muzzled.#

“I can’t bear to think about the pain and loneliness they must experience – all for human entertainment.”

Oxford Greyhounds promoter Kevin Boothby said last week that talks are now ongoing with Premier Greyhound Racing to explore a potential contract.

Mr Boothby said at the time that the accusations by ms Margolyes and PETA are “entirely unfounded” and show they are “totally out of touch with the reality of our sport”.

“Our greyhounds are loved and are cared for before, during and after their racing careers,” he said.