Oxfordshire village’s plea to save 52-year-old playgroup

Chesterton Playgroup, based in the village hall of Chesterton, near Bicester, has supported generations of families for more than 50 years.

But the future of the group has been put under threat by the owner of the village hall, charity Chesterton Community Partnership (CIO), refused to negotiate a new lease and instead issue the group with an eviction notice at the end of June.

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A petition has been launched to try and save Chesterton Playgroup from closure, by demonstrating to the charity the importance of the group to the village.

Children at Chesterton CE Primary School, which is just down the road from Chesterton Playgroup (Image: Ed Nix)

The petition said: “The shock, sadness, and fear for our future have been overwhelming.

“At a time when so many playgroups and preschools across the UK are closing due to funding pressures, Chesterton Playgroup is not struggling — we are thriving.

“We are thriving because of this village, because of the families who have trusted us for generations, and because small, community-rooted settings like ours are increasingly rare.”

The playgroup said their goal was to sign a new lease so they could continue operating and invest fundraising money into renovating the children’s garden – a project which ‘families and staff were incredibly excited about’.

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The group allege that the charity, which manages both Chesterton’s village hall and community centre, said they want to use the building for their own ‘charitable objectives’.

A spokesperson for the charity said: “The Chesterton Playgroup were issued a Section 25 notice and discussions are currently ongoing with Chesterton Playgroup on a solution that meets the needs of both parties.

“However, as those discussions are being progressed via the correct legal channels the details need to remain a private matter between the Chesterton Community Partnership and the Chesterton Playgroup.”

The playgroup said they hope the petition demonstrates the strength of feeling in the village for keeping the service.

Chesterton Parish Council issued a statement to clarify that the council was not connected either to the playgroup or to the community partnership, after having received letters from ‘various village bodies’ and hosting a meeting which 48 members of the public attended.

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The parish council said: “For the avoidance of doubt, Chesterton Parish Council has no affiliation with either the CIO or the playgroup.

“Whilst the parish council has no authority over the decisions taken by either body, it remains committed to working constructively with all parties involved and will continue to offer any assistance it reasonably can to help find a solution that enables the playgroup to continue serving the children and families of Chesterton.”

The statement added that the council ‘fully supports the retention of the playgroup’.