Author Archives: thehorleyviews

HanFEST tomorrow is cancelled

The organisers of HanFEST have just issued this message:

‘We are really sad to say we have made the decision to CANCEL tomorrow’s HanFEST due to the Met Office’s Weather Warming for Strong Winds now forecasted for over 45MPH.

The safety of our visitors and stallholders is our priority.

There will be no event tomorrow.

More information to follow soon.’

Children’s books and toys wanted for Horley Fete on Saturday 24th June

If you have any toys or books that your children (or grandchildren!) have grown out of or no longer need, please bring them along to the Old School next Saturday morning (24th June) for them to go on the toy stall in the afternoon.

‘Knit and Stitch’ – next meeting on 22nd June and no meetings in July and August


The next meeting will be on on 22nd June. There won’t be any meetings in July and August so the next meeting after that will be on 14th September.

If anyone would like to join the group you are very welcome. Just come along with any craft work you enjoy doing – it’s a very informal meeting.

Horley Summer Fete on Saturday 24th June – includes a Children’s Garden Design Competition

It’s not long now till Horley’s Summer Fete!

As well as the usual stalls (refreshments, home-made cakes, plants, tombola, toys/books and assorted games) there will be a Children’s Garden Design competition:

Thames Valley Police are investigating a burglary series in North and West Oxfordshire


Thames Valley Police is investigating a series of distraction burglaries, which detectives are treating as linked incidents. The offences have all occurred between Friday (1/6) and yesterday (6/6), two in Charlbury, one in Fulbrook, near Burford, and a fourth offence in Bodicote, near Banbury. The first three offences all occurred on Friday (1/6). Two of these took place in Charlbury between 6.15pm and 6.35pm, with an earlier incident being reported in Fulbrook at around 5.45pm. On each occasion, two male offenders have approached the rear of victims’ properties, claiming that they were there on behalf of local water boards. The offenders have used this tactic to gain entry to the properties and have then gone on to steal cash and jewellery. A fourth offence was reported in Bodicote, near Banbury, yesterday (5/6) at around 4.30pm. The offenders used the same tactics as the earlier offences and were seen in a silver or grey saloon vehicle. The two male offenders have been described as wearing facemasks and hats during all offences. Detective Sergeant Steve Bates of the Priority Crime Team, based at Witney police station, said: “This is a series of incidents, which, given the tactics displayed by the offenders, are all being linked. “I am urging people in north and west Oxfordshire to be vigilant and challenge anybody coming to your property purporting to be from any company. “You should ask for proof of ID, as if they are genuine, they will carry some form of identification as to the company they work for and who they are, and they would have no issues in showing you this. “If you are suspicious, please do not let them in and call us on 101 or 999 if you feel there is a crime in action. “I would also like to appeal to anybody who has any information in relation to any of these incidents, or have experienced something similar in recent days to please contact us either via our website or via 101, quoting reference number 43230241045.”  

New members needed to join Keep Hanwell Village Rural Action Group

See below for a message from the Keep Hanwell Village Rural Action Group:

‘Dear Residents,

I’m sure you’ll agree that the Keep Hanwell Village Rural Action Group –along with support from Parish Councils and our neighbouring communities – has delivered an excellent campaign against the greedy landowners and developers so far. The fight is very much not over and has really only just begun.

Cherwell District Council received over 470 letters of objection for Vistry’s development of 170 houses between Hanwell and Banbury. Objections were also made by every Parish Council surrounding Hanwell, including Banbury Town Council. We now wait to hear from Cherwell District Council on the decision-making process.

Meanwhile, the Manor Oak development off Dukes Meadow for 176 new houses will be decided at next Thursday’s (15 June) District Council planning meeting.

Hanwell and its neighbouring villages of Horley, Shotteswell, Great Bourton and Mollington are now threatened with a potentially huge industrial solar development between the settlements. There’s very little evidence that this potential development could be considered a viable alternative form of green energy and the loss of prime agricultural land is very alarming for our national food security and for our local farmers.

The Action Group team is small and we now need to bring in new members to take on the task to put a stop to this latest development. We need new members from Horley, Shotteswell, The Bourtons, Mollington and from Hanwell. If you could offer a couple of hours each month to help with fundraising, leafleting, events and attending our monthly meeting, you’ll be very welcomed.

The Action Group plans to attend HanFEST and the Horley Fete and other local events in the summer. But we need help in order to do this. Please let me know if you could help on our stand.

If you would like to find out more about joining the Action Group please make contact via the email address below.

Thank you for your ongoing support.

Chris Brant (Chair)

Keep Hanwell Village Rural Action Group
keephanwellvillagerural@gmail.com

Help to reduce re-offending via your wardrobe…

See below for a request from Jenny Smith:

‘In a post Covid working from home world, the days of having to iron the shirt and polish your shoes has been sharply reduced, no doubt leaving many nearly new work clothes languishing in the wardrobe.

If anyone is looking to have a clear out ( this is a men only campaign I’m afraid!) Feltham Young Offenders Institution is desperately short of clothing to help young men who are looking to go on placements, job interviews or even work on day release. They would also really appreciate sports apparel, (trainers, football boots and sports kit) as these enable the young men to participate in physical activities.

Whilst these young people are of course in prison for a reason, many of them come from backgrounds that are very far removed from what most of us are lucky enough to grow up with. Without any chance of rehabilitation or hope of a different future, the cycle of reoffending and cost to the taxpayer and society continues.

I am visiting Feltham again on the 17th June  so if you have anything that you think might be useful, please let me know and I will take with me. I can come and collect, or feel free to leave a bag by the door. They are looking for smart and smart casual clothes and shoes for young men aged between 15-21 and I know would be hugely appreciative of any donations.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions on jlswrox@outlook.com

Thanks‘

Jenny Smith

Chapel Cottage, Wroxton Lane

Reminder: North Cotswold Chamber Choir – Concert at St Etheldreda’s on Saturday 10th June

The North Cotswold Chamber Choir will be performing a concert of part songs, potentially for all tastes, on Saturday 10th June at 7:30pm in St Etheldreda’s Church Horley. Tickets are available from https://tinyurl.com/3mj65b4j

Come and enjoy wonderful, lyrical music featuring pieces by Tallis and Elgar as well as music by contemporary composers such as Whitacre and Rooney.