News
Fallen tree blocks road near Goring Heath
A tree has fallen across the road between Goring Heath and Mapledurham, blocking it. Jim Donahue has reported this to the OCC Highways Emergency Team.
Date/Time : Friday, 15th August 2025 08:44
New Sign Targets Speeding
Drivers through Whitchurch-on-Thames will notice the addition of a smiling/frowning speed monitoring sign. Installed by members of the Speedwatch team, the sign will supplement the regular in-person Speedwatch monitoring sessions. The solar powered display has a back-up battery, a range of 100 meters and can be moved to different locations as the need arises. It also has an upper speed trigger limit to discourage a small minority of drivers who might be tempted to deliberately reach very high speeds!
Date/Time : Saturday, 02nd August 2025 17:30
Parish Council granted freehold ownership of Muddy Lane
Following an application to HM Land Registry in October 2023, Whitchurch-on-Thames Parish Council has been granted possessory freehold title of Muddy Lane, subject to rights of way. The Parish Council has been maintaining the lane for many years and this grant of ownership will not affect the operational management of the area. The application was made on behalf of the Parish Council by Chairman Jim Donahue, Cllr Diana Smith, Clerk Brian Inglis and Neil Huntington. Special thanks are due to Eric Hartley, who submitted a Statement of Truth in support of the application. As Eric has lived in the village for 60 years he was able to confirm that the Parish Council was the only party that has maintained the Lane within that period.
In other Muddy Lane news, the Parish Council is arranging a tree survey to see if any are in a dangerous condition and need to be removed. Also, in recent months several faeces-filled dog bags have been left on the lane. Dog waste bins have been provided by the PC at the Hardwick Road end of the lane and also at the entrance to the Village Green by the car park. The lane is used by many children walking to school and pre-school and their safety is paramount. On this subject, an old, barbed wire fence, that the Primary school raised as an issue, has now been removed from the lane.
Muddy Lane is a pleasant and important pedestrian route in the village, linking important community spaces and facilities. It is very good news that the Parish Council will be able to continue safeguarding this green asset.
Date/Time : Friday, 25th July 2025 14:58
Villies versus Hillies - it's a draw
The 25th annual Dads’ charity football match between Whitchurch Village and Whitchurch Hill took place in Upper Basildon on Friday 11th July. Played in 32 degrees heat, the result was a 0-0 draw. A sum of £750 was raised for the Whitchurch PreSchool.
The result means that the Martin Park Memorial Cup will remain on display at The Greyhound for another year.
The football club would like to thank the Upper Basildon Parish Council for the use of their pitch free of charge and Microsoft for matching the £375 raised on the day.
There is a larger version of the photo here.
Date/Time : Tuesday, 22nd July 2025 18:39
Hardwick community seeks trustees
The Hardwick Estate, which is in the process of becoming England’s first community-led estate, would like to hear from anyone wishing to become involved as a Co-opted Trustee, attending monthly meetings of the Board as it transitions towards being a Charitable Company. Miriam Rose has further details here.
Date/Time : Thursday, 17th July 2025 11:53
Fundraising for St Mary's Save our Spire Appeal continues! (UPDATE: Jazz Event held)
The fundraising team are pleased to report a good start and a big thank you to all those who have given support and donations to date – these are very much appreciated.
Applications for grants are in progress and updates on these will be shared when available.
We still have a long way to go to meet our target of £200k, so your support is still very much needed. The fundraising activities continue with a number of activities planned over the coming months, including Jazz in the Garden this coming Saturday - 12th July. Tickets on sale at the garden gate, £10 (CHILDREN FREE). Details on other events will be posted as they are firmed up.
In the Letter from the Vicar in the latest Parish Magazine that was delivered to all households in Whitchurch-on-Thames and Whitchurch Hill , James describes the role of churches in our lives and in our community, and why church buildings matter and are worth preserving. Read it here. We also included our Save Our Spire leaflet in the magazine which has details of the project, work required, how you can help, and a number of ways you can donate. Here is the leaflet.
Thank you for your continued support for this once in a lifetime community and heritage project here in our village. Further updates on fundraising progress and upcoming events will be posted next month.
Update, 23rd July:
Over 50 people attended Jazz in the Garden - featuring local Jazz Group WoTJam and guest guitarist Denny Ilett, raising money for the ‘Save our Spire’ fund. The balmy summer evening was perfect for the occasion, putting everybody in a good mood.
Thanks to everyone who came and supported this event. There are photos of the event in the Photo Gallery.
Date/Time : Sunday, 06th July 2025 18:06
Bridge closure after accident
The toll bridge has been closed this evening (Friday 27th June) after a two-car collision on the Pangbourne approach embankment at around 6.15 pm today. The bridge remains open to cyclists and pedestrians. One of the drivers is said to have run off.
Update: as of 9.15 pm, the bridge is now open to traffic.
Date/Time : Friday, 27th June 2025 18:56
Hardwick News
The latest edition of the Hardwick Newsletter contains a review by Sir Julian Rose of the development of the Hardwick estate over the last 50 years. He looks back on the process of obtaining organic credentials while staying afloat financially. The photo here shows him relaxing with a glass of milk from his dairy herd of Guernsey cows in the early days, when he sold unpasteurised milk and cream on a doorstep delivery round.
His daughter Miriam Rose reports on the election earlier this year of community representatives, who now form an Interim Board charged with guiding the creation of the charitable structure that will own the estate.
A dramatic moment in the estate’s history was the shocking discovery by Hardwick’s current woodsman Tim Sheldon of an IRA arms and bomb cache in the Hardwick woods in 1983. Listen to him recalling this event in a recent interview on BBC Sounds.
Issue 8 of the Hardwick Newsletter, June 2025, can be read here.
Date/Time : Saturday, 21st June 2025 16:42
Pre-School parents win Whitchurch Award
This year’s Whitchurch Award winner, voted for by village residents, was announced at the Annual Village Assembly on Thursday 22nd May. Recognising the remarkable achievement of the parents, committee and trustees at the Whitchurch Pre-School in designing, constructing and fitting out a brand-new school building in a remarkably short time, the Award was made to the team responsible.
As Becky Galea, Secretary of the Pre-School Committee, said at the opening of the school on 17th January this year: “This project wouldn’t have been possible without the support of our local community.”
One parent said yesterday that by their concerted efforts, the team had succeeded in saving the school from closure. The community had rallied round and everyone had pitched in. He felt it was very gratifying that their efforts had now been recognised by the Award.
Those involved included the chairman of the Trustees Tim Suiter, Chris and Becky Bell, Becky Galea, Lee Gorton, Lawrie Gatherum and others. The group photo above shows many of the team.
Tim Suiter, seen here holding the award, said today: “We are delighted to accept this award and be recognised for our achievement. We want to thank our supporters from the parent body and the wider Whitchurch community for their contributions to the project. We are very happy with our new modern building with its views of the local countryside, play deck, warm and sustainable underfloor heating and air source heat pump. Looking to the future we are aiming to improve the outside play space at the Pre-School, strengthen our partnership with the Primary School who were such great supporters of us during the build, and continuing to foster ties with our wonderful local community here in Whitchurch on Thames.”
Date/Time : Sunday, 25th May 2025 10:45
SODC approves retrospective application for care home
At a meeting of the Planning Committee in Abingdon yesterday (picture), SODC councillors passed a resolution to approve the Section 73 application from the developer regarding the changes made to the consented design of Eastfield House/Cedar Lodge. The detailed discussions lasted one hour and 20 minutes. District councillor Peter Dragonetti, parish council vice-chair Diana Smith and three Whitchurch residents all spoke against the proposal.
After a debate, the proposal was passed by 5 votes to 2, with around 8 abstentions.
The entire proceedings were streamed on YouTube and can be watched here.
SODC's 9-page Decision letter stating the conditions for the planning permission can be read here.
Date/Time : Thursday, 22nd May 2025 17:36
Bienvenue aux Twinners!
Last weekend Whitchurch and Whitchurch Hill underwent a friendly invasion. Over 30 French visitors from our twin town, La Bouille in Normandy, arrived and were hosted by 14 welcoming households in the area. Our twinning link with La Bouille dates back over 40 years and founder member, Peter Hawley, was amongst guests at the Saturday night fish and chip supper.
Our French friends also enjoyed a day out exploring Greenham Common, Shaw House and Newbury. Shortly before leaving on Monday they were entertained by a morris dancing display at the Goring Heath alms-houses. We look forward to their return visit in two years’ time.
Many thanks to the committee who worked hard to ensure a successful visit. The Twinning Association is a friendly and welcoming group and next year members will travel to La Bouille to be welcomed in their turn. If you would like to be involved in this entente cordiale, please contact Wendy Ferguson or Tim Suitor . Look in the Photo Gallery for a larger picture.
Date/Time : Thursday, 08th May 2025 14:08
St Mary's Save our Spire appeal launched
The Fundraising Team reports on Friday’s event:
Around 40 people attended the launch event at St Mary's on 11th April, where the team shared interesting information on the background to the project, the history of the Church and its role in our lives & our community, along with detailed information on what restoration is needed and why. There are more photos in the Gallery.
There is a big fundraising challenge with a further £200k to be raised. Grant applications are being progressed alongside local fundraising and community engagement. The information boards used at Friday's event will remain in St Mary's so you can pop in on weekdays and take a look. Summary information is also in the leaflets shared at the event. For those unable to attend here is the leaflet.
We all have a part to play in ensuring this community asset and part of our heritage is maintained for future generations - please do get involved in whatever way you can in this once in a lifetime project in our village.
Thank you for your support!
The Save our Spire Fundraising Team
Date/Time : Sunday, 13th April 2025 18:47
Care home contractor progress concerns (UPDATED)
Several sources have indicated recently that the building contractor working on the Cedar Lodge care home, J Guest Ltd, could be in some kind of difficulty. With only weeks to go before the advertised opening, it appeared from the reduced activity on the site last week that the contractor could be withdrawing, leaving the owners, Zephyr X, to continue the work.
However, this morning (31st March) the large number of parked vans in Eastfield Lane appeared to indicate that construction had resumed. The photo was taken today.
Update, 2 pm Tuesday 1st April:
Parish chairman Jim Donahue reports that he spoke this morning with Zephyr X's Programme Director, who confirmed that their building contractor J Guest Ltd had gone into liquidation last Friday. The director said that it was caused by cash flow problems at another of the contractor's sites.
The Cedar Lodge site manager, who is now working for a new contractor rapidly brought in by Zephyr X to replace J Guest Ltd, recently told a nearby resident of Eastfield Lane that he reckoned the delay to the building work caused by the handover would be only about two weeks.
Parish councillor Diana Smith, who lives in the lane and is directly affected by its appalling condition, said today that both she and Jim Donahue have been chasing the OCC Highways Authority to fill the many deep potholes, as had already been agreed. There have also been discussions about the full resurfacing of the lane once the heavy vehicle traffic has reduced.
Date/Time : Monday, 31st March 2025 12:04
Fond farewell to the Witchers
After 29 years in Whitchurch, Paul and Geraldine Witcher of Hardwick Road departed the village on 21st March. They are moving to Nailsea in Somerset where they will be closer to their family.
They were thanked for their many services to the community at a farewell event in The Old Stables on 16th March (photo above by Debbie Leach), where they were presented with a suitable gift. They expressed their sadness at leaving the village.
The current Parish Magazine has an article, shown here in colour, on their wide range of much appreciated church and community activities over the years.
At their final session of WoTSing in St John’s Church on 13th March, the community choir, led by Geraldine for the final time, sang the couple's favourite songs plus an impromptu rendering of ‘Thank you for the music’. Paul and Geraldine said they were confident that the popular monthly singalongs would continue, led by the Cockerams, Ken Baker and pianist Tim Taylor.
Date/Time : Sunday, 23rd March 2025 13:53
Appointment of New Parish Councillor
Local shepherd, Romilly Swann, is the newest addition to Whitchurch Parish Council, following a unanimous vote in her favour at the PC meeting of March 13th. She fills the vacancy left by Nick Brazil’s recent retirement. Romilly has strong local roots, having lived and worked in this area for over 25 years, both on the Thames and the Hardwick Estate. She brings with her a detailed understanding of the botany, archaeology and ecology of this area and will undoubtedly prove a great asset to the council.
Date/Time : Tuesday, 18th March 2025 11:24
Cedar Lodge owners forge ahead (UPDATED, 26th March)
Despite several elements of planning permission not having been granted, Zephyr X have started recruiting staff and patients for the 45-bed care home previously known as Eastfield House.
Cedar Lodge is being advertised as a Flagship Dementia Centre and Nursing Home, but people in the community have many objections which still need to be resolved. Contentious issues include the overbearing east gable, external lighting, plant room and threat to trees. Many in the community feel aggrieved with the aggressive approach to planning adopted by the developer and are still hopeful that SODC will refuse the current outstanding S73 planning application.
Zephyr X have recently held a recruitment session in the village hall and have booked further training sessions there. They are understood to be planning a VIP Opening Day in the building on May 9th. This follows their placement of a marketing suite/reception room/office in the grounds, with an entrance through the roadside screen.
But there still seems to be a lot to do before the home can open, not least sorting out the sorry state of Eastfield Lane.
The aerial photo above is from the Zephyr X website.
A Henley Standard article on the external lighting was published this week.
Update, 26th March:
The EQ Care Group, which will run the home, is currently recruiting 90 staff for Cedar Lodge. They are hosting an evening reception on 3rd April in Pangbourne so that they can get to know community groups, businesses and societies with which they hope to work. See more in this Henley Standard article.
Date/Time : Saturday, 08th March 2025 17:02