News
Our Conservation Area is under review
A draft Whitchurch-on-Thames Conservation Area Appraisal document was released yesterday at the start of a one-month consultation period.
Parish councillor Katherine Higley explains:
The Parish Council has worked with South Oxfordshire District Council and Asset Heritage Consulting to produce the draft Conservation Area Appraisal, which once adopted will act as a framework that will guide future development in the Conservation Area. The Parish Council would like to thank both South Oxfordshire District Council's Conservation Area Team and Asset Heritage Consulting.
To see the document, which includes several proposed amendments to the boundary of the area, and to take part in the consultation which is being run by SODC, click on this link. The amendments are shown in a map on page 4 and discussed on page 40.
Alternatively, visit St Mary's church where a hard copy of the appraisal will be available to view from Monday 15th. The deadline for comments to be received by SODC is 8th October.
The appraisal of conservation area boundaries is the responsibility of South Oxfordshire District Council, whose website explains that ‘As a local authority, we have a duty to designate conservation areas, review area boundaries and carry out conservation area appraisals to provide clarity on the special interest of such areas. When we carry out a boundary review or area appraisal we will ask the local community for their views.’ The Parish Council commissioned consultants Asset Heritage Consulting to produce the appraisal, which is in the form of a 64-page illustrated document.
Date/Time : Thursday, 11th September 2025 12:00
Whitchurch Primary School in country’s top ten
A survey in The Telegraph has ranked Whitchurch Primary School in the top ten of all primary schools in the country. Headteacher Dawn Chesters comments on this remarkable result:
We are so excited to celebrate our recent recognition as a top 10 primary school in the UK. This ranking, with a perfect score of 40 out of 40, is a reflection of the wonderful spirit and dedication of everyone here at Whitchurch. It’s a true validation of our approach to education.
The ranking system looked at nine different criteria, and we aced every single one. Here’s a bit more detail on what that means:
- Academic Excellence: We scored the maximum five points in all three key academic areas-Reading, Writing, and Maths-for our Key Stage 2 results. This shows the fantastic progress our pupils are making every day.
- Strong Local Performance: We earned the maximum three points for performing significantly above the local average in all key subjects, proving we are a beacon of excellence in our area.
- Pupil Success: We were in the top 20% of all schools in the country for the proportion of students meeting national expectations at the end of Key Stage 2, which earned us five points.
- Commitment to All: Our perfect score also came from being in the top 20% for supporting our disadvantaged pupils, showing our dedication to ensuring every child succeeds.
- Community and Support: We scored full points for our class sizes, which are in the top 25% nationally. This allows for more personalized attention for every child. We also received full marks for our low truancy rate-a testament to how much our pupils enjoy coming to school!
This perfect score is more than just a number; it’s a celebration of our students’ enthusiasm, our teachers’ passion, and the unwavering support of our parents. Thank you for being such an important part of the Whitchurch family. We’re all in this together, and we can’t wait to see what we achieve next.
Date/Time : Sunday, 07th September 2025 11:34
Jane Yamamoto 1967-2025 (Updated)
It is with great sadness we report that Jane Yamamoto passed away on the 5th August, 2025, at the age of 58. Jane was well-known and loved in the Whitchurch community for her public-spirited, kind and helpful nature.
Born on 5th April, 1967 in Toronto, Jane was of Japanese descent. As an adult she lived in France, Germany, Sweden, speaking all those languages, but her last twenty-five years were spent in England. She was proud of having worked all her life – she said from the age of 9 – apart from five years while she raised her boys. She had several careers: investment banker, professional chef; in Sweden she worked for the International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme. She moved to Whitchurch in 2002 with her then husband, Mads Kunov. Here in Whitchurch she was administrator for Oxford Renewables Ltd for twelve years, based on the Hardwick Estate, and latterly she was office manager for T A Fisher, a building company in Theale. But cooking was always her great love.
Jane is well-remembered in the community for her role as Parish Clerk. “She was very hard-working and conscientious as our Clerk for 5 years, taking special care and discretion with issues raised to her by members of the public,” says Chair, Jim Donahue. The Parish Council will hold a minute of silence at the start of the September meeting in her honour.
Jane is survived by her two sons, Matthew and Michael, and her husband, James Norman, who had the following words to say: “I have been Jane’s partner since 2010, and we had planned to marry this September, but she was diagnosed with terminal cancer in April. We were married at her home five days before she died. She loved tennis, and played about 8 sessions a week. She loved animals, especially her beloved dog Mabel, children, and people, and was the most loving person I have ever known, as well as the most loveable. She loved all my children and wider family as if they were her own.”
Jane’s funeral will be held on Tuesday 2nd September, at 11.30 am in St Mary’s, Whitchurch and afterwards at the Village Green. Tomalins' Tribute Page
Update, 15th September: There is a Henley Standard article.
Date/Time : Monday, 25th August 2025 15:23
Fallen tree blocks road near Goring Heath (Updated)
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.
Update, 2 pm: Tree cleared away, road open.
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