News, Events & Meetings

All Wolfords residents are warmly invited to attend an exclusive evening at The Wolfords Village Hall on Friday 7th February 2025 at 7pm to explore the stars and planets above The Wolfords, and to celebrate our precious dark skies.

We are pleased to announce that a special guest from the Chipping Norton Amateur Astronomy Group (CNAAG) will be giving a fascinating talk about our galaxy and what lies beyond our solar system. This will then be followed by a stargazing session, using specialist astronomical telescopes, where everyone will have the chance to view objects such as the moon, nearby planets & constellations, and even the International Space Station as it passes overhead.

 Children of all ages are particularly encouraged to come along, as this will be a perfect opportunity to educate curious minds, feed the imagination, and maybe even inspire budding astronomers and astronauts!

At the parish council meeting on 26th November 2024, TWJPC announced its 'Dark Skies Policy and Artificial Lighting Guidelines' - this will be finalised soon.  This document aims to achieve a consistent approach to conserving our dark skies and rural darkness, and is also intended to be used in conjunction with other documents such as the Neighbourhood Plan, Local Plan, and Core Strategy. The Wolfords is surrounded by picturesque countryside and the classic ‘rolling hills’ of the Cotswolds. Quite rightly, this landscape should be protected. Likewise, it is also important to protect the dark skies above this area.  Increasingly, light pollution from artificial lighting sources is significantly reducing the quality and visibility of the night sky. Furthermore, light pollution has a negative impact on the local environment, human health, quality of life, and wildlife – not to mention the cost of wasted energy from unnecessary or inappropriate illumination.

The main guidelines for artificial lighting are summarised below.  Where possible, it is recommended that 'DarkSky Approved' suppliers and lighting are used.  

1.  Use lights only WHERE needed

2.  Use lights only WHEN needed - use time switches, and motion/proximity (PIR) sensors; switch off lights when not needed.

3.  Only use as much light as you need

4.  Consider the colour temperature of lighting (i.e. opt for 'warm white' lights in the 2,700K to 3,000K range)

5.  Don’t be wasteful - save energy and reduce your bills

6.  Avoid environmental harm - unnecessary lighting negatively impacts on nocturnal wildlife.  Avoid decorative illumination of trees, ponds and wildlife habitats. To minimise light spill from indoor lights (including via rooflights) - consider using blinds, curtains and shutters.

Little Wolford Road will be closed on Monday 9th December 2024 for approximately 7 days.  This closure is required to safely enable the installation of a new water supply.

For further information, please contact KA Perkins on 01608 686189.

Households and businesses in The Wolfords are currently eligible for UK government funding to improve their broadband under the Gigabit Broadband Voucher scheme.  Residents may have already seen the leaflet recently distributed by Openreach.  The voucher scheme covers all households that use the Long Compton exchange. 

To date, approximately 70% of the voucher pledge target has been reached.  More than 100 households and 11 businesses have used the voucher to pledge a total amount of just over £500k.

For further details regarding the voucher scheme and to find out how a full fibre service can be ordered from your provider, please visit the Openreach website.  

Start getting into the Christmas spirit and come along to The Wolfords Christmas Market at The Wolfords Village Hall on Friday 29th November from 4pm until 8pm, where you will be able to enjoy festive food & drink, luxury Christmas shopping, and even the chance to purchase your tree.   

There will be a Burns Night Supper and Ceilidh on Saturday 1st February 2025 at 7pm in The Wolfords Village Hall.  Further details will be published soon.    

Shipston First Responders will be running a FREE CPR & Defibrillator Training course on Monday 2nd December at 6.30pm in The Wolfords Village Hall.

If you wish to attend, then please contact the Parish Clerk of The Wolfords Joint Parish Council:  clerk@thewolfordsjpc.co.uk 

A new waste bin has now been installed in Little Wolford. The bin is located on The Green, near the driveway leading to the village hall. This is a combined multi-purpose bin, which can be used for dog waste and general rubbish. Please do make use of the bin, and also encourage others (including walkers and dog owners) to use the bin, helping to keep Little Wolford beautiful, clean and tidy. While out and about, if you happen to spot any litter, such as cans, bottles, crisp packets etc, along the roads and verges, then please feel free to pick them up and put them in the shiny new bin. Thank you!

The Wolfords Village Hall AGM will be held on Monday 21st October 2024 at 7.30pm.  All are welcome.  If anyone is interested in becoming a Trustee and joining the management committee, then please contact James van Helden (jamesvanhelden@hotmail.com).  New ideas are always very welcome, as is much needed support and fundraising to help maintain the Village Hall.  With its ample parking and facilities, the Village Hall is currently the only venue in The Wolfords where people can meet, entertain, hold events or partake in other activities, so it is vitally important that it is kept in regular use and remains an integral part of the local community.    

A planned power outage will affect Little Wolford on Friday 12th July 2024 between 09:00 and 16:00.

Work is being undertaken by National Grid to divert part of the High Voltage overhead line network supplying the area. For further information, please visit: https://planned.nationalgrid.co.uk/overhead-diversion-hv.

Residents are advised to switch off and unplug potentially sensitive electrical appliances. For further advice, please visit: https://planned.nationalgrid.co.uk/information-and-advice .