We have some exciting plans ahead, with the development of easy access plots for our members who find getting down to ground level difficult!

We plan to make our allotment gardens totally inclusive!

The future will be challenging. We face changes ahead, now that planet warming is making our soil change, binding the particles in very wet periods and baking it in hot weather. We have inflation of costs of food because of the aforesaid and international turmoil. We must preserve the growing of food locally.

There are enormous benefits of food produced locally, known as from field to plate, which results in reduced emissions of greenhouse gases.

Combined with the health and wellbeing benefits of getting outdoors in all seasons, physical activity and the benefits of community and social interaction that we gain with gardening, the result is improvement in health and happiness all round!

Which was also known in 1910 by those who started the Chinnor Flower and Produce Show!

The Chinnor Allotments and Garden Society was established over 100 years ago. We have a great heritage, that the people of our expanded modern community of Chinnor are keen to join. With this in mind, a way of providing more allotment plots is to make some extra ones available by dividing existing plots into smaller units. This and the desire to become more inclusive, sparked the idea of raised beds, with easy access, near to our facilities, the Distribution Centre and car parking.

Not forgetting the important link between preserving nature to help mitigate the effects of Climate Change, we have to give space for wildlife, bees, butterflies, beetles, birds, and not leave out the essentials for healthy soil life.

We are constantly learning and educating ourselves as we progress.

We thank our Grant Fund providers: The Co-Op, Chinnor Open Gardens and Chinnor Parish Council for their assistance, which is very much appreciated, as they are investing in the now and in the future of the allotment community.

Chinnor Allotments and Garden Association Committee 2024 - 2025

On 28th June 2025, Chinnor Churches Go Wild! (CCGW!) celebrated its 18th birthday since its foundation by Bob Sluka and Jo Whitfield in 2007. We wanted to celebrate this milestone by hosting a convention which brought together all the major players and invite them to share what we have learnt over the years and what strategic recommendations there may be for the future. We were delighted to be joined by some hugely significant speakers in the ECO Christian field, who gave their time so readily to share their knowledge and expertise – each talk enhanced by power point presentations. We were particularly delighted to welcome our keynote speaker and old friend Dr Bob Sluka from Rocha International, Hannah Mann, Environment Programme Manager, Diocese of Oxford; Maranda St John Nicolle, World Mission Officer, Diocese of Oxford, and Director of Christian Concern for One World (CCOW!), Dr Paul Taylor, Sustainability Officer, Reading University and Helen Stephens, Head of Church Relations, A Rocha UK.

The day went well with over 30 attending, including parishioners as well as those from further afield. A number of local organisations provided information tables around St. Andrew’s Church, with our special thanks going to Rob Thorpe for manning a Fair-Trade table, and to Lauretta Milligan, Jackie Griffiths and teams for providing lunch for the speakers and refreshments throughout the day.

For me, the highlight was towards the end of the afternoon when we opened up the floor for an open forum discussion. There were many contributions during this ‘feedback’ session, happy memories of past events and much appreciation for CCGW! in the work it’s done locally and encouragement. There was a strong recommendation that CCGW! should continue with its present range of activities and continue to be an active A Rocha Partner in Action. Some thought CCGW! was at a crossroad - should there be any diversification into taking a more active role in ECO representation at perhaps a Diocesan or political level? Please pray for the CCGW! team as they consider next steps and do look out for our upcoming events.

Hi everyone, schedules are available at the Reading Room, the Council Offices and the Library as usual as well as the Manor Stores. If you use our website please make sure you use this years’ schedule as some class numbers have changed since last year.

Looking forward you seeing you all at our show on 25th August.

Cheers

P. Stick

At the end of April we completed 14 years of providing help in our community, so a big ‘THANK YOU’ to all of our volunteers, past and present. In that time we have helped 531 different people, on over 10,000 separate occasions, in Chinnor and the surrounding area (including Aston Rowant, Crowell, Henton, Kingston Blount and Sydenham). We are currently fulfilling over 1,000 job requests per year.

We manage to keep enough volunteers to fulfil requests made, but we could always do with more so we can spread the load; so if you want to get more involved with helping in your community then please think of us. The best thing is that there is no regular commitment, you only help when it suits you. If you would like to join us, especially with helping to drive our clients to appointments (at doctors, hospitals, dentists, hairdressers, etc) please get in touch for more information; and drivers can claim up to 45p per mile to help with their costs.

If you’re not so keen on driving you may be able to help with shopping, gardening, collecting prescriptions, or even just sitting and having a coffee and a chat with someone.

As we move forward we are going to need more help on the administration side of the scheme, some of us have been involved from outset and are keen to get new people involved to ensure that the scheme continues to provide help in the future …… so please get in touch if you think you could help.

If you need help in some way and want to know more about what we do, or you’re thinking about volunteering, please contact us on our dedicated telephone number 01844 353500 for more information. Alternatively, you can find information on our website (www.chinnorgns.co.uk), email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or pop into the Parish Council Office and pick up a leaflet.

Enjoy the rest of the summer.

Martin King (Chair) & David DeVal (Co-ordinator)

The website for Chinnor heritage www.chinnorheritage.org.uk has been in operation for 4 years and is the sole public repository for historical data in Chinnor. It has gained considerable momentum gathering historical and heritage data from a range of sources, the most valuable being residents own memories of events, people, places and experiences.

Continue to expand our content. This year we hope to develop our audio library which we aim to become not just a repository of historical information but an educational source for schools and a stimulus for memory retrieval and conversation by groups in the village. We are also seeking to install a textual search engine to facilitate navigation of the site.

Funding is still a concern and because grant awarding bodies do not fund ongoing costs we have been seeking support from local business and are delighted to tell you that we have received some wonderful financial support from Surmans towards next years hosting fees.

We now have trustees representing history, archelogy, religion, and IT and still aim to secure charity status.

We are happy to visit groups and give a 45-minute presentation of the website.

Fiona Mantle Zena Baker

07976887169 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

“The hidden Church with the big heart” 62 Station Road.

Sitting on the fence ….. are you sitting on the fence? Have you learned a little about faith but still not sure what next …. Turn away or walk on in and find out more?

Some of us have shared this conversation over the past few months and often the surprise is that some of us have sat on the fence, too, and we are still learning, finding out more.

So do please jump off the fence and walk on in.

Our Sunday services are at 10.30am followed by tea/coffee. We would love to welcome you.

Or, as I wrote last month, if this is a bit too daunting try coming to the Marquee service at White’s Field on Sunday 24th August at 10.30am; usually a relaxed café-style with folk from our village churches sitting around tables with coffee and snacks.

We will be there with a warm welcome.

Our Charity Table is currently raising funds for Bucks Scannappeal, donation/honesty bowl for all items including jams, chutneys and pickles. All visitors/hall users are very welcome to browse and buy.

Tots and Toys, a big thankyou to all our volunteers who set up the toys and activities (and tidy them all away again) and those who serve refreshments each term. Thank you, too, to all the almost schoolers who will be off to school in September, we will miss you and hope you will really enjoy your next adventure. And for those who plan to come back or join us in September

we look forward to seeing you; all through the summer holidays we will be busy cutting out and preparing the craft kits for you to enjoy each week.

Tots and Toys is a drop-in morning play and craft session for the under-5s with their parents or carers on Wednesdays in term-time, 9am-11.30 am. Re-starts 3rd September.

Our Exploring Faith Group meets on the first and third Tuesday of the month at 2pm, next meeting 2nd September but please check (*see below) as there are occasions when we are unable to meet. E-mail Liz at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or *text 07720647914 to find out more or to check dates. All our spaces are available for hire, too.

If you are unable to join us for our service at Chinnor there are live-streamed services from Aylesbury Methodist church every week from 10.30am with previous weeks available on catch up. https://thesundayservice.gallery.video/aylesburymethodist

This year’s event didn’t go as smoothly as previous years; there were some unexpected challenges, including proposed road works between Kingston Blount and Chinnor, a rather wet and blustery Saturday with only 200 people braving the showers, and a fallen tree temporarily blocking the road to Chinnor at Bledlow on the Sunday.

Despite the hurdles, the community spirit shone through, and we are pleased to report that funds raised this year from Open Gardens and the Quiz Night are a wonderful £4,300. Grants awarded this year have gone to Chooseday Church, Chinnor Library, Mill Lane Community Garden, Mill Lane School Association, Red Kite Family Centre, Aston Rowant School, St Andrew’s School, and Chinnor Allotment & Garden Association.

Several new gardens enthusiastically join the scheme each year, which helps to refresh and maintain interest for those who visit the gardens annually. Anyone interested in taking part with us next year, please contact us. We warmly encourage newcomers to the village to get involved, showcase how you've tackled your space, and share how you've coped with the local clay.

Our next meeting will be the AGM, which will be held in the Chiltern Room at Chinnor Village Centre on the High Street on Monday 10th November at 7 pm. Everyone is warmly welcome.

On behalf of all involved in Chinnor Open Gardens, I would like to say a heartfelt ‘Thank you’ for your support — whether it was taking part in one of the associated events, as a garden helper, craftsperson, or visitor. Your involvement creates a truly special and memorable community weekend.

Please contact Jackie: 07761582937 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  www.chinnoropengardens.co.uk

Hello everybody, I hope this email finds you all well and you are enjoying our lovely Summer, ( possibly not the humidity though!)

Chinnor Wine Circle had a fantastic Summer cocktails tasting given by Jacob from Henley Distillery, he brought along numerous gin mixers and also the lovely lemoncello, all really lovely.

We do not have a meeting in August, but we will be at Chinnor Flower and Produce Show at Whites Field on August Bank Holiday Monday where we will have a bottle tombola, and you could win a lovely bottle of wine or something just as good, come along and someone can have a chat to you about the club and what we do.

Our next meeting is Thursday 4th September, when we will be having a talk by Ian Grant from Medical Detection Dogs, which should be very interesting, they are also bringing along a sales table, so you can buy  some goodies and help a worthwhile charity, you will find us in The Reading Room, High Street, our meeting starts at 8pm. Just bring along whatever you wish to drink ( it doesn’t have to be alcohol!) and a couple of glasses, we end the evening with a taste of Italian wine.

Look forward to seeing you.

The Friends of Chinnor Library committee, alongside your library staff, are currently working hard to make your library even more relevant to the 21st century needs of Chinnor folk. With this in mind, we are asking you to get in touch if you know of anyone locally who has mobility, financial or other issues and who might struggle to use the Citizens Advice service in Thame but would use one in Chinnor if it was available. We would also welcome feedback on activities you would like to see taking place in your library. This could be a one-off session on a particular topic or regular group meetings for book clubs, crafts groups etc. Would a home educators group be useful, with access to all the library’s many resources directly to hand? Please feel free to contact us with ideas you think will enhance the services we already provide and that you and other Chinnor folk will attend.

Friends of Chinnor Library committee runs a 100 club to raise money to support your local library. Jan Miller has been responsible for co-ordinating this since 2016 and will shortly be stepping down. In a recent communication with 100 club members Jan said ‘When we started this fundraiser in 2016 we could never have predicted the amazing support from the village, during all this time we have had an almost 100% sale of tickets, and so far we have given out £5,400 in prize money and raised almost the same amount of money for the Library. We have supported Craft sessions, visits from Animal Explorers and Balloon modellers and purchased more than 400 books. Many of you have been with us from the start, some have just joined, thank you to each and every one of you.’

The Friends of Chinnor Library Committee would like to thank Jan Miller and Hilary Goodchild for their tireless work in making this fundraiser so successful over the years. Linda Bowen will take over running the 100 club for the FoCL committee and we will work hard together to keep it going over the coming years. The 100 club members list occasionally has vacancies, if you would like your name adding to our waiting list please contact us. It costs only £1.00 a month, you can win cash prizes and, most importantly, support your local library by providing funding for activities and books.

Please come in to the library and follow our ‘Friends of Chinnor Library’ Facebook page to keep yourself up-to-date with current activities and events. We have free wifi, computers and low cost printing facilities and, for your comfort, the library is a designated cold space in the summer and warm space during winter months. Please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call into the library off Station Road, OX39 4PU.

While the recent hot weather has been a blessing, the rain has been a welcome relief and filled our water buts to the brim! Stepping into the garden in June and July can feel like everything has happened overnight. Fruits such as strawberries, currants and raspberries have been harvested, blooms are wonderfully wild, and life seemingly bursts from every nook and cranny. The cut and come again flower bed are thriving. The broad beans have been harvested, and the 'pick your own' tubs at the entrance have been planted with rhubarb, herbs, and spinach.

The garden opened over the weekend of the Chinnor Open Gardens in conjunction with the Great Big Green Week with Climate Action Oxfordshire “Your choices matter”. Thank you to Chinnor Open Gardens for this opportunity to share the garden with the many visitors who visit Chinnor – this year 17 gardens were open. The garden applied for a grant through Community Action Groups and with this grant two additional water butts and trays for the greenhouse were purchased. Thank you also to the Chinnor Open Gardens for their grant for the purchase of a battery powered hedge trimmer.

Thank you to the Chinnor Parish Council for their grants which enabled the garden to purchase a fruit cage and tools for the children to use in the garden such as spades and rakes. Thank you also to the Chinnor Parish Council for the installation of paving stones, which has made access into the parking area from the garden much clearer and safer. Little Greens Garden Club is very popular, and it is lovely to see the young children enjoying this special community garden. Little Greens Garden Club do not meet over the summer holidays and will start again on Saturday 12 September. A new collaboration has been with the Friends of Chinnor Library who visited one Saturday to host a storytelling session – the children enjoyed this very much. If you are interested in joining the Little Greens Garden Club, please email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The garden has been approached by many community groups in Chinnor and have recently hosted visits by the Beavers, Rainbows, Brownies, Guides and the Red Kite Centre in the last couple of weeks. For these groups, activities are planned according to their age groups and geared towards their work on achieving a badge.

The next event will be a Fun Afternoon in the garden on Friday 15 August from 2-4pm with activities around the garden as well as a storytelling session. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and you can drop in or out.

The garden is now open every weekend from 12.30 - 5pm. Come along and enjoy this lovely calm space. There is a plant stall and cash donations can be made through the letterbox on the gate or through bank transfer.

We have welcomed a new volunteer recently and if you'd like to volunteer or find out more about the garden, contact us in the usual ways: via our Facebook page, email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit our website: milllanecommunitygarden.com.

I am delighted to be able to report Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway's Independent line was successfully opened as planned with a VIP Day on June 27th attended by local councillors and guests including representatives from Network Rail, Chiltern Railways, Colas and special guest Lady Judy McAlpine who has taken on the position of President of the C&PRR. Network Rail, Chiltern Rail and Colas are all companies that have been hugely supportive by way of technical and material assistance with the clearing and relaying of the line.

The VIP day included a ceremonial tape breaking by the first train, consisting of passenger carrying stock, ever to traverse the independent line, followed by a return run to Chinnor on which celebratory tea and cakes were served. The day was a huge success and the C&PRR now looks forward to welcoming passengers on all public trains to run via the Independent Line.

It won’t look very different to passengers but as far as CPRRA is concerned this Independent Line will mean that no longer will our volunteers need to check in with Network Rail Operations at Marylebone to get permission to run trains over a short length of THEIR track, in order to get into OUR platform at Princes Risborough. Also our services can no longer be interrupted at zero minutes notice by Network Rail needing to use it’s length of track, potentially stranding our customers.

Despite all this exciting news the big thing that has been on our minds more recently is lineside fires and reducing the risk. We opted to run diesel traction during, and following the 3rd heatwave, to minimise that risk; because we take our responsibilities seriously, and endeavour to be good neighbours.

Please don’t forget that Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway is a charity and relies on totally on ticket income and donations to keep it functioning. Donation can be made via https://www.chinnorrailway.co.uk/section.php/12/1/donations

The Parish Council Office – is open

Mondays – Thursdays 9am – 3.30pm and Fridays 9am – 1pm

If you require any information, please do call or email the office on
Tel 01844 353267 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Or look on our website https://www.chinnorparishcouncil.gov.uk

Parish Council Meetings will be held at Chinnor Community Pavilion at 7.00pm public are welcome to attend.

04/08/25 Full Council

11/08/25 Planning

18/08/25 Amenities

August Bank Holiday Community Events

20th - 25th August 2025

Once again, we will be providing a Marquee at Whites’ Field to host community events. We are very pleased that there is a varied and interesting programme being presented.  

The Lineup is

Wednesday 20th

pm                           Mini Familly fun day hosted by SODC Xplorer

Evening                   Chinnor Community awards

Thursday 21st

am/pm                    Skillzone – Free activities for Children 8-14years

Evening                   Quiz hosted by Chinnor Players

Friday 22^nd

am                           Nature Fun & Produce swap hosted by Friend of the Earth

pm                           Howdy Family Disco

Evening                    Dolly Tribute night hosted by the Village Centre

Saturday 23rd

from noon                Beer Festival

Sunday 24th

am                          United Church Service

pm                         Community Tea Party hosted by U3A

Monday 25th

pm                         Flower & Produce Show

Check out our website and Facebook page for the latest details or contact the individual hosts.

Planning Applications The best way to keep up-to-date with new applications is to register with SODC to receive alerts direct to your inbox  https://www.southoxon.gov.uk/south-oxfordshire-district-council/planning-and-development/

We hold Planning meetings monthly and the agenda and details of applications being considered can be found on our website https://www.chinnorparishcouncil.gov.uk

Newsletter

keep up to date with the latest news and events by receiving an emailed weekly newsletter. To sign up visit the Parish Council website and register your details or contact the Parish office.

https://www.chinnorparishcouncil.gov.uk/?s=newsletter

July 2025

August will see us marking VJ Day (Victory in Japan) which truly marks the end of the Second World War.  As with VE Day we will be marking this with a low-key Ceremony of Commemoration at 11:45 AM on the 15th August at Chinnor’s War Memorial.

Whilst hostilities had ceased (officially) it would be a long time before things got back to anything like normal. In fact, from what my parents and grandparents and others have said, things were never the same. Many of our troops in the Far East would have to wait some time before arriving back home. In my father’s case, he didn’t return until the second half of 1947 and whilst he had left Burmah and India behind, he spent over a year in the middle east in what was then Palestine and Iraq.

Others came back physically and mentally scarred; some would recover from their experiences and adapt, but others would be permanently maimed, both physically and mentally. My Godfather Reg spent most of the war in a Japanese Prisoner of War Camp and refused to buy anything Japanese. He would not talk about his experiences in the camp but had a running ulcer as a ‘souvenir’ of his imprisonment that never healed. He did however say that compared to some he was lucky.

We must also remember that contrary to the impression one might get from the movies, it wasn’t just the Americans and us fighting. We sere supported by many nations, most from the then Empire; Australians, Indians and those from what is now Bangladesh, Canadians, the Indochinese and, well the list just goes on. My Father’s Royal Engineers unit was protected by Gurkhas.

So, on VJ Day, we commemorate the end of hostilities and the end World War 2. We remember the fallen, the wounded and those who gave their all. I recently came across a quote from General George S Patton, and whilst he fought in the European Theatre and not the Far East, I think it is just as appropriate; ‘It is foolish and wrong to mourn for the men who died, but instead one should thank God that such men lived.’ Whilst I don’t necessarily agree with the first part of the statement, he was certainly right about the second.

As with our previous Commemorations, we aim to keep this as a low-key event, not least because we cannot close the High Street for a major ceremony, but all will be welcome to join us. As we are on the High Street, if you attend, please do be careful.

Finally, if you would like to join our Legion Branch, our next meeting is on August the 26th in the Committee Room at Chinnor Village Hall at 7:30 PM or do get in touch with me.

Ian White. Branch Chair.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

01844 352085

Join us to Celebrate HARVEST FESTIVAL at St Andrew’s Church with harvest refreshments served on Saturday 20th September 2025 & Sunday 21st September 2025 2 – 5pm. This will be an ideal opportunity to view the beautiful harvest arrangements around the church.

There will be a Harvest Service on Sunday 21st September 2025at 10:30am, joined by the Chinnor Methodist Church. All welcome!

Tinned Food Donations will be most gratefully received and distributed to the Sharing Life Trust and The Porch.

Fundraising towards the ongoing care and maintenance of St Andrew’s Church.

1. Come To The Fundraising Events

2. Leave Money In Your Will - Legacy Funding

3. Become A Volunteer

Fundraising Events In August

FRIDAY 22 AUGUST PM

Howdee Kids Disco

Further information from VC admin office, tel 01844 353733; email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Marquee Whites Field

FRIDAY 22 AUGUST 19:00 - Tennesee Tribute Night £20.00 book via VC admin office, tel 01844 353733; email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

SUNDAY 24 AUGUST 2025 - The Quintessential English Garden Party? (sponsored by the Chinnor Parish Council) (Main program starts @ 14:30).  £15.00 includes tea, sandwiches, scones and cake and entertainment raffle and quiz. book via VC admin office, tel 01844 353733; email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Give Money Through Legacy Funding.  Avoid or reduce inheritance tax liability by leaving a charitable donation in your will.

For further information on events, donations please contact Julie or Rayne in the Administration Office This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 01844 353733

Become A Volunteer and support the staff running the café, mini bus and Friendship Clubs

If you have time on your hands please consider becoming a VOLUNTEER in Friendship Clubs, mini bus or café? Come and find out how you can help, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Tel 07779732097

Our Offer To You - Podiatry Coming Soon

If you are a member, staff or volunteer of the VC or u3a member you can take advantage of a special concessional price of £35.00 for a 45 -minute treatment (£5.00 of which is donated to VC). Other rates by request. for further information contact Nettie (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Tel 07711337243

Remember the AGM is at 19:30 on 3 September 2025 come and meet the Trustees and find out about the plans for the future.