Cholsey Parish Council

02/04/2026

Pavilion & Recreation Ground Car Park – please read

Cholsey’s Pavilion is a busy, well-used facility, hosting community events, private bookings, and a range of regular users. It is home to the Community Library, Complementary Health Centre, Cholsey Volunteers, Happy Hub, the Parish Council.

We are also lucky to have a large Recreation Ground, home to football and tennis clubs, occasional village events, and appreciated by recreational users in many ways.

These community facilities all share a car park of around 50 spaces. We know this can cause frustration at busy times, especially on Saturday mornings.

The car park is for all Pavilion and Recreation Ground users (until full) – no group has priority.

If you can, please walk, cycle or lift share. If you do need to park, please:
• Park considerately, alongside already parked cars especially on busy days
• Leave disabled bays for those who need them
• Keep the entrance clear for emergency access

Thank you for your support – it’s great to see these facilities so well used.

Cholsey Pavilion Trust & Cholsey Parish Council
Cholsey Pavilion

01/04/2026

The Parish Council has recently been made aware of an upsetting incident involving a parent and young child playing with a balance bike at the skatepark. Another member of the public challenged them and stated that the skatepark was “only for skateboarders”.
The parent was also left with the impression that this individual was speaking on behalf of the Parish Council or a skatepark committee.

To avoid any confusion, we want to restate the Council’s long standing position:
The skatepark is an inclusive facility for all ages, all abilities and all wheeled users - including skateboards, scooters and bikes - with the exception of motorised vehicles.

This has been the intention since the skatepark was first designed, and it remains the case today. There is a requirement that children under 8 are supervised by an adult, which was clearly happening in this instance.

We are concerned that a member of the public felt able to challenge a skatepark user in this way and to present themselves as speaking with authority. This does not reflect Parish Council policy or approach.

Our aim is for the skatepark to remain a welcoming, shared space for everyone. Thank you to all who use it considerately and help keep it a positive place for the whole community.

EDIT for clarity (1st April): The member of the public who challenged the parent and child was walking their dog in the Recreation Ground at the time, and not actively using the skatepark for recreation themselves

30/03/2026

Unfortunately, due to health and safety concerns, the Cholsey Meadows developer, Vistry, will be fencing off a section of play equipment at the Cholsey Meadows play area. The Parish Council has been informed that this is expected to take place today (30th March) or tomorrow.

Despite our continued and repeated efforts, the play area at Cholsey Meadows remains under the ownership and management of Vistry. Last year, the District Council identified a significant planning issue that must be resolved by the developer before the site can be formally transferred.

In the meantime, we have been regularly following up to request that repairs are carried out. Vistry had previously advised that these would be completed by the original installer two weeks ago; however, this has not yet taken place, and we continue to pursue this matter.

We are very disappointed and frustrated that the situation has reached the point where play equipment now needs to be fenced off.

12/03/2026

CONSULTATION CLOSES TOMORROW

🚸 Have Your Say: Reading Road Pedestrian Crossing Consultation

Last year, the Parish Council carried out an informal community survey - 98% of respondents supported the proposal for a pedestrian crossing on Reading Road.

That strong local backing enabled the project to move forward to the County Council’s formal public consultation stage.

🗓 The consultation is now open and will close at 5pm on Friday 13 March 2026.

Please take a few minutes to respond and ensure your voice is heard.

We're asking for your views on the proposal to introduce a new Puffin Crossing (a signalised crossing for use by pedestrians) in Cholsey - specifically on the A329 Reading Road, approximately 30 metres north of its junction with Ferry Lane/Papist Way. The proposal has

05/03/2026

Come and see the artwork in person - a celebration of The Springline Project and beautiful addition to the Pavilion!

The Springline Project team are excited to announce that the mural, painted by Anna Dillon and Rebecca Carrozza, is now up in Cholsey Pavilion for all to enjoy. With over 100 species (found along the springline route) painted into the mural, the artwork represents the landscape and the ecology found in the local area. Thank you toTony (Cholsey Parish Council Estata Worker) for so carefully putting the mural up and for Cholsey Pavilion Trust for working with CPC on this part of the project. You can see more of Anna and Becky's work in Art Week in May.

Cholsey Pavilion Cholsey Environment Champions - CHEC Cholsey Parish Council

02/03/2026

As many will already be aware, we currently have a road closure at the east end of Papist Way. We have received the below notice from Oxfordshire County Council which explains the need for the closure while sewer repairs are carried out:

📢Temporary Emergency Road Closure at Cholsey, Papist Way 📢

Oxfordshire County Council has been informed of a temporary emergency road closure on the Papist Way whilst sewer repairs relating to possible pollution works are carried out for public safety reasons.

A temporary Emergency Notice is being made to implement the temporary closure and will operate from 27 February 2026 up to and including 12 March 2026. This is a 24 hour daily road closure.

Access will be maintained for emergency service vehicles and for those frontages within the closure area, subject to the progress of the works and liaison with the works supervisor.

Further information regarding the emergency works may be obtained by contacting Melvin Hicks of Cappagh on 02089474000 / 07446 393807 or email smackie@cappagh.co.uk

23/02/2026

Cholsey Parish Council is looking for a COMMUNITY ALLOTMENT COORDINATOR

We have been awarded funding by the Soha Community Fund for a
Community Coordinator to run weekly sessions at the
Cholsey Community Allotment, Spring-Autumn 2026.

Fixed-term contract
5 hours per week for 30 weeks in 2026 (total 150 hours)
£15.82 per hour

Ideal experience includes:
Horticulture/gardening;
event organisation;
working with diverse groups;
community work

To apply, request an application form:
Email: clerk@cholseyparishcouncil.gov.uk
Call: 01491 652255

Closing date for applications: 11th March 2026

This role is supported by a Soha Community Fund grant.

18/02/2026

🚸 Have Your Say: Reading Road Pedestrian Crossing Consultation Now Open

Last year, the Parish Council carried out an informal community survey - 98% of respondents supported the proposal for a pedestrian crossing on Reading Road.

That strong local backing enabled the project to move forward to the County Council’s formal public consultation stage.

🗓 The consultation is now open and will close at 5pm on Friday 13 March 2026.

Please take a few minutes to respond and ensure your voice is heard.

We're asking for your views on the proposal to introduce a new Puffin Crossing (a signalised crossing for use by pedestrians) in Cholsey - specifically on the A329 Reading Road, approximately 30 metres north of its junction with Ferry Lane/Papist Way. The proposal has

28/01/2026

Community survey results: The Forty

Thank you to everyone who took part in the Parish Council’s recent survey on the summer management of The Forty.

The results showed support for continuing summer meadow management, with 74% of 157 respondents in favour.

At its meeting on 21 January 2026, the Parish Council decided to continue this approach, with paths, borders and the central avenue kept mown throughout the summer. Feedback from residents has also informed plans to review educational signage and install a bench, and we hope to see more wildflowers establish over time.

You can read the full survey results and background on our website here:

Community survey: Summer management of The Forty Cholsey Parish Council is undertaking a community survey to help inform the future management of The Forty in Cholsey.   Please take some time to understand the options by reading the accompanying article. This includes two different viewpoints, kind...

26/01/2026

Cholsey Community Speedwatch (CCSW) is up and running!! This scheme is organised and supported by Thames Valley Police, with the aim to educate drivers and slow traffic down, making Cholsey and other villages safer places for all. Cholsey is looking for more volunteers to join CCSW. Can you help? Training is online and can be done at your leisure, and then when completed there is no set time commitment required, just when you can. Speedwatch sessions are always in groups of three and the exisiting volunteers are friendly and jolly. If you are interested we would love to hear from you. Thank you! (cholseycsw@outlook.com).

Cholsey Parish Council Cholsey Pavilion

26/01/2026

The District Council's Active Communities South and Vale team has produced a new guide to free and low-cost sport and wellbeing activities in our area, including

• Community Walks led by trained volunteers at multiple locations across the district.
• Move Together programme providing tailored support for individuals with health, mobility, or social isolation challenges.
• Family-friendly holiday sessions through the YouMove scheme, along with inclusive sports activities for all ages.
• Nature trails, running groups, Nordic walking, and more.

Visit the website in comments for more information.

Our Active Communities Team work across the district to help residents with their physical health and wellbeing. They run a variety of weekly activities for all ages and abilities. Please look at our brochure to see an overview of all our projects: To keep up to date with all their activities and ev...

20/01/2026

📢Didcot – Oxford Rail Line Closure: Buses Replacing Trains (1–8 February 2026)

Major engineering work at Oxford Station means the rail line between Didcot Parkway and Oxford will be fully closed for eight days at the start of February. All services on this stretch will be replaced by buses. We are advised to check National Rail journey planners before travelling.

Why is this happening?
Network Rail is demolishing and replacing the Botley Road railway bridge, installing infrastructure for Oxford’s new Platform 5, and carrying out work required for the Oxford Station Enhancement Project.

• Closure dates: Sunday 1 February – Sunday 8 February 2026
• All trains between Didcot Parkway and Oxford are cancelled
• Replacement buses will operate:
• 2 buses per hour non‑stop Didcot to Oxford
• 1 bus per hour calling at Radley
• CrossCountry will run buses between Didcot, Oxford and Banbury
• Rail replacement services depart from the front of Didcot station and Becket Street long‑stay car park in Oxford

Railway bridge replacement: buses replace trains between Didcot Parkway and Oxford / Banbury from Sunday 1 to Sunday 8 February. See details of routes affected by planned rail engineering works, including when they take effect, alternative timetables, advice for alternative travel, including info ab...