Its pretty obvious that our lovely town hall is in need of some serious TLC. Keith Greenwell spent ages getting all the necessary surveys, quotes and filling out the piles of forms. His proposal covers the following main points:

• The Upper Hall is the venue for a number of dance and exercise activities. The current floor has reached the end of its serviceable life, and will soon be condemned as unsafe for dance and active use.

• The front entrance steps have deteriorated, and are allowing rain water into the fabric of the building. The water ingress has affected boilers and mechanical plant. Attempts have been made to repair the leaks but expert advice is that to prevent damage to the building fabric major work is required.

• Catering and hospitality are key requirements for daytime users. The location of the building prevents external caterers from providing ‘mobile’ catering facilities. The proposal includes the installation of bar and kitchen facilities to service the hall. These facilities will attract higher usage through conference, exhibition, ceremonial and party functions.

• Improvements will be made to the layout of the disabled toilet facilities, improving accessibility to disabled users

The total project cost is £172,798.00; The Town Council have already agreed to find £33,843.00  We have made an application to the Trust for Oxfordshire’s Environment for £40,460.00 And we asked WODC at their Cabinet meeting today (Wednesday)  for £98,495.00 And the fantastic news is that they said yes - allocating us the money from the Village and Community Halls Major Scheme Grant. This has taken one helluva lobbying campaign in Witney which Hilary has masterminded. We owe her and our District Councillors a huge vote of thanks. What with £100,000 for the playground and a MUGA, now this grant for the Town Hall and a few hundred thousand coming our way soon for a Youth Centre (fingers crossed) - you have the feeling that the town is at last getting some of the attention and investment it has always deserved.

Keith has written to Hilary this evening : "I was absolutely delighted to see that your tremendous efforts at WODC have borne fruit, and that our application for a grant for the Town Hall has succeeded. Well done! Chipping Norton owes you a very public "THANK YOU FOR YOUR HARD WORK". On a personal level many, many thanks for your effort and support. Will you also pass on my appreciation and thanks to the other members of WODC Cabinet for their support of Chipping Norton".

In a Press Release from WODC :  Cllr Hilary Biles, Cabinet Member for Leisure, Tourism and Health at West Oxfordshire District Council, said: “The Town Hall is used by many community groups and is considered to be the hub of Chipping Norton. This work will enable continued use by these groups, as well as allowing for the building to be used as an exhibition and conference venue, which will add to the vitality of the town. I am delighted West Oxfordshire District Council can support Chipping Norton Town Council and the people of Chipping Norton in this way.”