Your councillors have been busy with various projects and issues in the
village this year, as ever.
The replacement of the footbridge at the railway station continues to be a
source of concern for many. Recently we have learned that the project, set
to go ahead this summer, will take at least six months and that southbound
trains will not serve Tackley during this time. Alternative travel solutions
for passengers suggested by Network Rail and GWR are thoroughly unhelpful
and disruptive. The bridge itself is also a problem, with the promised
shorter towers – with an alternative lift mechanism – being switched back to
the cheaper towers with the winding mechanism above, making them taller.
Finally, residents have been informed that Network Rail wants to bring in
materials required for the build along Nethercote Road – rather than by rail
at night, or via the track from Whitehill – which is completely impractical.
These are the three main points on which we will be fighting for change to
reduce disruption to residents.
The spatial options consultation by West Oxfordshire District Council
(WODC) featuring Area U on Rousham Road is a concern for many residents
in Tackley. The field is well known for its winter wetland areas and its
role in mitigating flooding further down the village, and we hoped that our
comments on why the land itself is unsuitable – and all the other reasons
why Tackley cannot sustain any further housing development – would bring
WODC to the conclusion that Area U would not be used. However, the
subsequent meeting we had with Bluestone Planning on behalf of the
landowners, Oxfordshire County Council (OCC), caused much concern as they
have already come up with a basic plan. Quite obviously from the plan they
had never been to the village to see the field, nor seen the water catchment
study that OCC itself commissioned. We will continue to strongly fight
against potential development here, and in the meantime also develop a
proposal to use the land for biodiversity net gain — which would also help
hold back more floodwater in winter. If anyone is interested in helping with
this, please get in touch with Cllr Karen Snow.
On a more positive note regarding flooding, the culvert that drains the
water where there has previously been flooding between The Green and the pub
has mostly been cleared. Thanks to the OCC team and landowners involved in
this work.
As ever, Tackley is full of many people who make good things happen. Mary
McIntyre works tirelessly on the village website, Tackley Notices and
freecycle. Martin Edwards continues to edit this newsletter. The shop team
does an incredible job of providing for the needs of residents. The village
hall committee is working really hard on raising money to build a
much-needed extension, with the tireless help of the Pop-Up Pub team. The
organisers and volunteers of Tackley PALs clear up the mess of the few who
don’t seem to be able to take their own rubbish home! And the Nature Spaces
committee and volunteers do so much for the environment and biodiversity in
and around the village.
There are so many other clubs and activities in Tackley it is hard to
mention everyone, but I’d like to thank all volunteers in the village for
providing companionship, entertainment and education to all through Silver
Threads, toddler group, book club, the WI, gardening club, history group,
the car scheme, bell ringers, Macmillan fundraisers, craft club, Warmer
Spaces at the pub, Wheelers social cycling, walking group, Breakfast on the
Heath, Christmas Tree on The Green and the horse show. Anyone who volunteers
to help run these groups is amazing. Thank you for being part of what makes
Tackley such a special place to live.
Finally, I’d like to thank my fellow councillors and our clerk, Cherie
Carruthers, for the time they put into meetings and the all the work done in
between. We sadly said goodbye to Steve this year, but are delighted to
welcome Cllr Karen Snow to the team.
Tackley Parish Council continues to work on the Tackley Neighbourhood Plan,
which will help shape future development, planning policy and community
priorities within the parish. Alongside this, the parish council has been
closely monitoring the emerging WODC Local Plan 2043 process, as mentioned
by Cllr Marshall. As many residents will know, one of the areas identified
for potential future development consideration is Area U, commonly
referred to as the Rousham Road site.
Following detailed review and discussion, the parish council has already
submitted a strong and robust formal response objecting to the inclusion of
Area U within the emerging Local Plan process. The objection argues
that the proposal would represent disproportionate and unsustainable
development for a village that has already experienced significant recent
growth, including 96 new dwellings in recent years. The submission
highlights existing pressures on local infrastructure, including roads,
services and sewage capacity, with the Tackley treatment works already
identified as operating beyond permit conditions. Concerns were also raised
regarding landscape impact, biodiversity loss, drainage and flooding risk,
and the importance of maintaining Tackley’s rural character and setting. The
parish council supports only small-scale, locally-led housing that reflects
identified community need.
Alongside its objection to large-scale development on Area U, the
parish council is also beginning to explore potential alternative long-term
uses for this land focused on environmental protection, biodiversity
enhancement and landscape recovery. Early discussions have included
opportunities linked to habitat creation, woodland and meadow restoration,
flood mitigation, improved public access to nature, and the strengthening of
green corridors around the village. The intention is to consider whether the
site could contribute positively to Tackley’s environmental resilience and
rural setting, while protecting an important open landscape for future
generations.
At present, the Local Plan 2043 process remains at a relatively early stage
and no final decisions have been taken regarding future site allocations.
WODC completed an initial consultation on preferred policy options in 2025
and is expected to undertake further consultation work on potential
development sites and draft policies this year. A formal ‘Publication Draft’
version of the Local Plan is currently anticipated in late 2026, after which
the plan will move to independent examination by a Planning Inspector before
eventual adoption, currently expected around 2028.
This means the process is still evolving and there will be further
opportunities for representations and public engagement. Tackley Parish
Council will continue to engage actively with the process, and will keep
residents informed as matters develop.
An email has been sent to Morgan Sindall, who are Network Rail’s contractor
for installing the new bridge, and copied to OCC to ask if they have visited
the area and can advise where they expect the 35–40 cars to park if they
cannot park outside their homes on Nethercote Road — explaining that many
have no driveway, and the village has few spare parking spaces. The parish
council is not being obstructive, but we are trying to get Network Rail to
reduce the number of dates of possible closure of the road.
Letters and emails have also been sent to Network Rail and GWR
regarding:
The lack of communication when organising the project. They could have
involved the parish council when they knew they would encounter problems,
i.e. the southbound platform closure.
The lack of replacement transport, particularly for the three early
commuter trains.
A suggestion that the most sensible option, while installing the bridge,
would be to open the level crossing with the appropriate gates and lights
so the southbound platform would remain accessible.
The amount of time the project is set to take.
The traffic order requesting closure of Nethercote Road on 55 separate
dates. If the road needs to be closed, residents should be informed at
least two weeks in advance and Network Rail/GWR or OCC/Morgan Sindall
should give some advice on where they expect residents to park their
vehicles. For the avoidance of doubt: Tackley Parish Council does not give
Network Rail employees or its contractors access to the village hall car
park.
The height of the new bridge, which is not as originally planned. No
adequate, believable response has been given as to why hydraulic lifts,
which reduce the height requirement, can no longer be used.
Finally, an email has been sent to Transport Focus challenging that GWR is
not fulfilling its passenger charter.
June sees the official start to summer, and it is good that the weather
seems to have caught on and is warming up. I even managed, a few weeks ago,
to get out on my bike in shorts!
Whenever I’m riding I have to think carefully about how I’m going to fuel
the ride. For long, easy rides I take a pack of fig rolls. For shorter but
more intense rides I add sugar to my drinks, as it’s easier for the body to
absorb it on the go. We also think carefully about the food we eat when we
are wanting to ‘watch’ our weight: counting calories and ensuring we get the
right balance of carbohydrates, proteins and nutrients.
With the war in Iran, the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, and resulting
increase in fuel prices, we are thinking more carefully about the fuel we
put in our cars, and how often we use them.
While we may think about the food that fuels our bodies and the petrol or
diesel for our motor vehicles, how often do we think about what we put into
our minds and souls?
We know that getting outside, for a walk or gardening, can massively
improve our emotional wellbeing. The digital environment we are surrounded
by, equally, can have an impact on our emotional wellbeing. The sharp
increase in mental health issues since 2012 has been linked to the advent of
smartphones, which many of us now carry.
In May, the BBC ran two articles highlighting the dangers of misleading
information on social media. One was about self-titled ‘baby sleep experts’
giving false and dangerous advice, and another about ‘AI-generated weight
loss professionals’ who were setting unrealistic expectations. The
difficulty is discerning what information is real and trustworthy.
At the end of May, as a church, we celebrated the outpouring of God’s Holy
Spirit on everyone. One of the roles of the Holy Spirit is to help us
discern the ‘Truth’, especially of God. At his Last Supper, Jesus referred
to the Holy Spirit as the Spirit of Truth when he was promising his
disciples that they wouldn’t be left alone.
The Holy Spirit, which is open to everyone, gives us peace, power and
purpose.
God’s peace is knowing that we are loved for who we are – having peace with
ourselves – which leads to peace between us and others because we are secure
in who we are.
God’s power enables us to stand up for what is right, giving us the courage
and confidence to share God’s love with the wider world. This can be like on
the first day of Pentecost when the disciples were suddenly able to speak to
the crowds gathered in Jerusalem in a variety of languages.
God has a purpose and a plan for each one of us, and the Holy Spirit helps
us to know and fulfil that purpose.
This month I invite you to consider giving your digital environment an MOT.
Take a moment to think about what you would change to reflect your
priorities perfectly.
Churchwardens
Janet Maybank
At the Annual Meeting of St Nicholas’ Church in May, Julian Whitehead
retired as a churchwarden after 26 years of faithful service in the
role. He was thanked by the congregation for his dedication with a gift of
an overnight hotel stay and a book on Oxfordshire churches. For the coming
year Janet Maybank was re-elected as churchwarden.
For centuries a major instrument of communications, church bells are still
the traditional means of uniting a community. They still resound, but not in
every village, and their announcement of mourning or rejoicing is all the
more special in the age of the smartphone.
In Tackley we are proud of our ringing team, and recently had an
opportunity to celebrate with them. The occasion was the April meeting of
Tackley Local History Group, when Neil Wilson came to explain some of the
mysteries of English full-circle change ringing. Until recently, Neil
himself was central not only to the bell ringers but many other Tackley
activities, not least the local history group. His talk informed and
entertained us, increasing our respect for this traditional skill. We also
learned that some of Tackley’s church bells date back to the 17th century,
when they replaced even older ones that had been melted down for weaponry in
the Civil War period.
This was our last meeting of the series, but if you’re looking for a family
outing with a historical flavour here are two suggestions. There are open
days at North Leigh Roman Villa on 27–28 June and 25–26 July – see
tackley.link/112 – and tours of the
Museum Resource Centre at Standlake on 19 June and 28 July. The
resource centre tours are free, but booking is essential; visit
tackley.link/113 and scroll to the
relevant dates. The websites give dates for August too.
Meanwhile, curating Tackley’s local collection continues. We have inherited
a new cabinet in the committee room of the village hall, and are
transferring into it the village’s collection of almost 200 maps. They were
taking up a lot of space when stored in cardboard tubes packed into grocery
boxes. Finding your map was the first challenge, and removing it without
causing damage the next. Both operations will be much easier now that the
maps, still rolled up, are in calico bags. The catalogue of maps is
available on our website.
The earliest map is the survey of Whitehill made in 1605 by Corpus Christi
College. There are two 18th century maps, of the Tackley estates of the
Morton and Gardiner families respectively. And the 1844 tithe map and 1873
inclosure map provide a wealth of evidence of what Tackley was like before
Ordnance Survey came along. We can provide copies of these historical maps.
They are full of interest, and the collection includes many copies which
show the work of previous researchers marking (for example) ownership and
field names.
Extract from a survey of Whitehill made in 1605 by Corpus
Christi College
Ongoing work also includes recording interviews of people whose memories of
Tackley go back a long way. If you’d like to be involved, whether to talk or
to record, please let us know.
Details will appear shortly on the website of the new series of evening
meetings set to begin in September.
Our June meeting will be for our members only, discussing photographs that
have special meaning.
On Tuesday, 7 July, Alastair Lack will be speaking about The
Oxford of Inspector Morse. Alastair’s talk will also include
information on Lewis and Endeavour. This is an open meeting, meaning that
all visitors – men and women – are warmly invited to attend. Visitors pay
£5, which includes refreshments.
Tackley WI has a friendly and welcoming membership. Most months we hold a
coffee morning for our members, which provides an additional social
opportunity. Our members have a wide age range with varied interests.
We meet on the first Tuesday of the month (except January) at 7:30 for
7:45 pm at Tackley Village Memorial Hall.
Tackley WI has another open meeting planned in autumn. This will be clearly
publicised nearer the time.
A big thank-you to all members who helped at the plant sale in May.
Our meeting in June is going to be a visit to Bunkers Hill Garden Shop.
Please note it will be on Thursday, 11 June, as Andrew does not open on
a Tuesday, and a week earlier than normal. Meet in the village hall car park
by 5:45 pm for lifts.
In July we will have our garden party, which is for members only and is
kindly being hosted by Gill.
Country Fish & Chips
Martin Edwards, Editor
The fish and chip van that has served Tackley for decades will not be
operating in the near future following a major fire in the vehicle in May.
No one was injured in the incident, which took place in Hook Norton. Mark
Davidson, who runs Country Fish & Chips, has expressed his thanks to
everyone for their support and trade over the years.
What started as a group of mums looking for a bit of exercise and a fun new
challenge has turned into one of the village’s proudest sporting success
stories.
Attackley Netball Team joined the Charlbury Netball League in January 2025,
with matches taking place every Wednesday evening. Most of the team hadn’t
played since secondary school, and it showed at first! The early weeks were
a steep learning curve — not only remembering how to pass and shoot, but
also re-learning the rules — including which parts of the court they were
actually allowed to stand in!
To begin with, results were… challenging. The team consistently lost games,
sometimes by quite a large margin. But spirits remained high, and every week
brought small victories: a successful interception, a well-worked goal, or
finally remembering the footwork rule.
Slowly but surely, the team improved. Goals started going in more
regularly, confidence grew, and eventually Attackley celebrated their very
first win — a moment that felt as exciting as any cup final.
Like any grassroots team, there were challenges along the way. A few of the
original players sadly had to step back because of injuries or other
commitments. However, a core group kept turning up, rain or shine,
determined to keep improving and enjoying the game together.
All that hard work, perseverance and team spirit has now led to some
incredibly exciting news: Attackley recently finished second in the league!
After starting out as complete novices, the team went on to secure some
fantastic wins and achieve something none of them could have imagined only a
year ago — with the medals to prove it.
More than just the results, the team has become a wonderful source of
friendship, encouragement and community spirit — proof that it’s never too
late to try something new.
Attackley is always keen to welcome new players, whether you’re an
experienced netballer or someone who hasn’t picked up a bib since school. If
you fancy getting involved, having some fun, and being part of a brilliant
local team, please get in touch!
