Four Shires Magazine

Monday, Sep 06th

Last update:24 Aug 8:11 GMT

Latest Articles:

Four Shires Show a resounding success

BEER CIDER AND WINE FESTIVAL STARTS THIS WEEKEND

History comes to life!

Ticket to drive

No strings attached!

Pedigree Limousins at Show

There she blows! - Ahab step up to the plate as Fairport changes line up

Banbury Run in glorious sun

Giant Banbury Cake to appear at Four Shires Show - August 22nd

Hook Norton's Striker kicks off in June

News

Make an open air splash in Banbury

Jeremy Wilton

Cherwell District Council and Parkwood Leisure are pleased to announce that Woodgreen open air pool has opened.
This will be the refurbished pool's first full summer of operation following last year's extensive £1.5m modernisation programme.
Woodgreen's 50 by 18-metre pool was totally modernised - work included reducing the maximum depth to 1.8 metres, installing a new tiled deck-level pool using the existing tank, an "Aqua Zone" for young children, a refurbished flume, upgraded plant and water treatment systems, new safety surfacing pool surrounds and a refurbished refreshment kiosk.
And Banbury Town Council is contributing to the cost of opening the new pool throughout the school summer holiday weeks.
Cherwell District Council portfolio holder for environment, recreation and health, Councillor George Reynolds, said: "Thanks to the town council's involvement we are able to operate an extended season this year.
"The pool has already re-established itself as a must-visit Cherwell attraction during summer.
"With it being open for a longer season there'll be plenty of opportunity to grab some sunny outdoor swimming fun."
The pool will be open from 10am to 1.45pm and 2.15pm to 6pm on Saturday and Sundays. During the week the pool is open 7.00am - 9.00am for early birds lane swimming, 4.00pm - 6.00pm public swim and 7.00 - 9.00 for evening lanes.
It is scheduled to close when schools return on 6 September but if the summer weather continues further dates might be added.
For full details of charges and opening times, including early-bird and aqua fit sessions, visit www.leisurecentre.com or phone Woodgreen on 01295 262742.
For more information
Woodgreen Leisure Centre and Open Air Pool is at Woodgreen Avenue, Banbury, OX16 OHS.

Banbury Beer Festival 2010

Jeremy Wilton

beerfestval The tenth Banbury Beer Festival recently took place at The TA Centre in the town and was a great success with many hundreds visiting over the course of the three day event. Pictured left are Mark Bates and Steve Lympany whose favoutite beers are Millstone and Chainmaker Mild.

As well as championing the very best beers locally, the event featured foreign beers and the celebrated cider and perry bar.

Reindeere gets its sign back!

Jeremy Wilton

A pub sign which is part of Banbury's history has been restored to its rightful place.
After nearly two years away, the famous overhanging sign at the Ye Olde Reine Deer Inn has been restored, with Banbury Mayor Tina Wren doing the honours and unveiling it to a crowd of guests including Hook Norton Managing Director James Clarke and customers.
The sign, which stretches out into the middle of Parsons Street, was taken down nearly two years ago when it was deemed to be unsafe has finally been replaced with a new design which is based on the pub’s original sign.
Mayor Tina Hughes said Hook Norton’s restoration of the sign has helped revitalise the street. It looks fantastic.
Hook Norton’s Managing Director James Clarke said: “We take pride in our pubs and it was a privilege to work with local craftsmen to make this new sign.”
Pictured are Tony Puddifoot, Nia Weir, Jaime Durno, John Pretorius,Yvonne Roberts and Dot Puddifoot

Ye Olde Reine Deer gets its sign back!

Jeremy Wilton

A pub sign which is part of Banbury's history has been restored to its rightful place.
After nearly two years away, the famous overhanging sign at the Ye Olde Reine Deer Inn has been restored, with Banbury Mayor Tina Wren doing the honours and unveiling it to a crowd of guests including Hook Norton Managing Director James Clarke and customers.
The sign, which stretches out into the middle of Parsons Street, was taken down nearly two years ago when it was deemed to be unsafe has finally been replaced with a new design which is based on the pub’s original sign.
Mayor Tina Hughes said Hook Norton’s restoration of the sign has helped revitalise the street. It looks fantastic.
Hook Norton’s Managing Director James Clarke said: “We take pride in our pubs and it was a privilege to work with local craftsmen to make this new sign.”

Gorgeous blooms herald the arrival of summerlike weather

Jeremy Wilton

This beautiful cherry blossom was photographed on the Warwick Road in Banbury. Every year this particular tree throws up some amazing blossom and for this photographer at least, the sight is simply irresistable! The unseasonable warm weather has occurred again this year much like it did throughout April in 2009.

Deddington market gets bag!

Jeremy Wilton

Deddington Farmers’ Market launched its new cooler shopping bag recently. It is designed to protect the great variety of locally produced meat, cheese, fish, milk and other fresh produce available from many of the market’s 60 stallholders.

One the early customers at Saturday’s market was local MP Tony Baldry, who is often found amongst its shoppers. Tony was one of the first customers to buy the new bag on what was a warm sunny morning.

The zip top bag is lined with padded foil to insulate perishable shopping from the heat. Bottle green in colour it sports the market’s cheerful logo.   The bags are very versatile and can also be used to keep its contents hot so will also be useful when collecting take away meals or soups.   Bags will now be on sale at the Market Information Point under the village’s Town Hall each monthly market day.

“We pride ourselves on the large number of producers we have selling good fresh local produce. The new bags are ideal for keeping their produce in tip top condition in the warmer weather. They have already proved to be popular and were very much in demand last Saturday morning as it was warm," commented Geoff Todd.

Improving Cherwell's Natural Environment

Jeremy Wilton

swifts2_-_please_credit_margers_martinsons_if_used Wildlife in north Oxfordshire will continue to receive vital support from the local council. It has just finished work on a bio-diversity plan which sets out how it intends to improve wildlife throughout its services.

The plan aims to protect habitats and species on property the council owns or has some influence over.

The latest example is a new set of swift boxes which are to be installed at Bodicote House to increase the number of nesting swifts at the site.

Cherwell's head of safer communities Chris Rothwell commented: "These are excellent examples of how support for wildlife can be integrated into council owned buildings.