Does anyone out there follow Harry Hill's, "The K Factor - So You Think You Can Knit"? In which case surely you'll agree that the perpetrator of this bio-degradable street graffiti is a prime contender for the first prize: 8 balls of wool and a bag of Harry's Nuts! Not for the first time Chipping Norton woke to find its streets adorned with these wonderful knitted and crocheted hearts with the simple message "Happy Valentine's Day." This Phantom Knitter certainly brought a smile to everyone's lips - here's hoping he or she will never be caught!

Thanks to Stephen Graham for capturing the photo here and the images in the banner above. These images cannot be used in any way without permission from the photographer.
Do have a look at his Photography Oxford website where you'll find some more fantastic examples of his work - contact him at http://www.iboogaloo.com. Thanks Steve.

Valentine's Day photography by Stephen J. Graham Photography Copyright © 2010 All rights reserved

STOP PRESS - I'm reliably informed the culprit goes by the handle "Incogknitto Commuknitty Yarnbomber" and has decorated town on Poppy Day and Red Nose Day too. Keep an eye out and send us your snaps!

West Oxfordshire District Council has gained a national Community Partnerships Award for the Marriotts Walk development in Witney.

The award recognises how the council has worked in partnership with the local community, the developer (Simons group) and a number of other agencies on a regeneration project  that has provided housing, jobs, shops, restaurants, a multi-storey car park and a five-screen cinema. 

The awards adjudication panel said: “Marriotts Walk is an impressive development with a lot of positive outcomes. It has brought together a lot of people and engaged a wide range of stakeholders.”

Cllr Barry Norton, Leader of West Oxfordshire District Council said, “We are absolutely delighted to receive this award – it is tremendous recognition for a scheme that has been many years in the making and has involved many people and organisations. It is an excellent example of how partnership working improves communities.”

Community Partnership Awards are sponsored by the Local Government Chronicle and the Health Service Journal to recognise excellence in partnership working across health, social care and local government.

Work on the Marriott's development has led to the formation of the Witney Town Centre Forum, a partnership of retailers, service providers and local councils. The Forum has spearheaded improvements with environmental and marketing initiatives. For example there are now more litter bins through business sponsorship as well as improved street furniture and signage. To coincide with the opening of Marriotts the Forum produced large town maps, town guides and a new website. Should Chippy retailers go for the same here?

Local driver Alice Powell struck gold at Europe’s leading racing car show, Autosport International when she scooped the coveted BWRDC GoldStars Award - presented to her by the legendary Sir Stirling Moss.

In front of TV crews, an army of photographers and a huge crowd surrounding the British Women’s Racing Drivers Club (BWRDC) stand, the highly talented Formula Renault driver stepped forward to accept the GoldStars ‘Elite’ category Award from Sir Stirling.

This prestigious award is presented on merit to a junior member who has shown the capability of and aspires to become a professional driver.

Already spotted as a rising star of the future, Alice who lives in Chipping Norton says: ”When I heard my name read out, I thought ‘Wow’! And to have Stirling Moss present the award it’s just fantastic! Amazing! It’s really, really good that I’ve won this award. It means a lot to me, to have such a great club like the BWRDC.”

Alice says: “It’s a real honour to get recognition. Few women have made it in motorsport and no one has made a real impact in F1 – that is my ambition. I think the time is right, if a girl is out there doing well then more women would watch Formula 1 – it would definitely make it more exciting.”

“I’d like to be a role model for girls entering motor sport. A successful woman in motor sport would be a true ambassador for the sport and women wanting to enter it and do well. I am breaking new ground and would like to do for motor sport what Ellen MacArthur has done for sailing.”

If you would like to support Alice through sponsorship, please contact her through her website.

Alternatively why not become a fan on facebook?

Baby it’s cold outside... it was certainly that on New Year’s Eve, but the atmosphere inside Chipping Norton Town Hall was warm and welcoming. The event was hosted by local party band The Retros.  Band leader Paul Aitken masterminded the event in partnership with FROTH (Friends of the Town Hall.) 100 people bopped, twisted and jived the night - and the decade - away. Unlike some events, where it takes a long time for people to brave the dance floor, a few chords from the Retros and everyone was up and dancing. An excellent buffet and a bar run by charming bar staff kept the dancers re-fuelled. There was a wide range of ages, couples and singles who felt quite happy to get up and dance so when the assemble company joined in Auld Lang Syne there was a real feeling of community.

And the result of the evening?  Proceeds of the raffle yielded £100 for the Lawrence Home Nursing Team and £50 for the British Heart Foundation, whilst ticket sales earned FROTH a massive £1,000 towards funds. FROTH has now passed its first £5,000 which will help the team to apply for charitable status. Once this is acheived it will then apply for grants towards the ongoing conservation and restoration of our lovely Town Hall.

Why not join up and become a Friend of the Town Hall? Just pick up a form at the Guildhall or at any of the shops or outlets displaying the sign. This is more than just fundraising, it is community involvement and is great fun!

Are you looking to start a community project but uncertain where to find funding? Or do you belong to a group that needs guidance on writing a constitution or project planning?

A new Information Point, based at Chipping Norton Citizens Advice Bureau, could be the answer to your problems. The information point is open on Monday mornings (by appointment) and provides access to FunderFinder, a software package that will help direct you to potential funding sources. 

David Bates from the OCVA development team is on hand to offer expert advice and guide you through the process. To book an appointment with David call: 01865 251946 or email: david.bates@ocva.org.uk

You know how it is, you’re out with a good friend, you have a couple of beers when all of a sudden you hit upon the most wonderful idea!  Gordon and I both work from home in Chippy. Chained to a computer all day in separate abodes we decided to embark upon an experiment! Each week, we thought, we would engage each other’s company and visit a different establishment to sample lunch - not a full blown dinner you understand but just a light bite! We've reported back our findings, and our very personal views are on the Places to Eat and Drink page.

40 years on and the Lido lottery is back. You can subscribe to the lottery for £3 a month - the prize fund = 50% of the total raised. For further information and an entry form call in at Jaffé & Neale or print off the form here.

February 2010 prize winners:

First prize: Sheena Blundell £118.50

Second prize:  Rolie Clarke £71.10

Third prize: Jo Graves £47.40