All posts by Sarah Richardson

A Rare Opportunity to Visit Radway Grange Garden

News
On Saturday 6 June, the garden at Radway Grange will be open to the public. This is a rare opportunity to visit this stunning private garden with parterre, stumpery, topiary lawn, lake and areas of woodland. Renowned 18th-century architect and landscape designer, Sanderson Miller, created a landscape park around the house and his influence can still be seen today in the picturesque layout and historic character of the grounds.
There will also be plants, handmade crafts and delicious homemade teas on sale, with all proceeds going to the Radway Church roof restoration fund.
To book tickets, please visit https://www.radwayevents.co.uk.

Candidates for the by-election in Bishops Itchington, Fenny Compton and Napton

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Candidates announced for the by-election in Bishops Itchington, Fenny Compton and Napton ward which includes Avon Dassett: https://orlo.uk/wE3zU

The by-election will take place on Thursday 7 May 2026. Please make sure you are registered to vote by Monday 20 April 2026.

The by-election is for the seat currently held by Cllr Nigel Rock. Cllr Natalie Gist remains in post.

Crisis Resilience Fund – help for increased heating oil costs

News

The government has announced the Crisis Resilience Fund (CRF), which provides additional financial support for low income residents experiencing financial shock and struggling to meet essential costs.

Warwickshire has been identified as an area with a higher reliance on heating oil and will receive an additional allocation of CRF funding to support people who are facing difficulties with heating oil costs.

Initially, support will be provided through the Warwickshire Local Welfare Scheme, administered by Warwickshire County Council. Each application will be considered on an individual basis, taking account of the person’s circumstances.

For residents applying for help with heating oil costs, advisers will discuss when they usually purchase oil, how they purchase it, the typical price they would expect to pay, and why they are currently unable to meet the cost. We recognise that recent price increases have been sudden and this will be considered as part of the assessment. Residents are advised to contact the Local Welfare Scheme on 0800 4081448 or 01926 359182.

Banbury and North Oxfordshire Ramblers guided walk – Farnborough Circular

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Don’t let the colder weather keep you indoors. We are out walking every week and have a range of stunning winter walks to choose from that will inspire you to embrace the season.
Why not come along and try out two or three taster walks, meeting up with others who have recently done the same, experienced the benefits of walking with a group of like minded people out in the countryside, and become a member of the Ramblers.
All our walks can be found at: www.ramblers-oxon.org.uk/bnowalks
BNO – Farnborough Circular, 9.5 miles, Moderate pace
Sunday, 5th April, 10.00am finish 3.00pm,
Start: Farnborough, car park by lake
Postcode: Location is 240 metres to the West of OX17 1DU
What3Words: ///prefect.creatures.natural
Circular walk via canal to Fenny Compton, open fields to Northend and back over the Dassett Hills.
Bring refreshments for picnic lunch and coffee stops en route – possible pub stop around lunch time (drink only). Optional pub stop.
Assistance Dogs only

Planning application for Avon Hill Quarries

News

Avon Hill Quarries have submitted the following planning application:

Construction of 5 no. new build holiday lets and parking, formation of new vehicular access and associated access track with 2 no. passing bays, 5 no. visitor parking spaces, hard and soft landscaping and biodiversity enhancement and change of use of land as a fishery exclusively for use by occupiers of the holiday lets.

The planning portal, with full details of the application, may be accessed here.

You can comment on the application and are also encouraged to let Councillor Natalie Gist know your views.

This year’s annual parish meeting on 18 May will be on the subject of planning, and so you are encouraged to come along to hear more about the planning process locally.

Vacancy for the Stratford District Council ward which includes Avon Dassett

News

Following the resignation of Cllr Nigel Rock there is a vacancy for the Bishops Itchington Fenny Compton and Napton Ward of Stratford-on-Avon District Council. For further details see here.

Cllr Nigel Rock has issued this statement:

I have decided not to serve into a further council year and so have submitted my resignation as a District Councillor. Although the resulting by-election will not be until May, the way these things work, it means I have ceased to be a councillor straight away, but those are the rules.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone with whom I have come into contact and for their support over the past years – too many years probably, I was first elected in 2003! There are personal family health reasons for my decision and I do think it is time to step down from public service.

I want to thank you for the support you have given to me, or in some cases, the challenge! I have more than anything tried to do the best for our communities.
I have lost access to my emails, but Natalie as joint Ward Councillor will be carrying on with double the workload until the election!

I wish you all the best for the future, and to my successor.

Nigel

The Avon Dassett community would like to thank Cllr Rock for his 23 years of service. Cllr Natalie Gist remains in post and there will be a forthcoming election for a new joint councillor in May.