Meet Chipping Norton Trefoil Guild

Travel west across the Anglia Region and you will eventually reach Chipping Norton in Oxfordshire! If you travel about 6 miles in any direction you will be in Midlands Region or South West Region! It does feel like an outpost when you think about the distance to Essex or Norfolk but perhaps they feel the same way.

Chipping Norton Guild was started in September 1980 by a group of long-standing supporters and active Guiders. They met in the local Doctor’s waiting room to start with as Dr Sheila Parker, then National Adviser for ‘Members with Disabilities’, was one of the chief movers. She remained so until her death last year aged 91.

Chipping Norton has a great reputation for cooking and catering with the annual summer party being a regular spot on the calendar. Guilds from across Oxfordshire are invited and various themes are chosen. Last year was slightly different in that there was an illustrated talk from Sue Barnes, now Chair of Worcestershire, about her TOPAZ experience.

The Guild has to pay the going rate for hire of a hall now so when funds are low our local National Trust property, Chastleton House allows local charities to serve tea and cakes in the church next door as there is no tea shop. It proves very profitable as long as the weather is good and it’s certainly a great PR opportunity. This has also allowed financial support for the local units in the District.

Chipping Norton enjoy a good variety of activities but are not the most active due to the average age being well over 80 currently! It’s exciting that new members are joining and the plan is to start a breakaway group among current unit leaders to future proof the Guild. Two members joined the recent cruise to the Norwegian fjords and had a wonderful time!

Over the next few months there will be the summer party on a theme of ‘All the Fun of the Fair!’, a Garden Centre visit to buy the bulbs for next spring, a member’s talk about wood carving and our Christmas celebrations including the local Christmas Tree Festival. Never a dull moment in Chippy!

Jenny Beacham 

Oxfordshire county chair