The Warborough & Shillingford Society welcomes you to our community.
To help you to find your way around and to discover what the community has to offer we have produced a map and the following notes on local organisations, services, amenities and groups which we hope you will find useful. This information has been put together by the Warborough and Shillingford Society
Warborough & Shillingford Society
The W&S Society encourages everyone to become involved in our community, whether through joining a society, volunteering or simply joining in the many activities Warborough and Shillingford has to offer.
It only costs £5 to join the Society, as a “lifetime member” and volunteers to join our small Committee are always welcome!
We organise talks on topics of general interest, host quiz nights and other social events, arrange regular “litter-picks” to keep our verges tidy and support other activities that help preserve and protect our beautiful villages. We also run a village archive, to capture and share the history of Warborough & Shillingford.
Details of any up-coming events are published in the village magazine and on notice boards around the villages. You do not have to be a member to come along!
We are keen to support all new activities and projects in W&S, so if you need help or have an idea about something new for everyone to enjoy, contact us and we’ll see if we can help!
To join e-mail wandsociety@gmail.com
Website: www.wandss.org.uk
Parish Magazine
Probably the most useful guide to what is happening in our villages is the Parish Magazine.
It is published monthly and therefore provides up to date information on organisations and events.
(July/August issues and December/January issues are combined into single issues).
Monthly issues will be delivered to your door.
Editor: To be confirmed
email: wandsparishmagazine@gmail.com
Advertising: Mike Powell
Tel: 01865 858776
email: kelpen@btinternet.com
Distribution: Ken Webb
Tel: 01865 858187
email: ken.webb554@btinternet.com
Warborough & Shillingford Community email
Join the quickest way to communicate in our villages by registering with our community email
There are currently about 554 members – but the more the better.
You can join (or you can remove your name) by emailing to: warboroughandshillingford@gmail.com
Moderator: Liz Eaton
It’s the easy way to inform the community about what is going on: e.g. public notices suspicious/criminal activity, stray animals, lost and found, village events, pub/shop/church news, find a plumber, babysitter etc.
Once you have registered the rules are simple:
. By joining the Group, you are accepting the conditions of membership:
. It’s NOT for classified adverts, selling or commercial gain!
. It’s not a discussion forum and no offensive or abusive emails are allowed.
. Keep the service helpful rather than an intrusion. Write something in the “Subject so
readers can delete without reading if they aren’t interested.
. NEVER “Reply to All” to an email from a List member.
If you break the rules, you may be contacted by the Moderator who can exclude you.
W&S Trader
This is the counterpart to the Community email where you can advertise things for sale
It is not linked to the Community email. You can register for this separately if you wish.
To register contact the moderator by sending an email to: moderator.ws.trader@gmail.com
Your local councils and representatives
Warborough Parish Council
The Parish Council normally meets at 7.30pm on the 1st Wed of the month in the Greet Hall.
The Council does not meet in August.
Details of our current representatives can be found on the parish website.
email: clerk@ws-pc.org.uk
website: www.ws-pc.org.uk
Tel: 07776 961 046 Bryony Ringsell – Parish Council Clerk
Warborough Parish Council website
This website is a wonderful source of information and is referred to throughout these notes.
It contains links to many relevant organisations and activities within our villages:
www.ws-pc.org.uk
South Oxfordshire District Council
SODC Offices are temporarily located at Abbey House, Abbey Close, Abingdon, OX14 3JE
Normal Opening hours: Mon – Thurs, 8.30am – 5pm Friday, 8.30am – 4.30pm Closed on bank holidays.
Tel: 01235 422422
email: enquiries@southoxon.gov.uk
Website: www.southoxon.gov.uk
(An emergency helpline on 01235 422410 is available after office hours to report a nuisance, stray dog, dangerous structure, flooding, a dead animal on the highway or a homeless issue).
Details of our current representatives can be found on the parish website www.ws-pc.org.uk
Oxfordshire County Council
OCC Offices are located in Oxford (most departments) at County Hall, New Road, Oxford, OX1 1ND
Tel: 01865 792422 (general enquiries)
Tel: 01235 531331 Area Surveyor’s Office (for local highway matters)
Website: www.oxfordshire.gov.uk
Details of our current representative can be found on the parish website www.ws-pc.org.uk
Member of Parliament
Our current representative is John Howell MP
Tel: 0207 219 6676
email: howelljm@parliament.uk
website: www.johnhowellmp.com
Emergency Numbers
In an emergency dial 112 or 999 for Ambulance, Fire or Police
Police non-emergency number 101
The national Crime Stoppers number is 0800 555 111
Thames Valley Police HQ is at Kidlington.
A Neighbourhood Watch scheme operates in the villages.
Neighbourhood Watch
To report anything suspicious call 101
Churches
Church of England
St Laurence Church, Warborough (Dorchester Team Ministry)
Team Vicar: To be appointed,
The Vicarage, 49 The Green North, OX107DW
Tel: 01865 858525
Parochial Church Council
Churchwarden: Dr Michael Watkins
Tel: 01865 858597
Secretary: Mrs Julie Meadows
Tel: 01865 858755
Treasurer: Mr Michael Powell
Tel: 01865 858776
Friends of St Laurence Church
For everyone who would like to help maintain this historic building at the centre of our village.
Contact: Martyn Drury
Tel: 07785 308449
Roman Catholic Church
St Birinus Church, 1 Bridge End, Dorchester on Thames, OX10 7JR
Priest: Father John Osman
Tel: 01865 340417
Website: www.stbirinus.co.uk
St John the Evangelist Church
Market Place, Wallingford, OX10 0EG
Priest: Father Dominic Adeiza
Tel: 01235 812338
Website: www.didcotandwallingfordcatholicchurches.org.
Baptist Church
Thames Street, Wallingford, OX10 0BH
Senior Pastor: Simon Hudson
Tel: 07990 835246
Website: www.wallingfordbaptist.co.uk
Methodist Church
St Leonard’s Square, Wallingford, OX10 0AS
Minister: Rev Bruce Thompson
Tel: 01235 813242
Website: www.wallingfordmethodistchurch.org.uk
Ridgeway Community Church
22 St Mary’s Street, Wallingford, OX10 0EW
Senior Pastor: Gareth Lloyd-Jones
Tel: 01491 832718
Website: www.wallingford.ridgewaycommunity.church
Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
13 Castle Street, Wallingford, OX10 8DL
Website: www.midthamesquakers.org.uk
Your local service providers
Fix-My-Street
To To report potholes, overgrown verges, drain cover problems, fly-tipping, etc.: www.fixmystreet.com
Electricity
Your network operator is Scottish & Southern Electric (SSE)
Website: www.ssen.co.uk
24 hour power failure & emergencies Tel: 105 or website: www.powercut105.com/
Gas
Your network operator is SGN
24 hour service for gas escapes Tel: 0800 111 999
General Enquiries Tel: 0800 912 1700
Email: customer@sgn.co.uk
Water Supply and Sewage Services
Your supplier is Thames Water
Tel: 0800 980 8800
Website: www.thameswater.co.uk
This website has a link directly to a page where leaks and water problems can be reported.
Telephone Services
If you have a BT landline their website will direct you the part of the organisation you require.
Website: www.bt.com
Gigaclear
Gigaclear have installed fibre-optic cables throughout the village to provide high-speed
broadband access to those who chose to sign-up for the service. Connection points are provided outside of all properties to enable other households to connect to Gigaclear services in the future should they wish to do so.
Gigaclear Ltd., Building One, Wyndyke Furlong, Abingdon, Oxon, OX14 1UQ
Sales Tel: 03708 637 606
Customer Support Tel: 01865 591 131
Website: www.gigaclear.com
Ditches & Drains
Thames Water are responsible for the mains sewage and surface water drainage system.
Tel: 0800 316 9800
The Environment Agency are responsible for river flooding and pollution.
General Enquiries Tel: 03708 506 506
Floodline Tel: 0345 988 1188
Environment Incident Tel: 0800 80 70 60
Website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/environment-agency
Flooding over the roads and the clearing of roadside gulley’s and gratings is the responsibility of
Oxfordshire County Council
General Enquiries Tel: 01865 792 422
Highways Tel: 0345 3101 111
South Oxfordshire District Council can offer advice on surface water drainage problems.
Tel: 01235 422 422
Ditches and culverts must be kept clear by those whose properties abound them.
Health
Health Centre and Surgeries
The village is served by a choice of 3 surgeries.
(If you need urgent medical care out of hours (Doctors on Call) 0845 345 8995 or 111 for NHS helpline)
Berinsfield Health Centre
Tel: 01865 340558
Website: www.berinsfieldhealthcentre.co.uk
Transport at 9.00 am (Mon-Fri) can usually be arranged using a voluntary car service if booked in advance through Ann Watkins on 01865 858597
Benson Mill Stream Surgery
Tel: 01491 838286
Website: www.millstreamsurgery.nhs.uk
Wallingford Medical Practice
Tel: 01491 835577
Website: www.wallingfordmedicalpractice.co.uk
Chemists
Berinsfield Health Centre has a Dispensary attached Tel: 01865 341114
Open 8.45am – 6.30pm Monday – Friday Closed Saturday and Sunday
The voluntary car service (see above) can also collect and deliver prescriptions made up by the Dispensary by prior arrangement through Ann Watkins on 01865 858597.
Benson Pharmacy 01491 838686
Open 9am – 5.30pm Monday to Friday 9.am – 12.30pm Saturday Closed on Sundays
Wallingford – Boots The Chemist 01491 839061
Open 9am-5.30pm Monday – Saturday 10am-4pm Sunday
Hospitals
Accident & Emergency
NHS 111 Emergency & Urgent Care – to ask for medical advice before calling other medical resources
(24 hr) at the John Radcliffe (JR) Hospital, Oxford 0300 304 7777 *
The Churchill, Hospital, Oxford 0300 304 7777
The Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, Oxford 0300 304 7777
Wallingford Hospital is classified as a First Aid Unit (Mon-Fri 8.30am to 6.30pm) 01865 903370
Abingdon Hospital is the nearest Urgent Care Centre is at Marcham Road, Abingdon (01865 903476)
The Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading 0118 322 5111
*Note that parking at the JR can be difficult and expensive. For non-urgent appointments you may wish to consider taking the X38/X39/X40 bus into Oxford, alighting at the Law Courts, and taking the 13 bus from there to the JR.
Defibrillators
There are 3 defibrillators installed in the villages:
One outside St Laurence Hall, one in Wharf Road (outside Wisteria Joinery)
and one inside the School (not 24hrs)
Dentists
Dentalcare, 204 Fane Drive, Berinsfield 01865 341036
The Village Dental Practice, Dr Tank, 14 Hight Street, Benson 01491 833380
St Mary’s Dental Practice, 21a St Mary’s Street, Wallingford 01491 825252
Croft House Dental Surgery, Castle Street, Wallingford 01491 836379
Lawrence & Pinkerton, 25 St Mary’s Street, Wallingford 01491 202025
Wallingford House Dental Practice, 84 High Street, Wallingford 01491 837361
Opticians
Patricia Hayselden & Partners, 60 St Mary’s Street, Wallingford 01491-835466
Bayfields Opticians , 8 St Martin’s Street, Wallingford 01491-837033
Boots 1 Castle Street, Wallingford 01491-833200
Village Organisations, Events and Venues
(Listed alphabetically)
Allotments
The Parish Council operates allotments at the east end of The Green
There is a thriving group of allotment holders and there are some vacant plots.
The rent is £10.00 per annum.
Allotment Organiser: Charles Humphries
Tel: 01865 858141
Website: www.ws-pc.org.uk
Bell Ringers
The Bell Ringers ring at St. Laurence Church on Sundays (except 5th Sunday)
New members are always welcome.
Contact: Sue Dyke – Tower Captain
Tel: 01865 858555
Book Exchange telephone box
Nestled into the hedge just south of the War Memorial is an old style telephone box full of books.
Bring a book to take a book.
Please do not leave CD’s, Video’s, etc and only leave books that fit on a shelf – not on the floor.
Contact: No-one is in overall charge at present although several people keep an eye on it.
Bowls Club
The Short Mat Bowls Club meets in the Greet Hall on Thursdays 7pm-9pm.
New members are always welcome
Contact: Les Woodward
Tel: 07858 513971
Cricket Club/Sports Pavilion
The Parish Council owns the Cricket Pavilion, mostly used by the thriving Cricket Club, which runs training and matches for Seniors & Juniors. Matches most weekends during the summer.
The Cricket Pavilion is currently under redevelopment it will be available for hire on completion. Subject to availability
Contact: Mr Mark Searle
Tel: 07771 928605
email: mark.searle@wandscc.org
Website: www.wandscc.org
Damsons Who Dine
A social gathering for women in the village.
Meets one evening a month in a local pub or restaurant to enjoy a choice of menu.
Contact: Julie Meadows
email: planetmeadows@gmail.com
See the Parish Magazine for details
Fish & Chip van
Tiago’s Fish and Chip van parks at the St Laurence Hall car park every Thursday 4:30pm-8:30pm
Footpaths
Bill Oscroft is the Parish Path Warden for the villages.
email: ppw.warbshill@gmail.com
Keep Fit
There are various keep fit and exercise classes available including:
Circuit Fitness and Evening Pilates with Adam Young
Ladies Keep Fit with Lynn Knapp
See the Parish Magazine ‘Regular Village Events’ page for details
Jujitsu Club
Adult martial arts class on Tuesdays at 7.30 pm in the Greet Hall
Contact: Giles Chamberlin
Tel: 07801 972920
Lunch Club
Older villagers who either live alone or are couples can enjoy a 2 course meal in the company of others at the Lunch Club which is held on 2nd and 4th Wednesdays each month at 12:40 for 1:00pm in the St. Laurence Hall.
Transport can be provided for diners by arrangement.
Contact: Pat Arnold
Tel: 01865 858948
Mowers & Growers
W&S Garden Club (better known as Mowers and Growers).
This village garden group is open to all, with monthly meetings and seasonal garden visits.
email: wsmowersandgrowers@gmail.com
Pie & Pint
A social gathering for men in the village.
Meets at a local pub and offers a choice of a menu at a fixed price including a pint.
Contact: Oliver Herbert
email: herbies.family@tiscali.co.uk
See the Parish Magazine for details
Public Houses
The Six Bells The Green South, OX10 7DN
Tel: 01865 858265
email: garyhuntley@yahoo.co.uk
Gary and Sam Huntley are now the licensees of our village pub on The Green
The Six Bells serves food and drinks and is the venue for events.
The pub hosts quizzes and a Classic Car meet 2nd Tuesday each month during the summer.
See the Six Bells entry in the Parish Magazine for opening times, details and events.
The Kingfisher Inn
27 Henley Road, Shillingford, OX10 7EL
Tel: 01865 858595
Alexis & Mayumi Somarakis run the Free House Inn on the main road in Shillingford
The Inn mainly provides accommodation for guests.
Public open spaces
Registered Public Open Spaces are:
The Green
The Allotments
Rod Eyot (the triangle in front of the Greet Hall)
The Wharf (at the river end of Wharf Road)
Six Acres Meadow
Refuse Collection
Normal domestic recycling/waste Refuse, Recyclable material, Food waste and Garden waste is collected by agents on behalf of South Oxfordshire District Council. Tel: 01235 422422 Website: www.southoxon.gov.uk under the Services and Advice/Recycling tabs
Normal collection is on Tuesday mornings (according to a published calendar)
The exact day of collection varies after bank holidays
Download the Binzone app which tells you which bin to put out and when.
Schools
Warborough School (primary)
St Laurence Church of England school
Headmistress: Ms Nicole Cooper
Tel: 01865 858270 www.office.3760@st-laurence.oxon.sch.uk
Warborough School Parents & Friends Association
Contact: Sandra Duggan
Tel: 01865 858270 (St Laurence School number)
Warborough & Shillingford Pre-school (WASPS)
Pre-School (2-5 year olds) meets in its new building in the grounds of St Laurence School 9am – 3pm
Contact: Synetta Howes Amie Judge (Manager)
Tel: 01865 858933
Seasonal Events
A number of seasonal events are held (see the Parish Magazine/Village email for details) including:
Fun Fair
A travelling fair visits Warborough Green in May each year.
Warborough Feast
An open-air church service held on The Green on the 2nd Sunday in August each year with
Benson & Roke Brass Band providing the music. Followed by a BBQ
Remembrance Day
At the War Memorial on 11 November (or the nearest Sunday)
Special Days
To mark special anniversaries such as Coronation Day
Bunkfest
A popular music and dance festival held annually in Wallingford in early September.
Website: www.bunkfest.co.uk
Shop & Post Office
Aisha Stores 135 Thames Road, Warborough, OX10 7DD is run by Raj Niventheran
Tel: 01865 858231
Open Mon-Fri 7am-7pm Sat 8am-7pm, Sun 8am-1pm
Post Office Open Monday – Saturday 8.30am – 5.00pm
Raj sells fresh fruit and vegetables, fresh bread, provisions, stocks ‘COOK’ frozen ready meals and puddings, sells/delivers newspapers and magazines and runs the Post Office in the shop.
All Post Office services available are listed at www.postoffice.co.uk
Short Mat Bowls – See Bowls Club
Silver Swans Ballet Class
Ballet for the over 55s every Wednesday 5:00 to 6:00pm in the Greet Hall
Contact: Virginia Chell
Email: v.chell1501@gmail.com
Tel: 07776 150903
Tennis Club (SWATA)
Shillingford & Warborough Tennis Association runs various classes for adults and children
Informal ‘drop-in’ sessions from 9:00am Saturday mornings at the courts.
Contact: Fiona Reay
Tel: 01865 858302
Village Coffee Morning
Held on the 3rd Thursday of each month 10am-12am in the St Laurence Hall. All warmly welcome.
Contact: Pat Arnold
Tel: 01865 858948
Village Halls
Warborough and Shillingford have two halls available for hire by arrangement.
Details of both are on the Parish Council website www.ws-pc.org.uk
The Greet Hall
The Greet Hall is owned and run by the Parish Council
Booking Clerk: Chippy Nickson
Email: bookingclerk@ws-pc.org.uk
St Laurence Hall
The St Laurence Hall is owned and run by the Parochial Church Council
Booking Clerk: Pat Arnold
Tel: 01865 858948
Walks
Warborough and Shillingford abound with public footpaths giving access to the surrounding countryside including the local section of The Thames Path (please note that The Thames Path diverts along the A4074, down Wharf Road and via Catsgrove Lane to reconnect with the river at Shillingford Bridge).
See the Oxfordshire Countryside Access Map:
Website: https://publicrightsofway.oxfordshire.gov.uk/Web/standardmap.aspx under the ‘Town/Village’
Also, there is a small guide called ‘Warburton’s Walks’ (in memory of Paul Warburton, a local farmer) which gives details of 24 circular walks in and around South Oxfordshire (available to purchase in bookshops and online)
Warborough & Shillingford Society
Please see top of these notes
Warborough & Shillingford WI
Women of all ages are welcome to this thriving WI group
Meets on the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 7.30pm in the St Laurence Hall
President: Sarah Allen tel: 01865 858673; Secretary: Vicky Hart tel: 07817 634709
Warborough Sculpture School
Portrait sculpture classes meet weekly 12:30pm-2:30pm at 102 Thame Road, Warborough
Contact: Shirley Noble
Email: shirleynoble379@gmail.com Tel: 01865 858657
Local Services & Amenities
(Listed alphabetically)
Adult Education
Courses are available at:
Abingdon & Witney College, Wootton Road, Abingdon OX14 1GG Tel 01235 555 585
Website: www.abingdon-witney.ac.uk
Berin Centre
A charity which supports people by providing employment and family services in Berinsfield and surrounding villages.
Wimblestraw Road, Berinsfield, OX10 7LZ (use 7NR for sat-navs)
Tel: 01865 3419441
Website: www.theberincentre.co.uk
Buses
We are one of the few areas in Oxfordshire where there is still a reasonable bus service. It has recently been reduced from 3 buses an hour to 2 but that is still quite good (if a little unreliable lately)
X40 routes to Oxford and to Reading/Henley via Wallingford on the ‘River Rapids’ buses run by
Thames Travel offer a service in each direction every 30mins weekdays and Saturdays (less frequently late evenings and Sundays)
See routes and timetables on www.thames-travel.co.uk and at the bus stops.
138A/138B/138C routes to Berinsfield/Wallingford on ‘Going Forward Buses” are much less frequent.
See routes and timetables on www.bustimes.org and at the bus stops.
Cinemas
There are numerous cinemas within easy reach of the village:
Wallingford The Corn Exchange www.cornexchange.org.uk
Henley Regal Picturehouse www.picturehouses.com
Oxford Curzon www.curzoncinemas.com
Oxford Vue Cinema www.myvue.com book online
Oxford Odeon (George St) www.odeon.co.uk book online
Oxford Phoenix Picturehouse www.picturehouses.com
Oxford Ultimate Picture Palace www.uppcinema.com
Didcot Cineworld www.cineworld.co.uk
Citizens Advice Bureaux
Oxfordshire South and Vale Citizens Advice (OSAV) operate 4 advice centres (Abingdon, Didcot, Henley and Thame) and 3 outreach hubs (Faringdon, RAF Benson and Wallingford).
There is a Central Phone Number: 0808 278 7907 which is manned Monday-Friday 9am-5pm. Phone to make an appointment.
Dog Warden
South Oxfordshire District Council has a dog warden and kennels Tel: 01235 422403
Library Service
Benson Library, Castle Square, Benson, OX10 6SD (supported by W&S Parish Council)
Tel: 01491 838474
Wallingford Library, 51 High Street, Wallingford, OX10 0DB
Tel: 01491 837395
Oxford Central Library, Queen Street, Westgate, Oxford, OX11DJ
Tel: 01865 815509
Guides, Brownies & Rainbows
There are Guides, Brownies and Rainbows in Benson, Berinsfield and Dorchester on Thames
Contact www.girlguiding.org.uk/get-involved/finding-your-nearest-unit to find the nearest group
Markets
Wallingford Charter Market
There is a market all day every Friday in Wallingford Market Place for fruit and vegetables, eggs, cheese, bread, fish, flowers & plants Open early – 3ish
Wallingford Country Market
Homemade produce. Fridays 9:30am-12noon in St Mary-le-More Church, Wallingford. Home made cakes and produce, preserves, eggs and homegrown plants, cards etc.
Wallingford Local Producers Market
Everything produced within 30 miles. Saturdays 10am-1pm in St Mary-le-More Church, Wallingford, Vegetables, cheese, breads, Pottery,
Waste – other than can be collected locally
There is a public Amenity Tip at Oakley Wood, Old Icknield Way, OX10 6WP
(off the Henley road, at the top of Crowmarsh Hill).
Provided by Oxfordshire County Council
~Open 8am – 5pm every day (Late night till 8pm on Thursdays April-Sept.)
Charges apply for waste which is deemed to be ‘builder’s waste’
Secondary school
Wallingford School (secondary)
Headmaster: Mr John Marston
Tel: 01491 837115 (school office open 8.15am to 4.00pm Monday to Friday)
Scouts, Cubs & Beavers
There are several Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Explorer Scout groups locally:
Benson, Berinsfield, Crowmarsh Gifford, Wallingford, and Clifton Hampden & Burcot Sea Scouts
Website: www.scouts.org.uk
Train Services
There are stations at Cholsey, Didcot, Oxford, Goring and Reading on the line into London Paddington
There are also stations at Oxford, Kidlington and Thame Haddenham on the line into London Marylebone
Timetable information is available through National Rail Enquiries
Tel: 03457 484950
Website : www.nationalrail.co.uk
Veterinary Surgeons
Abivale Veterinary Group, 16 Queens Avenue, Wallingford, OX10 0ND
Tel: 01491 839043
Website: www.abivale.com
Larkmead Veterinary Group
Benson 34a Old London Road, Benson, OX10 6RR
Tel: 01491 651379
Cholsey Ilges Lane,Cholsey, OX10 9PA
Tel: 01491 651379 (Pets) 01491 651479 (Farm and Equine)
Website: www.larkmead.co.uk
Wallingford Volunteer Centre
Volunteers are able to take elderly or vulnerable people to medical appointments and also to the hairdressers, chiropodist, optician or to visit someone in hospital.
You may also wish to offer your services as a volunteer
St Leonard’s Square, Wallingford,
Tel: 01491 836345 (Office hours 9.30am-11.30am Monday to Thursday).
Corrections and additions
The above list records an ever-changing array of organisations and events, the details of which were correct at the time the list was last revised.
If you notice that something is missing or incorrect, please let me know.
Liz Eaton
Liz@ladybrook.co.uk
If you would like a PDF copy please Contact Us
Revision February 2024