Clubs and Societies

Shrivenham Clippers

 The “Clippers” Group was formed in 2013 to support the scheme devised by OCC and the Oxfordshire branch of the Ramblers Association to assist in the monitoring of Oxfordshire’s Rights of Way. Volunteers were trained to
become Volunteer Parish Footpath Wardens with the aim of walking all the Rights of Way in their Parish at least twice a year, keeping them open for walkers and reporting to the Countryside Access Teams any problems that they could not
resolve themselves. Jane Archer took the training course in 2012, applied to Shrivenham Parish Council for permission to act as
Volunteer Parish Footpath and was accepted in October 2012. Initially helped by WI members Jenny Gorley, Margaret West, Sandy Gipps the WI group “Clippers” was formed in 2013 and has always been well supported with 15 members at present. Mary Hewitt and Karen Curtis took the training course in 2017 and the working parties are now led either by Jane, Mary or Karen. In addition we have had
sterling help from Ted, Mary’s husband, Alistair Ritchie, Barbara’s husband, Ian Pembroke and Steve Hart. The Parish has 17 Rights of Way, some of them never need
any work as they are right in the middle of the village and
are looked after by the council, but there are several
needing regular attention, such as cutting back brambles,
thistles and blackthorn, which are well used by villagers.
There are also a few further afield which we walk less
frequently.
In 2021 we had approximately 28 working parties. It is very
hard to be accurate about how much time was spent,
working parties vary in numbers and walking a path is not
the same as working on a path. Karen has worked out that
about 30 hours has been spent over the year by parties
varying in size from 2 people to 6.
Although not part of the original aim we also pick up litter.
Our most interesting sessions this year have been-
1. Solving the Case of the Mysterious Wedged Gate.
Some unknown person had regularly been wedging shut
one of the kissing gates off Station Road. It was reported to
me 4 times and also to the Parish Council. Every time I
went to look it worked perfectly. It was eventually solved by
making it impossible to wedge shut.
2. Liaising with SPGC to improve signage on the Rights of
Way crossing the course, involving the Rights of Way Officer
who provided posts and signs and accompanying the
volunteer working party who did all the hard work. The
valuable advice and assistance of our Warden Co-ordinator,
Dave Cavanagh, got this project underway.
3. Improvements to the Right of Way off Charlbury Road
have been agreed by the Rights of Way Officer after
complaints to me by residents whose garden is being
encroached upon. Not yet carried out, watch this space!
Legal and General Estate
It is reassuring to see Rights of Way being restored and new
footpaths being added.
Shrivenham Parish Council have been instrumental in
getting chippings laid at the junction of one of these paths
and have also recently had chippings laid on the muddy part
of the Right of Way across the Rec. Thank you, very much.
Jane Archer March 2022

Shrivenham and District Gardening Club

 
This vibrant Club meets at 7.30pm in the Vic Day Hall of the Shrivenham Memorial Hall on the first Thursday of the month (except August, when we have our annual dinner at a local hostelry).  The annual fee is £10 per person, or if you come as a visitor, it is £3 per meeting. 

The talks cover a wide range of topics and not all on gardening.  We also have a fish and chip supper with quizzes, a plant sale, an outing to a horticultural show and a four-day holiday.

Contacts:      
Fred Houghton  01793 782316    jackieandfredhoughton@gmail.com
Steph Muir       01793 782162    stephmuir@btinternet.com

Shrivenham Heritage Society

We represent the history of Shrivenham and the surrounding districts.  We have our Heritage Centre located in the south end of the Memorial Hall, where we have a growing collection of documents, photographs, maps and artefacts. Our documents include records from the Parish Council, Schools, Women’s Institute, Brownies, Shrivenham United Charities, Dils & Swartz Collection, British Legion etc. The Centre is open on Tuesday mornings 10 - 12 and Thursday evenings 5.30 - 7.30pm. 

Visitors may consult our documents and books, and may also search on our computers online for documents relating to their family history.

We also have a Website that includes an online catalogue at www.shrivenhamheritagesociety.co.uk where we list all of our documents and hundreds of photographs.  We hold meetings every quarter in the Memorial Hall, when we present local history, or history that has some connection with our area.

Contact - Email: info@shrivenhamheritagesociety.co.uk

Shrivenham Singers

We are a community choir meeting Weds in term time at the Methodist Church, 7.30pm-9.30pm. We perform 2 concerts + other functions, music to suit most people, no auditions, and no need to read music to join us.  For more information please contact Pam Berridge at pamber@talktalk.net

Tel    01793 783831

Shrivenham Photographic Society

Meets in the Chestnut Room in the Memorial Hall on the second Monday of the month at 19:30. For more details contact Kevin Knowles

Tel    783378

Shrivenham Amateur Dramatics Society

"Am dram" is lively and fun, come along and try your hand at many aspects of Stage Craft. Actors, Chorus, Crafts People and Back Stage Crew. New members are always welcome, come along and tread the boards !

Tel    07733 264871

Shrivenham Health Walks

Shrivenham Health Walks - get fit and make friends. Led by trained volunteers this friendly group meets at 10.30 every Wednesday in the churchyard for a choice of walks lasting between half and one hour. Coffee/tea available for purchase afterwards in The Barrington Arms. Monthly lunches.

Tel    01793 782876

Shrivenham & District Women's Institute

Whether you fancy making new friends or just enjoying a night out once a month, you’ll be more than welcome at the Shrivenham Women’s Institute.
You are sure to fit in, we come in all shapes, ages, and sizes

We meet in the Memorial Hall  on the third Thursday of each month @ 7p.m for 7-30. If you are interested just come along to a meeting, no pressure, just come and see if it is for you.

Telephone Mary Hewitt on 01793 780039 or Jane Ahern  on 01793 783521   

The Faringdon and District Rotary Club

The Faringdon and District Rotary Club, is a very active World Wide organisation. Local Rotarians meet every Wednesday evening at the Bell Hotel in Faringdon at 7pm. We enjoy a great social life, whilst organising local fund raising events in our area. New club members are always welcome, so why not find out more about this worthwhile organisation by calling our President Glyn James.

 
Tel    01367 810569

Shrivenham Ladies Choir

Meeting on Thursday evenings in the back room of Shrivenham Methodist Hall at 7.30 pm. We welcome ladies interested in singing with others. 

For more information please contact Grahame Jones.

email address: shrivenhamladieschoir@gmail.com ; tel. 01793  784017

                                           website:  https://www.shrivenhamladieschoir.com/

St Andrew's Church Choir

We meet most Thursdays in term time in St Andrew's Vicarage , Shrivenham (nov to March) and St Andrew's Church, Shrivenham (April to oct) 7-8pm and only ask for a commitment of ONE named Sunday (usually the 2nd Sunday of each month) a month. We are also very flexible so if you can only commit to one month at a time then we would still love to see you. Please call 07876 637621 for more.

Tel    07876637621

Wessex Male Choir

Wessex Male Choir is based in Swindon but draws male singers from the surrounding Counties. They are International and National music award winners. Their website is www.wessexmalechoir.co.uk

Tel    07507089931

Ferndale Community Choir

Tel    01367 242222

West Vale Branch Wilts & Berks Canal Trust

This local group is restoring the historic canal around the village. Monthly planning meetings are open to all and held at the Prince of Wales on the 1st Wednesday at 8 pm. See the W&BCT website

Tel    01793 783024
Web    https://www.wbct.org.uk/our-enthusiasts/west-vale

Bowmoor Sailing Club

We have the reputation of being a Family Friendly Club offering Dinghy Sailing, Windsurfing, Canoeing, Paddle Boarding and Camping. The Club has a year round racing programme together with one of the largest Youth Fleets in the country and an active cruising section. We are an RYA Recognised Training Centre running beginner courses for children throughout the spring and summer.

For more information visit our website www.bowmoor.com or contact membership@bowmoor.com

We strongly recommend that you visit the club any Sunday to see first hand what we can offer. The Club is sign posted and located in the Cotswold Water Park on the A417 between Lechlade and Fairford.

Tel    01793 765074