Welcome to the Baldons WebsiteWed, 15th October 2025

A full tribute to Kevin will appear here.

Mary Braybrooke

As many of you will know, Mary Braybrooke sadly died on 12 December 2022.  There was a memorial service at Dorchester Abbey at 2pm on Monday 27th February,  led by the former Bishop of Oxford, John Pritchard. Members of Mary's family and some of her working colleagies spoke very movingly about their many very special memories of her.

Mary became part of this community when her husband Marcus was appointed vicar to the Baldons and Nuneham Courtenay in the early 1990s.   Mary, a social worker, was a Child Care Officer, a Kidney Support Officer, pioneering surgery-based social work, as well as a magistrate.

She played an integral part in Marcus’ ministry both locally and internationally, as part of the worldwide inter-faith movement, and indeed her work on different faiths’ view of organ transplants won international recognition.

I met Mary just as I was heading off to university, when she arrived in the Baldons, and throughout my adult life she was a much loved and inspirational influence in my life.  She was an enthusiastic part of village life, whether singing in the church choir, on the stage in the Baldons Players am-dram society, playing in the handbell team or setting up local groups to support those who were house-bound, among many other activities.

Although she had retired from the magistracy before I joined, her steadfast faith and her belief in justice inspired me, and she encouraged me in my ambitions to become a magistrate and always wanted to hear how it was all going.  

Mary and Marcus had retired to Devon in 2021, but visited the Baldons in October, when despite significant frailty, she still took an active part in a Team service at Clifton Hampden and was pleased to see many local friends.  I know I will not be alone in missing her wisdom and perspective on the world, and in sending love and prayers to Marcus, Rachel and Jeremy and the whole family.

Natasha Eliot

Another Solar Farm Proposal

This proposal, if it proceeds, will significantly impact the area.
The exhibition was held on 8th November 2022 but information is available online.

Details here: www.nuneham-solarfarm.co.uk 

New Constituency Boundaries in effect

The new boundaries are now confirmed. The Baldons have been relocated to the Wantage constituency, now renamed Didcot and Wantage. You can see further details, here.

Have your say!

Consultation on new traffic filters in Oxford. See here for details.

Fireworks

Took place on November 5th on the Green. Good turnout, fun was had by all
You can see some drone video footage here

Drone photo courtesy of Joe Cullen

Annual Churches Cycle Ride

An annual event in September. Details here

CPRE Trustees Wanted

Details here

 

Ukraine

In the light of the terrible events unfolding in Ukraine, many villagers will be wondering how they can help. Here are some suggestions from the Ukrainian Institute. And the Disasters Emergency Committee is open to donations.

 

 

New Solar Farm now progressing

This is now being built.

See here for details of the plans, and here for the Parish Council's Response.

See here for details of the SODC approval. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mole Inn 

The mole is open for business. Details here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2021 Farewells

Over the year 2021 the village has said farewell to several longstanding residents. They will be greatly missed.

Dr Ron Hewitt died in March. 

Peter Day died on 19th May Obituary here.

Joan Martin - June

Beryl Polley - August

Peter Delafield - September. More details here

The Rev Tony Moore, formerly our parish vicar, also died during the year - see here

 

 

 

Baldons and Nuneham Courtenay Facebook Community Group

This Community group has now been set up. It is a closed group. Local people can apply to join by following this link: 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/649072455902829/.

This is a useful resource for those who want to communicate with neighbours to offer or request help at these difficult times.

 

 

 

Painted Stones Around The Villages

Seen them? More here

 

 

 

Baldons waste Collections

Details here. 

 

 

Local Plan

There is a revised SODC Local Plan with huge implications for this community and this is now at the Examination Stage, following a recommendation by the Inspector that it be accepted. See here for the latest information.

 

 

Gravel Extraction

 

There has been a proposal from Oxford County Council to develop a large gravel extraction site north of Nuneham Courtenay, between the A4074 and the Thames. This has been opposed in the strongest terms by the local community and by the Brahma Kumaris, who will be greatly impacted. The consultation period has ended but it is still no harm to let your views be known.

 

The current position is that the proposal has been placed on hold as economically unviable. We hope that remains the case.

 

 

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If you want to write directly to the local government office, please do so, and reference site SG42 in an email to mineralsandwasteplanconsultation@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Or you can do so online at: 

https://consultations.oxfordshire.gov.uk/consult.ti/MWDraftSitesPlan/consultationHome

Here is a link to the full minerals and waste plan: https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/sites/default/files/file/planning-minerals-and-waste/OMWLP_SiteAllocationsFINALPLAN.pdf.

 

Please see also a message from Councillor Elizabeth Gillespie under 'News' (click here).

 

 

 

The Baldons Neighbourhood Plan 

The Neighbourhood Plan is important because it will give residents a say on future development in the Baldons. The Parish Council shares the view that people will want to take the opportunity to influence the future of the place where they live or work and that the Plan for the Parish should be written by the Parish rather than by Planning Officers.

Latest update here

For full details read here

Please contact us on: baldonsplan@gmail.com.

 

 

 

Newsletters

Click here to see an archive of parish newsletters

 

 

 

Baldon Runners

The Runners are out and about, at 8 am on Saturdays. 

 

Click here for details

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Defibrillator on the Village Green

Now installed. See News, click here.

 

 

 

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Grenoble Road and the Green Belt

There is still a threat to the Green Belt. Details here