Category: News

A touch of Berners for the Portwell Bench

Press Release

With the financial support from Bloor Homes the Pink Pigeons trust have been helping Faringdon Town Council rejuvenate the Portwell bench in the market place!

The Pink Pigeons selected nationally acclaimed artist, Tim Shutter, to propose designs for the stone bench that help to repair the existing damage to the bench, but also introduce an artistic charm and a celebration of Lord Berners to the stone work itself.

Tim Shutter has proposed two quirky and intriguing designs were voted on by the public of Faringdon, who chose the design representing a deep sea diver.

The bench has been cleaned and the artist has been working in his studio carving the main feature for the bench and will be installed on 17th September.

The sculpture celebrates the famed event when Lord Berners helped Salvidor Dali parade across Faringdon market place dressed as a deep sea diver. The humour of Lord Berners is encapsulated with the inscription ‘Mistrust a man who never has an occasional flash of silliness’ carved into the back rest.

Faringdon Town Team and the Pink Pigeons Trust cordially invite you to the grand opening of the Portwell Bench featuring the ‘Dali Diver’ by artist Tim Shutter on the 27th of September at 12.00 for the grand unveiling at 12.30pm.

There will be entertainment and activities suitable for the whole family, as well as an eccentric dress code for all who truly embrace the spirit of Berners.

We look forward to seeing you there.

RSVP Bethia Thomas, bethiathomas@gmail.com

Please come along and join us welcome this significant work of art to our town!

The Last Night of the Proms was broadcast live on the big screen in Faringdon Corn Exchange. Over £300 was raised for the African Children’s Fund. The event, which was the first of it’s kind using the new cinema equipment, was a big success. Faringdon Town Council hope to make it an annual event and also to use the cinema equipment in a similar way screening other LIVE events.

Saturday 13th September

Screened live in the Corn Exchange on the big screen

Tickets available on the door

£10 to include a welcome drink

Bring your own food and drink in true prom in the park style!

Details call 01367 242191

Proceeds to African Childrens Fund

 

FARINGDON PARKING STUDY Gary Kay Smith Ltd has been commissioned by the Vale of White Horse District Council and they are working closely with the Faringdon Town Council to undertake a parking study of Faringdon. They will be holding a two day event to enable you to discuss your parking related issues and complete your questionnaire. These will be on Saturday 4 and Tuesday 7 October 2014, between 9:00 am & 5:00 pm at the Market Stall under the Old Town Hall and between 6:00 pm & 8:00 pm at an Exhibition in the Pump House. Please review the leaflet that details the parking related issues that have been identified, and complete the questionnaire by 31 October 2014. Both are available to download and you can complete the questionnaire on-line. A collection box will be available in the Faringdon Community and Tourist Information Office from Monday 29 September to Friday 31 October 2014, for anyone who wishes to leave their questionnaire. Please follow the links at the following websites:   www.faringdon.org www.garykaysmith.co.uk

Faringdon post office will be changed to a new main style branch. This change is part of a major programme of modernisation and investment taking place across the Post Office network. The aim is to create a more modern and convenient retail experience for customers which will include longer opening hours.

The new look Post Office is scheduled to open on Monday 22 September @ 13.00pm.

The branch will be closed for the refurbishment from Wednesday 10 September at 17.30pm until Monday 22 September @ 13.00pm.

Posters will now be displayed in branch so customers are aware of the change and leaflets with more information are also available from the Faringdon branch.

 

 

 

Faringdon Mayor, Cllr. David price is hosting a charity event in aid of African Children’s Fund on Saturday September 13th.

Last Night of the Proms will be shown LIVE on the big screen.

Tickets are just £10 you can bring your own food or order a luxury hamper for £20 per person.

You can reserve a table of 10 and come with friends!

For more details contact Faringdon Community and Tourist Information Centre   on  01367 242191

or email tic@faringdontowncouncil.gov.uk

 

Finance and Audit committee recommended a grant of £600 should be awarded to the Faringdon Folly Trust at their meeting on Wednesday 30th July. Gene Webb from the Trust gave a short presentation informing how the grant would  to help with the Folly Woodland maintenance.

 

FollyFest is a community festival based here in Faringdon. With many local bands and local business getting involved. The center of  Faringdon was filled with music lights and laughter for 3 days from 1st to 3rd August. Many residents got involved and enjoyed the fun atmosphere.

The Festival is run by a group of volunteers with the help of grants and fundraising. Faringdon Town Council awarded a grant to help with running costs and cover hall hire.

People visiting the centre of Faringdon can now take advantage of free public Wi-Fi.
The new service is available in the Market Place for people to browse the internet while visiting the regular markets, doing their shopping, travelling to work or sitting in the Market Place.

The free Wi-Fi will allow people to get online quickly to find out information about local services, attractions and locations; meaning that they may explore more of the town, spend more time in the town centre, or are simply able to respond to urgent work inquiries while having lunch in the town centre.

The first time you use the service, you need to sign in to agree to the terms & conditions that are there to protect users – you can sign in via Facebook, Twitter or simply give your email address on an on-line form.  The system will then recognise your IP address and you do not need to sign in for subsequent visits

The scheme is being provided by the Vale of White Horse District Council through provider STL Communications.  The Wi-Fi equipment will be hosted by Faringdon Town Council and Marriotts estate agent.  The scheme has been supported by Faringdon Chamber of Commerce as town centre businesses do not presently have access to superfast broadband.  The WiFi service will provide speeds of 14Mbps.

Cllr Elaine Ware, cabinet member for economic development at the Vale, said: “The free public Wi-Fi will offer visitors to Faringdon town centre more freedom to find out information, work, or go online while they are having a coffee.  We hope that people will make the most of the new service and use it to find out more about the local area and hopefully spend more time in the centre of Faringdon.”
VWHDC

If you have experienced any difficulties trying to access the WiFi system in Faringdon Market Place or would like to give the VWHDC feedback, then please email economic.development@southandvale.gov.uk