Community Speed Watch: September 2026 Report

21 August, 2026 by admin

21 August, 2026

Phase 1 – School Flashing Warning Lights

The posts that will support the School Zone flashing warning signs were installed as promised in July. By the time you read this, the actual flashing signs should have been attached and operational, ready for the children when they start their new term. As a reminder, the lights will only flash during school drop-off and pick-up times.

Parents: please help by making sure your children who attend the school know what these lights mean and remind them of the road safety awareness sessions we had with them earlier in the year.

Phase 2 – Pedestrian Crossing by the School

Our focus has now moved on to the designated crossing point we need by the school.

We have requested that WCC Highway’s Dept attend the village and carry out the necessary survey so a safer crossing point can be established. The majority of the funding is in place and examples of other villages that have crossings should serve as a precedent. We also have funding for a ‘Lollipop Person’ to operate at the crossing during school drop-off and pick-up times.

Why do we have a speeding problem?

A high percentage of speeding occurs weekdays between 7-9am and 4-6pm; this suggests the village is a thoroughfare for commuters travelling between Banbury and Shipston. EXCESS SPEED is the cause of 59% of all Road Traffic Accidents. Vulnerable pedestrians and especially CHILDREN, are less able to judge traffic speed when crossing the road. The risk of a pedestrian being killed if hit by a car increases from 10% at 30mph to 70% at 50 mph. We cannot wait until a tragic accident occurs – we must do what is necessary to minimise these risks NOW.

Will Community Speed Watch (CSW) solve the problem?

NO…. Despite the CSW team of volunteers being out every week monitoring vehicle speeds, one hour a week means we ‘catch’ less than 1% of the speeders.

Vehicles are reported at 35mph and above and will receive Police warning letters. 3^rd time offenders receive Police visits.

The Police will randomly join our CSW events to conduct their own vehicle monitoring and where necessary, will issue speeding tickets along with any other driving misdemeanours as appropriate.

Phase 3 – Permanent Traffic Calming Measures

To ensure we maximise the effect of the School Safety Zone, further measures are necessary in order to manage vehicle speed throughout the village 24 hours a day. Various types of permanent Traffic Calming measures exist and are used in many other villages around us. The most popular are the raised speed tables, these are suitable for all vehicle types and regarded as the most effective (as used around Shipston School).

Chicanes are also very effective in the right location.

More research will be done to ensure we proceed with the most appropriate method for Brailes.

This is why our road safety campaign must continue to raise awareness and funds to implement the necessary measures that will make the roads safer for us all. If you can help us improve road safety in any way at all, please do get in touch with the Community Speed Watch team by email to: br****************@*****ok.com

If you can help us improve road safety in any way at all, please do get in touch with the Community Speed Watch team by email to: br****************@*****ok.com

-> OUR CROWD-FUNDING APPEAL

(https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/brailes-school-safety-zone)

Thank You

Parish Council – Did you know? – Stour Community Awareness Network

21 August, 2026 by admin

21 August, 2026

Good afternoon

Despite its name Shipston SCAN (Stour Community Awareness Network) exists for the benefit of residents of local villages and not just for Shipstonians. We try to arrange a programme of talks on interesting and relevant topics.

Our next meeting will be on Tuesday September 8. We hope to have four speakers, a councillor from each of the town council, the district council and the county council as well as member of staff from the district council. We would love to welcome more members from villages and believe that this meeting will cover a subject of importance to us all. I should be very grateful for any help you can give in bringing SCAN and its programme to the attention of your residents or any suggestions how we can better publicise SCAN whether on your noticeboards, in local magazines, on local social media or any other way.

There is absolutely no cost involved in attending our meetings – no admission charge, no subscription and no charge for refreshments.

I attach a copy of the poster for our next meeting. Thank you for your attention.

Kind regards

Laurie Grove
Chairman

07779 151947

BRAILES SHOW 2026 – Thank You Everyone!

16 August, 202616 August, 2026 by admin

16 August, 2026

BRAILES SHOW – THANK YOU!

8th August saw a great Brailes Show with sunshine and a good atmosphere with attractions and amusements for all.

As chair, my thanks goes to the core committee who have been delivering since February – without them the show simply would not have happened; there have been some new members to the committee this year and they’ve brought new enthusiasm to the existing skill set which has been great.

And thanks to the army of volunteers who come and do their bit- we couldn’t do it without you either. The sponsors and organisations involved have enabled us to finance much of the show so thank you to them too. And finally all the visitors – the show would be very quiet and unviable without you.

All these parts mean that £10,000 is available to distribute to Parish causes. To apply for a share of the profits, if you are a parish organisation send an email to ka***************@*****il.com or text on 07794339867.

If this year’s show has inspired you to join the team drop me a line on the number above – there is always room for new folk.

Forge Garage at your service

As a type I’m we’re on our way to Woolacombe for a family holiday and our team at the garage will be looking after everyone while we’re away.

We’re very fortunate at the Forge Garage to have a cracking team that we trust to look after our customers in the same ethos that we hold as an owners – to genuinely care and look after people. We know many of our customers recognise and value this in our team too.

For anyone who doesn’t know us that well, our front of house team is made up of Carol and Emma on the desk and Ian who serves fuel accompanied by Judy and Brian. Ian will also sort tyres and smaller repairs.

In the workshop we have Mark, Mark, Elmo, Las and Crackers, headed up by Simon.

Ian and Sue bring out the tea and help out and Wendy does our a books.

So that’s us. See you next month,
Katie from the Forge

St. Georges Churchyard Notice

8 August, 2026 by admin

8 August, 2026

Well done to all our volunteer grass-cutters and gardeners who look after the churchyard. St George’s has recently undergone a 5-yearly architect’s inspection where he noted that “the churchyard was very well maintained (grassed areas, borders plants etc. are well cared for.) The parishioners should be congratulated on how well the churchyard looked on the day of the inspection .…and it really is a very pleasant space to visit.”

Those that tend graves in St George’s churchyard are reminded that, in accordance with the Diocese of Coventry Churchyard Regulations, only fresh flowers are permitted on graves. Artificial flowers, ornaments, trinkets, photographs and other memorabilia are not to be left. Any that remain after 30 September 2026 will be moved to the lychgate for collection.

Tim – Churchwarden

Community Work Announcement – UPDATE

7 August, 20267 August, 2026 by admin

7 August, 2026

Dear All

Brailes Regeneration Project Trial Extended

A few months ago, the administrator of this website put forward a project proposal to the Brailes Parish Council to improve the aesthetics of the village where we could. This project proposal is available to read below. After completing the Trial, the Parish Council gave permisson to extend to the Type A Village signs across from the Primary School and up Castle Hill Lane.

These were completed on Friday August 7th, with very much appreciated help from Councillor Ronan Woods, Ralph Moyes, and another local resident. Please see the before and after photos below

Brailes Regeneration Project Trial Phase BEFORE AND AFTER – Castle Hill

Brailes Regeneration Project Trial Phase BEFORE AND AFTER – Brailes Primary School

Brailes Regeneration Project Plan

BRAILES REJUVENATION PILOT PROJECT

Brailes Village Hall, Pavilion and Play Area Survey 2026

3 August, 2026 by admin

3 August, 2026

The Management Committee invites you to help us plan for the future of the Hall, Pavilion and Play Area.

Please email us with your views on this important village asset, including how it serves the community now and how we can help it thrive in the future.

Ideas might include improvements to our facilities, fundraising suggestions, skills or professional expertise you could offer or occasional help when needed.

Your comments will help us prepare our Business Plan and support future funding applications.

While we may not be able to act on every suggestion or fund projects immediately, every idea will help guide our future.
We look forward to receiving your comments and ideas and will share our findings in due course.

Please email your response to su****@***********************co.uk.

Brailes Village Hall, Pavilion and Play Area 100 Club Draw

3 August, 2026 by admin

3 August, 2026

Brailes Village Hall and Pavilion
Our 5^th year 100 Club tickets are now on sale

Support Brailes Village Hall and Pavilion, be part of the draw, and help make a real difference.

In the last 4 years we have raised over £10,000 for the Hall & Pavilion

Why Join?
– Help raise vital funds for our Village Hall and Pavilion
– Monthly prize draws throughout the year.
– Support activities, equipment, events, and future improvements.
– Enjoy a simple and affordable way to give back.

How It Works
Each ticket gives you a numbered entry into the 100 Club draw. Winners will be selected at each draw and contacted directly. The more tickets sold, the more we can raise for the Hall and Pavilion.

Details
The ticket price is just £48 (you can pay in one go or in instalments)
Draw Date 1^st of each month commencing on the 1^st of October
Monthly prizes of £100, £50, £30, £20 & £10

Interested then please e-mail : 10*****@***********************co.uk

A View From The Pew – August 2026

1 August, 2026 by admin

1 August, 2026

“The Hidden Gem” (ILMODB)

Visitors to Friars Lane in Brailes will see the Papal flag in the grounds of the chapel and presbytery.
One of the main reason for it to be flying is that this year the chapel of St Peter and St Paul is celebrating its three hundredth year since its opening in 1726.

Prior to the Reformation, the village and parish were under the care of the Augustinian Friars who looked after the large St George’s church, and resided at what is now the Old Rectory or Rectory Farm as it was once called. The present chapel is a converted Malt barn.
Following the Dissolution in 1538, the property was taken over by the Bishop family and, remaining true to their Catholic faith, held secret Masses in the former Rectory, building two Priest hiding holes. The family must have been well liked and respected by the villagers as they were never reported to the authorities for this action.

On Saturday 27^th June, the Very Rev Archbishop of Birmingham, Bernard Longley, celebrated Mass in the chapel, appropriately on the Vigil of the Solemnity of St Peter and St Paul. The chapel is named after these great apostles: St Peter symbolising unity with Rome. And St Paul symbolising missionary endurance. As part of the celebration we had a book launch also of “The Catholic Chapel of St Peter and St Paul, Lower Brailes, 1726-2026”.

The book was compiled by four members of the parish and it gives an in depth tour of the present chapel, which will be a useful guide for any visitors in the future. The book is made up of six sections and as well as giving a tour of the chapel, gives a timeline of events in and around the chapel from 1500 to the present day.

It gives an explanation of the founding of the chapel and the challenges faced by its early congregation. It gives a description of what life was like as a Catholic in penal times when Catholic Mass was outlawed and it gives a biography of Dr William Bishop, one of the most significant figures in the chapel’s history. The book concludes with memories and comments from parishioners reflecting on the history of the chapel and the part it has played in their lives.

I do hope that if you have not already taken time to visit the chapel in Brailes, then you will do so in this jubilee year. I do hope that you might think about purchasing this book so that you can become more aware of this wonderful historical chapel-
“A hidden gem,” as one parishioner describes.

And I hope also that it might help you in your own faith journey- drawing on the inspiration of the two great Apostles and the enduring faith of the priests and people of the time when the practice and living of the faith could be punished by death.

We thank God for them and honour them this day.

St Peter and St Paul pray for us.

God Bless, Fr David Tams

Sustainable Brailes: Aug News

1 August, 2026 by admin

1 August, 2026

It has been a busy couple of months for Sustainable Brailes with a Repair café, a film showing of the People’s Emergency Briefing, and an Energy Hackathon

People’s Emergency Briefing:

This was a documentary highlighting the UK’s climate and nature crisis, featuring Chris Packham, Deborah Meaden and Jennifer Saunders hearing from and talking to leading UK climate and nature scientists. The film is designed for community screenings and public engagement presenting the latest evidence on climate and nature breakdown in the UK, combining scientific insights with public reactions.

The film had a good turnout, we watched the film and afterwards in small groups we discussed how we felt and the impact of the film had on us – we were encouraged to send an email to our MP to encourage a live televised national briefing to enable all in the UK to be fully informed about the risks we face and the solutions available. It was a hopeful message.

If you missed it and want to attend an event go to National Emergency Briefing and select the map of events. There are many showings in a number of local villages and towns.

Energy Update:

This was a really successful event which was initiated by Gloucester University and Warwickshire County Council and we had panelists and participants from National Grid, Community Energy Go and Act on Energy.The purpose was to explore what the village needs in terms of energy, and how we can provide cheaper, cleaner energy to residents, many of whom are reliant on oil.
We learnt some really interesting facts…

• Did you know that 24% of the parish is in fuel poverty (spending over 10% of their monthly income on fuel)
• And in terms of energy ratings many homes in Brailes are at the lower end which means they are not well insulated, lose heat and pay more for heating

We had at least 30 people attend, we had a series of experts deliver some interesting presentations and we then had workshop sessions with a dragon’s den style pitch of our ideas to a panel of experts – the day resulted in 6 new energy projects that could be looked at that covered a wide range of ideas covering energy audits, hydro power, solar and wind!

We are expecting a report from the day from Gloucester Uni and Warwickshire Council and there are many grants available that we can apply for with their support to help look at feasibility of our ideas. We’ll add these ideas to those that we were already planning, and once we have the outputs of the event and have had a chance to work them up we intend to hold a drop-in session, likely to be one weekend in September, to get the community’s views on which ones to take forward. Watch this space!

We also learnt about the Hook Norton Energy Club – they get their energy from a local solar farm and anaerobic digester (AD) plant – and you can sign up to their scheme to possibly get cheaper energy (depending on your own tariffs it possibly has a lower unit rate, but you need a smart meter)

For more information look up Hookyenergy.com – where is says Join today to benefit from electricity rates of 13 p/kWh daytime (between 8am and 5pm) and 20 p/kWh nighttime (between 5pm and 8am).

Repair Cafe:

Our next repair café will be 19^th September 10-12 at the Pavilion – come along to repair yourbroken electric items, bikes, repairs to clothing, etc. – we will take a look at almost anything(last month we had a strimmer, a toaster and repairs to a favourite dress)
As always there will be coffee and cake. Come and have a chat and a drink.

Brailes Show:

We will be at the Brailes Show again this year and hope to meet some of you. Our stall will focus on the circular economy again with nearly new clothes and books. We also hope to have plants to sell if we can save them in the current heatwave.

If you have items to donate (clothes – in good and clean condition, books – novels only please) we will be onsite from 9.00 am to receive. Find us in the field. If you want to donate before the day get in touch with Sue via WhatsApp on 07565194630 or email us.

If anyone would like to come along and volunteer for half an hour or so we would really appreciate it because, as ever, we are pretty thin on the ground again. If you have a clothes rail you can lend us, that would also be great.

Next month also promises to be eventful, our MP Manuella has offered to meet us to discuss what we have been up to and tell us what is going on from her point of view.

Thank you – stay cool.

If you would like to get involved, share ideas or support future initiatives, please contact us.
Jo, Louise, Sue & Rob

The group is open to everyone in the parish. If you would like to join, or find out more please email su*****************@***il.com

Parish Council – Notice of change in members

30 July, 202629 July, 2026 by admin

29 July, 2026

On July 27th the Parish Council, with one seat free owing to the recent retirement of Councillor Louise Appleton, co-opted local resident Ben Goren onto the Parish Council as the 7th Councillor, after no other candidate put themselves forward for election to the seat.

Next Meeting: Monday 28^th September at 7:00pm in the Pavilion.

Contact:

Clerk Amanda Wasdell – Email: br****************@*****ok.com

Website: https://brailes-pc.gov.uk