Freeland Village Hub

12/04/2026

Don't forget about this wonderful event next Saturday at Freeland Village Hall! A whole evening's entertainment including music, poetry and story-telling from Oxfordshire artists. Amazing value at £10 via tickets in advance (available at the Yeoman) or £12 on the door. Licensed bar.

18/03/2026

Tickets have now been released for the fantastic 'Folk 'n' Spoken' Word concert in support of the Chpael Renovation Fund! Just a month away on Saturday 18 April. 7pm for 7.30pm start, five incredible acts and a licensed bar....

Where will you get a better evening's entertainment at this price? Drop into the Yeoman to secure your tickets in advance - but don't wait too long; numbers are limited!

20/02/2026

Two important updates today:

1. PLEDGE TIME: We are delighted that nearly £50,000 of your pledges have come in since we launched our share offer / donations drive last Thursday. BUT WE NEED MORE OF THEM! So if you've pledged, please get those funds paid in. Go to www.freelandcbs.community or pick up a form from Philip at 9 Blenheim Lane or Tom at 11 Broadmarsh Lane.

2. GRANT APPLICATIONS EXPERIENCE NEEDED: We have a dozen or more grants to apply for between now and June to support the renovation of the Chapel. Have you experience of this? Did you work in a University devlopment office? If so, we'd love you to join our task-and-finish group to get these applications nailed.

That's it everyone - have a lovely weekend!

12/02/2026

Don't forget our meeting tonight, 7.30pm at St Mary's in Freeland.

It marks the start of the share offer and donations drive to bring in all those amazing pledged funds. So we'll be explaining EVERYTHING from how to buy your shares or donate, to the financials, what village residents say they want from the building, and what the architect's plans are! Come along and have your questions answered.

And for those who can't make it but have pledged, we'll be emailing you straight after with everything you need to know. But we hope to see you there!

30/01/2026

*It's happening! Freeland Community Hub (formerly FCBS) is launching the share offer/opening up for donations on 12 February, kicking off with an information event at St Mary's at 7.30pm.*

Come along to hear more, or go to our website where information will be posted shortly afterwards. For those who have already pledged, you will be receiving an email on the evening of Thursday 12th with links to info and forms, with pay in details.

19/01/2026

*Café tenancy opportunity*

Freeland Community Hub is inviting prospective tenants to submit a tender for the operation of the café in the former Chapel in Freeland.

As a charitable community benefit society, we are obliged to ensure that our financial decisions are transparent, fair and secure the best long term outcome for the community of Freeland. To comply with best practice, we are issuing this open invitation to tender.

As you may be aware, we have already had discussions with Donna and Trevor from the The Oxfordshire Yeoman about taking on the tenancy. The Yeoman remains our preferred candidate, but they also recognise the importance of engaging in a robust and transparent process.

The invitaiton to tender can be found here https://freelandcbs.community/2026/01/18/invitation-to-tender-for-cafe/. It will also be promoted in the February Grapevine. The deadline for tender applications is Monday 9 February, and shortlisting and interviews will be conducted from16–27 February. Please do share this opportunity with anyone you think might be interested.

01/01/2026

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

The eagle-eyed among you might have spotted that yellow notice taped up by the Chapel: we've applied to renew the planning permission to turn it into a cafe / community space because the previous permission has lapsed. So nothing new, just a renewal of what was already in place.

However, it did spur the Witney Gazette / Oxford Mail to get in touch for an update a couple of days ago - and the result is below.

In short, it's all happening this month so hold on tight for more announcements...!

The Freeland community has confirmed it has bought a disused chapel with plans turn it into a community hub.

15/12/2025

What a day on Saturday at the inaugural Freeland Santa Run!

We had almost 85 runners/walkers turn up for the event, organised in support of the Chapel renovation fund. Participants were extremely generous, with donations totalling £654.12.

Many congratulations to Nathan Bean, who won the Little Elf 2.5km course in a time of 19 minutes 20 seconds, and George Stanley who won the Full Santa 5km course in an incredible time of 21 minutes 51 seconds.

People were already talking about 'next year', so watch this space!

Thank you to all the incredible advisers and volunteers (you were a force to be reckoned with!), to Eynsham Park Estate for allowing us access, to Eynsham Road Runners for the loan of their equipment, and to Freeland Parish Council for providing insurance cover as a co-organiser.

Finally, in true "Where's Waldo?" fashion, can you spot our amazingly supportive County Councillor Cllr Liam Walker among the runners, sporting a jaunty Santa hat?

10/12/2025

The countdown to the Santa Run is on! We've had a few minor course modifications to make it easier, and the weather look dry-ish, so no excuses about getting your trainers on and giving it a whirl...

Registration on the day from 12.30pm at the Chapel (OX29 8AQ), race sets off around 1pm. 5k and 2.5k routes available, timings published, finisher medals, lovely course, hot food and drinks....and reindeer? What's not to like?! And remember, no fixed entry fee but donations welcome, so bring your cash or card and your Santa hat (or buy one from us). More at http://freelandcbs.community. See you there!

02/12/2025

Who's up for a Santa Run on 13 December?

- Meet by the Chapel (OX29 8AQ) at 12.30pm
- Donation to enter (cash or card)
- Opt for the Full Santa route (5k) or the Little Elf (2k)
- Racing starts at 1pm (or shortly after)

Hot chocolate, mulled wine, Yorkshire wraps and mince pies provided by The Yeoman. Christmas music and even... reindeer?

You'll get a finishing time, and there'll be prizes too. Don’t forget to wear something red, whether a full Santa outfit or a jaunty hat. Or buy a hat when you register!

Note: The route has changed to be safer and simpler. It will involve runners and walkers crossing Wroslyn Road beside Pigeon House Lane between 1 and 2.30pm with the help of marshals. Please be alert and patient.

See www.freelandcbs.community for more details!

25/11/2025

Don't forget to pop in to our pop up meeting at the newell room in the hall tonight! We had a great turnout on Saturday, but we need more input into what you want the village hall to be and do, and look and feel like...
Hot drinks and mince pies on offer too ☕️🥧 👍🏻