Oakridge Community Website
The Oakridge Community consists of five villages with a combined population of about five hundred and is situated on the edge of the Cotswolds, overlooking the magnificent Golden Valley; six miles from Stroud and seven miles from Cirencester.
The five villages form the ecclesiastical parish of Oakridge, within the Civic Parish of Bisley-with-Lipyatt. The Oakridge Parish Church, part of the Bisley Benefice, is dedicated to St Bartholomew and was built in 1837 with funds raised by Thomas Keble, the then vicar of Bisley.
Oakridge is a thriving and very active community with many groups and societies and extensive amenities, including a Village Shop & Post Office, Primary School, Pub, Recreation / Cricket Ground, Tennis Court, Allotments, Childrens Playground and Village Hall.
A Village Show is held annually on the first Saturday in September. The School holds an annual May Revels on the village green.
Village Box Office Now Open for Event Bookings! - Click Here!
Latest News!
For more detailed information on many of these items and much more, download the current edition of What's On. Why not sign up to our events mailing list?
|
Village Show - 5 September 2026 - Thank You!
Our 80th Anniversary! On the 5th September we held our most successful Oakridge village show since the pandemic, raisinga magnificent £3,908 profit for the local villages and hamlets. The weather was fantastic and despite the very dry summer, residents provided 376 entries from 107 individuals for the Produce Show. We were lucky to have great entertainment, food and drink, as well as hosting the perennial favourites of the vintage cars, dog show, bric-a-brac, raffle tickets, the bottle tombola and skittles, dog agility and the children’s tent. Village groups such as the Gardening Club, WI, BisCAN and the Village Hall were also well represented, showing the range of clubs in the village and showcasing the best the village has to offer. Whilst it is not possible to thank every individual, we would like to recognise the contribution of the following:
Produce Show – Pauline for her excellent organisation of the heart of the show and for expertly dealing with late entries, and the judges for coming along to critique the entries and choose the best Vintage cars – Mike for spreading the word far and wide and attracting a great range of vehicles, some of which were around in 1946! Setting up and taking down - Jonathan for arranging an army of volunteers to set up on Friday and take down on Saturday. It was all packed away in just over 1 hr on Saturday Compere – Penny for her wonderful commentary, her jokes and generally holding it all together Publicity – Claire for creating the posters and raising our profile on social media; fortunately for us, Cranham Feast was ‘too far’ for the paparazzi from Stroud Tea & Cakes – Alison (and team) for all the wonderful cakes and keeping the tea flowing The Bar – Tony and Ian for keeping the beer at the right temperature and providing service with a smile Raffle – Hazel, Sarah and Matt (on the day) and Jane and Linda (pre-sales) for selling a record number of tickets and almost breaking £1,000 in sales; to Julie and Julia, and local businesses, for the fantastic prizes Bric-a-Brac – Jane for organising all the entries and beating her previous sales record for the 4th year running (no pressure for 2027…..) Books – Pam and Philip for running this once again and ensuring there was something for everyone Bottle Tombola – Sophie for taking this over and continuing its great success Skittles, Vinyl and Children’s Tent – Jacqui, Martyn, Sandra, Linda, Aaron, Anna, Chris and Estelle – all new volunteers – a great success and hopefully back for next year Dog Show and Dog Agility – Catherine, Angela and Steve for keeping our four-legged friends entertained Gate – John and Julie (H), Harold, Andree and Julie (W) for providing a friendly greeting and making sure the clicker matched the gate receipts! (366 adults) The Butchers Arms, Bubble & Brew, Skyvana K9 Styling , Wicked Whisk Bakes, The Cotswold IceCream Co, Lets Face It and crafts by Julie and Sandra for adding something extra, Mike for sorting out the straw bales, Sara and Andrew for helping on the produce, and Paul and Sam for first aid and general support And finally - we would also like a special mention to the chap from the brass band in Aldershot who turned up to ‘Oakridge Hall’ for the ‘concert’, a distance of about 80 miles. Sadly, he was supposed to be in ‘Oakridge Hall for All’ in Basingstoke – a distance of only 20 miles. In fact, he almost passed it on his way here. We offered him tea and cake but he said he had to head off to the concert (though we suspect he was probably too late!). So whilst we might not have had the tug of war, and you might not have won first prize in the produce show, just be grateful you didn’t have to travel over 140 unnecessary miles to get to where you needed to be! Thanks again to all the friends and family who pitched in and helped to make it a fantastic show. See you in 2027 Vicky and Heather, Village Show Committee Cinema comes to Oakridge! - Next screening on 7th October
Using the new 3.5m big screen, state of the art projector and Dolby 5.1 Surround Sound system at Oakridge Village Hall we now have a regular and significant audience for our program of film that we hope will have broad appeal. A bar will be available the film and during the interval. For licensing reasons we are not always able to advertise the name of each film publicly, but the good news is that as a member of the What's On Mailing List you can find out now, and continue to be notified in advance of the film title whenever a film night is planned.
Sign up to the mailing list now at www.oakridgevillage.org/mailinglist for advance notice of these events and others! Doors open at 1845 for a 1930 start. Tickets are just £6 (CARD ONLY) on the door including a light snack. To help the team plan for numbers, please visit our box office to reserve a seat but remember to pay £6 on arrival - www.oakridgevillage.org/boxoffice In aid of Oakridge Village Hall Strawberry Banks - bridge repairs, dams and tufa
Over the past few months there has been some discussion about the state of the bridge over the stream on Strawberry Banks and the damage to the tufa, these are the carbonate deposits on the stream bed and the waterfall.
In terms of the tufa, now that the water levels have reduced, we will be placing small-ish stones and brash in the gullies created where the tufa was weak at the bottom of the waterfall and by the crossing into the wood further downstream. Tufa forms on anything that comes into its path as the mineral rich water flows over it. Given time it should repair itself. It might look scruffy for a while but please leave it as it is and we will monitor progress over the coming months. It is worth remembering that there are few places where tufa forms in such abundance and it supports its own ecosystem, something else to celebrate and respect. The management group have also been considering how resolve the bridge issue, as the path at either end is now quite eroded leaving a high step up on to the bridge. The plan in July/August is to extend the bridge at both ends so that the water can, when it needs to, flow underneath and walkers have a safer route across. We also plan to move the large flat stone back to its original position. On the subject of dams, we know how much pleasure everyone gets from building them and playing in the stream – we do too. Please be respectful in terms of the material you use and how you leave the area for others. Some recent examples resemble structural engineering! As a rule of thumb, materials to use should be in the stream, and when you leave break up the structure and return the main materials to the stream bed. This way things that live in the water stay in the water and can thrive. If you see anything that concerns you please ring or text 07552 223 763 or 07971 348 817 |
Garden Club
A wholehearted thank you to all who helped on the stall at the Village show, and for donations of plants.
Just a reminder of the date for our last meeting of the year: Joff Elfick will be presenting his talk entitled “Crayfish on the Lawn and Other Gardening Stories”. A lighthearted take on the world of gardening. Tuesday, October 6th at 7.30pm. Tea and coffee from 7.15pm. Look forward to seeing you there. Regards, Cheryl Perrett Oakridge Village Hall - into the digital world...
The Trustees of Oakridge Village Hall are pleased to announce completion of a state of the art digital audio/visual installation. This includes:
- 6000 lumens WUXGA laser digital projector - 3.5m wide motorised screen - New up-to-date sound system - Blu-ray player - Chromecast and Apple TV - 900 Mbps high speed broadband - Wireless operation The installation is designed to support many cultural activities such as showing/streaming films, presentations, dances, concerts and theatre. The Trustees plan to launch the facility soon with a village open day when its capability will be demonstrated. History Group
The programme of events for 2025/26 ended with an opportunity to examine some of the archives held by the group and to discuss future plans. Further sorting and cataloguing of photos, records and archive materials is on-going and anyone interested in helping would be most welcome (contact John Loosley or Kay Rhodes). It is a chance to learn more about the history of the village we live in.
One step has already been taken to make some of the documents more readily accessible by purchasing a desk/storage cupboard which is in the conference area of the Village Hall, where anyone can look at some of the many files and albums previously only accessible at meetings or by special arrangement. Some of the documents now available for viewing in the Village Hall are: Copies of the School Logbook 1873-1899 Oakridge Players photos, programmes etc 100 Years of Oakridge history in 100 Objects Record of the construction of the Village Hall Golden Jubilee album Oakridge War Memorial history Information on William & Eve Simmonds There are lots more to see and this collection forms a small fraction of the archive. The intention is to change the selection of documents out for open viewing every few months. This year an advance programme is not available, but specific talks and meetings will be advertised individually, so keep an eye open for posters and website notifications. John Loosley & Kay Rhodes Check out our Village Gallery!
With thanks to Beth Hughes for this fabulous collection of local photographs, head over to the gallery....
Sapperton Railway Tunnel
It is interesting to speculate on the effect the construction of the railway tunnel had on the local community. In 1837 Charles Richardson, Brunel’s engineer, began surveying the line of the proposed tunnel by sinking trial shafts and erecting large staffs to assist the surveying on the surface. It was on the 27 April that the people became fully aware of the surveying activity as a large staff was raised. This is described in Richardson’s journal.
“Got hauling pegs &c driven – got large sheer legs up and had some difficulty to get the hauling parts in the right place. The Staff had a violent shake when first lifted off the props. Raised it easily, steadily and without the slightest accident – large crowd of spectators many of whom lent a hand. Tried several ways of getting up the Staff but was forced to climb up by the main hauling rope. Tightened cross tree gyes and plumbed the head of the Staff thereby. Cast hauling tackle adrift and was lowered down. Tightened the gyes but was forced to put a sheepshank, about a yard long, in each.” The construction of the tunnel commenced in 1838 and was completed in 1845. A series of shafts were excavated, and miners were lowered down these shafts to dig out the tunnel and the spoil was hauled up these shafts. These railway miners came from all over the country and the 1841 census records many lodging at Sapperton, Frampton Mansell, Daneway, Far Oakridge and Oakridge Lynch. There was a total of 48 recorded and some miners had families with them, and they rented cottages. This activity must have brought in welcome business to the area where there was high unemployment due to the collapse of the woollen cloth industry in Chalford. Although, no doubt, many locals obtained casual labouring jobs, few were employed as miners but Amnon Bishop of The Frith the son of a local weaver is described in the census as a miner and brothers James and Henry Hayden of Oakridge became tunnel miners later working in many parts of England and Scotland. Following the opening of the railway many Oakridge men went to work on the railway both on track maintenance and on the trains. This of course was not the first time that “foreign” miners had come to the area as in 1784 work commenced on the Sapperton canal tunnel which was completed in 1789. Most of these miners were accommodated at Daneway and, according to Norman Jewson, in barracks on the road from Sapperton to Frampton Mansell. Head on over to the Oakridge History Website for more... Start here for more on transport services... John Loosley Bisley-With-Lypiatt Parish Council
Please see the Parish Council website for Ward information and minutes of Council meetings. www.bisley-with-lypiatt.gov.uk.
The Parish Council (PC) is busy with the project to develop a Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP) as an addition to Stroud District Council’s Local Plan to plan how the area will progress over the next 10 years. Consultations are under way with Village Hall meetings in the 3 constituent Wards to canvas opinion with ALL residents – so any ideas you have on the way YOU want YOUR area to develop would be happily received. Feel free to contact us if you want to share ideas about our future in Oakridge Ward. Ward Councillors - Roger Budgeon, Dennis Robbins, Beth Hughes, Ian Greves. Clerk - Heather Finlay 07966 763 795 [email protected] The John Taylor Foundation
The John Taylor’s Foundation is a local charity that issues small grants to students going on to Higher Education (excluding A Levels) or those undertaking apprenticeships, to assist with the cost of books, tools or equipment.
If you are aged under 25, and live in the Ancient Parish of Bisley (the area includes all of the civil parish of Bisley with Lypiatt, including Eastcombe and Oakridge, most of Bussage and part of Chalford), please apply in writing to The Trustees at [email protected] stating your full name, age, address, university course or employer. The Trustees of the John Taylor’s Foundation meet twice a year in March and September when applications will be considered. Oakridge Village Hall
The Village Hall continues to be regularly used by the Ballyhoo Dance School, and by many fitness groups and the Choir, among others.
Don’t forget that the Bookings Calendar is available online - www.oakridgevillage.org/village-hall.html Gigaclear Broadband Access – open to all users of the Hall – help us to keep the service available by signing up. Network: Oakridge Village Hall Gigaclear (No password required) For more, see the village hall page. Booking enquiries: email [email protected] 
|
|
Did You Know? Siccaridge Wood
Siccaridge Wood is one of the few places in the Cotswolds in which the hazel dormouse makes its home, numbers of which are closely monitored as part of a national scheme, while wood ant nests can be found on the ground and silver washed fritillary and comma butterflies flit around the open rides. The Arts and Crafts Movement Oakridge was a hub of the Arts and Crafts Movement and famous painters, furniture makers, poets and other interesting people have lived here. Find out more at our Oakridge History Archive. Daneway Banks Just beyond Siccaridge Wood lies Daneway Banks, where the steep sides have almost lunar like bumps made by generations of yellow meadow ants. A classic example of limestone grassland, it is also home to the large blue butterfly which has been recently re-introduced after being extinct in the UK for several decades. |
Hire Our Village Hall Why not hire our Village hall?
Garden Club - Local Links Download the Gloucestershire Federation of Gardening Societies Spring Newsletter.
Visit the Generous Gardener Website for news of Gardening Lecture Days, Masterclasses and Specialist Plant Sales at The Coach House Garden, Ampney Crucis. Find out about the new Cafe and what's on at Miserden Nursery. |
|
Village Hall Bookings Calendar Please see here for a guide to availability
|
"What's On" Newsletter We protect your information and privacy strictly in accordance with all legal requirements and we do not share your personal information with any third party.
What's On Editor: Victoria Beard Tel: 01285 760339 Email: [email protected]
Regulars Out and About Chalford Sports & Social Club
From time to time events and courses at the Chalford Sports & Social Club are included in 'Whats On' which you can download above or visit their website at chalford-ssc.co.uk Bisley "Well Dressing"
Bisley's famous "Well Dressing" custom, dating from 1863, is held every Ascention day - Find out more. Useful Links |
|
Artists and Artisans In Residence Find out about the Artists and Artisans who live and work in Oakridge, Including:
|
Country and Wildlife |
From the Archive
|
Delve into the Archive at oakridgearchives.omeka.net
|
And buy the Book! 
You can buy this beautiful 175 page fully illustrated hardback 'Oakridge a History' for just £12 from Ollie's Shop or by mail from John Loosely, Email :
[email protected] |
oakridgevillage.org is generously supported by a community grant from Bisley-with-Lypiatt Parish Council
Copyright © 2019 Oakridge Community - All Rights Reserved
No material from this site may be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the copyright owners
While every effort has been made to maintain accuracy, no responsibility is accepted for any errors in content.
If you notice any content that needs to be corrected then please get in touch through the Contact Us page.
No material from this site may be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the copyright owners
While every effort has been made to maintain accuracy, no responsibility is accepted for any errors in content.
If you notice any content that needs to be corrected then please get in touch through the Contact Us page.