Welcome from your new MiMTC chairman
Matt Beresford, Chair
I’m truly honoured to have been elected as Chair of our Town Council by councillors at the May Annual Meeting. Cllr Darren Curry joins me as Vice Chair and I look forward to working with him over the next 12 months.
My thanks to Malcolm Berry and Eileen Viviani for all their hard work over the last six years in these positions – I am grateful that they will remain on Council to continue to provide their knowledge and experience to all the work we do.
Three things are at the top of my mind as we start the new Council year.
Action – Getting the basics right, being clear on our priorities and purpose and making things happen.
Inclusivity – Maximising the talent we have in our town. Not everyone wants to be a councillor, but many people want to contribute to making Moreton a great place to live, work and visit. If you have ideas and energy for this town there will be a way you can get involved.
Positivity – Bringing energy and optimism to everything we do. We live in a wonderful town, and that spirit should shine through in our work.
Let’s get cracking!
Climate and biodiversity update
Bob Eastoe, Climate and Ecology working group
The Climate and Ecology Working Group is helping to turn the Council’s Climate and Ecology Action Plan—adopted in October 2024—into reality.
The plan aims to make the town more resilient to the effects of climate change and more wildlife-friendly by protecting and restoring habitats. The group’s role is to research and provide the Council with evidence and practical options for action, working through the plan’s short, medium, and long-term priorities.
There are 5 members, with 13 places available to encourage wide community involvement. If you’d like to get involved, please contact the Town Council office.
Earlier this year, the Town Council supported an exciting project led by the local Flood Action Group to ‘rewiggle’ the brook in Blenheim Meadow.
First proposed in January 2025, the work took place in March and forms part of wider efforts to reduce the risk of flooding in the town. The brook’s course was reshaped to create more capacity during heavy rainfall, and using two leaky woody dams, to help slow the flow of water reaching the Evenlode River.
Safety note: While the leaky dams help protect our town from flooding and create a lovely natural space, they are not designed for climbing. We kindly ask parents and children to enjoy the area safely and avoid climbing on the wooden structures.
Welcome Cllr Backwith
Welcome Neil Backwith to the Town Council, who was elected, unopposed, on 1 May 2025.
Neil has lived in Moreton for 30 years with his wife Lizzie; following a successful career in marketing, advertising and PR, Neil is now an advisor to a number of other firms in that field. He is a keen guitarist and guitar restorer.
He joined the Council to help keep Moreton-in-Marsh a very special place to live, work and enjoy. To get in contact with Neil, please email neilbackwith@moretoninmarshtowncouncil.gov.uk.
For more details on your councillors, go to moretoninmarshtowncouncil.gov.uk/councillors.
Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP) – giving voice to Moreton residents
Emma Carter – NDP Working Group
Over the last seven years, Moreton-in-Marsh Town Council has been working hard to develop a Moreton-in-Marsh Neighbourhood Development Plan to give residents a powerful voice in the future development of the town we all love.
A Neighbourhood Plan cannot stop new development, but it will give residents a real influence when it comes to where new homes, shops and offices can be built, what those buildings should look like, and what infrastructure should be provided as part of the development.
Over the coming months, the Town Council will be asking for your views on all elements of the plan and asking for help in collecting the evidence we need to support the policies it includes.
Once adopted, the NDP will also mean that more of the money raised, through charges made to developers, will be spent here in Moreton on projects to enhance the town and benefit its residents. The draft Neighbourhood Plan is now entering its official consultation stage.
Once complete, it will become a legally binding document, meaning any decisions made on planning applications will have to take account, not just of the Cotswold District Local Plan, but also by our Moreton-in-Marsh-specific Neighbourhood Plan. It’s a powerful tool – one which has long been needed here in Moreton.
You can read all the information about the plan, its development journey and the draft documents on the NDP website: moreton2031.com.
Events in photos
7 May saw the annual ‘Bikers’ Nite’ event with hundreds of motorcyclists descending on Moreton to socialise and raise money for charity.
On 8 May, residents and business-owners paid their respects at the VE Day memorial service. Many thanks to Rev Canon Andrew Dow and Lee Goupillot of the Royal Air Force for their contributions to this event, to commemorate those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. We will remember them.
The town came together on 13 May for the annual parish meeting. Community group leaders, councillors and charity managers updated us on their latest achievements.
Speakers included representatives from Cotswold Friends, Scouts, the football and cricket clubs, Women’s Institute, and our new Gloucestershire County Councillor Daryl Corps.
Spring 2025 litter pick
Thank you to our volunteers!
We’re delighted to report another successful litter pick. Thanks to the hard work and dedication of our wonderful volunteers sparing the time to help keep the Town and Parks litter free. Your efforts truly make a difference.
Our next litter pick will be on Saturday October 4th 10am-12pm, meeting at the Town Council Offices, and everyone is welcome.
Whether you’re a regular or a first-timer, come along and help keep our neighbourhood beautiful. Litter grabbers and bags will be provided.
Refreshments are available afterwards back at the Town Council offices.
