Chairman’s welcome
Malcolm Berry – Chair, Moreton-in-Marsh Town council
I’m excited to bring you the first edition of our refreshed newsletter, designed to keep you informed and connected with everything happening in Moreton-in-Marsh.
Each quarterly edition will provide updates on Town Council activities, ongoing projects, and local events, keeping you informed on the latest developments in our community.
We hope you find this newsletter helpful and engaging as we continue to work together to make Moreton-in-Marsh a thriving, vibrant community. Many thanks to our committed staff and councillors for their efforts to bring this together and working behind the scenes on all of our activities great and small.
Stay tuned for more updates and thank you for being an active part of our town!
Transport Hub
Eileen Viviani – Chair, Planning and Infrastructure Committee
The Transport Hub is at an exciting stage as we continue to focus on this project to improve the station approach and the town’s parking and transport infrastructure.
Working with our partners GWR and architect Fatkin, we have recently received encouraging planning advice from CDC which we are reviewing before making planning and funding applications later this year.
The council will shortly be issuing the tender document for demolition of the RBL building. To ensure residents are as up to date as possible we have created a new project update graphic which will be updated quarterly with news.
The graphic illustrates the project outline and the current interest point between Demolition and Construction as we continue to work during 2025 with our partners and as the project proceeds once the funding has been secured. You can find out much more about the project by visiting:
moretoninmarshtowncouncil.gov.uk/council-
projects/transport-hub.
Events
Bob Eastoe – Chair, Events working group
The Town Council has formed an Events Working Group, to facilitate community members wanting to hold events in and around the town.
It’s still very early days but we have started to make progress on a local town fair and music festival – stay tuned!
We hope to work with local business owners, venue managers, residents and professional event managers so please do get in touch if you’re interested in helping or have an idea for a future event.
Email
roberteastoe@moretoninmarshtowncouncil.gov.uk for more information.
How to engage with the council
Matt Beresford – Chair, Comms Working Group
The council encourages residents and business-owners in Moreton and surrounding towns/villages to get involved — do feel free to come to meetings, email our councillors and ask questions.
As well as financial and planning matters, MiMTC deals with four main outdoor spaces: allotments, cemeteries, parks and gardens – such as Queen Victoria Gardens, and parts of the High Street such as the greens and the car park.
The council undertakes many projects and activities for the community – from big to small – such as the Transport Hub and litter picks. The best starting point is to email
office@moretoninmarshtowncouncil.gov.uk; our staff will then work out the best way to get you the information you require.
If your question requires a council discussion, it will be added to the agenda of the next available council meeting. If you prefer to attend a meeting you can comment on anything that is on the agenda at the beginning of each meeting.
Events in photos
Happenings from around town
Thanks to all the volunteer stewards, community group leaders, councillors and town council staff for making the Remembrance Day parade such a success.
We look forward to seeing you again on Sunday 9 November 2025 to pay our respects.
The second Open Forum event took place on 25 January in the Redesdale Hall. The event was hosted by Town Councillors and attended by representatives from GWR to update the public on the progress of the Transport Hub.
The Council would like to thank everyone that attended. We look forward to seeing you all at our next quarterly forum on 7 June.
New councillors
Council back to full capacity
Moreton-in-Marsh Town Council is delighted to welcome Darren Curry back to the council.
He was elected unopposed, and rejoined the council for the meeting on 28 January 2025.
At that meeting, Simon (‘Si’) Willmore was unanimously co-opted by the councillors to join the town council.
Both new councillors bring energy, enthusiasm and a passion for Moreton, and bring us back up to our full complement of 11 councillors.
To get in contact with Darren, please email darrencurry@moretoninmarshtowncouncil.gov.uk or for Simon please email simonwillmore@moretoninmarshtowncouncil.gov.uk.
For more details on your councillors, go to moretoninmarshtowncouncil.gov.uk/councillors-and-staff.
2025/2026 Budget
Bob Eastoe – Chair, Finance and Governance committee
The process of setting the 2025-26 precept started in October to project our expected costs, including our greatest single cost, that of our dedicated and skilled staff, whose pay is increased by external bodies.
The largest project budgeted in the year is the demolition of the RBL building. This will be funded by a Unilateral Undertaking, due to the Town from Cotswold District Council.
The Finance and Governance committee members reviewed activities and costs proposed by staff and other committees to build a budget for the next financial year.
Some of the key priorities identified by the council are: management of trees, continuing to support local groups through grants, the High Street and Conservation Area, the Neighbourhood Development Plan, installation and maintenance of speed cameras, and ensuring democracy through funding elections.
The Band D precept for the year will be £132.95, an increase of 69p per month and the lowest percentage increase for 5 years at 6.65%.
Stay up-to-date
Scan the QR code here to sign up to the Moreton-in-Marsh Town Council updates on council news and activities in our town. Thanks!
Upgrades to our town
Thanks as always to our council workman!
Huge thanks as always to ‘The man with the wheelbarrow’ Brian Tombs, the town council’s workman. This will be his 35th year of service!
The latest big project he’s undertaken is a complete refurbishment of the pillbox in the Top Cemetery on London Road (A44). Thank you!
Redesdale Hall audit
The council accepted the conclusions and have discussed all the recommendations from the recent LCC Audit report into the Council’s relationship and decision-making concerning the Redesdale Hall.
Many have already been actioned and the remainder have been passed to the relevant committee to make recommendations for how they will be implemented.
Neighbourhood Development Plan
Peter Richardson – Chair, Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP) Working Group
The NDP is a community-led plan managed through the Town Council. It must align with the Cotswold District Council (CDC) Local Plan (up to 2031) but allows us to protect our green spaces, important views, and biodiversity.
It also means we can specify: the types of development we want, including style, size, sustainability of housing; and the criteria for development e.g. infrastructure. It takes the form of a number of policies and priorities.
The policies (supported by justifications) will hold the same weight as the Local Plan policies when examining planning applications. We’ve just submitted the draft plan to CDC for screening to check if certain environmental studies are required.
Before final submission there will be a public consultation period, a formal submission to CDC, updates to the plan based on feedback, and then to an independent examiner for comments. Finally it will be taken to a community referendum.
We are a hard-working, passionate group of residents and councillors — if you would like to join us (new members always welcome!) please email clerk@moretoninmarshtowncouncil.gov.uk or to follow our progress please visit moreton2031.com.
Allotments
Emma Carter and Rosemary Mason – Allotments and Cemeteries committee
Moreton-in-Marsh Town Council have a variety of low-cost allotment plots across three sites waiting for you. With lots of experienced ‘allotmenteers’ on hand to support you and various sizes of plot available, there is no reason at all not to give it a go!
Visit a site, choose a plot, and start enjoying your own outdoor gym, personal larder, florist, social club, and breathing space!
In the meantime, here are some allotment tips for the next months:
All plots are competitively priced at £34 per plot per year (from 1 April). Email office@moretoninmarshtowncouncil.gov.uk for details.
- Prepare beds for sowing and dig out perennial weeds.
- Start indoor sowings ready for transferring to the allotment later in the year. This includes tomatoes, globe artichokes and sprouting broccoli in a propagator.
- Brussels sprouts, leeks, spinach and broad beans can all be sown under cover.
- Prune back autumn fruiting raspberry canes (to the ground).
- Plant bare root fruit trees/bushes.
The Redesdale Hall: The Heart of Moreton-in-Marsh
Nick Loat – Chair, The Redesdale Hall Trust
The Redesdale Hall Trust is actively working on the restoration and refurbishment of this cherished community landmark. The project is being undertaken in three phases, with Phase One focusing on the clock tower. This work began toward the end of last year after completing essential preliminary tasks, including structural surveys, timber assessments, planning, and securing necessary permissions.
During Phase One, the clock was removed, and the upper timber structure was carefully dismantled for repair. Upon inspection, it became clear that the timber’s condition, after 138 years of exposure, was far worse than anticipated, with its structural integrity severely compromised. As a result, a new timber frame is being constructed, damaged or missing details are being replaced, and the original panels surrounding the clock are being carefully re-carved to preserve and display them.
The cupola has been repaired, and a new boss for the top has been created and sent away for lead restoration. A significant portion of the work is focused on addressing the weaknesses of the original structure, while maintaining the aesthetic integrity of the clock tower.
The clock mechanism itself, along with the four clock faces, weather vane, and boar’s head, have all undergone comprehensive restoration. The Trust hopes to reassemble the clock tower in late April or early May, marking the return of the clock’s function after four years of being out of service.
Throughout this restoration process, the Hall continues to serve as a vibrant community hub, hosting a wide variety of local events. From comedy nights to live music, craft fairs to community meetings, Redesdale Hall remains a central gathering place for people near and far. Its blend of historic charm and modern functionality makes it an ideal venue for diverse events, whether for entertainment, private functions, or local gatherings.
For information on events, bookings, or the history of Redesdale Hall, visit theredesdalehall.org.uk.
Dates for your diary
- Next full Town Council meetings: 25 March, 29 April, 20 May
- Warwick’s Fun Fair 27, 28, 29 Mar
- Town Council litter pick: 5 April
- Neighbourhood Watch Digital Voice: 16 April
- Comedy Club at Redesdale Hall: 9 May
- Jazz Dynamos at Redesdale Hall: 17 May
- Town Council open forum: 7 June
- Moreton Show: 6 September
If you want to stay up-to-date with local events, or have an event you would like to promote, please go to moretoninmarshtowncouncil.gov.uk/events.