Ambrosden
About our ParishClose to Bicester (and its shopping outlet) http://www.bicestervillage.com/ the village has about 600 houses including about 250 Army Garrison houses. Recently a number of MOD houses were sold off which has changed the make-up of the community within the village. Many of the houses were bought by young people, with families, as it provided cheaply priced starter homes and family homes. Many of the houses were also bought be investors, which has also added a number of people who rent their homes. Combined with the army families, who move on a regular basis, this does create quite a mobile population. In the Garrison there is a small Catholic Church and various facilities, some of which are open to the entire village – such as the new community centre & an Amigo shop.
There is a large primary school – Five Acres (around 220 pupils) and an attached nursery school (around 50 children). There is also a Post Office/ newsagent/ shop, a garage, hairdressers and a pub – The Turner’s Arms.
Arncott has around 300 houses, divided between lower and upper Arncott. The HQ of Bicester Garrison lies between the 2 parts. St George’s barracks also lie to the south of upper Arncott. There is a modern village hall, a pub, one hotel/ restaurant, a garage and a newsagent/ shop. There is a Methodist chapel linked to St Edburg’s in Bicester. It has a thriving annual Flower and Produce Show in September.
Blackthorn lies about a mile to the east of Ambrosden on the road to Thame and has about 100 houses. There is a small village hall where the Baby and Toddler Group meet every Thursday morning. A free monthly magazine, containing Church and Community News is shared with the villages of Arncott, Blackthorn, Merton and Piddington and is delivered free to every house thanks to paid advertising.
Parish News - Ambrosden, Arncott, Blackthorn, Merton and Piddington
Tel: 01869 241667
Our magazine accepts advertising, contact us for details
Churches in our Parish or Benefice
