News from our partners: Oswestry charity market on Friday 1 September

News from our partners Oswestry Town Council

Oswestry Town Market is hosting the second ‘Charity Market’ of the year on Friday 1 September 2023 at the Bailey Head, with free stalls for participating charities.

Oswestry charity market on Friday 1 September

Charities can use these stalls to raise awareness, offer advice, recruit volunteers, raise funds or however they wish. The Qube, Horatio’s Garden, Hope House and Shropshire Recovery will all be there, among many others.

The Qube outlet at Oswestry Market

We will also see the return of the teddy bear zip wire from the Guildhall by the Crafty Knitters in aid of the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity. Oswestry’s knitting group has been busy knitting ‘Air Ambulance Teddies” which will be available to purchase for £5 from their market stall. Each teddy purchased will have a ride on the zip wire from the top of the Guildhall, down to the Bailey Head where it will then receive a certificate.

Oswestry Town Market is a wonderful place to shop and where small, independent businesses thrive. Markets have always provided a wider value to our historic town and are a great arena through which we can bring people together and support the community. Our charity markets play a key role in community engagement, and we hope residents and visitors will come along and support some fantastic local causes.

Toys at the market

Further information

Oswestry 

Oswestry is a historic market town of 18,000 people in north west Shropshire, close to the border with Wales. The name ‘Oswestry’ is thought to be derived from ‘Oswald’s Tree,’ a reference to the Northumbrian King who lost his life in battle here at the battle of Maserfield in around 641 AD and who was later canonised.

With archives containing records dating back to 1324 and many historic buildings, Oswestry is a town steeped in history and tradition. With its location on the A5, it is also the gateway from central England to north and mid Wales and with a large rural catchment area is a hub for local business and trade. At the centre of this are its markets, indoor, outdoor and livestock, a well-visited network of shopping streets and industrial estates for larger businesses.

The town, the second largest in Shropshire, also acts as an important beacon for leisure, culture, and the arts; war poet Wilfred Owen was born in Oswestry and spent his early years here.

Oswestry Town Council

Oswestry Town Council is headed by a Mayor and 17 councillors with service delivered by a town clerk. The council is one of the largest councils of its type in the country and manages the indoor and outdoor markets, Cae Glas Park, three car parks, the Guildhall, a cemetery, allotments, and the town’s archives. The council also delivers a programme of public events, conducts charitable fundraising, and organises floral displays around town in the summer and festive lights in midwinter.

Latest Oswestry Town Council Initiatives

• Leads the delivery of the town’s CCTV system working with West Mercia Police and Oswestry BID.
• Funds the weekly youth club and mental health support at the Marches School.
• Developed an Oswestry Youth Forum in partnership Shropshire Youth Association.
• White Ribbon accredited, supporting the campaign to end all violence against women.
• Funded four vehicle-activated speed signs in Oswestry, with plans for another four.
• Established a partnership to improve communication between the community and the police.
• Facilitates community meetings to provide the public with opportunities to question key decision-makers.
• Helped to plant over 6,000 trees as part of Shropshire’s net zero carbon target.
• Capital projects include a new accessible ramp at Horsemarket carpark, improved central car park exit, and fully accessible public toilets.
• Funded improvements to shopfronts in the town centre, and to historic alleyways as part of the High Street Heritage Action Zone programme.