| 
Located in North Oxfordshire this ancient market town has retained
much of its historical atmosphere and environment but has kept pace
with the times actively encouraging the growth of modern commerce
and industry. Through planned growth and town expansion  programmes
involving the re-housing of overspill populations from Birmingham
and London and the establishing of associated industry, the town’s
population over the last 50 years has risen to approximately 45,000.
Situated at the junction of several major roads and with easy access
to the M40 motorway, Banbury is ideally placed both as a centre
for industry and commerce and as a base for exploring the Cotswolds,
North Oxfordshire, Northamptonshire and Warwickshire’s Shakespeare
Country. ‘Gateway’ planters full of colourful floral
displays situated along all the main roads into Banbury are a cheery
addition to the town. The Town also benefits from Chiltern Railways
excellent service to London Marylebone and Birmingham.
As a Market Town, Banbury provides professional, health, leisure
and shopping facilities to a rural area with a population of 120,000.
The town boasts a wide range of shops both in attractive, narrow
and pedestrianised streets and the Castle Quay Shopping Centre adjacent
to the Oxford Canal.
The Town hosts various events, many steeped in history such as the
twice-weekly markets dating back to 1138 held in the Market Place
on Thursdays and Saturdays and the annual Michaelmas Fair held in
October, all add colour, interest and vibrancy to town life. The
community life of the town is enhanced by a wide range of charity,
interest and cultural clubs and societies. 
Each year Banbury is brought to life in early summer by the world’s
only Hobby Horse Festival. This identifies with the ‘Ride
a Cock Horse’ Nursery Rhyme:
‘ Ride a Cock Horse to Banbury Cross
To see a Fine Lady upon a White Horse,
With rings on her fingers and
bells on her toes,
She shall have music wherever she goes’
This festival is enjoyed by children of all ages and includes “World
Championship Hobby Horse Races” held as part of Town Mayor’s
Sunday on the first Sunday in July.
The return of the ‘Lady on a White Horse’ has been a
great boost for Banbury. The statue situated near the famous Banbury
Cross is a fitting tribute to not only the nursery rhyme but more
importantly the town of Banbury.
Most Christian denominations are represented in the town. Other
faith centres such as the Gurdwara and Mosque in Grimsbury have
also been established.
The Banbury Twinning Association contributes to the life of the
town through the encouragement and development of positive international
community relations by the organising of exchange visits and activities
with the ‘twinned’ towns of Hennef in Germany and Ermont
on the outskirts of Paris in France.
Banbury is a good place to live and work and has much to attract
the visitor.
|
