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This site was produced by: LOCAL
AUTHORITY PUBLISHING
Publishers for local authorities throughout Great Britain. View
more Official Guides at www.officialguides.co.uk |
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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
population for 2006.
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’s
country. ‘Gateway’ planters full of colourful floral
displays situated along all the main roads into Banbury are a cheery
addition to the town.
To serve a shopping catchment population of 146,000 the town boasts
a wide range of shops in locations as different as attractive narrow
and pedestrianised streets and the Castle Quay Shopping Centre adjacent
to the Oxford Canal. Banbury also has a 20 lane bowling alley.

Banbury now hosts an annual Street Organ and Town Criers Festival
the first Saturday in September when the town is alive with Criers
from all over the country competing against each other against a
background of traditional costumed Organ grinders with their authentic
musical street organs, raising money for an important local cause.
Town 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 the town’s community life. The community
life of the town is enhanced by a wide range of charity, interest
and cultural clubs and societies.
In recent years Banbury has been brought to life in early summer
by the world’s only Hobby Horse Festival. This identifies
with the ‘Ride a Cock Horse’ Nursery Rhyme. This festival
is enjoyed by children of all ages, with adults also taking an active
part. The World Championship Hobby Horse Races are held as part
of Town Mayor’s Sunday - the first Sunday in July.
‘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’.
The return of the ‘Lady on a White Horse’ has been a
great boost for Banbury. Solely the idea of Banbury citizens, an
appeal was launched in September 2002 and, after raising an amazing
sum of £175,000, the 11/4 times life-size statue cast in bronze,
with special patinations to produce the various colours of the Horse
and its Fine Lady is now situated in South Bar, near the famous
Banbury Cross.
The statue is a fitting tribute to not only the nursery rhyme but
most 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
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.

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Whilst every care has been taken in compiling this publication
and the statements contained herein are believed to be correct,
the publishers and promoters cannot accept responsibility for any
inaccuracies. Reproduction of any part of this publication in any
format, without permission, is strictly forbidden. Photography copyright
Rosy Burke Design Associates.
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