Happy December everyone! Can you believe we’re just one month away from 2022? It’s been another strange and uncertain year – but we hope it’s been filled with more highs than lows for you and your family.
Before we get to the new year, we wanted to give 2021 a final squeeze and highlight all the wonderful events and celebrations happening across Oakley Vale. This month, we also take a look at some of the superb submissions we’ve received in our photo competition so far, and share some feel-good news from our very own, Oakley Vale Primary School.
So without any further ado, let’s get right down to it!
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas
It looks like it’s going to be a very merry Christmas in Oakley Vale this year, with a bumper jam-packed programme of festive fun! Thanks to a £312,000 Government grant handed to North Northamptonshire Council from the post-pandemic Welcome Back to the High Street fund, Oakley Vale, Corby, and the surrounding areas will be bustling with craft workshops, live music, a pop-up Christmas market, and even a visit from Santa.
Santa comes to town
Santa himself be arriving on December 5th along with Rudolph and the rest of his reindeer and will be setting up his glorious grotto on Queens Square, Corby. Admission is just £2.50 and includes an age-appropriate gift – perfect for getting in the Christmas spirit!
Arts and crafts
In the old Yours store unit on Corporation Street in Corby, there’ll be a series of free craft workshops from November 28th to December 19th. Come along for the chance to take part in Christmas mosaics, ceramic decoration, mini textile wreaths, Christmas crackers and so much more – you don’t want to miss this one!
Christmas carols
Later in the month on December 11th, the Corby community is invited to join in with some Christmas carols on Corporation Street, courtesy of Hope Church. Last year, the group braved the cold and rain to bring some Christmas cheer to Corby care home residents. You can read more about the heart-warming story here.
Pop-up market and bar
From December 18th to the 30th, on Corby Boardwalk, the town will host a very special Christmas market. Here, visitors can enjoy festive food and drink, as well as plenty of entertainment.
For more information on all of these events, click here.
Showcase your ‘Winter Woodland’ pictures
With Christmas right around the corner, we thought now would be a great time to remind you about our ever-popular photo competition. The theme is ‘Winter Woodland’ and this cold weather gives you the perfect chance to snap some spectacular shots. All you need to do is follow the instructions on our Photo Competition page, submit your photo, and the public will decide the winner – it’s that easy. We run the competition every quarter and £50 is up for grabs for the winning shot.
We’ll be taking entries until January 31st so get snapping – here’s one of the stunning submissions we’ve received for some inspiration!
Future developments
Now, looking ahead to some exciting news, we’re so pleased to announce that there’s been a number of offers submitted by developers to purchase land for 270 new homes on Oakley Vale’s Phase 8. We’re thrilled with the interest and high-level of quality within the bids and can’t wait to see how each bidder would design the scheme if they were selected. To ensure design quality for this next phase, nationally renowned architecture practice, Adam Architecture has created a design code which the preferred developer will need to follow in order to achieve planning permission. In addition, there have been talks with North Northamptonshire Council regarding the design codes and it’s hoped that these will be finalised and agreed ready for submission in early 2022.
It’s hoped the developer will be selected before Christmas – with the submission of a planning application following by the middle of 2022.
Community feel-good news
Finally, we wanted to leave you with some lovely local news from Oakley Vale Primary School. The school has received a donation of 70 reflective vests from Barratt Homes for Road Safety Week for pupils to wear while walking, cycling or scooting to school to help them be seen and safe now the darker nights are creeping in. You can read the story in full here.
All that’s left to say is we hope you have a great Christmas and enjoy taking part in all the wonderful events – see you soon for 2022!
