Current Newsletter
from
Hook Norton Community Land Trust
Hook Norton Community Land Trust
Welcome to our February 2024 Newsletter
Welcome to our December 2024 Newsletter
We would like to thank everyone who
invested in our Community Share Offer
Our Community Share Offer closed on 20 October and we were delighted with the total of £310,820 raised. Co-operative & Community Finance have kindly pledged a further £35,000, which will bring our total up to £365,820.
Ethex are running our Share Register and will be sending (or have already sent) share certificates out to our investors.
Our fundraising doesn't stop there however, as we expect to have a £200,000 funding gap that we will need to finance through donations or a further loan. If you would like to make a donation to ensure that this amazing community asset remains in community ownership, please visit our donations page.
We've Won More Awards
In October, we were thrilled to win the Oxford Climate Awards 'Innovation in Climate Action Award', which recognises all the elements of this complex project.
​
The latest technology was used to build our zero carbon homes.
​
A Microgrid powers the homes using locally generated solar power.
The Hooky Car Club also uses that power to run 5 vehicles that are
available to the residents and the wider community, and the
sustainable co-working space created by Hooky Hub uses the main area of the community building, offering a range of subscription models.
​
We were also proud to be one of the 3 finalists in the Oxford Climate Awards ‘Green Building and Design Award’.
In November, we were really pleased to win the Community Land Trust Network's 'Beautiful Community Led Homes' Award.
This award sums up the basic principle of the HNCLT ‘Homes for Hooky’ project. It was led by the community from the very beginning through consultations and surveys, and has already provided homes for 8 families on the housing register, who all have a local connection to Hook Norton.
“The project demonstrates how community led housing can enhance the social fabric while remaining environmentally conscious. Our trustee Kym who works for the developer Igloo said she would aspire to deliver something as beautiful as this project.”
HNCLT has a new Chair
After six and a half years of dedicated service as Chair of Hook Norton Community Land Trust, Cathy Ryan has passed the baton to Grant Appleton.
The Board extends its heartfelt gratitude to Cathy for her outstanding leadership, unwavering commitment, and genuine compassion for everyone connected to the project.
Cathy remains an active and valued member of the Board, continuing to contribute her expertise and passion.
We also wish to thank Grant for stepping up to take on the role of Chair, and we look forward to his guidance in this new chapter.
Four Homes for Sale
The price of the four 2-bed homes has recently been reduced to £275,000 and £285,000. These homes are being marketed by Fairfax & Co Estate Agents. Our Sales Policy and Sales Brochure are available on our website.
Price Reduction
Bourne Green Rooms
Our Therapy Room is available at an introductory price of £40 for half the day, or £60 for the whole day.
The Spare Bedroom is available for £75 per night, with a discount of 20% for Bourne Green residents.
For more information about the Community Building and En-suite Rooms, please take a look at our Community Building page or email bookings@hooknortonclt.org.uk.
Our Therapy Room and Spare Bedroom will be ready to take bookings in the New Year, as will the Hooky Hub Meeting Room and Office area (evenings and weekends only).
We will be adding pages with more detailed information about the rooms and how to book them, in the New Year.
Situations Vacant
HNCLT are in the process of hiring a cleaner for the Spare Bedroom and Therapy Room in the Bourne Green Community Building.
​We are also looking for a gardener to look after the communal areas of the Bourne Green site. This will involve cutting the grass and maintaining the landscaped areas.
If you are interested in applying for either of these positions
please contact us at :hello@hooknortonclt.org.uk
Maintenance Contractors Wanted
The homes and Community Building are currently under warranty, but over the next few months we will be looking to build up a contact list of maintenance contractors.
If you would like to be considered for plumbing, electrical or general maintenance contracts, please send us an email including any references you are able to supply, to hello@hooknortonclt.org.uk
We would like to say a huge thank you to two of our Board Members who are stepping down this month.
Fiona Brown has been involved with the project since its conception. She was working for Cherwell District Council at the time, and instigated the work to transfer the land across to the community. HNCLT has been very fortunate to benefit from the passion and extensive knowledge that Fiona has provided and she will be very much missed on the Board as she goes on to help and support other communities, including her home town of Chipping Norton.
Richard Brown (no relation to Fiona!) joined the Board more recently, in 2023, and has provided amongst other things, much needed support in setting up the Community Building Management team, along with excellent networking and additional Board recruitment. We were thrilled to hear Richard's news that he and Ally are expecting another baby in the New Year, and we wish them all well for the new arrival.
Board Vacancies
HNCLT is now an established, award winning Community Land Trust, and having a Board position gives you the opportunity to influence strategic decisions and shape organisational policies and practices. Serving on a Board can enhance leadership skills, provide insights into governance / risk management, and be included on your CV. There is also the intrinsic satisfaction of contributing to this valuable local asset
We now have 2 vacancies on our Board of Directors, so if you or anyone you know would like to join the team, please email us at hello@hooknortonclt.org.uk or simply fill in our Board Member Application Form​
Why not become a Member of HNCLT?
Join for just £1
Membership is simple and affordable and open to anyone over the age of 18 who lives or works in the local and wider community and who supports the aims and ethos of HNCLT. If you would like to join, the membership form can be found on our website:
​
We would love to welcome more of our contacts as members, so if you would like to have a £1 share in the company, be able to vote at public meetings, and help to influence the direction of HNCLT please click on the Membership Form link below. If you aren't sure whether you're a member or not, just drop us an email to hello@hooknortonclt.org.uk
Social Media
Stay in Touch, Get in Touch
If you would like more information about any of the items in this newsletter, please visit our website www.hooknortonclt.org.uk or email us at hello@hooknortonclt.org.uk
Hook Norton Community Land Trust Limited
Registered Office
The Brewery, Brewery Lane, Hook Norton OXON OX15 5NR
Community Benefit Society Number 8145
​
​
Previous Newsletters
Our newsletters are a great way to keep up to date with the project. Please select a newsletter below and click or tap to view