OAK Community Update - October 2025

Sign by local Vardo artist Jane O’Connor, who participated in our recent Skills in Hand Heritage Open Day

While our events through early October have been busy (including a completely packed barn for the talk on the Radnor Lily on 14th October), things behind the scenes at OAK have been even busier as we work to put our National Lottery Heritage Fund Delivery Phase application together ready for submission in late spring 2026.

A crucial step in the project is the development of a robust and sustainable business plan that will guarantee the long-term success of the reopened Oxford Arms. The directors and governing team are currently working with a business consultant to develop this plan. This consultation, which is paid for by our Heritage Fund Development Phase grant, will help shape The Oxford as a community hub as well as a pub and B & B, and the renovated building will include versatile and affordable spaces for community use, training, and service provision, as well as providing job opportunities.

In addition to getting the business plan up to scratch, the Heritage Fund also asks applicants to put together a plan of activities and events to engage communities with their heritage as part of their grant. Our Skills in Hand Heritage Open Day on September 14th was a pilot event for this plan, and we hope to host many similar events in 2027-28 (and beyond!) once The Oxford Arms is fully renovated and reopened. The OAK team have been undertaking consultation with many local organisations to help shape the activity and event plan; if you have suggestions or ideas that you’d like to put forward, complete our community consultation by clicking here, or send us an email at info@openarmskington.co.uk.

We’ll be hosting our next Community Q & A session soon—keep an eye on our website, social media channels, and newsletter for news.