Hello Bicester,
We’re so glad you’re here. This week, Bicester is buzzing with community spirit, new opportunities, and festive excitement on the horizon. From job fairs to library fun, there’s plenty happening in our town right now. Let’s dive in!
Top Stories
Jobs Fair Brings Opportunities to Bicester
Looking for work? Great news! Earlier this week, the Bicester Jobs and Support Fair brought employers right to our community. On November 12, jobseekers met representatives from retail, hospitality, warehousing, driving, and construction industries at Bicester Library. It’s wonderful to see local businesses investing in our neighbours and creating real opportunities for people looking to take the next step in their careers.
Bicester’s Big Renovation is Moving Forward
Exciting news for the heart of our town! Bicester Market Square just got the green light for an amazing £5.131 million transformation. Imagine outdoor cafes with seating, green spaces, art installations, and wider pavements creating a European atmosphere right here. The approved concept design includes new parking and a new two-way traffic system to make the square more welcoming for everyone. Work should kick off in summer 2026, with the whole project wrapping up by summer 2027. Our community’s feedback really shaped this vision.cherwell+1
Community Funding Now Available
Local groups, listen up! Cherwell District Council is making grants available to help community organisations tackle cost-of-living challenges. The Household Support Fund offers up to £3,000 for community groups to support residents. Applications close on November 23, and successful groups will hear back within 2 weeks. This is a real opportunity for neighbourhood organisations to deliver meaningful help to our neighbours.
Upcoming Events
This week Bicester Events
Storytime – Mondays 3:45pm–4:15pm, plus Saturday mornings at 11:00am
Lego Club – Friday, November 21, 3:30pm–4:30pm
Rhymetime for Babies & Toddlers – Tuesdays 9:45am–10:15am and 11:00am–11:30am
Chess Club for Adults – Thursdays 5:00pm–6:30pm
Board Games Saturdays – Saturday 22 November, 9:00am–4:00pm (bring your friends!)
Digital Drop-in – Saturday 22 November, 9:30am–10:30am (tech help available)
Knit & Natter – Mondays 2:30pm–4:00pm (bring your needles!)
Stay & Play for Young Children – Mondays 9:30am–11:30am
Language Café – Saturdays 1:30pm–3:30pm and Mondays 5:00pm–7:00pm
The Mill Dreamers Club Zine Making – Tuesdays 3:30pm–5:00pm
Next Week and Beyond Bicester Events
Bicester School Sixth Form Open Evening – Thursday, November 13, 6:00pm–8:00pm at The Bicester School (Queens Avenue). Welcome talks at 6pm and 7pm. Come explore the campus, meet staff, and discover study options.
Bicester Christmas Market – Saturday, November 29, 10:00am–5:00pm on Sheep Street. Over 100 charming stalls packed with unique treasures, local crafts, street performers, live entertainment, and tasty festive treats. It’s a free event perfect for finding handmade gifts and getting in the holiday spirit.
There’s A Monster in Your Christmas Show – December 23–29 at Bicester Leisure Centre (Queens Avenue). Tom Fletcher’s beloved “Who’s in Your Book?” series comes to life as an interactive musical adventure. A high-energy 55-minute show filled with laughter, music, and magic—perfect for families with little ones. Tickets £17.50 (group discount £14.50 per ticket when booking 4+).
Scramblers Assembly Final Event – Sunday, November 30, 9:00am–12:00pm at Bicester Motion. The season finale for Bicester’s Scramblers with free admission for Pegasus members.
Community Buzz
The buzz around town is all about getting active and connected. Bicester Library continues to be the heart of our community, hosting everything from chess tournaments for adults to cozy storytimes for toddlers. Families are already planning their visits to the upcoming Christmas Market, and residents are excited about what the reimagined Market Square will mean for local gathering spaces.
Council Corner
Big changes are coming to make recycling easier! Starting January 1, 2026, all Cherwell residents can put glass bottles and jars right in their blue recycling bin, no more trips to bottle banks. Just rinse items first and skip the labels and lids. This change ends over 30 years of bottle bank collections and is expected to boost our recycling rate by 1–1.5%.
Around the Region
Just nearby, Milton Park Christmas Market opens November 27, bringing local makers, artisan food, and festive gifts to our corner of Oxfordshire. It’s a short drive and perfect for a neighbourhood outing!
Thanks for being part of what makes Bicester special. Grab a friend, visit the library, support a local business, or just take a walk through our town. See you out there!