Chipping Norton
Chipping Norton is a market town as well as civil parish in the Cotswold Hills in the West Oxfordshire area of Oxfordshire, England, about 12 miles (19 km) southwest of Banbury and 18 miles (29 kilometres) northwest of Oxford. The 2011 Census recorded the parish's population as 6,337. The town has its very own theatre. The building began life as a Salvation Army Citadel, with the initial stones, now visible in the amphitheater, being laid in 1888. It continued for some years as a furniture warehouse, before being discovered by 2 Royal Shakespeare Company stars, Tamara and John Malcolm in 1968. In 1973, fundraising for the new theatre began in earnest, and also a pantomime, Beauty and the Beast was staged in the town hall. The Theatre was opened in 1975 by Tom Baker, the Doctor Who of the time, beginning with a light programme including films and lunchtime jazz concerts. The adjoining cottage was purchased and converted to become the bar and gallery. In 1990 a structure in Goddards Lane was bought and also this currently acts as green room, workplaces and practice session space. The community also is a retail and leisure centre for its location, with 3 grocery stores and various shops including branches of nationwide chain stores. It has four pubs and also 2 hotels with public bars. The town has three colleges. Divine Trinity Roman Catholic College and St Mary's Church of England School are primary schools. Chipping Norton School is the community's high school as well as has a sixth form.
