Mayor of Shipston on Stour

02/06/2026

I am delighted, and very proud, to announce that I have chosen Shipston Home Nursing as my Charity of the Year during my term as Mayor of Shipston-on-Stour.

A few days ago, I had a fantastic meeting with Andrew Revell, Executive Director of Shipston Home Nursing, and Kate Bamford, Head of Fundraising and Communications, to learn more about the charity's work and discuss how I can support them throughout the year ahead.

Since 1997, Shipston Home Nursing has provided outstanding hospice-at-home care for people living with terminal illness, supporting families across Shipston, Bidford, Kineton, Wellesbourne and the surrounding villages. Their dedicated nurses, healthcare assistants, staff and volunteers deliver compassionate care 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, enabling people to remain in the comfort and dignity of their own homes, surrounded by those they love.

What makes their work even more remarkable is that only around 6% of their running costs are funded by the NHS. The vast majority of their income comes from legacies, donations and community fundraising. Quite simply, local support makes an enormous difference.

Each year, the charity provides more than 13,500 hours of nursing and care and helps more than eight out of ten patients who wish to die at home achieve that wish. Behind those statistics are countless local families who have received expert care, comfort and support during some of the most difficult times in their lives.
Throughout my mayoral year, I hope to help raise awareness of this incredible charity, celebrate the work of its staff and volunteers, and encourage more people to get involved in supporting them.

One of the easiest ways to do that is by taking part in their fantastic fundraising events, including the Shipston Home Nursing 10K Fun Run & Walk at Walton Hall on 18th October.

If you'd like to learn more about their work, volunteer, donate or support an event, please visit shipstonhomenursing.co.uk.

Thank you to Andrew, Kate and everyone involved with Shipston Home Nursing for the extraordinary service you provide to our community. I look forward to supporting you throughout the year ahead.

Shipston Home Nursing "Hospice care at home"

30/05/2026

A thoroughly enjoyable evening at Townsend Hall for Shipston Amateur Dramatic Society's production of The Unfriend by Steven Moffat. It was very funny from start to finish, with plenty of laughs throughout the performance. The cast and crew, spanning all ages, are all volunteers, and they worked together brilliantly to bring the production to life and made it a memorable evening for everyone in attendance.

It was wonderful to see so many familiar faces and to enjoy another excellent example of community theatre at its best. Productions like this bring people together and showcase the talent, dedication and enthusiasm that make our town such a special place.

It was also pleasing to see members of neighbouring amateur dramatic societies in attendance. Whether they came to enjoy the show or conduct a little reconnaissance is another matter. All very Southampton FC!

Everyone involved should be immensely proud of what they have achieved. As volunteers giving their time and energy for the benefit of the community, their commitment was evident throughout the evening. Tonight's performance was a real credit to the Society and a reminder of how fortunate we are to have such an active arts community in Shipston.

Congratulations to everyone involved, and thank you for a fantastic evening's entertainment 👏🏻👏🏻. Shipston Amateur Dramatic Society - SADS

21/05/2026

Less than one month to go!! 🪩 🔊 🎧 🎶

There’s now less than one month to go until the Shipston Proms returns to the town 🎶

From 19 June – 4 July, Shipston will once again come alive with music, performances, community events and festival atmosphere across a huge range of venues and styles.

This year’s programme includes:

🎸 Last Night of the Proms in Shipston Square featuring The DropOuts, Texan Peacocks, Orange River Remedy and the Shipston Introducing winners

☀️ Ibiza-on-Stour Dance Party with four DJs and afternoon/evening sessions at The Hub

🧺 Longborough Festival Opera Picnic with an open rehearsal from the Youth Company

Alongside returning Proms favourites including:
✨ Shipston Pubs Trail
✨ Studio 54 Club Disco Night
✨ Music Society Concert
✨ Open Mic & Folk Night
✨ Fusion Dance & Fun
✨ Local schools concerts
✨ Live music across venues throughout the town

From classical to heavy rock, there really is something for everyone.

Programmes are now available to pick up locally or visit shipstonproms.com for more information.

Watch this space… we still have more announcements to come 👀

17/05/2026

What a great day at the Duck Race! Congratulations a huge thank you to Stour Valley Lions Club and Shipston-on-Stour and District Angling Club for a hugely successful event! 🦆 🏁

Also great to see a Shipston Community First Responders have a presence too

16/05/2026

Fantastic programme of pop up talks planned following today’s on the Roman Farmstead on the Campden Road 🏛️🏺.

Follow Shipston-on-Stour and District Local History Society for all the details of further talks!

We love to share local history - thanks to everyone who attended the Romans Pop-up Talk | The Campden Road Farmstead, and to our new Mayor of Shipston on Stour, Richard Walters, for popping into Shipston Museum; your interest and support is appreciated.

Shipston Museum is open on Sunday at the usual time of 12 noon to 4pm.

15/05/2026

I saw this young man perform at Shipston Town Band’s Spring Concert. Incredible talent with amazing potential. Congratulations Rafi!

Huge congratulations to 8-year-old Rafi Gil-Keeling, who won not one but TWO trophies at the Oxford & District Brass Band Association contest 🏆🎺

Rafi took first place in the Under 9 ‘Slow Melody’ class with a beautiful performance of Gluck’s Che Faro, and also received the trophy for youngest contestant, after winning the same award last year too!

Rafi has been learning with Shipston Brass Academy since September 2025 and is making fantastic progress 👏

14/05/2026

This week I managed to attend Stour Community Awareness Network (SCAN) at the Townsend Hall. SCAN is a fantastic volunteer led organisation that provides free talks every other month on various aspects of community life and the support available locally.

This month, Warwickshire’s Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Emma Daniell gave an engaging and informative talk on the role of the PCC, the future of police governance and the opportunities available for local people to get involved through volunteering and community grant schemes that help support policing and community safety.

If you are interested in finding out more about volunteering opportunities and community grants through the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, details can be found here: https://www.warwickshire-pcc.gov.uk/get.../volunteering

Huge thanks to SCAN Chair Laurie Grove and his fantastic group of volunteers for the warm welcome.

SCAN’s next talk will take place on Tuesday 14th July at 10:00 with Ray Coyte from Shipston First Responders. Another great example of the people in our town who choose to show up and make a difference.

Warwickshire Police Shipston Community First Responders Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner for Warwickshire Stour Community Awareness Network

13/05/2026

Absolutely thrilled to have been elected Mayor of Shipston for the civic year 2026/27.

My very first duty is to pay tribute to our outgoing Mayor, Cllr Tony Booth. Tony is a true champion of the town, Shipston through and through, and one of the most decent and hard working people you could hope to meet. Balancing a full time job, family life, service as a community first responder and his commitment to the town is no small feat. Thank you Tony for your outstanding service and for setting such a strong example for all of us. I’m very glad we’ll continue working together on the Town Council.

I’m also delighted to congratulate our new Deputy Mayor, Cllr Michelle Kelly. Michelle has given so much to Shipston over the years through the Proms, Bookfest and the Dramatic Society and is another shining example of what makes this town special. I’m really looking forward to serving alongside her as part of the Mayoral team this year, and also seeing her fine work stage managing the latest production of the Unfriend at the Townsend Hall 28-30th May.

Both Tony and Michelle represent something I want to champion throughout this civic year; the incredible people and voluntary organisations that make Shipston what it is. The people who give up their time, step forward, muck in and show up for our community.

Cllr Richard Walters
Mayor

Shipston Community First Responders Shipston Bookfest Shipston Proms Shipston Town Council Shipston Amateur Dramatic Society - SADS

12/05/2026

Mixed emotions as I handed over the chain last night at the annual mayor making town council meeting.
It has been a privilege to serve as Shipston’s mayor for the last year and work with and for our amazing community. Highlighting our charity organisations and volunteering unsung heroes and getting into the heart of our unique shops in town.
last night I had the pleasure of passing on the role to Councillor Richard Walters and his wife and consort Rebecca and I wish them every success for the year ahead.
Congratulations also to Councillor Michelle Kelly as she steps into the Deputy Mayors role for the coming year.
Thank you to everyone for their support given to my wife and I over the last year. It has been a blast. TTFN