Oxford Clarion
@oxfordclarion.bsky.social
News for Oxfordshire. Est. 2022.
Email newsletter twice a week: https://oxfordclarion.uk
For stories: [email protected]
Email newsletter twice a week: https://oxfordclarion.uk
For stories: [email protected]
The development boom around Yarnton and Begbroke continues with an application for 58 new homes beside the Turnpike pub on the A44, with a mix of apartments and two- to four-bedroom houses. The site nestles in a gap between the railway and Oxford University’s upcoming Begbroke development.
November 28, 2025 at 9:41 AM
The development boom around Yarnton and Begbroke continues with an application for 58 new homes beside the Turnpike pub on the A44, with a mix of apartments and two- to four-bedroom houses. The site nestles in a gap between the railway and Oxford University’s upcoming Begbroke development.
“Nobody should go hungry in Oxford this winter,” say Oxford Mutual Aid as they launch their seasonal crowdfunder. The community foodbank says it had 250 emergency parcel requests in November, “numbers not seen for the past three years”. www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/nobody-sho...
November 28, 2025 at 9:10 AM
“Nobody should go hungry in Oxford this winter,” say Oxford Mutual Aid as they launch their seasonal crowdfunder. The community foodbank says it had 250 emergency parcel requests in November, “numbers not seen for the past three years”. www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/nobody-sho...
Oxford’s new Waterstones on Queen Street opened this afternoon, with books, cards, gifts including board games, and a downstairs cafe.
November 27, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Oxford’s new Waterstones on Queen Street opened this afternoon, with books, cards, gifts including board games, and a downstairs cafe.
Thames Water has lifted its hosepipe ban, which has been in place since July. Farmoor Reservoir is now nearly full after recent rains.
www.thameswater.co.uk/help/water-s...
www.thameswater.co.uk/help/water-s...
November 27, 2025 at 11:06 AM
Thames Water has lifted its hosepipe ban, which has been in place since July. Farmoor Reservoir is now nearly full after recent rains.
www.thameswater.co.uk/help/water-s...
www.thameswater.co.uk/help/water-s...
The telephone exchange in Deddington, north Oxfordshire, has been switched off in the very first of 4,600 shutdowns planned by [BT] Openreach. Phone lines in the village have all been upgraded to digital full fibre served by the Banbury exchange, with the copper wire network turned off.
November 27, 2025 at 8:12 AM
The telephone exchange in Deddington, north Oxfordshire, has been switched off in the very first of 4,600 shutdowns planned by [BT] Openreach. Phone lines in the village have all been upgraded to digital full fibre served by the Banbury exchange, with the copper wire network turned off.
Secretary Hillary Clinton was at St. John's College this week, to celebrate the Hillary Rodham Clinton Chair in Women’s History.
From lectures to panel discussions the programme spotlighted why care - from childcare to elder care - must be at the heart of political debate and academic thought.
From lectures to panel discussions the programme spotlighted why care - from childcare to elder care - must be at the heart of political debate and academic thought.
November 27, 2025 at 7:49 AM
Secretary Hillary Clinton was at St. John's College this week, to celebrate the Hillary Rodham Clinton Chair in Women’s History.
From lectures to panel discussions the programme spotlighted why care - from childcare to elder care - must be at the heart of political debate and academic thought.
From lectures to panel discussions the programme spotlighted why care - from childcare to elder care - must be at the heart of political debate and academic thought.
Dr Xa Sturgis, Director of the Ashmolean Museum: ‘The Ashmolean team is absolutely thrilled to have welcomed a million people. These figures are testament to the strength of our programme, our fantastic collections, an increased understanding of our audiences, and vitally - free admission."
November 26, 2025 at 9:59 PM
Dr Xa Sturgis, Director of the Ashmolean Museum: ‘The Ashmolean team is absolutely thrilled to have welcomed a million people. These figures are testament to the strength of our programme, our fantastic collections, an increased understanding of our audiences, and vitally - free admission."
The Ashmolean reports that the Museum has also seen a shift in the profile of its visitors, with proportional increases in overseas visitors, visitors from within Oxfordshire, and families, while commercial events and weddings have provided a complementary income stream.
November 26, 2025 at 9:59 PM
The Ashmolean reports that the Museum has also seen a shift in the profile of its visitors, with proportional increases in overseas visitors, visitors from within Oxfordshire, and families, while commercial events and weddings have provided a complementary income stream.
The Ashmolean has, this week, welcomed its millionth visitor in 2025. This will be the first time the Museum has reached a million visitors since the reopening of the Ashmolean in 2009. This is 14% ahead of this time last year - visitor numbers to the Ashmolean have grown steadily in recent years.
November 26, 2025 at 9:59 PM
The Ashmolean has, this week, welcomed its millionth visitor in 2025. This will be the first time the Museum has reached a million visitors since the reopening of the Ashmolean in 2009. This is 14% ahead of this time last year - visitor numbers to the Ashmolean have grown steadily in recent years.
The Government has published its 2025 results for Oxfordshire's two bathing water sites. Wallingford Beach has improved from 'poor' to 'sufficient' - meeting the minimum standards of Bathing Water Regulations, while Wolvercote Mill Stream remains as 'poor'.
environment.data.gov.uk/bwq/profiles/
environment.data.gov.uk/bwq/profiles/
November 26, 2025 at 9:26 PM
The Government has published its 2025 results for Oxfordshire's two bathing water sites. Wallingford Beach has improved from 'poor' to 'sufficient' - meeting the minimum standards of Bathing Water Regulations, while Wolvercote Mill Stream remains as 'poor'.
environment.data.gov.uk/bwq/profiles/
environment.data.gov.uk/bwq/profiles/
Residents in the Bartons, north Oxfordshire, are withdrawing their fundraiser to buy the village pub after a private buyer made an offer. The Bartons Community Benefit Society says: “In order that the pub can be reopened as soon as possible, we have decided not to oppose the sale.”
November 26, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Residents in the Bartons, north Oxfordshire, are withdrawing their fundraiser to buy the village pub after a private buyer made an offer. The Bartons Community Benefit Society says: “In order that the pub can be reopened as soon as possible, we have decided not to oppose the sale.”
Local volunteers help escort the frogs and toads to their breeding pond, sometimes with as many as 60 per night captured in buckets and moved to the reserve. On average 10,000 amphibians are found dead on roads across Britain in breeding season. www.froglife.org
November 26, 2025 at 10:07 AM
Local volunteers help escort the frogs and toads to their breeding pond, sometimes with as many as 60 per night captured in buckets and moved to the reserve. On average 10,000 amphibians are found dead on roads across Britain in breeding season. www.froglife.org
New signs will warn motorists about frogs and toads crossing from Risinghurst gardens to the CS Lewis Nature Reserve in spring. The Frog & Toad Patrol group has been given four warning signs by Oxford City Council, funded by local councillor Chewe Munkonge’s ward budget.
November 26, 2025 at 10:07 AM
New signs will warn motorists about frogs and toads crossing from Risinghurst gardens to the CS Lewis Nature Reserve in spring. The Frog & Toad Patrol group has been given four warning signs by Oxford City Council, funded by local councillor Chewe Munkonge’s ward budget.
A new office and lab space development has opened at London Oxford Airport (aka Kidlington Airfield). Phase 1 of the £48m Aerox project joins a new hangar building which will open next month. Businesses at the site include Airbus Helicopters and hydrogen fuel startup OXCCU.
November 26, 2025 at 9:53 AM
A new office and lab space development has opened at London Oxford Airport (aka Kidlington Airfield). Phase 1 of the £48m Aerox project joins a new hangar building which will open next month. Businesses at the site include Airbus Helicopters and hydrogen fuel startup OXCCU.
Oxfordshire County Council says it would be prepared to contribute funds to an underpass for London Road in Bicester. The current level crossing is due to close at an unspecified date when East West Rail service levels increase.
November 26, 2025 at 8:44 AM
Oxfordshire County Council says it would be prepared to contribute funds to an underpass for London Road in Bicester. The current level crossing is due to close at an unspecified date when East West Rail service levels increase.
In a bizarre subplot, one town councillor posting on Facebook has already linked the development to KFC, referencing a Carterton/Witney feud on the town’s most trusted news source, the Witney Gitzette.
November 26, 2025 at 8:36 AM
In a bizarre subplot, one town councillor posting on Facebook has already linked the development to KFC, referencing a Carterton/Witney feud on the town’s most trusted news source, the Witney Gitzette.
A planning application to West Oxfordshire District Council argues that Witney is expanding eastwards, and that the diner would “bring an under-used parcel of land into productive use”. Artists’ impressions are reminiscent of Mollie’s Motel & Diner on the A420.
November 26, 2025 at 8:36 AM
A planning application to West Oxfordshire District Council argues that Witney is expanding eastwards, and that the diner would “bring an under-used parcel of land into productive use”. Artists’ impressions are reminiscent of Mollie’s Motel & Diner on the A420.
A 70-room “boutique roadside destination” motel with diner is proposed for the Shores Green A40 junction on the edge of Witney. The junction is currently being rebuilt to have west-facing slip roads at a cost of £26m.
November 26, 2025 at 8:36 AM
A 70-room “boutique roadside destination” motel with diner is proposed for the Shores Green A40 junction on the edge of Witney. The junction is currently being rebuilt to have west-facing slip roads at a cost of £26m.
The redevelopment also saw the demolition of the former Chinese Community & Advice Centre and Fusion Arts buildings, replaced with a low-carbon, three-storey extension on the new centre. The Council says it is is working with the previous tenants to enable the groups to return.
November 25, 2025 at 5:35 PM
The redevelopment also saw the demolition of the former Chinese Community & Advice Centre and Fusion Arts buildings, replaced with a low-carbon, three-storey extension on the new centre. The Council says it is is working with the previous tenants to enable the groups to return.
The work included a full refurbishment of the original building - once an old school - on the corner of Cowley Road and Princes Street - creating a new kitchen, upgraded toilets (including accessible Changing Places toilet and shower facilities), and four flexible community spaces.
November 25, 2025 at 5:35 PM
The work included a full refurbishment of the original building - once an old school - on the corner of Cowley Road and Princes Street - creating a new kitchen, upgraded toilets (including accessible Changing Places toilet and shower facilities), and four flexible community spaces.
The ribbon has been cut on East Oxford Community Centre, marking the end of the construction phase of its development, a £5.9m project. Next door, the city council is building 12 energy-efficient flats for social rent, due for completion in the new year.
www.oxford.gov.uk/news/article...
www.oxford.gov.uk/news/article...
November 25, 2025 at 5:35 PM
The ribbon has been cut on East Oxford Community Centre, marking the end of the construction phase of its development, a £5.9m project. Next door, the city council is building 12 energy-efficient flats for social rent, due for completion in the new year.
www.oxford.gov.uk/news/article...
www.oxford.gov.uk/news/article...
Cold weather update thread:
Oxford City: SWEP has been activated. Details 👇https://www.oxford.gov.uk/homelessness/swep
We will update this thread if further councils follow suit.
Oxford City: SWEP has been activated. Details 👇https://www.oxford.gov.uk/homelessness/swep
We will update this thread if further councils follow suit.
November 25, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Cold weather update thread:
Oxford City: SWEP has been activated. Details 👇https://www.oxford.gov.uk/homelessness/swep
We will update this thread if further councils follow suit.
Oxford City: SWEP has been activated. Details 👇https://www.oxford.gov.uk/homelessness/swep
We will update this thread if further councils follow suit.
A 39-year old man from the Guildford area has been arrested in connection with the Kidlington fly tip, following investigations by the Environment Agency and the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit. EA director Anna Burns called it “the first step in delivering justice for residents”.
November 25, 2025 at 1:40 PM
A 39-year old man from the Guildford area has been arrested in connection with the Kidlington fly tip, following investigations by the Environment Agency and the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit. EA director Anna Burns called it “the first step in delivering justice for residents”.
She also discussed the impact of the Botley Road closure, and Oxford's recently introduced congestion charge, with traders. The visit was interrupted by protesters from Open Roads For Oxford Ltd (ORFOL) campaigning against the charge.
November 24, 2025 at 5:39 PM
She also discussed the impact of the Botley Road closure, and Oxford's recently introduced congestion charge, with traders. The visit was interrupted by protesters from Open Roads For Oxford Ltd (ORFOL) campaigning against the charge.
The MPs met with small business owners to hear first-hand about the pressures they face ahead of the Budget, including rising costs and staffing challenges. Layla Moran said: “The Covered Market is a shining example of how brilliant so many of our small businesses are across the Thames Valley.”
November 24, 2025 at 5:39 PM
The MPs met with small business owners to hear first-hand about the pressures they face ahead of the Budget, including rising costs and staffing challenges. Layla Moran said: “The Covered Market is a shining example of how brilliant so many of our small businesses are across the Thames Valley.”