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Oxford Clarion

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News for Oxfordshire. Est. 2022. Weekly newsletter: https://oxfordclarion.uk For stories: [email protected]

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Oxford Clarion @oxfordclarion.bsky.social · 5d

All Oxford’s news in one weekly email. Featuring:
🌳 Free trees
🐝 Rare bumblebees
🗿 The latest new sculptures
📮 Woolly postbox accessories
🏚️ Oxford University's newest building
Plus events, politics news, research and the best of Oxford’s media. Read online or by email

Clarion Weekly, 3 October 2025

This week’s top stories Oxfordshire's council leaders issued a rare joint statement following the terrorist attack in Manchester. In it they expressed shock and horror, sending thoughts and prayers t...

oxfordclarion.uk

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Oxford Clarion @oxfordclarion.bsky.social · 1h

An unexpected archaeological discovery in Oxfordshire County Council’s proposed new HQ could transform our understanding of Oxford’s history. Madeline Odent @oldenoughtosay.com unearths a fascinating site – and floats an intriguing possibility…

oxfordclarion.uk/have-we-foun...

Have we found St Frideswide’s Priory?

An unexpected discovery at Oxfordshire County Council’s proposed new HQ could transform our understanding of Oxford’s history. Madeline Odent explains more… Oxfordshire County Council received some u...

oxfordclarion.uk

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Oxford Clarion @oxfordclarion.bsky.social · 1h

The four facilities taking part over the two days are: Barton Leisure Centre, Leys Pools & Leisure Centre, Oxford Ice Rink and Ferry Leisure Centre.
To find the centre nearest to you and book for sessions visit: www.oxfordcityleisure.com

Oxford City Leisure

www.oxfordcityleisure.com

Oxford Clarion @oxfordclarion.bsky.social · 1h

More Leisure Community Trust, which operates leisure centres in Oxford city has announced the return of its Big Open Weekend, offering two days of free swimming and activity sessions, classes, events and more this weekend.

Five swimmers holding on to the side of a pool smiling at the camera.
Image from More Leisure.

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Oxford Clarion @oxfordclarion.bsky.social · 2h

Councillor Rob Parkinson: “We know that antisocial behaviour has been a cause for concern. The PSPO has encouraged higher standards of behaviour in the town. It sends a clear message about the standards of behaviour that the people of Bicester expect in their town centre.”

Oxford Clarion @oxfordclarion.bsky.social · 2h

The order covers Pioneer Square, Sheep Street, Garth Park and other town centre locations where antisocial behaviour has been reported. In a recent survey, 92 per cent of respondents supported the council’s continued use of the PSPO to tackle antisocial behaviour.

Oxford Clarion @oxfordclarion.bsky.social · 2h

Cherwell District Council has announced a renewed crackdown on anti social behaviour in Bicester. On Tuesday the council approved the renewal of a Public Spaces Protection Order giving community wardens and police powers to tackle antisocial behaviour, including loitering and aggressive begging.

Bandstand, Garth Park, Wikimedia Commons

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Oxford Clarion @oxfordclarion.bsky.social · 7h

The colleges have applied for planning permission and the development is expected to come to a planning committee meeting later this year. More information about the project can be found at : www.exeterhertfordsportshub.co.uk/en/page_1921...

Exeter Hertford Sports Hub

www.exeterhertfordsportshub.co.uk

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Oxford Clarion @oxfordclarion.bsky.social · 7h

Exeter College Bursar, Nick Badman:  “This is a plan for a shared space for students and the wider community. They show how we can modernise historic grounds, reviving aging buildings, opening up access, and providing a café and community spaces that local residents have told us they would like.”

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Oxford Clarion @oxfordclarion.bsky.social · 7h

The plans also include padel courts, cricket nets, hardcourts for basketball and netball, football and cricket pitches, a golf simulator, and refurbished historic pavilions. The site has suffered from vandalism and antisocial behaviour in recent years.

An aerial view of the proposed hub. The grounds and facilities will be open to the public all year round, with new, safer paths for runners, dog walkers and cyclists. Image Credit Exeter/ Hertford College.

Oxford Clarion @oxfordclarion.bsky.social · 7h

Exeter & Hertford Colleges have released their vision for a redevelopment of their sports facilities on Edgeway Road, Marston. The plans open the facilities up to local residents, schools and clubs, including a new community café and community rooms for local groups and clubs.

A ground view of the proposed hub. Hertford’s squash building will be repurposed to house a café, multi-use community space, and wheelchair accessible changing facilities. Image Credit Exeter/ Hertford College.

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Oxford Clarion @oxfordclarion.bsky.social · 20h

Hello 😊

bsky.app/profile/oxfo...

Oxford Clarion @oxfordclarion.bsky.social · Aug 18

Oxford’s Park & Ride buses could be free in November and December as part of the congestion charge scheme. Oxfordshire County Council says the proceeds from the congestion charge will fund free P&R bus travel “to enhance the attractiveness of the city centre whilst managing limited car parking”.

Park & Ride bus - picture from Experience Oxfordshire

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Oxford Clarion @oxfordclarion.bsky.social · 21h

Clara Glachant of the University of Eindhoven said “Our findings suggest that e-cargo bikes may help cultivate a cycling culture both at the household level and the community level. They may reshape ideas of who belongs on the road, who is entitled to space.” www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

Between or Beyond Bicycles and Cars? Navigating E-Cargo Bike Citizenship in the Transition to Sustainable Urban Mobility

E-cargo bikes have gained academic and policy interest for their potential to replace car trips in cities. Like bicycles, they require pedaling, produ…

www.sciencedirect.com

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Oxford Clarion @oxfordclarion.bsky.social · 21h

The families said they felt more connected to their local communities. Researchers described this as “a hybrid experience for users, allowing interaction between riders and passengers – somewhat vehicle-like – while still connecting users to their local surroundings”.

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Oxford Clarion @oxfordclarion.bsky.social · 21h

The research project, carried out jointly with the universities of Eindhoven, Brighton and Leeds, concluded e-cargo bikes “foster new social norms and cultural identities around family, community and sustainable travel”, with this “everyday practicality normalising cycling as a utility activity”.

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Oxford Clarion @oxfordclarion.bsky.social · 21h

Electric cargo bikes can replace many everyday car trips for the average family and “reshape suburban family mobility”, say Oxford University researchers. 49 British households were loaned e-cargo bikes for school runs, shopping trips, family outings and other day-to-day use.

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Oxford Clarion @oxfordclarion.bsky.social · 21h

New sites are also under consideration around Witney and Carterton. The plans are expected to go out to consultation in early November. news.westoxon.gov.uk/news/council...

Map of possible development sites around Carterton

Map of possible development sites around Witney

Oxford Clarion @oxfordclarion.bsky.social · 21h

The density of the proposed Salt Cross garden village could be increased, raising it from 2200 homes to as many as 3780. WODC is keen to see the development served by a new rail link from Oxford to Carterton and Witney.

Oxford Clarion @oxfordclarion.bsky.social · 21h

The plan continues to identify Witney, Carterton and Chipping Norton as “hubs for growth”, but says “Witney is perceived as nearing saturation with infrastructure constraints”. Development at Chipping Norton is being rethought after “highly significant” Roman remains were discovered.

Oxford Clarion @oxfordclarion.bsky.social · 21h

A 2500-home “standalone community” on the outskirts of Brize Norton, and 300 homes next to Hanborough station, are proposed in West Oxfordshire District Council’s new housing plan for the district. 18,000 houses are planned in total, increasing the population by around one third.

Hanborough station. Neil Hanson at geograph.org.uk, CC-BY-SA 2.0

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Oxford Clarion @oxfordclarion.bsky.social · 22h

OBC’s Luke Marion said: “We thank Oxfordshire County Council for its bold approach to make bus travel more attractive to people to move around the county. The Park & Ride free ticket offering is a pilot scheme and we’d encourage people to use it to ensure it is a success and can be extended.”

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Oxford Clarion @oxfordclarion.bsky.social · 22h

🚍 500 (Cowley–Westgate) every 10 minutes on Saturdays
🚍 More peak-time and weekend buses from Carterton/Witney to the JR
🚍 N3 Iffley Road night bus (Mon–Sat)
🚍 Faster journeys on services 8, 11, 15, 300, 400, 500, ST2 and X3

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Oxford Clarion @oxfordclarion.bsky.social · 22h

Changes include:
🚍 100 (Blackbird Leys–St Clements) and 700 (Blackbird Leys–Kidlington) each run every 20 minutes Mon–Fri, up from half-hourly
🚍 New 20 service from Rose Hill to the JR via the Plain
🚍 5A (Minchery Farm/Littlemore) runs every 20 minutes
🚍 3/3A (Rose Hill/Cowley) run to rail station

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Oxford Clarion @oxfordclarion.bsky.social · 22h

Oxford Bus Co has announced more frequent bus services from November to coincide with the congestion charge coming into effect. The improvements mean Blackbird Leys and Cowley will have services to the city centre every 10 minutes, while Iffley Road gets a new night bus.

Oxford Bus Company 300 stops off for a quick half at the Wetherspoons

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Oxford Clarion @oxfordclarion.bsky.social · 22h

The Clarion feels seen….
(Also *drawer…)

Cherwell District Council @cherwellcouncil.bsky.social · 23h

Are you someone who has a 'just in case' draw full of mystery leads and phone chargers? If you're looking to have a clear out and gain some more space join us in taking part in the Great Cable Challenge for #internationewasteday!

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Oxford Clarion @oxfordclarion.bsky.social · 23h

She praised the university’s efforts to reduce its own energy consumption, as well as sustainability research including recycling forever chemicals, hydrogen-powered jet engines, the Climate Policy Monitor and the Nature-Positive Economy Index. The full speech is online. www.ox.ac.uk/news/2025-10...