Oxford Clarion

It has rained. Let joy be unconfined. Here is some equally refreshing news, brought to you by the news-maxxin’, inbox-crushin’, mango-lovin’, free-wheelin’, cat-botherin’, council-watchin’, live-postin’, number-crunchin’, bus-ridin’, cool-fizzing err... volunteer team at the Clarion. Cheers to you all. (We spent far too long on this intro.) This week’s top

Two graphs, three puppies, but there’s only one Ozymandias. Plus our first ever readers’ survey. Read on… This week’s top stories The benefits to Oxfordshire from the proposed Puy du Fou theme park near Bicester have been “overstated by a large margin”, according to a take-no-prisoners independent report.

What felt like half of Oxford was out in the various parks and meadows to see the eclipse last night. Our photographer Roger Close captured the atmosphere at South Park where Oxford University's Space & Astronomy Society held a watch party. Can you spot yourself? This stunning image

We’ve always wanted to lead the newsletter with a photo of the Headington Shark, and this is its week. Plus political whippets, wild swimming, conspicuous bike theft, local gin, a canalside cafe, and – wait for it – East West Rail. All in your midweek roundup… This week’s long-ish read

An unprecedented cross-party coalition is developing in north-east Oxfordshire to oppose a military base being turned into asylum seekers’ accommodation. Principled opposition or dressed-up NIMBYism? We listen to the arguments. Calum Miller, MP for Bicester & Woodstock, hosted a ‘town hall’ in the village of Langford, near Bicester, on Saturday.

The King’s Swan Marker visited Abingdon yesterday for the centuries-old tradition of Swan Upping. Once established to verify ownership of swans on the Thames, this tradition now focuses on swan conservation, welfare, and education. Our photographer, Roger Close, assisted by the Clarion's Abingdon correspondent, went along to