Clarion Weekend, 13 February 2026

Clarion Weekend, 13 February 2026
Montezuma Chocolate feels the love.

It might be Friday 13th today, but tomorrow is Valentine's Day. We could have gone with horror or love; we choose love. So here’s our roundup of Valentine’s events complete with heart-shaped cheese – oh, and city and county news, places to walk, books and more!

This week’s long reads

The weather is warm(ish) and it’s Valentine’s Day. Which means, for the Oxfordshire toad population, at least, it’s baby-making time. But the course of true love never did run smooth for our amphibian friends. We look at how volunteers are protecting toads.

Patrolling toads on Oxfordshire’s roads
The weather is warm(ish) and it’s nearly Valentine’s Day. Which means, for the Oxfordshire toad population, at least, it’s baby-making time. Toad migrations You’d be forgiven for thinking that toads just hang out around their ponds doing amphibious things forever. But once they’ve completed

Across Oxfordshire, an army of volunteers helps children find joy in reading. In this guest post from Emma Orton of ARCh Oxfordshire, we find out more about the charity’s 300 volunteer readers, and how you can get involved.

The volunteers helping children find their voice through books
“It’s three minutes past one,” announced B, as we walked from his Year 4 classroom, down the corridor and to our normal reading space outside of the school library. “So it is B, you did a super job telling the time,” I replied encouragingly. “But you’re meant to

This week’s top stories

Oxfordshire County Council agreed its budget on Tuesday. As expected, the Liberal Democrat administration’s budget went through with a clear majority – but the LibDems also agreed to incorporate the Green Party’s amendment for revenue (day-to-day) spending, which included an extra £900,000 for clearing paths, pavements and cycleways.

Labour and Conservative amendments were defeated. The Conservative amendment would have downsized the council’s communications team and spent more on pothole repairs: councillors speaking against this said that the council needed to communicate more, not less. The Labour amendment would have directed more money towards children’s social care in support of the Marmot Principles (OCC signed up as a Marmot Place in 2024). Here, the debate queried whether this should mean targeting help at only the most deprived wards in Oxfordshire, or at struggling areas across the whole county: Labour argued that it should not mean “spreading ever decreasing resources across all communities”.

Much of the debate went along party lines, with Labour extolling Government funding for local authorities, while LibDem Dan Levy said “Money is being redistributed away from Oxfordshire and other areas on a large scale by the Government.” Adult social care is the biggest part of council spending, yet received comparatively little airtime in the meeting, to the evident exasperation of portfolio holder Tim Bearder. Spending on special educational needs, however, came up several times: the Government announced on Monday that it would pay off most of the mounting debts that councils have incurred on this.

There was some disquiet, particularly from Labour leader Liz Brighouse, at whether it was permissible for the revenue half of the Green amendment to be adopted, but not the capital half (which would have defunded the Watlington Relief Road): the meeting was paused while county officers clarified the position. Green leader Ian Middleton spoke up for the increased climate change funding in their amendment, saying: “We’re already beginning to see the effects of lack of action on climate change that were baked in decades ago as extreme weather conditions become more common year on year.”

(Oxford City Council’s budget-setting meeting is on 23 February. Vale of White Horse passed its budget this week, once again a LibDem administration that chose to accept a Green amendment: Vale Greens said that, by spending an extra £22,500, they could unlock £2m of ring-fenced funds to help disabled residents adapt their homes. We looked at the contents of the budgets in a long read earlier this week.)

Local firefighters are to vote on industrial action. At a Wednesday meeting in the Said Business School, next to Rewley Road Fire Station, the Fire Brigades Union announced a “consultative ballot” on striking against Oxfordshire Fire & Rescue Service’s plans to consider closing three fire stations. FBU general secretary Steve Wright said: “This is a local battle here in Oxfordshire, but it is also part of a national fight. If you come for one fire and rescue service, you take on the whole FBU.” A public consultation on the plans ended on 31 January.

Around the city

  • The Oxfam Bookshop on St Giles, the charity’s first ever dedicated bookshop, could be closed. Landlords Regent’s Park College have applied to convert the premises into a Middle Common Room for graduate student use. The college says its current MCR is “located underground and accessed solely via a narrow staircase, has no natural light or ventilation, and is wholly unsuitable for a community of more than 150 members”, and that the City Council’s policy on protecting retail frontage does not extend to St Giles.
  • The city centre church of St Mary Magdalen has appointed Fr Jonathan Lewis-Jong as its new vicar. He was previously curate in the parish before becoming rector of Cocking with West Lavington, Bepton, and Heyshott in Sussex. We are disappointed that he has seemingly moved his website from the excellent jonathanjong.ninja but nonetheless, should you want cheering up on a Friday lunchtime, this is the place to go for the Existential Death Anxiety Scale.
  • Meanwhile, the Catholic parish of St Aloysius (aka the Oxford Oratory) is booming, according to the Catholic Herald, which says it has received 32 converts in just two months. Fr Oliver Craddock cites “St Augustine, St Thomas Aquinas and St John Henry Newman” and (possibly separately, we’re not quite sure) “Catholic influencers” for its success.
  • An Oxford derby saw Oxford United unexpectedly knocked out of the Oxfordshire Senior Cup by grassroots club Oxford City. OUFC, who fielded a young side against City’s first team, blamed “unbelievable late drama” for the defeat.
  • Dr Richard Whittington, Oriel alumnus, Christ Church volunteer steward, coroner whose inquests included serial killer Fred West, and, latterly, Deputy Assistant Coroner in Oxford, has died. Obituaries have been published in the Times and the Telegraph, although he died in November 2025. Horrified at the number of drink-driving cases during his tenure, Whittington advocated higher taxes on alcohol; by the time he retired he noted that, while every accident still concerned him, “people are getting the message about drink-driving… our roads are safer now than when I started.”
  • The Bodleian has refreshed its Space for Reading, a comfortable corner of the Weston Library free for the public to drop in and read. Local schoolchildren have selected bold colours and books on neurodiversity. The space opened in 2021 with books on Syria.
  • A new opera company is launching in Oxford this September. Oxford International Opera will debut at the New Theatre with two fully-staged productions of Tosca featuring Sir Bryn Terfel, followed by Beethoven's Fidelio in 2027. (More details in opera blog Planet Hugill.)
  • Long online queues were reported for the release of Phoenix Fest tickets on Tuesday. The children’s festival is a spinoff of the popular Oxford comic. Users report queues of up to 1,000 with many events already sold out; perhaps the bagels swiped them all? Sunday tickets go on sale next Thursday.

Around the county

  • The decision on Botley West Solar Farm has landed on the desk of Secretary of State Ed Miliband. After the promoters lodged their application in November 2024, and the examinations started in May 2025, the planning ‘examining authority’ has submitted its recommendation (not yet published) to Government. This week, the energy secretary approved “record solar, onshore wind, and tidal projects”, including the “largest ever procurement of solar projects in the UK”. His decision on Botley West must be made within three months. (We looked at Botley West Solar Farm in a long read last year.)
  • Cherwell District Council has rejected a proposal for a battery box micro energy storage facility in Banbury. Battery boxes store energy from the network, at periods of low demand to be used at periods of high demand, and are increasingly fuelled by intermittent sources of renewable energy such as solar and wind. Officers stated it would be a “visually incongruous and obtrusive form of development”. A local resident objected saying it would “be visually intrusive with an industrial feel inconsistent with the existing street scene”. The proposed location is adjacent to the A422 Ruscote Avenue and an EV charging station. Cherwell declared a climate emergency in 2019.
  • The Government has dropped a heavy hint that it wants to include Swindon in the region of the new Thames Valley mayor. A new consultation on spatial development strategies (SDS) includes Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Swindon, and potentially Buckinghamshire in a single area. In the consultation paper released today, the Government says it “recognises the value in aligning strategic planning with devolution geographies” suggesting it expects the mayoralty to follow the SDS in including Swindon. Buckinghamshire already has devolution status so might not join a mayoralty. Several Oxfordshire councils have publicly expressed scepticism about Swindon, but Cllr Susan Brown, leader of Oxford City Council, said: “We're pleased to see Government's recognition that Swindon should be included as part of the Thames Valley strategic economic area.”
  • The Environment Agency says that recent rainfall has delayed the clearance of the illegal waste tip near Kidlington, but that the sandbags installed to keep waste out of the River Cherwell are working well. The main clearance is now likely to start next month. The rain has also meant it is impossible to take water samples to monitor pollution in the Cherwell. In the meantime, trees around the site entrance have been removed in advance of bird nesting season, so that the clearance vehicles can enter the site.
  • The West Oxfordshire village of North Leigh has erected an illustrated village sign reminiscent of the style popular in East Anglia, showing the 1833 windmill and village church. Funding came from developer cash (Section 106) for public art. The art on the sign is by local artist Jane Tomlinson whose popular greeting cards are on sale at the Oxfordshire Museum in Woodstock (thank you to a correspondent for this).
  • The Nut Tree in Murcott, near Bicester, is Oxfordshire’s only Michelin-starred restaurant this year following the closure for refurbishment of Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons. The pub offers a six-course tasting menu for £125pp or a Valentine’s menu for £150pp. New entries to the Michelin Guide include the Bat & Ball in Cuddesdon, the Nest in Woodstock, the Three Tuns in Henley and the Wild in Burford. The Yurt at Nicholsons in North Aston receives a Bib Gourmand for good-value food.
  • Cash machine network Link have announced plans to open a “banking hub” in Didcot, following the closure of Lloyds, the town’s last High Street bank. The hub will offer counter service for withdrawals, deposits, and bill payments by customers of any bank.
  • A farmer-led initiative has been launched to restore the landscape of the Evenlode valley, which runs through West Oxfordshire from Kingham to Charlbury and Eynsham. 50 participating farms are committing up to 15% of their less productive land to the project, to restore and improve riverside habitats. The habitat works will be funded by a “complex patchwork” of sources, including developer payments for biodiversity net gain, and utility companies. Restoration will be focused on flood-prone land, with arable fields returned to scrub, grazing marsh and hay meadows. Natural England’s chief executive, Marian Spain, said: “Recovering nature will help to manage flood risk in an area which has been hit hard by wet weather in recent years, as well as improving water quality.”
  • A holiday development of 51 ‘eco-cabins’ is underway in a derelict Formula 1 team headquarters near Charlbury. Leafield Technical Centre – home to Arrows, then Super Aguri, then Caterham – is being turned into Cabü in the Cotswolds, a 25-acre site with Cabin Club, indoor pool and saunas. A £24m loan has just been signed to fund construction of the site, for which planning permission was granted in 2023. Cabü already has a holiday park on the Kent coast and another in Ireland.
Flex your mussels with our active travel news…

Walking and cycling

  • Know anyone who would like to get going on a bike but need a bit of help? Avanti Cycling offer support for adults who are new to cycling or want to build confidence. Support is offered in form of weekly sessions in Rose Hill and Barton, povision of loan bikes and helmets, guided rides and more. The sessions are held in an international and welcoming training environment with female instructors.
  • The North Wessex Downs, one of Oxfordshire’s three National Landscapes (together with the Cotswolds and Chilterns), has launched a review of access in the area. The survey covers transport to and from the area, routes within the Downs, and “socio-economic and cultural barriers”.
  • Looking for somewhere to walk this spring? The Chilterns Society has published eight station walks, including one in Oxfordshire (from Goring & Streatley station) and others easily accessible by train from Oxford.
  • A cyclist has died after hitting a low-hanging branch on a public footpath just outside Whitchurch-on-Thames, in South Oxfordshire. One of the members of the group ride described it as a “freak accident”.

Independent retail

  • Twisted Tree microbrewery in Bicester has launched a new beer, Midnight Oak – a gluten free, “rich and velvety porter with layers of roasted malt, smooth caramel sweetness”. Previous releases from this family-owned craft brewer have won prizes at the Regional Beer Awards. Shop indie, buy beer?
  • Are you a tea person or a coffee person? Covered Market specialist tea and coffee merchant Cardews has doubled its size with separate, bespoke tea and coffee areas. It takes over the space formerly occupied by OxUnBoxed, who are relocating. Cardews was founded in St Michael’s Street in the late 1940s by a Polish gentleman who adopted his Cardew name when he settled here at the end of the Second World War. The current owner, John, took over in 1983.
  • A planning application has been lodged to bring a vacant unit on the High back into use. Independent womenswear chain Busby & Fox want to open their 12th branch at 114 High Street, which was occupied by Space NK until 2022 and has been vacant since.
  • Locals have got together to set up a brand new Marcham Farmers Market, committed to sourcing fresh produce from businesses based within 10 miles of Marcham, near Abingdon. Organisers say they’re aiming to reduce food miles while encouraging zero waste and healthier cooking. The next market day is Saturday 21 February from 9-12 at the Marcham Centre.
  • Markets are the ultimate in local retail. We are entering the Hungry Gap, where stored crops run low and new plantings have yet to be harvested. Now is the time to support your local growers. Find your local market in our market directory.

Valentine’s events

Looking for inspiration this Saturday? Here’s our pick of the day’s events.

  • Victorian Stable Block Reopening, Hook Norton Brewery. Meet the Shire horses Balmoral, Brigadier, and Cromwell.
  • Love Songs (£), Exeter College. Piano recital with music by Whitacre, Fauré, and Mozart.
  • Love is Lit, Gulp Fiction. Two words (or four?): bookshop meetcute. Free, booking required.
  • The Best of Bridgerton (£), Holywell Music Room. Classic pop performed as popular classical.
  • More T, Vicar? (£), Florence Park Community Centre. Chaphop from Captain Kuppa T and the Zeppelin Crew, plus half a dozen support acts.
  • VALENTINE (10pm-3am), Oxford Retreat. DJ Lonely and Monty Glen join forces to Make Oxford Nightlife Great Again.
  • Misery (£), Ultimate Picture Palace. The classic Stephen King horror as an Anti-Valentine's.

This weekend

  • One World Family Festival, Sat/Sun, Ashmolean Museum. Free weekend festival celebrating nature through world traditions.
  • Lunar New Year Fair, Sat, Templars Square. Indoor market, calligraphy, and craft activities organised by Oxford Hongkongers.
  • Violins & Roses, Sat, Kennington Village Centre. Showing love for children in Palestine through film, poetry, and dancing. Donations to The Hands Up Project.
  • Living With Men, Sat, Blackwell's. Philosopher Manon Garcia talks about the Pelicot trial, sexual violence, and justice.
  • Oxford, Palestine and the Arab World walking tour (£), Sun, Broad Street. Explore Oxford University's historic and contemporary connections on this special tour from Imperial Oxford.
  • Winter Wander (£), Sun, Bridewell Gardens. A walk around West Oxfordshire’s organic vineyard and mental health recovery project. Tickets include hot spiced apple juice.

This week

  • La Decima Musa (£), Mon 16 Feb, New College. Early music ensemble Musica Antica Rotherhithe perform a programme of Venetian opera featuring a 'pentagonal virginal and up to three theorbos'.
  • Machines of the Future, Wed 18 Feb, Jesus College. Meet a robot dog and stroke it with a robot hand.
  • Sir Michael Moritz in Conversation, Wed 18 Feb, Weston Library. Oxford's billionaire donor discusses Ausländer, the story of his parents’ escape from Nazi Germany, in the context of Trump's America.
  • An Eco-Adventure in the Andes, Wed 18 Feb, Abingdon Baptist Church. Kate Rawles talks to Abingdon Carbon Cutters about riding 8,000 miles on Woody the bamboo bike.
  • Monstrous Regiment (£), 18-21 Feb, Pilch Theatre (Keble College). Student production of Terry Pratchett's comic novel about sex and soldiers.
  • Galloping into the Year of the Horse! (£), Thu 19 Feb, Museum of Oxford. Family craft workshops for Chinese New Year.
  • Everyday Beethoven, Thu 19 Feb, Holywell Music Room. Inaugural lecture for the 400th anniversary of the Heather Professor of Music, with live performance. Free, booking required.
  • Wicked Sing-a-long (£), Thu 19 Feb, The Slow & Steady. Upstairs at the pub, followed by a quiz.
  • Huh, That's Funny (£), Thu 19 Feb, Lynrace Spirit. Science, comedy, cocktails.
  • Beyond Borders, Fri 20 Feb, Schwarzman Centre. Exploring Ukrainian voices through adapting a children's book for the stage.
  • Our Accidental Universe, Fri 20 Feb, Mansfield College. Professor Chris Lintott explores the astronomical discoveries made while looking for something else.
  • Kendal Mountain Cinematic Tour (£), Fri 20 Feb, The North Wall. Outdoor exploration screened indoors.
Bookshops are excellent places for Valentine's cards. (Caper on Magdalen Road.)

Books

  • Christ Church theologian Andrew Davison’s new book, Promise the Earth: A Safe Climate in Good Faith, argues that climate action “cannot rely solely on future technologies or political leadership”, but should inform the choices we make every day – “a question of values, responsibility and motivation”. Drive less, cycle more, shop local!
  • And your regular recommendations from Xander Cansell at Caper on Magdalen Road. No affiliate links – support your local bookshop!
    • Chosen Family, Madeleine Gray. A story of friendship (but also a love story). Skilfully picks apart and puts back together the ties that bind us. “Friendship, parenting, love, lust, self-deception and all the ways those things overlap.”
    • How to Live Like a Stoic, Tom Hodgkinson. It’s not just shrugging your shoulders. Stoicism as a series of joyful and insightful life lessons. Witty and enlightening.
    • Mandy Is Still A Banana, Zoe Arena. Mandy no longer wishes to be a banana. Bananas are boring. They’re not spiky or crunchy or interesting. So she wants to be a different fruit. But a wild blueberry has different ideas. For 2+.

Oxfordshire’s independent media

  • Edible Reading visits Bigfoot on the Cowley Road: “I was having so much fun that I didn’t want to leave.”
  • Morris Oxford is always worth a read; this month it’s Tolkien's trees.
  • The Oxford Sausage takes a walk to see Carfax Conduit.
  • Bitten Oxford has been up the Botley Road to Tempering and says there are unlimited Yorkshire puddings at the Cosy Club.
  • Cherwell is on the trail of mysterious posters appearing around the city.
  • The Oxford Student writes about the subtext(ile) of Anne/Sommers. We mainly include this to dispel the backronym that ‘bop’ stands for “big organised party”. It really doesn’t. (Or at least it didn’t in our day…)
  • The Oxford Blue learns more about wild swimming. Warning: may contain sewage.
  • Oxford City Farm has launched a YouTube channel! Here they are explaining why their chickens are in ‘flockdown’. This is the wholesome content the internet needs.

Notes from Clarion HQ

We hope you’ve enjoyed our Valentine’s Day edition. If you’ve loved it (see what we did there?) do share it with a loved one, or three. We don’t judge. We can see some political stories brewing (some of which we will need to be very careful with so as not to get sued), so do join us for Tuesday’s politics edition – it’s going to be a cracker. Have a very lovely weekend.

Covered Market, never change.