Clarion Weekend, 17 April 2026

A new graffiti mural has appeared under Donnington Bridge, courtesy of local artist Mani (The Big Orange M). Photo by Roger Close.

The pound signs are appearing all over Oxfordshire: Government handouts, a Singapore company buying Oxford’s other football club, venture capitalists and a solar farm share offer. Cheque-books at the ready for this week’s newsletter…

This week’s long reads

You can tell a lot about a person by the company they keep. We've rounded up our local politicians’ pets in something you should in no way use as a voting aid. This is the hard-hitting political commentary* you need to brighten your week. * by which we mean 90% fluff

Headline-grabbing projects might lead you to think that solar power is all about big-money investors, but in a corner of Oxfordshire near Bicester, a community project is proving the opposite. We find out more about Ray Valley Solar Park and their plans to go 24/7.

This week’s top stories

Salvation could be in sight for the troubled Donnington Bridge, currently closed to full-size buses, following the announcement of a new Government fund to “fix crumbling bridges”. The Structures Fund is part of a £1bn package which Labour has positioned as its “latest move to back drivers”. Councils have been asked to submit draft applications.

An Oxfordshire County Council spokesperson said: “We welcome any extra money for repairing structures. Oxfordshire has many historic bridges and other infrastructure in need of attention and we will look into the criteria to make sure the county gets its fair share.”

A weight limit was imposed in summer 2024, restricting bus use to minibuses only. The cost of repairs is estimated at a minimum of £4m. OCC is already seeking Government funding to repair the 1965 Kennington Rail Bridge on the southern bypass, with an estimated bill of £180m.

Happy birthday to Cowley’s Low Traffic Neighbourhoods! Residents in East Oxford gathered yesterday to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the installation of the Cowley LTNs. First installed during lockdown to facilitate active travel during the pandemic, the planters and bollards were added in March 2021.

While many residents welcomed their introduction, they faced a backlash and vandalism of both bollards and planters followed. Groups of residents sowed plants in the planters, decorated them and tracked down lost and stolen bollards. Residents became impromptu ‘human bollards’.

Once the LTNs were made permanent, residents who had bonded over the fight to track down stolen bollards met each month to discuss active travel at ‘Bollard Club’. Bollard Club this week celebrated the civic action and the anniversary of the installation with curry and cake at a pub within the East Oxford LTN.

A resident of the LTN area described the transformation:

“This road used to be a car sewer, a rat run between main roads. Since their installation, there has been a dramatic difference in the street. Residents chat from either sides of the road. Toddlers scoot in safety, and the behaviour of all road users is so much more courteous as road rage has reduced. And even in the rain it has become a bike thoroughfare for people who’ve not cycled for years. It was worth all the late nights hunting bollards!”

Cowley is set to be one of the most fiercely contested wards in the upcoming City Council elections. Green Party candidate Edward Mundy said:

"The humble bollard has been controlling non-pedestrian traffic since Roman times. LTNs were trialled in Oxford over 40 years ago, so the 5th birthday of the Cowley LTNs is a relatively junior celebration. But make no mistake, the contribution made by the bollards, planters and gates in Oxford deserves to be celebrated – improving safety for pedestrians, cyclists, scooter riders, mobility scooter and wheelchair users, as well as improving our air quality. Even Cllr Saj Malik pointed out that it is ‘difficult to have accidents on roads with no cars on’. Happy birthday to the LTNs.”

Oxfordshire’s Special Educational Needs & Disabilities provision has been awarded almost £5m to set up an ‘Experts at Hand’ service. This will facilitate quicker, earlier and easier access to specialist support like educational psychologists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists.

The announcement follows last month’s high needs capital allocations, where Oxfordshire received a further £11m to create new specialist SEND places in local schools. (A national public consultation on SEND reforms is ongoing.) An Oxfordshire County Council spokesperson said:

“This extra government funding is welcome, supporting our commitment to provide the very best opportunities for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Oxfordshire’s local area partnership will look to develop plans in line with Department for Education requirements on how best we can use the money to maximise opportunities for as many young people as possible."

MP for Banbury, Sean Woodcock, added:

“I’ve heard from families in Banbury and North Oxfordshire through casework and at my SEND roundtable about the incredible waits they’ve faced to get the support their children deserve. The motivation behind Labour’s changes to the SEND system is to put support in place earlier and more quickly, so issues don’t escalate and families get the help they need without a fight. Experts at Hand will open up access to specialist support that for too long has been unattainable.”

Riverman Records (Google Street View); Oxford Cheese Company.

Around the city

Walton Street’s much-loved second-hand vinyl store, Riverman Records, could be at risk. A planning application seeks to convert the shop into a one-bedroom flat, claiming ”removal of the discordant commercial frontage… [would] restore a traditional architectural rhythm to Walton Street”. It goes on to say “While the Oxford Local Plan generally protects ground floor retail uses within the city centre boundary, this specific site represents an anomaly.” (153 Walton Street is two doors from a nail bar.) Riverman’s owner Andy Tucker told the Clarion he would be “weighing up my options”. Comments can be left on the City Council’s planning portal until 13 May.
The Oxford Cheese Company is preparing to move. With redevelopment work getting underway in the Covered Market, the culinary institution founded by Baron Pouget de St Victor – who describes himself as “a French artist and equally bad businessman” – could relocate further into the market to make space for new toilets. In a short video he explains the challenge of finding an old-style unit where customers can queue in the market’s corridors.
Express buses to the John Radcliffe from Park & Ride sites, and free weekday bus travel for NHS and school staff, are among ideas being considered by Oxfordshire County Council for the income from Oxford’s congestion charge. Cllr Andrew Gant said “It’s my hope that some lasting benefits from the temporary congestion charge will also support the transition to the traffic filters trial after Botley Road reopens.” Proposals will be debated at next Tuesday’s cabinet meeting.
Oxford University Hospitals’ interim CEO has apologised for providing incorrect data on stillbirth rates at the Trust. The wrong figures were supplied to the Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee in January. Simon Crowther added: “While the available data on stillbirth and perinatal mortality trends do not suggest that Oxford is a significant outlier nationally, we recognise the profound significance of every perinatal death and the lasting impact on families.” We looked at maternity care at OUH in a long read in March.
In 1986, Oxford United won the Milk Cup (remember that?). To celebrate the 40th anniversary, Club Ambassador Peter Rhoades-Brown has been touring the trophy across the city, including to 100-year-old lifelong fan Audrey Surman and Windmill Primary School. Heartwarming read from OUFC.
Oxford United could be handed a last-minute lifeline in their relegation fight, according to national reports. West Bromwich Albion, currently 2 points ahead of them and just clear of the drop zone, are at risk of being deducted points for breaching loss limits. WBA say they have “fully complied” with the rules. The timescale of the hearing process could extend beyond the last match of the season, raising the prospect of OUFC being relegated and then unrelegated again. The Us’ next match is away to 8th-placed Derby this coming Saturday.
Oxford’s other football club, semi-professional Oxford City FC, have been acquired by Singapore-based Spark Strategic Partners. SSP’s Carl Dunton described the Hoops, who play at Court Place Farm in Marston, as “a fantastic club with a great history and significant community ties”. CEO and former owner Justin Merritt said: “Since January, Spark Strategic has made funds available to the Club, enabling us to bring in players who have made a real difference in the second half of the season. The aim is to keep that progress going and build a long-term, sustainable football club.”
Investment news: A Cambridge-based venture capital firm with more than 30 years of experience in university ‘deep tech’ investment is moving into Oxford for the first time. ET Capital’s second fund will back up to 20 early-stage, science-based companies across Oxford and Cambridge. Of the 300+ spinout companies created at Oxford since 1959, more than half have emerged since 2013; recent exits include Oxford Nanopore, which reached a valuation of £3.4bn, OrganOx, acquired for £1.1bn, and Oxford Ionics, acquired for just over $1bn. ET Capital says it sees an upcoming pipeline of early-stage companies as the next generation of that story.
Meanwhile, in funding news without ‘bn’ at the end, NatWest will be hosting its UK‑wide Accelerator Pitch competition in Oxford for the first time. The Dragon’s Den-style event invites entrepreneurs to compete for a share of £100,000 at each live final. NatWest say that providing funding “helps founders move from early validation towards investment readiness”. (Ethical local news startup, anyone?)
An AI-powered clickbait news website has launched in Oxford (…we’re saying nothing). Oxford Daily is operated by the mysterious Times Intelligence Media Group, which already runs similar suspect sites in London. The AI model regurgitates content from BBC News, the Oxford Mail and even the Clarion. Current lead stories include “Receipt Slur Row Hits Harford Pizzeria, Abingdon 2026”, which appears to relate to a Maryland restaurant; “Run for the Roses Top Picks, Churchill 2026”, which tips likely winners of the Kentucky Derby; and “Strike Paralyzes Dora Nginza Ward, Cowley 2026”. Genuine indie local site Enfield Dispatch described TIMG’s system as “massively flawed”, while Press Gazette noted “several red flags for AI’s distinctive style of writing”.

Cleanup begins at Kidlington; a lark ascending; Clintons Cards in Castle Quay.

Around the county

Up to 30 lorry-loads of waste are to be taken away from the illegal Kidlington waste tip every day. Following site preparation work, the clean-up operation finally began this week; it is expected to last six months. The Environment Agency is continuing to progress a criminal investigation in which four people have been arrested. The EA’s Thames director, Anna Burns, said: “Waste criminals should be in no doubt – this type of crime will not go unpunished.” Local MP Calum Miller commented: “Landfill Tax raises nearly half a billion pounds a year, and more of that money should be used to properly fund the fight against waste crime. The National Crime Agency should take a stronger lead in pursuing the criminal networks behind it.”
The promoters of Botley West Solar Farm have been given eight weeks to respond to a long list of questions from Ed Miliband’s Department of Energy Security & Net Zero. The unanswered questions focus on the connection to the National Grid; the impact on Blenheim Palace (a World Heritage Site), local church buildings, and adjoining homes; habitat loss for breeding skylarks, and native woodland protection; and providing an area for ‘Engine Failure After Take-Off’ from Kidlington airfield. Other landowners have also been asked to comment. Their answer is required by 9 June, three months before the Government’s extended deadline for announcing a decision on 10 September.
The former Clintons Cards shop in Castle Quay in Banbury is set to be converted into a cultural arts space for working with children and young people. The People’s Theatre Collective has lodged a planning application with Cherwell District Council to take on the disused shop unit, one of several in the struggling mall which has faced competition from an edge-of-town retail park and online shopping. Centre owners Cherwell District Council have responded by diversifying its offering, moving their own offices into the mall and approving plans to turn the former Debenhams into a ninja assault course and soft play. #BeMoreBanbury
The People's Theatre Collective is also one of 211 organisations awarded Government funds this week, under the ‘Common Ground’ scheme for "organisations boosting unity, trust and togetherness in their communities". Sean Woodcock, MP for Banbury, said the group’s work “plays a vital role in bringing young people together across Banbury”.
In more good news for culture in Banbury, the Mill Arts Centre – just across the canal – has been awarded £135,000 as part of the Government’s latest initiative to bolster the nation’s cultural sector. The funds will be used to repair and update the building. Banbury is bidding to become Town of Culture 2028, facing around 100 nationwide challengers – including Wallingford, Watlington and Henley. A recent roundup by the Telegraph named Northampton, St Helens, and Bishop Auckland as front-runners.
A development of 60 homes for over-55s with care needs was opened in Faringdon this week. Oxfordshire County Council says the ‘extra care’ housing scheme is part of its push to ensure older people can continue to live independently, close to their established community. New resident James Meadows said: “Moving into extra care housing has made a huge difference to my life. I’ve been able to keep my independence and my own front door, but with the reassurance that support is there whenever I need it. It’s taken away a lot of worry not just for me, but for my family.” The site also includes a cafe and hair salon open to the public. Care staff are present on-site 24/7. OCC’s website now lists 21 extra care locations across the county.
93.2% of primary school applications in Oxfordshire this year saw children being placed at their first-choice school. Only 0.8% of children have not been offered a September place at any of their preferred schools. Appeals are open until 15 May, and waiting lists start on 22 June.
Dementia Oxfordshire has been named as a finalist in the Dementia Care Team category at the UK Dementia Awards 2026. Delivered by Age UK Oxfordshire and funded by Oxfordshire OCC, it supports people living with dementia across the county through its team of 26 dedicated Dementia Advisers.

Snakeshead fritillary and Shakespeare frivolity.

This weekend

Record Store Day, Sat, Truck Store. Start queuing at dawn for that first-come-first-served limited edition vinyl – and end the day with High Fidelity at the UPP.
Etape du Jonny, Sat, University Parks. Group bike ride over every cobble in Oxford and bridge naming ceremony on the Marston cyclepath. A tribute to the late Jonny Ives of Cyclox.
World Book Night, Sat, Westgate. Free books (10am-3pm) and Disney princesses (10am-12pm) ahead of WBN on Thursday. Yes, this is different from World Book Day.
Oxford Premier Book Fair (£) Sat/Sun, Oxford Brookes. Not-free books, from The Magic Currant Bun to The Ruined Abbeys of Yorkshire.
Oksamyt, Sat, St Michael at the North Gate. Local Ukrainian choir giving support to a free concert of 'feel-good pop classics'.
Space Quiz Night (£), Sat, Space Store. Inspired by Artemis II? Get a briefing from Oxford University experts then test your knowledge.
Fritillary Sunday, Ducklington. Walk through a meadow of snakeshead fritillaries, followed by Morris dancing and cream teas.

This week

The People's Emergency Briefing, Tue, University Church. The national implications of the climate crisis. Free film screening, booking required.
After the Goldrush, Tue, University Museum. Looking for gold in California, in 1849 and 1994. Free talk from Oxfordshire Geology Trust.
The Ball is Round and the Commentator is a Woman (£), Wed, Pierre Victoire (Little Clarendon Street). Match of the Day commentator Robyn Cowen in conversation with sports writer Jim White.
Shakespeare's Birthday Parade, Thu, Oxford Castle. Costumed pageant celebrating Shakespeare and St George.
African Community Connections, Thu, Pitt Rivers Museum. Free celebration with live music and a chance to handle objects from the collection.
On the Record (£), Fri, Truck Store. Standup comedy about working in an independent record shop, in an independent record shop.

Oxfordshire’s independent media

Edible Reading has been to Cuttlefish.
Ox in a Box reviews Giffords Circus.
Bitten Oxford managed to get a table at Oli's Thai.
The Oxford Sausage meets Julian the antiquary.
The Oxford Student asks “Who am I in other languages?”, concluding “Of course I won’t have any personality in another language if I am too scared to speak it.”
We have been enjoying the Secret Oxfordshire series on BBC Sounds, short podcasts of 3 to 11 minutes. Most recently the oldest coffee shop in Europe (and in Oxford), a tale of immigrant entrepreneurs and news media innovation, and the anti-vax riots in (wait for it...) Charlbury.
We also stumbled across this from Pathe: Oxford in the 1960s. How much do you think it has changed?
And finally, a sticky toffee pudding controversy.

Books

Steve Hurst is a sculptor who grew up in Sandford-on-Thames and studied at the Ruskin School of Drawing between 1949 and 1953, when it was still based in the Ashmolean Museum. In 2021, he published a volume based on his contemporary diaries, Drawn From Life: The Ruskin Diaries 1949-1953. Now, the second volume (of what is planned to be a trilogy) has emerged from the printers. Bluff Road: The Malaya Diaries 1953-1955 follows Steve on his national service in Malaya. Available from Oxford’s bookshops.
Having reinvented herself as a personal stylist, former Oxford Mail editor Samantha Harman is publishing her first book, Just Get Dressed. “This is not a book about clothes – it's a book about self-leadership.”
The Uffington White Horse has a starring role in a fascinating new book about “white horses, giants, crosses, badges, even a lost panda, cut into the chalk and exposed to the sky”. The Tattooed Hills by Jon Woolcott is out now (we spotted it in Banbury’s Waterstones). Here’s some choral music about white horses.
Former Guardian editor Alan Rusbridger’s memoirs, Breaking News, doesn’t really have an Oxfordshire connection, but we greatly enjoyed his account of blundering in search of a new business model for news reporting – in which the internet upends centuries-old certainties and, among publishers, editors and commercial chiefs, the common factor is that “nobody knows anything”. (Thanks to Oxfam Witney for a £3.99 copy!)

Notes from Clarion HQ

Our ‘£’ key has almost worn out this week with the announcements of funding coming Oxfordshire’s way – funding for potholes, for arts centres, for SEND, for bridges. The county is no doubt grateful for it, and we’re sure the timing, just three weeks before the local elections, is entirely coincidental.

On which note, thank you to everyone who has sent us photos of leaflets for the May elections – do keep them coming. Let us know, too, if any hustings are being organised in your area. Campaigning is in full swing now and, if our pets coverage isn’t enough for you, we’ll be publishing more on the elections as we try and navigate our post-Easter backlog of long reads. One of these, dare we say it, is about potholes. See you next week.