Clarion Weekend, 3 July 2026

University (and Univ) open days took place this week. Photo by Roger Close.

Oxford’s traffic filters are happening: we have the full details. Plus the flag conflagration continues, hard truths for the John Radcliffe’s maternity provision, and a whole lot of house-building. In lighter news: an all-night croquet match, 1903 cycling… and it turns out there is such a thing as a Gruffalo.

This week’s long reads

A brutal new report into maternity at the John Radcliffe Hospital talks of a culture of cliques, dirty conditions, unsuitable buildings, and staff who feel “beaten down” by social media. We look into the findings of the Amos Report, in Oxfordshire and elsewhere.

And on a completely different note, an Oxford choir tackles some of the most demanding pieces in the early music repertoire – with just a few hours’ intensive rehearsal. With their 25th anniversary concert coming up on Saturday, we find out more.

This week’s top stories

Oxford's congestion charge will be upgraded to the full ‘traffic filters’ from 14 September. Instead of a £5 charge, a £70 fine will be levied for driving a car through the six camera points. Residents and a long list of other groups will continue to have a limited number of passes per year.

The 14 September date is after the Botley Road rail bridge is due to reopen. All locations in Oxford will be accessible without passing a filter, but may require a journey around the ring road. The four city centre filters operate 7am–7pm every day: Marston Ferry Road and Hollow Way are 7-9am and 3-6pm Mon-Sat. The scheme is being run as an 18-month trial before Oxfordshire County Council – or its successor – decides whether to make it permanent.

Congestion charge permits will be automatically transferred, though with the Botley Road reopened, the ‘central permit area’ (for the small number of city centre residents who couldn’t reach their home without passing a camera) will no longer exist. The fine is cut to £35 if paid within 21 days, but OCC sternly warns that after the initial Penalty Charge Notice, “you will not get a reminder”.

For OCC, Cllr Gareth Epps said: “The traffic filter trial is designed to further reduce congestion in the city, creating a healthier, more accessible and attractive Oxford. By removing the option for drivers to pay, it aims to further reduce through-traffic and encourage more people to take public transport or walk, cycle and wheel. ”

Ben Cullen, Ryan Bridge and friends; a Raise the Colours banner at a demonstration in the West Midlands at which Cullen was present; and Ryan Bridge and Ben Cullen in Raise the Colours sweatshirts.

Ben Cullen, organiser of flag-raising group Raise The Colours Oxfordshire, has appeared in Reading Crown Court this week in connection with three counts of making indecent photos of children. The case continues.

The national Raise The Colours organisation, led by Ryan Bridge (pictured, with Ben Cullen), has issued a statement saying: “Ben Cullen was not affiliated with Raise The Colours. Members of the movement may have been present at the same flag-raising activities as him, or may have put up flags alongside him, but this does not mean he represented Raise The Colours.”

Oxfordshire County Council recently secured an injunction against Cullen, Bridge, Cullen’s partner Trudy Wells, and Kevin Good to prevent them erecting roadside flags.

This week, county Conservatives continued their attacks on the LibDem-run council for removing flags erected by Cullen’s group. Conservative leader Liam Walker wrote: “It's staggering that Oxfordshire County Council has now spent £79,790.21 removing flags from lampposts across the county. That’s before you even add the legal costs of the recent High Court action to prevent more flags being put up. This simply doesn’t feel like the right priority.” Former group leader Eddie Reeves added: “One has to reasonably ask, is this a good use of public money during a World Cup – or at any other time?”

Tim Bearder, LibDem leader of Oxfordshire County Council, retorted: “The Conservatives in Oxfordshire have demonstrated a horrific lack of judgement on this issue and sided with a small number of very unsavoury individuals (to put it mildly) who were committing a criminal act on an industrial scale for almost a year. I’m proud we have stood up to them.”

We looked at the background of Raise The Colours in a long read in March.

Around the city

In 2024, several of the Clarendon Muses, larger than life lead statues atop the 1715 city centre building, were removed for conservation. Three of them (two restored, one fully reconstructed) are now temporarily on display in the Weston Library before being returned to their rooftop watch.
The nine statues were originally cast by John van Nost, but faced a mixed fate: the pinnacle muse fell off in 1755, another in 1810, and others variously lost accessories and their decorative paint coats. A small exhibit details their restoration by a team including Edward Barton and John Rolfe. The free exhibit, open until 4 September, might be a nice escape from the upcoming heatwave, as well as the rare chance to get face to face with Oxford’s roofline history. Don’t blink!
Oxford drinkers may finally be able to swear in the Three Goats’ Heads after the death of Humphrey Smith, the irascible owner of Sam Smiths Brewery, at the age of 81. The pub chain enforced strict bans on swearing and mobile phone use. Smith was described in a Facebook pubs group as “an absolute titan of the British brewing world” (which we used to spin a joke on Bluesky, but it doesn’t really work here). He was known for arbitrarily sacking landlords, closing historic buildings, and preventing public access across a river bridge in Tadcaster when the town was cut in half by floods.
New plaques have been installed on benches around Oxford with quotations to fit their locations. Thirteen benches were installed last year in places chosen by Oxford Pedestrians Association using a bequest from Dr Keith Holly (1926-2019), augmented by local councillors.
Mabel Prichard Special School, on Cuddesdon Way in Blackbird Leys, is to be greatly expanded as part of a £2m investment by Oxfordshire County Council. The former foundation-stage classrooms at Orchard Meadow Primary School, on the same site, will be remodelled to provide three new SEND classrooms; other improvements include an improved entrance, pupil toilets and office space. Cllr Sean Gaul said: “We’re determined to continue investing in services for Oxfordshire’s SEND children.”
Build, baby, build! Oxford City Council has been making progress on affordable homes in the city. Affordable homes mean council tenants will typically pay around 40% of the rent a private landlord would charge for the same home, or shared ownership, which helps a range of people onto the housing ladder in one of the UK’s most unaffordable cities.
A ceremonial ground-breaking ceremony has taken place on a new development of 80 affordable homes on land close to Mill Lane in Old Marston. The ribbon has been cut on 29 new homes at Keepers Place in Littlemore, the first phase of a fully affordable housing development of 90 homes built on the site of a former oil depot. While we're on the council finishing things, they've also completed refurbishing the gym at Rose Hill Community Centre, installing brand new gym equipment including a climb mill, a pec dec, an air bike, a glute machine, an abs/lower back machine and more.
Latest congestion charge figures show faster buses on average compared to this time last year, on-par city centre footfall, but a slight decrease in cycling levels. Traffic volumes fell in the city centre, by 29% on Hythe Bridge Street and 18% on St Clements; the ring road saw slight increases, while the biggest rise (12%) was on Garsington Road. Park & Ride usage continues to be high with a 37% year-on-year increase at Redbridge and 24% at Peartree. Oxfordshire County Council publishes fresh data every month.

The Westgate continues to attract new tenants. Premium eyewear retailer David Clulow unveiled its new store this week, and global fashion brand Bershka has announced its first Oxfordshire store will open later this year in the former River Island unit.

Proposed locations of new housing in the Carterton/Witney belt. (Base map © OpenStreetMap.)

Around the county

The belt between Carterton, Brize Norton and Witney is to take the brunt of West Oxfordshire’s new housing, according to the first draft of a Local Plan released this week. Some 7,600 new homes will be built across seven sites in the area.
Other sites for housing include 750 new homes in Chipping Norton between Banbury Road and London Road, the previous plan for an ‘East Chipping Norton’ development having been abandoned after Roman remains were discovered; and smaller sites in Bampton, Burford, Charlbury, Hanborough and Standlake. Existing plans for new houses at Salt Cross (2,125), West Eynsham (950) and North Witney (1,250) remain on the agenda. The plan will go out to consultation later this summer.
A Mass Rapid Transit link to Oxford is proposed to serve Eynsham, Witney and Carterton, partly funded by new housing. This could be a traditional railway, light rail, tram-train guided bus or “other emerging technology”. Oxfordshire County Council has commissioned a study into possibilities. The draft Local Plan also suggests a “West Oxfordshire Mobility Hub” at Hanborough station.
But for now, commuters will have to make do with the A40 – where a swathe of improvements between Eynsham and Oxford has just been approved, including the long-awaited connection to the Eynsham Park & Ride. Oxfordshire County Council’s planning committee this week approved the plans, which include new bus lanes, a widened cycleway, and new pedestrian crossings connecting to the forthcoming Salt Cross garden village. The bus-focused improvements are intended to slash the 14-minute delays that services currently see at peak times. We looked at the plans in depth in 2024.
The amount of affordable housing in a new Bicester development has been slashed from 30% to 10% – a loss of 340 affordable houses in the 1,700-home development – after the developers pleaded poverty. Cala Homes said that expected sale prices at Himley Village, compared with the cost of building the homes and supporting infrastructure, would lead to “a viability gap of c. £75m”, and argued no affordable housing should be provided.
Cherwell District Council’s own assessment estimated the gap at £26m and said 10% would be achievable, to which Cala agreed. At a meeting this week, their planning officer said construction costs had spiralled thanks to Brexit, the Covid-19 pandemic, Liz Truss’s 2022 ‘mini budget’, and conflcits in Ukraine and the Middle East. The Himley Village development includes new schools, a link road, green spaces and other infrastructure – “quite a lot on the shopping list”.
Cherwell’s planning committee approved the developer’s request at their Thursday meeting. Conservative councillor Douglas Webb, proposing approval, said: “Our hands are tied. I will support this – reluctantly. We need these houses built.” Labour’s Besmira Brasha said that the eco-town guidelines meant the homes would be “built to a good standard”. A review mechanism will allow the 10% to be revised upwards if the economy improves.
Arguments over a Thames Valley Mayor rumble on as Oxfordshire County Council’s LibDem leader, Tim Bearder, has asked Andy Burnham to reinstate the offer of an elected mayor. OCC pulled out of discussions for an unelected ‘Foundation Strategic Authority’ for the Thames Valley, saying it would have fewer powers than a mayoralty. Oxford City Council has expressed its disappointment, with leader Susan Brown saying “People across the region are crying out for change, and this deal would have been an important step in helping to achieve that.” Duncan Enright, Labour’s West Oxfordshire councillor for Witney East, writes for the Clarion this week on why he believes we need devolution.
Tickets for Didcot's Cornerstone Arts Centre's new season are now on sale – its biggest season yet, following a successful 12 months with membership growing by over 200% and its annual pantomime attracting its biggest audience in recent years. (Oh yes it did! etc. etc.) The centre highlights this year's Christmas panto Jack and the Beanstalk, plus K-Pop Icons, magical Dance in the Dark and the Bring Your Own Baby comedy shows for family audiences. Literature lovers can see Jane Eyre and there's live music and comedy too at this council-run arts centre. Cllr Georgina Heritage, South Oxfordshire District Council, said: “It's fantastic to see Cornerstone continuing to grow and attract new audiences. We're excited to share this bigger programme, with something for everyone to enjoy. We can't wait to welcome both familiar and new faces to Cornerstone.”
100 new houses are proposed for the edge of the West Oxfordshire village of Enstone, on the A44 between Woodstock and Chipping Norton. Croudace Homes say their plan “responds to the organic morphology of Enstone, avoiding an overly formal or suburban layout”. The development would be close to the Hoar Stone, the remains of a Neolithic chambered tomb at the junction of two ancient paths. Croudace promise a “substantial landscape corridor” as separation. An application is with West Oxfordshire District Council.
An all-night croquet match on the summer solstice raised £715 for Eynsham Croquet Club. Roger Booth, Neil Stewart and Chris Ogden played with head torches from 9.21pm until sunrise at 4.46am. The club plans to purchase two new sets of championship croquet balls.

New 'signs' on the Thames Path; the Hooky 6.

Walking and cycling

Oxfordshire has taken its first steps towards banning pavement parking. A motion supporting a ban was approved by Oxfordshire County Council in its full council meeting on Tuesday, with 50 votes for and just 1 abstention. Proposed by Cllr Bethia Thomas (LibDem, Faringdon), it recognises the dangers caused by pavement parking and asks the council to develop enforcement that is “effective, cost neutral, and recognises needs of different areas and groups of people”. Cllr Thomas described pavement parking as a “practical problem… more so for people with small children, buggies and prams, visually impaired residents, and those experiencing limited mobility including wheelchair users”.
The Government recently announced that local authorities would be given powers to outlaw pavement parking. Before OCC can act, it needs the Government to define pavement parking (initially ‘obstruction’) as a ‘Contravention Code’ that Civil Enforcement Officers can enforce. Full action on wider pavement parking will require further legislation. The single abstention was Cllr Hao Du (Reform UK, Didcot South).
Do you run? One of Oxfordshire's friendliest (but also bumpiest) club races, the Hooky 6, celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. It is being supported by the eponymous brewery; all finishers will receive a specially designed commemorative T-shirt featuring the Hook Norton Brewery.
‘Pedestrian Priority’ signs have been painted on the ground along the Thames towpath in Oxford. Polly Friedhoff died in 2022 after being hit by a cyclist at Iffley Lock, where cycling is prohibited. Oxford Pedestrians Association called for the signs in response to the coroner's report.
A new online archive of historic cycling publications includes The Roads Round Oxford, a 1903 compendium of recommended routes for the Oxford cyclist compiled by the Oxford University Bicycle Club. The route to Burford begins: “From Carfax follow tram-lines down Queen Street to Station: dangerously slippy under Railway Bridge: follow telegraph wires past Botley (where bear L) to d.p. [direction post] at foot of Cumnor Hill where keep R. Tolerable macadam surface.” 123 years later, the drainage under the railway bridge is finally being fixed.
And finally, did you go cycling on the longest day of the year? Mallet-wielding kids’ TV presenter Timmy Mallett did, riding overnight from Oxford to London as he has done every year since 2002. Here’s his ride report.

This weekend

Queenagers (£), Fri, Old Fire Station. Menopause cabaret for fans of the HorMones. 'Laugh until the tears run down your legs.'
Madrigals on the River (£), Fri, Magdalen College School. The audience are on dry land, the performers are in punts.
The Rhythm of Life (£), Fri/Sat, Oxford Playhouse. OXOPS celebrates 80 years of musical theatre.
Alice's Day (mostly free), Sat (and Sun). This year's theme is 'Snarks, Rhymes & Riddles' all across the city centre: a wonderland of limericks, croquet, and magic lanterns.
Oxford Sings (£), Sat, Schwarzman Centre. A day of concerts from England and Georgia to India and Indonesia.
The Bird Nerd and the Red List (free), Sat, University Museum. Are you a lark or a swift? Drop-in dance event embodying endangered birds.
Oxford DIY Pride (free), Sat, East Oxford Community Centre. The independent Pride celebration returns for a second year with poetry, art, cabaret, and free gender-affirming clothing.
Eynsham Carnival (£cheap), Sat. Shirt race and Morris dancing.
Mostly Books 20th Birthday Party (free), Sat, Abingdon. Bookshop treasure hunt and author signings.
Glad to be Elsewhere (£cheap), Sat, Big Society. The American founder of IRL Oxford invites you to a 4th of July celebration of diversity.
Beyond the Horizon (£), Sat, St Barnabas Church. Thame and Oxford choirs combine for a contemplative concert including Parry and Mahler.
Carnival Day Party (£), Sun, The Black Swan. Fundraiser for Cowley Road Carnival's return this autumn.

This week

Robota (£), from Fri, Schwarzman Centre. A reworking of Rossum's Universal Robots, the play which introduced the word 'robot'.
Mini Summer Romantasy Festival (free/booking), from Sat, Bad Girl Books. Signings and merch every weekend through July and August.
Pitch, Please! (£), Tue, St Barnabas Church. Feelgood concert from queer community choir Oxford Proud Voices.
The Big Flame (free), Wed, Florence Park Community Centre. The story of the 1970s feminist revolutionary group.
St Birinus Festival (some £), Thu–Sun, Dorchester Abbey. For people who consider Evensong a modern aberration, all the Renaissance polyphony you can shake an incense-filled thurible at.

Dates for your diary

Two upcoming events we think are likely to sell out.

An Evening with Philip Pullman (£), Thu 16 Jul, Sheldonian Theatre. The storyteller from Jordan College reflects on completing the story of Lyra Belacqua.
The Gruffalo and Other Stories (£), Sat 18/Sun 19 Jul, Cornbury Park, Charlbury. Julia Donaldson performs an outdoor show including songs, stories, popcorn and “a cuddle with the Gruffalo”.

Oxfordshire’s independent media

Cllr Nathan Ley has another thoughtful piece from Abingdon, this time on nostalgia as a warning and a guide for the future.
The Oxford Sausage revisits Higgledy Piggledy Headington Quarry.
The Tab ranks all Russell Group Universities by interest and finance costs.
Bitten Oxford reckons some of the tastiest food in Oxford is to be found at Gloucester Green.
Daily Info previews this summer’s outdoor theatre, though their website is a bit flaky as we write this.
The Oxford Student speaks to an ‘Oxfordshire Patriots’ protester.
Ox in a Box reveals the winners of their Food Awards for 2026.
Edible Reading reviews an Oxford restaurant this week: it’s not live until midday, so hold your clicking finger for now…

Books

The Tour de France starts this weekend. We don’t have any whippet-thin racers on the Clarion staff, but we do have quite a lot of coffee-and-cake cyclists, so Heth Miller’s Le Great British Tour de Cake is much more up our street. Our cycling correspondent (who are we kidding, we have several) wrote a full review.
Uffington’s White Horse is simultaneously Oxfordshire’s greatest mystery and one of its best-known symbols. The Land of the White Horse, by expert David Miles (former chief archaeologist at English Heritage), is a 3,000-year survey of the figure, its mystical and cultural significance, and how it has shaped the lives of the people of the Vale. A must-read for anyone with a yen for Oxfordshire history.
After reading our piece on the Bartholomew Consort this week, author Matthew Vine got in touch about his memoir Road to Rouen, which covers “motorcycling, jazz, Belgium, wordplay, Early Music, the Dutch, aesthetics, Tallis' 40-part motet Spem in alium, East Africa, ribaldry, bars, the Book of Psalms, mildly uncharitable observation, very high speaking voices, and sausage rolls”. (And Oxford.)

Notes from Clarion HQ

Our inbox is rapidly becoming a digital recreation of the classic newspaper editor’s desk, an ever increasing pile of e-paper where we know we saw it somewhere… (We desperately need an electronic Marie Kondo to restore order to it.)

It is also a continual source of delight and intrigue, so a continued thank you to everyone who gets in touch (news@oxfordclarion.uk) with tipoffs more or less printable. Our WhatsApp this morning has been debating a reader’s emailed exasperation about piped music at the Westgate which, to our dismay, seemingly does not include Spem in alium. Have a great weekend.