Clariwn Rhydychen*, 27 February 2026

* That’s ‘Oxford Clarion’ in Welsh. It’s St David’s Day on Sunday! Scroll down for our suggestions. Plus a bumper batch of city news, walking and cycling, the best events, election musings and your weekend indie reading.

This week’s long reads

Oxfordshire’s councils are being reorganised – and there are competing visions for what they should become. In a guest article for the Clarion, Oxford City Council leader Cllr Susan Brown argues for separate councils for Oxford city and rural Oxfordshire.

Oxfordshire councils: the power of three

Oxfordshire’s councils are to be combined – and there are competing visions for how to do this. Oxford City Council leader Susan Brown writes for the Clarion on why it believes a three council setup is the best solution. Most people in Oxfordshire have asked the same question at some

Oxford ClarionClarion guest contributor

This week’s top stories

The failing street surface outside the Westgate Centre is to be replaced. Yorkstone slabs were originally specified with the expectation that Queen Street would be pedestrianised – but in 2017, the then transport secretary, Chris Grayling, overruled Oxfordshire County Council and buses stayed on the road. The weight of buses subsequently caused the surface to fail, especially now that most are battery-powered and therefore heavier.

Emergency repairs in 2024 saw loose blocks removed and the gaps infilled with asphalt, but the Westgate owners say this is not “a viable long term solution”. OCC and the Westgate agree that stone paving is no longer a viable option. Instead, the surface will be relaid in a type of 10mm coloured asphalt called Ulticolour, which has successfully been used in Birmingham at a similar site with heavy bus traffic. Planning permission has now been granted.

Honorary degrees were awarded by Lord Hague of Richmond, Chancellor of the University of Oxford, marking one year since his inauguration as Oxford’s 160th Chancellor – and perhaps a narrow escape for the University that it chose not to elect Peter Mandelson.

Following the ceremony at the Sheldonian, honorands paraded through Oxford to Magdalen College. Tradition dictates the new Chancellor proposes candidates. He said: “In a ceremony that reflects Oxford's history and purpose, we celebrate honorands devoted to service, creativity, scholarship and leadership, whose work has made a profound impact on the world in which we live." The honorands are:

• Lady Elish Angiolini, Principal of St Hugh’s College. Chair of the Angiolini Inquiry into the murder of Sarah Everard. “Although I presided over very many graduation ceremonies I never contemplated receiving this honour for which I am truly grateful.”
• John Kerry, former US Secretary of State. “Oxford is synonymous... with the tradition of spirited debate which keeps the blood of governance flowing. It’s a tradition of respecting the power of ideas & their consequences.”
• Dinah Rose, KC, barrister and President of Magdalen College (and owner of Clarion favourite, Ozymandias). “I am utterly delighted to have been nominated for an honorary doctorate. It is a great privilege to represent Lord Hague’s own college, Magdalen, in this way."
• Professor Irene Tracey, neuroscientist and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford. "To receive an honorary degree... is both a privilege and a joy. I will continue to do my utmost to support Oxford, its staff, students and alumni."
• Professor Sir John Curtice, political scientist, broadcaster and Professor of Politics. "Oxford provided the environment in which I was able to lay the foundations for [my] career... Today’s recognition is well beyond the hopes & aspirations I had during that formative time in the dreaming spires."⁠
• Christina Lamb, author & journalist. “I still remember the thrill of seeing my acceptance to Oxford. Learning I was being awarded this was maybe even more thrilling. It's a recognition of people who have bravely told their stories when sometimes it can seem no one is listening.”
• Dr Dominic Sandbrook, historian & broadcaster. “I owe so much to the tutors [at Oxford] who inspired my love of history and literature. I’ve been very fortunate to be able to share my passions with readers and listeners all over the world.”
• Isabella Tree, writer and conservationist. “It’s incredibly kind of Lord Hague to consider me in such amazing company. Nature needs a voice and the world needs change. It’s an incredible honour to be recognised for helping to do something towards that change.”

Oxford is falling behind Cambridge on jobs, productivity and housing, an influential thinktank has warned. Centre for Cities says:

“The reason is simple: Cambridge has kept growing while Oxford has stood still. Oxford’s urban area has grown at less than half the rate of its wider area. Cambridge has been able to accommodate development within its boundaries. Delivery within Oxford has been far more limited… the main constraint lies within the city itself. Delivering homes within the urban boundary should be Oxford’s strategy.”

In Cambridge, they report, ‘knowledge-intensive’ jobs have risen from 14% to 17% over the past ten years; Oxford has fallen from 10% to 9% in the same period. But despite this, Oxford is less affordable – with house prices 12.5 times higher than average incomes, compared to 10.2 times in Cambridge.

Looking at housing figures, they say Cambridge expanded its housing stock by 15.1% over 10 years, whereas Oxford only managed 5%. Outside the cities, though, the figure was similar: Cambridge’s commuter belt added 14.6% more houses, Oxford’s 14.3%. (We looked at housing issues around Oxford in a week-long series in 2024.)

Around the city

• And in (possibly connected) lab space news, two new hi-tech developments have been agreed. The former Oxfam HQ at Oxford Business Park is to be refurbished as OxBio Hub, with the addition of a new storey and architectural improvements. Developers Greyarc are marketing it as “a flagship space for a single large occupier, offering the perfect HQ for a visionary science or tech leader”. Meanwhile, Cantay Estates’ plans for a life science facility on the site of Headington Co-op have been signed off.
• Oxford United’s new stadium is finally signed and sealed – if not yet delivered – with the formal agreement of the Section 106 (developer contributions) payments for the site. The club is now free to start on the enabling works for construction to begin. Planning permission was granted in August last year, but the club needed to reach agreement with Cherwell District Council on the S106 contributions before work could begin. OUFC can stay at the Kassam Stadium until June 2028, but owner Firoz Kassam is understood to be keen to redevelop the site. OUFC chairman Grant Ferguson said: “This brings us one step closer to delivering a new home for our club. While important steps remain, this milestone gives us the platform to move forward with confidence as we focus on the next stages of this once-in-a-generation opportunity.”
• A new Air Quality Action Plan for Oxford commits the city to a more ambitious target. Approved by the City Council’s cabinet this month, the plan sets a new local annual mean nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) target of 20 µg/m³ to be achieved across the city by 2030 – or “20 by 30”. Priority areas will include active travel and reducing the need to drive; accelerating the transition to low and zero emission transport; reducing emissions from domestic heating and industry; raising public awareness and enabling behaviour change. Recent improvements have been driven by the roll-out of electric buses and the city centre Zero Emission Zone.
• Traffic levels on Magdalen Bridge have fallen by 13% and on Folly Bridge by 14% since the introduction of Oxford’s congestion charge, according to the latest data. The year-on-year changes also saw drops on Banbury Road, Marston Ferry Road and Thames Street, with rises of 0%–6% on the ring road. Buses were significantly faster on the Abingdon Road throughout the day, with the biggest speed-ups seen on St Clements and Headington Road on inbound evening services. Garsington Road and Windmill Road, however, had notably slower morning bus services than in 2025. Peartree Park & Ride usage is up by 18% year-on-year and Redbridge by 33%. Total income in January was £287,200 from congestion charge payments and £757,400 from fines. Oxfordshire County Council updates the figures monthly.
• The UK chapter of Turning Point, the far-right group formerly led by gun supporter Charlie Kirk, had a stall on Cornmarket on Thursday. The group was set up to promote right-wing politics in UK schools, colleges and universities, to counter what it alleges are left-wing politics of UK educational institutions. Clarion correspondents report that among those staffing the stall was Nick Tenconi, leader of the rump UK Independence Party (UKIP) and COO of Turning Point UK.
• The Save Our Museum campaign, which opposes the introduction of entry fees at the Museum of Oxford, says that footfall at the museum was rising and that claims of subsidy were overstated. They warn: “This is a dangerous narrative – it reframes cultural activities as a luxury we can't afford.” The museum is run by Oxford City Council, and the campaign is appealing for residents to write to their councillors in support. An amendment at this week’s City Council budget meeting to drop entry fees in the summer months was voted down.
       Separately, the City Council is seeking to set up joint ticket promotions with other local attractions. Cllr Alex Hollingsworth said: “We want the Museum of Oxford to be part of a connected, thriving cultural and visitor ecosystem.”
• Oxford’s twin town arrangement with Leon, Nicaragua, will continue after the Leon Association was revived at a Town Hall meeting. The cities were twinned 40 years ago to show support for the Sandinista government, but dwindling volunteer involvement had raised fears for its continuation. “I am thrilled that the first Oxford link with a city in the Global South will continue,” said outgoing chair and former Lord Mayor John Tanner. “Politics has turned sour in Nicaragua and it is impossible to have official links. But the association still supports clean water and education projects.” This week’s City Council budget allocated an extra £20,000 to support volunteers in town twinning groups, with amendments which proposed to spend the money on other Oxford community projects defeated.
• Twelve new social rent homes have been officially opened off the Cowley Road. The new development on Princes Street, adjoining the East Oxford Community Centre, was built to an energy efficient design with rooftop solar and air-source heat pumps. The homes were built for the City Council’s development company, OX Place. Cllr Linda Smith, cabinet member for housing, said: “We’re strengthening the heart of one of Oxford’s most characterful neighbourhoods by building homes for local Oxford people to truly put down roots in the community.”
• Oxford Human Rights Festival in March will show a new documentary about the women's peace camp at Greenham Common. In 'Gentle, Angry Women', three teenage girls retrace the original march against US nuclear weapons. (It is also showing at Abingdon's Abbey Cinema.)

Around the county

• An artisan bakery is moving into Wallingford. Blewbury Bread Co, which started as a one-off charity project in 2020, runs a ‘Bread Shed’ at the village near Didcot, but is now planning to refit a currently vacant shop at St Peters Place in Wallingford.
• Oxfordshire Family Support Network has won £458,000 from the National Lottery Community Fund. OxFSN will use the funding to help the families of people who have a learning disability or autism to plan ahead for when they are no longer able to care for them.
• Reform UK has its first West Oxfordshire councillor. Natalie King, first elected for the LibDems in the district council seat of Carterton North West and subsequently suspended and then expelled from the party, is now listed as representing Farage’s party. Her former role as Armed Forces Champion, in the council that includes RAF Brize Norton, has been taken on by council leader Cllr Andy Graham.
• Churches across Oxfordshire are being funded for projects working with children and young people. St Mary’s Church, Iffley has been awarded over £75,000 by the Diocese of Oxford for a Children and Families Worker to support activities across Iffley, Rose Hill, and Donnington, including the parish’s Messy Church, and a youth group. Other grants went to Didcot Ladygrove and East Hendred.
• A Witney farmer has applied to create a 16-vehicle touring caravan site at his farm in High Cogges, just south of the town. Meanwhile, the established Merryweather Farm site, just north of Chipping Norton, is seeking to expand with 18 new pitches. Oxfordshire has lost several caravan sites in recent years, including the city site at Redbridge and the popular Bladon Chains/Blenheim site.
• The Diocese of Oxford is playing a lead role in a new body to support rapid growth of Hong Kong Christians in Church of England parishes. Rev Mark Nam, founder of the Teahouse group of Chinese heritage clergy, said churches with Hong Kong Christian congregations were experiencing unprecedented growth. “Hong Kong has a long and well-established relationship with the Church of England, so it’s only right that we respond well to sisters and brothers in Christ who are now making their home in the UK.”
• West Oxfordshire District Council set its budget this week. An interesting tale of two reactions. Cllr Ruth Smith, Labour: “This budget is a product of our successful Alliance. Can you imagine such a strong Nature Recovery Strategy without the Greens, or the visionary Carterton Strategy and investment without the LibDems, or the huge acceleration in social rent homes and emergency accommodation for our families in dire need of housing without Labour? We share responsibility but we use the talent and enthusiasm we each bring from our teams.” And Cllr Liam Walker, Conservative: “It’s disappointing that the Conservative amendment was voted down. Our proposal was fully funded and demonstrated that a Council Tax freeze can be delivered while still investing in practical local priorities. I’m getting to used to being rejected by the LibDems now…”
• And Cherwell District Council set its budget too, including on-going funding for Banbury Museum. Cherwell is a LibDem/Green coalition. The Conservatives campaigned against three-weekly bin collections and for free peak-time parking, but both LibDems and Labour dismissed it as “a clickbait amendment”.

Walking and cycling

• A bike hire scheme at Culham Campus has been criticised as being “perfect for cyclists who have forgotten their own bike but remembered their helmet”, after site owners the UK Atomic Energy Authority mandated helmet use. Local cycling campaign CulBUG reports only three users in three months. A similar scheme has run at the Harwell sister site since 2022 without helmets being required – and Culham is largely flat, private roads with a 20mph limit throughout. CulBUG called it “greenwashing”, pointing out two new multi-storey car parks and a new main gate with increased priority for cars.
• The five-year campaign for a safe walking route to the Europa School, also at Culham, has finally borne fruit. Oxfordshire County Council has published plans for a safe pedestrian and cycle crossing across the A415 plus junction and path safety improvements. The busy A415 is the main road to Abingdon from the east and has seen several serious and fatal accidents across its full length. A petition set up by parents attracted almost 500 signatures. Consultation is open until 27 March.
• Oxford’s cycle campaign Cyclox has published a Design Guide for a Better Oxford, setting out how it thinks the city’s streets should be redesigned. It calls for “physically protected cycle lanes” where there is space, removing car parking spaces if need be, and Low Traffic Neighbourhoods across the city – “the only way to enable inclusive cycling on streets too narrow for cycling infrastructure”.

St David’s Day

A selection of ideas for a Welsh weekend.

• St David's Day Concert (£), Sat, University Church. Oxford Welsh Male Voice Choir celebrates with songs in Welsh and English, with Welsh cakes for all.
• Choral Evensong at the university’s historic ‘Welsh college’, Jesus, Fri 5.30pm; music in Welsh, sermons in English.
• Cymdeithas Dafydd ap Gwilym, Oxford University’s Welsh society, has a weekend programme open to all, including an eisteddfod in Jesus College Chapel (5pm Saturday), and pub celebrations on Saturday (Royal Blenheim from 9pm) and Sunday (White Rabbit from 7pm).
• The King’s Arms in Kidlington (now a tref, not a pentref) has a Welsh menu including dragon pie, Glamorgan sausage, and ffagodda Cymru.
• Rarebit? Try the legendary Oxford Cheese Rarebit at the Vaults and Garden, now relocated to King Edward Street, or the beerified version at the St Aldate’s Tavern. Bonus points to anyone who sends us a picture of local council reorganisation through the medium of rarebit.
• And did you know Oxford University has a whole Oxford Cymru programme which aims to address under-representation of students from Wales? It’s led by Jesus, New and Catz (awkwardly, there is no letter ‘z’ in Welsh).

This weekend

• The Battle of Carfax 1936, Sat, The Nest. Celebrating Oxford's late radical historian Ciarán Walsh by remembering when bus drivers beat the Blackshirts.
• Novice Hedge Laying Competition, Sat, Harcourt Arboretum. Free entry for spectators.
• Zine Fair, Sat, Weston Library. Free drop-in event celebrating self-publishing.
• Exposed (£), Sat, Amey Theatre, Abingdon. Climber Leo Houlding tells tales of exploration with his young family.
• Kids Go Classical! (£), Sun, Sheldonian Theatre. 150 young people singing with Oxford Opera and Oxford Chamber Orchestra. Under-18s go free.
• Keble Early Music Festival (£), Fri–Sat. Closing events include Bach’s St John Passion and The Art of Fugue.
• Tomatoes Tried To Kill Me but Banjos Saved My Life (£), Sun 3pm, The Old Fire Station. “A true story of leaving the world of corporate board rooms behind to follow a long-delayed passion—playing the banjo.”
• Zoe Rahman & Oxford University Jazz Orchestra, Sun, Jacqueline du Pré Music Building. Remarkable British/Bengali jazz.

This week

• How to Live Like a Stoic (£), Tue 3 Mar, Caper. From the author of The Idle Parent.
• The Rheingans Sisters (£), Wed 4 Mar, Common Ground. Innovative folk music with eerie support from local songwriter Sharron Kraus.
• ARcH Volunteering Information, Thu 5 Mar, online. Inspired by our article on supporting children with reading? Mark this year's World Book Day by learning how you could become a volunteer for ARCh (Assisted Reading for Children) in a local school.
• Heated Rivalry Club Night (£), Thu 5 Mar (11pm-2am), The Bullingdon. Show soundtracks and queer anthems. Free entry for NHS staff, apparently.
• Careless People (£), Fri 6 Mar, Blackwell's. Hear from a former Facebook executive legally barred from saying anything about Facebook.
• ManConcert VI (£), Fri 6 Mar, St Mary Magdalen. Acappella from Man Choir plus Ukrainian song from Natalia Kakarkina.
• The Jolly Grogsters, Fri 6 Mar, Harcourt Arms. Sea shanties, Oxfordshire-style. Free album launch.
• Listening Party: Celebrating Women, Fri 6 Mar, The Workshop Cafe. Help build a playlist for International Women's Day.

Oxfordshire’s independent media

• The Oxford Sausage celebrates 100 years of Hill End.
• Bitten Oxford has been to Treadwell to review their new “guest chef takeover” series.
• Cherwell is on a bakery tip this week, with their guide to Oxford’s sourdough following hot on the heels of Jericho’s patisserie, Broche.
• The Oxford Blue considers the Roman Catholic church’s new musical direction.
• The Oxford Student writes about “coming to Oxford from a working class background”.
• Nightshift’s March issue features sea shanty band the Jolly Grogsters – “hard times regularly rendered as good-time tunes”.
• Ox in a Box reviews a “visceral” Macbeth at the North Wall.
• Not quite indie, but we stumbled across a BBC archive where you can search for clips by location. Warning: you will lose hours here. How about a whistler from Abingdon? Or a report from 1972, again from Abingdon, where villagers can dial a bus? Or Top Gear’s Quentin Willson reporting on “banning cars from Oxford City Centre”. In 1999. Must-watch.

Books

• Floaters is a memorably titled young adult novel by Oxfordshire author Craig Taylor, featuring three teenagers whose favourite river swimming spot is polluted by sewage discharge. (The Guardian interviews him.) 215 copies were printed, one for each mile of the Thames, and as we write only 62 are left.

Notes from Clarion HQ

Our ever-growing team descended on an Oxford pub for an editorial meeting this week. The increasingly difficult task of staying incognito wasn’t helped by a senior local Labour politician enjoying a quiet pint on the next table. We won’t tell if you don’t.

We write this on the morning after the Gorton & Denton by-election – a battle which saw Oxford’s Labour and Green activists travel up to Manchester for a door-knocking marathon. Although the original Clarion was founded in Manchester, our knowledge of its modern politics is limited to “how do we get some trams like that?” so we’ll pass on the commentary. But we will just insouciantly drop these demographic profiles for Gorton & Denton and Oxford East in the links below. Different worlds… or close enough? Have a great weekend and we’ll see you on Tuesday.