News
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PayByPhone to revolutionise parking in South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse
Saba UK has partnered with PayByPhone to introduce a seamless cashless parking system across South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse. Replacing Connect, the PayByPhone app offers residents and visitors easy parking payments, session extensions, and additional features.
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Voting opens for Brand the Bus 2025 with over 60 charities in the running
More than 60 local charities are competing in Oxfordshire’s Brand the Bus 2025 competition to win a £100,000 advertising package. Hosted by Oxford Bus Company and Thames Travel, the initiative will see the winning charity’s branding featured on a double-decker bus for a year.
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Botley’s new skatepark nears completion, a game-changer for local skaters
Botley’s new skatepark is nearing completion and is set to open by mid-March. Replacing the iconic Botley Bowl, it features the UK’s first blended bowl, a street section, and a mini ramp, designed for all skill levels.
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Oxford United’s charity launches fundraising campaign for fans and businesses
Oxford United’s official charity has launched Friends of Oxford United in the Community, a fundraising initiative to expand its impact through football. Fans can subscribe for £5 monthly, while businesses can partner for £100, unlocking exclusive benefits and prize draws.
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JR Hospital gets improved bus service as Pulhams takes charge
Pulhams has enhanced the H2 bus service to JR Hospital, increasing frequency and extending the timetable. Now operating every 30 minutes from Witney, Eynsham, and Summertown to the hospital, the service also includes early morning and late evening journeys to Carterton.
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Careys expands its Construction Campus model with a new training hub at Oxford North
Oxford North will host Careys Construction Campus, offering free, hands-on construction training to address industry skill shortages. Launching in March 2025, the three-week program provides Level 2 ground working skills, a CSCS card, and a guaranteed job interview with Careys.
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Artificial intelligence boosts swimmer safety at Oxford’s leisure centre
Three Oxford leisure centres have introduced AI-driven Assisted Lifeguard Technology (ALT) to enhance swimmer safety and support lifeguards. Backed by the Royal Lifesaving Society, ALT uses overhead cameras and AI to monitor swimmer behaviour, providing real-time alerts via smartwatches worn by lifeguards.
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Grainger makes debut in Oxford with £68m build-to-rent development, The Kimmeridge
Grainger plc, the UK’s largest listed residential landlord, has launched The Kimmeridge in Botley, Oxford—a £68 million Build-to-Rent (BTR) development. The eight-storey scheme offers 150 high-quality apartments with premium amenities, addressing strong local rental demand.
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Blenheim Palace Triathlon 2025 to host prestigious national and European qualifiers
The Blenheim Palace Triathlon returns in 2025 for its 21st edition, bringing an added competitive edge. The two-day event, held at the UNESCO World Heritage site, will feature its usual race formats, including Super Sprint, Sprint, Relay, and Weekend Warrior.
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Abingdon’s P2i expands nano-coating innovations with new strategic partnership
P2i, a specialist in nano-coating technology, has extended its manufacturing partnership with PP Control and Automation (PP C&A) to launch the new 18L machine. This next-generation system delivers ultra-thin, durable liquid protection for electronics while reducing size and production time.
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Oxford United boosts Chalgrove Cavaliers with winter training grant
Oxford United’s Dreaming Spires project has awarded Chalgrove Cavaliers FC a £1,000 grant, enabling the club to purchase eight portable floodlights. This funding ensures 30 young players can train through winter, overcoming previous challenges due to limited access to lit facilities.
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Blenheim Palace Triathlon adds duathlon to 2025 event roster
The Blenheim Palace Triathlon, taking place on 7-8 June, is introducing a new Duathlon event for 2025. Held at the UNESCO World Heritage site, participants can choose between a half (5km run, 22km bike, 5km run) or full duathlon (10km run, 44km bike, 5km run) on Sunday, 8 June.
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National Theatre’s award-winning Dear England is heading to Oxford in January 2026
The National Theatre’s Olivier Award-winning play Dear England is set for a nationwide tour in 2025/2026, visiting the New Theatre Oxford from 27–31 January 2026. Written by James Graham and directed by Rupert Goold, the play explores Gareth Southgate’s leadership and England’s footballing identity.
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Spitfire Girls lands at Chipping Norton Theatre as part of a major UK theatre tour
Spitfire Girls, a new play by Katherine Senior, is opening at Chipping Norton Theatre from this May as part of a major UK tour. The play marks the 80th anniversary of WWII’s end and celebrates the unsung female pilots who defied expectations.
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Registrations now open for the 2025 British Transplant Games in Oxfordshire
Registrations for the 2025 Westfield Health British Transplant Games in Oxfordshire are now open. The event, running from 31 July to 3 August, welcomes transplant recipients, supporters, live donors, and donor families to participate in 26 sports.
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Oxford Bus Company’s Chatty Bus initiative to combat loneliness returns
Oxford Bus Company and Thames Travel’s popular Chatty Bus initiative is returning to help address loneliness. As part of efforts to help Oxford Bus Company combat loneliness, the Chatty Bus initiative volunteers will be on board the X32 service on Monday, 24 February, engaging passengers in conversation as they travel between the John Radcliffe Hospital…