Local news: Oxford
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Grade II-listed rectory farm house once owned by Sir Michael Caine now on market
Rectory Farm House, a 17th-century Grade II-listed country estate in North Stoke, Oxfordshire, and once the home of Sir Michael Caine, is now on sale for £10m through Savills. The six-bedroom property spans 8.3 acres with 600 feet of River Thames frontage.
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Oxfordshire Business Awards 2025 celebrates success, innovation and community spirit
The 2025 Oxfordshire Business Awards (OXBA) celebrated excellence across the county’s vibrant business community at Oxford Brookes University. With new co-chairs Heather Wood and Simon Bassett leading the evening, the event honoured achievements in 12 categories.
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Oxford Kidney Unit Trust supports 2025 British Transplant Games
The Oxford Kidney Unit Trust has announced its support for the 2025 Westfield Health British Transplant Games, set to take place in Oxford from 31 July to 03 August. The charity has long championed kidney patients and transplant research.
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Emergency repairs restore Oxford Canal after lock gate failure in Little Bourton
A vital stretch of the Oxford Canal is back in use following urgent repairs to a damaged lock gate at Little Bourton by engineering experts The Rothen Group.
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Shoryu Ramen launches authentic Japanese breakfast menu at Westgate Oxford
Shoryu Ramen has launched a new Japanese breakfast menu at its Westgate Oxford location. Created by Executive Chef Kanji Furukawa, the menu blends traditional Japanese flavours with a modern twist. Highlights include viral Japanese Sandos, Smashed Avocado Shokupan, and Salmon Ochazuke.
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Estelle Bailey of BBOWT awarded MBE for services to nature recovery
Estelle Bailey, Chief Executive of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT), has been awarded an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours for her services to nature recovery. With a 25-year career in The Wildlife Trusts and 11 years at BBOWT’s helm, she has led transformative projects, expanded nature reserves, and championed community-focused conservation.
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Aliki Braine flower works to feature at Ashmolean Museum still life gallery
In a notable recognition of her innovative still-life photography, Aliki Braine’s ‘flower works’ will be exhibited at the Ashmolean Museum’s Daisy Linda Ward Gallery from June 2025 to August 2026. These works will be shown alongside historic still-life paintings.
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The Store wins World’s Best London Dry Gin at World Gin Awards 2025
Oxford’s newest luxury hotel, The Store, has won World’s Best London Dry Gin at the World Gin Awards 2025 with its debut signature spirit. Created in partnership with Hawkridge Distillers, the gin was previously named Best in Country for England.
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Government injects £2.5bn funding into East West Rail connecting Oxford and Cambridge
The government has confirmed a £2.5 billion investment in East West Rail, a major infrastructure project connecting Oxford and Cambridge. The new funds, announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves during the Spending Review, will help complete the line through Bicester, Milton Keynes, and Bedford.
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Oxford City Council confident of funding Cowley Branch Line despite review silence
Oxford City Council says it remains confident of securing funding to reopen the Cowley Branch Line, despite the project being absent from the government’s recent spending review. The scheme, which would add two stations near Oxford Science Park and ARC Oxford, depends on a £20 million local contribution.
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Petition against Oxford’s £5 congestion charge gains 6,500 signatures in three days
A petition opposing Oxfordshire County Council’s proposed £5 congestion charge has gained nearly 6,500 signatures in just three days. The charge, targeting key roads between 7.00am and 7.00pm, is part of a temporary plan ahead of a traffic filter trial. Critics call it “unfair,” citing the current cost of living.
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“Little Lungs, Big Impact” kicks off at Oxford’s Serco-run leisure centres
More Leisure Community Trust (MLCT), in partnership with Serco Leisure, has launched the “Little Lungs, Big Impact” initiative to ban smoking and vaping near entrances of its leisure centres in Oxford. The campaign prioritises children’s health by reducing their exposure to second-hand smoke.