Crime & Safety
1,000 caterpillars let loose on Port Meadow in Oxford
Volunteers battled for years to remove the noxious plant which stands about 2ft high sporting bright yellow flowers.
All sorts of ideas were put forward to eradicate or at least control the weed without any great success.
One ingenious idea in 1965 was to put more than 1,000 cinnabar caterpillars on the meadow.
According to experts at the Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Oxfordshire Naturalists’ Trust, the only food they liked was ragwort.
Nearby allotment holders objected, arguing that the caterpillars would eat their cabbages and other vegetables, but were assured they would eat only ragwort.
Sadly, the experiment failed when the caterpillars grew fat on the weed, turned into chrysalises, became butterflies and flew away.
The experts scoured the meadow in vain for any sign of the insects, and the ragwort shot up next summer just as hardy.
One strain of the weed was called Oxford ragwort, which came originally from the slopes of Mount Etna in Sicily.
It was brought to the Oxford Botanic Garden between 1670 and 1680 and the seeds apparently escaped over the garden wall to the outside world.
Former Botanic Garden superintendent Ken Burras told the Oxford Mail: “Once it had escaped, dispersed by its silky parachute-like wings, the seed was whisked through the city.”
Then, with the coming of the railways, the seeds were transported around the country.
At first, Oxford ragwort, with yellow flowers and 2ft high very similar to the original plant, could only be seen growing alongside railway tracks, but it later spread almost everywhere.
One expert said: “It particularly likes building sites and stone crevices.”
The most effective way of getting rid of ragwort was to pull it up by its roots and burn it, a job which could be back breaking.
The idea of spraying Port Meadow to kill it was ruled out for fears of killing other flora.
By 1980, another problem was rearing its head – thistles were taking over a large part of the meadow.
Oxford City Council’s answer was to use weedkiller, but that brought immediate protests from Wolvercote Commoners and eminent scientists.
They claimed that cutting the thistles would have “huge advantages” by being cheaper and less destructive.
Other voices were raised in defence of the meadow’s colony of goldfinches. It was claimed they were likely to be left homeless if all the thistles were removed.
With so many different views, beleaguered council officials wondered which way to turn next!
The top picture shows Fred Archer, a freeman of Oxford, examining the ragwort on Port Meadow in 1975 while in the lower picture, Roger Clarke, of the Naturalists’ Trust, watched by the Sheriff of Oxford, Olive Gibbs, puts caterpillars on the ragwort in 1965.
Earlier in 2026, Russell & Bromley announced all but three of its 36 stores were at risk as they had not been bought in a rescue deal.
Next snapped up the luxury footwear business from administration in a rescue deal, but the future of most of the brand’s stores and 440 staff remained uncertain.
Closing down signs then appeared at the Russell & Bromley store at Westgate Oxford, with customers warned of the expected closure.
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The shop has been left completely empty since last month, with its shelves bare after its closure.
The unit, which can be found on the bottom floor of the retail location near John Lewis, now only has a paper notice on the door as a reminder alongside the Russell & Bromley signs.
“This store is now closed,” read the notice.
“Find your nearest store,” it added along with Next’s website link.
Now, according to a report in Drapers, Russell & Bromley’s recently shuttered store in Richmond, south west London, has reopened under the ownership of Next.
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It remains to be seen if the brand would reopen a store in Oxfordshire or if the products will be stocked at Next stores instead.
There is a Next at Westgate Oxford, not far from the closed Russell & Bromley, as well as other stores in the county, including Bicester, Didcot and Witney.
Would-be shoppers were also recently told that neither gift cards nor loyalty points would be accepted at the shoe shop.
A statement in March said: “While the previous operator has ceased trading, the Russell & Bromley brand will be operated by Next in the near future.”
The Next website at the time added: “These can no longer be used and we will not be able to honour these. For any queries about these, please contact the Administrators.”
Bailey arrived in July 2024 at the Oxford Animal Sanctuary from the special education project, but it turned out that he was not a fan of children.
Not the noisy ones, not the quiet ones, not the ones offering treats. So it was decided he might be happier somewhere with a strict no-children policy.
His new home at the animal sanctuary has a strict no-children policy.
The Oxford Animal Sanctuary said: “You have never seen a goat look more relieved.”
Within a day, Bailey had become the leader of the goat group.
Describing his unmistakable tactic, The Oxford Animal Sanctuary said: “His signature move is the lean.
“He’ll come over, press his full weight against your leg, and gaze up at you with enormous, soulful eyes.”
While this seems like affection, it’s actually a demand for treats – he expects them before anyone else.
Beyond his treat rituals, Bailey is reportedly very affectionate and happy to spend time with those around him.
Bailey has found a contented life at Oxford Animal Sanctuary.
Pack of Lies by Hugh Whitemore tells the story of Bob and Barbara Jackson, a middle-aged couple living a peaceful life in 1960s Ruislip, until a Scotland Yard detective arrives and asks to use their house to observe a suspected Soviet spy ring.
The play is set to run at the Players Theatre in Thame from July 7 to July 11, with performances each evening at 7.45pm and an additional matinee at 2.30pm on July 11.
Based on the true events of the Portland spy ring in the early 1960s, the Jacksons face the ultimate test of loyalty when they discover the suspected spies are their close friends and neighbours, Peter and Helen Kroger.
The London West End production in 1983 starred Judi Dench and Michael Williams.
Dame Judi won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress for her performance.
This amateur production of Pack of Lies is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals Ltd on behalf of Samuel French Ltd.
Tickets are priced between £10 and £12.
They can be booked online at www.thameplayers.co.uk, through the Information Centre at Thame Town Hall, or by calling 01844 212833.
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