Benson Parish Council said the play equipment at the village’s parks are in need of “costly” repairs as a result.

In a “polite” statement, the council asked grown-ups to not play in the children’s area near Wallingford.

A spokesman said: “We would kindly like to remind everyone that the play equipment in our village parks is designed and built for children only.

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“Unfortunately, we have recently experienced a number of costly repairs as a result of adults using the equipment.

“We understand that it can be tempting to join in the fun, but we respectfully ask adults to help us look after these facilities, so they remain safe, enjoyable, and available for local children.

“Thank you for your support in helping us care for our community spaces.”

Restaurateur Tom Rainey, who runs the Porterhouse Grill off Botley Road, west Oxford, and The Punter, on nearby Osney Island, has bought the freehold of The Black Horse in Gozzards Ford near Abingdon.

Renovations have been taking place, and the pub is expected to reopen on Sunday, June 7.

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The former Greene King pub was closed for about five years until new tenants surprised drinkers by reopening it in 2024.

Restaurateur Tom Rainey (Image: Oxford Mail)

The pub then closed again, and now Mr Rainey and his team are looking forward to serving drinks and “high end pub food” to customers.

He said: “Everything is going very well and we are looking forward to a private lunch for guests on Saturday, June 6, followed by opening for customers at noon on Sunday, June 7.

“Renovations include new wood panelling on the walls, and one of the rooms has been turned into a conservatory – the old skylight was leaking and we have created a much larger new one.

“There are new stone floors, new parquet floors and new loos. The builders from Abingdon have done a fantastic job. They’ve been great to work with.”

Mani’s black horse painting (Image: Tom Rainey)

Some dishes from the menus at The Porterhouse Grill and The Punter will feature at The Black Horse, which is being renamed The Blackhorse.

“We have also been painting the pub black – it makes sense because of the name,” Mr Rainey added.

Veggie scotch eggs from The Punter will feature on the menu, together with cheeseburgers, steak, venison haunch, seabass, oysters, and pies.

Hofmeister and Estrella lagers will be served, together with Westons cider, and Butcombe Original beer.

The Black Horse in Gozzards Ford (Image: Andy Ffrench)

Oxford artist Mani, whose real name is Andrew Manson, has been asked to design the new pub sign.

Mr Rainey said he had been getting “lots of good feedback” from people looking forward to the pub reopening.

Earlier he said the hostelry, part of which dates back to the 1700s, would be like “a phoenix rising from the ashes”.

Another major focus for renovation are the pub’s gardens, which Mr Rainey said will be landscaped over the coming year.

He said earlier: “The gardens are quite extensive and we want them to be landscaped with new pathways, and tables dispersed throughout, but that will take some time to complete.

“We want to welcome everyone from the surrounding villages and remind the people of Abingdon that they will soon have an excellent village pub right on their doorstep.”

The pub was reopened in 2024 by managers Manol Mitre and Dennis Yuri following a long period of closure.

When the pub was shut, Dave Richardson, a spokesman for the Oxford branch of CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale), claimed it was Oxfordshire’s “most forgotten pub” and called for it to be reopened.

Gozzards Ford is a small village about two miles from Abingdon, so the vast majority of customers drive to the pub.

Clarissa’s Home Healthcare Services was visited by inspectors in February with the report only published last week.

The leadership and safety of the company was highlighted as needing ‘improvement’.

Meanwhile the effectiveness, caring, and responsiveness of the service was deemed ‘good’.

The Bicester service provides care to people living in their homes with physical disabilities and dementia.

Inspectors found the service was in breach of legal regulations in relation to safe care and treatment and fit and proper persons employed.

The inspection revealed that for one person receiving care, the log stated, “aggressive behaviour,” however, there was no information recorded on how staff could support the person when displaying behaviours that challenge.

Inspectors found the provider did not always make sure there were enough qualified, skilled and experienced staff.

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And the provider did not always make sure that medicines and treatments were safe and met people’s needs, capacities and preferences, the report says.

The main concern for inspectors was the leadership of the business. The inspection stated “the provider did not have clear responsibilities, roles, systems of accountability and good governance”.

It also found “they did not act on the best information about risk, performance and outcomes, or share this securely with others when appropriate”.

However the inspection report stated that “people and relatives told us staff were polite, friendly, kind, patient, absolutely wonderful and caring”.

And another person said “they always give me dignity in the shower, they never rush me or are never abrupt, they let me take my time”.