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UK private school welcomes Royal to brand new facility

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Known as the Music School, the new multi-million pound facilities also feature an additional Recital Hall, a dedicated Song Room for choral rehearsals, 26 music practice rooms, and state-of-the-art classrooms.

Sophie, The Duchess of Edinburgh, who is married to Prince Edward, officially opened the private school’s new Music School on Sunday, at a special concert featuring two new pieces jointly composed by leading contemporary composer Cecilia McDowall, working with eight pupils.

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The multi-million-pound new building marks the completion of a 10-year programme linked to Radley College’s expansion to 770 pupils

A professional recording studio enables pupils to record and produce their own work, while flexible rehearsal spaces support the college’s busy programme of ensembles and performances.

About 580 music lessons take place every week at Radley, with nearly half of the boys taking singing or instrumental lessons.

The new music school at Radley College (Image: ANDREW WALMSLEY)

The refurbished Silk Hall Concert Hall has also held two sell-out performances, the first featured acclaimed woodwind player Giacomo Smith, and the second renowned concert pianist Sir Stephen Hough.

The warden of Radley College, John Moule, said: “Music is about the people far more than the building they play in.

“But the time and resource we have dedicated to this stunning new Music School represents all that is good about education

“To teach skills for life through music, creativity through composition, collaboration though ensemble, discipline through practice and confidence through performance.

“In a school which cares about beauty, emotion, collegiality and culture, music has to be at the centre of what we do. Emphatically, at Radley College it is.”

John Moule, warden of Radley College John Moule, warden of Radley College (Image: Edmund Blok/Radley College)

The new building will also serve the local community.

Radley College leads Music Flood, a partnership with Abingdon Music Centre, Thames Vale Youth Orchestra and 17 local schools with the aim of putting music in every school, every day.

The new Music School has already hosted two Music Flood Orchestra events and will welcome hundreds of children from across local primary schools today for the Big Sing.

Radley’s director of music Sam Gladstone said: “It has been incredible to see the impact that such an inspiring building has already had on our young musicians, at all levels of ability.

“Aside from a series of thrilling performances, the building has been full of music every day from pupils excited to practise individually, rehearse in groups or explore our wonderful new recording facilities.

“Just as exciting has been to see hundreds of musicians from across our Music Flood partnership performing in the stunning new performance spaces, making music alongside Radley’s own pupils and some remarkable visiting professional performers.”

The opening concert launched a year-long season of solo competitions, concerto performances and informal concerts that will showcase the new building and the emphasis on music at Radley.

The Music Room project involved two and a half years of planning and design, 18 months of construction, and 100,000 hours of labour.

Founded 179 years ago, Radley College near Abingdon is a leading boarding school for boys aged 13 to 18.

Former pupils include radio presenter and entrepreneur Jamie Laing, who appeared in the Channel 4 Made in Chelsea reality TV show for a number of seasons, and former England cricket captain Andrew Strauss.

Radley College was named as Tatler’s Best Public School in 2024. It dedicated £3.9m to its expanding bursary offer over the past year.





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Crime & Safety

Scales of Justice results from Oxford Magistrates’ Court

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MOHAMMED AHMED, 21, of Blackbird Leys Road, Oxford, was found guilty of driving a vehicle without third party insurance on the A420 London Road, Oxford, on July 3 last year. He was ordered to pay costs of £135, a victim surcharge of £240 and a fine of £660. He was also handed six penalty points.

SEAN BRADLEY, 27, of Marsh End, Tetsworth, Thame, pleaded guilty to three counts of drug driving in a white Vauxhall Combo Van on August 31 last year on the M40 near Banbury. He also pleaded guilty to one count of being in possession of a class B drug, namely ketamine, on the same occasion. He was ordered to pay costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £114. He must also complete 150 hours of unpaid work within 12 months and he was banned from the road for 30 months. An order was also made for the drugs to be destroyed.

DANIEL MCMASTER, 37, of Rymers Lane, Oxford, was found guilty of assaulting a police officer and criminal damage in Abingdon on June 30 last year. He was ordered to pay costs of £325 and a fine of £60. He was also given a conditional discharge for 12 months.

REBECCA TREMLETT, 29, of St Aldates, Oxford, pleaded guilty to one count of theft from a shop in Oxford on March 19 this year. The total value of the items stolen was £166. She was ordered to pay costs of £85 and a fine of £120.

MARK SMITH, 57, of Bablock Hythe, Northmoor, pleaded guilty to one count of being in possession of an offensive weapon, namely a sword, in Northmoor on November 5 last year. He also pleaded guilty to using threatening / abusive words / behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress in Northmoor between September 1 and 20 last year. He was ordered to not contact two people for three months and he must pay compensation of £50. An order was also made for the sword to be destroyed.

EDWARD LOCKYER, 68, of Acacia Avenue, Oxford, pleaded guilty to breaching a sexual harm prevention order in Oxford on January 29 this year. He was ordered to pay costs of £85, a victim surcharge of £114 and a fine of £40. He must also comply with the orders of the responsible officer to attend appointments for a maximum of 35 days.

ELLIS YOUDS, 28, of Alexandra Road, Weymouth, Dorset, pleaded guilty to using threatening / abusive / insulting words / behaviour to cause harassment / alarm / distress in Abingdon on June 27 last year. He was ordered to pay costs of £85, a victim surcharge of £92 and a fine of £230.





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John Radcliffe Hospital among sites hit by strike disruption

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People in Oxfordshire are being urged to choose services appropriately during the industrial action, which started at 7am on Tuesday, April 7.

Strikes have been called by the British Medical Association rejected a government offer for a 4.9 per cent increase in average basic pay from 2026 to 2027.

Disruption is expected to patient appointments and waiting times at A&E until the strike is due to end at 7am on Monday, April 13, Oxford University Hospitals Trust said.

Some appointements and planned inpatient and day case procedures will be rescheduled as a consequence to keep existing hospital patients safe, the trust added.

A spokeman said: “If you have not heard from us by the day of your appointment, please come to your procedure or appointment as planned.

“We are doing everything possible to prioritise patients with the highest clinical needs, and those who have already waited a long time for their treatment.”

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Felicity Taylor-Drewe, chief operating officer at OUH, said: “As always, our top priority during this planned industrial action is ensuring patient safety while maintaining the highest standard of care.

“We are committed to keeping disruption to a minimum, and we have measures in place to ensure the safety and welfare of our patients and our staff.

Felicity Taylor-DreweFelicity Taylor-Drewe is the chief operating officer of OUH (Image: OUH)

“However, with industrial action reducing the number of resident doctors we have working in our hospitals, there will inevitably be a knock-on effect.

“Patients may experience longer waiting times, particularly in our two emergency departments at the John Radcliffe and Horton General Hospitals.

“We will prioritise patients who are in genuine need of emergency care. It is important that patients requiring urgent medical care continue to seek help as usual, especially in emergencies and life-threatening situations.”

She added: “Our staff are working extremely hard during this challenging period – please do treat them with respect. We do not tolerate aggressive or abusive behaviour towards our staff.”

Health Secretary Wes Streeting (Image: PA)

Lalitha Iyer, chief medical officer at the newly formed Thames Valley ICB, urged people to choose services “appropriately” to ensure those who need it most get it.

Dr Jack Fletcher, chairman of the BMA’s resident doctors committee, said the government “quietly watered down” the deal on offer to resident doctors.

But health secretary Wes Streeting said the now rejected offer would have left resident doctors, formerly known as junior doctors, 35.2 per cent better off than four years ago.

The latest strike is the 15th walkout by resident doctors in England since 2023.





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Play2Give Didcot Easter egg success celebrated in style

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Didcot-based charity Play2Give celebrated its biggest ever Easter egg drive smashing all previous records.

Donations made will help spread joy to patients and families in hospitals, hospices, with disabilities and those in need.

Didcot charity Play2Give eggcels with record-breaking Easter egg collection (Image: Play2Give)

Didcot charity Play2Give eggcels with record-breaking Easter egg collection (Image: Play2Give)

Didcot charity Play2Give eggcels with record-breaking Easter egg collection (Image: Play2Give)

To celebrate and with a spring in their step, charity volunteers dressed up in elaborate and fun Easter costumes which also included a hen, cockerel and carrot.

Patients of all ages across Oxfordshire’s hospitals, including the Children’s Hospital at the John Radcliffe benefited from an egg-stra special dose of generosity as almost 2,100 Easter eggs were donated and handed out.

Over two months, Play2Give appealed for donations for its yearly drive to collect eggs and chocolate treats for its annual campaign crusade.

This year saw more donation points and more supporters than any other year take part, coming from Didcot, Oxford, Abingdon, Wantage, Witney and Newbury.

Businesses, cafes, shops, gyms, school children and dance groups all pitched in, too.

Thanks to funds received online, the charity was also able to purchase eggs and craft and activity packs.

A record-breaking total of more than 2,070 Easter eggs were collected and distributed this year, exceeding last year’s total by almost 400.

Over 600 eggs alone were given to young patients across the children’s hospital and Banbury children’s wards and areas and to families spending the holiday period in the neonatal care unit.

Didcot charity Play2Give eggcels with record-breaking Easter egg collection (Image: Play2Give)

Didcot charity Play2Give eggcels with record-breaking Easter egg collection (Image: Play2Give)

Didcot charity Play2Give eggcels with record-breaking Easter egg collection (Image: Play2Give)

The dedicated army of volunteers spent many hours sorting and counting the goodies and were overwhelmed with the cracking support.

Young carers in the county also benefited, as did adults with brain injuries and some struggling families in need.

Older patients and patients across the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust will enjoy the chocolate.

Oxford’s Sobell House and Summerfield House in Abingdon as well as Viking House and Banbury’s also received bunny lots of joy.

The charity, which will mark its 20th year next year, was created by 37-year-old Didcot man Andy Baker in 2007.

Didcot charity Play2Give eggcels with record-breaking Easter egg collection (Image: Play2Give)

Mr Baker was inspired to begin fundraising for the children’s hospital with the brain surgery aged 12 being his spur to begin his mission to repay those who helped him during his childhood and continues to receive treatment.

He said: “The fantastic kindness of all those who donated brought plenty of smiles to the faces of all those who received the generosity.

“We’re always grateful for the ‘egg-ceptional’ and heart-warming support and we extend our enormous thanks to everyone who helped us achieve this incredible record of eggs that would not be possible otherwise, and all those who continue supporting Play2Give all year round to help us do our fantastic work helping so many in our community.”





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