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Oxford’s first black mayor is announced by council

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The Labour city councillor for Quarry and Risinghurst will carry out a wide range of civic engagements during 2026/27, from leading Oxford’s Remembrance service to school visits and charity events.

Susan Brown, leader of Oxford City Council, made the announcement at the full council meeting on Monday night.

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She also announced that Louise Upton will be the deputy Lord Mayor of Oxford, and Linda Smith will be the Sheriff of Oxford for 2026/27.

Mr Munkonge and Ms Upton’s civic roles are subject to their re-election in May.

Labour city councillor Chewe Munkonge (Image: Oxford City Council)

Mr Munkonge, who has represented Quarry and Risinghurst for the past 11 years, said: “I am deeply humbled and truly honoured to be chosen as the next Lord Mayor of Oxford.

“Having had the privilege of representing the people of Quarry and Risinghurst for the past 11 years, this moment carries great personal and civic significance.

“As the first black Lord Mayor of our city, I stand on the shoulders of those who paved the way, and I hope to be a source of inspiration for future generations.

“Oxford is a city of remarkable history, diversity and opportunity, and I am proud to serve a community that continues to inspire and lead.

“I look forward to championing our communities, supporting local charities, and representing Oxford with dedication, integrity and pride throughout the coming year.”

Mr Munkonge grew up in Zambia. He moved to the UK in 2003 and then to Oxford, to be closer to his wife, in 2008.

He holds an MBA from Oxford Brookes University, graduating in 2012, and works as an admin officer for an Oxford-based charity.

Mr Munkonge has chosen Sobell House and St Theresa to be his Lord Mayor’s charities for 2026/27.

The three councillors will be sworn in at the traditional mayor making ceremony in Oxford Town Hall in May.

The ceremony will see the outgoing mayor, Ms Upton, officially step down and hand over their chains of office to Mr Munkonge.

The bells of Carfax Tower will then be rung by the Oxford Society of Change Ringers to commemorate the ceremony.

The Lord Mayor generally carries out more than 300 engagements each year. These cover a wide range, from Royal visits to community group meetings and charity events.

The first recorded mayor of Oxford is Laurence Kepeharme, 1205-1209.

Mayors’ names stretch in an unbroken line until 1962, when the dignity of the Lord Mayor was granted to Oxford by the Queen.





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Crime & Safety

Michael Caine’s £9m riverside manor unsold after a year

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The Grade II listed mansion near Wallingford was first listed in early June last year and since then a buyer has not been found.

Initially it was priced at £10m by agent Savills but in February the classic 17th-century English country home was pulled from the market and then relaunched in March at £1m less than its original listing.

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It is now priced at £9m.

Mr Caine lived there with his family from 1984 to 1999, with the legendary actor, who played Alfred in Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy and Scrooge in The Muppet Christmas Carol, selling the property in 2020.

At that time it was listed on the market for £6.95m.

Sir Michael Caine’s former mansion in Church Lane, North Stoke (Image: Savills)

Michael Caine

The former Oxfordshire home of Michael Caine has returned to the market for £9 millionSir Michael Caine’s former mansion in Church Lane, North Stoke (Image: Savills)

Its listing states: “Architecturally interesting, this Grade II listed 17th century, quintessentially English country house affords its future custodian a true Swallows and Amazons lifestyle.

“Marrying period charm with the convenience of 21st century living, Rectory Farm House provides the opportunity to entertain on a grand scale.

“It is a perfect country retreat for those seeking a private edge of village estate, hidden from view.”

The former Oxfordshire home of Michael Caine has returned to the market for £9 millionSir Michael Caine’s former mansion in Church Lane, North Stoke (Image: Savills)

With 600 feet of River Thames frontage, the six-bedroom mansion comes with a Moroccan-style jacuzzi, a sauna and a 100,000-litre swimming pool.

In addition, it has two kitchens, five bathrooms, a music room, a drawing room and sitting rooms.

It also has on the ground floor a utility room, gym, plant room, boot room and two lavatories.

Outside Sir Michael added extensively to the 17,000 sq ft property and planted many specimen trees in the grounds.

Sir Michael Caine’s former mansion in Church Lane, North Stoke (Image: Savills)

Property agent Victoria Knight, head of office at Savills in Henley, said: “Situated on the longest stretch of the Thames between locks, Rectory Farm House offers hours of hassle-free boating.

“Despite its 600 feet of frontage, the house cannot be seen from the river and is surrounded by beautiful gardens and grounds.

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“Beneath the formal lawns, waterside meadows are also a haven for all manner of wildlife, including otters, swans, kingfishers, hedgehogs, sparrowhawks, buzzards, rooks and deer.”

Outside, and included in the purchase, is a cottage equipped with a sitting room, kitchen, downstairs bedroom suite and mezzanine bedroom suite.

A three bay, timber clad garage provides an additional three car ports, a large machinery store, a log store and a first floor storage room.

In addition, there is a lodge that is presently used as staff accommodation.





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Ducati Monster found by Thames Valley Police in Oxfordshire

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The rural crime police found and recovered a red Ducati Monster in the Cane End area of south Oxfordshire, close to Reading.

According to officers, the bike was involved in an incident last month where it failed to stop for blue lights and made off in a “dangerous” manner having crashed into a police van.

It was found on Wednesday evening, May 13.

The Ducati Monster is a popular motorbike made by the Italian manufacturer since the early 1990s.

Some 350,000 Ducati Monsters have been produced since the model’s introduction in 1993, making it the best-selling and longest-running motorcycle in Ducati’s history.

Its often credited in the motorbike world as being the one that ‘saved Ducati’ due to its popularity and cheap development costs





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Cotswolds pub to reopen under new owners after shock closure

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The Rose & Crown in Ratley, a village new Banbury on the northern tip of the Cotswolds AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty), shut down unexpectedly ahead of the festive period in December 2024, due to personal circumstances, according to the owners.

The village pub and restaurant, 10 miles north of Banbury, is now set to be reopened under new owners after more than a year on the market.

Rose & Crown pub Ratley near Banbury for sale March 2025The quintessential Cotswolds village pub is under new ownership (Image: Christie & Co)

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In a statement released to introduce themselves, new owners Dee and Norm Knight-Barrett said: “We wanted to reassure everyone that we intend to reopen The Rose & Crown as a traditional British ‘pie and pint’ pub.

“There is quite a bit of work to do internally in particular the cellar and kitchen.

Rose & Crown pub Ratley near Banbury for sale March 2025The Rose & Crown closed unexpectedly in December 2024 (Image: Christie & Co)

“We want to offer the best beers and pies that we can so we need to carry out some upgrades. We will keep you posted with regard to progress so please bear with us.

“We are looking forward to meeting you all and making lots of new friends.”

READ MORE: TV legend’s daughter selling £3.95m Oxfordshire mansion

Rose & Crown pub Ratley near Banbury for sale March 2025New owners said they intend to reopen The Rose & Crown as a ‘traditional pie and pint pub’ (Image: Christie & Co)

The new owners revealed the plans include theme nights, pizza, curry and barbecues, live music, a pool table and sports games, and has invited further suggestions from the village.

The property is a grade II listed, detached building which is believed to have operated as a pub for more than 250 years.

No opening date has yet been announced and works to renovate and refresh the venue are ongoing.





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