Oxford News
Man found dead near Oxford city centre church named for the first time
A number of emergency vehicles turned up on Oxford High Street, outside the church and the Radcliffe Camera, at around 10.10am on Tuesday, March 10.
Thames Valley Police later confirmed that a man in his 50s had died after a ‘fear for welfare’ incident.
Local people reported at least three police cars, an ambulance and a forensics team.
Cordons were put in place on the entrances to Catte Street and St Mary’s Passage, either side of the city centre church, and on paths by the Radcliffe Camera at the back of the church on Radcliffe Square.
The man has been named as Russell Bretherton, 52, who lived in Oxford.
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An inquest was opened into Mr Bretherton’s death at Oxfordshire Coroner’s Court on March 25 by senior coroner Darren Salter.
The inquest record confirmed he died in the vicinity of St Mary the Virgin Church and that his cause of death was ‘massive trauma’.
A full inquest will be held into Mr Bretherton’s death at Oxfordshire Coroner’s Court on June 30 at 2pm.
A Thames Valley Police spokesperson previously said: “We were called at around 10.10am today (March 10) following reports of a fear for welfare in High Street, Oxford.
“Emergency services attended but sadly a man aged in his 50s was pronounced deceased at the scene.
“His death is being treated as unexplained, but not suspicious, and a file will be prepared for the coroner.
“His family have been informed and are being supported.”
The University Church of St Mary the Virgin previously paid tribute to Mr Bretherton.
In statement issued on Friday, March 13, a spokesperson for the church said: “We are deeply saddened that a member of the public died outside the church.
“We are grateful to the emergency services who attended the scene and are supporting those affected.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the person’s family and loved ones at this very difficult time.”
On the Oxford Mail’s Book of Condolence, others also said their thoughts were with the man’s family and friends.
Hugh Mackay said: “So sad, condolences to family and friends.”
Joanna, who did not disclose her surname, said: “Sending so much love to all his family and friends.”
Lindsay McEwen turned up at the scene having received a message on his phone that it was somebody he knew from The Porch, a centre for homeless and vulnerably housed people.
The 63-year-old said: “I was shocked to be honest with you. I’m still taking it all in.”
Guy Scotece, the charity director at The Porch, did not confirm or deny that the man attended the centre.
He said: “It goes without saying, this is incredibly sad news and our thoughts and prayers go out to all friends and family.”
14 pupils from Aureus School in Didcot, Oxfordshire, travelled to Southampton’s Utilita Bowl to watch two ICC Women’s T20 World Cup matches.
They saw New Zealand take on Sri Lanka and England face Ireland.
Rob Hayden, head of PE at Aureus School, said: “The first match was really close, with Sri Lanka hitting a four to win the match in the final over.
“There was a rain delay which delayed the England match by one hour and 30 minutes, but this allowed the group to watch the cricket match under the floodlights, which was a really good experience.
“Having England play well and win, created a special atmosphere at the ground.”
The trip is part of a yearly tradition at Aureus School, which has strong ties to the women’s game through a visiting coach, Queentor Abel of the Kenya Women’s Team.
Mr Hayden said: “We have currently got a coach who comes into school who is a current cricket player for the Kenya Women’s Team, Queentor Abel.
“This showed the students they have a great coach to help them improve.
“We took the group as a trip to inspire the students to play cricket outside of school.”
Aureus School is part of the GLF Schools multi-academy trust.
GK Barry and Reverend Richard Coles appeared on the 24th series of I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here in 2024.
GK and Rev Coles “struck up the best of friendships” while on the ITV reality show, one they have continued outside the jungle.
ITV axes GK Barry and Rev Richard Coles series
The pair had begun work on a new ITV series themed around life and death.
Speaking to Attitude Magazine, GK said: “We are exploring walks of life from two different generations — one from a gay godly man and a gay ungodly woman.
“There are some depressing bits in there, but one thing about me is that I will make a joke about it.”
A pilot episode for the series was filmed last year.
However, the new series has now been axed by ITV, according to The Sun.
An insider said: “There were high hopes for the project because producers were excited by the dynamic between GK and Richard, not least because it seemed to amuse viewers.
“They enjoyed the idea of the wise older man interacting with the streetwise millennial as they explored some pretty deep subjects.
“But after provisional filming took place, it was decided not to proceed with it as a series — much to the disappointment of everyone involved.”
GK had previously said it had been a “dream” working with Rev Coles on the series.
On Instagram, she said: “Working with you has opened my eyes to worlds I’d never heard of or dreamt of before.
“Some of them have been nightmares, but some of them have been dreams — and today has been a dream.”
ITV has been contacted for comment.
Freeview channel axed 2 years after relaunch
Meanwhile, News UK’s live streaming opinion channel, Talk, has been axed as part of the latest Freeview update.
Talk originally broadcast as TalkTV on channel 237 from April 2022, with 24-hour news and opinion programming.
Its most high-profile programme was Piers Morgan Uncensored, which later moved to YouTube, though Channel 5 continues to broadcast highlight segments.
TalkTV was eventually relaunched as Talk, a visual radio stream, on Freeview channel 280 in April 2024.
The change came after the channel struggled to attract viewers and ran up losses for News UK, according to RXTV.
News UK still operates similar visual streams for TalkSport and Times Radio.
Were you looking forward to GK Barry and Rev Richard Coles’ new ITV series? Let us know in the poll above or in the comments below.
The 41-year-old pop icon was due to perform at Werchter Boutique festival in Belgium last night, Saturday, June 28, when the event was unexpectedly cut short.
The festival’s committee decided to end the day’s performances early, at 9pm just after a set from Pitbull, due to a weather forecast of ‘severe thunderstorms from midnight onwards at the earliest’ and a government warning.
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Perry wrote on Instagram: “Sadly my set at Werchter Boutique tonight can’t happen due to a government mandated cancellation because of the incoming inclement weather and crowd safety concerns.
“I was backstage at the show in the middle of hair and makeup when this news was delivered, and they gave me no choice.
“I am just as unhappy as you are. Unfortunately this is beyond my control, but the safety of all 55,000 of you always comes first and foremost.”
The performance was due to mark the popstar’s return to the one-day event held in Belgium’s Festivalpark for the first time in more than 15 years.
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Perry added: “I am sorry I can’t change the weather, and even sorrier that all of us can’t be together tonight. I was looking forward to being back after 17 years, I was even gonna wear the same outfit from that 2009 show again. I love you all, and please get home safe.”
It comes just a week before the star’s next scheduled festival appearance, at the brand-new Blenheim Festival in Wodostock, Oxfordshire, where she is due to perform on July 4.
The current forecast for that date is sunny skies and temperatures in the mid-20s.
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