Oxford News
Bomb threat disruption on Oxford road was a ‘thrill’
Bob Whitehead, who has lived in Oxford for 25 years, found himself caught up in the incident while attending Alice’s Day events on Saturday (July 4).
As he tried to decide where to go next, he said he was suddenly told to move back by police as the area was locked down.
A police officer instructed him to “get back” and head towards Brewers Street as a cordon was put in place around St Aldate’s at around 2.20pm on Saturday (July 4).
Multiple marked and unmarked police vehicles were seen arriving at the scene, with armed officers closing the road in both directions near the junction with Speedwell Street.
“It was such a thrill,” he said. “People were arguing and wanting to go about their normal business. They were frustrated that it was a little over the top and being taken a bit too seriously.
“There was lots of congestion, albeit briefly, as buses were unable to move.”
Mr Whitehead added that his reaction was shaped by his past experiences.
He said he is “used to bomb scares”, having grown up in Belfast during the 1972 ‘Bloody Friday’ when at least 20 exploded bombs killed six people.
“I’ve been in a hotel when a bomb went off, the same day when there were others in the city – we used to stand and watch, it was exciting, if you can call it that.”
The incident is believed to have prompted evacuations as Thames Valley Police assessed the situation.
A man in his 60s has since been arrested on suspicion of communicating a bomb hoax and remains in custody.
While eyewitnesses recalled ‘confusion’ by local area tourists, many seemed to be unaware of what was going on.
Despite the dramatic response, disruption to the Alice’s Day festival also seemed limited.
During the day, parts of city centre transform into a wonderland with this year’s theme: Snarks, Rhymes & Riddles, marking the 150th anniversary of Lewis Carroll’s nonsense poem The Hunting of the Snark.
The Story Museum said it continued operating as normal.
An employee said: “No one was told anything by the police. We just carried on ignorant until we saw it online.
“It caused very little interruption and we managed to carry on with Alice’s day regardless.”
There was not believed to be any wider risk to the public, and the cordon has since been lifted, with normal activity resuming across the city centre.
Mark Temple, a bus driver with Oxford Bus Company, rode in 10 hours and five minutes, raising funds for Sobell House, which provided end-of-life care for his father and grandmother-in-law.
He began the challenge at Anfield, the Liverpool FC stadium, shortly after 4am on Sunday, June 14, and finished at the Kassam Stadium in Oxford.
Mr Temple said: “It felt right to start at Anfield, and I got goosebumps as I’m a massive Liverpool fan.
“It made me a bit nervous as there’s just something special about Anfield. The weather was beautiful and the conditions were perfect.”
He said during the first 10 miles, he was ‘a little bit nervous’, too eager and not concentrating on the plan.
Adding: “But then I started taking in the scenery and enjoying the culmination of eight months of preparation.
“My only real physical struggle was when I got to Chipping Norton and was faced with a couple of huge hills, and I started to have a little bit of self-doubt, but as soon as I saw the signs for Woodstock, it was like I had new legs.
“Normally I’m quite muted when I complete these challenges, but there was an explosion of emotions.
“I picked up my bike and lifted it above my head. My brother was in tears and I just sort of let go.”
Mr Temple was supported throughout his eight months of training by Oxford Bus Company driver Terry Brackett, Michael Stopp from Thames Travel, and his brother Justin Temple.
He said: “Throughout this whole thing, Terry has been a superstar.
“He gave me my training plan and listened to all my moaning, telling me when I was doing too much or too little training.
“My brother worked tirelessly on the map and refined it a couple of days before we started, making little tweaks that made a big difference.
“My support team was always within a mile of me, giving me instructions, shoving food in my face and getting me drinks.”
Sobell House, based in Oxfordshire, offers specialist palliative and end-of-life care to adults with life-limiting illnesses and support for their families.
Mark said: “Sobell was my only motivation throughout, and we tweaked the cycle route so we could stop there and at the Oxford Bus Company depot.”
Beth Marsh, director of fundraising at Sobell House, said: “We are incredibly grateful to Mark for taking on such an extraordinary challenge in support of Sobell House.”
The festival, which started on Wednesday July 8 and running until July 12, saw Boy George and Culture Club open, bringing their Grammy Award-winning hits to Henley-on-Thames.
Culture Club, which shot to international stardom in the 1980s, has sold more than 150 million records worldwide.
The Sugababes, who had recently made a comeback with their original line-up, are due to perform on Thursday (July 10).
The group, formed in 1998, was known for its six Number One singles and multiple multi-platinum albums.
Jo Whiley, a staple of British music, is also performing on Thursday.
Known for her deep connection to the 90s music scene, Jo’s 90s Anthems show is sure to deliver a nostalgic trip down memory lane with hits from Oasis, Blur, and The Prodigy.
Saturday will see Blur’s Alex James take to the stage with Britpop Classical, a concert that combines 90s anthems with the power of an orchestra.
Rounding out the festival on Sunday are the Bootleg Beatles, who will take attendees on a journey through the 1960s with their tribute to the iconic band.
The festival also offers a range of dining options, from fine dining at the Terrace Restaurant to gourmet street food.
The Riverside Restaurant offers a new fine-dining experience.
Henley Festival, the UK’s only black-tie festival, had been held on the banks of the River Thames since 1982.
It was known for its world-class music programme, comedy, art galleries, and sculpture installations.
The festival’s charitable programme, RISE, champions the next generation of creatives, providing paid opportunities to learn, perform, and gain real industry experience.
Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal stopped by yesterday (Thursday, July 9), in a visit arranged by the Oxfordshire Lieutenancy.
This was to mark a significant chapter in the history of one of England’s last remaining family-owned Victorian tower breweries.
Schoolchildren lined the route as Her Royal Highness arrived at the main entrance on Brewery Lane, where she was received by His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Oxfordshire, Mrs Marjorie Glasgow BEM.
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The Hook Norton Brass Band played as Mrs Glasgow presented the chairman, Mr Jonathan Paveley, and Managing Director, Mr James Clarke, alongside a group of schoolchildren reflecting the brewery’s longstanding connection with the local community.
The visit held particular significance as Her Royal Highness last visited Hook Norton Brewery in 1999, when she unveiled a plaque that now stands in the Visitors Centre.
During today’s visit, she passed that same plaque before touring the brewery’s museum, retail facilities, restaurant, Engine Room and the newly restored Stable Courtyard.
The Princess Royal met staff, directors, local representatives and community figures during her tour.
These included Banbury MP Sean Woodcock and Oxfordshire County Council Chair Ted Fenton.
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Also in attendance were the Chair of Cherwell District Council, Nigel Simpson, and the High Sheriff of Oxfordshire, Mr Jawaid Malik.
In the Stable Courtyard, Her Royal Highness met those involved in the brewery’s recent restoration project following the devastating fire in 2024, before proceeding to the stables to meet Hook Norton’s three celebrated Shire horses, Balmoral, Brigadier and Cromwell.
She was accompanied by representatives of the Shire Horse Society.
The visit concluded with Her Royal Highness unveiling a new plaque to mark the restoration, signing the visitor’s book and receiving a gift and posy.
Mr James Clarke, managing director of Hook Norton Brewery, said: “It was an absolute honour to welcome Her Royal Highness to the Brewery.
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“The occasion was to celebrate the Brewery’s 175th Anniversary, delayed by the stables fire in 2024.
“As well as a celebration of the Brewery, it was also very much a celebration of community and the Brewery’s longstanding relationship.”
Speaking after the visit, Mrs Glasgow said: “Hook Norton Brewery is one of Oxfordshire’s great treasures, and it was a real honour to welcome The Princess Royal back, nearly 27 years after her last visit, to see how it has continued to thrive.
“Her Royal Highness took a genuine interest in everyone she met, from the brewery’s long-serving staff to the schoolchildren who came to welcome her, and that warmth was very much felt by all present.
“Days like this remind us of the important role our historic institutions play in the life of a community, and we are delighted that the Oxfordshire Lieutenancy was able to arrange such a memorable occasion.”
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