Oxford News
Locals ‘shocked’ as King Charles makes surprise Oxfordshire visit
The King visited Oxford Photovoltaics at Pioneer Park in Yarnton between Oxford and Kidlington this afternoon (Friday, March 27).
His Majesty was shown around what is a leading solar energy innovator and manufacturer founded in 2010, operating in the field of Perovskite-based PV.
Residents had no idea that the King was visiting Yarnton and were excited about the town’s surprise royal visitor.
READ MORE: King Charles in Oxfordshire today for royal visit
King Charles III speaks with staff members during a visit to Oxford Photovoltaics Limited. (Image: PA / Kate Green)
Deanna Sharman has lived in the small town for many years and was overjoyed that King Charles had chosen to stop by.
“I’m shocked as I have only just found out that the King is right here in Yarnton, and I think that it is lovely,” she told this newspaper.
“I’ve lived here for a long time, and other than at Blenheim Palace and in Oxford, of course, we haven’t had any royals here in Yarnton before.”
She then laughed and added: “But we could have had someone in secret before, like today, and I wouldn’t have known!”
READ MORE: Beckhams battle neighbours again over £12m Cotswolds mansion plans
The King visited Oxford Pioneer Park in Yarnton. (Image: Newsquest)
The rain was spitting on Friday morning with grey skies overhead, leaving Ms Sharman hoping it would brighten up for the King later on.
“I wish the weather was a bit better through as he seems to always end up wherever it’s raining, he’s always there with a brolly,” she said.
“But no, I’m glad he’s getting around, especially after his cancer and everything.”
Several Thames Valley Police vehicles were stationed outside Pioneer Park as officers kept watch during the special visit as a helicopter flew overhead.
READ MORE: Top Gear star James May was due in court over motoring charge
Yarnton resident Deanna Sharman. (Image: Newsquest)
Another longtime Yarnton resident, who wished to remain anonymous, praised the King for his strong focus on the environment.
“I think it’s cool that the King is here as he’s a very environmentally friendly person and he’s been trying to do a lot for many, many years that people don’t really understand that he’s been doing,” she said.
“It would have been great to know that he was coming, but I understand with security pressures around the King, especially with what’s going on in the world today.”
Despite living in Yarnton since the late 1980s, this was the first royal visit that the resident had observed in the town.
READ MORE: Michaela Strachan talks Springwatch and Chris Packham relationship
Police vehicles stationed outside Oxford Pioneer Park. (Image: Newsquest)
“I know there have been royal visits to Oxford before,” she added.
“I remember my dad telling me that when Queen Elizabeth II and the Queen Mother opened the Weston Library by the Bodleian Library, the sky broke in the lock.
“My mum used to work at Christchurch, and the late Queen was there too.”
“It is very exciting to have the King here now, and I’m just really pleased that he’s taking note of all the environmental stuff that people are doing to try and save the planet.”
Oxford News
Pictures to celebrate World Poetry Day 2026 in Oxfordshire
UNESCO first adopted March 21 as World Poetry Day during its 30th General Conference in Paris, with the aim of supporting linguistic diversity through poetic expression and increasing the opportunity for endangered languages to be heard.
The heritage organisation said: “World Poetry Day is the occasion to honour poets, revive oral traditions of poetry recitals, promote the reading, writing and teaching of poetry, foster the convergence between poetry and other arts such as theatre, dance, music and painting, and raise the visibility of poetry in the media.”
READ MORE: Oxford United ‘told to stop new stadium work or face action’
This time on Looking Back, we’ve found a selection of fantastic poetry celebrations in Oxfordshire from the year 2014, now 12 years ago.
Language lovers converged for the day of celebration on bookshops, schools, at recitals and conferences.
Take a look back through this Oxford Mail archive gallery to find pictures from a decade ago of World Poetry Day celebrations in Oxfordshire.
Oxford News
All the Oxfordshire locations used as TV and film sets
We’ve made a gallery of pictures showing all the Oxfordshire spots which have been used for TV and film sets over the years.
Some of the biggest productions filmed here in Oxfordshire include Spectre in the James Bond franchise, which transformed Blenheim Palace in Woodstock into the Palazzo Cardenza in Rome.
Blenheim Palace featured as a key movie set for the James Bond film, Spectre, when it was dressed up as the Palazzo Cardenza in Rome, 2015 (Image: Andrew Walmsley)
READ MORE: Abandoned Oxfordshire home used as drugs den shut down
Many period dramas were also created in the county, like the BBC adaptation of Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall, which was partly filmed at Chastleton House in the Cotswolds.
Cotswolds villages have been repeatedly transformed and used as filming locations for their historical appeal, like the villages of Brill, Broadwell and Castle Combe.
Find all the pictures in this archive gallery of historic Oxfordshire filming locations here.
Oxford News
Aureus School girls were inspired by Navy’s women’s day
Three Year 10 pupils from Aureus School in Didcot travelled to London for the Royal Navy International Women’s Day event, held on HMS President during Careers Week and designed to showcase opportunities within the Royal Navy and beyond.
Students Antonia Pop, Ellie Swan and Tilly Mulvey are all taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme.
Ellie Swan said: “It was fantastic to see the possible career paths within the Navy.”
Rob Hayden, Duke of Edinburgh’s Award manager at Aureus School, accompanied the students to the event.
He said: “During the day, students had talks from individuals within the Navy and from guest speakers, including Hannah Botterman, who last year won both the Rugby World Cup and the Six Nations with England.”
He said: “Students also had the chance to network with the speakers and other attendees.
“The event showed the students a wide range of inspirational females within the Navy and other careers.”
Aureus School, part of the GLF Schools multi-academy trust, says its vision is focused on ‘cultivating ambition’ and ‘high standards for all’.
Headteacher Kirsty Rogers says the Didcot-based co-educational comprehensive has undergone a ‘transformative journey’, creating a community where students feel a strong sense of belonging. She emphasises inclusivity, high expectations, and a broad curriculum that encourages ambition, resilience and respect, supported by dedicated staff and diverse extra-curricular opportunities.
-
Crime & Safety2 weeks agoOxford: ‘Next generation’ LimeBikes in city from today
-
Jobs & Careers2 weeks agoWhy Join Oxford | Oxford University Jobs
-
Jobs & Careers2 weeks agoExplore our Careers
-
Student Life2 weeks agoThe independent cinema battling Oriel College to stay open
-
Oxford Events2 weeks agoMichelin Guide Oxfordshire Restaurants – The Oxford Magazine
-
Oxford Events2 weeks agoOxford News and Events, What’s on in Oxford, Exhibitions
-
Jobs & Careers2 weeks agoInternal Job Board for University vacancies
-
Crime & Safety2 weeks agoCrash partially blocks A40 and causes severe Oxfordshire traffic
