Oxford News
Motorbikes ridden on playing field during solar eclipse
Hundreds took to local green spaces on the night of Wednesday, August 12, when the most complete solar eclipse visible from the UK took place to the delight of viewers.
The family-friendly event was hijacked in one Oxford park, however, as police received reports of a group riding motorbikes around Risinghurst Playing Fields during the astronomical event.
Thames Valley Police is now appealing for information on the alleged criminal bikers, and are asking for anyone who saw what happened to make a report.
A spokesperson for the North East Oxford neighbourhood policing team said: “Officers are seeking to identify those involved and would like to hear from anyone who witnessed the motorcycles being ridden in the area, or who may have captured CCTV, doorbell, dashcam, or mobile phone footage of the incident.
“If you have any information that may assist enquiries, please contact Thames Valley Police via our website or by calling 101, quoting the relevant incident reference number – 43260421975
“Your information, no matter how small it may seem, could assist our investigation.”
The rare solar event, in which the moon passed in front of the sun and cast a shadow on the earth, covering up to 95 per cent of the sun’s surface for a short time in the UK, was viewed by thousands from across the country.
The closure affects the route between the A420 and Coxwell Road near Great Coxwell to allow for carriageway widening and the construction of a new signal-controlled junction.
The closure, in effect 24 hours a day, will begin on September 7, 2026, and is expected to remain in place until April 16, 2027.
An alternative route will be signposted via the A420, London Street, Coxwell Street, and Coxwell Road.
The order, issued by Oxfordshire County Council under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, will remain in force for up to 18 months if necessary.
Exemptions are included for emergency vehicles, and signage will be in place to advise drivers of the closure.
The coffee dispenser at the Headington Waitrose is out of order and not for the first time according to reports, leaving customers disappointed they can no longer access their free cappuccino or flat white using their Waitrose card.
The Headington News said: “The Headington Waitrose free coffee machine is out of order again today (Saturday 29 August).”
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The notice on the machine at the store in Old High Street says: “The coffee machine is currently out of order. Apologies for the inconvenience.”
The issue is not a universal problem – coffee machines at other Waitrose stores are working well.
The Waitrose chain, owned by the John Lewis Partnership, restored its free coffee offer in January 2025.
Following outrage over the withdrawal of the offer during the pandemic, the company told the nine million members on its My Waitrose loyalty scheme they would again be entitled to a complementary americano, cappuccino, latte or tea once a day regardless of whether they bought anything – as long as they have their own reusable cup.
In a statement, Waitrose said at the time: “Some of our My Waitrose members like to have the free coffee before they shop or during the shop, rather than afterwards, so we are just offering a bit of flexibility in response to customer feedback.”
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There were queues at coffee stations and complaints from customers that the offer was attracting the “wrong type of shopper” when Waitrose introduced the perk in 2013.
In 2017, it cracked down on ‘freeloaders’ by forcing members to buy something before pouring themselves a free hot drink.
The scheme was scrapped during the Covid crisis, but reintroduced in November 2022 – again for customers making a purchases. This is no longer a requirement.
Thames Valley Police has launched an investigation after a pigeon was killed in a wildlife crime incident in Plover Drive, Oxford, at around 6.50pm on August 24.
The force said that two teenage boys used a catapult to knock a pigeon from a tree before the bird was attacked by three smaller terrier-type dogs that were with them.
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Descriptions of the two boys have been released with the first described as wearing a black sleeveless vest, dark-coloured bottoms, black trainers with white soles.
In addition he had a black-and-white flat-peaked cap worn backwards and was believed to have been carrying a catapult.
The second was reportedly wearing a light-coloured T-shirt and blue jeans, with brown, medium-length hair.
He was also seen carrying an unidentified item.
A spokesperson for the police said: “We are keen to hear from anyone who witnessed this incident or who may recognise those involved from the descriptions above.
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“We would also like to hear from anyone with dashcam footage from the Plover Drive area between 6.30pm and 7pm on 24 August that may assist our investigation.
“Wildlife crime has a real impact on our communities, and we take reports of offences against wild animals and birds seriously.
” If you have any information, please contact the force on 101 or report online, quoting reference 43260448136.”
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