Oxford News
£2m grant for Oxfordshire farmers devastated by wildfires
The announcement comes after multiple fires have devastated acres of Oxfordshire farmland.
The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI) will open a £2 million Emergency Drought Grant to assist eligible farming households in England and Wales with household living costs from 7 September 2026.
Farm owners and tenant farmers can apply for up to £2,000 from the fund, with applications opening from September 7, 2026.
The grant, however, is specifically for personal and household living expenses and cannot be used for farm or business running costs.
Applications will be processed in five regional phases, with each area having access to up to £400,000.
RABI stated that the phased rollout was due to the varied impact of the dry conditions across different regions of England and Wales.
The prolonged dry spell has added pressure on farming households, with spring 2026 being the warmest on record in both England and Wales.
England received just 65 per cent of its average rainfall.
These conditions have led to extra expenses and challenges such as supporting livestock, restricted irrigation, earlier harvests, and lower yields.
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These issues are now impacting household finances as farms prepare for autumn and winter.
Alicia Chivers, chief executive at RABI, said: “The prolonged dry conditions are having a significant impact on farming people and households across England and Wales, with many facing increased financial pressure as the effects of the drought continue.”
Ms Chivers added that RABI’s £2 million commitment was intended to provide direct support to households under financial strain.
She said: “I am proud of RABI’s ability to respond at pace when farming people face challenges on this scale.”
Other emergency support is also being given to livestock farmers affected by the dry weather.
The Addington Fund has opened its 2026 Drought and Bluetongue Emergency Grants for farming families facing short-term financial hardship across England and Wales.
The charity’s Forage Aid Scheme is providing grants towards essential feed costs where drought or bluetongue has left farms short of feed, fodder, or straw.
The Addington Fund stated that the prolonged dry weather, combined with the ongoing bluetongue outbreak, is adding more pressure on livestock businesses.
Unlike the RABI grant, which is specifically for personal and household living costs, the Addington Fund support can help eligible farmers meet essential livestock feed costs.
RABI stated that its grants are designed to provide flexible help with core day-to-day living costs rather than farm expenditure.
The regional application process will begin from September, 7.
Ms Chivers said: “We know the impact of the drought varies across the country, which is why the grant applications will open in regional phases from 7 September.”
She encouraged eligible farming individuals to apply when the scheme opens in their area and reminded farmers that RABI’s wider support services remain available.
Eligible farm owners and tenant farmers will need to apply when applications open for their region, with the first phase beginning on September 7, 2026.
The Grade II listed property on St John Street, which is up for sale, offers more than 2,900 square feet of living space spread over four floors.
It features a large family room, a kitchen/breakfast area, large bedrooms, a west-facing courtyard garden, and a separate annexe, and is being sold with “no onward chain.”
Inside, the main house boasts four bedrooms and a reconfigured interior.
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The lower ground floor features a wooden-floored family room, a utility room, and a modern shower room.
On the ground floor, there is a parlour room with a feature fireplace, and a kitchen/breakfast area that opens onto a walled courtyard garden.
The first floor offers two double bedrooms, one with an ensuite bathroom, while the second floor features the principal bedroom, bathroom, and a dressing room.
The annexe, accessible from the courtyard, has its own sitting room, a first-floor vaulted bedroom, and a lower ground floor bathroom.
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St John Street, known for its Georgian-style Grade II listed terraced houses, is situated in the heart of Oxford and was developed around 1830.
The area is close to top-rated state and independent schools, including The Dragon School, Oxford High School for Girls, Cherwell School, St Edward’s School, d’Overbroeck’s College, St Philip & James School, Summerfields School, Christchurch College School, New College School, and Magdalen College School.
The property is also near the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford colleges, and the Oxford railway station.
Thames Valley Police has released a CCTV image as it asks for the public’s help in identifying a man who may have vital information about the incident at Templars Shopping Centre in Cowley.
The reported ‘sexual assault’ happened when a woman in her 20s was inappropriately touched over her clothing at around 3pm on Tuesday, June 30.
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No arrests have been made at this time and the police has asked for anyone with any information to come forward as soon as possible.
Investigating officer PC Emily Rice said: “We are releasing this CCTV image as we believe the individual pictured may have information that could assist our investigation.
“If this is you, or if you recognise the person shown in the image, please contact Thames Valley Police.”
Anyone with information can make a report to the police online or call 101, quoting reference 43260331880.
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Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or through its website.
Appeals for public help in finding individuals by the police can relate to suspects, witnesses or others who may have vital information in relation to the incident.
They do not mean the person is to blame nor do they imply guilt.
The scheme, which took effect on August 28, includes a wide range of furniture and home essentials.
In a statement, IKEA said: “From much-loved favourites to everyday essentials, customers can discover New Lower Prices both online and in-store, helping make it easier to create a home you love, whatever your budget.”
Among the discounted items is the KALLAX shelving unit, soon to be available for £49—down 18% from £60.
The HEMNES daybed, which functions as a sofa, single bed, double bed, and storage unit, will be reduced by 15% from £329 to £279.
In addition to these savings, IKEA is offering more than 1,000 exclusive in-store-only prices with discounts up to 25%.
The company said: “In time for cosy season, in stores nationwide, IKEA is also offering 20% off throws, bedspreads, candles, floor and table lamps, plus selected rugs, thermal curtains, seasonal duvets and cookware, from 7th September to 1st November nationwide.”
The history of IKEA
IKEA was founded in 1943 by Ingvar Kamprad when he was just 17 years old.
Originally, the company sold small goods such as pens and wallets, but in 1948, Kamprad expanded into furniture.
This was facilitated by Ingvar’s father, who gave him a small sum of money for doing well in school, which he used to set up a company.
In 1953, the company adopted flatpack furniture, solving costly transportation problems.
IKEA grew steadily throughout the 1950s in Sweden, before expanding into Denmark and Norway in the 1960s.
By the 1970s, the brand had entered markets in Australia, Austria, Canada, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Kuwait, the Netherlands, Singapore, and Switzerland.
The first UK store opened in Warrington in 1987, marking the start of IKEA’s growth in the British market.
Today, IKEA employs nearly 12,000 people across its 22 UK locations.
Have you bought items from IKEA before? Let us know in the comments.
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