Crime & Safety
New operator revealed as Oxford university gives up facility
Brookes Sport announced in December that it will cease using the Harcourt Hill Campus sports site near Botley from April 2026 as part of its so-called ‘Oxford Campus Vision’.
Within this context and the “significant” fall in numbers using the campus site, the university said, that from April 1, a number of facilities would no longer be available.
The grass pitches will still be available and the 3G pitches can be block booked via the university after April.
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After reports of a potential deal with a third-party operator, The Brookes Sport & Active Wellness Team has now revealed that fitness business Mind Over Matter will manage the facility.
A spokesperson for the company said: “We can confirm that a third-party provider will be utilising the indoor sports facilities at Harcourt Hill, subject to final contractual confirmation, which we expect to be completed in the coming days.
“We are pleased to share that, from April 1, 2026, the indoor fitness facilities will be operated by Mind Over Matter Fitness Centre.
Harcourt Hill campus (Image: Oxford Mail)
“They will offer a range of activities, including gym access, fitness classes, racquet sports, wellness sessions and community activities.
“Please note that these services will operate independently from Brookes Sport and existing Brookes Sport memberships will not provide access to the new Mind Over Matter facilities.”
Megan of the Mind Over Matter Team said she was “excited” to be taking over the centre.
On the business’ website, she said: “Mind Over Matter Fitness Centre replaces Harcourt Hill Brookes Sport and aims to build upon the services and community which already exists here.
(Image: Supplied)
“I have worked for Brookes for many years in several different roles including personal trainer, fitness instructor and as a nutritionist in the Functional Food Centre.
“Mind over Matter has been running as a fitness business for 13 years and we are excited to be taking over as we feel it has great potential for the local community.
“The Mind Over Matter Team are looking forward to offering you an inclusive and friendly environment where you can access range of fitness and health services.”
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This latest announcement by Oxford Brookes comes as it continues to wind down its operations at Harcourt Hill.
All remaining teaching and library services moved from Harcourt Hill to the Headington Campus for the start of the 2025/26 academic year.
And as of October 27 last year, the Harcourt Cafe is no longer operating as a walk-in catering service.
Accommodation continues to be provided during the 2025/26 academic year and will continue into the 2026/27 academic year.
Crime & Safety
Comedy legend pays surprise visit to Jeremy Clarkson’s pub
The former Top Gear and Grand Tour host bought the Windmill pub in Asthall for around £1,000,000 and renamed it to reflect his pets and agricultural pursuits.
Situated on a former dogging hotspot, according to Mr Clarkson, the watering hole featured in the fourth season of the Prime Video show Clarkson’s Farm.
The Farmer’s Dog has seen its fair share of famous names visit since it opened ahead of schedule back in August 2024.
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Former US talk show host Ellen DeGeneres and her actress wife, Portia de Rossi, live nearby and were spotted enjoying a conversation with James Blunt.
Status Quo drummer John Coghlan was also spotted enjoying a drink with his wife both last year and this year.
Then, last May, a British comedy and social media star visited the watering hole with Big John, making the trip to Oxfordshire.
The 52-year-old, whose real name is John Fisher, rose to online fame in recent years, becoming a viral sensation due to his love for Chinese food and his “bosh” catchphrase.
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Uploading a selection of photographs from his pub visit on Instagram, Big John said: “Finally made it to The Farmers Dog pub.
“One night in Cotswolds, so stop off here first
“Big fan of Hawkstone Lager, I won’t nick the glass though. Bosh.”
The fifth season of Clarkson’s Farm will be released on Prime Video starting next month on Wednesday, June 3.
Two further episodes will then be released on the following Friday, before another pair is released the week thereafter.
Crime & Safety
Michael Caine’s £9m riverside manor unsold after a year
The Grade II listed mansion near Wallingford was first listed in early June last year and since then a buyer has not been found.
Initially it was priced at £10m by agent Savills but in February the classic 17th-century English country home was pulled from the market and then relaunched in March at £1m less than its original listing.
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It is now priced at £9m.
Mr Caine lived there with his family from 1984 to 1999, with the legendary actor, who played Alfred in Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy and Scrooge in The Muppet Christmas Carol, selling the property in 2020.
At that time it was listed on the market for £6.95m.
Sir Michael Caine’s former mansion in Church Lane, North Stoke (Image: Savills)
Michael Caine
Sir Michael Caine’s former mansion in Church Lane, North Stoke (Image: Savills)
Its listing states: “Architecturally interesting, this Grade II listed 17th century, quintessentially English country house affords its future custodian a true Swallows and Amazons lifestyle.
“Marrying period charm with the convenience of 21st century living, Rectory Farm House provides the opportunity to entertain on a grand scale.
“It is a perfect country retreat for those seeking a private edge of village estate, hidden from view.”
Sir Michael Caine’s former mansion in Church Lane, North Stoke (Image: Savills)
With 600 feet of River Thames frontage, the six-bedroom mansion comes with a Moroccan-style jacuzzi, a sauna and a 100,000-litre swimming pool.
In addition, it has two kitchens, five bathrooms, a music room, a drawing room and sitting rooms.
It also has on the ground floor a utility room, gym, plant room, boot room and two lavatories.
Outside Sir Michael added extensively to the 17,000 sq ft property and planted many specimen trees in the grounds.
Sir Michael Caine’s former mansion in Church Lane, North Stoke (Image: Savills)
Property agent Victoria Knight, head of office at Savills in Henley, said: “Situated on the longest stretch of the Thames between locks, Rectory Farm House offers hours of hassle-free boating.
“Despite its 600 feet of frontage, the house cannot be seen from the river and is surrounded by beautiful gardens and grounds.
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“Beneath the formal lawns, waterside meadows are also a haven for all manner of wildlife, including otters, swans, kingfishers, hedgehogs, sparrowhawks, buzzards, rooks and deer.”
Outside, and included in the purchase, is a cottage equipped with a sitting room, kitchen, downstairs bedroom suite and mezzanine bedroom suite.
A three bay, timber clad garage provides an additional three car ports, a large machinery store, a log store and a first floor storage room.
In addition, there is a lodge that is presently used as staff accommodation.
Crime & Safety
Ducati Monster found by Thames Valley Police in Oxfordshire
The rural crime police found and recovered a red Ducati Monster in the Cane End area of south Oxfordshire, close to Reading.
According to officers, the bike was involved in an incident last month where it failed to stop for blue lights and made off in a “dangerous” manner having crashed into a police van.
It was found on Wednesday evening, May 13.
The Ducati Monster is a popular motorbike made by the Italian manufacturer since the early 1990s.
Some 350,000 Ducati Monsters have been produced since the model’s introduction in 1993, making it the best-selling and longest-running motorcycle in Ducati’s history.
Its often credited in the motorbike world as being the one that ‘saved Ducati’ due to its popularity and cheap development costs
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