Crime & Safety
John Radcliffe corridor transformed by new calming artwork
The nature-themed design now brightens the walkway to the Neonatal Unit at the John Radcliffe Hospital, with colourful imagery and meaningful details.
Funded by the charity SSNAP (Support for the Sick Newborn and their Parents), the artwork runs along the corridor connecting the Women’s Centre Maternity entrance to the Oxford Newborn Care Unit.
Emily Byrne, charity lead for SSNAP, said: “SSNAP is thrilled to be able to enhance the corridors leading to the Neonatal Unit and create a space that feels brighter, calmer and more welcoming.
“The transformation has made a real difference already, providing an uplifting environment for both families and staff.
“We are incredibly grateful that this work has been made possible through a generous legacy from a late donor.
“Their gift will help bring comfort and hope to parents walking this corridor for years to come.”
The vinyl mural features a calming meadow scene with acorns, blossom, and daffodils, with purple butterflies appearing throughout as a gentle tribute to babies from pregnancies with more than one baby who did not survive.
A parent said: “Walking through the doors of the Neonatal Unit can be very overwhelming, but the artwork helped me focus on something more positive.
“For me, it has a very special meaning as my son passed away and he was a twin.
“The purple butterfly immediately made me think of him – it makes me feel like he is with me as I visit his twin brother.
“It is a small detail, but it brings comfort during a difficult time. I really appreciate that something so thoughtful has been included in the space for families like ours.”
Another parent said: “It looks beautiful and makes the corridor so uplifting.
“It may seem like a small thing, but for parents like me who walk down the corridor every day and spend most of the day inside the unit, it is a lovely way to brighten your day and give you a small boost of positivity.”
A “graduation wall” has also been created, giving families a dedicated spot to take a photo before going home, marking their baby’s birth date, gestation, and weight.
Clare Morris, deputy matron for the Neonatal Unit at OUH, said: “The new corridor artwork has made a hugely positive difference to our Neonatal Unit, transforming what was once a plain corridor into one that feels bright, welcoming and calming.
“For families spending long and often emotional periods with us, it offers moments of comfort, while for staff it creates a more uplifting environment on their way to and from work.”
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.
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.
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.”
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.
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.
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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