Oxford News
1960s jumble sale is run by two 12-year-old girls
They organised a jumble sale to raise money and help birds and animals owned by other families.
The two 12-year-olds went round to friends to collect jumble and cast-offs and ‘opened shop’ at Deborah’s home in Snowdon Mede, off Headley Way, at Headington, Oxford.
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They were determined to collect as much money as they could for the RSPCA.
They typed out notices, posted them through doors, stuck one in a local shop and told all their friends.
The forthcoming sale also became a hot topic at their schools – Deborah was a pupil at Northway School and Rosalind went to Cheney School.
There was a steady stream of customers when they unveiled all their goodies one Saturday morning.
As you can see, Oxford Mail photographer Johnny Johnson was also there to take pictures.
Anything left over at the end of the day was given to the RSPCA for sale in its shops and other outlets.
The girls later handed over the proceeds of their efforts – the grand total of £5 1s 4d – it was the 1960s.
Both had an assortment of pets at home – Deborah looked after a cat, dog and tortoise and Rosalind had a tortoise, two fish, a budgerigar and four rabbits.
Johnny Johnson’s greatest moment of fame in his long career as an Oxford Mail photographer came when he shot a wolf.
It was one of three that escaped from Oxford Zoo at Kidlington in 1937.
Two were quickly rounded up and killed, but the third roamed the countryside for days, causing panic in the community.
Oxford News
Bicester village restaurant slams ‘unfair’ low food hygiene rating
Grand Village Imperial, in unit E4 on Kelso Road in Bicester, was given the low food hygiene rating after a visit by inspectors in June.
But Raymond Chu, the owner of the Chinese restaurant, said the score does not accurately reflect the standards the restaurant maintains and they are appealing the process.
Mr Chu said they “also concerned that the inspection may not have been conducted impartially” and that the score is “unfair”.
READ MORE: Oxfordshire coffee factory refuses to return worker plaques
The Lion Dance at the Grand Village Imperial in Bicester (Image: David Chu)
He said: “As our appeal has already been submitted and is currently awaiting a response, we understand that the hygiene rating should not have been published until the appeal process has been concluded.”
Indeed on the government website it confirms that if a business appeals the rating within 21 days, the council should not publish it online.
The restaurant was told improvement was necessary in hygienic food handling and the cleanliness and conditions of the building.
Bicester Village (Image: Contributed)
The business was also told major improvement was necessary in the management of food safety.
This means the systems or checks in place to ensure that food sold or served is safe to eat, evidence that staff know about food safety, and the food safety officer has confidence that standards will be maintained in future.
The business is a beloved part of the shopping centre with customers regularly advising shoppers to book in advance and highlighting the fantastic service, food, and generous portions of food.
Oxford News
Oxford University warning amid ‘harmful’ algae outbreak
The warning has been issued for people and pets not to enter the water at Oxford’s University Parks after a bright green algae bloom appeared on its surface.
One local, Angela Mills Wade, said the algae was ‘almost fluorescent’ and recommended pet owners ‘heed the warnings’.
One local described the colour of the algae on the water as ‘almost fluorescent’ (Image: Angela Mills Wade)
READ MORE: Road remains closed after ‘scary’ crash on Oxford bridge
She said: “Many people see this and think it’s ugly. I see something rather different.
“It’s a natural seasonal phenomenon, part of the river’s changing cycle, even if it only lasts for a short time.
“We often celebrate nature when it’s neat and picturesque, but it’s just as fascinating when it’s messy, fleeting and simply doing what ecosystems have always done.”
She shared images from University Parks in South Parks Road, whose waterways had a blanket of bright green algae making its surfaces appear solid.
Algae bloom in University Parks (Image: Angela Mills Wade)
A notice displayed in the park by the University of Oxford’s parks department said: “Please be aware that there is currently an algal bloom in the river caused by the recent dry weather conditions.
READ MORE: Urgent missing person search as police ‘extremely concerned’
“This may be harmful to humans and pets so it is advisable NOT to enter the water or allow your dogs to do so until further notice.
“Thank you for your understanding.”
Harmful algae blooms can occur when there is an excess of nutrients in the water – caused by a number of sources, such as agricultural run-off or sewage pollution – along with warm water temperatures and calm or stagnant conditions.
Oxford News
Road remains closed after 'scary' crash near city bridge
A road in Oxford remains closed after a ‘scary’ crash near a city bridge in the middle of the night.
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