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93-year-old care home resident has fulfils long-held wish

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Dennis Minns, who lives at Sanctuary Care’s Watlington & District Residential and Nursing Home, recently received the Sacrament of Confirmation in a special service led by the Bishop of Dorchester, the Rt. Revd Gavin Collins.

Surrounded by family, friends, residents, and members of the church community, Mr Minns described the day as deeply meaningful.

The ceremony was organised with the help of Revd Val Kearney, who regularly leads Communion at the care home.

Mr Minns, a retired RAF Flight Lieutenant who served for 25 years, spent much of his life travelling with his late wife Monica and their children.

His son David, a retired priest, delivered the Gospel reading during the confirmation.

Mr Minns said: “A new life and new friends.

“The Bishop spoke like an old friend and it was a lovely occasion, which will be remembered for a long time.

“I was encouraged by my friends from the start, and I’m so pleased I listened.

“Much praise must go to the staff for organising everything—and the Bishop approved of the cakes.”

Julie Cooper, home manager, said: “Dennis is a wonderful reminder that it’s never too late to do something that is deeply meaningful.

“His enthusiasm and courage have inspired everyone at the home.”

The celebration included afternoon tea, home-made cakes, and live music.

Sophie Bevan sang Ave Maria, and musician Rick Griffin, who plays at the home’s monthly Songs of Praise event, also contributed to the occasion.





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Oxford News

Bicester village restaurant slams ‘unfair’ low food hygiene rating

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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 BicesterThe 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 VillageBicester 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.





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Oxford University warning amid ‘harmful’ algae outbreak

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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’.

Algae bloom in University Parks, OxfordOne 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, OxfordAlgae 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.





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Road remains closed after 'scary' crash near city bridge

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A road in Oxford remains closed after a ‘scary’ crash near a city bridge in the middle of the night.



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