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Abingdon Greene King pub’s major works almost complete

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Contractors have been working at The White Horse on the corner of Spring Road and Ock Street, and the pub is expected to reopen at noon on Thursday, May 7.

The pub shut on April 4 so that work could get under way.

READ MORE: Dragons appear in gardens across village

Kitty and Sean, the new managers, said they “can’t wait” to welcome patrons to the White Horse.

The White Horse in Abingdon (Image: Andy Ffrench)

The landlords said in a joint statement: “We’re really looking forward to becoming part of this amazing community, getting to know you all, and making the pub a warm, welcoming place for everyone to enjoy.

“Please do pop in after the refurb, say hello, and join us for a drink—we can’t wait to meet you.”

The White Horse in Abingdon (Image: Andy Ffrench)

The renovation is expected to include a comprehensive remodelling, including a colour touch-up ‘all over’ the pub, a newly decorated back bar, a ‘face-lift’ for the toilets, a new darts and bar area. and a redesign for the beer garden.

Staff could be seen working on the renovation outside the pub earlier today.

Before the Greene King pub shut a notice to customers said: “We’ll miss you. From Doreen and the team at The White Horse, we would like to say a big thank you for everything over the last three years.”

The White Horse in Abingdon (Image: Andy Ffrench)

Greene King had been advertising for a new team to take over the management of the pub.

It said in an advert at the end of last year: “Pub managers of Oxfordshire, looking to run your own show?

“The White Horse, Abingdon is becoming a Hive franchise pub.

“We’re looking for someone to front the business, who is community minded, passionate about great hospitality and who can keep the guests coming back for more.

“A Hive Pub franchise offers you: the chance to be your own boss, and lower operational costs than a tenancy model.

“As a franchisee, Greene King will offer you: a comprehensive induction programme, a fully refurbished pub, that’s ready to trade, we’ll even cover most of the operational costs.”

The White Horse in Abingdon (Image: Andy Ffrench)

The White Horse was previously run by the town’s Morland brewery which closed in 2000.

The White Horse has been popular for dining, with reasonably priced pub food including fish and chips, and for its big screens which feature sports including Premier League football matches.

The Oxford branch of real ale group CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) said the pub building was Grade II listed.

It added: “Originally owned by the Borough of Abingdon, the White Horse dates back to 1845 and had a number of tenants who were coal merchants and publicans before the Morland family ownership.

“In 1999, Greene King became the new owners and extended this Grade II listed building to provide dining facilities.

“This traditional English pub has a beer garden in front and its own car park.”





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Oxford News

Helicopters join search as woman now missing for 60 hours

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Caroline, whose surname has not been released, was last seen on Shilton Road in Burford, West Oxfordshire, at about 2am on Wednesday, August 5.

More than 60 hours later, police are still searching for the 66-year-old woman and are trying to establish where she was last seen, and helicopters from the National Police Air Service have been assisting in searching the area.

READ MORE: M40 closed with two hour delays due to ‘serious’ crash

Missing womanCaroline Heininger, 66, is missing from Burford (Image: Thames Valley Police)

Thames Valley Police released a new image on Friday, August 8, a CCTV footage still believed to show Caroline on Oxford Road, opposite Burford Road, at about 5.27am on the morning of her disappearance.

A statement released along with the image said: “We understand the quality of the image is poor, but we are sharing it because we are doing everything we can to establish Caroline’s movements and locate her safely.

“We hope that someone may recognise her, remember seeing her, or have information that could help our enquiries.

Missing woman CCTV imageA new CCTV image believed to be of Caroline on Oxford Road, Burford, at about 5.30am on Wednesday, released by police (Image: Thames Valley Police)

“We continue to ask residents in Burford and the surrounding areas, as well as any motorists who travelled through this area at around 5.30am, to check any CCTV, doorbell, dashcam or other footage they may have.

“Even the smallest detail could prove vital to our enquiries.

READ MORE: PC Harper’s mother visits site of son’s death amid backlash

“We would like to thank everyone who has shared our appeals and contacted us with information so far.

“The support from the local community has been invaluable, and we continue to appeal for anyone who may have seen Caroline, or who recalls anything unusual during those early morning hours, to come forward.”

Anyone with information should contact police quoting reference number 43260403808, and anyone who sees the missing woman is asked to call 999.





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Horrid Henry voice actor to meet Oxfordshire fans at comic-con

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Lizzie Waterworth has voiced the title character in the children’s TV series for 13 years, appearing across all 250 episodes broadcast between 2006 and 2019.

The BAFTA-nominated voice actor was shortlisted for Best Performer at the British Academy Children’s Awards in 2019 for her work as Henry.

She also played Nitty Nora, the school nurse, in the 2011 live-action film Horrid Henry: The Movie.

READ MORE: TV icon daughter’s £3.95m swimming pool mansion in Oxfordshire unsold

Lizzie Waterworth.Lizzie Waterworth. (Image: DK)

Away from the mischievous animated schoolboy, Ms Waterworth’s credits include Alphablocks, Bob the Builder, The Backyardigans, Angelina Ballerina: The Next Steps, Franklin, Clifford’s Puppy Days and the stop-motion film Strike.

Now, the Oxford Mail can exclusively announce that Ms Waterworth is coming to the county’s very own comic-con on Sunday, September 7.

Abbey-Con is held by Rob Turner and Trooper Events annually at the White Horse Leisure & Tennis Centre in Abingdon.

A statement from the convention’s organisers said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to announce that Lizzie Waterworth is joining us at Abbey-Con!

“You may know Lizzie as the voice of Horrid Henry (a role that earned her a BAFTA nomination!), but that’s just the beginning!

READ MORE: Jeremy Clarkson’s girlfriend reveals his ‘true colours’ amid ‘misconceptions’

“She’s also brought to life beloved characters in Alphablocks, Bob the Builder, Isadora Moon, and even Cutie the Elephant in the award-winning video game It Takes Two.

“With an incredible career spanning animation, television and gaming, Lizzie has been entertaining families for years.

“But her work doesn’t stop behind the microphone! She’s passionate about helping young people build confidence through public speaking and works with schools, businesses and Milton Keynes University Hospital to support children during hospital visits.

“Whether you’re a lifelong Horrid Henry fan, grew up watching her characters, or just love meeting the talented people behind your favourite shows and games, this is your chance to meet Lizzie in person!

“At Abbey-Con in The White Horse Leisure & Tennis Centre.”





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EastEnders cast ‘furious’ as Shane Richie to appear in court

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The 62-year-old actor, best known for playing Alfie Moon, is scheduled to appear at Colchester Magistrates’ Court on September 9 on a charge of drink-driving.

Police said the arrest followed reports of a suspected drink-driver in the Church Langley Way area of Harlow shortly before 11.20pm on Wednesday, July 29.

Officers attended the scene and arrested a man, and a charge of drink-driving was later authorised against Shane Roche, 62, of Tadworth, Surrey.

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Now, The Sun’s sources on EastEnders have claimed that some cast members are becoming frustrated by what they see as preferential treatment for certain stars.

Shane Richie has reportedly been given time away from the soap later this year to take on a pantomime role said to be worth six figures.

However, other actors — who are claimed to earn less for their work on the BBC programme — have allegedly had comparable requests turned down.

A Walford insider said: “Nothing will happen [to Shane]. Nothing ever does to the favourites.

“Jessie [Wallace] and Shane are both given time off to effectively double their salaries while others aren’t allowed unless it works for the show.

READ MORE: Richard Hammond to make first public appearance after police hunt

“They say it’s down to the story but when it’s the same people allowed time off time and time again then it seems like it’s not about the story and more about keeping a select few happy.”

Mr Richie first came to prominence after working as a Pontins bluecoat and stand‑up comedian before moving into television game shows and sketch comedy.

He joined EastEnders in 2002, with his character Alfie Moon quickly becoming one of the BBC soap’s most popular figures.

His on‑off partnership with Kat Slater is regarded as one of soap’s best‑known double acts and has seen him appear in more than a thousand episodes.

Away from Albert Square, Mr Richie has fronted prime‑time TV shows, appeared in major stage musicals and pursued a parallel career as a recording artist.

READ MORE: Clarkson, May, and Hammond coming back to film new Grand Tour episode

He also has strong links to Oxford’s theatre scene, having performed at the New Theatre in 2006 in a production of Scrooge.

More recently, he appeared in the city in 2025 as part of the Prat Pack, bringing a mix of music and comedy to local audiences.

The show teams him with fellow entertainers Bradley Walsh, Brian Conley and Joe Pasquale, who bill themselves as a tongue‑in‑cheek take on the classic Rat Pack.

Their 2025 tour stopped at the New Theatre Oxford on George Street for a one‑night date on 22 May, mixing big‑band standards, comedy and stories from their decades in showbusiness.

The New Theatre was one of a string of venues on the national run, giving city audiences a chance to see Mr Richie perform live alongside his long‑time friends.





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