Crime & Safety
Oxford University Grade II listed building needs urgent work
The main premises of the Ruskin School of Art, the university’s fine art department, at 74 High Street in Oxford, has been closed since October 2024 for a major refurbishment.
The stunning listed building dates back to the 19th century, built in 1888 and designed by T G Jackson, and the university’s art department moved in to the High Street building in 1975.
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Usually operating across this site and a second fine art building in East Oxford, at 128 Bullingdon Road opened in 2015, the department has temporarily taken up residence in The Old Music Hall at 108 Cowley Road while renovations are carried out.
An application for listed building consent to alter the historic High Street building has been submitted to Oxford City Council.
It details a refurbishment which include the removal of a 1970s era mezzanine in the main studio space, as well as 20th century partitions and building services, the installation of a platform lift to make most of the building accessible, and the creation of a new library and seminar teaching spaces.
The latter remodelling is partly envisioned to house 16 new students on the premises – adding to the ‘intimately-scaled’ department of 130 students – for a new post-graduate Master’s programme in Contemporary Art History and Theory, due to launch in October this year.
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A ‘statement of need’ submitted by the Ruskin School of Art with the listed building application said the renovation is “urgent and necessary” for several reasons in addition to its post-graduate course expansion.
These are the accessibility of the site, as only the ground floor and basement are accessible to wheelchair users, excluding them from the building’s main studio, teaching and meeting spaces.
A statement said: “This is not something that can be excused any longer. It causes distress and division amongst our cohort and staff and needs to be urgently addressed.”
It proposes an ‘elegant’ transparent platform lift from the basement to the first floor
Another key reason is to restore the building’s core spaces to their ‘original 19th century splendour’, partly by removing the ‘unsightly’ 1970s mezzanine from the drawing studio to maximise its natural light and ceiling height.
This would also enable the ‘elegant’ room to be rented out to events during the university vacations, providing additional income for the art school.
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The renovations are also sought to improve the building’s energy performance and the ‘poor air quality and damp damage’ in the basement level, which was revealed when the building was stripped back during ‘enabling works’ earlier this year.
Finally, it would establish a more ‘flexible and efficient design’ for varied studio spaces through use of removable partitions to provide different teaching and studio space configurations depending on the department’s needs.
The application is open for consultation on the Oxford City Council website and is due to be decided by June this year.
The fire service shared an update at around 10am on Thursday, April 30, about the “smoking” recycling centre fire that is being moved from Noke to the Ewelme area in the south of the county.
It is being escorted by several fire engines and at the team’s base it will be safely dealt with.
A spokesperson for Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “We’re currently dealing with a recycling centre lorry that is smoking and is being moved from Noke to the Ewelme area in South Oxfordshire.
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“Fire engines are escorting the vehicle back to the depot, where crews will safely deal with the issue.”
The service added that there is no need for alarm in the local area but that if members of the public see the lorry being moved, they are advised to provide crews with space.
“There’s no need to be alarmed,” said the spokesperson, “but if you see the lorry and fire engines on the road, please: slow down, close your vehicle windows, give our crews plenty of space”.
They added: “Thank you for your cooperation while we resolve this safely.”
A reason for the lorry fire is not known.
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Planning on getting out and about with your four-legged friend? Well, you’ve been warned.
Several instances could put pets at risk during long walks, garden gatherings and days out near lakes or rivers.
As warmer weather encourages more time outdoors, Darren Beale, CEO of Years, the fresh dog food brand, says the long weekend can create a “perfect storm” for dogs.
“Bank holidays usually mean longer walks, busier parks, BBQs, garden time and trips to lakes or beaches,” says Darren.
“That is great for dogs, but it also increases the chance of them eating, drinking or stepping on something they shouldn’t.”
Bank holiday risks dog owners should watch for:
Lakes, ponds and stagnant water
Dogs should not be allowed to drink from stagnant water, ponds, canals or lakes, especially in warmer weather.
Some water can contain bacteria, parasites or blue-green algae, which can be dangerous.
“Always take fresh water with you on walks,” says Darren.
“If your dog is thirsty, they are much more likely to drink from puddles, lakes or standing water before you can stop them.”
Long walks in warmer weather
Owners planning longer bank holiday walks should avoid the hottest part of the day and watch for signs of overheating.
“Dogs do not always know when to stop,” Darren explains.
“Heavy panting, slowing down, drooling or seeming disoriented can all be warning signs.
“Shorter, shaded walks are often safer than pushing for a big route in warm weather.”
BBQ scraps and picnic food
Cooked bones, skewers, onions, corn on the cob, fatty scraps and dropped food can all cause problems for dogs.
“Bank holiday food is one of the easiest risks to overlook,” says Darren.
“Dogs will scavenge if they get the chance, so BBQ areas, picnic blankets and bins need to be kept out of reach.”
Grass seeds and sharp debris
After walks through long grass, fields, or parks, owners should check paws, ears, and coats for grass seeds, thorns, or sharp debris.
“Grass seeds can lodge in paws, ears or skin and sometimes need veterinary treatment,” Darren says.
“A quick check after a walk can prevent a small irritation from becoming a bigger issue.”
Garden chemicals and compost
Compost, mulch, fertilisers and slug pellets can all be dangerous if eaten, particularly during spring when gardens are being refreshed.
“Dogs are drawn to strong smells, so compost and garden products can be tempting,” says Darren.
“Anything used in the garden should be stored securely and kept well away from pets.”
Darren’s bank holiday safety checklist for dog owners
- Take fresh water on every walk
- Avoid letting dogs drink from lakes, ponds or stagnant water
- Walk earlier or later in the day if it is warm
- Keep BBQ food, skewers and bins out of reach
- Check paws, ears and coats after walks
- Store compost, fertilisers and slug pellets securely
- Keep dogs supervised around unfamiliar gardens, lakes and picnic spots
“Most bank holiday risks are avoidable,” Darren adds.
“The key is planning ahead and seeing the day from your dog’s perspective.
“What smells interesting, what looks edible, and what might they run towards before you have time to react?”
What are you doing this weekend? Let us know in the comments
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