Oxford News
Brewpub owners gets positive feedback after delayed opening
Scarlet River Brewing Company was set up by former Tap Social head brewer Jason Bolger and his partner Niki Sibson, a scientist and medical researcher.
The new pub, Scarlet River, next to Marks & Spencer in Marriotts Walk shopping centre, had been due to open in January but the 10-year lease was only signed in February following delays with construction.
READ MORE: Two major UK restaurant chains set to close
The brewpub finally opened its doors to customers last month. It’s the Oxford Mail Pub of the Week.
Niki Sibson and Jason Bolger (Image: Oxford Drinker)
Seating up to 50 inside and 30 outside, the brewery, taproom and café occupies a unit in the shopping centre that has not been used since the complex opened in 2009.
Although its output will be mainly craft beer served directly from tanks, the pub will have one hand pump which Mr Bolger describes as “cask style”.
His interest in “cask style” brews continues with Old Curmudgeon Bitter, a tasty 3.8% beer.
The first brews available are otherwise craft keg with IPAs, lagers, a stout, a wheat beer and a Belgian pale.
Purbeck Cider is available from Dorset, and a Scarlet River-branded gin and spiced rum are supplied by Abingdon Distillery. Wines and soft drinks are also available.
Beers for sale at Scarlet River (Image: Oxford Drinker)
All brewing takes place on the premises in the 500-litre kit behind the bar.
This is the first time commercial brewing has taken place in Witney since Wychwood brewery closed in 2023.
“We have had some very positive feedback, and have been full at times with 60-65 people seated inside and outside,” Mr Bolger told CAMRA’s Oxford Drinker magazine.
“We are seeing all kinds of customers from youngsters to seasoned ale drinkers.
“This is a dream come true, and we’re just keeping our heads above water at present. But we will serve food in due course, and are looking to recruit ex-services people in senior positions.”
Scarlet River hopes to work with former Army and Air Force personnel who sometimes find it challenging to move into civilian life, whereas Tap Social brewery in Oxford works with ex-offenders.
At the moment, the opening hours are: closed on Mondays, open from 10.30am-5pm on Tuesdays, 10.30am-10pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10.30am-11pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and 11am-6pm on Sundays.
The long-term aim is to move to an all-day café-bar operation.
Large-sale commercial brewing in Witney started in the 1830s when Clinch’s brewery was formed, with the former Glenny brewery becoming Wychwood in 1989.
Mr Bolger said earlier: “Niki and I are extremely excited to be bringing brewing back to Witney, as it does have a long history of breweries serving local communities.
“We hope to continue this and welcome everyone very soon.”
The couple’s children are called Scarlet and River – the inspiration for the brewpub’s name.
Oxford News
Race Across The World axed from BBC schedule this week
The hit travel competition show returned to screens last month, seeing new pairs travelling more than 12,000km across Europe and Asia.
So far, the pairs have travelled across countries, including Italy, Greece, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.
The final destination brings them to the shores of Lake Khovsgol in northern Mongolia, where the first to cross the finish line will snap up the £20,000 reward.
However, viewers of Race Across The World are facing a slight shift in schedule this week, as the BBC makes room for Eurovision.
Race Across The World faces a major schedule change this week
Since it started last month, Race Across The World has been airing episodes every Thursday at 8pm.
However, this week, the BBC has brought the show forward by a day, with the penultimate episode now airing on Wednesday, May 13th at 8pm.
The move comes as the BBC prepares to air the second round of the semi-finals at the Eurovision Song Contest.
The upcoming episode of Race Across The World will see the pairs take on their eighth and final country, Mongolia.
It’s not just Race Across The World that is being moved to its usual spot, as MasterChef will not air on its normal Thursday spot.
Instead, the cooking show will air on Friday, May 15 this week, to also make way for Eurovision.
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When is Eurovision 2026?
The Eurovision 2026 semi-finals will be broadcast on May 12 and 14, with the grand final taking place on May 16 at Vienna’s Wiener Stadthalle.
UK viewers can watch all shows live on BBC One and iPlayer, or listen on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds, with the coverage beginning on TV at 8pm.
Have you been watching Race Across The World? Let us know who you want to see win in the comments.
Oxford News
Sobell House hosting flower display at Blenheim Palace
The display features 680 golden blooms, each representing how many people it is caring for in the community at any one time.
A symbol of remembrance, celebration and community, the flowers have been sponsored by supporters and will form a reflective centrepiece at the charity’s Spring Stroll event.
Emma Hope, social value lead at ODS, one of the sponsors helping to fund and assemble the display, said: “At ODS, we’re dedicated to making Oxford the best it can be, and Sobell House plays a vital role at the heart of our community.
“The Forever Flowers event is a meaningful opportunity for people to reflect and remember, and we’re proud that our volunteers are supporting it.
“Sobell House continues to push the boundaries of what compassionate, high-quality palliative care can look like, and we’re pleased to support them as a sponsor so they can continue to do what they do best.”
The display will be open throughout the weekend, as Sobell House marks its 50th anniversary.
It will feature prominently during the Spring Stroll on Sunday, May 10, offering a moment of reflection along the walking route.
The event starts at 10am and includes two fully accessible routes of either 2.5 or four miles.
Dogs on leads are welcome, and parking is free.
Sobell House has provided end-of-life care since 1976, supporting people in their homes, hospitals, and at its inpatient unit.
The charity raises around £4 million annually.
Darke & Taylor also co-sponsored the installation.
Oxford News
Hearing Dogs for Deaf People urges people to be aware
Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, which has a puppy training hub in South Oxfordshire, shared the call during Deaf Awareness Week (4–10 May).
The charity highlighted ongoing challenges faced by deaf individuals, despite increasing awareness of hearing loss.
David Robson, a spokesperson for Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, said: “Hearing dogs provide life-changing support for deaf people, alerting them to important and often life-saving sounds, as well as helping them feel more independent and more connected.
“But inclusion goes beyond the work of our dogs – it’s about how we all communicate and interact every day.
“Small changes in behaviour can make a huge difference.”
To mark Deaf Awareness Week, the charity has published ten practical tips for communicating with deaf people.
The advice includes making sure you have someone’s attention before speaking, facing them so they can lipread, and avoiding covering your mouth or speaking while eating.
Other suggestions include speaking clearly without exaggerating, using written communication if needed, and learning basic British Sign Language (BSL).
Maxine Clare, who was partnered with her hearing dog Walter in 2016, described the isolation that can come with hearing loss.
Ms Clare said: “When my own hearing loss deteriorated, I discovered just how isolating deafness can be.
“It wasn’t just about missing sounds; it was missing that connection with people.
“If I didn’t respond, people assumed I was ignoring them.
“I’ve been pushed, dragged, screamed at, and sworn at – just because I didn’t hear people asking me to move.
“These moments are what make me so passionate about deaf awareness.
“Walter wears a burgundy jacket that signals he’s a hearing dog.
“That jacket does more than grant access; it sparks conversations and breaks down barriers.
“If I could leave you with one thought it would be that next time, if someone doesn’t respond when you’re talking to them, instead of feeling affronted, embarrassed, or frustrated, maybe your first thought should be, ‘perhaps they’re deaf.’”
Hearing Dogs for Deaf People trains dogs to alert deaf people to vital sounds, such as smoke alarms, doorbells and even baby monitors.
The charity has developed a practical guide called ‘It Matters’, which offers simple advice to help people communicate more effectively and confidently with deaf people.
The guide reinforces the message that everyone deserves to feel included and that small actions can make a big difference.
It can be downloaded at www.hearingdogs.org.uk/how-you-can-help/communication-guide.
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