Crime & Safety
Cotswolds horse trials in Cornbury coming this September
Cornbury House Horse Trials will take place in Oxfordshire from September 9 to 13 in the grounds of Cornbury House, with early-bird tickets starting at £10.
At the heart of the event is world-class equestrianism, with both high-profile riders and emerging talent set to compete in a rural setting.
The event will once again host the British Eventing Young Horse Championships, sponsored by The Howden Way, which showcases the country’s most promising five, six, and seven-year-old horses.
David Howden, event founder and president, lives at Cornbury House and is a long-time supporter of eventing and equestrian sport.
Away from the action, visitors can enjoy curated shopping at Cornbury Village, as well as a new Artisan Food and Drink Tent.
On Saturday, September 12, the popular Endless Lunch at Cornbury by Mirabeau returns, offering a long-table dining experience overlooking the main arena.
Evening entertainment will be available each night at the on-site Wychwood Inn.
Other new features for 2026 include the Cornbury Chat Stage, which will host conversations with equestrian heroes and local personalities.
The 2026 charity partner is the British Eventing Support Trust (BEST) and visitors can choose to donate when purchasing tickets.
The event will also welcome back the ARC Racehorse to Eventer Challenge, a £50,000 showcase for former racehorses.
More information and ticket sales are available at www.cornburyhousehorsetrials.co.uk.
Crime & Safety
Fans rally around Mary Berry, 91, after on-stage appearance
The legendary cook was a judge on the BBC’s Great British Bake Off between 2010 and 2016 before it left for Channel 4.
She has lived in Henley, in the south of Oxfordshire, with her husband, Paul Hunnings, since 2019.
The cook, 91, received the Academy’s highest honour for her exceptional contribution to television on Sunday.
Dame Mary Berry holding her BAFTA award (Image: Ian West/PA Wire)
Speaking to Bafta red carpet host Roman Kemp as she arrived at the ceremony, she said of the fellowship: “I always think about directors and actors and actresses getting it, so as a cook, I feel very honoured.
“I’m immensely honoured to join those wonderful people who already won it, it’s amazing.”
On stage, she added a thank you for her late son William, who died in a car crash in 1989.
The TV legend said: “William is in heaven, but I thank him [too].”
Fans have rallied around Dame Mary following her award.
One said on social media: “Mary Berry at the BAFTAs speaking about her son was exactly the kind of moment telly needs more of. Real, devastating, human. That’s what made it powerful.”
Another said: “Congratulations, so happy for Dame Mary Berry. She is such a Queen and so well deserved.”
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While a third added: “Love the friendship between Mel, Sue and Mary Berry. It was wonderful to see Mary win the fellowship award. Truly a national treasure.”
Dame Mary began her television career on Collector’s World in Bristol, where she prepared Victorian-era dishes.
She said: “I started off on Collector’s World, in Bristol.
“I had to make cow’s udder pie and all sorts of Victorian dishes, and I didn’t really enjoy that, and I moved on to other things.”
She added: “In Bake Off, I wanted to get everyone baking and cooking, and I think I was quite kind.”
Crime & Safety
Police search for wanted man on recall to prison in Oxford
Antonio Marraffa, 30, is wanted for a recall to prison for poor behaviour and offending since being released from custody.
He is known to visit Oxford city centre and Abingdon town centre and, as well as the Littlemore and Rosehill area.
Mr Marraffa is described as a white man, around 5ft 10ins tall, of slim build, with blue eyes, a broken nose, short dark hair and a wispy moustache.
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Thames Valley Police warns to not approach and call 999 if he is spotted instead.
It said: “If you have information as to his whereabouts then please add it to our online reporting page quoting reference 43260216207.”
Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Crime & Safety
Oxford Greens new leader elected after local elections
Cllr Lois Muddiman has been elected as the Green Party’s new leader on Oxford City Council amid ongoing negotiations regarding administration at the local authority.
The Green group have stated that it is in continued talks about whether to go into coalition administration at the hung council following the May 7 elections, which saw no overall control for any party.
Muddiman has been a Green councillor for Osney & St Thomas ward since 2022.
She was re-elected in this year’s elections, winning over 50 per cent of the vote.
Green city councillor Lois Muddiman in Botley Road (Image: Andy Ffrench)
Cllr Chris Jarvis, who took the party into the elections, has stood down from his role, but was re-elected as deputy leader of the party.
The leadership election took place at the first Green group meeting following the local elections.
Mr Jarvis said: “It has been an honour and a privilege to serve as the leader of the Green Group on Oxford City Council for the past five years.
“Over that time, the Green Party has gone from strength to strength. We now have a record number of councillors elected, and our membership has quadrupled in the last year alone.
“I’m incredibly proud to serve alongside a dynamic, diverse, dedicated group of Green councillors, all of whom are powerful campaigners and committed champions of their communities.
(Image: Oxford City Council.)
“Over the last five years, we’ve secured major achievements for the people of Oxford and our natural world – from rolling out free period products in community centres across the city, to ensuring that all council environmental policies are subject to cross-party scrutiny.
“After much reflection, I decided that now is the right time to allow for somebody else to take the party forward in the next step in its journey.
“I’m incredibly glad to be handing over to Lois Muddiman who will be a brilliant leader and will ensure the Green Party continues to deliver progressive change for the people of Oxford, and I look forward to supporting her in that role in every way that I can.”
Ms Muddiman called her predecessor an “excellent leader for the past five years“.
She said: “It’s a great privilege to have been re-elected as the Green Party Councillor for Osney and St. Thomas last week and I’m very grateful to my community for placing their trust in me once again.
“I will work hard to represent you and to make Oxford a greener, fairer and more equal city.
“Yesterday, I was further honoured, when the new Green Group of 13 Councillors, the largest we have ever had in Oxford, elected me as their new Group Leader. ”
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