Crime & Safety
Blenheim Palace hosts nearly 800 runners for special event
The public descended on the Oxfordshire UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is the birthplace of Winston Churchill, for the 24th version of the OX5 RUN.
The event sees people run, jog and walk five miles across the historic site in aid of Oxford Hospitals Charity, which funds medical equipment, research, training and facilities.
Donations from the organisation have already helped to create Cancer and Heart Centres in the city and the Oxford Children’s Hospital.
READ MORE: Father and daughter blacksmiths behind Oxford works in historic 700-year first
The event began at 10.30am on Sunday, March 22, with runners set off by 13-year-old Eliza Hammond and six-year-old Elliott Williamson, both young patients.
Elliot, from Beckley, whose surname was not disclosed, has just finished leukaemia treatment on Kamran’s Ward, which cares for children with cancer.
His dad, Guy, was part of Team Kamran’s, the top fundraising team this year.
He said: “I ran the OX5 run as a small way to give back to the hospital that has done so much for us since Elliot was diagnosed with Leukaemia eight months ago.
“His resilience, bravery, and good humour in the face of all he is enduring is inspirational.”
At the OX5 RUN teams of families were joined by many hospital staff, including the 60-strong Team Haem, Children’s Radiology, Oxford Vaccine Group, AAU, Emergency Department, Team Microbiology, PICU, and many more.
Claire Hughes, events officer at Oxford Hospitals Charity said: “It was a glorious sunny day, with a wonderful sense of community and shared purpose.
“We are so grateful to all the teams of families, hospital staff and the local business community that came together at this special run.
“There was such a wonderful atmosphere, a real coming together, and we are thrilled at how many people seemed to really enjoy the whole day.”
The event was won by 15-year-old Edward Hare, part of the Beth’s Bees team, in 29 minutes exactly, with Erica Davison, of Team Magnet Technology winning the cup for first female in 30m 58s.
Local businesses taking part included Penny and Sinclair, Oxford Science Park, Magnet Technology and Breckon & Breckon, who also sponsored the medals.
READ MORE: Potential Cotswolds staycation surge as Iran War causes holiday chaos
Ms Hughes added: “Best of all our runners have worked so hard on their fundraising – and we are on track to raise £100,000 or more to make a difference for our young patients.
“Our special thanks to everyone who took part, and also to Breckon & Breckon for their kind sponsorship of the medals, Blenheim Palace for hosting us, and Get Radio for their music and compering on the day.
“Next year marks the 25th anniversary of this truly local event, and we are hoping that people who have taken part throughout the years will join us for a real celebration of all the OX5 RUN has achieved.”
Cherwell District Council is working alongside Banbury Town Council and the Quays Consortium to prepare a formal expression of interest for the new national competition, which aims to celebrate the cultural and heritage contributions of towns across the country.
David Hingley, leader of Cherwell District Council, said: “I’m proud to confirm that alongside our partners we will be submitting an expression of interest for Banbury to be recognised as the UK Town of Culture 2028.
“This competition is our opportunity to show the rich, diverse and historic heritage that makes Banbury so special and unique, and to leave a lasting legacy for the future.
“From our outdoor market, thriving community initiatives, popular festivals, grassroots arts and wellbeing projects, to youth sporting programmes, culture is already at the heart of Banbury, and this bid will help us shine a spotlight on the town, its people and its stories.”
The UK Town of Culture 2028 winner will receive £3 million to deliver a six-month programme of cultural events and activities.
Banbury’s expression of interest will showcase its distinct identity and outline how the programme could broaden resident engagement, increase access to arts and heritage, and involve communities in shaping the design and legacy of the programme.
The council is engaging with partners such as Banbury Museum, The Mill Arts Centre, cultural organisations, businesses, and community groups to strengthen the bid and realise the town’s cultural ambitions.
Helen & Douglas House, which cares for terminally ill children and their families, launched its revamped clothing store on March 12.
The updated shop was opened by BBC Radio Oxford presenter Adam Ball and joins the charity’s refurbished homeware shop, which reopened last September and occupies the other half of the unit.
Baljit Dhindsa, head of retail at Helen & Douglas House, said: “We are delighted to unveil the refurbished space, which has been thoughtfully redesigned to create a brighter, more modern shopping environment while continuing our commitment to sustainability.
“The new layout allows us to showcase an even wider selection of clothing and accessories, with improved displays and more space on the shop floor.
“We have also enhanced accessibility within the shop, including adding an additional accessible fitting room to ensure a comfortable experience for all our customers.”
The reimagined boutique-style shop features a contemporary, urban-inspired design with vintage touches and improved backroom facilities, allowing for increased donations and more efficient sorting.
Proceeds from the store directly support Helen & Douglas House’s hospice care in Oxford and in people’s homes.
Ms Dhindsa said: “When you buy something from our shop for £5, this could pay for arts and crafts materials for local terminally ill children to make Mother’s Day cards whilst staying at the hospice in Oxford.
“Our spring collection is now in store so do pop in to checkout our great range of clothing and accessories and take a look at the wonderful transformation of our shop.”
Cotswold Wildlife Park was established by John Heyworth on the Bradwell Grove Estate and opened on Good Friday, March 27, 1970.
It began with 341 animals and has since grown to house more than 1,500 animals across 250 species.
A spokesperson for Cotswold Wildlife Park said: “We hope you’ll join us in celebrating 56 wonderful years of Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens and we’d like to thank our visitors for their loyal support over the years.
“We must thank them for all their support for more than half a century.”
From its early days on a shoestring budget, the park has expanded to include giraffes, which arrived in 2010 for its 40th anniversary, and rhinos such as D’ora, named during its golden jubilee year in 2020.
George the Aldabra giant tortoise is the park’s oldest and only original resident.
To mark the 50th anniversary, keepers made him a special cake during the lockdown.
-
Crime & Safety2 weeks agoOxford: ‘Next generation’ LimeBikes in city from today
-
Jobs & Careers2 weeks agoWhy Join Oxford | Oxford University Jobs
-
Jobs & Careers2 weeks agoExplore our Careers
-
Student Life2 weeks agoThe independent cinema battling Oriel College to stay open
-
Oxford Events2 weeks agoMichelin Guide Oxfordshire Restaurants – The Oxford Magazine
-
Oxford Events2 weeks agoOxford News and Events, What’s on in Oxford, Exhibitions
-
Jobs & Careers2 weeks agoInternal Job Board for University vacancies
-
Crime & Safety2 weeks agoCrash partially blocks A40 and causes severe Oxfordshire traffic