Crime & Safety
‘Cataclysmic flooding’ shuts Oxford Blackwell’s bookstore
The Blackwell’s Sci-fi, Manga and Games bookstore in Broad Street, which sells comics, graphic novels and other artwork, has been forced to close indefinitely due to a flooding issue on Wednesday, May 20.
The comic bookstore is on the opposite side of the street to Blackwell’s flagship store, and its music store, which are both unaffected.
READ MORE: Graphic novels boost sales
Notices have been posted at the entrance to alert customers to the issue, informing them: “Due to a large leak, we are currently closed until further notice.”
The notice about the leak at the Blackwell’s store (Image: Contributed)
A customer, who asked not to be named, said he believed Blackwell’s is carrying out long-term complex plumbing repairs.
He added: “Notices posted in Blackwell’s Broad Street comic shop state the shop is closed long term until further notice due to a cataclysmic flood.
“The popular shop sells various comic and graphic art books.
“The cause of the flood is not known exactly although buckets and equipment can be seen through the windows.”
Blackwell’s in Broad Street which is unaffected by the flooding issue (Image: Contributed)
In 2022, historic family-run Oxford-based bookshop chain Blackwell’s was bought by its high street rival Waterstones.
Blackwell’s, which has its flagship store in Broad Street and a total of 18 bookshops, was put up for sale after its owners abandoned a plan to hand it to employees.
Blackwell’s was then allowed to continuing trading under its own brand.
The acquisition by Waterstones saw Blackwell’s in the control of the £38.4bn United States hedge fund Elliott Investment Management, which in 2019 also bought US bookseller, Barnes & Noble.
Blackwell’s president Toby Blackwell said at the time Waterstones, which also bought family-owned Foyles in 2018, had shown since that it “understands the advantages and benefits of holding diverse iconic bookselling brands”.
He added: “This is a positive outcome for Waterstones, Blackwell’s and all our customers in the UK and abroad, who will still be able to enjoy the individual nature of what both brands offer.”
James Daunt, Waterstones’ managing director, said in 2022 Blackwell’s is “amongst the most illustrious names in bookselling, a legacy for which we have the utmost respect”.
Benjamin Henry Blackwell opened his first bookshop in Broad Street in Oxford on New Year’s Day in 1879.
His son Basil joined the company in 1913 and the company first expanded outside Oxford in 1929, when it bought George’s in Bristol.
Blackwell’s Norrington Room in its Broad Street store was one of the world’s largest single displays of books in one room when it was built in 1966.
France has, for some time, been experiencing a graphic novel and comic book boom, with about one in four books sold in the country being a comic.
No one was available for comment at Blackwell’s comic bookshop, or at the main bookshop.
One Blackwell’s insider confirmed there was “an ongoing issue” at the sci-fi, manga and games store.
Crime & Safety
Didcot Railway Centre hosts bank holiday steam gala
The event took place at Didcot Railway Centre from May 23 to 25, where the star attraction was the visiting steam locomotive No. 32424 Beachy Head.
No. 32424 is a full-size replica of an engine from a class built in 1911 and 1912, with the original engine scrapped in 1958.
The replica was completed by members of the Bluebell Railway in 2024.
Named after the highest chalk cliff in England, the engine was one of six named after coastal features in southern England.
Photographs from the event capture the engine on the turntable, the footplate crew at work, and the train guard in action.
Images also show volunteers in the engine shed, shunting engine No. 1340 built in 1897, and staff dressed in period clothing.
Visitors enjoyed a session for photographers on Saturday night, and a long day of entertainment.
Crime & Safety
Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride – hundreds ride in Oxford
Taking part in the Oxford Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride, the event raised more than £34,000 for men’s health charities on Sunday, May 17.
Dressed smartly in “dapper” outfits, the participants rode through Oxfordshire on classic and vintage-style motorcycles.
The ride included a stop at Radcliffe Square in Oxford for a public photo opportunity and finished at the Kingsley Café in Eynsham.
Distinguished Gentlemen’s Bike Ride in Oxford, 2026 (Image: Iaroslava Ershova)
Distinguished Gentlemen’s Bike Ride in Oxford, 2026 (Image: Iaroslava Ershova)
The event wrapped up with a family-friendly social gathering featuring food, drinks and live music.
The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride is the world’s largest motorcycling charity event, taking place this year in more than 1,000 cities across 100 countries.
Cities include New York, Mumbai and Los Angeles. In total more than £5.4m has been raised globally.
READ MORE: Oxfordshire breaks temperature records twice after 82 years
It raises funds and awareness for prostate cancer research and men’s mental health through the Movember Foundation.
Founded in Sydney by Mark Hawwa, the event was inspired by a photo of Don Draper from Mad Men, who was pictured riding a classic motorcycle in a suit.
The organisers also thanked Brasenose College, on behalf of all the frontages of Radcliffe Square, for hosting them.
Donations are still being accepted via the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride website.
Next year’s event is scheduled for Sunday, May 16, 2027.
Crime & Safety
NHS Trust slashes carbon emissions amid new inhaler rollout
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (OUH) made the change as part of a wider effort to reduce the environmental impact of care and support the NHS’s goal of reaching net zero.
The switch to lower-carbon inhalers was supported by changes in prescribing, additional staff training, and improved support for patients on correct inhaler use and disposal.
Sarah Poole, advanced clinical pharmacist lead in respiratory medicine at OUH, said: “This project shows that we don’t have to choose between high-quality patient care and protecting the environment – we can achieve both.
“For many patients, switching to a dry powder inhaler is clinically appropriate and significantly reduces carbon emissions.”
The trust reported an 18 per cent drop in carbon emissions from pressurised metered dose inhalers (pMDIs) in 2025/26 compared to the previous year, and a 22 per cent reduction since recording began in 2022/23.
This is estimated to equal a reduction of 300 tonnes of CO2e over 12 months, comparable to nearly 764,000 miles driven in a petrol car.
pMDIs, commonly known as ‘puffers’, contain a powerful greenhouse gas.
Though they remain essential for many people with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), dry powder inhalers (DPIs) are suitable for many patients and have a much lower environmental impact.
Clinicians across OUH are helping patients switch to DPIs where safe and appropriate, while also improving education on correct inhaler use in line with national guidelines.
Ms Poole said: “Good inhaler technique supports better health outcomes and helps avoid unnecessary additional treatment, which also reduces our environmental footprint.”
For patients who are not suitable for dry powder inhalers, alternative and novel options are also helping to reduce emissions by using lower-impact propellants.
Proper disposal of inhalers also plays a key role in reducing emissions.
Up to 30 per cent of the original gas can remain in an empty pMDI, which can be released into the atmosphere if sent to landfill.
Patients who use pMDIs are encouraged to return used or expired inhalers to community pharmacies for safe disposal.
Medicines make up about 25 per cent of the NHS’s carbon emissions in England, with inhalers accounting for three per cent.
Lisa Hofen, chief estates and facilities officer at OUH, said: “Reducing our carbon footprint is an essential part of how we deliver healthcare now and in the future.
“This significant reduction in emissions from inhalers shows the impact that clinical leadership, innovation and patient engagement can have when sustainability is embedded into everyday care.”
OUH now plans to expand staff training, develop more patient resources, and look into reintroducing inhaler recycling schemes.
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