Oxford News
Fire in field near Grove estate was ‘deliberate’ arson
Thames Valley Police have launched an investigation into the fire which blazed on the field behind the Wellington Gate estate in Grove late in the evening of Sunday, August 16.
The fire affected a patch of grass and hedgerow measuring about 50 metres square, and three fire engines were sent to contain and eventually extinguish the blaze.
Police were called to the incident at 10.42pm, but fire crews were called at about 9.35pm on Sunday, and used hose reels and beaters to put it out before departing at 11.04pm.
The police’s neighbourhood team for Wantage said the fire is suspected to be deliberate arson, and are appealing for information on a number of people seen nearby on the night.
The force reported that a group of young people were seen ‘acting in an anti-social manner’ on Byron Avenue, adjacent to the blaze off Armstrong Avenue, before the fire was reported.
Then, at about 10pm, a man riding a silver moped, a man riding a dark-coloured moped and a child were seen travelling from Byron Avenue to Armstrong Avenue, towards the area where the fire was later discovered.
A spokesperson for the force said: “Given the dry conditions and proximity to nearby homes, this incident had the potential to be far more serious.
“We are keen to identify the individuals on the mopeds and speak to anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has information that could assist our investigation.
“Local residents may recognise those involved, and we would also like to hear from any youths who were in the area and may have seen events leading up to the fire.
” Wildfires can spread rapidly, endanger lives, destroy habitats and pose a significant risk to nearby homes and businesses.
“We urge everyone to take these warnings seriously and help protect our community.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact police by calling 101 or making a report online, quoting reference number 43260426186.
Simon, who lives in Wellington Gate, earlier said: “Two fire engines were quickly on the scene, but with the fire being on a field, fire crews had to carry their equipment 100 or 200 metres to where the fire was.
“I saw a police car entering the estate around 10.30pm, too.
“I’ve never seen so many people on the streets of the estate, checking it out for peace of mind to ensure it had been safely put out.
“But the fire brigade did a great job as always, they hooked onto a water point drain on the estate to put it out.
“I believe this isn’t the first time there have been people trying to start fires there.”
The closure affects the route between the A420 and Coxwell Road near Great Coxwell to allow for carriageway widening and the construction of a new signal-controlled junction.
The closure, in effect 24 hours a day, will begin on September 7, 2026, and is expected to remain in place until April 16, 2027.
An alternative route will be signposted via the A420, London Street, Coxwell Street, and Coxwell Road.
The order, issued by Oxfordshire County Council under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, will remain in force for up to 18 months if necessary.
Exemptions are included for emergency vehicles, and signage will be in place to advise drivers of the closure.
The coffee dispenser at the Headington Waitrose is out of order and not for the first time according to reports, leaving customers disappointed they can no longer access their free cappuccino or flat white using their Waitrose card.
The Headington News said: “The Headington Waitrose free coffee machine is out of order again today (Saturday 29 August).”
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The notice on the machine at the store in Old High Street says: “The coffee machine is currently out of order. Apologies for the inconvenience.”
The issue is not a universal problem – coffee machines at other Waitrose stores are working well.
The Waitrose chain, owned by the John Lewis Partnership, restored its free coffee offer in January 2025.
Following outrage over the withdrawal of the offer during the pandemic, the company told the nine million members on its My Waitrose loyalty scheme they would again be entitled to a complementary americano, cappuccino, latte or tea once a day regardless of whether they bought anything – as long as they have their own reusable cup.
In a statement, Waitrose said at the time: “Some of our My Waitrose members like to have the free coffee before they shop or during the shop, rather than afterwards, so we are just offering a bit of flexibility in response to customer feedback.”
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There were queues at coffee stations and complaints from customers that the offer was attracting the “wrong type of shopper” when Waitrose introduced the perk in 2013.
In 2017, it cracked down on ‘freeloaders’ by forcing members to buy something before pouring themselves a free hot drink.
The scheme was scrapped during the Covid crisis, but reintroduced in November 2022 – again for customers making a purchases. This is no longer a requirement.
Thames Valley Police has launched an investigation after a pigeon was killed in a wildlife crime incident in Plover Drive, Oxford, at around 6.50pm on August 24.
The force said that two teenage boys used a catapult to knock a pigeon from a tree before the bird was attacked by three smaller terrier-type dogs that were with them.
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Descriptions of the two boys have been released with the first described as wearing a black sleeveless vest, dark-coloured bottoms, black trainers with white soles.
In addition he had a black-and-white flat-peaked cap worn backwards and was believed to have been carrying a catapult.
The second was reportedly wearing a light-coloured T-shirt and blue jeans, with brown, medium-length hair.
He was also seen carrying an unidentified item.
A spokesperson for the police said: “We are keen to hear from anyone who witnessed this incident or who may recognise those involved from the descriptions above.
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“We would also like to hear from anyone with dashcam footage from the Plover Drive area between 6.30pm and 7pm on 24 August that may assist our investigation.
“Wildlife crime has a real impact on our communities, and we take reports of offences against wild animals and birds seriously.
” If you have any information, please contact the force on 101 or report online, quoting reference 43260448136.”
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