Crime & Safety
Football club withdraws from National League System
For 10 years, the football club has been trying to secure a lease from Milton Parish Council to develop a new sports pavilion and facility.
But nothing has come together, with the club arguing that with permission for new facilities at The Heights, it would be unsustainable for the men’s first team to stay in the league.
A statement from the directors said: “This has been an incredibly difficult and emotional decision for the directors, taken after more than a decade of sustained effort to secure the long-term future of the club at The Heights.
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“For the past 10 years, the club has worked tirelessly to develop a new community-focused sports pavilion and social facility to serve the growing population of Milton Heights.
“Despite funding being in place for over seven years, ongoing delays in securing a lease from Milton Parish Council has prevented this vital development from progressing.
“During this time, the club has faced repeated uncertainty, unfulfilled commitments, and significant delays.
“We have engaged constructively at every stage—attending meetings, adapting plans, and working collaboratively—but despite a formal resolution passed in April 2025, the situation remains unresolved.
“This has been an incredibly difficult and emotional decision for the directors, taken after more than a decade of sustained effort to secure the long-term future of the club at The Heights.
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“We place on record our sincere thanks to all players, management, volunteers, supporters, and sponsors who have stood by the club during this extremely challenging period. Your loyalty and commitment mean everything.
“We firmly believe this pause will allow Milton United FC to reset, resolve these issues, and return stronger—with the facilities and foundations needed to secure the club’s future for the next 100 years.”
Back in 2017, a legally-binding sum of agreed-to money, approximately £78,000, was to be put towards the formation of the Milton Community Sports & Leisure CLG.
But in the years since, Milton United has claimed the parish council has had a “lack of commitment” with instances of slow progress at the council delaying the project.
A spokesperson for Milton Parish Council previously said it is “committed” to delivering on the facility but warned it is unable to function properly as there isn’t enough resources there right now.
The parish council has been approached for further comment on United withdrawing from the league.
A spokesman previously said: “We recognise that the project has faced challenges along the way, but the council has acted consistently in good faith and is fully aware of its responsibility to manage public money with diligence and care.”
Community-owned cinema Ultimate Picture Palace (UPP), a community-owned cinema off Cowley Road, is under threat of closure under its current contract.
Its landlord, Oriel College of the University of Oxford, is not willing to extend the lease beyond 2037, UPP has claimed.
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It emerged that Oriel College provost Baron Neil Mendoza, who is the chair of Historic England and a member of the House of Lords, worked to block the Ultimate Picture Palace (UPP) in Jeune Street being declared an Asset of Community Value (ACV), a status that grants protection from development.
Instead, the college wants to include the Grade II listed building in a ‘Fifth Quad’ development plans when the lease expires.
Supporters of the independent cinema launched a campaign to save it from redevelopment, and Labour MP for Oxford East, Anneliese Dodds, threw her weight behind the campaign last month.
A petition to save the community space this week reached more than 20,000 signatures.
Now, the Labour MP will warn Parliament of the threat the cinema faces at an Adjournment Debate on Monday evening (April 20).
Ms Dodds will say that she is speaking “to highlight the case of the Ultimate Picture Palace in my constituency, and the need for government support for community assets”.
Describing the UPP as “the only remaining independent cinema in Oxford” and “a real landmark on Cowley Road”, she will praise its community‑owned model.
“At a time when thousands of community assets have closed, the Ultimate Picture Palace stands as a reminder that a different model is possible — and that it works,” she will say.
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Ms Dodds will explain that despite having planning permission and funders keen to support vital improvements, the cinema cannot proceed with them because “funders’ requirements for a long‑term lease are not being met”.
“But herein lies the problem,” she will tell the House of Commons.
“The landlord for this community‑owned asset, Oriel College, will not commit to such a long‑term lease, apparently because of the building lying within the plans for the proposed ‘Fifth Quad’.
“The idea of the cinema being used for this purpose strikes me and local residents as very strange,” she will add, given that the cinema is Grade II‑listed and “one of the oldest independent cinemas in England”.
Ms Dodds will urge Oriel College to reconsider and grant the cinema the long‑term lease it needs.
She will also invite the minister, who will respond to her contribution, to come and visit the UPP to experience the magic of community-owned cinema.
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Executive director of The Ultimate Picture Palace Community Cinema, Micaela Tuckwell, said: “I very much welcome Ms Dodds raising this important issue facing Oxford’s only independent cinema and highlighting the enormous challenges faced by community assets.
“The Ultimate Picture Palace is a treasured local cultural heritage asset loved by generations of Oxford’s filmgoers for its exceptional programming and unique historical presence in the heart of the East Oxford community.”
She said an ‘alliance’ between the college and UPP would provide a ‘multitude’ of benefits to the community, on top of saving the cinema.
The ‘St George’s Day Celebration’ was organised by Raise The Colours Oxfordshire, the movement, which has been controversially hanging flags across the county since last summer, on Saturday, April 18, in Bonn Square outside the Westgate entrance.
It was described in an advert shared on Facebook, the group’s main communication platform’, as a ‘family-friendly’ day with music, community spirit and ‘fun games for everyone’.
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However, there was no music or games on the day itself, and reports say about 10 ‘patriots’ turned out, holding flags with slogans written on them like ‘stop the boats’.
Oxford Stand Up To Racism organised a counter-protest ‘Migrants Welcome: Stop the Far Right’ for the same time, with about 50 attendees for the counter side.
The organisations call for supporters to attend ahead of the event said: “Stand together against racist scapegoating and intimidation.
“Far right activists want to protest in our city centre spreading lies and hate aimed at migrants, refugees and many more of us. This is us, our families, our neighbours, colleagues and friends.
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“When the far right are allowed to spread hate and lies unopposed, it emboldens racist outbursts and hate crimes.
“Bring your friends and let’s leave no doubt that Oxford is a welcoming and proud anti-racist city.”
Reports say there were some minor altercations between the two sides at the protest and police were in attendance.
Did you see the protest? What did you think?
The Beacon in Wantage, held its makers and craft fair on Saturday, April 18.
It brought together talented local artists, makers and small businesses for a marketplace showcasing handmade and locally produced good.
A spokesperson for The Beacon called the event ‘a great success’.
There was unique gifts, crafts and creative designs available for everyone, including handmade jewellery, pottery and paintings.
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There was also a beginner-friendly crotchet workshop. Working in small groups, they learnt essential skills, including how to hold the yarn and hook, how to make a slip knot and basic chain stitches and how to fasten off and weave in the ends.
The Beacon offers a range of facilities including a theatre auditorium, dance studio, two function rooms and a coffee shop.
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