Oxford News
Locals ‘shocked’ as King Charles makes surprise Oxfordshire visit
The King visited Oxford Photovoltaics at Pioneer Park in Yarnton between Oxford and Kidlington this afternoon (Friday, March 27).
His Majesty was shown around what is a leading solar energy innovator and manufacturer founded in 2010, operating in the field of Perovskite-based PV.
Residents had no idea that the King was visiting Yarnton and were excited about the town’s surprise royal visitor.
READ MORE: King Charles in Oxfordshire today for royal visit
Deanna Sharman has lived in the small town for many years and was overjoyed that King Charles had chosen to stop by.
“I’m shocked as I have only just found out that the King is right here in Yarnton, and I think that it is lovely,” she told this newspaper.
“I’ve lived here for a long time, and other than at Blenheim Palace and in Oxford, of course, we haven’t had any royals here in Yarnton before.”
She then laughed and added: “But we could have had someone in secret before, like today, and I wouldn’t have known!”
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The rain was spitting on Friday morning with grey skies overhead, leaving Ms Sharman hoping it would brighten up for the King later on.
“I wish the weather was a bit better through as he seems to always end up wherever it’s raining, he’s always there with a brolly,” she said.
“But no, I’m glad he’s getting around, especially after his cancer and everything.”
Several Thames Valley Police vehicles were stationed outside Pioneer Park as officers kept watch during the special visit as a helicopter flew overhead.
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Another longtime Yarnton resident, who wished to remain anonymous, praised the King for his strong focus on the environment.
“I think it’s cool that the King is here as he’s a very environmentally friendly person and he’s been trying to do a lot for many, many years that people don’t really understand that he’s been doing,” she said.
“It would have been great to know that he was coming, but I understand with security pressures around the King, especially with what’s going on in the world today.”
Despite living in Yarnton since the late 1980s, this was the first royal visit that the resident had observed in the town.
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“I know there have been royal visits to Oxford before,” she added.
“I remember my dad telling me that when Queen Elizabeth II and the Queen Mother opened the Weston Library by the Bodleian Library, the sky broke in the lock.
“My mum used to work at Christchurch, and the late Queen was there too.”
“It is very exciting to have the King here now, and I’m just really pleased that he’s taking note of all the environmental stuff that people are doing to try and save the planet.”
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.”
Following the incident in North Way, Barton on Monday, August 17, Thames Valley Police said it wanted the public’s help to locate Oxford local Arthur McDonagh.
The force warned the public not to approach the 33-year-old, but instead to call the police if they see him.
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On Tuesday, August 18, a spokesperson said: “Thames Valley Police is appealing for the public’s help to locate Arthur McDonagh, aged 33, from Oxford.
“He is wanted in connection with a serious assault that happened in North Way, Barton, yesterday (August 17).
“Arthur is known to frequent the Garsington area.
“If you have any information about his whereabouts call 101 or make a report online, quoting reference 43260426989.
“If you see him, do not approach him, but instead call 999.”
Well over a week on, the police has revealed that Mr McDonagh remains at large.
The spokesperson said today (Saturday, August 29): “Arthur McDonagh remains outstanding; our enquiries are ongoing to locate him.”
During the incident emergency services were called to Barton Village Road at about 11.10am.
The force closed North Way to the junction with Edgecombe Road while officers carried out their enquiries.
A damaged white pickup truck was left in the middle of the street, surrounded by broken glass and with what appeared to be blood splattered on the rear right-hand side.
The white pickup truck could be seen behind the police cordon.
There were multiple reports of different weapons being used during the assault, but Thames Valley Police confirmed that they do not believe an axe, bat or machete were used in the attack.
But police declined to say what weapon they do believe was used in the assault.
The force confirmed a man was taken to hospital for treatment, and that he was in a stable condition, and they thanked the local community for their support.
Following the incident, Mike Rowley, Labour councillor for Barton and Sandhills, said his thoughts were with the victim and praised local officers for their response.
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He said: “My thoughts are with the victim as the incident sounds horrible.
“I am in touch with the police, but I’m not expecting any updates yet as their priority is finding the offender and making sure there aren’t any further offences.”
Appeals for public help in finding individuals by the police can relate to suspects, witnesses or others who may have vital information in relation to the incident.
They do not mean the person is to blame nor do they imply guilt.
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