Oxford News
Man found dead after major police response at Culham Lock
The incident occurred on Monday, April 6, when police were called at about 4.35am to Tollgate Road in Culham, Abingdon.
Culham Lock car park on the River Thames was cordoned off for most of the day on Monday, with a heavy police presence.
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Manned police cordons were set up around all entry and exit points to the car park, and eyewitnesses say at least four police cars or vans remained there for most of the day, causing serious concern among locals.
Thames Valley Police have now confirmed that a man in his 50s was pronounced dead on the scene.
A spokesperson for the force said: “We were called at around 4.35am on Monday, April 6, to Tollgate Road in Abingdon, following reports of a concern for welfare.
“Emergency services attended but sadly a man aged in his 50s was pronounced deceased at the scene.
“His death is being treated as unexplained, but not suspicious, and a file will be prepared for the coroner.
“His family have been informed and are being supported.”
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One woman who lives in Culham but did not want to be named said it was ‘frightening’ to see such a large police incident in what is usually a ‘quiet’ village.
She saw what was happening in Culham Lock car park at about 3.30pm on Monday, and said: “The incident seemed to be located in the back half of the car park on the left side.
“There seemed to be a lot of locals stood around staring and the lock keeper was stood with his hands on his head.”
She also reported seeing a recovery van retrieving a black four-by-four from the scene. It is not yet known if this is related to the incident.
Thames Valley Police was approached for comment the morning after the incident, but failed to provide a statement until today (Wednesday, April 8), leaving people ‘worried’.
The eyewitness added: “Not knowing the nature of the incident leaves local people worried, it is such a beautiful public area we use and walk around everyday and now it is making us not want to go down there out of fear of what might occurred.
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“It has been extremely distressing to my younger sister who couldn’t sleep last night due to being worried and having full sight of what happened.
“When I was walking down, there was full visibility of the scene and police stood around.
“While I understand it is another day on the job for them, it was very distressing to locals who of course rarely if ever experience something like this in somewhere like Culham.”
South Moreton Primary School was described by inspectors as a place where ‘pupils enjoy learning and their time together’.
The school was awarded a ‘strong standard’ judgment in each of the seven areas that Ofsted review.
Cheryl Sánchez, headteacher at South Moreton Primary School, said: “This report is a moment of huge pride for our whole school community. We are absolutely thrilled.
“Our school is built on a strong ethos of community and inclusion, and it’s wonderful to see the inspectors also see the warmth and positivity that runs through everything we do.”
The Ofsted report commended pupils as ‘confident, articulate and curious,’ noting that they benefit from ‘rich opportunities to experience the world’.
Early years provision was described as a ‘joyful and harmonious space,’ where children develop strong foundations in reading, writing, mathematics and communication.
Inspectors also highlighted the inclusive nature of the school’s curriculum and routines, as well as the professional curiosity and focus demonstrated by school leaders.
The school is part of the Oxford Diocesan Schools Trust.
Sharon Mullins, CEO of the trust, said: “Achieving a strong standard is something that any school should take huge pride in – but to do it in every judgement area is quite a rare achievement under this new framework so far.
“We don’t do what we do for our children because of Ofsted, but it is lovely that the relentless effort of the team at South Moreton have been recognised by them.”
The Oasis singer was rumoured to have bought a mansion near Cirencester in December last year, having previously rented it for £19,000 a month ahead of the band’s comeback tour.
During the summer, it was reported that Mr Gallagher and his fiancée, Debbie Gwyther, had been phoning around high-end estate agents to buy a new mansion in the Cotswolds.
Mr Gallagher himself confirmed earlier this year that he’s purchased Dockem House in the village of Coates over the Oxfordshire border.
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Now, The Sun has reported that the musician’s new pad is next door to a Roman temple and that he’s a fan of history, making it a perfect match.
The five-acre estate is near Hailey Wood Camp, which dates back to 100AD, and has been buried since the 1980s.
Historic England said that the complex is rare and that only “a number of temple complexes [in the UK] have similar double-ditch enclosed areas”.
The Sun added: “Seven lead ‘curse tablets’, which Romans used to ask the Gods to jinx an enemy, were reportedly found there.
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“Previous owner, World War I hero Major William Daubney, was the first to identify Hailey Wood Camp, an underground temple complex dating between 100AD and 400AD.
“The complex is centred on a square enclosure with other smaller buildings scattered around it and has been buried since the 1980s after the site was plundered for ‘coins and other metal objects’.”
A fan of history, Mr Gallagher was recently asked by a fan on the social media site X what the first thing he does on holiday.
The singer responded: “I unpack and hang up all my clothes in alphabetical order, then I go find out some local history, then I get on the p**s.”
The wildlife TV star has hosted the BBC’s Springwatch nature show for 14 years, having previously worked on The Really Wild Show and Wide Awake Club.
She recently finished as runner-up on ITV reality show Dancing on Ice, competing last year with professional partner Mark Hanretty.
Michaela, who supports Oxford United through her son, who works at the club, recently had an exclusive chat with the Oxford Mail.
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Another beloved dance show, which, like Springwatch, is a BBC icon, is Strictly Come Dancing, with the competition programme running since 2004.
Strictly is now without a presenter after both hosts, Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, departed last year.
With speculation rife over who will host the programme later this year, this newspaper asked Ms Strachan who she would like to see take on the job.
After being suggested with hosting it herself and long-time contributor Chris Packham, the 60-year-old laughed and said: “Can you imagine Chris Packham presenting Strictly!
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“Oh my god, that would be worth watching.
“I think La Voix would be brilliant, that’s who I would back. I don’t know whether they would get it, but I think that would be really good fun if La Voix did it.
“I really enjoyed watching La Voix on Strictly last year, so that would be the obvious choice.
“There are some choices that have been talked about that are very obvious, and you think no, come on, let’s push the boat out. Let’s get to somebody different.
“I’d like to see them go out of the box, and it would be highly entertaining.”
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