Oxford News
Miriam Margolyes passionate statement amid fears of future
A letter by the 84-year-old actress to Oxford City Council has resurfaced as the greyhound racing track hits trouble.
Sports broadcaster Sports Information Services is to stop covering racing at Oxford Stadium in Sandy Lane from Monday in a move described as “disastrous” to greyhound racing.
Oxford Speedway promoter Jamie Courtney has reassured Cheetahs fans in light of the announcement that events on Wednesday will still go ahead.
Greyhound racing (Image: Photo: Fortitude Communications)
Back in 2022, Ms Margolyes wrote to Oxford City Council urging it to oppose the venue which she said is being used for “cruel blood sport” in favour of an animal-free alternative.
She wrote: “I’m not alone in thinking it would be abominable for Oxford to support greyhound racing: an archaic and – let’s face it – sadistic ‘sport’ that is responsible for so much suffering and death.
“In fact, 71 per cent of the local public with an opinion on the matter would prefer that Oxford Stadium be used for another, kinder purpose, for example as a velodrome.”
READ MORE: Oxford restaurant shut down as dead mouse and poo found inside
Ms Margolyes, from Oxford, said there is “much I love about the city I grew up in” but said greyhound racing should remain “firmly in the past”.
“Let’s be clear: this is not a sport. It’s animal abuse, and it has no place at Oxford Stadium,” the Harry Potter actress said.
“This ghastly business causes thousands of dogs each year ailments ranging from broken legs to heart attacks.
“Some are even doped with drugs like cocaine, and it’s hardly surprising that many animals die as a result of being forced to race.
“But the casualties don’t end there. Once their racing days are over, many dogs are killed or abandoned in shelters that are already bursting at the seams.
“An additional 12,000 greyhound puppies may be killed every year because they’re deemed not fast enough for racing.
Oxford Stadium
“We call dogs ‘man’s best friend’, but greyhounds used for racing don’t have a warm bed to lie in or a human companion to love and care for them.
“When these sociable animals are not being forced to race, they spend 95 oer cent of their time confined to a cramped cage or kennel, often muzzled.#
“I can’t bear to think about the pain and loneliness they must experience – all for human entertainment.”
Oxford Greyhounds promoter Kevin Boothby said last week that talks are now ongoing with Premier Greyhound Racing to explore a potential contract.
Mr Boothby said at the time that the accusations by ms Margolyes and PETA are “entirely unfounded” and show they are “totally out of touch with the reality of our sport”.
“Our greyhounds are loved and are cared for before, during and after their racing careers,” he said.
Oxford News
Rock legends line up to appear at Bob Harris tribute concert
Stand By Me: Bob Harris – A Celebration Of Life In Music will take place in London on December 2.
The one-off show will also include performances by Rick Wakeman, Carly Pearce, Chris Difford, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Judie Tzuke, Kate Rusby, The Shires, Kezia Gill and Toby Lee.
READ MORE: Broadcasting legend leaves BBC radio
In June, it was announced that the broadcaster, who lives in Steventon, near Abingdon, was standing down from hosting his Radio 2 shows Sounds Of The 70s and Radio 2 Country because of ill health.
The radio veteran, 80, has prostate cancer and in April he revealed it has spread to his upper spine.
Mr Harris said at the time leaving his shows has been “one of the hardest decisions of my life”.
Sir Roger Daltrey of The Who (Image: PA)
He added: “It’s incredible to think that my broadcasting career has spanned almost 56 years. I am very fortunate to have spent my entire working life doing something I love so much.
“I am a massive BBC loyalist, and I’m grateful that I have always been given the freedom to build my programmes in my own way.
“Most of my time on air has been spent with my fabulous family at Radio 2 and it has been such a joy to broadcast on this world-class radio station.
“I am so proud that the Radio 2 Country Show has played such a massive part in propelling country to become the fastest-growing music genre in the UK, and presenting Sounds Of The 70s on Sunday afternoons has been a real pleasure and made my time here the most special of my entire life.
“But more than anything, I want to say thank you to my listeners. I have put everything I have into every show I’ve ever done, and it’s all been because of you. Your love and loyalty mean more to me than words can ever say.
“I am so sorry that my health issues are forcing me to step down, but I realise that I must concentrate on getting myself well again.
“This has been one of the hardest decisions of my life, but I would never want to be doing programmes knowing that I am unable to give you 100 per cent.”
Following the announcement regarding the show, Bob Harris said he was honoured.
He told The Standard: “I’ve been blessed and honoured to have been there with all these artists right at the beginning of their careers, so we all have long working relationships and deep friendships.
“I truly love the Royal Albert Hall too. I first began attending concerts there in 1968, and it is, to me, the most beautiful and prestigious venue in Britain.
“So I feel so honoured to have these wonderful artists with me onstage at my favourite venue. Bringing this music together for Stand By Me is the realisation of a dream.”
The event will also feature broadcasting and music industry figures on stage to present the show and share their memories of Harris.
Oxford News
Harper Beckham, 15, refusing to give up after brand setback
The daughter of former footballer David and ex Spice Girl Victoria lives with her family in Oxfordshire.
She had been working on a skincare line inspired by Korean beauty, initially branded HIKU by Harper and aimed at Gen Z and Gen Alpha consumers.
READ MORE: Emotional Boris Johnson, 62, slammed after releasing death tribute
However, according to cosmetics industry reports and US filings, the US Patent and Trademark Office refused her first application in July “because of a likelihood of confusion” with existing trademarks already registered in the country.
Harper, David and Victoria Beckham (Image: PA)
Documents cited by cosmeticsbusiness.com show that “Hiku” is already protected for personal care products and fragrances, while “Harper” appears on the register for cleaning products such as brooms and scrubbing brushes – blocking the path for “HIKU by Harper” in those categories.
Coverage of the setback notes that Harper had six months to respond to the provisional refusal if she wants to challenge the decision or narrow the scope of the American filing.
READ MORE: Brooklyn Beckham feud costs Harper ‘dream’ Sephora launch
Yet, now, she is pursuing a new brand, this time focused around make-up and called Harlo by Harper.
According to The Sun, the teenager has lodged papers with the US Patent and Trademark Office asking to be granted sole rights to use the name and with the UK’s Intellectual Property Office to trademark the brand.
The aim is to launch the brand at some point next year, as the only daughter of the Beckhams seeks to build a beauty empire.
A source for the paper added that Victoria has been “guiding her every step of the way”.
Oxford News
Major US clothing brand opens in Bicester Village with unique ceremony
Contemporary clothing label Vuori has launched a store at Bicester Village this week, its first store outside of London.
To mark the opening of the store, Bicester Village welcomed guests to an exclusive Pilates session before the shops even opened their doors.
READ MORE: Thames Water leakage targets are ‘not realistic’ says boss after pay rise
A Californian athleisure brand has opened its first ever discount store at Bicester Village this week, expanding on its three London stores (Image: Vuori)
Headquartered in San Diego and founded more than a decade ago, the brand has built a reputation for premium, performance-led leisurewear.
The new Bicester Village store will offer a carefully curated selection of bestsellers, including its Halo pants, the Vuori All The Feels collection and pieces from its popular Tom Holland golf collaboration.
Alongside those ranges, prices will be exclusive to the outlet, making it Vuori’s first UK discount boutique location and offering shoppers in Oxfordshire a chance to snap up the brand’s signature styles at lower prices than in its standard stores.
-
Business & Technology3 weeks agoHSBC UK & Visa test AI shopping with live payments
-
Business & Technology3 weeks agoValarian lands USD $50 million backing for sovereign AI
-
Business & Technology4 weeks agoMouser warns against viral hacks to cool overheating phones
-
Oxford News4 weeks agoNew romantasy bookshop attracts queues of customers
-
Business & Technology4 weeks agoSNP & Palantir launch AI tools for SAP transformations
-
Business & Technology4 weeks agoKane tops England influencer rankings after Mexico win
-
Traffic & Transport4 weeks ago‘I felt my spine and body split’: the woman who was hit by a child on a Lime bike – and denied compensation | Ebikes
-
Oxford News4 weeks agoDWP now checking bank accounts for Universal Credit and Pension Credit
