Crime & Safety
New operator revealed as Oxford university gives up facility
Brookes Sport announced in December that it will cease using the Harcourt Hill Campus sports site near Botley from April 2026 as part of its so-called ‘Oxford Campus Vision’.
Within this context and the “significant” fall in numbers using the campus site, the university said, that from April 1, a number of facilities would no longer be available.
The grass pitches will still be available and the 3G pitches can be block booked via the university after April.
READ MORE: Michelin recommended village pub up for £545,000 sale amid major price drop
After reports of a potential deal with a third-party operator, The Brookes Sport & Active Wellness Team has now revealed that fitness business Mind Over Matter will manage the facility.
A spokesperson for the company said: “We can confirm that a third-party provider will be utilising the indoor sports facilities at Harcourt Hill, subject to final contractual confirmation, which we expect to be completed in the coming days.
“We are pleased to share that, from April 1, 2026, the indoor fitness facilities will be operated by Mind Over Matter Fitness Centre.
Harcourt Hill campus (Image: Oxford Mail)
“They will offer a range of activities, including gym access, fitness classes, racquet sports, wellness sessions and community activities.
“Please note that these services will operate independently from Brookes Sport and existing Brookes Sport memberships will not provide access to the new Mind Over Matter facilities.”
Megan of the Mind Over Matter Team said she was “excited” to be taking over the centre.
On the business’ website, she said: “Mind Over Matter Fitness Centre replaces Harcourt Hill Brookes Sport and aims to build upon the services and community which already exists here.
(Image: Supplied)
“I have worked for Brookes for many years in several different roles including personal trainer, fitness instructor and as a nutritionist in the Functional Food Centre.
“Mind over Matter has been running as a fitness business for 13 years and we are excited to be taking over as we feel it has great potential for the local community.
“The Mind Over Matter Team are looking forward to offering you an inclusive and friendly environment where you can access range of fitness and health services.”
READ MORE: Debate on Oxford Mini Plant future slammed as ‘disrespectful’
This latest announcement by Oxford Brookes comes as it continues to wind down its operations at Harcourt Hill.
All remaining teaching and library services moved from Harcourt Hill to the Headington Campus for the start of the 2025/26 academic year.
And as of October 27 last year, the Harcourt Cafe is no longer operating as a walk-in catering service.
Accommodation continues to be provided during the 2025/26 academic year and will continue into the 2026/27 academic year.
Crime & Safety
Michael Caine’s £9m riverside manor unsold after a year
The Grade II listed mansion near Wallingford was first listed in early June last year and since then a buyer has not been found.
Initially it was priced at £10m by agent Savills but in February the classic 17th-century English country home was pulled from the market and then relaunched in March at £1m less than its original listing.
READ MORE: Former CEO at Oxford International College charged with £5m fraud
It is now priced at £9m.
Mr Caine lived there with his family from 1984 to 1999, with the legendary actor, who played Alfred in Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy and Scrooge in The Muppet Christmas Carol, selling the property in 2020.
At that time it was listed on the market for £6.95m.
Sir Michael Caine’s former mansion in Church Lane, North Stoke (Image: Savills)
Michael Caine
Sir Michael Caine’s former mansion in Church Lane, North Stoke (Image: Savills)
Its listing states: “Architecturally interesting, this Grade II listed 17th century, quintessentially English country house affords its future custodian a true Swallows and Amazons lifestyle.
“Marrying period charm with the convenience of 21st century living, Rectory Farm House provides the opportunity to entertain on a grand scale.
“It is a perfect country retreat for those seeking a private edge of village estate, hidden from view.”
Sir Michael Caine’s former mansion in Church Lane, North Stoke (Image: Savills)
With 600 feet of River Thames frontage, the six-bedroom mansion comes with a Moroccan-style jacuzzi, a sauna and a 100,000-litre swimming pool.
In addition, it has two kitchens, five bathrooms, a music room, a drawing room and sitting rooms.
It also has on the ground floor a utility room, gym, plant room, boot room and two lavatories.
Outside Sir Michael added extensively to the 17,000 sq ft property and planted many specimen trees in the grounds.
Sir Michael Caine’s former mansion in Church Lane, North Stoke (Image: Savills)
Property agent Victoria Knight, head of office at Savills in Henley, said: “Situated on the longest stretch of the Thames between locks, Rectory Farm House offers hours of hassle-free boating.
“Despite its 600 feet of frontage, the house cannot be seen from the river and is surrounded by beautiful gardens and grounds.
READ MORE: Update amid pothole repair concerns on ‘Grand Canyon’ road
“Beneath the formal lawns, waterside meadows are also a haven for all manner of wildlife, including otters, swans, kingfishers, hedgehogs, sparrowhawks, buzzards, rooks and deer.”
Outside, and included in the purchase, is a cottage equipped with a sitting room, kitchen, downstairs bedroom suite and mezzanine bedroom suite.
A three bay, timber clad garage provides an additional three car ports, a large machinery store, a log store and a first floor storage room.
In addition, there is a lodge that is presently used as staff accommodation.
Crime & Safety
Ducati Monster found by Thames Valley Police in Oxfordshire
The rural crime police found and recovered a red Ducati Monster in the Cane End area of south Oxfordshire, close to Reading.
According to officers, the bike was involved in an incident last month where it failed to stop for blue lights and made off in a “dangerous” manner having crashed into a police van.
It was found on Wednesday evening, May 13.
The Ducati Monster is a popular motorbike made by the Italian manufacturer since the early 1990s.
Some 350,000 Ducati Monsters have been produced since the model’s introduction in 1993, making it the best-selling and longest-running motorcycle in Ducati’s history.
Its often credited in the motorbike world as being the one that ‘saved Ducati’ due to its popularity and cheap development costs
Crime & Safety
Cotswolds pub to reopen under new owners after shock closure
The Rose & Crown in Ratley, a village new Banbury on the northern tip of the Cotswolds AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty), shut down unexpectedly ahead of the festive period in December 2024, due to personal circumstances, according to the owners.
The village pub and restaurant, 10 miles north of Banbury, is now set to be reopened under new owners after more than a year on the market.
The quintessential Cotswolds village pub is under new ownership (Image: Christie & Co)
READ MORE: Oxford locals unimpressed by city ‘pod’ hotel plans
In a statement released to introduce themselves, new owners Dee and Norm Knight-Barrett said: “We wanted to reassure everyone that we intend to reopen The Rose & Crown as a traditional British ‘pie and pint’ pub.
“There is quite a bit of work to do internally in particular the cellar and kitchen.
The Rose & Crown closed unexpectedly in December 2024 (Image: Christie & Co)
“We want to offer the best beers and pies that we can so we need to carry out some upgrades. We will keep you posted with regard to progress so please bear with us.
“We are looking forward to meeting you all and making lots of new friends.”
READ MORE: TV legend’s daughter selling £3.95m Oxfordshire mansion
New owners said they intend to reopen The Rose & Crown as a ‘traditional pie and pint pub’ (Image: Christie & Co)
The new owners revealed the plans include theme nights, pizza, curry and barbecues, live music, a pool table and sports games, and has invited further suggestions from the village.
The property is a grade II listed, detached building which is believed to have operated as a pub for more than 250 years.
No opening date has yet been announced and works to renovate and refresh the venue are ongoing.
-
Oxford News3 weeks agoBanbury cake company with 400 year history shut down
-
Crime & Safety3 weeks agoBicester man denies sexually assaulting two young girls
-
Crime & Safety3 weeks agoBicester crash: Motorcyclist ‘seriously injured’ in hospital
-
UK News3 weeks agoTV tonight: Shetland meets CSI in a new drama about a disgraced cop | Television
-
UK News3 weeks agoStarmer says it ‘beggars belief’ he wasn’t told about Mandelson vetting failure as he faces Commons – UK politics live | Politics
-
Crime & Safety3 weeks agoOxfordshire ‘hidden trap’ pothole leads to compensation payout
-
UK News4 weeks agoV&A faces calls to become living wage employer on eve of Stratford opening | V&A
-
Crime & Safety2 weeks agoYoung farmers club hosts fun farm competitions in Bicester
