Crime & Safety
Oxfordshire County Council recruiting full-time firefighters
The county’s fire and rescue service is looking to boost its wholetime team as part of routine recruitment, replacing retiring staff and filling vacancies created by promotions and relocations.
Firefighter roles are usually highly sought-after and recruitment for full positions is infrequent, with the last carried out in spring 2024.
Three online Q&A sessions for prospective applicants will be held on Wednesday, March 26, between 7pm and 8pm, and on Monday, March 30, at 12.30pm and 6.30pm.
Matt Chapman, assistant chief fire officer at Oxfordshire County Council Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Joining our fire and rescue service opens up a wide range of opportunities that many people don’t have the chance to experience.
“You develop new skills through fantastic training, work in a wide range of exciting and challenging situations and make a real difference throughout your working life.
“We’re looking for people who care about others and who are ready to play their part in supporting our communities.
“There’s far more to being a firefighter than most people realise; it’s about character, teamwork, and commitment.”
Wholetime firefighters regularly engage with the public, including elderly residents and young people, through presentations, home visits, and educational outreach.
Mr Chapman added: “What our brilliant crews have in common is self-reliance, confidence, respect, enthusiasm, team spirit and a willingness to be ready for anything when alerted to an emergency.”
There are currently 222 wholetime firefighters in Oxfordshire, based at six stations.
Crews have responded to more than 5,000 emergency callouts in the past year.
Anyone wanting to join the online Q&A sessions can join here: https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/council/fire-service-recruitment/wholetime-firefighters/recruitment-process
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.
Crime & Safety
Oxford University management programme shortlisted for award
Green Templeton College’s long‑running Management in Medicine Programme has been shortlisted for the Empowering People Award.
The university‑wide awards celebrate outstanding contributions across Oxford’s collegiate community, with nearly 170 entries submitted across 13 categories this year and more than 1,000 individuals nominated.
Shortlisted as one of the five nominees in the Empowering People category, the Management in Medicine Programme is recognised for empowering medical students and healthcare professionals to develop their management and leadership potential.
The programme helps those working in and around healthcare build the skills and knowledge needed to navigate today’s complex health and care systems.
READ MORE: Plans for 750 homes near Bicester met with objections
Programme lead Dr Nicholas Hicks said: “This recognition reflects the commitment of everyone who contributes to the programme, including our speakers, participants and colleagues across Green Templeton and the wider university.”
The Management in Medicine Programme offers workshops, seminars and a shadowing scheme focused on healthcare leadership, service improvement and the practical challenges facing NHS and other health organisations.
The Management in Medicine team will present their work at the Vice‑Chancellor’s Awards Showcase at the Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities on Tuesday, June 2.
The winners and highly commended nominees will be announced at the awards ceremony on Thursday, June 4.
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