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Oxfordshire landlords warned over Legionella disease risk

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The warning comes from Legionella Guard amid changes to the Renters’ Rights Act and following the UK’s hottest bank holiday weekend on record.

Legionella bacteria, which causes the potentially deadly Legionnaires’ disease, thrives in water systems at temperatures between 20 and 45 degrees Celsius.

Leah Stone, director of Legionella Guard, said: “Warmer weather provides the ideal conditions for Legionella to thrive.

“Water tanks and pipes that are in direct sunlight very quickly become more susceptible to Legionella growth.

“With enforcement tightening under the Renters’ Rights Act, and temperatures rising as summer approaches, Oxfordshire landlords cannot afford to treat Legionella risk as a tick-box exercise.”

So far in 2024, the UK has recorded 472 cases of Legionnaires’ disease.

Under the updated Renters’ Rights Act, which came into effect at the beginning of this month, landlords are liable to fines of up to £20,000 if their property isn’t compliant with new regulation.

In fatal cases, landlords can even be sentenced to time in prison.

Legionella Guard has been developed to simplify compliance for landlords by offering HSE-compliant e-learning, risk assessments, and simple evidence storage.

Ms Stone said: “Our new digital platform is designed to make compliance straightforward, affordable, and achievable.

“It enables landlords to manage risk effectively, protecting tenants and themselves at the same time.

“It’s a simple answer to a long-standing industry need.”

Typical symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease include chest pain, coughing, a high temperature, and breathlessness.

While most people make a full recovery, legionellosis can be a serious condition.





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Banbury pensioner avoids jail after breaking ex-wife’s jaw

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Kenneth Hancox, of Quarry Road, Hornton, near Banbury, was sentenced on Friday, May 22.

The 67-year-old was charged with one count of section 20 grievous bodily harm, threats with a knife in a private place and threats to kill.

READ MORE: Oxford drug dealer jailed after £11k of cocaine found in car

The court heard the grievous bodily harm offence was committed on September 5, 2017 and resulted in the victim having a broken jaw.

The knife threat was committed on December 6, 2022 and the alleged threat to kill on February 13, 2024.

All the offences were committed at the home address of Hancox in Hornton, near Banbury.

The defendant pleaded guilty just before a trial was due to start earlier this year.

He was sentenced to 27 months imprisonment, suspended for three years.





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Oxford Pride slams Oxford University ban on trans women rowing

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Transgender women have now been banned from competing in the women’s category at Oxford University’s rowing team.

The university has changed its policy in line with the governing body’s which states a transgender women cannot compete on women’s teams.

A spokesperson for Oxford Pride said: “There has been no actual change in legislation when it comes to inclusion of trans people in sports, or any other aspect of life for that matter,

“All the ruling did is to specify whether trans women could benefit from quotas to be appointed to public boards in Scotland.

READ MORE: Oxford neighbourhoods ranked from most to least green spaces

Oxford Pride 2024Oxford Pride 2024 (Image: Ed Nix)

“Anything else is beyond the scope of the ruling and simply based on informal and not legally binding guidance.”

Many critics have pointed out the irony of this move considering the pioneer of Oxford’s female rowing uniforms, from skirts to more practical shorts, was a transgender athlete.

Michael Dillon was instrumental in modernising Oxford University’s female rowing uniform in the 1930s, before then going on to become the first person in the world to undergo female to male medical transition, eventually becoming a doctor.

British Rowing policy also says that transgender and non-binary people are eligible to compete in an ‘open’ category of both genders.

British Rowing previously let trans women participate in female events if their testosterone level was below a certain level for two years.

A university spokeswoman said: “The University of Oxford remains committed to being an inclusive university, where everyone is treated with respect, courtesy and consideration.

“This is necessary to comply with UK law, as well as to ensure alignment with competition frameworks.

“The university has met with and engaged with students several times throughout the process, and will continue to engage with them to facilitate boat clubs meeting their obligations in relation to law and governing body requirements.”

The spokesperson for Oxford Pride continued: “Exclusion of trans people is a choice, not a legal obligation.

“Whereas the protection against discrimination on the basis of gender reassignment is indeed an obligation under the Equality Act 2010.

“Oxford Pride urges all public and private groups, organisations and institutions in the UK to continue to include trans people; at least until an actual new piece of legislation (not just guidance) says otherwise.”

READ MORE: Camping club issues seven tips as temperatures set to rise above 30C

Oxfordshire rower Frankie Allen helped Great Britain to gold at the European Rowing Championships. Picture: SportsbeatFile image of Oxford rowing (Image: Sportsbeat)

The Supreme Court ruled last year the legal definition of a woman is based on biological sex.

This means, as the equalities watchdog stated, a gender recognition certificate does not change a person’s legal sex for the purposes of the Equality Act.

The ruling has been interpreted to mean that trans women can be excluded from women-only spaces like toilets and changing rooms.





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Oxford Aunt Sally league sees wins for all top teams

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League leaders White House were tested by Black Horse B, battling back from a leg down to claim victory.

Despite a three-doll handicap, Black Horse started strong, scoring 28 in the first leg compared to White House’s 21.

However, White House levelled in the second leg with 21-17, and won the deciding leg comfortably, 26-18, thanks to Mick Phipps’ 13-doll haul.

Littlemore British Legion remain just one point behind the leaders after edging out Black Horse A.

Despite a shaky start, Legion won the second leg 27-18 and the deciding leg 20-19, with Kevin Baker leading the charge with 13 dolls.

Jolly Sportsman continued their recovery from an opening-day defeat, securing a third straight win against The Blackbird.

Dominating the first two legs, Sportsman eventually conceded the final leg 25-24, despite a strong all-round performance with six players reaching double figures.

North Leigh FC celebrated their first victory of the season after a dramatic encounter with Ampleforth Arms A.

Winning the first two legs via shootouts after ties on 22 and 20, North Leigh fell short in the final leg against Ampleforth’s 25.

Charlie Buckingham scored 11 dolls for North Leigh.

New Club A overcame an early scare to defeat Masons Arms A.

After losing the first leg 28-19, New Club levelled the match with a 31-25 win in the second leg and cruised home in the deciding leg 22-17.

Adrian Shepherd had a memorable evening for New Club, scoring a maximum six in one leg.

In Section 2, Catherine Wheel A edged out visitors Donnington Club A.

After winning the first leg 19-18, Catherine Wheel lost the second 18-17, but regained control in the deciding leg, winning 24-17.

Ben Carter scored 13 dolls for Donnington, while Graham Hambridge top-scored for Catherine Wheel with 12 dolls.

Section 3 saw Cowley Workers climb into pole position after an away win over Headington Con Club.

Having opened the season with a victory, Headington have now suffered three straight defeats.

Cowley dominated throughout, winning all three legs 19-9, 18-9, and 18-14, with Neil Butler scoring 11 dolls.

The Aunt Sally League continues to provide thrilling contests, with teams battling hard every week.

The league, steeped in tradition, sees teams from all over Oxford and the surrounding areas compete in a game that requires precision and skill.

With the season in full swing, all eyes are on who will come out on top in the Premier Section.





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