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RAF response as transport aircraft spotted low over Oxford

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Residents of East Oxford were shocked today (Tuesday, May 19) when a Boeing C-17A Globemaster III swooped low over the city.

The large aircraft is a heavy-lift strategic transport vehicle, designed to rapidly deploy troops and combat-ready cargo worldwide, and it was both seen and heard at around 10.40am in the morning.

READ MORE: RAF update after transport aircraft spotted low over Oxford

It took off from RAF Brize Norton at around 9.30am and landed at the same base at just after 1pm, with its flight path taking it up Cheltenham and in a wide loop around Bampton several times.

A C-17 aircraft at RAF Brize Norton (Image: NQ)

Clarifying the presence of the military vehicle so close to the ground a spokesperson for the RAF said it was conducting a training sortie in the area.

RAF Brize Norton is the largest Royal Air Force station in the UK and, as such, it is not unknown for military aircraft to be spotted, and there have been several instances this year.

READ MORE: Shock as RAF reveals why fighter planes sped over Oxford

In early March, residents of Oxford were startled by fighter planes speeding over the city.

People in Woodstock, Botley and Summertown all said they could hear the loud noise at around noon on Wednesday, March 11.

The RAF later confirmed that the flyover was for Operation Agile Warrior, announced last week and designed to test the British air force’s ability to protect the nation amid a “volatile” global environment.





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Crime & Safety

Oxford Bus Museum unveils restored 1948 Morris 10 Series M

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The Oxford Bus Museum unveiled its fully restored 1948 Morris 10 Series M in Long Hanborough on Bank Holiday Monday, May 25.

The car was first registered on 31 March 1948 before it was transferred into the ownership of Dennis Flowers, who lived near Coventry, on June 10, 1961.

Twenty years later, the Flowers family donated the vehicle to the Coventry Transport Museum, from which the Morris Motors Museum acquired it in December 2011.

An Oxford Bus Museum spokesman said: “It is fitting that Ellen and Joanne Flowers were passengers when the car drove out of the workshop.”

The restoration project was extensive, including a complete engine rebuild, new clutch assembly, chrome replating, and full reupholstering of the seats.

The Morris 10 Series M first launched in September 1938 and was a landmark 10hp model featuring a 1,140cc four-cylinder engine and innovative mono-construction design.

The museum, located at Old Station Yard, celebrates 130 years of bus and coach travel in Oxfordshire.

It houses historic vehicles, horse-drawn vehicles, and a wide selection of public transport artefacts.

Since 2004, the Morris Motors Museum has also shared the site, telling the story of classic British motoring and commercial vehicle production in Cowley.

The Long Hanborough museum is 65 metres from Hanborough Railway Station on the Cotswold line and is served by Stagecoach’s S7 bus route, which operates every 30 minutes between Oxford and Witney.

The site offers free parking, a café, and a play area, making it accessible for visitors of all ages.





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Major emergency response on Oxford Donnington Bridge

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Around 20 land and air emergency vehicles were responding to reports of a “person in difficulty in the water”, according to Thames Valley Police, Oxford.

Eyewitnesses said seven police cars and a helicopter were first seen on Donnington Bridge shortly after 6pm on Wednesday, May 27.

Mass emergency police presence on Donnington Bridge (Image: Zoe Broughton)

Officers were spotted on the span overlooking the water, watching Oxford University Boat Club’s Summer Eights ‘bumps’ races on the Isis, before the situation appeared to escalate and more vehicles arrived.

Four police officers on Donnington Bridge (Image: Zoe Broughton)

Boat racing concluded at around 6.52pm, according to commentary, and shortly afterwards rowers and spectators were asked to move away from the bridge, riverbanks and the Longbridges boathouse area as the emergency response intensified.

READ MORE: Oxford – large police presence at Donnington Bridge

Witnesses said college crews that had already passed Donnington Bridge towards the start by Iffley Lock were not allowed to row home.

By about 8.30pm, one crew was still stranded in its boat near Iffley Lock while others had left their boats and were waiting to be picked up near Donnington Bridge.

Police helicopter seen circling over the River Thames near Donnington Bridge (Image: Zoe Broughton)

A commenter on the Oxford Mail’s Facebook page claimed there were around 20 emergency vehicles at the scene, on the ground and in the air, including 11 police cars, four fire engines, two ambulance trucks, two ambulance cars and a helicopter.

There have also been multiple eyewitness reports suggesting a water search has taken place, although this has not yet been confirmed by the authorities.

Traffic data from AA Traffic News showed Donnington Bridge was closed while the alleged operation was under way, but by about 7.30pm the service reported it had reopened.

An anonymous eyewitness on their way home from work said a fire engine and four police cars were still on the bridge, as officers spoke to people and asked cyclists to dismount and walk.

Fire crew near Iffley Lock (Image: Kevin Brackett)

Downstream near Iffley Lock, at around 8.30pm, Kevin Brackett, who had been filming Oriel College with a drone at the event, reported seeing around six emergency vehicles, including police, ambulance and fire crews, positioned near Mill Lane.

Ambulance near Iffley Lock (Image: Kevin Brackett)

Summer Eights, a four‑day bumps racing event organised by Oxford University Rowing Club, began today and is due to run until Saturday, May 30.

In this style of racing, boats start in single file along the river and each crew attempts to “bump” the boat in front while avoiding being bumped from behind, drawing large crowds of students, alumni and locals to the towpath.

Thames Valley Police has been contacted for a comment.





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Bicester restaurant inviting children to pizza masterclass

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The event is taking place at Cecconi’s Bicester and will be led by the restaurant’s head chef, who will guide youngsters through making their own pizza from start to finish.

Each child will roll out dough, shape their pizza and add toppings before enjoying fries, a drink and a scoop of ice cream.

They will also learn about the history of the Margherita pizza.

Each child will receive a paper chef’s hat and apron during the session, which begins at 11am and costs £20 per child.

Up to 20 guests can take part, and advance booking is required.

Accompanying adults can enjoy 20 per cent off their meal while dining during the session.





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