Oxford News
Victoria sponge auction raises money for Ukraine convoy
Organised at Thame Farmers Mart, the fundraiser aimed to support medical supply deliveries and the evacuation of injured soldiers.
Market shareholder Peter Dunn is among the volunteers set to drive the convoy, marking his second trip to the war-torn country.
Leaving for Lviv, around 1,300 miles from his Milton Keynes farm, on April 11, Mr Dunn expressed gratitude towards the enthusiastic bidders who competed for the cake baked by Charlotte Baxter, Thame Mart office and accounts manager.
The funds, amounting to a total of £1,862 with adjunct donations, will contribute to vehicle logistics, spares and medical kits.
This is the 59th convoy that has been sent to Ukraine with the 4×4 vehicles delivered directly to the army workshops in Lviv.
Auctioneer Simon Draper played a pivotal role in orchestrating the spirited auction where the cake amusingly changed hands three or four times.
Mr Dunn said: “We buy the vehicles and the 15 in this convoy will bring the total number of 4x4s sent to Ukraine from this area as part of Driving Ukraine to over 100.”
“We load them up with workshop gear and for this trip we are also putting the funds raised towards four medical ruck sacks and two large critical incident medical kits, for front line.”
The convoy’s three-day journey to Lviv will cross through France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, and Poland via the Channel Tunnel.
With 183,000 miles under its belt, Mr Dunn’s trusty Land Rover Discovery is ready for the journey.
To return home, Mr Dunn and his companions will rely on a combination of taxis to the Polish border and a flight from Krakow to Luton.
Driving Ukraine, in partnership with Olney Ukraine, is responsible for organising the trip.
Mr Dunn expressed gratitude for the generous support and donations for the venture, which even includes a special aid box from Towcester Vets including animal and human medical kits.
Thame Farmers Mart’s goodwill does not end with the cake auction.
The market is already gearing up for yet another auction to support Driving Ukraine’s noble cause.
This time, a pack of wormer provided by Barkers Animal Health will be under the hammer.
Supporters have pledged £1 per mile, as the market looks to gather enough funds to purchase a recovery truck for retrieving and repairing frontline-damaged vehicles.
Thame Farmers Mart conducts regular livestock sales on Wednesdays (prime sheep and cull ewes and rams) and Fridays (store cattle and sheep).
More information can be found at www.thamemarket.co.uk.
Readers wishing to make contributions or become sponsors can contact 07738 005133 for further details.
Oxford News
All the Oxfordshire locations used as TV and film sets
We’ve made a gallery of pictures showing all the Oxfordshire spots which have been used for TV and film sets over the years.
Some of the biggest productions filmed here in Oxfordshire include Spectre in the James Bond franchise, which transformed Blenheim Palace in Woodstock into the Palazzo Cardenza in Rome.
Blenheim Palace featured as a key movie set for the James Bond film, Spectre, when it was dressed up as the Palazzo Cardenza in Rome, 2015 (Image: Andrew Walmsley)
READ MORE: Abandoned Oxfordshire home used as drugs den shut down
Many period dramas were also created in the county, like the BBC adaptation of Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall, which was partly filmed at Chastleton House in the Cotswolds.
Cotswolds villages have been repeatedly transformed and used as filming locations for their historical appeal, like the villages of Brill, Broadwell and Castle Combe.
Find all the pictures in this archive gallery of historic Oxfordshire filming locations here.
Oxford News
Aureus School girls were inspired by Navy’s women’s day
Three Year 10 pupils from Aureus School in Didcot travelled to London for the Royal Navy International Women’s Day event, held on HMS President during Careers Week and designed to showcase opportunities within the Royal Navy and beyond.
Students Antonia Pop, Ellie Swan and Tilly Mulvey are all taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme.
Ellie Swan said: “It was fantastic to see the possible career paths within the Navy.”
Rob Hayden, Duke of Edinburgh’s Award manager at Aureus School, accompanied the students to the event.
He said: “During the day, students had talks from individuals within the Navy and from guest speakers, including Hannah Botterman, who last year won both the Rugby World Cup and the Six Nations with England.”
He said: “Students also had the chance to network with the speakers and other attendees.
“The event showed the students a wide range of inspirational females within the Navy and other careers.”
Aureus School, part of the GLF Schools multi-academy trust, says its vision is focused on ‘cultivating ambition’ and ‘high standards for all’.
Headteacher Kirsty Rogers says the Didcot-based co-educational comprehensive has undergone a ‘transformative journey’, creating a community where students feel a strong sense of belonging. She emphasises inclusivity, high expectations, and a broad curriculum that encourages ambition, resilience and respect, supported by dedicated staff and diverse extra-curricular opportunities.
Oxford News
Ryanair launches two new routes in significant move
The flights mark a major boost to the airport’s connectivity ahead of the budget airline’s record Summer 2026 schedule.
The new routes form part of Ryanair’s expanded Glasgow programme for Summer 2026, which will see the airline operate over 100 weekly flights across eight routes.
The new double-daily London Stansted service further strengthens Glasgow’s access to the English capital, while the launch of the Warsaw service enhances Glasgow’s international offering.
Jonathan Ford, portfolio manager at AGS Airports, said: “It’s fantastic to see Ryanair’s new services to London Stansted and Warsaw take off today.
“The double-daily Stansted route offers even more flexibility for business and leisure travellers heading to and from England’s innovation corridor, while Warsaw provides a valuable new link that expands the international connectivity available to our passengers.
“These launches mark the start of what will be a record summer for Ryanair at Glasgow, and we look forward to welcoming even more travellers through our doors.”
Last month, Ryanair launched its 2026 plan for Glasgow with 10 routes, including holiday hotspots like Lanzarote, Palma de Mallorca, and Tenerife, as well as city break destinations like Barcelona and Pisa.
The budget airline will also operate extra frequencies on its Alicante, Faro, Pisa, Malaga and Murcia routes.
The new schedule is underpinned by Ryanair’s two Glasgow Prestwick-based aircraft.
-
Crime & Safety2 weeks agoOxford: ‘Next generation’ LimeBikes in city from today
-
Jobs & Careers2 weeks agoWhy Join Oxford | Oxford University Jobs
-
Jobs & Careers2 weeks agoExplore our Careers
-
Student Life2 weeks agoThe independent cinema battling Oriel College to stay open
-
Oxford Events2 weeks agoMichelin Guide Oxfordshire Restaurants – The Oxford Magazine
-
Oxford Events2 weeks agoOxford News and Events, What’s on in Oxford, Exhibitions
-
Jobs & Careers2 weeks agoInternal Job Board for University vacancies
-
Crime & Safety2 weeks agoCrash partially blocks A40 and causes severe Oxfordshire traffic
