Today

Tuesday, 30 June 2026

Today's practical local briefing for Oxfordshire: official updates, planning and records, travel signals, events and useful source checks across Oxford, Abingdon, Didcot, Witney, Bicester and Banbury.

Open'Serious concerns' over plans to house 1,000 migrants in Oxfordshire"SERIOUS concerns" have been raised by an asylum charity over plans for a large-scale accommodation near Bicester.OpenTake part in the FREE Hatter's Hunt at Westgate OxfordFind the hidden plaques and claim your prize! There are five mysterious plaques hidden around Westgate. On this Alice in Wonderland themed trail designed by The Story Museum, you have to go down rabbit holes and solve the riddles to claim your prize! To participate, pick up your map from the Guest Services desk on the Upper Ground floor opposite JD Sports.OpenMusic and food at town's fun in the park festivalHundreds of people gathered in Abingdon's Abbey Gardens to enjoy the annual fun in the park festival.OpenWestgate Oxford to bring the Jabberwock to life for Alice’s Day festivitiesThe Westgate in Oxford will step through the looking glass as it partners with The Story Museum to host free Alice’s Day activities for all ages to enjoy.OpenPrivate school appoints headmaster after headmistress' 16-year stayHeadington School in Oxford has announced the appointment of Dr Stephen Burley as its next Headmaster from September 2027OpenDrink driver in crash which sent family of four to hospital has been jailedA 29 year old man, who was drinking 30 units of alcohol per day, has been jailed after a crash that injured a family of four.OpenColonial Views of India: Photographs by Eugene Clutterbuck ImpeyThis is the first exhibition to focus on photographs and negatives in the Ashmolean, and as such features previously unseen photographs of India by Colonel Eugene Clutterbuck Impey (1830–1904). A member of the East India Company, Impey arrived in India in 1851 and took part in military actions during the Indian Uprising of 1857. After the British Crown took control in 1858 following the Uprising, he worked as a political agent until returning to Britain in 1878. Impey’s photographs reflect British imperial interests, showcasing portraits of colonial officers and Indians, as well as staged scenes of daily life, clothing, religious sites, animals, and landscapes. These images often reinforced stereotypes with the aim to justify colonial efforts. Photography, which gained popularity after its debut in 1839, was used to highlight cultural differences. From the mid-1800s British officials documented various social groups in India, often categorising people by ethnicity. The Impey collection includes 247 glass negatives preserved at the Ashmolean.OpenOxford Festival of Arts - Notes & Fizz in the Festival Rose Garden HubPicture this: Festival cocktails; a glorious rose garden in full bloom with its iconic white bridges across the river – an idyllic setting; music wafting in the air; and sometimes dancing feet (!). Some of the best local gig musicians will be returning to the Festival Hub this year, plus a few new faces! The festival hub – with drinks by Bar Simple – will be open most days, with gigs starting at 8pm. Friday 26 June: Bankside a bluesy, Oxford-based five-piece. Expect gritty covers from across the decades and earthy, evocative songwriting. Saturday 27 June: The Shakes a seven-piece soul and funk collective which feature soul shaking rhythms sure to get you grooving through the streets Monday 29 June: Lee Bo ‘Open Mic’ Join an Open Mic with the finest musicians in Oxford. Top PA, house guitar and keyboard available. A glorious way to start the week! Tuesday 30 June: Klaara Singer/songwriter with country influence. She has performed in venues such as O2 Oxford and recently released a new single I’ll Be Found. Wednesday 1 July: Comedy Night Join a night of improv, in collaboration with the Oxford Festival Comedy Thursday 2 July: Bonnie & the Bar Studs Bonnie and the Bar Studs are four country loving musicians who bring a soulful selection of smooth bluesy tunes Monday 6 July: Lee Bo ‘Open Mic’ Join a second Open Mic night with the finest musicians in Oxford Tuesday 7 July: Tom Rogers a new twist on the classic and nostalgic sounds of The Beatles and The Doors, as well as more modern artists like Paolo Nutini Wednesday 8 July: Comedy Night A second improv night, in collaboration with the Oxford Festival Comedy Thursday 9 July: The Kirals a four-piece alt-folk/Americana Friday 10 July: Rich Rainford & Mazawattee Fresh back from Glastonbury, Oxford’s own Mazawattee blend 90s-inspired indie, alternative rock, folk, and R&B into a sound that’s both nostalgic and refreshingly original. Saturday 11 July: Jazz Jam Featuring a live house jazz band and the chance for yourself to play along too Entrance to the hub and to the gigs is free.OpenPrimary school repurposes horse bedding pelletsSt Peter’s CE Primary School in Cassington is giving horse bedding pellets a surprising new purpose to care for the school’s White Pekin ducks.OpenHome Office announces plans for new asylum housing centre near BicesterCherwell District Council was informed by the Home Office yesterday afternoon of its intention to open a new temporary housing centre for asylum-seekers at a Ministry of Defence site near Bicester.