Tomorrow!

Did you run the Oxford half? Our ace photographer Roger Close was there with his camera. He’s currently culling from 7,00 photos he took. Keep an eye on our feed for a special photo story…

Spotted in the Golden Cross.... can any of our readers shed any light? Place your bets....

Ooh thanks! Noted.

Promoters PVDP say: “The project is capable of making a vital contribution to meeting the Government’s renewable energy targets and its Net Zero obligations. The way to break the power price link to fossil fuels is the rapid deployment of solar—Botley West will be a significant contributor to that.”

Most objections were from local residents and members of the Stop Botley West campaign. However, Oxford Airport said “in the main, our concerns have been heard”, while Historic England wrote “the applicant has broadly addressed the main aspects of our advice on a number of topics”.

Calum Miller MP expressed concern that the decision has now been delayed by six months from the original 6 May date. “The scheme has been driven by the availability of a grid connection and sufficiently large landholdings, rather than by a proper assessment of what this landscape can accommodate.”

The joint county/district council response concluded: “We consider that the scheme remains development-led rather than landscape-led, and that the Secretary of State lacks a robust evidence base on the actual landscape and visual effects of the scheme. Many environmental concerns remain unresolved.”

Oxfordshire’s councils queried a reduction in the number of homes powered from 330,000 to 275,000, and noted that Botley West was in discussions with Exeter College over the EXOq data centre: “powering individual homes versus a data centre is quite different in terms of how it benefits the public”.

The final round of consultation responses to the Botley West Solar Farm project have been published, in anticipation of a Government decision in the next month. 264 letters were received commenting on the most recent submission by PhotoVolt Development Partners, the scheme’s promoters.

Puy du Fou say they are storytellers, creating live shows depicting local historical events, their parks in France and Spain have won over 25 awards, and the Bicester park is a £600m investment into the local economy. Their consultation page asks local people to support the application.

The campaign group says Puy du Fou in France uses over 2,000 animals in historical-themed performances including forcing horses to run in chariot races, and gallop supporting men wearing full armour. The planning decision is due in November and PETA are urging Cherwell District Council to oppose it.

Animal rights activists PETA are opposing plans to bring French theme park Puy du Fou to Bicester on animal rights grounds, saying it uses live animal performances “similar to cruel and outdated circus acts.”

Annie Davy Director of The Nature Effect CIC, said: “We want to create proper space for people to step out of the day-to-day pressures of their work, and get support with their challenges. Ultimately, if we want strong, resilient communities, we also have to look after the people doing the work.”

After research has highlighted high levels of burnout among people working in charities and community organisations, the Nature Effect, an Oxford-based social enterprise, has launched a programme providing fully funded coaching and wellbeing support.

Zizzi is opening in its new location, on 22 October, and while the first post in this thread might be a gimmick, timed as students start to run out of funds, it's definitely a clever one... Thanks to our George Street correspondent for the non-Zizzi tips, we are, as ever all the Clarion.