Clarion night shift clocking on, with the stories that came our way while we were at work.. Here we go.....

1n 1986, Oxford United won the Milk Cup. To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the win, Club Ambassador Peter Rhoades-Brown has been touring the trophy across the city, including to 100-year old, lifelong fan Audrey Surman, and Windmill Primary School. Heartwarming read from OUFC 👇

Today, WaterAid joined the World Bank's major new initiative bringing water security to 1 billion people by 2030 🌏 Speaking at the launch in DC, Chief Executive of WaterAid UK Tim Wainwright said, "Water underpins heath, education, and economies." 💧 Read more here👇 www.wateraid.org/uk/world-ban...

Space Store is hosting an evening of Space talks and a Space-themed quiz this Saturday 18th April from 5pm at the Covered Market in Oxford. Experts from the University of Oxford Department of Physics will host, plus a Q&A. £2 per person to join in the quiz. All welcome. www.spacestore.co/spacequiz

Castle Quay has been diversifying its offering of late; the former Debenhams is to be turned into a ninja assault course and soft play. #BeMoreBanbury

The former Clintons Cards shop in troubled Castle Quay in Banbury is set to be converted into a cultural arts space for working with children and young people, according to a planning application with Cherwell District Council from the People's Theatre Collective.

Banbury is bidding to become Town of Culture 2028. It faces local competition from Wallingford, Watlington and Henley. The judging will be chaired by Sir Phil Redmond, best known as producer of Grange Hill and Hollyoaks, with a shortlist announced later this spring. The winner will be awarded £3m.

In more good news for culture in Banbury, the Mill Arts Centre has been awarded £135,000 as part of the Government’s latest initiative to bolster the nation’s cultural sector. The funds will be used to repair and update the building, plus spark a revival for this much loved venue. #BeMoreBanbury

In celebration of World Book Night, the Westgate will be partnering with Oxford Westgate Library to host a free book giveaway on Saturday 18th April, 10-3. The giveaway will feature titles to suit readers of all ages, donated by the Westgate Library, at the Guest Experience pod next to JD Sports.

Friends, this virtual event is happening on Friday. Make sure to register if interested. You will hear from truly extraordinary people. Read more 👇🏽

It will end with a naming ceremony of the two Marston meadow cycle path bridges whimsically named Fignon and LeMond, something Jonny had long campaigned for (for why, see Jonny's article here) www.cyclox.org/index.php/20...

A community ride the 'Etape du Jonny' will celebrate the life of Jonny Ives, local journalist, cyclist and Cyclox member, who died last year. In celebration of the annual 'Quarry Roubaix' ride he used to run, the ride will be going along every cobbled street in Oxford city centre this Saturday.

I mean, on any view, the Guardian did censor one of the pre-eminent philosophers of our age because powerful people complained.

Martin Lewis has hailed council tax reforms which mean people who fall behind on bills won't pay the full amount just two weeks later.

Corporate Welfare Drax claimed £999m subsidy for burning trees in 2025 to produce electricity. £8.7bn since 2012, more to come. Its electricity is the most expensive. Company made operating profit of £947m in 2025. Biggest single polluter in the UK.

The Ways in Which Donald Trump is Like Jesus Christ Except Better From the new Private Eye, in shops now.

🥳 .... and we're over halfway there!!! 🥳 Sign and share. Let's make sure that the public has a say on the future of our water vist.ly/4ym2k

$30m an hour: big oil reaping huge war windfall from consumers, extra $234bn by end of 2026 It is Trump's way of rewarding his backers. Corporations always profit from war whilst household/Govt budgets are decimated. Govts must levy windfall taxes.

👉 NEW -- Strong pro-Israel bias among BBC bosses, new data indicates by Dania Akkad BBC executives met nine times with pro-Israel Jewish groups and just once with pro-Palestinians in 14 months of genocide, Freedom of Information shows www.declassifieduk.org/strong-pro-i...

Recent figures show only 68.5% of eligible women went to their breast screening between 2023 & 2024. Our associate director breaks down the barriers to screening and why more action is needed. Watch now. www.itv.com/watch/news/t...

London Rally with Chris Packham Saturday 9 May | 3:15 PM – 4:30 PM Tickets > https://leagueacs.co.uk/0rvlT

🚨🖥️ Cutting NHS admin staff is a false economy. Workforce reductions and creaking IT systems are already leading to mistakes and poor patient experiences. UNISON says investment in admin roles is essential to keep patients safe. Read here ⬇️ unsn.uk/4te05Bs

Artemis splashes down From the new Private Eye, out now.

If you see a coot sat on its nest in April, keep a watch from a respectable distance and see if you can spot a bald-looking head poking out! 👉 Discover more April wildlife: buff.ly/WpZIXR5

Their chicks may not have the conventional cuteness of mallard ducklings, or the quirky hitchhiking habits of great-crested grebes, but the black-and-orange fluff around their faces lends them undeniable character.

🪺 Coots are a familiar sight on our park lakes, ponds and rivers, and at this time of year can be spotted in their large and untidy-looking nests on the water.

🚨 Reform leader’s outsourcing track record is a warning for Wales, says Unison Outsourcing has a long record of cutting corners and undermining services. Read here ⬇️

On a positive note, a trampoline abandoned on our reserve has found a welcome home with one of our volunteers who helped to clear up the bottles, cans and broken glass left behind!

Please also consider making a donation to BBOWT, as each gift helps us to protect and restore these vital places for nature: buff.ly/A6fbUUi

We're sorry to report that due to recent vandalism at Foxcote Reservoir, we have temporarily closed the reserve to the public. A fire which was lit underneath the boardwalk leading up to the hide has caused structural damage, requiring a section to be removed by the fire services.

On this day, one year ago, the Supreme Court ruled that the meaning of ‘sex’ in the Equality Act corresponds to sex assigned at birth. The judgement severely restricted the scope of legal gender recognition and has not produced any improvement in women’s lives.

In 2025, only 16% of the councillors elected had majority support. In councils across the country, landslide majorities were won on minority vote shares. This year will be no different. When will the government accept that First Past the Post is not fit for purpose?

The full article is here - it's a great read, and neatly encapsulates the fundamental distinction between proportional and majoritarian voting systems: the former try to ensure the share of votes cast for each party is accurately reflected in the election result, the latter do not 👇 buff.ly/81jXisa

In Wales, a proportional voting system - however flawed - will better represent the diversity of views among voters. Councils in England, elected under First Past the Post, could bear very little resemblance to the way residents actually voted. Credit: @willhaycardiff.bsky.social in The Guardian.

More than a political action, Greenham Common Women’s Peace Camp was living proof of our ability to share space with conflicting opinions.

2/2: If this strategy is to meaningfully address their experiences, it requires a genuine commitment to trauma-informed and intersectional care throughout life. It is important that Government prioritises delivery and investment. Full response from @andybell-centremh.bsky.social at bit.ly/4tgSmms

1/2: We welcome the renewal of the Women's Health Strategy...it acknowledges that mental health can and does affect women differently. The recognition that younger women, Black and Asian women, older women and women living in poverty experience different health outcomes is important.

Nearly two-thirds of unpaid carers live in poverty. New analysis shows how carer's allowance is failing to keep up with wages.

Sexual violence is widespread in #Sudan. Survivors have shared their experiences with MSF: attacks in El Fasher, assaults while fleeing and families torn apart or killed. These stories are difficult to read, but they help amplify their voices: www.doctorswithoutborders.ca/sudan-surviv...

This a great opportunity to make impact for a talented big tech campaigner. If you know someone it could fit, please share. Thanks! 👇

Orbán’s election defeat is a blow to the global anti-gender movement

💷❌️ “Every billion spent on foreign wars is a billion not spent on our NHS.” UNISON general secretary @andreaegangs.bsky.social speaking at #uhealth26 in Edinburgh.

💉❌ Mandatory Covid jabs for care staff were never the right answer to problems with the vaccine rollout. Read here ⬇️ unsn.uk/4thYWJn

Defeating authoritarians: Notes from the Hungarian playbook

👉 NEW -- Minister misled parliament over arms exports to Israel by @john-mcevoy.bsky.social Chris Bryant told a parliamentary committee that UK-made aircraft parts would not benefit Israeli fighter pilots. His briefing said otherwise. www.declassifieduk.org/minister-mis...

I have backed a motion urging the Government to break the link between gas prices and electricity costs, so households aren’t hit by global gas price spikes. With so many already struggling, it's time for a fairer pricing system that reflects the true cost of cheaper renewable energy.

We’ve joined 130+ organizations in an open letter with 4 clear demands: end the war, tax profiteers, cancel debt and secure food and energy for all. They profit, we pay. It’s time to change that. 350.org/they-profit-...

I've just signed "Establish a public inquiry into foreign interference" - Will you support the campaign too? actionstorm.org/petitions/fo... @OpenBritainHQ

Force the government to rip up the EHRC’s transphobic guidance. We have less than a month. Join us goodlaw.social/de78a7

The Pope Cartoon by @andertoon.bsky.social