Your guide for your
GROUP
City & Kidlington Thursday, April 5 - Wednesday, April 11, 2018
Weekly leisure guide for in and around Oxford
Out& About Bob Harris is at
ire
the Cornerstone
Good Vibrations set to hit Cropredy Fest ival
All of a lather! Join Bubble Rush for charity
Page 7
around Oxfordsh
Don’t whisper it, shout it...
oxfordshireguardian.co.uk
Caught in the act! Flytipper fined for waste
leisure time in &
Free
‘We’re in a dog fight’: Robbo’s rallying cry
Page 16
Sport
Speedway and greyhounds could run again at stadium By George Welch SPEEDWAY and greyhound racing could return to the ‘iconic’ Oxford Stadium after a ‘milestone’ report claimed it has a ‘viable’ future. Consultants said last week that “a commercially viable solution” could be found for the Cowley arena, which last enjoyed professional sport in 2012. Oxford City Council, which commissioned the report, has been told that a fully functioning stadium has the potential to create 62 full-time jobs and generate more than £3.1million for Oxfordshire’s economy. Consultants added the re-opening would ‘enhance’ the stadium’s status as a community asset. Councillor Linda Smith, deputy leader of the city council and board member for leisure, parks and sport, welcomed the report. “This is an important milestone in the future development of Oxford Stadium,” she said. “This report shows how with the right investment, and support from the governing bodies of greyhound racing and speedway, and local people, this historic and much-loved venue could re-open for business as a major sports and hospitality centre, while also maintaining community uses.” Cllr Smith, who represents nearby Blackbird Leys, added: “I accept a lot
more work needs to be done to firm up the future of the stadium but I know bringing it back to life would be welcomed by the people of Oxford. “Many Oxford families, especially in the Leys area of the city, have supported it for decades. “The return of motor sport [speedway] in a city renowned for its motor manufacturing would be both apt and symbolic.” The consultants’ report looked at the commercial opportunities, challenges associated with re-introducing greyhound racing and speedway as well as expanding what it could provide in the form of other leisure activities. The city council has now commissioned stage two of the study, which will flesh out the commercial options and should be completed by the summer. Key parties in greyhound racing and speedway as well as community groups such as Save our Stadium, will be consulted in the next stage. Oxford Stadium hosted the two sports for more than 70 years, from 1939 until 2012, but has been untouched since then after developers were refused permission to build housing. Consultants have stressed several key challenges need to be overcome, including the creation of a new Oxford speedway team and its benefit as a non-race day venue.
Developer’s eggciting gift for children CHILDREN in the John Radcliffe Hospital have been cheered up with a donation of Easter eggs. Developer Redrow South Midlands came up with the
cracking idea as part of its work with the Henry Allen Trust. More than 1,500 eggs will be given to poorly youngsters across the region including those at the
Headington hospital. Tonia Taylor, sales director for the developer, said it hopes the Easter treats will brighten the children’s days.
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