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- Oxford News By Hana Edition 35
Oxford News By Hana Edition 35
To rage or not to rage?
Mark Skipworth
December 04, 2025
Oxford News by HANA - Edition 35
Oxford Outlook: To rage or not to rage?
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Oxford University Press (OUP) has named ‘rage bait’ as its Word of the Year, capturing, we’re told, the digital zeitgeist of 2025. Obviously, that’s two words, but, hey, who’s counting?
According to OUP, which publishes the Oxford English Dictionary, the term is defined as “online content deliberately designed to elicit anger or outrage by being frustrating, provocative, or offensive, typically posted in order to increase traffic to or engagement with a particular web page or social media account”. With usage of it increasing threefold in the last 12 months, it was – sadly – the clear winner.
Well, dear reader, I sincerely hope this newsletter is not judged guilty of such cynical raging and baiting. But truly, there’s been an awful lot to rage, if not bait, about in Oxfordshire this year. In no particular order of raging, let me refresh your memories:
* The Botley Road closure shambles;
* The absurdist Eynsham Park and Ride;
* The venal Oxford congestion charge;
* The disgraceful River of Rubbish;
* Thames Water in general, but especially our shamefully polluted Thames.
Rage bait or not, Oxford and its surrounding area has had its fair share of Broken Britain in recent times. Thank goodness the season of goodwill is almost upon us. We could do with its festive cheer more than ever.
* The River of Rubbish has made international headlines along with our own. The American media in particular has had a field day, so to speak. ABC News, still an influential network, could barely contain its enjoyment of the story: “A mountain of illegally dumped trash near a river in the country outside Oxford was visible from space but few on Earth seemed to notice the mess,” it reported. “Visible from space” – really?
Never let the facts get in the way of a good story, that was the old (tongue-in-cheek) Fleet Street adage. Nonetheless, the rubbish heap in Oxfordshire would have to be as high and as wide as the Himalayas or as long as the Nile to be visible to the naked eye from space. Yes, it can be seen from a celestial orbit, but only with the help of high-resolution satellite imagery using zoom lenses far more powerful than the human eye, in much the same way that Google Earth may use satellite images of your neighbourhood, especially if you live in a non-urban area.
We need to keep grounded on this one. It’s scandal enough, in no need of fanciful embellishment.
Mark Skipworth | Oxford Editor
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Databox
It’s official. Oxford is happy. Our friends at the Office for National Statistics (ONS) say so, and that’s good enough for this newsletter. We focus on self-reported well-being:
Anxiety (score out of 10). Oxford 3.0, lower than the national average of 3.3 in 2023;
Feeling life is worthwhile (score out of 10). Oxford 8.0, higher than the national local authority average of 7.8 in 2023;
Happiness (score out of 10). Oxford 7.6, higher than the national local authority average of 7.4 in 2023;
Life satisfaction (score out of 10). Oxford 7.8, higher than the national local authority average of 7.5 in 2023;
Oxford beats the national average on every (slightly slippery) happiness metric. So there you are. Let’s keep smiling instead of frowning.
Source: ONS
Scroll down for property news and more things to do in and around Oxford…
Top Stories From Oxford This Week
MP sounds alarm over Oxfordshire fire service shake up including possible station closures
BBC News · December 1, 2025
Concerns are rising over proposed changes to the Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, including potential station closures and a reduction in firefighter numbers, as Banbury MP Sean Woodcock questions how these cuts could enhance safety. Chief Fire Officer Rob MacDougall aims to improve response times by reallocating resources, despite acknowledging a decline in service efficiency in recent years.
Oxfordshire waste mountain to be cleared 'as soon as possible'
BBC News · December 2, 2025
The Environment Agency and Oxfordshire County Council are taking action to clear a massive pile of illegally dumped waste near Kidlington, measuring 490ft long and 20ft high. They are committed to exploring all options for a safe cleanup and will share further details soon.
'Rage bait’ named Word of the Year 2025 by Oxford University Press
The Independent · December 1, 2025
"Rage bait" has been named Word of the Year 2025 by Oxford University Press, reflecting its rise amid social unrest and online content debates, and highlighting a concerning trend in online content designed to provoke outrage for increased engagement. With its usage tripling, the term reflects a cultural shift towards recognising the emotional manipulation present in our online interactions.
Protests erupt against reopening of immigration removal centre
BBC News · December 4, 2025
Protests have erupted over the reopening of Campsfield House, an immigration removal centre near Oxford, which had been closed due to poor conditions and riots. Critics argue it represents a regression in human rights, while the Home Office claims it will improve immigration detention capacity. Despite a £70 million refurbishment and safety measures implemented at the facility, local MPs and residents express concerns about inadequate consultation and potential risks to the community.
River campaigners urge councils in Oxfordshire and elsewhere to take action against Thames Water
BBC News · December 2, 2025
Campaigners from River Action, backed by Olympic champions Sir Steve Redgrave and Imogen Grant, are submitting statutory nuisance complaints against Thames Water for sewage pollution, citing incomplete upgrades to treatment works and a significant rise in sewage spills. Thames Water is planning a £9.5 billion upgrade over five years to improve wastewater management, but faced criticism for ongoing pollution that poses risks to river users and the environment.
Tolkien’s writing desk goes up for auction
BBC · December 3, 2025
A mid-Victorian roll-top mahogany and satinwood desk used by J.R.R. Tolkien during his tenure at Oxford University is set to auction in London with a guide price of £50,000 to £80,000. Experts highlight its importance as the workspace where Tolkien finalised revisions of "The Lord of the Rings", making it one of the most significant artefacts of his career still in private hands.
Independent review finds government failings in Harry Dunn case
Cotswold Journal · December 3, 2025
A report by Dame Anne Owers, commissioned by former Foreign Secretary David Lammy, revealed significant failings by the Foreign Office in handling the case of Harry Dunn, who died in a collision with a US diplomat's wife. The Dunn family expressed their pain over the findings, which highlighted inadequate communication and the need for improved responses to cases involving diplomatic immunity.
Oxford Union elects Palestinian woman as president in historic first
Middle East Eye · December 2, 2025
Arwa Hanin Elrayess has made history as the first Palestinian woman elected president of the Oxford Union for Trinity term 2026, garnering 757 first preference votes in a record turnout. A student of philosophy, politics, and economics at St Edmund’s Hall, she previously directed a documentary on pro-Palestine protests in London.
Traffic fears mount for 'degraded' Cotswold town of Burford
BBC News · December 2, 2025
Residents of Burford, Oxfordshire, are raising alarms over heavy traffic damaging historic buildings and increasing pollution, with local campaigns highlighting the detrimental effects of daily lorry and car congestion. An experimental 18-month ban on heavier lorries aims to address these concerns as the town faces potential worsening traffic from new housing developments.
Man arrested on suspicion of 'attempted murder' near Oxford police station
Oxford Mail · November 26, 2025
A man in his 20s was seriously assaulted near the Thames Valley Police station on St Aldates and is currently hospitalised, while a 27-year-old suspect has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. Authorities assure the public that there is no additional threat, as investigations continue with an increased police presence in the area.
Secret Oxfordshire: Did a town's anti-vaccine protest help change the law?
BBC · November 29, 2025
In 1897, a protest in Charlbury, Oxfordshire, against mandatory smallpox vaccinations sparked significant vaccine resistance in the UK, leading to the introduction of a conscientious objector clause in the Vaccination Act. This pivotal moment marked a shift towards individual choice in vaccination and resonates today as vaccine hesitancy continues amid modern health crises.
The Traitors: Jeremy Clarkson questions BBC show claims
Witney Gazette · December 3, 2025
Jeremy Clarkson, known for his work on "Clarkson's Farm" and "Top Gear", voiced scepticism about the authenticity of BBC's "Traitors", suggesting that television often involves manipulation. Despite his doubts, he praised the show's success and editing, later clarifying that he did not mean to imply it was faked.
Abingdon father slashed with blade as son, aged 9, 'held at knifepoint' in home attack
Oxford Mail · November 29, 2025
In a chilling home attack in Abingdon, two armed men threatened a family at knife point, injuring the father and stealing valuable watches before fleeing the scene. Thames Valley Police are investigating the incident and seeking any information or CCTV footage from the public.
Blenheim Palace searches for workmen who wrote names on ceiling
BBC News · December 3, 2025
During restoration work at Blenheim Palace, conservators discovered around 11 names inscribed in the Great Hall's ceiling, dating from 1843 to 1968, including a plasterer named T. Harwood. The palace is seeking information about these individuals to uncover their stories and connections to the historic site.
Sport
Oxford Outlook: The U’s
United notched a brilliant 2-1 win over 7th placed Ipswich Town in the Championship last Friday night. The victory lifted the U’s out of the relegation zone and they now stand 20th in the table.
The winner came courtesy of Przemyslaw Platecha’s fine solo effort. One can only assume that his grateful teammates call him “Slaw” in the dressing room. Thankfully, the young man ain’t slow.
Swansea’s 3-2 defeat against West Brom did the men in yellow a favour. The Swans have lost four on the trot, giving the U’s a bit of breathing space.
Other results were a mixed bag for United. Portsmouth lost 1-0 at home to Bristol City. But Norwich City won 3-1 versus QPR and, more ominously, Sheffield United beat Leicester City 3-2 away so now are a place above Oxford. The Blades keep stabbing away.
A further points reduction for Sheffield Wednesday means they are definitely doomed. So there are just two relegation spots to avoid.
It goes without saying that this season, more than any other, it’s critical the U’s stay up – otherwise the new stadium could become the white elephant of League One.
The table of trouble:
19th Sheffield United (19 pts)
20th Oxford United (18 pts)
21st Swansea City (17 pts)
________________
22nd Portsmouth (17 pts)
23rd Norwich City (13 pts)
24th Sheffield Wednesday (minus 10 pts)
The Sports Desk
Property news
Ellen DeGeneres in tight spot in new Cotswolds village
Oxford Mail · December 2, 2025
Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi have purchased a stunning 43-acre estate in Oxfordshire, complete with luxurious amenities like a six-bedroom farmhouse and an indoor pool. However, their vintage Land Rover Defender's size has forced them to take a massive detour to access the local pub, highlighting the quirky challenges of rural life.
Oxfordshire village fears impact of major developments close by
BBC News · December 3, 2025
Concerns have been raised by the local parish council about four major developments near Somerton, Oxfordshire, including a theme park that could bring as many as 1.4 million visitors annually, warning of potential environmental disaster and unprecedented change. They urge collaborative efforts to protect the area, while the county council calls for developers to take a holistic approach to community and environmental improvements.
What’s on in and around Oxford?
Exhibition shows Jane Austen's life in Oxford
BBC News · December 3, 2025
The exhibition "The Austens at Oxford" at St John's College Kendrew Barn celebrates Jane Austen's connections to the university, featuring rare letters and artifacts from her family, including a prized collection of correspondence that showcases their wit and humour. Co-curator Michael Riordan emphasises the significance of these items, highlighting Jane's lineage linked to the college's founder and the family's deep ties to Oxford.
Oxford talk on impact of Covid on children’s literacy
Oxford Mail · December 2, 2025
Join Emma Orton for a free talk at Florence Park Community Centre on December 10 at 7.30pm, where she'll explore the impact of Covid on children's literacy skills and share her first-hand teaching experiences during the pandemic. While the event is free, a £5 voluntary donation would be appreciated to support local charity ARCh in helping children regain their confidence in reading.
All photos are credited to source articles or Mark Skipworth unless otherwise specified.
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