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City & Kidlington Thursday, March 22 - Wednesday, March 28, 2018
Weekly leisure guide for in and around Oxford
ire
Touching tales from First World War
Indian with a modern twist
Free
Charity’s gift helps children to play
New campaign highlights online risks
Page 5
around Oxfordsh
Cinnamon Kitc hen review – three course set lunch
oxfordshireguardian.co.uk
Business helps young racer to fulfil his dream
Out& About leisure time in &
Page 16
Pages 6&7
New training base for U’s will offer facilities for all By George Welch
A DEAL has fi nally been agreed for Oxford United to move its training base to the Oxford Sports Park. The new £4.9million sports park, in Horspath Road, will host all outdoor training for the club’s fi rst team, Under-18s and the academy. The SkyBet League One club will have exclusive use of four full-sized pitches (one 3G) and two goalkeeper training areas, as well as space to build a new pavilion. The number of pitches was increased for Oxford United. Work on the sports park, which began last September, will be completed this summer and the club will move in ahead of the 2018/19 season. United have spent the last seven years based at the Cowley Sports and Social Ground off Roman Way and, following Sumrith ‘Tiger’ Thanakarnjanasuth’s takeover last month, the relocation marks a new era for the club. Richard Blackmore, head of club operations at the Yellows, oversaw the project and is ‘excited’ by the move. He said: “It has taken a lot of hard work to get to this stage; not just over the last few years but also historically because the club never really had a permanent base until they got back into the Football League in 2010.
“This will give us fantastic new facilities on the edge of the city and allow all areas of the club to work side by side, from the young players in the academy right through to the fi rst team.” Finding a long-term training base for Oxford has been long-winded and this week’s announcement clears up uncertainty that has shrouded the club. The U’s had to extend their stay at Roman Way until May while an alternative location was decided. Mr Blackmore added: “We would like to thank [former chairman/ owner] Darryl Eales who has believed in this project throughout his time as chairman and I think leaves this as a fantastic parting gift for the club.” United’s move to Oxford Sports Park comes following months of discussion between the club, Oxford City Council and sports and leisure management business Fusion Lifestyle, which has a 25-year lease to operate the facility. Councillor Linda Smith, deputy leader of the council, said: “Oxford Sports Park will provide fantastic new facilities for people of all ages to get into sport in Oxford, but I think this new partnership, with community teams training right next to Oxford United’s stars, will be particularly impactful and inspiring for the city’s children.”
Children air their thoughts on pollution PUPILS from Wolvercote Primary School were making their message clear to motorists when they monitored air pollution levels at their school.
Together with city councillor John Tanner, the board member for a Clean and Green Oxford, council air quality officers and members of Friends of the Earth
they are urging drivers to switch their engines off when stationary for long periods. For more about the campaign, turn to page 3.
More printed copies than any other weekly newspaper in Oxfordshire (16,103 audited JICREG pending)
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