With this country house next to a golf house, who needs the 19th hole?

Beechfield House near Frilford Golf Club

Beechfield House in Frilford Heath has been the perfect family home for as long as anyone can remember. The current owners have all but raised their children there, as did the family before them. Built in the 1930’s and beautifully preserved, this eight-bedroom country house in a quiet hamlet near Oxford certainly has plenty of space.

Set in four acres, Beechfield House has early 20th Century proportions, with elegant drawing and dining rooms and a stately reception hall and staircase. The Drawing Room, magnificent with large windows on two sides, a door to the main verandah and high ceilings, has a fine carved fireplace as a centrepiece. The formal Dining Room has a similar feel, also with windows on two sides including an elegant bay with seat.

Five bedrooms are on the first floor, with two, the master bedroom and a guest double bedroom, opening out onto a balcony overlooking the gardens. Three attic rooms and a store room are under the eaves, making perfect dens and hideaways for children of all ages.

At the heart of the house is the huge kitchen/breakfast room which at almost 30ft in length and doors to the second verandah, creates the ideal setting for every day family life. “This is perhaps the room I’ll miss the most,” says Antonia Keaney, who owns the house with her husband Gerry. The family have lived at Beechfield for fifteen years and their three children have pretty much grown up there. “We have so many memories of the house being filled with children’s parties and as they got older their friends coming and going and always congregating in the kitchen. We had many wonderful gatherings here too, as the house really lends itself to entertaining.”

There are many more features the Keaneys will miss, such as the gardens with their informal layout of fruit trees and lawns. “The grounds are quiet, secluded places to relax in and each season there is always something new,” adds Antonia. “The setting is lovely, there are many, many country walks from right outside the door, and we are very close to the golf course.”

The Keaneys have maintained Beechfield House in great order while keeping its period charm. They converted an integral garage to an extra reception room and replaced the kitchen, adding an Aga. “We have adapted the house as our needs have changed over the years, but the layout, space and number of rooms has always made it versatile.”

Beechfield House is on the market for £1.75m. Arrange a viewing by contacting Mark Charter at Carter Jonas on 01865 511444 or visit http://www.carterjonas.co.uk.

This article appeared in The Oxford Times – view it in the paper here

As Oxford University opens Neuroscience Research Centre, Director receives top science prize

Professor Gero Miesenböck accepts InBev Baillet Latour Prize from Princess Mathilde of Belgium, Palais des Academies, Brussels

The opening of Oxford University’s newly established Centre for Neural Circuits and Behaviour coincided with news that its Director, Professor Gero Miesenböck, has been awarded The InBev-Baillet Latour International Health Prize 2012, Belgium’s highest science award. Worth 250,000 euros, this highly prestigious accolade was awarded by an international jury of esteemed scientists.

The Prize has been awarded annually since 1979, across all areas of biomedical science, and recognises Professor Miesenböck for his pioneering work on optogenetic approaches to manipulate neuronal activity and to control animal behaviour, a technique which has revolutionised neuroscience.

Professor Miesenböck, who is also Waynflete Professor of Physiology at Oxford, opened the doors of the Centre for Neural Circuits and Behaviour at Oxford University just four days after he received the Prize.

“Winning the InBev-Baillet Latour is a wonderful endorsement, not only of my own work, but of the research which the CNCB has been established to pursue, as they are closely linked.

“Such prestigious recognition gives our team the best possible start,” he says.

Professor Gero Miesenböck was the first scientist to establish the principle of optogenetic control. In a pioneering experiment reported in 2002, he induced genetically modified neurons to fire electrical impulses by shining light on them. In 2005 he was the first to use optogenetic tools to control the behaviour of an animal, engineering fruit flies to harbour light-sensitive nerve cells in different parts of the brain.

“Optogenetics is a form of wireless communication in which nerve cells in the brain are programmed genetically so that you can control their electrical activity with an optical remote control,” he explains.

The technique enhances understanding of how living nerve cells work and of how the brain controls behaviour, providing opportunities for basic research as well as holding practical benefits.

Professor Miesenböck adds: “What optogenetics can help us do, by studying animal models such as flies, is to pin-point the cells that are causally responsible for our behaviour.

“For instance, optogenetics could be a means to identify nerve cell groups that cause specific diseases as targets for medicines. In the distant future, there could be the possibility of using optogenetic manipulations directly in humans, in order to restore neural signals that have been corrupted or lost because of injury or disease,” he adds.

Former bean spout farm has bags of potential

The farmhouse at Blackthorn Hill Farm

Carter Jonas is marketing a former bean sprout farm near Bicester, which in our view presents a prime opportunity to bag a farmhouse and up to 29 acres of land in a rural, accessible position. Blackthorn Hill Farm is available in one or two lots; Lot 1 is the farmhouse with 19 acres of pasture paddocks and newly planted woodland, and Lot 2 is another 10-acre pasture paddock with planning permission for a glasshouse and new road access.

Outbuildings

Mark Charter of Carter Jonas says: “You could easily establish an equestrian business here which the outbuildings, paddocks and pasture land easily lend themselves to. Equally, the farm is ideal for continued agricultural use, and the amount of available space also makes it suitable for a transport related business.”

The farmhouse at Blackthorn Hill is a large, five bedroom family house, surrounded by lawned gardens with a natural pond and new woodland nearby.

Extended over the years from a stone built cottage, it has a large reception hall with sitting room and dining room, all with French doors to the gardens, plus a kitchen/breakfast room and spacious utility room.

The farm buildings include two large steel portal framed structures which were used to grow bean sprouts and could be used for agricultural, equestrian, commercial or even transport purposes. There are also Portakabin-style structures which previously provided staff facilities, and yard storage areas.

Pasture paddocks

As well as the woodland, the land in Lot 1 includes three pasture paddocks with excellent grazing facilities.

Lot 2 is 10 acres of pasture paddock which has planning consent for a processing building and glasshouse for the growing, washing and packing of oriental vegetables. The creation of new road access is also included.

Blackthorn Hill Farm is on the market for £1.1m.

‘Wonderful’ gifts at O3 Gallery this summer

Shopping around for something a bit different, unique even? Then hop along to our client the cool and lovely O3 Gallery for a ‘frabjous’ selection of Wonderland-inspired gifts.  The collection has been put together by Helen at the gallery team to commemorate the 150th anniversary of ‘Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.’

Alice-inspired Art from Wall Envy

Alice Graphic Prints: “Sometimes I have believed …” as said The Queen to Alice, or the Mad Hatter’s “No wonder you are late …” are quotes that inspire with a sense of adventure.  Beautifully typeset over a printed page from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, these inspiring framed graphics from Envy Art are available for £22.50.
 ’Alice’ Pillows: Curl up and relax with a favourite book with the help of these luxury pillows, each with an Alice-illustration, from Armadillo Creations.  £10

 
‘Alice’ Pendants: Declare your love for Alice with a printed pendant from Love Cat Creations of Alice and ‘Wonderland’ characters. From £12. 

‘Everything Alice’ packed with craft ideas by Hannah Read-Baldrey and Christine Leech

More Alice-inspired items include the wonderful ‘Everything Alice’ by Hannah Read-Baldrey and Christine Leech, a project book packed with beautiful Alice-inspired craft ideas £14.99 and jewellery from Sophie Roseman’s Alice range, including Heart & Lock studs – £31 and Heart Crown Lock Pendant necklace – £54.50

Silver pendant from Sophie Roseman

The table will be laid at the O3 Gallery for the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, and items for sale include teacup candles, upcycled cake-stands, candle teapots, and other vintage teawares. Prices range from £8-35.

The Alice gift selection coincides with Wonderland, an exhibition exploring the fascination of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Art works are for sale, and images are attached for the following:


Looking Glass by Elena Kalis

Looking Glass (Alice Series)
by Elena Kalis
Photograph on mount-board
50 x 50cm
£126.00 rrp

Alice without Wonderland
by Anica Govedarica
Acrylic on canvas
50 x 80cm
£2040.00 rrp

These gifts and more are available from the O3 Gallery, Oxford Castle from Saturday 7th July.

Fundraising: Couple take Volcanic Cycle Challenge for Pegasus

Next Monday The Oxford Mail will be at Pegasus for a photoshoot with Antonia and Paul Cox. The couple are celebrating their 50th birthdays by raising funds for the much loved Oxford community theatre, Pegasus.  The couple, who are from Abingdon and have brought up their children around Oxford, wil be cycling 500km, coast to coast across Costa Rica in a bid to raise £5,000 for the theatre.

Paul is competing in the Blenheim Triathlon this weekend, also to raise funds for Pegasus.

The couple will start their Costa Rica challenge from the Pacific coast on 3rd November and will take eight days to complete the challenge to cross the entire width of Costa Rica, ending up in the Caribbean.  Their route will take them across extremely varied terrains, from open fields to colonial towns and volcanic mountains.  They will traverse several active volcanoes, including the magnificent Volcano Arenal, which has been in a state of minor eruption for decades, and will even be camping in its foothills.

Antonia Cox, who was born in Abingdon and went to school in Oxford, says:  ”We came to a concert by Philip Selway at Pegasus last November and were so impressed by the theatre and the work it does for young people, we wanted to do something to help out.

“Paul and I turn 50 this year, as does Pegasus, so we thought, Why not take a real challenge for the theatre?  While we enjoy cycling and can go some distance, this is the first time we’ve done anything like this.  We’ve been training hard, taking part in some cycling events of between 60 and 75 miles and Paul’s competing in a couple of triathlons this summer.

“We are already getting a lot of support and will be absolutely thrilled to meet our target as it will mean so much for Pegasus.”

Dominique Cadiou, business development director of Pegasus adds:

“We are so proud of Paul and Antonia devoting their time to our cause in this way.  We wish them the very best of luck and urge everyone to support their challenge.”

Paul and Antonia Cox are taking the Costa Rica Coast to Coast Challenge with Global Adventure Challenges.  Click here to sponsor them and follow their training, or visit the theatre website.

Kiddington Estate lets city dwellers find the perfect country retreat

Fancy waking up to a view like this one?  Anyone looking to swap city living for a tranquil bolt-hole in the country should take a look at this delightful, newly refurbished cottage available for rent on the sprawling Kiddington Estate in Oxfordshire.

Located between Woodstock and Chipping Norton this detached, three bedroom house has beautiful views and its own sizeable and fully enclosed garden.  Modern and tastefully decorated, this is ideal for a family or couple who want to get away from road noise and the hustle and bustle of city life.

Number 1 Park Farm Cottages is available immediately and unfurnished for £1,200 per month.  To arrange a viewing contact Christopher Way on 01865 511444 or visit www.carterjonas.co.uk.

Abingdon Business: Firms expand at ‘well designed and managed campus’

The Quadrant at Abingdon Science Park is proving popular for a variety of firms expanding their operations as over 7,000 sq ft of space has been let in the last year to new and existing occupiers on the site.

Medical supplier GlySure Limited has added an extra 4,359 sq ft at The Quadrant to create a manufacturing clean room and for its expanding quality, testing and microbiology facilities.  GlySure has developed an in-hospital continuous blood glucose monitoring system and has been at The Quadrant since 2006.

Chris Jones, CEO of GlySure, says:  “We have recently secured funding to complete our clinical regulatory trials and are expanding our operation to accommodate this activity.  As a scientific medical business, we have high standards and precise requirements. The team at The Quadrant have done a great job in meeting our needs, enabling us to rapidly move forward with our manufacturing expansion and completion of the clinical trials.”

International product design studio Thinkable has moved from the centre of Abingdon into 2,300 sq ft office and studio accommodation. The firm, which specialises in 3D design for consumer, industrial and medical products, was formed six years ago and has a steady client base of UK and international companies.

Thinkable founder and Managing Director Jorg Schlieffers explains how the move is benefitting the team:

“We currently have a core team of six people, and need space for the freelance specialists we work with as well as interns.  We have close links with schools and colleges in the UK to offer work experience to students.

“Abingdon is a successful location for us. It works well for our team and Oxfordshire is a good region for recruitment in our field.  Our proximity to Heathrow suits our clients too.

“The Quadrant is a well managed, well designed campus and the building gives us room to expand in the future and space to breathe.” he adds

Online luxury lifestyle store Achica has also expanded into a 400 sq ft suite  for its team of six; also moving in are First Personnel and  home care services provider Delight Care.

Nick Wilkinson of agent Carter Jonas says:  “It’s great to see businesses growing successfully at The Quadrant as it shows how suitable the site is for expanding firms.  Two years ago we developed a number of units for smaller firms and these are now almost at full occupancy.

“There is still around 9,000 sq ft of space available here and we are seeing strong interest.”  Firms interested in space at The Quadrant can contact Nick Wilkinson on 01865 517000 or email him at nick.wilkinson@carterjonas.co.uk.