Latest news with #HenleyOnThames
BBC News
3 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Leander Club updates code of conduct after claims
A prestigious rowing club says it has updated its code of conduct after being accused of failing to properly investigate sexual assault allegations. Women at the Leander Club, in Henley-on-Thames, walked out over personal safety fears and refused to train with male teammates as a result, an ITV News investigation reported. Both men accused of sexual assault and harassment denied the allegations. In a statement to the BBC, Leander's chairman Pete Bridge said athletes were "at the heart of this club" and that a "strict and confidential process" had been followed "to protect those involved". "We continually review our safeguarding measures and have updated these in line with our ambition to ensure rowing is inclusive and accessible for the next wave of athletes pursuing their dreams of international sporting success," he said. The club has been dubbed a "medal factory" for its record of supplying rowers at the Olympics and Paralympics over the years. But the ITV News report revealed disharmony at the club after two of its male athletes were accused of serious sexual assault and harassment 'Strict procedures' In the first case the club found ''insufficient evidence'' to launch a full disciplinary process, while the second was overturned on appeal. The accused was allowed to return to the club following a short led to female rowers refusing to use the club's gym at the same time as male members and protesting by wearing white ribbons on their response to the report, the club said: "Leander Club takes seriously all issues relating to the safeguarding of our athletes. "We have strict procedures in place to carefully examine any formal complaints and regularly review our club disciplinary processes to ensure they are fit for purpose, treating our athletes fairly and with respect."In addition to an updated code of conduct, we have partnered with a specialist external provider to ensure members of the club know without doubt the standards we expect and the ways to highlight any individual misconduct. "When issues are raised, we will continue to take immediate action where necessary to protect the welfare of our athletes." You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Britain's most prestigious rowing club which has scores of Team GB athlete members is 'plunged into rape scandal'
Britain's most prestigious rowing club, which has produced legions of Olympic champions over the last century, has been rocked by claims it failed to investigate multiple claims of rape and sexual assault. At least three male rowers are understood to have been accused of raping female club members within the last five years at the club in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire. The world-famous establishment is considered a 'global leader in rowing', according to Leander Club's website, which adds that members have secured 159 Olympic and Paralympic medals since 1908 - with 62 of these being gold. Among the damning allegations levelled at the club, as revealed by The Telegraph, are that: A man raped a female squad member in 2022 and was allowed to continue rowing A second man was suspended and then excluded following a harassment claim against him. He was readmitted on appeal and later accused of rape by a different female rower A third man was accused of raping a female rower, who was then forced to participate in a two-week training camp with him Female squad members, backed by more than a dozen of the male rowers, say allegations of sexual assault were ignored or dismissed by the Leander committee. They also accused the club of cultivating a culture of sexism and misogyny. One of the rape allegations, reported in April 2023, related to an incident said to have occurred during a team night out, at a flat in Henley. The woman, who was 18 at the time, is understood to have spoken to Leander Club and Thames Valley Police. But she subsequently failed to give a formal statement to police and later withdrew her complaint. According to sources, the woman had found the process too 'stressful and traumatising', but the situation did not end there. The accused man, who denies any wrongdoing, was allowed to 'train, eat and socialise in the same room as the victim', according to a letter of complaint subsequently sent to the club on October 23, 2024. Eighteen female and 15 male club members urged Leander to investigate 'multiple, serious allegations' against the individual 'as a matter of urgency'. Less than two weeks later, on November 6, 2023, chairman Pete Bridge and welfare representative Keith Settle informed members that the matter had been investigated but there was 'insufficient evidence' to progress it to a disciplinary. Despite a male witness and several women volunteering to provide evidence, none were spoken to before the investigation was closed, it is claimed. The female victim is understood to have left Leander following the incident. In a second claim, a male rower is accused of having harassed a female club member. He was suspended, but was allowed to return under appeal. Another rower then claimed this same individual had previously raped her, but it is believed this allegation was not brought to the attention of the club or the police. The man denies any wrongdoing. With his appeal still standing, the women's team reacted by boycotting training, before wearing pink instead of traditional white vests when they returned. They also wore white ribbons as a symbol of solidarity with victims of sexual abuse and rape. In a third instance, a male rower was accused of rape by a female club member in 2020. It is understood that after complaining to the club, she then had to attend a two-week training camp with the man she had accused. Despite the allegations becoming 'common knowledge' among the rowers, members were said to have been left aghast by an after-dinner speech given in 2022 by a veteran club member. The individual is understood to have made remarks of a sexual nature and referred to his penis during the speech. Many club members say they have been left feeling uncomfortable and unsupported by Leander in the wake of such accusations. One told ITV News: 'It's really triggering and makes people not feel safe. We didn't even want there to be men in the gym at the same time as us. We didn't want to represent the same club as people who've been accused of things like that. 'We wanted to say "we're not okay with it, we stand together as a will not stay silent.' Another said: 'Anyone with talent is protected in the system. People think [rowing' is elitist and it's privileged. 'If you have enough money, enough status, if you're good enough at sport, it's okay. 'We were failed by the very system that was supposed to protect us.' In a statement, Leander said: 'Leander Club takes seriously all issues relating to the safeguarding of our athletes. 'We have strict procedures in place to carefully examine any formal complaints and regularly review our club disciplinary processes to ensure they are fit for purpose, treating our athletes fairly and with respect. 'In addition to an updated code of conduct, we have partnered with a specialist external provider to ensure members of the club know without doubt the standards we expect and the ways to highlight any individual misconduct. 'When issues are raised, we will continue to take immediate action where necessary to protect the welfare of our athletes.' Mr Bridge, the Leander chairman, added: 'The athletes in our squads are at the heart of this club. 'When safeguarding issues arise, as with any organisation, there is a strict and confidential process that is followed to protect those involved. 'We continually review our safeguarding measures and have updated these in line with our ambition to ensure rowing is inclusive and accessible for the next wave of athletes pursuing their dreams of international sporting success.' Leander's extensive cohort of champions include Sir Steve Redgrave, Sir Matthew Pinsent, James Cracknell, Victoria Thornley and Lola Anderson.
Sky News
4 days ago
- Business
- Sky News
Top chef Ryan Honey reveals the cheap place he loves - and the overrated chain he would avoid
Every Thursday, our Money blog team interviews chefs from around the UK, hearing about their cheap food hacks and more. This week, we chat to Ryan Honey, head chef at The Duke in Henley-on-Thames. The best chef in the UK is… Mark Birchall at Moor Hall, hands down. The guy has just bagged three Michelin stars, and if that doesn't make him the best in the country right now, I don't know what does. His food is next-level, the kind of stuff that makes chefs jealous. If you're not dreaming of eating at Moor Hall, are you even serious about food? The worst type of behaviour in kitchens is… people who walk in thinking they're Gordon Ramsay before they've even mastered chopping an onion. I once had a guy in an interview tell me he didn't believe in "kitchen hierarchy" and that he'd "rather collaborate than take orders". Safe to say, he didn't make it past the trial shift. A kitchen runs on discipline and respect - if you don't get that, you're in the wrong industry. The one thing you never, ever want to see on a menu again is... snails. I know, I know, the French will come for me, but I just don't get it. They're chewy, they taste like whatever you drown them in, and honestly, I'd rather eat the garlic butter on its own. Some things just don't need to be on a plate - snails are one of them. A tip that non-chefs might not know to make them a better cook or make a certain ingredient better… salt your meat way earlier than you think you should. Like, hours before. Let it sit and soak in. Most home cooks season just before cooking, but if you give salt time to do its thing, the flavour goes deep, and you get a better crust. Also, stop being scared of butter. It makes everything better. The one thing you hate that some customers do is… ordering a steak well done and then complaining it's tough. Mate, you just asked me to cremate a £40 piece of meat - what did you expect? Also, people who rush the kitchen when they can see we're at full tilt. You came for a good meal, not a drive-thru burger - relax, have a drink, and trust us to do our job. One cheap place I love to eat is... The Bird in Hand in Sandhurst. It's one of those old-school, no-nonsense pubs where the food is actually good rather than just being "good for a pub". I always get the satay chicken kebabs with chips and salad -simple, tasty, and always bang on. One way we save money is... cutting waste by only ordering what we need daily, we make sure everything gets used, and negotiating hard with suppliers. Could the government help? Of course - lower VAT for hospitality, better support for small businesses, and maybe a bit of regulation on wholesale food pricing wouldn't go amiss. But until then, we just have to keep adapting. My tip for preventing waste is… use everything. Peel, stems, bones, offcuts - there's always a way to get more out of your ingredients. We dehydrate veg peelings and turn them into powders for seasoning, use bones for stocks, and any decent trimmings go into pies or terrines. Waste isn't just bad for the planet; it's literally throwing money in the bin. My favourite restaurant chain is… Miller & Carter. It's just solid, well-cooked steak. If I'm sharing, it's the côte de boeuf every time. But if we're talking about overrated chains? Nando's. Sorry, but it's just chicken with some decent seasoning - why are we all acting like it's some kind of life-changing experience? One ingredient you should never skimp on is… a proper olive oil. A cheap one is pointless - it's like drinking bad wine. But I'll give rapeseed oil some credit; a good cold-pressed one can be great for cooking at high temps. Still, for dressings, finishing, or dipping bread? Olive oil all the way. You get what you pay for.
The Guardian
23-05-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
Chess: national solving championship 2025 open to entries from Britain
This week's puzzle is a chance to enter an annual national contest in which Guardian readers traditionally perform strongly and in considerable numbers. White in the diagram, playing as usual up the board, is to play and checkmate in two moves, against any black defence. The puzzle is the first stage of the annual Winton British Solving Championship, organised by the British Chess Problem Society. This competition is open only to British residents, and entry is free. To take part, simply send White's first move to Nigel Dennis, Boundary House, 230 Greys Road, Henley-on-Thames, Oxon RG9 1QY or by email to winton@ All entries must be postmarked or emailed no later than 31 July 2025, and provide the entrant's name and home address. Juniors under 18 on 31 August 2024 should give their date of birth. Please mark your entry 'Guardian'. Receipt of the solution to the first stage problem will be acknowledged after the closing date, when all competitors will receive the answer. Those who get it right will also be sent the postal round of eight harder problems, with plenty of time for solving. The best 15-20 competitors from the postal round, plus the best juniors, will be invited to the final at Harrow School on Saturday 21 February 2026, where the prize money is expected to be £1,500. The winner of the final will also qualify for the Great Britain team in the 2025 world solving championship, an event where GB is often a medal contender. At Jurmala, Latvia, in July 2024, the Great Britain team of John Nunn (individual silver medallist), David Hodge (2024 British champion) and Jonathan Mestel won the team gold medals for the first time since 2007. Poland won the silver medals, and Israel the bronze. The starter problem is tricky, with both white and black armies scattered apparently randomly round the board. There are some near-misses to avoid. Obvious first move choices rarely work. It is easy to make an error, so be sure to double- and treble-check your answer before sending it. Good luck to all Guardian entrants. There could be a double burst of chess history this weekend. At Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, Argentina's 'Chess Messi', 11-year-old Faustino Oro, is closing in on Abhimanyu Mishra's age record for the youngest ever grandmaster title, which the American achieved at 12 years and four months. Oro, who already has two of his required three GM norms, can surpass Mishra's record if he totals 1.5/3 from his final three Sharjah games and then improves his rating from its current 2454 to the required 2500. With three of the nine rounds at Sharjah remaining, Oro has scored an unbeaten 3.5/6 with a tournament performance rating of 2560. All his six opponents have been grandmasters rated above 2550. He probably needs just 1.5/3 for his historic third GM norm. Over to Belgrade, Serbia, where Russia's Roman Shogdzhiev, who has been beating GMs at blitz since he was seven, and is now just 10 years and two months old, is on the hunt for Oro's world records and seeking his third and final IM norm. Shogdziev is competing at Belgrade in a low-level event where the IM norm is a challenging 7.5/9, but the youngster was recently invited to a blitz tournament alongside Russia's GM elite and made an excellent score against the likes of Andrey Esipenko and Alexey Dreev, both of whom he beat. At Belgrade, Shogdzhiev has made light of his task, with 4.5/5 so far. He will still need some rating points, but Oro's IM world age record of 10 years and eight months is within his reach. All the signs are that this young boy is being groomed to restore the great days of Russian chess.
Daily Mail
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Son of Beatles legend George Harrison wins bid to develop his late father's sprawling country estate
The son of Beatles legend George Harrison has won planning permission to develop his late father's estate. Grammy award-winning musician Dhani Harrison, 46, applied to the council to build a new property at Friar Park in Henley-on-Thames in Oxfordshire. The former home of the Beatles star was said to have inspired his first solo album after the Fab Four split, titled All Things Must Pass, which features tracks including My Sweet Lord and What Is Life. Another track on the album called The Ballad Of Sir Frankie Crisp (Let It Roll), is a nod to Friar Park's former owner. Sir Frank Crisp was a Victorian-era lawyer, horticulturist and noted eccentric who dotted the estate with slogans such as 'Don't keep off the grass', 'The answer's at the end' and 'Scan not a friend with a microscopic glass'. A photograph taken on the main lawn at Friar Park featuring the guitarist surrounded by four gnomes - thought by many to represent each member of the band - was used as the album cover. Dhani's plans include amendments to previous consent granted to George's widow Olivia Harrison four years ago to build a home on a disused tennis court at Friar Park. They include amendments to the detailing, the addition of a plant room - in a nod to George and Olivia's love for gardening - and adjustments to the windows and openings. In approving the application, South Oxfordshire District Council planners wrote: 'The amended proposal continues to comply with the relevant Development Plan policies and national planning guidance. 'The District Council is satisfied that the proposed development is of an appropriate scale and design within the context of the site and that the scheme would preserve the overall character of the registered park and garden, the setting of Friar Park and the character and appearance of the Henley Conservation Area. 'There are no overriding landscape, ecological, amenity or highway safety issues.' Friar Park has been the Harrison famil home for decades and was also where George miraculously survived being stabbed 40 times by paranoid schizophrenic Michael Abram under the belief he was the Antichrist. The approval notice added: 'The currently proposed changes are generally minor cosmetic alterations. 'No significant changes are proposed to the siting or overall scale of the approved development. 'The changes to the approved plans, when considered individually and cumulatively, would not compromise the design quality of the original scheme. 'Moreover, the overall character of the registered park and garden and the setting of Friar Park will not be harmed by the current proposal.' Planning permission was granted four years ago to Olivia for a new two bedroom oak framed home on the site of a disused tennis court. It included a kitchen diner, lounge, utility and music room on the ground floor and two bedrooms, two bathrooms and two further rooms on the first floor. Some of the planned alterations now given approval include adding three dragon finials - said to bring good luck and which could also be a novel reference to St George and the Dragon. Other changes include removing a clock tower, changing square windows to round ones and adding French doors. In a statement to support the application, representatives for Harrison wrote: 'When granting permission for the dwelling, South Oxfordshire District Council evaluated the potential impact of the new dwelling and determined that the development is suitable for its location within the Grade II Listed grounds of the Grade II listed Friar Park. 'The council concluded that the size, scale, and design of the permitted dwelling would not detract from the heritage assets, the Henleyon Thames Conservation Area or Friar Park. 'This application addresses the alterations to the dwelling that differ from the approved plans. 'The changes primarily concern the details of the windows and minor modifications to the building's elevations. 'These alterations would not result in significant alterations that would have an adverse impact on the Henley-on-Thames Conservation Area, the Grade II listed Friar Park or the Grade II Listed Park and Garden. 'The development's location remains unchanged, situated in an area of the grounds that provides minimal visibility and intervisibility with the existing dwelling and the value of the park and garden. 'Furthermore, these changes do not affect the designed views within the setting of Friar Park.' Friar Park, a palatial Victorian neo-Gothic mansion rumoured to have 120 rooms, was just a week away from being bulldozed when it was bought by Harrison in January 1970 when he was aged 27. The 62-acre estate had been completed in 1895 for wealthy lawyer Sir Frank who spent a fortune creating exquisite landscaped gardens and elegant architectural elements - including a 23,000-tonne scale model of the Matterhorn. After Sir Frank's death in 1919 the gardens fell into disrepair before being returned to their former glory by George and Olivia who were captivated by the estate's beauty and peacefulness. The gardens at Friar Park are now considered to be some of Britain's finest and include quirky Victorian 'dad jokes' carved into brickwork, according to Dhani. It was at Friar Park in 1999 where George was stabbed 40 times by Michael Abram, a paranoid schizophrenic from Liverpool who believed the Beatle was the Antichrist. George and Olivia were awoken by the break in before he wrestled Abram to the floor while chanting Hare Krishna mantras. The attack only ended after Olivia smashed a lamp over 34-year-old Abram's head. Abram was sentenced to life in a secure hospital unit for the attack. George, who miraculously survived the stabbing, suffered several serious injuries including a deflated lung. Following his father's death from cancer in November 2001, Dhani helped finish George's final album Brainwashed, with the help of Electric Light Orchestra's Jeff Lynne - with whom he is touring with this summer.
