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3 outlets4h ago

Hook Norton pub and campsite set for £175,000 auction

The Gate Hangs High in Hook Norton has been listed for auction by receivers with a guide price of £175,000.

A pub and adjoining campsite near Hook Norton in the Cotswolds, dating to the 1830s, has been listed for online auction later this month with a guide price of £175,000. The sale is being conducted by Joint Fixed Charge Receivers, appointed when a borrower defaults on a fixed charge or mortgage. However, the pub's owners deny it is up for sale and state that 'the auction is not going ahead' and 'the business is not insolvent'.

2 outlets5h ago

Kaleb Cooper's new TV show to premiere on Prime Video

Clarkson's Farm star Kaleb Cooper's new Prime Video series Kaleb Off the Farm will premiere on 8 January 2027.

Clarkson's Farm star Kaleb Cooper's new Prime Video series Kaleb Off the Farm will premiere on 8 January 2027. The four-part UK Original follows the 28-year-old farmhand from Chipping Norton as he travels to Australia for the first time, seeking to strike it rich in Australian farming and pursue his dream of owning his own farm.

via Banbury Guardian6h ago

‘Pupils feel they belong’: Banbury primary school praised in latest Ofsted report

A Banbury primary school has been praised for its inclusive approach and the well-being of its pupils in its latest Ofsted report.

2 outlets7h ago

Man charged with breaching football ban after Oxford United match

A 23-year-old man has been charged with breaching a Football Banning Order following Oxford United's match against Reading FC.

Aiden Murray, 23, of Little Bury, Oxford, has been charged with one count of breaching a Football Banning Order after Oxford United's match against Reading FC. He has been bailed to appear at Oxford Magistrates' Court on 14 January 2027. Thames Valley Police also arrested a 19-year-old man from Wokingham on suspicion of criminal damage to a bus and released him on conditional bail, and a 16-year-old boy from Reading on suspicion of a Public Order Act offence, who was released on bail pending further enquiries.

via BBC Oxford7h ago

Dozens mourn teenager killed in Banbury car crash

Esme Heaton-Biggs, 18, was killed in a collision on Bloxham Road, Banbury, on 3 October.

Esme Heaton-Biggs, 18, died in hospital after her car collided with a white Mercedes on Bloxham Road, Banbury, on 3 October. Dozens of mourners gathered for her funeral service at St Mary's Church on Thursday, many wearing purple, her favourite colour. Her family described her as 'a beautiful human being, on the inside and the outside'. A fundraiser in her memory for Dogs for Good has raised over £16,000.

2 outlets7h ago

Small number arrested after Oxford United play Reading

A small number of people were arrested at Oxford United's match against Reading FC at the Kassam Stadium on Wednesday evening.

A small number of people were arrested at Oxford United's football match against Reading FC at the Kassam Stadium in Oxford on Wednesday evening. Thames Valley Police's Football Unit said the vast majority of supporters behaved responsibly. The force deployed a comprehensive policing operation with specialist resources including mounted officers, police dogs and drones, with Section 35 dispersal and Section 60AA stop-and-search powers in place across Reading, Didcot and Oxford from 11am on 4 November until 1am on 5 November.

2 outlets8h ago

Jodie Kidd praises Jeremy Clarkson as intelligent and loyal

Model Jodie Kidd has described Jeremy Clarkson as highly intelligent and loyal, saying Clarkson's Farm shows a more realistic side of him than Top Gear did.

Model and TV presenter Jodie Kidd has praised Jeremy Clarkson more than two decades after appearing with him on Top Gear's Star in a Reasonably Priced Car segment in 2003. Speaking on the Cars & Money and Tom Hartley Cars podcast, the 48-year-old said Clarkson's Farm had allowed viewers to see a different side of the presenter. She described him as 'highly intelligent' with 'brilliant' thought processes, saying he was 'incredibly loyal' and 'a very good friend'.

2 outlets8h ago

White Hart in Fyfield named 11th best pub in UK

The White Hart in Fyfield, Oxfordshire, has been ranked 11th in the Good Food Guide's 100 best pubs.

The White Hart in Fyfield, Oxfordshire, has been ranked 11th in the Good Food Guide's 100 best pubs. Landlady Kay Chandler, who runs it with her husband chef patron Mark Chandler, said the ranking was 'such a huge achievement' for their village pub. The Bull in Charlbury came 63rd, whilst the Feathered Nest Country Inn in Nether Westcote was also included in the 2026 list.

2 outlets8h ago

Jeremy Clarkson to auction three Grand Tour television cars

Jeremy Clarkson is selling three cars used in The Grand Tour series at auction in November.

Jeremy Clarkson is auctioning three cars from The Grand Tour in November. The vehicles include a 1982 Lancia Montecarlo Spider, the last car he drove on the show, a 1983 Alfa Romeo GTV6 used in the inaugural Grand Tour episode, and a 1978 Lincoln Continental Mark V. Clarkson said he rarely gets to drive the cars, so it is better they go to someone who can.

2 outlets8h ago

Horner criticised for comments about Marko in new autobiography

Christian Horner has been accused of being tasteless after making critical comments about Helmut Marko in his autobiography Drive.

Christian Horner, Red Bull's boss for 20 years, has faced criticism for comments about Helmut Marko in his recently released autobiography Drive. In interviews promoting the book, Horner accused Marko of trying to have him removed and said Marko did not offer condolences when the mother of Horner's daughter died. Former Formula One driver Ralf Schumacher called the comments tasteless, saying Horner was ruining his own legacy. Marko denied the claims, telling F1-Insider they were a collection of untruths.

2 outlets8h ago

Thame restaurant retains low food hygiene rating after reinspection

The Rising Sun & Pad Thai Cuisine in Thame has retained a one-out-of-five food hygiene rating following a September reinspection.

The Rising Sun & Pad Thai Cuisine on High Street in Thame has retained a one-out-of-five food hygiene rating after being reinspected in September by South Oxfordshire environmental health officers. The restaurant, a converted pub serving Thai food, was initially given the low score earlier this year. Food safety management was deemed to require 'major improvement' in both inspections, though cleanliness and hygienic food handling improved slightly from the first visit.

2 outlets8h ago

BMW driver pleads guilty to serious injuries of cyclist

A BMW driver has pleaded guilty to causing a cyclist serious injuries by dangerous driving in Oxfordshire.

Mahmoud Matar, 25, of Banbury, pleaded guilty at Oxford Crown Court on 5 November to causing serious injuries by dangerous driving. The crash happened on 23 October on the A422 Hennef Way in Banbury, injuring cyclist Bradley Springate, a man in his 30s, who was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries. Matar will be sentenced on 3 December after a pre-sentence report; he has been released on unconditional bail with an interim driving ban.

2 outlets8h ago

Oxford burger restaurant reopens with low hygiene rating after mouse found

Peppers Burgers in Oxford reopened in August after being shut in March for a dead mouse and animal faeces found on the premises.

Peppers Burgers in Walton Street, Jericho, was closed in March after inspectors discovered a dead mouse behind a freezer and large quantities of animal faeces in the kitchen and food storage areas. The restaurant, described as an 'Oxford institution' since the 1980s, reopened in August and was reinspected. It received a two-out-of-five food hygiene rating, up from zero-out-of-five, though inspectors said food handling and cleanliness of facilities still require improvement.

2 outlets8h ago

King Charles avoids crisps for snacks, former butler says

King Charles's former butler says the King does not eat crisps when he wants a snack.

King Charles's former butler Grant Harrold, who worked for him from 2004 to 2011, has said the King avoids crisps when snacking. Harrold told The Express that while the King enjoys ordinary food including burgers and beer, he prefers vegetables grown in his garden at Highgrove and would not choose a packet of crisps for a snack.

via Banbury Guardian8h ago

Pottery club near Banbury refuses to let ram raid derail Christmas fundraiser

A community pottery club near Banbury has refused to let a ram raid at the village Co-op shop beneath its studio derail its Christmas charity fundraiser.

2 outlets8h ago

Hugh Grant's Notting Hill home on sale for £7.5 million

The three-bedroom London property where Hugh Grant's character lived in the 1999 film Notting Hill is being sold for £7.5 million.

The three-bedroom London property that featured as the home of Hugh Grant's character William Thacker in the 1999 romantic comedy Notting Hill has been put on the market for £7.5 million. The building was formerly owned by the film's writer Richard Curtis, who converted it from a chapel into a home.

via BBC Oxford9h ago

Ramsey enjoying first full coaching role at Oxford United

Aaron Ramsey says he is 'loving every second' of his first full coaching role since retiring as a player in April.

Aaron Ramsey has admitted he is 'loving every second' of his first full coaching role since retiring from playing in April. Oxford United, managed by the former Arsenal and Wales midfielder, have impressed in League One this season, losing just one game. The club beat Reading 2-0 in midweek to move up to third in the standings.

2 outlets9h ago

US billionaire's Cotswolds mansion approved after council overruled

Ronald Burkle's six-bedroom Cotswolds mansion in Little Tew has been approved by the Planning Inspectorate after West Oxfordshire District Council twice rejected it.

Ronald Burkle, the US billionaire behind Soho Farmhouse, has won approval for a six-bedroom mansion in Little Tew, Oxfordshire, after the Planning Inspectorate overturned West Oxfordshire District Council's refusal. The council had rejected the plans twice, arguing the estate failed on architectural merit and that its impact on the village outweighed potential economic benefits. The property will feature a domed 'Pantheon' hall, gun room, wine store, stables, swimming pool and a new lake. Local residents and composer Max Richter opposed the scheme, describing it as grotesque.

via Banbury Guardian9h ago

Dedicated team recognised for its quality care

A team dedicated to supporting people with cancer and their families has been recognised for its quality care.

via Banbury Guardian9h ago

André Rieu brings brand new Christmas spectacular to Banbury cinema

This December, the maestro returns to the big screen with his brand-new Christmas spectacular Let It Snow , coming to cinemas for two special days only on 5 and 6 December.

2 outlets9h ago

Jeremy Clarkson's pub hosts fireworks night tonight

The Farmer's Dog pub near Burford is holding a fireworks display tonight with live music and food.

Jeremy Clarkson's Cotswolds pub The Farmer's Dog is hosting a public fireworks night on Thursday, November 5. The pub said it received many enquiries about whether the event would happen this year and has now released tickets. The evening will feature live music, British food, drinks and a fireworks display over the pub garden.

2 outlets10h ago

Campaign group claims White Horse Reservoir cost at £10.5bn

Campaigners say the White Horse Reservoir near Abingdon could cost £10.5bn, more than double Thames Water's previous estimates.

The Group Against Reservoir Development estimates that the White Horse Reservoir near Abingdon will cost £10.5bn. The project's estimated cost has risen significantly from an initial £2.2bn to between £5.5bn and £7.5bn following a review that tripled the site area to 38 sq km. GARD's spokesman Derek Stork claimed the additional cost reflects eleven major design changes including an 11km flood-mitigation drain and a redesigned embankment.

2 outlets10h ago

Deep Purple cancels German tour dates over singer's hospitalisation

Deep Purple has postponed two German concert dates after frontman Ian Gillan was hospitalised with a medical emergency.

Deep Purple has postponed shows in Leipzig and Hamburg as part of their Splat! World Tour after frontman Ian Gillan, 81, was hospitalised due to a medical emergency. The band expressed their 'deep disappointment' at the cancellations. Tony Iommi, co-founder of Black Sabbath, posted a tribute to Gillan on social media, saying he was 'so sad' to hear the news and wishing him a speedy recovery.

2 outlets11h ago

Harry and Meghan plan first British Christmas in eight years

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are reportedly planning to spend Christmas in Britain for the first time in eight years, celebrating privately at their Cotswolds base rather than with the Royal Family.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are reportedly planning their first Christmas in Britain in eight years at their Cotswolds base, rather than joining the Royal Family in Norfolk. A source told The Times the couple would find it 'too awkward and too difficult' to join the Royal Family and are not expecting an invitation. Meghan's mother, Doria Ragland, could still join them in the UK.

2 outlets11h ago

Energy grid delays threaten Oxfordshire's technology sector growth

Oxfordshire MP Calum Miller warns that energy shortages and grid connection delays are holding back the county's economic growth and technology ambitions.

Bicester and Woodstock MP Calum Miller has warned that energy shortages and grid connection delays are threatening Oxfordshire's economic growth and its plans to become a major technology hub. Companies including Oxford Ionics, Zero Petroleum, Siemens Healthineers and the Jaguar and McLaren Formula E teams face constraints from lack of electricity capacity. Businesses and developers are waiting for grid connections that extend 'far into the 2030s', while planned major developments, including one requiring electricity for 1.4 million homes, risk being delayed further.

2 outlets11h ago

Victoria Beckham fears Brooklyn may make tell-all documentary

Victoria Beckham reportedly fears her son Brooklyn may be planning a tell-all documentary about their family rift.

Victoria Beckham reportedly fears her son Brooklyn and his wife Nicola Peltz are preparing a documentary about their strained relationship. According to Heat World, the pair have been asking friends and family to sign release forms. In January, Brooklyn declared he was estranged from his parents in an Instagram statement, writing that he did not want to reconcile and was standing up for himself.

2 outlets11h ago

Harry Potter actor attends Palestine Action protest outside Supreme Court

Actor Alfred Enoch was seen at a demonstration outside the Supreme Court as 27 people were arrested during a hearing on Palestine Action's proscription appeal.

Alfred Enoch, known for roles in Harry Potter and How to Get Away with Murder, attended a protest outside the Supreme Court as justices heard an appeal against the ban on Palestine Action. More than 27 people were arrested on suspicion of displaying support for the proscribed organisation. Enoch, an Oxford graduate, held a sign reading 'this is democracy, not terrorism' and told the Press Association he hoped the ban would be dropped, saying it was part of 'a wider erosion of the rights of protest'.

2 outlets11h ago

Jury discharged in sexual offences trial at Oxford

A jury has been discharged in the trial of a man accused of ten sexual offences against a teenage girl.

A jury has been discharged in the trial of Adam Garrett, 27, of Banbury, who is accused of ten sexual offences against a 13-year-old girl. Garrett denies two counts of assault by penetration, six counts of rape, one count of sexual assault and one count of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child. A new trial date has been set for December 7.

2 outlets11h ago

RMT announces November strikes over East West Rail safety

The RMT union has announced strikes by Chiltern Railways train managers on 12 November over concerns that East West Rail operations could reduce onboard safety staff roles.

The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers has announced fresh strike action in November over the East West Rail project. Train managers employed by Chiltern Railways will walk out on 12 November, with the union concerned that future operations could reduce the role of safety-critical onboard staff. The RMT argues that trained staff are vital for passenger safety, disabled passenger assistance and emergency response.

2 outlets11h ago

Government to tighten safeguards on police facial recognition

The Government will introduce laws to make police use of facial recognition technology fairer and safer, with a new watchdog to oversee forces.

The Government will change the law to tighten protections around police use of facial recognition technology, introducing a new watchdog with potential power to ban forces from using the cameras if they fail to meet standards. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the technology has been 'the biggest breakthrough for catching criminals since DNA matching' but must be 'fair, safe and proportionate'. Laws under the Police Reform Bill will require forces to use the technology only when they believe wanted people could be present in a certain area, and to test cameras rigorously for bias or discrimination.

2 outlets11h ago

Great Western Railway transitions to public ownership

Great Western Railway will be taken into public ownership from 2am on Sunday, December 13.

Great Western Railway will transition to public ownership from 2am on Sunday, December 13, when First Greater Western Limited becomes Greater Western Railway Limited. Passengers will see no change to daily train operations, staff or existing bookings, accounts and memberships. Customers' personal data will transfer to the new operator as part of nationalisation, though it will continue to be managed by the same systems and teams.

2 outlets11h ago

RAF officer Angus MacIntyre becomes Reform armed forces spokesman

Angus MacIntyre, an RAF Wing Commander with 40 years' military experience, has been appointed Reform UK's armed forces spokesman.

Angus MacIntyre, an RAF Wing Commander with a 40-year military career, will be unveiled as Reform UK's armed forces spokesman on Thursday. MacIntyre has stood down from his RAF role to take the position. Reform officials say his military experience exceeds that of Labour's defence team, two of whom have served in the armed forces for a combined 31 years.

2 outlets11h ago

Death in Paradise Christmas special to arrive on iPlayer early

Death in Paradise's 2026 Christmas special will be available on BBC iPlayer on 27 November, weeks before its television broadcast.

Death in Paradise's 2026 Christmas special will be available on BBC iPlayer on 27 November, several weeks before its television broadcast date, which has yet to be confirmed. This marks the first time a festive episode of the crime-comedy series has been released early in this way. The episode will feature DI Mervin Wilson and his team investigating a murder on the fictional Caribbean island of Saint Marie.

2 outlets11h ago

M&S profits more than double despite cyber attack impact

Marks & Spencer's profits more than doubled to £403.2m in six months following recovery from a cyber attack last year.

Marks & Spencer's adjusted pre-tax profits more than doubled to £403.2m for the 26 weeks to 26 September, compared with £184.1m a year earlier, as the retailer recovered from a cyber attack that disrupted operations around Easter last year. The food business performed strongly, ahead of plan, but fashion, home and beauty sales remained impacted by the attack's aftermath. Chief executive Stuart Machin warned the company faces an 'onslaught of cost headwinds' ahead.

2 outlets11h ago

Man brought to safety after walking on A34

Police brought a man to safety after he was spotted walking on the A34 near Oxford during the evening rush hour on Wednesday.

A man experiencing a mental health crisis was spotted walking on the A34 southbound between the M40/Bicester turn-off and Oxford during evening rush hour on Wednesday, 4 November. Police were called and brought him to safety. The incident caused significant traffic disruption on the A34, A41 and M40 towards Bicester.

2 outlets12h ago

Vehicle seized from driver with revoked licence in Chipping Norton

Thames Valley Police seized a vehicle in Chipping Norton after stopping a driver with a revoked licence.

Thames Valley Police seized a vehicle in Chipping Norton on Monday evening after stopping a driver with a revoked licence. The motorist was reported for driving contrary to licence conditions. The patrols followed concerns raised by residents about vehicle nuisance in the area.

2 outlets12h ago

Classic FM presenter Armstrong backs chamber music concert

Classic FM presenter Alexander Armstrong is promoting a chamber music concert at Oxford's Schwarzman Centre on November 10.

Classic FM presenter and comedian Alexander Armstrong has praised chamber music as 'good for the soul' ahead of Kaleidoscope Chamber Collective: Making Chamber Music Part I at Oxford's Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities on Tuesday, November 10. The hour-long concert begins at 5pm in the Sohmen Concert Hall and will explore different forms of chamber music, starting with Bach's solo Cello Suites before expanding to larger instrumental combinations. Musicologist Professor Laura Tunbridge will introduce the pieces and explain how different combinations of instruments change the way musicians interact. Armstrong said chamber music was 'the art of listening' where 'nobody in charge and nobody drowned out'.

via Banbury Guardian12h ago

How Mercedes can clinch the Formula 1 Constructors’ World Championship in Brazil this weekend

Brackley’s Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula 1 Team are on the brink of securing the F1 Constructors’ World Championship for the first time since 2021.

2 outlets12h ago

Pensioners earning over £35,000 face Winter Fuel Payment clawback

Pensioners with individual annual income above £35,000 will have their Winter Fuel Payment reclaimed by HMRC through the tax system.

Pensioners earning over £35,000 face having their Winter Fuel Payment reclaimed by HMRC through adjustments to their tax code. The payment, worth between £100 and £300, will still arrive in bank accounts in November or December but will be recovered for higher earners. The income threshold applies to individuals rather than couples, so one partner in a household could lose their payment whilst the other keeps theirs.

3 outlets13h ago

Police hunt silver Mercedes after Hook Norton garage burglary

Thames Valley Police is seeking a silver Mercedes C-Class believed to be involved in a garage burglary in Hook Norton on Wednesday night.

Police are hunting for information after thieves broke into a garage on Sibford Road in Hook Norton in the Cotswolds on Wednesday night, November 4. Thames Valley Police's Rural Crime Taskforce believes a silver Mercedes C-Class was involved in the incident. The force is asking anyone who noticed suspicious activity between 7.30pm and 10pm to come forward. Police have not disclosed what tools were taken or their value. Anyone with information can contact Thames Valley Police on 101, quoting reference 43260576327.