Pace Around the World is raising funds for Katharine House Hospice, which provides free palliative care across north Oxfordshire and south Northamptonshire.

Taking place throughout June, the challenge invites individuals, businesses and community groups to collectively travel more than 40,000 miles, the distance around the globe, in 30 days.

Roseann Thompson, community engagement manager at Katharine House Hospice, said: “After the incredible energy, dedication and community spirit our supporters have brought to our events before, we’re excited to be launching this brand new virtual challenge.

“Pace Around the World is all about coming together to do something and has been designed so that everyone can take part.

“Whether you walk, run, wheel, cycle or swim, every mile you log helps move us further along our journey, all while raising much needed funds for Katharine House Hospice.

“It’s flexible, fun and you can take part wherever you are, at your own pace.”

The virtual route – which starts and ends at Katherin House – will pass through more than 30 countries and 60 cities, with milestones including the Eiffel Tower and the Great Wall of China.

The challenge has backing from headline sponsor GRAF UK, whose team is already planning how to reach their own mileage goals.

Callum Vallance-Poole from GRAF UK said: “As a team, we love a challenge and even more so when it means raising money for our local hospice.”

To find out more about Pace Around the World and take advantage of the early bird registration fee of £20 until 24 April, visit khh.org.uk/pace

Two British Heart Foundation donation banks at Bure Parks shops in Bicester are to be removed due to the repeated dumping of glass bottles and other waste material.

The larger red bank accepted clothes, books and other items including shoes, handbags and toys, while the smaller brown bank accepted books, CDs and DVDs.

Now, residents have to take their charitable donations to the Bicester charity shop in Sheep Street.

Lesley Breedyk, area manager at the British Heart Foundation, said the charity is “grateful for everyone who wishes to donate” and those who are unable to visit the shop can send their donations using its freepost label service.

READ MORE: West Oxfordshire green garden waste bins go sticker-free

Since January, Cherwell District Council has been providing a kerbside glass recycling collection and has begun the process of removing glass banks across the district.

After identifying Bure Park as a repeated fly tipping location, it contacted the charity and agreed to remove the banks to discourage the criminal activity.

Cherwell District Council said: “We have found at other locations that once they have been removed that fly tipping does stop or reduce dramatically.

“The council takes this seriously and will check for any evidence that might lead to identifying who is responsible.

“It is a crime to fly tip waste and if those responsible can be identified then enforcement action is taken where appropriate.”

The Telegraph says many dream about living in a village, and using exclusive research provided by Savills, Telegraph Money revealed the poshest villages in Britain, broken down by county. 

It said it combined a few factors to create the list, including “highest house prices, a lively community, a thriving village hall, great pubs, local shops and sporting facilities – aspects that make a great village.”

The newspaper said it also looked into “whether the location sits in a bucolic setting, has an interesting heritage, and whether it ticks the boxes of the classic village, with a green, duck pond and perhaps thatched cottages.”

Oxfordshire village among poshest in the UK

Villages across the UK feature in the list, with counties having one highlighted as the poshest in the area.

When it comes to “posh appeal”, The Telegraph notes that Harpsden has an “active local community” and that it’s close to Henley Golf Club as well as London and Reading.

The newspaper’s writers said: “On the periphery of Henley-on-Thames and the Chiltern Hills National Landscape, this well-connected village is only half a mile to the Isis, making it part of the golden stretch of riverside villages between London and Reading.

“The church, St Margaret of Antioch, is social, putting on get-togethers, lunches and concerts, while the pretty village hall and playing fields host everything from dance classes and the Henley Players Theatre Group to cricket and football.

“It is also near Henley Golf Club.”

The Telegraph added that while Harpsden “lacks a shop/post office or pub”, Henley is nearby with plenty to offer.

Did you spot Harpsden in Midsomer Murders? The village was used for filming the ITV series.

What are house prices like in Harpsden?

Rightmove says: “House prices in Harpsden have an overall average of £565,000 over the last year.

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“Overall, the historical sold prices in Harpsden over the last year were 70% down on the previous year and 73% down on the 2012 peak of £2,090,000.”

The average house price in the village is £1,426,412, according to The Telegraph.

Have you been to Harpsden? Tell us your favourite thing about it in the comments.