Oxford News
‘Fake’ 80s Waitrose store in market town baffles shoppers
The store appeared in the market town of Corsham this month but shoppers were not able to buy anything.
They were soon told the store had been created for the hit Disney+ drama series Rivals, complete with the chain’s distinctive brown and white 80s branding.
READ MORE: Waitrose issues customer notice on free coffee
“They were very excited to see Waitrose arriving – we had to let a lot of people down,” said the series’ graphic designer Rosie Carmichael.
The Rivals range at Waitrose (Image: Waitrose)
In the new series of the drama, based on Dame Jilly Cooper’s racy novels, set in a fictional Cotswolds village, Tory MP Rupert Campbell-Black, played by Alex Hassell, is seen opening a new branch of Waitrose in Stroud, Gloucestershire, saying: “It’s the best place to pick up a nice hunk of Cotswold blue.”
To celebrate season 2 of Rivals, streaming now on Disney+, Waitrose has created its own range of 80s-themed food.
The Waitrose Rivals range (Image: Waitrose)
This includes a scotch egg sandwich (£4), and a Thousand Island prawn sandwich (£4.10).
It comes after customers at the Botley Road Waitrose store were upset as the coffee machine had been out of action this week.
Waitrose customers with an account are able to access a free coffee with their Waitrose card – without having to make a purchase.
The store called in engineers to fix one of the dispensers but the second one remains broken.
Emily Atack (Image: Ian West/PA)
Rivals is set in a fictional location in the Cotswolds, and its actors attended a premiere for season 2 earlier this month.
The award-winning Disney+ show is based on the best-selling novel written by Dame Jilly Cooper, who died unexpectedly last October aged 88, and follows the high-stakes world of British television with the backdrop of the Cotswolds countryside.
Emily Atack, who plays the raunchy Sarah Stratton in the series, was among the celebrities gathered at the Soho Hotel in London for the star-studded screening.
She was joined on the pink carpet by co-stars, including Alex Hassell, who opted for a black suede jacket over a navy satin shirt.
Oxford News
Banbury development in final stages with 95 per cent sold
David Wilson Homes’ The Pavilions, located on Bowlers Close, is now over 95 per cent sold, with just seven homes remaining.
The development offers three and four-bedroom properties designed to suit first-time buyers and growing families.
Helen Lewis, managing director at David Wilson Homes Mercia, said: “We are delighted to announce that we are over 95 per cent sold at The Pavilions and it’s the final opportunity to secure a new home in the community.”
Launched in September 2021, The Pavilions will provide a total of 148 new homes.
The project also includes more than 23 acres of green space, 49 bird and bat boxes, 325 new trees, a wetland meadow, and community allotments.
Ms Lewis added: “We’ve enjoyed great success at the development and it’s been fantastic to see the community take shape.
“We encourage anyone interested in securing a place at The Pavilions to visit our marketing suite to learn more about the properties available.”
More than £750,000 was pledged to support the local area through S106 agreements, including £300,000 for schools and early year education, £186,869 for onsite outdoor sports facilities, and a £34,230 bus infrastructure contribution.
The developer has supported the wider Banbury community through event sponsorships and donations to organisations such as Banbury Men’s Shed and The Let’s Play Project.
All remaining homes are ready to move into, with prices starting from £390,000.
Oxford News
Thousands raised for Oxfordshire hospice through recycling
Nearly £38,000 has been donated to Katharine House Hospice in north Oxfordshire over the past 18 months, thanks to recycled metals from cremations at North Oxfordshire Crematorium.
The scheme is part of the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management (ICCM) Metals Recycling Scheme, which recycles metals with family consent and donates proceeds to charity.
Vanessa Moor, site manager at North Oxfordshire Crematorium, said: “We are incredibly proud to support Katharine House Hospice through our ICCM charity partnership, recognising it as our essential local charity.
“Many people don’t realise that, with a family’s permission, metals recovered following cremation can be recycled to benefit charities supporting local communities.”
The most recent donation of £17,000 brings the total raised for the hospice to £37,982.
Ms Moor said families frequently speak highly of the care and support they have received from Katharine House.
The partnership extends beyond fundraising, with crematorium staff volunteering at the hospice’s events.
Sue Blank, corporate engagement officer at Katharine House Hospice, said: “We are thrilled to have Memoria’s continued support.
“The team at the North Oxfordshire site are a pleasure to work with and are always keen to support the hospice in any way they can, whether through volunteering, raising awareness of our work or through this fantastic recycling scheme.”
Oxford News
Oxfordshire drivers invited to try Volvo’s EX60 SUV
Waylands Volvo Oxford, based on Cumnor Hill, is inviting drivers to test drive the new Volvo EX60 during an exclusive event from August 21-23.
Recently named the UK’s most exciting upcoming new car at the What Car? Awards, the fully electric SUV combines Scandinavian design with advanced technology and sustainability.
Simon Bishop, general manager at Waylands Volvo Oxford, said: “We’re delighted to welcome local drivers for an exclusive first look at the new Volvo EX60 here in Oxford.
“This weekend long event is designed to be much more than a standard test drive, giving customers the chance to experience the technology that makes the EX60 so special.
“Whether it’s trying the latest safety features, seeing how straightforward fast charging can be or exploring the capabilities of Google Gemini, we want every visitor to leave feeling excited and confident about driving electric.”
The Volvo EX60 P12 AWD model offers a range of up to 503 miles on a single charge – the longest of any Volvo to date.
It can charge from 10 to 80 per cent in as little as 16 minutes.
Inside, the SUV features a spacious, premium cabin with a dashboard-mounted speaker and four contemporary interiors, all crafted from renewable and recycled materials.
Test drives will be guided by a Volvo specialist, who will demonstrate features such as the 360-degree camera, parking sensors, and driver assistance systems.
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