Oxford News
James May’s pub wins UK award before Jeremy Clarkson’s
The pair presented BBC’s Top Gear and The Grand Tour on Prime Video alongside Richard Hammond for 22 years.
After calling time on their adventures with one last trip to Zimbabwe and Botswana, the trio are now pursuing their own projects.
Mr May has been a co-owner of The Royal Oak in Swallowcliffe, Wiltshire, for several years, but Mr Clarkson recently joined his former co-star in the trade.
READ MORE: UK supermarket giant issues customer notice on Jeremy Clarkson beer
Purchasing The Windmill in Asthall near Burford for around £1m, the 66-year-old has his own pub to run, renamed The Farmer’s Dog and opened to the public in 2024.
There has been much talk about the pair banning one another from the pubs after Mr May’s name appeared on a barred list at the Cotswolds watering hole.
Now, the 63-year-old’s pub has been handed a first award, which has come before any gong for The Farmer’s Dog.
The Royal Oak in Swallowcliffe has been named Best Local Pub in Wiltshire at the 2026 Muddy Stilettos Awards, which celebrate outstanding independent businesses across the counties.
READ MORE: Jeremy Clarkson gives away his England World Cup tickets to two fans
Co-owned by the former Top Gear presenter, the pub was saved by May during the pandemic to preserve a vital community hub and avoid losing the last pub within walking distance of his home.
The Royal Oak has since proved the perfect testing ground for his hugely successful gin, James Gin.
Tucked away in the quiet Wiltshire village of Swallowcliffe, in the Nadder Valley, The Royal Oak is a Grade II-listed 18th-century building that has been an inn since 1852.
The pub is nestled in a little dell, just off the A303.
Since its renovation in 2015, the pub has built a reputation for high-quality food, superior rooms and a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
Oxford News
Bicester driver pulled over for towing trailer with no plate
Thames Valley Police’s Rural Crime Taskforce stop checked the vehicle after spotting the trailer attachment was not displaying a number plate while on patrol in north Oxfordshire.
In the UK, any trailer, caravan, or towed vehicle must clearly display a registration plate showing the same registration number as the vehicle towing it.
READ MORE: Bicester paedophile jailed for sexual assault of children
Police pulled over the vehicle to check it had not been stolen.
A spokesperson said: “Enquiries showed the trailer was with the correct owners.
“Advice was given about displaying a number plate and registering with the equipment registry.”
The Equipment Register is a free-to-use national register for tools and equipment, designed to provide rural and agricultural businesses with a way to safeguard their valuable assets.
Oxford News
New Westgate Oxford store opens with ribbons cut and queues
Eye health specialist David Clulow has opened a brand-new store at the retail location in the city centre.
The new store opened on Friday (June 26) with the team cutting a ribbon and welcoming in the first customers.
Several photographs were shared by Westgate Oxford across social media alongside a brief statement which read: “Big news, Oxford! Your new David Clulow store is now open.
READ MORE: UK supermarket giant issues customer notice on Jeremy Clarkson beer
David Cudlow has opened at Westgate Oxford. (Image: Westgate Oxford)
“From comprehensive eye examinations to designer frames like Chanel, Prada and Ray-Ban, David Clulow has you covered. Pop in today and say hello!”
The new space showcases the brand’s modernised retail format, with state-of-the-art optical testing rooms and improved accessibility.
A wide product range, including the latest designer and smart eyewear and lens technology, is all stocked at the shop.
READ MORE: Man robbed of ability to walk after first symptom on Cotswolds honeymoon
David Cudlow has opened at Westgate Oxford. (Image: Westgate Oxford)
This comes after it was announced on Friday (June 26) that fashion brand Bershka will be opening a shop at Westgate later this year.
Set to be Oxfordshire’s first Bershka, the new 11,000 sq ft store will be located on the upper ground floor next to H&M and Urban Outfitters.
Bershka, part of the Inditex group of brands, was founded in 1998 to cater to adventurous young people who are in tune with the latest trends, music, new technology and social media.
Oxford News
Oxfordshire village road to close for two months for works
Reading Road in Cholsey, near Wallingford, will close from July 6 to September 4 for gas mains replacement work carried out by utility company SGN.
The road will shut between the junction with Papist Way to number 16, Reading Road.
READ MORE: Abingdon police seek to identify man who ‘frequents’ park
From August 4, Papist Way will also be closed from the junction with Reading Road to Boshers Close for the same reason.
Advanced notice has been given from Oxfordshire County Council‘s highways team, with a traffic order prohibiting any vehicle on the sections of closed road.
It is in force for a maximum of 18 months or until the works are completed, whichever is the sooner. They are expected to conclude on September 4.
The notice said: “Appropriate traffic signs will be displayed to indicate when the measures are in force.
“Exemptions are included for emergency services and for access to premises which are only accessible from the closed section of road.
READ MORE: All train lines closed out of Oxford for works from tonight
“Pedestrian access maintained past closure. Cyclists must dismount and walk past closure.”
An diversion for the Reading Road closure is via the A329, A4130, A417 and A329 and vice versa.
The alternative route for the Papist Way closure is via Papist Way, Station Road, The Forty, Wallingford Road and Reading Road, and vice versa.
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