Oxford News
Bicester Village car park to bring 517 additional spaces
Plans to build a 1,246 three-storey car and cycle hub were approved by Cherwell District Council in 2024.
But last year, Bicester Village’s plans for just a temporary car park were approved for a five year period, beginning from the date of its opening, allowing a review of when the larger hub will be required.
Three other major projects by the designer outlet are advancing in Oxford Road and are expected to be completed by October.
Western Terrace
The Western Terrace is a three-level extension of the western end of the village, known as phase four, which was completed in 2017.
It will bring additional retail, food and beverage on the ground floor and expanded guest services on the first and second floors.
St Edburg’s Park
Enabling works are underway for the new five-acre publicly accessible green space, St Edburg’s Park, which will offer multi-generation recreation, informal sports, family activities and community gatherings.
It will also create new connections for pedestrians and cyclists, linking the town centre to surrounding neighbourhoods, as part of Bicester’s expanding green infrastructure network.
Construction is expected to finish in autumn and the park is scheduled to open fully to the public in spring next year.
The development is delivering £1.2m of additional investment in sport provisions in Bicester to enhance local sports facilities including at Whiteland’s Farm.
READ MORE: Plans approved to improve sustainable transport in Bicester
Middleton Stoney roundabout
Work will begin mid-April on constructing the Middleton Stoney roundabout, which will be a key route linking west Bicester, the town centre and nearby villages.
The plans will improve traffic flows and include segregated cycleways, continuous footway links, multiple new zebra crossings and a signal-controlled crossing, according to bosses.
There will be several phased lane restrictions and a period of road closures which will be adjusted as work progresses.
A Bicester Village spokesperson said: “The ongoing development aligns with the Bicester’s long‑term vision for greener travel, stronger community spaces, and better-connected neighbourhoods.
“We are especially pleased to announce the introduction of the new St Edburg’s Park, following lengthy consultation with the community.
“The park will provide new high‑quality green space where residents and visitors can come together for leisure, relaxation, and family activities.
“The improved active travel routes being created together with the upgraded Middleton Stoney roundabout will support the wider investment taking place across the area and together, we expect these improvements to support local wellbeing and contribute to a more vibrant and sustainable Bicester for years to come.”
14 pupils from Aureus School in Didcot, Oxfordshire, travelled to Southampton’s Utilita Bowl to watch two ICC Women’s T20 World Cup matches.
They saw New Zealand take on Sri Lanka and England face Ireland.
Rob Hayden, head of PE at Aureus School, said: “The first match was really close, with Sri Lanka hitting a four to win the match in the final over.
“There was a rain delay which delayed the England match by one hour and 30 minutes, but this allowed the group to watch the cricket match under the floodlights, which was a really good experience.
“Having England play well and win, created a special atmosphere at the ground.”
The trip is part of a yearly tradition at Aureus School, which has strong ties to the women’s game through a visiting coach, Queentor Abel of the Kenya Women’s Team.
Mr Hayden said: “We have currently got a coach who comes into school who is a current cricket player for the Kenya Women’s Team, Queentor Abel.
“This showed the students they have a great coach to help them improve.
“We took the group as a trip to inspire the students to play cricket outside of school.”
Aureus School is part of the GLF Schools multi-academy trust.
GK Barry and Reverend Richard Coles appeared on the 24th series of I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here in 2024.
GK and Rev Coles “struck up the best of friendships” while on the ITV reality show, one they have continued outside the jungle.
ITV axes GK Barry and Rev Richard Coles series
The pair had begun work on a new ITV series themed around life and death.
Speaking to Attitude Magazine, GK said: “We are exploring walks of life from two different generations — one from a gay godly man and a gay ungodly woman.
“There are some depressing bits in there, but one thing about me is that I will make a joke about it.”
A pilot episode for the series was filmed last year.
However, the new series has now been axed by ITV, according to The Sun.
An insider said: “There were high hopes for the project because producers were excited by the dynamic between GK and Richard, not least because it seemed to amuse viewers.
“They enjoyed the idea of the wise older man interacting with the streetwise millennial as they explored some pretty deep subjects.
“But after provisional filming took place, it was decided not to proceed with it as a series — much to the disappointment of everyone involved.”
GK had previously said it had been a “dream” working with Rev Coles on the series.
On Instagram, she said: “Working with you has opened my eyes to worlds I’d never heard of or dreamt of before.
“Some of them have been nightmares, but some of them have been dreams — and today has been a dream.”
ITV has been contacted for comment.
Freeview channel axed 2 years after relaunch
Meanwhile, News UK’s live streaming opinion channel, Talk, has been axed as part of the latest Freeview update.
Talk originally broadcast as TalkTV on channel 237 from April 2022, with 24-hour news and opinion programming.
Its most high-profile programme was Piers Morgan Uncensored, which later moved to YouTube, though Channel 5 continues to broadcast highlight segments.
TalkTV was eventually relaunched as Talk, a visual radio stream, on Freeview channel 280 in April 2024.
The change came after the channel struggled to attract viewers and ran up losses for News UK, according to RXTV.
News UK still operates similar visual streams for TalkSport and Times Radio.
Were you looking forward to GK Barry and Rev Richard Coles’ new ITV series? Let us know in the poll above or in the comments below.
The 41-year-old pop icon was due to perform at Werchter Boutique festival in Belgium last night, Saturday, June 28, when the event was unexpectedly cut short.
The festival’s committee decided to end the day’s performances early, at 9pm just after a set from Pitbull, due to a weather forecast of ‘severe thunderstorms from midnight onwards at the earliest’ and a government warning.
READ MORE: Jeremy Clarkson’s pub staff ‘walk out after many problems’
Perry wrote on Instagram: “Sadly my set at Werchter Boutique tonight can’t happen due to a government mandated cancellation because of the incoming inclement weather and crowd safety concerns.
“I was backstage at the show in the middle of hair and makeup when this news was delivered, and they gave me no choice.
“I am just as unhappy as you are. Unfortunately this is beyond my control, but the safety of all 55,000 of you always comes first and foremost.”
The performance was due to mark the popstar’s return to the one-day event held in Belgium’s Festivalpark for the first time in more than 15 years.
READ MORE: Sara Cox in new venture as UK charity collapses with £430k owed
Perry added: “I am sorry I can’t change the weather, and even sorrier that all of us can’t be together tonight. I was looking forward to being back after 17 years, I was even gonna wear the same outfit from that 2009 show again. I love you all, and please get home safe.”
It comes just a week before the star’s next scheduled festival appearance, at the brand-new Blenheim Festival in Wodostock, Oxfordshire, where she is due to perform on July 4.
The current forecast for that date is sunny skies and temperatures in the mid-20s.
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