Oxford News
Green leader Zack Polanski visits Oxfordshire wildfire site
The politician visited the site at Goring Heath where a wildfire blazed for hours near the Oxfordshire border, calling for greater protections for the environment.
The fire broke out on Monday, July 27, destroying a field and spreading to a nearby forest area, and destroying a barn and vehicle belonging to a business owner who operated from the site.
Polanski chose the South Oxfordshire site as the setting for a video he released to depict what he described as ‘climate failure’.
Speaking to the camera, the London Assembly Member said: “I’m standing at the edge of a wood, somewhere where people normally walk their dogs, breathe in fresh air, and take in nature.
“But today, there is a deep stench of ash, and I’m looking at a pretty dystopian future, as habitats, and a local business, have been decimated.”
He described the wave of ‘infernos’ which swept the UK this summer and left a ‘trail of destruction’ behind them.
In Oxfordshire alone, firefighters were left ‘exhausted’ amid ‘relentless’ fires which blazed on green and brownfield sites from school fields to farmers’ crops, landfill sites, parks and forests.
Lee Newport, acting chair of the Oxfordshire Fire Brigade Union based at Didcot Fire Station, earlier told this newspaper: “We are at crisis point now in this country.”
Echoing the message, Polanski described the situation as an ’emergency’ and said the fossil fuel industry were directly to blame, making wildfires more frequent and intense and opening the country up to an increased flood risk this winter because of the dry, baked earth.
He said: “I know that people across the whole of the UK are scared right now.
“This was a forklift and a barn – someone’s livelihood just completely destroyed.
“But the scariest part is this is just the beginning. The weather we’re experiencing right now will be the least extreme in our entire lifetime.”
He called for emergency meetings and plans against the climate emergency to be set out by the Government, and said if they don’t deliver, his party would bring deliver them.
Polanski set out policies like taxing fossil fuel companies and reinvesting the money into wildfire prevention, bringing water companies back into public ownership to secure supply, and providing cool spaces in every community to protect people from the risks of extreme heat.
On August 14, Andy Burnham’s Labour government sent out a national emergency alert to tell people not to start fires and not to use disposable barbecues in public spaces, due to the risk of wildfires.
It came after the then-new Prime Minister had drawn criticism from environmental campaigners and other parties for failing to set out a clear stance on climate change, while controversy continues over plans for new oil and gas drilling in the North Sea, requiring government sign-off.
The broadcaster confirmed last week that the popular show will return to TV four years after it was put on pause when co-host Andrew Flintoff was injured in a crash during filming.
The long-running motoring programme launched former presenter Jeremy Clarkson into his current status of stardom, hosting him first as a slot presenter and then as the face of the programme in the 2000s, alongside co-presenters Richard Hammond and James May.
READ MORE: Luxury Cotswolds manor hotel poaches TV chef from world’s best
The trio were replaced by broadcaster Chris Evans and Friends star Matt LeBlanc in 2015, before Flintoff, Paddy McGuinness and Chris Harris took over in 2018.
But it was put on hold indefinitely when former cricketeer Flintoff suffered serious facial and rib injuries after being dragged face-down under an open-topped, three-wheeled Morgan Super 3 car for about 50metres at the show’s test track in December 2022.
The BBC apologised and paid compensation to Flintoff after the accident.
Now, the broadcaster has confirmed the show will return, and although the line-up for the comeback has not been announced, some famous faces have been named the bookies’ favourites.
William Hill’s betting said comedian Jimmy Carr and former England rugby star Joe Marler are the two favourites to get behind the wheel as the new show’s hosts.
Carr is the even-money favourite to become one of the new presenters, following reports linking the comedian and known car enthusiast with the role, while Marler is next in the betting at 6/4, with his profile having risen considerably since his appearance on The Celebrity Traitors.
Jodie Kidd is the only other candidate priced in single figures at 4/1, with the model and motoring presenter having previously appeared on Top Gear.
Gordon Ramsay (10/1) is the next best-backed name, while Rowan Atkinson, John Bishop, Bernie Collins, Naomi Schiff and Jamie Chadwick are all 16/1.
Spokesperson for William Hill, Lee Phelps, said: “The BBC may be keeping its cards close to its chest when it comes to the new Top Gear line-up, but the betting already has a couple of clear favourites.
“Jimmy Carr is the obvious frontrunner at even-money, particularly given the reports linking him with the role and his previous appearance on the show, while Joe Marler at 6/4 would certainly bring a very different flavour to the driving seat.
Jodie Kidd is also an interesting contender at 4/1 given her experience in motoring television, while there’s no shortage of big names further down the market, from Gordon Ramsay and Rowan Atkinson to John Bishop and Jamie Chadwick.”
The BBC’s director of entertainment Ed Havard broke the news at the Edinburgh TV Festival on Thursday, August 27, confirming the that ‘Top Gear is coming back’ but refusing to discuss potential hosts.
He said more information will be coming ‘shortly’.
Liam, whose surname has not been released, is missing from Carterton in West Oxfordshire.
The 27-year-old was last seen in the Snowberry Court area of the town near near Witney, on Sunday, August 31.
Thames Valley Police has issued an appeal asking anyone who sees him to call 999 immediately and not to approach him.
Liam is described as a white man, about 6ft tall, with a medium build, who has dark hair, a shaved head and a beard.
He was last seen wearing a grey t-shirt, black jogging bottoms and black trainers.
An image of Liam was released to help people identify him, and police said he is known to frequent Carterton and Oxford.
A spokesperson for Thames Valley Police said: “We’re concerned for Liam’s welfare, so if you see him, please don’t approach him but call us immediately on 999 quoting reference 43260452711.”
All Beefeater and Brewers Fayre sites will close their doors for the final time in the coming days as part of a major restructure by parent company Whitbread.
Whitbread said in April that it would close its remaining Beefeater and Brewers Fayre sites as part of a strategy overhaul.
The business said this would result in 3,800 job cuts, although a spokesperson added that it would try to retain as many staff as possible.
READ MORE: John Cleese and Miriam Margolyes reignite ‘venomous’ feud after 60 years
Included in its strategy, Whitbread said it will sell and lease back many of its freehold properties, and earlier this summer the Brewers Fayre in Oxford Road, Bicester was listed for £950,000.
In addition, The Applecart Beefeater at the Oxford South Milton Interchange was listed for a £600,000 sale.
Following this, Beefeater customers were informed of the date of the restaurant closures in a letter sent to reward club members.
It stated: “As you may have seen, we have recently announced changes to our business, which is resulting in the closure of our Branded Restaurants.
READ MORE: Top Gear boss slams BBC ‘moronic’ over Jeremy Clarkson departure
“This means that on Thursday 10 September 2026 your local Beefeater and all other UK Beefeaters will close.”
The restructure is part of Whitbread’s new five-year growth strategy, which aims to re-focus the business and reduce costs by £250 million.
This includes a shift towards an integrated food and drink model that the company believes is more efficient and better suited to Premier Inn guests.
Dominic Paul, Whitbread’s chief executive, previously said: “We always challenge ourselves to improve and, in light of significant cost increases in the form of business rates and national insurance, as well as the implied market discount to our inherent value, we’ve looked hard at the options open to us to maximise value creation over the medium and long-term.
READ MORE: Jeremy Clarkson breaks silence on BBC Top Gear reboot and reveals secret
“This has been a rigorous process, and we’ve approached all options with an open mind.
“Our new five-year plan builds on our strengths and drives a significant acceleration of our strategy.
“This plan will transform Whitbread into a higher-margin, higher-returning pure-play hotel business.
“We’re going to go further and faster to deliver a great experience for our guests and high-quality growth and returns for our shareholders.”
-
Oxford News3 weeks agoTrain cancellation alert amid ‘fault’ near London Paddington
-
Oxford News3 weeks agoMuseum evacuated and Oxford University closed amid incident
-
Business & Technology4 weeks agoMuscle Food at risk of closing after entering administration
-
Student Life4 weeks agoMy year of rest and rustication
-
Business & Technology3 weeks agoCurrys rolls out NiCE software to unify customer service
-
Oxford University4 weeks agoOUP hosts AI in Education at Oxford University summer school
-
Oxford Events3 weeks agoWilderness Festival 2026: four days of music, food, art and wild escapism
-
Business & Technology4 weeks agoStaff at two major UK banks brace for further redundancies