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Chipping Norton town could have major £3m makeover

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A proposed £3 million heritage conservation project for the 184-year-old building has taken a step forward, after the National Lottery Heritage Fund accepted the town’s ‘Expression of Interest’.

The Town Hall Restoration Group – a committee of town councillors and volunteers with expertise in architecture, sustainability, and heritage – now has 12 months to develop detailed plans for a full ‘round one’ funding application.

Tom Festa, chairman of the group and a member of Chipping Norton Town Council, said: “The Town Hall is an exceptional heritage landmark.

“Our vision is to secure its future as a restored, welcoming, adaptable, and sustainable civic hub.

“We aim to conserve and showcase the building’s original architectural character while introducing energy-efficient heating, insulation and lighting, guided by a full energy audit and upgrade strategy.

“This will reduce both the carbon footprint and running costs, in line with local and national climate goals.”

A public engagement exercise will be one of the first steps in the process, gathering input from residents on how the hall could better serve the community.

Technical studies will also be carried out during this time.

The restoration group has identified several urgent issues, including ongoing damp, roof leaks, ceiling damage, dry rot, and poor insulation.

Chipping Norton Town Hall is a key part of the town’s identity, serving as the seat of local government and a venue for public assemblies, festivals, exhibitions, faith gatherings, and private celebrations.





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‘Scary’ emergency incident sees police close off Oxford bridge

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Officers have closed off Donnington Bridge at the junction with Townsend Square following a crash in the late hours of yesterday night (Tuesday, August 4).

A police presence has been at the scene since last night and is continuing into the early hours of today (Wednesday, August 5).

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The road has been closed with a cordon of police tape now in place preventing vehicles from passing through, and multiple police vehicles are at the scene.

In a breaking news alert just after midnight, Thames Valley Police announced that a crash had occurred and appealed for those with information to come forward.

A spokesperson for the police force said: “Donnington Bridge Road is currently closed at the junction with Townsend Square following a collision.

READ MORE: Oxfordshire private school defends use of sprinklers during hosepipe ban

“Any drivers should avoid the area as much as possible, and we will provide more information when we can.

“Anyone with information or footage related to the collision should call 101 or make a report online, quoting reference 2801 of yesterday.”

An eyewitness who wished to remain anonymous told this newspaper: “It looks quite scary from a distance.

“I can see a motorcycle on the pavement and a car nearby.”





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Rock legends line up to appear at Bob Harris tribute concert

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Stand By Me: Bob Harris – A Celebration Of Life In Music will take place in London on December 2.

The one-off show will also include performances by Rick Wakeman, Carly Pearce, Chris Difford, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Judie Tzuke, Kate Rusby, The Shires, Kezia Gill and Toby Lee.

READ MORE: Broadcasting legend leaves BBC radio

In June, it was announced that the broadcaster, who lives in Steventon, near Abingdon, was standing down from hosting his Radio 2 shows Sounds Of The 70s and Radio 2 Country because of ill health.

The radio veteran, 80, has prostate cancer and in April he revealed it has spread to his upper spine.

Mr Harris said at the time leaving his shows has been “one of the hardest decisions of my life”.

Roger Daltrey of The WhoSir Roger Daltrey of The Who (Image: PA)

He added: “It’s incredible to think that my broadcasting career has spanned almost 56 years. I am very fortunate to have spent my entire working life doing something I love so much.

“I am a massive BBC loyalist, and I’m grateful that I have always been given the freedom to build my programmes in my own way.

“Most of my time on air has been spent with my fabulous family at Radio 2 and it has been such a joy to broadcast on this world-class radio station.

“I am so proud that the Radio 2 Country Show has played such a massive part in propelling country to become the fastest-growing music genre in the UK, and presenting Sounds Of The 70s on Sunday afternoons has been a real pleasure and made my time here the most special of my entire life.

“But more than anything, I want to say thank you to my listeners. I have put everything I have into every show I’ve ever done, and it’s all been because of you. Your love and loyalty mean more to me than words can ever say.

“I am so sorry that my health issues are forcing me to step down, but I realise that I must concentrate on getting myself well again.

“This has been one of the hardest decisions of my life, but I would never want to be doing programmes knowing that I am unable to give you 100 per cent.”

Following the announcement regarding the show, Bob Harris said he was honoured.

He told The Standard: “I’ve been blessed and honoured to have been there with all these artists right at the beginning of their careers, so we all have long working relationships and deep friendships.

“I truly love the Royal Albert Hall too. I first began attending concerts there in 1968, and it is, to me, the most beautiful and prestigious venue in Britain.

“So I feel so honoured to have these wonderful artists with me onstage at my favourite venue. Bringing this music together for Stand By Me is the realisation of a dream.”

The event will also feature broadcasting and music industry figures on stage to present the show and share their memories of Harris.





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Harper Beckham, 15, refusing to give up after brand setback

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The daughter of former footballer David and ex Spice Girl Victoria lives with her family in Oxfordshire.

She had been working on a skincare line inspired by Korean beauty, initially branded HIKU by Harper and aimed at Gen Z and Gen Alpha consumers.

READ MORE: Emotional Boris Johnson, 62, slammed after releasing death tribute

However, according to cosmetics industry reports and US filings, the US Patent and Trademark Office refused her first application in July “because of a likelihood of confusion” with existing trademarks already registered in the country.

Harper, David and Victoria Beckham (Image: PA)

Documents cited by cosmeticsbusiness.com show that “Hiku” is already protected for personal care products and fragrances, while “Harper” appears on the register for cleaning products such as brooms and scrubbing brushes – blocking the path for “HIKU by Harper” in those categories.

Coverage of the setback notes that Harper had six months to respond to the provisional refusal if she wants to challenge the decision or narrow the scope of the American filing.

READ MORE: Brooklyn Beckham feud costs Harper ‘dream’ Sephora launch

Yet, now, she is pursuing a new brand, this time focused around make-up and called Harlo by Harper.

According to The Sun, the teenager has lodged papers with the US Patent and Trademark Office asking to be granted sole rights to use the name and with the UK’s Intellectual Property Office to trademark the brand.

The aim is to launch the brand at some point next year, as the only daughter of the Beckhams seeks to build a beauty empire.

A source for the paper added that Victoria has been “guiding her every step of the way”.





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