Frilford Heath Golf Club welcomed industry stakeholders for its Water & Sustainability Summit ahead of Earth Day.

With water usage and conservation now critical issues for golf clubs across the UK, the summit aimed to help the club plan a water strategy for a dramatically changing climate.

Kevin Murray, chairman of Frilford Heath Golf Club, said: “Our Board is constantly analysing wider trends and demographics to maintain our position as one of England’s great golf club experiences, and being able to present excellent courses on a consistent basis is one of the biggest challenges we face in a climate that often gives you very wet winters and hot, dry summers.

“The experts at our Water & Sustainability Summit offered reassurance that we are on the correct path.

“They were able to show us that we are well-positioned to manage our own water resources now and in the future.”

The 450-acre, GEO-certified estate is already taking major steps to improve resilience, supported by a recent £2.6 million investment across its three championship courses.

The club’s focus on precision resource management includes a purpose-built reservoir to capture winter rainfall for use during summer months, placing the club in the top five per cent in the UK for proactive water management.

Paul Sheather, director of courses and estates, said: “Water conservation and sustainability are top priorities for Frilford Heath.

“Balancing course conditions with the expectations of members and customers is challenging given the increasing frequency of extreme weather events.

“But, working together, employing best management practices and investing in innovative solutions puts us in the best position possible.”

Summit participants included England Golf, the British and International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA), Irritech, Agrovista, and global equipment supplier Toro.

Andy Brown, senior sales manager for Toro and a club member, said: “This was an important opportunity to engage on the practical challenges of water security and long-term land management.

“As a long-standing member, I have a personal interest in seeing the courses maintained to the highest levels; and from a professional standpoint, it is vital to see how clubs can successfully align operational efficiency with environmental responsibility.”

Frilford Heath Golf Club is set within heathland terrain that includes a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), will host this year’s Women’s and Men’s Senior Amateur Championships.

Following the event, Chairman Kevin Murray said the club is now discussing hosting a wider industry summit of experts and golf club managers to further the industry’s ability to manage challenging water issues.

More information is available at www.frilfordheath.co.uk.

The latest figures, released in early 2026, show demand continuing to rise as households face ongoing cost pressures. Around 190,000 new claims were registered in the last quarter alone, with roughly 27,000 awards being made each month.

But while applications remain high, approval rates are falling. Just 46% of claims are now successful – down from a previous peak of 54% – suggesting many applicants could find it harder to access support.

At the same time, significant changes to the PIP system are being introduced this month. These include longer award periods for some claimants, updated payment rates, and a planned increase in face-to-face assessments throughout the year.

For those applying now, the combination of rising demand and tightening criteria may feel uncertain. However, experts say it’s important to understand that PIP can open the door to more than just financial help.

Leighton Roberts explains: “Applying for PIP can feel overwhelming, particularly as the system evolves and demand continues to grow. But support isn’t limited to payments – it can be the first step towards practical help that makes everyday life more manageable.”

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Depending on individual circumstances, applicants may be invited to an assessment to understand how their condition affects daily life.

“Everyone’s situation is different,” Roberts adds. “The goal is to ensure people feel supported and able to live safely and independently in their own homes.”

While the system continues to evolve, the key message for claimants is clear: even as rules tighten, PIP remains an important gateway to wider support beyond monthly payments.

The star of Clarkson’s Farm, filmed in Oxfordshire, posted a photograph of the Øresund Bridge between Sweden and Denmark on Instagram in April 2024.

Mr Clarkson added the caption “I feel a green Porsche coming on”, which amused fans, given how against Porsche he has been in the past.

The 63-year-old even joked in the past that it may be because fellow Grand Tour presenters and friends James May and Richard Hammond own one.

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In 2010, Mr Clarkson said: “As you may know, I have always loved the Porsche 911, in much the same way that I have always loved Peter Mandelson, mouth ulcers, Greece, marzipan, caravanning holidays, the smoking laws, British Telecom, pointlessly complicated gadgets, tea before four, Piers Morgan, sweet white wine, ramblers, Liberal Democrats, beards, the Boeing 777, global warming scientists, average speed cameras and, I don’t think I’ve ever mentioned this before, the feel of a cow. 

“In other words, I have always rather disliked the 911.

“Jokingly, and mainly to make them go away, I always tell fans of the breed that my dislike is based principally on the fact that James May and Richard Hammond both have one.”

Fans were left in disbelief at the caption, with many pointing out Mr Clarkson’s previous disdain for Porsche cars.

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“There was a time when you would rather eat May’s underpants than drive a Porsche, how times have changed,” said one Instagram user.

The caption was likely in jest as Mr Clarkson added in 2019 that even bright green paint was not enough to make him buy a Porsche despite “adoring” the colour.

He responded to the dismayed fan and said: “Not sure you got the reference.”

Yet the former Top Gear presenter does have some liking for Porsche due to a heartbreaking personal story.

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During the Patagonia Special in the show’s 22nd season, Mr Clarkson recounted the story of his father’s passing and his respect for the 928 model.

“I know Hammond and May think my 928 Porsche is a bit dull, but for one very good reason, it isn’t dull to me,” he said in the episode.

“See, back in 1994, I was living in London, and I got a call one evening from my mum to say that my dad was desperately ill in a hospital in Sheffield, and I needed to get there as quickly as possible.”

“And I’d just taken the chicken out of the oven, and I thought, ‘Well, I’ll take that for my mum because she won’t have eaten.’ I ran outside, and I had a 928 on test that week.”

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“When I arrived in Sheffield, the chicken was still warm, and my dad was still alive. In fact, he died half an hour later.

“And the truth is, if I hadn’t been driving a car which could sit quite happily at 170 miles an hour, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to say goodbye to my dad.”

“So as far as I’m concerned, the 928 is alright.”