Crime & Safety
Oxford – Dom Whiting return for DJ drum and bass on bike
Dom Whiting, from High Wycombe, led the large group people to pedal to the pounding beats through the city centre and East Oxford.
Starting at 2pm on Sunday, April 12, DJ On The Bike met the group outside the Clarendon Building in Broad Street.
Mr Whiting, who brought some new DJ decks, led the hundreds of cyclists on the five-mile course to end in Florence Park rather than South Park as planned.
Drum and Bass Bike Ride in Oxford, April 12 2025 (Image: Rosie Jacobs)
Dom Whiting in Oxford on Sunday. (Image: Dom Whiting/Facebook)
Drum and Bass Bike Ride in Oxford, April 12 2025 (Image: Rosie Jacobs)
Drum and bass on a bike in Oxford (Image: Lucie Johnson)
Drum and bass on a bike in Oxford (Image: Lucie Johnson)
Rain failed to dampen the spirits of all involved as, despite the early downpours, the ride ended in sunshine.
Mr Whiting told the BBC ahead of the ride: “It’s a cycling city, so I think it’s more appealing not just to people who listen to music, it’s also appealing to people who are just going out on bikes.
“They might not necessarily be avid music fans or they listen to classical music, but because they like cycling, they will listen to drum bass for that day.”
Attendee Paul Wightman said: “Great vibe, great tunes, and a great day all round. People came from all over the UK and further afield, so it’s great for the local economy too.”
Hayley Blanshard-Whitton went with her eight-year-old daughter and they both had an “amazing time”.
She said: “It’s the first time she’d cycled in the city and being with such a big group of like-minded people really put both of our minds at ease.
“The music was brilliant, and to end in the sunshine at the park was just perfect.
“Cycling back to our van on Cowley road it also made me appreciate how the LTNs are doing their job.
“Being from out of town they haven’t particularly impacted us, but being able to cycle the calm quiet streets was actually a joy rather than a stress.”
Mr Whiting, a former mechanic, started Drum and Bass on the Bike during lockdown in March 2021 as a way of encouraging people to get back outside, listen to music again and enjoy themselves.
What began as a small idea has grown into an international series of rides, with events now taking place across the UK and abroad.
The DJ has hosted raves in Bristol, Bournemouth, Southampton and more recently Adelaide in Australia.
The 28-year-old has gone on to amass more than 800,000 social media followers as a result of his fun events.
Mr Whiting concluded: “We waited in the rain, we rode in the rain and we finished in the sun. Thank you Oxford!”
Crime & Safety
Beckhams rally around Victoria after Brooklyn snubs birthday
Former Spice Girl Lady Victoria and her husband, former England footballer Sir David Beckham, have lived in Oxfordshire for around a decade.
The couple, who have a Cotswolds mansion in Great Tew near Chipping Norton, have been embroiled in a public family feud for some time now.
In January, this came to a head as their eldest son, Brooklyn, made explosive allegations in a lengthy Instagram post.
READ MORE: Victoria Beckham breaks silence on Brooklyn feud with bombshell quotes
He claimed that his mother “hijacked” his first dance with his wife, Nicola Peltz, and danced “inappropriately on me” in front of their guests, adding that he had never felt more “uncomfortable or humiliated” in his life.
And he also alleged that his wife had been “disrespected” by his family and was not invited to his father’s 50th birthday party.
Now, Brooklyn Beckham has failed to wish his mother a happy birthday today (Friday, April 17) as the fashion icon turns 52 years old.
READ MORE: David and Victoria Beckham win battle over Cotswolds Love Island plans
Other members of the family, including Sir David and son Romeo, as well as her youngest son Cruz’s girlfriend, Jackie Apostel, all posted well-wishes to the matriarch across social media.
Brooklyn instead uploaded an Instagram video of him preparing “sweet jalapeño salmon with arugula walnut salad”.
His wife, Nicola Peltz, whom he married in 2022, also made no post regarding her mother-in-law’s birthday.
Crime & Safety
Abingdon – Man sentenced for breaking window at ex-partner’s home
Jimi Monaghan, of John Jones Close, Abingdon, was sentenced at Oxford Crown Court on April 17.
The 22-year-old pleaded guilty to one count of criminal damage and one count of being in possession of a class B drug, namely cannabis, in Abingdon on September 5 last year.
READ MORE: National speed limit road set to be reduced to 20mph
The court heard he had been on remand for one month after he was initially charged with more serious offences, but these were discontinued.
Judge Hassan Khan said: “You broke glass at the property and found your way inside. You were on remand for a month for more serious offences which were discontinued.”
Monaghan was given a 12-month conditional discharge. He was also ordered to pay £150 in costs and an order was made for the forfeiture and destruction of the drugs and a grinder.
Crime & Safety
Amanda Holden ‘wants US move’ and talks about quitting UK
The presenter is known for starring as a judge on Britain’s Got Talent as well as hosting other shows, such as Cheat: Unfinished Business.
A household name across the UK, she owns a four-bedroom thatched cottage near Chipping Norton in Oxfordshire.
The 55-year-old shares two daughters, 20-year-old Lexi and 14-year-old Hollie, with her husband Chris Hughes.
READ MORE: Jeremy Clarkson satisfies controversial rule with Cotswolds pub change
Now, Ms Holden has joked that she now wants to relocate to Miami after returning from a family break in the US.
The 55-year-old made the tongue-in-cheek remark on her Heart radio breakfast show.
Speaking to co-host Jamie Theakston on air, Amanda said her affection for Miami had left her wondering whether she should swap the UK for the Sunshine State.
“I’m in love with that part of America. I want to move. Do you think we could do Heart live from Miami?” she joked.
READ MORE: Prue Leith makes ‘shameful confession’ about Great British Bake Off
In recent weeks, she has also been posting photos from the Miami trip on social media, giving followers a glimpse of her time away with her family.
Her trip comes at a time when many holidaymakers are weighing up where to spend their time off, with the conflict in the Middle East prompting some to rethink travel plans and budgets in light of rising costs.
As a result, destinations such as the United States – and particularly Florida’s coastline – are becoming an attractive alternative for some tourists.
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