Oxford News
Oxford apprentice set to represent UK in Shanghai contest
Stanley Mackintosh, a student at the Rycotewood Furniture Centre based at City of Oxford College and University Centre, will represent the UK in cabinet making at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026, an event often described as the ‘Skills Olympics’.
WorldSkills brings together the world’s best apprentices and young professionals across more than 80 countries.
Mr Mackintosh, who is completing a Level 3 apprenticeship in bespoke furniture making, said: “I am very happy to have been selected by WSUK for Team UK Shanghai 2026.
“Since first hearing about the competition in 2023, it has been my goal to make it to the world stage, and it has taken a lot of work to do so.
“The next few months will be challenging, with more milestones to hit and training targets to reach along the way.
“Fortunately, I have the support of Bill Cleyndert and Company and Rycotewood behind me.
“I am very grateful to have the opportunity to represent the British furniture industry and hope to do everyone proud.”
Mr Mackintosh’s selection follows success in regional and national WorldSkills UK competitions and months of intensive, specialist training.
He will now undergo final high-performance preparation ahead of the competition, which takes place from September 22 to 27.
Josh Hudson, Rycotewood Furniture Centre lead at Activate Learning, said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to see Stan selected for Team UK at WorldSkills.
“From starting his Level 2 Furniture Manufacturer apprenticeship in 2024 to reaching this incredible milestone, his journey has been nothing short of inspiring.
“This achievement is a testament to his talent, dedication, and hard work and the whole Rycotewood team is proud to be behind him every step of the way as he sets his sights on Shanghai in September 2026 – we know he’s going to do amazing things.”
WorldSkills is a global standard of skills excellence, designed to showcase and drive technical expertise.
This year’s competition is expected to draw more than 250,000 visitors, including government leaders, global employers and education experts.
Competitors will be tested across a wide range of technical disciplines, from renewable energy and 3D games design to health and social care and bricklaying.
Freya Thomas Monk, managing director of Pearson Qualifications, said: “Every member of Team UK has earned their place through exceptional dedication and commitment to their chosen fields, representing the very best of our nation’s talent.
“Pearson is proud to support Team UK as they take on this extraordinary challenge and inspire future generations to aim high and believe in their potential.”
The former Top Gear and Grand Tour host delivered the update via social media this evening (Tuesday, June 16) ahead of the release of the final two Clarkson’s Farm episodes.
The fifth series of the highly popular show premiered on June 3 and has already seen Mr Clarkson battling a major health scare and embrace high-tech farming.
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Set at his 1,000-acre Oxfordshire farm Diddly Squat, in addition the latest season has shown the television host planning for the first festive period at his pub The Farmer’s Dog.
However, the next two episodes – which will be released tonight – are set to be very downbeat.
On Instagram, he said he had “sombre news”.
He added: “Ordinarily we try to keep the show bucolic and charming and cheerful.
“But the final two episodes which drop in the middle of the night tonight are none of those things really. They are a difficult watch.
“They’re really, really difficult.”
Reiterating that, the episode titles are ‘Reaping’ and ‘Sickening’ and may show the bovine TB outbreak that occurred at Diddly Squat in 2025.
READ MORE: Top UK charity’s £350,000 debts to National Lottery and Amazon as jobs lost
It led to the deaths of several animals.
The first series of Clarkson’s Farm premiered in 2021 and was an instant hit with viewers making stars out of its cast which include Mr Clarkson’s partner Lisa Hogan and farm assistant Kaleb Cooper.
It has been renewed for a sixth series.
AA is reporting that a truck has ‘rolled over’ and fuel is spilling on a major junction connecting the M40 and A43.
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Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, is due to visit the prestigious debating hall in St Michael’s Street tomorrow (June 16) to take part in a debate.
The ultra nationalist figure’s invitation to the society, to debate a motion on whether the West is ‘right to be suspicious of Islam’ alongside Laurence Fox and Sir Jacob Rees Mogg, has been highly criticised.
READ MORE: Oxford Artisan Distillery plans approved ahead of reopening
But it’s not the first time the Oxford Union has invited controversial figures to its hall, to take part in discussions on some of the most divisive topics of the day.
From the Prime Minister of Pakistan to representatives of Palestinian and Israeli interests, to divisive British politicians and more light-hearted visits from popular sportspeople, the society has hosted a number of interesting voices over the years.
Look through this picture archive to see some of the famous faces who have visited the Oxford Union in days and decades gone by.
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