Crime & Safety
Private school pupil gets UK recognition for bagpipes talent
Last month Year 8 pupil Jolyon, whose surname has not been disclosed, took to the national stage at the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association London and South England competition.
Competing with his band, Laidlaw Memorial, their quartet came third overall against strong competition.
READ MORE: Private school groundsman wins praise for pitches
Following the competition, the school stated: “Jolyon also shone as a solo performer, winning the under 14 category with his 2/4 March, Hills of Perth.
“An incredible result at his first national competition. We are so proud of you, Jolyon.”
Cokethorpe School will host its next open morning on Saturday, May 9, offering prospective families the opportunity to experience life at the co-educational Oxfordshire day school.
Visitors will have the chance to meet the head, Dr Sarah Squire, and hear a short address outlining the school’s ethos, recent developments and future direction.
Tours of the school will be led by pupils, with the option for families to explore the site independently.
The event provides an opportunity to see the breadth of academic and co-curricular provision, as well as the school’s facilities.
Last month it emerged that Oxford United Milk Cup legend Les Phillips is part of the team looking after the pitches at the school.
The school was awarded the Grounds Team of the Year 2026 by the Independent Schools Football Association, an accolade which recognises the work required to maintain the 150-acre site including nine grass rugby and football pitches, three cricket squares, six golf greens, two artificial sports pitches, and tennis courts.
Working alongside head groundsman Simon Hole, Mr Phillips makes up the two-person groundskeeping team at Cokethorpe, with a replacement deputy head groundsperson being sought.
Almost 40 community teams across Oxfordshire also use the pitches.
Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond started the show around a decade ago with producer Andy Wilman.
Having been a presenting team for 22 years, thanks to their work on BBC’s Top Gear too, the three stars called time on their adventures in 2024 with one last trip.
Venturing over to Zimbabwe and Botswana, the final Grand Tour, entitled One For The Road, marked the end of the trio professionally.
READ MORE: Fans rally around emotional Jeremy Clarkson after tragic death
Despite the show coming to a close, Prime Video announced earlier this year that there would be four new retrospective specials.
These would feature new commentary from James May and Richard Hammond and show clips from the show.
The first of these, The Not Very Grand Tour, was released on the streaming platform back in April of last year.
Now, the next in the series has been released, this time reuniting the trio with the reintroduction of Mr Clarkson.
READ MORE: Representatives for Jeremy Clarkson’s Cotswolds farm to be decided
As advertised with a clip across Prime Video’s social media pages, the iconic trio has returned with a new episode.
This new caper, entitled The Grand-ish Tour: A Trip Down Memory Lane, was released today (Friday, May 1).
The synopsis of the new episode reads: “Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May return with a look back at some of their fastest and funniest moments from The Grand Tour.
“In this episode, they celebrate epic driving moments in California, Morocco, Colorado and Scandinavia, wince at the misery brought on by water and mud, remind Jeremy of his mechanical incompetence, and enjoy an excellent montage of each other falling over.”
It’s the first year of the new festival at the Woodstock stately home after the Nocturne series came to an end.
Brit Award-nominated singer-songwriter Mimi Webb is set to join global pop royalty Katy Perry as special guest on Wednesday, July 1.
READ MORE: Private school pupil wins praise in national competition
She first gained attention with her 2021 debut EP Seven Shades of Heartbreak.
Then her debut album Amelia, released in 2023, achieved a Top 5 debut in the UK Albums Chart and was followed by a performance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
Continuing to make waves with over one billion streams worldwide, she has also supported the likes of The Jonas Brothers, Tate McRae and Benson Boone across the globe.
Blenheim Palace Festival will see some of the world’s biggest artists take to the stage for a one-of-a-kind experience next summer.
The five-day festival takes place in June and July 2026 at Blenheim Palace in Woodstock, Oxfordshire. Tickets are on sale now via www.blenheimpalacefestival.com.
With headline slots from American pop royalty Katy Perry, Grammy-nominated vocal powerhouse Teddy Swims, who will be joined by breakout singer-songwriter Lauren Spencer Smith as a special guest, and dance music icon Pete Tong Ibiza Classics, plus two more world-class headliners yet to be revealed, the festival is planning an unforgettable first year.
The festival runs from Saturday, June 27 to Saturday, July 4.
It will end with a performance from popular Canadian singer Michael Buble.
Mimi Webb is also expected to perform at the Big Feastival in Kingham, on Saturday, August 29.
Turf Tavern
Located at 4 Bath Place, in Oxford the Turf Tavern is one of the perfect places to sit outside this weekend.
The pub located against the medieval remains of Oxfords city walls can be enjoyed with a fresh drink or one of the many food items on the menu.
The 12th century pub is also infamous as the place where former US President Bill Clinton ‘did not inhale’ marijuana, during his time at Oxford University.
The Kings Arms
Located on Church Road in Sandford-on-Thames, this pub offers a view of the Sandford Locks.
The pub hosts a large beer garden where visitors can also enjoy a large variety of cask ales, classic pub favourites or a traditional Sunday roast
Abingdon Beer Festival
Today also marks the start of the annual Abingdon Beer Festival.
The festival run by the Friends of Abingdon Abbey Buildings Trust in partnership with Loose Cannon brewery. £5 entry gets a glass.
Visitors can find a range of Oxfordshire beers, food stalls, live music.
Any funds raised go towards the upkeep of the historic Abbey buildings in the area.
READ MORE: The crime which Oxford businesses fear the most revealed
The Three Horseshoes
Located on Corn Street in Witney, the pub is another place to find a nice pint in the sun.
The outside of the pub is a festival feel with bunting, fairy lights, and a large canopy and patrons can buy a wide variety of drink and comforting pub food.
The Slow & Steady
The pub located at Abingdon Road in Oxford is another great place for a refreshment
Customers can choose from an assortment of drinks, pizzas or burgers.
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