Crime & Safety
Inside Cotswolds shop used by Jeremy Clarkson and former PM
Dubbed as one of the UK’s Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the spot encompasses multiple counties, including Oxfordshire.
People travel from all corners of the globe for holidays in the Cotswolds, while others move permanently from overseas and now call it home.
With its stunning architecture from village churches to honey stone cottages and its breathtaking natural views, it’s safe to see why the area is so popular.
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One particular Cotswolds town which continues to crop up on tourists’ radars is the ever-charming Charlbury.
Located between the equally impressive quartet of Witney, Woodstock, Burford, and Chipping Norton, many use it as a base for travelling the area.
From Jeremy Clarkson’s Diddly Squat Farm and his Farmer’s Dog pub to the stupendous Blenheim Palace, there is plenty to see nearby.
But that simple oversight overlooks Charlbury itself, which packs one hell of a punch for a small town.
Hospitality spots such as The Bull, a Michelin‑rated pub‑restaurant on Sheep Street, and The Bell, a seventeenth‑century coaching inn, have helped drive year‑on‑year interest in the town.
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The former was even named as the best pub in the entire country last year by the National Pub & Bar Awards.
There is also a delightful deli and a couple of beautiful churches to look around, all mapped out on quintessential winding Cotswolds streets.
One stop each visitor to the town should make alongside all of this is to No.5 Market Street, which can be found across the road from The Bull.
Ran by Tim Widdows, the shop was previously named Cotswold Frames, reflecting his primary trade, which he still performs at the store today.
“I’m mainly a picture framer, but we sell lots of nice gifts and pieces as well at the shop,” he said.
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“With The Bull and The Bell bringing in lots of Londoners and other tourists, the name gives nothing away, and they have to walk through the door and come and have a look!”
Tim, who grew up in Charlbury, has had a shop there for 20 years this month, having been across the road for the initial three years before moving to the current building in 2009.
“It’s the best thing that I’ve ever done, ” he added.
“Charlbury is a nice town. I mean, it’s a very sleepy town nowadays, but it’s gradually picking up again, I feel.
“On weekends, it can be like walking through London here with so many people milling about, so that’s good for business.
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“I know a few locals not overly keen on the parking situation, but that’s Charlbury for you, but for the shop, it’s really helped.”
Tim believes that one key reason for Chalrbury’s newfound popularity is its geographical location in relation to what’s nearby.
“People tend to use this as a base because we are a good spot for visiting all the local places around us.
“Burford, Woodstock and Blenheim Palace are all nearby, and obviously Jeremy Clarkson’s farm, Diddly Squat, is up the road.
“Everyone needs somewhere to stop, and a lot of people choose Chalbury because it’s in close vicinity to the camping nearby and has lots of Airbnbs dotted about.
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“We also have the train station, which is a big draw for those who come for the day from London.
“You can normally tell the people because they’re in the nice white plimsoles to go on a walk in the muddy Cotswolds.
“When they stop in, and I chat to them, they usually say they’re here for the day and have a meal booked in The Bull or Bell.”
The shop owner stocks a wide variety of gift items alongside his framing services, but one item in particular regularly flies off the shelves.
“Picture framing pays the bills, but come Christmas, the gift side of the business takes over,” revealed Tim.
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“The best seller in the house is the Longhorn Cow slippers for babies, with a pair setting you back £16.
“Everybody seems to know someone’s expecting, and if they do buy them for someone else, we try to make sure that the baby has a photo taken wearing them and framed.
“That way, their folks can embarrass them later down the line when they get married!
“We’ve also got our own candle range named after my dog Darcy, which is made just outside Bath.
“They all have nice scents, which don’t smell like her, thankfully!”
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Charlbury has become a celebrity hotspot in recent years, with Sir David Beckham, Amanda Holden, and former Vice President Kamala Harris all visiting The Bull.
It is safe to say that Tim has had his fair share of famous faces through his shop’s door, including a former Prime Minister.
“Over the years, we’ve had both David Cameron and Jeremy Clarkson, who both obviously live locally, to name a few,” he said.
“A lot of celebrities live around these parts, including Ben Kingsley, so yes, it’s a really nice area.”
You can find Tim at No.5 Market Street in Charlbury from 10am until 4pm on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.
Tracy Hinton and Sarah Black, from the Henley area, are sharing their experiences of therapeutic fostering as part of Oxfordshire County Council’s campaign during Foster Care Fortnight to inspire others to become carers.
Therapeutic foster care supports children who need extra care and stability due to early-life challenges.
Ms Hinton and Ms Black both began as mainstream foster carers before moving into specialist therapeutic roles.
Ms Hinton, who also works with neurodiverse children, said: “I love both the challenge and emotional reward, playing an important part in developing these young people’s self-esteem, belief and understanding in overcoming and managing their emotions.”
Ms Black, a former mental health nurse manager, said: “The therapeutic approach was particularly meaningful to me because it prioritises understanding the root causes of a child’s behaviour and providing appropriate care and responses.
“The support received from the wider Oxfordshire County Council team is invaluable and I really enjoy this work.
“Seeing its positive effects motivates me to continue helping young people overcome difficult early experiences in this way.”
Both carers receive training and support from Oxfordshire County Council’s therapeutic fostering team, helping them develop a deeper understanding of the psychology behind children’s behaviour and how to respond with empathy and confidence.
Ms Hinton described the impact of their work with a young person who had struggled emotionally and lacked confidence following multiple disrupted experiences in their early upbringing.
She said: “Through the regular and consistent care we gave, with a strong therapeutic approach, gradually we connected with the child.
“Trust was built, slowly they came out of their shell, a personality started to shine through, and they were in a better place emotionally to enjoy life and make the most of their future.
“It was quite a slow process, which is understandable, but patience brings its rewards, and that’s what we both love about fostering and why by sharing our story we hope more people in Oxfordshire will consider giving it a go.”
Councillor Sean Gaul, Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet member for children, education and young people’s services, praised the carers.
He said: “Tracy and Sarah are role models, along with our other 146 approved fostering families.
“Through care and dedication, they make a big difference to the lives of children who, for various reasons, need to be cared for outside of their own family.
“I admire and congratulate each and every one of our dedicated foster carers.”
Foster carers with Oxfordshire County Council receive training, ongoing support, and generous fees in addition to the child’s allowance.
The team from Duval Inns will walk in aid of Cancer Research UK on Saturday, May 16, starting at The Great Western Arms in Aynho, passing The Highwayman Hotel in Kidlington, and finishing at The Bell at Hampton Poyle.
Expected to take around six hours, the route covers a mix of canal towpaths and public footpaths.
Mark Duval, operations director at Duval Inns, said: “Cancer Research is close to my heart.
“But the sad reality is that my family is just a tiny number of the people affected.
“Many people within our company have been impacted one way or the other, and we want to help make a difference.”
Mr Duval is taking part in memory of his grandmother, Carol Saunders, and celebrating his father Nick’s successful recovery.
The team hopes to raise at least £500 and is encouraging the public to support their efforts through their GoFundMe page, Duval Inns GoFundMe Page.
The walkers include Lauren and Ashley Walton, Nicole Barclay, William Tattersall, Dani Coles, Barney Neal, Jenny Crowie, Alexandra Dumitrache, Harry Leigh, Izzy Millet-Clay, Grace Grossman, Miranda Chaplin, Shirley Chick, and Chris Allen.
Staff who are working on the day will join the walk for parts of the route where possible.
This charity challenge kicks off a wider programme of fundraising events planned by Duval Inns, including their annual summer music event on August 1.
Their GoFundMe page can be found here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/may-charity-walk
Matt Francis will formally succeed outgoing CEO Steve Burgess on September 25, with a short transition period beginning September 1.
John Boyle, chair of trustees at The Oxford Trust, said: “We are delighted to welcome Matt Francis as the next CEO of The Oxford Trust.
“We are confident that Matt brings the vision, sector experience and passion needed to build on the Trust’s 40-year legacy.
“Steve will continue to lead the organisation until 25th September, and we look forward to working with both Steve and Matt during this transition as we prepare to enter into a new exciting period further expanding its mission and impact.”
Mr Francis joins the trust from Oxford Innovation Space, where he was head of science and technology, leading business development across its portfolio.
He is no stranger to the organisation, having previously spent nearly a decade with The Oxford Trust in various senior roles.
During that time, he was instrumental in delivering the £13 million Wood Centre for Innovation and Science Oxford Centre, which opened in March 2019.
He also oversaw operations and supported the growth of early-stage life science and technology companies.
Mr Francis said: “The Oxford Trust has always sat at a distinctive intersection: education and engagement programmes that fire the imaginations of young scientists, alongside innovation centres that help those scientists become the entrepreneurs of tomorrow.
“Having spent recent years working across the UK’s science and technology innovation landscape, I return more convinced than ever that its role, independent, mission-driven, and with 40 years of trust built up in this community, has never mattered more.
“With the Aspen Building opening this summer and Oxford’s growing prominence on the national innovation stage, the timing feels significant.
“I look forward to working with the Trust’s brilliant team, trustees and partners to honour the vision of Sir Martin and Lady Audrey Wood and together play our part in what comes next.”
Mr Burgess departs after 13 years at the helm.
During his tenure, he led the purchase and development of the trust’s 18-acre site in Headington, now home to the Linden Building, the soon-to-open Aspen Building, and the Science Oxford Centre.
The board of trustees has planned an official celebration in September to mark Mr Burgess’ contributions, retirement, and the formal handover to Mr Francis.
The trust also operates the Oxford Centre for Innovation at Blue Boar Court in Oxford’s city centre.
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