Lifestyle website Muddy Stilettos has come up with a shortlist of towns and villages across the county so that people can vote and choose a winner.

Voting got under way on April 21 and is due to finish on May 26, with the result announced soon afterwards.

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On the shortlist of eight are Brightwell-cum-Sotwell, near Wallingford, Charlbury, Goring, Great Milton, Headington, Henley, Hook Norton, and Whitchurch-on-Thames.

Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his wife Carrie and family live in Brightwell-cum-Sotwell.

Boris Johnson with Rev Kevin Beer at a Brightwell church fete in 2023 (Image: Oxford Mail)

A spokesperson for Muddy Stilettos says: “Tucked between Didcot and Wallingford, Brightwell-cum-Sotwell has a ‘middle-of-nowhere’ feel and yet it’s just minutes from your pick of buzzy market towns and only 40 mins from Oxford city centre.

“You might even spot a certain mop-haired celeb down at the local; Boris and Carrie Johnson snapped up the nine-bedroom Brightwell Manor and are raising their growing brood in this picture-perfect village.”

Another village on the shortlist, Great Milton, also has a celebrity resident, chef Raymond Blanc, who runs Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons restaurant, which is closed for refurbishment.

The website writes: “Two Michelin-starred Le Manoir Aux Quat’Saisons (Le Manoir for short) is considered one of the best hotel restaurants in the whole of Europe, and has taken pride of place at the edge of the Great Milton village for 40 years.”

Raymond Blanc (Image: Oxford Mail)

Headington is the only location in Oxford to be included on the shortlist, with Muddy Stilettos saying: “Oxford without the tourist buses, you say? Count us in.

“Leafy streets, a quaint old high street with more than a whiff of the Cotswolds, green space galore and – wait for it – a giant shark sticking out of someone’s roof: Headington is where Oxfordians come for laid-back city living with bags of character.

“Sitting pretty on Oxford’s eastern hills, Headington feels like a peaceful little pocket – yet hop on a bus (or bike, if you’re feeling virtuous) and you’re in the city centre in 10 minutes.”

The Headington shark (Image: Contributed)

The lifestyle gurus add: “Expect wide avenues, period homes, top-notch schools, and a friendly, village-in-the-city vibe.

“Doctors, academics, young families – everyone wants in.

“And with the excellent John Radcliffe and The Churchill hospitals right here on the doorstep (the John Radcliffe being a world-class teaching hospital, no less), there’s always a medic handy when the Prosecco bites back.”

Henley-on-Thames (Image: Contributed)

Henley has also won praise on the shortlist.

A spokesperson for Muddy Stilettos said: “One of the loveliest riverside towns in Oxfordshire – and yes, you’ll pay for it – Henley has thrown off its blue rinse reputation in recent years and become a sought-after hub for families and urban exiles.

“They’re attracted to its arthouse cinema, gazillions of home turf festivals, the world-famous Regatta, well established literature and music fests, and its impressive foodie and shopping scene.”

Following Thursday’s vote, negotiations have been taking place to settle the question of leadership at the authority.

After the results were revealed, leader Andy Graham said he hoped that the West Oxfordshire Alliance would continue to run the council.

This is a “partnership administration” with Lib Dem, Green and Labour groups, which formed in 2022.

Now, confirming the arrangement will continue, Mr Graham said: “I am really pleased that the West Oxfordshire Alliance will be continuing to run the council, building on what has been delivered over the past four years. 

“One of our council priorities is ‘Working in together for West Oxfordshire’ and it is incredibly important to me that we maintain this partnership in leading the council.

“It will enable this council to continue to deliver its ambitious council plan along with great council services for our residents and businesses.”

The three parties have all signed their commitment to the alliance today, May 13.

This gives the administration a total of 32 councillors and a majority of 15.

In the previous iteration of the ruling alliance, the council’s executive was made up of councillors from each of the three parties involved.

This news comes ahead of the council’s annual general meeting on May 20.

Following the election, there are 20 Liberal Democrat councillors, 16 Conservative, eight Labour, four Greens and one from Reform UK.

This means that no single political party gained an overall majority.

Prior to the polls, there were 21 Liberal Democrat councillors, 13 Conservatives, 10 Labour, four Greens, and one from Reform UK.

Of the 16 seats up for election this time round – about a third of the council – seven were won by the Liberal Democrats, seven by the Conservatives, one by Reform UK, and one by the Green Party.

Voter turnout was higher than last time – 45.9 per cent compared to 39.6 per cent at the district council election in 2024.

At the count, Tammy Abarno said she was delighted to win the Carterton South ward for the Conservatives.

And Green Party group leader, Rosie Pearson, was re-elected for the Brize Norton and Shilton ward.

Duncan Enright, deputy leader of the council, and leader of the Labour group, said he was disappointed for the Labour councillors who lost their seats.

“The Labour group wants to carry on doing its best for West Oxfordshire’s towns and villages,” he added.

The woman was running along the A4095 between North Leigh and Witney when the unknown man cycled past her at about 9.30am on May 2.

As he passed, he reached out and touched her before cycling away, looking back at her, police said.

A spokesman added: “Thankfully, the woman was not physically injured, but we understand this was a distressing incident.”

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The offender is described by Thames Valley Police as a white man in his early to mid 40s, with short black hair. He was wearing black clothing, including a jumper and possibly jogging bottoms.

“We recognise the impact incidents like this can have, and want to reassure the community that officers have been conducting enquiries since this sexual assault was reported, with work continuing to identify the individual involved,” the spokesman for the force added.

“We ask anyone who was in the area at the time, or who may recognise the description, to please come forward.

“If you were driving along the A4095 at around 9.30am, or have dash-cam footage, please check it.

“We are also keen to hear from anyone with CCTV or doorbell footage from properties along this route.

“Anyone with information or footage can call 101 or report online, quoting the reference 43260216156.”