Crime & Safety
East Hagbourne Post Office petition heading to parliament
Olly Glover, MP for Didcot and Wantage (Lib Dem), is set to present a petition on Monday, May 18, calling on the government to “restore” the Post Office.
The branch, located about a mile south of Didcot, was thrown into the lurch after a decision to close it was made “without informing” the volunteer-run community shop where it was based.
Residents were made aware in March.
In a situation previously described as “farcical”, by Sally Barksfield, chair of the East Hagbourne Community Shop Committee, the operation of the branch was advertised in the village to be run under a ‘local model’.
Sally said: “This meant we lost the community grant, which supported a dedicated Postmaster.”
It would mean the non-profit community shop would have to take on the management and up to 70 per cent of the staffing costs for the Post Office.
The community shop is the only retailer in the village other than a pub.
The Post Office branch previously ran under a ‘community model’, where about half of the costs were covered by a government grant.
On advertising the ‘local model’, Blair McDougall, minister for small business and economic transformation, said: “I recognise how important a local Post Office can be for a community, especially for elderly and vulnerable customers.
“I am also aware of the strength of feeling locally, not least given the Post Office’s relationship with the community‑run shop and the role both play in village life.”
For Mr Glover, this solution does not resolve the situation.
He stated: “Over the last week, East Hagbourne Community Shop and I have been working hard to collect signatures for my parliamentary petition.
He added: “You can still sign the petition at the community shop this weekend.”
The MP’s petition has around 70 handwritten signatures, a requirement for parliamentary petitions is for them to have wet signatures or handwritten signatures.
There is also an online petition on the issue being run by the community shop volunteers, which over 1,000 people have signed.
The community shop also shared a message about the parliamentary petition on social media.
It said: “Even if you have already signed the Shop’s own petition, Olly could use every one of our signatures to show our support in front of Parliament!
“Thank you for your support for our fight to restore local access to this critical service!”
Daniel Webb, of no fixed abode, was recently sentenced at Oxford Magistrates’ Court.
The 42-year-old pleaded guilty to five counts of assaulting a police officer in Oxford on May 2.
The offences were committed against three officers.
The incident occurred at Bonn Square opposite the Westgate shopping centre at around 2.45pm on May 2.
Traffic, including buses, was at a standstill on Queen Street as police officers parked their vehicles to deal with the incident.
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One man could be seen lying on the ground at the St Ebbe’s Street junction with Queen Street, with ambulance crews also attending, which led to a “lockdown” in the area.
Following the incident, there were numerous patrol cars parked on Queen Street, and police officers could be seen talking to people in the Bonn Square area.
Members of the public were giving statements with the force approaching shoppers around Westgate and Queen Street, as well as onlookers.
Thames Valley Police has now confirmed that officers received a report of a public order incident in the location.
A man in his 60s was busking in Bon Square when his earnings were taken, and he was subsequently assaulted, said the force.
Webb was jailed for a total of 56 days.
BBC Studios, the corporation’s commercial production arm, is understood to be drawing up plans for a revival.
The long-running motoring series is expected to make a comeback in 2028 after being shelved in 2022.
Filming was suspended following a crash in which presenter Mr Freddie Flintoff sustained serious injuries.
READ MORE: Jeremy Clarkson hosts new music festival ‘rivalling Glastonbury’ next week
Mr Clarkson starred on the show for several years, forming a famed trio alongside Richard Hammond and James May, before all three presenters exited the show in 2015.
The Clarkson’s Farm star has now spoken on the upcoming remake for the first time since the news broke, with quotes published this afternoon (Friday, May 15) in The Times.
A relaunch could attract viewers if handled in the right way, according to the TV host, but he suggested he would not be among those watching.
Mr Clarkson said: “It will work if they do it right. There is an opening for someone to review electrical cars because no one really understands them.
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“I’m not going to watch it, but there are lots of people who do want to know about all these Chinese cars because it’s all completely changing.”
The 66-year-old added that it would be a bold decision for the broadcaster to return Top Gear to its original format.
This being a review-based programme, before Mr Clarkson played a key role in turning it into a major entertainment show.
He added: “They should do it as a consumer programme, which would be quite a ballsy thing to do because no one wants to go back to the Seventies. Like What Car magazine on television.”
The Oxfordshire-based farmer and TV host is set to take to the stage at the maiden Great British Farm-Fest at NAEC Stoneleigh, Warwickshire, from Friday, May 22 to Sunday, May 24.
Mr Clarkson, Kaleb Cooper, Lisa Hogan, Charlie Ireland, and Adam Henson will take to the stage for a unique blend of farm chat and competitions.
Music acts include Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Groove Armada, Blur’s Alex James, who also lives in Oxfordshire, and Radio X star Chris Moyles.
READ MORE: TV legend’s daughter selling £3.95m Oxfordshire mansion with swimming pool
The Daily Star previously reported that Mr Clarkson “hopes to rival Glastonbury” with the new festival.
Chris Hughes, festival director of The Great British Farm-Fest, told the national publication: “Jeremy has become a massive, positive driving force for British agriculture over the last few years.
“What he has done with his farm has really opened people’s eyes to the reality of the industry, highlighting just how incredibly hard the work is, but also how rewarding and vital it is to our country.
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“Partnering with him felt like a no-brainer because we both want to celebrate that grit and passion in a way that is fun and accessible.”
A description of the festival said: “Think Glastonbury meets the Royal Show.”
Previously, Mr Hughes said: “We want to showcase the incredible talent of the British farming industry in a way that’s never been done before.
“By pairing legendary farmers and TV favourites with world-class DJs and rock stars, we are delivering three days of unforgettable parties that put the heart of the countryside centre stage.”
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