Bill Baker Vehicles Limited, which traded under the name BBV Hovercraft, was officially dissolved on June 16, nearly 50 years after it was incorporated in February 1978.

Founded and run by Bill Baker, a ‘pioneer in light hovercraft in the UK’, who built his first operational hovercraft in 1973, the company produced racing hovercraft designs and larger hovercraft for use over ‘all forms of terrain’, built under licence in the US and Sweden.

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The BBV Hovercraft website said: “No other vehicle could do the job as efficiently.

“Hovercraft are supplied by us, or made under licence to our designs, and are used for transport, surveying, pollution monitoring and more, around the world.”

Trading out of Hornton in Banbury, Mr Baker ran the company with his son.

Mr Baker said: “I am 81 and have been winding down for some time, but as we still have customers who use their hovercraft for both surveying and rescue my son Rupert has taken on the task of keeping them operational, and is still involved with the competitive use run by the Hovercraft Club of Great Britain (HCGB).

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“The use of hovercraft for recreation has changed over the years with a falling membership of the HCGB, the commercial use in this country has never been large, but many copies of our craft are now being made around the World which is satisfying  to the ego, if not the bank-balance.”

The Hovercraft Club of Great Britain is the organisation for racing and recreational hovercraft.

Mr Baker self-published a seminal book last December on his experience of hovercraft, titled The British Light Hovercraft Beginnings.

My signature summer dish reflects this beautifully: pan-seared wild seabass with wild garlic and cockle velouté, accompanied by crispy confit potato, asparagus, and a bright lemon gel. It offers a delicate balance of fresh coastal flavours, citrus lift, and refined textures, capturing both elegance and the essence of the season.

Who inspires you? 

I have two answers to this.

The first isn’t a “who,” but a “what.” For me, inspiration in the kitchen often comes from beyond it. I love exploring new places and drawing on the cultural differences, flavours, and ingredients found around the world.

The second is the people around me. I take great inspiration from my colleagues: both in the kitchen and across the hotel and restaurant at The Close. We’re all passionate individuals who share a genuine love for working in the beautiful world of hospitality.

Which three kitchen tools could you not do without?

The three kitchen tools I can’t live without are my razor-sharp chef’s knife, trusty cast-iron skillet, and instant-read meat thermometer – the essentials I reach for every single day.

How long did you train for? 

Honestly, I think we’re always training – always learning something new through life and every experience along the way.

What is your greatest achievement as a chef?

My greatest achievement as a chef is seeing the people I’ve trained go on to thrive and make their mark in the culinary world. Watching their passion, confidence, and talent grow is incredibly rewarding.

On a personal level, some of my proudest recent achievements include being named Chef of the Year and earning AA Rosettes for culinary excellence.

What challenges do you face in the kitchen? 

One of the ongoing challenges in the kitchen is balancing creativity with consistency — continually developing new ideas while ensuring every dish is delivered to the highest standard. It keeps us focused, motivated, and always learning as a team.

The Close

Long St, Tetbury GL8 8AQ
Tel: 01666 502272
Web: cotswold-inns-hotels.co.uk/the-close-hotel

Research from Emerchantpay shows that 19% of Gen Z consumers would buy World Cup and other event tickets from unofficial websites despite the fraud risks, pointing to higher exposure among younger adults to travel and ticket scams in the UK.

Gen Z consumers were also more likely than the wider public to report seeing more fraudulent material online. Some 43% of people aged 18 to 29 said they had seen an increase in potential scam content on social media over the past 12 months, compared with a UK average of 34%.

A survey of 2,000 UK adults found that 57% of Gen Z respondents had seen an increase in financial scams over the past year, above the 50% recorded across all adults. At the same time, 59% of Gen Z holidaymakers said they were cautious about clicking links in travel promotion emails because of scam concerns, lower than the 74% reported by boomers.

The data suggests a mixed picture for younger consumers, who appear both more exposed to risky offers and more anxious about fraud. Some 51% of Gen Z respondents said they were more wary of fraud and scams when booking a holiday than at other times, compared with 36% of boomers.

Concerns about payment security also featured in the findings. Another 51% of Gen Z said they were worried about taking cards on holiday in case they were lost or stolen, compared with 28% of boomers.

Ticket risks

The research was released as demand for major sporting events and summer travel creates openings for fraud involving fake listings, deceptive promotions and unofficial sellers. Consumer groups and payment providers have long warned that ticket scams often rise around high-profile events, when buyers rush to secure scarce seats.

George Ralchev, Head of Risk at Emerchantpay, said the World Cup was likely to attract fraud attempts because of strong demand and the appeal of discounted offers circulated online.

“Football fans planning a once-in-a-lifetime trip must ensure they’re not putting themselves at risk from unscrupulous ticket scammers this summer.

Fraudsters target events with high demand, and the World Cup is a perfect example, as millions of fans might be tempted to take a chance on a ‘too good to be true’ deal on tickets from unofficial websites or social media offers.

It’s vital that consumers only use reputable ticket websites or merchants to reduce the risk of fraud and ensure they are protected from scams.”

The figures indicate that awareness of scams does not always translate into safer buying behaviour. Younger adults were more likely to acknowledge the danger while also saying they would still consider using unofficial channels to buy tickets.

Travel payments

The findings also have implications for travel companies and merchants handling bookings during peak holiday periods. Fraud controls at checkout, refund processes and authentication tools can all affect whether consumers feel secure enough to complete a purchase.

Emerchantpay said travel businesses should work with payment service providers on anti-fraud measures and give customers access to secure payment options. It also pointed to the use of 3DS2 and two-factor authentication for online payments.

Ralchev said merchants had a direct role in reducing fraud exposure for both businesses and consumers.

“Travel merchants must ensure they offer a range of secure payment options to strengthen anti-fraud measures, protecting both themselves and their customers from fraudsters. This should always include 3DS2 and two-factor authentication for online payments. Working closely with experienced payments partners is no longer optional – it is fundamental to protecting revenue and preserving consumer trust.”

Consumer advice

The material also included practical advice from consumer expert Martyn James for people booking travel and event tickets. He advised buyers to use a credit card for purchases above £100, where card protections may apply if a promoter fails or a refund dispute arises.

James also recommended choosing accommodation that allows cancellation close to the event date, delaying the purchase of train or travel tickets until nearer the event where possible, and checking refund policies in advance. He said travellers should also review a ticket seller’s app to understand how to request refunds, contact the company and transfer tickets they cannot use.

The survey was conducted by Opinium among 2,000 UK adults and weighted to be nationally representative.