Oxford News
Boutique hotel launches new afternoon tea sessions
The Crazy Bear hotel in Stadhampton has ripped up the rule book to offer a table-loaded tea party of delights, according to its owners.
Forget dainty – in Crazy Bear style the new ‘Afternoon Tea Feast’ concept is a twist on the conventional.
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An endless spread of finger sandwiches, warm scones, homemade macarons, cakes and patisserie-style treats are piled high on a bespoke wooden feasting table, a handmade feature piece in the new residents’ lounge.
Complete with a vintage vinyl record player, cocktail trolley, and snug seating, the residents’ lounge is a place where guests can relax.
The Afternoon Tea Feast starts with a glass of Prosecco.
Afternoon tea at the Crazy Bear (Image: Nick Tucker Photography)
“Our new Afternoon Tea Feast is a sight to behold,” said Jen Needham, marketing director at Crazy Bear.
“It’s the latest step in our food and drink revamp and an appetite is essential as this is not a run-of-the-mill, dainty afternoon tea and going for it is encouraged.
“Whether it’s enjoyed in our relaxed residents’ lounge or outside across our gardens, you won’t find better than the Afternoon Tea Feast anywhere else.”
Booking for the Afternoon Tea Feast is recommended but customers who turn up without booking will be accommodated where possible.
Served between 2pm and 5pm on Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays, the Afternoon Tea Feast is priced at £40 per person.
An afternoon tea feast at the Crazy Bear in Stadhampton (Image: Nick Tucker Photography)
You can check the Crazy Bear’s social media channels for availability as pre-booked events, including weddings, birthday parties and anniversaries, might be taking place.
The launch of the new afternoon concept follows a relaunch at Crazy Bear in June, as a new era was kicked off with a refreshed menu, hedgerow cocktail range and refurbished spaces.
Hundreds of guests packed the venue near Wallingford and were treated to acts including festival favourites The Cuban Brothers, a dance-off led by leading Latin dancers Ksenia Zsikhotska and Krystof Grzelak, and award-winning comedian and presenter Matt Richardson.
Former The Xtra Factor presenter Mr Richardson is originally from Didcot.
Founded in 1993, the Crazy Bear in Stadhampton is complete with 18 rooms, a cosy 16th century pub, an eclectic choice of indoor and outdoor spaces to eat and drink, plus secret garden and woodland.
It hosts weddings and its public areas are dog-friendly.
Its sister site in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, has 35 individually designed bedrooms, restaurants, bar and an outdoor swimming pool, and is less than 30 minutes by train from London.
Oxford News
Fans plea with F1 legend after major announcement
Former Red Bull boss Christian Horner, who lives just outside of Banbury, made the announcement earlier this month ahead of the British Grand prix.
Mr Horner, who is married to Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, revealed he will publish a tell-all book on his 20 years at the top of the sport.
Under his leadership, Red Bull achieved six World Constructors’ Championships, eight World Drivers’ Championships, 124 Grand Prix wins, 107 pole positions, and 287 podium finishes.
Christian Horner (David Davies/PA) (Image: (David Davies/PA))
Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen have both become two of the greats in F1 under his reign.
His new book, Drive, will be published this October and alongside it he has announced he will be doing a tour.
“This autumn, I’ll be heading out on a UK book tour to celebrate the publication of my memoir, Drive,” he said.
“I’ll be reflecting on the defining moments of my career, the experiences from more than two decades in Formula One, and the highs and lows of leading a team at the very top of the sport.
“We’ll also have a live Q&A, giving you the chance to ask your own questions and hear some of the stories from behind the scenes.
“Every ticket includes a copy of Drive.
“Pre-sale is open now, with general sale from Friday 17 July at 10am via the venues and Ticketmaster.”
Venues include York, Glasgow, Nottingham, Bath and London.
But the venue choices have sparked a plea from many fans who want to see him in their part of the world.
One fan said on his Instagram page: “Would love to see a Belfast date on this.”
Another added: “Maastricht? Roermond? Please come to The Netherlands.”
A third added: “No Manchester?”
While a fourth added: “Australia Christian?”
Mr Horner has built up a fanbase across the world, having been to all corners of the globe with Formula 1.
Oxford News
Aureus School hosts Year 11 prom at Milton House Hotel
Year 11 leavers gathered at Milton House Hotel for the celebration, arriving in style in vehicles ranging from classic and vintage motors to sports cars under the theme ‘A Night Under the Stars.’
Hannah Powell, assistant headteacher at Aureus School, said: “I feel that Prom is a rite of passage when you reach the end of Year 11, and is also an event that has been the topic of many conversations throughout the year.
“They have been a bubbly, conscientious group this year, and I hope their hard work pays off when they receive their exam results later in the summer.”
The evening featured a disco, drinks, and a buffet.
Oxford News
Claudia Winkleman quits BBC chat show after 1 series
The presenter launched The Claudia Winkleman Show in March following her departure from Strictly Come Dancing.
The show was well-received, achieving strong ratings, and Winkleman was offered a second series by the BBC.
However, she turned down the offer, saying that despite the positive feedback, she had not felt at ease in the host’s chair.
Claudia Winkleman quits BBC chat show after 1 series
“Sometimes you have to try something to see how it fits, and I realised I was just too nervous to enjoy it,” the TV star told the Mail.
“Maybe one day I will give it another try, but for now, I already have the best jobs in the world and absolutely love the shows I’m doing.
“I’m incredibly grateful to the BBC for giving me the opportunity, to the guests who agreed to come and chat to me, and the production team who were simply excellent.”
Claudia continues to present The Piano on Channel 4 and also took part in Channel 4’s Crufts coverage earlier this year.
She previously co-hosted Strictly Come Dancing with Tess Daly for nearly 20 years before both stepped down, insisting their departure had nothing to do with other opportunities.
Ed Havard, director of entertainment at the BBC, praised the TV star’s hosting style and confirmed she would continue working with the broadcaster.
Mr Havard said: “Claudia’s warmth and quick wit made The Claudia Winkleman Show an absolute joy.
“Whilst we loved the show, we fully respect her decision and would like to thank Claudia and the brilliant team at So Television for bringing the series to screen on the BBC.
“As the host of the country’s most-watched show, Claudia will be back on the BBC very soon when The Celebrity Traitors returns later this year, and we can’t wait to see what she has in store for the new band of celebs.”
The seven-episode chat show ran on Friday nights from March and was produced by So Television, the company behind The Graham Norton Show.
While Ms Winkleman’s guests included big names such as Jeff Goldblum, Vanessa Williams, Jennifer Saunders, and Dan Levy, some critics suggested the show struggled to match the star power of Mr Norton’s autumn and winter line-ups, which often feature award-season Hollywood A-listers.
There was also debate about the challenges faced by female chat show hosts in connecting with both guests and audiences, with reference made to short-lived shows by Davina McCall, Charlotte Church, and Ruby Wax.
Claudia has filmed a new series of Celebrity Traitors earlier this summer, which will return in the autumn.
She recalled feeling similarly anxious about hosting Traitors, saying: “I phoned my husband from the Scottish castle, holding ceremonial pouches and red leather fingerless gloves I’d got off Amazon, and said, ‘I’ve had a good run, this is where it comes to an end’.
“This is also how I feel about this show.”
Did you watch any of the Claudia Winkleman show? Let us know in the comments.
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