Oxford News
Cotswolds veteran to travel length of UK on electric bike
Tony Jackson, 65, from Pinkneys Green in Berkshire, is riding an electric motorbike from Land’s End to John O’Groats in support of the RAF Benevolent Fund.
The challenge, which will begin on May 27, and he aims to raise £10,000 for the charity.
The 65-year-old spent more than 36 years working as an RAF squadron leader in air traffic control and flight operations.
His brother, Trevor Jackson, from Aston, will be accompanying him on the journey with his electric Farizon van.
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Trevor, a retired RAF Flight Lieutenant said: “Whilst we have both been incredibly fortunate not to need the services of the RAF Benevolent Fund many others do require that support.”
Tony will be riding a Maeving RM1s electric bike, covering approximately 150 miles per day during the seven-day journey.
He said: “I have to rendezvous with him about every 50 miles because the bike’s batteries will only get him about 60 miles tops.
“So, we have identified lots of journey legs where there is somewhere appropriate for us to stop, change batteries and maybe have a coffee break.”
He continued: “In his last tour of duty in the RAF my brother was in command of the largest flight in the RAF with over 100 personnel who were either suffering from injuries received in overseas theatres of war or road traffic collisions, other illnesses and some who were sadly terminally ill.
“His group was regularly in receipt of successful bids for financial support with thousands of pounds granted to personnel from the RAF Benevolent Fund.
The brothers will set off from RAF High Wycombe with a media event at the main gate before heading to Cornwall to begin the ride from Land’s End.
Night stops are planned in Taunton, RAF Shawbury, Penrith, Stirling, and Inverness before reaching John O’Groats.
The 65-year-old said: “The van can go just over 200 miles on a single charge.
“My brother is also a qualified drone pilot, and he intends to set up his drone to follow him in scenic locations throughout the journey.”
The brothers hope their journey will demonstrate that long-distance travel is possible using battery-powered vehicles, while also raising awareness of the RAF Benevolent Fund’s vital work.
The charity provides emotional, financial, and practical assistance to serving and former RAF personnel and their families, this is through mental health support, welfare breaks, mental health support and more.
In 2024 the charity reported that they spent £15.1m on welfare delivery for more than 64,00 people including serving personnel, veteran and their families.
Boutique hotel group Crazy Bear kicked off the summer social season in style, hosting a private party until the early hours to mark a new era.
Former The Xtra Factor presenter, comedian Matt Richardson, was one of the performers on the night.
Hundreds of guests packed the venue and were treated to acts including festival favourites The Cuban Brothers, and a dance-off led by leading Latin dancers Ksenia Zsikhotska and Krystof Grzelak.
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The party earlier this month marked the launch of a new Crazy Bear menu and cocktail range coming soon, plus refurbishment of some of the heritage venue’s indoor and outdoor spaces.
Throughout the night, party goers enjoyed dishes from the refreshed menu, which couple traditional pub food with sumptuous Thai flavours.
The Cuban Brothers unleashed a mix of funk-fuelled epic dance moves, while Matt Richardson took a break from his national tour with a bespoke version of his celebrated stand-up routine.
Sol Collective, one of London’s leading Latin ensembles, joined the line-up with two fresh, inspiring live acoustic sets on the garden terrace.
The innovative menu brought together classic pub mains, sizzling meats from the grill and authentic Thai wok dishes. Open fire cage cooking, a new weekend feature, included garlic butter king prawns, thyme chicken thighs, and garden larder salads.
Drinks flowed from the new menu, as the foraged cocktail range featuring hedgerow negroni and roasted dandelion espresso martini, was in popular demand.
A feast featuring handmade afternoon tea favourites piled high kept the party going in the new residents’ lounge, which hosted a bespoke feasting table, vinyl record player and cocktail trolley.
Lauren Thompson, who has a weekly set on House FM and has played legendary club nights for Groove Odyssey and Fabric, took to the decks, followed by resident DJ Tony Nanton, who kept the tempo with a house music set in the Glasshouse.
Guests also enjoyed an outdoor cinema screening of Pulp Fiction, while a set of prizes were won through hook-a-duck on the lawn.
“The party provided the perfect moment to unveil our refreshed experience which captures the Crazy Bear’s spirit with a contemporary twist,” said Jen Needham, marketing director at the Crazy Bear.
“Every guest was treated to the exceptional hospitality set to become synonymous with the Crazy Bear.
“Party goers were led through a rabbit warren of intrigue spanning musical genres, leafy tropical hideaways and wild entertainment while being among the first to sample our exceptional new food and drink offering.
“Our menus and direction have changed, but the essence of the Crazy Bear remains unchanged. So, stand by for elevated dining, unforgettable parties and maverick entertainment as the next chapter unfolds.”
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 like no other 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.
On the Content Ltd was a private limited company that was officially dissolved via a strike-off on April 14, 2026.
The business was originally incorporated on November 24, 2022, and operated with directors Anna Louise Cole and Roma Cots Cole.
The Chipping Norton-based company was involved in travel agency activities, according to Companies House.
The most recent accounts it filed shows the business had just £40 in its bank, down from around £14,000 the year before.
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At the financial year ending March 2025, the accounts also show On the Content Ltd had trade debts of £12,396 and owed £215 in tax.
On the Content is not the only Oxfordshire travel company to close in recent weeks.
The Padel Travel Club Limited, which operated from a Henley address, organised padel‑themed breaks and training camps in the UK and overseas.
The business was incorporated in February 2023 and has since been removed from the Companies House register following a voluntary strike‑off, with the final notice of dissolution published in late May 2026.
And Set Sail Cruises Ltd, registered to an address in Bicester, was formally dissolved on March 17, 2026, after a strike-off process, meaning it no longer exists as a legal company.
The travel agency was incorporated on February 4, 2024 and listed its main activity as “travel agency activities”.
Zion Zion, of Bierton Road, Aylesbury, was due to appear at Oxford Crown Court over a video link from hospital on Monday, June 15.
The 65-year-old is charged with two counts of sexual assault which relate to an incident in Oxford on January 7, 2023.
Zion has refused to co-operate with the proceedings so far and did not appear over the video link.
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Due to his refusal to co-operate, Zion is unrepresented.
During a previous court hearing, not guilty pleas were entered on the defendant’s behalf.
A trial date was previously given for November 22, 2027.
On June 15, the court heard an expert’s report had concluded Zion was not fit to plead.
The case will next be heard on August 17 to decide if the case will continue.
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