Crime & Safety
Ellen DeGeneres in Cotswolds battle over Roman remains
The former US talk show host and her partner, Portia De Rossi, bought Kitesbridge Farm near Burford for £15m in 2024.
They spent a reported £7.5m on external and internal renovations, but moved out after less than a month to find somewhere more suitable to indulge in Portia’s passion for horses.
It was thought they would sell the home when it was listed last July, but it failed to attract a buyer and was plagued by flooding from the River Windrush, which ran through the 43-acre site.
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There had been reports that a sale was ‘close’ after she had ‘secretly’ slashed £4.5m off the £22m asking price, and the house was taken off the market as a condition of sale.
But planning documents published revealed they now have ambitions to make it their ‘long term home’ if their bid for new stables is successful.
And they are now facing potential opposition from the council as the proposal site lies in an area of archaeological interest and potential Roman remains.
Documents showed the site was close to a Roman bridge, a Roman road, a Roman villa and an associated bathhouse.
The report from West Oxfordshire District Council‘s archaeological team stated: “Historic maps and aerial photographs suggest that the area of the proposed stable building has not seen previous development as part of the farm, and so, it is possible that Roman remains survive on the site.
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“We would, therefore, recommend that, should planning permission be granted, the applicant should be responsible for ensuring the implementation of an archaeological monitoring and recording action (watching brief) to be maintained during the period of construction.”
The report added: “In the area between Kitesbridge Farm and the villa, the HER records a number of findspots, including Mesolithic – Neolithic flint flakes, a Roman quern and a Roman coin dating from the mid-3rd century.
“An undated enclosure and trackway have been recorded as crop marks in aerial photographs, also within this area.”
The council archaeological team told the couple the would be responsible for organising and implementing an archaeological watching brief, to be maintained during the period of construction/during any groundworks taking place on the site.
A further condition was recommended that no development should start without the appointed archaeologist being present.
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In a design and access statement to support their application to West Oxfordshire District Council, their representatives revealed the couple’s long-term ambitions for the home.
They said: “The applicants carried out a successful renovation of the house last year and wish to make this their long-term home.
“One of their passions is horses, and although the building group is large, there is no provision for horses or for their training and bringing up. This application seeks to address this in as sensitive a way as possible.”
The full planning application that seeks to knock down an agricultural building and build stables in its place will be considered by West Oxfordshire District Council.
Ellen has previously spoken about the need for a home with a horse facility and said in a previous statement: “When we decided to live here full time, we knew that Portia couldn’t live without her horses.
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“We needed a home that had a horse facility and pastures for them.”
The planning application described the owners as “horse owners” who require stabling for their horses.
The proposed building would provide space for two loose boxes and the storage of all associated equestrian paraphernalia within a single building.
Drawings showed it is of vernacular design, to be built in stone with a pitched tile roof and has been designed to appear as a natural complement to the group of buildings.
The application added: “There are no nearby neighbours and thus no impact on residential amenity that would result from the provision of stabling.”
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The application reveals options that were explored, which considered the larger American barn style, or a group of smaller byre ranges forming a U shape.
It added: “Both are traditional per se, but the American barn was felt to be too large and might easily dominate the pleasing building cluster to the west; a U-shaped byre range, conversely, not providing the cover and practicality required.
“Hence, the “in-between” option is proposed, a traditional stone building, single range, built in the local vernacular, so as to blend in to the existing building group.”
Ellen’s representatives said the building had been carefully sited to align centrally with the granary barn to the north and byre range to the south to “create a pleasing viewpoint on approach.”
The statement added: “The building largely designs itself: sufficiently wide to provide stabling and cross-ties, and tack room at one end and feed/storage at the other.
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“A first-floor level is provided, accessed by tallet steps. This is really the resulting space from the design of the building, and would be used as a hayloft or for storage, but is not central to this application.
“Overall, when comparing the existing shed against the proposed stable building, it is likely the traditionally designed stone building would sit better in the landscape, and appear to belong more coherently to the adjacent building group.”
The statement included a plea for planners at the council to approve the application as “quickly as possible.”
It concluded: “The stable building has been sensitively designed, sited and orientated, to reduce visual massing and tie the new stable building into the existing building group.
“Indeed, when comparing the existing agricultural shed – which is to be demolished – against the proposed stable building, it is likely the traditionally designed stone building would sit better and belong more coherently to the adjacent building group.
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“Overall, we feel this scheme would give great enjoyment and amenity to the site without any significant harm, especially alongside the removal of the agricultural shed, and accordingly, we hope this meets with officer approval. ”
No objections from the public have so far been received, but one local has submitted a letter of support.
One neighbour stated: “Nice to see a traditional architectural design that improves the current building and landscape.”
The application will be determined by West Oxfordshire Council at a later date.
Mourners, including members of the Royal Family, travelled to a small village in the county for the funeral of Lady Pamela Hicks on Saturday (June 13).
The service for the 97‑year‑old took place at St Bartholomew’s Church in Brightwell Baldwin, between Wallingford and Watlington.
Lady Pamela died last week at her home in the village, where she had lived for many years with her late husband, interior designer David Hicks.
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Among the mourners were Lady Helen Taylor, daughter of Prince Edward, and Penelope Knatchbull, Countess Mountbatten of Burma.
There was no sign of King Charles or Queen Camilla, though, as the funeral came on the same day as Trooping the Colour, the King’s official London birthday parade.
Nevertheless, mourners paid their respects outside St Bartholomew’s Church as the coffin was carried inside, before following the procession for the service.
The small parish church is close to The Grove, the family house that became her long‑term base in Oxfordshire.
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According to the published order, the funeral was arranged in line with Lady Pamela’s wishes, with rousing hymns but no formal sermon or eulogy during the service.
Lady Pamela was a first cousin of the late Prince Philip and a great‑great‑granddaughter of Queen Victoria.
She was also a bridesmaid at the 1947 wedding of the then Princess Elizabeth and Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten.
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The 97-year-old later served as a lady‑in‑waiting to Queen Elizabeth II and accompanied the then Princess on the 1952 tour of Kenya.
This was when news came through of King George VI’s death and Elizabeth’s accession to the throne.
Following her death on June 5, King Charles paid a warm tribute, saying he was “greatly saddened to learn of the death of Lady Pamela Hicks, a sorrow tempered by the fondest memories and deepest gratitude for her long life and loyal service to Queen Elizabeth.”
In the statement released by Buckingham Palace, he added that her “warmth, wit and perspicacity always made such an impression” and that she would be “so dearly missed by all those who knew and loved her.”
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Lady Pamela is survived by her three children, Edwina, Ashley and India, and several grandchildren, many of whom were expected to attend today’s village service.
Brightwell Baldwin is a small rural parish in South Oxfordshire, about four and a half miles north‑east of Wallingford and close to the foot of the Chiltern Hills.
The village, whose name comes from the Old English for “bright spring”, had a population of just over 200 at the last census and is centred around a handful of stone cottages, farms and the church.
St Bartholomew’s itself dates back to the 13th and 14th centuries, with later medieval additions, and is regarded as one of south Oxfordshire’s most interesting historic churches.
Led by manager Daley Cross, a renal and transplant youth worker at the Churchill Hospital, the England men’s side claimed the title with a 9-1 win over Scotland in the final.
The tournament, held in Dingwall at the Global Energy Stadium, brought together more than 60 transplant recipients from England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, with each team showcasing the life-changing impact of organ donation and the resilience of transplant recipients.
Mr Cross said: “While it’s fantastic to bring the trophy home, the most important thing is the message behind the tournament.
“This is about showing what organ donation makes possible. Every player is living proof of the difference it can make.”
Among the England squad were two kidney transplant recipients cared for at Churchill Hospital – defender Robert Collins, 23, who received a kidney from his uncle in 2009, and goalkeeper Adam Martin, 35, who received a transplant from his sister in 2023.
Mr Collins, from Bedfordshire, said: “I’ve always loved playing football. When I was ill, I couldn’t play at all and I really missed it.
“Having a transplant has given me the chance to get back on the pitch and enjoy the game again.
“Being part of this team makes it even more special. There’s a real bond between us, one that extends beyond football – we’ve all been given a second chance.
“Every time we play, it’s a celebration of that. Scoring goals and winning along the way also helps.”
Mr Martin, from Banbury, said: “Representing your country is always an honour, but doing it alongside all the other transplant recipients – and in recognition of our donors – means so much more.
“I’ll always be forever grateful for the support the team offers and also to my sister for giving me a second chance at life.”
England finished the tournament unbeaten, securing dominant group-stage wins against Scotland (10-0), Northern Ireland (8-2), and Wales (7-0) before winning the final.
Mr Cross, who has worked at Oxford University Hospitals for 11 years, said: “We’re proud of what we’ve achieved on the pitch, but above all we want to raise awareness and encourage more people to consider organ donation.
“It truly saves and transforms lives.”
The tournament also featured public outreach to encourage sign-ups to the NHS Organ Donor Register.
England’s transplant team will now set their sights on the Transplant Football World Cup in Frankfurt, Germany, taking place later this year.
The competition will bring together teams from around the world to promote organ donation and celebrate the achievements of transplant recipients on a global stage.
The actress, who was born and grew up in the city, is well known to audiences around the world after starring as Professor Sprout in several of the Harry Potter films.
Known for her character actor work across film, television, and stage, she received the BAFTA for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Mrs Mingott in Martin Scorsese’s 1993 film, The Age of Innocence.
Ms Margolyes was awarded an OBE in 2002 for services to drama, but there were calls for this to be taken back last year.
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The 85-year-old, who is Jewish, has said that “people don’t like Jews” whilst speaking at the Hay Festival in Powys.
Ms Margolyes added that her Jewish identity has shaped her “whole life” and added: “What your parents teach you and what you learn from the community you live in.”
Addressing concerns about rising antisemitism, she told the audience: “Nobody likes me to say this, but I’m going to say it – people don’t like Jews.”
She reflected on how, after the Holocaust – “when millions of Jewish people, and people from other backgrounds, were killed by the Nazis during World War Two” – there was a period when people “realised that they couldn’t say nasty things about Jews because terrible things happened to Jews and they must be sympathetic, so it stopped.”
However, she added that, over time, when “people with no morals who happened to be Jewish” appeared in public life, “the knives came out again, and they have never been put away.”
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