Oxford News
Jeremy Clarkson reveals the worst thing that he’s ever done
Back in 2017, Mr Clarkson alongside co-stars Richard Hammond and James May were spotted on the shore at Coniston Water.
Jeremy Clarkson filming in 2017 (Image: Chris West)
Navigating an impressive-looking boat with caterpillar tracks and a converted aquatic Bond Bug car, dozens of onlookers watched them film segments for the TV show.
But it wasn’t by accident as it was when speed enthusiasts took to the water for Records Week.
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Mr Clarkson was keen to take part in the thrill of setting records, driving the specially modified Bond Bug.
But it wasn’t plain sailing.
The Grand Tour’s Jeremy Clarkson establishing a new speed record in the the ‘Bond Bug’ car on Coniston (Image: Chris West)
On the latest episode, Mr Clarkson said: “That Pond Bug that you two built. The Three-Wheel Aqua car.
“I am thinking the bug turned into a hydroplane. Yes, and then you two built it, and you said to me you drive it, and while you are at it set a new water speed for amphibious cars.”
Mr Hammond responded: “We gave you all the glory.”
To which Mr May added: “We did the work. You got the prize.”
Scenes from the 2017 show recalled how Mr Clarkson replied: “It’s a ****ing nightmare. I can’t steer it. I am going to crash into the bloody safety boat.
“Why have they given me such shoddy workmanship. That’s the worst thing I have ever done. Ever.”
The trio at Coniston (Image: Chris West)
He then focused his attentions on Mr May and Mr Hammond: “You two, not only have you built something ugly and complicated. No, it’s rubbish and lethal.”
However, he then addressed their achievement.
“47.81 seconds, a new national record.”
Coniston speed racing
For almost a hundred years, powerboat record attempts have been made on several of the English lakes, including Ullswater, Windermere and Coniston Water.
Drivers, support crews, officials, families and spectators descend on Coniston every year, paying homage to some of the heroes of speed racing amidst spectacular mountain scenery.
And the infamous trio did make history that day.
He managed to reach 47.81mph – a record in the experimental amphibious unlimited class.
Oxford News
Beckhams facing battle for upgrades at Cotswolds home
Posh Spice and David Beckham have submitted plans to build a new oak balcony at Maplewood Barn, in the 44th application they’ve made since renaming the home they bought a decade ago.
In that time David and Victoria Beckham have been embroiled in numerous rows with neighbours and accused of ‘drip-feeding’ development there.
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And the latest scheme has raised accusations of ‘hypocrisy’ after they had previously accused a neighbour wanting a balcony at their London home of spoiling their privacy.
Victoria Beckham (Image: SWNS)
Documents submitted on behalf of the Beckhams said the latest scheme involved replacing the “Crittall-style screen and doors” and installing an “oak balcony to the western elevation.”
They wrote: “The proposed replacement Crittall-style screen and doors, together with the new oak-framed balcony to the west elevation, have been carefully designed to consider the character and significance of Maplewood Barn and its listed setting.
“The works are to the modern west range constructed as part of the approved barn conversion and will not result in the loss of, or harm to, any historic fabric associated with the original Grade II listed buildings.
“The replacement glazing will match the existing design, proportions, and colour, ensuring visual continuity with the existing barns, while the oak balcony introduces a simple and sympathetic addition that reflects existing timber detailing within the development.
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“Given the small scale of the proposals, and their location within a later addition to the dwelling, it is considered that the works preserve the special architectural and historic interest of the listed buildings and their setting.”
A planning document image linked to the proposed balcony at David and Victoria Beckham’s home in the Cotswolds (Image: SWNS)
No public comments have so far been submitted but it comes six years after the Beckhams fought a furious planning battle with neighbours at their Holland Park home in London over renovation plans – including their desire for a balcony.
In 2020 they eventually lost the battle to stop the neighbour drastically updating a posh property close to their £31million townhouse.
The celebrity couple had expressed concerns that the neighbour’s architect was creating a whole new patio area including a balcony on the first floor, which may have overlooked their back garden.
Amended plans were approved when a council officer’s report dismissed any privacy fears.
It’s the latest in a string of upgrades to the couple’s Cotswold home near Great Tew since they bought the sprawling property in 2016 (Image: SWNS)
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At the time they stated: “There are no concerns with the impact of the proposal on the living conditions of neighbouring occupiers in terms of light, sense of enclosure, noise or privacy.”
The couple have also been involved in multiple rows over work at their Grade-II listed country house at Maplewood Barn, near Great Tew in Oxfordshire
Since buying the three listed barns for £6,150,000 in 2016, they have added a new driveway and gates, an additional garage outbuilding, tennis court, treehouse, security hut, extension to the garage outbuilding and a landscaped pond.
Oxford News
13 nostalgic old photos from June 2006 in Oxfordshire
This Oxford Mail archive gallery of pictures show shots mostly taken by staff photographer Jon Lewis in the summer of 2006.
From the city to the towns and villages of the county, this collection shows a range of summer fun from two decades ago.
Anna de Buriatte, six, in the Spacehopper race at Cokethorpe School Mini Olympics, June 2006 (Image: Jon Lewis)
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End-of-term school events feature in this collection, with school plays and sports days both featured.
Pictures of friendly World Cup rivalry between opposing team’s fans show not much has changed in some respects over the past 20 years.
Take a look back through this Oxford Mail archive gallery to be transported back to June 2006.
Oxford News
Oxford motorcyclist arrested for ‘drug driving’ as 10 bikes seized
Thames Valley Police’s roads policing department focused operations on two-wheeled vehicles in Oxford today, Sunday, June 28, catching multiple riders committing driving offences.
One of them was a rider who was allegedly ‘drug driving’, who was arrested for the offence.
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Police said six other vehicles were seized for having no insurance and two for having no road tax, with more than one of them delivery riders who had to ‘complete their deliveries on foot’.
Police said ‘more than one’ of the motorbikes seized by police in Oxford belonged to a delivery rider (Image: Thames Valley Police)
Officers said: “We’re sorry if this meant your zesty beverages were slightly warm on arrival.”
Two other seizures were for e-bikes being ridden illegally, one of which was clocked travelling at 56km/h without any pedalling from the rider.
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One e-bike rider was clocked travelling at 56km/h with no pedalling (Image: Thames Valley Police)
A spokesperson for the force said: “Our advice – tax and Insure your vehicle, don’t drive if you’re not licenced and don’t use an e-bike capable of travelling at the national speed limit.
“Failing that, we’ll catch up with you later in the week and take your vehicle off your hands – for a small fee of course.”
Laws on riding e-bikes in the UK state that they must have pedal assist only power, a power limited of no more than 250 watts and should travel at a maximum of 15.5mph, or 25km/h.
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