Oxford News
MOD Bicester asylum camp letter suggests work has begun
The letter sent out last week dated Thursday, June 25, 2026, was sent to “serving personnel and family members” – it says 270 places should be provided at MOD Bicester A-site by the end of the year, and “arrangements involve the transfer of the former disused storage site with immediate effect”.
The following day, the Home Office announced it would seek planning permission to use land off the B3011 towards Piddington and Bullingdon Prison, but did not confirm how it would obtain this permission.
The letter said: “The MOD has carefully considered the implications for service personnel, their families and local defence activity, and is putting in place appropriate measures to ensure the continued safety, cohesion, security and wellbeing of our community.
“This includes a welfare desk now in operation on site, alongside ongoing routine perimeter checks by on-site teams.
“Further security enhancements, delivered by Mitie, will continue to be reviewed to ensure a consistent and appropriate level of protection.”
MOD Bicester (Image: Ed Nix)
Mitie is a private immigration removal centre provider which runs the controversial Campsfield Detention Centre.
Previously, a spokesperson for the Home Office said the department “engaged” local authorities ahead of the announcement and “no final decisions” will happen without “necessary arrangements, assessments and approvals”.
Border Security and Asylum Minister Alex Norris said “asylum hotels” have been closed as asylum seekers are moved to ex-military sites.
Oxford News
New update on when Ludwig season 2 will be shown by BBC
Up until now, the channel has only been saying that the series, set in Cambridge and featuring comic actor David Mitchell, will be shown in the autumn.
But now it has confirmed that season 2 will be shown in August, although it has not yet revealed the specific transmission dates.
READ MORE: Ludwig season 2 announcement
Popular actor Mr Mitchell was a pupil at Abingdon School, and went to Cambridge University.
Fans of the BBC’s murder mystery drama have already been teased with a short trailer for the second series.
David Mitchell in Ludwig (Image: BBC/Big Talk Studios/Olly Courtney)
Series one of the detective drama starring David Mitchell was a huge hit in 2024, becoming the channel’s biggest new scripted show since 2022. It attracted more than 9.5 million viewers.
David Mitchell will return as John ‘Ludwig’ Taylor, while Anna Maxwell Martin will also be back as his sister-in-law, Lucy Betts-Taylor.
In the BBC trailer, the words ‘Ludwig is back’ feature in a crossword clue, and David Mitchell says: “Hello, I’m John Taylor, puzzle consultant”.
The trailer also shows glimpses of Anna Maxwell Martin’s return as Lucy.
Earlier this year, the popular actress teased what we can expect from series two, calling it “cracking” and “really, really good”.
David Mitchell, Anna Maxwell Martin and Dylan Hughes (Image: BBC/Big Talk Studios/olly Courtney)
“I can’t tell you anything because my mind’s gone blank and I’ll probably be killed and I don’t know what I’m allowed to tell you!,” she added.
“But what I can say is it’s really, really good, I think it’s even better than season 1. I think we’ve sort of built on what we had, and we’ve made it even better.”
The synopsis for Ludwig series two says: “Picking up from the end of series one, master puzzle-setter John ‘Ludwig’ Taylor (Mitchell) is now a Crime Scene Consultant, working alongside DCI Russell Carter (Ola), on ‘impossible’ crimes for the Cambridge Police Authority.
“No longer having to masquerade as his brother, he’s openly more ‘Ludwig’ than ever – brilliant at solving puzzles but hopeless at everything else.
“But John’s identical twin brother, James, is still missing, and now that he’s an official employee of the station, John is forbidden from using any police resources to look for his brother or uncover exactly what he was investigating.
“Of course, John won’t stop and neither will Lucy (Martin), John’s sister-in-law and wife of his missing brother James – a puzzle needs solving and a husband and father needs bringing home.
“One masquerade may have ended, but a new one has just begun.”
It’s not surprising season 2 was commissioned after season 1 brought in such impressive viewing figures.
The first episode along drew in 7.4 million viewers in the first 28 days of release, with the number going up to 9.5 million when counting streaming figures.
Oxford News
Banbury wine bar for sale to new owners after 16 months open
10 Restaurant and Wine Bar in Banbury, an ‘authentic Italian kitchen’ is up for sale for £150,000 since opening in the town’s High Street 16 months ago, according to the listing.
It’s being offered as a fully-fitted, turn-key business opportunity in a ‘prime location’, set to benefit from ‘immediate growth potential’ as a residential development of 40-50 brand new flats is ongoing ‘directly above’ the premises.
READ MORE: Several suspects arrested by Oxford police officers
The listing said: “The business has an established position in the area with a unique Italian concept.
“The high-end fit-out sets it apart from nearby casual eateries.
“Owners are selling due to lack of working capital to run marketing, and wishing to focus on other business commitments.”
The bar and restaurant is described as having a ‘high-end’ design with capacity for 70 covers, including vertical garden walls, premium leather booths and an extensive wine rack display.
It also has a comprehensive, stainless steel commercial kitchen with a walk-in cold room, commercial dishwasher and multiple fridges.
READ MORE: Race for Life – hundreds take part in Oxford run
The rent is listed as £32,000 per annum and full handover and training is being offered to the new owner ‘to ensure a smooth transition’.
Although a relatively new business, 10 Restaurant and Wine Bar has a 4.7 star rating on Google and 4.9 stars on TripAdvisor.
The restaurant has been approached for comment on the sale.
Oxford News
Mary Berry and David Beckham spotted at Wimbledon day one
The tournament got under way in bright sunshine, with around 45,000 fans enjoying strawberries and cream and glasses of Pimm’s in the warm summer weather.
David Beckham, 51, was pictured in a grey suit, white shirt and gold tie, just two days after he was seen watching England’s World Cup clash with Panama.
Sir David Beckham in the royal box on day one of the 2026 Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London (Image: PA)
His appearance in the royal box comes amid a very public family feud with his wife, Lady Victoria Beckham, and their son Brooklyn Peltz Beckham.
Brooklyn recently posted an explosive statement accusing his parents of “trying endlessly to ruin my relationship since before my wedding” and putting “Brand Beckham” ahead of family.
He also claimed his wife, Nicola Peltz Beckham, had been “disrespected” and that his parents controlled narratives in the press.
READ MORE:
Fans stunned as David Beckham drinks giant ‘fishbowl’ of red wine
David and Victoria Beckham issue public message to Brooklyn
Emotional Mary Berry reveals her biggest life regret
Lady Beckham addressed the row for the first time in an interview with the Wall Street Journal, insisting she and Sir David “love our children so much” and have “always tried to be the best parents”.
Brooklyn, an amateur photographer, recently alluded to the tensions in a World Cup-themed advert for US food delivery firm DoorDash.
Mary Berry on day one of the 2026 Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London (Image: PA)
Dame Mary, 91, wearing a light pink dress and white necklace, was spotted chatting with fellow celebrities including Sir Mark Rylance and BBC weather presenter Carol Kirkwood.
Around half a million people are expected to attend the championships between Monday, June 29, and Sunday, July 12.
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