Crime & Safety
Oxford – Dom Whiting return for DJ drum and bass on bike
Dom Whiting, from High Wycombe, led the large group people to pedal to the pounding beats through the city centre and East Oxford.
Starting at 2pm on Sunday, April 12, DJ On The Bike met the group outside the Clarendon Building in Broad Street.
Mr Whiting, who brought some new DJ decks, led the hundreds of cyclists on the five-mile course to end in Florence Park rather than South Park as planned.
Rain failed to dampen the spirits of all involved as, despite the early downpours, the ride ended in sunshine.
Mr Whiting told the BBC ahead of the ride: “It’s a cycling city, so I think it’s more appealing not just to people who listen to music, it’s also appealing to people who are just going out on bikes.
“They might not necessarily be avid music fans or they listen to classical music, but because they like cycling, they will listen to drum bass for that day.”
Attendee Paul Wightman said: “Great vibe, great tunes, and a great day all round. People came from all over the UK and further afield, so it’s great for the local economy too.”
Hayley Blanshard-Whitton went with her eight-year-old daughter and they both had an “amazing time”.
She said: “It’s the first time she’d cycled in the city and being with such a big group of like-minded people really put both of our minds at ease.
“The music was brilliant, and to end in the sunshine at the park was just perfect.
“Cycling back to our van on Cowley road it also made me appreciate how the LTNs are doing their job.
“Being from out of town they haven’t particularly impacted us, but being able to cycle the calm quiet streets was actually a joy rather than a stress.”
Mr Whiting, a former mechanic, started Drum and Bass on the Bike during lockdown in March 2021 as a way of encouraging people to get back outside, listen to music again and enjoy themselves.
What began as a small idea has grown into an international series of rides, with events now taking place across the UK and abroad.
The DJ has hosted raves in Bristol, Bournemouth, Southampton and more recently Adelaide in Australia.
The 28-year-old has gone on to amass more than 800,000 social media followers as a result of his fun events.
Mr Whiting concluded: “We waited in the rain, we rode in the rain and we finished in the sun. Thank you Oxford!”
Jimi Monaghan, of John Jones Close, Abingdon, was sentenced at Oxford Crown Court on April 17.
The 22-year-old pleaded guilty to one count of criminal damage and one count of being in possession of a class B drug, namely cannabis, in Abingdon on September 5 last year.
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The court heard he had been on remand for one month after he was initially charged with more serious offences, but these were discontinued.
Judge Hassan Khan said: “You broke glass at the property and found your way inside. You were on remand for a month for more serious offences which were discontinued.”
Monaghan was given a 12-month conditional discharge. He was also ordered to pay £150 in costs and an order was made for the forfeiture and destruction of the drugs and a grinder.
The presenter is known for starring as a judge on Britain’s Got Talent as well as hosting other shows, such as Cheat: Unfinished Business.
A household name across the UK, she owns a four-bedroom thatched cottage near Chipping Norton in Oxfordshire.
The 55-year-old shares two daughters, 20-year-old Lexi and 14-year-old Hollie, with her husband Chris Hughes.
READ MORE: Jeremy Clarkson satisfies controversial rule with Cotswolds pub change
Now, Ms Holden has joked that she now wants to relocate to Miami after returning from a family break in the US.
The 55-year-old made the tongue-in-cheek remark on her Heart radio breakfast show.
Speaking to co-host Jamie Theakston on air, Amanda said her affection for Miami had left her wondering whether she should swap the UK for the Sunshine State.
“I’m in love with that part of America. I want to move. Do you think we could do Heart live from Miami?” she joked.
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In recent weeks, she has also been posting photos from the Miami trip on social media, giving followers a glimpse of her time away with her family.
Her trip comes at a time when many holidaymakers are weighing up where to spend their time off, with the conflict in the Middle East prompting some to rethink travel plans and budgets in light of rising costs.
As a result, destinations such as the United States – and particularly Florida’s coastline – are becoming an attractive alternative for some tourists.
The 66-year-old has dated the Irish actress since 2017 with the pair making their on-screen debut in 2021 for the first series of Clarkson’s Farm.
Former Top Gear and Grand Tour host Mr Clarkson shares an impressive £12.5m mansion on his 1,000 acre Diddly Squat Farm between Chadlington and Chipping Norton, in the Oxfordshire Cotswolds.
Mr Clarkson recently celebrated his 66th birthday on April 11 and Lisa shared an Instagram picture with the caption: “Happy birthday Yeremy [sic]. You’re such a cool cat, with all your 66 lives..& many more.”
The accompanying photograph of the two prompted fans to rally around the couple with words of admiration for the pair.
One person said: “They are so cute, it’s my dream to have this kind of relationship someday. Wishing you both happiness.”
Another person, commenting on the song choice on the post of Cool for Cats by Squeeze, said: “Love this photo, and the song choice from (in my opinion) the best band ever.”
While a third questioned whether Mr Clarkson had “popped the question”
Last year, Ms Hogan gave an insight into the pair’s relationship during an interview with the Daily Mail.
She said she avoids arguing with him, adding: “I’m more conniving than that. Why argue with someone like Jeremy? He’s so eloquent. I have to be a bit more… nimble. I like the long-term diplomatic approach.”
The pair met at a drinks party hosted by a mutual friend nine years ago, however, she said that she knew him for his columns, with regular contributions for The Sun and The Sunday Times, rather than his presenting.
Speaking about the presenter and what he is like off camera, she said: “He’s always incredibly inquisitive.
“His mind is always on the move. He’ll come in fizzing with energy about the smallest thing. I like that.
“I used to let my son stay up to watch Top Gear, but I never really watched it myself. I knew him more from his writing. I always loved his columns. I thought he was bright – and probably amusing. And I think he thought I’d be amusing.”
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