Last month Year 8 pupil Jolyon, whose surname has not been disclosed, took to the national stage at the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association London and South England competition.

Competing with his band, Laidlaw Memorial, their quartet came third overall against strong competition.

READ MORE: Private school groundsman wins praise for pitches

Following the competition, the school stated: “Jolyon also shone as a solo performer, winning the under 14 category with his 2/4 March, Hills of Perth.

“An incredible result at his first national competition. We are so proud of you, Jolyon.”

Cokethorpe School pupil Jolylon (Image: Cokethorpe School)

Cokethorpe School will host its next open morning on Saturday, May 9, offering prospective families the opportunity to experience life at the co-educational Oxfordshire day school.

Visitors will have the chance to meet the head, Dr Sarah Squire, and hear a short address outlining the school’s ethos, recent developments and future direction.

Tours of the school will be led by pupils, with the option for families to explore the site independently.

The event provides an opportunity to see the breadth of academic and co-curricular provision, as well as the school’s facilities.

Last month it emerged that Oxford United Milk Cup legend Les Phillips is part of the team looking after the pitches at the school.

The school was awarded the Grounds Team of the Year 2026 by the Independent Schools Football Association, an accolade which recognises the work required to maintain the 150-acre site including nine grass rugby and football pitches, three cricket squares, six golf greens, two artificial sports pitches, and tennis courts.

Working alongside head groundsman Simon Hole, Mr Phillips makes up the two-person groundskeeping team at Cokethorpe, with a replacement deputy head groundsperson being sought.

Almost 40 community teams across Oxfordshire also use the pitches.

Turf Tavern

Located at 4 Bath Place, in Oxford the Turf Tavern is one of the perfect places to sit outside this weekend.

The pub located against the medieval remains of Oxfords city walls can be enjoyed with a fresh drink or one of the many food items on the menu.

The 12th century pub is also infamous as the place where former US President Bill Clinton ‘did not inhale’ marijuana, during his time at Oxford University.

The Kings Arms

Located on Church Road in Sandford-on-Thames, this pub offers a view of the Sandford Locks.

The pub hosts a large beer garden where visitors can also enjoy a large variety of cask ales, classic pub favourites or a traditional Sunday roast

Abingdon Beer Festival

Today also marks the start of the annual Abingdon Beer Festival.

The festival run by the Friends of Abingdon Abbey Buildings Trust in partnership with Loose Cannon brewery. £5 entry gets a glass. 

Visitors can find a range of Oxfordshire beers, food stalls, live music.

Any funds raised go towards the upkeep of the historic Abbey buildings in the area.

READ MORE: The crime which Oxford businesses fear the most revealed

The Three Horseshoes

Located on Corn Street in Witney, the pub is another place to find a nice pint in the sun.

The outside of the pub is a festival feel with bunting, fairy lights, and a large canopy and patrons can buy a wide variety of drink and comforting pub food.

The Slow & Steady

The pub located at Abingdon Road in Oxford is another great place for a refreshment

Customers can choose from an assortment of drinks, pizzas or burgers.

Yet despite their widespread use, many motorists still don’t fully understand how they work, and what actually triggers a fine.

From the long-standing “10% plus 2mph” rule to confusion over average speed checks, myths about enforcement thresholds continue to circulate.

But with penalties ranging from £100 fines and points on your licence to court action in more serious cases, getting it wrong can be costly.

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What Speed Actually Triggers a Camera?

Contrary to common belief, there’s no universal “10% + 2mph” rule baked into law.

Experts from BigWantsYourCar.com explained: ““The idea that you’re safe doing 35mph in a 30 zone is one of the biggest myths we hear.

“Technically, you’re liable for a fine the moment you go even 1mph over the limit.”

While the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) does recommend a “10% plus 2” margin to allow for officer discretion, this is not a legal threshold and can vary depending on the enforcement area or the officer reviewing the case.

RAC advice adds: “The law states that you are liable for a speeding fine as soon as you exceed the limit, so if you’re doing 31mph in a 30 limit or 71mph on a motorway, you’re breaking the law and could receive a fine.

“It is well worth remembering this is totally dependent on the officer who catches the speeder, and it is up to that officer whether to fine the offender or not.

“The best advice is to not speed full stop.”

How do speed cameras work?

Speed cameras work using radar or road markings to monitor a vehicle’s speed and capture evidence of any offence.

While older cameras used film, most modern devices are fully digital and can even track your average speed over many miles.

These digital systems record:

• Vehicle speed
• Time and location of the offence
• Vehicle registration
• Road speed limit

In some cases, they even capture a clear image of the driver and passenger.

Common speed camera myths

Here are some other common speed camera myths :

Is it true that speed vans have to be visible at all times?

No. There are no laws about visibility, so nothing is stopping an officer from operating in the dark. But they don’t often choose to do this and maintain that being visible acts as a deterrent in its own right.

Go Safe Casualty Reduction Officer, Gareth Thomas said: “Legally, we don’t have to be visible. I could camouflage myself if I wanted to – but it’s all about being fair, education and preventing an accident. Even if I parked my van and went for a walk somewhere, it would deter people from speeding right away.”

Is it illegal to flash your headlights to alert motorists of a GoSafe speed van?

If drivers choose to flash to warn others about a speed van, they could be in breach of the law. Under section 89 of the Police Act 1997 it is an offence to “wilfully obstruct a constable in the execution of his/her duty”.

However, Gareth says while it is an offence, it is very difficult to prove. He said: “It doesn’t bother me that people flash to warn them of the speed van – I just want to educate people and the van to act as a speed deterrent.”

What happens if I am caught speeding?

It all comes down to the circumstances within which you were caught speeding, and how much you were more than the limit. The minimum penalty for being caught speeding on the UK’s roads is a £100 fine.

But Gareth explained in some circumstances, police can offer the option of attending a speed awareness course – an alternative to a fine and penalty points. Gareth, said: “An accredited course is far more likely to improve driver behaviour and consequently make our roads safer.

“Courses are available to drivers who respond quickly to the ‘notices’ and who were driving at no more than 10 per cent, plus 9 mph above the posted speed limit.”

So for example, anyone travelling over 86mph on a motorway would not be offered the awareness course. Those who don’t have a clean licence at the time of the office, or if you have been on the course in the last three years, it is unlikely you will be offered the awareness course as an option.