Crime & Safety
Oxfordshire farmhouse for £1.6m sale comes with ‘village’
The four-bedroom Malt House is a Georgian-fronted Grade II listed property in a village near Kidlington with origins thought to date back to the early 19th century.
It also boasts a model village in the front garden – which is an accurate depiction of Bletchingdon, the village in which it sits.
This former farmhouse with an entire model village in the front garden is on the market for £1.6 million. (Image: Carter Jonas / SWNS)
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A post listing the house on Zoopla said: “You technically get dozens of houses for the price of one here: this £1.6m Oxfordshire home has its own perfect model village.
“Starting with the extraordinary stone-built model village in its front garden, this house is full of surprises.
This former farmhouse with an entire model village in the front garden is on the market for £1.6 million. (Image: Carter Jonas / SWNS)
“Situated in a conservation area in Bletchingdon, this listed former farmhouse has a contemporary light-filled extension, four bedrooms, a separate annexe featuring a gym and clever mezzanine levels.”
There has been a full restoration to the property, including a modern extension which created a family kitchen with bifold doors.
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This former farmhouse with an entire model village in the front garden is on the market for £1.6 million. (Image: Carter Jonas / SWNS)
But, despite the upgrades, there is still retained character with sash windows, exposed beams and a stone fireplace with log burner in the sitting room.
At the end of the 100ft garden, there is an annexe arranged over two floors, which is currently being used as a gym and studio.
With three bathrooms and three reception rooms, estate agents Carter Jonas have listed the home for £1.6 million.
Crime & Safety
Oxfordshire police catch ‘drunk driver overtaking on solid white line’
The incident occurred yesterday (Sunday, March 29) as Thames Valley Police (TVP) officers spotted a silver Volvo on the A4074.
It was adjudged that the driver had performed an overtake on a solid white line and, once stopped, it was found that the driver was under the influence of alcohol, police have said.
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A spokesperson for TVP said: “The TCAShift sergeant was patrolling the A4074 near Nuneham Courtenay yesterday when this Volvo was seen to carry out an overtake across solid white lines.
“After stopping him, it was found that the driver was under the influence of alcohol and failed a roadside test.
“The driver later provided a sample in custody over the limit and is now waiting for their day in court.
“Drink driving is still one of the Fatal Five, which means your risk of causing a serious or fatal collision rises significantly.”
Crime & Safety
‘Delight’ as Eight Bells named best pub in North Cotswolds
The Eight Bells in Chipping Campden has been voted as pub of the year by members of North Cotswold Camra.
With nearly 30 years at the helm of the historic pub, landlord Neil Hargreaves, said he was absolutely delighted to have won, adding it is ‘a real reflection of not just the pub but the breweries we choose to use’.
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Mr Hargreaves said: “We are absolutely delighted. We’ve been runners-up a few times and won the award a few years back, but it’s nice to get. We were presented with the award on Monday (March 23) evening. We are delighted because it’s nice to be recognised.
“It’s a real reflection of not just the pub but the breweries we choose to use. They are all local. We use Hook Norton Brewery, Wye Valley Brewery, and North Cotswold Brewery.
“It means an awful lot to win the award because real ale is not a product that is ready when you get it. It has to be finished in one’s own cellar. It’s a reflection of how we manage the cellar and our technique.
“It’s about selectivity, local beers, and local flavours. We steer away from national breweries because using local reduces beer miles. There’s a real commitment by local breweries to get it right, and boy to they get it right.
“Locals and visitors often notice the certificates and are both very supportive and happy to have chosen to drink at a pub that is recognised by a wider audience.
“It’s all about promoting real ales. Real ales are a fairly unique product to the UK, and so visitors from all over the world are very enthusiastic about trying them. A lot of them do a lot of research before they visit, which always surprises me.
The Eight Bells (Image: Daniel Kelly/NQ)
“If you think there are a lot of different varieties of wine, there are as many, if not more, in beers. I find keeping good standards at the bar helps. Keeping it tidy, keeping the pumps polished, and staff being knowledgeable.
“I would really like to extend my thanks to Camra for what they do for the pub business. For campaigning for many, many years. They are very much the unsung heroes, spreading the message everywhere from Downing Street to Chipping Campden about the importance of pubs in the UK.
The building is rumoured to have been built by the same stonemasons who built the nearby Church of St James, and was later used to store its bells, hence the name.
The Eight Bells is open seven days a week, boasting both a beer garden and a sheltered terrace garden, six en-suite rooms, and a ‘very well-established and experienced brigade of chefs’.
Crime & Safety
Seven puppies found abandoned under bush in Oxfordshire
The adorable animals were found in Abingdon yesterday afternoon (Sunday, March 29) and were handed in to the vets.
Currently housed at The Hart Veterinary Centre in Bicester and Aylesbury, the group are looking for new owners.
Shared on the social media site X, Animal Adoptions UK released a photograph of the puppies and details about taking them on.
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“Urgent, please retweet to help find a foster home for these abandoned puppies found today, March 29, found under a bush in Oxfordshire,” read the page.
“Please only apply if you have the time, experience, knowledge and space for all of them.
“This afternoon, seven tiny puppies were handed in after they were found under a bush in Abingdon.
“Whilst we don’t know the circumstances that led them to end up there, the most important thing is that they are all safe now and are currently with our vets at The Hart Veterinary Centre in Bicester & Aylesbury, being warmed up before being given some much-needed milk.
“We are urgently looking for a foster carer who can hand-rear these pups and give them the best start in life.
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“Before applying, please read the following.
“You must be able to commit to at least the next 8 weeks to feeding them and socialising them.
“Ideally, you would have a dog in the home who is well socialised and able to help teach them good dog manners.
“They will be hard work, so please don’t apply if you can’t fully commit to them. You must be able to take them to Hart Vets in Bicester for check-ups.
“You will need to bring them to the sanctuary for adoption meets. The sanctuary will provide everything they need whilst in your care.”
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