Oxford News
Oxfordshire motorcycle learner died in crash with Kia
The 49-year-old motorcycle learner driver died in a crash with a Kia after he went into the wrong lane on a country road, the inquest heard.
Kevin John Mills, a gardener from Witney, was reported dead on Sunday, October 19, with the official ruling putting this down to a road traffic collision.
The crash occurred at 2pm and, after attempts to save his life, he was declared deceased at 2.40pm.
In an inquest, held at Oxfordshire Coroner’s Court today (Thursday, April 23), it was explained Mr Mills likely died after his black Honda 125cc motorcycle ‘stood up’ on a bend at the Brize Norton Road near Minster Lovell.
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This means that the bike unexpectedly straightened and continued in a straight line instead of following the curve and this likely happened after he applied the front brake.
Following this he hit a Kia Sorento car and died at the scene of ‘massive trauma’.
Speaking to members of the family who were present, Coroner Nicholas Graham said: “It is clear to me that Kevin was dearly loved and is continually missed.”
Following his death tributes were made by family and friends.
His sister-in-law Heidi Dixon, who lives in Lincoln, said: “You were one of a kind. The most loyal loving person, great husband and dad. You will be sadly missed brother-in-law.”
At the inquest it was explained that Mr Mills was completing a practical assessment with QuickStart Motorcycle Training and was accompanied by qualified instructor Wayne Badby and another learner Jack Possee.
They were riding towards Brize Norton when the incident occurred.
Oxfordshire Coroner’s Court (Image: Oxford Mail)
Mr Badby, who appeared virtually at the inquest, said: “Kevin tried to turn the motorcycle but just appeared to go straight on.
“He then collided with a small black vehicle going the opposite way.”
He added: “I cannot understand how the collision happened. We had been around a similar sweeping bend in Witney with no issues.”
Mr Badby was described by Dave Grover, owner of the company, as one of his best instructors and had been reassessed only seven months prior to the accident.
Kevin Mills sadly died in a crash near Minster Lovell (Image: Kevin Mills)
Though the road has a 50mph speed limit several witnesses confirmed the bikes were going slower, even below 40mph.
Robert Piper, a forensic collision investigator with Thames Valley Police, appeared in person at the inquest.
He said: “From my review of the dashcam evidence, it would appear that the rider has not gone into that bend with a great deal of confidence.”
Mr Piper explained that as Mr Mills navigated the bend, he applied the front brake, and the bike ‘stood up’.
He put this down to “inexperience” and said no party was impacted by drugs or alcohol, and that the bikes were checked and found to be in a good condition.
The B4477 Brize Norton Road where the accident occurred (Image: Google Maps)
The other learner, Mr Possee, who called it a “tragic accident”, said he saw “motorbike parts flying in the air”, while another witness, Susan Bone, described seeing the motorcycle going across the road.
Fiona Shikle, the driver of the Kia, said she was travelling home when the collision occurred.
She said: “I saw a motorbike coming towards me, but it happened so quickly. I tried to swerve towards the verge.”
The motorbike hit her car around the driver-side front headlight, and she said she subsequently had to swerve again to avoid another motorbike.
In his statement, Mr Piper said: “There was very little Ms Shikle could have done to avoid the collision.”
Oxford News
David Beckham and Brooklyn feud ‘started during Rita Ora’
The pair have been at loggerheads for some time now but in January it came to a head when the 27-year-old made explosive allegations in a lengthy Instagram post.
He claimed that his mother “hijacked” his first dance with his wife, Nicola Peltz, and danced “inappropriately on me” in front of their guests, adding that he had never felt more “uncomfortable or humiliated” in his life.
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The public feud between Brooklyn Beckham and his family began simmering in April 2022 and has been reported on in the press since.
However, it has been alleged by Pop B*tch that the pair’s falling out may have started when Brooklyn was linked to the singer Rita Ora.
Brooklyn Beckham and Rita Ora were linked in May 2017 after being spotted enjoying a dinner date at the Electric Diner in Notting Hill.
The online blog wrote it is an “unlikely rumour circulating in West London about the real reasons for the father-son fall out.
“That Brooklyn’s unhappiness with his Dad pre-dates his marriage to Nicola. It started back when he had a brief fling with Rita Ora.”
The cause was not disclosed, and there is no suggestion that Ms Ora started it.
Sir David and Lady Victoria Beckham have lived in the Oxfordshire Cotswolds for around a decade, sharing a mansion in Great Tew near Chipping Norton.
Oxford News
Emotional Mary Berry reveals her biggest life regret
The famous cook was a judge on the show during the BBC years between 2010 and 2016, before it left for Channel 4.
Dame Mary has lived in Henley, in the south of Oxfordshire, with her husband Paul Hunnings, since 2019, having previously lived in London.
Now, in a new interview, the 91-year-old has admitted there is one part of her family story she wishes she could change.
READ MORE: David Beckham’s son fined in court after police officers stop car
Speaking on Fearne Cotton’s Happy Place podcast, Dame Mary explained that her biggest regret centres on the relationship she had with her late father.
“I wish I’d spoken more to my father, who was quite brusque,” she told Ms Cotton.
She added: “I should’ve talked and spent more time with him, but when I came to London to work, I’d go home at weekends and see friends.”
Looking back, Dame Mary says she now feels she should have prioritised time with her dad over socialising.
READ MORE: TV legend helps daughter through ‘heartbreaking’ marriage split
“I should’ve spent more time with him,” she added.
Ms Cotton responds that many people share similar feelings about relatives they have lost, saying: “I think most of us feel like that about a parent or grandparent – wishing we’d asked for more stories – that’s what I’m craving from my nan, all those brilliant life stories.”
Dame Mary also reflected on the guidance she would pass on to her younger self.
“Don’t make rash decisions,” she said, suggesting that when a new offer or venture comes along, it is better to “sleep on it, and do something about it the next morning.”
Oxford News
Update on Bracknell and Wokingham mega-council region plan
Leaders from across Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Swindon had gathered expecting to sign off on a shadow or ‘Foundation’ Strategic Authority (FSA), the interim step required before creating a Thames Valley Mayoral Strategic Authority with elections pencilled in for May 2028.
A potential mayor could bring jobs and development to Oxfordshire, West Berkshire, Reading, Slough, Wokingham, Bracknell Forest, Wokingham, Swindon and Maidenhead – but the joint plans of all these authorities are now on the line.
Participants at the meeting were tight-lipped on Wednesday about what happened but it is understood Oxfordshire’s Liberal Democrat leadership abruptly withdrew support, effectively collapsing months of negotiations.
Lib Dem leaders from Berkshire were thought to remain broadly in favour, however a new authority could have the potential to invest in big projects like a third bridge across the Thames in Reading, and this may have put a spanner in the works.
The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, which had been part of earlier discussions, was notably absent from today’s talks. Oxfordshire, West Berkshire, Reading, Slough, Wokingham, Bracknell Forest, Swindon and others had been working towards a shared structure for the new body, with only the details still to be ironed out.
The proposed Thames Valley Strategic Authority would have covered a polycentric economic region of about 1.97 million people with a gross value added of £97.3 billion in 2023, bringing together globally significant research hubs, innovation districts and major employers along the M4 and M40 corridors.
In an expression of interest sent to ministers on March 20, local leaders argued that a mayoral authority could unlock an extra £18.7 billion in annual GVA by 2040 and £7 billion a year in additional tax revenue by tackling fragmented labour markets, infrastructure gaps and housing constraints.
The letter to ministers Matthew Pennycook and Miatta Fahnbulleh stressed that the Thames Valley is the only one of the UK’s top ten economies without a directly elected mayor and said “the economic case is made” for devolution.
Under the plans, the shadow authority and later Mayoral Strategic Authority would have taken on strategic functions over transport, housing and regeneration, skills, economic development, climate resilience and public safety, while day-to-day services remained with existing councils.
Central government was understood to be supportive of the scheme and ready to move quickly on approving an FSA once councils had agreed a governance model.
Local business leaders across the Thames Valley, who had backed the proposals as a way to secure clearer leadership on inward investment, skills and infrastructure, are now said to be alarmed that today’s U‑turn could put jobs and investment at risk.
The collapse of support in Oxfordshire leaves the future of Thames Valley devolution highly uncertain, with partner councils now needing to decide whether to attempt a revised deal without the county or to pause plans altogether.
Without the collaboration of local councils, the government could impose a plan with limited input from local partners.
The leaders of Bracknell and Wokingham councils were approached for a comment.
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