It’s the first year of the new festival at the Woodstock stately home after the Nocturne series came to an end.

Brit Award-nominated singer-songwriter Mimi Webb is set to join global pop royalty Katy Perry as special guest on Wednesday, July 1.

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She first gained attention with her 2021 debut EP Seven Shades of Heartbreak.

Mimi Webb (Image: Blenheim Palace Festival)

Then her debut album Amelia, released in 2023, achieved a Top 5 debut in the UK Albums Chart and was followed by a performance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.

Continuing to make waves with over one billion streams worldwide, she has also supported the likes of The Jonas Brothers, Tate McRae and Benson Boone across the globe.

The Great Court at Blenheim Palace (Image: Oxford Mail)

Blenheim Palace Festival will see some of the world’s biggest artists take to the stage for a one-of-a-kind experience next summer.

The five-day festival takes place in June and July 2026 at Blenheim Palace in Woodstock, Oxfordshire. Tickets are on sale now via www.blenheimpalacefestival.com.

With headline slots from American pop royalty Katy Perry, Grammy-nominated vocal powerhouse Teddy Swims, who will be joined by breakout singer-songwriter Lauren Spencer Smith as a special guest, and dance music icon Pete Tong Ibiza Classics, plus two more world-class headliners yet to be revealed, the festival is planning an unforgettable first year.

The festival runs from Saturday, June 27 to Saturday, July 4.

It will end with a performance from popular Canadian singer Michael Buble.

Mimi Webb is also expected to perform at the Big Feastival in Kingham, on Saturday, August 29.

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.

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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.

null (Image: KevinHolt/Getty)

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.