One is a lecturer and two are alumni of Harper Adams University in Shropshire.

Among the nominees are Chloe Gimson, who now works for Savills in Oxford and studied BSc (Hons) Agriculture with Farm Business Management at Harper Adams.

Ms Gimson is shortlisted for the Rising Star of the Year category, alongside fellow graduate Isla Soutter.

Louisa Dines, principal lecturer and course manager for agriculture at Harper Adams, is a finalist in the Training and Education Woman of the Year category.

Ms Gimson said: “It is a real honour and I am humbled to have been shortlisted alongside so many talented women within agriculture.

“So much of the work I do, whether it is supporting farmers through my day job, championing British produce or engaging with the public through education and food, comes from a genuine passion for the industry.”

She joined Savills after graduating in 2021 and has since progressed from graduate to associate in the Food & Farming team.

Ms Gimson has remained involved in agriculture outside her day job, serving as chair of the Society of Agriculture Thames Valley Group and as a member of the Ladies in Pigs Committee.

Ms Soutter, who now works for ABP and is based near Ashby de La Zouch, Leicestershire, praised those who inspired her during her studies.

She said: “I’m especially proud to be shortlisted alongside Louisa Dines, who taught and guided me during my time there and contributed so much to my development.”

Since graduating, Ms Soutter has taken on the role of agriculture manager at ABP, working on the company’s gamechanger accounts.

She credits Harper Adams with shaping her career.

Ms Soutter said: “Harper was where everything began for me, opening up opportunities and giving me the space to grow in confidence and determination.”

Ms Dines, who is based at the university’s Edgmond campus, said she was delighted by the recognition.

She said: “It is made even more special by the fact that two of the Rising Star nominations for the awards are recent Harper alumni that I, along with many others at Harper Adams, have taught.

“Watching their journey into a career in Agriculture is what makes this job so rewarding and to see them nominated for an award so early in their careers is just fantastic.”

Both Ms Gimson and Ms Soutter were previously shortlisted for the Agricultural Student of the Year award during their final year at Harper Adams.

The National Women in Agriculture Awards will take place in London in early May.

Households in the residential roads around Gloucester Place in Witney were first left without electricity supply at about 12.15pm on Sunday, April 19.

Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) said they were aware of the power cut in the area, which is suspected to be affecting six postcodes, and an engineer was deployed.

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One report on social media said: “Big power cut on Gloucester Place. Smell of burnt plastic in the air.

“Scottish and Southern Electric currently investigating and sending someone to the Mill Street station.”

Witney High Street (Image: Ed Nix)

According to SSEN, a fix isn’t expected to restore power until 5.30pm this evening, leaving some homes without power for more than five hours.

A statement from the electricity operator said: “The power cut has been caused by a fault on our underground network.

“Issues like this do happen, and our engineers are very experienced at fixing them.

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“Often, power can be restored quickly with a simple reset or by replacing a fuse at a nearby substation.

“If the problem is more complicated, repairs may take a little longer but our teams will keep working until everything is safely back up and running.”

Streets in Witney currently affected include Gloucester Street, Puck Lane, cul-de-sac Jacobs Close and parts of Mill Street, with a total 25 customers affected.

Alison Donaldson, managing director of Barchester’s North West and Midlands division, is taking part in the Barchester Charitable Foundation Cook Off 2026.

She will compete against other managing directors and executive team members in a culinary challenge to raise funds for the charity, which supports people living with disabilities and those in vulnerable circumstances through community grants.

Ms Donaldson said: “I absolutely love to cook and I am extremely competitive so when I was asked to take part in the Cook Off alongside my fellow MDs, I jumped at the chance.

“The Foundation is a very worthy cause so it is fantastic to think that our efforts will help so many people live better lives.”

The Barchester Charitable Foundation awarded £424,000 in 2025 alone, supporting 262 groups, charities and 123 individuals.

Tyisa Houghton, general manager of Hempton Field care home, said: “We are all so proud of Alison for taking part in this challenge, we know she will give it her absolute best shot.

“The Foundation is so close to all of our hearts and the Cook Off will raise vital funds to help so many people, we’re 100% behind her – MDs for the win.”