Latest news with #Bicester
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Appeal for missing elderly woman as police 'increasingly concerned'
A search has been launched for an elderly woman missing from Oxfordshire as police have said they are "increasingly concerned". Yu, whose surname has not been released, is missing from Wendlebury near Bicester. The 69-year-old woman has links to Abingdon, and an urgent appeal to help trace her has been launched by Thames Valley Police. READ MORE: Oxford off-licence owner to be sentenced after vapes seized She is described as Chinese, 5ft 3in tall, of slim build and with black hair. She was last seen wearing a cream trench coat. Experience the pulse of Oxford at your fingertips 🗞️ With our flash sale, Oxford Mail keeps you updated for less: only £4 for 4 months or save 40 per cent on an annual subscription. Don't miss out on what's happening locally #DigitalDeal #LocalJournalismhttps:// — Oxford Mail (@TheOxfordMail) June 16, 2025 A spokesperson for Thames Valley Police said: "We are becoming increasingly concerned for her welfare. "If you see Yu, believe you may have sighted her or have information that may help us, please call 999 quoting the incident reference 43250300946. "Yu enjoys walks and has links to Abingdon so please call 999 if you see her." Anyone with information about Yu's whereabouts can make a report by calling 101 or by contacting the police online.
BBC News
5 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
Phased plan to build Alexandra House of Joy in Bicester announced
The time it will take to build a specialist care and respite centre for adults with severe learning disabilities will take longer because of rising construction House of Joy will now be built in three phases, instead of all at once, at a site on Middle Wretchwick Farm off Wretchwick Way, in Bicester, charity said the strategy would ensure it progressed in a "responsible, sustainable way - one that reflects the needs of our future guests, the realities of the current climate, and the generosity of our supporters to date".It has so far raised more than £950,000 to build the centre of excellence, with phase one expected to begin in mid-2026. The charity is named after founder Rachael Scott-Hunter's daughter Alexandra, who died of sepsis in 2019. She had a brain haemorrhage four days after she was born and grew up with severe learning Scott-Hunter said her dream was to support all aspects of care under one roof."Everything you could possibly think of that they needed," she said. "And I know it's never ever been done before. There are respite centres, there are day centres, nobody's ever brought the whole lot together." 'Long-term vision' When Alexandra House of Joy registered with the Charity Commission in 2018, it was aiming to construct all the facilities at once at a projected cost of £2.1m. But it said because of inflation, the Covid pandemic and supply chain challenges, this had risen to about £ said the three-phase construction model would enable it "to begin supporting families sooner, while retaining the full scope of our long-term vision". Phase one involves the construction of a purpose-built centre of four ensuite bedrooms with individual patios, an assisted bathroom, accessible toilets, a sluice room, nurses' station, staff room, communal dining area, kitchen and reception will also be three bespoke activity rooms offering music, arts and crafts, and sensory two sees two additional bedrooms added, as well as a hydrotherapy pool and two more activity three adds two high-dependency hospice bedrooms, a family stayover flat, a chapel of rest, another activity room, and convalescent support services. The charity said: "This phased plan represents a careful and deliberate response to changing circumstances. "It honours the original promise made to our supporters and preserves the long-term goal of a centre that provides both short-term respite and holistic end-of-life care."It said it was moving forward "with renewed energy and hope". You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Telegraph
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Telegraph
Bentley Blower Junior review: ‘Too much money to be taken seriously'
My schoolfriend had a go-kart with a Villiers lawnmower engine and a two-speed axle. How jealous were the rest of us? I wish he could see me now, driving this miniaturised version of Bentley's most revered Le Mans racing car of the Twenties, when the imperious British firm dominated, taking four consecutive victories in the famed 24-hour event from 1927. To be precise, this Bentley Blower Junior is an 85 per cent scale replica of the famous ex-Tim Birkin 4 1/2-litre 'Blower' (named after its supercharged engine), one of the most famous racing cars ever. It famously helped Bentley overcome the Mercedes threat at the 1930 Le Mans 24 Hours, acting as the hare; eventually the high speeds took their toll on the German cars. Birkin's car also expired, but its exploits allowed one of the works Bentley Speed Six models to win. Bentley owns that Birkin car, registered UU5872. It is in the most original form, all 240bhp and 125mph of it – with an insurance value of £25 million. The Blower Junior, built by what was formerly the Light Car Company (now Hedley Studios) of Bicester, can only muster 20bhp, a top speed of just over 50mph and has a price of £155,400 if you include VAT. It's an EV, of course, with a 10.8kWh lithium-ion battery located between the longitudinal parts of the steel ladder-frame chassis. The motor produces 15kW continuous, more like 22kW at peak and the WLTP range is 65 miles, with 60 miles more realistic. It will charge fully in between three and five hours using a 7.4kW household wallbox, but there's no faster charging as the battery is air-cooled and therefore can't manage its internal temperatures as well as a liquid-cooled item. Made road-legal (homologated) under the UK's quadricycle rules (L7e/LSV), the kerb weight without the battery is 450kg, with the battery it's 550kg so no prizes for guessing how much the power source adds. Skip to: On the road The Telegraph verdict The facts at a glance Walk around It really is the most wonderful evocation, rather than a replica. If you don't look too closely, there are times when you could genuinely be looking at a brand-new Blower from the Twenties. It's sensitive to light, colour and the angle from which you observe, although it's actually quite large (3.72 metres long, 1.48m wide and 1.27m high). The ungainly stalks sitting out of the bodywork, incidentally, are the anchor posts for the mandatory seatbelts. The body is a combination of hand-beaten aluminium carbon-fibre for the body tub, which is covered with a cellulose-textured fabric recreated for vintage restorations so it resembles the original. The finned aluminium casting at the front, incidentally, is not an Amherst Villiers supercharger as per the original but the charging port, while the imitation saddle fuel tank at the back is a sizable luggage compartment. The hand-crafting and attention to detail is extraordinary, from the handbrake lever and single-door entry to the driving position and the tiny electronic display, which has an analogue clock and driving data in a correct period fount. This is a two-seater in tandem form with a central driving position. The seats are wonderfully upholstered if a bit overstuffed, although the passenger sits right at the rear of the body, with a profound sense of vulnerability. Ben Hedley, CEO of the eponymous creator, says he was the only one in the company brave (or stupid) enough to sit in the back seat during the handling sign-off process. There are 99 Blower lookalikes to be built (even down to the stickers), followed by a further 250 non-Le Mans replica cars, then it's over. On the road Climb in from the left side using the diminutive foot pad and you are confronted with an machined metal facia and a four-spoked steering wheel in the correct Bluemels style. Haphazard might best describe the instrument and control layout (as it was originally) but at least the maker has sourced suitably vintage-looking dials, instruments and old-fashioned switches. It's not a facsimile of an original Blower and that's OK, but they have managed to contrive an order of instrumentation which is almost entirely obscured if you are driving with both hands on the wheel. In addition, the speedometer stopped working soon into the drive. In addition, three out of four test cars simply stopped during the road test, while mine also restricted itself to 20mph. Repeatedly turning on and off solved some of these issues, but it was inauspicious to say the least. The driving position (partly as a result of the sight lines required to gain type approval) is high, far too high in fact. People were smaller in the late 1920s when the full-sized cars were made, modern frames are taller and on a plump leather seat you are stuck out in the full blast of the wind with little protection from the aero screen, which is on the legal limit of size before a wiper and washer would need to be added to conform to regulations. Frankly you look like a circus act; the first thing an owner would do is engage the services of a good upholsterer to sit lower in the body. I felt a bit ridiculous driving it, although the Jersey islanders smiled and waved indulgently as I passed. As with any EV, with only two pedals it is stupidly easy to drive, especially compared with a proper Blower with its notoriously recalcitrant crash gearbox; it's just press and go, although the electronic whirring, which is also required by law, is not very edifying. Nor is it very fast, but it's brisk from a standstill even if it runs out of puff at 45mph, yet it will creep to about 50mph if you keep the pedal to the floor, although by that time the wind blast is on the verge of removing your scalp. Despite suspension aping the original 1930s design, with half-elliptic leaf springs and lever-arm friction dampers, it rides pretty well. Something to do with the narrow tyres, possibly. It also handles predictably, even if the steering box system is a trifle vague. The traction isn't too bad, although a brisk getaway on a damp upward slope will have the inside wheel spinning madly, but on Jersey's 346 miles of road this isn't really an issue. The brakes (modern Brembo discs hidden in the wheels) are sensational, which adds a sense of confidence to the drive. The Telegraph verdict Hedley reckons that what he and Bentley were after 'was the ultimate pub car' (what the rest of us might call an indulgent toy for local jaunts) and after producing tiny Aston Martins, Ferraris and Bugattis, this bonsai Bentley is Hedley Studios's best car yet. And so it should be, given the price. The initial 99 First Edition cars, which are now being delivered, cost about £108,000 including taxes. Something of a bargain considering the rest of the 349-strong production run will cost £129,500, which with VAT is £155,400. Alternatives to the ultimate pub car might include a tweaked MG TC for about £20,000 or a Morgan Three Wheeler for half as much again. In fact there's any number of rare and interesting machines that could do the same job for considerably less (although perhaps not as cleanly and quietly). There's much to admire in the way this car has been built and the use of authentic materials and design, but it is really too much money to be taken at all seriously. Telegraph rating: Two stars out of five The facts On test: Bentley Blower Junior Body style: tandem-seat EV LE7/LSV quadricycle On sale: now How much? from £155,400 How fast? 45mph, 0-62mph n/a How economical? 6.0 mpkWh Electric powertrain: 15kWh gross lithium-ion NMC air-cooled battery, rear-wheel drive via a step-down gear Electric range: 65 miles
BBC News
6 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Buckinghamshire villagers battle 'nightmare' housing plans
A proposed housing development on the edge of a village has been described as a "nightmare" and "just too big" by residents. Plans for Court Gate - which would see up to 90 new homes built to the north of Marsh Gibbon, near Bicester - were submitted to Buckinghamshire Council in March. Residents said they had welcomed smaller development, Deanfield View, completed in 2022, which included a new village shop, but called the current plans "not logical". Land promoter Catesby Estates said the area needed affordable homes and was a "sustainable location" for development. Parish councillor Mark Benzing said he was not opposed to the village's expansion in principle, but that it was about "proportion". "It's about 'how many [people] can we take, how many houses should be built'," he said. Resident Patrina Needham said the development was unrealistic, and that the village's infrastructure would struggle to cope. She added: "It's practically impossible to build it. The sewage cannot cope with the capacity.. It's just not logical."We understand the pressure that councils are under... [but] loss of village identity, loss of community... are still very important in our countryside." Sam Wicker, who has lived in the village for five years, said Marsh Gibbon was "like a little family". "We like the community spirit, we like that everybody is close-knit... we've got that country feel," she said. She said a development in 2022 had been a positive addition to the village, but the Court Gate proposals were continued: "So much is going to change. The roads cannot deal with even more houses... It's a nightmare to the extent that we would consider moving." In a statement, Catesby Estates said: "The rate of new housing development has not met the growing demand. "Between 2019/20 and 2023/24, new homes constructed in Buckinghamshire decreased by 53%, leading to a widening gap between housing supply and population said the plans delivered affordable housing, and Marsh Gibbon's size, location, and transport links made it a "sustainable" location for new homes."At the end of July 2024, there were 6,857 live applications on the housing register, Bucks Home Choice, an increase of 530 compared to March of the same year," it planning application is currently awaiting a decision by Buckinghamshire Council. The authority has been approached for comment. You can follow BBC Beds, Herts & Bucks on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Daily Mail
Heartbroken firefighters pay tribute to female colleague, 30, who was killed when major blaze collapsed building
Firefighters have lined the streets to honour the life of their young female colleague who died in the line of duty during a major blaze last month. Jennie Logan, 30, was given a full ceremonial fire service funeral, with mourners paying tribute to her bravery, fearlessness and dedication to Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service. Ms Logan's coffin, draped in the Union flag, was carried atop an aerial ladder platform fire engine through the streets of Bicester in Oxfordshire on Saturday morning. Hundreds of people gathered along the route in respectful silence while uniformed firefighters marched behind the coffin. Ms Logan was killed in a fire at the Bicester Motion site on May 15, alongside fellow firefighter Martyn Sadler, 38, and local businessman Dave Chester, 57. The cortege paused outside Bicester fire station just after 10am, where firefighters stood to attention for a minute's silence. A private service followed at the request of Ms Logan's family. Ten fire crews were called to tackle the blaze, and thick black smoke could be seen rising into the sky. Two other firefighters sustained serious injuries in the blaze. Thames Valley Police said post-mortem examinations suggested the three victims sustained injuries 'typically caused by the collapse of part of a structure'. An investigation by the force's major crime unit is ongoing, alongside inquiries by the Health and Safety Executive and fire investigators. An inquest has been adjourned until 25 November. Ms Logan, was the second female firefighter to die on duty in peacetime, following Fleur Lombard, 21, who died in Bristol in 1996. Tributes poured in after the tragedy, with Ms Logan's family describing her as their 'hero'. 'Her bravery and fearlessness shone through right until the end,' they said. 'She will always be our hero and we are so immensely proud of her. Forever in our hearts.' Books of condolence were opened across Bicester in the days following the fire, and two gold plaques were placed at the scene of the blaze. The tribute read: 'Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service. Bicester Motion. 'Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of those affected by the sad loss of two firefighters and the member of the public. Love from the Bicester community.' Mr Sadler's family said firefighting 'was always in his blood', adding: 'Our world has fallen apart and our hearts are completely broken, but somewhere in amongst it all we are immensely proud of him and his unwavering bravery. ' The family said Ms Logan was a 'much loved daughter and sister' and 'mum' to her dog Mouse. Mr Chester, a father of two, was described by his family as 'Bicester born and bred' with a 'quirky sense of humour'. 'He was not a victim but a hero,' they said. 'He died the way he lived - helping others and putting them ahead of himself.'
