Zoe Gater, Author at Round & About Magazine • Page 7 of 39

Wallingford care home worker takes 12,000ft skydive for dementia charity

Zoe Gater

August 21, 2026August 21, 2026

Waterside Court Activities Coordinator Blerta Cesula has raised £650 for Alzheimer’s Society after taking a 12,000ft leap to support people living with dementia.

A Wallingford care home worker has swapped activities on the ground for an adrenaline-fuelled challenge after completing a 12,000ft skydive to raise money for Alzheimer’s Society.

Blerta Cesula, Activities Coordinator at Barchester’s Waterside Court Care Home in Wallingford, took on the skydive after choosing to support the charity’s work with people living with dementia and their families.

Known for organising activities and helping residents make the most of life at Waterside Court, Blerta has now added freefalling to her list of achievements, raising an impressive £650 through donations from residents, relatives, friends and colleagues.

Blerta said the experience was both exhilarating and emotional, with the knowledge that the money raised would support people affected by dementia making the challenge particularly meaningful.

“Skydiving from 12,000 feet was both exhilarating and emotional,” she said. “I’m incredibly grateful for everyone who supported me. Knowing that the money raised will help people living with dementia makes the experience truly meaningful.”

The Waterside Court team said they were “immensely proud” of Blerta, praising her bravery and commitment to supporting both residents and the wider community.

The money raised will help Alzheimer’s Society provide support, guidance and research for people affected by dementia.

Waterside Court provides residential and nursing care for older people, including specialist dementia care, in Wallingford.

RHS Garden Wisley is offering free EV charging for a week this August

Zoe Gater

August 21, 2026August 21, 2026

Electric vehicle drivers heading to RHS Garden Wisley can charge for free for one week as the Surrey garden celebrates the launch of its new 32-bay charging hub.

RHS Garden Wisley is giving electric vehicle drivers an extra reason to visit this summer, with a week of free charging planned to mark the opening of its new EV charging hub.

The new facility, delivered in partnership with RAW Charging, is now live and will offer free EV charging from Monday 24 to Friday 28 August 2026, giving visitors the chance to top up their cars while exploring one of Surrey’s best-known gardens.

The new hub has 32 dedicated charging bays, including 24 fast chargers offering up to 22kW and eight rapid chargers capable of up to 50kW. It is located just off Junction 10 of the M25, making it a handy option for visitors travelling to Wisley from across Surrey and beyond.

The free charging offer is available through the RAW Rewards programme rather than via contactless payment. Drivers will need to sign up to RAW Rewards and use the ChargePoint app to access the offer.

The new installation forms part of a wider rollout of EV charging across the RHS’s five UK gardens, which will eventually provide 90 charging bays. The organisation says the investment is part of its ambition to become climate positive by 2030.

The launch also comes as RHS Garden Wisley continues to encourage visitors to make more sustainable journeys, with improvements to walking routes and public transport access being developed alongside Surrey County Council and local transport operators.

Once the launch week is over, the new charging bays will continue to provide an additional option for EV drivers visiting Wisley, with standard charging available through RAW Charging.

For more information about visiting RHS Garden Wisley, visit rhs.org.uk/wisley.

North Leigh Roman Villa is having a moment as interest in the historic site grows

Zoe Gater

August 21, 2026

From MPs and university students to Cub Scouts and local history groups, North Leigh Roman Villa has welcomed a growing stream of visitors in 2026.

North Leigh Roman Villa is attracting visitors from increasingly far and wide, with a packed programme of talks, tours and special visits helping to shine a light on one of Oxfordshire’s most fascinating Roman sites.

The volunteers behind the site recently welcomed local MP Calum Miller, who visited in June to hear about the work being done to bring the villa’s history to life for modern visitors.

The visit follows a busy year for North Leigh Roman Villa. In April, volunteers gave an armchair talk at Blenheim Palace, which proved the best-supported event of its kind at the venue so far, while more than 60 people heard about the villa at a summer social organised by the Arts Society of West Oxfordshire in July.

The group has also welcomed Oxford University Classics candidates for a special opening arranged by Queen’s College, alongside members of the Bentley Drivers Club, Stonesfield Cub Scouts, Banbury Historical Society and a number of local history groups.

There have even been visits from Cotswold Wardens, while the volunteers are now looking ahead to a potential first international visit from Baden-Württemberg’s Archaeological Society. An archaeologist from Royal Holloway, University of London has also been in touch about potentially involving the site in a new research project.

At the heart of the site is its remarkably well-preserved Roman mosaic, which was reopened to visitors in 2019 after almost three decades. More than 10,900 people have since visited to see the mosaic in its original location.

The villa itself dates back around five centuries and was at its most extensive in the early fourth century AD, when it featured three bath suites, 16 mosaic floors and 11 rooms with underfloor heating.

Today, visitors can explore the footprint of the former villa and see the near-complete mosaic, which formed the floor of its winter dining room. The site has also gained a number of creative additions in recent years, including a full embroidery of the surviving mosaic, a Roman dining room soundscape and a digital reconstruction created in Minecraft.

The volunteers say more than 1,000 people have visited so far this year, while donations have also received a boost following the introduction of contactless card payments.

The next opportunity to visit comes during Heritage Open Days, with the mosaic open from 11am to 5pm on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September. Visitors are encouraged to bring a picnic and make a day of it.

Find out more about North Leigh Roman Villa and upcoming openings at English Heritage.

Discover a more personal approach to hearing at this free local open day in Abingdon

Zoe Gater

August 20, 2026August 20, 2026

Local audiologist Lawrence Hill is putting choice at the heart of better hearing with a free open day this September.

What if better hearing isn’t simply about hearing more, but about finding a sound that feels right for you?

That’s the idea behind Boars Hill Hearing’s Find Your Sound free open day at Frilford Heath Golf Club on Tuesday 15 September 2026.

When people think about hearing aids, it’s easy to assume they all work in much the same way. But different hearing technologies can create surprisingly different listening experiences – and what works brilliantly for one person may not feel right for another.

Some people prefer a natural, open sound that feels as close to everyday hearing as possible. Others prioritise clarity and additional support, particularly in busy or noisy environments.

Boars Hill Hearing’s open day is designed to give local people the opportunity to discover those differences for themselves, with no pressure and no obligation.

Audiologist Lawrence Hill will be joined by representatives from two leading hearing aid brands, Widex and Signia. Visitors can experience two distinctive approaches to sound, ask questions about hearing tests and modern hearing technology, and explore the latest discreet and rechargeable hearing aids.

A limited number of dedicated one-to-one appointments with Lawrence will also be available during the day. These will give visitors the opportunity to trial their preferred hearing technology and talk through their individual needs.

There will also be exclusive offers available through Boars Hill Hearing.

The event is aimed at anyone who is curious about their hearing, considering hearing aids or simply keen to understand more about the technology available today. Loved ones are welcome too – particularly if you’re attending alongside someone who has started to notice changes in their hearing.

And there’s no need to worry about making a day of it without refreshments: the team is asking visitors to let them know if they’re planning to attend, so they can make sure there’s enough coffee and cake to go around.

Find Your Sound takes place on Tuesday 15 September, 9am–5.30pm, at Frilford Heath Golf Club, OX13 5NW.

If you’ve been wondering whether hearing technology could make a difference to everyday life, this could be the perfect opportunity to hear what’s out there – and, more importantly, discover what sounds right for you.

Everything’s free and everyone’s welcome, but RSVP if you can so the team can ensure there’s enough coffee and cake.

Visit boarshillhearing.co.uk/findyoursound.

Experience Welsh musical magic in Wantage this September

Zoe Gater

August 20, 2026August 20, 2026

London Welsh Male Voice Choir bring their celebrated sound to Wantage for a special charity concert this September.

Wantage music-lovers are in for a very special evening of music when the renowned London Welsh Male Voice Choir bring their powerful harmonies to the Parish of St Peter & St Paul.

Performing at 7pm on Saturday 12 September 2026, the choir will raise funds for the Ray Collins Charitable Trust, helping support the local community through its charitable work.

And this is no ordinary choir. The London Welsh Male Voice Choir has performed on some seriously prestigious stages, including the Olympic Games Closing Ceremony and events marking the 100-year anniversary of the end of the First World War in Ypres.

More recently, the choir filled the Royal Albert Hall in June – so Wantage audiences can expect a pretty impressive night of singing.

The choir’s repertoire celebrates the rich tradition of male voice choral singing, with the distinctive warmth, power and emotion that have made Welsh choirs famous around the world. Whether you’re a lifelong fan of choral music or simply fancy an uplifting night out, this promises to be a memorable performance.

There’s also an opportunity to hear the choir before the big night, with recordings available on Spotify and plenty of uplifting video clips to discover on Facebook.

Most importantly, your ticket helps support a good cause. All proceeds from the Wantage concert will go towards the Ray Collins Charitable Trust and its work supporting the community.

So, if you fancy an evening filled with glorious harmonies, a touch of Welsh musical magic and the feel-good factor of supporting a local charity, this is one to put in the diary.

Tickets are £20 per person.

For more information or to book, visit eventbrite.co.uk/e/london-welsh-male-voice-choir-in-concert-tickets.

Sophie Tea’s viral charity shop visit brings millions of TikTok views to Bicester

Zoe Gater

August 12, 2026August 12, 2026

Zoe Gater

A Bicester charity shop has had a major social media boost after artist Sophie Tea stopped by to transform a second-hand rocking horse for her hugely popular TikTok series.

A Bicester charity shop has gone viral after a visit from one of TikTok’s biggest art stars brought more than two million views to the store.

Artist Sophie Tea, who has more than 1.3 million followers on TikTok, dropped into the Sobell House Hospice Superstore in Bicester as part of her popular charity shop series.

The series sees Sophie hunt through charity shops for pre-loved pieces, give them a colourful artistic makeover and then raffle the finished creations to raise money for good causes.

For her Bicester visit, Sophie settled on an unlikely canvas: a rocking horse, which she picked up for £40 before transforming it with her signature colourful style.

The finished piece was then raffled to her followers, while fans flocked to the shop to meet Sophie, enter the raffle and get items signed.

And the visit proved to be a win for Sobell House beyond the social media numbers, too. The hospice estimates the shop took more than £500 above its usual takings that day, thanks to the extra footfall.

The resulting TikTok has now clocked up more than two million views and 254,000 likes, putting the Bicester store in front of a huge new audience.

For Sobell House, which provides specialist care for people with life-limiting illnesses across Oxfordshire, that extra attention could make a real difference.

The hospice relies on its charity shops to help raise the millions of pounds needed each year to support its services, so every sale and donation counts.

The Bicester Superstore is open seven days a week, with everything from clothes, books and music to furniture and electricals up for grabs.

So, if you fancy hunting out a pre-loved bargain, you never know what you might find – or who might have transformed it into something rather special.

Find out more at sobellhouse.org.

Hunt for a literary gem at Stowe Gardens’ Autumn Book Fair

Zoe Gater

August 10, 2026August 10, 2026

Zoe Gater

From vintage volumes and signed editions to recent bestsellers, bookworms can browse shelves of donated titles at Stowe Gardens this autumn.

Calling all literature enthusiasts, Stowe Gardens is hosting its Autumn Book Fair from 23 October to 1 November, with shelves of donated books to browse at New Inn.

Open from 10am until 4pm, expect a mix of fiction, non-fiction, vintage and collectable titles, from recent bestsellers and well-loved favourites to complete sets, signed editions and rare volumes dating back around 150 years.

Whether you’re after a new read, searching for something unusual or simply enjoy rummaging through a good book collection, there should be plenty to uncover.

Entry to the book fair is free, and every purchase helps support the ongoing care of Stowe’s historic landscape, making it a chance to pick up a literary find while giving something back to this beautiful Buckinghamshire estate.

Entry is free, so no need to book in advance.

For more information, visit nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/oxfordshire-buckinghamshire-berkshire/stowe-gardens/events.

Woodcote racing driver misses out on Britcar victory after final-lap heartbreak

Zoe Gater

August 10, 2026August 10, 2026

Zoe Gater

South Oxfordshire racing driver Julian McBride came within a lap of his maiden Britcar Endurance Championship victory at Donington Park before a driveshaft failure ended his challenge.

Woodcote racing driver Julian McBride was denied a potential maiden Britcar Endurance Championship victory after a driveshaft failure struck on the final lap at Donington Park.

McBride, who lives in South Oxfordshire, had battled his way from 20th on the grid to lead the GT class alongside guest driver and British GT ace Phil Keen, only for the Geoff Steel Racing BMW to be forced to stop with less than a lap remaining.

Despite the heartbreak, McBride and Keen were classified fifth overall and second in class after completing 62 of the race’s 63 laps.

It was another impressive performance for McBride, who is competing in Britcar’s premier GT category for the first time this season.

McBride only began racing after suffering a spinal injury in 2011 which left him with permanent disabilities. He made his competitive motorsport debut in 2016, despite having no previous racing experience, and has since become a two-time endurance racing champion.

Starting 20th at Donington, McBride quickly moved through the field before two well-timed Safety Car periods and slick pit-stop strategy kept the BMW in contention.

After completing the majority of the race, McBride handed over to Keen for the closing stages. Keen continued to make progress, eventually taking the BMW into the GT class lead and onto the overall podium.

Victory appeared within reach before the driveshaft failed on the final lap.

“We knew after qualifying that we had more pace than twentieth on the grid suggested, so the plan was simply to stay patient and let the race come to us,” said McBride.

“I was really happy with my stint. We avoided trouble at the start, made good progress and the team executed both pit stops perfectly. That gave Phil the opportunity to do what he does best.

“Of course it’s disappointing to lose a result like that on the final lap because everyone deserved more than the finishing position shows. At the same time, the performance gives us a huge amount of confidence. We know we’ve got the pace to fight at the front, so we’ll take the positives and move on to the next one.”

The result adds to a promising opening season in Britcar’s premier GT category, with McBride having already secured both a class podium and an outright podium during his first four race weekends.

He will now head to Snetterton in Norfolk on 29 August, where he and Geoff Steel Racing will continue their pursuit of a maiden GT class victory.

Away from the track, McBride is an ARDS Instructor, Motorsport UK Level 2 Coach, FIA Disability and Accessibility Commission Mentor and professional speaker.

More information about Julian McBride can be found at julianmcbride.uk.

The Marlow Murder Club returns for series four – with filming already underway in Buckinghamshire

Zoe Gater

August 10, 2026

Zoe Gater

The much-loved UK crime drama has been renewed for a fourth series, with filming returning to Marlow this summer ahead of its 2027 release.

Marlow’s favourite amateur sleuths are back on the case, with The Marlow Murder Club officially renewed for a fourth series and filming already underway in and around the Buckinghamshire town this summer.

The six-part series will premiere in 2027 on UKTV’s free streaming service U and U&DRAMA, bringing Samantha Bond, Cara Horgan and Jo Martin back as crime-solving trio Judith Potts, Becks Starling and Suzie Harris.

Based in Marlow, the hit crime drama has turned the Buckinghamshire town and its riverside surroundings into one of TV’s most recognisable murder-mystery settings.

Series four promises more twists, suspicious deaths and local intrigue, beginning with a body discovered in the river which becomes linked to the Marlow Amateur Dramatics Society and a local Hollywood star.

The new series will also feature an adaptation of Robert Thorogood’s bestselling novel Murder on the Marlow Belle, alongside two brand-new mysteries.

Later storylines will see the amateur sleuths investigate a suspicious death at a wake and the bizarre murder of a vineyard co-owner found drowned in his own wine.

Alongside Bond, Horgan and Martin, Natalie Dew will return as DI Tanika Malik, with Holli Dempsey, Phill Langhorne and Tijan Sarr also reprising their roles.

Written by The Marlow Murder Club creator Robert Thorogood and Amy Reith, the fourth series will once again combine cosy Buckinghamshire scenery with plenty of dark deeds, family secrets and amateur detective work.

The new series is expected to arrive on U and U&DRAMA in 2027.

Free wildlife sessions launch at Testwood Lakes Nature Reserve

Zoe Gater

August 10, 2026August 10, 2026

Zoe Gater

Families can discover the wildlife of Testwood Lakes Nature Reserve through a new programme of free weekly sessions, with pond dipping, meadow sweeping and birdwatching on offer.

Families and local residents can get closer to nature this summer as Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust launches a new programme of free Nature’s Knock-in sessions at Testwood Lakes Nature Reserve near Totton.

Taking place every Sunday from 10.30am to 12pm, the drop-in sessions invite visitors of all ages and abilities to explore the 150-acre reserve, discover local wildlife and take part in hands-on activities with the Trust’s ranger team.

Activities will change with the seasons and could include meadow sweeping to uncover crickets, grasshoppers and beetles, pond dipping and visits to the reserve’s bird hides, where visitors may spot oystercatchers, lapwings and black-headed gulls.

Binoculars, spotting scopes and wildlife identification guides will be available, with rangers on hand to help visitors make the most of their wildlife discoveries.

“Testwood Lakes is a fantastic place for people of all ages to explore, and Nature’s Knock-in is all about helping more people discover the wildlife on their doorstep,” says Lewis Clark, Seasonal Ranger at Testwood Lakes Nature Reserve.

“We want local residents to come and experience Totton’s hidden haven for wildlife, try something new and enjoy spending time outdoors.”

Visitors can simply turn up on the day and follow signs to the Education Centre, where details of the week’s activity will be available. The sessions are free to attend, with accessible parking and toilets available on site.

Set on the edge of Totton, Testwood Lakes is home to lakes, wetlands, meadows and woodland, supporting a wide variety of wildlife throughout the year.

Nature’s Knock-in at Testwood Lakes Nature Reserve takes place every Sunday from 10.30am-12pm.

Find out more via the Testwood Lakes Facebook group.

Waterside Court Activities Coordinator Blerta Cesula has raised £650 for Alzheimer’s Society after taking a 12,000ft leap to support people living with dementia.

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Electric vehicle drivers heading to RHS Garden Wisley can charge for free for one week as the Surrey garden celebrates the launch of its new 32-bay charging hub.

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From MPs and university students to Cub Scouts and local history groups, North Leigh Roman Villa has welcomed a growing stream of visitors in 2026.

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Local audiologist Lawrence Hill is putting choice at the heart of better hearing with a free open day this September.

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London Welsh Male Voice Choir bring their celebrated sound to Wantage for a special charity concert this September.

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A Bicester charity shop has had a major social media boost after artist Sophie Tea stopped by to transform a second-hand rocking horse for her hugely popular TikTok series.

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From vintage volumes and signed editions to recent bestsellers, bookworms can browse shelves of donated titles at Stowe Gardens this autumn.

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South Oxfordshire racing driver Julian McBride came within a lap of his maiden Britcar Endurance Championship victory at Donington Park before a driveshaft failure ended his challenge.

Get the latest news straight to your inbox

The much-loved UK crime drama has been renewed for a fourth series, with filming returning to Marlow this summer ahead of its 2027 release.

Get the latest news straight to your inbox

Families can discover the wildlife of Testwood Lakes Nature Reserve through a new programme of free weekly sessions, with pond dipping, meadow sweeping and birdwatching on offer.

Get the latest news straight to your inbox