Tots have taken to the racetrack at a nursery school in Thame - and loving every minute!

The fun track in the garden at Lord Williams’s School day nursery has been kept busy with tots having great fun on their mini bikes - even a wheelbarrow has done the laps.

A nursery spokeswoman said: “Due to the generosity of our wonderful families supporting varying events throughout the year, combined with the unexpected generous grant from Thame Town Council and Asda’s green token giving scheme, we have at last been able to install an amazing resource for our children, a track in the garden. We can barely keep them in now!

“It hasn’t stopped there - we have been up-cycling, created mud kitchens from old crates and turned an old gazebo into a sensory tunnel and free standing hut that’s specifically used for adult led activities.

“A big shout out to our parent volunteers who sit on our fundraising group and to Marcus Wodzynski who co-ordinated the trades people who carried out the work.”

The day nursery is based at Lord Williams’s Upper School and provides care for children aged from 6 weeks to 5 years. It is open 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday, term time plus half terms, offering a summer club for the first four weeks of the summer holiday.

Visit https://www.lwsdaynursery.co.uk

For anyone who has been through the dieting process there is probably plenty to relate to in this musical.

Based on the television series of the same name, it sees the love and life of a slimming group in Headingly, Yorkshire. It sees the family of Kelly, who's aiming to get into her wedding dress and a slimming executive reckons she can help. But how far she will go.

There's everything in there for those who have been weight watching over the years. From church halls packed with over enthusiastic fitness instructors doing zumba to towns being full of sweet treats and deep fried heaven. I suspect there was a lot for audiences from the opening lines of the first song mentioning more food than we ever could.

But there is an overall message to take away embodied by Jodie Prenger's Kelly in that as long as you love yourself and feel happy with yourself, then perhaps there is no need to diet.

There is plenty of heart in this show in particular by Kelly and her mother Betty played by Sam Bailey despite their being only a two year age group between the two in real life. But even in the supporting characters, everyone is genuinely a good egg, and you feel some sympathy for all of them with all the characters being well rounded and lovable, something that writer Kay Mellor has been known for.

The tension in the story comes from the ruthless Julia Fleshman portrayed on Monday night by Laura Mansell rather than the previously billed Atomic Kitten's Natasha Hamilton. Julia's a great villain of the piece, charming and giving hope to every woman initially but is actually a ruthless business woman underneath, completely loathsome and yet very believeable.

It isn't a perfect musical, I suspect that apart from the song Chocolate at the start of Act Two, will you remember many of the songs weeks after the show, and the set, while clever, had holes that the eagle eyed could have seen through to the wings. It was also perhaps 15 to 25 minutes too long.

But for a first musical by Kay Mellor, it's a warm and welcoming show with plenty to say about the world of dieting and there is quite a lot to enjoy.

Fat Friends The Musical can be seen at Milton Keynes Theatre until Saturday. Tickets for the show can be booked by calling the box office on 0844 871 7652 or visit www.atgtickets.co.uk/miltonkeynes.

The Village Voices Towersey Community Choir are presenting a singing workshop.

It will be led by Janet Russell, a celebrated choir leader, folk singer and songwriter, who welcomes you to join her in singing songs in glorious harmony.

The workshop is on Saturday, March 10 at Towersey Memorial Hall, from 10.30am until 4.30pm, and you are invited to take a lunch to share. This workshop will be followed by a concert at 7.30pm where Janet will be joined by partner and singer/songwriter Jim Woodland.

Tickets are £25 for the workshop, £10 for the concert £10 or a combined ticket for £30.

Workshop tickets must be booked in advance via villagevoices.towersey@gmail.com or call 01844 352468.

Concert tickets are available in advance or can be bought on the night.

Almost nine out of 10 Oxfordshire children due to start secondary school in September have been offered a place at their first-choice school.

In total 88.83 per cent of pupils have received a first-preference offer – slightly higher than last year’s figure (88.64 per cent) and despite an increase in pupils transferring to secondary schools in Oxfordshire.

A further six per cent have been offered their second choice and 1.55 per cent offered their third preference. This leaves just 3.17 per cent of applicants being offered a place at a school not among their stated preferences.

Overall, 6,848 Oxfordshire children are transferring to secondary schools this year – 229 more than in 2017. Of these, 6,083 have been offered their first preference school – 216 more than last year.

Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet member for education and public health Hilary Hibbert-Biles said: “Once again we have been able to give the vast majority of families the news they were hoping to receive – which is especially pleasing given the larger number of children transferring from primary school this year. Oxfordshire has a strong record on school place-planning and compares very favourably with other parts of the country when it comes to making first-choice offers.”

Like many other parts of the country, the secondary school-age population in Oxfordshire is expected to continue to increase over the next few years, as the growth seen at primary schools over the last decade translates into greater demand for secondary school places.

Cllr Hibbert-Biles added: “We are well-placed to meet this challenge, both through our ongoing work with existing schools to identify expansion opportunities where they are needed, and our role in delivering entirely new schools where local housing growth demands their provision.”

An appeal process is available to families wishing to challenge the outcome of their application, and details of how to do this have been sent to parents. Children’s names can also be placed on ‘continued interest’ lists in case places become available at schools between now and September.

Anyone who has yet to apply for a secondary school place for their child for September 2018, should print out and complete an application form at the website below and submit it to the council’s admissions team as soon as possible.

Visit https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/cms/content/secondary-school-applications

Thame’s MP is contacting parish councils to help improve transport facilities for isolated areas.

John Howell MP for the Henley Constituency, is promoting Oxfordshire County Council’s Comet Service.

He has written to parish councils in the constituency to highlight the service and to give an example of how well the service is working for one village – Dorchester on Thames – about a year on from when it first started.

The service provides bus transport for local residents without access to suitable bus services. Concerns around the cuts to local bus services are often raised by constituents and he has raised them with the county council under whose remit this falls.

Mr Howell said: “This is a very good example of the county Council running services in a different way to the past and which is something I have been asking for. It takes buses that normally take children to school and adults to day care centres and makes them available to communities without access to bus services.”

The service has been in operation in Dorchester on Thames for just over a year, courtesy of the parish council, and known locally as the Dorchester Flyer. It does not impose significantly on the local council tax but does provide one day a week the opportunity for local people to go shopping in nearby Wallingford. Costs are kept low for passengers as the buses simply have to cover running costs. It is a good approximation to the uber-type service of buses on demand for which Mr Howell has been calling.

He added: “I am well aware of concerns around the cuts to local services and appreciate the issues around social isolation. The Oxfordshire Comet service seems to be an excellent opportunity for people who simply want to make a journey to go to the shops or to meet friends. I would be pleased to learn of examples where the Comet is working in the constituency so that I can advise residents who raise this with me.”

Parish Councils which wish to avail themselves of this service and help provide a valuable addition to the village are advised to contact, in the first instance, their county councillor or go to https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/cms/content/oxfordshire-comet

Thame Chamber Choir presents Make a Joyful Noise, a concert at St Mary’s Church, Thame, on Saturday, March 10, at 7.30pm.

The evening will include masterpieces by Byrd, Haydn – a chorus from ‘The Creation’ – and Mendelssohn, and features the famous ‘Miserere’ by Allegri.

These pieces, and all the music in the concert, are settings of psalms. The programme also includes former Lord Williams’s School pupil Howard Goodall’s version of ‘The Lord is my Shepherd’, better known as the signature tune for ‘The Vicar of Dibley’.

Tickets for the concert are £12, concessions £10, and are free for under 18s. They are available from the Book House, High Street, Thame (tel: 213032) and at the door.

People are being called up to take part in big tidy up campaign around Thame.

The Thame Tidy and Moreton Muck-Out Day is being held on Saturday, March 17, giving everyone the opportunity to help keep the neighbourhoods looking attractive and litter-free.

Rosemary Bryant, organiser of the big clean up on behalf of 21st Century Thame, said: “We need as many people as possible to come to the Town Hall on the day and help us tidy up Thame and Moreton.

“Just come along between 10am and 4pm, collect litter pickers and rubbish bags from the Thame Lions gazebo outside the Town Hall and get litter-picking. Litter pickers have already been collected for people in Moreton, where the clean-up starts at 10am.

Rosemary added: “If there’s a spot you know that needs a good tidy, get a group together and tackle the litter that’s built up there. As one example, we’ve identified part of Lea Park as somewhere we’re going to concentrate on. There’s no need to worry about being on your own, you’ll be pointed in the direction of other groups you can join.

“There’s another collection point between the two bridges on the Phoenix Trail, where Sustrans will have a stand, handing out litter pickers and bags. There’s plenty to do and the Phoenix Trail will be divided into sections to ensure we clear it all. A group from Chiltern Vale are meeting at 10am to start working on the Hatchetts Lane part of the Trail.”

Sue Martin-Downhill, of organisers 21st Century Thame, said: “This event would not happen without fantastic support from our sponsors, donors and volunteers. They include Thame Lions, ASM, Unicarriers, Bucks Recycling, MP Printers, Biffa, Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, and Thame Town Council for their assistance in promoting the event. We’re incredibly grateful to them all for their help in making this a very successful event, which is now in its eighth year.”

Check out the Thame Tidy 2018 group page on Facebook, or simply turn up on the day and you’ll receive instructions on what you can do to help.

Milton Keynes Theatre has announced that television, recording, musical theatre and pantomime star Shane Richie will lead the cast in this year’s spectacular family pantomime, Robin Hood from Saturday 8 December

Swapping the Queen Vic for the Sherwood Forest, Shane will star as the heroic outlaw Robin Hood. Having established himself as one of the nation’s favourite soap stars, Shane has won numerous awards and millions of fans for his portrayal of Albert Square’s loveable landlord Alfie Moon in EastEnders. Most recently Shane released his critically-acclaimed album A Country Soul, an album inspired by his musical heroes and contemporary country sounds.

Shane’s numerous television credits also include Oliver Twist, Skins, New Tricks, Minder and What We Did on Our Holidays. In addition to acting, Shane has also hosted a number of high-profile game shows including the primetime lottery quiz Win Your Wish List and Decimate. Most recently Shane starred in Making Dad’s Army for the BBC and Benidorm for ITV1 and Redwater alongside his EastEnders co-star Jessie Wallace, a six-part drama series based on their soap alter ego’s lives.

On stage, Shane has starred in a number of hugely successful productions including Danny Zuko in the West End production of Grease, which broke all box office records, Boogie Nights, which he co-wrote and co-produced on tour and in the West End, toured the UK in Peter James’ A Perfect Murder and Not Dead Enough and regularly stars in pantomime for Robin Hood producers Qdos Entertainment.

Audiences will join the most heroic outlaw of them all as the arrow-shooting hero Robin Hood strives to win the hand of the beautiful Maid Marion while he and his trusty band of Merry Men outwit the evil Sheriff of Nottingham in a show full of action, adventure, music, laughter and audience participation.

Robin Hood will once again be produced by Qdos Entertainment, the world’s biggest pantomime producer continuing their partnership with Milton Keynes Theatre, following the success of last year’s spectacular production of Cinderella which starred Brian Conley and Gok Wan.

Michael Harrison, managing director of Qdos Entertainment’s pantomime division said: ‘I’m thrilled that we have managed to secure Shane to star in Robin Hood in Milton Keynes this year. He is a true showman who can do it all, and is a true stalwart of pantomime. Hot on the heels of Cinderella last year, which audiences and critics loved, we can’t wait to bring panto back to Milton Keynes for the 2018 season.’

Emma Sullivan, Theatre Director at Milton Keynes Theatre said: ‘We are delighted to welcome the return of Qdos Entertainment to Milton Keynes Theatre following the roaring success of Cinderella last year. Robin Hood is a new title for the theatre and with Shane Richie heading the cast audiences are promised a real pantomime treat.’

Robin Hood replaces the previously announced Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, with the performance dates and times remaining unchanged.

For further details or to book tickets visit www.atgtickets.co.uk/miltonkeynes or call 0844 871 7652.

The sound of clinking champagne glasses were heard the other night as new innovative bar-restaurant The Beech House opened its doors in Bucks.

The Beech House received an entusiastic welcome from locals as it opened its doors on Amersham’s Hill Avenue last weekend.

The Mayor of Amersham, Councillor Clive Morgan, officially opened the 140-seat bar and restaurant which is an innovative re-development of a row of shops and a former motor service station by award-winning pub group, Oakman Inns.

Within easy walking distance from Amersham Station, the first thing you notice from Hill Avenue is an open-air terrace with al fresco-style seating in front of the glass-fronted bar area, which will doubtless prove a big attraction in warmer weather when shoppers and locals will watch the world go by over a drink.

The imaginatively designed interior offers a warm and welcoming atmosphere and is made up of several different areas - some quiet and discreet and others to suit larger parties. The gleaming aluminium-topped bar wraps around one side of the large space, almost guiding you to the choice of lounge and dining areas and then on to a raised mezzanine level with more seating and a private dining room, which can be booked for meetings and special events.

The original, warehouse-high, ceilings have been retained as have the original concrete supporting pillars. The industrial feel from the raw materials, brick, steel and glimpses of concrete mingle with a suspended ceiling “raft” of wood fibre panels that run above the key public areas - a system which creates an acoustically quieter environment by absorbing sound.

The bar is well stocked with an extensive range of hot and cold drinks to suit every occasion – from hot chocolate made with Callebaut shavings and Rainforest Alliance certified coffee prepared by their Baristas to cocktails, wines, beers and smoothies. Installed next to the bar are four striking copper tanks, each containing over 1,000 pints of craft beer delivered fresh from Greenwich – unexposed to the air - from the popular Meantime Brewery.

From breakfast through to dinner, the seasonal, Mediterranean-inspired menus flex through the day and children are welcomed with their own menu as well as an activity pack. Whether you’re tempted to try an authentic Neapolitan pizza, hand-crafted by one of their pizzaiolos in the wood-fired oven, or one of their outstanding British meats grilled in the Josper charcoal grill, you’ll find freshly prepared dishes to suit all tastes and dietary requirements.

General Manager, James Stanton, until recently the GM at The Beech House in Beaconsfield, is delighted to be back in his hometown again. “I really think we’ve managed to create a perfect blend of traditional pub comfort with a rich, contemporary feel and, with our wide-ranging all-day food and drinks menus, our offer is pretty unique. This is Oakman Inns’ fourth Beech House and having been part of the of the opening team at the first one in Beaconsfield; I’m proud to to be leading the opening team of 60 here.”

Head Chef, Andrew Kolvin, is thrilled with his state of the art, open kitchen. “I think our guests were initially surprised they could watch us preparing their dishes – it adds to the theatre - but then we also get the benefit of seeing them guests enjoying their meal - that’s what it’s all about for us.”

The Mayor of Amersham, Cllr Clive Morgan, declared: “The Beech House is a spectacular development in Amersham on the Hill. Providing congenial surroundings for visitors who want to relax, wine and dine with attentive and friendly staff and imaginative food, it’s suitable for all kinds of occasions. A most welcome addition to the town and I wish Oakman Inns every success in this venture.”

Peter Borg-Neal, CEO, Oakman Inns added: “Last year, we celebrated the company’s 10th anniversary and the opening of this magnificent site is a demonstration of how far we have come. By the time our new places, in Olney, Welford-on-Avon and Ascot are open we will have 23 amazing pubs in our portfolio. I am particularly delighted to get the Amersham Beech House open as it has been a long time coming. The good news is that the people of Amersham absolutely love it and we have been packed from day one and have smashed all its targets. We are hoping that the Beech House will be seen as a place for the whole of the local community to eat, drink and meet friends. Finally, I would just like to recognise James Stanton, our General Manager, and his team. They have done a great job getting it open and coping with some very busy shifts despite all the challenges that the poor weather brought to us.”

Will Phelps, Head Teacher at Beacon School, Amersham: “It is wonderful to have a quality restaurant that has a truly contemporary and modern vibe - a place to entertain both professionally and personally.”

Stephen Binks, Director, Binks Estate Agent: “It’s good news to see that the long-awaited Beech House has opened in Hill Avenue. Amersham has needed a modern gastro pub in the heart of the New Town for many years now. If the level of service and fare offered at other venues within the Oakman Inns group are anything to go by, this new modern style bar-restaurant will be a sure-fire winner.”

A one-off Range Rover Sport built for football legend David Beckham is set to sell for more than £30,000 at auction next month.

Beckham spent around £100,000 upgrading the SUV through Kahn Conversions in 2007.

Staff at Kahn installed a unique interior which includes hand-stitched quilted leather seats, a bespoke sound system and twin rear screens for Brooklyn and Romeo to play on their PlayStations.

It also has a plaque with the moniker ‘Designed for David Beckham’ and the V5C lists the retired footballer as the first owner.

The current owner of the Range Rover Sport is selling it at Classic Car Auctions’ sale over the weekend of March 23/24 at the NEC.

They have given it a guide price of £32,000 to £36,000.

Arwel Richards, classic car specialist at CCA, said: “Our auction at the NEC offers the chance to own this amazing personalised Range Rover with impeccable provenance.

“Indeed, David Beckham remains one of the most recognisable faces on the planet thanks to his 115 England caps and appearances for some of the world’s biggest football clubs, including Manchester United, Real Madrid and LA Galaxy.

“Just think, you could be sharing the same driver’s seat as the man who has scored some of the most memorable goals in football, was an England football captain and who went on to become a global superstar.

“We expect a lot of interest in David’s Range Rover Sport as it presents a fantastic investment opportunity.”

First registered with the number plate ‘DB1001’ the Range Rover Sports has covered just over 65,000 miles and had three owners.

Under the bonnet of the performance SUV is a 4.2-litre supercharged V8 engine which develops around 385bhp.

This gives it a 0-62mph time of 7.2 seconds and a top speed of around 140mph.

However, all the power and weight means the Range Rover Sport is a thirsty vehicle - averaging just 17.7mpg.

Buckingham MP and House of Commons Speaker John Bercow has been named in a report accusing MPs of bullying, harassing and intimidating staff.

The claims come after an investigation by BBC Two’s Newsnight programme which spoke to dozens of female workers who described aggressive and threatening behaviour.

Among those accused of bullying was the Vale MP and Speaker Bercow, the MP for Buckingham, whose private secretary left her job in 2011.

Bercow flatly denies any allegation he behaved in such a manner, “either eight years ago, or at any other time” - as reported by the BBC.

“Any suggestion to the contrary is simply untrue,” a spokesman told the BBC.

Newsnight has been investigating claims of bullying and harassment by MPs and one of the stories that has emerged was that of Kate Emms - who worked as a private secretary to Mr Bercow, starting in mid-2010.

Colleagues who spoke to Newsnight claimed that Mr Bercow had shouted at her and undermined her in front of other staff. This left her unable to continue working in what was a key Commons post, they said.

Two other MPs named in the investigation were Labour’s Paul Farrelly and Conservative Mark Pritchard.

Matt Adcock reviews Gringo (15)

If you’ve a hankering for a dark, adult-edged comedy that mixes up some averagely entertaining action and mild dramatic intrigue, Gringo is just about a joyride worth taking.

Welcome to Mexico, where the cartels are all powerful and mild-mannered businessmen like Harold Soyinka (David Oyelowo) don’t generally last very long. And so it is that Harold soon finds himself seriously out of his depth when his back-stabbing business colleagues set him up. Before long Harold and those around him are in the firing line of not just the local drug lords but also a morally conflicted black-ops mercenary named Mitch (Sharlto Copley).

There’s a certain amount of fun in watching Harold cross the line from law-abiding citizen to wanted criminal – whilst having a mid-life crisis - as he must battle to survive his increasingly preposterous and dangerous situation. Oyelowo certainly shows that he can play for laughs and his dubious bosses Charlize Theron and Joel Edgerton are the central crux to the film and bring a decent amount of chemistry to the party.

Alas the humour starts to wear a bit thin as the film shifts tones several times, throwing all kind of plot devices into the fray and hoping for the best. Harold’s freak-out reaction when his wife Bonnie (Thandie Newton) says she’s leaving him is to fake his own kidnapping – which really might not be the best idea in a country where kidnapping is all too common.

As the plot whirlwinds along it catches up a young couple trying to get into the drug running game into the danger – but Miles (Harry Treadaway) and Sunny (Amanda Seyfried)’s subplot doesn’t add anything except to pad out the thin story.

It's Charlize Theron who steals all her scenes though, implying danger with every smile, reminiscent of the snarky, sexually manipulative femme fatale she played back in 1996’s Two Days in the Valley.

Director Edgerton does at least deliver some good stunt scenes – he used to be a stuntman himself so obviously uses what he knows to his and the audience’s advantage. But overall Gringo suffers from covering ground that has been done much better before in the well-worn drug action flicks and TV shows.

Be no means a classic, Gringo is a disposable burst of entertainment that won’t linger long in the memory.

The following people from Aylesbury Vale and beyond have recently been sentenced at magistrates courts in the county.

Wycombe Magistrates Court

February 26:

Gareth Bowen, 51, Coppice Way, Aylesbury: drove a Citroen Cactus on Bellingham Way, Aylesbury, while over the alcohol limit. Fined £385, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £38 and costs of £85 to the CPS. Disqualified from holding a driving licence for 24 months.

February 27:

Mary Edegbe, 48, Clover End, Buckingham: caused two children unneccessary suffering or injury. Given an eight week prison sentence suspended for 12 months. Ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £115 and costs of £85 to the CPS.

February 28:

Alexander Wiltshire, 25, Bankside, Wendover: stole four bottles of alcohol costing £128 from Sainsbury’s. Fined £40, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £30 and costs of £85 to the CPS.

March 1:

Andrew Fitzsimons, 43, Amorosa Gardens, Aylesbury: assaulted three people by beating. Discharged conditionally for 12 months. Ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £20 and costs of £85 to the CPS.

Ernest Harry, 34, Chalgrove Walk, Aylesbury: assaulted a woman by beating. Discharged conditionally for 12 months, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £20 and costs of £85 to the CPS.

Cadbury has announced that the price of Freddos will reduce to 25p, around a year after the world-famous chocolate makers upped the price to 30p.

The price cut comes after data from MoneySupermarket showed that the chocolate bars had surged in price by 200 per cent since the year 2000, going up from 10p to 30p over an 18 year period.

A Cadbury spokesman said: “Brilliant news Freddo fans, we’re pleased to announce that Freddo will become available for 25p once again from March onwards, across price marked packs in independent retailers.

“This marks the start of a ribbeting year for your favourite frog in 2018, as we launch an exciting promotion with Merlin as well as lots more froggy fun to come later in the year.” The news appears to have gone down well among the chocolate bar’s champions, with dozens of fans taking to social media to voice their delight.

One fan wrote on Twitter: “Hurrah! I always have a Freddo in my handbag for emergencies”, while another posted: “This is the kind of positivity I need in my life”.

Another commented: “Let today be henceforth known as international Freddo day.”

Last month Jeremy Corbyn raised his own concerns over the Freddo price tag, complaining it was rising just because of popularity. He said at the time: “I think there is a very obvious motive: those that make Freddos know it’s popular, so they’re making a bit more money. “I think we need to examine this question in some detail and see if there is excessive profit-making by those who make Freddos – then they’ve got us to answer to.”

Amazon have promised an update for its digital personal assistant Alexa, after widespread reports that the software has been letting out unprompted and so-called ‘creepy’ laughter.

Though many Amazon Echo owners have been shaken by this disturbing glitch, it isn’t the first time Alexa has acted up. Since the software’s release in 2014, users have reported many strange and sometimes unsettling incidents involving Amazon Alexa – here are just a few of the most bizarre.

Always listening

Three months ago, one Reddit user wrote that during a game of 20 Questions with Amazon Alexa (a skill the assistant comes programmed with), Alexa guessed the answer as ‘Basenji’.

The correct answer was ‘pig’. Unnervingly, the man owns a Basenji, which is an unusual breed of dog that does not bark. The poster and his wife had previously purchased BasenjI-themed items from Amazon, leading the couple to think that Alexa had either learned this word from their Amazon account, or had been listening in to their conversations.

Alexa the mediator

Another poster on Reddit remembered being interrupted by Alexa during a heated argument with his wife a couple of years ago. The personal assistant reportedly piped up with, “Why don’t we change the subject?” When the startled couple looked back in the app’s logs, they could find no record of the interjection.

Finding a final resting place

One Alexa owner took to Twitter to share that after their Amazon Echo device recently started talking unprompted, they soon realised she was listing local cemeteries and undertakers.

Alexa Lecter

Someone else on Reddit gave their insomniac mother-in-law an Echo Dot for Christmas. While up late watching TV one evening, the recipient unexpectedly heard Alexa say, “Good night, Clarice.” As you may have already guest, the woman was not called Clarice.

Your virtual pet

According to one Reddit user, their Alexa joined in after overhearing her owner and their cat miaowing at each other.

Paw Patrol LIVE! ‘The Great Pirate Adventure’ will be touring Britain during the summer and autumn months this year.

Beginning with a performance in Edinburgh on Saturday 28 July, the production will then be making 11 stops across Scotland, England and Wales, finishing the run in Brighton on the 8 and 9 September.

Paw Patrol LIVE! ‘The Great Pirate Adventure’ full tour dates:

Sat 28 Jul: The Playhouse, Edinburgh

Thu 2 Aug: Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle

Sat 4 and Sun 5 Aug: SECC, Glasgow Wed 8 Aug: Echo Arena, Liverpool

Sat 11 and Sun 12 Aug: Manchester Arena, Manchester

Wed 15 Aug: Fly DSA Arena, Sheffield

Sat 18 Aug: Arena Birmingham

Wed 22 Aug: Motor Point Arena, Cardiff

Sat 25 and Sun 26 Aug: The SSE Arena, Wembley, London

Sat 1 and Sun 2 Sep: Windsor Hall, Bournemouth International Centre

Sat 8 and Sun 9 Sep: Brighton Centre, Brighton

PAW Patrol to the rescue The show follows Mayor Goodway getting everything shipshape for a big pirate day celebration in Adventure Bay.

However, when Cap’n Turbot falls into a dark and mysterious cavern, it’s PAW Patrol to the rescue. Chase, Marshall, Rubble, Skye, Rocky and Zuma save Cap’n Turbot and discover a secret pirate treasure map that leads them on an epic adventure.

Over land and across the high seas, the pups set out to find the treasure for Mayor Goodway so the celebration can go on.

Things get ‘ruff’ when Mayor Humdinger wants to find the treasure first for Foggy Bottom.

The pups need all paws on deck for this pirate adventure, including help from the newest pup who’s all ears,

Tracker. An innovative performance Similar to PAW Patrol Live! ‘Race to the Rescue’, which continues to tour the world in 2018, the new show includes two acts and an intermission.

The performance incorporates an innovative costume approach to help bring the pups to life on stage, as well as their vehicles and packs during the adventure.

Tickets go on general sale on Friday 16 March at 9am, priced from £15.

https://www.ents24.com/uk/tour-dates/paw-patrol-live

Real thrills on two wheels but limited.

The last couple of weeks I have mentioned how it seems to be all about racing at the moment... well that seems pretty accurate still.

That’s because one of the big releases this week is Isle of Man TT: Ride On The Edge.

For those unfamiliar with Isle of Man TT, the game is dedicated to one of the most famous and heroic motorbike racing events on the planet.

TT features many of the leading teams and riders and is very much aimed at fanboys of the event and the sport BUT its mechanical brilliance should help it appeal to a wider spectrum.

Developed by those responsible for the rather underwhelming WRC series, Kylotonn, TT was very much an unknown quantity.

The first thing to mention is that the game looks beautiful and brings the full 37-mile Snaefell Mountain Course to life - to race in full no less!

Sounds amazing doesn’t it? Well it truly is and I am so not your archetypal motorbike man or fan. TT is dubbed one of the most dangerous races in the world and for that reason has a cult following.

Sadly the race has seen more than 250 fatalities in the past century so - without wishing to make light of such a shocking statistic - this is by far the safest way to enjoy the Isle of Man TT and the closest you will get to the real thing bar a Virtual Reality version (now there’s an idea!).

There were some minor issues when up close to fences and walls in terms of the graphic modelling but it has to be said the gameplay, realism and aforementioned mechanical qualities are the crowning achievement.

The big let down is a distinct lack of game modes, though, especially given TT is priced as a Triple A title.

Two motorcycle classes, nine tracks and a handful of modes won’t make for much longevity and is pretty disappointing.

But this is a demanding and satisfying racer for fanboys and as a racing sim it is on a par with Dirt Rally, one of my favourite racers of recent times.

For those seeking quick thrills and something a bit different then this is as realistic as it gets but may leave anyone wanting long-term satisfaction feeling a bit short-changed.

Tesco has stopped selling a children’s fox hunter costume after receiving complaints from customers and anti-hunting campaigners.

The signature bright red tailcoat costing £10.41, which was listed by a third-party vendor on the Tesco Direct website, was taken down earlier this week.

“We’ve listened to customers and have immediately removed this product from sale,” said a Tesco spokesperson. Campaigners said fox-hunting was an “archaic pastime”.

“Why Tesco would think it’s an appropriate fancy dress costume for children is quite beyond us. We look forward to seeing their badger baiting or dog fighting outfit in the near future,” said Lee Moon of the Hunt Saboteurs Association.

Customers were also dismayed the supermarket was selling such a costume for children, calling it “despicable” and “abhorrent”. “How is a ‘fox hunter’ jacket ‘just dressing up fun’?!? You’re a disgrace,” said one person on Twitter.

“This is awful! How can you sell this… Children need educating on how to love and respect animals,” said another.

Part of ‘British life’

However the decision sparked backlash from countryside campaigners, who said it was “simply impossible to eradicate hunting from British life”.

“Tesco needs to think carefully about bowing to intimidation from animal rights activists,” said Tim Bonner, Chief Executive at the Countryside Alliance.

He added that children would be out hunting this weekend as many hunts came to the end of their season.

“They will not have bought their coats from Tesco, but they will be taking part in a thriving, legal pastime which is indelibly written into British culture and its countryside.”

Hunting foxes with a pack of dogs has been banned in England and Wales since 2005 (and in Scotland since 2002) but it is legal to use up to two dogs to chase the animals out of hiding if they are causing damage to properties or the environment. The fox must be shot quickly after it is found. Fox hunting has been a point of contention for the Tories recently. The party initially pledged to hold a vote on bringing back the pastime in its manifesto but Prime Minister Theresa May announced in January she had dropped these plans.

“My own view hasn’t changed but as Prime Minister my job isn’t just about what I think about something, it’s actually about looking at what the view of the country is. I think there was a clear message about that and that’s why I say there won’t be a vote on fox hunting in this parliament,” she told the Andrew Marr show.

This story originally appeared on inews.co.uk

Time-pressed shoppers will soon be able to skip the queues and pay whilst they shop with a payment app being launched by Co-op.

Using Mastercard’s secure digital payment software, the shop, scan and go app will let shoppers independently scan items in the aisle and then pay directly from their account.

The new technology comes on the back of increasing card payment transactions in the store, with cash transactions dropping by more than one fifth over the last five years, with a 15 per cent reduction in the last 18 months alone.

Co-op has said the app will benefit customers who “seek increased convenience”.

However, it’s not the end of the manned checkout as the new payment system will run alongside traditional checkouts and self-service tills.

Matthew Speight, at the Co-op, said: “It is a challenging marketplace for retailers, and the Co-op is responding positively.

“It is all about consumer choices and convenience. We listen to our Members and customers and we are investing in our stores, people, prices, products and technology.

“We recognise there are many communities where customers pop in to their local Co-op and enjoy a friendly chat – it is all part of the service. Whereas for others, perhaps with a train to catch or on a school run, every second can count as consumers seek increased convenience.”

The app is currently being trialled in Manchester, with a further roll-out expected this summer.

Elliott Goldenberg, head of digital payments at Mastercard UK added: “Technology is bringing unprecedented change to retailing right before our eyes; however, the challenge for all of us who play a part in the retail experience is meeting the needs of all consumers who are moving at different speeds in the adoption of technology.”

The annual TV licence fee is going up for the second year in a row – but there is a way to dodge the rise.

On April 1, the cost of a colour licence will rise by £3.50 to £150.50.

The cost of a black and white licence will rise from £49.50 to £50.50. According to the TV Licensing database, there are more than 300,000 people whose licence expires on March 31. But if they act fast, they can renew early and continue paying this year’s rate for the next 12 months.

“We know people are always looking for ways to make their money go further, which is why we are reminding people to renew their TV Licence before the end of the month,” said TV Licensing spokesperson Jason Hill.

Who needs a TV Licence?

If you use or install television equipment to receive or record television programmes as they are being broadcast, you need to be covered by a valid TV licence. Viewing television without a licence risks prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000.

Will I be caught if I don’t have a TV Licence?

There’s a good chance. TV Licensing visits unlicensed properties which have not responded to attempts to make contact. On average, more than 700 evaders are caught every day. Last year 256,600 people were caught watching TV without a licence.