CIRCUS CELEBRATION IS JUST THE TICKET FOR GRUNDON

REGIONAL ROUND-UP OXFORDSHIRE

Waste Management company Grundon, which has its headquarters in Oxfordshire, celebrated its 90th anniversary by teaming up with the wonderfully unique Gloucestershire-based Giffords Circus for a fun-filled weekend of performances under the Big Top in Windsor.

Neil Grundon, now deputy chairman of the Grundon family business, has been friends with Nell Gifford, founder of Giffords Circus, for more than 30 years. He said the opportunity to take over the circus for the weekend was just too good to miss.

More than 2,000 people attended six performances over the weekend.

Twin Town challenge 2020 heads for the £1 million finishing line

Preparations are revving up for the final Twin Town Challenge next May. The event will see 100 teams each driving £500 cars to Witney’s twin town of Le Touquet in France for a weekend of fun and team challenges in a bid to raise more than £1 million for charity.

The bi-annual event raises money for Charlbury-based charity SpecialEffect.

The event will finish back at Blenheim Palace four days later.

The Twin Town Challenge is organised by Brendon Cross, MD of Witney based STL Communications and Hexagon Business Centres and a SpecialEffect Vice-President.

Brendon said: “The Twin Town Challenge is an amazing sight with 100 cars, 400 people in fancy dress and more than 50 volunteers. All the costs of the event are covered by sponsorship and all entry fees and team fundraising goes straight to the charity.” www.twintown.org.uk

Stepnell completes new hotel for Feldon Valley golf club

A new four-star hotel near Banbury is giving guests the chance to stay a chip-shot away from one of the region’s best golf courses.

The 13-bedroom hotel at Feldon Valley golf club was built by family business Stepnell, which also oversaw the building of four woodland lodges, as well as the extension and remodelling of the existing clubhouse.

The £6.75 million project now provides accommodation for up to 50 guests.

Rob Speirs, regional director at Rugby-based Stepnell, said: “One of the key parts of our brief was to deliver something that enhances the club and surrounding area for non-members.”

He added: “The work at Feldon Valley was essentially three projects in one: an extensive refurbishment job on the clubhouse, building a two-storey hotel and four high-quality woodland lodges, all completed while the club stayed open for business.”