Summer visitor

Sun 27 Jul, 09:51

This thread was locked by Richard Fairhurst.

Sun 27 Jul, 09:08 (last edited on Fri 1 Aug, 09:44)

I assume before you posted, Joshua, you read over your comments multiple times before hitting post and at no point thought, "hm, I'm calling Emily's comments/criticism about the most divisive and unlawful American government of this century, divisive, maybe I need to reflect and rethink my wording."  You might have the privilege of separating your politics from your personal life, but I don't, and many people in the US don't either. 

I also wonder why you labelled my comments divisive but not XXXXX's when his are literally conspiracy theories? I guess only you can answer that.

To quote former President Obama, "You have to believe in facts, without facts there is no basis for cooperation. If I say this is a podium and you say this is an elephant, it is going to be hard for us to cooperate."

Sun 27 Jul, 05:47 (last edited on Fri 1 Aug, 09:44)

Aside from the fraud case, he also lost a civil case for sexual assault and damages brought by E Jean Carroll who was awarded 90 million dollars in damages. He has also settled many other claims against him for SA privately, but hey maybe ALL the women/girls are liars and he just the unlucky victim of another political conspiracy. Poor guy!

Sat 26 Jul, 22:30 (last edited on Sat 26 Jul, 22:33)

Emily, speaking in a positive light of JD Vance doesn’t automatically mean someone subscribes to conspiracy thinking—people can agree with a politician’s policies or values for many different reasons. It might be more productive to discuss specific arguments or positions rather than labelling people unfairly. That way, the conversation stays constructive and respectful. This isn’t the first time you jump to labels, we have to be careful putting people in boxes, its very unnecessarily divisive. 

Sat 26 Jul, 18:53

There was a different American VP nearby this afternoon, at a posh wedding, and I made so bold as to pass on Charlbury's good wishes to her.

Sat 26 Jul, 12:26

Thanks, Harriet. I stand corrected, and maybe need to widen the net of possible properties.

But I do still think it's Cornbury. It's ideal in so many ways ...

I had originally thought that David Howden wouldn't want to take the reputational risk of hosting Vance (it's not just people in Charlbury who think that Vance is in many ways worse than Trump). But I can see that Howden Insurance is expanding in the US market and can see why such an arrangement might appeal. 

I doubt it is a house-swap! 

Sat 26 Jul, 12:06

Christine, Mamaw was Vance's grandmother. 

I've read his book, it was interesting.

Sat 26 Jul, 11:48 (last edited on Sat 26 Jul, 11:57)

Like James, I had also wondered about Lee Place and Jo Bamford's pile.

However, a short article in The Spectator (4 July) would suggest it's Cornbury: https://thespectator.com/topic/jd-vance-summer-plans-cotswolds-hamptons-england/

We are also told "some senior British political figures, who have knowledge of Cotswolds social scene, are helping the Vance family plan their trip. What would Mamaw say?"

We are told the deal involves a "filthy rich Anglo" and "the estate of a well-known billionaire". That very odd reference to "Mamaw" strongly suggests Cornbury, given that  MAMA was the branding of the Wilderness Festival in earlier years. 

Cornbury has its own airstrip, and its general security is good. I seem to remember that Bill Clinton was once interested in buying the house  (at the time Chelsea was studying in Oxford), so I can see why some senior political figures (Cameron? who else?) would think that Cornbury would fit the bill.

Of course, David Howden (of Howden insurance) does not own Cornbury, but only rents it from Lord Rotherwick who still lives on the estate. But I can't see Lord R. objecting to the deal.

Sat 26 Jul, 11:41 (last edited on Fri 1 Aug, 09:44)

Remember, the Nazis were once popular. It didn't make them morally superior. You can twist it however you want, but the entire administration is morally reprehensible and acting outside of the law - please see all the judges, right and left, who have struck down his boss' executive orders. 

Just admit it, you're a fan of a bit of alt-right, conspiracy minded politicians and are hoping that if Vance does visit, he'll grace you with his presence, you'll suddenley become important by association. 

Sat 26 Jul, 09:30

If Vance does indeed stay in Charlbury, I wonder where it will be?

I think Lee Place may be unoccupied at the moment while the Duchess’s son is repainting?

Jo Bamford’s mansion? (Has he demolished it yet? I don’t think so and lots of space for helicopters to park.)

Or perhaps he's doing a house swap with the Howdens who rent Cornbury. Although perhaps not, as I'm not sure there’s that much to do in Vance’s hometown of Cincinnati. I mean I don't know, Cincinnati may be buzzing, but I haven't heard of it being a big holiday destination. But then neither, really, was Charlbury. Until now.

Could be Isabel Oakeshott’s ex-home, now an AirBnB, at the bottom of Church Street.

Or somewhere in Chilson?

Sat 26 Jul, 09:16

Posting on behalf of a friend who doesn't want to jeopardise potential future trips to the US (and what a wonderful world we live in where she fears expressing disgruntlement with a politician):

Trump and Vance may not have criminal convictions (records) but do they have criminal (i.e. dreadful) convictions (i.e. beliefs)?

[sigh]

As Marjorie says, let’s hope JD gets stuck into the JD at the bar in the Rosie and sees the light.

Sat 26 Jul, 09:00 (last edited on Fri 1 Aug, 09:44)

This is not just a benign visitor, Marjorie/XXXX potentially visiting our town. 

This is a man who has led the stripping of rights and protections from women, the LGBTQ+ community, who has signed off on immigrants, tourists and political opponents being kidnapped and sent to countries with horrendous human rights records, he has tried to silence law firms and universities who refuses to bow to his and his masters opinions, he denigrated a President fighting a war in the Oval Office on international tv, he has allowed a genocide to continue in Palestine, he has overseen trade wars against us and our European allies, he came to Europe and insulted the contributions of our relatives in two World Wars, and has overseen a measles epidemic in a number of southern states. I could keep going. 

He may not wear the Nazi uniform, but to me, and others, he is cut from the same cloth as those people we in this country supposedly condemn. 

At what point do we appease the views of someone who holds the same views our grandparents and great grandparents gave their lives and wellbeing for? Just because they want a "peaceful holiday"?

The Algars

Sat 26 Jul, 07:08 (last edited on Sat 26 Jul, 07:54)

When we first visited Charlbury twenty-six years ago, we fell in love with the area for its natural beauty, history, and friendly local people.  Having lived here now for more than twenty years we appreciate its inclusiveness and the variety of interests local people put so much effort into. Schools, businesses, churches, societies. There are so many reasons and so many people who have helped make this area attractive.  It's not ideal, but we seem to try and that is the important thing.  I hope visitors see these aspects and perhaps take this strong sense of community home and replicate it.  

Sat 26 Jul, 06:48 (last edited on Fri 1 Aug, 09:44)

Hi, you asked what Trump's crime was: it was falsifying business records. 

"The offense of falsifying business records is commonly prosecuted in New York, and it is a frequent part of white-collar crime prosecutions brought by district attorneys' offices. For example, the Manhattan district attorney's office, from January 2022 through April 2023, brought 117 felony counts of falsifying business records against 29 defendants (some individuals and others companies)"

You can find out more here, if you're interested: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falsifying_business_records

Fri 25 Jul, 15:52 (last edited on Fri 25 Jul, 16:02)

Oxford Mail has picked up on the story about JD Vance holidaying in Charlbury: https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/25341161.cotswold-town-jd-vance-will-holiday-revealed/

If true, the visit is likely to be in the latter part of August, since The Telegraph reports that the vice president, his wife Usha, and their three young children are expected to explore London in mid-August, rent a cottage in the Cotswolds, and then travel to Scotland. 

I think the security measures for JDV are unlikely to resemble those for this week's wedding event at The Bull, since it's likely that all those attending last Wednesday's shindig would have needed to provide their own security. In the case of Vance, security is likely to be provided by the US and UK authorities. 

Matthew Greenfield suggests that there is no suitable house in Charlbury. Unfortunately, I can think of quite a few, either on the outskirts of the town or on one of the big estates (Cornbury or Ditchley) or even 2 or 3 in a  more central location. It's not necessarily going to be  40 SUVs, more likely road closures and checkpoints as happens when he is in the US:  https://www.fox19.com/2025/07/24/closures-security-checkpoints-announced-near-jd-vances-home/ 

Plum Sykes who leaked the Charlbury location to BBC Radio 4 has a longstanding interest in Charlbury, and is one of the people behind the proposed TV Reality Series, working title  "Ladies of the Cotswolds" (ugh!). So I fear it might be true -- unless, of course, it's a deliberate attempt to mislead.

So perhaps this is the time to plan your summer break away, as protesters are likely to be coming to Charlbury from round the country. Unfortunately, too late for me to easily change my plans. But at least we can make sure that the Ukrainian and European flags are flying here ...

Fri 25 Jul, 07:10 (last edited on Fri 25 Jul, 07:17)

Apparently, this "sleepy village"  "feels like it's turning into a no-go zone, with secret service operatives and blokes who look like they work for the FBI”

Says the world's most reliable news source. 

Oddly, one of those agents spoke to me yesterday. And not only told me we'd been hosting Kamala, but was such an incompetent agent he gave himself away.  By being the only Virginia-dwelling thirtysomething in Charlbury's recent history to pay cash instinctively for his toothpaste. What possible reason could there be to whip out cash when the cardreader was staring at him than an inbuilt obsession with avoiding being traced?  And who else but an agent (of the CIA or the US Secret Service: the FBI doesn't operate in Britain) would ever have such an obsession? 

The good news: this agent will certainly report back, like the other UK and US spooks monitoring local websites, that JDV really has to take his family to Florida for their holiday. Charlbury might - at a pinch - tolerate bigoted nihilists. But it really, really, really draws a line when it comes to bigoted nihilists with 40 SUVs.

Particularly if they've got the kind of diplomatic immunity that lets bad parkers escape the fines Oxfordshire County Council would otherwise be raking in. 

Thu 24 Jul, 18:49

And then you watch the International news and are curious where people focus their time and energy. 

Thu 24 Jul, 17:54

Shucks and I missed the fun. No chance to add an insightful comment.

Thu 24 Jul, 17:51

These drivers are employed by the people who have come to a venue in Charlbury.  Isn't it the responsibility of those people to make sure they are appropriately provided for?  The people running the Bull and the Bell need to make sure their clients and their clients staff are provided for.  Would you leave someone sitting in a car without considering their needs for hours?   I'm horrified.  

Thu 24 Jul, 17:43 (last edited on Thu 24 Jul, 17:55)

Ha ha! Just listened to PM on the BBC (today, Thursday). If you listen back on BBC Sounds, about 28 minutes in, then there is a slightly excruciating discussion about the increase of (rich) Americans coming to the Cotswolds. They mention the big wedding at Estelle Manor but the weird thing is that the woman (Plum Sykes) actually says "JD Vance has rented this house in Charlbury" for the summer. 

Er, which house? Surely there isn't one big enough to accommodate his family and an army of security people with their 40 4x4s? Maybe it's an estate near Charlbury?

Wouldn't be surprised if he wanted to visit the best pub in the UK at some point...

Thu 24 Jul, 17:13

Opening the Spendlove public toilets for free would be a great service, especially now many people don’t carry cash. West Oxfordshire - where cars get free P but humans have to pay to pee!

Thu 24 Jul, 09:18

Dunno if they are 'regular' – I guess it depends on how much fibre they eat – but there was indeed a procession of suited heavies popping into the gents in the Rosie last night. None stopped to chat or buy a pint. 

Thu 24 Jul, 08:46

Open the toilet ? For all users ; visitors, walkers cyclists, who are more regular?

Thu 24 Jul, 08:20

Also a completely separate issue, but the bull really needs to consider the issue of facilities for drivers. Those guys are no doubt used to working in urban areas with toilets, not a little rural town where the toilets are closed. They came into the co-op and asked if they could use the shop toilets, they were told no, go to the Rose and Crown. I assume they did, but if you're organising an event that's not really acceptable. 

Thu 24 Jul, 07:53 (last edited on Thu 24 Jul, 07:58)

Maybe that's why they didn't notify neighbours that they'd be having an event. They knew there'd be lots of vehicles, and the possibility that someone would suggest traffic wardens came out. 

Either way I think the management needs to consider their neighbours a bit more. But also, I think the continual posting of pictures of badly parked vehicles is a contributing factor

Wed 23 Jul, 22:44

John - lost in translation perhaps. ; )

Wed 23 Jul, 22:39

I feel completely opposite to Melissa’s fondness - I could not care less about what goes on there, but what I care about are all those stupidly/illegally parked cars/people carriers within close proximity of the pub of the year (still can’t get over that fact🤪). I really thing the Bull should really encourage people to use public transport or at least carshare! Sounds like a utopia - I am aware of that - but I find it worrying when professional drivers have to be breaking rules just because the visitors of their fine establishment like things super convenient. Obviously those drivers can’t use that as a valid excuse.

Wed 23 Jul, 22:13

I literally could not be more excited about this.

And Kim Collery - no you may not. 

Wed 23 Jul, 21:04 (last edited on Wed 23 Jul, 21:35)

The daughter of Steve Jobs (Founder of Apple inc.)  is being married at Estelle Manor this week to a British Olympian. There is your answer folks. Oh and Elton John will be performing. https://graziadaily.co.uk/celebrity/news/apple-heiress-eve-jobs-wedding/

Wed 23 Jul, 20:47

There a big celebrate wedding on at  esttle manor. Could be something to do with that

Wed 23 Jul, 20:39

Massive excitement tonight as loads of big cars with blacked out windows, cameras and “ heavies” appeared outside the Bull, much to the delight of us local yokels drinking in the Rose…and who was the belle of the ball? Ah that would be telling…

Wed 23 Jul, 20:13

We prefer to be called a Coven, Kim. 

Wed 23 Jul, 19:31 (last edited on Thu 24 Jul, 07:24)

May I suggest the Algar Coven move from a great Cotswold hub to somewhere more suitable for them - if there is anywhere!!! 

Wed 23 Jul, 18:25

There is a very nice, large American family staying in town and I would hope they are treated with courtesy and a warm Charlbury welcome…please. 

Wed 23 Jul, 17:59

Vance is in Nantucket. Clearly he read the forum.

Wed 23 Jul, 17:59

Here's a different, and perhaps more welcome, summer visitor. A Jersey Tiger moth, rarely seen as far north as Oxfordshire 

Wed 23 Jul, 17:50 (last edited on Wed 23 Jul, 17:52)

I asked all of the heavies on my way to Coop - they declined to comment ("I can't say") but denied it was JD Vance ("No....!?"). Weirdly, they all spoke English with a Russian (or East European) accent, even the photographer. 

Wed 23 Jul, 17:48

This for example?

Wed 23 Jul, 17:45

There's a private wedding party with various 'VIPs' at the Bull today, so we can expect a lot of double yellow line activity this evening (including what Jim has already referred to). 

Wed 23 Jul, 17:29

Does that explain the sharp suited men in large Range Rovers  parked on double yellows/pavement opposite The Bull today

Wed 23 Jul, 17:29

I donated my copy of Hillbilly Elegy to the Corner House bookshop a few months back. If it’s still there perhaps someone could ask him to sign it? I’m told Americans are unaware of large amounts of British slang…

Wed 23 Jul, 17:14

Can this not be true please, we will have to come out in mass protest and who has time for that with the Germany-Spain game on tonight

Wed 23 Jul, 16:30

It looks like Vance will be dining at The Bull tonight unless this is a stratagem to mislead

Wed 23 Jul, 09:26

Lots of preperation going on at the Bull this morning. Could it be for this......?

Tue 22 Jul, 21:23 (last edited on Tue 22 Jul, 22:53)

This reminds about the story that JD Vance visited Rome earlier this year when the Coliseum was closed to accommodate him despite many people having pre-paid tickets. He didn't actually turn up (although his wife and kids did I believe). I think this is also the time when he visited the previous pope who promptly died.

However it is the headline below that worries me when he comes to visit the Rose & Crown. We need to build that underground car park in Charlbury pretty sharpish:

Tue 22 Jul, 17:31

Katie, we can disagree can't we? Its just that you don't exactly seem to hide your views of the wicked convicted criminal Despot Donny under a bushel. My point is that everyone should be able to take a holiday in peace and nothing would be more unedifying and unbritish than to turn on your guest (remember what they did to Zelensky on the Oval Office) so best to stay classy in my view. Insofar as you object to a second State Visit I'm apt to agree but you have the Prime Minister to blame for that, whilst we should perhaps be discreet on this forum about our politics I hope you won't mind if I tell you that I didn't vote for him.     

ps to all Charlburian pedants I hope you appreciate the correct spelling of 'discreet' when used in that context. 

Tue 22 Jul, 17:16

The likelihood has to be that the Vances won't come here. This can't be the only Cotswold website expressing collective disdain for JD, and it's very likely that our government (and the US Embassy) are monitoring it. 

It's not just JD and his Missus rumoured to be coming: it's supposed to be a family holiday and the great downside of high political office - intense, 24/7, security - would have to come too.  No parent would want their children exposed to antics like those Trump was probably rather delighted by when exposed to them during his 2018 visit to Blenheim.. 

Even taking his children to church with all those Secret Service "protectors" would attract more publicity. As a Catholic, Vance has to take his children to church on a Sunday  - and (as the Pope's inauguration showed) no British vicar or Parish Priest could possibly preach a sermon that would avoid further humiliating JD.

So Lammy and Mandelson are probably briefing the White House right now about the importance of JD having his family holiday somewhere that won't upset his children. Like Florida.

That won't deny British Trumpophobes the opportunity for humiliating Donny or JD. But it'll have to be at a British event JD's children won't attend - like Trump's state visit or his "business" trip to Scottish golf courses.

Ultimately: not even a MAGA supporter could possibly be so insensitive as to expose their children to the views of people round here.

Could they?

Tue 22 Jul, 12:55

I think if he has time to go on holiday, rather than Charlbury I would suggest that he goes to Woodstock ...
... New York.

Tue 22 Jul, 09:16

James, I don't think it's virtue signalling to say I'd rather the VP of a country that is currently running a concentration camp for immigrants stayed out of our town. He supports a President who (aside from being a convicted criminal) will cause the unnecessary deaths of hundreds of thousands of people in the developing world through cruel cuts to overseas aid. Every day their wickednesss is on full display. Remember what they did to Zelensky in the Oval Office? I don't want either of them here and can't fathom how Despot Donny is getting a second state visit at taxpayers expense...

Tue 22 Jul, 05:03 (last edited on Tue 22 Jul, 05:04)

Valerie, Status Quo's "Ice in the Sun" has the line "Like ICE in the sun, I melt away" ...
... like I wish he - and they - would! 

Mon 21 Jul, 23:13 (last edited on Tue 22 Jul, 00:40)

We should get up a concert in his honour.   My suggestions:

'My Heart Belongs to Daddy (whoever that is at the time),'

'On the street where you live (ICE is coming to get you),'

'Til I can make it on my own.' 

Suggestions welcome ....

Mon 21 Jul, 20:06

How lovely.  Mr. Vance has set aside his America First principles to take a very costly holiday with his family in our neighbourhood.

I think we should remember that he and his boss are responsible for the 10% tariffs imposed on UK goods sold to the US.  Our new trade deal has reduced the new 25% tariff to 10% only on 100,000 cars sold to the US.  It has opened the UK market to American farmers.  We are in a trade war with the US and our economy is being even more damaged by their actions through cancelled orders, delayed investment and trade uncertainty.  

"When they go low, we go high".  Thank you Michelle Obama.  Maybe we should invite the Vance family for a tour of a locally owned solar park that returns money to the community.  Or, how about arranging a debate in the Memorial Hall, subject, "God helps them that helps themselves". Other ideas?

Mon 21 Jul, 18:04 (last edited on Mon 21 Jul, 18:04)

Or, for the pedants among us, affect or feign lack of interest?

Because "disinterest" means something completely different from "lack of interest" - and something completely alien to everything he and his Boss represent.

We are, after all, Charlburians. What would Charlbury be without us pedants?   

Mon 21 Jul, 18:02 (last edited on Mon 21 Jul, 18:05)

An update - with a mention of Charlbury. Chris - the Guardian is free to view, though you might have to register….

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jul/21/cotswolds-jd-vance-family-holiday?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

PS - brilliantly put Melissa.

Mon 21 Jul, 16:38 (last edited on Tue 22 Jul, 16:12)

Whilst of course its tempting to use his proposed visit as an opportunity to virtue signal on The Forum, however loathsome he (and his Boss) may be, should we (as Brits) not feign disinterest (impartiality) and let him have his foreign holiday in peace?  

Mon 21 Jul, 16:19

I was thinking of a male makeup popup shop.

Mon 21 Jul, 10:34

Katie - I could maybe add a 🤡 button?

Mon 21 Jul, 09:02

There goes the neighbourhood

Mon 21 Jul, 08:24

Richard-any chance of adding a thumbs down button to the forum? :)

Mon 21 Jul, 00:05

Is there an exorcist in the house?   

Actually, they're probably a higher class of asylum seeker.   

Sun 20 Jul, 20:45

I literally could not be more excited about this. 

Sun 20 Jul, 19:16

An alternative on the story where you don’t need to pay for it

https://www.pressreader.com/uk/the-sunday-telegraph/20250720/281612426435970

Sun 20 Jul, 17:26

This

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jul/20/jd-vance-to-spend-summer-family-holiday-in-the-cotswolds?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other