A splash of red on a grey morning

An early celebration of Lunar New Year took place this morning at , on a day that was about as bleak and rain-soaked as an English February can manage. Grey skies, persistent drizzle, and that particular chill that settles in before lunchtime.

And then you stepped inside Cecconi's Bicester – and everything changed.

A sea of propitious red. Warmth. Energy. Celebration. Mark was with me, which made the occasion all the more enjoyable, and for once my black-and-white court dress meant that I was not the most gorgeously dressed person in the room – a rare and rather cheering experience. The confidence, colour and joy of Lunar New Year style brought instant lift to the morning.

I was delighted to attend as a guest of Bicester Village, thanks to my dear friend Miranda Markham DL, whose invitation was characteristically generous. It was a gathering that felt both relaxed and quietly significant, bringing together local civic leadership with international voices. Among those present were His Excellency the Ambassador of Indonesia, His Excellency the Ambassador of the Philippines, and the Mayor of Bicester – a reminder that what happens here matters far beyond our county boundaries.

The entertainment was a real highlight. Talented local university students performed popular songs in Mandarin and English with warmth and assurance, filling the room with a shared sense of occasion. And then came one of those moments that simply cannot be choreographed: an improvised saxophone solo from the Indonesian Ambassador. Unexpected, joyful, and utterly disarming – the sort of gesture that turns an event into a memory.

As High Sheriff, mornings like this invite reflection as well as enjoyment. Bicester Village is not just a destination; it is a serious contributor to both the local and national economy. It creates jobs, draws visitors from across the world, and plays a subtle but important role in shaping how the UK is experienced internationally. Events like this, rooted in culture, hospitality and connection, are part of that success. They remind us that economic impact is built on welcome, relationships and a strong sense of place.

Outside, the rain still fell. Inside, red, music and shared celebration marked the Lunar New Year in the best possible way – a hopeful, generous start to the day, and to the year ahead.