AS Oxford’s bus companies prepared to launch their new joint ticketing system last week, the firms’ bosses and county council highways chiefs gathered for a photocall at the notorious High Street bus gate. So not the best time for an erring driver to not only merrily pass through the pinch point, but then realising the error, turn in the middle of the road and drive back out – no doubt getting caught by the county council’s cameras for a second time. And as the group stood watching the abject display of driving, just one word passed the lips of County Hall’s deputy director for highways Steve Howell: “Ker-ching!”

The Insider spent last weekend striding around the CLA Game Fair at Blenheim Palace trying to cosy up to the ‘Chippy’ set, but, alas, to no avail. It wasn’t a trip without success though. Struggling for that present for the gent that has everything, the Game Fair was the place to be. You could sponsor a satellite tracked woodcock and chart its progress through Europe,or kit yourself out in the latest machine washable tweeds. Come The Insider's next birthday, he should have no trouble blending in with Brooks, Cameron, Murdoch et al. (if Mrs I took the hint).

ED Vaizey, the Wantage MP and Minister for Culture, was unmasked as a frustrated rock star this week... by his mum. Lady Marina Vaizey, a renowned art critic, revealed a young Ed had a drum kit that proved “rather trying for everyone”. In a Sunday Times interview, Ed expanded on his choice of instrument, saying his brother told him everyone wanted to play lead guitar and he’d have a better chance of making it as drummer. Sadly, the brotherly advice proved fruitless as “the chance to actually join a band never came along”. It’s a shame since he obviously had the angst; as a six-year-old he told his mum “Way down deep, there’s a raging storm”. Undeterred, Ed has pursued the rock & roll lifestyle anyway. He still smokes, according to mum, despite five attempts to quit. And now, banned from lighting up at home, he is lamenting the lack of public places where he can have a crafty fag. He should write to the Government.

Who says councillors are useless? County councillor Ian Hudspeth came up trumps this week when a power cut struck his village pub. Mr Hudspeth loaned them a generator to get “the beer flowing again”. Given the leadership qualities he displayed in the crisis, we can’t think why he was asked to stand down as the county’s cabinet member for infrastructure. Any ideas?

The Insider has been keeping one eye on the latest BBC drama The Hour, that stylishly depicts Auntie’s 1950s heyday of public service broadcasting. The other eye was closing as the fairly drab “angry young men” plot unfolded. But there was one interesting twist, a BBC journalist bribing the local police desk sergeant. Naughty. Ironically, the BBC of today is making hay on allegations of police backhanders at News International.