Archive
-
Date
Oxford man charged with drug offence
A 28-YEAR-OLD man was charged with possession with intent to supply cocaine in Oxford. Abubakar Mukhtar, 28, of Gibbs Crescent, was charged today with possession with intent to supply class A drugs. He appeared at Oxford Magistrates' Court
-
Date
Matched not mixed ability classes the future
I WISH Steve Harrod every success in his new role as Cabinet member for Education (‘Education chief working on a formula for success’, November 22). Mr Harrod refers to the challenge of “providing support… especially where poor standards are letting
-
Date
Futureproof land for affordable housing
ANY application that seeks to build new homes exclusively for key workers deserves to be commended and sets a great precedent, one which I hope will prove a significant and deciding factor for a successful planning outcome. That the proposal for
-
Date
Man jailed for terrorising neighbours with vandalism spree
A KNIFE-WIELDING vandal has been jailed for 18 months after terrorising his neighbours by damaging houses and cars and injuring the policeman who tried to arrest him. Josh Abbott of Mendip Heights, Didcot pleaded guilty to two counts of criminal
-
Date
Surgeons a cut above the rest in competition regional heats
TWO Oxford students Oxford were a cut above the rest at an interactive, one-of-a-kind national contest this month.Oxford University's Eirion Slade and Helen Please triumphed after drawing scalpels for the tenth regional round of the annual Surgical
-
Date
Cabbages & Kings - with Peter Unsworth: 'Sharp words over where to spend special holidays'
HAD I witnessed the end of a romance? Had my words caused it? There was only one seat vacant downstairs on the park-and-ride bus from Pear Tree. This was facing the rear five-seater, part occupied by a couple, circa 25-30. She was extremely pretty
-
Date
Desperate plea to find missing man as police search river
THE wife of a missing Witney man has urged people who may have seen her husband to come forward as police extend their search to the river. Derek West, 78, was last seen at his home in Meadow Lane on Monday night. Police have been searching
-
Date
Community cafe's award winnings will help to fund outdoor furniture
PRIZE cash won by a community cafe will help customers enjoy al fresco refreshments.Great Western Park Community Café in Didcot was hailed at an awards ceremony and bestowed with £100 for trumping competitors in the 'best new community group'
-
Date
Oxfordshire to fill with purple blooms for national campaign
FLOWERBEDS and roundabouts all over North Oxfordshire will take on a purple hue next spring after 60,000 crocus bulbs were bought in support of a charity campaign.The bulbs were purchased by Cherwell District Council supporting Rotary Clubs in Kidlington
-
Date
Major delays on M40 and A34 following crash
Traffic built up on the A34 and the M40 following a crash on the motorway this morning. An accident on the M40 northbound between junction 9 (Bicester) and junction 10 (Brackley) caused major delays. As well as build ups on the motorway, traffic
-
Date
Diwali dinner to celebrate county's cultural mix at temple fundraiser
GLOWING lanterns and lively dances will mark the county's rich mix of cultures at a Diwali dinner.Oxford Hindu Temple and Community Centre Project will bring splashes of colour and community spirit to Oxford Academy as it celebrates the festival of
-
Date
Blenheim Palace announces appointment of new chief executive
BLENHEIM Palace has announced the appointment of a new chief executive.Dominic Hare, who is currently finance director at the Oxfordshire stately home, will take over from John Hoy at the beginning of next year.He will be assisted in the new role by Roger
-
Date
Ascott-under-Wychwood raise funds for new memorial
RESIDENTS of Ascott-under-Wychwood are raising funds for a new memorial to the Ascott Martyrs, a group of women jailed in 1873 for supporting their husbands in a strike over farm wages.A steering committee has been set up to coordinate the project and
-
Date
Police in Eynsham urge public to help them tackle inappropriate parking
POLICE in Eynsham are asking residents to help them tackle problems with pavement parking and double parking in the village.Sgt Liz Bell wants them to report details of incidents, with photos if possible, to the police office in the village hall, or to
-
Date
Witney police advise shoppers to keep eyes on bags following thefts
POLICE in Witney are urging shoppers to keep a close eye on their purses in the town centre after a number of thefts in recent weeks.Officers have stepped up patrols in the main shopping area but are advising shoppers to stay vigilant. Free purse bells
-
Date
Wildlife gardener to speak at Witney event
WILDLIFE gardener Stuart ‘The Wildman’ Mabbutt will be the guest speaker at the annual meeting of the Wychwood Project, which conserves the former Wychwood Royal Hunting Forest area in West Oxfordshire.The meeting is on Wednesday, December 7, at 7.30pm
-
Date
Wychwood residents can keep warm and support community this winter
WYCHWOOD residents who would like to keep warm over the winter and support work to restore the community-owned Wild Garden nature reserve in Shipton-under-Wychwood can buy logs from trees felled during conservation work at the site.A suggested donation
-
Date
Leafield youngsters make lanterns for annual procession
PUPILS at Leafield Primary School have been making willow lanterns with the help of Oxford artist Emily Cooling for their annual lantern procession next month.The procession on Wednesday, December 7, will set off from the school, on The Green, at 5.45pm
-
Date
Campaigners say their 'kitchens shake' when lorries thunder past on Bicester spine road
CAMPAIGNERS say lorries thundering along Howes Lane "shake the kitchens" of neighbouring houses and proposed restrictions will help better their quality of life.Plans are being drawn up Bicester to change the route of the road but residents
-
Date
Injuries prompt rethink of Oxford United's January recruitment plan
THE long-term injuries in Oxford United’s squad are likely to change their recruitment policy during the January transfer window.In the past week, striker Wes Thomas has been ruled out for the season with a ruptured Achilles tendon, while Liam Sercombe
-
Date
Free pies I hear you ask. Better get a move on. Plus NEWSFLASH about Thame Food Festival
What would you give for a pie tomorrow? At 11am, Pieminister Oxford will become a Black Pieday Pop-up Shop, giving away pies in returnfor donations to Shelter.A refreshing alternative to the usual Black Friday spending-frenzy, hundreds of Pieminister’
-
Date
Cowley Mini Plant staff to feature in TV documentary on car building
OXFORD's Mini plant workers and their engineering will feature in a TV documentary alongside some of the most famous brands in the automotive world next week.Viewers will get an in-depth look through the production lines of how the modern Minis are
-
Date
Wi-FI allowance increased on Chiltern trains from Oxford to London
THE amount of on-train Wi-Fi data passengers can enjoy on Chiltern trains from Oxford to London has increased.The rail firm said it had upped the allowance ahead of the opening of the line between Oxford and Oxford Parkway to provide an 'added incentive
-
Date
Beavers take a trip to Downing Street to campaign for clean water
A COLONY of badge-collecting Beavers dropped into 10 Downing Street as part of a clean water campaign.Members of the 30th Abingdon Beavers were inspired by water and sanitation charity WaterAid and voiced the cause to MPs. The youngsters made the trip
-
Date
Contest launched to celebrate charity's 50th anniversary
CELEBRATIONS will mark a charity's work supporting people with mental health problems in the past 50 years.Oxfordshire Mind has revealed it is planning year-long festivities to mark its 50th anniversary in 2017.Its celebrations will feature those
-
Date
Policeman and dog commended after being attacked by burglar with metal bar
A police officer and his dog have been commended after tackling a burglar who had armed himself with two metal bars. PC Wayne Mills and police dog PD Cody were handed their official commendations by Chief Constable Francis Habgood at the Thames
-
Date
Bikes stolen in Donnington shed break-in
THIEVES who raided a shed made off with two bikes.Police said the crooks broke into the shed in Meadow Lane, Oxford, on Wednesday.They forced the shed door open and then took the bikes.Anyone with information is asked to call officers on 101.
-
Date
Thieves smash car window and steal iPod
THIEVES pinched an iPod after they smashed the window of a vehicle.Police said the offenders targeted a car parked in Grenoble Road in Oxford on Thursday and made off with the device.The force did not provide any further information.Anyone who knows anything
-
Date
Lads and dads get reading at Oxford Rugby Club
BOYS will be encouraged to pick up a book with a 'lads 'n dads' event at Oxford Rugby Club today.The event will be hosted by Oxford Children's Book Group and there will be a range of non fiction books to read as well as to swap as part
-
Date
School pupils swim length of The Channel in North Oxford
PUPILS at a North Oxford school have raised more than £2,000 for a disability charity by swimming the length of the English Channel.More than 100 children at the Dragon School collectively swam 1,416 length of the school's pool for Leonard Cheshire
-
Date
Christmas gift fair will fundraise for treasured hospice for terminally ill
SHOPPERS can stock up on guilt-free gifts as they help to raise cash to care for terminally ill patients.Delicate items of jewellery will be sold alongside delicious homemade foodstuffs at Sobell House Hospice's annual gift extravaganza, which has
-
Date
Ladies of Leys WI get creative for Christmas
LADIES at the Leys branch of the Women's Institute will be getting creative for the Cowley Festival of Christmas Trees on their final meet-up of the year.From 7.30pm on Wednesday, December 7 the group will meet at The Clockhouse in Greater Leys to
-
Date
Meet-ups for people to support Oxford cancer centre
A NEW series of meet-ups for people thinking about giving their time to cancer support centre Maggie's Oxford have been launched at the Churchill Hospital.The centre, which offers specialist advice, support and information for people facing cancer
-
Date
Giant Christmas trees set to sparkle at palace
GIANT trees glistening with festive decorations are set to stand tall within Blenheim Palace.Staff at the Woodstock palace have cut its biggest Christmas trees to date, ahead of its Christmas celebrations.More than 2,400 yards of fairy lights will be
-
Date
CCTV released after 95-year-old's purse stolen from her walking frame
A 95-year-old woman's purse was stolen from her handbag in broad daylight as it hung over her walking frame in Banbury. The pensioner was in Nilay's newsagents in High Street when two women approached her. One of the women bent down and took
-
Date
Oxford vaping business leads to young entrepreneur of the year award for 21-year-old owner
A 21-YEAR-OLD who runs a successful vaping business has been named young entrepreneur of the year in an Oxfordshire competition. Dan Greenall, of Yarnton, picked up the Haines Watts Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award for establishing and developing
-
Date
Silliness and fun are a big part of drama group's successful decade
"SILLINESS and having fun is definitely a big part of it."Ally Baker is ruminating on the success of the drama group which she helped to found a decade ago, an anniversary which is being marked all year.Despite being quite confident with full
-
Date
Michael Appleton steels Oxford United for an assault on Iron’s fortress
IT’S good Michael Appleton and Oxford United like a challenge, because right now nothing is tougher in Sky Bet League One than a trip to Scunthorpe United.The Glanford Park faithful have not seen a defeat in the league since December 19 and are one game
-
Date
Longer journey times for weekend trains between Oxford, Didcot and London
Rail passengers planning to travel between Oxford, Didcot and London on Sunday morning are being warned to allow extra time for their journeys, due to engineering work. The Great Western Main Line will be closed between Twyford and London Paddington
-
Date
SPECIAL REPORT: View from the streets as a homeless 'epidemic' looms
Thousands of commuters make their daily journeys into Oxford city centre, and most don’t even notice the people sheltering in a shop door or down an alley trying to stay warm. “They just see a homeless person, they don’t see the individual,” is
-
Date
There's some strange wildlife at Oxfordshire Museum right now...
FROM butterflies to polar bears and penguins, there's a weird ecosystem at Oxfordshire Craft Guild's annual Christmas show.Dozens of members from the county-wide consortium of crafters are showing off their creations at the Oxfordshire Museum
-
Date
Delays due to traffic light fault at Wolvercote Roundabout
Drivers are facing delays in North Oxford this morning due to fault traffic lights at the Wolvercote Roundabout. Traffic is queueing after the lights in Godstow Road got stuck on red. The fault is having a knock-on effect on traffic on the
-
Date
Private hospital in Banbury records high patient satisfation
A PRIVATE hospital in Banbury has recorded very high levels of patient satisfaction between July, August and September 2016.The Horton Treatment Centre in Oxford Road covers a range of orthopaedic specialities including spinal, hip, elbow, foot and ankle
-
Date
Oxford Brookes University exceeds quota for students living in the community
OXFORD Brookes University is at a tipping point and has pledged to ‘review’ its student accommodation portfolio as the faculty struggles to cope with a surge in demand for places.It was revealed this week that the university has around 3,800 students
-
Date
Football spectators urged to stop swearing near children's play area
FOOTBALL fans in Sutton Courtenay have been urged to stop swearing in earshot of children.The village's parish council has appealed in the local newsletter to banish foul language used by some adults watching matches at the recreation ground.It said
-
Date
Women's clothing shop in Oxford to be replaced by glasses shop
A WOMEN'S clothing shop in the city centre could be replaced by Vision Express. Plans to replace the shopfront of East in Queen Street have been lodged with Oxford City Council.The proposals revealed new signage for a Vision Express shop - selling
-
Date
Christmas choir to get Blackbird Leys in festive mood
A NIGHT of carols and song with the Blackbird Leys Choir is being held in mid-December and is open to everyone on to all on the estate and beyond.The free event on Wednesday, December 14 will take place in the Church of the Holy Family and will feature
-
Date
Soldier Walter's wartime adventures online shortlisted for award
A PROJECT to encourage young people to find out about the Great War by creating Facebook and Twitter accounts for an imaginary soldier has been shortlisted for a national award.Out of more than 160 projects, WW1 Soldier’s Tale was chosen earlier this
-
Date
Village council looks to fill vacancies
VILLAGE leaders are looking for two colleagues to join them in Dry Sandford.St Helen Without Parish Council has vacancies for two councillors to oversee the ward, which would involve attending monthly meetings and feeding back residents' concerns
-
Date
School to welcome special guest Santa at Christmas fete
SANTA will stop by at a school in Dry Sandford.Families are welcome at the village primary school's Christmas fete, where visitors can gobble on turkey-filled bread rolls and meet the famous man in red alongside his trusty elf.Children can explore
-
Date
Crazy day of shopping expected as Black Friday dawns
Crowds of shoppers are expected to cram into Cornmarket Street and other shopping destinations today as heavy discounts are launched for Black Friday. National chains will be taking part include the EE phone shop, Boots and Debenhams in Oxford.
-
Date
Villagers thanked for raising more than £5,700 through poppy appeal
POPPY supporters in Marcham raised thousands of pounds for the military community.The village shop announced on its Facebook page that residents and those in Garford, Tubney and Frilford donated a total of £5,758 during this year's poppy appeal for
-
Date
Oxfordshire MEP makes recommendations to tackle wildlife traffickers
AN Oxfordshire MEP has produced a report calling for a range of measures to tackle wildlife trafficking.Catherine Bearder, who represents South East England for the Liberal Democrats, has called on minimum prison sentences for wildlife traffickers to
-
Date
Returning Rob Hall says he is playing every Oxford United game as if it is his last
ROB Hall says a long injury lay-off has meant he has taken time to savour Oxford United’s back-to-back victories in the past week.The winger made his first start in Sky Bet League One last weekend against Coventry City and managed more than an hour again
-
Date
Salute to great scientist, friend and Oxonian
IT WAS good indeed to read the obituary appreciation of Stephen Moorbath (November 24), a remarkable figure in so many ways, not least in his gift for friendship. As was apparent from his “packed” funeral at Oxford Crematorium on October 31, Stephen
-
Date
Terrible price to pay for intransigence
OXFORD is one of the most prosperous parts of the UK. That our representatives want to balance the books by cutting over half the beds available for the most vulnerable, most disadvantaged people, the homeless, shames us all. More so, since it
-
Date
Act before county is ruined by unneeded development
THE announcement of Government support for the so-called East West Railway link between Oxford and Cambridge seems to have been justified on the basis that it will create (another) ‘high-tech corridor’ between the two university towns that will be
-
Date
Make 43p a day lifesaving drugs available to all
I READ with great concern the news that thousands of women are missing out on cheap drugs that could prevent their breast cancer from spreading – when it becomes incurable – because it is unclear which health body should pay for them. A breast
-
Date
Cowley shoppers in for a treat this Black Friday
SHOPPERS stopping by at a Cowley centre today could be celebrating thanks to a special prize-giveaway.Templars Square Shopping Centre has revealed shoppers are in with a chance of grabbing £200 worth of prizes to mark Black Friday.A special code will
-
Date
Last call for photography competition entries
FLEDGLING photographers in Abingdon have just a few days left to compete for cash prizes.A contest hunting for the town's top wildlife and nature snappers will stop taking entries on Wednesday.The Rotary Club of Abingdon Vesper launched the competition
-
Date
Frightful array of exhibits as museum explores hope and fear
A SHIVER-INDUCING array of free art exhibits and installations, dance, music and talks exploring the science of hope and fear will fill the Ashmolean Museum tonight. The ‘FrightFriday’ event will see the museum team up with the Oxford Research
-
Date
REVEALED: £60m 'once in a generation' transformation for shopping centre
MULTI-MILLION pound plans offering a ‘once-in-a-generation’ opportunity to transform the heart of Cowley have finally been lodged with the council. NewRiver has confirmed £60m-worth of proposals to ‘reinvigorate and revitalise’ Templars Square
-
Date
Home in Howard Street could be extended
AN extension could be added to a home in Iffley Fields under new plans submitted to Oxford City Council.The owners of the home in Howard Street has applied to built a single-storey extension at the rear of the property.The plans would also see a new first
-
Date
Oxford United chief keen on extending safe standing debate beyond Premier League clubs
THE debate around the introduction of safe standing should be broadened out to include the English Football League, according to Oxford United’s managing director Greig Box Turnbull. Premier League clubs met last week to discuss the concept, which
-
Date
New Syrian restaurant gets five-star hygiene rating
RESTAURANT owner Ahmad Mohamad is celebrating his new business The Picked Walnut receiving a five-star hygiene rating.Mr Mohamad said the top score for the Cowley Road eatery, which serves Syrian dishes, is now on display so customers can see it.The 49
-
Date
Black cabs to be banned from Westgate access road due to pollution
BLACK cabs will be banned from a new link road in the Westgate shopping centre because it would cause ‘unacceptable’ levels of pollution.In July council officers had decided to reconsider banning taxis from the access road - to be constructed between
-
Date
FOOTBALL: North Leigh boss John Brough is backing his team to pull of another shock in FA Trophy
NORTH Leigh boss John Brough is eyeing another Buildbase FA Trophy scalp tomorrow as his side host former champions Kingstonian in the third qualifying round.The Millers have already disposed of one Ryman League Premier Division side, beating Folkestone
-
Date
New speed limit to be discussed at Grove Parish Council meeting
PROPOSALS for a 30mph speed limit on a new development north of Grove will be discussed at the area's parish council.Grove Parish Council will hold its next meeting on Tuesday at 7.30pm in Old Mill Hall.Councillors will also receive an update on the
-
Date
Scunthorpe United boss Graham Alexander praises former teammate Michael Appleton ahead of Oxford United clash
GRAHAM Alexander is full of praise for Michael Appleton’s achievements ahead of the former Preston North End teammates meeting on the touchline for the first time.The pair spent two seasons together at Deepdale up to 2001 and will renew acquaintances
-
Date
BADMINTON: Oxfordshire junior sides whitewash rivals
TWO Oxfordshire junior teams achieved astonishing 20-0 whitewash victories in their Shires League matches at St Helen and St Katharine School, Abingdon.Their under 14s beat Cornwall without dropping a single set.This feat was matched by the county’s under
-
Date
Celebrations for latest National Citizen Service Graduates
THE latest batch of young people who have completed the National Citizen Service (NCS) scheme in Oxfordshire graduated yesterday.About 120 teenagers celebrated with family and friends at The Kings Centre in Osney Mead.The scheme sees young people give
-
Date
Controlled parking zone near Oxford station to stop 'outsiders' parking
A NEW controlled parking zone (CPZ) has been approved near Oxford station to stop ‘outsiders’ parking in a North Oxford residential street.After almost two years of consultation a CPZ in William Lucy Way was signed off by Oxfordshire County Council yesterday
-
Date
Bard's influence on the brain will be discussed
ACADEMICS and thespians will discuss Shakespeare's work from the perspective of neuroscientists.The discussion, entitled Shakespeare and the Brain, will take place on Saturday at the St Edmund Hall Centre for the Creative Brain in Queen's Lane
-
Date
New 'superhighway' could help solve A34 problems
THE £27m committed to develop plans for an Oxford to Cambridge Expressway road by Chancellor Philip Hammond could also help to deliver a solution to congestion on the A34. Mr Hammond announced the funding in his Autumn Statement on Wednesday, alongside
-
Date
FOOTBALL: Callum McNish in line for Didcot Town debut
CALLUM McNish is expected to make his Didcot Town debut away to Swindon Supermarine in Evo-Stik Southern League Division 1 South & West tomorrow. The midfielder signed for the Railwaymen last week after leaving North Leigh, but was not involved
-
Date
Wallingford family missing mum who is stuck in China
THOUSANDS of miles are separating Steve Bearns from his wife after she was refused a visa to remain in the UK. Mr Bearns, 56, met Xia Zu in Shenzhen, China, in 2006 and they married there in 2010. The couple decided to settle in Britain and
-
Date
Lower risk defensive approach has been worth it for Oxford United, says Chey Dunkley
CHEY Dunkley says Oxford United’s back four have looked to take fewer risks on the ball in their past two games.Success last season was built on an intention to build moves from the back and play out of trouble wherever possible.But after several lapses
-
Date
Oxford Christmas Lights Festival to start tonight
OXFORD will glow with lanterns and light shows as its popular Christmas Light Festival gets underway this evening. Hundreds of children and young people from schools and colleges will sweep through the city with lanterns tonight in a parade accompanied
-
Date
Mixed reaction as £60m plans for major shopping centre overhaul unveiled
A LONG-AWAITED multi-million pound overhaul of one of Oxford’s biggest shopping centres has moved a step closer and public reaction to the plans have been mixed. NewRiver confirmed this week plans for a £60m redevelopment of Cowley’s Templars Square
-
Date
FOOTBALL: Boss Justin Merritt in the dark over Oxford City’s opponents in FA Trophy
OXFORD City general manager Justin Merritt admitted his side’s Buildbase FA Trophy third qualifying round tie at home to South Park tomorrow is something of a step into the unknown.This season is only the third time the Ryman League Division 1 South side
-
Date
Southern Health making 'significant improvements' following criticism
A HEAVILY criticised healthcare trust where 722 people died unexpectedly over a four year period is making 'significant improvements', inspectors have said. But the trust still needs to do more, including when dealing with risk assessments.
-
Date
TENNIS: Oxfordshire teams bidding for promotion
OXFORDSHIRE’S teams are looking for promotion when they open their LTA Winter County Cup campaigns this weekend. The men’s team of Jon Maskens, Joe Cartledge, Josh Dawson, Tom Dyakowski, Nigel Matthews, Joel Morris, Cameron Price and Jack Rooney
-
Date
TENNIS: Oxfordshire teams bidding for promotion
OXFORDSHIRE’S teams are looking for promotion when they open their LTA Winter County Cup campaigns this weekend. The men’s team of Jon Maskens, Joe Cartledge, Josh Dawson, Tom Dyakowski, Nigel Matthews, Joel Morris, Cameron Price and Jack Rooney
-
Date
RUGBY UNION: Leaders Chinnor wary of visit to Bishops Stortford
CHINNOR will be trying to break new ground as they bid to extend their advantage at the top of National 2 South tomorrow.The leaders visit third-placed Bishops Stortford, probably the stiffest test they will face in the run-up to Christmas.“In my three
-
Date
FIXTURES: November 26-December 2
SATURDAY FOOTBALL SKY BET LEAGUE ONE Scunthorpe Utd v Oxford Utd. BUILDBASE FA TROPHY 3rd qual round: North Leigh v Kingstonian, Oxford City v South Park. EVO-STIK SOUTHERN LEAGUE Premier Div: Banbury Utd v Basingstoke pp
-
Date
Buses could remain on Queen Street after council U-turn on pedestrianisation plan
THE PEDESTRIANISATION of Queen Street has been thrown into doubt after transport bosses recommended the city centre road be kept open for buses despite safety concerns. Officers had suggested a trial closure of the street once the Westgate Centre opens