Archive

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Dead mouse found in south Oxfordshire primary school kitchen results in closure

A mouse infestation which posed an "imminent risk to health" in a south Oxfordshire primary school kitchen has resulted in a closure.  South Oxfordshire environmental health officers issued a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice on the kitchen

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Children's author opens primary school's revamped double-decker bus library

A children’s author has officially opened a Witney primary school’s library following its refurbishment. Naomi Joslyn was at Tower Hill Community Primary School in the town last week to officially unveil its revamped double decker bus library.

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Pupils at south Oxfordshire primary school tour Oxford science facility

Pupils at a primary school near Abingdon and Didcot recently toured a science facility in Oxford, Diamond Light Source. Diamond Light Source is the UK's national synchrotron science facility, located at the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus

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Oxfordshire restaurant wins Diners’ Choice Award

A restaurant in Henley-on-Thames has been awarded a Diners’ Choice Award by top restaurant booking platform OpenTable. Dominic Chapman featured highly against its peers in the area.  OpenTable’s Diners’ Choice Award recognises restaurants that

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Research institute calls for council tax reform as Oxford data revealed

A research institute is calling for a council tax reform, however figures suggest the council tax system has not made people in Oxford any worse off than three decades ago The Institute for Fiscal Studies has called on the Government to reform

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Firefighters rescue kitten stuck behind bath panel

Firefighters came to the rescue of a kitten after it became stuck behind a bathroom panel. Crews from Burford Fire Station were called out to free the stricken feline named Elvis after it became trapped in a bathroom on Friday evening (July 19)

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Four-year-old walking to raise money for 'poorly children'

A four-year-old girl "with a big heart" is taking on a walking challenge to support "poorly children". Lottie, from Wantage, has been walking around a large field every day this July to raise money for the Oxford Children’s Hospital. Despite

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Oxfordshire based charity opens another store in Botley

An Oxfordshire based charity is opening a new shop in Botley this Thursday (July 25). The shop will be selling a wide range of pre-loved items, including ladies, men’s and children’s clothes and accessories, books, toys, and bric-a-brac. ACACIA

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UK guitar legends headline major gig near Oxfordshire

Warwick Castle became the epicentre of rock history over the weekend as over 35,000 fans descended on the Castle grounds over four sunny days.  Fans witnessed a spectacular ensemble of musical excellence including three guitar legends Graham Coxon

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New mock mayor elected and dunked in river in rowdy tradition

Hundreds turned out to enjoy the centuries old fun-filled tradition of electing a mock mayor in Woodstock. The quirky tradition on Saturday (July 20) featured live music, DJs, family entertainment, mock elections, a mock court, and even a dunking

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Incident in Bicester causing delays of over 20 minutes

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Delays coming into city centre due to roadworks

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Man threatened with firearm in Oxford neighbourhood

A man in his 30s was threatened with a firearm in an Oxford neighbourhood earlier this month, Thames Valley Police has said.  Officers wish to speak to a man released in a CCTV appeal image this afternoon (July 22) about the firearms incident.

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Oxford City Council leader speaks out about delayed traffic filter trial

The leader of Oxford City Council has expressed her frustration over the delayed traffic filters trial following the announcement from county council leaders last week.  The county council was planning on launching six new traffic filters across

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'Big Ron' Atkinson sends message of support to old club reborn after 10 years

Historic Witney Town Football Club has risen again with a new ground and a new manager. The non-league club, which dissolved in 2013, is one of Oxfordshire' oldest senior clubs formed in 1885. It has been revived by chairman Paul Foster and

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Paedophile jailed for 7 years for having sex with teen and grooming girls online

A PAEDOPHILE caught having sex with an underage girl and grooming underage girls online has been jailed for over seven years. Matthew White, formerly of Rochford Gardens, Bicester, was found guilty after a trial at Oxford Crown Court of six counts

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Three Oxford leisure centres to receive new equipment as part of upgrades

Three leisure centres in Oxford are set to undergo upgrades and receive a range of new equipment this summer. Barton Leisure Centre, Ferry Leisure Centre, and the Leys Pools and Leisure Centre will receive the cardio and strength equipment as part

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Oxford University partners with biopharmaceutical firm to develop new medicines

The University of Oxford has teamed up with a biopharmaceutical company to help the university's biomedical researchers develop new medicines. Apollo Therapeutics will identify potential new medicines from therapeutic targets provided by Oxford

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City school ‘requires improvement’ as Ofsted says ‘pupils left underachieving’

A city suburb school 'requires improvement' after an inspection by Ofsted found pupils were “underachieving”. Orion Academy in Knights Road in the Blackbird Leys area was established in February 2020 and caters for students aged between 10 and

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Music lovers flock to island for free riverside festival

Thousands of music lovers flocked to an island in the River Evenlode for Oxfordshire’s biggest free festival. Charlbury's two-day Riverside Festival showcased musical talent from across the county and beyond with over 50 acts across three stages

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Animal activists protest outside Lidl over 'Frankenchickens'

A protest was staged over the weekend by animal campaigners outside a Lidl store in Oxford.  Oxford supporters of animal charity The Humane League UK staged the protest outside the Lidl at Templars Shopping Park over the supermarket's use of "Frankenchickens

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Jury dismissed after failing to reach decision in 'prisoner with phone' trial

A JURY has been dismissed after being unable to reach a decision in a trial where a prisoner was accused of possessing a mobile phone in a cell. Lennox Barnes, 21, was on trial at Oxford Crown Court with the case starting on Friday (July 19).

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Jeremy Clarkson gives sharp response to Diddly Squat Farm suggestion

Jeremy Clarkson has given a cutting response to a suggestion at his Diddly Squat Farm in Oxfordshire. The Top Gear star has switched from automobiles to agriculture since the roaring success of his latest series, Clarkson’s Farm. Set at Mr

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Hundreds of new homes will come to town as council backs down

Hundreds of new homes will come to an Oxfordshire town despite the council having initially refused the proposal. A total of 450 houses along with associated open space and green infrastructure are set to be built on land south east of Oxford Hill

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Chipping Norton care home hosts networking breakfast

A Chipping Norton care home has welcomed professionals and blue light card holders for a monthly breakfast meeting. Southerndown Care Home extended invitations to local workers from various care and health organisations, allowing them to meet and

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New independent shop gives platform to 11 small businesses

A new independent store showcases small businesses on the high street. A collective of 11 small businesses has come together to open the shop called No. 31 in Burford High Street. The doors opened on June 6 and an all-day shopping event was

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How long do penalty points stay on your driving record?

Have you had some points added to your license? Drivers across the UK receive points on their license when they’re convicted of a driving offence. The courts can also fine drivers as well as adding penalty points to their license but how long do

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Female runner 'touched inappropriately' as teenage boy arrested

A woman in her 20s was allegedly touched inappropriately by a teenage boy whilst running in Didcot last week. Thames Valley Police said the incident occurred on Friday, July 19 at approximately 7.30pm on the footpath in Ladygrove, which runs parallel

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Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond reunite with ‘d**k’ number plate

Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond have had a hilarious reunion thanks to a rude car number plate. The two hosts along with James May hosted Top Gear on the BBC together before moving onto Prime Video together for The Grand Tour. Despite remaining

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Public thanked for patience during 'busiest period' of major works

Householders and motorists have been thanked for their patience as a new three month closure begins this week to covert a major roundabout.  Work began on Monday as the Banbury Road to Bicester is partially closed from the roundabout to Lodge Close

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‘Not funny’: Councillor calls hoax on ‘highly venomous snake’ on loose

Reports of a “highly venomous” snake on the loose in Oxford are false according to a city councillor. Locals in Jericho were left terrified after a poster was spotted attached to a lamppost near Barefoot Cafe in Walton Street on Friday warning

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Mum and daughter followed and circled by stranger

A mum and daughter were followed and then circled by a stranger at night in Didcot as police launch a probe into the incident. Police say the incident occurred at approximately 10.30pm on Sunday, June 30 in The Broadway. A woman and her daughter

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Teenage girl assaulted by man in 'late 50s' in key city road

A teenage girl was approached and assaulted by a man in his late 50s in Oxford earlier this month, Thames Valley Police has said. Police say the incident occurred on Saturday, July 13 at approximately 6.25pm outside the West Oxford Community Centre

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Abuse survivor praises 'brilliant' NSPCC PANTS campaign

An abuse survivor has praised an NSPCC campaign that helps keep children safe from harm. Donna-Marie Wright was sexually abused between the ages of seven and 18 by her stepfather, who was later jailed. Now 46, Donna-Marie shares her experiences

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Stormtroopers, singers and flamingos fill town's market place

Abingdon market place was transformed with Star Wars characters, choir singers and decorations as part of an annual event over the weekend. Against Breast Cancer is based in the town and has been funding research into fighting the disease for many

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Disruption expected with railway line set to close this weekend

Chiltern Railways customers are being reminded the line between Bicester and Leamington Spa will be closed this weekend. The closure, which will begin on July 27 and continue until July 31, is due to bridge maintenance between Bicester North and

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New 24-hour shop with off-licence and parcel service opens

A brand new 24-hour convenience store has opened in an Oxfordshire town. Booze and More Express has moved into the Mace Store, formerly Mace Connor's shop, in Broad Street in Banbury. The shop will be run by couple Gajen and Nitta who are now

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‘Exciting times indeed’ as city council backs stadium plans

SUCCESS for Oxford United has not only delighted hardcore supporters, but has given this county a real lift, writes OxVox chair Paul Peros. Thirty-thousand supporters, the majority of them travelling seamlessly on public transport, turned Wembley

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Man arrested after police ‘smell cannabis inside speeding car’

A man has been arrested in Oxfordshire after police "smelt cannabis" in his car after allegedly speeding. The incident happened on Monday morning in Wildmere Road in Banbury as a Thames Valley Police officer stopped the vehicle as it was said to

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What will Des Buckingham have learnt from pre-season double-header?

OXFORD United claimed back-to-back 3-0 wins in successive days to kick-start their pre-season campaign in front of fans. The U’s recorded a 1-0 defeat against Portuguese second division side Academico de Viseu while out in Spain, prior to the victories

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Warning over ‘highly venomous’ snake on the loose in Oxford

A warning has been issued to the public about a “highly venomous” snake on the loose in Oxford as some householders wonder if it is a "hoax". Residents in Jericho have been left fearful after a poster was spotted attached to a lamppost near Barefoot

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Crash closes Oxfordshire motorway after major oil spill

10:38am End of coverage Traffic has returned to a normal flow around Bicester. This live blog will now end. Thanks

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Target given on when summer signings might feature in pre-season

THIS weekend’s pre-season friendly at Mansfield Town might provide the first opportunity for Oxford United fans to see what summer signings Idris El Mizouni and Przemyslaw Placheta can offer. United returned for pre-season training on July 1, before

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Major Oxfordshire road closes today for THREE MONTHS

A major Oxfordshire road has shut today at the start of a three month closure. From today (Monday, July 22), the Banbury Road B4100 to Bicester is partially closed from the roundabout to Lodge Close. This will last until the end of October

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Emma Raducanu rejects Olympics after University of Oxford links

Emma Raducanu will not be competing at the Olympic Games in Paris this summer after links to the University of Oxford. Team GB are bringing a roster of stars headlined by Andy Murray to Roland-Garros this summer, but the 2021 US Open champion will

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Inquest opens into death of parliamentary secretary

A PARLIAMENTARY secretary has died after experiencing an unwitnessed fall at her Oxfordshire home. Barbara Cordingly, 82, died at her home address in Bird Close, Banbury after a suspected unwitnessed fall. Her death was verified at 8.13am by

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Oxford John Lewis launches new repair service with Timpson Group

John Lewis has announced the launch of new repair trial in partnership with Timpson Group. Customers will now be able bring their beloved garments, accessories and a selection of homeware back to life through an in-store repair service. The

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Fond memories of school sports days across county

Studying for exams and passing them was a vital part of every pupil’s agenda at school. But another key ingredient was keeping fit – and many would attempt to do so by taking part in the annual sports. Many schools organised a summer sports

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Research institute calls for council tax reform as Cherwell residents 'lose out'

Figures suggest people in Cherwell are losing out due to the "absurd" council tax system, says an economics research institute.  The Institute for Fiscal Studies has called on the Government to reform council tax, which is currently calculated

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Man, 25, causes serious injury by dangerous driving to woman

A SENTENCING date has been set for a driver who has admitted to causing serious injury to a woman by dangerous driving. Mark Smith, of Cowley Road, Oxford, appeared at Swindon Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (July 17) charged with one count of

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Man admits sending sexual messages to child online

A SENTENCING date has been set for a man who admitted to engaging in sexual communication with a child. Matthew Keeble, of Meadow Way, Kidlington, has been charged with one count of engaging in sexual communication with a child. It is alleged

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Scales of Justice: The latest cases from Oxford Magistrates' Court

The latest court cases in Oxford Magistrates' Court: - FAIDA ELHABIB, 30, of Grenoble Road, Oxford, pleaded guilty to one count each of theft from a shop and assault by beating. On May 30 this year, he stole bottles of Jack Daniels to the value

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Wine specialist dies as partner finds him unresponsive on sofa

THE death of a man who was found unresponsive on the sofa by his partner could be drug-related, an inquest has heard. Joshua Lacey-Smith, 42, was found unresponsive by his partner after falling asleep on their sofa at his home address in Botley