Archive

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‘The line should never be crossed’ – BBC boss apologises to Strictly contestants

The director general of the BBC has apologised to Strictly Come Dancing contestants who have had an experience that “hasn’t been wholly positive”. It comes as the corporation unveiled its annual report on Tuesday (July 23) amid a storm of negative

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How to watch the Opening Ceremony as the Paris 2024 Olympic Games get under way

The 2024 Olympic Games are just around the corner and Team GB athletes will be preparing to show spectators the skills they’ve worked hard at perfecting in the run up to the sporting event. This year, the world’s biggest sporting event will take

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Plans for solar farm requiring more 'disruptive' roadworks withdrawn

A planning application for a solar farm that required more 'disruptive' works on Botley Road has been withdrawn. Energy firm Green Nation has dropped its plans to build Red House Solar Farm at Farmoor, said Vale of White Horse District Council.

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European leaders 'summit effect' brings estimated £30million boost to local economy

The local economy is estimated to have been given a £30 million boost by Blenheim Palace hosting the European leaders meeting. Blenheim Palace reported an impressive 12 per cent rise in visitor figures this weekend (July 19 - 21), citing 'the Summit

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U’s goalkeeper heads out on loan

JACOB Knightbridge has joined Vanarama National League newcomers Braintree Town on loan until January. Oxford United snapped up the 20-year-old goalkeeper on a free transfer last month, following his exit from West Ham United. Knightbridge

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Public duped by scammers as fake family fun day advertised

People have been caught out by an event scam in Oxfordshire. Several adverts were posted online advertising family fun days in Didcot with great interest growing from those planning on attending. However, Didcot Town Council denied that any

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Teacher crochets her class of 30 as end of year gift

A primary school teacher has crocheted her class of 30 children as an end of year gift. Sara Shabir, a teacher at Tyndale Community School in East Oxford, started the project in May and unveiled it as she said goodbye to her class today (July 24

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Headteacher of primary school speaks out following mouse infestation in kitchen

The headteacher of a primary school in south Oxfordshire has spoken out after its kitchen was forced to close following a mouse infestation. South Oxfordshire environmental health officers issued a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notice on the kitchen

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Mystery surrounds major hay bale fire in Oxfordshire village

The cause of a major hay bale fire in a village has not been established, Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service has said. 120 tons of baled hay in seven stacks were alight, with fire engines sent from Wantage, Faringdon, and Didcot fire stations

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Here is where you can get a giant limited edition prawn cracker in Oxford

The first-ever limited edition plate-size prawn cracker is set to launch tomorrow on Deliveroo - and it will be available in Oxford.  The "innovative" creation, which measures 25cm by 25cm, will be available in Oxford's Giggling Squid along with

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Man caught with almost 1,000 child sex abuse images

A SENTENCING date has been set for a man caught with almost 1,000 indecent images of children. Stephen Ford, of Balfour Road, Oxford, was due to be sentenced at Oxford Magistrates Court on Tuesday (July 23) after being charged with three counts

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Car passenger to stand trial for 'not wearing seat belt'

AN application to change the date of a trial for a car passenger accused of not wearing a seat belt has been refused. Michael Duffy, of Spencer Crescent, Oxford, was allegedly caught on September 9 last year not wearing a seat belt whilst sitting

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Politician claims he was not aware of 'groundbreaking' new council charter

An Oxfordshire politician has claimed he was not aware of a "ground-breaking" new charter signed to improve communication between councils in the county. The county council launched the document on July 15 which is the first of its kind in the

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Inquest starts after man struck by bin lorry dies

THE inquest of a man who died after being knocked down by a bin lorry has started this week. Entrepreneur Martyn Stringer, 54, from Preston Crowmarsh, was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford after he was struck by the refuse truck on

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Future Belgian Queen dons military gear after leaving Oxford University

The future Queen of Belgium has been spotted donning military gear after leaving the University of Oxford. Crown Princess Elisabeth began studying a History and Politics undergraduate course at Lincoln College in 2021. The 22-year-old is next

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Rower who came out of nine-day coma set to compete at Olympics

A woman who was in a coma for nine days after an accident is competing in the Olympic Games. Rower Georgie Brayshaw, 30, from Wallingford, will compete for Team GB in the quadruple sculls at Paris.  Part of her motivation came from an accident

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Sad goodbyes to family-owned pet shop closing after 27 years

An independent pet shop is closing down after 27 years of trading. In2Pets in Corn Street in Witney has been owned and run by two generations of the same family, The pet, reptile and aquatic shop opened in September 1997 "with Russell rabbit

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Police called to Oxfordshire pub as fight breaks out after England game

Police were called to a pub as a fight broke out following an England football game during Euro 2024.  The incident took place at around 9.56pm on Sunday, July 14, during the culmination of the tournament final in which England took on Spain.

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Students use graduation ceremony to protest against war in Gaza

Oxford University students used their graduation ceremony to protest against the war in Gaza. Two ceremonies took place at the Sheldonian Theatre in Broad Street today (Tuesday, July 23). As students approached the middle of the floor to accept

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What speed triggers a speed camera? Motoring experts explain how they work

Almost 350 people are killed each year on the UK’s roads, according to the RAC - which is why we have speed cameras. They work by recording a vehicle’s speed – to do this they use markings on the road or radar technology to identify the vehicle

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Second anniversary of 'serious' stabbing: Police appeal for information

POLICE are appealing for information after the second anniversary of a stabbing in Bicester. Between 4.20am and 4.30am on Tuesday, July 19 July, four people entered an address on Fakenham Street and stabbed a woman in her 30s multiple times, causing

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U’s announce job role changes for three key personnel

OXFORD United have announced three job role changes behind the scenes, while confirming the departure of the club’s head of medical, Amy Cranston. U’s head of recruitment Ed Waldron will take up a new position as head of football operations, while

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Police helicopter hovers over Oxford, Banbury and Bicester during hunt

People living in Oxford, Banbury and Bicester were awoken by a police helicopter. Bleary eyed householders place after 11pm last night (Monday, July 22) and ran into the early hours of this morning (Tuesday, July 23). “There’s been a lot of

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Four people JAILED for drug offences across the county

FOUR people have been sentenced for drugs offences in Oxford. The four were sentenced at Oxford Crown Court on Friday, July 19. Three were found guilty after a trial and one pleaded guilty. Landry Ane, 22, of no fixed abode, was sentenced to

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Aunt Sally results: Shock defeats for top Premier sides

THE top two teams in the Premier Section both suffered unexpected losses, giving the chasing pack an opening, writes Andy Beal. Leaders White House fell to a 2-1 defeat at Yarnton British Legion, and it could easily have been a whitewash. White

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Future Belgian Queen returns to University of Oxford for graduation

The future Belgian Queen has graduated from the University of Oxford. Crown Princess Elisabeth initially moved to Oxfordshire in the autumn of 2021 to commence her History and Politics undergraduate course at Lincoln College. The 22-year-old

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Plans for 50-room 're-imagined motel' submitted to council

Plans for a 50-room US-style motel have been submitted to the council. Adalta Real has applied to West Oxfordshire District Council for outline planning permission for the scheme plus a new access on to Banbury Road at Chapel House Farm on the 

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Transplant surgeon accused of sexual harassment tickled trainee 'in the waist area'

A transplant surgeon accused of sexually harassing and inappropriately touching four female colleagues has said he tickled a trainee "in the waist area". James Gilbert, 47, is accused of sexually harassing and inappropriately touching four female

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City road freshly tarmacked as 'dreadful surface' repaired

A main city centre street has been tarmacked as part of the council's efforts to repair its "dreadful" surface.  Works in Queen Street in Oxford began at the start of July under instruction of Oxfordshire County Council. This comes as approximately

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Headington Shark named amongst best things to do in Oxford

A list naming the best things to do in Oxford has included the city’s infamous Headington Shark. The Times has compiled a guide to the best things to do in Oxford on a weekend break ranging from sightseeing to eating. Amongst the entries was

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New drivers can claim FREE Burger King in Oxford tomorrow

New drivers in Oxford will be able to claim a free Burger King tomorrow (July 24). To celebrate National Drive-Thru Day, Burger King has announced that newly qualified drivers can claim a free Whopper or Chicken Royale if they show their ‘L’ Plates

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Police issue update on ‘highly venomous snake on the loose in Oxford’

Police are aware of a “highly venomous” snake which is allegedly on the loose in Oxford. A warning was made to citizens in the form of a poster which was spotted attached to a lamppost near Barefoot Cafe in Walton Street on Friday. The poster

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Tributes paid to real ale enthusiast who represented OAPs

Tributes have been paid to an Oxford real ale enthusiast who also represented pensioners. John Mackie, a familiar figure in the Oxford branch of CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale), died aged 85 on June 27 and his funeral is at 3.30pm on August 1.

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Staff member steals over £4,000 in cash from petrol station

A THIEF has admitted to stealing over £4,000 of money bags from a petrol station where he worked in Bicester. Francis Christopherson, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to one count of theft by employee which took place between July 3 and July 5

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Air ambulance called to Oxford football club

An air ambulance has been called to a football club in Oxford. The helicopter landed on the Barton United Football Club field behind Fettiplace Road just after 10am and took off at around 10.45am this morning (Tuesday, July 23). An onlooker

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Emma Raducanu will NEVER play tennis with Andy Murray

Emma Raducanu will not play professional tennis with Andy Murray again after this week’s developments. The 21-year-old caused controversy at Wimbledon this summer after choosing to back out of the mixed doubles when she was due to play alongside

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Who is the missing Cryptoqueen Ruja Ignatova and why is she wanted by the FBI?

If you have an interest in Cryptocurrency, the chances are you've heard of the missing Cryptoqueen, Ruja Ignatova. Best known for founding the fraudulent cryptocurrency scheme OneCoin, the Bulgarian-born woman is now wanted by the FBI. Ignatova

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Play-off hopes suffer blow after defeat at Aces

OXFORD Spires’ Premiership play-off hopes suffered a blow by losing 54-36 away against Belle Vue Aces. The result saw Belle Vue win the aggregate bonus point by 91-89, after Spires won the corresponding meeting by 16 points on home shale last week

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UK rents hit record high with average costing tenants £1,314 per month

The average rent being asked outside London has hit a new record of £1,314 per month, with each property typically receiving 17 inquiries from prospective tenants, according to a website. A year ago, the average monthly advertised rent across Britain

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DWP told to focus on work, not welfare, by Labour Work and Pensions Secretary

The Department for Work and Pensions will be told it must become a “department for work”, rather than a “department for welfare”, by Labour today. In a speech in Barnsley, Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall will lay out Labour’s ambitions

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Thousands of drivers warned they are risking £100 fines on motorways

Thousands of drivers are risking a £100 fine and three penalty points on their licence every time they drive on the motorway. More than 53,000 incidents of drivers ignoring lane closed signs on smart motorways have been recorded since 2021, new

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Severe disruption in city due to roadworks

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Singer who married ghost discovers spirit at Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen's Cotswolds home

A woman who married and divorced a ghost has discovered a female spirit at the home of Laurence Llewelyn Bowen - who fancies him. Spooky rock singer Brocarde, who lives near Witney, famously wed then split from the ghost of a Victorian solider.

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Carpetright to close all four stores putting jobs at risk

Carpetright is to close all of its four stores in Oxfordshire after going into administration. The flooring retailer has been bought in a rescue deal by rival Tapi, but will shut more than 200 stores including two in Oxford, one in Abingdon and

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New Japanese restaurant is ready to open on 'trendy' street

A new Japanese restaurant is ready to open following the closure of an Oxford wine bar. Wilding opened in Little Clarendon Street in 2021 on the site of the former Cafe Rouge in Little Clarendon Street - sometimes known as 'little trendy street

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Oxford restaurant offers free meals to children over summer holidays

Children under 12 can enjoy a free meal at an Oxford restaurant during the school summer holidays. The Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill at the Leonardo Royal Hotel is treating children to a complimentary meal throughout the summer holidays

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Everything we know as ‘highly venomous snake on the loose’ in Oxford

Oxford has been terrorised by a “highly venomous” and potentially fictional snake. The public has been left split on whether or not they think a dangerous missing snake is on the loose in the city centre. A warning to citizens was issued in

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Community lottery provides boost for 10 charities

Ten charities in the Vale of White Horse have been boosted by funding delivered through a community lottery. The money has come from the White Horse Community Lottery, which is marking its third anniversary since its launch by the Vale of White

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

The latest court cases in Oxford Magistrates' Court: - BEN MARTIN, 41, of Brookside Road, Stratford-Upon-Avon, pleaded guilty to three counts of drug driving on the M40 southbound between junctions 9-8a. He was disqualified from driving for

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Driver avoids disqualification after camera catches him speeding

A DRIVER has been ordered to pay almost £400 after being caught speeding on an automatic speed camera. Ryan Few, of Turnstone Green, Bicester, was caught on January 1 this year speeding on the A40 in London. The 26-year-old was caught driving

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Pensioner accused of sexually abusing children says it's a 'load of rubbish'

A PENSIONER on trial charged with indecently assaulting young girls in the 1980s said the charges are ‘a load of rubbish’. David Tilley, 77, is on trial charged with 11 counts of indecent assault on a girl under the age of 14 and two counts of

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Call for Oxford families to host international students

Oxford residents are being encouraged to consider hosting an international student as the new academic year approaches. Every year, thousands of overseas students come to the UK, many to attend independent schools in Oxford. During weekends

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First blind Barbie doll with 'textured and vibrant' fabrics released by Mattel

Hi Barbie! Toy company Mattel has released the first blind Barbie (which comes with a cane with a marshmallow tip) during its 65th anniversary year. The latest Barbie doll announcement follows in a long line of inclusive dolls which have included

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Measures to slow traffic approved as 'most cars do 40 in 20mph zone'

New measures to slow down traffic will come to an Oxfordshire village following reports "most cars do 40" in the 20mph zone. Judy Roberts, cabinet member for infrastructure and development, approved the traffic calming proposals for South Leigh

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Over 41k take part in health research studies in Oxfordshire in 12 months

More than 41,000 people took part in health research studies across Oxfordshire in the 12 months up to April, new figures show. Among the trials were more than 500 studies at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (OUH), which recruited

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Oxfordshire space projects among 20 receiving £30 million in funding

Two space projects in Oxfordshire are among more than 20 national space projects receiving £30 million in funding from the government.  The government announced the funding for the projects today, which includes Lunasa and Orbit Fab in Harwell,

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Oxford ranked as one of the least affordable places to raise a family

Oxford has been ranked as one of the most unaffordable UK cities to raise a family in. New research from Shepherds Friendly analysed 40 of the most popular cities across the country to determine which are the best for raising a family. Oxford

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U’s not in position where they need to sell prized assets, says Des Buckingham

OXFORD United are not in a position where they need to sell any of their most prized assets, says head coach Des Buckingham. Blackburn Rovers and West Bromwich Albion have been tenuously linked with Cameron Brannagan this summer, while Swansea

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Break-in at temporary cafe during recreation ground overhaul

A break-in at the temporary cafe was the latest setback in a redevelopment project at an Oxfordshire recreation ground. Social enterprise Courtside is overhauling The Leys in Witney in partnership with Witney Town Council. During works a shipping

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U’s boss gives verdict on Gatlin O’Donkor in wide role and potential for loan

DES Buckingham has been impressed with what he’s seen from Gatlin O’Donkor in a wide role this summer. With Oxford United currently short on wide options, O’Donkor has been used as a winger in training, and played on the right-hand side in both

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GP who drunkenly stamped on police officer will not be reinstated

A GP who drunkenly stamped on a police officer in high heels has withdrawn her application to practise again. Eve Speight was suspended by the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service after her conviction for the assault in 2015. Two years later

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Dyslexic nine-year-old tackles reading challenge in support of orangutans

A nine-year-old boy with dyslexia is taking on a reading challenge in support of an Oxfordshire-based charity which protects orangutans. Archie Newton, from Bath, loves stories but struggles with reading due to his condition. Now, he is taking

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Oxford United reveals 10 winners of community grant

Oxford United has announced the 10 organisations which will benefit from a £10,000 grant. All the winners of the football club's community giving back grants are Oxfordshire-based not-for-profit organisations committed to providing sports, as well

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Wallester’s White-Label Card Solution

Building customer loyalty and brand trust is essential for business success. Implementing a white-label card program is an effective strategy to achieve this. Wallester provides a comprehensive white-label solution designed to help businesses across

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MP urges Home Secretary to pause reopening of immigration centre

The MP for Bicester and Woodstock has asked the Home Secretary to pause and reconsider the planned reopening of a controversial immigration centre in a village near Oxford.  The new Liberal Democrat MP Calum Miller wrote to the Home Secretary, 

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Major progress towards controversial parking scheme as £500k investment approved

A major step has been taken towards the development of a controversial parking scheme in Oxfordshire during a meeting where one politician said she was glad another sustainable travel measure had "generated some profit". County council cabinet

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Historic pub hosts weekend music festival

A village pub near Didcot hosted a three-day music festival. Music fans enjoyed listening to local bands and tribute acts at the Fleur de Lys pub in East Hagbourne from Friday to Sunday (July 21).  The Style Councillors played Fleur Fest on

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Paedo caught with sexualised image of Lisa Simpson jailed

A PAEDOPHILE has been caught with a sexualised image of cartoon character Lisa Simpson after sending sexual messages to what he thought was a young boy. David Robins, 25, was sentenced at Oxford Crown Court on Monday (July 22) for possession of

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Town's Aldi store to reopen after refurbishments

An Aldi store in Didcot is set to reopen later this week following refurbishments. The Broadway shop is set to welcome back customers on Thursday, July 25, after undergoing upgrades to improve the shopping experience and create a more sustainable

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Builders could be charged for new development for first time

A council is proposing to introduce a charge for most forms of development for the first time. West Oxfordshire District Council's cabinet will run a six-week consultation on introducing the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) across the district