There have been plenty of stories from all corners of Oxfordshire that grabbed our readers attentions in 2021.
From political protests to heart-warming charity appeals, the yo-yo of Covid-19 restrictions, debates over LTNs, first person features and crime.
The news this year has been varied to say the least.
These were the Oxford Mail’s best read stories in 2021:
January
Didcot named one of the worst places to live in England
In January a story about Didcot being named as one of the worst places to live in the UK was the highest ranked story on the Oxford Mail website.
Satirical website I Live Here named Didcot as the 44th worst place to live, after a 'record-breaking' 125,681 people voted.
The article was viewed online more the 200,000 times making it one of the most read stories of the year.
February
Beloved pet dog Jolly missing from Cowley fire confirmed dead
The following month news broke that a beloved family dog named Jolly was confirmed dead following a house fire in Cowley.
The Border Collie cross spaniel went missing after the major fire broke out on Watlington Road.
The whole community pulled together in an effort to locate the missing dog but the fire service confirmed Jolly was found within the house.
The news report was read 72,000 times by readers.
March
Dachshund puppy Milo found in Sainsbury's car park
March saw another dog-focused story grab our readers attention.
News that missing Dachshund puppy Milo had been found in a Sainsbury’s car park after he went missing was viewed more than 80,000 times.
April
Witney family facing separation from two-year-old son
A Witney family were desperately seeking help as it faced being split up due to a struggle for financial support.
Carol and James Lambert told the Oxford Mail they were set to be separated as Mrs Lambert was to the USA, with the pair’s young son, when her six-month visa expires.
The story received 272,000 views from readers.
May
Bicester mum reveals ups and downs of triplet life
In May, a mum from Bicester revealed the ‘ups and downs’ of having triplets.
The story, which detailed Brittani Meador experience of bringing up triplets Layla, Luna and Darcy, was read 71,000 times.
Ms Meador said: “It was definitely the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but the older they get the easier it is getting.”
June
'I can't walk through Chippy without being recognised': Kaleb Cooper on his newfound fame
Following the success of Clarkson’s Farm, this story about breakout star Kaleb Cooper was read 110,000 times.
Fan favourite Kaleb told the Oxford Mail about working with Jeremy Clarkson, Diddly Squat farm and his experience of fame.
July
Jeremy Clarkson's Chadlington house build runs into difficulties
As the summer rolled on our readers, 80,000 of them to be exact, were attracted to another Jeremy Clarkson story.
This time, instead of focusing on Kaleb Cooper, this article was about the issues Mr Clarkson had run into while building his dream home at the centre of Diddly Squat Farm.
August
Oxfordshire vicar sews lips shut in protest against Rupert Murdoch
A tale about a vicar who sew his lips shut in protest against Rupert Murdoch was the hottest article on the website in August.
Reverend Tim Hewes, who lives in Wantage, was photographed in London holding a sign that read 'Murdoch - the most destructive man in the history of the planet?'.
More than 80,000 people read the article.
September
Two men in their forties found dead in Abingdon
In September two men were found dead outside Abingdon BP garage in the early hours of the morning.
At the time Thames Valley Police said the deaths were being treated as unexplained but not suspicious, and their next of kin had been informed.
The news report was read 51,000 by readers.
October
Weekly shop prices at Jeremy Clarkson's farm shop compared to Aldi
In October, Jeremy Clarkson once again topped the table with the most read story of the month.
This article compared the prices of items from his farm shop to similar items for sale in Aldi.
43,000 people read about the price comparisons.
November
Pancreatic cancer survivor warns others about the signs
Nearly 70,000 people read a story about one woman’s experience of pancreatic cancer, as she urged others to be persistent with their GP.
Helen French, 60, was told the acid reflux she was experiencing was ‘probably gallstones and nothing sinister’ when she visited her doctor earlier this year.
The mother-of-two, from West Berkshire, said her symptoms were only taken seriously after she started presenting with jaundice - turning into 'Marge Simpson'.
December
Schools in Oxfordshire announce closures
In the final month of 2021 more than 65,000 people read about school closures in Oxfordshire listed on the County Council website.
Many of the school’s were partially closed to students due to 'unprecedented' levels of staff sickness.
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