Archive

  • Snow: Oxford Northern Bypass closed

    Heavy snow tonight closed the A40 Oxford Northern Bypass. The dual carriageway was closed both ways closed due to snow between the Cutteslowe Roundabout and the Headington Roundabout. Police warned drivers to expect delays. Police hope to reopen the

  • Snow update: Roads closed, police issue driving advice

    A number of roads were reported to be closed tonight. Oxfordshire County Council said Hanney Road, Steventon was reported as impassable. The Northern Bypass in Oxford was closed close to the Green Road roundabout. and highways teams were working to

  • SNOW: Rail services disrupted

    TRAIN services north of Oxford are being disrupted by heavy snow tonight. Passengers are being advised by train operator First Great Western not to travel on the Cotswold Line between Oxford and Worcester and FGW services between Oxford,

  • SNOW: Bus service alterations

    BUS operator Stagecoach has suspended and altered services on a number of routes in north and west Oxfordshire tonight, due to poor road conditions caused by snow. Route S1 is unable to serve Burwell Drive in Witney and is being diverted

  • SNOW: Rail firms revise services for tomorrow

    TRAIN operators First Great Western and Chiltern Railways will operate special timetables tomorrow, due to the forecast of heavy snow overnight and in the morning. The main changes planned for FGW services in Oxfordshire at present are the

  • Man stabbed at home in gang attack

    A MASKED gang burst into a man’s house and stabbed him in the back. Police are appealing for help after the gang forced their way inside a house in Shelley Road, in East Oxford, at about 7.20pm on December 27. They made their way to a bedroom where

  • Hit and run driver should own up, says uni lecturer

    A CYCLIST says he is “baffled” by the attitude of a hit-and-run van driver who knocked him off his bike and left him lying injured in the road. Japanese history lecturer Dr James McMullen’s cycle helmet was smashed in the incident in Woodstock

  • Sassy & Single

    IT’S official. Every one of us in Oxfordshire is a hero! We all deserve a medal. And a day off! In fact forget the medal, I’m sure even though we’re only three days into the working year, we’d all much rather prefer a day off than a lump of metal

  • The law's an ass

    Have the police, or other readers, noticed that during rush hour on St Giles the 20mph limit is almost universally ignored? Those who do try to adhere to it risk beeping horns and dangerous driving from anyone behind. This is very bad news for any learner

  • Snow: Crash blocks A361

    A three-vehicle crash blocked the A361 Banbury Road, at Swerford, earlier this evening. Queueing traffic is still reported in the area following the collisison near The Masons Arms pub. Congestion remains in the area due to the weather

  • Illiberal stance

    FOLLOWING the debate about the recent Channel 4 Dispatches documentary concerning UK parliamentary support for the Friends of Israel (Oxford Mail letters, November 26), I was already aware of the group’s influence in the Labour Party. I also wasn’t

  • Top support

    I wanted to write and thank all Oxford Mail readers who supported us over World Aids Day in Oxford on December 1. Staff and volunteers from Terrence Higgins Trust collected around £1,000 at our annual street collections this year – an amazing amount.

  • Pile 'em high

    The East Area Parliament, in October, democratically rejected a pIanning application to demolish all but the facade of 190 Iffley Road. This arts and crafts-style building had been judged worthy of saving in last year’s planning inspector’s decision.

  • Snow: Look after neighbours

    People were asked to check on elderly and infirm neighbours tonight as snow arrived in Oxfordshire. Dave Etheridge, Deputy Chief Fire Officer for Oxfordshire, said: "For those residents who are elderly or infirm, it's important to make contact with

  • Snow: Send us your pictures

    Captured a scene from snowy Oxfordshire that you would like to share with the county? Send pictures and short videos by email, to the following email address: yourpix@nqo.com Or if you have a snow tale to tell, call the newsdesk on 01865 425445.

  • Unite and fight the Northern Gateway

    WE would urge readers of the Oxford Mail to help us in our endeavours to oppose the Northern Gateway. This is a plan to build an office and retail park, some of which is on green belt land between the A40 and the A34 near the Wolvercote roundabout.

  • Thousands log on to online hypnotist

    AN OXFORDSHIRE hypnotist said he was overwhelmed by the success of an online hypnosis experiment which saw more than 31,000 people log on to start the new year in a trance. Chris Hughes, 34, cancelled a live online hypnosis session on Monday, claiming

  • Donnington Doorstep centre faces a cash crisis

    A POPULAR family centre may have to cut its opening hours after revealing a £50,000 funding deficit – just months after celebrating its 25th anniversary. Managers at the Donnington Doorstep Family Centre, off Donnington Bridge Road, need £260,000 a year

  • Football club treasurer in court over fraud

    YOUTH football managers told a jury they never asked for cash from the club’s treasurer, who is accused of thousands of pounds of fraud and theft. Natalie Ross, of Reedmace Road, Bicester, denies theft, obtaining by deception and false accounting. The

  • Witney housing plans a mixed blessing

    DEVELOPERS could build 1,400 homes in north Witney if major new plans are given the go-ahead. The scheme could also pave the way for a West End Link Road, as well as a new primary school, to cater for the estate. The moves have been

  • COLD WEATHER: Thames Travel warning

    Thames Travel is urging people not to use its services after 8pm tonight amid fears heavy snow could force the company to cancel a number of routes. The Wallingford-based firm, which operates services to Oxford and throughout South Oxfordshire

  • RACING: Long Run bound for Sandown

    Robert Waley-Cohen, owner of Long Run, has revealed his exciting French import is likely to run in the Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase at Sandown on Saturday, February 6. Waley-Cohen, who lives at Edge Hill, near Banbury, was thrilled to see his new recruit

  • COLD WEATHER: Send us your pictures!

    Captured a lovely winter wonderland scene? Email us your pictures from around the county to yourpix@oxfordmail.co.uk or text videos and images to 80360 with the words 'Oxford Mail' in your message. Alternatively, if you've got a snow tale to tell, call

  • FOOTBALL: Swan are on song

    The Swan got back to winning ways in style in Division 2 with a 5-1 win at Priors United in Banbury District & Lord Jersey FA. The visitors fell behind after when Dan Lloyd headed in from a set-piece. Swan levelled after Darren Foster

  • YOUTH FOOTBALL: Six U's youngsters earn Oxon call-up

    SIX Oxford United Academy players have been selected for Oxfordshire under 18s South & West Counties Championship encounter with their Berks & Bucks FA counterparts at Henley To-wn FC on Saturday, January 16 (2pm). OXFORDSHIRE SQUAD T Heslop (Letcombe

  • FOOTBALL: Tyack hits brace

    Gareth Tyack netted a brace as Stanton Harcourt defeated Kingham All Blacks Res 5-3 in Division 3 of the Witney & District FA. It was the only game that survived the arctic conditions. George Woodcock, Dale Cox and Sean Casey were also on the mark for

  • FOOTBALL: Wootton resist Crowmarsh revival

    Wootton & Dry Sandford resisted a late comeback by Crowmarsh Gifford to record a 4-2 win in North Berks League Division 1, writes Phil Annets. In the only match to survive the frosty weather, Wootton took a tenth-minute lead when Tom Srawley’s headed

  • FOOTBALL: Quarry reach last eight

    Quarry 09 reached the quarter-finals of the John Fathers Oxfordshire Junior Shieldwith a 2-1 at home to Bodicote. In the only cup tie to survive the frost, Dan Fraser and Chris Baker were on target for Quarry.

  • FOOTBALL: Holmes hammers four-timer

    Jamie Holmes smashed a four-timer for Quarry 09 Res as they took over at the top of Division 1 of the RT Harris Oxford City FA with a 5-1 away win at Union Street. Carlos Abreu added a fifth for Quarry. Union Street had taken an early lead through Andy

  • FOOTBALL: Charlton too hot for Slade

    THE BIG freeze may have wiped out most of the weekend’s sporting fixtures in Oxfordshire, but two league games survived the freezing weather. Charlton United defeated Slade Farm United 2-0 in their Division 1 derby clash. Steven Gardner fired them in

  • 1,400 homes for north Witney?

    MORE than 1,000 homes could be built on land in north Witney if major new plans are given the go-ahead. The development could also pave the way for a West End Link Road, as well as a new primary school, to cope with the estate. The scheme

  • FOOTBALL: It's all White on the night

    Former Kidlington Royals striker Mark White had a day to remember as he smashed a magnificent seven-timer for his new club Blacks Head Bletchingdon in their 13-4 crushing of Leys Wanderers in the only Autotype UTV League fixture to survive the arctic

  • Local share prices (PM)

    AEA Technology 27 BMW 2892 Electrocomponents 165.8 Gladstone 29.5 Nationwide Accident Repair 83.5 Oxford Biomedica 11.8 Oxford Catalyst 50.5 Oxford Instruments 215 Reed Elsevier 510.25 RM 163.25 RPS Group 220.5 Courtesy

  • Boullier takes Renault post

    The Enstone-based Renault F1 team have appointed Eric Boullier as their new team principal. Boullier has spent the last two years as boss of Team France in A1GP, steering them to championship victory in 2008. The 36-year-old has also

  • Popular city park gets £150,000 play area boost

    ONE of Oxford’s most popular parks is getting new play equipment as part of a £150,000 facelift. The play area at Cutteslowe Park, North Oxford, is being redeveloped by the city council, with work expected to start in March. Graham Jones, chairman of

  • Ten undertake tough cycle tour for orphanage

    A GROUP of cyclists from Oxfordshire who battled through heat and mountain sickness have raised £71,000 for abandoned orphans in Kenya. Ten friends took part in a five-day, 250-mile challenge through central and southern Kenya, facing temperatures

  • Banbury people offered free heart check-ups

    FREE heart checks are available at two Banbury pharmacies as part of an initiative aiming to prevent heart disease. Checks are available at Knights Pharmacy, Grimsbury, and Cross Pharmacy, Horsefair, until March, for people between the ages of 40 and

  • Pegasus Theatre's sculpture challenge to youngsters

    YOUNG people are being challenged to design a sculpture — in the shape of a bike rack. Oxford’s Pegasus Theatre, in Magdalen Road, is due to reopen in September following a £7.4m revamp. To ensure young people are creatively involved in the project,

  • Warning issued after 'frosting' theft

    Police today warned drivers not to leave vehicles unattended with keys in the ignition while de-icing them, after a car was stolen in Upper Tadmarton today. At about 8.50am, a silver Mazda RX8 was stolen from outside a property in Main Road

  • Forecasters predict up to 40cm of snow

    Forecasters at the Met Office are warning of an “extreme weather event” hitting southern England this evening and overnight. The Met Office updated its website for London and South East England with the severe weather warning at 11.35am.

  • Met Office issues snow warning for Oxfordshire

    The Met Office has warned of the risk of heavy snow expected to hit Oxfordshire tonight. Outbreaks of snow will turn heavy this evening and overnight giving fresh accumulations of 10-15 cm in places and perhaps locally in excess of 20 cm.

  • Man stabbed by intruders in Oxford

    Police today appealed for witnesses after a man was stabbed by intruders at an address in Shelley Road, Oxford. Between four and six people, with their faces covered, forced their way into the property at 7.20pm on December 27 and made their

  • Appeal after man stabbed by intruders

    A man was stabbed by intruders at a house in Shelley Road, Oxford, police said today. Between four and six people, with their faces covered, forced their way into the property at 7.20pm on Sunday, December 27 and made their way to a bedroom, where they

  • 2010 'key year' for Didcot's regeneration

    THE man overseeing Didcot’s regeneration says 2010 will be a key year. District councillor John Cotton said by this time next year, work should have started on the 3,340-home Great Western Park, contractors will be improving the forecourt at Didcot Parkway

  • Schools hit by cold weather

    Four schools in the county are closed today as a result of the cold weather conditions. Long Furlong Primary School, in Abingdon, is closed because of problems with its heating, although F2 and F3 remain open. Shrivenham Church of England Primary

  • All eyes on Europe at breakfast event

    Europe is on the agenda at a special event being staged by Grant Thornton at its Oxford office. Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire member of the European Parliament James Elles will be talking about decisions made at the December summit meeting

  • Local share prices (AM)

    AEA Technology 27 BMW 2906 Electrocomponents 164.8 Gladstone 29.5 Nationwide Accident Repair 83.5 Oxford Biomedica 12 Oxford Catalyst 50.5 Oxford Instruments 211 Reed Elsevier 512 RM 162.75 RPS Group 220.4 Courtesy

  • Pervert Major groomed girls

    An Oxfordshire war veteran has been jailed after admitting grooming teenage girls on the Internet. Richard Male, a former army Major based in Bicester, who served in the Gulf War and Kosovo conflict, admitted contacting girls as young as 13

  • Schools hit by cold weather

    Four schools in the county are closed today as a result of the cold weather conditions. Long Furlong Primary School in Abingdon is closed because of problems with its heating, although F2 and F3 remain open. Shrivenham Church of England

  • Pervert major groomed girls

    An Oxfordshire war veteran has been jailed after admitting grooming teenage girls on the Internet. Richard Male, a former army Major based in Bicester, who served in the Gulf War and Kosovo conflict, admitted contacting girls as young as 13

  • Keep those pages turning in 2010

    Thanks to Cynthia L. Tarvin, Litigation Project Manager in Portland, Oregon, for giving me a little smack on the back of my legs, a gentle reminder that the pages really must start turning again in 2010. She and her fellow litigators who lunch (and

  • Paul McCartney: O2 Greenwich

    It has always been a touch ironic that John Lennon, the famously fearless risk-taking Beatle, was so crippled by stage fright that even performing two numbers with Elton John saw him throwing up with nerves. As for George Harrison, he never recovered

  • Snow 'will hit Oxfordshire'

    Snow is coming your way — that’s the warning for people in Oxfordshire this morning from Met Office forecasters. Snow showers are expected to hit the region this afternoon as the cold front moves in from the north. Met Office spokesman

  • COLD WEATHER: Latest forecast

    Snow is coming your way — that’s the warning for people in Oxfordshire this morning from Met Office forecasters. Snow showers are expected to hit the region this afternoon as the cold front moves in from the north. Met Office spokesman Andrew Kimber

  • AWOL soldier Joe Glenton 'is suffering from stress'

    LAWYERS representing an Abingdon soldier accused of going absent without leave are trying to get the case dropped by claiming he has got post-traumatic stress disorder. Lance Corporal Joe Glenton, of 4 Logistic Support Regiment, Royal Logistic Corps,

  • Ice hits waste collections

    Waste and recycling collections in some areas of West Oxfordshire are behind schedule due to the continuing icy road conditions. A district council spokesman said some collections had been suspended for the safety of bin men, residents and

  • Freeze: 'Where's your British spirit?'

    The leader of Oxfordshire County Council has accused county residents of lacking the “British spirit that defeated Hitler” in the wake of freezing weather. Keith Mitchell said people had developed a “dependency culture” when he was challenged

  • Jake out to stake claim

    OXFORD United’s new centre half, Jake Wright, says he’s delighted to join the club – but he doesn’t expect to walk straight into the team. The former Halifax and Crawley defender, who has signed on loan from Brighton until the end of the season, said

  • A tougher fight

    IT surely must come as little surprise that Viridor is appealing against the decision to refuse to allow it to build an incinerator at Ardley. The decision by Oxfordshire County Council to reject the company’s plans in October was a shock, but with so

  • COLD WEATHER: Where's your British spirit asks county leader

    THE leader of Oxfordshire County Council has accused county residents of lacking the “British spirit that defeated Hitler” in the wake of freezing weather. Keith Mitchell said people had developed a “dependency culture” when he was challenged by a former

  • We can all do our bit to help

    KEITH MITCHELL is right in sentiment (if a little wrong in manners) when responding to complaints about a perceived lack of action in clearing away ice and snow. There is too much sitting on hands with people expecting officialdom (in this case Oxfordshire

  • Big Freeze is biting hard

    STOCKS of rock salt have sold out and salt bins are running low as Oxfordshire residents try to deal with the coldest winter in 30 years. Private sellers yesterday said they had run out of bags of rock salt, while Oxfordshire County Council

  • 'Treasurer stole thousands from kids' football club'

    A WOMAN stole thousands of pounds from a youth football club while working as its treasurer, a jury heard yesterday. Natalie Ross, of Reedmace Road, Bicester, denies seven counts of theft, three of acquiring criminal property by deception, two of obtaining