A PLAN to waive car parking charges before Christmas to boost city centre shops was thrown out by Oxford City Council. Councillor John Goddard said “imaginative” ideas were needed to halt a decline in attractiveness of city centre shopping. But his
FESTIVE cheer was high in the heart of Blackbird Leys as hundreds of people enjoyed an early Christmas lunch. Older people and socially isolated residents from all over Oxford tucked into a roast dinner with all the trimmings at The Barn in Blackbird
A GOVERNMENT inspector has praised the “outstanding impact” of a new headteacher at a school which went into special measures last year. The John Henry Newman CofE Primary School had been judged to have made good progress since the inspector’s last visit
A YEAR since her son brutally murdered his former partner and her son with an axe, Margaret Kelly has broken her silence. The mum-of-four, 71, has recalled the day she found out her 46-year-old son, Michael Kelly, had killed Sally Cox, 43,
Chinnor stayed top with a well-earned bonus-point victory. Here is the numbers' game. See Tuesday’s paper for full report. Competition: National 3 South West Score: Chinnor 33, Newton Abbot 5 Chinnor player ratings: 15.
A 17-year-old is in a stable condition after he was stabbed in the shoulder, back and body. The attack happened at the junction of Circus Street and Cowley Road, East Oxford, shortly after midnight this morning. Police have appealed
TACKLING youth unemployment and bringing back the Leys Fair were major topics at the first meeting of a Blackbird Leys group. The new Leys Neighbourhood Partnership aims to give people on the estate a louder voice. Made up of residents, councillors
Morecambe 0, Oxford 0 Oxford United ended their five-game losing streak with a battling performance at Morecambe today. The U's were good value for their 0-0 draw, their first clean sheet for ten games. That was down to some brave defending from
The guide at Geevor Tin Mine said: “If you want good weather, don’t come to Cornwall in the school holidays!” Good advice, but not helpful under the circumstances. I was already there. Family holidays are fraught enough, and as the kids
THEY come from all walks of life – surgeons, cleaners, students, pensioners and mums – but are all united by their passion for singing. Tonight up to 90 members of the Oxford Gospel Choir will gather for a fundraising Christmas concert, the culmination
I can’t recall the last time I was ever so happy to see a sailor... but more on that later. First things first, is South Pacific, the New Theatre Oxford’s big Christmas production, worth the cost of a ticket and why? Well, ‘Yes’ to the first part, while
TWO district councils have been shortlisted for a council of the year award, despite a local election fiasco which left more than 4,000 people without a vote. Printing problems led to major administrative errors in Vale of White Horse and South Oxfordshire
Tom Craddock makes his first start of the season for Oxford United at Morecambe today. The striker will start alongside James Constable and Lewis Guy as Chris Wilder's side look to end a five-game losing run. Asa Hall replaces Paul McLaren in midfield
A MAN who lights up his home in aid of the homeless each Christmas called on visitors to donate blankets and food for rough sleepers when they come to admire his display on an Oxford estate. Pete Bonney and his wife Carol set up their display more than
A PICTURESQUE village has been turned into a dumping ground for rubbish, residents say. Yarnton has been blighted by flytipping in recent months. Now Cherwell District Council has urged residents to shop those responsible. Adam Kelly, of Cassington
ALEX Murphy, of Didcot Barramundi, hauled in five golds and one silver medal and two trophies in the South East Regional Winter Championships at Aldershot Garrison. The 16-year-old won gold in the junior (16 & under) and open 50m breaststroke in 30.00secs
The top-of-the-table duel in Division 1 of the Oxford & District Association between Holton A and Vikings A produced high drama as the latter ran out 7-3 winners inspired by an Alan Cherry maximum. Holton brought in Welsh international veteran and
AN OXFORD University professor is back on track and preparing to run his 27th marathon after beating cancer. Richard Pring, from Banbury Road, Oxford, hopes to run the London Marathon in April – two days after his 74th birthday. The education academic
A bream of 6.3.0 helped Stephen Malone to first place in the Tackley Estates AC Christmas fayre match on the Cherwell at Hog’s Bottom. He had another smaller breamon legered worm for a total of 11.0.0 to top the 11-strong field. Monty Finnemore (Predator
This closely fought contest saw a nervous Didcot hold out for victory and clinch the league title with three games to play. Supergiants took on the league leaders in spirited fashion and started the brighter, but a goal in each half gave Didcot a 2
Fieldside remained firmly on top of the Gentworks Oxford & District Snooker League Premier Division after beating Thame B 5-1. Karl Walker comfortably took the first two frames for Fieldside, beating Rob Sellwood. Mick Bennett did likewise for Fieldside
Oracle overtook Ashton at the top of Gentworks Oxford Billiards League Division 1 with a 3-0 away victory. Gordon Cook (+50) beat Peter Fenn (+60) 150-138. Matty Bramall (+50) came from behind to defeat previously unbeaten Callum Vinall (+90) 150-
Father and son Phil and Sam Douthwaite were the stars of Radway’s six-wicket win over Azad in Division 2 of the Banbury Indoor League. After Azad were dismissed for 73 in eight overs, the Douthwaites knocked off the runs without loss in 6.1 overs, Sam
North Berks Motorcycle Club held their awards night at Drayton Park Golf Club, following a successful season. The prizewinners for the trials club championship series were: Richard Gardiner, John Wheeler, Justin Heavens, Derek Dodd, Liam Anderson,
Promising racer Elliot Harvey (above) is on the look-out for sponsorship following a successful 2011 campaign. The ten-year old from Didcot captured the Honda cadet championships at both Camberley in Surrey and Forest Edge in Hampshire. His Camberley
Romain Grosjean has been named as Lotus Renault’s second driver for the 2012 season, joining former world champion Kimi Raikkonen in a new-look line-up. The Frenchman raced for the Enstone-based Renault outfit in the second half of the 2009 season, but
Oxford City Stars aim to break a five-year hoodoo when they travel to Gillingham Ice Bowl to take on Invicta Dynamos in South Division 1 of the English National League tomorrow. Dynamos have struggled this year after suffering a string of injuries and
Oxford Boxing Academy claimed five wins from a possible six at the dinner show, staged at the Kassam Stadium. Adam Howard finished his night’s work inside schedule as he halted Milton Keynes rival John O’Reilly in the final minute of their welterweight
A BENEFIT fraudster who falsley claimed more than £45,000 in handouts has had her sentencing put back. Debra Cook, 50, of Mill Street, Oxford, was due to appear at Oxford Crown Court yesterday after admitting two counts of making a false statement for
THE character Scrooge in Charles Dickens’ classic tale A Christmas Carol is renowned for his hatred of the festive season. But the actor playing the miser in Creation Theatre Company’s production has no excuse, as he celebrates his birthday on Christmas
AN OBSESSIVE ex-boyfriend was jailed for four years for arming himself with a collection of terrifying knives and trying to kidnap his former partner. Sudarshan Dewan, of Newlands Avenue, Didcot, denied the attempted kidnap of his former girlfriend Miran
TESCO was accused of using “bullying” tactics to force Oxford City Council into approving a planned store in Abingdon Road. The council deferred two planning applications from the retail giant on Thursday to build a store in the former Fox and Hounds
Trainer Angie Kibble can get ready to receive the Trainers Championship trophy after she landed her seventh title with a month to spare. Ex-double champion Nick Colton, who has dual attachment with Swindon, looks certain to take the silver medal. Latest
ROAD signs ordering drivers not to overtake on a busy road will be taken down after a driver protested that they were illegal. ‘Speedwatch’ signs have been in place on the A4074 Dorchester bypass, since 2002. They carry the message “Stay in lane” to
PRIME Minister and Witney MP David Cameron has unveiled his colourful 2011 Christmas card. This year Mr Cameron and his wife Samantha appear on the official Number 10 Downing Street Christmas card along with guests at a street party to celebrate the
Oxford Stadium has received a massive boost for next year with a new BAGS contract worth close to £1m. The track has been granted 52 Friday meetings and 53 Sunday meetings, which I believe is one more than this year. “It gives us some stability with
A WOMAN yesterday admitted allowing part of her home to be used as a brothel. Barbara Bicka appeared at Oxford Crown Court yesterday and admitted being a tenant of the house at 7 Orchard Close in Banbury, and knowingly permitting part of it to be used
KIDLINGTON’S own music sensation D-Sarb has hit number 17 in the iTunes world music chart for download sales since releasing his latest single. The Bhangra musician – also known as schoolboy Daniel Sarbatta, 18 – juggles his music career with studying
CARING for Oxfordshire’s older people ‘dwarfs all other’ priorities for the county, according to a new health report. Dr Jonathan McWilliam, below, the county’s health director, released his annual health report on Thursday. Each year, it outlines
TOM Craddock will make his first league appearance of the season today when Oxford United take on Morecambe at the Globe Arena. The striker, who scored 17 goals last year, has been sidelined with a knee injury this campaign. He made his return in United
TWO months after competing in the London Marathon, Keith Jansz was paralysed in a car accident. Now, despite being unable to move from the shoulders down, the artist has been named one of the exceptional people who will have the honour of bearing the
THE winning of a place on the Olympic torch relay by artist Keith Jansz shows this is an event that is embracing all. Mr Jansz was paralysed in a car crash 16 years ago and is a member of Mouth and Foot Painting Artists. The Olympics will be a massive
THE WAIT was over for traders yesterday as free parking was introduced at Vale of White Horse District Council car parks in Abingdon, Wantage and Faringdon. The Conservative council hopes the move, which is expected to cost about £250,000 a year, will
OXFORD’S Blackbird Leys estate could be annexed into the Henley constituency under controversial Conservative plans. The Tories have put forward the plan to take Blackbird Leys and Greater Leys – currently served by Labour MP Andrew Smith and
THE barmy scheme to annex Blackbird Leys into the Henley parliamentary constituency shows the danger of little grey men sitting in rooms drawing lines on maps and counting people while ignoring the realities of our communities. The plan by the Conservatives
AS Christmas draws closer, police officers are keeping the interview room nice and cosy for two more Badvent suspects who they would like to quiz. The first is 31-year-old Michael Myers, above left, who is wanted over a distraction burglary in Botley
AN OXFORD church is full of Christmas trees as it prepares for the festive season. St James in Beauchamp Lane, Cowley, held a Christmas tree festival with more than 30 on show. They have been decorated by members of the community and local businesses
A teenager has appeared in court charged with stabbing a woman in an Oxford shopping centre. Lewis Cyprien is charged with causing grievous bodily harm to Pauline Read, 44, at Templars Square in Cowley on October 17. The 20-year-old, of Liddell Road
