A 17-year-old youth from Witney has been arrested after a 15-year-old girl told police she was raped in Abingdon's multi-storey car park. The alleged incident happened on level seven of the Charter Way car park between 4pm and 4.45pm on Tuesday
Craig Grealy, 31, of St Helen’s Mews, Abingdon, admitted possessing children’s underwear in Abingdon on April 1, which he was prohibited from doing under an order made by magistrates in July 2010. Fined £80, a £15 victims’ surcharge and £85 costs
TEENAGE girls are getting pregnant to land a council house, according to a county councillor. Wantage county councillor Jenny Hannaby said more needed to be done to address the problem at a meeting of the health overview and scrutiny committee
OXFORD City Morris Men have been touring pubs in the city to entertain drinkers. Ten dancers and four musicians were in Plantation Road, North Oxford, outside the Gardeners’ Arms on Wednesday, performing traditional Cotswold Morris dances.
A small fire broke out in an air conditioning unit at the BMW plant earlier today. The fire service was called at 5.30pm and pumps from Rewley Road, Slade and Abingdon stations tackled the blaze. Filters on an air conditioning unit on top of a building
TRAIN services around the county are suffering delays of up to 25 minutes tonight. Commuters travelling between Oxford and Reading are suffering delays of up to 20 minutes because of lineside equipment problems between Radley and the city. There is
A DOG rescuer is looking for help rehoming four Jack Russell puppies and their mother. William Walker, who runs Staffordshire Bull Terrier and Jack Russell Rescue in Weston-on-the-Green, near Bicester, picked up the dogs last Thursday. Their owner
VILLAGERS in Wheatley fear a new reservoir to serve people in East Oxford will mean hundreds of lorries passing their homes every week. Thames Water has submitted the application to build the reservoir, measuring 40 metres by 40 metres, next
FEW cars have thrown up so many conundrums for me as the new Mercedes-Benz B-Class. On the one hand it is much roomier than its predecessor with a tangible improvement in trim quality and a genuinely luxurious feel. Dynamically styled, sleek
A 15-year-old girl told police she was raped in Abingdon's multi-storey car park. The incident happened on level seven of the Charter Way car park between 4pm and 4.45pm on Tuesday, July 3. The crime was reported on Friday, July 6, but police
A MOTORCYLE safety workshop is to be held in Banbury tomorrow. Oxfordshire County Council is subsidising the Be A Better Biker event at Banbury Fire Station in a bid to reduce accidents. Be a Better Biker (BaBB) director Bruce Wingrave said: “We get
A PIONEERING housing project aimed at helping people build their own homes has been heralded by a Government minister. Cherwell District Council’s Build! scheme was praised as “innovative” by housing minister Grant Shapps, pictured.
WITH all the glitz and glamour of Hollywood stars, pupils at local schools made an impression at their proms this month. Year 11 Students at The Henry Box School in Witney arrived at the school for an “All of the Lights” themed-party on July
A FREE school at a former Oxfordshire Cold War air base has been approved by the Government. Heyford Park Free School, at the former US Air Force base at Upper Heyford, near Bicester, is one of 10 all-through schools in the country that has
A NEW car park aimed at stopping rail commuters parking outside West Oxfordshire homes could be completed in six to nine months. First Great Western has applied for planning permission to create 191 extra spaces to cope with growing demand
THE organiser of a “nearly-new” sale that has raised thousands of pounds for charity has been recognised with an award. Nicky Brock arranged the event for the Abingdon National Childbirth Trust and has been named the south central winner for fundraising
AS the summer holidays approach, most of us will be planning a break away with family. But for many people with disabilities, holidays are not an option. Yellow Submarine is a charity, based in Oxford, which provides opportunities for people with learning
Just before the lights dimmed, a pre-recorded announcement informed: ‘Please note that all of tonight’s music is played and sung live on stage.’ And thank goodness this was broadcast since it isn’t immediately obvious that the show’s cast are versatile
WHAT started as a bid to make “as much as possible” for charity, has raised almost £13,000 for an Oxford hospital. When Emma Bond, from Banbury, was 35 weeks pregnant with her son by partner Jonathan Pollard, 31, the couple were told that he
Oxford United’s new executive chairman says that developing the club’s training methods and injury prevention techniques will be critical to the club’s success. Ian Lenagan, who is the club’s owner, today replaced Kelvin Thomas as the U’
THE Met Office has issued an amber warning for heavy rain in Oxfordshire this afternoon including the possibility of flash flooding. A statement on the Met Office website says: “The more persistent rain is more likely across parts of central
WHEN John Goddard was Lord Mayor of Oxford, his wife Muriel took the opportunity to brush up on her artwork. Now her watercolours, including one featuring the Liberal Democrat city councillor on the iconic carousel at St Giles Fair, have been
A CRICKET umpire who pulled out of a junction and was hit by a speeding 4x4 died as the result of a “tragic accident”, a coroner has ruled. Richard Hogben, 51, was killed when his Vauxhall Corsa was involved in a collision with a Range Rover Sport
JUDGES looked bloomin’ impressed when wandering round Witney. The town was being judged as part of the Britain in Bloom competition, which will name the best gardening town in September. Regional judge Ben Stanesby said: “I would say
FIREFIGHTERS have been tackling a blaze at a semi-detached house in Greater Leys this morning. Oxfordshire County Council spokesman Annette Nix said fire crews were called to the blaze at the two-storey semi-detached house in Kingfisher Green.
A CARE home failed to record bruises and minor injuries and provide evidence of investigations, a watchdog said today. The Care Quality Commission gave Faringdon’s Coxwell Hall Nursing Home and Mews a deadline to make improvements, which it said
THE passing of the Olympic Torch through Kirtlington this week was one of the biggest days in the village’s history, according to parish council chairman David Pratt. About 2,000 people lined the streets and waved flags in the village near Kidlington
A plan to turn a Witney industrial unit into a theatre has fallen through after councillors opted to rent the building to a business. The Space, which hopes to gain charity status, wanted to convert the West Oxfordshire District Council-owned
AS the nation counts down to the start of the London 2012 Olympics two weeks from today, it is all done and dusted for some schoolchildren in Bicester. Nursery and foundation pupils at Bure Park School, in Lucerne Avenue, held their own Olympics
THE Oxford Canal is now in the hands of the people after the waterways authority left Government control. British Waterways, a Government organisation, ceased to exist this month and has been replaced by the Canal & River Trust. The
Emma McDermott provided Oxonian with a home victory in their 25-mile open event on the A420 at Southmoor. McDermott completed the course in 1hr 5mins 25secs, more than seven minutes ahead of her nearest rival, Zoe Ludwig, of Didcot Phoenix. Oxonian
STUART Dewey, the co-founder of Wallingford Museum, has died. Mr Dewey, who was 65, died on Monday at Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital, following treatment for a heart condition. The father-of-two lived in Cholsey with his wife Judy,
OXON: Three of the county’s waterways were on Flood Alert yesterday. An alert has been in force on the River Ray, south of Bicester, since last Friday, while the River Thame and Chalgrove Brook were placed on flood alert yesterday.
A 21-year-old Oxford woman has been arrested on suspicion of causing causing grievous bodily harm with intent after a man was stabbed at his Hurst Street home. The incident happened on July 4 at 11.10pm. The 35-year-old victim suffered as a
THE reasons behind the death of a boxer who was hit by a lorry in Bicester might never be known, an inquest heard. Leigh Horne died from his injuries after the incident in Middleton Stoney Road on January 4. The inquest heard the 30-
FIFTY walkers joined Ashmolean Museum director Dr Christopher Brown as he hit the Manet trail in Oxford yesterday. The walk was held to promote the museum’s bid to save an Impressionist masterpiece for the nation. Earlier this week 10
WHEN Wheatley Windmill last produced flour, television had yet to be unveiled by Logie Baird and Europe was on the brink of the First World War. But now – an incredible 98 years later – the windmill is back in use again. After standing
ALCHESTER will begin next season at their own ground after moving to Fritwell. The club, who were only founded in 2008, have played at Oxford Harlequins’ Marston Ferry Road ground for their first three seasons of league rugby. But they are now relishing
AN 80-YEAR-OLD driver veered into an oncoming bus and died after a suspected medical episode, an inquest has heard. Gordon Cordell’s Ford Fusion struck an Oxford Bus Company X3 in Abingdon on February 6. The retired machine operator,
OXFORDSHIRE County Council's children's services scrutiny committee meeting yesterday also heard the first details of proposed aspiration networks – groups of high-performing and lower-performing schools which will collaborate to focus on common goals
OH dear, I seem to have touched a raw nerve by suggesting that Labour politicians are socialists. To put the record straight for Mr Siret: I was brought up in a working class family of seven in a small council house in north Oxford. By the standards
BADGERS and cruise missiles have much on common,” declared the man with both the cut-glass appearance and cut-glass accent to an equally smartly turned out gent in a Little Clarendon Street restaurant. Perhaps there was something to learn. I kept quiet
SCHOOLS will need to “own” the campaign to drive up reading standards in Oxfordshire schools if it is to be a success. That is according to Oxfordshire County Council's children's services scrutiny committee, which yesterday discussed the council
SO David Cameron is to deny is a referendum on the EU – another politician who betrays the voters. He should remember he was appointed, not anointed. Blair got caught – as did Brown. The majority want out – so let’s get Cameron out as well! ROGER
WHAT a lot of utter tosh Alba Thorning writes (Oxford Mail, July 9). Since religion is an entirely man-made invention it is surely up to anyone in the world to interpret it in any way they wish without having to revert to dogma. DERRICK HOLT, Fortnam
COMPANIES producing junk food and sugary drinks should have no place in sponsoring the Olympics. Would athletes regularly consume such unhealthy products? I was appalled to see a lorry-load of Coke execs lording it at the front of the Olympic torch
EVERYONE would be glad to see an end to the violence and killing of innocent people in Syria. However, recent reports that US secretary of state Hillary Clinton and UK foreign secretary William Hague have been “increasing pressure” on Russia and China
AS A regular reader of View Points I cannot recall a subject reported more than the disgusting state of our city toilets. This problem just doesn’t seem to go away. It was stated recently that money was available for a full revamp of Gloucester Green
I RECENTLY embarked upon a mission to find accommodation for some people who are coming to Oxford in a few weeks to see the sights. You’d have thought it would be quite easy – Oxford’s full of places to stay, isn’t it? My basic checklist was quite
WHAT a wonderful idea: means test OAPs before they get their free bus passes, free prescriptions, free TV licences and winter heating allowances! Why not means test their old age pension as well, because most of us will have no need for money. With
WHAT I’M CALLED: Alan Armitage. MY AGE IN YEARS: 61. WHAT I DO: Lord Mayor of Oxford. I’m also a non-legal judge and am involved in making decisions on deportation cases for the immigration and asylum tribunal. It’s a paid role and usually
Serious Cricket Home Counties Premier League UNLUCKY is a fair word to describe Shipton-under-Wychwood, who find themselves in the relegation zone at the halfway point of the season. That is certainly the view of captain Simon Hole and echoed by the
Serious Cricket Home Counties Premier League JESAL Rathod is poised for his Thame Town debut in tomorrow’s match at Falkland – if the pitch survives the wet weather. Rathod, who is an opening batsman, has joined from Ealing and goes
Serious Cricket Home Counties Premier League BANBURY’S White Post Road ground could face a second successive washout tomorrow. Jimmy Phillips’s side are due to host Bishops Stortford, but the prospects for play look limited. “The groundsman is not
OXFORD: Bill Clinton is back in Oxford today to deliver a speech at the Examination Schools in the High Street. The former American president and Oxford scholar will this afternoon give the closing address at a forum examining how the world can ensure
ABOUT 200 people are expected to march through Oxford tomorrow to protest against public sector cuts. They will march from Manzil Way off the Cowley Road at 11am and up High Street and Cornmarket to arrive at Broad Street at 1pm. Workers from across
OXFORD United fans will be able to meet their heroes and see the club’s new kit during an open day tomorrow. The first team will take part in practice matches and five of the stars will take on five Oxford Mail readers in a penalty shoot-out. Fans will
What a fantastic achievement for Oxford-born activist Frances O’Grady, who has been named the first woman boss of the Trades Union Congress. The 52-year-old mum of two has already said of Oxford’s car industry: “We have seen a very mature relationship
OXFORD Cavaliers will face a stern test of their title credentials tomorrow when they visit defending champions Somerset Vikings. The improving side go into the game off the back of an impressive 60-10 victory over Bristol Sonics a fortnight ago, which
IT sounds like the stuff of science fiction novels. But after a gruelling eight-hour ‘bionic eye’ implant a mother-of-two, who has been blind since she was 12, last night spoke of the moment she began to regain her vision. Annette Hornsby
A BALLOT for strike action by First Great Western rail workers has been halted by the RMT union. It threatened the strike over extra payments for the Olympics but said a new deal provided a flat rate payment for the games period and payouts
AN Oxford-born activist who was inspired by her car worker father has been named the first woman boss of the Trades Union Congress. Frances O’Grady said her late shop steward father James O’Grady was a key influence on her journey into union
Isn’t science extraordinary, when a woman who has been blind since the age of 12 is now able to trace the outline of a triangle thanks to a pioneering operation performed at the John Radcliffe Hospital? And good for Annette Hornsby for brilliantly
Hannah England says she is itching to get back on the track tonight when she runs in the London Diamond League meeting at Crystal Palace. The 25-year-old Oxford City ace competes in the 1,500m at 7.36pm, which will be her first race since May 27. That
NORTH HINKSEY: Jewellery and cash were stolen from two homes in North Hinksey Lane on Wednesday. The incidents happened between 8.15am and 2.30pm. Call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
FORMER captain Paul Fincken has taken over as Chinnor’s new chairman. Fincken has replaced Geoff Corpe, who has stepped down for health reasons. The same meeting saw Chinnor stalwart Dougie Humphries become an honorary life vice president
JOHN Brodley is remaining tight-lipped about about leaving the Oxford Rugby Partnership to become Marlow’s head coach. Brodley (pictured) performed various coaching and organisational roles at the partnership between 2007 and 2012. But
Michael Duberry is a major doubt for the start of Oxford United’s npower League Two season after suffering a neck injury during the summer. The experienced defender is struggling with a prolapsed disc which is expected to rule him out of
SUPERHERO toddlers swept into Cotswold Wildlife Park for a charity event. Barnardo’s Big Toddle, a short sponsored walk for under-fives, saw more than 400 youngsters visit the park near Burford yesterday afternoon. Among them were Steve
LABOUR has won a by-election for the Cowley and Littlemore county council seat. Gill Sanders won the seat with 1,606 votes after the election yesterday. Judith Harley won 384 votes for the Conservatives, Paul Skinner got 330 votes for
ELEVEN people evacuated a printing press warehouse in Bicester after a fire last night. The blaze started shortly before 10pm in a printing machine at Benham Goodhead Print in Launton Road. Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service sent two fire engines
The A415 is currently closed in both directions because of fallen cables between Howard Cornish Road in Marcham and the A338 at Frilford.
KELVIN Thomas has resigned as Oxford United chairman after almost four years in charge, the Oxford Mail can confirm. U’s owner Ian Lenagan, who will become the club’s new chairman, will announce the unexpected decision at a press conference
PUPILS have turned newspaper sellers at an Oxford school to support its bid to win £7,500 of improvements. For the fourth time, the Oxford Mail has teamed up with Abingdon-based construction company Leadbitter to offer one primary school a makeover.
Oxford University's Bodleian Library is providing a suitably dramatic backdrop to Shakespeare’s play Hamlet this month. Oxford Playhouse is staging the production in the Old Schools Quadrangle until Thursday, July 26. The theatre group
A FAMILY-owned laboratory business is to expand its workforce by 20 per cent to meet growing demand for its environmental testing kits. On Wednesday Bicester’s mayor Daniel Sames officially opened a new ‘clean room’ at Cherwell Laboratories
