People convicted of offences at Magistrates' Courts around the county recently BANBURY Shannon Price, 23, of Beckdale Close, Bicester, admitted shoplifting a £75 DVD box set from HMV in Castle Quay, Banbury, on August 1. Also admitted stealing
POOR literacy skills in children who arrive at secondary school holds them back in other subjects and they need intensive support to catch up. That is according to secondary school headteachers from across Oxfordshire who have stressed the importance
This is a unique show that consists of physical theatre, comedy and, most of all, percussion – my ears were ringing by the end of the 80 minutes of non-stop action. It happens against a steel framework hung with stuff like hub-caps, tyres, dustbin-lids
A NEW food store is being planned by the Co-op for the former Waitrose in Wallingford town centre. The Co-operative Group has submitted its £1.5m plans to South Oxfordshire District Council for the new store at the St Martin’s Street site, with
HOSPITAL bosses have confirmed the private records of 23 patients under the care of the John Radcliffe Hospital have been found on a bus. It is believed the details — which were printed on a single sheet of paper — were found loose on an Oxford
FOR 10-year-old Mia Myers, Russian chocolate biscuits were the highlight of her school’s languages day celebrations. The youngster was among pupils at Great Milton CE Primary School in Little Milton who marked their European Day of Languages by
FIFTEEN motorists were fined a total of £750 in a police crackdown near Berinsfield. Officers stopped a total of 68 vehicles in one evening at three locations, the A4074 at Nuneham Courtenay, the A4074 at Ipsden and Shillingford and the A415 at
WORK to double the number of car park spaces for commuters at Charlbury Station is almost complete. First Great Western (FGW) has spent £470,000 to add 75 spaces on land between the station approach road and the B4437 to Burford. A large part
DISABLED people have criticised the state of paving in Witney and have claimed it is trapping them at home. Paving and footpaths across the town have been flagged up for repair by residents, including High Street, Market Square and Corn Street
“GIVE us the time to teach”. That is the message from teachers across Oxfordshire who are preparing to take industrial action from tomorrow in response to concerns about what they say are unreasonable workloads. Members of the National Association
OXFORD’S Barton estate is singing with one voice once more thanks to free singing lessons. Barton Sings! was set up as a six-week project in January 2007– inspired by the success of the Blackbird Leys Choir – which achieved national fame after
CHARLBURY residents rallied round to help wild flowers growing at the town’s nature reserve. The Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust cuts the grass at the Blenheim Farm reserve once a year and asks volunteers to rake the grass
A TEAM of runners are taking on the Oxford Half Marathon inspired by the work of a vital Oxford charity. The Oxfordshire Association for the Blind’s (OAB) team of runners each have a personal reason to support the charity. Sean Rainey, 39,
THREE men have been arrested on suspicion of possession of controlled drugs after police raids in Banbury. A 31-year-old man was cautioned for possession of cannabis after a raid on an Edward Street property at 11am on September 20. A 25-year-old
ROSE HILL residents will go to the polls next month to vote on a replacement £1m community centre plan. The community will decide if it wants a new building or a refurbishment of the existing Rose Hill Community Centre in The Oval. And the
Ben Hughes scored a three minute brace as Hanwell United stayed top of the Premier Division with a 3-2 success against KEA in Banbury District & Lord Jersey FA. Dan Greaves got their other, before Tom Bennett’s strike and a Sam Donaldson penalty
Normally I use this column to whinge about something that irritates me when I’m outside of my home. This week the only person I can whinge at is myself. My story revolves around one of life’s small pleasures – having a bath. For me a bath,
NURSE Colin Nicholson believes a monthly health bus is making a difference in the Rose Hill community. He was part of a team of nurses who were on hand to talk about health issues with visitors to The Oval last week. Before the bus was introduced
In 2007, the Government backed down after 1.8 million people signed a petition against road pricing. Wary of that, the Coalition Government promised not to bring in road pricing (other than for lorries) or even prepare for it. Although the Government
ON behalf of the residents who attended the Blackbird Leys Funday on Saturday, I would like to thank all of those who organised or took part in the organising, no matter how small a part they played in making sure that residents had a good time. A
THANK you very much for printing my ‘Education Expert Ready Reckoner’. I have a stark comparison to make to really bring home the severe situation infant literacy has been in for decades. In 1958 we had four hours’ literacy a day, equating to 240 minutes
AT THE risk of being another “boring” letter writer, I did feel for Mr Boswell (Mr Carr’s letter, Viewpoints September 17, in which he also grumbled about me – my shoulders are broad Mr Carr!). Often I have a chuckle at some of Mr Boswell’s jokes
AT THE last full council meeting on September 20, in the special debate over the Barton APP, I emphasised the need for more housing in Oxford. However, I did also say that I was very concerned about the flooding and sewage situation in Marston,
VERY grateful to ViewPoints for publishing my letter (Political philosophy has big effect on education, October 1), in which I managed incorrectly to state that Michael Gove killed off ‘Partnership for Schools’ in October, 2012. It was in fact October
I WOULD like to say a massive thank you to all the community members in Barton who helped me raise money for the Macmillan coffee morning event. There were so many different people with different stories and backgrounds and this shows how much togetherness
A memorial service to celebrate the life of businessman Richard Makepeace will take place at St Mary’s Church in Lower Heyford tomorrow at 2pm. Former Cherwell district councillor Mr Makepeace died last month. He was the founder of the firm Oxford
WHEN violinist Shelly van Loen went on holidays to the continent she was always drawn to the chocolate shops. And for many years afterwards she day-dreamed about creating the exquisite chocolates herself. Eventually her husband said “do it”
Simon Godfrey fired a five-timer as Chalgrove thrashed Long Crendon 8-1 in Oxfordshire Senior League Division 1. Godfrey was out of the blocks quickly, completing his hat-trick within the opening 11 minutes against a Crendon team forced by a lack
GILES SPORTS WITNEY YOUTH LEAGUE JOSH Griffiths smashed a five-timer for Witney Vikings Youth as they beat Brackley Athletic Jaffas 11-0 in the Under 12 D League. Callum Hampson netted a double, with Tom Davies, Taylor Cooper, Conor Wright
A 14-YEAR-OLD boy yesterday told how he saw teenager Haydan O’Callaghan stab musician Aaron Buron to death. The youngster gave evidence via video link at Oxford Crown Court on the second day of the Rose Hill murder trial yesterday. O’Callaghan
DIDCOT Casuals stormed to the top of Division 1 with an 11-0 victory over East Hendred, who ended with eight men, writes Phil Annets. There were no red cards for Hendred, whose depletion was caused by a combination of injury and illness. Fletcher
Stanton Harcourt’s David Cooper was taken to hospital after being knocked unconscious in their Division 1 encounter with Aston, writes Anthony Barlow. Cooper was accidentally kicked in the head, but after a visit to the John Radcliffe Hospital,
Promoted AFC Jericho are still flying high and remain unbeaten in the Premier Division, writes TIM SIRET. A last-gasp Marley Joseph strike earned a point in a 1-1 draw at Kidlington Royals. Ryan Curtin put Royals ahead, but Joseph struck in
NEXT year Didcot Power Station will close to comply with the European Large Combustion Plant Directive. This is a strategic error that will cause economic and energy insecurity. Next year Oxfordshire will lose half of its power supply. This looming
If only I hadn’t dropped my pen, I could have avoided the whole unsettling incident. But it slipped out of my notebook as I made my way back to the office and bounced onto the pavement. A nice passer-by picked it up, and gave it back. I thanked
BANBURY United exited the FA Trophy after a penalty shootout defeat at Wimborne Town last night. The Puritans equalised three times to force penalties at 3-3 after extra-time in their first qualifying round replay. But they bowed out when Marvin
MICHAEL Rickner will captain Oxford University at Moseley tonight (7.30). In the absence of regular skipper John Carter, No 8 Rickner leads a side featuring just two Blues in fly half Sam Egerton and prop Lewis Anderson. Oxford Harlequins’
OXFORD MAIL GIRLS LEAGUE APRIL Bedford scored a nine-minute hat-trick as Oxford City defeated Summertown Stars in the Under 14 League. Bedford’s second treble in as many games came at the start of the second half, putting City 6-0 ahead.
WHAT I’M CALLED: Colin. Growing up there were very few people in leadership called Colin. For that reason alone I was delighted when Colin Powell took office. MY AGE IN YEARS: 35. WHAT
Sir – I see the decision on the large Morrisons store in Carterton has been deferred (Witney Gazette, September 26). I believe a smaller supermarket near the RAF base would be more appropriate. The infrastructure is in place and there’s plenty
WITNEY is a thriving and vibrant town which attracts shoppers and other visitors from miles around. But the damaged pavements in Market Square, High Street and Corn Street and elsewhere are letting the town down. Market Square is in particularly
OXFORD City bounced back with a 2-0 win at Hinckley to return to fourth in Blue Square Bet North last night. City had lost 3-0 at home to Guiseley in their last match, but returned to winning ways in comfortable style. Former Oxford United
WIVES and girlfriends at an Abingdon army base wept tears of joy as they were reunited with soldiers returning from a six-month tour of Afghanistan. They rushed into the arms of their loved ones at a special homecoming reception at Dalton Barracks
Paul McManus was in impressive form as he scored all four of Rose Hill’s goals in their 4-2 triumph at Union Street inthe Oxford City FA. Community Allstars beat Oakley United A 4-3 at home, thanks to goals from Constantin Galle (2), James Riley
Sir – Everyone in the country is aware that there is no money available for health, roads and education but these are all areas where money is badly needed. I suffer with a painful spine disorder and every time I venture out on my mobility scooter
Sir – I agree with Roger Keable (Gazette Letters, September 19) about the state of the pavements in Witney, but also the poor condition of paths and the cycle tracks in the surrounding areas. My son, who is classed as partially sighted, injured
COGGES Manor Farm in Witney will celebrate its history and its future this week. Last week the tourist attraction, in Church Lane, celebrated its second year of being run by a trust. On Friday, Cogges historian David Hill will celebrate the
AROUND 40 competitors raced to Oxford city centre in a commuter challenge this morning. The cyclists, drivers, rollerbladers and others raced from Eynsham market place to Queen Street. The event was organised by Bikesafe West Oxfordshire, which
MILITARY bosses at RAF Brize Norton could build enclosed engine testing buildings to reduce noise from Hercules aircraft. A report has revealed that some Hercules testing broke Ministry of Defence noise guidelines and were at times louder than
FORENSIC teams were last night searching an Oxford tower block flat after a suspected arson attack. Two men were yesterday being quizzed by police after dozens of people were evacuated from the 14-storey Foresters Tower in Wood Farm. Police
Twenty-four singers, dancers and performers will battle it out for the Talent Oxford title on Saturday. An audience of hundreds is expected at the Christian Life Centre in Cowley Road, formerly The Regal club. Judges include EastEnders actor
CHRIS Wilder hailed Oxford United’s supporters for inspiring his side to come from behind and claim a much-needed win against AFC Wimbledon last night. The 3-2 victory ended a six-game losing streak to ease the pressure on the U’s and their manager
WANTAGE Community Hospital’s maternity beds, which have served thousands of women since the 1980s, could be permanently axed. The midwife-led unit, which delivered about 100 babies a year, was closed at the end of February due to building work,
PARENTS with views on plans to expand Botley School to take more pupils have a final chance to respond. Oxfordshire County Council yesterday published a statutory notice on the plans, which would eventually see the school taking up to 420 pupils
Headington residents could experience low water pressure for the next few days while work to refurbish a service reservoir at Shotover continues, Thames Water warned last night.
Struggling sports retailer JJB Sports has gone into administration, leaving about 2,200 employees redundant nationwide. In Oxfordshire 16 workers at two shops – Magdalen Street, Oxford, and Castle Centre, Banbury – have lost their jobs. Administrator
TEACHING assistant Christine Hussey celebrated with pupils at a Didcot primary school after picking up a top education award. Mrs Hussey, 46, a member of staff at Willowcroft Community School, Didcot, was nominated for Teaching Assistant of the
OXFORD’S only lapdancing club has been stripped of its licence after complaints it created a “hostile environment”. The Lodge opened at its current premises in Oxpens Road last August after being forced out of St Ebbes. But under Government rules
YOUNG businesses across Oxfordshire are being urged to sign up to a major campaign which could give a massive boost to their future prospects. The Local Business Accelerators (LBA) initiative is launching in the Oxford Mail and its sister titles
A MAN who sold a stolen camera to a Cowley Road secondhand store has avoided jail. Rodney Brain, 34, admitted handling stolen goods after selling the stolen Panasonic camera from the U-Play store. It was taken during a burglary at a house in
Cyclists can pick up safety tips during a two-day event in Broad Street. Today and tomorrow, the police and firefighters will be helping people brush up on their cycling proficiency, and giving advice on preventing bike theft. The team will
THE Kassam Stadium is no stranger to the prayers of pleading football fans. But for hundreds of years, the site was actually the home of a more dedicated place of worship – a priory. The murky history of the building, along with tales of the
AS one quarter of Blur, Alex James is known to many as a rock musician. But the father-of-five is also the author of autobiographies Bit of a Blur and All Cheeses Great and Small, a cheesemaker and a regular contributor to several national newspapers
