Archive

  • Bullfinch Update: Trio released on bail

    THREE men arrested as part of the Operation Bullfinch investigation into child sex offences have tonight been released on bail by police. The men, aged 32, 24 and 21, were arrested today in Oxford on suspicion of sexual offences. The men have

  • 'Snow' falls at Cowley shopping centre

    THE first snow of the season fell in Cowley’s shopping centre. Templars Square opened a giant snow globe on Saturday, which families can walk into and play in. The snow globe, which will be available until Christmas Eve, is free to enter and

  • FLOODS: Neighbours trapped as busy road is engulfed

    DEEP water closed Abingdon Road and trapped residents indoors in what locals say was the worst flooding they’ve seen. The busy route into Oxford was one of the most seriously affected areas yesterday, with up to 10 inches of water forcing Oxfordshire

  • FLOODS: Worst is over for West Oxfordshire

    WEST Oxfordshire residents breathed a sigh of belief yesterday as it was announced the worst of the flooding was over. The level of the River Windrush in Witney had fallen from its peak of 1.97m on Monday to 1.88m yesterday morning. But a flood

  • Hi-tech specs will help visually impaired people 'see'

    BLIND people in Oxfordshire have welcomed the development of high-tech “super specs” for the visually impaired. The glasses are being developed in Oxford and could replace white canes and guide dogs within two years. It is hoped they will help

  • Poetry From the Bed

    The anthology Poetry from the Bed is the result of a competition run by Omega, Oxfordshire Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) Group for Action, which has local support groups in Banbury, Bicester, and South Oxfordshire. Half of the group’s members cannot

  • Strike threat on CrossCountry trains

    Workers on CrossCountry Trains are to be balloted for strikes after union leaders said there had been a "comprehensive breakdown" in industrial relations. Train managers, conductors and on-board catering staff at the operator which links Oxford

  • Three men arrested in connection with Operation Bullfinch

    THREE men from Oxford have been arrested as part of an on-going investigation into child sex trafficking. The men, aged 32, 24 and 21, were arrested today in Oxford on suspicion of sexual offences. Four search warrants being executed in the

  • Trust plants saplings to honour Queen's Jubilee

    AUTHOR Philip Pullman celebrated the Queen’s Diamond Jub-ilee by helping to plant an English oak for each decade of her rule. The six trees were planted by the celebrated Cumnor novelist and the Oxford Preservation Trust (OPT) on its land alongside

  • 'Training for silly hours at silly o'clock'

    Memories of the London Olympic Games still burn bright. There were 36 sports and all of them can be enjoyed here in Oxfordshire. Reporter Pete Hughes dips into the world of swimming: “When Becky Adlington said ‘you don’t know my sport’, she was

  • Runners get into the Christmas spirit with record Santa run

    A RECORD number of runners took to the streets of Bicester dressed in red Santa costumes. About 240 people took part in the two- mile Santa Fun Run, which started and finished at Pingle Field, and took in Market Square and Sheep Street. The

  • Unbeaten outfits go head to head in the pub quiz league

    Four games into the campaign and only three 100 per cent records remain. One of these will perish this week as the hitherto unbeaten Premier Section outfits, the Plough (Wolvercote) and Far From The Madding Crowd ‘A’ (Oxford City), go head to head.

  • 'My MS diagnosis seemed do bleak'

    PETER Draper was only 26 years old when he first noticed a strange loss of feeling in his legs and feet. But it disappeared and he continued with his life. When eyesight problems arose a few years later, a doctor mentioned Multiple Sclerosis

  • Body found near Botley Road identified

    OXFORD: The identity of a man found dead behind a community centre had not last night been released. His body was discovered near the West Oxford Community Centre, off Botley Road, on Sunday. A police spokesman said the body had been identified

  • Local shares (AM)

    BMW 5346 Electrocomponents 212.3 Nationwide Accident Repair 58 Oxford Biomedica 2.45 Oxford Catalysts 113.5 Oxford Instruments 1298 Reed Elsevier 626.75 RM 79.25 RPS Group 210.5 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon

  • RUGBY UNION: Gosford on the up

    BB&O Round-up GOSFORD All Blacks climbed to seventh in the BB&O Premier Division table after a 20-5 victory over Hungerford at Stratfield Brake. Hungerford, who included former Oxford Harlequins scrum half Anthony Cope at centre, took

  • SPORTS AWARDS: Lily's delight at golden year

    Lily van den Broecke knows that 2012 will take some beating. A Paralympic gold medallist, the former Headington School pupil admitted that winning the Sportswoman of the Year award caps off an unbelievable 12 months. The Durham University student

  • Park and ride charges scheme postponed as machines not ready

    CONTROVERSIAL park and ride charges will be introduced a week late because the new ticket machines were not ready yesterday. Fees for anyone parking at the council-run Thornhill and Water Eaton sites for longer than 11 hours are now set to start

  • COMMENT: Eye off the ball?

    OXFORDSHIRE County Council is working hard, along with organisations such as the Environment Agency, to do what it can to alleviate the threat of flooding across the county. But it is a matter of concern that it didn’t have its park-and-ride machines

  • COMMENT: Hope the law gets its teeth into this thief

    PERHAPS it shows how low our expectations have sunk, but you could almost write off the theft of a charity box as the work of an opportunistic idiot. Maybe drink was involved, maybe a moment of opportunity, maybe it was just too tempting and there

  • HOCKEY: Chapman and Coles defy leaders

    Oxford Hawks women made the long trek to Norfolk to face Conference East leaders Harleston Magpies worthwhile by winning 2-0. Becky Odlin gave them a half-time lead. In the second half, Harleston upped the pressure, but Hawks weathered the

  • HOCKEY: Hawks fall to late strike

    A goal two minutes from time saw Oxford Hawks go down to a 4-3 defeat at Sevenoaks in the South League Premier Division. Hawks started brightly in the pouring rain, going ahead after Sam Chilvers found the sideboard with a backhand shot. In the second

  • DARTS: Peachcroft spring surprise

    Section 1 side Peachcroft SC won a thriller 5-4 away to Premier outfit Goodlake Arms A in the Greene King ODDA Winter League. The visitors took the opener when Michael Wilkes defeated Mark Breakspear 3-1, Goodlake levelling through Kevin Wilkes

  • Oxford floods

    Images of flooding on the railway near Kennington Based on information supplied by .

  • Flooding on Abingdon Road

    Abingdon road was closed from Kennington roundabout through to the city centre this morning (27/11/2012) as the Thames burst it's banks in south and west Oxford. Fire and rescue teams were handing out sandbags to concerned residents. Based on information

  • RUGBY UNION: Grove back on top

    Southern Counties North GROVE regained top spot after beating a weakened Wallingford side 45-5 at the Hithercroft. Wing Guy Nicholl and centre Joe Bellinger scored two tries apiece, while full back Roger Sevier had a 100 per cent kicking record

  • RUGBY UNION: Bulls end losing streak

    Midlands 2 West BANBURY Bulls secured their first win since September to defeat Newbold-on-Avon 28-12 at Bodicote Park. Left wing Matt Smith, outside centre Dave Taylor and right wing Josh Deegan scored Banbury’s tries, while captain Eddie

  • Kick out Qatada

    I TOTALLY agree with Roger Tucker’s letter regarding Abu Qatada being thrown out of this country. Who the hell do the European Courts of Justice think they are, telling the UK we can’t deport him because it would breach his human rights? What

  • ON YER BIKE: Cyclists should choose whether to wear a helmet

    Before moving to Oxford nearly 20 years ago, I hadn’t ridden since leaving school. In those early days I was, I confess, something of a zealot. Resenting the pollution from a million cars on my 10-mile daily commute, I started wearing a mini-gas

  • SPORTS AWARDS: Triggs Hodge is officially a true Superstar

    Andy Triggs Hodge’s presence at the Oxfordshire Sports Awards was quite a coup. The rower had been in Bath all day training for a one-off 2012 Superstars special, due to be broadcast on Boxing Day. But Triggs Hodge got a lift back to Oxford

  • FLOODS: Threat will not stop Dalton Barracks parade

    The threat of flooding will not stop today’s homecoming parade for 350 troops from Dalton Barracks. The parade will begin at 10.30am at the Fire Station in Ock Street, Abingdon. The troops of 4 Logistic Support Regiment will march to the market

  • FLOODS: Rising Windrush puts Witney residents on tenterhooks

    RESIDENTS fled their homes yesterday as the River Windrush in Witney rose dramatically. But last night it appeared the town had escaped wholesale flooding by the skin of its teeth. A handful of homes were evacuated in Riverside Gardens during

  • RUGBY UNION: Newboy Hales' instant impact

    National 2 South ADRIAN Hales scored a try on his debut as Chinnor defeated 14-man Southend 22-5 at Kingsey Road. Hales touched down as after a mazy run run having coming on as a second-half replacement, but poor handling in the wet conditions

  • FOOTBALL: Ford ends search by signing Holegate

    Oxford City boss Mike Ford hopes to have ended his search for an experienced striker after signing former Swindon Town forward Ashan Holegate. The 26-year-old, who was a professional at the County Ground where he made nine first-team appearances

  • RACING: Longsdon looks to Frisco Depot

    Chipping Norton trainer Charlie Longsdon believes the prospect of testing conditions shouldn’t hinder Frisco Depot in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury on Saturday. The eight-year-old, a 10-1 chance, was in the process of running a big race in the

  • FLOODS: Villagers race to get sandbags in position

    SCORES of sandbags were delivered to villagers yesterday as the threat of flooding hit more rural parts of Oxfordshire. About 150 sandbags were sent to villagers in Dorchester-on-Thames after residents were told flooding was expected. Father-of-three

  • RUGBY UNION: Witney held to draw

    South West 1 East WITNEY were pegged back for a 6-6 draw by Bletchley after a last-minute penalty at Hailey Road. The match was played on Witney’s saturated reserve pitch and took place in torrential rain. Bletchley, whose support outnumbered

  • Don't waste that grit

    SO THE newly-elected Police Commissioner’s first statement says the council tax must rise. I think the council members need to get their priorities right. On Saturday, November 17, at about 8pm, going towards Witney, a gritting lorry was gritting

  • Don’t waste that grit

    THE National Lottery celebrated its 18th birthday this week by crossing the £29bn landmark raised for good causes across the UK. Since the first draw in 1994, more than 1,000 grants have been awarded in Oxford, funding a variety of arts, charity

  • Dredge those rivers

    HAVING seen the latest television reports and the Oxford Mail report (November 26) regarding flooding in and around Oxford, the big question that has to be asked of the Environment Agency is just how many miles of river dredging has taken place in

  • Work needs doing

    AS USUAL, during heavy rainfall, Oxford Road, Horspath, flooded. The problem is caused by water coming off Shotover and entering the roadside ditch which overflows because a pipe taking the ditch past a gateway is blocked. When the water runs down

  • Make your voice heard over school expansion

    TODAY, Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet discusses provision for Oxford’s children, amid disquiet that certain schools may grow considerably, coupled with acknowledgement that the squeeze, for places and funds, is firmly on. If as Oxford parents

  • Father and Son Congratulate each other.

    After a gruelling four and half hour grading on the 28th of October held in Birmingham,these students gained their Black Belts. Anzonia Carpenter 1st Dan, Kyle Ross 1st Dan. Yusra Shammoon 1st Dan, Callum Goode 1st Dan. Cheryl Goode 1st

  • FLOODS: St Catherine's College in Oxford silenced

    The floods silenced the music house at St Catherine’s College, Oxford, yesterday. The Marston Road building was completely cut off by the rain and swollen River Cherwell. Students posted pictures of the building on Twitter.

  • FLOODS: Narrowboat in Wolvercote, Oxford swept down river

    A narrowboat just north of Godstow Lock, Wolvercote, broke from its moorings and swept down the River Thames. It smashed into the bridge by the Trout pub before sinking out of sight in the early hours of yesterday. It joined a submerged boat

  • FLOODS: AA attended about 80 breakdowns in county yesterday

    The AA said it attended about 80 breakdowns in Oxfordshire yesterday and helped a handful of cars driven through or stuck in floodwater. It said it would usually expect to attend about half that number at this time of year. Darron Burness,

  • SPORTS AWARDS: Andy's back in the swing

    Olympic gold medallist Andy Triggs Hodge returned to work yesterday as his 2012 celebrations took a back seat. The men’s four oarsman, whose triumph in London gave him successive gold medals, returned to the water after an amazing last few months

  • FLOODS: Boaters keep calm and carry on as water rises

    WHEN Tim Wiseman put his clothes out to dry yesterday morning, he didn’t think anything of it. But for some people, the sight of a man in waders standing outside a houseboat suspending clothes on a line just a foot or so above water might be considered

  • FLOODING: County on red alert

    ABOUT 10,000 homes in Oxfordshire were under the threat of flooding last night as a surge swept through the county’s waterways. The total included almost 5,000 homes in Oxford itself that were placed on red alert by the Environment Agency as residents

  • FLOODING: People warned they may have to leave homes

    EMERGENCY planners last night warned it was possible some householders in Oxfordshire would be advised to leave their homes over the following 24 hours. The county council said all property owners, particularly those who have property in the floodplain

  • Major transport disruption in Oxford due to flooding

    Commuters are facing disruption on trains, buses and the roads this morning due to the flooding. First Great Western is reporting major disruptions to the Paddington to Oxford service. Delays are stretching from the line at Banbury through

  • FLOODING: Fears of a repeat of 2007 damage

    A VICTIM of the floods of 2007 were last night hoping the scale of the disaster would not be repeated. West Oxford pensioner Mary Timbrell, whose home suffered £40,000 of damage five years ago, said she was advising neighbours to move precious

  • Two Oxfordshire schools shut due to flooding

    Two Oxfordshire schools have been closed so far this morning due to flooding. North Hinksey Church of England Primary School and St Ebbe's Church of England Primary School are both shut, but expected to reopen tomorrow.

  • Abingdon Road closed due to heavy flooding

    The Abingdon Road has been closed this morning due to heavy flooding. The A4144 is currently shut both ways closed due to surface water between Kineton Road and A423 Southern By-Pass Road, Kennington Roundabout. Flood water is also affecting

  • Post staff back call for dog laws with extra bite

    AN Oxfordshire postman bitten seven times by dogs has backed calls for heavier punishments for people whose pets savage posties. An inquiry led by a former High Court Judge has recommended new laws to enable Royal Mail to pursue the owners of dangerous

  • Consultant appointed to lead Oxford’s first free school

    AN educational consultant has been appointed to lead Oxford’s first free school. Liz Russo, 39, will take up the post as headteacher at Tyndale Community School in Oxford in early 2013. The school, run by Chapel Street Community Schools Trust

  • Seacourt park and ride closed due to flooding

    Seacourt park and ride is closed this morning due to flooding overnight. Oxford County Council announced the closure on its website at 4am this morning. The park and ride will be shut for the whole of the day.

  • Fair gives Sobell House fundraising a boost

    SOBELL House has raised thousands of pounds with its annual Christmas gift fair at Radley College. About 2,000 people attended the fair on Saturday to browse 67 stalls and raise money for the charity. Stalls featured gifts, jewellery, accessories

  • flood

    A photograph of the flooding along the Abingdon road. Based on information supplied by Claire Kidman.

  • Floods from Folly Bridge

    Flood waters still rising- the blue boat is actually moored up by what should be the river bank! Based on information supplied by .