PEOPLE CONVICTED OF OFFENCES AT MAGISTRATES’ COURTS AROUND THE COUNTY RECENTLY BANBURY Andrew Marshall, 27, of Samuelson Court, Banbury, admitted stealing an electric toothbrush and beauty products worth £75 from Wilkinsons in Bridge Street
OXFORDSHIRE projects funded by the National Lottery last year: Oxford Wheels Project: re-develop temporary skateboard and BMX park at Meadow Lane - £10,000. Barracks Lane Community Garden Project: herb growing project - £9,610. Oxford
SUPPORT for victims of sexual abuse, sessions to get youngsters into basketball and almost £6m to keep a masterpiece at an Oxford museum are among county good causes which got £11.1m in Lotto cash last year. The National Lottery has revealed where
YOUNGSTERS at an Abingdon school have taken part in a national record breaking storytelling attempt. The event aimed to break the Guinness World Record for the most number of people writing a story at multiple venues. Eighty students, from
CONCERNS have been raised over the apparent stalling of a plan to transform Blackbird Leys. But Oxford City Council has insisted work is under way and it is set to appoint a specialist to tackle the estate’s parking problems. A multi-million
TWO hundred homes in the Cowley Road area are without power after a fault in the underground cable network. Power was lost to about 50 homes about 8.30am today. Southern Electric cut power to a further 150 at around 1.30pm in order to fix the
RISINGHURST may have transformed over the past quarter of a century but one lunch club has remained consistent through the changes. The Collinwood Road United Reformed Church lunch club has been celebrating its 25th anniversary. About 45,000
A YOUNG woman has denied lying she was beaten, choked, and raped to "avoid getting in trouble". The 20-year-old was testifying at the Old Bailey trial of nine men accused of raping and selling young girls for sex in Oxford. Known as Girl 3
MUM Rosalie Jameson praised a new campaign that encourages smokers to take their habit outside. The 20-year-old, from Rose Hill, who is mum to nine-week-old Dylan, does not smoke herself, but lives with her brothers who are smokers. Ms Jameson
WHEN David Adlard spotted a Sainsbury’s children’s CD starring the likes of The Wiggles, and Fifi and The Flower Tots, he thought it was just the thing for his four-year-old daughter. But within moments of sliding it into his PC to play My Favourite
A HOMELESSNESS charity aims to sign up hundreds of cyclists for its first London to Oxford bike ride. St Mungo’s – which runs housing projects in Oxford and West Oxfordshire – is hoping to raise more than £40,000 with the 60-mile challenge that
A YOUNG woman cried on the witness stand as she denied making up allegations she was groomed, raped, and trafficked for sex. The unnamed witness, known as Girl 3, was questioned this morning by defence barristers at the Old Bailey trial of nine
TURBO diesel trains used by First Great Western and Chiltern Railways will get better facilities for disabled passengers as part of a £20m overhaul. New disabled-accessible toilets will be installed on all 96 of the trains, along with improved
WATCH out for The Griterminator, a salt-spraying machine which melts away dangerous road ice. The road gritter is one of a fleet at Milton Common depot which have names for the first time, thanks to creative school children. The trucks were
I’ve spent most of this week in the fridge. Not literally, you understand, but as close as I can get without my feet leaving the floor. I’ve been grazing at the white goods door because it’s the only place where food is safe in the house. We must
FORMER Supergrass frontman Gaz Coombes will be among the highlights of this year’s Truck music festival. The Wheatley artist, who has six top 20 albums to his name, will play the two-day gathering at Hill Farm, Steventon, near Didcot, with his
THE husband of Bicester beautician Janee Parsons has today denied murdering her. Andrew Parsons, 38, appeared at Oxford Crown Court this morning. He was charged with murdering his 31-year-old wife after her body was found in the family's home
George Entwistle is only 12, but he’s already at the top of his game. George won gold in the British International Karate Open Competition under 55kg section, held in Crawley, last month. The youngster has been learning karate with Oxford Sport
GAZE up at the stars and enjoy the night sky while you still can, light pollution campaigners have warned. Star Count Week 2013, which began on Friday, is being organised by the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) and the British Astronomical
CHRIS Earl has fond memories of the day he received his Duke of Edinburgh gold award. He was one of a large number of apprentices who took part in the scheme at Pressed Steel, Cowley. Mr Earl, of Craufurd Road, Cowley, writes: “We were awarded
APPRENTICES at Pressed Steel had to work hard to win their Duke of Edinburgh awards. Norman Finnerty, who ran the scheme at the Cowley car body factory, recalls the tough tests they faced at work and in their spare time. He writes: “The ‘expeditions
THE Magpies skiffle group delighted audiences in Oxfordshire and beyond for more than 10 years. Sisters Mary, Maureen and Marilyn Stevens, brother Michael Stevens, Ron Brooks and Dennis Hedges became a familiar sight on the county’s music scene
WHEN their favourite nature study centre faced closure in 1981, primary school pupils were outraged, so all 30 pupils in Form Three wrote protest letters to the Oxford Mail. Oxfordshire County Council had threatened to close Hill End Camp nature
WOMEN battled it out to become the Pancake Day champion of Northway. The Silver Lining Club on the Oxford estate took on the younger Women’s Club in a Shrove Tuesday race in Westlands Drive in 1966. Nearly a dozen competitors, who had provided
MOTORISTS driving through Farmoor are urged to exercise caution with standing water on the road. Water around five inches deep is reported on the road on the B4044 Oxford Road in both directions between B4017 Cumnor Road and Orchard Road. The
Banbury United slipped to a 4-2 home defeat against Gosport Borough in the Premier Division at Spencer Stadium on Saturday. The home side’s Chris Lait was denied by Nathan Ashmore in the Gosport goal, before the visitors went ahead through a Rory
A 34-year-old man has admitted dealing heroin and cocaine. Steven Hay, of Alexander Close, Abingdon, pleaded guilty to two counts of possession with intent to supply at Oxford Crown Court on Friday. Hay will be sentenced at the court at a hearing
Six people fled a house in North Oxford after a curtain was set alight by a candle on Saturday. A living room was damaged in the fire at the property in Frenchay Road at about 9.50pm. A smoke alarm alerted occupants to the blaze. Firefighters
An Eynsham resident has started an online dating service for people in West Oxfordshire. Stuart Smith, 44, met wife Tanya through a dating site but said he was frustrated by national services. He said: “I wanted to start something that was
COUNCIL house rents must not go up by 4.63 per cent, an opposition councillor has said. Oxford City Council’s Green Party has urged the Labour-run authority to drop the increase, which would put an average annual rent up by £96.83. Green leader
London Welsh’s Aviva Premiership survival hopes suffered a blow after defeat against leaders Leicester Tigers at Welford Road on Saturday. Exiles were left to rue their first half performance as they left empty-handed. With Sale Sharks and
JACOB Wright wants to be just like his twin brother Jordan. But the four-year-old from Summertown in Oxford has cerebral palsy, and can only crawl. Now his family and friends are fundraising for a £65,000 life-changing operation in America
POPE Benedict XVI is standing down. Benedict became the head of the Catholic church in 2005 but a Vatican statement said the pope was unable to continue in office due to his age and diminishing strength. He is 85, and the papacy will remain
TRAIN fan Charles Swinfen was thrilled to see steam engines at a railway centre’s open day. The seven-year-old was among visitors to Didcot Railway Centre’s running day on Saturday. Families rode in coaches from the 1930s pulled by the centre
Good morning everyone and welcome to our weekly debate on all-thing s Oxford United. It’s not been a great week – defeat at home to Bristol Rovers came on the back of news about Peter Leven’s knee operation and gloomy financial figures. But
NEIGHBOURS living next to a new residents’ parking zone have called for similar restrictions in their streets. People living in the Magdalen Road area were so split about proposals for the controlled parking zone (CPZ) that the area was divided
OXFORD City’s David Gain won a shock bronze medal in the 200m final at the British Athletics Trials and UK Championships at Sheffield, writes STUART WEIR. After finishing fourth in a time of 21.62secs, it looked as if Gain had missed out on a medal
Oxford City made it seven points from their last three games with a 2-1 victory away at Workington in Blue Square Bet North on Saturday. Mark Bell opened the scoring, with Ashan Holgate netting his first goal for City to give them a 2-0 lead.
ONCE again the county council is proposing another of its money-making controlled parking zones (CPZs) – this time north of the ring road, east and west of Banbury Road. I hope residents will oppose the scheme, as it is unnecessary and it will
WHEN we purchase household electrical items, we expect them to work when taken home. If they don’t, we contact the supplier and relevant sections of The Sale of Goods Act are sometimes quoted. But when it comes to Information Technology, we readily
I WRITE with reference to the literacy campaign and John Clark’s ‘On the Spot’ (ViewPoints, February 7). The literacy campaign is going very well, and John Clark points out the good, hard work of the teachers. Hang on – is it me, or is the literacy
RESULTS from the recent public consultation, organised by West Oxfordshire District Council (WODC) to get opinions on its draft core strategy, clearly demonstrate the overwhelming opposition to a large-scale new housing estate outside the boundaries
Oxford City manager Mike Ford praised the efforts of his team in their performance against Workington as they claimed three points on the road for the first time since October on Saturday. But City had to withstand a Workington onslaught in the
SHOPPERS donated food and wrote messages for soldiers in Afghanistan at the weekend. Charity Support our Soldiers collected 120 boxes of tasty treats at Waitrose in Abingdon on Saturday. Conservative Party volunteers gave lists of needed items
ACADEMY schools are seizing powers to change admissions rules to include entry tests and to give more priority to children of staff. Two county secondary schools have announced plans to change admissions criteria using powers given under academy
I AM writing about the poor and dangerous condition of the main road through Kennington. There are so many potholes, you cannot count them. I have been on to the council for months to try to find out when we can expect proper repairs. The answer
ALL credit to Kevin Vickers for allowing a fundraiser to take place for the JR’s heart unit at his birthday celebration as reported in the Oxford Mail on February 4, raising £920 ably assisted by the Northway Social Club members and committee.
I wonder if somebody from both Labour and Conservative parties would give us a frank and honest answer on the future of the old people’s bus pass, TV licence and heating allowance – preferably before the next General Election, please. DAVID WINKFIELD
BOTH my wife and I support Oxford United Football Club and are season ticket holders. I have become concerned about the various critical comments regarding stadium owner Firoz Kassam and our chairman, Ian Lenagan, because of the time it has taken
THREE football fans have been barred from matches following arrests at Saturday’s Oxford United game. Two 47-year-olds and a 45-year-old were arrested on public order offences ahead of the match against Bristol Rovers at the Kassam Stadium.
FOOTBALL NPOWER LEAGUE TWO Oxford Utd 0, Bristol Rov 2. BLUE SQUARE BET NORTH Workington 1, Oxford City 2. EVO-STIK SOUTHERN LEAGUE Premier Div: Banbury Utd 2, Gosport Borough 4. Div 1 South & West: Abingdon Utd v Merthyr
DAMIAN Batt says it is up to the whole team to take responsibility for Oxford United’s goalscoring problems, writes DAVID PRITCHARD. The U’s again created the majority of chances, but failed to make the most of them in a 2-0 defeat at home to Bristol
CHRIS Wilder admitted it was the same old story as Oxford United lost 2-0 at home to Bristol Rovers on Saturday. The visitors carried little attacking threat, but went ahead ten minutes into the second half after Jake Wright conceded a penalty.
WHEN Vendel Segesdy’s racing pigeons see Didcot Power Station, they know they are close to home. But that’s not a good thing for their owner, who wants to move three counties away. So Mr Segesdy, who is about to start a new life in Bedfordshire
BROKEN electrical goods can now be disposed of safely in Cowley at a new recycling bin. As part of Oxford City Council’s Cleaner Greener Cowley campaign, a new pink ‘WEEE bank’ has been put in Hockmore Street. WEEE stands for Waste, Electronic
A YOUNG man who left a stranger deaf in one ear by repeatedly punching him while he was unconscious has avoided jail. George Seal, of Ravencroft, Bicester, admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent during a night out in Oxford city centre
STAGECOACH is reporting changes to its services due to the impact of snow this morning. There are delays to the S3 Oxford to Chipping Norton, Charlbury and Old Woodstock service and the S5 Oxford to Bullingdon via Bicester service due to the earlier
Crime reporter Ben Wilkinson is at the Old Bailey today. Girl 3 is to be questioned by Mohammed Karrar's barrister Tracy Ayling now. The witness claims Karrar trafficked her for sex. — @Ben_Wilkinson_ 11 February 2013
THE Oxford Mail has a feeling it will be returning to the topic of admissions at academy schools in the coming years. As academies gain more confidence to make the full use of powers available to leaders, admissions will become a vexing question
TODAY’S report on the high number of cyclists who jump red lights and fail to use helmets and lights will come as no surprise to many motorists. Drivers are well aware of the need to accommodate the city’s cyclists to help free Oxford from congestion
ONE in five cyclists are “putting their lives at risk” by jumping red lights, an Oxford Mail investigation has revealed. Our survey also showed as many as three in five Oxford bike users failing to use lights early in the morning and around half
BUS services through Oxfordshire are back to normal after minor problems with snow this morning. The Oxford Bus Company City8 service from Barton to Oxford City Centre was having to use a slightly different route first thing this morning in Barton
SNOW has returned to Oxfordshire this morning causing travel problems across the county. The northbound A34 at the Peartree Interchanged reopened at 8am. It was closed after two lorries were involved in an accident at 2.30am. The A4260
LORRY crashes have closed the A34 and the Oxford Road in Kidlington this morning. Emergency services are hoping to re-open the A34 northbound near Pear Tree at about 8am. The A34 was closed after two lorries collided at about 2.30am on the
A WHOLE host of artists who use the same East Oxford studio have had their work put on display this week. Magdalen Road Studios offers artists who are just starting out an affordable space where they can go to create new pieces of work. Now
A WOMAN who maintained a stolen identity for 30 years is to feature on a BBC documentary about benefit cheats. Nina Raymont was jailed last year after 30 years of living under a name she stole from a former room-mate at a mental hospital. Her
A MUSICAL instrument with a mysterious past that has baffled experts has been added to an Oxford museum’s collection. The Cavalry Trombone has joined the Bate Collection at Oxford University’s Faculty of Music in St Aldate’s. The Bate Collection
PLANS to build 43 homes and two sports pitches on land in William Morris Close have met widespread opposition. Oxford City Council has received 85 letters – the majority negative – about plans by Cantay Estates Ltd to redevelop the site. The
OXFORDSHIRE will escape major rain, snow, and sleet this week, the Met Office said. Forecaster Helen Roberts said last night: “It should be getting dry by lunchtime Monday but may still be quite cloudy and cold in most of Oxfordshire and through
