A SIXTEEN-year-old girl has been left shaken after what police say was an attempt to kidnap her. Thames Valley Police officers have today said that a man approached her at around 11.25pm on Sunday and asked her to get into his vehicle. He touched
MOTORISTS are being helped to keep to the speed limit on a busy Bicester road. Middleton Stoney Road had a 50mph limit until a temporary limit of 30mph came into force in 2010, as work started on Kingsmere estate. The 30mph limit was later made
TWO solicitors are hard at work training and fundraising ahead of next year’s London Marathon in memory of family members lost to lung disease. Friends Sarah Duffy and Georgina Garratt have so far managed to collect more than £3,000 for the British
WANTAGE Silver Band has raised £7,000 during the Christmas period to help pay for the cost of their new hall. From the last week in November the band was playing private parties, work events, and when they had a spare minute playing through the
AS Oxford’s homeless charities reel at the news of a 38 per cent cut in the money allocated to keeping people off the streets, Debbie Waite looks at work being done to give the homeless a future – work which could now be at risk “Twenty years ago
DanielTomlinson, Vice-President for Charities and Community, Oxford University Student Union writes: I was sitting on a bench in the corner of Gloucester Green on a dark Saturday morning in late October. I was waiting for the headlights of a 165ft
Planners have thrown out a bid for planning permission for two homes in Headington. The applicant wanted to build two five-bedroom homes for family use behind 2 to 14 Jack Straws Lane. But Oxford City Council has refused to grant planning permission
Doorstep interviews will be carried out by South Oxfordshire District Council on what residents think of its services until the end of January. The 20-minute interview, carried out by an independent market research company, will ask residents aged
OFFICIALS are "optimistic" Oxford United's visit to Newport County tomorrow will go ahead after the Welsh club made progress with the playing surface at Rodney Parade. But although the pitch was deemed playable this afternoon, the chances of the
ONE lane of the M40 Northbound slip road is closed after a collision at Junction 9, Bicester. Police were called to the scene just after 2pm after reports a green Peugeot 206 had crashed into the barrier. They said there are no injuries
THE fire service was called to Oatlands Road playing field off Ferry Hinksey Road in Oxford this afternoon after reports that tents were at risk of flooding. Police alerted the fire service after it was suspected the tents were occupied. A
I AM researching the life of diplomat and prolific author Sir Ronald Fraser (1888-1974) with the intention of writing his biography. A remarkably accomplished man, Fraser was a writer of elegance and wit, depth and breadth. His 27 novels are
ESTATE police, firefighters, dinner ladies and parents have joined primary school pupils in Oxford to record and video a charity single. Wood Farm Primary School first recorded its We Stand Tall song with its partner school in South Africa in an
A man who was robbed believes his attacker may have been holding a gun. The 19-year-old was walking through People’s Park at about 12.30am on Sunday when he was approached by a teenager holding what he believed was a firearm. The boy threatened
A man was beaten to the ground in an attack in Cowley on Sunday night. Two men asked the 30-year-old victim for directions before demanding cash in Wilkins Road at about 10.30pm. When he refused they took his iPhone and attacked him. The victim
AFTER a horrific car crash at the age of 21, John Radburn decided to give up his job as an engineer and become one of Oxfordshire’s first paramedics. Now the 63-year-old has been given a BEM for his 35-year stint at the South Central Ambulance
HAVING raised thousands of pounds for Oxford’s children’s hospice Helen and Douglas House over the years, there is no doubting the success of Childish Things. So it seems a shame that the 10th event, held in March, will be its last. The hospice
PENTATHLON champion Dominic Mahony said he was proud to be made an MBE. The 49-year-old, who lives in Cuxham Road, Watlington, was honoured for his services to the sport, which involves running, riding, fencing, swimming and shooting. The two-time
A FORMER pupil at Fitzharrys School in Abingdon has spoken of the challenges he faces as he starts work in Afghanistan to train the country’s army. Warrant Officer Class Two David Boissel is based at Camp Bastion with the Brigade Advisory Group
IT is nice to end the year on a high with recognition being given to those people who go the extra mile to help others. We are proud to celebrate the work of those who give up their spare time to improve lives and do their bit to bring some good
HEALTH bosses will hold an open question and answer session next week. The meeting on Tuesday, January 7 which is about Oxfordshire’s NHS services will be the last in a series of events. Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group (OCCG) hopes
Firefighters will go on strike today in protest at proposed pension reforms. They will walk out from 7pm until 12.30am during which time cover will be provided by non-striking full-time personnel and on-call staff. The Fire Brigades Union is
THE founder of a prominent Oxford orchestra has been made an MBE in the New Year’s honours list. Marios Papadopoulos, set up Oxford Philomusica 15 years ago and it now plays up to 60 concerts a year and runs an education and community programme
HE has taught thousands of children to swim and helped them achieve swimming medals, but now Brian Wiggins is being honoured with his own. Mr Wiggins, 55, has been teaching children with Bicester Blue Fins since he was 16 years old and today gets
Every year, my resolutions broadly resemble a promise to myself to eat less rubbish and get fitter – much like the rest of the general population I suppose. Maybe it’s to do with the time of year after eating more mince pies than salads and drinking
I WAS amazed at the errors, deliberate or otherwise, in Adrian Taylor’s letter (Oxford Mail, December 24). What current affairs news has he been listening to or reading? It is Mr Cameron’s Conservative Party that has been forcing the debate on
IT WAS very disappointing to see the Queen wearing a fur hat after attending church with her family on Christmas morning. I’ve often seen pictures of her wearing a full length fur coat. The Queen is patron of the RSPCA so, presumably, she would
SHOPPERS are flocking to Oxford’s post-Christmas sales. Roads have been clogged as tens of thousands descended on the city to grab a bargain. Trainee teacher Tom Halford now lives in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, but said he comes back to his native
ONCE again, I have read about the chaos that Bicester Village has caused over the festive period (Oxford Mail, December 27) and every year Village community relations director Miranda Markham says: “It will be better next year” but it never is.
Jim Young in his letter (Letters, December 27), says that interested parents and volunteers can “add to the mix” and they will continue to be present in schools. Fine, but what would we think if a boarding school was “rescued” by parents and volunteers
RYAN Clarke is confident Oxford United’s squad is in a much better position to snap out of a poor run than in previous seasons. The U’s travel to Newport County tomorrow under some pressure for the first time this season after losing back-to-back
DAVID Hunt drew on his previous experiences with promoted sides to gain some perspective on Oxford United’s poor festive run. The full back has gone up from the fourth tier with three different clubs. The most recent, with Crawley Town two
Chris Wilder has challenged his Oxford United players to show their much-vaunted character and spirit by halting a dip in form at Newport County tomorrow. The U’s have endured a miserable festive period so far, picking up one point from a possible
THEY have worked tirelessly to improve the lives of thousands of children. And now Carterton couple Graham and Pauline Evans have each been awarded British Empire Medals in the Queen’s New Year Honours list for their contributions as volunteers
A DATE has been arranged for the Oxfordshire Senior Cup tie between Oxford United and Thame United. The quarter-final at the ASM Stadium will be held on Wednesday, January 29. It comes 24 hours after the U’s trip to Exeter City in Sky Bet League
Grace Muir, chief executive and founder of the Homing Ex-Racehorses Organisation Scheme (HEROS) at Fawley, near Wantage, has paid tribute to dual Cheltenham Festival hero Monsignor, who died last Friday. The 19-year-old, who has been an ambassador
Oxford City manager Mike Ford expects better from his side as they travel to fellow Skrill North strugglers Gloucester City tomorrow. Ford said he was disappointed in his side’s display in the 2-0 home defeat by Solihull Moors on Saturday.
Police have released descriptions of two teenagers they want to trace in connection with a cricket club burglary. As reported in yesterday’s Oxford Mail, bottles of alcohol were stolen from Abingdon Vale Cricket Club on Friday afternoon. Thames
ROADS in parts of Oxfordshire were flooded yesterday as the county remained on alert. The A361 at Fubrook near Burford, Lower Street in Islip, and at Clifton Hampden bridge were all affected by rainwater. Across the county, 10 Environment Agency
IT has attracted many big names over the past 10 years including Graham Norton, Rob Brydon and Jamie Cullum. But next year’s Helen & Douglas House’s popular comedy and music night Childish Things will be its last. Tickets are already selling
The brave souls of Oxford Diving Club will take their annual New Year’s Day plunge tomorrow. The daring divers will meet at the Oxford British Sub-Aqua Club clubhouse inLake Street, at 10.30am to dive into Hinksey Lake at 11am. People can watch
ONE of Oxfordshire’s main bus operators has raised “significant concerns” about the £400m Westgate redevelopment in Oxford. Stagecoach has said there are issues with the proposals which undermine the scheme and could have a negative impact on the
Referee Mateusz Filipiak dished out an incredible seven red cards as Thame United were beaten 2-0 at home to Highworth Town in the Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division on Saturday, writes Matthew Bruce. Four of those were handed to Thame players
Banbury United boss Edwin Stein is without four key players for the Puritans’ Calor League Premier Division match at home to sixth-placed Stourbridge tomorrow. Wayne Blossom, Scott Bridges and Kynan Isaac are all suspended, while Albi Skendi is
No No Bingo (5-1) continued Chipping Norton trainer Charlie Longsdon and jockey Noel Fehily’s winning spree with a game victory at Haydock yesterday.
2014 sees a new chapter in the Oxford Mail's history: the Oxford Mail+ app. Launched on January 1, you can now read your favourite newspaper on any iPad, iPhone, Android smartphone or tablet, and the Kindle Fire. Watch our iPad and
SANTA was visited by a record number of 15,000 children at his grotto in Millets Farm in Frilford this Christmas. Children saw Father Christmas’ elves at work and listened to Santa’s story time with Mrs Claus. Parents watched on enjoying the
A consultation into Oxford’s Light Night event ends today. Hundreds of people gathered in Oxford city centre last month for the event. The festival centred on St Giles which was closed to traffic to usher in the Christmas season. Oxford
GROVE residents will have a new bus service to Didcot on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Grove and other villages lost their last direct bus service to Didcot in December when Thames Travel dropped several stops from its 32 route. It has been paid
MUSEUM volunteer Anne Jones proudly shows off a piece of woodwork at an arts and crafts exhibition. While the 74-year-old said her favourite items for sale at the Gift to Delight exhibition running at the Vale and Downland Museum in Church Street
IT’S a new year and with it comes a new chapter in the Oxford Mail’s proud history: the Oxford Mail+ app. Launching officially tomorrow, you will be able to read your favourite newspaper on any iPad, iPhone, Android smartphone or tablet, and
PLANS for a waste digester have “horrified” neighbours. Grove Farm in Milton Hill near Didcot wants to build the anaerobic digester facility on its orchard. But neighbouring firms and residents oppose the “outrageous” scheme, fearing for the
A TEENAGER was rescued from her car by firefighters after a crash near Bampton. The 18-year-old was freed using a ladder after the accident between Bampton and Black Bourton at 4pm on Sunday. A spokesman for Oxfordshire Fire Service said: “
THREE months ago tomorrow Louise Preece had a gruelling 14-hour operation to reduce her chances of getting cancer. Now, while she still coming to terms with the irreversible changes to her body, she is finally looking forward to a new year without
Oxford will become a low-emission zone from tomorrow. This means only buses which meet the EURO 5 standard for emissions will be able to drive through the city centre. It will be only the second such zone in the UK outside London and aims to
Masked burglars who broke into a Yarnton home were disturbed by the residents. The gang of two or three men wearing balaclavas broke into the house in Meadow Way at about 10pm on Friday, December 20. They ran off towards a vehicle on the grass
A SERVICE could be held to bless the desecrated churchyard where the body of teenager Jayden Parkinson was hidden. The Rev Karen Beck, the vicar at All Saints’ Church in Didcot, said she was considering a blessing at the site where the 17-year-old
TOUGHER action will be taken against rogue landlords after a cash boost. Oxford City Council has been given £150,000 from the Department for Communities and Local Government to tackle the problem. It is one of 23 councils nationwide to get
A SHARP rise in the number of visitors to Oxford’s historic Town Hall has led to plans to extensively refurbish the building’s toilets. Oxford City Council has said more people visit the building in St Aldate’s to see its museum, shop and café.
A VILLAGE church plans a £250,000 overhaul to let it open all week to community groups. The Church of the Holy Trinity in Charlton, Wantage, wants to install a new kitchen with a stained glass window, under-floor heating, and disabled toilets.
DOZENS of people in Oxfordshire have been named in the New Year’s Honours list. Across the county 29 people will receive MBEs, OBEs, BEMs, and Knighthoods from the Queen. Those named today include Marios Papadopoulous, founder of Oxford Philomusica
