Ceremonial and by Royal appointment, today’s High Sheriff doesn’t keep law and order and collect taxes. But the job, in helping to represent the Queen in Oxfordshire, does involve raising money and lending credibility to good causes across the
IF you are something of a shrinking violet who likes their car to quietly vanish when you pull up in the office car park then save yourself a couple of minutes of your life and stop reading now. Vauxhall’s Corsa Sting has been designed with just
AN independent city councillor has called for new measures to cut congestion in Oxford after carrying out his own traffic survey. Marston city councillor Mick Haines has recorded a rise in the number of vehicles driving through the area since 2012
PASSENGERS are facing delays of up to 20 minutes on train services between Oxford and Banbury. Signalling problems at Tackley are causing the delays on the CrossCountry and First Great Western services. There is currently no estimate for when
A CRICKET club is on fire and a tree has fallen on to a house following lightning strikes in Oxfordshire this afternoon. Six fire engines are on the scene of the blaze at Banbury Twenty cricket club and two crews were called to help after a tree
As stag and hen dos become more lavish, the heat is on to make your event super special. Jaine Blackman comes up with some fabulous local options. 1. A TOPPING IDEA One for the girls this and with the double benefit of being entertaining and
A THIRD man has been charged in connection with the death of 17-year-old Connor Tremble. Bradley Jones, 21, was charged with perverting the course of justice today. Connor, 17, died at John Radcliffe Hospital last month, two days after he was
IF you are something of a shrinking violet who likes their car to quietly vanish when you pull up in the office car park then save yourself a couple of minutes of your life and stop reading now. Vauxhall’s Corsa Sting has been designed with just
CANCER support and therapy centre, The Hummingbird, officially opens today. The centre in Grange Courtyard, Station Road, Launton, near Bicester, will open from 10am to 6pm for people to drop in and see what’s on offer. Bicester’s deputy mayor
A DRUG addict broke down in tears as he was spared jail for stealing and selling his father’s collection of antique coins. Matthew Kinnaird, 30, of Hazel Crescent, Oxford, admitted one count of theft and was sentenced on Tuesday at Oxford Crown
House prices in the county continued to rise last month to a new record high of £254,414. The figure was 0.3 per cent up on the £253,808 recorded in January by the Government’s Land Registry. It is the ninth successive rise, although the rate
CONSERVATIVE candidate Stephen Harrod topped the polls at the Chalgrove and Watlington by-election yesterday. Mr Harrod claimed the Oxfordshire County Council seat in with 871 votes. Lib Dem’s Susan Cooper came second with 629 votes, while
A CACHE of old sketches turned out to be the most important discovery of Pre-Raphaelite drawings in decades, according to an Oxford gallery owner. Aidan Meller, who runs art galleries in Broad Street and High Street, got a phone call before Christmas
MOTORISTS are facing delays on the A34 Northbound after a vehicle struck the central reservation. Police spokeswoman Hannah Williams said that both lanes on the A34 between A415 Marcham Road and A4183 Oxford Road were now open following the accident
CARE home residents in Oxford enjoyed a tea party with a twist to celebrate being shortlisted for a healthcare award. The Sanctuary Care home in Iffley, which opened in January last year, has been shortlisted as a finalist in the Pinders Healthcare
They know us best and they have plenty of wisdom to share (whether we like it or not). As Mother’s Day approaches Jaine Blackman asks some daughters what their mums mean to them and what gems of advice they have imparted Janie Hampton, 62, author
Each and every time I so much as point the tip of shoe outside my front door of my house, or indeed leave the sanctuary of any building with modern day facilities, there is always one very important factor on my mind – the exact location of the next
Reluctant role model Amelia Wright tells of club’s battle to make sport open to all. Jaine Blackman reports Could we shift the story completely off me, and onto these brilliant young people who prove that our next generation of adults is brimming
The Oxford Civic Society and the Oxford Bus Company are surely right to oppose the closing of Queen Street to buses, as envisaged by the county council, with city council support (Oxford Mail, March 21). The main grounds seem to be the safety and
THE recent passing of Bob Crow prompted respectful comments across the political spectrum regarding his concerns for the well-being of the members of his union. I’m afraid that having a drink, going on holiday and being paid a good salary does
THE Oxford Mail-backed Reading Campaign has been praised by the organisers of a world summit on literacy. On Monday, April 14, Princess Laurentien of the Netherlands will come to Oxford to launch this year’s World Literacy Summit at the Sheldonian
Take a look at the top features, interviews and news from this week's Friday Life section Reluctant role model Amelia Wright tells of club’s battle to make sport open to all. Busy working mum Gabby Logan talks about how she juggles
The Oxford Literary Festival 2014 has arrived. This year it’s bigger, better and more ambitious than ever in its eighteen year history. Hosted in style, once again, by our magnificent city, its wide programme is a delight of for all ages – visitors
According to news this week, Sindies are taking over. A Sindie – in case you’re dangerously unaware and unarmed – is a newly divorced woman usually in her forties, with her own (abundant) income: a Single INcome Divorcee. Sindies are sisters doing
Taking on the role of Inspector Morse is a big task, but Shaun Evans, who is back with a second series of ITV prequel Endeavour, is grateful for the opportunity. The Liverpudlian actor talks about his pride on the success of the Oxford based show.
Caffeine is the new alcohol – for me anyway. Not in the forms of energy drinks or tablets but good old-fashioned coffee. I’ve cut down massively on alcohol over the past few months. In fact at the time of writing, I have only consumed alcohol on
I’ve never been someone who buys into the idea of stereotypes. Growing up in Essex, I’m used to the “amusing” banter of the Essex girl joke which I have never quite understood, been offended by or found that amusing. Stereotyping is such a
Is charity fundraiser brave? A nearly fresh-faced Rebecca Moore wonders if anyone really cares You may have noticed a billion selfies appearing over the last few weeks, all with scrubbed faces and females proudly declaring a #nomakeupselfie.
WE live in a cynical age. And, in post-Cilla Black, there are few genuine surprises in television. But BBC Three – of all places – delivered a verdict that was an almighty wallop in Monday’s Life And Death Row. The three-part documentary series
When lightning hits the ocean why don’t all the fish die? This was my favourite question asked during Oxfordshire Science Festival. It’s my favourite because it made all the scientists I spoke to think; it stumped some and was asked by a five-year-old
Sheena Patterson of Oxford Garden Design enjoys a Mother's Day treat The shops are full of ideas for presents for that most treasured of creatures – the mother. My three daughters know that, of course, I always love flowers but they also know
My husband asked me what the focus of this column was going to be – he’s aware that he often provides much fodder. My delightfully eccentric mother is another great source of real-life events and very often include my brother’s wayward basset hound
Busy working mum Gabby Logan talks about how she juggles her television career with happy family life. Jaine Blackman reports If there was a medal for staying fit while juggling a career and a family, you sense TV presenter Gabby Logan would definitely
IT IS alarming to read that the owners of Elms Parade (Oxford Mail, March 18) fear a compulsory purchase order which would enable Doric to proceed with their plans for the complete demolition and redevelopment of the West Way centre. The owners
DORIC’s diabolical development decision day is looming. The face and character of Botley may be destroyed forever against the wishes of the vast majority of its residents. This is like living in a nightmare, contemplating losing our friendly shopping
I WOULD just like to express my disappointment with the column written by Michael Duberry on Wednesday. While I appreciate he has a column and is entitled to his opinion, I feel that the content was inappropriate and ill-timed and shows a lack
WE are delighted that Councillor Tanner is interested in our Greenleaf newsletter (Letters, March 25). However, perhaps he should read it before he speculates about the content. It’s full of positive stories on what our hard-working Green MEP Keith
A RECORD 1,400 runners have signed up to Sunday's OX5 Run in aid of the Oxford Children's Hospital. Prime Minister David Cameron and CHOX patients Zac and Finlay recorded this good luck message for the runners... and wished every mum a happy Mother's
HANGING around while parents pay for fuel at the filling station is never a problem for nine-year-old Ryan and his younger brother Nick. They have invented a game. I came across the pair as mum Fiona waited in the queue at a Banbury garage.
A TEACHER has been hailed a hero after he saved the life of a toddler who had fallen into a stream. Simon Underwood, assistant headteacher at Oxford Academy, was named Everyday Hero of the Year at the St John Ambulance awards held in London on
On Monday this week the Prime Minister of Malaysia announced that flight MH 370 had crashed into the ocean and asked the media to give families of the passengers “the dignity and space that they need now”. Immediately TV cameras homed in on the faces
T HANK God there are still some writers who act like writers – who drink like fish, are unafraid of attracting sideways sneers and glances, and who, when push comes to shove, are just really, really great storytellers. Indian author Prajwal Parajuly
A PUPIL at Abingdon’s Larkmead School has designed the school’s new welcome booklet. Sixth former Ed Atcherley-Symes was asked to design the new booklet of information for parents of children starting at the school, in Faringdon Road. The 17
All contract decisions at Oxford United will be made after the end of the season as Gary Waddock takes time to assess the quality in the squad. The new head coach is less than a week into his tenure at the club and does not intend to agree any
SCOTT Davies is determined to prove himself during Oxford United’s run-in, but the midfielder does not think his previous experience with Gary Waddock gives him an advantage. The 26-year-old is the only player in the U’s squad who has featured
STRIKING a balance between implementing new ideas and keeping faith with previous methods which have proved successful will be key during the run-in, according to Gary Waddock. Oxford United’s new head coach admitted “there are not enough hours
Gary Waddock is confident Oxford United’s defensive resources will cope with the loss of Johnny Mullins for the rest of the season. The centre back, pictured above, damaged his foot late on in the 3-0 defeat at Chesterfield earlier this month and
Two men have been charged with planning to deal drugs, after raids on addresses in Oxford and one in Abingdon on Monday. Ryan Davies, 32, of Kelburne Road, was charged with planning to deal heroin and cocaine. He is on bail and is due to appear
Hundreds of residents have submitted their comments about the £100m planned revamp of West Way shopping centre in Oxford. The six-week public consultation on the proposals officially closed yesterday, but Vale of White Horse District Council will
MATT Bevans has revealed Oxford United’s players held a constructive discussion in the changing room on Monday night about how to correct their form. A 3-0 defeat at Southend United was a blow in Gary Waddock’s first game as head coach. But
YELLOW Submarine is proving to be a successful business after a year of trading. But that is not its true value. The way volunteers and workers with learning difficulties have blossomed is inspiring and the team behind it deserve huge credit for
YELLOW SUBMARINE, the cafe where people with learning disabilities can work, has received the best present it could for its first birthday. It’s not the number of sandwiches it has sold or number of customers through its door in Park End Street
THEY battle with flames on a daily basis. But now four firefighters are swapping their hoses for oars to race Cambridge Fire and Rescue Service rowers on the Thames in Oxford. Spike Miles, Darren Taylor, Simon Tyrrell and Ben Bishop from White
ONCE again health sector eggheads seem intent on appearing to have a complete lack of compassion in the way they want to run the NHS. The latest proposals from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence are heavily jargonised and speak
3:57pm Banbury Twenty Cricket Club is on fire and a tree has been felled following lightning strikes in the county this afternoon 3:20pm A third man has
WAYNE Brown is increasingly worried about the financial plight at one of his former clubs. Hereford United face a winding-up order next month over an unpaid tax bill of £78,000. They reportedly also need to raise around £300,000 by the end
A particle accelerator used in Oxfordshire has shed light on the causes of Alzheimer’s disease. The Diamond Light Source synchrotron microscope at Harwell Science and Innovation Campus was used to study a protein found in sufferers’ brains.
A surgeon at Oxford’s Churchill Hospital said nothing could have been done to prevent the death of a patient during a double transplant operation. Simon Locke, 49, had diabetes and was blind and died during surgery to replace his kidney and pancreas
AN INVESTIGATION has been launched to determine whether paedophile Jimmy Savile preyed on severely disabled children in Oxfordshire in the 1970s. Penhurst School in Chipping Norton was yesterday revealed as one of more than 20 children’s homes
OXFORD Stadium’s potential saviours say they have renewed confidence for the greyhound racetrack after a similar stadium in Manchester was sold for £2.6m as a going concern. The Belle Vue stadium in Manchester was owned by Risk Capital Partners
A bid to stop the Banbury Gateway retail development was dismissed at the Court of Appeal yesterday. Cherwell District Council granted permission for the development, north of the M40 junction, in December 2012 but shopping centre owners claimed
A DEVELOPMENT of 160 homes in Abingdon has suffered a major setback after permission for two neighbouring pedestrian crossings was refused. The crossings for Ock Street and Marcham Road were devised to help the town cope with an influx of cars
The scene on the M40 ALL LANES on the M40 Southbound between J10 and 9 have now been re-opened following an earlier accident. A car overturned on the motorway following a collision with a lorry just before 8am. Drivers are
A CLIMBING enthusiast found critically injured in Hinksey Park had probably fallen from a tree, an inquest heard. Tom Franklin, 23, died in September after he was found with multiple injuries in the Oxford park, almost seven years after his 21-
GARY Waddock has enthusiastically backed the Yellow Army’s away day plans for tomorrow. Fans are encouraged to meet at the Hamilton Hall pub near Liverpool Street Station from 11am, before heading to the social club at Dagenham & Redbridge’
TELEVISION presenter Alan Titchmarsh was among speakers at the Oxford Literary Festival yesterday. Mr Titchmarsh appeared at Oxford Martin School, in Broad Street, to discuss his new book, Bring Me Home. The celebrity gardener’s ninth fiction
CHINNOR director of rugby Matt Williams says his side are playing well enough to pull decisively clear of the National 2 South relegation zone. Williams’s team are just four points above the bottom three ahead of tomorrow’s home clash with fellow
OXFORD Harlequins will be crowned South West 1 East champions tomorrow if they can secure a bonus-point victory at home to Maidenhead. That would take Quins to 101 points, with nearest rivals Towcestrians only able to reach 100. Fly half Zac
Saturday FOOTBALL SKY BET LEAGUE TWO Dagenham & Redbridge v Oxford Utd. SKRILL NORTH Oxford City v Guiseley. CALOR LEAGUE Premier Div: Banbury Utd v Bashley. Div 1 South & West: Didcot Tn v Cirencester Tn, Swindon
A man in his 20s came off his bike yesterday in Abingdon Road near the junction with Whitehouse Road in Oxford. Fireman Simon Tyrrell from the White Watch at Rewley Road Fire Station was one of the first on the scene. The 40-year-old from Botley
An 18-year-old man has been arrested following the attack on Jeanne Marie Ryan at Oxford's Plush Lounge. Following the trend of women putting photographs of themselves online without any make-up to raise money for charity, Miss Ryan, 29, posted
A descendent of Jane Austen has started a literary foundation in Oxford. The author of Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility is a fifth generation ancestor of Caroline Knight. The Jane Austen Literacy Foundation will launch at the World
OXFORD'S Museum of Natural History has been shortlisted for an award to celebrate its conservation work. The museum’s Once in a Whale project is one of five schemes in the running for the Restoration or Conservation prize in the Museums & Heritage
TOP comedians and musicians have praised a fundraiser for an Oxford hospice after the curtain fell on the star-studded event for the last time. And it was not just those on stage who paid tribute to the Childish Things shows, which have raised
A judge has begun summing up in the trial of a pensioner accused of historic rape charges. Yesterday, Judge Patrick Eccles began summing up the case against Terry Haynes to the jury at Oxford Crown Court. The 69-year-old of Mathews Way, Abingdon
STUDENTS swindled by a rogue letting agent have now got their money back nearly five years after the scam. Zulfiqar Hussain took deposits and a month’s rent from the seven students so they could live in an East Oxford house. But when they came
THE managing director of a laundry firm said firefighters “saved the day” after a fire broke out at the premises. More than half of the 80-year-old Burford Laundry building had been affected by the blaze which broke out on Tuesday evening, said
PEOPLE will be able to give their views today and tomorrow about an Oxford University science park in Headington that includes a multi-storey car park. The scheme will include the £45m Big Data Institute as its flagship building, alongside an Amenities
HINKSEY Sculling School will have an even keener eye on Sunday’s university boat races than usual. The community junior rowing club, from Oxford, have former members competing in both the lightweight men’s and women’s events at Henley. Hinksey
PLANS to make an East Oxford roundabout safer have taken a step forward. The Plain junction, which connects five roads, including High Street, Iffley Road and Cowley Road, is to have a larger central island and a central cycle lane to be added
Banbury United manager Edwin Stein has praised the character of his players after they ended their 11-match losing streak in all competitions with a midweek cup victory against Grendon Rangers. A Kynan Isaac double and a Marcus Green strike sealed
Oxford City manager Mike Ford says it is vital his side cash in on their fellow strugglers slip-ups if they are to climb out of the Skrill North danger zone. In midweek, Histon, who are five points clear of Ford’s men, but have played four more
TAP, ballet and jazz were among the styles on stage as dancing students put on their end of year show. Oxford Brookes Dance Society performed Youth at the university student union this week. Jess Kitchiner, 21, who choreographed the ballet
CANCER campaigner Clive Stone last night demanded that Prime Minister David Cameron kept a vow that patients would get drugs they need after proposed health changes were branded as a “stealth cut”. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence
Wantage Town welcome back Jimmy Deabill, Harry Halls and Steve Davis for their trip to Abingdon United in the quarter-finals of the Uhlsport Hellenic League Bluefin Cup tomorrow. However, the Premier Division promotion-chasers are without new signing
THE masterplan for the entire Bicester eco town site has been submitted to Cherwell District Council by A2Dominion. The site, farmland on the north west edge of Bicester, will see up to 6,000 energy efficient homes, schools, shops, a health centre
AN OXFORD MP has raised concerns after it was revealed two Blackbird Leys pre-schools are under threat of closure. Shepherds Hill and Little Doves are both to shut down, leaving about 120 two- and three-year-olds with no educational facilities.
BLEWBURY just missed out on promotion from Men’s Division 3 of the Thames Valley Winter League, despite beating champions Oxford Sports C 5-3. Victory put them level on 53 points with Cholsey, who were runners-up due to a better head-to-head record
AFTER 17 years, Canon Judy French will say Amen for her Charlbury congregation one last time before taking on a new role for the Oxford Diocese. The vicar, pictured, has been appointed the new Archdeacon of Dorchester after serving as Vicar of
INTREPID students have set themselves a tough challenge, conquering 15 Irish mountains in 15 hours to raise money for Oxford’s homeless. The students, mostly undergraduates and post-graduates at Keble College will attempt the Mourne Wall Challenge
