A broken down lorry is causing traffic delays for drivers in Didcot town centre. Both lanes of the B4493 are partially blocked after the lorry got a flat tyre and there is congestion near Station Road and Foxhall Road.
SEVENTY-FIVE years after it first opened with a flurry of excitement, Oxford Stadium is fenced-off and forlorn, its future uncertain. But while the greyhounds and the Cheetahs have gone, there are still plenty of people who believe there is still
Katherine Shock, Oxford Jewish Community IN Christ Church Cathedral in the Bishop Bell Chapel to the left of the nave, a fiercely strong and beautiful sculpture called Thornflower stands until June. This has been made as a heartfelt gesture of
ONE of the great feats of the past was the cross Oxford – underground. Brave souls would get in a small boat in St Ebbe’s, paddle or push their way through the narrow subterranean Trill Mill Stream under St Aldate’s and, if they were lucky, emerge
Pupils at the village school entered a national contest to produce a video film about safety in 1987 – and chose safety in their playground as their theme. Laura Woodfield, 10, is pictured filming her friends with assistant Lauren Oliver, also 10,
WHEATLEY windmill is working again after years of neglect, and no-one is more delighted than Mavis Ramsden. Her family has been connected with the mill for more than 150 years. Her great grandfather, George Cripps, below, bought the mill in
A CHURCH had a message for young members – don’t all come to Sunday School at once! The request came from the newly-opened John Bunyan Church in Crowell Road, Cowley. In the words of the famous nursery rhyme character, Old Mother Hubbard, it
I met J when she came into the hospice for a while in order to have some troublesome symptoms sorted out. J used to be the manager of a care home, and as I listened to her one day she told me about one of the residents, a 90-year-old lady called May
Headington huts mystery photograph ONE of your readers was asking some time ago if anyone had a picture of the former Army huts at Slade Park at Headington, Oxford. I found this photograph in a skip and believe these were the huts she was talking
Rafty beggars FIREMEN took to the water in a series of strange contraptions to raise money for charity. Most chose converted baths to make the journey on the Oxford Canal from Banbury to Kidlington. Colin Timberlake, left, and Brian Benstead
Pupils who were leaving the village school in 1994 decided to leave their mark – they designed and made this decorative wall hanging, adding their names on the edge. The children, pictured with Elizabeth Nixon, centre, who helped with the project,
THESE pupils were clowning around as they stepped back in time to the Middle Ages. They were pupils at The Cherwell School in Marston Ferry Road, North Oxford, preparing for an evening of medieval entertainment in 1981. The show, entitled Of
TWO men having a fight have caused traffic delays this afternoon in Cowley. Traffic is reported to be slow on the Oxford Road after police were called to the fight at about 3.15pm near Littlehay Road.
Oxford City Council’s money could soon only be invested in banks and companies deemed ethical. The council is considering introducing an ethical investment policy to dictate where it is right to put its funds. But members have been warned that
THEY fell in love after meeting on Facebook, going for dates at the cinema and cooking together. But for this Banbury couple, getting engaged prompted a massive challenge – losing weight. Now Vikki Stretch and David Strangwood have lost a total
A 12-year-old boy suffered a head injury and lost his iPhone 4 when he was robbed at knifepoint. The boy was attacked by four teenagers off Donnington Bridge. He was later taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital and treated for a head injury.
A freak own goal proved the difference as Oxford United were hit by a late 1-0 defeat at Dagenham & Redbridge on Saturday. Matt Bevans was the luckless defender in the wrong place at the wrong time, diverting the ball over goalkeeper Ryan Clarke
Sir — Well, it was entirely predictable that my dissenting voice would produce howls of protest from the vociferous global warming protagonists, and with a barrage of shots attempting to shoot my reasonings down in flames. The fact that I have
Sir – Recent events mark a new low in the relationship between the Covered Market traders and the city council. For 12 months, as members of a cross-party scrutiny panel, we have been been working to see why this relationship has soured and
Sir – Cara Robertson is right, the status of the Turin Shroud is not so important (Letters, March 13). However, we can be sure that he was not, in a literal sense, a son of any god creator of our universe. Our planet circles our star, the sun
Sir – Chalgrove and Watlington parents may be annoyed to discover that Oxfordshire’s Tory Cabinet has handed a tax-free bonus to Carterton parents by adding a sixth form to their local school, while doing nothing to help the young people forced to
Sir – Build on Southfield golf course, suggests Adam Dawson (Letters, March 20). The possibility of building 1,640 houses on Southfield golf course (course now run by the Oxford Golf Club) was looked into during 2007 as part of the Strategic
Sir – I refer to your article about the restored Lumley Tea Building (Report, March 13). Shirehall Properties, the owners of the restored retail units in Jericho are quoted as saying: ‘Mainstream retailers have shown little interest due to the relatively
Sir – As many of your readers will be aware, last July the University of Oxford was granted outline planning permission for the proposed development at the Old Road/Park Hospital campus. Prior to the submission and subsequent approval of the planning
TENANTS were harassed by a man acting on behalf of their landlords, a court was told. Albert Sandi was given a conditional discharge for his part in a scheme of harassment when he appeared at Oxford Crown Court on Thursday. Sandi, 53, was acting
I am writing concerning the two letters that were published recently (March 13 and March 21), regarding staff at Sobell warehouse in Witney. People should not paint all the staff with the same brush. I have been to the warehouse and have found
I AM responding to the spring fashion article in Friday Life (March 21). The pictures show what are literally impossibly tall and thin models, and send out entirely the wrong messages to other young women. The pictures say: “If you don’t look
I am writing concerning British Home Stores’s closure in Oxford. This is a fabulous shop and I spend a lot of time – and money – shopping there. The staff are helpful and friendly and as I am disabled the shop is easy to get around. I am also
CAN you put my views across and tell dog owners that Bear Close is not a dog’s toilet? I had to get buckets of water to get the dog mess off the footpath so my grandchildren could walk on the pavement to school without taking it to school on their
MOTHER’S Day is the day we say thank you to our mums for everything they do. From the discussions we’ve had with mums in Oxford, we know that now more than ever, mums need a break. And as working mums ourselves, we know that one of the biggest
THE mother of a Royal Marine, the victim of a recent fraud, is warning others not to get taken in by such ghastly crooks (March 26). Unfortunately the fraud cases reported are only the tip of a very large ‘iceberg’. Many people do not realise
Banbury Magistrates' Court William Carberry, 87, of Bosleys Orchard, Grove, admitted speeding over the 30mph limit In Grove Road on August 10 and August 12 last year. Fined a total £270 and ordered to pay £130 costs and a £20 victims’ surcharge
I am writing about the two letters from David Miles (March 13) and Eileen Benfield (March 21) regarding Sobell Hospice charity shops. Like them, we took very good furniture and clothes to Sobell in Witney. It was a Saturday and they said they do
BOTH Railfuture Thames Valley and Bus Users Oxford support Witney Oxford Transport (WOT), which campaigns for an Oxford–Witney rapid transit. In 2001 civil and transport engineers Mott MacDonald compared options for reopening the former Witney
Sir – I refer to your article (March 20) concerning the proposed development in Elsfield Way, which will involve demolishing four older houses and replacing them with 22 flats, six large semi-detached houses and parking spaces for about 30 cars.
Sir – Traditionally Oxfordshire has always been regarded as a rural county, indeed on the coffin map of urban England, stretching from Lancashire to Kent, Oxfordshire was the only notable green break with only five per cent of its land in urban use
Sir – The Vale of White Horse District Council Draft Local Plan identifies a "need" for up to 20,560 new dwellings by 2031. I do like the “60”. How precise! If only the Meteorological Office could predict weather in 2031 to four significant figures
Sir – With only a few days to go before the deadline for comments to the Vale on Doric's plans for the Botley centre, 427 responses have been posted. I’m certain the number will increase by the time the guillotine falls. This blows out of the water
Sir – There is no need for Daniel Emlyn-Jones (Letters, March 20) to invent a new religion based on compassion rather than dogma. The Unitarian movement has evolved over 350 years into a liberal religious community, imposing no creed, and open to people
Sir – There is a concern that now those retiring with a significant pension pot are no longer forced to buy an annuity they might invest instead in the buy-to-let market, which will push up house prices. That is a real risk, but one could be
Sir – I read in the letter last week that 12,000 people have signed the petition to save Temple Cowley Pool. I agree with the writer: if that is not enough to halt these plans then the principle of democracy itself is at risk. If the council
Sir – As a long standing Liberal Democrat involved with the Coalition, I find Nick Cotter’s reason for resignation from the party illogical (Report, March 20). Liberal Democrats have managed to achieve most of our manifesto commitments. This
Sir – Recently I received an unsolicited ‘phone call. When the caller asked me if I was satisfied with my bank and then asked “which is your bank ?” I refused to answer that question, having said I was satisfied. I then said that I did not like being
THE growing concerns over Oxford United’s stalling campaign was clearly demonstrated by an angry confrontation between players and supporters after the final whistle on Saturday. A bizarre own goal in the 89th minute from Matt Bevans gave hosts
WHO would have thought it would be possible to get ‘wasted’ at a literary festival (and as I say that, I’m holding my ‘pinky’ in the air). But I did and it was brilliant. A lot of literary festivals are, to use a local colloquialism, up their
CONCERNS have been raised about proposals for a new betting shop at an Oxford shopping parade. Coral has submitted three planning applications to Oxford City Council to convert 4 Courtland Road, Rose Hill, previously occupied by the Oxford Bed
CLASSROOMS were turned into dojos as children were taught martial arts. Wheatley Primary School pupils were preparing for a playground demonstration tomorrow with karate lessons from teaching assistant David Brassington. Mr Brassington, a third
THEY have spent months in hospital fighting cancer. But yesterday brave youngsters Zac Durkin and Finlay White had their moment to shine and started this year’s record-breaking OX5 Run. In total 1,200 people finished the five-mile run around
THE council’s transport boss has said they are struggling to “keep Oxfordshire open for business” after it was revealed more than £160m is needed to bring the county’s roads up to scratch. Oxfordshire County Council cabinet member for transport
The OX5 Run has raised thousands for Oxford Children’s Hospital and has grown in size over the years. And yesterday was a record-breaking run, with 1,200 people taking part and an estimated £100,000 raised. The event was started by two very
PROFESSIONAL dancers strutted their stuff this weekend as part of the Oxford Tango Festival. The event at Lady Margaret Hall in Norham Gardens, is the third of its kind to be held in the city and ran from Friday through until yesterday with about
11:43am Road repairs costing £160m plus in mounting highways crisis Proud moment for Zac and Finlay in biggest ever OX5 Run Taxi firm raises the alarm to help foil courier fraud scam
A decision on whether the £100m planned revamp of West Way shopping centre will be given planning permission has been delayed. Developer Doric Properties wants to knock down West Way shopping centre, Elms Parade shops and Field House sheltered
DAGENHAM & Redbridge boss Wayne Burnett admitted his side were fortunate to take all three points against Oxford United. There was little to choose between the teams in a tight contest, which was decided by a freak goal in the 89th minute.
THE lucky ones among us may get through the journey to work without having to swerve out of the way of craters in the road. But for most, driving around the county’s roads throws up a whole host of challenges – you may have made it through the
Lanes on the A34 are to be closed overnight for maintenance work. The northbound carriageway from Abingdon to Hinksey will be affected from tonight between 10pm and 6am for three weeks while the Highways Agency cuts back hedges and trees. There
The Bishop of Oxford has refused to say whether or not he supports gay marriage. The Rt Rev John Pritchard was speaking after same-sex marriage became legal in the UK on Saturday. He said: “I want to celebrate with those who are taking the
Didcot Tn 3, Cirencester Tn 2 Didcot Town scored twice in the last ten minutes to snatch a dramatic victory over second-placed Cirencester on Saturday. It was in-form Didcot’s third home win in a row and their sixth Calor League Division 1
Banbury Utd 3, Bashley 3 Banbury United ended their record run of nine successive Calor League defeats, but threw away a golden chance of beating bottom club Bashley at Spencer Stadium on Saturday. The Puritans appeared to be cruising to their
PRINCESS Anne visited Oxford on Saturday to meet international leaders from all over the Commonwealth. She was guest of honour at the Commonwealth Study Conference, held at Oxford University’s Examinations Schools. About 100 people attended
A HOSPITAL radio station has won two awards at national ceremony over the weekend. Radio Cherwell, which serves the Churchill Hospital, John Radcliffe Hospital and Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, was presented with the prizes at the National Hospital
OXFORD MAIL GIRLS LEAGUE Under 10 Spring League: Summertown Stars White 3, Kidlington 1. League Cup: Grove Chall 0, Summertown Stars Red 0; Wantage 5, Thame 2. Under 11 League Cup: Kidlington 0, Oxford City 6; Stonesfield Strikers 0, Carterton
OXFORDSHIRE INVITATION YOUTH LEAGUE Under 16 KO Cup final: AFC Newbury 2, Abingdon Utd 0. A League: Didcot Tn 1, Kidlington 1; North Leigh v Milton Utd pp. B League: Hook Norton 2, Deddington Tn 1; Cholsey Bluebirds 1, Banbury Utd Yth 2. C League
OXFORDSHIRE has two new sets of world champions in the sport of Pooh Sticks. Simon Critchley, from Harwell, claimed the solo title today in the World Pooh Sticks Championship at Day’s Lock, near Little Wittenham, and the Blantz family, from Burford
ENGLISH NATIONAL LEAGUE South Div 2 Cup semi-finals: Oxford City Stars 4, Wightlink Tigers 0; Chelmsford Warriors 1, Bristol Pitbulls 7. Final: Oxford City Stars 3, Bristol Pitbulls 1.
OXFORD MAIL YOUTH LEAGUE Under 10 Spring A League: Abingdon Yth Green 2, Summertown Stars Dragons 1; Bure Park Jun 1, Summertown Stars Wands 4; Marston Saints 1, Harwell & Hendred Yth 2; Oxford City Whites v Kennington Ath pp. B League: Bardwell
GREENE KING IPA CHAMPIONSHIP London Scottish 21, London Welsh 32. SSE ENGLISH CLUBS CHAMPIONSHIP National 1: Henley 21, Worthing 16. National2 South: Chinnor 31, London Irish Wild Geese 47. South West 1 East: Oxford Harlequins 52
CRITCHLEYS UTV LEAGUE Devenney Cup semi-finals: Abba Ath 4, Zubry Oxford 0; Forest Hill 3, White Horse Abingdon 1. Ridgeway Cup semi-finals: Black Swan 0, Northway Res 6; Green Tree Wallingford 0, Woodstock Wands 1. Premier Div: Barton
UHLSPORT HELLENIC LEAGUE Bluefin Spts Cup: Abingdon Utd 3, Wantage Tn 5. Premier Div: Ascot Utd 10, Abingdon Tn 0; Reading Tn 1, Shrivenham 2; Thame Utd 1, Kidlington 2. Div 1 West: Carterton 1, Tytherington Rocks 4; Easington Spts 3, Malmesbury
A TEAM of cyclists has completed a 58-mile ride in memory of 10-year-old road crash victim Freddie Perry. Richard Williams, Zak Corderoy, Rick Field, Jason Major and Tim Powell set off on Saturday at 7.30am to ride from Didcot along The Ridgeway
THE inquest into the death of a 28-year-old Didcot motorcyclist who was killed in a road accident will be heard on Thursday. Sebastian Grootz died on September 23 last year while riding his Suzuki motorbike in Drayton, south of Abingdon. The
A HOUSE containing the mirror which inspired Lewis Carroll to create the Alice in Wonderland stories could sell for £1m. The writer, who studied in Oxford, met the real-life Alice when he stayed at the house in Cheltenham for four days in the 1860s
MISS Oxfordshire contestants showed the boys how it’s done at the weekend in a range of charity challenges. The girls took on the Oxford United Youth Team during a family fundraiser for the Children’s Society held at Oxford City FC’s Marsh Lane
A late goal from skipper Darren Pond earned a point for Oxford City as they remarkably held Skril North play-off chasers Guiseley to a 3-3 draw. City looked dead and buried when Adam Boyes put the visitors 3-1 ahead in the 82nd minute, adding to
Oxford City boss Mike Ford was unable to hide his delight after seeing his side battle back from the dead to draw 3-3 at home to Guiseley. City needed goals in the last seven minutes from Steve Basham and Darren Pond to claim a point, but Ford
London Scottish 21, London Welsh 32 London Welsh booked their place in the Greene King IPA Championship play-offs with a powerful second-half display to take the spoils in the battle of the Exiles yesterday. Welsh trailed London Scottish 14
OXFORD City president Thomas Guerriero has said he’s interested in buying Oxford Stadium. The American businessman says he wants to protect the Blackbird Leys stadium from development and continue using it for speedway and greyhound racing.
JAMES Constable struggled to describe the disappointment as he was left to reflect on the fine margins in Oxford United’s painful defeat at Dagenham & Redbridge. The only goal of the game arrived via a breathtakingly unlucky goal in the 89th
A HUSBAND-and-wife-run taxi firm has helped foil a fraud that would have cost an elderly man £5,000. Mohammed and Jamila Abbas and other Oxford taxi companies have been warned by police about criminals trying to trick older people into handing
A DROP-IN session for people hoping to get one of 12 new affordable homes in Steeple Aston will take place tomorrow, between 4pm and 7pm at the village hall. The homes will be built by Sovereign Housing Association, at Coneygar Fields, and will
Headington Amateurs moved up to second in Uhlsport Hellenic LeagueDivision 1 East with a 1-0 win at AFC Hinckley on Saturday. Paul Hedger scored the winner goal from the penalty spot on 72 minutes. Leaders Milton United suffered a 1-0 defeat
Abingdon United striker Callum Wilkinson scored a hat-trick on his debut, but still finished on the losing side as visitors Wantage Town won 5-3 in the quarter-finals of the Uhlsport Hellenic League Bluefin Cup on Saturday. A double from Wilkinson
IT MAY have taken more than 80 years, but an Oxfordshire bakery is now the proud holder of a prestigious award. Nash’s Bakery, of Priory Lane, Bicester, which has shops in Bicester, Oxford and Chipping Norton, has been awarded the Bakers’ Marque
WALLINGFORD councillors are calling for reassurances that the £125m flood relief channel planned for Oxford will not raise river levels downstream. During the Oxfordshire Flooding Summit held eatlier this month, councils, utility companies and
THE Vale of White Horse has been named as one of the best places to live in Britain. The area came seventh in the list of Britain’s 50 most desirable areas to live, up two places from last year. Each of Oxfordshire’s rural districts made the
EIGHTY years after it was created to enable slum children to experience the great outdoors, the Hill End Centre near Oxford is branching out. The Forest Tots toddler group is the Farmoor outdoor pursuits centre’s first ‘free-play’ session for toddlers
