A FORMER RAF flying base is opening its doors to the public for what is believed to be the first time in nearly a century. Bicester Heritage, the new owners of the former RAF flying base in Buckingham Road, will allow 100 people in on Sunday.
A BROKEN-down vehicle is blocking the A34 Western Bypass between two junctions. The southbound carriageway between Woodstock Road and the Botley Interchange has been partially blocked by the incident. For more updates, see our live traffic
Over the past few months, towns across the county have been selecting their new mayors. While the duties of these civic dignitaries are largely ceremonial, these figures play an important role when promoting the interests of their residents and
THERE was plenty to do at this playgroup at Blackbird Leys, Oxford, as these children discovered in 1965. Two sessions a day were held at the community centre for children aged two to five. The playgroup was run by Rosemary Bushnell, a qualified
Pupils at the new village school learned the basics of life, including how to serve in a shop and how to be a shopper. The school game with a touch of reality took place just a month after the school opened in October 1959. The school
IT’S not much fun being in hospital, particularly when you are a child. So anything that can be done to cheer up youngsters is especially welcome. When members of the Scout troop at Yarnton were looking to do a good deed, they thought of children
CAN anyone name these footballers? The picture was found in an album belonging to John Couch, of Riverside Gardens, Mill Street, Witney, who died in October last year. The only information we have is that it shows ‘Woolworth’s Ladies’ football
THE City of Oxford Silver Band is celebrating a small but significant milestone in its history this year. It is 100 years since it changed from a brass to a silver band. And one item in its inventory has survived throughout that period. It
A FUNERAL procession slowly makes its way through a cemetery, followed by prayers at the graveside. Seven crosses with names later mark the spots where the bodies are laid to rest. This was a scene repeated many times as British servicemen
A THIEF stole a charity box from a pub. The man - described as white, possibly eastern European and between 5ft 2in and 5ft 4ins tall - walked into the Swan in Park Road, Faringdon, and stole the Royal National Lifeboat Institution box at about
LONDON Welsh have confirmed 25 players are leaving the club as they prepare for their Aviva Premiership return. The Exiles have retained 23 of this season's squad, alongside the 15 new signings they unveiled last week. Those departing include
A MOBILE phone was stolen from a 17-year-old girl’s hand while she was waiting for a bus in Cowley. At 11.20am on Saturday, June 14 the girl had her phone snatched as she waited for her bus in Barns Road. The offender ran off towards the Grates
A WOMAN’S purse was snatched out of her hands while she was in Banbury. At 8.40pm on Monday, June 9, the woman was walking away from the Co-op shop in Ferriston when a man took her purse and ran off. The purse is a black leather Bailey purse
Witney-born actress Gugu Mbatha-Raw returned home on Saturday, June 14, for a special screening of her new movie Belle at the town's Cineworld. Here she tells of her pride in the film and that she was able to bring it home to Witney to show it off
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TWO cars caught fire after a collision between four vehicles on the M40 near Oxford. Two lanes of the M40 northbound between junctions 8a for Oxford and 9 for Bicester are closed as emergency services deal with the incident. The speed signs
A WOMAN was rescued from a blaze in a bedroom in Aston Tirrold last night. Firefighters were called to Chalk Hill at about 9.10pm where they found smoke coming out of the bedroom of a two-storey semi-detached house. The woman was treated at
FROM the setting of a Las Vegas bar I got ready to watch England’s opener against Italy amongst 100 or so other fans. I was excited with the news of our line-up, but would have preferred to see Adam Lalana play instead of Jordan Henderson.
OXFORDSHIRE athletes Hannah England, Lawrence Clarke and Nathan Douglas will compete in the Commonwealth Games, it was confirmed this morning. This trio will represent England at Glasgow 2014 in July after being named in a squad of 129. England
Cases heard recently at Oxford Magistrates' Court: Hasan Abbasi, 23, of Bulan Road, Headington, admitted possessing cannabis, a Class B drug, on Strawberry Path, Oxford, on March 17. Given a six-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay a
A JUDGE has given a burglar a suspended prison sentence after he stole a TV and laptop from a flat. Louie Withers pleaded guilty to burgling a flat in Priory Road, Oxford, on February 22 this year. Cathy Olliver, prosecuting, told Oxford Crown
A WARM, sunny evening, a riverside bar, and a quiet drink with a couple of friends in a bar advertising itself as ‘Dog Friendly’: a few dog owners are in tonight, including those of a stunningly beautiful, if somewhat vociferous, husky. I’m fond of
I WOULD like to congratulate the organisers of The Music and Proms in the Park held in Abingdon on Saturday, June 7. What a fantastic evening – beautiful sunshine and five local bands or groups entertained us and then Abingdon Brass Band played
AN Abingdon GP has recounted the titanic struggle between three empires during the opening stages of the First World War in Eastern Europe. Dr Prit Buttar spent a year poring over archives in Berlin, Vienna and Freiburg before starting work on
A major part of the Tingewick village fete and beer festival on Saturday, June 21, at 12.30pm is the Classic Car Show. Last year we had 102 cars and a few motorcycles. This year we hope to top 200. If you have a classic or ‘interesting’ car
At last a tantalising glimpse into the reopening of the Corn Exchange. Is there now a slight possibility than the people of Witney will be consulted as to what it will be used for? We still have no idea of what this secretive council had asked
Last week marked the 70th anniversary of D-Day. Many thousands of young men died for king and country. They fought Hitler to make the world a better place. We owe them a huge debt of gratitude, many do not have a proper grave, yet I wonder how
It is disappointing that you should feel it appropriate to publish an article by a candidate in the recent local elections which was both abusive and inaccurate. The council’s decision to build a modern swimming pool on Pegasus Rd, adjacent to
The Rev Dr Amanda Bloor, director of Ordinands and advisor in the Diocese of Oxford’s women’s ministry, talks about her work and beliefs I spent Saturday this week in the centre of Oxford, celebrating the 20th anniversary of the ordination of women
Catherine Robinson, secretary of Oxford Unitarian Congregation, talks about the philosophy of Unitarianism The Unitarian Church is a liberal religious community which welcomes people of all faiths and none. It imposes no creed or dogmas on its
A FLOWER shop in the city’s Covered Market celebrating its 30th anniversary is having to mark the birthday by downsizing. Jemini is marking three decades in the city centre by opening its new shop. However, owners Sandie and Bryan Griffith
I now know how to slay a dragon. Believe me, it takes an extraordinary level of skill, sheer dedication, a few super human powers and hour upon hour of practice. Admittedly, it’s the kind of secret I would normally only imagine gleaning after unearthing
THAMES Valley Police has launched a review into its treatment of the traveller community. It comes after Banbury-based police officer Jim Davies, who is an English Romany Gypsy, launched a complaint of race discrimination against the force.
Qualification for The Open Championship would be a bonus rather than a priority for Eddie Pepperell as he begins a key run of tournaments this week. Oxfordshire’s top golfer, pictured, tees off in the Irish Open on Thursday, refreshed after a fortnight
IT is amazing news to hear that the OX5 Run has broken the £100,000 mark this year. Every year thousands of runners pound the Blenheim Palace route to raise cash for the Oxford Children’s Hospital. And this year the generosity of Oxford Mail
A WOMAN has told how she had to flee for her life after Saturday’s spectacular thunderstorm started a fire in her bedroom as she slept. Thunder and lightning battered the county, sparking fires and cutting power to dozens of homes. Elaine
Chad Keegan’s superb five-wicket haul led Oxfordshire to a 49-run victory over Cumberland in the quarter-finals of the Unicorns Counties Trophy at Bicester & North Oxford yesterday. The Henley paceman took 5-20 in eight overs to spearhead an
FINDING that you have been the victim of any theft is a worrying and disturbing thing. So one cannot begin to imagine how 81-year-old Joan Hall must feel. The pensioner was duped by a man who had the nerve to steal from her after she was only
Drivers faced long delays on the southbound M40 yesterday when a car caught fire near junction 6, at Lewknor. Firefighters were called just before 11am. Queueing traffic tailed back to junction 7 at Milton Common. A woman travelling in the car
A group of nude cyclists rode through the centre of Oxford yesterday. The event, the first of its kind in Oxford, was held as part of the World Naked Bike Ride, to advocate bicycle-friendly communities. The riders gathered at Oxpens Meadow
MOVIE star Gugu Mbatha-Raw returned to her home town for a special screening of her new film Belle. The 30-year-old said it was “really special” to meet old friends, teachers and family members for the event at Witney’s Cineworld cinema on Saturday
A FIVE-WEEK-OLD baby airlifted to hospital after a crash on the M40 that killed her mother has been discharged and is at home with her family. Ruby Bull was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford after a Peugeot 406 estate driven by her
A MAN was arrested in connection with a distraction burglary in Chinnor. The burglar posed as a roofer before stealing cash from the house in Elderdene. He left in a blue car after the theft, which happened at about 1.45pm on Friday. The
AN AIR ambulance helicopter landed in a field in Oxford to help a man who had been taken ill. The aircraft touched down on grass off Ferry Hinksey Road at about 2pm on Saturday. South Central Ambulance Service spokeswoman Gill Hodgetts said
RESIDENTS were out in force on Saturday for the annual Jericho Street Fair. Hundreds turned out for the Canal Street event, which featured live music and dance performances, market stalls and even demonstrations of wool spinning. Narrowboat
Makeshift opener Brad Sutherland made 92 as Oxford returned to winning ways with a seven -run last-over home victory against second-placed Burnham in a thrilling Division 1 contest. Mark Beer struck with the second ball of the final over to dimiss
Great and Little Tew’s attack was taken apart by Amersham opener Bruce Friedrichs as they suffered an 87-run home defeat in Division 2 on Saturday. The South African hammered 130 off 156 balls, with 21 fours and a six as Amersham rattled up 257
Aston Rowant’s last pair hung on to deny Banbury victory in a Serious Cricket Home Counties Premier League Division 1 match of fluctuating fortunes at White Post Road on Saturday. Rowant finished on 165-9 in reply to the home side’s 210-9, but
Anupam Sanklecha starred for Shipton-under-Wychwood, but just failed to save them from an agonising one-wicket defeat at home to Cove in Saturday’s tense Serious Cricket Home Counties League Division 2 encounter. The Indian medium-pacer captured
RUNNERS in the Oxford Mail OX5 Run have smashed records by raising £112,000 for the Oxford Children’s Hospital. More people than ever took part in the five-mile fundraising event on March 30, with 1,200 runners crossing the finishing line after
A BOY who has gone missing from Milton Keynes has links to Oxford, police officers have said. Steven Tiffin, 14, was last seen at an address in Century Avenue, Oldbrook, at 12.30am yesterday. He is from Buckingham but has links to Oxford, Aylesbury
Division 1 Twyford 126 (T Hussain 35, J Parish 4-35), Buckingham Town 130-4 (C Price 77no, B Afzal 3-49). Cumnor 183 (J Douglas 35, A Price 5-27, K Nawaz 3-38), Oxford 2nd 147-9 (H Eltham 37no, A Hall 37, A Morteza 5-29). Thame Town 314
Division 1 Banbury 210-9 (64 ovs, J Cater 56, R West 48, M Hammond 4-74), Aston Rowant 165-9 (54 ovs, C Watling 52, J Smith 34, J Phillips 4-44, L Ryan 3-33). Gerrards Cross 182 (58.4 ovs, D Solway 68, W Hussain 3-9), Slough 185-7 (49.4 ovs
Division 1 Chadlington 211-7 (S Hunt 52no), Oxenford 162 (M Khan 56, M Shepherd 5-41). Garsington 115 (C Wharton 38, Z Aslam 3-23), Cowley Internationals 117-4 (M Sadiqi 35no). Westbury 181-9 (T Gurney 51, G Judd 35, A Armitage 3-43), Great
MIDWIVES from across the country who met in Oxford last week for the Royal College of Midwives’ annual event have criticised NHS paymasters. Members met at the Kassam Stadium on Wednesday to hear from speakers including Dr Debra Bick, of King’s
SPORTS clubs in Oxford are desperate for a new home after having nowhere to practise for the past four months. Oxford City Hoops basketball and Lions futsal clubs have led a nomadic existence traipsing across Oxfordshire, Swindon and Aylesbury
5:01pm Update: London Marylebone will not re-open tonight, says Chiltern Railways. The fire damage is more severe than first thought 3:04pm Good Samaritans
LONDON Marylebone will not re-open this evening and will be shut "until further notice" because fire damage to signalling cable was worse than first thought, Chiltern Railways has said. Tuesday update: Marylebone open and trains running
Teenager Lloyd Belcher returned Horspath’s best league figures with 6-51, but it wasn't enough to stop leaders Reading claiming a two-wicket win in their rain-affected Serious Cricket Home Counties League Division 2 top-of-the-table clash. The
AN ELDERLY cancer survivor has told how she was unable to eat or sleep since burglars who sneaked into her home stole £50. Joan Hall, 81, had cash and credit cards taken after unknowingly inviting a burglar into her home. Police officers are
A thief was chased down the street after stealing 10 Yankee candles from a shop. The woman entered Beales Home Stores on Fairacres Retail Park and hid the Yankee candles in her bag. She then left the store, but a shop assistant had spotted her
Comedian Al Murray made a surprise appearance at the opening of the Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum yesterday. Mr Murray’s father Ingram curated one of the displays. On the day he said on Twitter: “Going today [to] opening of @SOFOtrust for
HINDUS celebrated their fifth summer Mela – or fair – with dancing, singing and traditional foods in Cowley. Organised by the Oxford Hindu Temple and hosted by mental health charity Restore, in Manzil Way, Saturday’s event showed of the best of
CHAD Keegan said Oxfordshire were always confident of victory after booking their place in the semi-finals of the Unicorns Counties Championship yesterday, writes ED MEZZETTI. The 34-year-old shone with a five-wicket haul as Oxon beat Cumberland
THE new Lord Mayor of Oxford, Mohammed Abbasi, celebrated taking office with a procession and fete in the city centre yesterday. He led the procession from the Town Hall, in St Aldate’s, to Gloucester Green. The 71-year-old councillor for the Cowley
Football fans left frustrated when their cable TV service failed 10 minutes before the World Cup kicked off have now been offered the chance of compensation. Fans in three streets in Didcot were unable to tune in to Brazil’s 3-1 win over Croatia
A former pupil of King Alfred’s College in Wantage has thanked his old teachers for their support after he was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours. Jonathan Ullmer, 53, was given the honour for his work as director of education for the
TRADERS and residents in Frideswide Square have raised concerns about diversion plans during the redevelopment of the busy road junction. It means major changes to other roads in the area including a mini- roundabout in Oxpens Road and parking
A WOMAN has been spared jail for attempting to rob another woman at a homeless shelter. Amy Paintin was found guilty at Oxford Crown Court last month of attempted robbery in December last year. Paintin, 34, also admitted a theft charge from
A JERICHO school will get specialist steel tiles for its roof after youths climbing up to retrieve footballs kept breaking its slate ones. More than £100,000 is expected to be spent on the tiles, to have a slate finish, at St Barnabas Primary School
MORE parking spaces are to be provided in Headington. Parking bays in Osler Road, New High Street and Kennett Road will be extended under the Oxfordshire County Council plans. Deputy director for environment and economy Mark Kemp said: “The
TRIBAL chiefs from Brazil stressed the importance of the Amazon rainforest in a talk at Oxford University. It has been the life’s work of Raoni Metuktire and Megaron Txucarramae to promote the interests of Amazonian indigenous tribes. They
A CYCLE campaigner completed a 62-mile midnight bike ride through London to raise money for a new path between Eynsham and Botley. John Blackie from Cumnor, raised £2,000 after riding for seven hours and 40 minutes from Alexandra Palace to Crystal
A SMARTPHONE app is the latest idea by health chiefs to get residents to choose the right NHS service and ease pressure on accident and emergency. Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group has launched a free app for Apple and Android devices to
OXFORD is getting ready to go green as part of the city’s first low carbon week. Over the course of the week, people will be able to visit environmentally friendly homes, learn how to make their lives greener and buy sustainable food. There
