A COWLEY employment coach is hoping hundreds of residents will join him to unite against Government cuts on Saturday. Shane Touhey, of Hertford Street, has organised a protest event to offer support to those affected by benefit cuts within the
BLACKBIRD Leys Adventure Playground (BLAP) needs volunteers to help boost the skills of children on the estate. The playground runs after-school clubs every weekday during school terms and looks after more than 20 children at a time. Volunteers
THE new landlord and lady at Sandford-on-Thames’ Catherine Wheel say they want ito make it a community hub. Billy and Emma Fox, who took over running the Henley Road pub on March 27, have already started hosting the Saturday market and say it is
A PILOT charity shop in Botley Road has raised more than £132,000 for research into cancer. Cancer Research UK opened a £1 shop on the site of the former Halfords store last August on a temporary basis. It closed its doors on Saturday as retailer
JAYDEN PARKINSON'S key worker this afternoon told a jury at Oxford Crown Court the teenager became isolated because what she saw as murder accused Ben Blakeley's 'crontrolling' behaviour. Hannah Ryan was the first witness to give evdience at the
CARRIED in an ancient chair strapped to scaffold poles through a busy road in Abingdon, residents stopped to salute the new Mayor of Ock Street. Harry Knight, 63, celebrated his victory over Roger Cox, 65, in a hotly-contested battle between the
CHILDREN dressed up as their favourite film and book characters for the Wallingford Carnival. Primary schools and youth groups took part in a float procession with a heroes and heroines theme to launch Saturday’s event in the Market Place.
AN Oxford United footballer presented certificates to children with special needs at a charity’s Olympic sports day. Midfielder Callum O’Dowda gave awards to about 50 youngsters at KEEN Oxford’s annual sports day at New College Sports Ground, in
MORE than 30 teams battled to reach the finals of a World Cup-themed charity tournament, raising more than £2,000 for Oxfordshire Blind Association. Oxford Ambition Project (OxAmP) staged the six-aside football event on Sunday at St Gregory the
OXFORDSHIRE has changed substantially since the mid-1950s. But one thing that hasn’t changed at all is the expanse of countryside that surrounds Oxford. Work on drawing up the Oxford Green Belt started in 1955 and since then, for good or ill, this
Want to give your opinion? Email letters@oxfordmail.co.uk
THE man who killed Jayden Parkinson after she told him she was pregnant has a history of abusive and violent relationships, a jury has heard. Ben Blakeley, who denies murdering the 17-year-old but has admitted manslaughter, was accused of punching
ONE lane of the M40 is currently blocked after a car came off the carriageway. Police officers were called to the southbound carriageway, between junctions 10 at Banbury and 11 for Brackley/Cherwell Valley Services. They were called at around
A MAN in his 70s has been found dead in a Botley Road hotel. Police were called to the River Hotel at 12.30pm after fear for a man’s welfare was reported. Ambulances were also called but a spokeswoman said no one had been transported to hospital
FOR most nine-year-olds, all they have to worry about is homework. But for Georgia Knowlden, there is something else that plays on her mind. Her mum, Lara, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer two years ago after it spread to her lymph nodes.
Former Oxford United defender Damian Batt has returned to football after signing for fellow Sky Bet League Two side Dagenham & Redbridge. The 29-year-old has signed a two-year deal with the Londoners, who visit the Kassam Stadium on Saturday
LONDON Welsh today announced the signing of Harlequins centre Tim Molenaar - their 17th capture of the summer. The 33-year-old made 19 appearances for Quins last season, including starting the club’s Aviva Premiership semi-final with Saracens.
ACROSS the country Network Rail are being urged to remove level crossings on safety grounds. As local councillors, we have worked with Network Rail to ensure that the level crossing used to reach the Trap Grounds allotments is replaced with as
IN your paper (June 20), you quote Simon Hillcox of Doric saying they are confident that the Vale has followed all the correct procedures, and that there has been no conflict of interest over the proposed demolition of Botley’s shopping centre.
WHAT trite and triumphalist tosh from John Tanner (June 12) crowing about the number of Labour councillors at the Town Hall. What he doesn’t mention is that under our discredited voting system, Labour has 70 per cent of the seats on just 40 per
I WAS very pleased to see the figures relating to the CO2 emissions from Temple Cowley Pool (TCP). These facts, taken from the council’s own figures, highlight the constant problem where councillors having taken the decision in 2011 cannot step back
THIS will be my 60th season of watching OUFC. On June 2, I went along and bought my season ticket. On Friday, Mr Waddock’s comments in the paper filled me with dismay. Other people are snapping up the best available players and Mr Waddock is prepared
YOUR article regarding the additional money that the council makes because its parking machines will not give change (June 21) simply highlights the fact that both the county and city councils see the private motorist as a cash cow, while at the same
I WOULD like to remind the parishioners of Old Marston that the postponed Parish Council election is now to be held Thursday, June 26, at Mortimer Hall, Old Marston. This had to be re-arranged because, sadly, one of the candidates, Roy Jones, a
OXFORD Labour Councillor Scott Seamons is completely wrong when he states in his letter (June 18) that the Cherwell Planning inspector, when he adjourned the Cherwell Core Strategy/Local Plan Inquiry, advocated a reconsideration of Oxfordshire’s Green
COMMUNITY groups in West Oxfordshire have been given almost £170,000 in grants to invest in facilities. West Oxfordshire District Council has awarded the money to projects including a new Witney splash park, a village hall and a community centre
HUNDREDS of people visited open gardens in Headington to raise money for good causes. About 300 visitors toured 12 gardens which opened for the Friends of Old Headington’s annual Open Gardens on Sunday. There were also stalls selling plants
IMAGINE if the Government announced it would pay people to commute by bike – as Lennon famously sang, referring of course to world peace not to cycling, “it’s easy if you try”. Now imagine the expletive-ridden uproar from the bike-hating brigade
This summer I graduate from Oxford Brookes University for the third time – and with a PhD no less. When I started my undergraduate degree seven years ago I never dreamed I would have the ability, let alone the opportunity, to pursue my love of
A POLICE chief has criticised the “unacceptable” behaviour of officers for parking on double yellow lines to buy ice creams. A female officer was spotted by an Oxford Mail photographer carrying two ice creams back to a police van parked in Oxford
LOOMING on the horizon, the cooling towers of Didcot Power Station are more than just iconic landmarks dominating the skyline. They are a symbol of the thousands of local people who have worked there in the station’s 42-year history. Even for
Ryan Clarke believes Oxford United will be in safe hands while he recovers from a foot operation as Max Crocombe prepares for a run in the side. The surgery means the 32-year-old goalkeeper will be on the sidelines when the squad regroup for the
THE owner of a South Oxfordshire hazardous chemicals recycling depot that was the scene of a massive blaze at the weekend has apologised to residents. Grundon Waste Management Ltd said a “relatively small fire” caused plumes of thick black smoke
PREGNANT Jayden Parkinson’s killer boasted that he would dump a body in a family grave when he was just 13 years old. Ben Blakeley, who admits killing his 17-year-old girlfriend, made the macabre claim to a staff member when he was at a children
WE'VE all been feeling the heat this weekend, with temperatures soaring to the mid-20s. But it is doubtful that any of us parked on double yellow lines as we sought out something to cool us down. Seeing a policewoman park up in a van to buy
Detailed plans for the Jericho Boatyard redevelopment have now been made public. Strategic Iconic Assets Heritage Acquisition Fund (SIAHAF) lodged its planning application on May 13, but officers at Oxford City Council delayed validating it to
A woman who has admitted kicking someone in the head missed being sentenced yesterday as she was in intensive care. Joanne Moriarty, of Hart Street, Oxford, was due to be sentenced for the March 2012 assault at Oxford Crown Court on Friday but
Five charities in Oxfordshire have been given more than £145,000 in funding to help develop services for victims of crime. They are: Oxford Sexual Abuse and Rape Crisis Centre, Refugee Resource, Reducing the Risk, Circles South East in Didcot and
THE company behind the demolition of Didcot Power Station has refused to give an exact time for the explosion, for ‘safety reasons’. NPower announced yesterday that the iconic towers will be blown up at dawn on Sunday, July 27. But the firm
ONE lane of the A40 is closed at the Headington Roundabout after a collision involving three vehicles. Lane three of the westbound carriageway is closed just after the roundabout at London Road. Traffic updates will be posted automatically
AN unusual approach which put members in charge is beginning to revive the reputation at one Oxfordshire golf club. Hinksey Heights may possess some stunning views across Oxford, but not long ago it faced significant problems after a chequered
A MOTORCYCLIST has been taken to hospital in a serious condition after a collision with two cars on the A40 in Witney Road, Eynsham. Police and the ambulance service were called to the scene just after 8am this morning. A spokeswoman for
Charlie Wells sprang a 16-1 surprise at Chepstow yesterday for Eve Johnson Houghton’s Blewbury stables, near Didcot, with John Fahy on board. Meanwhile, Chipping Norton trainer Charlie Longsdon sent out Investissement (Evens fav) to land a Lingfield
London Welsh head coach Justin Burnell said hooker Koree Britton will add “serious competition” to the squad after announcing his signing yesterday. The 22-year-old ended last season at Aviva Premiership champions Northampton, having also made
A group of eight players reported for duty at Oxford United yesterday to begin their next step towards becoming professionals. The scholars will be part of the youth team for two years and will attempt to emulate the likes of Josh Ashby and James
OXFORDSHIRE businesses have said they are set to lose out as England prepares to play its last game in the World Cup today. The England team will take on Costa Rica in a game which for them will be meaningless after they were knocked out for failing
Oxfordshire crashed to their second heavy Unicorns Counties Championship defeat when they lost by nine wickets to Devon in just two days at Banbury yesterday. This followed Oxon’s ten-wicket loss against Wiltshire, which only just went into the
A DEVELOPER’S controversial bid to turn three empty shops on the corner of Little Clarendon Street and Walton Street into a restaurant will be decided by city planners tonight. Shirehall Properties Ltd wants to change the use of the ground-floor
A 32-year-old woman will stand trial later this year charged with threatening a person with a Samurai sword. Sarah Goffin, of Oakwood Way, Cumnor, was arrested and charged in January but denied the charge at a plea hearing at Oxford Crown Court
Plans for the future of transport in Banbury were discussed at a meeting last night. A new bus station is just one of the ideas being considered by Oxfordshire County Council. The meeting was held at Banbury Town Hall as part of Connecting
This is the man police want to talk to in connection with a fight on a bus. A man is alleged to have punched a woman in the head on a bus from Grove to Oxford and a member of the public, a 24-year-old man, intervened at 8.15pm on Sunday, June 1
KINGSTONE PRESS CHAMPIONSHIP ONE OXFORD RL suffered their fifth successive defeat with a 36-20 reverse at University of Gloucestershire All Golds. Jack Briggs demonstrated his increasing influence in the Oxford side with two tries, but All
A TOP prize of £10,000 is up for grabs this week as Frilford Heath hosts the Buildbase Open for the third successive year. A bumper 168-strong field will tee up tomorrow for the start of the three-day event on the HotelPlanner.com PGA EuroPro Tour
4:29pm Unexplained death at hotel in West Oxford. 1:54pm Jayden Parkinson trial update: Murder accused Ben Blakeley had a history of being violent, the
FIVE-YEAR-OLD Maria-Francesca Benedetto rings the old school bell to mark 150 years of Headington Quarry School. Former pupils from across generations headed to the Quarry School Place site to join children at the anniversary celebrations on Saturday
MORE than £1,800 was raised for charity at Hinksey Heights Captains’ Day. It took the total from Jim McCarthy and Barbara Wynn’s year in charge to beyond £4,000 for the Witney-based Young Dementia UK. The three-ball team event was won by Pete
A BID to sell a city outdoor centre will be put on hold for six months after campaigners won it extra council protection. Headington’s Stansfeld Outdoor Education Centre – which is set to close next month – has been registered as a community asset
CHILD sex exploitation police have raided five addresses in Banbury this morning and arrested six men. About 45 officers took part in the 6am raids and the men – aged between 18 and 21 – are currently all in custody after being arrested on suspicion
A special school has been given the go-ahead to build a new block for older pupils. Frank Wise School applied to Oxfordshire County Council to add the building to its site. It will be used by pupils from aged 16 and over, currently taught in temporary
A pet owner is hoping to find his missing three-legged cat. Dave, four, who is nearly blind, went missing on Friday night after he climbed out of owner Matt Copley’s bedroom window in Campbell Road. Mr Copley, 38, said: “Because he is nearly blind
An investigation has been launched after a parachutist from a display team based at RAF Brize Norton injured an elderly spectator at an air show in Weston Supermare in Somerset on Sunday. The 82-year-old woman was taken to hospital in Bristol with
SHAW GIBBS OXFORDSHIRE FOURSOMES LEAGUE Section 2 North Oxford 2½ (3½pts), Witney Lakes ½ (½) (North Oxford scores first): R Nicholson & J East halved with S Putt & N Clayton, S Smith & P Major bt M Craddock & L Almond 6 &
AN OXFORD community group has been given notice to leave its centre after the city council raised “serious concerns” about its management. In an unprecedented move, Oxford City Council last night gave the East Oxford Community Association four
OXFORDSHIRE paid tribute to Britain’s armed forces at a special flag-raising ceremony yesterday. The ceremony took place at Oxford Castle to mark the week leading up to the annual national Armed Forces Day on Saturday. It brought together
GEORGINA Polden bagged two second places in round five of the Aprilia Superteen Challenge at Oulton Park. The 17-year-old Kidlington motorcyclist finish behind Rory Skinner in each race, but with double points on offer, she went second in the standings
SIX figures from across the worlds of music, science and art are to be awarded honorary degrees by the University of Oxford tomorrow. Among them will be sculptor Sir Anish Kapoor, pictured, who helped design the iconic Orbit sculpture for the London
A CLAIM to ownership of a North Oxford home worth more than £1m has been thrown out by a judge who ruled the deed was fraudulent. Abbey Folami said he bought the seven-bedroom house in 2007 and was trying to evict the tenants. Abbey Folami
A NEW computer programme developed by Oxford University could help diagnose rare genetic disorders in children. University researchers have created the programme which recognises facial features in photographs and looks for similarities with facial
A MURDER trial witness has denied he is medically delusional after testifying that a woman helped kill two children in a house fire. Fiaz Munshi, 38, denies murdering Majid Khan, 15, and his eight-year-old sister Anum in the blaze in Magdalen Road
GRANT funding from Cherwell District Council to renovate dilapidated war memorials has been described as “brilliant” by the Royal British Legion. John Wells, branch secretary of the Legion branch in Bodicote, Banbury, praised Cherwell District
GREENE KING ODDA GOODLAKE Arms B, from Section 1, shocked their top-flight A side with a 6-3 win. Victories from Scott Mercer-Rolls (180), Mark Breakspear (180) and Martin Fowler gave Goodlake B a 3-0 lead. Kevin Wilkins (180) beat Scott
THE mother of a man who drowned in a lake has branded vandals who damaged life-saving equipment there as “disrespectful”. June Bartlett – whose son James, 37, drowned last August – said the damage to two buoyancy aids on Witney Lake was “mindless
EVERYTHING was rosy at the Earth Trust at the weekend. The traditional ceremony, which allows free public access to the Little Wittenham Nature Reserve was held on Saturday. Following an agreement reached in 1970, Oxfordshire County Council
WHEN the Second World War started, Christina Eke and her family hid in the cupboard under the stairs during air raids. She has now recreated that cupboard for an exhibition at Wallingford Museum, entitled Siege and Strife: Wallingford and War.
FATHER and son celebrated together after their company was voted the Oxfordshire Business of the Year. Alec Hammond, chairman of Oxford Products, looked on proudly as son Andrew was also awarded the title Oxfordshire Business Person of the Year
