If photography’s about being in the right place at the right time, then Lucy Smith-Wildey has cracked it here. The moment of truth as Derek Sherwood plummets to earth for his 90th birthday treat. What a splendid moment indeed. 1/500th of a second to
DELVING into the intriguing world of family history is a way of linking the past to the present, according to Wendy Archer. Caroline Walker, of the Oxfordshire Family History Society, offers help and advice so people can trace their roots
If Wimbledon were to follow the early form of the 2014 World Cup then World No 1 Rafa Nadal would be out in the first round as would the likes of Roger Federer and our own Andy Murray. The FIFA World rankings have been made to look a joke and count
A police helicopter over Bicester was used to help trace three men after a reported burglary. The aircraft was spotted over the town at about 3pm today. The helicopter was assisting police after reports of a burglary, and identified three suspects
VOLUNTEERS at a mental health charity got back to basics at a summer event. Restore, on Manzil Way, launched its therapeutic garden during summer festivities at Littlemore Health Centre on Wednesday. Volunteers and staff of the charity’s Littlemore-based
PLANS to introduce a tram line at the former Grove rail station sparked debate between Wantage and Grove residents. More than 100 people turned out to voice their thoughts on Oxfordshire County Council plans to reopen Grove Station as a Light Railway
OXJAM, the charity music festival, will return to Didcot for a second year with a launch next Saturday. When Deano Pavely organised his first Oxjam festival last year, he just wanted to give local bands a fun gig in the town. But since learning
YOUNG scientists from across Oxfordshire united at this year’s Big Science Event. Hosted by charity Science Oxford, children took part in the fifth annual competition to be in with the chance of winning £1,500 worth of science-themed playground
VOLUNTEERS are needed to go undercover and quiz police staff about missing pets and directions. Thames Valley Police is calling for hundreds of “mystery shoppers” to test its service. Anyone who signs up to the scheme will be given a task –
Roadworks are causing severe delays on Abingdon Road and across the city. There is heavy traffic on A423 Southern Bypass between A34 (Hinksey Hill Interchange) and A4144 Abingdon Road (Kennington Roundabout) due to improvement works on the Kennington
The parties at the centre of the potential Oxford United takeover were all remaining tight-lipped yesterday and said they had nothing to say . . . yet. U’s owner and chairman Ian Lenagan again failed to break his silence when contacted, although
ALL available land within Oxford will be developed by the end of 2020, the leader of the city council has warned. Bob Price was speaking as council officers try to meet a new housing target of 28,000, which has come out of a recently released report
WHILE the Queen traditionally sends a birthday card to those turning 100, perhaps she should take a leaf out of Dorothy Pearce’s book and poke her on Facebook instead. She is proof that age is no barrier to the technological world. Dorothy
CIRCUS-goers have often marvelled at contortionists, bending their bodies in barely believable ways to fit into tiny spaces. It is a trick city planners are increasingly likely to have to try and replicate with their housing plans as Oxford fills
A BANBURY man has denied two counts of aggravated burglary during an appearance at Oxford Crown Court. Nolan Haworth, of Ribston Close, Banbury, denied carrying out the offences in Shores Green, Witney, on March 28 this year, and Mold Crescent,
A STOLEN car was used by two thieves believed to have burgled a Banbury shop and taken cigarettes. The green Ford Fiesta was taken from a house in Goulds Villas in Banbury and later seen in Brackley before the raid at the town’s Co-op. It was later
WHEN 13-year-old Fletcher disappeared, his owners spent hours searching fields near Kidlington. But the border collie was fighting for his life after falling into the Oxford Canal and getting stuck among brambles. Firefighters were called to
WANTAGE residents can have their say today on how they think the town should develop. Wantage Town Council has decided to create a Neighbourhood Plan which would help chart the future of the town. People can give their input to the plan at
WITH a determined face and bright green hair, this youngster was certainly taking yesterday’s Camo Day seriously. Five-year-old Ayaan Vivien was one of hundreds of children across the county who spent the day dressed in their military best to raise
A community group which is being kicked out of its centre has said it is seeking “independent advice”. On Monday East Oxford Community Association was given four weeks to leave the community centre in Cowley Road by Oxford City Council. Council
COUNCIL services in Oxfordshire look set to be largely unaffected by a planned strike next month. Members of Unison and the GMB across the UK have agreed to go on strike on Thursday, July 10, in protest at a public sector pay offer of about one
A research team, including Oxford University scientists, have discovered three supermassive black holes. The holes, in a galaxy more than four billion light years away, could help astronomers in the search for the “ripples in spacetime” – gravitational
Vandals smashed up two bus shelters in the city’s Woodstock Road. North Oxford city councillor James Fry spotted the damage yesterday morning and reported it to Oxford City Council. The bus stops hit were near Rawlinson Road and Canterbury
HE is one of Britain’s biggest rap stars, a chart-topping giant of urban music whose hard-hitting lyrics have won him fans around the world. Now Tinchy Stryder is preparing to knock his fans for six, by headlining a fundraising festival for a village
DIDCOT Power Station should be blown up at a time when everyone can watch, a council chief has told npower.
Oxfordshire's Bradley Smith battled through the wet to qualify in sixth for today’s race at Assen. The 23-year-old Monster Yamaha Tech 3 rider powered through the tricky conditions to produce a best time of 1.40.818. The lap was fractionally
London Welsh head Justin Burnell has tipped former England lock Dean Schofield to make a big impact at the club. Schofield, 35, was yesterday announced as Welsh’s 19th signing of the summer as they build towards their Aviva Premiership return.
IT isn’t Dorothy Pearce’s age that holds her back from using her iPad. It is a dodgy internet connection. Ms Pearce celebrates her 100th birthday today and such technological frustrations are a far cry from 1914, when telegrams and letters were
Max Bolcato won four of Abingdon Vale’s 13 gold medals in the two-day City of Milton Keynes June Meet. He triumphed in the 50m, 100m and 200m butterfly, and the 100m individual medley. Clubmate Luke Wilby and Daniel McNamara each pic-ked up
CHILDREN made the most of the sunshine this week by spending their playtime at the beach at Oxford Castle. Twins Avery and Cayden Nembhard, three, from Cowley, pictured, were just two of the youngsters enjoying the good weather on Thursday at Beach
Oxfordshire's Zoe Shipperley has been selected for England’s women’s team to compete in Glasgow next month. The 24-year-old defender, from Marsh Gibbon, near Bicester, is named in a squad of 16. Shipperley coaches at St Edward’s School, Oxford
Oxford Golf Centre professional Adam Wootton hit a final round two-under-par 70 as he shared 12th place at Frilford Heath yesterday. The hosting club’s Tom Fleming carded a one-under-par 71 in his final round. The event was won by James Robinson
Oxford City’s Hannah England eased into tonight’s 1500m final after winning her heat in a comfortable style at Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium last night. She crossed the line in 4mins 21.82 secs, ahead of British title rival Laura Muir (4.22.23
CHRISTIAN von Eitzen and Simi Fajemisin will bid to repeat last year’s gold medal-winning displays for Oxfordshire in the English Schools’ Track & Field Championships. The pair are named in a 25-strong Oxon team for the prestigious competition
COUNTY BOYS JAMES Coles is a batsman to watch after scoring three centuries in five days – as a ten-year-old. The youngster, who made his debut for Aston Rowant Under 10s when aged only five, hit the first two of his tons for Magdalen College
A YELLOW rain warning for Oxfordshire remains in force with forecasts of heavy rain and thunderstorms this afternoon. The Met Office put the warning in place on Thursday for the south east and its latest forecast says: "Following a lull in activity
MADE in Chelsea star Ollie Locke surprised Year 11 pupils at their school prom. The TV star, a former pupil, was invited to Sibford School by pupil Alice Abrey who helped to organise the event on Thursday. Alice said: “I emailed his agent to
A MAN appeared at Oxford Crown Court and pleaded not guilty to seven counts of rape. Christopher Goode, 28, of Paradise Street, Oxford, also denied nine counts of indecent assault, four counts of sexual assault, one count of indecency with a child
A HOSPITAL boss is to appear before a watchdog committee about cancer waiting times concerns. Andrew Stevens, director of planning and information at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust, will address the Oxfordshire joint health overview and
THIS little soldier got lessons from real military personnel who dropped by to help with classes. Children from Millbrook Primary, Grove, took part in Army-themed activities ahead of today’s Armed Forces’ Day. Obstacle courses and talks on
WORK on the major redevelopment of Oxpens could start in 2016, the leader of Oxford City Council has said. Bob Price said the local authority was negotiating with the six other bodies which own parts of the 20-acre site. Most of it is owned by
Wallingford School won the Oxfordshire Girls’ Under 14 Schools’ Cup with a 3-1 win over Lord Williams’s School, Thame, in the final at Oxford City’s 3G pitch. Emily Strange scored twice, while Wallingford’s other goal came from Ellie Seares.
The Oxford School of Gymnastics enjoyed success at the NDP National Acrobatic Finals, with every member of the team returning home with a medal. The girls, who compete in the exciting discipline of acrobatic gymnastics, proved that they are among
Wantage's Terry Russell has promised to be in the best shape of his life when he steps out onto the big stage at London’s Alexandra Palace in the Queensbury League. The 21-year-old super middleweight will collide with London veteran Freddie Yemofio
DESPITE losing a fish, Geoff Waddle won the Abingdon and Oxford Anglers Alliance’s first carp match of the series over the weekend. Waddle triumphed with a 16lb 8oz mirror, but he also had a small common which escaped before weighing! Five
WOMEN'S MATCHES SHIPTON-UNDER-WYCHWOOD and Freeland remain neck and neck at the top of the Oxfordshire Midweek Women’s League after both recorded wins. Shipton overcame Banbury after posting 97-9 from their 20 overs, with Emily Day unbeaten
CLUB MATCHES OXFORD came up nine runs short against Pangbourne & Whitchurch in the Ron Maudsley Under 13 Trophy final at Bicester & North Oxford. Pangbourne reached 125-7 from their 20 overs, with Arjan Marthur (35no) and James McLennan
Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez has resigned from FIFA’s Technical Study Group in protest at the “excessive” four-month ban imposed on Luis Suarez. In a 15-minute statement read out at a press conference in the Maracana, Tabarez launched an attack
Oxfordshire's Eddie Pepperell easily made the cut for today’s final round after carding an eight-under par 64 in the second round in Koln, Germany yesterday. Pepperell, from Frilford Heath, was nine-under when he went off for lightning, only to
OXFORD West and Abingdon MP Nicola Blackwood accidentally responded to a 15-year-old girl’s letter eight months after the girl’s death made national headlines. Martha Fernback died on July 20 last year after taking half a gram of ecstasy in Hinksey
Long Crendon are to host the DAF Cup on Saturday, July 19. The invitational pre-season tournament is to feature six 11-a-side teams playing game of 20 minutes. Meanwhile, Long Crendon are seeking new players. Contact manager Gerald Reilly
The Town, represented by Oxford Archers, hit the bullseye to defeat the Gown in their annual match, which was incorporated into the County Championships. The Oxford club triumphed by 348 points over Oxford University in perfect conditions at their
SCHOOLS' MATCHES JACK Romanek starred as Burford reached the Oxfordshire Under 13 Cup semi-finals with an eight-wicket win at Wheatley Park. Romanek took 4-4 as Wheatley were dismissed for 59 before Lewis Martin (37no) led Burford to 60-2.
A MAN accused of a public order offence at a court hearing about Jayden Parkinson urged magistrates yesterday to begin his trial. Ryan McCann, 24, said he wanted the hearing, which has now been postponed to July 23, to take place so he could ‘better
A HOME for the disabled is still failing to keep its residents completely safe from harm, a report has found. An inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in January highlighted five areas of concern about Piggy Lane in Bicester. Southern
A POLICE officer who interviewed a key witness ahead of the murder trial of Fiaz Munshi has been accused of asking “improper” questions. Yesterday Detective Constable Christopher Mavers was cross-examined in Oxford Crown Court in connection with
PUB manager Andy Smith was taken aback when he looked out of his window and saw an aeroplane going down the A44. He was one of several people who wondered why the wingless Airbus A319 fuselage was going down the road on the back of a lorry on Thursday
BEN Blakeley’s cousin said she heard him throttling Jayden Parkinson when the couple stayed with her before the 17-year-old was killed. Blakeley, 22, admits manslaughter but denies murdering Jayden on December 3 last year. Yesterday a jury
RELATIVES upset by grass cuttings covering their loved ones’ graves have been told by a council boss it has “more important” priorities. Colleen Green complained to Hook Norton Parish Council over grass over headstones and tyre tracks in the lawn
Oxford United Women could give a debut to on-loan Liverpool defender Megan Alexander when the bottom-placed side travel to their fellow FA Women’s Super League 2 strugglers Durham tomorrow. The full back, who has signed a three-month deal from
HORSPATH Hammers were comfortable 97-83 winners at home to Exeter Aces in the South and South Wales League. Hammers took charge from the start with a 7-3 win from Lee Clarke and Mark Boaler. Heat three also saw the same advantage for the hosts
MANY families find it hard when a beloved pet goes missing. But when Tina and Stephen Denton’s dog ran away their problems began after she had been found. When Cooney managed to escape from her kennel, she was “held to ransom” by the Vale of
COUNTY GIRLS OXFORDSHIRE were edged out by two wickets against Warwickshire in ECB Women’s Under 13 County League Performance Group 2 at Shipton-under-Wychwood. Oxon were all out for 55 in 22 overs, but a spirited effort with the ball meant
DISTRICT HARRY Whitehead’s unbeaten 136 helped Vale Under 15s beat South by 75 runs in their rearranged Oxfordshire District Festival clash at Kingston Bagpuize. The King Alfred’s Academy, Wantage and Challow & Childrey player led Vale
Tony Fernandes has dropped a broad hint he is prepared to bail out of the Leafield-based Caterham team. It’s understood Fernandes has already sold the F1 arm of his operation, ending a difficult four-and-half-year journey. Although no details
