A BARTON policewoman has been named Oxfordshire’s neighbourhood officer of the year. Pc Dawn Evans, who joined the force in 2000 and has worked in the area for about 12 months, said she had not even realised she had been nominated. The 38-year-old
CHILDREN eating healthily in Rose Hill have been rewarded with certificates by Oxford’s Lord Mayor. On Thursday the Rose Hill Junior Youth Club cooked and served a multicultural tea to Mohammed Abbasi, their parents and governors from Rose Hill
MARKET traders have said a public “piazza” in the proposed £20m Jericho Boatyard redevelopment scheme could revitalise their businesses. It comes as Jericho’s Grade-I listed church could undergo alterations to become “the focal point” of the new
BEN Blakeley described himself as a “criminal” in his police interview and told officers he didn’t care if they found the missing Jayden Parkinson. This afternoon a jury in Oxford Crown Court was played videos of two interviews conducted with the
OLD Marston’s new parish council is finally in place in after the death of a long-standing councillor delayed the election. Voters headed to the polling station in Mortimer Hall on Thursday to elect 12 councillors for the parish. The election
CROWDS were treated to a playlist of classic rock at the first Wychwood Music Festival. The event on Saturday was held at The New Beaconsfield Hall in Shipton-under-Wychwood. Any profits raised from the event will be donated to the charity
NETWORK RAIL is considering introducing a one-way system to mitigate the impact of closing the Challow Station roadbridge for four months. At a public consultation in Faringdon’s Corn Exchange, Network Rail and Oxfordshire County Council staff
A DAREDEVIL leap from the top of a six-storey hotel by a man from Didcot is being shared across Facebook. Post by Hayden Wells. Advisory: Be aware there is a swear word that can be heard and the Oxford Mail does not endorse activity of this kind
TRAFFIC is backing up on the ring road after a two-car collision. Police were called to the A40, close to the Headington roundabout, at about 4.50pm. A collision took place, on the eastbound carriageway, between a Hyundai and a Mercedes.
THE John Radcliffe Hospital has been rated one of the worst hospitals in England for cleanliness and that has to be a cause for concern. However, again, we have the Oxford University Hospitals Trust disputing the findings of a Government body.
Idonea Muggeridge the deputy head of enquiries and marketing at the Undergraduate Admissions and Outreach office at the University of Oxford describes her job TOMORROW and on Thursday, the city of Oxford will be bursting at the seams. Trains will
Around 11,000 people work in our hospitals in Oxfordshire – from doctors, nurses and other frontline staff to voluntary helpers and people in behind-the-scenes roles who make a huge difference to patients and their families. And now it’s time to
IT is heartening to see the Kingfisher Unit – a joint operation between Oxfordshire County Council, the police and the health service – draw praise for the way it tackles child sexual exploitation. Ofsted has also given the council’s children’s
THE man who killed Jayden Parkinson told prison staff "I'm a celebrity now" and wanted to watch himself on TV, a jury heard. This morning evidence was given by staff who work at HMP Bullingdon about what Ben Blakeley said after he was arrested
I’D LIKE to remind everyone in the local area to donate any unwanted household items to British Heart Foundation (BHF) Furniture and Electrical stores. They are treasure chests full of individual bargains – from sofas, beds and dining tables to
AFTER reading letters from several of your esteemed correspondents who invariably moan about the community they live in or the shortcomings of their upbringing, I felt I should say how lucky and privileged I feel. You see, I was born 65 years ago
HOW desperately sad to see the report in Saturday’s Oxford Mail headlined Children and troops soldier on to help Armed Forces Day. This was children playing soldiers at school, taking home the message that a soldier’s life in Afghanistan is “cool
I HAVE to ask why it is so hard for the officers responsible for traffic and refuse collection to talk and sort out the problems of commuting in the city ? Almost every morning, between 8 and 9, there are hold-ups on narrow roads because bins are
REGARDING your report of the war exhibition at Wallingford (June 24) and Christina Eke’s experience of taking shelter during bomb raids under the stairs. Living in Witney we were lucky only two bombs were dropped – in the Church Green area.
WHILE we should applaud the upgrade of the rail line from Oxford to Bicester and on to Marylebone, Oxfordshire County Council will not spend the money on a sensible bridge to replace the London Road, Bicester, crossing, but just hope that it will not
I read in your columns (June 26) that there is a Diocesan commissioned report which says that foodbanks could inadvertently “collude with institutional injustice”, the implication being that the policies of the present Government are to a large degree
Want to give your opinion? Email letters@oxfordmail.co.uk
PRIME Minister David Cameron has this morning repeated his condolences over the death of schoolgril Liberty Baker yesterday as more flowers and tributes were left at the crash site. Liberty, 14, died after she and three others were hit when a car
WHILE not known for taxing the intellect, this year’s Miss England finals saw old foes Oxford and Cambridge clash in a battle of brains as well as beauty. Miss Oxfordshire Amelia Watt competed in this year’s competition alongside 60 girls from
Roadworks taking place within the John Radcliffe Hospital car park are affecting a number of Stagecoach bus services. Route 10 is being diverted via Headley Way and is currently unable to travel to the Osler Road stops. Services 700, 800 and
There is a lot of evidence that organisations have not been listening to their staff when things are going wrong. You will all be familiar with the many instances of whistleblowers who have in the media recently. Healthwatch Oxfordshire is seeking
THE teenager who saved the Leafield village fete paid his respects to heroes of Britain’s past at Sunday’s event. Jake Acock, 16, won praise from Prime Minister David Cameron for reviving the village’s fete last year after it fell by the wayside
TACKLING drug dealing and shoplifting will be the main priorities of the new neighbourhood police inspector for Cowley and Oxford South East. Insp Gavin Biggs, who has recently taken over as the head of the police patch, said drugs and antisocial
A FORENSIC pathologist said Jayden Parkinson’s death was caused by “pressure to the neck”. Dr Alexander Kolar was responding to suggestions the teenager could have died in “just a few seconds” as he was giving evidence at Oxford Crown Court yesterday
A woman was left with bruising after being attacked by a man in Abingdon. The assault happened as the 32-year-old woman was approached by a man while walking from a Tesco store, in Marcham Road on Thursday, June 19 at 12.15am. The victim was
6:19pm Watch: Didcot man videoed jumping off six-storey hotel into pool 5:54pm There are delays on the A40 after a two-vehicle collision at Headington
It’s not often I come back from a cycling holiday abroad and feel relieved to be back on Oxford’s cycle ways but it is a common occurrence when I come back from cycling elsewhere in England. A big bugbear is always the lack of common decency and
A GROUP of community artists has been awarded £8,000 to work with a school in preparation for Cowley Road Carnival. TOCTOK has been holding sessions with the “7 Stars” support unit at Cherwell School, which helps some of the Year 7 pupils with
GARY Waddock’s search for new players continues, but as Oxford United returned for pre-season training yesterday, the head coach admitted no signings were imminent. The squad underwent a variety of tests at the training ground to assess their fitness
THE A40 was closed yesterday after a crash involving four vehicles. Thames Valley Police were called to the westbound carriageway of the road near Wolvercote roundabout at around 10.30am. A white DAF Truck, Ford Transit, Ford Focus car and
Ashmolean Museum director Professor Christopher Brown will be given the Freedom of Oxford tomorrow. Lord Mayor of Oxford Mohammed Abassi will present him with the ceremonial scroll at a ceremony in the town hall in St Aldate’s. Our top
Two witnesses were recalled yesterday in the murder trial of Fiaz Munshi at Oxford Crown Court. The 38-year-old denies murdering Anum Khan, eight, and her brother Majid, 15, in an arson attack in Magdalen Road, East Oxford, on August 26, 1997.
A hairdresser yesterday denied selling counterfeit hairdryers and hair straighteners, including one appliance which burst into flames. Witney-based hair products company Perfect Strand director Maddison Tiffany Hawk, 26, pleaded not guilty to six
THE schoolgirl killed in a crash on her way to school yesterday was named locally as 14-year-old Liberty Baker. Three other people were taken to hospital after the crash, in Curbridge Road, Witney, which happened at 8am when a Citroen car mounted
THE former headquarters of Oxfam in Summertown could be turned into homes. Helix Property Advisors has applied for planning permission to turn Barclay House in Banbury Road from offices into 16 flats. The first and second floors of the building
TWO Oxfordshire golfers will be hoping promising finishes on home soil last week will provide the platform to claim a coveted place at The Open Championship today. Adam Wootton and Tom Fleming are among hundreds of hopefuls chasing one of 12 spots
NICK Ferraby entered the history books with a sparkling maiden first-class century which rescued Oxford after a sticky start on the first day of the University Match against Cambridge in The Parks yesterday. The Aston Rowant batsman scored 107
JUSTIN Burnell praised new assistant coach Matthew Ferguson’s scrum knowledge as London Welsh announced his addition to their backroom team. Former Bristol, Cardiff and England Women’s coach Ferguson was unveiled yesterday as the Exiles began pre-season
The new Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) serving Oxfordshire will begin their term in office today. Voters elected the 10 South East MEPs – including four UKIP representatives – in May. The Conservative MEPs are Nirj Deva, Daniel Hannan
KINGSTONE PRESS CHAMPIONSHIP ONE OXFORD RL’S losing streak stret-ched to six matches with a 38-22 home defeat by Oldham Roughyeds, but they still climbed a place in the table. There was plenty for head coach Tony Benson to be pleased with against
Three bikes were stolen from an unlocked shed in Oxford. The bicycles were taken from the outbuilding in Frenchay Road between last Wednesday and yesterday. If you have information call 101 and ask to speak to Oxford CID. Our top stories
The county is the top area in the country for community activism, a report shows. The report by Co-operatives UK has analysed how many ‘local run’ enterprises – such as where people buy and run community businesses – there are in the country.
THE team set up to tackle child sexual exploitation in Oxfordshire following the Operation Bullfinch trial has been praised by Government inspectors. The Kingfisher Unit, a joint operation between Oxfordshire County Council, Thames Valley Police
CHILDREN’S book favourite Angelina Ballerina and her mousey friends have pirouetted on to the stage. The group are performing their new show, Angelina Ballerina The Mousical, at the New Theatre Oxford in George Street. The show takes place
STRUGGLING groups across Blackbird Leys have received a lifeline of more than £22,000 from Blackbird Leys Parish Council, but councillors have warned this level of funding cannot continue. The groups were facing cutting services without the grants
JUST one point separated the top three teams as a field of 100 players turned out in the Phil Garner Memorial Trophy, organised by Five Star Events. The title at Burford was awarded on countback to the Macattack team of Francis McKenna, Martin
Four people from Oxfordshire have been recognised in Thames Valley Police’s community policing awards. The force yesterday announced Pc Dawn Evans, a member of the policing team for Barton and Risinghurst, won the Oxfordshire category for Community
Thomas Young bagged a remarkable six wickets for only one run as Westbury took over at the top of the table, with a four-wicket home win against Chadlington. Young’s heroics in only 3.2 overs, saw the visitors rolled over for 120. Thomas Wilson
Oxford Futsal Club are celebrating after wining the Under 19 National Futsal Championship in Birmingham on Sunday. The side made up of local lads and City of Oxford College students were unbeaten from the regional qualifiers right through the competition
YOUNG performers are set to stage a sell-out production of a New York-based gangster musical this week. Pupils from St Edward’s School, in Woodstock Road, will take centre stage during their performances of Bugsy Malone at the North Walls Art Centre
SHAW GIBBS OXFORDSHIRE FOURSOMES LEAGUE Section 2 Tadmarton Heath 1½ (2pts), Cotswolds Club 1½ (2) (Tadmarton Heath scores first): A Laird & L Washbourne halved with S Kench & A White, S Hallam & J Smith lost to C Dyer & P Scholfield
The number of council homes Oxford City Council will be able to insulate has fallen by more than half after an energy company pulled out of a deal. British Gas was going to contribute £650,000 towards to insulation of about 120 council homes in
The £100m redevelopment plans for the West Way Shopping Centre in Botley have been given a positive assessment by an influential group of architects. The South East Regional Design Panel, which is made up of 26 industry experts in planning and
Domestic abuse victims will be given greater protection under a new scheme similar to an ASBO. Thames Valley Police will have the power to prevent an alleged abusive partner visiting certain locations or people immediately after an alleged incident
CAMREN Haines cannot stand due to cerebral palsy, and has to use his arms to pull himself along the playroom carpet. But now, after doctors told his family that he would always need a wheelchair, there is a chance that Camren could walk. The
CONFERENCE LEAGUE SOUTH TWO tries from Jonny Morris proved in vain as Oxford Cavaliers lost 44-28 at Valley Cougars. Kristian Ancil, Andy Winfield and Wes Newton also went over for Cavaliers, while Winfield kicked four conversions. Dafydd
MORE than 80 per cent of Oxford Mail online readers think the Didcot Power Station cooling towers should be demolished when everyone can see it, according to our poll. The vote, on the Mail’s website, asked if the towers should be demolished at
TRANSPORT minister Baroness Kramer visited Oxford yesterday to see some of the city’s sustainable transport initiatives. She was taken on a tour of the city on an electric hybrid bus to see Oxford’s first eCar club in Summertown and Oxfordshire
HOSPITAL boss Sir Jonathan Michael has hit back at a Government claim that Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital is among England’s worst for cleanliness. Sir Jonathan spoke out after it was put “among the worst” for infection control and cleanliness
TICKETS for the Cotswold Line Promotion Group’s excursion train to destinations in Devon in September are now on general sale. Most tickets have been snapped up by members of the group, which represents passengers on the rail route between Oxford
Artistic youngsters were creating colourful tales to liven up their school library this week. Pupils at Church Cowley St James School worked with Oxford artist Neill Cameron to create a large-scale comic-book mural. Ten panels will cover the
OXFORD City Council has said it is not planning to sell off any of its parks. It comes after a report put together by the Heritage Lottery Fund raised concern about the uncertain future facing public parks across the UK because of government cuts
A CENTRE in Abingdon for children with hearing impairments is set to be closed because of changes in technology. The resource base at Rush Common School hosted the primary resource base for children with hearing impairment for the south area of
VIBRATIONS and noise from a nearby railway line will disturb school lessons, parents fear. Wolvercote Primary School hopes to build new classrooms, but they could end up near to a train line that is being upgraded. Chiltern Railways and Network
DUNLOP MSA BRITISH TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP OXFORD’S Jason Plato lost ground in the title race after an eventful round five at Croft included him being penalised ten places for a crash. Plato finished third in race one after qualifying in second
TENNIS fever gripped new players who had been inspired by watching Wimbledon. North Oxford Lawn Tennis Club in Banbury Road opened its courts for young and old at an event which attracted nearly 200 people on Sunday. Head coach Christopher
PEOPLE are being urged to line the streets of Bicester to bid farewell to a regiment that has been part of the town for more than 70 years. On Sunday, July 27, 150 troops from 23 Pioneer Regiment, which is being disbanded, will make their way through
