THESE students got to spin out some decorative bowls at an African Cultural Arts Day. Using a technique popular in South Africa, teenagers at Larkmead School, Abingdon, melted vinyl records in boiling water to make the bowls. They will now
ONE HUNDRED years ago when it was founded in Oxford, it became known as the citizens’ house. Now home to Oxford University’s Department of Social Policy and Intervention, Barnett House is celebrating its centenary tomorrow with a party. The
FROM the Orient Express to a boat on the Nile, Agatha Christie’s novels have seen murder most horrid across the globe. But the latest mystery will be in Chipping Norton as a theatre group turn the streets into an outdoor set while the audience
THE 17-year-old who helped Ben Blakeley hide the body of his ex-girlfriend Jayden Parkinson told a jury he doesn’t want to think about what he was involved in. Today the teenager was cross examined in Oxford Crown Court and asked in detail about
Railways in Oxfordshire will be disrupted by works next spring. Network Rail plans to close the main line between Didcot and Twyford over the long Easter Weekend, April 4, 5 and 6, for engineering work. This is expected to disrupt First Great Western
RESIDENTS living on Didcot’s Great Western Park estate want to create their own parish council. Residents’ association chairman John Boden, who is leading the plan, says he wants the estate to be “the jewel in Didcot’s crown”. The association
A PROJECT to mark the centenary of the start of the First World War has begun in memory of all men from Thame who fought and died in conflicts over the past 120 years. Organisers of the Thame Remembers project are hoping people in the town will
THREE traffic accidents involving a total of eight vehicles are causing delays across Oxfordshire this evening. A car and a motorbike have collided on Hollow Way, Oxford, at the Crescent Road turning. That road is now closed. One man in his
Sir – I’m writing with reference to the latest excuses from npower as to why the demolition of the Didcot A cooling towers must take place at the antisocial hour of 3am. It has been suggested that both the police and Network Rail “requested” that the
GUIDES using a centre with squirrels in the roof are desperate to raise the £300,000 needed for a new building but are only a third of the way there after eight years. More than 250 girls use the Guide Centre, in Green Road, Kidlington, but the
THE real selling point behind this particular model hits you smack between the eyes the second that you turn the key in the ignition. Bang in the middle of the dashboard is a large digital read-out of the distance remaining until you need to fill
Sir – We have petitioned Oxfordshire County Council regarding The Plain roundabout project. This is funded mostly with DfT’s ‘Cycle City Ambition Grant’. This £965,000 scheme is ‘a waste of money’. It will not be a key link in an “exemplary, complete
Sir – I presented the county council with a petition from people in Witney asking for a four-way A40 junction at Shores Green to be made a top priority to cut traffic problems. The ruling Conservatives seemed to be late converts to the idea. This
Sir – Last Sunday, I was part of a small team that organised a convoy of about 50 cars which were either built at Cowley or had a connection to Cowley. The convoy left from Mini Plant Oxford and finished at the BMC & Leyland Show at Gaydon.
Sir – Connecting Oxfordshire clearly poses the county council’s well-considered questions about its next local transport plan. And councillors Hudspeth and Nimmo Smith are brave and right to offer one answer: a congestion charge within the Oxford
Sir – Thank heaven for the police officers of the Thames Valley force. When they could have been covering themselves in glory apprehending burglars, muggers, rapists and other assorted criminals, they selflessly devoted their time to trapping motorists
Sir – I take my son to school each day on foot and see first hand how dangerous the roads are in Witney. I would like to propose a 20mph speed limit is enforced in all residential areas of Witney. Until that can become a reality, I call on
Sir – So Mr Hudspeth, leader of Oxfordshire County Council would back a move to see Oxford United leave the Kassam Stadium to go to a new site, possibly Water Eaton, a move that I would support. However history is not on the side of the club.*
Sir – Congratulations to the leader of Oxfordshire County Council for his bold vision of a single council for Oxfordshire with its savings in finance and the numbers of councillors. My ex-colleagues on the council will know that I have rarely expressed
Sir – The plan for West Oxfordshire District Council to share staff and services with councils in Gloucestershire is surely misconceived. Across a whole range of provision — transport, jobs, health, economic development, planning — we look towards
Sir – Perhaps some readers are still in touch with people (or their families) who were evacuated to Oxford during the Second World War. However, there may be some who would like to contact them or find out whether they are still around, but do
Sir – All the concerns about when these long- serving towers will be ‘blown up’ it seems no one has considered what is going to happen to the huge pile of rubble left behind. Are we to expect large fleets of haulage lorries continually transporting
Sir – So Christopher Gray wonders whether phone hacking has really harmed anyone (Gray Matter, July 3). Where has he been for the last few years? The Leveson enquiry heard plenty of evidence, some of it from celebrities and some not, of the damaging
Sir – I am used to being offended by Christopher Gray — it seems to be his only discernible talent — but he went too far with his short piece on Andy Coulson. He managed to offend everyone who has been phone-hacked, and everyone who lives in Birmingham
Sir – Sunday’s Cowley Road Carnival was a fabulous celebration, and Oxfordshire’s biggest street party, attended by our biggest crowd yet of 45,000 people. The atmosphere was fantastic, and everyone had a wonderful time. There was something for
Sir – I’ve often pondered the reason why (while sat with glass in hand) boats of all types pass under Abingdon bridge heading toward the lock, then turn around and come back, disappear under the bridge again, only to reappear five minutes later and
Sir – I am writing concerning Abingdon. Over the last years we have had bad press about Abingdon, but I think there is good news. The flowers in the Abbey Grounds and in the town are fabulous and well worth coming to Abingdon to see. Well done
Sir – West Oxfordshire District Council leader Barry Norton’s comments questioning the validity of the self-seeking Strategic Housing Market Assessment study are to be welcomed, with the district having over-provided houses in the past. Where is
Sir – We are to enjoy extra Government funding for road repairs after the recent severe weather. Oxfordshire County Council could use this opportunity to remove the pointless humps in St Cross Road, outside Linacre College, and to pay some courtesy
Only six months after the signing of the City Deal, and the promise of a massive £1.2bn investment in Oxfordshire, we have news of a landmark Oxfordshire Growth Deal. Like the Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, before him, Defence Secretary Philip
SPORTING a nice pink blush, Alistair McAulay was fed some very colourful cupcakes all for a good cause. It was part of a “wear something pink” day held at Bicester Community College on Wednesday. Organised by pupils Shania Mitchell and Courtney
ORGANISERS of Oxford’s Race for Life still need another 300 women to take part in the event at University Parks on Sunday. The last-minute appeal comes as the numbers signed up to take part in the fundraising event organised by Cancer Research
Want to give your opinion? Email letters@oxfordmail.co.uk
THE A361 in Shipton-under-Wychwood is due to reopen shortly following a crash between a lorry and a Land Rover this morning. The two vehicles collided in High Street shortly before 8.30am. One man was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital in
A 17-YEAR-OLD who twice helped to bury the body of Jayden Parkinson has been accused of not telling the truth about what happened. The youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, continued giving evidence in Oxford Crown Court this morning and
AFTER David Elliott-Smith cycled headfirst into a stationary lorry in Kidlington at 25 miles an hour, a doctor told him it was a “miracle” he was still alive. Now he wants to teach primary schoolchildren about the importance of bike safety and
SUNDAY'S Cowley Road Carnival was a fabulous celebration and Oxfordshire’s biggest street party, attended by our biggest crowd yet of 45,000 people. The atmosphere was fantastic and everyone had a wonderful time. There was something for everyone
CHERWELL District Council’s rejection of Oxfordshire County Council’s proposal to build a new football stadium on Green Belt land at Water Eaton is lukewarm to say the least. No doubt they have one eye on the business rate revenue which would be
I TOTALLY agree with Councillor Bob Johnston (July 4), tram-trains are the solution, in particular, Witney-Oxford traffic flow. Thus, being able to travel on road as well as rail. Ian Hudspeth, more improved mono rail is expensive and cumbersome
I ALWAYS read ‘Scales of Justice’ to see how our lenient magistrates are dealing with Oxford’s countless lawbreakers. In the paper on July 7, one poor chap, 47, no doubt a pillar of the community, was fined £205 and three points on his licence
Alison Boulton digs beneath the city's dreaming spires Cowley Road Carnival is a shout: a joyous multi-ethnic celebration of summer, sunshine and families – all inclusive and multi-generational. Comb that beard, hippie man; put on your straw
Asurvey last week showed that men and women are both terrible at flirting, particularly at noticing when a full-on flirt attack is aimed our way. Now, I’ve never found it difficult to flirt. In fact, over the years, my default setting has been
Janie Hampton revels in life around an inland “sea” in the small, peaceful country of Malawi Blue skies, clear water, delicious food, excellent service, friendly people, safe roads, fabulous scenery, amazing tropical fish and the Big Game Five.
Sometimes life flashes before you like the opening scene of an episode of Casualty. Disaster is imminent and you’re holding your breath waiting for the gruesome incident. Saturday night was our annual family camp out at Casa Rees. Being from
Those of us lucky enough not to have felt the sharp side of the justice system don’t need to give it much thought. Until, that is, Jimmy McGovern decides there’s an issue we should mull over. McGovern, who tends to have the word ‘gritty’ prefixed
IMAGINE living in a land where all those important things in life were free – food, water, petrol, heating. Hang on a minute…water is free (or pretty close) at least for those of you who haven’t jumped on the bottled band-wagon! Just think would
You have thrown the party of your life: downed tequila slammers, danced on the tables, shown the world your knickers, got right royally trashed, laughed and screamed until your belly hurt. But now it’s dawn and you have the worst hangover ever
Hello, my name’s Annette and I’m a hoarder. Yes it’s out – I confess there are quite a number of things in my life I just can’t part with. You just never know when these things might be useful. Actually I so do. It’s normally exactly three
As research finds a quarter of parents don’t like taking young children on flights, Jaine Blackman asks what they can do to ensure a stress-free journey for the family... and other passengers There can be nothing nicer than a family holiday abroad
COUNCILLOR Tanner (July 7) feels the point of my letter regarding divestment was to sling mud, while citing the reason he voted against divestment being that he knew the Tories would vote against it. That’s the fighting spirit. Who votes the same the
I AM writing concerning parish support for keeping the Green Belt. As this council strongly supports the Green Belt to prevent urban sprawl spreading out to fill the gap between Oxford and Gosford/Kidlington, your headline (July 3, U’s May Move
Alison Boulton digs beneath the city's dreaming spires Just occasionally, good intentions can become separated from their original purpose. When John Stansfeld, a doctor and clergyman became Vicar of St Ebbes in Oxford from 1912 to 1926, it
Sheena Patterson of Oxford Garden Design on being too ill to visit the wellbeing festival Oh the irony of life! Last weekend we planned an outing to The Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew which has launched its 2014 summer festival, exploring how plants
Her parents may have been disappointed Kate Humble didn’t go to Oxford – apart from for a typing course – but she’s done plenty to make them proud since. Here she tells Jaine Blackman how her marriage and country life are at the heart of her happiness
Summertime and the living is easy, according the song. Er, well, not according to new research by the Post Office, it ain’t. Apparently, parents can expect to splash out £500 on entertaining their little darlings during the summer break. That
'COWLEY ROAD is a foreign country; they do things differently there.’ I hope the late L P Hartley will forgive me for misquoting the opening sentence of his splendid novel, The Go-Between, but I can think of no better way to describe the multi-cultured
Vandals have attacked street furniture last week in Cumnor, spraying graffiti and damaging bus shelters. But can defacing public and private property ever be creative, artistic and fun? Many women would argue ‘yes’. They’ve created the fluffy face
MORE than £12,000 is still needed for long-awaited lights in an Oxford park, leading to claims a community is being “left behind”. Plans have been in the pipeline to install lights at the Croft Road recreation ground in Marston since 2007, according
Reinforcements are on the way for Oxford United, with Michael Appleton targeting a minimum of four signings before the start of the season. The head coach, who took over on Monday, held positive talks with two players on Wednesday. New chairman
OXFORD’S secondary schools will soon have to take hundreds more pupils because of a rising population. It comes as an MP warned that unless another secondary school is built in Oxford, children could face “overcrowding”. Countywide, Oxfordshire
Oxfordshire went down to Worcestershire by two wickets in a low-scoring ECB 50+ County Championship encounter at Hagley Hall on Wednesday. Oxon now need to beat Shropshire next week to make sure of qualifying for the knock-out stages. After
CHILDREN represented different continents in a sports day with an international twist. More than 1,000 pupils from five primary schools in Carterton took part in the Carterton Commonwealth Games yesterday. They played mini tennis, football
THE death of 18-year-old Connor Sparrowhawk at Slade House was indeed a tragedy. His family, who have been very active in campaigning for better services for those with learning disabilities, will no doubt welcome the Government’s care minister
IT’S not a new revelation that our population is growing. And babies being born now will obviously need schools to go to in years to come. Oxfordshire isn’t alone in being squeezed for school places but up until now the county council has focused
FRISKY Oxford students spent thousands of pounds on sex toys in the past year, according to figures. Oxford University students spent £8,800 – about 41p each – on the likes of vibrators, catsuits and other devices, the adult toy seller Lovehoney
OWNERS of a former filling station site next to a Tesco Express store in Abingdon Road, Oxford, want to run a temporary car valeting service while a planning application for new flats is considered. An application has been submitted to the city
A twist on Shakespeare’s classic Macbeth is the latest production by a theatre company which brings the classics to city venues. The tragedy – about a nobleman’s scheming to be crowned King of Scotland – will be held by Creation Theatre in the
THE death of an Oxford teenager in a city NHS unit was a “scandal” the Government’s care minister has said. Norman Lamb spoke after the case of Connor Sparrowhawk, who died just over a year ago, was raised by Oxford East Labour MP Andrew Smith
DAREDEVILS who leap from cliffs into water were the inspiration for an Oxford exhibition. Fine artist John Trigg, one of the founding members of Oxfordshire Artweeks, has created sculptures and paintings of people jumping into the sea for his exhibition
The levels of Oxfordshire’s rivers will now be ‘tweeted’, under a new service. The tool, called GaugeMap, uses data collected by the Environment Agency to share up-to-date information about rivers and other waterways on microblogging website Twitter
OXFORD: Mohammed Nazir, of Cowley Road, appeared at Oxford Magistrates’ Court yesterday charged with grievous bodily harm with intent, possession of a blade, and possession of cannabis after a 25-year-old man was injured in Cowley Road on Tuesday evening
Police have stepped up patrols around schools after reports of children being offered lifts home by a stranger. Wood Green School and Madley Park Primary School have issued warnings to parents about the man, who is believed to be travelling in
Oxfordshire have an injury worry over their key fast bowler Chad Keegan ahead of their Unicorns Counties Trophy semi-final against Wiltshire at Bicester & North Oxford on Sunday. The former Middlesex and Sussex seamer turned over on his ankle
1:59pm Man suffers leg injuries after collision between lorry and Landrover in Shipton-under-Wychwood 12:40pm Jayden trial: The teenager accused of preventing
STAFF at motor-parts firm Unipart Automotive are being urged to “sit tight” while the company tries to finalise a rescue deal. The company, which employs about 70 people in Bicester, issued a notice of intention to appoint administrators this week
In an exciting finish, Shipton-under-Wychwood beat Horley by seven runs to reach the final of the Ber-nard Tollett Oxfordshire Cup. Needing 22 off the last over to pass hosts Shipton’s 138-6, Horley hit two sixes off the first four balls, but fell
Oxford will be without skipper Ian Crosby and strike bowler Stuart Hole for the Division 1 derby clash at home to Henley tomorrow. Crosby misses his first match in three years as captain to attend the wedding of clubmate Joe Porter. There is
Oxford will be without skipper Ian Crosby and strike bowler Stuart Hole for the Serious Cricket Home Counties League Division 1 derby clash at home to Henley tomorrow. Crosby misses his first match in three years as captain to attend the wedding
One of the largest junior events in the country is taking place at Virgin Active Oxford, with more than 500 entrants competing in the Penny & Sinclair tournament. Oxfordshire’s Bobby Hornby (North Oxford) came eighth out of 60 in the under
Saturday FOOTBALL Friendlies: Farnborough v Oxford Utd (2pm), Kidlington v North Leigh. CRICKET SERIOUS CRICKET HOME COUNTIES PREMIER LEAGUE Div 1: Aston Rowant v High Wycombe, Banbury v Gerrards Cross, Oxford v Henley. Div 2 West
ENVIRONMENT bosses say they will take legal action if needed after a boat sunk and spilled oil into the River Thames. The boat was illegally moored next to Salters dry dock, Iffley, after being brought down from Osney Lock late on Tuesday night
A THIEF with more than 100 crimes to his name said “toodle-oo” as he was taken down to start a six-year prison sentence. Henry McGrath – who represented himself in court – had denied burglary despite DNA, a footprint, and a travel ticket with his
SMART glasses, foldable screens and synthetic retinas could all be further revolutionised thanks to a discovery made by Oxford University scientists. Tiny high-resolution pictures, almost invisible to the human eye and half the width of a human
Oxford will be without skipper Ian Crosby and strike bowler Stuart Hole for the Serious Cricket Home Counties League Division 1 derby clash at home to Henley tomorrow. Crosby misses his first match in three years as captain to attend the wedding
Four kittens and a cat were rescued by firefighters on Wednesday. Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service was called at 10.34am to Judd’s Close and found the animals stuck between a wall and a cupboard. They were all rescued without being hurt.
A BUS service is “just the first stage” of better connections from West Oxfordshire to Oxford’s hospitals, according to a victorious councillor. Witney Central councillor Andrew Coles has fought for more than a year to get the hourly bus service
The Speaker of the House of Commons will sign his new book tonight. John Bercow, MP for Buckingham, will be at Cole’s Books, Crown Walk, from 7.30pm to talk about Tennis Maestros. He was a former UK junior tennis champion and is a coach. Tickets
Firefighters tackled a fire in a transformer at Hilltop Garden Centre yesterday. Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service said it was called at 7.30am to the Witney Road business. It worked with an electricity company to isolate the power supply before
BEN Blakeley has told a jury he should get the death sentence for killing his former girlfriend 17-year-old Jayden Parkinson. He made the claim yesterday during questioning by prosecutor Richard Latham QC at Oxford Crown Court. The former bin
Oxford RL take on York City Knights on Sunday, playing for the first time at Henley. With Oxford’s normal Iffley Road ground unavailable due to pitch maintenance, the club have switched the Kingstone Press Championship One fixture to Dry Leas.
IN an exciting finish, Shipton-under-Wychwood beat Horley by seven runs to reach the final of the Bernard Tollett Oxon Cup. Needing 22 off the last over to pass hosts Shipton’s 138-6, Horley hit two sixes off the first four balls, but fell short
Oxfordshire went down to Worcestershire by two wickets in a low-scoring encounter at Hagley Hall on Wednesday. Oxon need to beat Shropshire next week to make sure of qualifying for the knock-out stages. After choosing to bat first, the visitors
Oxfordshire have an injury worry over their key fast bowler Chad Keegan ahead of their semi-final against Wiltshire at Bicester & North Oxford on Sunday. The former Middlesex and Sussex seamer turned over on his ankle during Oxon’s nine-wicket
HERE’S one more story youngsters can now enjoy at Cowley St James Primary School’s library. Pupils at the Bartholomew Road school collaborated with comic book artist Neill Cameron for a 20-metre life-sized comic to brighten up the outside of their
Hanna Brant is keen to make the most of competing against some of the world’s best young sailors after being selected in the Great Britain team for the Summer Youth Olympic Games (YOG). The 15-year-old, from Oxford Sailing Club, has been picked
A WOMAN planned her suicide “meticulously”, a coroner said yesterday. Joanna Stannard, 38, wrote to police on the day of her death to describe exactly where they would find her body in Bagley Wood near Kennington. She was found by officers
TEACHERS, firefighters and Job Centre staff took part in rallies in Oxford yesterday during a national day of industrial action. In Oxfordshire, 58 schools were either closed or partly closed as members of the National Union of Teachers (NUT) went
A CANADIAN search and rescue team this week restarted their search for missing backpacker Tom Billings now mountain trails where he disappeared have opened. The 22-year-old hiker from Boars Hill was last seen in a mountain area near Vancouver last
IT was a change from their usual lessons this week. Archie Lawfull and his classmates from St Nicholas School in Marston were invited to Oxford High School to take part in science experiments. The youngsters were given lessons in science, technology
A HOSPICE leader said it has moved to address inspectors’ concerns about how patient records are kept. Katharine House Hospice chief executive Jane Miles spoke after the Care Quality Commission said action was needed over records. It met standards
London Welsh have pulled off a huge transfer coup with the signing of New Zealand World Cup-winning scrum half Piri Weepu. The 30-year-old will leave Super 15 side the Blues to link up with the Oxford-based Exiles ahead of their Aviva Premiership
FLOOD-PRONE South Hinksey is to campaign for money for new defences after being told it was competing with “a lot of other places”. The Environment Agency’s Oxford flood risk manager Barry Russell told villagers at a meeting on Monday night that
City ward representatives will gather in the Town Hall on Monday for a full meeting of Oxford City Council. On the agenda will be the authority’s cash contribution to Oxfordshire County Council’s revamp of Frideswide Square. Oxford City Council
PARENTS’ evenings are often a trip down memory lane for David Bell as he has usually taught both generations in the family. The Henry Box School deputy headteacher, who is retiring after 30 years next week, believes it is a good sign when he is
Why are you retiring? Although I am not retiring through ill-health, a health wobble earlier in the year helped to crystallise my thinking. I realised I wanted to spend more time with my wife Lillian back in Northern Ireland and that
