YOUNGSTERS from around the world came together in Oxford to tell the story of an English classic. As part of Pegasus Theatre’s MESH Festival, 150 youngsters put on a production of Beowulf and Grendel at the Town Hall in St Aldate’s on Friday.
A NURSERY which was rated inadequate after safety fears has turned itself around and been told it is good in all areas. Ofsted re-inspected the centre at RAF Benson in May and said that children are safe and well cared for. Concerns were raised
A SCULPTURE made from 95,000 cable ties is on show at a new art exhibition. Former Oxford Brookes fine art student Ruth Simons, who graduated last year, has returned to the university to exhibit her artwork. Among the pieces on show at the
A 48-year-old man suffered cuts to his face when he was jumped on and punched repeatedly in Banbury. The victim was with two women when he was attacked at about 12.30am today in the footpath between West Bar Street and People’s Park. The male
An electric fan sparked a blaze at the Mal Maison hotel this afternoon. Six fire engines were sent to the New Road building when the fire started at about 3pm. Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue spokesman Sam Henry said the blaze was caused by an
A student is tackling a gruelling 156-mile one-day cycle ride to support a homeless charity in Cowley. University of Oxford medical student Thomas Cranshaw, 21, is preparing to cycle from Paris to Roubaix for charity Emmaus. He will attempt
PARKING will be restricted on the service roads and some surrounding streets around Oxford Road, Kidlington, under new plans to deter commuters. Oxfordshire County Council wants to limit parking to three hours in the week from 10am to 2pm on most
A PICNIC among the wildflowers in South Hinksey is set to become an annual fixture after more than 20 villagers attended. The family feast was held on a sunny afternoon in the meadow behind the village’s St Laurence Church. Wildflower seeds
THE couple hoping to reopen South Hinksey’s General Elliot pub after five years have been told their flood risk assessment (FRA) was not good enough. Helen and Cass Hazlewood, who live in the village, bought the pub lease from Vale Breweries saying
MONTHS after it launched a competition, Leys Community Market has chosen a new logo. The winning design comes from mother-daughter team Megan and Leigh Bayley. Their brightly-coloured design features fruit, vegetables and jams, as well as showing
MARKS & Spencer's Queen Street store has closed its food department this afternoon after it was reportedly flooded with sewage. A spokeswoman for the firm said the food hall closed at 2pm “following a flooding issue”, and the rest of the store
A COMPETITION is being proposed to find a piece of artwork which could form a focal point for the West Way redevelopment scheme. Doric Properties, the developer behind the £100m shopping centre plans, wants people to design a “landmark sculpture
Drugs used to treat HIV could potentially be used to treat multiple sclerosis in the future, researchers at Oxford University have found. The research showed that people with the virus have a lower risk of MS but this could be because of the chronic
IT IS amazing what you can do in 60 minutes. A team of volunteers from BT was challenged to improve the outdoor facilities for residents at Townsend House, Headington, on Friday in just one hour. They painted the summer house and repainted
THERE were cheers all round as hundreds of people gathered at Cogges Manor Farm over the weekend for its third annual beer and cider festival. On Friday and Saturday evening more than 400 people enjoyed live music, games and about 40 different
A MOTHER whose six-week-old son died has raised hundreds of pounds to thank the doctors and nurses who tried to save him. Tessa Jack held a fundraising event at St Luke’s Church in Canning Crescent, South Oxford, on Saturday, with dance performances
STAFF at the Abingdon branch of Specsavers dressed up as superheroes and princesses to raise money for charity. They managed to raise about £370 for Leah’s Legacy, a cystic fibrosis charity set up after 17-year-old Leah Graham, pictured, died from
THERE were extra-terrestrial visitors at Wallingford Library when children’s poet James Carter launched his latest work. Mr Carter, who lives in the town with his wife Sarah and daughters Lauren, 15, and Madeleine, 12, read extracts from his new
SUPPORTED by dozens of friends and relatives brave Shannon Timms had most of her hair cut off to raise money for cancer patients. Shannon, a pupil at Wood Green School, Witney, said she decided to mark her 12th birthday by doing something to help
GEORGE Whittaker wrote in his diary almost every day after he fell captive to the Germans one afternoon in March 1918. Like thousands of British troops caught in the storm of Germany’s spring offensive, the war was over for the private in the 15th
Burglars stole jewellery from an Abingdon home after getting inside through the patio doors. The burglary happened in Gardiner Close between 11am on Friday and 2pm on Monday. Police have also said a door to another house in the same street
POLICE are searching for a motorcyclist after debris from a bike was spotted by paramedics. Thames Valley Police has this afternoon sent out the force helicopter and officers on foot to look for a biker after the 1pm report of crash wreckage seen
OXFORD United striker Tyrone Marsh will spend the first half of the season on loan at non-league side Welling United. The 20-year-old made just one start in all competitions for the U's last season and head coach Michael Appleton is keen to see
A 19-year-old man suffered a serious cut to his neck when he was attacked with a bottle in an Oxford beer garden. The victim was hurt following an argument in the garden shared by the House Bar and The Bear pub in Blue Boar Street between 12.30am
LONDON Welsh have this afternoon announced tight-head prop Ben Cooper as their 25th summer signing. Cooper, 25, rejoined Cambridge from Bedford Blues for the 2014-15 season, only for Welsh to swoop and offer him the chance of Aviva Premiership
I appreciate the Oxford Youth Hostel’s decision to resist relocation, but they must understand that we need to expand the size of the Oxford Station, as the present structure is inadequate and must be replaced as soon as possible. However, the
The Prime Minister, when questioned regarding the money sent to other countries, said we are a very rich country and can afford it. So why is it that there is no funding to cut back the vegetation overgrowing the cycle track from Wheatley to Headington
I am responding to the article entitled “Ambulance service cuts 12-hour shifts to reduce staff fatigue”. I feel compelled to comment on the consultation alluded to. For true consultation the views of staff need to be listened to and not ignored
Story box: Want to give your opinion? Email letters@oxfordmail.co.uk
Thanks to the Oxford Mail’s story (July 17) I am pleased to say I have been inundated with good ideas for improving cycling in Oxford. The city council is already committed to improving the canal towpath near Aristotle Lane, resurfacing Willow
I am writing concerning the recent article regarding the unfortunate death of Hadyn Boyes-Weston, and the effects of fatigue on ambulance staff (July 31). What is not mentioned are the root causes of fatigue. As well as responding to an increasing
A SEVEN-YEAR-OLD boy with brain injury has had his therapeutic artworks displayed at a major London art gallery. Ben Whymark, from Didcot, volunteered to paint pictures for the Oxfordshire-based Child Brain Injury Trust to show what it is like
Heavy rain has been forecast for the county for Tuesday evening as the Met Office issued a severe weather warning. The warning will last from 10pm today until 8am tomorrow. The Met Office warned 20 to 40mm of rain could fall in six hours and
A COUNCILLOR suspended by the Labour Party after he was accused of posting a Tweet which compared Conservative Party policy to the Holocaust has been reinstated. Mark Cherry, who represents Banbury Calthorpe on Oxfordshire County Council, said
VILLAGERS in Tiddington have fought and won for the honour of Oxfordshire. On Friday they took part in the annual tug-of-war across the River Thame against their Buckinghamshire rivals in the village of Ickford. The annual tug-of-war between
AMBITIOUS plans to merge the South East’s fire services look to have been scrapped after a senior Oxfordshire councillor raised concerns. Among the proposals were plans for a single fire service which could mirror the boundaries of Thames Valley
A MAN who hid £620 worth of crack cocaine and heroin in a Kinder Surprise has been sentenced to 32 months in prison. Police officers searched Devon Thompson’s car on January 21 this year and found 39 wraps of crack cocaine and 23 wraps of heroin
The religions of the world have a mandate for peace. We often claim that rule for our own religion, talking of Jesus as the Prince of Peace, greeting each other with ‘salaam aleikam’ (peace be upon you), or ‘shalom chaverim’ (peace, my friends), or
While the cats are away the mice will play, and so it is that when my wife announced she was taking herself and the children off for a few days, my first thought was riding. Having a three-month-old and a toddler means that I pretty much only ride
DANCERS want to save their home of 30 years from being demolished for housing as they say they will not be able to use the replacement building. The St Mary’s Church’s hall building in Barton, Oxford, has closed and is to be knocked down as it
Archbishop Robert Runcie famously compared the Church of England to a swimming pool: all the noise coming from the shallow end. It’s an unfair quip, but it contains more than a grain of truth. Deep waters run still and are easily overlooked. Scattered
Teenager Carlton Morris says he has no concerns about shouldering the pressure of leading the line for Oxford United after signing on loan. The England Under 19 international completed a move from Norwich City yesterday, which will keep him at
IT may seem a relatively low number compared to the inconceivable scale of the First World War. But in a quiet corner of St Frideswide Church on Oxford’s Osney Island a map shows the impact the conflict had on a very small community. It pinpoints
ONE lane of the M40 is currently closed because of a broken down vehicle. The southbound carriageway between junction 11 near Banbury and junction 10 is affected by the closure. Traffic is reportedly coping well. Get the latest on this
The catering firm that runs the restaurant at Blenheim Palace has been bought by another company. Hospitality business Searcys – which also has a venue at the top of the Gherkin building in London – has become part of Westbury Street Holdings,
THE normal hubbub of tourists visiting Christ Church Cathedral fell silent yesterday as serving soldiers and veterans gathered to commemorate the start of the First World War. The cathedral played host to two remembrance events as Oxfordshire marked
OXFORD: A date has been fixed for the sentencing of a woman who admitted kicking someone in the head. Joanne Moriarty, of Hart Street, Oxford, was unable to attend a hearing this week at Oxford Crown Court because she was in hospital. The 30
PRAYERS, songs and readings were heard by candlelight in a special service at Oxford’s Christ Church Cathedral last night. The vigil, from 8pm to 9pm, to mark 100 years since the start of the First World War was attended by hundreds of people.
Memorial rededicated An evening service was held to rededicate the Shipton-under-Wychwood village war memorial. The 7pm dedication service at the St Mary the Virgin Church was followed by a vigil. And in Milton-under-Wychwood’s Church of St Simon
TEEN rider Georgina Polden made the most of some tips from MotoGP star Bradley Smith to claim a podium finish at Thruxton. The 18-year-old from Oxford crossed the line ninth overall and third in class for her best result in the Motul British Motorstar
Oxfordshire set up the chance of a first Unicorns Counties Championship Western Division win of the season by taking charge of their basement battle against Berkshire at Great & Little Tew. Luke Ryan’s side finished day two with a lead of 252
THIS village church yesterday invited its parishioners to consider how similar our world is to the world of 1914. Sarah Nesbitt, church warden at St Mary Magdalene, Crowmarsh Gifford, said: “The First World War was basically a family feud.
THE NAMES of every man from Abingdon who went to fight in the Great War – more than 1,300 – were read out in a single ceremony last night. Beginning at 6.30pm, town residents from every walk of life – footballers, firefighters business owners and
ON the eve of the First World War, the then foreign secretary Sir Edward Grey said: “The lamps are going out all over Europe; we shall not see them lit again in our lifetime”. So it was poignant that last night between 10pm and 11pm, lights were
GOLFING star Tony Jacklin is helping to design a major redevelopment at Magnolia Park. The two-time major winner, who captained Europe to three successive Ryder Cup victories, is lending his expertise to a project which will see the construction
KINGSTONE PRESS CHAMPIONSHIP ONE OXFORD RL put in a spirited display, despite losing 48-6 at promotion-chasing Hunslet Hawks. The visitors bagged a consolation try from Sean Morris in the second half, but Hunslet were comfortable winners, defeating
FIREFIGHTERS were called to Didcot last night after a fire broke out in a shed. Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service was called to Appleton Close at about 6.20pm. The shed contained two LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) cylinders which had to be
FANS of all ages helped Oxford United kick off its season over the weekend. The club held its annual fun day at its training ground in Cowley on Sunday, less than a week before Oxford United’s first league fixture against Burton Albion this Saturday
HORSE riders using lances, swords and guns will dazzle the crowds at this year’s Bicester and Finmere Show. The British Tentpegging Association will demonstrate their skills at the Sunday’s event. Top class showjumping, as well as high jump
3:04pm Man arrested after 19-year-old attacked with bottle in Oxford beer garden 11:57am Heavy rain forecast tonight as Met Office issues warning for
The body of a man found in a car is believed to be that of missing Banbury Man Andrew Lever. The 43-year-old was last seen by his family on May 17. Thames Valley Police said they have been informed after specialist search teams found the body
A rally for Gaza, the territory locked in conflict between Israelis and Palestinian group Hamas, will be held at the Town Hall at 7pm today. David Hillman, chairman of the Oxford Palestine Solidarity Campaign, will address the rally and representatives
A former teacher at Carmel College charged with a series of sexual offences has had his case adjourned until October. Trevor Bolton, 77, of Kestrel Way, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, faces four counts of indecency with a child and five counts of indecent
PARISHIONERS at St Frideswide Church in Osney attended a service at noon for those lost in the First World War, marking the homes of local soldiers on a street map. Residents were invited to read the stories of those killed at war and put their
BICESTER’S Captain’s Charity Day went with a swing to raise more than £11,500. The four-ball event attracted 40 teams, which was won on countback by Pete Shepherd, Vicky Shepherd, Karen Shepherd and Priyan Shah. Each hole was sponsored by local
CONFERENCE LEAGUE SOUTH OXFORD Cavaliers face having to pull out of the league if they cannot raise a side for their next match. That is the message from manager JJ Baird after Cavaliers scratched their last two games against Leicester Storm
An elderly couple escaped a house fire yesterday. Firefighters were called to Farmfield Road at about 2.45pm when a passerby spotted the blaze and raised the alarm. One person was taken to the Horton Hospital. Oxfordshire County Council Fire
GREENE KING ODDA GOODLAKE Arms A seemed set for a surprise home defeat when they trailed 3-0 to fellow Men’s Premier Section side Windrush Social Club. The visitors were in command after after wins from Ade Larner, who had two maxmums, Ryan
IT was a sombre occasion in Trinity College’s chapel yesterday, as people came together to remember the alumni who died in the First World War 100 years ago. The college’s chaplain, the Rev Dr Emma Percy, said: “We had about 50 people, mostly old
A WAR veteran whose uncle died fighting in the First World War said a remembrance service was a fitting tribute to his relative. Witney resident Arthur Rose, 89, attended the service at Carterton Community Centre, where plaques were unveiled next
NORTH OXFORD Norman Jones rd 2 (Thornton Cup): 1 P Jackson 84-25=59, 2 M Oliver 76-13=63, 3 M Booth 69-4=65. Junior Medal: 1 S Willoughby 76-9=67, 2 J Tucker 94-16=78, 3 C Hiles 90-10=80. Mixed Match: North Oxford 2, Oxford City & Ladies
THE final song written by Bee Gees singer Robin Gibb, recorded using an iPad, is to be released on an album of previously unheard recordings. The track, called Sydney, prompted tears from Mr Gibb and his wife Dwina, from Thame, when he wrote it
OXFORDSHIRE’S First World War past came to life on Saturday when relatives of soldiers remembered their sacrifice at the official opening of the Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum (SOFO). The museum, in Park Street, Woodstock, which cost £3.5m and
CHILDREN from Blackbird Leys can take part in a more diverse summer activities programme after the scheme’s final funding was secured. The Leys Community Development Initiative (CDI) annually holds the playscheme – which costs £5,000 – to entertain
LEE Sweetlove is back on his bike thanks to a city surgeon he is nominating for our Hospital Hero awards. The keen mountain biker broke his back in two places in a cycling accident in 2010. But the Oxford academic made a full recovery after
JUST when it seemed, even with half the season remaining, that the destination of the title in both the Premiership and Section One were determined, a couple of key results have markedly, and thankfully, transformed the picture. In the top division
