Archive

  • Hotel harnesses water power

    A HOTEL took a step towards a hydro-powered future when work started on installing an Archimedes Screw this week. The Old Swan and Minster Mill in Minster Lovell, near Witney, took delivery of the screw on Monday to harness the power of the River

  • Animals cheer up elderly care home residents

    RESIDENTS at Iffley Residential and Nursing Home were visited by animals and held fundraising events to highlight International Homeless Animals Day. Amongst the menagerie was a donkey, calf, pygmy goats, rabbits, guinea pigs, chicks and a labrador

  • Plans for new primary school show shape of things to come

    DESIGNS have been revealed for what could be Didcot’s next primary school. The Great Western Park Primary School would be built at the southern end of the development outside Didcot. Plans for the school have been submitted by Oxfordshire County

  • Uni pledge on concerns for area’s sewers

    OXFORD University has said it is working with Oxford City Council to tackle any sewage issues which may arise because of its new £45m research building. It has been given planning permission to build the Big Data Institute on the Old Road Campus

  • School gates plan

    King Alfred’s Academy wants to install 1.8m-high security gates. In order to secure the site out of hours, the school wants to put the black metal gates at the main pedestrian and vehicle entrances in Portway. A third would be built at the

  • Author to talk about Victorian cyclists

    An author will speak about his book at cycling group Cyclox’s September meeting. Carlton Reid will discuss Cycling Pioneers Of The Victorian Era Who Helped Improve The Nation’s Roads on Tuesday, September 16. Mr Reid will also focus on William

  • Work starts on new care home development

    WORK has begun on a £1.2m care home development in Letcombe Regis near Wantage. The six “high-specification” one and two-bedroom apartments are the final phase of the Richmond Village care complex. It comes after a plan for 44 retirement apartments

  • Defibrillator need gets to heart of the matter

    THEY can be the difference between life and death, but about 200 more defibrillators are needed in Oxfordshire. The Oxford Mail is backing a senior ambulance manager’s campaign for more of the devices to be installed by rural communities WHILE

  • A40 re-opens after three-car crash near Eynsham

    A DUAL carriageway has been re-opened after a three-car crash which seriously injured a male driver. The A40 was re-opened in both directions at about 4.45pm today after a red Ford Mondeo, silver Mercedes and grey Peugeot crashed at about 1pm near

  • DUBERRY COLUMN: Suarez handed debut far too quickly

    NEVER reward bad behaviour is a rule that you find in most books written by experts on parenting, coaching or any dealing with people. Unfortunately, football – and Barcelona in particular – have broken that very same rule. On Monday night

  • What a lovely surprise to visit swimming pool

    As a boy I used to swim in Hinksey swimming pool but have not done so as an adult. Having passed the pool many times on my cycling trips to Oxford I often thought what a pity it was that the pool had been left to deteriorate. Recently a friend,

  • If we are not proactive we’ll lose our resources

    The letters page on Tuesday, August 12, reflected an obvious dilemma and touched on several connected issues. One correspondent asked ‘why can’t Oxford people wait until there are some real plans to examine before leaping into negative mode?’ If we

  • Where are all these extra cars going to park?

    It’s all very well for Cherwell District Council to announce another 720 houses for the Kingsmere estate in Bicester and plans for another 6,000 at the north west of Bicester. I have just one question. Where are all the influx of cars going to park

  • Bees need somewhere to forage properly

    It’s good that Oxfordshire County Council are trying to help bees, but they are going about it the wrong way. It’s no good having a hive in every other garden if the bees have nowhere to forage. They should be encouraging residents to plant bee

  • Man trapped in vehicle after four-car crash on A40

    A DRIVER has suffered serious leg injuries after a head-on crash that has closed the A40. Thames Valley Police has said the man has been taken to Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital suffering serious leg injuries after a three-car crash near Barnard

  • Fantasy a reality on walk

    THESE youngsters had their imagination inspired by a literary themed walk around Oxford. William Paddick, six, with brothers Thomas, eight, and James, 11, took part in The Story Museum’s Wonder Walk this month. Walking around the city they

  • Don’t miss out on our cancer support morning

    Just a reminder to let readers know that we are having a coffee morning on September 26 from 10am till noon in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support. Cherry Tree Court is a block of retirement flats, and we are holding this in the residents’ lounge.

  • Concern for historic bridge as weight limit unenforced

    TRAFFIC cameras to catch lorries flouting weight restrictions on a 14th century bridge have been broken for months. The loss of the cameras has sparked fears that Grade II-listed Newbridge between Witney and Kingston Bagpuize could be damaged by

  • Bomb alert in Bicester

    ARMY officers are detonating several explosive Second World War shells found at a scrapyard in Bicester. The Army were called to L C Hughes in London Road and the devices are currently in a neighbouring field, owner Gareth Hughes has said.

  • Historic wagon goes on show as village festival highlight

    IT served villagers for almost 70 years before being retired for a well-earned rest. So when this 1889 wagon returned to Stanton St John for the first time in 32 years, it was like welcoming back an old friend. It will soon go on display at

  • Yet another twist in living with a spinal injury...

    Weeing. We all do it. Yes I’m talking urine. We all make it and we all need to pass it. For me it’s a different experience. Most people assume it’s just my legs that don’t work but actually it’s everything below my injury site. In my case that’s everything

  • Beer festival veto leaves a bitter taste

    WANTAGE’S Beer Festival has lost its home at the former Civic Hall – despite the venue deciding to host its own event this year. Wantage Beer Festival organisers said bosses at the Vale of White Horse District Council venue – which rebranded as

  • Oxford United furious after being denied late penalty

    OXFORD United were left fuming after being denied a late penalty in a 1-0 defeat at Morecambe last night. Trailing with 15 minutes remaining, Danny Hylton was sent to the ground as he went past goalkeeper Barry Roche in the box. It looked a

  • Looking for the edge in scrapheap challenge race

    WACKY racers are spending their week building scrap box racers ahead of tomorrow’s big race. The Trax Scrapheap Challenge at Red Barn Farm in Woodstock Road, Oxford, sees groups of young people build go-kart type racers from scrap material and

  • CRICKET: Oxfordshire sign off with great win

    CHAD Keegan and Karl Penhale were the heroes as Oxfordshire recorded their first win of the Unicorns Counties Championship campaign in their final match after a eight-wicket success over Cheshire at Nantwich CC. The victory means Oxon will avoid

  • Get set for yet another rail price rise

    TRAIN fares across Oxfordshire will soon cost passengers up to 20 per cent more than they did five years ago. Under yesterday’s announcement, fares could rise by up to 3.5 per cent in the new year, meaning an increase of more than £160 for a season

  • Three passengers hurt as bus stops to avoid cyclist

    Three passengers were injured after a bus braked suddenly to avoid a cyclist on Botley Road yesterday. Police and ambulance were called to the scene, by Osney Court, just after 9am to the Park and Ride bus. A spokeswoman for South Central Ambulance

  • Skye's family want better brain cancer treatment

    Parents of a toddler who may have just weeks to live have criticised the lack of research into brain cancer in children. Andy and Sally Hall, from Abingdon, have set up the charity Blue Skye Thinking in honour of their five-year-old son Skye, who

  • Heart disease left jewel robber 'at risk' of death

    WOULD-BE robber Clint Townsend suffered from severe heart disease and could have died “at any point”, an inquest into his death heard yesterday. The inquest continued at County Hall yesterday as assistant coroner Alison Thompson attempted to find

  • Inquest into death

    An inquest into the death of Oxford United stalwart George Bateman will take place tomorrow. The 96-year-old, who died in Bicester on April 24, was a regular face at Oxford United’s match days at the Manor Ground from 1959 to when they moved to

  • Land decision today

    Councillors will decide today whether to give away land in Carterton and Long Hanborough. West Oxfordshire District Council’s cabinet will discuss whether to transfer land at Blackthorn Green in Shilton Park, Carterton, to Carterton Town Council

  • ‘Exam changes likely to affect schools’ GCSEs’

    A HEADTEACHER has warned that GCSE results across Oxfordshire are likely to be more varied than usual, after examination rules were changed. Last September the Government announced that only a student’s first exam will count in performance tables

  • AUNT SALLY: Prince's six-hitters put Red Lion to the sword

    Black Prince boasted a trio of six-hitters in their 2-1 home win over Red Lion A Eynsham in Premier/Section 1 of the Greene King Oxford & District League, writes ANDY BEAL. Chris Price, Carl Edginton and Darren Grant did the damage for Black

  • Man in court accused over three burglaries

    A man has been charged in connection with three burglaries in Kennington earlier this month. Florinel Miron, 27, of no fixed address, was charged on Saturday but police only released the details yesterday. The offences took place on August

  • Taking a stand

    HE had never tried anything like it in his life, but yesterday 12-year-old Jayden Guiste cycled 20 miles for charity. The Marlborough School pupil cycled from his home in Kidlington to Bicester and back, with his best friend Aldo Faruku, 12, and

  • House prices rise to 15 times an average wage

    RUNAWAY house prices in the south of the county are 15 times the average wage, making it one of the least affordable spots in the UK. The average cost of a home in South Oxfordshire has reached £372,632, against an average wage of £24,107, according

  • Wednesday, August 20

    2:51pm Man left with head and neck injuries after hit and run in Oxford road 12:58pm Connor Tremble trial: Blencowe desribes the moment he fatally stabbed

  • Beautiful spot to train for a 10k run

    Runners are preparing for the Earth Trust’s inaugural 10k run on September 21 with training sessions on the Wittenham Clumps. The run will raise money for a series of nature projects, such as planting new hedgerows and creating sustainable habitats

  • New initiative aims to stop begging on Oxford's streets

    BEGGARS arrested for the first time in Oxford will be given the chance to attend a day centre rather than being give a police caution. The scheme has been put forward to support the Your Kindness Could Kill campaign and stop begging in the city

  • FOOTBALL: Didcot outclassed and fall to defeat

    DIDCOT Town fell to an emphatic defeat in Southern League Division 1 South & West last night after losing 3-0 at home to Larkhall Athletic. The Railwaymen produced a disappointing display which saw them trail to goals from Tyler Sibbick and

  • Plans for next phase of eco-town put in

    Detailed plans for the next phase of the 6,000-home eco-town to be built on the outskirts of Bicester have been submitted to Cherwell District Council. The application from developers A2Dominion for North West Bicester has yet to be checked over

  • Gangs raid two supermarkets

    TWO supermarkets were robbed in West Oxfordshire within three hours of each other. The first was Tesco Express in Valence Crescent, Witney, at about 11pm on Sunday. Releasing details yesterday, Thames Valley Police said two men wearing balaclavas

  • Emmy crown for Thrones costume designer

    THE star-studded Emmy awards ceremony in Hollywood is a far cry from Wheatley Park School’s assembly hall, writes Alex Wynick. But former pupil Michele Clapton received her second Emmy, for her work on hit television show Game of Thrones, now in

  • Troubled family scheme to now include under-5s

    TROUBLED toddlers across Oxfordshire are set to get more help as a Government scheme is expanding in the county. The troubled family scheme will now include under-5s, as well as school-age children, and will try and improve people’s health.

  • Liberty’s fund hits £5.8k and goes on rising

    A WEB page set up two days after the death of Liberty Baker with the aim of raising £600 to pay for a memorial has now raised over £5,800. The 14-year-old from Witney died on June 30 as she was walking to school when a car mounted the kerb on Curbridge

  • Thousands expected to enjoy eclectic musical festival

    WOODSTOCK is ready to rock out this weekend for a free festival in the town square. About 3,000 people are expected to enjoy music from 18 bands in the Market Place on Saturday and Sunday. They will cover a mix of genres, including folk, jazz

  • Fresh cuts ‘support the view Connor was attacked on sofa’

    A DNA expert has said there is evidence Connor Tremble was fatally stabbed on or close to a sofa in his flat. Forensic scientist Jane Rice gave evidence yesterday at Oxford Crown Court about what could have happened at the 17-year-old’s flat on

  • Plenty of fun in the sun at Hill End Centre

    CHILDREN enjoyed a day in the sun exploring a 62-acre West Oxfordshire estate. The Hill End Centre in Farmoor, near Eynsham, held the first of its family play days this week on Monday. It is part of an initiative to open the site, usually restricted

  • West Way decision faces further delay

    A DECISION on whether a controversial redevelopment of Botley’s West Way shopping centre can go ahead could now be as late as the end of October. Developers initially hoped Vale of White Horse District Council members would make a decision on the

  • CRICKET: Downs tied in knots after run outs misery

    Three run outs cost Oxford Downs their second win of the season as their Cherwell League Division 1 match at Banbury 2nd ended in a dramatic tie. Amin Rafiq, Tomas King and Johnny Law all perished to leave Downs on 209 all out in reply to Banbury

  • CRICKET: Gurney opens the way for Westbury

    Westbury appear OCA League Division 1 title favourites after winning their top-of-the-table clash with Great Horwood. Opener Tom Gurney, with 59, provided the platform for his team’s 192-8 before skipper Richard Tredwell’s 4-64 helped restrict

  • Charity shop gets new look after 25 years

    A CHARITY shop in Wallingford reopened on Monday after being refurbished for the first time since opening 25 years ago. Cancer Research UK, in Market Place, was closed for a week while work, including new lighting and display units, was done. A

  • Writer chronicles sacrifices made by people in conflict

    A MUSEUM volunteer has put pen to paper to describe the sacrifices made by county residents during the First World War. Jane Cotter spent a year researching and writing Great War Britain: Oxfordshire. These included hours at Oxfordshire History

  • Fishermen take the bait from professionals

    AMATEUR fishermen were given tips from top sportsmen at a charity event. About 60 people spent three days at Brasenose Lakes, near Witney, having one-to-one sessions with professionals and learning how to improve their technique. It was part