Archive

  • Hotel could be turned into housing

    A DESOLATE hotel in Cherwell could be turned into houses after sitting empty for five years. At a meeting on Thursday, Cherwell District Council’s planning committee gave permission for Otmoor Lodge in Horton-cum-Studley to become four new homes

  • Nepal: Catastrophe that won’t go away

    A DEVOTED charity worker in Nepal has implored people not to forget about the ongoing crisis as monsoon season looms. Ian Wickens from Kennington has been in the country for weeks helping communities rebuild after the earthquakes just over a month

  • Chipping Norton

    Martin Elvery heads to Oxfordshire’s highest town Chipping Norton, famous for bracing air, great views and the antics of its eponymous social ‘set’. Chipping Norton people are proud their town is often dubbed as the ‘Gateway to the Cotswolds’ and

  • Carterton

    A thriving town with a proud military heritage, Carterton is also on the doorstep of some of the county’s most pleasing countryside, as Martin Elvery finds out. Carterton, West Oxfordshire’s second largest town, is a pleasing paradox. It is a thriving

  • Burford

    Martin Elvery explores historic Burford – jewel of the Oxfordshire Cotswolds. Beautiful Burford is probably the jewel in the splendid crown of all the Cotswold towns. Standing at the north east gateway to the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

  • Bicester

    Naomi Herring keeps abreast of developments in the historic, but rapidly expanding market town of Bicester. Announced as the UK’s next Garden City, the days of Bicester being a small market town are long gone. Nestled in the Cherwell countryside

  • ‘Overflowing’ Sunday School is searching for new premises

    A CITY centre church has an “overwhelming demand” for its children’s Sunday school, wanting to expand into new premises. St Ebbe’s Church has a number of buildings, including a Grade II* listed church, the parish centre and the rectory in St Ebbe

  • Kidlington

    Kidlington resident Francesca Adams unearths the many charms of England’s biggest village. One of the largest villages in England with an estimated population around 17,500, Kidlington lies just to the north of Oxford, nestled between the River

  • Oxford City

    Whether you’re just sightseeing for the day or looking to move to Oxford, Callum Keown and Luke Sproule show you how to make the most of the city. Beautiful, historic and picturesque yet remarkably modern at the same time – Oxford has a story around

  • ‘Eyesore’ to become flats, shop and offices

    AN “EYESORE” industrial site in Wantage is set to be transformed into a new development of flats, offices and retail space by this time next year. Agents for the former Crystalox and H&L site on Limborough Road said their scheme could be complete

  • Top of the Shops

    Rosie Jacobs of Independent Oxford, which celebrates the city’s individual shops, counts down her Top 10 small stores. There is a fantastic plethora of great independents in Oxford; shops, bars, restaurants, small businesses and all of them make

  • It's Showtime!

    From musical fresh from the West End to innovative community drama and student productions, there’s plenty to delight all theatre-goers in Oxford. Jaine Blackman takes a look at some of the highlights to look forward to in the coming months. New

  • Sounds Good

    Grab your sunglasses… and wellies, because the festival season is upon us. Oxford Mail music editor Tim Hughes takes a look at what’s coming up this summer. TRUCK Where: Hill Farm, Steventon When: July 17-18 Big names: Basement Jaxx, The

  • Glorious Food

    Food festivals are now a major leisure activity with a plethora being held annually across Oxfordshire. Here’s Katherine MacAlister’s pick of the bunch. Oxford Wine Festival Local summer food festival dates to add to the diary include the Oxford

  • Council issues an appeal for help to find flytippers

    FLYTIPPERS who dumped a wooden chest of drawers and a stool on a grass verge have cost Cherwell District Council £250 in clean-up costs. On Friday the council received reports on social media of items dumped at Nethercote Lane, off the Overthorpe

  • Couple pull their last pint after 30 years

    AFTER 30 years managing Summertown’s last remaining pub, Barry and Lesley Greenhough are calling time on their stewardship. The couple, who took over the Dew Drop Inn in 1985, are retiring next month to travel around Europe. Originally from

  • Grab a Bite

    Oxford Mail food critic Katherine MacAlister gives her pick of the best restaurants around. Oxfordshire is really coming into its own food-wise, making it impossible to ignore. Those willing to travel can enjoy some real gems in the Oxfordshire

  • Night Watch

    Stuart Macbeth, bandleader, columnist, jazz enthusiast and frontman with The Original Rabbit Foot Spasm Band, gives his tips for a good night out in Oxford. Clubbing/Dancing Lava and Ignite Cantay House, Park End Street, Oxford OX1 1JD

  • Parking is causing a real problem for residents

    I AM not sure how figures can be arrived at about damage done to business in Oxford since introducing Park & Ride charges (May 22). This is particularly because those that used to park at Water Eaton and are described as having gone somewhere

  • Chain deserves sympathy over failed restaurant bid

    I have just read that the Hungry Horse chain has had its application turned down for its new restaurant in Cowley. I have read the reasons for this and I am puzzled so perhaps someone could illuminate me. As I understand it, this large empty

  • Join campaign to get real reform of voting system

    Recent correspondence has highlighted the archaic and undemocratic way in which we elect our parliament. We have UKIP attracting 3.9 million votes to elect one MP whilst the SNP (1.4 million) elects 56, and the Lib Dems (2.4 million) equates to eight

  • It’s time we considered the facts about trams

    ALL buses in Oxford are low-emission, at least 75 are hybrids, but central Oxford air quality still breaches public health limits. The options to achieve zero bus emissions are trams, trolleybuses, battery buses or biomethane buses. Only trams

  • Family Days Out

    Oxford dentist and mum-of-three Katherine Rees gives her top 20 favourite family days out. 1. HIGH ROPES OXFORD Furze Brake Woodland, rear of Culham No 1 site, Oxford OX14 3DA www.highropesoxford.com Aimed at slightly older children, here

  • Chance to try your hand at fighting fires

    POTENTIAL volunteer firefighters can test their skills at two taster days next month. Oxfordshire County Council Fire and Rescue Service is holding a number of sessions for people who are interested in becoming an on call firefighter. It aims

  • Brookes wants to build on its 150 years with £130m scheme

    THE new vice-chancellor of Oxford Brookes has spoken of the £130m plan to overhaul the university. As the institution celebrates its 150th anniversary this year, Professor Alistair Fitt outlined his vision for the next decade with an extensive

  • Ryan Taylor relishing fight for Oxford United starting role

    RYAN Taylor is relishing the prospect of battling for a place in Oxford United’s striking quartet next season after completing his move yesterday. The 27-year-old, who scored ten goals for Portsmouth last season, agreed a deal which will keep him

  • Low carbon launch

    This year’s Low Carbon Oxford Week will be launched today with a celebration at a city “eco park.” The week will feature more than 80 free events across the city, including festivals, feasts, electric car and bike test drives, workshops and exhibitions

  • Break-in reported

    A laptop and wallet were stolen during a burglary in East Oxford, police said. Officers said the break-in was overnight on Saturday in Ridgefield Road. Burglars got in through an insecure rear door.

  • Middle East Centre building revealed

    A new £11m building designed by Iraqi-British architect Dame Zaha Hadid was unveiled yesterday. The Investcorp Building, in Woodstock Road, Oxford, was commissioned by St Antony’s College to be part of its Middle East Centre and was funded by Investcorp

  • Didcot murders: Community reeling over tragic events

    RIBBONS and flowers decorated the entrance to Vicarage Road in Didcot, where residents continued to pay tribute to a family that were murdered in their home. Flowers and teddy bears were placed at the scene where Jan Jordon, 48; Phil Howard, 44

  • Coach causes chaos

    Drivers experienced long delays at Junction 9 of the M40 yesterday as a coach broke down blocking one lane of the exit slip road south bound. The coach broke down near the traffic lights at the top of the exit slip road for the A34 and A41 for

  • Court appearance is due in rape case

    A man accused of raping a woman in a flat in Headington is due to appear in Oxford Crown Court today. Catalin Horhota, of no fixed address, faces charges of rape and attempted rape on September 20 last year. He also faces two further charges

  • Making history by helping at museum is natural thing to do

    HANGING out with dinosaurs, tending butterfly specimens, polishing gems and feeding cockroaches doesn’t feature on most job descriptions. Oxford University Museum of Natural History has three quarters of a million visitors every year, an annual

  • CRICKET: Pykett and Goodman steer Tiddington to massive win

    EARLY season Cherwell League Division 1 pacesetters Tiddington thrashed Oxford 2nd by a massive 184 runs to go clear at the top and send their visitors to the foot of the table. Oxford won the toss but were run ragged as the home side rattled up

  • Attempted break-in

    A man was disturbed while attempting to break into a shed in Didcot on Saturday. Police released information about the incident yesterday and said the man was spotted attempting to break into the building in Washford Glen at about 9.45pm. He

  • Two people hospitalised following crash on A44

    TWO people were taken to hospital after a car flipped onto its roof near Oxford Airport. The crash, which involved another vehicle, happened just before 9pm on Monday on the A44. One car ended up on its roof after the crash. A South Central

  • AUNT SALLY: Tony Nicholls, 79, in super show to top hit parade

    Pensioner Tony Nicholls showed the youngsters how it’s done by top-scoring in the Greene King Oxford & District League, writes ANDY BEAL. The 79-year-old clanged off 15 dolls (5-5-5) as Six Bells A Kidlington came away with a 3-0 win from Donnington

  • Drivers warned as herd of cows loose on Marston Ferry Road

    A HERD of ten cows is loose on the Marston Ferry Road. The cows are on the cycle track heading towards Banbury Road from Marston but motorists have been warned to be careful as they may stray onto the road. Get the latest on this incident with

  • Repairing potholes

    A lane on a major road in Witney closed yesterday morning due to essential pothole repairs required to a stretch of road. One of two lanes was closed on the A40 Westbound stretch between the A415 Ducklington Land and the B4477. The lane was

  • Two cars ransacked

    Thieves broke into two cars in the village, police said. A grey bag with binoculars inside was stolen from a red Rover 45 on Benmead Road just after midnight on Friday. The owner of the car awoke and said two males wearing parka coats with

  • Plaque tribute for ticket barrier man

    A plaque in honour of an Oxford Railway Station ticket barrier man who died earlier this year will be unveiled today. Father-of-two Steve Cross, 38, worked on the barriers for eight years before he died suddenly at his home in Cowley in January

  • Best man tells court of his terror in house fire

    A MAN accused of having an affair with his friend’s wife said he was “terrified” after waking to a house fire, a jury heard. Martin Nganga is accused of pouring petrol into the hallway of a house in Mallard Close, Blackbird Leys, and causing a

  • Consultation to be held on axed buses

    A CONSULTATION on major reductions to subsidies for bus routes across the county was approved yesterday. At a meeting of Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet, senior councillors voted to consult people on proposed cuts of about £2.3m. The change

  • Alliance of authorities a step nearer

    NEW powers gained through an ambitious “alliance” of councils could help growth in Oxfordshire, it is hoped. At a meeting of Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet, senior councillors agreed to the creation of a “strategic leaders board” which will

  • Charity vows to keep protecting homeless people

    CAMPAIGNERS have vowed to make sure children and homeless people in Oxfordshire are still provided for despite county council warnings over further cuts. The director of The Porch Steppin’ Stone Centre said cuts to homeless service support funding

  • Residents angry over felled trees

    RESIDENTS in Jericho have claimed noise from a railway line has been worsened by tree clearance work. The Jericho Community Association said it had written to Network Rail, which owns and operates Britain’s railway infrastructure, to complain they

  • Concerns road may be permanent

    A TEMPORARY road for HGVs and trucks during the construction of 58 homes could become a permanent fixture to build a further 1,500, campaigners fear. The route, for vehicles working on a Pye Homes development between Woodstock and Shipton on Cherwell

  • Cyclists get in the saddle to help sick newborns

    HUNDREDS of cyclists took part in an inaugural event in aid of sick newborn babies. An estimated 700 people completed the Cotswold Crank Up which had 25-mile, 50-mile or 80-mile routes starting from Witney’s Henry Box School. It was the brainchild

  • ‘Chinooks are a vote of confidence in area’

    THE DEPLOYMENT of six Chinook helicopters and 160 personnel to RAF Benson has been welcomed as a boost to the area. Councillors said Wallingford and Benson would benefit from more staff at the base spending money in South Oxfordshire. They

  • Young entrepreneurs’ ethical jewellery firm shines

    WINNERS of the Young Enterprise business competition’s county final have their “amazing” teamwork to thank, said the managing director. The Fleet team from Oxford High School dazzled at the last stage of judging on May 7, and are now preparing