THE Mayor of Wantage tonight said he was "amazed" after a controversial retirement apartments scheme for the town was approved. Vale of White Horse District Council's planning committee voted to approve the scheme six votes to five. Renaissance
A MAN was taken to hospital after a crash between a car and a motorcycle this morning. An ambulance crew and a Hampshire and Isle of Wight air ambulance were sent to the crash, which happened on the A420 near to Fernham Road, near Faringdon.
Trains have been cancelled on First Great Western services between Oxford and Worcester Shrub Hill due to a broken down train. All lines are blocked resulting in services in both directions being either delayed or cancelled. Disruption is expected
TRAFFIC jams are this evening causing delays for bus passengers in Oxfordshire. Stagecoach is reporting up to 21 minute delays on its S2 Witney Services. The delays are due to congestion on the A40 between Eynsham and Wolvercote roundabout.
THE unsung heroes working behind the scenes at the county’s NHS hospitals will be celebrated for a third time this year. The Oxford Mail has teamed up with Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust (OUHT) for another year to celebrate the extraordinary
Oxford can proudly boast the second highest number of commuters on bikes in the country, but in competition with everyone else trying to use the roads, that can be a blessing and a curse. Now a new inflatable bike helmet from Sweden is promising to
THE police helicopter was scrambled into action after a motorist stopped on suspicion of using his phone at the wheel fled from traffic officers. A police patrol stopped a man driving a Ford car at Seacourt Park and Ride at about 1.15pm today on
A WOMAN has died after collapsing at a Marks & Spencer store in Witney today. Thames Valley Police confirmed earlier today that the first floor of the store in Marriott's Close was closed for ambulance crews to treat an elderly lady. SCAS
An internal investigation is under way at South Central Ambulance Service regarding the way it operates its call centre in Bicester. The investigation has been prompted by research by The Telegraph involving an undercover reporter. The Telegraph
VILLAGERS are drawing up plans for a hydroelectric power plant in Sandford-on-Thames. But the eco-friendly power scheme is proving controversial with nature lovers who object to the loss of 150-year-old pine trees nearby. A group of residents
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AN INQUEST has been opened this afternoon for 13-year-old Aown Dogar who died last week. Coroner Darren Salter painted a picture of how Aown spent Thursday afternoon playing games with his friends on the River Thames near Donnington Bridge.
A detective sergeant who failed to properly investigate a 14-year-old girl's claims she had sex with an older man has been given a written warning. Thames Valley Police said the officer was found guilty of misconduct following a two-day hearing
DR ANDREW Pritchard’s solution to the strangulation of Oxford by ever-increasing traffic – build new roads into the centre, thus bringing even more traffic in – seems self-defeating (June 26). Better to discourage and deflect traffic, through a
I HOPE you will allow me to comment on the picture of an orchid on page 18 of yesterday’s Oxford Mail. I do not think that it is a picture of a marsh helleborine which has fewer larger flowers which are purple and brown in colour. The picture
NOTWITHSTANDING our honourable friend Andrew Smith’s good words and intentions, “Fears right to buy will lead to worsening city housing” (June 23) shows the Oxford Mail is on the ball. Nevertheless, only one English party already represented at
THERE has been a lot written about concepts on how to tackle congestion around Oxford, where the leader of the county council has stressed that the transport policy is not to encourage more cars on to the city road network. Readers might like to
Karl Penhale produced a devastating spell of 6-10 as Banbury shot out Reading for just 40 in a one-sided Division 1 clash at White Post Road on Saturday. The seamer, who is playing for Northants 2nd XI this season, proved unplayable to set up an
I WAS amused to read in Monday’s ‘Looking Back’ column of ‘Memory Lane’ “60 Years Ago –Motorists in Oxford area are complaining that too many roads are being dug up at the same time for repair, causing serious congestion in parts of the city.”
IT SEEMS that “right to buy” social housing is likely to be extended, despite all the warning of future problems which it will bring. Local MPs should reflect on previous experience in rural and seaside areas, many ex-council houses are now second
AS BILL Mackeith pointed out yesterday, most of the service industry are now in private hands, where it clearly should not be. Unfortunately there are a number of politicians who have this unhealthy belief that everything should be in private hands
A man needed hospital treatment last night after suffering chest and arm injuries at a house in Jericho. Thames Valley Police spokeswoman Hannah Williams said officers were called to the home in Cranham Terrace at 8.45pm following reports of a
SUNBATHERS will need to put on plenty of sun cream in Oxford today as temperatures will hit a maximum of 30 degrees celsius, according to the Met Office. Temperatures will be up to 28C by noon and 30C by about 4pm, says the forecast, and the heat
In April 2013 there were large-scale civil legal aid cuts. At a stroke, legal aid was abolished for a large number of civil claims. Excluded from provision were the type of clients that I had been advising for years. These included elderly
YES Conservative councillor and Leader of Vale of White Horse District council Matthew Barber Since the original Right to Buy was introduced in 1980 about 1.5m households have benefitted from what most people take for granted: the ability
Two cars have been involved in a crash this morning in Marcham near Abingdon. The accident happened on Marcham Road between Howard Cornish Road and North Street, on the bend near the Crown pub. Traffic in the area is building up as a result
GEORGE Baldock described the decision join Oxford United as a “no-brainer” given the determination the club had shown to bring him back. A major part of the jigsaw for next season’s side was completed yesterday, when the 22-year-old agreed a season-long
STAFF and pupils from Magdalen College School said they have been overwhelmed by the support of the community after a fire gutted its drama building. The school’s annual Arts Festival was put at risk after months of hard work were ruined when the
A DRUG dealer has been jailed after he was caught with £29,000 worth of heroin and cocaine. Callum Ryland-Palmer, of Dunnock Way, Greater Leys, Oxford, pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing Class A drugs with intent to supply after police
A woman arrested in connection with a £6m Mini fraud that saw a man jailed for more than five years has been rebailed a fifth time. The 46-year-old, who has never been charged, has now been told to contact police again on Tuesday, July 28.
NEIGHBOURS were alerted to a fire at a house in East End, North Leigh, last night. Oxfordshire Fire & Rescue Service were called to the property shortly after 9pm and sent crews from Eynsham, Woodstock and Rewley Road in Oxford.
A crash involving a car and a motorcyclist near Faringdon caused delays for drivers on the A420 this morning. The route between Swindon and Oxford was blocked both ways following the collision between Fernham Road and the Great Coxwell turn.
THE number of young people self-harming in the county has risen by more than 100 in a year. The recession, the rise in cyber bullying and exam stress are some the of the reasons believed to have contributed to the increase. Figures released
WASPS, wildflowers and whitethroats were just a few of the highlights for pupils visiting the Marvellous Meadows day in Bicester. Pupils from Ambrosden Five Acres Primary and Foundation School became the first group to visit Meadow Farm, a nature
A VEHICLE mechanic who died after losing control of his car on New Year’s Day was more than three times over the drink-drive limit, an inquest heard. Jason Parker, of Carey Court, Gloucester Street, Faringdon, was killed when his silver Honda Civic
A man charged with arson and other offences in Beckley was remanded in custody yesterday until July 24. Mohammed Chaudrey, 20, of Brome Place, Oxford, was arrested on Sunday and charged with one count of arson, one count of burglary, one count
FINLEY Halcrow became the most powerful schoolboy in Witney for a day as he became a council advisor. The 10-year-old was invited to give his views on a play park in Cogges to Witney Town Council after getting fed up with the lack of equipment.
A man has admitted being part of a conspiracy to supply amphetamine, MDMA, cocaine and cannabis. Aaron Wright, 34, of Norreys Road, Didcot, pleaded guilty yesterday to two counts of the offence in relation to the Class A drugs MDMA and cocaine,
5:27pm Services cancelled between Oxford and Worcester Shrub Hill due to broken down train 4:47pm Update: The woman who collapsed at Marks
ADAM Tucker’s superb unbeaten century was in vain for Shrivenham as they fell to a six-wicket defeat at home to OCA leaders Minster Lovell in Division 1. Shrivenham posted 169-9 as Tucker hit 105 not out. Minster reached 170-4 to seal victory
A FORMER professional ballerina undergoing treatment for cancer was delighted to be asked to join in a performance of The Nutcracker at Sobell House Hospice. Auriel Drobeck-Condon, 66, wore her ballet shoes once again after three years when two
MORE than 100 primary schools and 11 secondary schools in Oxfordshire could be told they are “coasting” and made academies under tougher new Government rules. Education Secretary Nicky Morgan yesterday announced plans to crack down on “complacency
THE peaceful evening calm of an Oxfordshire village was shattered when more than 10,000 bikers roared into town. Villagers in Cassington welcomed the motorcyclists with open arms for the annual Cassington Bike Night on Monday. Bikers took over
Firefighters were called to Atkyns Road in Headington after a car was set on fire early yesterday morning. A crew from The Slade fire station put out a small blaze inside the car at about 2.30am. Oxfordshire Fire Service spokesman Gary Cooper
About £90 was stolen from an 85-year-old man who was approached by someone at Oxford Retail Park claiming to be a store detective. The customer was walking across the Oxford Retail Park car park in Cowley on Sunday, June 21 at about 3.50pm when
OXFORD University made a poor start to cricket’s Varsity Match with Cambridge at Fenners. The Dark Blues were bowled out for 156 on the first of the four-day match, despite Matt Hughes and Tom Claughton putting on 71 for the first wicket. The
Thame Town went back to the top of the Cherwell League table after romping to victory over struggling Wolverton Town. Hassam Mushtaq produced a match-winning performance by taking 5-34 to help dismiss the Milton Keynes side for 150. Mike Higgs
ALEXIS Canter will fulfil his dream of playing at Wimbledon after being handed a wildcard into the main draw of the Junior Championships. The 17-year-old, from Long Wittenham, received the news from the Lawn Tennis Association yesterday. Canter
THE number of regular internet users in Oxfordshire rose by 22,000 in the first three months of this year compared to the same period two years ago. New figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed 482,000 adults in the county
A BIZARRE painting by television star and comedian Noel Fielding is to be auctioned to raise money for Oxford children’s hospice Helen & Douglas House. Mr Fielding painted the diptych, entitled “Floppy Hump”, while visiting Waterstones bookshop
A GOOD night’s sleep may actually be worse for someone recovering from a traumatic event. A study by Oxford University, published in the journal Sleep today, found sleep deprivation could stop people forming memories of trauma, reducing their likelihood
HUNDREDS of residents are backing a campaign for lights to be installed in part of South Park after an alleged sex assault there. Oxford Brookes University student Peter Hulley, 26, launched an online petition to illuminate a “dangerous” path at
A JOB club in dire financial straits has failed to reach its fundraising target and may face closure. Management team members at the Going for Gold job club, based at The Mill Arts Centre, in Banbury, needed to find £7,500 to match funds offered
CHEQUERS A moved off the bottom of the table with a shock 2-1 win over leaders Crown Chalgrove in Section 3 of the Greene King Oxford & District League, writes ANDY BEAL. Their unbeaten record looked to remain intact after winning the first
CHILDREN will get the chance to hone their footballing skills with Oxford United players and coaches this summer. Cherwell District Council has joined forces with the club to run football camps for five to 13-year-olds in Kidlington, Bicester and
ORGANISERS of Cowley Road Carnival have issued a desperate plea for more volunteers just days before the event. East Oxford is set to come alive on Sunday when the annual summer festival returns to the city. But Cowley Road Works, the team
