YOUNGSTERS had a hands-on experience of the world of illustration at an Oxford museum. The Draw Me A Story exhibition at the Story Museum featured works from children’s illustrators such as Quentin Blake, Nick Sharratt and Korky Paul. Among
A COMBINE harvester that was on fire has caused a Bicester road to be closed both ways. According to reports, Bucknell Road is now closed because the vehicle was on fire between A4095 Howes Lane and Bicester Road. 1711 - 3 crews from Bicester
A CAR and a motorbike have been involved in a collision in Faringdon. Traffic is now building up both ways on the A420 at A417 Stanford Road. Reports suggest Thames Valley Police are currently directing traffic on the roundabout at Stanford
GOOD causes up and down the county are being offered another chance to bid for cash from the Oxford Mail’s parent company. Every year Gannett Media’s charitable arm, the Gannett Foundation, gives away a total of about £20,000 to a range of worthy
THE redevelopment of a home in Littlemore with a controversial history is set to be approved. Applicant Richard Evers wants to extend Beenhams Cottage, a modern-style building in Railway Lane, by building a two-storey side and rear extension and
FAMILIES took advantage of a range of free summer activities as part of a celebration of Oxford’s parks. Love Parks Weeks kicked off last Frida as part of a weekend of free sport and events in Hollow Way Recreation Ground, Florence Park and Cutteslowe
A WOMAN suffered minor injuries at a crash in Yarnton earlier today, according to Thames Valley Police. Officers said they were called to the collision, near the Turnpike of Woodstock Road, at 4pm. The force said they cleared the vehicles from
THE A40 has reopened following an earlier crash. The road was closed eastbound following the incident near Cassington when a blue Vauxhall Insignia and a Zontes motorbike collided shortly before 3pm. Thames Valley Police spokeswoman Connie
Sidestepping a banal conversation about holidays, I pat myself on the back before my barber can repeat his swashbuckling tales of Red Sea adventures. Wise to his routine, I deftly steer the conversation – via an obligatory nod to the recent warm weather
Want to give your opinion? Email letters@oxfordmail.co.uk
THE Oxford Mail frequently reports local council and resident alarm about sewage managment. A review of OM articles on this matter over only the past two years, concerning at least 23 separate locations across the length and breadth of the county
WE ARE pleased about investment in the railways, taking freight off roads, but this means much greater activity on existing lines, some of which in Oxford run alongside homes, from the station through Jericho to Wolvercote, where the former branch
THE report in Saturday’s Oxford Mail that Templars Square in Cowley could be redeveloped quite excited me because it’s something that I have long thought could be the future. Far better a development in Cowley than at the Westgate. Long gone
NO wonder so many cyclists meet with accidents. I have had to take an alternative route into Oxford because of road works. On the Botley Road, a cyclist was weaving in and out of other cyclists. No indication, no cycle helmet, into the path
MANY will know that for years my family and I lived in The Clock House immediately opposite the terrace of cottages in Grove Street, Wantage that is potentially under threat. I think it essential that no matter what happens the facade must be kept
IT IS a matter of some concern that a significant number of business units are lying empty or have recently closed down in the Bicester town centre due to high business rates and a lack of free car parking opportunities leading to a severe reduction
OXFORD University’s Cecil appeal has reached a figure of more than £550,000. The University’s Wildlife Conservation Research Unit had appealed to people across the world so it could boost its big cat research work. It is now hoped by professors
INQUESTS were opened today into the deaths of four people who died on Oxfordshire’s roads last week. The 43-year-old woman who died in a crash on Monday, July 27 on the B4016 between Drayton and Sutton Courtenay was named by Oxfordshire coroner
AN ELDERLY lady has had a 100-year-old gold pearl brooch and 200-year-old gold pocket watch stolen from her house in Watlington. The woman, who lives in Howe Hill, was gardening when she saw a man on her doorstep last Tuesday. Police said the
GOOD causes up and down the county are being offered another chance to bid for cash from the Oxford Mail’s parent company. Every year Gannett Media’s charitable arm, the Gannett Foundation, gives away a total of about £20,000 to a range of worthy causes
Our 12-page supplement packed with United news, pictures, stats and much more is out on Friday, August 7. Pick up your copy at the newsagents.
TO HUNDREDS of pets Val Henderson is their surrogate mum, and to their owners she is a godsend. Over 18 years she has built a business from taking care of thousands of beloved family members – cats, dogs, rabbits and guinea pigs – and looking after
A RESCUE dog has gone the extra mile after clocking up 500km by completing her 100th Parkrun. Leah and proud owner Les Newell completed the 5km circuit around Abingdon’s Rye Meadow, marking the labrador cross’ 100th circuit of the route. Mr
PLANS submitted for the third time to convert an old school into flats have sparked concern from people in Wolvercote. Under a scheme lodged with Oxford City Council by Mark Clutterbuck of East Hanney, The Old School in First Turn would be turned
A CALL for £2.8bn of investment in major roads and rail projects is the centrepiece of proposals set to be put to the Government by Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Northamptonshire. The three county councils for the areas have today unveiled their
Richard Ovenden Bodley’s Librarian, the Bodleian Libraries The University of Oxford’s Bodleian Library is one of the most iconic libraries in the world and has been a resource for scholars for more than 400 years. Oxford residents
With less than half the season remaining, the Green Road Club (Kidlington) have opened up a commanding three-point gap on their nearest pursuers in the race for the Section One crown in the Summer Quiz League. Diddly Dee, his brother the President
THE EXTRAORDINARY tale of a soldier from the First World War is being remembered following the publication of his memoirs. Walter Young witnessed unimaginable horrors during the war – horrors even his family were not aware of until they discovered
OXFORD United chairman Darryl Eales wants to make open training sessions a regular event after hundreds of supporters watched the players get their first taste of the new Kassam Stadium pitch. Strengthening engagement with fans is a key priority
RYAN Taylor is optimistic of being fit for the start of Oxford United's campaign this weekend. The striker limped off after just 18 minutes in their goalless draw with Coventry City last Saturday following a strong challenge from Reda Johnson.
HEROES who fought in the Battle of Britain could be honoured by a flying club that wants to pay tribute to Oxfordshire Spitfire pilots. Enstone Flying Club plans to build 12 replicas of the famous Second World War aircraft to form the City of Oxford
STAFF at First Great Western have vowed to walk out over the August bank holiday weekend, the RMT union has said. The Rail, Maritime and Transport union said the strike was due to jobs, services and safety issues over the introduction of new Hitachi
The trial of man accused of raping a woman in a flat in Headington is expected to get under way today. Catalin Horhota denies one count of rape, two attempted rapes, three sexual assaults, an exposure and a burglary. The charges relate to a
STUNNED community groups look set to be turfed out of their homes in ‘hushed plans’ to sell them off for housing. Two ward councillors representing people living near Film Oxford, in Catherine Street, and the East Oxford Games Hall, in Collins
Alexis Canter has made the main draw of the Egypt F23 Men’s Future in Sharm El Sheikh after a straight sets win over Anatoliy Petrenko. The 17-year-old, from Long Wittenham, beat the Ukrainian ninth seed 7-6, 6-4 in the final round of qualifying
THREE police officers could be severely reprimanded over their conduct during the disappearance of murdered Didcot teenager Jayden Parkinson. The officers, along with another member of staff at Thames Valley Police, will face the internal misconduct
INVENTOR Sir Trevor Baylis was guest of honour yesterday at an Oxford conference to encourage more young people to become entrepreneurs. The 78-year-old, who created the wind-up radio and torch which run without batteries, has seen his invention
Thames Valley Police has released CCTV images of a man it wants to speak to in connection with the theft of meats from a Co-op store. The theft occurred on July 28 when a man entered the Middleton Road store and put packets of meat in a carrier
Katie Nutt will compete at the International Water Ski and Wakeboard Federation Junior European Championships in Rome tomorrow after a whirlwind week. Nutt, 14, from Standlake, was first reserve for Great Britain’s Under 17 squad after initially
MOBILE phone users in Charlbury have said the town is still experiencing signal problems despite upgrade work being completed last week. Residents have formed an action group to lobby for better service. The group, called CAMPUS – Charlbury
A PROJECT is giving youngsters across Oxfordshire the chance to take part in street hockey sessions over the summer holidays. The Sport for Streets Initiative has launched the scheme to get children more active during the summer. The free sessions
A TOURISM manager has called for more mid-range hotels in Oxford after the city was revealed as one of the most expensive destinations for travellers booking rooms. The city was the fourth most costly location for booking a double room, according
JORDAN Albert clinched his second victory of the season to keep his Duo BRDC Formula 4 Championship hopes alive. The 18-year-old, who races for Chipping-Norton based SWR, made the most of a front row start in a dramatic second race at Brands Hatch
The North Oxford police team will be outside Marks and Spencer today in a bid to prevent burglaries in the area. The Oxford North Neighbourhood team and the Crime Prevention team will be on a stand outside the Summertown shop from 11am to 1pm to
Former North Oxford junior captain Robbie Nicholson has started a probationary period as their assistant pro. The 22-year-old has been at the club for eight years and is waiting for his professional status to be approved. Nicholson celebrated
AN AMATEUR metal detectorist struck bronze after discovering a 3,000-year-old artefact on the Isle of Wight. Banbury resident Christopher Preece stumbled across the knife, thought to be a tool for cutting leather that dates back to between 1000BC
Two young players, with a combined age of 31 years, helped Oxfordshire build an almost impregnable position in their Unicorns Counties Championship top-of-the-table clash against Cornwall at Banbury yesterday. Harrison Ward, aged 15, and Jordan
A SCHEME to transform the city’s West End will be delayed after the developer lined up to be a major partner pulled out. The Oxford Mail has learned Exemplar, the firm hand-picked by senior Government officials to help redevelop Oxpens, has said
WORRIED residents who live on a quiet Headington road have signed a petition to try to stop their street becoming a “rat-run” for commuters. Oxfordshire County Council (OCC) wants to remove the grass verges in Osler Road and widen the street, building
INADEQUATE parking and overdevelopment are among reasons given for objections to a new retail park in Bicester. A decision is set to be made on plans for a Bicester Retail Park which would include Next, Marks and Spencer and one other retailer,
OXFORD RL suffered a fifth defeat in a row as they lost 42-12 at London Skolars in Kingstone Press League 1. The Blues made two changes from the side beaten 34-22 by Barrow Raiders, with Andy Speake returning from injury in the halves and Charlie
DARREN Allen scored the highest finish of the Greene King ODDA Summer League season as Donnington Community Centre A beat Village Inn 7-2. Allen hit two treble 20s and the bullseye to check out for 170 in the Section 2 clash. Leaders Kidlington
REVELLERS raised a cup of cheer sampling dozens of real ales and beers while music rang out over Didcot this weekend. Hundreds of people packed into the Cornerstone meadow for the seventh annual Beer and Music Festival on Friday, Saturday and Sunday
A BUST of former poet laureate Sir John Betjeman could soon be put up in the Oxfordshire town where he lived, following a four-year wait. Wantage Town Council is hoping to put a bronze bust of the popular poet on top of a plinth in front of the
DIDCOT’S karting star Elliot Harvey will race at the IAME International Final at Le Mans, France, in October. The St Birinus School pupil booked his place by finishing third in the MSA Kartmasters British Kart Grand Prix at Trent Valley. This
PLANS to force new medical consultants to sign seven-day contracts have been described as “cynical” by doctors in Oxfordshire. Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt recently announced that a new weekend working contract will be imposed on consultants unless
A THIEF who filled his rucksack with meat at a supermarket and picked up a box of wine to fraudulently obtain a refund has been jailed. Ryan Palmer walked into the Cooperative food store in Abingdon and began filling his rucksack with meat on July
Wild swimming is becoming increasingly popular across the country. Naomi Herring tested out the chilly waters in the wilds of Berinsfield Next month more than 100 swimmers are set to the take part in Oxford’s first 4k Wild Thames swim event from
