OXFORDSHIRE’S newest MP has “caught the bug” after taking to the skies in a glider to see Bicester from above. Banbury MP Victoria Prentis took a flight as dozens of competitive glider pilots geared up to take part in The LX avionics Bicester Regionals
GENERATIONS of nurses who trained over seven decades were reunited at their old hospital. More than 150 alumni from the Radcliffe School of Nursing came together to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the Radcliffe Guild of Nurses. The group
A MIXTURE of mud and Mother Nature proved a successful recipe for the Hill End family fun day. Children had free run of the Hill End Outdoor Education Centre near Farmoor as it opened for two family play days full of “organic” activities. Families
A FRESH bid to build 300 homes on a Bicester meadow has been met with criticism as campaigners continue their fight to keep it development-free. Gavray Drive has been subject to repeated plans for development and Locke Associates is the latest
A FRUIT and veg wholesaler from Oxford who has been working in his family firm for nearly 60 years has said farewell to his loyal customers. Harold Hicks Ltd has been providing the people of Oxfordshire with fresh fruit and vegetables for 95 years
PASSENGERS travelling from London Paddington to Oxford have been hit by delays due to signalling problems between Hayes & West Drayton. The 4.25pm First Great Western Train had to start at Reading instead of the capital because of a fault
PART of a street in Littlemore is to be turned into parking spaces to stop residents using a green to leave their cars A crab apple tree will also be cut down in Carpenter Close to allow nine parking spaces to be built for people who live in the road
A PACKED owl sanctuary and rescue service near Witney may have to close if its founder cannot find some urgent financial support. Chrissie Harper, 66, runs Chrissie’s Owls from her home in Longore, Stonesfield. Currently 60 birds, including owls
A NURSE who was first on the scene of a crash in West Oxfordshire has been asked to come forward by police. Thames Valley Police said a green and blue coloured Ford Focus crashed into a hedge by the B4026 Charlbury Road on July 20, just outside
A cyclist was chased through the centre of Oxford after someone in a van threw stones at him, according to police. Thames Valley Police said the 27-year-old was cycling near the junction joining Longwall Street and High Street on August 1 at 12.15pm
MY crampons crunch as I find a footing on the hard snow, jabbing the steel point of my ice axe into the mountain for support. The wind blows hard and cold as we make our slow progress along a razor edge of ice, which falls away steeply to both sides
A PIGEON has been freed from the former Co-op store in Bury Street, Abingdon, after concerned members of the public fed it through the door. The pigeon, named Abby by locals, has been trapped inside the shop since Monday. Taxi driver
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SAM Long has been the pick of Oxford United’s players during pre-season, according to skipper Jake Wright. The 20-year-old from Bicester made ten appearances for United last season and started the final four games of the campaign at right back.
A MUSIC festival in Drayton set up by a music lover from the village is returning for its sixth year tomorrow. Craig Evans began DFest six years ago at a pub in Drayton, but the event has grown to the point where there will be three stages for
A CHARITY that helps people with learning disabilities in Witney “break barriers” has said the biggest one is a traffic-choked road outside its base. Oxfordshire charity Guideposts hosts up to 15 adults with learning disabilities at its weekly
OXFORD United have sold almost 500 more season tickets than they managed in the last campaign. The latest figure the club supplied yesterday was 3,407, which includes lounges and box holders. It means a 16 per cent rise on the 2014-15 season
THE A40 has now been cleared after a dustcart overturned between Witney and Eynsham. It happened near Barnard Gate between the B4022 and Cuckoo Lane. Traffic was queueing for a mile after the vehicle overturned and split its load of rubbish
THE current congestion on the A40 is due to the improvement work at the Wolvercote and Cutteslowe roundabouts. For people to use public transport rather than private vehicles, there has to be either a cost or time saving and preferably both.
JOHN Tanner must be living on another planet regarding his views about those that are trying to enter the UK illegally. I suspect the majority of the British people are amazed at the utter rubbish he has written about the need to let those economic
I WAS most concerned to read that that Oxfordshire County Council is considering the removal of the number 17 bus service (Cutteslowe/Jericho to Oxford route). I now live in Headington, but spent several years living in Jericho and during this
CONGRATULATIONS to Abingdon Abbey Gardens on being given a Green Flag Award. A record of 1,582 parks were recognised in total and the accolade rewards the best green spaces around the country. Abingdon has the privilege of seasonal floral displays
TOMORROW at noon, members of the Witney branch of the Royal British Legion will gather at the war memorial on Church Green in the town for a short act of remembrance and thanksgiving to commemorate the 70th anniversary of VJ Day. The service will
I WOULD like to say a huge thank-you to all the parents who have supported the coffee morning at Bayards Hill School. We have raised more than £1,000 for the school and over £900 for Macmillan Cancer Support. The commitment, time and energy
FROM Bordeaux to Burgundy, The Oxford Wine Festival is set to offer people the opportunity to sample their favourite wines as well as discovering some new gems. The festival is taking place in the Oxford Union, St Michael’s Street, on August 21
THE summer evening descends. The sun is still shining. You’ve got all the windows open to let in the breeze. You’re in the garden drinking Pimms and the ‘whack attack’ happens. You get hot under the collar. The first wave of smoke engulfs you and
A MONTH might have passed since Oxford’s Alice’s Day but the magic of the occasion and the childhood memories it revived for this old romantic are taking some shifting – not that I want them to. David Gibb, of the magical Story Museum in Pembroke
ALEX MacDonald compared today to Christmas Eve as the Oxford United forward impatiently awaits the adrenalin rush of competitive football to return. Just 98 days since the U’s won 1-0 at Newport County on the final day of last season, the new campaign
DANNY Nicholls admitted Oxford City will be taking a step into the unknown tomorrow as they make their Vanarama National League South debut at home to Chelmsford City, writes MATTHEW BRUCE. City have been forced to make changes to the squad which
NOTHING is guaranteed in football, but Oxford United can surely count on getting off to a better start than they managed last season. Michael Appleton’s side turned losing beautifully into an art form in the opening games 12 months ago. It
THAMES Valley Police has once again refused to confirm or deny whether it used anti-terrorism laws to spy on journalists. It has still refused to release details of whether it misused the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) to snoop on
Several items including a laptop and a passport were stolen from a house on The Avenue in Kennington. Thames Valley Police said it’s believed three people smashed a rear patio window on Tuesday between 7.30pm and 9pm. The force said a Blu-Ray
A man who died on the M40 on July 27 has been described as a “loving and beautiful husband, son, brother, uncle and godfather.” Alex Green, 29, died when the car he was driving hit the crash barrier on the road and burst into flames on July 27.
A FORMER World Record holder joined youngsters in Grove to see who could build the biggest stack of Jelly Baby sweets. Grove Library welcomed former Guinness World Record holder Martin Allum – who was known for ploughing an acre in the fastest
CHARLIE SILVER’S 10-week sentence for causing £1,600 of graffiti damage came after he was found with a stash of pens, paint and spray cans. Silver was arrested in November after trying to run away when officers asked him to stop, a court heard.
OXFORD United’s new penalty-taker will be selected today, after head coach Michael Appleton decided to make a change. Danny Hylton had the role last season, but a miss from the spot in the goalless draw with Coventry City in preseason meant he
THE jailing of a prolific graffiti vandal who blighted walls across Oxford has been hailed as a “milestone sentence”. Vandal Charlie Silver, known for his distinctive Soak” tag, was jailed for 10 weeks after admitting eight counts of criminal damage
CRAWLEY Town’s preparations for the trip to Oxford United have been disrupted by speculation surrounding striker Izale McLeod. The 30-year-old scored 21 goals last season, but he looks to be close to the exit and the club have turned down a second
CROWDS gathered in Oxford city centre yesterday to mark the 70th anniversary of the “horror” bombings in Hiroshima. Lord Mayor Rae Humberstone visited a special exhibition at the Town Hall in St Aldate’s, featuring pictures donated by Hbakusha,
Cash and electricals were stolen from a house in Anne Greenwood Close. Police said thieves smashed through the glass of a patio door to enter the property. Foreign currency and electrical items were taken in the burglary, which happened on
A WIDOWER fighting the NHS for compensation over his wife’s life-changing stroke has been left stunned after a judge ruled he was entitled to nothing. Tim Owers from Aston, whose wife Karen died last August at the age of 42 after four years of
Plans for a 70-bed care home that were deferred last month have now been approved. At a Cherwell District Council planning committee meeting yesterday 11 councillors voted in favour of the home, focused on elderly people with dementia. Applicants
BICESTER Town joint manager Eddie Nix is looking forward to being part of a momentous occasion tomorrow. The revived club play their first competitive match in four years as they host Finchampstead in the Uhlsport Hellenic League Division 1 East
5:56pm Delays on trains between London Paddington and Oxford due to signalling problem
DETAILED plans for a fifth care home in Cumnor offering nursing and dementia care have been tabled. Drawings for the 70-bed facility went on public display in the spring but final designs have now been submitted to Vale of White Horse District
CHILDREN were transported back to the Jurassic era this week as part of a clay dinosaur workshop. Held at the Cornerstone Arts Centre in Didcot, youngsters were invited to make their own clay dinosaur during the special summer holiday event.
MIKE Ford is eagerly anticipating his first competitive match as manager of Banbury United tomorrow afternoon as they host Swindon Supermarine in their Evo-Stik Southern League Division 1 South & West opener. Former Oxford City boss Ford has
CAPTAIN Ian Crosby accepts it is a long shot to win all five of their remaining matches, but believes it will be essential if Oxford are to beat the drop. The bottom side are still without a victory in Serious Cricket Home Counties Premier League
SAM Slocombe is looking forward to finally being able to introduce himself to Oxford United’s home fans. The goalkeeper is one of three new signings, with Ryan Taylor and Liam Sercombe, set to make their debut against Crawley Town tomorrow.
THE external supporters’ bar trialled by Oxford United towards the end of last season will return tomorrow. Hundreds visited the marquee, set up in the car park, before the goalless draw with York City on Easter Monday. The trial was deemed
A 92-YEAR-OLD will take to the skies in a microlight tomorrow in a bid to save a church organ made famous by Downton Abbey. Vera Elward, nee Tanner, will go up for a 30-minute flight at Sywell Aerodrome in Northamptonshire. Despite having two
INFORMATION relating to former Prime Minister Sir Edward Heath is being investigated by Thames Valley Police. Allegations surrounding Sir Edward, who read Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Keble College in the 1930s, are now being investigated
Cherwell District Council has paid tribute to former councillor Ann Bonner who passed away on Monday. Mrs Bonner served as Conservative member for the Grimsbury and Castle ward on the district council since 2004. Council leader Barry Wood said
JOSH Smith is urging his Aston Rowant players to take responsibility ahead of tomorrow’s Serious Cricket Home Counties Premier League Division 2 match at home to leaders Great & Little Tew. Rowant suffered a second successive league defeat
A PEDESTRIAN was taken to hospital with head and leg injuries after a crash. It is thought a car driver, in his twenties, had a medical episode when the collision happened in Swan Lane, Long Hanborough, on Wednesday morning. Police said they
RESIDENTS have until midnight to respond to the consultation on a controversial £12.5m overhaul of Headington’s road systems by Oxfordshire County Council. Independent councillor for Marston Mick Haines said last night that he has collected 400
A DEVOLUTION deal for Oxfordshire could see the Government hand councils major powers and hundreds of millions of pounds. The Oxford Mail has learned discussions are under way between local authorities in the county, who aim to put forward a proposal
THEY may be made to brave the icy cold winds of Antarctica, but the penguins at the Cotswold Wildlife Park have been cooling off during the summer holidays. Ducking and diving into their enclosure’s pool, families enjoyed watching the birds waddle
ALEXIS Canter lost 6-4, 6-3 to Italian eighth seed Francesco Vilardo at the Egypt F23 Men’s Future in Sharm El Shiekh. He was beaten in the first round after winning three matches in qualifying. Canter, 17, from Long Wittenham, beat Muhammad
WOODSTOCK are on course for their first OLTA Babolat Summer League Division 1 title after drawing 2-2 with second-placed Oxford Sports. Ben Coomber and Dave Tuck starred for Oxford, battling back from a set down to beat Phil Waller and Chris Corfield
HUNDREDS of people who could be employed at a major new science park should be provided with housing there to ease traffic pressures, say residents. People living in Wolvercote want homes for key workers to be part of the Northern Gateway development
A 60-BED care home that will replace a 92-year-old timber yard has been approved. Wednesday’s decision means that existing timber yard WG Powell and two flats at 474 Cowley Road will be demolished to make way for the care home focusing on people
SAUSAGE sellers, ale brewers and veg growers celebrated a second successful Headington Farmers’ Market at the weekend thanks to a change of location. Market manager Jack Macleod moved the farmers’ market from Kennett Road to the top of New High
SATURDAY FOOTBALL SKY BET LEAGUE TWO Oxford Utd v Crawley Tn. VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE SOUTH Oxford City v Chelmsford City. EVO-STIK SOUTHERN LEAGUE Div 1 South & West: Banbury Utd v Swindon Supermarine, Larkhall Ath
Oxford Central (Portland, 5 sent 57): 1, 2, 3 L Wheeler 1195, 1194, 1193; 4 G Maylin 1171; 5, 6 M/M R Ward 1059, 884; 7 K Shipperley 623. Shotover & District (Honiton, 8 sent 129): 1, 2, 3 B Sherman & S Wells 1732, 1686, 1685; 4, 5, 6 P
YOUNGSTERS at the Blackbird Leys Adventure Playground were thrilled to welcome Oxford’s Lord Mayor to the play area for the first time. Rae Humberstone chose the playground to be one of his chosen charities following his inauguration, and followed
