Archive

  • ‘Help out or popular centre could close’

    A POPULAR community centre used by almost 700 people a week could face closure if no volunteers come forward to help run it. Organisers at the Hanwell Fields Community Centre announced in 2013 they were stepping down, but two years later no one

  • Drivers have been delayed on the A34 near Oxford

    Drivers on the A34 northbound have been facing delays this afternoon after a lorry broke down north of Oxford. The lorry has been holding up traffic after breaking down between the Peartree Interchange and the Islip turn. Traffic has been

  • Safari fun for bug game hunters

    THE ancient Wytham Woods were the perfect place to hunt for bugs during a minibeast safari. Seven-year-old Oliver Rush, from Woodstock, came across a Large Yellow Underwing Moth with help from safari guide Ceri Watkins. The 90-minute tour and

  • Children are astro-nuts for space science camp

    YOUNGSTERS were transported to infinity and beyond as part of a space camp organised by Science Oxford. The free event at East Oxford Primary School offered the chance to learn about space through building, baking, investigating and exploring.

  • Whale of time at museum

    TWO schoolchildren made the most of a rainy day by having a whale of a time at an Oxford museum. Eight-year-olds Harris Pearce Bates and Maddi Hall from Bicester, pictured, enjoyed an afternoon of making whales and exploring dinosaurs at the Oxford

  • Youngsters are bringing some ‘Horrid History’ to life

    CREATIVE costumes and stage combat have helped youngsters bring history to life over the summer holidays. Charity group OYAP – which supports young people in Oxfordshire – hosted the Horrid History project to get youngsters dressing up and acting

  • How to find the best deal on your next used car

    The Oxford Mail has launched its all new cars website, where you can find Oxfordshire’s best deals on used cars from trusted local deals. But how do you find the right car? Our infographic will help you find a used car that is perfect for you.

  • New commuter link nearing completion

    THE bridge connecting Bicester’s new railway station platforms has been lowered into place ahead of the station’s opening in October. The former Bicester Town Station is nearing completion after a complete rebuild as part of the new high-speed

  • Variety of fish impresses researchers

    SEVERAL species of fish were spotted for the first time in the River Cherwell following a survey involving stunning them. Nature conservationists from the Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) used electric shock technology to stun the fish

  • We should never ignore the benefits of a school uniform

    THERE appears to be a strong agenda in the national media to focus on the poor struggling to buy school uniform, with the clear benefits of school uniform being totally ignored. I am concerned that concentration on this rhetoric without a proper

  • How can hospital food from Wales be cheaper?

    HEALTHY eating makes for fewer problems and strain on doctors, hospitals, nurses, drugs etc. The food the cottage hospitals have to dish up is awful and tasteless. We used to have beautiful food, freshly cooked on the premises in the kitchen

  • We must all stand up and save countryside heritage

    MY FAMILY on my father’s side come from the village of Aston just south of Witney and I have had a lifelong love for Oxfordshire. I am aghast at the new development plans following the Government’s relaxation of the planning rules that used to

  • Eye hospital staff deserve a heartfelt thank-you

    ON August 15, I attended the Oxford Eye Hospital for a procedure. During my time there I found all the staff to be highly professional, cheerful and dedicated. May I say a big thank-you to all concerned which I feel is well deserved. MJ

  • Free parking would keep our town centre vibrant

    IT IS a matter of some concern that a significant number of business units are lying empty or have recently closed down in Bicester town centre due to high business rates and a lack of free car parking opportunities leading to a severe reduction in

  • Hong Kong university is standing up for freedom

    I HAVE received a letter from a Chinese friend from our days as undergraduates at the University of Hong Kong just after the Second World War. She and I came up to Oxford together after we graduated and she subsequently became registrar of HKU

  • Crossword maestro publishes 2,250th beguiling brainteaser

    WHAT makes a good crossword clue? They must be witty and – above all – fair, says Jonathan Crowther. And the 73-year-old is speaking from experience. He has been solving the puzzles since he was a child and, under the pseudonym of Azed,

  • Service will honour plane crash heroes

    PEOPLE in Wallingford are being asked to honour two airmen who sacrificed their lives to save people in the town. On September 9, 1944, a Halifax bomber of the Royal Canadian Air Force caught fire while returning from a raid over the French port

  • Sense-ational burger science revealed

    AN OXFORD food scientist has claimed he has invented the world’s perfect burger recipe but it could set you back a whopping £200. Charles Michel, a visiting lecturer at Oxford University’s department of experimental psychology, created his mouth-watering

  • Comment: We can ensure that lessons are learnt

    Air shows can inspire a feeling of wonder and amazement among crowds. It is no wonder they are so well-loved. So it is no surprise how the tragedy of the Shoreham has been felt across the country. Naturally the circumstances surrounding Saturday

  • Oxford United upbeat over Sam Long's injury

    OXFORD United are cautiously optimistic ahead of the results from a scan on Sam Long’s injured ankle today. The 20-year-old looked to have sustained a serious injury when he was stretchered off after falling awkwardly during the 1-0 defeat at Sheffield

  • Escaped convict not in city, officers say

    Robber John Rooney who escaped from an open prison in Aylesbury and got a bus to Oxford is no longer thought to be in the area. Thames Valley Police are helping Greater Manchester Police and the Prison Service in trying to find him. Rooney,

  • Children learn of Ancient Greek gifts to the world

    THE Ashmolean Museum took another step back in time as youngsters were given the chance to experience the world of ancient Greece. As part of summer family activities, the Oxford museum ran fun days on Wednesday and Thursday where children could

  • MP demanding answers after convicted sex offender flees

    AN MP last night demanded answers about how a rapist who was released on bail could have escaped justice. Police said yesterday that Joseph Tsang, 31, who was found guilty of a number of sexual offences, could have fled to Hong Kong or elsewhere

  • Train strikes due to go ahead as planned

    TRAIN strikes planned for the Bank Holiday weekend will definitely go ahead. Rail operator First Great Western confirmed yesterday afternoon there was no possibility of reaching agreement with members of the RMT union who plan to strike on Saturday

  • FOOTBALL: New recruit David King named in Oxford City squad

    DAVID King will be included in Oxford City’s squad for the first time as they host bottom side Weston-super-Mare in Vanarama National League South tomorrow afternoon. The former MK Dons midfielder signed for City this week from National League

  • Friday, August 28

    2:16pm BREAKING: Cyclist rushed to hospital with serious injuries following crash in Abingdon

  • Call for Oxford United fans to go retro for the day

    OXFORD United supporters are being encouraged to dig out shirts from the back of their wardrobe to take part in retro day. Fans responded to a similar call on the final day of last season, away at Newport County. Following the success, #retroufc

  • Witney in Pink faces scrap over a lack of support

    A MAJOR fundraising event to combat breast cancer planned in Witney hangs in the balance due to a major lack of volunteers. The annual Pink Day has run each year for 14 years and sees the town filled with 1,000 pink balloons, and stalls set up

  • Four child sex exploitation suspects released

    Four men arrested as part of an investigation into child sexual exploitation have been released without charge. The men, aged 34, 36, 37 and 44, who are all from Oxford, were arrested on June 2 as part of Operation Sabaton, police say. They

  • The show will go on after the Shoreham tragedy

    AIR show managers in Oxfordshire are reviewing how their events are run in the wake the Shoreham crash, which is thought to have killed at least 11 people. Organisers of Abingdon Air and Country Show said they would review arrangements for next

  • FOOTBALL: Wantage Town boss hoping to shock Didcot in FA Cup

    WANTAGE Town boss Daniel Barry believes his side are underdogs in tonight's derby at home to Didcot Town in the Emirates FA Cup preliminary round (7.45). The Alfredians are in good form after back-to-back league wins, but are without several key

  • Charity fundraisers chip in for game of Foot Sally

    A NOVEL variation of Oxfordshire’s most popular pub game will see competitors put their best foot forward for a charity tournament on Sunday. Recruitment company boss Lee Smith, 37, is hosting the county’s first ‘Foot Sally’ tournament in aid of

  • FIXTURES: August 28-September 2

    FRIDAY FOOTBALL EMIRATES FA CUP Prelim round: Wantage Tn v Didcot Tn. SATURDAY FOOTBALL SKY BET LEAGUE TWO Oxford Utd v Yeovil Tn. VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE SOUTH Oxford City v Weston-super-Mare. EMIRATES FA CUP

  • Man charged for vehicle theft

    A man has been charged with attempting to steal a vehicle in the town. Jamie McGowan, 24, of Buscot Drive, Abingdon was charged with attempted theft of a motor vehicle in Buscot Driver and failing to provide a specimen for analysis. He has

  • Oxford United sponsors secure FanZone return

    THE marquee bar at the Kassam Stadium will return for four games in the first half of the season, starting tomorrow. Liontrust, whose logos are on Oxford United’s shirts, are sponsoring the FanZone, which has proved a hit with supporters after

  • Bus disruption due to work on sewers

    Bus services in the city will be affected next week due to emergency sewer work. Stops in Iffley Road near Howard Street will be closed in both directions on Tuesday. Oxford Bus Company’s city3 bus, serving Rose Hill, Iffley and the city centre

  • Conference on corsetry bound to be great success

    HEAVING bosoms, bodices, hooks and laces will liven up one of Oxford’s hallowed college quads this weekend. Now in its third year, the Oxford Conference of Corsetry at Jesus College attracts corset makers and enthusiasts from all over the world

  • Kidlington boss Martin Wilkinson has away-day blues

    KIDLINGTON boss Martin Wilkinson admitted he has been stunned by his side’s unusual record of a dozen away cup ties in a row. After overcoming Uhlsport Hellenic League rivals Ascot United on the road in the extra-preliminary round, Kidlington continue

  • Bittersweet novel launch for Pratchett fans

    IT WAS a bittersweet farewell for many as the last of the late Sir Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series was launched as the clock struck 12. Waterstone’s in Broad Street opened its doors at 11.30pm on Wednesday for its first midnight book launch

  • Drug link in bus collapse death

    A FATHER-OF-FIVE who collapsed on a bus and later died in hospital had suffered drug problems, an inquest heard. Michael “Mick” Roche died on Friday, April 10, at the John Radcliffe Hospital after collapsing on a bus in the city, Oxford Coroner

  • Hard work pays off as young classicists taste exam success

    THE first batch of state school classicists in Oxford have scored straight As and more have enrolled for its next course. East Oxford Community Classics Centre has Latin sessions after-school and its first four students – from Cheney School and

  • Final chance to view summer show at gallery

    ART lovers have just a few more days to get along to the summer show at Junction Art Gallery in Woodstock. The work of four artists is on display at the gallery, with paintings from Iryna Yermolova, Richard Twose and Liz Ridgway, plus sculptures

  • Ruth cooks up African classes

    A SINGLE mother is holding healthy African cooking sessions across the county to raise money for women who have suffered from abusive relationships and mental health problems. Ruth Mojisola Obasa, from Witney, was inspired to set up her charity

  • Part of Cowley Road blocked after two cars crash

    PART of Cowley Road was blocked this morning after a two-car crash.  A red Volkswagen and a blue-grey Ford collided at the junction with Shelley Road at about midnight. Residents reported a loud bang, followed by car alarms and shouting.