A FORMER photographer from Witney who continued to claim his mother’s pension two years after her death has agreed to pay back the NHS.Robin Sweet, of Fox Close, managed to net £27,841.34 following the death of his mother Audrey in the scam, previously
A JUDGE apologised to a transgender woman who stole a heart surgeon’s wallet after she was referred to as a man during her sentencing. Allahra Aziz, who stole the wallet from a private area of the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, appeared at
AN INDEPENDENT music venue, which successfully fought off plans to close it down, is celebrating by bringing back one of Oxford’s biggest bands. Indie-rockers Foals played some of their earliest shows at The Cellar, in Frewin Court, off Cornmarket
THE final application for a temporary building to replace the asbestos-hit Tinbergen Building are set to be approved.The South Parks Road building, home to Oxford University’s zoology and experimental psychology departments, was evacuated in July, and
A MAN charged with poisoning seven police officers with a noxious substance at a north Oxford flat has appeared in court.Hamad Nejad, of Elizabeth Jennings Way, Summertown, Oxford, is charged with one count of administering a poison to inflict grievous
THE DRIVER of a bus which mounted the pavement and hit a pedestrian in the town centre will appear in court next week. Cheikh Daouda Senghor, 40, of St Johns Road, Wallingford, has been reported for summons for dangerous driving. Simon Smith
THE sixth form building at Headington School will be upgraded and extended ahead of a future masterplan.A wider plan for the school has been drawn up but is some years away and the school said in the meantime it had to expand its current sixth form block
SNOW and sub-zero overnight temperatures has prompted Oxford City Council to make extra bed spaces available to rough sleepers. The council has invoked its 'Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP)' after seeing the forecast for the next couple
PEOPLE in Witney can have their say on plans to refurbish a town play area. The project to update the play area on Ralegh Crescent, in Deer Park, is being led by Witney Town Council. A team from the council will be on hand to consult on the plans at West
A CONSERVATION group is reminding people that some trees are for life as Christmas approaches.The Wychwood Project, a group that strives to encourage wildlife and retain the natural beauty of West Oxfordshire, is inviting people to make a donation to
POLICE will be holding a live web chat about rural crime for Oxfordshire residents.On Thursday, members of the public will be able to quiz a panel of specialist rural crime officers, who will be on hand to answer questions about the issues affecting local
Oxford United have announced Niall McWilliams as their new managing director. Having been involved with the club in his role as the executive headteacher at the Oxford Academy and John Henry Newman Academy, McWilliams will work alongside Benn Brown
Oxford broadcasting legend and the man behind Headington's Shark House, Bill Heine continues his account of his ongoing battle with leukaemiaThe story so far: I’ve been diagnosed with leukaemia and given 8 to 14 months to live. This is a tight timeline
A NEW strategy could be introduced to stop the 'increasing prevalence' of cyber-bullying in the county.Primary school pupils could soon be listening to talks and attending workshops by police officers in a bid to crack down on online bullying.Oxfordshire
A NEW nursery block could be built next to a Cowley primary school to provide more space to meet the Government's childcare policy.Church Cowley St James Primary School said there was a 'very significant need' for the new building and revealed
CARE home staff and supporters have taken to the saddle to ride several miles to raise money for charity. The team of six riders from Albany care home in London Road, Headington rode the 22 mile distance from Headington to Chinnor, near Thame.The ride
A NEW Pizza Express at a motorway service station opens today. The restaurant at Oxford Services off junction 8A on the M40 will have a launch party alongside services operator Welcome Break on Monday. It is the first Pizza Express to open
TV PRESENTER and palaeontologist Dean Lomax will take audiences on a journey back to the amazing British finds that sparked the original dinomania of the 1800s.At a lecture in Abingdon School's Amey Theatre on Wednesday the fossil hunter will cover
THE ART of partying throughout history will be explored by historian Alice Foster. From Greek mosaics to Renaissance allegories she will discuss how artists have depicted festivities, at the Ashmolean on Wednesday from 2pm.Tickets are £10 via the museum
OXFORD United have been handed an away tie at Sky Bet League One counterparts Charlton Athletic in the third round of the Checkatrade Trophy. Pep Clotet's side progressed following a 2-1 victory at Gillingham on Tuesday night, thanks to Alex Mowatt's
AN OXFORDSHIRE school will compete for a place in the 'grand final' of a maths competition after being declared regional winners.St. Mary's Catholic Primary School in Bicester fended off competition from schools across Oxford to win the regional
HEALTH and wellbeing in Abingdon will be discussed at a meeting between residents and NHS staff.The purpose of the event is for community groups and members of the public to talk directly to people from the NHS to talk about what can be done together
SHOPPERS at Blackwell’s will be entertained by a choir singing carols.The Broad Street store is hosting a lunchtime recital from the choir of Merton College, from 1pm to 1.30pm tomorrow.The choir will be singing carols from the CD entitled O Holy Night
THE district council in West Oxfordshire is offering free food waste caddy liners so that people can stock up before Christmas. Residents who want to get their hands on a free liner can pick them up from the Town Centre Shop, in Witney, the district council
ANY room at the inn? Those immortal lines, and many others, are once again being rehearsed and performed in schools up and down Oxfordshire. As proud parents pack into halls for a glimpse of their adorable cherubs in biblical dress and makeshift
A CHRISTMAS mini-market will be held at North Moreton Village Hall tonight.From 6pm to 9pm visitors can enjoy a pig roast, mulled wine and mince pies.On sale there will be Christmas gifts, cards, pottery and Fair Trade gifts.The music will start at 7pm
IS this the most Christmassy house in Oxfordshire? The Pearson family of Didcot have gone all out to show they are in the spirit of the season. Their Medlock Grove house has been decked out with inflatables, lazers and thousands of fairy lights
THE art and science of colour will be celebrated at the Bodleian Library’s first ever Library Lates event.It will take place on Thursday from 7pm to 9pm at the Bodleian’s Weston Library in Broad Street.Visitors will be invited to relax over a colourful
Posthumously, the more famous the surreal artist Renee Magritte became, the further his work was scattered around the world, collectors and museums vying to own one of his iconic paintings.And while his home town of Brussels managed to hold onto a great
AN action group determined to see its innovative approach to homelessness come to fruition is seeking support from the community after a devastating setback.Witney-based Homes4All wants to acquire a double-decker bus which would be used as temporary accommodation
"The Devonshire’s held this trench, the Devonshire’s hold it still” announces the memorial cross at the entrance to a small First World War cemetery in northern France, where 160 men were killed on the first day of the battle of the Somme.And it
The Oxford Playhouse Christmas panto has begun its yearly residence and its sensational production of Jack and the Beanstalk proves that even when you are at the top of your game you can still get better.It features all the traditional panto essentials
LEADING figures from the UK space industry gathered in Oxfordshire to discuss the latest technological developments. Specialists from across research, academia and industry met at the Harwell Campus near Didcot for the 'space conference' on Thursday.The
SANTA'S elves have been busy in Bicester as more than 80 trees now decorate St Edburg's Church.The annual Christmas Tree Festival is back today with the halls of the church, in Church Street, lined with dozens of trees in all their glory.Local
While the hype surrounding the endless restaurant openings in The Westgate continues unabated, much of the acclaim remains sky high, literally. Because while the rooftop terraces are positively brimming with keen diners desperate to try the broad
STAFF at an Abingdon care home have been praised for the 'genuine warmth' they show residents.Nicholson House was rated 'Good' in all categories by independent health service regulator the Care Quality Commission (CQC) following an inspection
PLANS for shops, restaurants and a multi-storey car park to replace a long-standing Bicester sports ground have been submitted to the council.Developer U and I Group PLC propose to build a retail development – called St Edburg’s Walk – on the Oxford Road
CANOE club members desperate to save their group have created a petition to put pressure on Vale of White Horse District Council to rent them land for a new permanent base in Abingdon.Kingfisher Canoe Club – and its youth division Pathfinders – packed
Here we are, finally open, having launched at the weekend, running around making sure all the last paint work was finished, the interior design was how we imagined it, and the kitchen was set up for a smooth and easy service with all the new employees
STRICTER rules on lingering boaters have come into force on Abingdon's riverside in a bid to solve long-running issues over people outstaying their welcome.The changes, agreed by Vale of White Horse District Council in April, also include plans for
Pho was my first experience of Vietnam, which is slightly sad given that it’s perched on top of the brand new Westgate shopping centre in Oxford rather than the busy streets of Hanoi. How authentic it would therefore be was debatable, but as a
IT may have impressed professional culinary inspectors but the Mason Arms is yet to convince hygiene officers of its high standards. The South Leigh pub has been given two rosettes for 'culinary excellence' by AA inspectors but still only has a
THE first official history of an Oxford school which dates back to the reign of Henry VIII, has been published.The History of Christ Church Cathedral School, Oxford, by Richard Lane and Michael Lee, is out now.It looks back at the independent school'
A WILDLIFE site 'destroyed' after soil and vegetation was removed despite plans for a care home being refused will recover if left alone, campaigners have said.Councillors have voted twice to refuse plans to turn the area of open green space near
AWARD-winning actress Miriam Margolyes will be at the Bodleian on Sunday.She will be helping to celebrate poet Jenny Joseph's donation of her literary archive to the Oxford library with a reading featuring a selection of Ms Joseph's poems and
By Noel White one of the new owners of HOME on the Abingdon Road, OxfordWe launched Home back in April and it has been a hectic, fun, and very rewarding eight months. And yes, it has been exhausting. Perrie (my brother in law), Tamara (my sister) and
Brookes students will be living in a new 885-room halls in Cowley for at least the next 25 years after plans were approved. The scheme to build the student blocks on the Cowley Barracks site was approved earlier this week and Unite Students have
RARE and unusual trees are being planted in a Headington park to prolong its long history as an arboretum. The Lord Mayor of Oxford, Jean Fooks, planted a new monkey puzzle tree in Headington Hill Park last weekend.It is the first of several trees that
SUPPORTERS of a brain injury charity can boost funds by scoffing a staple Christmas snack.Headway Oxfordshire has launched a fundraising initiative offering a festive twist on the more classic coffee morning.The Kennington centre is encouraging people
A TWINKLING tree will bear special memories and messages in place of baubles.Sobell House Hospice is set to follow a decades-old tradition tomorrow, in which a Christmas tree is adorned with hundreds of tributes to loved ones lost.Staff will light up
CHILDREN in Oxfordshire are among the highest earners when it comes to pocket money. Raking in an average of £6.70 a week, the county was named as the second highest earning location in the UK in a survey of 1,316 people conducted by brand Dr.
SEAT has always offered cars with a little added flair but the new Ibiza delivers heaps more sporty sparkle. With an edgier, more sculpted design, the fifth generation of the Spanish car maker’s best-selling model looks sharper than ever. But
YOUNG entrepreneurs are being invited to an event designed to help start-up companies flourish.The Young Entrepreneurs Programme (RG YEP) is designed to inspire, coach and nurture aspiring young entrepreneurs across the UK.An advice session will take
DOZENS of adults who find it difficult to read, will now get help to improve their skills after a charity expanded its services. The Read Easy project set up a Blackbird Leys group two years ago, and it has proved so successful it is now expanding across
THE Checkatrade Trophy has plenty of critics, but Pep Clotet is aiming to use Oxford United’s win at Gillingham as a launchpad for an upturn of form in Sky Bet League One. Tuesday’s 2-1 win at Priestfield was only the side’s second success in their
AN £86m investment announced yesterday will help create a 'national fusion technology platform' at Culham. Science Minister Jo Johnson said the cash injection would fund new research at Culham Centre for Fusion Energy .It comes after Culham warned
OXFORD City have been hit with the news that skipper Lee Henderson could be out for two months after his leg injury was confirmed as a fractured tibia.Henderson hobbled off during the 2-1 win at Chelmsford in Vanarama National League South last month,
MALACHI Napa knows the hard work starts now after making his senior debut for Oxford United this week. The 18-year-old played the final 25 minutes of the Checkatrade Trophy tie at Gillingham, providing the assist for Alex Mowatt to seal a 2-1 win
Snow started to fall across Oxford this morning, as the Met Office steps us its warning for the weekend to amber in some areas. Light snowfall has greeted people this morning as the cold snap continues. And the Met Office, which previously
DIDCOT Town boss Andy Ballard is calling for more of the same from his side when they make the trip to Mangotsfield United in the Evo-Stik South League West Division.The Railwaymen posted an impressive 4-0 victory at home to Slimbridge last week, a win
Primark and Sports Direct along with two local businesses have been shamed by the Government for not paying staff the minimum wage. The fashion firm, which recently moved from Queen Street to open in the new Westgate Centre, failed to pay £231,000
CHINNOR director of rugby Matt Williams hopes his side can be more clinical when travelling to Bury St Edmunds tomorrow.The National League 2 South table-toppers beat third-placed Taunton Titans 13-7 last week.But Williams believes the scoreline flattered
IN A week of major traffic problems on the A34, a Government transport minister has promised investment in infrastructure to support growing businesses. During a visit to space tech company Reaction Engines, John Hayes MP said the Government
ORGANISATION will be key against an Oxford United side who are ‘easy on the eye’, says Doncaster Rovers manager Darren Ferguson. The clash at the Kassam Stadium is the first meeting between the clubs for 13 years. Rovers, promoted from League
LET me spell it out to you: you've accomplished your mission to the letter.Alright I'll admit it, we're pushing it on one or two of these – and for some reason F and R were particularly tricky – but you did it: you managed to find an entire
SHOPPERS packed out Broad Street for the first day of the city’s Christmas market. Event organiser, Nicole Rahimi, said she was relieved to see the market, which features stalls selling food, jewellery and festive decorations, so busy considering
The ‘cunning plan’ to repaint Redbridge Park and Ride and create more spaces should be replicated at Seacourt to save £4m and protect the Green Belt, say campaigners. A new recycling station will be built over 270 spaces at Redbridge but none will
SANTA has a new sleigh on which to take to the skies, thanks to skilled members of a mental health group.Santa’s sleigh is the result of two weeks of hard work by East Oxford mental health charity Restore.The Beehive Recovery Group, based in Manzil Way
OXFORD Bus Company has purchased the firm behind the City Sightseeing open-top buses and hoped to invest more in welcoming visitors to the city. The company has bought Tom Tappin Limited which operates Guide Friday and the 'hop-on hop-off' City
OXFORD United’s under 16s have the chance to win a national title this weekend. They will face Hartlepool United at Derby County’s training ground on Sunday in the final of the competition for clubs with Category 3 academies. United won the
A MAN took his own life after feeling victimised by the police, an inquest has heard. Oxford Coroner’s Court yesterday heard how Antony Francis, from Manor Road, Wantage, hanged himself in the woods along the footpath from Wantage to Letcombe Regis
SHE may have had to deny accusations that she asked for an interview to be changed to make her look better, but yesterday Clare Balding was all about the good PR as she cut a ribbon at an Oxfordshire riding club.The TV presenter and author officially
A CARE home will today hold a memorial service for a resident who died during his morning walk. The private service at Kirlena Care Home in Kennington will be a chance for staff and residents to remember Stephen Cox.Mr Cox's body was discovered in
HALTING Oxford United’s unwanted habit of conceding first is Ryan Ledson’s priority against Doncaster Rovers tomorrow. Progress has been hindered in recent weeks by the U’s repeatedly giving themselves an uphill task. In the last ten games
JAMES Henry is Oxford United’s main fitness concern ahead of tomorrow’s home game with Doncaster Rovers. The midfielder has featured in all 20 of the U’s Sky Bet League One games this season. But a minor knee problem saw him substituted 65
OXFORD United chairman Darryl Eales says the club will continue to look at all possibilities in a bid to resolve their long-term future.Potential sites to build a new stadium at either Water Eaton or Stratfield Brake, near Kidlington, have been ruled
SATURDAY FOOTBALL SKY BET LEAGUE ONE Oxford Utd v Doncaster Rov. VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE SOUTH St Albans City v Oxford City. FA WOMEN’S SUPER LEAGUE 2 London Bees v Oxford Utd (The Hive, 2pm). EVO-STIK SOUTH LEAGUE
THE leader of Oxfordshire County Council has suffered some backlash following comments he made about bank closures.Ian Hudspeth, who is also the county councillor for Woodstock - which as of last month has no banks at all - appeared on BBC Radio Oxford
THE £120M plan to protect Oxford from flooding has received a big boost in the form of fresh Government backing. The 'outline business case' for the city's flood alleviation channel has been approved, despite the project still needing £4m in funding
