I WOULD like to express my sincerest appreciation of your Member of Parliament for Oxford West and Abingdon, Layla Moran, for her kindness and assistance in my ‘Challenge 50 MPs’ when we met recently. At present I am travelling the country trying
I AM writing in support of Sarah Brown who wrote ‘Give up those dockless bikes as a bad job’ (Letters, April 24). I fully support her as one only has to look at the bigger picture. Maybe tourists and students can make use of them, but these
I RECENTLY endured a most uncomfortable journey from Oxford to Worcester on one of GWR’s new bimode trains (electric/diesel traction). The seats are more akin to a park bench, affording very little compression. Needless to say I was very disappointed
SKATERS from across the south of England rolled their way to glory as Oxfordshire hosted a Roller Derby championships. Teams from Eastbourne, Milton Keynes and Bridgend played with Oxford Wheels of Gory in the charity tournament in The Park Sport
A POPULAR street fair is set to return to Jericho and stallholders have been urged to come forward. The Jericho Street Fair will take place in Canal Street on June 9 but the deadline for groups or businesses to apply to be part of the festivities
THE Royal-couple-to-be have reportedly being preparing for their wedding this weekend by relaxing in an Oxfordshire cottage. And while Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are lying low, community groups, retirement homes and dozens of other locations
FORMER MP Nicola Blackwood launched a scathing attack on the county council and its management of the roads after a ‘chaotic’ journey into Oxford. The former Oxford West and Abingdon MP, who lost her seat last year, said the Government was right
TWO men were arrested on the Oxford towpath on suspicion of drug dealing. Thames Valley Police tweeted about the arrests on Sunday afternoon, which happened near Abbey Road in West Oxford. Officers did not clarify details but said arrests were
A NIGERIAN lawyer is seeking damages from Oxford University Press after claiming he gave a client the wrong advice after consulting one of the publisher’s dictionaries. Ogedi Ogu has lodged documents with Lagos State High Court claiming he suffered
THIEVES ransacked a home in Headington and made off with cash. Police said the burglars forced their way into a home in Latimer Road by smashing through the front door between 10.30am and 2pm on Saturday. It is not known how much cash was stolen
A COMMUNITY scheme to reopen a former children's centre grew support at Florence Park over the weekend by planting a hundred sunflowers. Families could paint a pot, plant a sunflower and take it home to nurture it, with the idea they will bring
HUNDREDS packed out the historic grounds at Blenheim Palace to help raise tens of thousands of pounds for a cancer charity. Television presenter of Loose Women fame Andrea McLean joined the 730 men and women who put their best feet forward at the
DOG owners are being invited to sign up their pets for a show at this year's Oxford Canal Festival. The dog show is set to be one of the top attractions at the festival, which takes place on Saturday and Sunday, September 8 and 9, at Aristotle
A BOARDING school has apologised after its pupils sparked outrage by 'blacking up' for leaving pictures. Photos posted online showed the students at an £33k-a-year Oratory School, near Woodcote in Oxfordshire dressed as slaves. The pupils
A FLAT was engulfed in flames within six minutes after a man smoking in bed set fire to his sheets. Fire crews from Blue Watch, Rewley Road and Slade fire stations in Oxford, attended the flat fire in Greys Road, Headington yesterday just before
THE family of a teenager who died from cancer were ‘overwhelmed’ by the support of friends and businesses who rallied to raise money in her name. People who knew Maisie Norton, herself a keen footballer, travelled from across the country to join
JUDGES rejected names including Squarey McSquareface and Dudecot before settling on 'The Core' as the name for Didcot's new town square. South Oxfordshire District Council and developer Hammerson reported 270 entries to their competition to name
WANTAGE MP Ed Vaizey has paid tribute to the late Dame Tessa Jowell, who died aged 70 at the weekend. Tweeting a picture of himself with the Labour cabinet minister - who was widely liked across party lines in Westminster and credited with numerous
POLICE are hunting a mystery vandal after a wall was knocked down in New Marston. The wall was destroyed in Ewin Close between 10.30pm and 11pm last Thursday. It is not known why the wall was knocked down or by who. Thames Valley Police
WANTAGE’S Betjeman Park will play host to a number of summer events. Coffee meetings and ‘Poetry in the Park’ - featuring poetry sculptor Alec Peever - are first up, before ‘Science in the Park’ aims to help educate for primary school pupils.
PAINTERS, ceramic artists, photographers and jewellery makers from across the area are showcasing work and designs at an Oxford church as part of Oxfordshire Artweeks. Held in the Victorian cloisters of St John the Evangelist Church on Iffley
A GROUP of young boys pulled a knife on a 10-year-old when he refused to give them his phone in a park. Police were called to the incident in Princess Diana Park in Banbury between 8.30pm and 9pm on Saturday. A group of four boys, aged between
A PLAQUE commemorating the life of the first professor of Chinese at Oxford University will be unveiled at his former home. James Legge, also a famous translator and missionary in Hong Kong, lived in North Oxford from 1875 until his death in 1897
SUPER sleuth Sherlock Holmes was out hunting for clues in Oxford as a new television show was filmed in March 1990. The Sheldonian Theatre was chosen as the location by a TV crew recreating one of the detective's famous murder mysteries. Local
CONTROVERSIAL Mayor of Carterton Lynn Little will hand over her chains tomorrow after months of council infighting. Martin McBride, who is taking on the role, has already said he will let Carterton Town Council staff control the mayor’s finances
ALL manner of wildlife can be found at North Oxford beauty spot Wolvercote lakes, including an invader from abroad. While out walking recently, Oxford Mail Camera Club member Duncan Becker captured an image of a red-eared terrapin lounging on a
A 190-HOME development with a GP surgery, community centre and 50 per cent affordable housing in Wolvercote could finally get under way later this year. Final proposals for the new community at the Wolvercote Paper Mill site have been lodged with
OXFORD United will face two second-tier teams during their pre-season tour to Ireland this summer. Karl Robinson’s squad are due to play three games on successive evenings in July, following a training camp. They kick-off on July 9 against
WALLINGFORD’S Festival of Cycling will boast a number of new initiatives this year, with organisers promising the event will be ‘bigger than ever’. Returning for its fourth year, the free festival will host new features ‘the cycling show’ and ‘crazy
PROTEST music will go under the spotlight at an Oxford Brookes University workshop. The event 'Protest Songs: Protest and Resistance in Changing Times' will feature live music and a panel discussion from American folk singer Peggy Seeger, sound
THE outgoing mayor of Thame has announced last year’s fundraising totals for his two chosen charities. At an annual meeting of the town council on Tuesday, councillor Tom Wyse presented Amy Spicer and John Hulett from the Red Kite Family Centre
Katherine MacAlister revisits an old haunt with a new twist As you know, Sunday was a glorious day, the streets of Cowley Road thronged with couples in summer dresses and shorts, families off to enjoy the sunshine, teens heading to Port Meadow,
AS EXCITEMENT builds ahead of Saturday's royal wedding, the bride and groom to-be reportedly relaxed in an Oxfordshire cottage. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle escaped to a picturesque four-bedroom bolthole in the Oxfordshire Cotswolds at the weekend
A POPULAR vicar in Witney has received a top honour recognising his outstanding contribution to the community. Councillor Norman MacRae chose the Rev Toby Wright for this year’s Chairman’s Award in honour of his contribution to the community of
TOWN leaders will be officially elected at a meeting tonight. Didcot will have a new mayor, deputy mayor, leader and deputy leader after the full council meeting at Didcot Civic Hall. Councillor Steve Connel is expected to become the new leader
TO REGISTER YOUR VOTE CLICK HERE The OX5 Run has been shortlisted for the 'Making a Difference' award as part of this year's Local Newspaper Week. The OX5, which has been held to support Oxford Children's Hospital since 2003, this year celebrated
Katherine MacAlister goes veggie to see what all the fuss is about The recent #GoVegan campaign has made a massive difference to our eating habits. With the likes of Beyonce, Bill Clinton, Brad Pitt and Venus Williams all advocating the lifestyle
Katherine MacAlister goes veggie to see what all the fuss is about The recent #GoVegan campaign has made a massive difference to our eating habits. With the likes of Beyonce, Bill Clinton, Brad Pitt and Venus Williams all advocating the lifestyle
A POPULAR street fair is set to return to Jericho and stallholders have been urged to come forward. The Jericho Street Fair will take place in Canal Street on June 9 but the deadline for groups or businesses to apply to be part of the festivities
Chef Kuba Winkowski on the rise of the Feathered Nest in Nether Westcote Originally from Poland, I travelled widely before settling in the UK where I attended catering college in Kent before completing my apprenticeship at Le Manoir Aux Quat’ Saisons
A NEW youth club has opened in Woodstock following 12 years of fundraising. The committee of Woodstock Youth Centre threw an opening event last week to thank those who have contributed to the state-of-the-art clubhouse which has replaced the original
Katherine MacAlister receives some much needed TLC at Careys Manor in the New Forest I arrived in the smart and impressive reception at Careys Manor looking like an extra from Worzel Gummidge, bits of straw stuck in my hair, my dishevelled appearance
A LONG-SERVING Chinese takeaway in Jericho could close down and be replaced by a Japanese restaurant. Plans to close Kowloon House in Walton Street and build a rear extension to incorporate a new Japanese restaurant have been submitted to Oxford
THE annual meeting for the election of chairman, appointment of vice– chairman, leader and vice leader of the West Oxfordshire District Council will take place this afternoon. Other titles to be appointed at the annual meeting include the executive
People always ask me about being a Blue Coat,” Brian Conley chuckles. “I’ve been in the business for 45 years and won every comedy award under the sun, but everyone still wants to know about me being at Pontins for three months.” You could say
TWO teenage boys are fighting for their lives after a serious crash near Wallingford. Thames Valley Police said two 16-year-old boys are in a critical condition with 'life-threatening' head injuries, following the crash in Ewelme. It is understood
LOCAL author Christina Jones will celebrate the launch of her new book at an event in Abingdon. The writer, who was born in Oxford but now lives in the town, will be at Mostly Books on May 24 to talk about her novel, Only One Woman - a love story
WITH the sun shining and summer well and truly on the way, Oxford’s rooftop bar The Varsity Club (TVC) has added several events to its already action-packed schedule. During May foodie fans can experience a New Orleans themed kitchen takeover.
Review: Victors, Oxford Westgate Centre, Katherine MacAlister I HAD misread the situation entirely. I had Victors down as a swish Hamptons-esque, East Coast destination restaurant. I had envisaged George Clooney in linen, sipping white wine
MORE people are signing up to join the Scouts in Oxfordshire with the organisation reporting a long waiting list in the county. According to the latest annual membership figures, Oxfordshire Scouts increased its numbers by almost 200 in the past
SHOPPERS can enjoy a free brass band concert in Abingdon. On Saturday, Abbey Brass Band will be performing in the town's Market Square to raise money for a new band room. Along with music there will also be baked goods on sale during the concert
RECRUITMENT struggles at a school near Abingdon have hindered younger pupils' progress, Ofsted has said. The regulator has released its report following a short inspection at Sunningwell CE Primary School, noting some areas of concern. It said
ADDITIONAL travel information has been added to support an application submitted for the development of land in Shrivenham for 240 new buildings and a new primary school. The travel plan encourages residents to adopt more sustainable forms of travel
MUSICIANS are enjoying a revival as Bicester Concert Band celebrates 20 years of playing in the town. The group has welcomed a new conductor Wendy Marks as they enter their third decade performing in Bicester and as a result say they are seeing
A DRUG and alcohol rehabilitation centre in Yarnton has been given a boost after being given a £12,000 donation. The Ley Community centre has been handed the donation to help fund new accommodation for females on treatment programmes. It comes
SATS exam season is perhaps the most pressured time in primary schools, but these pupils are ready to attack their tests with a positive mind and satisfied stomach. West Witney Primary School has confidently prepared its children for this week's
DEATH, bereavement and grief: topics often tucked away in the corner of the mind, not to be confronted in daily conversation. This week an end-of-life care specialist in Oxford is calling time on the taboo, encouraging people to talk about death
CRICKET HOME COUNTIES PREMIER LEAGUE DIVISION 1 Oxford 254-5 (50 ovs, M Ayub 100no, J Perkin 76, O Tong-Jones 40), Horspath 50-1 (16.2 ovs, T Coleman 31). RSP Finchampstead 146 (40.1 ovs, D Lincoln 50, W Pendered 5-21), Aston Rowant 20-
POLICE need help to solve some of the latest crimes in Oxfordshire, including a hit-and-run in Oxford and a sex attack in Faringdon. The past week has seen Thames Valley Police appeal for witnesses of more than a dozen crimes in the county, some
MUHAMMAD Ayub hit a brilliant unbeaten century for Oxford before rain washed out their Division 1 derby at Horspath. The former Pakistan Test batsman made 100 not out off 98 balls, with four sixes and 12 fours, to take Oxford to 254-5 off their
THE search was on for the next Andy Murray this weekend as a tennis club opened up to get families involved in playing the sport. Wantage Tennis Club held its event on Saturday as part of the national Great British Tennis Weekend. It certainly
A WOMAN has denied carrying a blade without lawful authority in Banbury. Tracy Guy-Smith, 46, of Ribston Close, Banbury appeared at Oxford Crown Court on Friday to deny one count of having an article with a blade or point. She will be tried
PARENTS leaving their engines running at the school gates have been given a lesson in pollution by Cowley pupils. Year 8 and 9 students from St Gregory the Great approached 50 vehicles last week, passing out leaflets and window stickers. It
YOUNG football fans went head over heels for the beautiful game at Oxford United Women FC's family fun day yesterday. To celebrate their last home game of the season against Watford Ladies, the women's team threw a party at Court Place Farm for
POSTPONED operations and staff overtime payments over the winter period have seen Oxfordshire’s acute health trust miss its financial target. During what was one of the worst winters in several years, Oxford University Hospitals (OUH) NHS Foundation
Last updated Monday, 6pm DELAYS are continuing into the evening rush hour after major roadworks restarted in Headington. Road users have been warned to expect congestion for the next 10 months as the Access to Headington project resumes.
OXFORD MAGISTRATES’ JADE BREWER, 25, of Church View, Mixbury was convicted of failing to give information related to the identity of a driver suspected of committing an offence between October 19 and November 16. Fined £660, must pay a £66 victim
CAMERON Brannagan believes he is in a good position to go up a gear next season despite a frustrating start to life at Oxford United. The squad are beginning their summer break, but the midfielder is one player who was keen to play on. Having
SCHOOLS should not be afraid to turn to local communities to fill cash shortages, an Oxford headteacher has said. It comes as parents and residents raised almost £30,000, with some even setting up monthly standing orders, to alleviate funding pressures
