JANUARY -

‘Disastrous’ cuts

THE year got off to a disappointing start as campaigners’ worst fears were realised when the county council pushed through ‘brutal’ cuts. Despite overwhelming opposition, the county council rubber stamped more than £51 million worth of savings. The measures – branded by charities as “disastrous” – included scrapping mobile libraries and bus subsidies, reducing funding for the arts, homeless support, road gritting, elderly day services and support for carers, and replacing 44 children’s centres and seven early intervention hubs across the county with eight centres. Hundreds of people had taken to the streets, gone to public meetings and taken part in a consultation on the proposals in the hope of saving services. But Oxfordshire County Council leader Ian Hudspeth said the local authority was “desperately sorry” and claimed it had no other option.

Have-a-go-heroes

A PAIR of pals were dubbed heroes after a routine trip to the shops turned into a blood-splattered “scene from a movie” as they tackled a knife-wielding robber to the ground. Nali Swar and Mohammed Rasoul leapt into action after the man pulled out a knife and threatened the cashier at a supermarket in Rose Hill on Wednesday, January 20. As 22-year-old Mr Swar wrestled the robber to the ground at the Premier Turna in The Oval he was stabbed in his right arm. Friend Mohammed Rasoul, known locally as Hama Ramos, immediately jumped to his friend’s defence when he saw him fall. They pinned the attacker to the floor before police arrived.

For the people

AT THE start of last year Oxford Museum was awarded a windfall of money to treble its capacity. Oxford City Council secured £140,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund to launch a full-scale bid for £1.6 million of funding to breathe new life into the building. If the £2.2 million project is successful, hundreds more historical exhibits will be brought out of storage and special sections will be set up to display exhibitions provided by the public. A detailed development plan to increase the site’s size from 60 sq m to 274 sq m is now under way.

Left in limbo

SISTER Frances Dominica said she will never get the chance to clear her name over allegations that forced her to resign as a trustee of the hospice she founded. In an exclusive interview with Matt Oliver, the nun revealed the torment of having to sever ties with Helen and Douglas House, which she likened to her baby. And she spoke of her frustration that allegations she sexually abused two women between 1980 and 2000 – which she wholly denies and the Crown Prosecution Service deemed there was no case to answer – still hung over her, leaving her “in limbo”. She said: “For me, the most important thing has been to clear my name but, short of going to trial, it is almost impossible to do that.”

Famous fish and chips

CELEBRITIES graced our great city throughout the year but most notable was David Beckham’s trip to Barton Chippy. The superstar sparked a fan frenzy when he stopped by at the fish and chip shop in Underhill Circus on January 28, in what turned out to be a photoshoot for GQ magazine. He was spotted outside The Lamb pub in Little Milton on the same day.

FEBRUARY 

We’re on our way to Wembley

OXFORD United made it to Wembley for the final of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy after a battling display at the Kassam Stadium. Fans started to plan trips for the game in the capital on Sunday, April 3, after celebrating a 2-1 aggregate win, despite losing 1-0 to 10-man Millwall at home on February 2. More than 10,000 supporters created an electric atmosphere as the U’s reached Wembley for the third time in their history. A delighted Darryl Eales was overcome with emotion as he described United reaching Wembley as a ‘dream come true’.

Uunirted fan’s dying wish 

A TERMINALLY ill Oxford United fan who lives in the USA said it would mean everything for him to cheer on the U’s at Wembley.

Cancer patient Steve Dyer made the 3,200-mile journey from New Hampshire to the national stadium to watch his favourite side in the flesh for the final time. Growing up in Hinksey and Blackbird Leys, Mr Dyer first clocked eyes on United at the old Manor Ground in Headington. He said at the time: “I just thought I have to take my son to a game and show him what it’s all about. It’s something I want to do before I die.”

Save our children centres, son 

THE mother and aunt of Prime Minister at the time, David Cameron, backed the campaign to save the county’s children’s centres. Mary Cameron, 81, joined her sister Clare Currie to sign a petition calling on Conservative-led Oxfordshire County Council to abandon plans to shut its 44 centres. West Berkshire-based Mrs Cameron said she was not directly involved with the campaign, but added: “Where children’s centres are needed, they are invaluable.”

Little hero saves mum 

A FIVE-YEAR-OLD crouched at her mother’s side while she was having a seizure, picked up the phone and punched in her grandmother’s number to summon help. Little Emily, who lives in Barton, Oxford, dialled for help on Tuesday morning after realising her mum Katie Brown was having an epileptic fit.

Emily, who also has epilepsy, said: “I had to ring Nanna for help because Nanna is my favourite person. I wanted to make Mummy feel better. I always look after Mummy.” Grandmother Linda, 53, who works for Nuffield Health in Headington, said: “I was frightened being at that end of the phone, trying to talk to a five-year-old. But she is bright – she was a lot calmer than I was.” Single mum Miss Brown, 27, said: “I’m just so pleased she was there. I’m really proud of her, to be that young and know what to do. It’s in her nature.”

Devastating collapse 

THE boiler house at Didcot Power Station collapsed which killed four demolition workers. Emergency services worked throughout the night for three men which were deemed missing in the rubble at the time after the 10-storey building collapsed. The police, fire services and ambulance scrambled to the scene at 4.05pm the day before after a loud bang was heard and half the boiler house collapsed.  A large plume of dust enveloped the surrounding area prompted 50 people needing to seek treatment for breathing difficulties. Oxfordshire chief fire officer Dave Etheridge said: “This was a very severe incident and we will be working with colleagues throughout the night.”

MARCH

Big Brother gone mad 

FORCING Oxfordshire’s schools to become academies will harm the county’s education system and see children used as guinea pigs. Oxfordshire County Council cabinet member for education Melinda Tilley said the announcement made by Chancellor at the time, George Osborne, had been forced on schools and was ‘big brother gone mad’. She said the move would mean they would no longer be run by those who knew best and that the good influence the county council had on education in Oxfordshire would be lost forever.

Let me build fourth stand 

FIROZ Kassam revived plans to build a fourth stand at the Kassam Stadium as Oxford United edged closer to promotion. The businessman and former club owner has revealed he was in fresh discussions about the multi-million pound work, which would also involve building housing at the site, new car parking and possibly conference facilities. 

Justice for our boy 

THE parents of a man who suffered brain damage as a baby 33 years ago said a multi-million pound payout would ensure their “wonderful boy” is looked after when they die. Dushka and David Kirtland’s legal team reached an agreement with hospital lawyers over compensation for their son Paul, who has had to cope with devastating disabilities since his birth in 1983.

Paul, now 32, grew up suffering from cerebral palsy, epilepsy, hearing loss and severe mobility problems allegedly caused by klebsiella oxytoca, an infection that his parents claim he caught at the John Radcliffe Hospital where he was born.  

Barton’s £4m Bonanza 

A CASH boost of almost £4m to regenerate Oxford’s Barton estate and transform shops, homes and facilities was revealed by the Oxford Mail. The announcement came after the first 237 homes to be built in the new Barton Park development were approved the night before.  

Reject Brexit or jobs will go

THOUSANDS of Oxfordshire jobs in science and manufacturing – including at Oxford’s Mini plant – would be at risk if Britain leaves the European Union (EU), it was warned. Prime Minister David Cameron, business leaders, universities, the city’s MPs and union bosses said a vote to leave in the then upcoming referendum could push up costs and make it harder for foreign workers to bring their skills to the county.