Old archived news stories from the Oxford Mail.

What attracted children's attention in the park

10:00am Monday 17th June 2013

WHAT were these children watching?

• Have your say

The many roles of Pc Brain

10:00am Monday 17th June 2013

WILLIAM (Bill) Brain filled numerous roles in the village of Old Marston, near Oxford. He was the village policeman, sang in the church choir, rang the church bells, served as a church verger and was a member of the parochial church council. Our interest in Pc Brain was sparked by reader Geoff Parker, of Cheltenham, who wrote about how he visited the local school to canvass for choirboys. Theresa Prickett, Pc Brain’s daughter, of Elsfield Road, Old Marston, then called to give more details of her father’s career. He served as a member of the Oxfordshire Constabulary at Shipton-under-Wychwood, Eynsham and Henley-on-Thames, before retiring in 1937. The family moved to Old Marston where he became heavily involved in St Nicholas Church. However, his police career was not over. During the war, he was called back into the force and allocated four beats – Old Marston, Elsfield, Woodeaton and Noke – all of which he patrolled on his bike. After the war, he continued to serve at police headquarters at the corner of New Road and Tidmarsh Lane in Oxford. One of his duties was to escort judges attending Oxfordshire Assizes and Quarter Sessions at County Hall in New Road. When he died in April 1959, he was working as a porter at Keble College.

• Have your say

Silver band marked its centenary

10:00am Monday 17th June 2013

OXFORD Silver Band celebrated its centenary in 1987 with a concert at Hopcroft’s Holt Hotel, near Steeple Aston.

• Have your say

The final journeys of steam

10:00am Monday 17th June 2013

A NEW book brings a splash of colour to the dying days of steam trains on the railways of Oxfordshire and further afield, writes William Crossley.

• Have your say

Pets win prizes at cat club's annual show

10:00am Monday 17th June 2013

ALISON Cripps had good reason to be pleased after attending the Oxford and District Cat Club show in 1974.

• Have your say

Making a splash

12:00pm Monday 10th June 2013

THIS picture shows Temple Cowley Pool in Oxford in happier times.

• Comments(2)
• Have your say »

Tour jogs memories

12:00pm Monday 10th June 2013

THERESA Prickett was surprised to read Jim Cooper’s memories of life at Shipton-under-Wychwood village school.

• Have your say

The changing face of Banbury

12:00pm Monday 10th June 2013

GRANDMOTHER Connie Birch was the most enthusiastic member of Banbury Ladies’ Recreation Group, taking part in badminton, netball, volleyball, tennis, rounders, squash and keep fit at Spiceball Park sports centre in 1978. What’s more, Mrs Birch, of Sibford Ferris, took many members of her family along – she is seen in the picture immediately below coaching her grandson, Phillip Taylor, aged three.

• Have your say

He's got the moves!

12:00pm Monday 10th June 2013

OXFORD University undergraduates were subject to all sorts of rules and regulations.

• Have your say

Part two of girls' school's panoramic photograph

12:00pm Monday 10th June 2013

THIS is the second part of a panoramic picture of pupils and staff at the Oxford Central Girls’ School in New Inn Hall Street, Oxford, in 1936.

• Have your say