Plans for the biggest housing development in Oxford in a generation have cleared their first hurdle after winning the approval of councillors. The city council’s east area planning committee tonight approved an outline planning application for
IT is a thriving secondary school, with lanky teenagers chattering as they walk between lessons. But now something has changed. Adding to the general hubbub are the sounds of shrieking, laughter, and noisy, messy play. St Gregory the Great
"Yes", says Rodney Rose, deputy leader of Oxfordshire County Council: OXFORDSHIRE’S music service is highly valued by many people. I have attended concerts and events and can vouch for myself for the quality of the output the service provides.
A BUSTLING play area where children can grow pumpkins as well as play on swings has been saved thanks to a cash boost. Blackbird Leys Adventure Playground (BLAP) was given £1,965 by Oxfordshire County Council as part of its so-called chill-out
ADVICE centre staff are urging fundraisers to take part in their annual sponsored walk to support the service they provide. Rose Hill and Donnington Advice Centre – which relies on donations and grants – only has enough funding to pay its five
A HEADINGTON primary school will be able to cater for another 100 pupils if plans for expansion are granted. If the scheme is approved, it will see the number of children in each year at St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School rise from 45 to 60.
A NEW community group is being set up to canvass for more toilets, road improvements and other issues in South Park. Two members of Divinity Road Area Residents’ Association (DRARA) are joining seven other residents to represent the views of people
CAMPAIGNERS planning to extend and redevelop Sandford-on-Thames Village Hall are celebrating after landing a second major grant. In July, the scheme was awarded £100,000 from South Oxfordshire District Council. Now the hall development committee
Dogs on the Barton estate are going on show for the first time this weekend – in a move designed to bring the community together. Dog lover Hayley Davies has organised the estate’s first dog show to take place on Sunday. The 44-year-old, who
MEMORIES of life at West Oxford Community Primary School are sought ahead of its 100th anniversary. The school opened its doors for the first time at its site in Ferry Hinksey Road in 1914 and celebrates its centenary next year. To coincide
A LOCAL youth club is in the running for a £5,000 grant to help it develop its programme. The Kidlington Youth Programme, based at the Forum Youth Centre in Oxford Road, is in eighth place in a national campaign, voted for by the public to give
MEMBERS of the Jericho and North Oxford community are being asked for their help in a project to promote Oxford Canal. From next month a series of community meetings will be held where people in the area can find out more about the Oxford Canal
IT WAS yellow fever at the weekend when hundreds turned out to support a fun day to raise cash to buy a new Oxford United player. The event was hosted by fans’ group the Yellow Army, at the U’s training ground in Roman Way, Horspath Road, Cowley
POLICE officers have visited 37 licensed premises in Oxfordshire to test whether staff at bars and clubs could tell the difference between a genuine ID document and a fake one. Thames Valley Police visited 12 venues in Oxford, eight in Witney,
A COWERING woman thought she would be set on fire after her boyfriend soaked her with lighter fluid before trying to spark his lighter. Odin Perryman tried to ignite his lighter after he had doused his terrified girlfriend Melanie Miah in the flammable
WILLY Wonka and the Oompa-Loompas took centre stage at Charlbury Street Fair. Children from Charlbury Primary School donned costumes for their dance version of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. It was choreographed by professional dancer Tina
STEPS to improve services for tenants in the city could be taken after housing bosses joined forces with a charity. Oxford City Council has teamed up with Oxfordshire Unlimited to understand how it can improve services for tenants with physical and
IT MAY be 50 years since they first met, but these former John Mason pupils picked up right where they left off. Former John Mason School pupils who joined the school in 1963 returned to Abingdon for a reunion. They gathered at the Boundary
ENGLISH Heritage has attacked plans to build a £35m science discovery centre in the centre of Oxford. The Government advisory body, which fights to protect the country’s historic landmarks, said the plans would block views of the ancient Oxford
A TEENAGE girl was raped after walking through a park and being picked up in a car by a man. The 15-year-old was walking through Shilton Park in Carterton between 2am and 4am on Saturday when she was approached by a man driving a small silver car
A MOTORCYCLIST killed in a crash yesterday was a 28-year-old from Didcot. The man was riding a blue Suzuki motorbike when it left Milton Road and hit a telegraph post shortly before 2.10pm. Police have appealed for anyone with information to
Sir – Richard Ashworth MEP thinks that technology to ensure cars follow speed limits automatically would erode ‘freedoms’ (Letters, September 12). I don’t know where this idea comes from; I always thought that driving a car was about getting from
Sir – I fell in love with Oxford only when I came here to Wadham College in 1964, even though my father and many relations before him had been born and brought up in Oxford. I revered the University for its history, eminence as a place of learning
Sir – While the proposed new bridge over the Oxford Canal in Jericho (Report, September 5) will certainly provide a link from the Oxford rail station to the Oxford University’s new Radcliffe Observatory Quarter and to North Oxford, it will also be
Sir – On September 10, Oxford City Council was one of the sponsors of a conference The Way We Live: How can our neighbourhoods be fit for 21st-century living. A paper What can we learn from Europe? was presented by Wulf Daseking, former director
Sir – The solution to traffic problems in Freiburg, Germany, cannot be held as a model for those in Oxford. They developed an excellent tram service within the city and into the suburbs and shoppers and commuters can use this excellent and cheap
Sir – I have recently moved to Oxford from the London Borough of Richmond and, as a councillor who champions cycling and cycles everywhere, I can truly say I feel quite at home in the city of Oxford. I was pleased to read in The Oxford Times that
Sir – The presumption in favour of ‘sustainable development’ — yes, those weasel words again — was the basis of the successful appeal against refusal of planning permission for 160 homes off Drayton Road in South Abingdon. Yet the term, first given
Sir – I would like to endorse Alison Eden’s letter (September 5) about Andrea Bartlett, Headington Prep’s departing headteacher. Ms Bartlett is a highly professional and dedicated teacher and leader. As former Prep school parents, we were extremely
Sir – In response to Hugo Slim’s letter (September 12), Palestinians in East Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza have been living for the last 46 years under occupation, not as Hugo Slim euphemistically described it “at the heart of . . . an armed conflict
Sir – I wonder why county councillors do not liaise with each other when trying to solve similar issues. We read that Oxfordshire County County is riding roughshod over public opinion with their proposals regarding the Green Road roundabout. Abingdon
Sir – On a couple of recent visits to Oxford from Kidlington via the bus, I have to express how uncomfortable and body shaking it was. Nearly the entire journey was horrendous. How the elderly and people with physical conditions use public transport
Sir – The chairman of Berkeley Homes was wrong to say (Report, September 12) that the obligation to build social housing undermines the profitability of housebuilding in Oxford. Anyone buying land for a large housing development in the city knows
Sir – Sexist language is for dinosaurs and ignoramuses. This is not 1913. We have female MPs. A female pilot is not an aviatrix. The prime minister is not a prime minister-man. People need to know that a woman can be anything a man can be and that
Sir – Ramadan ended on August 19 and will not start again until June 28 next year. Yet for reasons which escape me and most local residents, the celebratory stars and crescent moons still hang in Cowley Road and presumably will do so until well into
Sir – I was the correspondent (August 27) who had the temerity to challenge Christopher Gray’s description of a three-course dinner costing £69 per head as “luxury you can afford”. Having in mind the many people in Oxford who struggle to feed their
Sir – If Christopher Gray thinks that Mark Thompson shouldn’t claim back legitimate expenses incurred in the course of his BBC employment (Gray Matter, September 12), then, perhaps, he can tell us whether he, or The Oxford Times, is paying the bill
Sir – I am writing regarding East Oxford area planning committee should they impose strict controls to cover Barton development’s infrastructure needs. Councillors must refuse current planning proposals for the Barton development on September 24
Sir – Re the sale of details on the electoral register (Report, September 5): some years ago I wished to view the electoral register. This was available on request at the Didcot Library. Indeed, I believe that at some time it was on open display
Sir – It has been great to see the people of Witney working together to build community. Recently we’ve seen members of the local Conservative Party doing a litter pick on Smiths Estate, groups such as Dig ‘n’ Grow and Witney Edible Gardens planting
Sir – On Saturday, October 5, the charity ABC Against Breast Cancer is holding the well known and established, Witney in Pink Day. We are planning to have a parade of pink cars drive through the town centre to draw attention to the ‘pinkness’ of
A WIDOW has praised the teenagers who tried to save her husband’s life for their bravery. The boys pulled 83-year-old Arnold Gwilliam out of a stream in Eynsham and tried to revive him until help arrived. Although Mr Gwilliam later died, his
A MAN who downloaded more than 15,000 indecent images of children had his crimes branded “utterly repugnant” by a judge. Andrew Cole, 62, of Station Road, Bletchingdon, was jailed for 14 months yesterday after he admitted looking at hundreds of
BB&O PREMIER DIVISION GOSFORD All Blacks hung on to beat Bicester 25-22 at Oxford Road. The visitors scored all their points in the first half, which they led 25-10, and were down to 13 players at the final whistle after prop Tony Baughan
BB&O CHAMPIONSHIP FARINGDON came on strong to win 47-12 at Kingsclere. The visitors started in lethargic fashion, soon trailing 12-0 to two tries and a conversion. Two Darren Clark penalties got the ball rolling and a try from Richard
Izi’s Bar are the new ODDA Summer League champions after grabbing the three wins they required to land the Premier Section title. They saw off closest rivals Goodlake Arms A 6-3 thanks to singles victorties from Jason Ellis, Andy Hoare (180), Ade
WITNEY ran out 9-4 winners in their friendly against Cirencester. Jacob Deacon (3), Tim Hardy (2), Julian Easterbrook, Liam Frost, Dan Andrews and Hugh Collins were their marksmen. OTHER RESULTS. Witney 3rd 2 (M Godwin, C Summers), Circencester
Oxford Hawks hammered Trojans 6-1 with a tremendous display of controlled hockey in Conference West of the Investec League. Captain Bex Oakes and Kathryn Poulter put them 2-0 up at the break and in the second half, Hawks continued to call the shots
Residents can have their say on transport issues in Headington at a meeting tonight. A consultation event will be held at the Bullingdon Community Centre at 8pm. Council officers will be on hand to discuss the Headington transport strategy,
APPLETON: Police attended Field Farm yesterday off the A420 – the base of meat firm Field Farm Fresh – following the issue of a civil repossession order. A locksmith, security vans with dogs, and staff operating a JCB digger also attended.
A POLICE officer has told a jury he could not “prove” any of the metal in TR Rogers & Sons was stolen after sending in undercover officers. Detective Sergeant John Easton gave evidence yesterday in the trial of five men accused of turning “
THE mother of a severely disabled boy has had the special vehicle she uses to take him to hospital vandalised five times in eight weeks. Hailey Townsend, 29, of Druce Way, Blackbird Leys, said she was disgusted after her Peugeot Boxer van, which
SOUTHERN COUNTIES NORTH WALLINGFORD recovered from 15-3 down to beat Reading Abbey 16-15 at the Hithercroft. Fly half Olli Henderson’s late penalty sealed victory for Wallingford, whose pack held sway for much of the game. Full back Tom
RUDY Aldridge got a warm welcome to his new neighbourhood at a street party on Sunday. The four-year old-went to the Sunningwell Road street party with friend Mia Selinger, four. He moved into the road earlier this year with dad David, mum
THAME: A 43-year-old woman was arrested after police were called to reports of a woman with a knife at Thame Fair. Officers were called to the High Street at 12.47pm on Saturday. A 43-year-old from the town was arrested on suspicion of being in
ABINGDON: A motorcyclist has died following an accident near Drayton. Paramedics were called to Milton Road at 1.57pm yesterday following the accident involving one motorcycle. A South Central Ambulance Service spokeswoman said the young man
MIDLANDS 2 WEST SOUTH TWO tries from wing Alex Gandy helped Banbury Bulls beat Bedworth 40-12 at Bodicote Park. Bedworth were not helped by fly half Adam Chapman being red-carded on the half hour. Lock Nick Pratt crashed over for Bnabury
PRIME Minister David Cameron says a proposed deal worth hundreds of millions of pounds for Oxfordshire should be used to ease jams on the A34 and A40. The Witney MP said the “crucial” routes needed more money. Officials are preparing a bid
S OXON: A woman whose car flipped over and rolled into a field said she was stunned she escaped with minor injuries. Kelly Bradley, 26, was driving home from work in Wallingford last Tuesday at about 8.45pm when she clipped the curb along the B4009
NATIONAL 1 HENLEY Hawks prop Dave Manning suffered a double leg break during their battling 6-6 draw at home to Rosslyn Park. Neither side created many chances in an attritional encounter that saw Manning stretchered off with a double fracture
With a rare moment to myself the other day I was doing something every bike nut likes to do every now and again, I was trawling the internet for new and exciting bikey things and news. These searches can go in any direction and you begin looking at
How many thousands of people pass Abingdon every day on the A34 knowing only that we have a barracks, a superstore and lots of trading estates? Not one sign as to our heritage, our historic buildings or the wonderful riverside areas. How about
HOW will a mother, whose children are not young enough nor deemed quite sufficiently poor to qualify for free school meals – and who may consequently be forced to eat inadequately herself – feel about far richer kids receiving their lunches for nothing
It has been a marvellous season for the Ploughman’s Bunch! (Wolvercote). Pipped at the post for the Premiership title in the most recent winter campaign, they have responded magnificently by not only securing three Tabletop victories this summer, but
Every year sees renewed media debate about the value of a university degree, writes John Raftery, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Student Experience at Oxford Brookes University Many commentators look at the decision to study as an economic one. ‘Is
Oxford United will not be contesting Andy Whing’s red card after previous appeals were not upheld by the Football Association. The midfielder was sent off for a late tackle in Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Chesterfield at the Kassam Stadium. United
TRADITIONAL Indian dancing, modern street dance and theatre sketches were highlights of celebrations for a charity’s 10th anniversary. The Exuberant Trust, which awards arts grants to people in Oxfordshire, held a gala show at the Pegasus Theatre
With Wallingford’s great summer drawing to a close I would like to take this opportunity to thank the organisers, volunteers and sponsors of the fantastic Bunkfest weekend, pictured. The event just gets better every year and living close by I have
THE Reading Campaign supported and promoted by Oxfordshire County Council, the Oxford Mail and others, is having some effect on the students in Key Stage One in our primary schools. The results rightly celebrated (September 20) are Key Stage Two
Your article (September 19) incorrectly stated that the by-election in North Ward was caused by Lib Dem Cllr Alan Armitage, pictured, standing down after censure by colleagues. We want to make it clear that this was not the case. Colleagues had discussed
I AM writing to express my dismay at the plans currently being presented by Doric for the redevelopment of our local shopping centre in Botley. While I welcome much needed improvements to the centre and fully appreciate the need to generate profitable
THE second round of presentations of the proposals to redevelop Botley shopping centre are even more worrying than the first. No amendments have been made in response to copious feedback from local residents to the presentations last February.
OXFORD: A driver doing 41mph in a 20mph zone was reported to the courts yesterday. The motorist was one of 27 to be stopped by police for speeding in St Giles between 12pm and 2pm. One driver had their car seized for driving at 32mph without
THERE was a blast from the past at The White House at the weekend as Pac Man and Super Mario dropped by. The Abingdon Road pub played host to Retromission 2013, a festival of retro games consoles. Around 20 eager gamers spent the entire weekend
PRESSURES on elderly services and children’s care have led to County Hall blowing its budget by almost £6m in the first three months of the year. Oxfordshire County Council has confirmed it overspent by £5.8m, or 1.4 per cent of its £412.8m budget
OXFORDSHIRE’S ambulance service could take over non-emergency phone services in Buckinghamshire and provide back-up across the country this winter. South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) runs the non-emergency medical number 111 in Oxfordshire,
FEW would argue that Oxfordshire’s congested trunk roads are in dire need of a drastic upgrade. The A40 and A34 in particular are crucial arteries for the city and we all know how easy it is for them to become clogged. A spot of heavy rain,
EDDIE Pepperell will have one eye on extending his season when teeing off in Scotland at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship on Thursday. Oxfordshire’s No 1 may only have two events left this season, but a strong finish could still see him move
NATIONAL 2 SOUTH TRISTAN Corpe was Chinnor’s matchwinner for the second week running as they roared back to win 24-19 at Shelford. Having scored four tries in their rout of Dings Crusaders, the wing struck decisively on 79 minutes as Chinnor
SOUTH WEST 1 EAST A DEPLETED Grove side battled back to defeat morning leaders Windsor 30-24 at Cane Lane. Grove, who were without props Tim Lane and Martyn Walsh, plus centres Tom Clipsham and Joe Bellinger due to injury and work commitments
Six people have been released without charge after being suspected of involvement in a baseball bat assault in Blackbird Leys, Oxford. The two 18-year-old men, three 19-year-old men, and a 52-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of causing
Thieves stole a large amount of cash from a 63-year-old woman’s handbag in Bicester. The woman was distracted by two men in their early 20s as she passed them in Piggy Lane on Friday at 10.20am. She later noticed a slit in her bag and saw that
AN OXFORDSHIRE man was on board a ship in the Arctic stormed by Russian soldiers. Phil Ball, a cameraman from Chipping Norton, is one of the six Britons who were aboard the Arctic Sunrise when it was boarded by Russian security officers while in
A GYMNAST who died after a mysterious accident has been named. Thomas Franklin was found unconscious with serious head injuries in the Hinksey Park allotments on Saturday morning. Mr Franklin’s death has led to an outpouring of grief from friends
A CITY centre car park serving almost 200 motorists could be shut and turned into a restored canal basin under long-term plans. The scheme at Oxford’s Worcester Street car park – which has 182 spaces out of 2,273 in the city centre – would see
SEB Osborne provided some local success as almost 4,000 fans flocked to Culham over the weekend for the Red Bull Pro Nationals. The 22-year-old from Didcot (pictured) won two races in the 2-Stroke 125cc Expert Series and came second in the other
An emotional Dave Langan said he would always have a special bond with Oxford United after receiving a standing ovation at the Kassam Stadium. The former Republic of Ireland international attended Saturday’s game with Chesterfield to hand over
TALKING of getting from A to B, anyone commuting into Oxford might be better off buying a boat than a car in the not too distant future. If the charity responsible for England’s canals gets it way, we will have 182 fewer parking spaces and a nice
A DECISION will be made tonight on Oxford’s biggest development in a generation. Oxford City Council will decide whether to give planning permission to the Barton West development, which would involve building 885 homes. The east area planning
THERE was a wealth of golfing experience on show as Bicester beat hosts West Berks in a seniors match with a twist. All 28 players for the twice yearly match must be over 70, with Bicester’s veterans taking the victory 4½-2½. Bicester’s team
CARSWELL have been removed from Section 4 of the Shaw Gibbs Oxfordshire Foursomes League after failing to rearrange postponed fixtures. The league’s committee have expunged their record, reducing the division to four clubs – North Oxford, Badgemore
WELFARE reform, including the introduction of the controversial bedroom tax, has sparked a rise in applications for extra cash to help pay rent in North Oxfordshire. Tonight Cherwell District Council is considering its response to a rise in discretionary
THE threat of court action has been lifted at the People’s Supermarket in Cowley Road. Shoppers can once again get fresh meat and bread at the store. Organisers at the volunteer-run store say the Oxford Mail’s coverage of their financial plight
SHAW GIBBS OXFORDSHIRE FOURSOMES LEAGUE Section 1 Tadmarton Heath 1 (1pt), Frilford Heath 2 (3) (Tadmarton Heath scores first): G Sambrook & L Washburn lost to D Breslin & R Harrhy 3 & 2, J Burton & S Hallam bt T Morgan &
