A SIGNALLING problem caused by flooding is affecting train services between Oxford and London Paddington this evening. Network Rail had fixed the problem at Maidenhead but First Great Western has said the flooding has affected a further signal
A 20-YEAR-OLD man will appear in court tomorrow charged with murdering Connor Tremble. William Blencowe has just been charged by detectives following the death of 17-year-old Connor on Saturday. Update, Tuesday 10.50am: Man appears in
A fond farewell to supervisor Bill THERE has been much written about Morris Motors and Lord Nuffield recently, so I looked for and eventually found the attached photograph taken by the works’ photographer. This was a presentation by Vic Harding
Small is beautiful ST EBBE’S School in Oxford had small classes – and that’s why it was successful, according to headmistress Marjorie Bristow. Miss Bristow, pictured in one of her classrooms in 1967, had just 75 pupils at the time, allowing
FIREFIGHTERS are currently battling a blaze at the Southwell building in Osney Mead. Six fire crews are at the Oxford University research facility. The building has been evacuated of about 40 staff and students. A fire service spokesman
JUST looking at this picture is likely to give you the shivers, but spare a thought for the brave volunteer who had to climb to the summit. He is perched precariously on a ladder at the top of Martyrs’ Memorial, with no apparent protection.
THE Co-operative movement got off to a late and not very promising start in Oxford. When the Oxford Co-operative and Industrial Society was formed in 1872, similar organisations already existed in Banbury, Chipping Norton, Long Wittenham and Steeple
DECIMAL currency arrived in Oxfordshire with hardly a hitch. Prophets who had predicted chaos when the switch was made from pounds, shillings and pence to pounds and pence on Monday, February 15, 1971, were proved wrong. As the Oxford Mail
THESE football enthusiasts were in happy mood as they set off by train to support their team. They were among 6,000 Oxford United fans who travelled to Leicester to cheer on their heroes in the FA Cup fifth round in 1971. We don’t know their
OXFORD might be best known for its traditional colleges with their dreaming spires, but for the past 115 years it has also been home to a different kind of educational institution. Ruskin College is planning to celebrate 115 years of educating
A SCHOOL has praised its outgoing head for his tenacity as he takes on a new challenge. Niall McWilliams, pictured, left Carterton Community College on Friday and will start at The Oxford Academy next Monday. Mr McWilliams was announced as
There were 170 chess players of all ages and abilities at the 37th annual Kidlington Congress. At the beginning of the fifth and last round on Sunday afternoon there was all to play for in the top section. Seventeen-year-old Richmond junior Peter
Clothing store Next is offering a £10,000 reward to anyone who can help them catch the man who dressed as Santa to rob its Cowley branch. The knife-wielding robber threatened staff at the Oxford Retail Park store on December 23 before fleeing with
THE IRA has allegedly claimed responsibility for the suspected explosive devices sent to the Oxford Armed Forces recruitment office and other military careers bases last week. The Metropolitan Police has today said the claim – allegedly made on
AROUND 300 properties in the Boars Hill area are currently without power. Southern Electric is currently investigating the issue which it says is due to “third party accidental damage”. It has said the issue was first reported to at around
CONCERNED residents believe a planned housing development in the West Oxfordshire village of Bampton will lead to further floods. Developers want to build 160 homes in a field off New Road but campaigners say this will leave the village at risk
Also look through out match day picture gallery
ED Vaizey spent a “soggy afternoon” walking around fields near Faringdon where hundreds of homes could soon be built. The Wantage and Didcot MP was invited by Great Coxwell Parish Council, which is worried infrastructure will not be able to cope
OXFORD MAGISTRATES Talib Mohammed, 24, of Hillside Court, Alden Crescent, Headington, admitted using a mobile phone while driving in Abingdon Road, Oxford, on August 14. Fined £100 and told to pay a £20 victims’ surcharge and £65 costs. Given three
A MAN who sexually assaulted a young girl has been jailed for four years by a judge in Oxford Crown Court. Peter Mace, of Hill Rise, Woodstock, was convicted after a trial for carrying out the offence between December 20 and 23, 2012. The 40
FREE training sessions have been launched for people who want to help make the internet safer for Oxfordshire’s youngsters. The announcement was made as part of National Safer Internet Day on Tuesday, which saw schools across the county taking
A LABOUR candidate in the South East consituency for the European Parliament elections in May has said the prospect of a referendum on the UK’s membership of the EU creates uncertainty for companies looking to invest in Oxfordshire. Anneliese Dodds
A SCHOOL is celebrating its 150th birthday this year and wants past pupils and the community to help it part in style. Headington Quarry Foundation Stage School was founded in 1864 and headteacher Lesley Carrington is calling on local people and
ONCE again Susan Thomas tries to play down the effects of burning fossil fuels (February 4). At present the earth’s orbit is almost circular and has little effect on climate but, if there is a change, it should be for the earth to become cooler, whereas
Over the past six weeks, a large section of the Anglican parishes I am responsible for have been under water. I have started to refer to where I live as Botley-on-Sea. Thankfully, much of the area is farmland and natural flood plain, and although Binsey
My cycle routes to work get ever longer and more complicated as pathways get cut off and I pick my way past fire engines and giant hoses along the Botley Road. While inconvenient for me, these travel problems are as nothing compared to those whose
JUST a thought: the fire service is working night and day to keep the Botley Road open despite the flooding because it is a ‘main arterial route’ into the city, yet there are plans being considered to build an out-of-town-sized Waitrose on the old
I am writing concerning Henley Town Council’s meeting this week which addressed the disgraceful and bigoted comments of UKIP councillor David Silvester. The real lesson to be learned from this appalling incident is that people should ensure they get
Here is Wootton Surgery Supporters Group response to the letter from the Botley Medical Centre (February 3): 1. If (as the letter introducing the current surgery closure consultation states) more than half the appointments at Wootton are taken by Botley
YET again we see the short-sighted attitude of the county council. To save money they have scrapped the school buses. It’s too far to walk from the Yarnton, Begbroke area. It’s not safe for the youngsters to cycle on the A44. It will cost parents
THE vast amount of catkins on hazelnut trees now bodes well for many nuts this autumn. After reading readers’ letters, I think autumn has come early this year. GLYN LIMMER Roosevelt Road Long Hanborough
A SIGN, or rather notice, of the times. The Environment Agency has on its current website ‘updated’ flood information dated December 23, 2013. Do you think we should act on it? J C HIGGENS Barrett Street Oxford
I WOULD like to reply to the letter, ‘Let’s get money from the EU disaster fund’ from Susan Thomas (February 12). I want to do everything I can to help those that have been so badly affected by these floods. I wrote to Environment Secretary, Owen
Truth is, it seems only appropriate that I should conquer one of the greatest scientific conundrums of all time right here in Oxford – cradle to the intelligentsia and nursery to some of the biggest brains mankind has ever produced. And I admit
MICKEY Lewis said he just went with his instinct when picking his Oxford United team ahead of Saturday’s 3-0 success over Mansfield Town. The caretaker boss selected four strikers in his starting line-up for the Sky Bet League Two clash – but the
A WHEATLEY man has won a BAFTA for his work on Gravity. Niv Adiri is among a team from Studio 24 based at Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire who last night won the BAFTA for sound at the ceremony at the Royal Opera House in London. He and
A MAN has died after a collision in Watlington Road near Garsington. The collision happened between Pettiwell and Kiln Lane in Cowley, not at the junction with Garsington Road as previously stated by Thames Valley Police. The police were
THE parents of tragic teenager Connor Tremble last night begged for justice as detectives won more time to quiz a man about his murder. Connor, 17, died in the John Radcliffe Hospital on Saturday after he was stabbed at his flat in Fairacres Road
The Museum of Natural History in Oxford is a great place for inquisitive children and their parents to visit, so the reopening of the attraction after more than a year is most welcome. Let’s hope that the restored ornate roof will now be able to
A NEW art installation is giving visitors fruity food for thought. The Soul City (Pyramid of Oranges) exhibition by conceptual artist Roelof Louw opened on Saturday at Modern Art Oxford and is made up of 6,000 oranges, which art lovers are free
WITHOUT being rude, there will be a lot of collective eye-rolling at Oxfordshire County Council and Oxford City Council over Ron Wyatt’s criticism about the transfer of soil from Blackbird Leys to Hinksey Park. Mr Wyatt and his brother Mick, and
PLANS to redevelop the Ruskin College building in Walton Street, Oxford, have been given planning permission. Exeter College was given consent by the city council for its redevelopment of the Walton Street building in December but because of the
MORE than 4,000 people flocked to Oxford’s Museum of Natural History to join celebrations of its reopening. The museum, in Parks Road, was shut for 14 months for a £2m restoration of its leaky glazed roof. It opened again on Saturday with a
US PRESIDENT Barack Obama’s half-brother has married a Wantage care worker at Oxford Register Office. Ben Obama, 42, received a phone call from his half-brother to congratulate him on his marriage to Lily Achoch, 33, shortly before the ceremony
AN inquest into the death of a 23-year-old Oxford Brookes University student will be held tomorrow. Motorsport technology student Andres Naveda, of Park Street, Bladon, died when his motorbike crashed at the Begbroke roundabout on the A44 on August
Spending cuts of £64m in county council services are due to be approved at a full meeting of the organisation tomorrow. Oxfordshire County Council is expected to formally adopt plans to save the money over the next four years at its meeting in
NICKY Wroe admitted he could get used to scoring quality long-range efforts. The on-loan midfielder smashed in a last-gasp winner at Wycombe last month, and on Saturday drilled home a long-range effort to put Oxford United 2-0 ahead against Mansfield
Southern Electric says there are still 17 homes in Oxfordshire without power. The rest have all been restored and the power company says it aims to return electricity to all homes by the end of today.
PLANS to build a create a new home for London Welsh Rugby Club could be approved today. Witney Community Stadium in Downs Road, which has been empty for six months, could be the team’s new base. A planning application to build temporary stands
London Welsh lost top-spot after Saturday’s trip to Cornish Pirates was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch. As a result Leeds, Rotherham and Bristol all leapfrogged Exiles, who dropped to fourth.
A GOLF club owner jailed following a legal battle over waste, has criticised Oxford City Council for not gaining permission to move 2,500 tonnes of soil. Ron Wyatt and his brother Mick were given jail sentences in 2012 of six months and four months
DAVID Connolly was keen to dish out praise to Oxford United’s early rearguard action following Saturday’s 3-0 victory over Mansfield Town. A lot was made of caretaker boss Mickey Lewis’s decision to start with four strikers for the Sky Bet League
PLANS are under way to boost high street trade in three Cherwell communities with free parking, new signs and visitor information. Cherwell District Council was awarded £100,000 from the Town Centre Innovation Fund by the Department for Communities
WATLINGTON Road in Garsington is closed both ways this morning following a collision involving a car and a bike between Pettiwell and Kiln Lane. It has been closed outside Kings Copse Caravan Park since just after 6am and is expected to be closed
TWO people have been taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital after a van overturned on the M40 this morning. Police officers and paramedics were called to the Southbound carriageway at Junction 8 just after 7am, where all three lanes have been closed
‘CROC man’ Shaun Foggett has opened up a new zoo in larger premises. Mr Foggett started his collection of crocodiles at home in Deer Park, Witney, but the attraction has grown in popularity over the years, leading to the creation of Crocodiles
AN ABINGDON lock-keeper has rescued two people from dangerous floodwaters within a week, the Environment Agency has confirmed. Richard Hawkins raced into action at Abingdon Lock on Saturday morning to save a boater who had fallen into the Thames
Oxford City stayed in relegation trouble despite a battling display at the Skrill North leaders on Saturday. The result sees Mike Ford’s side remain four points adrift of safety, though they do have games in hand on their fellow-strugglers.
OXFORDSHIRE INVITATION YOUTH LEAGUE Under 16D: Hinksey Park 4, Wroxton Spts 0. Under 17B: Bicester Tn Colts 2, Adderbury Park 2; Greater Leys Yth 0, Marston Saints 0. OFA Women’s County Semi-finals: Mans-field Rd 3, Banbury Utd 0; Oxford
FARMERS in the Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire Cotswolds have been encouraged to help flood-hit colleagues locally and further afield. Anthony Colburn, the president of the Moreton-in-Marsh Show Society, addressing more than 100 people at the show
SOLDIERS have been continuing to build a 600m-long barrier to protect homes from flooding in a village near Oxford. The temporary wall in South Hinksey, made of sand and concrete blocks, stretches from behind the General Elliot pub, in Manor Road
MORE than 100 homes faced a third night without electricity last night after storm-force winds hit Oxfordshire. Engineers were still trying to connect power to about 170 homes in rural parts of the county around Ducklington and Fulbrook in West
ABOUT 40 campaigners marched against proposed cuts by Oxfordshire County Council at the weekend. The March Against County Cuts on Saturday, organised by the People’s Assembly, and supported by Oxfordshire Green Party, started at Manzil Way, East
A SIX-YEAR-OLD boy has died in hospital 10 days after a road accident. The boy, from Faringdon, died at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford on Saturday. He has not yet been named. He was injured in a collision with a white Audi Q5 at about
THE IRA has allegedly claimed responsibility for the suspected explosive devices sent to the Oxford Armed Forces recruitment office and other military careers bases last week. The Metropolitan Police yesterday said the claim – which was said to
ALMOST £700,000 of taxpayers’ money has been spent on sending more than 12,000 overweight and obese residents to diet groups, the Oxford Mail can reveal. Some 12,219 have been referred by their GP since 2010 to 12-week courses at Weight Watchers
Mike Duerden scored a spectacular equaliser as Kidlington fought back for a 1-1 draw against Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division strugglers Abingdon United at a windy Northcourt Road on Saturday. In the only game to survive the wet weather
11:31am Following the bomb scare at the Armed Forces' recruitment office in Oxford last week, another suspicious package has been sent to a Navy School in Portsmouth 10:24am
10:57pm FLOOD warnings have been lifted tonight at the following locations in Oxfordshire: River Thames in Abingdon River Thames at Kennington River Thames at Culham River Thames at Clifton Hampden, Dorchester
GREENE KING IPA CHAMPIONSHIP Cornish Pirates v London Welsh pp. SSE ENGLISH CLUBS CHAMPIONSHIP National 1: Henley v Blaydon pp. National 2 South: Chinnor v Clifton pp. South West 1 East: Maidenhead 14, Grove 23; Oxford Harlequins
CAMPAIGNER Clive Stone says he will use his new Oxford Mail column, which starts tomorrow, to champion cancer sufferers’ needs, empower people to get the drugs they need and hold politicians to account. Mr Stonebegan campaigning on behalf of other
A nine-year-old boy who went missing in Barton was found safe and well on Friday. Thames Valley Police Inspector James Ravenall said: “The child was found very quickly, safe and well.” No further details have been released about the incident
ROCK group Status Quo have joined forces with a Witney brewery to release their own beer. The rock veterans, led by Rick Parfitt and Francis Rossi, are launching their Piledriver beer in hundreds of pubs from today with the Wychwood Brewery.
OLYMPIC badminton champion Gail Emms had a shot at inspiring a school to be the best it can be on a visit last week. Ms Emms, now retired from the sport, visited Crowmarsh Gifford CofE Primary School on Wednesday to launch its Be the Best You Can
MANSFIELD Town boss Paul Cox thought his side were unlucky to come away from the Kassam Stadium empty-handed on Saturday. The Stags had the better of the first half, but found United keeper Ryan Clarke in inspired form and wasted several good chances
THE new Blackbird Leys Pavilion, which will provide a new home for two community football teams, is starting to take shape. Construction staff working on behalf of Oxford City Council have started building the pavilion on Pegasus Road, which will
