TWO events in Wantage are combining for the first time this summer to create a weekend packed with community celebrations. This year’s Wantage Carnival and Rock in the Park, which is organised by teenagers at the Sweatbox youth club, will both
FIRE crews were called out to a fire at a family home. A back bedroom at a house on Asquith Road in Rose Hill was on fire. Everyone in the house escaped unharmed, but paramedics were at the scene to check them over. There had been concern
A PICTURE is worth 1,000 words according to an old adage from the 1920s, the decade when the Oxford Mail was first published. As part of Local Newspaper Week, which highlights the importance of papers like the Oxford Mail, we reflect on the importance
A VIEW of the Windrush has been a spark of inspiration for a Witney Artweeks exhibition. Six artists took on the challenge of painting, sculpting and photographing the same view of the Windrush, which was taken from the A40 towards Burford.
WHAT a football season it’s been, with more storylines than a Quentin Tarantino movie. In the Premier League alone this season there’s been a horror tale, a comedy, a tearjerker and even a romantic story, which has all made for a fantastic nine
WITH prizes for ‘waggiest tale’, ‘best biscuit catcher’ and ‘loveliest eyes’, it was a far cry from Crufts. But while the Cotswold Wildlife Park’s annual dog show may not have the glitz of more illustrious contests, it made up for it in fun.
ANSWERS to how science is helping medical care will be on show at an open day about city medical research. The Oxford Biomedical Research Centre will open its doors at the John Radcliffe Hospital on Monday. The neurology team will talk about
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A GROUP from Oxfordshire is today heading off to the World Championships of an obscure sport called Pickleball. The team will be representing the UK in the sport which they claim to be the only group in England to play. Pickleball is a racquet
THE new headteacher at a Grove primary school says she will steer it out of special measures by getting children to love learning. And she says there is no reason it will not be rated excellent within a year. Jane Ratcliffe plans to use long-term
YOUNGSTERS with learning difficulties made art, danced and acted in a creative enterprise day. The Gig-Arts charity held the event at Witney’s Langdale Hall on Monday to boost the confidence of 30 young people from the Inclusive Care and Education
OXFORDSHIRE County Council is planning to look after travellers living in a London borough. It has been asked to help Ealing Council, in west London, look after its travellers site as part of the increasing number of sites it manages across the
A CAMPAIGN to tackle mental health problems is to fund art events in Oxford in the coming weeks. Time to Change has funded The Archway Foundation’s “Creative Communications for Changing Perspectives” programme. The foundation, based at the
I am writing concerning the letter (May 12), about the St Giles’ toilets being closed because of ‘health and safety concerns’. Maybe John Tanner can explain the health and safety concerns there are in using the toilets that do not apply when using
The question people should be asking regarding the series “Wantage — A great place to live”, is if we really need all of these thousands of new houses in Wantage and the surrounding villages, why should it be necessary to advertise for people to come
It was a great honour to be invited to attend, as the only available representative this year from a Bomber Command 630 squadron association veteran, on two important anniversary days in the life of Denmark on May 4-5. My son acted throughout as my
I SEE Heathrow airport is proposing to follow London’s and Singapore’s example of implementing a congestion charge. Oxford’s roads suffer from a lot of traffic destined for the city centre, its hospitals, universities and shops. As a result
Last week Galliard Homes dropped its appeal against Oxford City Council’s decision that the former greyhound stadium could not be flattened and turned into homes. It also has put the site up for lease as a leisure facility. Some expressed cynicism
WHAT a palaver to get a doctor’s appointment these days. I rang my medical centre this morning to be told they had nothing available but if I rang back at midday, there might be a slot in the afternoon or evening surgery. I was offered a regular
The number of people signing on the dole in the county has fallen again. Latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show 4,073 people were claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance in April, a fall of 288 on the previous month. There
WORK has begun on a £180,000 hydro-electric scheme at the Blenheim Palace estate. Dorchester-based Hallidays Hydropower started work on Monday to install an 11.5-tonne Archimedes screw turbine at Bladon Lake dam on the River Glyme, in Woodstock
‘I’m in it for the parking’ – it’s a slogan you can get on shirts, mugs and bumper stickers. A kind of disabled in-joke about one of the perks of being disabled. It’s quite true that you can park pretty much anywhere – disabled bays, pay and display
A HISTORIC Abingdon pub that was set to be turned into flats has been rescued as part of a £75.6m national deal. Brewery Greene King had drawn up plans to partially demolish the 17th century Cross Keys in Ock Street and turn it into six one-bedroom
JACK Brooks is eyeing trophy glory on three fronts after a superb individual display yesterday. The former Oxfordshire cricketer, who is now plying his trade for Yorkshire in Division 1 of the LV= County Championship, claimed match figures of 7
GARY Waddock felt Sam Long and Josh Shama fully deserve their chance to progress after the pair signed new contracts at Oxford United. Both have agreed one-year deals, with the U’s able to extend them by a further 12 months. Long, from Bicester
STUDENTS at Oxford Academy got a runner for their money yesterday. Olympic 1,500-metre silver medallist Steve Cram MBE dropped in on the Littlemore School to share some of his stories with teenagers there. He helped teach an athletics lesson
HE’S best known as a jet-setting rock star who, as a member of the band Blur, dominated the pop charts and spent £1m on Champagne. But it was a very different Alex James who yesterday joined local primary school children for a day of planting potatoes
A RACEHORSE trainer and nephew of a former Prime Minister shot himself after suffering severe depression. James Douglas-Home, 61, of Wantage, “shot himself in the head” and died as a result of gunshot wounds, Oxfordshire Coroner’s Court heard yesterday
Traffic delays caused by works in George Street, Oxford, were yesterday reported to have reduced from Monday’s levels. Oxfordshire County Council has agreed to close the city centre road so ISG Construction Ltd can carry out work on a building.
Researchers at Oxford University have said modern perceptions of how much sleep we need are “arrogant”. Prof Russell Foster of Oxford University told BBC Radio Four’s Today programme: “We feel we can abandon four billion years of evolution and
Richard Kuziara and Rebecca Jeffries of Oxford City Council will appear in BBC One show Food Inspectors tomorrow night. The business regulation team members were filmed visiting businesses in Oxford, checking safety standards were being met.
SOME of these people might not look like your average athletes, but today they’re heading off to Amsterdam to represent the UK. They are part of Oxfordshire Pickleball Club, which plays an obscure racquet sport originally from the US. As far
A PENSIONER has been handed an ASBO which stops him leaving his house unless he is wearing trousers with his flies done up. Harold Gerrard was given the Antisocial Behaviour order at Oxford Magistrates’ Court yesterday after he was caught performing
6:58pm Pets trapped in Rose Hill house fire. Emergency crews on scene. More to follow. 5:58pm Duberry's column: Looking back on a rollercoaster of a
A 35-year-old man suffered a swollen cheekbone after he was headbutted by a man in a black leather jacket. The assault happened on the green between Willow Drive and Southwold School, Bicester, at about 5pm on Saturday. Police described the
A 35-year-old man has been charged with five counts of shoplifting. Lee Rudman, of Blenheim Drive in Witney, is charged with stealing cash and alcohol in thefts from shops in Abingdon, Woodstook, Witney, Carterton, and Kidlington between March
Blackwell’s has been crowned Book Retailer of the Year at the Bookseller Industry Awards. The business, which has its main store in Broad Street, was commended at the awards ceremony on Monday for responding to digital challenges faced by booksellers
A HOUSE fire was prevented by an 11-year-old child who saw smoke coming from a neighbour’s home and called the emergency services. Firefighters and police officers were called to the house in Sunderland Avenue, Oxford, whilst the occupiers were
MOTORBIKES may not be a royal mode of transport, but that didn’t stop the Duke of Gloucester, Prince Richard, enjoying his visit to youth charity Trax yesterday. The Queen’s cousin spent the afternoon with the motor project in Woodstock Road, Oxford
WOMEN’S Institute members are traditionally seen as enjoying a spot of jam-making and sewing. But a more modern approach is needed to represent the 21st century member, according to Clare Mackintosh, who is in charge of social media at the WI’s
PEOPLE will be able to have their say on Oxfordshire County Council’s plans to reduce the risk of flooding after its draft strategy was approved yesterday. The county council has new powers on flooding issues which means it has to put together
NOW is the time for the public to shape the future of flood defences in the county. Thousands have been affected by flooding across Oxfordshire. But the county council has opened the metaphorical floodgates for comments and suggestions. With
Oxford Academy stole the show at an ESFA Under 13 Seven-a-side Festival in Pwllhelli, Wales – and they did it in style. The Academy won all five of their games, scoring 15 goals and not conceding one. Having won their first four games, it came
Horatio Hirst hit a hat-trick as Grendon Rangers lifted the Giles Sports Witney Youth League's Under 15 Knockout Cup for the first time with a 6-0 win over Launton Boys in the final. Michael Britten’s double, and Ben Munday completed the goal spree
DIVISIONS 1-3 DIVISION 1 new boys Cowley Internationals posted their first win of the season with a narrow 18-run triumph at home to Chadlington, writes DAVID QUINN. Having joint top-scored with 30 in his side’s 139 all out, Ayaz Khan, who
KEVIN Giles (5-4-6) and Neil Lyon (3-5-5) bagged 28 dolls between them to ensure The Three Pigeons took maximum points at Rose Hill Club A in Premier/Section 1, writes ANDY BEAL. They edged the opener 25-22, but romped the other two 32-19, 28-17
Alan Jarvis, who trains at Twyford, near Bicester, has conceded his career is over after losing his appeal against the British Horseracing Authority’s decision not to grant him a licence. The BHA’s licensing committee announced in March that the
NORTH BERKS LEAGUE LONG Wittenham Athletic lifted the North Berks Cup for a record 16th time after coming from behind to beat Dorchester 2-1 at Abingdon United, writes PHIL ANNETS. Josh Nicholls had put Dorchester in front after his initial
Vale of White Horse Under 13s were blown away 5-0 by Gosport & Fareham in the Oxford United Cup final at Abingdon Town. With captain Joe Fleming ill, Vale had to rearrange their team, and Gosport proved the better side in all departments with
Didcot Girls’ School bid to be crowned national champions for the second successive year when they go for glory in the ESFA Under 14 PlayStation Schools’ Cup final at Reading’s Madejski Stadium next Tuesday. The talented team, who captured the
A VALUABLE knock of 84 from James Crichton helped guide Thame Town to a three-wicket win at Buckingham with just eight balls to spare in Division 1. The match was one of only two top flight matches to survive on the opening day of the Cherwell
A five-car crash blocked a slip road on the southbound A34 and caused delays for commuters yesterday. Emergency services were called at about 9.20am to the Bicester Road junction at Kidlington. No-one was injured and all vehicles involved had
A 29-year-old died from severe head injuries after his car span out of control on the M40. Warren Stone of Upway Road, Oxford, was returning from London soon after 5am on May 5 when his Vauxhall Astra drifted to the central verge of the M40 between
A 25-year-old man kicked a robber in the shins to escape an attack in Cowley. The attempted robbery happened in the subway under the eastern bypass by the BMW plant at about 8pm on May 6, but Thames Valley Police released the details yesterday.
TODDLER Victoria Trueman has beaten her big brother by being named the Oxford Mail Baby of the Year 2014. The one-year-old from Littlemore took the overall title to best her brother Harry, two, who came runner-up two years ago at just eight months
A SENIOR policeman has been appointed to oversee neighbourhood policing across the Thames Valley. Thames Valley Police this week appointed Alan Baldwin as its new Assistant Chief Constable (ACC) for neighbourhood policing and partnerships.
A YOUNG stonemason’s mate died from “catastrophic” injuries when he was crushed by a two-tonne limestone block, after his employers “disregarded” risks, a jury has heard. David Evans died on February 9, 2010, when he and colleagues were building
NEW guidelines encouraging home births from the NHS watchdog have been welcomed by midwives. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has revised its advice to women giving birth, in a draft document that has been supported
WITNEY & DISTRICT FA WEST Witney completed an historic treble as they ground out a tough 6-3 extra time win over Hailey in the Senior Cup final at Carterton. It means Witney have now completed back-to-back trebles after also winning the
DIVISIONS 4-6 MARTIN Shepherd blasted 131 not out as Division 4 leaders Wootton & Boars Hill amassed an imposing 282-5 at home to Swinbrook. Damian Wiskin contributed 83 before embarking on a miserly spell of 5-12, which saw Swinbrook crumble
OXFORDSHIRE SENIOR LEAGUE OAKLEY United were crowned Premier Division champions for the first time after winning 6-0 at Mansfield Road – the only side who could deny them the crown. Kieron Schmidt led the way with a hat-trick as Oakley dominated
DIVISIONS 7-10 KIDLINGTON 2nd edged a Division 7 thriller at home to Brill by two runs. The hosts were bowled out for 118, Ralph Bishop hitting 37. Nick Judd made 41 in Brill’s 116 as Sam Rodway eked out 3-9 from ten overs. The most impressive
IT IS not just cats up trees anymore. Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue has expanded its operations to birds under fridges. On May 9, firefighter Ellie Hathaway, pictured, rescued this frazzled pigeon which was stuck behind a refrigeration unit at
THE latest inspection of the John Radcliffe by health watchdogs, the Care Quality Commission, raises issues of concern. Patients will perhaps not be surprised by problems highlighted in A&E and surgery, waiting times, as well as cancelled operations
A school has now submitted a planning application to extend its gym for community use. The £200,000 facility at Oxford Spires Academy will upgrade the existing site and the school hopes to offer the use of its gym to residents. Oxford City
HOSPITAL boss Sir Jonathan Michael said action is being taken to address failings at Oxford’s John Radcliffe after the biggest ever inspections of county hospitals. He said increasing demand on the hospital was putting staff and beds under pressure
THE brother of television chef Rick Stein is one of six Oxford University professors to be announced as fellows of the Academy of Medical Sciences. Professor John Stein, pictured, and colleagues Professors Richard Cornall, Anke Ehlers, Gary A.
CHILDREN were delighted by fires and the forest on a trip with community group Heart of the Wildwood. Anabelle Kinghan, two, was one of many tots taken to woodland near Littleworth Road in Wheatley to learn about cooking, animals, insects and trees
NEW summer railway timetables come into force on Sunday. First Great Western will be running a new weekday 7.34am fast commuter service from Didcot Parkway to London Paddington from Monday, calling at Reading only, operated by a Class 180 Adelante
CUP MATCHES DARREN Gordon’s 95 helped Kilkenny overhaul Shrivenham 2nd’s 160-5 in the Steve Dixon Cup preliminary round. Three wickets apiece for Bob Godwin (3-40) and Alfie Saunders (3-23) saw Wolvercote fall to 99 all out and enabled Witney
PEOPLE on an Oxford estate already hit by a one-way access system fear new roadworks will leave them stranded. Works at the crossing on the eastern bypass at Kiln Lane, Risinghurst, are due to start later this month. Throughout the Oxfordshire
A CASH reward of up to £1,000 would be stumped up for information that can prosecute vandals who scrawled obscene messages across children’s play areas. Parish councillors in Kennington hope the offer will encourage people to step forward after
A REQUIEM mass is to be held for one of Wantage’s most famous former residents — poet Sir John Betjeman. The Wantage branch of the Betjeman Society has arranged the mass to mark the 30th anniversary of the poet’s death. It will be led by Canon
MICROSOFT business manager Craig Parker climbed the highest mountain in Africa for charity last year. But rather than supporting a giant global organisation, he did it for a small charity based in Oxfordshire. And he was so inspired by the
French visitors got a taste of English hospitality and weather on a twinning visit to Wantage. The group of 24 from its twin town Mably in the Loire Valley spent a week on the cultural exchange. Highlights included a day in Oxford with a tour
