SOPHIA Wilson is a very special six-year-old girl. She has a genetic condition shared by only 54 other people in the UK, called Smith-Magenis syndrome (SMS). It means she produces melatonin, the sleep chemical, during the day instead of at
STUDENTS opening GCSE results today can tap into free careers information at Oxford’s Westgate Centre. The Oxfordshire Apprentice service pop-up ApprenticeShop is outside Vision Express today, tomorrow and Saturday. Part of a series of roadshows
PRIME Minister David Cameron was back on holiday body-boarding in Cornwall today. The Witney MP had briefly broken off from his summer break this week to return to London following the beheading of journalist James Foley in Iraq. But today
Sir – There is a clear need to provide transport links from the north-west Bicester eco-town to the town centre. However, the potential to improve transport for the much larger Bicester of the future must also be seized. The current infrastructure
Sir – I would like to thank your many readers who have written to me about cycling improvements in Oxford, following your story in July. In fact most of most of the city council cash available is already committed to various projects. The city
Sir – A question was raised by reader Dr Jan-Georg Deutsch, (Letters, August 14) as to how many vehicle drivers have been killed by cyclists. None, may be true, but as a pedestrian with mobility issues my time is numbered, as in the last month
Sir – I was interested to see the report of a survey showing widespread support for fracking. Or so I understood from the first paragraph. But, as I read on it became clear that what the survey actually showed was widespread support for reducing
Sir – All the buses are using Kennington as a rat run, all the double deckers are going down St Swithins Road taking the trees with them, the Wantage bus, the bus to the John Radcliffe Hospital, the X3 are all coming through the village. As they are
Sir – Thank you very much for publishing details of the opening of the new Aston Rowant Discovery Trail under the title Walk in the footsteps of the first Elizabeth (Report, July 31). As the vice-chairman of Aston Rowant Parish Council and the
Sir – There is an issue of whether our antiquated sewage system will be able to cope with the massive housing growth in the area. What a pity that the initial response from both the council and Thames Water was to try and pass the buck from one
Sir – I refer to Janey Messina’s wonderfully facetious piece (Quad Talk, August 7). As the West Country Regional Executive of the National Association of Estate Agents spending the weekend at our holiday home in Lechlade — a luxurious caravan by
Sir – When buying a coach ticket everyone is guaranteed to have a seat. Rail companies are allowed to sell expensive rail tickets for a journey that does not include provision of a seat, resulting in lots standing where they can. It is frustrating
Sir – I was appalled to read that 70 from a total of 532 vehicles travelling through Brize Norton in Station Road and Carterton Road, were caught speeding. This was between 7.15am and 9am and one motorist was clocked at 50mph in a 30mph zone. Although
Sir – I have been a volunteer at Cogges Manor Farm, in Witney, for the past three years. One of my duties is to feed the three farm cats. Over the past year we have had four stray cats take up temporary residence on the farm. Two black and white
Sir – The grand opening of the Witney Bees teaching apiary took place at Southdown Farm. The weather was perfect and it was well attended. Ian James cut the ribbon to officially open the apiary and thanked those who were involved in the setting
Sir – People in this country are rightly proud of the NHS, and many are angry at the creeping privatisation now being introduced. The service will be further threatened if a trade deal currently being negotiated with the US goes ahead. The
Sir – Richard Scrase (First Person, August 14) writes for Understanding Animal Research, a national organisation which, under one name or another, has been promoting animal research for over 100 years. You would not expect him to advertise its uglier
Sir – Was it a witty editor who placed the article about knitting a stool above the piece on visible excrement in a local food hall? (Report, August 14). Stephen Wilkinson, Oxford
Sir - I really must take issue with Dominic Utton’s column (Off the Rails, August 7) and his description of the “slow, crumbling shabbiness” of Oxford station. I am a regular user of the station and agree that more space is needed, as passenger
Sir — I am sorry if Richard Wilson (Letters, August 7) feels tormented by the less civilised of my motorcycling brothers and sisters. He describes the behaviour of Oxford cyclists, but not, in my opinion, motorcyclists. I had to pass a second test
Sir — Richard Wilson. He’s a motorist (Letters, August 7). You know the sort. They have cars with lowered suspension, drainpipe exhausts, badly fitted body-kits, huge speakers blaring out from the parcel shelves and they do doughnuts in carparks
Sir — In your coverage of Oxford’s forthcoming Lieder festival (Limited Edition, August) a “C” appears to have dropped out of the headline: SHUBERT FIRST FOR SHOLTO (or is this a subtle example of “syncope” as defined in the Wordplay answers at the
Sir — I had a look at the Frideswide Square/station masterplan. I noted that the plan does not show bicycle racks near the station nor do there seem to be clearly defined bicycle lanes in Frideswide Square. Given that the relocation of bus traffic
Sir — In reply to councillor Howson’s letter (Letters, August 7) concerning free school meals for all. I agree that every child needs, and deserves, a hot nourishing meal every day. The majority of the members of the recent Education Scrutiny Committee
Sir — On Saturday, August 9, the anniversary of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki in 1945, many Oxfordshire people helped in rolling out a continuous line of pink home-knitted scarves that extended the whole seven miles between the Atomic Weapons Establishment
Sir — Having attended the family day at St Gregory’s School to raise money for the Gaza crisis, I was heartened to see the extent of support for the people devastated in that area. Although public opinion may now be more sympathetic to the plight
Sir — It’s all too easy for Oxford City Council to continually press for the destruction of Green Belt land on the edge of the city (‘Council bid for ‘garden suburb’ on edge of city’, Oxford Times, August 7). But just where do they intend to stop
Sir — What is it about Oxford people and their overwhelming negativity towards anything modern or different or new? Andrew Pritchard (Letters, August 7) was so quick to express negativity towards almost every aspect of the new railway station that
Sir – As is usual at this time of year, our city centre was almost overflowing last weekend, with tourists young and old, and from several different continents/countries. But you wouldn’t have to have been particularly perceptive to have realised that
Sir — Whenever I have been in Los Angeles driving around through both residential and commercial areas, I have always been tremendously impressed by the requirements imposed on vehicles when in the near locality of schools. Not only was the speed
Sir – Having read Katherine MacAlister’s restaurant review in The Oxford Times last week, I would like to say that the Randolph Restaurant is our favourite place to dine in Oxford. We have been going to the restaurant for five years or more and
Sir — I can visit one pub and drink myself into a coma. I can purchase 200 cigarettes and smoke the lot in one day (if I so choose). However, if I wish to purchase two tubes of anti-fungal foot cream from a pharmacy in Wallingford, I am told I
Sir – I wonder how many rail station users were able to attend the public consultation on the station masterplan on August 1 and 2 in the Westgate. Were they disappointed? As an “interchange” station (First Great Western’s description) it scores
Sir – The release of the conceptual masterplan for Oxford’s new railway and coach station has raised the prospect of an efficient and gleaming metal and glass structure which will be subject of an international design competition. I gather one
Sir – I am sure your correspondent Philip Cresswell rides a genuinely eco-friendly, quiet-running, electric machine, and that he is a considerate motorcyclist (Letters, July 31). But the motorcyclists I encounter on our roads don’t and aren’t.
Sir – Doric, the developers behind the controversial plans for West Way in Botley, are so sure that their project is a “done deal” with the Vale of White Horse that they are launching an artwork competition. Since anybody can enter this farce,
Sir – Does councillor Sanders approve of the Lib Dem policy to provide free lunches for infant pupils (Letters, July 31) or not? She raises two points in response to my letter; firstly, some parents that could afford to pay might benefit. However
Sir – The one thing that dissatisfies me most of all in my daily life is one that seems to bother nobody else at present: a shocking ignorance and lack of both recognition and general acknowledgement of Oxfordshire’s buses. As a loyal, regular
Sir – I entirely agree with Dr Ian East (Letters, July 24). Why are there literally no restrictions on the noise from light aircraft once they are in the air? One or two people overhead in an aeroplane, flying for their own pleasure or convenience
Sir – Your correspondent Nick Hills (resident Earl Street, flooded 2000, 2003, 2007, Letters, July 31) is surely right about the need for the quantum improvement in flood protection that the Western Conveyance would provide. The flood risk to low-lying
Sir – This week President Evo Morales took a brave step (which other world leaders have shied away from) and openly criticised the state of Israel for its recent actions in Gaza. Operation Protective edge, he said, showed that “Israel is not a
Sir – Today (as I write in Oxford on Monday, August 4, 2014) marks the evacuation of diplomats from Libya — after our involvement in the turmoil and the deaths of thousands — and also the decision which led to the deaths of millions in 1914. Today
Sir – I was sorry that the only aspect of the National Front march and the anti-fascist protest last Saturday which you reported last week was the arrests. The protest was a demonstration by more than 100 people, including ministers from a number
Sir – I'm trying to contact some old friends of ours from Oxford who take regular holidays in Benidorm. They are called Bill and Bernie and live fairly close to the centre of Oxford. They are now retired and Bill used to work at one of the car
A FRIEND of Will Blencowe has denied providing him with fresh clothes and helping him leave Oxfordshire after he fatally stabbed Connor Tremble. Bradley Jones, of New Road, Bledington, made the claims this afternoon while giving evidence in Oxford
CONVERTIBLES tend to be cute, compact, cosy cars — everything that Vauxhall’s new Cascada is not. For make no mistake, this is a big, even imposing, car. At almost 4.7 metres in length, the four-seater, fabric-roof Cascada is longer than an Audi
Want to give your opinion? Email letters@oxfordmail.co.uk
A MAN accused of helping Connor Tremble's killer said he was "shocked and scared" when he found out the teenager had been stabbed. Grant Clemens, of Stockwells, Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire, gave evidence for the first time this morning in
RESIDENTS in Littlemore are worried over what they say is a threat to graves from plans to build 270 homes on land off Armstrong Road. Artists’ impressions of the scheme are on display for the public to view at Littlemore Village Hall as part of
THE death of a D-Day veteran and Oxford United fan who died after choking on food in a care home was yesterday ruled an accident. Former Morris plant paint sprayer George Bateman, who had dementia, died at Manor House Nursing Home, Merton, Bicester
FOUR lambs have been stolen from farmland near Chipping Norton. The three-month-old animals were probably enticed using sheep feed, says owner John Kench. Mr Kench, who uses the farm in Hook Norton Road to supply his butchery, JR Kench Butchers
West Oxfordshire District Council recently distributed a newsletter entitled ‘Creating Futures’ inviting us to comment on housing targets and the draft local plan. I will certainly have my say regarding the proposed Carterton East development which
Last week saw a celebration of Cowley built cars in Templars Square Shopping Centre with the grand finale on Sunday at Cowley Classic Car Show. I organised the display of cars in Templars Square and I would like to thank all those who came and
Oxford’s summer has ended with county exam success – that’s a great outcome. But for most people in education: students, parents, teachers, it’s an ordeal. High hopes and disappointment are felt by all, because education is a team activity.
Three days ago I was moving at the speed of light. Well, at least the speed of sound. And everyone could hear me. Don’t you ever get days like that? Where everyone else seems to be moving in slow-mo by contrast – where you’re like the cartoon Tasmanian
Karen Bowerman enjoys a spa with a spectacular view and discovers the Tibetan yoga way to tackle her toxins I’ve just had a vigorous body scrub, been smothered in mud, wrapped in “clingfilm” and cocooned in blankets. My body’s tingling and
Back in July, the thought of the imminent six week summer holiday was exciting if a little daunting. It felt as if the time would stretch out ahead and there would be endless hours for summer fun and most importantly, the chance to get off the
About three years ago I found a pea-sized lump in my breast. I was fairly sure it was fine but went to get it checked and was impressed by the efficiency of the NHS. It was two weeks between my first GP visit and the final biopsy that fortunately confirmed
As TV roles go, taking on Doctor Who comes with a certain degree of expectation. Peter Capaldi talks about taking over as the 12th Doctor and Jaine Blackman meets an Oxfordshire woman who has recorded a song for the Time Lord As someone who spent
REGARDING claims that Scotland is being subsidised by England encourage me to vote “No” in the independence referendum. Canny Scots should grab every penny we can. The debate can be re-visited in 20 years or so when the UK is bankrupt or earlier if
My friend. We have lived together on the same little island for years now. At first we fought you but then we saw there was more sense in having you as our ally. Your pipers stirred us on battlefields through many campaigns. Your explorers, inventors
For many RAF aircrews and engineers at Brize Norton, the expected arrival there in September of the RAF’s first A400M Atlas, new generation, Airbus-built transport aircraft could not be more welcome. It is certainly fantastic news for me because
WHAT is it about dogs which is so disarming? Walking in the Angel and Greyhound Meadow, in Mesopotamia or a quiet part of Shotover or Cutteslowe, I enjoy taking my time, stopping here and there to watch a bird, or examine a leaf or flower. It drives
Unhappy with your lot in the breast department? Have no fear – your aubergine is here! Yes, seriously. The latest word on the web is that rubbing your vegetables against your breasts will make them grow. Your breasts, not your vegetables. But then
Sheena Patterson of Oxford Garden Design praises magnificent myrtle If you had to choose just one plant from your garden what would it be and why? There’s an ancient legend that says God relented, slightly, when he expelled Adam and Eve from the
It’s a record-breaking year for A- level students, with more than ever landing a place at university. And of the more than half a million signing up for a degree, the number from disadvantaged backgrounds is up by eight per cent, according to admissions
As outpourings of grief go, the offerings in the wake of Robin Williams’ apparent suicide have been fairly joyful. For the past ten days, Twitter and the news have been alive with clips of Williams’ dizzyingly vibrant roles on television and film
Jaine Blackman meets a woman who wants to raise awareness of a rare condition For years novelist Valerie Blumenthal felt she was losing her mind, so to have it confirmed was actually something of a relief. While no one wants to be told they
4:17pm Connor Tremble trial: Friend denies helping Blencowe with fresh clothes after stabbing 1:33pm Connor Tremble trial: Co-defendant was 'shocked and
PROFESSOR Stephen Westaby has been a heart surgeon for 35 years, 28 of them in Oxford. He has done more than 11,000 heart operations for the NHS, many of these on children. But what is the future for heart surgery in the UK? In five years will children
AFTER the second unprovoked and, I hope, unintended attack by young Italian tourists using rolled umbrellas – the first coming close to impaling my left nipple and the second doing its best to inflict brain damage via my right ear – it seemed a good
A SEVEN-year saga over lights in a community park appears to be at an end after extra cash was approved for the project. Oxford City Council revealed it expects the lights to be installed in Marston’s Croft Road recreation ground by the end of
THERE has been a crash in Little Milton near Wheatley this morning. The A329 – otherwise known as Church Hill - was partially blocked because of the accident between two vehicles. It happened near Gold Street and one of the vehicles reportedly
Jake Wright believes Oxford United’s attractive style will mean supporters continue to back the team while they attempt to recover from a slow start to the season. The U’s skipper is set to make his 200th start for the club tomorrow, when Portsmouth
OXFORD Brookes University has warned its students against a mobile phone scam that is tricking young people into debt across the country. People have been offered cash incentives to register for personal mobile phone contracts by a private company
FROM jittery to joyful, these pictures capture what GCSE results meant to every pupil across Oxfordshire yesterday. With a shaking hand Zainab Azam opened her envelope and read her results: one A*, eight As, three Bs. The Oxford Spires Academy
NO points, no goals from open play, no clean sheets – Oxford United’s start to Sky Bet League Two would give plenty of coaches sleepless nights. But Michael Appleton does not come across as someone with a nervous disposition, even if three successive
THE killer of Connor Tremble claimed he was ‘not in control’ of his body when he fatally stabbed the teenager 15 times. Will Blencowe, 21, also denied being a “psychopath” and said he acted in self-defence when he caused Connor’s death on February
WHEREVER captive animals are put on public display, controversy is sure to follow. So it has proved with the planned arrival of three bear cubs at Enstone’s annual village show this weekend. The European brown bears, named Maxi, Amelia and
IF Michael Gove had any doubt how headteachers felt about Government changes to GCSEs, he should be perfectly clear today. As thousands of students opened up their results across Oxfordshire, their teachers made a stand against Gove and the new
DANNY Hylton says he is enjoying being given added freedom by Oxford United boss Michael Appleton to cause other teams problems. The 25-year-old came off the bench to score at Bristol City and Mansfield Town, earning a first start in midweek.
MICHAEL Appleton says Oxford United have to be creative while they continue to search for targets up front during the transfer window. The U’s head coach is hoping to add two more forwards to the squad before September 1, but has found it difficult
EXAMINERS were seeing double when they marked the papers of identical twins Ben and Lewis Thorne, who got identical grades of nine A*s and three As. The Oxford Spires Academy pupils – who are also active in sport and drama at the Glanville Road
THESE bear cubs will be making an appearance at tomorrow’s Enstone Show. And organisers have said they are going ahead as normal despite London-based Animal Defenders International (ADI), an animal welfare group, demanding that the young bears
JUNIOR Brown has welcomed Oxford United’s packed fixture schedule as he edges closer towards reaching match fitness. The 25-year-old had not played a minute of football in pre-season before he signed for the U’s last month. He is still getting
SEVERAL headteachers refused to release their official results yesterday, criticising new Government policy. For the first time, this year a school’s position in the league table will depend on a pupil’s first attempt at an exam. While students
Nick Scott is fully aware that London Welsh’s friendly at Pontypridd tomorrow is the last chance to stake a claim for a starting place against Exeter Chiefs. The Exiles travel to Sardis Road in their final pre-season fixture before the Aviva Premiership
OLYMPIC swimmers, athletes and even a Britain’s Got Talent contestant aced their exams. Team GB synchronised swimmer Genevieve Randall, 16, from Faringdon, has only spent one day at school a week for the last two years. But the student at King
Martin Wilkinson is looking to his Kidlington team to cut out defensive errors as they take on Highmoor Ibis in the Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division at Yarnton Road tomorrow. Kidlington’s unbeaten record fell with a 2-1 defeat at Reading
ANDREA Pinedo managed to secure seven GCSEs despite only starting the courses 11 months ago. The 16-year-old moved to Oxford from Venezuela in September and enrolled at Oxford Spires Academy. Yesterday she opened her envelope to find two A*
Oxfordshire's Eddie Pepperell shot a two-under-par 70 in the opening round of the D+D REAL Czech Masters in Prague yesterday. The Frilford Heath professional is tied for 22nd place, four shots off the lead held by Jamie Donaldson. The Welshman
Captain Darren Mullings starts a three-match ban as Oxford City bid to extend their unbeaten start to the season when they visit Solihull Moors tomorrow. Mullings is suspended after being sent for a late challenge in the 1-0 win at Hyde United.
Edwin Stein believes Banbury United should take heed of legendary manager Brian Clough’s words as they seek to build a team to compete in the Southern League Premier Division. Stein’s basement boys, who are without a point from their first four
THERE will be familiar faces all round in the technical areas at the Kassam Stadium tomorrow. While Oxford United head coach Michael Appleton comes up against his former side, it will also be a reunion for opposite number Andy Awford. The Portsmouth
ALEX Jakubiak will miss Oxford United’s visit to Cheltenham Town next month after a call-up to Scotland’s under 19 squad. The on-loan striker, who turns 18 next week, is in contention to face Czech Republic under 19s at Greenock on Tuesday, September
IT is hard enough to get nine A*s, two As and a B in your GCSEs, but 16-year-old Maia Jordan has done it all while being a young carer at home. The King Alfred's Academy pupil, from West Hendred, helps look after her three younger siblings – Kasia
HORSPATH captain Will Eason expects no easy ride at basement boys Chesham tomorrow as the leaders continue their Division 2 title push. Eason’s men saw their lead cut to four points after losing to second-placed Reading last week, but says they
TWO friends at Didcot Girls’ School are celebrating a clutch of top grades. Izzie Cheshire, 16, got 11 A*s and 1 A and Alice Reddick, got 9 A’s. Alice, also 16, is planning to study film, drama, biology and maths at Henley College. Her
PEOPLE working there joked that it offered the best views of Oxford – because they were in the only place it could not be seen. So there were few tears when the demolition of Oxford University’s Hans Krebs Tower started on Monday. After being
OXFORDSHIRE’S independent schools celebrated another year of success in their GCSE results. Magdalen College School, St Helen and St Katharine in Abingdon, Headington School, Oxford High School and Cranford House in Moulsford all saw 100 per cent
OXFORDSHIRE County Council said last night it cannot yet tell how many pupils are achieving the national target because of disparities in how results are being reported. The education authority said it was because some schools chose to submit their
TEACHERS across the county spoke of their pride as students opened some record-breaking GCSE results. Wallingford School saw a 2.5 per cent rise in the number of pupils achieving five GCSEs at A* to C including English and maths, with 78.5 per
THE new headteacher of a failing academy has vowed to “get it right” next year after seeing a lower set of results than last year. Niall McWilliams, who only took over Oxford Academy in March, said they were disappointed that out of the 144 pupils
ASTON Rowant face a “massive” game at Gerrards Cross tomorrow as they bid to avoid the drop from Division 1. That is the view of batsman Chris Watling, who helped Rowant to a crucial three-wicket victory over Banbury last week. This left Rowant
CHAD Keegan topped Oxfordshire’s batting and bowling averages after a superb season in the Unicorns Counties Championship. Henley seamer Keegan only played in four of Oxfordshire’s six matches, but still claimed 22 victims at an average of 17.04
Saturday FOOTBALL SKY BET LEAGUE TWO Oxford Utd v Portsmouth. VANARAMA CONFERENCE NORTH Solihull Moors v Oxford City. SOUTHERN LEAGUE Premier Div: Banbury Utd v Bideford. Div 1 South & West: Fleet v North Leigh, Merthyr
Alice Atkins and Matt Davies retained their title at Abingdon’s annual Preston Bowl mixed doubles event. To celebrate 100 years, the club put up a first prize of £100 as well as the prestigious trophy. And although Atkins and Davies had lost
Wallingford showed their strength in depth at the Oxford City Royal Regatta. Fine performances at all levels saw the south Oxfordshire club take 15 victories in an impressive display. City of Oxford claimed seven wins, with Nepthys, the Oxford
Alexis Canter is through to the final of the Nike Junior Tennis Under 16 Championships at Nottingham. The No 1 seed, from Abingdon, yesterday beat Luke Stevenson 6-3, 7-6 (7-3) to book his place in today’s final. Connor Ferguson had a tough
A LONDON-based construction firm has been chosen to undertake the £5.1m refurbishment of Modern Art Oxford in 2017. The Pembroke Street gallery has already been handed £3.5m from the Government-funded Arts Council England for the work, with the
MORE than 50 corset makers and fashion designers will squeeze into a special conference starting in Oxford tomorrow. The second Oxford Conference of Corsetry is running for two days at Jesus College, with people from across the world coming to
CORNMARKET in Oxford should be reopened to some buses, two operators say. Stagecoach Oxfordshire and Oxford Bus Company have suggested transport officials consider reopening Cornmarket to buses because of the Westgate centre redevelopment.
FANS planning to watch Oxfordshire face Devon in the Unicorns Trophy final can save up to £9 by booking tickets in advance. Tickets for Wednesday’s match at Wormsley CC cost £10 for adults on the day, with a further £5 charged for car parking.
