IT WAS all about marching to the beat of your own drum this week as Camera Club celebrated the ‘odd one out’. From a determined duckling refusing to go the same direction as the other birds to a sunbathing damselfly taking a rest on a floating feather
OXFORD Brookes University has paid tribute to its oldest alumna Doris Simms who has died aged 99. Mrs Simms studied economics and shorthand typing at what was then the Oxford School of Technology, Art and Commerce in 1935 when she was 16 years old
HEALTH chiefs will meet in Oxford on Thursday to discuss plans on how best to prepare for the added pressures placed on the NHS this coming winter. Among other agenda items Oxfordshire Joint Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee will hear a report
A CUTTING-edge computer system that will revolutionise the way Thames Valley Police receives information from the public has now been developed. The system, which was due to be rolled out in April, will now have to undergo rigorous testing before
AN Oxford information evening for handyman firm Hire A Hubby has been cancelled. The event providing information on running a property maintenance business was due to take place on Thursday, July 5, at the Holiday Inn on Peartree Roundabout, Woodstock
A DRUG dealer who hit security staff at the Westgate Centre with a metal pole before being caught with 50 wraps of Class A drugs has been spared jail because he was only 16. The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared at Oxford Crown
A WOMAN who is likely to become the next chief executive of Oxfordshire County Council will face a committee on Monday. It is likely that Yvonne Rees, who is the current executive of Cherwell District Council and South Northamptonshire Council,
OXFORD City have received a huge boost after Matt Paterson agreed to re-sign for the Vanarama National League South club. The 28-year-old, who was the side's top-scorer last season with 26 goals, joins Kabongo Tshimanga and Ben Jefford in putting
CHERWELL District Council is running a 'neighbourhood blitz' next week to clean up a Banbury estate. From Monday Hardwick estate will receive a deep clean, with a focus on eliminating litter, flytipping and graffiti. The campaign urges residents
A SURGE of purse thefts in the centre of Bicester has prompted police to issue a warning to people in the area. The force has issued the warning a rise in the crime and says that distraction methods are most common. Anybody who sees any suspicious
DETECTIVES investigating the murder of a 16-year-old boy in Oxford have identified a number of people who could hold the key to cracking the case. Harun Jama was found stabbed and bleeding to death under a footbridge in Friars Wharf shortly before
MOTORISTS are likely to be disrupted by Thames Water works on a busy route into Oxford next week. There will be work to emergency covers next Friday, June 21. As part of that, a lane will be closed on West Way, one of the key routes out of the
STAFF at a city sushi restaurant have rolled up their sleeves after inspectors said there was something fishy about its hygiene. Sushimania, in Park End Street, has now scored a four-star hygiene rating after addressing concerns that its salmon,
A COMMUNITY education centre is marking Refugee Week with a series of fundraising events. The Abbey in Sutton Courtenay, near Didcot, is hosting several evenings to support a range of charities throughout the week. Sunday night's event, 'Myths
DRIVERS in Curbridge have been warned to expect delays as planned roadworks begin on Monday. Planned resurfacing work will be carried out on the A4095 at the top of Main Road, which runs through the centre of the village. Disuption is expected
AN EVENT that will seek to celebrate Oxford's diversity will be held tomorrow. The Oxford Mela will be held at the Leys Pools and Leisure Centre from 11am until 5pm. It will be the first time it has been held there, following two years at the Rose
A CHURCH in Oxford will host a cake sale to help combat dementia. St Francis Church in Cowley will run the fundraiser on Thursday to raise money for Alzheimer's Society. All are welcome to join them from 11am until 1pm for homemade cakes and
STAFF from a salon in southern Oxfordshire helped raise £6,500 for Cancer Research UK during the Windsor Race for Life. Wallingford's branch of Spirit Hair Co joined colleagues from High Wycombe and Slough running and walking the 5km event. Company
THRILLER writer Cara Hunter likes to take a break from devising her disturbing plots by putting her feet up and watching TV. But she doesn’t bother with Love Island – the programmes she selects to help her relax are true crime documentaries.
A CANCER support centre has been given the royal stamp of approval after winning an award from the Queen. Mechelle Harris, founder of The Hummingbird Cancer Support and Therapy Centre in Launton, Bicester, came face-to-face with members of the royal
REPRESENTATIVES from Oxford's new twin city Wroclaw visited the City of Dreaming Spires this week. The party was headed by Wroclaw City Council chairman, Mr Jacek Ossowski, who arrived yesterday for talks about signing a friendship agreement.
A VOLUNTEERING organisation which provides a range of community services to people in West Oxfordshire has received a much-needed financial boost. Volunteer Link-Up, based in Witney, was awarded a £10,000 Community Revenue Grant by West Oxfordshire
A BANK has got planning permission to open in Oxford – after the city council allowed it to change a shop. Metro Bank filed an application to open up in 4-5 Queen Street and city councillors backed the plan at a meeting last Tuesday. The unit
As Offbeat prepares to kick off, performers across the country prepare to descend on Oxford for its ever-growing fringe festival, this year boasting 60 acts over 10 days, all of which have never been seen here before. From dance to comedy, drag
OXFORD City Council has given help on 74 occasions to residents in need because of Government benefit changes. Some Oxford residents signing up for benefits were enrolled on Universal Credit from last October – but the National Audit Office said
A CABINET member on West Oxfordshire District Council who suffered from skin cancer has urged people to be wary of the dangers of sunlight. Norman MacRae, the council’s lead for health, has offered advice including using high-factor sun cream and
A FAMILY fled from their home in Bicester as an 'out of control' fire spread from the garage. Firefighters said billowing smoke from the fire in St Hughs Close could be seen from almost a mile away last night, and they received 20 calls from concerned
By Sam Adams OUR new launch at The Oxford Blue will be the first Pizza, Pots & Pints destination in Oxford. It took us a while to find the right site, but we’ve definitely found it on Marston Street, because East Oxford has got a great
STILL chattering with excitement, the crowds outside the Giffords Circus big top began to disperse, some back to their cars to wind home through Blenheim Palace’s twilight skies, others, ready for more, headed for Circus Sauce. Unremarkable from
A SUSPECT charged with theft, shoplifting and assault is being sought by police. Thames Valley Police said William Brazil, 40, is wanted after breaching bail. The force said he failed to follow a court order on Wednesday last week, and is
A SCHOOL club in Kidlington has been described as 'safe and happy'. Ofsted made the comment of Magpies West, based at West Kidlington Primary School, in a new report rating it 'good'. It said staff at the club, which runs before and after school
PARENTS, children and school staff will protest controversial plans to cut free school transport for disabled pupils. A group will gather in Cornmarket Street in Oxford tomorrow to rally against proposed changes to transport for children aged 16
ANDREW Proctor has left Oxford United to take up a role with Sky Bet Championship side Bristol City. He joined the U's from Exeter City as head physio in 2014, going on to become the club's head of sports science and medicine as the department
DRIVERS will be unable to park on a Witney road while overnight structural patching works take place. A ‘no waiting’ order has been placed on Corn Street, between the junctions with Market Square and Holloway Road, from Tuesday to Thursday. The
A CARE company which runs two homes in Oxfordshire has been named ‘Residential Care Provider of the Year'. Anchor, which runs Ferendune Court in Faringdon and The Ridings in Banbury, took the prize at this year's Health Investor Awards. The organisation
A POPULAR flower show will return to Blenheim Palace later this month. Keen horticulturalists will be pleased to hear that the Blenheim Palace Flower Show is set to return to the Woodstock World Heritage Site from June 22 to 24. The three-day
AN OXFORDSHIRE company has joined the line-up of winners including furniture giants Ikea and Habitat in this year’s PETA Vegan Homeware Awards. Vegan Bunny won the 2018 award for Best Vegan Candle – one of 10 categories announced online by the
A POLITICIAN has praised carers in her constituency for their 'huge contribution to society'. Banbury MP Victoria Prentis spoke after a 'speed-networking' event with carers and charities in Westminster this week. She met three constituents involved
A HISTORIC manor farm is making itself a prime location for Father’s Day. Cogges Manor Farm, in Witney, is inviting people to bring their dads along tomorrow between 10am and 4pm, for a day dedicated to motors, motorbikes and machines. Families
THE formation of a new scrutiny group to oversee health care at the Horton General Hospital in Banbury has moved a step closer. A new Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (HOSC) specifically for the Horton's services will feature members of councils
RESURFACING of an Oxford road has been branded 'woefully inadequate' by a cyclist. Oxfordshire County Council smoothed over Henley Avenue last week, the road connecting Iffley Road to Rose Hill, but was criticised for leaving it covered in grit
AN OXFORD textile company is holding a pop-up event tomorrow. Jericho Design House will be at The Curtain Shop in Summertown from 10am to 2pm displaying a range of fabrics and paintings. For more information visit jerichodesignhouse.com/events
RESIDENTS in Abingdon will have the chance to have their say on community safety, flooding and council car parks. The meeting will take place in the Guildhall's Roysse Room from 7pm on Monday as part of discussions over the town's community-led
AN application to build 88 homes in East Challow has been withdrawn. Crest Nicholson's plans for land at Park Farm, East Challow, were approved at the end of May, with an additional condition that up roughly 30 parking spaces were added. This
OXFORD MP Anneliese Dodds has criticised the Government for ‘bludgeoning’ its way through the EU Withdrawal Bill. The debate on the latest stage of the EU Withdrawal Bill took place over two afternoons and evenings on Tuesday and Wednesday. Ms
A new website is being launched by student nurses in Oxford to offer support and advice to people who have lost limbs. Charity website, Stumped!, led by student nurses, Raluca Vagner and Pedro Simas with support from computer graduate Misbah Munir
A TEACHER has been shortlisted in a BAFTA competition for games designers. Erika Rhodes is in the running for an award at the BAFTA Young Game Designers contest. The annual competition is largely aimed at 10-18 year-olds and encourages youngsters
A CHARITY is promising plenty of colour in Didcot tomorrow afternoon with a day of eye-catching events. Style Acre, which supports people with learning disabilities and autism, is holding a Colour Run in Edmunds Park at 11am. Participants will
AN OXFORDSHIRE charity wants people to get in touch to run stalls at its annual summer festival. Restore, which runs mental health sessions across the county, will hold its Elder Stubbs Festival in Cowley on August 18. All money raised will be
AN Oxfordshire care provider will be holding three days of back-to-back recruitment open days at the end of June, to allow people to find out more about a career in care. Bluebird Care, who provide care to people living in their own homes, are looking
THE first in a summer series of music performances will be held at Headington's All Saints' Church. The Lime Walk church will host the annual Summer Festival of Music and the Arts beginning on July 4. Every Wednesday until August 29 will see
FAMILIES can enjoy traditional Chinese dance as part of the Oxford Festival of the Arts. Magdalen College School, Cowley Place, will host the 'Handkerchief and Fan' dance workshops together with the Confucius Institute. Children aged between
A FORUM to discuss nuclear transportation and how councils can deliver low carbon energy instead will be held in Oxford today. The Nuclear Free Local Authorities organisation will hold its summer seminar on nuclear transports - as nuclear weapons
OXFORD’S Muslim community has come together in an ‘amazing’ display of generosity to help provide desperately-needed food for Syrian refugees. Thousands of bags of rice and flour have been donated to the Muslim Hands Big Aid Convoy over a nine-day
TRIBUTES have flooded in for Chinnor head physio Lauren Cyster, who died earlier this week at the age of 26. The National League 1 side announced the "beloved heart beat" of their team passed away on Tuesday night after a "short and courageous battle
OXFORD United will host Coventry City in the Carabao Cup first round. It means an all-Sky Bet League One clash, following Mark Robins’ side’s victory in the League Two play-off final last month. The tie, which was the last to be selected in
LLOYD Sabin believes his Banbury side have what it takes to battle for the title – but he will not let it become a distraction. Victory over local rivals Thame Town saw the north Oxfordshire side climb to second in Division 1 of the Home Counties
LLOYD Sabin believes his Banbury side have what it takes to battle for the title – but he will not let it become a distraction. Victory over local rivals Thame Town saw the north Oxfordshire side climb to second in Division 1 of the Home Counties
THE SCENE of a raging fire that ripped through a Witney business on Wednesday remains closed. West End is still shut following the blaze at T & B Motors, which created a thick plume of black smoke visible from miles away. The road is inaccessible
NORTH Oxford’s men have secured a spot in the national finals of the LTA Team Tennis competition. Their sixth win out of six came against rock-bottom David Lloyd Bristol, but they only squeezed through 7-6 to become South West champions with a game
OXFORD Harlequins have bolstered their squad with five signings. Rory Garrett, Ralph Jones and Antonio Turetta have joined the South West 1 East side. Flanker Pete Alston has returned to Quins after taking a year off due to personal reasons,
CYCLISTS will once again be put to the test on a track graced by the world’s best F1 drivers for one of the country’s biggest team time trial events. More than 80 teams are primed to take to the race circuit at Silverstone today for Bicester Millennium
OXFORD University will commemorate the life of ex-Blue Ian Williams tomorrow. The 27-year-old, who played in three victorious Varsity Matches, died in February after collapsing during a training session with Doncaster Knights. His family have
BAME students at Oxford University have posed for a photo recreating the infamous Bullingdon Club picture of 1987. The original photograph shows a young David Cameron dressed up for an event with the controversial drinking society 31 years ago.
SATURDAY CRICKET HOME COUNTIES PREMIER LEAGUE Div 1: Banbury v Aston Rowant, Horspath v Thame Tn, Tring Park v Oxford. Div 2: Buckingham Tn v Great & Little Tew, Shipton-under-Wychwood v Datchet. CHERWELL LEAGUE Div 1: Challow
ENVIRONMENTALLY minded youngsters enjoyed a plastic-free lunch at their school in Bicester this week. Children and teachers at St Edburg’s Church of England Primary School banned the use of plastics during their lunch hour on Wednesday. The move
A NUT-free school near Oxford has banned certain bottles of sunscreen for the sake of children’s safety. Dr South’s CE Primary School in Islip said some sun cream is a risk to pupils who suffer serious nut allergies, and urged families not to bring
CYCLISTS are being urged to ride just to the left of the line in cycle lanes to cut down on the number of dangerous close shaves by over-taking vehicles. The advice has come from Oxfordshire County Council’s cycle champion Suzanne Bartington.
AN Oxford United fan begins the trip of a lifetime tomorrow as he flies to Russia to watch the World Cup. U's programme editor and club historian Martin Brodetsky will attend England's three group stage games and France's clash with Denmark in
BUSINESSES in a food court 'which people don't know exists' at Oxford's £440m new Westgate Centre have hit out over high rents, poor lighting and a lack of advertising. Firms and customers have spoken out after Indian-inspired food stall Rola Wala
MOTORISTS are advised to plan ahead as a one-day lane closure comes into effect on Oxford Ring Road today. Oxfordshire County Council will be carrying out sign replacement works on the Eastern Bypass near the Cowley interchange. Drivers are warned
SINGHA Beer’s new partnership with Oxford United looks set to go well beyond a simple shirt sponsorship deal – with the Thai firm in discussions to buy a minority stake in the club. The initial commercial deal was confirmed on Wednesday, but it
A FAMILY of ‘heart warriors’ have united for a mammoth 200-mile bike ride and half marathon to raise funds for a cause close to their hearts. Firefighter Daniel Preston will set off on the challenging bike ride from Oxford to Pembrokeshire, South
