COMMUTERS are facing delays of up to 20 minutes tonight after a freight train broke down at Tackley. All lines have been re-opened but ther are still delays and Frist Great Western anticipates these will last at until 6.30pm, although there is
TREASURE hunters have been scouring Oxfordshire’s fields in greater numbers since high-profile hoards were found. More than 500 people gathered near Wantage for one of the UK’s biggest metal-detecting rallies last week. They uncovered about
IF you only ever thought of the Nissan Juke as a cute and cuddly car, now is the time to think again. The Nismo – Nissan Motorsport – version with its whopping alloy wheels, sinister dark interior and 200 horsepower turbocharged engine is the bad
WITH 2,377 deaths attributable to smoking in Oxfordshire between 2008 to 2010, the county council is keen to back the national Stoptober campaign. It is working with Oxfordshire Smoking Advice Service and promoting the digital resources provided
Holding a human brain in my hands is one of those memories that will stay with me forever (Don’t panic, I was working as an autopsy assistant!). It is an unremarkable grey mass of udon noodle-like twists and turns, soft enough to slip through your
It’s back to school again. And as a shrink would say: how do you feel? Relieved that summer’s finally over? Desperate to get the family back to ‘normal’? Or more stressed than ever at the thought of a new term? If it’s any of the above you should
HOSPITALITY and catering students are getting a taste of working life at Oxford & Cherwell Valley College. From this month, about 60 students are running the canteen and cafeteria at the Broughton Road campus in Banbury. It was last run
Listening to Fry’s English Delight on Radio 4 – a fascinating and highly recomended programme which delves into the intricacies of the English language – made me realise that shepherding has a vocabulary of its own. When I began keeping sheep the
Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness – the time of the year when it is worth stuffing a couple of plastic carrier bags in your pockets if you go for a walk, because even in areas within the city there are treasures waiting to be harvested if you
It costs us a fortune in petrol, MOT, road tax and repairs but many of us wouldn’t be able to manage without a car. So, it’s welcome news to hear that, incredible though it may seem, the cost of car insurance has fallen by 10 per cent. An annual
I remember very vividly when I was 15 and one of my friends declared she was a feminist. I was shocked. Really? She wasn’t a man-hating bra burner and she shaved her armpits, so surely she wasn’t a feminist! It wasn’t until I was a little older that
Last week I enjoyed a narrowboat holiday with my parents along the Kennet and Avon Canal. I have to admit that it wasn’t a prospect I relished – I’m always more fond of a holiday which involves a plane and suncream, although the ecological concerns
Whatever you do darling, don’t do art or music!” That was my mother’s advice when it came to choosing a career path. She was trying to stave off the inevitable, trying to save me from a difficult life but someone should have told her about reverse
Guess what? Yep, yet another celebrity was recently rumbled by the tabloids for allegedly knocking a few years off her age. This time it was Sinitta and to be honest it was pretty old news, this story has been regurgitated repeatedly since 2008
Returning from sunny Cornwall in August, to slightly less sunny Oxford in September can be a little bit melancholic. Seeing patients arrive in the clinics looking ‘healthy’ with sun tans gives me a mixed response. On the one hand the risks of skin
I am not remotely domesticated. In the 18 months or so since I left uni my friends have graduated from boiling pasta to becoming baking queens. When they organise meet- ups I inevitably find myself in the kitchens of their new flat shares, supping
VANDALS targeting a village playing field have been branded “mindless” by police. The Eynsham recreation grounds on either side of Oxford Road were hit by a string of attacks over the summer. Last night police appealed for information about
Earlier this week anyone visiting the Oxford Castle Quarter or looking up from New Road might have been surprised to see a team of burly hunks harnessed up in climbing gear looking as if they would be more at home up a mountain. In fact they were
Here’s a quiz for you: what is the first image that comes to mind for the following: (1) Plunging neckline (2) Tattooed hands (3) Pinstriped suit? Did you come up with any of the following? (1) Sexy woman (2) Male, possibly an ex-prisoner (3) City
Who the hell is Helen Flanagan? Honest to goodness, whoever she is she must have a bloody good agent. Okay, I admit I do know who she is. Last I looked she was playing the whingeing, spoiled offspring of Kevin and Sally Webster in good ole Corrie
There are lots of show-offs in this world, as Sally Dunsmore points out. But within five seconds of meeting her, it’s obvious she’s not one of them. Actually, this quietly-spoken, modest woman has every reason to strut about. The brains
A CAMPAIGN to raise awareness about sexual consent is being launched in Oxford on Monday. The Oxford Safer Communities Partnership project aims to teach people about the issue and the law. The campaign is being run by Oxford City Council, Thames
AN Oxford woman has won a recycling competition by making a pledge to improve her green credentials. Oxfordshire Waste Partnership is asking people to pledge to recycle one more thing to improve the county’s 60 per cent recycling rate. It comes
A CAMPAIGN for a new war memorial in Bicester to honour those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice is gathering pace. The Bicester and District Branch of the Royal British Legion says the current memorial is “not fit for purpose” and should be
A WOMAN has suffered serious injuries after a van overturned on the M40 this afternoon. There are currently severe delays after the accident at about 1.40pm which shut two lanes of the southbound carriageway between Junction 9 at Bicester and Junction
ARTISTS from all over the world will come to Oxford for the first ever International Art Fair next year. The fair will be held at Oxford Town Hall in St Aldates from February 7 to 9. More than 150 artists will show their work at the fair, which
THE Oxford Half Marathon has sold out for the first time in its three-year history. The 13.1-mile race, supported by the Oxford Mail, has seen its popularity soar from 3,800 entries last year to 5,500 this year, an increase of 45 per cent.
PARALYMPIC gold medallist Lily van den Broecke has returned to her former school to open a multi-million-pound new building. Ms van den Broecke, who coxed the mixed fours in rowing in the 2012 Paralympic Games to victory, officially opened the
HUNDREDS of children will gather tomorrow for an event inspired by the Oxfordshire Reading Campaign. The Oxfordshire Children’s Readathon was the brainchild of teacher Anne Wattam. Her school, Dry Sandford Primary, is among those taking part
A BURGLAR who targeted dozens of homes has been jailed after being told his crimes had a “devastating” effect on the lives of his victims. Ashley Rees, pictured, of Faber Close, Littlemore, Oxford, admitted breaking into 59 houses across Oxfordshire
A £7.5m CONTRACT to build Bicester’s new civic building and sports pavilion has been awarded. Morgan Sindall Group Plc has been named as the developer that will design and build the new £5m civic building in Claremont carpark, and the £2.5m pavilion
MEMBERS of the congregation are on song with ping pong at a church in Jericho after their vicar set up a table tennis table. Father Jonathan Beswick wants to help churchgoers at St Barnabas Church to stay active. The idea came from Richmond
A 41-YEAR-OLD man reported missing from his home in Banbury has been found. Police were searching for Scott Roberston who was last seen at his house on Friday, September 6. At 5.30pm they confirmed they had found Mr Robertson safe and well
PARENTS are angry Bicester’s only toddler pool will remain closed until January, more than a year after it suddenly shut. The play and teach pool at Bicester Leisure Centre closed in early December 2012 after tiles cracked on the base of the pool
TWO years ago, Paula Masih-Gill was flicking through the pages of a Take a Break magazine when she read a feature that made her heart race. Inside the pages of the women’s mag was a piece about selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR), a complex neurosurgical
A LIBRARY created at an Oxfordshire school has been shortlisted for a national gong. Carterton Community College’s library was opened by education expert Sir Tim Brighouse last September. Now the facility, which has almost 6,000 books, is one
Kidlington will be without the unavailable trio of James Fleming, Jamie Anderson and Lewis Coyle when they host Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division basement boys Abingdon United at Yarnton Road tomorrow. The hosts, who are seeking their fourth
A CONTROVERSIAL plan for 30 homes in an Oxfordshire village should be approved, a council planning officer has said. Vale of White Horse District Council’s Stuart Walker said the plan for Bessels Way, Blewbury was not in its plan for future housing
PUPILS at a Barton primary school are celebrating the start of a £5.2m scheme to update their old classrooms. Plans to upgrade Bayards Hill Primary School were first raised eight years ago. Now the demolition of the old buildings will start
3:59pm It's drizzling again at the Oval where the odds on a bowl out are shortening all the time. 3:56pm The covers remain on at the Oval, so I can't see Banbury batting again
A 31-year-old man appeared at Oxford Magistrates’ Court yesterday charged with gun and drug crimes following a raid. Sean Flaherty, of Territorial Way, Headington, was charged with possession of a shotgun without a certificate, a firearm less than
A 48-year-old man who was visiting Oxford for business died after a drinking binge, an inquest heard. Emrys Llewellyn, of Llygad Yr Haul, Glynneath, Neath, was found on the floor of his bedroom at the Old Black Horse pub in St Clement’s on May
A NEW centre that will improve treatment for people suffering from the most debilitating headaches was launched in Oxford yesterday. The Oxford Headache Centre combines Oxford University researchers and clinical specialists from Oxford University
The Thomas Gifford Charity has launched a new website. The Trust, dating from 1592, will use the site to update residents about development at Charlbury community centre. For details of the development contact Jim Holah at jimholah50@yahoo.co.uk
A 34-year-old woman has been accused of dealing heroin and cocaine drugs in Bicester. Londoner Keisha Gardener was arrested in October last year as part of an investigation into the supply of class A drugs to the area. Gardener, of Northcote
ENVIRONMENT experts are seeking to block a bid to build 190 homes on the site of Wolvercote’s former paper mill. Oxford University wants to sell off the site for housing but first wants to get planning permission for 190 homes there. But the
Didcot Town boss Andy Wallbridge will be looking to avenge last month’s derby defeat by North Leigh when the sides go head-to-head in the FA Cup first qualifying round at the Draycott Engineering Loop Meadow Stadium tomorrow. And he hopes their
A RAPIST who assaulted a three-year-old and tried to rob an elderly man was told by a judge that his crimes had “no boundaries”. Liam Pipkin, of Boundary Brook Road, Oxford, was sentenced to a total of 11 years in prison yesterday in Oxford Crown
Council finances will be discussed by councillors at County Hall, New Road, Oxford next week. Oxfordshire County Council’s audit and governance committee will meet next Wednesday at 2pm. It will look at the council’s accounts and a recent audit
The next town councillors’ surgery in Wantage is on Saturday. Town residents can attend to discuss concerns, complaints or suggestions about life in Wantage. September’s drop-in surgery is due on Saturday from 10.30am until 11.30am at the Wantage
Exeter College will not get a decision on its plans for the former home of Ruskin College in Walton Street, Oxford, just yet. Members of Oxford City Council’s West Area Planning Committee voted on Tuesday to defer a decision on the scheme for 90
A £10m bid to buy new homes for homeless people in Oxford has been approved. Oxford City Council’s executive board has signed off on the scheme, which aims to cut the number of people in temporary accommodation. The council hopes to use the
IT MIGHT be an international contest, but there was a local star among competitors at the annual Blenheim Horse Trials. Charlotte Agnew, from Kingston Bagpuize near Abingdon, finished third in the CCI3* dressage yesterday. The 25-year-old said
A woman escaped with minor injuries after her car swerved into a ditch. The blue Renault Clio crashed on the Woodstock Road near Charlbury. Police, who were called to the scene at 7.54am, said the woman had been trapped in the car but managed
A 46-year-old computer engineer killed himself at home, an inquest heard in Oxford yesterday. The body of Kevin Smy – who was on bail pending a crown court appearance – was discovered by his parents Edward and Valerie at his home in Clocktower
The death of an 86-year-old man who fell in the street was accidental, an inquest decided yesterday. John Brown, of Boulters Barn Cottage, Churchill Road, Chipping Norton, fell outside Sainsbury’s in Chipping Norton on June 6 this year. The
THE death of an RAF firefighter at an Oxfordshire airbase is being reinvestigated by police.. Senior aircraftsman Robert Fleeting was found dead in his room at RAF Benson on September 4, 2011. An inquest held in Oxford in April last year heard
THE family of a woman who suffered brain damage after hospital failings have spoken of their relief after a seven-figure payout. Sophie Collins, 22, from East Oxford, was injured in a car crash when she was 11 years old. She was taken to the
This was the scene motorists were faced with on the B4027 between Stanton St John and Woodeaton on Wednesday afternoon – the road blocked by hay bales. Stuart Panter, 30, from Arncott, tweeted this picture of the bales which had fallen from a tractor
Oxfordshire's Charlotte Agnew was the leading British rider after the first day of dressage in the Fidelity Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials yesterday. The 25-year-old from Kingston Bagpuize, riding Out Of Africa, was in third place with
TYNDALE Community School has won its war to survive for now with Eric Pickles’ decision to overturn Oxford City Council’s refusal of planning permission. The council was concerned over traffic and the outdoor play area and we would hope the school
A dog walker was struck across the face by a “heavy blow” from an unknown attacker. The 26-year-old man suffered a cut on his eyebrow after the assault in Faulder Avenue, Carterton, between 12pm and 1pm on Wednesday. Call police on 101 if you have
Legal arguments continued yesterday in the trial of five men arrested when police raided a scrap metal yard. Evidence has yet to be heard in the trial of five defendants who deny charges of attempting to acquire and conceal criminal property at
AN excited Jamie Knee was lifted into the air by clown Happy Randelle when the circus came to town in Chinnor. The nine-year-old from Chinnor and a pupil at St Andrew’s School, said: “It was really great and I loved it. “I was picked out of
THE future of Oxford’s first free school is secure after it was given permission to stay in its new home. Tyndale Community School had its first full day on Monday, opening its doors to 36 four-year-olds. Ultimately it aims to take up to 420 primary-age
Oxford City boss Mike Ford says he has no qualms about throwing their French keeper Victor Francoz into the fray when his strugglers travel to leaders Altrincham tomorrow. Francoz, 23, who was born near Lyon, played on trial at Marsh Lane in the
WE would like to say how proud we are that the city council is to build no fewer than 62 new council homes in Littlemore. It is heart-breaking to talk with local people who are in desperate need of council houses and flats, when there just aren
I have just come back from the St Giles Fair. After the first rainy day it was warm and sunny and there were quite a number of people about enjoying themselves, but they were not spending their money, except at the food stalls. The rides were being
Wallingford RC demonstrated they were golden oldies with a clutch of medals at the World Masters Regatta at Varese in Italy. Sean Morris and Colin Cusack risked problems with excess baggage on their trip home, thanks to an incredible haul of 15
I am writing regarding the article (Gardener takes a line on crossing plan, September 2). Much as it would alleviate traffic congestion around the city, I regret that my resources are not quite sufficient to allow me to extend the railway network myself
CHILDREN across Oxfordshire started school last week and will be looking forward to a wealth of experiences and making new friends. However, in some areas, upwards of 50 per cent of children start school with language which is under-developed for their
Marcham deaf tennis player Beth Simmons took part in a Disability Tennis Festival at the National Tennis Centre alongside the Minister for Sport Hugh Robertson. The event was to celebrate the anniversary of the London 2012 Paralympic Games.
Henley's director of rugby Mike Poulson is warning his side face one of their toughest tests this season when they travel to Esher tomorrow. Hawks made a flying start to life in National 1 with a 51-17 victory over Tynedale last week. But they
Tetsworth's Jeffrey Rogers has been handed a five-year ban by the Oxfordshire Cricket Association after trouble at a match earlier this summer. A disciplinary panel found Rogers and teammate Reggie Isaac, as well as Winslow’s Harry Bishop guilty
Two men have been accused of burglary at a Budgens store. Wayne Axtell, 30, and Tony Attwood, 32, were charged after a raid on the Northcourt Road shop in the early hours of Sunday morning. Axtell, of Park Close, Yarnton, and Attwood, of Phipps
The boss of an auctioneering firm at the centre of a fraud case is due in court. Jon King, 64, from Abingdon, was arrested following a police investigation into his business, Cameo Fine Art Auctioneers, formerly based in Midgham, Berkshire. He will
IN a lull between trying to produce the school newspaper on a computer that seems older than me and a printer even Caxton rejected, I played Ring-a-ring-a-roses with 73 four-to five-year-olds at the Samata Bamboo School in Kathmandu. It was a repeat
UNIONS are an important part of working life and most are well run by sensible people but Len McCluskey, pictured, shows how evil they can be. In a speech at the annual knees-up in Bournemouth, he set out plans to cause us chaos by choking power points
I was concerned to read your correspondent Rowena Cobb’s letter (August 30) about the changes to charging for transport to day centres in Oxfordshire, and that she had been given only a few weeks’ notice about these. I am sorry to hear that anyone
Saturday FOOTBALL SKY BET LEAGUE 2 Cheltenham v Oxford Utd. SKRILL NORTH Altrincham v Oxford City. FA CUP 1st qual round: Ardley Utd v Binfield, Banbury Utd v Cirencester Tn, Didcot Tn v North Leigh. UHLSPORT HELLENIC
Harwell Labs LTC beat Bucklebury by one game in the final of the Yorkshire Cup handicap tournament at Newbury. Debra and Matt Davies (from Harwell), Alice Atkins (Drayton) and Alex Wingent (Didcot) won by the narrowest of margins to lift the trophy
North Oxford won the Mixed Division 1 title on a dramtic final day in the OLTA Wilson League. Virgin Active were odds-on to lift the coveted Rose Bowl, but could only draw 2-2 at already-relegated Witney. And North Oxford’s 3-1 win at Thame
Imogen Langford was at the double in the Oxfordshire Restricted tournement. Having won the under 21 women’s doubles with sister Edith, Imogen then teamed up with Jamie Blair, of Didcot, to claim the mixed title. Joe Roberts, of Brize Norton
With a new coaching team at the helm, Alchester will look to improve on last year’s eighth-place finish when they start their Southern Counties North season tomorrow. Former Bicester flanker Gary Few begins his tenure as head coach with a home
A man will appear before court charged with criminal damage after a series of house windows were smashed in Hurst Rise Road, Botley. Nigel McNab, 52, of Altwood Bailey in Maidenhead, was arrested by police in the road on Tuesday, September 3, and will
Shwan Jalal described an opportunity to join Oxford United as a “no brainer” after agreeing a loan move from Bournemouth. The 30-year-old joined on a month-long deal yesterday and will go straight into the squad for tomorrow’s trip to Cheltenham
IT should be a fairly easy question for Oxford City Council to answer. If the University of Oxford starts moving students into the Castle Mill accommodation blocks before it signs off that the developer has met all the planning conditions, is that
Passengers on the 8.30am Chiltern Railways train from London to Bicester were delayed yesterday after a cow walked on to the line. The animal moved on unharmed and the train arrived about 20 minutes late.
A Volvo estate was stolen after the keys were taken from a house in Stonor Green when the back door was forced open between 11pm on Tuesday and 1am on Wednesday. Electrical goods and a purse containing cash were also taken Call police on101.
DAVE Kitson has yet to get off the mark for Oxford United, but if it is weighing heavily on the summer signing he is not showing it. The 33-year-old has received plenty of praise from teammates during the strong start. Deane Smalley and Alfie
IN AN occupation where many only hang around for a few months, the technical areas at Whaddon Road tomorrow will be a tribute to a pair of survival experts. Following Greg Abbott’s dismissal at Carlisle United this week, U’s boss Chris Wilder moved
A driver was stopped by police for applying make-up with the aid of her rear view mirror in Botley Road yesterday. Police also stopped 35 drivers in three hours for not wearing a seatbelt. Thames Valley Police was carrying out road safety checks
A GLIMPSE into the inner life of a clown will be the theme of a new show at East Oxford’s Pegasus Theatre. Chris Michael, of Oxford’s MOMO Theatre, will don the white make-up for his yet-to-be-titled show. Working on the tagline “he’s more
CITY planners have refused to confirm whether it would be illegal for students to occupy the controversial Castle Mill development without the final sign-off. Campaigners have warned Oxford University it could face “substantial” legal ramifications
A WOMAN convicted of a public order offence for protesting during Prime Minister David Cameron’s Christmas lights switch-on in Witney will learn the outcome of her appeal today. Bethan Tichborne, 28, of Campbell Road, Oxford, tried to climb over
OVER Norton Road in Chipping Norton is partially blocked this morning due to an overturned vehicle just after the A44 London Road. The vehicle is on the grass verge two miles from the A44 junction. Emergency services are currently at the
ALFIE Potter is gunning for more recognition this season after missing out on August’s player of the month award. The winger was shortlisted in Sky Bet League Two, but Chesterfield’s Gary Roberts got the nod. Potter began September with a stunning
TEN-year-old Freddie Perry died as a result of a “terrible accident” involving a car thought to have been driven by a teacher at his sister’s new school. Last night his parents Lea and Judith Perry, paid tribute to him in statement issued by police
MICKEY Lewis has praised Oxford United’s calm approach after they benefitted from an extraordinary string of red cards for opposing sides this season. In six league games, they have ended up facing ten men four times. By contrast, only four
AN Oxford cycling campaign group has called for lower speed limits on country roads after the death of an Eynsham firefighter. Cyclox has said 40mph should be the norm on country roads, while in towns and city centres 20mph should be the expected
Frilford Heath’s Eddie Pepperell was left rueing a triple-bogey after his one-over-par 71 in the first round of the KLM Dutch Open at Zandvoort. Pepperell had a disastrous seven at his 15th hole of an inconsistent round which left him tied for
