DOWN on one knee, Flight Lieutenant Jamie Anderson proudly received the new standard of his squadron from Prince Michael of Kent. The light blue silk standard replaces 33 Squadron’s previous icon. Embroidered across it are the battle honours representing
PIONEERING scientist Dr Chris Scanlan, a former Liberal Democrat city councillor, has died aged 35 from cancer. Mr Scanlan represented Barton and Sandhills for four years until he stood down in May 2010. Dr Scanlan, who lived with his wife
ECOLOGISTS say they’ve been “inspired” by the number of nature lovers helping to track a ladybird which is bugging the UK’s native species. And now a new mobile phone app has been launched to enable experts to gain a further insight into the invasion
A LABOUR councillor who swept aside a sea of blue during the county council elections has pledged to “crack on with the things that are angering people”. Laura Price, 33, polled just 10 votes more than UKIP and pushed the Conservatives into third
A FAMILY of bike enthusiasts have been left devastated after thieves cleared out their storage unit – stealing £20,000 worth of motocross bikes. Now Ashley Atherton, 21, from Wootton, near Abingdon, may not be able to compete in a national competition
AN abandoned building that is set to be demolished to make way for a new hotel was handed over to the fire service for one night. The fire service filled the property with smoke to practise using breathing apparatus and working with ladders on
TRADING Standards has dropped an investigation into a photography firm which customers claim has taken money but not supplied goods. Officers said yesterday they have stopped trying to trace the owners of Blue Amigo in Little Clarendon Street,
EVERY single person who donated blood in memory of college student Liam Treacy should feel “proud”. Those were the words of his mother, Sarah Duerden, as staff and students at Oxford and Cherwell Valley college lined up last Friday to donate a
Sir – Your correspondent Dominic Utton underplays the significance of the new station (Off the Rails, May 2). What Oxford and Oxfordshire face is a once-in-a-century opportunity to build a rail station and transport interchange worthy of the city and
Sir – Having read your report regarding the proposal of the running of the A34 by Oxfordshire County Council (Report, May 9), I must admit that the first thing I had to check was to make sure it was not April Fool’s Day. The thought of a Oxfordshire
Sir – I was interested to see how keen that Mr Hudspeth and his colleagues are to take over the running of parts of the A34 (Report, May 9). I have to say that given their appalling performance in providing disabled access to Headington Library
Sir – The thought of Ian Hudspeth’s county council taking over the A34 is quite chilling (Report, May 9). His Cogges Link Road calamity is not an encouraging precedent. Even more county council potholes along this main artery would be misery. Anyone
Sir – I was dismayed to hear about the proposed changes to The Plain roundabout. In my experience, narrowing roads is not a positive innovation for cyclists. The so-called ‘improvements’ to the London Road in Headington caused massive disruption
Sir – Fran Bardsley’s article (May 9) describes a commendable move to improve cycling on The Plain. This roundabout has been dangerous for many decades but the article fails to mention a comparatively new hazard: shoppers crossing the road to and
ORGANISERS are hoping their children’s charity football tournament will be bigger and better than ever this year. Andrew Baker, 24, has spent 10 years fundraising for the Oxford Children’s Hospital in Headington. Mr Baker, from Didcot, had
THE life of a courageous Oxford teen-ager will be celebrated at a special event tomorrow. A football ‘kickaround’ is being held in memory of Jake Spicer, from Shepherd’s Hill, Blackbird Leys, who died in 2009 at Helen House hospice in East Oxford
TWO years ago he was so weak he couldn’t lift a spoon to feed his three-year-old son. Now Ash Islam is getting ready to jump out of a plane. After battling a life-threatening cancer the 35-year-old wants to spread the word about the care he
THE DAD of the toddler found dead at a house in Bicester has paid tribute to his daughter. Nabil Dahane, the father of 20-month-old Sarah Dahane, said: "To my uniquely beautiful Sarah: You have meant the world to me. "The time spent with you
Sir – The Government claims that, in endorsing its Neighbourhood Plan, Thame’s residents voted for 775 new homes. They did no such thing. The 775 houses, far too many for Thame anyway, were centrally imposed and Thame was not permitted to vote for
Sir – In the 1970s, I lived near a prosperous part of north-east London. Given the times, you might think that there were greater issues but denizens of one road — which ran parallel to a radial road and had several junctions — vociferously complained
Sir – Toby Porter says quite rightly that the city council has ‘a legal duty to protect Port Meadow’. Given that some rather alarmist material has appeared in your columns on this subject, I would like to assure readers that Port Meadow is not
Sir – I cycle when it suits me. Invariably I have alternative forms of transport, notably walking, it is my choice. However, I am also aware that it is a privilege. As a cyclist, I have no need of a licence or of insurance, pay no road tax, no
Sir – I suppose I have attended hundreds of planning committees over my professional life and I am well aware if the meeting is fair and even. The planning committee which approved the Blavatnik school application displayed a bias towards the application
Sir – Further to my letter (May 9) regarding the closing of amenities in West Oxford, I must correct my statement that the Oxford City Council is to blame regarding the Bengal Tandoori. I have now received information that the building is owned
Sir – Your interview with Sir Christopher Ball, former Warden of Keble College (Feature, May 2), reminded me of an episode I witnessed during my student days, some 30 years ago. One cold day in November, I chanced upon a left-wing demonstration
Sir – I went to May Morning as usual and was delighted to find that the crowd was much better behaved than normal. I was able to hear the singing and prayers from the top of Magdalen Tower and I fear that the crowd enjoyed the occasion. So
Sir – The Bishop of Oxford announces a three per cent annual increase in church attendance over the diocese. (And that’s just the Church of England — there is evidence of growing congregations in other churches, especially the no-nonsense, gospel-preaching
Sir –Re: (Anglers set to fight hydro schemes, May 9). I am an angling writer, life member of the Angling Trust and member of a community micro-hydro group in Wolvercote. Anglers who see beyond their rod tips know angling is under threat from many
Sir – The Angling Trust’s stated position on hydroelectric power is, ‘we do not believe it is up to us to prove damage, but that the hydro-operator should prove that they are not causing damage’. The reason for this stance is that despite all the
Sir – It is time surely to raise once more the profile of the Covered Market. The council should realise their duty in “the interest of the local taxpayer” is not to secure the highest rent by letting to retail chains, but to ensure the longevity
Sir – I have been researching my family tree on my father’s side and am keen to search out relatives in order to fill some missing gaps so I that I will be able to complete my search. My father’s name is Harold Buggins and was born in Wootton
A PCSO was arrested by colleagues from his own force for drink-driving when he called for back-up after pulling another motorist over, a court heard today. Andrew Seston, of Cuxham Road, Watlington, drank two small bottles of red wine while sat
THE Bishop of Oxford has paid tribute to a priest who founded a religious order in East Oxford by unveiling a blue plaque in his honour. In 1866, Father Richard Meux Benson was the founder of the Society of St John the Evangelist, better known
OXFORD Mail-backed sports groups and events organisers have stressed the importance of support from their local newspaper. In a series of focus groups this month we’re asking readers to tell us what they like about the Oxford Mail, what they dislike
SHE grew up working in the “Downton Abbey” world of domestic service in Oxfordshire, lived through two world wars and has survived 11 siblings and two husbands. And today Emily Grant, born in Chalgrove in 1913, celebrates her 100th birthday.
When you produce a car whose global sales top 29 million the last thing you want to do is make radical changes. More than 38 years after the first Golf rolled off the production line, Volkswagen has become the world master of making continuous
STAFF and children at a Bicester nursery have been celebrating after being given a big thumbs up by Ofsted. Toad Hall nursery, in Buckingham Road, has achieved its second consecutive ‘outstanding’ rating following its latest inspection last month
A TODDLER found dead at a house in Bicester yesterday has been formally identifed as 20-month-old Sarah Dahane. The youngster was formally identified this morning by her father after her body was found at a house in Herald Way, Glory Farm.
PARENTS who missed out on primary school places want action taken long before a planned expansion. They are asking for an increase in the number of places for the reception class at Wolvercote Primary School in the form of a “bulge class”.
Five Didcot Taekwondo members made the long trip to the Scottish Open Championships pay by each striking gold. Harrison Deeley (9) led the way with double gold in sparring and patterns at the Ravenscraig Regional Sports Facility in Motherwell.
THE warmth of human kindness was spread across Oxfordshire during the harsh winter with “better-off” pensioners donating £25,000 of their government fuel allowances to those struggling to heat their homes. The Oxfordshire Community Foundation (
SCOTT Davies has signed a one-year contract to stay at Oxford United, according to the player's Twitter feed. The U's are yet to officially confirm the deal, but the midfielder took to social media to claim a deal had been done. He tweeted:
JEANNE Jackson has opened her purpose built studio at Shepherds Cottage in Horspath, to exhibit her ceramics. It is the second time the former head of art at St Helen and St Katharine School, in Abingdon, has taken part in Artweeks. After studying
VISITORS to Charlie Davies’ home will get cake and a glimpse of her many talents in painting, print, card and jewellery making. The 43-year-old has a lifelong love of art and creativity and has been drawing since she was a young girl. She completed
JEWELLER and silversmith Charlotte Berry is no stranger to Artweeks, but this is the first year she has exhibited in her own workshop. She works with precious stones, including diamonds and emeralds, as well as pearls and stones. Among her
The story in yesterday’s Oxford Mail of the discovery of the skull of a massive pike on the banks of the River Cherwell has set the local angling grapevine buzz-ing. It measured 12 inches from snout to gill plate and was found in the undergrowth
Kidlington are seeking a first-team manager following Gordon Geary’s decision to join the club’s board of directors. Geary’s elevation is in line with Kidlington’s five-year plan to find additional sponsorship. The plan includes the development
Linear Fisheries threw open their doors to their Stanton Harcourt complex for a charity day last Saturday. I went along and spent a most enjoyable day there among the stands of carp tackle companies. The Linear bailiffs were out in force to
Free courses to introduce people to fly fishing are again being run by members of Farmoor Fly Fishing Club. The sessions, which start at 7.30pm, are at the club’s Darlow Water, at Hardwick, near Stanton Harcourt, on Wednesday evenings on May 22
A LOVE of woodwork and design turned into love for each other for two artists exhibiting in Artweeks for the first time. Furniture makers Adelaide Coombes, 25, and Ben Hinton, 24, met while they were studying furniture design at Buckinghamshire
BLACKSMITH Mary Carr is honing her craft at a studio in North Oxford. Mrs Carr, 21, has been producing decorative ironware for visitors to the Garden Studio in Oakthorpe Place. Mrs Carr, who gave demonstrations of her work during the first
TWO attackers kicked a man until he lost consciousness in an unprovoked assault. The 23-year-old victim was left with a broken hand. The assault happened at 3.10am on Monday, May 6, in Deans Court and Victoria Road, Bicester. Police are
Hundreds of homes lost power in Kidlington this morning. Southern Electric said 1,900 homes lost power at about 10.30am. They were all restored to power by 11.45am.
SATURDAY CRICKET SERIOUS CRICKET HOME COUNTIES PREMIER LEAGUE Div 1: North Mymms v Banbury. Div 2 West: Aston Rowant v Great & Little Tew, Oxford v Farnham Royal. CHERWELL LEAGUE Div 1: Banbury 2nd v Oxford 2nd, Oxford Downs
A MOUNTAIN bike and large amounts of fishing equipment were stolen from a shed at a house in Poplar Road, Kennington. Thieves removed hinges from a shed on May 8 and took a Marin mountain bike and Greys carp rods, infinity reels and spod rests.
ANGLERS along the River Cherwell may need a bigger boat after this beast from the deep was found near Old Marston in Oxford. Farmers Charlie Gee and Peter Money discovered the huge pike skull on the banks opposite the Victoria Arms pub. They
THE discovery of a skull thought to belong to the largest pike in British history next to the River Cherwell might make May Morning jumpers think twice in future. Rather than having a choir singing, perhaps a cellist striking the fearful notes
ECB 50+ County Championship SOME excellent bowling ensured Oxfordshire got their Group 4 campaign off to a flier with a 93-run victory over Shropshire at Banbury Twenty’s former ground. Alec Cunningham, Paul Jeacock and Keith Arnold shone as
Oxford's Jordan Flynn put up an impressive performance to stop Margate’s Ainsley Adams in the first round of their National Junior ABA Championships quarter-final at Feltham. The 17-year-old, who boxes for the London-based Repton club, proved too
Mat Rowley smashed the Oxonian ten-mile club record after a scintillating performance at Tring. The 45-year-old, who comes from Witney, stormed to a personal best of 20mins 32secs on the course earlier in the week. But two days later, Rowley
THE trail of bloody footprints found near Magdalen Bridge, Oxford, was last night still being investigated. Police searched for an injured person after two large pools of blood and a trail of footprints were discovered leading down Oxford High
TWO bus services were cancelled on Wednesday due to a medical emergency. A 25-year-old woman, suffering an undisclosed problem, was travelling on the 6.07pm Oxford Bus Company No. 5 service from Shelley Road, Cowley, to Blackbird Leys. An ambulance
TOURIST and city centre chiefs have welcomed news of a deal for a new £400m Westgate shopping centre. The development will include a multi-screen cinema along with a John Lewis store – helping Oxford compete with the likes of Swindon and Reading
A MAN has avoided jail after exposing himself five times to staff in McDonalds. Ashley English, of Easington Road, Banbury, admitted indecent exposure in the restaurant in Bridge Street, Banbury, during November 2011 and January 2012. The 23
Kingfisher Cup BANBURY get a second chance to face Saffron Walden in the second round on Sunday. The sides meet at White Post Road after last week’s original match was rained off. With six players involved in the Oxfordshire squad, Adam
A NEW rail link between Oxford and London will go ahead after the failure of a High Court challenge today. Summertown resident Sean Feeney has lost his High Court bid to stop Chiltern Railways’ Evergreen 3 project. He argued the Department
FLOWERS and cuddly toys have been laid outside the house where a toddler was found dead yesterday. Police discovered the body of the two-year-old girl at a house in Herald Way, Bicester, after a relative contacted officers because they were worried
Serious Cricket Home Counties Premier League ASTON Rowant captain Wesley Morrick urged his side to maintain their momentum, starting with tomorrow’s home game against Great & Little Tew in Division 2 West. Rowant eased to a nine-wicket
POLICE have said there have been no incidents of community tension following the convictions of a child sex gang. In a briefing last month before a special patrol aimed at targeting child sex exploitation, officers were told to look out for possible
POLICE and crime commissioner Anthony Stansfeld has said social services put the human rights of the sex ring victims before their protection. Staff at some children’s homes, under national guidelines, are not allowed to restrain youngsters to
POLICE and social services were yesterday preparing for 10 years worth of records to be examined by investigators in the wake of Operation Bullfinch. A serious case review will now take place after seven men were convicted of the organised exploitation
THE head of Oxfordshire County Council last night admitted she considered resigning after vulnerable girls in care were abused by a sex gang for eight years. Six girls aged between 11 and 15, who were all known to social services, were raped and
AS far as eye-catching advertisements go, the small, hand-written board, carried in High Street by would-be Worcester College vice-president Julia, held no threat for the Saachi & Saachis of this world. However, her smile captured and captivated
Wallingford rower Zac Purchase is considering a return to action after his Olympic heart-ache. But the 27-year-old says he would only get back into the sport if he was confident of winning gold at Rio in 2016. Purchase and Mark Hunter claimed
THAMES Valley Police did not refer itself for investigation by an independent police body after it failed to protect girls from a child sex gang. Girls as young as 11 were repeatedly abused from 2004 to 2012 despite regularly going missing and
MCCA Trophy OXFORDSHIRE captain Luke Ryan is likely to boost his seam bowling choices for Sunday’s Group 1 clash with Hertfordshire at Radlett. Ryan has named a squad of 13 for the match, with bowlers Ashley Blanchard (Banbury) and Patrick
WE the undersigned Conservative candidates would like to thank those who voted for us in the county council election. Though unsuccessful this time, we pledge to continue to work for the residents of Banbury, either on other councils or whatever
IT NEVER ceases to amaze me when Premiership managers come on to the TV to back a player after committing a bad foul, giving away a penalty, or whatever offence may have been spotted by the referee. One of the most notorious cases was the Wigan player
xford’s politicians’ standards has dissolved democracy and is leaving a lasting, lamentable legacy for our children. There appears to be no backbone in councillors who believe it is acceptable for wealthy developers to deliver battery chicken-style
It astounded me how Scotland Yard and the National Police Commissioner could say such things as anyone who kills a police officer should never get out of jail. I agree wholeheartedly that that is the dream and the ideal, but my point refers specifically
ISN’T it a hard and cruel world when our MPs want a pay rise and increased expenses? In common with a lot of readers, I wish I could get a pint for £2.61p and had a subsidised canteen. Why have fancy menus? What’s wrong with stew, casserole, egg
WITH regard to the current publicity concerning the tragic grooming of vulnerable young girls in Oxford, I should like to make the following comments. Firstly, as witnessed by the catalogue of high-profile cases, the abuse of vulnerable children
MAY I say thank you to the county council and their contractors for the wonderful job they have made of the approach road to the Harlow Centre in Old Marston, Oxford. Not only have they filled in the potholes, they have resurfaced almost the entire
A DEVELOPER claims potentially “significant” numbers of jobs could be lost to Bicester after its plan to create an £80m business park was rejected by council officers. Northampton-based Albion Land wanted outline planning approval to redevelop
A WAITER who beheaded his boss should have been given a shorter minimum sentence, his lawyers will argue today. Jonathan Limani was sentenced to life imprisonment last year for killing restaurant manager Christopher Varian, 32, from Chinnor, with
A JURY has heard from forensic and medical experts in the trial of a man accused of stabbing his wife to death. Andrew Parsons denies murdering 31-year-old Janee Parsons in the home the couple shared in Lucerne Avenue, Bicester, on December 1 last
A 34-YEAR-OLD man was punched in the face as he crossed a city centre street. The man was attacked in George Street on Sunday. As he crossed the road, a group of five or six Asian men walked past him and one punched him in the face injuring
TWO men suspected of an attempted robbery in which a man died have been released on bail for a second time. The men, aged 30 and 31 and from Oxford, were arrested on March 31 following an attempted robbery at John Gowing Jewellers in Oxford's Covered
THESE striking blue flowers have bloomed on the Oxford Botanic Garden’s Puya plant for the first time in 29 years. And staff at the garden beside Magdalen Bridge say the plant will be in flower for the next couple of weeks. And they are urging
THE fake rape allegation of Kirsty Debanks made in her twisted scheme for “revenge” against her ex-lover is all the more disgraceful given the conclusion this week of the Operation Bullfinch trial. However horrific it was at the time for Chris
A WOMAN who made up a rape allegation and invented fake injuries was told her lies had undermined real victims as she was jailed yesterday. Kirsty Debanks, from Coltsfoot Square, Greater Leys, Oxford, was jailed for eight months after admitting
ON Wednesday, May 15 the Oxford Mail produced a special 24-page report looking at all aspects of the Bullfinch gang who sexually abused, tortured and exploited six young girls in the city. Now that special supplement is available to our digital
THE mother of a two-year-old girl found dead in Bicester was last night feared to have left the country. A relative of the little girl alerted police yesterday morning because they were worried about her safety. Officers discovered the body
A MEMORABLE season for a teenage Oxfordshire referee has got even better after he was shortlisted for a national award. Ivan Gelov is one of six nominated for an FA Carlsberg Referee Award, covering officials aged 18-25, by the FA’s national judging
FORMER Didcot Town player Paul Bedwell has been appointed manager at Milton United. He joins after a spell in charge at Didcot Casuals and will be assisted by Marcus Brown for the club’s new Uhlsport Hellenic League Division 1 East campaign.
AN OXFORDSHIRE youngster got the chance to show off his talents at the National Tennis Centre as part of a talent identification day. Alexis Canter, from Abingdon, was among a group of 39 players invited to a session at the Lawn Tennis Association
ALEX Cook came through a competitive field to win two medals at the Oxfordshire Under 14 Open. The Chinnor youngster reached the semi-finals of the singles at Abingdon’s White Horse Leisure and Tennis Centre, before losing to Steven Stallwood (
ABINGDON School enjoyed plenty of success at the Bedford Regatta, where they won five events. Their haul included the elite eights, where they beat Radley in the final. Despite that second place, Radley achieved a hat-trick of wins, Wadham
SPENDING on agency staff at town halls across the county has been almost cut in half over the past five years. Oxfordshire’s councils have gone from spending a total of £12,408,435 on temporary workers in 2008/09 to £6,791,084 last year. The
A CENTRE specialising in helping children and young adults with neurological disorders threw open its doors to the public. The Footsteps Centre at Dorchester held an open day to demonstrate how its physiotherapists provide intensive rehabilitation
TENS of thousands of people are knocking on the doors of studios, barns, galleries, schools and even people’s homes in the name of art. More than 500 free exhibitions are taking place across the county as part of the 32nd Artweeks which runs until
A MOTORWAY slip road on the M40 at junction 10 southbound is being shut tonight. The safety barriers near the Cherwell Valley services are being repaired after a car smashed into them on May 12. The work is due to be carried out overnight
