SOCIAL club members have opposed controversial plans to demolish it to make way for a shopping centre. A 1,044-signature petition opposed the plan to extend Banbury’s Castle Quay shopping centre. Plans show this would involve the demolitioh
A MAN and his dog were found dead on a canal boat in Banbury yesterday. It is thought the well-known boater and his pet died in a tragic accident. The ambulance service were first on the scene at the Oxford Canal, Tramway Road, at around
SUNDAY'S Oxfordshire Cross County Championships have been postponed due to the wet weather. The event, which doubled up as round three of the Oxford Mail Cross Country League, was due to be held at the new venue of Fir Tree Farm, Warmington, near
TEACHERS were armed with a slipper or ruler to threaten punishment for poor discipline. But 100 years later the slippers are left at home and rulers used to draw lines at West Oxford Community Primary School. The first pupils walked through
POLICE officers are appealing for help in tracking down a man who has gone missing from Thame. Robert Crosby, aged 38, has been missing from his home in Thame since Monday, December 2. He is 5ft 8ins, of heavy build, and has ginger cropped
YESTERDAY we brought to you a day in the life of Oxford Mail photographer Andrew Walmsley. But what is it like for an amateur snapper to spend a day with a veteran photographer? To find out, we gave ex-police officer and long-time amateur photographer
A WITNEY bar may shut after the closure of the town’s only nightclub left it like a “ghost town”. Mark Wates, owner of Nortons in Langdale Gate, said trade had fallen since iZi’s closed in September. Nightclub bosses blamed increased competition
A PLAN to shut off a major traffic route in the Vale of White Horse needs better planning, a council leader has warned. Drivers are facing months of serious delays as the A338 between Wantage and Oxford is due to be closed for up to six months
Kick start your weekend with the first selection of highlights for 2014 10 tips to keep fit and lose weight this new year with Lisa Cuerden WIN a luxury new year break in Pembrokeshire by entering this competition Make a
Lisa Cuerden helps you commit to your new year's resolutions The new year is upon us, so… what are you plans for 2014? Have you made your new year’s resolutions? Let me guess. They include: ‘Getting fitter and losing weight’. It’s more
Anusha Couttigane looks at what trends 2014 may bring As we start the new year, I write this as rather a cautionary column. We had the pleasure of some superb trends over the course of 2013, and then the curse of some more experimental ones.
SERIOUS drainage problems mean Oxford United's rearranged FA Cup tie is "unlikely" to go ahead next week, according to hosts Charlton Athletic. The Championship side warned supporters in a statement to prepare for another alternative date as the
Is it just me or have you found the Christmas/new year break to be confusing? In particular the period from Boxing Day until New Year’s Day seems to have been filled with nondescript days that had no bearing on the usual scheme of things. Not helping
YET again we read of football managers criticising referees who will no doubt be fined heavily by the Football Association for their comments. I was myself a referee for 19 years and if I had a bad game I knew it, not only did I know it but both
I am writing about the axing of the 4C bus to Dean Court. I have read all the recent coverage regarding the axing of the 4C from both sides of the table and there is a simple solution. Combine the 4A with the 4C. As the 4A travels down the
WHAT is this fantasy about Romanians and Bulgarians queuing up to get into Britain? The reality is that migration has done nothing but good for Oxford. Imagine our city without Indian takeaways or enough people to staff our hospitals or workers for
I WOULD like to congratulate Mr David Cameron, pictured, and his self-indulgent government for the financial help they have provided for so many countries that have suffered disasters and hardship (by the way do EU countries help us?). Well done sir
I AM frankly appalled that West Oxfordshire District Councillor, Steve Hayward, pictured, has moved to Thailand and turned his back on the people he was elected to represent (December 24). Of course there’s nothing wrong with any person moving
TIME is running out for a community’s plan to buy their village shop under new ‘right to buy’ laws. Wolvercote villagers have until January 23 to make an offer on The Post Box, Godstow Road, before special protected status ends. Owner Colin
Windmill Road in Oxford has now been cleared after an earlier accident blocked Old Road. Two cars, a black Vauxhall Astra and a black Mercedes, were involved in the collision at 9am. One of the drivers - a woman - was treated by paramedics
Oxford United are anxiously awaiting news from Charlton Athletic this morning after doubts surfaced about tomorrow’s FA Cup tie going ahead. A pitch inspection has been set up for 11am at The Valley amid concerns the third-round tie could be thwarted
AFTER three decades in football Chris Wilder has experienced most of the highs and lows the game has to offer. But there is one gap on his CV which remains unfilled – either as a player or a manager he is still waiting to be involved in a memorable
JON Meades has not given up on a dream ending to his first season at Oxford United, which he readily admits has so far been a nightmare. The elegant midfielder was the club’s first signing last summer, but he has yet to kick a ball in anger.
ELEVEN flood alerts remain in place across Oxfordshire this morning. Most of the Thames in the county as well as the Cherwell, Ock, Leach and Evenlode are all subject to alerts, meaning flooding is possible and residents nearby should be prepared
GOOD luck to those like Mariana Morris who are giving up alcohol for January. For people who like a tipple, it’s quite a challenge. Not only does the Dryathlon raise money for Cancer Research UK, it also highlights the health risks alcohol can
IF the weather’s anything to go by it’s a bit of a grim start to 2014. With the warning of more heavy rainfall and potential flooding on the way it’s important that all of us are prepared for the impact of the exceptional weather. But let’s all
CHRIS Wilder has not given up hope of bringing Asa Hall back to Oxford United this month. The 27-year-old spent the first half of the season on loan at the U’s, but returned to parent club Shrewsbury Town when it expired on New Year’s Day.
MAY I offer my congratulations to Mr Martin Harris of Horspath on receiving a BEM for services to conservation and to the community in Horspath. If anyone deserved an award it is Martin. He has worked tirelessly for a number of years under very
Justin Burnell believes London Welsh can use their two successive league defeats to come back strongerI. Welsh were beaten by Bedford and London Scottish before also losing top spot in the Greene King IPA Championship to Bristol. And head coach
ALFIE Potter remains on course to make a return to action next month after the boot protecting his injured ankle was removed. The Oxford United winger needed surgery after damaging ligaments against Bristol Rovers on November 2. Potter is likely
RESIDENTS across Oxfordshire have been told to be prepared for more flooding as further heavy rainfall is forecast. Up to 10mm of rain was expected to fall in parts of Oxfordshire last night with more rain expected today and tomorrow and stormier
A campaign group for sustainable development in Wantage and Grove has urged people to make sure 2014 is a year in which elected representatives represent their electors. Wantage and Grove Campaign Group leader Julie Mabberley, pictured,said: “We
Oxford University’s £14m plans to redevelop the Outpatients building at the former Radcliffe Infirmary have been approved. The plan is to turn the Grade II-listed building in Woodstock Road into a new base for the university’s Department for Primary
Cash was taken from a house in High Street, Wallingford. Burglars broke in through a rear door between 7pm on Tuesday and 12.30am on Wednesday, police said. A “small amount” was taken, Thames Valley Police said. If you have any information
Fire Brigade Union members will stage their latest strike, in protest against changes to the pensionable age, today between 6.30am and 8.30am. It is the union members’ first strike in 2014, after eight strikes in 2013, including on both Christmas
Work will begin next week on the final phase of a major development at a North Oxford college. Lady Margaret Hall will begin work on two new buildings at the front of the college – the Clore Graduate Centre and the Donald Fothergill building. Together
The M40 northbound was closed for almost three hours on New Year’s Day after a collision. A Porsche had spun round between junction 8a, at Oxford Services, and junction 9 at Wendlebury, shortly after 9pm. A BMW was in collision with the Porsche
CAMPAIGNERS will give a petition to Oxford City Council today urging it to reject plans to build houses at Oxford Stadium, Blackbird Leys. On Wednesday the council will consider whether Galliard Homes should be allowed to demolish the stadium for
RAIL passengers faced a miserable start to the new year with a 3.1 per cent hike in ticket prices. Oxfordshire commuters returning to work after the Christmas break now have to stump up an extra £140 in some cases for their season tickets – taking
Firefighters were called to Holyoake Road in Headington at about 3pm yesterday after a car caught fire. Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service said the silver Mercedes 4x4 was destroyed by the fire, and nearby St Leonard’s Road and Stile Road were
AS many people start the New Year with resolutions, some are going teetotal for the first month of 2014. Mariana Morris, who works at White October on Cowley Road, has signed up to do a sponsored ‘Dryathlon’ for Cancer Research UK. Ms Morris
THE M40 Northbound is closed after an accident at Junction 9 for Bicester. Lane two is currently blocked on the slip road. Updates will be automatically posted to our Live Traffic Service
Oxford City’s players will be put through their paces tomorrow, whether or not their home game with Barrow takes place. With prospects of the Skrill North match at Marsh Lane going ahead rated as slim with yet more rain forecast, boss Mike Ford
The Sinodun Players offer you the chance to escape to a desert island with the help of a little imagination. They have been rehearsing to take to the stage of Wallingford’s Corn Exchange with their latest pantomime Robinson Crusoe and The Pirates
North Leigh boss Mark Gee is confident his side can bounce back away to Merthyr Town tomorrow. Four straight defeats have seen the Millers drop to sixth in the Calor League Division 1 South & West table. “If you had said to me we would
Chinnor head coach Matt Goode says his side have had their tails between their legs over the festive period. Goode’s men host Shelford in National 2 South tomorrow, keen to atone for their 38-0 mauling at Dings Crusaders before Christmas. “
IT was a shocking start to the New Year for a family-run Post Office when thieves broke in, stealing the till from the shop and alcohol. The intruders, wearing hooded tops, forced the door of the Barnards Way Post Office in Charlton Heights, Wantage
Jess Lythgoe edged out Oxfordshire teammate Taysie Gujral to win the 16 & under girls’ singles title in the Grade 4 indoor event at Abingdon’s White Horse Leisure & Tennis Centre. Lythgoe won 6-3, 4-6 and 10-7 in the final set tie-break
Saturday FOOTBALL FA CUP 3rd round: Charlton Ath v Oxford Utd. SKRILL NORTH Oxford City v Barrow. CALOR LEAGUE Premier Div: Cambridge City v Banbury Utd. Div 1 South & West: Didcot Tn v Shortwood Utd, Merthyr Tn
IF you’re already missing the joys of Christmas, today is another chance for you to feel festive. It is the last day that more than 40 Christmas trees will be on display in St James Church, Cowley, Oxford. The Cowley Festival of Trees has helped to
Wantage Town striker Jimmy Deabill could make his first appearance for three months after recovering from an ankle injury when they entertain Wootton Bassett Town in Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division tomorrow. Tom Malton, Steve Davis and
A 41-year-old woman is due to appear at Oxford Magistrates’ Court today charged with burglary. Julie Grant, of Webb Close, Wolvercote, was released on bail after being charged on December 6. She is accused of burgling a house in Godstow Road
South Central Ambulance NHS Foundation Trust was fined £500 for failing to give police information about one of its drivers who activated a speed camera. The trust denied that it had failed to supply the information to Thames Valley Police between
A MAN who was banned from Abingdon after stalking a 15-year-old girl was yesterday cleared of breaching an order that banned the publication of her name yesterday. Roland Der of Old Dairy Close, Swindon, denied breaching a Section 39 order after
OXFORD’S Blackbird Leys estate will be transformed over the next 12 months as the city’s new swimming pool and leisure centre takes shape. What is now a large hole in the ground in Pegasus Road will become a £7.2m swimming pool complex due to open
Carruthers, the flag-bearer of Mark Bradstock’s Letcombe Bassett yard, near Wantage, returns to action at Sandown tomorrow. The 11-year-old, who won the 2011 Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury, was being prepared for the Kerry National at Listowel in
A laptop, charity boxes, alcohol and a wall-mounted jukebox were stolen from a pub in Faringdon. Burglars broke into The Folly Inn in London Road on Tuesday using a tool to force a rear door between 4.30am and 5.30am, police said.
US tourist Thomas Holland was treated to a ride on a 1939 steam train locomotive on New Year’s Day. Thomas, seven, of Palo Alto, California, climbed aboard as part of the Didcot Railway Centre steam day. He said: “It was really fun and I had
AN animal welfare group has called on the Government to axe funding for Oxford University’s use of primates for research. The Anti Vivisection Coalition spoke out to mark 10 years since Cambridge University abandoned plans for a primate research
A MAN was chased down a residential street and punched in the face on New Year’s Day. The 24-year-old victim was walking in West Street, Banbury, in the direction of Middleton Road at about 8.15am when he was chased by another man. The victim
EARLY plans for a bike lane on a “dangerous” stretch of road between Botley and Eynsham have been drawn up. Campaigners and community group Bike Safe have been looking to create the path, which would run alongside the B4044, for about 18 months
AFTER his busiest day of the year you would think Father Christmas would be putting his feet up with a mince pie or two. But he still made time to meet children after the one-night production of Father Christmas and the Icicle Bicycle at Burton
A CONTROVERSIAL plan for new homes at a former Cowley social club’s land will go to a public inquiry this month. The Planning Inspectorate will hold the hearing over plans for sports pitches at the former Lord Nuffield Club in William Morris Close
WITNEY resident and former England polo captain Henry Brett has described the “frightening” conditions is facing in one of the world’s toughest endurance challenges. Mr Brett, 39, is part of the four-man ‘Atlantic Polo Team’ – a group of professional
THE stone tower windmill that dominates the countryside between Great Haseley and Great Milton in South Oxfordshire has never been too far from the thoughts of Sir Martin Wood. As the man who founded Oxford Instruments, which from a humble start
