A FULL review of Bicester’s play areas is to take place with a warning that “difficult decisions” will have to be taken. Bicester Town Council will undertake a full audit of its 67 parks, looking at the state of equipment and usage of the facility
THE 25th Bodley’s Librarian has been named as Richard Ovenden, who will take over the running of Oxford University’s Bodleian Library. Mr Ovenden will succeed Dr Sarah Thomas, and will become a Fellow of Balliol College. As well as managing
ANIMAL sanctuary owner Carol Spencer is desperate to find new homes for dozens of white fluffy guinea pigs. Late last year she took in a total of 66, but later found 20 were pregnant and ended up with 106. The mother-of-one, who runs Tiny Paws
AN additional £7.36m is set to be spent on Didcot’s new leisure centre after residents were consulted over what facilities they want. The centre, which will include a 25m eight-lane pool, will open as part of plans for a 2,000-home estate at North
AN ELDERLY couple say their health has been affected as they have had to suffer a leak at their housing association home for almost a year. The leak in John and Shirley Pearce’s upstairs bedroom of their home in Wise Avenue, Kidlington, has left
A MUM-OF-THREE is celebrating winning an international portrait competition for a photograph taken of her teenage daughter. Maria Shickle, 39, won the 2013 child portrait award out of 14,000 entrants for the Society of Wedding and Portrait Photographers
NOISE complaints about disruptive dogs are on the rise in the Cherwell District Council area, with over 150 complaints in under a year. During 2012-13, Cherwell District Council received 120 complaints about noisy dogs, accounting for 17 per cent
RUNNERS across Oxford will be donning their trainers and headbands for this year’s Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile. The event which is set to take place on Sunday, March 23, will see a host of sprinters, walkers and runners set off from Cutteslowe
SCIENTISTS at Oxford University have found a way to use a mosquito’s own DNA to fight the deadly human diseases they carry including malaria. Researchers in the university’s Zoology department have found they can take advantage of “selfish” genetic
Drivers are facing delays tonight following a crash on the A34 between Abingdon and Oxford. Fire crews have been called to the crash on the northbound carriageway, involving three cars and a lorry at the Hinksey Hill interchange. Three fire
LOOKING for love? Then at least you’re in the right place. Two recent surveys found that Oxford is a hotspot when it comes to finding romance. Dating website misstravel.com asked its users to name the most romantic cities in the world, and
"My message to the country today is this. Money is no object in the relief effort, whatever money is needed for it will be spent.” The words of the Prime Minister and MP for Witney, on the face of it, could have lifted spirits in Oxfordshire at
I don’t know the average age of a Nissan Note owner, but I suspect most are people of certain years. What that tends to mean is that seductive, curvy bodywork and loud, excitable, rev-happy engines which can prove so alluring to younger buyers,
DRAYSON Racing Technologies, of Kidlington, has enjoyed a successful start to 2014, honoured with awards recognising recent achievements in motorsport and the development of electric vehicle technology. The company was presented with the Motorsport
PLENTY of cars fit the wolf in sheep’s clothing tag, but Honda has produced a surprising vehicle that turns the idiom firmly on its head. At first glance, the CR-V looks every inch the formidable ‘gas-guzzling’ 4x4 – except in this case it has
AN OXFORDSHIRE businessman has told the Government that schools must teach more foreign languages for British businesses to thrive. Gary Muddyman, chief executive of translation agency Conversis, based in Chesterton near Bicester, spoke in the
MAJOR disruption caused by a landslip which blocked railway tracks between Leamington Spa and Banbury, is expected to continue into the weekend. A spokeswoman from Network Rail said that engineers are currently at the scene assessing the situation
THESE spectacular photographs show the full extent of the past week’s flooding in Oxford and surrounding areas. The pictures were taken by Air Experiences, a company founded last year by Rachel McCombie and Lee Ingram, offering people the opportunity
CONSTRUCTION of a new £5m health centre in Chipping Norton started this week. GPs cut the first turf on site to mark the beginning of the 2,000 sq metre development in Russell Way, off London Road, next to the town's War Memorial Hospital, on Tuesday
A MUM is literally highlighting issues with dog fouling on a Bicester estate. Alyson Clifton is fed up with having to dodge dog mess on footpaths between Bure Park School and her home in Germander Way so she has started using bright-coloured chalk
A 17-YEAR-OLD boy is in hospital after being stabbed repeatedly at his Oxford home last night. Police were called to the assault in Fairacres Road, Donnington at about 6.45pm and found the teenager had been stabbed in the legs, chest, and hands
Journalist and part-time shepard Tim Metcalfe on an attack on farming George Monbiot, environmentalist and fellow of Green College, Oxford, has created quite a stir with his claims that sheep farming in the fells of Cumbria is “a slow-burning ecological
"Climbing on any sort of housing ladder seems like an impossible dream to most youngsters" writes Gill Oliver They’re known as the ‘boomerang generation’ because they’ve left home, only to move back into their parents’ home again. According
The watery, wintry post-Christmas stretch is over, and half term is on the horizon. If you’ve got kids in tow, there is plenty in store to keep them entertained, from frivolous frolics to some hardcore learning. Liz Nicholls finds out more * Curious
"The women get the breasts they've always wanted, but what exactly do men get?" ponders Rebecca Moore If you’ve ever wanted to donate to a good cause but you haven’t quite found that special, charitable enterprise then look no further: I’ve found
"My mother has been upcycling way before it became cool" writes Anusha Couttigane I adore my mother. She’s been the biggest influence in my life, encouraging me to take up everything from music and dance to fashion. Throughout my childhood she
TRUST the Lib Dems to be the only ones not to support the western conveyance channel which could make Oxford flood-free (February 12). At the city council meeting, on February 3, the Lib Dems were the only ones not to back the channel. Everyone
WITH reference to the sell-off of our private medical records to private companies, would you please pass on my sincere gratitude to the GP featured in your article. It is so refreshing to see those with integrity standing against things which are
"Not since Baby David arrived on The Royale Family has sloppy parenting been so entertaining" writes Liz Nicholls Of all days of the year, it is television’s duty to provide refuge to singletons on February 14. Unfortunately, just like every
So men are apparently doing more housework. A good thing, right? Not for Annette Cunningham I wonder how many men today, and over this Valentine’s weekend, will smugly announce to the lady in their life: “I’ve tidied up the kitchen for you darling
Sheena Patterson of Oxford Garden Design picks the best bunch for Valentine's Day Roses are red, violets are blue, flowers need bees and I need you! A poetical contribution for my Valentine seems an appropriate beginning for today’s article, assuming
Don’t call her Baby but Rebecca Moore enjoys making a childhood fantasy come true at a Dirty Dancing masterclass I’m standing in a room that could pass for Johnny Castle’s living quarters in the film, Dirty Dancing: the floor and walls are wooden
"Clothes are a wonderful outlet for rebellious youths" writes Annette Cunningham From about the age of 18 I was a dedicated follower of fashion. My own unique brand of fashion that is. I have to admit I have put together some mightily strange
"My daughter had found a black marker pen and drawn a beard all over her face" writes Kat Orman Let me set the scene. We were casually driving from Oxford on the A44 the other day heading back to Chipping Norton. Darkness had descended but there
An intrepid team of pub staff from Oxfordshire are helping to save the Maasai Mara in Kenya, as Jaine Blackman finds out As works outings go, a week in Kenya is fairly special but it wasn’t all fun and games for the dozen-strong team from Oxfordshire
Here's a selection of some of the best lifestyle features this week Jaine Blackman talks to Peach Pubs co-founder Jo Eames about her staff that are on a very important mission Columnist Rebecca Moore talks about her experience at
Alison Boulton digs beneath the city's dreaming spires When my children were at primary school in Yorkshire, I lent Billy Elliot to two brothers in their class. These boys were into every conceivable kind of sport. When they dropped it back, I
Alison Boulton digs beneath the city's dreaming spires A unique contribution to Oxford is the outstanding artistic legacy of Russian Impressionist painter, Leonid Pasternak . A friend of Tolstoy and Einstein, Pasternak’s eldest child, Boris was
Jaine Blackman enjoys historic hotels and gets all steamed up over the railway museum Yes, it’s good but I don’t think it’s that much better than Swindon’s, I said airily of York’s National Railway Museum after wandering around the historic carriages
"I make sure that we go out for an evening at least once a month" writes Jason Ayres Today is Valentine’s Day which is a day to be celebrated, whatever your relationship status. For the single there’s the hope that a card may pop through the
"We can encourage young girls to be modern Boudiccas" writes Frankie Goodway Isn’t the Queen a feminist icon? someone asked me the other day. Instinctively, I laughed. Dear Elizabeth might be the last bastion of hats as daywear, or the great British
Rebecca Moore is heartened by research in to how much money you need to live well and dismayed by how some people spend it You only require £22,000 per year to live well and to live happily. Whatever you earn over that amount will not – I repeat
"Yes that's right, self-cleaning dinner plates may spell the end of washing-up forever" writes Renee Watson Whether it is the toilet, the washing machine or just a puddle, many of us have fallen foul of the wet mobile phone. I watched a long thread
Ian Cummings refers to my letter (January 14) as ridiculous in my description that HS2 will mostly benefit wealthy Tory supporters. With respect, Mr Cummings, like so many others, is ignorant of the way the Conservatives have pushed through this
AS you may be aware I have recently been diagnosed with prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is a shock for any man but luckily for me they were able to treat it and my doctors say I am doing well. But for 10,000 men every year the outcome is fatal.
YOUR report on Dr Gordon Gancz’s stand against the Government’s ‘care.data’ all-consuming behemoth (GP vows to take battle with the NHS through the courts, February 8) reminds us, as a family, why Dr Gancz has been and continues to be, the best possible
"It's always great to see women being recognised for their talent in the same way as men" writes dentist Katherine Rees As Britain sits under a muddy quagmire of floodwater for the 6th consecutive week, at least there is a small ray of happiness
"Even if it's cold, get out there and lap up the sun - we need it to survive" writes Lisa Cuerden Are you suffering from a severe lack of sunshine, searching through holiday brochures, desperate to feel the heat on your skin again? I know that
AN elderly man reported missing from the town has been found safe and well, police have confirmed this morning. Officers leading the search had feared Alan Battista, 76, had walked to Bicester after he was last seen at this Thame home on Wednesday
A MANAGER is to be appointed to run Oxford’s Covered Market in a bid to boost its fortunes. Oxford City Council has begun the search for someone to run the 240-year-old market as part of its action plan for the building. The manager will work
FEMINISTS will be protesting today to support people in the city who are trapped in violent relationships. The Oxford Rising event comes as police statistics show domestic abuse reports are increasing in the city while the Thames Valley Crown Prosecution
FOR a short time after lunch on Tuesday, I felt sure that God was in his Heaven and all was right with the world. The scene was Christ Church Meadow, now a lake. The wind had dropped, the sky was blue and I sat on a Broad Walk bench gazing over
Rafi and Tamar Altman, friends of mine for 20 years, committed suicide together. In their modest, middle class house in Great Milton they both drank a potion of poison and died in each other’s arms, Tamar with her head on Rafi’s shoulder and her
Construction work will start today on the new Blackbird Leys Pavilion, which will cost £430,000. The pavilion will be owned by Oxford City Council and replace a pavillion that was condemed eight years ago. The new facility off Pegasus Road
Alfie Potter says he cannot wait to get back into action for Oxford United. The winger was named as a substitute in last week’s 1-1 draw at Bristol Rovers, having battled back from a broken ankle picked up in a match against the same opponents
AFTER all the depressing weather we have had, Sophie, Countess of Wessex, gave the people of Oxfordshire something to smile about yesterday. The royal visitor toured the county to highlight the excellent work of two charities and a hospital.
A BOMB scare that closed St Giles in Oxford for more than two hours was last night being linked to Northern Ireland-related terrorism. A suspicious package was posted to an Army recruitment office along with six others across the UK – from Kent
THE Government target of dealing with the vast majority of patients within four hours can be a little arbitrary because there will always be different pressures on different accident and emergency departments on different days. The sharp rise in
IT has been a week with a difference for Mickey Lewis since Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Bristol Rovers. After stepping up following Chris Wilder’s departure, the Oxford United caretaker manager was faced with four games in 12 days, including two long
2:38pm Tracks blocked between Banbury and Leamington Spa, causing train delays this afternoon 2:20pm Have the Princes been photo-bombed while helping
A motorcyclist suffered minor injuries after coming off his bike in Botley Road yesterday morning. The man in his 40s was taken to Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital after the accident, which happened at about 8.20am near West Oxford Community Centre
A missing 76-year-old man may have walked to Bicester, police believe. Alan Battista, has not been seen since he left his Thame home on Wednesday night wearing a navy blue anorak and trousers. Insp Nick Deacon, of Thames Valley Police, leading
A serial burglar from Essex has admitted targeting three houses in Oxfordshire, including Bicester Martin Stokes, of Warrior Square, Ilford, pleaded guilty to nine burglaries and one attempted break in yesterday at Oxford Crown Court. Most
MINUTES before meeting a real-life Princess, seven-year-old Amber Townsend practised her royal curtsy. The Dorchester St Birinus School pupil and her classmates spoke excitedly about meeting Sophie, Countess of Wessex, who visited Oxfordshire yesterday
THE producers behind Oxford-band Foals have won a Brit Award for their work. Flood (Mark Ellis) and Alan Moulder won UK producer of the year at the Music Producers Guild (MPG) Awards last night. It means they automatically win this year’s Brit
CHRIS Allen paid tribute to ten-man Thame United’s display as Oxford United won 2-0 in the Oxfordshire Senior Cup quarter-final. Aidan Hawtin opened the scoring on 20 minutes after a fine run from Josh Shama. Thame’s task got tougher midway
Burglars forced open a kitchen window to get inside a home and take mobile phones, cash and jewellery. The break-in happened in Kestrel Way, Bicester, on Tuesday between 12.30pm and 6.50pm. Anyone with information should call investigating
PORTCULLIS B secured promotion from Men’s Division 4 of the Thames Valley Winter League with a 7-1 home win over third-placed Princes Risborough. The Wallingford-based club go up with two matches to spare and look firm favourites to win the title
Police have released pictures of jewellery stolen in a burglary in Chinnor. The jewellery was taken along with a television and music system in the burglary in Lower Icknield Way between January 14 and January 26. Police, who released the details
NEW figures have revealed a surge in accident and emergency patients being seen minutes before a waiting time target expires. The figures have revealed a sharp rise in the number of people seen shortly before the target is up at Oxford’s John Radcliffe
FORMER Big Brother presenter Davina McCall is used to getting other people to do challenges. But now the shoe is on the other foot. She came through the county on day six of a seven-day challenge which is seeing her attempt to run, swim and
London Welsh head coach Justin Burnell was delighted at signing American fly half Toby L’Estrange and South African hooker Matthew Dobson. L’Estrange, 25, who has 11 caps for the USA, joins from New York Athletic Club, while Dobson, 27, moves from
Oxford City boss Mike Ford has praised the contribution of Mike Symons and now wants the big striker to get even better. And Ford warned Symons, a summer capture from Worcester, that if he did not, he could risk losing out to Steve Basham.
MATT Goode says Chinnor should have no relegation worries, desp-ite slipping to within a point of the National 2 South drop zone. Chinnor’s player-head coach remains confident they can win enough matches to pull well clear of the bottom three.
Saturday FOOTBALL SKY BET LEAGUE TWO Oxford Utd v Mansfield Tn. SKRILL NORTH North Ferriby Utd v Oxford City. CALOR LEAGUE Premier Div: Weymouth v Banbury Utd Div 1 South & West: Evesham Utd v North Leigh, Fleet Tn v
AIDAN Hawtin was held up as an example to all at Oxford United after the winger’s double in midweek. The 18-year-old netted both goals in a 2-0 win at Thame United, sending the U’s into the Oxfordshire Senior Cup semi-finals. It delighted his
THE Yellow Army are urging Oxford United supporters to raise the noise level tomorrow. The group of fans have teamed up with the club and will be using the hashtag #NoisyOxford on Twitter as they build up to the game. Their idea has been backed
Johnny Mullins admits he is proud to be Oxford United’s stand-in skipper, but will not let the armband affect his game. The former Rotherham man was handed the captaincy when Jake Wright was ruled out after picking up a nasty knee injury in the
TOP TV detective drama Lewis is back and will be filmed in Oxford next month after an eighth series was commissioned by ITV. Actors Kevin Whately and Laurence Fox return to the drama, which started in 2006, as detectives Robbie Lewis and James
FORMER England and Arsenal defender Martin Keown was a guest at the Oxford Union debating society yesterday. The Cowley-born footballer spoke to students at the St Michael’s Street venue about football, before having photos taken with fans.
About 10 properties were declared at risk of flooding on Wednesday in South Oxfordshire. Firefighters were called at about 7pm to North Road, Moulsford, where they pumped water away from the homes. Crews remained at the scene overnight pumping
The fire service has warned people to take care during power cuts and look out for vulnerable neighbours. Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service area manager Nigel Wilson said: “In these circumstances, we’d like to remind anyone using candles for
FIREFIGHTERS removed a board from a block of flats in Mallards Way which became loose in high winds. Neighbours called the fire service at 7.55pm on Wednesday after the 10x2-metre facade was spotted flapping about in the strong winds on the third
A South Oxfordshire farmyard which is home to 400 rare animals is suffering from the full force of the weather. For weeks it has been surrounded by flood waters and now, with powerful winds threatening to tear the roofs off aviaries, it has become
FARMERS across Oxfordshire have lost thousands of pounds due to the flooding and are blaming the Environment Agency. Landowners claim poor management of the waterways has resulted in more than 1,000 acres of land being submerged in West Oxfordshire
ABINGDON Matilda Mutavdzic and Connor Ferguson showed their strength by winning LTA events at higher age groups. Nine-year-old Mutavdzic won the Grade 3 10 & under regional tournament at Harlow, defeating No 1 seed Caitlin Mcloughlin 4-1, 5
Banbury United manager Edwin Stein has urged his side to cut out the silly bookings ahead of tomorrow’s scheduled trip to Weymouth. Stein said his eighth-placed side would be knocking on the door of the Calor League Premier Division play-offs were
HENLEY Hawks’ home clash with Blaydon in National 1 tomorrow has been postponed due to waterlogging. Hawks held an inspection on their Dry Leas ground yesterday, but the pitch was ruled unplayable. “Dry Leas is usually pretty dry, but it was
AS OXFORDSHIRE enjoyed a reprieve from the rain, paddle-boarder Tom Ballance celebrated on the flooded waterways yesterday. The 56-year-old, from Binsey, Oxford, travelled to Abingdon to make the most of the sunshine before the storm. He paddle-boarded
Concerns have been raised about the closure of Kennington Road, Oxford, which re-opened yesterday afternoon. The road out of Kennington was closed this week because of the floods. But residents said the road had been clear of flood water for
PEOPLE in Oxfordshire are being told to expect more heavy rain today after relief from storms yesterday. The Met Office is forecasting rainfall throughout the day and into tomorrow morning, with a drier day on Sunday expected. Met Office spokeswoman
WORK continued yesterday to keep flood water away from homes in Abingdon Road and Botley Road. Residents showed their gratitude to firefighters who worked through the night to pump water away in Abingdon Road by providing refreshments and shelter
Abingdon United will be without five players at home to Kidlington in Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division tomorrow. Tony Booker (back) and Piers McGlynn (ankle) are injured, while Jack Bernasconi, Josh Cottrell and Kevin Rookes are all unavailable
HEALTH care in Thames Valley Police custody is said to be among the worst inspectors have seen. The unannounced inspection of Thames Valley Police’s custody suites in September has raised concerns about mental health care and medicine supply.
DEBUTANT George Postlethwaite scored two tries as Oxford University battle back to beat the Royal Navy 22-14 in Portsmouth. The second-half replacement helped Oxford recover from 14-0 down. Lock Marsh Cormack and hooker Ben Priddy went over
OXFORDSHIRE’S Dan Lewis led from start to finish to win the long course event at the Tri Ferris Cirencester Spring Off-Road race. Lewis (RAF Tri) finished almost four minutes ahead of another Oxon athlete, Lewis King (Beeline Bicycles). The
IT’S the curious incident of the pool in the basement. Oxford Preservation Trust, Oxford Civic Society and well-known author Mark Haddon have all weighed into a row over plans to create a large basement with a swimming pool under a house in North
ARTISTS were given an after-hours peek at behind-the-scenes collections at the Pitt Rivers Museum as part of a new drawing workshop. The sessions mean artists can draw unusual artefacts not normally on display without them being behind glass, and
A YOUTH project which has been boosting the aspirations of young people on Oxford’s largest estate for 15 years is to help mentor children as young as four at the city’s first free school. The Leys Youth Programme (LYP) started in 1999 as a football
Oxford United's Sky Bet League Two game against Mansfield Town at the Kassam Stadium tomorrow is subject to a 9.30am pitch inspection. A club statement said: "Although the pitch at the Kassam Stadium was playable on Friday afternoon it has been
PLANNING permission has been granted for more than 100 new homes in Banbury. Cherwell District Council’s planning committee debated seven planning applications last week and gave consent for six schemes last week. Banner Homes will build 40
CLIMBING trees is a childhood treat for many. But at Abbey Woods Academy in Berinsfield pupils have instead been planting them thanks to a donation. Channel 4’s cookery show River Cottage, led by celebrity chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall,
