A FORMER Olympic therapist who once worked with Oscar Pistorius has hand picked a group of elite masseurs to help treat more than 1,000 runners at the London Marathon. Oxford United’s soft tissue therapist ((MASSEUR)) Chris Chesterman, from Risinghurst
THRILLSEEKING fundraisers will be knee-deep in mud when they tackle a 10km obstacle course for an East Oxford hospice. A team from Helen and Douglas House in Magdalen Road are preparing to take on next month’s gruelling Monster Race. Staff
I was interested to see your stories about the Pressed Steel 25 Year Club (Memory Lane, January 12 and March 2). My father, Roland Robinson – nicknamed Tiny as he was quite a big man – joined the club in 1961. He was a senior foreman in the
Malcolm Surman, one of the eight Grenadier Guardsman who carried Sir Winston Churchill’s coffin (Memory Lane, February 23), and I were very good friends. We were police cadets together and members of Oxford City Swimming Club – he was a very good
In Victorian times, children at Thame Baptist Church enjoyed outings in horse-drawn farm carts. And when the church celebrated its centenary in 1965, it revived the tradition, with members of the Sunday school touring the town in farm carts hauled
These three teenagers proved their skill as public speakers. The 16-year-olds won a national junior public speaking competition organised by the National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs in 1979. Gareth Llewelyn, on the right, of Gidley Way
Boys at Southfield Grammar School in Oxford were under pressure not only to do well in their studies but to join the Old Boys’ Association. And to make sure no-one escaped the net, they were persuaded to part regularly with small sums of money
Oxford found itself at the centre of a major military exercise during the Second World War. Exercise Spartan involving British and Canadian troops in March 1943 was designed to test the Allies’ readiness for the invasion of occupied Europe on D-Day
Pupils took a step back to the 1930s when their school reached its 50th anniversary. The celebrations at Donnington School had a distinctly Oxford flavour, with the city crest, a mortar board and car badges on display. The picture comes from
ANGRY dog walkers stopped from using a popular route in Yarnton say they will apply for it to become a public right of way. New owners at Yarnton Manor last month prevented dog walkers using a private section of their pathway in the village’s Church
THESE three teenagers proved their skill as public speakers. The 16-year-olds won a national junior public speaking competition organised by the National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs in 1979. Gareth Llewelyn, on the right, of Gidley Way
With the aid of the parish magazine, I can give you more information about the walk to raise money for a new boiler for Holy Trinity Church at Headington Quarry, Oxford (Memory Lane, March 2). The date was Saturday, May 10, 1975, and the names
2005 * Oxford to Cambridge in just 20 minutes – that’s the promise of 18-year-old entrepreneur Martin Halstead who has launched an airline to fly between the two cities. * Pupils in Marsh Baldon returned to their village school almost a month
The village band in Marsh Gibbon, near Bicester, has a long tradition of making music. Its 2015 programme includes special events to celebrate its 150th anniversary. The band’s roots can be traced back to the Marsh Gibbon Friendly Society,
These men were going to jail – in France. But it was not a sentence, just a fact-finding visit. Thirteen officers from Oxford Prison set off in 1967 to spend two days in Paris, looking at administration, security and rehabilitation at Fresnes Prison
It was a tight squeeze, but somehow 25 children into one 50ft long dragon does go. They provided the legs for the annual dragon procession through the town in 1979, commemorating a battle in the town in the year 752. Burford School organised
IT can come as a shock to realise that tens of millions of people are held in bondage today, working under compulsion for little or no pay, denied their freedom of movement and deprived of their identity documents. It can come as an even greater
THERE is a requirement in schools to teach religious education (RE). Now that’s often contentious. Some people think that it’s unnecessary or even harmful and others that it’s a soft option lacking academic rigour. Still others think that it’s
OXFORD Canal’s towpath is plagued by graffiti and collapsing banks, boaters have warned. Waterways historian Mark Davies, whose boat is moored near the Isis Lock, said daubings kept re-emerging on bridges and walls, despite recent cleaning by volunteers
IN Victorian times, children at Thame Baptist Church enjoyed outings in horse-drawn farm carts. And when the church celebrated its centenary in 1965, it revived the tradition, with members of the Sunday school touring the town in farm carts hauled
BOYS at Southfield Grammar School in Oxford were under pressure not only to do well in their studies but to join the Old Boys’ Association. And to make sure no-one escaped the net, they were persuaded to part regularly with small sums of money
THE village band in Marsh Gibbon, near Bicester, has a long tradition of making music. Its 2015 programme includes special events to celebrate its 150th anniversary. The band’s roots can be traced back to the Marsh Gibbon Friendly Society,
OXFORD found itself at the centre of a major military exercise during the Second World War. Exercise Spartan involving British and Canadian troops in March 1943 was designed to test the Allies’ readiness for the invasion of occupied Europe on D-Day
THESE men were going to jail – in France. But it was not a sentence, just a fact-finding visit. Thirteen officers from Oxford Prison set off in 1967 to spend two days in Paris, looking at administration, security and rehabilitation at Fresnes Prison
IT WAS a tight squeeze but somehow 25 children into one 50ft long dragon does go. They provided the legs for the annual dragon procession through the town in 1979, commemorating a battle in the town in the year 752. Andrew Temple, 13 and ambulanceman
PUPILS took a step back to the 1930s when their school reached its 50th anniversary. The celebrations at Donnington School had a distinctly Oxford flavour, with the city crest, a mortar board and car badges on display. The picture comes from
WORK on Oxford University’s new £40m physics building in Parks Road is about to begin. The new Beecroft Building will take two years to complete and the work will result in the closure of a small area of the University Parks. It will be located
THE M40 west of Oxford has reopened after a vehicle fire between junctions 6 and 7 brought traffic to a standstill. According to traffic reports it was a trailer, carrying a boat, along the southbound carriageway that had caught fire. The Highways
A SERIAL offender who turned to drugs and alcohol after killing his girlfriend in a car crash has escaped a further prison sentence. Lee Bayliss, 37, was jailed in June 2006 for causing the death of 32-year-old Susan Fenton by dangerous driving
THE FATHER of a boy killed when a mirror fell on him in a fashion store has today spoken at the inquest into his son's death. Simon Harrison told how his four-year-old son Austen had been playing with a three-way mirror in Hugo Boss store, in Bicester
MATTHEW HEAD, 35, of Sefton Road, Oxford, was convicted of assaulting a police constable in execution of duty on April 27, 2014, in Market Place, Wantage. Ordered to carry out 130 hours of unpaid work and pay £100 in compensation. Also ordered to pay
A NEW telephone kiosk will be installed in Banbury to safeguard the town's "phone box library" after BT and the Town Council finally reached an agreement. The red phone box outside St John’s Church, in South Bar Street, has doubled up as a miniature
PUT down that mobile phone and pay attention! Who, me? Alas, I‘m too engrossed. I haven’t spoken to human in weeks. I’m too busy tweeting about my whirlwind life to hundreds of strangers. When I’m not doing that, I’m checking my Facebook. Perhaps somebody
IT IS the height of insolence for anyone to attempt to bully or “blackmail” anyone else into voting, either specifically or generally. Those who willingly forfeited their freedom, life or whatever for the opportunity of our participation in “free
DREW Carter rightly condemns David Cameron’s promise to repeal the Hunting Act on behalf of his fellow blood sports enthusiasts (March 13). However, this war on our wildlife also includes the continuation of the massacre of our badger population
ISN’T it wonderful how well the traffic is moving around Frideswide Square since the traffic lights have been removed while the improvements are in progress? No more is the backlog in St Giles, Beaumont Street, Worcester Street and Hythe Bridge
THE sad news of another boat fire leaving a man with burn injuries and a loved dog dead is concerning not only for the survivors but for those who are in a position to reduce the chances of this happening again. You might remember a similar boat
ALL the letters printed recently about the No. 8 bus brings back lots of memories. Having lived in Old Marston all my life and a good many years of that in the village, I will remember the No8 bus. Back in the 50s, when for a time I lived in
THE growing community dissatisfaction at proposals to put buses through the pedestrian zone outside the Cornerstone Arts Centre in Didcot has gone up a notch as it becomes apparent who was behind the proposed plan. It has emerged that the proposal
A FORMER Status Quo member is backing a Battle of the Bands contest for musicians to bag a slot on stage at this summer’s Witney Music Festival. John Coghlan, who joined Staus Quo in 1962, will headline the summer festival on The Leys with his
SO MANY of our county’s military work hard away in the background. What a wonderful surprise it was for many to see Army Reserve band the Waterloo Band and Bugles of the Rifles take over Broad Street this Saturday. Families clapped and danced
QUITE unexpectedly I recently found myself in the hands of the National Health Service. During a routine check, my GP discovered something that caused her concern and within days I had an appointment at the John Radcliffe Hospital, where I was
TRAFFIC is backed up on the A34 near East Ilsley. There are reports of a multi-vehicle crash in the area, believed to have happened at about 9.20am. One lane is said to be blocked. More to follow. Our top stories
MICHAEL Collins believes Oxford United’s players have to fight for their livelihoods and be willing to put their bodies on the line for the sake of the club’s Football League status, writes JACK JOHNSON. United’s 2-0 defeat at second-placed Shrewsbury
PEOPLE power has been credited with helping motorists in Oxfordshire successfully challenge more than 3,000 parking tickets issued in the past year. One in 12 appeals are now successful and a drivers’ group said motorists were becoming more aware
FINES tend to be there for reason and are a useful slap on the wrist when people break the rules. It is only right that those who flout regulations are brought to book. What should be questioned, though, is when parking tickets are found to
FIRST Great Western will continue to operate trains through Oxfordshire until 2019 after an agreement was made with the Department of Transport. The company announced plans this morning to deliver the largest train fleet upgrade in a generation
IT’S normally his party’s “long-term economic plan” that dominates David Cameron’s agenda. But the Prime Minister and Witney MP took time out this Saturday to enjoy a more short-term economic plan, taking a leisurely stroll around his local market
TWO men accused of taking part in a brawl involving the killer of Jayden Parkinson have been acquitted. Michael Bland, 22, of Sinodun Road, Didcot, and Damian Longhurst, 23, of Queen Road, Botley, both faced one count of affray following a fight
A HOMELESS man who donned posh clothes, ordered slap-up meals from restaurants and then left without paying has been jailed for 56 days. Eric Austin, 45, of no fixed address, was sentenced at Oxford Magistrates’ Court on Thursday after admitting
4:04pm Delays on M40 as car towing boat catches fire 1:54pm The father of Austen Harrison, who died after being hit by a falling mirror at Hugo Boss in
Carruthers added another chapter to Mark and Sara Bradstock’s fairytale season by rolling back the years to land an emotional success at Newbury on Saturday. Minutes after his half-brother and stablemate, Coneygree, paraded around the paddock resplendent
Chipping Norton trainer Charlie Longsdon landed a big-race success with Kalane in the EBF & TBA Mares’ “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle Finale at Newbury on Saturday. The six-year-old didn’t have the easiest of passages in the Listed handicap
A MILITARY marching band took Oxford shoppers by storm when they descended on Broad Street in a surprise flash mob at the weekend. Army Reserve band the Waterloo Band and Bugles of the Rifles, based in Abingdon, started their surprise performance
Michael Appleton was left disappointed by Oxford United’s lack of cutting edge, after his side did everything but score against promotion-chasing Shrewsbury Town, writes JACK JOHNSON. United’s head coach cut a frustrated figure at the Greenhous
Oxford City Stars must hope Cardiff Devils fail to beat London Raiders next week to save them from finishing bottom of South Division 1. A thrilling weekend saw Stars miss the chance to secure their status on Saturday when they lost 7-5 at basement
Racegoers packed around the paddock at Newbury on Saturday to see Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Coneygree parade. Reflecting on the fairtytale triumph, trainer Mark Bradstock’s wife, Sara, said: “It’s wonderful. I still don’t really believe
PARISH councillors branded “murderers” over their mole extermination plan have said critics are making a mountain out of a molehill. Merton Parish Council near Bicester said the rampaging rodents were digging up the village playing fields, a children
PATIENTS needing palliative and end-of-life care are moving around on new wheels thanks to a £5,000 cash boost. Headington’s Sobell House Hospice Charity was awarded funding last December to replace its old and exhausted wheelchairs. The Gannett
A HEALTH workers’ union has vowed to fight plans to replace hospital chefs across Oxfordshire with pre-prepared ready meals. Unison said the plans were a “huge concern” for patients and community hospital cooks fear they will lose their jobs.
North Leigh’s hopes of reaching the Division 1 South & West play-offs suffered a blow as they went down to a narrow defeat to fellow promotion hopefuls Evesham United at Eynsham Park on Saturday. The result saw Mark Gee's men slip to eighth
Banbury United secured a goalless draw with a battling display at their fellow Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division strugglers. However, a point still leaves the Puritans deep in trouble and 11 points from safety with eight games to go.
Oxford United full-back George Baldock believes confidence played a big part in Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at Shrewsbury Town, writes JACK JOHNSON. Liam Lawrence’s second-minute penalty gave the hosts something to hold onto and, after riding wave after
Two late goals saw relegation-threatened Abingdon United salvage a 3-3 draw in a remarkable finish to their Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division home game against Kidlington at Northcourt Road. Trailing 3-1 with just two minutes left, Carl
General manager Justin Merritt believes Saturday’s 2-1 home defeat to Bradford Park Avenue has not derailed Oxford City’s chances of reaching the play-offs, writes MATTHEW BRUCE. Missing Luke Coulson, Javier Rodriguez and Darren Pond due to injury
Oxford City’s Vanarama Conference North play-off ambitions were dented as they slipped to a surprise 2-1 defeat at home to Bradford Park Avenue on Saturday, writes MATTHEW BRUCE. Alejandro-Adrian Santiago gave City an early lead, but the lacklustre
DELIGHTED booklovers were enthralled when they took their first steps into the Bodleian’s new Weston Library at the weekend. The Grade II listed building, in Broad Street, opened its doors to the public on Saturday after the three-year, £80m transformation
MYTHICAL dragons and mysterious islands were the hot topics at the opening of this year’s Oxford Literary Festival. Cressida Cowell, author and illustrator of children’s novels How To Train Your Dragon, captivated guests at the Sheldonian Theatre
Wantage Town’s battle against relegation from Evo-Stik Southern League Division 1 South & West continued as they were beaten 3-0 at home by play-off chasers Stratford Town at Alfredian Park on Saturday. Defeat keeps Daniel Barry’s side eight
Didcot Town boosted their Evo-Stik Soutehrn League Division 1 South & West play-off hopes with an easy 2-0 victory aagainst Clevedon at the Draycott Engineering Loop Meadow Stadium on Saturday. A goal either side of half-time was enough for
SKY BET LEAGUE TWO Shrewsbury Tn 2, Oxford Utd 0 VANARAMA CONFERENCE NORTH Oxford City 1, Bradford Park Avenue 2. EVO-STIK SOUTHERN LEAGUE Premier Div: Biggleswade Tn 0, Banbury Utd 0. Div 1 South & West: Didcot Tn
AT LEAST eight families are back in their homes six months to the day since flooding from a burst pipe ravaged their Cowley street, according to residents. Fifteen houses and eight flats in Normandy Crescent were flooded on September 24 after a
SPECIALIST dementia nurses could soon be visiting carers across the county as part of plans by the Orders of St John Care Trust. The trust, which runs 22 care homes and independent living communities in Oxfordshire, wants to expand its Admiral
A TWENTY-mile hike will be a walk in the park for Emma Vaughan-Jones, who is taking on her second Pink Ribbonwalk this year. So far 670 walkers from across the UK have signed up to the event at Blenheim Palace on Saturday, May 9, which raises crucial
