THE boat which has been submerged at Osney Lock for almost four months was today lifted from the water. The craft broke free from its moorings during the November floods and has been wedged against a barrier at the lock ever since. As our photo
BUS services in Bicester are to be boosted by a new half-hourly link between the town centre and Launton Road after a review of routes in north Oxfordshire. The No 24 service will start running at the start of June, when new contracts subsidised
A BLAZE of yellow roared into Oxford as dozens of bikers delivered toys to poorly children in hospital. Members of the Oxford, Cheltenham and Thames Valley chapters of the Harley Davidson Owners Group presented puzzles, books and toys to young
ROSE Hill residents say falling crime rates proves the area needs to keep its police base. Crime has dropped by 26 per cent since the opening of the police base in Rose Hill five years ago, from 352 reported in 2007/08 compared to 260 in 2011/12
GRAFFITI lovers are being urged check out dramatic artwork sprayed on the gallery walls at Oxford’s Old Fire Station because it is on borrowed time. Once the exhibition is over, that will be it for the art because the wall will be painted over.
Logistics and manufacturing giant Unipart has unveiled a major boost in its fortunes. The company saw its operating profit soar to £28.8m from £8.4m the previous year. Annual turnover at the global business which is headquartered off Garsington
TWO pairs of brothers were "significant organisers" of child sex parties in Oxford, the Old Bailey heard this afternoon. Prosecutor Noel Lucas, making his closing speech in the trial of nine men accused of running a child sex ring, said the evidence
THE A420 near Faringdon has been cleared following an accident between A417 Park Road and A417 Stanford Road. Updates will be posted on our Live Traffic Service.
CAMPAIGNERS have today won a battle in the war over building a new multi-million pound pool in Oxford. A High Court judge has given permission for a judicial review of Oxfordshire County Council’s decision not give part of Blackbird Leys Park -
VULNERABLE young girls were groomed and sexually exploited in a "pattern repeated time and time again", the Old Bailey heard this morning. The jury was told the nine men accused of involvement in a child sex gang in Oxford had "actively targeted
MARGARET Smith is putting her feet up after almost three decades getting up at the crack of dawn to bake bread and sort newspapers. Mrs Smith has been running the village shop in Bicester Road, Bucknell, for 27 years, but at the age of 72 has finally
EIGHT bankers swapped cash registers for paintbrushes to support an Oxford charity. The staff from Lloyds TSB Commercial Banking spent a day preparing furniture donated to children’s hospice charity Helen and Douglas House for sale in its shops
“YOUR heart rate is high, the wet suit is tight, your blood is coming back to your hands and feet and the helmet’s got to go on.” Welcome to the world of triathlon, a uniquely challenging discipline. Those are the words of Steven Smith, chairman
NINETY homes could be built on farmland on the edge of an Oxfordshire village. Bloor Homes and Archstone Land Ltd want to demolish existing farm buildings and build 90 new properties at Springfield Farm, Ambrosden, near Bicester. The plans
An arson investigation has been launched after a tree fire. Firefighters were called to Chalgrove recreation ground at 8.58pm yesterday after the blaze was reported. A fire service spokesman said arson was suspected, but no-one had been arrested
A TIDDLYWINK competition travelled more than mile across Didcot as the Thong Rangers rallied to raise cash. The Rangers – a group of men in Didcot who dress in thongs to run bizarre fundraising activities – raised more than £500 for Spencer Howse-Macbeth
IT STOCKS everything from 19th century artwork to antique baby clothes. And now an Oxford antiques shop has been named one of the top 10 in the country. Antiques on High in Oxford’s High Street is in the final of a national award for antique
AN office worker’s life spiralled out of control into drug dealing after he was assaulted in a McDonald’s, a court heard. Jermaine Tyrell, of Fern Hill Road, Cowley, Oxford, admitted two counts of possessing crack cocaine and heroin with intent
TIME is running out to register to vote in the Oxfordshire County Council elections on May 2. The deadline is tomorrow when district council offices close.
THE prosecution will begin its closing speech today in the Old Bailey trial of nine men accused of sexually exploiting girls in the city. The jury, which heard the last evidence in the case last Tuesday after 12 and a half weeks, is expected to
IT has been a season to savour for Oxford Hawks, with no fewer than six of their 14 senior teams winning their respective leagues. The men’s 2nd, 3rd, 4ths and 6ths all claimed titles, while for the ladies, the 2nd team and the Harriers were crowned
A MAN charged with burglary and sexual assault has appeared at Oxford Crown Court. Ashley Blossom, 26, of Lime Crescent, Bicester, faces two charges of burglary and two of sexual assault. Two women were allegedly assaulted during break-ins
A NURSERY school and children’s centre has been granted permission to use a temporary building on its site for a further five years. Grandpont Nursery School and Children’s Centre, for children aged three to seven, uses a temporary building as
A £3.5M pound vision for a new cinema and theatre at Abingdon’s historic Guildhall has been unveiled. The £3.5m project will see the 15th century building and its 1966 extension transformed into a “social and cultural hub”. Architects from
BB&O Round-up GOSFORD All Blacks boosted their hopes of a top-four finish after a 24-0 home victory over BB&O Premier Division basement boys Princes Risborough. Fly half Harry Sutton set up fifth-placed Gosford’s opening try for centre
Witney finished their South League Division 3A programme with a 5-2 win over Staines 2nd to ensure a fourth-place finish in the table. Excellent work by Charlotte Manning led to two goals apiece for Rachel Greenland and Hayley Dobson, who was Witney
A MAN charged with manslaughter over the death of chef Michael Rogers attended a preliminary hearing at Oxford Crown Court yesterday. Logan Usher, of Croxford Gardens, Kidlington, is accused of manslaughter in relation to Mr Rogers, who died on
THE former president of Abingdon Chamber of Commerce has appeared at Oxford Crown Court accused of a series of sexual offences. Paul Townsend, of Hadland Road, Abingdon, is charged with 16 counts against four girls alleged to have taken place between
South West 1 East WITNEY captain Jez Hicks said they had played as well as they could in an 81-0 home hammering by leaders Bracknell. The 13-try defeat, which is believed to be a Witney club record, sees Hicks’s men still in relegation trouble
Southern Counties North GROVE boosted their promotion hopes with a 63-6 victory over Reading Abbey at Cane Lane. The 11-try success, coupled with Milton Keynes’ home defeat to Olney, means that Grove need just two points from their final match
A THAMES Valley Police officer accused of selling personal information will appear in court again next month. Sugra Hanif, 26, of Bretch Hill, Banbury, was due to appear with two others at Winchester Crown Court yesterday for a plea and case management
Midlands 2 West South BANBURY Bulls shocked leaders Kenilworth 21-15 at Glasshouse Lane. Kenilworth, who were unbeaten at home, led 8-0 thanks to a penalty and a try. Bulls hit back with tries from No 8 Simon Brand, scrum half Eddie Phillips
If you have any friends or relatives who were at the Boston marathon, please call our Newsdesk on 01865 425500 or email us.
OXFORD: A date has been set for the trial of a man accused of inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent. Andrew Greenhough, of Allbrook Hill, in Eastleigh, Hampshire, appeared at Oxford Crown Court yesterday and denied carrying out an attack
WORK has begun on a £1m scheme which will help protect hundreds of Oxford homes from flooding. The new flood drain being installed by Thames Water will carry surface water down to Hinksey Stream. Long-suffering residents in Abingdon Road who
Oxford City manager Mike Ford says his Blue Square Bet North side are taking their marathon fixture list in their stride, thanks to their strenuous pre-season training schedule. Tonight City play their fifth league match in 11 days when they host
Alice Powell is determined to prove Sir Stirling Moss wrong after the legendary racer said women did not have the mental skills to compete in Formula 1. The Oxfordshire driver, who stormed to victory in the opening two rounds of the F3 Cup this
Scargill got off the mark for West Ilsley trainer Mick Channon with a gutsy victory at Redcar yesterday. The two-year-old colt, who carries the name of the former National Union of Mineworkers president, dug deep for Sam Hitchcott to get up in
I have long thought that governments should mix an innocuous coloured dye into fuel to make all exhaust fumes visible to the eye. That way people would be forced to think about every mile they drove, and on short urban journeys cycling may become
Is the Oxfordshire health and wellbeing board ready to act as a watchdog? NO, says Lib Dem spokesman for adult services Jenny Hannaby "The success of the system depends on partnership co-operation, and comments at a recent shadow health and
ISN’T it amazing the vitriol that comes out at the death of Baroness Thatcher? I suppose that their baskets will now be perpetually full and their roads be paved with velvet — now that the wicked witch is dead! There is a reason that her name
WHEN I saw that Andrew Smith MP is backing the campaign for more free ATMs (April 12), it made me think back to a time when things were quite different. For most of her working life my wife was what was known as a wages clerk, her duties being
Although Vince, Howie and ‘The Cat’ (of the Plough, Wolvercote) believe otherwise, I really don’t have anything against sides in the Premier Section. They love their quizzing, as do the rest of us; they are just very good at it, and for talent
National 2 South HENLEY Hawks edged out promotion rivals Hartpury College 16-12 to all but seal a play-off spot. Hawks’ away victory put them 11 points clear of third-placed Hartpury, with a maximum of 15 to play for. Second-placed Henley
Jamie Heapy’s 800th appearance for Didcot Town ended in disappointment with a 1-0 defeat at Mangotsfield United in Evo-Stik Southern League Division 1 South & West last night. Didcot were forced into a number of injury-induced changes, which
WARMER weather has helped punters in Oxford make more of a splash on the River Cherwell. The Magdalen Bridge Boathouse opened for business about a month later than usual this year because of high water levels and bad weather. The boathouse usually
WASTE bosses in Oxford are hoping to force County Hall to build a superdump at Redbridge. City executive member for waste John Tanner wants Redbridge Waste Recycling Centre to be expanded and run jointly by the county and city councils. And
OVER the next year many Oxfordshire families will have to deal with a large number of changes to the current benefit and tax credits system. This month has already seen the introduction of the bedroom tax in social housing and the replacement of
THE woeful and tax-ignorant John Tanner, Labour councillor on Oxford City Council, relishes every opportunity to attack tax relief for hard working people (ViewPoints, March 20). To improve his education, I suggest he reads the following. Suppose
IN REPLY to Roy Darke (ViewPoints, April 12), chairman of East Oxford City Planning Committee, city councillor for Headington Hill and Northway and Oxford County Councillor for Headington and Marston: I attended the Old Marston Parish Council meeting
HENLEY Hawks’ director of rugby Mike Poulson was full of praise for the travelling fans, who roared them on to a crucial victory at Hartpury College. Hawks estimated around 100 supporters made the trip to the Gloucestershire side for the titantic
National 3 South West OXFORD Harlequins ended their home campaign on a high note with a 25-0 victory over Avonmouth Old Boys. Already relegated, Quins secured just their third win of the season with a four-try success. Victory also means
The future of the planned Blackbird Leys pool will be decided today. The Royal Courts of Justice in London will decide whether a judicial review can go ahead into Oxfordshire County Council’s decision not to designate Blackbird Leys Park as a town
Crime reporter Ben Wilkinson is at the Old Bailey this morning Prosecutor Noel Lucas begins his closing speech. "This is the start of the final chapter of this long trial." — @Ben_Wilkinson_ 16 April 2013 Prosecutor
London Welsh have given a strong indication that they will not play in Oxford next season for money reasons. The Exiles chairman Bleddyn Phillips says Kassam Stadium rents make it “financially imprudent” for the club to remain in the city for 2013
THE principal of Somerville College, Oxford, where Margaret Thatcher studied, is attending her funeral in London tomorrow along with two students. Dr Alice Prochaska said: “Baroness Thatcher was one of the key figures of the 20th century, and her
DETECTIVE drama Endeavour attracted a total of 5.9m people on Sunday night. The prequel to Inspector Morse follows the young detective in 1965 in Oxford and the first of four episodes was broadcast on Sunday. Endeavour producer Dan McCulloch said
A cyclist was pushed off his bike by a BMW car passenger on Botley Road. Three Swindon men and one from Wootton Bassett were arrested on suspicion of assault after the incident near McDonald’s on April 9. They were bailed until May 9. The 32-year-old
VANDALS behind more than 40 instances of graffiti across Witney are being sought by police. Dozens of graffiti tags have been spotted around the town since January. They have appeared in Oxford Hill and Newlands, Bridge Street, Mill Street
A JUDGE has told a jury it does not have to decide whether a man on trial for rape was sleepwalking at the time. Maximillian Hessel, of Peat Moors, Headington, Oxford, denies committing the crime in June last year. The 22-year-old had been
Families will today find out where their children will be going to primary school this September Parents are due to be informed by email today if they applied online, and letters will be posted first-class to all other applicants. The council received
THERE is something whiffy surrounding Redbridge tip and we don’t mean the rubbish. Today we report on Oxford City Council’s proposed rent increase for the site, hitting up Oxfordshire County Council £100,000-a-year when it has been paying a peppercorn
A FAMILY ran a charity animal rescue sanctuary in conditions RSPCA officials described as the worst they had ever seen, a court heard yesterday. Inspectors who raided Crunchy’s Animal Rescue found horses, ponies, dogs, rabbits, goats, ducks, chickens
WITH the merest hint of warmer weather we see the start of the flood alleviation scheme connected to Hinksey Stream. This has been a vile winter and the flooding that hit the city in November caused misery. The scheme should be finished by
Oxford Rugby League’s first home league match turned out to be a classic as they were pipped 22-20 by South Wales Scorpions in front of 352 fans at Iffley Road. The game was played in rain throughout as the sides matched each other try for try
OXFORDSHIRE’S ladies were in good form but a thrashing for the men’s B team led to an overall defeat at home to Lancashire in the Premier Division. The 20-16 loss meant the county remained in the bottom two, but they moved closer to safety with
PETE Hall was the most successful player in the Greene King ODDA Winter League, notching ten wins in Premier & Section 1. RESULTS Men’s League Premier & Section 1: P Hall (Chequers Inn A) 10. Section 2: G Grant (Donnington CC A)
VANS, trucks and diggers went under the hammer as Oxford City Council cleared its load of old equipment. The authority auctioned off 189 lots including cars, trailers, tippers and mowers from its depot in Marsh Road on Saturday. Among the happy
IT may be nearly a year since the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, but in one corner of Oxford the street party spirit is still going strong. Risinghurst and Sandhills is to get its own fete this summer after the success of a Diamond Jubilee event last
AN award-winning pub has cut its hours after the landlords announced they were quitting after seven years. Jamie King and wife Charlotte took over the Anchor Inn in North Oxford in 2006 and made it a gourmet venue thanks to cash from their own
OLD boots, an ice cream seller’s parasol, tins, crisp packets, metal and a bicycle handlebar were just some of the bits of rubbish cleared up from the streets of Oxfordshire. Armed with litter pickers, more than 20 residents in Hinksey Hill and
