A 10-point plan to change the way Thames Valley Police investigates crime has been given the go-ahead. Following steady reductions in crime between 1992 and 1998, the force's performance deteriorated. The Best Value Review of Crime Investigation is designed
A 20-year-old Abingdon man avoided prison when a judge sentenced him to community punishment for burglary. A member of the public contacted police on April 4 after seeing Luke McGowan, of Coromandel, selling DVDs door-to-door in Abingdon. McGowan ran
A fan of the 1980s motoring flop, the Sinclair C5, will try to ride the three-wheeler from John O'Groats to Lands End -- just 12 months after his last attempt ended in mechanical breakdown. Chris Crosskey picks up the pieces, ready to try again Last year
Plans for a new-look Waitrose store in Wallingford are to be discussed at a town council meeting on August 5. The design for the 25,000sq ft store was recently changed by the supermarket giant to drop plans for flats above the car park on the corner of
Chipping Norton grandmother Hazel Hazelwood has raised more than £1,000 to help cancer sufferers. She and her grand-daughter Katrina Hazelwood, 14, raised the money from sponsors for taking part in the Race for Life in The Parks at Oxford. "My mum died
A job has been created to tackle the problem of drug abuse in west Oxfordshire. Shona Morrison, the new drug and alcohol co-ordinator, will link up with other agencies to increase awareness about the problem. She has been appointed by West Oxfordshire
A goal after only three minutes from Jason Thomas was enough to give Abingdon Town a 1-0 victory at Brackley Town - their fifth pre-season win out of five. In a game of few chances, Thomas's goal proved decisive. It came following some neat build-up play
The inclusion of former Oxford United defender Ian McGuckin could not stop Oxford City from going down 3-1 in Saturday's friendly at Swindon Supermarine. McGuckin, who failed to establish himself at United, turned out in the City back four, but they have
Temporary repairs are being made to a Victorian bridge damaged by contractors when they were laying pipes. Colin Carritt, area engineer for the county council, is pictured by the hole Last week, Oxfordshire County Council highways officials discovered
About 50 high-achieving schoolchildren in Didcot started their summer holidays back in a classroom. The pupils, aged 11 and 12, were selected after achieving the top grade in their Standard Assessment Tests in English, mathematics and science. The Gifted
An elderly couple are having to pay more than £28,000 interest on a £49,500 loan after falling victim to a forgotten financial scandal. George and Mary Carrod, of Sutton Courtenay, near Didcot, were sold a home income plan in 1989 by financial adviser
The return of a free rubbish disposal service in Oxford was marked with the collection of the first item. The city council's ruling Labour group has abolished the £18.80 bulky item charge introduced by the previous Liberal Democrat/Green administration
Doorstep milk deliveries on an Oxford housing estate have been reduced from August 5 due to a shortage of staff. Dairy Crest's milkman for Blackbird Leys left recently and is yet to be replaced. Deliveries will be cut from six days a week to just Mondays
A pedestrian was killed after being hit by a car in Banbury yesterday evening. Barry Evershad, 63, of Banbury, died from his injuries at the Horton Hospital after the accident in Upper Windsor Street. Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward
The M40 north of Banbury remained closed for more than 10 hours after a lorry pile-up in which four people were killed. The crash, involving two HGV lorries and a light goods vehicle, occurred just before 7am yesterday. A lorry travelling north crashed
Two NHS workers are being honoured for their long service at Oxford's Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre. Senior physiotherapist Anne Allen and project administration assistant Barbara Deeley have given the Headington-based hospital a total of 40 years between
A driver was killed in a crash involving a lorry and a car on the A34 in Oxford. The accident happened just before 4am on Saturday on the A34 southbound between Botley and Hinksey Hill. The male driver who died has not yet been formally identified. The
Two NHS workers are being honoured for their long service at Oxford's Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre. Senior physiotherapist Anne Allen and project administration assistant Barbara Deeley have given the Headington-based hospital a total of 40 years between
Plans for a new-look Waitrose store in Wallingford are to be discussed at a town council meeting on August 5. The design for the 25,000sq ft store was recently changed by the supermarket giant to drop plans for flats above the car park on the corner of
Fox FM listeners are being given the chance to have their say about which pop acts take to the stage at its Party in the Park show in South Park, Oxford. The radio station has set up a phone line to allow listeners to call in with suggestions about who
Cyclists in south Oxfordshire are to get a boost when plans are displayed for a new cycle track and path linking Bayworth, Sunningwell and Abingdon. It is one of 40 similar schemes planned across Oxfordshire by the county council during the next five
People who want to comment on the new draft Oxford Local Plan have less than one week left. The draft plan for 2001 to 2016 has been on display for public comment since Friday, 28 June. The council has received hundreds of enquiries about it and is expecting
A job has been created to tackle the problem of drug abuse in west Oxfordshire. Shona Morrison, the new drug and alcohol co-ordinator, will link up with other agencies to increase awareness about the problem. She has been appointed by West Oxfordshire
A cyclist in Oxford was dragged from her bike and into some bushes by a man who then subjected her to a serious indecent assault. The incident happened as the woman, in her early 30s, cycled along the towpath towards Binsey, just north of Bossams boatyard
An Oxford city councillor wants an investigation after it was revealed that foreign language students are being forced to stay in cramped living conditions. Susan Brown, the executive member for crime and community safety, has called for more stringent
Oxford United fans excited by the return of Bobby Ford have been told: 'Don't expect too much too soon'. Bobby FordManager Ian Atkins warned supporters not to get too carried away, because midfielder Ford, who has signed a one-year contract, is still
Shipton-under-Wychwood are just one game away from a dream trip to Lord's after beating Werrington by 41 runs in yesterday's National Village Championship quarter-final. Shipton's Steve Bates is bowled for one But the west Oxfordshire side did things
A cyclist in Oxford was dragged from her bike and into some bushes by a man who then subjected her to a serious indecent assault. The incident happened as the woman, in her early 30s, cycled along the towpath towards Binsey, just north of Bossams boatyard
An Oxford city councillor wants an investigation after it was revealed that foreign language students are being forced to stay in cramped living conditions. Susan Brown, the executive member for crime and community safety, has called for more stringent
The fundraising appeal for a new St John Ambulance base in Abingdon has topped £7,000 in only seven months. There is still a long way to go before the £500,000 target is reached. However, treasurer Terry Latter said: "We are making excellent progress
Cyclists in south Oxfordshire are to get a boost when plans are displayed for a new cycle track and path linking Bayworth, Sunningwell and Abingdon. It is one of 40 similar schemes planned across Oxfordshire by the county council during the next five
Abingdon Football Club is launching what it describes as a life-saving weekly lottery competition. The hard-up club was recently deprived of rent from two businesses that operated from the Culham Road site have been banned from trading there. Officials
A couple due to be married today were shocked when a top Abingdon hotel cancelled their booking just days before the wedding. Managers blamed a reservations error, which meant they had double-booked the rooms. Dr Chris Frost, 33, and his fiance Sarah
Two RAF men who spent 12 hours on an Oxfordshire golf course totted up more than birdies, pars and bogeys when they handed their cards in. Gavin Brown, director of Witney Lakes Golf Course and Sgt Andy King, back left and right, are pictured with Mike
A woman who killed a motorist by driving the wrong way down a dual carriageway walked free from court yesterday. Susan Malinowska, 50, turned the wrong way out of the A40 Forest Hill lay-by during the morning rush hour on August 10 last year. She collided
Barn owls, bats and badgers will have to be protected before a development can go ahead at Thame Park. Plans to convert one disused farm building on the estate have had to be dropped because of the wildlife inhabiting it. But nearby buildings can be converted
Police in Wantage are stepping up patrols around the cemetery after thieves stole plants left beside graves. Michael Roche, of Belmont, Wantage, who has been tending his father's grave at Chain Hill Cemetery for 15 years, was one of several relatives
Thame United drew 2-2 with Unibond League champions Burton Albion at Windmill Stadium. Dave Thornton put Thame ahead, before Burton equalised when player-manager Nigel Clough set up Christian Moore. John Gardner made it 2-1 for the home side, with Burton
Zambia international striker Rotson Kilambe was set to have trials with Oxford United and play in Friday night's friendly against Southampton - but he failed to turn up to training on Thursday. "I was told he was going to come up, but apparently there
Results of games played over the weekend of August 3 and 4, 2002 Jim Newman Trophy: Didcot Tn 1, Carterton Tn 0; Clanfield 1, Shrivenham 2. Banbury United 4-team tournament: Banbury Utd 1, Hook Norton 1 (Banbury won 7-6 on pens); Woodford Utd 0, Leamington
A superb innings of 177 from Banbury captain Craig Haupt was the highlight of a frustrating draw against Radlett in Division 1 of the Home Counties Premier League on Saturday. Craig Haupt Haupt dominated the Banbury innings after they were put in to bat
Saturday's heavy thunderstorms cut a swathe through the OCA programme, but it could not come to the rescue of Hanborough, who lost their unbeaten record to Garsington in Division 1. Fringford's Steve Gray is caught and bowled by Letcombe's Robin Wood
The first of three controversial new asylum centres in Britain could be built in Bicester if protesters fail to win a public inquiry. The Government announced on Friday that it is to appeal against Cherwell District Council's objection to the planned
Results from the OCA games played over the weekend of August 3-4, 2002 Division 1 Broughton 180 (B Hancock 71, D Beck 5-30), Horley 35-4. RSP. Hanborough 236-7 (D Burgess 87, M Busby 43, L Sillence 32no), Garsington 237-8 (N Bound 79, K Parsler 43, B
Young footballers in Didcot put on sunscreen to help raise awareness of the importance of blocking out harmful rays. Sam Dickens, 10, Ashley Wilde, eight, and Carrie Ann Young, 12, enjoying the day Sam Dickens, Ashley Wilde, and Carrie Ann Young, were
Barn owls, bats and badgers will have to be protected before a development can go ahead at Thame Park. Plans to convert one disused farm building on the estate have had to be dropped because of the wildlife inhabiting it. But nearby buildings can be converted
Doorstep milk deliveries on an Oxford housing estate have been reduced from August 5 due to a shortage of staff. Dairy Crest's milkman for Blackbird Leys left recently and is yet to be replaced. Deliveries will be cut from six days a week to just Mondays
Chipping Norton grandmother Hazel Hazelwood has raised more than £1,000 to help cancer sufferers. She and her grand-daughter Katrina Hazelwood, 14, raised the money from sponsors for taking part in the Race for Life in The Parks at Oxford. "My mum died
A Banbury army officer was walking on air as he soared over Wales in the inter-service hang-gliding competition. Second Lieutenant Tim Doole Second Lieutenant Tim Doole, 19, of the Royal Engineers Corps, joined pilots from the RAF and Royal Navy for the
Construction of a £500m world-class research facility creating 200 jobs will begin within two months now that the plans have been approved. The massive Diamond Synchrotron Source will be built on the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory site, next to Harwell
A Banbury army officer was walking on air as he soared over Wales in the inter-service hang-gliding competition. Second Lieutenant Tim Doole Second Lieutenant Tim Doole, 19, of the Royal Engineers Corps, joined pilots from the RAF and Royal Navy for the
Fox FM listeners are being given the chance to have their say about which pop acts take to the stage at its Party in the Park show in South Park, Oxford. The radio station has set up a phone line to allow listeners to call in with suggestions about who
Two RAF men who spent 12 hours on an Oxfordshire golf course totted up more than birdies, pars and bogeys when they handed their cards in. Gavin Brown, director of Witney Lakes Golf Course and Sgt Andy King, back left and right, are pictured with Mike
A new fitness programme that gives sporting opportunities to disabled people in Oxford was launched this week. Peter Johnson, executive member for leisure, with Raymond Puddifer New facilities designed for the able-bodied and disabled alike have been
The fundraising appeal for a new St John Ambulance base in Abingdon has topped £7,000 in only seven months. There is still a long way to go before the £500,000 target is reached. However, treasurer Terry Latter said: "We are making excellent progress
A new fitness programme that gives sporting opportunities to disabled people in Oxford was launched this week. Peter Johnson, executive member for leisure, with Raymond Puddifer New facilities designed for the able-bodied and disabled alike have been
Triathlon competitors put their stamina to the test to take part in walking, canoeing and cycling events around Oxford. Outdoor activities pursuits instructor Ken Coble is pictured leading some of the group out on to the water Members of the Coasters,
A fan of the 1980s motoring flop, the Sinclair C5, will try to ride the three-wheeler from John O'Groats to Lands End -- just 12 months after his last attempt ended in mechanical breakdown. Chris Crosskey picks up the pieces, ready to try again Last year
Film companies have said they are struggling to find atmospheric jail settings since the closure of Oxford Prison. Crews have flocked to Oxford Prison in recent years to film. Brad Pitt, Robert Redford and Glenn Close were just a few of the big-name celebrities
Oxfam has been denied planning permission for a new office block in Summertown after the design was dismissed as "objectionable". Landowner Fixcove Ltd had applied to redevelop Suffolk House, in the northern part of the Summertown shopping arcade, at
Headington cyclist Rachel Heal struck Commonwealth Games bronze in a thrilling finish to the women's road race on Saturday. Rachel HealThe 29-year-old lost out to Nicole Cooke, of Wales, who took gold, and Canada's Susan Palmer-Kolmar, who took the silver
Doctors in north Oxfordshire have threatened to drop work to improve patient care if proposals to restructure community health are given the go-ahead. GPs working in the North East Oxfordshire Primary Care Trust region have criticised plans to reduce
