Thames Valley Police is the only force in the country to have been allowed to set its own crime reduction targets. It put forward targets for reducing robbery, burglary and car crime, claiming the Home Office guidelines were unrealistic given the force's
City councillors have backed moves to stop tourist coaches from parking outside one of Oxford's historic research centres. They are supporting colleagues on Oxfordshire County Council who want to ban the vehicles from using the layby in St Giles to protect
The Highways Agency is being blamed for delays and accidents caused by faulty traffic lights at Oxford's busy Hinksey Hill roundabout. At the start of this month responsibility for the A423 between the Hinksey Hill and Abingdon Road interchanges was passed
Private healthcare managers have back-tracked on plans to adopt Lord Nuffield's name for their hospitals, after the Oxford Mail highlighted the confusion it would cause. Critics complained that the Nuffield Hospital Group's proposals to call its new Headington
Maureen Le Jeune just stepped in to help teachers at Crowmarsh pre-school during an emergency -- and stayed for 20 years. She has retired as supervisor but may go in now and again to read stories to the children. Mrs Le Jeune looks through a photo album
Hundreds of boys and girls lined up for one of the most important events in the calendar for Scouts and Guides. Scouts and guides go marching They assembled on Sunday, April 13, at Witney's Welch Way car park to march through the town for the annual St
Vandals have caused about £1,000 damage to a village hall. They demolished part of a wall to the new extension being built at the building in Cote Road, Aston, near Bampton. The project is costing £93,000 under a scheme organised by the Aston and Cote
The roof has been put in place on a new leisure centre in Carterton. The scheme is the latest in an expansion of West Oxfordshire District Council's sport and recreation facilities which has already seen another leisure centre open in Chipping Norton,
A larger Co-op store at a new site in Charlbury is seen as crucial to enhancing the vitality of the town. West Oxfordshire District Council officers are in favour of the Oxford, Swindon and Gloucester Co-op's proposed move from its premises in Sheep Street
High standard of entries in the flower classes made for a colourful Grove spring show. The village horticultural society's 36th annual spring show saw 150 entries in 51 classes for vegetables, flowers, flower arrangements, photos and eggs. Youngsters
The achievements of about 90 pupils at King Alfred's Community and Sports College were celebrated at the school's annual awards ceremony. Parents, pupils and staff packed Wantage Civic Hall at the event to highlight the hard work of students in years
Results from April 12-13 in matches involving Oxfordshire teams ENGLISH NATIONAL LEAGUE Div 2: Henley 74, Stourbridge 24. ENGLISH CLUBS CHAMPIONSHIP Powergen South West Div 1: Chinnor 14, Keynsham 9. Powergen South West 2 East: Chippernham 12, Oxford
Ashford Tn 1, Banbury Utd 2: Banbury came from behind to see off Ashford in the Dr Martens Eastern Division on Saturday. The visitors had the better of the first half, pushing forward at every opportunity. Simon Tricker earned his salt in the 27th minute
Results from April 12-13 in the Nationwide League, Ryman League, Dr Martens League, Youth Alliance Merit, Cherry Red Records Hellenic League, Seagrave Haulage Combined Counties League, Oxfordshire Senior League NATIONWIDE LEAGUE Div 3: Oxford Utd 2, Kidderminster
Eastbourne 47, Oxford Silver Machine 43: A depleted Oxford Silver Machine outfit were in with a shout of grabbing vital Elite League points right up to the last heat at Eastbourne on Saturday. Four points down going into the final heat, Todd Wiltshire
Winterbourne 0, Didcot Tn 0 (agg 1-6): Didcot eased their way into the final of the Supplementary Cup, where they will face Southall Town at Abingdon United on Monday, May 5. Town never looked like surrendering their 6-1 first-leg lead, although it took
Banbury's hospital radio station has given £1,200 to two departments at the Horton Hospital. The money was split between the maternity unit and F ward. Radio Horton raised the money during Christmas collections in the town and the sum brings the total
Banbury's last small bakery has closed. The Bakers' Oven, in High Street was part of a 88-strong chain in the Midlands. The Bakers' Oven The firm's sales manager, David Dudley, said: "The lease on the shop expired and we were unable to negotiate a new
Village youngsters have a playground to be proud of thanks to a grant from one of the country's big banks. Playing field trust chairman Geoff Jones, pictured, back left, with other villagers and trust members The Betty Cameron Playing Field Trust in Chacombe
Banbury MP Tony Baldry has demanded early answers to questions on controversial plans to reorganise the town's secondary schools. He has put three points to Oxfordshire County Council's education department and has warned that unless the replies are positive
Clanfield 0, Chipping Norton Tn 0: Hellenic League Division 1 West leaders Chipping Norton were knocked off the top of the table as they were held at relegation-threatened Clanfield. Chippy are replaced at the summit by Slimbridge, who were 2-0 winners
Cheshunt Tn 4, Abingdon Tn 1: Abingdon Town's fading hopes of promotion from Ryman League Division 2 were dashed on Saturday at the already promoted Hertfordshire side. The result almost confirmed Chesthunt as champions, after second-placed Leyton could
Cherry Red Records Hellenic League round-up from April 12 . . . North Leigh 1, Abingdon Utd 1 CHAMPIONS North Leigh must wait a little longer before retaining their Premier Division crown, after Abingdon held them to a draw at Eynsham Park on Saturday
Results from April 12-13 in the RT Harris Oxford City FA, Witney & District FA, North Berks League, PL Kits Banbury District and Lord Jersey FA, Morrells of Oxford Sunday League and Autotype UTV League RT HARRIS OXFORD CITY FA Premier Cup final: Fairview
Scouts in Sutton Courtenay have received a donation of £300 from a firm operating gravel extraction in the area. Hanson has donated the money from its community fund to help towards running costs. The cash will go towards the Scouts' minibus, meeting
An elderly woman was led to safety by firefighters called to a fire in the kitchen of a house in Toll Gate Road, Culham, near Abingdon, on Saturday, April 12. Crews from Abingdon extinguished the fire in an electric cooker. The woman was helped from the
Oxford East MP Andrew Smith was handed a petition against the deregulation of pharmacies when he visited Cowley Road. Paul Jenner, who owns Jenner's Pharmacy, urged him to use his influence as Work and Pensions Secretary to oppose the Office of Fair Trading's
It was the sort of day young couples dreamed would be the same for them when it comes to trying the knot. Entertainers Murray Esplin and Di Whitehead play the hurdy-gurdy and crumhorn Warm sunshine and no rain made for a splendid springtime setting for
More than 200 Sikhs from the Oxford area put on a colourful display on Sunday, April 13, as they marked one of the holiest days in their religious calendar with a special parade. Sikhs at the festival The Festival of Vasakhi also offered them an opportunity
An exhibition displaying original illustrations from the golden age of children's literature is being launched at the Museum of Oxford. The Ladybird books exhibition features the work of three artists, Martin Aitchison, Harry Wingfield and John Berry,
Oxfordshire reached the last four of the Tetleys Under 20 County Championship for the first time when they beat The Army 28-20 in yesterday's semi-final at Aldershot. Barry Nutt makes a break for Chipping Norton In the semi-finals to be played on the
Oxford City 2, East Thurrock Utd 0: OXFORD City kept their fourth clean sheet in a row as they inflicted the first Ryman Division 1 North defeat for 12 games on East Thurrock at Court Place Farm on Saturday. The Rocks had the better of the first half,
Omar Anwar suffered the agony of failing by just one run to score a century on his first-class debut for Oxford University UCCE against Middlesex in The Parks yesterday. Middlesex celebrate the dismissal of Cowan The 19-year-old, who is in his first year
The matron of a nursing home took a 15-mile balloon ride to raise money for a sun lounge for residents. Mary Abbis's first trip in a hot air balloon was the trip of a lifetime, she said. The matron of Rush Court residential care home in Wallingford said
A donkey made by children from paper and chicken wire was the centrepiece of a Palm Sunday parade near Witney. Children from Ramsden, Finstock and Leafield walked in procession, while the Rev Jane Knowles provided music on her piano accordion. The donkey
Chinnor's award-winning steam railway preservation group is putting on a variety of special weekend events this year. The Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway Association's activities include Easter Egg specials, visits by Thomas the tank engine and
THE entrance to Wantage Cemetery could be altered to make it safer. Resident Kate Bridle asked the town council at the annual meeting if something could be done and suggested double yellow lines were added opposite the entrance. "Traffic comes down Chain
Thame Utd 0, Harlow Tn 0: This game neatly encapsulated the fortunes of Thame United's season as they created a host of chances, but failed to take them. At the back, United looked solid and restricted Harlow to only a handful of scoring opportunities
Results from April 12-13 in the Elsevier Youth League, Oxfordshire U16 Invitation League, Oxford Mail Boys League, Giles Sports Witney Boys League and schools ELSEVIER YOUTH LEAGUE JBMT 2nd rd 2nd leg: Thame Yth 2, Faringdon 1 (agg 2-3). Quarter-finals
Oxford move east tonight (Monday) for the final meeting of their hectic away schedule when they visit Peterborough Panthers for an Elite League match, which is being shown live on Sky. The team will be at full strength with Jan Staechmann taking the No
Model railway fans flocked to an exhibition with a difference on Saturday, April 12. One of the model railways Run by a group of Banbury train enthusiasts, the show at Banbury School's Broughton Hall, featured American and Canadian locomotives and rolling
A woman who admitted wounding a man has been given an eight month suspended prison sentence. Anita Byron, 22, of Quarry Road, Bayworth, was also given a two-year supervision order during a hearing at Oxford Crown Court on Friday. Byron had admitted unlawfully
A village is looking to crack down on rowdy behaviour by employing a street warden. Police, parish councillors, and a school have joined forces to promote the scheme in Bloxham, near Banbury. Street wardens are already operating in Oxford, Abingdon and
More than 130 people aged from seven to 70 took up Dorchester Sailing Club's invitation to try the sport on Saturday, April 12. Club member Paul Booker said: "We were delighted at the age range of the people who came here to see if they fancied the idea
Peter 'Buster' Godwin could hardly believe it when he walked into a charity shop -- and was presented with an electrically-operated mobility scooter. Mr Godwin Mr Godwin, 40, who has been unemployed since he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis four
Police are investigating an assault on a young woman in Didcot as she made a cry-for-help call from a phonebox moments before she was attacked. The woman, who has not been named, was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital, in Oxford, for treatment after
Two boys arrested in connection with the assault and attempted robbery of a 91-year-old woman must report to police again on Tuesday, April 15. The boys, 14 and 11, were arrested for allegedly threatening the woman with a knife and demanding money outside
Oxford Citizens' Advice Bureau is to relaunch its website. The site -- www.adviceguide.org.uk -- offers practical, reliable and up-to-date information. The new-look site has been divided into four sections, each featuring frequently asked questions on
An arsonist is believed to have started a house fire from which a woman had to be rescued. The blaze broke out on the ground floor of the three-storey property in Albert Street, Banbury, at 3.35am on Sunday, April 12. A man had already got out of the
Plans to build four homes in Grove have been revised following opposition from residents. The Vale of White Horse District Council gave permission to demolish a bungalow at Willowdene, Denchworth Road, and build a bungalow, two houses and a chalet bungalow
A competition for the best pictures of south Oxfordshire is catching the public imagination, according to its organiser. The contest for amateur photographers is being run by the district council and has a £500 first prize. Second will get £250 and third
A visit from an Easter bunny bearing gifts of eggs was the highlight of a party at Hagbourne Babies and Toddlers on April 11. Jai Davda is pictured checking his eggs. Organiser Christine Sweeney said: "Many of the 40 children who usually attend the Friday
Train services through Oxford were disrupted for more than an hour on Sunday, April 13, when a fire broke out in a pile of old wooden sleepers. Firefighters were called to the blaze near Tuckwell's Crossing off Whitehouse Road, Grandpont, close to the
A Charlbury pub is remembering a keen darts player with a memorial competition. Tony Pratley, who died recently, played the sport for more than 30 years in west Oxfordshire and was a team member of The Farmers in Sheep Street. Landlord Pete Scarrott said
Supersub Manny Omoyinmi revealed his frustration at having to wait so long for his chance after his dramatic late winner against Kidderminster on Saturday. Paul McCarthy drills in United's first Omoyinmi's superbly-taken goal two minutes from time gave
