George Clooney made a birthday wish come true for one elderly fan in England after making a surprise visit to her senior living facility. The Ocean’s Eleven star and his wife Amal own a countryside home near the Sunrise Sonning Retirement and Assisted Living Facility in Reading, and staff members recently decided to reach out to the actor in a bid to convince him to stop by and make Pat Adams’ dreams a reality.
Category: Oxfordshire County, England
Drunk barred from every pub in his town after assaulting staff
A MAN has been banned from every pub in his town and handed a suspended prison sentence after he attacked staff who refused to let him into a pub. Darren David Evans, 41, of Hamilton Close, Bicester, was sentenced to four months’ in prison, suspended for 12 months and given a two-year community behaviour order at Banbury Magistrates’ Court on March 3. He had pleaded guilty to two counts of assault, one count of theft from a shop and one count of drunk and disorderly.
Hair salon aims for more crowning glory
A SWINDON salon owner could be crowned the best in the south west during a prestigious awards ceremony next week. Emma North, who owns Simply Beautiful by Emma based in Cheney Manor , has been shortlisted in the English Hair & Beauty Awards for the third year running and now the 26-year-old is hopeful she will take home the crown.
Driver and passenger cut free after van smashes into tree
THE driver and passenger of a van that had smashed into a tree had to be cut free this morning by fire fighters. The van crashed into a ditch and collided with a tree at about 1.40am this morning in South Moreton, near Didcot.
Historic city pub set for major revamp
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UK braced for 80mph winds as ‘weather bomb’ Storm Doris blows in
Storm Doris has embarked on its destructive path across Britain, with gusts of nearly 80mph, cancelled flights and commuters warned of delays. A 79mph gust was recorded in Gwynedd, North Wales, at 8am as Doris started to make its way east across the country, with the system later declared a “weather bomb” by the Met Office.
Woman stuck in mud up to her chest rescued by fire crews
A woman had to be pulled from a quagmire by fire fighters after becoming stuck in mud up to her chest. When crews arrived to the scene near the village green in Steventon at 4.30pm on Wednesday they found the 48-year-old partially submerged in mud and water.
Find your new career at today’s Oxford Times Jobs Fair
The firm is just one of many companies offering exciting new job and training opportunities across a wide variety of industries at the fair, which runs from 10am at Oxford Town Hall in St Aldates. The team of staff from Paterson, which was established in 1972, said the jobs fair was a great opportunity to recruit prospective employees for their clients.
New manager Dion Webster at the Oxford Wellbeing Centre in New Inn Hall Street
A ‘FAST access’ centre for young people facing mental health difficulties to get treatment has opened its doors in the heart of Oxford. Independent provider The Priory Group, which runs private mental healthcare hospitals and clinics across the UK, has set up a ‘Wellbeing Centre’ in New Inn Hall Street.
Remains of the SODC offices in Crowmarsh Gifford after a devastating fire. Pic: Vagner Vidal
CAMPAIGNERS have renewed demands to rebuild a burnt-out council building after it emerged that securing it will cost A 20,000. South Oxfordshire District Council has set aside the cash in its budget this year to sustain security patrols at its former offices in Crowmarsh Gifford, which had previously been covered by insurance.
Dr Joe McManners, chairman of Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group. Picture Tony Moore
A LEADING GP has warned that doctors could be reluctant to take on extra shifts as a new scheme offering patients appointments seven days a week gets underway. On Wednesday three federations of GP practices, including one in Abingdon, agreed to launch the new service, with additional hours on weekday evenings, and a surgeries on Sunday from 8am to 11am.
Remembering The ‘Edutainer’ Who Made Statistics Come To Life
He called himself an “edutainer.” His gift was bringing statistics about the world to life.
Calls to re-use decaying club for community space
The social club in Edgecombe Road stopped serving pints in August 2014 and committee members blamed tough financial times for the closure. Now, more than two-and-a-half years on, members of the community want to see the land, owned by Oxford City Council , revamped into a social space for residents.
Calls to re-use decaying club for community space
The social club in Edgecombe Road stopped serving pints in August 2014 and committee members blamed tough financial times for the closure. Now, more than two-and-a-half years on, members of the community want to see the land, owned by Oxford City Council , revamped into a social space for residents.
Automatic gates could be banned in bid to protect city’s Victorian heritage
Inappropriate automatic gates, paving over front gardens to make way for a car parking space and extensions on the ends of terraces could all be blocked. The North Oxford Victorian Suburb Conservation Area – established in 1968 – will take a step towards being updated later this week, with city councillors expected to approve it for public consultation.
Automatic gates could be banned in bid to protect city’s Victorian heritage
Inappropriate automatic gates, paving over front gardens to make way for a car parking space and extensions on the ends of terraces could all be blocked. The North Oxford Victorian Suburb Conservation Area – established in 1968 – will take a step towards being updated later this week, with city councillors expected to approve it for public consultation.
Animal sanctuary appeals for more volunteers
Julia and David Vaughan of Didcot Animal Sanctuary who are looking for a new home give goats a treat at their present site near Appleford which is set to be sold for new technology park.. The centre needs more help to look after its 200 plus animals including pigs, goats, chickens and ducks in Hill Farm, Appleford.
Could these maths boffins help you get cheaper train tickets?
FIGURE IT OUT: Jeremy Acklam has a team of maths experts crunching numbers to save rail travellers millions Picture Richard Cave. MATHS experts from Oxford say rail users will save millions with a new train-booking website which went live this week.
War veteran admits ‘stupid mistake’ after confronting drug dealer with police baton
A WAR veteran who ‘foolishly’ armed himself with a police baton before confronting a drug dealer has been handed a conditional discharge. Terence Roper, who was made an MBE for his services to the armed forces, admitted storming round to an Oxford house in search of convicted drug dealer Daniel Riley.
Royal Wootton Bassett man jailed for six months after threatening people in Calne
A 21-YEAR-OLD man from Royal Wootton Bassett has been jailed for six months after he threatened people with a knife in Calne town centre. Connor Kirkley of Eveleigh Road, was sentenced at Swindon Crown Court on Friday, January 27 after pleading guilty to possession of a knife and a section four public order offence.
On this day from Monday, January 23, 2017
Mr Bernard Newman, a British agent in the First World War and author of many spy novels, told real life spy stories at a lecture, arranged by the Town Council Library, Museum, Arts and Music committee, at the Art Centre as part of the Heritage of Britain festival. 1961: The annual staff dance held by the Swindon branch of the RAF Association has just obtained another celebrity signature by enrolling Bud Flanagan as a member of the Friends of the Association.
Emergency responders in Magdalen Road this morning. Picture: Sophie Grubb
A WOMAN has been found dead inside an East Oxford home after a ‘fear for welfare’ incident closed a street, police have confirmed. Thames Valley Police said the woman was believed to be in her 20s but investigations were expected to continue throughout the day.
Parish council declares interest in Upper Stratton Library takeover
COUNCILLORS in Stratton have surmounted the first major hurdle as they consider the possibility of taking over the running of Upper Stratton Library. On Tuesday night councillors agreed to submit an Expression Of Interest form to Swindon Borough Council stating their desire for a potential takeover.
Oxford-bound traffic queuing for miles on A34 after three-car crash
DELAYS on the A34 are starting to clear after a crash involving a motorbike caused Oxford-bound traffic to build up. Highways England said there were delays of up to 40 minutes, with vehicles hit by long delays in both directions.
Oxford-bound traffic queuing for miles on A34 after three-car crash
DELAYS on the A34 are starting to clear after a crash involving a motorbike caused Oxford-bound traffic to build up. Highways England said there were delays of up to 40 minutes, with vehicles hit by long delays in both directions.
PICTURES: Classic car enthusiasts enjoy a grand day out at Bicester Heritage
Classic car enthusiasts pulled up in droves at a former RAF base in Launton this weekend for the first Sunday Scramble of the year. A gleaming array of vintage vehicles filled the grounds of Bicester Heritage as the newly-refurbished site opened its workshops, showrooms and buildings to the public.
PICTURES: Toys and bikes ‘completely destroyed’ in fire at school
A SHED full of play equipment, toys and bikes at a Bicester school was razed to the ground on Sunday night. The incident is understood to have taken place at Bardwell School in Hendon Place, which caters for youngsters aged two to 19 with special educational needs, at about 11pm.
Bicester salon owner Martin Parker-Frost who pulled over dangerous lorry driver on the A40 in Oxford
A HAIRDRESSER has been praised for his bravery after helping to stop a lorry driver who appeared to lose control on the A40. Martin Parker-Frost was driving from Headington to Wheatley to visit a friend when he saw the HGV weaving across the dual carriageway.
Bardwell School in Bicester, where fire destroyed a shed last night
A SHED full of play equipment, toys and bikes at a Bicester school was razed to the ground last night. The incident is understood to have taken place at Bardwell School in Hendon Place, which caters for youngsters aged two to 19 with special educational needs, at about 11pm.
Special birthday for Joyce to see in New Year
ONE Swindon family had a double celebration as the last day of 2016 heralded the 100th birthday of Joyce Walters. Swindon-born Joyce, known more widely as Joyce Vizor, was surrounded by almost 100 friends and family members in a special birthday party at Wrag Barn Golf Club.
Review of the Year: Didcot – From tragedy to a 80m transformation
Neil Wadley, 47, of Pound Lane, Upton, was the leader of a criminal gang and was jailed with nine accomplices at Oxford Crown Court for a total of 91 years and 11 months for their parts in a drug-dealing conspiracy. Wadley was given a 17-year jail term while his right-hand man Gary Hunt, 39, of Church Street, Didcot, was jailed for eight-and-a-half years.
Goldsmiths thieves still at large year after city centre raid
TODAY marks one year since 11 masked men smashed their way into an Oxford jewellers in one of the biggest ever heists in the city. And despite a major police investigation and CCTV showing the burglars sledge-hammering their way into the shopping centre from Cornmarket Street, no arrests have been made and detectives still have no idea where the men are 12 months on.
Money pours in for young dad who has lost leg and hand
NEARLY A 20,000 has been raised for a Swindon dad left with life-changing injuries after he suffered an electrical shock while working on scaffolding last week. Jamie Mines was five meters up on the scaffolding in Galton Way last Monday when the accident happened, seeing crews from Swindon, Stratton and Chippenham attend.
Domino’s ready to serve a slice of festivities on Christmas Day
PEOPLE looking for something different from the traditional turkey Christmas dinner with all the trimmings on Sunday can call on Domino’s for help who will be open on Christmas Day. It’s not the first time that the pizza delivery favourite has stayed open over the festive period and this year any profits made on the day will be donated to Make Some Noise – a national charity run by Global, a media and entertainment company who own radio stations such as Heart FM.
Scales of Justice: Latest round-up of convictions
Aidan Scott, 20, of Welch Way, Witney, admitted damaging a BMW 1 Series car belonging to James Kerswill in Witney on September 24. Also admitted having an air weapon, without reasonable excuse, in Welch Way, Witney, on the same date. Fined A 250 and ordered to pay A 150 compensation, a A 30 victim surcharge and A 85 costs.
Council agrees to sell land to Heights school
A NEW school is set to be built on a public sports ground in Caversham. Reading Borough Council has agreed to sell a section of Mapledurham playing fields, off Woodcote Road, as a permanent site for the Heights Free School.
On this day from Monday, December 19 2016
At the Memorial Hall Mr S W Free of Bristol won the prize for Best In Show with a sable called Rex. 1960: A large congregation attended a Carol service given by the Newspaper House Choir Swindon at Chiseldon Parish Church.
Businesses in Swindon wear it festive for charity
Nationwide, in Pipers Way, raised money for its charity partner Shelter – which seeks to end homelessness in the UK – with a variety of activities including festive treats, quizzes, and employees dressed in their favourite Christmas jumpers. Stephan Uden, head of social investment at Nationwide, said: “It’s great to see all our people coming together to help make a difference to end homelessness in the UK.