Local News

Firefighters worked through the night to keep the fire under control Crews from three fire stations were called to reports of hay bales on fire between Hook Norton and Rollright last night (Sunday).   Firefighters from Hook Norton, Chipping Norton and Charlbury were called out at 10:43pm. The blaze involved over 100 bales by the side […]

Chris Skelley visited the club as part of the British Judo Association’s Tokyo Olympics Roadshow Members of Banbury Judo Club this weekend enjoyed a masterclass from a Team GB Paralympian.   Gold medal winner Chris Skelley visited the club as part of the British Judo Association’s Tokyo Olympics Roadshow. Chris represents Team GB in judo’s visually […]

Bridge repair work starts today leading to a road closure until January 31 Motorists are being reminded that the back road between Kings Sutton and Overthorpe is closed for three months from today. The Warkworth Road/Upper Astrop Road has been shut so Northamptonshire Highways can carry out major structural repairs to the bridge over the […]

“It is more important than ever that we make sure that social housing is allocated as fairly as possible” In the face of rising demand, the scheme which decides how social housing is allocated has been updated to make sure it is as fair as possible. Cherwell District Council’s Executive approved a new allocations scheme […]

Ellie has not been seen since late last night but is believed to be in Banbury Have you seen Ellie? Thames Valley Police is appealing for our help in locating the 17-year-old.   She has been missing since 11.30pm last night (November 6). Officers say they are concerned for her.   She is believed to be in […]

Team’s attention will now turn to promotion hopes Banbury United have exited the FA Cup in the first round at the hands of league two side Barrow AFC.   The Puritans lost 0-4 in a game where the final score did not reflect the very credible part Banbury played in the match. Banbury appeared nervous at […]

Councillor questions number of gypsy traveller refusals that are then coming through to appeal by Andy Mitchell, Local Democracy Reporter Cherwell District Council has been asked to assess whether planning applications relating to gypsy traveller sites are being handled differently to proposals of similar scale. The matter was raised at a meeting of the council’s […]

Prabhu Natarajan and his family will join Mayor Shaida Hussain as the town’s new lighting scheme is unveiled Banbury will return to starting Christmas in style again this year with the Christmas Lights being turned on by a family who have spent the last year helping others.   Prabhu Natarajan, wife Shilpa and six-year-old son Addhu […]

Nigel Matthews joined the service at 18 and gives over 120 hours of cover every week An on-call firefighter at Hook Norton fire station has been recognised for 35 years service.   Crew Manager Nigel Matthews’ dedication to the role was marked at an event on Wednesday evening. Mr Matthews, who is a 53-year-old grandfather of […]

Councillors at county hall will now receive minimum allowances of £12,000 annually – a £986.23 increase by Andy Mitchell, Local Democracy Reporter County councillors in Oxfordshire will get a nine per cent rise in allowances despite the leader declaring it “really absurd” that they had to vote on their own pay.  An independent report, the […]