BBC Local Live: Oxfordshire on Thursday 31 December 2015

Summary

Updates on Thursday 31 December 2015
News, sport, travel and weather updates resume at 08:00 on Monday 4 January

Live Reporting

Andrew Humphrey

Middle Aston death man 'was checking crashed car'published at 14:08
A man who was killed on the A4260 in Middle Aston yesterday, external was struck by a reversing van while walking towards another car that had overturned.
At about 08:00 the 59-year-old had parked his green Vauxhall Corsa to approach an overturned black Fiat Punto, but was hit by a Ford Transit Tipper van, police say.
The driver of the Ford Transit has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, and police are appealing for witnesses.
Flood Alert issued for Upper Ouse near Brackleypublished at 13:48
A Flood Alert has been issued by the Environment Agency, external for the Upper Ouse and tributaries.
The warning suggests people in the area be prepared as the river levels have risen after the rainfall of the last few days, but no more significant precipitation is expected for the next 48 hours.
100 things we didn't know last yearpublished at 13:33
BBC News has produced its almanac of the 100 best news snippets selected by the Magazine in 2015.
Image source, Thames Valley Police
At number two is a story we will be very familiar with in Oxford - the row that erupted when Thames Valley Police said that police horse hopeful Brian would have to change his name if he was selected.
Pope Francis's leadership hailed by Catholic Bishop of Oxfordpublished at 13:14
BBC Radio Oxford
Pope Francis is making a huge difference to Catholicism around the world, according to the Roman Catholic Bishop for Oxfordshire, William Kenny.
Image source, EPA
He says Pope Francis is having a bigger impact on the Catholic faith than many people realise and believes that is going to continue.
Quote Message
It's not about changing the principles or the things we believe in. It is about a change in the way we treat people, and the way particularly that people who don't always manage are still welcome, and are made very welcome among us.
William Kenny, Roman Catholic Bishop of Oxford
West Oxfordshire rivals raise around £450 through charity gamepublished at 13:01
Witney Gazette
Sportsmen from rival teams in West Oxfordshire went head to head in a charity football match on a flooded pitch to raise money for disabled people, external in the county.
Lunchtime TV: New Year Honours in the Southpublished at 12:53
South Today
On South Today this afternoon: People from all walks of life across the region have been recognised in the Queen's New Year Honours list.
Image source, PA
And whether they are famous or unknown, all have been singled out for their dedication to their chosen field.
We'll bring you a round-up of the awards in the South.
Join Emma Vardy for all the region's news at 13:10.
Weather: Heavy rain arriving laterpublished at 12:45
BBC Weather
The afternoon's sunny spells will give way to some heavy rain showers, which may be thundery in places.
You can get a full forecast on the BBC Weather site.
Sport headlines: Oxford United Women looking to bring through talentpublished at 12:38
Robyn Cowen
Presenter, Radio Oxford Sport
This afternoon's top sport stories:
- Oxford United Women's coach is aiming to develop young talent next season, before the added pressure of relegation is introduced to the division
- Former U's midfielder Kayleigh Hines, who has signed to play full-time for Reading next season, has paid tribute to Oxford United Women
Latest headlines: Oxford jewellers burgled and emergency services prepare for New Year's Evepublished at 12:31
Andrew Humphrey
BBC Local Live
The county's top stories this lunchtime:
- A police presence is likely to remain at Oxford's Clarendon Centre until this afternoon after a suspected burglary overnight
- Extra ambulances will be on duty tonight as the county's emergency services prepare for one of their busiest nights
- The Liberal Democrats are "fighting back" under new leader Tim Farron, the region's MEP Catherine Bearder says
Kayleigh Hines thanks Oxford Women for 'two fantastic years'published at 12:21
Robyn Cowen
Presenter, Radio Oxford Sport
Former Oxford United midfielder Kayleigh Hines says her move to WSL1 shows that young female players in Oxfordshire can aspire to a professional career.
Image source, The FA
Image caption,
Kayleigh Hines, left, in action for Oxford United
The 24-year old joined newly promoted Reading Women this week after two years as a part-time player in WSL2 with the U's.
Quote Message
The welcome that I had at the club initially when I came was a real family feel, and obviously I spent two fantastic years here and could have spent many more if it wasn't for the opportunity coming up to be full time.
Kayleigh Hines, Reading FC Women
Local people receive New Year honourspublished at 11:56
Henley Standard
A scientist and an equality campaigner from the Henley area have been recognised in this year’s New Year’s Honours, external.
Cropredy man awarded British Empire Medalpublished at 11:42
An 85-year-old man has been awarded a British Empire Medal for his services to the village of Cropredy, near Banbury.
Leslie Underdown is the president of his local branch of the Royal British Legion, founder of the Cropredy Boat Club, active member of the church and a bell ringer.
He says he gets a great satisfaction from helping people, and urges the young to "get involved".
Former Oxfordshire county councillor Don Seale diespublished at 11:33
Roz Tappenden
BBC South
A former councillor who served on Oxfordshire County Council for 16 years has died.
Image source, AFP
Don Seale was division member for Bampton from 2005 to 2013 and for Burford between 1997 and 2005. He served as chairman in 2012-13.
He died on Christmas morning, the authority says.
Sledgehammer left after suspected Clarendon Centre burglarypublished at 11:14
Brennan Nicholls
BBC News
A sledgehammer remains inside Goldsmiths The Jewellers inside the Clarendon Centre in Oxford, which police say was subject to a suspected burglary overnight.
Image caption,
The sledgehammer left in the entrance to the Clarendon Centre jewellers
A cabinet inside the shop appears damaged, and exits in both Cornmarket and New Inn Hall Street have both been shattered.
A cordon in Cornmarket is likely to stay in place until this afternoon, police say, but the entrance is open for business.
House prices predicted to continue rising in 2016published at 11:02
BBC Radio Oxford
The rise in house prices in Oxfordshire looks set to continue into 2016, according to housing expert Henry Pryor.
Image source, PA
He says lack of supply and strong demand will inflate the market, but a possible increase in the cost of borrowing could slow down price rises.
Quote Message
We're going to see house prices continue to rise, but I think some of the heat is going to come out of the market because inevitably the Bank of England will follow the Federal Reserve's lead and we're going to see increased interest rates.
Henry Pryor, Housing expert
Lynton Crosby knighthood criticised by MEP Catherine Bearderpublished at 10:48
BBC Radio Oxford
The knighthood awarded to Conservative general election strategist Lynton Crosby is undeserved, the region's Liberal Democrat MEP Catherine Bearder says.
Image source, PA
Sir Lynton is not the first person to be involved in politics to receive an award, with Labour's strategist Spencer Livermore now in the House of Lords.
Quote Message
They can't get past giving their mates a pat on the back... it devalues everybody else's awards and that really shouldn't happen.
Catherine Bearder, Liberal Democrat MEP for South East
Sport headlines: Full-time contract too good to turn down for Kayleigh Hinespublished at 10:38
Robyn Cowen
Presenter, Radio Oxford Sport
This morning's top sport stories:
- Former Oxford United midfielder Kayleigh Hines says she is determined to seize her chance in the top flight after joining Reading Women on a professional contract
- Oxford United's final remaining tickets for their FA Cup tie against Swansea will go on sale at 09:30, with only tickets unclaimed by season ticket holders now available to supporters
Latest headlines: Jewellers burglary and house price risespublished at 10:31
Andrew Humphrey
BBC Local Live
Oxfordshire's top stories this morning:
- A jewellers in Oxford's Clarendon Centre has been targeted in a suspected burglary
- House prices in the county are expected to continue to rise next year, according to an industry expert
- The knighthood given to the Conservative Party's election guru undermines the awards, according to Oxford Lib Dem MEP Catherine Bearder
New training scheme will help county firefighters expand their rolepublished at 10:24
Banbury Cake
Firefighters in Oxfordshire are to be trained, external to spot signs of fraud, health problems, abuse and even religious radicalism in people’s homes.
Oxford jewellers targeted in suspected burglarypublished at 10:13
Rahil Sheikh
BBC News Oxford
Police are at the scene of a suspected burglary at a jewellers in Oxford's Clarendon Centre during the night.
Image source, Google
Thames Valley Police say officers were called at about 03:45.
Any witnesses are being urged to contact the police.