Summary

  • Updates on Monday 7 March 2016

  • News, sport, travel and weather updates resume at 08:00 on Tuesday

Live Reporting

  1. Witney protest over Calais migrant camp

    At least 40 people joined a demonstration in Witney yesterday to highlight the plight of unaccompanied children living in the Calais migrant camp. 

    Protest in Witney over Calais migrant campLiam Walker

    Liam Walker, from Witney Conservatives, attended the protest after visiting the camp himself. 

    While it may not feel like it, he says the problem is on our doorstep.

    Some may say that we're lucky to have the Channel, because if it wasn't there the camp in Calais wouldn't exist and it would most likely be in Dover or Folkestone. But that doesn't mean because it's separated by 20-odd miles of water we do nothing, because you go through the tunnel from Dover to Calais and it's there, as soon as you can see out of the train.

    Liam Walker, Witney Conservatives

  2. What a Brill artist visit for these talented youngsters

    Thame Gazette

    Pupils at Brill C of E School got a special visit from an artist on Friday. Jane Vaux visited the school to tell the pupils about her job, and help them make their own artwork.

  3. Third of dogs rescued in 2015 by Blue Cross in Oxfordshire were strays

    More than a third of dogs admitted to the Blue Cross rehoming centre in Oxfordshire last year were strays, the charity says.

    Timothy

    From 6 April new laws will make it compulsory for all dogs to be microchipped. 

    Just over 70% of dogs brought to the charity don't have them, including Timothy (pictured) - and without one it makes it difficult for them to be returned to their owners. 

    The new law has been welcomed by Lydia Sawyer, a Blue Cross animal welfare supervisor in Burford.

    We have quite a large proportion of strays brought into us which we scan, find a chip and reunite with their owners within an hour. The relief that they feel, having their pet returned to them is tenfold. To have that as law - the number of animals that are going to get reunited will just be through the roof.

    Lydia Sawyer, Blue Cross animal welfare supervisor

  5. Oxfordshire earthquake 'significant for UK'

    The British Geological Survey (BGS) says the earthquake felt in Oxfordshire last night was one of about a dozen felt in the UK each year.

    Map showing Emmington epicentre of earthquake

    However, the magnitude 2.3 tremor has been described as "significant" because most aren't felt by members of the public.

    Old geological faults still get activated by the stresses which are put on them from the major faultlines we have. A very small earthquake, but in UK terms it was significant, it was actually felt by the general public - 90% of earthquakes go completely unnoticed, so the fact it was felt makes it a little bit special.

    BGS spokesman

  6. Lunchtime TV: The earth really did move in Oxfordshire

    South Today

    Coming up on BBC South Today: It's been confirmed that an earthquake struck Oxfordshire last night. 

    Emmington was the epicentre of the magnitude 2.3 tremor which was also felt in Chinnor, Thame and Princes Risborough. 

    Join Jessica Parker for more on that story and others from 13:30.

  7. Didcot A collapse: Police and HSE 'have given up search for missing too soon'

    David Grundy
    BBC Wales Swansea reporter

    The partner of a Swansea man who has been missing since part of Didcot power station collapsed says the police and Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have given up their search for the missing too early.

    Didcot A collapseGetty Images

    Jade Ali, the partner of 34-year-old Christopher Huxtable, wants answers about what is being done to find him and is due to meet with the HSE in Oxfordshire this lunchtime. 

    She claims she's been left in the dark about what's happened to Mr Huxtable, who is one of three workers who are still missing after half of the 10-storey building, which was being prepared for demolition, collapsed. 

    The HSE said the priority is to recover the bodies from the site which it has described as "risky" and "complex".

    Demolition firm Coleman and Company said it was "dedicated to supporting our men and their families" and described them as its "priority".

  8. Didcot A collapse victim's partner 'to receive update on investigation'

    BBC Wales News

    The long-term partner of a man who was at the Didcot power plant when part of it collapsed last month hopes to find out the latest news on the investigation from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) today.

    Collapsed building at Didcot Power Station

    Jade Ali, 28, from Swansea, Wales, is the partner of Christopher Huxtable, 34, who was part of the demolition team preparing to raise the plant.

    The collapse claimed the life of Michael Collings, 53, from East Cleveland, and three people remain missing.

    We fully understand the anguish the families of the three missing workers will be experiencing. The priority of the multi-agency response remains the recovery of the bodies to their families. Given the risks, scale and complexity of the incident and that the building collapsed without warning, emergency services have had to strike a very difficult balance between helping those trapped and injured, recovering the bodies and the need to avoid further harm on the site.

    HSE Spokesman

  9. Weather: Dry with sunny spells

    Bee Tucker
    BBC Weather

    This afternoon will stay mainly dry with some sunny spells - the best of which will be in the west.

    BBC Weather chart for Oxford for Monday 7 March 2016

    Highs of 6C (43F).  

    You can get a full forecast on the BBC weather site.

  10. Sport headlines: Victoria Pendleton to ride at Cheltenham and Appleton praises U's despite Plymouth draw

    The top sport stories for Oxfordshire: 

  11. Latest headlines: Emmington earthquake and Didcot A collapse victim's partner 'to receive investigation update'

    The top stories in Oxfordshire this lunchtime:

    • A breakthrough has been made by a scientist in Oxford which could pave the way for a cure for Parkinson's disease
    • An earthquake with a magnitude of 2.3 was detected in Oxfordshire last night - the epicentre was Emmington
    • The long-term partner of a man who was at the Didcot power plant when part of it collapsed last month hopes to find out the latest news on the investigation from the Health and Safety Executive later

  13. Victoria Pendleton: Olympic cyclist to ride at Cheltenham

    Victoria Pendleton has been given the go-ahead to ride at next week's Cheltenham Festival, just over a year after taking up the sport. 

    Victoria Pendleton on Pacha du PolderPA

    Victoria Pendleton on Pacha du Polder

    The 35-year-old double Olympic cycling champion will take part in the Foxhunter Chase on Pacha Du Polder on 18 March. 

    She guided the nine-year-old to victory at Wincanton last week - her first success as an amateur jockey.

  14. Missing Wallingford man found by search and rescue dog

    A man who had been missing from his home in Wallingford for almost two weeks has been found thanks to a search and rescue dog.

    Beau the search dog with handler Gaz ElliotSearch Dogs Buckinghamshire

    Beau the search dog with handler Gaz Elliot

    Mark Proctor, 55, disappeared on 23 February but was found on Sunday. His family says he is poorly but being looked after. 

    He was found with the help of a specially trained springer spaniel called Beau from Search Dogs Buckinghamshire.

    His handler Gaz Elloit said it was part of a group effort.

    There were several rescue teams out helping look for Mark all over the weekend and we went out yesterday - got given our areas [to search] and fortunately the dog found him so it was a good result.

    Gaz Elliot, Volunteer dog handler at Search Dogs Buckinghamshire

  15. Appleton praises U's despite Plymouth draw

    Oxford United boss Michael Appleton chose to look on the positive side after his team were held to a 2-2 draw on Saturday against promotion rivals Plymouth on Saturday.

    Michael AppletonRex Features

    U's boss Michael Appleton says his team created enough chances to win four or five games

    United twice led, but the draw stopped the home-side leapfrogging above the U's into second place in League Two.

    It was there for everybody to see. Obviously, we played magnificently - there's no getting away from that. We've created so many chances... enough chances to win four or five games and I think the travelling fans will be frustrated that we haven't [taken] the three points.

    Michael Appleton, Oxford United manager

  16. Sutton Wick 1957 air crash memorial unveiled

    Dave Gilyeat
    BBC News

    A memorial has been unveiled to the victims of an air crash in Oxfordshire almost 60 years ago.

    Memorial ceremony in Sutton WickMemorial Mob

    Eighteen people died when an RAF Blackburn Beverley aircraft came down in Sutton Wick near Drayton in 1957.

    The idea for memorial came from the Memorial Mob - a group campaigning for recognition of less well-known fatal incidents involving the armed services and emergency services.  

  17. Parkinson's disease: The facts

    It is caused by a loss of nerve cells in part of the brain called the substantia nigra and there is currently no cure.

    It's thought about one in 500 people are affected, which means there are an estimated 127,000 people in the UK with the condition.  

    The three main symptoms of Parkinson's disease:

    • A tremor which usually begins in the hand or arm
    • Slowness of movement 
    • Muscles stiffness and tension, which can make it difficult to move around and make facial expressions

    Source: Parkinson's disease - NHS

  18. Vicar of Dibley writer talks about 'funny side' of Parkinson's disease

    Paul Mayhew-Archer, one of the writers of Mrs Brown's Boys and The Vicar of Dibley, has opened up about what he calls the "funny side" of Parkinson's disease.

    Paul Mayhew-Archer

    Paul Mayhew-Archer

    It comes as Oxford scientist Professor Richard Wade-Martins claims he's made a breakthrough which could pave the way for a cure.

    Find out more on BBC's Inside Out programme - Parkinson's: The Funny Side - on BBC One at 19:30.

    When I saw the neurologist and I was diagnosed he said you should expect five good years, and I remember thinking that's pretty good because up until now I've had the odd good year but never five.

    Paul Mayhew-Archer, Oxfordshire-based comedy script writer

  19. Sport headlines: Victoria Pendelton's Cheltenham festival participation set to be announced

    The top sport stories this morning:

    • Oxford United boss Michael Appleton has praised his side despite their 2-2 draw on Saturday against promotion rivals Plymouth
    • Victoria Pendleton's Cheltenham festival participation is set to be announced today
    • In ice hockey, Oxford City Stars picked up their third win in four, with a 6-3 victory at the London Raiders

  20. Latest headlines: Parkinson's disease breakthrough and Emmington earthquake

    The top stories in Oxfordshire this morning: