More than 20 schools to become phone-free zones under new scheme

• Thirty secondary schools across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Milton Keynes will receive a share of £254,000.

Today in Oxfordshire

Conditions in your area this morning.

The local news that matters this morning

Here's the local news from the past 24 hours, made easy to digest.

Bicester Advertiser - News (Bicester) · yesterday Oxfordshire parents 'abandoned' after first day back school transport fiasco • Two Oxfordshire MPs have written to Oxfordshire County Council about the council leaving families in the dark over school transport.

Oxford Mail · yesterday Alarm raised over 'botched' A-road named Oxfordshire's 'deadliest' • "Botched" repairs on a 1.5-mile stretch of a road repeatedly described as Oxfordshire's "deadliest" have caused alarm amid concern "no action".

Oxford Mail · Local news · yesterday Fears of lengthy traffic jams once Botley Road reopens • Concerns have been raised that motorists will be stuck in lengthy traffic jams once Botley Road reopens.

Herald Series - News (Abingdon, Didcot, Wantage) · Local news · yesterday Oxfordshire drugs arrest after police chase through cricket match and gardens • Thames Valley Police has revealed that following a police chase through a cricket match and some gardens an Oxfordshire man has been arrested.

Herald Series - News (Abingdon, Didcot, Wantage) · Local news · yesterday Oxfordshire quiet lane change approved as transport chief claps back at police • Oxfordshire's transport chief has clapped back at police as he approved plans for the first of the county's new 'quiet lane' schemes.

Witney Gazette - News (Witney, West Oxfordshire) · Local news · yesterday School Streets exemption applications hits 200 • Some 200 applications are in a backlog for School Streets across Oxfordshire.

Oxfordshire County Council - News · Council · yesterday First sites approved for Oxfordshire’s electric vehicle charging programme • Oxfordshire residents will soon be able to access more electric vehicle (EV) charging sites as part of plans to make EV charging easier and more accessible across the county. • Eleven on-street sites in Berinsfield, Burford, Henley-on-Thames, Kidlington and Oxford were given the go-ahead at an Oxfordshire County Council cabinet member decision meeting on Thursday 3 September.

Witney Gazette - News (Witney, West Oxfordshire) · Local news · yesterday Jeremy Clarkson gave some 'inappropriate advice' before filming • The new Grand Tour hosts have said Jeremy Clarkson gave them some "inappropriate advice" before filming.

Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust - News · NHS/health · yesterday Thames Valley mental health partners set out priorities for 2026/27 • Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust has joined Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, NHS Thames Valley Integrated Care Board, voluntary and community sector organisations, and people with lived experience in publishing a new Executive Position Statement for 2026/27.

Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust - News · NHS/health · yesterday Could Virtual Reality help young people tackle social eating challenges? • Trying out a virtual reality (VR) café for young people with eating disorders

Oxfordshire County Council - News · Council · yesterday Study shows potential benefits of new railway station at Ardley • A new study has shown there is a credible basis for a new passenger railway station at Ardley to be developed. • An initial pre-feasibility study by Oxfordshire County Council explored the potential for the new station on the Chiltern Main Line, including assessing viability and identifying key considerations for further development.

What's on: next 14 days

A quick-view of 44 priority public listings from 44 tracked events over the next 14 days. Tap any item for the source and full details.

14 Sep · The Bullingdon + Plush + Cowley Retreat + Black Swan + James Street Tavern25% OFF SUMMER SALE TICKET ULTIMATE OXFORD BROOKES FRESHERS 2026 Official Student Partners with BoohooMAN FREE T-Shirt with Every Ticket! Sold Out 15 years Running!

18 Sep · Holywell Music Room, OX1 3SBCandlelight: Ed Sheeran & Coldplay

7 Sep · The Sheldonian TheatreFREE CONCERT - HANDEL'S MESSIAH

7 Sep · Sheldonian Theatre, University of OxfordHANDEL’S MESSIAH at The Sheldonian Theatre, Oxford

12 Sep · Blackwell's BookshopMiriam Margolyes BOOK SIGNING

5 Sep · OX2 9DGOxford - 'FREE' - MUSLIM MARRIAGE EVENT

14 Sep · Plush OxfordOxford Big Freshers Icebreaker - Presented by FOOTASYLUM - UK Largest Freshers Events - Sold Out 10 Years Running

13 Sep · Various VenuesOxford Freshers 2026 Wristband

15 Sep · Plush OxfordOxford Freshers Welcome Week - ABBA Wonderland - Sold out 10 years running!

13 Sep · Plush OxfordOxford Freshers Welcome Week 2026 - UK Largest Freshers Events - Sold Out 10 Years Running

7 Sep · St Giles', OxfordOXFORD ST GILES Family Fun Fair

18 Sep · Examination SchoolsThe Oxford Wine Festival 2026 (Friday Evening)

12 Sep · Wadham CollegeR60: One with the Earth – 60th anniversary of Resurgence

7 Sep · Blackwell's BookshopRowan Williams with Philip Goff WHY?

18 Sep · The Ruskin School of ArtRuskin Undergraduate Open Days 2026

12 Sep · New Theatre OxfordSam Campbell Live in Oxford

15 Sep · O2 Academy OxfordTHE FRESHERS RAVE FT DR BANANA

11 Sep · Oxford Town HallThe Music Of Phil Collins - The Candlelight Concert - Oxford Town Hall

13 Sep · The Bullingdon + Plush + Cowley Retreat + Black Swan + James Street TavernULTIMATE OXFORD BROOKES FRESHERS 2026 Sold Out 15 years Running! FREE T-Shirt with Every Ticket!

12 Sep · O2 Academy OxfordWelcome To Oxford Brookes

5 Sep · Oxfordshire, United KingdomC.S. Lewis & J.R.R. Tolkien Tour

5 Sep at 15:002026 Crime Fiction Weekend

5 Sep · Ashmolean Museum, Ashmolean Museum, Beaumont Street,, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX1 2PH, United KingdomAshmolean NOW: Soma Surovi Jannat

5 SepBach to Baby Family Concert in Oxford Summertown

5 Sep · Old Swan & Minster Mill, Minster Mill,, Minster Lovell, Oxfordshire, OX29 0RN, United KingdomBand & Brew at The Old Swan

5 Sep · Ashmolean Museum, Ashmolean Museum, Beaumont Street,, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX1 2PH, United KingdomColonial Views of India: Photographs by Eugene Clutterbuck Impey

5 Sep · The Slaughters Manor House, The Slaughters Manor House, Copsehill Road,, Lower Slaughter, Gloucestershire, GL54 2HP, United KingdomEscape to the Manor for Afternoon Tea

5 Sep at 10:00 · Oxford, Oxfordshire, United KingdomFamily Day at the Science Oxford Centre

5 Sep · Waddesdon Manor, Waddesdon Manor, Waddesdon,, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP18 0JH, United KingdomFour Seasons at Waddesdon Manor

5 Sep · Oxfordshire, United KingdomHarry Potter Highlights Walking Tour

5 SepMurder Mystery Adventure

5 Sep · Museum of Oxford, Museum of Oxford, Oxford Town Hall, St Aldates,, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX1 1BX, United KingdomMuseum of Oxford Walks: The Lost Streets of St Ebbes

5 SepOxford Ghost Tour

5 Sep at 11:30 · Oxfordshire, United KingdomOxford On Screen Walking Tour

5 Sep · Ashmolean Museum, Ashmolean Museum, Beaumont Street,, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX1 2PH, United KingdomRoman Oxfordshire Coins Display

5 Sep · Blenheim Palace, Blenheim Palace,, Woodstock, Oxfordshire, OX20 1UL, United KingdomSalon Privé 2026

5 SepSaturday Boat trips on the Banbury Canal

5 Sep · Sheldonian Theatre, Sheldonian Theatre, Broad Street,, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX1 3AZ, United KingdomSheldonian Guided Tour

5 Sep · Sudbury House Hotel & Restaurant, 56 London Street,, Faringdon, Oxfordshire, SN7 7AA, United KingdomSummer at Sudbury House

5 Sep · Waterperry Gardens, Waterperry Gardens, Waterperry,, Wheatley, Oxfordshire (for Satnav please use postcode OX33 1LA), OX33 1JZ, United KingdomSummer Orienteering Butterfly Trail

5 Sep · Westgate Oxford, Westgate Oxford, Queen Street,, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX1 1TR, United KingdomTake part in the FREE Hatter's Hunt at Westgate Oxford

5 Sep · City Sightseeing Oxford Visitor Information Point, City Sightseeing Oxford Visitor Information Point, Queens Lane, 44 - 45 High Street,, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX1 4AP, United KingdomThe Oxford Explorer's Passport Trail

5 SepTimeless Tales

5 Sep at 11:00White Cube at Claydon

Resident pulse

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Did you know? · Oxfordshire

Each May Morning at 6am, Magdalen College Choir sings the Hymnus Eucharisticus from the top of the college's tower to welcome the dawn, a tradition dating back centuries.

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