Category: Cotswolds

Profiles of the Thames Valley police commissioner candidates

Added 12 November: Why you should vote in the police commissioner elections

A version of this article appeared in Chipping Norton News, November 2012

On Thursday 15 November, Chippy will get its first chance to vote for a police and crime commissioner, who for the next four years will have the ability to hire or fire the chief constable of Thames Valley Police. It is the largest non-metropolitan force in the country, covering nearly 2.3m people in Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire, and spending £371m this financial year. Our commissioner will be paid £85,000 annually, to be accountable for how crime is tackled in the three counties and to make the police accountable to the people they serve. Continue reading “Profiles of the Thames Valley police commissioner candidates”

Oxford Times hikes cover price by 53%, but it still beats coffee

The Oxford Times, the weekly local paper I have been reading since moving to Oxfordshire almost a decade ago, has just increased its cover price from 85p to £1.30. It’s a big one-off increase, and it may affect sales. But the new price feels more realistic than the old one: the Oxford Times is an exceptional local paper, and its new price is equivalent to a quality weekday paper and rather cheaper than a weekend one. Continue reading “Oxford Times hikes cover price by 53%, but it still beats coffee”

Olympic football: South Korea, Switzerland and a big hand for Coventry

Yesterday, Mexico defeated Gabon 2-0 then the Republic of Korea worked hard to beat Switzerland 2-1 in group B of the men’s Olympic football tournament. Not the sort of matches that get much attention here – although South Korea and California showed an interest – but a great day out and a great advert for Coventry, which hosted the two matches. Continue reading “Olympic football: South Korea, Switzerland and a big hand for Coventry”

A44, A361, A34: Chipping Norton at the crossroads

A version of this article appeared in Chipping Norton News, April 2012

If you’re driving past Bitter and Twisted towards the town hall, the choice of whether to turn right down New Street or keep straight onto West Street may not seem like a major one. But if you followed the two A-roads which divide at this point to their ultimate destinations, the turn down the hill would lead you to Aberystwyth, while the way past the bus stops would eventually get you to Ilfracombe in north Devon.
Continue reading “A44, A361, A34: Chipping Norton at the crossroads”

CI Colin Paine, the tweeting policeman of West Oxfordshire

A version of this article appeared in Chipping Norton News, March 2012

Chipping Norton’s neighbourhood and community support police officers are opening an account on Twitter.


Continue reading “CI Colin Paine, the tweeting policeman of West Oxfordshire”