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HEADINGTON NEWS ARCHIVE for 2010

London Road improvements

Work on the second stage of Oxfordshire County Council’s London Road scheme (Osler Road to Wharton Road) took place in 2010, starting on 26 April and ending in October.

Shop owners complained about loss of business, and most were unwilling to pay to have their frontages repaved.

Subway panoramas online

The subway was filled in and replaced by a pelican crossing, and Oxfordshire County Council put online two panoramic sweeps of the subway pictures. Links to the two panoramas are on this page:

Headington Inc scam

A fraudulent email in different languages claiming to be from “Headington Inc” offered a modelling contract opportunity with Coca Cola at Heathrow Airport, but in fact just tricks people out of their money.

The message from “Headington Inc” was signed by various people, including “Pamela Jones”, “Steven Macfoy”, and “Shevko Martin” (allegedly the Financier). It gives its address as Gipsy Lane, Headington, Oxford, OX3 0BP (the address and postcode of Oxford Brookes University).

Warneford Meadow

In 2010 Warneford Meadow was officially registered as a Town Green.

A High Court judge upheld the decision of Oxfordshire County Council to register the meadow, following the Judicial Review requested by Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Mental Health Trust that took place in  February 2010.

Meanwhile the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust started building a new 18-bed adolescent mental health in-patient unit to replace the Highfield Unit (which provides services to young people aged 11–18) on the Warneford Hospital site. Initial enabling work started on 15 March 2010: this included the development of a new temporary road to allow construction traffic to access the site without causing any disruption to the main entrance. The road (which will be closed when the development is complete) will link Roosevelt Drive to the development site from a temporary entrance.

Jacobs & Field

On 16 November 2010 the North-East Area Committee approved (with conditions) the planning application by Jacobs & Field (10/02627/FUL) for change of use from class A1 (retail) to mixed use class A1 (retail) and A3 (restaurant and cafés). This had been recommended for refusal by planning officers.

Jacobs & Field has been running its business in a shop at 15 Old High Street (the former Thresher’s off-licence, classified as A1 retail only) since 9 March 2010.

An application for “Erection of two-storey side extension to provide stairway to first floor flat. Internal alterations to provide enlarged retail area on ground floor and enlarged bathroom in first floor flat” was approved in December 2009 (09/02172/FUL).

An application for a licence for on and off sales of alcohol 11.00–23.00 hrs, seven days a week, was also approved (10/00090/PREM).

An application for “Demolition of rear single storey extension and erection of 2 storey rear extension to create new ground floor commercial unit (class 1/A2), 1st floor 2 bed flat and 1 bed flat in roof space” was refused in September 2010 (10/02190/FUL).

“Windmill” Fair Trade shop

The Windmill (an independent Fairtrade shop) opened at 104 London Road on 2 March 2010.

Greggs Bakers

Greggs opened at 118 London Road ( the former Reynold’s Blinds shop, near the main crossroads) on 18 November 2010.

Coco Noir

Coco Noir (Headington’s new chocolaterie) and its owner Majid Yazdani were featured in the January “In Business” magazine:

All Saints’ Church centenary

All Saints’ Church in Lime Walk celebrated its centenary in 2010. A special service was held on 29 May (the anniversary of the consecration of the church), at which the Bishop of Oxford gave the sermon, and events continued until the church’s patronal festival on 1 November.

Improvements have been made to the church for its centenary, including the enhancement of the chancel ceiling with coloured panels.

Co-op cash machine skimmed

Fraudsters fitted a skimming device to the cash machine at Headington Co-op on the London Road in November 2010

More Park-and-Rides to the JR

RH Buses started running two new bus services from the Seacourt and Redbridge Park & Rides on 4 January 2010. The services run half-hourly from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

  • The 100 service from Seacourt stops at Frideswide Square and Banbury Road, reaching the JR via Marston Ferry Road
  • The 200 service from Redbridge dovetails with the X13 bus, thus providing a 15-minute service
  • Oxford Mail, 3 January 2010:
    “New buses will be a tonic for patients”
Death of Brian Lloyd

Dr Brian Beynon Lloyd of High Wall, Pullens Lane died in the John Radcliffe Hospital on 29 June 2010. An Emeritus Fellow of Magdalen College, Oxford, Dr Lloyd was the first Director of Oxford Polytechnic. He was also Chairman of the Health Education Council and Director of the International Nutrition Foundation. As Chairman of the HEC he strenuously campaigned to raise public awareness of the dangers of smoking, for which he received the CBE in 1983.

The Lloyd Building at Oxford Brookes, which was demolished shortly after Brian Lloyd’s death, was named after him.

City Council fined for crushing car

Oxford city council was given a criminal record for illegally crushing a car parked on private land at the top of Headington Hill.

Crematorium gates stolen

The wrought-iron gates of Oxford Crematorium in Bayswater Road were stolen in June 2010.

Barton gym

The new Barton gym opened on Friday 12 November 2010, following approval of planning application 09/02718/CT3.

Desmond Tutu at Fairtrade shop

Desmond Tutu visited the Windmill Fairtrade shop in Headington on Tuesday 11 May 2010.

New Russian Orthodox Church

St Nicholas the Wonderworker Church in Ferry Road, New Marston was consecrated on Saturday 9 October 2010.

Cheney School

Because of cuts in government funding in 2010, Cheney School did not get the funding it had expected from the Building Schools for the Future programme

Two Headington cannabis farms raided

Police raided a house in Weldon Road, New Marston on Monday 17 May 2010 and seized cannabis worth more than £100,000.

A week earlier on 10 May 2010 they raided another cannabis farm in Headley Way.

Dial House planning applications

The application by the Dial House at 25 London Road for “Erection of three storey building accommodating 5 flats (1x3, 2x1 and 2x2 bed). Provision of bin and cycle storage” (10/00031/FUL) was approved in March 2010.

An earlier application for “Erection of first floor rear extension to provide 3 x en-suite guest bedrooms and a store” (09/02737/FUL) was refused.

Headington crossroads

A cabbie explained in 2010 why he thought that the central Headington crossroads was one of the most dangerous areas in Oxford:

There was a car crash at these crossroads at lunchtime on 9 July 2010:

New letting agent

Belvoir Lettings opened in summer 2010 at 253 London Road, near the Barton Road junction.

Headington Writing Group

In 2010 the Headington Writing Group published Just Words, a collection of poems, science fiction, short stories and memories. It is on sale at CoCo Noir in Headington or email, with proceeds to Reading Quest, a local charity that helps children who struggle with the early stages of reading.

Nicolas closed

The Nicolas off-licence, closed on 29 March 2010.

Londis licensing hours

Londis (on the corner of Windmill Road and London Road) was granted an extension to its premises licence, allowing it to serve alcohol 23 hours a day, 7 days a week, from 6am to 5am the next day.

Because there were objections to this proposal, a hearing was held on 7 January 2010. Conditions were imposed (09/01138/PREM).

Cut ‘n’ Create burgled

Cut ‘n’ Create hairdressers were raided on the night of Friday 3 December 2010.

Mason’s Arms

The Mason’s Arms in Headington Quarry won Camra’s Oxford City Pub of the Year 2010:

Royal British Legion saved

The Royal British Legion Club in Hadow Road, Marston was saved by a loan. It had faced closure over an unpaid £52,700 tax bill.

 

Twitter

For up-to-the-minute information:

follow @HeadingtonNews on Twitter

Election results: 6 May 2010
General Election

Andrew Smith (Labour) held Oxford East, which had a 4.1% swing to Labour.

City Council election

The seat of one candidate in each of the six city council wards covering Headington & Marston was contested. Van Coulter (Labour) gained Barton & Sandhills from LibDems. The other five seats remained as they were.

Labour won city council by-election

Labour won the city council by-election in Barton & Sandhills ward on 21 October 2010. The turnout was only 27.5%.

The votes were as follows:

• Gavin BAYLIS (Liberal Democrat): 334
• Siddo DEVA (Conservative): 86
• Julia GASPER (UKIP): 48
• Mick McANDREWS (Independent): 42
• Mike ROWLEY (Labour): 837
• Mary-Jane SAREVA (Green): 119

The seat was formerly held by Patrick Murray (LibDem).

Oxford Mail, 31 August 2010
“Lib Dems face first test as councillor resigns”

Oxford Mail, 12 October 2010:
“Poll cards reissued in by-election blunder”

New Headington shops in 2010
  • Greggs bakers have moved into the former Reynolds Blinds shop at 118 London Road which was empty since 2008
  • Reynolds Blinds (which moved from London Road to premises behind Windmill Road in 2008) moved again into the former Alliance Pharmacy shop at 8 Windmill Road (vacant since 2008)
  • Headington Fairtrade Co-operative (“The Windmill”) moved into the former opticians at 104 London Road in March 2010
  • Today’s Local opened in the former Nicolas shop at 83 London Road in October.
  • Jacobs & Field moved into the former off-licence at 15 Old High Street
  • The Manor Dental Surgery was granted permission for change of use of Evoke Hair & Beauty at 4 Manor Buildings (upstairs) from A1 (hairdresser) to D1 (dental surgery)
  • First Move Letting & Property Management moved into the former Sirz hairdresser’s shop at 4d New High Street.
  • Impact Advertising and Design (IAD) moved from the London Road to Bury Knowle Coach House
  • LJ Discount Store opened in the former Café On-Line at 115 London Road in October 2010
  • Rosemary’s Restaurant is moving into 81 London Road (site of the former fish & chip shop)
Vacant Headington shops in 2010
  • Annie Sloan, 117 London Road, became vacant in June 2010 and is going to be enlarged
  • Matthew Clulee hairdressers moved out of its Holyoake Hall branch on the London Road in November 2009
Headington SignWatch

This organization was set up in 2010 to get urban clutter in the Headington area (such as estate agents boards) removed. It has recently achieved the removal of outdated temporary bus stops and road work signs left over from the works on the London Road.

If you spot signs that should no longer be there, either contact the number on the sign and request its removal, or contact Headington SignWatch via the link below.

Father Michael Brewin

Father Michael Brewin, Vicar of St Andrew’s Church since 1987, retired, with his last Sunday service on Sunday 19 September 2010.

Beckley transmitter fire

The main TV transmitting antenna at Beckley was damaged by fire on 13 May 2010 and had to be replaced. TV services were transmitted from the reserve antenna, and some homes were having difficulty.

Ripples closes and reopens

Connell’s, the owners of John Leon House at 138/140 London Road, repossessed the Ripples Bathroom showroom on the ground floor on 2 August 2010; but Ripples reopened in December 2010.

Brookes challenge failed

In October 2010 Martin Young, who lives near Brookes’s Gipsy Lane campus, failed in his application for a judicial review of Oxford City Council’s decision to allow construction of a new library and teaching building.

He said that the council did not give proper consideration to noise issues and the addition of a bar, restaurant and shops in a public square by Headington Road.

Café Bonjour appeals dismissed

Both appeals by Café Bonjour (QL) at 136 London Road were dismissed by the Planning Inspector on 9 March 2010 . These appeals were (1) against the enforcement notice served by the city council following refusal of the first application for A3 (café) use, and (2) against the council’s decision to refuse the second application for the same.

New free bus service

A new free bus service started to operate just twice a week on 9 June 2010 to give people from Old Marston and the Headley Way area a chance to get to the Headington shops.

The H1 bus runs from Old Marston – Marston shops – Headley Way – Franklin Road – White Horse – London Road – Headington shops on Wednesday and Friday mornings.

Times are 11.05 at Franklin Road to Headington, and 12.30 return from Headington.

Marston adiZone

The adiZone in Court Place Farm, opposite Oxsrad Sports Centre, was opened on 11 December 2010. This giant multi-sport outdoor gym venue is free to use and open 365 days a year.

No Christmas lights

Headington’s Christmas lights could not be put up in 2010, because the new lampposts do not have brackets for them.

Windmill House

The rebuilt Windmill House at the south-east end of Windmill Road opened in 2010, offering facilities for vulnerable young adults and people with learning difficulties (planning application 08/02670/FUL).

Windmill House was built as a children’s home on the site of the old windmill in 1957.

Dial House application

The Dial House at 25 London Road was granted planning permission in September 2010 for: “Demolition of single storey structures. Erection of 2x1 bed flats, 2x2 bed flats and 1x3 bed flat. Provision of cycle and bin stores and communal garden area” (10/01877/FUL).

Sheepskin shortlisted for prize

Sheepskin (a holiday business launched last December and based at 41 Old High Street), was shortlisted for the Best UK Cottage/Self Catering Booking Company prize in the 2010 British Travel Awards.

Friends of Old Headington

The Friends of Old Headington celebrated their 50th birthday with a party on 15 October 2010:

Building work at Brookes

The Lloyd Building at Brookes was demolished in 2010, and Brookes put a video of the demolition online:

Cycle attack

A 76-year-old woman fell off her bike and had her handbag stolen after being attacked by another cyclist near the Butcher’s Arms in Wilberforce Street on Tuesday 2 November 2010.

Café break-in

Burglars forced the rear doors of La Croissanterie overnight on Tue 27/Wed 28 April 2010 and stole cash from the till.

On Wednesday 31 March Jacobs & Field nearby suffered a break-in between 8.30pm and 10pm and £150 was taken from the till.

Learner driver somersault in Old Road

A learner driver’s mistake in Old Road on 11 April 2010 made all the national news.

Air pollution

Oxford City Council declared all of Oxford, including Headington, an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) in April 2010.

Brothel in All Saints Road

The couple who ran the brothel in All Saints Road were ordered to pay back only 2% of their ill-gotten gains.

Dangerous dogs

In six months to January 2010 there were five attacks by dangerous dogs in Headington, and four in Wood Farm, Barton, and Marston combined.

Shell petrol station rebuilt

The Shell petrol station on the London Road was closed for six weeks in late 2010 following the installation of new pumps and the refurbishment of the forecourt canopy (following approval of plans 10/01732/FUL).

PCSOs “bought” by Brookes

Early in 2010 Oxford Brookes University “bought” two police community support offices to patrol the Headington campus and surrounding areas where students live.

Headington NAGs amalgamate

In 2010 t he Headington North and South neighbourhoods amalgamated to just Headington. The new neighbourhood team is as follows: Sgt Claire Grant, PC Chris Miles, PCSO Dave Hession, PCSO Rachel Cooper, PCSO Steph Barras and PCSO Eva Jordan.

Crashes at Headington roundabout

A coach and a car collided at the Green Road roundabout at 6.10pm on Saturday 16 October 2010. A woman with minor injuries had to be cut free from her car.

Two cars collided on the A40 near the roundabout on Wednesday 20 October 2010 at about 7.45am, and a man had to be cut free.

Johnson’s Cleaners

The Lord Mayor formally opened Johnson’s Cleaners, on the London Road on 15 January 2010. The shop (which has replaced Sketchley) is the first in Oxford to be fitted with a GreenEarth cleaning system, which used liquid silicone instead of petrochemicals.

New buildings at Brookes

On 18 March 2010 the full city council approved Oxford Brookes University’s revised plans for the redevelopment of its site. (The plans had been called in following approval by the City Council’s Strategic Development Control Committee on 24 February.)

The brief description of the plans was “Erection of new library and teaching building (NLTB) consisting of lecture theatre, library, teaching accommodation and social facilities, plus linked extension to the Abercrombie building and arcaded building to new entrance piazza to Headington Road” (09/02764/FUL).