Matt Simpson

Pupils across Abingdon, Wantage, Didcot and Wallingford celebrated their GCSE results, with 30.4% of South Oxfordshire pupils and 25.1% of Vale of White Horse pupils achieving grade 7 or above. Fitzharrys School highlighted several exceptional individual performances, while St Helen and St Katharine reported that 45% of grades were 9s. Abingdon Prep recorded its strongest results, King Alfred’s Academy maintained the previous year’s outcomes, Aureus School achieved its best-ever results with notable gains in English and maths, and Wallingford School praised pupils who achieved highly or overcame personal challenges.

Thames Valley Fire Control Service is receiving a high number of 999 calls about bonfires, barbecues and other potential fire risks amid dry conditions in Oxfordshire. Fire and rescue officials urged residents to call 999 only when there is a genuine emergency, such as a fire, smoke, immediate danger to life or property, or a spreading blaze. The public was advised not to light bonfires, use disposable barbecues or set off fireworks, and to dispose of cigarettes and litter responsibly. Fire services are working with landowners, farmers and property managers to reduce risks, while the Fire Brigades' Union warned that staffing cuts and underfunding are placing heavy pressure on control rooms.

Abbott Road in Abingdon will be closed to all traffic from September 28 through October 2 while Oxfordshire County Council carries out works. The council may extend the restriction if necessary, subject to statutory maximum periods, and can be contacted for further information.

A 36-year-old man was arrested near Truck Festival in Steventon after Thames Valley Police stopped his red Mercedes A-Class and searched him at Abingdon custody. Officers found a sock containing 19 wraps of cocaine concealed in his underwear. He was arrested on suspicion of possessing Class A drugs with intent to supply, possessing cannabis and driving without insurance, and his vehicle was seized.

Edmonds Park car park in Didcot will close on Monday, July 27, to allow a fair to be set up ahead of the EdFest 2026 music festival. Limited parking will be available for the rest of the day. The festival is scheduled for Saturday, August 1, with seven bands performing from 1pm to 9pm, concluding with Mudflap.

The A420 near Faringdon in Oxfordshire was closed for approximately three to four hours after a serious collision involving a motorbike and a car. Emergency services attended, motorists were diverted, and severe congestion was reported on Coxwell Road and Fernham Road. Witnesses said the motorcyclist was expected to be okay, while Thames Valley Police declined to provide further details under its collision-reporting policy.

A woman in her 40s who was critically injured when her white Vauxhall Corsa left the northbound A34 near East Ilsley is now in stable condition, though she remains hospitalized with serious injuries. The crash caused major disruption on July 8 while emergency services and investigators closed the road. Thames Valley Police are seeking witnesses and dashcam footage of the vehicle before the collision.

Keith Robert Allen, 68, pleaded guilty to driving at 35mph in a 30mph zone on the A4 Bath Road in Thatcham. Reading Magistrates’ Court fined him £123, ordered £120 in costs and a £49 victim surcharge, and disqualified him from driving for four months and seven days because of repeat offending. He also received three penalty points, and the DVLA was notified.

Police executing a warrant at a home in East Hendred found a shotgun, cannabis and an offensive weapon, leading to the arrest of a 32‑year‑old Abingdon man on multiple possession charges. He was interviewed and released on bail until mid‑September.

Oxfordshire County Council closed a loophole in its household waste recycling centres that allowed traders to dispose of commercial waste illegally. A booking system introduced in January led to 67 users being blocked for suspicious activity, resulting in significant savings and improved recycling rates. The council reports no increase in fly‑tipping and will continue monitoring, with a wider review planned for December 2026.

No.33 Didcot will close at the end of August after being given notice to leave its space in Great Western Park, roughly a year after opening. Owners stated the business nearly recouped its initial investment and stressed that the closure is not due to failure but to the limitations of a low-rent, short-term tenancy that prevents selling the business. They thanked customers and said operations will continue unchanged until closure.

A coordinated police operation targeting serious transport‑network crime resulted in 65 arrests, vehicle and weapon seizures, and significant drug‑related confiscations. Thames Valley Police highlighted the effectiveness of shared intelligence and technology, emphasising the role of public reporting in disrupting criminal activity.

St Mary's Prep School in Henley has closed after a century due to falling enrolment and financial pressures, with pupils and staff set to merge into nearby Rupert House. Leaders cited VAT on school fees, rising energy costs and declining birth rates as key challenges for independent schools. Wishford, which is partnering with Rupert House, plans to provide financial support and operational expertise as the school expands. The merger reflects a wider trend of independent schools consolidating to strengthen resilience.

An accidental barbecue‑related fire at Oaks Caravan Park near Kingston Bagpuize forced dozens of residents to evacuate, prompting a large response from 125 firefighters. Damage to the electricity system left the site unsafe, and the Vale of White Horse District Council provided temporary emergency accommodation for 12 displaced households while engineers worked to restore safety. Local authorities, police, fire services, the county council and the British Red Cross coordinated support, and police later began allowing some residents to return as nearby road closures were lifted.

Former Oxfordshire county councillor Richard Webber has died following a battle with cancer. He previously led the Liberal Democrats on both the county and district councils and was a prominent critic of the HIF1 road scheme. Tributes highlighted his dedication to local residents and his personal kindness. The Marcham Society confirmed the funeral details for mid-July.