For some, it might have seemed like history repeating itself – Botley was part of Berkshire until its switch to Oxfordshire in 1974.

But before and after this date, it has always been part of the Oxford Mail’s ‘territory’, with photographers regularly covering events ‘over the county border’.

Picture 1 dates from 1986 when pupils at Botley Primary School got an important message – building sites were not adventure playgrounds.

They were taken on a tour of a construction site at Seacourt Tower to see how accidents can occur.

Site manager David Dibben told them: “There are all sorts of things on a building site which can harm young children. Playing on scaffolding and with plant machinery is especially dangerous.”

2

Botley housewives in Picture 2 carried out an all-day traffic count on a dual carriageway they called ‘death road’.

Sitting on both sides of West Way, they counted every car, lorry and cycle that passed and every pedestrian who crossed the road.

The traffic count was the latest move in a campaign to get an underpass.

Service with a smile earned staff at Bishop’s store in Picture 3 a silver cup and prizes worth more than £3,000 in 1983.

3

The good manners of the 45 workers put the supermarket in the top six in a competition between the company’s 63 stores.

There was great excitement among youngsters when it was announced that a discotheque would be opening at Elms Court in 1969.

4

Disc jockey Mick Murphy is seen in Picture 4 with some of the girls who enjoyed the first evening.

There was more excitement in Picture 5 when young footballers – boys and girls – celebrated the opening of their new pavilion in 1998.

5

They are seen with two football managers, Malcolm Shotton and Malcolm Crosby, who both had spells at Oxford United.

6

Picture 6 was taken in 2000 when Botley joined thousands of other communities to celebrate the Queen Mother’s 100th birthday. Lena Tyrrell, 86, is seen with seven-month-old Frances Shearan in the shopping precinct.

Sam Layne, formerly of Albert Street, Banbury, was sentenced at Oxford Crown Court on June 10.

The 41-year-old had pleaded not guilty to one count of rape, said to have been committed in Banbury in the early hours of February 15, 2023.

However he was found guilty by a jury during a trial earlier this year.

The court heard the incident took place at Layne’s flat after a night out in Banbury.

READ MORE: Serial Oxfordshire paedophile jailed for life dies

Sam Layne (Image: TVP)

On Valentine’s Day, the complainant had been playing darts at the Dog and Gun, and pool at the Horse and Jockey.

The woman ended up at Layne’s flat in the early hours of the morning and fell asleep. When she woke up, she accused Layne of having raped her.

Prosecution barrister Edward Lucas said: “The defendant is a high risk of serious harm to females. There was a clear abuse of trust.

“The rape occurred when she was asleep, so she was unable to defend herself. This has had a profound impact on the complainant.”

Layne was jailed for seven years.

He was also made the subject of a sexual harm prevention order for 15 years and notification requirements indefinitely.

He was also given a restraining order to not contact the victim until further order.

Witney MP Charlie Maynard criticised the Government for not supporting a proposal that would have brought single living military accommodation up to the Decent Homes Standard – which is already applied to service family housing.

Mr Maynard said: “The men and women of our Armed Forces make enormous sacrifices on behalf of the country.

“Providing safe, decent housing should be the minimum we expect for those who serve.”

The amendment was defeated in a recent vote, with Labour MPs opposing it.

Conservative and Reform MPs did not participate.

Mr Maynard said: “If we ask people to dedicate their lives to defending our country, the least we can do is ensure they have homes that meet decent standards.”

He said that the result was disappointing and called for renewed efforts to improve conditions for service personnel.

The Liberal Democrats have pledged to continue campaigning for better military accommodation and stronger support for service members and their families.

Mr Maynard said: “Those who serve our country deserve safe, secure and decent homes.

“Anything less is simply not good enough.”

The call comes as RAF Brize Norton has seen recent upgrades to its pre-fabricated family housing.

Tuesday’s vote focused on raising single living accommodation to the same standards.