Ten Years Ago

STAINED-GLASS windows at a Henley church were smashed this week by vandals who caused an estimated £25,000 of damage. Eight of the 19th century windows at the back of St Mary’s Church in Hart Street were broken on Monday morning. The rector Rev Canon Martyn Griffiths said: “It is deeply disappointing that someone felt the need to do this. It is mindless vandalism. The great bulk of the windows came from the Victorian age and had stood the test of time. The damage is not irreparable and in three months the windows should look as impressive as before.”

A smashing time was had by competitors at the annual charity conkers competition organised by Goring, Woodcote and District Lions Club on Sunday. The charity event was held at Cross Lanes fruit farm in Mapledurham during its annual Apple Day. People of all ages paid £1 for a conker in order to take part.

A £5 million development for Henley town centre has been thrown out by a planning inspector — to the delight of town councillors. Plans for 14 flats and 2,000 sq m of retail space would have transformed Market Place Mews. South Oxfordshire District Council had refused planning permission, so the developer appealed.