The Oxford Mail Medibike will be back on the road soon to boost Oxfordshire ambulance service's flagging response times, writes Victoria Owen. The 17,000 state-of-the-art machine bought with money from Mail readers was written off in a crash and has been
A countywide action plan to solve the shortage of teachers in Oxfordshire is to be drawn up. Many councillors have said the only way to increase recruitment in schools is to pay teachers more, to reflect the higher cost of housing in the county. Members
Witney got their campaign in the Oxfordshire Veterans Floodlit Competition off to a good start with a hard-earned 5-0 victory over Shipston -on-Stour. The other result in Pool A, which is played at Banbury, saw Chinnor beat the host club 20-12. Bicester
Headington Roadrunners kept the Oxfordshire flag flying at the UK Half Marathon Championships in Bristol last Sunday, recording three personal-best times among several good performances. They were led home by international orienteer Neville Baker in 1
RT Harris Oxford City FA round-up Pete Saunders bagged a hat-trick as Aston triumphed 6-4 at home to Beckley Sports in a goal-crazy Division 1 encounter. Jason Garner added a brace and Ryan Bishop also netted for the victors. In reply, Benji Cuff hit
Northwood 1, Thame Utd 5 - match report Mark West hit another hat-trick last night as goal-crazy Thame made it nine straight wins in Ryman League Division 1 to extend their lead at the top to five points. West's latest treble took his tally for the season
Oracle won the battle between last year's Oxford & District League champions and runners-up when they beat Thame 2-1. Ted Milsom (+90) gave Oracle a good start when he beat Tom Fletcher (+70) 150-127, but Arthur Jones (+100) levelled the match for
A virtuoso performance by Oxford University fly half Seb FitzGerald destroyed his current clubmates at Iffley Road last night, writes Michael Knox. FitzGerald, who plays his club rugby in Bath's lower sides, gave their selectors a nudge by scoring 25
First division Bletchington dumped Premier outfit Marston Saints out of the Oxfordshire Senior League Presidents Cup 4-0 in a first round shock. Goals from Gavin Harvey, Matt Crook, Russell Thyme and Adie Cross gave Bletch their first win of the season
Old Abingdonians RFC meet Abingdon RFC in a friendly this Saturday morning. The two sides met in the final of the Abingdon Sevens in August, the OAs coming out on top on that occasion. But this will be the first 15-a-side game between the two sides. The
As the spotlight falls on Oxfordshire's acute hospitals struggling under recent pressures, their problems overshadow other front line workers. But if Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital casualty department is battling to treat extra emergency patients, it
Parents across Oxford are battling to find convenient nursery places for their children, writes Zahra Akkerhuys. And pressure on places at nurseries across the city looks set to heighten as the Government tries to fulfil its plan to provide five free
Tonight the Oxford heat of Swangleurs Open Spot Comedy Contest takes place at Jongleurs comedy club in Hythe Bridge Street, writes Chris Gray. Lined up to for the audience to vote for are Angie McEvoy, Dougie Dunlop, Les Hommes sans Nommes, Rachel New
A World-famous museum in Oxfordshire is the venue for Britain's first public gallery of works by Chinese artists, writes Emma Henry. The Ashmolean Museum, in Beaumont Street, Oxford, is staging a grand opening of its new Chinese art gallery on Wednesday
Cartoon character Bob the Builder helped strengthen full-year figures for HIT Entertainment, which has now linked up with Oxford University Press to produce The Magic Key, a new BBC TV cartoon for four- to-seven-year-olds, writes Maggie Hartford. HIT
A record-breaking year for De Boer Structures will be rounded off in style with the Banbury company playing a leading role at two of the world's top golf events, writes Sarah Parker. In November the company will be back at Valderrama, Spain, for the American
Businessman Pat Upson has been appointed chairman of the new Learning Skills Council covering Oxfordshire, writes David Duffy. The LSC will take over from the Abingdon-based Heart of England Training and Enterprise Council, which will shut down in March
A share of 130m pounds to boost arts and sports could be coming to Oxfordshire. The county council is one of 64 local authorities to be asked to apply for cash through the Space For Sports And The Arts Scheme. The money is to improve facilities in deprived
Councillors called for an investigation into the need for a sixth form in Carterton. Cllr Dee Bulley successfully asked the Oxfordshire county council education committee yesterday (Tuesday) to prepare a report on the issue. She said: "Carterton Community
A world-famous museum in Oxfordshire is the venue for Britain's first public gallery of works by Chinese artists, writes Emma Henry. The Ashmolean Museum, in Beaumont Street, Oxford, is staging a grand opening of its new Chinese art gallery on Wednesday
The 76-year-old widow of a former Didcot Power Station worker has been awarded a "substantial five-figure sum" in damages following the death of her husband from an asbestos tumour, writes Mike Hambleton. For nearly 20 years, Fred Kent worked at the power
Oxford United chairman Firoz Kassam is refusing to take no for an answer from Cheltenham boss Steve Cotterill. Kassam wants the 36-year-old to be Denis Smith's successor in the Manor Ground hot seat and is prepared to offer him substantially more money
Oxfordshire Senior League First division Berinsfield inflicted Premier club Adderbury Park's first defeat of the season with a hard-fought 1-0 victory in the Presidents Cup. With striker Steve Bateman in cracking form, Park's defence had to be at their
Gill Dean, of Radley Ladies, broke the course record as she took first place in the Women's Only Maidenhead 6km cross-country race on Sunday, writes Jon Murray Dean, running in the Over 45 category, came home in 23 mins 13 secs Her clubmate Elaine Hussey
The Phil Butler Memorial Cup reaches a climax tomorrow when teams from the Famous Bullnose Morris, Blackbird Leys and the George, Littlemore face each other in the final at the Crown and Thistle, Headington (8.30pm). The knockout competition was launched
Lord Jersey FA round-up Michael Black hit a hat-trick for Steeple Aston as they shattered Division 2 leaders Cutteslowe's unbeaten record with a 4-1 victory, writes David Gregory. Charlie Bone completed Steeple's tally, while Gary Ashby replied for Cutteslowe
Councillors confirmed their support for a 2.5m school merger after huge support from parents and residents. Members of the county council education committee backed plans to combine Wantage Infant and Junior Schools. The plans, which will see a new church
Motorists with older cars who decide to update their in-car audio systems should take a look at their insurance cover. They may find their expensive new sound system is not fully covered by their existing policy, according to insuremythings.com. Figures
Aston Martin has released the first details of its new supercar, the 190mph V12 Vanquish, writes David Duffy. The flagship model, which will be powered by a 6.0-litre engine developing more than 450 horsepower, will be built at Newport Pagnell and go
Volkswagen scored a record four wins in the competition to find the Caravan Club's Towcar of the Year. The German car maker gained top place in three price categories as well as the prestigious overall title Caravan Club Towcar of the Year 2001 for the
Rhythm and news hits town this week as the cast of Stomp shows how you can set feet tapping with a copy of the Oxford Mail and a little help from your 'friends', writes Chris Gray. Rival readers rally round with their own rags as the team's funny man
Since Aprilia has been competing in the World Motorcycle Championships, it has won 14 titles nine riders and five manufacturers, writes Simon Nix. There have been 101 victories and 279 podium places in Grand Prix races, 116 pole positions and 110 fastest
Inventor Gary Gummer's brainwave proved he has a nose for a winning idea, writes David Duffy. His idea, the Computer User's Stress Buster, aims to reduce workplace stress by using the heat from computers to vaporise stress-busting aromatherapy oils. Since
Plans for 20mph limits across Oxford have been put forward by councillors. At last night's city council meeting, they agreed to ask the county council to fund 20mph limits in High Street and St Aldate's, and five residential streets. At a recent city
Protesters opposed to plans for new student homes on an Oxford college's playing fields have won a reprieve. Last month, city council planning chairman John Goddard used his casting vote to approve Cherwell Housing Trust's plans for Oriel College playing
A countywide action plan to solve the shortage of teachers in Oxfordshire is to be drawn up. Many councillors have said the only way to increase recruitment in schools is to pay teachers more, to reflect the higher cost of housing in the county. Members
Bob Block, Oxford City Council's chief executive, is to be allowed to take early retirement. Councillors agreed last night to back the decision taken at last month's strategy and resources committee to let him leave his 70,000-a-year job in April. The
