Archive

  • Goldfish bowls inhumane

    Children are helping a garden centre provide a more humane way of looking after goldfish. Notcutts in Nuneham Courtenay, south of Oxford, will no longer be selling small goldfish bowls. And instead petshop manager Natasha Hill has put the bowls to much

  • Pensioner raises £3,000 for charity

    An 80-year-old Dorchester man has completed a ten-mile charity walk. After rigorous training, including three gym-sessions a week, Richard Hotopf walked from Abingdon to his home to raise money for the National Autistic Society. The walk, sponsored by

  • Making a splash

    A holiday scheme for Wallingford youngsters had a splash of tropical colour. Children went to the town's Riverside Park outdoor pool in the morning before hot-footing it back to the Castle Leisure Centre for a tropical beach themed fancy-dress disco in

  • Downpour hits firms

    Heavy rain left a business in Wallingford counting the cost of flooding. An internal drainpipe taking run-off from the roof burst under the weight of water at toy distribution firm Youngsters on the Hithercroft Industrial Estate. At the height of the

  • Cricket: Banbury owe it to Hill hat-trick

    Slow left-arm spinner Paul Hill picked up his first Premier League five-wicket haul, including the club's first hat-trick at this level, to help Banbury to a tense victory over Reading on Saturday. It keeps them in second place in Division 1 behind runaway

  • Speedway: Skipper Johnno misses the boat

    Oxford Cheetahs' skipper Steve Johnston's bid to secure a place in next year's Grand Prix series failed miserably in the Inter-continental final at Vastervik in Sweden on Saturday. The Aussie could muster only four points and failed to gain a top-six

  • Cricket: Moss strikes to sink Bicester

    Australian ace Jon Moss, who seems to reserve his best displays for Oxfordshire clubs, was at it again for Finchampstead against Bicester & North Oxford in Division 1 on Saturday. For once, Moss missed out with the bat, making only five, but he made

  • Cricket: Banbury owe it to Hill hat-trick

    Slow left-arm spinner Paul Hill picked up his first Premier League five-wicket haul, including the club's first hat-trick at this level, to help Banbury to a tense victory over Reading on Saturday. It keeps them in second place in Division 1 behind runaway

  • Good start to appeal

    The country's leading woodland conservation charity is delighted with the response to an appeal to extend an ancient Oxfordshire wood. The Woodland Trust launched the appeal to help extend a rare and irreplaceable ancient woodland in Oxfordshire last

  • Playgroup coming home after arson

    A playgroup is finally going home a year after its building was burned down by arsonists. Staff from the Rainbow Playgroup, Hendon Place, Bicester, have been busy decorating ready for the new term. A portable classroom building, donated by Oxfordshire

  • Rugby: Results

    Weekend results check for Oxfordshire sides HOME COUNTIES PREMIER LEAGUE Division 1 Reading 123 (45.2 ov, P Hill 5-30), Banbury 124-9 (42 ov). Reading 10 pts, Banbury 25. High Wycombe 245-3 (53 ov, J Benning 128 no, J Travaglia 56 no), Basingstoke &

  • Cheaters? Not so, say angry Oxford

    JT/Fox Oxford Cheetahs joint team boss Colin Meredith has reacted angrily after his high-riding team were slammed as cheats for the second time in a month. The main bone of contention surrounds the continued absence of Czech Republic star Lukas Dryml

  • Cricket: Moss strikes to sink Bicester

    Australian ace Jon Moss, who seems to reserve his best displays for Oxfordshire clubs, was at it again for Finchampstead against Bicester & North Oxford in Division 1 on Saturday. For once, Moss missed out with the bat, making only five, but he made

  • Centre spreads the word

    Didcot boasts one of the finest family centres in the county - but many people don't know about it, according to its staff. Town mayor Jeremy Goff joined 130 youngsters and parents at a fun day aimed at raising the profile of the facility in Hillary Drive

  • Project to help older learners

    Museums across Oxfordshire have joined forces to encourage older people back into learning. The Museum of Oxford in St Aldate's, Cogges Manor Farm Museum in Witney and the Oxfordshire Museum in Woodstock, are running the 'Drawn From Memory' project. Oxfordshire

  • Goldfish bowls inhumane

    Children are helping a garden centre provide a more humane way of looking after goldfish. Notcutts in Nuneham Courtenay, south of Oxford, will no longer be selling small goldfish bowls. And instead petshop manager Natasha Hill has put the bowls to much

  • Woman attacked in alley

    An elderly woman was left with injuries to her hand after a man snatched her handbag as she walked in a deserted alleyway. Oxford police are appealing for information about the attack. The woman, 72, who has not been named, was walking in the alleyway

  • Services improved following survey

    Bus operator Stagecoach has improved local services after asking passengers what they wanted. Changes to Banbury town and rural routes begin today after six months of customer feedback and analysis of ticket sales. David Whitley, marketing manager for

  • Doggie dates

    Dogs of all shapes and sizes will soon enjoy a canine get-together to help less fortunate four-legged friends. The dog-wagging date, September 1 and 2, is being organised for the eighth year by the charity, Rehoming Animals in Need. Kit Berry with her

  • Officer accused of assault

    An investigation has been launched after a solicitor claimed she was assaulted by a police officer. Solicitor Lee Reed, of Reeds Solicitors, Aynho Road, Adderbury, near Banbury, has accused a policeman of striking her at Bicester police station on Tuesday

  • Copenhagen - Oxford Playhouse, until Saturday, August 18

    When the curtain went up on Michael Frayn's challenging play Copenhagen at the Oxford Playhouse in August 1998, scientists and physicists from all over the world filled the auditorium, writes Helen Peacocke. They were in Oxford to attend an international

  • Rugby: Results

    Weekend results check for Oxfordshire sides HOME COUNTIES PREMIER LEAGUE Division 1 Reading 123 (45.2 ov, P Hill 5-30), Banbury 124-9 (42 ov). Reading 10 pts, Banbury 25. High Wycombe 245-3 (53 ov, J Benning 128 no, J Travaglia 56 no), Basingstoke &

  • Rescue for 19th hole

    When fire destroyed the historic clubhouse at the Royal Mid-Surrey Golf Club in Richmond, De Boer Structures stepped in. The Banbury-based company supplied a temporary structure for use as a restaurant and bar. It is likely to be more than two years before

  • South Africans on learning curve

    Executives from South Africa visited Oxfordshire to discover how management development programmes from the UK, including Investors in People and Modern Apprenticeships, can help their companies stay ahead of the game. The team visited the local Learning

  • Depot staff wait for news of jobs

    Staff at the Thame depot of industrial gases group BOC are waiting to hear if their jobs are safe after the company announced a 3.5 per cent cutback. The axe is to fall on 1,500 jobs worldwide and 200 in UK, in a bid to fuel higher growth across the business

  • New factory will create 50 jobs

    More than 50 jobs will be created as a hi-tech factory gears up for production at the Oxford Business Park in Yarnton. Optical components company Kamelian says its plant will be one of the most advanced in Europe. It is specifically desgined for making

  • Officer accused of assault

    An investigation has been launched after a solicitor claimed she was assaulted by a police officer. Solicitor Lee Reed, of Reeds Solicitors, Aynho Road, Adderbury, near Banbury, has accused a policeman of striking her at Bicester police station on Tuesday

  • Trains in near miss at signal

    An inquiry is under way after a train leaving Oxford station passed a red signal, endangering another train that was crossing its path. The Rail Inspectorate will lead the investigation into how the Virgin Trains's 6.10 am service from Manchester to Bournemouth

  • Pensioner raises £3,000 for charity

    An 80-year-old Dorchester man has completed a ten-mile charity walk. After rigorous training, including three gym-sessions a week, Richard Hotopf walked from Abingdon to his home to raise money for the National Autistic Society. The walk, sponsored by

  • Drinkers give unit a leg up

    Customers at a village pub switched from exercising their right arms to stretching their leg muscles for a good cause. Caption goes here A team of 23 from the Bear and Ragged Staff in Cumnor took part in a 20-mile sponsored bike ride in aid of SSNAP,

  • Norman discovery at Cornmarket site

    Workers repaving Cornmarket Street in Oxford discovered ancient silt that suggests the possible existence of a drawbridge in Norman times. Contractors have fenced off part of the city's main shopping street to carrying out a £2m improvement scheme. When

  • Gay centre fire blamed on cigarette

    Firefighters were called to tackle a blaze in a building in the centre of Oxford yesterday. The fire started on the first floor of the Gay and Lesbian Centre in St Michael's Street. An investigation is being carried out but firefighters believe the fire

  • Intruders force pool to close

    Intruders forced a swimming pool to be closed twice after they broke in and defecated in the water. Staff at Oxford's Hinksey Pool had to clean the area and allow the water to circulate through the filters after finding faeces in the outdoor pool. Police

  • Children have chance to make earth quake

    Children across Oxfordshire are getting a chance to enter the record books later this year - and all they have to do is jump. To mark Science Year, schools are urged to take part in the Giant Jump, an attempt to create an earthquake by leaping up and

  • Opposition to higher parking costs

    Huge increases in charges at Oxford's suburban car parks could be introduced -- despite widespread public opposition. The increases are expected to raise more than £300,000 a year for the cash-strapped city council, and deter long-stay or commuter car

  • Intruders force pool to close

    Intruders forced a swimming pool to be closed twice after they broke in and defecated in the water. Staff at Oxford's Hinksey Pool had to clean the area and allow the water to circulate through the filters after finding faeces in the outdoor pool. Police

  • Animal rights protesters and police clash during demo

    An animal rights demonstration in Oxford erupted into violent clashes between protesters and police. Trouble flared during Saturday's walk, organised by Shac (Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty), from Oxpens to Littlemore. One male demonstrator was charged

  • Wright hands out a grilling

    Mark Wright reiterated his determination to find a goalscoring centre forward after Oxford United went down to a harsh opening day defeat at their impressive new Kassam Stadium. Despite having much more of the ball, and creating far more chances, relegated

  • Getting tourism back on track

    District councillor Rosemary Packer will help the tourist industry get back on its feet after the devastation caused by foot and mouth. She has been appointed to the Tourism Executive of the Local Government Association. Rosemary Packer The executive

  • Hooligans use gas on police

    Soccer fans attacked police with CS spray during a confrontation in Oxford city centre at the weekend. Violence flared when officers responded to reports of fighting involving Bristol City fans, who were returning home from a match in Northampton. Sixteen

  • Five injured

    Five people were taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, after a car crash on the A420 Oxford to Swindon road on Sunday night. The single vehicle accident happened at the junction with the A338 by the Tubney roundabout, near Abingdon. None of the

  • Summer school 'success'

    The first summer school numeracy classes for more than 30 primary schoolchildren from the Abingdon area have been acclaimed a "great success" by the co-ordinator. The children, aged ten and 11, came from eight schools in the town and surrounding villages

  • Project to help older learners

    Museums across Oxfordshire have joined forces to encourage older people back into learning. The Museum of Oxford in St Aldate's, Cogges Manor Farm Museum in Witney and the Oxfordshire Museum in Woodstock, are running the 'Drawn From Memory' project. Oxfordshire

  • Summer school 'success'

    The first summer school numeracy classes for more than 30 primary schoolchildren from the Abingdon area have been acclaimed a "great success" by the co-ordinator. The children, aged ten and 11, came from eight schools in the town and surrounding villages

  • Barbie pops in

    Fans of Barbie were treated to a living, breathing doll when a real-life Barbie called in at Denton's toystore in Witney yesterday. Stephanie Puffitt-Poynter, of Hooks Close, Langford, near Witney, won the Barbie Pop Out Picnic Vehicle Competition in

  • Children have chance to make earth quake

    Children across Oxfordshire are getting a chance to enter the record books later this year - and all they have to do is jump. To mark Science Year, schools are urged to take part in the Giant Jump, an attempt to create an earthquake by leaping up and

  • Cricket: Henley on course

    Leaders Henley stayed on course for the title by beating Burnham by 65 runs. James Hands (66) and Dave Allaway (51) helped them to 252-6, Burnham replying with 187. It keeps Henley 27 points clear of Oxford at the top.

  • Football: Results

    Weekend results check for Oxfordshire football sides NATIONWIDE LEAGUE Div 3: Oxford Utd 1, Rochdale 2. JIM NEWMAN MEMORIAL TROPHY Final: Abingdon Utd 3, Clanfield 0. FRIENDLIES Hungerford Tn 2, Oxford City 4; Abingdon Tn 1, Godalming & Guildford

  • Cheaters? Not so, say angry Oxford

    JT/Fox Oxford Cheetahs joint team boss Colin Meredith has reacted angrily after his high-riding team were slammed as cheats for the second time in a month. The main bone of contention surrounds the continued absence of Czech Republic star Lukas Dryml

  • Cricket-Div 2 West: Oxford in last-over nail-biter

    Oxford & Horspath kept their outside title hopes alive with a 72-run win over Amersham in a dramatic finish at St Catherine's College on Saturday. Chasing Oxford's 193-9 dec off 55.3 overs, Amersham attempted grimly to hang for a draw. But Ben Thompson

  • Patients to get Internet

    Patients staying at Oxfordshire's major hospitals will soon have bedside access to television, phones and e-mail. The technology is being installed next year and by 2003, when the Government's NHS Plan states all major hospitals must have bedside phones

  • Speedway: Skipper Johnno misses the boat

    Oxford Cheetahs' skipper Steve Johnston's bid to secure a place in next year's Grand Prix series failed miserably in the Inter-continental final at Vastervik in Sweden on Saturday. The Aussie could muster only four points and failed to gain a top-six

  • Cricket-Div 2 West: Oxford in last-over nail-biter

    Oxford & Horspath kept their outside title hopes alive with a 72-run win over Amersham in a dramatic finish at St Catherine's College on Saturday. Chasing Oxford's 193-9 dec off 55.3 overs, Amersham attempted grimly to hang for a draw. But Ben Thompson

  • Fairport festival shrugs off rain

    Wet weather failed to dampen the spirits of thousands of folk music fans attending this year's Cropredy Festival. Around 20,000 fans from around the world descended on a field in north Oxfordshire to pay homage to Fairport Convention and other big folk

  • Drinkers give unit a leg up

    Customers at a village pub switched from exercising their right arms to stretching their leg muscles for a good cause. A team of 23 from the Bear and Ragged Staff in Cumnor took part in a 20-mile sponsored bike ride in aid of SSNAP, the charity which

  • Football: Results

    Weekend results check for Oxfordshire football sides NATIONWIDE LEAGUE Div 3: Oxford Utd 1, Rochdale 2. JIM NEWMAN MEMORIAL TROPHY Final: Abingdon Utd 3, Clanfield 0. FRIENDLIES Hungerford Tn 2, Oxford City 4; Abingdon Tn 1, Godalming & Guildford

  • Tower death fall: man released

    A man questioned by police after a body was found at the foot of a tower block in Oxford has been released without charge. The body of an Oxford man was discovered at the foot of Foresters Tower, left, in Wood Farm Road, Headington, on Friday night. Police

  • Opposition to higher parking costs

    Huge increases in charges at Oxford's suburban car parks could be introduced -- despite widespread public opposition. The increases are expected to raise more than £300,000 a year for the cash-strapped city council, and deter long-stay or commuter car

  • Woman attacked in alley

    An elderly woman was left with injuries to her hand after a man snatched her handbag as she walked in a deserted alleyway. Oxford police are appealing for information about the attack. The woman, 72, who has not been named, was walking in the alleyway

  • Tower death fall: man released

    A man questioned by police after a body was found at the foot of a tower block in Oxford has been released without charge. The body of an Oxford man was discovered at the foot of Foresters Tower in Wood Farm Road, Headington, on Friday night. Police initially

  • Patients to get Internet

    Patients staying at Oxfordshire's major hospitals will soon have bedside access to television, phones and e-mail. The technology is being installed next year and by 2003, when the Government's NHS Plan states all major hospitals must have bedside phones

  • Norman discovery at Cornmarket site

    Workers repaving Cornmarket Street in Oxford discovered ancient silt that suggests the possible existence of a drawbridge in Norman times. Contractors have fenced off part of the city's main shopping street to carrying out a £2m improvement scheme. When

  • Children have chance to make earth quake

    Children across Oxfordshire are getting a chance to enter the record books later this year - and all they have to do is jump. To mark Science Year, schools are urged to take part in the Giant Jump, an attempt to create an earthquake by leaping up and

  • Adventures with Alice at the Museum

    Children in Oxford can have some creative fun in Wonderland - with the help of Oxford Museum. The museum is running a series of workshops on its exhibition Looking For Alice, which features items belonging to Alice Liddell, the real-life inspiration for

  • Absence of education chief sparks protest

    Parents claim the temporary absence of Oxfordshire's chief education officer could damage the reorganisation of Oxford's schools. They are anxious that the change from a three-tier to a two-tier system is properly managed. Last year, all three major political

  • Adventures with Alice at the Museum

    Children in Oxford can have some creative fun in Wonderland - with the help of Oxford Museum. The museum is running a series of workshops on its exhibition Looking For Alice, which features items belonging to Alice Liddell, the real-life inspiration for

  • Doggie dates

    Dogs of all shapes and sizes will soon enjoy a canine get-together to help less fortunate four-legged friends. The dog-wagging date, September 1 and 2, is being organised for the eighth year by the charity, Rehoming Animals in Need. Kit Berry with her

  • Council seeks views on waste recycling

    People using Oxfordshire's eight waste recyling centres are being asked what would encourage them to recycle more. Oxfordshire County Council has commissioned its first user survey to help improve services. Market researchers from Didcot are visiting

  • Trains in near miss at signal

    An inquiry is under way after a train leaving Oxford station passed a red signal, endangering another train that was crossing its path. The Rail Inspectorate will lead the investigation into how the Virgin Trains's 6.10 am service from Manchester to Bournemouth