Archive

A bingo session will be held at Tower Hill Primary School, in Moor Avenue, Witney, on Saturday January 26, starting at 7.30pm.

The Life Education mobile classroom is paying its second visit to Chilton Primary School, near Didcot, on Monday, January 28, when the dangers of illegal drugs will be included in the message to children.

Staff at an Oxford school have been overwhelmed by the response to a appeal in the Oxford Mail to replace stolen nursery equipment. Thirteen toddlers' bicycles, sit-on tractors and other toys were stolen from Emmanuel Christian School, Littlemore, on

A multi-ethnic Oxford school is about to be transformed in a £700,000 make-over brought about by the change in the city's education system. Work is due to start at St Barnabas First School, Hart Street, to prepare the school for its new role as a primary

Sid, the mobile speed indicator display device, could soon be seen on the streets of Berinsfield if the parish council has its way. It is asking Oxfordshire County Council to install it on Fane Drive between the industrial estate and the Chiltern Close

Staff and families at RAF Benson who gave 14 bags of groceries to be distributed among day centres run by Oxfordshire Age Concern have been officially thanked. RAF policeman Cpl Roy Duncan, who co-ordinated the effort, said: "We are delighted to know

Wallingford at the time of the Queen's coronation will be the main theme of the Golden Jubilee exhibition in the town's museum. It will be decorated for the Jubilee weekend in June and will feature several special displays. Museum spokesman Ruth Pidgeon

South Oxfordshire District Council has launched an appeal to help raise funds for the Third World. It is asking businesses and individuals to give up their foreign currencies made obsolete by the arrival of the euro. It is asking people to hand in their

Witney's Lions Club raised £4,903 from its Father Christmas collections to help local causes.

A circular four-and-a-half mile walk will start from Bampton town hall on Sunday, February 3, at 10am.

David Vaisey will talk about shops and shopping in 19th century Oxford when Witney historical society meets in the Corn Exchange, on Tuesday, February 19, at 7.30pm.

Banbury play their first home league match since the closure of their bar facilities when they entertain Leicester Lions at Bodicote Park this Saturday. The trustees and Cherwell District Council have put a ban on the sale of food and drinks, until the

A Witney school alerted several hundred parents after a pupil was rushed to hospital with meningitis. Rod Walker, headteacher of Henry Box School, sent out letters to the families of all Year 7 students within a day of the boy falling sick. The 12-year-old

The site of Witney's last remaining blanket factory is to be redeveloped for housing. But the blanket manufacturers, Early's of Witney, have not yet found an alternative place to move to. The redevelopment of the Burford Road site was agreed in principle

The Benefits Agency will visit Thame town hall on February 4 between 10am and noon to answer questions about benefits from members of the public.

The 2nd Thame Brownies are holding a coffee morning and cake sale at the Guide HQ, in Southern Road, between 10am and noon on Saturday January 26 in aid of the Friends of Thame Community Hospital.

America awaits Liz Burgess after she was named salesperson of the year at Newsquest (Oxfordshire), publisher of the Oxford Mail. Liz, who is a sales representative for the company's Limited Edition magazine, won a holiday to the United States for herself

Fire broke out on the third floor of Wheatley fire station -- as it often does. The blaze spread to the second floor as a team of firefighters struggled to control it. Fortunately, it was only a training drill for the station's part-time retained firefighters

A diabetic was rescued by a lifeguard after she passed out and fell into a swimming pool. Simone Robinson, 31, fell into the pool, last Wednesday, after fainting because there was too much insulin in her blood. A lifeguard at the Bicester and Ploughley

Business leaders will tackle key issues facing Bicester in a series of monthly meetings. Bicester and District Chamber of Commerce chairman Keith Watson said: "We have decided to re-organise our meetings so that they are much more focused on key issues

Willy Waite (5, 5, 6) starred with 16 dolls as Exiles whitewashed Victory Trains 6-0 to go joint top of the Gladiators' Wednesday Beer Seller Invitation League. Phil Wilkins (6, 5, 5) also racked up 16 dolls in Cricketers' 6-0 thrashing of Pips in the

Dog-owners will be among people to benefit when a long-awaited pedestrian crossing is opened in Bicester. Members of Langford Village Community Association asked for a crossing over Launton Road more than a year ago. Residents wanting to walk into the

7.35 450m A9 Villa Babs...(Terry Atkins) Will Gemma...(Ron Bicknell) Unlikely Event...(David Egan) AHA BLUEY...(Jim Morgan) Twilight Year 3 (W)...(Terry Atkins) Black Monkey (W)...(David Egan) 7.50 450m A7 Taps Pride...(Terry Atkins) Rosstemple Band 3

Oxford author Philip Pullman has become the first children's writer to win the Whitbread Book Of The Year title and receives £30,000. His fantasy novel The Amber Spyglass was last night judged the "overwhelming" winner by judges who had been wary of giving

7.35 450m A9 Villa Babs...(Terry Atkins) Will Gemma...(Ron Bicknell) Unlikely Event...(David Egan) AHA BLUEY...(Jim Morgan) Twilight Year 3 (W)...(Terry Atkins) Black Monkey (W)...(David Egan) 7.50 450m A7 Taps Pride...(Terry Atkins) Rosstemple Band 3

Renault has launched a special edition of the Megane Coupe, called the Fidji, priced from £11,450 on the road. The car, which has a range of engines from 1.4-litre to 2.0-litre, includes a tyre pressure monitoring system as a factory-fitted option.

A joint production of the musical Oklahoma! will be performed by Didcot Girls' School and St Birinus School, in Cockcroft Hall, at Didcot Girls' School, from Wednesday next week until Saturday, February 2, at 7.30pm. Tickets, priced at £6 and £3.50 for

South Oxfordshire District Council has launched an appeal to help raise funds for the Third World. It is asking businesses and individuals to give up their foreign currencies made obsolete by the arrival of the euro. It is asking people to hand in their

The search was continuing today for five asylum seekers who escaped from Campsfield House, Kidlington. As reported in the late edition of yesterday's Oxford Mail, the five men, all from Romania, broke out of the immigration centre on Monday night. Investigators

In the Oxford Mail of January 8, we incorrectly stated that Alistair Grainger, a barrister, employed by Arnolds Solicitors, of Oxford, prosecuted in the case of a man who was jailed for ignoring a probation order. Mr Grainger appeared for the defence.

Oxford Green councillors Mike Woodin and Deborah Glass are celebrating the birth of their second child. Raphael Edward Woodin was born in the early hours of Friday morning at the John Radcliffe Hospital and weighed 7lb 6oz. The couple also have a daughter

The new Renault Trafic has been voted International Van of the Year 2002. The award was made by a panel of journalists from 20 European countries. The Trafic shares the accolade with its sister model, the Vauxhall Vivaro. The Trafic was also voted van

Jaguar, Land Rover and Volvo have appointed Castrol as their worldwide strategic lubricants partner. Under the business cooperation agreement, which will last until at least the end of 2006, Castrol will supply first-fill products including engine oil

The Charity Commissioners have put a receiver and manager in charge of a charity in a bid to save a recreation ground. They found that more than £1.7m belonging to the organisation, called the Charity for a Recreation Ground at Bodicote, had been spent

The Transport Research Laboratory has taken delivery of eight Dualfuel Astra 1.6i 16v LS estates on to its fleet. TRL, based in Crowthorne, Berkshire, is an international centre of excellence for research into all forms of land transport. High-profile

Proton is introducing a package of special offers on all its models -- except 1.3-litre versions -- designed to add more than £1,000 in value to the Malaysian car range. One year, or 9,000 miles free servicing, plus five-year warranty, free electrically-operated

Honda (UK) has scored a unique safety "double" winning the Prince Michael International Safety Award for its "MAC" (Motor Appreciation Course) car driver training scheme at a ceremony in London. The win comes just three years after Honda achieved the

Bentley has given a world debut to its most powerful car to date -- the 168mph Arnage T. The new £166,500 model, built at Crewe, Cheshire, was being displayed at the Detroit Motor Show in the United States. It is designed to appeal to a slightly younger-than-normal

The grounds of Burford Priory will be open on Sunday, February 3, from 2pm.

An antiques fair will be held in Woodstock town hall, on February 9 and 10, from 10am.

A circular four-and-a-half mile walk will start from Bampton town hall on Sunday, February 3, at 10am.

A bingo session will be held at Tower Hill Primary School, in Moor Avenue, Witney, on Saturday January 26, starting at 7.30pm.

David Vaisey will talk about shops and shopping in 19th century Oxford when Witney historical society meets in the Corn Exchange, on Tuesday, February 19, at 7.30pm.

Rock band Loose Covers will play music from the 1960s to the 1980s in Haddenham village hall on Saturday January 26 to raise money for the parish church's tower development fund.

Headington Quarry Morris Dancers are holding an open evening to encourage new members to join on Monday January 28, from 8pm, at Headington Quarry First School, in Quarry School Place.

The 2nd Thame Brownies are holding a coffee morning and cake sale at the Guide HQ, in Southern Road, between 10am and noon on Saturday January 26 in aid of the Friends of Thame Community Hospital.

Wallingford School of Art is organising its first evening class on portrait drawing and painting. Students enrolling for the course at Mill Lane will use each other as models. The classes, led by artist Nandy Ablett, will run for eight weeks from Monday

Oxfordshire Senior League Kevin Furniston hit a fantastic five-timer as Worcester College Old Boys & Bletchingdon ran out 7-4 winners at home to Yarnton in a remarkable Premier Division encounter. Dave Bryant opened the scoring for Worcester only

North Berks League A brace from Andy Smith saw Blewbury turn the form book on its head as they inflicted Kintbury Rangers' first defeat of the season in Division 1. Kevin Bonner was also on the mark in Blewbury's surprise 3-2 victory. An Andy Shaw goal

Fire broke out on the third floor of Wheatley fire station -- as it often does. The blaze spread to the second floor as a team of firefighters struggled to control it. Fortunately, it was only a training drill for the station's part-time retained firefighters

Confucius say: Chinese-made motorcycles will rule the world. And looking at some of the new arrivals in this country, perhaps he could be right before too long. At the moment, if you are looking for a small-engined machine with a tried and tested design

Piers Clayden has joined the intellectual property, technology and media department at business lawyers Manches. Paul Northwood has been appointed litigation partner.

Training is the key to a cable company's success, according to its boss. Since CAT 1 Solutions, based in Witney, was set up last September, it has taken on five workers and built up a turnover of more than £200,000. The company provides information technology

Oxford's pioneering work in encouraging innovative new businesses has been recognised by the Government with the appointment of a local business leader to a key grant-making body. Paul Bradstock, director of The Oxford Trust, is one of seven experts advising

Insurance giant CGNU has reported a surge in year-on-year sales after benefiting from a strong performance from its UK-based operation. Sales in the company's core UK market rose 30 per cent to £1.3bn as CGNU posted better than expected overall figures

The Charity Commissioners have put a receiver and manager in charge of a charity in a bid to save a recreation ground. They found that more than £1.7m belonging to the organisation, called the Charity for a Recreation Ground at Bodicote, had been spent

A former scout leader and football coach admitted indecently assaulting young boys over a period of ten years while pretending to treat them for a rash. Philip Muttock, 38, pleaded guilty at Oxford Crown Court yesterday to eight counts of indecent assault

Staff at an Oxford school have been overwhelmed by the response to a appeal in the Oxford Mail to replace stolen nursery equipment. Thirteen toddlers' bicycles, sit-on tractors and other toys were stolen from Emmanuel Christian School, Littlemore, on

The Oxford Preservation Trust has agreed to help pay for repairs to the Martyrs' Memorial. The work is expected to be complete by June. Members of the city council's executive board agreed yesterday that conservation officer Nick Worlledge could bring

Staff at an Oxford school have been overwhelmed by the response to a appeal in the Oxford Mail to replace stolen nursery equipment. Thirteen toddlers' bicycles, sit-on tractors and other toys were stolen from Emmanuel Christian School, Littlemore, on

A diabetic was rescued by a lifeguard after she passed out and fell into a swimming pool. Simone Robinson, 31, fell into the pool, last Wednesday, after fainting because there was too much insulin in her blood. A lifeguard at the Bicester and Ploughley

Villagers have united to oppose a plan by Oxford University to expand a science park on to a greenfield site. More than 150 residents of Begbroke, near Kidlington, attended a meeting at the village hall last night to discuss plans to expand Begbroke Business

Oxfordshire County Council plans to increase its share of council tax bills from March by just less than ten per cent. Members of the executive committee yesterday decided to propose a rise of 9.8 per cent from April. The increase, which would see an

The Oxford Preservation Trust has agreed to help pay for repairs to the Martyrs' Memorial. The work is expected to be complete by June. Members of the city council's executive board agreed yesterday that conservation officer Nick Worlledge could bring

A multi-ethnic Oxford school is about to be transformed in a £700,000 make-over brought about by the change in the city's education system. Work is due to start at St Barnabas First School, Hart Street, to prepare the school for its new role as a primary

Cumnor parish councillors have put together a package of safety measures aimed at improving safety on a busy stretch of road at Farmoor. They hope the proposals will tackle the problem of speeding motorists on the B4044, between Farmoor filling station

Burford School are celebrating a fantastic season, having played more than 50 matches and losing just eight times. The 1st XV have won eight times, with the under 16s remaining unbeaten. The highlight for the under 15s was a 90-0 thumping of Henry Box

Witney Roadrunners' junior Claire Triggs competed in the South of England Indoor Track and Field Championships at Bedford. Triggs, in her first season as an under 15, advanced to the semi-finals of the 60m with a time of 8.3secs, and took a creditable

A multi-ethnic Oxford school is about to be transformed in a £700,000 make-over brought about by the change in the city's education system. Work is due to start at St Barnabas First School, Hart Street, to prepare the school for its new role as a primary

Witney & District FA Kevin Southwood hit a five-minute hat-trick as Bampton put their league worries behind them to beat high-flying Napier Rovers 5-1 in the Senior Challenge Cup first round. Brize Norton came from a goal down to thrash Carterton

Radley Ladies' Tracey Galbraith braved atrocious weather to win the women's race at the Cotswold Canter 10km all-terrain race at Burford. Galbraith fought off some strong challengers, taking first place with an excellent time of 38mins 57secs, and finishing

Computer software designed by Oxford scientists to find a cure for cancer is being adapted to help in the fight against chemical warfare. PC users will be able to download a screensaver which will search for molecules that could prove useful to combat

Bus operator Stagecoach has been penalised after a public inquiry found it had failed to run a reliable service in Oxford. Western area traffic commissioner Philip Brown ordered the company to repay £23,850 of fuel subsidy. Three years ago, Stagecoach

A joint production of the musical Oklahoma! will be performed by Didcot Girls' School and St Birinus School, in Cockcroft Hall, at Didcot Girls' School, from Wednesday next week until Saturday, February 2, at 7.30pm. Tickets, priced at £6 and £3.50 for

Sparkle Stage School launches its adult stage club tonight,Jan 23, at 7pm at Risinghurst Community Centre, in Kiln Lane, off Green Road, Headington. The school is also holding babies' classes on Sundays from 11.30am for three-six year-olds. More details

Children are to be allowed into Bicester's Penny Black pub after a change in company policy. Bicester magistrates have granted Wetherspoons a children's certificate for the pub in Sheep Street. Pub manager Sam Roberts said she planned to allow children

Prince Charming, Cinderella and the two Ugly Sisters will delight audiences when the Nortonians Amateur Dramatic Society present Cinderella. Martin Hannant wrote this year's pantomime, which is directed by Fred Clifford. Mr Clifford said: "Cinderella

Wallingford's deputy mayor Betty Atkins will stand in for injured town mayor Theresa Jordan in the town's annual pancake race. Ms Jordan shattered a kneecap and broke her thumb in a cycling accident. She was determined to lead the pancake race, on February

Marathon runner David Davies has pledged to raise £2,000 for a hospital. Mr Davies, 35, from Ambrosden, near Bicester, has entered the London Marathon in April for the first time. He is being sponsored for the Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital,

An antiques fair will be held in Woodstock town hall, on February 9 and 10, from 10am.

Oxford author Philip Pullman has become the first children's writer to win the Whitbread Book Of The Year title and receives £30,000. His fantasy novel The Amber Spyglass was last night judged the "overwhelming" winner by judges who had been wary of giving

Managers of Oxfordshire's major hospitals claim their £340m budget for next year is so tight that compromises will have to be made if patient services are to meet Government standards. The Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs Oxford's John

Bus operator Stagecoach has been penalised after a public inquiry found it had failed to run a reliable service in Oxford. Western area traffic commissioner Philip Brown ordered the company to repay £23,850 of fuel subsidy. Three years ago, Stagecoach

No objections are being raised by South Oxfordshire District Council to Oxfordshire County Council's plans to build a new school to replace the existing primary school in Nettlebed.

Former pupils at Burford School between 1980 and 1982 are invited to a reunion on Saturday, July 6. More details available from Michelle Smith on 01635 867142 or via www.burford-pupils.org.uk

A joint production of the musical Oklahoma! will be performed by Didcot Girls' School and St Birinus School, in Cockcroft Hall, at Didcot Girls' School, from Wednesday next week until Saturday, February 2, at 7.30pm. Tickets, priced at £6 and £3.50 for

Students at Henry Box School, Witney, celebrated their achievements at an awards ceremony. A total of 80 past and present pupils of the school heard guest speaker John Harwood, chief executive of the Learning and Skills Council, during the presentation

Schoolchildren are being asked to make sculptures out of rubbish in a bid to promote recycling. Banbury mayor, Cllr Jim Vine, is sponsoring a competition for pupils at all town schools. He wants them to create a 'wild waste rubbish sculpture' out of throwaway

Thames Water's plans for a new reservoir between Abingdon and Wantage are due to be discussed tomorrow at meetings of the Vale of White Horse District Council's south east area forum and committee. Villagers worried about the continuing uncertainty over

No objections are being raised by South Oxfordshire District Council to Oxfordshire County Council's plans to build a new school to replace the existing primary school in Nettlebed.

Wallingford School of Art is organising its first evening class on portrait drawing and painting. Students enrolling for the course at Mill Lane will use each other as models. The classes, led by artist Nandy Ablett, will run for eight weeks from Monday

Staff at a hotel dug deep into their own pockets to help sick children. The Springs Hotel, in North Stoke, Wallingford, raised more than £700 for young patients at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford. The money will be presented to the hospital through

Wallingford's deputy mayor Betty Atkins will stand in for injured town mayor Theresa Jordan in the town's annual pancake race. Ms Jordan shattered a kneecap and broke her thumb in a cycling accident. She was determined to lead the pancake race, on February

A bingo session will be held at Tower Hill Primary School, in Moor Avenue, Witney, on Saturday January 26, starting at 7.30pm.

Former pupils at Burford School between 1980 and 1982 are invited to a reunion on Saturday, July 6. More details available from Michelle Smith on 01635 867142 or via www.burford-pupils.org.uk

Students at Henry Box School, Witney, celebrated their achievements at an awards ceremony. A total of 80 past and present pupils of the school heard guest speaker John Harwood, chief executive of the Learning and Skills Council, during the presentation

Prince Charming, Cinderella and the two Ugly Sisters will delight audiences when the Nortonians Amateur Dramatic Society present Cinderella. Martin Hannant wrote this year's pantomime, which is directed by Fred Clifford. Mr Clifford said: "Cinderella

Cumnor parish councillors have put together a package of safety measures aimed at improving safety on a busy stretch of road at Farmoor. They hope the proposals will tackle the problem of speeding motorists on the B4044, between Farmoor filling station

A charity collection by the Rotary Club of Oxford Isis raised £950 for OxPat, the charity for homeless people. The collection was held at Wheatley motorway services, at the junction of the M40 and A40, just before Christmas. OxPat places collection boxes

South Oxfordshire District Council has launched an appeal to help raise funds for the Third World. It is asking businesses and individuals to give up their foreign currencies made obsolete by the arrival of the euro. It is asking people to hand in their

Thames Water's plans for a new reservoir between Abingdon and Wantage are due to be discussed tomorrow at meetings of the Vale of White Horse District Council's south east area forum and committee. Villagers worried about the continuing uncertainty over

Children are to be allowed into Bicester's Penny Black pub after a change in company policy. Bicester magistrates have granted Wetherspoons a children's certificate for the pub in Sheep Street. Pub manager Sam Roberts said she planned to allow children

Oxford flattered to deceive in their Oxfordshire Colts quarter-final away to Henley, who eased home 30-3. Despite scoring first with a penalty kick from Danny Wheeler, after prolonged pressure on Henley's line, Oxford fell to the slick handling of the

Lord Jersey FA A two-goal salvo from Ashley Holland helped KEA United to a 6-0 victory over an off-key Abba Athletic as they reached the semi-finals of the Jersey Cup. Banjo Malcolm, John Hood, Jamie Hood and Frank Godin were also on target for KEA, who

Marathon runner David Davies has pledged to raise £2,000 for a hospital. Mr Davies, 35, from Ambrosden, near Bicester, has entered the London Marathon in April for the first time. He is being sponsored for the Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital,

There were plenty of plus points for Oxfordshire Under 20 as they went down to a narrow 14-12 friendly defeat against a powerful Surrey at Cobham. The game was part of Oxon's preparation for the Tetley's National Under 20 Championship, which begins with

Rail travellers will face delays later this year when the Banbury to Bicester line is closed for improvement work. Train operators Chiltern Railways has announced that Railtrack will be improving nine miles of the route, south of Aynho junction, near

Computer software designed by Oxford scientists to find a cure for cancer is being adapted to help in the fight against chemical warfare. PC users will be able to download a screensaver which will search for molecules that could prove useful to combat

Mark Beattie has been confirmed as the new general manager at Oxford Stadium. He succeeds Mick Hardy who has now taken over a similar position at top GRA track Wimbledon. Beattie takes up his duties at Cowley on March 1.

RT Harris Oxford City FA Glen Felix hit a hat-trick as East Oxford overcame Tetsworth 5-2 after extra time in the Couling Cup quarter-finals. Liam Barrett and Chris Greenaway were East's other marksmen. Craig Dean was another hat-trick hero as Barton

Oxford United boss Ian Atkins lamented his players' failure to make things happen as Torquay forced a 1-1 draw at The Kassam Stadium last night. United's hopes of challenging for a play-off spot dipped as they allowed lowly Torquay to equalise from a

Oxford Harlequins were far from downhearted following their elimination from the Powergen Intermediate Cup on Saturday. Hertford, unbeaten leaders of London North Division 2, were just too strong and triumphed 33-17 to reach the quarter-finals and keep

Prices for the new Toyota Hilux pick-up range start at £10,795. The 2002 Hilux offers technical and specification improvements to the range including new D-4D diesel engines. Hilux is now the only pick-up truck in its sector with a common rail turbo diesel

A planning application for a two-storey extension to a home in South Park Avenue, Didcot, has been submitted to South Oxfordshire District Council.

A jumble sale will be held at Sutton Courtenay Scout and Guide headquarters, Frilsham Street, on Saturday January 26 at 2pm in aid of building repair funds. Admission is 10p.

The Life Education mobile classroom is paying its second visit to Chilton Primary School, near Didcot, on Monday, January 28, when the dangers of illegal drugs will be included in the message to children.

Thames Water's plans for a new reservoir between Abingdon and Wantage are due to be discussed tomorrow at meetings of the Vale of White Horse District Council's south east area forum and committee. Villagers worried about the continuing uncertainty over

A hostel for homeless young people has re-opened in Didcot, despite being threatened with closure because of a cash crisis. The bedsit hostel in Great Western Drive has received a £200,000 facelift and reopened as The Hagbourne's. The hostel was built

The search was continuing today for five asylum seekers who escaped from Campsfield House, Kidlington. As reported in the late edition of yesterday's Oxford Mail, the five men, all from Romania, broke out of the immigration centre on Monday night. Investigators

Rail travellers will face delays later this year when the Banbury to Bicester line is closed for improvement work. Train operators Chiltern Railways has announced that Railtrack will be improving nine miles of the route, south of Aynho junction, near

Hundreds of people packed Christ Church Cathedral in Oxford for a thanksgiving service yesterday for the life of former City Rector, Canon Norwyn MacDonald Ramm. Canon Ramm, known as Mac, was vicar of St Michael at the Northgate Church, in Cornmarket

Schoolchildren are being asked to make sculptures out of rubbish in a bid to promote recycling. Banbury mayor, Cllr Jim Vine, is sponsoring a competition for pupils at all town schools. He wants them to create a 'wild waste rubbish sculpture' out of throwaway

The flagship Volkswagen Passat, the W8, is on sale now in the UK, costing from £29,900. Powered by a 4.0-litre, eight-cylinder, 275 horsepower engine, the W8 is the most powerful production Volkswagen commercially available. Both saloon and estate models

Drivers, bus passengers, pedestrians and cyclists will all benefit from a £8.7m road improvement scheme in Banbury, which will transform the traffic system of the town. Oxfordshire County Council plans to turn Hennef Way into a dual carriageway, reconstruct

Mercedes-Benz has unveiled a design concept at the Detroit motor show called the Vision GST. The GST, or "Grand Sports Tourer" describes an original, new vehicle category which brings together features from established car concepts. The maker says it

MG has announced details of the new MGTF -- the successor to Britain's best selling MGF sports car that it will replace in February. Styled by MG Rover Group designer Peter Stevens, the TF has evolved from the popular MGF and features a new exterior appearance

DaimlerChrysler has launched a new 2.7-litre common rail turbo diesel-powered Jeep Grand Cherokee. At the same time, a new high-powered, top-of-the range 'Overland' version of the Grand Cherokee has been introduced -- the most powerful and luxurious Grand

The West Oxfordshire Field Club will be bird-watching on Port Meadow, Oxford, on February 9.

A jumble sale will be held at Sutton Courtenay Scout and Guide headquarters, Frilsham Street, on Saturday January 26 at 2pm in aid of building repair funds. Admission is 10p.

America awaits Liz Burgess after she was named salesperson of the year at Newsquest (Oxfordshire), publisher of the Oxford Mail. Liz, who is a sales representative for the company's Limited Edition magazine, won a holiday to the United States for herself

Business leaders will tackle key issues facing Bicester in a series of monthly meetings. Bicester and District Chamber of Commerce chairman Keith Watson said: "We have decided to re-organise our meetings so that they are much more focused on key issues

Oxford author Colin Dexter returns to one of the haunts of his world-famous character, Inspector Morse, today as he reopens The Trout Inn, at Godstow. Mr Dexter will be joined by villagers, some of whom have appeared as extras in the TV adaptations of

Computer software designed by Oxford scientists to find a cure for cancer is being adapted to help in the fight against chemical warfare. PC users will be able to download a screensaver which will search for molecules that could prove useful to combat

Oxford author Philip Pullman has become the first children's writer to win the Whitbread Book Of The Year title and receives £30,000. His fantasy novel The Amber Spyglass was last night judged the "overwhelming" winner by judges who had been wary of giving

A hostel for homeless young people has re-opened in Didcot, despite being threatened with closure because of a cash crisis. The bedsit hostel in Great Western Drive has received a £200,000 facelift and reopened as The Hagbourne's. The hostel was built

Families in west Oxford have rallied to support their neighbourhood shopkeeper, after an early morning arson attack almost cost him his business. Manager Hussain Shah, 26, said it was a stroke of luck the fire was spotted. As reported in the late edition

Oxford United boss Ian Atkins lamented his players' failure to make things happen as Torquay forced a 1-1 draw at The Kassam Stadium last night. United's hopes of challenging for a play-off spot dipped as they allowed lowly Torquay to equalise from a

Oxford Harlequins were far from downhearted following their elimination from the Powergen Intermediate Cup on Saturday. Hertford, unbeaten leaders of London North Division 2, were just too strong and triumphed 33-17 to reach the quarter-finals and keep

Radley Ladies' Tracey Galbraith braved atrocious weather to win the women's race at the Cotswold Canter 10km all-terrain race at Burford. Galbraith fought off some strong challengers, taking first place with an excellent time of 38mins 57secs, and finishing

Hundreds of Scouts, Cubs, Guides and Brownies will gather for the 12th annual Oxford Gang Show Singalong on Saturday. More than 200 people, aged from eight to 65, will perform songs at Oxford Town Hall, from 7pm. Organisers hope to raise more than last

The cast of a classical Greek play found the perfect Oxford backdrop to promote their show. Paul O'Mahony, who plays Jason, and Marie-Louise Crawley, as Medea, posed among the classical columns of the Ashmolean Museum in Beaumont Street. They are rehearsing

Wallingford at the time of the Queen's coronation will be the main theme of the Golden Jubilee exhibition in the town's museum. It will be decorated for the Jubilee weekend in June and will feature several special displays. Museum spokesman Ruth Pidgeon

Oxford author Colin Dexter returns to one of the haunts of his world-famous character, Inspector Morse, today as he reopens The Trout Inn, at Godstow. Mr Dexter will be joined by villagers, some of whom have appeared as extras in the TV adaptations of

The grounds of Burford Priory will be open on Sunday, February 3, from 2pm.

Residents of south Oxfordshire are being urged to take part in drawing up the district council's plans for the future. A questionnaire about the council's strategies for the coming year asks people to list their top three priorities for the council to