Helen Peacocke helps put youngsters to the test in a competition held recently at Oxford Brookes University The regional finals of a national competition sponsored by the Savoy Restaurant Trust - staged to test the cooking skills of the country's most
Silverstone-based Jordan are opting out of Formula 1's end-of-year testing. The team are switching from Honda engines to Ford and the Cosworth engine will not fit into the 2002 EJ12. A spokesman said Jordan would not be building an interim model to accommodate
Team Bentley has confirmed that it will run under one roof at racing technology norfolk (rtn), under the responsibility of Bentley Motors. The team will continue to be run directly from Crewe with Brian Gush - who is Bentley's director of chassis, powertrain
A woman snatched a three-year-old boy as he played on a slide in an Oxford park and ran off with him in her arms. She released the child after the mother gave chase. Today, police said they were treating the incident as attempted abduction and urged parents
Banbury's Proton Team KR, the only fully independent team in top-level motorcycle racing, is taking a bold step into the future in 2003, with a head-on challenge to the factories with their new V5 four-stroke MotoGP racer. Team owner Kenny Roberts has
The boss of British American Racing, David Richards, has promised grand prix fans a 'vintage' season next year after Formula 1 chiefs unveiled plans to spice up the sport. Team bosses have given their backing to the changes, announced yesterday, to alter
When motorist Adrian Bull broke his neck in a head-on 70mph crash with a lorry, surgeons feared he would die. Adrian Bull But nearly two years later, the 23-year-old was today joining them at the official opening of their new £8.5m trauma unit, at the
An Oxfordshire farm shop has scooped one of the country's apple pie champions awards -- but it was pipped at the post for the top spot by a pub in north Wales. Harry Hudson Millets Farm in Frilford, near Abingdon, won the south west regional heat of the
A man who started his life in farming, using horse-drawn ploughs, has died at the age of 89. Michael Badger was brought up at Grove Farm in Brize Norton. After marrying Betty Hoskins, he took up tenancy of land at Chilson, near Charlbury, and farmed there
A keen and generous baker, Joseph Jacques, has died aged 86. Mr Jacques, known as 'Son', was born at the old bakery in Steventon, near Abingdon. He attended Abingdon School but at the age of 15, after the death of his father, he joined the family business
A former Abingdon GP, and country sports enthusiast, has died at the age of 84. Dr Jack Cherry moved to Abingdon in 1952 and a year later was one of the original six doctors at the old Malthouse surgery. He practised in Abingdon and surrounding villages
Former English teacher Pamela Morris has died in a nursing home in Burford, aged 95. Known as Pam, she was born in 1906, the daughter of Greek businessman Nico Paramythioti and distinguished English composer Amy Horrocks. She grew up in Paris, learning
The founder of a Scout group in Wantage has died, aged 94. James Farrington, known as Fram, lived in Wantage for more than 40 years before returning to Northern Ireland in 1989 to be near to his son. Mr Farrington was a founder of the Third King Alfred
Chipping Norton cruised to a 29-0 victory at home to Oxford with tries from Jon Hickman (2), Richard Holland and Jason Gillett. Adam Smith added three conversions and a penalty for Chippy, who dominated the rucks and mauls.
Gosford All Blacks had to withstand furious early exchanges before beating a determined Abingdon 13-3 in their Division 2 game at Stratfield Brake. Bryan Graham's early penalty for Gosford was matched by Abingdon's Xavier Lecocq. All Blacks were disrupted
Littlemore recorded their first Division 1 win of the season and their first victory at Milton Keynes for a number of years when they triumphed 18-14. A try by prop Chris Shipley and a penalty from Adam Thompson put Littlemore 8-7 ahead after half-time
Leaders Oxford Harlequins were given their stiffest test of the season, when they scrambled home 15-11 against Abbey at Horspath Road. After playing into a strong wind, Quins trailed 11-0 at half-time, as Abbey scored a try and two penalties. Quins, who
Grove went down to yet another frustratingly narrow defeat on Saturday - 26-24 at home to Wimborne - to leave them struggling at the bottom of the table. The lead changed hands seven times, but it was Wimborne who scraped home. The visitors struck first
The station commander of RAF Brize Norton, Group Captain Neil Jagger, is handing over command of the country's largest air force base after two years to Group Captain John Lermonte on Friday. One of his most poignant memories came after the attacks in
Blacksmith Fred Harriss took time off from his forge to deliver a thank you to Witney Community Hospital. The 75-year-old Charlbury man joined fellow members of the Wychwood Lodge of the Buffaloes to hand over a cheque for £715. "The Buffaloes do a lot
Two district councils in Oxfordshire are joining forces with teachers in a strategy to tackle drug abuse by school pupils. The Vale of White Horse and South Oxfordshire councils are staging a training day for 34 secondary school teachers from 18 state
Witney posted their first victory of the season with a 3-0 win against Southgate Adelaide. Graham Mathews opened the scoring from a short corner. Tenacious play on the byeline by Steve Bates set up Mike Godwin for the second goal. And Godwin also pounced
Abingdon recorded their third successive victory in Division 2 with a 5-1 win in a bruising encounter at Enfield. Abingdon found themselves a goal down after 15 minutes when Enfield's Graham Sparry deflected the ball into the net following a free hit
A late try by replacement forward Rob Thurlow earned Bicester an unconvincing 22-15 victory over winless Wallingford at Oxford Road. Bicester's fourth win in five matches puts them second in the table, but it was a sluggish display by the home side. Wallingford
A community group in Banbury is celebrating a slice of good luck. Warburtons has given £150 to the 18-Plus Group in the town. The donation is part of the bakery's 'make a difference' appeal to help charitable groups. It particularly helps causes that
The speed with which Jefferson Louis has adapted to third division football makes him one of the first names Oxford United manager Ian Atkins now writes down on his teamsheet. Jefferson LouisThe former Thame United forward's well-taken strike against
Banbury United's scoring sensation Norman Sylla could be on his way to second division Brentford FC, if a trial at the west London club proves successful. Norman SyllaSylla, 20, who hit his 22nd goal in only 17 starts in the Dr Marten Eastern Division
Science company AEA Technology is acquiring Derby-based train services firm The Engineering Link. The £10.2m acquisition will strengthen Harwell-based AEA Technology's technical capability and extend its reach into the freight and metro market places.
in business Companies in Bicester are preparing for the town's first business awards, which take place on October 30. Organisers have already declared the sold-out event a success after 50 firms entered. The chairman of the judging panel, Colin Skinner
A garden centre is doubling in size to stock more plants, Christmas gifts and fireworks. James Lentle The Q Garden Company in Chinnor, near Thame, took over the existing nursery two years ago and bought the lease last year. The company has outline planning
An Oxfordshire company is celebrating after securing contracts at a succession of top international golfing championships. De Boer Structures, of Banbury, provides equipment for the Ryder Cup, at England's De Vere Belfry, and to the World Golf Championships
The Co-operative Group has become the largest convenience store retailer in the UK after buying rival Alldays for £131m. The mutually owned retailer, of which the Oxford, Swindon and Gloucester Co-op is part, bought the debt-laden business in a complex
Though famed for much else - including slow hand-clapping the Prime Minister - Women's Institute members are still recognised as Britain's finest cake makers. Helen Peacocke meets a WI kitchen star Although this article aims to celebrate the extraordinary
Bicycles used by doctors to visit homeless people across Oxford have been stolen. The two electric bikes were stolen from the Luther Street Medical Centre in Oxford. They were bought almost two years ago with money raised by the Oxford Isis Rotary Club
Richard Harris's double in the latest Harry Potter film has paid tribute to the actor. Oxford In Bloom judge Harry Robinson, 72, was stand-in for the star in The Chamber of Secrets. Mr Harris, who was also 72, died of cancer on Friday. He played Dumbledore
Two radio presenters have given their support to a cancer charity in Oxford. Sue Lawley and Sandi Toksvig will both read at a Macmillan Cancer Relief carol concert called The Celebration of Christmas, on Friday, December 13, in New College Chapel, Holywell
Hundreds of people in Oxfordshire were still without power today (October 29) as the county struggled to recover from the weekend storms. Emergency services remove a tree which had fallen on a car on Crowell Road, Oxford Schools were shut and rail services
The speed with which Jefferson Louis has adapted to third division football makes him one of the first names Oxford United manager Ian Atkins now writes down on his teamsheet. Jefferson LouisThe former Thame United forward's well-taken strike against
Challow & Childrey CC have been given a reprieve after an appeal hearing last night reversed a decision relegating their teams in The Oxford Times Cherwell League for falsifying registration forms. The league's disciplinary sub-committee last month
A few years ago I had a car accident on Christmas Day - not the best day to pick. After a telephone call by a passer-by, the emergency services were there in minutes. The car was in a bad state, and I knew I was too. When the firefighters arrived, they
Unipart Group has sold two of its major plants, including its Oxford headquarters, in a bid to raise cash. Under the terms of the sale, the motor components and supply chain management company is leasing back both the Cowley operation and its factory
Myths and legends came alive at Clanfield CofE Primary School as staff and pupils came to school for the day in fancy dress. Five-year-old Wilf Holdcroft and George Edwards, six St George crossed swords with a dragon while King Arthur was reunited with
Action for November 1-3 FRIDAY Llandudno: Cambrian Classic Rally. First day of two-day event. 0149 258 4872. SATURDAY Silverstone: Eight Clubs car races. 0870 606 0611. Santa Pod: Flame and Thunder drag races. 0870 078 2828. Kings Lynn: 1600cc Banger
Shops in Oxford city centre were cleared of customers and workers told to stay inside by police when a man threatened to jump from a church tower. The 20-year-old man sat with his legs dangling over the edge of the tower of St Michael at the Northgate
A music festival has raised £1,000 to help sick children. The Music in the Abbey festival at Dorchester by the Orchestra of St John's was a major success. The money will be divided equally between the Douglas House hospice project in Oxford and SoundStories
I feel I must reply to Ken Coleman's letter (Oxford Mail, October 22). If the fire brigade's union and their employers had not suffered Government interference during negotiations in July it might not have been necessary to threaten industrial action.
Witney produced their most commanding performance of the season with an emphatic 41-11 victory at Buckingham. Fly half Francis Grant made Buckingham pay for their indiscretions with a personal haul of 26 points. Two penalties by Grant and a superbly worked
The headteacher of one of Oxfordshire's top-performing schools has hit out at a culture of 'cool', which he says is damaging boys' education. Mark Turner, head of Abingdon School, said boys were falling behind girls in exam results because some thought
Rover Oxford coasted to an emphatic 6-1 win at bottom club Tring in Division 1. Two goals from James Pillinger and a brilliant solo effort from Toby Langdon put Rover firmly in charge at the break. Rover maintained their dominance after the break and
City of Oxford lost their unbeaten record in Middlesex, Berks, Bucks & Oxon Regional with a 5-3 defeat at home to table-topping Milton Keynes in a rip-roaring encounter. Andy Small finished neatly with a reverse-stick shot into the top of the net
Full back Tim Barlow and scrum half Graham Barr make their first starts for Oxford University when they entertain NEC Harlequins at Iffley Road (Tuesday, 7.15). Barlow has recovered from a hamstring suffered before the tour of Japan. His return means
Rover Oxford were made to pay for missed chances - including a late penalty - as they slid to a 3-2 defeat at Exmouth in Division 2. The Devon side forced keeper Liz Say into several early saves. But Rover held out and, from their first attack, Lorraine
A conker championship rounded off a pub's weekend of fundraising for people with Lupus disease. Alan Hendron, 11, Alexander Rose, five, and Chad Hendron, 13, join in the fun The Black's Head Inn, at Bletchingdon, near Bicester, raised £300 through the
Norman Bowley, the man known to many as Mr Horspath, has died at the age of 82. Mr Bowley, of Gidley Way, died on Sunday morning (October 27). He was a member of the village's parish council and its chairman for many years, and a tireless campaigner for
Challow & Childrey CC have been given a reprieve after an appeal hearing last night reversed a decision relegating their teams in The Oxford Times Cherwell League for falsifying registration forms. The league's disciplinary sub-committee last month
Love flourishes amid racial tension and gang warfare in a student production of Leonard Bernstein's musical West Side Story, which comes to the Oxford Playhouse next week. Kari Moffatt, who plays Maria, rehearses her role as one of the star-crossed lovers
The mother who foiled a would-be abductor in Oxford reacted instinctively - yet with courage. She faced every parent's nightmare when a woman snatched her three-year-old son from a swing and carried him through Cutteslowe Park gates. The mother's reaction
Helen Peacocke reports on a pioneering scheme - in which she has been involved - to show youngsters the importance of healthy eating Headmaster Richard Jones held up a chocolate bar and then an apple as he asked the 200 primary school children assembled
An animal charity is offering a free neutering service from next month until the end of January to stop cat numbers spiralling out of control nationwide. Cats Protection neuters 100,000 cats each year nationwide, but calculates that a single female can
A schizophrenic has been detained indefinitely under the Mental Health Act after he slashed a pensioner with a kitchen knife. David Newport, 49, left Jean Battell, a friend's neighbour, with multiple stab wounds on February 15. The 65-year-old needed
Kosovan children adjusting to new lives in Oxford were given a taste of home by riding horses again. Six children, now living in east Oxford, were able to enjoy horse rides thanks to money raised by volunteers at the Asylum Welcome charity. During a film-making
A long-running rent dispute over a social club's premises has been resolved without legal action. Kidlington Recreational Trust had started legal proceedings to evict the trust's social club from its Yarnton Road base after club members refused to pay
The Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Oxford could be stripped of its top NHS rating due to a rise in cancelled operations. Managers at the Headington hospital have warned that their three-star rating could be jeopardised by a sudden increase in patients
An Oxford University student and his family, who escaped death after being held hostage by Chechen rebels in a Moscow theatre, spoke of their relief that their ordeal was over. Richard Low, and his parents Peter and Sidica, arrived at Heathrow Airport
Banbury United's scoring sensation Norman Sylla could be on his way to second division Brentford FC, if a trial at the west London club proves successful. Norman SyllaSylla, 20, who hit his 22nd goal in only 17 starts in the Dr Marten Eastern Division
We are pleased to hear that pupils and teachers at Windale Primary School, Blackbird Leys, Oxford, are tackling school journey issues (Oxford Mail, October 23). The problems caused by the school run and increasing traffic create problems for thousands
