Archive

  • Prep school set to close

    An exclusive prep school that catered for royalty is to close, blaming the impact of the invasion of Iraq and the Sars epidemic. Millbrook House School, in Milton, near Abingdon, will close its doors next month because too few pupils have enrolled for

  • Club kicks off help for numeracy and literacy

    The glamour of Oxford United is inspiring young people to develop their literacy and numeracy skills as part of a Government-backed scheme. A total of 16 schools have sent students to United's Kassam Stadium to take part in the Playing for Success initiative

  • Protesters stage May demo

    Public services, taxes, low wages and the spread of privatisation were among the concerns of protesters at the traditional May Day rally in Oxford yesterday (May 5). Protesters march down High Street Bonn Square was the rallying place for a public protest

  • GPs attack new funding system

    Doctors in Oxford fear a new system of GP funding could reduce their income by 40 to 50 per cent. About 10 practices in the city centre are worried they will lose out because of the high number of students on their books. Under the current system, GPs

  • Prep school set to close

    An exclusive prep school that catered for royalty is to close, blaming the impact of the invasion of Iraq and the Sars epidemic. Millbrook House School, in Milton, near Abingdon, will close its doors next month because too few pupils have enrolled for

  • Division 4 preview

    Peter Fenn begins his series previewing the new Oxford Times Cherwell League season, which starts on May 10. Trevor Spindler Didcot will be placing great reliance on the old guard to assist new skipper Andy Broughton, who has taken over from Julian Hitchman

  • Second dig starts on site for shops

    Archaeologists have started a new dig on a town centre site in Wallingford. An initial investigation found evidence giving details about medieval life in the area from around 1100. Now Thames Valley Archaeological Services want to see if much more can

  • Clarkson faces fox police inquiry

    Oxfordshire motoring journalist Jeremy Clarkson faces a police investigation after admitting on TV that he deliberately ran down a fox in his car. The outspoken Top Gear TV presenter and newspaper columnist, who lives in Chipping Norton, outraged wildlife

  • Protest fails to stop plan

    Councillors have given the go ahead for a new house to be built in a garden in Childrey, despite protests from neighbours. Five letters were sent to the Vale of White Horse District Council arguing that the two-bed house off Church Row would overlook

  • Headteachers warn of budget shortfall

    Oxfordshire headteachers have accused the Government of "getting its sums wrong", over the funding of education. Delegates at the annual conference of the National Association of Headteachers, in York, issued a warning over funding shortages and threatened

  • Alonso is the 'real deal,' says chief

    Fernando Alonso has been paid a glowing tribute by his Renault team after a brilliant performance in Sunday's Spanish Grand Prix. The 21-year-old finished second for the Enstone-based team, after challenging winner Michael Schumacher throughout the race

  • Fordy seals Thame derby win

    Thame Utd 1, Oxford City 0: Thame United cemented their position as the top Ryman league League side in Oxfordshire with a hard-fought local derby victory over Oxford City at Windmill Stadium on Saturday. Former Oxford United defender Mike Ford bagged

  • My day as an Ox

    The Oxford Mail's Mark Edwards spent the day as Oxford United's mascot Olly The Ox on Saturday and found it quite an ordeal . . . Mark in action as OllyEveryone said that I was mad - and they were right. When I agreed to don the costume of Oxford United

  • Weekend results check

    Results in football, cricket, rugby and ice hockey over the weekend, May 3-4, 2003 __________FOOTBALL _________ NATIONWIDE LEAGUE Div 3: Oxford Utd 2, York City 0. RYMAN LEAGUE Div 1 North: Thame Utd 1, Oxford C 0. Div 2: Leyton 8, Abingdon Tn 0. DR MARTENS

  • United quartet still up in air

    The senior member of Oxford United's out-of-contract four has spoken of the anxiety caused by the club's decision to dish out deals that ended early. David OldfieldStriker David Oldfield, 34, says that, like Bobby Ford, Steve Basham and Roy Hunter, he

  • Events off to flying start

    Thousands of people turned out to enjoy the sunshine and the second huge party of the weekend in Oxford. Mayfly, which was held in South Park yesterday, attracted 6,000 people. There was something for everyone ranging from the Sonic dance tent, live music

  • Hall's use will be debated

    The public are being asked for their views about the future of Abingdon's Old County Hall following plans to move the town's museum to a new cultural centre. For more than 80 years the 17th century building, in the Market Place, has housed the town's

  • Elderly woman dies in accident

    A bus company and police are investigating the death of an elderly woman, who fell under a bus in Oxford. Stagecoach Oxford described the incident, which took at Carfax on Sunday morning, as a "tragic accident". Police are appealing for witnesses to the

  • Campaign aims to cut car park crime rate

    A new campaign to cut car crime was launched today (May 6) by Oxford City Council and Oxford Police. Colin Cook, centre, with fellow sity councillor Jean Fooks and Insp Oliver Wright Following the success of Operation Cubit, which targeted abandoned and

  • Mice use objects to help navigate

    Mice place objects in the wild to prevent them getting lost, researchers at Oxford University have discovered. They found wood mice often leave piles of seeds, leaves, shells and twigs as 'rodent roadsigns' to find interesting locations and to retrace

  • Lord Mayor honours city's unsung heroes

    A reception has been held at Oxford Town Hall to recognise people who have given exceptional service to the city. Four Oxford residents were awarded a Certificate of Honour by the Lord Mayor of Oxford, Gill Sanders. Earlier this year, Oxford residents

  • Asthma campaigners call for care overhaul

    More than 8,000 asthma patients in Oxford are struggling with their symptoms because of sub-standard NHS care, according to statistics published today. Research by the National Asthma Campaign found that an estimated 74 per cent of the 11,000 people in

  • Football: Basham drops new contract hint

    STRIKER Steve Basham showed another glimpse of the ability Oxford United thought he possessed when they signed him ten months ago with two superbly-taken goals against York. And they may just have done enough to earn him a new deal. Basham is one of the

  • Test aircraft for signs of virus, states urged

    Oxfordshire Euro-MP Caroline Lucas has warned a Europe-wide strategy is needed to slow the spread of the Sars virus. Dr Lucas, a member of the parliament's public health committee, is calling for co-ordination to prevent an epidemic of Severe Acute Respiratory

  • Events off to flying start

    Thousands of people turned out to enjoy the sunshine and the second huge party of the weekend in Oxford. Mayfly, which was held in South Park yesterday, attracted 6,000 people. There was something for everyone ranging from the Sonic dance tent, live music

  • Staff and pupils earn 'much improved' report

    Banbury School has received a much-improved report from Ofsted inspectors. Artist David Odwar teaches Year 10 pupil Aaron Houghton in 2002 The report has been welcomed by the school, but principal Dr Fiona Hammans has warned that substantial investment

  • Champs steam ahead

    Stuart Brown and passenger Luke Peters, of Finstock, continued their dominant defence of their British Sidecar Championship title on Easter Monday, at the Asham Woods circuit, near Frome, Somerset. After topping the qualifying sheets with a three-second

  • Alonso is the 'real deal,' says chief

    Fernando Alonso has been paid a glowing tribute by his Renault team after a brilliant performance in Sunday's Spanish Grand Prix. The 21-year-old finished second for the Enstone-based team, after challenging winner Michael Schumacher throughout the race

  • Soil dumpers caught in the act by fly-tip officer

    An illegal dumper chose the wrong moment to get rid of unwanted top soil in a north Oxfordshire lay-by. As Gary Webb and a friend shovelled soil off a trailer on to the ground, they were seen by a local council officer whose job it was to prevent fly-tipping

  • Vineyard correction

    In last Thursday's Oxford Mail (May 1) we stated that the Vinevard Service Station in Abingdon was selling unleaded petrol at 80.9p a litre. This was incorrect. It was in fact selling the product at 79.9p and has since reduced the price even further.

  • Wartime flypast delights crowds

    It was a sight to gladden the heart of any air enthusiast -- the sight and sound of a Spitfire and Hurricane against a backdrop of bright blue sky. Dave Webb with his model Lancaster The two veteran fighters, belonging to the RAF Memorial Flight, flew

  • Pilot launches new round-world mission

    After a cup of tea and a royal handshake, Oxfordshire's record-breaking pilot Polly Vacher was due to take off today on another journey of a lifetime -- attempting a second solo round-the-world flight. After talking to Prince Charles, Mrs Vacher, from

  • Bristol rugby chief 'a loose cannon'

    The man fronting Firoz Kassam's bid to bring Premiership rugby to Oxford has described Bristol Shoguns owner Malcolm Pearce as "a loose cannon". There has been speculation over the past three months that Pearce was prepared to sell his Bristol rugby franchise

  • Waste wood put to use

    Waste wood in Charlbury and Finstock will be recycled into garden furniture and window boxes. Waste action groups joined forces over the weekend with the county council and the Elder Stubbs woodwork project, which makes garden furniture from recycled

  • Show helps cancer fight

    An entertainer moved by the tale of two Wantage sisters struck by cancer is organising a charity variety show. Professional entertainer Jim Mitchell is rounding up singers, musicians and performers from the community to help raise money for cancer charities

  • Sidecar stars in final thriller

    Two thrilling finals were the feature of the Berks Bonanza grasstrack meeting at the new venue in Grove Farms, Steventon on Monday. The 1,000cc sidecars took pride of place as Ivor Matthews and partner Tony Miles emerged from the dust to pip long-time

  • Under 20s' dream dies in first half

    Oxfordshire Under 20s' dream of playing at Twickenham died when they went down 28-19 to North Midlands in their Tetley's Under 20 Championship semi-final at Dudley Kingswinford on Saturday. James LambIt was a gallant display from the Oxon lads, who actually

  • Rover out of National League

    Rover Oxford Ladies lost their National League status after a brave effort at the Inter-League play-offs at the Belle Vue Leisure Centre in Manchester over the Bank Holiday weekend. They gave thermselves a real chance of remaining in English League Division

  • Division 4 preview

    Peter Fenn begins his series previewing the new Oxford Times Cherwell League season, which starts on May 10. Trevor Spindler Didcot will be placing great reliance on the old guard to assist new skipper Andy Broughton, who has taken over from Julian Hitchman

  • Estate agents open once more

    Three months after a fire, Taylors have re-opened their estate agent's branch in Market Square, Bicester. Paul Brown and Lyndsay Hogan Paul Brown and Lyndsay Hogan worked from the branch in Buckingham while the office was refurbished.

  • Oxford storm back

    Ipswich Witches 41, Oxford Silver Machine 49: Oxford Silver Machine recovered from an inauspicious start to record a notable victory in the away leg of their Knockout Cup tie at Foxhall Heath on Monday. Todd Wiltshire The afternoon looked as though it

  • Musicians raise cash

    A musical marathon at Banbury School raised more than £600 for its music department. More than 30 keen music students took part in a sponsored 12-hour session during their Easter break, playing a variety of instruments. Music teacher Rachel Pollard, who

  • Folk festival turns 25

    A music festival that turns a quiet north Oxfordshire village into a temporary tented town of more than 23,000 folk-rock fans, will celebrate its 25th anniversary this summer. Fairport Convention's 2003 Cropredy Festival takes place on August 7, 8, and

  • Drivers face seatbelt crackdown

    Police in north Oxfordshire are moving up a gear in their campaign to get drivers to wear seatsbelts even on short and slow-moving journeys. This week police will be patrolling roads in the Banbury area at peak times to spot drivers who are not wearing

  • Didcot land another cup

    Didcot Town rounded off their season with a 2-1 victory against Southall Town to lift the Cherry Red Records Hellenic League's Supplementary Cup at Abingdon United yesterday. Nigel Emsden and Chris Dore scored for Didcot, who last week won the Berks &

  • Folk festival turns 25

    A music festival that turns a quiet north Oxfordshire village into a temporary tented town of more than 23,000 folk-rock fans, will celebrate its 25th anniversary this summer. Fairport Convention's 2003 Cropredy Festival takes place on August 7, 8, and

  • Redevelopment site supermarket shuts

    Didcot's Somerfield supermarket -- part of the site of the long-awaited town centre redevelopment -- has closed its doors. The store is part of the 18-acre Orchard Centre site which is to be redeveloped by South Oxfordshire District Council and Taylor

  • Bengalis celebrate new year

    The Bengali New Year was celebrated in Oxford with a festival of food, dancing and music. The Oxfordshire Bangladeshi Association staged the event at the Asian Cultural Centre, Manzil Way, east Oxford, to say Nobo Brasha -- Happy New Year. Children took

  • Memories of working years survive

    The finishing touches are being made to a booklet of the memories shared by a group of women aged between 70 and 90. The booklet will be launched by the senior citizens, who meet every week at Wood Farm Health Centre, Oxford, during Adult Learners Week

  • 'Alliance' to combat bone condition

    A conference in Oxford today (May 6) will herald a new alliance to combat a brittle bone condition which affects one in three women and one in 12 men over the age of 50. Every three minutes someone suffers a fracture due to osteoporosis, a disorder which

  • FOOTBALL: United denied at the death

    AN Atkins has urged Oxford United to "kick on" from the progress they have shown this season to make sure they don't miss out on promotion again. The U's boss was speaking in the aftermath of Saturday's cruel sequence of events which saw them have a play-off

  • Football: It's heartbreak for United

    Oxford United 2,York City 0 OXFORD United's hopes of reaching the play-offs were dashed in the cruellest manner imaginable at the Kassam Stadium on Saturday. Two well-taken goals by Steve Basham looked as though they might be enough to take the U's into