A team established to clamp down on nuisance neighbours is set to extend its work to the whole of Oxfordshire. On Monday, Oxford City Council's executive board will discuss recommendations that its Crime and Nuisance Action Team (CANAcT) could offer its
One of Abingdon's leading independent schools has apologised to its neighbours after staging a noisy fireworks display as part of its centenary celebrations. St Helen and St Katharine School, in Faringdon Road, held a gala concert and rounded off the
Celebrations begin on Sunday to mark the 450th anniversary of Christ's Hospital of Abingdon, the oldest charity in Oxfordshire and 39th oldest in the country. Christ's Hospital was incorporated 450 years ago, in 1553, and a service is being held on the
A colouring competition on the Easter theme attracted many entries from children using Berinsfield Library. Ken Hall with, left to right, Alice D'arcy, three, Nichola Sutton, nine, Dellisia Harrop, five, Matthew Goldsbury, six, Shane Stevens, eight, and
Publicans in Abingdon fear more pub closures if the national cut-price chain JD Wetherspoon moves in to the town early next year. Landlords and bar managers are considering objecting to the conversion of the old Congregational Church in The Square. In
St Mary's Church in Wallingford was packed on Friday, May 9, for the funeral of Alan Ryan. Mr Ryan, 40, was brought up at St George's Green in the town and worked in the kitchens of The George pub, the Shillingford Bridge Hotel and The Swan in Streatley
Dedicated Guide leader Mary Ponton has died aged 77, after a battle with cancer. Born in 1925, Mrs Ponton spent her childhood in Rugby, and as a teenager moved with her family to London, where she attended Wembley Girls Grammar School and secretarial
Matches scheduled for Sunday, May 18, 2003 BRITISH UNIVERSITIES CUP Bristol UCCE v Oxford UCCE. REPRESENTATIVE Oxfordshire v Gloucestershire 2nd (Banbury, 11). CLUB MATCHES Oxford & Horspath v United Oxford Hospitals, East & West Hendred v Summertown
England women's captain, Clare Connor, leads The Braves in defence of their Super Fours title in Oxford on Saturday. Connor, the Channel 4 cricket presenter, is one of 48 elite women players, selected for four teams - The Braves, The Knight Riders, The
Once again anti-war demonstrators have prevented the Oxford East MP Andrew Smith from taking part in a public meeting. They have previously disrupted his weekly surgery meetings and forced a Labour club to cancel a scheduled event with the MP. The so-called
There is no evidence that the Royal Navy press gangs, so popular in the Bristol area during the reign of George III, ever ventured to Oxford to top up their crews. So our colleague Nigel Hanson might well be the first to be kidnapped aboard a ship from
Cholsey were brought crashing down to earth after Thame won their OLTA Inter-Club League Men's 3-Pair Division 1 clash 8-1. After getting their campaign off to a flying start with a 7-2 victory over Oxford City B, Cholsey were looking to record back-to-back
County councillors were expected to sound the death knell for Headington Quarry First School in Oxford today (May 15). The school organisation committee was expected to rubber-stamp the executive board's decision on Tuesday that the school should close
Two people were taken to hospital following a head-on crash outside Bicester sports ground in Akeman Street, Chesterton, on Thursday, May 8. A woman was taken to The Horton Hospital in Banbury with shock. The other casualty was taken to the John Radcliffe
Oxford Silver Machine promoter Nigel Wagstaff is considering signing Reading's Phil Morris to boost his Elite League squad. Morris is sidelined with an injured shoulder, but if he joined Oxford, he would continue riding for Reading in the Premier League
Oxford Silver Machine trio Nicki Pedersen, Todd Wiltshire and Sebastian Ulamek set out on their bid to become world champion when speedway's Grand Prix series gets under way this weekend. None of the trio - due to battle it out in the Grand Prix of Europe
BATS have moved into Warriner School's drama studio. Bloxham Amateur Theatrical Society will be performing the play Holiday Snap at the studio from Thursday, May 29, to Saturday, May 31. Tickets, which cost £6, are on sale at Bloxham post office.
Banbury Cross Twirlers have achieved their best-ever results at the national baton-twirling championships. Pictured, front from left, are Charlie Pain, nine, Natalie Coles, nine, Corey Newton, seven, and Rebecca Coles, eight, and back from left, Suzy
A pedestrian on his way to a church meeting died after being struck by a car at traffic lights in Banbury, an inquest heard. Barry Evershed, 63, of Wesley Drive, Banbury, was hit by a blue Honda in Upper Windsor Street on August 2. He suffered severe
Radley sprint stars Kay Reynolds and Molly Russell shone at the Oxfordshire Track & Field Championships at Tilsley Park, Abingdon. Reynolds smashed the veteran women's record by an incredible 1.7secs as she triumphed in 12.3 - a faster time than Oxford
Greene King Oxford & District Aunt Sally League results Premier/ Section 1: Garsington Spts 1, Cricketers B 2; George B 3, Fox 0; White House A 1, Highfield SC A 2; Royal Sun 2, Cowley Workers B 1; Plough A 2, Flying Machine 1. Section 2: Woodman
Giles Woodforde enjoys the fun at the Oxford Playhouse: Truly, they don't write them like this any more. It's a thought that immediately springs to mind as Oxford Operatic Society's orchestra plays the rip-roaring overture to the Rodgers and Hammerstein
The official watchdog for rail passengers using Thames Trains services will meet in Didcot on Tuesday, May 20. The Rail Passengers Thames Trains committee will discuss the benefits for passengers that might be achieved from the two-year extension of the
A 16-year-old boy had his bike snatched by two men in a car as he rode near Didcot town centre. The teenager, who has not been named, was not physically hurt although police say he was left shaken by the incident. The robbery happened at about 3.15pm
Funding of about £1m is being sought to repair damaged stretches of the Ridgeway national trail. The move is one of a package of measures drawn up by the Ridgeway Management Group to tackle surface problems on the 85-mile ancient route, which runs from
An oxford school is to close after a sharp decline in pupil numbers meant the school was no longer viable. Headington Quarry First School will close this summer after it was estimated that only 25 pupils were ready to go there from September. School budgets
Car owners in southern Oxfordshire have been warned to be on their guard following a spate of vehicle thefts. Police said that thieves broke into occupied houses -- often at night -- and stole keys for vehicles left outside. In the past 12 months, almost
An Oxfordshire travel agent which organises trips to Kenya is advising people not to over-react to the ban on flights to the country following a terror alert. Travellers on Burford-based African Explorations's last organised trip to Kenya returned a fortnight
Artwork inspired by Oxford Botanic Gardens goes on show on Saturday, May 17 Tessa Farmer with one of the 'inhabitants' of the Weeping Ash Students from Ruskin School of Drawing and Fine Art have created a series of sculptures and 3D art installations
Dave Crabb is getting ready for a mountainous charity expedition from Lands End to John O'Groats. Dave Crabb Mr Crabb, 48, is set to embark on the 1,200-mile ride on Saturday, May 17. During the ride he will dismount to climb Scafell Pike, Ben Nevis and
A volunteer-run bus service for disabled and elderly people has been given a new home, after being forced to leave its base at a former hospital. The Wallingford Coach for the Disabled used to be kept at the Fairmile Hospital in Cholsey, near Wallingford
A soft top version of the Mini will be built at the Cowley factory next year. An early concept drawing of the Mini Cabrio Dr Helmut Panke, chairman of Mini parent company BMW, finally confirmed that the first cabriolet versions of the highly-successful
Pensioners across Oxfordshire went on line today as part of a national event to recognise a new generation of Internet users. Student Diana Law, left, and Richard Wales, of Age Concern Oxfordshire, at The Clockhouse resource centre in Blackbird Leys Silver
Controversial MP George Galloway will address a public meeting at Oxford Town Hall tonight, May 16. The town hall was finally secured as the venue after Oxford Students Stop the War Coalition (OSSWC) contacted the city council for the first time yesterday
Plans for an office complex which could house most of Oxfam's staff are likely to be given approval -- although the charity warned the development might not be enough to keep its base in Summertown. An artist's impression of the proposed design for the
I was astounded at the recent Oxfordshire County Council report about plans for next year's council tax (Oxford Mail, May 8). I have just had to endure a rise of 13.4 per cent. Now a council finance officer's report was accepted by the executive which
I have just returned from a meeting of the Cowley area committee. Month after month, we have highlighted various problems regarding traffic and roads. We are informed month after month that the highways committee and officers of the county council will
Money earmarked for buildings and repairs will be diverted to alleviate the school funding crisis. Headteachers in Oxfordshire welcomed a move by the Government to funnel the money into salaries to prevent staff from being laid off. Education Secretary
This is Irish painter Bernadette Kiely's first solo show in England, writes Jeannine Alton. After studying and work at the Slade and in New York, she returned to rural Kilkenny, close to her birthplace, where time, seasons and elements provide her, as
Residents and traders in Wallingford are being urged to back the town's secondary school in its bid to attract £1m of Government funding. Wallingford School is applying for specialist status as a Sports College and needs to raise £50,000 by the end of
Consultation is to continue on the sensitive issue of including pupils with special education needs in mainstream schools. Last year, the county council's policy on including special needs children was criticised by the Oxfordshire Secondary Heads Association
Banbury's 555 Subaru World Rally Team driver Petter Solberg finished fifth in the Rally Argentina, to secure five manufacturers' points for Subaru and four in the drivers' championship. Carlos Sainz charged through the final stage of the rally in his
Patient complaints at an Oxford hospital have halved. The Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, in Headington, believes the reduction is directly linked to the appointment of a Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) manager, as well as efforts by staff to reduce
Junior racer Craig Passey, 12, from Benson, followed up second and third places in the heats at Standlake Arena with his first final victory at the track. There was no stopping Bampton racer Ricky Hancock, as he made it three consecutive 1450 Prod Rod
Banbury race ace Jamie Derbyshire stormed to back-to-back victories in rounds three and four of the British GT Championship at Knockhill in Scotland. The Spirit Volkswagen racer had set out with the sole aim of taking two more race wins over the course
The Oxford to Bristol train service run by First Great Western was due to be shunted into history on Saturday, May 17, as part of a national rail shake-up. There used to be 12 trains in each direction on Monday to Saturday and five each way on Sundays
I note that a Parliamentary committee has just stated that this country is in danger of being overrun by the numbers of so-called asylum seekers being allowed unrestricted entry and that, if it continues unabated, it is likely to cause serious social
A man who was described as "the collective memory" of the village he lived in all his life has died at the age of 84. George Panting was born in Ramsden, near Witney, and was involved in all aspects of village life. He was also a war veteran of the D-Day
A man known to hundreds of former engineering students in the Witney area has died at the age of 80. Reginald Hall was a lecturer for 30 years at the town's West Oxfordshire Technical College, which is now part of Abingdon and Witney College. He was a
OT Cherwell League: Oxford Downs batsman Ian Caunce faces a spell on the sidelines after suffering a broken finger in net practice. He misses the trip to Banbury Twenty in Division 1 tomorrow, but all-rounder Wesley Bartlett and batsman Jon Roycroft are
Home Counties Premier League: Bicester & North Oxford have signed Pakistani all-rounder Inam ul Haq - and he is set to make his debut in the Division 2 West Oxfordshire derby at Thame tomorrow. Skipper Darryl Woods is hoping ul Haq can inspire Bicester
Matches scheduled for Saturday, May 17 HOME COUNTIES PREMIER LEAGUE Div 1: Banbury v Radlett, Hemel Hempstead v Oxford & H, Henley v Reading. Div 2 West: Thame Tn v Bicester & N Oxford. THE OXFORD TIMES CHERWELL LEAGUE Div 1: Aston Rowant v Shipton
An elderly woman may have died because a faulty garage door fell on her head, an inquest heard. Elizabeth Wix, 82, was found by her husband in a confused state at their home, in Ewelme, near Wallingford, in April last year. She had suffered two serious
Grant Wallis was elected as club captain at Chipping Norton RFC's annual meeting. Jon Hickman was appointed first-team captain, with Adam Smith as vice-captain. Ben Stowe is the new 2nd XV captain with Rob Bishop as vice-captain. Training starts at the
Around 250 boys and girls will be participating in the Chairman's Cup Oxfordshire Under 11's Tag Rugby Tournament at Oxford Brookes University's Harcourt Hill Campus, North Hinksey, next Wednesday (1pm). The Chairman's Cup, is named after the former chairman
VISA International are the official sponsors of the Under 21 World Cup, which will be held around Oxfordshire next month. The opening ceremony will take place on June 11 at Oxford United's Kassam Stadium which will be the venue for the semi-finals and
Oxfordshire coach John Brodley has warned his side they will have to step up a gear if they are to make a dream appearance at Twickenham in the final of the Tetley's County Shield. After convinicing wins over Bucks and Dorset & Wilts to top Pool 3
A newpolice inspector will take charge of the Witney and Carterton police area in the next few weeks. Insp Arthur Saville has left Thames Valley Police to work for the Police Federation. His replacement is Insp Darren Carver, who joined Thames Valley
Abingdon hit top form in their Ladies' 2-Pair Division 1 match against Thame, romping to a 4-0 victory. Joy Browning and Dominique Newman, playing at second pair, were comfortable winners in their two rubbers, but first pair Jackie Hummel and Val Casemore
Small firms in the Vale of White Horse are set to benefit from easier access to business advice. Business Link, which offers free help and support to new businesses or existing companies in south Oxfordshire, is to start bi-monthly clinics at the Grove
Midwives from Wantage's Maternity Unit have been highlighting the importance of breast-feeding. As part of a national week of raising awareness about the issue, they are visiting shops and businesses in the town asking if they will agree to display 'breast-feeding
Matches scheduled for Sunday, May 18, 2003 WILSON OXON LTA LEAGUE 3-PAIR LEAGUE Mixed Div 1: Oxford City B v Bicester. Div 2: Witney B v Bicester B. Div 3: Kings Sutton v North Oxford D, Bicester C v Oxford City C. 2-PAIR LEAGUE Mixed Div 1: Cholsey B
Mtaches for Saturday, May 16, 2003 WILSON OXON LTA LEAGUE 3-PAIR LEAGUE Ladies Div 2: Banbury West End v Cholsey B. Men Div 5: Mapledurham v North Oxford G. Mixed Div 1: North Oxford v Oxford City, Goring v Woodstock, Abingdon v North Oxford B. Div 2:
Oxford Silver Machine promoter Nigel Wagstaff is considering signing Reading's Phil Morris to boost his Elite League squad. Morris is sidelined with an injured shoulder, but if he joined Oxford, he would continue riding for Reading in the Premier League
People are being invited to take part in a fun day to raise money in memory of a Bicester schoolgirl. Staff at Burger King, Oxford Road, had planned the day to raise money to pay for a headstone for 10-year-old Natasha Holmes. Funeral directors S&
Bells were ringing out today to celebrate the golden wedding anniversary of Clifford and Phyllis East. The couple, of Five Bells Farm, Ludgershall, near Bicester, are both bell ringers, and to mark their special day, on May 16, players performed at the
Plans for a £40,000 extension to a community centre have been put in jeopardy after a pre-school announced it would no longer be using the building. The community association at Langford Village, one of Bicester's housing estates, wants to carry out the
A former Royal Marine who worked his way up to become Oxfordshire Police's Chief Inspector in charge of prosecutions has died after a 22-year battle with cancer. "A walking miracle" is how Colin Bowler's wife Ann said doctors described her husband as
Oxford Silver Machine have axed their out-of-sorts speedway rider Jernej Kolenko. With only a handful of points from his recent meetings, the young Slovenian can have few complaints. And if Oxford are to make the play-offs, they needed to strengthen at
The 100th anniversary of the birth of composer Sir Lennox Berkeley will be marked with a concert in Sunningwell. The event at St Leonard's Church will include work by Sir Lennox, born in Boars Hill, near Oxford, and others. Call 01865 735910 for tickets
Headington Roadrunner Gary Harris finished third overall out of 1,000 starters at the Silverstone 10k in a time of 32mins 8secs. RESULTS Headington RR: G Harris 32.08, S Hands 34.32, I Meadowcroft 36.48, L Hurman 37.36, K Murphy 40.17, B Cox 42.30, H
Results in full . . . SENIOR MEN 100m: 1 R Young (Oxford C) 11.2, 2 C Afilaka (Radley) 11.6, 3 S Wren (Radley) 11.8. 200m: 1 C Sleeman (Ox Uni) 22.1, 2 A Leweni (Army) 23.4, 3 S Williams (WSEH) 23.4. 400m: 1 S Williams (WSEH) 52.0, 2 2 R Lawton (Ox Uni
Captains of teams in the Greene King Oxford & District Aunt Sally League are reminded that late or incorrectly filled-in match cards will result in teams losing points.
David Parsler rattled off two sixes in his 15-doll haul as The Plough, Garsington gunned down The Flying Machine 2-1 in their Greene King Oxford & District Aunt Sally League Premier Section clash. There were five sixes hit in the game between Section
Abingdon League results in full . . . Premier/A Section: Wootton RBL 4, Fox Steventon 2; Steventon Spts 2, Plough Appleton 4; Crispin A 6, Cumnor CC A 0; Tandem 5, Abingdon Utd A 1; Berinsfield SC B 0, Saxton Arms 6. B Section: Brewery Tap A 4, Volunteer
Matches scheduled for Sunday, May 18 MORRELLS OF OXFORD SUNDAY LEAGUE Premier Div: Star Wands v Wolvercote, Morris Motors v Mansfield Road. Div 1: North Oxford Con Club v Six Bells. Div 3: Chase Finance Res v South Leigh. Div 4: North Con Club Res v Berkshire
Oxford City are optimistic of signing up a main club sponsor for the start of the new Ryman League Division 1 North season, having been without one for the last campaign. Vice-chairman Brian Cox, 62, who is in temporary charge after chairman Mick Woodley
The cream of the city's rock bands rocked six venues yesterday (May 14) in the sixth annual Oxford Punt. Nineteen bands were due to perform at the one-night festival, organised by Oxford's music freesheet Nightshift and sponsored by Borders bookshop.
Michael Parkinson, a founder member of the Anti-Golf Society, was yesterday installed at the new president of The Oxfordshire Golf Club, near Thame. Michael ParkinsonThe famous television chat show host, a 16-handicap member of Temple and Wentworth, filled
One issue that has never been satisfactorily resolved is whether people living near telecommunication masts face higher health risks. Telecom companies argue there is no evidence to suggest a link between masts and cancer and that they operate under Government
A man accused of indecently assaulting two children has been released on conditional bail. Mustafa Ozkasap, 28, of Dirac Place, Didcot, is charged with indecently assaulting a girl between December 1 and 15 last year, and a boy between July 1 and December
Workers at an Oxford company are sinking their teeth into an award-winning sandwich this week. Catering manager Lesley Hunt Catering manager Lesley Hunt who works for Eurest at the staff restaurant at marketing information company AC Nielsen in Headington
The Ann Summers chain, which describes itself as "a one-stop-shop for passion and fashion", is to open its first Oxford store next month. Its boutiques are aimed at women, who can shop for sexy lingerie and sex aids without the embarrassment associated
When Ken Small was eight, he built himself a stool, sat on it -- and it promptly collapsed. Ken Small, right, with 'Handy Andy' Kane Since then the 52-year-old's life has been plagued with DIY disasters. So when Mr Small's wife Elaine, 46, spotted the
A teacher who dived into a cold lake to save a construction worker when a digger fell into the water has been given a surprise award. Michael Righton, sculling coach and head of science at The Dragon School in Oxford, returned on Wednesday for a regatta
Management at a garden centre restaurant have stopped providing tap water for customers, claiming it might not be safe to drink, but they deny it is a move to force people to buy bottled water. Roberta Law, of Harwell, has lunch in the restaurant at Notcutts
Woodland near Oxford is home to the densest population of badgers in the world -- but a census has revealed the animals are under threat from dry weather. Chris Newman and colleague Christina Buesching inspect a badger sett in Wytham Woods Last week,
A tired and sorry Oxford Bulls came away from London in miserable mood after a 16-1 ice hockey mauling at Streatham Chiefs. Although The Chiefs are one of the favorites for the Summer Cup, the easy way they brushed aside the Bulls was worrying for Oxford's
In one corner we have supporters of preservation of the Trap Grounds, who might be thought to be in a strong position since this area has now been ruled to be a town green. In the other corner are those determined to build a road and 47 houses on this
George Orwell said: "In a time of universal deceit, telling truth is a revolutionary act." Reviewing the recent events in the Gulf, what was the real agenda behind the invasion of Iraq? Politics has a history of manipulation, hypocrisy and half truths
PowderJect could become the latest Oxfordshire biotech company to be taken over by a rival. The company, based at Oxford Science Park, said negotiations over an offer were at an advanced stage. The offer is believed to be for £500m from US rival Chiron
Every organisation dealing with finance, that I am aware of, has to work within the limits of inflation, otherwise sooner rather than later they would cease to exist. Councils are apparently able to buck this rule because they are a not restricted to
