Of course, the Green Belt is not at risk (Oxford Mail, March 19). What is at risk is the health and happiness of thousands of hard-working Oxford families, who are unable to rent or buy a decent home in their own city. They are forced into inadequate
Never judge a book by its cover applies as much to best-selling author Joanne Harris as her novels. She is as enigmatic as they come, at odds with the fluidity and warmth of her writing. Joanne Harris While her written tone is engaging, her vocabulary
Chinnor will start as strong favourites to lift the Oxfordshire Cup for the fourth time when they take on fellow South West 1 side Oxford Harlequins in the final at Iffley Road on Sunday (3.30pm). Although the records show one win apiece in league meetings
American college administrator William Arthur Ward once noted: "The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires." Mona Lisa Smile Mona Lisa Smile is a syrupy tale of scholarly ambition
St John's College has sold the lease of a North Oxford community centre for £400,000. The deal gives St Margaret's parochial church council a 999-year lease on St Margaret's Institute in Polstead Road, widely used by local playgroups and as a day care
Billy Connolly is to perform two special shows in Oxford next month and they promise to be among the most emotional nights of his career. The comedy legend will appear at the New Theatre on April 19 and 22 in what are likely to be his only shows in England
Graham Rix unveiled his first signing as Oxford United's caretaker boss - and promised excitement. Left winger Courtney Pitt joined the U's on transfer deadline day yesterday on a free transfer from Portsmouth. He has signed until the end of the season
We are told that bellringers are to undergo police investigation, because of a possible risk to children (Oxford Mail, March 23). Is the world going totally mad? Perhaps I am fortunate -- my wife and I do not have children. We would despair, in any case
Councillor Don Seale has got it wrong (Oxford Mail, March 24). There were no banners or statements saying Stop the Cuts at the demonstration at County Hall in Oxford before the executive meeting. As your excellent photograph confirmed, the up-to-the-minute
The modernised Westgate shopping centre in Oxford will not be ready until 2010 if talks on transport links drag on, says its owner. Richard Cable Richard Cable, development director of Capital Shopping Centres, issued the warning after county council
CCTV cameras will be on the move across Oxfordshire in a bid to improve community safety. Thames Valley Police, in partnership with councils, has been given funding from the Government Office for the South East for two mobile CCTV vans to help fight crime
When a colleague suggested I drop by at Saffron, a north Oxford restaurant that styles itself as Indian-French, I was intrigued. Would curried frogs' legs be on the menu, alongside l'escargots vindaloo? Due to a mix-up with my friend, I sauntered into
A boys' football coach was never left alone with any of the three boys he is accused of sexually abusing, a court heard. Gerard Cullen, 43, of Aubrey Court, Iffley, Oxford, denies 12 allegations that he indecently assaulted two brothers and raped a third
An Oxford mother who accused the NHS of unlawfully taking organs from her dead daughter without permission has won £2,750 compensation. Brian and Denise Shorter with children Emily and Sophie The success of Denise Shorter's lead case means that about
STRIKER Shane Small-King could be on the move from AFC Wallingford to runaway Seagrave Haulage League leaders AFC Wimbledon. The Dons have put in a seven-day approach for Small-King, and Wallingford boss Dave Crowdy said: "I would hope that Shane would
Oxfordshire 2nd survived the drop by the skin of their teeth with victory over Devon 2nd. Needing to win at least 9-6 to secure their status in Division 2D of the Inter-County Championships, Oxon's second string did precisely that. Liz Burns was their
Maidenhead United striker Steve Hale completes his month's loan spell with Oxford City tomorrow - before heading off to support England's cricketers in the West Indies. Hale has scored twice in his four games with City, and will be looking to add to his
Chipping Norton Town's prolific striker, Mark Odom, has turned down a lucrative offer from Division 1 West promotion chasers Witney United. Odom has scored 20 goals in the Premier Division this term, and his decision to stay is a major boost for Chippy
Detectives in Bicester are hunting a conman who duped a man into handing over almost £1,000. The 64-year-old victim was befriended in Bicester by a man outside the Somerfield supermarket at 1pm on Tuesday (March 23). The conman then escorted him back
FOOTBALL NATIONWIDE LEAGUE Div 3: Oxford Utd v Doncaster Rov. RYMAN LEAGUE Div 1 North: Oxford C v Chesham Utd, Thame Utd v Harlow. Div 2: Camberley Tn v Abingdon Tn. DR MARTENS LEAGUE Eastern Div: Bashley v Banbury Utd. UMBRO ISOTONIC YOUTH ALLIANCE
Despite their self-deprecating name, indie-pop darlings The Ordinary Boys are an extraordinary band. One smitten music critic described them as combining the mod-pomp of Paul Weller, the wit of Oscar Wilde and the cynical detachment of Graham Greene -
At the beginning of Declan Donnellan's production of Othello for the Cheek by Jowl theatre company (Oxford Playhouse until March 27)) Othello and Desdemona stand motionless before the audience while Brabantio rants about the trials of fatherhood and virtually
Trade union members in Oxford are campaigning for a split from the Labour Party to support a new party backed by controversial MP George Galloway. Postal workers from the Communication Workers' Union (CWU) said they would push to sever the traditional
A major expansion of Oxford's park-and-ride bus network is being proposed, with three major car parks planned for county towns. Oxford pioneered park-and-ride in Britain in 1973 and has one of the most heavily-used systems. County council highways staff
More than £4,000 was raised at a charity fashion and hair show organised by Oxford stylists whose lives have been touched by cancer. Staff at Popham hair salon in Summertown said they were so impressed by the amount raised that they were considering organising
Coventry Bees 43, Oxford Silver Machine 49: Coventry Bees were well and truly stung by Oxford Silver Machine in last night's challenge at Brandon, writes LEON HILL. Silver Machine were missing the injured Rafal Dobrucki and had to track Craig Branney
