Archive

  • Sub-standard

    With the awards season fast approaching I thought I'd take the opportunity to recognize the talents of an oft-neglected group, whose hard work and dedication opens up a whole world of cinematic possibilities for us eager viewers - the writer of sub-titles

  • Franklin return boosts Abingdon

    Centre back Tom Franklin returns for Abingdon United for Tuesday's British Gas Business Southern League Division 1 South & West trip to Gosport Borough. The former Oxford United youngster missed Saturday's defeat at Uxbridge as he was serving a ban.

  • Hutchinson ready to spring surprise

    Oxford United midfielder Eddie Hutchinson (pictured) believes all the pressure will be on Southend in tonight's Cup replay. "We're underdogs, so there's no pressure on us," he said. "We'll just go out there, get in their faces, like we did last week

  • Nurse raped patient, jury told

    A male nurse raped a teenaged patient in a disabled toilet at the John Radcliffe Hospital, a jury heard today. Oliver Balicao, 33, admits having sexual intercourse with the 16-year-old girl, but denies raping her at the hospital where he worked as a

  • A cool new attraction

    Hundreds of revellers gathered in the heart of Didcot's Orchard Centre for the opening of a cool winter attraction. For one week only Didcot's first outdoor ice rink has transformed the shopping centre into a winter wonderland. Figure skaters and

  • Update: Drink driver jailed for road death

    A drink driver who killed a cyclist after celebrating his girlfriend's birthday has been jailed for four years. Robert De'ath, 21, killed father-of-four Peter Ryczowskiafter he drank at least five pints and was more thant wice the legal limit. Yesterday

  • Vandalism hits recycling

    Rubbish and recycling collections have been disrupted after vandals damaged 20 trucks at a depot in Radley, near Abingdon. It will cost more than £1,000 to replace smashed windscreens. French-owned contractor Veolia has a fleet of 25 lorries at the

  • A festive warning to us all

    If police needed a classic case to highlight their Christmas and New Year anti-drink drive campaign, Robert De'ath is their man. He mowed down and killed cyclist Peter Ryczowski after drinking and while speeding in his car. The fatal collision at

  • Inquest jurors visit pool

    JURORS at the inquest into the death of drowned schoolboy Nathan Matthews visited the swimming pool where he died today. The 11-year-old was pulled from the bottom of the pool at Thame Leisure Centre by a swimming instructor on July 12, 2004. Lifeguards

  • Two crashes in town centre

    POLICE, fire and ambulance were called to two accidents in Banbury within an hour of each other. The first involved a lorry and a car and happened outside Sainsburys on the Oxford Road, Banbury at 1.45pm. One person was taken to the Horton Hospital

  • Accused of burgling house

    A man is due to appear in court on Friday charged with burgling a house in Bretch Hill, Banbury. David Harrison, 48, of Bretch Hill, is charged with burgling a house in conway Drive, Bretch Hill, on Wednesday, December 5. Harrison appeared before

  • Award winner is still on a high

    Grandmother Margaret Simons said she was still buzzing today after being named the nation's top unsung sporting hero. The 86-year-old football club founder picked up the award in front of millions of television viewers at the BBC Sports Personality

  • Inquest jury visits pool

    Jurors at the inquest into the death of drowned schoolboy Nathan Matthews visited the swimming pool where he died today. The 11-year-old was pulled from the bottom of the pool at Thame Leisure Centre by a swimming instructor on July 12, 2004. Lifeguards

  • Update: Crash closes A34

    LONG delays built up on the A34 this afternoon after four vehicles were in collision. Emergency services were called at about 12.15pm after three lorries and a white Mercedes Sprinter van were involved in the crash on the northbound carriageway near

  • Vandals target Rollright Stones site

    Vandals have targeted the ancient Rollright Stones' site for the second time since September. Overnight on Saturday, the volunteers' office at the site near Chipping Norton was broken into and a fire started. The vandals turned on a portable gas heater

  • Time for help

    I think it might be time to admit I have problem and seek some help. I'm not talking about my social drinking, just the nagging pain in my foot. Sorry to go on and on about it in a boring fashion but it is taking over the tri-chicken's life. It is so

  • Man charged with burglary

    A MAN has been remanded in custody after being charged with a domestic burglary in Banbury. David Harrison, 48, of Bretch Hill, Banbury, appeared at Banbury Magistrates' Court on Friday charged with burgling a house in Conway Drive, Bretch Hill, on

  • Fresh attack on Rollright Stones site

    POLICE tonight appealed for witnesses after an arson attack at the site of the Rollright Stones. The volunteers' office was broken into and a portable gas heater was turned on and placed up against wooden furniture. This eventually started a small

  • Relieved Hawks settle for point

    Oxford Hawks men slogged out a 4-4 draw with Brighton & Hove in atrocious conditions at Banbury Road North on Saturday. Hawks felt they should have taken three points from the South League Premier Division 1 game but paid the penalty for a shocking

  • Abingdon suffer from yellow peril

    Missing four first-team regulars as they went into their final South League Middlesex, Berks, Bucks & Oxon Division 1 match before the Christmas break, Abingdon slid to a disappointing 7-2 defeat against a skilful Bracknell side who adapted better to

  • City extend lead at top

    CITY of Oxford 2nd extended their lead at the top of Division 1 of the Trysports 3 Counties League with a 3-2 win at Bicester. Local sides Rover Oxford 2nd and Abingdon are propping up Premier 1, and both suffered on Saturday, Rover losing 6-2 at Marlow

  • Today's local share prices (PM)

    AEA Technology 80.5 BMW 2996 Electrocomponents 224.25 Nationwide Accident Repair 124.25 Oxford Biomedica 22 Oxford Catalyst 150 Oxford Instruments 200 Reed Elseveier 640.25 RM 205 RPS Group 310.75 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon

  • Lilly slams six in 12-goal rout

    LILLY Davies smashed six goals as City of Oxford battered Bicester 12-0 in the Oxon Under 14 Girls League. Margo Wilson (3), Katie Withersgreen (2) and Cicely Thornasson got the other goals for City, who have now won five matches out of five. Banbury's

  • Ads to declare 'germ warfare'

    NHS workers hope residents will be bombarded by health advice this winter - instead of germs that spread cold and flu viruses. South Central Strategic Health Authority has joined the Department of Health's Catch It, Bin It, Kill It campaign to reduce

  • A new future

    A new era has dawned in Cowley with developer Eddie Costello handing over a new clubhouse to committee members of the former Morris Motors Athletic and Social Club, now renamed the Lord Nuffield Club. The old clubhouse was built in the 1920s by Lord

  • Two accidents in town centre

    Police, fire and ambulance were called to two accidents in Banbury within an hour of each other yesterday. The first involved a lorry and a car and happened outside Sainsburys on the Oxford Road, Banbury at 1.45pm. One person was taken to the Horton

  • GREYHOUNDS: Tuesday's Oxford runners

    7.35: Young Kelly 3, BURWOOD TAMARA, Joson, Blizzard Lola, True Babs 2, Action Duchess. 7.50: Dons Rocket, Elwick Tia, Pure Power, Bobos Express 2, WOODCROFT ROCOCO, Pippas Pride 3. 8.05: Farloe Guard, Dunbolg Dancer 2, BROADACRES SPICE, Nailgun Barley

  • DARTS: Deadly Palmer is Acres' hero

    Joe Palmer won a last-set decider to give Hundred Acres a thrilling 5-4 win at home to White Lion. Dave Latty and Alan Butler had taken the first two sets for the hosts only for Kit Young and Olly Varney to level the match. Terry Browne and Andy Douglas

  • DARTS: Roll up for singles test

    The Oxfordshire Men's Super League singles take places at the Lord Nuffield Club, Cowley, on Thursday, December 13. Players should register from 7.30-8pm for an 8.30 start. Entry is £3 per player.

  • Contest finds a flood of talent

    A teenage photographer has won a contest to find the best picture of this year's flooding. More than 200 pictures were entered in the Oxfordshire Floodscape competition, but Matthew Jellings, 17, of Manor Road in Witney, snapped up the £150 top prize

  • DARTS: Agony as Oxfordshire Youth throw it away

    Oxfordshire Youth let slip an 8-4 lead to go down to a 9-8 defeat against leaders Berkshire at the Lord Nuffield, Cowley. Oxon were on course for victory only for their under 21 men's team to be thumped 5-0 as Berkshire scraped home. Oxfordshire had

  • Faiths unite for candlelit event

    A multi-faith celebration attracted more than 200 people from across Oxford at the weekend. Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs, Jews and Christians gathered at Cheney School in Headington for the celebration of light and faith, organised by the Indian Union in

  • Villagers thank drivers on last run

    Two bus drivers have been given surprise Christmas presents by villagers as thanks for their four years of top quality service on the community bus. Brian Kilham, from Didcot, and Trevor Lewis, from Botley, were handed cheques for £100 from villagers

  • DARTS: Rose Hill march on at the summit

    Rose Hill Community Centre stay top of Section 2 following a 6-3 win at Quarry Gate B. Bob Boyce beat Alan Jarvey (180) to set Rose Hill on the way, and wins from Jamie Byles and Dave Witherwick saw them take a 3-1 lead. Trevor Ballard (180) pulled

  • Behaving badly

    Myra Maycock (Oxford Mail, December 3) comments on the replacement of the bus shelter at Garden City, Kidlington. Unfortunately, the enclosed brick design of the original shelter resulted in misuse by young people at night, secure in the knowledge they

  • Divisive system

    If Oliver Cromwell could come back and observe the debating chamber of the House of Commons at Prime Minister's Question Time, he would shake his head in wonder at what he was seeing and hearing. The scene would remind him of an argument in the street

  • Best of friends for Christmas

    King Stephen and Queen Matilda may have been sworn enemies when they were in Wallingford in the 12th century. But the 21st century saw them riding amicably side by side through the town as part of the festive Medieval Night on Thursday. Despite the

  • Hefty price for parking

    I parked outside the Medical Assessment Unit at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford to collect my wife, who had been admitted the previous evening. I went home at 12.15am, having been there since 5.15pm. I was told to return at 11am to collect her

  • Cyclone appeal raises thousands

    Oxfordshire's Bangladeshi community has rallied round to raise money for those affected by the Bangladesh cyclone. Already more than £6,000 has been raised at a charity dinner at Oxford Town Hall. The Oxfordshire Bangladeshi Association and Bangladesh

  • Big plans for business park

    Banbury Business Park is set for expansion. Property developer Stockdale Land plans to enlarge the site between junctions 11 and 12 of the M40 - between Adderbury and Aynho - by eight acres. Stockdale spokesman John Liggins said: "Good sites along

  • Band’s festive tune goes live

    Members of an Oxford band are hoping their version of a Christmas carol will help raise hundreds of pounds for charity. Desmond Chancer and the Long Memories released their recording of Silent Night online through Villainous Records yesterday - with

  • On Yer Bike

    If you walked around Oxford in the 1920s or '30s, you would find, instead of vast numbers of delivery vans, delivery bikes like butchers' bikes, sometimes seen around the Covered Market or on films of the era. With Oxford's topography (it's in a dip

  • RUGBY UNION: Battling Chippy knocked out

    Chipping Norton bowed out of the EDF Energy Senior Vase with their heads held high despite a 41-7 home defeat to Hartpury College. They battled valiantly in their fourth-round clash against top opponents, packed with pace and power. Hartpury fielded

  • RUGBY UNION: Dawson praises players

    Chipping Norton director of rugby Andy Dawson could not fault his players' effort against top-class opponents Hartpury College. He said: "I was delighted with the boys. They battled hard and gave as good as they got. "Whenever we made a mistake, we

  • RUGBY UNION: Chinnor crush St Ives

    Chinnor crushed struggling St Ives 77-0 with an 11-try demolition at Kingsey Road in South West 1. Wing Pip Seymour led the way with a hat-trick, while fly half James Cathcart scored two in a 32-point haul. Chinnor, for whom Seymour, centre Richard

  • RUGBY UNION: Hawks earn Albion clash

    Henley Hawks were handed a home tie with National 1 heavyweights Plymouth Albion in the EDF Energy National Trophy after their 16-0 third round win at a waterlogged Macclesfield. The Devon side should ensure a good payday for Henley when they visit

  • RUGBY UNION: Lee bags treble

    Harwell returned to winning ways with a 34-0 home victory over Littlemore in the preliminary round of the Oxfordshire Shield. An early try by Kev Wood, reverting to his former centre position, was converted by Dave Beaven. Wood and fly half Andy Lee

  • £20k stolen from Woolworths

    Around £20,000 worth of stock and cash was stolen from a shop today. At around 3am thieves broke in Woolworths in Sheep Street, Bicester and took several tills - each containing an undisclosed amount of cash, along with games consoles and perfumes.

  • Woolworths hit by £20,000 raid

    ABOUT £20,000 worth of stock and cash was stolen in an overnight raid on Woolworths in Bicester. At about 3am yesterday thieves broke into the store in Sheep Street, Bicester and took several tills- each containing an undisclosed amount of cash, along

  • Four vehicles crash on A34

    Police and ambulance crews were called to a four-vehicle collision on the A34 near Bicester today. The crash happened shortly after midday on the A34 northbound, between the turning for Weston-on-the-Green and junction nine of the M40. A spokesman

  • Alert issued on bogus gasman

    POLICE are warning householders in Bicester to be on their guard after a suspected attempted distraction burglary in the town. It happened at about 6pm on Thurday, when a man called at a house in Trent Crescent and said he needed to read the gas meter

  • Distraction burglar warning

    Police are warning householders in Bicester to be on their guard after a suspected attempted distraction burglary in the town. It happened at around 6pm on Thursday, when a man called at a house in Trent Crescent and said he needed to read the gas meter

  • Buffy the Beagle

    This is Buffy a six-year-old Beagle that came into the centre through no fault of her own. She is an excitable and affectionate dog that loves fuss and attention. Buffy is a lovely dog that is always pleased to see you, she is a very sociable and could

  • Man charged with GBH

    A man has been charged with grievous bodily harm with intent following an assault in Banbury on Friday. At 1.30am, a 21-year-old man was attacked in Marlborough Road. He is still being treated in hospital for his injuries, which are serious but not

  • Elderly woman attacked by dog

    An elderly woman needed hospital treatment after she was bitten by a dog in Abingdon. At about 3pm last Thursday, the woman was walking from the end of Fulwell Drive towards a footpath linked to Crosslands Drive, when a large dog came towards her and

  • Driver jailed for death of cyclist

    A DRINK-driver has been jailed for four years for causing the death of a cyclist. Robert De'ath, 21, of Waddesdon, was jailed at Oxford Crown Court today after admitting causing death by dangerous driving. He was banned for driving for five years and

  • Elderly woman attacked by dog

    AN elderly woman needed hospital treatment after she was bitten by a dog in Abingdon. The woman was walking from the end of Fulwell Drive towards a footpath linked to Crosslands Drive, when a large dog came towards her and bit her on her arm, police

  • Driver jailed for death of cyclist

    A drink-driver has been jailed for four years for causing the death of a cyclist. Robert De'ath, 21, of Waddesdon, near Thame, was jailed at Oxford Crown Court today after admitting causing death by dangerous driving. He was banned for driving for five

  • Man charged with street attack

    A MAN has been charged with assault causing grievous bodily harm with intent following an assault in Banbury. Police said at 1.30am on Friday, a 21-year-old man was attacked in Marlborough Road. He is still being treated in hospital today for his

  • Driver hurt after car overturns

    PARAMEDICS were called to the A41 at Wendlebury today after a car overturned. A spokesman for South Central Ambulance said the extent of the driver's injuries were not yet known, following the accident at 8.15am.

  • Update: Vandals hit waste collections

    WASTE and recycling collections in parts of Oxfordshire have been thrown into disarray after vandals broke into a depot - smashing the windscreens of 22 vehicles. Damage caused by the weekend attack runs into thousands of pounds. About half of the

  • Jeannin misses Southend

    Alex Jeannin will not now be available for the trip to Southend tomorrow night. The defender was controversially sent off on Saturday after clashing with Richard Battersby following the Northwich player's late challenge on Eddie Anaclet which dislocated

  • Nurse on trial for rape

    A nurse will stand trial today accused of raping a 16-year-old girl at Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital. Oliver Balicao, 33, is alleged to have attacked the teenager at the hospital on the night of March 11/12 this year while working there as a nurse

  • Nurse faces rape charge

    A NURSE is due to stand trial today charged with the rape and sexual assault of a 16-year-old girl. Oliver Alvarez Balicao, 33, of Bicester, is due to stand trial at Oxford Crown Court today. The alleged incident occurred during the night of March

  • Sub-titles

    With the awards season fast approaching I thought I'd take the opportunity to recognize the talents of an oft-neglected group, whose hard work and dedication opens up a whole world of cinematic possibilities for us eager viewers - the writer of

  • Vandals force recycling change

    Vandals caused thousands of pounds of damage to waste collection vehicles and forced a hasty rescheduling of services in west Oxfordshire today. Half the recycling fleet used by contractors Veolia were put out of action at their depot at Radley, near

  • Two lorries hold up M40

    Drivers were delayed on the M40 this morning after two lorries collided on the northbound carriageway. The accident near junction nine at Weston-on-the-Green happened after 7am, blocking one lane. A spokesman for South Central Ambulance said paramedics

  • Millennium goes out in blaze of colour

    MILLENNIUM celebrations went out in a blaze of colour in Oxford and organisers will now consider the possibility of staging more events next year. A series of events were held across the county, with many taking place in Oxford city centre, on the theme

  • Joe, a man of charity to the end

    THE man who helped found Oxfam's chain of charity shops has left the organsation nothing in his will, preferring instead to help five other good causes. Joe Mitty, from Cumnor, who died in September, aged 88, worked in Oxfam's first shop in Oxford

  • Memories of loved ones

    MORE than 600 people braved the wet and windy weather to pay their respects at an Oxford Light of Love ceremony which nearly never happened. The Christmas tree at the Churchill Hospital, which carries messages of love and remembrance of people who have

  • Raid sentence appeal fails

    A MAN who played a part in a terrifying robbery at Chipping Norton's Co-op store in January 2006 has failed to persuade judges he was punished too severely. Richard Kavanagh, 31, from Coventry, was sentenced to a term of indefinite imprisonment for

  • Gaol proposals stay secret

    A DEVELOPER has been chosen to transform Abingdon's Old Gaol, but the company's identity, how much it has offered to pay for the 200-year-old building and its proposals all remain a closely guarded secret. The executive of the Vale of White Horse District

  • Mini sale is new record

    THE Cowley Mini plant has already set a new sales record after just 11 months of the year. The number of vehicles delivered to customers in 2007 stands at 202,076 - which has beaten the annual total of 200,400 cars, set in the previous record year

  • TV Lewis: save the boatyard

    ACTOR Kevin Whately, famous worldwide as Sgt Lewis in the Morse series, is backing the campaign against a new waterside development in Jericho, Oxford. Spring Residential's scheme to build 54 flats on former British Waterways' land has sparked one

  • Floods spoil festive cheer

    HUNDREDS of Oxfordshire residents are facing Christmas away from home this year as they wait for repair work to be finished following July's catastrophic floods. The drying-out process is continuing for many families, and some insurance claims have

  • Jeannin blasts red-card ref

    Alex Jeannin described the red card he received at Northwich on Saturday as "a joke". The Oxford United left back was shown a second yellow - and consequently a red - after Northwich's Richard Battersby came up to him and stood head-to-head with the

  • Back in time

    DEDDINGTON and District History Society will recreate Christmas, 1942, at its next meeting at the Windmill Centre in Hempton Road, from 7.30pm on Wednesday, December 12.

  • No festive cheer for these folk

    Christmas is the traditional time for families to get together and have fun in their own homes. But sadly that won't be happening for some this year. The July floods may be a distant dream to most of us, but others are still suffering the effects.

  • Floods spoil festive cheer

    Hundreds of Oxfordshire residents are facing Christmas away from home this year as they wait for repair work to be finished following July's catastrophic floods. The drying-out process is continuing for many families, and some insurance claims have

  • Children raise cash — for children

    Pupils rattled tins outside an Oxford supermarket to buy presents for children who will have to spend Christmas at the city's children's hospital. Youngsters from Bartholomew School in Eynsham gathered outside Sainsbury's at Heyford Hill on Saturday

  • 'Lewis' backs boatyard campaign

    Actor Kevin Whately, famous worldwide as Sgt Lewis in the Morse series, is backing the campaign against a new waterside development in Jericho, Oxford. Spring Residential's scheme to build 54 flats on former British Waterways' land has sparked one of