THE number of people out of work and claiming benefit in Oxfordshire rose again last month, new figures have revealed. There are now 9,633 people on the dole, a rise of 459 or five per cent from the March figure of 9,174. That means 2.4 per cent of
Oxford University has been named top in the Guardian’s university league tables for the fifth year running. Each UK institution was rated in terms of teaching quality, student satisfaction, career prospects, student to staff ratio and job prospects.
DOCTORS tonight said they were not sure that a west Oxfordshire man had ‘given birth’ to his twin. Gavin Hyatt, from Orchard Way, Witney, said doctors told him a lump of flesh which pushed its way through his abdomen was foetal matter left over from
Oxford-based radio station Jack FM is celebrating winning two major accolades at the 2009 Sony Awards, which are the radio industry's 'Oscars'. The station, which broadcasts from Woodstock Road, won a silver award for its jingles and a bronze
FARMERS’ market traders are outraged at plans by their Didcot landlord to increase their annual rent by almost 1,100 per cent. Hammerson, which owns the Orchard Centre, wrote to the Thames Valley Farmers’ Market Co-operative last month, proposing to
Mystery still surrounds the discovery of an injured naked man near the River Thames. Police are appealing for witnesses after they were called to the junction of Botley Road and Bridge Street, on Osney Island, in Oxford, at 7.45am today.
Formula One stands on the brink of anarchy following Ferrari's confirmation today of their withdrawal from the sport from 2010 unless there are fundamental changes to the new regulations. Ferrari have made it clear this is no posturing from
Jenson Button is refusing to write off Formula One's big boys just yet as he remains convinced their time will come this season. Ferrari, McLaren and BMW Sauber have so far mustered a meagre 25 points between them after five grands prix, still a whopping
Garsington celebrated winning the Oxfordshire Senior League Premier Division title with a 6-6 draw against Rover Cowley. Carl Bloomfield (3), Chris Fontaine (pen), Mark Janes and Craig Bloomfield were on target for Rover. Liam O’Callaghan (2), Jamie
Oxford Irish were crowned RT Harris Oxford City FA champions - at the first time of asking - following a 6-3 win at Inter Oxford. Strikes from Piers McGlynn, Tom Conway, Declan Hartigan, Robbie Brown, Pairac Folan and keeper Ryan Davies completed
Jason Maynard scored a hat-trick as Bell Grove clinched the Autotype UTV League Division 2 title with a 6-1 win at Research Machines, writes Tim Siret. Tom Rowe, James Rose and Alan Leyroyd got the others, while Ollie O'Hanlon missed two penalties. Ian
Saxton Rovers lifted the North Berks Cup with a 1-0 victory against Blewbury at Abingdon United FC to complete the clean sweep and re-write the league’s history books. North Berks League Division 1 champions Rovers, who this season celebrated their 50th
The recent Audit Commission annual audit and inspection letter for 2007/2008 confirms the good progress made in recent years to improve the performance of Oxford City Council. The letter specifically commends the strong leadership that has lead to a
I WAS recently discharged from the John Radcliffe Hospital. It was my first experience of being an in-patient in any hospital, despite being in my 89th year. I cannot praise enough the cheerfulness and tender loving care I received from the doctors,
The enthusiasm of town planners for squeezing blocks of flats into unsuitable spaces is getting out of hand. The planners seem to be welcoming anyone who can make more efficient use of land, and so help councils win brownie points from our benighted
I would like to give a personal thank-you through the Oxford Mail. I am the first person in Oxfordshire to have taken part in the paired shared donor scheme. Three weeks ago I donated a kidney to someone in Guy’s Hospital, London, while that person’s
Oxford-based radio station Jack FM is celebrating scooping two major gongs at the 2009 Sony Awards, which are the radio industry's 'Oscars'. The station, which broadcasts from Woodstock Road, won a silver award for its jingles and a bronze award for
A woman who died in a crash between Benson and Henley has been named. Samantha Stevens, 36, from Reading, was riding with another motorcyclist along the A4130 at 1pm on Sunday when she hit a tree in Bix. She was declared dead at the scene. Witnesses
MYSTERY still surrounds the discovery of an injured naked man near the River Thames. Police are appealing for witnesses after they were called to the junction of Botley Road and Bridge Street, on Osney Island, in Oxford, at 7.45am today. They found
POLICE have been raiding homes for drugs almost every second day on an Oxford estate thanks to tip-offs from residents. More than 30 people have been arrested, of whom four have been charged and half a dozen are on bail, after 26 drugs raids
A TEENAGER from Oxford is lighting up the small screen in the hope of following in the high-heeled footsteps of Kate Moss. Sophie Sumner, a former Cherwell School pupil, is battling it out on the fifth series of reality TV show Britain’s Next
VISITORS to Blenheim Palace enjoyed watching the stars of a new film version of Gulliver’s Travels in the grounds today. Scottish comedian and actor Billy Connolly and The Devil Wears Prada actress Emily Blunt were among the big names snapped
Vale of White Horse Under 15s completed a double by adding the Maurice Chalk Oxfordshire Under 15 Cup to their Hobbs Cup triumph with a 4-2 victory over Oxford in the final at Letcombe FC. Jordan Obita gave Oxford, who enjoyed the better of the first
Kidlington had double reason to celebrate at the Oxford Mail Girls League’s finals and presentation day at Oxford City’s Court Place Farm ground. They walked off with two trophies after winning both their finals by emphatic 3-0 margins. The under 12s
COLIN Shaw, former parish councillor and magistrate in Oxfordshire, has died aged 77, following a battle with cancer. Mr Shaw was born in Lancashire and attended Manchester University, where he studied pharmacy. Called up for national service into the
Former South African star Gary Kirsten will captain a Tiddington XI in a charity Twenty20 match against Oxford University. Kirsten, who is now the Indian coach, will spend Bank Holiday Monday, May 25 at Tiddington’s ground near Thame, raising
David Cameron has apologised for the “unethical behaviour” of some Conservative MPs following the ongoing expenses row. The Witney MP and Tory Party leader has vowed to pay back his one small claim, but today announced a widespread shake-up of how his
RETAILERS are celebrating after a shopping precinct owner made a U-turn over a decision to ban signs promoting their businesses. About 20 shops in Crown Walk, Bicester, had been told to clear all ‘A’ boards signs advertising their stores because of
A lot has changed in the past year for Kidlington as this picture shows – but they are determined to keep playing. Kidlington A defeated Great Horwood 3rd by nine wickets in Saturday’s 45-over-a-side friendly at Stratfield Brake, Martin Eagle hitting
OXFORDSHIRE could be more than £1m to the good each year following the launch of a one-stop shop for movie makers. Geron Swann, the county’s new film officer, said the seven figure sum could be a “conservative estimate” following the launch
THE Champagne is on ice and the preparations have begun for the biggest night in the Oxfordshire business calendar. More than 160 companies and individuals have entered this year’s Oxfordshire Business Awards, one of the highest levels seen in recent
A TEENAGER and a pensioner have been praised for tackling a burglar. Allen Bennett, 17, of Crauford Road, Oxford, and neighbour Robert Betteridge, 66, of Brasenose Driftway, have won police commendations. The pair were praised by police for spotting
Oxfordshire captain Ian Hawtin admits he was lucky to escape serious injury after being hit on the neck while backing up. Hawtin suffered the bizarre blow as Daniel Rowe smashed Oxon to a dramatic two-wicket victory over Cheshire in Sunday’s MCCA Trophy
RUNNERS taking part in the 28th annual Oxford Town and Gown race this weekend will be cheered over the start and finishing line by a family with a long connection to the event. The 10km race, which is run in aid of the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign, will
SIXTY new jobs will be created by the opening of two shops in Witney. The news was welcomed yesterday by the Citizens’ Advice Bureau, which has seen a trebling of people seeking advice during the recession. On Friday, The 99p Shop will be launched in
Green King Oxford & District League Kevin Giles has secured the holy grail of a perfect 18 for the second time in in his career. Giles achieved the sport’s maximum score playing for The George, Littlemore in the Premier Section. His first maximum
A MOTORCYCLIST has died two days after being injured in a crash near Burford. The 48-year-old man, from Bath, suffered serious injuries in a collision with a blue and silver Renault camper van near the junction of the B4425 and A40 at 1.50pm on Sunday
RESULTS Premier Section / 1: Three Pigeons 3, Vikings Sports B 0; The George A 1, Six Bells C 2; Red Lion A 3, Kidlington Sports B 0; New Club A 2, Garsington Sports 1; Cricketers B 3, Black Swan A 0. Section 2: White Hart 0, New Club B 3; Turners
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David Cameron has apologised for the “unethical behaviour” of some Conservative MPs following the ongoing expenses row. The Witney MP and Tory Party leader has vowed to pay back his one small claim, but today announced a widespread shake-up of how his
NIGEL Fisher, who was renowned for his ballet photos, has died at 59 from cancer. He owned his first Box Brownie when he was seven, but only began a career as a photographer in the early 1990s. At the time he lived in Bampton and ran a studio on Witney
DAPHNE Levens, a prominent figure in local amateur theatre, has died aged 98. She was born in London, the daughter of Hother and Etheldreda Hanschell. Her father came from a Danish family who had settled in the Danish Virgin Islands.
Lord Moore of Wolvercote, the Queen’s Private Secretary from 1977 to 1986, has died aged 88. He held the role at a time when the monarchy was reaping the benefits of public affection following the Silver Jubilee celebrations, and the wedding in 1981 of
ONE of Yarnton’s best-known characters, Harold Lambourn, holder of the Burma Star, has died after a short illness. He was 89. Harold Charles Lambourn was born in Little Blenheim, Yarnton, on April 9, 1920 and lived in the village for all but
The “most influential schoolgirl in astronomical history” has died at the age of 90. Venetia Burney Phair was just 11 when, over breakfast in North Oxford, she named the former planet Pluto. Sitting with her grandfather, Falconer Madan
SIXTY new jobs will be created by the opening of two shops in Witney. The news of the jobs was welcomed yesterday by the Citizens’ Advice Bureau, which has seen a number of people seeking advice during the recession. On Friday, the 99p
Oxford United have signed Kidderminster Harriers captain Mark Creighton. The 27-year-old defender scored two goals in 47 games last season.
A minor shunt on the A34 near Oxford caused traffic jams all the way to the M40. A Volvo lorry and a Volkswagen Passat collided in roadworks on the southbound carriageway of the A34 at the Pear Tree junction at 11.30am. The driver of the Volkswagen
I do not know if you happened to see any of BBC 4’s recent programme Wine. Busy girl that I am, I only saw one episode; the one that featured the hallowed Bordeaux estate, Château Margaux. For me it made for uneasy viewing. It was fun to watch vineyard
A MINOR shunt on the southbound A34 at Pear Tree caused traffic jams back to the M40 junction. A Volvo lorry and a Volkswagen Passat collided in the roadworks at the Pear Tree junction at 11.30am. The driver of the Volkswagen was taken to the John Radcliffe
A crash between a lorry and a car closed the southbound A34 near Oxford for a time today. The crash happened near the Peartree Interchange leading to long tailbacks. Reports said the road was obstructed by an accident involving a lorry
A naked injured man has been found by the side of a busy Oxford road. Police were called to the junction of Botley Road and Bridge Street, Osney Island, at 7.45am today. The 40-year-old man was taken to hospital with a wound to his forehead but
A NAKED, injured man has been found by the side of a busy Oxford road. Police were called to the junction of Botley Road and Bridge Street, Osney Island, at 7.45am today. The 40-year-old man was taken to hospital with a wound to his
Production of an engine which will kick start the rebirth of a legendary name in motorcycling history has started at a West Oxfordshire factory. Menard Competition Technologies (MCT) has signed an agreement to produce the engine for the relaunched Norton
POLICE are trying to trace a driver after a hit and run incident yesterday. A motorcyclist and a blue Citroen Saxo collided on the northbound dual carriageway of the A4074 near Berinsfield at 6.25pm. The motorcyclist fell from his bike and the Citroen
An alleged sex assault on a woman in Cowley in Oxford has prompted an appeal for information from police. The incident happened between 2am and 3am on Thursday, when the 19-year-old was walking along East Avenue and was approached by two Asian men.
Police are trying to trace a driver after a hit-and-run incident yesterday. A motorcyclist and blue Citroen Saxo collided on the northbound dual carriageway of the A4074, near Berinsfield, at 6.25pm. The motorcyclist fell from his bike
Police today appealed for witnesses after a woman was sexually assaulted in East Oxford. The 19-year-old was walking along East Avenue, between 2am and 3am last Thursday, when she was approached by two Asian men, who sexually assaulted her.
A seminar on reducing carbon footprint in historic buildings is to be held at Exeter College, Oxford next month. It is being organised and run by Oxfordshire architects, town planners and conservation specialists West Waddy ADP. A range of speakers,
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Arsonists set fire to a car in Abingdon during the early hours today. Firefighters were called to Blacknall Road shortly after 3.15am after the vehicle was set alight. The fire service has alerted Thames Valley Police, who is now investigating the
Arsonists set fire to a car in a street in Abingdon during the early hours today. Firefighters were called to Blacknall Road shortly after 3.15am after the vehicle was set alight. The fire service has alerted Thames Valley Police who are investigating
Employers are being urged to keep a close eye on the health of their staff. Losing a key employee, shareholder, or partner either through illness or death is a risk often overlooked. But it can have a massive impact on a business, particularly in a
Manager Chris Wilder says Oxford United will not be held to ransom by players they want to sign. The U’s boss has been in talks with several prospective new signings, and their agents, but he insists the club cannot entertain some of the “unrealistic
RUNNERS taking part in the 28th annual Oxford Town and Gown race this weekend will be cheered over the start and finishing line by a family with a long connection to the event. The 10km race, which is run in aid of the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign
WITH all the hysteria flying around about Swine Flu, let us not forget a particularly vicious disease that affects many more people, especially youngsters. Meningitis is a horrific illness that this year claimed the life of Shazia Ahmed, a
WHEN Catherine Masters speaks, others take note. Earlier this year the sprightly 109-year-old complained the Queen always wears the same dress on official birthday cards. Last week, she got the surprise of her life when Prince William
MPs in Oxfordshire last night insisted their expense claims were above board as further damaging details about their colleagues were revealed. Andrew Smith, the Labour MP for Oxford East, Evan Harris, the Liberal Democrat MP for Oxford West
PROPOSED 20mph speed limits across the city could compromise road safety, a driving expert said after a trial. A test-drive on the longest stretch of Oxford roads set to become 20mph also showed driving at slower speeds reduced fuel economy
PROPOSED 20mph speed limits across the city could compromise road safety, a driving expert said after an Oxford Mail trial. A test-drive on the longest stretch of Oxford roads set to become 20mph also showed driving at slower speeds reduced
A GROUP of young women have pledged to raise awareness of meningitis after losing a friend to the illness. Shazia Ahmed, who lived in Falcon Close, Blackbird Leys, Oxford, died in February after contracting the bacterial form of the disease. The 25-
THE PARENTS of a teenager critically injured in a car crash which killed his friend last night hailed his recovery a miracle. Joe Robinson, 18, of Chinnor, has been moved from intensive care after the Toyota Yaris he was in crashed on the A34 Oxford
