Archive

  • FOOTBALL: Ex-City winger joins Sevilla

    FORMER Oxford City winger Ikechi Anya is hoping to make a name for himself in Spanish football after making a dream move to Sevilla. Anya, 21, a pacy forward, who used to live in Kidlington, has signed a two-year contract with Sevilla Atletico – the

  • Ecclestone sorry for Hitler remarks

    Bernie Ecclestone has issued an apology following remarks he made at the weekend about Adolf Hitler. During an interview with The Times at the weekend, Formula One commercial rights holder Ecclestone said he admired Nazi leader Hitler's ability "to

  • Abingdon scaffolder falsely claimed benefits

    A man has been told he must stay in his house during the day after falsely claiming benefits of almost £9,000. Didcot Magistrates’ Court heard Matthew Bowmer, of the Hawthorns, Abingdon, had received incapacity, housing and council tax benefits, while

  • Man arrested after woman assaulted in Banbury

    A 28-year-old woman was taken to hospital following an assault in the Banbury town centre. The incident happened outside the Marlborough Arms in Gatteridge Street shortly after 2.30pm yesterday. A 46-year-old man was arrested and was last night in custody

  • Drivers caught in Botley Road spot checks

    A MOTORIST was stopped every four minutes on their way along Botley Road, in Oxford, today. Police carried out stop checks on traffic driving along Botley Road, near the Seacourt park and ride site, between 8am and 10am. Officers handed out 21 fines

  • CRICKET: Mead's special delivery

    Marsh Gibbon CC secretary Matty Mead celebrated a different kind of delivery after having to leave their OCA Division 2 clash with Letcombe in a hurry. Mead had been due to aid Gibbon’s efforts in chasing Letcombe’s 161 all out, but dashed from the match

  • Man arrested over sword incident

    A man has been arrested on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon, believed to be a samurai sword. A 28-year-old man from Kidlington was arrested on Monday in relation to the incident, which happened at about 10.44pm in Banbury Road in the town.

  • Woman hurt in Banbury assault

    A woman was taken to hospital following an assault in the centre of Banbury. The incident happened outside the Marlborough Arms in Gatteridge Street shortly after 2.30pm yesterday. The 28-year-old woman was taken to the Horton Hospital with head injuries

  • A welcome step

    David Cameron’s recent apology and admission that Conservatives got it wrong over Section 28 is a welcome step forward but I wonder whether Mr Cameron has the support of his party faithful. I recall nasty and hateful comments from some Tory MPs when

  • CRICKET: Oxon clash abandoned

    Oxfordshire's Minor Counties Championship Western Division clash with Wales was abandoned as a draw after more rain at Banbury today. The hosts crawled to 135-6 off 66 overs in their first innings before the umpires finally brought the match to a close

  • Nurses told to log loo breaks

    NURSES at a hospital treatment centre have been told toilet breaks must be logged on their official timesheets. A leaked memo dated in January tells staff at the Ramsay Health Care treatment centre, which carries out orthopaedic work such as hip replacements

  • Roads need repairs

    Following your article on potholes (Oxford Mail, July 6), Stowford Road and other roads in Barton were built using concrete. Over the last three decades the road surface of Stowford Road and other roads in residential areas have been dressed with layer

  • Our IVF stress

    I understand people are entitled to their own opinion, but unless you are or have been in our situation – trying to get IVF treatment on the NHS – then you cannot begin to imagine what emotional stress us couples are under. Quote from Lady Penelope:

  • Use the cycle lane

    Now that the new bus lane is open at Headington, can we teach cyclists to use the new cycle lane provided as well. They still use the bus lane, causing buses to swerve out of the bus lane and into the stream of traffic. Cyclists are constantly moaning

  • She turned into a whimpering teen

    Ok, three weeks in to writing this column and I’m struck with my first huge dilemma. You see, I dearly want to share one of the most embarrassing stories I heard last week with you. However, if I do, one of my work colleagues may never speak to me again

  • Such a great day

    As one of the organisers of the Rose Hill Summer Fun Day that took place on June 27, I wanted to say thank you to everyone who volunteered their time and energy to help us make this day happen. We couldn’t have managed without you! I’d also like to say

  • Sell up if you can

    We moved to the Oliver Road area of Cowley nearly 30 years ago and have seen a drastic change. It was a quiet, smart, sought-after area with young families and middle aged to elderly couples occupying the properties. Now it is very different. Houses have

  • Bumper book set to hit shelves

    The world’s largest thesaurus is due to be published in the autumn - 44 years after work on the project started. Staff at Oxford University Press in Walton Street announced today that the Historical Thesaurus of the Oxford English Dictionary will be

  • Restore our income

    Your report Opposition backs Tax Rebel’s Plan (July 6) reminded me that Margaret Thatcher abolished the link between the basic state pension and earnings in the 1980s which caused a far greater loss of income than the scrapping of the 10p tax rate. It

  • CRICKET: New pitch for Horspath

    Horspath have started work on a second pitch which they hope will be ready for the 2010 season. The new facility is taking shape on land owned by Horspath Parish Council to the west of the club’s existing pitch. And last week Oxford University Parks

  • Sign up to donate

    This week is Transplant Week, a subject close to my heart as in 1995 I received a new liver. Obviously the transplant was successful and although I have to take suitable medication, I am fortunate enough to enjoy a reasonably full life, thanks to the

  • CRICKET: Rowant's Sunday double

    The Bernard Tollett Oxfordshire Knockout Cup finals day will take place on Sunday, organisers have confirmed. Semi-finalists Aston Rowant had hoped the event could be postponed as their last 16 tie in the npower Village Cup is on the same day. But the

  • Stunned by academy plan

    Thank you for your report on the proposal for a Super Academy for four- to 18-year-olds in Oxford. Everyone associated with St Christopher’s Primary school is stunned by this plan. The school has a long history in Cowley and is well regarded by the

  • 'Noisy nookie is disturbing our family life'

    A SEVEN-YEAR-OLD has been forced to move bedrooms because of her middle-aged neighbours’ noisy sex life. The couple, who moved in five weeks ago, say there is nothing wrong with a “healthy sex life” and say they have quietened down.

  • CRICKET: 'Bring it on' says Smith

    With some cricket series called The Ashes starting tomorrow, I got the views of two players with a keen interest in the action. Great & Little Tew captain Anthony Smith, a proud Tasmanian, backed Australia to retain the Ashes, but Oxford

  • AUNT SALLY: Greens grab Swan's glory

    Brothers Martin and Dave Green hit 14 dolls each with an identical score of 5-5-4 for Black Swan as they took maximum points in their Greene King Oxford & District League Section 1 clash against Red Lion Eynsham, writes ANDY BEAL. Black Swan set all

  • Spare a thought for the family

    A NOISY neighbour can be a proverbial headache — especially if you happen to live in a terraced or semi-detached property. But spare a thought for Marc and Lisa Thompson of Finstock, west Oxfordshire, who are considering upping sticks and moving their

  • HORSE RACING: Leech on move from Blewbury

    Sophie Leech, who trains at Blewbury, near Didcot, is on the move to a bigger yard in Devon. Leech took out a dual purpose licence to train at White Shoot stables, which she lets from neighbouring handler Eve Johnson Houghton, in October 2007. But with

  • Man held on sword charge

    A man from Kidlington was arrested yesterday on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon. The 28-year-old man has been released on bail until August 4. The arrest relates to an incident that happened last night when police received a report at

  • Al Gore gives 'inspiring' speech at climate conference

    GREEN campaigners in the city told tonight how “inspired” they had been by a talk from former American vice president Al Gore. Mr Gore visited Keble College for the end of a three-day conference organised by the Smith School of Enterprise and

  • Residents question priorities over potholes

    RESIDENTS of a badly potholed road have been left baffled by a council decision to repair what they say are four ‘perfect’ roads nearby. People living in Raymund Road, Old Marston, Oxford, and parents of pupils at a nearby school claim they

  • Man faces knife charge

    A 20-year-old man was arrested and charged with possession of a knife in Witney yesterday. James Matthews, of Stenter Lane, Witney, was bailed to appear at Witney Magistrates’ Court on July 23.

  • South Oxford pub to reopen by end of summer

    A PUB torched by arsonists in South Oxford has been taken over by a businessman who is planning to reopen it by the end of the summer. Fire crews were called to the blaze at the Berkshire House pub in Abingdon Road in March. Following the fire, which

  • Businesses step in to rescue Witney Carnival

    ORGANISERS have praised local businesses for stepping in to help Witney’s carnival after long-term sponsors pulled out because of the recession. Carnival committee chairman Peter Davies said several regular, large backers had not signed up for Saturday

  • Grove traders sing precinct's praises

    TRADERS in Grove claim they are bucking the trend of shops closing after the last unit in the village’s main precinct was snapped up and turned into a takeaway. The Millbrook Square precinct has 15 shops, including a Tesco Express, Supa-fruits, Smiths

  • Supermarket row threatens Carterton town centre plans

    A WRANGLE with supermarket giant Sainsbury’s could jeopardise plans for the redevelopment of Carterton town centre. Carterton Town Council has been working on plans for a supermarket, other shops and new housing on the former market site. Last month

  • Abingdon mum banks on a change of fortune with 20p

    AN Abingdon woman is banking on a lucky 20p coin to break her run of bad fortune, which saw her suffer a heart attack and break a leg. Lorraine Solomon, from Caldecott Road, found she had one of the 200,000 undated 20p pieces accidentally released

  • District council hands out £740,000 in grants

    COMMUNITY projects have received a helping hand after councillors allocated grants to help pay for new facilities. South Oxfordshire district councillors have agreed to hand £740,000 to local groups and councils to get new building and refurbishment

  • Primary school head to retire after 29 years

    A HEADTEACHER whose entire family has been involved in the Oxfordshire school he has led for the past 29 years is finally calling it a day. John Laverty, 60, is taking early retirement from St Amand’s Roman Catholic Primary School, in East Hendred, at

  • 250 join Wallingford's Walk for Cancer

    HUNDREDS of walkers put their best foot forward in the fight against cancer in Oxfordshire. About 250 people turned out for the town’s first Walk Against Cancer on Sunday – including a pyjama-clad team from department store Pettits. Organiser Theresa

  • Pupils swap recipes around Europe

    SCHOOL pupils in Bicester, Spain and Finland have been swapping traditional recipes to produce a cook book with an international flavour. Over the past three years pupils from the town’s Cooper School have been building up friendships with students in

  • Morris side steps out to mark its 50th

    HUNDREDS of morris men descended on Wantage to celebrate the Icknield Way Morris Men’s golden anniversary. About 200 dancers danced across various parts of the historic market town entertaining shoppers and visitors. More than 12 teams performed traditional

  • Andrew's hospital fundraiser hits £20,000 target

    HUNDREDS of footballers came together to help a young fundraiser break his target of collecting £20,000 for Oxford’s children’s hospital. The third Play2Give six-a-side tournament took place at Court Place Farm, in Marsh Lane, Oxford, on Sunday and helped

  • Head turned author returns to Standlake school

    A HEADTEACHER turned writer went back to his old school to sign copies of his latest book. John Kitchen visited Standlake Primary School, in Church Green, to promote his first published children’s book Nicola’s Ghost. Mr Kitchen retired from the primary

  • Police plea after M40 crash

    Police are appealing for witnesses to a collision that occurred yesterday on the southbound carriageway of the M40 between junctions five and four. At about 3.05pm a white Renault Kangoo with five occupants collided with the central reservation, causing

  • Armed police deal with pub fight

    Armed police were called to deal with a brawl outside a pub. Around 10 people were fighting at The Railway, in Station Road, Wheatley, at around 10.30pm on Friday. Glasses were smashed and a man and a woman suffered minor injuries. Police sent an armed

  • FOOTBALL: Anya signs for Sevilla

    Former Oxford City winger Ikechi Anya could be facing the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo after making a dream move to Spanish giants Sevilla. Anya, 21, a pacy forward, has signed a two-year contract with a further two-year option at the La Liga

  • Burglaries top Headington concerns

    The Headington North neighbourhood policing team has consulted residents to determine their top three priorities for the team and Neighbourhood Action Group (NAG) to tackle over the coming year. The three new priorities are: Burglary Anti-social behaviour

  • Cyclist, 15, injured in North Oxford

    A teenage cyclist has been taken to hospital after he was involved in an incident with a car in North Oxford this morning. The 15-year-old boy was injured after a collision with a Ford Focus in Woodstock Road, near the Wolvercote roundabout

  • M40 delays expected

    Drivers heading southbound on the M40 this morning have been warned to expect further delays after a lorry overturned during the early hours. The accident happened between junction 12 at Gaydon and junction 11 at Banbury. One lane was closed following

  • Teenager taken to hospital after smash

    A teenage cyclist has been taken to hospital after he was involved in an incident with a car in north Oxford this morning. The 15-year-old boy was injured after a collision with a Ford Focus in Woodstock Road, near the Wolvercote roundabout, shortly

  • Pedestrian injured in Burford

    A collision between a car and a pedestrian caused delays in Burford today. The accident happened just before 9am on the A361 High Street near the A40. The road was partially blocked by the accident.

  • M40 southbound to close after crash

    Drivers heading southbound on the M40 this morning have been warned to expect further delays after a lorry overturned during the early hours. The accident happened between junction 12 at Gaydon and junction 11 at Banbury. One lane was closed following

  • Hospital wins award

    The Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Headington, Oxford, has won a national award for its teamwork. The Human Resources Team from the hospital in Headington won the ‘HR Team of the Year’ award at a ceremony in London. The award was handed

  • Missing man found

    A man who went missing from his home in Banbury has been found. Harold Dalton, 80, went missing from the Bretch Hill area early yesterday afternoon. His disappearance led to a police appeal, but he was found safe later in the day.

  • Waterfall in Oxford United trial

    Former Tranmere defender Luke Waterfall could become Chris Wilder’s ninth signing of the summer, should a trial prove successful. Wilder is looking to add a centre back and the 18-year-old, who was released by the League One side last season, could fit

  • 'Little star' saves grandparents from home blaze

    A EIGHT-year-old girl has been praised for raising the alarm after fire broke out in her grandparents’ home. Cutteslowe Primary School pupil Courteney Carroll and her sister Phoebe, five, were staying at the house in Bayswater Road, Barton,

  • Playgroup fights for survival

    A PLAYGROUP at the heart of a Bicester community for 25 years faces closure if it cannot raise £200,000 for a new building. Oxfordshire County Council inspectors have given Rainbow Playgroup six months to repair or replace its dilapidated portable