Archive

  • FOOTBALL: Didcot draw another blank

    Didcot Town failed to score for a fifth home Zamaretto Southern League game in a row as they held Banbury United to a goalless draw. But the Railwaymen were the happier side after gaining a point in last night’s Premier Division clash in front of 317

  • FOOTBALL: City left frustrated

    Oxford City were left frustrated after drawing 0-0 at Evesham in the Zamaretto Southern League Premier Division last night. Andy Baird headed over from a Steve Davis free-kick, while Dave Savage tested keeper Nathan Vaughan with a decent shot. The closest

  • Fisher nets scholarship

    Former Oxford United and Oxford City striker Alex Fisher has received a scholarship to the Glenn Hoddle Academy as he seeks to reignite his professional career. The 19-year-old, from Oxford, impressed during a three-week trial at the academy in Jerez

  • Stumped over loss of Christmas tree

    VILLAGERS are trying to discover why their Christmas tree has cut down and apparently put through a chipper. Villagers in Grove, near Wantage, were outraged after discovering the Norwegian Spruce, worth £1,000, had been taken from Vale Avenue

  • New hope over A34 junction

    HIGHWAYS bosses are prepared to look at finally building a full junction on the A34 north of Abingdon. Motorists, residents and councillors are fighting to replace the current interchange at Lodge Hill – which only allows traffic to join the northbound

  • Pay for crime

    QUITE right Polanski should pay for his crimes, as should those two old war criminals, Bush and Blair! After all, Polanski ruined one life, Bush and Blair ruined millions of lives. Guess which of the three will go unpunished. It’s all a matter of priorities

  • Scientific fallacy

    IT IS somewhat ironic that Mr Honey (Mail, September 29), criticises Christians for questioning Philip Pullman’s views on God and then proceeds to do exactly the same to their tenets of belief! Mr Honey clearly knows some of the Bible well and dismisses

  • No democracy yet

    COUNCILLOR Ian Hudspeth complains that a “Scot is dictating the national laws.” He must mean Gordon Brown MP. As he is an elected member of the UK Parliament and the leader of its largest party he is entirely entitled to be Prime Minister — until the

  • Fines for fouling

    OPEN access to recreation grounds is a luxury we should not take for granted and I fear that if people are not more responsible with regard to their dogs then it will be denied, or at the very least made difficult. If you walk around the sports field

  • I have studied Bible

    WHY IS it that whenever anyone questions religious beliefs you get insulting replies? Alan Bourne is upset (or jealous) that my previous letter (Mail, September 29) was more than 250 words long. That was up to the editor, not me. He obviously thought

  • Pavement parking

    I RESPOND to the story (Mail, September 30, Buggy Protests) about the controlled parking zone which would force drivers to park vehicles on pavements. I quite agree with the residents of Iffley Fields. But the same thing is happening all over Oxford

  • Binmen who can't turn a lorry around

    I WOULD like to vent my anger over South Oxfordshire District Council’s new refuse collectors Verdant. I have made repeated requests for second wheelie bins because I have been having to go to the recycling centre to keep my property clear. It had become

  • ONE IN THREE: Good news after the gloom

    I have just finished ploughing through the many superfluous sections of rubbish that one has to lug home from the newsagent with what passes as a Sunday paper these days. The first job on arrival back home is to sort through the large bundle and to

  • Didcot strongmen weigh in to help

    STRONGMEN from Didcot carried 85lb kerbstones for up 12 hours to help an autistic child. The Thong Rangers performed the physical feat at the Marlborough Club, in Broadway, taking it in turns to run from one end of the car park to the other. Hundreds

  • YOUTH FOOTBALL: South West Counties Youth Championship

    Oxfordshire were left to rue a host of missed chances as they went down 2-1 at home to Dorset. Despite starting the game well, Oxon found the Dorset keeper in inspired form and were unable to find the net. But against the run of play, they then conceded

  • SCHOOLS' FOOTBALL: Mid Oxon are victorious

    Mid Oxon Schools recorded a 3-1 win over Banbury & District Schools. Toby Egden headed home the opener, before Jacob Hughes doubled the lead. Hughes then crossed for Ryan Heap to nod in No 3. Banbury’s injury time goal proved little consolation.

  • Littlemore teens go clubbing ... at last

    TEENAGERS in Littlemore have finally got a youth club after years without one. The Littlemore Senior Youth Club — for those aged between 13 and 18 — is now up and running on Monday evenings at the village hall in Railway Lane. The Littlemore Youth

  • YOUTH FOOTBALL: Callum is hero

    Callum Mackinnon scored both goals as Oxford & Cherwell Valley College, playing under the banner of Oxford City, beat St Albans 2-1 in a hard-fought Midland Youth Conference Alliance clash. Having picked up four points from their opening two matches,

  • FOOTBALL: High fives for Curtin

    Ryan Curtin hammered five goals as Barton United thumped Aynho Athletic 13-0 to book their place in the second round of the OFA Sam Waters Cup. Aaron Armstrong (3), Jelroy Constant (2), Callum McMahon, Colin Ryan and Billy Beechers also scored. Last

  • FOOTBALL: Hinksey hit back in style

    AFC Hinksey came back from 2-0 down to romp to a 7-3 win at Sutton Revolution in Division 1 of the Autotype UTV League. Craig Bloomfield and Anaclet Odhiambo hit doubles for Hinksey, whose other goals came from Tino Ventriglia, Toby Webster and Michaes

  • YOUTH FOOTBALL: Impressive Abingdon

    Abingdon United produced a workmanlike display to beat Old Woodstock Town 3-0. Conor Hunt and Chris Howells put Abingdon 2-0 ahead at the break, and Pablo Haysham’s second-half strike put the game out of Old Woodstock’s reach.

  • Work begins on £1.3m Witney school music block

    WORK has started on a £1.36m project to build a new music block at Henry Box School in Witney. Plans for a purpose-built music faculty were approved by Oxfordshire County Council in July and work is expected to be completed by September

  • Customers may buy Oxford cycle shop

    CUSTOMERS at a cycle shop in Oxford are hoping to take over the business and run it as a community co-operative. Owner John Wilson, 52, is recovering after a major operation and wants to retire after 25 years in the saddle at Walton Street

  • Swine Flu: Vaccine safety fears rejected

    OXFORD University has insisted an additive being used in a swine flu vaccination trial involving for young children is completely safe. Concern has been raised over the use of Thiomersal – a mercury preservative – in one of the vaccines being

  • Abingdon fair maintains Michaelmas tradition

    BUNGEE jumping was just one of the attractions delighting some of the thousands of revellers at Europe’s longest street fair. Abingdon’s Michaelmas Fair, which ends tonight, welcomed hundreds of people who enjoyed dozens of attractions – including

  • FOOTBALL: Rudman's five-timer

    Tommy Rudman smashed a five-timer for Rose Hill Res turned up the heat on OFA John Fathers Junior Shield Division 1 leaders Northway with an 8-3 thrashing of North Oxford A. Mark Mossop, Tony Hannon and Charlie Bishop were their other marksmen, while

  • FOOTBALL: Alvarez is hat-trick hero

    Dave Alvarez hammered a hat-trick as Cropredy strolled into the second round after thrashing Two Rivers 6-0. James Whitrod, with a brace, and Michael Zinn were their other marksmen. Bodicote hammered Hornton 6-1 . Jon Cooper and

  • FOOTBALL: Abba on song

    Adam Harper hit a hat-trick as Abba Athletic made the second round of the Lord Jersey Cup by beating Croughton Old Boys 6-2. Mathew Drew, Istevan Godor and Harry Pagan, on his debut, got the others, with Jon Faulkner and Dan Clarke replying

  • FOOTBALL: ACE McCallum nets a treble

    Craig McCallum hit a superb hat-trick as Charlbury eased to a 5-1 victory over Combe in the Premier Division on Saturday. One of his goals came from the penalty spot after a foul by keeper Luke Godfrey on striker Steve Knight. Martin Grimsley and Kni-ght

  • DARTS: Ladies shine as Oxon fight back for draw

    Oxfordshire came from behind to secure an exciting draw with Dorset in the opening match of their Inter-County Championship Division 1 campaign at Challow Royal British Legion. After the first day’s action, Oxon, who were relegated from the Premier Division

  • Second knifepoint mugging in Headington within five days

    A MAN was mugged at knifepoint in the second of two robberies within five days in Headington, Oxford. The 20-year-old was approached by three men, aged between 17 and 22, in Headington Hill at 1am today and threatened with a knife. After the robbers

  • Mini sales continue to surge

    SALES of the Cowley-built Mini have continued to surge – with a major boost coming as a result of the Government’s scrappage scheme. Figures show 8,634 cars were sold in the UK during September, a rise of 21.3 per cent on the previous month’s 7,116.

  • Oxford University fund reaches £770m

    A FUNDRAISING campaign for Oxford University has now reached £770m, with some of the money spent on popular attractions including the Ashmolean Museum. Dr John Hood, the university’s out-going Vice-Chancellor, revealed the latest milestone reached by

  • FOOTBALL: Lee smashes a five-timer

    Lee Keyes bagged a five-timer as Marston Res stormed to a 7-1 win at Fritwell Res to reach the second round of the Oxfordshire Senior League's Clarendon Cup. Andrew Best and Kieron Johnson (penalty) completed the rout, with Ashley Holland hitting back

  • FOOTBALL: Smith strike fires revival

    Adderbury Park turned up the heat on Premier Division leaders Garsington as they fought back to beat BCS Bardwell 5-1 in the Oxfordshire Senior League. Park now trail Garsington on goal difference. Jason Bedford gave Bardwell the lead, only for Dan

  • FOOTBALL: Smith strike fires revival

    Lawrence Hoey scored the winner as Didcot Casuals reached the North Berks League Centenary Cup semi-finals after a 1-0 win at Division 3 Hanney United. They now face Saxton Rovers at Abingdon Town. Saxton Rovers needed an own goal from Stuart Armstrong

  • GIRLS FOOTBALL: Super Sophie in hat-trick glee

    Sophie Grimson completed a hat-trick in the last minute to bring St Edmunds a 5-1 win at Ducklington in the Oxford Mail Girls Under 13 League. St Edmunds had got off to a great start with Anna Jiminez crossing for Grimson to net from close

  • Owls about that for a new pet store

    DOGS, cats, and chinchillas were on show when a new pet shop opened in West Oxford. Pet care retailer Pets at Home opened the 10,000 sq ft store at the Botley Road Retail Park on Friday. The store, which also boasts an aquatic centre, has created 13

  • Hardship fund will fight homelessness

    FAMILIES across west Oxfordshire who have been hit hard by the recession could be eligible for interest free loans of up to £5,000 to help them get back on their feet. West Oxfordshire District Council has been given £38,000 by the Government to help

  • Lotto win hasn’t gone to our heads

    LIKE most brides to be, Charmaine Watson spent hours agonising over her wedding guest list — and desperately tried to keep costs down. But unlike other women planning their big day, her £25,000 budget seemed like a drop in the ocean after scooping £2.3m

  • Questions that should not be asked

    Barristers are taught never to ask a question in court unless they can be sure of the answer they are going to get. In my profession, as I dare to style it, it used to be axiomatic that sub-editors should avoid asking questions in headlines because readers

  • Weird coincidence with rail and radio

    Anyone who is in the habit, as I am, of reading and listening to the radio at the same time must be familiar with the phenomenon of a word being spoken on air at precisely the moment it is being absorbed from the page. I had an astonishing

  • Count Tolstoy and The Times adjust Oxfordshire's boundaries

    While I am an avid reader of the death notices in The Times — ever hopeful of learning of the demise of various old enemies — I cannot say I take much interest in the hatchings and matchings that share the page with these despatchings. The recent

  • TA soldier puts on show of Camp Bastion pictures at Oxford

    A TERRITORIAL Army soldier who worked in field hospitals in Afghanistan has put his sketches of life at Camp Bastion on display. Corporal Tony Green, 35, from Didcot, served with the Abingdon-based 202 Field Hospital at the main British base

  • Dried apple garnish recipe

    When asked to rustle up a seasonal pudding for me to feature as today’s recipe, Nick Pullen, of Wild Thyme, came up with his English apple pudding, which consists of a miniature tarte Tatin, apple sorbet and apple charlotte, all made from Worcester Pearmains

  • Michael Janisch Quintet: The Spin, Oxford

    American Michael Janisch, like his hero Charlies Mingus, is a bass player who likes to lead from the front. But unlike Mingus, notorious for his belligerent manner on stage and off, Janisch exudes delight in the music and the solo flights of his band

  • Local shares (PM)

    AEA Technology 27 BMW 2979 Electrocomponents 150 Gladstone 27.75 Nationwide Accident Repair 78.5 Oxford Biomedica 10.75 Oxford Catalysts 54.5 Oxford Instruments 194 Reed Elsevier 471.8 RM 152.25 RPS Group 222.75 Courtesy of Redmayne

  • Wild Thyme thrives on local produce

    It was my colleague Christopher Gray who first alerted me to the Wild Thyme restaurant, tucked away in Mill Street, Chipping Norton. He assured me that I would love it, as nearly all the food featured on the menu is sourced locally. Other friends mentioned

  • Altogether Different: Pettits House

    Pettits House, a fine Tudor building, is an unusual venue for a group of unusual artists using a variety of media. In a converted barn in Oxfordshire Jane Hanson, a South African potter, brings light and bright colours from her homeland. Instead of

  • Karla Black: Modern Art Oxford

    Once again, the Upper Gallery of Modern Art Oxford has been completely transformed. This time, plaster powder, powdered paint, toothpaste, hair gel, nail varnish, sugar paper, moisturising cream, Vaseline and glitter hairspray come together to evoke ‘

  • Angus Fairhurst: The Stables, Waddesdon Manor

    Have you seen the gorilla in the grounds of Waddesdon Manor? He’s been there for six years, standing tall surveying the gardens with a determined jaw and a large fish, a salmon tucked under his arm. He looks a little over life-sized to me — although how

  • Karavai: Wolvercote Village hall

    ‘Music needs no translation,” said Oleg Zgogurin of Russian quartet Karavai during their concert in Wolvercote. The virtuoso musicians from Oxford’s twin-town of Perm entranced the audience with an ecletic mixture of Russian folk tunes and modern

  • HELICOPTER CRASH INQUEST: Benson squadron branded 'sloppy'

    Coroner Geoff Fell has branded an Oxfordshire RAF squadron "a sloppy outfit" at the inquest of three men who died in a helicopter crash. Mr Fell said there was no evidence of any documentation to show the crew of the doomed RAF Puma, based at RAF Benson

  • Coroner criticises RAF squadron

    Coroner Geoff Fell has branded an Oxfordshire RAF squadron "a sloppy outfit" at the inquest of three men who died in a helicopter crash. Mr Fell said there was no evidence of any documentation to show the crew of the doomed RAF Puma, based at RAF Benson

  • Hunt for Christmas tree thieves

    Thieves have stolen a community's 13ft Christmas tree. Police are appealing for help after the pine tree was cut down and stolen from Vale Avenue, in Grove, some point between Thursday night and 7.24pm on Friday - when it was reported to police. Pc

  • Carterton pharmacy raiders flee empty-handed

    Masked raiders were sent packing by a pair of female shop workers after breaking into a pharmacy. Three men wearing balaclavas forced their way into Lloyds Pharmacy, in Burford Road, Carterton, at 1.40am today. They headed straight to the perfume

  • Going green at breakfast

    Law firm Blake Lapthorn is running a third series of breakfast seminars, focusing on some of the most important climate change issues today. The purpose of the events is to bring together the academic community, local government, professionals, business

  • Thieves steal Grove's 13ft Christmas tree

    Thieves have stolen a town’s 13ft Christmas tree. Police are appealing for help after the pine tree was cut down and stolen from Vale Avenue, in Grove, some point between Thursday night and 7.24pm on Friday, when it was reported to police. Pc Joe

  • Local share prices (AM)

    AEA Technology 27 BMW 2937 Electrocomponents 149.75 Gladstone 27.75 Nationwide Accident Repair 77.5 Oxford Biomedica 10.6 Oxford Catalyst 54.5 Oxford Instruments 194 Reed Elsevier 467.9 RM 153.25 RPS Group 221.25 Courtesy of

  • Accidents spark rush hour delays

    One driver has been taken to hospital this morning following a three-car collision in Bicester. The accident happened at 7.10am in Skimmingdish Lane, between the A4421 and Bicester Road. A spokesman for South Central Ambulance said one male driver

  • ASK THE VET: My goldfish looks bloated

    Q: I have a goldfish with a blown-up stomach. It has been like this for nearly two years. Could you give me any information on this condition and if it can be treated? Could this be something to do with its age? John Bennett, New

  • Oxford United fans keep an eye on Hatters

    Oxford United fans are keeping a close eye on events at Kenilworth Road to see who gets the Luton Town job in succession to Mick Harford. And many are wondering whether it would be a good thing or bad if bookies’ favourite Mark Cooper, the Kettering

  • ATTEMPTED MURDER: Knifeman 'left ex-lover to die'

    A JILTED lover plunged a knife into his ex-girlfriend’s chest and whispered “you’re going to die now bitch”, a jury at Oxford Crown Court heard yesterday. Benjamin Thompson, 26, denies attempting to murder Harriet de Raeve at the house they