Archive

  • DARTS: Oxon ace Hedman to tackle Gulliver

    Oxfordshire county player Deta Hedman is to face seven-times winner Trina Gulliver in the women’s semi-finals at the BDO Lakeside World Championship at Frimley Green on Thursday. The 50-year-old, who hails from Jamaica but throws for England, booked

  • FOOTBALL: Ford's message to City

    Oxford City boss Mike Ford has called on his side to cut out sloppy defensive mistakes, starting with Tuesday night’s Zamaretto Southern League Premier Division trip to Truro City, which is in serious doubt because of the winter weather.

  • MOTOR RACING: Kubica stays with Renault

    Polish driver Robert Kubica has decided to stick with the Enstone-based Renault Formula 1 team following their sale to new owners last month. The highly-rated Kubica had a clause in his contract that allowed him to leave if the team was not wholly owned

  • Decision expected on school pupil boost

    A DECISION will be taken today about whether to allow St Nicholas Primary School, Marston, to take more pupils. Oxfordshire County Council schools improvement cabinet member Michael Waine is due to rule on whether the school can take an extra 15 pupils

  • Pervert Major groomed girls

    A DECORATED Oxfordshire war veteran has been jailed after admitting grooming teenage girls on the internet. Richard Male, a former army Major based in Bicester, who served in the Gulf War and Kosovo conflict, admitted contacting girls as young

  • Man charged with Benson burglary

    A man is due at to appear at Oxford Crown Court after being charged with burglary. Luke Verran, 19, has been charged in connection with a burglary at a property in The Moorlands, Benson, on September 22, where three watches were stolen. Verran appeared

  • Taser man 'critical'

    A man remains in a critical but stable condition in hospital following an incident in Westbury Crescent, Oxford. At about 3am on Sunday, Thames Valley Police was called to a multi-occupancy house following reports of a disturbance inside and subsequent

  • Villagers face new incinerator fight

    Villagers are preparing for a fresh battle after a waste firm appealed against a decision to block plans for a waste incinerator. Viridor is arguing Oxfordshire county councillors were wrong when they refused planning permission for the proposed

  • Villagers vow to fight incinerator appeal

    VILLAGERS are preparing for a fresh battle after a waste firm appealed against a decision to block plans for a waste incinerator. Viridor is arguing Oxfordshire county councillors were wrong when they refused planning permission for the proposed £100m

  • Trainee teacher wants to be Miss England

    A TRAINEE teacher from Oxford is vying to win a place in this year’s Miss England competition. Amelia Watt is one of the 21 finalists in the Miss Fresh Photographic event, which acts as a quarter-final for the chance to represent the country

  • Rose Hill Taser man 'critical'

    A MAN shot by police with a Taser gun after an incident in Rose Hill has undergone surgery for a stab wound to his chest. Last night the man was in a critical but stable condition following the incident in Westbury Crescent at about 3am on Sunday. The

  • DJ stars join Oxford man for Ministry charity gig

    SOME of the country’s top DJs have agreed to perform at a charity gig organised by an Oxfordshire cancer patient. Dean Laidler, 29, was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2005 and has undergone major surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment. Despite

  • Sculpture garden marks 10th birthday

    A SCULPTURE garden in North Oxford has reached its 10th anniversary. The Turrill Sculpture Garden, behind Summertown Library in South Parade, was launched by Katherine Shock in 2000. Sculptors have been using the public space to showcase their work

  • Servicemen in court on Brize Norton smuggling charges

    FOUR servicemen are due in court today charged with smuggling cigarettes on military flights into RAF Brize Norton. Senior Aircraftsman Paul Garbutt, 30, of Billingham, Cleveland, Corporal Stuart Helens, 30, of Sunderland, Sergeant Stuart Walker

  • Vandalised pubs count cost of Christmas

    TWO women have been arrested after windows were smashed at the Bullnose Morris pub in Blackbird Leys. A 24-year-old woman and a 26-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of vandalism following the incident at the Cuddesdon Way pub just after midnight

  • Woman's mission to fight breast cancer

    A GRANDMOTHER who beat breast cancer is on a mission begging for funds for a charity which aims to defeat the disease. Hilary Skinner, 67, of Mill Lane, Clanfield, was diagnosed with breast cancer in January 2008, having found a lump on Boxing Day.

  • Winter offers cold comfort for cyclists

    So, 2010 is now upon us and my only thought for a New Year resolution is to do some shopping. Yes, I too can help the economy. Sad though it seems, coming so soon after the spend-fest that is the modern-day Christmas, I’m hoping my need is not so much

  • Lapdancing is not a sin apart from on Sundays

    Never let it be said that the Oxford Mail’s online editorial staff are without a sense of humour. Alongside Andrew Ffrench’s recent report on the lapdancing service to be offered at Oxford’s Thirst Bar, was an online advert for stag weekends in Budapest

  • Multiple choice exams dupe youngsters

    Can someone explain to me why so many examinations have become multiple choice instead of direct questions requiring you to work out the answer by reasoned deduction? In my youth it was common to receive 70 per cent of the marks for reasoned calculation

  • Mr Mitchell should lead from the front

    The leader of Oxfordshire County Council is taking the council on a path of self destruction with, yet again, proposals of cuts to vital services. These will be implemented unless Keith Mitchell and his colleagues rethink where they could be made without

  • Extend fuel payouts to cancer patients

    The number of people facing fuel poverty is on the increase, and vulnerable households are particularly affected. That is why I am writing to back Macmillan Cancer Support’s campaign to freeze out fuel poverty for cancer patients. Feeling colder and

  • Don’t cut budgets for youth services

    I WRITE regarding your report on Oxfordshire County Council’s proposed cutbacks to youth services (Oxford Mail, December 22). I think it’s very short-sighted to cut down on youth centres and clubs. I genuinely think the cause for a lot of trouble with

  • Cyclist injured in hit and run

    A CYCLIST suffered minor injuries in a hit-and-run accident in North Oxford this morning. The male cyclist, aged 70, was taken to hospital following the collision with a white van in Woodstock Road. David Staines, a spokesman for Thames Valley Police

  • ASK THE VET: Westie’s itching is a ticklish issue

    Q My six-year-old westie with a wheat, flea and tick intolerance; she has been itching and is very pink. The vet has done a blood test, but at £300 a time, I’m finding it hard to keep up with the bills. Please can you suggest anything to get rid

  • New arrivals move into Wantage homes

    A SENSE of excitement has filled business owners in Wantage now people have begun to move into the St Mary’s development. All 17 properties offered by Thames Valley Housing (TVH) in its first round of sales at the former St Mary’s School site in Newbury

  • 'I don't want to give test electric Mini back'

    OXFORDSHIRE’S recent cold snap has adversely affected the performance of the new electric Mini prototype. Some of the 40 motorists who are trialling the electric cars have reported the vehicles have taken longer to charge because of the freezing

  • RUGBY UNION: Venners shines in five-try win

    Wallingford 37, Buckingham 20 Two tries from Henry Venners helped Wallingford to an impressive home victory in South West 1 East. The full back was in outstanding form as the hosts made it six league wins in a row with a confident display. Wallingford

  • RUGBY UNION: Monks seals Witney victory

    James Monks proved the matchwinner as Witney went two points clear at the top of Southern Counties North after a scrappy 13-8 win at Milton Keynes. With title rivals Amersham & Chiltern and Grove not playing due to the freezing conditions

  • RUGBY UNION: Norrington delighted

    Wallingford head coach Chris Norrington was delighted with his side’s start to 2010 against Buckingham. He said: “We have got close to our full strength squad now and we are playing with a lot of confidence. “It pleased me that we went through our phases

  • Local share prices (PM)

    AEA Technology 26.5 BMW 2874 Electrocomponents 163.75 Gladstone 29.5 Nationwide Accident Repair 80.5 Oxford Biomedica 11.6 Oxford Catalyst 49.5 Oxford Instruments 204.5 Reed Elsevier 509.75 RM 160.5 RPS Group 219.6 Courtesy of Redmayne

  • Cars stolen after Witney burglaries

    Police today appealed for witnesses after two houses were broken into in Witney over the weekend and cars were stolen. Homes in Eton Close and Manor Road were broken into overnight between Saturday and Sunday. Thieves made their way into the house

  • Chilterns cyclists head for the hills

    CYCLISTS have welcomed plans for a long-awaited 170-mile bike route, which will soon cross the county. The Oxfordshire leg of the circular Chilterns Cycleway will pass close to Wallingford and through Ewelme, before heading north-west. Wallingford cyclist

  • Jungle trip inspires author's thriller

    A honeymoon trip to the Papua New Guinea jungle sparked an idea for a book about the terrors of the jungle. Patrick Woodrow went on a birdwatching trip with his new wife, Sally-Ann, and started to wonder what would happen if they got separated from

  • Fabia's hopes take a tumble

    A BURLESQUE dancer caught on camera falling off the stage on a new televised dance competition has put the incident down to a twist of fate. Fabia Cerra, 36, of Centaury Place, Greater Leys, Oxford, shot to fame when she performed a striptease

  • Bellow's Rock Blows others out of the Water!

    Christmas might be over, but the Spirit lives on. Don't fall into the typical paucity of diet and detox after the holidays! January and February are bad enough with out starving yourself of a little libation. Instead treat yourself to something a

  • Jungle trip inspires author's thriller

    A HONEYMOON trip to the Papua New Guinea jungle has sparked an idea for a book about the terrors of the jungle. Patrick Woodrow went on a bird watching trip with his new wife, Sally-Ann, and started to wonder what would happen if they got separated

  • Wine and Cheese

    For those of you that were out of town, or might have missed a few papers over Christmas. Here's the information about matching English Wine with English Cheese. Plus we have the winner of a dinner at the Randolph for two . . . .

  • Maggie makes a move

    Maggie Bradley has been appointed client partner at the Oxford office of Coutts & Co. She joins from the company’s London headquarters where she has been employed for the last five years, occupying a series of senior management roles, most recently as

  • Devastating loss of young man at new year's dawn

    THE Hussey family, and their son Leon, should have been looking forward to a happy new year. Leon, a former Larkmead School pupil, was due to start a new job as a chef at a pub in Abingdon on Saturday, January 2, and so was on the verge of starting a

  • Local share prices (AM)

    AEA Technology 27 BMW 2888 Electrocomponents 163.6 Gladstone 29.5 Nationwide Accident Repair 80.5 Oxford Biomedica 11.25 Oxford Catalysts 50 Oxford Instruments 203.5 Reed Elsevier 508.75 RM 160.5 RPS Group 218.6 Courtesy of Redmayne

  • Viridor appeals incinerator decision

    ENERGY company Viridor has appealed against Oxfordshire County Council’s decision to refuse planning permission for an incinerator at Ardley, near Bicester. In October, county councillors refused to grant planning permission for an incinerator

  • Cold snap bites across Oxfordshire

    The cold start to the new year continued today with temperatures in Oxfordshire falling as low as minus eight degrees centigrade overnight. That was the temperature at RAF Benson near Wallingford overnight and it was minus -6C at RAF Brize

  • Cold snap bites across Oxfordshire

    The cold start to the new year continued this morning with temperatures in Oxfordshire falling as low as minus eight degrees centigrade overnight. That was the temperature at RAF Benson near Wallingford overnight and it was minus -6C at RAF Brize Norton

  • Man About Town: Time to hibernate

    Phew... I’m just glad it’s over. I cannot stand New Year – and New Year’s Eve has, for as long as I can remember, left me cold. As such, I did this year what I always do – got into bed about 10pm, read for a bit, and woke on Friday glad to be rid of

  • How my biking career led to writing letters

    OUR stories about Oxford Ixion Motorcycle Club events have brought back many memories. Former Ixion member Keith Brooks, of Gateley, Horspath, has sent in these two pictures of himself in action, plus an advertisement for the Ixion scramble at Horspath

  • Mail critic was a little hard on the am-dram crew

    WHILE the New Theatre played host to professional pantomimes, amateur groups in Oxfordshire produced their own Christmas and New Year shows. Among them were the Osberton Radiators Dramatic Society in Oxford and the Women’s Institute at Weston-on-the-Green

  • Tram strike grew bitter

    THERE were violent scenes in Oxford when drivers and conductors on the horse-drawn trams went on strike over pay. A walkout by more than 50 staff at the Leopold Street depot in East Oxford led to weeks of strife. Ron Tombs, of Farm Road, Abingdon, sparked

  • Familiar face was star of the panto

    IT’S the unmistakable face of Des O’Connor. He was the star of Cinderella, the pantomime at the New Theatre, Oxford, in 1964. He is pictured with some of the children from the Oxford-based Vera Legge School of Dancing, who also featured

  • Roy Bickerton: Fighter pilot who became top scientist

    FORMER RAF Spitfire fighter pilot and eminent physicist Roy Bickerton has died aged 82. Mr Bickerton was a former director of the world’s largest fusion magnetic experiment, the Joint European Torus, in Culham, where he made several major contributions

  • Reinstate school's elected governors

    THE United Learning Trust’s withdrawal as sponsor leaves the county council’s plans to replace Oxford School with an academy in disarray. It is high time that councillor Michael Waine and his team focused their efforts instead on supporting the school

  • Take steps to combat climate change

    WITH the world holding its breath, was it a suprise that the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen came to no ratified agreement? Is it beyond the expectation of the population of the planet to expect the respective leaders of our nations

  • Cut out thirst for long-haul wines

    THOSE of us who believe in global warming should heed the following advice. It has been said that the climate here is warming up so that grapes can be grown here. But, while I know that some vineyards locally do produce a fair vintage, it is too expensive

  • Was salt for streets stolen?

    WITH further bad weather forecast, I rang the county council highways department to ask if, and when, the yellow salt boxes at the side of the roads were going to be refilled? They said they did not know. Though, when I pushed them further, they said

  • Peter Kilduff: Expert bus driving instructor

    PETER KILDUFF had an inauspicious start to his career as an Oxford bus driver when he broke his ankle stumbling as he got out of his vehicle on the first day. He put the mishap behind him and went on to become a stalwart of what is now Oxford

  • United set to name third signing

    Oxford United are set to announce another new signing later today. It will be the third capture manager Chris Wilder has made since Christmas following the arrivals at the end of last week of left-footed centre back Jake Wright, from Brighton

  • Family stunned at son's death

    DEVASTATED mother Mandy Hussey yesterday spoke out about the evils of heroin after fearing the drug had killed her only son Leon. Twenty-year-old Leon was found unconscious and not breathing at his father Robin’s home in Abingdon just a few

  • Doctor nervous on eve of 50,000-mile cycle ride

    STEVE FABES admits he is both petrified and excited as he looks forward to setting out on a 50,000-mile cycle ride tomorrow. Dr Fabes, who grew up in Southdale Road, North Oxford, is planning to cycle across six continents on a solo charity