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DIDCOT Town failed to close on Oxfordshire rivals Banbury and Oxford City after falling to a 1-0 defeat at Stourbridge in last night’s Premier Division clash. Stuart Peace’s side, who travel to Rugby Town tomorrow, conceded the only goal of the game

THE Football Conference have confirmed that both of the Blue Square Premier play-off semi-final, first leg ties will take place on Thursday, April 29 (7.45), and both second-leg matches will now be on Bank Holiday Monday, May 3 (3pm). A Conference spokesperson

Nominations for Cherwell District Council elections on Thursday, May 6, have been announced. Banbury Calthorpe Ward Colin George Clarke (Con) Shaida Hussain (Lab) John Willett (Lib Dem) Banbury Easington Ward

Jurors were told today a male nurse accused of raping a patient was ashamed of his conviction for a separate sex crime. Oliver Balicao told Reading Crown Court he had “no recollection” of the day when his 17-year-old accuser was allegedly attacked

A WOMAN killed in last week’s M40 crash was on her way to an Easter family celebration, it has emerged. Hazel Russell, 78, of Brackley, was with her husband Norman and daughter when their Peugeot 307 and a Chrysler collided on the southbound carriageway

STAFF at Oxford furniture shop Habitat got a shock when they discovered thieves had stolen thousands of pounds worth of lead from the roof of their building. Police said shop workers alerted them after discovering part of the roof had fallen into the

JURORS were told today a male nurse accused of raping a patient was ashamed of his conviction for a separate sex crime. Oliver Balicao told Reading Crown Court he had “no recollection” of the day when his 17-year-old accuser was allegedly attacked at

RADIO presenter Ali Booker was yesterday shortlisted for a top broadcasting award for her diary about coping with terminal cancer. The mother-of-two, who lives near Wantage, originally overcame breast cancer in 2003. But the disease

ONE of Oxfordshire’s most senior police officers has been charged with perverting the course of justice and two counts of insurance fraud relating to an alleged arson attack. Chief Supt Jim Trotman, 44, from Abingdon, was arrested while on duty at Thames

HUNDREDS of pensioners finally enjoyed a traditional annual party yesterday. The Oxford Annual Pensioners’ Tea Party has been part of the city’s social calendar since 1936 and is usually held in January. This year, heavy snow forced

WASTE firm Viridor has submitted a revised planning application for its £100m incinerator just outside Bicester. The company has already appealed a decision to reject a planning application for the facility, and a public inquiry is due to be held this

YOU may have heard of firefighters being called to rescue cats stuck in trees but this animal SOS proved a little tougher. Two fire engines and a rescue boat were called to the River Thames at Wallingford yesterday after a heifer and a bull

Henrietta Knight was inclined to ignore Somersby’s running after he finished second to Mad Max in the totepool Manifesto Novices’ Chase at Aintree on Thursday. Knight, who trains at West Lockinge, near Wantage, said: "Nothing went right for

Oxford United chief Kelvin Thomas(pictured left) urges supporters to recreate a special atmosphere at home to make visiting teams uncomfortable. In an article for United’s website, he said fans have two approaches now that it’s almost certain the U’s

On paper, it looks as though Saturday's contest at Moss Lane is almost meaningless. Third-placed Oxford are now assured of a play-off place, while mid-table Altrincham can’t reach the play-offs, and have little to play for, it would seem.

Carruthers put up another gallant display for Mark Bradstock’s Letcombe Bassett stables, near Wantage, to finish second to his old rival, What A Friend, in the totesport Bowl at Aintree on Thursday. Following his fourth in the Cheltenham Gold

Nominations for Cherwell District Council elections on Thursday, May 6 have been announced Banbury Calthorpe WardColin George Clarke (Con) Shaida Hussain (Lab) John Willett (Lib Dem) Banbury Easington Ward Keiron

Police discovered a cannabis factory in a bedroom at an Oxford house today. More than 100 plants and growing equipment were seized from the house in Desborough Crescent, Rose Hill, when officers forced their way inside shortly after 4pm. A 49-

Abingdon Town boss Mark O’Hara has hit out at the ‘joke’ scheduling of fixtures as he prepares his team for four away matches in eight days. They begin their marathon stint with a Premier Division trip to Highworth on Saturday, before visiting Shortwood

Oxford City boss Mike Ford says he is relishing Saturtday's visit of Premier Division high-fliers Brackley Town as they aim for the double against his old side. Back in December Jamie Brooks hit the winner in their 2-1 win at St James’ Park

Abingdon United manager Andy Slater is to step down at the end of the season after six seasons in charge of the Zamaretto Southern League club. Slater, who was formerly manager at Carterton is calling it a day for personal reasons, though he will still

POLICE discovered a cannabis factory in a bedroom at an Oxford house today. More than 100 plants and growing equipment were seized from the house in Desborough Crescent, Rose Hill, when officers forced their way inside shortly after 4pm.

Petrol prices have soared to an all-time high, it was announced. The average price of a litre of petrol at the pumps is now 120p, eclipsing the previous peak of 119.7p reached in July 2008, the RAC said. "This is a dark day for motorists," said

ENERGETIC females of all ages celebrated the first birthday of their Women’s Institute group by trying belly dancing. The Blackbird Leys branch was formed last April and on Wednesday members dressed in traditional costumes to try out dancing

AEA Technology 21.5 BMW 3027 Electrocomponents 233.6 Gladstone 32.75 Nationwide Accident Repair 88.5 Oxford Biomedica 10.25 Oxford Catalysts 56.5 Oxford Instruments 277 Reed Elsevier 518.75 RM 172 RPS Group 213.2 Courtesy

DIDCOT now has a dedicated female youth worker to help teenage girls. Karen Williams, 22, has been employed by the charity Train to work with 11 to 18-year-olds, some of whom may be facing problems with drink, drugs, teenage pregnancy or educational

AT first glance the tragic scene resembles the plot of TV detective shows Lewis or Inspector Morse. The peace of an Oxford college quad is seemingly shattered as a student union president is “found dead” and a hunt begins for his murderer. But the man

DIDCOT Community Hospital celebrated a triple triumph as it unveiled its £130,000 new facilities. Workmen have completed improvements at the 28-bed hospital to provide new showers for patients, a modern sluice room, and improvements to protect patients

Nominations for Oxford City Council’s elections on Thursday, May 6 Barton and Sandhills Ward COULTER, Van (Lab) CROSSMAN, Barry (Lib Dem) HAMER, Timothy Stephen (Con) HITCHINS, Raymond Leslie (Green) Blackbird

Teenager Scott Humphries was cheered into the Kassam Stadium after completing a 60-mile bike ride in aid of Oxford United’s 12th Man fund. The 15-year-old from Steventon pedalled back to Oxfordshire from United’s Good Friday fixture at Hayes & Yeading

Nominations for Oxford City Council’s elections on Thursday, May 6, have been announced: Barton and Sandhills Ward COULTER, Van (Lab) CROSSMAN, Barry (Lib Dem) HAMER, Timothy Stephen (Con) HITCHINS, Raymond Leslie

A TRIO of Oxfordshire Scout leaders have been chosen to represent the UK at the movement’s biggest international event. Andrew Leech, of the 1st Hanborough Scout Group, Linda Phillips, leader of the 43rd Oxford Scout Group, and Teresa Greening, of the

Banbury's Will Bratt made a good start to his FIA Formula 2 Championship career at Snetterton during a two-day official test outing, his maiden run at the wheel of the Williams JPH1B car he will pilot throughout the 2010 season. The 21-year-old

Police are appealing for witnesses after a thief tricked his way into a home in Millfield Avenue, Marsh Gibbon. At midday yesterday, a man gained entry to the property, saying he was from the electricity board and needed to read the meter

OXFORDSHIRE County Council magazine Oxon News has been dismissed as a waste of money. It is delivered to thousands of households across the county, and costs taxpayers £163,000. That figure was offset by £6,000 recouped in advertising

EVERYONE loves Star Wars - at least everyone who was at least a nipper when the first film came out in 1977. It’s impossible to imagine another film which enthuses kids in the same way more than 30 years after its release. It should

Oxford Harlequins director of rugby John Brodley says his players won’t let up despite securing third place in National 3 South West. Quins host champions Taunton on Saturday and had hoped to be the first side to dent their 100 per cent league record

Wallingford could finish as high as fourth when they host Reading Abbey in their final South West 1 East game on Saturday. Head coach Chris Norrington said: “Abbey are fighting relegation, so we expect a hard game, but we will be disppointed if we don

CHILTERN Railways and sister firm Wrexham & Shropshire will be running modified timetables over the weekend to help football fans get to the FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley Stadium. Many trains between Banbury, Bicester North, Haddenham & Thame Parkway

A 24-hour helpline for residents has been launched as bulldozers gear up for crucial work on Bicester’s £70m town centre redevelopment. The helpline has been created to deal with complaints or queries about the massive regeneration. Oxfordshire County

Nominations for the West Oxfordshire District Council elections on Thursday, May 6, have been announced: Ascott and Shipton John Gittings (Labour) Hilary Rose Hibbert-Biles (Conservative) Bampton and Clanfield

The family of Hazel Russell, the 78-year-old Brackley woman who died following a crash on the M40 near Stokenchurch, released a tribute to her today. They said: “Hazel Violet Russell was a much loved wife of 61 years to Norman, a loving Mum

Sales of the Cowley-built Mini have continued to soar in the UK, latest figures have revealed. Statistics from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders show 7,919 cars were sold in March, compared to 5,976 for the same month last year, a rise of

Police are appealing for information about a teenager missing from Banbury. Dominic Southall, 17, of Elton Road, was last seen when he left his home at about 7pm on Wednesday. He is described as white, of slim build, with short, blonde

IT beggars belief that some Oxford United supporters would like to see Chris Wilder sacked as manager, as we sputter towards the Blue Square play-offs. Yes, we’ve taken a spectacular tumble which even the most ardent United fan finds difficult to take

I READ with anger the piece in the Oxford Mail’s Your Wheels section, claiming, the Smart car to be ‘the worst car evah’ (March 5). I purchased a new Smart from the Mercedes-Benz dealer at the Oxford Motor Park, which is local, and has a whole section

How right Tony Augarde is in his assessment of Oxford County Council’s highways department (Oxford Mail, March 5). It makes you wonder if this council is serious about saving money when we see one mess after another. In this area alone the cock-ups are

SO, Wantage Town Council is considering selling off its ‘family silver’ to save the money is has to pay just to store the items. It’s a bizarre situation which, I wager, few people in the town were aware existed. These treasures include a brace of pistols

FOR a whole raft of reasons, the Easter weekend was a lousy time for yours sincerely. A couple of concerned friends did their best to lift the gloom, but selfishly I couldn’t wait for an end to the official jollifications. So Easter Monday found me in

Police this afternoon appealed for help to trace a missing teenager from Banbury. Dominic Southall, 17, of Elton Road, was last seen when he left his home address at about 7pm yesterday. Dominic is white, slim build, with short, blonde hair and

One of Oxfordshire’s most senior police officers has been charged with perverting the course of justice and two counts of insurance fraud. Chief Supt Jim Trotman, 44, from Abingdon, will appear before Swindon Magistrates’ Court on April 19.

One of Oxfordshire’s most senior police officers has been charged with perverting the course of justice and two counts of insurance fraud. Chief Supt Jim Trotman, 44, from Abingdon, will appear before Swindon Magistrates’ Court on April 19.

New car sales sped ahead again last month as the recovery in the motor industry continued, it was revealed. A total of 397,383 new cars were sold in March 2010 - 26.6% more than in March 2009, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT

SIX bedrooms, six bathrooms and extensive grounds, including a paddock, make a relaxing semi-rural retreat for a family needing to be within easy reach of Oxford. College Mead, at Little Blenheim, near Ya rnton, available to rent at £5,000

SATURDAY. FOOTBALL. BLUE SQUARE PREMIER. Altrincham v Oxford Utd. PUMA YOUTH ALLIANCE. Under 18 South West Conference: Oxford Utd Yth v Hereford. ZAMARETTO SOUTHERN LEAGUE. Premier Div: Banbury Utd v Hemel Hempstead, Oxford City v Brackley Tn,

AEA Technology 21.5 BMW 3048 Electrocomponents 235 Gladstone 32.75 Nationwide Accident Repair 88.5 Oxford Biomedica 10.1 Oxford Catalyst 56.5 Oxford Instruments 277 Reed Elsevier 519.25 RM 171.75 RPS Group 212.8 Courtesy

So, Oxford City Council’s reputation has sunk to a new low by acquiring a criminal record for illegally taking Martin Young’s Ford Escort from private land and crushing it (Oxford Mail, March 31). Although Mr Young is happy at the judgment and the £3,630

WE hope that all who saw the work of the Oxford April Foolers in the Headington area, enjoyed it. We strongly believe that there is not enough fun and enjoyment in life, so take the opportunity to celebrate April Fool’s Day enthusiastically. This was

Oxford must reduce congestion, fossil fuel use and emissions, and increase public transport. How to do so requires informed public debate. Stephen Roberts (Oxford Mail letters, March 29) may have misinformed readers. He claims if a tramway had a ground-level

True blue flowers are few and far between for most of the year, but luckily March and April provide a wealth of miniature blue bulbs. Most of these measure less than nine inches in height and they are happy to grow in sun or part shade as long as the

Changing with the seasons As a reserves officer my role is as varied as the county’s landscape. The trust’s reserves stretch right across Oxfordshire, and the different types of geology found in the county are expressed in its diverse habitats and wildlife

Villagers in Oxfordshire became the first in the country to create a community wood in the national Woods on Your Doorstep campaign through a series of coincidences. Next year they will celebrate the 15th anniversary of Daeda’s Wood at Deddington, probably

Two disappointing results for Oxford 1 in the Four Nations Chess League have left them struggling to avoid relegation. Against a weak Guildford side in round seven, Oxford’s top boards self-destructed and they crashed to a 5-3 defeat. This result placed

There’s a desperate need for art studio space in Oxford, with about 30 students graduating annually in fine art at Oxford Brookes, and another cohort at Ruskin, not to mention the many artists from elsewhere, drawn by its cultural facilities

Africa: the forgotten continent. How often have we heard that phrase? Nowadays, we readily accept the influence of Africa on Western art, from Picasso to Matisse, Brancusi to Henry Moore. But how less readily the craftsmanship, the degree of artistic

When it comes to easy to drink, smooth, rich ripe wines there is no better choice than Australian shiraz. Here you will find none of the comparatively rough edges of a Rhône style from France — Aussie wines have much more ripeness and depth which makes

Those of you that are signed up to read my wine postcards (www.wine-talk.co.uk/postcard.html) will have read about my excited response to a bottle of Charles Schéret Pinot Noir from Alsace that I tasted with friends in The Olive Tree restaurant in Bath

Flat out with a slipped disc, KATHERINE MACALISTER selflessly keeps up the search for culinary perfection – with a box of cakes. CAKE isn’t a meal,’ I hear you say. But I beg to differ. After all, if it was good enough for Marie Antoinette

Chocolat author Joanne Harris talks about coming through some difficult times to create her new novel, Blue Eyed Boy. Bestselling author Joanne Harris is no stranger to writer’s block but it took the best part of a year and some serious trawling

WHIP IT! (12A). Comedy. Ellen Page, Juliette Lewis, Kristen Wiig, Marcia Gay Harden, Daniel Stern, Eulala Scheel, Drew Barrymore, Landon Pigg, Alia Shawkat. Director: Drew Barrymore. Youth springs eternal for Ellen Page. Oscar

KATHERINE MACALISTER finds out what comedian Sean Lock is up to now he’s been let out of the TV studio. Sean Lock has been locked inside a TV studio for too long, recording a new series of the hit Channel 4 panel game, 8 out of 10 Cats, and

KATHERINE MACALISTER chats to laid-back country legend Glen Campbell, who’s on tour again... at 71. Glen Campbell is so laid back he’s almost horizontal. And sporadically throughout our interview he breaks into song, accompanied by his

SHELTER (15). Horror. Julianne Moore, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Jeffrey DeMunn, Frances Conroy, Brooklynn Proulx, Nathan Corddry. Directors: Mans Marlind, Bjorn Stein. Just as surely as the sun will rise in the east, Oscar-nominated

RICHARD BELL has nothing but praise for Plush Lounge – the newest gay nightclub in the city. Oxford’s gay scene has always struck me as lacking a certain something. There are a couple of gay pubs, and some gay nights at a couple of nightclubs

Tim Hughes talks to a singer-songwriter who just can’t sit still – Joshua Radin. BORED of singer-songwriters with nothing worth singing about? You know the type: listless drips whinging about some minor tiff, Brit School graduates with

Tim Hughes takes a trip to the decadent side of folk, with Balkan-gypsy stomp band Scarlett in the Wilderness. IT’S folk music – but not as we know it. Stomping, Balkan, gypsy rhythms with a burlesque twist, Oxford’s Scarlett in the Wilderness

Oxfordshire's bid to bring the Olympic Torch to the county in 2012 is hotting up. Organisers of the London games are planning a route for the torch across the UK, and the city and county councils, Blenheim Palace, and sporting and cultural organisations

After moving home eight times in 13 years, a couple found their dream home in Wantage — only to spend years changing it. Retired civil engineer Michael Kitchenham and his wife Ann exchanged contracts on Cuttlebrook House 18 years ago.

Back-in-favour striker Jack Midson says he’s determined to keep his place in Oxford United’s team until the end of the season. And hopefully, he says, that will mean all the way to Wembley for the Blue Square Premier play-off final.

OXFORDSHIRE’S bid to bring the Olympic Torch to the county in 2012 is hotting up. Organisers of the London games are planning a route for the torch across the UK, and the city and county councils, Blenheim Palace, and sporting and cultural

THE return of a knife and name tag to Christopher Wolff after more than 40 years is a fascinating tale. Mr Wolff lost the items in woods near Bath, only for them to lie undiscovered for more than two decades. Even then, after Gerry Chandler found them

physical attacks on elderly people are a disturbing change to the usual methods used by distraction burglars. The effect on the elderly by these conmen when they sweet talk their way into their homes and scurry off with whatever they can get

A TREASURE-HUNTER who found a knife and medallion in a wood was always intrigued by the details engraved on the two fine silver objects. Twenty years after making the find with his metal detector, Gerry Chandler finally decided to satisfy his

Sir – As an Anglican, I sometimes wonder if the Roman Church’s handling of child sexual abuse is related to a misconceived understanding of what Christian forgiveness means. As Christians we are called to forgive, but not to forget. Part of repentance

Sir – As a Christian I was saddened to hear that anyone need contemplate protection for Philip Pullman (Report, March 25). Any Christian involved should consider the fact that Jesus the Christ opposed many, but it was He who needed protection, not

Sir – Philip Pullman’s latest book The good man Jesus and the scoundrel Christ has arrived in the bookshops. It reveals that Mr Pullman has taken upon himself the task of re-writing the greatest book ever written. The Bible is the world’s greatest

Sir – The city council provided a 20-page colour booklet in February on “Managing Your Waste”, with some emphasis on “environmental crime”, which is punishable. But April Fool! The vital calendars provided (to some of us at least) have stopped on March

Sir – I was not surprised to read about Oxfordshire hospitals having to find further savings in the new financial year, this theme is recurrent around the country and demonstrative of the rank central mismanagement of the NHS by successive governments

Sir – Oxford’s cyclists aren’t the only ones to wrongfully ride city pavements. White vans do it, so too do lorries. The other day whilst walking past the Law Courts I was frightened witless by a delivery lorry swerving on to the pavement right behind

Sir – The perennial controversy over the safety of jumping from Magdalen Bridge on May morning seems to ignore the practical solution. The depth of the water should be measured below all jumping points across the bridge and students should be allowed

Sir – Wartime recycling in Woodstock was even more extensive than that described in Malcolm Graham’s excellent article in Limited Edition. Every street had its volunteer salvage steward. The pony and trap belonging to Mr Robinson the butcher also had

Sir – What is going on with the cross-country rail links to and from Oxford? The life of Britain should not revolve around high speed lines to London. Planning a rail journey from Oxford to Manchester I find that a direct train takes just over three

Sir – Any Oxford citizen worried about Controlled Parking Zones should read Oxfordshire County Council’s parking policy document of November 9, 2009. In it they will find that it is Oxfordshire County Council’s intention to turn every street in Oxford

Sir – I was interested to read John Tanner’s letter (March 25) in which he encouraged a county councillor to “listen to local people”. Is this the same John Tanner (city executive board member for a cleaner, greener city) who is intent on imposing

Sir – I thought that the Green Party lived in a universe parallel to the one I inhabit. After reading Ms Dhall’s letter (March 25) proposing that Hythe Bridge Street and Longwall are closed to all but Green-approved traffic, I’m sure that it does.

Sir – Cyclox welcomes the county’s decision to make Frideswide Square the next stage of Transform Oxford (Report, March 18). As a gateway to Oxford, Frideswide Square is terrible for pedestrians, scary for cyclists, and it doesn’t even work for the

A NEW era of rail travel in Oxfordshire will come into view this week with the launch of a public consultation into the planned transformation of Oxford Station. The scheme to expand the station to the other side of Botley Road will significantly

Sir – May I join the plea from our parliamentary candidates for Witney for people to register to vote, (Letters, March 18) by reminding everyone that there is a perfectly acceptable way of exercising your mandate and registering a protest against political

Sir – So Graham Jones, of Rox, (Letters, April 1) thinks the Greens want to close Hythe Bridge Street to through traffic just so private motorised non-disabled traffic can queue at Frideswide Square until Hythe Bridge Street is open again! No, Mr Jones

Sir – While the county council has accepted the need to redesign Frideswide Square, there seems to be a block on the most straightforward solution, just turning off the traffic lights. The earlier openness to accept suggestions seems to have turned

Sir – What happened to Dorchester-on-Thames in the 1960s and 70s was a crime against our heritage. In particular the Big Rings, a Neolithic henge monument described as a rare concentration of ritual activity equivalent to Avebury and Stonehenge in national

There were blank faces when Jane Elliott recently approached a group of people to talk about SeeSaw. Given that the charity has been going for a decade and is in the middle of its tenth birthday celebrations, you might have imagined that the woman behind

A gang of thieves grabbed and punched a 90-year-old woman in her Oxford home. Four men forced their way into the woman's house in Brasenose Driftway, Cowley, then one of them pushed her into a chair and hit her on the arm. During the

YOUNG cricket fans learned the tricks of the trade from one of England’s most famous batsmen yesterday. Former test cricketer Graeme Hick ran a coaching session at Bloxham School, near Banbury, and gave every child the chance to try to bowl him out.

The small but enthusiastic Oxon Support Group for Cancer and Bio-detection Dogs is looking for volunteers to help their exciting young charity. Based near Bicester, the charity trains dogs to use their noses to help cancer research scientists, and to

Hilary Hibbert-Biles has been appointed the new chairman of Oxfordshire County Council. She will take over from Tony Crabbe, who has held the post for the past two years. The chairman is the ceremonial head of the council and represents

We are heading into one of the most exciting and possibly hard-fought elections of recent times. Interest here in Oxfordshire will be great with David Cameron vying to return as Witney MP and campaigning to become Prime Minister. Results in the Oxford

New rules requiring landlords to apply for planning permission to turn a home into multiple rooms for students will not make an overnight difference — nor should they. Many residents justly complain that their neighbourhoods have been overwhelmed by

A GANG of thieves grabbed and punched a 90-year-old woman in her Oxford home. Four men forced their way into the pensioner’s house in Brasenose Driftway, Cowley, then one of them pushed her into a chair and hit her on the arm. During the struggle, the

A treasure trove hunter who discovered a knife and medallion in a wood in Bath was always intrigued by the details engraved on the two fine silver objects. But 20 years after making the find with his metal detector, Gerry Chandler decided to