Archive

  • FOOTBALL: Woodstock's test

    Old Woodstock Town will visit Hamble in the FA Cup second qualifying round after the Sydenhams League club won 2-0 at Wootton Bassett Town on Tuesday. REVISED DRAW FA Cup 2nd qual round: Hamble v Old Woodstock Tn, Poole v Thame Utd, Paulton Rovers v

  • Oxford United Reserves roar back

    Oxford Utd Res 4 (Woodley 17, Midson 31, Deering 66, Baker 90) Stevenage Boro Res 2 (Kaddour 1, Mitchley 3) Oxford United Reserves fought back from 2-0 behind after just three minutes to enjoy a superb victory over Stevenage at Didcot Town’s npower

  • City planning appeal losses stack up

    OXFORD City Council is making the wrong planning decision in more than half of appeals lodged by developers, according to the latest figures. In the first quarter of this year, the city council saw six decisions overturned out of the 11 appeals

  • Gang robs man of shopping in Cowley

    Police are appealing for witnesses after a robbery near to Tesco in Ambassador Avenue, Cowley, last night. At around 8.45pm, a 26-year-old Polish man was walking home with a bag of shopping from Tesco. He walked through the car park and via the underpass

  • Charity event brings community together

    FAMILIES enjoyed live music, face painting and games in aid of an Oxfordshire charity on Saturday. Restore, which provides training and support for people with mental health problems, held an open day at its centre in Sandringham Road, Didcot. Operations

  • Don’t miss the Oxford Mail wedding fayre

    PLANNING your big day can be a daunting prospect – but brides-to-be can find all the help they need under one roof thanks to the Oxford Mail’s Wedding Fayre, which is being held on Sunday. Businesses specialising in all aspects of weddings

  • Local shares (PM)

    AEA Technology 17 BMW 3966 Electrocomps 243.3 Nationwide Accident Repair 88 Oxford Biomedica 9.6 Oxford Catalysts 70.5 Oxford Instruments 434.5 Reed Elsevier 538.25 RM 138.5 RPS Group 184.3 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon

  • Buy 1 Get 1 Free Offer on all Main Course Dishes

    If you have not yet had a chance to check out our great food and amazing service, then now is a better time than any other, as we are currently running a Buy 1 Get 1 Free Offer on all Main Course Dishes. Just by showing your Oxford Mail loyalty

  • Co-op buys Saga's phone business

    TELECOMS provider The Phone Co-op is celebrating the arrival of 8,300 new customers after signing a deal with over-50s specialist Saga. The Phone Co-op, based in Chipping Norton, has taken on several new staff to cope with the influx after

  • Police issue plea over A34 crash

    Police are appealing for witnesses to a collision on the A34 near Chieveley today. The incident occurred at about 10.45am when a silver SEAT Ibiza collided with a white Ford Transit van, which was parked in a lay-by, close to the Beedon turning

  • Rise and Fall of Ancient Egypt

    The Rise and Fall of Ancient Egypt Toby Wilkinson (Bloomsbury, £30) The discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb in the Nile Valley by the British archaeologist Howard Carter in 1922 shone a blazing light on the classic civilisation of ancient Egypt. Inside

  • A Royal Passion by Katie Whitaker

    A Royal Passion Katie Whitaker (Weidenfeld and Nicolson, £20) King Charles I, notorious for his execution in 1649, has been the subject of many books. Few, however, have been devoted to the woman who could best appraise his proud and defiant nature

  • How the Girl Guides Won the War

    Oscar-winning actress Emma Thompson and the Queen loved it but TV presenter Janet Street-Porter and journalist Lynn Truss were not so keen. They were all once in the Girl Guides and Brownies — the subject of a meticulously researched book by Oxford-based

  • FOR THE SAKE OF SILENCE

    FOR THE SAKE OF SILENCE Michael Cawood Green (Quartet, £20)At 558 dense pages, For the Sake of Silence is an undertaking. It’s hard to describe the book’s effect, though J. M. Coetzee’s praise: “A work of history-come-fiction that will grip and sometimes

  • Letterbox burglars steal laptops

    Police today appealed for information after two burglaries in Henley, where burglars used tools to open doors via letterboxes. Burglars broke into a house in Elizabeth Road between 10pm on Thursday and 6.20am on Friday, by using a tool to open the

  • YOUTH FOOTBALL: Alfie saves Summertown

    Alfie Goodwin's last-minute strike secured Summertown the three points with a 2-1 win against Harwell and Hendred. Summertown led 1-0 at half-time following an own goal. But Harwell led a determined fightback, hitting the woodwork three

  • WOMEN'S FOOTBALL: Snowden shines

    Tower Hill beat City Belles (Milton Keynes) 4-2 in Division 2 of the Thames Valley Women’s League. Their goals came from Sarah Snowden (2), Karen Slatter and Deb Richards. City Belles replied through Siobhaun Layne’s double strike.

  • FOOTBALL: Abba on song in eight-goal romp

    ABBA Athletic put behind their disappointment at losing their first game of the season in the Banbury & District Lord Jersey FA with a resounding 8-1 win against Kings Sutton in Division 2. Star man Matty Drew hit a double including an amazing goal when

  • Villages unite to fight homes plan

    VILLAGES north of Didcot are raising a fighting fund and getting expert advice to block a proposed 1,800-home extension of Ladygrove. Long Wittenham, Clifton Hampden, and Appleford parish councils say they will fight the town’s growth to the

  • GIRLS' FOOTBALL: Three-goal blitz sinks St Edmunds

    OXFORD MAIL GIRLS LEAGUE Three goals in six minutes clinched St Edmunds’ 4-2 victory over Tower Hill Vixens in the Under 14 League. Sophie Tatford’s long-range shot put Edmunds ahead, but Suzy Halsey equalised. The three-goal blitz from April England

  • Jodie visits the dogs that can do anything

    A WEST-END star met some of Oxfordshire’s bravest children and four-legged heroes last week. Jodie Prenger, winner of the BBC’s I’d Do Anything, visited the national training centre for Dogs for the Disabled in Banbury on Tuesday. The charity gives

  • Banbury schools collect for Pakistan

    SCHOOLS across Banbury are being urged to get involved in a town-wide fund initiative to raise cash for flood victims in Pakistan. Letters will sent to all primary and secondary schools asking them to get children to collect loose change in special money

  • FOOTBALL: Druce's double sparks super Saxton

    Mark Druce scored twice as Saxton Rovers maintained their perfect start to their North Berks League Division 1 campaign with a 5-0 win over Drayton, writes Phil Annets. Saxton’s scoring was completed by Adam Bailey, Benny Sutton and an own

  • FOOTBALL: Ferreira brace boosts Hinksey

    AUTOTYPE UTV LEAGUE - Devenney Cup Debutant Jermaine ferreira scored twice as AFC Hinksey humbled last year’s runners-up and Premier Division rivals Dorchester United 4-2 in round one, writes TIM SIRET. Marlon James gave Hink-sey the

  • FOOTBALL: Spencer's super seven

    AUTOTYPE UTV LEAGUE Lee Spencer whacked an incredible seven of Donnington’s goals in a 9-2 home hammering of Chalgrove in Division 1, writes Tim Siret. Craig Gilboy and an own goal completed the win as the hosts took an early lead in the table. Masons

  • FOOTBALL: Brize still flying high

    Goals from Gerard Morgan, Dan King and Dan Frizzell ensured Brize Norton maintained their winning start in Division 1 of the Witney & District FA. They beat FC Nomads 3-1. Jack Costar replied for the visitors. Ducklington Res defeated North Leigh A

  • Jobs at risk at Mini plant

    BMW plans to axe about 18 per cent of its agency workforce at the Cowley Mini plant. About 140 temporary workers are thought to be at risk after car sales dropped in August, but the exact figure has not been confirmed. The company will

  • Composer lends painting to Ashmolean exhibition

    LORD Lloyd Webber has loaned one of his paintings for a new art exhibition at Oxford’s Ashmolean Museum. The composer lent The Fall of Lucifer by Edward Burne-Jones to The Pre-Raphaelites and Italy show, which opens tomorrow and runs to December

  • Mini plant set to axe 140 agency staff

    BMW plans to axe about 18 per cent of its agency workforce at the Cowley Mini plant, it emerged last night. About 140 temporary workers are thought to be at risk after car sales dropped in August, but the exact figure had not been confirmed

  • FOOTBALL: Hall slams a four-timer

    Martin Hall fired a four-timer as Stonesfield stormed to a 5-1 win at nine-man Garsington in the Oxfordshire Senior League Premier Division, writes BRIAN KIRK. Elliot Powell also netted for Stonesfield, with Dean Simms replying for Garsington, who had

  • FOOTBALL: Just Jennings for Crusaders

    Dave Jennings grabbed a late winner as Cowley Crusaders came from two goals down to triumph 4-3 at home to Corner House in RT Harris Oxford City FA Premier & Division 1. Jennings also opened Crusaders’ account, with goals from Aaron Williams and Paul

  • Local share prices (AM)

    AEA Technology 17 BMW 3946 Electrocomps 239.6 Nationwide Accident Repair 87 Oxford Biomedica 9.5 Oxford Catalyst 70.5 Oxford Instruments 434.5 Reed Elsevier 533.75 RM 136.75 RPS Group 184.7 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley,

  • Jobless figure rises slightly

    The number of people out of work and claiming benefits in the county rose slightly in August, latest figures have revealed. A total of 7,518 people claimed Jobseekers Allowance, up 88 on the previous month and representing 1.8 per cent of the working

  • Plea issued over Ducati crash

    Police are appealing for witnesses to a serious collision near Abingdon yesterday. The collision happened at about 7.10pm on the A415 Abingdon Road at the junction of the unnamed road leading to Shippon village. A red Ducati motorcycle

  • Plan for £4m Oxfordshire military museum approved

    A £4M MUSEUM celebrating Oxfordshire’s military history has been given the go-ahead. The museum, in the grounds of the Oxfordshire Museum in Woodstock, will tell the story of the county’s armed forces from the 1700s to the present day.

  • COMMENT: Fantastic news

    THE approval for a £4m museum celebrating Oxfordshire’s military history is fantastic news. For 10 years campaigners have been working away to see that a museum will tell the county’s story from the 1700s to the present day. Given the military action

  • YOUTH FOOTBALL: Sam's hat-trick boosts Bicester

    Sam Hodges struck a hat-trick to help Bicester Town Colts Under 15s to a 7-2 win over Eynsham Youth in the Giles Sports Witney Youth League. Ashley Young, Brad Shields and Alex Underwood were also on the mark, with Taylor Fleming and Frazor Uylie replying

  • FOOTBALL: Hailey off to winning start

    Defending Witney & District FA Premier Division champions Hailey got off to a winning start as they edged past Spartan Rangers 3-2 on Saturday, writes Anthony Barlow. Jonathan Reeves netted twice for the visitors, but a brace from Joe Fullerton and a

  • It's time to get rid of parking permits

    IT seems that Alice in Wonderland is alive and living in Oxford, along with such friends of hers as the Mad Hatter, the Dormouse, Tweedledum and Tweedledee. I am referring to the county council, whose latest mad idea is to raise the cost of parking permits

  • Broken promise on cost of parking permits

    When is a promise not a promise? I was astounded to receive notification of the proposed 20 per cent increases in charges to residents for parking in controlled parking zones in Oxford. The saga of these charges and their unpopularity goes back several

  • Blame Labour for spending too much

    Normally Derrick Holt would be absolutely right about spending in a recession (Oxford Mail letters, September 10). Unfortunately, this requires a Government not to overspend during the good times (as Tony Blair has now belatedly admitted was done).

  • Closure of Gap project is a terrible loss

    I was so saddened to read the article about the Gap project which is to close. What a terrible loss to the homeless people of Oxford. I worked at the Gap when it first opened and know most of the staff who are now employed there. They have a very dedicated

  • Cuts could be good news for badgers

    The Coalition Government has now confirmed the worst, declares Penny Little in your letters pages. My immediate thoughts were: is the proposed round of spending cuts even more savage than feared? Perhaps ministers will commit more resources to the war

  • Scouts make concerted effort for funds

    OXFORD Scouts are holding a concert to help raise the £100,000 they need to join a massive Scouting jamboree in Sweden. The event by Oxfordshire Mad Hatters Jamboree Unit will include music ranging from folk to choral. The Concert of

  • One rule for them...

    Isn’t it just marvellous that on the same day that 10,000 more workers, from Connaught Builders, were thrown out of work, Barclays bank appointed a new chairman on a salary of £1.35m. It’s good work if you can get it, of course, as the Con-Dem coalition

  • Sassy & Single: Diamonds ain't this girl's best friend

    First off, ladies, I’m really sorry for what I’m about to admit, and fellers, lap it up, because you might find I’m the only woman in the world that agrees with you when it comes to this. Drum roll please…I, Sue Carter, think we woman are the biggest

  • TV star Rosenthal sues over Fat Duck food bug

    OXFORD United director Jim Rosenthal was in court yesterday to sue Heston Blumenthal’s Fat Duck restaurant after the broadcaster and his dinner guests became violently ill. A District Judge initially ruled against the TV football pundit’s claim

  • Fatal crash pilot 'unfit to fly'

    THE RAF yesterday admitted failings over a pilot who crashed during a training session, killing a teenage passenger. A probe found air force chiefs had not followed up concerns that Abingdon Flight Lieutenant Mike Blee could not fully move

  • COMMENT: 'Sorry' is not an explanation

    THE RAF saying it has apologised to the families involved in the fatal air collision above Drayton seems woefully inadequate. When the accident happened it was a complete tragedy, claiming the lives of instructor Mike Blee and cadet Nicholas

  • Choose Abingdon? No, it's Faringdon!

    A GROUP which promotes Abingdon has held an away-day meeting — in Faringdon. Eighteen members of the Choose Abingdon Partnership spent all day at the three-star Sudbury House Hotel, 15 miles away, on Monday discussing the best way to bring

  • Cameron returns after father's death

    David Cameron will return to the fray in the House of Commons for the first time since the death of his father. The Prime Minister will take questions from MPs, a week after he had to withdraw from the regular session when Ian Cameron was suddenly

  • Simpson: I should have kept Constable

    STOCKPORT County manager Paul Simpson (pictured) has admitted to the Oxford Mail that he “probably should have kept” James Constable when he was Shrewsbury Town boss. Former U’s favourite Simmo controversially let Constable leave the Shrews to join Oxford

  • Oxford in Bloom: All eyes on the prizes

    THESE are some of the glittering trophies which will be handed out tomorrow night to Oxford’s most talented gardeners. Entries for the competition closed in July and judges then toured the city to pick out the winners. Judges included flower arranger

  • FOOTBALL: City's woes continue

    OXFORD City remain winless after falling to a 1-0 home defeat at the hands of leaders Cambridge City in the Zameretto Southern League Premier Division last night. Craig Hammond scored the only goal in the eighth minute. City’s Ashley Kington went close

  • FOOTBALL: Didcot's FA Cup victory

    A LATE Andy Gunn goal earned Didcot Town a 3-2 victory over Cirencester in their FA Cup first qualifying round replay at the Loop Meadow Stadium last night. Josh Emery put Cirencester in front, but Didcot equalised a minute later when Mark Draycott converted

  • Clarkson roars into Oxfam's top 10

    TOP Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson is the first non-fiction author to make the top 10 list of writers whose books are most frequently donated to Oxfam. Books by the controversial presenter, who lives near Chipping Norton, include Motorworld, Driven to

  • Vieilles Charrues @ Brittany, France

    AH Brittany! That romantic land of Celtic intrigue, stuck out on the wild west coast of France... Popular among generations of Brits for its rugged coastline, empty beaches, quaint fishing ports... and fabulous crepes, this heavenly region is set