A KILLER who stabbed a promising teenage footballer has been jailed for life. Moise Avorgah, 20, murdered 17-year-old Godwin Lawson, a trainee at Oxford United’s Football and Education Academy, when he tried to protect a childhood friend
KNITTERS are being called on to help parents overcome the loss of a baby. Sharon Darke and other volunteers are to hand out “memory boxes” to parents who have lost children at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford and the Horton Hospital in Banbury.
Calgary Bay, from Henrietta Knight’s West Lockinge stables, near Wantage, features among 102 entries for the John Smith’s Grand National unveiled today. Starzaan, from Hughie Morrison’s East Ilsley yard, is also in the list for the Aintree spectacular
Police are appealing for witnesses following a burglary in Wheatley. At some time between 7pm and 9pm on Monday, thieves broke into the property in Kelham Hall Drive and stole some cash from rucksacks and bags. PC Adrian Bray said: “I am appealing
WEST Oxfordshire councillors have been urged to cut their fuel expense claims. Liberal Democrats say that reducing mileage allowances would save West Oxfordshire District Council £2,000 a year. Under the current rules, members whose car have engines
A SOLDIER who lost three limbs in a roadside bomb blast in Afghanistan will join the first disabled team to compete in the gruelling Dakar Rally. Corporal Tom Neathway, 27, will join three other comrades who all lost their legs in improvised explosive
ONE of Oxford’s smallest primary schools, St Michael’s sometimes feels like it belongs in the countryside, rather than on one of the city’s busiest roads. Headteacher Sue Grundy, who arrived four years ago, said the size of the school and its
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There was a time, not so long ago, when the disc jockey Chris Evans would have seemed one of the least likely people to be fronting a campaign to encourage children to write. But that was then; this is now. The erstwhile hellraiser, who had been a by-word
Jamie Oliver opened his first Jamie’s Italian restaurant in Oxford in the summer of 2008. Not surprisingly, in view of the name and excellent reputation of its charismatic owner, the place proved an instant hit. I went twice in the first week of
For much entertainment and enlightenment in my youth I owe a profound debt of gratitude to the Scottish-American businessman and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie (pictured. Conscious of the value that libraries had been to him in his youth, he spent
An Oxfordshire chef who specialises in Asian food is inviting us all to spice up our diets yet still cut down on the calories during these dreary winter days. Azad Hussain, at The Vine and Spice, in Long Wittenham, has come up with a tasty, yet
Nominated for seven Oscars, including three nods for its supporting cast, The Fighter is an incredible story of triumph against adversity in and out of the boxing ring. The brutal and physically demanding sport has frequently been a magnet for
Azad Hussain spends about 15 minutes preparing this delicious dish, but once the prep is done, all you have to do is steam the stuffed banana leaf ten minutes before you are ready to eat it. Banana leaves are easily found in shops in Cowley Road
Only the mosaic in the doorway of Number 11 Broad Street, Oxford, reminds passers-by these days of the lovely, rambling old bookshop that operated there from 1870 to 2003 — when the business, specialising in antiquarian and foreign language books
This is work by Textiles for Peace, Oxford’s Community Textile Group. The chronicles are told using a wide range of techniques and textiles. Three pieces are in book form. In My Life in Textiles Nicky Mullinger tells her story through a montage of the
It takes a certain confidence in your material to perform a new album in its entirety — and in exactly the same running order. But Richard Thompson had good reason to know that songs from Dream Attic would bring the house down at Oxford’s New Theatre
Gilbert and Sullivan season wasn’t due to kick off at English National Opera for another few weeks. Too bad that Mike Figgis and the team behind Lucrezia Borgia didn’t get the memo. Padding Donizetti’s second-rate opera (in which neither poisoning
Joan As Policewoman, officially known as Joan Wasser, is a former member of Antony and the Johnsons and the Dambuilders and the touring partner of Rufus Wainwright; but she is most famous, perhaps, as the long-term girlfriend of the sadly departed and
The musical that opened Ambassador’s highly successful Milton Keynes Theatre at the end of 1999 — before going on to a festive run at Oxford’s New Theatre — is now gracing the stage of the group’s newest venue, in Aylesbury. After a decade without
If you were lucky enough to catch The Secret Sisters on Jools Holland’s annual Hootenanny gig you will be aware of the beguiling close-harmony singing of Alabama songbirds Laura and Lydia Rogers. An impromptu audition in Nashville thrust them into the
Although they hail from the West Coast of the States, fast- rising Funeral Party have a sound that is almost entirely derived from the musical heritage of New York and CBGBs. As they run through their set, firing off nearly all of their debut record The
If you want to get youngsters interested in classical music, there are two golden rules: first, make it fun; and second, perform to an exceptionally high standard. Last Thursday, the Oxfordshire County Youth Orchestra did both by the bucketful. And the
Whether it’s a singer, a pianist, or a string player, there’s nothing Iffley resident Michael Bourdeaux likes more than spotting an emerging musical talent to present at the regular Iffley Music Society concerts, or at the Iffley Music Festival
Question: “I wonder how old she is?” Answer: “She’s at an age when her back goes out more often than she does.” It’s the sort of joke that plays very well with audiences at the the Watermill’s annual dose of Seasonal Sauce. Devised, compiled, and directed
Despite the grim subject matter dealt with in The Seagull, Anton Chekhov still insisted it was a comedy. Perhaps one should not be entirely surprised, then — though it is unusual — to find the action punctuated by laughter from the audience, as it was
To many people, the name Maria Callas conjures up the best and worst about opera singers. On the one hand, there was her extraordinary voice, with its wide range, immense emotional power, and ability to communicate. On the other hand, there was the diva-like
OXFORD’S universities should let more local families use their world-class sporting facilities, according to city councillors. Oxford City Council has called on Oxford University and Oxford Brookes University to open more doors to residents as public
A CONVICTED knifeman who stabbed a promising Oxford footballer to death on the street has been found guilty of murder. Moise Avorgah, 20, murdered 17 year-old Godwin Lawson when he tried to protect a childhood friend from attack in north London.
Police are appealing for information after two cars were vandalised in a car park in Chipping Norton. At about 2.30pm on Sunday, two people, thought to be men, were seen hanging around the car park in New Street. One of them was seen to walk over
A 21-year-old man has been sentenced to 12-months' imprisonment at Aylesbury Crown Court, sitting at Wycombe Magistrates’ Court, today. Thomas Roby, of Cavell Road, Oxford, pleaded guilty on December 30, 2010, to causing danger to road users by interfering
SAINSBURY’S has done a U-turn after banning school pupils taking bags into its Didcot store amid fears about shoplifting. The firm had told Didcot Girls’ School and St Birinus School students to leave their bags at a security desk. But
A CAR dealer was stunned to find his Witney garage could be flattened to make way for a major new DIY store. And a neighbouring unit did not know of the plan until it was informed by the Oxford Mail. A planning application has been submitted to knock
TAKE a big look at our offer of winning the new TV Book Club series and £150 of designer eyecare from Specsavers. The show TV Book Club is back on our screens and it will be reviewing 10 titles chosen by its experts. The Oxford Mail
A man has been jailed for 12 months after he grabbed the wheel of an Oxford Tube coach on the M40 forcing it to overturn. Thomas Roby, 21, of Cavell Road, Oxford, pleaded guilty on December 30 to causing danger to road users by interfering with a motor
PEOPLE considering becoming Special Constables are invited to a recruitment evening on Monday, from 7-9pm, at Abingdon police station, in Colwell Drive. The event will cover the selection process, training, physical fitness and other issues. Specials
ORGANISERS of the Oxfordshire Science Festival (OSF) have promised this year’s will be the best yet. More than 100 events will take place to make science fun for everyone. The month-long festival kicks off in Bonn Square, Oxford, on February 26 with
Dash Ward’s hat-trick set Summertown on the way to a 4-0 win at Abingdon Town in the Oxfordshire FA Invitation Youth League Under 16D League. Alfie Goodwin’s late goal completed Summertown’s tally.
Sarah Snowden hit a double as Tower Hill came from 2-1 behind to beat Ascot 4-2 in the first round of the Thames Valley Womens League Cup. Lisa Welling and Nichola Warner were also on target as Tower fought back for a hard-fought victory.
Wootton & Dry Sandford made the last four of the Berks & Bucks Intermediate Cup with a 6-2 rout of AFC Spartans, with goals from Paul Dew (2), Johnny Weir, Josh Nicholls, Tom Srawley and Mark Uttley. They meet Aston Clinton or Chalfont Wasps. Lawrence
Oxford Yellows ran out 10-5 winners in a goal-crazy UTV League Devenney Cup third-round tie at Saxton Pirates, writes TIM SIRET. Nick Thorne, Ryan Bartlett, Mark Scanes, Piers McGlynn and Damien Perks all hit doubles for Premier Division Yellows. Jamie
George Reid’s second-half strike gave Vale of White Horse Schools Under 15s a 1-0 win at Gosport & Fareham in the Wright Cup first-round. Vale now face North Dorset at Milton United in round two on Tuesday, February 15. l MID Oxon’s ESFA Under 15 Trophy
Julius Muraga (Kidlington) scored twice as Oxfordshire under 16s beat Dorset 3-1 at Hamworthy United in the South West Counties Youth Championship. Muraga fired his side in front on 16 minutes, latching onto Zac McEachran’s pass to give the home keeper
Marston Saints left it late before beating Witney & District FA side Ducklington 2-0 in the third round of the Banbury Charity Cup. After a goalless first half, in which Ducklington’s John Hudson went the closest to breaking the deadlock, Oxfordshire
Anthony Simpson and Ashley Duckett bagged doubles as Northway thrashed Broughton & North Newington 6-0 in Division 1 of the Oxfordshire Senior League. The result saw Northway close the gap on second-placed Oxford Irish to one point. Oshane Tulloch
A MAJOR gaswork project in North Oxford moved into Walton Street yesterday. Temporary traffic lights are in operation between the Little Clarendon Street and Beaumont Street junctions and disruption is set to last for a month. The work is part of an
OXFORD'S Ashmolean Museum has failed in its bid for a National Heritage Memorial Fund grant to secure a £5m work by Impressionist Edgar Degas, which has sat in its vaults for 30 years. The owners, who have a house in Oxfordshire, say the work should
Wayne Desmond smashed a four-timer as Corner House stayed top with a 5-2 home win over Union Street in RT Harris Oxford City FA. Aaron Barrett was their other scorer. There were eight different scorers as Nuffield Arms won 8-2 at home to Tetsworth.
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TWO teenagers have been arrested following two robberies in Blackbird Leys. The first happened at 8.45pm on Monday, when a 17-year-old boy was approached by three or four men. The second robbery happened at about 9pm in Blackbird Leys Road, when a 20
RAY Coleman is looking forward to buying himself a new Oxford United scarf after becoming our latest Face in the Crowd winner. Mr Coleman was spotted by our photographer during the U’s 1-1 draw against Cheltenham on Saturday. The 75-year old, from Cowley
A STUDENT who claims her legal career was jinxed by an Oxford law institute’s failure to prepare her adequately for major professional exams has launched a £100,000 High Court compensation bid. Maria Abramova claims staff at the Oxford Institute of Legal
DIDCOT: Housebuilder Linden Homes Oxford, based at Milton Park, has appointed Stephen Swinscoe as land director. Mr Swinscoe, 34, will be responsible for sourcing and securing land opportunities, as well as negotiating planning consent for secured sites
LAUREN Gladden has plenty to smile about these days, and its all thanks to an anonymous American. For the past three years, Miss Gladden, 24, has been fighting Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a form of cancer. Last year, doctors told her a bone marrow transplant
OXFORD: Recruitment firm Allen Associates has achieved two quality marks. The agency, which employs 13 staff, retained audited status with the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) as well as achieving silver standard in its recent Investors
DANCERS inspired by a sculpture exhibition will showcase their interpretations of the art through dance. Modern Art Oxford hosted a project for artists and dancers, some with learning disabilities, to exchange ideas on the show What Went Down by British
I AM, of course, delighted that Bayards Hill School has received the go-ahead for a £6.6m rebuild (Oxford Mail, January 29). This was a long-promised commitment from the previous Labour Government and it is marvellous that the county council and councillor
IF CHILTERN Railways was just proposing four trains an hour running on straight and level track, then Andrew Smith would be correct in saying I’m talking rubbish about noise on the Bicester curve (January 14). Currently trains glide through Bicester
Paul Inch struck a four-timer in Tower Hill’s 10-2 victory over Chipping Norton Town Swifts in the Under 14 League. Jess Lawrence added a brace, with Cameron Taylor, Ben Simms, Luke New and Connor Tinsley also on target. Chippy replied through Harry
Hanborough closed the gap on Witney & District League Premier Division leaders Ducklington to two points with a 4-0 win over AC Finstock. Aston Leach (2), Liam Harris and Richard Rouse were on target. Chad Park defeated FC Nomads 1-0 in the only Division
IN TELLING me to “button it” in relation to our revered Oxford authors (Oxford Mail leader, January 21), you suggested that I emulate the silence of libraries. I wonder which library you use regularly, because the ones I visit are bustling and noisy.
YOU reported on January 10 a demonstration in Witney by postmen complaining about pay cuts. Were any of them the same postmen who have, in the past, been reported in your columns as having held the Christmas post up for ages and dumping sacks of mail
OKAY, so I’ve just spent the past hour deciding whether or not I’ll write about the subject I wanted to write about today. I’ve even started writing three or four times, but each time I’ve ended up deleting what I’ve written, thinking ‘Will I look
Jordan Harris hit all five goals as Didcot Casuals beat Marston Saints Angels 5-3 in the Oxford Mail Girls' League Under 13 League Cup. Harris netted four times in the opening period to set her side on the way to victory. Rachael Mountford claimed a
IN RESPONSE to Tony Harbert’s letter (Oxford Mail, January 23) I hope I can answer his question about why the section of ring road between Heyford Hill and Redbridge can’t be cleared of rubbish as that between Heyford Hill and Littlemore roundabouts has
Saxton Rovers took over at the top of North Berks League Division 1 with a 2-0 victory against Crowmarsh Gifford. Matt Shelton and Paul Druce did the damage for Saxton. Nick Skiller hit a hat-trick for Benson AFC as they won 6-0 at home to Saxton Rovers
FOR many years now the condition of the roads in and around Bicester has been deteriorating, to the point that some of them are accidents waiting to happen. I have called many times and alerted the highways people to damage and hazards in Keble Road
OXFORDSHIRE County Council claims that cuts to the adult social care budget will have no effect on the bed-blocking crisis. Oxfordshire is ranked 146th out of 151 councils for bed-blocking – and is also one of the worst-ranked for funding adult social
IN the wake of Chief Superintendent Jim Trotman’s acquittal yesterday, Thames Valley Police needs to examine why it keeps losing cases of this nature. We do not defend Mr Trotman’s behaviour in his private life in any way. His and Karin
A COUPLE described their terror at seeing scenes of chaos engulfing the streets of Egypt. Bob and Carol Gooderick, from Southmoor Road, Oxford, had been on an ‘idyllic’ cruise with friends on the Nile, organised to celebrate a friend’s birthday. But
A NEW bride was killed when a gas boiler which needed repairs belched out deadly fumes, an inquest heard. Oxford University press officer Katie Haines was having a bath, unaware a cloud of deadly carbon monoxide gas was forming above her at her home
DELIGHTED police chief Jim Trotman posed happily for photos with his mistress outside court yesterday after being cleared of arson and fraud charges. But the 45-year-old’s happiness was cut short by news that he will remain suspended from duty
North Leigh were left frustrated as fog forced the abandonment of their Zamaretto Southern League clash with Bridgwater Town when they were leading 5-0! Referee Brian Durie took the players off after 76 minutes of the Division 1 South & West match at
DELIGHTED police chief Jim Trotman posed happily for photos with his mistress outside court yesterday after being cleared of arson and fraud charges. But the 45-year-old’s happiness was cut short by news that he will remain suspended from duty while
Twenty firefighters were called to deal with fumes at Begbroke Science Park. They were called at 6.36am yesterday to reports of excessive fumes in a laboratory at the Sandy Lane, Yarnton, facility. Two firefighters entered the unoccupied building
Oxford United boss Chris Wilder vented his anger at Southend midfielder Anthony Grant after his team’s 2-1 defeat at Roots Hall. Grant crashed to the ground after a challenge by Damian Batt which earned the U’s right back a straight red
THE family of a Merseyside man who was killed at a Banbury pub have failed in an attempt to use a 300-year-old law to prosecute a group of men. The Crown Prosecution Service said it would not bring a prosecution using joint enterprise law over the death
THEATRE-goers these days are used to being reminded to switch off their mobile phones before the curtain goes up. But phones and other hi-tech gadgets feature prominently in a new production of The Wizard of Oz, being staged by Didcot school pupils.
PLANS for two more solar power farms in west Oxfordshire have been announced. Last month, proposals for the county’s first major solar energy farm, at Cornbury Park, near Charlbury, were unveiled. A planning application has now been submitted for 22,000
ELDERLY, infirm and disabled people in Wallingford are fighting plans to axe travel tokens. The tokens for 3,100 residents in the South Oxfordshire District Council (SODC) area will not be funded from April. But the campaigners, who
