Archive

  • M40 crash death driver named

    A-46-YEAR-OLD man killed in a crash on the M40 yesterday was tonight named as Steven Nock. Mr Nock, from West Bromwich, in the West Midlands, was the driver of a lorry which collided with a van and a gas tanker that had already crashed between

  • Chlorine gas alert at hospice

    A MAINTENANCE worker was taken to hospital today as a precaution, after breathing in chlorine gas created when mixing chemicals for a therapeutic spa. Firefighters were called to Helen House hospice, in Leopold Street, East Oxford, shortly after 8am

  • MEP hits out at Witney link road plan

    AN MEP says it is “ludicrous” that council chiefs are pushing ahead with a £19.5m link road plan for Witney while cutting libraries and youth services cash. Green MEP Keith Taylor said Oxfordshire County Council should use the Cogges Link Road

  • Oxford grandad thanks Good Samaritan

    WHEN Ken Turner lost his wallet running for the Oxford Tube in London, he thought he would never see it again. But the grandfather is thanking his lucky stars, and the good samaritan from Oxford who posted it back. Mr Turner, 68, from

  • Fuel cost protesters lobby Treasury

    Protesters against high petrol prices have taken their campaign to Whitehall, urging the Government to abandon its planned fuel duty increase. Led by TV presenter Quentin Willson, a delegation from the FairFuelUK campaign lobbied the Treasury and

  • 'Watch out for scam letters in the post'

    TRADING standards bosses say people in Oxfordshire are being caught for millions of pounds by postal scams every year. Ian Marriott, group manager for Oxfordshire Trading Standards, said although about 30,000 people in the county were falling victim

  • 'Caped crusade' makes a mint for charity

    QUIZZICAL pub goers raised a glass and tested their grey matter in aid of an East Oxford charity. People going to the weekly quiz at The Cape of Good Hope have made 1,000 £1 pledges for mental health charity Oxfordshire Mind. The Tuesday night quiz,

  • Local share prices (PM)

    AEA Technology 5.1 BMW 5207 Electrocomponents 268.5 Nationwide Accident Repair 100 Oxford Biomedica 5.5 Oxford Catalysts 85 Oxford Instruments 619.25 Reed Elsevier 576.75 RM 166.5 RPS Group 217.1 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon

  • Deering joins Barnet on loan

    SAM Deering has joined League Two side Barnet on loan for the rest of the season. The winger has not started a game for Oxford United this season, but has made nine substitute appearances. Deering enjoyed a loan spell at Newport earlier this campaign

  • Doctors go on the run for hospital

    WHEN it comes to raising as much money as possible for the Oxford Children’s Hospital, this team of runners is just what the doctor ordered. The 12-strong line-up from Doctors.net.uk are running the OX5 for the second year, and aim to beat their sponsorship

  • Bicester OAP jailed for sex abuse

    A PENSIONER who sexually assaulted a young girl has been told by a judge the emotional damage was more than he could ever have caused with any physical injury. John White, 69, repeatedly abused the child in a shed at his home in Bicester.

  • Kubica 'continues to improve'

    Formula One driver Robert Kubica is continuing to improve in hospital following his weekend rally crash. A statement from the Enstone-based Lotus Renault GP team this afternoon said his general condition was encouraging. A team spokesman

  • Man charged after Marston attack

    An 18-year-old man has been charged with conspiracy to commit robbery after a 17-year-old boy was stabbed in a car park outside the Oxsrad sports and leisure centre in Marston on Saturday. Darren Pullen, of Stanfield Road, Oxford, was remanded in custody

  • ASK THE VET: Labrador needs an op

    Q My black Labrador has been diagnosed with a ruptured cruciate ligament. My vet says he needs an expensive operation. Is this really necessary? R Needham, Headington A There are two cruciate ligaments in the knee joints, (the anterior

  • Night shift drives Cotswold Line rail upgrade

    IT IS 11pm on a wild windy night in the Cotswolds, but instead of being tucked up in bed, I am standing on a bridge carrying a muddy lane over a railway line. Spotlights on a diesel locomotive and an excavator glow below me as engineers prepare

  • Burglars set fire to Banbury home

    Police are appealing for information after a burglary and arson at a house in the Byeway, Grimsbury. The family who live at the house had gone out at about 3pm on Saturday. At about 3.30pm, a relative of the family noticed the blinds in the lounge moving

  • Life of Riley: The Oxford Playhouse

    It is strange to find yourself disliking someone who does not exist. Yet that is how I felt about George Riley, the central character in Alan Ayckbourn’s latest play — amazingly, his 74th. Of course, no playwright’s creations truly exist. Riley

  • Christine Brewer: Holywell Music Room

    American soprano Christine Brewer and her long-term accompanist Roger Vignoles have recently recorded a series of encores once sung by artists such as Kirsten Flagstad and Helen Traubel. They opened the Oxford Lieder Festival’s spring programme with a

  • RUGBY UNION: McAneaney is treble star

    BB&O round-up Joe McAneaney bagged a try treble to send Alchester top of the Premier Division with a 53-12 victory over Phoenix. They capitalised on previous leaders Slough not playing to record a third straight 50-points scoreline. Phoenix led with

  • Local share prices (AM)

    AEA Technology 5.1 BMW 5010 Electrocomponents 269.5 Nationwide Accident Repair 100 Oxford Biomedica 5.5 Oxford Catalysts 84 Oxford Instruments 624.25 Reed Elsevier 571.75 RM 166.5 RPS Group 217.3 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon

  • Man killed by train near Kidlington

    A man was killed when he was hit by a train near Kidlington. Police and officers from the British Transport Police were called to the railway line at Sandy Lane, near Kidlington, at 1.44pm yesterday. Paramedics declared a 36-year-old

  • Global Mini sales rise

    Global sales of the Cowley-built Mini have risen by more than 15 per cent in the past year. Latest figures produced by parent company BMW show 14,126 cars were sold in January, compared to 12,202 for the same month in 2010 with the company saying tyhe

  • Man killed by train

    A man was killed when he was hit by a train. Police and officers from the British Transport Police were called to the railway line at Sandy Lane, Kidlington, at 1.44pm yesterday. Paramedics declared a 36-year-old local man dead at the scene. British

  • COMMENT: Join campaign

    THE Oxford Mail today launches its hunt for 100 apprentices in 100 days. It comes as the Government is encouraging firms to take on more apprentices. The current economic climate makes it harder and harder for young people to get work

  • Bosses urged to hire apprentices

    THE Oxford Mail is launching a special campaign with the National Apprenticeship Service in a bid to help young people into work. The challenge is to find positions for 100 apprentices in 100 days, with county employers from all sections of

  • RUGBY UNION: Brand's late try seals it

    Midlands 1 West Simon Brand’s late try saw Banbury Bulls clinch a determined 37-32 victory over Nuneaton Old Edwardians at Bodicote Park. Banbury’s stand-in captain dived over in the game’s final move for fly half Mike Smith to convert and earn them

  • HOCKEY: Rover Ladies let slip two-goal lead

    Rover Oxford Ladies’ bid to avoid the drop from South Clubs’ League Division 2 suffered a blow when they surrendered a two-goal lead in losing 3-2 at home to Brighton. However, it was an impressive comeback from Brighton. Rover made an excellent start

  • Motorway shut by fatal crash

    A MAN died and two other people were injured in a road crash which closed the M40 in north Oxfordshire for six hours yesterday. The driver of a lorry was killed when his vehicle crashed into a van and a gas tanker that had already collided between junction

  • Doorman cleared of rape

    A NIGHTCLUB doorman has spoken of his relief at being cleared of a rape charge. Yasser Al Joumaa was yesterday acquitted by jurors of raping an 18-year-old woman at Plush Lounge in Park End Street. The 37-year-old, also known as Dino, was hugged by

  • RUGBY UNION: Wallingford's sterling comeback

    South West 1 East Wallingford battled back from 14-0 down to see off Reading Abbey 26-14 at the Hithercroft. The first half-hour proved even before Wallingford fly half Henry Venners saw his opposite number Perry Jansen intercept and run in from 50

  • DARTS: £10,000 prizefund for Rileys doubles tournament

    Prizemoney of £10,000 is up for grabs at the Rileys UK Doubles Tournament which starts in April. Rileys Oxford branch, in Between Towns Road, Cowley, go up against qualifiers from 47 other venues across Britain to find the UK’s best amateur doubles team

  • RACING: Long Run to be even better - Sam

    Sam Waley-Cohen feels Long Run can be an even better horse in the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup than he was when running away with the King George VI Chase at Kempton. The six-year-old, who is owned by jockey Sam’s father, Robert, from Edge Hill, near

  • Woman robbed of mobile phone in city park

    A ROBBER grabbed a woman’s mobile phone and then punched her in the face when she tried to chase him. The woman, in her 20s, was sitting in Grandpont Nature Park, off Whitehouse Road, South Oxford, at about 4.30pm on Saturday. She was

  • More homes at risk of flooding

    HUNDREDS of Oxfordshire residents face higher insurance bills after their homes were included on official flood maps. Updated maps published by the Environment Agency yesterday put an extra 360 Witney properties at risk of flooding for the first time

  • DARTS: Nuffield break their duck at last

    Nuffield Lounge have struggled all season at the foot of Section 2 in the Greene King ODDA Winter League, but they put all that behind them by notching their first victory of the season at home to Chequers A. Dan Jones and Graham Newbold gave them

  • RUGBY UNION: Nutt proves Quins catalyst

    National 3 South West Oxford Harlequins made hard work of their 17-3 home victory over Newton Abbot. Quins scored three tries, but saw a number of other chances go begging. Newton Abbot led with a penalty from full back Mike Saxton

  • A taxing quandary

    I had quite a surprise when I went into the Vodafone shop in Cornmarket recently, to find it occupied by protesters, who were blockading the door with a banner. At first I was annoyed, but they handed me a leaflet alleging that Vodafone have had nearly

  • No ‘divide and rule’ tactic over cutbacks

    I FOUND the tone of Keith Mitchell’s letter in yesterday’s Oxford Mail, offensive – like that of all his others to the Press. I suspect he seeks to divide and rule by encouraging competition for meagre funding between supporters of libraries, youth services

  • FOOTBALL: Ford calls for a repeat show

    Oxford City manager Mike Ford has hailed his troops after their 5-0 thrashing of Weymouth and urged them to keep up the good work when they host Didcot Town in Tuesday's Premier Division derby. Ford said it was vital that his side kept up the momentum

  • RUGBY UNION: Comben on song for Henley

    National 2 South James Comben’s late penalty earned Henley Hawks a 27-24 victory at Lydney. Fly half Comben didn’t miss a place kick all afternoon and finished with a 17-point haul. Hawks were 7-0 up after two minutes, with Comben feeding centre

  • Find a vaccine

    I was deeply saddened to read your article on January 31 about 22-year-old Ian North, who died suddenly from meningitis. I lost my son Spencer to meningitis and meningococcal septicaemia some time ago and can well imagine the pain that all those who

  • Pricing warning

    after reporting to Trading Standards a case, where I was charged significantly more for an item than the price displayed in a supermarket, I was informed that the seller is not legally bound to sell an item at the price displayed, and can charge what

  • Welcome u-turn

    I welcome the turnaround by Oxfordshire County Council who have now conceded that it can, after all, afford to provide free dial-a-ride services. When pressed in council by Labour, the ruling Tory administration have claimed that they couldn’t afford

  • Ideas for savings

    I refer to John Gould’s letter (Oxford Mail, January 20) regarding the savings which could be made by Oxfordshire councils. Here are some of my suggestions: 1) The city and county councils should merge as one authority. This would have considerable

  • HOCKEY: Cresswell boosts Hawks' title bid

    South League Premier Division 2 leaders Oxford Hawks returned to winning ways after a defeat at Eastbourne and draw at Richmond. They beat PHC Chiswick 3-1 at Cokethorpe School. With second-placed Eastbourne and third-placed Richmond drawing, Hawks

  • DARTS: Oxfordshire aiming to get back on track

    Oxfordshire will hope to get their promotion campaign back on track when they play their sixth fixture of the season in Division 1 this weekend away to Gwent. Following last month’s defeat to Hampshire, it is a must-win game if they are to

  • Four bailed over rave

    FOUR men arrested on suspicion of criminal damage following an illegal rave at Newton Morrell, near Bicester, at the weekend have been released on conditional bail until March 4. An 18-year-old man was also arrested on suspicion of possession of

  • RUGBY UNION: Grove grind down Stags

    Grove 22, Newbury Stags 5 Strong defence saw Grove close out victory at a windswept Cane Lane and climb to third in Southern Counties North. Leading 10-5 after having the wind advantage, the hosts played their best rugby against the elements in the

  • RUGBY UNION: Brooks is happy enough

    Grove head coach Nathan Brooks was happy with his side’s efforts against Newbury Stags. He said: “In the conditions, I don’t think we could have expected anything other than a scrappy game. “I thought we created enough chances in the first half, but

  • Three arrested over Marston robbery

    THREE more people have been arrested following a robbery in Marston where a 17-year-old boy was stabbed. The victim was approached by several people outside Oxsrad Sports and Leisure Centre in Marsh Lane at about 7.50pm on Saturday. He was told to hand

  • United's Ox gets a clean bill of health

    OXFORD United fans stepped in to help get the club’s ox statue back to its shining best. Last month, vandals daubed the Kassam Stadium statue in pink paint and scrawled black graffiti across the plinth. But yesterday morning builder Shaun Bradford,

  • Teenager admits killing Rose Hill father-of-six

    A TEENAGER last night spent his first night in jail for killing father-of-six David Cox in Rose Hill. Jonathan Newton admitted a charge of manslaughter at Oxford Crown Court yesterday. The 17-year-old, who Judge Anthony King allowed the Oxford Mail to

  • Shops struggle to survive

    LITTLE Clarendon Street is “teetering on the brink” as traders face their toughest challenge in more than 20 years, it was claimed last night. Two independent stores in the Oxford Street, Habibi and Inspires Art Gallery, have closed in the

  • COMMENT: High rents are killing our shops

    SO HERE we are again. It is with a heavy heart we bring you the latest update on Oxford’s deteriorating shopping scene. Today we feature one of the city’s most treasured retail quarters – Little Clarendon Street. A combination of problems has signalled

  • Hosts required for Oxford refugees

    ORGANISERS of a new project in Oxford are urging people to take in homeless asylum seekers. The Network of Accommodation for Asylum Seekers, or Namaste, was launched last month to help find homes for some of the 300 asylum seekers in Oxfordshire

  • Breakdown causes A34 delays

    Drivers faced rush-hour delays on the A34 Oxford Western Bypass today after a lorry broke down. The lorry blocked one lane of the northbound carriageway between the Botley Interchange and the Peartree Interchange. Heavy traffic was also

  • Oxford United winger Cole forced to retire

    Oxford United winger Mitchell Cole has been forced to retire from the game due to a heart condition. The club announced last night the former Stevenage player’s heart condition had deteriorated to a level which will put him in danger if he continued

  • CRICKET: Ricks wins landslide victory in Cherwell battle

    Chairman Clive Ricks last night won a landslide victory as cricket’s MP Sports Cherwell League’s power struggle came to a conclusion. Ricks, Dick Giles, David Pryor and their supporters crushed the gang of eight rebel executive members 26-7 in the showdown

  • Cumnor hold on in close game

    James Lloyd (2) and a 20 Yarder from Rory Whelan gave Cumnor the advantage in thr first game. Jordan Axtell replied for Horspath making it 3-1 at the end of the first game. Some brilliant goalkeeping by Corey Sharkey kept Cumnor out on at

  • Hosts required for Oxford refugees

    ORGANISERS of a new project in Oxford are urging people to take in homeless asylum seekers. The Network of Accommodation for Asylum Seekers, or Namaste, was launched last month to help find homes for some of the 300 asylum seekers in Oxfordshire

  • Comic Relief cash boosts Keen kids club

    COMIC Relief and the Oxford Mail are urging communities in Oxfordshire to come forward and apply for cash over the next month. For the first time, we are offering £50,000 from the Red Nose Day Community Cash fund to go directly to small charities

  • Oxfordshire library protests are still going strong

    A PROCESSION wound through Kennington yesterday as children and parents presented letters against library cuts to council chief Keith Mitchell. Hundreds of campaigners, including children’s writer MG Harris and illustrator Korky Paul, met at St Swithun