Archive

  • Firefighters pull man from blaze

    OXFORD: A man has been taken to hospital after a house fire in Cowley Road this evening. Fire crews were called to the blaze near The Cape of Good Hope pub shortly before 6.30pm. The road was closed between The Plain and Marston Street

  • Hi-tech firm’s magnets stolen

    SEVEN large electromagnetic parts have been stolen from Siemens Magnet Technology in Wharf Road, Eynsham. The company designs and makes superconducting magnets for medical scanners used around the world. Thieves broke into the compound and stole scrapped

  • Housing plans go on show

    A DEVELOPER is holding an exhibition on its plans to build about 49 homes in Marcham. Banner Homes wants to build on land at King’s Field, off Sheepstead Road, and residents are invited to see its plans. The exhibition will take place in The Livingstone

  • Ex-champion jockey up for grand race despite kidney op

    NOT long after donating a kidney to save a stranger, former champion jockey Richard Pitman is preparing to race in a Grand National event again. The BBC pundit, 69, from Letcombe Regis near Wantage, donated the organ in a three-hour operation

  • Cowley Road shut after fire breaks out

    FIRE crews are currently battling a blaze on Cowley Road near The Cape of Good Hope pub. The road has been closed by police near The Plain while the fire, which is believed to be in a house, is dealt with. People at the scene have described

  • Man guilty of teen sex assault

    A 43-YEAR-OLD man has been convicted of sexually assaulting a teenager. Gareth Timms was unanimously found guilty of one charge of sexual assault by jurors at Oxford Crown Court on Wednesday. Timms, of Blenheim Drive, Launton, committed the offence

  • Benefit fraudsters taken to court

    TWO benefit fraudsters have been sentenced by magistrates. The pair were prosecuted by Cherwell District Council in the past month. At Banbury Magistrates’ Court on Friday, March 30, Nanette Watts admitted making false claims for housing and council

  • New £100k play area gets the thumbs up

    TONNES more fun is on the cards for the youngsters of Cutteslowe after their local park got an exciting upgrade. A new £100,000 play area is open for business after a disused bowls green was transformed into a fun-filled zone for children aged

  • Bomb hoaxer in court again

    A MAN who once told police there were bombs in the Bodleian Library has admitted another hoax. Steven Thomas was jailed for eight months in 2009 after calling police from a Cowley Road phonebox and telling them to evacuate the world-famous Oxford library

  • Designer finish and rooms with views

    An architect-designed apartment forms a stylish pad in a smart setting. The newly-built first-floor property is in Linkside Avenue, Oxford, once part of the orchard for the Blenheim estate. It includes two double bedrooms, a designer kitchen, bathroom

  • Properties with the duty of care

    A new town centre development in the centre of Bicester will provide 20 one and two-bedroom flats, with half available to buy through shared ownership. The remaining 10 apartments at Centurion House Extra Care’s Coach House Mews scheme will be available

  • Weigh in for chapter of literary history

    A property described by agents as “one of Wallingford’s signature homes” has come on to the market. Anchor House is steeped in history and for many years was the home of the poet and novelist Rex Warner, a contemporary of W.H. Auden, Cecil Day Lewis

  • Life and sole

    After half a century living there, the owner of a Grade II-listed stone thatched cottage has put it up for sale. Christine Russell, 53, was born in Rookery Cottage, in Garsington, and it has been the family home for even longer, as her grandfather was

  • A34 reopens after crashes

    THE A34 has been reopened after two accidents this morning. The air ambulance was called in and the road closed off after a motorcyclist and a car collided on the southbound carriageway close to the junction with the B4017 for Drayton about 11.50am

  • CABBAGES & KINGS: Magic of music brightens the day

    IT HAS been a lousy year – so far,” said the distinguished-looking man, a former staff sergeant in the Royal Engineers with two tours of Northern Ireland under his belt. He was looking for someone to talk to as we waited for the park-and-ride bus at

  • WHEELING IN .....Chevrolet Cruze

    IF Louis Chevrolet, co-founder of the eponymous carmaker, had had his way, you would not be reading this. The Swiss-born son of a watchmaker simply loved cars — the more luxurious, powerful and exclusive the better. It was the suggestion

  • REVIEW: Matthew Bourne's Nutcracker at Oxford's New Theatre

    WHERE to begin with Matthew Bourne’s The Nutcracker? It’s such a total assault of the senses that it leaves you almost speechless by the end, able only to stagger outside into the night and wonder whether you’d dreamt it all. Think camp Willy Wonka

  • Alpacas let their hair down at college

    HERDS of alpaca enthusiasts packed into an Oxford college to graze on every cough and spit of alpaca life. The World Alpaca Conference is taking place at Keble College, the first time it has been held in the UK. Experts from 18 countries

  • Guides celebrate gaining gold awards

    FIVE girl guides are celebrating striking gold after their hard work led to top achievement awards. The girls from Horizon Ranger Guides in Kidlington worked for up to 10 years to be presented with Duke of Edinburgh gold awards. To gain the high honour

  • Eco town battlefield

    Bicester's eco town development is increasingly looming as an issue in next month’s Cherwell district election – with opposition even coming from within the ruling Conservative ranks. Two independent candidates, Tony Walton and Colin Cockshaw, are standing

  • A34 closed both ways after two crashes

    TWO crashes on the A34 have closed the road today causing traffic delays. The first accident on the northbound carriageway between the A4130 Milton Interchange and the A415 Marcham Interchange involved three cars - a silver Vauxhall Zafira,

  • £30 fly-tipper faces £5k bill

    A BICESTER fly-tipper has been ordered to pay almost £5,000 after dumping rubbish he was paid £30 to dispose of. Mike Newman, 43, of Bartsia Road, Bicester, admitted the illegal disposal of waste after he was caught dumping household rubbish in a layby

  • Marathon trek for city hospice

    WALKERS are being challenged to take on a marathon distance to help raise cash for East Oxford hospice Helen and Douglas House. It is the third time the charity has staged the Daybreaker challenge, which has so far brought in about £25,000 for the cause

  • Quirky tradition at Oxfringe fest

    OXFORD’S quirkiest festival will be taking over the city’s pubs, clubs and theatres again next month. The Oxford Fringe, or Oxfringe, started out in 2007 with just two small literary events. Five years later, 2011’s event saw 70 acts – ranging from

  • Wilder has faith in No 2 keeper Brown

    Oxford United are keeping tight-lipped over goalkeeper Ryan Clarke’s injury – but manager Chris Wilder has no qualms about relying on Wayne Brown for the rest of the season if necessary. Clarke damaged a muscle around his ribs during Easter

  • Deported burglar caught red-handed

    AN ILLEGAL immigrant kicked out of Britain was back in the country weeks later to burgle an Oxford house. Albanian Xhim Tota was deported at the end of January but was caught red-handed on March 6. The 23-year-old was arrested by police after a chase

  • Guinea pigs abandoned on doorstep

    TWO guinea pigs have been taken in by the RSPCA after they were dumped on a doorstep in Bicester. The pair were found in a cage with food and some hay at a house in Market End Way on Tuesday. One of them is believed to be a pregnant female. They were

  • BADMINTON: Langford's title treble

    Edith Langford secured a clean sweep of under 17 titles in the Oxfordshire Junior Restricted Tournament at White Horse Leisure & Tennis Centre, Abingdon. She beat twin sister Imogen to take the girls’ singles, teamed up with her to land the girls’ doubles

  • CYCLING: Rose in bloom to take second

    Oxonian's Malcolm Rose finished runner-up to Fairly United’s Peter Oliver in the Charlbury Sporting 10 mile time trial. Oliver stormed to victory in 24mins 57 secs, with Rose second in 26.01 and Oxonian clubmate Matt Rowley third in 26.17. Oxonian’s

  • Thief drops handbag during chase

    A WOMAN gave chase after a thief went into her house while she was putting out the rubbish. The burglar got into the house in Swan Lane through the open front door and stole a handbag while the woman was round the side of the house at about 3pm on Thursday

  • TENNIS: Merrifield lifts veterans' crown

    Cholsey's Jon Merrifield captured the men’s 55’s singles title at the second Oxfordshire Veterans’ Tournament at Virgin Active, the Oxfordshire Health & Racquets Club. Merrifield took the honours with victory over Blewbury’s Peter Buck, his success now

  • TENNIS: North Oxford in bid for repeat

    North Oxford bid to make it two wins from as many matches in the Aegon Team Tennis League Southern Regional Division when they visit Maidenhead on Sunday. In their opening encounter of the competition, previously known as the NCL, North Oxford

  • Man hit with baseball bat

    A MAN was attacked with a baseball bat while cycling through an Oxford subway. The 47-year-old man was attacked in the subway connecting Barton and Northway. As he passed two men, he was hit in the face with the wooden bat. He suffered

  • Whing: Oxford United not worried by high stakes

    THERE has been no hint of panic in the Oxford United changing room, despite seeing their cushion over the sides outside the play-offs eroded to just goal difference, according to Andy Whing. Easter Monday’s 2-2 draw with Torquay United followed

  • SPORT CALENDAR: April 14-20 fixtures

    SATURDAY FOOTBALL NPOWER LEAGUE TWO Oxford Utd v Gillingham. EVO-STIK SOUTHERN LEAGUE Premier Div: Hitchin v Banbury Utd, Redditch v Oxford C. Div 1 South & West: Abingdon Utd v Sholing, Bishops Cleeve v North Leigh, Taunton Tn v Didcot Tn. UHLSPORT

  • FOOTBALL: Full-strength Witney face Cheltenham test

    Witney Town will be aiming to boost their Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division survival bid at home to Cheltenham Saracens tomorrow. “Its been a very tough season on the pitch,” said chairman Tom Amer. “And the players need every bit of encouragement

  • No NHS figures

    OXON: Hospital bosses in Oxfordshire last night were unable to say how many patients had been discharged overnight. It follows reports that more than 239,000 patients were discharged between 11pm and 6am at hospitals across the country last year. Oxford

  • Less overcrowding on rush-hour trains

    First Great Western has begun to make strides in cutting overcrowding on rush-hour trains between Oxford and London. Newly-released Department for Transport (DfT) figures showed a reduction in the number of Oxford trains making its biannual

  • Fake gun made woman fear for her life

    THIS was the scene which led a passer-by to fear she was going to be shot in Oxford’s Frideswide Square. She called police after spotting a man brandishing what looked like a sub-machine gun outside the Said Business School. Antonio Jones was waving

  • RUGBY UNION: Gaunt back for Richmond clash

    JAMES Gaunt returns at scrum half for Henley Hawks’ home game with promotion-chasing Richmond in National 2 South tomorrow. Captain Tom Allen therefore moves to full back, with Tommy Haynes shifting to left wing and Simon Perry dropping to the bench.

  • COMMENT: Rail operator looks to be on right track

    YOU’RE unlikely to agree if you’re reading this while shoehorned between fellow commuters leaving Oxford for London just after 7.30am today, but First Great Western seems to be heading in the right direction on overcrowded trains. Back in the

  • Gillingham's King looks forward to Oxford United reunion

    THE concept of divided loyalties will be alien for everyone in the crunch clash at the Kassam Stadium tomorrow, but there will be one Gillingham player with a soft spot for Oxford United. Simon King spent a decade with the U’s from under

  • CRICKET: Oxon geared up for pipe-opener

    Oxfordshire warm up for their MCCA Trophy campaign with their now traditional friendly against Bucks at Aston Rowant on Sunday. Skipper Ian Hawtin has named a squad of 12 for the clash in which Oxon will bat and bowl 11 players. With a trip to Cornwall

  • Bus stop in wrong spot

    IT appears the county council has not addressed the problem with the bus stop in High Street, Abingdon. There is a lay-by marked “bus stop” which has, at the approach end, a shelter with the bus stop post beside it. Most passengers queue there –

  • Keeping watch on drivers

    Your recent correspondents Messrs Saunders and Everett, do not, it appears, know the difference between taxi cabs and private hire vehicles. In Oxford, the city council will only license purpose-built taxicabs, commonly referred to as London black

  • Gravel plans ignore switch to recycling

    APART from praising Cllr Keith Mitchell (Oxford Mail, April 4) the county council agreed last week to excavate more than one million tonnes of sand and gravel every year from the Oxfordshire countryside. This is more than twice as much sand and gravel

  • FOOTBALL: Fixture pile-up is a worry admits Ford

    Oxford City manager Mike Ford says his Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division promotion-chasing squad will be stretched to the limit as they start a marathon run of four matches in eight days. Tomorrow’s visit to Redditch United is followed

  • FOOTBALL: Gee says Millers can make the play-offs

    North Leigh boss Mark Gee has urged his players to keep up the pressure on Hungerford as they battle it out with the Berkshire side for a place in the Evo-Stik Southern League Division 1 South & West play-offs. Although the Millers trail the

  • Hopping aboard for Easter thrills

    SARAH Anne Williams was among hundreds of children who have been enjoying all the fun of the fair during the Easter school break. The seven-year-old, from Berinsfield, was taken to the fair at Millets Farm, Frilford, near Abingdon, by grandmother

  • Oxford United awards nominations open

    VOTING has opened for Oxford United’s player of the season award. James Constable became the first player to win the Andrew Knapton Memorial Trophy twice when he topped the poll 12 months ago, but the striker faces plenty of stiff competition this time

  • Kebab house rejection angers councillor

    A CITY councillor last night hit out at colleagues who denied him permission to open his kebab house longer. Saj Malik said fellow city councillors had sent out the message that the centre of Oxford was “closed for business” by refusing him later hours

  • RUGBY UNION: Battle warning for Chinnor

    CHINNOR head coach Jason Bowers has warned his players they face another big physical battle when they visit Newton Abbot in National 3 South West tomorrow. Promotion-chasing Chinnor withstood a huge test to draw 22-22 at rivals Redingensians last week

  • Impressive parade

    AS a former officer in the Royal Ulster Rifles, now known as the Royal Irish Regiment, I was most impressed with the appearance and drill of the soldiers on parade in Oxford last week. I was proud of them. Congratulations also to the staff of the firm

  • Blow from benefit cuts

    THE other evening my cousin phoned me in a rather distraught condition. He informed me that his state benefit had been substantially reduced, which in the present climate came as no enormous shock to me, although I should have expected it to be his Disability

  • Wilder in the swing at Oxford United golf day

    MANAGER Chris Wilder was among those taking part in the Oxford United golf day at The Oxfordshire on Wednesday. While the weather on the whole stayed nice, one torrential storm forced players to take cover – with a couple failing to reappear

  • Fears for 50 girls in sex ring inquiry

    FIFTY girls are now believed to have been involved in a suspected child prostitution ring in Oxford. It was originally thought 24 girls aged between 11 and 16 were involved but the number was revised to 38 last month. Police yesterday said they had

  • COMMENT: Double whammy

    THE Government needs to urgently look at the situation where some churches who are victims of lead thieves now have to pay VAT when they get the damage fixed. It is understandable that members of the affected churches feel they are being whacked

  • Miles to receive Oxford United honour

    MILES Welch-Hayes will be presented with the Kevin Durham Memorial Cup before Oxford United’s home game with Gillingham tomorrow. Welch-Hayes, who plays for United’s under 16 centre of excellence side, wins the award presented for the U’s most promising

  • Church fears over 'unfair' VAT plans

    THE Government is gaining from the misfortune of Oxfordshire churches hit by lead thieves, it was claimed last night. Churchgoers across the county, including Prime Minister David Cameron’s Witney constituency, are urging ministers not to impose VAT

  • Town centre steels itself for a new look

    THE first steel frames have been lowered into place for the £70m redevelopment of Bicester town centre. The frame for the cinema and corner of Sainsbury’s supermarket have been built over the past few days. Over the next three months about

  • CRICKET: Solanki's in Parks

    Former England one-day player Vikram Solanki is included in the Worcestershire squad to take on Oxford MCCU in The Parks, starting today. Solanki, who won 51 one-day caps and appeared in three Twenty20 internationals, is the best-known player

  • Mental health carer stole from patients' bank accounts

    A CARER led disabled people to the bank before stealing their money in a string of “monstrous” thefts. Mencap worker Joanne Kennedy narrowly avoided jail after stealing more than £3,000 from the bank accounts of patients. Her crimes were labelled by

  • Semi-final means busy day on the trains

    CHILTERN Railways passengers are being warned that trains on the route between Oxfordshire and London Marylebone will be very busy tomorrow due to the FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Everton. Many football fans from Merseyside are expected to

  • Children tell ancient tales

    YOUNGSTERS from Oxford were telling ancient tall tales this week. They were recreating Aesop’s Fables as part of a two-day workshop put on by Creation Theatre. Children aged between five and seven took part in the workshop at the Barefoot

  • Pinot Noir mixed case, £82

    Why is Pinot Noir so popular? Almost certainly because it’s silky smooth, elegant and so easy to drink - it’s the kind of wine you can drink at any time. And with spring here and the longer days upon us now is the time to enjoy this fascinating

  • Museum mural to greet first visitors

    ROOMS in a once-derelict building are being transformed for an Oxford museum’s first exhibition. The Story Museum aims to become one of the city’s biggest attractions when it opens in Pembroke Street in two years’ time. And its home in Pembroke House