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ALFIE Potter struck a priceless winner as Oxford United came from behind to end their six-game losing run. The U's top scorer converted Tom Craddock's cross to see off a spirited AFC Wimbledon in a game where both defences looked vulnerable. Jake Forster-Caskey

Evening everyone, I trust you've all got your lucky pants on? Good, I'm going to stick my neck out and say #oufc's run ends tonight. — @OxfordMailOUFC 02 October 2012 The first thing to report is it's wet and windy

WITH thousands upon thousands of books to choose from, Oxfordshire libraries could play a key role in the campaign to get children reading. The county’s library service is among the organisations which is supporting Oxfordshire County Council’s

FOR 50 years, bookworms have been tucking themselves into a corner at Old Marston Library and discovering a lifelong love of books. Now the library is inviting the next generation to get reading, as it marks its golden anniversary. The library

SOLDIERS were reunited with their families today after a six-month tour of duty in Afghanistan. At Dalton Barracks, Abingdon, 123 troops from 4 Logistic Support Regiment, including seven from 23 Pioneer Regiment, came back from their tour in Helmand

COULD you follow in the footsteps of a shooting star from Didcot who hopes to make his mark in Rio? Dan Rivers, 21, is becoming a regular selection for Team GB in shooting. He competed in the world championships in Munich in 2010, and won the British

AEA Technology 0.055 BMW 4645 Electrocomponents 203.3 Nationwide Accident Repair 60.75 Oxford Biomedica 2.55 Oxford Catalysts 99.5 Oxford Instruments 1359.5 Reed Elsevier 601.25 RM 83.25 RPS Group 251.4 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley

Struggling sports retailer JJB Sports has gone into administration, leaving around 2,200 employees redundant nationwide. In Oxfordshire 16 workers at two shops — Magdalen Street, Oxford, and Castle Centre, Banbury — have lost their jobs. Administrators

THE hunt for missing five-year-old girl April Jones has been extended, with an appeal for any sightings of her across the country. Thames Valley Police this afternoon have released the following appeal in case anyone in Oxfordshire has seen April

ABINGDON Military Wives Choir and Oxford’s first Green Lord Mayor are among the women put forward for achievement awards. Dalton Barracks residents Lucy Rutledge and Laura Bresciani set up the choir as a social and support group for women whose

CHILDREN are getting to grips with some new playground equipment with a scientific theme — thanks to an innovative experiment from three pupils. The team of Hamish Harrison-Cushing, Thomas Bradley and Rodolfo Neils-Gervasio, pictured from left,

A PIONEERING project which helps parents get premature babies home more quickly has been devised at an Oxford hospital. Babies born early have problems with co-ordinating sucking and swallowing so are fed through a nasal gastric tube until

AEA Technology 0.05 BMW 4638 Electrocomponents 204.6 Nationwide Accident Repair 60.75 Oxford Biomedica 2.55 Oxford Catalysts 103.75 Oxford Instruments 1360.5 Reed Elsevier 600.25 RM 83.75 RPS Group 249.7 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley

A PAINTING by South African artist Irma Stern will fund a scholarship for African students at Oxford University. Portrait of a young Mpondo could fetch up to £300,000 when it is auctioned by Bonhams on October 17. The 1930s painting, formerly

AN EXHIBITION that combines art and neuroscience is about to open its doors to visitors. Ten artists are displaying their work as part of A Nervous Encounter from Saturday until October 20 at the Old Fire Station in George Street, Oxford. Neuroscientists

THE many ways to get from A to B were showcased at a pub event near Banbury at the weekend. Visitors to the White Horse pub in Wroxton saw an array of vehicles for Saturday’s inaugural event called the Weird and Wonderful Wheels Day. They included

A date for the repatriation of a Royal Marine who died last week has not yet been confirmed. Captain Carl Manley, 41, died of natural causes at Bagram Air Force Base on Monday. The Ministry of Defence said there would be no ceremony when his

Two county villages have been named among the best places in England and Wales to raise a family. Chinnor was ranked ninth and Bloxham 12th by fund provider Family Investments. Berkshire’s Wokingham took the top spot in the survey, which looked

Work to redraw car parking spaces at a Didcot Parkway car park is almost complete. First Great Western agreed to carry out the work at the Foxhall Road car park after drivers complained last year that they were being ticketed for parking outside

BUSINESS leaders in Oxfordshire say they are less than impressed by what has been billed as Britain’s biggest overhaul of pensions in a generation. Under the new system, employers will have to automatically enrol workers into a pension scheme.

For the first time since the 1998-9 season, neither of the top two teams in the Premier Division will contest the Greene King ODDA Summer League ladies’ seven-a-side play-offs. Champions Florence Park CC A were defeated by Gillans Bar in the preliminary

Round-up ABINGDON continued their excellent early season form with a 61-10 home thrashing of Berkshire Shire Hall in the BB&O Championship. Wing Paul Rynhardt bagged a hat-trick of tries, with captain and scrum half Ollie Young (2), full

EVERY cat has nine lives, and Omar the Egyptian moggie must have used up several of his surviving the turmoil of the overthrow of President Mubarak. Having been discovered at the Red Sea resort of El Gouna, Omar had a lucky break when an Oxfordshire

A MUSICIAN was stabbed to death when he tried to intervene in an argument between a teenager and his girlfriend, a jury heard yesterday. Haydan O’Callaghan, right, stabbed Aaron Buron with a 5in kitchen knife in a street in Rose Hill, Oxford, the

A MAN who carried out a “horrific” sex attack in North Oxford has been jailed for six years. Iain Nicholson, 51, of no fixed abode, dragged his victim, who was of oriental appearance, off Banbury Road and into the grounds of Fairfield care home

THE support of Oxford United’s players for manager Chris Wilder has been critical in Ian Lenagan resisting the temptation to make changes in response to the club’s slump in form. The U’s chairman has come under pressure from some supporters to

OMAR the Egyptian cat survived the downfall of the Mubarak regime. Despite violent clashes, strikes and looting, Omar managed to escape the north African country unscathed. But now his adopted owners fear Omar may be in another kind of danger

Oxford Hawks men lost 3-2 at home to Oxford University in their South Premier League Premier 1 opener. With less than ten minutes to go, Hawks trailed 2-0 before Dave Cresswell deflected in a cross to make it 2-1. Hawks then let in a third

Oxford Hawks women recorded their first win of the Investec Eastern Conference campaign when two quick goals from Becky Hibbert and Takara Haines helped them beat Sevenoaks 2-0 at Banbury Road North. The first came from a breakaway down the right

Oxfordshire will look to build on an encouraging start to their Inter-Counties League Premier Division campaign when they take on Warwickshire at Coventry this weekend (October 6-7). In their opener, Oxon convincingly beat Kent 24-15. They

OXFORD University were beaten 30-11 at Durham University in their opening match of the season. Durham dominated Friday’s clash, which had been postponed from March due to bad weather. Durham led 10-0, thanks to a converted try and a penalty

I CAN’T quite understand the St Clement’s traders’ objection to the proposed student flats in the area. Surely these future students would represent new trade and business for Café Coco etc – even if there isn’t any parking? PAUL LUMLEY

FOUR men accused of fraud involving Torex Retail PLC appeared at court yesterday. Mark Woodbridge, 41, of Kineton in Warwickshire, has been charged with six counts of false accounting and two counts of conspiracy to defraud. Robert Loosemore

l THE brief report on the results of the first phonics screening test in England (Phonics results at national standard, September 29) might have mentioned this point. Surveys from teaching unions reveal that 91 per cent of primary school teachers

I WRITE regarding lecturers’ pay. It is extremely difficult to gauge how much anyone could reasonably expect to earn. A salary would, reasonably, reflect qualifications, performance targets and ability to motivate both self and others. University

A VISION of how Oxford Brookes could look in the future has been unveiled. The university has released a draft masterplan for its Harcourt Hill and Wheatley campuses for public consultation. It includes plans for a new piazza, lecture theatres

South West 1 East A MUCH-improved second half saw Witney defeat Newbury Blues 19-7 at Hailey Road. Witney conceded a series of early penalties, with prop Alan Richens sin-binned on seven minutes. Newbury took a deserved lead with a converted

Southern Counties North GUY Nicholl scored two of Grove’s six tries and was sin-binned in a 37-6 victory at Tadley. Wing Nicholl bagged Grove’s first and last scores, but was yellow-carded late on for retaliation against a Tadley player, who

IT WAS never my intention to give anyone a history lesson, (ViewPoints, September 27) but why didn’t Ian Cummings answer the two important questions I posed? Regards history and the Hitler/Stalin pact, it came about after the Allies refused a similar

ALL this discussion about young children learning to read has me delving into my memory box. My mother was an avid reader, in spite of leaving school aged 12 to go ‘into service’. She often said that when you can read the cornflake box you are

I am grateful to Mr Ian Cummings (Viewpoints, September 28) for reminding readers of the shameful Nazi-Soviet Pact of August 23, 1939. Not only did it allow the Soviet Union to invade Finland and half of Poland, as outlined by Mr Cummings, but

SMOKERS in Oxfordshire are joining the first nationwide mass quit attempt. The Stoptober campaign is backed by Cancer Research UK and the British Heart Foundation, and will encourage as many of Britain’s eight million smokers to quit successfully

A £2m project to resurface a six-and-a-half mile stretch of the A34 started last night. The work between the Pear Tree and Kennington junctions will be carried out overnight for 12 weeks from 9pm-5.30am. The Highways Agency expects the work to

IS IT any wonder that there is truth in the saying ‘Never believe what you read in the papers’? In the Oxford Mail on Saturday, September 29, I read on the front page and page two, of the ridiculous decision by the city council to build even more

ALMOST a month after Jim Rosenthal’s resignation from Oxford United’s board, the reasons behind the sudden move became clearer yesterday. U’s chairman Ian Lenagan, who had not previously made any public comment about the exit, explained it was

National 3 South West IT was a familiar story as Oxford Harlequins slumped to a 73-15 home defeat to London Irish Wild Geese. Quins’ fifth heavy reverse in five matches saw them ship 13 tries and they have already conceded more than 300 points

National 2 South HENLEY Hawks marched on at the top with a 61-11 victory at Taunton Titans. Flanker Ryan Newman scored twice in the nine-try demolition, which kept Hawks five points clear of second-placed Shelford. Newman finished off a

CIDER lovers raised a glass to their local yesterday as it was named Cider Pub of The Year. The Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) presented the award to The Royal Oak in Wantage for its selection of ciders and perries as well as its service. Landlord

MEASURED against any yardstick, the Gardener’s Arms (North Parade) have experienced a wretched season. In their league campaign they managed to lose all 12 of their matches, and they were never in serious contention in any of the themed Tabletops

NO... John Evans, spokesman for Save the Badgers group It should not be supported because history and science shows us it is not the solution. This “cull” is merely a euphemism for a savage mass slaughter. And, so it can be done “on the cheap

It’s been a quiet summer in East Oxford but with the schools and unis back now, it’s getting hectic. It’s not that they’re noisy – in fact, since the Regal nightclub became a church and the O2 Academy stopped hosting the infamous Fuzzy Ducks student

CAN there be a more sanctimonious politician than Nick Clegg? His self-satisfied speech at the Lib Dem conference showed not one iota of contrition for the horrible mess of lies, arrogance and incompetence that constitutes the Coalition Government

I CANNOT help but smile every time I read in the Oxford Mail about the latest money-making schemes our councillors dream up, especially Oxford city councillors’ projects. We have the closure of Temple Cowley pool, which it would appear very few

Older people were celebrated with a day of activities in Oxford. Yesterday was National Older People’s Day, and an information day organised by the city council and the Oxford 50+ Network took place in Bonn Square. Visitors were able to get

SOLDIERS’ wives and girlfriends in Abingdon will today be reunited with loved ones returning from a six-month tour of duty in Afghanistan. At Dalton Barracks, 116 troops from 4 Logistic Support Regiment and seven from 23 Pioneer Regiment will fly

A LAWYER has been instructed as campaigners against development at St Clement’s car park prepare to challenge a decision to approve a planning bid. Last week, developer Watkin Jones was given permission to push ahead with plans for 140 student

RYAN Clarke could again be among the substitutes tonight as Oxford United look to end their losing streak against AFC Wimbledon. The stakes are high as the U’s attempt to avoid a club record seventh successive league defeat. But they may again

TWO men have been arrested on suspicion of arson following a fire at a tower block in Wood Farm. Police were called to Foresters Tower at around 1.30am today following reports of a fire in a second floor flat. One bedroom was fire damaged and

Oxford City will give a late fitness test to Steve Basham ahead of the trip to Blue Square Bet North basement boys Hinckley on October 2. The former Oxford United striker limped off with a groin injury during the 3-0 home defeat by Guiseley and

A 26-year-old man arrested on suspicion of rape after an alleged attack in Oxford city centre has been released on bail. A 22-year-old woman was walking home after a night out in the early hours of Sunday morning when she told police she was sexually

CHANGES are being considered to add two extra non-executive directors to Oxford United’s board. With Kelvin Thomas stepping down in July and Jim Rosenthal resigning last month, the club have only three members – owner and chairman Ian Lenagan and

WOMEN prove an inspiration’ says our headline, and don’t they just... Because no matter how many times we’re told that women are on an even footing with men, the truth is one foot is definitely bigger than the other. And if there is one thing

Woodstock was filled with candy floss stalls and thrilling rides as the annual street fair visited. Big wheels, waltzers and other rides, along with shooting ranges and hot dog stalls, filled the streets yesterday. The fair will run until this

Two people were taken to hospital with serious injuries after a crash on the A415 yesterday. Police, firefighters and ambulance staff were called to the crash between a red Volkswagen Polo and a white Peugeot Expert van near Newbridge at 8.30am

WOMEN across Oxfordshire are going to need plenty of props to preserve their modesty as they get ready to strip on stage. A series of performances of the hit show Calendar Girls is planned across the county after the rights were relaxed for charity

Ian Lenagan claims he has not considered Chris Wilder’s position as Oxford United manager once during the club’s dreadful run of form. The U’s chairman and owner robustly defended Wilder’s role, despite a six-game losing streak in npower League

A FIRE at an Oxford tower block this morning is being treated as arson by police.   Firefighters were called to Foresters Tower in Wood Farm at 1.21am following reports of smoke coming from a second floor window. Fire crews used hose reels

A SHOP which sells products made and sourced by unemployed youngsters has opened to strong interest, its director has said. Abelmarket in Wesley Walk, Witney, is working with young people aged 16 to 24 who are not in education, employment or training

AN estate agent has lost a bid to turn a flat over one of its branches into offices after warning it could quit unless it got the go-ahead. Andrews Estate Agents was denied permission by Oxford City Council last year over concerns the plan would

HIGHWAYS chiefs are looking at an innovative plan to cut M40 noise using sound barriers with built-in solar panels. An action group has won cash to develop a project to help the 20,000 residents who live near to the M40 between junctions three

A 65-YEAR-OLD man punched a childhood friend, fracturing his skull, in a row over the victim’s “surrogate daughter”. Peter Bough admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm on Richard Crook outside a Headington supermarket. The pair had first