Archive

  • Flooding update: Eighteen rivers and streams on Flood Alert

    PEOPLE living near 18 rivers and brooks in Oxfordshire were tonight being warned they may face flooding. Following a day of heavy rain, the Environment Agency has put the following rivers on Flood Alert. They are: River Cherwell from Charwelton

  • Battle of the bands stars put on lunchtime gig

    THE winners of an Oxfordshire school’s Battle of the Bands contest charged their classmates 50p to see them perform in their lunch hour. The Kites, along with runners-up Jamie Felton and Offshore Break, performed to Marlborough School pupils on

  • Reuse of tar is big cash saver

    HARMFUL tar from Oxfordshire’s roads is being recycled, remixed and relaid to save cash and the environment. The use of the carcinogenic material was banned in the 1980s, but tonnes of it still lies on the surfaces of the county’s roads. The

  • Plan ahead to get to Oxford's big Christmas Light Night

    BUS passengers in Oxford are being urged to plan ahead as a string of routes are diverted for the city’s big Christmas Light Night. Thousands of people are expected to attend the event on Friday. But those using public transport are warned to plan

  • Nathan's new label is hot stuff

    We know him as a DJ, promoter and even a former Oxford City Councillor. Now Nathan T Pyle is branching out. Drawing on his inside knowledge of the music industry he has set up his own record label. And being a curry aficiando and Jericho resident

  • Born survivor Florrie marks her 100th

    AFTER surviving a flu epidemic which killed most of her family, Florrie Pratt was lucky to escape the devastating bombing of Coventry in the blitz. Despite Mrs Pratt’s tragic loss, she went on to enjoy a long and healthy life and yesterday celebrated

  • Green Day: Dos!

    IT would be easy and cheap to just label this, Green Day’s second of a trilogy of albums, as Dross rather than Dos. That would be far too harsh but really there is just very little to get too excited about. Of course Green Day will always be victims

  • Covent Garden boss is so good that they name him twice

    Charged with the task of finding a new Director General of the BBC after the fall of George Entwistle, the chairman of the BBC Trust, Lord Patten (pictured) could usefully consider himself as a candidate. Such a move would not be unprecedented in the

  • One worried friend is locked in a lavatory

    ‘Oh dear, what could the matter be? One of our company locked in the lavatory. He was trapped mid-evening on Saturday. Nobody knew he was there.” My adaptation of the traditional folk ballad describes in accurate detail what befell pal Drew during

  • Rufus Wainwright @ New Theatre, Oxford

    IF there was ever an artist who sets out to make a statement out of his appearance, it’s Rufus Wainwright. It not being enough to play and sing some of the most beautiful songs of recent years, th singer-songwriter never fails to put on a visual

  • The Hollybush, Witney

    "You would propose to me on a gondola, wouldn’t you?” This curious question was asked of me as I made my way into the loos at the height of the Saturday night rush at the Hollybush, in Corn Street, Witney. It came from one of three attractive blondes

  • The devil finaly gets his share . . .

    For years the angels have been getting their share of whiskey as it evaporates into the atmosphere. Because of breathability of oak casks, a barrel loses two to four per cent of its volume during the maturation process at the distillery. This phenomenon

  • Pumpkin marmalade

    Who would have thought that you can turn pumpkin flesh into marmalade? But be assured you can and, what’s more, it is very tasty. This recipe originates from the kitchens of the WI’s Denman College, and was devised by Midge Thomas. It offers a

  • Building a greener future

    A pioneering eco firm has been given a cash boost as it gears up to launch full production of its arc-haus — a futuristic high-tech sustainable building. Green Unit, based in Chiselhampton has been awarded a £27,000 match funding LEADER grant by

  • Home-cooked taste without the hassle

    Archers addicts will be aware that one of the main story lines in this popular Radio 4 soap at the moment concerns meat producer Tom Archer who has been attempting to come up with an idea for the Christmas market. It was his grandmother Peggy who

  • Ash to ash

    The gardening world is alive with talk of ash dieback, an aggressive wind-dispersed fungal disease called Chalara fraxinia. It came to light after a consignment of ash trees was sent from a nursery in the Netherlands to a nursery in Buckinghamshire

  • Generations inspired by naturalist Sir Edward Grey

    Since bird watching became a recognised activity, the past 120 years or so have seen a steady stream of the nation’s top naturalists make their way to Oxford. Being a university town has obviously attracted many of these luminaries, firstly to study

  • Romola Garai of The Hour talks about her film Scrubber

    Romola Garai is a breath of fresh air in the egocentric world of acting, interrupting our interview by laughing at her answers, and apologising for saying anything vaguely pretentious. Whether she chooses to deny it or not however, the 30-year-old

  • Silver Linings Playbook (15)

    Writer-director David O Russell is destined for awards glory with this quirky romance about an emotionally bruised thirty-something struggling to piece his life together after the ultimate betrayal. Adapted by Russell from the novel by Matthew

  • Mansfield Park

    ‘You must always be the lowest and the last,” snaps shrew-like Mrs Norris at Fanny Price in Jane Austen’s Mansfield Park. Fanny has been taken from her own, impoverished household and installed at Mansfield Park, home of her rich uncle Sir Thomas Bertram

  • The Orphan of Zhao: Swan Theatre, Stratford

    Conscious perhaps of accusations that his first season as artistic director of the Royal Shakespeare Company is distinctly Shakespeare-lite, Gregory Doran has been anxious to present The Orphan of Zhao as “the Chinese Hamlet”. Well, up to a point

  • FULL CIRCLE REVIEW: It's so good to talk

    “LIFE is hell with happy moments.” That was the standout line from actress Sheila Hancock at Helen & Douglas House fundraiser Full Circle, which took place on Sunday. But fortunately for the audience, her words did not echo the feel of

  • Have your say on boundary changes

    A CONSULTATION on proposed boundary changes in South Oxfordshire has been launched. The Local Government Boundary Commission for England has given people living in the district until Monday, January 7 to have their say on the plans. In order

  • Morrisons move ‘would generate £6.7m for town'

    MORRISONS will generate up to £6.7m a year for Wallingford’s economy, according to the supermarket chain. A planning application has been submitted for a new food store on the Hithercroft estate, bringing £25m of investment, 300 new full and part-time

  • Classic highlights of the week

    Cantata Dramatica PERPETUA – WORLD PREMIERE Christ Church Cathedral Tonight, 8pm Tickets: 07766 103427 or cantata dramatica.com A new dramatic cantata by composer Nick Bicât and librettist Nick Pitts-Tucker, which recreates the diaries of Vibia

  • Oxford Bach Choir sing for Britten Centenary

    Benjamin Britten was born on the feast day of St Cecilia, patron saint of music. If he were still alive, he would have been 99 on November 22. Over the coming year, as his centenary approaches, choirs and orchestras all over the country will be celebrating

  • Theatre Highlights November 22

    Comedy STEVE HUGHES Glee Club, Oxford Tonight (November 22) 0871 4720400 You have to see former heavy metal drummer turned comedian Steve Hughes, for curiosity’s sake, if nothing else. About to embark on his second UK tour after a successful debut

  • Beauty and the Best previewed

    The last time I saw Disney’s Beauty and the Beast at the New Theatre, the start was delayed by 15 minutes owning to “technical difficulties”. Was that, I wondered, because of problems with the complicated transformation scene, in which the Beast is

  • On the Horizon: November 22

    Theatre STARLIGHT EXPRESS New Theatre, Oxford Dec 11-29 at 7.30pm, matinees Wed and Sat and on Dec 13, 24, 27 and 28 at 2.30pm, and on Boxing Day at 3pm Box office: 0844 871 3020 or atgtickets.com/oxford Bill Kenwright presents one of the best

  • Threads of Silk and Gold: The Ashmolean Museum

    As we walked towards the large screen showing a dramatic night-time scene of cormorant fishing, I thought we were looking at an oil painting. “I also did when I first saw it,” Hiroko said. “I was stunned when I read the label and saw that it was needlework

  • No decision over nursery building

    UNCERTAINTY surrounds the future of an Abingdon nursery building. St Mary’s Day Nursery in Faringdon Road has been given planning permission to convert 18 Marcham Road into new premises. But it is not yet known what will happen to the existing

  • The fine art of fundraising

    WOULD you bare all in the name of charity? Well one person certainly did at a fundraising life drawing session at the Jam Factory oin Oxford. City-based model Ruby Magic, 25, pictured being drawn, whipped off her clothes off and posed for a

  • MP organises housing meeting

    MP NICOLA Blackwood has organised a public meeting to discuss plans to build 160 homes off Abingdon’s Drayton Road. The Oxford West and Abingdon MP said she was concerned residents felt they were not being properly informed about the application

  • Shop 'indie' and win £800

    FESTIVE shoppers in Burford can compete for a timely post-Christmas boost if they take part in a campaign to show off the town’s specialist retailers. An ‘independent shop crawl’ was launched by Burford Chamber of Trade on Saturday in an effort

  • Mullins loan at Oxford United cut short

    JOHNNY Mullins has left Oxford United after his loan was ended by Rotherham United. The Millers are facing an injury crisis, so exercised the 24-hour recall option on the defender's deal with the U's. It is a significant blow for United, with

  • FOOTBALL: Deadly duo seal rout

    Doubles from James Collins and Ben Curtis helped AFC Blackbirds to thrash Union Street 6-1 at home to make it seven victories in a row in the Oxford City FA. New signing Otman Lamzini and second-half substitute Chris Peck completed Blackbirds’

  • ‘Pavements are not for cyclists’ plea

    SUMMERTOWN residents are hoping to find a way of making the area’s pavements safer. A public meeting will be held next month to discuss the issue after a survey was carried out into cycling on pavements. In a police crackdown in Headington

  • Hair-raising time for men’s charity

    THEY may be a bit itchy but moustaches are beginning to take hold on upper lips across Oxfordshire. Three weeks into Movember – the annual month-long campaign which aims to raise awareness of prostate and testicular cancers – men are bonding over

  • FOOTBALL: Quick-fire Murphy

    A goal straight from the kick-off from Chris Murphy sent Berinsfield on their way to a 7-0 win in the Oxfordshire Intermediate Cup second-round over Kidlington Res from the Uhlsport Hellenic League. Mason Curtis (2), David Murphy, Simon Rawlings

  • Tributes to student killed walking along A40

    TRIBUTES have been paid to a promising law student who died after being hit by a car in Oxford. Vandana Singh died at the scene of the collision last Monday. The 21-year-old, who was studying law at Exeter College, was hit by a Ford Ka as she

  • ‘Wear a helmet at all times’ pleads widow

    THE widow of a man killed in an accident at a roundabout near their home has urged all cyclists to wear safety helmets. Paul Welch, 67, from Barleyfields, died of his injuries a day after the accident at the Foxhall Road and Broadway roundabout

  • FOOTBALL: Rowland stars with top treble

    SCHOOLS' FOOTBALL CHARLIE Rowland’s superb hat-trick gave Vale of White Horse Under 14s a 3-1 win over Cheltenham & District in the Vale Cup at Milton United. He beat two defenders before cutting inside and shooting into the top corner

  • Raiders steal cash from discount store

    KNIFE-wielding robbers escaped with a “large sum” of cash following a raid on a discount shop. Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident at the 99p Store in Bridge Street, Banbury. Two masked men entered the building and approached

  • COMMENT: Inn-spiring idea

    STUDENTS and beer go together rather well so there is something apt at the Lamb and Flag’s scheme that hives off profits on pints into a scholarship at St John’s. How long before the odd customer tries to convince his wife, though, that the one

  • FOOTBALL: Simpson spot-on to complete rally

    GILES SPORTS WITNEY YOUTH LEAGUE BEN Simpson scored a penalty winner as Tower Hill Stars came back from 2-0 down to win 3-2 at Bloxham in the Under 14 A League. Vincent McGibbon and Jake Bedlow put Bloxham 2-0 up, but Alfie Hester, Chris Godfrey

  • Pensioner denies Poppy Appeal donations theft

    A pensioner has denied stealing a Poppy Appeal donations tin in Oxford. The Royal British Legion collection box was taken from the post office in Downside Road, Risinghurst, at about 8.30am on Monday, November 5. At Oxford Magistrates’ Court

  • Students say 'cheers' to scholarship scheme

    STUDENTS at an Oxford University college are raising a glass to pub customers who have helped fund their studies. Profits from the Lamb and Flag in St Giles go towards scholarships for students at St John’s College, which owns the historic tavern

  • Pub conversion to home refused

    Plans to convert a pub into a house in Stanton Harcourt have been thrown out. On Monday, West Oxfordshire District Council’s planning committee voted to refuse planning permission for the conversion of the Fox Inn. The bid was made by Nasser

  • Pegasus Theatre prepares to party

    Members of Pegasus Theatre, in Magdalen Road, will celebrate the venue’s 50th anniversary with a party on Saturday. The free event will include a tea party, the unveiling of a plaque to founder Roy Copeman, and a display of memorabilia. It

  • FOOTBALL: Stanley seals it for Didcot

    ALEX Stanley scored the only goal of the game as Didcot Town defeated Beaconsfield SYCOB 1-0 in the Red Insure Cup last night. Stanley struck on 47 minutes to give Didcot victory in the second-round tie at the npower Loop Meadow Stadium.

  • England boss Hodgson scores at the Union

    ENGLAND football manager Roy Hodgson spoke at the Oxford Union yesterday afternoon. The former Crystal Palace player, 65, arrived at the Frewin Court venue for a 3pm talk. Over the years he has coached and managed in many countries, including

  • ‘I heard screaming in house’ murder jury told

    A WOMAN has described hearing screaming in the house where homeless man Denis Witney was allegedly beaten. Katey Hayes was living at the house in St Clement’s Street, Oxford, with her twin sister Diane Hayes and Diane’s boyfriend Wayne Cattell

  • Despair at ‘no’ vote on women bishops

    THE BISHOP of Oxford last night described the rejection of women bishops as a “kick in the teeth”. The Rt Rev John Pritchard spoke out as clergy across Oxfordshire reacted with disappointment, sadness and frustration. Following a tense debate

  • Secret for free parking

    MOTORISTS – fed-up of sky-high car parking charges in Oxford? Want free parking? No problem! Simply park your vehicle on the double yellow lines outside the Town Hall in St Aldate’s and switch on your hazard light in the pretence of being there

  • More equal democracies

    ELECTIONS are not a good measure of democracy: if I knew how to vote on Thursday, November 15, I would have spoiled my ballot. As an eco-socialist, I sometimes feel I have little in common with people from Communist traditions like Tim Siret. However

  • I support bid for airfield

    I applaud Adrian Reynard for his bid to preserve RAF Bicester, acknowledging its aviation heritage, while also growing amenity and business opportunities for the community. It is good to see a substantial investment being made in this facility

  • THE DISABLED SPACE: Toilets are an ongoing issue

    I THOUGHT that my article this week should reflect the importance that the Oxford Mail’s Jeremy Smith has placed on the need to improve the public toilets in Oxford City. However, I am not willing to join him in carrying out any decoration needed

  • We suffer due to failures

    I WRITE regarding your report (Do we eat or heat?, November 19). The Government is continually complaining about our population growing older. But they needn’t worry – due to their lack of ideas and policies, by allowing the energy companies to

  • Speed of trains

    I SAW the following notice in a book recently, which may be of some interest: November 16th 1861. Grand opening of Witney Station. WITNEY TO OXFORD. Stopping at South Leigh, Cassington Halt and Eynsham. Witney to Oxford 35 mins.

  • Reduction of service was not our decision

    WE ARE glad that our letter about the reduced service of specialised Dial-a-Ride buses for frail and elderly people has interested your reader, Jane MacTaggart (ViewPoints, November 16). Ms MacTaggart is absolutely correct that the county council

  • MAC THE KNIFE: How can we decide who runs the police?

    As my small daughter sobbed unceremoniously at the kitchen table because her dance class in the village hall had been cancelled, I tried unsuccessfully to explain why. “We have to vote for who will run the local police and the voting is taking

  • FOOTBALL: Didcot are hot-shots

    OXFORD MAIL GIRLS LEAGUE SHARP finishing earned Didcot Casuals a 3-2 win at Kennington in the Under 16 Division. Didcot had just four shots in the match, but scored through Tamica Greenway, Shana Presley and Sarah Mattimore. Ellie Massingham

  • FOOTBALL: Skidmore's the hero

    Neil Skidmore scored a hat-trick as Adderbury Park thrashed Charlton United 6-2 at home in the Oxfordshire Senior League Premier Division. James Trevitt, Lewis Moore and an own goal completed the rout, with Callum Cooper and Paul O’Neil replying

  • Think of the left-handed

    A SMALL point – I went to cast my vote for the new police commissioner and was dismayed to find that the voting booths were all geared up for right-handed people. Could the pen be secured in the middle of the booth so it could be used by both left

  • Cars banned from road

    HONESTLY I just cannot get my head round what point Pamela St Clair (ViewPoints, November 19) is trying to get over in her recent letter in what she considers to be an excess of buses in Oxford city centre. I am sure she is sincere in her beliefs

  • Tell truth about Israel

    THE latest death toll in Gaza is now 90, with three Israelis killed. Even one Israeli is, of course, one too many. But isn’t it about time our major news organisations like the BBC and Sky told us the truth behind the latest violence in the Middle

  • Some questions on bills

    l REGARDING your report (Do we eat or heat?, November 19), I was somewhat concerned by the figures. Undoubtedly many pensioners are finding it very hard to pay their bills. However, the figures you present for the widow would suggest to me,

  • Enquiries into mystery canal boat death continue

    THE family of Kevin Pryor was coming to terms with their loss as the investigation into his death continued yesterday. Remains believed to be Mr Pryor were found on his houseboat Lady of the Lake in Wolvercote following a blaze on Friday. Officers

  • Oxford Mail Boys League tables

    UNDER 9 RED                          P   W   D   L   F   A   Pts Didcot Tn Yth   8   7   1   0   71   10   22 Bure Pk Jun   8   6   2   0   67   18   20 H’path Yth Lions   9   5   1   3   26   22   16 Hinksey Pk   8   2   0   6   27   46   6 Oxford City

  • Wilder rues Oxford United's bad luck

    CHRIS Wilder rued Oxford United’s luck as they came within a whisker of clinching all three points in stoppage time at Barnet last night. With the score at 2-2 and the final whistle looming, Johnny Mullins saw a firm header strike one post, roll

  • World’s oldest digital computer gets reboot

    TWO of the original designers of the world’s oldest digital computer rolled back the years as their creation was re-booted for a new generation. Dick Barnes, 92, and Ted Cooke-Yarborough, 93, looked on proudly as the Harwell Dekatron whirred back

  • FOOTBALL: Red-hot Ward does it again

    BRADLEY Ward hit five goals for second consecutive game as Didcot Town Youth beat Oxford City Blues 9-0 in the Oxford Mail Boys League Under 9 Red League. Eddie Good (2), Lewis McKirnan and Alfie Grisbrooke completed the scoring, but it was Ward

  • Warneford Hospital unveils new £11m unit for teens

    A NEW £11m state-of-the-art centre for young people with mental health problems is about to open. The adolescent inpatient facility is weeks away from opening at the Warneford Hospital site, in Headington. Doctors said the new secure Highfield

  • ‘Co-operation key to fighting sexual abuse of children’

    AN OXFORD MP yesterday heard local authorities needed to work together and share information to fight child sexual exploitation. Oxford West and Abingdon MP Nicola Blackwood was among the politicians grilling police and child social service chiefs

  • COMMENT: Sentence sends the right message

    WE are not shy in telling our judges they are too lenient with some criminals. It is one of our duties to let the judiciary know if the community feels the punishment meted out does not fit the crime. However, our judges are usually spot on

  • Rogue trader uncovered on TV is jailed

    A ROGUE trader who was uncovered on a BBC programme has been jailed for a year after conning nearly £8,000 from five vulnerable victims. Jason Butcher claimed to be a qualified tree surgeon, overcharging five customers for gardening work, incomplete

  • Man beaten unconscious

    A MAN was beaten unconscious during a brutal assault in East Oxford. The 30-year-old and a 27-year old woman were attacked by three men in Hurst Street at about 12.15am on Saturday. Police only released details yesterday when they appealed

  • Small fire at Oxford Brookes

    A SMALL fire has broken out at an Oxford Brookes University building. The John Payne building in Gipsy Lane, Headington, is currently closed to staff and students. The building, which opened in 2010, houses a technology lab and architectural

  • Six flood alerts issued for Oxfordshire

    SIX flood alerts have been issued for Oxfordshire overnight. Heavy rainfall, with more predicted, has prompted the alerts from the Environment Agency. The Langford and Wendlebury brooks, the Ginge Brook from Steventon to Sutton Courtenay, the

  • Club's youngest solo pilot proves a high flier

    TWO years before he can get behind the wheel of a car, George Barrett has flown into a gliding club’s history book. The 15-year-old became the youngest person in Oxford Gliding Club’s 75-year history to fly solo. The chance came after gliding

  • Sharing stories of extra-special care at Helen House

    FAMILIES supported by Oxford’s Helen and Douglas House hospice shared personal tales of inspiration and hope spanning three decades. Thirty families were picked to tell their stories to celebrate Helen House’s 30th birthday. Now their experiences

  • Burlesque calendar aids cancer work

    BURLESQUE is the theme of a calendar which goes on sale next week in aid of an Oxfordshire breast cancer charity. Witney businessman Chris Clinkard, who runs the Beautiful Linen Group, stepped into the breach when he found out that Against Breast