Archive

  • Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa (15)

    FOUR STARS Aha! The long-awaited Alan Partridge movie is finally here. And it’s textbook Partridge. Alan’s radio station, North Norfolk Digital, has been taken over by a big media company and renamed Shape. Part of their business plan for reshaping

  • The Lone Ranger (12A)

    THREE STARS   It’s “Hi-ho, Silver. Away!” for Gore Verbinski and Johnny Depp, director and Oscar-nominated star of Pirates Of The Caribbean, who reunite for this rootin’ tootin’ reinvention of the masked avenger. The Lone Ranger began life

  • The Comedy of Errors: University Church of St Mary the Virgin

    FOUR STARS   A young and ebullient cast drawn from the Oxford University Dramatic Society make the most of the fun to be had in one of Shakespeare’s jolliest plays, The Comedy of Errors. Launching their annual touring production at the University

  • Music highlights for week beginning August 8

    Charivari Agreable Eliza in love Exeter College Chapel, Oxford n Friday, 8pm Tickets: 01865 305305 or ticketsoxford.com Another exciting programme from the Early Music by Candlelight Summer Festival, exploring the lovers and suitors of

  • Oxfordshire County Youth Orchestra: Oxford Town Hall

    FOUR STARS Oxfordshire’s leading youth ensemble was in fine fettle on Sunday night, tackling a challenging programme with exceptional energy and pizzazz. Strauss’s Don Juan is such a notoriously difficult piece that apparently one of the horn players

  • Taking the pain out of playing

    Anyone who has ever played a stringed instrument will know how much strain it can put on your back, neck, shoulders and wrists, whether you play every day or for only a few hours a week. Nervous tension and severe stage fright are also demons that

  • Nostalgic journey to scenes of childhood

    That fine historian David Kynaston celebrated — if celebration there was — his 62nd birthday eight days ago, two weeks ahead of my reaching this same gloomy anniversary. Our being of an age means that we share many memories and can call up similar

  • Preview of Mies Julie at Oxford Playhouse

    Notoriously a shocking play, August Strindberg’s Miss Julie, dating from 1888, has been given an extra level of controversial content in the adaptation, as Mies Julie, by South Africa’s Baxter Theatre Centre under the award-winning writer and director

  • A Victorian Eye: Jermyn Street Theatre, London

    FOUR STARS   It says much for the compelling interest of Rory Fellowes’s A Victorian Eye that straight after seeing it I went on to Amazon to order a copy of the book that had supplied much of the information for what is depicted on stage.

  • Magical Books: Bodleian Library

    Magic, legends, magical beings and magical beasts have over the centuries inspired a wonderfully rich vein of imaginative writing. This exhibition, drawn from the fabulous Ashmolean and Bodleian collections, has been skilfully and eruditely curated

  • Who would want to join this shower?

    To Doreen Lawrence — indefatigable campaigner for justice following the murder of her son Stephen — has gone the honour of a seat in the House of Lords. But is it really such an honour to join the shabby institution that is our Upper House? The

  • The Cherwell Boathouse

    The Cherwell Boathouse Bardwell Road, Oxford OX2 6ST 01865 552746 cherwellboathouse.co.uk According to Mr Greedy’s latest temperature app it was 28 degrees in our bedroom at midnight on Tuesday. It was hotter than a chilli- eating competition

  • Highlights for week beginning August 8

    Open-air theatre THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS Mapledurham House, near Reading Wednesday, August 14 Call 0871 2200 260 or visit seetickets.com Bring seating and then sit back and enjoy this classic English tale, an animated retelling of Kenneth Grahame

  • Didcot Town 0 Oxford United 3

    TYRONE Marsh struck twice to give Oxford United's development side a comfortable victory at Didcot Town. Triallist Dylan McGlade scored the visitors' other goal and only smart saves from goalkeeper Gareth Tucker and his replacement Kieran Beesley

  • Young people bring classic musical to stage

    MORE than 40 youngsters are taking part in this year’s show by a charity dedicated to helping young people enjoy the theatre for free. RicNic is this year staging Guys and Dolls and began rehearsals at Oxford & Cherwell Valley College on Monday

  • Michael Duberry Column

    LAST Saturday, I was happy to see and hear of five of my ex’s doing well. I’m not talking about my former lovers, but my former teams, five of whom won on the opening day of the season. Oxford, Wycombe, Reading, Leeds and Bournemouth all had

  • Keeping a quiet corner of Oxford green and thriving

    FOR 25 years they have been quietly transforming their corner of Oxford. What was once an unloved plot of land has become a thriving, bustling home for foxes, bird, butterflies and more. The Oxford Urban Wildlife Group (OUWG) has toasted a

  • Cowley Classic Car Show will be the biggest yet

    THOUSANDS of motor enthusiasts are expected at this year’s Cowley Classic Car Show which is set to be the biggest to date. In a bid to celebrate the centenary year of William Morris car-making in Oxford, The Rotary Club of Oxford Isis is showcasing

  • CRICKET: Deanna Stamps her authority over rivals

    A number of under 13 youngsters made their mark at the higher level as Oxfordshire under 15 girls beat Leicestershire by four wickets at Barrow Town in their Group 2 encounter. Having won the toss Oxfordshire elected to field. Deanna Stamp,

  • Pie venue licence bid

    A premises licence for Oxford’s Pie Emporium has been submitted to Oxford City Council. It has applied to sell ‘high-quality food’ at the Golden Cross Walk site, between 7am-11pm, with accompanying music. It also wants to sell alcohol between

  • Restored windmill may soon be ready to set sail once more

    IT HAS dominated the countryside between two South Oxfordshire villages for the past 250 years. But after decades of deterioration and neglect, the stone tower of Great Haseley windmill is being fully restored to its original working order as one

  • CRICKET: Sophie's on a winner

    Sophie Mitchelmore captured five wickets as Oxon under 13 girls defeated Notts by 11 runs. Mitchelmore has developed the handy knack of both taking a wicket in her first over, and removing the opposition’s most dangerous batter. She did both

  • CRICKET: Meadon takes the honours in last-gasp victory

    A thrilling one-wicket victory off the final ball of an absorbing game put the seal on a brilliant tussle against Berkshire as Oxon under 16 boys maintained their 100 per cent record this season at Stonesfield. Chasing down Berkshire’s total of

  • CRICKET: Bowlers do the business

    A superb bowling display led Oxfordshire under 13s to a 59-run victory over Worcestershire at East & West Hendred. Oxfordshire posted 148-7 from their 40 overs, led by Felix Byam-Shaw, who hit 53 not out. In reply, Worcestershire were never

  • CRICKET: Duo run riot

    Oxon under 14s posted a massive 168-run victory in their ECB County Cup clash with Herefordshire at Great & Little Tew. Batting first in a match reduced to 36 overs per side, Oxon rattled up a formidable 236 as Jonty Robinson hit 56 and Tom

  • Four bailed again over robbery

    Four men suspected of robbing a man in East Oxford have been bailed again by police. The suspects, aged 19, 21, 24 and 25, were arrested after a 32-year-old man suffered a broken jaw and had his mobile phone stolen in the Union Street attack on

  • Lap-dancing club gets leave to appeal

    OXFORD’s only lapdancing club is heading for court again. The High Court had backed Oxford City Council’s decision to refuse The Lodge Gentleman’s Club in Oxpens Road a new licence, forcing the venue to close in June. But owner Al Thompson

  • Arctic convoys veteran gets his medal at last

    MORE than seven decades after he risked his life to defeat the enemy, Arctic convoy veteran Stan Cooper has been honoured by the Government. The 91-year-old has been presented with the new Arctic Star medal in recognition of his role helping the

  • BOWLS: Results round-up

    OXFORD & DISTRICT LEAGUE (Sponsored by Yarnton Nurseries) Division 1 Oxford City and County A 67 (1), Banbury Central A 85 (5) (City and County skips first): C Earl 16, W Campion 25; A Ley 14, J Tee 25; R Gaskins 18, M Andrew 10; M

  • CRICKET: Didcot's hopes are dented

    Divisions 6-10 DIDCOT 2nd’s promotion hopes suffered a major blow with a 103-run defeat at home to rivals Brackley in Division 6. Brackley made 190-6, with Michael Cartwright hitting 71 not out and Michael Lowe 43. Rob Keat took 4-39 for

  • CRICKET: Ayris shines in cup final

    Johnny Ayris starred with bat and ball as Hanborough 2nd thrashed Minster Lovell 3rd by 137 runs to clinch the Keith Crump Centenary Cup at Westcott. Batting first, Hanborough made 216 all out, Sam Walker top-scoring on 69 and Ayris chipping in

  • BOWLS: Oxon prove too strong for Middlesex

    Oxfordshire recorded only their second Home Counties League success of the season, with a convincing 132-99 win against second-placed Middlesex at Kidlington BC. Victories on four of the six rinks gave Oxon a 33-shot winning margin in a fine all-round

  • Pensioner died after surgery, inquest told

    Pensioner Ronald Woodwards died after surgery to deal with injuries sustained in a fall, an inquest heard. The 73-year-old was admitted to hospital on April 23 after falling over twice on the same day, once at the home of a friend and again on

  • Two hurt in car smash near Little Milton

    A teenager and a man were taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital Hospital after a crash near Little Milton. A boy in his mid-teens received a head injury and a man in his 40s suffered a leg injury in the two-vehicle collision at 6.15pm on Monday.

  • People need to dig deep to save supermarket from the axe

    THE People’s Supermarket, which has around 600 members, could close because of cash problems. The Cowley Road co-operative needs to raise £20,000 by October to stay open after a decrease in footfall and sales meant it had to raise extra funds to

  • BOWLS: Brilliant Benfield lifts Longford Cup

    JOHN Benfield produced a sensational finish to win Oxfordshire’s Longford Cup on finals day at Shiplake BC. The Chadlington bowler was in all sorts of trouble when he trailed City & County’s Terry Gripe 16-12 after 17 ends of their clash.

  • Veteran gets his Arctic Star medal after a 70-year delay

    MORE than seven decades after he risked his life to defeat the enemy, Arctic convoy veteran Stan Cooper has been honoured by the Government. The 91-year-old has been presented with the new Arctic Star medal in recognition of his role helping the

  • BOWLS: O'Shea leads from the front

    OXFORDSHIRE eased to a 131-94 victory over Hertfordshire in their friendly match at Henley-on-Thames BC. In a game in which Oxfordshire were never seriously challenged, they won the game by four rinks to two. The highlight of the match came

  • Row as college expansion bid is unveiled in summer

    RESIDENTS have criticised an Oxford college for submitting its development proposals in the middle of summer. St Cross College wants to construct more than 50 student bedrooms, a lecture theatre and a library at its St Giles site. But the building

  • CRICKET: Busby and Sheehan too good

    Division 5 OXFORD 3rd bowlers Andrew Busby (5-7) and Mark Sheehan (5-31) were too good for Challow & Childrey 2nd, who were all out for 103. Richard Hales’s 67 prevented complete capitulation. Adam Hall then hit 43 in Oxford’s 105-2

  • CRICKET: Harper's 6-9 sends Charlbury crashing

    Charlie Harper claimed superb figures of 6-9 from 9.3 overs to help leaders Westbury to a 120-run victory at home to Charlbury in Division 1. Westbury had posted 192-8, Graham Judd top-scoring with 74, before Harper’s haul and Sam Stoop’s 4-22

  • Rare toolbox stolen

    Burglars stole property including a rare tool box after breaking in to a garage on the Oakfield Industrial Estate in Eynsham. A vehicle ramp, computers, gas canisters, tools and an air conditioning machine were also stolen between 10.15pm on Saturday

  • BOWLS: Hagbourne's quartet reach nationals

    FOUR Hagbourne bowlers will be competing in next week’s National Championships after landing their county title. John Beardsley, Ron Moore, John Heapy and Paul Ryman captured the Berkshire fours championship on finals day at Reading. They beat

  • BOWLS: Women’s pairs in double disappointment

    OXFORDSHIRE’S two pairs suffered late agony in the Women’s National Championships which are being held at Leamington Spa. Donna Knight and Kathy Hawes as well as Sheila Hessey and Gill Lambourne were both neck-and-neck in their first round matches

  • AUNT SALLY: Lyon's roar is silenced

    Neil Lyon was in top form clanging off 15 dolls (4-6-5) for Three Pigeons – but it was all in vain as they lost their top-flight clash 2-1 at Cricketers B, writes ANDY BEAL. The opening leg was tied 25-25 with Pigeons winning it on three sticks

  • COMMENT: Use it or lose it

    THE People’s Supermarket is a worthy enterprise and it will be disappointing if it fails in the Cowley Road because it was going to succeed anywhere, it would be East Oxford. But it is similar to so many other community businesses like pubs, post

  • CRICKET: Launder puts Downs back in the picture

    Division 3 OXFORD Downs 2nd are back in the promotion picture thanks to Simon Launder, who took 6-54 to set up a home win over Dinton 2nd. The visitors were bowled out for 209, Najam Rehman hitting 45 and Dan Ripley 33. Ian Caunce (61) and

  • CRICKET: Swindells slays Wallingford

    Division 4 DAN Swindells hit a magnificent 172 not out to help Witney Mills rack up 252-6 from only 47 overs at home to Wallingford. Pete Claridge chipped in with 33 as only Warren Ainsworth (3-43) did much to stop the onslaught. Pierre

  • AUNT SALLY RESULTS

    OXFORD & DISTRICT LEAGUE Premier/Section 1: Vikings Sports B 3, Garsington Sports A 0; Red Lion A Eynsham 1, Six Bells C Kidlington 2; New Club A 2, Red Lion B Eynsham 1; Gladiators A 3, Ampleforth Arms A 0; Cricketers B 2, Three Pigeons 1.

  • It really is a bit of a giggle knitting and telling yarns

    THE TREND for knitting and crochet has taken off in North Oxford, with nimble fingered visitors packing out the Oxford Yarn Store every Wednesday. The knit club meets today between 10am and noon to practise techniques under the guidance of shop

  • FOOTBALL: City halted by Chesham

    FRIENDLY OXFORD City saw their unbeaten run in pre-season ended by a 3-1 defeat at Chesham United last night. City fell behind on 36 minutes when Drew Roberts converted Steve Wales’s cross. Chris Dillon made it 2-0 on 77 minutes with a

  • Clock would have been more practical

    It is with utter disbelief that I read recently that Didcot is to get an £85,000 art work to be displayed at the Orchard Centre. I believe I read in about 2008 that the town planners rejected an offer to provide a clock by the Rotary Club which

  • It is the feelings of the drivers that really count

    I expected some adverse comment on my letter on Shores Green but I did not expect to escape so lightly from recent correspondents. However, my argument is that for the purposes of assessing what joining the A40 will be like, it is perfectly reasonable

  • Why should taxpayers pay for these cables?

    I WAS surprised to see Councillor Arash Fatemian (August 1) saying Oxfordshire County Council needed to save £25m next year. The day before, Oxfordshire County Council was saying it was going to pay BT £14m for superfast broadband. It is wrong

  • CRICKET: Shahbaz six seals spoils

    Division 1 SHAHBAZ Ali smashed a six off the final ball to earn Horspath a dramatic four-wicket win at Twyford. Horspath boosted their title hopes by being the only one of the top sides to win, but left it very late. Needing seven to win

  • CRICKET: Buckingham docked 30 points

    BUCKINGHAM’S Division 1 title bid suffered a huge blow after being hit with a points deduction. After incidents in their game against Cumnor last season, the club were handed a suspended 30-point deduction and Wayne Platts a four-game suspended

  • CRICKET: Foster's magnificent seven

    Division 2 TIM Foster took 7-11 as Aston Rowant 2nd dismissed Challow & Childrey for only 89 on their way to a ten-wicket win. Chris Leaney (3-18) claimed the other wickets to fall as only Ryan Gordon (33) prevented complete humiliation

  • CRICKET: Pollard's knock is in vain

    MATCH IN FOCUS - Division 2: Abingdon Vale v Ox & Bletch Nondescripts TOM Pollard found the gaps with surgical precision for Abingdon Vale – but it proved to no avail as rain ended their clash at home to Oxford & Bletchingdon Nondescripts

  • CRICKET: Ryan left annoyed at tame draw

    MINOR COUNTIES CHAMPIONSHIP: WESTERN DIVISION OXFORDSHIRE captain Luke Ryan criticised his opposite number as their match with Herefordshire petered out into a draw at Banbury yesterday. Ryan was disappointed with Herefordshire skipper David

  • BOWLS: Title glory for Adderbury

    ADDERBURY are Division 4 champions in their first season. A 6-0 whitewash of Hanborough sealed the title as Adderbury picked up silverware in their maiden campaign in the Oxford & District Bowls League, sponsored by Yarnton Nurseries. Banbury

  • Councillors are finding excuses to delay plan

    As several of your readers have rightly pointed out, if the Inspector had ruled in favour of the Cogges Link Road, it would be under way by now. Because he ruled comprehensively in favour of the Shores Green interchange, disgruntled councillors are

  • BT prices are clear - if you read the fine print

    AS a founder member of Oxford Consumer Group, I was shocked to read that Mr Bob Soden was charged more than £24 by BT to get a phone number from Directory Enquiries. So I had a look at my new slim-line telephone book to find on the cover “Cell

  • Cherwell dragging their feet over bollards issue

    I am writing concerning Kidlington High Street. Yesterday I went to the monthly meeting at the library held by the police called ‘Have Your Say’. I again asked about the policing in the High Street. The PC told me that they have been instructed

  • It's harsh as United crash out

    CHRIS Wilder felt Oxford United were on the receiving end of a harsh scoreline as they were knocked out of the Capital One Cup at The Valley. Simon Church scored twice and there were also goals for Danny Green and Joe Pigott as Championship side

  • Mini sales rise again

    UK sales of the Mini shot up last month, latest figures about the Cowley-produced car show. Statistics produced by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show 3,147 cars were sold in July, a rise of eight per cent on the 2,914 that

  • Downton stars back in Bampton

    VILLAGERS awoke yesterday to find stars from the hit period drama Downton Abbey had returned to film the fourth series. Spotted in Bampton were Lesley Nicol, who plays the cook Beryl Patmore, Jim Carter, in costume for his role as the butler Charles

  • Death crash driver denies 'driving blind'

    A MOTORIST insisted he was not distracted by eating a sandwich when his vehicle struck and killed a cyclist. Paul Brown, 30, told police he “didn’t see” dad Joe Wilkins, 39, when he struck the retained firefighter from behind on the 60mph Eaton

  • Dog goods are stolen

    THIEVES wearing balaclavas made off with dog collars, leads, and flea treatments in a raid at an industrial unit in Faringdon. CCTV cameras were moved by the intruders at Park Road at 11pm on Thursday, police said. PC Chris Linzey, from Faringdon

  • Man, 22, faces drug and driving charges

    A 22-YEAR-OLD man arrested during extra police patrols in Blackbird Leys, Oxford, has been charged. Byron Haines, of Blackburn Close in Headington, was charged with possession of cannabis and driving without insurance and a licence. He was

  • King Alfred puts Wantage on telly

    WANTAGE has backed a bid to examine bones believed to be those of King Alfred. A community group has put in the first bid to test the remains, believed to be those of the Anglo-Saxon king, which were exhumed from a grave at St Bartholomew’s Church

  • CCTV appeal after unprovoked assault

    Police have released CCTV pictures of two people they want to speak to after a 24-year-old man was assaulted outside a pub. The victim was punched in the head outside the Wallingford Arms in The Broadway at 1.15am on Saturday. He fractured his

  • Inquest will hear of town councillor death

    The inquest into the death of former town councillor Penny McDougall, right, is due to take place today. Mrs McDougall died suddenly and unexpectedly on Sunday, April 7, aged 58. She was a mother of two and served on Abingdon Town Council from

  • COMMENT: Co-op needs to learn lessons over nursery report

    THE Co-operative likes to trade on its image of being community-friendly, outside the gang of other High Street corporates where profit is the sole motivator. No nursery should be found by Ofsted, the inspection agency, to be run in the fashion

  • Co-op's Leys nursery gets a damning Ofsted report

    A DAMNING report has revealed a number of serious failings by staff at a nursery who put the children’s safety and welfare at risk. The Ofsted inspection highlighted several concerns about the safeguarding of the 108 children who currently attend

  • Crash drugs charges

    A man has been charged with possession of Class A drugs after a traffic light was knocked over by a car in Abingdon Road. The light at the junction with Old Abingdon Road was struck shortly after midnight on July 15. Police have now charged

  • Son copied father's railway suicide, inquest hears

    A TEENAGER who took his own life by jumping in front of a train near Bicester died four years after his father killed himself the same way. Marcus Rawlings, 19, died instantly when he was hit by a train near Bucknell Road on April 8. His death