BOTLEY: An informal group for over 50s set up by Age UK Oxfordshire has added a new activity to its meetings. People are welcome to meet every Wednesday morning at 10.30am at Cafe Aloha in The Square, Westway Shopping Centre for free tea and coffee
OXFORD: Healthy volunteers are needed to help Oxford University’s work in developing vaccines against major global diseases. The university is seeking people aged 18 to 55 to help with clinical trials of vaccines in development. To find out
THOUSANDS of Rwandans could be helped to see using adjustable glasses conceived and developed in Oxford. Charity Vision For A Nation has been given £250,000 by the UK’s Department for International Development to spend on the project. The charity
ABINGDON: Abbey Gardens in Abingdon has won a Green Flag award for the fifth year in a row. The national award, given by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, recognises the best maintained green spaces with the best facilities.
WANTAGE: A group campaigning for sustainable housing development in Wantage and Grove needs help raising funds. The Wantage And Grove Campaign Group (WAGCG) is holding a fundraising garden party on August 18 at Ardington House, and has asked for volunteers
OXFORD: Thousands of people are expected to descend on central Oxford for the annual St Giles Fair on September 9 and 10. The fair dates back to 1625 when it was a parish festival to celebrate the feast of the patron saint, St Giles. St Giles
A MAP of Oxfordshire has given residents and business leaders a first look at the future of broadband provision in the county. But the decision to provide a private company with taxpayers’ money in a climate of cuts has divided opinion across Oxfordshire
ON Saturday, I made my debut for Hendon in a 4-0 win over Thamesmead. It was the ninth debut of my professional career and to my surprise, only the second time I had won. My record of two wins and seven losses is ridiculous – even more so because
A MAGICAL woodland took over an Oxford booksthop for a special children’s event. As part of the summer holiday programme at Barefoot Books in Banbury Road, Summertown, city-based puppeteer Emma Boor, of Wild Boor Ideas, brought along some of her
IN response to William Field (August 9, ‘Proper toilet facilities needed at St Giles’s Fair), I would like to point out that Oxford City Council provides toilets at the event. There will be additional toilets in Pusey Street and Beaumont Street, including
Foreign aid is a topical subject, probably worth well over £20 billion annually if you include that swallowed up by the EU. We can only save the EU portion by leaving the EU itself and none of the three old parties will do that. In the past
The Oxford planners, in their wisdom, refused an application by Premier Inns for a hotel at the southern end of Abingdon Road because it only had 45 parking places. It had already given permission for Tynedale house on the Cowley Road to be converted
May I suggest that our beautiful Corn Exchange, above, should be utilised in the same way as the very similar hall in Newbury Market Square? Both are in a prime position in the centre of the town. The Newbury one has a busy, thriving bistro/cafe
PASSING the John Allen centre yesterday, I was dismayed to see the old Grove Cranes fascia has gone. I seem to remember it was listed, and that B&Q were not permitted to remove it, although they did in fact move it slightly from its original
YOUR recent article, ‘Criticism of college expansion proposal’ (August 8) suggests that a deadline for residents to comment on a planned expansion to St Cross College gives them inadequate time to respond. In fact this is just a deadline for the
JOHN Tanner should get his head out of the clouds and face reality; Oxford would be far ‘Cleaner and Greener’ if the buses were cleaned up and reduced in number. His ‘pie in the sky’ electric car proposals are a diversion away from the immediate
WE’RE not smokers and can’t stand cigarettes but let us say this: whoever came up with the idea of smoking shelters at our hospitals deserves a pat on the back, not a barrage of abuse. At least there is someone with common sense. The previous policy
A TOWN council’s check of as many as 6,000 grave sites to ensure memorials are safe and not in danger of falling on visitors needs to carried out “sensitively”. Witney Town Council will next month begin the long process of assessing headstones
FOR just two hours people in Bicester got to live the dream by sitting in a Formula One racing car. The Marussia F1 show car was parked outside the Sue Ryder Charity shop, Sheep Street, to give its fundraising a boost by £1,300. More than 50
THE motorcyclist killed in Begbroke on Saturday has been named as Oxford Brookes University student Andrés Naveda. The 23-year-old motorsport technology student, of Park Street, Bladon, died when his motorbike left the A44 at the Begbroke roundabout
FOUR STARS By the interval in Marcia Kash and Doug Hughes’s fitfully funny 1992 comedy Who’s Under Where? — about two women trying to pull off a coup involving their underwear business — I had a pretty clear idea of how things were going to pan
OXFORD City Council has reassured traders in an East Oxford street that a planned road closure will not affect their business. The city council has been given a traffic order to close the whole of Magdalen Road for 10 days to allow work to be carried
WHEN people think of packing a good book for the summer holidays, they usually have in mind one that can easily fit into a suitcase. But despite its size, Diana Bell’s giant book, standing at 2.2 metres high, is off on its own travels. Three
A KNIFE-WIELDING robber stole the takings from the Loch Fyne restaurant in Jericho. The attacker threatened his 32-year-old victim when he was taking the money along King Street on Monday at about 2.30pm. The victim handed over the takings
THREE thieves took a “significant” amount of cash after breaking into a cash machine at the Ozone Leisure Complex in Greater Leys, Oxford. The machine outside Frankie & Benny’s was damaged and the money taken between 2am and 3.30am on Monday
KIDLINGTON: The death of a 92-year-old widower who died following falls at home and in hospital was an accident, an inquest has concluded. Former managing director Ronald Hunt, of Laburnum Crescent, was admitted to Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital
BUILDINGS that were once the base of photography pioneer Henry Taunt could be brought back into use as flats. Berkeley Homes wants to convert the empty buildings on the corner of Cowley Road and Reliance Way into 16 flats. But concerns have
THAME: A thief has drilled off locks on a vehicle to take power tools from inside. The vehicle was parked in Tythrop Way when it was targeted between 11am and noon on Monday. Call police on 101 with information.
FOR most of his life 65-year-old John Corble has been communicating with others using sign language and writing. But the grandfather, who is both mute and deaf, has not let it get in the way of being able to help others. Mr Corble has been sprucing
FAMILIES were taught ancient fire-lighting techniques in a bid to spark their interest in the great outdoors. Manse Ahmad, 46, from Eaton near Cumnor, who runs a firm called Wilderness Pioneers to introduce people to outdoor life and survival skills
A GRIEVING father has been given a restraining order to stop him contacting a man who was with his son when he died of a heroin overdose. Robin Hussey’s 20-year-old son, Leon, died on New Year’s Day, 2010, at the family’s home in Stratton Way,
FORMER Oxford Mail reporter, freelance journalist and motorcyclist Colin Fenton has died, aged 76. Mr Fenton, originally from Headington, had been living on the Isle of Man for the last 10 years, home of his beloved Manx Grand Prix. He grew
Horspath pulled off a remarkable run chase against Great Brickhill for the second time this season to maintain their lead at the top of the Cherwell League. They chalked up 257 to win by seven wickets when the sides met in June, and on Saturday
SAM Evans smashed a sublime 119 not out to lead Chipping Norton 2nd to a seven-wicket victory in the final of the Osberton Radiators Cup at Minster Lovell on Sunday. On an excellent batting track, Ducklington had amassed a formidable 233-7 from
WILL Woodley hit a half-century as Oxfordshire pulled off a 14-run victory over Essex Under 10s. Ruben Barksfield and Dan Rowley got Oxfordshire off to a slow start, before a solid partnership between Barksfield and Will Woodley. Barksfield
OXON Under 14s slipped to a two-wicket defeat, despite a spirited fightback in their ECB County Cup clash away to Staffordshire. They had been bowled out for only 111, but made the hosts work hard for the victory, taking eight wickets before Staffordshire
A YOUNG mother was found hanged in her bathroom after failing to show up for work, an inquest heard yesterday. Sarahlee Shaw, of Audley House, Buckingham Road, Bicester, was found dead at home by concerned colleague Hayley Greer on February 26.
ALEX Davies’s maiden county ton and Jason Cardy’s best bowling figures led Oxfordshire Under 17s to an 84-run win over Huntingdonshire and a place in the ECB Cup semi-finals. Skipper Andrew Tolson had no hesitation in opting to bat first at Bicester
Divisions 4-6 DIVISION 4 leaders Eynsham hammered Hailey by ten wickets to close in on the title. Sam Jones was the star, taking 5-29 in Hailey’s 70 all out, before hitting 61 not out as Eynsham raced to victory. Hailey 1pt, Eynsham 30
OXFORD: A 48-year-old man has admitted breaching his antisocial behaviour order (Asbo) after being found drunk in Cowley Road on Sunday. Stuart Gallagher, of Pike Terrace, was charged with breaching the order, imposed by magistrates in 2011, which
WIDER cycle lanes, improved road layouts and a shake-up of key junctions have been proposed to make a busy part of Oxford more cycle-friendly. Oxfordshire County Council wants to make roads around St Clement’s, Magdalen Bridge and the top of Cowley
OXFORDSHIRE Under 15s ended their season with a 58-run victory over Worcestershire. A good batting display after winning the toss saw Oxon reach 169-4. The innings was built around a 99-run partnership between Emily Ong and Rowan White.
Divisions 7-10 AARON Huish smashed the highest score of the day (183) as Tetsworth 2nd amassed a huge 388-3 at Swinbrook 2nd. Hamid Abdul (83) and Richard Williams (66no) put Swinbrook to the sword, before Nigel Huish claimed 6-22 as Swinbrook
A 41-year-old man who drank two litres of vodka a day following a cancer diagnosis died from alcohol poisoning, an inquest heard. Stuart Carroll was found dead at his home in Whimbrel Close, Bicester, on June 5 by his wife Sarah. The inquest
A SHOP in Wolvercote was robbed at knife-point yesterday afternoon. Police, including the force’s helicopter, were called to The Post Box, in Godstow Road, at 1.19pm. A spokeswoman said a man holding a large knife had demanded money from the
An 87-year-old grandmother died after a cigarette started a blaze in her living room, an inquest heard yesterday. Anne Pickett, of St Hughs Close, Banbury, died on February 26 after she fell asleep in her armchair and dropped a cigarette, which
A PUB left as an “eyesore” after a fire four years ago has finally been demolished. Tesco bought the former Fox and Hounds pub in Abingdon Road in 2008. It was gutted by fire a year later and was the subject of controversy, with some residents
Oxfordshire won on all six rinks to cruise to a 146-79 success over City & County of Bristol in a friendly at Ardagh BC, Bristol. Oxfordshire Vice Presidents also enjoyed a resounding victory with a 126-78 win over Middlesex Vice Presidents
Banbury Central’s Carole Galletly, Stella Amos and Caroline Campion shone to claim runners-up spot in the National Triples Championship at Royal Leamington Spa. Their bid for glory only came unstuck with an 18-9 defeat by Kathleen Bowe, Eleanor
Banbury Central A clinched their first Division 1 title in the Oxford & District League, sponsored by Yarnton Nurseries, for four years with a 5-1 home win over Witney Mills. Despite a scare on two rinks at 19 ends, Central emerged 89-72 winners
STEVE Greenough has joined an exclusive club after achieving the sport’s ultimate goal – an 18-doll maximum. He became only the 15th player in theOxford & District League’s 74-year history to pull off the feat. It capped a memorable day
Divisions 1-3 WESTBURY and Shrivenham are locked head-to-head at the top of Division 1 after both posted convincing victories on Saturday. Westbury cruised to a seven-wicket success at Oxenford and a 17 point advantage. Charlie Harper claimed
MORE than 200 supporters took the chance to get up close and personal with Oxford United’s squad yesterday. The U’s held an open training session for season ticket holders at their Roman Way base. A two-hour workout was followed by a question
OXFORD & DISTRICT LEAGUE (Sponsored by Yarnton Nurseries) Division 1 Banbury Central A 89 (5pts), Witney Mills 72 (1) (Banbury Central skips first): I Whelpton 24, M East 21; M Andrew 21, J Mott 19; W Campion 16, R Barnett 20; J Tee
OXFORD: Three cameras were stolen by a burglar who broke in to a Headington home. It happened in Quarry Road on Saturday between 9am and 9.30pm. Police asked witnesses to call 101.
Oxfordshire Ladies suffered an agonising 40-37 defeat by Durham in the Walker Cup national double rink final at Royal Leamington Spa. Caroline Campion’s four of Sue Mayo, Sue Lacey and Donna Knight came out on top 21-19 in a tight encounter with
Twelve teams will battle it out in the Thame Triples finals on Sunday. Play is due to start at 9.45am, with the final scheduled for around 5.30pm.
A Banbury Borough team went down 20-19 to a Suffolk side in the National Fours Championship second round at Worthing. Mark Sykes’s side of Geoff Gray, George Moon and Greg Moon were pipped by Felixstowe and Suffolk’s John Rednall, Mark Addison,
YES: Abingdon Hydro committee member Peter Wiblin. Hydro-power is the greenest energy you are ever likely to find. It has been around for thousands of years if you think of the hanging gardens of Babylon and watermills. It is not new. It
Sir – I was surprised to see Oxfordshire County Council saying it needed to save £25m next year, when the day before, the council was saying it was going to pay BT £14m to install superfast broadband in rural areas (last week’s Gazette). It is
DISGRUNTLED travellers say they are still waiting for refunds after flights they had paid for were cancelled. Passengers claim they have been left out of pocket after booking fares with Minoan Air from Oxford Airport in Kidlington despite some
A crash involving a tanker partially blocked Oxford Road, Abingdon, yesterday afternoon. The accident happened at about 3pm near the Boundary House pub. Police helped direct traffic around the scene which was cleared by 4pm.
A man charged with threatening his former girlfriend with a power drill told police he was going to use it to steal car number plates, a jury heard. Andrew Richardson, of The Phelps, Kidlington, denies one count of false imprisonment at Oxford
THIS man’s prized classic car has been given the Queen’s stamp of approval. Abingdon resident John Watson’s 1964 MGB, which was made in the town, is one of 10 classic cars featured in a new Royal Mail stamp collection which went on sale yesterday
OXFORD’S Hannah England said she was glad to make the 1,500m final at the World Athletics Championships in Moscow last night, writes STUART WEIR. The Oxford City star and 2011 world silver medallist qualified for tomorrow’s showdown (6.20pm) after
AN INVESTIGATION has been launched after police, paramedics and firefighters were sent to the wrong location in what was described as ‘an unacceptable error’. The emergency services were called on Monday at 5.25pm after a man’s body was found in
A driver using a laptop was among those stopped by roads police on Botley Road, Oxford, yesterday morning. The motorist was among 25 drivers to get £60 tickets for motoring offences. Some 18 were not wearing seatbelts and five were using phones
RAIL passengers across Oxfordshire are being hit in the pocket again as an “outrageous” fare increase of 4.1 per cent is announced. Commuters from Oxford to London will have to pay almost £200 more for an annual season ticket when the rise comes
CAN you hear those little sounds? Yes, it is the latest set of pips being squeezed out of hardworking families by private companies with a virtual monopoly on public services. Yesterday commuters found out that once again there will be an inflation-busting
EMERGENCY services are reported to be at the scene of a collision between a bicycle and car in Didcot this morning. Cow Lane is reportedly partially blocked both ways due to the accident in Mersey Way near Didcot Parkway railway station.
STANDARDS went through the roof on a record-breaking night, writes ANDY BEAL. In addition to Steve Greenough’s 18 for Garsington Sports A, an all-time high of 16 players hit a six. Unsurprisingly Garsington came out on top at home to Ampleforth
OXFORD & DISTRICT LEAGUE Premier/Section 1: Vikings Sports B 0, New Club A 3; Three Pigeons 2, Gladiators A 1; Six Bells C Kidlington 2, Red Lion B Eynsham 1; Red Lion A Eynsham 1, Cricketers B 2; Garsington Sports A 2, Ampleforth Arms A 1.
FIREFIGHTER Ben Kelsey is now officially the strongest 161/2 stone man on Earth. The 28-year-old has won his first world title in Kiev, Ukraine, in the 105kg category last month and on Thursday next week is hoping to win the UK’s all-comers title
