Archive

  • Oxford Utd 1, Portsmouth 2

    Oxford Utd 1 (Constable 89), Portsmouth 2 (Agyemang 65, Marquis 82)   JAMES Constable's late strike proved to be just a consolation as Oxford United exited the Johnstone's Paint Trophy at the hands of Portsmouth. The striker's late response

  • Judge releases mobile thief

    A PROLIFIC thief who grabbed a woman’s mobile phone in a coffeeshop has been given a prison sentence, but was then released. Craig Ralphs, of North Way, Headington, committed the crime at about 7.15pm in Costa Coffee, in Queen Street, Oxford, on

  • Scales of justice

    OXFORD MAGISTRATES. Jed Denton, 20, of Underhill Circus, Barton, Oxford, admitted breaching an anti-social behaviour order on September 20 and September 22 in Underhill Circus by congregating in a group of four or more people. He also admitted

  • No place for Foster's Bunker

    Sir – It was comforting that English Heritage should raise itself from its emasculated sickbed to object to the Magnet ‘science discovery centre’ in New Road. The Foster Bunker should have no place in such a sensitive site bordering the castle.

  • Unfortunate timing

    Sir – The recent departures from the Healthwatch Oxfordshire board are unfortunate at a crucial time for this evolving organisation, which we have to acknowledge has had a difficult birth. Each local authority is required to enable a local Healthwatch

  • Lack of heritage cash

    Sir – A recent editorial in The Oxford Times opined that there is never any shortage of money for heritage-related expenditure in Oxfordshire. It is certainly true that major institutions linked to the University of Oxford, such as the Ashmolean

  • Botley concerns

    Sir – Re Botley shopping centre. How disingenuous of councillor Janet Godden (Letters, September 26) to express her concerns, shared by many, about the new proposals for the Botley shopping centre without identifying the real problem here. This

  • Benign Botley image

    Sir – We object to your coverage of the proposal to redevelop Botley shopping centre: is it good journalism to use ‘artists’ impressions’ without specifying that they are commissioned by the developer? An independent artist might offer less benign

  • 'Nightmare vision’

    Sir – In your article of September 26, you describe the proposed West Way development as “a vision for Botley”. In the eyes of local residents, it is less of a vision and more of a nightmare. Accommodation which is currently occupied by permanent

  • More than a game?

    Sir – I was brought up to play all sports and games fairly, never cheat and, whether you win or lose, behave graciously. Sadly, too many of our professional sportsmen don’t live up to these ideals. But when one of our main political parties also

  • Illegal segmentation

    Sir – Palestine’s chance of good healthcare has been diminished by nine decades’ colonialist betrayal and racist displacement, 65 years’ ethnic cleansing, 46 years’ military occupation and illegal settlement, 33 years’ illegal annexation of east Jerusalem

  • In light of MAP advert

    Sir – In the light of your acceptance of an advertisement for Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP), I would like you to bring to your readers’ attention the activities of Save a Child’s Heart (SACH). Save a Child’s Heart (SACH) is an Israeli humanitarian

  • Intolerable barrier

    Sir – Hugo Slim (Letters, September 19) claims our advertisement transposing an army checkpoint and the Israeli security wall on to St Aldates in Oxford is misleading and facile and would only make sense if Oxford were at the heart of a protracted

  • How much for walk?

    Sir – How much does it cost to put on a walk for God’s sake — or anybody else’s sake. The Council of Faiths say £1,000 and want Oxford’s council tax payers to fund it, otherwise: “We will have to go into our own pockets to ensure the walk goes

  • Powerful case made

    Sir – How important is power, influence and money in the planning process? I applied for permission to carry out urgent repairs on the roof of my small cottage, now overshadowed by the grotesque new museum in Woodstock. The sympathetic materials

  • Backside of Westgate

    Sir – I live in the St Ebbe’s area and welcome the plans to improve our area through the new Westgate Centre and related improvements along Oxpens Road. The latter will double the local resident population and, alongside an extension to the railway

  • Bonn Square concerns

    Sir – Councillor Hollick has voiced legitimate concerns regarding the commercial use of Bonn Square (Report, September 26). Once again the history of an amenity provided for the citizens of Oxford seems to have passed from memory. Bonn Square occupies

  • ‘It’s about PE as well’

    Sir – It is not only a matter of preventing fast food outlets opening near schools, (Report, September 26) and improving the diets of school pupils, another subtle change has taken place with sports provision over recent decades. Schools are now

  • No secret to anyone

    Sir – RAF Croughton and RAF Barford St John are, as the name implies, British, not American bases (Letters, September 26) and having existed for more than 75 years, no secret to anyone. All countries with the capability, monitor satellite communications

  • Coals from London

    Sir – It would be good if your reporter Damian Fantato (News analysis, page 10, September 19) knew which way the Thames flows. Coal was not “shipped down the River Thames” from London to Oxford, but up. David Bradnack, Oxford

  • Rare tablet shows depth of Bicester's long history

    PEOPLE in Bicester have been given a glimpse of the past. A history and archaeology exhibition was staged at the Methodist Church Hall in Sheep Street. Among the items on show were a Roman tombstone, artefacts excavated during a recent archaeological

  • From pints to pensioners as care home plan is revealed

    A CARE home could be built on the site of a closed Bicester pub, raising concerns about the effect on traffic and parking. London’s Liborate Limited wants to flatten the Centurion pub for a new care home for dementia patients. The pub has 50

  • Arty students get creative with glass

    SCHOOL pupils made this beautiful ‘stained glass window’ entirely out of fishing line. The three-colour artwork, called Earth, Fire, Water, now hangs proudly in the window of the North Wall Arts Centre in Summertown, Oxford. The centre commissioned

  • Whole array of talent stuffed into art show

    A GROUP of mature art students have opened a show at the Oxfordshire Museum, in Woodstock. The eight members of the Stuff Collective have work on display at the Brewhouse backroom until October 20. They met on an art and design course at Abingdon

  • Totally terrible attraction takes visitors to a dark place

    THERE will be spooky goings on in the Oxford Castle Quarter during the attraction’s Ghost Fest season. Events include scary tours, murder mystery evenings and after dark dinners at the visitor favourite in the city. The newest addition to Ghost

  • RESULTS: Oct 5-6

    OXFORDSHIRE INVITATION YOUTH LEAGUE Under 16 KO Cup 1st round: Abingdon Youth 2, Bardwell Youth 11; Chalgrove Cavaliers 0, Carterton 4; Charlbury Tn v Wroxton Spts pp; Childrey Yth 0, Abingdon Utd 4; Cholsey Bluebirds 2, Horspath Yth 3; Deddington

  • RESULTS: Oct 5

    SHAW GIBBS OXFORDSHIRE FOURSOMES LEAGUE Section 1: The Oxfordshire 3, Frilford Heath 0. Section 2: Witney Lakes 0, Feldon Valley 3. Section 3: Chiltern Forest 3, Hadden Hill 0. KO Cup semi-final: Drayton Park 1, Chiltern Forest 2.

  • RESULTS: Oct 5-6

    OXFORD MAIL GIRLS LEAGUE Under 11: Carterton Tn 1, Summertown Stars 2; Rotherfield Utd 6, Kidlington 1; Stonesfield Strikers 3, Tower Hill Vixens 1; Wantage Girls 0, Oxford City 9. Under 12: Crowmarsh 2, Wantage 1; Kid-lington Harriers 4, Carterton

  • A return by a popular icon

    THE appearance of P J Proby at the New Theatre, Oxford, next Sunday brings back memories of earlier shows featuring the veteran American singer. He is taking part in the 50th anniversary ‘Sixties Gold’ tour which promises to transport audiences

  • Charity’s parting gift

    IT WAS a charity supported by thousands of Oxfordshire factory workers. Many will recall having a penny deducted from their weekly pay packets to supply vital equipment to local hospitals. Since 1964, thanks to them and other wellwishers, the

  • the changing face of Watlington

    Picture 1 Wellwishers who provided cash for a rehabilitation unit and new surgeries at Watlington Cottage Hospital had a chance to see what their money had bought. The hospital held an open afternoon in 1983 for people to see the £50,000 conversion

  • RESULTS: Oct 5

    ENGLISH NATIONAL LEAGUE South Div 2: London Haringey Racers 1, Oxford City Stars 4.

  • FOOTBALL: Super Kidlington knocked Reading off top

    Tom Castle scored the winner as Kidlington knocked morning Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division leaders Reading Town off the top with a shock 1-0 victory away from home on Saturday. Castle struck in the second half with a terrific 30-yard

  • FOOTBALL: Didcot can't hang on as Cirencester grab replay

    Didcot Town have to do it all over tomorrow night after Saturday’s FA Trophy preliminary-round clash at the Draycott Engineering Loop Meadow Stadium ended in a 1-1 draw. With 13 minutes left and leading through a Lance Williams goal, Didcot looked

  • Mailbag, October 7

    Remembering not so fair Trevor VAL Faulkner says she had a fleeting romance with Trevor Tuckwell, a member of the famous Oxford haulage firm (Memory Lane, September 9). She had only a vague recollection of him, but remembers his fair hair.

  • the man from 'Uncle'

    IT WAS party time at the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Oxford as young patients tucked into pop, cakes and sweets. The party in the gymnasium in 1981 was organised by Uncles and Aunts, a group of workers at Nuffield Press at Cowley, who had been

  • A return to Victorian times

    JOHN Hampden School at Thame transformed itself into a Victorian institution, complete with rows of bench desks, oil lamps and the cane, to celebrate its 150th anniversary in 1987. Pupils and staff went to school in Victorian costume and the day

  • Meet the real Dad’s Army

    THESE smartly-dressed members of the Home Guard protected one Oxfordshire village during the Second World War. We’re not sure which village, but it was probably Culham or Clifton Hampden, near Abingdon. The picture belonged to Jack Smith, who

  • Feast in store for bookworms

    BOOKWORMS can support a charity which helps youngsters in Oxfordshire schools learn to read. Blackwell’s in Oxford is helping local reading charity Bookfeast with in-store fundraising throughout October. The store’s events and marketing volunteer

  • RESULTS: Oct 6

    CRITCHLEYS UTV LEAGUE Premier Div: Blacks Head Bletchingdon 2, Zubry Oxford 6. Div 1: AFC Valley 2, Railway Wheatley 1; Freeland Yeoman 9, Tree Grove 1; Sporting Headington Academicals 0, Rutherford 1. Div 2: Black Swan 5, White Horse Abingdon

  • School play is a rip-roaring success

    PENSIONERS enjoyed a night out with a smile, thanks to George Bernard Shaw and pupils at John Mason School, Abingdon. A specially invited audience of senior citizens saw a preview of Shaw’s comedy, Androcles and the Lion, in 1984. The young

  • The last days of the emporium

    WEBBERS was a household name in Oxford for more than 60 years. Shoppers flocked to the popular High Street store – in front of the Covered Market – to buy the latest clothes, perfume, furniture, carpets, bedding and curtains. Webbers’ roots

  • Bands on the run

    MUSICAL sisters Beatrix and Cynthia Channon, pictured right, were among 40 young musicians who formed the Oxford Schools’ Wind Band. They were preparing to take part in a concert at Oxford School in Glanville Road, East Oxford, in 1969 in aid of

  • United's opener

    ARTHUR Turner who, as manager, led Oxford United into the Football League, took an end-of-season break from the Manor Ground at Headington to open the Osler Hospital fete in 1962. Judging by the overcoats, it wasn’t a particularly good summer’s

  • Last of the great defenders....

    A CASUALTY is carefully brought out of a wrecked building by dedicated rescue workers. This was not a real emergency, but an exercise to test the effectiveness of Civil Defence volunteers. The Civil Defence Corps was set up to take pressure

  • Heartfelt sculptures mark college’s 750th anniversary

    TWO light sculptures showing a divided heart have lit up Oxford’s skyline. When seen from the right angle, the two halves unite to form a whole. The artwork, called 1263, has been devised to celebrate the 750th anniversary of one of Oxford

  • Chippy Lit appoints a new chairman

    Chipping Norton's literary festival has become a registered charity. The festival, which is now in its third year, also has a new chairman of the board of trustees, Martin Neild. Mr Neild was the chief executive of UK publishing giant Hodder

  • RESULTS: October 5

    UHLSPORT HELLENIC LEAGUE Premier Div: Abingdon Tn 1, Bracknell Tn 1; Highmoor Ibis 1, Wantage Tn 2; Reading Tn 0, Kidlington 1; Shrivenham 1, Ascot Utd 4; Thame Utd 4, Abingdon Utd 2; Wootton Bassett Tn 0, Oxford City Nomads 1. Div 1 West:

  • Hundreds lose power

    About 1,400 people were left in the dark after a power cut in the city centre on Saturday night. An underground cable fault shut off power to parts of Osney and Jericho at around 8.40pm. By 9.10pm power was back on for 977 people, and the problem

  • Michaelmas returns

    Thousands are expected to pour into Abingdon today to enjoy what is thought to be Europe’s oldest street fair. Abingdon’s Michaelmas fair runs today and tomorrow from noon to 10pm, filling the entire length of Ock Street. Last year’s fair brought

  • Star of Crimewatch joins in advice event

    Crimewatch TV presenter Nick Ross, pictured, visited Bicester to hand out some crime-fighting tips. The BBC reporter visited Sheep Street on Saturday afternoon to join officers handing out advice to shoppers on how to prevent burglaries.

  • Skate park is ‘ruined’ by profane graffiti vandals

    A £380,000 skate park in Oxford that took volunteers 12 years to create has been hit by graffiti vandals. They spray-painted a penis riding a skateboard, three other phallic symbols and the word “war” at the Meadow Lane Skate Park in Iffley on

  • Social club divides opinion with plan to bulldoze hall

    A STRUGGLING social club in West Oxford could bulldoze its hall and replace it with homes in order to stay in business. The West Oxford Democrats Club on Osney Island has applied to Oxford City Council for planning permission to replace the hall

  • Unearthing the history of relics found in garden

    WHO knew that there was a Bronze Age settlement in Littlemore? Certainly not 10-year-old Amy Goodspeed, who accidentally dug up a 3,000-year-old flint core in her garden. A Bronze Age man used the two-inch long core to chip tiny blades from

  • Out with the pews as churches modernise

    CHURCHES around Oxfordshire are transforming into 21st century “community hubs” in an effort to involve a wider section of the community. Taking out pews and installing kitchens and bathrooms are among works being carried out to offer community

  • FOOTBALL: Debutant doubles up in Banbury win

    Debutant Dominic Lawless scored twice on his debut as Banbury came from behind to move back up to sixth place in the Calor League Premier Division table. Totton went in front in the 12th minute, Ryan Hill scoring direct from a free-kick from a

  • RUGBY UNION: Burnell is delighted by Exiles' elevation

    London Welsh head coach Justin Burnell was pleased to see his side disappear back down the M1 with the four points, but won’t be carried away by seeing the Exiles top the table after their 32-27 victory over Rotherham Titans. The Exiles had to

  • RUGBY UNION: Welsh overcome their toughest test at Titans

    Justin Burnell’s prediction that Rotherham would be London Welsh’s toughest test so far proved only too accurate, but a powerful final quarter was enough to see the Exiles go top of the table with a 32-27 win. Putting their 100 per cent records

  • Oxford United supporters' webchat

    Good morning and welcome to our weekly look at all-things Oxford United. There's plenty to talk about, as always, from Saturday's defeat to Southend, United's home form in general and what is the best approach for tomorrow night's JPT tie with

  • Hospital chief plans to take the flu jab

    Sir Jonathan Michael, chief executive of Oxford University Hospitals Trust, is launching this flu season’s vaccination campaign by getting the jab himself. Sir Jonathan will be getting vaccinated at the John Radcliffe Hospital at 2pm on Thursday

  • Taking great strides to help fight against heart disease

    TV stars came out to support runners from across the globe at the third annual half marathon in aid of British Heart Foundation. Four thousand runners joined the half-marathon, 10k race and 2k fun run yesterday in the grounds of Blenheim Palace

  • Kitchen catches fire

    A woman and three children escaped a kitchen fire at a house in Blackbird Leys. Firefighters arrived at the blaze in Green Hill at 7.20pm on Saturday and found heavy smoke inside the house. Watch manager Paul Riley said the occupant had immediately

  • Workers to assemble

    Workers who are concerned about health and welfare cuts are being invited to join the Oxford People’s Assembly. The group aims to oppose public service cuts and support fairer wages. The group is holding a day of workshops at Oxford Brookes

  • University challenge

    Oxford University hopefuls from the UK are facing stiffer competition from foreign students after a rise in overseas applications. Overseas applications jumped by 60 per cent, from 3,378 to 5,409, between 2008 ans last year. Most universities say

  • Making connections

    Passengers were able to ride on trains between the village and Princes Risborough on Saturday for the first time in 57 years. Henley MP John Howell greeted the first train to arrive at Chinnor station at 10.25am after it passed over a new connecting

  • Play time transformed

    Play equipment costing about £42,000, including swings, monkey bars and a seesaw, has been officially launched at a play park. The Friends of Aristotle Lane Recreation Grounds, in North Oxford, spent four years raising £9,000 towards the equipment

  • £5.5m centre to study arthritis treatments

    Millions of older people with joint pain are set to be helped by a new research centre in Oxford. Oxford University’s £5.5m Arthritis Research UK Centre for Osteoarthritis Pathogenesis will bring together the highest concentration of osteoarthritis

  • In pink to raise funds for fight against cancer

    A PARADE of pink cars launched Witney’s annual Pink Day to raise about £6,500 for breast cancer research. Hundreds of pink balloons and decorations adorned shop windows in the town centre on Saturday to fundraise for Abingdon charity Against Breast

  • Protests prompt U-turn on opening councillors' post

    A COUNCIL policy on opening councillors’ mail unless it is marked private has been scrapped following complaints. City council Liberal Democrat group leader Jean Fooks complained after finding that all post not marked “private and confidential”

  • Link aid to freedom of religion

    MAY I, through your column, register my deep concerns at the continuing brutal persecution of Christians in certain parts of the world and the increasing marginalisation of Christians in our own country. Only two weeks ago, in Peshawar, Pakistan

  • Decisions seem based on who has the cash

    HOW important is power, influence and money in the planning process? I applied for permission to carry out urgent repairs on the roof of my small cottage, now overshadowed by the grotesque new museum in Woodstock. The sympathetic materials

  • Man About Town: If in doubt it is perhaps best to be prepared

    THERE is a wonderful scene in the romantic comedy Roxanne – a 1980s film starring Steve Martin, which puts a smart, modern day spin on the story of Cyrano de Bergerac. In it, handsome fireman Chris McConnell is every woman’s dream, but when confronted

  • FOOTBALL: Cook and Basham strike to lift City off bottom

    Experienced strikers Jamie Cook and Steve Basham each struck within a minute of each other to give Oxford City their first league win of the season in a 2-1 success against Stalybridge Celtic. Greg Wilkinson hit back for the visitors before half-time

  • Plan to protect trees

    An environmental charity is launching a scheme to preserve the country’s trees. The Earth Trust, based at Little Wittenham near Didcot, will join the Future Trees Trust and Forest Research in launching the project to improve broadleaf trees on

  • YOURS FAITHFULLY: Hiding reality will not achieve peace

    RECENTLY there were reports that the Ministry of Defence was considering whether to downplay the ceremonies for the repatriation of those who have died in war. This hasn't become policy but raises issues that disturb many people. Here in Carterton

  • Science centre should have no place next to Oxford Castle

    IT WAS comforting that English Heritage should raise itself from its emasculated sickbed to object to the Magnet ‘science discovery centre’ in New Road, Oxford. The Foster Bunker should have no place in such a sensitive site bordering the castle

  • Chance to make difference to health and care services

    THE recent departures from the Healthwatch Oxfordshire board are unfortunate at a crucial time for this evolving organisation, which we have to acknowledge has had a difficult birth. Each local authority is required to enable a local Healthwatch

  • Good news that 20mph limit is being enforced

    I READ with interest the leader on October 1 concerning the 20mph limit in parts of Oxford. I am also pleased that finally the police are able to enforce this as it was farcical that signs were up with no legal backing. It is also worth noting

  • Less airtime for those without all the facts

    HOW I agree with those who assert that individuals rejecting the claims of an overwhelming body of experts regarding recent exceptional climate change and the considerable human factor believed to be involved, should receive far less airtime. Apart

  • Clarke wants Oxford United players to stay upbeat

    RYAN Clarke urged Oxford United to shrug off any criticism from the stands and stay upbeat after a 2-0 defeat to Southend United. The goalkeeper had little chance with either of the visitors’ goals in the opening 30 minutes, which sealed back-to-back

  • Poor home form is baffling, admits Rose

    DANNY Rose admitted Oxford United’s home form was baffling after their struggles at the Kassam Stadium continued with a 2-0 defeat to Southend United. First-half goals from Conor Clifford and Luke Prosser put the visitors in charge. Although

  • Fuel leak closes road

    Firefighters cordoned off a car park, right, and closed a road after a van started leaking diesel. Two fire engines were called at 11am on Saturday to a white transit van parked next to the Oatlands Road recreation ground in Ferry Hinksey Road,

  • Stars show support for Russian captives

    Celebrities including Jude Law have joined a protest to free Greenpeace activists charged with piracy by Russia, which include a West Oxfordshire campaigner. Phil Ball, from Chipping Norton, was part of a 30-strong crew on a ship belonging to the

  • Bake-off winners have their cake and eat it

    THERE were 23 Victoria sponges, 15 movie-themed celebration cakes and more than 300 cupcakes at the second annual Oxford Bake Off. More than 150 people shaked, baked and presented their prized creations to a panel of top judges, including Raymond

  • Schools 'are failing to teach religious studies properly'

    SCHOOL lessons are failing to teach Christianity properly, the Bishop of Oxford and Ofsted inspectors warned yesterday. More than half of pupils in UK state schools are not being taught Religious Education properly, a report published by Ofsted

  • Police mix up petrol and diesel 21 times

    POLICE have put the wrong kind of fuel into their vehicles 21 times over the past three years, new figures show. The figures, obtained by the Oxford Mail through a Freedom of Information request, show that over the past three years, Thames Valley

  • Wilder: It was too easy for Southend

    CHRIS Wilder was bitterly disappointed with the manner of the goals Oxford United conceded as they lost for the second successive home game. Southend United struck twice in the opening half hour, but both goals were self-inflicted. Conor Clifford

  • COMMENT: Police still need help to trace other child abusers

    WHILE it is expected that failings by Thames Valley Police (and Oxfordshire County Council) are likely to emerge in the serious case review over the Bullfinch child sex exploitation scandal, we must keep in mind those blunders are detached from the

  • 'Hunt for child sex abusers is far from over'

    THE hunt for child sex abusers in Oxford targeted by Operation Bullfinch is far from over, the detective leading the investigation has said. The sex grooming inquiry was launched in 2011 and after an 18-week trial at the Old Bailey this year seven

  • Slow traffic on M40 after breakdown

    TRAFFIC on the M40 southbound was affected by a broken down lorry between junction 10 at Brackley and junction nine at Bicester this morning at around 7.30am. A 40mph speed limit was imposed and the vehicle left on the hard shoulder.