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20th February 2014    22nd February 2014

  • Group is going bananas over Fairtrade event

    A BICESTER group will mark Fairtrade Fortnight by getting people to make a smoothie using the power of a bicycle. Bicester Fairtrade will set up in Sainsbury’s, Pioneer Square, on Saturday, March 1, offering people a chance to make a banana smoothie

  • Apple peel swirl sculpture unfurls orchard roots

    A SCULPTURE based on an apple peel is to be installed at a shopping centre in Didcot after being redesigned over health and safety fears. The Swirl will go into the Orchard Centre next month after winning planning permission from South Oxfordshire

  • Folk star second in radio awards

    CROPREDY folk artist Will Pound has narrowly missed out on a win at the Radio 2 Folk Awards. He had been nominated in the Musician of the Year category but was beaten to first by Aidan O’Rourke from Scotland. Mr Pound is a harmonica player

  • Students fly the flag in support of gay month

    STUDENTS have been holding a colourful protest after their college refused to publicly support a month dedicated to celebrating gay culture. Brasenose College decided not to fly a rainbow flag at all during February – the month put aside to celebrate

  • One hundred years of care for our children

    WHEN the Bishop of Oxford paid £100 to fund a support worker for Oxford, he would hardly have expected what his gesture would lead to. His desire to create an organisation which would provide guidance and protection for young children led to what

  • Four collisions on the A34 cause delays

    FOUR separate accidents have caused delays on the A34 northbound. Three of them were between the Peartree Interchange and Weston-on-the-Green and all there were blocking different lanes.  The fourth was north of the Wolvercote viaduct at 3.15pm

  • Man armed with a knife demands money from post office staff

    A MAN armed with a knife demanded money from staff at Headington Post Office just after midday today.  Police were called to the London Road premises following reports of an attempted armed robbery. A spokesman said staff refused to hand over

  • Police clarify procedures on mental health

    THAMES Valley Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Anthony Stansfeld has backed a national agreement setting out how mental health patients should be treated. The Department of Health published the Mental Health Concordat on Tuesday and it has now

  • Pub ready for weekend of beers and cheers

    A selection of unusual ales will be on sale at the King’s Head and Bell’s fifth annual charity Winter Beer Festival. The Abingdon pub, which is also celebrating its fifth year since opening, will donate 10p from every pint this weekend to Action

  • Residents' £2m savings benefit

    RESIDENTS across the Vale of White Horse are set to benefit from £2m of savings made by the council. Vale of White Horse District Council announced on Wednesday it made £2m of savings in this financial year so far. The council passed their

  • Cancer centre dream will be a reality

    TWO women’s vision of a place where cancer patients and their families can be supported in Bicester is set to become a reality. Mechelle Harris and Rebecca Fletcher met by chance in a shop and found they had a shared dream. Now after six-months

  • Upmarket family hatchback is lighter than its Peugeot namesake

    JUST when you thought the family hatchback could not get any more sophisticated and upmarket, someone comes along to prove you wrong. This time the company raising its game is Peugeot with the 308, which while sporting the same name as its predecessor

  • Raised fears

    The timetable may have changed, but there can be no doubting that months of disruption lay ahead for the county’s motorists when bridge rebuilding work gets under way. Sadly, future misery for drivers is just about the only certainty that we

  • No promises

      Politicians from Oxfordshire travelled to Downing Street yesterday to set out the case for the Western Conveyance Channel. The talks — attended by deputy county council leader Rodney Rose, Oxford City Council leader Bob Price and the two Oxford

  • Unattractive back view

    Sir – In your piece (Concerns lead to changes to Westgate plans, January 30), you report that the new plans include “more window displays and entrances to the shops — creating a so-called ‘more active frontage’ according to the developer.” Most

  • North Oxford lights 'misguided'

    Sir – It is encouraging to see (Report, January 30) that the county is to receive investment to deal with congestion, particularly around the A44, A40 and A34. Less encouraging is that this is, no doubt, with a view to pushing ahead with the unpopular

  • Road to ruin

    Sir — In your January 30 edition, we learnt of a £1.2bn investment in Oxfordshire’s infrastructure. In the list of improvements, there was no mention of the A420 London Road in Headington. This is one of Oxford’s busiest but most neglected, arterial

  • Ponies are fine

    Sir – I write with reference to the ponies on Port Meadow. As owner of two of the horses, I will hopefully allay the fears of concerned Oxford residents as regards their welfare. All ponies on the meadow are owned and checked on at least once daily

  • Overcrowded area

    Sir – I read (Report, January 23) that the Planning Minister had said that the city and county councils should be “profoundly ashamed of the design” of the Castle Mill student blocks. I think if he had seen the Wavy Gate development for students

  • Buildings not eyesores

    Sir – In response to the letter ‘Change is Coming’ (February 6), Mr Dukes has missed the point. No one, as far as I am aware, has denied that the two office blocks at the West Way centre appear abandoned and semi-derelict or denied the West Way

  • Really good deal?

    Sir – There is much to cheer in the recent announcement [of the City Deal] praised in your editorial (January 30). But the downside cannot be overlooked. First, this initiative appears to have been drafted, discussed and agreed in a secretive and

  • Swift to act

    Sir – Your obituary appreciations of Tony Stockford and Bill Baker (January 30) remind us of two long-serving local Oxford and Oxfordshire politicians who respectively devoted themselves to the everyday needs and essentials of those they represented

  • Watch out for rats

    Sir – A cautionary tale for residents of Grandpont with downstairs lavatories. On several mornings over the last week or so, I noticed a damp lavatory seat with water splashes on the surrounding floor in the downstairs bathroom. I thought it

  • Ox socks raise smiles

    Sir – I was delighted to see the ox at Oxford station gained some snugly knitted legwarmers last week. Sadly, they disappeared within a couple of days. A pity, as they were obviously bringing smiles to people’s faces and we can do with more smiles

  • Sensitivity needed

    Sir – It seems that my support for the Magnet has been misunderstood by Dr Cheke (Letters, February 6). I did not express hatred for the guardians of Oxford’s heritage but only wished them to be more sensitive to our scientific culture. I have

  • Despair on platform 1

    Sir – The conversation that Dominic Utton refers to in his article (February 6) sounds very familiar. While he and my dad “Bob” like to sit in silence on the train to London, avoiding any contact with fellow commuters, I must be one of the few

  • Appalling incident

    Sir – Following on from Henley Town Council’s extraordinary meeting this week which addressed the disgraceful comments of UKIP councillor David Silvester. The real lesson to be learned from this appalling incident is that people should ensure they

  • Top officers not affected

    Sir – I read that Oxfordshire County Council is considering posting a web page encouraging the voluntary payment of additional council tax with some incredulity. It’s not that long ago that Oxfordshire County Council increased the pay of certain

  • Pastiche architecture

    Sir – It was only after reading that the Museum of Natural History is to reopen that I realised I hadn’t been affected by its closure — due to the number of dinosaurs in your letters page. Why do so many people want to stop change in Oxford, however

  • Paltry little clasp

    Sir – The recent obituary articles in national newspapers about Group Captain Ronnie Churcher noted that he was deputy controller to Wing Commander Guy Gibson VC, both flying Mosquitoes, in a raid on München Gladbach and nearby Rheydt on the night

  • Life's big questions

    Sir – Oxford’s Sunday [secular/atheist] Assembly organisers readily admit the superficial similarities between their Sunday morning meetings and the churches. But now, according to an article (January 30) (You can discuss life’s big questions down

  • Butterfly numbers are on the up

    FARMLAND butterflies flourished in last year’s summer sunshine, bouncing back after their population fell during the washout of 2012, according to a recent survey. Research was conducted for the Wider Countryside Butterfly Survey, run by Butterfly

  • Update: A34 fatal crash will be referred to the IPCC

    THAMES Valley Police will be referring this morning’s crash on the A34 to the Independent Police Complaints Commission. Police officers were called to the southbound carriageway of the A34 at 3am after reports that a dead badger was causing an

  • Channel is not the most cost effective or quickest

    JOHN Tanner’s recent letter reveals that he is only really concerned about flood prevention if it brings the Labour Party political advantage. He carefully phrased his motion about the need for a flood conveyance channel such that it blamed the

  • I think it is time that we had a referendum

    I AM very concerned about the integrity of our Members of Parliament when they defeat a motion to free us from Europe’s corrupt influence. What have they to hide or (more likely) to lose? I also think it is time to cease the House of Lords.

  • Inside Oxford - Help for homeless

    Alison Boulton digs beneath the city's dreaming spires During the recent wuthering winds, and face-lashing rainstorms, I’ve peered through the window and decided to stay put. Others are not so lucky. They don’t have a roof to shelter under.

  • Inside Oxford - 'I don't know how Cameron does it'

    Alison Boulton digs beneath the city's dreaming spires A while back, I went for a walk on New Year’s Day with my family, friends and cousins. We strolled through newly opened footpaths in Cornbury Park, Charlbury, and stopped at a crossroads when

  • The Good Life - Discovering the wisest sheep

    Journalist and part-time shepard Tim Metcalfe on an interesting scheme Farmers are always being encouraged to diversify in order to make a living but a farmer working a Scottish Lowland hill farm at Lochdhu, on the west coast of Scotland, has come

  • Oxford Savvy - Not now darling, we need to tweet

    Last week was Valentine’s Day – you may have missed it, subtle as it is – and to mark the occasion, William and Catherine (you know the ones) won the accolade of most romantic couple. The award was the result of a survey conducted by those virtuosos

  • In front of the box - Doubtful times for heroes and compliments

    Ilove a back-handed compliment: I think good ones are almost an art form. You know the kinda thing: “you don’t sweat much for a fat lass”. A favourite from my mother during one of many teenage self-absorbed angsts was: “you’ve got nice skin… in

  • On The Cusp - Brotherly love is wearing thin

    Sara Bailey is sharp, smart and sixteen... The fridge, once bursting at its metallic seams, now holds only a withering cauliflower. The bathroom – once a scented candle haven – is now littered with hair gel and all things male. It only means one

  • Oh baby, look at you! My first 4D scan

    Baby’s first photo has come a long way thanks to advances in technology. Jaine Blackman finds out more at an Oxfordshire clinic and talks to pregnant mum Katrina Thornton about her first 4D scan Pregnant mums who can’t wait to see if baby has her

  • Still waiting for aid to come to us for flooding

    I WATCH the Al-Jazeera programme Station TV. I am still waiting for the ‘poor’ countries that have received aid from the UK to announce they are sending aid to the UK due to the flooding in Somerset. I fear I will wait in vain. Charity only

  • There are more positives to free movement of people than not

    THE damage to Britain and particularly to Oxford, if the free movement of people in the EU was abandoned has been highlighted in a report by retired senior diplomats and civil servants. At its simplest, free movement allows lorry drivers to take

  • This week's top 5 lifestyle stories

    The top features, interviews and columns from this week's Friday Life   Baby’s first photo has come a long way thanks to advances in technology. Jaine Blackman finds out more at an Oxfordshire clinic and talks to pregnant mum Katrina Thornton

  • Stay at home Dad - Lunchboxes serve up food for thought

    You may have seen the story in the news last week of the Berkshire boy who was expelled from school for having Mini Cheddars in his lunchbox. It sounds somewhat draconian but apparently was the final straw after relations between the school and

  • Oxford Savvy - I want to hold on to my heartaches

    Rebecca Moore ponders the ethics of a cure for love and wonders why people feel the need to tell the world about their romances About a decade ago I was lying face-down in a starfish position on the floor of my bedroom, heartbroken. I’d just

  • The Whole Tooth - Stressful, pricey but so much fun

    February half term family ski trips: there should be an Olympic category for families that manage to make it to the slopes, fully kitted out without wanting to kill each other. This year, for the first time in years, all UK half term holidays are the

  • Fashionista: Old favourite wins by a neck

    Outlandish hair. Ridiculously impractical heels. Oh-so-many iPads. Once again, this past week has seen the return of the biannual craze that is London Fashion Week. On Fleet Street, a gaggle of grey-clad lawyers and financiers trudge to their offices

  • Off with the gloves - Drop of cheer amid the rain

    Rain, rain and more rain! Thousands of column inches and broadcast hours have already been dedicated to the deluge and terrible flooding we have had in Oxfordshire as well as the rest of the country. So I have decided not to dwell on it here, but

  • I hope the French do not assume we are all like my mum

    My delightfully eccentric mother never ceases to amaze me with her exploits. My mobile phone vibrated in my pocket just as I was making some important family decisions in the supermarket… Chicken or fish? Mmm! “Katharine” my mother’s voice resounded

  • Don’t miss out on our next Think Week event

    OVER the past months, students from both Oxford universities have been collaborating with local Humanists and Oxford’s ‘Sea of Faith’ in putting together yet another Think Week and we’re sure that your more perspicacious readers will want to know more

  • Approving such a plan is unbelievable to me

    IMAGINE, if you will, a municipal government of a supposedly civilised western community that employs a planning department that would have the gross audacity to advocate such a development as Oxford University’s Castle Mill project in Roger Dudman

  • Artcafe - 10% off

    10% off 14 New Rd, City Centre, Oxford, OX1 1LT Tel: 01865 242464 Website: artcafeoxford.instantwebapp.co.uk

  • There’s one big fellowship of people’s fury: potholes

    What unites cyclists, pedestrians and people who drive cars, buses and HGVs? Oxfordshire roads have turned all these groups into one large fellowship of fury. How? The answer is simple – potholes. The main road into Oxford, the London Road in Headington

  • Trio tune in to TV adventure

    THIS is what it feels like when your TV looks back at you. These young thespians are putting on a play about kids who go on an adventure inside their television. The musical, Hoppers, has been written by David Shorten of Sunningwell, near Abingdon

  • Concerns over the number of students attending A&E

    A “WORRYING” number of students are visiting the John Radcliffe Hospital’s under-pressure A&E department, a major study has found. Researchers said a “surprisingly large” number of 317 Oxford University students surveyed, about 14 per cent,

  • Disappointing that oath words have changed...

    A YOUNG chum of mine – she’s seven – recently joined the Brownies. When I called round she was busy learning the Brownies’/Guides’ oath ready for her investiture – if that’s the right word. I was surprised and a little disappointed to hear that

  • Lewis: Promotion race should excite Oxford United

    ANYONE feeling tense about what the next few weeks hold for Oxford United would be well served by sitting down for a chat with Mickey Lewis. The caretaker manager has been in the game so long that just two of United’s first-team squad were born

  • Police lift cordon after reports of suspicious package

    AN area of Oxford was cordoned off this morning in the city centre after reports of a suspicious package. Tape was put up at Wellington Square at the end of St John's Street off Beaumont Street in the city centre.  Thames Valley Police was

  • Constable seeking repeat treble

    James Constable is hoping lightning can strike twice as the Oxford United striker eyes a place in the history books at Morecambe tomorrow. The 29-year-old scored his 105th goal for the club in Tuesday night’s 3-2 defeat at Newport County. He

  • Yellow Army to change Oxford United supporters' bar name

    THE supporters' bar at the Kassam Stadium will be renamed as part of new plans by the Yellow Army. Since the start of the season the area in the South Stand has been known as the 12th Man Bar. It was overseen by all the supporter groups which

  • Roll-out of NHS data sharing proposals blasted by GP

    AN OXFORD GP who said he will defy NHS plans to collect patient data has said the proposal’s six-month delay will not change public feeling. Dr Gordon Gancz, King Edward Street Surgery GP, said a lack of communication had angered people about proposals

  • Comment: Molly looks set to be on winning team

    THREE-YEAR-OLD Cocker spaniel Molly’s nose for detecting trouble has led to her being shortlisted for a prestigious Crufts award. The pooch has been trained to be able to tell when her diabetic owner, Steven Courtney, 11, is experiencing a change

  • Trio held on suspicion of having hard drugs

    THREE people were arrested yesterday after drugs police raided a west Oxford home and newsagents. A house in Henry Road and the Supa Sava shop in Botley Road were searched by officers with a warrant under the Misuse of Drugs Act shortly before

  • Sniffer dog with difference has good nose for diabetes

    AN “amazing” dog who acts as a vital health alert system for her young owner has been nominated for a prestigious Crufts award. Three-year-old Cocker Spaniel Molly, known in the competition as Molls, is one of five finalists in the Friends for

  • Rose joy as Bevans seizes his Oxford United opportunity

    DANNY Rose has praised the professional attitude of young right back Matt Bevans. Bevans, 20, only made his Sky Bet League Two debut six games ago when he came on as substitute in Oxford United’s goalless draw against Exeter City on January 28.

  • Dinosaur comes to life at Natural History Museum

    OXFORD’S Museum of Natural History had some unusual visitors yesterday as prehistoric artefacts came to life. Half-term visitors were surprised by dinosaurs that were roaming the museum – with the help of Erth Dinosaur Zoo. But it was not the

  • RUGBY UNION: Quins skipper to miss trip to Swindon

    Oxford Harlequins will be without skipper Luke Brown as they continue their march towards the South West I East title, with a short trip to Swindon tomorrow. Brown, a schoolmaster, is on a skiing trip, so Allan Purchase will lead the side, who

  • Fire after power fault on industrial estate

    An electrical fault caused a blaze that saw 25 firefighters attend the Osney Mead industrial estate on Monday. The small fire broke out at the Oxford University research lab and about 40 students and academics were evacuated from the Southwell

  • FIXTURES: February 22-26

    Saturday FOOTBALL SKY BET LEAGUE TWO Morecambe v Oxford Utd. SKRILL NORTH Barrow v Oxford City. CALOR LEAGUE Premier Div: Banbury Utd v Chesham Utd. Div 1 South & West: Bridgwater Tn v North Leigh, Didcot Tn v Taunton

  • TENNIS: Ridge makes grade in hard-fought final

    Harrison Ridge showed the form that has taken him to No 9 age group ranking in United Kingdom by winning the LTA Grade 3 tournament at Bisham Abbey. The reigning Oxfordshire under 14 champion, from Henley, found it tough going in the final against

  • FOOTBALL: Peace's backing Scott to banish Barrow memory

    Oxford City’s assistant manager Stuart Peace is backing goalkeeper Mark Scott to face up to the challenge when they travel to Barrow in Skrill North tomorrow. When the sides met earlier this month, the visitors snatched a 1-0 win at Marsh Lane

  • Lewis keen for banned Newey to maintain same approach

    Mickey Lewis admits losing Tom Newey to suspension is a blow, but the Oxford United caretaker manager has no problems with the full back’s approach. Newey will miss tomorrow’s trip to Morecambe in Sky Bet League Two and the game at Rochdale next

  • ‘Expert’ thieves con OAP to steal £2,500 from coat

    TWO “callous” thieves distracted an elderly man by saying he had bird droppings on his shoulder before pinching £2,500 from his coat pocket. The criminals had squirted sauce on the 86-year-old as part of a ploy to get to his cash. Police believe

  • Young writer unveils box of delights in first novel

    MANY 10-year-old boys spend their spare time playing video games but Nadir El-Hosny prefers to write adventure novels. The Rose Hill Primary School pupil has made his first foray into the literary world with Ancient Hunters: The Lost Treasure,

  • Teenager charged following alleged New Year's Day assault

    An 18-year-old has been charged by police after a man suffered cuts to his face in a New Year’s Day assault. James Watt, of Cotswold Crescent, Chipping Norton, has been charged with assault, possession of an offensive weapon and criminal damage

  • Bishops urge action over welfare reforms

    THE Bishop of Oxford, the Rt Rev John Pritchard, is one of 27 bishops who have signed an open letter condemning the Government’s “punitive” welfare reforms which they say have forced people into food and fuel poverty. In an open letter to mark

  • Local objections fail to halt development

    A CONTROVERSIAL development on the edge of Wallingford has been granted outline planning permission. The development, by not-for-profit company CABI, includes a 64-bed care home, 49 extra care flats, 56 retirement flats, a community centre, and

  • Friday February 21

    11:09am 11:05am 11:05am ‘Don't put other places at risk just to protect Oxford from flooding’ Sniffer dog with

  • Northern Gateway on course for 2016 start

    A PUBLIC consultation has started on plans for a major development in North Oxford. Oxford City Council wants to develop the ‘Northern Gateway’ in Wolvercote and is seeking views on what it should look like. The 100-acre site would have 200

  • Second man charged over the death of Connor Tremble

    A SECOND man will appear in court today charged over the death of teenager Connor Tremble. Police said last night they had charged Grant Clemens, 23, with assisting an offender. Clemens, of Stockwells, Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire, will

  • Two injured in crash

    TWO people were taken to hospital after a Land Rover went into a hedge on the A415 yesterday. The accident, which also involved a grey Citroen C5, happened shortly before 1.50pm on the road near Ducklington. Police, fire and ambulance personnel

  • FOOTBALL: Stein has no fears over Chesham re-match

    Banbury United manager Edwin Stein says his team have the chance to put matters right when they host Chesham United tomorrow – two weeks after an 8-0 crushing at the Calor League Premier Division’s second-placed side. Stein said it was an ideal

  • Supermarket chain signs 20-year lease

    MORRISONS has taken out a 20-year lease on its site in Cowley Road, Oxford. The supermarket chain, which opened the convenience store in December, will pay £70,000 a year for the site at 381 Cowley Road. Savills let the 5,130sq ft premises

  • Former prisoner accused of telling ‘wicked lie’

    A FORMER prisoner was yesterday accused of telling a “wicked lie” about four prison guards accused of covering up his alleged assault. Jamie Cassell was accused at Oxford Crown Court of creating the story to speed up his removal to another prison

  • Sinkhole could be first of many thanks to the floods

    A FOUR-metre-wide sink hole has opened up in South Oxfordshire. The chasm at Nettlebed is thought to have been caused by centuries-old abandoned chalk mines beneath it collapsing, due to the high volume of water going into the ground through flooding

  • FOOTBALL: Kidlington pair miss out on visit of Brimscombe

    Kidlington are without Tom Boxer (unavailable) and Ben Fitzmartin (injured) when they host Brimscombe & Thrupp aiming to make it six games unbeaten in tomorrow’s Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division encounter. Headington Amateurs miss

  • Child ‘sexting’ sentence will not be reduced

    A MAN who was jailed after a mum found sexually explicit text messages on her young daughter’s phone, has failed to convince judges his sentence was too harsh. Matthew Meyer, now 20, was imprisoned for 12 months at Oxford Crown Court in December

  • Student’s family caught up in violence in Ukraine

    AN Oxford student from Ukraine has told of her horror after her family were attacked in protests in her homeland. Olena Seminog, 30, said her father Oleksandr and younger brother Yuri were beaten with metal batons and wooden sticks on Tuesday evening

  • Edward Snowden in Oxford Union video-link to honour leaker

    A FORMER US Army private who leaked top secret documents has been praised by the Oxford Union after picking up an award. Chelsea Manning, formerly known as Bradley Manning, was awarded, in her absence, this year’s Sam Adams Prize for integrity

  • Farmer fears new homes will worsen flooding

    A FARMER has criticised planned development in Bicester and warned it could cause flooding in the future. Brian Franklin, of Moorlands Farm, Murcott, says, with more than 6,000 homes lined up for Bicester, as well as business parks and a park and

  • Playing games all day can help good cause + video

    THIS weekend, a special needs charity has called on the nation to pull up its favourite comfy chair, get the snacks ready and play games for 24 hours. Charlbury’s SpecialEffect wants as many people as possible to join its sponsored Gameblast marathon

  • Battle to preserve a sacred corner of war remembrance

    THE economist and broadcaster Peter Jay has expressed concern about plans to build next door to the historic Oxford cemetery where his war hero great-uncle is commemorated. Mr Jay has close family ties with Holywell Cemetery, near Magdalen Deer