Archive

ENGLISH NATIONAL LEAGUE South Div 2: Oxford City Stars 4, London Haringey Racers 5.

THE children of servicemen and women often have to move around the country to different bases. But to help support them at a new school, a dedicated nurture room has opened at Carswell Primary School in Abingdon. Thought to be the first in

A DEVELOPER says wildlife at a new housing estate has “increased significantly” since it started building there. Countryside Properties, which own the Kingsmere site, in Bicester, has created new wildlife habitats that have attracted wading birds

This week Christians will be marking Ash Wednesday, writes the Revd Dr Amanda Bloor, Diocesan Advisor in Women’s Ministry, Diocese of Oxford It’s the day when we begin the season of Lent, which takes us through the 40 weekdays until the celebration

GUESTS fled in their nightclothes when part of the Crown Hotel in Faringdon caught fire. Damage costing tens of thousands of pounds was caused to the 16th-century building when the blaze swept through one wing in November 1973. Four guests

THESE were the players who represented the Lord Napier in Observatory Street, Oxford, in the Licensed Victuallers Darts League in 1966. They are, left to right, R Nickolls, F West, C Room (captain), G Gay, A Reason, V Arnold and B Reason.

THE Co-op often faced opposition when it applied for licences to sell alcohol. Teetotal members felt it went against the spirit of the movement to sell alcohol and constantly objected, while bosses argued that if the organisation was to live up

The village school decided to create a nature reserve and what better way to do it than to recruit dads to carry out the work. Bill Pollock, left, Frank Millgate (with hammer) and John Slade are pictured in action in 1978. The fairy queen

IT IS that time of year to show your skill with the frying pan. With Shrove Tuesday falling tomorrow, those making and tossing pancakes will be out in force across Oxfordshire, as they have done for many years. These pictures was taken on the newly-opened

IT’S a “rollercoaster ride” of excitement and you can get paid thousands of pounds to do it – no wonder everyone’s at it. More and more towns, villages and city boroughs are banding together to take back control of their own neighbourhoods.

THE alarm goes off. I’ve probably been listening to the Today programme for half an hour already. My first instinct these days is to pick up the mobile phone, check it for messages and then I have to stop myself immediately checking Facebook and

ANYONE RECALL HILL END CAMP? IT WAS interesting to see the picture of the women working in the kitchens at Hill End Camp, near Wytham (Memory Lane, February 3). I thought I would send this picture taken at the camp, where I went many times

LONG queues for bread built up outside shops in many parts of Oxfordshire when bakery workers went on strike. There was panic buying in September 1977 as housewives battled to stock up as the supply of loaves dwindled. The Oxford Mail reported

It was fun in the sun as well-known jockeys battled it out over a show-jumping course and crowds flocked to watch the entertainment at Finmere Show in 1988. Events included a display of vintage and veteran vehicles, terrier and lurcher racing and motorcycle

A PRODUCTION of Tooth and Claw, based on the story of St George and the Dragon, was one of the highlights of a village festival at Wheatley. The dragon is pictured with Janet Hartas during the event in 1981. Other attractions included a table

A 32-year-old man has admitted voyeurism after installing a camera in the female changing rooms at Abingdon police station. Christopher Richardson-Blake, formerly of Foxdown Terrace, Wellington, Somerset, pleaded guilty to one count of voyeurism

Sir – On Monday morning last week, I waited for the bus which replaces the train. It arrived 10 minutes late, was far less comfortable and took twice as long as the train, even though it was ‘half-term’ and congestion is much less heavy than usual.

Sir – I note that the local politicians are proposing a flood relief channel around Oxford at the estimated cost of £120m. Does this only deal with a symptom of the problem and worse still, pass the problem downstream to Abingdon, Wallingford Henley

Sir – My wife and I have lived at Cassington for 53 years and have seen the Thames Conservancy, who were first class, with their teams of country lads who knew what to do. Then came the Thames Water Authority, who altered sluices — their architect

Sir – I am very concerned about the relentless building on the floodplain which is still taking place in Oxford. The Oxford Core Strategy Policy states that ‘planning permission will not be granted for any development in the functional floodplain

Sir – Our village, South Hinksey, has already suffered two floods this year, and four others since 2000. This time, to protect us from flooding, the Environment Agency arranged for the building of a temporary barrier around the village. The

Sir – From your recent correspondence columns, there seems to be a small wave of sympathy for the Environment Agency and their work during our recent floods in West Oxford. I do not share that view. They are charged and funded by us, the taxpaying

Sir – There is no single, and certainly no cheap, solution to flooding in the Upper Thames Valley, but the Oxford Western Conveyance — on its own — will simply pass the problem downstream, as has happened so dramatically beyond Maidenhead and Windsor

Sir – Regarding increased tree-planting to absorb water along the Thames: I am sure the recent flooding problems must have been exacerbated by the actions of British Waterways. They embarked on a large tree-felling programme which I became aware

Sir – There is a beautiful large weeping willow tree in Sherwood Place that was damaged during a heavy storm in November. Two large branches were cracked and hanging loose and much debris fell in the road. Nothing was done for weeks. I drew

Sir – Am I alone in my dismay at the neglect of the roads within Oxford and the wider county? Many are major thoroughfares that urgently need major repair or reconstruction. However, what seems obvious to me seems invisible to our elected councilors

Sir – The Oxford City Council questionnaire that has been sent out in relation to the Northern Gateway Scheme is prima facie evidence that the council have made up their minds and are not truly interested in the local community’s views on the matter

Sir – Dr Gordon Gancz right draws attention to the underhand way in which the Government is trying to achieve its aims of collecting data. Through the NHS leaflet Better Information Means Better Care, which could easily be mistaken for junk mail

Sir – Your report (City GP says he will defy NHS on handing over patient information, February 13) on Dr Gordon Gancz’s stand against the Government’s care.data behemoth reminds us, as a family, why Dr Gancz has been and continues to be, the best possible

Sir – With reference to the letter (February 6) from Botley Medical Centre. There has been a surgery at Wootton for over 40 years, the last 30-plus years in a purpose-built facility. If the facility has become unsuitable, this is as a direct result

Sir – I see the letters column has the usual ‘is there or isn’t there a God?’ debate smouldering away. May I humbly suggest that this is a pointless question to ask. I believe this, I believe that, Is there x, or is there y? — who cares? Cockroaches

Two teams of student hikers from Oxford University had to be rescued from mountains in Snowdonia over the weekend. Four men and one woman who were rock climbing had to be led off the Tryfan mountain by the Ogwen Valley mountain rescue team on Saturday

The £400m redevelopment of the Westgate Centre has passed its first hurdle and won the approval of Oxford City Council officers. Officials have said the redevelopment should be supported but it will still need to receive the backing of councillors

WHEN you see chocolate-flavoured hotcross buns, giraffe bread, pizza, garlic bread and cakes in supermarkets they probably began life in Bicester. And this week British Bakels, which makes ingredients for all these products, expanded its business

LAST week we asked you, our readers, to nominate the rudest place names in Oxfordshire and then vote for the most risque. Now, after several days of heated competition, we can announce the winner. And so (drum roll please), the residents of Cockshoot

OXFORD United slipped to their heaviest Sky Bet League Two defeat of the season with a 3-0 setback at Rochdale on Saturday. The result damaged the club's hopes of claiming automatic promotion, with third-placed Rochdale now five points clear of

A THOUSAND hobbyists descended on the Abingdon Model Railway Show on Saturday. The event, in its 38th year, was at White Horse Leisure and Tennis Centre, Audlett Drive. On display was Michael Watts’ model of Salz railway station in the Austrian

I WAS walking through Croft Road Recreation Ground on Sunday, February 9, when I saw some youngsters having a football training session on the field. What surprised me was that they had to bring their own portable goal posts with them – we only

A ROBBER who carried out a “savage” attack on a 15-year-old boy has been handed a 31-month prison sentence. Thomas Alcock, of Pooles Lane, Charlbury, pleaded guilty to carrying out a robbery and possessing cannabis on July 20 last year. Michael

AFTER almost half a century of blowing his how own instrument, trumpet player John Card is sounding his last swingin’ note for a city brass band. The 72-year-old will tonight play his last show with the Harold Elmey Big Band after 49 years with

RECENTLY there seems to be a small wave of sympathy for the Environment Agency and their work during our recent floods in West Oxford. I do not share that view. They are charged and funded by us, the taxpaying public, with flood defence, a task

THERE are a cluster of potholes along the London Road, Wheatley, which have had shoddy repair work done on them many times – if my memory serves me right, I would say that number of times is at least seven. And these same potholes are in need of

ON a recent shopping trip to Witney, I was very impressed by the number of independent shops and coffee houses, the friendliness of staff and above all the free parking. All this makes it a thriving market town – perhaps Oxford should take a leaf

I AM writing regarding increased tree-planting to absorb water along the Thames: I am sure the recent flooding problems must have been exacerbated by the actions of British Waterways. They embarked on a large tree-felling programme which I became

WHEN will the powers that be learn to use their brains? Some years ago, I had an allotment in Binsey Lane, next to the golf range and backing on to Wytham Stream. Once a year, The Thames Conservancy dredged it. The ground use to slope down to the

ON Monday morning last week, I waited for the bus which replaces the train. It arrived 10 minutes late, was far less comfortable and took twice as long as the train, even though it was ‘half-term’ and congestion is much less heavy than usual. Even

IN response to Mr Hutton’s letter (February 26) about serious accidents being caused by speed: in my experience as an emergency ambulance driver for six years, and an advanced driver trainer to the emergency services for three years, and as a RoSPA

People convicted of offences at magistrates' courts in Oxfordshire recently: Jessica Tustain, 21, of Howard Road, Banbury admitted shoplifting cosmetics worth £33.38 from Boots Chemist in Castle Quay, Banbury on January 13. Community order

Dean Court Community Centre is back open for business exactly three years after being destroyed in an arson attack. On Friday, the centre was officially opened for the people of Dean Court, Cumnor, to host activities and run community events. Anna

Oxford City's hopes of avoiding relegation in Skrill North have been hit as a result of their being docked three points for fielding a suspended player. Midfielder Liam Malone played 69 minutes of City’s 2-0 victory at fellow strugglers Worcester

Good morning and welcome to the latest instalment of our Oxford United chats. There’s plenty to chew over this morning in the wake of Saturday’s 3-0 defeat at Rochdale, both on the pitch and off it, with U’s chairman Ian Lenagan talking about the

IT'S not something I normally like to talk about... But at 52, I guess it’s time to be honest, both with you and myself. Since maybe the age of 12, I have suffered from ‘Jerettes’ – a self-serving, self-inflicted behavioural tic that in no way mirrors

IDEAS have been put forward in an attempt to save Chipping Norton’s old police station. Town councillors met to discuss how the historic building could be used in future after the police’s front counter services moved to the West Oxfordshire District

FRIENDS of tragic teenager Leah Graham are helping to keep her fighting spirit alive by raising money for a charity in her name. The first fundraiser for Leah’s Wish will be a weekend of martial arts, knife defence and body combat to raise money for

Mark Heelis predicts great things for Brighton rock duo Royal Blood A victorious Royal Blood exit stage right, the air fizzing with feedback and rapturous applause. Their arms are aloft, saluting the crowd at the end of their 40 minute assault

Oxford City have been informed by the Conference they will be deducted three points for fielding an ineligible player. The club confirmed on their Facebook page it had come about due to "an administration error". It will come as a big blow

IAN Lenagan says he will not allow any immediate concerns over Oxford United’s promotion challenge to interfere with the job of finding the right manager for the long-term. It is five weeks since Chris Wilder left to join Northampton Town, when

TWO councillors are hoping to meet with social services after the death of a teenager in council care. Connor Tremble, 17, right, died last month after he was found stabbed at his flat in Fairacres Road, Oxford on February 13. He had been under

CARING for the most vulnerable has to be one of the highest priorities of the state and society. And the harder the challenge then surely the more thorough the response should be. Days after reporting the death of Bampton’s Mark Wood – who

FEARS over the condition of a dilapidated house were raised more than a year before two reclusive women were found dead inside. Oxford City Council was alerted to the Littlemore home in June 2012 but enquiries stopped when the homeowners – mother

CHINNOR’S Uhlsport Hellenic League Division 1 East home game was abandoned after 27 minutes following an altercation between referee Ian Lowe and an AFC Hinksey player. Lowe had already sent two Hinksey players off when the incident happened.

BRITISH INTER-COUNTIES CHAMPIONSHIP Premier Div: Cheshire 22, Oxfordshire 17.

KINGSTONE PRESS CHAMPIONSHIP 1 Oxford RL 19, London Skolars 12.

GREENE KING IPA CHAMPIONSHIP Ealing Trailfinders 6, London Welsh 39. SSE ENGLISH CLUBS CHAMPIONSHIP National 1: Old Albanians 19, Henley 10. National 2 South: Cambridge 29, Chinnor 13. South West 1 East: Cheltenham 20, Oxford Harlequins

OXON UNDER 16 GIRLS COUNTY CUP  Semi-final: Oxford City 3, Kidlington 1. OXFORD MAIL GIRLS LEAGUE Under 10 Spring League: Summertown Stars Red 4, Kidlington 3; Thame 1, Summertown Stars White 6; Wantage 2, Grove Chall 2. Under 11 League

OXON SAM WATERS SUNDAY CUP Semi-finals: Cropredy 2, Henley Town 0; North Oxford Con Club 3, Freeland Yeoman 3 (aet, North Oxford Con Club won 3-1 on pens). CRITCHLEYS UTV LEAGUE Div 2: Forest Hill 3, Sutton Wands 1; Village Inn 5, Abingdon

MICKEY Lewis defended his team selection after Oxford United suffered their heaviest league defeat for almost a year. The U’s went into the game with the best defensive record in Sky Bet League Two, but conceded three Scott Hogan goals in less

GLORIOUS sunshine marked the launch of a 10-day dance festival in Oxford city centre on Saturday. Dance groups took to Bonn Square from noon for four hours to entertain shoppers and mark the launch of Dancin’ Oxford. The annual festival, in

MORE than 100 representatives met at the weekend to discuss how to protect Oxford from flooding. Councillors met at the Flood Forum at The King’s Centre, Osney Mead, on Saturday. Among items under discussions was plans for a Western Conveyance

SOUTH & WEST COUNTIES YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP Under 18 Mick Parry Cup semi-final: Oxfordshire v Dorset pp. OXFORDSHIRE YOUTH INVITATION LEAGUE Under 16 A League: Milton Utd 0, North Leigh 0; Kidlington 3, Tower Hill 1; Didcot Tn 0, Abingdon

OXFORD MAIL YOUTH LEAGUE Under 10 Spring A: Abingdon Yth Greens 2, Didcot Tn Yth Red 3; Bure Park Jun 2, Oxford City Whites 2; Harwell & Hendred Yth 1, Kennington Ath 0; Summertown Stars Wands 4, Marston Saints 2. B League: Abingdon Tn 0, Crowmarsh

TELEVISION quiz show Mastermind holds auditions in Oxford this week. Residents are invited to auditions at the Old Bank Hotel, High Street, on March 6 and 7. To book email mastermind@bbc.co.uk or tweet @mastermindquiz Applicants must be aged 18

OXFORD East Labour MP Andrew Smith has thanked residents for support for the campaign to save Oxford Stadium. More than 2,500 signatures have been collected opposing plans to demolish the base in Sandy Lane, Blackbird Leys, once home to speedway

UHLSPORT HELLENIC LEAGUE Premier Div: Thame Utd 2, Reading Tn 2. Div 1 West: Clanfield 1, Tuffley Rov 2; Letcombe 1, Lydney Tn 4; Purton 0, Easington Spts 2. Div 1 East: Chinnor v AFC Hinksey (abandoned 27 mins); Didcot Tn Res 2, Milton

Didcot Town scored two goals in the opening 12 minutes and keeper Alex Williams saved a penalty as they notched up their fourth successive away win - 2-0 at Clevedon Town - in Calor League Division 1 South & West on Saturday. The Railwaymen

OXFORD United’s squad are firmly in favour of Mickey Lewis getting the manager’s job full-time, according to Jake Wright. The skipper made his first appearance under the caretaker’s regime on Saturday, five weeks after picking up a knee injury

Two Oxford men will this week appear in court charged with two aggravated burglaries in South Oxfordshire. Trevor Francis, 34, of no fixed address, and Jason Stanmore, 27, of Shepherds Hill, Blackbird Leys, have been charged with two aggravated

A 92-YEAR-OLD woman was rescued from a fire in a sheltered housing flat when a neighbour heard the smoke alarm. An upstairs neighbour at Riverside Gardens, Witney, called Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service after hearing the alarm yesterday at

London Welsh face Moseley, Cornish Pirates, Bedford Blues and London Scottish before the month of March is out – a busy schedule in the Greene King IPA Championship. But on Saturday head coach Justin Burnell was just happy to reflect on a pleasing

Two goals in as many first-half minutes helped North Leigh recover from two goals down to earn a draw 2-2 at home to play-off rivals Shortwood United in Calor League Division 1 South & West on Saturday, writes MATTHEW BRUCE. The Millers, who

Banbury United scored one of the quickest goals ever seen at Spencer Stadium, but still fell to their sixth successive Calor League Premier Division defeat - 4-3 to AFC Totton - on a day of woeful defending. With Dominic Lawless and Scott Bridges

Pupils at Didcot Girls’ School will have a non-uniform day in memory of tragic teen Jayden Parkinson, who died last year. Pupils have been asked to wear purple – the 17-year-old’s favourite colour – on Friday for £1. Cash will go to her family

A WOMAN whose mother died of pancreatic cancer wants the people of Oxfordshire to back a campaign for more cash to be spent researching the condition. Kelley Spacey – whose mum Janet Priest died seven weeks after being diagnosed with the cancer

MICHAEL Raynes admitted he was not ready for the pace of a first-team return as Oxford United’s defence was taken apart by Rochdale. The centre back had missed the previous six games with a hip injury, but made himself available to start at Spotland

A WHEATLEY man won an Oscar at this year's Academy Awards. Sound mixer Niv Adiri was honoured at the 86th Academy Awards in Los Angeles. Mr Adiri, 39, was, along with his three colleagues, awarded the Oscar for best sound mixing on space drama

FORMER Marlow striker Marcus Mealing capped an impressive home debut for Thame United by scoring in the 2-2 Premier Division draw against Reading Town at the ASM Stadium on Saturday. Mealing struck from the penalty spot in the 53rd minute to make

BANBURY’S role in the First World War will be commemorated in a new book and the author is looking for contributions. Written by former journalist Julian Dancer, who worked for the Oxford Mail’s sister paper the Banbury Cake, the book will honour

Ealing Trailfinders 6, London Welsh 39 It was a case of mission accomplished as London Welsh secured a bonus point win away to basement side Ealing on Saturday. But the home side made life difficult for the visitors, particularly in the first

1:29pm Two teams of Oxford University hikers had to be rescued from mountains in Snowdonia over the weekend 12:37pm Oxford City Council planners have

IN this most significant of years, silence filled the halls of Christ Church Cathedral as the names of fallen war heroes were read out. The first Turning the Pages ceremony of 2014 marked this year as a century since the outbreak of the First World

A 23-year-old man has been charged with the robbery of a city bookmakers. Tobias Bruce, of Milestone Road, Carterton, was arrested on Friday and charged the next day with the robbery of Ladbrokes in Iffley Road, Oxford, on February 20. He has been

The husband of a grandmother who has been missing for almost 50 days has thanked residents and emergency services for their support. Bruce Gulliford’s wife Jackie, 61, was last seen leaving their Hawthorn Road home on January 9. The Worcester College

THE money spent on agency staff and locum doctors to deal with a rise in hospital patients dramatically increased, figures show. Health bosses say the rise was due to the need to bring in temporary staff while permanent ones were recruited.

THERE’S pothole-strewn streets and pothole-strewn streets and then there’s London Road, Headington. Anyone driving down there would think they’ve entered a war zone given the massive defects in the road surface. People usually march for rights

PROTESTERS took to the streets of Headington on Saturday to voice anger over the state of London Road. About 50 people marched down the pothole-strewn road with placards from Green Road roundabout to Bury Knowle Park for an hour from 11am.

THE family of a former Oxford GP found dead in the River Thames fear he took his own life. The body of Dr Richard Barnett, 70, was found off Wharf Road, Shillingford on Friday. His family said the former Manor Surgery, Headington GP left his