Archive

  • An 'unhealthy row' over parking

    A HEALTH centre patient says it is “disgraceful” that two NHS bodies are “fighting each other” over a car park. Marcham Road Health Centre in Abingdon has put up barriers to stop anyone but its patients using its 43-space car park. The health

  • Hannah Rickards' work goes on display in Oxford

    ART lovers can catch a glimpse of a new display at Modern Art Oxford that brings together an exhibition of works by British artist Hannah Rickards for the first time. Modern Art Oxford Director Paul Hobson explained his feelings on the concept

  • Guides’ appeal for help brings results

    A CALL for more volunteers to help with Wantage and Grove Girl Guides may have been answered. Leaders from the Wantage and Grove girlguiding groups set up shop at The Mix in Mill Street, Wantage, on Saturday to call for more volunteers. They

  • Firm bids to blow up Didcot's cooling towers

    THE days of Didcot’s cooling towers are now truly numbered after power station bosses submitted a planning application to blast them to smithereens. Demolition work on Didcot A Power Station is due to start this month. But its six cooling towers

  • Convicted PC sacked from Thames Valley Police

    The police officer convicted of stealing and selling road crash victims’ details has been dismissed. Last month PC Sugra Hanif, from Bretch Hill, Banbury, was found guilty of conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office. The trial at

  • Groups raising bar to tackle climate change

    EXPERTS and green groups in Oxfordshire hope this will be the time when the world finally stands up and takes notice of their predictions before disaster strikes. Award-winning author and Green Party member Mark Lynas, pictured below, from Wolvercote

  • Hospital music therapy classes face axe

    WEEKLY music therapy sessions at Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital face the axe because of a funding crisis. Managers of Rosie’s Rainbow Fund said donations – its only source of funding – only “scratch the surface” of the £50,000 needed each year

  • Another sad picture for Pardew's wall of shame

    On Saturday, Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew headbutted Hull City’s midfielder David Meyler on the touchline at the KC Stadium. Never before have I seen or heard of a manager butting an opposition player, and I’d like to think I have seen

  • Motorcyclist injured in collision with car

    POLICE officers were called to Hollow Way this afternoon after a collision between a motorcycle and a car. They were called to the scene outside The Corner House pub at 12.23pm. The motorcyclist was injured but it is not believed to be serious

  • RUGBY UNION: Burnell signs new London Welsh deal

    LONDON Welsh head coach Justin Burnell has signed a contract extension with the Oxford-based club. Burnell, who joined the Exiles from Cardiff Blues last June, has made a big impact as they seek promotion back to the Aviva Premiership. He said

  • Burst water main in the Market Square, Witney

    THAMES Water is currently attempting to fix a burst water main in central Witney. The company was called to Market Square after the four inch main burst earlier today. Spokeswoman Becky Trotman said: "We’re sorry for any disruption caused by

  • Man was armed with gun during robberies say witnesses

    A man believed to be linked to two robberies in Banbury was armed with a gun, according to witnesses. The first incident took place at the Esso petrol station, in Ermont Way, on Monday at about 10.30pm. A man walked into the store and demanded

  • David Brent fans set to snap up tickets for Oxford gig

    COMEDY fans will be able to buy tickets to see The Office star David Brent in Oxford. Ricky Gervais’s character will perform at the Oxford New Theatre on May 14. Brent and his band Foregone Conclusion are touring the country with a musical comedy

  • A reminder of how much my life has changed

    Well, pancake day has just passed. In my family, as in most, it evokes lots of memories of jiff lemon, sugar and on those lucky occasions even Nutella. It’s also an annual event so oddly it forms a marker of what you were doing this time last year

  • The Last Word Goes To...

    I was interested to see the article in the business pages (February 27) in which an estate agent lamented the lack of prime office space in and around Oxford. What an excellent opportunity for Doric, currently hoping to redevelop Botley’s shopping

  • Talk offers insight into Arabia

    A FREE talk about the histories of ancient Africa and Asia will take place at Corpus Christi College, Oxford, next Wednesday. Prof Michael Petraglia, co-director of the Centre for Asian Archaeology, Art, and Culture at the University of Oxford

  • Not a park-and-ride when it comes to costs

    Not a park-and-ride when it comes to costs I am writing regarding my earlier letter. Throughout the country the phrase used is park-and-ride – that phrase suggests one single ticket purchased and used on the bus to include parking. However, for

  • Policies are directly to blame for man’s death

    AN MP cannot of course be aware of what is happening to all his/her constituents, anymore than a prime minister can be expected to know the circumstances of all those in whose names he/she governs. Yet the death of Mark Wood, (Man starved after

  • Something must be done about foie gras

    I EXPECT readers will be surprised to hear that something that would be illegal to produce in Britain is freely on sale across the country, and is very likely on sale near them right now. That product is foie gras. Anyone trying to produce it here

  • Recent letter was sent before news of work

    I SHOULD like the chance to respond to Paul Marlow’s letter (February 28) regarding my letter earlier in the week regarding the maintenance of the surface of London Road. He obviously had not read my original lead letter several months earlier,

  • Local councillors need to be better informed

    ACCORDING to a story (Tuesday, February 25), Lib Dem councillors organised a protest march about the state of the London Road. Come on chaps keep up. Following a Labour motion to county council about the awful state of the London Road in December

  • Committed to the march until we heard of u-turn

    I REFER to the two excellent letters from David Williams and Glynis Phillips concerning the state of the London Road. I agree that bus and taxi companies could contribute to the upkeep of not only the London Road but all bus lanes in the city.

  • FOOTBALL: City survival hopes hit by defeat at Workington

    OXFORD City’s hopes of avoiding the drop from Skrill North suffered a big blow last night when they went down 1-0 away to the bottom club Workington. The defeat came just a day after the club were docked three points for fielding a player while

  • COMMENT: Comedy festival to line up the talent

    COMEDY is the new rock and roll, or so we hear from time to time. Today’s big comic stars are big names with their own DVDs, appearing on TV panel shows with remarkable regularity. As part of that trend, comedy festivals have become bigger and

  • Jobs at risk as BHS 'will shut'

    BHS staff in Oxford have been told the store is to close. Employees at the store on the corner of Queen Street and St Ebbe’s said they have been given a letter indicating it will close in May. They added the announcement was made on Monday

  • COMMENT: Freddie's death could prevent other road tragedies

    THE grief-stricken parents of Freddie Perry can do nothing to get their son back. He died after an accident in September last year near his home. The teacher who was driving the car has been cleared of any blame and it is important to recognise

  • FOOTBALL: Rivals close in as Dorchester let it slip

    The Division 1 title chase is hotting up after leaders Dorchester were held to a goalless draw at Faringdon, writes PHIL ANNETS. The result opened the door for their closest rivals, both of whom took full advantage. Kintbury Rangers are now

  • Power cut leaves 350 homes without power

    A POWER cut in Wallingford has left 350 homes without power. A problem on the high voltage network meant power went out at 2.45am this morning. Southern Electric has said that engineers are on site and working to repair the problem. The

  • No charge over St Ebbe's assault

    A 40-year-old Bicester man arrested in connection with a serious assault in St Ebbe’s Street last Friday has been released without charge. He was arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm following the incident at about 3am. A 23

  • Man arrested over courier fraud offences

    A man has been arrested in connection with a series of courier fraud offences, including one in Oxford. The 62-year-old, from London, is on police bail until March 13 in connection with 18 offences in the Thames Valley during November and December

  • Flood channel may be considered for funds

    The Environment Agency is expected to put forward bids for funding for flood relief projects today. The agency is looking into whether the £123m Western Conveyance Channel, which would take floodwater around Oxford rather than through it, could

  • Mother of fallen war hero loses thousands to conman

    THE mother of a soldier killed in Afghanistan had part of his life insurance swindled from her by a conman. Lee Mackie, 58, from Bampton, spoke out after Gary Sheehy pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud by false representation at Oxford Crown

  • Curtain up on festival that's just for laughs

    HOW many comedians does it take to hold a festival? We’ll find out at the end of this month when Oxford holds its first such laughfest. The Oxford Comedy Festival has been set up by The Dead Secrets, whose members say they realised there was

  • It’s flippin’ tough in battle for the Golden Pan

    A breakfast treat fit for flip-flopping helped inspire runners in Wallingford yesterday in the annual Pancake Day dash. Winner Christ-Ian, Sinkinson, 33, below, ran 12 laps of the Market Place as a silver mouse to wins the Golden Pan. The photographer

  • Glasses raised to wish Oxford Fashion Week success

    MODELS and designers were given VIP treatment as they celebrated the launch of Oxford Fashion Week. The opening party was held at the 1855 Wine Bar and Bistro in the Castle Quarter on Monday. Guests included models, organisers, media and partners

  • Investigation over Jayden search

    INDEPENDENT investigators have been called in to determine if Thames Valley Police made mistakes in its search for Jayden Parkinson. Jayden, who was living in council-funded supported housing for homeless young people in Oxford, was reported missing

  • Crash on the A34

    THERE has been a crash on the A34 northbound by East Ilsley in the south of the county. Witnesses are saying that two cars are involved in the incident. One lane of the A34 is reportedly blocked. There are also reports of an accident involving

  • Tesco denies claims over unethical tuna

    Tesco has denied selling unethically caught tuna in its Oxford stores. Environment campaigners said they found Tesco stores in the city selling canned tuna singled out for criticism by Greenpeace and in Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s Fish Fight

  • MoD site deal agreed

    Councillors have agreed to go ahead with the multi-million pound purchase of the Graven Hill site from the Ministry of Defence. Cherwell District Council’s executive members made the decision as part of a plan that the authority says will see 1,900

  • Fewer get a first choice secondary school place

    MORE pupils have failed to get in to the secondary school of their choice for the next school year, new figures show. Oxfordshire County Council had to deal with 337 more applications for places in September than it did in 2013. And it meant

  • FOOTBALL: Wilkinson and Carr's top show

    OXFORD MAIL YOUTH LEAGUE Leaders Kennington Athletic came back to earth with a bang after a 2-1 defeat at home to Cholsey Bluebirds in the Under 12 Spring A League. It was a close affair with Mahiri Clarke netting for Kennington. However

  • FOOTBALL: Dazzling Douglas steals the show

    SAM WATERS CUP GOALKEEPER Chris Douglas proved to be North Oxford Conservative Club’s hero as his side reached the final in dramatic fashion. Douglas made two excellent saves in a penalty shoot-out following an enthralling semi-final clash

  • FOOTBALL: Cooper sets Broughton on path to stun leaders

    BROUGHTON & North Newington’s Division 1 title hopes in the Oxfordshire Senior League soared when they triumphed 3-0 in the battle of the top two against leaders Kidlington Res. Victory took the home side level on points at the summit and though

  • FOOTBALL: Manning puts brakes on Chippy's title tilt

    Chipping Norton’s push for the Witney & District Premier Division title stalled when were held to a 1-1 draw by Hailey, writes Anthony Barlow. Gary Smith scored for the hosts with Luke Manning levelling for Hailey. Carterton Town A picked

  • Accident causing severe delays on the A41

    AN accident on the A41 is causing severe delays to commuters. The A41 in Bicester is partially blocked in both directions between Bicester Little Chef roundabout and the London Road junction. Witnesses had said that a number of cars were involved

  • Test match day live blog

    7:43am Oxford United clinch promotion with Beano's strike by winning 1-0. 7:42am United stream down field but the effort goes wide 7:

  • FOOTBALL: Bateman boosts Bardwell

    Charlie Bateman’s late winner gave leaders Bardwell Youth a 2-1 home victory over Florence Park in the Under 16 C League of the Oxfordshire Invitation Youth League. Ryan O’Connor smashed home Bardwell’s opener in the 20th minute. Florence Park

  • Wednesday, March 5

    12:33pm Read our Disabled Space columnist Niall Strawson writing about how Pancake Day yesterday was a poignant reminder for how things have changed for him 11:04am

  • FOOTBALL: Curtis clinches it for Summertown

    SUMMERTOWN Stars Reds continued their fine recent run of form by winning the Oxford Mail Youth League Under 11 Shield final. Ben Curtis sealed their 3-1 victory over Greater Leys Youth with a late free-kick in an entertaining match. Early pressure

  • Decision ahead on controversial housing

    COUNCILLORS will make decisions on several controversial schemes tonight including an 85-home estate in Wantage which has aroused protests. Vale of White Horse District Council planning committee will decide whether to approve the details for the

  • Cyclists want path funding if new store wins approval

    CYCLE campaigners are calling for Waitrose to fund improvements to a West Oxford cycle path if plans for the chain’s new store are approved. The supermarket hopes to build on the former Halfords and MFI site in Botley Road in what will be a multi-million

  • Traffic jams for A40 commuters

    COMMUTERS are having to queue due to road works on the A40. Traffic is queueing between Cassington traffic lights and Wolvercote roundabout in both directions. This is because of road works being carried out by Oxfordshire County Council just

  • FOOTBALL: Long wait is over, now more glory is on the agena

    HISTORY isn’t everything for Long Wittenham Athletic, but it’s certainly been a comfort to the club’s passionate band of players and volunteers through the lean years, writes MATTHEW BRUCE. Founder members of the North Berks League, the club won

  • SCHOOLS FOOTBALL: Dyer fires five-timer in Didcot goal spree

    MOLLIE Dyer fired a five-timer as Didcot Girls’ School stormed to a 9-2 win at Thomas Hardye, from Dorchester in Dorset, in the ESFA Under 14 PlayStation Schools’ Cup sixth round. Skipper Katie Miller weighed in with a hat-trick, and Natalie Hazell-McMillan

  • Meades and Whing out of luck for Oxford United

    A WATERLOGGED pitch thwarted Jon Meades’s hopes of his first football in seven months yesterday. The midfielder was due to play for Oxford United’s development squad in a friendly at Watford, which had to be cancelled. It would have marked

  • Blackbird Leys arson investigation is ongoing

    Police have made no arrests as they continue to investigate a suspected arson attack in Blackbird Leys. James Maguire broke his leg and two men and two women in the house with him were also injured when they jumped out of a first-floor window to

  • FOOTBALL: Five-star Thomson runs riot

    OXFORD MAIL GIRLS LEAGUE UNDER 11, 12 & 13 MIA Thomson hit a magnificent five goals to help Kidlington Hawks pick up their first win in six games with a 7-0 victory over Carterton in the Under 12 League. A brace from Emily Keal rounded

  • Gravity Oscar winner Niv Adiri feels weight of fame

    Oscar-winner Niv Adiri said he was starting to buckle under the weight of his top achievement on Sunday. Mr Adiri, pictured second from left, of Wheatley, was part of the team who won in the category of Sound Mixing for the film Gravity. He

  • ‘Predatory’ rapist gets six years for hotel attack

    A RAPIST who took advantage of a drunk woman in a hotel room has been branded a “predator” and jailed for six years. Kirankumar Solanki, of Cottesmore Road, Oxford, was yesterday found guilty at Oxford Crown Court of committing two rapes and one

  • Family of child killed in accident bid to cut speed limit

    GRIEVING parents of a 10-year-old killed after a car accident outside a Didcot school, said their son sacrificed his life so it never happens again. Freddie Perry, pictured, died after a collision involving a car driven by a teacher from his sister

  • FOOTBALL: Gerring leads the way as Forest cruise home

    CRITCHLEYS UTV LEAGUE FOREST Hill proved too good for Sutton Wanderers, easing home 3-1 in their Division 2 encounter. Lewis Gerring, John Ashton and Matt Wigley all netted for Hill, with Matt Hammond replying. Stuart Ewers, Michael Smith

  • FOOTBALL: Eynsham sparkle to claim top spot

    EYNSHAM went top of the Giles Sports Witney Youth League Under 10 White Division with a 4-1 win at Tower Hill Stripes. Harry Harraway opened the scoring for Eynsham in the second half, before Billy Buchanan scored twice and captain Leo Norton struck

  • Dancers have a ball at Dancin' Oxford Festival

    Dancers took to the stage with an elegant twist this week at The Night Ball. The performances which were part of the Dancin’ Oxford 2014 Festival, saw professional dancers from balletLORENT take to the town hall stage in two nights of glitz and

  • Three hurt in incident at Bicester Village

    THREE people were assaulted at Bicester Village shopping centre in an incident in which one suffered a broken leg. The incident happened after a man tried to pay for goods using an unsigned credit card in the Versace store last Wednesday. When

  • Firm fined after welder hurt at work

    PIPE manufacturer Thames Cryogenics, based in Didcot, has been fined after a welder was seriously injured at work. The specialist manufacturer of vessels to carry liquid nitrogen and liquid oxygen has been fined £5,000. An employee was in hospital

  • Woman tells jury she was raped in alleyway

    A WOMAN has told a jury she was raped in an Oxford alleyway during a night out. Jordan Gibbs, of Saxon Way, Headington, denies committing two counts of rape and one count of sexual assault on September 30, 2012. The 26-year-old is accused of

  • Toddler died in hospital after fall from kitchen worktop

    THE father of a toddler who died of severe head injuries failed to tell doctors about a fall his son had suffered until after his death, an inquest heard. Tayler Mason, who lived with his family at his home in Humber Walk, Banbury, was admitted

  • Anxious time for family as police start new river search

    THE FAMILY of missing Jackie Gulliford are bracing themselves as police have restarted the search now flood waters are falling. Thames Valley Police had previously not been able to use divers to search the River Thames at Eynsham for the 51-year-old

  • FOOTBALL: Wild efforts can't halt Bluebirds

    OXFORD MAIL GIRLS LEAGUE UNDER 16/17 LEAGUE leaders Oxford Bluebirds Under 16s continued their fine form with a 7-2 home victory over Kennington Under 17s. Jessica Wild twice levelled for the visitors in the first half to cancel out efforts

  • FOOTBALL: Parsons leads the way

    GIRLS FOOTBALL BENSON United defeated Crendon Corinthians 3-0 to get their Oxon/Bucks Under 14 Bundesliga campaign off to a winning start. A deflected effort from Phoebe Parsons opened the scoring after 19 minutes and despite carving out two

  • £9,000 given to projects helping disabled people

    AN Oxfordshire patient watchdog has given more than £9,000 for two health and social care projects in the county. Healthwatch Oxfordshire has given £3,550.80 to a new company set up to work with deaf people called Sign Lingual UK, and £5,590 to

  • Pair grapple with woman in attempt to steal mobile

    TWO men tried to wrestle a woman’s phone from her hand in an attempted theft in one of Oxford’s main shopping streets. The incident happened in Cornmarket Street at 5.45am on Friday, February 28. The pair approached a 36-year-old woman and

  • Pupils create their own films

    THESE mini movie makers are going wild for their first film festival. Chalgrove Primary School pupils are among children from four schools who have been making movies for this year’s Wallingford Children’s Film Festival. On Monday and Tuesday

  • Banana drama for Fairtrade cause

    PEDAL-powered banana smoothies were on offer to shoppers in Bicester to raise awareness of Fairtrade products. On Saturday, Bicester Fairtrade group hosted an event outside Sainsbury’s in Pioneer Square to highlight the cause. The group says

  • Portugal tells the Bodleian to return its ‘looted books’

    PORTUGAL is calling for Oxford University’s Bodleian Library to return books that are more than 400 years old. An organisation called FARO 1540, the Association for the Defence and Promotion of Environmental and Cultural Heritage of Faro, has submitted