Archive

  • Finishing touches to Wolvercote church’s new look

    IT HAS taken four years and more than £700,000. But members of St Peter’s Church in First Turn, Wolvercote, are finally seeing the light. The parish has been fundraising since 2009 for extensive building work, and a new set of lights – to be

  • Young Garsington artist outsells Tracey Emin original

    A TEENAGE former international gymnast-turned painter has outsold acclaimed artist Tracey Emin at a charity artwork auction. Amber-Lauren Ballantyne-Style, of Garsington, turned to art to help deal with taunting that she received over her weight

  • Luke at Latitude

    Wood festival headliner takes his down-tempo magic to Latitude LUKE Sital-Singh describes himself as an “acoustic, melancholy singer-songwriter”. But that’s to seriously underplay an artist gifted with one of the country’s most beautiful voices

  • Protecting wildlife against the influx of housing

    FROM the nightjar to the natterjack toad, Oxfordshire boasts more than 230 threatened or endangered species. So, with 100,000 homes due to be built in the county by 2031, what steps are being taken to protect the environment? At present, every

  • Would-be thieves in two bids to raid restaurants

    TWO restaurants were targeted by would-be thieves in separate incidents. Burglars drove their vehicle through a field to reach the back of a restaurant they wanted to steal from on Friday. The Windmill Restaurant and Carvery near Asthall on

  • Men attempt distraction burglary in Oxford

    A MAN attempted to burgle a house in Ashhurst Way while the woman who lived there was working in the front garden. The victim was gardening on Friday at 10.20am when a man distracted her, allowing a second man to enter the house. He was then

  • Anger as thieves raid memorial plot in Witney

    THIEVES who stole shrubs from a garden commemorating fallen soldiers have no respect, say the volunteers behind the memorial. Four members of Witney’s Trefoil Guild, a branch of Girl Guiding, finished planting the garden at Tower Hill Cemetery

  • Oxford bus cancelled due to spilt milk - yes, really

    SPILT milk suspended a bus service in Oxford today. The 13:15 number 35 bus from St Aldates had to be cancelled after a passenger spilt a four pint carton of milk. The service was terminated at around 1.30pm so it could be cleaned. A spokesman

  • Cheshire cat aims to get audience purring at East Oxford show

    THE Cheshire cat will show off some urban dance moves in an alternative student version of Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland. City of Oxford College students will perform their show, Wonderland, at the Pegasus theatre, East Oxford, tomorrow and

  • RUGBY: Welsh announce six more signings

    London Welsh continue their rebuilding ahead of next season's Aviva Premiership campaign after making more six signings - all forwards. Taione Vea, Ricky Reeves, Shane Cahill, Jack Gilding, Nathan Taylor and Jimmy Litchfield will all link-up with

  • Town’s musical welcome during summer

    VISITORS will get a musical welcome to Wantage once again this summer. Wantage Presents will see local bands and musicians perform in the Market Place on Saturdays, starting at 10.30am and running for about an hour. The 14-week series, a repetition

  • Schoolboy is pre-World Cup mascot for Rooney’s England

    A FOOTBALL-MAD schoolboy fulfilled every fan’s dream of walking on to the pitch next to his national heroes. Joe Scurr, of Princethorpe Drive, Banbury, walked into Miami’s Sun Life Stadium on Saturday next to Wayne Rooney before England’s 0-0 draw

  • Man charged after Banbury ATM 'arson attacks'

    A MAN is set to appear at Banbury Magistrates Court today following reported arson attacks on cash machines in a Banbury street. Colin Aries, of no fixed abode, faces three counts of arson and one count of arson with intent, reckless to whether

  • The planes are to blame rather than the red kites

    YOUR report yesterday concerning RAF Benson shooting red kites over the airbase is totally unnecessary. Firstly let me point out that these birds do not fly into the planes but the planes fly into the birds, who have more right to the airspace than

  • Impossible to please everyone all the time

    LEAVING aside my own humble contribution printed on May 27, I was delighted that you allocated such a prominent spot to Alan Lester’s onslaught against ‘political correctness’ on the same date, as well as Chris Stevens’ one the following day. Unlike

  • Pity so many RAF bases have been overlooked

    MY sister Ruth Bell sent me a link to Dan Robinson’s article (June 6) regarding the former RAF Broadwell, near Burford, in which she was quoted. It is such a pity that so many RAF bases such as Broadwell, and the airmen (such as our father Phil

  • A big thank you to all those that voted for me

    I WAS interested to read your coverage (June 5) of the recent city council election in Cowley. As the candidate who won the election – by 286 votes in a five-way contest – I would like to thank the people of Cowley for the confidence that they

  • I had always driven like this and never crashed

    I AM disabled and am not able to stand or walk after my first and only car crash (caused by the car’s brakes failing) after a lifetime of driving. I have lost my driving licence after a disabled driver’s test – of course I failed. I have double

  • A role model that the rest of us should be rushing to join

    THE vital work of the Community First Responders cannot be underestimated. As their name suggests, they are first on the scene of many emergencies, before paramedics can arrive. The Golden Hour is often referred to as the most important time

  • Now is the time for legends to be born

    Finally the FIFA World Cup 2014 is here. The long wait is over and we can now sit back, watch the world’s top teams and the best players fight for football’s ultimate prize. The World Cup finals are the place where legends are born, reputations

  • Making nature accessible in different ways...

    Today I find myself writing the column in a hotel room in Nice, the south of France. I’m excited to get out and about and explore the city. And exploration is the subject today. After all, what is better for the soul than discovering new places

  • Murder trial told of sister's 'act of revenge'

    A SISTER plotted a revenge arson attack which killed two children after she was shamed in a family feud, a jury heard yesterday. Fiaz Munshi denies murdering eight-year-old Anum Khan and her 15-year-old brother Majid, nearly 17 years ago in the

  • Wednesday, June 11

    3:57pm Two restaurants targeted by would-be thieves in separate incidents. 3:23pm Two men attempted a distraction burglary in Oxford as a woman worked

  • Dancers take on Charleston's challenging steps

    Youngsters got into the groove at a national schools dance contest held in the city yesterday. A total 24 schools from across the country came to The New Theatre for the finals of the Great Big Dance Off. Among them were Eynsham Primary School

  • Work goes on to build new bypass hamburger

    Work is continuing on upgrading a major junction in Oxford. Oxfordshire County Council is spending £6m on turning the Kennington roundabout at the southern end of Abingdon Road into a “hamburger” style junction, featuring a new carriageway going

  • Mechanic crushed by Land Rover after jack gave way

    A MECHANIC died after a car he was attempting to fix at his home fell and crushed him. Michael King, 61, of 17 Marcham Road, Drayton, Abingdon, “had been lying under a Land Rover working on it” on May 31, Oxfordshire Coroner’s Court heard yesterday

  • Princely sum for Black Prince bike at Bonhams auction

    A motorbike is believed to have made the record books at a Bonhams Auction in Kidlington. The 1955 Vincent 998cc Black Prince Project was sold at four times its estimate for £91,100 to an anonymous telephone bidder. Auctioneers believe it has

  • Jericho Boatyard plans delay

    Plans for the proposed redevelopment of the Jericho Boatyard have yet to appear on Oxford City Council’s website. Developer Strategic Iconic Assets Heritage Acquisition Fund (SIAHAF) submitted its planning application on May 13. But the council

  • Pupils fly the flag for Anglo-French relations

    PUPILS from England and France flew their flags on a twinning visit in Didcot. The town’s Ladygrove Park Primary School is hosting a visit from 30 French pupils aged 10 and 11, after a class from Ladygrove visited Bealieres school in Meylan, south-eastern

  • Brookes gives out honours

    THE mother of murdered teenager Stephen Lawrence is among those to receive honorary degrees at Oxford Brookes University’s graduations. Baroness Doreen Lawrence set up the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust after her son was killed in a racially

  • The Queen has a lightbulb moment

    IT WAS the moment the Queen had a lightbulb idea. An energy-efficient lightbulb created by Bicester-based Zeta Specialist Lighting caught Her Majesty’s eye at a Buckingham Palace reception. Managing director Philip Shadbolt and his wife Dawn

  • CRICKET: Cowley cash in on Minster's blank day

    DIVISIONS 1-3 WITH Minster Lovell’s match abandoned, Cowley Internationals took full advantage to move to the top of Division 1, writes DAVID QUINN. Batting first against Shrivenham, they amassed 241-7 with Harron Khan contributing 63 and Hajji

  • SHOOTING: French fired up for his Games bid

    Matt French, from Oakley, near Thame, can’t wait for the Commonwealth Games after England’s clay target shooting team was confirmed for Glasgow 2014. French, 32, is in a squad of 11, which brings the shooting team’s total up to 25, and includes

  • MOTORSPORT: Marussia's boss plays down row

    John Booth, principal of the Banbury-based Marussia team, is confident he can resolve the row between drivers Max Chilton and Jules Bianchi following their crash in Canada. Both men blamed the other for the accident that unfolded at the turn three-four

  • CRICKET: Wootton stay top after thriller

    DIVISIONS 4-6 WOOTTON & Boars Hill remain top of Division 4 following a three-wicket win at West Ilsley. The home side posted 151-9, with Cameron Spilsbury (3-28) and Damien Wiskin (3-25) their principal antagonists. Wayne Morton hit

  • 224 homes cut off in Wootton

    Residents in Wootton were hit by a power cut on Monday night. A total of 224 properties in the village, near Abingdon, were affected after an overhead line developed a fault. Power was restored at 5.10am yesterday. Our top stories

  • AUNT SALLY: Ward shines as Pigeons shot down by Six Bells

    SIX Bells C Kidlington maintained their 100 per cent Premier Section record in a thrilling top-of-the-table clash, writes ANDY BEAL. A 2-1 victory at the Three Pigeons made it six wins out of six, but it is still not enough to take them to the

  • It's the World Cups as lingerie recycled for Bra-zil

    WOMEN have been urged to be up for the World Cup by donating their old bras to help slum kids in Rio de Janeiro. Cocktail bar and club Lola Lo in Magdalen Street, Oxford, will accept bras in any condition which will be recycled to raise money for

  • RUGBY UNION: Euro draw is just the tonic for Exiles

    JUSTIN Burnell said there were exciting times ahead after London Welsh were drawn with Edinburgh, Bordeaux and Lyon in the European Rugby Challenge Cup. The Exiles will play in Pool 5 of European club rugby’s new second competition, with the winners

  • Canary found in Jericho street

    A yellow canary was found in a street in Jericho. A passer-by spotted the bird by the Ali Jericho Store in Albert Street on Monday. Shop owner Shaukat Ali said: “A man came in with this bird he said he’d found round the corner. He just took a cardboard

  • CRICKET: Wiskins to the fore as Fringford felled

    CUP ROUND-UP MICK and Damien Wiskin shone as Wootton & Boars Hill beat Fringford by six wickets in the Telegraph Cup preliminary round. Visitors Fringford were bundled out for 105, despite Jonny Reid making 52, thanks chiefly to Mick Wiskin

  • FOOTBALL: Oxford United face Bournemouth in final friendly

    OXFORD United finalised their pre-season plans yesterday when announcing a home fixture with AFC Bournemouth on Saturday, August 2. Gary Waddock’s side have six matches in preparation for the new Sky Bet League Two season, two of which will be

  • Football tournament promises to be a great result for traders

    BUSINESSES in Oxfordshire are in line for a £13m trade boost once the World Cup kicks off, according to a county accountant. This could rise by another £7m if England defy all the odds and reach the final on Sunday, July 13. James Cowper accountants

  • CRICKET: Blackford cleans up with 8-8

    DIVISIONS 7-10 JIM Blackford’s career-best figures of 8-8 helped Kidlington 3rd to an unlikely 57-run victory at Westcott 2nd in Division 10. Chasing Kidlington’s 138-9, Westcott were ticking along at 56-1 before Blackford intervened. “

  • Food bank gets special veg from Botanic Garden

    VEGETABLES from the Botanic Garden’s first harvest of the year will help hungry people across the county. The University of Oxford’s Garden donated fresh produce to the Oxford Food Bank, based in New Hinksey Lane. Staff at the Rose Lane garden

  • Well-meaning, but not a sensible idea

    THE war on obesity is growing almost as fast as the nation’s waistlines. But with all measures there needs to be common sense behind it. In theory, the council’s proposal to ban kebab and burger vans near schools seems sensible. Following the

  • Kebab van ban near schools aims to skewer possible problems

    KEBAB and burger vans could soon be banned from operating near to schools or colleges – despite none currently doing so. Oxford City Council is introducing a new policy on street trading that is to go out for public consultation. It includes

  • Planners think again on sites for new homes across Cherwell

    A COUNCIL has been told to go back to the drawing board in its search for sites for thousands more homes across Cherwell. An inspector dramatically halted an inquiry over Cherwell District Council’s Local Plan last week, telling the council to

  • 'A number' of bids reported for stadium

    AGENTS organising the sale of Oxford Stadium say they have received “a number” of bids but have refused to say how many. The owner of the stadium in Sandy Lane, GRA Acquisition, put the stadium up for lease after withdrawing its planning appeal

  • Teachers lobby Westminster over future of schools

    TEACHERS from across the county travelled to Westminster yesterday to lobby MPs about their concerns for the future of education. Oxfordshire’s National Union of Teachers (NUT) representative Gawain Little met Oxford West and Abingdon MP Nicola

  • CRICKET: Oxfordshire put out of their misery

    Wiltshire took only 14 balls to score the 15 runs needed to complete a ten-wicket victory over Oxfordshire in their opening Unicorns County Championship Western Division fixture at Banbury yesterday. They reached their target at 29-0.

  • CRICKET: Students toil in The Parks as Middlesex call tune

    Oxford MCCU have a mountain to climb on the last day of their match against Middlesex in The Parks. Replying to the visitors’ first-innings 430-4 dec, the students were shot out for just 57 as only Steve Leach reached double figures. Left-arm

  • Come on and feel the noise as U's get a singing section

    OXFORD United fans have cheered the introduction of a dedicated singing section at the Kassam Stadium. The idea came about after talks between the club and fans’ group the Yellow Army over the scheme to boost the atmosphere at home games. It

  • Ashmolean director to be made Freeman of Oxford

    The director of one of the city’s historic museums will be honoured with the Freedom of the City of Oxford. Prof Christopher Brown will be bestowed with the award to mark his 16-year stint at the Ashmolean Museum in Beaumont Street. The Lord

  • FOOTBALL: Wantage snap up Steedman

    WANTAGE Town have signed versatile left-sided defender Jon Steedman from Calor League Division 1 South & West club Swindon Supermarine. Steedman made 73 appearances in two years at Supermarine. His previous clubs include Witney United,

  • FOOTBALL: Clark bolsters Didcot ranks

    DIDCOT Town have signed midfielder Matt Clark from fellow Calor League Division 1 South & West side North Leigh. Clark started his career at Swindon Town as a youth player before turning professional. He subsequently spent 18 months at

  • FOOTBALL: City in fair play award

    OXFORD City can lay claim to being the Conference North’s cleanest club after winning the award for the fewest yellow and red cards. City received the award at the Conference’s annual meeting on Saturday.