THE Competition Commission slammed the actions of the 17 leading car companies in the UK for actions that had led to higher prices, writes David Duffy. The companies had deterred dealers from obtaining cheaper new cars from dealers in other EU member
Best 4x4 THE Land Rover Freelander has been awarded 'Best 4x4' by Fleet News for the second year running. Freelander, the best selling 4x4 both in the UK and Europe, is available with different body styles and a choice of engines. The competition judges
MOTORISTS have been warned not to expect instant price cuts on new cars despite an official report showing we pay about 1,100 more for new models than elsewhere in Europe, writes David Duffy. The Government reacted to a Competition Commission report by
THE well-worn and entirely accurate maxim: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it," applies perfectly to cars, writes David Duffy. When the car in question is the exquisitely formed and universally acclaimed Mazda MX-5, it makes the decision to bring out a
Sometimes Ruth Griffiths finds it hard to smile. It's not because she isn't happy, but because she suffers from a disorder which prevents her muscles from working. Myasthenia gravis, commonly known as rag doll disease, often leaves Ruth floppy and debilitated
Send your details to Wendy Broadway TONIGHT: Mook, Cobalt 66, Elm Tree, Cowley Road, Oxford; Kamikaziee Kittens, Bonetti, Bonetti, Perfect10 , Triffids, Bullingdon, Cowley Road; Disques Vogue, Zodiac, Cowley Road, 01865 420042; Mercedes, Effuse, Jericho
Wolvercote's 22-year-old lightweight, Mark Dibsdall, had another win inside the distance at Rover Sports Club, Cowley. Dibsdall's opponent was Mark Kearley, of Thames Valley ABC, Newbury, who had stopped Witney's Phil Johnson in two rounds recently. Kearley
Your guide to classical, jazz and folk music in and around Oxfordshire during the week beginning Friday, April 21, 2000. See also: Gigs under Listings. Next updated: Friday, April 28. FRIDAY, APRIL 21 Magdalen College Chapel: Magdalen College Choir. John
The Easter bunny will be hopping around Oxford Stadium tomorrow as Cheetahs take on the might of Coventry in a blockbuster of an Elite League clash at 7.30pm. The kids are in for a treat with free entry and every youngster receiving an Easter egg. On
Soldiers from the King's Lifeguard Regiment of Foote will throw open their camp at Pinnnocks Farm in Northmoor, near Standlake, over the Easter weekend. The unit is part of the Sealed Knot Civil War re-enactment society and its open days will be on Easter
Computer entrepreneur Paul Harris has opened a shop which combines the best of the High Street and the Internet. With his wife, Gael, he has opened a gifts and collectibles shop, Allsorts Collectors Parade, in Parsons Street, Banbury, which combines shopping
GROWING firms are being offered a chance to share in an 8m prize fund in a competition being run by venture capital company 3i. The 3i technology Catapult Competition will provide up to 2m of investment capital to four management teams double the prize
Tim Metcalfe discovers that Justin Hayward is still happy to be 'just a singer in a rock 'n' roll band' Their latest publicity photo wouldn't look out of place on the wall of a gents hairdressers. The quartet of musicians who brought you hits such as
Mark S offers a day-by-day guide to the week ahead on the Oxfordshire music scene. Tonight (Thursday, April 20) sees a mouthwatering four-band line-up at The Kooler (at The Bullingdon, Cowley Road). Abingdon-based Scrambler who produce an irresistable
Commuters faced long delays today after two lorries crashed and brought the A34 to a standstill. A lorry travelling south crashed through the central reservation near Weston-on-the-Green after a collision with another heavy goods vehicle at 5am. Police
A farmer driven to despair by burglars is today starting a life sentence for killing a teenage intruder. A jury yesterday found former Oxfordshire schoolboy Tony Martin, 55, guilty of murdering 16-year-old Fred Barras at Bleak House, his remote Norfolk
Fish4homes.co.uk, the property Web site associated with This Is Oxfordshire, has announced that it will allocate up to 20 per cent of its share capital, free of charge, to estate agents who place their properties on to the site. Thousands of estate agents
Your guide to the movie programmes at cinemas in Oxfordshire and surrounding counties between Friday, April 21, and Thursday, April 27, 2000. Next update: April 28. ABC MAGDALEN STREET (01865 251998) Toy Story 2, U, daily 12.15, 2.35pm. Erin Brockovich
SUNDAY, APRIL 23 Evenley Wood: 2-6pm. Dogs on leads. Teas. The Manor House, Clifton Hampden: 2.30-5.30pm, Teas and plants. Wheelchairs welcome. Also Monday. EASTER MONDAY, APRIL 242 Broadwell House, Broadwell: 2-6pm. Teas and plants. Wheelchairs welcome
SPANISH car-maker SEAT is continuing its 50th birthday year celebrations by introducing a new range of special edition Ibiza and Cordoba models to be called 'dot cool', priced from 7,995, writes David Duffy. They all have standard air conditioning and
JOHN Cooper, the Grand Prix race-car constructor and father of the Mini Cooper, was presented with the OBE for services to the motor industry, writes David Duffy. Cooper, 76, was a leading race car constructor in the 1960s and his team produced many race-winning
JOHN Reynolds extended his lead in the British Superbike Championships after Sunday's races at Donnington Park, writes John Gilbride. The Scotsman powered his Ducati to victory in the third round and then took second place behind Chris Walker's Suzuki
MINI has announced a new three-model line-up for the UK market, known as the Mini Classic range, writes David Duffy. Expanding on the previous two-car line-up of Mini and Mini Cooper, the Mini Classic range includes the 9,495 Mini Seven, 9,895 Mini Cooper
VAUXHALL says the all-new Corsa, which goes on sale in the autumn, will set new standards in the small car market, writes David Duffy. With the longest wheelbase in its class at 98 inches, Vauxhall says the car will offers more interior space and outstanding
THE first time I ever rode a Harley was about ten years ago, writes John Gilbride. It was a 'knucklepanshovelheadthingymajig' and was owned by a giant of a man called Jez who wore a weird beard and was clad in tassled leathers which were littered with
Your guide to events in Oxfordshire and the surrounding region from Friday, April 21, to Friday, April 28. Next update: April 28. GOOD FRIDAY, APRIL 21 Car boot sale: Westfield, Burford Recreation Ground, 8am-2pm, in aid of local scout group. Easter steamings
Schoolboy Joe Strachan was hailed a hero today after his quick thinking saved his family in a fire at their home. The 13-year-old heard the smoke alarm go off in the family's ground floor and basement flat in Walton Well Road, Oxford, woke his father
Your guide to theatre, musicals and dance in Oxfordshire from Friday, April 21, to Thursday, April 27. Updated every Friday. APOLLO OXFORD (0870 6063500) Fri 7.30pm, Magic Tribute to Queen, Sun 8pm, The Moody Blues. Apr 25-29, 7.30pm, mats Wed and Sat
THAME United are taking nothing for granted as they prepare to take on underdogs Ardley United in the second Oxfordshire Senior Cup semi-final at Oxford City tonight (7.45). Joint manager Andy Sinnott said: "We ought to beat them if we are on our game
The lack of form shown by the Czech Republic brothers Ales and Lukas Dryml is causing concern to both JT\Fox Oxford Cheetahs skipper Steve Johnston and team manager Colin Meredith, writes John Gaisford. Both newcomers have failed to hit the heights in
There was time when the phrase 'going to the dogs' was all too open to literal interpretation, writes George Frew. The sort of people who looked on an evening watching greyhounds career round a cinder track were the sort of people who probably had enough
An engineering firm plans to increase its workforce by 25 people following a major investment. The investment in new machinery has secured 50 jobs at Wantage-based Orbit Precision Machining. The firm said the new machinery would boost productivity and
Fish4homes.co.uk, the property Web site associated with This Is Oxfordshire, has announced that it will allocate up to 20 per cent of its share capital, free of charge, to estate agents who place their properties on to the site. Thousands of estate agents
Tim Metcalfe talks to the man described as 'the Vinnie Jones of folk' The last time David Gray visted Oxford few people outide Ireland had heard of this fiesty singer songwriter. These days, music business luminaries such as Robbie Williams, DJ Jo Whiley
A pub landlord who leased his home to a social housing agency claims his good deed has gone sour. David Mills said his Cowley house, leased from him for five years in late 1994 by Oxford Social Lettings Agency, was returned to him last month in a filthy
The future of David Blagdon jailed for life for setting fire to church curtains could be decided in a fortnight's time. Blagdon, 48, set fire to curtains and pews at St Laurence's Church, South Hinksey, in 1978. The offence happened soon after the death
A councillor accused of making racist remarks about asylum seekers at a public meeting has apologised. Diana Ludlow said she never meant her comments to be racist. Cllr Ludlow, a Conservative member of both Thame town and Oxfordshire county councils,
An ambitious 2m bid to build a railway station on former industrial land has been branded as "unacceptable" by councillors. Wallingford Town Council has opposed plans by the Cholsey and Wallingford Railway Preservation Society to develop a three-acre
Paedophile Raymond Blackwell was jailed for ten years after a 22-year reign of sexual terror on young girls. Blackwell, 56, of Windrush Towers, Blackbird Leys, Oxford, confessed after he was sent a letter from one of his victims describing how he had
Serial rapist Graham Rankine is today facing a second life sentence for a brutal sex attack on an Oxford student. Rugby player Rankine had been released from a life sentence for a previous rape when he snatched the 30-year-old woman, a junior fellow at
The 100-ton locomotive Pendennis Castle was loaded aboard a freighter in Western Australia yesterday to be shipped back to England. Richard Croucher, deputy chairman of the Great Western Society, and Mick Dean, general manager of Didcot Railway Centre
OXFORD United boss Denis Smith has laughed off claims that loan signing Eddie Newton is earning between 5,000-8,000 a week at the club, writes Mark Edwards. And Smith says that money was the last thing on Newton's mind when the former Chelsea man joined
Your guide to exhibitions in Oxfordshire and the surrounding counties from April 21 to April 27. Next update: April 28. Please check Easter opening hours with venue before visiting. MUSEUM OF MODERN ART Tues-Sun 11am-6pm, Thurs 11am-9pm. Until Jul 2,
