Banbury golfer Jack Higginson took both individual awards when the Central Sevens League held their presentation evening at Drayton Park, Abingdon. Higginson played 13 out of the 14 matches, winning ten and halving one to take the player-of-the-year award
A Catholic priest serving Abingdon is to become a bishop. Monsignor Declan Lange, who is priest-in-charge of the Church of Our Lady and St Edmund in Radley Road, has been appointed Bishop of Clifton in Bristol. Mgr Lange, 50, moved to Abingdon in September
Soldiers at Dalton Barracks near Abingdon are in training for more rigorous manoeuvres - but this time for charity. Thirty-five members of the 60 Transport Squadron 4 General Support Regiment of the Royal Logistic Corps are limbering up for a ten-mile
New building projects costing £2.7m will get under way later this year at three schools in Abingdon. The biggest scheme, costing £1.5m, will bring Kingfisher special school to one site. More than £1m will be spent on consolidating the infant and junior
The show goes on at an Abingdon primary school - despite the theft of a £1,000 professional drum kit which has left pupils angry and upset. But although the loss of the 16-piece set has disrupted plans for a concert at St Nicolas Church of England school
Volunteers to join the annual litter spring clean on Saturday, March 31, should collect a rubbish bag from East Hagbourne Village Hall at 10am.
The Cholsey and Wallingford Railway Society is seeking planning permission from South Oxfordshire District Council to use part of the Pauls Malt site in St John's Road to improve facilities and access for visitors. The society has acquired a piece of
Ideas for future courses at the community education centre in Chinnor are being sought. Ideas can by placed in suggestion boxes or call 01844 354243.
An electrician suffering from long-term depression drank whisky before commiting suicide in his car, an inquest heard. Peter Woodward, 48, was found dead in his white Ford Escort van. Jogger Christopher Pomfret said he saw a pipe running from the exhaust
Long Crendon parish council is considering paying for a special constable to keep an eye on the village after outbreaks of vandalism. Have your say now on today's news on our Talking Shop messageboards.
Two drivers died after a head-on collision when one of them, a cancer patient, drove round a bend on the wrong side of the road, an inquest heard. Terry Allsworth and Winifred Byres died from their injuries as a result of the accident, along the A338
A roofing firm has been fined after a teenage worker "was lucky to survive" falling from a ladder. Craig Smith, 18, was helping to put the roof on a new single storey building at Caldecott Primary School last July when he fell, breaking a bone in his
The Oxford & District Association junior tournament at Kidlington Forum Youth Centre was dominated by the three current members of the Oxford junior team, who were the top seeds. Greg Boone took the under 15 and 17 titles, the latter after a tremendous
Derek Craik is retiring after 22 years as professional at Frilford Heath, but there will be no change of name on the pro's shop door. For the 63-year-old former tournament player is being succeeded by his 31-year-old son, also called Derek - the Chipping
Chipping Norton's Winter League was completed on a high - albeit on temporary greens - when Dudley Hendy had a hole in one at the 15th. The ace helped Hendy and partner Pete Madley to a 44-point final round which saw them overtake last year's winners,
Saddlers, leaders of Eynsham League Section 1, slipped to a 4-2 defeat at Bletchingdon. Saddlers lost the first three games before Roger Bowen 7,190 pulled one back. However, Geoff Powell (11,090) clinched victory for Bletchingdon in the fifth before
Burford United reached the final of the Autotype UTV League Ridgeway Cup for the first time with the help of two first-half strikes from Simon Gibbs. The 3-0 win against Forest Hill made it fourth time lucky for Burford, who had fallen at the semi-final
Oxford's Kathy Hawes staged an amazing Houdini-style escape to win the Golden Charter Women's All-England Champion of Champions crown in Nottingham. The prolific title-winner was just two shots away from defeat at the hands of Lincoln's Penny Strong in
A new Venture Scout unit for young people in Sutton Courtenay, Appleford, Drayton and Steventon opens at Sutton Courtenay scout hut on Wednesday between 7.30pm and 9.30pm. The aim is to help young people between the ages of 15 and 20 organise a wide range
Horspath recorded a long overdue first win of the season when they beat Chalgrove Cavaliers 1-0 in the Oxford Mail Boys Under 12 B League. Horspath had most of the chances in the first half, Dan Price saving Martin McHugh's penalty, but Suhayl Ali broke
Oxford Cheetahs' promoter Vanessa Purchase has welcomed the news that Sky Sports are to sponsor the Elite League. It is a big boost to British speedway, following on from the lucrative £5m five-year TV deal, announced just before Christmas. The league
The Oxford & District Association junior tournament at Kidlington Forum Youth Centre was dominated by the three current members of the Oxford junior team, who were the top seeds. Greg Boone took the under 15 and 17 titles, the latter after a tremendous
The unseasonably cold weather did its best to disrupt the start of the Shaw and Co Oxfordshire Foursomes League season on Saturday - but it couldn't stop the Division 3 match between Drayton and Carswell. Defying the freezing conditions - both in the
Saddlers, leaders of Eynsham League Section 1, slipped to a 4-2 defeat at Bletchingdon. Saddlers lost the first three games before Roger Bowen 7,190 pulled one back. However, Geoff Powell (11,090) clinched victory for Bletchingdon in the fifth before
Transport planning chief Eddie Luck warned of long queues if a bridge remained two-way when new shops were built nearby. He said additional traffic from the planned £30m Orchard Centre redevelopment in Didcot would overload a new junction with Station
A scheme targeting unlicensed heavy good vehicles in the Thames Valley region has been launched. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, together with the Vehicle Inspectorate, are tightening the net on heavy goods operators who evade excise duty. It
An Oxfordshire smallerholder is urging livestock keepers to make sure they are using the correct disinfectant to ward off foot and mouth. Rob RhodesRob Rhodes, 45, pictured, who keeps sheep, goats, cattle and ponies in Cote, near Standlake, found out
Banbury's Musician of the Year title has been won for the first time by a duet - two students from Bloxham School playing piano and saxophone. Pianist Atar Shafighian and Ross Ferguson on the saxophone scooped the top prize at Saturday's finals night
A one-way system designed to ease traffic chaos caused by roadworks on Bloxham Road, Banbury, is in operation. Northbound traffic entering Banbury will be diverted along Queensway, Broughton Road, and West Bar until the road maintenance work ends on May
Landlords will meet other groups involved in housing and homelessness next week. The link will be part of the re-launch of the Cherwell Housing Providers' Forum, set up to help landlords tackle the problems of property letting. Forum members range from
Chipping Norton's hopes of reaching the national finals of the EBA mixed fours ended after a thrilling battle with Handy Cross in the area final. The Chippy quartet of Les Gillett, Alan Prew, Barbara Sleeman and Maureen McVicker were pipped 20-18 by their
Oxford Cheetahs' promoter Vanessa Purchase has welcomed the news that Sky Sports are to sponsor the Elite League. It is a big boost to British speedway, following on from the lucrative £5m five-year TV deal, announced just before Christmas. The league
Horspath recorded a long overdue first win of the season when they beat Chalgrove Cavaliers 1-0 in the Oxford Mail Boys Under 12 B League. Horspath had most of the chances in the first half, Dan Price saving Martin McHugh's penalty, but Suhayl Ali broke
On International Women's Day George Frew asks whether women are the stronger sex . . . On the day when Esther Rantzen announced that she suspected that the British were a race who enjoyed being bullied by 'ferocious women of mature years in trousers',
Canadian academic Tom Webb will visit Oxford on Friday (March 9) to lead a debate on 'resisting globalisation - creating a sustainable future.' The debate will discuss the question of growing inequalities in the distribution of wealth. The free public
It's a rare sight to see Madonna, Dusty Springfield and Elvis Presley all performing in the same show - but that's exactly what happened at a variety show. Members of the Kidlington Theatre Group got together to organise the fundraising show, which took
Business leaders in Oxfordshire will next week have the chance to put their Budget queries direct to Andrew Smith, Chief Secretary to the Treasury and Oxford East MP. The minister will answer questions at a post-Budget breakfast hosted by the Thames Valley
Pensioner Bill Jupp, 69, welcomed the £5-a-week increase for single OAPs and £8 for couples. But he said: "Long term, the state pension will wither on the vine. It will go up by more than inflation this year and next year, but then it will be pegged to
SIngle parent Teresa Govan, 39, will be £5 a week better off as a result of the increase in Working Families Tax Credit. But she was philosophical about the increase, saying: "We will probably pay more for something else, so I don't expect it will make
Businesswoman Lesley Cowley welcomed the Chancellor's help with childcare costs, though she will not benefit herself. Her son Joe, eight, is at school, and she cannot claim tax relief for the childcare she needs before and after work, and in the school
An electrician suffering from long-term depression drank whisky before commiting suicide in his car, an inquest heard. Peter Woodward, 48, was found dead in his white Ford Escort van. Jogger Christopher Pomfret said he saw a pipe running from the exhaust
Headington residents are being asked if a new school and library should be built at the Manor Ground instead of a private hospital. Hundreds of householders are being consulted to find out whether transferring St Andrew's First School to the football
Council tax payers in Oxford will soon be able to pay their bills over the Internet, as part of a bid by the city council to make its services more accessible. In the next couple of months, the technology will be put in place for council tax payers to
Better guidance is needed from the Environment Agency to gain a clearer picture of Oxford's flood plain and how it affects future development, according to councillors. Members of the city's planning committee said improved guidelines were needed to help
Two drivers died after a head-on collision when one of them, a cancer patient, drove round a bend on the wrong side of the road, an inquest heard. Terry Allsworth and Winifred Byres died from their injuries as a result of the accident, along the A338
Developers will join council officers in round-the-table talks on plans to demolish an Oxford bus depot and replace it with 220 houses. The city council planning committee yesterday gave full backing to Oxford Bus Company's plans to move from its Cowley
More than 1,500 children are dancing to make a difference in an anti-drug and crime prevention competition at Oxford's Apollo Theatre. Fifteen schools - eight last night and seven tonight - are battling it out in eight-minute dance routines for two places
A cancer scientist is making her dramatic debut in Oxford after writing a play in response to a friend's battle against the disease. Dr Lizzie Burns, 26, has written Autodestruct: the Ultimate Cure for Cancer as a curtain raiser for National Science Week
A farm in Middleton Stoney is being investigated for a suspected outbreak of foot and mouth disease. The site is a couple of miles north of Grange Farm, Little Chesterton, where the entire 600-strong flock of sheep belonging to farmer Clive Hawes had
Club results for Witney Lakes WITNEY LAKES March Medal Division 1: 1 S Putt 79-7=72 (cb), 2 G Lock 82-10=72, 3 D Doodson 83-11=72, 4 J Mitchell 83-9=74. Division 2: 1 M Hickman 87-24=63 (cb), 2 M Smith 91-28=63, 3 M Clay 81-15=66, 4 R Collerton 81-14=
Headington residents are being asked if a new school and library should be built at the Manor Ground instead of a private hospital. Hundreds of householders are being consulted to find out whether transferring St Andrew's First School to the football
A youth charity is celebrating after temporary permission for an Oxford skateboard park was made permanent. The Oxford Wheels Project was given permanent planning permission for its park at Iffley playing fields, off Meadow Lane, at yesterday's Oxford
Burford United reached the final of the Autotype UTV League Ridgeway Cup for the first time with the help of two first-half strikes from Simon Gibbs. The 3-0 win against Forest Hill made it fourth time lucky for Burford, who had fallen at the semi-final
Council tax payers in Oxford will soon be able to pay their bills over the Internet, as part of a bid by the city council to make its services more accessible. In the next couple of months, the technology will be put in place for council tax payers to
Two drivers, one from Oxford, died after a head-on collision when one of them, a cancer patient, drove round a bend on the wrong side of the road, an inquest heard. Terry Allsworth and Winifred Byres died from their injuries as a result of the accident
Oxford United boss David Kemp will be forced to play a waiting game to see if Andy Scott is fit for Saturday's local derby at home to Swindon. Scott claimed he was punched in the face and had to be stretchered off during Tuesday night's defeat at Wrexham
A scheme targeting unlicensed heavy good vehicles in the Thames Valley region has been launched. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, together with the Vehicle Inspectorate, are tightening the net on heavy goods operators who evade excise duty. It
Social workers are to be drafted in from Australia and South Africa to help solve the recruitment crisis in Oxfordshire. Twenty per cent of posts in the Children Looked After and Family Support departments of social services are empty. Out of 49 posts
Family doctors are a vital weapon in the battle to stop youngsters smoking, according to Oxford researchers. The British Heart Foundation claims GPs could prevent children taking up tobacco by bombarding them with anti-smoking mail. Research on nearly
A unique project to help disabled and elderly people says it has been forced to cut its services because of a shortfall in financial support. Dialability's mobile service, due to be launched this week, will be the first in the UK to travel around to towns
Abingdon Town ABC boxer Billy Reed, secured a victory in his first ever fight, when he beat home boxer Tim Steven on a majority verdict in Guildford. Reed, 14, was fighting at the 66kg category.
Derek Craik is retiring after 22 years as professional at Frilford Heath, but there will be no change of name on the pro's shop door. For the 63-year-old former tournament player is being succeeded by his 31-year-old son, also called Derek - the Chipping
Urgent work to clear ten Oxfordshire landfill sites of polluted water and potentially explosive gases looks likelyto cost the county council £13m. At four sites, gases are already leaking, and could pose a risk to people living nearby if work does not
Mark Shepherd, 32, of Whitehorns, Drayton, near Abingdon, pleaded guilty at Oxford Crown Court yesterday to assault causing actual bodily harm and was fined £400, ordered to pay £500 compensation and £470 costs.
The show goes on at an Abingdon primary school - despite the theft of a £1,000 professional drum kit which has left pupils angry and upset. But although the loss of the 16-piece set has disrupted plans for a concert at St Nicolas Church of England school
The show goes on at an Abingdon primary school - despite the theft of a £1,000 professional drum kit which has left pupils angry and upset. But although the loss of the 16-piece set has disrupted plans for a concert at St Nicolas Church of England school
Last orders have been called on the Scholar Gypsy pub in Kennington. The campaign to save it has been dealt a final blow by Punch Retail, the owners, and the Vale of White Horse District Council. It will be demolished later this year and replaced by 12
Two condemned classrooms that fail health and safety regulations are to be replaced. The mobile classrooms, among 25 temporary ones at Wheatley Park School, Holton, date from the 1970s. County council officers described the rooms as "some of the worst
New building projects costing £2.7m will get under way later this year at three schools in Abingdon. The biggest scheme, costing £1.5m, will bring Kingfisher special school to one site. More than £1m will be spent on consolidating the infant and junior
New building projects costing £2.7m will get under way later this year at three schools in Abingdon. The biggest scheme, costing £1.5m, will bring Kingfisher special school to one site. More than £1m will be spent on consolidating the infant and junior
Robert Stanley Opticians is planning a new shop front for its St Martin's Street store, and has applied for planning permission.
Marie Curie Cancer Care will receive the profits from a Welsh lunch held by Sinodun Inner Wheel in the Gallery Room, St Mary's Church, on March 10, at 12.30pm. On the menu will be leek soup, Bara Brith cake and Welsh wine. Tickets are priced £5.
Banbury golfer Jack Higginson took both individual awards when the Central Sevens League held their presentation evening at Drayton Park, Abingdon. Higginson played 13 out of the 14 matches, winning ten and halving one to take the player-of-the-year award
Chipping Norton's hopes of reaching the national finals of the EBA mixed fours ended after a thrilling battle with Handy Cross in the area final. The Chippy quartet of Les Gillett, Alan Prew, Barbara Sleeman and Maureen McVicker were pipped 20-18 by their
Derek Craik is retiring after 22 years as professional at Frilford Heath, but there will be no change of name on the pro's shop door. For the 63-year-old former tournament player is being succeeded by his 31-year-old son, also called Derek - the Chipping
The Windrush Valley Rotary Club handed over £2,350 to four charities. The money was raised at a number of functions, including a collection outside Sainsbury's in Witney at Christmas. Present at the handover were Tim Sutton-Woodhouse, from Hearing Dogs
Chipping Norton's Winter League was completed on a high - albeit on temporary greens - when Dudley Hendy had a hole in one at the 15th. The ace helped Hendy and partner Pete Madley to a 44-point final round which saw them overtake last year's winners,
When two Japanese women arrived at Charlbury Station convinced they were at Penzance, stationmaster John Cox knew he had a problem on his hands. "After about half-an-hour of bowing and smiles I managed to put them in the care of a guard on a train back
Art teacher Simon Clarkson and his students from Lord Williams's School have been displaying their work at the Queens Park Centre, in Aylesbury.
Long Crendon village school is appealing for people to search their attics for unused musical instruments and donate them for children who cannot afford their own.
The development of a new trail along a disused railway line will be featured at a group's annual meeting. The Phoenix Trail is the path for cyclists, walkers and horse riders along the old railway line between Thame and Princes Risborough. It is named
An elderly woman who was nearly killed when arsonists set fire to her home never got over the shock. Nellie Lanchbury, who found she could not sleep and was very nervous after the attack, died last week. A funeral service today at Haddenham Baptist Church
Following their 4-1 thrashing by Uxbridge at the weekend, Ryman League Division 1 leaders Thame produced a much-improved performance last night against a Harlow side who had suffered just one defeat in their previous nine games. Thame keeper Ian Moores
Tactical substitutions did the trick as Oxfordshire Under 16s won 2-0 away to Lincolnshire in the East Midlands Youth Combination. In a goalless first half where Oxon were second best to the ball, they were thankful that the home side's excellent approach
Six Bells will represent the Morrells Oxford Sunday league in the Sam Waters Oxfordshire Cup final after defeating Blackbird Leys (Sunday) 2-1 in the semi-final. However, Bells were had to wait until extra time and rely on the golden goal. Star Royals
A farm in Middleton Stoney is being investigated for a suspected outbreak of foot and mouth disease. The site is a couple of miles north of Grange Farm, Little Chesterton, where the entire 600-strong flock of sheep belonging to farmer Clive Hawes had
Council tax payers in Oxford will soon be able to pay their bills over the Internet, as part of a bid by the city council to make its services more accessible. In the next couple of months, the technology will be put in place for council tax payers to
Club results for Oxford Ladies and Hinksey Heights OXFORD LADIES Centenary Stableford - Silver Division: 1 B Mitchell 43, 2 A Troughton 37, 3 M Summers 35. Front nine: L Morgan 18. Back nine: J McCairns 20. Bronze Division: 1 H Burrage 36 (cb), 2 R Garton
Watermans' Gary Johnson, Black Boy's Kevin Pringle and Royal Standard's Pete Ewins booked their places in the Men's Individuals competition quarter-finals in the Morrells Oxford League. At the Black Boy, Johnson knocked out Stephen Sheard 19,290-5,870
Oxford's Kathy Hawes staged an amazing Houdini-style escape to win the Golden Charter Women's All-England Champion of Champions crown in Nottingham. The prolific title-winner was just two shots away from defeat at the hands of Lincoln's Penny Strong in
Greene King Pub Company has submitted a planning application for signs at the Royal Oak pub in Park Road.
The driver of a Ford Escort XR3i ended up in a ditch when he collided with the rear of a Ford Fiesta travelling in the same direction, magistrates heard. Paul Castle, 19, of Swarbourne Close, Didcot, admitted careless driving. Didcot magistrates heard
The Cherwell Agenda 21 group is holding a forum on Tuesday to debate GM crops at Cherwell District Council's Bodicote offices at 7pm. Chairman Andrew Hornsby-Smith said: "This is a unique chance to find out more about GM crops."
VillagerS who want to save a sports field from possible housing development are asking other residents for help. After 50 years, Middleton Cheney Playing Fields Association is in crisis. Volunteers are urgently needed to prevent its committee from folding
Michael Wyatt hit a superb hat-trick as the Giles Sports Witney Boys League Under 14 representative side maintained their 100 per cent record with a 5-1 win against the Mid Wilts Youth and Minor League at North Leigh. Kicking down the slope in the first
Tactical substitutions did the trick as Oxfordshire Under 16s won 2-0 away to Lincolnshire in the East Midlands Youth Combination. In a goalless first half where Oxon were second best to the ball, they were thankful that the home side's excellent approach
Six Bells will represent the Morrells Oxford Sunday league in the Sam Waters Oxfordshire Cup final after defeating Blackbird Leys (Sunday) 2-1 in the semi-final. However, Bells were had to wait until extra time and rely on the golden goal. Star Royals
Extraordinary and ordinary people all make International Women's Day what it is. Zahra Akkerhuys finds out more . . . A book about the lives of Oxford women from all social backgrounds has been published to mark the new Millennium. The new book, called
Accountants Wenn Townsend will hold a seminar this evening to examine the effects of the Budget. More than 150 people, including bankers, solicitors, business people and other professionals, have been invited to the event at Keble College, Oxford. Tax
The tax relief for research and development has been welcomed by business leaders in Oxfordshire as a boost to the county's hi-tech firms. Bill McCardle, director of the Oxfordshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said: "From our point of view in Oxfordshire
Gordon Brown's Budget for the family was welcomed as a boost for those in most need. And as drinkers toasted the Chancellor's freeze on alcohol duty and motorists gave a guarded welcome to cuts in fuel duty and vehicle tax, the health service and schools
Plans to extend an Oxford pub where TV detective Inspector Morse was often seen drinking have been thrown out. Morse, aka John ThawMorrells of Oxford wanted to build a single storey extension to the Bookbinders Arms in Victor Street, Jericho, but the
A cancer scientist is making her dramatic debut in Oxford after writing a play in response to a friend's battle against the disease. Dr Lizzie Burns, 26, has written Autodestruct: the Ultimate Cure for Cancer as a curtain raiser for National Science Week
Social workers are to be drafted in from Australia and South Africa to help solve the recruitment crisis in Oxfordshire. Twenty per cent of posts in the Children Looked After and Family Support departments of social services are empty. Out of 49 posts
A unique project to help disabled and elderly people says it has been forced to cut its services because of a shortfall in financial support. Dialability's mobile service, due to be launched this week, will be the first in the UK to travel around to towns
Michael Wyatt hit a superb hat-trick as the Giles Sports Witney Boys League Under 14 representative side maintained their 100 per cent record with a 5-1 win against the Mid Wilts Youth and Minor League at North Leigh. Kicking down the slope in the first
Well-known dog breeder Ruth Brucker has died at the age of 80, after a short illness. Miss Brucker, who lived in Oxfordshire most of her life, was known for her expert knowledge on breeding champion hounds. She was born in Oxford and was the first - and
Saddlers, leaders of Eynsham League Section 1, slipped to a 4-2 defeat at Bletchingdon. Saddlers lost the first three games before Roger Bowen 7,190 pulled one back. However, Geoff Powell (11,090) clinched victory for Bletchingdon in the fifth before
Following their 4-1 thrashing by Uxbridge at the weekend, Ryman League Division 1 leaders Thame produced a much-improved performance last night against a Harlow side who had suffered just one defeat in their previous nine games. Thame keeper Ian Moores
A cancer scientist is making her dramatic debut in Oxford after writing a play in response to a friend's battle against the disease. Dr Lizzie Burns, 26, has written Autodestruct: the Ultimate Cure for Cancer as a curtain raiser for National Science Week
Extraordinary and ordinary people all make International Women's Day what it is. Zahra Akkerhuys finds out more . . . A book about the lives of Oxford women from all social backgrounds has been published to mark the new Millennium. The new book, called
The Oxford Mail's Quiz League returns to pubs and clubs across the county tonight. The top three teams in each division will go through to play for the Oxford Mail Trophy. There will also be a 'Supplementary Cup' for teams which have missed out on the
The on-going conservation of Oxfordshire's countryside and wildlife has gained momentum. The Oxfordshire Nature Conservation Forum produced a county Biodiversity Action Plan that now has complete habitat action plans in place. Oxfordshire's action plan
The unseasonably cold weather did its best to disrupt the start of the Shaw and Co Oxfordshire Foursomes League season on Saturday - but it couldn't stop the Division 3 match between Drayton and Carswell. Defying the freezing conditions - both in the
