Archive

  • Independent hopes to spring a surprise

    Witney's Independent candidate, Barry Beadle, said he could be a surprise package on Thursday's General Election vote. He was out campaigning last week with a handful of supporters in Witney town centre. "I have been well received so far, support is growing

  • Peer calls on Tory to quit party

    A former Conservative MP who defected to the Liberal Democrats has urged Wantage Tory candidate Robert Jackson follow her example. Emma Nicholson, who is now a Lib Dem peer and MEP, urged Mr Jackson, a Europhile, to be "bold and resolute" and switch parties

  • Eight candidates sign green pledge

    Eight Parliamentary candidates for Oxford constituencies have signed up to a "Green X Code" produced by environmental campaigners Friends of the Earth. Oxford FOE approached all the candidates for both Oxford constituencies and asked whether they would

  • Cricket: Weekend results check

    All weekend results for Oxfordshire cricket sides ECB 38-COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP Kent Cricket Board 219-6 (50 ovs, P Lazenbury 72, S Iqbal 44), Oxfordshire 146-8 (50 ovs, S Laudat 53). ______________________ HOME COUNTIES PREMIER LEAGUE Division 1 Reading

  • Back at the heart of civil war

    There is a row brewing about how developing the Oxford Prison site will affect St George's Tower and the Castle Mound. We play devil's advocate and ask: Are they worth preserving as historic features of the city - or are they merely unimportant relics

  • Boys poised to provide musical magic

    Six young singers from Oxfordshire schools have beaten off fierce competition to take part in Mozart's The Magic Flute at this year's Garsington Opera. They will perform on the festival's opening night, June 9, and six subsequent nights during the month-long

  • Bannister enjoys nursery party

    Running legend Sir Roger Bannister was on hand to help his granddaughter's Oxford playgroup celebrate its 25th anniversary. Sir Roger, who broke the four-minute mile barrier in Oxford in 1954, opened the family summer party held by Polstead Playgroup

  • Climate debate

    The daughter of Nelson Mandela, Dr Maki Mandela will speak at the Oxford Union, Frewin Hall, St Michael's Street, at 8pm on Wednesday, June 13. She will be proposing that America has neglected its role in fighting climate change.

  • Villagers criticise roundabouts bid

    A scheme to slow traffic in Wolvercote has been met with criticism from villagers. Oxford City Council is consulting residents about plans to install mini-roundabouts on Godstow Road at the junctions with Mere Road and Wolvercote Green. A parking bay

  • CCTV clocks up total of 659 arrests

    Oxford's network of street cameras has clocked up 659 arrests since it was launched two years ago. Between February 1 and May 9, the 17 CCTV cameras in the city centre helped police arrest 98 people. They have also helped to find four missing people since

  • Straw criticises tuition fee policy

    The son of Home Secretary Jack Straw has criticised the Government's policy of bringing in tuition fees for university students. Oxford University student William Straw, who is the New College Junior Common Room president, wants to see the winners of

  • Roadworks hit restaurant takings

    The managers of an Oxford city centre restaurant claim their takings have dropped because of roadworks. Bella Pasta, in George Street, claims its takings are down 15 per cent on the same time last year. They believe work outside the restaurant to mend

  • Voters fume as ballot papers vanish in post

    People in north Oxford fear they may be excluded from Thursday's General Election after their postal ballot forms failed to arrive. A number of people living in Cutteslowe applied to vote by post, but have yet to see the ballot papers delivered. Returning

  • Villagers criticise roundabouts bid

    A scheme to slow traffic in Wolvercote has been met with criticism from villagers. Oxford City Council is consulting residents about plans to install mini-roundabouts on Godstow Road at the junctions with Mere Road and Wolvercote Green. A parking bay

  • United name the dates

    Mark Wright will have just five games to look at his new Oxford United team before the season proper gets under way. United have officially released their list of pre-season fixtures, with just one match - the final game - played at the new Kassam Stadium

  • Ten plays cast into spotlight

    Wallingford's theatre is set to host a wide range of plays when the Fifteenth Corn Exchange Drama Festival opens on June 10. People buying a festival omnibus ticket will be entertained by two different shows a night for five nights, followed by a finale

  • 2001 sculpture: a planning odyssey

    Woodstock could have a fitting tribute to the new Millennium - a monolith similar to that featured in Arthur C Clarke's famous novel 2001: A Space Odyssey. Plans for the sculpture - which is to be built on a green traffic island at the junction between

  • Foot and mouth funds raised

    Villagers in Ascott under Wychwood have raised £1,050 to help farmers struggling to survive the foot and mouth crisis. The money was collected in three weeks and has been sent to the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution.

  • Straw criticises tuition fee policy

    The son of Home Secretary Jack Straw has criticised the Government's policy of bringing in tuition fees for university students. Oxford University student William Straw, who is the New College Junior Common Room president, wants to see the winners of

  • Ten plays cast into spotlight

    Wallingford's theatre is set to host a wide range of plays when the Fifteenth Corn Exchange Drama Festival opens on June 10. People buying a festival omnibus ticket will be entertained by two different shows a night for five nights, followed by a finale

  • Everest bid hit by tragedy

    Councillor and mountaineer Roy Tudor Hughes's attempt to become the oldest Briton to conquer Everest has been thwarted by bad luck. Mr Tudor Hughes, 62, who is standing again as a county councillor for Dorchester-on-Thames, flew out to Nepal in March

  • Foot and mouth funds raised

    Villagers in Ascott under Wychwood have raised £1,050 to help farmers struggling to survive the foot and mouth crisis. The money was collected in three weeks and has been sent to the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution.

  • Youngsters inspire playground

    Village youngsters knew exactly what they wanted when asked in a questionnaire about a new playground. And that gave Minster Lovell Parish Council the ideas they needed to furnish the Ripley Avenue Amenity Area. Equipment includes swings, a seesaw and

  • Independent hopes to spring a surprise

    Witney's Independent candidate, Barry Beadle, said he could be a surprise package on Thursday's General Election vote. He was out campaigning last week with a handful of supporters in Witney town centre. "I have been well received so far, support is growing

  • Riders replace sick boy's stolen bike

    A group of bikers brought the smile back to the face of young leukaemia sufferer Adam Clarke when they replaced his stolen motorbike. Riders at Eynsham Motorcross Practice Track held a charity weekend to raise the money for the new Kawasaki 65cc after

  • Gardens open

    Chinnor's allotments will be open to take part in the first Chinnor Open Gardens Day on July 1, when a dozen village gardens will be open to raise money for charity.

  • Ban on noisy factories

    Thame town council planning committee has asked South Oxfordshire District Council not to allow any factories to be built on the new industrial estate in Thame Park Road if the plans include noisy extraction flues because of the residential development

  • Angry voter gives hopeful bum deal

    Conservative hopeful Boris Johnson, pictured above with his wife, Marina, certainly got the message when he was confronted by an angry voter while campaigning. Boris JohnsonMr Johnson - who is hoping to succeed Michael Heseltine as MP for Henley and Thame

  • Peer calls on Tory to quit party

    A former Conservative MP who defected to the Liberal Democrats has urged Wantage Tory candidate Robert Jackson follow her example. Emma Nicholson, who is now a Lib Dem peer and MEP, urged Mr Jackson, a Europhile, to be "bold and resolute" and switch parties

  • Cricket: Rich pickings for Rorich

    Bottom-of-the-table Luton were no match for a vibrant Banbury side in Saturday's encounter as opening bowler Mark Rorich turned in a top-class performance. The visitors began steadily against Rorich and Ian Adams, but then lost three wickets in 11 balls

  • Walkers limbering up

    Free foot massages will be on offer at a Bicester pharmacy to prepare walkers for the Diabetes UK Walk in the Park. The event at Oxford University Parks to raise funds for diabetes research will be launched by author Colin Dexter next Sunday at 2pm. Lloyds

  • Cricket - OCA League: Pym shines as holders edge in

    Nick Pym was the matchwinner as Airey Cup holders Garsington progressed to the third round with a thrilling three-run win over Shrivenham. Batting first, Garsington made 167 with Wakefield (48) and Parsons (54) top-scoring, as Stevens took an impressive

  • Roadwork payment sought

    Assurances are being sought by Bicester town councillors that repairs will be made to a by-pass before responsibility for the road is handed over. The Bicester southern by-pass - part of the town's ring road - is due to be handed over by the Highways

  • Cricket: Sloppy Oxfordshire slip to third successive defeat

    Oxfordshire's disappointing start to the season continued as they went down by 73 runs to a Kent Board XI at Christ Church yesterday in their first of four ECB 38-County Competition group games. The defeat made it three losses in three competitive games

  • 300 take up Challenge

    Three hundred runners braved scattered showers to take part in the 22nd Otmoor Challenge run. There had been fears earlier in the year that the 13-mile race, which is run cross country, would have to be cancelled because of the foot and mouth outbreak

  • Cricket: Weekend results check

    All weekend results for Oxfordshire cricket sides ECB 38-COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP Kent Cricket Board 219-6 (50 ovs, P Lazenbury 72, S Iqbal 44), Oxfordshire 146-8 (50 ovs, S Laudat 53). ______________________ HOME COUNTIES PREMIER LEAGUE Division 1 Reading

  • Cricket: Bicester keep cool in grandstand finish

    Bicester & North Oxford were involved in a thrilling finish with Radlett in the Home Counties Premier League on Saturday. In a match reduced by three overs each side, Bicester made 258-4 from their 60 overs, with Oxfordshire skipper Rob Williams leading

  • Twin visit delayed

    The first official visit to Didcot by civic leaders and groups from its French twin town has been postponed. Fifty visitors from Meylan in south-east France were due to be in the town from July 5-8 - the first time since the twinning link was set up two

  • Arsonists wreck van

    Arsonists set fire to a new £15,000 Mercedes van after failing to push it into the River Windrush at Witney. The fire left the vehicle, belonging to Computer Developments UK, a complete write-off and also set light to a tree. David Merriman, managing

  • Swerve led to fatality

    A car driver died in a head-on accident with a lorry after he swerved to avoid a lamb which had wandered into the road. The 30-year-old, who has not yet been named by police, was travelling on the B4011 between Oakley and Long Crendon near Thame when

  • 300 take up Challenge

    Three hundred runners braved scattered showers to take part in the 22nd Otmoor Challenge run. There had been fears earlier in the year that the 13-mile race, which is run cross country, would have to be cancelled because of the foot and mouth outbreak

  • Angry voter gives hopeful bum deal

    Conservative hopeful Boris Johnson, pictured above with his wife, Marina, certainly got the message when he was confronted by an angry voter while campaigning. Boris JohnsonMr Johnson - who is hoping to succeed Michael Heseltine as MP for Henley - was

  • Mortgages go out of reach

    Single workers earning an average wage would need a mortgage worth seven times their salary to buy an average Oxfordshire home. Spiralling property costs mean that, without outside assistance, ownership is virtually impossible for single people and is

  • Survivor goes the distance

    Cancer survivor Will Goldsmith and three of his friends are cycling the length of Britain to raise funds for a charity that helps children with the disease. The four 17-year-olds are all pupils at Radley College. They will cycle from John O'Groats to

  • Arsonists wreck van

    Arsonists set fire to a new £15,000 Mercedes van after failing to push it into the River Windrush at Witney. The fire left the vehicle, belonging to Computer Developments UK, a complete write-off and also set light to a tree. David Merriman, managing

  • Swerve led to fatality

    A car driver died in a head-on accident with a lorry after he swerved to avoid a lamb which had wandered into the road. The 30-year-old, who has not yet been named by police, was travelling on the B4011 between Oakley and Long Crendon near Thame when

  • Cricket: Rich pickings for Rorich

    Bottom-of-the-table Luton were no match for a vibrant Banbury side in Saturday's encounter as opening bowler Mark Rorich turned in a top-class performance. The visitors began steadily against Rorich and Ian Adams, but then lost three wickets in 11 balls

  • 2001 sculpture: a planning odyssey

    Woodstock could have a fitting tribute to the new Millennium - a monolith similar to that featured in Arthur C Clarke's famous novel 2001: A Space Odyssey. Plans for the sculpture - which is to be built on a green traffic island at the junction between

  • Tower project auction

    A summer supper and auction of promises will help boost Haddenham's church tower project when it takes place on June 16 at Manor Farm. Already more than 70 items will go under the hammer.

  • Cricket- Div 2 West: Oxford rolled over by rivals

    Oxford's unbeaten start to the season came to an abrupt halt as they crashed to an emphatic eight-wicket defeat against leaders Henley in their top-of-the-table battle at Jesus College. The much-anticipated encounter proved a major anti-climax as Oxford

  • Cricket: Simon sparkles with stunning record 171

    Freeland teenager Simon Hole hit what is believed to be a record score for Oxfordshire Under 17s with a brilliant 171 against Bucks at Challow & Childrey. The 17-year-old's sparkling innings included two sixes and 22 fours and dominated Oxon's total

  • Web site devoted to the community

    Headington residents have been invited to visit to a new Web site keeping them informed about community life. Launched by local historian Stephanie Jenkins, www.headington.org.uk is packed with news, history and information about the north-east Oxford

  • Cricket- Div 2 West: Oxford rolled over by rivals

    Oxford's unbeaten start to the season came to an abrupt halt as they crashed to an emphatic eight-wicket defeat against leaders Henley in their top-of-the-table battle at Jesus College. The much-anticipated encounter proved a major anti-climax as Oxford

  • Rural issues talk

    Tony Burton, assistant director of the Council for the Protection of Rural England, will give a talk on rural issues including housing development, wildlife and protection of country houses. The event will take place at the Banbury House Hotel, Oxford

  • ProLife student enters the fray

    An Oxford University student whose mother almost aborted her is standing as a ProLife Alliance candidate. Fiona Pinto, an English Literature student at Magdalen College, has finished her finals and now hopes to represent her home constituency of Welwyn

  • Cricket: Sloppy Oxfordshire slip to third successive defeat

    Oxfordshire's disappointing start to the season continued as they went down by 73 runs to a Kent Board XI at Christ Church yesterday in their first of four ECB 38-County Competition group games. The defeat made it three losses in three competitive games

  • JUNE 10: Morse man launches walking event

    Free foot massages will be on offer at a Bicester pharmacy to prepare walkers for the Diabetes UK Walk in the Park. The event at Oxford University Parks to raise funds for diabetes research will be launched by author Colin Dexter next Sunday at 2pm. Lloyds

  • Prehistoric flints dug up

    Stone Age man may have roamed Headington 12,000 year ago, according to an archeologist. Dr Clive Waddington, of the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, has found evidence to suggest that the area was used by Mesolithic humans for hunting, who lived about

  • Roadworks hit restaurant takings

    The managers of an Oxford city centre restaurant claim their takings have dropped because of roadworks. Bella Pasta, in George Street, claims its takings are down 15 per cent on the same time last year. They believe work outside the restaurant to mend

  • Five rescued from canoe

    A woman and four children have been rescued from a canoe as it drifted near a weir. The rescue has prompted the fire service to warn people to take care as the current in the River Thames remains strong following recent flooding. The incident happened

  • United meeting

    Members of the public are being invited to attend the annual meeting of Blackbird Leys Parish Council. A representative from Oxford United FC, which is building its new ground in the parish, will attend to discuss the project. The event takes place at

  • Walkers limbering up

    Free foot massages will be on offer at a Bicester pharmacy to prepare walkers for the Diabetes UK Walk in the Park. The event at Oxford University Parks to raise funds for diabetes research will be launched by author Colin Dexter next Sunday at 2pm. Lloyds

  • Web site devoted to the community

    Headington residents have been invited to visit to a new Web site keeping them informed about community life. Launched by local historian Stephanie Jenkins, www.headington.org.uk is packed with news, history and information about the north-east Oxford

  • Everest bid hit by tragedy

    Councillor and mountaineer Roy Tudor Hughes's attempt to become the oldest Briton to conquer Everest has been thwarted by bad luck. Mr Tudor Hughes, 62, who is standing again as a county councillor for Dorchester-on-Thames, flew out to Nepal in March

  • Five rescued from canoe

    A woman and four children have been rescued from a canoe as it drifted near a weir. The rescue has prompted the fire service to warn people to take care as the current in the River Thames remains strong following recent flooding. The incident happened

  • Bannister enjoys nursery party

    Running legend Sir Roger Bannister was on hand to help his granddaughter's Oxford playgroup celebrate its 25th anniversary. Sir Roger, who broke the four-minute mile barrier in Oxford in 1954, opened the family summer party held by Polstead Playgroup

  • CCTV clocks up total of 659 arrests

    Oxford's network of street cameras has clocked up 659 arrests since it was launched two years ago. Between February 1 and May 9, the 17 CCTV cameras in the city centre helped police arrest 98 people. They have also helped to find four missing people since

  • Boys poised to provide musical magic

    Six young singers from Oxfordshire schools have beaten off fierce competition to take part in Mozart's The Magic Flute at this year's Garsington Opera. They will perform on the festival's opening night, June 9, and six subsequent nights during the month-long