An exclusive prep school that catered for royalty is to close, blaming the impact of the invasion of Iraq and the Sars epidemic. Millbrook House School, in Milton, near Abingdon, will close its doors next month because too few pupils have enrolled for
The glamour of Oxford United is inspiring young people to develop their literacy and numeracy skills as part of a Government-backed scheme. A total of 16 schools have sent students to United's Kassam Stadium to take part in the Playing for Success initiative
Stuart Brown and passenger Luke Peters, of Finstock, continued their dominant defence of their British Sidecar Championship title on Easter Monday, at the Asham Woods circuit, near Frome, Somerset. After topping the qualifying sheets with a three-second
I was hijacked in mid-air, dunked in a river and paraded in front of the media -- all to promote this weekend's sixth annual Oxford Balloon Fiesta at Cutteslowe Park (May 10-11). A heck of a way to lose my ballooning virginity. My larger-than-life balloon
One of Britain's top independent schools, the School of St Helen and St Katharine in Abingdon, starts celebrating its 100th birthday on May 11. Celebrations will include anniversary concerts and an evening gala performance, complete with champagne and
A Long Hanborough man who moved to Inverness 15 months ago was killed in a road accident on April 28. Shaun Aris, 31, who was born and raised in Long Hanborough, moved to Scotland with his wife Annette and two children Benjamin, five, and Joanna, two,
Peter Fenn previews the new Oxford Times Cherwell League season, which starts on May 10. Salman KhanFormer Oxford University paceman Salman Khan has signed for Morris Motors. Salman, who played for Bicester & North Oxford in the Homes Counties Premier
Peter Fenn previews the new Oxford Times Cherwell League season, which starts on May 10. Trevor Spindler Didcot will be placing great reliance on the old guard to assist new skipper Andy Broughton, who has taken over from Julian Hitchman. The club welcome
After three years without a village shop, Lewknor has a new one, thanks to a local housing association. Shop-keeper Suresh outside the new shop It is the first time, Soha Housing has become involved in providing a shop. Lewknor had a village shop for
Oxfordshire could have former England Under 21 fly-half Johnny Goodridge in their team for their Tetley's County Shield Pool 3 decider against Dorset & Wilts at Swanage on Saturday. The former Bicester schoolboy, who has missed much of his season
A litter of piglets are delighting visitors both young and old to Cogges Manor Farm Museum in Witney. One of the litter of 12 Gloucester Old Spots The museum's Gloucester Old Spot sow, Queenie, has given birth to 12 piglets. More piglets are expected
Rail passengers on the Cotswold Line were treated to a special service on May 7 to mark the 150th anniversary of the route's official opening. Cotswold Line Promotion Group anniversary officer Paul Lilly, right, membership secretary John Stanley, left
Parish councillors are to discuss whether the gate on Cane Lane, Grove, should be removed to re-open the lane to through traffic. Following a public meeting in April, at which the majority of residents were against the plan, the council decided its environmental
Staff from Wantage's two medical practices hope to move into the town's new purpose-built health centre at the end of the month. The Church Street and Newbury Street Practices aim to move from Garston Lane to the new Mably Way centre over the weekend
'MOT' health checks are being offered to pensioners at newly-launched drop-in clinics in villages. Emma Webb, 95, and Bertha Chapman, 97, chat to nurse Caroline Smith at a drop-in clinic Patients registered to the White Horse and Fern Hill GP practices
The Right Reverend Frank Weston, former Archdeacon of Oxford and Canon of Christ Church, Oxford, has died, aged 67. Rt Rev Frank Weston, pictured as he prepared to move to Ripon in 1998 Bishop Weston had been due to retire at the end of May after a 40
A family obstacle course with attractions such as shooting plastic ducks with water pistols and sack racing proved a hit at North Moreton Bank Holiday fete. Fete organiser Susannah Stobart with her son Rory "Another popular attraction was the crockery-smashing
Three members of the Headington women's squad - Jude Craft, Allison Hirst and Tracy Galbraith - helped the South of England to victory in an Inter-Area 10k road race at Chelmsley Wood, Birmingham. In very warm, windy conditions, the trio, together with
Eighteen-year-old Mathew Ashton, of Witney, made a successful start to the defence of his Mota-vation title in the first race of this year's series at Charlton-on-Otmoor. Mathew AshtonAshton left the village just behind Headington's newcomer Kevin Murphy
Results from recent Aunt Sally games in the Greene King League as of May 7, 2003 <image large="sport-sally.gif" small="sport-sally.gif" type="portrait"></image>Premier/Section 1: Cricketers B 3, Flying Machine 0; Royal Sun 0, White House A
Cherry Red Records Hellenic League: Quarry Nomads, who completed a remarkable change in fortune by clinching the Hellenic League Division 1 East championship just 18 months after they nearly folded, look like missing out on promotion. Quarry Nomads Although
Site preparation work is due to start on a new wing at the Isis neutron centre at Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, near Didcot. Science minister Lord Sainsbury announced Department of Trade and Industry funding of more than £100m for the project. Prof
Nicky Dobson has had enough of bureaucracy and has shut up her farm shop. She blamed South Oxfordshire District Council -- and to show her disapproval she had one last dig at them. The council has locked horns with her over unauthorised roadside signs
Former Oxford United striker Dean Saunders is being tipped as a possible successor to John Gregory at Derby County. Dean SaundersManager Gregory is expected to leave the club later today when they announce their verdict on an inquiry launched in the wake
Racing chief Tom Walkinshaw has sold the 30-acre Leafield home of two of his former companies -- TWR Engineering and Arrows Formula One Racing Team. TWR Engineering, which has another site in Worthing, Sussex, was sold as a going concern by administrators
Thousands of homes will be built near Kidlington unless towns such as Bicester and Didcot expand. By 2016, according to the county council's draft structure plan, there could be 5,500 new homes in Oxford alone. The document, which will be debated by the
Thousands of people turned out to enjoy the sunshine and the second huge party of the weekend in Oxford. Mayfly, which was held in South Park yesterday, attracted 6,000 people. There was something for everyone ranging from the Sonic dance tent, live music
Banbury School has received a much-improved report from Ofsted inspectors. Artist David Odwar teaches Year 10 pupil Aaron Houghton in 2002 The report has been welcomed by the school, but principal Dr Fiona Hammans has warned that substantial investment
A retired couple claim vibration from heavy traffic on one of Oxford's main roads is making their house fall apart. Jane and Ken Meadows, who live in Cowley Road, say cracks have appeared in kitchen tiles and exterior masonry because lorries and buses
The Cowley-built new Mini's latest celebrity fan is Madonna. The pop giant is so pleased with her black Mini Cooper S that she has given it a mention in her latest single American Life. Madonna, who lives in London with film director Guy Ritchie and two
The 10th Abingdon St Helen's Scout Group is holding a jumble sale and cake stall in the Market Place on May 10, from 8.30am to noon.
Abingdon's most colourful and entertaining river festival, the Dragon Boat races, has attracted 27 teams for May 11's event. Boats race in last year's event Paddlers in fancy dress will set off down the Thames in their decorated boats, from opposite Wilsham
A former vicar of Launton and a member of the Bicester team ministry, the Rev John Blyth, has died, aged 66. Mr Blyth was a team vicar with responsibility for Launton. In 1984, he became priest in charge of Long Hanborough, Church Hanborough and Freeland
Stunt motorbikes, a sword swallower and a dog agility group will all be keeping the crowds entertained at Wallingford's annual carnival, scheduled for June 21. But the most spectacular event will be the big parade through the streets with scores of organisations
The man fronting Firoz Kassam's bid to bring Premiership rugby to Oxford has described Bristol Shoguns owner Malcolm Pearce as "a loose cannon". There has been speculation over the past three months that Pearce was prepared to sell his Bristol rugby franchise
Oxfordshire Under 20s' dream of playing at Twickenham died when they went down 28-19 to North Midlands in their Tetley's Under 20 Championship semi-final at Dudley Kingswinford on Saturday. It was a gallant display from the Oxon lads, who actually trailed
Workers had a blazing time learning how to use fire extinguishers and developing their drug awareness. Cathy Neale, of The Palace nightclub in Witney, learns how to fight a fire, watched by instructor Len Reid Staff from Oxfordshire schools, pubs and
Two ponies at the New Yatt Riding for the Disabled group have been providing riding lesson for 10 years. Riders and volunteers celebrated with a party for Topsy and Dusty with a cake and lots of carrots, and the ponies were presented with long service
Willing landowners are being sought in a new bid to boost affordable housing schemes in the villages of west Oxfordshire. The district council is in talks with 12 parishes in the area, but in virtually all cases the chances of them seeing the light of
Towersey's jazz singing Lady of the Manor and parish council chairman is ready to swing again. As Marie-Jane Barnett she is the chatelaine of Towersey Manor and chairman of the five-strong parish council. But let the music sound and she becomes jazz singer
A shelter to give young people in Grove a place to gather is set to be installed, despite neighbours' concerns. A public meeting had been held to discuss the siting of the shelter after residents feared there would be increased noise and vandalism. But
Pupils who had competed for their country or shown commitment to their school team were praised at King Alfred's Community Sports College's annual sports awards. The Year Seven girls football team with their award The ceremony was held for the first time
Oxfordshire headteachers have accused the Government of "getting its sums wrong", over the funding of education. Delegates at the annual conference of the National Association of Headteachers, in York, issued a warning over funding shortages and threatened
Rover Oxford Ladies lost their National League status after a brave effort at the Inter-League play-offs at the Belle Vue Leisure Centre in Manchester over the Bank Holiday weekend. They gave thermselves a real chance of remaining in English League Division
Train services between Oxford and Bicester should be improved, not reduced, according to county councillor Dr Robert East. Dr East, who represents Islip -- which has a station on the line -- described Thames Trains' decision to reduce the number of trains
Oxford Sports Ladies B already face a battle to stay in the top flight of the Wilson 3-Pair Inter-Club League after falling to their second defeat of the season. Promoted Sports knew they faced a tough time to retain their Division 1 status, but after
The Oxford Silver Machine are confident of making progress in the Speedway Star Knockout Cup when they face Ipswich for the third time in as many weeks in the quarter-final second leg at Oxford Stadium ton Friday (7.30pm). Charlie Gjedde The mood in the
Oxfordshire veterans John Exley and Mike Shipway won national age group titles in the British Masters 10K Road Championships at Chelmsley Wood, Birming- ham. Mike ShipwayOxford City stalwart Exley completed the undulating course in very windy conditions
Radley AC men dominated their first-ever competition as a team in the Southern League meeting at Kingston. Out of 35 events, they had no fewer than 17 first and 16 second placings plus two thirds. As Radley only become a mixed-sex club in January, this
Neil Pratley defied dreadful weather conditions to clang off 15 dolls, including two sixes, as the Woodman beat Bull 3-0 in Section 2 of the Greene King Oxford Aunt Sally League. <image large="sport-sally.gif" small="sport-sally.gif" type="portrait
One of the best known figures on the Hellenic League circuit, Ted Sherwood, has died aged 68. Ted was an avid supporter of Carterton Town for 25 years, and also served on the committee. He also followed the playing career of his son, Paul, at Carterton
A music festival that turns a quiet north Oxfordshire village into a temporary tented town of more than 23,000 folk-rock fans, will celebrate its 25th anniversary this summer. Fairport Convention's 2003 Cropredy Festival takes place on August 7, 8, and
One of the earliest of George Bernard Shaw's plays, Mrs Warren's Profession -- completed in 1894 -- was not publicly performed for another 31 years. Why so? Because the 'profession' under consideration was the oldest one, so-called, and such a subject
Crimestoppers is urging Oxfordshire residents to report friends and relatives who ignored last month's gun amnesty. During the national campaign, 1,185 guns were surrendered in the Thames Valley Police area, as well as 23,877 rounds of ammunition. Those
Householders have been warned to be on their guard after conmen targeted elderly people in distraction burglaries. Two men posing as water board officials knocked at the door of a 90-year-old woman's door in London Road, Wheatley, on May 5. They claimed
Homes and gardens in an Oxfordshire village may collapse unless the Government bans a quarry from digging deeper into the ground, according to the county council. But mineral experts working on behalf of Land Recovery, which owns the quarry in Woodeaton
Train services between Oxford and Bicester should be improved, not reduced, according to county councillor Dr Robert East. Dr East, who represents Islip -- which has a station on the line -- described Thames Trains' decision to reduce the number of trains
Portfolio holders on the executive board of Oxford City Council have been told they can keep their jobs for the next 12 months. The decision to continue with the same 10 councillors in the key posts was taken at the Labour group's annual meeting on May
Volunteers will dig deep in June to plant the Blenheim Palace Flower Show in the world record books. They will attempt to set a world record for creating the longest flower bed on the eve of the show. But the attempt will require an army of volunteers
