Lesbian couple Vicky Hill and Hayley Marlow, who hoped to make history by having their own IVF baby, have split up. The women, from Banbury, planned to have one of 22-year-old Miss Hill's eggs fertilised and implanted into 29-year-old Miss Marlow's womb
A former Roman Catholic church in Wootton, near Abingdon, is to be replaced by new homes. Four, one-bedroom flats are to be built on the site, despite opposition from the parish council and some residents. The Church of St Pius X, in Cumnor Road, is opposite
The question of how Oxfordshire manages its waste in the future is an important one for all residents of the county. Collectively, we have to ensure that far less waste is sent to landfill than is the case currently. This is for good environmental reasons
We have always known that we have some of the best surgeons in the world in Oxford. Now, it seems, their reputation is spreading fast. Increasingly, patients are being flown or driven in from other parts of the country to receive emergency treatment at
Starting the school year with eight headteacher vacancies across the county is hardly ideal. A good head provides vision, direction and impetus. Even those schools with the best staff in the world are really only marking time until a leader is found.
I have just spent time in the Manor Hospital at Headington, Oxford, having a knee replacement operation through the NHS. The treatment I received was excellent. Nothing was too much trouble for the staff. They even arranged for me to attend my grandson's
The family of a Horspath father-of-three killed when a slab of granite fell on him have paid tribute to a kind-hearted, larger-than-life man. Peter Taylor, 60, of The Hollies, Cuddeson Road, died last Thursday at Waterstock Farm, in Waterstock as he helped
Test results for 14-year-olds have improved in Oxfordshire for the third consecutive year led by English, maths and science. Delighted teachers are hoping the results will have a knock-on effect on GCSE scores in two years time. Provisional Key Stage
Tough measures to stop children falling into a life of crime and antisocial behaviour are not being imposed in Oxfordshire because they do not work, youth workers claim. Prime Minister Tony Blair last week announced plans to expand the reach of parenting
One of Oxford's most deprived housing estates wants to link up with a notorious New York suburb in a bid to improve residents' living standards. The 13,500 population of Blackbird Leys and Greater Leys will share ideas, values and tactics for improving
A concrete crash barrier will be built along Oxford's Eastern Bypass, but controversy surrounds whether it should be made a 50mph dual carriageway. Last night Oxfordshire County Council's policy-making cabinet agreed to press ahead with plans to install
Oxford has something to celebrate after being named winner of the annual Thames and Chilterns in Bloom competition. The city beat off competition from Reading to pick up the award for best city, announced at a ceremony in Henley Town Hall yesterday. It
OXFORD City's Steve Male wrapped up the Mota-vation road race series title after a thrilling tussle in the final round in Oxford. A record field brought an exciting finish as Male edged out Vale of Aylesbury's Paul Gregory over the four-mile course to
I have recently returned home from having a replacement hip operation and am so pleased with the operation that I would like to thank all the surgical, ward and administrative staff through the Oxford Mail. I went into the Manor Hospital as an NHS patient
I sympathise with your correspondents who are sorry to see the felling of the London Plane tree in St Mary Magdalen churchyard. However, they are wrong to imply that the city council employs a bunch of gormless lumberjacks hacking down trees all over
A football fans' survey has rated Oxford United's matchday food as the second worst in the country. United food came 148th in a survey of 149More than 3,000 people supporting 149 British clubs responded to the survey, which was carried out at the end
Thames Valley Police are clearly on a nice little earner. And for once, we're not talking about the millions they rake in from motorists caught by speed cameras. The force is charging the Home Office up to £400 a night to detain illegal immigrants in
Another step was taken towards mono-culture in Cowley Road, Oxford, when planning inspector David Stephenson gave permission for the former bed shop to be converted into a bar and restaurant. His report is depressing because it gives a green light to
Motoring journalist Jeremy Clarkson will face a peaceful protest from the Green Party when he receives an honorary degree from Oxford Brookes University on Monday. Earlier this year, Green councillors in Oxfordshire wrote to the university's vice-chancellor
Doctors' requests for a helicopter landing pad on the roof of Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital were rejected because it was too expensive, according to NHS managers. Helen Peggs, spokesman for the Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust, said calls for the
