A teenager whose baby brother was killed by meningitis has launched a series of school assemblies to make other children aware of the symptoms. Ryan Payneok, 14, hopes to take his assembly to every school in Bicester to tell as many pupils as possible
A primary school nativity play plunged into darkness during stormy weather was saved just minutes before the curtain rose - by members of the RAF. When the power cut out at Christopher Rawlins Primary School in Adderbury 20 minutes before the play's
Traffic on the A34 in Oxfordshire will grind to a halt within two decades if plans for thousands of new homes across the county go ahead. Experts at the Highways Agency predict that by 2026 the A34, between the M40 and Didcot, will become one of the
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I've been training the new Assistant Manager at the New Theatre & OFS Studio this past couple of weeks. Which means I have been trying to think every problem I came across when being the duty manager at the New Theatre to try and prevent her from
Three people have been arrested in Oxfordshire in connection with a house fire in Southampton which left two people critically ill. The fire took place in the Thornhill area of Southampton during the early hours of Thursday. Two adults and five children
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Thieves stole four tricycles for disabled children from a special school in Abingdon and daubed buildings with abusive graffiti. Police were today appealing for information after the thieves broke into Kingfisher School in Radley Road, overnight on
With a dreamy, festive setting and underlying message of love to all men and women - especially if they're single and unspeakably attractive -The Holiday is a corny comedy that will appeal to hopeless romantics. In sunny California we meet Amanda (Cameron
Clearly pitched at teenage fans of Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Angel, Charmed and their supernatural brethren, The Covenant is a slice of hokum that falls far short of what modern horror-com fans are entitled to expect. Renny Harlin's film is clumsily
British Gas Business Southern League Banbury United boss Kevin Brock admits that he is struggling to put his finger on why his side cannot win at home. The Puritans have managed only one league win at Spencer Stadium all season, and tomorrow host Premier
The music of The Epstein evokes images of the vast American West. And as frontman Olly Wills tells Tim Hughes, there's a good reason With their country vocals, twanging guitars, banjos and western rhythms, The Epstein perfectly conjure up the wide-open
Ignoring school bullies and chasing his dream to be a dancer proved to be an inspired choice for one Oxfordshire boy. Katherine MacAlister talks to Philip Comley as he prepares to take to the stage in Cats: Philip Comley ignored the bullies at school
Singer actor and I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! star Jason Donovan got a special vote of thanks when he appeared at Dorchester Abbey's carol service in aid of the Oxford Children's Hospital on Thursday night. The jet-lagged star who had just
Homes were left without electricity and rivers burst their banks as heavy rain and strong winds hit Oxfordshire on Thursday evening. The electricity supply was cut off to 1,795 customers in Yarnton, Islip and Kidlington at about 6.30pm. Within 20 minutes
Oxford University wants to build a new health centre at the Radcliffe Infirmary as part of the site's £240m redevelopment. But the proposed £10m healthcare facility will be only a quarter of the size of the super surgery originally put forward. And
Wallingford town councillor John Beeton has been found dead in his flat. Mr Beeton, 52, pictured, was known throughout the town as Sailor John as he had been a merchant seaman for most of his life before moving to BMW at Cowley. He had missed a meeting
People from all over Oxford have contacted the Oxford Mail and left comments on our website about the problem of bullies. In total, five mothers of Peers pupils have questioned the school's assurances that it is tackling bullying. They said they had
This film is described by its promoters as The March of the Penguins meets Riverdance, and that's not a bad summary. Happy Feet is a chirpy, computer animated musical comedy about a misfit penguin's quest to find his place in a world that doesn't understand
SATURDAY FOOTBALL NATIONWIDE CONFERENCE Rushden & Diamonds v Oxford United. BRITISH GAS BUSINESS SOUTHERN LEAGUE Premier Div: Banbury Utd v Mangotsfield Utd. Div 1 South & West: Abingdon Utd v Windsor & Eton, Bracknell Tn v Didcot Tn, Taunton
Oxon sides slump to heavy defeats OXFORDSHIRE'S two sides were both hammered 14-1 in the latest round of Inter-County League matches. Oxon 2nd travelled to Wimbledon to take on Surrey 3rd, and only avoided the whitewash when the final mixed doubles
Kyle Hughes is to join Oxford Cheetahs as they return to Conference League action next season. The Chippenham-based youngster made his league debut for Mildenhall in June 2004, five days after his 15th birthday, and went on to make 19 appearances for
Oxford United have a score to settle at Rushden tomorrow. And they've got more than enough former Diamond geezers who will be eager to prove a point! Few United fans will forget the traumatic day at Nene Park in January this year when former boss
A close friend of Michael Humphries - who is accused of murdering academic Barbara Johnston - spent the evening drinking with him hours after he is alleged to have killed her. John Clewer-Wolk, a prison officer who lived in Gloucester Street, Faringdon
The News Cafe 1 Ship Street, Oxford Apart from the racks of newspapers and monochrome photos of yet more newsprint, there's little inside this venue to indicate what prompted this caff's owners to pick the name. It looks snug enough when viewed
Woodstock Road Delicatessen 15 Woodstock Road, 01865 316228 Sometimes, when you fancy a quick lunch rather than a grand sit down affair, its good to be pre-armed with a couple of caf secrets, and the best new one to add to your address book is the
'My private life is my own," snaps harassed Dr Prentice. He is under investigation by Dr Rance, who has been sent from the Ministry to find out what's going on in Dr Prentice's consulting room. As Dr Rance arrives, Dr Prentice, a psychiatrist, is interviewing
"My private life is my own," snaps harassed Dr Prentice. He is under investigation by Dr Rance, who has been sent from the Ministry to find out what's going on in Dr Prentice's consulting room. As Dr Rance arrives, Dr Prentice, a psychiatrist, is interviewing
So Jeremy Clarkson thinks that the A44 will be the death of him, and David Robertson, the county council's cabinet member for transport, states that there have been fewer accidents since the 50mph limit was imposed (Oxford Mail, December 1). Jeremy,
The large, red, capital letter E was strapped to a bicycle leaning against the wall near Botley Road rail bridge. Feet away, a young woman, camera at the ready, was focusing into the mid-morning traffic. She saw me eyeing the solidly constructed vowel
The question of bullying is a complex one. What some people will interpret as bullying, others will regard as good-natured bantering. But our reports this week of incidents at Peers School will certainly raise doubts about the effectiveness of current
For goodness sake, how much longer are we going to have to put up with this political tit-for-tat, 'Wealthy' can't afford to pay (Oxford Mail, December 2). I am fed up with the non-stop back biting of Messrs Robins and Billington who continue to use
I read with interest two articles, one about County Hall's most senior employees' salaries, and the other predicting a 4.25 per cent increase in council tax (Oxford Mail, November 29 and 30). How can such people, employed by us, sleep at night when
Parents' views are being sought on plans for a new primary school which could spark a shake-up of catchment areas in Bicester. Plans to build 500 houses on land next to Gavray Drive include proposals for a school to take pupils from the new estate.
The mother of a teenage girl who took an overdose because she was being bullied has spoken of the moment she realised her daughter was trying to kill herself. The 14-year-old pupil of Peers School in Littlemore had returned home from classes on Monday
A Bicester boy aged six and his little sister helped save their dad's life during a diabetic fit - by summoning one of Santa's elves. When Reece Sullivan's dad Paul collapsed semi-conscious on the kitchen floor, the Longfields Primary School pupil knew
Asian taxi drivers are calling on police to do more to protect them from racist attacks. The news comes after the Crown Prosecution Service revealed the number of defendants prosecuted for racially aggravated offences in the Thames Valley doubled in
The prospect of thousands of homes being built on Oxford's Green Belt significantly in- creased this week with a Government-backed report urging a radical approach to meeting housing needs. The Barker Report, commissioned by Chancellor Gordon Brown
A bid to replace a burned-out pub with shops and flats has been delayed, after the Co-Op was told to stump up £1m to fund affordable housing in Oxford. It wants to build a four-storey block of shops and flats on the site of the former King of Prussia
Footage of dangerous car races apparently staged on a public road in Bicester has been posted on an Internet video site. The video clips, which appear to have been recorded on a mobile phone, show up to three cars at a time overtaking each other at
Experts are to consider installing speed cameras at five rural Oxfordshire sites to prevent deaths and serious injuries on the county's roads. The Oxford Mail can reveal that the Thames Valley Safer Roads Partnership will be investigating whether cameras
Residents say a wildlife corridor near Oxford's Churchill Hospital is being destroyed by the hospital trust. They claim important wildlife habitats are being swept away by diggers as part of a scheme to transform the wooded area around Boundary Brook
Instead of dreaming of a white Christmas, West Oxfordshire District Council is urging people to think green and recycle the extra waste created by the festive season. A massive three million tonnes of extra waste will be generated in Britain over the
A collection of rare books owned by "the best read man in England" has been given by his family to Oxford's Bodleian Library. The outstanding collection built up over a lifetime by the late Sir Basil Blackwell was presented to the Bodleian by Julian
RESIDENTS have secured victory against planners who wanted to knock down two semi-detached houses and build blocks of flats. About 160 residents and neighbours signed a petition opposing plans by Taylor Bucknell Developments to build six three-bedroom
ON-LOAN scrum half James Honeyben will make his Henley Hawks debut in tomorrow's EDF Energy National Trophy third round clash at Havant. The London Wasps player, brother of former Henley back Matt, is one of seven changes to the team that started against
MAZDA says the new Mazda3 MPS will be the fastest, best handling, best braking model in the range when it goes on sale in the UK next February. Priced from £18,995 on-the-road, the Mazda3 MPS will be marketed in the UK as a single model. Each Mazda3
SEAT has revealed the new Leon Cupra will be priced at £19,595 on the road. The 2.0-litre, turbocharged 240 horsepower car can sprint from rest to 62 mph in 6.4 seconds, before hitting a maximum speed of 153mph. It will go on sale in March. Standard
VOLVO is taking things to the extreme - three highly customised Volvo C30 Sports Coupes are going the show rounds, and the Volvo-engined Caresto V8 Speedster has just been unveiled in Los Angeles, too. Volvo's North American operation has linked up
A FREE service which helps people with mobility problems in Oxford could be at risk if electric scooters are more heavily regulated. Robin Brooks, manager of Oxford City Council's Shopmobility service, has criticised plans to review the law on mobility
THE removal of a protest slogan daubed on a 650ft chimney stack at Didcot power station has been hampered by stormy weather. Half of the slogan 'Blair's Legacy' - painted on the tower during last month's Greenpeace demonstration - has been removed by
A SCOUT group at Heyford Park will meet for the first time in the New Year. An opening evening last week at the former RAF air base demonstrated a need for the facility, and the group will meet in the activities centre - Building 549 - which is already
Hyundai's little Getz has just established its green credentials. A Getz 1.5-litre turbo diesel won the Transport for London Private Sector Award at the 2006 GreenFleet Awards. What's more, the Getz 1.5 CRDT beat off three hybrids, two biodiesel engines
IF you are a mother to be, and expecting quintuplets, then you are quids in with Kia. The firm has gone all family friendly in rewarding prospective parents - if you are having quins, then you get a seven-seater Kia Carens free. If it is quads, there
A DRAMA school in Oxfordshire is the first acting institution to be given "Beacon" status by the Government, which has recognised it as a shining example of post-16 education. The Oxford School of Drama at Woodstock was one of 13 colleges to be presented
On a freezing fog-bound night, Blackbird Leys seemed an unlikely destination to go in search of talented young film makers. The Blackbird Leys college campus, in Cuddesdon Way, might seem about as far as you could get from Hollywood or Pinewood Studios
Sir - I thank Roger Belson of Oxfordshire County Council for the sensible and mature way he presented the need for Oxfordshire to reduce waste and to recycle more (Letters, December 1). Oxfordshire has to reduce what goes to landfill, both to avoid
OXFORDSHIRE'S two sides were both hammered 14-1 in the latest round of Inter-County League matches. Oxon 2nd travelled to Wimbledon to take on Surrey 3rd, and only avoided the whitewash when the final mixed doubles was claimed by Jonathan Barrett and
MAZDA'S new MX-5 Roadster Coup has gone on sale in the UK with a six-model range priced from £18,210 on-the-road. The Japanese car maker says the car possesses the world's fastest retractable hard-top, operating in only 12 seconds top-up or top-down
The Mercedes-Benz R-Class is one of the most difficult cars on the road to shove into a neat pigeon-hole. Part sports saloon, part estate and part people carrier, the six-seater R-Class also has permanent four-wheel-drive, to add a hint of macho sports
SILVERSTONE circuit chiefs said they were disappointed that the Northamptonshire track had not been included on the calendar for the 2007 British Touring Car Championship (BTCC). They said Silverstone was originally offered the April 21-22 date by organisers
Sir - I am often in Cornmarket, Oxford, on a Friday evening. There are three establishments in competition: McDonald's, KFC, and Burger King. They all have adequate seating upstairs. However, McDonald's alone closes its upstairs seating at about 7pm,
Sir - You report (December 1) that the county council now plans to narrow the road at The Plain to a single lane. It is only a few months since their last round of expensive fiddling about at this spot. Have they realised what the rest of us could see
Sir - Tony Augarde, in his review (December 1) of Adam Wishart's recent BBC2 documentary on animal experimentation Monkeys, Rats and Me was inclined to say 'A plague on both your houses' - understandably so, given the divisive way in which the media tends
Sir - Edward Sanderson's fusillade against Richard Dawkins (Letters, December 1) misses every target. The central chapter of The God Delusion is entitled 'Why there almost certainly is no God'. That is not the 'subconscious' doubt that Mr Sanderson insinuates
Sir - How ironic, that the city council's free magazine, delivered through every door and headlined 'A cleaner, greener Oxford' should come wrapped in a non-recyclable, non-biodegradable plastic bag! Typical. Deborah Glass Woodin (Councillor), Oxfordshire
Sir - On reading Weekend (December 1) I was impressed by the wide range of local music and theatre events reviewed. How disappointing then to find that despite the many excellent art exhibitions currently on offer in free public galleries in Oxford
Sir - In his gripe about the A44 (December 1) Jeremy Clarkson's logic is perfectly sound. Firstly it is a fact that not everyone keeps to speed limits; otherwise speed cameras would never raise money. It is also a fact that some drivers ignore single
Sir - It was most pleasing to read the report (November 24) about the resurfacing work and clutter removal in the High Street. Also to see the county council's comment that this work was "an effort to preserve the street's historic character". May I suggest
Sir - I'd like to thank the community service workers under Doug Carslaw's supervision for their efforts in clearing public rights of way in the grounds of the Churchill hospital (Report, November 24). I use the path network every week and it's great
Sir - The Government is looking elsewhere for ideas on running the school and college curriculum. The unstable British educational system is yet again to be adjusted with the hope of repairing our poor reputation in these areas. Many of the countries
Sir - I am writing to complain about the use of the term bogus asylum seeker' in last week's issue. My complaint is that the article uses inaccurate and misleading terminology, bogus asylum seeker', in breach of Section 1(i) of the Industry Code of Practice
Sir - Cyclists will not appreciate James Styring's idea of having trams instead of buses (Letters, December 1) when their wheels have to negotiate two sets of tram lines running along Oxford's central roads, especially at the junctions. They will also
Sir - The attempt by your correspondent Nicholas Wilson (Letters, November 24) to link the correspondence criticising Prof Dawkins to the Spanish Inquisition and 'the terrorism we read of today" is absurd. He should perhaps address the fanaticism of
Sir - The abuse and persecution of the young people of Chipping Norton which you reported (Report, November 11) is yet another instance of the UK's descent into Stalinism. It is a warning of how we all will increasingly be treated by the present Government
Sir - Let's get this right. Auditors tell the city council that it gives us much worse value for money than most other councils: in reply the finance director, Mark Luntley, makes the extraordinary admission for one in his profession that: "We will never
Sir - I am surprised that you gave so much space (Report, December 1) to Jeremy Clarkson's pathetic arguments that imposing a speed limit on the A44 has caused people to drive on the wrong side of the road and, in turn, made him dice with death every
Hi, last Saturday the big party, 220 of them, hosting them greeting everyone in. I can see beautiful women walking in,the men dressed in dinner suits, one of them wearing the bow tye undone, we must blame James Bond for that or maybe they cannot do the
