Tory MP Boris Johnson has admitted to smoking cannabis and snorting cocaine, but few of his Oxfordshire colleagues shared his candour when approached last night. The Henley MP tore up Tory leader David Cameron's carefully crafted rulebook on dealing
Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech thanked doctors and nurses at Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital for their "hard work" in helping to save his career. Mr Cech, 24, donated £1,000 to Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital after being treated there in October for
A campaign launched today aims to make Oxford the first plastic bag-free city in the UK. On the day Oxford City Council hosts its first climate change conference, delegates will be told of plans to persuade supermarkets, stores and independent shops
A mother told a jury how she saved four of her children's lives in a fire allegedly started by two people from Kidlington. Mum-of-five Maria Butcher said she passed the youngsters out of a window into the garden as flames and smoke filled the house.
Parents at five Oxfordshire schools have been promised that fingerprint data held on their children is secure. Headteachers have defended the use of fingerprint recognition software following national calls for tighter controls. Two secondary schools
A man who was found stabbed in the street by a police officer was last night in a serious condition in hospital. The 22-year-old, who has not been named, had been stabbed three times in the lower torso. Police are still trying to discover why he was
Families hoping to make the most of the hot weekend weather in Oxford were forced to queue for more than 90 minutes to get into the city's outdoor swimming pool. Due to a shortage of lifeguards, just 40 people at a time were allowed into Hinksey Pool
A crackdown on criminal damage across South Oxfordshire has been launched by Thames Valley Police today. The three-month crackdown, Operation Mend, aims to reduce vandalism and target those responsible. Supt Andy Murray said: "Operation Mend is designed
A BEAT officer, described as well known and well respected, has won the title of Community Officer of the Year for Oxfordshire. PC Pip Walker, neighbourhood officer for Cholsey and the surrounding villages, has been particularly commended for her
An auction of promises to raise money for The Blue Cross could see winning bidders becoming real high flyers. The event will be held at The Carpenter's Arms in Fulbrook, near Burford, and lots to bid for include a trip with the RAF on an exclusive air
Mobile phone company T-Mobile has refused to give up on plans to build a new mast on an industrial estate in Abingdon - and objectors are also determined to fight on. Two years ago, O2(UK) wanted to put up a 15 metre transmitter at Allens Carparts in
AEA Technology 121.5 BMW 3384 Electrocomponents 307 Isoft Group 47.25 Nationwide Accident Repair 158.5 Oxford Biomedica 39.75 Oxford Instruments 291.75 Reed Elsevier 680 RM 210 RPS Group 366.25 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
Genetic science meets art in a unique exhibition of paintings in Oxford. For the first time, the DNA of the people depicted on canvas has been physically incorporated into the paint. And at the exhibition at Oxford University's Wolfson College, members
A clown who sparked a national outcry after being axed from a Bicester fun day has not been invited back to the town. Charlie the Clown has attended events in Bicester for the past eight years, but this summer he will not be making an appearance.
Archaeologists from Oxford have discovered what are thought to be the oldest examples of human decorations in the world. The international team of archaeologists, led by Oxford University's Institute of Archaeology, have found shell beads believed to
MOTORISTS who visit fast-fit centre Renault Minute, in Kidlington, for a free car safety check before June 25 could end up joining Formula One fans watching the British Grand Prix at Silverstone. Renault Minute Technicians offer free safety checks
One month after launching an adopt-a-pet section on oxfordmail.net three animals have already found new homes. Last month, the Oxford Mail and the Blue Cross teamed up in a bid to rehome pets who are being cared for at the animal charity's two Oxfordshire
Oxford's own literary festival is now well and truly on any bookworm's map but it probably can't quite compete with the Hay Festival in terms of size. I have just returned from Border Country where each year authors gather to talk about their latest publications
The illustrations on this page show the diverse talents of one of Oxford's most promising stars of motorcycle road racing during the 1970s. Mick Patrick was well on his way to stardom when a freak accident at the Cadwell Park Circuit, Lincolnshire, ended
ADDERBURY racing driver Will Bratt hoisted himself into Formula Renault UK title contention with two wins at Croft Circuit in North Yorkshire at the weekend. The double victory moved Bratt into fifth position in the championship table. The 19-year-old
FABRIZIO Giovanardi moved into second place in the British Touring Car Championship on Sunday by taking his fifth win of the season in spectacular style. Giovanardi, who drives for the Greatworth-based VX Racing team, dominated the BTCC's third race
POLICE today closed the M40 southbound following a fatal crash. The motorway was closed between junctions four and 1A. Police said traffic was being diverted on to the A40 but there were extensive tailbacks and motorists are being advised to avoid
THE Oxford Times and its sister paper, the Oxford Mail, have won the largest number of nominations in this year's 'newspaper Oscars'. The shortlist of the Press Gazette Regional Press Awards 2007, unveiled today, features the papers no fewer than eight
M ost negative words have a corresponding positive word. So improbable is balanced by probable, and unreal is matched by real. Yet some negatives have no corresponding positives. Why can people be nonchalant but not chalant? How is it possible to be
A discount card for visitors to Oxford has being relaunched in a bid to boost tourism. The Oxford visitor discount card, originally launched in 2005 by Visit Oxford and World City Solutions in association with VisitBritain, has been given a new look
A seven vehicle crash on the M40 in which one man person died has caused chaos for thousands of motorists. The incident happened this morning between junctions four and 1A and police closed the southbound carriageway. Seven vehicles were involved
The Oxford Mail and Times have scooped the largest number of nominations in this year's 'newspaper Oscars'. The shortlist of the prestigious Press Gazette Regional Press Awards 2007, unveiled today, features the Mail and Times no fewer than eight times
Police are investigating a stabbing in Mill Street, Wantage, which happened during the early hours of Sunday. A man is understood to have suffered a stab wound but a spokesman for South Central Ambulance service said they did not attend the incident
POLICE are investigating a stabbing in Mill Street, Wantage, during the early hours of Sunday. A man is understood to have suffered a stab wound but a spokesman for South Central Ambulance service said they did not attend the incident. It is not yet
A MOTORIST caught by police allegedly driving at 172mph in Oxfordshire is due in court this week. Timothy Brady, 33, has been charged with aggravated taking of a vehicle without consent, driving with no insurance, taking a vehicle without consent, dangerous
A motorist caught by police allegedly driving at 172mph is due in court. Timothy Brady, 33, has been charged with aggravated taking of a vehicle without consent, driving with no insurance, taking a vehicle without consent, dangerous driving and driving
On a visit to Chalgrove's ancient, half-timbered manor last summer, I was shown some burn marks in the oak timbering by a window. These, I was told, were witch marks', scorched by the carpenters into the building to protect the occupants from evil.
AEA Technology 123 BMW 3422 Electrocomponents 304.75 Isoft Group 46 Nationwide Accident Repair 157.5 Oxford Biomedica 40.75 Oxford Instruments 289 Reed Elsevier 678.5 RM 209.75 RPS Group 366.75 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
Victoria Morrison, left, and Louise Oliver from Rosemary Conley fitness lead the warm up
Oxfordshire triple jumper Nathan Douglas was forced to take second place at the Glasgow Grand Prix yesterday. Douglas was pipped by just two centimenters by great rival Phillips Idowu. The Commonwealth champion put Douglas under pressure with a good
SHOPPERS surrounded a robber with a replica gun and stopped him getting away from a Banbury supermarket after he held up one of the cashiers. The robber walked into the Morrisons store, in Swan Close Road, shortly after midday yesterday with the replica
TWO drivers needed hospital treatment following a collision in Weston-on-the-Green today. The accident happened on the B430 shortly after 6am. The drivers' injuries were not life-threatening, according to a spokesman for South Central Ambulance.
Two drivers needed hospital treatment following a collision in Weston-on-the-Green this morning. The accident happened on the B430 shortly after 6am. The drivers' injuries were not life-threatening, according to a spokesman for South Central Ambulance
A 23-year-old man will appear in court accused of carrying out an armed robbery. Miroslaw Mrowiec, 23, of Newland Road, Banbury was charged today with robbery and possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear or violence. The charges relate to an
CRICKET - SOMMERS HOME COUNTIES PREMIER LEAGUE CHRIS Smith hit 102 as Banbury drew with reigning champions Slough at Upton Court Road. Smith's ton took Banbury to 233-4 as captain Benji Hector followed up his century against Radlett last week with
A DEAF woman is showing Oxfordshire children with similar conditions that life without hearing need not be a disability. Emma MacDonald, 27, of Juniper Gardens, Bicester, has been recruited by the National Deaf Children's Society (NDCS) to take part
FISH thieves have raided a second aquatics centre and escaped with thousands of pounds of tropical wildlife. Burglars stole about £8,000 worth of fish and equipment from CK Aquatics in South Hinksey last month. Now Shirley Aquatics, in Yarnton, has
TEENAGER Nicholas Hendon - once described as Bicester's biggest troublemaker - has had his jail sentence overturned and antisocial behaviour order (Asbo) shortened. Hendon, 14, of Chalvery Road, was locked up for four months by Banbury Youth Court
MORE than 6,000 women ran through Oxford's University Parks in glorious sunshine at the weekend to raise £641,000 for Cancer Research UK. There were 2,000 runners in the first Race for Life event on Saturday, 3,000 yesterday morning and about 1,000
A group of teenagers who have been excluded from school for misbehaving have proved they have plenty to offer. The 15 youngsters from across Oxfordshire have recently returned from a trip to Bulgaria, where they worked at an orphanage with children
A deaf woman is showing Oxfordshire children with similar conditions that life without hearing need not be a disability. Emma MacDonald, 27, of Juniper Gardens, Bicester, has been recruited by the National Deaf Children's Society (NDCS) to take part
A TEENAGER who broke his friend's jaw, causing him to have metal plates and screws put in his mouth, has escaped jail. Banbury Youth Court heard the 16-year-old from Bicester thumped his friend in the face in March, believing he had made derogatory
An Oxford man is getting on his bike to cycle the length of the country to raise money for charity. Research scientist Richard Anderson, 39, of Weyland Road, Headington, has decided to make the journey from John O'Groats to Land's End to raise money
A MUSLIM leader spent his breakfast today meeting Tony Blair. Dr Taj Hargey, the chairman of the Muslim Education Centre of Oxford (Meco) was invited to Downing Street to meet the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Communities and Local
MORE than 4,000 triathletes braved the heat to swim, cycle and run around Blenheim Palace for its third triathlon. Temperatures hit upwards of 23 degrees on Saturday and 24 on Sunday, and about 10,000 people made the most of the weather, packing out
FIREFIGHTERS were called to a semi-detached house in Kennett Road, Headington, at 11.30am yesterday after a fire started in the loft. No one was hurt.
A former town mayor and his wife have been given a ticking off over their daughter's application for a council staff job. A local government standards committee has found that Brian and Maxine Crossland broke the code of conduct when staying in a meeting
A FIVE-YEAR-OLD girl needed hospital treatment after she was hit by a car in Brook Street, Benson, yesterday. The accident happened at 12.35pm and the girl was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital for treatment. A spokesman for South Central Ambulance
THE OXFORD TIMES CHERWELL LEAGUE Division 1. Dinton 156-9 (R King 37, P Hill 4-31, A Blanchard 4-45), Banbury 2nd 145-9 (S Bowler 4-27, R Brown 3-42). Great & Little Tew 169 (K Taylor 36, K Arnold 4-35, S Hart 4-68), Banbury Twenty 170-7 (M Haupt
THE public is to get more time to have its say on the proposed new reservoir between Abingdon and Wantage, thanks to new Government legislation. Changes to the Water Industry Act mean all water companies have to undertake full public consultation
FESTIVAL spirit came to an Oxford park, when more than 3,500 people basked in the sunshine for an afternoon of fun, aimed at strengthening the community. Headington Action's fifth festival took place in Bury Knowle Park, Headington, yesterday. The
DETECTIVES cordoned off part of Gloucester Green, Oxford, yesterday after a woman told police she had been sexually assaulted. The alleged incident happened at 11.30pm on Saturday in the alleyway linking Gloucester Green and the bus station, near Harveys
A TASK force is to investigate the health risks posed by leaving rubbish in bins for a fortnight. Experts - including health professionals - will examine claims that alternate weekly pick-ups have led to an increase in rats and could lead to an explosion
Dutch band The Hives packed the house on Saturday night in one of Oxford's favourite music venues. And no, I am not testing my wings as a reporter for the entertainment scene; I am merely sharing what is some big news on the entertainment front across
STEVE McComb starred for Dorchester as they brushed Steventon aside by 119 runs in the OCA's Steve Dixon Cup second round. He hit 101 in Dorchester's 256-5, before taking 5-34 as Steventon were bowled out for 137. Hailey's Andy Woods took 5-6 and
BRILL were shot out for 23 as they crashed to a 180-run defeat at Faringdon in the OCA's Airey Cup second round on Saturday. There were no signs of demons in the pitch as Faringdon posted 203-7, Rob Owen top-scoring with 88. But Brill collapsed in
CHRIS Smith hit 102 as Banbury drew with reigning champions Slough at Upton Court Road. Smith's ton took Banbury to 233-4 as captain Benji Hector followed up his century against Radlett last week with 51. Slough replied with 223-8, skipper Bobby Sher
LEG-SPINNER Shamilal Mendis shone for Oxford in their battling draw at Reading. Chasing Oxford's 204-9, Reading got off to a flier with the openers putting on 50. However, two quick wickets just before tea brought Oxford back into the game. And
THAME Town tumbled to a three-wicket defeat against new boys Kew at Church Meadow. Chris Wynd, who made 50, was the only batsman to show the necessary application on a difficult wicket as Thame were bowled out for 151 off 59.1 overs. Kew were made
RYAN Dutton's 5-55 proved in vain for basement boys Aston Rowant as they crashed to a 131-run defeat at high-flying Wokingham. Despite Dutton's efforts, Wokingham still rattled up 250-9 with Simon Myles making 72. Rowant then crashed to 119 all out
WEEKEND RESULTS CHECK f=Helvetica bi s=12 Scores from around the county CRICKET MINOR COUNTIES TROPHY Oxfordshire 264-7 (50 ovs, R Kaufman 111, D Taylor 36), Wiltshire 265-9 (38.2 ovs, J Hayward 61no, T Morton 51, M Coles 33, L Ryan 4-58). SOMMERS
KIDLINGTON lost valuable ground on leaders Tring Park and Wokingham as relegation candidates Beaconsfield batted out for a draw their lower order richly deserved. Once again Kidlington's failure to win the toss cost them dear as they where inserted
OXFORDSHIRE scraped into the semi-finals on net run-rate despite Wiltshire winning a pulsating clash by one wicket at Radley College yesterday. Wilts needed to win and score at more than seven runs an over to clinch top spot from their hosts. But
DEPARTING striker Steve Basham says he is sorry that he never got the chance to say goodbye to Oxford United's supporters. 'Bash' struck up a tremendous rapport with the U's fans, and is upset that he didn't have the opportunity to thank them before
It's fair to say that the switch to fortnightly rubbish collection by Oxford City Council has not been universally popular. The reaction from some parts of the city has bordered on hysterical and the criticism of Jean Fooks, executive member for a cleaner
I read recently that, as well as cigarette packets having health warning signs on them, beer and consumable spirit containers are to have them. It is said that 10,000 people in this country die every year from prescribed NHS 'it must be safe, it's been
How I agree with everything in Lionel Lewis's letter about Radio Oxford (Oxford Mail, May 26). He could have been writing that letter on my behalf. Shabina Akhtar's voice early in the morning and her constant silly domestic chatter has annoyed a number
As the coordinator of the Neighbourhood Watch scheme for Saunders Road, Reliance Way and Weymann Terrace (the area of the old bus garage in Cowley Road, Oxford), I want to say a public thank-you to Thames Valley Police, to Oxford City Council and to the
Nicola Sheldon, chairman of governors at Peers School, Littlemore, Oxford, is mistaken in thinking all local political parties agree with plans to turn it into an academy (Oxford Mail, May 28). The county and city Green groups are very much opposed.
We've all seen them - smokers huddled together in the wind and rain, having a quick ciggy, looked down upon, made to feel like lepers. Yet those same holier-than-thou anti-smoking snobs will quite easily slide behind the wheel of their cars (most carrying
A teenager who broke his friend's jaw, causing him to have metal plates and screws put in his mouth, has escaped jail. Banbury Youth Court heard the 16-year-old from Bicester thumped his friend in the face in March, believing he had made derogatory
Hundreds of residents of an Oxford estate are being asked if they would use a community cafe and training centre, planned for the estate. A total of 110 door-to-door and on-the-street spot surveys have been conducted in Barton over the last month, with
The public is to get more time to have its say on the proposed new reservoir between Abingdon and Wantage, thanks to new Government legislation. Changes to the Water Industry Act mean all water companies have to undertake full public consultation on
Detectives cordoned off part of Gloucester Green in Oxford yesterday after a woman told police she had been sexually assaulted. The alleged incident happened at 11.30pm on Saturday in the alleyway linking Gloucester Green and the bus station, near Harveys
A task force is to probe the health risks posed by leaving rubbish in bins for a fortnight. Experts - including health professionals - will examine claims that alternate weekly pick-ups have led to an increase in rats and could lead to an explosion
More than 6,000 women ran through Oxford's University Parks in glorious sunshine at the weekend to raise £641,000 for Cancer Research UK. There were 2,000 runners in the first Race for Life event on Saturday, 3,000 this morning and about 1,000 this
An Oxford pensioner who has been flooded out of her house for more than four months has spoken of her joy at being able to return home. Rosemary Pearson and her husband Joseph are the last of the Oxford City Council tenants to be able to move back into
Fish thieves have raided a second aquatics centre and escaped with thousands of pounds of tropical wildlife. Burglars stole about £8,000 worth of fish and equipment from CK Aquatics in South Hinksey last month. Now Shirley Aquatics, in Yarnton, has
More than 4,000 triathletes braved the heat to swim, cycle and run around Blenheim Palace for its third triathlon. Temperatures hit upwards of 23 degrees on Saturday and 24 today, and about 10,000 people made the most of the weather, packing out the
