Fire crews dealt with a blaze in a bin underneath Evenlode Tower in Blackbird Leys tonight. Three fire engines were called at around 8.30pm after a fire was discovered in the bin store at the tower. Nobody was injured and the building wasn't evacuated
Just days after spilling the beans about his youthful cocaine use, south Oxfordshire MP Boris Johnson has told how he used to dodge parking tickets in Oxford. Mr Johnson, in a new book on cars, reveals how he relied on his old Fiat's Belgian licence
Hundreds of Christians, Jews and Muslims joined together in Oxford for a walk promoting peace. It was the fourth friendship walk held in the city and started at the Oxford Jewish Centre, in Richmond Road. The group walked on to the University Church
Embattled city councillor Jean Fooks has "no regrets" about Oxford's recycling revolution - and says she'll serve until at least 2014. Mrs Fooks, 67, has been the subject of stinging personal abuse and criticism over the way the Town Hall implemented
A father has refused permission for his daughter's Oxford school to take her fingerprints - fearing it is step towards a 'Big Brother' state. Ben Emlyn-Jones's daughter Louisa, 12, attends St Gregory the Great School in Cowley - which is planning to
Sitting in bed this morning with Littl'un chewing my arm like a baby zombie, my mind wandered back to those days in the not so distant past when she would wake up, drink a bottle of milk and then snuggle down with me and Himself for a couple more hours
A BT engineer is recovering in hospital after falling 25ft down a shaft on the Ridgeway. The man, from Faringdon, was working in the Fox Hill area of Wanborough, when he plunged into a disused underground reservoir on Tuesday afternoon. The 36-year-old
A former bomb shelter warden, who was born in Oxford before the first aeroplane took to the sky, celebrated her 105th birthday today. Tess Gerrett received a congratulatory message from the Queen when she celebrated with her daughter Barbara Turner
A car with a blood- spattered casualty' poking through the windscreen grabbed the attention of shoppers in Oxford's Westgate shopping centre. Fortunately, the crashed' Peugeot and mannequin was a mock-up, arranged by Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service
Campaigners fighting to prevent Peers School from becoming an academy say they remain unimpressed with the plans and are urging parents not to be duped by "spin". In today's Oxford Mail, we unveiled the Diocese of Oxford's proposals to turn Peers into
Police have found a novel way to stop burglars breaking into your home - writing them a letter. In a case of the pen proving mighter than the judicial sword, Oxford police are sending the letters to the city's most prolific burglars telling them they
WALLINGORD and its surrounding villages are sitting on 70 million tonnes of sand and gravel - and any one of a dozen sites could be earmarked to provide aggregate for Britain's roads and building industry. Wallingford town councillor Pat Granados said
COUNCILLORS are being asked to consider spending £9,000 a year to lock a public park at weekends - despite being told it could be a waste of time. Before February 2006, Florence Park in Oxford was locked at evenings and weekends but since then it has
DRIVERS going the wrong way up a one-way road in Oxford are endangering lives, neighbours have claimed. Jean Barnes, 73, of Stile Road, Headington, has become increasingly worried about the number of cars ignoring one-way road signs in the street,
More than 40,000 households could be eligible to claim a one-off £50 council tax rebate under a new Oxford City Council initiative. To fit the bill homeowners must be willing to insulate their roofs and wall cavities through the Oxford City Council
"Am I bovvered?" - the catchphrase made famous by the rebellious, tracksuit-wearing Lauren Cooper on television's The Catherine Tate Show - is one of the most popular sayings among young fans of the comedian. But a county vicar has spoken out against
Tension is building in Quarry & Risinghurst ahead of next year's Oxford City Council elections, we hear. The seat is currently home to Tia MacGregor, once a Liberal Democrat then an Independent and now a Tory. But Roz Smith, the Lib Dem county councillor
Friends of Oxford schoolgirl Kyomie Williams who died after contracting meningitis last year are preparing a moving tribute. One hundred pink balloons will be released into the sky above Barton on Saturday, June 16, in memory of the Cheney School pupil
A mother-of-one who was once told she was too short to be a policewoman and an officer who makes vandals clean up their mess have won top police awards. Hilary Beattie, 40, has processed thousands of videos showing footage of wanted criminals at Thames
Wilfrid Wigney, who has died aged 97, spent his life in public service. As clerk to Ploughley Rural District Council, serving the Bicester and Kidlington areas, from 1946, he began a rolling programme to get every village on mains water and sewerage
When I said to people that I was going to Cape Verde, the reaction was more or less universal - a knowing nod followed by a slight pause, followed in turn by a hesitant: "Great! Um - where is that exactly?" So, for those who are still slightly unsure
Witney Town Band turned out spick and span for a parade of marching brass through the northern town of Saddleworth. Band members were wearing their new ties bearing a Witney lamb and flag emblem for the traditional walk - made famous in the film Brassed
A village which made a big splash when it was voted the best in England is now lining up to make a big noise. Kingham in west Oxfordshire is preparing for its third annual Commotion summer festival of music with the promise of some "big name" appearances
Troubled hi-tech company Oxonica says it needs to raise more funds, following the relisting of its shares on the London Stock Exchange. The shares had been suspended since April 27, after it lost a key contract with Turkish state oil company Petrol
The medieval Abbey at Sutton Courtenay could be given a £3m restoration - but organisers have first been told to raise nearly half the money themselves. The Heritage Lottery Fund has offered the charity The Abbey, Sutton Courtenay, £1.8m but director
An indoor camp proved ideal for youngsters during the wet weather in the half-term school holidays. The annual Camp Windrush at Witney's Windrush Leisure Centre was fully booked up as parents sought fun and activity for their children. Five- to 11
Wallingford and its surrounding villages are sitting on 70 million tonnes of sand and gravel - and any one of a dozen sites could be earmarked to provide aggregate for Britain's roads and building industry. Wallingford town councillor Pat Granados said
Two thirds of the Oxfordshire workforce do not feel valued by their boss, a new report has revealed. That means out of a total working population of 329,000, more than 197,000 say they are not being treated as well as they should be. Experts at internal
More than 40 people from an African township settlement will be receiving a warm welcome when they are hosted by families in Woodstock. The South Africans are members of the Sivuselele Nkosi Choir and are coming to the west Oxfordshire town to sing
Councillors are being asked to consider spending £9,000 a year to lock a public park at weekends - despite being told it could be a waste of time. Before February 2006, Florence Park in Oxford was locked at evenings and weekends but since then it has
Drivers going the wrong way up a one way road in Oxford are endangering lives, neighbours have claimed. Jean Barnes, 73, of Stile Road, Headington, has become increasingly worried about the number of cars ignoring one way road signs in the street, which
Running her hand across the pages of an eighteenth century journal, Fenella Tillier tries to imagine the thoughts of its author, her great-great-great- great-great-great-grandfather, "The Forgotten Abolitionist" James Ramsay. It is 200 years since the
Family and friends gathered to mourn David Sutton - known as Dave - who died at the age of 33 after losing his battle with leukaemia. The Oxford-born sports fan, the only son of Margaret and Paul Sutton, moved with his family to Edmonton, Canada, aged
A staff member at Oxford Brookes University needed hospital treatment after being attacked near a campus toilet block. The woman, who is understood to be a teacher, was assaulted on the university's Harcourt Hill campus in North Hinksey, on Tuesday
AEA Technology 136.75 BMW 3245 Electrocomponents 295 Isoft Group 46.75 Nationwide Accident Repair 155.5 Oxford Biomedica 39.25 Oxford Instruments 294 Reed Elsevier 663.75 RM 206.25 RPS Group 359.75 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
Eight licensed premises across Oxfordshire have been caught in sting operation selling alcohol to underage drinkers. Police sent youngsters under the age of 18-years-old to test purchase in 46 pubs, clubs and off-licences in the county. They were
Lindsay Hall of Cowley sent in this picture of a group of 'rabbits' ready before the off
AN ear-splitting shouting competition among Didcot primary pupils found the noisiest girl in the school - with a voice as loud as a jet plane taking off. Year Five pupil Ana Paiva was given the title of best shouter at Ladygrove Park Primary School
Not big brother again! Please spare us from weeks more coverage of the biggest non-event in the history of television. Carl Butterworth, Iffley Road, Oxford
Oxfordshire County Council's secretive consideration of allowing property development on Northway playing fields in Oxford is a disgrace. Despite all the reassurances that Northway playing fields are to be protected, the sense of outrage felt by residents
Who at the county council came up with such a ludicrous idea of filling in the subways in London Road at Headington, Oxford, the only safe way of crossing that road, especially by wheelchair users, the disabled, blind and mothers with pushchairs? How
How many people realise that those well togged-up university gents, shown in the 'Rewind' picture (Oxford Mail, May 26), would have had the sole intention of finding and ensuring a brutal end to as many native hares as possible, hunted and caught by the
I refer to your story, Secret homes list drawn up (Oxford Mail, June 1). To the employees of Oxfordshire County Council, this list is not secret. They have been worried about their employment status for some weeks. I represent Shotover View day care
Two operations to "mend Didcot" will target drunken yobs and vandals as part of a drive to reduce antisocial behaviour in the town. Police launched a three-month programme called Operation Mend Didcot - or Mendidcot - on Tuesday to tackle vandals who
An ear-splitting shouting competition among Didcot primary pupils found the noisiest girl in the school - with a voice as loud as a jet plane taking off. Year Five pupil Ana Paiva was given the title of best shouter at Ladygrove Park Primary School
EIGHT licensed premises across Oxfordshire have been caught in a sting operation selling alcohol to under-age drinkers. Police sent youngsters under the age of 18-years-old to test purchase in 46 pubs, clubs and off-licences in the county. They were
First Great Western has fared poorly in official statistics for punctuality and reliability. Now rail passengers have had their say - and their verdict is none too complimentary. According to a survey by Passenger Focus, the commuters' watchdog, the
Some will question the value of a seminar in Oxford on climate change. What possible influence can a city of 135,000 people have on a world with a population of billions? Not a lot, probably. But of course it is important that we all play our part
Oxford Cavaliers produced a stunning performance to rout unbeaten Redditch Ravens 60-18 in the Midlands Division at Marston Ferry Road. Joe McEneaney and James Batstone grabbed a hat-trick of tries apiece, while Brent Hurley notched an 18-point haul
Well, what can I say? Blenheim did not quite go according to plan. It hurt — far more than I thought it possible to hurt in a sprint distance race, but that was probably because I knew it was all going horribly wrong. It was my first elite race - that
Hundreds of thousands of pounds of jewellery has been stolen in a string of break-ins. Police are linking 17 burglaries including thefts from homes in Cumnor Hill, Sparsholt, Childrey, Kingston Lisle and Longcot, all in Vale of White Horse, between
A BT engineer from Faringdon is recovering in hospital after falling 25ft down a shaft on the Ridgeway. The man was working in the Fox Hill area of Wanborough, near Swindon, when he plunged into a disused underground reservoir yesterday afternoon.
A BT engineer from Faringdon is recovering in hospital after falling 25ft down a shaft on the Ridgeway. The man was working in the Fox Hill area of Wanborough, near Swindon, when he plunged into a disused underground reservoir yesterday afternoon.
AEA Technology 137 BMW 3291 Electrocomponents 297.75 Isoft Group 47.25 Nationwide Accident Repair 166.5 Oxford Biomedica 39.25 Oxford Instruments 291.5 Reed Elsevier 666.5 RM 206.25 RPS Group 358 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
Freeland are celebrating retaining the Witney & District FA Premier Division title. Needing a point to be sure of being champions, they captured the crown with a 3-1 home win over Millpark. Richard Trigg headed Freeland into the lead, but Millpark
Bamptons's Alex Dew dominated the latest round of the Hot Hatch Championship to take his first win of the season. The victory at Brands Hatch followed a second place and new lap record at the super fast circuit of Castle Combe in Wiltshire. The 21
John Campbell will be Witney's head coach next season after taking over from Matt Watts. Campbell steps up from his role as forwards coach, while Phil Harper will look after the backs with Nick Godfrey providing general support. Lock Jez Hicks retains
POLICE in Oxfordshire and Wiltshire are jointly appealing for witnesses and warning residents to be on their guard after a series of high-value burglaries over recent months. Officers are connecting 17 different incidents including thefts from homes
Oxford Cavaliers produced a stunning performance to rout unbeaten Redditch Ravens 60-18 in the Midlands Division at Marston Ferry Road. Joe McEneaney and James Batstone grabbed a hat-trick of tries apiece, while Brent Hurley notched an 18-point haul
GREENE KING OXFORD & DISTRICT LEAGUE Premier/Section 1: George 2, Garsington Sports 1; New Club A 3, Kidlington Sports B 0; Cricketers B 3, Gladiators A 0; Three Pigeons 1, White House A 2. Section 2: Seacourt Bridge 3, Highfield Club A 0; Queens Head
7.35: 1 ROCKMOUNT KINA 6-4 fav, 2 Marinas Control 5-1. (2x5). Trainer: Bicknell. Time: 28.50. 7.50: 1 ADDACRIM DASH 3-1 co-fav, 2 Blue Murdoc 4-1. (6x4). Trainer: Curtin. Time: 28.38. Surprise For Him (2), Bonville Megan (5) 3-1 co-favs. 8.05: 1 ANNAMORE
2.18: Young Kenny 3, Dons Rocket 2, Gonner Be Gone, CHASE SYNDI, Warping Time, Rustys Wild Card. 2.37: Hier Gooner, KOKO LOCO PHIL, Oaks Angel 2, Young Jackie, Blackthorn Sooty 3, Ardmayle Court. 2.57: Talog Merry Girl 2, McLEAN ATTITUDE, Ballyneale
High-tech company Oxonica says it needs to raise more funds, following the re-listing of its shares on the London Stock Exchange. The shares had been suspended since April 27, after it lost a key contract with Turkish state oil company Petrol Ofisi.
H ey you lot," my friend shouted. "Have any of you ever been for an Elizabethan Thai before?" His city colleagues erupted into laughter. Holding the phone far from my ear while they howled at my expense I wondered why I had bothered inviting him
I still get a buzz when I see an audience file into the auditorium on opening night," confides a reflective Tish Francis when I meet her at the Oxford Playhouse, the institution from which she will step down next autumn after 18 years at the helm. As
AMBULANCE crews were called after a car crashed off the M40 and landed in a ditch. The accident happened between junction nine at Wendlebury and 10 at Ardley at 8.39pm yesterday. Two passengers that were travelling in the vehicle were taken to the
When you meet someone they take 30 seconds to make up their mind about you - and that first impression can last for up to 15 years, according to psychologists. Whether it's about meeting clients in a work setting, going for a job interview, or trying
Yes, this is a shout from the rooftops' moment and boy, it is good to be back up there again, having been trapped on the top floor for too long, desperately casting about for kindly adjectives that say more than nice' but less than exceptional'. Because
Owning a boat on the Thames or the Oxford Canal is an expensive business nowadays, what with mooring permits, licence fees, insurance, and safety inspections, let alone maintenance and fuel costs. There are many other kinds of enjoyment to be
New Club B's Mark Washington hit a superb 16 dolls - but it couldn't save his side from a 3-0 defeat at Kings Arms in Section 3. With Washington (5-6-5) leading the way and teammate Tony Comley chipping in with a dozen dolls, New Club set all three
HEALTH software company Isoft has backed down from continuing its legal action to stop US computer company CSC derailing its rescue takeover. Isoft, based in Banbury, is now locked in talks with CSC, which wants to take a greater role in managing Isoft's
Radley finished fourth in their latest Division 1 meeting in the Southern Women's League at Horsham in Sussex. A hard-fought match saw Radley clock up 15 personal bests as they amassed 173 points. In the under 15 girls' section, Susan Keet set new
After finishing second their first two matches of the season, Oxford City made it third time lucky when they won their Southern Women's League Division 2 meeting in North Devon to move up to second in the table. City headed down to the southwest on
Oxford City's Ben Kelsey collected a hat-trick of victories in the throwing events to help his team to victory in Southern League Division 3 West at Basingstoke. The victory puts City joint top of the table, with Radley just a point further behind,
Departing director Kelvin Thomas (pictured) returned to the United States today insisting Oxford United Football Club "is in good hands" and is "going forward". Thomas was one of the triumverate - along with chairman Nick Merry and manager Jim Smith
It will come as no surprise to departing director Kelvin Thomas if manager Jim Smith does snap up an exciting new striker this summer. "I know Jim has publicly said that he's happy with the strikers he's got, if he can get Chris Zebroski, but I know
PARAMEDICS were called to the Green Road roundabout, Headington, following a collision between a car and a lorry at the junction with Bayswater Road. One driver needed hospital treatment following the crash at 7.20am today but his injuries were not
FIRE crews were called to a house in Vicarage Road, Didcot, early today after a resident left a towel on a cooker. No one was hurt in the small fire in the ground-floor kitchen at 7.15am.
Oxford UCCE's reign as one-day kings in the BUSA Championship is over. Needing to beat Durham UCCE to stand a chance of reaching the semi-finals, the holders slipped to a 28-run defeat in The Parks on Monday. Durham rattled up 263-4 from their 50
Banbury are set to face legendary England paceman Devon Malcolm in the fourth round of the ECB Cockspur Cup. Their 85-run victory over Moseley on Sunday has set up a trip to Malcolm's side Dunstall, in Derbyshire, on June 17. Malcolm, 44, took 1-27
Mali Richards said playing against the West Indies had been a surreal experience, and is still tipping them to shock England. The Oxford UCCE all-rounder, son of Windies legend Sir Viv Richards, was in the MCC side who drew with his country at Durham
Operation 'restore West Indian cricketing pride' started well enough with that battling draw in the first test at Lord's, writes Mali Richards. Then a series of unfortunate events, mixed in with some all round poor cricket, contributed to the West Indies
People are being urged to give blood tomorrow at venues across Oxfordshire. The Deaf and Hard of Hearing Centre, Little Gate Street, St Ebbe's, Oxford, will be holding sessions at 1.30-3.25pm and 4.15-7.15pm; the Methodist Church Hall, Victoria Road
VANDALS caused thousands of pounds damage to a sports centre and other play facilities in Carterton. The centre in Broadshires Way has been the worst hit in a spate of vandalism dating back to April. The cost of replacing large windows at the centre's
BICESTER Town Council's offices were flooded after torrential rain burst through a leaking roof. Reception staff at Garth House were moved elsewhere in the building after their office was flooded. Council leader Debbie Pickford called a roofing
TWO Good Samaritans helped a sleeping student escape from a burning building after they spotted thick black smoke billowing from the second floor and raised the alarm. Carrie Gilbert, 29, from South Hinksey and her half brother Max Poppleton, 21,
A PARAMEDIC who was attacked as he answered an emergency call has won a police award. Matthew Luker was bitten on the arm by Daniel Howard, 39, of St Martin's Road, Rose Hill, last October. Mr Luker has now won a Chief Superintendent's Commendation
DIFFERENT faiths are joining together tonight for a 'friendship' walk. It will start at the Oxford Jewish Centre, in Richmond Road, Jericho, at 6.30pm and will proceed to the University Church of St Mary the Virgin, in High Street, before finishing
ABOUT 40 small holes - some a foot deep - were discovered dug in the square on Hanney Cricket Club's ground, off The Brookside, East Hanney, yesterday. Club captain David Johns said someone with a grudge could be responsible. He said: "Someone's
A WOMAN seriously injured in an arson attack allegedly sparked by two people from Kidlington remembers nothing about the incident, a jury has heard. Linda McLeod told detectives she could not remember a fire at her terraced home in Marston Road, Southampton
PLANS to turn Peers School into the city's first flagship academy were unveiled today. The Diocese of Oxford - the lead sponsor in the £25m project - has lifted the lid on its proposals for the Littlemore school, which could see it closed next summer
OXFORD needs to work together as a community if it is to successfully combat the effects of climate change in the future. That was the message being put across as councillors, members of the public and environmental activists met at Oxford's Town Hall
SHE'S just come runner-up in a reality TV gameshow and now Francie Smee wants to get involved in a game of a different kind - the game of love. The bubbly 57-year-old has returned to Oxford after spending three months on a remote island off the coast
Driving all the way from Cardiff paid off for Richard Kaufman as he racked up his first Oxfordshire century at Radley College. The former Banbury captain, 26, is now skipper of the Cardiff UCCE team where he is at university, but has been travelling
OXFORD'S Cowley Road Carnival was pledged continuing support by last year's rescuer BMW as plans for next month's festivities were unveiled. At the launch of this year's event, which is expected to attract up to 25,000 people, a spokesman for the BMW
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.
WESTON-ON-THE Green driver Graham Fennymore took the Seven Golden Jubilee race meeting by storm at the weekend entering five races at Donington Park and winning all of them. Win number one for 42-year-old Fennymore came on Saturday in the evo Caterham
ABINGDON mayor Lorraine Oates admired the red hot skills of trial bike riders during the annual memorial ride at Abingdon United's ground in Northcourt Road. Every year, young riders get together in memory of David "DJ" Jones from Abingdon who was
AS Oxford Town Hall hosted the city's first climage change conference, just a stone's throw away, on Osney Island, an unassuming Victorian terraced house was already doing its bit to help the planet. David and Barbara Hammond's East Street home may
ANIMAL rights campaigners who scored a legal victory over police breaking up their demonstration at last year's Encaenia ceremony will stage a repeat this month. Last week, 14 protesters walked free from court after a judge condemned the police for
