Organisers of Woodstock's annual carnival have warned that this year's parade could be the last. And we wouldn't be surprised if more of Oxfordshire's traditional events go the same way. The reason is a massive hike in insurance premiums. In Woodstock's
The tail is wagging the dog and no one seems to care - no-one in a position of power, at any rate. As Tom Waterhouse pointed out (Oxford Mail, June 13), there is growing resentment among English people about the way they are being treated by the British
In an article in The Times on November 4, 1996, Tony Blair promised: "There must be a comprehensive attack on crime and its causes instead of a search for easy headlines." In an article in the Guardian on May 27, 1995, Gordon Brown promised to be "tough
Another spiffing idea has come from our councillors. Someone has noticed that Didcot and surrounding villages are without a country park. These people who freely spend our money willy nilly like a multi billionaire philanthropist on drugs, have no
Stress! Just take a bike journey from Templars Square at Cowley, Oxford, to Magdalen Road - cars zoom along like they are at Brands Hatch. On certain stretches of roads, it seems the norm for them to go as fast as they can, missing you by inches.
Hearty congratulations are due to Keith Mitchell on receiving a CBE for services to local government. He joins a long list of recipients, including cross-dressing Aussie entertainer Barry Humphries, better known as his alter ego Dame Edna Everage.
An inquest into the death of an eight-month-old baby boy was yesterday postponed until Monday. The baby, identified only as Reece, was found in a flat in Agnes Court, Cowley, Oxford, on Saturday, June 9. Police visited the flat after an emergency
Organisers of outdoor summer community events like Oxford's Cowley Road Carnival face big hikes in their insurance premiums. And in some cases the extra costs could jeopardise the future of such events or eat into charity funds - according to the committee
Parents have been warned to be on their guard after two men were seen making suggestive sexual actions and comments to young children. Police have increased patrols in the Orwell Drive area of the Ladygrove estate, where the incident happened on Tuesday
Software firm Torex Retail, which employs more than 100 staff at its Oxfordshire headquarters, has been sold to US private equity buyer Cerberus for £204.4m. The sale is expected to secure the future of Torex, which is under investigation by the Serious
Armed US Secret Service agents were on the streets of Oxford today as former US President Jimmy Carter was awarded an honorary degree. The 83-year-old Nobel Peace Prize winner was one of eight people honoured at Oxford University's annual Encaenia ceremony
A TEENAGER has been arrested following an attack on a man who asked a gang to keep the noise down. The 28-year-old man was sprayed in the face with - what is thought to be - pepper spray or CS gas and hit with a baseball bat in Portland Road, Summertown
A DISPUTE over fencing emerged at the Radley Lakes enquiry at Radley College today. Save Radley Lakes member Jo Cartmell is applying for Town Village Green status to protect Thrupp and Bullfield Lakes. The owners RWE npower want to dump spent fuel
MILITARY commanders knew of plots to attack British aircraft in Iraq weeks before a Lynx helicopter was shot down, killing five service personnel, an inquest heard today. However, they were unlikely to have changed their tactics and would have carried
A DECISION on whether to allow a woman to keep her plastic front door has been deferred. Cherwell District Council discussed the plans last Thursday but delayed a final decision because members of the planning committee wanted to see more detailed
AN OXFORD teenager who has battled cancer for three years is preparing for a new challenge. Jake Spicer, 13, from Shepherds Hill in Greater Leys, has been through numerous hospital operations to tackle cancer in his legs and head which have often left
Some of the brightest students at Oxford Community School took part in a pilot project with scientists from the Institute of Physics on Monday. The aim of the project, which involved 32 pupils aged 14 and 15, was to increase the number of pupils going
A long-standing Didcot resident celebrated a "hard-working" 100 years of life with a party. Freda Walker, neé Reeves, of Blake's Field, was surrounded by family and friends when she received her birthday card from the Queen. She was excited to be
An Oxford teenager who has battled cancer for three years is preparing for a new challenge. Jake Spicer, 13, from Shepherds Hill in Greater Leys, has been through numerous hospital operations to tackle cancer in his legs and head which have often left
A decision on whether to allow a disabled pensioner to keep her plastic front door has been deferred. Cherwell District Council discussed the plans last Thursday but delayed a final decision because members of the planning committee wanted to see more
Villagers are rallying to raise money to rebuild a barn that has been devastated by fire twice in six months. The barn, at Manor Farm in Binsey Lane, Oxford, was burned down in February this year and neighbours helped herd cattle away from the blaze
A pot of cash is sitting in a council's coffers waiting to be spent on an Oxford estate. About £45,000 has been earmarked for Blackbird Leys. Now Blackbird Leys Parish Council, which has the money, has urged people from the estate to tell it exactly
SOFTWARE firm Torex Retail, which employs more than a hundred staff in Oxfordshire, has been sold to US private equity buyer Cerberus for £204.4m. The sale is expected to secure the future of Torex, which is under investigation by the Serious Fraud
South-East Asia is for many travellers the epitome of a complete getaway Everything from the food and weather, to the transport and infrastructure, screams of being "different". But for those who decide to load up their rucksacks and follow the well-worn
Military commanders knew of plots to attack British aircraft in Iraq weeks before a Lynx helicopter was shot down, killing five service personnel, an inquest heard today. However, they were unlikely to have changed their tactics and would have carried
PEOPLE in Carterton, Bampton and Burford are being urged to do their bit to help their local environment by taking part in Community Clear-Ups during June and July. Following the recent success in Witney, the Carterton Neighbourhood Action Group (NAG
An appeal in the Oxford Mail for teddy bears to replace those destroyed by flooding has seen 800 donated for a special event at the Cowley Road Carnival. The Barnardo's charity shop in Cowley Road is aiming to collect 1,000 bears for a teddy bears'
AEA Technology 126.25 BMW 3317 Electrocomponents 287.25 Isoft Group 48.25 Nationwide Accident Repair 154.5 Oxford Biomedica 39 Oxford Instruments 302.5 Reed Elsevier 645.25 RM 221.5 RPS Group 354.75 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
Dorothy Green, who has died aged 86, spent much of her life doing voluntary work and benefiting others. She was chairman of the New Marston 50-Plus Club, which provides weekly activities for up to 50 members at the Pastoral Centre at Marston Road, Oxford
Cathy Havell moved to Oxford in 1992 to work for the Probation Service helping homeless ex-offenders into housing. She went on to create and then lead Connection, based in Blackbird Leys, supporting vulnerable people in their own homes. Ms Havell
A youth dance and drama group had stars in their eyes when they received personal tuition from one of the idols of the breakdancing world. The 11- to 16-year-olds at Charlbury's Centre Stage Drama are now working on moves shared with them by Banxy when
A pub landlord has called time on his bachelor life by marrying a woman he met more than 18 years ago. And the Oxford Mail's sister paper, the Abingdon Herald, played a part in helping Peter Kidd from the Fox at Steventon, and his bride, Jenny Burton
There are fears in Wantage that popular tea rooms in the town could close. Madisons tea rooms may close because planning policy says only retail shops should be allowed in prime town centre shopping areas. The family-run business in the Arbery Centre
The closure of Didcot's only youth club for under-13s could drive children on to the streets, parents and councillors have warned. Their concerns were voiced after Didcot's Junior Club for eight- to 12-year-olds was forced to shut after 16 years due
Oxford commuters say a revised railway timetable due to be introduced in December will not meet passengers' needs. Commuter pressure group OxRail Action met executives from rail operator First Great Western last week to discuss the proposed changes
Villagers who bemoaned the loss of their local hardware shop are now aghast that it could reopen as a takeaway. But, while a flood of protest letters poured in to West Oxfordshire District Council's planning department, a petition signed by over 100
A dog owner whose pet nearly bled to death after cutting his paw badly on broken glass has prompted a clean-up campaign. Two-year-old gundog Rudi stepped on a broken beer bottle in a Bicester park. The Hungarian Vizsla needed a two-and-a-half hour
Councillors yesterday gave the green light for a new 600-place secondary school to be built in Grove. They rejected two other proposals and settled on the plan for a standalone school in the village, possibly to be open by 2011. The other options
A teenager has been arrested following an vicious attack on a man who asked a gang to keep the noise down. The 28-year-old victim asked a gang of three men to keep the noise down in Portland Road, Summertown, Oxford, on Sunday night. But when the
A dispute over fencing emerged at the Radley Lakes enquiry at Radley College today. Save Radley Lakes member Jo Cartmell is applying for Town Village Green status to protect Thrupp and Bullfield Lakes. The owners RWE npower want to dump spent fuel
COUNCILLORS today gave the green light for a new 600-place secondary school to be built in Grove. They rejected two other proposals and settled on the plan for a stand-alone school in the village, possibly to be open by 2011. The other options were
Grove is to get a new 600-place secondary school. County councillors have today gone for a new school in the village, rejecting the other options of King Alfred's Community and Sports College in Wantage running two schools or two separate schools for
Glyn Frewer reveals how he created a pond in his Oxfordshire garden that now attracts all creatures great and small had been in our new home a year before the pond was dug. The lie of the land cried out for it. At the foot of the steeply sloping field
Geoffrey Hedge looks at some truly cool designs for home heating Designer style - the Vision 25 steel radiator, shown in blue with mirror, £644 from The Radiator Company Neat and tidy - the MHS Stax bathroom radiator is available with either black
Followers of fashion know tiny touches make an outfit - whether it is buttons, bows or an unusual lining - but nowadays detail and decoration are also a winning combination on walls floors and furniture, writes Gabrielle Fagan Gone are the days when
A WOMAN who gave first aid to a grandmother who had been shot alongside her two daughters at a barbecue has today been presented with a top bravery award. Georgie Gibson is to receive a gold medal at the Provincial Police Awards after she went to the
As beige finally takes a back seat, we crack the new colour code for carpets greys, nutty browns and dusty colours are the latest in carpet chic. "Beige has dominated domestic carpet purchase for the past five years," said David Cormack, marketing
Campaigners were today given a fresh say in their bid to save Radley lakes from being transformed into an ash dump for Didcot Power Station. The public inquiry was reopened following an adjournment in April. It is looking at whether the area should
Whether your heart lies in Greece or Corsica, Italy or Spain, there is no need to wait until your next summer holiday to recreate the style of your favourite Mediterranean hideaway in your own home, writes Emma Pomfrett All you need are a few subtle
CAMPAIGNERS were today given a fresh say in their bid to save Radley Lakes from being transformed into an ash dump for Didcot Power Station. The public inquiry was reopened following an adjournment in April. It is looking at whether the area should
I recently did away with my Ecover washing up liquid, washing powder and conditioner. The company that manufactures the products is based in Belgium, so they may well be eco-friendly and free from chemicals, but they cost the earth an arm and a leg in
THE Banbury-prepared Aston Martin Racing and InterContinental Hotels & Resorts DBR9 which triumphed at the Le Mans 24-hour endurance race, held last weekend, is set to appear before British fans at the Goodwood Festival of Speed over June 23-24. The
A woman who gave first aid to a grandmother who had been shot alongside her two daughters at a barbecue has today been presented with a top bravery award. Georgie Gibson is to receive a gold medal at the Provincial Police Awards after she went to the
There's nothing like deckchair-style decor and candy coloured stripes to get you in the mood for summer, writes Lisa Haynes Injecting a room with stripes or simply scattering around some stripy accessories can give your whole room a seasonal lift.
With today's go faster' culture, finding the time to shop for homewares can often fall to the bottom of our to-do lists. But there is a convenient alternative to trawling interior shops, writes Lisa Haynes Savvy consumers who are short on time are
There's more to the modern kitchen than a whiter shade of pale Gone are the days when the only colour options for the kitchen were white or natural wood. Whilst both are still popular choices, the range of colourways now available to those looking
FORMER Oxford United midfielder Chris Hargreaves has signed a two-year deal with Torquay United. Read the full story in tomorrow's Oxford Mail
This is the face of a woman being hunted by police for trying to get access to children by pretending to be a health worker. The woman visited two homes in Faringdon claiming to be a local health visitor asking to see the mother's young children In
THIS is the face of a woman being hunted by police for trying to get access to children by pretending to be a health worker. The woman visited two homes in Faringdon claiming to be a local health visitor asking to see the mother's young children In
A 32-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and is being questioned by detectives. Police said the arrest was in connection with an incident in Margaret Road, Adderbury, on Sunday. A spokesman for Thames Valley Police said
You can give a room a lick of paint or spruce it up with new furniture but nothing warms up a home like fresh flowers, writes Lisa Haynes Just like our fashion tastes, we all have different ideas about the perfect flower - from tiger lilies to tulips
A JURY at Oxford Crown Court convicted Phillip Pledge of intent to supply cannabis. The 38-year-old, of Evenlode Tower, Blackbird Leys, had claimed that 601g of "skunk" cannabis found in a police raid on his flat was for personal use. Pledge was cleared
Dave Taylor will captain a Home Counties Premier League representative team against their Middlesex counterparts at Slough tomorrow (1.30). The Kidlington skipper and director of cricket will be joined by clubmates Andrew Buckingham and Shabaz Ali.
Some miserly bowling from former England seamer Paul Taylor helped Banbury reach the regional final of the Cockspur Cup. Taylor took 3-11 in 7.4 overs as Derbyshire hosts Dunstall fell 24 runs short of Banbury's 180 all out. Banbury will now entertain
Records tumbled as Andy Small racked up an imposing 205 not out in Holton's 207-run victory over Wytham in Sunday's 40-over-a-side friendly. Small's double century was both his own personal best and a club milestone, beating the 158 made by Guy Peddy
A 32-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after an attack which left a man fighting for his life. The 30-year-old victim is being treated at John Radcliffe and remains in a critical but stable condition. He was attacked
AEA Technology 129.25 BMW 3333 Electrocomponents 287.75 Isoft Group 48.25 Nationwide Accident Repair 154.5 Oxford Biomedica 39.25 Oxford Instruments 302.25 Reed Elsevier 645.25 RM 207.75 RPS Group 354.5 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
A PUBLIC meeting into the Abingdon's traffic, including the two-way system in Stratton Way, is being held today at Abbey Hall at 7pm. David Robertson, the county council's cabinet member for transport, is expected to attend.
COUNTY councillors have paid tribute to leader Keith Mitchell on being made a CBE. Leading the congratulations, Oxfordshire County Council chairman Liz Brighouse, said: "He works tirelessly for the people of Oxfordshire and the region." Tributes
TEN men were arrested at the weekend as part of a crackdown on drink-related trouble and violence in the city centre. A 23-year-old man was charged with affray while a 17-year-old and a 28-year-old were cautioned for public order and affray respectively
A MAN appeared in magistrates' court yesterday charged with stealing costume jewellery worth about £4,000 from Past Times, Turl Street, between June 4 and 5. Stephen Shackleton, 39, of no fixed address, is also charged with a £3,000 burglary at Bonhams
A MINUTE'S silence was held at a meeting of Oxfordshire County Council yesterday in memory of Keith Stone. Mr Stone, 65, who was the county councillor for Carterton and chairman of West Oxfordshire District Council, died on April 21 after suffering
AS THE women of Little Milton yoga group settled down for their weekly post-exercise coffee and chat at the village pub, there was only one topic on their lips. The village is believed to be the subject for PhD student Francine Watkins's research paper
THE Government has clashed with one of Oxfordshire's leading politicians over the number of new homes needed to tackle the growing shortage of affordable housing. Housing Minister Yvette Cooper branded the South East England Regional Assembly (Seera
BLUR bassist Alex James was given a warm reception by fans in Oxford yesterday as he signed copies of his autobiography. Mr James, who now lives on a dairy farm in the Cotswolds producing cheese, was at Waterstone's in Cornmarket Street signing copies
A RESCUE package is being pulled together in a bid to save the troubled Morris Motors Athletic and Social Club, it emerged last night. The Cowley working men's club, founded in the 1920s, last week faced a winding-up order from Customs and Excise.
Oxford's motorcycling star, Bradley Smith, says he has taken inspiration from Britain's Formula 1 sensation, Lewis Hamilton. The 16-year-old, currently eighth in the 125cc world championship standings, has witnessed Hamilton's rise from go-karts to
The Oxford Times Cherwell League have banned four Chearsley players and docked the club 120 points after a series of "particularly nasty" disciplinary offences. In the most serious cases, brothers Nick and Richard Grimsdell, who also play rugby for
Paul Webber, who trains at Cropredy, near Banbury, notched his second Royal Ascot winner when Full House landed the Ascot Stakes yesterday. Webber, who sent out Ulundi to take the Wolferton Rated Stakes in 2002, was thrilled to see the eight-year-old
Oxfordshire athletes Jonny Lodowski and Claire Triggs came away with silver medals at the South of England AA Under 20 Track & Field Championships at Crystal Palace. Lodowski stormed through his 400m hurdles heat with flying colours, clocking the fastest
Oxford Cavaliers went down to their first home defeat of the season after a 30-10 loss against Burntwood Barbarians in the Co-Operative Summer Conference Midland Division. The hosts paid for a sluggish start, going 10-0 down before forcing their way
BRACKLEY European Association is planning its next project after a successful visit to twin town Pavillons-sous-Bois in France, during which the group toured the Armistice Site in the Forest of Compeigne. Members are now planning a trip to Brackley
THE Brize Norton Gun Club is raising money for a fund in memory of former member Basil Taylor with a clay pigeon shoot open day. It is on Sunday, July 15, at Worsham Quarry, 10am to 4pm. For more details, call 01993 842656, or 01993 882067.
A SUMMER ball for residents of a new Witney estate not only provided a great evening out, but raised a massive £8,500. It was the fourth event of its kind in a marquee in the grounds of Madley Brook Primary School and 300 people attended. Local
MOTORISTS parking along a quiet lane off Marston Road, Oxford, have been branded "thoughtless" by neighbours. Parking along Ferry Lane, near Ferry Road, has become such a problem it is feared emergency vehicles would be blocked if there was an accident
THE East Oxford-based Climate Outreach Information Network wants to hear from interested people interested in participating in various schemes to tackle climate change locally. For more details of the scheme, call 01865 727911 or email info@coinet.org.uk
ALEX James, former bassist with top band Blur, is on the look-out for new musical talent in his home village of Kingham this weekend. He will be judging a Battle of the Bands competition for Oxfordshire secondary schools at the Commotion Festival on
THE future of secondary schooling in Wantage and Grove is due to be decided today. County councillors are expected to debate which of three options is best for educating young people in the area. King Alfred's Community and Sports College, in Wantage
AN INQUEST into the death of an eight-month-old baby boy found dead in a flat by police is due to open today. The baby was discovered in a flat in Agnes Court, Cowley, in Oxford, on Saturday, June 9. Police had visited the flat after an emergency
VOTERS in Carterton tomorrow have three candidates to choose from - two with the same surname - in a delayed district council election. The nominations for the Carterton North East ward are Norman Macrae (Conservative), David Wesson (Labour) and Paul
SCHOOLCHILDREN in Bicester used rubbish to make music and build a giant sculpture during an environment-themed art week. Pupils at Bure Park Primary School used old oil cans and large plastic pipes to put on a musical performance for fellow pupils.
MORE than 200 young people are set to take part in a five-day theatre festival in East Oxford. The annual Jamboree Festival will be held at the Pegasus Theatre, in Magdalen Road, from Tuesday, July 10, to Saturday, July 14. Jamboree, a part of the
FUNDING has been agreed to pay for the drainage of a water-logged recreation ground in North Oxford so children can play there all year. For years, part of the Aristotle Lane playing field has become waterlogged during the winter because of poor drainage
A TEACHER who goes the extra mile in commitment is in line for one of the country's top education awards. Jonathan Spedding has already been named the primary school teacher of the year for the southern region in the Teaching Awards. Mr Spedding
RESIDENTS in Jericho, Oxford, are meeting next week to discuss new plans to build flats in the area. Spring Residential has applied to the city council for planning permission to build 54 flats on a narrow strip of land next to St Barnabas church.
HOUSEHOLDERS are being given a chance to say how they think nearly £290,000 of money earmarked for recreation in their neighbourhood should be spent. The money destined for Cowley, Oxford, has come from legal planning agreements on two major development
MATT Kelly's Valentine's Day meal was not as romantic as he had hoped - after he got a phone call explaining he needed emergency cancer surgery the next morning. Mr Kelly, 28, from Summertown, Oxford, had undergone an ultrasound test at the Churchill
A MIDWIFE is urging people to help mothers and their babies by supporting a concert next month. Ethel Burns, a research midwife lecturer at Oxford Brookes University's school of health and social care, set up a charity last year to support health workers
A NEWLY-FORMED community street band is set to have its first gig as part of the Cowley Road Carnival. The 30-strong band, called Horns of Plenty, promises a squawking and honking mixture of brass-heavy jazz, reggae and New Orleans and African street
BOATERS who drink too much alcohol on Oxfordshire waterways could face jail, the Government has said. Ministers confirmed a new alcohol limit will be introduced for leisure boaters - including people in charge of punts and narrowboats - to bring them
VITAL scrutiny work is being put on ice creating a system of secrecy at County Hall - according to opposition councillors. Oxfordshire Liberal Democrats claim scrutiny reviews - aimed at putting county council policy under the microscope - are being
A rescue package is being pulled together in a bid to save the troubled Morris Motors Athletic and Social Club, it emerged last night. The Cowley working men's club, founded in the 1920s, last week faced a winding-up order from Customs and Excise.
It will indeed be good news if the Morris Motors Athletic and Social Club at Cowley, Oxford, rises from the ashes. Oxford has seen too many traditional organisations fold in recent years. It would have been disappointing to see yet another go out
Curtains twitched and there were mutterings in country pubs after a study lambasted a village as a hotbed of intolerance. The village itself was not identified but the clues have led amateur detectives to place it as Little Milton, south-east of Oxford
The Government has clashed with one of Oxfordshire's leading politicians over the number of new homes needed to tackle the growing shortage of affordable housing. Housing Minister Yvette Cooper branded the South East England Regional Assembly (Seera
