Archive

  • FOOTBALL: Abingdon face Bridgwater test

    Abingdon United boss Andy Slater says his side face a stern test of their recent form when they host high-fliers Bridgwater in Division 1 South & West on Tuesday. "They will be a lot tougher than the sides we have faced recently," said Slater, whose

  • Declan delight at debut

    Sixteen-year-old Declan Benjamin (pictured) has spoken of his delight at being the second youngest first-team player in Oxford United's history. Benjamin became the youngest since Jason Seacole 30 years ago to make his U's bow when the young midfielder

  • Man held over death of clerk

    A man has been arrested and bailed over the unexplained death of 53-year-old parish council clerk Patricia Owens. The body of Ms Owens was found at her home in Chilson, near Chipping Norton, on Friday night, but the circumstances surrounding her death

  • Good Samaritan attacked

    A GOOD Samaritan suffered a fractured skull after coming to the aid of a teenager being attacked in Didcot. A 17-year-old was hit in the face with a bottle outside the Co-op in Lostock Place at about 11pm on Friday. When a man, aged 35, came to

  • Robber raids village service station

    A ROBBER wearing a ski mask stole hundreds of pounds from a service station. The man threatened a member of staff at Summit Service Station in Stadhampton at 7.20pm on Sunday, police said today. He stole £300, £100 worth of Benson & Hedges cigarettes

  • Choir and Kate Bush team up for film

    Pop singer Kate Bush has offered to pay for an Oxford choir which sang with her on a film soundtrack to go to the movie when it is released. As reported in the Oxford Mail, Ms Bush joined forces with boys from Magdalen College School choir to record

  • Book depository plan rejected

    The Bodleian Library's plan for a £29m book depository in West Oxford has been rejected. The world famous library had wanted to build the new facility on the Osney Mead Industrial Estate. But tonight, Oxford City councillors refused planning permission

  • Robber raids service station

    A robber wearing a ski mask stole hundreds of pounds from a service station. The man threatened a member of staff at Summit Service Station in Stadhampton at 7.20pm on Sunday, police said today. He stole £300 in cash, £100 worth of Benson & Hedges

  • Good Samaritan injured

    A good Samaritan suffered a fractured skull after coming to the aid of a teenager being attacked in Didcot. A 17-year-old was hit in the face with a bottle outside the Co-op in Lostock Place at about 11pm on Friday. When a man, aged 35, came to help

  • No money this year for Farepak victims

    Dozens of families in Oxfordshire are set to endure a second Christmas without the money they lost following the collapse of a festive hamper scheme. It is estimated that families in the county lost more than £120,000 when Farepak called in the administrators

  • No NHS funding for new dentist

    A new dentist practice in Oxford has been refused funding to look after NHS patients. Although thousands of people are searching for somewhere which offers low-cost dental care, Oxfordshire Primary Care Trust has rejected an application from Eurodental

  • HOCKEY: Super Smyth in four-goal blitz

    Substitute Dan Smyth hit a four-timer as Rover Oxford returned to winning ways with a thumping 5-2 victory at bottom side City of Portsmouth in South League Premier Division 2. Smyth opened the scoring midway through the first half after good work by

  • HOCKEY: Banbury bonanza

    Holders Banbury produced a five-goal show in the second half to thrash Bristol 5-0 and move into the last 16 of the EH Harrod UK Trophy. Despite being a man down after Tyson Nunneley was sin-binned, Banbury broke the deadlock with a hotly-disputed

  • HOCKEY: Rover rumbled

    Rover Oxford were no match for Nottingham Highfields as they slipped to a 4-0 home defeat in the Slazenger England Women's League North Division. Missing Tacita and Takara Haines, who were on England Under 18 duty, Rover were outclassed by the fitness

  • HOCKEY: Hawks held in check

    Oxford Hawks were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Wimbledon in the Women's South Clubs' League Division 1. Hawks took the lead late in the first half when a swift break led by Kathryn Poulter ended with Hannah Williamson slotting home from close range

  • HOCKEY: City battlers grab a point

    City of Oxford picked up a point in a 2-2 draw at Reading 2nd in Trysports 3 Counties League Premier 1. Mel Baker and Rachel Lammey netted for City. Oxford Hawks 2nd battled to a 2-1 win at Amersham & Chalfont, with goals from Wendy Gundry and Sjouke

  • Computers' to replace school books' boss claims

    School children could one day be swapping all their books for a single computer, according to the boss of a hi-tech Oxfordshire firm. Tim Pearson, chief executive of computer company RM, based at Milton Park near Didcot, said: "One day children will

  • DARTS: Cohen and Creed capture first titles

    Paul Cohen and Natalie Creed made it a night for first-time winners when taking the major singles honours at the Greene King-sponsored ODDA's Summer League finals at Rover Cowley. The men's final brought together first-time finalists Cohen, from the

  • DARTS: Shears suffer shock defeat

    There was a shock as third-placed Shears lost 5-4 away to derby rivals Goodlake in the Oxfordshire Super League. Former Goodlake player Martin Turnbull got Shears on the board with the opener. But the hosts hit back with wins from Jim Pryde (24.24)

  • RUGBY UNION: Passionate Chippy down Grove

    Chipping Norton maintained their 100 per cent record by edging out hosts Grove in the EDF Energy Senior Vase. Having been unbeaten at Cane Lane for 22 months, Grove have now lost there twice on the bounce. This third round south west encounter was

  • Decision makers told: visit academy first

    The 10 decision-makers who will vote on whether the controversial Peers Academy in Oxford gets the go-ahead have been told they must visit one that is already up-and-running. Peers School, in Littlemore, is set to be scrapped and replaced with a city

  • DARTS: Young Emily can't halt strong Shelley

    Young Emily Nowland caused a sensation when playing for newly-promoted Section 1 side Gladiators Social Club A against powerful Premier opponents Shelley Arms D in the Greene King ODDA Winter League. Shelley raced to their expected 8-1 victory, but

  • RUGBY UNION: Dawson happy to edge it

    Chipping Norton's director of rugby Andy Dawson was pleased with another victory for his side. He said: "It was a typical cup tie full of passion and belief. "If we had been playing this match last year, we wouldn't have won it. "They didn't have

  • RUGBY UNION: Cheltenham pip Chinnor

    Chinnor crashed out of the EDF Energy Intermediate Cup at the second round stage after a 13-10 defeat at Cheltenham. Despite making 13 changes from the previous week, Chinnor had plenty of chances to seal the game before losing to a late penalty from

  • Who has priority?

    My wife, who is disabled and in a wheelchair, and I were at Templars Square at Cowley, Oxford, waiting for the No 10 Stagecoach bus to Wood Farm on Monday, November 5. When the bus arrived, one pushchair occupied the wheelchair space and another boarded

  • Wreaking havoc

    So, on the issue of road charges at least, even the Tories are now to the left of the New Labour Government. In a rare display of altruism (and echoing ongoing Independent Working Class Association's criticisms of road charges), Oxfordshire County Council

  • Danger crossroads

    Whoever designed the traffic lights in the centre of Headington, Oxford? Traffic goes all at once. You think it's time to cross and - bang! Someone is going to be hurt before long if the lights are going to be left like that. GILLIAN STRATTON Wood

  • On Yer Bike

    Cyclox hosted Cycling for the Climate, a major national conference, on Saturday. The cycling Lord Mayor of Oxford, John Tanner, opened the conference of 100 delegates, who had arrived by bus and Brompton from all over the UK. Mark Lynas, the renowned

  • Lights needed to let us out

    After months of undercover work, taking notes and examining all data collected, I have come to the conclusion that if suddenly cars stopped entering Sainsbury's at Heyford Hill, Oxford, those trying to get out on to the roundabout wouldn't succeed. It

  • Heroin addict ordered out of home

    A HEROIN addict and his partner have been ordered out of their home. Graham Chiswell, 50, and Vicky Collins, 26, were moved from a house in Bernwood Road, Barton, Oxford, after a court heard it was used as a drugs den. A drugs house closure order

  • RUGBY UNION: Hawks punished by Leek

    Henley Hawks are closer to relegation than promotion after a 19-3 defeat at Blackheath inb National 2. Their fifth defeat of the season sees them seven points off the drop zone and 16 below second spot. Hawks began full of attacking intent with No

  • Heroin addict ordered out

    A heroin addict and his partner were ordered out of their home yesterday. Graham Chiswell, 50, and Vicky Collins, 26, were moved from a house in Bernwood Road, in Barton, Oxford, after a court heard it was used as a drugs den. A drugs house closure

  • City hosts national talks

    Oxford cycle pressure group Cyclox hosted a major national conference at Cheney School in Headington on Saturday. Called Cycling for the Climate, the conference examined the relationship between urban design and cycling with talks by Mark Lynas, the

  • Hunt launched for dead man's family

    A CORONER is appealing for help from people in Oxfordshire to trace the family of a man found dead in Poole. Forty-four-year-old David John Grzesiak was found dead at his home in Arne Avenue, Parkstone, on November 14, 2007. The cause of death was

  • Mum rides in to keep rides safe

    A mum-of-three was so worried about children's road safety she signed up to teach them cycling skills. Rachel Sandford, 36, spent five weeks training as a cycling instructor to give youngsters in Bletchingdon, near Kidlington, the opportunity to learn

  • New council homes could be built

    New council homes could be built in Oxfordshire in a bid to combat the county's chronic housing crisis. A pledge from the Government has heralded the "return of the council house" as ministers published plans to make it easier for local authorities

  • TV presenter Clarkson's book urges boys to read

    Outspoken TV presenter Jeremy Clarkson is disturbing the peace of school libraries across the country under a scheme to encourage more boys to read books. The Chipping Norton resident's book on machines, I Know You Got Soul, has proved the most in-demand

  • No date set for rebuilding pub

    No date has yet been set for the start of refurbishment work on a famous Oxford pub devastated in a blaze. In May, pub goers were told it could take up to 18 months to fully refurbish The Perch in Binsey following the serious fire. The blaze ripped

  • Memorial to a 'first class chap'

    A pensioner who died in a car crash has a permanent memorial, at Witney's Windrush Leisure Centre. Friends of Sidney Allen, a former gunner in Wellington bombers in the Second World War, unveiled a seat in his memory outside the entrance. Mr Allen

  • Fundraisers freeze for charity

    It a regular Saturday night in Oxford.The Cowley Road was spilling over with drunken revellers and the city was awash with merriment. But in St Clement's Churchyard, around 50 people - including myself - were experiencing the grittier side of life for

  • Children's service on award shortlist

    A service helping children with mental health problems in Oxfordshire has been shortlisted for a national award. The project, Oxfordshire Primary Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, looks after hundreds of youngsters to "nip in the bud" emotional

  • Today's local share prices (PM)

    AEA Technology 110 BMW 2921 Electrocomponents 212.5 Nationwide Accident Repair 139.5 Oxford Biomedica 28.75 Oxford Catalyst 151.5 Oxford Instruments 219.5 Reed Elsevier 575.25 RM 188 RPS Group 335 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon

  • A diamond day to remember

    The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh celebrate 60 years of marriage tomorrow - and 'diamond' couples from around Oxfordshire will be celebrating with them. Sixty years ago today, people across the country huddled around a radio or if they were lucky, a

  • Iconic accolade for Sir Richard

    Tycoon Sir Richard Branson has been voted the South East's ultimate business icon. Kidlington-based Sir Richard topped a survey by BT Business to find the most inspirational figure for small business owners. He polled 49 per cent of the votes beating

  • Firm joins anti-theft scheme

    A businessman has stepped in to help tackle street theft in Bicester. David Thompson, of Launton, has paid for 100 key coils, which will be supplied to women to help them avoid becoming victims of pickpockets. Mr Thompson, the owner of MOH Wireless

  • Man questioned over woman's death

    A MAN has been arrested in connection with the unexplained death of a 53-year-old woman from Chilson, near Chipping Norton. Police were called at 9.30pm on Friday to an address in the village. The woman has been identified as Patricia Owens of Sunnybank

  • Teenager found badly beaten

    A teenager was found badly beaten in a Witney car park following a brawl between two groups of youths. The 17-year-old was found by police in the car park of Langdale Hall at about 2am on Saturday. He had suffered facial injuries, was taken to hospital

  • Youth injured in car park fight

    A 17-year-old youth was found in a Witney car park with facial injuries following a fight. The teenager was found by police in the car park of the Langdale Hall at about 2am on Saturday. He was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, where he

  • Update: Crashed lorry causes M40 delays

    LONG queues built up on the M40 this afternoon after a lorry overturned near the Cherwell Valley Services at Ardley. A lane was blocked on the exit slip road at junction ten due to the overturned lorry. Police said traffic on the southbound carriageway

  • Two charged with lead theft

    TWO men have been charged with stealing lead from the roof of the Fox and Hounds pub, Oxford. Simon Snuggs, 38, of Lake Street, Oxford, and Gareth Kerr, 28, of Gordon Woodward Way, Oxford, have both been charged with theft and criminal damage. Both

  • Two charged with lead theft

    Two men have been charged with stealing lead from a pub roof. Simon Snuggs, 38, of Lake Street in Oxford, and Gareth Kerr, 28, of Gordon Woodward Way, Oxford, have both been charged with theft and criminal damage. They were arrested by police after

  • Rally to urge Oxford Union rethink

    A RALLY is being held tomorrow calling on the Oxford Union to cancel the invitation of the BNP leader and a Holocaust denier to speak at an event next week. Concerned residents, students, members of Oxfordshire's trade unions and anti-racist campaigners

  • Anti-BNP rally held

    A rally is being held tomorrow calling on the Oxford Union to cancel the invitation of the BNP leader and a Holocaust denier to speak at an event next week. Concerned residents, students, members of Oxfordshire's trade unions and anti-racist campaigners

  • Bratt stars at trophy event

    WILL Bratt, of Adderbury, third placed finisher in this year's Formula Renault UK Championship, joined the cream of national motor racing talent in London on Saturday evening, as part of the British Touring Car Championship's 2007 TOCA Night of Champions

  • I sang for our future Queen

    The diamond wedding anniversary of the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh tomorrow will bring back happy memories for Douglas Higgins. He was in the choir at Westminster Abbey on November 20, 1947, when our future monarch, then Princess Elizabeth, married

  • Rocking all over... Botley

    Status Quo will attract full houses for their two performances at the New Theatre, Oxford, this week. But it was a different story when the group played one of their first gigs in the city nearly 40 years ago. Their concert at Elms Court, Botley,

  • Did boy get to go to the zoo?

    This was a memorable day for all the children involved, writes Sahand Parvizi. But it was not so special for one boy when, after waiting so long to go to London Zoo, he was taken ill and had to go to the Radcliffe Infirmary in Oxford instead. If he

  • Today's local share prices (AM)

    AEA Technology 110 BMW 2961 Electrocomponents 221.5 Nationwide Accident Repair 137.5 Oxford Biomedica 28.75 Oxford Catalyst 154 Oxford Instruments 220.5 Reed Elsevier 591.75 RM 195.25 RPS Group 337 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon

  • Solberg fifth on Rally Ireland

    NORWEGIAN driver Petter Solberg finished in fifth place for Banbury's Subaru World Rally Team on the Rally Ireland. World Rally Championship Rd 15 Ireland Final overall positions after Stage 20:1 Sebastien Loeb (Fra) Citroen 3hrs 01mins 39.200secs

  • Car damaged in blaze

    FIREFIGHTERS were called to a car fire in East Oxford late last night. The crews arrived at the blaze in Knolles Road at about 11.15pm and found a Mini Metro ablaze. The fire was quickly extinguished before it could spread to any other vehicles

  • Vehicle accident on A4095

    A vehicle was involved in an accident on the northbound carriageway of the A4095 between Brize Norton and Bampton in West Oxfordshire last night. Emergency vehicles were called to the scene at 8pm but no one suffered serious injuries.

  • Metro blaze

    Firefighters were called to a car fire in East Oxford late last night. The crews arrived at the blaze in Knolles Roadokat around 11.15pm and found a Mini Metro ablaze. The fire was quickly extinguished before it could spread to any other vehicles

  • Call for return of weekly waste collections

    ONE year after Oxford's "recycling revolution" started, people across the city say they are desperate for a return to weekly rubbish collections. Last November the city switched to alternate weekly collections, leaving normal household waste - including

  • 'We have won over recycling cynics'

    THE battle to win the hearts and minds of recycling cynics in Oxford has been won, according to the woman in charge of the city's waste "revolution". And for Jean Fooks, the struggle has been worth it - having been told the scheme would never work.

  • Crash causes M40 lane closure

    Motorists travelling on the M40 near Bicester this morning experienced severe delays after a car collided with the central reservation. The fast lane of the northbound motorway between junction nine at Bicester and junction 10 at Ardley was closed for

  • No stars for switch-on

    OXFORD City Council has been described as "Scrooge-like" after it was revealed no celebrities had been approached to switch on this year's Christmas lights. A lavish parade, festive market and street performers have been booked for Saturday's showcase

  • Update: Police investigate woman’s death

    POLICE have launched an investigation after the discovery of a woman's body in the village of Chilson, near Chipping Norton. The body of 53-year-old Patricia Owen was found on Friday night. Police are treating the discovery as an "unexplained death

  • School left in mourning

    CHILDREN and teachers returned to a Witney school in mourning today after a double road death tragedy. In the space of just 24 hours, a teenage student and a retired teacher at Henry Box School were killed in separate road accidents in the town. Thirteen-year-old

  • Turley leaps to Duffy's defence

    OXFORD United man-of-the-match Billy Turley backed Rob Duffy after the striker was sent-off just 20 seconds after coming off the bench in Saturday's 0-0 draw with Ebbsfleet. Duffy protested his innocence that he had done nothing wrong before being controversially

  • All's fair

    THE annual Fairtrade fair will take place at Exeter Hall, Kidlington, on Saturday, December 1. The event, from 10am to 4pm, will feature a wide range of stalls selling goods, including silver jewellery, silk and leather, pottery, household items,

  • Roadside signs vote

    A BID by the Thames Valley Farmers Market Co-operative to get consent for street signs promoting the monthly markets in Witney goes before today's meeting of West Oxfordshire District Council's lowlands planning sub-committee. The council has already

  • Party time

    A NEW Year's Eve party will be held at Exeter Hall, Kidlington, in aid of the British Red Cross. The event, from 8.30pm to 1.20am, will feature a DJ, light supper, prizes for the most glamorously dressed, a raffle and a licensed bar. Tickets cost

  • Centre bid for families

    A CHILDREN'S centre which supports families with children under five could be set up in Wallingford. A meeting to test the water will take place at the Rainbow pre-school on Thursday, November 22, between 7.30pm and 9pm in the Bullcroft rooms.

  • Car park work begins

    WORK is due to start today on a temporary car park to provide 250 long-stay spaces off Woodford Way, Witney. Workmen are scheduled to finish in January. Ninety weekend spaces at Abingdon and Witney College campus and 30 roadside spaces will provide

  • Plenty of rubbish to talk about

    Oxford's "recycling revolution" has been the talk of the city since it began this time last year. What other towns, cities and countries had been doing with minimal fuss for years, Oxford embraced for the first time last November when an army of wheelie

  • Community in mourning

    Schools are the heart of our communities and so today we cannot begin to imagine the grief being felt by pupils, parents and teachers associated with Henry Box School in Witney. As if one tragedy was not bad enough, two in the space of 24 hours is unthinkable

  • More cash needed to wow carnival crowds

    MORE businesses need to get behind the Cowley Road Carnival, in Oxford, so next year's event can have a real 'wow factor'. East Oxford Action, which organises the annual event, has already started preparations for next year's event, on July 6, and

  • School's double tragedy

    Children and teachers returned to a Witney school in mourning today after a double road death tragedy. In the space of just 24 hours, a teenage student and a retired teacher at Henry Box School were killed in separate road accidents in the town. Thirteen-year-old

  • Recycling one year on: Your verdict

    One year after Oxford's "recycling revolution" started, people across the city say they are desperate for a return to weekly rubbish collections. Last November the city switched to alternate weekly collections, leaving normal household waste - including

  • Bodleian store decision due today

    An 11th-hour attempt to stop Oxford University building a giant book depository in Osney Mead will be launched today. The university wants the facility as a new store for books from the Bodleian Library. Vale of the White Horse District Council

  • Recycling: 'We've won hearts and minds'

    THE battle to win the hearts and minds of recycling cynics in Oxford has been won, according to the woman in charge of the city's waste "revolution". And for Jean Fooks, the struggle has been worth it - having been told the scheme would never work.

  • 'Scrooges' row over Christmas lights switch-on

    Hard-up Oxford City Council has been described as "Scrooge-like" after it was revealed no celebrities had been approached to switch on this year's Christmas lights. A lavish event in Broad Street has been booked for Saturday's showcase event, but last