Archive

  • FOOTBALL: Foster and Clarke sign up

    Defenders Luke Foster and James Clarke have signed new deals with the club. Clarke put pen to paper on his first professional contract after United's match against Tonbridge on Saturday, agreeing a two-and-a-half-year deal. Foster, who has been in

  • FOOTBALL: Mad Dog off leash!

    Darren Patterson and Mickey 'Mad Dog' Lewis will be donning their boots for a friendly between Oxford United Old Boys and Milton United at Milton Heights on Wednesday (7.45). Admission is £4 for adults and £1 for under 16s. Milton Utd: (from) Paul

  • FOOTBALL: Peace's sights on a home booster

    Stuart Peace says his Didcot Town team need to start turning home draws into victories, starting with tonight's Southern League Division 1 South & West encounter with Burnham at Loop Meadow. He said: "We have two games in a row at home now, so we're

  • Fresh calls to shut Campsfield

    RESIDENTS and protesters united to demand the closure of Campsfield House detention centre in Kidlington after detainees rioted again today. Shortly after 6.20am, 35 firefighters were called to the immigration centre in Langford Lane, together with

  • 'Time to shut Campsfield'

    Residents and protesters united to demand the closure of Campsfield House detention centre in Kidlington after detainees rioted again yesterday. Shortly after 6.20am, 35 firefighters were called to the immigration centre in Langford Lane, together with

  • Detainees tell of Campsfield devastation

    DETAINEES inside Campsfield House detention centre today described the scale of the riot and the devastation caused. The men said security cameras and lights were smashed in the centre's blue block, while toilets and showers were flooded. And they

  • Detainees describe riot

    Detainees inside Campsfield House detention centre described the scale of the riot and the devastation caused. The men said security cameras and lights were smashed in the centre's blue block, while toilets and showers were flooded. And they said

  • A34 crash causes delays

    TRAFFIC on the A34 is suffering tailbacks between Abingdon and Oxford following a car crash. Ambulance crews were called to the southbound stretch of the A34 between Hinksey Hill and the Marcham interchange following a minor collision at 5.15pm today

  • Tailbacks after A34 crash

    Traffic on the A34 is suffering tailbacks between Abingdon and Oxford following a car crash. Ambulance crews were called to the southbound stretch of the A34 between Hinksey Hill and the Marcham interchange following a minor collision at 5.15pm today

  • How to make Cowley Road safer

    AN URBAN design expert from Oxford has outlined how he thinks Cowley Road could be made safer. Last week, a county court judge criticised the layout of the busy road after an accident involving cyclist David Simms and a bus. Cyclists also claimed

  • DARTS: Battling Quarry pipped at the post

    PREMIER side Lord Nuffield Social Club ladies were forced to battle all the way for victory away to Section 1 rivals Quarry Gate C in the Greene King ODDA. Angie Pointin beat Kim Reynolds to put Nuffield ahead, before Quarry hit back to lead 2-1 through

  • HOCKEY: Scragg's late strike keeps Bulls top

    City of Oxford Bulls clung on to top spot in Division 3 of the Wessex Masters League with a hard-fought 3-2 win over Newbury Vets at Oxford Brookes. The visitors went ahead from a short corner and although Dave Oakley equalised, Newbury netted again

  • Burglar flees angry homeowner

    A would-be thief has been left nursing a badly scratched face after trying to flee from an angry homeowner. Roofer Nicky Moignard disturbed the intruder in the kitchen of his home in Manston Close, Bicester, and chased after him. But the burglar landed

  • Family pays tribute to M40 crash victim

    THE family of an Oxford graduate who died in a crash on the M40 today paid tribute to her. Kathryn Light, 47, graduated from Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford in 1981 and subsequently qualified as a solicitor. She was a partner in a leading City law firm

  • Drumming up support for appeal

    An Oxford shopping street resounded with the sound of Indian drums - all in the name of charity. A group of dhol drummers from St Christopher's School, in Temple Road, Cowley, performed in Cornmarket Street on Saturday. They were raising money for

  • Mums' ward visits axed

    Expectant mothers have been banned from taking group tours around the labour ward at Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital before they have their babies. Midwives and antenatal experts are concerned that managers have stopped the twice-weekly visits, which

  • Safety advice for Cowley Road

    An urban design expert from Oxford has outlined how he thinks Cowley Road could be made safer. Last week, a county court judge criticised the layout of the busy road after an accident involving cyclist David Simms and a bus. Cyclists also claimed

  • Capsfield lethargy can't go on

    News of more rioting at Campsfield House immigration detection centre at Kidlington will come as no surprise to anyone. After the last serious outbreak of violence in August, we posed a series of questions: Are too many people being housed there?

  • Airman to serve the Queen

    A Didcot man has been made an aide de camp (ADC) to the Queen. Group Captain Russell La Forte, 47, will represent Her Majesty at parades and ceremonies. His 80-year-old father, Edward La Forte, of Slade Road, said it had come as a surprise when he

  • New fitness centre to open

    A newly equipped fitness suite at the White Horse Leisure and Tennis Centre will be opened tomorrow. The suite contains 43 piece of cardiovascular equipment, 11 pieces of resistance equipment and a large free weights area. The cost of the new centre

  • RUGBY UNION: Quins storm back

    Three second-half tries earned Oxford Harlequins an impressive 21-6 home victory over Weston-super-Mare in South West 1. Quins trailed 6-0 after a fruitless opening period, but increased the pace to great effect after that. Full back Mark Preston

  • RUGBY UNION: Changes paid off

    Oxford Harlequins director of rugby Matt Maudsley felt their change of tactics had paid dividends in the second half against Weston. Maudsley said: "In the first half, the ball scrum half Anthony Cope was getting was patchy. "We needed to secure it

  • RUGBY UNION: Chinnor snatch draw

    Chinnor came from behind to draw 25-25 at Maidenhead in a South West 1 game they should have won. It took a last-minute try from wing Jaike Carter to level the scores, but fly half James Cathcart missed the conversion. Earlier, Chinnor had squandered

  • Helpers dish up meal treat

    Homeless people will be treated to a full Christmas meal thanks to a team of volunteers. The weekly soup kitchen at the Asian Cultural Centre, Manzil Way, will be dishing up Christmas dinner on Wednesday. The kitchen, which is run entirely by volunteers

  • RUGBY UNION: Redruth hammer Hawks

    Henley Hawks were sucked towards the relegation zone in National 2 thanks to a 44-3 defeat at Redruth. Hawks' misery was increased by injuries to centre Luke Burns (knee) and flanker Garth Chamberlain (ankle). Penalties from Redruth's Gareth Griffiths

  • RUGBY UNION: More woe for Banbury

    Banbury Bulls suffered a heavy 40-0 defeat at Hinckley in Midlands 2 East. They trailed 19-0 at the break and never recovered. Coach Grant Holmes said: "Hinckley played exceptionally well, their ball retention was very good and they kept hammering

  • Drivers in last chance saloon (coupe, hatchback or estate)

    An Oxford driving instructor is to star in a prime-time reality television show aimed at turning some of the country's worst drivers into top motorists. Laurie-Jane Taylor, from Greater Leys, is one of three instructors featured in ITV's new two-hour

  • RUGBY UNION: Witney lose pack battle

    A last minute try ensured Witney lost 17-10 at home to Southern Counties North leaders Olney - their fourth defeat in a row. Witney fought back to trail 12-10 midway through the second half and appeared to have the momentum, but it was not to be.

  • RUGBY UNION: Bicester batter Gosford

    Bicester retained second spot in the BB&O Premier Division with a comprehensive 49-5 victory over a depleted Gosford All Blacks. Flanker Dan Spencer gave Bicester the lead when he careered over in the corner on five minutes. The same player set up

  • RUGBY UNION: Harwell squeeze home

    Harwell secured a hard-fought 23-17 win at Grove 2nd in BB&O Division 1 South. Captain Andy Lee, Mark Giddings and Mark Baker scored Harwell's tries with Dave Beaven kicking two penalties and a conversion. OTHER SCORERS Canterbury Shield Div 2: Chinnor

  • Estate unveils anniversary mosaic

    A mosaic to mark the 50th anniversary of an Oxford estate has been unveiled to the local community that worked so hard on it. More than 80 people turned up to the Blackbird Leys Community Centre, in Blackbird Leys Road, on Saturday for the unveiling

  • Growing town bags £2m grant

    Didcot has won more than £2m to help secure its future growth. The town, which became one of the Government's New Growth Points last year, has been earmarked the money to provide services like transport, schools, health centres and parks. It is part

  • Traders bank on late rush

    Oxford city centre traders are upbeat about Christmas trade despite fears over the global credit crunch, stalling house prices and rising debt. A report from financial experts at PricewaterhouseCooper revealed the average Briton now owes £33,000 in

  • Community magazine to close

    A community magazine which is distributed to 3,500 homes is closing down after 32 years. The last issue of the free Wallingford Magazine will come out on January 1. Its place will be taken by a new publication - Wallymag, which will also be free.

  • Estate’s personalities shine out

    Residents from the Rose Hill estate in Oxford joined a walking tour of Christmas lights they helped create with local artists over the weekend. More than 40 people turned out for the tour with Oxford-based artists Katy Beinart and Jo Huyg on Saturday

  • Today's local share prices (PM)

    AEA Technology 72 BMW 2894 Electrocomponents 206.75 Nationwide Accident Repair 110.5 Oxford Biomedica 20.75 Oxford Catalyst 148.5 Oxford Instruments 194.25 Reed Elsevier 651 RM 198.25 RPS Group 290.25 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon

  • Hunt continues for gunman

    POLICE said tonight that the search for a gunman who threatened police in Didcot on Friday was on-going. Several houses were searched over the weekend as part of the hunt for the man who pointed a handgun at police in Kynaston Road, before fleeing to

  • UPDATE: Prisoner recaptured

    A prison escapee who fled from custody while being transferred to a police station has been recaptured. Police this morning appealed for information on the whereabouts of Michael Andrew Tutt, 24, who escaped police in Hampshire because it was believed

  • Update: Prison escapee recaptured

    A PRISON escapee who fled from custody while being transferred to a police station has been recaptured. Police this morning appealed for information on the whereabouts of Michael Andrew Tutt, 24, who escaped police in Hampshire because it was believed

  • Man taken ill at concert dies

    An elderly man, who collapsed minutes into the Lord Mayor of Oxford's Christmas Carol service on Sunday, has died. The 74-year-old man, from the Witney area, suffered from a heart attack. He died shortly after arriving at the John Radcliffe hospital

  • Carol service collapse man dies

    A MAN who collapsed minutes into the Lord Mayor of Oxford's Christmas Carol service on Sunday has died. The 74-year-old man, from the Witney area, suffered from a heart attack. He died shortly after arriving at the John Radcliffe hospital. Six doctors

  • Campsfield update: More officers brought in

    Extra police and firefighters are still being drafted in at Campsfield House Detention Centre, in Kidlington to tackle on on-going disturbance. Shortly after 6.20am, 35 firefighters were called to the immigration centre in Langford Lane, together with

  • Hardide grows despite losses

    Bosses at a hi-tech Bicester engineering firm are upbeat for the future, despite slipping further into the red. Hardide, which manufactures super-hard coatings for drills used in the oil business, saw its losses grow to £1.795m in the year to September

  • Star the friendly cross

    This is Star, an eight-year-old German Shepherd cross with Golden Retriever who came into the centre through not fault of her own. Star is very friendly and has lived as a family dog with children, she will be a fantastic addition in the right home.

  • Update: Disturbance erupts at Campsfield

    EXTRA police and firefighters are still being drafted in at Campsfield House Detention Centre, in Kidlington to tackle on on-going disturbance. Shortly after 6.20am, 35 firefighters were called to the immigration centre in Langford Lane, together with

  • Pension protestors hope for good news

    Oxfordshire workers who lost their pensions when their firm collapsed are in line for an early Christmas present. Work and pensions secretary Peter Hain is expected to announce in the House of Commons later today that they will receive 90 per cent of

  • Hopes rise for pension rescue package

    OXFORDSHIRE workers who lost their pensions when their firm collapsed are in line for an early Christmas present. Work and Pensions Secretary Peter Hain is expected to announce in the Commons later today that they will receive 90 per cent of the value

  • Wimbledon for the winners

    The winners of Oxford United v Tonbridge Angels have been drawn at home to AFC Wimbledon in the second round of the Carlsberg FA Trophy on Saturday January 12.

  • MP joins talks on museum's future

    WITNEY MP David Cameron drew on personal experience when he visited the town's under-threat Cogges Farm Museum to discuss rescue plans. The Conservative Party leader has family time with his wife and three children on Sundays at their home in Dean

  • Today's local share prices (AM)

    AEA Technology 77.5 BMW 2906 Electrocomponents 206 Nationwide Accident Repair 120.5 Oxford Biomedica 21.25 Oxford Catalyst 148.5 Oxford Instruments 192.5 Reed Elsevier 637 RM 197.75 RPS Group 286.5 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon

  • REVIEW: Starlight Express

    Trains hadn't been sexy since Brief Encounter until Andrew Lloyd Webber came up with a high-kicking West End show based on a child's dream about a set of engines who race another for a prize. Steam-powered Rusty (a youthful Kristopher Harding) struggles

  • Campsfield update: Detainees speak out

    Detainees inside Campsfield House have this morning told the Oxford Mail the scale of the riot. One 27-year-old detainee said: "Everyone went mad and broke everything up. They broke everything - lights, cameras, toilets, showers." Another detainee

  • Prisoner escapes

    A tattooed man with connections in Banbury is being sought by police after escaping from a prison van in Hampshire. Michael Andrew Tutt, 24, of Swanmore, near Southampton, escaped from police custody on Friday morning while being transferred from a

  • Campsfield update: Home office support called in

    About 20 officers have been brought in by the Homes Office to help with the attempts to quell the disturbance. The officers arrived on coach from HMP Grendon in Buckinghamshire and were fully kitted out with riot shields.

  • Police called to Campsfield House

    Police have been called to Campsfield House this morning after reports of more disturbances inside the Kidlington detention centre. Officers were alerted to problems breaking out at 6.20am this morning and have set up a cordon around Campsfield, in

  • Gambler wins £1.1m online

    A 55-year-old electrician from the county has won £1.1m playing an online slot machine game. The man, who wants to remain anonymous, won the bumper pay-out - the largest ever in the UK - through a betting company's online game after staking £3. He

  • Hospital mast sparks anger

    PROTESTERS were outraged at the revelation that a mobile phone firm has had an antenna on top of an Oxford maternity unit for 14 years. The existence of the antennas at the John Radcliffe Hospital women's centre was only brought to light after Orange

  • TV claims Hitler's links with village

    AN Oxfordshire village has been named as the birthplace of a possible lovechild of Nazi leader Adolf Hitler. A television documentary this week will claim Unity Mitford - one of the famous Mitford sisters - may have given birth to a child in Wigginton

  • Street pedlars told to leave

    TRADING officials claimed to have struck a blow against illegal pedlars by nabbing the supposed ringleader on Saturday - only for him to return 24 hours later. City council street trading enforcement officer Kevin Keating led police and county trading

  • Mothers-to-be visits axed

    EXPECTANT mothers will no longer be able to take group tours around the labour ward at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, before they have their babies. Midwives and antenatal experts are concerned that managers have stopped the twice-weekly visits

  • Warning issued on unlicensed cabs

    PEOPLE in Oxfordshire are being warned not to take unlicensed cabs after nights out. It follows a threat from taxi drivers in the north of the county to strike on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, with fears unscrupulous drivers will hit the streets

  • Cinema technology helps disabled

    TECHNOLOGY used to animate characters in Hollywood movies such as Pirates of the Caribbean and Lord of the Rings has been adapted by an Oxford hospital to help people with walking abnormalities. The Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, in Headington, uses

  • Riding school forced to close

    A RIDING school which opened earlier this year had to close after just six months due to loss of premises. Bicester Riding School needs help and is appealing for someone to come forward with stables and a grazing area that is not in use. Teresa

  • Thieves steal cartoon statue

    WANTED - a brazen thief strong enough to twice carry away a life size Betty Boop figurine from outside a shop in broad daylight. Two 5ft statues have been stolen from Oxford Furniture Store in Abingdon Road, Oxford, in a matter of weeks. On the

  • Fears grow over new 'Tent City'

    POLICE, councillors and a local landowner are joining forces to ensure that an illegal site dubbed Tent City does not reappear alongside the River Thames towpath in Oxford. In July, homeless people camping in a field next to the towpath at Osney were

  • Hospital mast sparks anger

    Protesters were outraged at the revelation that a mobile phone firm has had an antenna on top of an Oxford maternity unit for 14 years. The existence of the antennas at the John Radcliffe Hospital women's centre was only brought to light after Orange

  • Little Hitler claims on TV

    An Oxfordshire village has been named as the birthplace of a possible lovechild of Nazi leader Adolf Hitler. A television documentary this week will claim Unity Mitford - one of the famous Mitford sisters - may have given birth to a child in Wigginton

  • Warning to pedlars not heeded

    Trading officials claimed to have struck a blow against illegal pedlars by nabbing the supposed ringleader on Saturday - only for him to return 24 hours later. City council street trading enforcement officer Kevin Keating led police and county trading

  • No rich pickings for law breakers

    The return of the accused ringleader of a group of pedlars 24 hours after he was turfed out of Oxford should sweep away any lingering debate on the issue. Many people have sprung to the defence of pedlars in our city, claiming generally they add to