An eco campaigner staging a tree-top protest against the redevelopment of Oxford's Bonn Square has been threatened with court action. Protester Gabriel had coped with temperatures as low as -1C for 36 hours. He remained defiant after Jeremy Thomas
Vandals have struck for the second time in a week at an award-winning swimming pool - setting fire to a toddlers' pool. The Lido at Chipping Norton was targeted on yesterday afternoon when a disabled toilet was broken into, paper taken and then set
A father and son remain in a serious condition after a car crashed into a tree at an accident blackspot near Chipping Norton. A 46-year-old driver suffered life-threatening injuries after the blue Vauxhall Vectra crashed into woodland on a corner of
A 15-year-old boy was attacked by up to five youths outside the Spar shop, in Dunnock Way, Greater Leys, possibly being hit with a piece of wood. The assault happened at about 6.45pm on Sunday, December 16. Police released an appeal for witnesses last
Oxford United manager Darren Patterson could not hide his delight at clinching the signings of Craig McAllister and Adam Murray on Friday. Midfielder Murray joins from Macclesfield on a one-and-a-half year contract, while striker McAllister has sealed
Oxford United skipper Barry Quinn is suspended as Darren Patterson's side hope that Friday's new signings can inspire them to a vital three points against struggling Altrincham. Quinn serves a one-game ban for his red card at Crawley on New Year's Day
In a bid to safeguard current owners, new grading times will be in operation to ensure their charges have sufficient runs with the grading strength at Cowley at such a high level. That, and the fact that January and February always sees an influx of
People living on an Oxford estate have a once-in-a-lifetime chance to secure brand new community facilities, according to local councillors. Plans are being drawn up for the multi-million-pound redevelopment of the Wood Farm Primary School site, in
Three boats built in the county are being transported to London to take part in this year's boat show. The boats, made by Oxfordshire Narrowboats, were lifted by a 40-ton crane and placed on to a lorry to travel to the Collins Stewart 2008 London Boat
UTILITY companies have been fined almost £160,000 in the last two years because roadworks in Oxfordshire have overrun. Oxfordshire County Council, the highways authority, used powers to penalise companies like Thames Water, Virgin Media and British
County Hall is being urged to come clean about sites shortlisted for a £100m incinerator, amid claims key decisions have been taken ahead of a council debate. Oxfordshire county councillors will next week discuss the implications of burning 200,000
Primary school children became puppet masters for a day. The budding Geppettos from Sandhills Community School built their own puppet creations on Wednesday and brought them to life in their own play. Nine youngsters aged between seven and 10 took part
Utility companies have been fined almost £160,000 in the last two years because roadworks in Oxfordshire have overrun. Oxfordshire County Council, the highways authority, used powers to penalise companies like Thames Water, Virgin Media and British
THE Englishman's dream of his own castle has come true for an Oxfordshire millionaire. The 18th-century 'folly' that Ian Richens has bought is a former National Trust property, which once housed a garrison of 250 men and 32 cannon. The castle -
A floating chapel, horse drawn boats and a Victorian sex scandal have all been playing on the mind of Oxford historian Mark Davies. Mr Davies has been researching the industrial history of Jericho's canal for a new edition of his book A Towpath's Walk
A surgeon at an Oxford hospital is looking at why some arthritis patients get more pain than others. Stephen Gwilym, of the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, in Windmill Road, Headington, has won £201,460 for research using brain imaging to understand the
THE occupants of a green Peugeot could hold the key to solving a serious sexual assault in Oxfordshire, police said this afternoon. Police investigating the attack in Crowmarsh Gifford, near Wallingford, are appealing for the occupants of the car to
What is the criterion for selecting a Lord Mayor of Oxford? The hypocrisy of the current Lord Mayor, John Tanner, in accepting the position in beyond belief. Many times in the past, he has tried to convince the council that the role was unnecessary
The Englishman's dream of his own castle has come true for an Oxfordshire millionaire. The 18th century 'folly' that Ian Richens has bought is a former National Trust property, which once housed a garrison of 250 men and 32 cannon. The castle - Rodborough
Supermarket customers across Oxfordshire can check out their health while filling their shopping trolley. Tesco has introduced a new health service in stores with pharmacies. For £20, staff at stores in Marcham Road, Abingdon; Wallingford Road, Didcot
A number of the Inter-city Express Programme trains planned to replace First Great Western's InterCity 125 High Speed Trains from 2016 could be dual mode trains, able to use both diesel and electric power. The three consortiums shortlisted to develop
A residents' association is calling on businesses to help fund a guide book for the community. The Headington Action Group produces the OX3 guide, with listings for entertainment and services on offer in the Marston and Headington areas. This is the
On Thursday, December 13, my wife and I arranged to be taken to the Thornhill park-and-ride at Headington, Oxford, to catch the 4am Gloucester Green-Gatwick coach. It was the first stage of an 18-hour trip to visit our daughter in Florida. When
A sign has gone up at Bonn Square in Oxford advertising that work to transform it into a dynamic urban space with a unified, uncluttered look is to start this month. This work will apparently include an arts totem, whatever that is. What the public
The occupants of a green Peugeot could hold the key to solving a serious sexual assault in Oxfordshire, police said this afternoon. Police investigating the attack in Crowmarsh Gifford, near Wallingford, are appealing for the occupants of the car to
AEA Technology 87.25 BMW 30.43 Electrocomponents 193.5 Nationwide Accident Repair 122.5 Oxford Biomedica 24 Oxford Catalyst 147.5 Oxford Instruments 186.5 Reed Elsevier 667 RM 206.75 RPS Group 297.25 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
BURGLARS stole a home cinema screen from a house while the residents were away for Christmas. Police are appealing for witnesses after thieves broke into a property in North Street, Islip, between December 22 and December 29 - stealing a white 30in
A teenager is believed to have been attacked with a piece of wood outside a busy shop. The 15-year-old was set upon by up to five youths outside the Spar shop in Dunnock Way, Greater Leys in Oxford. The assault happened at around 6.45pm on Sunday
The six anglers who turned out for Marston's Foster Andrews Cup found the Cherwell in top form, with the fish almost climbing up the poles. Whether it was because the river was rising after rain on the previous Friday or the unseasonal warm weather,
Oxford City Stars face a weekend double-header which could put them right in the mix at the top of the table. They travel to Cardiff today, before entertaining Coventry tomorrow. Although they lie fifth, they are level on points with the third-placed
Fieldside wasted little time in brushing aside Morris Motors 5-1 to reach the semi-finals of the Oxford and District League Atox Cup. And Riley are also in the last four after seeing off Eysham by the same score. Simon Aries (scratch) gave Fieldside
Magdalen College School retained the National Preparatory Schools Rapidplay Chess Championship title with a super performance at Aldro School, Surrey. Palden Ball and Alex Anderton both scored five wins from five matches in the Under 9 section, and
CUSTOMERS have poured back to a much-loved pub almost destroyed by the July floods. The Lamb, in Mill Street, Wantage, was the worst-hit business in the town, overwhelmed by 4ft of water. But since reopening last month, landlord Andrew Chalmers,
POLICE this afternoon appealed for witnesses following an attack on a 15-year-old boy in Oxford. The assault happened at 6.45pm, on Sunday, December 16, outside the Spar shop in Dunnock Way, Blackbird Leys. It followed an incident moments beforehand
BANBURY'S Subaru World Rally Team has signed Markko Martin as a test driver for the 2008 World Rally Championship season.
POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a man was knocked out during a brawl at the Bullnose Morris pub in Blackbird Leys. The fight is thought to have begun at about 1.30am on New Year's Day and took place inside the pub and in the car park. Eyewitness
CHIPPING Norton's award winning outdoor swimming pool has been vandalised twice in one week. The Lido was targeted on Thursday afternoon when a disabled toilet was broken into, paper taken and then set on fire. A fire started in a skimmer, an
Chipping Norton's award winning outdoor swimming pool has been vandalised twice in one week. The Lido was targeted on Thursday afternoon when a disabled toilet was broken into, paper taken and then set on fire. A fire started in a skimmer, an outlet
Police are appealing for witnesses after a man was knocked out during a brawl at the Bullnose Morris pub in Blackbird Leys. The fight is thought to have begun at around 1.30am on New Year's Day and took place inside the pub and in the car park of the
AEA Technology 86.5 BMW 3073 Electrocomponents 197 Nationwide Accident Repair 117 Oxford Biomedica 24.5 Oxford Catalyst 147.5 Oxford Instruments 185.25 Reed Elsevier 672.75 RM 213.5 RPS Group 300.75 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
Darren Patterson's second signing of the day saw striker Craig McAllister arriving from Grays Athletic The 27-year-old scored 18 times for Woking last season before moving to Grays in the summer. McAllister has been on loan at Rushden, and scored
REG LITTLE talks to Yvette Gayford, who is stepping down after 12 years as chief executive of Oxfordshire family charity Parents and Children Together YOU would not readily link Yvette Gayford and her work with the activities of Premiership football
An eco campaigner is continuing his tree top protest over the redevelopment of Bonn Square. Gabriel, 34, who will not reveal his last name, spent last night in a makeshift tree hut in protest against a £1.5 million redevelopment project. He had climbed
Oxford United have strengtened their squad by bringing in midfielder Adam Murray from Macclesfield Town. Murray started his career at Derby, and has also played for Kidderminster, Notts County, Mansfield Town, Carlisle United and Torquay United. Boss
An 11-year-old boy died after crashing into a tree during a family ski trip to the US. Benjamin Trichler, from Uffington, near Faringdon, was seen skiing at high speed before hitting the tree as he went down a blue, intermediate run at the Breckenridge
AN 11-YEAR-OLD boy from Oxfordshire died after crashing into a tree during a family ski trip to the US. Benjamin Trichler, from Uffington, hit a tree as he went down a blue, intermediate run at the Breckenridge Resort in Colorado. A statement released
PETROL prices have hit an all-time high, leaving motorists across the county feeling the pinch and industry bosses warning many small firms could be driven out of business. A litre of unleaded is now averaging 103.4p on forecourts across the city
AN ECO campaigner was in for the long haul as he armed himself with nuts, raisins and a warm jacket. Gabriel braced himself for freezing conditions as he climbed several dozen feet into a sycamore tree in Bonn Square, Oxford, in a bid to disrupt redevelopment
FORMER Oxford United boss Jim Smith is to be honoured with a special evening at Blenheim Palace to mark his retirement. The Bald Eagle, who is United's most successful manager ever during his first spell at the club in the 80s when he led the team to
ASTON Martin has announced that their new flagship model, the DBS, will once again be driven by Daniel Craig in the next 007 film. The Aston Martin DBS made its first public appearance in Casino Royale when it smashed its way into the Guinness World
A STUNNING new 600 horsepower performance concept car, the V12 Vantage RS, was unveiled at the official opening of Aston Martin's first dedicated design centre in Gaydon, near Banbury. The V12 Vantage RS concept is based on Aston Martin's critically
THE CX-7 was not what I expected. Everything I had read - crossover vehicle, high- performance, sporty design - suggested a much leaner vehicle than the one I was looking at. Bigger, butcher and altogether meaner, the CX-7 was the mightiest, most
RENAULT has announced that its new Modus models will go on sale next month priced from £9,650. The Modus and Grand Modus models, which are available to order now, are available in two trim levels, Expression and Dynamique with a choice of three petrol
THE life of celebrated Victorian photographer Henry Taunt is to be honoured with a blue plaque. The Oxford photographer, who died in 1922, will join a distinguished list of those remembered by the Oxfordshire Blue Plaque Board when it is unveiled at
THE EXTENSION of a free bus fare scheme for pensioners looks like leaving Oxford City Council with a bill in excess of £2m. From April 1 pensioners will be able to travel where they like within England and Wales for free. But with the financially-stretched
A 20MPH speed limit for side roads in North Oxford is set to be agreed this week as part of long-awaited road safety improvements in Summertown. Oxfordshire County Council is ready to give the go-ahead to extending new speed limits to side roads between
MARCHAM village youth club has been forced to close its doors because it is not attracting enough youngsters. The club meets at the Sports, Scouts and Social Club, in Morland Road, but dwindling numbers have forced the club to disband. In recent weeks
The latest increase in prices at the fuel pumps is bad news indeed for motorists, who are already paying record amounts to fill up. And things are not set to get any better. The price of oil could go even higher, creating a huge knock-on effect for
In recent years Bonn Square has become a disgrace. What was once a popular green area in the heart of the city has been allowed to deteriorate into a muddy eyesore popular only among street drinkers and bored-looking teenagers. Many people in Oxford
MORE than half of pub landlords in a snap survey admitted spotting a smoker illegally lighting up - but nobody has been fined. We questioned 32 pubs across the county and 17 landlords said people had been seen flouting the ban. In most cases, landlords
MAUD Rosenthal, mother of television presenter Jim Rosenthal and widow to the late Albi, passed away peacefully at her home in Boars Hill on December 18. Mrs Rosenthal was four months short of her 99th birthday. She had a lifelong connections with
THREE boats built in the county were transported to London to take part in this year's boat show. The boats, made by Oxfordshire Narrowboats, were lifted by a 40-tonne crane and placed on to a lorry in time for the start of the Collins Stewart 2008
AN OXFORD family granted a last-minute reprieve from eviction at Christmas have been told they may yet be forced out. Elaine Parrott and her two daughters have been warned they face court action to remove them from Dairy Lodge, in Headington Hill Park
A DELICATESSEN which was forced to close in the run-up to Christmas following an arson attack is expected to be out of action for at least another three weeks. Eggs Eggsetera, in Botley Road, Oxford, had to shut its doors at its busiest time of year
BICESTER has secured north Oxfordshire's first residents' parking scheme - but it has received a mixed reaction from householders in neighbouring streets. The scheme, which was introduced this week, includes Victoria Road, Priory Road, North Street
Sir - I urgently need to hear from any players, committee or managers involved with any football club in Carterton in the last 100 years. The deadline for the book I am writing is in four weeks, so speed is of the essence. I am looking for dates
Sir - Through your newspaper I would like to let the person who has lost certain items of furniture, an uplighter, three kitchen stools, pictures, full black sacks, and so on, know that I have found them! They can be found dumped next to the car park
Sir - While more people shopped on the internet than attended church this Christmas, there can be no doubt that Britain still has a strong Christian heritage. Even atheist Richard Dawkins confesses to singing Christmas carols, and believes children
Sir - So Castlemore (through Spring Residential) is now appealing the Jericho Boatyard planning refusal. This is only a "high stakes" poker game for them. There's far too much potential profit still on the table to not see another card. The appeal
Sir - Before Christmas, I wrote to the chief executive of Oxford City Council appealing to him to stop his men blocking paths for the postmen, referring mainly to the narrow paths of terraced houses. I don't suppose this is a problem in Rawlinson Road
Sir - I had assumed that the new drive in the NHS was to empower patients to exercise choice. If this is so it is a message that has escaped the managers at the John Radcliffe Hospital. After receiving excellent medical attention I was given a prescription
Sir - Last month I read with some incredulity your report on the 'illegal' use of the Seacourt park-and-ride lane, which was illustrated with photographs of motorists using it as a short-cut to the Botley Road. Where, exactly, does it state that use
Sir - "Like the reds before them, the greens seek state control of our lives", writes Michael Tyce (Letters, December 21). Poppycock. The Greens have consistently advocated greater decentralisation of state power to regional and local government.
Sir - Oxfordshire County Council has reduced its shortlist of companies bidding for its 25 year waste treatment contract to only proposals for incineration (Report, December 21). The documents for the forthcoming county council debate make interesting
Sir - Helen Peacocke definitely has the right idea. Her article Let's work to reduce food waste in 2008 (Weekend, December 28) is a rallying call for all those of us who would like to see sense prevail: an end to waste at home and in the supermarket
Sir - Chris Brewer (Letters, December 28) is absolutely right about the barren Bonn Square which is to be foisted upon us. No protests made at the time this design was chosen were taken seriously. The birds that sing in the spring in those beautiful
Sir - Reading the Letters to the Editor for December 21 made me realize that there is no limit to the extent individuals and special interest groups want to get their snouts into the public purse. Not only Cogges Museum, but now also the Covered Market
Sir - As a student of Vernacular architecture I came across the following paragraph in the preface of a book: Cogges Manor Farm, The Excavations from 1986-1994 and the Historic Building Analysis, co-published by Oxfordshire County Council. I quote
Sir - As practising Anglicans, and fellow members of the same congregation as Allan and Rachel Chapman, we beg to differ very strongly from their views (Letters, December 14) and those of Daniel Emlyn-Jones (December 28), on the subject of permitting
Sir - We really must take issue with Canon Partridge's statement that the Islamic prayer call is not preaching (Letters, December 21). For in addition to its assertion of the primacy of God - which we accept, but others might not - the call contains
Sir - Referring to Wing Commander A.J. Wright's letter entitled Recognising Efforts (December 21), my husband and I support everything he writes regarding lack of recognition of the enormous work and sacrifice made by Bomber Command members during the
Green councillor Craig Simmons makes an interesting point about secrecy in relation to plans for a proposed incinerator to burn the county's waste. The question of where such an incinerator would go is critical to the debate, yet the decision will be
The attack on the statue of King Alfred in Wantage defies belief. The iconic sculpture has represented the town for 130 years. It is not only a symbol of Wantage but also a national symbol. The statue has been the target of New Year japes before.
We have kept our counsel thus far in the case of Oxford councillor Olive McIntosh-Stedman who was recently convicted of making a false statement to obtain council tax benefit. Those who have met her will know her as something of an eccentric. We are
Motorists were last night warned to seek alternative routes during two months of roadworks in the centre of Oxford. The work, in St Aldate's, which is due to start a week on Monday, will see a gas main being replaced from the Town Hall to Christ Church
OFFICERS from the Environment Agency were sent to Osney Lock after oil was spotted in the River Thames yesterday. A member of agency staff spotted the oil on the surface of the water between Botley Road and the lock at about 1.30pm. The agency said
COUNTY HALL is being urged to come clean about sites shortlisted for a £100m incinerator, amid claims that key decisions have been taken in advance of a full council debate. Oxfordshire county councillors will next week discuss the implications of burning
An eco campaigner was in for the long haul last night as he armed himself with nuts, raisins and a warm jacket. Gabriel braced himself for freezing conditions as he climbed several dozen feet into a sycamore tree in Oxford's Bonn Square in a bid to
Petrol prices have hit an all-time high, leaving motorists across the county feeling the pinch and industry bosses warning many small firms could be driven out of business. A litre of unleaded is now averaging 103.4p on forecourts across the city, while
Big Brother unveiled some housemates with a difference as the new series started on Channel 4 yesterday - people with talent. The 12 contestants competing for £50,000 on Big Brother: Celebrity Hijack have been chosen as they each have a gift. They
