Agreement has been reached between Oxford United and Wrexham for Rob Duffy to continue his loan at the Racecourse Ground until the end of the season. But because of the timing of the Football League campaign, which goes on until May 3 - a week later
Oxford United's longest away trip of the season, to York City, has been rearranged for Tuesday, April 15 (7.45). The Blue Square Premier game, which was scheduled for Saturday, February 23, has moved because York have an FA Carlsberg Trophy quarter-final
Joel Ledgister's fall from grace this season has been highlighted by his transfer yesterday, on a month's loan, to Blue Square South side Hayes & Yeading. The out-of-favour Oxford United winger was looked upon as an exciting capture when he joined the
OXFORD author JRR Tolkien's estate is suing New Line Cinema, the film studio which made the Lord of the Rings trilogy based on his books. The estate claims the company has not paid it a penny from the estimated $6bn (£3bn) the films have earned worldwide
Oxford author JRR Tolkien's estate is suing New Line Cinema, the film studio which made the Lord of the Rings trilogy based on his books. The estate claims the company has not paid it a penny from the estimated $6bn (£3bn) the films have earned worldwide
Health chiefs have backed plans for a new health centre in Bicester - but campaigners say it will not be big enough. At a meeting today, Alan Webb, director of commissioning for Oxfordshire Primary Care Trust, said: "We are committed to delivering our
MORE than 200 traders in Abingdon today called for changes to a controversial traffic scheme, saying customers have been driven away. Since the implementation of the £3.1m Abingdon Integrated Transport Strategy (Abits) some retailers claim takings
A WORKMAN'S Second World War ammunition find sparked the evacuation of 50 homes today. People were asked to leave their homes and offices in Cholswell Road, at Dalton Barracks, Abingdon, at about 11.30am, after a workman, digging at the new TA centre
A DEVICE used to curb antisocial behaviour in trouble hot spots in Abingdon and Didcot has come under fire. For the past year, a Mosquito device - which sends out an irritating buzz only young people can hear - has been used outside shops in Reynolds
OXFORDSHIRE County Council today approved a 3.8 per cent rise in its share of the annual council tax bill. The increase will see taxpayers give the county council an extra £40 a year for an average band D household, taking the bill from £1,049 to £1,089
More than 200 traders in Abingdon today called for changes to a controversial traffic scheme, saying customers have been driven away. Since the implementation of the £3.1m Abingdon Integrated Transport Strategy (Abits) some retailers claim takings have
A workman's Second World War ammunition find sparked the evacuation of 50 homes today. People were asked to leave their homes and offices in Cholswell Road, at Dalton Barracks, Abingdon, at about 11.30am, after a workman, digging at the new TA centre
Ardent Oxford United supporter Jim Cobley - known as the 'fan in the flying jacket' - has tracked down the story of a pilot who once wore his famous coat in the Second World War. Mr Cobley, 74, has sent the jacket to an Air Force museum in Canada, in
Oxfordshire County Council today approved a 3.8 per cent rise in its share of the annual council tax bill. The increase will see taxpayers give the county council an extra £40 a year for an average band D household, taking the bill from £1,049 to £1,089
Traders in Headington are predicting a bleak future and believe there is little reason for customers to shop in the area. Shopkeepers think a lack of variety and high parking charges have led to a decline in the number of people walking through their
An Oxford tour guide has dreamed up a half-term treat for families who want to explore Oxford - a book in the form of a treasure hunt. Felicity Tholstrup, who lives in Northmoor Road, said the idea for the book came after she was asked to organise a
2.18: The Pantheon, SNAZZY LOVE, Finchogue Sadie, College Mate, Ballyneale Gayle 2, Millrig Rock 3. 2.37: Pigotts Gem, Random Punter 3, Miss Wigg, Springville Scan, Squashed Tomatoes 2, WEDMORE ROSE. 2.57: Ninth Life, Eabhas Castle 2, Rays Black Hawk
King Alfred's, Wantage, came within a whisker of winning the south west regional final of the ESFA Under 12 Indoor 5-a-Side Cup at Fareham. Having battled through five games, they were leading 2-1 in the final against Clere (Newbury) only to concede
Glory Farm (Bicester) lived up to their name by being crowned champions in Oxford United's DebtDr Schools' Under 11 five-a-side tournament at the Kassam Stadium. They beat West Kidlington 3-2 in a penalty shoot-out after the final - played before United's
Alex Thomas bagged a brace as Vale of White Horse Under 11s twice came from behind to draw 2-2 against Portsmouth in the County League. Vale fell behind after just four minutes of the clash at the Oxford Brookes Westminster Institute of Education when
Kieran Sanders hit a hat-trick to fire Oxfordshire Under 16s to the top of the table in the Midland Counties Youth Championship with a 4-2 win over Staffordshire at Rushall Olympic FC. On an uneven surface, Oxon's teamwork and passing game earned them
A device used to curb antisocial behaviour in trouble hot spots in Abingdon and Didcot has come under fire. For the past year, a Mosquito device - which sends out an irritating buzz only young people can hear - has been used outside shops in Reynolds
Ben Whitehead stole the show with a four-timer as Ardington beat Reading side Barton Rovers 5-2 in the Berks & Bucks Under 14 quarter-final. Barton opened the scoring, but Whitehead levelled for Ardington and Sam Davis fired them ahead before the break
A drug dealer who picked up a Samurai sword when police raided his caravan is starting a two-year jail sentence. Oxford Crown Court today heard Gino Schillaci, 33, hid packages of crack cocaine and heroin underneath the seat of a police car after he
Police stopped 135 drivers in Oxfordshire over the past two days as part of seatbelt and mobile phone checks. The checks took place between 8am and 12pm on the A417 at East Challow yesterday and on Charlton Road, Wantage, today. Police worked with
Will Wright hammered a hat-trick as Oxford University Press got the better of Kennington in a nine-goal Oxfordshire Senior League Premier Division thriller. Leading 5-4 with seconds remaining, OUP were indebted to James Humm's goalline clearance as
Dan Stokes took his season's goals tally to 25 with a hat-trick as Kineton eased to a 3-0 win against Arncott in the Premier Division of the Banbury District & Lord Jersey FA. After a goalless first half, Stokes took over. Matthew Blenford hit a late
Kasim Abdillahi bagged a treble as North Oxford Res won 5-2 at East Oxford in the RT Harris Oxford City FA Doug Hobbs Cup. A great individual goal from Ray Chola and a well-placed header from Duncan Hershey completed victory. A Crispin Angood strike
Burglars stole jewellery and cash from a house in Childrey, near Wantage. The burglars got into the house in Lawrence Close by forcing a ground floor window some time between 12am and 7am on Thursday. Details were only released today. Pc Steve Knight
Two burglars were disturbed as they ransacked a house near Didcot. Police are appealing for information after the two men were found in a house in Church Street, Upton, on Thursday at about 10.30pm. Details were only released today. Residents were
Cholsey United's poor start to 2008 continued as they went down to a 1-0 defeat at home to Southcote Video Res in Reading Sunday League Premier Division. Cholsey missed chances, before Southcote snatched the winner at the death.
Ryan Taylor hit a hat-trick in the last 25 minutes as Cricketers battled back to set up a Marston's of Oxford League Cup semi-final clash with Oxford Yellows with a shock 3-2 win against Premier Division outfit Riverside. Strikes from Jamie Debanks
A DIY store in Banbury is to close, leaving the future of 24 jobs hanging in the balance. Focus DIY at Banbury Cross Retail Park, which is due to shut by the end of March, is one of 52 "under-performing" UK stores being sold by new owners Cerebrus
OXFORD rock band Supergrass have been confirmed as one of the headliners at this summer's popular Cropredy Convention. The four piece, who have scored six top ten singles, will round off the opening night of the three-day music festival in August
Steve Pitson continued his amazing scoring run with a first-half double hat-trick before suffering a serious ankle injury in Saxton Rovers' 9-1 rout of Kidlington Royals in Division 1 of the Autotype UTV League. Pitson took his goal tally to 29, before
Oxford rock band Supergrass have been confirmed as one of the headliners at this summer's popular Cropredy Convention. The Wheatley four piece, who have scored six top 10 singles, will round off the opening night of the three-day music festival in August
Two brothers who went to the aid of their injured mother in a car crash have been praised for their bravery by paramedics. Jack and Henry Allport, from Blythe Place, Bicester, remained "cool, calm and collected" after the car they were travelling in
POLICE today appealed for information after a house in Lawrence Close, Childrey, was burgled between midnight and 7am last Thursday. Thieves managed to gain access to the property by forcing open a ground-floor window. Jewellery and cash were stolen
A cricket club's plans for a new pavilion have been delayed, because contractors could not meet the cost target. Charlbury Cricket Club, whose ground was swamped in last July's floods, will now have to wait another year before a replacement pavilion
POLICE today appealedg for information after two men were disturbed while burgling a house in Church Street, Upton, near Didcot, on Thursday at about 10.30pm. The residents were woken up by a noise and went downstairs to find two men in the house.
A DIY store in Banbury is to close, leaving the future of 24 jobs hanging in the balance. Focus DIY at Banbury Cross Retail Park, which is due to shut by the end of March, is one of 52 "under-performing" UK stores being sold by new owners Cerebrus.
Crime-fighters on an Oxford estate are turning into poster pin-ups in a bid to make sure people know who they are. Sgt Martin Ford, Pc Jerry Kidd and Police Community Support Officers Thomas Coulman, George Dean and Simon McSweeney have had their faces
Nature lovers could be set to benefit from new facilities at picturesque woodland south of Kidlington. Plans are afoot to rejuvenate 47 acres of land adjacent to sports pitches at Stratfield Brake, leased by the Woodland Trust. The charity - which
A trial scheme to improve safety on the notorious bend in Packhorse Lane, Marcham, is to be scrapped, as it was not supported by residents. Last July, traffic lights were installed on the A415, reducing vehicles to single file. The trial was meant to
Camp Bastion rises from the Afghan desert like a mirage. In the midst of a desolate sea of sand and rock, the British have built their largest overseas base since the Second World War. Visible on the horizon as a series of lookout towers and earth-filled
Pensioners in Oxfordshire say they have been left high and dry by Thames Water's new payment system for people whose homes can't have a water meter. The company plans to introduce a council tax banding-style system for thousands of home- owners. One
Police believe a man wanted for raping a teenage girl took a bicycle from two Asian youths just minutes before he dragged her in to an Oxford park. Detectives are continuing to appeal for information over the rape on a 19-year-old woman who was walking
POLICE believe a man wanted for raping a teenage girl took a bicycle from two Asian youths just minutes before he dragged her into an Oxford park. Detectives are continuing to appeal for information over the rape of a 19-year-old woman who walking along
Oxford Mail Girls' League Didcot Casuals got off to a flier as they cruised past Oxford Bluebirds 5-1 in the Under 10 League. Casuals were 2-0 up inside three minutes with Lou Chapple, after 40 seconds, and Macca Crook on target. Paige Wilcox went
TWO brothers who went to the aid of their injured mother in a car crash have been praised for their bravery by paramedics. Jack and Henry Allport, from Blythe Place, Bicester, remained "cool, calm and collected" after the car they were travelling
AEA Technology 82.75 BMW 2653 Electrocomponents 188 Nationwide Accident Repair 115.5 Oxford Biomedica 27.25 Oxford Catalyst 144 Oxford Instruments 180.5 Reed Elsevier 588.75 RM 212.5 RPS Group 266.75 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
Deanne Tomkins and Rachel Catling showed their six appeal as Oxford City crushed Reading 19-0 in the Southern Region Women's Premier Division. The bagged six goals apiece in the mauling, while Steph Mobbs netted a hat-trick. Hannah Smye, Michelle
HARWELL Village stretched their lead at the top of Division 1 of the North Berks League with a 3-1 win against reigning champions Ardington & Lockinge. First-half goals from Matthew Hinchliffe and Adi Junkison put Harwell in control, before Alan Bertram
Two brothers who went to the aid of their injured mother in a car crash have been praised for their bravery by paramedics. Jack and Henry Allport, from Blythe Place, Bicester, remained "cool, calm and collected" after the car they were travelling in
HEALTH chiefs today gave the thumbs-up to plans for a new health centre in Bicester, despite fears by campaigners that it will not be big enough. Alan Webb, director of commissioning for Oxfordshire Primary Care Trust (PCT), told a meeting this morning
POLICE stopped 135 people as part of seatbelt and mobile phone checks in Oxfordshire this week. The checks took place between 8am and 12pm on the A417 at East Challow yesterday and on Charlton Road, Wantage, today with officers from the roads safety
HEALTH chiefs today gave the thumbs up to plans for a new health centre in Bicester, despite fears by campaigners that it will not be big enough. Alan Webb, director of commissioning for Oxfordshire Primary Care Trust (PCT), told a meeting this morning
Unexploded army shells have been discovered at Dalton Barracks near Abingdon. Police have been at the scene after the shells were discovered by workmen at 10.25am and fire crews are said to be on stand-by. The offices of the Oxford Journal newspaper
POLICE are considering setting up a new neighbourhood policing base just off the M40 in north Oxfordshire. Sgt Dave Hibbert said he had submitted plans to locate both the Bicester Rural and Banbury rural policing teams at a new office at the Travelodge
I write this letter more in sorrow than in anger. Once again, your correspondent from the Independent Working Class Association has got it wrong (Oxford Mail, February 2). With regard to the gating order for Windale Avenue, it has been the pressure
It was with great interest that I read county councillor Bob Johnston's letter about the old Oxford LMS/LNWR railway station, known as Rewley Road, with the ancient and modern pictures (Oxford Mail, January 19). Having travelled from the station a number
So Tory MP Derek Conway apologises unreservedly for misusing thousands of pounds of his staffing allowance, supposedly employing his son who, we are told, was at university. Misusing? If that had been you or I, we would have been arrested for fraud
In response to your story, Mums hog our disabled area (Oxford Mail, February 6), I wholeheartedly agree with Bob Light. I experience the same problems on buses with my wife's wheelchair. We have had no end of arguments over the problem when mothers
A drinker suffered facial injuries after being assaulted in an Oxford pub. A man was in the toilets at the Shelley Arms, in Cricket Road, at about 1am on Sunday, February 3. Another man came in and punched him in the face leaving the victim with a
POLICE this afternoon appealed for information following an assault at the Shelley Arms pub in Cricket Road, Oxford. A man was in the toilets at the pub when another man came in and punched him in the face. The victim suffered a fractured eye socket
Organisers of a new business group in Bicester have launched a search to find a champion for the town. The organisation, Bicester Vision, which is backed by major businesses and local government, wants to appoint a full-time partnership manage as its
Being a huge enthusiast for all varieties of pig, the highlight of my recent out-of-season visit to Cogges Manor Farm Museum was an introduction to Damson, the Oxford Black and Sandy sow, her handsome Gloucester Old Spot husband Rodney, and the other
To continue last month's investigation of pseudonyms, we can add further reasons why people adopt new names for themselves. When many artistic Europeans emigrated to the USA, they anglicised their names or changed them to more acceptable pseudonyms.
More and more people are beginning to realise that cider is both delicious and refreshing. A huge variety of traditional ciders are now easily available to try - and many micro-breweries are springing up to produce cider. Here are three of my favourites
Cru is one of those words that you will see emblazoned across a reasonably significant number of French wine labels. But what does it actually mean? It is one of those French words that has an unhelpful number of meanings - raw' being one and coarse
Training is going well - I'm logging about 14-15 hours a week at the moment - and I've been concentrating on improving my running, as it was that which cost me gold at the World Champs last season. It was good to see the training starting to pay off at
I felt it was high time I seized the bull by the horns (or should I say le taureau par les cornes') and booked a table at Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons at Great Milton. After all, Raymond Blanc remains prominent among celebrity chefs, with Le Manoir being
At the core of human emotional disturbance is our tendency to transform desires, wants and preferences into rigid, unhealthy beliefs, rules and demands. These demands might be: I must; I should; I have to I've got to . . .; and it HAS to be! Often
Y ou might remember that the Peugeot 308 recently reached the final of the European Car of the Year competition, so it is an important model range for family car buyers to consider. The 308 range, like the 307 it replaces, has to sell against the
F or most people, a full-time day job is enough and often more than enough. But entrepreneur Karen Bourdon is far from being most people'. Her day job' is selling TV coverage of world-class sporting events such as darts, snooker and golf,
The winter suns starts to gain some power in February and you can often feel the warmth, especially in still conditions. The days are getting longer and the angle of the sun gets higher every day, spotlighting the garden a little more sharply as the month
OXFORD and Cambridge were criticised by a Government minister today for failing to give enough places to working class students. Higher education minister Bill Rammell said the two ancient institutions take only one in ten of their students from working
Situated in Broad Street, opposite the entrance to Turl Street, Trinity' College's full title is The College of the Holy and Undivided Trinity in the University of Oxford of the Foundation of Thomas Pope'. Trinity was founded in 1555, the fourth new
When the Ashmolean Museum moved to its present site in Beaumont Street, its original building in Broad Street became home to the world's first Museum of the History of Science. It holds the world's finest collection of medieval and Renaissance scientific
While February can be a difficult month for watching wildlife, some secretive and less common animal and bird species are more likely to be found in the Oxfordshire countryside now than at any other time of the year. In fact some will only be encountered
F ew artists of the 20th century captured the spirit of a place as evocatively and memorably as Paul Nash, whose vivid images of wartime destruction established him as one of the most important painters of his generation. He used the term genius
See the world and meet new people - that's the advice from former Miss England Eleanor Glynn who is urging Oxford Mail readers to take part in this year's Miss Oxford contest. The 21-year-old brunette from Sandford-on-Thames, won Miss Oxford in 2006
AEA Technology 83.5 BMW 2649 Electrocomponents 187.5 Nationwide Accident Repair 116.5 Oxford Biomedica 24 Oxford Catalyst 144 Oxford Instruments 180.5 Reed Elsevier 584.5 RM 213.5 RPS Group 260.75 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
Green consultancy AEA Technology has made a positive start to the year, cutting debt and boosting turnover. In an interim management statement, bosses at the Harwell-based firm said its net debt now stood at £20.8m, compared to £29.4m last year. A
VICTIMS of domestic abuse are being encouraged to speak out with the launch of The National Centre for Domestic Violence (NCDV) in the Oxfordshire area. NCDV is a registered charity that provides a service to all people who suffer from domestic abuse
SHARES in Oxford Biomedica shot up almost 20 per cent, following a report in the Mail on Sunday that hopes were growing of a takeover bid from French pharmaceutical giant Sanofi Aventis. A spokesperson for Biomedica, Mary-Jane Johnson, said: "There
THREE drivers escaped serious injury today after a collision on the A34 near Abingdon. The accident happened on the southbound carriageway between the Milton and Marcham interchanges, leading to delays. A spokesman for South Central Ambulance Service
Oxford and Cambridge were criticised by a Government minister for failing to give enough places to working class students. Higher education minister Bill Rammell said the two ancient institutions take only one in 10 of their students from working class
A TEENAGER stabbed in Bicester is still in a serious condition in hospital following surgery. The 18-year-old man was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, after being stabbed with a knife in a house in Pembroke Way, in the Glory Farm area
Three drivers escaped serious injury this morning following a collision on the A34 near Abingdon. The accident happened on the southbound carriageway between the Milton and Marcham interchanges. A spokesman for South Central Ambulance Service said:
MEMBERS of the Cotswold Line Promotion Group's committee will raise concerns over unreliable services on the Oxford-Worcester rail route when they meet Andrew Haines, the chief operating officer of First Great Western, today. Last month, FGW's London
A WOMAN charged with running a brothel in Oxford has also been accused of money laundering. Oxford Magistrates' Court heard yesterday that Annabel Wise, who is accused of running a brothel in Middle Way, Summertown, between April and November last
SIX police officers and 13 security guards stood guard yesterday as three trees in the centre of Oxford were felled ahead of redevelopment work. But the operation to remove London Plane trees in Norfolk Street alongside the Westgate car park passed
ONE driver or passenger was spotted every two minutes not wearing their seatbelt as they motored into the city during a spot check. The figures shocked relatives of people who have been killed while not wearing seatbelts - and led to new calls for motorists
Oxford United manager Darren Patterson has laid down a challenge to centre forward Justin Richards - to see if he can now get among the goals like some of his new team- mates. Saturday's 3-0 victory over Histon showed how improving United are now looking
The powers-that-be were clearly determined to avert another tree-hugging protest. But does it really take 13 security guards and six police officers to stand by as three trees are chopped down in the Westgate Centre in Oxford? If private developers
It is astonishing how people are so easily taken in by fraudsters. It appears that many take leave of their senses when a letter promising all sorts of riches drops on the doormat. They will happily ring a premium rate number or send cash to an unfamiliar
One driver or passenger was spotted every two minutes not wearing their seatbelt as they motored into the city during an Oxford Mail investigation yesterday. The figures last night shocked relatives of people who have been killed while not wearing seatbelts
RESULTS of a feasibility study on whether or not to introduce residents' parking zones to parts of East Oxford will be published this week. It is proposed to put parking zones in place in the Divinity Road, Magdalen Road and Iffley Fields areas. Oxfordshire
A VILLAGE shop which was a lifeline during last summer's floods has picked up two accolades for its service to the community. The shop, at Ascott-under-Wychwood, is run by more than 40 volunteers and it has been presented with the county's Village
A St John ambulance left Oxfordshire at the weekend to travel 6,000 miles to help some of the poorest people in South Africa. The Volkswagen van has been donated by the Oxfordshire branch after members were approached by Lions Inter- national. It
AN OXFORD school was blessed by the Archbishop of Birmingham following a £25m investment. More than 1,000 pupils at St Gregory the Great Catholic School, in Cricket Road, Cowley, have benefited from a new school building, built by the Catholic Archdiocese
ROSE Hill Primary School is due to hear this week whether its bid for Fresh Start funding has been successful. The school, in The Oval, wants Government cash to wipe its slate clean with new staff, new buildings and possibly a new name. Raymond Blanc's
OXFORD Community School has been named the county's greenest and most eco-friendly secondary school. The school in Glanville Road, has become the first secondary in the county to achieve a Green Flag Eco-Schools award. Pupils have got involved in
PUPILS from an Oxford school are preparing to put on a play at the Ashmolean Museum inspired by its Egyptian artefacts. Young people aged between 11 and 17 from d'Overbroeck's College, in North Oxford, have written a play called Death and the Egyptians
LIVA Barlow-Olsen was only 18 months old when she lost her father Caspar to an aggressive brain tumour. This June, the two-year-old will cheer on her mother Lois, her aunt Claire and about 9,500 other Oxfordshire women trying to defeat cancer for
THE town of Musa Qala is a dangerous place. Surrounded by mountains, at an altitude of 3,400ft above sea level, in the north of Afghanistan's Helmand province, it was, until recently, controlled by the Taliban. British and American troops, backed
A GROUP of pupils from Wallingford School helped immigrant families become fully-fledged UK citizens. For the second time, teenagers from the school organised a citizenship ceremony as part of a GCSE course. One of them, Amber Stickland, said: "We
Six police officers and 13 security guards stood guard yesterday as three trees in the centre of Oxford were felled ahead of redevelopment work. But the operation to remove London Plane trees in Norfolk Street alongside the Westgate car park passed
ORGANISERS of one of the city's newest festivals are looking to show there is life in West Oxford as they plan to make their annual celebrations the biggest and best yet. The planners for the North Hinksey Festival 2008 are looking for volunteers to
OXFORD'S second annual dance festival kicked off with performances by hip-hop and salsa artists. Shoppers gathered to watch the festival's launch on Saturday, which featured dancers strutting their stuff in the Westgate Shopping Centre. People also
