Archive

  • 999 ‘neglect’ led to death

    Communication blunders led to a cyclist dying on the side of a road after an ambulance took an hour to turn up. Patrick Royle, 31, passed out in Hollow Way in Cowley, Oxford, after suffering heatstroke during a charity bike ride in July 2006. It took

  • Bus queue row led to stabbing

    A hotel barman was stabbed in an Oxford street after an argument with a stranger in a bus queue, a jury heard today. Oxford Crown Court heard Ahmed Aw-Adam, 32, slashed Raoul Ntaganya's arm during a fight in Howard Street, East Oxford. Henry James

  • March fails to get off ground

    A parade honouring servicemen and women from RAF Brize Norton which would have seen thousands of people line the streets of Witney has been cancelled. Plans for the 'Freedom of the Town' parade to honour those risking their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan

  • Faith schools 'do not divide'

    THE headteacher of a Roman Catholic secondary school has disputed claims that faith schools fuel segregation. A House of Commons education committee last week heard that religious schools had fewer pupils eligible for free school meals, taken as an

  • Plea issued after rider badly injured

    POLICE today appealed for witnesses to a crash in south Oxfordshire in which a motorcyclist was seriously injured. The rider was taken to the Royal Berkshire Hospital with serious injuries after his yellow Suzuki DRZ was involved in a collision with

  • Faith schools 'do not divide'

    The headteacher of Oxford's only Roman Catholic secondary school has disputed claims that faith schools fuel segregation. A House of Commons education committee last week heard that religious schools had fewer pupils eligible for free school meals,

  • Flood calls 'overloaded' system

    Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service received 2,000 calls for assistance during last summer's floods, an official report has revealed. The report, by the Government's chief fire and rescue adviser, Sir Ken Knight, said 1,200 calls were logged on Friday

  • HORSE RACING: Channon sweet on Youmzain bid

    West Ilsley trainer Mick Channon is anticipating a bold show from Youmzain in the Dubai Sheema Classic at the end of the month. The Jaber Abdullah-owned entire enjoyed a highly-profitable campaign last year, despite failing to get his head in front

  • HORSE RACING: Emperors sparkles for Jarvis

    Emperors Jade gave Alan Jarvis, who trains at Twyford, near Bicester, a scare before scoring at Kempton on Tuesday. The green-looking colt ducked to the left with a couple of furlongs to run of the six-furlong maiden, before regaining the lead close

  • Tolkien's treasure sold off

    A treasure trove of JRR Tolkien memorabilia fetched tens of thousands of pounds when it went under the hammer today. Lots included the last known photograph of the famous Oxford author. The picture, auctioned by Bonhams in London, was taken by the

  • GREYHOUNDS: Wednesday's Oxford runners

    2.18: Fancy Mavis 3, Effernogue Lee, Royalty 2, RASPBERRY DREAM, Rambling Girl, West Ranger. 2.38: Rash Investment, Shellgrove Fawn, SHES A HANDFUL, Springville Scan 3, Gin Lizzie 2, Movealong Title. 2.57: Quiet Scout, Romily Flash, Strong Jack, SHOUT

  • FOOTBALL: Sleepy Sandman throw it away

    Sandman threw away a two-goal lead as their Autotype UTV League Division 1 relegation fears worsened with a 3-3 draw against Standlake Garage, writes Tim Siret. In one of only three games to survive the appalling weather, Dan Harwood put Garage in

  • FOOTBALL: Super Slade turn up heat on their rivals

    Slade Farm United kept up their Banbury District & Lord Jersey League Division 1 promotion challenge with a 4-0 win against Heyford Athletic. Steve Wareham, Matthew Blenford, Owen Suter and Matthew Hardner were on target. In the Premier Division,

  • FOOTBALL: Whiteside proves a big hit

    Former Manchester United hero Norman Whiteside helped Marston Saints net a substantial amount towards a new clubhouse. The former Northern Ireland international was the guest speaker at a packed sportsman's dinner held at The Oxford Centre, on Banbury

  • FOOTBALL: Duo too hot for leaders

    The Premier Division title race was blown wide open as reigning champions and leaders Freeland crashed to a 2-0 defeat at home to arch rivals Hanborough. It's the first time Freeland have lost two games in a row since they won the title, with Neil Rose

  • FOOTBALL: Jerome stars for Hinksey

    Jerome McCalmon hit a four-timer as AFC Hinksey beat North Oxford Res 11-2 in RT Harris Oxford City FA. Toby Webster (3), Gavin Preston (2), Liam Gurdev and an own goal from Tom Berry made up their tally. Kasim Abdilani and Lulezim Shima replied.

  • Supersub Canning is hero for Childrey

    Substitute Mike Canning bagged a brace as Childrey United booked their place in the North Berks League War Memorial Cup final with a 3-0 victory against Uffington United. After a goalless first half, Cannings notched his double. Six minutes from time

  • FOOTBALL: Watkins bags super double

    James Watkins scored a second-half brace as Enstone saw off Horspath 3-1 in the Premier Division. Before the game, Enstone were presented with a floral tribute in memory of Enstone player Ryan Bott, who died in a road accident earlier this month.

  • Back to class for anniversary

    Pupils past and present gathered at Gosford Hill School in Kidlington to celebrate 75 years of teaching. Former pupils visited their old school on Saturday to celebrate the landmark anniversary and herald a new era. The ex-pupils, who were at the school

  • Report could shape hospital’s future

    A report due out on Thursday could shape the future of services at Banbury's Horton Hospital. But campaigners believe the Independent Reconfiguration Panel (IRP), which has been considering proposals to downgrade maternity and children's departments

  • Museum comes back to life

    Witney's Cogges Farm Museum, saved from the threat of closure, comes back to life at the weekend as it opens for a new season. And, after volunteers gave up their time two weekends ago to give the place a spring clean, it received another boost with

  • Pub gets £100k revamp

    The manager of one of the best-known community pubs in Oxford said she hoped a £100,000 transformation would finally improve its reputation. Bridgett Harrison-Steele, manager of The Bullnose Morris in Cuddesdon Way, Blackbird Leys, has overseen the

  • Young Vincent on move again

    A mum and her seriously ill child are now feeling the benefits of pedal power after donations from Oxford Mail readers allowed them to get on their bike. Victoria Parnell was left heartbroken when a bike she had bought for her 11-month-old son Vincent

  • YOUTH FOOTBALL: Vikings go top

    Giles Sports Witney Youth League Witney Vikings cruised to a 4-0 victory at Chesterton to go top of the Under 15 A League. The deadlock was broken on 25 minutes when Sam Doherty cut in from the left, before finishing well. In the second half, Paul

  • FOOTBALL: Lethal Lewis hits hat-trick

    Lewis Gabbidon hit a hat-trick as holders Oxford & Cherwell Valley College beat St Edward's (Oxford) 5-2 after extra time in the Oxfordshire Under 19 Cup quarter-final. Gabbidon drilled home Oxford's opener from 20 yards after five minutes. St Edward's

  • FOOTBALL: Vale lose in thriller

    Banbury & District Under 15s ran out 4-3 winners over Vale of White Horse in a cracking Maurice Chalk County Cup clash at Milton. Vale took the lead after ten minutes when the Banbury defence failed to clear a long throw, and Josh McCaffer tapped home

  • YOUTH FOOTBALL: Abingdon on a roll

    Abingdon United (Oxford & Cherwell Valley College) stretched their unbeaten run to six games with a 2-0 win over Oxford United (Peers Academy) in the Football Youth Conference. Jack Dunmall put them ahead after 30 minutes, before Lyle Gifford wrapped-up

  • Tolkien book fetches £60,000

    A TREASURE trove of JRR Tolkien memorabilia fetched tens of thousands of pounds when it went under the hammer today. Lots included the last-known photograph of the famous Oxford-based author. The poignant photo, auctioned by Bonhams in London, was

  • FOOTBALL: Alice is in Wonderland

    ALICE Bennion hit the winning goal four minutes from time as Benson beat Carterton 3-2 in the Under 16 League. Bennion fired past the outstretched arm of Carterton keeper Stephanie Lynas to give her side the points after a thrilling game. Gemma Portman

  • Climber aiming for top in firefighter games

    Firefighter Andrew Smallwood enjoys nothing more than hanging upside down, clinging on by his fingertips. But competing alongside 5,000 colleagues from around the globe is something new to the 34-year-old, from Kidlington. He has signed up for the

  • Honour for top scientist

    An Oxford professor has been named a woman of outstanding achievement in science, engineering and technology. Prof Kay Davis was one of six women chosen from 125 nominations for the UK Resource Centre for Women in Science, Engineering and Technology's

  • Bike challene is under way

    Four cyclists are setting out on a cycle ride from Land's End to Ambrosden, near Bicester, tomorrow to raise money for an Oxfordshire children's charity. John Sammons and his team will set off on their 300-mile journey from Cornwall and hope to pedal

  • Teacher takes on Africa test

    A trainee teacher from Oxford is hoping to give something back by taking his classroom skills to Africa Neil Green, 22, of Alexandra Road, Botley, is planning to spend two months teaching at a school and pre-school in Ghana - and needs to raise an additional

  • It’s been far too long … and now the spring is here!!

    Things at the Playhouse have been absolutely manic so far this year – so much so that I have been neglecting my blogging duties! Well … no more … I am a reformed character I tell you! The Playhouse have just launched the new spring season which, you

  • Local share prices

    AEA Technology 66.5 BMW 2619 Electrocomponents 162.25 Nationwide Accident Repair 133 Oxford Biomedica 23.25 Oxford Catalyst 155 Oxford Instruments 191 REED 632.25 RM 204.25 RPS Group 315.5

  • Argument in bus queue leads to stabbing

    A HOTEL barman was stabbed in an Oxford street after an argument with a stranger in a bus queue, a court heard. Oxford Crown Court heard Ahmed Aw-Adam, 32, slashed Raoul Ntaganya in the arm during a fight in Howard Street, East Oxford. Henry James

  • Village may get new police base

    A new police base could be built in Grove and may form part of the development on the disused airfield. Thames Valley Police is looking into potential locations, and said it would bring them closer to the community. Potential sites have not yet been

  • Doggie style

    Top swim session last night - my stroke count has now plummeted from 37 per length to a mere 22 so I no longer resemble an octopus in shallow water and have improved my overall speed. Best bit last was undoubtedly the doggie paddle lengths. It was great

  • Student wins contest to create tv ad

    A student from Oxfordshire has won a competition to create a TV advert for a best-selling crime novel. The winning advert, by Jamie Childs, 20, of Lucerne Avenue, Bicester, was chosen ahead of 200 others by Patricia Cornwell for her thriller Book of

  • Bus drivers win safety awards

    Road safety is a major priority for bus drivers with Wallingford-based Thames Travel and the company should be congratulated on its record, said deputy mayor Mike Mold. He was handing out 21 safe-driving awards at a presentation to mark the 10th anniversary

  • Bikers arrive with gifts for children

    Disadvantaged children across the county received a treat when an Oxford-based motorcycle club delivered them some goodies. Caldarium Motorcycle Club held its annual charity Egg Run donating 940 Easter eggs and 520 cuddly toys to children in Bicester

  • Bird lovers fear festival will disrupt wildlife

    Blenheim Palace bosses have reassured bird watchers who are worried a summer music and watersports event will disturb the local wildlife. 'Twitchers' fear loud rock music and watersports during Wakestock - a event commemorating the 1960s US festival

  • Town to support its servicemen

    Hundreds of balloons are to be launched from the centre of Carterton to show support for the armed forces. The town is home to thousands of servicemen and women at RAF Brize Norton and the Yellow Ribbon Foundation, set up to provide information for

  • On the ball for charity grants

    Good causes have just two days left to claim thousands of pounds in funding from a foundation set up by the parent company of the Oxford Mail. The Gannett Foundation is looking to help charities that take a creative approach to community issues, with

  • Win furniture worth £1,500

    Multiyork, the master furniture maker, has joined forces with The Oxford Times to celebrate the launch of the paper's new compact edition. To mark the launch, Multiyork is giving readers of The Oxford Times the chance to win £1,500 to spend at Multiyork

  • Mound repairs to start

    REPAIR work costing an estimated £150,000 is poised to start on Oxford's historic Castle Mound. Last February, there were a series of landslips on the New Road side of the 11th-century mound and safety fencing was erected along the pavement. Protective

  • Mound work due to start

    Repair work costing an estimated £150,000 is set to start on Oxford's historic Castle Mound. Last February, there were a series of landslips on the New Road side of the 11th century mound and safety fencing was erected along the pavement. Protective

  • MP's silence

    Oxford East MP Andrew Smith and his wife Val have been conspicuous by their silence over the current furore about the potential misuse of MPs' Parliamentary expenses. I'm sure I'm not the only taxpayer who would be very interested in knowing: 1. How

  • No bailing out

    Your article on threatened post office closures in Oxfordshire, Last hope for post offices (Oxford Mail, March 13), is misleading. It correctly reports that the county council wants to study what Essex County Council is doing in terms of looking to

  • Cleanest buses in the country

    I can't really leave unchallenged city councillor Caroline Van Zyl's letter about the low emission zone in Oxford and particularly the effect of buses on air quality (Oxford Mail, March 10). Yes, buses do have emissions, but they create nowhere near

  • Local share prices

    AEA Technology 68 BMW 2516 Electrocomponents 159.75 Nationwide Accident Repair 133 Oxford Biomedica 22.25 Oxford Catalyst 155 Oxford Instruments 191 REED 630.75 RM 205.25 RPS Group 309.25

  • Conmen 'offering to do shopping'

    TRADING standards officers in Oxfordshire have received reports of residents being telephoned by conmen offering to do their shopping. The county council's social and community services is the only organisation which employs a company to carry out shopping

  • This Be The Verse

    Poetry is something of a specialist subject for many people but it shouldn't be. Next time you stumble across a poetry anthology have a browse — you are bound to discover rhymes you enjoy. During the past week or so, The Guardian and The Independent have

  • Coldcall shopping warning

    Trading standards officers in Oxfordshire have received reports of residents being telephoned by conmen offering to do their shopping. The county council's social and community services is the only organisation which employs a company to carry out shopping

  • OxClean 2008

    Fairview Allotments Association carried out a clean-up in the Town Furze area.

  • OxClean 2008

    Fairview Allotments Association carried out a clean-up in the Town Furze area.

  • OxClean 2008

    Fairview Allotments Association carried out a clean-up in the Town Furze area.

  • Defence Secretary clashes with Oxfordshire coroner

    Defence Secretary Des Browne has criticised Oxfordshire assistant deputy coroner Andrew Walker for attacking the Ministry of Defence during an inquest into a soldier's death in Iraq. The Defence Secretary has asked the High Court to outlaw the use of

  • Windfall

    It makes you wonder what treasures are lurking in attics, cupboards and drawers up and down the land. A book left outside the Oxfam Bookshop in Oxford has turned out to be a Graham Greene novel worth £15,000. And how marvellous that the windfall will

  • Yemi is frozen out by United

    Yemi Odubade may have played his last game for Oxford United. Last year's supporters' player-of-the-year was left out of the 16-man squad that won 1-0 at Stafford Rangers on Saturday after being transfer-listed by boss Darren Patterson. And Patterson

  • Volunteers shame the litter louts

    Full marks to all those who turned out at the weekend to give Oxford a much-needed spring clean. Hundreds of people - young and old - answered a call by the Oxford Civic Society to tackle the city's litter hotspots. Be sure - there was plenty for

  • Horton verdict may be 'mish-mash'

    Battlelines could be redrawn this week in the fight to save services at Banbury's Horton Hospital. Recommendations that could shape the future of the hospital will be made public on Thursday March but leaked information indicates the Independent Reconfiguration

  • Neighbours fall out over boundary

    A ROW has erupted between a set of neighbours in Bicester over a two-inch fence boundary. Police were called at the weekend after the animosity that exists between them spilled over and fence panelling was destroyed. But now, each side said the other

  • Gardens swamped with sewage

    GARDENS in Blackbird Leys were swamped in sewage last night after a vital pumping station broke, following just 20mm of weekend rainfall. Thames Water had to take emergency action after Minchery Farm pumping station was "inundated" with water and put

  • Amputee athlete trials prototype leg

    AN amputee from Oxford is set to trial a prototype artificial leg at a world-renowned snowboarding event in America. Carl Murphy's state-of-the-art prosthetic limb has never before been used on snow, but the winter sports fan is confident it can do

  • City tree policy 'long overdue'

    OXFORD'S first comprehensive policy for dealing with the maintenance of tens of thousands of trees has been approved. The document - the first of its kind for the city - sets out under what circumstances tree felling work will take place, who will

  • Young musicians hit right note

    MORE than 1,200 young musicians hit all the right notes over the weekend in Oxford as they played their part in the world's largest youth music festival. The Barton estate came alive to the sound of music as youngsters from across the county and beyond

  • Sewage flood causes a stink

    Gardens in Blackbird Leys, Oxford, were swamped in sewage after a pumping station broke, following 20mm of weekend rainfall. Thames Water had to take emergency action after Minchery Farm pumping station was "inundated" with water and put out of action

  • Police target trade in stolen equipment

    POLICE are targeting a black market trade in stolen power tools after a spate of thefts across Oxford. About 90 power tools - believed to have been stolen - were seized from a trader during a recent car boot sale at Oxford's Kassam Stadium. The discovery

  • Disasters cost taxpayers £77k

    EMERGENCY evacuations sparked by fire, flooded rivers and a burst water mains have cost Oxfordshire taxpayers more than £77,000 over the past year. Oxfordshire County Council coordinated four emergency evacuations between January 2007 and January

  • Fall in burglaries welcomed

    RESIDENTS in part of Oxford have welcomed an overall drop in crime - despite an increase in robbery and criminal damage. New figures show crime has fallen in the north east area of the city, which includes Barton, Headington, Wood Farm and Risinghurst

  • Prince's fundraiser for hospice

    A PIONEERING Oxford hospice is set to receive a anniversary fundraising boost, thanks to a Royal Command concert in London. Helen and Douglas House, in Magdalen Road, East Oxford, is bringing its 25th anniversary year to an end in style - with a concert

  • Parades mark approach of Easter

    CHURCHES Together in Headington beat the bad weather by having a Palm Saturday procession, rather than the traditional Palm Sunday event. And Baptist minister the Rev James Bloice Smith headed the procession carrying a cross, rather than the more traditional

  • Rare book boosts Oxfam

    To the untrained eye, it might have looked like just another unwanted book left at a charity shop which would sell for small change. But when a scruffy looking copy of Graham Greene's Rumour at Nightfall appeared in a box of donated books at Oxfam's

  • Congregation coming home

    A NOMADIC congregation is just weeks away from returning to its church home after being on the move for six months. Members of Kidlington Baptist Church have been left without a base since September after builders began a £690,000 revamp of their High