Work has started to revamp more than 130 prefabricated homes built as a quick-fix solution to Oxford's post-war housing crisis. Residents in Barton have welcomed the start of the £2m scheme to refurbish their 1940s houses. The 131 city council-owned
A catalogue of racist behaviour at immigration detention centres was exposed by an official report today. The report, commissioned by the Border and Immigration Agency (BIA) described the atmosphere at a range of detention centres, including Campsfield
STAFF at Oxfordshire's major hospitals have managed to keep their wards open after dodging a stomach bug sweeping the UK. Experts estimate that more than 100,000 people every week in the UK are being struck down with diarrhoea and sickness after catching
Staff at Oxfordshire's major hospitals have managed to keep their wards open after dodging a stomach bug sweeping the UK. Experts estimate that more than 100,000 people every week in the UK are being struck down with diarrhoea and sickness after catching
If Darren Patterson gets his wish, Oxford United could have up to three new signings ready to make their debuts against Altrincham ton Saturday. The U's boss has been working hard this week to bring in the players he knows the squad needs to turn United
Darren Patterson has revealed how just missing out on Guy Madjo messed up his December plans. The U's boss thought he had snapped up the 23-year-old Crawley striker on loan, and had Ashley Barnes as a back-up loan striker on the bench. But then Coca-Cola
Youngsters have been benefitting from coaching courses run by Oxford United academy players at Peers Technology College, Littlemore. The 24 students/coaches, who play for United in a national Youth Conference League on Wednesdays, put on a four-week
Oxford United said good riddance to 2007! Last year promised so much, with the U's top of the Conference in Christmas 2006, but the terrible slump in the second half of the campaign was replicated in the first half of this season. United's playing
Oxford United's independent supporters group, OxVox, are holding a meeting at the Kassam Stadium before Saturday's game against Altrincham to discuss the current slump - and all are invited to attend. OxVox chairman Trevor Lambert told members in a
Mickey Lewis says it's very frustrating for the U's management that the players seem unable to take what they do on the training ground onto the field in matches. The players have responded in training to everything that coach Lewis and boss Darren
Oxford United no longer boast the biggest gates in the Conference. Two other clubs had 7,000-plus attendances on Boxing Day, with Exeter v Torquay pulling in 7,839 and Cambridge v Histon drawing 7,125. Oxford's 5,900 v Crawley on Boxing Day was their
Soldiers returning from Afghanistan were forced to change out of their uniforms on the tarmac after being refused entry to an airport building. Up to 200 troops had to don their civilian clothes at Birmingham International Airport, after being told
CHILTERN Railways has warned it is not running services between London and Bicester North on Saturday, and London, Bicester, Banbury and Birmingham on Sunday, due to engineering work. Replacement shuttle rail services and buses will be laid on for
Rail passengers are being warned that Chiltern Railways services are severely affected by engineering work over the weekend. On Saturday, no trains will run between London and Bicester North, while on Sunday no trains will run between London, Bicester
POLICE in Thames Valley solved only a quarter of crimes in the past year - putting local police among the ten worst forces in England and Wales. Figures released by the Home Office have disclosed the clear-up rates for all 44 police forces in the country
Three tenants complain about squalid housing conditions in Oxford every day, according to environmental health workers. Members of the Oxford Health Scrutiny Committee have been told that the health of people living in private rented accommodation is
SNOW was falling in the north of Oxfordshire this evening. Reports were coming in of snow showers in Banbury, Deddington and Brackley. But weather forecasters said any snow would last long with temperatures tomorrow expected to reach 8C with light
A DRIVER is fighting for his life after a car left the A361 in north Oxfordshire and hit a tree. Police closed the road between Swerford and South Newington after the crash at about noon today. Just after 5pm today police said the road had been reopened
Only a quarter of crimes have been solved in the past year - putting local police among the 10 worst forces in England and Wales. Figures released by the Home Office have revealed the clear-up rates for all 44 police forces in the country. Thames
A man has been bailed by police after being arrested for hacking off the arm of the King Alfred statue in Wantage. A 24-year-old man handed himself to police officers yesterday morning and was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage. He has been
Model trains are expected to pull in the crowds when a railway exhibition celebrates its 25th anniversary. Enthusiasts are expected to descend on Exeter Hall in Kidlington this weekend to see dozens of locomotives, steam engines and carriages wind their
AEA Technology 86.5 BMW 3130 Electrocomponents 200.5 Nationwide Accident Repair 116 Oxford Biomedica 25 Oxford Catalyst 147.5 Oxford Instruments 186.5 Reed Elsevier 671.75 RM 214.75 RPS Group 304.25 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
The very first Fairtrade product was a Mexican coffee in 1988, and since then the movement has grown rapidly to include a large range of products, including wine, the quality of which was recognised by the first ever Fairtrade wine competition in November
An Oxfordshire branch of a little-known charity finished 2007 by chalking up a landmark in fundraising. Broadcaster Esther Rantzen visited the annual Christmas bazaar of Hearing Dogs for Deaf People to present a plaque to the county's branch chairman
So, here we are. Welcome to 2008! How scary is that? How many of you have made your list of completely and utterly unachievable New Years resolutions? How many of you have given up already? Ah yes, I know the feeling well. Every year I commit myself
A MAN who handed himself in to police today in connection with damage to Wantage's iconic King Alfred statue has been released on bail. Police said the 24-year-old was arrested and interviewed on suspicion of causing criminal damage after the right hand
"It's not your colour." Condemnation came from behind, slightly to my left and at what seemed waist height. In the sales-beleaguered Debenham's it was not at first clear to whom the remarks were made. Turning, I saw a disapproving expression across
More than half of pubs quizzed by the Oxford Mail have admitted spotting a smoker illegally lighting up - but nobody has been fined. The Oxford Mail questioned 32 pubs across the county and 17 landlords said people had been seen flouting the ban.
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,
A MOTORIST ended up on an embankment after crashing on the M40 today. The car lost control and drove off the northbound carriageway between junction nine at Bicester and junction 10 at Ardley. Paramedics attended the crash, but the driver was not
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
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
A couple started the New Year by celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. John and Patricia Fowler, who met in Middle Barton, near Bicester, in 1956, celebrated at home together on New Year's Day. Mrs Fowler said she didn't want to have a party
Love blossomed into 50 years of marriage when a greengrocer met his future wife at a birthday party in Oxfordshire. Bill Stimpson met his wife-to-be Valerie Edens when he offered to give her a lift home from his brother's 21st birthday celebration in
A driver is fighting for his life after a car left the A361 near Chipping Norton and hit a tree. Police have closed the road between Swerford and South Newington after the crash at about noon today. A blue Vauxhall Vectra driving from Chipping Norton
I blame Purple Ronnie. Ever since the childish-looking scribbly figure popped up (a good few years ago now), there have been designers who think deliberately naive slogans in wonky writing is cool and funny. It's all right, in small amounts. But Puccino's
FIREFIGHTERS were called to deal with a blaze in a bedroom at an Oxfordshire house today. One crew from Wantage and one from Didcot attended the scene in Chapel Way, Childrey, after receiving a call at 10.55am. They used three breathing apparatus
A POLICE officer who shot a call centre worker at a firearms awareness course will not face charges from the Crown Prosecution Service. Keith Tilbury, 50, was shot in the chest with a Magnum pistol in a classroom by PC David Micklethwaite at a police
A police officer who shot a call centre worker at a firearms awareness course will not be face charges from the Crown Prosecution Service. Keith Tilbury, 50, was shot in the chest with a Magnum pistol in a classroom by Pc David Micklethwaite at a police
The White Horse in Forest Hill is a shining example of how to take over a failing village pub, where karaoke and lager reigned supreme, and transform it into a magical place where you actually want to eat. The menu is Thai: but not pub Thai or gastro
North Leigh will be without defender Joe Wood when they travel to Harrow Hill in the Premier Division on Saturday. Wood suffered a nasty ankle injury during Saturday's 3-1 victory against Bicester. However, Karl Dodds, Richard Barrett and Joe Burnell
Customers have poured back to a much-loved pub nearly 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, 60
SATURDAY FOOTBALL BLUE SQUARE PREMIER Oxford Utd v Altrincham. BRITISH GAS BUSINESS SOUTHERN LEAGUE Premier Div: Banbury Utd v Bashley Tn. Div 1 South & West: Abingdon Utd v Paulton Rov, Farnborough Tn v Didcot Tn, Gosport v Oxford City. SPORT
Abingdon United boss Andy Slater says his side must get back to basics - starting with tomorrow's visit of Paulton Rovers in Division 1 South & West. Slater returned from a five-week holiday in Australia to take charge of a side that has won just once
Chinnor's title ambitions in South West 1 face a big test on Saturday when they take on high-riding Cleve at Kingsey Road, Thame. The Oxfordshire outfit stand a point behind leaders Bracknell, with Cleve five points back in third. Chinnor came out
A publisher has paid tribute to a children's author who battled breast cancer to write her latest novels - one of which comes out next month. Siobhan Dowd, who lived in West Oxford, died at Sobell House Hospice, at the Churchill Hospital, in Headington
In March 2006, Taiwanese film-maker Ang Lee fell victim to one of Hollywood's most shocking robberies. Riding to the Academy Awards with his love story Brokeback Mountain, Lee deservedly collected the statuette as Best Director, only to see his picture
Within the first 15 minutes of Richard LaGravenese's tepid romantic comedy, swarthy Irish musician Gerry Kennedy (Butler) dies, leaving behind his wife Holly (Swank) to contemplate a bleak future. This involves moping around their Manhattan apartment
Police have closed the A361 near Chipping Norton following a car crash. A driver was trapped in a car following the crash between South Newington and Swerford at about 12pm today and is being freed by fire fighters. A police spokesman said the road
The family of the gentleman who collapsed at the Lord Mayor's Carol Concert at Oxford Town Hall on December 16 would like to express their sincere gratitude to all who came to his aid and helped during this distressing time. CELIA HADLAND, Oxford
Gordon Clack is right about the plight of the islanders of Diego Garcia, a former British colony in the Indian Ocean, who were illegally deported by Harold Wilson's Government so that the United States could use their home as a military base. There
Funny, isn't it, how a few days away changes your perspective? I have recently returned from Brussels, a city where the local authority understands that the way to improve transport and the environment is to make things better, not worse. There, one
Oxford's Pegasus Theatre starts the year with a bang as its Artistic Director and Chief Executive of 17 years has been made a Member of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2008 New Year's Honours list. Euton Daley has steered the youth and community arts
MAJOR disruption is expected when works start in St Aldates, Oxford, on Monday, January 14. Gas contractors are due to carry out repairs for two weeks before highways engineers arrive to lay a new road surface in a project that is expected to last until
AEA Technology 85.25 BMW 3172 Electrocomponents 201.75 Nationwide Accident Repair 115.5 Oxford Biomedica 24.75 Oxford Catalyst 147.5 Oxford Instruments 188.5 Reed Elsevier 663.75 RM 212.75 RPS Group 306.5 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
Major disruption is expected when work start in St Aldates, Oxford, on Monday, January 14. Gas contractors are due to carry out repairs for two weeks before highways engineers arrive to lay a new road surface in a project that is expected to last until
The festive season has been a reminder of the 300th anniversary of Charles Wesley, writes CHRIS KOENIG What with Hark! the Herald Angels Sing still singing away on the brain, it comes as a shock to realise that those stirring words were composed
The Northmoor Trust has a new way of conserving the local bat population - a sound detector that indicates different species, writes ELIZABETH EDWARDS In the important matter of wildlife conservation, making use of the best tools is essential and
Is Hollywood gearing up for a year to remember? asks DAVID PARKINSON in his 2008 preview If the Cannes-winning Romanian drama 4 Months, 3 Weeks, 2 Days is anything to go by, arthouse cinema will be back to its best in 2008, after an indifferent
VAL BOURNE praises the adaptable and colourful hyacinth A couple of weeks ago, I bought one blue hyacinth in a plastic pot for the princely sum of 75p and plonked it on the kitchen windowsill. Now the mid-blue flowers look spring-fresh and they are
Police seized more than a quarter of a million pounds of criminals assets in just three months, Home Office figures have revealed. Thames Valley Police secured £266,052 from criminals under the Proceeds of Crime Act - which is the third highest amount
THAMES Valley Police seized more than a quarter of a million pounds of criminals' assets in just three months, Home Office figures have revealed. Thames Valley Police secured £266,052 from criminals under the Proceeds of Crime Act - which is the third
A 32-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving after a multi-car pile up in Thame which left four people including a child in hospital. Three cars collided on the A418 Thame western bypass on Friday. Police charged the woman
Like Richard Dawkins I am a non- (well, perhaps make that slight) believer who enjoys singing Christmas carols. My best opportunity this festive season came at the service in support of the charity Family Links, held at the full-to-bursting University
With the alluring prospect of Jools Holland's Hogmanay hootenannny on the box, the wonder was I could be lured from the house at all. But a party at Oxford's Malmaison Hotel is an event not to be missed. This one proved a fitting finale to the festive
Do you get the feeling that there are too many costume dramas on television? In the run-up to Christmas, we had Oliver Twist on BBC1 (repeated just after Christmas) and this week saw the same channel starting a three-part dramatisation of Sense and Sensibility
Critics and audiences were unanimous in their enthusiasm for Judd Apatow's Knocked Up. Its combination of screwball and crudity hit a nationwide nerve and slobbish slacker Seth Rogan's on-off romance with chic journalist Katherine Heigl, after she becomes
The title may sound dull but the story behind it is quite another thing. It is a tale of intrigue, deception and forced incarceration. In the late 17th century, the Dutch dominated international trade in goods from the Far East. When ships coming from
A 32-YEAR-OLD woman has been arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving after a multi-car pile up in Thame which left four people including a child in hospital. Three cars collided on the A418 Thame western bypass on Friday. Police charged the woman
Workers were unable to start work at Bonn Square, in Oxford, this morning after arriving to discover a protester at the site. Contractors had been expected to begin the £1.5m redevelopment of the city centre square this morning. Police were called
WORKERS were unable to start work at Bonn Square, in Oxford, this morning after arriving to discover a protester at the site. Contractors had been expected to begin the £1.5m redevelopment of the city centre square this morning. Police were called
Oxford label Park Records have some of the biggest names in the folk world on their list - Pentangle, Kathryn Tickle, Maddy Prior and Steeleye Span - so for new artist Katie Dohertyok to be signed to them is quite a coup for her. But clearly they recognised
Sanders of Oxford, in High Street, is one of the largest print sellers in Britain. They are probably best known for their antique prints, so it is easy to overlook their selection of contemporary works. From Thursday until January 26 that won't be possible
You'll probably know that a crack has appeared in the floor of Tate Modern. What starts as a hairline crack in the concrete at the west entrance stretches the entire length of the Turbine Hall, ziz-zagging down the ramp, widening and deepening until it
TRANSPORT planners at Oxfordshire County Council were today set to approve measures to change the face of Oxford's London Road in Headington. County Hall wants to create a bus lane and cycle tracks - and introduce a 20mph limit as part of a £2.8m
RAIL passengers in Oxford are considering a ticket boycott in protest at fare increases which are more than double the rate of inflation. The proposal is being discussed by the Ox Rail Action group, which is thinking about whether to join a boycott
A GRIEVING father has paid tribute to his son - the "big soft lad" - who died in a car accident on his way to deliver Christmas presents. Graham Soame has told of his heartache following the death of his son Chris on the day before Christmas Eve.
AN Oxfordshire woman who suffered eight miscarriages has spoken of the joy of celebrating the first Christmas with her new baby. Sarah Whitman, 37, and her husband Martin, 38, never gave up hope of having a child despite 15 years of heartbreak. The
SPORTS centres in Cherwell have retained their safety award. Bicester and Ploughley and Kidlington and Gosford sports centres, have kept their accreditation to the Institute of Sport and Recreation Management national pool safety award. The centres
DISABLED people in north Oxfordshire who want to run their own businesses have been thrown a lifeline by the Leonard Cheshire organisation. A support and advice scheme, Ready To Start, has been launched in Banbury with Barclays Bank. It is intended
The wife of a Good Samaritan left deaf in one ear after he was hit over the head with a bottle has pleaded for the public to finally name his attacker. More than six weeks after the assault in Didcot, police have run up against a wall of silence.
THE life and times of the poet John Milton - once a pupil at Lord Williams's Grammar School in Thame, and best known for the epic Paradise Lost - will be the subject of a talk to Thame Historical Society to commemorate the 400th anniversary of his
With all the pressures on families, it is no wonder many are slipping into debt. But while borrowing is a convenient, short-term solution, it can store up trouble in the long-term. In previous years, easy credit from stores has exacerbated this problem
Rail passengers are not having the best start to the new year. Yet another inflation-busting increase risks putting rail travel beyond the reach of many working people. The fare increase has not gone down well with commuters, many of whom feel they
ROSE Hill Community Centre is running a holiday play scheme for five- to 12-year-olds till Saturday. The play scheme will run from 9.30am to 2pm each day and costs £5 per child per day.
A mental health patient on the run for more than a week had escaped from authorities before, it emerged last night. Leigh Cooper, who was sectioned under the Mental Health Act, fled from Warneford Hospital in Littlemore, Oxford, on Christmas Eve.
A grieving dad has paid tribute to his son - a "big soft lad" - who died in a car accident while on his way to deliver Christmas presents. Graham Soame has told of his heartache following the death of his son Chris on the day before Christmas Eve.
Rail passengers in Oxford are considering a ticket boycott in protest at fare increases which are more than double the rate of inflation. The proposal is being discussed by the Ox Rail Action group, which is thinking about whether to join a boycott
