Archive

  • MOTORSPORT: BMW quash Alonso talk

    Speculation that Fernando Alonso may be on the move from the Enstone-based Renault team to BMW Sauber has ended. The Hinwil team have confirmed they will retain their existing driver line-up of Robert Kubica and Nick Heidfeld for the 2009 Formula 1

  • Karleigh could be back soon

    Brentford boss Andy Scott says Karleigh Osborne could go back on loan to Oxford, just days after returning from a month-long spell with the U's. Scott said: "There were a lot of things going on (at Oxford), and they've changed their chairman in the

  • RUGBY UNION: Catling strikes at the double to lift Oxford

    Fullback Tim Catling bagged a brace of tries as Oxford University ran out 24-8 winners in a scrappy encounter at Moseley on Monday night. Catling set the Dark Blues on their way when he picked up a loose ball in his own 22 and raced 80 yards to touch

  • FOOTBALL: Forinton rejoins Banbury

    Howard Forinton signed up for a third spell at Banbury United on Monday night. And the experienced striker is set to make his return debut against Gloucester City in the British Gas Business Southern League Premier Division at Spencer Stadium

  • Vandals smash up pub

    Vandals broke into a pub and caused an estimated £4,000 damage before fleeing with £2,000 in cash. Landlords Andrew Paterson and his girlfriend Emma Buckett fear The Canal Bridge, in Upper Wolvercote, will be shut for two weeks after the weekend

  • Update: Cyclist victim named

    A teenager killed in a crash with a coach as she cycled to school in Abingdon was tonight named locally as 17-year-old Sarah Waterhouse. Sarah was a Year-13 pupil at Larkmead School, where headteacher Chris Harris called her a fantastic student.

  • Family anger as 'gas' trial collapses

    Relatives of a woman killed by carbon monoxide poisoning spoke of their devastation as the manslaughter trial of a gas engineer collapsed today. Christopher Jilbert was cleared of killing Angela Pinkney after the Crown Prosecution Service offered

  • Footballer punches spectator

    An amateur footballer from Oxford was arrested after assaulting an opposition team's supporter at an away game. Headington Amateurs were playing against Hardwicke AFC in Gloucester on Saturday when the incident happened. A Gloucestershire

  • Police laptops stolen

    Three laptop computers with access to personal details of crime victims have been stolen from Thames Valley Police staff. Two were stolen from vehicles while a third was taken during a burglary at a police officer's home. Deputy Chief Constable

  • UPDATE: Crash victim named

    A teenager killed in a crash with a coach as she cycled to school in Abingdon was tonight named locally as 17-year-old Sarah Waterhouse. Sarah was a Year 13 pupil at Larkmead School, where headteacher Chris Harris called her a fantastic student

  • Special bear on trip to Russia

    Oxfordshire's most valuable teddy bear is going on a special journey home to Moscow for an exhibition highlighting his links with the country's murdered Royal family. Alfonzo, who was given to the Russian Princess Xenia in 1908 by her father Grand

  • Plaque for author, 101

    A blue plaque has been unveiled to honour an Oxford author — who wrote his last book aged 101. Nirad Chaudhuri made Oxford his home when he was a pensioner and lived in Lathbury Road, North Oxford, from 1982 until his death nine years ago.

  • Longest fair returns to town

    What is thought to be the longest fair in Europe has returned to Abingdon. The annual Michaelmas Fair was in full swing today and the fun carries on tomorrow. Funfair rides and attractions lined Market Place, High Street and Ock Street. Kathleen

  • Police hunt street robbers

    Robbers armed with knives and martial arts weapons have carried out a series of three robberies in Oxford. Police are appealing for witnesses after the robberies in Headington but would not comment today on whether they thought the crimes were

  • Sales assistant convicted over theft

    A sales assistant who stole thousands of pounds from her employer wept as she was given a suspended jail sentence. Gillian Walker, of Caversfield, near Bicester, stole £10,403 from Craft Central, a craft supplies retailer, between February and May.

  • Town looks pretty in pink

    Witney town centre was a sea of pink as musicians, dancers and street entertainers joined forces to raise money to fight breast cancer. About 700 pink balloons and ribbons decorated shops and businesses to mark the seventh annual Pink Day in aid of

  • Have your say on housing plans

    Anyone who wants to have their say over future housing in north Oxfordshire should go along to one of four exhibitions. Cherwell District Council has organised the roadshows as part of consultation on where new homes should go. The exhibitions will

  • Teenager wins poetry award

    A young Oxford poet has been picked from thousands to receive a prestigious prize for her work. Claire Ewbank, from Headington School, was chosen from more than 5,000 11- to 17-year-olds across the world to be named one of the Foyle Young Poets of

  • Pub drugs tests 'will go on'

    Police have vowed to continue surprise drugs tests at Oxford pubs despite only catching two people in their latest searches. As part of a crackdown on antisocial behaviour, police targeted pubs in Headington on Friday. Helped by black Labradors

  • £100k to be spent on Temple Cowley gym

    More than £100,000 is to be spent modernising a "poor quality" leisure centre in Oxford. Temple Cowley Pools, in Temple Road, lost £533,000 in the past financial year and Oxford City Council, which owns the centre, has had to increase its subsidy per

  • Faith healer attracts hundreds

    Hundreds of people attended an Oxford church over the weekend to see a minister who claims to be able to help sufferers of a range of illnesses. People who claimed they suffered from anxiety, depression, rheumatoid arthritis and cancer queued up to

  • Focus DIY stores to axe jobs

    Jobs are to be axed at branches of DIY chain Focus, it emerged tonight. Company spokesman Jill Gater confirmed the branches at Thorney Leys Park, Witney, Banbury Cross Retail Park, and Wallingford Road, Didcot, would all be affected by the

  • Police hunt street robbers

    Robbers armed with knives and martial arts weapons have carried out a series of three robberies in Oxford. Police are appealing for witnesses after the robberies in Headington but would not comment today on whether they thought the crimes were committed

  • Salesman found dead

    A salesman has been found dead by members of the public on a rural road near Bicester. The 26-year-old man was found at Ploughley Road, between Ambrosden and Lower Arncott, at about 3.50pm on Saturday. Police are treating the death as unexplained

  • DIY chain to axe jobs in county

    Jobs are to be axed at branches of DIY chain Focus, it emerged tonight. Company spokesman Jill Gater confirmed the branches at Thorney Leys Park, Ducklington, Banbury Cross Retail Park, and Wallingford Road, Didcot, would all be affected by the cuts

  • RUGBY UNION: Chinnor self destruct

    Chinnor 20, Worthing 32 Chinnor threw away a hard-earned victory in six mad minutes at the end of this National 3 South clash. Leading 20-13 with stoppage time approaching, they gifted Worthing three tries with some kamikaze play. The defeat saw

  • RUGBY UNION: Henley to the four

    Henley Hawks made it four wins in a row in National 3 South by defeating Richmond 28-19 at Dry Leas. Tommy Turner's penalty put Hawks ahead after four minutes, but Richmond came back strongly with a try from hooker Ed Rosa. Scrum half

  • Salesman’s death a mystery

    A salesman has been found dead by members of the public on a rural road near Bicester. The 26-year-old man was found at Ploughley Road, between Ambrosden and Lower Arncott, at about 3.50pm on Saturday. Police are treating the death as unexplained

  • RUGBY UNION: Bowers blasts defence

    Chinnor coach Jason Bowers was not impressed by his side's charitable defending at home to Worthing. He said: "You don't mind losing when your opponents have played well. "But I felt we gifted them five tries, which they didn't have to work too hard

  • RUGBY UNION: Lapses cost Quins

    Second-half lapses cost Oxford Harlequins as they slipped to a 39-10 home defeat against Bracknell in South West 1. Quins, who made eight changes from last week, trailed 8-0 at half-time, but were blitzed in the third quarter. Ben Nowak's penalty

  • RUGBY UNION: Sayce seals it

    Jackson Sayce's last-minute penalty earned Wallingford a pulsating 33-31 home victory over Swanage & Wareham in South West 2 East. Wallingford looked set to lose their three-year unbeaten record at the Hithercroft after Swanage's Phil Graves slotted

  • RUGBY UNION: Grove off the mark

    Grove opened their win account for the season by defeating Bicester 24-8 at Cane Lane in Southern Counties North. The sides were locked at 8-8 at half-time, but Grove made better use of the wind afterwards. Debutant fly half Tom Barnes put Bicester

  • RUGBY UNION: Hartley is hat-trick hero

    Joe Hartley's first-half hat-trick of tries helped Oxford to a 48-7 win at Wheatley in the BB&O Premier Division. Wheatley started well in the blustery conditions with Russell Neal going over in the corner and young fly half Sam Butler converting.

  • The crunch

    Oxford University has presented the world with valuable research over the years. But recent experiments carried out by Prof Charles Spence really do take the biscuit — or crisp. Prof Spence and his colleagues have been awarded a prize for proving

  • It's good to talk to the fans

    Oxford United chairman Kelvin Thomas promised a new era of cooperation and communication at the club when he took over on Thursday and, after Saturday's win against Rushden & Diamonds, he remains true to his word. It is becoming increasingly clear that

  • RUGBY UNION: Boyle's brace

    Wing Jed Boyle bagged a try double as Banbury Bulls defeated Old Newtonians 32-15 in Midlands 3 East South. Flanker Chris Phillips also crossed over as did Andy Collett, Bulls' other wing. Full back Andrew Lace added three conversions and penalties

  • Gym to get £100k upgrade

    More than £100,000 is to be spent modernising a "poor quality" leisure centre in Oxford. Temple Cowley Pools, in Temple Road, lost £533,000 in the past financial year and Oxford City Council, which owns the centre, has had to increase its subsidy per

  • Faithful flock to see healer

    Hundreds of people attended an Oxford church over the weekend to see a minister who claims to be able to help sufferers of a range of illnesses. People who claimed they suffered from anxiety, depression, rheumatoid arthritis and cancer queued up to

  • Pub drug tests will go on

    Police have vowed to continue surprise drugs tests at Oxford pubs despite only catching two people in their latest searches. As part of a crackdown on antisocial behaviour, police targeted pubs in Headington on Friday. Helped by black Labradors Benson

  • Olympians open £9m sports centre

    Olympians Kate Allenby and Robin Brew opened the Abingdon School Sports Centre on Saturday with a whirlwind tour of the facilities at the £9m building. The sports hall boasts the same Taraflex Sports Performance Plus surface which was used at the Beijing

  • DARTS: Oxon taste first defeat

    Oxfordshire went down 24-15 away to Surrey in their second Inter-Counties Championship Premier Division fixture at the weekend. As in their opening match, when they drew 18-18 at home to Kent, missed doubles from the men's A team proved decisive

  • DARTS: Vikings clinch runners-up spot

    Vikings Social Club clinched the Women's Section 1 runners-up spot in the Greene Kind ODDA Summer League after a tense encounter with closest rivals Berinsfield Community Centre B. Berinsfield had a three-point advantage at the start, but Vikings

  • Young poet wins award

    A young Oxford poet has been picked from thousands to receive a prestigious prize for her work. Claire Ewbank, from Headington School, was chosen from more than 5,000 11- to 17-year-olds across the world to be named one of the Foyle Young Poets of the

  • Update: Schoolgirl killed in crash

    A teenager killed after a collision with a coach carrying pupils to an Abingdon school today was a student at Larkmead School. Chris Harris, headteacher at Larkmead School, in Faringdon Road, confirmed that the girl was in Year 13 and was aged

  • UPDATE: Road ropened after cyclist killed

    Police have reopened a road in Abingdon where a schoolgirl was killed this morning. Colwell Drive was closed at 8.30am as police launched an investigation after a cyclist and coach were involved in an accident. The cyclist, a 17-year-old girl who

  • Village declared its independence

    This was the day that villagers declared independence and set up their own government. Anyone visiting Wolvercote on the outskirts of Oxford had to pay £2 to obtain a passport. Without it, they weren't allowed in. The stunt was dreamed up in 1987

  • Faces betrayed inner serenity at yoga classes

    The faces look serious, even preoccupied, but with a certain contentment — and that is what yoga is all about. When Oxford Mail photographer Athar Chaudry dropped in on a yoga class at Oxford College of Further Education in 1973, 17 enthusiasts under

  • Smart pupils get the bus to school

    In their smart jackets and ties and neat dresses, these pupils were a good advertisement for their school. They were the fifth-formers at Chipping Norton Grammar School in 1946 or 1947. The picture comes from former pupil Roland Huckins

  • Crash leads to A34 delays

    Traffic on the A34 suffered two hours of delays and tailbacks following a collision. A silver MG and van collided on the northbound carriageway between Botley and Wolvercote interchanges at Oxford at about 12.20pm. No-one was injured or arrested,

  • Yobs win

    How right Michael Everett is about Det Con David Muddiman, who armed himself with a knife to tackle a gang who had attacked him (Oxford Mail, October 4). It is always the yobs who win. SIMON STONE Warwick Road Banbury

  • Toeing the party line

    Tories in the Vale of White Horse, like their colleagues across the country, have been told there are votes in opposing any kind of alternate weekly waste collections, and I suppose we must somewhat reluctantly admire them for slavishly toeing their party

  • Crash leads to A34 jams

    Traffic on the A34 near Oxford suffered two hours of delays and tailbacks today following a collision. A silver MG and a van collided on the northbound carriageway between the Botley and Pear Tree interchanges at Oxford at about 12.20pm. No one was

  • The challenge facing United

    I'm just amazed at the journey Oxford United are taking at the moment — it defies belief. I feel Nick Merry has done his best for the club — just a shame Oxford didn't go up in the first season in the Conference. I feel that the management at the

  • Slave exhibition opens

    An exhibition detailing Oxfordshire's links to the slave trade has gone on display at the Museum of Oxford. The new exhibition, called Connections: People and Places, was organised by the African-Caribbean and African Kultural Heritage Initiative

  • Town looks pretty in pink

    Witney town centre was a sea of pink as musicians, dancers and street entertainers joined forces to raise money to fight breast cancer. About 700 pink balloons and ribbons decorated shops and businesses to mark the seventh annual Pink Day in aid of

  • 31 weeks - 9 weeks to go - single figures!!!!

    Well we’ve now moved and are all set to start the next major chapter of our lives. It is tremendously exciting to think that we’re now in the house where our baby will be born (if all goes to plan) and that will be his/her first home. We keep picturing

  • Plaque for author, 101

    A blue plaque has been unveiled to honour an Oxford author — who wrote his last book aged 101. Nirad Chaudhuri made Oxford his home when he was a pensioner and lived in Lathbury Road, North Oxford, from 1982 until his death nine years ago. He made

  • Three police laptops stolen

    Three laptop computers with access to personal details of crime victims have been stolen from Thames Valley Police staff. Two were stolen from vehicles while a third was taken during a burglary at a police officer's home. Deputy Chief Constable Francis

  • Does anyone make a pram to fit a bike?

    I am back! It’s been so long, you cycle-column addicts may have forgotten that I used to write the column, along with James ‘Bond’ Styring, but if you do remember, you’ll need some sort of explanation as to where I’ve been for the past three months.

  • Have your say over housing plans

    Anyone who wants to have their say over future housing in north Oxfordshire should go along to one of four exhibitions. Cherwell District Council has organised the roadshows as part of consultation on where new homes should go. The exhibitions will

  • 'If only bear could talk'

    Oxfordshire's most valuable teddy bear is going on a special journey home to Moscow for an exhibition highlighting his links with the country's murdered Royal family. Alfonzo, who was given to the Russian Princess Xenia in 1908 by her father Grand Duke

  • Update: Gun threat raiders escape

    Two men wearing bandanas who robbed a travel agent in Botley today remain on the run. The robbery occurred at Co-op Travel in Chapel Way shortly before 10.20am. Police this afternoon have released more details. The two men, who claimed to have a

  • UPDATE: Robbers still on the run

    Two men wearing bandanas who robbed an Oxford travel agent today remain on the run. The robbery occurred at Co-op Travel in Chapel Way, Botley, shortly before 10.20am. Police have released more details. The two men, who claimed

  • Robbers strike at travel agent

    Two men claiming to have a gun held up an Oxford travel agency today and fled with cash. The pair went into the Co-op Travel shop, in Chapel Way, Botley, at about 10.20am. They held up a bag and said they had a gun but no weapon was seen. They escaped

  • Gun-threat raiders snatch cash

    Two men claiming to have a gun held up an Oxford travel agents today and fled with cash. The pair went in to Co-op Travel in Chapel Way, Botley, at about 10.20am, police spokesman Victoria Brandon said. They held up a bag and said they had a gun but

  • Surprises in the heart of Oxford

    Have you ever wondered where to hold that residential conference business meeting or exclusive dinner? In the heart of Oxford, you will find many surprises, one of which is Mansfield College. The college, with its beautiful Gothic buildings designed

  • Walk on the wild side!

    Walk on the wild side! For companies looking for an unusual and interesting venue to hold small conferences and training days the Cotswold Wildlife Park is an ideal choice. Meetings take place in the Drawing Room of the Listed Manor House looking onto

  • Friendly bank with a twist

    FAO: The Manager, My Bank, Cornmarket, Oxford. September, 2008. Dear Sir/Madam. I moved to Oxford four years ago and during that time have attempted to befriend many of the city's residents. This I have done because I believe, first and foremost, in

  • Today's local share prices

    AEA Technology 37.5 BMW 1906 Electrocomponents 164 Nationwide Accident Repair 118.5 Oxford Biomedica 5.9 Oxford Catalyst 170 Oxford Instruments 232 Reed Elsevier 556.75 RM 170 RPS Group 228.25 Courtesy of Redmayne

  • UPDATE: Crash victim was Larkmead pupil

    A teenage cyclist killed after a collision with a coach carrying pupils to an Abingdon school today was a student at Larkmead School. Headteacher Chris Harris confirmed that the girl was in Year 13 and was aged either 17 or 18. The accident

  • Man seriously hurt in crash

    Police are appealing for witnesses to a collision which has left a man in hospital with serious injuries. The incident happened at about 5.20pm yesterday. Police said a silver Rover 25 lost control and left the A34 northbound carriageway

  • Cyclist dies in crash

    A cyclist died in a collision with a coach in Abingdon today. The crash happened at 8.26am at the junction of Marcham Road and Colwell Drive, outside Abingdon police station. Colwell Drive is closed both ways between that junction and Blacklands Way

  • Cyclist killed in crash

    A cyclist has been killed in a collision with a coach in Abingdon this morning. The crash happened at 8.26am at the junction of Marcham Road and Colwell Drive, outside Abingdon police station. Colwell Drive is closed both ways between that

  • Missing man found safe

    Police mounted a major search after a man was reported missing from Headington on Saturdayafternoon. Search teams and a police helicopter worked throughout Saturday night and yesterdaymorning trying to trace the man, believed to be in his 40s. The

  • Spice Girl's book signing worth wait

    Pop star Geri Halliwell kept her fans waiting for a book signing but for the young crowd who gathered eagerly to meet their heroine it was well worth it. The former Spice Girl, and now published children's book author, was at Borders in Magdalen

  • Patient's daughter had to clean room

    THE daughter of a woman whose death was highlighted in David Cameron's attack on hospital infections has called on NHS managers to ditch their marketing and clean up superbugs instead. The Conservative Party leader and Witney MP read to his party's

  • Shuting back to Hereford

    I made a flying visit to my home town at the weekend, the cathedral city of Hereford, and while there was no time to ransack the secondhand book shops, I found time to peruse mum and dad's bookshelves. I made some great discoveries. First of all,

  • PC injured

    A female police officer was injured and taken to hospital with minor facial injuries after a man smashed a police car window. Police arrested the 23-year-old man on suspicion of assault at the Eagle Vaults pub, in Market Square, Witney, at

  • Big crowd hails United's fresh start

    Oxford United's new regime was ushered in with a season's-high attendance, a morale-boosting win and a sense of quiet optimism. On Saturday 4,645 fans arrived at the Kassam Stadium to witness the start of new chairman Kelvin Thomas's reign at the

  • Gallery of horror

    These shocking images showing the rise of the glamour of knife crime as teenagers pose with knives, swords, imitation firearms and even a meat cleaver on the Internet. The youths aim to impress their friends and intimidate children from rival

  • Positive Patto reaps rewards

    Darren Patterson said he hadn't wavered in his belief of the players he's brought in after they bounced back superbly from Lewes by beating Rushden on Saturday. It was the second good home showing on the spin as they followed on from their

  • Paralysed snowboarder pays tribute to girlfriend

    PARALYSED Tom Nabarro has paid tribute to his girlfriend on his return to the family fold. The former Cherwell School pupil dislocated his neck in a snowboarding accident in April 2007, and has been paralysed from below the shoulders ever since

  • Heed the warning to halt trend

    The pictures we run today are shocking, yet in many ways not surprising. Knife crime has been one of the big headlines of the year and the deaths, particularly in London, cry out for something to be done. But people carrying knives is not a brand

  • Children pose with knives on Internet

    These are the shocking images showing the rise of the glamour of knife crime as teenagers pose with knives, swords, imitation firearms and even a meat cleaver on the Internet. The youths aim to impress their friends and intimidate children

  • Skateboarders take fight to Town Hall

    CAMPAIGNERS battling for a new skatepark in Oxford are taking the fight to the Town Hall today. Skateboarders want city councillors to back plans to install jumps and ramps in Cowley Marsh Park. Three members of the Oxford Wheels Project — formed

  • Daughter demands action on superbugs

    The daughter of a woman whose death was highlighted in David Cameron's attack on hospital infections has demanded NHS managers to ditch their marketing and clean up superbugs instead. The Conservative Party leader and Witney MP read to his party's conference