Global sales of the Cowley-built Mini slipped in September, parent company BMW has revealed. During the month, 22,618 cars were sold, a fall of 5.5 per cent on the same month in 2007. Earlier this week the company revealed UK sales had dropped 19
A woman has been sentenced for fraudulently claiming £8,697.41 in housing benefit, council tax benefit and income support. Karen Ferguson, 27, of Judds Close, was found guilty of benefit fraud at Banbury Magistrates' Court in August and sentenced at
Author Philip Pullman said tonight it was "brilliant" news that a planning inspector had dismissed plans for a block of flats on a former boatyard site in Jericho, Oxford. Last year, Oxford City Council turned down Spring Residential's plans to build
Tributes have been paid to Wantage church deacon and council officer Dot Morrison, who has died suddenly aged 61. Deacon of the Parish of SS Peter and Paul in Wantage with Holy Trinity Charlton, her death on Thursday, September 25, fell on the anniversary
Up TO 20 people are expected to demonstrate against a proposal to build two blocks of flats in Oxford. Developer Persimmon Homes was refused planning permission for up to 57 homes on the former site of Mabel Pritchard School, in St Nicholas Road,
A popular Bicester licensee has died after a short illness. Rose McKeon had run the Littlebury Hotel, in King's End, with her husband Malachy, since 1959, helped by their sons Michael, Malachy, Paul and Denis. Born in 1925, Mrs McKeon was evacuated
Oxford City Council is to investigate the possibility of harvesting rainwater falling on the city's rooftops in a bid to ease the threat of floods. A motion brought by St Mary's ward Green councillor Matt Morton was discussed at the full council
Jazz musician and former Oxford Mail columnist Pat Crumly has died, aged 66. Born and raised in Oxford, Mr Crumly was musically inclined from a young age and, according to his sister Janet Burgess, was always destined to become a musician. Mrs
Thomas Hardy's first great heroine Bathsheba Everdene burst on to the pages of Far From the Madding Crowd in 1874 as a fictional creation years ahead of her time. Independent, self-confident, free-thinking and brave, she was determined to make her
A father accused of breaking down the door of his ex-girlfriend's family's home told police he never entered the house, a court heard. David Holmes denies three charges of putting a person in fear of violence or harassment, one of affray and one of
Wallingford is lagging behind Abingdon and Henley in providing waterborne tourists with moorings on the River Thames. And the news that planned new ones might not be ready in time for next summer was described as a "disaster" at the town council's
Children under 16 repeatedly caught drinking alcohol in Wantage and Grove are to be sent on an education workshop with their parents. Families have welcomed the idea, which aims to educate young drinkers about the risks of drinking. During the
World-famous Shaolin Monks are set to perform at the New Theatre in their new show Shaolin Wheel of Life. It is the first time the group has performed in the UK in four years and its performance at the George Street theatre, on Saturday, October
A gardener involved in an attempted £14,400 scam against a pensioner was jailed today. Oxford Crown Court heard Richard Murphy, 25, above, of Wylie Close, Headington, tried to cash an invalid cheque from 78-year-old Ernest Shepherd after doing three
Six hundred schoolchildren were given first-hand accounts of life in prison as part of a nationwide campaign to reduce knife crime. The North Oxfordshire Academy, in Banbury, was the first school in the county to take part in workshops aimed at persuading
A 40-year-old man was today eared of two charges of sexual activity with a child. The Oxford Crown Court jury in the case of Timothy Ash, of Bourton near Shrivenham, was due on Thursday to continue considering its verdict on a third charge of sexual
Pupils at a Kidlington primary school are enjoying a new sensory and sound garden thanks to a team of Oxford volunteers. Eight managers from British Gas Business — based at Oxford Business Park — spent a day sprucing up the garden at St Thomas More
Giant posters of Morse author Colin Dexter and Lewis actors Kevin Whately and Laurence Fox are urging passers-by to visit Oxford's Ashmolean Museum before it closes for a major revamp. The dramatic photographs celebrate the museum's famous collections
Police have launched an investigation into a suspected arson attack after a man had to be rescued from his Oxford flat. Firefighters were called to a flat above a shop in Windmill Road, Headington, at about 2am yesterday. The man — who has not been
Frankenstein fans were invited to Oxford University's Bodleian Library to see the original manuscripts and celebrate a new book. Library curators organised a special Frankenstein Day today to mark the publication of The Original Frankenstein, a ground-breaking
Speeding drivers are being handed "three strikes and you're out" warnings during speed checks run by residents. Across the county, residents have been spot-checking the speed of vehicles using Oxfordshire County Council's Speed Indicator Devices (SIDs
Four children will leave for the European Hip Hop Dance Championships on Friday with an extra spring in their step. The talented teeny boppers have raised more than £1,000 towards ensuring other children can follow their footsteps on to the world
Two antique clocks were among items stolen during a burglary. Burglars broke into a house in Walnut Trees Hill — the B4507 — in Ashbury, near Wantage, some time between 11.45am and 6pm yesterday. They forced open the rear patio doors and stole
The family of 17-year-old cyclist Sarah Waterhouse who died in a crash on her way to school tonight paid tribute to a 'loving and caring girl'. Sarah, of Marcham, a pupil at Larkmead School, Abingdon, died on Monday when her cycle was involved in a collision
A rugby stalwart was crushed to death by a JCB driven by a man who did not have the qualifications to be at the controls, an inquest heard. Tony Cripps, 57, of Cooper Close, in Chipping Norton, was working as a gardener at JCB boss Sir Anthony Bamford's
Up to 20 people are expected to demonstrate against a proposal to build two blocks of flats in Oxford. Developer Persimmon Homes was refused planning permission for up to 57 homes on the former site of Mabel Pritchard School, in St Nicholas Road, Littlemore
South Oxfordshire District Council has refused to confirm whether Didcot's town square will be named by the people. In June, residents were asked to pick their favourite name for the area alongside the cinema and Cornerstone arts centre from a shortlist
A vision of what Didcot town centre could look like after a £150m redevelopment is being unveiled tomorrow. A draft masterplan, which will be on show at the Cornerstone Arts Centre between 9.30am and 1.30pm, shows the proposed layout and the type of
Two antique clocks were among items stolen during a burglary. Burglars broke into a house in Walnut Trees Hill — the B4507 — in Ashbury, near Wantage, some time between 11.45am and 6pm yesterday. They forced open the rear patio doors and stole two
Horse & Harrow will face Nelson A in the area final of the all-England Team Knockout at the Gladiators Club next Tuesday after a 3-0 win against Didcot Conservative Club. Maxi McDonnell, Gary Johnson (7,210) and Butch Lawson (8,090) won their first
Premier leaders Nelson A went down to a surprise 4-1 defeat at Horse & Harrow in Johnsons Buildbase Oxford & District League. John Scoones defeated Pauline Withey 6,270-1,260 in the first game, with Butch Lawson beating Mark Trafford 4,660-1,800.
Oxford Saints marked their 25th anniversary with three days of celebration. Originally called the Oxford Bulldogs, the club was founded by Steve Abbott after he watched the Super Bowl between the Washington Redskins and Miami Dolphins on Channel
Oxford City Stars threw away an early two-goal lead as they had to settle for a 2-2 draw at struggling Haringey in English National League South Division 1. The result gives Haringey their first point of the season and cuts Stars' lead at the
Bobby McGarry and Guy Simmons both hit sixers as Banbury won both their matches in the Banbury & District Indoor League, sponsored by Hook Norton Brewery. McGarry's maximum came in the 6-0 victory over Tysoe SSC, with Simmons's in the 6
English Short Mat Association Inter County Competition Oxfordshire's Premier side made it two wins out of two with a 29-11 victory over Warwickshire at Wallingford to go top of Group 4. Oxon came out on top 191-160 on shots to follow up their win
7.45: Greencroft Roxy, Miss Wigg, DONOTTELL SUE, Zigzag Katie 2, Nodrog Millie 3, Rosy Les. 8.00: Bagatelle Rain 3, Burbank Posh, The Cashier, ARDMAYLE JOKER, Farloe Heart 2, Margan Fillette. 8.15: GREENFIELD JOY, Broadacres Aoife 3, Tourna Burren,
Chinnor flanker Angus Neilson has been banned for six weeks after being found guilty of a dangerous tackle. Neilson cannot play again until November 17 following the 'spear tackle' on Henley Hawks wing Jack Shaylor on September 13. The Australian,
Abingdon Under 13s secured their greatest triumph by winning an Oxfordshire RFU tournament at Wallingford. They came through what looked a difficult group by beating Grove (12-0), Henley (12-0) and Witney (7-3). The semi-finals saw Abingdon defeat
Henley Hawks director of rugby Jason Forster was in far better mood after his side defeated Richmond 28-19 in National 3 South. Forster had criticised his players last week for a below-par display despite winning at Worthing. But this time, he said
A history graduate studied the doodles of famous alumni at his Oxford college to edit a book of their witty comments. Richard Chapman, 22, was asked by Exeter College to edit the book of undergraduates' drawings and comments from the 1950s.
Richard Wilson, Philip Pullman and Oliver Ford Davies are among the latest stars confirmed for the Oxford Playhouse's anniversary celebrations. The Beaumont Street theatre is holding a week of events to mark its 70th anniversary later this month
Thousands of people descended on the Oxford Canal to celebrate Banbury's fifth annual Canal Day. The waterway was brought alive with a host of free family fun, including horse and cart rides, a falconry display — where six-year-old Ally Kingston
Two inspirational Oxford women have been invited to a special event aimed at recognising the achievements of women. Sister Frances Dominica, the founder of pioneering East Oxford children's hospice Helen and Douglas House, and Susan Foster, who
Last week's article on Witney prop Mark Serle prompted reader Tony Verdin to get in touch. Serle wondered, at 49, if he was the oldest first-team player Oxfordshire. Verdin said: "I cannot match Mark Serle's achievement as I have never, apart from
A rehabilitation boot camp that is "tougher than prison" is quietly transforming the lives of drug and alcohol abusers — and sending every successful graduate into employment. At the Ley Community — a residential centre set in five acres of
The Oxfordshire's Daniel Wood was crowned joint winner of the BB&O Assistants Championship at Drayton Park. Wood and Mike O'Connor (The Lambourne) agreed to share the trophy with the light fading. Wood, 27, head assistant professional at The Oxfordshire
Burford defeated Chipping Norton 3-0 in three tight matches to go top of Section 1 in the Shaw Gibbs Oxfordshire Foursomes League. Andy Purdy holed an eight-iron to help him and John Lally to victory in match two. North Oxford's Charlie Powell, 16
Thousands of people descended on the Oxford Canal to celebrate Banbury's fifth annual Canal Day. The waterway was brought alive with a host of free family fun, including horse and cart rides, a falconry display — where six-year-old Ally Kingston made
Congratulations to Dave, who celebrates his 42th birthday tomorrow. Yes, the Bermuda short-wearing Witney MP and hip Tory leader really is getting on a bit — even if it looks as if he hasn't started shaving yet. But we must offer a cautionary tale
Richard Wilson, Philip Pullman and Oliver Ford Davies are among the latest stars confirmed for the Oxford Playhouse's anniversary celebrations. The Beaumont Street theatre is holding a week of events to mark its 70th anniversary later this month.
A rehabilitation boot camp that is "tougher than prison" is quietly transforming the lives of drug and alcohol abusers — and sending every successful graduate into employment. At the Ley Community — a residential centre set in five acres of
Can Sir Hugo Brunner tell us how he or someone else selected four women and only two men to become Deputy Lieutenants of Oxfordshire (Oxford Mail, August 13)? That was hardly proportional, was it? Or was it positive discrimination against the male gender
I will admit my rear number plate was dirty and difficult to read. But I did feel harshly treated by a policeman who was accompanying a young and attractive female Pcso on a walkabout. As I returned to my car, he asked if I was the owner. Surely not
In reply to Chris Boswell's letter, Let's have free park-and-ride (Oxford Mail, October 6), the county council press release was clear about what was going to be free from October 1. As for making the park-and-ride bus journey free, I am afraid Mr Boswell
AEA Technology 38.5 BMW 1865 Electrocomponents 151.25 Nationwide Accident Repair 108.5 Oxford Biomedica 6.5 Oxford Catalyst 170 Oxford Instruments 219.25 Reed Elsevier 505.25 RM 168.5 RPS Group 192.25 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
Two inspirational Oxford women have been invited to a special event aimed at recognising the achievements of women. Sister Frances Dominica, the founder of pioneering East Oxford children's hospice Helen and Douglas House, and Susan Foster, who has
A history graduate studied the doodles of famous alumni at his Oxford University college to edit a book of their witty comments. Richard Chapman, 22, was asked by Exeter College to edit the book of undergraduates' drawings and comments from the 1950s
A planning inspector has turned down an appeal by developers to build a large block of flats on the former boatyard site in Jericho. In August, Spring Residential appealed against the city council's decision to refuse the plan to build 54 flats and
Oxford-based Carolyn Plateau's London 2012 Olympic bid was boosted at the weekend after her coach Andy Beadle received a training master-class from double Olympic gold medallist Dame Kelly Holmes. Beadle was hand-picked by Dame Kelly to take part in
A planning inspector has turned down an appeal by developers to build a large block of flats on the former boatyard site in Jericho. In August, Spring Residential appealed against the city council's decision to refuse the plan to build 54 flats
Oxford City's vet 50 team clocked up another convincing victory to take the gold medal at the BMAF cross country relays in Mansfield. Two laps of an undulating course saw the four-man team of Chris Sykes, Trevor Dixon, Richard Grant and Brian Green
One out of eight premises was caught selling alcohol to underage youths during a test purchasing operation in Wantage and Grove. The operation on Saturday saw teenagers enter the licensed premises accompanied by undercover licensing officers and attempt
The group would, said Aled Jones, require "no introduction to regular listeners of Good Morning Sunday". So he didn't bother to introduce them. Only at the end of Aled's interview did it become clear that his guests on the Radio 2 show had been Blake
The true star of the new film Brideshead Revisited — as of the Granada television series against which it is being so disadvantageously measured by many — is Sir John Vanbrugh's Yorkshire pile, Castle Howard. Director Julian Jarrold might, one assumes
Private Eye has taken to referring to the Daily Telegraph as the Daily Hellograph because so much of its content these days is celebrity-led. A curious story last week, however, suggested news values little different from those of a parish magazine. The
I hailed the Lambert Arms at Aston Rowant "a worthwhile discovery" after a resolutely unromantic St Valentine's Night dinner last year (romance — at my age?). Pondering why I had never visited during my previous 35 years as a resident of the county
In an ideal world all animals bred for human consumption should live in a similar environment as those lucky enough to be reared at Sheepdrove Organic Farm, near Lambourne — unfortunately, most don’t. Sheepdrove came into being more than 30 years ago
I don't understand the passion for fashion. I realise there is peer pressure as well as incitements from shops and the media, but why are some people so fixated on the latest trends in clothing? It's as much a mystery as why fashion models look so grumpy
Misanthropy, torrential rain and caravans... things didn’t bode well for our trip to Oakdene Holiday Park on the edge of the New Forest. Weather forecasters were predicting apocalyptic downpours and temperatures low enough to put off even the
If you place an organic free-range chicken from Sheepdrove Organic alongside a chicken that has been intensively reared you can tell the difference immediately. The broiler chicken, which has lived its short life in a large airless shed, will often display
Matteo Garrone's Gomorrah is a messy, sprawling and often devastating insight into the operation of the underworld organisation Camorra in the rundown tenements of Naples. The speed and complexity of this adaptation of Roberto Saviano's bestseller is
In keeping with their commitment to staging rare 18th-century opera, Bampton Opera directors Jeremy Gray and Gilly French have this year resurrected Mozart’s Apollo and Hyacinth, which they first staged as a joint education project with Queen’s College
During the 1950s and ’60s, the spectre of nuclear war loomed large. Nations were crippled with fear and paranoia, constructing nuclear fallout shelters to sustain the population for months, if not years after an attack. Jeanne DuPrau expanded the idea
Nine artists from the Oxford Printmakers Co-operative are celebrating their 30th anniversary using traditional and innovative processes and a wide range of materials. Influenced by the Japanese 'wood-cut' blocks Josephine Sumner uses three or four bright
Art Jericho is a welcome new addition to Oxford’s galleries. As an exhibition space, it works well and it is fast establishing a reputation for mounting innovative and interesting work. Nature’s Idyll — Landscape Visions in the 21st Century is no exception
It is believed that financial pressures may have contributed to the untimely death of Johannes Vermeer, and this inherent contradiction in the artist’s status — as both genius and, essentially, employee — is central to the narrative of Tracy Chevalier
In front of me was a 60-year-old, next to me were two 18-year-olds and across the aisle was a young man on crutches who by the end of the show was on his feet, rocking with the rest of us. Status Quo are undoubtedly still capable of providing a lot of
A series of stunning images by Oxfordshire photographer Roddy McColl are now on display at the O3 Gallery, Oxford Castle. Port Meadow: A Year in Photographs remains on display until Sunday, October 19. Those who already know and love Port Meadow
Many of the concerts in this year’s OCMF included pieces by Astor Piazolla, the Argentinean composer. Rooted firmly in tango, Piazolla drew on jazz and classical traditions to produce works of a unique character. It is music which defies easy classification
Thomas Hardy's first great heroine Bathsheba Everdene burst on to the pages of Far From the Madding Crowd in 1874 as a fictional creation years ahead of her time. Independent, self-confident, free-thinking and brave, she was determined to make her mark
Seven drivers were fined for speeding at a police checkpoint in south Oxfordshire today. Police carried out speed checks on the A329 at Moulsford, near Wallingford, between 8am and 10am. Officers stopped 25 drivers for speeding and 18 were
A woman has been sentenced for fraudulently claiming thousands of pounds worth of benefits. Karen Ferguson, 27, of Judds Close, Witney, claimed £8,697.41 in housing benefit, council tax benefit and income support. She was found guilty of benefit fraud
Global sales of the Cowley-built Mini slipped in September, latest figures from parent company BMW have revealed. During the month, 22,618 cars were sold, a fall of 5.5 per cent on the same month in 2007. Earlier this week, the company revealed UK
Police are appealing for help in tracing a man who may be stained with red dye after stealing a cash box during a robbery at a filling station. Officers believe the man may have travelled to Warwickshire to commit the robbery and are widening their
A woman has been sentenced for fraudulently claiming thousands of pounds worth of benefits. Karen Ferguson, 27, of Judds Close, in Witney, claimed £8,697.41 in housing benefit, council tax benefit and income support. She was found guilty of benefit
Police today appealed for witnesses after an arson attack at a property in Headington in the early hours. Sometime before 2am, the front door of a flat in Old High Street was set alight. Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service crew Manager Shaun Betts
Chancellor Alistair Darling today pledged Government help for about 300,000 UK savers with Icelandic Internet bank Icesave. Depositors were left facing an anxious wait to find out whether they would get their money back after Icesave’s parent company
A west Oxfordshire firm is bucking the gloomy economic climate by taking on new staff, mainly on the back of a contract to inspect the country's railways. Zetica, at Hanborough Business Park, could help Network Rail save millions of pounds with a radar
Global sales of the Cowley-built Mini slipped in September, latest figures from parent company BMW have revealed. During the month, 22,618 cars were sold, a fall of 5.5 per cent on the same month in 2007. But sales for the first nine months of the
Firefighters rescued a man from a first-floor flat in Headington, Oxford, today after he was alerted to a blaze by a smoke alarm. Fire crews from Rewley Road and The Slade were called to the fire, in Old High Street, at 2am. Crew manager Shaun Betts
A man took a gang of friends around to his ex-girlfriend's house and then tried to set dogs on her, a court heard yesterday. David Holmes, 29, of Arnold's Way, Cumnor, is also accused of being armed with a knife and threatening ex-girlfriend
AEA Technology 36.5 BMW 1762 Electrocomponents 153.5 Nationwide Accident Repair 109.5 Oxford Biomedica 6.1 Oxford Catalyst 170 Oxford Instruments 208.5 Reed Elsevier 507 RM 165.75 RPS Group 195.5 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
The ancient language that Alexander the Great used to command his vast empire is to be taught on an Oxford estate. Koine Greek — the language of philosophy, mathematics and mythology — will be taught in a six week course in Blackbird Leys. From
A father took a gang of friends around to his ex-girlfriend's house and then tried to set dogs on her, a jury heard yesterday. David Holmes is also accused of being armed with a knife and threatening ex-girlfriend Kirsty Bradbury in a dispute
The headteacher of a school where no punishments are imposed on its pupils — no matter what they have done — has called for restorative justice to be introduced at mainstream schools. Oxford's Iffley Mead School does not suspend or expel its pupils.
An elderly man was killed and two other motorists remain seriously ill in hospital after a four-vehicle pile-up. The man in his 80s, who has not been named, was driving a red Volkswagen along Bletchingdon Road from Islip towards the A34 shortly after
A teenage cyclist who was killed on her way to school was due to submit her application to Cambridge University later this month, her headteacher said last night. Talented Larkmead School student Sarah Waterhouse, who achieved 4 As in her AS-Levels
One of the first supporters to take up new chairman Kelvin Thomas's plea to come and see him reckons the Oxford United's new openness was refreshing. Jonathan Duckworth, from Shipton-under-Wychwood, has worked in different sporting environments and
HOW to tackle disruptive and threatening behaviour in schools has long been a testing question for parents and teachers alike. And the methods currently being employed at Iffley Mead School in Oxford are sure to divide opinion. No pupil there is ever
THE headteacher of a school where no punishments are imposed on its pupils — no matter what they have done — has called for restorative justice to be introduced at struggling mainstream schools. Oxford's Iffley Mead School does not suspend
Householders in west Oxfordshire face a major shake-up with their waste collections — with bins being emptied once-a-fortnight. Just a week after Conservative Party leader and Witney MP David Cameron pledged to allow councils to revert back to weekly
The ancient language that Alexander the Great used to command his vast empire is to be taught on an Oxford estate. Koine Greek — the language of philosophy, mathematics and mythology — will be taught in a six week course in Blackbird Leys.
A teenage cyclist who was killed on her way to school was due to submit her application to Cambridge University later this month, her headteacher said last night. Talented Larkmead School student Sarah Waterhouse, who achieved 4 As in her AS-Levels
