Archive

  • Mac on mark in friendly

    STRIKER Craig McAllister was on the scoresheet as United won 2-0 at Witney United in their friendly. Darren Patterson gave Jamie Hand an hour for his debut in midfield. Despite only meeting his teammates half an hour before kick-off, Hand gave an

  • United get helping Hand!

    Oxford United manager Darren Patterson has signed midfielder Jamie Hand on emergency loan from Lincoln City until the end of the season. He played in the friendly at Witney United and is in contention to start in Saturday's trip to Forest Green Rovers

  • RUGBY: Skipper Clarke starts with a win

    Peter Clarke marked his first game as Oxford University captain by leading them to an exciting 25-24 victory over Penguins at Iffley Road last night - their first success over the invitation side for six years. The teams alternated six tries in a loose

  • Rail firm gets warning signal

    The Government today finally lost patience with rail firm First Great Western over the rough ride commuters get. Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly issued the company a remedial notice - the first ever - ordering it to improve, after months of complaints

  • Colourful coffins go green

    PEOPLE are increasingly being told their carbon footprint from living is killing the planet. Now it seems we are doing the same by dying. A Cowley coffin company has worked out 215 kilograms of carbon dioxide is emitted whenever the average body is

  • School first to be rated 'outstanding'

    AN OXFORD secondary school has become the first in the county to be rated "outstanding" by education watchdogs. Ofsted inspector Peter Limm told the 1,777 pupils at the Cherwell School, in Marston Ferry Road, North Oxford, they received a top education

  • Drink-driver died after two crashes

    A DRINK-DRIVER died after he was involved in two accidents in less than half an hour, an inquest heard today. Stephen Kamau was almost four times the drink-drive limit when he died at the wheel of his Vauxhall Astra on the A4074 near Sandford Road,

  • Death-crash doctor keeps job

    A DOCTOR who was convicted of causing the death of a motorcyclist by dangerous driving has escaped sanctions from the General Medical Council. Dr Thuli Whitehouse drove into the path of motorcyclist Robert Murrell, 33, of Southmoor, near Abingdon,

  • Drink driver died after two accidents

    A drunken driver died after he was involved in two accidents in less than half an hour, an inquest heard today. Stephen Kamau was almost four times the drink-drive limit when he died at the wheel of his Vauxhall Astra on the A4074 near Sandford Road

  • Coffin firm goes green

    People are increasingly being told their carbon footprint from living is killing the planet. Now it seems we're doing the same by dying. A Cowley coffin company has worked out 215 kilograms of carbon dioxide is emitted whenever the average body is cremated

  • FOOTBALL: Robinson is hero for Broughton

    A late equaliser from Craig Robinson saw Broughton & North Newington snatch a 2-2 draw against Banbury District & Lord Jersey FA Premier Division high-fliers Bodicote. With five minutes left it looked as though Bodicote would take the points, but Robinson's

  • FOOTBALL: Drayton title bid is dented

    Drayton's Division 1 title bid suffered a big setback as defending champions Lambourn Sports took over at the top of the North Berks League with a 2-1 victory. Kevin Kogel gave Drayton the lead firing home after Danny Curran's overhead kick crashed

  • FOOTBALL: Nicholls treble sinks Star

    Murray Nicholls hit a hat-trick to give a revitalised Highfield a 3-1 win at Star Wanderers in the Marston's Oxford Sunday League President's Cup quarter- finals. Nicholls fired Highfield, who were boosted by the arrival of several new signings, ahead

  • FOOTBALL: Payne spot-on for super bell

    Bell Grove goalkeeper Craig Payne saved two penalties as the Division 3 underdogs reached the quarter-finals of the Autotype UTV League's Devenney Cup with a thrilling 4-2 shoot-out victory against Division 1 side Cross Keys. With the sides locked at

  • 6,000 plea: Keep post offices open

    Communities across the county who face losing their post offices have been urged to have their say before it's too late. More than 6,000 people have already signed Oxford Mail petitions against the proposed closure of 22 Oxfordshire branches - but campaigners

  • GREYHOUNDS: Wednesday's Oxford runners

    2.18: Rash Investment 2, Shes A Handful, Miss Wigg 3, Clune Budd, Carnaross Beauty, HUSKY SARAH. 2.37: Young Diva, Miss Clara Belle, ROWANSHEE CHIEF, True Babs 3, Jason 2, Ledwell Leader. 2.57: Oh So Pretty, TOM JOES FLYER, Fairyfield Daisy 3, Strong

  • FOOTBALL: King's top treble sinks Worcester

    Dan King's superb hat-trick helped Witney & District outfit Hailey spring a big shock in the Oxfordshire Charity Cup quarter-finals by thrashing Oxfordshire Senior League side Worcester & Bletchingdon 6-2. Player-manager King was in top form, although

  • FOOTBALL: Horspath battlers get back on track

    Horspath ended their poor run of results with a 2-1 home win over Kennington in the Oxfordshire Senior League Premier Division. Sam Gordon and Paul Flack netted for Horspath, before Kennington pulled one back. Chadlington came back from two goals

  • Death crash doctor keeps job

    A doctor who was convicted of causing the death of a motorcyclist by dangerous driving has escaped sanctions from the General Medical Council. Dr Thuli Whitehouse drove into the path of motorcyclist Robert Murrell, 33, of Southmoor, near Abingdon, in

  • Plan to make bittern less shy

    A nature reserve is hoping to attract greater numbers of two of Britain's rarest bird species after landing a £150,000 grant. The RSPB's Otmoor Reserve in Beckley, near Oxford, is aiming to increase the number of bitterns and snipe that come to the

  • No change to recycling target

    Jean Fooks, the councillor in charge of Oxford's waste collection arrangements, has rubbished claims by the Greens that the city's recycling target has been lowered on the quiet. Last week, the Greens said Oxford City Council's corporate plan contained

  • School outstanding, says Ofsted

    Oxford's largest secondary school has become the first in the county to be rated "outstanding" by education watchdogs. Ofsted inspector Peter Limm told the 1,777 pupils at the Cherwell School, in Marston Ferry Road, North Oxford, they received a top

  • Pubs and clubs urged to ditch glass

    PUBS and clubs that fail to stop fights in their premises could be forced to give up their glassware. There have been 30 incidents in Oxfordshire in the past six months of glasses or bottles being used as weapons in pubs and clubs. But under

  • New parenting groups offer help and advice

    Two new groups have started on an Oxford estate, offering advice and support to young couples and parents from ethnic minorities. Baby G and the Chandni Group kicked off their weekly classes at Rose Hill and Littlemore Children's Centre in The Oval,

  • Derelict flats are a 'danger area'

    YOUNG mother Victoria Gulley tries to avoid walking past a vandalised, derelict block of flats which she says have become a danger area since they were last occupied two years ago. The state of the former servicemen's quarters in Upwood Drive, Carterton

  • Cash campaign for hospital gardens

    TWO fundraisers called Ann, two gardens for the sick and infirm and two sets of patients set to benefit. Widow Ann Bowler and nurse Ann Readhead are working hard to raise much-needed cash for Oxford's Churchill and John Radcliffe Hospitals

  • Lead thieves attack OAP

    A pensioner was struck over the head as he tried to stop two youths stealing lead from a church roof. Police are appealing for witnesses after the 73-year-old man was assaulted at St Nicholas' Church in Tackley at 3pm on Saturday. He confronted the

  • Hopes rise over Peers swimming pool

    Campaigners trying to save Peers Sports Centre say they have been given fresh hope that similar facilities could be incorporated into the soon-to-open Oxford Academy. Although the crumbling sports centre will stay open until September, when Peers School

  • Pupils get a master class

    Students from Oxford University have been taking time out from lectures to help GCSE students boost their grades. Modern languages students visited five secondary schools in Oxford to offer support to Year 11 pupils ahead of their GCSE exams in French

  • District's tax to go up 4.9%

    Householders in West Oxfordshire will be paying an extra £1 a week in their council tax bills during the coming year. The above inflation increase follows a 4.9 per cent rise in the district council's share of the total bill - making a total increase

  • Dog’s success is not to be sniffed at

    A drugs dog sent into East Oxford pubs and clubs has sniffed out more than 30 drug users and dealers. And officers believe the dog - a privately trained black labrador - has identified a "significant" Class A drugs dealer. The 21-year-old woman, from

  • Derelict flats are a 'danger area'

    Young mum Victoria Gulley tries to avoid walking past a vandalised, derelict block of flats which she says have become a danger area since they were last occupied two years ago. The state of the former servicemen's quarters in Upwood Drive, Carterton

  • Pubs and clubs urged to ditch glass

    Pubs and clubs that fail to stop fights in their premises could be forced to give up their glass- ware. There have been 30 incidents in Oxfordshire in the past six months of glasses or bottles being used as weapons in pubs and clubs. But under a plan

  • Local Share Prices

    26/02/2008 PM AEA Technology 78.25 BMW 2804 Electrocomponents 183 Nationwide Accident Repair 129 Oxford Biomedica 28.25 Oxford Catalyst 145 Oxford Instruments 193.5 REED 633.25 RM 214.5 RPS Group 282.5

  • Thieves steal 25 ladders

    POLICE today appealed for witnesses after 25 ladders were stolen from the Osney Mead Industrial Estate, Oxford. The ladders were taken from Speedy Hire between 5pm yesterday and 7am today. PC Matthew Kent said: "Half of the ladders are engraved

  • Cash campaign for hospital gardens

    Two fundraisers called Ann, two gardens for the sick and infirm and two sets of patients set to benefit. Widow Ann Bowler and nurse Ann Readhead are working hard to raise much-needed cash for Oxford's Churchill and John Radcliffe Hospitals. Their

  • I've gone crazy

    Well it seems that way. I have celebrated returning to running from a long term injury by signing up for every stupid event I can get my hands on! After the craziness of the snap decision to do the Olympic distance at London I thought I would learn

  • FOOTBALL: Green is four-midable!

    BEN Green hammered a four-timer as Fairview thrashed Golden Ball 8-1 in the RT Harris Oxford City FA Premier Cup. Kevin Warman and Craig Beale each hit a brace, with Craig Woods replying. Mentor Brasha fired a last-minute winner from long range as

  • FOOTBALL: Lapse costs Oxon dear

    OXFORDSHIRE Under 16s fell to a 1-0 defeat at Gloucestershire in their South West Counties Youth Championship game, but were left wondering how they failed to win. Only superb goalkeeping by the home side's Daniel O'Brien kept Oxon out - Corey Forbes

  • FOOTBALL: Sam rescues Vale

    SAM Short hit a late equaliser for Vale of White Horse Under 13s as their Meeson Trophy clash against Swindon finished in a 1-1 draw at Milton United. An excellent tackle and pass by Billy Cooper two minutes from time sent Short racing away, and he

  • GIRLS' FOOTBALL: Bishop bags four

    Oxford Mail Girls League Carterton celebrated winning the Under 10 League title with a 5-1 victory over Wantage. Molly Bishop was the star of the show as she helped herself to a four-timer. Bishop netted twice as the home side raced into a two-goal

  • LADIES' FOOTBALL: City go top

    Oxford City crushed leaders Riverside Strikers 6-1 to take over at the top of the Southern Region Women's Premier Division. Unbeaten City started the game in third place, but leapfrogged Riverside and Shanklin to lead on goal difference. Lauren Carnell's

  • The magic of Montecatini

    In the third in his series profiling unique European spa destinations, Jochen Erler visits the largest spa resort town in Italy The spa town of Montecatini, located between Florence and Pisa, owes its therapeutic success to the salt-sulphate-alkaline

  • How Hilda got a head start

    Ann Spokes Symonds talks to Hilda Bulpitt about the golden age of Oxford department stores Hilda Bulpitt had always wanted to work in a millinery department of a big department store. Now 97, she looks back with pleasure on her 30 years at Webbers,

  • Divorce and the over-50s

    One of the most curious features of divorce trends over the past 30 years is that divorces have tended to become less acrimonious and less traumatic - except for the over-50s, writes John Arnott When the children are growing up and starting to leave

  • Pensioners’ playground

    CRAIG WOODHOUSE visits the UK's first play area for the young at heart Britain's first pensioners' playground' opened in Greater Manchester last month with one elderly user declaring it made her feel 21 again! The £15,000 outdoor facility in Dam

  • Don’t just moan to the council, do something!

    Have you found yourself looking around your local neighbourhood and wishing the council or somebody else would do something about the littered park, the empty properties, the kids hanging about the streets or elderly people with no community events to

  • All the Queen’s horses

    There aren't many people in their 80s whose pastime is horse riding, writes Tony Jones. But, galloping towards her 82nd birthday, the Queen still rides out whenever she can at Windsor, Sandringham and Balmoral Astonishingly, the Queen has been riding

  • Meet the man who wants to make you money

    Headlines describe Martin Lewis as a 'modern-day Robin Hood,' or some sort of debt-solving saint. In short, he is fast becoming the man most of us turn to when we need financial advice, writes Andy Welch Martin Lewis is the self-styled Money-Saving

  • Travelling in Tuscany

    Although the great majority of us still want to enjoy lazing on sunny beaches, activity holidays have become more fashionable. Wine tourism is one of the most popular, writes Jochen Erler For wine-lovers there is a wide choice of tours available.

  • Sorry, can you say that again?

    round nine million people suffer from hearing loss, yet most consider even simple household DIY problems more important to tackle before getting help, according to new research. Few have hearing tests - less than ten percent had a test in the last year

  • Mind your language

    Dianne Bown-Wilson reveals how not to sound old before your time Be honest now. How many times in the last week have you justified a momentary lapse of concentration or memory loss by saying I'm having a senior moment', or It's my age'? How often did

  • The full Monty

    Monty Don likes gardening. A lot. In fact, when the 52-year-old went travelling last year in order to shoot his new television show Around The World In 80 Gardens, he got withdrawal symptoms. "Not only did I suffer but since I started gardening again

  • Thieves assault 73-year-old man

    A 73-YEAR-OLD man was assaulted after he stopped two youths from stealing the lead from the roof of a church in Tackley. At 3pm on Saturday, the man spotted the youths trying to remove lead from St Nicholas's Church. He confronted them, but they responded

  • Once a backbone

    I thank David Kyffin, of the Victoria Arms, Old Marston, for his kind remarks regarding my stance against the closure of many pubs (Oxford Mail, February 20). During my long-gone halcyon younger days, I was a frequent visitor to the Vicky. I vividly

  • Success of the base

    I have been very interested to read the coverage your newspaper has given to the planning application at Heyford Park, as one of my clients is the North Oxfordshire Consortium. Over the last 12 years, Heyford Park has offered a wide range of competitively

  • Pensioners are badly treated

    I recently attended a pensioners' forum chaired by the Liberal Democrats in Oxford Town Hall. The way that pensioners are treated in our country is simply appalling. I heard quite a few aggrieved pensioners airing their woes at this public meeting

  • Supermarket leads the way

    Sourcing with integrity, respecting our fragile environment and making a difference to the lives of suppliers are important factors THROUGH buying Fairtrade products shoppers can help t guarantee farmers in the developing world a fair and stable price

  • Commit to making a change

    The theme of Fairtrade Fortnight 2008 which runs from Monday until March 9, is Change Today, Choose Fairtrade Many shops, eateries and othe venues around the county will be taking part in the event The Fairtrade Bus will be stopping off at towns around

  • Fairtrade Fortnight raise consumer

    Next Monday sees the start of the eight annual Fairtrade Fortnight. which aim s to raide consumer awareness in the UK. To focus on the event Fairtrade nut brand Liberation has put together a list of ten things you might not know about Fairtrade The first

  • Man arrested following fight

    A man was arrested after a fight in Market Square in Witney on Friday. At about 2.10am, officers were called to a fight and found a 21-year-old man with facial injuries who was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford. An 18-year-old man was

  • Man injured in fight

    A MAN was assaulted in a fight in Market Square, Witney. At about 2.10am on Friday, officers were called to a fight and found a 21-year-old man with facial injuries who was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford. An 18-year-old man was arrested

  • Missing man’s car found

    A car owned by a missing man has been found abandoned in Oxfordshire. Police are appealing for information on the whereabouts of John Farrow, 54, who went missing from his house in Yardley Gobion, Northamptonshire, yesterday. Officers are concerned

  • Appealing for EU flood funds

    A senior council officer from Oxfordshire is in Brussels this week to seek European money for the cost of last summer's floods. Cath James is being joined by Parmit Dhanda, MP for Gloucester, as part of the British Government's application for recovery

  • Dead driver named

    A Banbury man who died in a car crash near Bedford on Sunday has been named as Tariq Akhtar. The 22-year-old was driving a Vauxhall Astra which was involved in a collision with a taxi on the A421. Two other people, the taxi driver and his passenger,

  • Driver, 22, dies in crash

    A MAN from Banbury who died in a car crash near Bedford, on Sunday, has been named as Tariq Akhtar. The 22-year-old was driving a Vauxhall Astra which collided with a taxi on the A421. Two other people, the taxi driver and a his passenger also died

  • Officer makes flood cash plea

    A SENIOR council officer from Oxfordshire is in Brussels this week to seek European money for the cost of last summer's floods. Cath James is being joined by Parmit Dhanda, MP for Gloucester, as part of the British Government's application for recovery

  • Missing man's car found

    POLICE issued an appeal today after a car belonging to a missing man was found in Burford. John Farrow, 54, went missing from his address in Yardley Gobion, Northamp- tonshire, yesterday and police said they were concerned for his safety due to his

  • Sunshine here I come!

    Just been packing my bags ready for 10 days warm weather training in Lanzarote, so the wind and rain lashing down in Oxford right now aren't bothering me one bit! I can't wait to get out on the bike in Lanza, the infamous hills and wind are great for

  • £29m upgrade from First Great Western

    Under-fire First Great Western today announced an additional £29m package of measures to help rail passengers. Following discussions with the Department for Transport, First Great Western agreed the comprehensive package of passenger benefits to address

  • Rail firm plans £29m investment

    UNDER-FIRE rail company First Great Western today announced an additional £29m package of measures to help its passengers. Following discussions with the Department for Transport (DfT), First Great Western agreed the comprehensive package of passenger

  • 'Man held in 'axe' alert

    A 20-year-old was arrested after reports of a man wielding an axe in Oxford. A group of youths were stopped by police in Gibbs Crescent, West Oxford, at about 4.30pm yesterday. A man with a hammer was arrested for possession of an offensive weapon

  • Man remanded on murder charge

    A MAN has been remanded in custody charged with the canal boat murder of Maurice Batts. James Thomas Crane, aged 53, from Springfield Avenue, Banbury, was charged on Sunday and appeared at Banbury Magistrates' Court yesterday. Mr Batts, aged 64, was

  • Thug jailed for attack

    A THUG described as an 'urban savage' was jailed yesterday for breaking a man's jaw in a drunken street brawl. Leroy Fox, 23, had admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent after punching a man in Banbury last year. Judge Tom Corrie sentenced

  • Car ablaze

    A CAR was set alight in a suspected arson attack in Caversfield. Firefighters from Bicester took 15 minutes to tackle the blaze in a Ford Fiesta in Turnpike Road, Caversfield, at about 3.45am on Sunday. No one was hurt. The cause of the fire is being

  • Young Knives rock HMV music store

    OXFORD rockers Young Knives played a free city centre gig in front of about 100 fans last night. The band played for half an hour at HMV, in Cornmarket Street, to promote their new single Up All Night. The trio, who recently dropped the prefix 'The'

  • Doctor faces GMC verdict

    THE General Medical Council will today rule on what should happen to the doctor whose driving led to the death of motorcyclist Robert Murrell, of Southmoor, on the A420 near Appleton in June 2006. Dr Thuli Whitehouse, 27, of Bristol, was found guilty

  • Pay it back

    A MAN has been ordered by Oxford Crown Court to pay back the £56,241 he earned while running a brothel with his wife at a proceeds of crime hearing yesterday. Ervin Bega, 26, of The Parade in Kidlington, was jailed for 45 weeks in December for assisting

  • Boy remanded on rape charge

    A 14-year-old boy accused of raping and robbing a 19-year-old woman near the John Allen Centre in Cowley has been remanded in custody. The teenager, who cannot be named, appeared at Oxford Crown Court yesterday. He is due to reappear on April 21 to

  • Penk leaves Fox FM early

    FOX FM DJ Steve Penk has presented his last show for the radio station after quitting earlier than expected. The host had been set to leave next month after announcing his resignation on air in January, citing "internal politics". But he ended his

  • Lidl plans new store

    DISCOUNT chain Lidl plans to open a store in Witney. Lidl is holding an exhibition at the town's Langdale Hall on Thursday, from noon to 5pm. No formal application has yet been deposited with West Oxfordshire District Council, but the company says

  • Prince backs village homes

    PRINCE Charles dropped in on families in Bletchingdon after helping them to move to affordable accommodation. Villagers have been given the opportunity to live in 12 homes in Springwell Close, on land provided by the Prince's estate, the Duchy of Cornwall

  • Police to get 'helmet cams'

    POLICE across the county are to be equipped with cameras which fit to their cycle helmets or shoulders after a successful pilot in East Oxford. It is expected officers should be using the BWVCs - Body Worn Video Recording cameras - by the summer.

  • Effects expert wins Oscar

    A SPECIAL effects expert has completed a remarkable journey from Eynsham to Hollywood - by picking up an Oscar. Ben Morris, 37, who went to the village's Bartholomew School and whose parents live in Park Lane, Appleton, collected the gong for

  • FOOTBALL: Didcot write off Powell

    Former Oxford United midfielder Paul Powell is unlikely to play for Didcot Town again, according to boss Stuart Peace. The manager of the British Gas Business Southern League Division 1 South & West leaders says he can't see Powell figuring in his plans

  • Weapon

    The screw is slowly turning on our criminals - and not before time. The latest weapon in the police armoury is the head camera. Officers at the scene will be able to film a crime as it happens, and use the pictures they take as evidence in court.

  • Strong link with Oscars

    Judging by the huge success of his other work, it was a safe bet that adapting Philip Pullman's Northern Lights novel for the big screen was going to prove a massive hit. And so it has. But the success of The Golden Compass is not solely the preserve

  • Prince drops in to help villagers move

    Prince Charles dropped in on families living near Kidlington yesterday after helping them to move to affordable accommodation. Villagers have been given the opportunity to live in 12 homes in Springwell Close, Bletchingdon, on land provided by the Prince's

  • Film festival looks at human rights

    A MESSAGE of hope will be on offer at cinemas across Oxford, with the start of a city-wide film festival. The Human Rights Film Festival, organised by students at Oxford Brookes University, will feature 19 films, starting on Friday. It is the sixth

  • Dementia home seeks new site

    LANDOWNERS are being urged to help managers at a leading Oxford dementia care home in its search for a site to build new premises. The Botley Alzheimers Home wants to buy at least one and a half acres for a £5m state-of-the-art unit to replace its

  • Four dive in to help

    FOUR lifeguards will be taking a plunge of a different sort when they do a 13,000ft skydive in aid of an Oxford hospice. Vicki Griffiths, 25, left, Terrie Jenkins, 45, centre, James Mitchell, 20, and Donna Palfreman, 22, right, hope to raise £1,600

  • 6,000 sign to save post offices

    PEOPLE across the county who face losing their post offices have been urged to have their say before it is too late. More than 6,000 people have already signed petitions against the proposed closure of 22 Oxfordshire branches - but campaigners say

  • Helmet-cameras for cops

    Police across the county are to be equipped with cameras which fit to their cycle helmets or shoulders after a successful pilot in East Oxford. It is expected officers should be using the BWVCs - Body Worn Video Recording cameras - by the summer.

  • Seeing red at rat-running

    RESIDENTS in Fairacres Road are being plagued by drivers trying to cut between Iffley Road and Donnington Bridge Road, Oxford - only to find their way is blocked. City councillor Elise Benjamin said she had been approached by Fairacres Road Residents

  • Minister visits county

    THE South East Regional Minister, Jonathan Shaw, will be visiting Oxfordshire today on a fact-finding mission. Mr Shaw will be meeting leading representatives from Oxfordshire County Council and local businesses, as part of a programme of visits to

  • Oxford effects expert win Oscar

    A special effects expert has completed a remarkable journey from Eynsham to Hollywood - by picking up an Oscar. Ben Morris, 37, who went to the village's Bartholomew School and whose parents live in Park Lane, Appleton, collected the gong for his contribution

  • Flood scheme hailed success

    Flood prevention work carried out in an Oxfordshire village a year ago has been hailed a success. More than 20 homes in Nuneham Courtenay, near Oxford, were devastated when two torrential rainstorms hit the village in October 2006, forcing 13 families