Archive

  • Restaurant allowed to reopen

    A restaurateur has been given permission to reopen his Oxford eaterie. The Al-Shami Lebanese restaurant, in Walton Crescent, Jericho, was closed by city council inspectors ten days ago when they issued an emergency prohibition order after a routine

  • Lebanese food back on menu after hygiene improvements

    A RESTAURATEUR has been given permission to reopen his Oxford eaterie just days after environmental health inspectors opened his eyes to his very own kitchen nightmare. The Al-Shami Lebanese restaurant, in Walton Crescent, Jericho, was closed by city

  • Drug traffickers ordered to hand over profits

    TWO men have been ordered to pay back thousands of pounds they earned from importing drugs after 6.5kg of cocaine was found in a car boot. Matthew King, 43, and Harry Lenton, 25, were caught after their drug-dealing “linchpin”, 53-year-old Martin Lonsdale

  • Fire crews tackle kitchen blaze

    Six fire crews raced to tackle a kitchen fire in a tower block in Blackbird Leys this evening. Oxfordshire fire and rescue service was called to a 10th floor flat in Windrush Tower, Knights Road, shortly after 6pm. Engines from Rewley

  • Aid worker's mission to the jungle

    A WOMAN who journeyed through the African jungle to help some of the world’s poorest communities has spoken of treating patients more used to witch doctors than GPs. Harriet Cochrane, 30, who lives in Shipton-under-Wychwood, near Chipping Norton

  • Jobs will go at 'mothballed' Cowley water cooler firm

    SCORES of workers at an office water cooler company are facing the axe after administrators “mothballed” their company. Powwow, which has its headquarters on the Oxford Business Park, Cowley, was taken into administration by financial recovery firm Deloitte

  • Teen to ride out for 12th Man fund

    A 15-YEAR-OLD Oxford United fan is set to put in the miles for his favourite team as the 12th Man fund nears the end of its first season. Scott Humphries, from Steventon, near Abingdon, will spend the Easter weekend cycling 60 miles back

  • Soldier to be repatriated on Tuesday

    Members of the Royal British Legion and members of the public will pay tribute to a soldier being repatriated from Afghanistan on Tuesday. Serjeant Steven Campbell, 30, of 3rd Battalion The Rifles, died in an explosion on Monday in the Sangin region

  • ATHLETICS: Inspired Beth in England call-up

    OXFORDSHIRE’S Beth Swords was inspired by the memory of her late grandmother as she finished sixth at the Aviva ESAA English Schools’ Cross Country Championships at Manchester – earning an international call-up in the process. The 15-year-old from Headington

  • Body found in Blewbury

    The body of a man has been found in woodland in Blewbury. The body was found shortly after 1pm today and a spokesman for Thames Valley Police said the death was not being treated as suspicious.

  • RUGBY: Oratory in sevens heaven

    ORATORY Prep A were celebrating after recording a home success in their own rugby sevens tournament at Woodcote. Schools from around the United Kingdom and Ireland took part, but it was Oratory, who beat Gayhurst A in the final. There was also an Oxfordshire

  • KARTING: Bratt back with lap record

    RACING driver Will Bratt made a winning return to the realms at Shenington – and also set a circuit lap record for 250cc gearbox karts. Taking time out to stay sharp ahead of his maiden FIA Formula 2 Championship test outing in early April, the 21-year-old

  • HOCKEY: Teddies lift inaugural cup

    ST Edward’s, Oxford 1st XI hockey team won the inaugural Charlie Bowker Trophy. Teddies came out on top in the tournament, which also featured Radley, Cheltenham, Marlborough, Bradfield, Wellington and Abingdon. St Edward’s captain Jasper

  • Cooking up a birthday treat

    IMAGINE being unable to afford a cake for your son or daughter’s birthday. For some families in Oxford this is a reality, but a local group of bakers is here to help. Free Cakes For Kids is an Oxford-based group set up by Henriette Lundgren

  • Top award for RM

    Educational computer firm RM has been voted Top IT Employer at the 2010 Top Employers United Kingdom awards, run annually by the CRF Institute. The awards are aimed at rewarding “the smartest, most forward-thinking IT organisations in the country”.

  • Leys community spellbound by website

    CHILDREN celebrated the launch of a new community website with the help of a special spooky visitor. The Leys Children’s Centre launched its new online resource, theleyschildrenscentre.org, at the ABLE centre in Blackbird Leys Road, Blackbird Leys, Oxford

  • Local shares (PM)

    AEA Technology 21.75 BMW 3065 Electrocomponents 220.9 Gladstone 33.75 Nationwide Accident Repair 87.5 Oxford Biomedica 9.8 Oxford Catalysts 57.5 Oxford Instruments 266.5 Reed Elsevier 522.75 RM 173 RPS Group 191.5 Courtesy

  • City CAB marks 70 years

    EARLY in 1940, when the Citizens Advice Bureau was launched, advice would sometimes be offered from the back of a horse-drawn cart. There was little privacy for clients who needed advice during the war years, after finding themselves homeless

  • Harwell in bid to be 'Silicon Valley of space'

    A NEW research centre could help Harwell become the “Silicon Valley of space”, five years after the idea was first proposed in the back of a ministerial car. The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) has announced the £40m International

  • Anger as water cooler firm 'mothballed'

    Scores of workers at an office water cooler company are facing the axe after administrators “mothballed” their company. Powwow, which has its headquarters on the Oxford Business Park, Cowley, was taken into administration by financial recovery

  • Body found in Blewbury

    Police are at the scene of an unexplained death, following the discovery of a man’s body in Blewbury this afternoon. The body was discovered in woodland just outside the village shortly after 1pm. The death is not being treated as suspicious

  • Tales of the trail

    I PRESSED my nose against the bus window. After months of scrimping and scheduling, planning and provision-stocking, we were in Rio de Janeiro, with three months and a continent stretching before us. I was pumped up and raring to go. As

  • Switch off for an hour to save planet

    SEVENTY toddlers at a Blackbird Leys nursery played with the lights out today as staff encouraged them to think about climate change. Jane Long, manager of the Blackbird Leys Nursery in Cuddesdon Way, said the children, aged two to five, were

  • Chef’s team cooks up a gold medal

    A CHEF is celebrating after winning one of the culinary world’s highest accolades. Malcolm Emery, 52, from Brightwell- cum-Sotwell, led his team to a gold medal in the La Parade des Chefs competition at Hotelympia – Europe’s largest catering industry

  • Girl, 12, goes missing in Oxford

    Police this afternoon appealed for help to trace a missing 12-year-old girl from Oxford. Ellie-Mai Hill, of Pegasus Road, Blackbird Leys, was last seen at her home at 10pm on Wednesday. Police said she is about 5ft 6in tall, with a slim build and

  • Author's work to be finished posthumously

    A NEW book started by an Oxford children’s author who died of cancer three years ago is to be completed by another author. Siobhan Dowd, of West Oxford, left the beginning of her fifth novel when she died in 2007, aged 47. Now award-winning

  • GREYHOUNDS: Posh to outclass rivals

    The fast-finishing Iver Posh gets the nod for the nap in the A7 over 450 metres at Oxford on Saturday night. The Ron Bicknell-trained white and black dog comes home well as does Le Jac and Too Swift Risky. It all points to a good finish. TONIGHT’S CARD

  • School has got talent

    CHILDREN danced, sang, rapped and performed for Wantage Primary School’s version of hit television show Britain’s Got Talent. The Our School’s Got Talent show was performed to an audience of about 200 family and friends. There was everything from piano

  • GREYHOUNDS: Emma's one to watch

    Richard Yeates continues to shine with his charge Freedom Emma. She won her heat of the Monmore Oaks on Monday and is favourite for the final. LEADING owner Max Picinelli's Lyreen Mover slammed the Angie Kibble-trained Hillcross Orion by four and a

  • GREYHOUNDS: Friday BAGS results

    11.03: 1 SMILE ON SVETA 3-1, 2 Ballysally Magic 5-1. (6x4x5). Trainer: Bicknell. Time: 28.02. Sunrise Buck (3) 9-4 fav. 11.19: 1 FRONT ROW 5-1, 2 Mt Leinster Sue 3-1. (6x4x1). Trainer: Massey. Time: 27.92. Greenfield Baby (2) 5-2 fav. 11.34: 1 GAME

  • CRICKET: Young Josh off to the West Indies

    Banbury's Josh Megson travels to the West Indies next week in the South and West Regional Under 15 team. The 15-day tour sees the squad visit Trinidad, Guyana and Barbados, playing three matches on each island. Megson, 14, is the first Oxon player to

  • ICE HOCKEY: Stars bidding for play-off success

    Oxford City Stars open their sequence of play-off games as they take on Bracknell Hornets in a double header this weekend. Stars host Bracknell at Oxpens Road today (5pm), before travelling to the Berkshire side tomorrow. The two teams have shared success

  • ANGLING: Cherwell turns up rare zander

    I can report for the first time that a zander has been caught from an Oxfordshire river, writes Andy Webber. The predator, normally associated with East Anglian rivers, weighed 1lb 8oz and was taken by Mark Boyd, who fishes for Drennan as a specimen

  • CRICKET: Banbury A close in on crown

    Banbury A closed in on the Banbury Indoor League Division 1 title as they walloped Hook Norton by five wickets. Batting first, Hooky were shot out for 95, despite 38 from Dan White. Simon Launder took 3-42 for Banbury, before leading his side to victory

  • Work Place education unit threatened with closure

    A SPECIALIST educational facility credited with turning round the lives of disaffected teenagers is set to close. The Work Place was hailed as a groundbreaking project when set up by Didcot Girls School in 2005 to help poorly performing students from

  • ANGLING: Doug tops Littlemore finale

    Littlemore’s final match of the season, the ‘Blind Pairs’, was fished by ten anglers at Milton Pools, near Wheatley, where Doug Robinson and Toby Pope triumphed with a combined weight of 67.0.0. On the individual front, Doug had carp up

  • ANGLING: Marc's last-gas pike

    Old Marston angler Marc Dibsdall had a super day’s piking on the Cherwell by the Victoria Arms pub on the last Wednesday before the end of the river season, writes Andy Webber Marc, who spends most of his time fishing large pits, had been pre-baiting

  • ANGLING: Fly fishing fair visits Blenheim

    Tackle firm Orvis are staging ‘The Orvis Fly Fishing Fair’ at Blenheim Palace on Sunday, April 11, starting at 10am. The Orvis Pro Guide team will be giving lessons, and fly fishing demonstrations will held throughout day by leading fly-fishers, including

  • SNOOKER: Field's dramatic finish

    BRIAN Field beat Colin Cutler in a dramatic final to lift the Ted Allsop Over 50s Handicap trophy in the Gentworks Oxford & District Snooker League, writes DAVID WHITE. Field won the first frame 55-33 and seemed set to clinch the title

  • BILLIARDS: New Club made to wait for title

    The Division 1 title race in the Oxford and District Billiards League will go down to the wire after leaders New Club slipped to a surprise 2-1 defeat against Headington Conservative A. New Club won the first game when Dave White (+80) beat Terry Walsh

  • TABLE TENNIS: Forum B crowned league champions

    Kidlington Forum B became the new Oxford & District Table Tennis League Divison 1 champions by beating their nearest rivals, Rutherford, 6-4. With Craige Campbell absent ill, Forum B needed an inspired performance from their captain Andrew Flint, who

  • BOXING: Kaluza homes in on junior title

    Ben Kaluza added to his list of honours by claiming the Home Counties class 5 ABA junior title at Regal Night Club in Cowley. The Oxford Boxing Academy light-welterweight avenged a previous defeat as he confidently outpointed Sandy Lane rival Ermal Mustapha

  • BOXING: Gregory storms back for stunning victory

    Abingdon welterweight Richard Gregory claimed the best boxer of the night trophy – a magnificent lead crystal punchbowl – for a superb comeback in Blackbird Leys ABC’s dinner show at Oxford Centre. Well adrift of Aylesbury rival Alex Taylor at halfway

  • Police warning over South Oxfordshire burglaries

    Police are appealing for information after a seriesof burglaries in south Oxfordshire. A house in Park Lane, Nettlebed, was burgled during the day on Wednesday. The burglars broke into the house and stole electrical items including iPods, laptops and

  • Laser louts in police sights

    LASER louts have been dazzling residents on Oxford’s largest estate by shining the powerful beams of light into their homes. Blackbird Leys Parish Council chairman Gerry Webb said he had received seven reports in the past three weeks of laser

  • Man goes missing in Blewbury

    Police this afternoon appealed for help in tracing a missing man from Blewbury. Robert Newent, 46, went missing from his home near the Churn Estate in Blewbury yesterday, at about 12.30pm. Mr Newent is white, about 5ft 8in tall, with shoulder

  • Laser louts are in police sights

    LASER louts have been dazzling residents on Oxford’s largest estate by shining the powerful beams of light into their homes. Blackbird Leys Parish Council chairman Gerry Webb said he had received seven reports in the past three weeks of laser pens being

  • World of flavours at market

    VISITORS to Carterton had a taste of the continent when traders from France, Germany and Italy came to town. Connor Clarkson, 11, enjoyed trying German sweets at the town’s first Continental Market in Marigold Square. His mum Michelle Clarkson, 38,

  • Local share prices (PM)

    AEA Technology 22.25 BMW 3058 Electrocomponents 220.1 Gladstone 33.75 Nationwide Accident Repair 87.5 Oxford Biomedica 10 Oxford Catalyst 57.5 Oxford Instruments 266.5 Reed Elsevier 525.25 RM 170 RPS Group 190.4 Courtesy of Redmayne

  • UPDATE: A420 now clear

    Traffic on the A420 between Swindon and Oxford is now running smoothly following serious delays during the rush-hour. Drivers on the route were held up after a car caught fire at 7.35am, close to the junction with Buckland Road, near Bampton. The

  • Rioja will take centre stage at wine club dinner

    Fabulous news; The Oxford Times Wine Club Dinners are back and the first of the 2010 series is on Tuesday, April 13. Those of you who have come before will know that our dinners are sociable affairs and the emphasis is on providing great food and delicious

  • Hamilton and Button top timesheets

    Lewis Hamilton led a McLaren one-two ahead of team-mate Jenson Button by setting the fastest lap in a rain-interrupted second session of free practice for this weekend's Australian Grand Prix. While the first practice session had been held during bright

  • College accuses BA boss of wanting to "break the union"

    Academics have signed a letter accusing British Airways chief Willie Walsh of wanting to "break the union" representing striking cabin crew. The letter, sent to the Guardian newspaper and published on its website, was signed by 95 employment relations

  • Star performer

    There must come a point when every carmaker is tempted to change the name of one of its most well-loved brands, even when it has iconic status. New versions of well-established models are often incremental improvements, a design tweak here,

  • Fans to welcome troops

    Fans at the Kassam Stadium will give Oxfordshire’s troops a standing ovation tomorrow. About 250 servicemen and women from the county’s military bases will be guests of honour at Oxford United’s game with Gateshead. The club’s Support

  • 999 operator loses tribunal hearing

    A police control room operator lost her disability discrimination case against Thames Valley Police. Laura Robinson told an employment tribunal in Reading she was sacked from her job answering 999 calls and dispatching police cars because she

  • U's honoured to welcome true heroes

    FANS at the Kassam Stadium will give Oxfordshire’s brave troops a standing ovation tomorrow. About 250 servicemen and women from the county’s military bases will be guests of honour at Oxford United’s game with Gateshead. The club’s Support the Forces

  • Time to end the saga of CPZ consultation

    “WHAT was the result... you’re kidding... what a waste of time.”Those were the words of one Catherine Street resident yesterday asking about what councillor Rodney Rose had decided when considering whether to introduce parking permits in East Oxford

  • East Oxford parking zone delayed again

    EAST Oxford residents will face yet another round of consultation about a controversial parking scheme. The plan to introduce a controlled parking zone (CPZ) in the Magdalen Road area was put on ice yesterday by the county’s transport chief

  • East Oxford parking zone delayed again

    East Oxford residents will face yet another round of consultation about a controversial parking scheme. The plan to introduce a controlled parking zone (CPZ) in the Magdalen Road area was put on ice yesterday by the county’s transport chief

  • Burglar caught in police 'trap room'

    Burglar Jason Medlicott must have thought it was easy pickings when he spotted a laptop in a student room. Unfortunately, for the 35-year-old, the room was rigged with hidden cameras as part of a police sting – Operation Breaker – to catch thieves

  • RAT TRAP: Burglar caught by raiding rigged room

    GOTCHA... serial burglar Jason Medlicott must have thought it was easy pickings when he spotted a laptop in a student room. Unfortunately, for the 35-year-old, the room was rigged with hidden cameras as part of a police sting – Operation Breaker