Archive

Goalkeeper Ryan Clarke hailed Oxford United’s defence after Monday’s Blue Square Premier play-off semi-final victory over Rushden & Diamonds. The supporters’ player-of-the-year kept another clean sheet to ensure the U’s reached Wembley – but pointed

James Constable admitted that, for one brief moment, he feared he’d scored too soon at the Kassam Stadium on Monday! The talismanic striker smashed in Oxford United’s second goal, and that came as a big relief to the home fans, because it put real daylight

Jack Midson put his tremendous second-half display in the win over Rushden down to his right eye! The Oxford United striker had six stitches just above the eye following a clash in the first leg. And he admitted that it was praying on his mind in the

Matt Green, scorer of Oxford United’s vital opening goal yesterday, was so delighted he could hardly speak afterwards. “I’m still shaking, absolutely buzzing,” he said, an hour after the match had finished. “Everyone said it looked a real tight angle

Luton chairman Nick Owen has vowed to hold an investigation into the scenes which followed his side’s failed attempt to return to the Football League. The Hatters lost 1-0 to York in the other semi-final second leg at Kenilworth Road, with

All roads lead to Wembley for Oxford United fans after Chris Wilder’s team reached the Blue Square Premier play-off final amid amazing scenes at the Kassam Stadium. Joyous celebrations marked the U’s 2-0 semi-final, second leg win over Rushden as they

Ladies of Oxford, I know this is a generalisation, but can you please tell me why so many of you can’t grasp the idea of spatial awareness while wending your way erratically through the aisles at the supermarket. Thankfully, we fellas have developed

For all its vibrancy and variety, the chronic traffic on Cowley Road in East Oxford is unbearable. Over the years, Oxfordshire’s love of the car has gone stratospheric. Most of Oxford’s arterial roads, and those in the market towns, have heavy traffic

ON a recent trip to Malaysia I was impressed by the cleanliness, efficiency and beauty of its cities. In many places I saw workers labouring through the night to complete construction jobs on roads and buildings – which are completed, startlingly quickly

DESPITE AFFIXING to my front door, a week or so ago, a substantial, notice rendering it crystal-clear that I required neither any visits from canvassers nor electoral propaganda, Labour has deposited no fewer than four such items (although one was delivered

Seeing David Cameron on the televised debates, and reading his manifesto, it is clear why he felt at home among the infamously elitist Bullingdon Club while at Oxford University. There is plenty in his words and actions to terrify caring, compassionate

The time has come to strike down the ridiculous argument that an overall majority for either party is the only way to achieve strong government – and that a hung parliament would be weak. Actually, as all schoolchildren know, bullies are inherently weak

further to my letter fuelling debate (Oxford Mail, April 22), as if to reinforce my view that oil companies are plain greedy, we now have the news that BP has more than doubled its profits in the past 12 months, on the back of rising oil prices. I think

Richard Kaufman played the decisive innings as Oxfordshire edged to a 19-run victory over Oxford University under the Duckworth-Lewis Method. Kaufman hit ten fours and one six in his 68 off 51 balls in an opening stand of 102 with Chris Sandbach. That

MP Sports Cherwell League Sandford St Martin pulled off a shock two-wicket win at home to Challow & Childrey in the Derek Primett Cup second round on Saturday. Division 2 side Sandford scraped together a winning total of 130-8 after

MORE than 3,000 runners have now signed up to take part in this year's Oxford Town and Gown 10km run, which has a new route for competitors. There is now less than a week for people to put their names down to run at the event, which raises

CLOUDY skies and showers are predicted for polling day – but the weather is unlikely to affect voter turnout. That’s the view of Dr Stephen Fisher, a politics lecturer at Oxford University, who will be analysing the election results on Thursday

A FIRST-TIME voter, undecided about who she should back, has taken matters into her own hands and quizzed her General Election candidates directly on matters affecting her family. Catherine Warrilow, 31, and her husband Tom, 30, had never taken

In what was Kidlington's Final home game of the season at Benmead Rd, both Teams were quickly on the attack creating several chances but failing to find the net. Midway through the first half Ryan Hughes broke the Deadlock with a terrific volley

“Only the Green Party keeps its focus on social equality and the environment at the heart of all policy-making, rather than an add-on at election times. “The Greens have campaigned for the retention of community hospitals, funded through taxation, rather

“During this campaign, I’ve been travelling all over Britain – visiting Oxford on Thursday. And one thing has been very clear: people want change. So the question is really: what kind of change? This is now a contest between the fake change offered

“Voting for the UK Independence Party at this election is a great opportunity. “The massive swing in the polls to the Lib Dems in the last couple of weeks has been driven more with a general discontent with the political class than with any

A PARENT is supporting teachers’ plans to boycott this month’s controversial SAT exams for 11-year-olds. Giles Ungpakorn, whose son Jun, 11, attends St Mary and John School, in East Oxford, is planning not to send the youngster into school for the exams

THE detective created by former Oxford author Michael Dibdin, who died three years ago, is to feature in a new TV series Zen this autumn. Italian policeman Aurelio Zen, who battled corruption and violence from Perugia and Florence to the Alps and Sicily

ON May Morning, choristers from Magdalen College School gathered at the top of the college tower to mark the beginning of spring. Each year, the choirboys gather to sing Hymnus Eucharisticus at 6am as part of an ancient tradition. But on Saturday, the

“It has been an honour to represent Witney over the past nine years. Constituency work is at the heart of what I do, and I have found few tasks more rewarding than helping individual constituents in my surgeries. “Whether supporting victims

“As readers of the Oxford Mail will know, the choice that we make on May 6 will have a profound impact on every family, school, and business in this great city. “So I am delighted to have the opportunity to set out my vision of how we can build a future

IF you go down to Wytham Woods today... you will probably find a bunch of scientists measuring trees. For scientists have been keeping tabs on the wildlife in the Oxford wood for the past 60 years – and they haven’t finished yet. On Thursday, ecologists

VILLAGERS have defied the recession by raising money to rebuild their community centre. Local clubs, parents and businesses fed up with the tired state of Wootton and Dry Sandford Community Centre, near Abingdon, joined together to stump up more than

The A329 at Great Milton has been closed following a smash between a car and motorbike. The incident happened at around 2.20pm today and the road is expected to be shut for another hour. The motorcyclist suffered serious fractures and was taken to the

ONE of the world’s most celebrated and controversial directors will be the focus of the fourth Oxford Mail Film Festival next week. The Phoenix Picturehouse cinema, in Walton Street, Oxford,will screen six of Stanley Kubrick’s most influential movies

WHEN Sonia Gerring saddles up for a charity cycle trek later this year, her father will be firmly in her mind. Miss Gerring, from Abingdon, was devastated when her father Tony died of a brain haemorrhage nearly 30 years ago. He was an overhead linesman

Oxford Utd 2 (M Green 53, Constable 57), Rushden & Diamonds 0 (Oxford win 3-1 on agg) The Kassam Stadium was rocking as Oxford United struck gold by seeing off the Diamonds to reach Wembley for the second time in their history.

A serious accident involving a motorcycle and a car today led to the closure of the A329. The road was closed both ways between junction seven of the M40 and Church Road, Great Milton.

Oxford United fans are celebrating tonight after United sealed a place in the Blue Square Premier League Play-off final at Wembley. United beat Rushden two-nil at the Kassam Stadium this afternoon following a one-all draw in the first leg in

NINE hundred biodegradable balloons soared high in the sky on Saturday night to mark the 900th anniversary of the Royal Park of Woodstock. Released by the Duke of Marlborough, they marked the beginning of a summer of celebration. More

OXFORD Claire Richardson, 36, of Speedwell Street, Oxford, admitted shoplifting medical supplies valued at £246.19 from Waitrose in Abingdon on March 22. Jailed for six weeks due to previous convictions and seriousness of the offence.

NINE hundred biodegradable balloons soared high in the sky on Saturday night to mark the 900th anniversary of the Royal Park of Woodstock. Released by the Duke of Marlborough, they marked the beginning of a summer of celebration. More than 100 residents

Oxford fans are celebrating tonight after United sealed a place in the Blue Square Premier League Play-off final at Wembley. The U's beat Rushden two-nil at the Kassam Stadium this afternoon following a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Northamptonshire

OXFORD Claire Richardson, 36, of Speedwell Street, Oxford, admitted shoplifting medical supplies valued at £246.19 from Waitrose in Abingdon on March 22. Jailed for six weeks due to previous convictions and seriousness of the offence. David Bowley,

James Constable put daylight between Oxford United and Rushden by striking a second goal on 57 minutes. It put the U's 2-0 ahead, and 3-1 up on aggregate, after Matt Green's goal just four minutes earlier. Constable raced on to Midson's flick, and as

THERE is a solution to the traffic congestion at the entrance to Bicester Village (Oxford Mail, April 29) – create an exit at a different point than that at which traffic enters. This was the recommendation before Bicester Village was opened

Matt Green fired Oxford United in front against Rushden eight minutes into the second half at the Kassam Stadium. Simon Clist threaded the pass through and Green, using his pace, rounded the keeper and then knocked the ball over the line from an angle

SMELL…vital for a healthy life? No, but a happy one, most certainly. And just how do I know this? Well, who hasn’t been moved by those touching commercials on television, in which mothers, driven to distraction by their screaming children, simply

LOCAL charity The Horse Trust is looking for a home for Bess, an affectionate mare who was found abandoned on Boxing Day. Homes are sought in Oxfordshire, or the surrounding counties. Bess, a 12hh black mare, was found abandoned in a snow-covered field

IN your article about an anti-pollution plan for Oxford (Oxford Mail, April 22) you quote a city councillor as saying “there’s no point in moving pollution problems on to other parts of the city”. But that is exactly what councillors have been doing:

Oxford United and Rushden could not be separated in the first half of their play-off semi-final second leg at the Kassam Stadium. A crowd of just under 12,000 saw a cagey first 45 minutes, with Dannie Bulman going close for the U's, with a 20-yard shot

The Environment Agency today removed flood watches from all rivers in Oxfordshire. The alert, the lowest issued by the agency, had been in place on the River Cherwell, River Ray, River Thame and Chalgrove Brook. The River Evenlode and the River Glyme

Kevin ‘The Artist’ Painter went unbeaten during an exhibition match at The Chequers Inn, Headington Quarry. Painter took on a host of challengers over legs of 701, but no one could upset the world No 15, who finished runner-up to Phil Taylor in the 2004

THE Garsington Opera festival is to leave its home of more than two decades for pastures new. The annual festival, which began at Garsington Manor in 1989, is set to move 15 miles to the Wormsley Estate on the edge of the county. The 2,500-acre estate

Oxfordshire got their County Championship Shield Pool 1 campaign off to a flier with a 54-15 demolition of East Midlands at Northampton Casuals RFC. The visitors ran in eight tries, with eight different scorers, in a dominant display. Head coach Richard

Henley Hawks romped to a 52-3 victory at already-relegated Barnes in National 2 South. Full back Tom Haynes got the ball rolling with a fifth-minute try, converted by fly half James Combden. Barnes hit back with a penalty from fly half Warren Gower,

Oxford Hawks enjoyed a successful weekend in the South Mini Hockey Finals at Surbiton, with the under 12 boys leading the way. The boys finished fourth after reaching the semi-finals, while Hawks were one of only four south of England clubs to have a

The Garsington Opera festival is to leave its home of more than two decades for pastures new. The annual festival, which began at Garsington Manor in 1989, is set to move 15 miles to the Wormsley Estate on the edge of the county. The

Chris Wilder has named an unchanged team for today's big game against Rushden at the Kassam Stadium. The Oxford United manager keeps faith with the 11 that started in last Thursday's 1-1 draw at Nene Park for this play-off semi-final in front of a sell-out

Reformed heroin addict Richard Morriss had not worked for more than 20 years until he attended a drug rehabilitation course which transformed his life. Now after beating a 22-year addiction to the class A substance the 52-year-old is clean,

CARTERTON residents have received awards for their hard work in the town. Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire, Tim Stevenson presented the Exceptional Citizens’ Awards to four residents at a special reception in the town hall. Mr Stevenson

REFORMED heroin addict Richard Morriss had not worked for more than 20 years until he attended a drug rehabilitation course which transformed his life. Now after beating a 22-year addiction to the class A substance the 52-year-old is clean, in full-time

Young entertainers have been snatching up the opportunity to showcase their abilities in a new county talent show. Audition places have almost run out for the Talent Oxford competition, with almost 200 youngsters from across the county signed

YOUNG entertainers have been snatching up the opportunity to showcase their abilities in a new county talent show. Audition places have almost run out for the Talent Oxford competition, with almost 200 youngsters from across the county signed

Garsington had a convincing 4-0 win over Quarry which confirmed them as Champions. Both teams started brightly but Garsington were looking really solid. 10 minutes into the game Joe Loveridge picked up a loose ball and placed a fine low shot into

A mother whose premature baby was saved by medics at Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital is set to jump out of an aeroplane to raise money for the clinic which treated him. Seven years ago, Tommy Stewart was born three weeks premature – and

A MOTHER whose premature baby was saved by medics at Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital is set to jump out of an aeroplane to raise money for the clinic which treated him. Seven years ago, Tommy Stewart was born three weeks premature – and not breathing

OUR health and safety gurus would no doubt have a fit if this event took place today. But in 1986, the rules were more relaxed and barrel racing along a village high street was an accepted form of fundraising. This was the scene at Standlake

FRANCIS Benwell is thought to have created a record during his long career as an Oxford bus driver. He drove on the No 3 service between Rose Hill and Kingston Road for 26 years – believed to the longest spell any driver spent on one route.

THE army of village shopkeepers were urged in 1986 to band together to form the Oxfordshire Village Shopkeeper Association, to give them a stronger voice. Among those who signed up were Diane Kennedy, left, and Hilary Walbank, who ran the village

HERE are two more pictures from the archives of Stewart Jacobs, long-serving secretary of the Oxfordshire Football Association. The first picture is of an Oxford City team, taken before or after a floodlit game. The unmistakeable figure

MORRIS dancers led 100 schoolchildren carrying garlands through the streets of Wheatley during the village’s May celebrations in 1979. Villagers watched as the pupils, carrying seasonal garlands, made their way to the maypole. There,

OCA League Divisions 1-4 CLIVE Woodward was the hero for Division 1 new-boys Garsington as he produced a superb all-round display to inspire them to victory over Westbury on the opening day on Saturday. Woodward hit 46 in Garsington’s 188-7, before

OCA League Divisions 5-11 CHIPPING Norton made a superb start to their Division 5 campaign as they thumped Horley 2nd by ten wickets. Ben Tew and Rhys Warner-Carter took three wickets apiece as Horley were bowled out for 149. Tew (71no) then shared

THERE will no doubt be plenty of sadness when the ‘old girls’ meet for the last time. Former pupils and staff at Oxford Central Girls’ School and Cheney Girls’ Grammar School have held annual reunions for more than 40 years. But the Old Girls’ Association

Four waterways remained on flood watch in Oxfordshire today. The Environment Agency still has a flood watch - its lowest level of alert - in place on the River Cherwell, River Ray, River Thame and Chalgrove Brook. The River Evenlode

Bank Holiday Monday should be a lot drier than Sunday's washout, but will still feel colder than normal in many parts, forecasters said. Much of the UK was soaked on Sunday, particularly parts of the Midlands, where almost 1.5in of rain fell

Oxford United fans have pledged to ‘raise the roof’ at the Kassam Stadium today and sing their team all the way to Wembley. More than 11,000 fans are expected for the sold-out play-off clash with Rushden and Diamonds. A win will take United to

Marrakech street circuit proved to be a happy hunting ground for Will Bratt when he took his first FIA Formula 2 Championship podium and a move up the driver standings into the series top four. Putting the disappointment of an enforced lap

Oxford United boss Chris Wilder says the club’s amazing supporters can make the difference today. The U’s go into this afternoon’s play-off semi-final, second leg against Rushden at the Kassam Stadium level at 1-1 just 90 minutes from Wembley. There

Kidlington clinch 3rd place, but not without a tough battle from Radley. Thomas Dale's hatrick secured the win, with Josh McKowan replying for Radley. As usual the game was played in great spirit between the two teams and could have easily been a win

Oxford's largest estate is considering the idea of a community court, it has emerged. Blackbird Leys Parish Council wants to raise the idea of a community justice project at its next meeting on Tuesday, May 25. As part of the scheme,

A year ago, doctors feared tiny Isabel MacIntyre would not survive. Born prematurely with her twin Maxwell at 24 weeks, she weighed just 1lb 3oz, and lost her brother five weeks later. But she’ll be celebrating her first birthday on

A YEAR ago, doctors were sure tiny Isabel MacIntyre would not survive. Born prematurely with her twin Maxwell at 24 weeks, she weighed just 1lb 3oz, and lost her brother five weeks later. But she’ll be celebrating her first birthday on Wednesday – and

OXFORD’S largest estate is considering the idea of a community court, it has emerged. Blackbird Leys Parish Council wants to raise the idea of a community justice project at its next meeting on Tuesday, May 25. As part of the scheme, operating in

Two lakes in Wolvercote which were left to a preservation group in a will are to be opened to the public for the first time today. The lakes, which sit close to the railway bridge in the village, have been left to the Oxford Preservation Trust

OXFORD fans have pledged to ‘raise the roof’ at the Kassam Stadium today and sing their team all the way to Wembley. More than 11,000 fans are expected for the sold out play-off clash with Rushden and Diamonds. A win will take United to Wembley and

Kidlington were worthy winners in a very entertaining game at Radley. The vistiors started the game strongly and piled the pressure on the home sides goal. Several great chances were squanderd by Kidlington and they were nearly made to pay when Radley