Archive

  • CRICKET: Thame in the semis

    Thame Town were handed victory by Witney Mills in their Bernard Tollett Oxfordshire Cup quarter-final on Monday night after rain washed out play at the halfway point. Thame rattled up a formidable 222-6 dec off 18 overs, with Michael Beard

  • CRICKET: Oxon foiled by dazzling Dixon

    Cheshire debutant Lee Dixon hit a brilliant 169 on his Minor Counties Championship Western Division debut to dash Oxfordshire’s hopes of a first-innings lead on the second day of their clash at Banbury. With the visitors resuming at 19-3

  • East Oxford residents urged to join forces

    RESIDENTS’ groups in East Oxford are being urged to join forces to give the area a much stronger voice. A new forum is being planned that will represent all groups in the area in tackling issues such as antisocial behaviour and protecting heritage

  • Ark will see a flood of art and science

    A giant ark which will act as an artistic exhibition and performance space is taking shape. The wooden, landlocked craft will be the centrepiece of Oxford’s Ciao! Festival – a children’s celebration planned for the end of June. The event is

  • Plans for M40/A34 junction to go on show

    Motorists are being invited to visit an exhibition about the Highways Agency’s planned improvements to the M40/A34 junction at Wendlebury, near Bicester. The agency plans to ease jams by building a third lane for southbound M40 traffic heading on to

  • Fallen to be repatriated

    THE bodies of three soldiers who were killed in Afghanistan are being repatriated on Thursday. Jim Lewendon, vice-president of the Royal British Legion in Oxfordshire, said the bodies of a Royal Marine and two soldiers from the Mercian Regiment would

  • Cyclist snatches woman's laptop

    A WOMAN had her laptop stolen after her bag was snatched by a fellow cyclist. The woman was cycling along St Cross Road shortly after 9am yesterday, when a man cycled up behind her and stole her bag from the back of her bike. The man, described as slim

  • Pillbox blast boys moved to Bristol hospital

    TWO 15-year-old boys who suffered superficial burns after an explosion in a Second World War pillbox in Faringdon have been transferred to Frenchay Hospital in Bristol. The boys were injured near London Road shortly after 3pm yesterday, and were initially

  • Catholics celebrate Corpus Christi

    Catholic worshippers took part in the annual Corpus Christi procession through Oxford. Priests led the walk yesterday from the Oratory Church, in Woodstock Road, to Blackfriars, in St Giles, for a sermon. There was then a benediction

  • Views invited on Oxford School academy plans

    PARENTS, pupils and staff can now have their say on plans to close Oxford School and reopen it as an academy. Two public consultations on the controversial proposal were launched today. The first asks parents whether they agree with proposals to close

  • Two killed at station in three days

    TWO people have died in three days in incidents involving high-speed trains at the same station. British Transport Police (BTP) were called to Radley station on Friday following a report that a man had been struck by a train. A woman also died at the

  • City families can now recycle their food

    FAMILIES in Oxford have welcomed the introduction of new city-wide weekly food waste collections. From this week, bones, leftovers, tea bags and peelings can be thrown into a new bin for composting. The service is being offered to households across

  • Morris dancers open town festival

    MORRIS dancers kicked off the 15th Wantage Summer Festival on Saturday. Members of the Icknield Way Morris Men performed their traditional folk dances in Market Square, with Wantage Silver Band providing the music. Town mayor Jim Sibbald

  • CRICKET: Boon and Conn get Vale back on track

    MP Sports Cherwell League - Graham Scott's Match of the Day Abingdon Vale got their season back on track by thrashing Twyford and climbing back into the top half of Division 2. Vale’s batsmen have had a wretched start to the campaign, recording scores

  • 'Come clean on migrant plans'

    BICESTER MP Tony Baldry has called on the Government to clarify whether or not it plans to build an immigration centre just outside the town. Mr Baldry wrote a letter to Damian Green, who has taken up the post of Minister for Immigration.

  • CRICKET: Oakley's super seven

    MP Sports Cherwell League - Division 2 Ed Oakley took 7-53 to dismiss Tiddington cheaply and take Oxford & Bletchingdon Nondescripts top of the table. Nondies had started poorly after being put in to bat, Sam Hollingshead taking 3-23 to put them in

  • CRICKET: Dyer's in overdrive

    MP Sports Cherwell League - Division 1 David Dyer hit a magnificent unbeaten 135 to sweep Cumnor to a convincing six-wicket win over Challow & Childrey on Saturday. Dyer went from 99 to 123 with four consecutive sixes as the home side raced past Challow

  • CRICKET: Podberys win it for Challow

    MP Sports Cherwell League - Division 5 Challow & Childrey 2nd beat Banbury 3rd by six wickets with four balls left. Spinner George Hook (4-50) had held up Banbury, but some late-order hitting by Christopher Phillips (56no) and Ross Freeman (43) lifted

  • CRICKET: Mills in sorry collapse

    MP Sports Cherwell League - Division 3 Witney Mills were walloped by 177 runs at leaders Dinton 2nd. They suffered the mother of all batting collapses – from 61-0 to 85 all out against Kelvin Ripley (6-31) and Simon Kempster (3-9). Shaun Smith (

  • CRICKET: Wallingford run ended by shock

    MP Sports Cherwell League - Division 4 Wallingford lost their 100 per cent record when they slumped to a shock defeat at home to Kimble. They started well, Trevor Spindler taking 6-75 in the visitors’ 165 all out, before Lee Ainsworth made 44. But

  • CRICKET: Leaders cruise it

    MP Sports Cherwell League - Divisions 6-10 Abingdon Vale 2nd maintained their lead at the top of Division 6 with an eight-wicket victory over Cumnor 3rd. Altamash Pervez took 4-25 in Cumnor’s 96 all out, then Rob Hood (43no) steered Vale to 100-2.

  • Scientist elected to leading society

    A NUCLEAR physicist who spent his whole career working at Culham has been elected a Fellow of the Royal Society. The prestigious award places Dr Jack Connor, of Oxford Road, Abingdon, alongside Richard Dawkins, Stephen Hawking and worldwide web inventor

  • Local shares (PM)

    AEA Technology 18.25 BMW 3160 Electrocomponents 213.3 Nationwide Accident Repair 80.5 Oxford Biomedica 9.8 Oxford Catalysts 83 Oxford Instruments 263.5 Reed Elsevier 474.4 RM 179.1 RPS Group 187.6 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley

  • Fire station named best in Britain

    AN OXFORDSHIRE fire station has been named the country’s Station of the Year at an awards ceremony. Hook Norton fire station was honoured at the Spirit of Fire Awards ceremony. The event is the biggest awards’ event in the fire service, recognising

  • Headmaster’s fundraising farewell

    THE headmaster of Abingdon School has completed a sporting challenge to raise money as a leaving present for the school. Mark Turner rowed along the River Thames from Abingdon to Henley to help the school’s boat club. He trained for nine months before

  • Wallingford Beer and Blues Festival 'a success'

    ORGANISERS of the Wallingford Beer and Blues Festival hailed this year’s event a great success. More than 1,000 beer lovers packed into the Regal Centre on Friday and Saturday to sample 14 different beers and listen to a host of different blues

  • Ark will see a flood of art and science

    A GIANT ark which will act as an artistic exhibition and performance space is taking shape. The wooden, landlocked craft will be the centrepiece of Oxford’s Ciao! Festival – a children’s celebration planned for the end of June. The event

  • CRICKET: Hume is just too hot to handle

    OCA League Divisions 1-4 MIKE Hume returned figures of 8-18 as Faringdon crushed Watlington by 139 runs in Division 2. Faringdon’s victory had been set up by a fine 102 not out from Ian McDowall, who led them to 190-7 from their 45 overs. In reply,

  • CRICKET: Super Sam leads the way

    OCA League Divisions 5-11 SAM Walker hit an unbeaten century to help Freeland 2nd to an 81-run victory at Tetsworth 2nd in Division 6. Walker scored 106 not out as Freeland rattled up 213-7. Martin Symonds then took 5-37 as Tetsworth fell to 132

  • CRICKET: Adam tucks in!

    OCA LEAGUE ADAM Tucker hit a century and took five wickets as Shrivenham reached the last eight of the Airey Cup with a 75-run win over Marcham. Tucker’s 111 helped Shrivenham to 265-5, and then returned figures of 5-52 as Marcham fell to 190 all out

  • Jaguars on loose in city centre

    Classic car fans had a treat on Saturday as more than 20 classic Jaguar cars drove into Oxford. Hundreds packed into Radcliffe Square during the four-hour event, which was organised by the Oxford Region Jaguar Enthusiasts Club. Club

  • East Oxford residents urged to join forces

    Residents in East Oxford are being urged to join forces to give the area a much stronger voice. A new forum is being planned that will represent all groups in the area in tackling issues such as antisocial behaviour and protecting heritage

  • Rare breeds attract visitors

    Visitors to the Oxford Castle Flower and Gardening Festival were treated to a glimpse of some rather unusual animals. Rare breed Mangalitza pigs, which have curly coats, were among the attractions at the festival over the weekend. Two

  • Rare pigs look rather sheepish

    VISITORS to the Oxford Castle Flower and Gardening Festival were treated to a glimpse of some rather unusual furry friends. Rare breed Mangalitza pigs, which have curly, furry coats, were among the attractions at the festival over the weekend. Two

  • Thief snatches Oxford cyclist's bag

    A woman had her bag containing a laptop stolen as she cycled in Oxford. Shortly after 9am yesterday, the woman was cycling along St Cross Road, when a man cycled up behind her and stole her bag from the back of her bicycle. The thief was white, aged

  • Jaguars on the loose in city centre

    PETROLHEADS had a treat on Saturday as more than 20 classic Jaguar cars drove into Oxford. Hundreds packed into Radcliffe Square during the four-hour event, which was organised by the Oxford Region Jaguar Enthusiasts Club. Club members were joined by

  • Drinking led to fatal stair fall

    A CORONER said a popular Wallingford man who died after falling down stairs had one of the highest amounts of alcohol in his blood he has ever seen. Toxicology reports showed divorcee Nickolas Proctor, 48, of Wigod Way, had 492mg of alcohol

  • On the buses

    I USE a concessionary bus permit, and, when going to other towns and cities within England, take full advantage of it. But I ask the question why should the systems used be so different from place to place and not a uniform pattern? For example, in

  • Data protection

    ANOTHER day, another data blunder. I gather HM Revenue & Customs has apologised after accidentally distributing private details about thousands of tax credit claimants. Apparently one woman from Manchester received a letter that included her neighbour

  • Didcot soldier recounts dangers of Helmand Province

    DIDCOT soldier Neil Eddington has been honoured after dodging Taliban gunfire and surviving a bomb explosion in Afghanistan. The 36-year-old Territorial Army Lance Corporal, of Abingdon-based A Company 7 Rifles, spent six months mentoring the Afghan

  • Broad support

    HOW encouraging it is to read that the New Bodleian Library is going to get a revamp. When I moved to Oxford a few years ago I was surprised to see how drab and unwelcoming the famous building looked. Broad Street has some lovely, colourful features

  • Bar humbug

    I was absolutely incensed after reading The Insider on May 27, concerning the drinks bills at the House of Commons bar. It is bad enough that MPs have a subsidised bar when all their constituents have to pay full price, but they are also allowed to run

  • Most local people want to save pool

    I am very concerned about the future of Temple Cowley pools, gym and sauna suite. Our Save TCP campaign group has been trying to show the executive board of the city council that it really is not a good idea to close it. Certainly the public do not

  • ON YER BIKE: All aboard with the real cycle champs

    I headed off to a party in Reading this weekend and decided to take the bike on the train, with my daughter strapped into her baby seat at the front of the bike, as usual. The good thing about the trains from Oxford to Reading is that they are regular

  • DARTS: Addison is new ODDA Winter League champion

    Phil Addison is the new the Oxford and District Association Winter League men’s singles champion. In his first final, he captured the Tom Drennan Memorial Cup by pipping previous winner Preben Krabben (Shears) 2-1 in front of a good-sized crowd at Rover

  • Race for Life: The Oxford participants

    Oxford Race for Life participants Saturday, June 5, AM event Rapp Suppressed Mandy Soule Lisa Cooper Sue Barratt Megan Barratt Rachel Adamson Jacquii John Sally Lavis Sharon Hopgood

  • RACE FOR LIFE: All the Oxford participants

    Oxford Race for Life particpants Saturday, June 5, AM event Rapp Suppressed Mandy Soule Lisa Cooper Sue Barratt Megan Barratt Rachel Adamson Jacquii John Sally Lavis Sharon Hopgood

  • Webber staying with Red Bull

    Formula One world championship leader Mark Webber has signed a one-year extension to his contract with Red Bull, the team have announced. The deal means the 33-year-old Australian will remain with the team next season, which will be his fifth

  • Masked raiders target Bicester Tesco

    Police today appealed for witnesses after four masked men forced their way into a Tesco Express store in Bicester. Four members of staff were in the process of cashing up after the shop had closed when four men wearing masks and dark clothing

  • Council reviews major projects

    Oxfordshire County Council has announced today it will review its £500m capital programme as it fears its funding will be cut. County Hall will review major projects to improve schools, highways and youth provision so it is ready to cut some

  • Antics at Hay

    I have just returned from my annual pilgrimage to the Golden Valley for the Hay Festival and I'm happy to report that I enjoyed it just as much as last year if not more. The weather was pretty kind, allowing us to get our eight-man tent up at Hay Outdoor

  • Local share prices (AM)

    AEA Technology 18.4 BMW 3164 Electrocomponents 212.8 Nationwide Accident Repair 80.5 Oxford Biomedica 9.75 Oxford Catalysts 81 Oxford Instruments 266 Reed Elsevier 470.3 RM 179.25 RPS Group 188.5

  • Council reviews major projects

    OXFORDSHIRE County Council has announced today it will review its £500m capital programme as it fears its funding will be slashed. County Hall will review major projects to improve schools, highways and youth provision so it is ready to cut some schemes

  • Driver killed in A418 crash

    Police today appealed for witnesses to a fatal collision in Dinton. At about 6pm on Saturday, a collision occurred between a silver Mitsubishi Shogun, a red Vauxhall Corsa and a red Volkswagen Polo on the A418 Oxford Road, Dinton. The Mitsubishi Shogun

  • Dancing Guides were stars of Horspath show

    GUIDES and Brownies have taken part in all sorts of activities in Oxfordshire over the years. The girls in the first picture were one of the star attractions in Horspath Scouts’ show in 1971. Guides Heather Swanson, Pauline Carter, Amanda West and Gail

  • The changing face of Kingham

    THE girls in the first picture were confirmed by the Bishop of Dorchester, the Rt Rev DG Loveday, at the 14th century St Andrew’s Church in 1970. The Bishop is pictured at the back flanked by the Rev AST Fisher, Vicar of Westwell, and the Rev R Morgan

  • Guides on march to Oxford church service

    THIS was the scene in St Giles in 1974 when Guides, Brownies and Rangers went on the march in Oxford. They were on their way to their annual church parade, led by the 1st Horspath Scout band. From St Giles, the 500 girls marched through Cornmarket Street

  • Kidlington sports star led out England team

    MARTIN O’Connell was one of Oxfordshire’s most versatile and successful schoolboy sports stars. He excelled at football, rugby, cricket and athletics. The all-rounder’s greatest achievement was on the rugby field. In 1956, in

  • Kidlington football club's first team face camera

    THIS is the earliest known photograph of a Kidlington Football Club team. It was taken in 1909, the year the club was founded. Little is known about the early history of the club, but as we reported (Oxford Mail, May 10), village postman

  • RUGBY UNION: Twickenham joy for Banbury youngsters

    Banbury's Under 12s returned to Twickenham for the second year in a row last Saturday – only this time they returned home with the cup! Having topped their pool at the prestigious Gullivers Nottingham Festival at Easter, Banbury were drawn

  • Pothole work ends

    Work on repairing potholes in Botley Road, between Binsey Lane and Ferry Hinksey Road in Oxford is due to finish today. Oxfordshire County Council spokesman Owen Morton said: “Our repair teams are continuing to work hard to tackle the large

  • Health drive 'is ill thought-out'

    A campaign which aims to cheer up families on ‘deprived’ estates has been described as inappropriate and patronising. Health bosses are asking people to “turn that frown upside down”, and posters featuring a cartoon frown and a smile have been

  • Bridle saddle up with United

    Witney-based Bridle Insurance are Oxford United’s new shirt sponsors. It’s on an initial two-year deal, though Bridle say they are looking to it being a much longer-term partnership. They replace Buildbase, who were United’s main sponsors for ten years

  • A terrific record

    OXFORDSHIRE should feel mightily proud of the way it has rallied around the Maggie’s Cancer Caring Service appeal. Already fundraisers have got half of the £3m they need to build a permanent centre to support cancer victims in the county. Maggie’s Centres

  • Not the way the NHS should do it

    ALL of us would like to spend less time frowning and more time smiling, but is NHS Oxfordshire really going the right way about making it happen? The care trust’s latest advertising campaign has had a mixed reaction. It has targeted four estates in

  • Health drive 'is ill thought-out'

    A CAMPAIGN which aims to cheer up families on ‘depr-ived’ estates has been descr-ibed as inappropriate and patronising. Health bosses are asking people to “turn that frown upside down”, and posters featuring a cartoon frown and a smile have