Archive

  • United trailing at half-time

    Oxford United were trailing 2-1 at half-time in tonight's npower League Two clash with Southend at Roots Hall. Captain James Constable put United ahead with a 14th-minute strike, but Ryan Hall equalised for the hosts on 43 minutes and Bilel

  • Fire crews called to science park fume alert

    TWENTY firefighters attended a fume scare at Begbroke Science Park today. They were called at 6.36am to reports of excessive fumes in a laboratory at the Sandy Lane, Yarnton facility. Two firefighters entered the unoccupied building and found a foundry

  • Petition to save Botley library gathers 400 signatures

    CAMPAIGNERS are aiming to collect 2,000 signatures to fight plans to close their library. And the supporters of the campaign to save Botley Library, in Oxford, are already a fifth of the way towards their tatget after signing up 400 readers and shoppers

  • Tools taken in Carterton burglary

    Police are appealing for information after a 'substantial quantity' of tools were stolen during a burglary in Carterton. Burglars broke into a house in Black Bourton Road some time between 1pm on Friday and 8am on Saturday and stole a number of tools

  • Robbers drive off in victim's car

    Police are appealing for witnesses following a robbery in Upton in which a man had his car stolen. At around 7.30pm on Sunday, a 34-year-old man was driving his blue Hyundai Coupe on the Chilton Road. Driving through West Hagbourne and turning left

  • Fancy fuelling your car for just 19p per litre?

    SCIENTISTS in Oxfordshire are helping develop a non-polluting fuel for cars which could cost just 19p per litre. The hydrogen-based fuel created by scientists at Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Oxford University, and University College London, is carbon-free

  • How will you help Bicester celebrate Queen's Jubilee?

    People are being urged to go along to a public meeting tomorrow night to discuss how the Bicester should celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee next year. The meeting, at the Methodist Church Hall, Bicester, from 7-9pm, is being hosted by MP Tony Baldry

  • Last of Summer Wine actress to help Kings Sutton get literary

    A VILLAGE’S eighth literary festival will take place on the weekend of March 12 and 13 at the church and village hall. Guest speakers at Kings Sutton, near Banbury, over the weekend include Peter Hennessy, author of The Secret State, and actress Maggie

  • Local share prices (PM)

    AEA Technology 5.13 BMW 4807 Electrocomponents 263.2 Nationwide Accident Repair 99 Oxford Biomedica 5.45 Oxford Catalysts 83 Oxford Instruments 655 Reed Elsevier 554.5 RM 167.25 RPS Group 214.8 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley

  • Woodstock's old station saved from demolition

    CAMPAIGNERS believe they may have won the battle to save the former Blenheim and Woodstock railway station. Berkeley Homes has abandoned controversial plans to knock down the station, which was closed in 1954. The Oxford Road building now looks likely

  • Conman dupes Eynsham pensioner

    A man claiming to be from the 'Water Board' convinced an 86-year-old woman to let her into her home but did not steal anything. He called at the address in Spareacre Lane, Eynsham at 7.20pm on Friday and said he needed to turn her water off

  • Two men charged over south Oxon lead thefts

    Two men have been charged after lead was stolen from five churches and a school in southern Oxfordshire. James Wall, 20, and Aaron Hennessy, 24, both of Beeching Way, Wallingford, face charges following the theft of lead from All Saints Church

  • Four held over hare coursing

    Police arrested four men following an incident in Wantage Road, Brightwalton. At about 4pm yesterday, police received a report of hare coursing from a gamekeeper. Officers attended and, with the help of the helicopter and dogs unit, four men were

  • Mum's raring to go for the OX5 Run

    WHEN Stacey Godfrey’s baby daughter Lilia was diagnosed with a rare metabolic condition, the Oxford Children’s Hospital was there to help her and her family cope. Now Mrs Godfrey is stepping up to help the hospital by taking part in this month’s OX5

  • Senior policeman cleared

    A police chief walked free from court today after a jury threw out claims that he set fire to his own car and tried to frame his mistress' husband for the arson attack. Chief Superintendent Jim Trotman looked visibly relieved, pulled a football-style

  • UPDATE: Top cop relief at not guilty verdict

    A police chief walked free from court today after a jury threw out claims that he set fire to his own car and tried to frame his mistress' husband for the arson attack. Chief Superintendent Jim Trotman looked visibly relieved, pulled a football

  • Young carer gets invite from Red Arrows

    Schoolgirl Kate Hiorns’s spirits have been soaring since she received a very special invitation from the Red Arrows. Young carer Kate, who helps look after her disabled sister Heather, has been a fan of the Red Arrows Display Team since she was a small

  • Oxford Zumba king George will get OX5 racers ready

    THE grounds of Blenheim Palace will be rocking to rousing Latin beats again this year as the OX5 Run kicks off with a ‘Zumba’ warm-up. The Latin-inspired form of dance exercise, which originated in Miami, has proved the ideal warm-up for

  • UPDATE: Top cop Trotman not guilty of fraud and arson

    A jury has found Oxford's former police commander Jim Trotman not guilty of arson and fraud following trial at Swindon Crown Court. Chief Superintendent Trotman was charged after police investigated an arson attack on his own car while he was

  • Man charged after Woodstock assault

    A 20-year-old man has been charged with causing racially aggravated grievous bodily harm following an incident in Woodstock. Samuel Smith, of Oxford Street, Woodstock, was charged yesterday evening and is due to appear before Banbury Magistrates’ Court

  • Local share prices (AM)

    AEA Technology 5.25 BMW 4856 Electrocomponents 264.2 Nationwide Accident Repair 100 Oxford Biomedica 5.5 Oxford Catalysts 83 Oxford Instruments 657.5 Reed Elsevier 552.5 RM 168.5 RPS Group 209.3 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon

  • Repatriation ceremony of Pt Martin Bell delayed

    A repatriation ceremony for the body of a British soldier killed in Afghanistan has been delayed. Private Martin Bell died in a blast from an improvised explosive device (IED) in Helmand province. His cortege is expected to arrive at

  • RUGBY UNION: Alchester batter basement boys

    BB&O round-up George Symonds and Joe McAneaney ran in try doubles as Alchester cruised to a 50-14 Premier Division win at basement boys Hungerford. Centre Symonds notched the first, with Tom Barnes converting, then Adam Thompson was driven over for

  • Wife jailed for false rape claim

    A SOLDIER’S wife has been jailed after claiming she had been raped, to cover up becoming pregnant while her husband was fighting in Afghanistan. Two innocent men were arrested after Samantha Morley, of Willow Road, Ambrosden, near Bicester, told police

  • Eynsham woman, 86, foils conmen

    Police are appealing for information after an attempted distraction burglary at the home of an 86-year-old woman in Eynsham. A man called at the home of the woman in Spareacre Lane at 7.20pm on Friday and claimed to be from the Water Board. The

  • Hospital cash is the perfect prescription

    CHILDREN dressed up as doctors and nurses to hand over cash to real medical staff at Oxford Children’s Hospital. Youngsters from the Co-operative Childcare nursery, on the city’s Blackbird Leys estate, visited the facility, next to the John

  • £6million bid to boost transport network in South Oxon

    A BID has been made for £6m of Government funding to improve the transport network in south Oxfordshire, to pave the way for more than 8,000 new jobs. The organisation Science Vale UK, a partnership of local science and technology employers

  • RUGBY UNION: Spencer try seals scrappy derby

    Gosford All Blacks 5, Bicester 15 Bicester made it three BB&O Premier Division wins on the bounce after edging one of the scrappiest games you will ever see. For an hour, neither side came close to scoring as the errors spiralled, but in the end Bicester

  • RUGBY UNION: Smith's mixed feelings

    Bicester head coach Alec Smith had mixed feelings after beating Gosford All Blacks. “That is three wins in a row and we are pleased with that,” said Smith. “I think it could have gone either way. They dominated up front, but we had a bit more of it

  • RACING: Somersby has Champion aim

    Somersby is to be aimed by Wantage trainer Henrietta Knight at the sportingbet.com Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival on Wednesday, March 16. The West Lockinge handler had been in two minds whether to target her stable star

  • HOCKEY: Cresswell just can't stop scoring!

    The Men's South League's top scorer, Dave Cresswell, struck another hat-trick for Oxford Hawks as the Premier Division 2 leaders hit back from two down to draw 4-4 at Richmond. With Richmond second in the table at start of play, this was potentially

  • HOCKEY: Bicester are up - already!

    Bicester secured promotion from Division 1 of the Trysports 3 Counties League, with five games still to play, as they beat Milton Keynes 2nd 10-0. Kath James scored five times, and other goals came from Lisa Ryan (2), Lilla Venning (2), and Ruth Thomas

  • FOOTBALL: Hill sets Witney survival target

    Richard Hill has taken over as Witney United’s manager with the aim of preserving their Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division status this season. And then the former Oxford United midfielder, who was most recently coach at Didcot Town,

  • HOCKEY: Hawks knocked off top spot

    Oxford Hawks were knocked off the top of South League Premier 2 by Richmond – who fared better against their Ashford opponents! While Hawks lost 4-2 away to Ashford (Kent), the only team to beat them before Christmas, Richmond hammered bottom club Ashford

  • Death threats for Iranian journalist

    AN IRANIAN journalist who fled to Oxfordshire 18 months ago has received two death threats. Masih Alinejad, 34, who has been critical of her country’s regime, said she had been advised by police to move house and change her movements following two threats

  • ASK THE VET: Bird may be a buzzard

    Q. I found my cat watching a bird under a bush in our garden. She would not move away even when I called her. When I found the bird it frightened me when I went near. Mum says it might be a buzzard and it is probably poorly or injured. What should I do

  • RUGBY UNION: Hawks are held

    National 2 South Henley Hawks battled back from 19-5 down to draw 24-24 with Old Albanians at Dry Leas. Full back Richard Gregg gave Albanians the lead with two penalties, while Henley replied with a try from their first attack on 26 minutes. No

  • Avoiding the issue

    john Tanner, Oxford city councillor for Littlemore, has been singing the praises of the proposed 425ft-high wind turbine at Horspath and saying how he would love one opposite his house (Oxford Mail, January 14). Then, last week (Oxford Mail 24 January

  • Let off the hook

    TONY Blair’s latest appearance at the Chilcot Inquiry was a farce. Looking nervous and tense at first, he soon relaxed when he realised that he was not going to be asked difficult questions or cross-examined over his response, which sometimes bordered

  • Fuelling destruction

    It’s depressing to hear that the oil companies have been given permission to drill for oil in the deeper waters off the Scottish coast. One wonders if this will continue until every removable amount of fossil fuel has been taken from the earth, despite

  • Snail mail

    The Oxford Mail recently quoted a spokesman saying that the post was back to normal. Really? I had a Christmas card which was posted in Birmingham on December 18, which arrived last week – while I was still waiting for a card from a cousin in Hemel Hempstead

  • HOCKEY: Leaders Hawks relentless in 7-0 hammering

    Leaders Oxford Hawks returned to competitive action in style with a 7-0 win over Harrow in Women's South League Division 1. Positive and enthusiastic from the off, Hawks were relentless in their attacks. Cita Haines fired them in front, and captain

  • TROTMAN TRIAL: Top cop's trial jury goes out

    A TOP police officer should not be judged on his extra-marital affair but on whether or not he set fire to his own car, a court was told yesterday. The jury in the case of Chief Superintendent Jim Trotman was due to continue discussing its verdict this

  • FOOTBALL: Ady's relishing Didcot challenge

    ADY Williams says he can’t wait to get started after being made boss of Zamaretto Southern League Premier Division strugglers Didcot Town. The former Reading and Wales international defender, 39, who took over following the resignation of Stuart

  • RUGBY UNION: Oxford ease drop fears

    Southern Counties North Two tries from Jack Cousins helped Oxford defeat Broadmoor Staff 28-17 in their relegation battle. Handling errors prevented Oxford scoring early tries, but Cousins grabbed his first from a darting break. A driven line-out

  • Supermarket sweep

    STOP the supermarket juggernaut. The main supermarkets appear to be trying to eliminate local shops in a bid to gain an overwhelming slice of the market. This has been very successful so far in Oxford due to their large financial resources. A current

  • Planned rail junction will be boost to town

    Colin Morris’s claim that Bicester’s new rail junction will be “unbearably” noisy (Oxford Mail letters, January 11) is false. Evergreen 3 will bring half-hourly London trains to Bicester Town station: within walking distance of thousands of south Bicester

  • COMMENT: Shaggy dog story

    Today we bring you the story of Harvey the dog. A touching tale. Harvey has gone from being an abandoned rescue dog to one of TV’s most surprising stars. It’s a real rags to riches story, with Harvey clocking up more than 11,000 friends on Facebook

  • How Sykes the Oxfordshire terrier became a TV star

    SIX years ago, terrier Sykes was a homeless stray, found wandering round an Essex park. Now he is TV’s most famous mutt, with 11,600 Facebook friends, marriage proposals from fans, and celebrity invitations to open pet shops across the country

  • RUGBY UNION: Wallingford's battling victory

    South West 1 East Wallingford resisted a late fightback to win 16-10 at basement boys Wimborne. Wing Phil Kelly was forced out just short of the try-line in the first clear chance for Martin Moran’s men, while their pack held sway. Full back Ralph

  • RUGBY UNION: Bulls left frustrated

    Midlands 1 West Banbury Bulls lost 17-7 at bottom club Leamington to all but extinguish their survival hopes. Bulls, who lost skipper Eddie Phillips to a knee injury, could not convert territory and possession into points and went down to a more committed

  • Court told Middleton Cheney breath test was done incorrectly

    A POLICE officer will be retrained after a man walked free from court when it was revealed a breathalyser had not been used properly. The 23-year-old man appeared at Banbury Magistrates’ Court last Monday to deny a charge of failing to provide

  • Oxford city's taxis to install CCTV in cabs

    THE city’s 600 taxi drivers could be forced to install CCTV in their cars to protect themselves and their passengers. Many drivers have backed the idea of all cabbies being forced to have the £400 cameras and microphones fitted in their vehicles

  • DARTS: Brown hits four maximums

    Andy Brown scored an amazing four 180s as Kidlington Green SC shocked Greene King ODDA Winter League Section 2 leaders Three Horseshoes 7-2. It is believed to be a record number of maximums for an ODDA singles match. Fred Parsons gave the home

  • COMMENT: A good move

    The city council is set to force taxi drivers to install CCTV in their cars. At £400 a throw, you can imagine there would be a fair amount of teeth-grinding at the prospect. But this is not just about passenger safety, it is aimed at helping drivers

  • RUGBY UNION: Cathcart shines in narrow win

    National 3 South West James Cathcart produced a man-of-the-match display in Chinnor’s 24-18 home victory over Bridgwater & Albion. The fly half kicked nine points and scored the decisive try in the second half as Chinnor edged a hard-fought clash

  • National 'crime map' unveiled

    Street-by-street crime maps designed to give people the information they need to hold their local police to account went online today. Home Secretary Theresa May said the maps, accessible online at www.police.uk, would help people find out what was

  • Hackney joins Oxford United as Green goes

    Transfer deadline day for Oxford United yesterday was a case of one in, one out – and one who seemingly was in also going out. Arriving was left-sided midfielder Simon Hackney, who has joined on loan from Colchester United until the end of

  • School teams prove they're enterprising

    YOUNG entrepreneurs from across the county gathered for a special event to test their fledgling business skills. Scores of teenagers set up shop at the Templars Square Shopping Centre in Cowley, Oxford, to sell their products as part of the Young Enterprise