Archive

  • United v Cardiff clash moved

    Oxford United’s home clash with Championship side Cardiff City in the first round of the Carling Cup has been arranged for Wednesday, August 10 with a 7.45pm kick-off. Although Tuesday evenings are traditionally United’s midweek games, Cardiff’s opening

  • New theatre club gets kids involved

    SONG, dance and theatre with a time-travel twist will be on offer with the launch of a new theatre club at East Oxford’s Pegasus Theatre. The Magdalen Road theatre has brought together five Oxfordshire artists to form a new performing troupe

  • Hospital waits for care are far too long

    OXFORDSHIRE hospitals were among the worst for hitting a key waiting time measure, after they took far too long to treat 360 people. Latest figures show the Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust ranks 157th out of 190 NHS providers for leaving patients

  • Work of Art

    ANDREW FFRENCH speaks with renowned children’s author Mary Hoffman about her passionate and racy novel David. THE beginning of my conversation with Mary Hoffman, the acclaimed children’s author, is unexpectedly racy. “Call me in 10 minutes

  • Crown Jules

    Blake’s star is still on the ascent, but two years ago it looked as if they would crash and burn like every other boy band. Long-standing member Jules Knight tells Katherine MacAlister how Blake rode the storm. WHETHER it’s singing to crowds

  • Ideal Holmes

    KATHERINE MacALISTER talks to Miranda star James Holmes about playing Alan Bennett in one of the celebrated playwright’s own works. If you’ve been watching Miranda, the BBC comedy that has become cult viewing, then you’ll know exactly who

  • Fine Dining

    KATHERINE MACALISTER finds an Italian chain underwhelming. What can I say about Zizzi? It was nice. It’s a pizza/pasta place on George Street. What else? How about ‘fine’. How many words is that if I stretch it out? Twenty? Only 480 words

  • Charity shop has window smashed

    A WITNEY charity shop suffered £850 damage after a drain cover was used to smash its front window. Cheryl Morley, manager of the Sue Ryder Care shop in Corn Street, said: “It just makes you angry that this mindless vandalism happens, and that

  • Tesco staff line up for Race for Life

    WHEN Tesco invited its staff to take part in Sunday’s cancer fundraiser Race for Life, they had ladies queuing in the aisles. Twenty-nine female workers at the Cowley Retail Park superstore will line up to take part in Sunday’s event at Oxford’s University

  • Wedded Bliss

    BRIDESMAIDS (15). Comedy/Romance. Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Rose Byrne, Melissa McCarthy, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Ellie Kemper, Chris O'Dowd, Jon Hamm. Director: Paul Feig. After months if not years of meticulous planning, and

  • Perfect Pitch

    WHETHER we like a glass of Pimms on a stately home lawn, herbal tea in a tipi, or a pint of rough scrumpy in a muddy field, there’s a festival out there for all of us. But with more choice than ever, how do you make sure you’re not throwing your hard-earned

  • Pupils paddle up funds for school roof

    WHEN best friends Zanna Gaydon and Olivia Stevens found out that pupils in Uganda did not learn under a school roof, they took action. The nine-year-old Cumnor Primary School pupils organised a fundraising three-mile canoe journey to raise £400 to build

  • Course launched for young boxing coaches

    SOME Oxford men would say they are products of ‘the school of hard knocks’. But one famed boxing coach is making that claim a reality, by launching a sports project to give school-leavers qualifications by stepping into the ring. Paddy Fitzpatrick is

  • Slurry pool dispute

    A recycling company’s plan to build a giant slurry lagoon has caused a stink with residents. Agrivert plans to create the pool on land between Yarnton and Cassington. Cherwell District Council has granted planning permission for the scheme, although

  • Local shares (PM)

    AEA Technology 3.85 BMW 5876 Electrocomponents 264 Nationwide Accident Repair 95 Oxford Biomedica 5.65 Oxford Catalysts 87 Oxford Instruments 912.75 Reed Elsevier 535.25 RM 146.75 RPS Group 238.2 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon

  • Wheeling in: Citroën C4

    IF Citroën's new C4 was a political party candidate knocking at your door canvassing for votes, you would know instantly that you were looking at a member of the Conservative Party. Sharply dressed, offering nothing too radical, it hints at a

  • Cherwell signs up to forces covenant

    CHERWELL District Council’s chairman has signed a county-wide Armed Forces Community Covenant pledging mutual support between civilian and military communities. Oxfordshire is the first county to launch the initiative which aims to encourage

  • Forces museum bid moves step closer

    A MUSEUM dedicated to the history of the armed forces in Oxfordshire is a step closer to reality after councillors decided to charge no rent for it. Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet this week recommended leasing the land to The Soldiers of Oxfordshire

  • Exhibition shows Oxfordshire from the air

    Oxfordshire from the air opens at Oxford Castle tomorrow. The outdoor Britain from the Air display consists of 100 aerial photos of the country, including 10 from Oxfordshire. Sights include Blenheim Palace, the Uffington White Horse and Oxford

  • Consumers’ group folds

    THE OXFORD Consumer Group, the oldest of its kind in the country, is to fold after half a century, because it does not have enough youn-ger members. The group celebrates its 50th anniversary this year and has produced shoppers’ guides and campaigned

  • Blackwell's appoints new managing director

    Bookseller Blackwell’s has made a top appointment after axing its chief executive earlier this year. The Oxford-based firm has brought in Diane Kerr as managing director of its library supply division. It follows the departure of chief executive Andrew

  • Pupils’ wheelie important environmental idea

    PUPILS with an important environmental message wheeled out a bright idea to get across their views. Five girls from Dr South’s Primary School in Islip won the top prize in the Wheel to Oxford Castle contest, which asked pupils to create a garden

  • Oxford wines win awards

    WINES made in Oxfordshire have won a number of national awards. Hendred Vineyard, near Wantage, won two silver medals and a bronze in the English Wine of the Year competition. Opened by husband and wife Steve and Viviane Callaghan in

  • Oxford in Bloom: Keen gardener grandmum enters, aged 94

    WHILE most of her contemporaries are happy to put their feet up and relax, 94-year-old Victoria Baker spends her days in a rather more active fashion. The remarkable nonagenarian is living proof you don’t have to have hours spare to bring a

  • BOWLS: Clanfield stars in Carterton victory

    Robbie Clanfield’s strong finish helped Carterton see off Banbury Central A 5-1 in Division 1 of the Oxford & District League, sponsored by Yarnton Nurseries. Clanfield’s four triumphed 22-16, while Will Campion’s side prevented a whitewash with a 16

  • BOWLS: Women ready for triples test

    The Oxfordshire Ladies triples quarter-finals and semi-finals take place at Henley on Saturday. The semi-final winners will go on to represent Oxon at the National Championships at Leamington Spa in August. Quarter-finals: V Beaumont (Shiplake) v J

  • BOWLS: Headington roar on

    Headington crushed Banbury Borough 5-0 in the National Top Club Championship area quarter-finals. They now entertain Carterton, who won 4-1 at Gerrards Cross, in the semi-finals on Sunday, July 3. The other semi-final is between Stony Stratford and

  • Cyclists jump to it to get staff on bikes

    OXFORD companies marked Bike Week by enjoying a dazzling display from some of the top riders in the country. Lee McCaw and Scott Wilson, who together are known as MAD, Mountainbike Aerial Display, showed off their skills at Oxford Business

  • SPEEDWAY: Former Cheetahs ace Gooch dies at 82

    Jimmy Gooch, a leading light in the treble-winning Oxford Cheetahs side of 1964, has passed away, aged 82. Essex-born Gooch moved to Oxford in 1964 – a switch that transformed the fortunes of both rider and club. Gooch formed a formidable opening

  • SPEEDWAY: Ex-Oxford Cheetah bids farewell

    Former Oxford Cheetahs skipper Steve Johnston will wave goodbye to British speedway with a farewell meeting at Swindon’s Abbey Stadium on Thursday, June 23 (7.30pm. Ex-world champions Jason Crump and Greg Hancock lead an all-star line-up boasting

  • BAR BILLIARDS: Oxford battle back

    OXFORD A bounced back to win 3-2 after being 2-0 down at Wallingford B in the first leg of the Inter Area Knockout Cup quarter-final, writes PETE EWINS. Wallingford’s Pete Burton (5,020) beat Steven Sheard, while Gary Johnson scored 14,690 against Kevin

  • GOLF: Results round-up

    OXFORD CITY Monthly Medal No 4 – Div 1: 1 P Higgins 70-6=64, 2 C Keely 81-12=69 (cb), 3 A Hooker 76-7=69. Div 2: 1 D Judd 84-15=69, 2 M Marriott 85-15=70, 3 N Harbert 90-19=71. OXFORD LADIES Medal No 9: 1 W Austen nett 72. Maple Leaf Cups (scratch

  • Community tension sparks weekend street violence

    EAST Oxford’s top police officer last night warned violence would not be tolerated after a street fight, which led to four arrests. Insp Marc Tarbit, neighbourhood inspector for the area, said the incident on Sunday night in Reliance Way was

  • CRICKET: Dazzling Brightman signs for Brill

    Nick Brightman claimed 8-50 to help Brill to a two-wicket win over Swin-brook in Division 5, writes Kieren Bushnell. George Grace (39) saw Swi-nbrook to 170 all out, before Tony Burcham (60) led Brill to 171-8. Jimmy Appleton captured 6-26 as Chesterton

  • Sports fans land Olympic tickets

    LUCKY sports fans can start the countdown to the London 2012 Olympics after finding out which tickets they have secured for next August’s Games. But thousands of others have been left fuming after their dreams of seeing a slice of history evaporated

  • Local share prices (AM)

    AEA Technology 3.85 BMW 5876 Electrocomponents 264 Nationwide Accident Repair 95 Oxford Biomedica 5.65 Oxford Catalysts 87 Oxford Instruments 912.75 Reed Elsevier 535.25 RM 146.75 RPS Group 238.2 Courtesy of Redmayne

  • TRIATHLON: Lidbury lands another title

    Oxford's Emma-Kate Lidbury was over the moon after winning her second Ironman 70.3 title of the season at Wimbleball, Exmoor. The 31-year-old, from Risinghurst, gained sweet revenge for a third-place finish 12 months ago with a devastating

  • BOWLS: Oxon off mark in thriller

    Oxfordshire finally opened their Middleton Cup account with a nail-biting 122-118 win over Sussex at Worthing Pavilion. Oxon’s hopes of progressing from Group 2 Section B (South) were already a distant dream following defeats by Hampshire and

  • COMMENT: Ticketing lottery

    YESTERDAY was the day Olympic organisers told us they had drained our bank accounts and will, in return, send tickets for two weightlifting sessions. That’s if you’re lucky. Anyone who truly says they are happy to go to archery and synchronised swimming

  • D-Day set for Oxford buses shake-up

    BUS users will be able to use one ticket on main Oxford routes from next month, in a move bosses say will cut city centre bus traffic by a quarter. Stagecoach and the Oxford Bus Company will co-ordinate their timetables and ticket operations from Sunday

  • ATHLETICS: Naylor is champ

    WOODSTOCK Harrier Steve Naylor was never challenged as he romped to victory in the Oxfordshire 5k track championships at Iffley Road. The race formed part of the Town v Gown fixture, with the county competing against Oxford and Oxford Brookes Universities

  • ATHLETICS: Radley are on the up

    RADLEY clinched promotion to the Premier Division of the McCain National Young Athletes League as they won their fourth win out of four at Tilsley Park. There were many notable performances, such as under 13 girl Freya Rowe finishing second in the 75m

  • Rape claim asylum seeker deported

    A failed asylum seeker was deported on Tuesday night despite an ongoing investigation into allegations she was raped. The woman from Nigeria alleged that she was raped on February 16. A man was arrested and has been released on bail

  • Rape claim asylum seeker deported

    A failed asylum seeker was deported on Tuesday night despite an ongoing investigation into allegations she was raped. The woman from Nigeria alleged that she was raped on February 16. A man was arrested and has been released on bail

  • Bulldozer-dodging home

    A house that dodged the bulldozers 60 years ago is on the market today for a shade under £1m. Under plans to extend the ring road In 1948, Oxford City Council proposed building a flyover above the property in Iffley village. But number two Abberbury

  • It's less hassle when you have an apartment

    Home ownership with less hassle is one of the main reasons why apartments are so popular with buyers, according to agents. Rob Hill, of Breckon and Breckon-owned Oxford Apartments, said: “Apartments are ideal for those with busy lives. “The advantage

  • A perfect creative retreat

    A converted barn between Great Rollright and Swerford could make the perfect creative retreat, as it includes a music room, studio and wine store. Coldharbour Hall, thought to date back to the 1800s, was converted by the current owners eight years ago

  • Driver who killed best friend is jailed

    A boy racer caused the death of his best friend and work colleague after losing control of his car on a country road. Ryan Naylor, 21, was driving his Citroen Saxo “recklessly and dangerously” in wet and dark conditions before it crashed head-on

  • Tail end of debate

    I READ with interest, and not a little amusement, Neil Thompson’s letter (Oxford Mail ViewPoints, June 20). Not for the first time has he missed the original point I made about tailgating lorry drivers. I accept his argument about car drivers who

  • THE INSIDER: A weekly update from the corridors of power

    THE MUCH-HERALDED signing of Oxfordshire’s military covenant reached an unforeseen stumbling block on Monday. Brigadier Neil Baverstock OBE, resplendent in his uniform, gave an inspiring speech about the importance of the covenant at a ceremony

  • CRICKET: Deadly duo boost Twyford's title bid

    Half-centuries from Shahid Mahmood and Josh Goff saw Twyford to an impressive seven-wicket win against Witney Mills in Division 3 of the MP Sports Cherwell League. Mills did not start too badly, thanks to Will Sterio (40) before Bilal Afzal

  • RACING: Dual Derby winner Arthur Budgett dies aged 95

    Arthur Budgett, who trained at Whatcombe, near Wantage, and became the only man to have owned, bred and trained two Derby winners in the 20th century, has died aged 95. He passed away peacefully at his home at Leckhampstead, in between Newbury

  • RUGBY: Tongan Vaikona joins Quins

    FORMER Saracens and Bradford Bulls star Tevita Vaikona has joined Oxford Harlequins as player-coach. The 36-year-old back and dual code Tongan international moves to Quins from Hull RUFC where he has been director of rugby. “Tevita will

  • GOLF: Griffiths bags third Drayton title

    ANDY Griffiths is Drayton Park’s club champion for the third time in three decades. Griffiths battled blustery and showery conditions to finish two shots ahead of Martin Roberts, backing up his victories in 1996 and 2002. The morning

  • Warning to cyclists

    I WITNESSED three near-accidents involving cyclists going over pedestrian crossings recently. In the first incident, people were crossing but the cyclists ignored the red light and went through, nearly hitting people. The cyclist looked like he was

  • Protect yourself

    FOLLOWING a recent article (OAP is robbed by bogus caller, Oxford Mail, June 14), we would like to make your readers aware that all TV licensing inquiry officers carry a security card with a helpline number that people can call to verify their identity

  • The system is broken

    TWO recent events suggest that the present system just doesn’t cut it any more: the Southern Cross care home fiasco, and the huge hike in gas and electricity prices from, can you believe, a Spanish company. Three thousand workers and many vulnerable

  • Give us a proper say on estate proposals

    I HAVE serious concerns regarding what the seeming lack of genuine consultation over Oxford’s Barton West development. The only visible method of consultation on the details of the scheme (the decision for the scheme to go ahead was taken a long time

  • New hotel-style holiday package for pensioners

    Retirement village Richmond Letcombe Regis is marketing hotel-style holiday packages for those who need assistance, giving carers a chance to take time out. Richmond Retreats offers full or half-board packages and guests can opt for as much or little

  • Get out into the country and you can rent for less

    For those who do not want, or have, to be in the centre of Oxford, it is possible to rent a house with two, three or even four bedrooms for under £1,500 a month. An example is The Convent, a terraced property with four double bedrooms in the village

  • Fears over impact of university's £57m plan

    OXFORD University is facing mounting concern over plans for a £57m development near the city’s Churchill Hospital, it emerged last night. The university is proposing to demolish the Badenoch and Richards buildings on its Old Road campus, and replace

  • Oxford United boss on look-out for three new faces

    Chris Wilder is targeting three new players to boost the squad ahead of the start of the League Two campaign in August. The Oxford United manager got his squad together for the first time this week as they underwent fitness tests at Oxford Brookes University

  • Petitioners help Oxford's cause in bid to save heart services

    THE Prime Minister is listening. That’s what campaigners who could hold the key to securing children’s heart services in Oxford were told yesterday. Chants of “save our heart unit” echoed through Downing Street yesterday as the 232,733 signatures from

  • ATHLETICS: Cautious Dean is on the mend

    HATTI Dean said a slight hip injury led to her withdrawing from the European Team Championships in Stockholm at the weekend. Dean was due to represent Great Britain in the 3,000m steeplechase, but withdrew from the team on Wednesday after suffering a

  • COMMENT: Get behind heart surgery campaign

    IT IS rare to see such an immense show of support for a campaign. But almost a quarter of a million people have signed a petition sparked by our sister newspaper the Southern Daily Echo. The aim? To keep paedeatric heart surgery at the city’s hospital

  • ATHLETICS: Burgess rules the roost

    OXFORD City’s Aaron Burgess stormed to victory at the F1 Chicken Run 10k in Brackley. The 29-year-old crossed the line in 35mins 21secs to set a new course record for the multi-terrain event, which started in 2010. Burgess finished 22 seconds clear

  • Copa of Oxford, George Street

    Who remembers the large Oxford store operated by Belfast Linen, a company that appears to have departed from the national scene? It occupied large premises opposite the main entrance to the New Theatre. In 1996 it became a pub, the Wig and Pen, during

  • Summer disruption as 70 roads face repairs

    OXFORDSHIRE’S motorists face a summer of disruption in a desperate bid to avoid another winter of discontent. Today, the Oxford Mail reveals the county’s worst roads that will be resurfaced, in a £9m effort to stop them breaking up completely when

  • Local author Joe Mansberger

    Research and design consultant Joe Mansberger, who lives in Jericho, has written a verbatim account of the experience of his young American friend inside the modern British mental health care system. The Rape of Psyche is published by Chipmunk

  • Railway detective from age of steam

    Stephen Done’s most treasured compliments about his crime novels are from former railway staff and passengers, who congratulate him on the accuracy of his evocations of the steam era. He said: “I’ve received letters from retired train drivers and firemen

  • The Smell of Summer Grass by Adam Nicolson

    THE SMELL OF SUMMER GRASS by Adam Nicolson (Harper Press, £20)This book starts at a low point in the author’s life: his first marriage has failed, as has a business he had been running; he has abandoned a book he was writing; and following an unhappy

  • £900k boost for Brookes' hospitality studies

    Future managers in the global hospitality sector have been boosted by a major charitable donation. The Oxford Brookes University department of Hospitality, Leisure and Tourism Management has received £600,000 from the Savoy Educational Trust

  • New Chamber chief targets county issues

    Transport, business finance and rural broadband are the top priorities for the new president of the Oxfordshire Chamber of Commerce. Nigel Wild believes he can put pressure on the Government to help solve many of the problems which hinder firms

  • Get out and go wild

    As recorder for reptiles in Oxfordshire for the Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust, when I’m out and about I’ve learnt to walk slowly with my eyes fixed on the ground. I tread carefully, stopping at regular intervals, creating as little vibration

  • Parky at the Pictures (In Cinemas 23/6/2011)

    Far too little fuss was made of Cutter's Way when it was released 30 years ago. Fearing it had a flop on its hands, the press office at United Artists opted to show it to a handful of New York critics in March 1981 and then bury it when they posted their

  • Parky at the Pictures (DVD 23/6/2011)

    Jean-Luc Godard once opined that all one needed to make a movie was a girl and a gun. Fifth Generation maestro Zhang Yimou clearly had this maxim in mind when he called his first feature in three years A Woman, a Gun and a Noodle Shop. However, as this

  • Group helps provide life-changing breaks

    Peter, (not his real name), 41, lives with his mother. He has a learning disability and a mental age of about seven. His mother, 65 has cared for him all her life. Until Yellow Submarine Holidays supported Peter to go on a group holiday to

  • Improving safety

    Sir – I think I owe Hugh Jaeger an apology. I had assumed from his previous correspondence (and I suspect I’m not alone in making this assumption) that he was something of a pro-car, anti-cycling zealot in the Clarkson mould. I’m therefore delighted

  • A34 safety plea

    Sir – Further to the recent articles, (Report, June 9) South Hinksey Parish Council has been lobbying the Highways Agency to improve safety on the A34 between the Hinksey interchange and North Hinksey for many years. The northbound carriageway is elevated

  • Why won’t they listen?

    Sir – Councillor Saj Malik’s letter to local residents defending Labour’s plans to close Temple Cowley Pool and Gym (TCP) smacks of desperation. The evidence for retaining TCP is clear: The cost of refurbishing TCP is less than the cost of building

  • Widespread disquiet

    Sir – In the current The Oxford Times your reporter comments that ‘the way is clear for local councils to decide on the number of houses in their area’, and quotes the Vale of White Horse District Council leader as saying: ‘We are reviewing the figures

  • Concerns ignored

    Sir – I note the comments made by Mr Mitchell regarding the legal challenge to the Secretary of State’s decision to grant planning approval for Viridor Waste Management to construct a 300,000 tonnes/ year incinerator at Ardley. Mr Mitchell could make

  • Culture of co-operation

    Sir – The proponents of competition in the NHS are strong and they seem to be found everywhere. But also strong is the tradition of co-operation. This is not ‘provider interests’, it is a widespread desire, among patients and tax payers as well as workers

  • Future of housing

    Sir – Oxford City Council is preparing a sites and housing development plan and are asking the public for help. The council expects this plan to not only decide where new housing should go, but to get into the detail of quotas of affordable and keyworker

  • Superb concert

    Sir – As one of your freelance reviewers, I am very sorry Rosemary Parke feels that The Oxford Times “completely ignored” Paul Lewis and Mark Padmore’s Oxford performance of Die schöne Müllerin (Letters, June 16). I am even more sorry that she wasn’t

  • Honouring sacrifice

    Sir – Clare Richardson, in her letter (June 16) concerning the route taken in transferring fallen servicemen from Brize Norton, raises a delicate point, from which she can expect some dissent. The route through Wootton Bassett was necessitated by road

  • Paying respects

    Sir – In her letter (June 16) Clare Richardson describes a “circus crowd” as the corteges return the bodies of those killed in Afghanistan. That is not the reason that I, or any others, go to the repatriations. I go to pay my respects to the members

  • Arncott villagers set for warehouse battle

    VILLAGERS who successfully fought plans to stop an asylum centre being built on their doorstep are gearing up for a second battle with the Government. The Ministry of Defence wants to build a giant warehouse for supplies such as clothes at the end of

  • Villagers set for warehouse battle

    VILLAGERS who successfully fought plans to stop an asylum centre being built on their doorstep are gearing up for a second battle with the Government. The Ministry of Defence wants to build a giant warehouse for supplies such as clothes at the end of

  • Councillor fed up over lack of response on post office

    AFTER four months of trying to get an answer over the future of closed Barton Post Office, fed-up councillor Van Coulter hopes he can get a response, via the Royal Mail. The exasperated Oxford City Council member has fired off a letter – registered

  • Winning ways

    WINNING the chance to build a dream outdoor classroom at St Christopher’s, Cowley, would cap an incredible year, says headteacher Alison Holden. In 2009 the school was judged inadequate by Ofsted inspectors, and placed into special measures. After

  • Totally disingenuous

    Sir – I have serious concerns regarding the seeming lack of genuine consultation on the Barton West development. The only visible method of consultation on the details of the scheme (the decision for the scheme to go ahead was taken a long time ago) is

  • Cyclists in danger

    Sir – Police statistics for fatal accidents involving motorists and cyclists, cited by Hugh Jaeger (Letters, June 16) and Chris Day (Letters, June 9) do not tell the whole story about the risks to cyclists. Non-fatal accidents involving cyclists often

  • Fresh era

    It has been a long time coming, but long-awaited plans for joint bus ticketing and joint timetabling will finally be introduced in Oxford next month. The city’s main bus operators and Oxfordshire County Council believe the move will cut hundreds of buses

  • Helping hand

    It would be hard to accuse people in Oxfordshire of turning their back on the work of the county’s armed forces. Two major events this week have reflected the wishes of residents to take practical steps to support soldiers and other members of the armed

  • Watchdog folds

    On a rather sad note, we report the closure of a group which has spent half a century successfully promoting Oxford’s shops and standing up for consumers’ rights. The Oxford Consumer Group, the oldest organisation of its kind in the country, had warned

  • Enjoy the taste and colour of lavender

    Lavender adds colour to food, and when used sparingly, brings a fragrant flavour to a multitude of dishes, both sweet and savoury. It is thought to have spread across Europe from the Greek Hyeres Islands in about 600 BC. There is every chance that

  • Recipe for lavender scones

    Lavender’s intoxicating fragrance — when used lightly in the same way as you would use any dried herb — adds a touch of magic to both sweet and savoury dishes. If you are using dried lavender, use less than fresh lavender and if you use fresh lavender

  • Bridesmaids

    After months if not years of meticulous planning, and agonising decisions about the tiniest details, it’s ironic that abiding memories of a wedding can often be completely out of the control of the bride and groom. The dress might be stunning,

  • Map shows ladybird decline

    SOME of the country’s most widespread ladybird species have suffered significant declines in the past two decades, the first atlas of the insect showed. The new publication maps all 47 different ladybirds in Britain and Ireland, and reveals that in the

  • Privileged people

    Sir – Professor Mullender needs to understand that there is more than one peak that can be staked out as The Moral High Ground. Her choice (Letters, June 16) is to support “the thousands who have nowhere to live”. By contrast, “a mere handful of privileged

  • Housing disaster

    Sir – Professor Audrey Mullender, the Principal of Ruskin College, has every reason to say “We should be focusing on the thousands who have nowhere to live” in Oxford (Letters, June 16). City council figures on housing needs and homelessness

  • Lack of engagement

    Sir – I returned my consultation form to Oxford City Council regarding the Barton development project. Sadly, I had to make decisions with insufficient information. I am unhappy with the poor consultation process and lack of engagement with local residents

  • Tragedy with hint of humour

    There have been studies of fatal accidents before. But surely no one else has discovered so many unusual, comical and grizzly ways of dying as Oxford University historian Dr Steven Gunn. Take, for instance, 24-year old Christopher (surname

  • Time to get in the pink

    There is a great scene in the wonderfully entertaining film, Legally Blonde where the ‘pink’ heroine Elle Woods is standing in a computer store scantily dressed as a bunny rabbit purchasing a laptop. Spurned by her ex and mocked by her fellow Harvard