IT WAS not so much “faster, higher, stronger” as old-fashioned luck of the draw. Past Olympians and Olympic hopefuls are among thousands of Oxfordshire sports fans whose dreams of attending the London 2012 Olympics were dashed by the Games’ complex online
PUPILS at a Littlemore Primary School have been showing off costumes made from recycled rubbish ahead of next weekend’s Carnival in the Park. Children at St John Fisher Catholic Primary School have been working with artists from Creative Partnerships
A CORONER called for tighter controls at equestrian events after hearing how a mother-of-two was crushed to death by her own horse. Experienced horsewoman Jo Rugman was “catapaulted” through the air when her horseclipped a jump in a prestigious hunt
WHEN Nikki Woods’ mum was diagnosed with lung cancer, medics suggested she could have a year to live. But the cancer had spread to Monica Woods’ brain, and she died just over a month after she was diagnosed with the disease last December.
The annual Mock Mayor event in Woodstock will be held on Saturday, August 13, from 3pm. The event will take place at the Black Prince, Manor Road, and will feature raffles, music and the historic ceremony. Residents will bid to become the mock mayor
Art students at St Birinus School, Didcot, have created a mural of their top 10 favourite books after linking up with readers at the town’s library. The mural will be unveiled at the school in Mereland Road on Monday.
A reception will be held for the Georgia Boy Choir on Thursday, July 21. Lord Mayor Elise Benjamin will host the reception at Oxford Town Hall in St Aldate’s, starting at 10am.
A DISABLED woman fears she will have to drop out of tomorrow’s Race for Life if she can’t find someone to push her around the course. Julie Ball, 41, who suffers from a spinal condition which leaves her almost permanently wheelchair-bound, was going
“THANK you for saving my life.” That’s the message from Carterton mum-of-two Fiona Walton after battling breast cancer for three years. Mrs Walton was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer on New Year’s Eve 2008, when she was 32 years old
CANCER survivor Daphne Norridge was determined to do Race for Life this year and right at her side was her ‘73- ‘years-young’ mum! Mrs Norridge, 47, from Kidlingon, and her mum Barbara Bird, 73, from Witney, took part in Race for Life in Cirencester
A sponsored swim is being held at Hinksey Pools in Oxford to raise funds for people in Leon, Nicaragua, one of the city’s twin towns. Lord Mayor Elise Benjamin will launch the sponsored swim at the pool in Abingdon Road at 4.30pm on Monday.
A Facebook group against plans for a Sainsbury’s store on the cattle market site in central Thame has gathered 500 members. Signatures are also being added to petitions in local shops, organised by the Cattle Market Action Group. South Oxfordshire District
An 18-year-old is asking for help in raising funds for a gap year trip. Sam Dalton, who attends Wood Green School, Witney, needs to raise £5,000 by November to spend eight months teaching English in Africa. He will hold a fundraising raffle on July 3
“It is like building a town.” That was how the organiser of the CLA Game Fair described the mammoth task of putting on the July 22 to 24 event. About 140,000 people are expected to attend the fair, which will feature exhibits and displays of shooting
A MEMORIAL bench unveiled in memory of a popular East Oxford newsagent will be a “wonderful legacy”, acc-ording to his friends and family. Father-of-two Jagat ‘Jagga’ Singh Daudhar, who ran Daudhar News in Horspath Road, Cowley, died from a viral infection
THE older generation proved they could move with the times – by bowling on a games console. Modern technology helped trigger memories of a more traditional pastime for residents at a care home. The pensioners at Middletown Grange Care Home in Hailey
The director of Friends of the Earth toured a factory in Witney on Wednesday, before meeting members of many of Oxfordshire’s green groups. Andy Atkins visited DFx technology, which makes low-energy LED fittings and energy-saving devices, as part of
A charity based at Cornbury Park, Charlbury, is looking for a volunteer website editor. The FASD Trust, which provides information about foetal alcohol specturm disorders, needs someone to spend one or two hours a week keeping its website updated.
A summer Mela is being staged today by Oxford Hindu Temple and Community Centre Project. Lord Mayor Elise Benjamin will attend the event at Sandhills Primary School in Terrett Avenue, Headington, at 2pm.
A mental health scheme in East Oxford needs unwanted buttons to help with an art project. The Mill, in Cowley Road, needs “tons of buttons” and is urging anyone who can help to contact Kim Pope on 01865 263758 or email kim.pope@ oxfordshire-mind.org.uk
The 20th Oxford Rural Charity Bike Ride takes place on Sunday, July 3. The event, which supports Cancer Research UK, has raised £89,000 over the past two decades. The 22-mile ride, suitable for all ages, starts at 11.30am at Oxford City FC’s ground
Oxford's picturesque colleges, dreaming spires and ancient stone buildings have inspired generations of writers and artists. And Adrian Roche, gardens and grounds manager at Keble College in Parks Road, is the man charged with making sure the famous
ACCORDING to legend, the goddess of love, Aphrodite, rose from the sea in Paphos. That, the guides tell you. What they do not add is how she came into being. The Greeks say her brother, Cronus, cut off his father Uranus’ testicles and
Oxfordshire Under 15 girls made it six wins out of six in the ECB Under 15 County Championship with a 96-run success against Berkshire at Magdalen College School. Batting first, Oxon rattled up 171-8 from their 35 overs, Carla Wood top-scoring with 38
THE daughter of a woman who remains unconscious after an asthma attack eight months ago will dance in her honour tonight. Five-year-old Madison Southey, who only took up Irish dancing a few weeks ago, said she was looking forward to doing something to
Half-centuries from Ben Charlesworth and Sammy Lion-Cachet inspired Oxfordshire Under 10s to a resounding 117-run victory over Northamptonshire. Northants won the toss and inserted Oxfordshire, and although both openers fell to run-outs, Oxon never let
Cumnor B played through the rain in a bid to reach the quarter-finals of the Oxfordshire Under 15 Club Championships. But despite thrashing Ducklington by 121 runs, they were pipped to the Group D honours by Minster Lovell, whose match against Bampton
A 20-year-old man was killed after a collision with a car on an A34 slip road near Oxford this morning. The accident, involving a blue Vauxhall Astra, happened shortly before 2am on the exit slip at Kennington. The pedestrian was taken
Oxfordshire Under 13s fell to a disappointing 108-run defeat against a strong Worcestershire side in their ECB Under 13 Cup clash at Cokethorpe School. The visitors produced a strong batting performance to rattle up 202-5 in their 40 overs, before dismissing
City of Oxford’s Chris Marsh claimed five national titles at the National Long Course Championships in Leeds. Marsh swam in 17 events over the three-day programme, winning the 1500m, 800m and 400m freestyle and also the 400m individual medley and 200m
GORTKELLY Nani, looks well in for Saturday night’s A1 over 450 metres at Oxford Stadium. The Michael Peterson-trained dog gets the nap vote. SATURDAY'S RUNNERS 7.35: Queen Anne, Smooth Henry 3, TEXAN HONDO, Greencroft Pearl, Global Maldini, Iver Candy
A GROUP of adults with learning difficulties will soon be tucking into their own produce thanks to an eco grant. Bicester Outreach, which is based at Garth House, have officially opened their new vegetable garden thanks to £2,000 funding.
A WOMAN who was killed on the M40 this morning was collecting belongings from the carriageway, police believe. The woman, thought to be in her 60s, was in collision with a silver Ford Fiesta travelling south. The incident, at about 9am
Captain Max Mannering produced fantastic figures of 7-10 to inspire Oxfordshire to a comprehensive nine-wicket win over Shropshire in their opening ECB Under 14 County Cup clash at Bloxham School. After a couple of friendly defeats, Oxfordshire were
PLANS for new cafes, houses and open space in Cowley will go on show to the public next month. Residents are being invited to have their say on a revamp of Templars Shopping Park, in Between Towns Road. The plans include three new cafes
Tyron Eyles took a hat-trick in figures of 4-13 as Marlborough School, Woodstock reached the final of the Under 12 Bunbury Cup with a 37-run win against Cokethorpe School. Marlborough posted 93-9, which was more than enough as Eyles and Lloyd Belcher
There was a thrilling finish to the Under 13 Lady Taverners competition held at Cokethorpe School. Banbury met Shipton-under-Wychwood in the final, and won by virtue of losing fewer wickets. Batting first, they were restricted to 45-3 from their eight
Joe Taylor, boss of J&K Tackle in Bicester, has returned home after another successful fishing trip to America. He travelled over with Andy Wornham and they set their sights on catching alligator garfish from the Trinity River that runs from
Oxford driver Sam Mitchell’s challenge for the Classic Hot Rod title has been boosted by a sponsorship deal with Unipart. Mitchell, who stands in fourth position in the series after five meetings, will now be supplied with the parts for his Ford Anglia
Reigning champion Jason Plato is adamant there’s still time to strike back in the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship title race after a challenging day at his home circuit of Croft. The Oxford driver’s weekend in the North East got off to an
Berinsfield ABC have been given double cause to celebrate during what has been a landmark year for the club. They have been awarded the Amateur Boxing Association of England’s prestigious Clubmark accreditation, which recognises the club’s achievement
Kezia Pullinger won four gold medals as City of Oxford put in an impressive performance at the Maxwell Level 3 Open meeting at Aquavale, Aylesbury. Pullinger, 17, won gold in the 50m freestyle (29.58secs), 50m breaststroke (38.65), 50m butterfly (32.98
The name of Stringer is to return to Oxford Stadium, after Chris Stringer, husband of the late Gloria, was granted a professional trainers’ license. Stringer will hold a dual attachment to Oxford and Swindon, and will operate from his former base at
THE historic annual inspection of livestock on Oxford’s Port Meadow took place last night. Sheriff of Oxford Jean Fooks, who is responsible for protecting the meadow, made sure all the cattle belonged to the Freemen of Oxford or Wolvercote Commoners.
Chipping Norton’s Alice Powell was out of luck in the latest rounds of the Formula Renault UK Championship at Croft. Driving her Manor Competition car, she finished ninth in round nine at the north east venue as Jack Hawksworth took the honours. Powell
SCHOOLS will confirm early next week whether they will be forced to close by the biggest teachers’ strike for a generation. Across Oxfordshire, up to 2,200 members of the National Union of Teachers (NUT) and 1,500 from the Association of Teachers and
STAFF at the Oxford branch of furniture retailer Habitat are facing an uncertain future after the group went into administration. The outlet near Seacourt Tower, Botley, is one of 30 stores under threat, which employ a total of 900 workers. The business
WITH his specially-trained dog by his side, an RAF corporal will head out to Afghanistan next year to hunt for roadside bombs. Corporal Karl Hicks, from RAF Brize Norton, and his black Labrador Bailey will help to protect Army patrols in the
A WOMAN was arrested and cautioned after 10 cannabis plants were seized from an Eynsham house on Thursday. The early-morning raid saw officers break down the door of a semi-detached home in Pelican Place before searching the house. Cannabis plants and
IT was a family affair as Home Counties Junior ABA lightweight champion Declan Townsend was named the Oxford Boxing Academy’s most promising fighter. For the 15-year-old from Leafield was presented with the trophy by his dad and club chairman, Alan,
Businessman Steven Liquorish will have the thrill of racing round the legendary Nurburgring circuit today when he competes in the Porsche World Cup. The 45-year-old amateur driver, from Wantage, has been racing at national level for four years. He said
Horspath Hammers kept up their 100 per cent record in the British Premier League with a 92-78 win at Wednesfield. The visitors took the lead in the third heat with a 7-3 win from Mateusz Szymczak and Mark Boaler. And the same pair repeated the feat
The Oxford faithful roared home the locally-trained Aherlow Shaw after a great performance by the Richard Yeates-trained runner to reach Tuesday’s final of the £8,000 Betfair Pall Mall. Shaw, owned by local stalwarts Pete Dawson and Mick Lowe, has had
THIS is the first glimpse of the new memorial garden on the boundary of Brize Norton and Carterton where people will pay tribute to fallen British soldiers. The memorial, in Norton Way, will be alongside the route to be taken from the autumn by repatriation
Banbury's Will Bratt is hoping that rounds five and six of the FIA Formula 2 Championship at Spa-Francorchamps this weeeknd will turn his season around. Second position during the season-opener at Silverstone Grand Prix Circuit got his year of F2 action
Oxford-based postman Geoff Adams must be one of the most consistent big-fish anglers in the county. He concentrates on large tench at this time of the year and spends his time either at a Colne Valley pit or a secret Oxfordshire stillwater. So far this
Pete Clarke finished top as the new coarse fishing season on rivers began last week, with Oxford Bus AC tackling their favourite School Waters on the Cherwell off the High in Oxford. He posted 10.6.0, comprising three bream, roach and the odd perch,
PLANS to regulate the parking of cars for sale on the city’s streets are being considered. For years, part of the Cowley Road has been used to sell second-hand cars, leaving vehicles parked sometimes for weeks or months. Oxford City
AN Oxford United supporters’ group chief believes the change of date for the eagerly-anticipated derby game with Swindon in August will have no impact on the day. United’s npower League Two fixture with Swindon at the County Ground has been moved back
A FORMER Girl Guides commissioner for Oxfordshire was last night beginning a jail term for defrauding her own firm out of almost £180,000. Anthea Madden wrote 137 cheques for her own benefit while a director for the Useful Loft Company. The 61-year-old
OXFORD City Council deserves commending for trying to tackle the problem of traders turning some of our streets into car yards – but the scheme needs bite. There is no disputing some busy streets are blighted because people who do not live
A 25-year-old man has admitted almost 20 frauds totalling tens of thousands of pounds. Alfred Down, right, of Woodhill Caravan Park, in East Challow, admitted 18 frauds and one count of acquiring £45,370 of criminal property at Oxford Crown Court on
A man denied two charges, including attempted murder, after an alleged a hit-and-run attack. Rohan Crooks, 33, also previously denied dangerous driving and causing Orvil Francis grievous bodily harm with intent. At Oxford Crown Court
EVERY teenager’s 18th birthday is a landmark. For Alex and Joanna Bagwell, born premature at 23 weeks, it is a miracle. We hope they enjoy their big day and trust all the medics who worked on them are suitably proud.
JOANNA and Alex Bagwell will enjoy a very special birthday party today, 18 years after they entered the record books as the world’s youngest surviving twins. The Bagwell twins, from Hampton Gay near Kidlington, were born at the John Radcliffe
Stonesfield fete takes place today from noon at Stonesfield Primary School in the High Street. It’s free to attend and attractions include a bouncy castle, climbing wall and tug of war.
STUNNING new aerial images of Oxford and the surrounding countryside are expected to give bars and restaurants at Oxford Castle a boost. In the winter of 2008, when a free exhibition of international photos called Earth from the Air was staged at the
