Emergency services were called to two fires caused by cooking left unattended on Thursday night. Two people were treated for smoke inhalation after the fires, in a sheltered housing flat in Field Avenue, Blackbird Leys and in Ridgefield Road, Cowley.
An 18-year-old had his jaw broken after he tried to help a woman involved in a row in Hythe Bridge Street. The attack happened between midnight and 3am on Sunday. Last night the man was still being treated for his injuries at the John Radcliffe Hospital
MUSLIMS have shown Christmas is not just for Christians by helping to organise Rose Hill’s first community festive tree. Rose Hill children’s centre worker Nassira Jmil came up with idea for the tree at The Oval to bring the community together
Work on a controversial incinerator in Ardely will start “within weeks” Oxfordshire County Council has confirmed. The authority has finalised arrangements so Viridor Oxfordshire Limited can begin work on building the Energy from Waste facility. Campaign
A COMPETITION which has celebrated Oxford’s most talented gardeners for 25 years may be forced to close. Only 69 people put themselves forward for this year’s Oxford in Bloom contest, compared to about 80 in 2010. Organisers have issued
PLANS to remove staff from the UK’s only high speed railway crossings in a residential area have been postponed. But Network Rail insisted its controversial plans to monitor the two Steventon crossings from Swindon by CCTV would still go ahead. The
ENVIRONMENTAL campaigers say a council’s housing policy could damage the countryside forever. Vale of White Horse District Council is consulting on plans to catch up on its housing targets by allowing about 800 homes to be built on small housing developments
DIRECTOR Simon Plumbridge got to grips with one of Shakespeare’s best-loved tragedies at Oxford’s Pegasus Theatre. The Platform 4 production of Macbeth ran on Friday and Saturday at the Magdalen Road theatre. Mr Plumbridge, above, said: “The text is
AEA Technology 0.2 BMW 4440 Electrocomponents 195.3 Nationwide Accident Repair 71.5 Oxford Biomedica 4.9 Oxford Catalysts 51.25 Oxford Instruments 936.75 Reed Elsevier 507.25 RM 72.1 RPS Group 181.7 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
An Oxford-based lettings agent has been named Franchise of the Year in a national competition. Martin & Co won the title in awards sponsored by industry publication The Negotiator Magazine. In the same awards, held at London's Park Lane Hilton, Martin
‘The more observant among you will notice that there’s no orchestra tonight,” Brian Kay commented during a witty speech at the start of Burford Singers’ concert. What they had instead was the rarity of a Pleyel double piano, played by acclaimed pianists
Pianist Hélène Grimaud (pictured) is one of those high-powered musicians who commands attention the minute she appears. There’s no messing about with minute adjustments to piano stools — she just sits down and zips into action. You get the feeling
Once every three years, in a tradition dating back to 1880, the Oxford University Classical Drama Society offers audiences a Greek play performed in its original language. It is always a treat, but this year’s production of Clytemnestra (a new
Power has been restored to all 1,250 properties hit by an outage this morning. A fault on Southern Electric's high voltage network took out electricity supplies in Woodstock, Tackley and Kirtlington at 7.25am. Southern Electric are still investigating
The curtains opened on a grey November morning in Osney, and a sight that did nothing to lift the gloom. Framed in the window, on the opposite side of the road, was a handsome sparrowhawk, its fearsome talons holding down a blackbird that fluttered and
WORK has started on a new 22-acre wood set to improve landscape and wildlife on outskirts of Witney. The Friends of Wychwood, which is leading the £100,000 scheme, hope Foxburrow Wood will become a place for recreation and nature study. The work off
YOUNGSTERS turned their hands to the historic crafts of thatching and daubing at the weekend. The Oxfordshire Youth Arts Partnership’s Hidden Camp scheme at Cogges Manor Farm in Witney on Sunday gave teenagers a chance to experience life as
VILLAGERS have hit out at their parish council after it cut down half of the trees on a community green. Eight of the 16 lime trees on the land between White Horse Crescent and Woodhill Drive in Grove were axed. Grove Parish Council said the work was
WHEN Sheila Stevens took her cocker spaniel to the vet near Wallingford a year ago she ended up taking three dogs home at the end of her visit. Two puppies had been rescued by RSPCA officers and taken to Larkmead Vets’ surgery in Cholsey. Mrs Stevens
HOMEgrown music stars Alphabet Backwards didn’t do a Duran Duran and visit Antigua for their new video. Instead, singer James Hitchman plumped for his hometown of Abingdon as the background for the video to latest song Taller. The video shows different
A 20-year-old man remains in a critical but stable condition following a crash which closed the M40’s southbound carriageway between junctions 8A and 9. The man was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford after a Volkswagen Polo, Audi
A HIT-AND-RUN driver who evaded police capture for more than two years has been jailed. Rohan Crooks, 34, ploughed into Orville ‘Dean’ Francis in Cuddesdon Way, Blackbird Leys, dragging the pedestrian under his Lexus leaving him with life-threatening
Two tries from Jed Boyle helped Banbury Bulls earn a much-needed 37-5 victory over Cheltenham North in Midlands 2 West South. Simon Brand, Mike Smith, Simon Castle-Green and Carl Daniels also crossed over, with Smith slotting two conversions and a penalty
Takara Haines bagged a brace of goals as Oxford Hawks Ladies put on an impressive performance at home to Chelmsford, running out 3-2 winners in Conference East. They went ahead from their first penalty corner on 20 minutes, Katherine Poulter deflecting
Banbury remain rooted to the bottom of South League Premier 1 after a 3-2 defeat at home to Staines. Zipping the ball around with pace and purpose, Banbury went ahead on 20 minutes when Josh Nunneley flicked the ball high into the net after
A 17-year-old arrested after a 62-year-old man was stabbed in his Headington home on Friday has been bailed until December 12. Police last night said the elderly victim, who was stabbed in the chest, was in a stable condition at the John Radcliffe
TWO graffiti artists responsible for a “concerted campaign” of vandalism have been fined and ordered to pay compensation. Brook Purvis and Matthew Carr admitted 25 offences of criminal damage between them at Oxford Magistrates’ Court yesterday. The
THE captain of the Oxford University ice hockey team was struck over the head with a whisky bottle in a clash involving a pig’s head and a blow-up doll. Benjamin Sheppard threw the empty 750ml bottle, hitting student Matthew Alkitis, in a clash between
A Thame town councillor said yesterday residents were sending their support to Bee Gees star Robin Gibb, right, and his family as he battles liver cancer. It is understood that the 61-year-old singer has been receiving private treatment for
A late try from replacement Tom Cook ensured Bicester beat Littlemore 19-7 in the BB&O Premier Division. Bicester, who also had three tries disallowed, took the lead when centre Dave Hampton broke through several tackles to cross on the left, No 8 Dan
A superb performance from their men’s A team just failed to bring Oxfordshire an unlikely victory in their Rileys Inter-Counties Championship Premier Division match against Essex at Cowley. The visitors ended up winning 19-17, but only after being given
AN announcement is expected today from the Government confirming rail operator First Great Western will be able to provide extra trains in an attempt to ease overcrowding. The Department for Transport is expected to make an announcement confirming the
THE occasional bruised chin or black eye are not an unusual sight in a boxing gym. But pay a visit to Berinsfield ABC on a Monday or Thursday evening and – despite more than an hour of frantic activity – you will not spot a single blemish on the faces
Alchester came on strong in the second half to defeat Slough 32-5 in Southern Counties North. The hosts got off to a great start when wing Ieuan Robinson raced over inside two minutes for centre Tom Miles to convert. Slough’s opening try made it 7-5
Oxford continue to struggle in greyhound racing’s BAGS Inter Track Championship as they toiled again in the third leg of the Midlands group at Yarmouth last night. Oxford’s best effort came from Nick Colton’s Flying Guard, who came second.
THREE people have already found jobs in the first three weeks of an employment scheme in Oxford’s Blackbird Leys. But the adviser on the new Leys CDI YP2 project says too many people on the estate don’t know the basics of job hunting.
MEN’S LEAGUE. Premier & Section 1: The Star 6, Peachcroft SC 3; Green Rd SC 5, Rose Hill CC 4; Cowley Workers SC 5, Goodlake Arms 4. Section 2: Corner House A 4, Democrats SC 5; Donnington CC A 3, Red Lion 6; George Bar 5, Masons Arms A 4; Nuffield
How would you feel about Oxford being the city of towering spires instead of dreaming spires? That was the plan put forward by architecture student Richard Phillips, 24, to answer an unusual question. The Oxford Brookes University student was tasked
Lewis Collins ran in a hat-trick of tries and Ed Mitcham kicked 18 points as Witney hammered High Wycombe 53-11 in South West 1 East at Hailey Road. Witney turned on the style for a seven-try hammering that saw them rise to sixth in the table. Wycombe
Henley Hawks leapfrogged Hartpury College to go third in National 2 South after a pulsating 34-20 home victory over the students. Hawks led 20-10 at the break thanks to tries from centre Danny Wells and wing Neil Baggett, with fly half James Comben converting
Abingdon United’s poor run in Evo-Stick Southern League Division 1 South & West continued with a 3-0 defeat at Gosport Borough last night. Despite dominating much of the game, Abingdon failed to take their chances, and fell beind in the 15th minute
Chinnor went top of the table in National 3 South West after defeating Bournemouth 21-15 as the title rivals clashed at Kingsey Road. Victory, which owed much to Chinnor’s resolute defence, took them level on points with the visitors, whom they lead
Oxford City athlete Hannah England has been nominated for two prestigious awards at the second Jaguar Academy of Sport Annual Awards at The Savoy, London, on Sunday. The 24-year-old is in the running to be the most inspirational British sportswoman
IN regard to our fading language (Oxford Mail, November 14), Edith Parsons is so right about the changing English language. Many of the dropped consonants, words wrongly pluralised and general shortcuts in speech can be attributed to one’s lifestyle
THERE was some time ago in the Oxford Mail, an article saying Abingdon street fair was the longest in Europe. I am interested to know just how long it is and does it compare with Thame, is it longer or shorter? Our town centre was closed to traffic
Clara Mombeshora has inspired people with little or no knowledge of computers to grow in confidence and achieve certificates, as well as helping the Family Arena project with class planning, fundraising and volunteer management. The 36-year-old
THE luggage carried by the Rubberbandits, who kicked off a nine-date British tour at the O2 Academy this month, must make for interesting scenes at airports. Not only must the Limerick boys' suitcases contain their trademark carrier-bag
Oxford University 0, Northampton 68 Northampton dished out an almighty ten-try battering to Oxford University at Iffley Road last night. They included former England international Tom May and England Saxons fly half Stephen Myler in a starting line-up
COLOURFUL paper figures hanging around the Didcot Cornerstone Arts Centre mark the start of the festive season. Artist Suzi McLaughlin spent yesterday putting up hundreds of decorations. She said: “I am hoping people will think it is quite magical
A MAN accused of murdering his estranged wife killed himself in prison less than 48 hours after his lawyer warned guards he could be suicidal, an inquest heard. Russell Yeates, 49, from Cuddesdon Road, Horspath, was found dead by prison officers on January
I lost my new iPhone on Saturday, November 12, and would just like to say a massive thank you to the person who found it on the bus and handed it into the driver. I waited for the buses to stop at my road again after they had done the hour round trip
SO WE will never know how many terrorists and criminals entered the country. Home Secretary Theresa May states she ordered a pilot scheme to water down passport checks in July. Now up to five million foreign nationals may have entered the UK, the latest
I AM writing to appeal to your readers to support for the first time a nationwide festive fundraising initiative taking place in all Homebase stores in December in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust. Last year, Homebase employees selected Teenage Cancer Trust
I READ with interest about the long-term lease acquired from Vale of White Horse District Council by Wantage Tennis Club, for the land within the Manor Road Park. It is absolutely appalling that, out of a population of 9,906, 120 tennis club members
IN regard to student accommodation problems, the answer is simple. Ex-RAF Upper Heyford, which lies approximately 12 miles north of Oxford, has more than 50 “hardened” aircraft shelters which have stood almost idle since 1994, along with empty barrack
AT LAST the Germans have shown their true colours. We have the Euro or war, so speaks Mrs Hitler, aka Angela Merkel. “What’s good for Europe is good for Germany”, she says. The Kaiser wanted a united Europe prior to 1914, so let’s forget
I SUPPORT fully the Oxford Mail’s stand on CCTVs in taxis (Oxford Mail, November 14). If spying in the cab is allowed, this likens Oxford City Council to the former Stasi in East Germany, recording and listening to passengers’ conversations. Conversations
We have benefited from extended good weather this year, but that’s it now folks, winter has officially arrived. Christmas is round the corner, the decorations are up in our shopping arcades, stores are packing all manner of delectable tat for you to purchase
The county could witness its biggest repatriation to date on Thursday following the death of four soldiers in Afghanistan last week. The bodies of L Cpl Peter Eustace, of 2 Rifles, Lt David Boyce and L Cpl Richard Scanlon, both of 1st The Queen’s Dragoon
Last year’s X Factor runner-up Rebecca Ferguson, above, is to perform in Oxford next year. The singer will appear at the New Theatre on Friday, February 24.
THESE sisters are the cream of the crop. Their banoffee ice cream flavour is being sold alongside some of Oxford’s favourites. Lola, six, and Mabel Meyer, five, of Cardigan Street, made their own ice cream, and it is now on sale at parlours across
Preben Krabben completed a notable double when he beat Ian Moss 2-1 in a pulsating final to win the Greene King ODDA Summer League singles title at Rover Cowley. This followed the Goodlake Arms ace’s success in landing the Winter League crown earlier
Oxford City boss Mike Ford has urged his side to play without fear when they take on Redbridge at Court Place Farm in tonight’s FA Cup first-round replay. The former Oxford United defender, who has been at the helm since 2009, said everyone
ABINGDON could soon become Abingdon-on-Thames if the Tory town council wins a vote tomorrow night. Town mayor Mike Badcock’s bid to change the town’s name will be debated at a meeting tomorrow. It is hoped the new name will attract tourists to the
A 48-year-old man was arrested after a drugs raid at his Apley Way home in Witney. Police officers seized what they believe to be class A and B drugs and hydroponics equipment from the address on Saturday. The man, who was arrested on suspicion of
Three men including a former Swindon Town footballer are set to stand trial today accused of swindling elderly Oxfordshire residents. Ex-defender Phil King is jointly charged with tradesmen Trevor Bateman and David Merriman. The trio have denied a
A TEENAGER responsible for a number of sex attacks in and around Bicester has been jailed. Ryan Lockyer was jailed for four years at Oxford Crown Court yesterday after earlier admitting a number of charges. The 18-year-old’s offending came to light
THE head of the Oxfordshire-based African Children’s Fund has been killed while on a charity mission to Kenya. Sixty-four-year-old Peter Tyrer died in a head-on car crash in the capital Nairobi on Friday. Last night his wife Dee and
TRAINS around Didcot are suffering significant delays this morning with the problem expected to last most of the morning. A First Great Western spokesman said there was a points problem on one of the lines near the station and that meant trains coming
More than 1,200 homes and businesses in the west Oxfordshire area have been affected by a power cut this morning. Properties in Woodstock, Tackley and Kirtlington have been hit after what Southern Electric confirmed was a fault on its high voltage network
A 24-year-old man will face court today accused of glassing a man in an Oxford pub. Michael Rendell, of Clarks Row, Oxford, was last night charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent over the incident that left a man in his 30s needing emergency
BANBURY police want to speak to these men over the theft of an iPhone 4 from a hairdressers. A Thames Valley Police spokesman said two of the men used a magazine to cover the phone while the 36-year-old owner of Divine Hair & Beauty in Broad Street was
A beauty college says new Government rules on foreign students will take cash out of the county’s economy. Bosses at Witney’s Oxford International College of Beauty say they have been forced to stop taking students from outside the EU as applying for
