Archive

  • Oxford United goalless at half-time

    OXFORD United were being held to a 0-0 draw by Dagenham & Redbridge at half-time in tonight's npower League Two clash at the Kassam Stadium. Asa Hall went close for Oxford, who gave debuts to Mark Wilson and Scott Rendell, but there was little else for

  • Dead worker is named

    A BUILDING firm worker who died after a forklift truck accident was yesterday named as David Hewson. The 60-year-old Osterley Grove, Banbury, resident died following the accident at Jewson in Beaumont Street, Banbury, on Friday. The incident happened

  • Hollywood star’s homeward cause

    CHILDISH Things is now an annual fixture in the Oxford calendar, attracting the biggest showbiz names each year. But Oxford boy turned Hollywood star Tom Hollander remembers the beginning of it all, standing on the side of the stage, terrified to go

  • Student flat plan should be rejected

    PLANS to create a three-storey block of student flats in Cowley Road should be rejected, according to council planners. RMA Properties wants to demolish two properties and replace them with new business units and 18 student flats. The buildings currently

  • Writer revisits his very special street

    IN 2007, author James Attlee told how he encountered cultures from around the globe in his journey along Oxford’s Cowley Road. Now, five years after the publication of his critically acclaimed factual book Isolarion, Mr Attlee has revisited

  • Teens get a taste of Africa

    OXFORD teenagers got a taste of African dancing at Pegasus Theatre. The group of 18 were given a lesson in traditional African dance on Sunday as they created a short piece with the help of Tavaziva Dance Company. It will be performed at the launch

  • UPDATE: 100,000 homes and businesses affected by power cut

    ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND homes and businesses were affected by today's lunchtime power cut. Southern Electric has just said that power has been restored across the county. It was caused by a safety trip knocking out its high voltage network because of an

  • Prolific burglar jailed for three years

    A burglar who used a credit card he had stolen in a break-in was jailed under the “three strikes” provision. Brian Debres was sentenced at Oxford Crown Court on Friday having earlier admitted one charge of burglary and three counts of fraud by false

  • Teenager shows his gratitude to lifesavers

    TEENAGER Luke Dickety was one of the first youngsters to have surgery at Oxford Children’s Hospital back in 2007. Now he is preparing for the OX5 Run to say thank you to the staff who saved his life. And the 17-year-old, from Fair Close, Bicester,

  • UPDATE: Reports power coming back but still problems

    POWER seems to be being restored at various parts of the county hit by a big black-out at lunchtime today. Electricity supplies were lost in parts of Oxford, Witney, Kidlington, Carterton, Bicester, Stonesfield, Chipping Norton, Standlake and Swerford

  • DARTS: Krabben's three tons in vain

    County player Preben Krabben’s three maximums proved in vain as Greene King ODDA Section 1 leaders Rose Hill CC triumphed 7-2 away to Premier side Goodlake Arms A. The visitors got off to a great start when Geordie Grant, Steve Pladdys and

  • DARTS: Weakened Oxon pipped by Cheshire in thriller

    Oxfordshire put up another gutsy performance against Cheshire before succumbing 19-17 at Rudheath Social Club in Northwich. It followed their tremendous display against Premier Division leaders Yorkshire in their previous outing, when they lost by

  • Power cut hits the county

    OXFORDSHIRE has been hit by a large power cut. Reports are that parts of Oxford, Kidlington, Witney and Carterton have been affected. Email news@nqo.com if you have been affected.

  • Wedding contest winners count down to big day

    AS THE couple who triumphed in our Win Your Wedding contest last year edge closer to their big day, the Oxford Mail is about to make dreams come true for two more lovebirds. Kate Harvey broke down in tears last year when she and fiance Jamie

  • Joint fire centre given backing

    A move to create a shared fire control centre with Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service was yesterday backed by Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet member for safer and stronger communities. Judith Heathcoat said work should continue to form a business

  • Miles of smiles on their 65th wedding anniversary

    This year’s Valentine’s Day has particular resonance for Bill and Joyce Dempsey as it is also their 65th wedding anniversary. The couple, who live in Yarnton Residential and Nursing Home, met at a dance on Boxing Day 1946 after Joyce’s sister, Margaret

  • Leap of faith for these lovebirds

    TRADITIONALLY, the man spends a month’s salary on a ring then goes down on one knee to pop the question. But on the most romantic day of the year these lovebirds went about getting engaged rather differently. Thousands of miles’ distance

  • TV SPORT: England's a quiz queen

    Oxford City athlete Hannah England took a break from her exploits on the track to star in A Question Of Sport on BBC1 last night. She joined team captain Matt Dawson and footballer Jason Roberts in a 34-34 draw against Phil Tufnell, rugby player John

  • Stabbing arrests

    BANBURY: Three people were arrested in Parson’s Street after a man was stabbed in a buttock and suffered cuts to his back. The woman, 18, male, 21, and another male, 19, were arrested after an 18-year-old man flagged down an ambulance in Bolton Road

  • Chauffeurs set to be exempt from filming

    CHAUFFEURS are set to be exempted from the controversial camera ruling following concerns from drivers. Firms said the security measures are not needed as they have a list of known clients. A city council report said “lucrative contracts

  • HS2 challenge

    BANBURY: Another campaign group has formally asked the Government to scrap plans for a high-speed rail plan and threatened legal action. The HS2 Action Alliance says it will challenge Secretary of State for Transport Justine Greening through a judicial

  • HS2 challenge

    BANBURY: Another campaign group has formally asked the Government to scrap plans for a high-speed rail plan and threatened legal action. The HS2 Action Alliance says it will challenge Secretary of State for Transport Justine Greening through a judicial

  • Man jailed for dealing drugs

    OXFORD: A 26-year-old man has been jailed for four-and-a-half years for dealing Class A drugs in Abingdon in February last year. Stephen Ochola, pictured, of Awgar Stone Road, Headington, was jailed on Friday after being convicted of possession of Class

  • Drivers campaign against taxi CCTV

    A HUNDRED cab drivers have signed a petition against controversial plans to film all conversations in Oxford’s taxis. They have handed the petition to Oxford City Council over its plan for video and audio recording in the city’s 665 taxis from

  • FOOTBALL: Banbury's home clash with Oxford City is ON

    Banbury United's home Oxfordshire Senior Cup quarter-final clash with Oxford City tonight has been given the go-ahead. However, Ardley United's home tie with Headington Amateurs is off because of a waterlogged pitch.

  • FOOTBALL: Ford wants City to perform

    Oxford City boss Mike Ford is looking for his side to keep up the good work when they visit Banbury United in tonight’s Oxfordshire Senior Cup quarter-final. The big freeze has meant City haven’t played since the 2-0 win against Weymonth.

  • We're desperate for a win, says U's defender Whing

    Andy Whing says the players are desperate to get a victory when Oxford United host Dagenham & Redbridge in tonight’s League Two clash at the Kassam Stadium. United haven’t played since they returned from Burton Albion with a 1-1 draw on

  • Police seek help over £8,000 raid

    THESE two men are being sought by police after more than £8,000 worth of jewellery was stolen from an Oxford art gallery. Posing as big-spending customers and flashing a large amount of money, two men targeted Verandah Gallery in North Parade

  • Academy bids to come in clusters

    THREE special schools are considering leaving county control to form a single academy trust. The idea is being discussed by Fitzwaryn School in Wantage, Springfield School in Witney and Kingfisher School in Abingdon, which between them teach 225 children

  • Thank you for honesty

    I WOULD like to say a big thank you to a couple of ladies who handed my purse in at British Home Stores, in Oxford, on Wednesday, February 1, at about 2.30pm. It is nice to know that there are kind, honest people about. CHRISTINE GREENAWAY Weavers

  • Potential commissioner

    YOU point out that no candidates have yet emerged for the post of Thames Valley Police Commissioner (January 21). It is a pity I am not in better health, but, even in this city, I doubt whether anyone would be quite mad enough to vote for me. DAVID

  • No help for those in need

    Events that happened over Christmas and the New Year have shown me that, if you are suffering from a severe mental illness (in which case you may not know that you are so ill and be extremely frightened by the symptoms, putting you physically at risk

  • Save our green spaces

    THE letter from Mr Peter Smith (Oxford Mail, February 8) on the proposed relaxation of planning rules is, alas, ill-researched. The Vale of White Horse District Council is proposing an Interim Housing Supply Policy which does not advocate a careful survey

  • Rush for academies damages education

    THE campaign by the Government and the county council to force local primary schools to become academies (Oxford Mail, February 7) is causing real damage to children’s education in Oxford. Two excellent, well-liked and improving primary schools, in areas

  • Co-operation is more important

    IN ALL the arguments and discussions about the Tory Government’s proposed NHS reforms, one term has been significantly absent. I doubt if it exists in any Tory vocabulary. The word is “co-operation”. For the benefit of those obsessed with the “competition

  • U's sign up Holmes

    Oxford United have signed Lee Holmes on a month's loan from Southampton. The 24-year-old left sided forward joins fellow new arrivals Scott Rendell, Mark Wilson and Mehdi Kerrouche in the squad for tonight's home game with Dagenham & Redbridge

  • THE QUIZ LEAGUE: It looks like a two-horse race

    Whilst I might be tempting fate, and potentially attracting a fair amount of ridicule, last Thursday’s victories for the Six Bells (Headington) over the spirited Chequers (Chipping Norton), 73-64, and the Chester Arms (Oxford) by a solitary point (78-

  • ON YER BIKE: Improving my stability one pose at a time

    I’ve just realised that I have impaired lateral stability; to put it simply, this means I have bad balance. The definition of lateral stability is the ability to remain upright and not fall over sideways. Basically our bicycles have no lateral stability

  • Burglars steal shop's safe

    THIEVES broke into the Card Factory shop in Wantage Market Place and stole a safe containing cash and postage stamps. The shop’s rear door and an office door were forced open during the burglary, which happened some time between 6.30pm on Saturday and

  • Friendship's on hold for now - Wilder

    Oxford United boss Chris Wilder says his friendship with Dagenham & Redbridge manager John Still will be put on hold tonight in pursuit of three npower League Two points. “I’ve known John for quite a while,” said Wilder. “He goes about his business in

  • University disputes claims over women staff at medical school

    OXFORD University has hit back at claims it is failing to employ women in senior roles in medicine. It was reported yesterday that the university did not have a single tenured female professor on its medical school staff in 2010. But the university

  • £1m house case adjourned

    A COURT battle over the ownership of a £1m house in North Oxford will resume later this week. Abbey Folami, 46, is trying to win an order at Oxford County Court to evict tenants Philip Brown and Keiron Halstead from the Warnborough Road house

  • Thugs told to hand themselves in after stabbing

    DETECTIVES have told knife-wielding thugs who chased a man down Cowley Road and stabbed him to hand themselves in before they are caught. The 22-year-old victim was stabbed repeatedly in the arm and stomach during the attack in East Oxford at about 1am

  • Oxford United new signings set to go on parade

    Oxford United fans have the first chance to see the U’s latest signings when they host Dagenham & Redbridge at the Kassam Stadium tonight. Although striker Scott Rendell and midfielder Mark Wilson have been at the club for two weeks since joining from

  • Prison body criticised over death in 'safe cell'

    THE BODY which runs Bullingdon Prison has been criticised after a prisoner from Cowley was able to kill himself in a “safe cell”. Daniel Rooney, 38, of Hollow Way, Cowley, was found hanging just hours after attempting to kill himself in 2006. The Health

  • Fight to save blaze church 'close-run thing'

    FIREFIGHTERS came close to losing the battle to save Charlbury’s 900-year-old parish church from a rooftop blaze. Sixty firefighters were called to the incident at St Mary the Virgin Church on Sunday afternoon. Yesterday Charlbury fire station manager

  • COMMENT: A salute of thanks to our firefighters

    Again and again, it all boils down to one thing – respect. And when you read today’s story on just how firefighters managed to save a 900-year-old church in Charlbury, you’ll agree. Indeed, it is almost impossible to sum up just how precious

  • Glider pilot relives fatal mid-air collision

    A GLIDER pilot has relived the moment his aircraft was struck in a mid-air collision over Oxfordshire that killed two people. Air cadet Nicholas Langley-Rice, 15, and his 62-year-old instructor RAF reservist Flight Lieutenant Mike Blee died after their

  • COMMENT: Take a chance

    Yes, it’s Valentine’s Day. And this year, of course, February is especially romantic as it boasts 29 days, meaning women can propose to men. It has been said that the male is the stronger sex, but when leap year comes round, it’s a fair bet

  • Science festival set to be a blast

    THE wonder of science will be brought to life before your very eyes next month. Oxfordshire Science Festival will be kicking off on Saturday, March 3, with some carefully engineered bangs. What began in 2008 with just a handful of events over the course