Archive

  • MURDER UPDATE: Man charged with killing Aaron Buron

    AN 18-YEAR-OLD has tonight been charged with murdering musician Aaron Buron. Mr Buron, 29, died from stab wounds to the chest after paramedics were called to St Martin's Road in Rose Hill, Oxford, just before 11.30pm on Saturday. Haydan

  • Law firm leads the way as regulations change

    A traditional Witney law firm has undergone a shake-up after becoming one of the first in the country to allow non-lawyers to help run the company. John Welch & Stammers, of Church Green, which can trace its history back to 1932, has appointed Bernadette

  • Scales of Justice

    People convicted of offences at Magistrates' Courts around the county recently OXFORD Alison Stabler, 20, of Lower Radley, Abingdon, admitted drink-driving in Weirs Lane, Oxford, on January 11. Had 72 micrograms of alcohol in 100ml of breath, above

  • A milestone anniversary

    A FORMER Oxford City footballer and his wife are celebrating 70 years of marriage. Ray and Phyllis Hagar, 89 and 90 respectively, will mark their platinum wedding anniversary on Wednesday and celebrated yesterday with a big family party at their home

  • Tough competition to be next apprentice

    MOTORSPORT firm Prodrive is looking for new apprentices, and the race for a place will be as competitive as the cars it builds. The Oxfordshire firm, which is set to move to new, larger premises, wants five apprentices. Competition for places,which

  • School awaits growth verdict

    Plans for the expansion of Headington Prep School are set to be given the go-ahead. The project includes building a new two-storey entrance foyer, a first-floor extension to provide storage and teaching areas and a two-storey extension for a cloakroom

  • Boxing club looks for a bigger home

    One of the city’s most popular boxing clubs is still hunting for a home of its own in its ongoing push to expand. The Blackbird Leys Amateur Boxing Club, one of the oldest organisations on the estate, has been based upstairs at the community centre for

  • Prof highlights the loris's plight

    AN OXFORD professor is mounting a campaign to end the trade in the world’s only venomous primate. Anna Nekaris, professor in primate conservation at Oxford Brookes University, starred in a BBC documentary exposing the plight of the slow loris in Indonesia

  • Local shares (PM)

    AEA Technology 0.27 BMW 5643 Electrocomponents 247.4 Nationwide Accident Repair 64.25 Oxford Biomedica 3.1 Oxford Catalysts 49.5 Oxford Instruments 1195 Reed Elsevier 557 RM 79 RPS Group 239.4 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon

  • High ranking for museum

    BUILDING work is expected to start this summer on a £4m museum in Woodstock, dedicated to the history of the armed forces in Oxfordshire. The news on the project, being run by the Soldiers of Oxfordshire Trust at Oxfordshire Museum in Park Street, comes

  • Sue Ryder store cashes up healthy sales

    A NEW charity shop has opened in Cowley, netting £1,400 worth of sales in its first day. The Sue Ryder shop, in Templars Square, was opened by Andrew Smith, the MP for Oxford East, on Thursday last week. Sue Ryder retail business manager Nigel Scrimshaw

  • Twins running to find cure for gran

    TWINS Lisa and Laura Porter are set to run a half-marathon to help find a cure for their gran’s Parkinson’s disease. The 27-year-olds, who live two doors from each other in Witney, will run the Reading Half-Marathon on Sunday, to raise money for Parkinson

  • Jackie offers a supporting role

    A woman who experienced first hand the loneliness of a cancer diagnosis has set up an Oxfordshire charity for those going through the same. Now she hopes to take her message of hope to other sufferers across the country. Jackie Beaumont

  • Crash between lorry and combine harvester closes A34

    A CRASH between a lorry and a combine harvester has closed the A34 southbound. Traffic is backed up after the crash at the Peartree Interchange. Officials said all approaches to the roundabout may have to be closed for recovery, but at the moment

  • Duo led helping hands for Olympics

    Two people from Oxfordshire are limbering up to pay their own part in the Olympics this summer. Steve Bowerman, from Witney, and Stephanie Smith from Launton, near Bicester, will both be helping to keep the athletes in peak physical condition

  • Sailing into bomb alley

    Today marks the 30th anniversary of Argentina’s invasion of the Falkland Islands. Debbie Waite spoke to retired merchant sailor Gordon Monks, from Kidlington, who spent two terrifying days in the Islands’ ‘Bomb Alley’ on a ship packed with ammunition

  • Extra grandstands installed for British Grand Prix

    Silverstone today announced it is adding two new grandstands to meet demand for tickets for July's British Grand Prix. Ticket sales for the British Grand Prix are up 10 per cent on the same period last year with several grandstands already

  • Bus firm turns down hospital link idea

    The Oxford Bus Company says it has no plans to operate a direct bus service across Oxford from Blackbird Leys to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Headington. Blackbird Leys Parish Council wrote to the company asking it to look at the idea after residents

  • Bobbies make a song and dance for Tahiti

    Policemen as you’ve never seen them before.... Constables from Witney, supported by some of their wives, put on a lighthearted revue to entertain elderly residents of Witan House in the town in 1971. The show, entitled The Policeman’s Lot, was compered

  • A fire crew signing off in real style

    Oxford Volunteer Fire Brigade went out of existence in style. A dinner was held at the Forum Restaurant in High Street on April 1, 1948 to mark the end of its 78 years of service. On that date, it was replaced by a professional brigade under the control

  • Donkey work for an Easter story

    Children from St Michael’s School in Marston Road, Oxford, learned all about Easter when they performed a passion play in 1987. And giving an authentic touch to Jesus’s triumphant ride into Jerusalem was Hot Chocolate, the donkey. With six-year-old

  • Gough proves popular

    Teenagers from both Bicester’s secondary schools were given a pep talk by cricket legend and Strictly Come Dancing champ Darren Gough. Mr Gough was the surprise guest at this year’s Going 4 It event aimed at helping students onto the right careers path

  • Milestone of Friday walk

    Villagers at Radley will pray for good weather this week when they set off on their 50th Good Friday Walk. Come rain or shine, the walk has become a regular feature of village life at this time of year. The picture, right, was taken in 1966 when the

  • Thirsty work

    Swimmers held a party to mark the temporary closure of their swimming pool. Although there was sadness that Temple Cowley pool in Oxford would be out of action for up to two years, there was the consolation that it would eventually reopen. Unlike today

  • A taste of Paralympics

    Children at Bladon Primary School have been experiencing a taste of the Paralympics with their own Paralympic inspired sports day. Youngsters took part in everything from boxing to blind football and wheelchair basketball. And parents were invited along

  • The changing face of DIDCOT

    The Marlborough Club celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1978 with a week of activities, including a tramps’ ball, party night, a yard of ale contest and a disco. Pictured top are, left to right, Ann Thomas, who was chosen at Miss Marlborough Club by

  • A controlling performance

    Children from SS Philip and James Primary School, North Oxford, put on a puppet show with marionettes they had created themselves. Among the puppeteers was Mimi Morley Iszatt, aged nine. She said: “Puppet club is really fun, I especially like making

  • FOOTBALL: Railwaymen's revival hits the buffers

    Didcot Town’s recent revival in Evo-Stik Southern League Division 1 South & West was halted in a home defeat by Tiverton Town. Hesitant Didcot defending saw Jules Emati-Emati nod the ball to an unmarked Michael Nardiello to head in. The home side’s

  • Schoolgirl novelist writes into nights

    A SCHOOLGIRL has surprised her classmates, parents and teachers by secretly writing a full-length science fiction novel. Mia Foley Doyle, 14, a Year Nine pupil at Oxford Spires Academy, East Oxford, worked day and night to complete her book, The Rebel

  • CRICKET: Oxford on rack

    A four wicket haul from Huw Waters saw Oxford MCCU dismissed for 123 on the second day of their three-day first-class match against Glamorgan at The Parks yesterday. Resuming on 6-0 in reply to Glamorgan’s total of 346-7 declared, Sam Agarwal was first

  • Talent shows are tops

    Three cheers for the producers of The Voice and Britain’s Got Talent. At last some decent Saturday night TV. Those responsible should be rewarded for playing their part in helping to discourage people from loitering on the streets and/or going out

  • Bentley delight at laying Oxford United bogey

    A delighted Jim Bentley felt his Morecambe side were worthy winners as they ended a miserable run against Oxford United on Saturday. The Shrimps had never beaten the U’s in their six meetings, failing to score in the last five games.

  • FOOTBALL: Mills bags late winner to boost Millers hopes

    AN injury-time strike from John Mills saw North Leigh boost their Evo-Stik Southern League Division 1 South & West play-off hopes with a narrow victory against Wimborne Town. It looked bleak for Mark Gee’s men when they had Elliott Osborne-Ricketts

  • Whing rules out tiredness

    Tiredness was not a factor in Oxford United’s defeat at home to Morecambe on Saturday, according to Andy Whing. The U’s looked out-of-sorts throughout the afternoon as they went down 2-1 against the mid-table Shrimps. Whing was once

  • Wright: We weren't good enough

    Jake Wright admitted Oxford United were simply not good enough to take anything from their game with Morecambe on Saturday. Scott Rendell was on target for the home side in a frantic opening four minutes which saw goals at both ends.

  • Benefits debate

    Senior councillors will discuss changes to the way new housing benefit claims are handled. Oxford City Council is recommended to adopt a “risk based” approach to verifying new claims that will allow it to target efforts on cases it suspects may not be

  • Police are set to swoop on raves

    Police have extra manpower on standby to deal with any illegal raves over the Easter weekend. Thames Valley Police say Easter is historically a “hot spot” for these gatherings and they are urging members of the public to keep an eye out. Inspector

  • Snout and about with the farm's new additions

    THE FARM animals have returned to Cogges Manor Farm. This weekend the museum reopened for the new season, welcoming not only hundreds of eager youngsters but also a whole menagerie of animals. It will be the attraction's second season since it was taken

  • Pubs play a vital role

    You reported (Oxford Mail, March 17), on the reopening of the Fox Inn at Leafield and the campaign by local residents to keep it open. UKIP wholeheartedly supports those residents in their endeavours. The public house, especially in rural areas, is

  • Fears over bombs near school land

    PARENTS of pupils at a primary school near Didcot are still worried more unexploded bombs could be lurking on nearby land. But housebuilders Bovis Homes and David Wilson Homes, which are building about 275 homes next to Chilton Primary School in Downside

  • MOTORSPORT: Hirvonen grabs glory for Citroen

    Mikko Hirvonen claimed his first victory in the FIA World Rally Championship driving for Citroen following a faultless performance on the Rally de Portugal. The Finn’s victory alongside co-driver and fellow countryman Jarmo Lehtinen means he now heads

  • MOTORSPORT: Plato takes top spot at opener

    Oxford's Jason Plato won the final race of the day to lead the drivers’ standings after the opening round of the British Touring Car Championship at Brands Hatch. Plato gave MG a winning return to the series as he chased down Andrew Jordan to snatch

  • RACING: Eve weighs up options for The Cheka

    Eve Johnson Houghton is considering the next plan of attack with The Cheka following his Listed Race win at Doncaster on Saturday. Johnson Houghton, who trains the six-year-old at Blewbury, near Didcot, was delighted to see him strike on his first attempt

  • Roadworks riddle

    Recently, Lyne Road in Kidlington was patchily resurfaced in an operation that was due to take four days but was completed in three. A few years ago, stretches of Banbury Road in Oxford of a similar length were completely resurfaced overnight. Three

  • RESULTS: March 31-April 1

    FOOTBALL NPOWER LEAGUE TWO Oxford Utd 1, Morecambe 2. EVO-STIK SOUTHERN LEAGUE Premier Div: Banbury Utd 2, Frome Tn 2; Chippenham Tn 0, Oxford City 1. Div 1 South & West: Didcot Tn 0, Tiverton Tn 2; North Leigh 2, Wimborne Tn 1; Stourport Swifts

  • FOOTBALL: Abingdon's sorry run continues

    Abingdon United’s winless run in Division 1 South & West increased to 15 games as they lost at basement boys Stourport Swifts. The defeat leaves Abingdon with a mathematical chance of being relegated. Stourport took the lead when Jamie Willetts headed

  • Don't squader money

    I fully agree with Tony Augarde’s letter (ViewPoints, March 20) when he refers to the money wasted by Rodney Rose, Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet member for transport. He is absolutely right in what he says about the futile exercises being undertaken

  • GREYHOUNDS: Peterson faces probe after two positive tests

    Oxford trainer Michael Peterson, who is quitting the sport at the end of May, faces two serious GBGB disciplinary charges, writes John Gaisford. Peterson, 28, attached to both Oxford and Hall Green, has been told that Buckfast Kid at Romford on February

  • Charity high and dry amid drought

    CHARITY car washes that raise about £5,000-a-year for injured firefighters are the latest victim of the looming hosepipe ban. Each year crews from across Oxfordshire swap hoses on car wash days in return for donations to the national Fire Fighters’

  • MOTHERING SUNDAE: House is too full for the kids

    This week, I can’t fit the children into the house. With the arrival of a polar bear sculpture on the lawn outside Oxford’s Natural History Museum, the Oxfordshire Artweeks season is warming up. The Jam Factory is appropriately full of taster pieces,

  • Taxi woes

    The other week, I saw about 30 taxi drivers outside Oxford Town Hall, protesting against new regulations requiring all taxis and minicabs to install council-approved CCTV cameras into all licensed vehicles. These CCTV systems are designed to protect

  • Hospital parking fees plan is seriously flawed

    I cannot say that I agree with Glynn Limmer on his solution to hospital parking charges (Oxford Mail ViewPoints, March 24). While agreeing that there are probably no political parties who would support hospital patients other than to treat them as potential

  • FOOTBALL: Woodley fires City up to second

    Substitute Aaron Woodley scored a late winner as Oxford City moved up to second in the Premier Division table with a 1-0 victory at Chippenham on Saturday. With the sides locked at 0-0 with ten minutes to go, it looked as if City would have to settle

  • FOOTBALL: Johnson salvages a point

    RELEGATION-haunted Banbury United fought back for a share of the spoils, thanks to a late leveller from Ricky Johnson against Frome Town at Spencer Stadium on Saturday. It was looking grim for Ady Fuller’s men, who are just three points above the Evo-Stik

  • FOOTBALL: Flanagan is hero for Town

    A Mark Flanagan cracker and a Gareth Walker penalty save ensured Abingdon Town made it three Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division victories on the spin with a 1-0 success against visitors Wantage Town on Saturday. After a goalless first half, in

  • FOOTBALL: Leaders Nomads hand Ardley a thrashing

    Conor McDonagh and Albi Skendi notched doubles as Oxford City Nomads moved a step closer to the Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division crown by thrashing second-placed Ardley United 7-1 in the top-of-the-table clash at Court Place Farm on Saturday

  • Powers that be make for a festival date with Hart

    Hollywood legend Stefanie Powers swept into the city at the weekend to attend the Oxford Literary Festival. Star of dozens of films and the hugely successful US television series Hart to Hart during the 80s, the ever-glamorous Ms Powers delivered

  • LIT FEST DIARY: The final chapter, and I want more

    Everyone else might have been there to learn about Hollywood as an iconic expression of American culture, but I attended for far less noble reasons... I just wanted to see Stefanie Powers. Cue twangy Eighties theme... “This is my boss, Jonathan Hart,

  • COMMENT: The proper way to react to shortages

    WE HOPE everyone takes a leaf out of the fire service’s book this summer and shows real responsibility when it comes to water. Charity car washes that raise thousands for injured firefighters will be outlawed by the hosepipe ban that kicks

  • UPDATE: Teenager remains in custody over musician's death

    AN 18-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murdering a musician in Rose Hill is this morning still being held by detectives, a police spokesman said. The teenager was arrested early yesterday following the death of 29-year-old Aaron Buron.

  • Wilder fumes at 'worst performance'

    A fuming Chris Wilder felt his Oxford United side got what they deserved after describing Saturday’s 2-1 home defeat against Morecambe as the “worst performance of the season.” Scott Rendell immediately cancelled out Craig Curran’s early

  • Lighter injuries

    A woman suffered burns to her face after a disposable lighter caused an explosion in a house in Ashby Road, Bicester. The lighter had been left too close to a gas hob on Friday causing a small explosion and the fire brigade were called at 6.32pm. An

  • Call to help young Oliver to walk tall

    PARENTS Barry and Danielle McConnell’s dearest wish is watch their son walk into school with his big brother. But first they have to raise £72,000 to pay for a life-changing operation that would give their two-year-old son Oliver the best chance of taking

  • Bikers' egg run for JR patients

    About 100 bikers headed for the John Radcliffe Hospital yesterday to hand out Easter eggs to poorly youngsters. They rode from H Cafe in Berinsfield on their annual drive to deliver the eggs to Oxford Children’s Hospital. In total they took more than

  • Finish line for 200-mile trek

    A TRIUMPHANT Simon Lord ended his month-long endurance test on Saturday with his own “Roger Bannister moment”. The 52-year-old had been running 10,000 metres a day for a month to raise money for the Oxfordshire Prostate Cancer Support Group

  • Teen arrested over Rose Hill killing of popular musician

    A 29-year-old hip hop musician was last night identified as the man stabbed to death just yards from his home in Rose Hill. Aaron Buron was being named by friends as the victim stabbed in the chest in St Martin’s Road on Saturday night.

  • 'Beware car vandals around Kassam'

    FOOTBALL fans are being warned about a rise in car vandalism on match days near the Kassam Stadium. The Blackbird Leys police team say there has been a worrying spike in damage and thefts from cars. There have been eight incidents of damage to cars

  • COMMENT: Life-saving runs

    CONGRATULATIONS to Simon Lord for running 10,000 metres a day throughout March to raise cash for a cancer support group. But his achievement is about more than the money and the miles. He has raised awareness of prostate cancer that

  • Sordo powers to final stage win in Portugal

    Dani Sordo claimed six fastest stage times in the Rally Portugal, including winning the final powerstage, in the Banbury-built Prodrive Mini John Cooper Works WRC. Sordo finished the event in 12th place in a car that featured more than 100

  • Charity plans for rise in homeless

    AN OXFORD homeless community plans to expand because it fears rough sleeping will get worse in the city. The Emmaus Oxford charity hopes to make more living space available at its Cowley base. Director Wyon Stansfeld said: “Depending

  • Brakes put on city taxi CCTV scheme

    A CONTROVERSIAL scheme to put CCTV in all of Oxford’s taxis has been put on hold over privacy fears. Yesterday was the start date for a programme of putting CCTV to record images and audio in the city’s taxis by 2015. But Oxford City Council has put

  • Prince's artistry is on display at gallery

    AN OXFORD art gallery has revealed its royal flush. Paintings by the Prince of Wales are going on show at The Meller Merceux Gallery in High Street. The month-long exhibition boasts 15 signed limited edition lithographs based on Prince Charles’ watercolours