Campaigners behind an open-air school in Oxfordshire hope to open for business in September. Pupils would be taught outside half of the time at The Treehouse School in Cholsey. The primary school is the brainchild of former Wallingford primary headteacher
More than one in five prospective Oxford University students have been offered places for next year, new figures show. In all, 17,243 people applied to the top university and 3,536 have been made offers. Figures also show that a higher proportion of
A Rose Hill man has thanked the firefighters who broke into his smoke- filled home to save his life. Wayne Randall, 39, fell asleep on the sofa in his Ashurst Way flat after putting some spring rolls into the oven for dinner. The next thing he knew
A £2M scheme to convert 400-year-old barns at an Abingdon church is back on track after bats roosting in the roofs were rehoused. Work to convert the barns at Christ Church in Northcourt Road into community facilities, including a new cafe, was due to
MIRROR MIRROR (PG). Family/Comedy/Romance/Drama/Action. Julia Roberts, Lily Collins, Armie Hammer, Nathan Lane, Jordan Prentice, Martin Klebba, Ronald Lee Clark, Danny Woodburn, Joe Gnoffo, Mark Povinelli, Sebastian Saraceno, Robert Emms,
Katherine MacAlister talks to Maureen Lipman who’s got a few things to get off her chest before the opening night of Barefoot In The Park at Oxford Playhouse. THE usually unflappable Maureen Lipman is in a bit of a tizzy when we speak.
Paul Merton is back on stage doing stand-up for the first time in nearly 15 years. Katherine MacAlister tracks him down to find out why. I was nervous. But then it was Paul Merton and I was expecting to be shredded like a piece of meat in
LIZ NICHOLLS finds herself enlightened by Soldiers of Oxfordshire’s latest exhibition and its stories of county and conflict. AS each and every fallen soldier is borne home to Brize Norton, faces are etched with knife-edge emotions.
With big songs and real emotion, singer-songwriter Kyla La Grange comes as a mighty relief, as Tim Hughes discovers. I HATE to come across all miserable here, but don’t you sometimes find that too much music these days is just too, well..
How did a lad from deepest Leicestershire become one of the UK’s finest bluesmen? TIM HUGHES catches up with Aynsley Lister. AYNSLEY Lister doesn’t look anything like your typical bluesman. He hasn’t had a hard life, he wasn’t brought
COMPETITION TIME: It’s BBQ time! Good barbecuing is all about enjoying food, family, friends, and fun, and if you get the food part right then the rest follows. Basically anything you can cook in an oven in your kitchen, you can cook on a quality
TITANIC 3D (12A). Action/Romance. Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, Billy Zane, Frances Fisher, Kathy Bates, Bernard Hill, David Warner. Director: James Cameron. James Cameron’s mega-budget love story set aboard the doomed ocean
EYNSHAM Primary School has been plunged into special measures after a damning report which criticised leadership and teaching. Now education bosses are investigating the possibility of stepping in and brokering a deal for the school to become an academy
Out for a walk with my two-year-old on the first really warm day of the year, I’d planned to explore a local wood. But we ended up only yards from my front door on a patch of gravel. Bright red ladybirds were just out of hibernation enjoying the spring
A 74-YEAR-OLD man has been charged with death by careless driving over the death of Oxford cyclist Joanna Braithwaite. Stephen Bateman, of Astrop Road, Middleton Cheney, was bailed to appear before Oxford magistrates on April 18. Miss Braithwaite, 34
AEA Technology 0.25 BMW 5547 Electrocomponents 238.1 Nationwide Accident Repair 64.5 Oxford Biomedica 2.9 Oxford Catalysts 48.5 Oxford Instruments 1167 Reed Elsevier 542.75 RM 76 RPS Group 240.3 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
RAY COLLINS’ mission to raise “a shedload” of money for charity with a market place decathlon has just got bigger with the launch of Wantage’s first family fun run. Mr Collins, 42, of Springfield Road, has pulled off a series of gruelling fitness challenges
Grandmother-of-two Karen Jones is preparing to tackle the 20-mile Pink Ribbonwalk in May – cheered on by her granddaughter Leah and grandson Theo. Mrs Jones, 53, and from Woodstock, works in human resources for Thames Valley Probation. She will be undertaking
Anyone wanting to embrace rural life and all its advantages should take a look at a historic farmhouse that is new to the market. The Cross House in Gagingwell ,near Chipping Norton, is a three-storey early 18th-century Grade II listed property overlooking
A contemporary family house overlooking water meadows but within walking distance of Woodstock’s High Street is available to let. The newly renovated property includes five bedrooms, a stylish, open-plan kitchen/breakfast/living area plus a separate
A tutor whose brother and sister have multiple sclerosis is making an Easter gift to support sufferers. Chris Sivewright will donate fees he makes from tutoring in business and economics this Easter to the Multiple Sclerosis Society.
A couple whose pen friendship blossomed into true love celebrate their diamond wedding today. Barbara and Robert Taylor from Littlemore, pictured, were penpals for two years while Mr Taylor served in the Navy. Three children, five grandchildren and
THE credit squeeze has hit many hard – but for one Oxfordshire company it has been good news. Efficiency specialist Newton Europe, which employs 100 people at its headquarters in Southmoor, near Abingdon, is now looking to take on at least another 25
No major housing developments will be allowed at Wantage and Grove under “relaxed rules”, district councillors have vowed. Yet a developer eyeing a site for up to 200 homes may still file a planning application. Vale of White Horse District has relaxed
RELICS dating back to the 12th century have been unearthed on the site of a new housing development. The medieval discoveries were made at Abbey Farm in Eynsham, where a historic abbey once stood. Farm buildings are being converted into
YOUNG Zoha Usman is hoping for a shot at stardom in the Oxford Mail’s Baby of the Year competition. Zoha, who is two years and nine months old, was one of the tots posing for pictures at the Westgate Centre in Oxford on Tuesday. Her mum, Shaista Usman
PATRICK Hallgate is in no doubt he is in the right place to play a key role in Britain’s railway renaissance, in charge of a slice of the network stretching from London’s Paddington to Bristol, Plymouth and Penzance and via Oxford to Worcester.
Seven arson attacks on cars are being linked by police. A Ford Ka was torched on Tuesday in Westbury Crescent in Iffley, becoming the latest target in a series. Police are appealing for anyone with information to call them on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously
John Fisher, a founder member of Grove Rugby Club and a proud Welshman, is the new men’s captain at Drayton Park. Fisher, from Harwell, where he has just stood down as a parish councillor, succeeds Bill Major. A large crowd gathered for his drive-in
Chiltern Railways has installed electric vehicle charging points in car parks at nine of its stations, including Banbury and Bicester North. The train operator said it was keen to encourage commuters to use low-emission vehicles to get to stations.
THE White Horse Half Marathon again proved a happy hunting ground for Paul Fernandez as he repeated his 2010 victory to win by a comfortable margin. The Abingdon Amblers runner crossed the line in a time of 1hr 11mins 1secs, a full 16 seconds
Mini parent company BMW has achieved best ever sales for the first quarter of 2012. Board member Ian Robertson said: “With over 400,000 BMW, Mini and Rolls-Royce vehicles sold worldwide, we have had an outstanding first quarter and the best ever in the
The music played as Scilla Dudding, the new Oxford Ladies’ captain, went through an archway of clubs to the first tee for her traditional drive into office. Her charity for the year is Maliaka kids supporting and educating orphans in Tanzania.
Ian Clements recorded his first hole-in-one when playing in the Morris Motors Golf Society's competition at Drayton Park. It came at the 182-yard seventh hole. CLUB RESULTS FRILFORD HEATH Ladies’ Andrew Walsh final: P Kendall bt K Evans 1 hole. OXFORD
An Oxfordshire four finished runners-up to Shropshire in the English Short Mat Bowling Association national finals at Kempston IBC. The side of Geoff Cross, Tim Cross, Gareth Davies and AJ Brown went down 10-5 in the decider. They had beaten Hertfordshire
Oxfordshire County Council said its use of volunteers to run libraries will not be affected by a ruling which halted Surrey County Council’s plans. A High Court judge said on Tuesday that volunteers could not be used because they did not have equality
Two choirs are set to join forces to perform a Last Night of the Proms-style concert to mark two milestone anniversaries. There will be more than 130 singers taking part in the concert at Warriner School hall, Bloxham, on Saturday, July 7, at 7.30pm
UK sales of the Cowley-built Mini fell by more than nine per cent last month, latest figures have revealed. Statistics from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show 8,451 cars were sold in March, compared to 9,319 in the same month
Neil Lyon was crowned the Yarnton RBL League’s singles champion. YARNTON RBL LEAGUE ROLL OF HONOUR League – winners: Chauffers; runners-up: Rose & Crown. Section: Misfits; Cock Inn. Wooden spoon: Star. Toll doll scorer: M Berry, R Townsend 142. Handicap
A 25-year-old woman from Oxford was killed in a collision between a van and a lorry on the A420 near Buckland yesterday. The woman, who was driving a small Citroen van, died at the scene just before 9am, an ambulance service spokesman said. The DAF
Oxford C completed the double over Inter-Area C team champions Wallingford C by winning 3-2 at home for an 8-2 aggregate triumph, writes PETE EWINS. Playing at Kennington, Bob Pincombe beat Dave Barnes 3,790-1,400 to put Oxford in front, before Mick
Residents are claiming victory in their long- running campaign to limit the number of students living in private Oxford homes. Oxford Brookes University is slashing its student numbers by 15 per cent, despite being one of the few universities to see
Youngsters at Oxford Harlequins were left awestruck following a coaching session with England internatiional Manu Tuilagi. The Leicester Tigers centre dropped in at Marston Ferry Road with his brother, Freddie, a former Samoan international and Leicester
Fire crews tackled a car blaze in Orchard Way, Bicester, on Tuesday night. They were called to the incident at 10.45pm and found the car alight. Police are investigating.
A 46-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of raping a teenage girl in a taxi close to Fritwell Village Hall. The alleged attack took place between 11.30pm and 11.50pm on Thursday. The man was later released on bail and ordered to return to Banbury
The county’s first hosepipe ban in six years came into force overnight. From midnight, water restrictions in most of southern England forbid the use of a hosepipe for any domestic purpose, because of a lack of rainfall. The ban also applies to sports
Police have confirmed they are deciding whether to take court action against a lorry driver involved in a collsion with a forage harvester on the A34 on Monday. The crash, just before 1.50pm at the Pear Tree interchange, left the harvester hanging over
A spectacular drive at the last by Jordan Williams sealed a 2-1 victory for Frilford Heath in their Shaw Gibbs Oxfordshire Foursomes League Section 1 match at Chipping Norton. With the match score standing at 1-1, Williams and partner Harry Collins were
LEGENDARY folk singer Maddy Prior can be seen in a new guise when her latest tour brings her to the Mill Theatre at Banbury. Best known as the lead vocalist of English folk-rock band Steeleye Span, she has now teamed up with instrumentalist
THE last time Private Craig Winspear’s mates saw him, he was unconscious and close to death, having fallen victim to a Taliban bomb in Afghanistan. The 29-year-old lost both his legs after triggering the blast as he searched for improvised explosive
OSMAN Muskwe broke two Radley AC club records when competing in their open graded meeting at Tilsley Park in Abingdon. Muskwe, competing in the senior men's competition, won both the discus and shot put with Radley record throws of 42.39m and 13.02m
SO THERE I was, frantically googling Deborah Meaden from Dragon’s Den to see whether I had in fact been insulted by a puppet or not. And as I was doing so, I couldn’t help but wonder where my journalism career had gone so wrong. When people ask why
I AM writing to say a big thank you to our local Pcso, Helen Duffield. Community police officers like Helen work exceedingly hard and often do not get the recognition they deserve. Whenever there is a problem in East Oxford, Helen is always available
I could not agree more with James Davidson’s letter about CCTV in taxis (Oxford Mail ViewPoints, April 2). This proposal to install cameras will be good for everybody and most right-thinking people say it seems a good idea. Maybe if Oxford City Council
I’VE heard it all now. When the hosepipe ban starts this weekend, they are saying shop your neighbour if they are seen watering with a hosepipe. Don’t these people realise the complications of such a drastic move by a neighbour? We do live next door
I AM taking a break from my daily national newspaper and am trying to limit myself to one scheduled TV news report per day, because it is all having a detrimental effect on my health. I am far happier not knowing that the country may be brought to
A TEENAGER who “took the law into her own hands” has been locked up for the little-known offence of taking revenge. Chelsea French sobbed uncontrollably as her sentence was handed down at Oxford Crown Court on Monday. The 19-year-old assaulted Gabrielle
THE ‘homecoming’ might not have actually been in their home but for the soldiers of Bicester-based 23 Pioneer Regiment yesterday it was good enough. For the first time in its 50-year-history, the regiment, many of whose members have just returned
IT WAS Oxfordshire County Council leader Keith Mitchell’s last stand this week, or his last full council meeting as leader, at least. And councillors across Oxfordshire have been singing his praises. Even Labour group leader Liz Brighouse paid tribute
I WAS delighted to see the award of medals for service in Afghanistan and Iraq to soldiers of 206 Pioneer Squadron, based at Bicester, for their efforts overseas (Oxford Mail, March 23), including the difficult task of carrying out mortuary duties.
I WRITE in response to Ann Brand’s letter about changes to dial-a-ride services under the new county council-run scheme (Oxford Mail ViewPoints, March 27). Unfortunately there’s no denying services will be significantly reduced in Cherwell, but it’s
APPARENTLY no-one in Government nor in the Cobra emergency meeting saw the crisis in petrol supplies coming. A month ago, there was a short feature on BBC News saying that the tanker driver unions were balloting about strike action. Anyone with any
BANBURY Priscilla Madden, 39, of Stud Lane, Birmingham, admitted shoplifting four tops valued at £160 from River Island and two pairs of jeans valued at £169.99 from Republic in Banbury on January 19. Given an eight-week curfew and told to pay £47.50
READING HALF MARATHON Abingdon Amblers: J Lenik 1.35.36, J Wiblin (LV40) 1.49.43. Didcot Road Runners: S Howes 1.35.46, K Reade 1.38.15, B Larnach 1.43.02, E Naughton 1.53.19, S Jones 1.59.37, C Thompson 2.00.47, I Robinson 2.52.21.
MORE than 1,000 children told Thames Valley Police that they were sexually abused last year, statistics published by the NSPCC show. A total of 1,264 calls were made during 2010/2011 – meaning that 3.46 children a day reported they had been sexually
A murderer jailed for his part in organising a fatal arson attack has lost his bid for early parole. Haroon Sharif was 21 when he was locked up in 1998 alongside four other men after they were convicted of murdering Anum and Majid Khan in a fire at their
X Factor winner Alexandra Burke will join JLS during a massive outdoor concert in Oxford’s South Park this summer. Four years after beating the boy band in the X Factor final, Miss Burke will sing as a special guest at their tour-opening show to a predicted
THE teenager accused of murdering Aaron Buron has appeared at Oxford Crown Court. Haydan O’Callaghan did not apply for bail in front of Judge Anthony Kind yesterday morning and will next appear at the court in June. The 18-year-old is accused of killing
IT is not often you will hear children complain about having to eat pizza and chips every day. But it was the desire for healthier more nutritious food which has led to a new children’s menu at the Oxford Children’s Hospital. Before yesterday lunchtime
TORY chairman Baroness Sayeeda Warsi’s campaign trail hit Oxford yesterday – as she admitted the Conservatives were unlikely to win a seat in the city at next month’s council elections. Baroness Warsi visited Oxford Hub, in Turl Street, where students
LUCAS Davies and Sophie Wheeler were voted the best performers at Bicester AC’s winter awards evening. Davies finished down the field in his first Oxon League Cross Country, but showed steady improvement throughout the season and closed the
Chris Wilder has called on Oxford United to prove the setback against Morecambe was a one-off by producing two big performances over the Easter weekend. The U’s visit a Northampton Town side not safe from relegation on Friday night, before hosting
POLICE chiefs are cutting public access to police stations by up to 70 per cent across Oxfordshire. The force yesterday announced its scheme to save £600,000 by heavily reducing the hours its stations would be open in the major towns, with
POLICE stations are similar to post offices – a cornerstone service that the public seek as a reassuring presence in their town. And, just like post offices, yesterday it was confirmed police are making a further retreat from interacting with
Sweet William by Michael Pennington Pennington, one of our leading classical actors, has fined down his thoughts on the Bard into a most accessible book that is in no way a primer or textbook. As the subtitle, Twenty Thousand Hours With Shakespeare,
Ali Shaw worked at Blackwell’s bookshop and at the Bodleian Library before the publication of his first novel The Girl with Glass Feet, which won the Desmond Elliot Prize and was shortlisted for the Costa First Book Award. His second novel, The Man Who
Cook, writer and businesswoman Prue Leith has managed to squeeze in writing her autobiography, Relish, between myriad other commitments and finding time for her two grown-up children and two grandchildren. In recent years, her no-nonsense
Sir – The article (March 29) concerning a meeting arranged to discuss the installation of audio-visual recording equipment in taxis and private hire vehicles is incorrect and seriously misleading. The meeting was organised by the city council and not
Sir – Recently visiting the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre for an appointment, the registrar I saw referred me for physiotherapy, and I was given a form to take to the physiotherapy dept. No appointment was given. I was told I have to wait for a letter as
Sir – My GP has asked me to make an outpatient appointment at the John Radcliffe Hospital. In addition to providing a booking reference number, I have been sent a ridiculous password, and a message on the clinic telephone tells me I cannot make an appointment
Sir – As a frequent visitor to Oxford I watch with interest the progress of the Thornhill park-and-ride extension to Boulter Street. Given the enormity of the project, the construction crew have to be praised for the minimum of noise and disturbance
Sir – I am grateful for Henry Brougham’s shrewd analysis of the housing issues (Letters, March 29). May I add a brief thought which many politicians seem to ignore? Certain aspects of modern life (which we could describe as vital needs) are
Sir – I’m sure that the hearts of all citizens go out to the cyclists who find the Botley Road railway bridge such a trial (Report and editorial, March 29). Indeed, I have often felt their frustration when they almost scratch my car as they push past
Sir – The recent letters from Bruce Ross-Smith and Robin Gill have highlighted statistics that indicate that conversion to academy status will not necessarily lead to improved SAT results. Moreover, any local accountability will cease to exist; there
Sir – Following the Oxford and District branch of the Royal Air Forces Association’s recent membership recruitment appeal a vote was taken at the AGM in March to introduce a summer change to the time of the meetings to encourage attendance of younger
Sir – Could I thank everyone who campaigned over residents’ parking in East Oxford (Report, March 29). I would also like to thank councillor Rodney Rose, the county cabinet member for transport, for listening to local people. The Divinity Road area
Sir – It will be great if the new Frideswide Square plans take into account cyclists — especially those coming from George Street who “become pedestrians” where it suits them, ie each traffic light and the pavement in front of Said Business School.
Sir – I was pleased to see Mr Eldridge’s letter of support for the proposed improved rail connection with Oxford city and Marylebone (March 29). However I understood that the bat problem had been dealt with. In any case, as these creatures had lived
Sir – The 02 Academy, home to ‘Fuzzy Ducks’ and other attractions for the young, has applied for extended opening hours: 6pm-2am Monday-Thursday; 6pm-4am Friday and Saturday; noon-midnight on Sundays (but to 4am on Sundays before Bank Holidays) and all
Sir – Andrew Motion’s old school, Radley (mentioned in passing, by Christopher Gray in his fine Remembering too many fallen in war, February 23) has been notable in its creative talents, as was demonstrated at an exhibition in the school library in July
Sir – I write with reference to the development at 1 Hayfield Road, central North Oxford (Report, March 22). We would like to note the role played by Oxford City Council’s planning department in this sorry saga. The council’s planning department persist
Sir – You publish (March 29) a picture of a large and crude statue of a polar bear, with a person prancing on top of it, which has recently been set up in front of the University Museum. It joins a collection of other clutter, including the so-called
Sir – When the Government published its plans to change the planning system last year, we were horrified. Its draft National Planning Policy Framework had a one-sided focus on economic development with a complete disregard for any environmental or social
The words they produced were few. But 100 years after the sinking of the Titanic, the distress calls sent by the doomed liner’s two radio operators must be counted among the most poignant treasures of Oxford’s Bodleian Library. Even now
The apparent disagreement between the county council and police over enforcement of the 20mph limits in Oxford is puzzling. Thames Valley Police made it crystal clear from the inception of the scheme that officers would not enforce it. The force has
Anyone who thinks ‘classical music’ equals ‘serious’ should give the Oxford Concert Party a try. Forget any ideas of stuffiness or pretentiousness; these unconventional, down-to-earth musicians give classical music a refreshing new twist, infusing
If someone asked you “What’s worse — being homeless or being lonely?” —how would you reply? Jason, who has experienced both, said: “Being homeless is bad enough, but if you’re lonely you take it with you wherever you go.” Now two local charities
Many people we expect will be somewhat surprised at the threat of possible industrial action at the Mini plant at Cowley over a pay dispute. However you calculate the proposed rise, claimed to be six per cent by management and 2.3 per cent according
Just a few years ago, Oxford’s tower blocks looked destined for demolition. And while it is true that, perhaps, they are not the most aesthetically pleasing buildings in the city, to many people they are home, and to many more they are symbols of the
The fun Head Over Heels exhibition is based on the serious exploration of the past and present by a range of Oxfordshire Community Groups, writes Anne James. The thrust is about partnerships and visiting it is definitely an interactive experience. There
During his time as artistic director of Northern Ballet, David Nixon has shown himself the master of story-ballets, with works such as Madame Butterfly, Wuthering Heights, and, more recently, the enormously successful Cleopatra. His new work is a fairly
Aki Kaurismäki has been one of the most consistently fascinating film-makers of the last 30 years. Renowned for their deadpan humour and stylised realism, his features have always sided with the underdog and presented an image of Finnish life that both
This year sees the 75th anniversary of the release of one of the great masterpieces of pacifist cinema. In order to mark the event, Jean Renoir's La Grande Illusion is returning to British cinemas in a newly restored version that exploits new digital
ART appreciates with age, and the same can definitely be said for Oxfordshire Artweeks which celebrates its 30th birthday next month. Established in 1981, it is the country’s oldest and biggest open studio event. Last year, more than 100,000 people
