A JOB finder service has been launched by college and recruitment bosses in the first scheme of its kind in Oxfordshire. Oxford & Cherwell Valley College is working with recruitment group REED NCFE Partnership to offer jobs to outgoing students
A NEW NHS dentist has opened in East Oxford as health bosses try to increase the number of people who go for regular check-ups. The new Temple Street practice will have four dentists and a hygienist. And three of the dentists will be taking
A CHILD sex abuse victim says an Oxford support group saved with funding from the National Lottery completely turned her life around. The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, spoke after the Sexual Violence Survivors Support Group got
MOVES to crack down on “exploitation” by mobile home park operators have been welcomed by Oxford West and Abingdon MP Nicola Blackwood. Parliament is debating a bill aimed at tougher regulation of the industry, such as ending sites owners’ veto
Jason Collie meets his heroes, above – the ever amusing and consistently punchy Bowling for Soup THEY may be one of the clowns of pop punk – a genre filled with wisecracking juvenile behaviour – but there is what could be interpreted as serious
Craig Reid of The Proclaimers talks to TIM HUGHES about hitting the big time, their proudest moments and what’s coming up as they prepare to play the O2 Academy THEY’VE had a string of hits, travelled the world and have celebrity fans by the score
A GROUP of Oxfordshire musicians are working together on a song to raise funds for the homeless this Christmas. David McMahon, 26, from Cowley, often known as ‘Pringle’, was homeless himself for a year when he was aged 14. He co-wrote the hip
With the dark nights looming, a permanent drizzle enveloping us on a daily basis and half term approaching, it would be easy to get downhearted. But luckily Oxford is brimming with stuff to do with the kids, and keeping them occupied from dawn til
LIEUTENANT John Collins, the former High Sheriff of Oxfordshire, has died aged 89. Lt Collins, pictured, had a distinguished war record as a member of the elite band of Motor Torpedo Boat officers, before pursuing successful careers in business
THE election agent for Oxford’s Green Party and one-time parliamentary candidate has died at the age of 53. Don Smith first moved to Oxford in the early 1980s and soon became involved in the Green Party. He co-founded Oxford GreenPrint, designed
A FORMER Royal Navy signalman, who went on to become president of an Oxfordshire branch of the Royal British Legion, has died aged 86. Ron Gregory served on minesweepers and escorted ships to protect trade routes during the 1940s but was seriously
THE Welsh National Opera's new production of Cosi Fan Tutte throws up every seaside conceit imaginable. There’s no stopping director Benjamin Davis. Candyfloss, helter-skelters, Redcoats, Punch and Judy shows - he’s made quite a list. Obese, bikinied
Gaz Coombes is having the time of his life. The former Supergrass frontman is back in Oxfordshire and creating what he describes as his finest work yet. His solo album Here Come The Bombs is a masterpiece of sonic experimentation, largely recorded
TO celebrate the makeover of the M&S in Oxford, we have a great competition for readers. Ten lucky winners will each get an M&S gift card worth £50 to spend in the new-look store, which launches on Thursday, November 1. Get the Oxford
Forget rock and roll, Oxfordshire’s most stylish band are this week promising a night of ‘shock’ and roll. And they want us all to join them in making it a night of monstrous good fun. Suave surf-rockers The Long Insiders have an unparalleled reputation
Indie-rock BRIGHT LIGHT BRIGHT LIGHT Jericho Tavern, Oxford Saturday, 8pm Tickets: £5 from wegottickets.com or £6 on the door Halloween Death Disco anyone? Dance-pop demon Bright Light Bright Light presents a night of disco
INTERNATIONAL charity Oxfam was awarded the Freedom of the City of Oxford at a ceremony packed with supporters and dignitaries. The award, which according to tradition gives holders the right to drive sheep through the city, was bestowed to celebrate
THE mission to bring carnival back to Cowley Road starts next month with a party fundraiser featuring a startlingly eclectic line-up. Jouvert! at the O2 Academy on November 30, features Death of Hi-Fi, Secret Rivals, Skylarkin' Soundsystem,
A HOUSE that used to be tied to the head gardener’s job at Bicester Town Council is expected to be let on the open market. Town councillors approved a recommendation to look at letting out Garth Lodge. The house is on the edge of Garth Park
Biotech firm PsiOxus Therapeutics, based at Milton Park, has launched the first clinical trial of its new anti-cancer vaccine, ColoAd1. ColoAd1 is capable of destroying tumour cells at minute concentrations and can be injected into the bloodstream
Welsh National Opera’s annual autumn visit to the New Theatre began on Tuesday in fine style with a revival of Katie Mitchell’s 2003 production of Handel’s Jephtha. This, of course, is not an opera but a tune-packed oratorio — the composer’s last,
HAILING from musical aristocracy, Martha Wainwright has always had a lot to live up to. The daughter of Loudon Wainwright III and the late Kate McGarrigle, she comes from impeccable stock, but will always be judged against her parents’ towering
Abingdon United manager Richie Bourne says his side must sort out their defending when thet visit Cirencester United in Division 1 South & West tomorrow following last week’s 3-2 loss at Merthyr. “We should have got something, but we made mistakes
Biotech firm Circassia based at the Oxford Science Park, has started phase three trials of cat allergy treatment. The new study follows encouraging results in previous trials for the ToleroMune vaccine. Chief executive Steve Harris said: “Tens
BUDDING entrepreneurs were urged to get on the bus in Oxford for top business advice and access to funding. A double-decker bus, organised by national enterprise campaign StartUp Britain, pulled into Oxford and Cherwell Valley College in Oxpens
A new report has certainly touched a highly sensitive spot for Oxford’s main hospital trust. Asked to endorse Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust’s application to become a foundation trust, Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet backed the move
Concerns are already being voiced at plans to build 300 homes on land earmarked for use in a failed link road scheme at Witney. The town has boomed in recent years with no major increase in road infrastructure and no real prospect of any more in
Sir — Nigel Clarke’s simple three-point plan for improving cycle safety (Letters, October 11) has one flaw — his second point, that cyclists should always use cycle paths when provided. I can do no better than to quote the opening paragraphs of
Sir – What a splendid idea, M. Palmer’s letter (October 18), of non-noise, non-polluting, trams feeding the Oxford city transport problem, rather than what we endure at the moment, but please no, not in our beautiful ‘High’ (High Street) — just stand
Sir – I wonder if your readers have had similar experiences. I sent the following letter to the customer service department of the Royal Mail. ‘A few weeks ago I sent a most attractive card to my granddaughter for her third birthday. It never arrived
Sir — Thank you to your correspondent John Clapton for, rather patronisingly, claiming to have ‘enlightened’ me on the subject of car taxation, with a history lesson citing references as recent as 1932! The link between the fund from VED being
Sir — I am grateful to Peter Headicar for pointing out that everyone wins with road-space charging: drivers face fewer delays; those who prefer an alternative can see it funded; the environment is relieved of excessive emissions; and the economy is
"We are Motörhead... and we play rock and roll!” With those immortal words the world’s most consistently raucous band dive into a furious barrage of speed metal. That understated job description bookends each and every show by Lemmy Kilmister
Sir – I note Richard Mann’s letter (October 11). We can look at it as three separate sections and may even give us a strong clue as to the problem of high accident rates among vulnerable cyclists. Maybe we are getting nearer to the nub of the problem
Sir – The parochial move to charge London commuters using the Thornhill park-and-ride is typical of the Oxfordshire councils’ money-grasping ways. Eleven hours’ parking is just enough to be uncertain of making it back in time after a typical 9
Sir – We were delighted to read mention of our partnership with Hinksey Sculling School (Bringing rowing to a different audience, October 11). We are lucky enough to own extensive rowing facilities in a prime location and have shared these facilities
Sir – I have no doubt that Oxfam’s intentions are truly honourable — however, while their latest statement complains that half the world’s food is wasted, it should have added that half the world’s food, as well as water supplies, are wasted on farm
Sir – Freddie Whittaker’s article (Council still planning to shut Temple Cowley Pools, October 11) quotes Labour councillor and city board member for leisure services, Van Coulter, as saying: “Temple Cowley emits 866 tonnes of CO2 per year and a new
Sir – In a week that a political party delivered their newsletter to our house, commenting on the shortage of school places in North Oxford, my six-year-old son has noticed the increasing number of schoolchildren leaving Cutteslowe catchment area
Sir – I thought I’d give you a hand by writing next month’s news for you — November 16 2012: “Voters yesterday elected someone no one has ever heard of to control the Thames Valley Police, with the lowest turnout in UK electoral history. Later
Sir – Councillor Colin Cook’s assertion that the crisis facing the Covered Market is partly due to “the age of some traders, who are looking to retire and cash in their chips” is both insulting and untimely. The Covered Market is important to Oxford
Sir – I was disappointed to read (Report, October 4) that the city council has refused to allow a Christmas market in Broad Street. The Christmas market at the Castle has been, since it started a few years back, a truly lovely event to look forward
Sir – The East Oxford Orchestra deserves congratulations for their boldness in programming modern contemporary classical music for their concert at St John the Evangelist on October 14. In my experience, it is rare for Oxford’s professional orchestras
Sir – On Thursday and Friday, October 25-26, Dutch students of de Rooi Pannen in Tilburg, the Netherlands, will visit Oxford to work on their English language skills. De Rooi Pannen is a vocational school and educates students in marketing, communication
Sir – I was disconcerted to receive a letter from Oxfordshire County Council last week addressed to ‘Other Anne Ashby’. The letter began ‘Dear Other Ashby’. Alas, in some obscure way I feel that I have been demoted. Has this happened to others,
Oxfordshire duo Steve Naylor and Melissa Hawtin won the opening round of the Apex Chiltern Cross-Country League at Shotover. Despite parts of the 9km course resembling a mud bath, Naylor, from Woodstock but running for Bedford, defied the conditions
Paul Fernandez fought back from a two-minute deficit to claim a superb victory in his home town Abingdon Marathon. At the six-mile mark, the Abingdon Ambler trailed early leader James Bolton (Woodstock Harriers) by 150 metres, with White Horse
A LOYAL crowd of enthusiastic fans had turned out to see Wakefield’s finest The Cribs. And they returned the favour, in their relaxed anarchic style, with a fine set of indie-punk. And we lapped it up. Casually lumbering on stage at the O2 Academy
BLENHEIM Palace and Wallingford Food Festival are among tourist attractions across Oxfordshire which have been shortlisted for a prestigious award. The Beautiful South Awards reward tourist attractions across the South East in a series of categories
'YES' says Roger Howard, chief executive of the UK Drug Policy Commission... 'Each year, we spend at least £2bn trying to enforce the drug laws and dealing with drug-related crime. About three million people use drugs each year, yet the
Tony Pawson, a member of the famous Pegasus team in the 1950s and an exceptional all-round sportsman, has died at the age of 91. Born in Chertsey, Surrey, in 1921, Mr Pawson studied at Christ Church, Oxford, and scored a century on his cricketing debut
THE family and friends of a former soldier who died in an accident on a farm have paid tribute to him. Dean Henderson-Smith, 46, died last Thursday after falling through a barn roof at Great Park Farm, near Besselsleigh. His partner Sacha said
Phil Adams won an 11th title as the Oxford & District League season drew to a thrilling close. A packed crowd at Oxford Sports & Social Club saw some sensational throwing, with no fewer than six maximums over the course of the night.
Didcot Conservative Club moved into second place in the Johnsons Buildbase Oxford League Premier Section after registering their first victory – a 5-0 home win over Comrades Club, writes PETE EWINS. Dave Tooke (10,380 and 8,120), Jenny Florey,
Oxfordshire's Premier side slipped to a 24-16 defeat against Hampshire in the English Short Mat Bowling Association’s Inter County Competition at Banister Park, Eastleigh. Oxon went down 186-160 on shots. OXFORDSHIRE DETAILS Singles: G
AN OXFORD MP has welcomed calls to provide better support for children claiming to have been sexually exploited. Nicola Blackwood, MP for Oxford West and Abingdon, made the comments after the head of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said a generation
A place on the European Tour is at stake for Eddie Pepperell over the next four days, and Oxfordshire’s top player is hoping the pressure brings out his best golf. The top 45 players on the Challenge Tour tee off today in the Apulia San Domenico
SHAW GIBBS OXFORDSHIRE FOURSOMES LEAGUE Section 1 Buckingham 0 (0pt), Ellesborough 3 (4) (Buckingham first): G Davidson & D Thompson lost to C Pearce & J Alison 1 hole; B Baxter & B Oliver lost to S Williams & A Wilkinson 4
Banbury Under 11A retained the Broadstreet Festival Cup without conceding a point. They pipped Old Coventrians 5-0, before posting 20-0 wins over Broadstreet Henly Road, Old Leamingtonians and Broadstreet Bristol Street. OTHER SCORES Under
Oxford City Stars again found higher-division opposition too strong in the NIHL Cup as they were thumped 11-2 at home by Invicta Dynamos. Having been beaten 6-3 by Bracknell Hornets in their cup opener, Stars were on the receiving end again from
THE Taxpayers’ Alliance says the 5.2 per cent rise in benefits to pensioners this year was wrong when millions of workers endured a pay freeze or cuts. The rise we had this year made the pensioners who get housing benefit £20 a month better off.
THERE is something disturbing and, frankly, grubby about Oxford City Council’s approach to at least one covenant it held. A resident in Sunnymead was hit with a demand for £30,000 to release a covenant preventing the extension of his property.
Work by Southern Gas Networks to replace gas pipes in Rose Hill, Oxford, is due to finish by Tuesday. There are temporary three-way traffic lights in place at the junction of Ashhurst Way with Oxford Road. The work has caused delays for motorists
CONCERNS about Oxford residents being billed thousands of pounds to break property covenants have sparked a review of council policy. Oxford City Council is looking again at its policy on covenants after it was forced to pay back thousands of pounds
WHATEVER makes Edward Sanderson (ViewPoints, October 19) think we are herbivores? Clearly we are not and neither are we carnivores, because, like our nearest relatives the chimpanzee, we are omnivores. To be a herbivore you need a special stomach,
VICTORIAN farce is the order of the day in a new production by county actors at Oxford’s North Wall theatre. The Government Inspector tells the story of corrupt officials fawning over a man they mistakenly believe to be a Government inspector.
I’M SORRY to hear about the problems Alan Woodward (ViewPoints, October 22) had with recycling. Unfortunately it is technically not possibly to recycle polystyrene but he can always leave cardboard, which can be recycled, folded neatly next to
TRAVELLING by taxi up St Aldate’s yesterday, between the police station and Carfax I counted 12 buses, moving in both directions. Each was carrying two to four passengers, and they were mostly double-deckers. At Carfax, during a 10-minute wait
ONCE again, another Government quango – police commissioners. We have a Chief Constable, Government inspectors and a Chief Inspector of Constabulary, plus police authorities and the Home Office. The new post will cost us £85,000 pa. No doubt there
VISITORS have turned sleuths to solve a murder mystery. A mystery trail around East Hendred has been created to raise cash for the village museum. For just £2, amateur sleuths can buy a story sheet and questionnaire, and go in search of clues
DO WE need police commissioners? Already a great deal of money has been spent convincing us that we do. I believe the last Government began the process to bring the chief constables of this country more under the governance of politicians than
TRANSPORT chiefs spent more than £400,000 getting children to school and keeping buses on the road after a coach company went bust. Oxfordshire County Council was forced to sign last-minute contracts with other firms after RH Transport went into
SPEECHES at a “special” council meeting took a humorous turn as councillors from across the political divide shared a stage. Oxford City Council met on Tuesday to confer the Freedom of the City on local charity Oxfam. Labour’s Antonia Bance
A DIVERSION on a hot summer’s day has landed an Oxford schoolboy the winning prize in a national writing contest. James Bridson, 10, beat hundreds of young writers in The Daily Telegraph’s Michael Morpurgo writing competition. Under 11s were
PERHAPS we should think hard about the recent Peace Prize awarded to the EU. EU Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso (former Maoist) has demanded a federal Europe; something frequently expressed but never so blatantly. Local political control
OXON: Three people suffered minor injuries when their car overturned on the A40. The crash, involving a red Vauxhall Zafira, happened at 3pm on Tuesday on the Oxford-bound carriageway between the M40 and Wheatley. Firefighters had to cut free
OXFORD: Oxford University is among the signatories for a new declaration on openness in animal research. The university, the target of bitter protests over its animal research lab in South Parks Road, is among 41 organisations which have put their
TWO Oxford institutions are staying in harmony after Oxford University renewed its partnership with Ox-ford Philomusica. It means that the Philomusica will remain the university’s ‘Orchestra In Residence’, entitled to use the official university
SOME may turn up their noses at the city council’s plan to have quotations of Oxford decorating some public toilets. But that would be prudish. It can only reinforce this is a city comfortable and proud of itself with a clear identity.
THE race is on for the chance to have your say on what should be scrawled across the walls of one of Oxford’s busiest toilets. Oxford City Council is asking residents to get involved in helping smarten up some of the city centre’s toilets.
TWO people fled a house fire in Abingdon last night. Firefighters were called to Northcourt Walk, Abingdon, at 8.34pm. Crews saw smoke coming from an open window on the first floor of the house. They entered the house using breathing apparatus
ANTIQUES Road Trip star Charlie Ross is preparing to entertain audiences on stage as a pantomime dame. The TV celebrity and antiques expert, pictured at Crown Dry Cleaners in Bicester, plays Widow Wonkey in the Bicester Choral and Operatic Society
With a new James Bond film you expect a slew of new books and this year’s collection is befitting the golden anniversary of 007 coming to the screen. The issue for any book on such a well known and well-studied franchise, be it film or book, is to
Johnny Mullins says the defence must take their share of the blame for Oxford United failing to avoid defeat at Rochdale. The U’s were on top for much of the game at Spotland, but conceded twice in the final 12 minutes to lose 2-0. Much of
ONE of Oxford’s leading independent schools is to sponsor three Blackbird Leys primaries. The Dragon School, in Bardwell Road, will be the lead sponsor in a newly formed multi-academy trust with all three of the estate’s primaries, Orchard Meadow
Two thriller writers from different generations will be sharing their thoughts at the Wantage (not just) Betjeman Festival next week. Young Oxford graduate Katy Darby will discuss her debut novel The Unpierced Heart, a creepy Gothic tale set in
From 1948-1956, Dawn Griffiths lived at Headington Hill Hall, when it was a convalescent hospital for brain-injured servicemen. Her book Headington Hill Hall: The Forgotten Years (Lulu, £6.70) is an account of life at the hospital, where her father
Cowley Road Carnival is Oxford’s largest community event. Oxford’s artistic flair and diversity is displayed so vividly and to so many people, with the carnival attracting more than 22,000 visitors from Oxford and beyond. Last year, 688 children
MORE than 350 people have signed a petition supporting a Christmas Market in Oxford’s Broad Street. The Christmas Market was cancelled this year after a move to the city centre street from Oxford Castle was refused by the city council. It came
TWO sculptors are busy putting the final touches to work based on family life in Woodstock, in readiness for the start of the town’s art festival. Amanda Bonfiglioli, who lives on a narrowboat on the Oxford Canal, and Godfrey Phillips, from Hertfordshire
There's a dual celebration this week, as Universal Studios is marking the centenary of its foundation with the release of eight trademark horror films in time for Halloween. Strongly influenced by the Expressionist silents produced in Germany in the
There is a tendency when a big movie opens for rival distributors to fight shy of direct competition. But, instead of the usual clutch of sub-standard commercial offerings that were acquired as part of a package deal or a couple of difficult arthouse
A VICTORIAN market will be held by council chiefs for the first time in Banbury to boost Christmas trade. Cherwell District Council will host the event with market operator Sketts on Friday, December 7. Shops are being encouraged to open late
A SCHOOLGIRL taking part in a major Oxfordshire history project is hoping to find out about the heroism of her ancestors in the First World War. Other participants include a historian intrigued by a piece of a downed enemy plane and a 70-year-old
NOT all the land for Bicester’s multi-billion pound eco town has been secured, it has emerged. P3Eco and A2 Dominion have yet to agree terms with at least one landowner according to a report, despite the site getting Government backing in 2009.
A JOB finder service has been launched by college and recruitment bosses in the first scheme of its kind in Oxfordshire. Oxford & Cherwell Valley College is working with recruitment group REED NCFE Partnership to offer jobs to outgoing students
