Archive

DISCUSSIONS have been launched to investigate establishing Neighbourhood Forums in East Oxford. At last month’s East Area Forum, members heard from Richard Bradley at the Oxford Civic Society about the idea. A forum needs a minimum of 21 people

LOVE was in the air last weekend at East Oxford Community Market. Stalls were preparing for Valentine’s Day with some sweet treats for shoppers. The market is held every Saturday between 10am and 1pm at East Oxford Primary School in Union Street

A VILLAGE trust set up to collect cash for health equipment is being disbanded because the local surgery now has all the kit it needs. The Yarnton Medical Practice Trust Fund was started in 2005 after a new surgery opened in Rutten Lane the previous

A COMMUNITY group behind the £500,000 power-generating project at Osney Lock has said it is nearing completion. Plans to build the first community-owned turbine on the Thames were first proposed up in 2001. Now excitement is building as the

BEAUTY and the Beast came to life on the stage of the West Oxford Community Centre. The cast of 38 residents of West Oxford played their parts in the four shows from January 23 to January 25. Best friends Ellie Tullis-Hughes, 12, and Frankie

OXFORD United's remarkable unbeaten away run in Sky Bet League Two was extended to 13 games as they earned a hard-fought point at Bury. Josh Ruffels headed a first goal for the club just two minutes after Craig Jones had put the hosts in front.

Good evening and welcome to a chilly Gigg Lane, where Oxford United have the chance to move up to second place with a win in their game in hand at Bury. They are also defending a 12-game unbeaten run on their travels in the league this season,

OXFORD University student Garreth McCrudden was born seven weeks early back in March 1991. He needed emergency medical attention to care for his lungs, which were underdeveloped, but thanks to hospital staff he recovered and went on to lead a normal

A 20-YEAR-OLD woman was sexually assaulted in Cowley Road in the early hours of Saturday.  Police only released the details today and said they are hunting the man who followed and then inappropriately touched the woman, who was walking away from

MILLIONS of Britain’s nappies could soon be recycled in Oxford and then used to keep flood waters at bay. Knowaste, which set up the UK’s first recycling facility for absorbent hygiene products in 2011, is looking at Oxford as a location for a

Nuclear disarmament campaigners gathered in Oxford to discuss the scrapping of the UK’s Trident nuclear deterrent. Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament vice-president Dr Rebecca Johnson, who has been touring the country, delivered a talk at the event

MORE than 1,000 school pupils were treated to a dazzling orchestral display. The 1,200 secondary and primary children, from across Oxfordshire, were treated to a performance by the Oxfordshire County Youth Orchestra on Friday at the Sheldonian

HEAVY rain is forecast across the South East including Oxfordshire over the next ten days. The Environment Agency is warning people to prepare for the risk of flooding.  Rivers across the South East, including the River Thames, are rising and

SHOP owners have expressed their frustration about the number of supermarket chains opening in Headington. A Sainsbury’s store is due to open at 98 London Road on February 25, and plans are now in motion to create a new Tesco Express nearby at

courtesy of Ox Box TV

WHO the hell do our elected politicians think they are? They passed the Freedom of Information Act in the name of transparency but now our ministers say publishing the HS2 rail report is not in the public interest. The only thing clear is,

IT must have come as no surprise to most of us that the cost for the refurbishment of the Guildhall in Abingdon has now risen a further £800,000. Before the council imposes an unwanted 100-seater cinema on to the ratepayers of Abingdon, can we

JOHN Saunders’ plea for a sensible debate on Europe has been accepted by most of your correspondents. Some merely repeat reactionary remarks. Ian Cummings harks back to the pre-Thatcher Common Market days, and citing BMW doesn’t help. Broadly

I AM writing in response to the letter (January 17, This is a cruel way to take your dog for a walk) and totally agree with Michael Clarke and his comments. I live in Bicester and quite often see people cycling and pulling their poor defenceless

WE should be thankful for the very small amount – 0.3 per cent – of harmless carbon dioxide in the troposphere that has allowed life on earth to flourish. Nasa satellite data has shown that carbon dioxide levels are not increasing in the troposphere

DORIC said they had listened to the community and made improvements to their proposal for the development of West Way but having seen the full planning application I can only conclude that they have not. Do Doric not realise that by adding a gym

IN his On Yer Bike column (January 21) James Styring says “it is pathetic to bleat about unlit cyclists and red light jumpers”. Well, I object to those illegal cyclists, but I am not a sheep. I am a pensioner cyclist. It is Mr Styring who needs

Following a gripping contest, which the Ploughman’s Bunch! (Wolvercote) led 49-45 at half-time, their stablemate and principal Premiership protagonist, the Plough, displaying a breathtaking knowledge of New York City to steamroller the penultimate,

CANCER campaigner Clive Stone has a new lease of life after being told his brain shows no signs of the disease. Mr Stone, 66, has had 34 brain tumours removed over the past three years and, following his latest scan, surgeons have told him that

On Yer Bike comes to you this week from Edinburgh, a city known to me via its proactive bicycle advocacy group, Spokes – and of course, the morphine-stained prism of Trainspotting. This charming maze of grey-stoned Gothic piles – with its equally

EVER heard of a dragon fire clock? No, neither had Daniel Hansen, at least not until he visited the Museum of the History of Science in Broad Street, Oxford, on Saturday. The ancient chinese artefact – which uses a burning stick of incense

ON a cold and wet Monday evening, the Examination Schools on the High Street had a queue of keen people waiting to see if there would be room for them to join the presentation. It was the opening event in The Oxford Research Centre in the Humanities

THERE is slow traffic on the southern bypass after an accident this morning. The accident, which happened at about 8.40am, has cleared and all lanes are now re-opened. There are delays on the A423 westbound between Abingdon Road and the A35 as

A man has denied one count of rape and one count of sexual assault at Oxford Crown Court. Benjamin Pickett, of Stockham Park, Wantage, pleaded not guilty yesterday to committing both crimes on July 21 last year. Both allegations concern the same

Police have still not confirmed how many arrests were made following an incident at a housing block in Oxford on Sunday. At least five people were arrested at Osney Court, in Botley Road, after reports of men armed with knives entering a home.

Prosecutors in the Thames Valley have been criticised for “poor legal decisions, weak case progression and a low rate of successful outcomes”. A report published by Her Majesty’s Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate found evidence of CPS Thames

BUSINESSES facing demolition could be housed in shipping containers for up to two years if the £100m redevelopment of Botley’s West Way goes ahead. People can now have their say on controversial £100m plans to redevelop the site after the details

Danny Rose is gunning for Oxford United to steal a march on their promotion rivals as they visit Bury tonight. The fixture, postponed from last month due to the visitors’ FA Cup run, is the only midweek contest in Sky Bet League Two. United

Flood warning remains in place for parts of Oxford. Traffic delays on the southern bypass after a crash, with a further crash on the A34. Business could be housed in shipping containers as part of West Way

POLICE are still appealing for information about missing grandmother Jackie Gulliford, 61, last seen leaving her Hawthorn Road home in Eynsham on January 14. The police helicopter has been used in the search for her while Wytham Woods and the Eynsham

Fundraising students have landed in Japan on a “Jailbreak” mission. The Oxford University Raise and Give (RAG) group, made up of New College students Charlie Parkes, Rob Harris and Caitlin Place, were offered free flights to Tokyo by Virgin boss

An electricity provider has apologised after homes in Oxford were left without power for more than two hours. Homes in the Nobles Lane area of Oxford suffered the cut on Sunday, between 11.30pm and 1.30am. Scottish and Southern Electric apologised

Mickey Lewis is thrilled to finally have some attacking options up front as Oxford United visit Bury in Sky Bet League Two tonight. James Constable and Deane Smalley have had little back-up over the last month, but the U’s suddenly have four experienced

A PSYCHIATRIST who confessed to a seven-year affair with a vulnerable patient after she was found dead has been struck off. Dr Andrew McBride started a sexual relationship with the woman while treating her for drug and alcohol abuse at the Rectory

OFFICIALS admit they do not know how high water levels will get as the city prepares for heavy rain tomorrow. The Environment Agency has urged communities to be prepared, with heavy rainfall expected tomorrow. Water levels on the River Thames

PEOPLE are again being warned to expect flooding in parts of Oxford today. A flood warning remains in place the New Botley, New and North Hinksey and Grandpont areas in Oxford and the Environment Agency has said the River Thames is rising very

Wheatley edged out visitors Chipping Norton 8-7 to reach the Oxfordshire Shield final. Chippy had beaten Wheatley 70-5 in last season’s competition, but this match was a far closer affair. Ben Ramsdale’s try put the hosts 5-0 up at the break

Witney reached the semi-finals of the Oxfordshire Cup after an impressive 22-7 victory over Oxford University Greyhounds at Hailey Road. They will now visit Oxford Harlequins, who saw off Chinnor 2nd 6-3 last month. Fly half Henry Lamb kicked

If you go down to the woods today, you’re in for a big and rather pretty surprise. Often thought to signify the start of spring, a host of snowdrops have begun to bloom around the Oxford Botanic Garden on Rose Lane. Trainee botanic horticulturalist

Henley Hawks’ National 1 relegation fears increased with a 25-10 defeat at Richmond. Hawks are now just two points above the drop zone, with a trip to leaders Doncaster their next fixture. Henley wing Martin Nutt was denied a try before fly

Seisoni Tupou and Mike Lee scored two tries apiece as South West 1 leaders Oxford Harlequins roared to a 73-5 victory at Reading. Quins crossed seven times in the first half and four after the break to go 17 points clear. Flanker Tupou finshed

Chinnor saw their National 2 South survival hopes take a battering, despite not playing this weekend. The Thame-based club saw their home game with Ampthill postponed, due to a waterlogged pitch at Kingsey Road. But they are now just three

Mike Ford is excited by the prospect of seeing his Oxford City team take on in-form Barrow in Skrill North at Marsh Lane tonight, writes MATTHEW BRUCE. City are set to play just their third match of 2014 following a spate of postponements capped

A 19-YEAR-OLD robber picked up a drunk clubber and drove him around Oxford while making several attempts to withdraw cash from his bank account. Michael McDonagh, of Bullingdon Road, Oxford, was sentenced to 40 months in prison yesterday after

Two pop stars will visit the Oxford Union to talk about their careers. British DJ and record producer DJ Fresh, who had number one singles with Louder and Hot Right Now, will speak to students on Friday at 2pm. And singer/songwriter Emeli Sande

Chiltern Railways and Cross Country have been named as two of the most punctual train operators in the country at the Golden Whistle Awards 2014. Chiltern won a gold award for having the most trains which departed on time while Cross Country also

A woman suffered serious injuries yesterday after falling from a third-floor window at Oxford Brookes University student accommodation. The incident happened shortly after 10am in an accommodation block off John Garne Way off Marston Road.

A ROOFER has appeared in Oxford Crown Court and denied engaging in aggressive and misleading commercial practices in Carterton. John Watson, of Bedmond Road, Abbots Langley, in Hertfordshire, pleaded not guilty to five charges yesterday. It

THREE hundred pounds – the money being spent by the Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group on hotel facilities for a meeting – may not, admittedly, be the largest sum in the world when it comes to NHS budgets. But the expenditure, by the new

CASH-STRAPPED health bosses have been criticised for spending almost £300 on a hotel meeting less than two miles from their offices. Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group (OCCG) managers will this morning hold a strategy development meeting

MODELS are preparing to strut their stuff on the catwalk ahead of next month’s Oxford Fashion Week. The show will take place twice this year, from March 3-9 at various city venues, including the Malmaison Hotel and the Randolph Hotel ballroom.

A PENSIONER left without central heating for almost two weeks may get a new boiler today. Jeannie Thornhill, 66, told the Oxford Mail how she had felt let down by Sovereign Housing Association because her boiler at her home in Coupland Road, Wootton

A NURSE threatened to cut up the daughter of a quadriplegic patient 'into little pieces' when she tried to care for her ailing husband, a hearing was told. Greta Muvuti saw the woman as 'competition' and accused her of trying to 'run the show'

Carruthers, the 2011 Hennessy Gold Cup hero, could return to the scene of his finest hour by running in a veterans’ handicap chase at Newbury on March 1. The 11-year-old gelding, from Mark Bradstock’s Letcombe Bassett stables, near Wantage, had

It may seem with all the bad weather that this year’s winter will never end, but signs of spring are already bursting up across the county – earlier than expected. In fact, one visitor who would normally turn up at springtime just couldn’t wait

SOME of the country’s best known writers are preparing to help local writers produce radio plays. Mark Haddon, author of bestselling novel The Curious Incident of the Dog in The Night-Time, will be one of three authors from the city who will offer

HENRIETTA Knight is back at West Lockinge Farm, near Wantage, after breaking her right ankle and two bones in her leg in a freak accident. The former three-time Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning trainer returned home on Saturday – a week after she was

ONLY in Oxford would you have the luxury of three stellar writers being able to help others write plays about the waterways. It just says everything about our fine city.

Two tries from captain Dan Spencer helped Bicester beat visitors Hungerford 29-19 to go second in the BB&O Premier Division. Bicester led 29-0 midway through the second half, but did enough to leapfrog their opponents into the second promotion

WALLINGFORD’S Olympic gold medallist Zac Purchase has announced his retirement, ruling out a bid to reclaim the Olympic lightweight double scull title at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics. The 27-year-old won gold with Mark Hunter at the 2008 Games in

PUPILS at a North Oxford school are missing their “perfect” teacher after she died of cancer at 39. St Aloysius’ Catholic Primary School teacher Angela Clare, a non-smoker, was diagnosed with lung cancer last August and died at the John Radcliffe

Darren Purse has become the latest former Oxford United player to apply for the vacant manager's position. The 36-year-old's CV has been sent into the club, joining ex-U's Dean Windass and David Rush, who wants to be considered for a coaching role

RYAN Clarke has been nominated for Sky Bet League Two’s player of the month for January. The 31-year-old goalkeeper, who signed a new contract at the club last week, did not concede in the four league games played. He is up against John-Joe

Greene King ODDA Premier Section leaders Goodlake Arms A consolidated their advantage at the top with a 6-3 win at home to Section 1 side Marlborough Club. Pete Jones and Preben Krabben, who had the week’s best out-shot of 158, gave them a 2-0

Jamie Cook has enjoyed a colourful footballing career, from scoring his first goal at Manchester City for Oxford United to appearing at Old Trafford in the FA Cup fifth round during a successful spell with Crawley Town, writes MATT BRUCE. But the

OXFORD continue to struggle at the foot of South Clubs League Division 2, going down 3-1 at home to Marlow in their latest outing. Jill Gordon scored their only goal as they slipped to second from bottom in the table. Oxford 2nd lost 2-1 at

Oxford and Didcot Parkway railway stations will have electric car charging points installed. The stations, along with Charlbury, Cholsey, Henley-on-Thames and 39 others across the country, have been chosen to benefit from a £9m Government investment

BUSINESSES in East Oxford are being encouraged to donate to a fund to help the needy in the area after a cabbies’ firm donated £2,000. Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee Legacy Fund is looking for businesses to contribute to a pot that can be handed

YOUNG runners are being asked to lace up their trainers and join schoolmates for this year’s Town and Gown race. The event, backed by the Oxford Mail, is in aid of the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign and takes place on May 11. The event’s 3k junior

EDDIE Pepperell is taking time out of his schedule to visit Frilford Heath, where he is a member, to talk about his rookie year on the European Tour. The event on Wednesday, February 19 (7pm), which is open to members and visitors, will follow

Oxford Hawks missed a host of chances and paid the price in a 4-1 defeat away to Old Georgians in Premier Division 1 of the South League on Saturday. The visitors started brightly, moving the ball around well and Kit Cutter saw a shot go just wide

A WOMAN and her pet were helped by firemen after a car accident on the M40 near Banbury. Two vehicles collided in an accident between junction 12 for Gaydon and junction 11 for Banbury at about 2pm on Saturday. Fire crews from Banbury and Warwickshire

A FIREFIGHTER says he felt forced to resign when the fire and rescue service refused to offer him more flexible working hours. Paul Fritz-Johnson spent nine years as a retained firefighter in Wallingford before he quit in December. He says

A JAZZ musician with a rare brain condition who has worked with a world-famous producer has been awarded a £30,000 grant to keep making music. Ollie Howell, who Michael Jackson producer Quincy Jones has labelled “unbelievable”, has been handed

PERHAPS we can call it fromage Oxford with love. We don’t want to be cheesy, but aristocrat Robert Pouget’s dream of making his Oxford Blue cheese in the county is about to become a reality. Work is about to begin on his first-ever Oxfordshire