Archive

  • Field fire could be arson

    A POTENTIAL arson attack in Yarnton is being investigated by Thames Valley Police. A fire involving plastic material in a field behind the Begbroke Science Park, in Sandy Lane, started this afternoon. A spokeswoman from Oxfordshire Fire and

  • Vaizey wants to use museum for ‘office’

    A BID to use part of a publicly-funded museum as an MP’s constituency office have been slammed as “outrageous”. Liberal Democrats have hit out at a Conservative plan to use a part of Vale and Downland Museum, should the Tories win the Wantage seat

  • Blenheim hosts an antiques treasure trove

    A TREASURE trove of rare antiques will go on display at Blenheim Palace tomorrow (Thurs, April 16). Twenty nine dealers will display their wares at the annual Cotswolds Art & Antiques Dealers Association Fair. Objects will range from oak

  • Statistics show teens carry out one in seven burglaries

    ALMOST one in seven burglaries recorded by Thames Valley Police were by under 18s, statistics reveal. The Take No More campaign, led by charity Victim Support and security company ADT to tackle burglary, obtained statistics from the force on how

  • Overtaking ban is not a fix for traffic

    Proposals to ban lorries from overtaking on the A34 is not enough to fix the problems road users experience. In reality it is just a sticking plaster over the giant crack of congestion, crashes and more. And it depends on getting approval from

  • Treatment of D-Day veteran over allotment was shocking

    An allotment is more than just a plot of land, it’s a community. Its committee must be part of that community and respect its members. So it is shocking to see the treatment of D-Day veteran Patrick Churchill by Mary Killick, chairwoman of Witney

  • Brookes serves up an ace 3G proposal for its tennis courts

    A £300,000 scheme could see five new 3G football pitches opened to the public by the autumn. Oxford Brookes University has submitted plans to convert six outdoor tennis courts into five floodlit all-weather pitches, suitable for football and rugby

  • Raymond Blanc heads into the Wilderness

    From Le Manoir to the Wilderness - the country's favourite chef brings some Michelin-starred magic to its most eclectic arts festival TOP chef Raymond Blanc is swapping the luxury of his Michelin-starred restaurant for a tent, by joining the line-up

  • Hospital the winner from football match

    A FAMILY grieving for a loved one organised a charity football match to raise cash for the hospital ward which cared for her. Mother-of-three Iris Willoughby-Doyle died aged 62 on January 10 after suffering from a lung condition, chronic obstructive

  • Wring every last penny out of the motorist

    I havw just had the rather dubious pleasure of paying a parking fine for parking for 15 minutes in the St Clement’s car park between 7.10am and 7.25am in order to take someone to work. It always used to be free until 8am but has been changed which

  • Drivers deserve more

    I just wanted to write that a four per cent increase in the wonderful bus drivers’ salary seems a little modest. Surely they deserve more? SAFFRON COSTELLO Weirs Lane, Oxford

  • More should have been done for businesses

    His controversial predecessor having left for new and richer pastures, Thames Valley Police Chief Constable Francis Habgood claims that the public, following the Operation Bullfinch scandal (as if it were only that), “still” has confidence in the force

  • We have free speech so you can’t ban them John

    Reading John Tanner’s letter regarding the English Defence League march (April 7), I was not surprised at the usual Labour response of ‘if you don’t agree with it, ban it’. If Oxford is united and tolerant then we should, be it sometimes reluctantly

  • Wonderful memories of Pc Blunt and his dog

    I was pleased to see the article entitled Dog’s Sentimental Search on the Remember When page (April 13). In the 1970s I was a Special Constable with Thames Valley Police. Pc 1820 Tony Blunt became my mentor as he lived nearby in Headington.

  • What will happen if we say ‘no’ to Europe?

    The future of the car factories is of prime importance to Oxford and I should like to use your columns to ask for answers regarding it. I appreciate that the car manufacturers may not want to intervene in an election but, given that a huge percentage

  • Views from historic buildings within the city centre matter

    Regarding Oxford views (April 10), almost all visitors who wish to enjoy Oxford’s skyline and setting and its world-famous buildings do so by paying to climb up six of them – St George’s Tower, Castle Mound, St Martin’s (Carfax), St Michael-at-the-Northgate

  • Four men bailed after dawn raids in Oxford and Banbury

    FOUR men who were arrested in dawn raids across Oxford and Banbury have all been released on police bail. Five residential addresses were searched at about 6am yesterday by police and Trading Standards officers. Three men were arrested on suspicion

  • Scientists limber up for 10km charity race

    THE research team trying to find new treatments for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy has entered this year’s Oxford Town and Gown run. Oxford University laboratory researchers are forming a team to take part in the 10k charity run, which raises money

  • Pre-school lodges complaint to Ofsted

    A PRE-SCHOOL that was rated “inadequate” by the government’s education watchdog has made an official complaint against the judgement. North Drive Pre-School in Grove claimed the Ofsted inspector who visited in March gave the rating because she

  • Man arrested after woman raped in Spiceball Park, Banbury

    A MAN has been arrested after a woman was raped in a park in Banbury, police said. Officers said the woman was attacked in Spiceball Park yesterday between 4.30pm and 5pm. A 26-year-old man has been arrested this morning and is currently in

  • Bowel cancer survivor to battle stigma of disease

    A FIREFIGHTER who survived a battle with bowel cancer is hoping to “remove the stigma” of the disease. Guy Dunkley, 50, who works at Slade Park Fire Station in Headington, found out he had bowel cancer in 2010. The fireman of 23 years narrowly

  • Three women rob 10-year-old girl in alleyway in East Oxford

    A 10-year-old girl was robbed by three women in an alleyway in East Oxford, police said. Officers said the women, in their late teens, pushed, kicked and swore at the girl before grabbing her bag, spilling her packed lunch over the ground.

  • No extra funding pledge for Oxford flood scheme from minister

    DAVID Cameron’s regional flood minister Philip Hammond refused to promise any extra funding for Oxford’s flood relief channel yesterday. Mr Hammond, who is also Foreign Secretary, visited South Hinksey’s General Elliot pub to catch up with residents

  • Late goal is perfect birthday present for Alex MacDonald

    BIRTHDAY boy Alex MacDonald admitted Oxford United let their standards drop before rallying late on to grab a point against Northampton Town. The substitute moved into double figures for the season with a precise 91st-minute shot to earn a 1-1

  • Roaring confusion over new party name in council elections

    A POLITICAL party caused confusion this week when it took the same name as a countryside campaign group for a council election. Rural Oxfordshire Action Rally (In The Vale) has registered 13 candidates in local elections for Vale of White Horse

  • Flashing case against suspect dropped

    A man arrested on suspicion of indecent exposure has been released without charge. The 46-year-old, from Oxford, was arrested on February 25 after a several incidents of exposure in Kidlington. He was released after answering police bail on Sunday

  • Inquest of man who died in sea in Crete held today

    An inquest into the death of a 69-year-old man who died trying to rescue his wife from the sea in Crete is due to begin this morning. Keith Waite, of Reading Road, Rowstock, near Didcot, had been on holiday with his wife when he died on Saturday

  • The Bloodhound supersonic car not to be sniffed at

    VISITORS flocked to see a life-sized model of the rocket-powered car aiming to break the World Land Speed Record by travelling at more than 1,000mph – faster than the speed of sound. Yesterday, members of the public gathered in Keble Road to see

  • Murder accused threatened to knife her former boyfriend

    A WOMAN on trial for the murder of her boyfriend phoned police threatening to stab an ex-lover who she had accused of assaulting her. Natasha Elderfield, 41, made the 999 call days before her 33-year-old partner Robert Dobinson died from a single

  • CRICKET: Jack Brooks hailed after superb start to season

    FORMER Oxfordshire seamer Jack Brooks was hailed by both coaches after helping Yorkshire to a ten-wicket win over Worcestershire in their County Championship Division 1 game yesterday. After taking five wickets in the first innings, Brooks added

  • GIRLS' FOOTBALL: Oxford City savour double delight in finals

    Oxford City completed a double in the Oxfordshire Girls’ Cup finals at Thame United’s ASM Stadium. City’s Under 14 side beat their Under 13 counterparts 7-4 to claim the Under 14 Girls’ Cup. Holly Hunter and Taya McCalmon bagged braces, with

  • RACING: Sgt Reckless takes charge

    Sgt Reckless, the 1-8 favourite, made the 574-mile round trip from Mick Channon’s West Ilsley stables to Carlisle pay off with an easy 12-lengths win in a novices’ chase yesterday. Sport

  • Today's going to be a scorcher - but it won't last

    TODAY could be perfect for punting, suitable for shorts and ideal for icecream. Warm weather hit Oxford yesterday but temperatures could rise today, making it the hottest day of the year so far. A glorious afternoon is expected across the county

  • Quartet re-sign as London Welsh target an immediate return

    LONDON Welsh’s director of rugby Steve Lewis has made the club’s intentions very clear by stating the Exiles will look to challenge for an immediate return to the Aviva Premiership. Despite having three games remaining in rugby’s top division,

  • Council to press rail firms to bring trains to cut-off towns

    NEW trains for places such as Wantage and Yarnton are to be requested for the county’s railway lines by Oxfordshire County Council. A motion proposed by Liberal Democrat councillor Bob Johnston was backed unanimously by members of the council.

  • FOOTBALL: Banbury United on the brink after defeat

    BANBURY United must pull off a miracle if they are to retain their Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division status. A 2-0 defeat at high-flying Poole Town last night leaves Paul Davis’s side needing to win their final three games of the season

  • FOOTBALL: Berinsfield rally to keep dream alive

    Berinsfield staged an incredible comeback to seize the initiative in the race for the North Berks League Division 1 title, writes PHIL ANNETS. It looked bleak for the visitors as they found themselves 4-1 down at title rivals Kintbury Rangers after

  • Pupils’ chorus of approval for an organ of their own

    PUPILS at Christ Church Cathedral School are to perform a concert to raise funds for their own organ. At present, organ students at the Oxford school must book a slot to practise on the difficult-to-play cathedral organ. The concert will see

  • Suspect bailed after man, 20, glassed in face

    A MAN has been arrested after a 20-yearold needed hospital treatment when a glass was smashed in his face, police said yesterday. The attack happened after an argument broke out in Nortons Bar, Langdale Gate, Witney, on Sunday at about 1.15am.

  • Career opportunities beckon at jobs fair

    BICESTER’S first job fair of the year has seen a record number of businesses sign up. A total of 45 different business organisations will fill the John Paul II Centre on April 29 for opportunities in varying careers and callings across the jobs

  • Homes to bus in OAPs to the polling stations

    RESIDENTS of at least 17 care homes in Oxfordshire will have their voices heard on May 7. Staff and volunteers at the Orders of St John Care Trust are encouraging about 850 residents to vote in next month’s General Election by hosting candidate

  • Scientists limber up for Town and Gown

    THE research team trying to find new treatments for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy has entered this year’s Oxford Town and Gown run. Oxford University laboratory researchers are forming a team to take part in the 10k charity run, which raises money