A 124-year-old Ordnance Survey map is being used as the template for a £1m restoration and improvement project for the oldest park in Abingdon. A plan is being drawn up to transform the Abbey Grounds. The Vale of White Horse District Council will apply
Young people are invited to apply for a grant from an ancient foundation to further their education. The Woodstock Exhibition Foundation was set up in 1595 to support the grammar school in the town. The grammar school closed in 1900 and the foundation
A recruitment crisis has disrupted rubbish collection in south Oxfordshire and left waste material uncollected on the streets. Hardest hit has been house collection of recyclable materials such as newspapers, cardboard and cans. South Oxfordshire District
Young people are invited to apply for a grant from an ancient foundation to further their education. The Woodstock Exhibition Foundation was set up in 1595 to support the grammar school in the town. The grammar school closed in 1900 and the foundation
Elderly and disabled people are paid benefits worth £850,000 a year that they would not otherwise have received. Trained advisers from Witney and District Citizens' Advice Bureau have made home visits to people in west Oxfordshire who are entitled to
Traders are worried they will lose business through a late summer facelift of town centre pavements in Witney. Work by Oxfordshire County Council is due to start on the footpaths in High Street in August and September. To minimise the amount of disruption
Car parking charges in south Oxfordshire are almost certain to rise next year and car parks that are free now may have charges imposed. The district council's cabinet is looking at car parks and how they are used. By next April council officers will have
A row has broken out between politicians after a candidate told a public meeting that he had duped his mortgage company when buying his house. The Liberal Democrat candidate for Wantage, Neil Fawcett was replying to questions about the high cost of living
Tom Gore and Jack Plant were the only athletes to achieve three first places for Oxford City in their McDonalds Boys League meeting. Plant now seems to be back to full form after returning from an injury which kept him out for most of last season. However
Chinnor will face some very strong opposition in South West 1, following the announcement of the English Club Championship structure for next season. Newly promoted from South West 2 East, Chinnor will now take on such well-established clubs such as Cheltenham
Domino's Oxford Saints made it four wins out of four in British Senior League Division 2 with a 33-26 victory over Chiltern Cheetahs at Amersham RFC. It completed a double for Oxford over Chiltern following their success earlier this term. Saints sealed
Woodstock teammates Richard Shipway and Greg Dell fought out a tense battle in the Otmoor Challenge Half Marathon. Shipway gained the upper hand in the last half-mile to win in 1hr 11mins 26secs from Dell, who clocked 1.11.49. Vale of Aylesbury veteran
A new one-stop child care service will help people in the 20 villages near Thame and Bicester. Experts will be at the end of a phone to give parents answers to children's problems. It has been set up by Buckinghamshire County Council which is training
Oxford City's senior men's A team took a big step forward in this season's quest for promotion from Southern League Division 3 when they triumphed over some impressive competition in Cambridge on Saturday. With a full team, City knew it was important
Multiple sclerosis sufferer Sue Harris is celebrating Christmas early by having her head shaved for charity. Ms Harris, 54, who is in a wheelchair, from St Giles Road in Bletchingdon, near Bicester, is losing her locks to raise funds for the multiple
Headington Roadrunner Sarah Rendell finished second lady in the Oxfordshire Fire Service sprint distance triathlon at Banbury in a pb of 1hr 12min 29sec. This was followed by another pb when ninth in the Milton Keynes Olympic distance event. *Woodstock
A hat-trick by Zahid helped Oxford Stars beat Isis by 57 runs in the second round of matches in the Elmer Cotton Midweek League. Zahid returned 5-9 as bottom club Isis were restricted to 70-9. Marauders & Garsington kept their 100 per cent winning
Oxford City's senior men's A team took a big step forward in this season's quest for promotion from Southern League Division 3 when they triumphed over some impressive competition in Cambridge on Saturday. With a full team, City knew it was important
A Didcot woman has called for free travel tokens and travel passes to be issued to pensioners. Sue Such, branch secretary of the GMB union's Thames Valley branch was speaking at its national congress in Brighton, which finished yesterday. Mrs Such said
Youngsters took a step back in time during a visit to Bloxham Museum. They played with equipment that was part of everyday life in the 1940s and 1950s, including a stirrup pump, mangle, air raid siren, and toys and construction kits. The visit was part
A controversial traffic-calming scheme for Banbury has become a pre-election party political issue. A Conservative councillor has accused Labour councillors of toeing the Government line on transport and ignoring the wishes of local people. Kieron Mallon
Residents living on Oxford's Blackbird Leys estate have heroin dealers on their doorsteps, according to a council election candidate. Independent candidate Stuart Craft, 35, said residents in Blackbird Leys and Greater Leys were upset that drug dealers
Headington Roadrunner Sarah Rendell finished second lady in the Oxfordshire Fire Service sprint distance triathlon at Banbury in a pb of 1hr 12min 29sec. This was followed by another pb when ninth in the Milton Keynes Olympic distance event. *Woodstock
A hat-trick by Zahid helped Oxford Stars beat Isis by 57 runs in the second round of matches in the Elmer Cotton Midweek League. Zahid returned 5-9 as bottom club Isis were restricted to 70-9. Marauders & Garsington kept their 100 per cent winning
Oxfordshire have been forced to put their faith in youth for tomorrow's second group game in the ECB 38-County Competition against Surrey Cricket Board at Imber Court. Huge problems with availability mean that there is not a single capped player in the
Local Cricket Scorecards - June 6 *Cherwell Div 2: Chalgrove bt Banbury 2nd by 87 runs CHALGROVE De Clark c Cooksey b Gregory...18 N Joyner lbw Gregory...8 S Strong c Jeffries b A Smith...10 J Talbot c Jam Briggs b Gregory...68 D Thomas b Gregory ...60
This is one of the latest general election posters to be put up on Oxford's Cowley Road. Cheryl Potter, Conservative candidate for Oxford East, said she was determined to get a big poster up on one of Oxford's major routes to compete with her rivals.
Labour activists insist they are still confident of winning the Oxford West and Abingdon constituency. The party is launching a leaflet depiciting the Liberal Democrat emblem as a "crying canary" that seeks to dupe the electorate into voting for the party
Business leaders in Oxfordshire say they are disappointed that transport has been such a low-profile issue during the run-up to the general election. The county's Chamber of Commerce and Industry says transport is a major issue for local companies and
More than 3,000 missing Oxfordshire postal vote forms have been found by the Royal Mail in a sorting office - in Reading. The mix-up could have left thousands of people across the Oxford West and Abingdon and Wantage constituencies unable to vote. Election
Computer games players now have the answer to election apathy, thanks to a firm based at the Harwell Innovation Centre. Online gaming specialist Hi2 has recreated Tony Blair, William Hague and Charles Kennedy as characters in Unreal Tournament - a shoot
Billionaire entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson, who lives in Kidlington, made a whistle-stop visit to Oxford station on Tuesday to launch a flagship fleet of new trains. Plans to overhaul Virgin Trains by 2002 will cut journey times. Sir Richard arrived
A shopper who had her handbag snatched in a supermarket car park is angry that store managers have refused to put up warnings for other customers. Sylvie Harms, of Forest Hill, was putting her shopping into her car at Tesco, at Cowley Retail Park, when
Billionaire Virgin tycoon Sir Richard Branson is treating friends of his son Sam to the holiday of a lifetime on his luxury Caribbean island. Richard BransonA dozen of 15-year-old Sam's friends from St Edward's School, Oxford, are joining him for a break
This year's Oxford Mail-sponsored Leys fair is promising to be the biggest and best yet. People on the Blackbird Leys estate have been working hard to make sure the fundraiser, which takes place on Saturday, is a success. The main attraction of this year's
Teenager Natasha Brown is eating and walking after her eight-hour liver transplant operation last week. The 13-year-old, who suffers from autoimmune hepatitis, is making rapid progress after being rushed to Birmingham Children's Hospital last Wednesday
Businesses in Woodstock have complained that parking problems are escalating because there is no traffic warden. The previous warden, who used to serve Kidlington and Woodstock, resigned in March and no replacement has been found, encouraging residents
An Oxford woman left paralysed after she was injured during a German bombing raid in the Second World War has been honoured for promoting goodwill between Britain and Germany. Anne Dreydel, 82, the vice-president of the Anglo-German Association, has been
A former fellow of an Oxford college who faces being made homeless has attacked the city council for not helping out with his mortgage repayments. Dr Hans-Georg Schneider, 55, of Cunliffe Close, Oxford, said he would have to lose his home before the council
An eleventh hour bid has been made to rescue crisis club Witney Town. Brian Constable, owners of Marriotts Stadium, revealed that he had now received an offer for the Dr Martens League club from a Northampton-based nightclub. It's the second firm offer
Kofi Annan, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, has been urged not to accept an honorary degree from Oxford University later this month. Five student societies have sent a letter to him in New York asking him to postpone accepting the degree
This year's Oxford Mail-sponsored Leys fair is promising to be the biggest and best yet. People on the Blackbird Leys estate have been working hard to make sure the fundraiser, which takes place on Saturday, is a success. The main attraction of this year's
Abingdon's Mark Cairns put up a valiant show before losing 15-11, 15-9, 9-15, 15-7 to reigning world champion Peter Nicol in the first round of the British Open Squash Championships at Edgbaston Priory last night. The gruelling contest lasted 79 minutes
Farmers are outraged at being forced to re-open all Oxfordshire footpaths, closed because of the foot and mouth crisis, on Saturday. The announcement to re-open the 2,400 miles of rights of way comes after new recommendations from the Government. The
Tory leader William Hague has visited Abingdon to help support Conservative candidate Ed Matts and tell voters that he was still in the business of winning the election, dismissing suggestions that tactical voting could scupper his party's chances of
Car parking charges in south Oxfordshire are almost certain to rise next year and car parks that are free now may have charges imposed. The district council's cabinet is looking at car parks and how they are used. By next April council officers will have
Graham Foster is the new manager of Milton United, who finished bottom of the Hellenic League Premier Division last season. Foster has previous management experience with Clanfield and Wantage Town. Meanwhile, Milton have been boosted by a grant of £32,270
Young swimmers have made a splash at a sporting gala with many breaking their personal records. Members of the Wantage White Horses swimming club showed off their talents at their annual club championships at Wantage Leisure Centre. Gala organizer Jan
Village fete organisers are bemused after "rustlers" stole 14 plywood sheep. The plywood models, advertising Ramsden's annual fete this Saturday, have disappeared from the roadside verges around the village. All 14 of the sheep, made by local children
A Witney mother has come up with a simple, pioneering device to protect youngsters against injury in supermarket trolleys. Sharon Faulkner, who was overjoyed when she had a child from a surrogate mother ten months ago, hit upon the idea after baby Faith
A new one-stop child care service will help people in the 20 villages near Thame and Bicester. Experts will be at the end of a phone to give parents answers to children's problems. It has been set up by Buckinghamshire County Council which is training
A row has broken out between politicians after a candidate jokingly told a public meeting that he might have been tempted to dupe his mortgage company when buying his house. The Liberal Democrat candidate for Wantage, Neil Fawcett was replying to questions
A recruitment crisis has disrupted rubbish collection in south Oxfordshire and left waste material uncollected on the streets. Hardest hit has been house collection of recyclable materials such as newspapers, cardboard and cans. South Oxfordshire District
An eleventh hour bid has been made to rescue crisis club Witney Town. Brian Constable, owners of Marriotts Stadium, revealed that he had now received an offer for the Dr Martens League club from a Northampton-based nightclub. It's the second firm offer
Oxfordshire have been forced to put their faith in youth for tomorrow's second group game in the ECB 38-County Competition against Surrey Cricket Board at Imber Court. Huge problems with availability mean that there is not a single capped player in the
Oxford City men reversed their defeat by Reading in the opening meeting of the Veterans League Western Division with a convincing win at the Horspath track. Fast-improving Abingdon Amblers also pipped Reading with V40 Pete Stepney once again starring.
Roger Dell was in sparkling form with two sixes in his 14 dolls as Cricketers A sunk Flying Machine 2-1 in the Morrells Oxford League Premier Section. Mick Berry bagged 13 dolls for Flying Machine, but it proved in vain. Wally Wallington was on the mark
Local Cricket Scorecards - June 6 *Cherwell Div 2: Chalgrove bt Banbury 2nd by 87 runs CHALGROVE De Clark c Cooksey b Gregory...18 N Joyner lbw Gregory...8 S Strong c Jeffries b A Smith...10 J Talbot c Jam Briggs b Gregory...68 D Thomas b Gregory ...60
Headington Roadrunners athletes took the honours in the County Championships 2000m walk and 5000m, held at the Horspath track on Sunday. Graham Chapman won the 2000m walk and Gary Harris the 5000m. RESULTS 2000m walk: 1 G Chapman (Head) (Vet) 9.55.5,
Tom Gore and Jack Plant were the only athletes to achieve three first places for Oxford City in their McDonalds Boys League meeting. Plant now seems to be back to full form after returning4 from an injury which kept him out for most of last season. However
Domino's Oxford Saints made it four wins out of four in British Senior League Division 2 with a 33-26 victory over Chiltern Cheetahs at Amersham RFC. It completed a double for Oxford over Chiltern following their success earlier this term. Saints sealed
Oxford City men reversed their defeat by Reading in the opening meeting of the Veterans League Western Division with a convincing win at the Horspath track. Fast-improving Abingdon Amblers also pipped Reading with V40 Pete Stepney once again starring.
A man and woman from Didcot were committed for trial at Oxford Crown Court on drugs charges. John Harrison, 31, of The Oval, and Gemma Frake, 20, of Kynaston Road, face charges of possessing 1kg of cannabis with intent to supply, and of possessing cocaine
Didcot householders hope their gardens will peak at the weekend for a gardens open day on Sunday, June 10. Certainly organiser Carolyn Edwards' wide cottage garden at 23 Loyd Road, pictured, promises to be a blaze of colour with campanulas, roses and
Police have asked for help in tracing a burglar who poses as a water company official before robbing his victims. The man talked his way into the home of an elderly couple in Magdalen Road, Cowley, on Monday afternoon and stole a wallet before making
A cycle route planned for Banbury has been put on hold after residents called it an escape route for vandals. The cycleway would have linked Southam Road with Ruscote Avenue by converting Nursery Lane - a footpath between Nursery Drive and the Southam
A Tory candidate in the county council elections has apologised to supporters targeted by vandals who stole, smashed and defaced his posters. Conservative Charles Langton is battling for the Wantage division with Lib Dem Jim Moley, who is the sitting
A row has broken out between politicians after a candidate told a public meeting that he had duped his mortgage company when buying his house. The Liberal Democrat candidate for Wantage, Neil Fawcett was replying to questions about the high cost of living
A controversial traffic-calming scheme for Banbury has become a pre-election party political issue. A Conservative councillor has accused Labour councillors of toeing the Government line on transport and ignoring the wishes of local people. Kieron Mallon
Graham Foster is the new manager of Milton United, who finished bottom of the Hellenic League Premier Division last season. Foster has previous management experience with Clanfield and Wantage Town. Meanwhile, Milton have been boosted by a grant of £32,270
Headington Roadrunners athletes took the honours in the County Championships 2000m walk and 5000m, held at the Horspath track on Sunday. Graham Chapman won the 2000m walk and Gary Harris the 5000m. RESULTS 2000m walk: 1 G Chapman (Head) (Vet) 9.55.5,
Woodstock teammates Richard Shipway and Greg Dell fought out a tense battle in the Otmoor Challenge Half Marathon. Shipway gained the upper hand in the last half-mile to win in 1hr 11mins 26secs from Dell, who clocked 1.11.49. Vale of Aylesbury veteran
Beer festival organisers are laying in extra supplies so the taps do not run dry this year. There was a mixture of surprise and embarrassment at Charlbury's annual celebration of ale last summer when there was not a drop left to drink by 9pm. Organisers
By Maggie Hartford Business Editor A VACCINE to treat the skin cancer melanoma is to be tested on volunteer patients by an Oxford company. Oxxon Pharmaccines, based at the Oxford Bio-Business Centre in Littlemore Park, has developed a treatment that encourages
Billionaire Virgin tycoon Sir Richard Branson is treating friends of his son Sam to the holiday of a lifetime on his luxury Caribbean island. Richard BransonA dozen of 15-year-old Sam's friends from St Edward's School, Oxford, are joining him for a break
Youth unemployment is being reduced across Oxfordshire according to new figures released by a leading trade union yesterday. The GMB says the county has seen the number of unemployed people aged 18 to 24 reduce from 573 in May 1997 to just 93 by April
Councils in Oxfordshire are to work together to increase the amount of recycled waste. The Government is to introduce new limits on household waste going to landfill sites. Manufacturing industries could be forced to cut the use of raw materials and make
A jazz version of Shakespeare's The Tempest was performed in the cloisters of New College, Oxford. Student company, Naked Flame Productions, performed the play accompanied by a jazz band performing music written specially for the play by student, Tom
Detectives hunting the killer of Ross Doyle have received information that links the case with another unsolved hit-and-run death. Officers now say they cannot rule out the same joyriders either being involved in both incidents or knowing each other.
An Oxford woman left paralysed after she was injured during a German bombing raid in the Second World War has been honoured for promoting goodwill between Britain and Germany. Anne Dreydel, 82, the vice-president of the Anglo-German Association, has been
A shopper who had her handbag snatched in a supermarket car park is angry that store managers have refused to put up warnings for other customers. Sylvie Harms, of Forest Hill, was putting her shopping into her car at Tesco, at Cowley Retail Park, when
A former fellow of an Oxford college who faces being made homeless has attacked the city council for not helping out with his mortgage repayments. Dr Hans-Georg Schneider, 55, of Cunliffe Close, Oxford, said he would have to lose his home before the council
Detectives hunting the killer of Ross Doyle have received information that links the case with another unsolved hit-and-run death. Officers now say they cannot rule out the same joyriders either being involved in both incidents or knowing each other.
This year's Oxford Mail-sponsored Leys fair is promising to be the biggest and best yet. People on the Blackbird Leys estate have been working hard to make sure the fundraiser, which takes place on Saturday, is a success. The main attraction of this year's
Kofi Annan, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, has been urged not to accept an honorary degree from Oxford University later this month. Five student societies have sent a letter to him in New York asking him to postpone accepting the degree
Chinnor will face some very strong opposition in South West 1, following the announcement of the English Club Championship structure for next season. Newly promoted from South West 2 East, Chinnor will now take on such well-established clubs such as Cheltenham
Residents living on Oxford's Blackbird Leys estate have heroin dealers on their doorsteps, according to a council election candidate. Independent candidate Stuart Craft, 35, said residents in Blackbird Leys and Greater Leys were upset that drug dealers
Here are the sunny Oxford United strips which Mark Wright's team will wear as a new era dawns at The Kassam Stadium. The vivid yellow and bright white kits were by far the most popular options chosen by supporters in the club's recent website poll. United's
Chinnor will face some very strong opposition in South West 1, following the announcement of the English Club Championship structure for next season. Newly promoted from South West 2 East, Chinnor will now take on such well-established clubs such as Cheltenham
Beer festival organisers are laying in extra supplies so the taps do not run dry this year. There was a mixture of surprise and embarrassment at Charlbury's annual celebration of ale last summer when there was not a drop left to drink by 9pm. Organisers
Anglers are being invited to take a friend fishing free of charge on the River Thames in a new scheme being launched by the Environment Agency. All holders of lock and weir fishing permits will be able to take along another angler under the Buddy Scheme
Youth unemployment is being reduced across Oxfordshire according to new figures released by a leading trade union yesterday. The GMB says the county has seen the number of unemployed people aged 18 to 24 reduce from 573 in May 1997 to just 93 by April
