A former Oxfordshire magistrate accused of building bombs to kill his ex-mistress's new boyfriend claims that he built them to carry out an elaborate suicide plan. Jonathan Wilkes, 40, told Oxford Crown Court yesterday he searched the Internet to try
Oxford residents could be forced out by an influx of students unless thousands of new flats are built, according to city council planning officers. They say expansion plans by Oxford and Oxford Brookes Universities will put pressure on the city's limited
Students at Oxford College of Further Education are taking Young Enterprise so seriously that teachers have tried to stop competition developing between them. Two companies have been set up by second year students, to put the theory learned in their first
A woman is offering a £100 reward for the return of her handbag, lost during a shopping trip. Jan Rolfe, of Grove, near Wantage, left the bag in a trolley after shopping at Abingdon's Tesco store between 9.10pm and 9.30pm on Thursday. Anyone with information
One of Abingdon's oldest schools is set for a £800,000 improvement programme which will also provide its first-ever playing field. Built 120 years ago, Carswell Primary School, in Conduit Road, has 300 pupils. The children play games and netball in the
Three cancer charities will share more than £2,000 from a song, dance and comedy revue held at Steventon in memory of a villager who died of the disease. Sally Hancock, of Hanney Road, died last year, aged 64. Her husband Bill produces the Christmas panto
Leading figures in the worlds of human rights, the arts, literature, academia and science are set to receive honorary degrees from the University of Oxford. The title Doctor of Civil Law will be conferred on Dame Rosalyn Higgins, who made legal history
One of Abingdon's oldest schools is set for a £800,000 improvement programme which will also provide its first-ever playing field. Built 120 years ago, Carswell Primary School, in Conduit Road, has 300 pupils. The children play games and netball in the
Government money is being sought to help young children from disadvantaged families in Abingdon and the village of Sutton Courtenay. Called mini Sure Start, the scheme is designed to support 170 children up to the age of four in the Caldecott district
Oxford University needs to build more than 3,000 student rooms to keep pace with its expansion over the next 20 years. In a report on the future of the university, Oxford City Council planning officers said colleges should only increase student numbers
Oxford residents could be forced out by an influx of students unless thousands of new flats are built, according to city council planning officers. They say expansion plans by Oxford and Oxford Brookes Universities will put pressure on the city's limited
Norwyn MacDonald Ramm Canon Norwyn MacDonald Ramm, who has died aged 77, was one of Oxford's most popular and colourful clergymen. Mac Ramm, as he was universally known, was vicar of St Michael at the Northgate Church in Cornmarket Street for 27 years
Pupils from Harwell County and Chilton County Primary Schools will take part in Education Sunday services on February 3, at St Matthew's Church, Harwell, at 11am, and All Saints, Chilton, at 9.30am. Anyone involved in education is welcome to attend.
Creative writing and yoga are just some of the after-school activities on offer for ten to 16-year-olds. The ten-week courses will be run by the community education team at Oxford College of Further Education, Oxpens Road. Places are still available on
More than 100 prizes were given to sixth-formers at Lord Williams's School, Thame, for excellence in academic, sporting, artistic and community activities. Guests at the awards evening included former deputy head David Jones, who has just become head
The Abingdon branch of the Workers' Educational Association is running three courses. A ten-week course called Science in Art from Antiquity to Quantum Physics will be led by Dr Willem Hackman, starting at 7pm on Thursday at 35 Ock Street. It is being
Wallingford twinning society has its annual meeting in the town council offices on February 5 at 8pm.
The pre-school is holding a jumble sale at Crowmarsh village hall from 10am on Saturday, February 2. The event is one of the group's biggest fundraising activities. It relies on contributed goods for sale and is appealing for people to support it by giving
David Charles Oxon KO Cup Oxford Harlequins cruised into the quarter-finals with a comfortable 48-13 victory over Grove in a clash between the clubs' second teams at Horspath Road on Saturday. Lock Ben Brusch and centre Kevin Booth both scored two tries
Fabric marbler Mrs Duc van Vessem will hold a month-long exhibition at the Oxfordshire Craft Guild Marketing Co-operative. in Goddards Lane, Chipping Norton, from Friday, February 1.
Young people from the Witney area will be showing off their speaking skills as part of a national competition. Junior and senior teams from secondary schools in the area will be taking part in a round organised by Witney's Rotary Club as part of the annual
Proposals for a new Witney to Oxford rail link are to come under scrutiny soon. A long-awaited report on the scheme, prepared by consultants, is now in the hands of county council officers. Details are not yet being released but the man who first revived
Councillor Warwick Robinson and his wife Anne found themselves stranded in Argentina after a cruise around South America. Mr and Mrs Robinson, of Brize Norton Road, Minster Lovell, set off on the cruise on December 20. While away, Argentina was plunged
A former Oxfordshire magistrate accused of building bombs to kill his ex-mistress's new boyfriend claims that he built them to carry out an elaborate suicide plan. Jonathan Wilkes, 40, told Oxford Crown Court yesterday he searched the Internet to try
Jeannette Watson has been re-elected chairman of Thame branch of Amnesty International with Liz Wager as secretary and Owen Davies, treasurer.
More than 100 prizes were given to sixth-formers at Lord Williams's School, Thame, for excellence in academic, sporting, artistic and community activities. Guests at the awards evening included former deputy head David Jones, who has just become head
Residents on a new housing estate are up in arms as a major industrial development next door has hit their television reception. And so far there has been no response from the developers, Thame 40. Speaking for the residents, Dawn Armitage of Youens Drive
A woman is offering a £100 reward for the return of her handbag, lost during a shopping trip. Jan Rolfe, of Grove, near Wantage, left the bag in a trolley after shopping at Abingdon's Tesco store between 9.10pm and 9.30pm on Thursday. Anyone with information
Residents of Wantage and Grove will mark Women's World Day of Prayer on Friday, March 1, with special church services. The first service will be at SS Peter and Paul Church, Church Street, Wantage, at 1.30pm, and a later service will take place at Grove
A man has been jailed for a year at Oxford Crown court for hitting a man so hard that he suffered fractures to his face. Gareth Curtis, of Wates Place, Longcot, near Faringdon, inflicted grievous bodily harm on Stuart Aitken on October 7 last year. During
Three-times Formula One World Champion and Jaguar Racing Team principal Niki Lauda made an historic return to the cockpit on Sunday, after a 16-year gap, when he got behind the wheel of a Jaguar R2 F1 car at the Valencia circuit in eastern Spain on Sunday
Householders in Bicester will not be asked to pay any more for town council services. Town councillors have decided to levy the same council tax charge as last year. That means houses in council tax band D will pay £70 towards town council services on
Oxford City Stars won 5-0 at Chelmsford on Sunday, beating a team that was only four points behind them in the league, with a game in hand before the match. Stars took their strongest squad for some time with only James Cameron (suspension) and Steve
Victims of flooding in an Oxfordshire village are hoping action will be taken now that a survey has pinpointed the cause of the problem. After heavy rain the brook running beside Main Street, Wendlebury, near Bicester, regularly overflows. Last February
Tommi Makinen completed a three-day winter test in Finland as he prepares to make his debut for the championship-winning Subaru Banbury team in Monte Carlo on Thursday. Makinen drove an Impreza WRC test car for 570 kilometres, partnered by his gravel
David Charles Oxon KO Cup Oxford Harlequins cruised into the quarter-finals with a comfortable 48-13 victory over Grove in a clash between the clubs' second teams at Horspath Road on Saturday. Lock Ben Brusch and centre Kevin Booth both scored two tries
Youth matches Oxford Hawks Under 14s suffered their first defeat in two years when they were beaten 2-0 by a talented Marlow side in the Mercian Home Counties League. Marlow, last year's national runners-up, played superb hockey in a game of high quality
Australian Mark Lemon is returning to the Oxford Cheetahs side for 2002. He will come in on a reduced average to boost their hopes of retaining speedway's Elite League title. Lemon, who lives at Bicester while in this country, first lined up for the Cheetahs
Oxford City Stars won 5-0 at Chelmsford on Sunday, beating a team that was only four points behind them in the league, with a game in hand before the match. Stars took their strongest squad for some time with only James Cameron (suspension) and Steve
National League 1 Henley Hawks remain deep in trouble at the bottom of the table despite a stirring display in their 22-18 defeat by a strong Coventry side at Dry Leas. Hawks even outscored their visitors two tries to one, but it just wasn't enough to
Berks, Bucks & Oxon Chad Ward was the toast of Bicester after landing a 35-metre penalty with the last kick of the game to earn Bicester an unconvincing 22-19 victory against Phoenix. The result keeps them top of Division 1, but their backs will have
Didcot's volunteer centre will hold its annual meeting at the Methodist Church, Mereland Road, on Wednesday, January 23, at 7.30pm.
Plans for a single-storey rear extension and demolition of a chimney at Slade Road, Didcot, have been submitted to South Oxfordshire District Council.
David Davis, of Colne Drive, Didcot, received an 18-month jail sentence for indecent assault. Davis, 47, was found guilty at Bristol Crown Court of two charges against two women. He received an 18-month jail sentence suspended for two years on each charge
Didcot Phoenix Drama Group's panto Dick Turpin is billed as "a thigh-slapping good time for the whole family". Director Bob Philbrooke said: "It's a traditional panto with a storyline involving mistaken identity, songs and some awful jokes." The production
Sutton Courtenay Parish Council has pegged its spending for the next financial year. It will be asking the Vale of White Horse District Council to raise £25,000 for village services when it sets the district precept next month. Council chairman John Francis
A man appeared before Oxford magistrates yesterday charged with supplying heroin and crack cocaine to an undercover police officer. Jamaican national Winston Nichol, of Morton Road, Islington, London, faces five charges of selling crack cocaine and three
Banbury Cherwell Rotary Club will be in the Castle Quay shopping centre on Saturday to collect unwanted spectacles for charity. The club has already collected 1,500 pairs of glasses for Vision Aid International, which recycles spectacles for people in
Canon David MacInnes, rector of the Anglican Church of Oxford in St Aldate's, is retiring after 15 years. He steps down from the pulpit for the last time on Sunday. The Rev John Chorlton will take over temporarily until Rev Charlie Cleverly takes up the
A bus company worker was praised for his bravery after fire destroyed eight coaches early on Sunday morning. Vehicles worth £500,000 were burned out at Jeff's coach depot at Helmdon, near Banbury, but the damage would have been worse but for the firm's
Members of the Cotswold AONB will be leading a walk from Kingham to Charlbury on February 2, at 10.30am.
The Oxfordshire branch of the Italy Star Association will meet at the Windrush Club, Witney, on Friday, from 11am.
Members of the Cotswold area of outstanding natural beauty will lead a walk from Churchill to Cornwell on January 24, starting at 10am from the church.
The hunt has started to find the top young business talent in Oxfordshire. Thames Business Advice centre is organising local entries for the Shell Livewire Young Entrepeneur of the Year. Entrants must be aged 30 or under and have been trading between
An announcement is expected today about whether Blackwell Publishing will be sold off following a crisis board meeting yesterday. A rebel group of Blackwell family members forced the board to consider selling the business for an estimated £400m. In a
A London man is awaiting sentence after admitting possessing 21 wraps of crack cocaine in Oxford with intent to supply. Richard Lumsden, 28, of Offord Road, Islington, London, pleaded guilty to the class A drugs offence at Oxford Crown Court on Monday
Planning officers say Oxford Brookes University should not be allowed to expand unless it agrees to house the bulk of its new students in purpose-built accommodation. The Headington-based university is planning a period of growth that could see student
Kickboxers and karate experts showed off their skills in Oxford and helped to raise money for charity. The Mayoshindo karate and Khon Ha kickboxing groups staged a series of demonstrations in the Westgate Shopping Centre on Saturday, in support of the
A man was allegedly abducted, beaten up, stabbed and threatened with death, because he owed someone £150. Faisal Idris, of Spencer Close, Oxford, told Oxford Crown Court, yesterday he was bundled into a car in Moorhen Walk, Greater Leys, and driven to
Oxford University needs to build more than 3,000 student rooms to keep pace with its expansion over the next 20 years. In a report on the future of the university, Oxford City Council planning officers said colleges should only increase student numbers
Witney supporters had plenty to celebrate when the club romped to victory in the McDonalds Trophy at Bromsgrove on Saturday. Witney's dominance was highlighted in the relays where they took first places in 11 of the 13 events. In the 10 and under age
Homeless people arriving in Oxford are being given a one-way ticket back to their home town, to reduce the number of people sleeping rough in the city. Last year, council staff working with rough sleepers claimed that other cities were advising homeless
Witney 14, Grove 26 Grove kept their promotion hopes alive and virtually extinguished Witney's with a decisive victory in a rugged Southern Counties North clash at Hailey Road on Saturday. A burst of scoring either side of half-time put Grove 26 points
Oxford University needs to build more than 3,000 student rooms to keep pace with its expansion over the next 20 years. In a report on the future of the university, Oxford City Council planning officers said colleges should only increase student numbers
Oxford residents could be forced out by an influx of students unless thousands of new flats are built, according to city council planning officers. They say expansion plans by Oxford and Oxford Brookes Universities will put pressure on the city's limited
Derby County's directors are searching for a new manager following Colin Todd's sacking yesterday after just three months and 17 games in charge. No sooner was Todd, a former Oxford United defender, out the door than Derby were distancing themselves from
A lacklustre performance by Oxford Devils saw them go down 96-71 to cloest rivals Derbyshire Arrows, who take over top spot in National League Division 1. Devils' poor showing in the first period was to prove costly, putting the Arrows on the foul line
South West 1 Chinnor's ability to produce surprise results reached a new peak when they came back from 15-0 down to triumph 24-22 away to high-flying Cheltenham. Two tries from pacy winger Neil Ainscow, plus a conversion and penalty by full back Phil
West Oxfordshire district council is putting on a coaching course for girls, aged between nine and 14, to develop their football skills. The course costs £25.00 and will be held at the Carterton artificial turf pitch, from Monday, January 21. More details
Didcot Phoenix Drama Group's panto Dick Turpin is billed as "a thigh-slapping good time for the whole family". Director Bob Philbrooke said: "It's a traditional panto with a storyline involving mistaken identity, songs and some awful jokes." The production
Kickboxers and karate experts showed off their skills in Oxford and helped to raise money for charity. The Mayoshindo karate and Khon Ha kickboxing groups staged a series of demonstrations in the Westgate Shopping Centre on Saturday, in support of the
Members of the Cotswold AONB will be leading a walk from Kingham to Charlbury on February 2, at 10.30am.
Members of the Royal Air Forces' Association will be meeting on Monday in the Windrush Club, Witney, at 7.30pm.
The Oxfordshire branch of the Italy Star Association will meet at the Windrush Club, Witney, on Friday, from 11am.
Marketing company Braywood Group, based on the Station Lane industrial estate, Witney, has signed a contract with leading home delivery parcel company Business Express.
The National Blood Service will be inviting donors to join them on Thursday, January 31, at the Conservative Club, Foxhall, Didcot, the Methodist Church Hall, Victoria Road, Bicester, or St John's Church Hall, The Broadway, Garden City, Kidlington, between
Headway, the UK's leading charity for head injuries, is holding a brain injury forum for carers and families of people who have suffered permenant damage to their heads. The forum will be held at the Cheshire Home, Adderbury, next Tuesday, at 7.30pm.
Red Cross volunteers in Oxfordshire are aiming to cash in on the launch of the euro, by collecting people's unused marks, francs and lire. The Abingdon-based charity is setting up special collection boxes around the county to take old coins and notes
Places are still available on a residential course for young people who want to gain training in sports leadership. The Junior Sports Leaders Award venture is run by Oxfordshire Association for Young People and takes place at Avon Tyrroll, Hampshire,
Berks, Bucks & Oxon Chad Ward was the toast of Bicester after landing a 35-metre penalty with the last kick of the game to earn Bicester an unconvincing 22-19 victory against Phoenix. The result keeps them top of Division 1, but their backs will have
Proposals for a new Witney to Oxford rail link are to come under scrutiny soon. A long-awaited report on the scheme, prepared by consultants, is now in the hands of county council officers. Details are not yet being released but the man who first revived
Places are still available on a residential course for young people who want to gain training in sports leadership. The Junior Sports Leaders Award venture is run by Oxfordshire Association for Young People and takes place at Avon Tyrroll, Hampshire,
South Oxfordshire District Council is being asked to approve extra office space and car parking at Sungard Systems Ltd at Cardinal House in Baldon Lane, Marsh Baldon.
The Abingdon branch of the Workers' Educational Association is running three courses. A ten-week course called Science in Art from Antiquity to Quantum Physics will be led by Dr Willem Hackman, starting at 7pm on Thursday at 35 Ock Street. It is being
Families will be invited to try their hand at scientific experiments, while doing their weekly shopping. Shoppers at Templars Square Shopping Centre in Cowley, Oxford, will be exploring the worlds of science and maths to mark the start of the city's Festival
Plans for a £1.5m boat yard redevelopment alongside the River Thames in the centreAbingdon are expected to go before council planners within the next month. Following an exhibition and public consultation, the architects for the scheme, West Waddy ADP
Planning officers say Oxford Brookes University should not be allowed to expand unless it agrees to house the bulk of its new students in purpose-built accommodation. The Headington-based university is planning a period of growth that could see student
A teenager who head-butted a young woman when she spurned his unwanted attentions was told by magistrates he had narrowly escaped a custodial sentence. Lee Atkinson, 19, a plasterer, of The Grove, Abingdon, admitted assaulting Nina Colbeck as she was
Young traders are once again taking over an Oxford shopping centre in a bid to show off their business acumen. For the tenth year, pupils from 20 Oxfordshire schools will visit Templars Square, Cowley, to compete for shoppers' custom, as part of the Young
A nightmare changed into a dream come true for Jenny Allinson when she married her junior doctor boyfriend Paul Fenton. The nightmare was a five-year battle against two cancers, with eight major operations and drugs treatment. The dream was her recovery
Percy Vernon An Oxfordshire dairyman, who rose through the ranks to become a director of the company he served for more than 30 years, has died. Percy Vernon, of Yarnton Road, Kidlington, who was 86, was honoured by family, friends and former colleagues
Young people from the Witney area will be showing off their speaking skills as part of a national competition. Junior and senior teams from secondary schools in the area will be taking part in a round organised by Witney's Rotary Club as part of the annual
The parish council says it would like the Berinsfield-Baldons-Oxford bus service which runs on Wednesdays and Fridays to be retained.
Runners raised more than £1,200 to fund video equipment for two Oxfordshire youth clubs. There were 280 runners in the 18th Woodcote 10km charity run organised by Woodcote and Goring Lions and 254 completed it. The money raised will be split between the
Wallingford's mayor Theresa Jordan is out of action after injuring herself when she fell off her bike. Ms Jordan broke a kneecap and bones in her thumb, and damaged her jaw. She said: "I don't know how it happened but I fell off my bike on the corner
Businesses and shops in Wallingford are being challenged to enter teams in the town's annual pancake race in aid of local charities and organisations. This year's event, which involves racing round the Market Place for ten minutes, is on Shrove Tuesday
A controversial housing development has been put on hold until councillors examine the site for themselves. They fear for the quality of life for buyers of homes on the Walter Wilder site beside Wallingford's Riverside Park. And they would prefer a mixed
The Grove-based BMW Williams F1 Team are happy after concluding the first 2002 season test with four days of intense work in Barcelona. Ralf Schumacher, Juan Pablo Montoya and Marc Gene were joined by the test team's new official driver, Antonio Pizzonia
Witney 14, Grove 26 Grove kept their promotion hopes alive and virtually extinguished Witney's with a decisive victory in a rugged Southern Counties North clash at Hailey Road on Saturday. A burst of scoring either side of half-time put Grove 26 points
West Oxfordshire district council is putting on a coaching course for girls, aged between nine and 14, to develop their football skills. The course costs £25.00 and will be held at the Carterton artificial turf pitch, from Monday, January 21. More details
Big-hearted Witney slimmers are shedding pounds while raising pounds for charity. Slimmers at the Slimming World classes held in the Congregational Church on Monday evenings are embarking on a six-week slimathon and are inviting other people to join them
Farmer David Holloway is hoping to buy and re-open the White Horse pub, Stonesfield, which has been closed and boarded up for several months. The pub's owner, Ian Leslie, is seeking planning permission from West Oxfordshire District Council to convert
Breast cancer charity fundraisers are holding a Valentine's dinner and dance at Witney Lakes on Saturday, February 9. The black tie event is being organised by the West Oxfordshire fundraising committee of Against Breast Cancer, led by Jeanne Chattoe
Seven members of the cast of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs will literally be on their knees for seven performances of the pantomime. The Witney Amateur Dramatic Society is presenting the pantomime in the Corn Exchange from Tuesday, January 22, to Saturday
Midland 1 Banbury recovered from a disastrous start to lead hosts Longton at half-time, but then slipped to a 25-15 defeat, which means they are now bottom of the table. Bulls found themselves eight points down in as many minutes as they conceded a soft
Tommi Makinen completed a three-day winter test in Finland as he prepares to make his debut for the championship-winning Subaru Banbury team in Monte Carlo on Thursday. Makinen drove an Impreza WRC test car for 570 kilometres, partnered by his gravel
An application to change the use of 36 Wallingford Street, Wantage, and build a first floor extension to create two residential flats has been submitted to the Vale of White Horse District Council.
A barn dance will take place on Friday, March 15, at Lains Barn, Ardington, to raise funds for the Vale and Downlands Museum. Barn dance band Tumble Down Dick will provide the entertainment, with a licensed bar and a ploughman's supper on offer. More
Wantage and District Business Breakfast Club celebrates its first birthday next month. The club meets monthly and aims to provide local businesses with the chance to network. It next meets at The Lamb pub, Mill Street, at 8am tomorrow, when a founder
Men are urgently needed in Wantage -- preferably ones who can sing and dance. The Wantage Stage-Musical Company is short of male singers to perform opposite many new young women members, who responded to an appeal for new blood last year. Organisers are
Three 12-year-old cellists whose friend is suffering with leukaemia have rallied round by braving the winter cold and busking to raise cash for research into the disease. Owen Burbidge, Jessica Stanton and Celia Coules met as pupils at Wantage CofE Primary
7.35: Taps Pride, Suirview Nikita, CURLEY JOHN, Athlacca Sally 3, Broadacres Glory, Headwire Kerry. 7.50: Kingsbrook Gem, Princess Bubbles, Hawaiian Top, Remos County, STEVES HIGHWAY, Resting Robert 3. 8.05: RHINCREW ANN, Coleview Reward, Moonroe Pam,
The MG ZR Super 1600 (EX258) makes its rally debut in the opening round of the 2002 FIA Junior World Rally Championship at Monte Carlo on Thursday with Gwyndaf Evans behind the wheel. The car has been developed and will be managed by rally experts GSE
Grand Prix team chief David Richards ruled out a swap deal involving Jenson Button and Jacques Villeneuve before the start of the new Formula 1 season. Richards insisted no discussions over a driver switch had taken place and was "totally confident" Villeneuve
Oxford city council's economic and social well-being scrutiny committee has set up its own website. The site is designed to help the public discuss issues that are being considered by the commitee, including tackling drug-related crime and the establishment
The Oxford Mail Quiz League is back, with the first set of games in 2002 providing some neck-and-neck results. The league tables across all the divisions are becoming extremely close which should ensure an exciting series of games towards the end of the
Southern Counties North Oxford Harlequins coach Matt Maudsley, playing his first full game for four months, scored 26 points as his side romped to a 76-10 victory over Milton Keynes at Horspath Road. A knee injury and coaching duties have kept the former
A lacklustre performance by Oxford Devils saw them go down 96-71 to cloest rivals Derbyshire Arrows, who take over top spot in National League Division 1. Devils' poor showing in the first period was to prove costly, putting the Arrows on the foul line
7.35: Taps Pride, Suirview Nikita, CURLEY JOHN, Athlacca Sally 3, Broadacres Glory, Headwire Kerry. 7.50: Kingsbrook Gem, Princess Bubbles, Hawaiian Top, Remos County, STEVES HIGHWAY, Resting Robert 3. 8.05: RHINCREW ANN, Coleview Reward, Moonroe Pam,
Witney supporters had plenty to celebrate when the club romped to victory in the McDonalds Trophy at Bromsgrove on Saturday. Witney's dominance was highlighted in the relays where they took first places in 11 of the 13 events. In the 10 and under age
Pupils from Harwell County and Chilton County Primary Schools will take part in Education Sunday services on February 3, at St Matthew's Church, Harwell, at 11am, and All Saints, Chilton, at 9.30am. Anyone involved in education is welcome to attend.
A male cyclist, believed to be in his 30s, was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital with suspected back injuries after he was in collision with a dustcart in Iffley Road, just after 8am on Friday. Witnesses should call Pc Don Harris on 01235 556920.
Oxford city council's economic and social well-being scrutiny committee has set up its own website. The site is designed to help the public discuss issues that are being considered by the commitee, including tackling drug-related crime and the establishment
A Rwandan man charged with murder after the body of his wife was found in a car has been remanded in custody. Jean-Marie Ruzindana, 34, of Taragon Place, Greater Leys, has not yet entered a plea. He appeared at Oxford Crown Court yesterday. Ruzindana
Police are warning that a stolen child's quad bike could be offered for sale in the Banbury area. Burglars who raided the garage of a house in the Highlands area of the town on Thursday night cut through a security chain to release the machine. The bike
A man found hanged in the grounds of The Horton Hospital, in Banbury, has been named as Michael Cattanach. Mr Cattanach, aged 52, who was a long-term patient at the hospital, was discovered on Saturday morning by a passer-by. He was born in Banbury but
Headway, the UK's leading charity for head injuries, is holding a brain injury forum for carers and families of people who have suffered permenant damage to their heads. The forum will be held at the Cheshire Home, Adderbury, next Tuesday, at 7.30pm.
A Farmers' Market will be held in the Market Square, Chipping Norton, on January 25, from 9am.
Members of the Royal Air Forces' Association will be meeting on Monday January 21 in the Windrush Club, Witney, at 7.30pm.
The Wychwood Project will hold a hedgelaying training weekend in Stonesfield on January 26 and 27. More information on 01993 814126.
Young musicians will stage a concert on February 8 in Wood Green School, Witney, at 7.30pm as part of the series of Witney Winter Concerts.
Fabric marbler Mrs Duc van Vessem will hold a month-long exhibition at the Oxfordshire Craft Guild Marketing Co-operative. in Goddards Lane, Chipping Norton, from Friday, February 1.
A barn dance will take place on Friday, March 15, at Lains Barn, Ardington, to raise funds for the Vale and Downlands Museum. Barn dance band Tumble Down Dick will provide the entertainment, with a licensed bar and a ploughman's supper on offer. More
The National Blood Service will be inviting donors to join them on Thursday, January 31, at the Conservative Club, Foxhall, Didcot, the Methodist Church Hall, Victoria Road, Bicester, or St John's Church Hall, The Broadway, Garden City, Kidlington, between
Residents of Wantage and Grove will mark Women's World Day of Prayer on Friday, March 1, with special church services. The first service will be at SS Peter and Paul Church, Church Street, Wantage, at 1.30pm, and a later service will take place at Grove
Women's matches Oxford Hawks and Rover Oxford fought out a 2-2 draw in a friendly at Banbury Road North. Looking to prepare themselves for next week's top-of-the-league clash against Oxford University, Hawks knew a strong performance was vital. But it
South League City of Oxford had a nightmare first half in their Middlesex, Berks, Bucks & Oxon Regional game at Richings Park as they crashed to a 9-4 defeat. They were 7-0 down at the break following a defensive shambles, each one of their defenders
When Diana Davies was a child she often read a story about a swan, little knowing the tale would later inspire her to play a leading role in protecting swans. Mrs Davies, 66, of Goring-on-Thames, is a founder member of the swan rescue charity Swan Lifeline
Jason Auchinvole, 30, has joined pub company Morrells of Oxford as operations manager for the new Que Pasa brand. He joins Morrells after taking time out of the pub business to set up a full golf complex in Carswell.
The Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce is urging members to support its latest New Year Challenge charity appeal. It collecting old mobile telephones to support the work of the Thames Valley and Chiltern Air Ambulance.
Budding business tycoons and inventors are being invited to present their ideas to investors at Venturefest 2002, Oxfordshire's international fair for entrepreneurs. Venturefest is in its fourth year. This year, it will be held at the Rutherford Appleton
Two managers are swapping their desks and laptops for hiking gear and tents in the Himalayas. Mike Fox and Keith Pepper of petroleum additives company Infineum, have taken up the Himalayan Challenge 2 in aid of Macmillan Cancer Relief. They will have
Supermarket chain Sainsbury's enjoyed record trading over Christmas and New Year as customers flocked to its stores, the group has revealed. Chief executive Sir Peter Davis said more Christmas products at the chain, which has six outlets across the county
Red Cross volunteers in Oxfordshire are aiming to cash in on the launch of the euro, by collecting people's unused marks, francs and lire. The Abingdon-based charity is setting up special collection boxes around the county to take old coins and notes
Three 12-year-old cellists whose friend is suffering with leukaemia have rallied round by braving the winter cold and busking to raise cash for research into the disease. Owen Burbidge, Jessica Stanton and Celia Coules met as pupils at Wantage CofE Primary
Families will be invited to try their hand at scientific experiments, while doing their weekly shopping. Shoppers at Templars Square Shopping Centre in Cowley, Oxford, will be exploring the worlds of science and maths to mark the start of the city's Festival
The headquarters of RAF Brize Norton's newly reformed No 99 Squadron has been officially opened. The station commander, Gp Capt Neil Jagger cut the ribbon with Wg Cdr Malcolm Brecht. No 99 Squadron took delivery of its first C17 Globemaster cargo aircraft
A man who robbed a shop in Kidlington yesterday,made his getaway on a bicycle. The man went into the Oxford House newsagents, near the junction of Oxford Road and Bicester Road, in Kidlington at 12.20pm. He asked the woman assistant for cigarettes and
Labour city councillor Colin Cook, who secretly taped a council meeting, is set to find out if he can keep his place on the executive board. Cllr Cook angered his colleagues last month when he used a dictaphone to record a confidential debate about the
A nightmare changed into a dream come true for Jenny Allinson when she married her junior doctor boyfriend Paul Fenton. The nightmare was a five-year battle against two cancers, with eight major operations and drugs treatment. The dream was her recovery
Homeless people arriving in Oxford are being given a one-way ticket back to their home town, to reduce the number of people sleeping rough in the city. Last year, council staff working with rough sleepers claimed that other cities were advising homeless
Planning officers say Oxford Brookes University should not be allowed to expand unless it agrees to house the bulk of its new students in purpose-built accommodation. The Headington-based university is planning a period of growth that could see student
Australian Mark Lemon is returning to the Oxford Cheetahs side for 2002. He will come in on a reduced average to boost their hopes of retaining speedway's Elite League title. Lemon, who lives at Bicester while in this country, first lined up for the Cheetahs
The pre-school is holding a jumble sale at Crowmarsh village hall from 10am on Saturday, February 2. The event is one of the group's biggest fundraising activities. It relies on contributed goods for sale and is appealing for people to support it by giving
Breast cancer charity fundraisers are holding a Valentine's dinner and dance at Witney Lakes on Saturday, February 9. The black tie event is being organised by the West Oxfordshire fundraising committee of Against Breast Cancer, led by Jeanne Chattoe
Men are urgently needed in Wantage -- preferably ones who can sing and dance. The Wantage Stage-Musical Company is short of male singers to perform opposite many new young women members, who responded to an appeal for new blood last year. Organisers are
Seven members of the cast of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs will literally be on their knees for seven performances of the pantomime. The Witney Amateur Dramatic Society is presenting the pantomime in the Corn Exchange from Tuesday, January 22, to Saturday
The Oxford Mail Quiz League is back, with the first set of games in 2002 providing some neck-and-neck results. The league tables across all the divisions are becoming extremely close which should ensure an exciting series of games towards the end of the
A Farmers' Market will be held in the Market Square, Chipping Norton, on January 25, from 9am.
Plans have been lodged with West Oxfordshire District Council to convert a barn at Spratts Farm, Stonesfield, into a house.
The Wychwood Project will hold a hedgelaying training weekend in Stonesfield on January 26 and 27. More information on 01993 814126.
Young musicians will stage a concert on February 8 in Wood Green School, Witney, at 7.30pm as part of the series of Witney Winter Concerts.
Adrian Thornton will talk about national parks when the University of the Third Age meets in the Langdale Hall, Witney, on February 7, starting at 2pm.
Plans have been submitted to West Oxfordshire District Council to demolish existing buildings on land next to the railway station at Kingham and erect office buildings.
