Stories for 5 March 2003

Oxfordshire Business

Cancer research outfit signs £16m US deal

An American company has bought the rights to an anti-cancer drug developed by an Oxford firm in a deal which could be worth more than £16m.   more...

Oxfordshire News

Police brand crime targets unrealistic

Crime fighting targets set by the Government have been rejected as unrealistic by Thames Valley Police.   more...

Cheap vodka poison warning

Drinkers are being warned to avoid buying a cheap brand of vodka which could cause serious blood poisoning.   more...

Sign language scheme deferred

A pilot project in an Oxfordshire school to teach pupils the basics of British Sign Language has been deferred.   more...

County picks new director for economy

Appointments for a new management team at Oxfordshire County Council have now been completed.   more...

Phone firm under fire over masts

Residents in Headington, Oxford, have criticised a mobile phone company for the way it is consulting them over masts and dishes they fear will create a health hazard and an eyesore.   more...

Reformed smokers meet mentors

Former smokers have been celebrating their success with the NHS staff who helped them quit the habit.   more...

Lovebirds stolen in raid

A family who breed lovebirds are heartbroken after thieves stole nine of the precious birds from an aviary at their Oxford home.   more...

Campaigners to force poll on superstore plan

Campaigners opposed to a superstore at Marriotts Close in Witney are planning to call for a poll on the issue at Witney's annual town meeting tonight (March 5).   more...

Dig this revamp, says Digger

Sleepless nights could be a thing of the past for battling builder Ian Beesley.   more...

Our bears aid work of charity

Cruse Bereavement Care has won 100 bears for young people in an Oxford Mail Competition.   more...

Freud calls time on dancers

More than 80 salsa dancers have had to move their practice venue after the restaurant they used for four years pulled the plug on their rehearsals.   more...

Charity abseil nets £10,000

More than 200 people abseiled down a 100ft building at Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital on Sunday helped raise more than £10,000 for charity.   more...

Kebab van fight led to injuries

A man had to have two stitches in his head after a late-night altercation at a kebab van in Oxford's High Street.   more...

Council discusses its part in city's culture bid

The spin-off from Oxford's Capital of Culture bid could bring benefits to people in Banbury.   more...

Disco raises nursing cash

Adults were reminded of their school days when they raised £2,500 to help fund a nurse to look after sick children.   more...

Teenagers in court

A teenager accused of robbing a youth was due to appear before city magistrates today. The 17-year-old is charged with robbing the 15-year-old, in St Aldate's, Oxford, on February 11. Another 17-year-old will also appear charged with the attempted robbery of two students in Cowley, on February 3.   more...

Mass protest over Iraq war

Big crowds are expected in Banbury on Saturday at a protest march against possible war in Iraq.   more...

Drugs trial due to start

Alleged drug dealers were expected to go on trial at Oxford Crown Court today (March 5).   more...

Burglars wrecked home with paint

Two men who ram-raided an Oxford off-licence before burgling a nearby house and vandalising it with pink paint and coffee have been told to expect a jail sentence.   more...

Pancake day proves to be piece of cake

It may have been drizzling with rain for Wallingford's traditional pancake race, but it did not stop the fun.   more...

Mothers plan village play area improvements

Mothers are banding together to improve play amenities for their children in a village near Bicester.   more...

Tory councillors decline 'pay rise'

Conservative councillors on Cherwell District Council have agreed not to accept a 'pay rise.'   more...

Pounding streets to raise pounds

Friends Sharon Rees and Amanda Brown, are running the London Marathon for charity.   more...

Working to rule

Shopkeepers have signed up to a police drive to clamp down on under-age drinking in an Oxfordshire village.   more...

Foundry safety officer 'untrained'

Managers at a foundry where there were health and safety breaches knew there was a risk of Legionnaire's disease breeding but failed to make improvements, a court was told.   more...

Council rejects plan to move meetings

Calls for West Oxford District Council to hold its meetings in the evenings are unlikely to be successful.   more...

Man due in court

A Faringdon man is due to appear in court accused of carrying out a racial assault.   more...

Pancake day proves to be piece of cake

It may have been drizzling with rain for Wallingford's traditional pancake race, but it did not stop the fun.   more...

Tory chairman to rally party support

The chairman of the Conservative Party is to visit Wallingford.   more...

Invalid fined over drugs find

Police seized cannabis when they were called to a domestic dispute at a house in Culham, magistrates were told.   more...

Get in swim for charity

People are being asked to get into the swim and raise money for cancer relief.   more...

'Burger' junction design will lead to more traffic

A £2m plan to improve Oxford's busiest roundabout will attract more traffic, transport planners have admitted.   more...

Cars `not safe' overnight at Thornhill park and ride

Police are urging motorists not to leave their cars overnight at a park-and-ride because security is "inadequate".   more...

Oxfordshire Sport

Atkins stunned as fans vent anger

Oxford United's management and players were stunned by the way a large section of fans turned angrily against the team during last night's 2-0 defeat by Leyton Orient at the Kassam Stadium.   more...

Phillips at the double

Oxfordshire Senior League round-up: Long Crendon, the reigning champions and this season's Premier Division leaders, suffered their second successive defeat with a 3-1 reverse at home to Eynsham.   more...

Gray treble sees Fairview stun KEA

RT Harris Oxford City FA: Darren Gray hit a hat-trick as Fairview upset the formbook by beating KEA - who had two players sent off - 5-2 after extra time in the first Premier Cup semi-final.   more...

Town cruise home

Abingdon Tn 3, Hungerford Tn 0: Abingdon Town kept alive their hopes of qualifying for the next stages of the Ryman LeagueAssociate Members Cup after last night's comfortable group match win at Culham Road.   more...

Cros country results

Results from the last round of the Oxford Mail Cross Country League   more...

Ashton lifts crown

Mathew Ashton became the youngest-ever overall men's champion of the Oxford Mail Cross Country League after finishing second in the final round at Shotover Park.   more...

Keen's double seals it for Thame

Thame Utd 4, Uxbridge 0: Danny Keen notched a brace as Thame United extended their unbeaten run to four games as they cruised home against their Ryman League Division 1 North rivals last night.   more...

Rover squander lead

Women's English League: Rover Oxford slipped deeper into relegation trouble after letting slip a three-goal lead as they drew 3-3 against Bedford in Division 2 at Iffley Road.   more...

Turkish misery for Solberg

Banbury's 555 Subaru World Rally Team driver Petter Solberg suffered heartbreak, after he was forced to retire from the Rally of Turkey with car trouble.   more...

Devils suffer double blow

Oxford Devils suffered their worst weekend of the season, losing both National Basketball Conference fixtures to leave them competing for only the minor play-off spots.   more...

Oxon eye promotion

Oxfordshire boosted their hopes of promotion from Division 4 of the Inter-Counties League with one of their best-ever wins, 31-8 against the Isle of Wight at Cowley Community Centre over the weekend.   more...

Battling City are safe

South League: City of Oxford beat local rivals Banbury 2-1 to climb up to eighth and effectively ensure safety in the Middlesex, Berks, Bucks & Oxon Regional division.   more...

Controversy surrounds late leveller

Trysports 3 Counties Women's League: Controversy surrounded Oxford Hawks' 1-1 draw with Newbury in the Premier Division.   more...

Chandlings champs

Chandlings Manor School, near Abingdon won the Oxfordshire Under 11 boys' mini-hockey tournament at Tilsley Park, Abingdon.   more...

West Witney pay for chances missed

West Witney lost 1-0 to Dulwich in South League Division 1.   more...

Dark Blues stage World Cup opener

Oxford University's Iffley Road ground will stage the opening game of the IRB Under 21 World Cup in June.   more...

Witney can't spoil party for champions

Southern Counties North: Witney did their best to be party poopers but couldn't stop High Wycombe from gaining the victory they needed to clinch the title.   more...

Chinnor's big step

South West Division 1: Chinnor took a significant step towards avoiding relegation with a 20-8 victory at Bridgwater & Albion.   more...

Gosford in command

Berks, Bucks & Oxon: Gosford All Blacks maintained their promotion drive in Division 2 with a 40-5 success at Wheatley.   more...

Wallingford fall to Slough

Southern Counties North: Wallingford travelled to Slough with a depleted side and started the game with only 14 men, so it was no surprise that they fell to a 52-12 defeat.   more...

Banbury pay the penalty

Midland Division 2 East: Banbury paid dearly for a poor start as an adventurous Ampthill side avenged their earlier defeat at Bodicote Park with a 35-0 victory to increase the Bulls' relegation concerns.   more...

Birthday joy for Passey

Kelvin Passey of Benson celebrated his 12th birthday in style by winning the junior final at Standlake Arena's second meeting of the season on Sunday (March 2).   more...

Oxfordshire Whats On

Magnificent musical sets standard

NO-ONE foresaw success for Fiddler on the Roof when it opened in New York in 1964. What popular appeal could there be in a tale about a persecuted community of Russian Jews in the first decade of the 20th century, writes Chris Gray.   more...