Oxford East MP Andrew Smith yesterday resigned from his Cabinet post as Work and Pensions Secretary. In a letter to Prime Minister Tony Blair, Mr Smith said that he wanted to leave his post "to devote more time to the responsibilities I enjoy in my constituency
Tim Henman celebrated his 30th birthday by reaching the US Open quarter-finals for the first time last night as Nicolas Kiefer withdrew in the fifth set of their clash with a wrist injury. Henman, who lives at Aston Tirrold, near Didcot, was 3-0 up in
Sir - I would like to congratulate Mr Dix (warden of the Watercress Beds Nature Reserve in Ewelme) and very likely many, many other volunteers on successfully controlling the predatory mink population and enabling a welcome comeback for 'Ratty', the water
Sir - I am delighted to read about the launch of the OxSafe initiative (Oxford Mail, September 3). The council's Labour executive seems to have done a good job balancing the interests of all city centre users. Responsible licensing policies should first
Sir - For many years, I have walked a quarter of a mile to the Wilkins Road post office at Cowley, Oxford, to draw my pension. When I reached the age of 80 five years ago, I had the advantage of an extra 25p. Now this post office is closed. The next nearest
Sir - As a final reply to Justin-Leigh Walden's letters (the last being in the Oxford Mail on August 27), I must state that I am as equally proud to be British as he. I served in the armed forces, thus proving I was prepared to die for my country. What
It seems bizarre that magistrates felt unable to impose an antisocial behaviour order on Anthony Swatton. Not only did the police feel they had followed procedure rigorously, but the teenager himself was prepared to sign the conditions of the order. But
For a city which is supposed to be so cycle-friendly, this can be a pretty hairy place to get around on two wheels. Narrow roads, big buses and laughably tight cycle lanes mean that cyclists have got to keep their wits about them at all times. Sadly,
Olympic gold medallist Leslie Law will be helping to raise money for children's wards at an Oxford hospital later this week at the Blenheim Horse Trials. The three-day-eventing champion has agreed to host a walk round the three-and-a-half mile cross country
Vandals have attacked a Bicester surgery just months after one of its doctors was assaulted by two teenage boys. Police were called late on Thursday night (September 2), after hooligans smashed five windows at North Bicester Surgery, in Barberry Place
Seven Oxfordshire women joined fellow female skydivers to set a new British record. The 60-strong team set a new record for the largest all-female skydiving formation on Saturday (September 4) breaking the former record of 50, set two years ago. Called
A car fire has reignited a debate over whether a set of garages in Rose Hill should be demolished. Residents say the dilapidated garages, off Williamson Way, are a magnet for trouble and antisocial behaviour. They have joined city councillor Ed Turner
Major shopping centres in Oxfordshire are set to receive lifesaving equipment as part of a campaign to prevent people dying from heart attacks. The British Heart Foundation has handed over 15 defibrillators to Oxfordshire Ambulance Service, which will
Almost a third of Oxfordshire's roads need urgent structural repairs, according to a new survey. Roadworks in Abingdon Road Department of Transport figures have revealed that the county is the 14th worst performer in the country out of 103 local authorities
None of the people arrested in connection with the death of Ross Doyle will be questioned by the Oxfordshire coroner at an inquest later this month. Ross's mother, Cheryl, and her daughter Kylie Ross, nine, was knocked down by joyriders in Pegasus Road
Ben Barker, Oxford Silver Machine Academy's top prospect, is out of hospital after his horrendous crash at King's Lynn on Sunday. The 16-year-old (right) was involved in an all-out race with Boston's Richie Dennis before they came together in a spectacular
Banbury United are hoping to sign midfielder Simon Dunlop from neighbours Brackley Town, writes NICK FARRANT. And should the ex-Baldock Town man agree terms, he could make his debut in tonight's home game with Southern League Premier Division rivals Hednesford
GLS Hellenic League Chipping Norton Tn 0, Slimbridge 1: An own-goal by goalkeeper, Ewan Prentice gave Slimbridge the points and their fifth win in a row in a hard-fought Premier Division encounter. Prentice punched an eighth-minute corner into his own
Oxfordshire will be aiming for the perfect start when they travel to Leicestershire in their Inter-Counties opener. The matches will be played at the Enderby & District Social Club. TEAM LINE-UPS Men's A: M Carrick, M Curran, S Foster, J Fowler, R
A multi-cultural summer playscheme for Asian families in Banbury has been hailed a success. The five-week scheme for five- to 12-year olds was designed to allow flexibility for Asian families. Play sessions were held in the mornings so that children could
GLS Hellenic League Shrivenham 1, Kidlington 2: A brace from Luke Holden helped Kidlington maintain their great start to the season as they saw off their second-placed rivals to stay at the top of Division 1 West. After a goalless first half, Kidlington
The grief involved in the loss of a child is impossible to imagine. When such a tragedy happens, there is a grieving process to go through before families can move on. Part of that process is understanding the full circumstances surrounding their child's
Poetry and Oxford have always been inseparable - but forget Matthew Arnold and the dreaming spires, the latest craze is watching poets take to the stage and make up material live in poetry 'slams'. Hammer And Tongue, a poetry competition which began in
Those involved in plans for a multi-million pound swimming pool on Oxford's Barton estate are still waiting to hear if they have been allocated Lottery cash for the project. Oxford City Council will discover next week whether it can invest a grant of
Student accommodation and not affordable housing should be built on St Clement's car park in east Oxford. That is the view of Oxford City Council's executive board, which argued yesterday (Monday, September 6) about the merits of what should replace the
Sir - In response to Oxfordshire County Council leader Keith Mitchell's letter (Oxford Mail, August 30), may I make the following points? Every member of the British Parliament, once elected, is as equal as the next and unless power is devolved to another
