Stories for 9 November 2006

Abingdon

Customers form battle group for pub

REGULARS at an Abingdon pub who feared it could be closed have formed a pressure group to help secure its future.  more...

MP: 'Faith schools splitting society'

ABINGDON MP Dr Evan Harris has condemned faith schools for dividing society along religious and racial lines.  more...

Reservoir challengers

COUNCILS and the Environment Agency are joining forces for a combined "robust" challenge to plans for a huge new reservoir between Abingdon and Wantage.  more...

Parades to honour war fallen

TOWNS and villages will remember their war dead with ceremonies at their war memorials on Remembrance Sunday this weekend.  more...

Four Tory women to joust for public vote

FOUR women, including a martial arts expert, a former army regular and a human rights campaigner, have been named for the battle to be Conservative candidate for Oxford and West Abingdon at the next General Election.  more...

£1.7m boost for precinct

AFTER 18 years of complex negotiations, an agreement over refurbishing Abingdon's Bury Street shopping precinct has finally been struck.  more...

Lights at the end of the tunnel . . .

THE next stage in Abingdon's new traffic system - lights near Hales Meadow car park in Culham Road - is a step closer.  more...

Abingdon News

Revamp at last

After 18 years of complex negotiations, an agreement has finally been struck over refurbishing Abingdon's Bury Street shopping precinct.  more...

Revamp at last

After 18 years of complex negotiations, an agreement has finally been struck over refurbishing Abingdon's Bury Street shopping precinct.  more...

Bus route to JR back in service

Abingdon's direct hospital bus service to Oxford is being revived after 18 months off the road.  more...

Ready to quit

Two Oxfordshire district councils eager to become a unitary authority covering the south of the county are ready to ditch their plans.  more...

Art

Stripes turn to Squares: Daniel Buren at Modern Art Oxford

The natural sunlight that casts its rays across the Upper Gallery, at Modern Art Oxford, adds a shimmering transparency to conceptual artist Daniel Buren's latest work Intervention II, which is suspended from the Victorian crossbeams in the ceiling - the very same crossbeams that held his work in 1973. For that exhibition Buren suspended six squares of vertically striped canvases from the superstructure of the gallery and created a sequence of flowing vertical planes that cut across the space at right angles to the gallery's outer walls. It was much admired.  more...

Janet Boulton, Said Business School

Walking into an art exhibition is like walking into the artist's mind. Some are easy to read and understand; others, such as Janet Boulton's exhibition of paintings and reliefs, are so amazingly complex that it's impossible to absorb the qualities in one swift superficial glance. Too much is going on.  more...

Janet Boulton, Said Business School

Walking into an art exhibition is like walking into the artist's mind. Some are easy to read and understand; others, such as Janet Boulton's exhibition of paintings and reliefs, are so amazingly complex that it's impossible to absorb the qualities in one swift superficial glance. Too much is going on.  more...

The portrait of the artist as pure genius

The quest for knowledge is possibly the most inspiring quality in the V&A Leonardo da Vinci exhibition, writes SYLVIA VETTA "What immortal hand or eye could form thy fearful symmetry?"  more...

Athletics

ATHLETICS: Briscoe shines in defence of crown

Frances Briscoe began her defence of the senior women's title with a fine performance in the first round of the Oxford Mail Cross Country League at Ascott-under-Wychwood on Sunday.  more...

ATHLETICS: Briscoe shines in defence of crown

Frances Briscoe began her defence of the senior women's title with a fine performance in the first round of the Oxford Mail Cross Country League at Ascott-under-Wychwood on Sunday.  more...

ATHLETICS: Couple go that extra mile!

Abingdon Amblers' husband-and wife-team Chris & Liz Bedford had a special reason for competing at the Marlow Half Marathon at the weekend.  more...

Banbury News

'Consult again on Horton'

Two councillors have demanded another full public discussion on the future of Banbury's Horton Hospital when amended proposals are released.  more...

Books

Girl with quiet presence

PORTRAIT OF AN UNKNOWN WOMAN Vanora Bennett (HarperCollins £15) When Vanora Bennett saw Holbein's revolutionary pen-and-ink drawing depicting the family of Sir Thomas More gathered informally at home she decided to write the story of Meg Giggs, the quiet young woman on the edge of the picture. Holbein the Younger was the first artist to bring the Renaissance to England in 1526 with his novel and personalised portraits that recorded individuals in a living, decorative way and she was taken with the intimacy, the annotations and the names and ages recorded by painter. Like Tracey Chevalier, who wrote Girl with a Pearl Earring, Bennett was inspired by the beauty of the picture.  more...

Chef from a humble background

HUMBLE PIE Gordon Ramsay (HarperCollins, £18.99)If you are looking for a comfortable, easy read, Gordon Ramsay's expletive-laden biography is not for you. His early life was dominated by a violent alcoholic father and as a small boy he was afraid, ashamed and always poor.  more...

Edinburgh behind the guidebooks

THE NAMING OF THE DEAD Ian Rankin (Orion, £17.99)This is likely to be Ian Rankin's penultimate Inspector Rebus novel, which seems a shame, because it is one of the best in the series. Det Insp John Rebus is reaching the end of his career, and his followers can expect his colleague, Siobhan Clarke, to take over the reigns in the near future.  more...

Book-related events

TUESDAY oBook launch: Richard Dawkins launches his latest book The God Delusion, with readings by his wife Lalla Ward. Oxford Union Debating Chamber, 8.30pm. Tickets, £3, from Blackwell Customer Services (01865) 333623 or email customers.ox@blackwell.co.uk.  more...

History book choice

Gatty's Tale Kevin Crossley-Holland (Weidenfeld and Nicolson, £12.99) Spawned by the Arthur trilogy, this is a masterful celebration of the medieval world, following the adventures, or more likely misadventures, of a feisty field girl beloved of previous Arthurian disciples. This time she is on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, a road fraught with danger but also a journey of discovery for the impulsive Gatty. Crossley-Holland stitches a tapestry of 13th-century art that will long adorn the walls of imaginative minds.  more...

What links bananas and Panama hats?

Sitting in the QI bookshop in Turl Street, Oxford, listening to owners John Lloyd and John Mitchinson exchange quick-fire information about bananas, it is easy to understand the success of the TV show which they write - QI, which stands for Quite Interesting.  more...

Local author

Pat White, who was an executive director of the Oxford Radcliffe Hospital NHS Trust from 1991-9, has written a book of short stories in aid of Sir Michael Sobell House, Someone Else's Shoes (£6.50). Production costs were met by the High Sheriff of Oxfordshire, Ian Laing, so all proceeds go to the charity.  more...

Local author

Pat White, who was an executive director of the Oxford Radcliffe Hospital NHS Trust from 1991-9, has written a book of short stories in aid of Sir Michael Sobell House, Someone Else's Shoes (£6.50). Production costs were met by the High Sheriff of Oxfordshire, Ian Laing, so all proceeds go to the charity.  more...

Business News

Royal task for business school

PRINCE Charles has asked the Said Business School in Oxford to find ways of encouraging businesses to adapt 'greener' practices, for example with a league table of firms' carbon emissions.  more...

Cinema

The Prestige and Starter for Tenn

'Are you watching closely?" The greatest illusion in Christopher Nolan's labyrinthine thriller about feuding magicians in late 19th-century London, is the film itself. The Prestige pretends to be an intricately constructed web of intrigues, a chronologically fractured narrative concealing sleights of hand designed to keep us guessing until the closing frame. Alas, once you look past the impeccable production design and strong ensemble cast - not to mention Nolan's coolly assured direction - his film is nothing but a cheap parlour trick, and an obvious one at that.  more...

The Prestige and Starter for Ten

'Are you watching closely?" The greatest illusion in Christopher Nolan's labyrinthine thriller about feuding magicians in late 19th-century London, is the film itself. The Prestige pretends to be an intricately constructed web of intrigues, a chronologically fractured narrative concealing sleights of hand designed to keep us guessing until the closing frame. Alas, once you look past the impeccable production design and strong ensemble cast - not to mention Nolan's coolly assured direction - his film is nothing but a cheap parlour trick, and an obvious one at that.  more...

Double Dose of Gallic subversion

As a professional viola player, writer-director Denis Dercourt has a rare insight into the musician's psyche. Consequently, The Page Turner, his account of Deborah Franois's steely determination to exact her revenge on Catherine Frot - the self-absorbed pianist whose lack of interest at an audition destroyed her hopes of becoming a teenage prodigy - has a chilling aura of authenticity. But it's the mischievous manner with which he sets up his scenario and then manipulates audience expectation that makes this meticulously modulated thriller so darkly satisfying.  more...

Columns

The Insider: November 9, 2006

DOES anyone else's heart sink with despair on hearing Christmas songs a good month-and-a-half before the actual event?  more...

Country Matters

Picking up climate change bill

The environmental costs of the way we live are becoming clearer by the day and Oxford-based environmental charity Earthwatch tackled this in a debate in London, writes THERESA THOMPSON Have you read your electricity meter today? No? Will you tomorrow? Maybe, if like the majority of the 700-strong audience at a public debate on climate change you decide to read it daily as one simple step that will make you more aware of the energy you use.  more...

Cricket

CRICKET: Taylor made for Kidlington

Much-travelled all-rounder David Taylor is looking forward to a fresh challenge after being appointed director of cricket and captain at Kidlington.  more...

CRICKET: Taylor made for Kidlington

Much-travelled all-rounder David Taylor is looking forward to a fresh challenge after being appointed director of cricket and captain at Kidlington.  more...

CRICKET: Taylor made for Kidlington

Much-travelled all-rounder David Taylor is looking forward to a fresh challenge after being appointed director of cricket and captain at Kidlington.  more...

CRICKET: Taylor made for Kidlington

Much-travelled all-rounder David Taylor is looking forward to a fresh challenge after being appointed director of cricket and captain at Kidlington.  more...

Dance

The Nutcracker, St Petersburg Ballet Theatre, Wycombe Swan

The Nutcracker, the traditional Christmas ballet, is with us early this year in an enjoyable version by St Petersburg Ballet Theatre. This is a straightforward and unshowy interpretation. Almost nothing of Ivanov's original choreography has survived, and so quite a few choreographers have made their own versions. This one is based on Vasily Vainonen's for the Kirov, with two important duets for the principals by Svetlana Efremova.  more...

The Nutcracker, St Petersburg Ballet Theatre, Wycombe Swan

The Nutcracker, the traditional Christmas ballet, is with us early this year in an enjoyable version by St Petersburg Ballet Theatre. This is a straightforward and unshowy interpretation. Almost nothing of Ivanov's original choreography has survived, and so quite a few choreographers have made their own versions. This one is based on Vasily Vainonen's for the Kirov, with two important duets for the principals by Svetlana Efremova.  more...

Swan Lake on Ice, Milton Keynes Theatre

A skater's gracefulness of movement bears an obvious similarity to that of a swan. Both glide. An ice show based on Tchaikovsky's great ballet Swan Lake would therefore seem to be a match made in heaven. And so, indeed, it proves.  more...

Phoenix Dance, EverymanTheatre, Cheltenham

Phoenix Dance Theatre, appearing under their new artistic director Xavier de Frutos, presented four interesting and well-crafted works on Tuesday night. The programme is called Stories in Red, though how the scheduled Snow White in Black would have fitted I'm not sure. In the event it was replaced by Henri Oguike's Signal, inspired, and indeed accompanied, by the sound of Japanese Taiko drumming. By a happy coincidence - or did de Frutos scour the contemporary dance world for a red work? - the cast were all in the appropriate colour, led on by Lisa Welham in a twisty little solo Gaku (Let's Have Fun).  more...

Dancing angels could prove a revelation

DAVID BELLAN talks to co-founder of Stan Won't Dance troupe about a new production at the Oxford Playhouse Stan Won't Dance was formed in 2003 by Liam Steel, fellow performer Robert Tannion and the producer Ellie Beedham. They had worked together with DV8 Physical Theatre, a company that still exists, but wanted to expand the boundaries of the art form.  more...

Dancing angels could prove a revelation

DAVID BELLAN talks to the co-founder of Stan Won't Dance troupe about a new production at the Oxford Playhouse Stan Won't Dance was formed in 2003 by Liam Steel, fellow performer Robert Tannion and the producer Ellie Beedham. They had worked together with DV8 Physical Theatre, a company that still exists, but wanted to expand the boundaries of the art form.  more...

Didcot

£20,000 vans stolen in raid

RAIDERS have stolen thousands of pounds worth of equipment from a Didcot business, including two Ford Transit vans.  more...

Reward offered to track runaway cow

WANTED: one large Aberdeen Angus cow. Believed to be on the run somewhere in Didcot.  more...

Reservoir challengers

COUNCILS and the Environment Agency are joining forces for a combined "robust" challenge to plans for a huge new reservoir between Abingdon and Wantage.  more...

Greenpeace invades the power station

A GREENPEACE protest at Didcot power station ended last Friday after campaigners were handed a court injunction.  more...

Diamond 'light for the future'

PRIME Minister Tony Blair visited the UK's biggest science project for 30 years at Harwell last Thursday.  more...

Contracts signed on £7.3m arts centre

A MAJOR milestone has been reached for Didcot's long-overdue arts centre project.  more...

Parades to honour war fallen

TOWNS and villages will remember their war dead with ceremonies at their war memorials on Remembrance Sunday this weekend.  more...

New town plan is 'highly speculative'

PLANS for housing at Didcot and the Wallingford area are unlikely to be affected by proposals for a new town 20 miles away on the edge of Thame.  more...

Mum in plea on blackspot

THE next stage in Abingdon's new traffic system - lights near Hales Meadow car park in Culham Road - is a step closer.  more...

Vaizey's criticism of Greenpeace stunt

WANTAGE and Didcot MP Ed Vaizey has branded last week's Greenpeace protest at Didcot Power Station as an "absurd stunt".  more...

£20,000 vans stolen in raid

RAIDERS have stolen thousands of pounds worth of equipment from a Didcot business, including two Ford Transit vans.  more...

£20,000 vans stolen in raid

RAIDERS have stolen thousands of pounds worth of equipment from a Didcot business, including two Ford Transit vans.  more...

Didcot News

Link road safety bid builds up

A grieving mother who lost her son in a road accident is attracting major support for her campaign to get safety improvements before another life is wasted.  more...

Raiders target business

Raiders have stolen thousands of pounds worth of equipment from a Didcot business, including two Ford Transit vans.  more...

Eating Out

You can stand on the terraces or sit quietly on the terrace . . .

AS she continued to wipe stains from the green beams and pillars close to our table, the young woman said: "It's the beer - it goes up."  more...

Editorial Comment

A curate's egg of a council

In an ideal world, our councils would be highly efficient and low spending, delivering first-class services and imposing low levels of council tax.  more...

Education

Ofsted blames 'bad' teachers

Poor teachers and inconsistent standards are the root cause of poor discipline, says a new study. TIM ROSS Ofsted inspectors have blamed bad teachers for the discipline problems that have hit some schools. In secondary schools where behaviour was an isolated issue, the cause was often pupils' frustration with the poor quality of teaching they received, the watchdog said.  more...

Ofsted blames 'bad' teachers

Poor teachers and inconsistent standards are the root cause of poor discipline, says a new study. TIM ROSS reports Ofsted inspectors have blamed bad teachers for the discipline problems that have hit some schools. In secondary schools where behaviour was an isolated issue, the cause was often pupils' frustration with the poor quality of teaching they received, the watchdog said.  more...

Entertainment

Cinema listings Friday November 10 to Thursday November 16

CINEWORLD, MILTON KEYNES: Casino Royale, 12A, opens Thursday, 10.30am (Sat & Sun only), 11.15, noon, 12.45, 1.45, 2.30, 3.15, 4, 5, 5.45, 6.30, 7.30, 8.15, 9, 9.45, 10.45*, 11.30*, 12.15am*. The Prestige, 12A, 12.15pm, 3.15, 6.15, 9.15pm. Breaking and Entering, 15, 12.35pm, 3.20, 6.10, 9.05, 11.50pm*. Starter For Ten, 12A, 11.30am (Sat, Sun & Thurs only), 1.55, 4.25, 6.50, 9.20, 11.55pm*. The Host, 15, 12.45pm, 3.35, 6.20, 9, 11.45pm*. Borat, 15, 11.40am (Sat, Sun & Thurs only), 12.30, 2, 2.45, 4.15, 5, 6.30, 7.15, 8.45, 9.30, 11.10pm*. Saw 3, 18, 11.10am (Sat & Sun only), 1.40, 4.20, 7, 9.40pm. Little Children, 15, 11.10am (Thurs only), 5.20 (not Thurs), 8.20pm (not Thurs). Sixty-Six, 12A, 11.30am (Thurs only), 4.45 (not Thurs), 7.05 (not Thurs), 9.25pm (not Thurs). Step Up, PG, 11.25am (Sat, Sun & Thurs only), 1.55 (not Mon), 4.35, 7.10, 9.50pm. Barnyard, PG, 12.05pm (not Thurs), 2.25pm (not Thurs). Open Season, PG, 11am (Sat & Sun only), 1 (not Thurs), 3.05pm (not Thurs). The Departed, 18, 1.50pm, 5.10, 8.30pm. The Devil Wears Prada, PG, 12.50pm (not Thurs), 3.30 (not Thurs), 6 (not Thurs), 8.40pm (not Thurs). Click, 12A, noon (not Thurs), 2.30pm (not Sun & Thurs). Hoodwinked, U, 12.45pm (not Thurs), 2.50pm (not Thurs). Vallavan, 12A, Sat 6pm, Sun 3pm.  more...

Events Friday November 10

Charity Cards: Until Dec 18. Cards For Good Causes. Mon-Sat, 10am-4pm. Wide range of cards from more than 30 national and local charities. More than 80 per cent donated to charity. The Gallery, Town Hall, St Aldate's, Oxford.  more...

Events Saturday November 11

Russian Parish Bazaar: Russian and Greek foods, hot borsch, piroshki, icons, books, gifts. 10am-2.30pm. Wesley Memorial Church Hall, New Inn Hall Street, Oxford.  more...

Events Sunday November 12

Family activities: Free family-friendly fun, every Sunday 2-4pm. Backpacks, sorting boxes, activity trolleys. Drop-in sessions. Pitt Rivers and University Museum, Parks Road, Oxford. 01865 270927.  more...

Events Monday November 13

Talk: The Decline and Fall of Wychwood Forest, Charles Tyzack. 7.30pm. Methodist Hall, West Street, Chipping Norton. 01608 658489.  more...

Events Tuesday November 14

Antiques evening: A talk by Eric Knowles (BBC TV's Antiques Roadshow), light supper and opportunity for one valuation per person of a small antique. Tickets £20. 7.30pm. Village Room, Elsfield. 01865 351325.  more...

Events Wednesday November 15

Widows' meeting: Bicester branch of the National Association of Widows meets at the pop-in centre, Crown Walk, from 2pm to 4pm. For more information, call Maureen Thurston on 01869 244321.  more...

Events Thursday November 16

Public meeting: Friends of Warneford Meadow. Hear the latest news on proposals to destroy this unique 18-acre open space and turn it into a "student village". Cheney Community Hall, Cheney Lane, Headington, 7.30pm.  more...

Saucy Miss Watson is back

MISS Helen Watson, 'Queen of the Music Hall and Variety', had something to celebrate when she stepped on to the stage of The Watermill Theatre, Bagnor, last night to dish out more Seasonal Sauce.  more...

Rowan Williams joins in Abbey event

THE Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, will join in a sell-out special Armistice Day event at Dorchester Abbey on Saturday, November 11.  more...

Features

The wrong chemistry?

Kids - don't you just love 'em! When Prime Minister Tony Blair chose Oxford as the place to launch a keynote speech about the importance of science, his specially invited audience poured cold water on his ideas. Students at Cheney School who listened to his speech - about how British scientists were now more successful at taking their discoveries from laboratory to marketplace - told The Oxford Times afterwards that it would put them off studying science at A level, rather than encourage them.  more...

Bordeaux bargains

There are times when I think that the world's greatest wine region is losing the plot. One of those times was earlier this summer when the Bordeaux's world-famous chateaux released their 2005 vintage to consumers and collectors.  more...

Fixtures

FIXTURES: November 10

FIXTURES SATURDAY FOOTBALL FA CUP Ist round: Wycombe Wands v Oxford Utd.  more...

FIXTURES: November 10

FIXTURES SATURDAY FOOTBALL FA CUP Ist round: Wycombe Wands v Oxford Utd.  more...

Food

Zabaglione recipe

Zabaglione is said to have originated during the 16th-century in the kitchens of the court of the Medici in Florence. Those early versions of this delicious pudding were enjoyed as a drink made from wine thickened with egg yolks. Today's version is usually whisked up moments before it's to be served, using a balloon whisk. Although Masala or sherry is usually the main flavouring ingredient, the Birmingham chefs from Del Villagio used a delicious dry ros wine instead, which worked just as well.  more...

Eating the World is Yummy in Brummy

When a lunch invitation calls for an hour's train ride to get to your destination, you have to think twice about accepting. But the organisers were insistent. "You can eat the world in Birmingham and that's what we aim to do," they promised. How could I refuse? Besides I've always enjoyed trying new restaurants and this invitation would introduce me to four venues, each of which will be taking part in the BBC Good Food Show this month.  more...

Football

FOOTBALL: Marks upset odds

Ten-man CR Marks Kirtlington pulled off one of the shocks off the second round as the UTV League Division 3 side knocked Division 1 outfit Standlake Garage out of the OFA Sam Waters Cup with a 4-1 victory.  more...

FOOTBALL: Marks upset odds

Ten-man CR Marks Kirtlington pulled off one of the shocks off the second round as the UTV League Division 3 side knocked Division 1 outfit Standlake Garage out of the OFA Sam Waters Cup with a 4-1 victory.  more...

FOOTBALL: Sandman wreck Jackass run

Autotype UTV League: Sandman wrecked Jackass Inn's unbeaten start to their Division 1 campaign with a 3-2 success.  more...

FOOTBALL: Hodges on fire

Morrells of Oxford Sunday League: Jamie Hodges hammered a hat-trick for Star Wanderers as they won 5-0 at Rose Hill in the Premier Division, writes GEOFF BOWER.  more...

FOOTBALL: United youth bow out to late goal

FA Youth Cup: Leyton Orient Youth 2, Oxford Utd Youth 1 Oxford United's promising run in the FA Youth Cup came to an end last night when they went down in the first round away to Leyton Orient.  more...

FOOTBALL: I 've no regrets about leaving says Mooney

Former Oxford United striker Tommy Mooney says he is fully expecting to get plenty more stick in tomorrow's FA Cup clash at Wycombe.  more...

FOOTBALL: It's Newport next for Didcot in Trophy hy

Didcot Town saw off Chippenham 3-1 after extra time in their FA Trophy 2nd qualifying round replay on Tuesday to book a home tie against Newport County on November 25.  more...

FOOTBALL: It's Newport next for Didcot in Trophy

Didcot Town saw off Chippenham 3-1 after extra time in their FA Trophy 2nd qualifying round replay on Tuesday to book a home tie against Newport County on November 25.  more...

FOOTBALL: It's unlucky 13 for Abingdon

Abingdon United made it 13 goals conceded in two matches as they lost 5-2 at home to Burnham on Tuesday in the second round of the Berks & Bucks Senior Cup.  more...

FOOTBALL: Dominant Dorchester go nap

Last season's semi-finalists Dorchester United embarked on another campaign in the Oxon FA's Sam Waters Cup with a convincing 5-0 victory over Highfield Social Club in the second round on Sunday, writes Tim Siret.  more...

FOOTBALL: Milton fall at first hurdle

Milton United bowed out of the Hellenic League's Linaker Insurance Brokers Cup at the first hurdle at they lost 3-2 at home to Shortwood on Saturday.  more...

FOOTBALL: It's Newport County next for Didcot in Trophy

Didcot Town saw off Chippenham Town 3-1 after extra time in their FA Trophy second qualifying round replay on Tuesday to book a home tie against Newport County on November 25.  more...

FOOTBALL: Dirty dozen as Abingdon crash out!

Abingdon United's first venture into the FA Trophy ended in an extraordinary 8-4 defeat away to Southern League Premier Division opponents Hemel Hempstead in their second qualifying round tie on Saturday.  more...

FOOTBALL: Saxton keep up the pressure

Second-placed Saxton Rovers kept up the pressure on North Berks League Division 1 leaders Ardington & Lockinge with a 3-2 victory against defending champions Lambourn Sports.  more...

FOOTBALL: Saxton keep up the pressure

Second-placed Saxton Rovers kept up the pressure on North Berks League Division 1 leaders Ardington & Lockinge with a 3-2 victory against defending champions Lambourn Sports.  more...

FOOTBALL: Vale Boys hit Banbury for six

VALE of White Horse Under 14s bounced back from conceding an early goal to brush aside Banbury & District 6-1 in a friendly at Bicester Community College.  more...

FOOTBALL: Jackass are laughing no longer

Jackass Inn suffered their first defeat of the season in Division 1 of the Autotype UTV League when they lost 3-2 to Sandman.  more...

FOOTBALL: Cholsey drop first points

Cholsey United lost their 100 per cent record in the Reading Sunday League when they drew 3-3 at home to main Division 1 West title challengers Southbank.  more...

Gardening

Magic of meadows

Choose your seeds carefully for a truly native spectacle, writes VAL BOURNE Establishing a meadow is probably the hardest thing of all to achieve in a garden. It can take years of effort. Yet it's thoroughly worthwhile because having native wildflowers will sustain and attract wildlife and meadows look so much more interesting than plain, shorn lawn.  more...

Magic of meadows

Choose your seeds carefully for a truly native spectacle, writes VAL BOURNE Establishing a meadow is probably the hardest thing of all to achieve in a garden. It can take years of effort. Yet it's thoroughly worthwhile because having native wildflowers will sustain and attract wildlife and meadows look so much more interesting than plain, shorn lawn.  more...

Magic of Meadows

Choose your seeds carefully for a truly native spectacle, writes VAL BOURNE Establishing a meadow is probably the hardest thing of all to achieve in a garden. It can take years of effort. Yet it's thoroughly worthwhile because having native wildflowers will sustain and attract wildlife and meadows look so much more interesting than plain, shorn lawn.  more...

Golf

Pepperell's England call

FRILFORD HEATH junior Eddie Pepperell has been named in the England Under 18 squad after some excellent display in 2006.  more...

GOLF: Burford just miss out

BURFORD were denied top spot in Section 2 of the Shaw & Co Oxfordshire Foursomes League after a 2-1 loss at The Oxfordshire.  more...

GOLF: Results round-up

FRILFORD HEATH Ladies' October Par Competition - Div 1: 1 P Kendall +4, 2 J Simpson level, 3 M Glennie -2 (cb). Div 2: 1 J Stringer +4, 2 M Wilson +1, 3 C Chapman -1.  more...

Gray Matter

Switch off lights fora jam-free city

It seems reasonable to suppose - Tory that he is - that the county council's traffic supremo David Robertson reads the Daily Telegraph. I wonder if he read it on Saturday when my one-time colleague David Millward, now the DT's transport correspondent, told his readers about the happy Dutch town of Drachten. Why happy? Because they have got rid of almost all of their traffic lights (the last will be going very soon) - and, in so doing, have eliminated delays and congestion. Motorists, cyclists and pedestrians, David reports, "co-exist more happily and safely".  more...

Switch off lights fora jam-free city

It seems reasonable to suppose - Tory that he is - that the county council's traffic supremo David Robertson reads the Daily Telegraph. I wonder if he read it on Saturday when my one-time colleague David Millward, now the DT's transport correspondent, told his readers about the happy Dutch town of Drachten. Why happy? Because they have got rid of almost all of their traffic lights (the last will be going very soon) - and, in so doing, have eliminated delays and congestion. Motorists, cyclists and pedestrians, David reports, "co-exist more happily and safely".  more...

Switch off lights for a jam-free city

It seems reasonable to suppose - Tory that he is - that the county council's traffic supremo David Robertson reads the Daily Telegraph. I wonder if he read it on Saturday when my one-time colleague David Millward, now the DT's transport correspondent, told his readers about the happy Dutch town of Drachten. Why happy? Because they have got rid of almost all of their traffic lights (the last will be going very soon) - and, in so doing, have eliminated delays and congestion. Motorists, cyclists and pedestrians, David reports, "co-exist more happily and safely".  more...

Headlines

Two gold medals for Yuri Anderegg

AWARD-winning Witney Gazette photographer Yuri Anderegg has been to Austria to pick up two awards in an annual competition recognising the world's best photographs.  more...

Healthy food takes over

HEALTHY food seems to have proved a hit in some county secondary schools, as more pupils sign up for school dinners.  more...

Healthy food takes over

HEALTHY food seems to have proved a hit in some county secondary schools, as more pupils sign up for school dinners.  more...

Ice Hockey

ICE HOCKEY: Stars gun down Spitfires

OXFORD City Stars bounced back to winning ways with an 8-3 victory at bottom club Romford Spitfires in the English National League South Division.  more...

Kids Week

Fun at the theatre

The Wolves in the Walls Oxford Playhouse It's described as a musical pandemonium, but is far more than that. It's a real cracker of a show suitable for all those children who aren't easily scared. The Wolves in the Walls, based on the cult book by Neil Gailman and Dave McKean, opens at the Oxford Playhouse later this month. It's a show full of ingenious theatrical magic, sudden shocks and great jokes, which manages to be both very scary and yet reassuring at the same time.  more...

Fun at the theatre

The Wolves in the Walls Oxford Playhouse It's described as a musical pandemonium, but is far more than that. It's a real cracker of a show suitable for all those children who aren't easily scared. The Wolves in the Walls, based on the cult book by Neil Gailman and Dave McKean, opens at the Oxford Playhouse later this month. It's a show full of ingenious theatrical magic, sudden shocks and great jokes, which manages to be both very scary and yet reassuring at the same time.  more...

Leader

A nettle to grasp

We have been speculating for several years about what the Government really thinks about the Green Belt around Oxford and the scale of housing that is required in the region.  more...

Cost of weather

We are not convinced by Oxfordshire County Council's claim this week that climate change has cost it £16.4m. Its attempts to put a figure on what is being billed as the biggest challenge to our future wellbeing and prosperity is laughable. It adds very little to the debate.  more...

Jury still out on revamp

Forgive us if we do not join the celebrations marking the deal between the Vale council and Threadneedle on the future of the Bury Street shopping precinct.  more...

Letters

Three-star service

I would like to clear up any misunderstanding surrounding the position of tenants who wish to exercise their right to buy on the Webbs Close and Jordan Hill estates in Oxford, following Robert Knight's letter, One star service (Oxford Mail, October 31).  more...

We're tired of being bullied

I gather Britain is due to launch itself into the vanguard of the fight against climate change with green taxes - just like we pay for compliance with every EU directive which other member states ignore and just like we jump into every US-initiated war.  more...

Voice views on housing sites

Sir, South Oxfordshire District Council is running a consultation about where the new housing the Government is forcing us to take should be built.  more...

Only answer

Sir, I've read accounts of the Greenpeace protest at Didcot power station with great interest because it appears to reveal that at long last they are facing up to the reality that the UK needs more nuclear power stations.  more...

Time for action

Sir, I was returning home from holiday and the first news I heard was that the Labour Government was going to lead the way on climate change. Very admirable and, hopefully, a move to save the planet.  more...

'Sorry'

Sir, We would like to express our regret for the distress caused last week, when the reopening of a grave at Wallingford cemetery led to excavated soil covering nearby headstones.  more...

Traffic scheme

Sir, As councillor Legge stated two weeks ago, the AbITS project is not completed. Councillor Sandy Lovett, in his letter last week, seems to forget that it was in fact an all-party agreement headed and financed by the county council. The project steering group included input from the Vale, the town, the chamber of commerce and other interested residents and was widely consulted upon.  more...

'Try harder'

Sir, Councillor Sandy Lovatt claims that AbITS is 100 per cent a Lib Dem project and that Lib Dems are nervous about how "their plans" will turn out (Letters, November 2).  more...

Nuisance

Sir, In response to a letter in The Herald of 2 November 2, in June this year, a resident living near Ladygrove Park addressed the annual town meeting on the antisocial behaviour taking place in the car park. At the next meeting of the environment committee, in September, action was taken.  more...

'Shame'

Sir, Thanks for reporting the good news for Ladygrove residents, it's a shame that the report makes it look as if the leader of the council has sorted this all out. The environment committee, with the backing of the full town council from both sides, decided to do this, not one person. Let us hope there are other ways we all can improve Didcot, by all working together.  more...

Say 'No'

Sir, I was glad to see the report in The Herald of the vigil that Faringdon Peace Group and Quakers held to support Quakers blockading and witnessing for peace at the Trident submarine base at Faslane in Scotland, where Britain's nuclear weapons are kept.  more...

Motorsport

Nakajima signs as Williams test driver

THE Grove-based WilliamsF1team have named Japanese driver Kazuki Nakajima, 21, as a team test driver.  more...

Music

What's On, jazz and contemporary music, Nov 10-17

There are three significant events this week. First, as described last week, the free improvisation end of jazz, brings together some of the best in both the UK and the US at a gig tonight in the Jacqueline du Pr Music Building. The performance will feature the Convergence Quartet, with trumpeter Taylor Ho Bynum and drummer Harris Eisenstadt, backed by Oxford's Dom Lash and Al Hawkins, plus pianist Veryon Weston's trio with Paul May on drums and Dom Lash on bass. This is an historic event in the free improvisation diary which deserves a full house.  more...

Merrie England, Oxford Operatic Society, Holywell Music Room

While rehearsing for their forthcoming production of West Side Story, members of the Oxford Operatic Society took time out to celebrate their 60th anniversary with an exuberant selection of highlights from Merrie England and White Horse Inn.  more...

Chorus Exeter College Chapel

'Welcome to the visitors from afar," begins Karanga, by New Zealand composer David Hamilton. The words are underlined by the deep sounds of a conch shell (expertly played by Mark Prowen). It all made for a fitting start to this unusual mix of music from two very different eras and places - present day New Zealand and Renaissance England. No sooner had the conch shell finished reverberating around the high, vaulted rafters of Exeter College Chapel, than those same rafters were echoing to the instruction "Blow the trumpet in the new moon," a line from William Byrd's anthem Sing joyfully unto God our strength. No actual trumpet involved; instead, very well-balanced, crisp singing from the group Choros.  more...

Gilad Atzmon, The Spin

While discussing what to play next, Gilad Atzmon turned to the audience then changed his mind. "Why should I ask you?", he said, "You paid to suffer". There was an irony in this typical Atzmon remark as, sitting on a stool, he explained he had recently broken both arms and needed to support the weight of the sax. As the evening progressed it was clear it was Atzmon who was suffering. Yet this injection of pain seemed to drive a musician who is well-known for the unrelenting pace and fire of his playing to reach even greater heights. The evening was virtually a muscular torrent of music with brief eddies and sudden depths.  more...

News

MPs vote for Gatsos

Cash plea for 'effective deterrent' MPs have demanded more speed cameras to prevent deaths on Oxfordshire's roads.  more...

Death toll on the roads continues to grow

THE death toll on Oxfordshire's roads this year has now reached a total of 50.  more...

Raiders snatch £70,000 clothing from farm

BURGLARS broke into a farm building and stole thousands of pounds of outdoor clothing.  more...

Man died after crashing into digger

A DRIVER died after crashing into a stationary digger while driving through roadworks on the A34 while more than four times the legal drink-drive limit.  more...

Angelis are flying high

FORGET Robbie Williams and Girls Aloud, pupils at Wallingford School are loving Angelis instead.  more...

Angelis are flying high

FORGET Robbie Williams and Girls Aloud, pupils at Wallingford School are loving Angelis instead.  more...

Path closes for resurfacing

A BUSY cycle path will be closed for the next two weeks while its pot-holed surface is replaced.  more...

Safety call over roundabout danger

COUNCILLORS have demanded improved safety at Witney's busy mini-roundabouts after two serious accidents last week.  more...

Man faces fight to keep wind turbine

A MAN may have to take down his wind turbine if his neighbours find it too noisy.  more...

Man faces fight to keep wind turbine

A MAN may have to take down his wind turbine if his neighbours find it too noisy.  more...

Student wins media accolade

A STUDENT from Oxford University has won a media award for his work as critic for the student paper Cherwell.  more...

Oh dear what can the matter be . . .

CHARITY worker Jennifer Fox was stuck for eight hours in a lavatory.  more...

Bio fuel trial may spark fleet conversion

A COMPANY'S entire bus fleet could be converted to run on environmentally-friendly plant oil within a year.  more...

Council 'poor value for money'

OXFORD has been revealed as one of the poorest value-for-money district councils in the country.  more...

Murder suspect's 'strange behaviour'

AN ALLEGED murderer told his co-accused to "shut up" in front of police as Guy Thomas, right, lay on his sofa with a head wound, a jury was told yesterday.  more...

Soap drives into trouble

THE 15,000th episode of radio soap The Archers was an everyday tale familiar to Oxford folk as a key character got caught up in city traffic.  more...

Motorists injured in blackspot crash

POLICE closed a road after a car crash near where a 21-year-old was killed at the weekend.  more...

Girl, 14, sexually assaulted at bus stop

POLICE today appealed for witnesses after a 14-year-old girl was sexually assaulted in Cowley Road, Littlemore.  more...

Girl, 14, sexually assaulted at bus stop

POLICE today appealed for witnesses after a 14-year-old girl was sexually assaulted in Cowley Road, Littlemore.  more...

Girl, 14, sexually assaulted at bus stop

POLICE today appealed for witnesses after a 14-year-old girl was sexually assaulted in Cowley Road, Littlemore.  more...

Raiders target disabled parking permits

DISABLED parking permits have been stolen in a series of car break-ins across Oxford.  more...

£20,000 vans stolen in raid

RAIDERS have stolen thousands of pounds worth of equipment from a Didcot business, including two Ford Transit vans.  more...

New threat to city's Green Belt

THE GOVERNMENT is preparing to reopen the debate on the future of Oxford's Green Belt and the number of homes that the county should absorb.  more...

Green power plan for West End

A NEW greener energy system to deliver heat and power to Oxford's West End is being investigated by Oxford City Council.  more...

Council counts cost of climate change

CLIMATE change has already cost Oxfordshire County Council £16.4m, it was claimed this week.  more...

More delays on railways

RAIL passengers are being advised to allow extra time for their journeys over the weekend, due to engineering work.  more...

Explore criminal history

VISITORS can take a tour of Oxford's old Crown Court and the secret tunnel to the former Oxford Prison when it opens its doors for charity this weekend.  more...

Sergeants take on lawyers' duties

PROSECUTION solicitors will spend less time in Oxfordshire's police cells as sergeants become responsible for charging offenders.  more...

Arts centre ready in 2008

BUILDING work will start on Didcot's long-overdue arts centre project next month after construction contracts were signed this week.  more...

Mother fears further tragedies

A GRIEVING mother who lost her son in a road crash is attracting major support for her campaign to get safety improvements before another life is lost.  more...

Pond fans gathering

POND lovers will meet to discuss their favourite topic at a special conference in Oxford on Saturday, November 25.  more...

Art show

AN EXHIBITION and sale of Susan Keeble's original framed illustrations for children's book The Cheetah's Tale, by Julia Johnson, takes place at the Garden Centre Gallery, Burford, from today to November 25.  more...

Bus route to JR back in service

ABINGDON'S direct hospital bus service to Oxford is being revived after 18 months off the road.  more...

Revamp for shopping precinct

AFTER 18 years of complex negotiations, an agreement has finally been struck over refurbishing Abingdon's Bury Street shopping precinct.  more...

Revamp for shopping precinct

AFTER 18 years of complex negotiations, an agreement has finally been struck over refurbishing Abingdon's Bury Street shopping precinct.  more...

Ancients’ holy site revealed

AN ARCHAEOLOGIST surveying Northmoor has accidentally discovered a sacred landscape' created in the Bronze Age Robin Brunner-Ellis was amazed when he stumbled upon a pattern of features in the landscape made by ancient people to communicate with their gods.  more...

Boys injured in street robbery

TWO teenagers suffered facial injuries after a violent street robbery in Oxford.  more...

Boys injured in street robbery

TWO teenagers suffered facial injuries after a violent street robbery in Oxford.  more...

Status Que rock into town

FRANCIS Rossi and Rick Parfitt, members of MEMBERS of rock band Status Quo, will be signing copies of their new book Status Quo: The Official 40th Anniversary Edition, at Waterstone's in Broad Street, Oxford on Friday, November 17, at 12.30pm.  more...

Status Quo rock into town

FRANCIS Rossi and Rick Parfitt, members of MEMBERS of rock band Status Quo, will be signing copies of their new book Status Quo: The Official 40th Anniversary Edition, at Waterstone's in Broad Street, Oxford on Friday, November 17, at 12.30pm.  more...

Status Quo rock into town

FRANCIS Rossi and Rick Parfitt, members of MEMBERS of rock band Status Quo, will be signing copies of their new book Status Quo: The Official 40th Anniversary Edition, at Waterstone's in Broad Street, Oxford, on Friday, November 17, at 12.30pm.  more...

Status Quo rock into town

FRANCIS Rossi and Rick Parfitt, members of MEMBERS of rock band Status Quo, will be signing copies of their new book Status Quo: The Official 40th Anniversary Edition, at Waterstone's in Broad Street, Oxford, on Friday, November 17, at 12.30pm.  more...

Sainsbury sends in the clampers

SHOPKEEPERS are fuming after one of the companies behind Bicester's town centre redevelopment stopped them parking in a busy service yard.  more...

Bronze Age barrows on SW site

THE DISCOVERY of 'nationally important' bronze age burial mounds on the edge of Bicester has prompted a housing developer to change its plans.  more...

Can you help?

A WOULD-BE burglar tried to break in to a house in Wendlebury overnight last Monday by forcing the back door.  more...

JCB crash victim was over drink-drive limit

A DRIVER died after crashing into a stationary digger while driving through roadworks on the A34 while more than four times the legal drink-drive limit.  more...

Woman dies in Bullingdon crash

A WOMAN driver has become the latest fatality in a bleak year on Oxfordshire roads following a two-car smash on a busy road near Bicester on Tuesday morning.  more...

Street Warden plan approved

BICESTER should get its first street wardens next year after the scheme was given the go-ahead by Cherwell District Council.  more...

Islip man denies murder

A MAN has denied murdering Oxford window cleaner Roy Helm.  more...

Bicester trio plead not guilty

THREE Bicester men have denied attempting to murder Craig Kelly, unlawfully and malicously wounding Wayne Bosher, and violent disorder.  more...

Sainsbury sends in the clampers

SHOPKEEPERS are fuming after one of the companies behind Bicester's town centre redevelopment stopped them parking in a busy service yard.  more...

Sainsbury sends in the clampers

SHOPKEEPERS are fuming after one of the companies behind Bicester's town centre redevelopment stopped them parking in a busy service yard.  more...

£50 cost of parking permit

THE proposed price of residents' parking permits in Bicester has been cut by 75 per cent following opposition from local people.  more...

£20,000 vans stolen in raid

RAIDERS have stolen thousands of pounds worth of equipment from a Didcot business, including two Ford Transit vans.  more...

£20,000 vans stolen in raid

RAIDERS have stolen thousands of pounds worth of equipment from a Didcot business, including two Ford Transit vans.  more...

Obituaries

Young author was big talent

An Oxford author who died after a fall from a multi-storey car park has been described as "a hugely talented writer" by his publisher.  more...

Respected football administrator

A MAN renowned for his commitment to Oxfordshire football has died, aged 76.  more...

Talented Oxford author

AN OXFORD author described as "a hugely talented writer" who recently had his first novel published has died.  more...

Talented Oxford author

AN OXFORD author described as "a hugely talented writer" who recently had his first novel published has died.  more...

Offers

Red Bordeaux case, £96

The Red Bordeaux case costs £96 and contains three bottles each of 2004 Chateau du Pin-Franc; 2003 Chateau Nardou; Ch Haut Gaudin 2001; 2002 Chateau Haut Gaudin Cuvee Prestige.   more...

Other Sport

BAR BILLIARDS: Title joy for Horse & Harrow

Horse & Harrow, West Hagbourne, are celebrating after winning the National Team Championship.  more...

BAR BILLIARDS: French saves face for Demos

Brian French saved Democrats A from an embarrassing defeat at the hands of their B team in Section 1.  more...

TABLE TENNIS: Misseldine and Hamilton prove less is more

Two men proved better than three for St James A as they defeated Rutherford 7-3 in Division 1.  more...

BOXING: Victorious Vince is just so handy

Wolvercote light heavyweight Vince Sessegnon stormed through to the quarter-finals of this year's ABA championships after demolishing Bushey rival Miles Shinkwin inside two rounds.  more...

RACING: Knight has high hopes for Ringaroses

West Lockinge trainer Henrietta Knight is dreaming of Cheltenham Festival glory with Ringaroses after the gelding made a winning debut over hurdles at Kempton.  more...

RACING: Knight has high hopes for Ringaroses

West Lockinge trainer Henrietta Knight is dreaming of Cheltenham Festival glory with Ringaroses after the gelding made a winning debut over hurdles at Kempton.  more...

HOCKEY: Hawks are grounded

Oxford Hawks remain rooted to the foot of the National South Division table after suffering two defeats in two days.  more...

ROWING: City juniors in the medals

City of Oxford juniors captured four medals in the part in Henley Sculling Head last weekend.  more...

ROWING: City juniors in the medals

City of Oxford juniors captured four medals in the part in Henley Sculling Head last weekend.  more...

RESULTS: November 9

RESULTS FOOTBALL FA TROPHY 2nd qual round: Hemel Hempstead Tn 8, Abingdon Utd 4; Chippenham Tn 3, Didcot Tn 3.  more...

FIXTURES November 9

FIXTURES SATURDAY FOOTBALL BRITISH GAS BUSINESS SOUTHERN LEAGUE Div 1 South & West: Abingdon Utd v Swindon Supermarine, Hanwell Tn v Didcot Tn.  more...

FIXTURES November 9

FIXTURES SATURDAY FOOTBALL BRITISH GAS BUSINESS SOUTHERN LEAGUE Div 1 South & West: Abingdon Utd v Swindon Supermarine, Hanwell Tn v Didcot Tn.  more...

SNOOKER: Peter's classic win lifts Wallingford A

Wallingford A saw off rivals Wantage A 4-1 to move into second place, five points behind Oracle A in Premier & Division 1 of the Didcot & District League.  more...

SNOOKER: Peter's classic win lifts Wallingford A

Wallingford A saw off rivals Wantage A 4-1 to move into second place, five points behind Oracle A in Premier & Division 1 of the Didcot & District League.  more...

BAR BILLIARDS: Horse & harow are national champs

Horse & Harrow, West Hagbourne, are celebrating after winning the National Team Champ- ionship.  more...

BAR BILLIARDS: Horse & harow are national champs

Horse & Harrow, West Hagbourne, are celebrating after winning the National Team Championship.  more...

BADMINTON: Campbell and King rule for Colts

Jonathan Campbell and Amanda King led Oxon Colts to a fine 245-181 win over Windrush to move into second place in Division 1 of the Five Disciplines League.  more...

TABLE TENNIS: Unbeaten Deeley can't halt Drayton

Drayton A took over leadership of Division 1 in the Didcot & District League by beating Abingdon B 6-4, writes Roger Templeman.  more...

GYMNASTICS: Abbie's golden double

Wantage captured a total of three gold medals in the Oxfordshire Individual Apparatus Championships at the Phoenix Gymnastics Club in Maidenhead on Sunday.  more...

RACING: Knight has high hopes for Ringaroses

West Lockinge trainer Henrietta Knight is dreaming of Cheltenham Festival glory with Ringaroses after the gelding made a winning debut over hurdles at Kempton.  more...

RACING: Knight has high hopes for Ringaroses

West Lockinge trainer Henrietta Knight is dreaming of Cheltenham Festival glory with Ringaroses after the gelding made a winning debut over hurdles at Kempton.  more...

RACING: Knight has high hopes for Ringaroses

West Lockinge trainer Henrietta Knight is dreaming of Cheltenham Festival glory with Ringaroses after the gelding made a winning debut over hurdles at Kempton.  more...

Oxford News

Poor value

Oxford has been revealed as one of the poorest value-for-money district councils in the country.  more...

My loo hell

Getting stuck in a toilet is no lav-ing matter, as Jennifer Fox found out after spending eight hours trapped in one.  more...

Murder suspect's 'strange behaviour'

An alleged murderer told his co-accused to "shut up" in front of police as Guy Thomas, lay on his sofa with a head wound, a jury was told yesterday.  more...

Murder suspect's 'strange behaviour'

An alleged murderer told his co-accused to "shut up" in front of police as Guy Thomas, lay on his sofa with a head wound, a jury was told yesterday.  more...

Coffin demo sparks row

A row erupted yesterday over the use of a child-sized coffin in a campaign for a pedestrian crossing.  more...

Asbo nuisance faces new ban

A man who became the first in the county to be named and shamed in a poster campaign about his Asbo has been banned from more areas of Oxford.  more...

Tory idols

Forget Strictly Come Dancing, these are the four Tory A-listers who will battle for the public vote and the chance to represent Oxford West and Abingdon after the next General Election.  more...

Ancients’ holy site revealed

An archaeologist surveying Northmoor has accidentally discovered a sacred landscape' created in the Bronze Age.  more...

Ali takes big step forward

An Oxford woman has completed a 2,500-mile trek across Europe - 18 months after she baffled doctors by being unable to walk forwards.  more...

Safe sparkles

This year's bonfire weekend celebrations in Oxfordshire were one of the safest in years, say fire chiefs.  more...

Hopping on board latest craze

Forget the bus, more and more children are using 'push power' to get to school in style on today's latest must-have accessory - the scooter.  more...

Residents lose willow battle

Residents of Oxford's Osney Island lost their battle over the felling of riverside willows in East Street when city council workers turned up to finish the job.  more...

Police 'tried to save man’s life'

Police searching the graveyard of SS Mary & John Church in March Police officers battled in vain to save a man's life after he stopped breathing during a struggle in a graveyard.  more...

Teen suffers sex attack

A 14-year-old girl was sexually assaulted in Oxford yesterday as she waited for a bus.  more...

Disabled permits stolen

Parking permits for disabled people have been stolen in a series of car break-ins across Oxford.  more...

Police praised after inquest

Police praised after inquest Police officers have been praised for their actions during a struggle in which a man died in an Oxford churchyard.  more...

Trust set for £33m saving

A hospital trust is on course to make a £33m saving this year despite figures forecasting a multi-million pound deficit.  more...

Pasttimes

Jackson — creator of modern Oxford

A new book puts the spotlight on the forgotten architect of Oxford, writes CHRIS KOENIG Who designed the Bridge of Sighs in Oxford, or the ornate New Examination Schools, or the former High School for Girls in St Giles, with its apparently perfect Georgian lines, or the Military College in Temple Cowley, which Lord Nuffield later made his campaign headquarters for driving Morris Motors forward, or the chapel at Balliol, the cricket pavilion in the University Parks, or the restoration of Carfax Tower?  more...

Recipes

Jam roly poly pudding

HAVE you noticed the resurgence of interest in all those old fashioned puddings which Oxfordshire poet Pam Ayres celebrates in her popular poem, Puddings - A Slice of Nostalgia?  more...

Restaurants

The Sahara, Wheatsheaf Yard, Oxford

I had been registering the steady - seemingly rather slow - progress on creating the new Sahara bar and restaurant on my evening bike rides through the city centre. "Opening in September" was the legend on a large banner outside the premises at the bottom of the Wheatsheaf Yard, behind Oxford Town Hall. But September came and went with no sign that it was ready for business. Most of October too. Then, a couple of weeks ago, I noticed the door was open. As I slowed to take a peek, a young man stepped forward and handed me a leaflet promoting the place. It offered 20 per cent off food, or a first round of drinks in the bar, during November. When I decided to make use of it a week later, I could find it nowhere - but what the hell, we'd go anyway.  more...

Results

RESULTS: November 10

RESULTS FOOTBALL NATIONWIDE CONFERENCE Oxford United 2, Aldershot 0.  more...

RESULTS: November 10

RESULTS FOOTBALL NATIONWIDE CONFERENCE Oxford United 2, Aldershot 0.  more...

Rugby

RUGBY: Ton-up Wallingford break record

Wallingford set a new club record score when they demolished Littlemore 136-0 in the BB&O Premier Division on Saturday.  more...

RUGBY: Battling Grove run out of steam

A fine individual try from Jamie Burns couldn't save Grove from a 27-10 defeat at Witney in Southern Counties North.  more...

RUGBY: Harwell prove no match for rivals

Harwell could not match hosts Bracknell 3rd's pace as they lost 25-5 in BB&O Division 1 South.  more...

Share Prices

Today's local share prices (AM)

AEA Technology 99 BMW 2942 Electrocomponents 287.5 Isoft Group 34.25 Oxford Biomedica 30 Oxford Instruments 196.5 Oxonica 163 Reed Elsevier 599.75 RM 175 RPS 241 Torex Retail 45.25   more...

Today's local share prices (AM)

AEA Technology 99 BMW 2942 Electrocomponents 287.5 Isoft Group 34.25 Oxford Biomedica 30 Oxford Instruments 196.5 Oxonica 163 Reed Elsevier 599.75 RM 175 RPS 241 Torex Retail 45.25   more...

Today's local shares (PM)

09/11/2006 PM AEA Technology 98 BMW 2935 Electrocomponents 287.5 Isoft Group 34.25 Oxford Biomedica 30 Oxford Instruments 197 Oxonica 161.5 Reed Elsevier 598.75 RM 182 RPS 242.5 Torex Retail 45.25   more...

Today's local shares (PM)

AEA Technology 98 BMW 2935 Electrocomponents 287.5 Isoft Group 34.25 Oxford Biomedica 30 Oxford Instruments 197 Oxonica 161.5 Reed Elsevier 598.75 RM 182 RPS 242.5 Torex Retail 45.25   more...

Theatre

The Memory of Water, Oxford Theatre Guild, Keble College

'It's quite tricky, being nice, isn't it?" Mary says pointedly to her sister Teresa. The relationship between them is far from close, and they have gathered for their mother's funeral. Soon they are joined by younger sister Catherine, who clonks in on a pair of platform shoes. "You can't wear those at mother's funeral," snaps Mary immediately.  more...

Guys and Dolls, Picadilly Theatre, London

Guys and Dolls defines a type of cool that's just not fashionable any more: the kind of cool that wears pin-stripes, and sees nothing wrong with slapping the secretary's bottom. For unapologetically unreformed males like myself, it's about the most comfortable one can be while watching men dance.  more...

Raw deal

As a new play challenging public perceptions of asylum-seekers heads for Oxford's Pegasus Theatre, NICOLA LISLE talks to playwright Sonja Linden Asylum-seekers generally get a raw deal in the press. Many are viewed by the public with suspicion and alarm. Yet, behind the headlines, there are some compelling and inspiring stories of courage and determination in the face of unimaginable violence and terror. This is what Sonja Linden, herself the daughter of refugees from Nazi Germany, hopes to emphasise in her new play, Crocodile Seeking Refuge.  more...

Travel Features

Life on the chain gang

If asked to name my favourite holiday destination, France would be pretty high up the list.  more...

Wallingford

'Sorry, m'lud, will do better'

AFTER showing his ignorance about one of Wallingford's most famous sons, Judge William Blackstone, deputy mayor Marcus Harris is to set the record straight.  more...

'Sorry, m'lud, will do better'

AFTER showing his ignorance about one of Wallingford's most famous sons, Judge William Blackstone, deputy mayor Marcus Harris is to set the record straight.  more...

Move to redevelop town centre area

WALLINGFORD Town Council is taking the lead in trying to get the area around the old Waitrose building in the town centre redeveloped.  more...

Parades to honour war fallen

TOWNS and villages will remember their war dead with ceremonies at their war memorials on Remembrance Sunday this weekend.  more...

Amy, 11, set to top charts this weekend

FORGET Robbie Williams and Girls Aloud - pupils at Wallingford School are loving Angelis instead.  more...

New town plan is 'highly speculative'

PLANS for housing at Didcot and the Wallingford area are unlikely to be affected by proposals for a new town 20 miles away on the edge of Thame.  more...

First bus runs on soya

ONE company's entire bus fleet could be converted to run on environmentally-friendly pure plant oil within a year.  more...

Wantage And Grove

Dealing with student anger

KING Alfred's Community and Sports College, Wantage, has adopted a pioneering stance in supporting students with problems.  more...

Reservoir challengers

COUNCILS and the Environment Agency are joining forces for a combined "robust" challenge to plans for a huge new reservoir between Abingdon and Wantage.  more...

Diamond 'light for the future'

PRIME Minister Tony Blair visited the UK's biggest science project for 30 years at Harwell last Thursday.  more...

Home wind turbine go-ahead — on trial

A MAN who wants to help cut global warming with a wind turbine at his home has been given a year's trial period.  more...

Parades to honour war fallen

TOWNS and villages will remember their war dead with ceremonies at their war memorials on Remembrance Sunday this weekend.  more...

School to be its own boss

KING Alfred's Community and Sports College will become Oxfordshire's first foundation school.  more...

Councils welcome 30mph proposal

COUNCILLORS in Wantage and Grove have welcomed further steps to curb speeding drivers using the main A338 road from Oxford.  more...

Wantage News

Going solo

King Alfred's Community and Sports College will become Oxfordshire's first foundation school.  more...

Witney News

Woman trapped in car

Firefighters spent an hour supporting the body of a severely injured elderly woman as she was cut free from the mangled wreck of her car.  more...

Abingdon Herald News

First bus runs on soya

ONE company's entire bus fleet could be converted to run on environmentally-friendly pure plant oil within a year.   more...

School to be its own boss

KING Alfred's Community and Sports College will become Oxfordshire's first foundation school.   more...

Councils welcome 30mph proposal

COUNCILLORS in Wantage and Grove have welcomed further steps to curb speeding drivers using the main A338 road from Oxford.   more...

£20,000 vans stolen in raid

RAIDERS have stolen thousands of pounds worth of equipment from a Didcot business, including two Ford Transit vans.   more...

£1.7m boost for precinct

AFTER 18 years of complex negotiations, an agreement over refurbishing Abingdon's Bury Street shopping precinct has finally been struck.   more...

Lights at the end of the tunnel . . .

THE next stage in Abingdon's new traffic system - lights near Hales Meadow car park in Culham Road - is a step closer.   more...

Mum in plea on blackspot

THE next stage in Abingdon's new traffic system - lights near Hales Meadow car park in Culham Road - is a step closer.   more...

Vaizey's criticism of Greenpeace stunt

WANTAGE and Didcot MP Ed Vaizey has branded last week's Greenpeace protest at Didcot Power Station as an "absurd stunt".   more...

Abingdon Herald Sport

RACING: Knight has high hopes for Ringaroses

West Lockinge trainer Henrietta Knight is dreaming of Cheltenham Festival glory with Ringaroses after the gelding made a winning debut over hurdles at Kempton.   more...

RESULTS: November 9

RESULTS   more...

FIXTURES November 9

FIXTURES   more...

SNOOKER: Peter's classic win lifts Wallingford A

Wallingford A saw off rivals Wantage A 4-1 to move into second place, five points behind Oracle A in Premier & Division 1 of the Didcot & District League.   more...

BAR BILLIARDS: Horse & harow are national champs

Horse & Harrow, West Hagbourne, are celebrating after winning the National Team Championship.   more...

BADMINTON: Campbell and King rule for Colts

Jonathan Campbell and Amanda King led Oxon Colts to a fine 245-181 win over Windrush to move into second place in Division 1 of the Five Disciplines League.   more...

TABLE TENNIS: Unbeaten Deeley can't halt Drayton

Drayton A took over leadership of Division 1 in the Didcot & District League by beating Abingdon B 6-4, writes Roger Templeman.   more...

GYMNASTICS: Abbie's golden double

Wantage captured a total of three gold medals in the Oxfordshire Individual Apparatus Championships at the Phoenix Gymnastics Club in Maidenhead on Sunday.   more...

RACING: Knight has high hopes for Ringaroses

West Lockinge trainer Henrietta Knight is dreaming of Cheltenham Festival glory with Ringaroses after the gelding made a winning debut over hurdles at Kempton.   more...

Bicester Advertiser News

Bronze Age barrows on SW site

THE DISCOVERY of 'nationally important' bronze age burial mounds on the edge of Bicester has prompted a housing developer to change its plans.   more...

Can you help?

A WOULD-BE burglar tried to break in to a house in Wendlebury overnight last Monday by forcing the back door.   more...

JCB crash victim was over drink-drive limit

A DRIVER died after crashing into a stationary digger while driving through roadworks on the A34 while more than four times the legal drink-drive limit.   more...

Woman dies in Bullingdon crash

A WOMAN driver has become the latest fatality in a bleak year on Oxfordshire roads following a two-car smash on a busy road near Bicester on Tuesday morning.   more...

Street Warden plan approved

BICESTER should get its first street wardens next year after the scheme was given the go-ahead by Cherwell District Council.   more...

Islip man denies murder

A MAN has denied murdering Oxford window cleaner Roy Helm.   more...

Bicester trio plead not guilty

THREE Bicester men have denied attempting to murder Craig Kelly, unlawfully and malicously wounding Wayne Bosher, and violent disorder.   more...

Sainsbury sends in the clampers

SHOPKEEPERS are fuming after one of the companies behind Bicester's town centre redevelopment stopped them parking in a busy service yard.   more...

£50 cost of parking permit

THE proposed price of residents' parking permits in Bicester has been cut by 75 per cent following opposition from local people.   more...

Bicester Advertiser Sport

MARTIAL ARTS: Roberts keep it in the family

Bicester schoolboy Mitchell Roberts will be looking to retain his open kata title when the 12-year-old competes in the 12-13 age group at the British International Junior Championships at Crystal Palace in January.   more...

TENNIS: Tim on parade

Oxfordshire's Tim Henman has recovered sufficiently from a knee injury to confirm he will play an exhibition match at London's Royal Albert Hall on December 5.   more...

Oxford Mail News

Hopping on board latest craze

Forget the bus, more and more children are using 'push power' to get to school in style on today's latest must-have accessory - the scooter.   more...

Link road safety bid builds up

A grieving mother who lost her son in a road accident is attracting major support for her campaign to get safety improvements before another life is wasted.   more...

Residents lose willow battle

Residents of Oxford's Osney Island lost their battle over the felling of riverside willows in East Street when city council workers turned up to finish the job.   more...

Poor value

Oxford has been revealed as one of the poorest value-for-money district councils in the country.   more...

My loo hell

Getting stuck in a toilet is no lav-ing matter, as Jennifer Fox found out after spending eight hours trapped in one.   more...

Murder suspect's 'strange behaviour'

An alleged murderer told his co-accused to "shut up" in front of police as Guy Thomas, lay on his sofa with a head wound, a jury was told yesterday.   more...

Teen suffers sex attack

A 14-year-old girl was sexually assaulted in Oxford yesterday as she waited for a bus.   more...

Disabled permits stolen

Parking permits for disabled people have been stolen in a series of car break-ins across Oxford.   more...

Going solo

King Alfred's Community and Sports College will become Oxfordshire's first foundation school.   more...

Raiders target business

Raiders have stolen thousands of pounds worth of equipment from a Didcot business, including two Ford Transit vans.   more...

Coffin demo sparks row

A row erupted yesterday over the use of a child-sized coffin in a campaign for a pedestrian crossing.   more...

Police 'tried to save man’s life'

Police searching the graveyard of SS Mary & John Church in March Police officers battled in vain to save a man's life after he stopped breathing during a struggle in a graveyard.   more...

Asbo nuisance faces new ban

A man who became the first in the county to be named and shamed in a poster campaign about his Asbo has been banned from more areas of Oxford.   more...

Tory idols

Forget Strictly Come Dancing, these are the four Tory A-listers who will battle for the public vote and the chance to represent Oxford West and Abingdon after the next General Election.   more...

Ancients’ holy site revealed

An archaeologist surveying Northmoor has accidentally discovered a sacred landscape' created in the Bronze Age.   more...

Woman trapped in car

Firefighters spent an hour supporting the body of a severely injured elderly woman as she was cut free from the mangled wreck of her car.   more...

'Consult again on Horton'

Two councillors have demanded another full public discussion on the future of Banbury's Horton Hospital when amended proposals are released.   more...

Police praised after inquest

Police praised after inquest   more...

Trust set for £33m saving

A hospital trust is on course to make a £33m saving this year despite figures forecasting a multi-million pound deficit.   more...

Revamp at last

After 18 years of complex negotiations, an agreement has finally been struck over refurbishing Abingdon's Bury Street shopping precinct.   more...

Ali takes big step forward

An Oxford woman has completed a 2,500-mile trek across Europe - 18 months after she baffled doctors by being unable to walk forwards.   more...

Bus route to JR back in service

Abingdon's direct hospital bus service to Oxford is being revived after 18 months off the road.   more...

Ready to quit

Two Oxfordshire district councils eager to become a unitary authority covering the south of the county are ready to ditch their plans.   more...

Safe sparkles

This year's bonfire weekend celebrations in Oxfordshire were one of the safest in years, say fire chiefs.   more...

Oxford Mail Sport

BAR BILLIARDS: Title joy for Horse & Harrow

Horse & Harrow, West Hagbourne, are celebrating after winning the National Team Championship.   more...

BAR BILLIARDS: French saves face for Demos

Brian French saved Democrats A from an embarrassing defeat at the hands of their B team in Section 1.   more...

TABLE TENNIS: Misseldine and Hamilton prove less is more

Two men proved better than three for St James A as they defeated Rutherford 7-3 in Division 1.   more...

BOXING: Victorious Vince is just so handy

Wolvercote light heavyweight Vince Sessegnon stormed through to the quarter-finals of this year's ABA championships after demolishing Bushey rival Miles Shinkwin inside two rounds.   more...

BAMINTON: Oxon 4th win decider

Oxon 4th opened their campaign in Division 5C of the Inter-Counties Championships with a dramatic 8-7 win over Gloucestershire 3rd at Gloucester.   more...

The Oxford Times News

Priest will enter pleas next month

THE vicar of an Oxford church will enter pleas next month on 20 allegations of abusing a teenage boy.   more...

Girl, 14, sexually assaulted at bus stop

POLICE today appealed for witnesses after a 14-year-old girl was sexually assaulted in Cowley Road, Littlemore.   more...

Royal task for business school

PRINCE Charles has asked the Sad Business School in Oxford to find ways of encouraging businesses to adapt 'greener' practices, for example with a league table of firms' carbon emissions.   more...

Police issue CCTV in hunt for robbers

CCTV images of two teenagers on bicycles have been released by police investigating the robbery of an 82-year-old man.   more...

Council 'poor value for money'

OXFORD has been revealed as one of the poorest value-for-money district councils in the country.   more...

More delays on railways

RAIL passengers are being advised to allow extra time for their journeys over the weekend, due to engineering work.   more...

Explore criminal history

VISITORS can take a tour of Oxford's old Crown Court and the secret tunnel to the former Oxford Prison when it opens its doors for charity this weekend.   more...

Murder suspect's 'strange behaviour'

AN ALLEGED murderer told his co-accused to "shut up" in front of police as Guy Thomas, right, lay on his sofa with a head wound, a jury was told yesterday.   more...

Raiders target disabled parking permits

DISABLED parking permits have been stolen in a series of car break-ins across Oxford.   more...

Soap drives into trouble

THE 15,000th episode of radio soap The Archers was an everyday tale familiar to Oxford folk as a key character got caught up in city traffic.   more...

Sergeants take on lawyers' duties

PROSECUTION solicitors will spend less time in Oxfordshire's police cells as sergeants become responsible for charging offenders.   more...

£20,000 vans stolen in raid

RAIDERS have stolen thousands of pounds worth of equipment from a Didcot business, including two Ford Transit vans.   more...

Arts centre ready in 2008

BUILDING work will start on Didcot's long-overdue arts centre project next month after construction contracts were signed this week.   more...

Mother fears further tragedies

A GRIEVING mother who lost her son in a road crash is attracting major support for her campaign to get safety improvements before another life is lost.   more...

New threat to city's Green Belt

THE GOVERNMENT is preparing to reopen the debate on the future of Oxford's Green Belt and the number of homes that the county should absorb.   more...

Pond fans gathering

POND lovers will meet to discuss their favourite topic at a special conference in Oxford on Saturday, November 25.   more...

Green power plan for West End

A NEW greener energy system to deliver heat and power to Oxford's West End is being investigated by Oxford City Council.   more...

Motorists injured in blackspot crash

POLICE closed a road after a car crash near where a 21-year-old was killed at the weekend.   more...

Council counts cost of climate change

CLIMATE change has already cost Oxfordshire County Council £16.4m, it was claimed this week.   more...

Art show

AN EXHIBITION and sale of Susan Keeble's original framed illustrations for children's book The Cheetah's Tale, by Julia Johnson, takes place at the Garden Centre Gallery, Burford, from today to November 25.   more...

Bio fuel trial may spark fleet conversion

A COMPANY'S entire bus fleet could be converted to run on environmentally-friendly plant oil within a year.   more...

Boys injured in street robbery

TWO teenagers suffered facial injuries after a violent street robbery in Oxford.   more...

Oh dear what can the matter be . . .

CHARITY worker Jennifer Fox was stuck for eight hours in a lavatory.   more...

Bus route to JR back in service

ABINGDON'S direct hospital bus service to Oxford is being revived after 18 months off the road.   more...

Status Quo rock into town

FRANCIS Rossi and Rick Parfitt, members of MEMBERS of rock band Status Quo, will be signing copies of their new book Status Quo: The Official 40th Anniversary Edition, at Waterstone's in Broad Street, Oxford, on Friday, November 17, at 12.30pm.   more...

Revamp for shopping precinct

AFTER 18 years of complex negotiations, an agreement has finally been struck over refurbishing Abingdon's Bury Street shopping precinct.   more...

Ancients’ holy site revealed

AN ARCHAEOLOGIST surveying Northmoor has accidentally discovered a sacred landscape' created in the Bronze Age   more...

Safety call over roundabout danger

COUNCILLORS have demanded improved safety at Witney's busy mini-roundabouts after two serious accidents last week.   more...

The Oxford Times Sport

RACING: Knight has high hopes for Ringaroses

West Lockinge trainer Henrietta Knight is dreaming of Cheltenham Festival glory with Ringaroses after the gelding made a winning debut over hurdles at Kempton.   more...

HOCKEY: Hawks are grounded

Oxford Hawks remain rooted to the foot of the National South Division table after suffering two defeats in two days.   more...

ANGLING: TV series travels worldwide

OXFORD graduate Charles Rangeley-Wilson presents a four-part BBC television series fishing in different places around the world.   more...

ROWING: City juniors in the medals

City of Oxford juniors captured four medals in the part in Henley Sculling Head last weekend.   more...

Witney Gazette News

Healthy food takes over

HEALTHY food seems to have proved a hit in some county secondary schools, as more pupils sign up for school dinners.   more...

  
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