Stories for 26 May 2006

Athletics

ATHLETICS: McGill bags treble

Alice McGill was in superb form as she helped a combined Bicester and Banbury Harriers team win the first National Young Athletes League meeting at Drayton, Banbury, on Sunday.  more...

ATHLETICS: McBain on song

Alchester's Jenny McBain won the ladies' competition at the Oxfordshire 5K Championship at Tilsley Park, Abingdon, in a time of 18.53.4.  more...

Books

In search of the real Knights Templar

If Oxford-based medieval historian Karen Ralls was on TV's Mastermind, her special subject would be the Knights Templar. Knowing that they were surrounded by inaccurate myths, three years ago she wrote a book, The Templars and the Grail, to correct some of them. Two months later, a book by an author she had never heard of was released in the US.  more...

Black Swan Green, by David Mitchell

David Mitchell's reputation as an experimental novelist may have scared off some potential readers in the past, but they are likely to be pleasantly surprised by his fourth novel, which focuses on 13 months in the life of 13-year-old Jason Taylor in a Worcestershire village.  more...

Travelogue of great escape for Christians

After the furore about The Da Vinci Code, no one could be in any doubt about how life in the Middle Ages was dominated by religion. However, it could take a very special form; indeed, it could become the great escape for Europeans who in most cases had never been outside their own fiefdom.  more...

PILGRIMAGE: THE GREAT ADVENTURE OF THE MIDDLE AGES, by John Ure

After the furore about The Da Vinci Code, no one could be in any doubt about how life in the Middle Ages was dominated by religion. However, it could take a very special form; indeed, it could become the great escape for Europeans who in most cases had never been outside their own fiefdom.  more...

Empires that divided a continent

This picture of Powhatan's mantle, a deerskin with shell decoration, now preserved in the Ashmolean Museum, appears in Empires of the Atlantic World (Yale, £25), by Oxford professor Sir John Elliott.  more...

Business

Friday's closing local share prices

26/05/2006 pm AEA Technology 110 BMW 2832 Electrocomponents 256 Isoft Group 92.75 Oxford Bio 28 Oxford Instruments 202.25 Reed Elsevier 528.5 RM 173.25 RPS 205 Torex Retail 83.25   more...

Chox News

Family charts hospital work

When Heather Barlow was seven doctors discovered a tennis ball-sized tumour on her kidney.  more...

Cimena

X-Men: The Last Stand (12A)

Let's face it, the third X-Men film had some pretty big boots to fill.  more...

Columns

Cabbages & Kings

Ever since the doctor ordered me to see a specialist at the Churchill Hospital, an appointment I must keep this week, I hadn't been myself. Fear of the unknown is the worst kind.  more...

Cricket

CRICKET: Henley skipper breaks leg

Henley captain Bjorn Mordt could be ruled out for up to eight weeks after breaking a leg playing football.  more...

CRICKET: Krol is upbeat

Thame Town captain Adam Krol says his side are in confident mood ahead of tomorrow's Division 2 West clash at Farnham Royal.  more...

CRICKET: Krol is upbeat

Thame Town captain Adam Krol says his side are in confident mood ahead of tomorrow's Division 2 West clash at Farnham Royal.  more...

CRICKET: Bicester aim to bounce back

Bicester & North Oxford welcome back Lee Mason and Ben Chapman as they look to bounce back from their midweek Bernard Tollett Cup drubbing against Banbury when they travel to Burnham in Division 2 West.  more...

CRICKET: Hicks century sinks Kennington

Fringford's Kevin Hicks defied the atrocious weather conditions and a difficult batting surface as his brilliant 128 helped them beat Kennington in Division 4.  more...

CRICKET: Baggs engineers victory

Matthew Baggs bludgeoned 67 from 66 balls to take Oxford & Bletchingdon Nondescripts to a five-wicket home win over Cropredy in Division 3.  more...

Editorial Comment

Trafficking must be the target

However hard we try, we are never going to stop prostitution.  more...

Trafficking must be the target

However hard we try, we are never going to stop prostitution.  more...

Entertainment

Events Sunday May 28

Open garden: Hethe open gardens, 1.30pm to 5.30pm, followed by songs of praise in the church at 6pm. Includes cream teas, plant sales and an exhibition of children's work.  more...

Awards to celebrate at Cornbury

THE Duke of Edinburgh's Awards 50th anniversary celebrations will include the Cornbury Oxford Festival.  more...

Events Friday May 26

Coffee and light lunches: By volunteers for church funds. Methodist Church Hall, Sheep Street and Victoria Road entrances, Bicester, 9am to 1.30pm.  more...

Events Saturday May 27

Hatter's open day: Open day at the Hat Hire Company in Launton, 2pm to 5pm. Try on hats, fascinators and tiaras plus complimentary glass of wine. Entry free but raffle in aid of Save the Children. 01869 354081.  more...

Events Monday May 29

School holiday activities: Today, baking and butter making noon-5.30pm. Tuesday, feltmaking 2.30pm-4.30pm. Wednesday, peg dolls 10.30am - 5.30pm. Thursday, farm activity, stories and animal craft, 2pm-3.30pm. Friday, corn dollies 2.30pm-4.30pm. Cogges Manor Farm Museum, Witney. 01993 772602.  more...

Events Tuesday May 30

Green gym: Fence repair at Bure Park Green Gym, 3.30pm to 6.30pm. Meet at the entrance to Bure Park on Lucerne Avenue. Call Alison Smith on 01296 330033 for more information.  more...

Events Wednesday May 31

Bike ride: 9.30am for a 25-35 mile ride. Destination and food stops to be decided at the start. CTC Midweek section. Spendlove Car Park, Charlbury. 01993 705660.  more...

Events Thursday June 1

Ballroom dancing: Thursdays, 8pm. All ages welcome. Social Club, 44 Oxford Street, Woodstock. 01993 812094.  more...

Events Friday June 2

Coffee and light lunches: By volunteers for church funds. Methodist Church Hall, Bicester, Sheep Street and Victoria Road entrances, 9am to 1.30pm.  more...

Events Saturday June 3

Bicester Local History Society: Oxfordshire Past a round-up of archaeology in the county with a focus on Bicester. At the Courtyard Youth Arts Centre, Launton Road, Bicester, from 10am to 4pm. For more information call 01869 350662 or email info@blhs.org.uk Fete and Dog Show: Hethe Fete and Dog Show, with brass band, starts 2pm.  more...

Events Sunday June 4

Woodland wildlife walk: Join Shotover Wildlife for a tour through the many and varied woodland habitats of Shotover. Hear about the wonderful wildlife that lives there, from bugs and flowers, to the mosses and ancient trees. 10am-12.30pm. Shotover Country Park, East end of Old Road, Headington. 01865 874423.  more...

Events Monday June 5

Family history meeting: Demonstration by Alex McGahey: Internet sources, are they worth it? A demonstration of subscription and pay per view web sources. 7.30pm. Exeter Hall, Oxford Road, Kidlington. 01865 358151.  more...

Events Tuesday June 6

Public Lecture: Psychology professor John Sloboda to talk at the University of Buckingham on 21st century security threats. Starts 6.30pm, at the Ian Fairbairn Lecture Hall, Chandos Road Buildings, University of Buckingham. Entrance is free.  more...

Events Wednesday June 7

Bike ride: Meet for coffee, ready to leave at 10.30am for a 35-mile ride to lunch at Christmas Common. CTC Midweek . Nottcuts Garden Centre, Nuneham Courtenay. 01235 831531.  more...

Events Thursday June 8

Farmers' Market: Local produce for local people. From 8.30am to 2pm, Sheep Street, Bicester. Includes meat, fish, cakes, pies, ice-cream, honey, plants and crafts.  more...

Cinema listings Friday May 26 to Thursday June 1

CINEWORLD, MILTON KEYNES: X-Men: The Last Stand, 12A, 11am, 11.30, noon, 12.30, 1, 2, 2.30, 3, 3.30, 4.30, 5, 5.30, 6, 7, 7.30, 8, 8.30, 9.30, 10*, 10.35*, 11.05*, 11.35*, 12.05am*. The Da Vinci Code, 12A, 11.20am, 11.55, 12.35, 1.50, 2.40, 3.15, 3.50, 5.20, 6.05, 6.40, 7.15, 8.40, 9.20, 10.10 (Fri, Sat & Sun only), 10.40*, 11.30pm*. The Wild, U, 11am, noon, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6pm. Curious George, U, 11.25am, 1.40, 3.55, 6.10pm. The Thief Lord, PG, 11am, 1.20, 3.40, 6pm. Waiting, 15, 8.10pm (not Thurs), 10.45pm*. Mission: Impossible III, 12A, 12.45pm (not Mon & Thurs), 3.45 (not Thurs), 6.50 (not Thurs), 8.20, 9.45pm (not Thurs). Prime, 12A, 7.05pm, 9.35pm. Ice Age 2: The Meltdown, U, 11.40am, 1.45pm. Brick, 15, 8.35pm, 11.15pm*.  more...

Features

City with a past and an incredible future

We visit Berlin _ home of culture, history, and, oh yes, the World Cup final.  more...

Football

FOOTBALL: Forinton returns

BANBURY United manager Kevin Brock has spoken of his delight after former Oxford City striker Howard Forinton rejoined the club from Southern League Premier Division rivals Halesowen Town.  more...

Headlines

Police declare knife amnesty

LETHAL weapons have been seized by police in Oxfordshire in their battle to stop violent offenders carrying knives.  more...

Fashion show raises £4,500

PUPILS at Burford School have raised £4,500 for the Oxford Children's Hospital Campaign by organising a successful fashion show.  more...

Leader

Roundabout costs

Highways managers always face a barrage of criticism when major roadworks take place. Inevitably, there is congestion. The work at Green Road roundabout is being carried out to benefit us all. When it is finished it should ease congestion.  more...

Back in court

The long legal battle over the future of the Trap Grounds appears to be over. Thousands of pounds in legal fees have been spent by both sides. So where are we now? The answer is: right back where we started.  more...

Politics in the way

As we suspected, the Liberal Democrats have formed a minority administration to run Oxford City Council. It is disappointing that two of the parties could not get together to form a coherent administration with an agreed agenda for at least the next 12 months.  more...

Letters

NHS told to do the impossible

As a former senior manager at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, I feel I must comment about our local hospitals.  more...

Back to the Victorians

I used to work as a university lecturer, but left the profession because of the low pay and job insecurity of working in higher education.  more...

Smaller class sizes

Sir, I would be grateful if you would print this letter to put the record straight about class sizes at SS Philip & James' Primary School. In your article (May 19) on class sizes in Oxfordshire you incorrectly report that in January 2006 there were two classes at the school with 36 pupils. That is not the case.  more...

Serious problems

Sir, Local people have been very generous to the power station owners, RWE npower, in allowing them to turn our environment into an ash dump. Perhaps we should consider how generous they plan to be in return. They kindly promise us restoration of the area. I have difficulty with the idea of replacing a large, pure water lake with a polluted pond in the middle of an ash pit and calling it restoration'. Damage limitation' perhaps, if you want to be polite, but I would prefer a good old fashioned term like pulling the wool over people's' eyes'!  more...

Look to future

Sir, Congratulations to our parish council on putting up the first of the 'Welcome to Blackbird Leys' signs.  more...

Why a pye shoppe?

Sir, Shame, shame, shame on the Co-op for backing down on their original plans and then cooking up a retrospective dog's breakfast as a replacement for the store in West St Helen Street (Report, May 19).  more...

Superstitious tosh

Sir, In expressing his views on euthanasia, your regular columnist Christopher Gray describes the concept of the immortal soul as 'superstitious tosh'. Thus in a sentence he refutes centuries of ancient wisdom and all the authentic religions of the world.  more...

Anachronistic move

Sir, Yet another Royal visit to our fair city (Report, May 12) and still no sign of an unbiased article. How much money did this little excursion of Mrs Windsor cost the Oxfordshire taxpayers (police and security costs, local council employees being allowed time off work as rent-a-crowd mob etc). This would have been a perfect opportunity for The Oxford Times to present a more balanced view by investigating why some of us do not see having a monarchy as a reason for national pride, but one for shame (that we still do not have a true modern democracy where merit rather than one's ancestor's prowess on a battlefield is rewarded).  more...

Headington United?

Sir, Now that Oxford United has dropped out of the Football League, may we hope that the club will revert to its former name of Headington United or perhaps Cowley United and leave the city's name to the University, with which it is indeed synonymous?  more...

Clubs face closure

Sir, Following the massive increase in rental fees for bowling greens suddenly announced by Oxford City Council's leisure and parks department on May 19, a number of Oxford's bowling clubs are now facing closure.  more...

Half-hearted efforts

Sir, I was incensed by the first paragraph of your article headed "Oxford's recycling must improve". It said: "Oxford's residents have been told to recycle more after the city was labelled the worst in the South East". Many of us are only too well aware of this from anecdotal evidence when visited by people who live elsewhere and who are amazed that we don't have kerbside recycling of plastic and cardboard. I am sure I am not the only person to have contacted city councillors on this topic.  more...

Improve performance

Sir, I can assure your readers that the Liberal Democrats are totally committed to an expansion of recycling in Oxford, to improve substantially on the very poor record of the previous Labour administration. Our first pledge is to expand the current very patchy green waste and cardboard collection across the city as fast as possible. It is very popular where in place and we want everyone to be able to participate just as soon as the council can provide it.  more...

Wasteful scheme

Sir, Councillor Bob Price describes the Liberal Democrats as "cavalier in their approach to budgeting" (Letters, May 19). He is referring to their pledge to re-think the outgoing Labour group's proposals to introduce green wheelie bin collections.  more...

Meters needed

Sir, Why do the water companies and planners continue to pussyfoot around the whole issue of water. Water meters need to be installed in all properties, not just new properties. Our son lives in Cambridge. For years Cambridge has supplied water meters and fitted them free of charge.  more...

Wasted time

Sir, I had meant to ask whether any of your readers knew what was being done in the centre of the stationary traffic round the Thornhill car park junction, but I see from your piece on page three (May 19) at least what is being done, although I am unclear as to why. I am also unclear as to how quickly. I have already spent a number of hours in the traffic jams (on the Oxford Tube). The work does not seem to start early or continue late. So far I have never seen more than two people actually working and never fewer than twice that number observing the work.  more...

Why can't roadworks progress round clock?

Sir, When leaving Witney at 4pm during the week, one would normally expect to reach Marble Arch well before 6.30pm, even in heavy rush-hour traffic. However, where did we find ourselves on Monday last week at 5.30pm Hillingdon, Uxbridge, Notting Hill Gate? No we were inching our way towards the traffic lights at Thornhill, having spent an agonising hour on the ring road leading to Headington Roundabout.  more...

County has no desire to overhaul local government

Sir, I was disappointed at the lack of balance in your reporting of the county council's position on threatened local government reorganisation. Perhaps because no reporter attended our May 16 cabinet, your resulting coverage will have left an impression that we are eagerly seeking the abolition of our district councils and the creation of a single (unitary) county council delivering all services in Oxfordshire. Nothing could be further from the truth.  more...

Motors

£20-a-week costs rise predicted

Weekly motoring costs for some households could rise by as much as £20 a week by 2010 if the Government introduced road pricing without cutting fuel taxes.  more...

Green changes 'too slow'

Average carbon dioxide emissions from new cars in the UK are falling, official figures showed.  more...

Tailgating is 'top cause of road rage'

Tailgating is the biggest cause of road rage on motorways, a survey said The problem is so bad that in more than two in five cases, motorists react by slowing down or braking sharply to annoy the tailgater, a survey from insurance company Direct Line showed.  more...

C3 coasts into summer

With summer just around the corner, Citroen has announced the introduction of a special edition of its fun and funky C3 Pluriel convertible supermini the evocatively named Cote d'Azur.  more...

Twin turbo tweaks up power for coupe

BMW launches the new 3 Series Coupe in the UK in September, marking the introduction of the first twin-turbo, petrol-powered engine in a production BMW. Two models will be available at launch the 325i SE Coupe, priced at £28,090 and the £33,420 BMW 335i SE Coupe.  more...

World beater

Best car in the world? It's the new BMW 3 Series, which was recently given the title of 2006 World Car of the Year at the New York International Auto Show.  more...

Lexus boosts 4x4 power

The revised Lexus RX 300 luxury off-roader is on sale in Britain, priced from £31,890.  more...

Micra goes for gold

Nissan has teamed up with Breakthrough Breast Cancer to mark the tenth anniversary of the charity's flagship campaign, Fashion Targets Breast Cancer, and designed a one-off Micra C+C in glittering gold to mark the occasion.  more...

Antara marks Vauxhall's off-road revival

Vauxhall has released the first pictures of the car which will replace the Frontera and mark Vauxhall's return to the booming 4x4 market the Antara.  more...

Foxy newcomer larger and cheaper than Lupo

Volkswagen's new entry-level model, the Fox, has gone on sale priced from £6,590 on the road.  more...

Roadtest: Versatile Verso is family favourite

At the end of a hard working day sometimes you feel like flopping into a comfy seat and relaxing. Toyota has brought that feeling to the office car park.  more...

Ford voted most loved brand

Ford has been named as the UK's most loved car marque, according to an influential brands survey. The US carmaker received a 13.5 per cent share of the vote to find the nation's most loved brands, a study by Marketing magazine found. Vauxhall was second in the automotive category with 8.3 per cent, followed by prestige marques BMW, Jaguar and Audi.  more...

Motorsport

Renault ready for street race

Renault's Enstone-based F1 team spent two days last week at the Paul Ricard circuit in the south of France preparing for Sunday's Monaco Grand Prix, one of the most traditional and exciting events on the F1 calendar.  more...

Alonso set for Monaco guessing game

World champion Fernando Alonso admits he must rely on guesswork as he bids for a first Monaco Grand Prix win this weekend.  more...

Button rules out Monaco hopes

Jenson Button has written off his chances of breaking his Formula One duck in his own backyard in Monaco this weekend.  more...

Music

Fayre Wych project

While free spirits are sobbing into their pear cider, lamenting the lack of a Glastonbury Festival this year, there is no shortage of al-fresco bashes waiting to take its place, from established events to cheeky young upstarts.  more...

Fayre Wych project

While free spirits are sobbing into their pear cider, lamenting the lack of a Glastonbury Festival this year, there is no shortage of al-fresco bashes waiting to take its place, from established events to cheeky young upstarts.  more...

News

Crash kills doctor

POLICE investigating a death crash near Deddington last Thursday, have carried out a road check close to the accident site.  more...

Police: 'Give us Tasers'

THAMES Valley Police officers would rather use a Taser stun gun than a firearm in violent incidents, new research has found.  more...

Rappers' reward

THE winners of a Cherwell District Council "write-a-rap" competition have performed their winning entries to a specially-invited audience.  more...

Fly-tipping on the increase

ILLEGALLY-dumped waste in Oxfordshire has soared by a staggering 60 per cent in a year, an average of 16 incidents a day.  more...

School menus to get healthy look

LESS chips and more veg will be on Oxfordshire's school menus from this autumn, as the Government tries to stamp out the 'junk food generation'.  more...

£1.9m cheap homes boost

CHERWELL District Council has agreed to fund 46 new affordable housing units at a cost of £1.9m.  more...

Fears over NHS cuts

CUTBACKS to the NHS in Oxfordshire could have far-reaching consequences for Banbury's Horton Hospital, MP Tony Baldry has warned.  more...

Health trusts to be merged in shake-up

OXFORDSHIRE'S into a single giant trust in a massive reorganisation of health care.  more...

Men stop suicide attempt from M40 bridge

TWO passers-by who stopped a man jumping off a motorway bridge have been praised by police.  more...

At least 225 nurses will lose their jobs

THE worst fears of hospital staff were realised yesterday as the scale of planned job cuts was spelt out by Oxfordshire health chiefs.  more...

Roadworks will not be moved to night

COMMUTERS frustrated by massive delays at Oxford's Green Road Roundabout have been told congestion will not be alleviated by doing the work at night.  more...

Bowls clubs face rent rises

THE peaceful atmosphere of Oxford's bowling clubs has been replaced by a mood of seething discontent on the greens For instead of looking forward to a long and relaxing summer, the city's bowlers say they are preparing for a battle for survival.  more...

Victory claimed over Trap Grounds

ENVIRONMENTALISTS are claiming victory in their bid to register the Trap Grounds, Oxford, as a town green.  more...

Climate change evident in Wytham Woods

ENVIRONMENT minister David Miliband saw at first hand this week how climate change is affecting the delicate balance of life in Oxfordshire's woodlands.  more...

Land will be fenced off for grazing

WOLVERCOTE Commoners' Committee has received permission to fence off Wolvercote Green for the first time.  more...

Oxfam sells Summertown site for £3.5m

THREE of the largest buildings which made up the former headquarters of Oxfam in Oxford have been sold in a multi-million-pound deal.  more...

City council election fraud probe

POLICE have launched a fraud investigation after a batch of voting registration forms submitted to Oxford City Council contained "irregularities".  more...

Twelve brothels uncovered and one woman 'rescued'

A CHINESE prostitute thought to have been a victim of human trafficking has been rescued after police swooped on 12 brothels in Oxfordshire.  more...

Mobile masts put on city pubs

RESIDENTS in Oxford are angry that mobile phone masts are being erected on pubs which are close to primary schools.  more...

Woman set fire to flat in pagan ritual

A WOMAN who set fire to her own flat in a pagan ritual that went wrong has been jailed for three years.  more...

Thousands flock to palace for triathlon

OLLY Freeman, British medal hopeful for the 2012 Olympics, stormed to victory in the 2006 Blenheim Triathlon.  more...

Body Shop franchise owner loses out

THE Body Shop has told its long-standing Oxford franchisee to quit after she missed a renewal deadline while in hospital recovering from a cancer operation.  more...

Fly-tipping rises by 60 per cent in year

THE true extent of fly-tipping in and around Oxford has been revealed after The Oxford Times found enough rubbish in an hour to create a living room, albeit a rather down-at-heel one We decided to investigate the problem of illegal dumping after new figures showed that fly-tipping in Oxfordshire had increased by 60 per cent in a year.  more...

Husband's murder appeal thwarted

A HUSBAND who murdered his wife in a cottage fire to pocket £250,000 life insurance has failed in his latest bid to prove he was the victim of a miscarriage of justice.  more...

Former benefits officer jailed for benefit fraud

A FORMER benefit fraud investigator has been jailed for swindling nearly £20,000 in benefits while living with a police officer.  more...

University accused over rent rises

OXFORD University has been accused of discouraging applicants from poor backgrounds by pursuing "aggressive" rent rises.  more...

Unions in threat to Brookes over lecturers

LECTURERS' unions are threatening to take Oxford Brookes University to an employment tribunal, as the increasingly bitter pay dispute took a new turn.  more...

Village clergyman denies child sex claims

AN OXFORDSHIRE priest who has helped raise thousands of pounds for a South African hostel for homeless teenagers is facing child sex charges in the country.  more...

Low-cost supermarket wins fight for city store

LOW-COST supermarket giant Lidl has won a public inquiry into building its first store in Oxfordshire, despite opposition from Oxford City Council planners.  more...

Braving rain for Town and Gown

AROUND 3,000 runners braved torrential rain in the Town and Gown fun run in Oxford, on Sunday, to raise £75,000 for muscular dystrophy sufferers.  more...

University wins court battle over lab exclusion zone

OXFORD University today won an extension of its existing injunction against animal rights activists.  more...

Tribute to murdered Becky

THE family of murdered nursery nurse Becky McGlone have launched an £50,000 appeal to fund a playroom at the Oxford Children's Hospital and name it in her honour.  more...

Co-op theft

A HOODED thief who stole cash from a supermarket till in Bicester prompted a manhunt by sniffer dogs and a police helicopter.  more...

Vandal rampage

A SHOP and several cars were damaged after vandals went on the rampage over the weekend.  more...

Teen girl knife charge

A 15-YEAR-OLD girl from Bicester appeared at Banbury Youth Court yesterday charged with the possession of an offensive weapon and attempting to obtain property by deception.  more...

Shipton fatal crash

A 27-year-old Banbury man was killed after his car left the road near Shipton-on-Cherwell.  more...

Police probe Deddington crash

Police stopped hundreds of motorists in Deddington yesterday in a bid to find out how a young doctor died.  more...

Builder faxed deportation papers

PAPERWORK to deport foreign criminals held at Bullingdon Prison have been sent to a Bicester home by mistake.  more...

Schools argue for vocational choice

EDUCATION chiefs are searching for a "radical solution" to try to stop pupils shunning Bicester's secondary schools.  more...

Not fair, say residents

RESIDENTS say they are furious they were not told a travelling funfair had been given the go-ahead to set up on land behind their houses.  more...

Campus open

OXFORD and Cherwell Valley College is opening the doors to its Bicester campus for people interested in motorsports and engineering careers.  more...

No Garth role for mayor

BICESTER'S new town mayor has been "frozen out" of the group set up to look at the future of the town's civic mansion house, according to one town councillor.  more...

Recycling centre closed

A RECYCLING centre near Bicester is to close for a month while drainage work is carried out.  more...

Residents revive crime action group

RESIDENTS who say they were forced to take the law into their own hands after being terrorised by yobs have prompted the re-launch of a crime action group in Bicester.  more...

Other Sport

TENNIS: Henman eyes revival

British No 3 Tim Henman aims to put his injuries behind him after he admitted he thought about retiring during his recent back problems.  more...

Oxford News

Brothel girl rescued

A Chinese prostitute who is a victim of human trafficking has been rescued after police swooped on 12 brothels in Oxfordshire.  more...

Police hunt sex attackers

Lost in a foreign city, this German student wandered the streets of Oxford for four hours until she was hauled inside a house by two men and violently raped, say police.  more...

Prison blunder revealed

Sensitive paperwork to deport foreign criminals held at Bullingdon Prison has been sent to a Bicester home by mistake.  more...

Cost cuts will delay surgery

Patients waiting for operations at Oxfordshire's major hospitals will have to wait at least five months for their treatment even if it can be done earlier.  more...

Cost cuts will delay surgery

Patients waiting for operations at Oxfordshire's major hospitals will have to wait at least five months for their treatment even if it can be done earlier.  more...

Uni pay threat sparks anger

Lecturers' unions are threatening to take Oxford Brookes University to an employment tribunal, after the increasingly bitter pay dispute took a new turn.  more...

Rubbish spoils public garden

This mountain of rubbish is the sight that greeted visitors to a once picturesque public garden in the city centre.  more...

Rubbish spoils public garden

This mountain of rubbish is the sight that greeted visitors to a once picturesque public garden in the city centre.  more...

Signs target car crime hotspots

Signs warning motorists to be vigilant are to be put in car crime hotspots across Oxford.  more...

Signs target car crime hotspots

Signs warning motorists to be vigilant are to be put in car crime hotspots across Oxford.  more...

Police probe death crash

Police stopped hundreds of motorists in Deddington yesterday in a bid to find out how a young doctor died.  more...

MP calls for hospital fight

More than 200 people in Abingdon heard their MP tell them to "fight, fight and fight again" to save their community hospital.  more...

MP calls for hospital fight

More than 200 people in Abingdon heard their MP tell them to "fight, fight and fight again" to save their community hospital.  more...

Man found bleeding in city centre street

A 42-YEAR-OLD man was found bleeding in the street after a suspected late-night brawl in Oxford city centre.  more...

University wins lab ban battle

Oxford University today won an extension of its existing injunction against animal rights activists.  more...

University wins lab ban battle

Oxford University today won an extension of its existing injunction against animal rights activists.  more...

Rugby

RUGBY: Oxon's glory bid

Oxfordshire coach John Brodley says Notts, Lincs and Derbys will have plenty to worry about when the two sides clash at Twickenham on Monday.  more...

RUGBY: Oxon's glory bid

Oxfordshire coach John Brodley says Notts, Lincs and Derbys will have plenty to worry about when the two sides clash at Twickenham on Monday.  more...

Share Prices

Friday's closing local share prices

26/05/2006 pm AEA Technology 110 BMW 2832 Electrocomponents 256 Isoft Group 92.75 Oxford Bio 28 Oxford Instruments 202.25 Reed Elsevier 528.5 RM 173.25 RPS 205 Torex Retail 83.25   more...

Friday's closing local share prices

AEA Technology 110 BMW 2832 Electrocomponents 256 Isoft Group 92.75 Oxford Bio 28 Oxford Instruments 202.25 Reed Elsevier 528.5 RM 173.25 RPS 205 Torex Retail 83.25   more...

Sport

Getting up to speed

RENAULT'S Enstone-based F1 team spent two days last week at the Paul Ricard circuit in the south of France preparing for Sunday's Monaco Grand Prix, one of the most traditional and exciting events on the F1 calendar.  more...

Theatre

Comic Ben doesn’t spare the Rod

Stand-up comedian, novelist, playwright, lyricist and compere of the Royal Command Performance (an unexpected twist if ever there was one), Ben Elton's pretty much done the 'dahling' lot.  more...

  
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