Oxford University ground down the Major Stanley's XV with a powerful second-half display in their 34-17 victory at Iffley Road last night. The students' lead was just 10-5 at half-time, but four second-half tries earned them a comfortable victory against
A blaze ripped through a barn in Oxford tonight, leaving the farm owner fearing he had been the victim of an arson attack. About 400 bales of hay were found ablaze at Tilbury Farm, Botley, at 7.45pm, sending smoke billowing over the A34. More than 20
Oxford speedway promoter Allen Trump would like to see both Premier League and Conference League action at Cowley next year, writes ROBERT PEASLEY. Trump, who stepped in to save the Cheetahs after the Elite League team folded in June, has applied for
A High Court judge has issued an urgent international plea for the return home of four Banbury children who have been kept in Pakistan by their father for more than six months. The children's mother, Asma Akhtar, was granted an order in July making the
Firefighters are tackling a huge blaze at Tilbury Farm off Hazel Road in Botley, Oxford. Four engines and a specialist water carrier were called to the dairy and arable farm after reports that a barn containing hundreds of bales of hay had caught fire
Conferences held at Oxford University and its colleges in the last year have netted the city £50m, according to recent research. The survey, by Business Development Research Consultants, looked at expenditure by conference delegates, organisers, and
Pensioner Victor Hearne has described being hailed by police as the man who helped convict three murderers as the "proudest day of my life". Former litter-picker Mr Hearne, 65, of Alice Smith Square in Littlemore, Oxford, picked up a Chief Constable's
Kathy Singer who was banned from classes after dying her hair green for charity, has been allowed back to lessons - because she has dyed her hair red. The 15-year-old student at King Alfred's Community and Sports College, Wantage, decided to streak her
A business leader has welcomed latest official statistics which show the number of people claiming unemployment benefit in Oxfordshire has fallen to its lowest level for almost six years. In October, 3,417 people in the county claimed benefit - a drop
Prime Minister Gordon Brown warned that security will have to be stepped up in preparation for potential terrorist attacks. Users of major rail stations, shopping centres and football stadiums face tougher restrictions on movement under plans announced
Tributes have poured in for two popular Oxford students who died in unrelated incidents on Monday. Sundeep Watts, 18, a first-year at Exeter College, died of bacterial meningitis at the John Radcliffe Hospital, while 19-year-old Harcourt "Olly" Tucker
Students at Oxford University hugged US civil rights leader Jesse Jackson as he arrived to encourage more applications from black students. Only one per cent of students at the university are black, according to the Aspire programme, which aims to discover
Much is made by learner drivers and others of the supposed dangers of the hamburger' roundabout at Headington, Oxford (Oxford Mail, October 24 and 29). If you ignore the emotionally charged rhetoric, consider the following factual problems: 1. You risk
Have any of the Royal Mail managers thought through the closure of the Oxford Mail Centre? They propose to take all the mail from Oxford and the surrounding villages to be sorted at Swindon from January 2009. This will mean that once all the mail from
I amwriting in response to the report on Oxford's tower blocks (Oxford Mail, November 12). What we are looking at with this report is the long-term options for housing in Oxford. At this point, it is very early days, and these are only ideas. The most
Reinstatement and rebuilding work is getting under way in the flood-stricken areas of Oxford. But I would urge my fellow residents to exercise a degree of caution. Modern methods and materials might not be appropriate in houses which could be flooded
A YEAR ago, Jeremy Hooper was a Royal Marines chef, cooking for 2,000 soldiers a day under canvas in Afghanistan, and his wife Jane was working with teenagers for the Prince's Trust. Now, as winners of BBC2 series The Restaurant, they are running
THIEVES stealing metal and piping from abandoned fridges and freezers are releasing gases into the atmosphere which go on to damage the ozone layer, it has been claimed. Fridges and other white goods are left at the Oakley Wood site, near Wallingford
SECURITY at major rail stations including Oxford and Didcot Parkway is being reviewed in preparation for potential terrorist attacks. Assessments of the risk at both stations, which are among the nation's 250 busiest rail terminals are included in
A MOTORCYCLIST escaped with minor injuries after a collision in Oxford. Police and paramedics were called to the junction of Norham Road and Banbury Road, at about 5.20pm after a collision between a motorcycle and a car. No one was taken to hospital
A motorcyclist escaped with minor injuries after a collision in Oxford. Police and paramedics were called to the junction of Norham Road and Banbury Road, Summertown, at about 5.20pm after a collision between a motorbike and a car. No-one was taken
A WOMAN with spinal problems fears she faces a life using a wheelchair after NHS managers withdrew treatment allowing her to lead a normal life. Dorothy Holloway, 59, suffers from chronic spondylitis - arthritis of the spine - and could not walk more
White Merlot, donkey salami and modern day monks who keep mobile phones in their cowls; not the first images that would come to mind if you were booking a holiday in Switzerland, but, strangely more common in the land of the Alps than one might think.
RATS have caused hundreds of pounds damage to a car in Didcot after the rodents nibbled through car engine wires. Catherine Nicholls, a teaching assistant from Bush Furlong, near the Ladygrove estate, claimed her Mercedes car was attacked by rats while
A CYCLIST was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, this afternoon with a suspected broken leg after a collision involving a car. The incident happened at about 3.45pm at the junction of the Botley and Ferry Hinksey roads in Oxford.
Paranoia is nothing new at Oxfordshire County Council, but the authority has plunged to new depths recently. Could it have anything to do with the fact inspectors are due in some time soon? The Insider learns posters advertising the fact the council
A much-loved Didcot greengrocer has died at the age of 89. Joseph Moxon, known locally as 'Joe', passed away at Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital, after many years of failing health. He leaves his wife, Ruby, 89, who cared for him, and three children
Prime Minister Gordon Brown today warned that security will have to be stepped up in preparation for potential terrorist attacks. Users of major rail stations, shopping centres and football stadiums face tougher restrictions on movement under plans
A cyclist was taken to the city's John Radcliffe Hospital with a suspected broken leg today after colliding with a car. The incident happened at around 3.45pm on the junction of the Botley and Ferry Hinksey roads.
Danny Smith is 32 and, like anyone his age, he likes to go out with his friends and socialise over a beer. But Danny has Down's Syndrome and sometimes when he goes out, he gets funny looks. He said: "People say to me, 'I thought you're not supposed
The last governor of Oxford Prison, John Talbot, has died at the age of 58. Mr Talbot was born on March 20, 1949, the son of the vicar of Knaresborough. He spent his early years there, before going to Giggleswick School in Settle, Yorkshire, and later
Businesses have been warned their local council is getting tough over illegal advertising signs. A total of 23 shops and offices in Witney were given a 48-hour final warning to remove A-boards from the pavements outside their premises. Two days later
TRIBUTES have poured in for two popular Oxford students who both died in unrelated incidents on Monday. Sundeep Watts, 18, a first-year at Exeter College, died of bacterial meningitis at the John Radcliffe Hospital, while 19-year-old Harcourt "Olly"
Thieves stealing metal and piping from abandoned fridges and freezers are releasing deadly gases into the atmosphere which go on to damage the ozone layer, it has been claimed. Fridges and other white goods are left at the Oakley Wood site, near Wallingford
Oxford United's FA Youth Cup campaign will continue next Tuesday. Mickey Lewis's Under 18s have come through four rounds so far, with the latest win a thrilling 2-1 extra-time victory over Bournemouth last week. They must now travel to Stevenage Borough
In a week-long special, Fran Bardsley speaks to staff, children, and families whose lives have been touched by the work of Helen House in Oxford. Frances Reid and Theresa Kent were two of the first parents to benefit from the pioneering care at the
Rats have caused hundreds of pounds of damage to a car in Didcot after the rodents nibbled through car engine wires. Catherine Nicholls, a teaching assistant from Bush Furlong, near the Ladygrove estate, claimed her Mercedes car was attacked by rats
A special awareness day to highlight bogus callers is being organised in Burford next Wednesday (November 21). Police, trading standards officers and representatives from Age Concern will be offering practical advice, particularly to elderly and vulnerable
People in Oxfordshire are gearing up to be gunged and waxed to raise money for the BBC Children in Need Appeal. Fundraising has already started in some parts of the county, with more events planned for tomorrow. The BBC's annual charity appeal raises
A woman with spinal problems fears she faces a wheelchair-bound life of severe pain after NHS managers withdrew treatment allowing her to lead a normal life. Dorothy Holloway, 59, suffers from chronic spondylitis - arthritis of the spine - and could
A group of disc jockeys raised more than £500 for a special school by holding a night of nostalgia based on youth club discos. More than 300 people helped raise £540 during a night of 80s soul and rare groove at the Thirst Lodge bar in St Ebbe's, Oxford
Community representatives are being invited to a free workshop aimed at promoting sustainable energy projects. The one-day Energy Saving Trust event is at the Town Hall, St Aldate's, on Wednesday. The course will look at successful initiatives where
On BBC2's The Restaurant their relationship caused fireworks in the kitchen, but as Debbie Waite finds out, Thame restaurateurs Jeremy and Jane Hooper are a truly winning team: A year ago, Jeremy Hooper was a Royal Marines chef, cooking for 2,000 soldiers
A nursery school has been rated outstanding in an Ofsted inspection. The Manor Preparatory School Nursery, in Faringdon Road, Shippon, got top marks in all categories following the inspection in September. Nursery head Pippa McConnell, pictured left
Abingdon's contentious new traffic system has come under fire again - this time from town councillors unhappy with a new traffic light system, which critics argue is causing peak-hour congestion. The town council has called on Oxfordshire County Council
Water butts, composters, recycling bins and even rap music are among the weapons in the battle to become Abingdon's greenest school tomorrow. Six schools in the town are competing in the fourth annual sustainability awards, which are organised and sponsored
Victims of the July floods - who are still demanding answers about why it happened - will tomorrow have a chance to air their opinions. Hundreds of people are expected to attend a public meeting at the Guildhall in Abingdon, at 7pm. The meeting has
Rising star Katherine O'Connor has been awarded a £2,500 scholarship by Welsh-language television channel S4C. The 17-year-old Frilford Heath and Tadmarton member received the honour at the Ryder Cup Annual Gala Dinner and Awards at the Vale Golf and
OXFORD LADIES Pat Jackson Masters Trophy: 1 T Holder 73-2=71, 2 D Chappelle 79-8=71 (cb), 3 M Peddie 92-20=72. DRAYTON PARK November Monthly Medal - Div 1: 1 K Osborne 75-9=66 (cb), 2 M Hill 80-14=66, 3 K Bowker 79-12=67. Div 2: 1 M Walsh 87-22=65,
Six-hitter John Townsend starred with 16 dolls as Clare Car Hire whitewashed Pips 6-0 in the Gladiators Beer Seller Friday League. Pete Dempsey led off with a six in his 15-doll haul to set General Foods on the way to a 6-0 win over Bowling Green in
SOUTH OXFORDSHIRE Div 1: Didcot Barn Owls 8 (43), Harwell Harriers 0 (10); Drayton Rollers 8 (21), The Astons 0 (16); Warborough Wanderers 0 (21), Wallingford Regals 8 (27); Wallingford Royals 8 (34), Drayton Hammers 0 (12). Div 2: Harwell Hares 6 (
Street wardens are helping to kick antisocial behaviour off an Oxford estate - by setting up a football loan scheme. Wardens covering the Wood Farm area came up with the idea after noticing a rise in yobbish behaviour when the estate's CCTV camera was
Oxford & District provided the venue as England Under 25s ran out 80-53 winners over Wales. The visitors started well, but once England went ahead, they weren't to be caught. Robert Chisholm's rink of Danny May, Ian Morton and Chris Moore led the
Traders are pleading for a bridge to be reopened temporarily so people can get into Wallingford to do their Christmas shopping. Shopkeepers say closing Shillingford Bridge for essential repairs has cut the number of people shopping in the town. Delays
Promising St Edward's School, Oxford fly half Joe Robinson will look to further his international ambitions after featuring for the Irish Exiles Under 18s. Robinson (below), who has come through the the junior ranks at Chinnor, most recently played
AEA Technology 112.5 BMW 3003 Electrocomponents 238 Nationwide Accident Repair 138 Oxford Biomedica 29.75 Oxford Catalyst 154 Oxford Instruments 222 Reed Elsevier 600.25 RM 181 RPS Group 362.25 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
Oxford's women secured the local bragging rights after defeating Witney Angels 7-5 at Hailey Road in Midlands 1. Witney's bigger pack gave them an early advantage and they took the lead following a rolling maul from 15 metres out. Teresa Godfrey applied
Banbury Bulls coach Grant Holmes says they must show commitment throughout the week if they are to avoid relegation. Bulls' 19-12 home loss to Litchfield was their eighth in nine Midlands 2 East matches, leaving them second from bottom. Holmes was
Lynn Evans says Chinnor have still got plenty of work to do if they are to win promotion back to National 3 South. Chinnor's director of rugby has seen his players win nine straight matches in South West 1, culminating with their best performance yet
Oxford Harlequins director of rugby Matt Maudsley has hit out at the RFU's online player registration system after receiving a double punishment. Quins, who were kicked out of the EDF Energy National Trophy, will also be docked two points in South West
Oxford City Stars ran riot as they crushed an indisciplined Telford Tigers 12-2 on Sunday. Stars were thin on the ground as they missed Darren Elliott, Alan Green, Will Skaife and Ady Haigh. But despite being under-strength, they still had far too
Former Radley athlete Hatti Dean had to settle for third place as international cross country running returned to Gateshead after an absence of ten years. Dean was competing for Hallamshire Harriers at the Gateshead International - part of the UK Cross
A MOTORIST has been treated at the scene of a crash on the M40. Paramedics and police were called to the southbound carriageway at junction six near Lewknor to a single car accident at 1.30pm today. The motorist did not need hospital treatment.
Oxford City's Hawtin sisters excelled again at the second round of the Chiltern Cross Country League at Horspath Road. In a field of 76, City's under 13 girls extended their lead in the race for the team title as they were led home by Lauren Hawtin,
Police will be out in force to help Oxford residents avoid becoming victims of burglars. Neighbourhood officers and the crime reduction team will be at the old Rover garage forecourt in Summertown on Saturday from 10am until 4pm. Homeowners will be
A motorist has been treated at the scene of a crash on the M40 in Oxfordshire. Paramedics and police were called to the southbound carriageway at junction six near Lewknor to an accident involving one car at 1.30pm today The motorist did not need
Keeper Carl Wilkins was Abingdon's hero on his return to the club in the second round of the Berks & Bucks Senior Cup on Tuesday. Wilkins saved two of Burnham's four spot-kicks after the teams had finished level at 2-2 in normal and extra time. Burnham
MAJOR changes have been announced at the Cropredy Bridge home of the Jensen car marque which include a new management team, a new name and a new car. For more than 35 years the business has led the way in maintaining the Jensen name, having completed
Mark Bell bagged a hat-trick as City saw off Marlow comprehensively in their British Gas Southern League Division 2 South & West game at Court Place Farm on Tuesday. It didn't take the home side long to go ahead, Andy Gunn pouncing to turn the ball
At 75 per cent ABV, the strongest rum in Grenada is so potent that it could fuel an aircraft - although no spirits stronger than 69 per cent must leave the island. But the humidity (Grenada lies only 12 degrees shy of the Equator) means most Brits will
POLICE are running a special event in North Oxford aimed at showing people how to beat burglars. On Saturday, officers will be at the old Phoenix Rover garage forecourt, in Banbury Road, from 10am until 4pm. Drivers will be advised on how to avoid
Police have renewed an appeal for witnesses to yesterday's armed robbery at the Abbey bank in Summertown, Oxford, in which an armed gang got away with thousands of pounds. Four masked men armed with hand guns stole the cash from Group 4 Securicor guards
How fashions change. For so long one of the most popular operas in the repertoire, with its Miserere chorus widely considered the world's favourite opera melody, Il trovatore can now be described in a programme note as "almost a neglected work". Happily
Slounge is a good word and a much needed antidote to an overpressured world of breakfast conferences and soap operas. There should be more slounging. The performance event entitled Slounge started earlier in the year. It has now moved to the Vaults Café
Chris Thomas's paintings are as close as you can come on an easel to the texture of the rugged Cornish landscape. Although the artist has worked in North Cornwall for 40 years, he was only recently discovered' by Brian. Following the success of his first
Splitz's immediate neighbours along an unassuming shopping parade in Wantage Road, Didcot, are a supplier of angling equipment and a bookmaker's. Fine food, fishing and a flutter - so there we have three of the greatest pleasures in life, as some would
Imran Qureshi's first solo exhibition in the UK, an installation specially created for the ground-floor gallery at Modern Art Oxford, is small and restrained. You may already have passed it on your way to the larger exhibition upstairs, but sparing time
Amarita Vargas (pictured) has been running her Oxford Flamenco Academy for seven years now, and in the first half of her Flamenco Fiesta we saw a display by the best of her pupils, and evidence that the exotic dance and music of the Andalucian gypsies
And when I sue God for myself, He hears that name of thine, and sees within my eyes the tears of two." Thus ends sonnet VI from Sonnets from the Portuguese, written secretly by Elizabeth Barrett as her love for Robert Browning deepened. The sonnet has
Over his five years as artistic director of the fine company Northern Ballet Theatre, David Nixon has shown his ability to make full-length works of great popular appeal, which at the same time have considerable depth, and the ability to affect our emotions
How stupid of me — last time I wrote I forgot to mention a trip I made to The Book Lover in Woodin's Way in Oxford, where I bought an early 1970s Beezer annual for my four-year-old son. He is fast becoming fascinated with the bizarre comic antics of cartoon
POLICE investigating an armed robbery outside the Abbey bank in Banbury Road, Summertown, Oxford have seized two cars which they believe are connected to the incident. A white Corsa van found in Southdale Road and a silver A-Class Mercedes found near
PLANS by Aldi supermarket to build a new store in Botley Road, Oxford, have been refused by Oxford City Council. The German chain had wanted to open on land close to the Toys R Us store. But members of the council's central, south and west area committee
US human rights leader Rev Jesse Jackson visited Oxford University today to encourage more black students to apply to the city's colleges. Rev Jackson was at Regent's Park College to launch the Aspire programme, which will encourage more black students
Explorer Michael Palin is to open the new £8m extension at Oxford University's Pitt Rivers Museum. Mr Palin will join Dr John Hood, university Vice-Chancellor, for the opening ceremony on Thursday, November 22. On the same occasion, the museum in South
US human rights leader Rev Jesse Jackson visited Oxford University today to encourage more black students to apply to the city's colleges. Rev Jackson was at Regent's Park College to launch the Aspire programme, which will encourage more black students
The number of people claiming unemployment benefit in Oxfordshire has fallen to its lowest level for almost six years, latest official figures have revealed. In October - 3,417 people in the county claimed benefit - a drop of 278 on September and the
Plans by Aldi supermarket to build a new store in Botley Road, Oxford, have been refused by Oxford City Council. The German chain had wanted to open on land close to the Toys R Us store. But members of the council's central, south and west area committee
AEA Technology 112.75 BMW 2938 Electrocomponents 237.25 Nationwide Accident Repair 139.5 Oxford Biomedica 30 Oxford Catalyst 154 Oxford Instruments 221.5 Reed Elsevier 596.75 RM 190.25 RPS Group 368 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
On a drizzly Remembrance Sunday afternoon, you might not expect a concert of Russian songs about love and loss to lift you from gloom. But the programme was cleverly structured and the three local singers all consistently thoughtful and light of touch
Vintage opera productions are like bottles of wine. They either mature very well, or they don't. Glyndebourne's production of Albert Herring dates back to 1985, when it was directed by Peter Hall, and designed by John Gunter. Uncorked for this year's
A curious touch of unwelcome comedy obtrudes into Richard Jones's new production of Verdi's Macbeth, first seen during the summer festival and now out on the road (revival director Geoffrey Dolton) as part of the company's autumn tour. Chiefly it's the
The collection of figurative and abstract paintings in acrylic, on show at St Anne's Art Gallery until November 30, simply vibrate with colour, yet as you look more deeply, get beyond the powerful swirling lines that move the eye from one patch of the
John Osborne's 1956 play Look Back in Anger has often been hailed as a turning point in British theatre. Its legacy of the original angry young man in the form of its main character, Jimmy Porter, was a familiar one to those of us growing up in the next
As so often around Remembrance Sunday, television provided a mixture of truth and deception. The BBC gave its usual coverage to the unnecessarily militarised ceremonies at the Albert Hall and the Cenotaph: church and state joining together with the armed
HUNDREDS of schoolchildren will sing at a world premiere charity performance in the Royal Albert Hall today. Singers from 33 primary schools across the county will sing a series of songs called 5,000 Children, written by composer Richard Stilgoe.
PART of the site of the former Opium Den restaurant in Oxford is to reopen by the end of January - almost four years after becoming vacant. Chicken restaurant Nando's will open at the spot, which has been branded an eyesore since closing in March 2004
TOUGHER Government measures are needed to curb excessive drinking, according to a report fronted by an Oxford college head. Increasing alcohol tax and restricting hours of sale would be effective tactics in quelling binge boozing, the Nuffield Council
POLICE in Oxfordshire neglected to solve serious crimes in favour of achieving Government targets, the former Chief Constable has admitted. Peter Neyroud, who stood down as Chief Constable of Thames Valley Police almost two years ago, said police had
So what we have suspected of our police for some time has finally been confirmed. They are neglecting to tackle serious and violent crime and focusing on more minor offences to meet Government targets. The admission has come from a man who should know
THE cost of looking after child asylum seekers has left Oxfordshire taxpayers £1m out of pocket, acording to Oxfordshire County Council. The Government is supposed to reimburse local authorities for schooling, foster care, counselling, interpreting
THE electricity company running one of Oxford's most important sub-stations has been told to ensure the site is properly defended against future flooding. During the height of the summer flooding, more than 30 firefighters spent three days ensuring
Police in Oxfordshire neglected to solve serious crimes in favour of achieving Government targets, the former Chief Constable has admitted. Peter Neyroud, who stood down as Chief Constable of Thames Valley Police almost two years ago, said police had
HUNDREDS of children and their parents are celebrating after meeting their fundraising target to build an extension to their family centre. Donnington Doorstep, in Townsend Square, East Oxford, has managed to raise an additional £60,000 to meet the
CAMPAIGNERS are being encouraged to provide evidence to support their fight to retain services at the Horton Hospital, Banbury. Campaigners are fighting to save paediatrics, obstetrics and the special care baby unit at the hospital. An independent
DARTS legends Eric Bristow and John Lowe will be taking to the oche for an unusual sporting showdown. For, instead of some top flight player, the hotshot aces will be taking on the have-a-go mayor of Witney, Chrissie Curry. But although Ms Curry
A FATHER-of-three walked free from court after a judge heard he downloaded pornographic videos of children by accident. Graham Evans, 44, admitted two counts of possession of indecent images of children including one level five video - the most serious
AN Oxford college chef and butler have looked after students so well for more than 30 years they have been honoured with a special portrait. The college commissioned noted artist Daphne Todd, past president of the Royal Society of Portrait Painters
Tougher Government measures are needed to curb excessive drinking, according to a report fronted by an Oxford college head. Increasing alcohol tax and restricting hours of sale would be effective tactics in quelling binge boozing, the Nuffield Council
