Archive

  • Update: Homes still without power

    ABOUT 1,800 homes in north Oxfordshire are still without power after a fault with overhead power cables. The fault with the high voltage network feeding into the Yarnton substation left homes and businesses in Bicester, Kidlington, Weston-on-the-Green

  • Power cut: update

    About 1,800 homes are still without power after a fault with overhead power cables. The fault with the high voltage network feeding into the Yarnton substation left homes and businesses in Bicester, Kidlington, Weston on the Green and Islip without

  • GREYHOUNDS: Wednesday's Oxford results

    2.18: 1 WEDMORE ROSE 3-1 co-fav, 2 Bluechip Me 3-1 co-fav. (4x5). Trainer: Magnasco. Sahara Paddy (3) 3-1 co-fav. Time: 27.64. 2.37: 1 SOBER ROCKET 4-1, 2 Ottawa Princess 6-1. (3x1). Trainer: Peterson. Dunbolg Wizard (5) 2-1 fav. Time: 27.31. 2.57:

  • Website posts antifascist faces

    Faces of dozens of people who protested outside the Oxford Union's free speech debate have been posted on a fascist website. About 1,000 people campaigned in St Michael's Street on Monday against BNP leader Nick Griffin and Holocaust denier David Irving

  • Woman dies in fierce blaze

    A PARTIALLY-disabled woman recovering from hip replacement surgery died when flames engulfed her bedroom. Neighbours tried to rouse the woman by banging on the front door and windows before firefighters arrived but could not get in because of the intensity

  • Quarry homes 'could solve crisis'

    PLANS for a huge eco-town at Shipton Quarry is a "once in a generation" opportunity to solve Oxford's chronic housing crisis, according to a city councillor. Kilbride Properties, the company behind a proposal to build up to 5,000 homes on the disused

  • Woman killed in horror blaze

    A partially disabled woman recovering from hip replacement surgery died when flames engulfed her bedroom. Neighbours tried to rouse the woman by banging on the front door and windows before firefighters arrived but could not get in because of the intensity

  • Plan 'could solve housing crisis'

    Plans for a huge eco-town at Shipton Quarry is a "once in a generation" opportunity to solve Oxford's chronic housing crisis, according to a leading councillor. Kilbride Properties, the company behind a proposal to build up to 5,000 homes on the disused

  • Lottery boost for town transformation

    A SCHEME to transform the centre of Carterton received a huge donation from the Big Lottery Fund tonight. Organisers of the Carterton Fast Forward project picked up a cheque for £38,000 after a television vote. Viewers of Thames Valley TV voted

  • Hundreds of homes lose power

    ABOUT 1,800 homes in Oxfordshire were without power this evening. A fault with the high-voltage network at Yarnton has left homes and businesses in Bicester and Kidlington without electricity since about 4.30pm. Traffic lights are also affected, leading

  • Woman's TV dating trial

    Lynn Guthrie entrusted her parents and her best friend to find her a man. And the results are screened on BBC2 programme, Arrange Me A Marriage, at 8pm tomorrow night. Ms Guthrie, 37, said: "A workmate saw some information about the programme at the

  • Asda plan raises traffic fears

    A proposed supermarket depot, which will bring 400 jobs to the county, has raised fears of traffic congestion. The Vale of the White Horse District Council has received a planning application from Asda to build a 450,000sq ft warehouse on land east

  • Polish call Oxford 'city of opportunity'

    Oxford has been described as a "city of opportunity" by scores of Polish immigrants living in the area. Forget the stereotypical image of Polish plumbers and builders, many young and knowledge-hungry Poles have found the UK an appealing and profitable

  • Big Lottery Fund: cash donated

    A scheme to transform the centre of Carterton received a huge donation from the Big Lottery Fund tonight. Organisers of the Carterton Fast Forward project picked up a cheque for £38,000 after a television vote. Viewers of Thames Valley TV voted the

  • Hundreds of homes lose power

    About 1,800 homes in Oxfordshire were currently without power this evening. A fault with the high voltage network at Yarnton has left homes and businesses in Bicester and Kidlington without electricity since around 4.30pm. Traffic lights are also affected

  • FOOTBALL: Tonbridge prices

    Oxford United have announced prices for their FA Trophy clash at home to Tonbridge Angels on December 15. Adults can get tickets for £10 if bought in advance, with students at £8, over 65s £5 and under 16s £3. All tickets are £2 more expensive if

  • Council challenged on waste

    AN EAST Oxford resident has challenged city councillors to reinstate weekly waste collection, citing an old Public Health Act to support his case. Justin Walden has complained repeatedly about fortnightly rubbish collections, introduced last October

  • Don't worry about an invite

    Hey, kids! Anyone want to go to a Christmas party? There is a slight snag, mind. I don't know where the party is or when it's going to be held. Or, come to that, whether there's going to be a Christmas party at all, which is even more of a slight snag

  • Four held over burglaries

    Two people have been charged and two others arrested in connection with burglaries in north and west Oxfordshire. Three people were arrested shortly after an attempted burglary in Park Close, Kirtlington, at about 11.45am on Friday. An 18-year-old

  • Hanging on the telephone

    It's been a bad time communication-wise for Keith Mitchell, pictured, the leader of Oxfordshire County Council. First, emails sent to his account were bounced back and then his mobile phone kept switching itself off mid-conversation. And if that wasn't

  • Apprentice scheme is league leader

    Oxford United is at last topping the league - with the best young apprentices in the country. The club's youth development scheme turned out nine graduates in the Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence (ASE) Programme - more than any of the 71 other

  • 'It's wheelie wrong'

    An East Oxford resident has challenged city councillors to reinstate weekly waste collection, citing an old Public Health Act to support his case. Justin Walden has complained repeatedly about fortnightly rubbish collections, introduced last October

  • Leonard Cripps

    Leonard Cripps, former owner of the Windmill in Wheatley, has died - five days before his 100th birthday. Mr Cripps was born in the village in 1907, in a cottage that stood in the grounds of Postmill House, in Windmill Lane. He came from a family

  • John Hitchcock

    A man whose taste buds gave the seal of approval to beers in Abingdon has died at the age of 65. John Hitchcock, former landlord of the old Queens pub in the Market Place, was on the tasting panel of Morland Brewery. Mr Hitchcock was born in Bromley

  • Dennis Neale

    Dennis Neale, a member of the Guinea Pig Club - made up of servicemen who underwent reconstructive plastic surgery during World War II - has died at the age of 87. The club was formed of pilots and bomber crews who became patients of Archibald McIndoe

  • Pauline Harvey

    Pauline Harvey, who worked as a maternity care assistant at Wallingford Hospital for 48 years, has died aged 64. Mrs Harvey, of Radnor Road, Wallingford, started at St George's Ward when she was just 16 - and carried on working there until shortly before

  • Beat the wife with the help of the Daily Mail

    Is the Daily Mail encouraging its readers to beat their wives? Unlikely as this might seem, the evidence would suggest that it is. Earlier in the month it carried a two-page feature in which was spelt out the central position in the binge-drinking culture

  • Last pint in a pub I shall miss

    hough I have never considered myself a lager lout, I was for more than 30 years a big fan of lager, and especially of Stella Artois. That I became a very big fan - like around 17 stone - was one reason I gave up drinking it more than two years ago.

  • Much To Ponder in Gritty Drama

    Another week, another gritty northern drama. Adapted from a novel by Jonathan Trigell, Boy A (Channel 4) is set in Manchester, where many gritty dramas take place, although this one gets away from some of the stereotypes. It concerns a boy named Jack

  • Tomato Sauce with Secret Vegetables Recipe

    Caitilin Finch's book Healthy First Foods for Your Toddler (Grub Street, £9.99 hardback) will make a perfect stocking filler for the new mother struggling to provide a toddler with a tasty nutritious diet that establishes a healthy eating pattern for

  • Foodie books make super gifts for all

    Books, glorious books. What other gift can give such lasting enjoyment, particularly if it's full of delicious recipes and essays on food? The new foodie publications this year are as varied as ever, which means that regardless of who is on your Christmas

  • The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford

    If Brad Pitt (pictured) lassos his first ever Oscar nomination as Best Actor in a Leading Role for his portrayal of the eponymous outlaw in Andrew Dominik's handsome new Jesse James biopic, it will be at the expense of an even better performance in the

  • Kenneth Branagh's The Magic Flute and other new releases

    With all the fuss over Sleuth last week, it would be easy to overlook the fact that Kenneth Branagh has a another feature on release today. Indeed, the man once hailed as the finest actor of his generation is rapidly becoming known primarily for his work

  • The Burford Singers, Burford Church

    The Burford Singers' pre-Christmas extravaganza on Sunday was a particularly wonderful occasion, which - although not consisting of any Christmas music - nevertheless captured the festive spirit with some joyful and vibrant singing. First up was the

  • Status Quo, The New Theatre

    When Status Quo started their tour earlier this month, a reviewer from a national newspaper was sent to the gig: "The joke has worn thin as plod rockers opt for autopilot." Either he saw the wrong band, or something had changed by their two-night residence

  • Rapunzel: The Theatre, Chipping Norton

    Fancy a dose of alternative medicine? If so, The Theatre, Chipping Norton, is serving up an alternative to the usual Christmas panto. This year's show tells the story of Rapunzel, a magic plant that first surfaced 400 years ago, and was later the subject

  • Zoe Rahman at the Carswell Country Club

    One of jazz's great pleasures is to listen to a group that has worked together long enough to have built up an understanding but not so long that routine has started to solidify their responses. Pianist Zoe Rahman, who has a burgeoning reputation as both

  • Horrible Histories, New Theatre

    Each time the Birmingham Stage Company adapt one of Terry Deary's "Horrible Histories" books for the theatre they set themselves a formidable challenge. There is huge expectation; the series is revered by both children and parents nationwide. Even more

  • London Jazz Festival

    For a long week this month, innumerable venues in London became part of the London Jazz Festival. The festival gets sufficient sponsorship to allow for an extraordinarily wide spectrum of music from jazz greats like Sonny Rollins, through to adventures

  • Robert Plant shines on new CD

    After his storming appearance at the Cornbury Festival 18 months ago, Robert Plant went strangely quiet, with UK activities just about limited to a show in the Brecon Beacons. Well, the singer is back from the hills with a vengeance with the Led Zeppelin

  • Tango Nuevo: Pegasus Theatre

    Tango is a music form and also a dance form. In this highly enjoyable evening the entertainment consisted of a concert of tango numbers performed, and most of them written, by members of Tango Siempre, punctuated by some superb tango dancing from a group

  • The Childhood of Christ: Oxford Town Hall

    It's amazing to think that Berlioz's moving L'Enfance du Christ (The Childhood of Christ) began life as a party joke. Signing it with a false name, Berlioz produced what is now the most famous number in the work, The Shepherd's Farewell. Eventually, he

  • The Oxford Pro Musica Singers: University Church

    The Oxford Pro Musica Singers brought their 30th anniversary year to a close with a celebratory concert at the University Church last week - and what better music to choose for a celebration than two of Handel's Coronation anthems? Opening with The

  • PREVIEW: Heather Shipp sings Carmen at the New Theatre

    When the Ellen Kent's production of Bizet's Carmen comes to the New Theatre, mezzo-soprano Heather Shipp, who plays the title role, says we will get what we expect and what we don't expect - and just a little bit more. Heather has performed this role

  • Work, rest & play

    Percy Blake and his fellow workers at Cowley not only made, sold and serviced cars - they enjoyed a full sporting life as well. They spent many hours at Morris Motors Athletic and Social Club in Crescent Road taking part in inter-departmental competitions

  • Rapper's act wins applause

    An Oxford rapper has been named runner-up in a national competition searching for the best young singing star. Elliott Haslam, 21, who performs under the name Mr Shaodow, is a law and business student at Oxford Brookes University. He was picked from

  • Police raid suspected brothel

    Police raided a suspected brothel in a wealthy suburb of Oxford today after complaints from neighbours. Officers smashed in a door to the three-bedroom house, in Middle Way, Summertown, at about 1.45pm. Three women, believed by police to be prostitutes

  • Squad is reading for the world!

    More than a dozen youngsters are ready to unleash their own brand of hip hop and karate on the world. Members of Oxford School of Martial Arts' Team Taurus have been combining attack moves with spectacular dancing in a bid to become world class performance

  • RUGBY UNION: Chippy still on top

    Chipping Norton continue to reign supreme in my Oxfordshire form table for November. Andy Dawson's side maintained their 100 per cent record throughout the month, a feat matched by Littlemore and Bicester. Littlemore are a new entry at No 2, edging

  • BAR BILLIARDS: Cox on song for Gladiators

    Frank Cox was the hero as Gladiators Club A recorded their first win in Buildbase Oxford & District League with a 3-2 away victory at Masons B in Section 1, writes PETE EWINS. Cox won the crucial fifth frame, seeing off Martin Skyrme 3,010-2,510 to

  • BOWLS RESULTS

    CLUB MATCHES Oxford & District 107, Croyden 127 (Oxford skips first): Gwen Bailey 14, W Rowe 20; B Pearce 20, D Tarren 22; P Woodville 17, A Kellaway 16; A Tozer 14, E Daunt 21; M Woodville 23, J Cameron 21; E Gibb 19, R Tarren 27. Oxford & District

  • BOWLS RESULTS

    CLUB MATCHES Oxford & District 107, Croyden 127 (Oxford skips first): Gwen Bailey 14, W Rowe 20; B Pearce 20, D Tarren 22; P Woodville 17, A Kellaway 16; A Tozer 14, E Daunt 21; M Woodville 23, J Cameron 21; E Gibb 19, R Tarren 27. Oxford & District

  • Residents fear for future of pub

    Residents fear for the future of their local pub after its new owners put it up for sale. Locals were looking forward to The Chequers Inn, in Headington Quarry, Oxford, reopening. Owners Scottish and Newcastle found new tenants at the beginning of

  • ICE HOCKEY: Alan delight at return

    Oxford City Stars Alan Green has spoken of his delight after his derby display. "It's good to be back after four weeks off injured and great to score four goals on my return to the squad," said Green. "It's nice to be back the squad is looking good

  • ICE HOCKEY: Four-goal Green in dream return

    Fit-AGAIN Alan Green hammered a four-timer as Oxford City Stars completed a double over Swindon Wildcats with a 9-6 win in Saturday's English National League South Division A derby. Two week's ago Stars beat Swindon 6-5 in Wiltshire. Green, fresh

  • Police raid suspected city brothel

    POLICE raided a suspected brothel in North Oxford this afternoon after complaints by neighbours. Officers smashed through the door to the three-bedroom house in Middle Way, Summertown, at about 1.45pm. Three women, believed by police to be prostitutes

  • RUGBY UNION: Roff will give rugby the boot

    Joe Roff will play his last ever game of rugby when he captains Oxford University in Thursday's Lehman Brothers Varsity Match. And the former Australian international has come up with a plan to stop him changing his mind. Roff said: "An old friend

  • Today's local share prices (PM)

    AEA Technology 110.25 BMW 2894 Electrocomponents 215 Nationwide Accident Repair 128 Oxford Biomedica 22.75 Oxford Catalyst 149.5 Oxford Instruments 209.5 Reed Elsevier 580.5 RM 197.5 RPS Group 327 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon

  • RUGBY UNION: Win Varsity Match tickets

    The Oxford Mail has teamed up with Varsity Match sponsors Lehman Brothers to give away two pairs of tickets for next Thursday's Twickenham clash, which kicks off at 4pm. To enter the competition, simply answer the following question: For which country

  • Mistaken link

    I heard the impressive Eliza Manningham-Buller, former head of MI5, state on Desert Island Discs on Radio 4 that British intelligence had been disappointed by the spurious link made by the administration in Washington between the 9/11 attack and the then

  • RUGBY UNION: Gibson gets England chance

    Former Oxford junior Liam Gibson gets his first taste of international action in Dubai this weekend. Gibson, 22, a winger with National 1 side Plymouth Albion, is in the England squad for the first round of the IRB World Sevens Series. The former

  • Unfettered access

    Various correspondents have taken me to task over the smoking ban and pub closures. Only time will tell as to the outcome, but as I have said before, it is freedom of choice that is being eroded and little do most people realise that this is just another

  • Speed bandwagon

    I notioce a bandwagon starting over speeding offences. The Government is considering six points per offence and now Dennis Brown (Oxford Mail, November 13) suggests taking away offenders' licences - one month for a first offence, six months for a second

  • RUGBY UNION: Oxley is crocked

    Chinnor suffered another major blow as they lost their unbeaten record to rivals Oxford Harlequins on Saturday. Regular first team centre Darren Oxley broke a rib in Chinnor 2nd's 9-0 victory over Blackheath Development on the same day, on his return

  • No parking at the park-and-ride

    My wife and I use the Redbridge park-and-ride in Oxford every week and find it excellent. When we decided to go to London for the day, the obvious choice was to leave the car at the Thornhill park-and-ride and catch the Oxford Tube. Imagine my reaction

  • RUGBY UNION: Oxford women go top

    Oxford's women went top of Midlands 1 after defeating Cambridge Select 26-10. The hosts started well with recent signing, full back Emilie Astley-Arlington, crossing the line in the first ten minutes. Cambridge came back strongly and scored shortly

  • RUGBY UNION: Holmes defiant

    Banbury Bulls coach Grant Holmes remains confident they can survive in Midlands 2 East despite slipping five points adrift of safety. Bulls lost 41-17 to Paviors on Saturday, with Dave Taylor and Nick Pratt scoring tries, plus Pete Flemming kicking

  • Tales from the Brothers Grimm@The Mirror Tent, BMW

    There is nothing children like more than serious unpleasantness - and Creation Theatre Company supplies it in buckets in Tales from the Brothers Grimm. The ghoulish activities depicted on stage have much to do with death and dismemberment, some supervised

  • Cash gift helps playtime chat

    A special school in Bicester is celebrating after receiving a grant to buy new benches - which will help improve pupils' communication and interaction at playtime. Bardwell School, in Hendon Place, has been awarded £1,300 by the Gannett Foundation,

  • ATHLETICS: Radley honour ever-presents

    Radley AC presented tracksuit tops to 13 members at their annual presentation evening on Saturday. The Radley incentive scheme honoured athletes who turned out for the club in all matches during the 2007 track and field season. They are pictured here

  • ATHLETICS: Dean finishes fourth to book place in British team

    Former Radley athlete Hatti Dean booked her place in the Great Britain team for next month's European Cross Country Championships in Spain, after finishing a creditable fourth in Saturday's trials at Liverpool's Sefton Park. The race was won by Windsor

  • ATHLETICS: Hawtin sisters steal the show

    Oxford City's Hawtin sisters stole the show at the UK Liverpool Cross Challenge. The youngest of the clan, Beth, took part in her first UK challenge, and made the perfect start by posting a superb victory in the under 11 girls' age group. In the under

  • ATHLETICS: O'Shea lands veteran honours

    Abingdon Amblers' Hilary O'Shea was fifth lady overall and first in the vet 50 category at the Avebury 8 Trail race. She clocked a time of 1hr 12mins 30secs on the undulating course. After the event, she heard that she was first veteran in the 2006

  • ATHLETICS: Philip takes honours to land county title

    Witney Roadrunner Philip Hails landed the senior men's Oxfordshire 10km title after finishing sixth overall at the 20th Maylarch Eynsham 10K. Hails clocked 33mins 43secs - a performance which landed him third place in the senior men's open race and

  • EYNSHAM 10K RESULTS AND PRIZE WINNERS

    RESULTS (top 50, senior men unless stated) 1 A Prophett (Cheltenham) 32.46, 2 S Overton (Oxford C, V40) 33.13, 3 C Illman (Cirencester) 33.19, 4 D Walmsley (Bourton RR, V40) 33.21, 5 R Bullen (Les Croupiers, V40) 33.30, 6 P Hails (Witney RR) 33.43,

  • It's easy to Parc

    Debbie Waite and family take a break in the woods, chilling out at the revamped Center Parcs in Wiltshire We went to Center Parcs wanting it all - some great family time, some relaxation and some quality time as a couple too. An impossibly tall order

  • House fire death 'not suspicious'

    POLICE investigating the death of a woman after a house fire in Chalgrove said this afternoon that they do not believe the blaze was suspicious. Emergency services were called to the property in Brookside Estate, Chalgrove, at about 7pm last night.

  • Fatal blaze 'not suspicious'

    Police investigating the death of a woman after a house fire near Thame said today they do not believe the blaze was suspicious. Emergency services were called to the property in Brookside Estate, in Chalgrove, at around 7pm last night. Police and

  • Man charged with attempted murder

    A 32-year-old man has been charged with attempted murder and grievous bodily harm following an attack in Adderbury. Ian Holland, of Edinburgh Way, Banbury, was charged yesterday in connection with an incident at about 3.15am in Margaret's Road, Adderbury

  • Missing woman found

    A Headington woman reported missing from her home last week has been found. Natasha Moyle, 44, had not been seen since November 21. Police said today she had been found safe, outside the Thames Valley area.

  • Two charged after burglaries

    Two people have been charged and two others arrested in connection with burglaries in Cherwell and West Oxfordshire, police said today. Three people were arrested shortly after an attempted burglary in Park Close, Kirtlington, around 11.45am on Friday

  • Missing woman found

    NATASHA Moyle, a 44-year-old woman who was reported missing from her home in Headington on November 21, has been found. A spokesman for Thames Valley Police said she was found outside the Thames Valley area.

  • Four held over burglaries

    TWO people have been charged and two others arrested in connection with burglaries in north and west Oxfordshire. Police said three people were arrested shortly after an attempted burglary in Park Close, Kirtlington, which took place around 11.45am

  • Man faces murder bid charge

    A MAN has been charged with attempted murder and GBH in Adderbury. The charges are in connection with an attack at about 3.15am in Margaret Road, Adderbury, on June 17, where a 30-year-old man was left critically injured. The man accused, Ian Holland

  • Man injured in crash

    FIREFIGHTERS were called to the A41 between Wendlebury and Bicester following a single-vehicle accident shortly before 5.30pm last night. The male driver was given first-aid by firefighters.

  • Microwave blaze

    FIREFIGHTERS were called to a house in Thames Street, Eynsham, after a microwave oven caught fire at 9.40pm last night. No one was hurt.

  • Two hurt in crash

    FIREFIGHTERS were called to the B4450 Churchill Road, Chipping Norton, at 7.50am today following a two-vehicle collision. A spokesman for South Central Ambulance said two people were taken to hospital but the extent of their injuries was not yet known

  • Two escape car blaze

    FIRE crews were called to the Windmill roundabout on the A40, near Burford, shortly before 11pm last night after a car engine caught fire. Two women escaped the blaze without suffering serious injuries.

  • Cyclist injured in collision

    A CYCLIST was taken to hospital after being involved in a collision with a car in Oxford this morning. The woman was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital following the accident with a black Audi A3. The incident occurred outside the Toys R Us store,

  • Rail fare rises revealed

    Rail fares in Oxfordshire will rise by up to 9.8 per cent from January, it was announced today. Regulated fares, which are set by the Government, including season tickets and Savers, will go up by 4.8 per cent from January 2 . Other fares, which are

  • Cyclist taken to hospital following collision

    A cyclist was taken to hospital following a collision with a car in Oxford today. The woman was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital, in Headington, following the accident with a black Audi A3 outside the Toys R Us store, in Botley Road, at about 10.20am

  • Rail fares to rise

    REGULATED rail fares, including season tickets, will go up by 4.8 per cent, while other tickets are set to rise by a larger amount. The rises announced today mean nationally regulated fares, including season tickets, savers and standard day returns

  • Man found in river ‘critical’

    A man is in a critical condition in hospital today after being found in a river in Wantage. The 45-year-old man was found by a member of the public in Letcombe Brook, near Mill Street, at about 5.15pm last night. The man, who has not been identified

  • Man found in brook 'critical'

    A MAN is in a critical condition in hospital today after being found in Letcombe Brook, near Mill Street, Wantage. The 45-year-old man, who was found at about 5.15pm last night, is in the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford. Det Insp Paul Miller said

  • Woman dies in village house fire

    AN investigation was under way today after an elderly woman died following a house fire at Chalgrove. The woman was pronounced dead at the scene of the blaze on the Brookside Estate at about 7pm yesterday. Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service would

  • County threatens bus cuts

    PEOPLE in Didcot and Wallingford are being called to a meeting tonight to stave off cuts to bus routes. Routes in and around both towns are facing cuts because of "severe pressure" on Oxfordshire County Council's public transport budget, officers say

  • Teacher jailed for sex with pupil

    A MATHS teacher was today starting a 12-month jail sentence for having sex with a pupil. Kin Ming Hung, 33, had a series of sex liaisons with the 15-year-old girl while her parents believed he was giving her private tuition to help improve her maths

  • Police: 'We did our job'

    POLICE have been criticised for allowing protesters to invade the Oxford Union, attack union members and hurl death threats. About 50 protesters gatecrashed the Oxford Union's debate with holocaust denier David Irving and BNP leader Nick Griffin in

  • Twigg's big hint

    Striker Gary Twigg dropped a big hint to boss Darren Patterson after playing a leading role in a 2-0 win over Northampton in a behind-closed-doors friendly yesterday. o The Scottish striker, who is on the comeback trail after an ankle injury, set up

  • University sports centre opens to public

    A UNIVERSITY sports centre in Oxford is set to reopen today after a £500,000 facelift. Oxford Brookes' Westminster Sports Centre, at the Harcourt Hill campus, will open its doors to members of the public to showcase its new facilities. As well as

  • 'Go-getter' village wins national praise

    A VILLAGE which refused to die has been named a "go-getter" in a national report. Tackley is singled out in the Living Britain Report as an example of flourishing community spirit in Britain, after building its own shop and post office. The village

  • Pull up a chair to get fit

    OLDER people are taking a relaxed approach to fitness in a new tailor-made exercise class. Dorothy Copper, 75, is among older people in Barton, Oxford, learning to stretch their muscles using hula hoops and streamers during the sessions. The classes

  • Brave act

    We have nothing but praise for postmistress Margarita Morgan and her young assistant, who courageously fought off masked raiders at their post office in Wootton, near Abingdon. The cowards may have got away with £3,500, but thanks to the quick-thinking

  • Former air base lights up

    FOR the first time Heyford Park, near Bicester, is holding its own Christmas lights switch on. On Saturday, the winner of the Heyford Park At Christmas drawing competition will be invited to switch on the lights at 6pm. The former US air base will

  • Lessons to learn for the future

    Now that the dust has settled, it is a good opportunity for all sides in the Oxford Union row to assess their roles. Union officials were widely criticised - but also praised in some quarters - for offering a platform to BNP leader Nick Griffin and

  • Cyclone appeal cooks up cash

    CURRY houses in Oxfordshire have raised thousands of pounds to help victims of the Bangladesh cyclone disaster. More than 3,000 people were killed and over a million homes damaged or destroyed when the storm struck the south-west coast of the country

  • Sports centre hosts national event

    NATIONAL badminton championships are coming to Bicester again. Bicester and Ploughley Sports Centre will host a regional round of the National Leisure Centre Badminton Championships early next year. The event, on Saturday February 23, will be open

  • 'Fight for town's birthday party'

    AN HISTORIAN has labelled Witney Town Council's refusal to back plans to celebrate the town's 800th anniversary as "rather sad". Charles Gott said Witney was named in 969, but its birth as a modern town occurred in 1208, when Bishop of Winchester Peter

  • Trees declared unsafe

    OXFORD City Council has declared five trees in Headington are dangerous. The council's tree officer will await the results of a survey before deciding whether to fell the trees. Three of them are in the Sandfield Road recreation area and the other

  • Cash rolls in for paint fund

    A CHARITY is extending its services thanks to a flurry of grants - including one from our parent company Gannett. Orinoco, based in the Scrapstore, Bullingdon Centre, Peat Moors, Headington, passes on unwanted leftover paint to those who need it.

  • Book talk

    THREE recently published authors will talk to youngsters at Matthew Arnold School, Cumnor Hill, this evening. Sharon Dogar, Rachael Wing and Matthew Skelton will chat to pupils about reading and writing. The event takes place in the main hall at

  • Trust challenges cancer figures

    CANCER patients in Oxfordshire are the most under-funded in the country, according to official figures. The Department of Health's public expenditure memorandum to the House of commons health select committee, published this month, shows Oxfordshire

  • Court battle

    THE Lord Nuffield Club, formerly the Morris Motors Social and Athletic Club, is suing former chairman Tom Doliamie to gain possession of the flat he occupies at its Crescent Road premises in Cowley. The case is due to be heard at Oxford County Court

  • Scrap scare

    MORE vehicles will be produced in the next 25 years than in the history of the motor industry, according to an Oxford Brookes University study. An estimated 3.65bn tonnes of vehicle scrap will be created worldwide between now and 2030, enough to fill

  • Cat caught in illegal trap

    A CAT may lose its leg after being caught in an illegal gin trap in Giles Road, Littlemore. The three-year-old cat walked back to its home with the trap still attached, and is recovering at the Blue Cross Animal Hospital in London. The incident

  • Postmistress attacked in raid

    POSTMISTRESS Margarita Morgan was attacked by robbers during a raid on her post office. The three men, one brandishing an iron bar, raided the Sandleigh Post Office, in Wootton, near Abingdon, at 4.45pm on Monday, striking 65-year-old Mrs Morgan in the

  • Police - we did our job during protest

    Police were last night criticised for allowing protesters to invade the Oxford Union, attack union members and hurl death threats. About 50 protesters gatecrashed the Oxford Union's debate with holocaust denier David Irving and BNP leader Nick Griffin

  • Pollyanna takes centre stage

    From death row to the spotlights of Oxford's New Theatre, it has been quite a journey for Pollyanna the donkey. Pollyanna, who lives at the Island Donkey Sanctuary in Brightwell-cum-Sotwell, near Wallingford, will be taking to the stage next month for

  • GREYHOUNDS: Last night's results

    7.35: 1 PAORACHS FLYER 4-1, 2 Pennys Sequin 3-1. (5x2x4). Trainer: Peterson, Time: 27.69. Ballyorban Queen (4) 5-2 fav. 7.50: 1 DAY SEVEN 7-2, 2 Georgie Dawn 4-1. (2x4x1). Trainer: T Kibble. Time: 27.41. Regazzoni (3) 9-4 fav. 8.05: 1 BIGWOOD MOLL 7

  • Man found floating in brook

    A MAN was seriously ill in the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, tonight after being found floating in a brook in Wantage. The man, thought to be in his 40s, was discovered floating in the Letcombe Brook, near Mill Street, at about 5.20pm. Paramedics