Spring has sprung, trees are blossoming, flowers are budding, love is in the air and it's duck rape season. Now whilst I am not universally acknowledged as the foremost authority in the world on the behaviour of ducks, I have carried out my own intensive
I got to thinking this week, why do old buggers like me get stuck in their ways? When you pass the big five-oh, you tend to have established a routine and stick to the things you know and like. For example, I'll always drink Brakspear's, Hooky or 6X rather
I got to thinking this week, why do old buggers like me get stuck in their ways? When you pass the big five-oh, you tend to have established a routine and stick to the things you know and like. For example, I'll always drink Brakspear's, Hooky or 6X rather
I got to thinking this week, why do old buggers like me get stuck in their ways? When you pass the big five-oh, you tend to have established a routine and stick to the things you know and like. For example, I'll always drink Brakspear's, Hooky or 6X rather
AEA Technology 105.25 BMW 3063 Electrocomponents 295 Isoft Group 33.5 Oxford Biomedica 49.25 Oxford Instruments 248 Reed Elsevier 615.75 RM 180 RPS Group 336.25 Oxonica 132.5 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
WORKERS at the Cowley Mini plant are celebrating after the one millionth car rolled off the production line. The pepper white-coloured Mini Cooper S sported a specially-developed almond green-coloured paint for the roof, along with a special "million
If you find yourself in Abingdon, then I recommend you sample the old-world charm of Stert Street and drop in to Mostly Books. Run by Mark Thornton and his wife Nicki, Mostly Books opened last August. It also sell saucepans due to an unusual leasing arrangement
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad today announced that his government would release the detained 15 British sailors and marines as a gift to the British people. He pardoned the sailors and announced their release minutes after he gave medals of
Concerns are growing for the welfare of a missing homeless woman who has not been seen since March 22. Alison Cox, 35, was in touch with local care services but has not been seen for almost two weeks in Oxford. She is 5ft 4ins, of stocky build and
Spirits were high as the RAF celebrated the launch of a new two-day spectacular in London's Horseguards' Parade yesterday. Spirit of Adventure - which is sponsored by the Oxford Mail - will be held at Abingdon Airfield on Saturday, May 26, and the following
Hojjat Ramzy, chairman of the trustees of the Iqra School at Littlemore, Oxford, tells us that wearing a niqab or full-face veil is part of the Muslim religion (Oxford Mail, March 23). The Muslim Council of Britain says that the headscarf (hijab) is
Some council blurb dropped through my letterbox, part of which informed me that my council tax was going up by the same percentage as last year. This sounds ticketyboo to most people. However, the increase is more than that proclaimed. Six per cent
We have no sympathy for motorists who are being fined for driving through the bus gates in Oxford - they must go around with their eyes closed. Signs have been up for EIGHT years saying clearly that cars are banned from the city centre from 7.30am to
POLICE today appealed for help to trace a woman who has gone missing in Oxford. Alison Cox, 35, is homeless and was in touch with local care services, but she was last seen in Oxford on Thursday, March 22. She is 5ft 4in tall, stocky build and has
Middle Barton fought back in style to reach the final of the Presidents Cup after a thrilling 5-2 extra-time victory at Worcester & Bletchingdon. They did it the hard way after Worcester took a 2-0 lead. An own goal and a Paul Kay strike gave Worcester
Oxford Cavaliers chairman Matt Walsh says they are a team in demand as they prepare for the new rugby league season. Cavaliers saw Halton Farnworth Hornets pull out of a friendly on April 21, but then saw Greenwich Admirals step into the breach almost
Henley Hawks' director of rugby Jon Lambden says his side's confidence is growing as their promotion charge enters its final phase. Hawks will be guaranteed National 1 rugby next season if they win their remaining three fixtures and following Saturday's
Oxfordshire bowed out of the National Under 20 Championship with a 24-22 quarter-final defeat by Kent at Stratfield Brake. The hosts led 22-10 at the break, but Kent sneaked through thanks to a touchline conversion. Scrum half Morgan Thompson gave
Ballmac Charley, tuned to perfection by trainer Charlie Lister, dominated the £8,000 William Hill Pall Mall final at Oxford Stadium last night. The white and black dog, part-owned by Portsmouth FC manager Harry Redknapp, made a cracking start and was
Kidlington Running & Athletic Club begins their 20th Mota-vation Road Race series at Charlton-on-Otmoor on Thursday, May 3, starting at 7.30. The first race forms part of the Oxon AA Grand Prix series. The other four races in the series are scheduled
Phil Hails was celebrating after he landed the Oxfordshire title at the White Horse Half Marathon in Grove. Although Hails had to settle for third place in the open race, he led the way for county honours, landing the senior and overall men's titles
FC Shelley reached the final of the RT Harris Oxford City FA County Junior League Cup with a 3-0 win against North Oxford. Toby Webster, Gavin Preston and Wayne Desmond were on target. Meanwhile, Crown & Thistle moved nearer the Premier Division
A superb 20-yard effort from Michael Piper sent Witney Royals Res into the semi-finals of the Witney FA Supplementary Cup with a 2-1 win over Kingham AB Res. Earlier, Jamie Kennedy's strike had levelled Gareth Tyack's opener, before Piper secured victory
Ducklington's title hopes were dealt a serious blow as they lost 1-0 at home to Hailey in the Premier Division, writes ANTHONY BARLOW. After a goalless first half, a second half strike from Dan King was enough to seal victory, allowing Hailey to leapfrog
Kevin Secker bagged a brace for Saxton Rovers as they took over at the top of Division 1 with a 5-0 thrashing of Coleshill United, writes ANDY WELLS. Ian Beechey, Craig O'Connor and Shane Preece-Tripp got the others as Saxton moved a point clear with
Grove suffered last-minute heartbreak as they lost 1-0 to Ardington in the semi-finals. With the sides locked at 0-0 extra-time looked likely, only for Stuart Morrison to get the last-minute winner for Ardington. Grove started well, with Alan Swann
FIRE crews were called after arsonists set fire to a car at Queenford Farm, Dorchester, at 6.40am today. Thames Valley Police have been informed.
Thame's Nigel Bossom has become the first player to lift the Oxford & District League's Arthur Cook Cup for three successive years. He completed his hat-trick with a 200-187 win over Ashton's Peter Fenn in the final at Witney Snooker Club. Fenn, with
John Townsend was crowned the Kidlington Indoor League's singles champion with a 2-0 win over Ray Barson on finals night. RESULTS Kidlington Indoor League finals - Len Hill Cup: Kidlington SC 16, North Oxford CC 14. Triples: D Homer, K Fisher & A Lewis
Banbury United stretched their unbeaten run to six British Gas Business Southern League Premier Division games last night with a 1-0 victory against basement boys Corby Town last night. Bottom club Corby played better than when Banbury had visited them
Didcot Town were unable to recover from a dismal first 20 minutes as they lost 2-1 at champions Bashley in British Gas Business Southern League Division 1 South & West last night. Shaun Hayle prodded the home side in front in the fifth minute, and
Abingdon United striker Anaclet Odhiambo was hero and villain for Abingdon in last night's British Gas Business Southern League Division 1 South & West 1-1 draw against Chesham last night. His goal came on 24 minutes when he lashed the ball home, but
Oxford United manager Jim Smith has admitted insulting behaviour towards a match official for the incident when he offered a linesman his glasses. United's manager took a dim view of the assistant referee's eyesight when he controversially flagged for
A 'twitcher' pleaded with an inquiry to protect Radley Lakes yesterday after telling the hearing about years of family visits to the area. Birdwatcher Gerald Kendall turned up out of the blue to back campaigners trying to stop RWE npower from dumping
Oxford would have stood a better chance of being allowed to run all services in the city had plans not involved breaking up the county council, Oxford East MP Andrew Smith has said. Last week, the council's bid to do so was thrown out by the Government
ENGINEERING inspectors are riding on board recently re-engined First Great Western Inter City 125 high-speed trains after three power cars caught fire within a month, including one at Didcot Parkway station. Hundreds of passengers were evacuated from
Residents living off Oxford's Botley Road will find out today if they have won their fight to stop a McDonald's restaurant supersizing its hours. About 30 householders living near the restaurant have written to the Vale of White Horse District Council
A PLAN by the grandson of Robert Maxwell to use rickshaws as taxis in Oxford may struggle to get in gear. Oxford City Council is to hold an inquiry into the feasibility of licensing rickshaws, but officials said there were problems - including a cap
Park and ride security guards will strike after talks with city council bosses broke down a second time. The council wants to save cash by making security guards at its Redbridge, Seacourt and Pear Tree sites work alone at night. Union bosses think
A BIRDWATCHER pleaded with an inquiry to protect Radley Lakes yesterday after telling the hearing about years of family visits to the area. Gerald Kendall backed campaigners trying to stop RWE npower from dumping spent fuel ash from Didcot power station
The Marquess of Blandford yesterday lost a bid to keep secret the fact he has been charged with dangerous driving and had a warrant out for his arrest. The Duke of Malborough's son Charles Spencer- Churchill was charged with the offence after an incident
One of Oxfordshire's leading housing providers has joined forces with a regional group to form a new alliance that promises to build more affordable homes. The Vale Housing Association, based in Abingdon, has linked up with the Sovereign Housing Association
A MAN crippled with arthritic pain went to France for a hip replacement after being told he would have to wait six months on the NHS. Tony Singleton, 47, of Bagley Close in Kennington, decided to pay £6,800 to be treated at a private clinic in Abbeville
SPIRITS were high as the RAF celebrated the launch of a new two-day spectacular in London's Horseguards' Parade yesterday. Spirit of Adventure will be held at Abingdon Airfield on Saturday, May 26, and the following day. Organisers described it as
A man who was stabbed to death has been described as 'kind and gentle' after his lover's jealous husband was found guilty of murder. Richard Flippance, 44, of Roundhead Drive in Thame, and lover Fiona Marshall, 41 - the stepsister of Carphone Warehouse
OXFORD City Council engineers have undertaken emergency repairs to Hinksey Park Bridge after a member of the public reported several missing planks. A spokesman said: "We are trying to contact the owner."
Police, youth workers and community safety officers have come together to tackle the problem of "mindless and stupid" youth crime, which is plaguing west Oxfordshire. Vandalism - most of it committed by young people high on drink or drugs - accounted
THE Oxford and Cambridge branches of the National Blood Service were today taking part in a race to recruit the highest number of new blood donors in a working day. The event comes ahead of the 153rd Oxford versus Cambridge boat race being held on Saturday
A plan by the grandson of Robert Maxwell to use rickshaws as taxis in Oxford may struggle to get in gear. Oxford City Council is to hold an inquiry into the feasibility of licensing rickshaws, but officials said there were problems - including a cap
A MOTHER-of-three accused of murdering a man with severe learning disabilities wept as she described watching him being attacked. Karen Fathers, 35, and three others deny murdering Sean Miles, 37, who was beaten and drowned in the River Thames. Fathers
A COUPLE caught growing £7,000-worth of cannabis were spared jail after telling a judge they used it to battle ME and alcoholism. Stephen Clarke, 41,and partner Angela Moore, 40, said they needed the drug for medicinal use for ME and alcoholism respectively
Oxford country-rock band The Epstein has beaten almost 2,500 other groups to win a spot at the world-famous Glastonbury Festival in June. They will follow in the footsteps of the likes of Oasis, Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan and The Kinks by playing at
A complex of redundant 19th century barns in Little Wittenham has undergone a transformation - and what lies inside charts the epic changes to our landscape. Project Timescape, the Northmoor Trust's new £700,000 visitor centre, opened its doors to the
MOTORISTS ignoring a ban on traffic in Oxford's city centre are facing fines of more than £45,000 after just a week. Traffic enforcement cameras - one of the first of their kind outside London and located in the High Street, Castle Street, Magdalen
WHILE blogs written by some of my more-experienced colleagues have generated comments and controversy aplenty, I must admit I have had neither. And with less than three weeks to go to the big day, I am running out of time to grab the headlines. One thing
WHILE blogs written by some of my more-experienced colleagues have generated comments and controversy aplenty, I must admit I have had neither. And with less than three weeks to go to the big day, I am running out of time to grab the headlines. One thing
Jez Hicks has spoken of Witney's immense disappointment at letting slip the Southern Counties North title. Witney could still secure a play-off spot, but captain Hicks feels the crown Bletchley won on Saturday should have been theirs. He said: "We
WHILE blogs written by some of my more-experienced colleagues have generated comments and controversy aplenty, I must admit I have had neither. And with less than three weeks to go to the big day, I am running out of time to grab the headlines. One thing
POLICE, youth workers and community safety officers are joining forces to tackle the problem of the "mindless and stupid" youth crime that is plaguing West Oxfordshire. Vandalism - most of it committed by young people high on drink or drugs - accounted
THERE has been a significant drop in joyriding and car thefts across Oxford, say police. The number of vehicles stolen has fallen by 11 per cent in the past year, while thefts from vehicles dropped by 14 per cent. Police believe the drop in car crime
CHILTERN Railways services over the Easter holiday weekend are expected to be very busy, because the main Virgin Trains route between Birmingham and London will be closed for engineering work. Extra coaches will be added between London, Oxfordshire
TRAVELLING 1,000km through desert terrain has earned an Oxford woman first place in the gruelling Tuareg Rally Women's Championship. Motorcyclist Tamsin Jones, 34, travelled from Spain to Erg Chebbi at the top of the Sahara Desert - and did it the fastest
THREE new independent representatives have joined the Thames Valley Police Authority. Hazel Bell is to take over from Patrick Magee to represent Oxfordshire people on the authority, which oversees the running of Thames Valley Police. Mrs Bell, 43,
POLICE used stinger devices to halt a stolen car being driven at speeds of up to 85mph. Patrol cars and a police helicopter were called at 6.45pm on Sunday, after residents reported a red Ford Escort being driven dangerously in Dunnock Way, Blackbird
WILDLIFE watching on the move is being offered by the Chilterns Conservation Board over the Easter holiday. On Good Friday, a Suffolk Punch drawn cart will take people on a two-hour round trip from Nettlebed to the Warburg Nature reserve which is owned
