All staff working at Oxfordshire schools have now had criminal records checks but it was not clear last night if all had passed. Last month, it was revealed that 204 staff at the county's schools did not have evidence of being checked and cleared by
Managers at Oxford's Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre are celebrating after finishing the last financial year with a £2.15m surplus - even though they forecast a deficit of £1.2m. They said the outcome was due to a number of factors, including an extra £1m
A woman who fell into debt used her dad's credit card to buy two designer watches before stealing goods worth around £2,000 from her employer. Banbury magistrates jailed Leonie Monaghan, 21, for 20 months in April, after she pleaded guilty to four charges
A man was arrested at Oxford railway station after a glass door was smashed at the entrance. British Transport Police arrested the 33-year-old, who was one of four men causing a disturbance at the station at 8.55pm on Wednesday night. Sgt Michael
The mum of a five-year-old boy with special needs claims mainstream schools treat children like her son as bad as "animals in zoos". Jennifer King, a mum of four from Witney, spoke out after reading Tuesday's Oxford Mail, in which we highlighted the
The principal of the Oxford Academy - the city's first flagship academy which is to replace Peers School - will be paid £100,000 a year. The bumper salary is designed to attract the very best to apply for the post at the academy, which aims to take
The mother of a doctor killed in a high-speed crash today begged young drivers to take care on the roads on the anniversary of her daughter's death. Dr Margaret Davidson, 26, died when Nolan Haworth crashed head-on into her car a year ago today, on
There were tears in Bob Paterson's eyes as he watched a DVD tribute by classmates of his son Dale yesterday. The assembly hall at John Mason School in Abingdon was heavy with emotion as 180 students watched the two-and-a-half-minute tribute to a much-missed
When a bride in a Shakespeare play has more chest hair than her husband, it can mean only one thing - this is a Propeller production. The all-male theatre company made this misogynistic comedy a funky affair, with many scenes accompanied by a live soundtrack
Mitchell and Webb, the stars of the delightful yet weird, voyeuristic TV series Peep Show have taken a wrong turn with Magicians. The film conjures a premise ripe with comic potential but breaks the spell by performing a vanishing act with the laughs
The topic of debate in that Covered Market café was John Tanner, Oxford's new Lord Mayor. The panel' was a Friday lunchtime quintet that, at a guess, often puts the world to rights. "He says he doesn't believe in God," the older of the two women said
Every self-respecting rock band prides itself on its ability to party. But few bands can be as proud of their powers of hedonism as Biffy Clyro. The Glaswegian three-piece have a well-earned reputation for mixing it up, and have beaten some of the
Taking its title from a foot-stomping Blind Lemon Jefferson song, Black Snake Moan is mistuned to give audiences a nasty case of the blues too. Written and directed by Craig Brewer, whose previous film was the Oscar-winning Hustle & Flow, this loopy
In various books and essays on the history of criminal mind, America is credited as the birthplace of the majority of the world's serial killers. Zodiac was, or perhaps still is, one of them. In the sweltering summer of 1969, when most of America
I'm still digesting the mountain of food I ate at Maxwell's, the calorific carbohydrate content of which zapped my energy and reduced me to a bloated mess. But it seemed like a good idea at the time, and it was so important to find somewhere, anywhere
Dozens of sub-postmasters in Oxfordshire are wondering if their businesses have a future after the Government said today it would go ahead with a wave of cost-cutting closures. Trade and Industry Secretary Alistair Darling said 2,500 of the country's
Oxford city councillors now look likely to vote on the issue of whether security guards should work alone at park-and-ride sites after a call for an extraordinary general meeting. On Wednesday, the five-week dispute, which included several walk-outs
Road safety experts are continuing to review possible measures to improve an Oxford city centre junction where a student died in a cycle accident. Worcester College engineering student Tsz Fok died after he was involved in a collision with a lorry at
The chief executive of Oxfordshire's largest hospitals hopes to win foundation trust status within 18 months - but has admitted more multi-million-pound budget cuts will have to be made. Trevor Campbell Davis, of the Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust
More than 3,000 runners will pound the streets of Oxford on Sunday for the annual Town and Gown race in the city centre. It is the second biggest field ever assembled for the 10km race, which is being held for the 26th consecutive year. The first
Oxford City Council is set to have its first Conservative councillors since 2002. Paul Sargent and Tia MacGregor are tomorrow set to complete their move from the Liberal Democrats - via the Independent group - to the Conservative Party. Witney MP
A teenager accused of murdering a father-of-two in a late night attack has admitted punching and kicking the man but claims he was just defending a friend. James Diggens, 19, told London Crown Court he had certainly never intended to seriously injure
Supermarkets are being asked to play a bigger role in tackling rowdy behaviour caused by drunken yobs. Thames Valley Police and West Oxfordshire District Council have called on store managers to take more responsibility for antisocial behaviour caused
A row has erupted over plans for a Christian minister to give a sermon at a Muslim prayer ceremony. The Muslim Education Centre of Oxford (Meco) is hosting a religious 'first' tomorrow, when Christian minister the Rev Peter Hewis preaches as part of
OXFORD is in the running to become a centre of excellence for injured athletes in time for the 2012 London Olympics. Specialists at the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre want to expand their successful sports injury clinic, oxsport@noc, to ensure the hospital
AEA Technology 108 BMW 3353 Electrocomponents 308 Isoft Group 54.5 Nationwide Accident Repair 158.5 Oxford Biomedica 40.75 Oxford Instruments 281 Reed Elsevier 677.75 RM 198.75 RPS Group 338.25 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
A COUPLE from Kidlington have been picked to spread the word about the benefits of fostering. Sharon and Stewart Okin have been chosen as two "faces of foster care" by the national Fostering Network. And the couple, who have only been fostering
FIVE Oxfordshire writers are included in a list of the predicted biggest authors in the UK for the 21st century produced by bookseller Waterstones. Children's writer Julia Golding, a former Oxfam lobbyist, is included in the '25 Authors for the Future
CHILDREN have written dozens of letters appealing for help finding their missing school cat. Norman has been a familiar face around Fringford Primary School near Bicester for three years. But three weeks ago, the male tabby disappeared. Staff
Oxford is in the running to become a centre of excellence for injured athletes in time for the 2012 London Olympics. Specialists at the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre want to expand their successful sports injury clinic, oxsport@noc, to ensure the hospital
Oxford's cherished skyline of dreaming spires could be dramatically altered with the city's first wind turbine - standing 85 metres tall. Midcounties Co-operative wants to build a wind turbine to supply power for its headquarters and shop in Botley.
The curtain looks poised to go up on a £2.5m six-screen cinema in the heart of Bicester. The 1,000-seat complex will be part of the new £70m town centre redevelopment, and is due to be built on the current Franklin's Yard car park. Run by national
I join Andrew Smith (Oxford Mail, May 11) in welcoming Tony Blair's announced departure from office, but sadly I cannot share his enthusiasm for Gordon Brown. Mr Smith says "The public tires of one particular personality." However, it is not Mr Blair's
Your analysis of the district council election results did not include the striking failure of the West Oxfordshire Conservatives to elect any women in David Cameron's own home area. Mr Cameron has quite rightly stressed that his new modern Conservative
Commuters in Oxford have dismissed cuts in some rail fares as a gimmick which will not affect the majority of passengers. But changes to off-peak fares have been welcomed by other campaigners as a way of boosting the Oxford to Bicester line. First
A couple from Kidlington have been picked to spread the word about the benefits of fostering. Sharon and Stewart Okin have been chosen as two "faces of foster care" by the national Fostering Network. And the couple, who have only been fostering for
Children, parents and staff at a Bicester nursery school threw a party to celebrate scooping a top award. Toad Hall Nursery, in Buckingham Road, was given a Quality Assurance Award by Investors in People. Nursery manager Diane Clark said staff had
Five Oxfordshire writers are included in a list of the predicted biggest authors in the UK for the 21st century produced by bookseller Waterstones. Children's writer Julia Golding, a former Oxfam lobbyist, is included in the '25 Authors for the Future
I had intended to respond to John Monaghan's enjoyable letter about election candidates sooner, Strange sight on my doorstep (Oxford Mail, April 25), but a new terrier puppy has taken up much of my time. But then, as Frederick the Great once remarked
Warneford Meadow is proving to be one of the unhappiest sagas in Oxford's recent history and the comments by Julie Waldron (Oxford Mail, May 11) just add to the confusion surrounding its future. City planners did not, as she claims, recommend approval
Devastated children have written dozens of letters appealing for help finding their missing school cat. Norman has been a familiar face around Fringford Primary School near Bicester for three years. But three weeks ago, the male tabby disappeared.
The ruling Conservative group on Oxfordshire County Council is to continue to exercise an iron grip on appointments to outside organisations. Tory councillors will continue to represent the authority on all outside bodies - with no positions for opposition
FIRST Great Western has announced a range of reductions to fares across Oxfordshire, including making more advance purchase off-peak tickets available. The company also announced reductions in peak and off-peak fares between Bicester and Oxford as
POLICE this afternoon appealed for witnesses after a 23-year-old man was assaulted in East Oxford. At 4am on Monday, the man got out of a taxi on the corner of Divinity Road and Cowley Road and walked down Leopold Street. He was talking on his mobile
First Great Western has announced a range of reductions to fares across Oxfordshire, including making more advance purchase off-peak tickets available. The company also announced reductions in peak and off-peak fares between Bicester and Oxford as well
A man was arrested at Oxford railway station after a glass door was smashed at the entrance to the concourse. British Transport Police arrested the 33-year-old, who was one of four men causing a disturbance at the station at 8.55pm last night. Sgt
A MAN was arrested at Oxford rail station after a glass door was smashed at the entrance to the concourse. British Transport Police arrested the 33-year-old, who was one of four men causing a disturbance at the station at 8.55pm yesterday. Sgt Michael
Fiona Walker has writen seven best-sellers. Her latest romance, Four Play (Hodder, £6.99), continues the story of Dilly Gently, set in the Lodes Valley, which bears a curious resemblance to the Evenlode Valley, where the author lives with her husband
The Last Mazurka Andrew Tarnowski (Aurum, £7.99) Read this book and you will never look at Polish people in the same way again. Tracking the adventures of Tamowski's family from before the Second World War until now, it puts a human face on the tragedies
When Geoffrey Strachan was invited to translate an award-winning story by the Russian/French novelist Andrei Makine, he found himself competing in a kind of literary audition. For he discovered that publishers Sceptre were considering an English language
By my count, this is the 17th Conan Doyle biography to have appeared since the writer's death in 1930; had he not created one of the most famous characters in fiction, he would probably only have been accorded a couple. Endless interest in Sherlock Holmes
The author, an American living in London, has pulled off a great coup with her latest novel by writing a book about relationships which men can enjoy too. What is the magic ingredient to keep a man's attention through 600 pages documenting an agonising
Far From the Sodding Crowd (Penguin, £14.99) is compiled by the four authors behind the Framley Examiner website, which was a hilarious (at least to journalists) pastiche of local newspapers. Last year they wrote Bollocks to Alton Towers, which championed
If you are planning to sell your house next month you will need to produce a Home Information Pack (HIP) costing between £300-£600 before it can go up for sale. Or that is what will happen if the Lords fail next week to throw out the Bill bringing HIPs
Government initiative aims to encourage teenage boys to read, writes TIM ROSS Schools will be offered free crime novels and adventure stories to encourage more teenage boys to read for fun, Education Secretary Alan Johnson has announced. Every
The late architect Hugh Casson wrote in the 1980s of Oxford's mix of beauty and smugness, writes CHRIS KOENIG Long ago the late Sir Hugh Casson, answering a question from a 13-year-old boy, explained that architects should have a very close understanding
There can be no greater pleasure than walking through Oxford by moonlight and the inaugural Oxford Moonlight Stroll next month looks as if it will become one of the biggest fundraising events to take place in Oxford this year. Launched in March, the
When a friend noticed my copy of Elizabeth David's French Provincial Cooking on my kitchen table, she picked it up with a certain amount of reverence, then began smiling as she turned the pages. "To be able to sit in a comfortable chair under your apple
Tibetan monks from Tashi Lhunpo Monastery will be performing spectacular traditional masked dances at the Pitt Rivers and Oxford University Museum of Natural History on Saturday evening. The monks will be taking part in the museum's third magical evening
VAL BOURNE traces the history of that May favourite, lupin Very few herbaceous plants perform well in May, but the lupin does, and like many plants we have one dedicated person to thank for modern lupin varieties - George Russell. He perfected
The ringing of birds is an essential tool for conserving the species and the Northmoor Trust in Oxfordshire is just one of 120 sites for the job, writes ELIZABETH EDWARDS The Northmoor Trust at Little Wittenham is one of the 120 recognised sites
Oxfordshire's Artweeks is marking its 25th anniversary with an exciting new project, writes NICOLA LISLE There's a different look to the Artweeks programme this year. In addition to the usual diverse array of paintings and other exhibits, numbering
DAVID BELLAN on Guys and Dolls at the New Theatre, Oxford Guys and Dolls is based on a story by Damon Runyan, who, writing between the wars, is responsible more than any other American writer for the picture most of us still have of the characters
GILES WOODFORDE on The Taming of the Shrew at the Oxford Playhouse A man playing Shakespeare's Kate, the Shrew? Some have questioned director Edward Hall's very choice of The Taming of the Shrew for his all-male Propeller theatre company. But Hall's
NICOLA LISLE talks to the Canadian violinist James Ehnes ahead of his appearance at the Sheldonian Theatre When James Ehnes steps forward at the Sheldonian Theatre next week to play Elgar's Violin Concerto, he will be emulating one of his childhood
Dance critic DAVID BELLAN talks to Menelva Harry, whose new martial arts-based work, premieres at the Pegasus Theatre next Thursday Most small dance companies have come into existence through the established route of dancer turned choreographer
Oxford Cheetahs have received a big boost after hot Swedish prospect Ricky Kling agreed to sign for the struggling outfit. The son of a former rider Anders Kling, the 19-year-old finished ninth in last year's World Under 21 Championship and has already
The West Indies need to restore their nation's cricketing pride when they step out at Lord's today. That is the view of Oxford UCCE player Mali Richards, the son of Windies legend Sir Viv, who is well-placed to comment. Richards, 23, knows Sylvester
AEA Technology 108.75 BMW 3365 Electrocomponents 306.75 Isoft Group 54.75 Nationwide Accident Repair 159.5 Oxford Biomedica 41.75 Oxford Instruments 275.5 Reed Elsevier 575.75 RM 199 RPS Group 336.5 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
FIREFIGHTERS were called to a house in Lerwick Croft, Bicester, at 1.50pm yesterday after a bonfire spread from the garden to the back of the property. No one was injured in the incident. Two crews from Bicester attended the scene.
What a scandal that city taxpayers have to spend £45,000 a year to clear chewing gum from our streets. If you have to chew the horrible stuff, dispose of it properly - don't throw it on the pavement.
Most of us want to save the planet, and no doubt, wind turbines will have a big part to play in the green agenda in future. The problem is that no-one wants them near them. And given the size of the one proposed by the Midcounties Co-op near the Seacourt
An Oxford-based karate club is on the look-out for new members - or fears it may have to close. The United Sports Karate Organisation (UKSO) Club, which holds sessions at the Ferry Sports Centre on Marston Ferry Road, has recently celebrated its second
Oxford Saints' star running back Randy Townsend marked his return to the club with 105 yards and two touchdowns to help his team to a 33-20 victory over Sussex Thunder in Division 1 of the British AFL. The match was dominated by the Saints' offensive
World No 29 Joey Barrington heads a strong entry for the Hithercroft Open, an international event which takes place at Hithercroft SC, Wallingford, from May 22-27. Local professionals Scott Handley, Paul Johnson and Ryan Thompson will also be playing
FRILFORD HEATH Ladies' May Medal - Div1: 1 J Binning 74-3=71, 2 S Alden 90-18=72, 3 M Seward 86-13=73. Div 2: 1 S Duncombe 105-32=73, 2 C Jones 101-26=75, 3 J Preston 100-25=75. Ladies' May Stableford - Div 1: 1 J Binning 38pts (cb), 2 A Tyreman, 3
Frilford Heath Ladies reached the fifth round of the Mail On Sunday Classic after a 4-1 away victory over Hazlemere. Annie Gowing, giving five shots to an 11-handicap opponent, chipped in for a birdie on the par three 15th to win her match 5 & 3.
POLICE say they are making "significant progress" in their hunt for the killer of Enayit Khalili, but have appealed for more help. Mr Khalili was fatally stabbed at about 3.30am on Saturday, March 24, in Fiennes Road, Rose Hill, Oxford. Yesterday,
PATIENTS diagnosed with leukaemia could in the future be treated with a skin cream to fight the disease, thanks to a £600,000 study by a former Oxford school pupil. Clare Bennett, 33, who grew up in Summertown and was a student at Cherwell School,
OXFORD'S skyline of dreaming spires could be dramatically altered with the city's first wind turbine - standing 85 metres tall. Midcounties Co-operative wants to build a wind turbine to supply power for its headquarters and shop in Botley. But last
KENNET LEAGUE Thatcham 94 (10), Wantage 48 (0) (Wantage skips first): R Johnson 10, D Steele 34; E Hollinrake 17, D Parsonson 19; W Cumming 12, T Broad 21; N Stradling 9, G Ballantyne 20. KENNET A LEAGUE Newbury 69 (4 pts), Didcot A 70 (10) (Newbury
Oxfordshire went down 126-107 in their opening friendly against Northumberland Tourists at Banbury Central. David Wotherspoon, Peter Cross, Jock McGeough and Mike Andrew provided Oxon's only winning rink with a 26-8 victory. Oxon bounced back a day
Oxfordshire enjoyed a confidence-boosting 123-94 win over Northants in their Middleton Cup Trial match at Daventry Town. Having been pipped 120-116 by Wiltshire a week earlier, Oxon were keen to get a victory under their belts. And they made no mistake
Robbie MacDougall-Davis smashed a hat-trick as Mansfield Road won 6-1 at Highfield in the Morrells of Oxford Sunday League Premier Division. Danny Trinder, Denys Wahl and Daniel Oyston also netted for Mansfield Road, with Daniel Price replying. Barton
7.35: WITCHES COD, Miss Thunder 2, Sober Rocket 3, Ballyneale Shane, Vieris Boe, Putyourfootinit. 7.50: Groovy Frank 3, MASS DESTRUCTION, Saleen Tom, Builders Paula, Further Back, Seomra Mate 2. 8.05: Rushmoor Rangers 3, Rhincrew Lil 2, BALLYMAC GLORIA
Headington's defence of the Oxford & District League Cup proved short-lived as they slipped to defeat against Oxford City & County A in the preliminary round. City & County have since gone on to defeat Witney Town in the first round of the competition
Danny Hicks held his nerve to keep Chipping Norton top of Section 1 in the Shaw Gibbs Oxfordshire Foursomes League. Hicks needed to sink a four-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole to clinch the match for defending champions Chippy against Frilford Heath
A FLYTIPPER who dumped a freezer in a country lane near Bicester was caught after being spotted by a dog-walker. Ian Robinson, 56, of London Road, Oxford, admitted leaving the freezer in Old Roman Lane, Ploughley Road, Ambrosden, in January. Robinson
A HEROIN dealer has been jailed for three years after selling drugs to undercover police officers on three occasions. Jusiah Bignall, 23, of no fixed abode, was jailed at Oxford Crown Court after pleading guilty to three counts of supplying and two
AN ORAL history group has been set up by Witney and District Museum to build up a library of memories from people connected to the town, primarily those who worked in any of the mills, Smiths Industries and Bowyers food factory. They are also recording
MUSLIM schoolgirls in Oxford could be sent to Pakistan or will not get an education at all if the county's only Islamic school is forced to close. Fozia Tenvir, headteacher at the Iqra School, in Littlemore, warned some girls will just 'disappear' if
PATIENTS being treated at the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, Oxford, could be confronted by disruption at the site in Windmill Road, Headington, during their visit. Builders have launched phase three of the hospital's development programme, involving
PAUL Pettifer, of Springfield Road, Wantage, will appear at Oxford Crown Court on July 20, accused of causing the death of student Grant Embling by dangerous driving. He was due to enter a plea this week, but the case was adjourned. Mr Embling, 20
EIGHTIES icon Howard Jones, who recorded hits such as Things Can Only Get Better, New Song, and What Is Love, returns to Banbury's Mill Theatre with his new acoustic show on Thursday, May 24. Regarded by many as one of the most influential artists to
BANBURY Museum is working with English Heritage to stage an exhibition of historic images that show the changing face of Banbury and north Oxfordshire. The exhibition, Bygone Banbury 2, which runs until June 17, is showing the best of the paintings
BLUR bassist turned organic farmer Alex James has written an autobiography about his days touring with the chart-topping Britpop band. In Bit of A Blur, Mr James, who runs a farm at Kingham, reveals the highs and lows of life in the fast lane - alongside
RESIDENTS who live in Banbury's 1,000 flats are being asked to boost the town's recycling rate. Officers from Cherwell District Council are this week visiting blocks of flats to ask people how recycling can be increased. Residents will also be given
OXFORDSHIRE MP David Cameron is set to open the extension of a medical device factory in Chipping Norton. Mr Cameron will be opening Owen Mumford's extended manufacturing facility, which will more than double the existing space available for the manufacture
RESIDENTS in Cherwell look set to become the first in Oxfordshire to test out a fortnightly food waste collection scheme. Cherwell District Council's executive has given the go-ahead for a pilot scheme that will see householders sending food waste
A CROUGHTON man has accused a council of selling off its housing stock for a fraction of its worth. Russell Barford also claims South Northants District Council has spent huge sums of money persuading tenants to vote in favour of transferring its 2,900
PEOPLE will be knocked down at a new pedestrian crossing in Orchard Way, Banbury, if more signs are not put up to warn drivers. Banbury town and Cherwell district councillor Keith Strangwood said he saw 20 near misses at the crossing, which was constructed
A PLAN to transform a city centre car park into a canal terminal has won support. Redeveloping Worcester Street car park to create a canal basin surrounded by shops, restaurants and flats is now the favoured option for the site. Oxford City Council
THE problem of chewing gum dropped on the streets of Oxford is to be tackled in a new campaign this summer. The gum hotspots of Oxford - including Cornmarket Street and the coach station at Gloucester Green - will be among the areas targeted. Posters
HUNDREDS of musicians and rock fans will gather in East Oxford tonight, to mark the passing of the city's premier live music venue. After 12 years of playing host to some of the world's biggest bands, The Zodiac closes its doors for the last time tonight
A MOTHER who was shocked when her son started using cannabis is teaching other parents how to "drug-proof" their children. Drugs fieldworker Anna Nichols, from Ladygrove, Didcot, will be running a new six-week course to help parents cope with the
SPECIAL guests at Banbury's Ride a Cock Horse Folk Club next Wednesday will be Deb Sandland and Martin Green. Organisers Mary and Derek Droscher said "It has been only nine months since they last appeared but they were so popular that we have invited
A VILLAGE school is hoping for TV and stage fame by entering a national choir competition. Twenty young singers from Shenington Primary School have produced a video in a bid to win the opportunity of a lifetime. The recording has been entered in the
A PRIVATE hospital has won an award from the British Safety Council. The Foscote Hospital, in Foscote Rise, was given the International Safety award following a series of tests by an independent adjudicating panel. Prime Minister Tony Blair said
Gallons of human excrement and a bag of unused false teeth were among fly-tipping incidents in Oxfordshire that cost residents more than £320,000 last year. The county clean-up bill was up nearly £38,000 on the previous year and rogue businesses are
