Archive

  • Up, up and away...

    Balloonists took to the skies tonight to recreate the first ever flight by an Englishman. Pilot Ian Woodmansey and colleagues from the Thame-based Altitude Balloon Company donned pantaloons to follow in the footsteps of Oxfordshire inventor James Sadler

  • Four year olds offered full-time school

    All four-year-olds in Oxfordshire will now have the chance to start school full-time. Councillors have given the go-ahead to plans which will see parents offered a full-time place for their child from the September after their fourth birthday. Schools

  • Say 'no'

    It may seem harsh - don't give money to beggars - but it is sound advice. Many of us feel sorry for the down-and-outs and are happy to throw a coin or two in their hat or tin. But as PC Paul Phillips says, most of the money will be wasted on drink

  • Power to the NHS patients

    IT IS extremely telling that it takes the threat of legal action for our NHS managers to finally allow patients a sight-saving drug. Oxfordshire Primary Care Trust has reversed its decision not to prescribe Lucentis to people suffering from wet macular

  • Cash 'won’t help beggars'

    Police are warning people not to hand out cash to beggars in Oxford because it encourages them to remain homeless drug addicts. Last week rough sleeper Gareth Turp, 24, was jailed after being caught asking for cash only 10 hours after the issuing of

  • The Insider

    Don't you know who I am? Another example of a Town Hall employee not having the foggiest idea who Oxford City Council leader John Goddard is came the other day, when he stopped at the Gallery Cafe for a little light refreshment. Town Hall employees

  • Goal is to tackle youth problems

    Football is being used as a way to keep young people off the streets and build bridges across communities in Oxford. Three men from Cowley are being trained as qualified football coaches and will be holding free coaching sessions in Cowley Marsh.

  • Residents' forum to improve areas

    Residents living in two areas of the city are taking part in a year-long pilot project to improve their local area. The joint city and county council project aims to give residents a say in improving the local community. The forum is open to people

  • Grove to hold homes referendum

    A parish referendum costing £1,000 is to be held in Grove as more concerns surface over plans for hundreds of homes on the former airfield. Five hundred homes are scheduled to be built over the next four years, with a further 2,000 planned in stages

  • Old Gaol shortlist kept secret

    Secrecy still surrounds the names of development companies bidding to buy and redevelop Abingdon's Old Gaol and associated buildings, including the former police station. Eight companies were in the running but the figure has been whittled down. However

  • Subway blues

    Graffiti, broken glass, litter and poor lighting in an Oxford subway has led to calls for urgent improvements to be made. The subway, connecting the Risinghurst estate with Headington under the Green Road roundabout, has become an eyesore, according

  • Social club marks first anniversary

    A social club run by volunteers is celebrating its first birthday. Dean Court Social Club's anniversary on Sunday comes as its committee celebrates turning around its fortunes, in what has been hailed "a great example of the community pulling together

  • Squad targets vehicle crimes

    North Oxfordshire's first dedicated car crime team has been established by the police after a rise in thefts and break-ins. The undercover team of officers will patrol car parks, service stations and other crime hotspots across the Cherwell area.

  • PO cabin delay 'to only be few days'

    Fears that Wallingford could have been without a post office for a month because a portable building was stuck in the Sheffield floods have been allayed. Now the delay will be only three days. The timetable is for the building to be on site on Tuesday

  • Young Adam is at a key stage

    He may be only nine years old, but Adam Hargreaves is coming to the end of his career as a child actor. So he's going out with a bang - a Chitty Chitty, Bang Bang. Adam, from Wantage, has been picked from hundreds of boys to play Jeremy in the West

  • Postal strikes set to escalate

    STRIKES by postal workers in a row over pay and jobs are to be escalated, disrupting deliveries for two weeks. The Communication Workers Union (CWU) unveiled a fresh programme of industrial action, which will start next Wednesday evening. The action

  • Local share prices

    AEA Technology 114.75 BMW 3227 Electrocomponents 254.5 Isoft Group 54.25 Nationwide Accident Repair 145 Oxford Biomedica 42 Oxford Instruments 272 Reed Elsevier 649 RM 212.75 RPS Group 350.25

  • Raiders batter men in mystery attack

    TWO men armed with bats forced their way into a house in Carterton and attacked two people. Police said there was 'no rhyme or reason' behind the aggravated burglary and assault in Stanmore Crescent, Carterton. The attack happened on Monday, at 8.30pm

  • Postal strikes to escalate

    Strikes by postal workers in a row over pay and jobs are to be escalated, disrupting deliveries for two weeks, it was announced today. The Communication Workers Union (CWU) unveiled a fresh programme of industrial action, which will start next Wednesday

  • Cupid wears boots

    Forget your little black dress - if it's romance you are after then a pair of boots is all that is required for Oxfordshire's newest singles group. Divorcee Diana Christophers has started West Oxfordshire Walkers -specifically for single, separated,

  • 'Foodbank' plan to help city's needy

    Tonnes of unwanted food destined for landfill could be handed over to community projects in Oxford if an ambitious project for a foodbank in the city goes ahead. The idea has come from the city's Community Caterers' Network, which provide free or affordable

  • Ray Francis

    Family and friends have joined to pay their respects to former Oxford college groundsman Ray Francis. Born in Jericho in 1935, the youngest of four brothers, his mother died shortly after giving birth to him. At the age of 15, Mr Francis started his

  • Accident verdict on river death

    THE death of a teenager who drowned after falling into the River Thames in Oxford was an accident. Ben Halsey-Jones, 15, who lived in Wolvercote, was cycling along the towpath alongside the River Thames, near Port Meadow, on January 21 when he fell

  • Raider steal motocross bikes

    POLICE are appealing for witnesses after three motocross bikes were stolen from a garage in Burford Road, Brize Norton, in the early hours. At about 3am thieves broke into the garage and stole the bikes, which are worth £7,500. The garage lock was

  • Fatal crash closes road

    EMERGENCY services are at the scene of a fatal collision on the Oxfordshire-Northamptonshire border. The A4421 is closed at the junction of the A421, near Finmere, to the junction with the A43 near Evenley. A spokesman for Thames Valley Police said

  • Ben verdict: death was accident

    The death of a teenager who drowned after falling into the River Thames in Oxford was an accident. Ben Halsey-Jones,15, was cycling along the towpath alongside the River Thames in Port Meadow on January 21 when he fell into the flooded river. His

  • Update: Three held on body-in-case murder

    THREE people have been arrested after a woman was found murdered and dumped in a field then set on fire. Police today arrested two women aged 19 and 41 and a 38-year-old man in connection with the murder. They are in police custody. The charred remains

  • Motorbikes stolen

    Raiders stole three motorbikes worth thousands of pounds. The bikes were stolen from a garage in Burford Road, in Brize Norton, at about 3am today (Wednesday). The burglars cut open the garage lock and broke into a car which was parked outside so

  • Murder: three arrested

    Three people have been arrested after a woman was found murdered and dumped in a field then set on fire. Police today arrested two women aged 19 and 41 and a 38-year-old man in connection with the murder. They are currently in police custody. The

  • FOOTBALL: Banbury handed home start

    Banbury United will entertain Team Bath in their opening British Gas Business Southern League Premier Division campaign on August 18. They travel to neighbours Brackley Town on December 4 and the sides cross swords again on Boxing Day at Spencer Stadium

  • Woman punched in bag snatch bid

    A WOMAN was punched in the face by a man who tried to grab her handbag. The attack happened at about 6.30pm last night in an alleyway leading on to Church View, Carterton. Police said ghe would-be robber was in his 20s, white, 6ft tall and of stocky

  • Teenager found dead on beach

    The body of a Radley College teenager has been found washed up on a Cornwall beach. A holidaymaker spotted the body of 17-year-old George Frewer floating in the water near rocks at Tristram Cove in Polzeath, Cornwall. An inshore lifeboat recovered

  • Attacker punches woman

    A woman was punched in the face during an alleyway mugging. A hooded man attacked the woman in an alley leading to Church View in Carterton at 6.30pm yesterday. He tried to grab her handbag and then punched her in the face. He fled empty handed.

  • Student's body found on beach

    THE body of a Radley College student has been found washed up on a Cornwall beach. A holidaymaker spotted the body of 17-year-old George Frewer floating in the water near rocks at Tristram Cove in Polzeath, Cornwall. An inshore lifeboat recovered

  • NHS reverses blindness drug ban

    NHS managers have reversed their ban on a drug preventing people going blind following the threat of legal action. Oxfordshire Primary Care Trust has agreed that from Wednesday, August 1, patients with wet macular degeneration will be allowed to have

  • Pension payout delay 'disgusting'

    THE Witney man leading a campaign over company pensions says he is "disgusted" at further delays in getting a payout. John Brooks, 68, is one of a handful of former workers at the collapsed Early's blanket factory who has not received a penny. About

  • OAP's 'disgust' at pension delay

    The Witney man leading a campaign over company pensions says he is "disgusted" at further delays in getting a payout. John Brooks, 68, is one of a handful of former workers at the collapsed Early's blanket factory who has not received a penny. About

  • Local share prices

    AEA Technology 115.5 BMW 3214 Electrocomponents 259.5 Isoft Group 54 Nationwide Accident Repair 145 Oxford Biomedica 42 Oxford Instruments 266 Reed Elsevier 649.25 RM 206.75 RPS Group 349.25

  • Local share prices

    AEA Technology 117.75 BMW 3302 Electrocomponents 259 Isoft Group 54.25 Nationwide Accident Repair 145 Oxford Biomedica 41.75 Oxford Instruments 266 Reed Elsevier 658.25 RM 205.75 RPS Group 349.25

  • NHS reverses blindness drug ban

    NHS managers have reversed their ban on a drug preventing people going blind following the threat of legal action. Oxfordshire Primary Care Trust has agreed that from Wednesday, August 1, patients with wet macular degeneration will be allowed to have

  • Two hurt in crash

    TWO people were taken to hospital after an accident in Banbury yesterday. The two vehicle collision occurred on Ruscote Avenue at 6.30pm. Both patients were taken to the Horton Hospital, suffering from serious but not life-threatening injuries.

  • River rescue

    FIREFIGHTERS rescued two boaters whose craft ran aground near Bampton last night. Their 60ft narrowboat got stuck in mud in the River Thames between Chimney and Bampton at 6.50pm. The rescue boat from Kidlington was sent to the scene and both occupants

  • Chef 'feared for career'

    A YOUNG soldier may have killed herself because she feared her army career could be ruined due to doctors' concerns that she was self-harming, an inquest in Oxford heard. Chef Alison Croft, 22, from Bradford, hanged herself in her room at Dalton Barracks

  • 'Hide high jinks from uni spies'

    OXFORD University students are being urged to tighten security settings on the social networking website Facebook, to stop authorities gleaning evidence about their involvement in late-night high jinks. Martin McCluskey, president of Oxford University

  • Drivers' day

    VOLUNTEER drivers will be honoured at an event tomorrow, at the Oxford Bus Museum, in Long Hanborough, organised by Oxfordshire Rural Community Council.

  • Assembly to be scrapped by 2010

    THE South East England Regional Assembly is to be disbanded by 2010, the Government said yesterday. Ministers said the unelected quango, responsible for drawing up Oxfordshire housebuilding targets, had failed to provide a "strong voice". But Oxfordshire

  • Teenager fell from balcony

    A TEENAGE girl who fell to her death from a tower block in Cowley was about three times the drink-drive limit and had been arguing with her father. An open verdict was recorded in Oxford yesterday on Natasha Saxton, 16, of Hockmore Tower. Deputy coroner

  • Parents face fine in seatbelt crackdown

    PARENTS in Didcot who fail to ensure their children are driven to school safely could be issued with a fine today. Plain clothes police officers will be checking children are sitting in a suitable car seat on Mereland Road, near Greenmere Primary and

  • Oxford band nominated for top prize

    AN OXFORD rock band have been nominated for Britain's most prestigious music prize - after seeing off competition from thousands of other acts. Funk-rock three-piece The Young Knives, all of who live in East Oxford, are following in the footsteps of

  • FOOTBALL: Didcot suffer Bartley blow

    Didcot Town could be without new signing Michael Bartley for the start of their British Gas Business Southern League Division 1 South & West campaign after a freak training accident. Bartley, a summer signing from Blue Square South outfit Hayes, suffered

  • FOOTBALL: Trainer joins U's as player

    Jim Smith has revealed that Phil Trainer has accepted Oxford United's offer of a professional contract. The left-sided midfielder, who spent last season with Moor Green, will quit his job as a plumber to try and help the U's win promo- tion. And boss

  • ATHLETICS: England excels in the heat

    Oxford City star Hannah England is back home recovering from the hottest race of her life, after she braved blistering track conditions to finish fifth in the 1500m final at the European Under 23 Championships in Debrecen, Hungary, on Sunday. With temperatures

  • FOOTBALL: Lee in double swoop

    Kidlington have snapped up striker Nathan Jack and winger Darren Moore from Division 1 East outfit Thame United. Jack was voted the Hellenic Premier League Player of the season last term, while Moore is a pacy winger. "Nathan has played for me before

  • CRICKET: Smith's ton is in vain

    Loose early bowling cost Banbury dear as Kidderminster Victoria won their Cockspur Cup area final off the penultimate ball at White Post Road. Kidderminster won the match by five wickets, but Banbury's rally ensured it was a tense finale. Chris Smith

  • Vandals attack trail

    VANDALS have damaged wooden sculptures on the Phoenix Trail in Thame again. The vandals also dumped rubbish, pulled up saplings and littered the area with broken glass. The route between Thame and Princes Risborough along the former railway line

  • Beggar breached Asbo in hours

    A BEGGAR has become the quickest person in Oxford to breach his Antisocial Behaviour Order, according to police. A court ordered homeless Gareth Turp to stop begging in the city last Thursday or face being locked up. But within 10 hours of being released

  • Cheat caught

    A BENEFIT fraudster helped run a mobile karaoke business for six months, despite claiming he could barely walk. Vernon Mitchell, 56, of London Road, Headington, pleaded guilty at Oxford Magistrates Court to obtaining benefits by deception. Mitchell

  • CCTV boost

    OXFORD City Council has agreed to install a new £40,000 CCTV system at the Seacourt park-and-ride site off Botley Road. The existing system needs upgrading so images can be transmitted to the monitoring suite at St Aldate's police station. The improved

  • New resource for parents

    A NEW scheme has been launched to allow parents to borrow children's equipment like cots, high chairs and playpens free of charge. The lending scheme is for families on low incomes living on the Blackbird Leys estate in Oxford, who could find it difficult

  • TV presenter on nursery slope

    CHILDREN enjoyed a visit from a television presenter and former skiing champion as part of a drive to get more men into teaching. BBC winter sports presenter Graham Bell, pictured, one of the country's most successful skiers, spent the morning with

  • Award marks long service

    A LONG service award was given to Uffington farmworker Jerry Hayden at The Royal Show at Stoneleigh. He has worked for AJ Matthews and Son of Common Farm for 40 years. The award was presented by the Duke of Gloucester and Mr Hayden was there with

  • Lab's open day proves success

    THOUSANDS of people had an enlightening experience at a super-microscope laboratory - with scientists describing it as an "overwhelming success". The sell-out event at the Government/ Wellcome Trust-funded Diamond Light Source, in Chilton, near Didcot

  • Gates bid hits new delay

    CAMPAIGNERS bidding to have criminals locked out of their neighbourhood have been hit by further delays. Four alleyways in Oxford, that are magnets for crime and antisocial behaviour, could be closed off. But despite being handed the powers nine

  • Swan Upping

    ONE of England's traditions, that of Swan Upping on the Thames, can be seen at Wallingford Bridge on Friday, when local swans are captured from boats and marked for the Queen by the Royal Swan Uppers.

  • Police issue plea for Polish speakers

    POLICE are appealing for Polish speakers from the area to apply to become Police Enquiry Centre Officers. Thames Valley Police has two Police Enquiry Centres, in Kidlington and Windsor, which take an average of 20,000 calls a week. These are mainly

  • Yellow alert

    COUNCILLORS want double yellow lines painted along part of Cowley Road, Oxford. Oxford City Council's Cowley area committee has written to Oxfordshire County Council asking for them to consider putting double yellow lines on the road between Marsh

  • River day

    THE annual Goring and Streatley regatta takes place on Saturday, with events starting at 11.30am. As well as racing on the river, there will be a tug of war competition, vintage cars, craft tent, live music and go-karts. For more details of the regatta

  • Police call for Cowley Road CCTV

    OXFORD'S police chief is set to ask councillors to support plans to bring CCTV to the Cowley Road. Supt Jim Trotman says putting up cameras in the road, which has more than 60 pubs, clubs and restaurants, is "vital" to policing the area. Tomorrow

  • Kebab vans to stay open later

    Kebab van owners in Oxford were celebrating last night after winning the first round in a drive to extend opening hours. The city council's licensing committee has agreed they can continue to serve food until 4am on a trial basis. The decision must

  • Play areas report due out

    A report which names play areas in Oxford under threat of closure is to be made public next month. In May, Oxford City Council announced plans to shut 14 of the playgrounds it runs, because of a lack of money to carry out essential repairs. The report

  • Assembly to be scrapped in 2010

    The South East England Regional Assembly is to be disbanded by 2010, the Government said yesterday. Ministers said the unelected quango, responsible for drawing up Oxfordshire housebuilding targets, had failed to provide a "strong voice". But Oxfordshire