Archive

  • Yemi a cut above the rest

    Darren Patterson admits Oxford United could have a real gem on their hands if Yemi Odubade continues the improvement which has seen him transformed over the past month. Yemi has gone from being left out altogether, or used as a sub and occasional impact

  • Oxford Utd 1, Rushden 0 (22/04)

    Yemi Odubade hit a glorious winner seven minutes from time to help Oxford United beat their bogey side Rushden at the Kassam Stadium. It was a fitting way for Darren Patterson's revitalised side to finish their season at home, and a measure of how far

  • 'Teen services must improve'

    OXFORDSHIRE County Council has been accused of letting down Oxfordshire's youngsters after a Government watchdog labelled its care for teenagers as not good enough. A review of Oxfordshire County Council's children's services by Ofsted inspectors classed

  • Drug offences 'almost double'

    DRUG and violence cases in the city have almost doubled in the past two years. Police released figures last week showing crime fell by almost ten per cent over 12 months, with record low rates for burglary and car crime. But further figures reveal

  • CRICKET: Broad faces students

    England seamer Stuart Broad is in the Nottinghamshire side to face Oxford UCCE in The Parks, starting today (11). The promising paceman is the best known player in a strong side, which also includes Chris Read, Graeme Swann and Australian one-day all-rounder

  • 'Teen services must improve'

    The county council has been accused of letting down Oxfordshire's youngsters after a Government watchdog labelled its care for teenagers as not good enough. A review of Oxfordshire County Council's children's services by Ofsted inspectors classed provision

  • Landlord issues call to patriots

    Publican Damian Cawood has urged Oxfordshire's men and women to get patriotic tomorrow by toasting the spot where St George vanquished the dragon. The landlord of the Fox and Hounds in High Street, Uffington, said legend had it that England's patron

  • Right royal 100th for Gertrude

    Luncheon club stalwart Gertrude Prouse celebrated her 100th birthday on the same day as the Queen. Mrs Prouse, of Collingwood Close, Headington, Oxford, was 100 on Monday, the Queen's actual birthday, and was delighted to receive a card and telegram

  • More violent criminals caught, say police

    Drug and violence cases in the city have almost doubled in the past two years. Police released figures last week showing crime fell by almost 10 per cent over 12 months, with record low rates for burglary and car crime. But further figures reveal

  • Stalwarts given fond farewell

    A village offered a fond farewell to two of its best known - and long-standing - residents. Joyce and Dennis Jones have lived in Nuneham Courtenay for more than 60 years, but are moving to a bungalow in Watlington. The couple have been involved in

  • Murder accused stays silent

    A HOMELESS man accused of murdering his lover and her friend has decided not to give evidence. Oxford Crown Court heard today that James Cox, 63, had decided not to take to the stand in his own murder trial. Cox is accused of killing fellow squatters

  • Maggie's MegaHike cancelled

    THE Maggie's MegaHike has been cancelled with just four weeks to go because of a lack of interest. The event, which was due to take place over the Bank Holiday weekend of May 24 and 25, sees hikers cover up to 50 miles from Wallingford to Marlborough

  • Maggie's MegaHike scrapped

    The Maggie's MegaHike has been cancelled with just four weeks to go because of a lack of interest. The event, which was due to take place over the Bank Holiday weekend of May 24 and 25, sees hikers cover up to 50 miles from Wallingford to Marlborough

  • Murder accused stays silent

    A homeless man accused of murdering his lover and her friend has decided not to give evidence. Oxford Crown Court heard today that James Cox, 63, had decided not to take to the stand in his own murder trial. Cox is accused of killing fellow squatters

  • Lakes battle goes to High Court

    Campaigners have submitted an application to the High Court in the ongoing battle to save Radley Lakes. Radley Parish Council is seeking a judicial review of the decision by Oxfordshire County Council not to give the land around Thrupp and Bullfield

  • FOOTBALL: Cox is Star's hero in final

    Goalkeeper Dan Cox was the hero with three saves in the penalty shoot-out as Star Wanderers beat Oxford Yellows 3-2 on spot-kicks in a thrilling Oxfordshire Sam Waters Sunday Cup final at Oxford City. The two sides were locked together at 4-4 after

  • FOOTBALL: Beechers' blitz fires Barton to title

    Billy Beechers hit a four-timer on his debut to help Barton United thrash nearest rivals Cold Arbour 6-0 and secure the Marston's Oxfrord Sunday League Premier Division title with two games to play. The Abingdon United striker opened his tally after

  • FOOTBALL: Cholsey are promoted

    Cholsey United will ply their trade in the Reading Sunday League's Senior Division next season after clinching their third promotion in a row with a 1-0 win against Tilehurst. It wasn't until midway through the second half that top-scorer Andy Allum

  • FOOTBALL: Ten-man Hood on course for treble after more cup joy

    Ten-man Robin Hood won their second trophy in the space of a week with a thrilling 3-1 victory against The Bell, Grove, in the Autotype UTV League's Devenney Cup final, writes TIM SIRET. It means Hood, who already had the Ridgeway Cup in the bag, can

  • DJ's reunion bid

    DJ Robin Mitchell has vowed to revisit the era of glam rock and flares at a reunion of his old school pals. Mr Mitchell launched his DJ career aged 11 with school disco gigs for classmates at Redefield Secondary School, in Blackbird Leys. On Saturday

  • Bus petitions started

    A national charity has backed pensioners upset after the Vale of White Horse District Council refused to subsidise an extra 30 minutes for the new national bus pass scheme. Age Concern has launched petitions across the Vale calling for people over 60

  • FOOTBALL: Warborough sink Casuals

    Warborough & Shillingford moved level on points with Didcot Casuals at the top of North Berks League Division 3 after beating their title rivals 2-1, writes ANDY WELLS. Casuals, who were hoping to get back to winning ways following their 4-1 midweek

  • Bug patients on the mend

    Ten patients who suffered a diarrhoea and vomiting bug at the John Radcliffe Hospital are now recovering following treatment. During the past week, 10 out of 60 patients on the 25-bed cardiology ward suffered the symptoms and the ward was closed to

  • Praise for PCSO

    Recently, I checked my emails and found two dating from October, 2003 relating to parking on double yellow lines outside the Co-op at Kennington. This dangerous practice has almost ceased since the Police Community Support Officer arrived. Without

  • Did others lose out?

    I do not begrudge Helen and Douglas House hospice a penny of the £4.8m it raised in its silver jubilee year (Oxford Mail, April 16). Its work is outstanding. But it would be interesting to know if other charities have suffered as a result of so much

  • Spot the trader

    I was rather amused when reading Andrew Ffrench's article on the rent crisis in Oxford's Covered Market (Oxford Mail, April 16). Looking at the picture, I spotted a grand array of Conservative district and parish councillors, a prospective Parliamentary

  • Dangers lurk in our streets

    It is high time that Oxford City Council used its enforcement powers to stop pollution from idling engines (Oxford Mail, April 18). Every motorist who leaves his engine running is contributing to the city's ill health. Exhaust fumes have been irrefutably

  • Paper boy in stolen bike plea

    A paper boy who had his new bike stolen, while he was delivering the Oxford Mail, still managed to finish his round on foot. Sam Smith, of Church Street, Didcot, was delivering papers in the town's Kynaston Road, on Saturday morning, when a gang of

  • Sit back and relax

    The Champions league semi-finals promise to be cracking matches - although I'm predicting a drab contest tonight and so am heading to the Kassam Stadium instead. Liverpool are such a boring (but effective) side in Europe, and I can't really see much point

  • Sit back and relax

    The Champions league semi-finals promise to be cracking matches - although I'm predicting a drab contest tonight and so am heading to the Kassam Stadium instead. Liverpool are such a boring (but effective) side in Europe, and I can't really see much point

  • Sit back and relax

    The Champions league semi-finals promise to be cracking matches - although I'm predicting a drab contest tonight and so am heading to the Kassam Stadium instead. Liverpool are such a boring (but effective) side in Europe, and I can't really see much point

  • Today's local share prices (PM)

    AEA Technology 67.75 BMW 2716 Electrocomponents 187.75 Nationwide Accident Repair 126.5 Oxford Biomedica 24 Oxford Catalyst 168.5 Oxford Instruments 219 Reed Elsevier 638.5 RM 197 RPS Group 305.75 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon

  • FOOTBALL: Oxford lift the cup

    North Oxford Res lifted the RT Harris Oxford City FA Doug Hobbs Cup after a 3-1 win against Union Street at Rover Sports and Social Club. They took the lead when Mark Gerbaldi's free-kick deceived the Union Street keeper Danny Kavanagh. North Oxford

  • FOOTBALL: Reading runs riot with four-timer

    Bodicote Sports swept to the Banbury District Lord Jersey Premier Division title in masterful style with an 11-3 victory over Cropredy. Their goals came from Alan Reading (4), Greg Shawyer (2), Sam Belcher, Jamie Croughton, Paul Beckham, Mike Kenny

  • Man bitten by dog

    A man was bitten and scratched by a dog while walking his pet in Chinnor. Police are appealing for witnesses after the man was walking his dog on Station Road, near to the Crown Pub, when a dark, medium-sized dog broke free from its owner's control

  • Belly dancers shake up conference

    More than 100 belly dancers came together to wiggle their hips at an annual conference in Oxford. The Oxford Belly Dance Bonanza took place on Saturday and attracted dancers from across the country. There were 102 performers at the event at Oxford

  • Village celebrates its 'survival'

    A small south Oxfordshire village is preparing to celebrate its survival 60 years after plans to kill it off were put forward. Letcombe Bassett, near Wantage, was nearly absorbed into its neighbouring village Letcombe Regis, under Government policies

  • FOOTBALL: Nick is Thorne in Thame's side

    OFA Joe Roughton Under 18 Cup Nick Thorne scored twice as Kidlington lifted the OFA Joe Roughton Under 18 Cup with a 2-1 win over Thame United at Ardley. Kidlington were generally in the ascendancy, but it took the second of Thorne's strikes in the

  • FOOTBALL: Steph's last-gasp strike seals cup joy for City

    Steph Mobb's injury-time strike ensured that Oxford City retained the Oxfordshire Women's Cup after a hard-fought 2-1 win over Henley in front of a big crowd at Kidlington. City started favourites, having beaten the opponents twice in the league this

  • FOOTBALL: Catling stars in derby rout

    Oxford City warmed up for their County Cup final with a 8-0 victory over Oxford United in the Southern League Premier Division. Rachel Catling was the star of the show, hitting a second-half four-timer in a thumping win. Michelle Robinson put City

  • FOOTBALL: Vale campaign ends with win

    Vale of White Horse Under 11s ended their season on a high with a 2-1 win over Hertfordshire side Dacorum in a friendly at Oxford Brookes Westminster Institute of Education. Owen Shaw latched on to an enormous wind-assisted punt from keeper Eddie Cavanagh

  • FOOTBALL: Walsh is hero for Cowley

    Steve Walsh bagged a brace as Rover Cowley kept up their quest for the Oxfordshire Senior League Premier Division title with a 3-1 victory against Garsington. Although they have a seven-point lead over Chadlington, the second-placed side have two games

  • Strike to close at least 25 schools

    MORE than 20 Oxfordshire schools are set to close on Thursday as teachers walk out of classrooms on strike in their fight for better pay. The strike - by the National Union of Teachers (NUT) - is the first for 21 years and it is not yet known exactly

  • Burglars steal £50 from purse

    Police are appealing for witnesses after a house in Park Road in Faringdon was burgled on Thursday between 1.15pm and 6.20pm. The burglars tried to force open the front door but were unable to. Instead they forced open a ground floor window at the

  • Dog attacks man

    POLICE today appealed for witnesses after a man was bitten by a dog in Chinnor. The man was walking his dog along Station Road, near to the Crown Pub, when a dark, medium sized dog broke free from its owner's control and ran across the road, dragging

  • STRIKE UPDATE: List of schools closing

    There are 232 primary schools in Oxfordshire, 33 secondary schools and one academy. Listed below are schools which are either closed or affected by the NUT one-day strike: Bardwell Special School, Sunderland Drive, Bicester Carterton Primary School

  • Over 25 schools to shut in strike

    Over 25 Oxfordshire schools are set to close on Thursday as teachers walk out of classrooms on strike in their fight for better pay. The strike - by the National Union of Teachers (NUT) - is the first for 21 years and it is not yet known exactly how

  • Useful Numbers

    Antelope of BanburySwan Close Road, Banbury 01295 265435www.antelopenissan.comp Bellingers Ltd11 Ock Street, Abingdon01235 520088 Bicester Ford16-18 Banbury Road, Bicester01869 323272www.bicesterford.co.uk Robert E Booker28 Lower Cherwell Street,

  • Police arrest sex-charge man

    A MAN who went on the run from Oxford Crown Court is back in custody. John Bustin, 41, fled court yesterday when waiting to be sentenced for indecently exposing himself to a woman in Osney Lane, Oxford. A warrant was issued for his arrest and his

  • Fugitive flasher back in custody

    A serial flasher who went on the run from Oxford Crown Court is back in custody. John Bustin, 41, fled court yesterday when waiting to be sentenced for flashing at a woman in Osney Lane, Oxford. A warrant was issued for his arrest and his description

  • Sit back and relax

    The Champions league semi-finals promise to be cracking matches - although I'm predicting a drab contest tonight and so am heading to the Kassam Stadium instead. Liverpool are such a boring (but effective) side in Europe, and I can't really see much point

  • Curious cramp

    After my exertions on Sunday afternoon, Monday's cycle to work and back was hard but nothing could quite prepare me for the swim in the evening. I went along to Dragon pool for Oxford Tri Club's usual session and found all the slower lanes full. I had

  • Take a trip

    Birdland, Bourton-on-the-WaterHome to 130 species of birds and the only group of king penguins in England. Kids and adults can enjoy the tropical, desert and toucan houses and watch feeding time at the penguin pool. For admission times and prices, call

  • Plea issued after M40 crash

    POLICE today appealed for witnesses following a collision on the M40 near Bicester. At about 1.40am on Sunday, a black Ford Focus and a silver Ford pick-up truck collided on the M40, a mile from junction 9 on the southbound carriageway. The Ford Focus

  • County council 'performing well'

    OXFORDSHIRE County Council has been rated as "performing well", according to an independent report published today by the Audit Commission. The commission's corporate assessment team found the council was "on a rapid improvement journey", with a strong

  • Third vehicle sought after M40 crash

    A motorist was injured and taken to hospital following a motorway smash. A black Ford Focus and silver Ford pick-up truck collided on the M40, around a mile south of junction 9 at Bicester, at 1.40am on Sunday. The Ford Focus hit the central barrier

  • Three arrested after pub fight

    POLICE today appealed for information after two men suffered bruising and cuts in a pub brawl. Two men were outside the Abingdon Arms, in Thame, at 12.30am on Sunday, April 13, when they were assaulted by three other men. One man suffered bruising

  • Motorist friendly?

    New powers to make parking enforcement more motorist-friendly and reduce disruption or delays when roads are dug up have been introduced as part of the Traffic Management Act, Transport. These new powers will ensure motorists in England benefit from

  • County council is 'performing well'

    Oxfordshire County Council has been rated as "performing well", according to an independent report published today by the Audit Commission. The commission's corporate assessment team found the council was "on a rapid improvement journey", with a strong

  • Three arrested after pub fight

    Police are appealing for information after two men suffered bruising and cuts in a pub brawl. Two men were outside the Abingdon Arms in Thame at 12.30am on Sunday, April 13, when they were assaulted by three other men. One man suffered bruising and

  • Dealing with an accident

    Step one: You should always stop at the scene if you think your accident has caused injuries to people or domesticated animals, damage to vehicles or roadside fixtures Step two: Do you need the emergency services?Call 999 immediately if any of the

  • Man fined for 'egg attack'

    A man has been fined for hurling an egg at animal rights protesters. More than 400 protesters marched from at Oxpens through Oxford to South Parks Road on Saturday. A 20-year-old Oxford University student was arrested by police and given an £80 fixed

  • Student fined for throwing egg

    A MAN has been fined for hurling an egg at animal rights protesters. More than 400 protesters marched from Oxpens through Oxford to South Parks Road on Saturday. A 20-year-old Oxford University student was arrested by police and given an £80 fixed

  • Getting tough on mobile madness

    The research also showed that 90 per cent of the public believe using a phone at the wheel has a negative impact on a person's driving. In February last year the Government introduced the tough new penalty of three penalty points for drivers caught using

  • Today's local share prices (AM)

    AEA Technology 67.5 BMW 2733 Electrocomponents 191.25 Nationwide Accident Repair 126.5 Oxford Biomedica 24 Oxford Catalyst 168.5 Oxford Instruments 222.5 Reed Elsevier 646.5 RM 196.5 RPS Group 306.75 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon

  • Death fall man named

    A MAN who died after falling from an Oxford multi-storey car park at the weekend was named today. Simon Ashmore, 41, of Coach House Mews, off London Road, Bicester, fell from Castle car park at Templars Square shopping centre, in Cowley, at 3.30pm

  • Driving Abroad

    Be prepared Before starting your holiday, be sure to pack a first-aid kit, fire extinguisher, warning triangle, headlamp beam reflectors and spare lamp bulbs. These are required by law in many countries, and are useful in any case. Just in case To

  • There's been a mistake

    Let's make one thing clear from the off… there has been a terrible mistake, I wasn’t supposed to be here, it wasn’t supposed to be this way. I should be on an all-day session with my mates, leering at Brookes’ student gals and mulling whether it will

  • Help is at hand

    Green Flag Green Flag Motoring Assistance currently provides roadside rescue and recovery to five million rescue customers. Green Flag has an average call-out time of under 40 minutes. Green Flag's incident management centre in Pudsey handles around

  • Keeping your cool

    While most drivers setting out on summer trips will have made sure the suntan lotion and sandwiches have been packed it is more than possible that less than half of all motorists will have loaded up with essentials for a breakdown. These essential items

  • Death fall man named

    A man who died after falling from a multi-storey car park at the weekend has been named today. Simon Ashmore, 41, of Coach House Mews, off London Road, in Bicester, fell from Castle car park at Templars Square shopping centre, in Cowley, at 3.30pm on

  • Vandals target council depot

    Vandals have left taxpayers with a bill to pick up after kicking in the roof and door of a council depot in Witney. The attack, over last weekend, followed another attempted break-in on the town council works depot at The Leys just seven days previously

  • Vandals kick in depot roof

    VANDALS have left taxpayers with a bill to pick up after kicking in the roof and door of a council depot in Witney. The attack, at the weekend, followed another attempted break-in at the town council works depot at The Leys just seven days previously

  • Flasher hunted by police

    This is a serial sex pest who went on the run after fleeing Oxford Crown Court just before a judge was about to sentence him for flashing. Police have warned the public not to approach John Bustin, who has a 24-year history of exposing himself to women

  • At risk

    A fire crew answering a 999 call to Southfield Golf Course in Oxford were delayed by badly-parked cars. There are many areas of Oxford when motorists put their lives - and the lives of others - at risk by parking inconsiderately. Saturday's incident

  • PCSOs begin university beat

    POLICE support community officers have started work at Oxford University but are not allowed to patrol inside college grounds because they are private property. Four new PCSOs, who will be the 'eyes and ears' of the force in the university's public

  • Police search for sex offender

    A SERIAL sex pest was on the run after fleeing Oxford Crown Court just before a judge was going to sentence him for flashing. Police have warned the public not to approach John Bustin, who has a 24-year history of exposing himself to women and was due

  • Burgess stokes the fire

    Andy Burgess and Michael Corcoran make their first returns to the Kassam Stadium since they left the U's when they appear for Rushden in Oxford United's final Blue Square Premier home game tonight. And Burgess looks likely to get a hostile reception

  • Handbags again at councils

    We thought a new era was dawning in relations between Oxford City Council and Oxfordshire County Council. How wrong we were. We were all rejoicing last week when it was announced that all the city's park-and-rides were to come under county council

  • Graffiti up

    RACIST and offensive graffiti is on the rise in Banbury, according to police. Sgt Larry Johnson said there has been an increase in the amount of graffiti in the town centre, Cherwell Heights, Grimsbury and Easington areas. Anyone with information

  • Trust misses cleaning deadline

    THE county's mental health trust has been highlighted for failing to deep clean all its hospitals to meet a Government deadline. Health Secretary Alan Johnson's programme to combat bugs like MRSA and Clostridium difficile should have been finished

  • Facing up to competition

    YOU have heard of the face that launched a thousand ships. Now a school is looking for 500 faces to launch one miniature motor car. Motorsports enthusiasts at St Gregory the Great School, in Cricket Road, East Oxford, are taking part in a challenge

  • 'Here's £500 so enjoy it!'

    Young people in Carterton have been given a £500 helping hand from their town council to enjoy themselves. The grant is for this year's Extreme Wheels Day on Saturday, August 9, at the town's skate park, off Upavon Way. It is being organised by

  • Two held on drugs charges

    TWO men have been arrested for drugs offences after being caught on CCTV. Police were called to Barns Road, Cowley, Oxford, at 8.45pm on Saturday by staff at Templars Square shopping centre. They arrested a 22-year-old man on suspicion of possession

  • Four to stand

    FOUR candidates are standing in a by-election for Oxfordshire County Council's Kidlington and Yarnton division on Thursday, May 1. They are Michael Gibbard (Conservative), Chris Robins (Labour), Janet Warren (Green) and Suzanne Wilson-Higgins (Liberal

  • People to get say on taxi numbers

    PEOPLE are to be consulted on the controversial issue of taxi licence numbers in Oxford. Following a review, the issue of taxi licence numbers is to be put out to public consultation. The main issue to be decided is whether or not Hackney carriage

  • Plaque to honour historian

    A 17th-century historian, responsible for writing one of the most comprehensive books on the history of Oxford, is to be honoured with a blue plaque. Anthony Wood (1632-1695) gathered massive amounts of information on Oxford in his lifetime, making

  • Ancient game still going strong

    THE co-founder of an Oxford club dedicated to a 4,000-year-old board game has appealed for more people to give his hobby a try. Harry Fearnley would like people who enjoy playing board games to join him and his companions in weekly sessions playing

  • Sea Scouts seek funds for new fleet

    A SEA Scout group has launched a fundraising project to raise £30,000 to replace their fleet of sailing boats. The 1st Bicester Mountbatten Sea Scout Troop, which offers water-based activities to young people in the town, has been patching up boats

  • Cadets win top award

    AIR cadets from Kidlington are flying high after winning the top regional award in a competition to find the most innovative fundraising idea for charity. The Royal Air Forces Association's Top Flight competition recognises the fundraising efforts

  • Helping out

    VOLUNTEERS are needed to join a group set up to tackle community problems and crime in Eynsham. Anyone can join the Eynsham Neighbourhood Action Group by attending a meeting at the Bartholomew Rooms, Market Square, from 7pm tomorrow.

  • PCSOs begin university beat

    Police support community officers have begun work at Oxford University but are not allowed to patrol inside college grounds because they are private property. Four new PCSOs, who will be the 'eyes and ears' of the force in the university's public areas