TOYOTA'S new MR2 Roadster, a mid-engined, rear-wheel-drive sports car, has arrived in showrooms, priced at just over 18,000, writes David Duffy. The 1.8-litre, 140 horsepower MR2 Roadster is a sports car with striking looks. The basic characteristics
Union leaders and education bosses have scrapped talks over Oxford's controversial schools shake-up. The breakdown comes after a series of heated meetings between the main unions and the county's principal education officer Robert Capstick over plans
BAMPTON continue to make ground on leaders Brize Norton in the quest for the Premier Division title. They closed the gap to just four points but with two games in hand after a 1-0 win over Hanborough. In an end-to-end game, both sides created chances,
Oxfordshire gave an exhilarating display of open rugby in defeating Kent 75-12 at the Garrison Ground, Gillingham on Monday, writes Noel Armstead. Recording their first County Championship victory for four years, Oxon scored 13 tries to avenge a 62-0
The outsider is a perpetual theme in literature. In Ishiguro's best-known novel The Remains of the Day it was the butler, forever cut off from the lower servants by his higher status, and separated by an even wider gulf from the employers he so slavishly
This book shows how abduction by aliens is not only the stuff of science fiction: such a fate really did befall its hero, poor Jemmy Button, in 1830, writes Chris Koenig. He was a young native of Tierra del Fuego, an archipelago off the southernmost tip
Alan Ayckbourn's Ten Times Table is the story of plans to present a local pageant which go disastrously wrong when those taking part start to over-identify with their 18th-century counterparts, a group of workers massacred by their bourgeois masters,
Think of Scouts cooking and you will probably conjure up images of the open air where bangers and beans are bubbling away in a billycan precariously balanced over a wood fire, writes Helen Peacocke. Few would imagine Scouts cooking in the prestigious
Down's syndrome sufferer Jane Simonson has been told she must wait nearly a year to see a skin specialist after developing psoriasis. Her mother, Vivienne Simonson, was furious when a letter arrived at their home in Foxglove Road, Begbroke, giving them
The Bishop of Oxford is advising people who do not believe in Christianity to consider turning to Judaism rather than abandon their belief in God. The Right Rev Richard Harries, who is chairman of the Council of Christians and Jews, said he would rather
Pensioners could soon be chatting at an cyber cafe just one of the benefits of a planned 1.5m community-run health centre. A computer room is just part of the plans transforming the former hospital in Burford into a Healthy Living Centre for elderly people
Tory leader William Hague, who is visiting Witney on the local election trail today, is calling for a radical overhaul of the laws on self-defence. He will say the murder conviction of Norfolk farmer Tony Martin, a former Oxfordshire schoolboy, had "lit
A leading expert in the radiation risks of mobile phones has joined the Oxford Mail's campaign to Map the Masts. Alisdair Phillips, of the pressure group Powerwatch, says people have a right to know if they could be exposed to harmful radiation. And he
United have been given a boost in their fight to avoid relegation from the second division, with Joey Beauchamp returning to light training yesterday, writes Jon Murray. Beauchamp, the team's most creative player, has missed the U's last ten games with
Your guide to exhibitions in Oxfordshire and the surrounding counties from April 21 to April 27. Next update: April 28. Please check Easter opening hours with venue before visiting. MUSEUM OF MODERN ART Tues-Sun 11am-6pm, Thurs 11am-9pm. Until Jul 2,
Motoring news of products and events of interest to fans and buyers. California dream A limited edition range of Mazda MX-5 models is being unveiled at the Cosmopolitan Show at Earls Court 2, which runs from April 27 to May 1. The models the Icon, Jasper
AUDI says the latest Audi TT models are continuing to generate healthy waiting lists, writes David Duffy. But with production now running at full strength, improved supply has significantly reduced waiting times to between three and six months, depending
FANCY a 'proper' bike but can't afford the insurance, writes John Gilbride? Want to hustle it round the curves with your mates at the weekend but need a bike that's a workhorse during the week as well? Step this way, sir or madam, and let me introduce
Bryan Sykes has traced his family tree back, way back, back almost to the Garden of Eden. And now the Oxford Professor of Human Genetics has identified seven women who are the mothers of Europe. These matriarchs lived between 8,000 and 45,000 years ago
South African fast bowler Allan Donald has been named in Warwickshire's side for their three-day match against Oxford Universities, starting in the Parks today. Four other England Test players are included in the Warwickshire line-up Nick Knight, Ashley
Charlie Cassidy is standing down as Oxford Harlequins coach after three years but will take on an administrative role at the Southern Counties North club. Gethin Williams takes over as head coach, with former captain Tony Edney as his assistant. Chris
Player-coach Garry Smart is doubtful with a broken toe for Oxford City's clash with Bognor Regis Town in Ryman League Division 1 at Court Place Farm tonight (7.45). The former Oxford United defender picked up the injury in City's 4-2 home defeat by Thame
Oxford City began their Wessex League campaign with a convincing win over Basingstoke, Bournemouth, Newbury, Team Solent and Exel Gosford. The powerhouse of the Oxford performance came from their under 13 boys and girls, who won both their individual
When it comes to scoring goals, young Luke Best is literally one of the best around, writes Michael Knox. This should comes as no surprise as Luke is related to the legendary Manchester United star George Best. Luke's dad, Adrian, is George's second cousin
Oracle are the new Division 1 champions of the Oxford Carlsberg League, writes Dick Hashman. In a dramatic finish to the season, they beat CCC A 3-0 to pip Thame to the title by a single point. Oracle took all nine points from their last three games to
COUNTY Snooker completed a marvellous double by clinching the Premier Division title and adding the Premier Cup in the space of four days. They trounced Team Unipart 10-0 in midweek to secure the championship with Damien Brackett scoring five of the goals
Thursday's card: 7.35 450m A9 Easy Dollar(Gilly Hepden) Gwurn Slimbo(Steve Davis) Langford Breeze 3(Terry Atkins) Sky Rascal (W)(Ian Wills) MORRIS TARA (W)(David Egan) Burwood Lena (W)(Jim Morgan) 7.50 450m A8 Legal Lemon(John Annett) Tuckeys Max 3(Ron
Maggie Hartford offers a selection of recommended reads Henry V War Criminal? And Other Shakespeare Puzzles John Sutherland and Cedric Watts (Oxford World's Classics, 4.99) Sutherland specialises in turning boring old English literature into exciting
It's after dinner at the Caplan's country house. Cigarettes have been lit (real enough, judging by the smell), copious amounts of brandy are being swigged (can't be real, or the actors wouldn't be able to deliver their lines so clearly), writes Giles
Ever wondered why you don't get on with the boss or your colleague irritates you? Anna Melville-James took the test to prove it's all down to your personality type "I'm an ENTJ," admits the man sitting next to me in the group circle. No round of applause
With Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator pre-installed on so many new computers these days, many people do not realise that, by default, an e-mail sent from Internet Explorer or Netscape's bundled mail packages, will actually be composed in HTML,
THE M40 is moving business in Oxfordshire into top gear, according to a new survey. The spring market survey, published by property consultants FPD Savills, said strong economic growth in the region last year had boosted office and industrial markets.
A pioneering minor injuries unit at one of Oxfordshire's community hospitals is likely to be saved for another year at least. The small department at Witney Hospital is doing such a good job, that cash has been found to keep it going. Oxfordshire Health
Housebound pensioner Daphne Grant was left without a lifeline to the outside world for more than 12 days by BT. But she was reconnected within hours when her plight was taken up by the Witney Gazette, a sister paper of the Oxford Mail. Contractors working
