Workers at the Cowley Mini plant are helping to prop up parent company BMW's falling sales. While sales of the company's executive models have dropped, the Mini has powered ahead, with sales nearly doubling in the last year. Union leaders at Cowley are
Traffic-calming campaigners in Kingston Road, north Oxford Families in north Oxford have imposed their own speed limit on the road outside their homes. People in Kingston Road are fed up with motorists using their street as a rat run to avoid Woodstock
A public meeting will discuss a district councillor's radical blueprint for a village. Marc Hiles has called for a radical redesign of Berinsfield, near Abingdon, which could see the school and community facilities relocated, shops redeveloped and land
The Red Lion in Brightwell-sum-Sotwell, near Wallingford, has risen from the ashes of a devasting fire which gutted the pub 14 months ago. No-one is more delighted at the new lease of life the pub has been given than landlord Bill Prince, who runs the
Three Oxford University players have been included in the England Students squad for the match against France at Sedgley Park, Manchester this Friday (February 14). Winger Will Rubie, fly half Matt Honeyben and lock Charlie Edwards will be joined in the
Firoz Kassam's determination to bring top class rugby to Oxford could result in Premiership club Bristol Shoguns coming east. Bristol's future has been in doubt since owner Malcolm Pearce indicated he might leave the club at the end of the season, having
Oxford University's new captain John Allen may have only taken up rugby at the age of 21, but he has crammed in a lot into the last seven years. John AllenSince then, the powerful centre threequarter has played for Parramatta, Rosslyn Park and Sydney's
The David Charles Oxfordshire Cup quarter-final between Henley and Henley Wanderers, scheduled to be played this Sunday, has been put back three weeks because of a clash of fixtures. Wanderers, the leaders of Berks, Bucks & Oxon Division 1, have to
One criticism of our schools is that some pupils leave unprepared for careers in industry and commerce. The decision to give specialist status to five more Oxfordshire schools should help to bridge that gap. It is an opportunity to create centres of excellence
The idea of a city-wide street clean-up is a good one. Too many Oxford streets are disfigured by inconsiderate people, who throw down cigarette ends, drinks cans, takeaway cartons and the rest. It seems that it is too much to ask some people to put their
Putting council tenants in empty RAF homes in Carterton is not an option, according to West Oxfordshire District Council. The council claimed Witney MP David Cameron had suggested the homes could be used to help cut the council house waiting list, which
Saxophonist Matthew Watson is jazzing up fundraising efforts for an expedition to Morocco with a family concert. Matthew Watson with his father Martin The 13-year-old, of Grove, will perform at King Alfred's Community and Sports College at 7pm on March
The future of post offices will come under scrutiny in Wantage on Friday February 14. Sub-postmasters from the Vale of White Horse and south Oxfordshire have been invited to the meeting. Mike Dalton, head of external affairs in the Post Office's regional
Oxfordshire Senior League round-up: Eynsham's 2-0 win over Highfield was marred by their substitute Andy King suffering a broken leg. Richard Bustin struck twice in the second half to give Eynsham the points. Andy King - on the ball BCS Bardwell staved
Oxford Speedway promoter Nigel Wagstaff has secured a major sponsorship deal with Teng Tools for his Silver Machine team this year. The deal will ensure that all the Silver Machine riders will be fully kitted out with the Teng Tools range. Wagstaff said
A man who stole an £8,000 road roller from under the noses of his employers has escaped a prison sentence. Christopher Emmitt, 47, towed the roller breaker machine -- which is used to flatten road surfaces -- from Skanska, based in Upper Heyford, where
Placings of Oxfordshire runners in the Inter-Counties Championships in Nottingham Senior men (12km): 72 B Hope 40.41, 111 M Beerling 41.34, 133 P Haarer 42.02, 139 G Harris 42.11, 176 N Wright 43.07, 216 O Mytton 44.00, 259 S Kimber 45.34, 276 P George
Witney Roadrunner Mathew Ashton missed out on a place in the World Junior Cross Country Championships by just three places as he turned on the style at the Inter-Counties Championships in Nottingham on Saturday. Mathew AshtonAshton, who has only recently
North Berks League round-up: Blewbury ended Marcham's brief stay at the top of Division 1 with a 6-1 thrashing. The leaders were rocked by an own goal in the first minute, and the defensive nightmare continued as John Willis and a brace of Johnny Pearce
History was made when Proton Team KR, the team based in Banbury, announced that its new V-5 four-stroke engine came to life for the first time. The 990cc Proton KR MotoGP engine ran successfully on an engine dynamometer for initial data generation. Staff
Workers at the Cowley Mini plant are helping to prop up parent company BMW's falling sales. While sales of the company's executive models have dropped, the Mini has powered ahead, with sales nearly doubling in the last year. Union leaders at Cowley are
Workers at the Cowley Mini plant are helping to prop up parent company BMW's falling sales. While sales of the company's executive models have dropped, the Mini has powered ahead, with sales nearly doubling in the last year. Union leaders at Cowley are
Prices for Volkswagen's new Touareg off-road vehicle have been revealed, at £29,335 on the road for the 3.2-litre V6, rising to £50,440 for the flagship 5.0-litre V10 TDI. The car will be available to order within the next few weeks through a limited
Drivers had a lucky escape avoiding this pothole which suddenly appeared in the road at Long Wittenham, near Didcot. The pothole at Long Wittenham, near Didcot The pothole -- 2ft 6in wide and more than 1ft deep -- may have been caused by subsidence following
Comedy actor Rik Mayall is the star of this week's show, Present Laughter, at The Oxford Playhouse. Rik Mayall with Diana Hiddleston The star of TV's The Young Ones, Blackadder and Bottom -- pictured receiving a bottle of Champagne from Playhouse development
A new bus service between Didcot and Oxford got a special send-off. At the launch in Long Wittenham are, from left, parish councillor Eva Lawers, Kate Spence of Thames Travel, South Oxfordshire District Council chairman John Griffin, county councillor
Mental health patients will be able to develop their creative skills thanks to a new potter's wheel donated by a Wantage fundraising club. Paul Mortimer and Fiona Cockings The Ridgeway Unicorn Club has given £500 to the Littlemore Resource Centre, based
Rubbish piled up at a run-down council house in east Oxford is to be cleared away now that squatters have left. A spokesman for Oxford City Council, which owns 104 Bullingdon Road, said council cleaning staff would clear up the mess this week (beginning
Banbury Utd 0, Bashley Tn 0: A briliant penalty save from keeper Simon Tricker saw Banbury United extend their unbeaten run in Dr Martens League Eastern Division to three games in Tuesday night's top-of the table clash. Simon TrickerTricker was in great
Mike Ford has left Oxford United after being told the club is looking for a change of direction on the coaching staff. The former U's left back, captain and caretaker boss had been first-team coach, and manager Ian Atkins's assistant at the Kassam Stadium
Family cars are the worst for depreciation, with some losing more than 60 per cent of their value after three years, according to a new report. Top of the value market is the Land Rover Freelander which retains almost 80 per cent of its value after three
Citroen has expanded its C5 range by introducing five sporty new VTR models, which are designed to appeal to younger buyers and company car drivers looking for space, comfort and high levels of equipment. The new C5 VTRs come with striking 16-inch alloys
Everyone who pays council tax must be dismayed at the prospect of yet another hyper-inflationary tax increase. While most of us have to settle for two or three per cent wage increases, if at all, we are seeing greater percentages of our disposable income
Lee Williamson may believe that the Rose Hill Community Centre is just a 'drinking hole' (Oxford Mail, January 31) but he could not be further from the truth. If he were to use the centre, he would see that it runs many activities for the community, for
Christopher Halford alleges incompetence by the county council without stating his evidence, and calls for a referendum on the proposed council tax increase of 13.6 per cent (Oxford Mail, February 3). The council's budget includes £15m new spending that
Business leaders in Oxfordshire have hit out at plans to cut spending on the country's rail network. Oxfordshire Chamber of Commerce branded the state of the railways a "shambles" which was costing businesses in the county thousands of pounds a year.
I read with dismay about the project to raise £500,000 to build a small boathouse near Donnington Bridge, Oxford (Oxford Mail, February 3). When was planning permission granted and were residents consulted? While begrudging no-one the opportunity to participate
If Cllr Margaret Godden thinks that £400,000 is a modest sum of money to have overspent (Oxford Mail, January 31), she is even more out of touch with the public than we thought. Furthermore, the figure to which I was referring when I successfully demanded
Council tax in Oxfordshire will go up by at least 13.4 per cent, councillors have decided. The increase for Oxfordshire County Council's share of the levy was approved by the council's ruling Conservative and Lib Dem group at budget-setting meeting at
Revamped public toilets could be painted in Oxford United colours in a bid to deter vandalism. Blackbird Leys Parish Council chairman Colin Minto proposed the idea at the latest council meeting as councillors expressed concern that vandals and drug users
Victoria Owen's account of our telephone conversations on UK GP shortages (Oxford Mail, February 4) was unnecessarily alarmist. In no way did I predict that the closure of more GP surgeries was likely. The article did not reflect the main theme of what
A campaign group is urging a total rethink of plans for a new Waitrose superstore in Wallingford. It wants South Oxfordshire District Council to refuse the supermarket chain's plans -- due to be decided in April or May -- and take a broader look at the
The owners of a listed house which has undergone a £250,000 facelift have been ordered to remove a wall and fence which enclose a stream in their garden. Benson residents make their point South Oxfordshire district councillors decided that the wall at
It was a case of vintage stuff both on and off the pitch at Abingdon RFC on Saturday. On the pitch, the club upset promotion-chasing Gosford All Blacks with a 10-8 victory in Berks, Bucks & Oxon Division 2. And they were cheered on from the touchlines
Banbury are looking forward to the future with confidence after securing an agreement for the use of limited facilities at Bodicote Park for the rest of the season. Russell Harrison, the ground's new owner, has indicated that the next agreement will be
The decision to try to reduce the number of agency nurses in Oxfordshire hospitals makes sense. The Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust has had to rely on agency staff because of difficulty in recruiting its own nurses. But continuity suffers, and agencies
When schools were given control of their budgets, it was clear that some would fare better than others. But questions need to be asked why five Oxford schools have run up deficits, one by as much as £26,000. Cuts are already affecting pupils, and there
RT Harris Oxford City FA round-up: Marvin Solomon and Alan Clark hit a brace apiece as Bakels Crusaders beat Premier Division leaders KEA 5-3 in the County Junior League Cup quarter-finals at Bicester. Neil Tattersall grabbed a fifth for Bakels, while
Morris Motors fired themselves back into contention for the Oxford & District Division 1 title after a 2-1 victory against fellow billiards contenders Newtrim. Roger Tomlin (+60) started the ball rolling as he surprised the in-form Simon Aries (-60
Campaigners against plans to build an asylum seeker centre near Bicester have vowed to keep up their protest. Bicester Action Group made the pledge after the Government pressed ahead with plans to build a centre for 750 asylum seekers on MoD land at Arncott
The Gladiator Beer Seller Friday League is still wide open, going into the final week, with no fewer than four teams still capable of clinching the title. Cricketers' 4-2 win over Clare Car Hire keeps them top, but in the final round of matches, they
The mayor of Banbury's charity fund grew by £50 on February 8 -- but it would have been even more if the favourite had won the big steeplechase at Newbury races. Tony Mepham with his wife Lesley Bookmakers Ladbrokes gave mayor Tony Mepham a free charity
Former British distance runner Bruce Tulloh and his wife, Sue, join Headington Roadrunners' club night on Thursday at OXSRAD. Tulloh, who has won many British and European track titles, and is the author of several books on running, will speak after training
Gary Richards led home Abingdon Amblers at the Dursley Dozen multi-terrain race. Richards crossed the line in 34th place overall in 1hr 29mins. Noel Blatchford won the veteran 55 ladies' category in 2.17. Alchester's Nigel Lambert led home his teammates
Witney & District FA round-up: Brize Norton reached the third round of the Senior Challenge Cup with a dramatic penalty shoot-out victory over Spartan Rangers. The teams were locked together at 2-2 after extra time, Mark Jewell and Olly Coles netting
Motorcycling has a new world record holder. Stunt ace Craig Jones accelerated his Buell Lightning XB9S to a launch speed of 119mph, applied the front brake to tip the bike onto its front wheel, and then continued a high-speed roll down a Tarmac strip
Fitness consultants to Oxford University's sports teams are to extend the help they offer from Gown to Town. John Gibbons, front, and Paul Ledger John Gibbons and Paul Ledger, of Peak Sporting Performance, treat members of the university's 69 teams at
A cheese company has been branded irresponsible after suggesting its deliveries had been targeted by thieves in Oxfordshire. McLelland, the makers of Seriously Strong cheddar said it had "stepped up security following the disappearance of large amounts
Trust the Mini workers at Cowley to keep the flag flying. When BMW sales across the world show signs of a downturn, you can rely on our car workers to maintain the company's profitability. It was a shrewd move by the German manufacturers to break with
Detectives have welcomed the jail term given to an Algerian, described as a real danger to women. Farid Boudra, 37, of Botley Road, Oxford, indecently assaulted a 19-year-old South African woman in Sandy Lane West, Littlemore, on October 7 2002. Boudra
Britain's most senior Law Lord, the EU commissioner for external relations, and a former vice-chancellor of Oxford University will run for the position of the university's Chancellor. Lord Neill of Bladon is about to declare his candidacy, following declarations
A motorist who denies disguising his car to escape a speeding fine claimed its appearance had changed because of damage caused by dogs and towing equipment. Nicholas Manning, 40, is accused of attempting to pervert the course of justice after his Range
Talks are being arranged to discuss the problem of rubbish being dumped along Oxford's roads. Residents have complained about rubbish being dumped along the A34, between the turn to Wytham and Hinksey Hill interchange on the Southern Bypass. Marion Hainge
The weather paid havoc with most of Tuesday's local football programme. The first casualty being Oxford City's trip to Barking in Ryman League Division which was called off at lunchtime due to a waterlogged pitch. The Oxfordshire Senior Cup quarter-final
Production of the stunning new Chrysler Crossfire sports coupe has started. Chrysler Group's chief operating officer Wolfgang Bernhard marked the occasion by driving the first Chrysler Crossfire off the assembly line in Germany, pictured above. Members
In reply to Penny Little (Oxford Mail, February 4), I have been keen on shooting for 27 years, following my father and his brothers. I was also brought up with the sport. I condemn the idiot who sent her hate mail, but I also think that she is wrong to
May I thank you for your excellent report Then and Now (Oxford Mail, February 6) and also BMW for giving Bill Jupp and me an opportunity to visit the Cowley car plant. Having worked there between 1950 and 1964 and visited it many times since, I was amazed
Thank you for your lively feature on my battle against cancer (Oxford Mail, January 30). But could I point out that I am not a cancer sufferer, but a cancer patient. I feel fine and in a very positive frame of mind. Secondly, the Dove Clinic practises
People who dump rubbish illegally in Oxfordshire are being warned to expect prosecution. John Brandon throws bags of rubbish into the undergrowth The Environment Agency issued the warning on February 12 after secret videotape resulted in two men being
