Jeremy Smith visited Newfoundland in Canada and found it a real struggle to return to old Blighty. Ever visited someplace where, even before the plane bringing you back home has taxied to its gate, you've connived to put your own mother out on the streets
For a party opposed to so-called Punch and Judy politics the Tories seem obsessed by spin and it's working its way from top to bottom. On the one hand we have leader David Cameron unveiling his rather vague Tory blueprint, you know the one "compassion
One of Wantage's most energetic voluntary helpers of the past 25 years will be remembered at a party next month to celebrate her long commitment to the community. Mary Rousseau, 72, whose funeral was held last Friday, came to the town in 1980 with her
Yellowman, a new play by the American poet and dramatist Dael Orlandersmith, makes powerful demands on the two actors who perform it. Not the least of them is the considerable feat of memory necessary to hold in their heads the torrent of words that
I was disappointed to hear how irresponsible some of our city centre bars are in serving people who are clearly underage (Oxford Mail, February 18). Nightsafe and Thames Valley Police have sent the loud and clear message to bar operators that underage
I welcome your cool and measured editorial on the county's local transport plan (Oxford Mail, February 23). I think that it sets about the right tone. The plan is very long, not terribly well written (please read if you do not believe me), and lacks
It is a well-established principle that the identities of children in care should remain confidential to protect them in their future lives. So it is a matter of concern that information about them has been found outside Warwick House, a former children's
Bars, pubs and clubs in Oxford city centre signed up to the Nightsafe scheme are to be equipped with another weapon in the fight against drink and drug-fuelled antisocial behaviour. The partnership project, set up in October 2004 between Oxford City
The new market next to Malmaison will be a welcome addition to Oxford's attractions but it should not be at the expense of the historic Gloucester Green market. The two markets will be distinct so they ought to be able to survive side by side. The Gloucester
Everyone will welcome the improvement in delivery of first-class mail in the Oxford area. A year or so ago, it seemed that the Royal Mail in the city had reached rock bottom. The reasons were only too plain to see, a breakdown in relations between management
Well done to Oxford police for ensuring that Saturday's demonstrations for and against the new University of Oxford laboratory passed peacefully. Their job was not helped by the failure of the Speak organisation to talk to police about the organisation
Arsonists may to be blame for a serious fire in a derelict warehouse in Witney yesterday (March 1). It took more than 50 firefighters just under 90 minutes to bring the blaze under control at the old Early's blanket building in Woodford Way. Crews
Arsonists may to be blame for a serious fire in a derelict warehouse in Witney yesterday (March 1). Fireifghters tackle the blaze It took more than 50 firefighters just under 90 minutes to bring the blaze under control at the old Early's blanket building
I was disappointed to hear how irresponsible some of our city centre bars are in serving people who are clearly underage (Oxford Mail, February 18). Nightsafe and Thames Valley Police have sent the loud and clear message to bar operators that underage
Wallingford's former Waitrose store in St Martin's Street could become a covered market if plans by the town council and the Civic Trust become a reality. The idea is put forward as part of a major development for Wallingford town centre to boost trade
Oxford University head coach Des Brackett says his side have a point to prove against Cambridge in Wednesday's 99th Varsity Match. Speaking after naming the team for the contest at Oxford Town Hall, Brackett said there would be no repeat of last year's
Oxfordshire all-rounder Joe Porter heads Oxford's list of winter recruits as the Home Counties Premier League club prepare for the new season. Porter, a PE teacher and sports coach at Summer Fields School in Oxford, has spent the last four seasons playing
It is a well-established principle that the identities of children in care should remain confidential to protect them in their future lives. So it is a matter of concern that information about them has been found outside Warwick House, a former children's
Drugs with an estimated street value of £3,500 were seized during a raid on a property in the Barton area of Oxford yesterday afternoon. Police officers wearing helmets and body armour descended on the terraced house in Bernwood Road at 4.30pm after receiving
Patients could be stopped from having hospital out- patient appointments if consultants have filled their monthly quotas. According to a report seen by the Oxford Mail, a cost-cutting scheme set up to vet Oxfordshire GP referrals is being influenced by
An early warning system about contaminated drugs and a needle exchange scheme are part of an Oxford strategy that has seen drug-related deaths more than halved in three years. Drugs liaison officer Pc Leigh Thompson said there had been 21 drug-related
If Oxford United are going to avoid relegation from the Football League this season, they may well need to be safe by Easter. For, of all the clubs embroiled in the dogfight to stay up, Brian Talbot's team have the toughest-looking run-in. Their final
Your readers might like to take part in an online survey into commuter well-being. We want to learn more about the experiences of commuters living in Oxford. Whether the journey takes two minutes or two hours, we want to get all types of views. It can
A retired policeman described a scene of horror as the victim of a chainsaw attack lay screaming on a remote country road. Police with the victim's vehicle at the scene near Shilton Jim Edgar told the Oxford Mail he thought the man would have bled to
Abingdon has been told to clean up its air quality -- and consultations will start later this month on measures that could see heavy lorries banned and access to the town centre limited. The Government has seen a report from air quality experts that has
A young man in South Africa saved from sleeping rough has given a very personal thank-you present to an Oxfordshire vicar who helped him get off the streets and into work. Father Tony Hogg and his parishioners in East and West Hanney have been supporting
Oxford City Stars squandered plenty of chances as they crashed to a 5-3 home defeat to Streatham Redskins in the English National League South Division. After a lacklustre opening, Redskins scored in the 12th minute when Robert Blazowski's attempted pass
Morrells of Oxford Sunday League: Michael Yearwood hammered a hat-trick in the first nine minutes as Cold Arbour thrashed ten-man Oxford Exiles in the Premier Division. Yearwood's brilliant treble and a David Jennings strike from a Jerome McCalmon strike
Campaigners fighting for a permanent lorry ban through their village are furious that they may have to wait up to two and a half years for it to happen. People living in Weston-on-the-Green, near Bicester, were delighted when, after two years of campaigning
Autotype UTV League: Matty Shelton hammered a hat-trick as Division 1 leaders Saxton Rovers kept up their championship charge with a 4-0 victory against derby rivals Abingdon Sunday. Derek Palfrey was their other marksman. Steve King and Adam Reynolds
More than 100 parish councils have been urged to join the campaign to save Banbury's Horton Hospital. Letters have been sent to the chairmen and clerks of village authorities by the town's 'Keep the Horton General' action group which is fighting to prevent
Commuters in Didcot could face rush hour misery if planned rail cuts go ahead. Rail services to and from the town could be slashed as part of proposed timetable changes. Didcot looks set to lose two fast trains to London during the morning peak period
A teenager jailed for raping a 30-year-old woman at a Halloween party yesterday (March 1) failed in an Appeal Court bid to clear his name. Moses Mughaan, 18, of Bartlemas Road, Cowley, Oxford, was sentenced to three years in a young offenders' institution
Patients have welcomed a £109m cancer centre being built at Oxford's Churchill Hospital during a ceremony to mark the start of the development. Patsy Williams, 64, of St Clements, Oxford, and Dennis Basten, 73, of Shutford, near Banbury, who have both
SIX-TIMES world champion Tony Rickardsson has vowed to give his all for the new-born Oxford Cheetahs when they take on arch rivals Swindon Robins in a season's-opening derby challenge on Wednesday, March 15. I caught up with the record-equalling world
I welcome your cool and measured editorial on the county's local transport plan (Oxford Mail, February 23). I think that it sets about the right tone. The plan is very long, not terribly well written (please read if you do not believe me), and lacks balance
A historic Oxford butchery business is undergoing a major expansion -- with a little help from Cambridge University. Aldens, which can trace its roots back to the 18th century, is investing up to £1m in a new cash and carry service at its headquarters
BANBURY United strengthened their push for a play-off place in Southern League Premier Division by claiming their second major scalp of the week on Saturday. Four days after beating leaders Salisbury, Kevin Brock's men prevailed 3-2 at home to high-flying
A BANBURY pharmacist, who was fined £750 and given a 28-month ban for driving with excess alcohol in his blood, must wait until at least October to hear the outcome of disciplinary proceedings against him held in London last week. However, Michael Murray
BURGLARS who raided a Banbury pub escaped in a car with one would-be thief clinging to the boot to hide the vehicle's number plate. The thieves, who fled empty-handed, broke into the Duke of Wellington in Warwick Road, just before 10pm on Saturday,
MORE than 100 parish councils have been urged to join the campaign to save the Horton Hospital, Banbury. Letters have been sent to the chairmen and clerks of village authorities by the town's 'Keep the Horton General' action group which is fighting
BANBURY has achieved fairtrade status after a year-long campaign to persuade local people to help Third World producers. The town's newly-won award will be presented next week when Harriet Lamb CBE, executive director of the Fairtrade Foundation, will
CAMPAIGNERS protesting against plans to build 1,070 homes at Bodicote/Bankside in Banbury are pushing ahead with demands for a public inquiry. They also want to meet representatives of GOSE the Government Office for the South East who will decide
AN 11-year-old girl has lost out on five weeks of education because of a stand-off between two Oxfordshire secondary schools over the release of her records. Laura Radbourne has been left to teach herself at home since leaving Banbury School on January
POLICE in Brackley are offering a £500 reward as they investigate a series of tyres slashings in the town last weekend. Ninety-four tyres were reported damaged in the attack. Detective Chief Inspector John Jones, of Northamptonshire Police major crime
CHERWELL District councillors have adopted a Conservative-proposed budget for 2006/2007 and a council tax rise of 4.5 per cent. The decision, as forecast in the Banbury Cake last week, came at a meeting of the council on Monday. Councillors from
ONE of the alleged victims of a nurse standing trial for murder and grievous bodily harm could have gone into respiratory arrest after being given too much oxygen, a court heard. Emphysema sufferer Harold Boss had to be rushed into the crash room at
YACHTSMAN Adrian Flanagan gained a coveted place in sailing history on Monday night as he completed his journey around Cape Horn. The notoriously treacherous stretch of water at the tip of South America always promised to be a critical point in Mr Flanagan's
THE former financial controller for Silverstone motor racing circuit took advantage of its accounting "shambles" to embezzle more than £500,000, a court heard. Stephen Beattie was appointed to his £29,000-a-year post with the British Racing Drivers'
BANBURY'S open air swimming pool will get "whatever money it needs" to put it in good order if a viable working plan for the Woodgreen facility can be agreed. The vow came during heated exchanges at Monday's meeting of Cherwell District Council which
Six-times world champion Tony Rickardsson has vowed to give his all for the new-born Oxford Cheetahs when they take on arch rivals Swindon Robins in a season's-opening derby challenge on Wednesday, March 15. I caught up with the record-equalling world
Drugs with an estimated street value of £3,500 were seized during a raid on a property in the Barton area of Oxford yesterday afternoon. Police officers wearing helmets and body armour descended on the terraced house in Bernwood Road at 4.30pm after
Patients have welcomed a £109m cancer centre being built at Oxford's Churchill Hospital during a ceremony to mark the start of the development. Patsy Williams, 64, of St Clements, Oxford, and Dennis Basten, 73, of Shutford, near Banbury, who have both
A teenager jailed for raping a 30-year-old woman at a Halloween party yesterday (March 1)failed in an Appeal Court bid to clear his name. Moses Mughaan, 18, of Bartlemas Road, Cowley, Oxford, was sentenced to three years in a young offenders' institution
A section of the A415 between Kingston Bagpuize and Newbridge is to be closed for repairs for a fortnight from Monday (March 6). Local people have expressed concern about disruption caused by the closure of the road, which is used by commuters between
Three of the first five Oxfordshire families to be fined for truancy offences have escaped prosecution by paying up. The parents of two Wheatley Park School and three Bicester Community College pupils were issued with on-the-spot fines in December for
Campaigners protesting against plans to build 1,070 homes at Bodicote/Bankside in Banbury are pushing ahead with demands for a public inquiry. They also want to meet representatives of the Government Office for the South East (GOSE) who will decide
Four factory workers are braving the highest peak on Earth to help support a charity a little closer to home. The explorers from BMW in Cowley are hoping a trek 21,000ft up Everest will help raise up to £5,000 for the Pathway Workshop in Greater Leys
Banbury's open air swimming pool will get 'whatever money it needs' to put it in good order if a viable working plan for the Woodgreen facility can be agreed. The cash vow came at Monday night's meeting of Cherwell District Council, which saw councillors
Patients could be stopped from having hospital out- patient appointments if consultants have filled their monthly quotas. According to a report seen by the Oxford Mail, a cost-cutting scheme set up to vet Oxfordshire GP referrals is being influenced
Campaigners fighting for a permanent lorry ban through their village are furious that they may have to wait up to two and a half years for it to happen. People living in Weston-on-the-Green, near Bicester, were delighted when, after two years of campaigning
A historic Oxford butchery business is undergoing a major expansion with a little help from Cambridge University. Aldens, which can trace its roots back to the 18th century, is investing up to £1m in a new cash and carry service at its headquarters
Abingdon has been told to clean up its air quality and consultations will start later this month on measures that could see heavy lorries banned and access to the town centre limited. The Government has seen a report from air quality experts that has
Commuters in Didcot could face rush hour misery if planned rail cuts go ahead. Rail services to and from the town could be slashed as part of proposed timetable changes. Didcot looks set to lose two fast trains to London during the morning peak period
More than 100 parish councils have been urged to join the campaign to save Banbury's Horton Hospital. Letters have been sent to the chairmen and clerks of village authorities by the town's 'Keep the Horton General' action group which is fighting to
An early warning system about contaminated drugs and a needle exchange scheme are part of an Oxford strategy that has seen drug-related deaths more than halved in three years. Drugs liaison officer Pc Leigh Thompson said there had been 21 drug-related
A young man in South Africa saved from sleeping rough has given a very personal thank-you present to an Oxfordshire vicar who helped him. Father Tony Hogg and his parishioners in East and West Hanney have been supporting a hostel in Cape Town for several
A teenager who watched his friend jump a gap between two three-storey buildings died after overbalancing and falling 40ft to the ground. An inquest at Oxford Coroners Court heard yesterday that on the evening of August 4 last year, 14-year-old Alex
A retired policeman described a scene of horror as the victim of a chainsaw attack lay screaming on a remote country road. Jim Edgar told the Oxford Mail he thought the man would have bled to death if a passing nurse hadn't tried to stop the bleeding
