A HOUSE was seriously damaged in a fire in Oxford today. Firefighters from Rewley Road and The Slade stations were called to the fire in Willow Way, Blackbird Leys, at 3.45am. The ground floor of the terraced home was destroyed in the blaze. The
Now that we are into mid-January, I hope a high percentage of car drivers in and around this city made some New Year resolutions to improve their poor standard of driving. If they could not think of any, how about these for starters: 1. You are not
THAMES Water has come in for plenty of criticism of late, particularly over the planned reservoir in Oxfordshire and its leaking pipes. But it has shown a different side to its character in its treatment of the unfortunate families caught up in the
Firefighters were called to a house fire on Oxford's Blackbird Leys estate on Saturday. The ground floor of the terraced home in Willow Way was destroyed in the blaze. The cause of the fire has not yet been established. No one was inside the house
The family of murder victim Arash Ghorbani-Zarin watched as one of his killers failed in his bid for freedom. Mohammed Mujibar Rahman, one of two sons who together with their father were jailed in December 2005 for stabbing 19-year-old Mr Ghorbani-Zarin
Bachelor Mark Broughton is looking for love - by auctioning his hand in marriage for one penny on eBay. Mr Broughton, a 37-year-old former parking attendant, has not been able to find a partner since splitting with his long-time girlfriend two years
A man who violently robbed a taxi driver and left him battered and bruised faces a lengthy jail term. Tynan Nelson, of Nunnery Close in Blackbird Leys, pleaded guilty at Oxford Crown Court to robbery. The 20-year-old admitted attacking taxi driver
Ab Lenton and her partner Paul Gunby have little choice but to return to their flood-damaged home, because their daughter Chantelle has cerebral palsy. Many of the flood-hit residents who are being put up in the Premier Travel Inn, are likely to be
Families are facing weeks out of their homes as the repair bill after the catastrophic Cowley flood was last night predicted to top £300,000. Twenty-four homes were flooded after a water main burst, in Normandy Crescent, early on Thursday. Nine families
An investigation has revealed 15 per cent of vital life-saving aids on the banks of the River Thames in Oxford are either missing or un- usable. The Oxford Mail checked up on riverside safety after teenager Ben Halsey-Jones fell into the river near
Former Oxford Conservative councillor Janet Todd, who died last year, has left £100,000 to the Royal Commonwealth Society for the Blind. Mrs Todd, who died aged 88 on May 17 last year, left an estate valued at £2,656,499 gross - £2,643,104 net. Mrs
Inspector Morse creator Colin Dexter helped officially open a £3m care home in Abingdon. Mr Dexter, 77, who lives in Banbury Road, Oxford, unveiled a plaque at Abingdon Court Care Home in Marcham Road. He is pictured with home managing director Seamus
A firm which sold short measures at Banbury street market has been fined £8,000. North West Meats Auctioneers, of Stourbridge, Worcs, was found guilty at Banbury Magistrates' Court of selling short weights of lamb and pork. The company was also found
A woman who bought a new phone ended up receiving a stream of texts about someone else's bank account. Elaine Lapworth complained about the security lapse after buying a Nokia N73 from the Vodafone store in Cornmarket Street, Oxford. Later Miss Lapworth
Police have been handed dozens of leads in the battle against crime on an Oxford estate by knocking on people's doors and asking where to go. More than 300 people living in Blackbird Leys and Greater Leys were asked their views on drugs and antisocial
Another battle is looming over plans for a new mobile phone transmitter mast in Abingdon - two years after residents fought off a similar scheme. T-Mobile wants planning permission to erect a 15m high telecommunications mast with antennas and two equipment
Cancer sufferer Malcolm Cole was sure he would be dead by Christmas after health chiefs refused to prescribe him a potentially life-extending drug. "I thought my time was up," said the 68-year-old who was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 1993 - a
It may be cold outside, but Oxford's New Theatre is freezing - literally. The stage has been turned into an ice rink three inches thick for the Wild Rose Russian Ice Stars' latest show, Peter Pan on Ice. Involving 14 tonnes of ice, 14,000 litres of
Francesca Bardsley checks out the Randolph Hotel in Oxford - the city's first five-star hotel: Arriving at the imposing 19th century facade of The Randolph Hotel is perhaps a trifle intimidating. The five-storey building, which has featured regularly
A dream came true for in-form roach expert Alan Storey from Sutton, Oxfordshire, when he slipped his net under a magnificent roach weighing 4lb 2oz, writes ANDY WEBBER. The huge redfin was caught at a southern stillwater which Alan has been fishing
Jamie Harris hit a treble as Tower Hill maintained their unbeaten Giles Sports Witney Youth League Under 11 A League record with a 6-1 win over Chesterton Juniors. Harris's hat-trick, plus goals from Adam Moore, Craig Keylock and an own goal, secured
Oxford Mail Girls League Beth Hawtin smashed a four-timer as Kidlington ran out 5-0 winners at Carterton in the Under 10 League Cup. Hawtin put her side ahead, before Olivia Gardner converted a Hayley Clements cross. Hawtin added two more goals before
The Blanchfords Oxfordshire Trophy has attracted its best-ever line-up. The racing office at Oxford Stadium described the declarations as: "The best we have ever had - it's a cracking entry." The competition which gets under way on Tuesday is a very
Oxford City Stars coach Darryl Morvan knows that tomorrow's home game with Basingstoke Buffalo is a must-win one for his side. Stars climbed back up to fourth place in the table - the final play-off spot - after last week's narrow 2-1 win over Haringey
Justin Buckingham hit a break of 66 to give Witney A a 4-2 victory over New Club A in the Premier Division, writes DAVID WHITE. Buckingham needed to win the final frame to hand his side victory, and once he got in full flow, opponent Justin Shepherd
Michelle Ewins smashed a four-timer as Oxford United Ladies beat Aylesbury United 6-2 in their Southern League Premier Division clash. Kate Poole opened the scoring in the fourth minute, only for the visitors to quickly draw level. However, Ewins
At the risk of sounding boring, I'd liken being a cricket club secretary to riding a bike. When I first started out, a good few years ago now, I needed lots of support, but over the years, it has become easier and easier to get to grips with. I can
At the risk of sounding boring, I'd liken being a cricket club secretary to riding a bike. When I first started out, a good few years ago now, I needed lots of support, but over the years, it has become easier and easier to get to grips with. I can
At the risk of sounding boring, I'd liken being a cricket club secretary to riding a bike. When I first started out, a good few years ago now, I needed lots of support, but over the years, it has become easier and easier to get to grips with. I can
Jim Smith has strengthened his midfield by signing Gregg Coombes on a month's loan from Cardiff City. The highly-rated 18-year-old will go straight into the squad for Monday's televised Conference game at home to Rushden & Diamonds. Coombes has represented
OXFORD & DISTRICT LEAGUE (Sponsored by 434 Enterprises Ltd) (Beer legs in brackets) Section A: Masons 4 (1), George 5 (2); Vikings Sports 5 (2), Nelson 4 (1); Fairview 6 (3), Catherine Wheel A 3 (0); Follybridge A 2 (1), Black Swan 7 (2). Section
Oxfordshire champions in the ESFA Girls Under 11s six-a-side football tournament. After a 0-0 draw against Thomas Reade in the county finals at the Manor Preparatory School, Abingdon, St John's swept aside Goring 5-0 and Bayards Hill (Headington) 4-
LACROSSE players from Heathfield St Mary's (Wantage) made home advantage count to come out on top in a thrilling finish to the Midlands Small Schools tournament. Having won their first four games, St Mary's went into a decider against Malvern College
RICKY Bridges kick-started Oxfordshire Under 16s' challenge in the ESFA Premier League Inter County Trophy with both goals in a 2-0 win over Dorset. Having lost their opening game 2-1 to Hampshire in November, it was imperative Oxon bounced back in
THE Renault F1 team, from Enstone, bid for a hat-trick of world titles with a new driver line-up and a new look this season. The team, backed this year by bankers ING, will be spearheaded by Italian Giancarlo Fisichella, in his third season with the
Oxford United defender John Dempster is poised to become Ron Atkinson's first signing at Kettering. And U's boss Jim Smith was working hard to sign a defender on loan himself. "We're trying desperately to get a defender in," Smith said, after losing
GREAT & Little Tew A kept their promotion hopes bubbling in Division 2 of the Banbury Indoor League with a 40-run victory over Broughton & North Newington - thanks to a whopping 50 extras. With Ian Widdows (29no) and Tim Catling (27no) in the runs,
VALE of White Horse Under 14s maintained their 100 per cent record this season with a 3-0 win over Cheltenham in the Vale Cup at Milton United. Nick Christodoulou fired Vale ahead after ten minutes, but the hosts failed to capitalise on their superiority
OXFORDSHIRE County Council is to repair two sections of worn-out road in Burford from Monday. Separate sections of Guildenford, running into Church Lane, Burford, will be closed for two days. Both Church Lane and Guildenford will need to be closed
PHOTOGRAPHS showing Oxfordshire's towns about 100 years ago have been used to create a new online gallery. Oxfordshire County Council has joined forces with the Oxfordshire Town Chambers Network - which promotes local businesses - to create the new
A MOTHER whose nine-year-old son was run down and killed by a speeding driver has been told she will not receive a penny in compensation. Ross Doyle was killed as he walked back from football training on Pegasus Road in Blackbird Leys more than six
THE number of children injured in cycle accidents in Oxfordshire has more than halved in the last ten years. A total of 34 children were hurt in bike accidents in 2006 compared to 89 in 1997. Fewer youngsters were injured last year than in any year
A COURT usher returned to his car after a day dealing with criminals to find that a driver had smashed into his vehicle and disappeared without leaving a note. More than £1,000 damage was caused to Julian Humm's Citroën C5 between 9.30am and 4pm on
A TEENAGER thought to be behind more than 33 crimes on an Oxford estate has been handed an Anti-Social Behaviour Order. Lewis Felton, 17, of Dunnock Way, Greater Leys, Oxford, has been convicted or accused of 33 crimes including burglary, possession
SPORTS centres in Kidlington and Bicester will open their doors for a day of free activities tomorrow. The Cherwell District Council-run centres will showcase a range of activities to encourage non-members to come along and improve their fitness.
