Oxford United manager Jim Smith is convinced he can get much more out of striker Marvin Robinson. The much-travelled 27-year-old, who began his career at Derby when Smith was boss at Pride Park, has played at Championship level in the past. But the
Schoolgirl Laura Thomas had her big day on Saturday leading the Eynsham Carnival parade in a vintage charabanc with her attendants Amber Greenaway, Martha and Lily Page, Olivia Seligman and Leah Humphris. The girls had pride of place in the 61st annual
Hundreds of people turned out for Rose Hill Primary School's fete, in Oxford on Saturday, raising more than £500 for the school. Zarin Rahman, seven, is pictured looking pretty in pink facepaint. Tracey Gillett, who organised the fete with her friend
A conman has been stripped of £75,000 he stole from businessmen's bank accounts. Anthony Brookes, 40, is in jail for trawling conference centres and hotels, stealing cards and identity documents from rooms then emptying the bank accounts. In 2003
An inquest into drowning victim Ben Halsey-Jones will be held at Oxford Coroner's Court next week. The 15-year-old, who lived in Wolvercote and was a Year 10 pupil at The Cherwell School, went missing after falling into the swollen River Thames, near
Barrister Michael Redfern is set to outline the purpose of his probe into human tissue analysis at UK nuclear facilities, including Harwell near Didcot. In April, the Oxford Mail reported that an inquiry was to be launched after it emerged body tissue
Next year's city council elections are going to be "nasty" as Labour and the Independent Working Class Association lock horns in three wards Blackbird Leys, Northfield Brook and Lye Valley have been identified as key battlegrounds in the race for Oxford
Abandoned and dumped bikes have been cleared to make way for a new shelter and cycle racks. Ninety bikes were removed yesterday from the cycle racks at Oxford Railway Station, and have now been placed in storage. About 30 more bikes which had buckled
Muslims in Oxford want to build bridges between people, not walls to separate them. That was the message on the second anniversary of the 7/7 bombings in London and in the wake of the terror attacks last week in London and Glasgow, from a conference
The owner of a cafe and art gallery in Church Green, Witney, has won a licence to serve drink and have six live music performances a year. Residents in the historical conservation area at the heart of the old town objected to Aidan Meller's application
Supporters of Henley MP Boris Johnson have urged him not to run for Mayor of London. Mr Johnson has admitted he is attracted to the idea of challenging Ken Livingstone in next year's election, but said his commitment and responsibility to his constituency
A half-tonne beast made a big splash by deciding to take a late-night dip in an outdoor pool. Vicky Greves and her husband Tony, who run Langley Farm, near Witney, were getting ready for bed just after 11pm on Sunday when their dogs alerted them to
A TEENAGER has been convicted of fly-tipping after dumping a rubbish-filled shopping trolley in an alleyway. The 17-year-old youth denied leaving the waste in an alleyway off Waverley Avenue, Kidlington, last October, but was found guilty at Banbury
As an occasional musician, I was a little bemused by your two musical features (Oxford Mail, July 3). Jerome Dehedin who, as you reported, was staging a drummathon at The Baytree in Grove, must have been very proud to have entered the Guinness Book
The screw is really being turned on those intent on ruining a good night out for thousands of young people in Oxford. First, we had the crackdown on antisocial behaviour, particularly by drunken and boisterous louts, and under age and binge drinking
Is Iraq to be considered more democratic than England due to the fact that Gordon Brown's Government has not been brought to power via a General Election? Even the government of Adolf Hitler was an elected government, unlike Mr Brown's. I hope the
The letter from Lucy Murfett and Arthur Davis, Cowley Marsh isn't suitable for skatepark (Oxford Mail, July 4), requires addressing on several points. I am thrilled to hear that residents validate the environmental health officers' view on noise issues
People living in the Littlemore area of Oxford have expressed concerns over plans for two blocks of flats. The provisional application, submitted to the city council last month, would see two multi-storey blocks of flats built on the site of the former
The Freemen of the City of Oxford have launched two new awards. They include a Prestige Award, which recognises contributions to city life, which the public can nominate candidates for, and an apprentice award for companies to nominate their best new
A teenager has been convicted of fly-tipping after dumping a rubbish-filled shopping trolley in an alleyway. The 17-year-old youth denied leaving the waste in an alleyway off Waverley Avenue, Kidlington, last October, but was found guilty at Banbury
A spy camera caught the moment a plumber dumped a pile of waste in an Oxfordshire layby. Tradesman Neil Bishop, 44, of Millwood End, Long Hanborough, reversed his van up to gates leading off a layby close to Chesterton, near Bicester. After a quick
FLOOD Watch alerts were removed from all Oxfordshire's rivers today. The Environment Agency had placed alerts on five rivers in the county last week - the Cherwell, Evenlode, Thame, Ray and Windrush and their catchment areas, following heavy rain. Yesterday
Businesses across the county are being warned about a new e-mail tax scam which is being run by criminals posing as Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs. Fraudulent e-mails are requesting that the reader supplies financial information such as their bank
A top Oxfordshire hotel is to be given a £3.5m refurbishment after being taken over by new owners. The Oxford Belfry near Milton Common has undergone a major review since its parent company the Marston Group was taken over by Q Hotels last November
A day of festivities celebrating Oxford's connections with Alice in Wonderland has been hailed a major success. And its success could help to pave the way for organisers, the Story Museum, to find a permanent base in the city. The event on Saturday
Two Olympic medallists were on hand to inspire 1,000 youngsters taking part in the Oxfordshire Youth Games, at Radley College, Abingdon, on Sunday. Athens Olympic quadruple sculling silver medallist Alison Mowbray opened the games and presented the
A care assistant is swapping the wards of an Oxford mental health hospital for the mountains of South America. Katie Jeffs, of Peachcroft, Abingdon, is raising more that £2,650 for the Mental Health Foundation by taking part in a five-day trek across
A CRIMINAL who was arrested by Thames Valley Police has been stripped of £75,000. An asset confiscation hearing at Oxford Crown Court on Friday stripped Anthony Brookes of money he stole from bank accounts. Brookes, who at one stage was wanted by
When Peter Barnard died after a car crash just days before his 21st birthday the tragic accident was not in vain. As a multiple organ donor, the young man's heart and lungs, kidneys and liver were used to save four people, while his corneas gave the
A CAR towing a trailer overturned on the A34 this afternoon between the junctions for Chilton and Milton. Ambulance crews arrived on the scene at around 2pm and the two passengers from the car were taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford. This
A man suffered a broken jaw and had his wallet stolen in a mystery attack after leaving a pub. The 26-year-old man left The Stocks pub, in Bridge Street, Abingdon at about 1am on Saturday and remembers speaking to a man and woman outside the pub.
Shareholders of troubled software company iSoft voted overwhelmingly to accept an offer from Australian group IBA. iSoft, which employs staff in Banbury and Witney, was put up for sale last October after a series of profit warnings. US computer company
Businesses across the county are being warned about a new email tax scam which is being run by criminals posing as Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs. Fraudulent emails are requesting that the reader supplies financial information, such as their bank
Hundreds of schoolchildren from across Oxfordshire swapped their textbooks for camouflage gear when they joined the Army for a day of military adventure. Four hundred pupils from 28 schools across Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire descended on St George's
Police have re-bailed a man arrested after an eight-month-old baby boy found was found dead by officers in a flat in Oxford. A 27-year-old man arrested on suspicion of sexual assault and child neglect was due to answer police bail on Sunday. Bail
A top Oxfordshire hotel is to be given a £3.5m refurbishment after being taken over by new owners. The Oxford Belfry, near Milton Common, has undergone a major review since its parent company the Marston Group was taken over by Q Hotels last November
A firm helping to tackle global terrorism has completed its expansion into new offices. Hazard Management Solutions (HMS) has uprooted from Faringdon to new premises on the Shrivenham Hundred Business Park. Fifty-five people work for the organisation
The new smoking ban in public places is spelling a surge in business for the Oxford branch of cash and carry chain Booker. In little more than a week since the ban came into force, the store has sold out of garden furniture and large canopies. Barrier
A new £4m Nissan dealership has opened for business on the Oxford Motor Park, creating 20 jobs. The purpose-built site near Kidlington stretches over 14,000sq ft and includes a 10-car showroom and a dedicated used vehicle centre. It is being operated
Police have tested a new device to tackle drug users in Oxford's nightspots. A drug itemiser was used on party-goers waiting to get inside The Bridge nightclub in Hythe Bridge Street, Oxford, on Friday night. It revealed five of 150 tested had been
A pioneering business advice service, which has given birth to several successful Oxfordshire companies, is to close. More deprived areas are being targeted by the South East England Development Agency (Seeda), which spells the end of the Faringdon
POLICE today appealed for a man who may hold the key to solving a snatch theft in Cowley Road, Oxford, to come forward. At 2pm on Monday, July 2, a sales assistant from a pawnbroker was about to make a deposit at the Costcutters store Post Office at
Oxford Cheetahs' young guns pulled off a superb last-heat 45-44 victory against high-riding Plymouth Devils in a thrilling Knockout Cup first-leg clash at Sandy Lane last night, writes JOHN GAISFORD. The home side were always second best until heat
Skipper Dave Taylor smashed a century as Kidlington moved into second place with a 140-run victory at Burnham. Having lost the toss, Kidlington responded with batting of the highest quality despite the early loss of Cambridge Blue Richard Howitt and
Burglars stole hundreds of pounds from a elderly man after claiming they needed to check the water. The two men knocked on a home in Weston on the Green at 8.30am last Thursday and while one spoke to the resident a second ransacked the house, police
Banbury produced a miserable batting display against High Wycombe, crashing to a 48-run defeat in Division 1 of the Home Counties League. Benji Hector's side were skittled out for just 135, chasing a modest 184 for victory. Things started well for
A battling unbeaten 85 from Adam Cook rescued Oxford from defeat as they forced a draw away to Radlett in Division 1 of the Home Counties League. Chasing a target of 233, Oxford slumped to 42-6, and it was then a matter of saving face. Batting first
Thame Town made all the running, but could not pull off a victory in their match away to Beaconsfield in Home Counties Premier League Division 2. A second-wicket partnership of 131 between Rob Brooks and skipper Adam Krol enabled them to score 208-5
CLUBBERS in Oxford were tested by police using a new drug tracing device. Invited by the club's management, officers tested people entering The Bridge in Hythe Bridge Street with the Itemiser, which, in a matter of seconds, tests for contact with all
A MAN suffered a broken jaw and had his wallet stolen in a mystery attack after leaving a pub. The 26-year-old man left The Stocks pub, in Bridge Street, Abingdon at about 1am on Saturday and remembers speaking to a man and woman outside the pub.
TWO men, claiming to be from the water board, stole £500 after tricking their way into a home in Weston-on-the-Green. One of the men spoke to the resident in the kitchen while the other searched the house. They left in a red car which had been parked
Simon Bird was the hero as Aston Rowant recorded their first Home Counties Premier League victory in some style at home on Saturday, smashing Kew by nine wickets with 36 overs to spare. Bird claimed 6-37 off 19 overs in a devastating spell of bowling
AEA Technology 118 BMW 3365 Electrocomponents 266.75 Isoft Group 54.25 Nationwide Accident Repair 149 Oxford Biomedica 41.25 Oxford Instruments 289.75 Reed Elsevier 638.25 RM 213.25 RPS Group 352.5 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
A MINOR accident on the exit slip road of the southbound carriageway of the M40 at junction nine, near Bicester, caused delays during rush hour today. The incident - involving a car and a lorry - happened at 8.10am. Lanes one and two and the exit
The tri-training is ticking along nicely. My last blog was very promising having charged round a 8+ miles course in a record time. Unfortunately it had a shocking effect on my knees which meant I couldn't sit down or stand up without pain for three days
A minor accident on the exit slip road of the southbound carriageway of the M40 caused delays during rush hour this morning. The incident - involving a car and a lorry - happened at 8.10am at junction 9 of the southbound carriageway. Lanes one and
The minute book of Summertown Football Club in Oxford has unexpectedly come to light. It was among a collection of Scouting memorabilia given to John Kirby, who runs the wonderful Scout museum at Youlbury. He passed it to me in the hope that it can
The front rooms of homes were traditionally kept for special occasions, such as relatives and friends coming for Christmas or Sunday tea. But two in Cowley village a century ago - both in Temple Road - were used for more practical purposes. A chronicle
The two decades old mystery of the "execution-style" deaths of two Oxfordshire ramblers in Wales is to be investigated again. For the past 18 years, the shotgun murder of Peter and Gwenda Dixon on the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path has fuelled speculation
Raising the school leaving age to 18 could cause mass truancy, an Oxford education expert has warned. Dr Geoff Hayward, a director of the Oxford-based Nuffield Review of 14 to 19 Education and Training, said he was alarmed by the Government's plans.
Train travel Edwardian-style is on track to return to the rails in Didcot thanks to a £760,000 Lottery grant. The Great Western Society, based at Didcot Railway Centre, has secured £768,500 to spend restoring a Great Western Railway steam railmotor
Villagers are urging telecommunications company T-Mobile not to build a 12m mast, even though the structure has received planning permission - by mistake. Both the parish council and the Vale of White Horse District Council opposed the siting of the
THE two decades old mystery of the "execution-style" deaths of two Oxfordshire ramblers in Wales is to be investigated again. For the past 18 years, the shotgun murder of Peter and Gwenda Dixon on the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path has fuelled speculation
A mum has thanked the prayers of Oxford's Muslim community for helping the recovery of her son after a hit-and-run car crash. More than a year on, little Mohammed Shioui is still recovering. The four-year-old was left unable to see, sit, stand, talk
Computer expert Martin Gibson is riding 8,000 miles to Mongolia on a 125cc motorbike to raise funds for a children's charity. Mr Gibson, 23, and friend James Symes, 29, are setting off later this month with 200 teams as part of the Mongol Rally. They
Health workers have denied that heart failure patients across Oxfordshire are being left to suffer because they do not get vital drugs. A Healthcare Commission review, published on Friday, stated that Oxfordshire was one of 43 areas out of 303 where
Has anyone noticed how terrible some of the presenters are dressed on TV these days? The newsreaders always look neat and tidy, but a few of the others like Richard Madeley, Phillip Schofield and Andrew Neil look quite scruffy at times - they don't
I was glad to see my letter about the Oxford Botanic Garden printed, but was rather shocked to see a large photograph of my face on the front page of your paper (Oxford Mail, June 28 and 29). I can't imagine that it would attract more people to buy the
FIREFIGHTERS tackled a fire in Middleton Road, Banbury, which destroyed a fence before spreading to a car. They were called to the scene shortly before 1am on Saturday.
A ROUGH sleeper, reported missing in Oxford, has been spotted and been in contact with his father. Police had appealed for help to find Andrew Buckland, 43, after becoming concerned about his welfare. He was believed not to have vital medication with
LEGAL action has been taken against Oxfordshire NHS Primary Care Trust over its refusal to pay for eye-saving treatments. The Royal National Institute of Blind People is funding the battle against NHS managers by 84-year-old Oxfordshire war veteran
CHILDREN took centre stage at United's second pre-season family funday, with a chance to show off their best moves on the pitch before taking on the first team. The Junior Yellows, football-mad children aged from four to 13, who take part in training
In reply to Alan Page (Oxford Mail, June 27), I can assure him that those of us who have long opposed fox hunting are genuinely compassionate about wanting to see an end to the suffering of these animals. Although I do not know Bea Bradley, she and
A PUB landlord chased a gang of thieves up to speeds of 115mph after spotting them raiding his local petrol station for £50,000 of cigarettes. Pete Sanford, 39, tried to block the raiders in at the Baynards Green service station with his £40,000 Jaguar
MORE than 15,000 music lovers enjoyed perfect weather over two days for the fourth Cornbury music festival. And festivalgoers and organisers alike have hailed the event - held in west Oxfordshire this weekend - as the best ever. The annual event, which
Our campaign which has been saving our old traditional red telephone boxes for 20 years, is concerned at the state of the K2 box at Carfax in Oxford. A plaque in the box states: "This K2 was donated to the city of Oxford", apparently by an individual
In reply to Clive Harrison's letter on the postal strikes (Oxford Mail, June 26), yes, we are a modern rich country. What leads us to the obsession of cutbacks and the drive towards privatisation? Is this progress? I worked in a post office at the
THE OXFORD TIMES CHERWELL LEAGUE. Division 1. Cumnor 213 (D Gaunt 64, J Neilson 52, W Hazell 6-60, C Board 4-60), Banbury 2nd 217-5 (C Board 89no, A Sabin 83). Banbury Twenty 177 (D Clark 38, A Grubich 30, P Jeacock 4-21), Bicester & North Oxford
More than 15,000 music lovers enjoyed perfect weather over two days for the fourth Cornbury music festival. And festivalgoers and organisers alike have hailed the event - held in west Oxfordshire this weekend - as the best ever. The annual event,
Spencer Crawley hit a swashbuckling 40 not out as Oxford University won the Varsity Match at Lord's on Saturday. Crawley's knock came off 41 balls and his partnership with Alex Ball, who also hit 40 not out, saw Oxford to a six-wicket win. Cambridge
Oxfordshire have it all to do after losing three quick wickets on the opening day of their Minor Counties Championship clash with Shropshire at Banbury. After bowling the visitors out for 273, Oxon slumped to 46-3 at the close. And once again it means
Oxford Downs squeezed into the last 16 of the npower Village Cup after a nerve-jangling 34-run victory at Somerset champions Chew Magna. They looked to be cruising through after Jamie Perkin's superb 128 not out inspired them to 279-4. But Chew never
MINOR COUNTIES CHAMPIONSHIP Shropshire 273 (86.4 ovs, R Foster 77, J Whitney 58, A Rehman 36, J Ralph 35, P McMahon 6-114), Oxfordshire 46-3 (21 ovs). npower VILLAGE CUP 1st national round: Oxford Downs 279-4 (40 ovs, J Perkin 128no, L List 45), Chew
Students in Oxford have welcomed moves to boost the number of learners entitled to financial support. The Government said that from next year two thirds of full-time students will receive a maintenance grant, compared with just over half now. John
Police Community Support Officers in Oxford are being equipped with security marking kits to clamp down on bike thefts. This is the first time such a scheme has happened anywhere in the Thames Valley Police area and is believed to be the first in the
Children took centre stage at United's second pre-season family funday, with a chance to show off their best moves on the pitch before taking on the first team. The Junior Yellows, football-mad children aged from four to 13, who take part in training
Legal action has been taken against Oxfordshire NHS Primary Care Trust over its refusal to pay for eye-saving treatments. The Royal National Institute of Blind People is funding the battle against NHS managers by 84-year-old Oxfordshire war veteran
A pub landlord chased a gang of thieves up to speeds of 115mph after spotting them raiding his local petrol station for £50,000 of cigarettes. Pete Sanford, 39, tried to block the raiders in at the Baynard's Green service station with his £40,000 Jaguar
A hearing to evict residents living in Oxford's Tent City' is to be heard at Oxford County Court tomorrow. Last month, residents complained that the encampment of about 15 tents next to the towpath in Osney was becoming an eyesore and asked for it to
Landlords and drinkers in pubs and bars were noticing a nasty whiff a week after the smoking ban - the smell of stale beer and sweat. Publicans have noticed the pongs now cigarette smoke is no longer masking it and some are taking steps to combat it
VILLAGERS are urging telecommunications company T-Mobile not to build a 12m mast, even though the structure has received planning permission - by mistake. Both the parish council and the Vale of White Horse District Council opposed the siting of the
WESTON-on-the-Green racer Graham Fennymore will be in action on the Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit next weekend when he tackles the latest rounds of the Avon Tyres Caterham Superlight Challenge. The 42-year-old, who is backed by Taylor Made Joinery
A MOTHER-OF-FOUR and her boyfriend who started a fire at a house that left a woman badly hurt have had their sentencing adjourned for up to six weeks. Sarah Jane Griffiths, 39, and Ivan Fuller, 26, both of Kidlington, will undergo psychiatric reports
ESSENTIAL road repairs will be taking place on the Oxford Road in Kidlington tomorrow. Between 7pm and 11pm, Oxfordshire Highways will be carrying out work between Yarnton Road and Sterling Road. Lanes will be closed while the repairs are carried
HOLLYWOOD'S finest actors have been known to go to great lengths to help them get into character, but few drama students do for the school play - until now. Pupils at the Cherwell School, in Marston Ferry Road, Oxford, have been taking daily lessons
A MUSICAL party in the park promises to be bigger and better than ever - with more bands, stalls and entertainment. The free event in Adderbury, will be held on the Lucy Plackett playing fields on Saturday, July 14, from 1pm until midnight, Local
Courageous pub landlord Pete Sanford could have looked the other way when he spotted a gang stealing cigarettes from a service station near Bicester. But, instead, he felt outraged that his local garage was being targeted and decided to give chase up
