The firm charged with designing Oxfordshire's transport improvements has outraged cycling campaigners by banning staff from using bikes on health and safety grounds. Jacobs is the transport consultant for Oxfordshire County Council and has designed
THE task force charged with examining the potential health risks of fortnightly rubbish collections has postponed its inquiry. Oxfordshire's Public Health Group - which includes county and district councillors and health professionals - was due to
THE decision to build a 600-place secondary school in Grove has been upheld after councillors voted against reconsidering the plans. Three weeks ago, county councillors gave plans to build a new 11-16 school the thumbs-up. But five days later the
A man cleared of murdering a drug addict 11 years ago was today arrested again under new double jeopardy laws. Ricky Miell, 29, was cleared by a jury of stabbing to death Steven Burton in a house in Cowley Road, Oxford, in 1996. But Miell, who has
A homeless man has claimed it is his "birthright" to stay on a patch of land next to the River Thames dubbed Oxford's tent city. Oxford Crown Court today ordered tents and a wooden platform built by homeless people on a towpath in Osney to be closed
Governors at an Oxford school have spoken of their dismay after a popular headteacher was told she will be replaced if the school becomes an academy. Lorna Caldicott has turned results around at Peers School in Sandy Lane West, Littlemore. However
The decision to build a 600-place secondary school in Grove has been upheld after councillors voted against reconsidering the plans. Three weeks ago, county councillors gave plans to build a new 11-16 school the thumbs-up. But five days later the decision
A human fruit machine and a giant pillow fight will be among the attractions at a fundraising fete in aid of an East Oxford theatre. Pegasus Theatre is raising money for a £6.3m revamp of its buildings in Magdalen Road and a group of youth theatre members
The task force charged with examining the potential health risks of fortnightly rubbish collections has postponed its inquiry. Oxfordshire's Public Health Group - which includes county and district councillors and health professionals - was due to agree
The future of Banbury's Woodgreen Leisure Centre has been guaranteed - for a year. Cherwell District Council will take over the management of the centre while its long-term future is considered. The contract of the existing management company, DC
A new CCTV system will go live at a Wood Farm tower block next month in a bid to combat antisocial and criminal behaviour. The Foresters Tower pilot scheme, installed by Oxford City Council at a cost of £32,000, will run until September and include
As well as aching legs and sore muscles after this weekend's efforts at the National Champs in Wakefield, I'm also covered in bruises and bites. The bruises are probably from fellow competitors eager to drown me during the swim as the usual boxing match
To a scientist, it is frustrating to hear so many people express bewilderment at this summer's weather events. It is quite impossible to understand the reasoning behind weather forecasts without synoptic pressure charts, and it is quite impossible to
I abhor shopping. However, I was pleasantly surprised when dragged screaming, by my grandchildren, to Cardiff shopping centre. Total pedestrianisation of the city centre was initially opposed by many, but it has proved a great success. Peaceful, clean
Living in what I assume is a typical suburban street today, I am tempted to transpose the words of the famous song to Where have all the families (née flowers) gone, long time passing. Those young couples and families who originally bought properties
Campaigners hoping to transform Bicester's mothballed airbase into a major tourist attraction have uncovered more details about the site's past. Voluntary organisation Bomber Command Heritage (BCH) says the former RAF base is Bicester's hidden treasure
Lord Mayor John Tanner was at Oxford's Iqra School to lend his support to staff and pupils battling to save it from closure. The school, the county's only Islamic school, is faced with the prospect of turning away its pupils within the next three months
Boxers, sailors and worshippers are among those set to benefit from a £630,000 cash injection for community groups. South Oxfordshire District Council has awarded the cash to groups and organisations to help pay for new pavilions, clubhouses and a village
A CLASSICAL music and fireworks concert, featuring a flypast by a Spitfire, has crashed - a victim of the wet weather. The concert at Radley College, near Abingdon, was due to be staged on July 2. But the relentless rain and sodden ground sank a hole
RECYCLING rates in Oxford have hit the 40 per cent mark for the first time. The figure for June shows a dramatic leap in performance since new arrangements were introduced in November last year. This improvement - recycling rates were just 19 per
The unsung heroes of Sobell House have received royal recognition for bringing the human touch to the unit. The Oxford hospice this week received the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service, to mark the dedicated work of the 200 volunteers who give up their
The man at the centre of a company pensions row claims he has been singled out for payment - to shut him up. But John Brooks, now 68 and suffering from leukaemia, has told the Department of Work and Pensions Financial Assistance Scheme (FAS) he will
A spectacular classical music and fireworks concert, featuring a flypast by a Spitfire, has crashed - a victim of the wet weather. The concert at Radley College, near Abingdon, was due to be staged on July 2. But the relentless rain and sodden ground
TWO men arrested following the theft of approximately £3,000 worth of cigarettes from the Baynard's Green Service Station on Saturday have been released on bail until September 6. They were arrested at 9.30pm on Saturday by Staffordshire Police officers
A 29-YEAR-OLD man was arrested today over a murder in Oxford that a jury cleared him of 11 years ago. Ricky Miell was arrested this morning on suspicion of killing Steven Burton in Cowley Road, Oxford, in January 1996. Mr Burton was a heroin addict
Recycling rates in Oxford have hit the magic 40 per cent mark for the first time. The figure for June shows a dramatic leap in performance since new arrangements were introduced in November last year. This improvement - recycling rates were just 19
These children are more accustomed to sticking to curfews and dodging bullets than improvisational theatre and dreaming spires. But as part of the Oxford-Ramallah Friendship Association, eight teenagers aged 13 to 16, who live in the Al-Amari refugee
A HOMELESS settlement known as Oxford's 'tent city' will be dismantled and residents evicted, a court ruled today. Oxford County Court heard around 14 tents and a wooden platform have been erected illegally next to the towpath in Osney. Judge Charles
The mother of murder victim Steven Burton has spoken of her relief that a man has been arrested 11 years after the fatal stabbing. Ricky Miell was arrested this morning on suspicion of killing Steven Burton in Cowley Road, Oxford, in January 1996. Miell
A homeless settlement known as Oxford's 'tent city' will be dismantled and residents evicted, a court ruled today. Oxford County Court heard that about 14 tents and a wooden platform have been set up illegally next to the towpath in Osney. Judge Charles
The 29-year-old man arrested over a 1996 murder was cleared of the crime 11 years ago. Ricky Miell was arrested this morning on suspicion of killing Steven Burton in Cowley Road, Oxford, in January 1996. Mr Burton, 20, was a heroin addict who was
TRAIN services between Oxfordshire and London Paddington were disrupted today following a major signalling failure. Engineers discovered the problem, at Acton, West London, at 5.10am. The failure was fixed by 6.15am and services were running as normal
A 29-year-old man was arrested today on suspicion of committing a murder in Oxford 11 years ago. The man was arrested by officers from the Major Crime Review Team at an address in Henley. Police said the arrest was in connection with the murder
A crash involving a lorry and a silver Ford Fiesta closed one lane of the Eastern bypass this morning. The accident happened on the south bound carriage way near Risinghurst at about 9am. No-one was injured but the incident caused long tailbacks.
Oxfordshire face an uphill battle to avoid defeat after a woeful second day in their Minor Counties Championship Western Division clash with Shropshire at Banbury. The hosts trailed by 389 runs with eight wickets remaining at close of play last night
Bradley Smith is set to return to action at the Sachsenring on Sunday after missing the Dutch TT in Assen following a practice accident. The 16-yaer-old, who lives in Garsington, cracked a bone in his left tibia and broke a bone in both his left hand
Daniel Rivers produced a superb individual display at Abingdon Vale's Open Meeting. The 16-year-old Wantage White Horse Harriers member won the 200m individual medley, 100m individual medley and 100m freestyle. He then claimed second spot in the 100m
Train services between Oxfordshire and London Paddington were disrupted this morning following a major signalling failure. Engineers discovered the problem, at Acton, West London, at 5.10am. The failure was fixed by 6.15am and services were running
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 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
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
TWO Olympic medallists were on hand to inspire 1,000 youngsters taking part in the Oxfordshire Youth Games, at Radley College, on Sunday. Athens Olympic quadruple sculling silver medallist Alison Mowbray opened the games and presented the prizes and
VANDALS have struck again at the Witney Lakes country park, destroying a picnic table and ripping planks out of a footbridge. The incidents happened over the weekend, and have infuriated local resident Gordon Clack, of Witney Road, Ducklington. "This
Great & Little Tew 2nd made it seven wins from seven starts in Division 6, but they were made to work hard for their latest success by Milton Keynes Park 2nd. Tew looked like winning with ease when Park were all out for just 129, but Paddy Rathbone
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
THE "eyesore" site of the former Opium Den restaurant in Oxford city centre is to be transformed into three swish eateries - possibly by Christmas. Leaseholder Nuffield College said it had received a lot of interest in the Worcester Street site, which
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
ABANDONED and dumped bicycles have been cleared to make way for a new shelter and cycle racks. Ninety cycles were removed yesterday from the cycle racks at Oxford Railway Station, and have now been placed in storage. About 30 more cycles which had
Seamer Stefan Read had a day to remember as he took all ten wickets to fall in Stokenchurch's remarkable 14-run win at Bicester & North Oxford 2nd in Division 4 on Saturday. Read returned remarkable figures of 10-13 to set a new league record. Only
Oxford 3rd gained some breathing space at the foot of the Division 5 by beating fellow strugglers Stanton St John Willows by 69 runs. Miles Picknett hit 82 in Oxford's 246-8, made after they were inserted. Then Alf Symons took 6-57 as Willows were shot
THE bad news for those who thought the recent sunny spell was here to stay... is that it isn't. The Met Office said the warm spell of the past couple of days was expected to break tomorrow with prolonged rain expected on Thursday and Friday. Beyond
Kiwi Jeremy Good took 6-48 and hit 63 but it was not good enough as Cumnor 2nd fell to a 24-run defeat at home to Cropredy in Division 3. Richard Lynch (48) and Pete Cooling (43) were the leading scorers in the visitors' 205 all out. James Coleman
Oxfordshire face an uphill battle to avoid defeat after a woeful second day in their Western Division clash with Shropshire at Banbury. The hosts trailed by 389 runs with eight wickets remaining at close of play last night and will need a minor miracle
7.40: Greenfield Joy 3, ACTIVE WOODS, Final Rinmore 2, Inzaghi, Hondo Mac, Out Half. 7.55: Twiggys Prize, Idenas Champion, Shout Of Order 2, Farloe Paddy, SIERRA VISTA, Puntes Package 3. 8.10: Telmoco, Forest Wendy, Forelacka Field 2, COTTESLOE GO ON
The Oxford United trio of Phil Gilchrist, Chris Willmott and Billy Turley will not be rushed back into action until they are fully fit. Skipper Gilchrist and goalkeeper Turley underwent knee operations during the summer, while Willmott has made a full
Abingdon Vale held their nerve to squeeze past Horspath by two wickets and strengthen their grip at the top of Division 2. Seamer Ben Humpage took 6-38 and left-arm spinner Paul White 3-48 as Vale dismissed the visitors in the final over for 161.
TORRENTIAL rain has wreaked so much devastation to farmers' crops that the cost in Oxfordshire has been put at "several hundred thousand pounds". Fruit and arable farmers in the county have been left to rue the fourth wettest June since 1914, with crops
Chris Board took 4-60 and then masterminded a run chase that saw Division 1 leaders Banbury 2nd clinch victory with one ball to spare at home to Cumnor. Cumnor opener James Neilson compiled a steady 52 then captain Dan Gaunt hit 64 before the visitors
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
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
A RANGER from Kidlington has been presented with the Queen's Guide Award, the highest achievement in guiding. Becky Hinton, 25, an assistant leader with the Horizon Ranger Guide Unit, was honoured after working with the St John Ambulance Brigade and
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. After a quick look around
SCHOOLCHILDREN from Moldova - one of the poorest countries in Europe - are in for a treat when they visit this week. The party of 14, aged between 15 and 18, are all from the agricultural town of Ialoveni near the capital Chisinau. They will be guests
AN Oxford professor has been named in the top ten most influential living conservationalists by BBC Wildlife magazine. Prof David Macdonald, who works at the Department of Zoology, finished ninth in the feature - one place behind veteran botanist David
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
A HEARING to evict residents living in Oxford's Tent City' is to be heard at Oxford County Court today. 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 niff a week after the smoking ban - the smell of stale beer and perspiration. Publicans have noticed the smells now cigarette smoke is no longer masking them and some are taking steps to
ABOUT 1,800 music fans filled the field behind Hook Norton's Gate Hangs High pub for a summer festival. And unlike Glastonbury, the event stayed dry as people enjoyed folk, blues and rock in the nine hours of music on Saturday. Organiser Claire
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
It is often said that there is no such thing as a poor farmer. Judging by our report today, that statement might be the subject of some dispute. Last year, we had lots of sunshine and little rain. This summer has seen the reverse - and farmers say
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
The "eyesore" site of the former Opium Den restaurant in Oxford city centre is to be transformed into three swish eateries - possibly by Christmas. Leaseholder Nuffield College said it had received a lot of interest in the Worcester Street site, which
Torrential rain has wreaked so much devastation to farmers' crops that the cost in Oxfordshire has been put at "several hundred thousand pounds". Fruit and arable farmers in the county have been left to rue the fourth wettest June since 1914, with crops
Drinkers are to face a high-tech machine which takes just seconds to discover if they have been using drugs. The new drugs itemiser was tested for the first time on clubbers queuing at The Bridge nightclub, in Hythe Bridge Street, Oxford, at the weekend
After months of waiting, the line-up has been announced for Oxfordshire's most popular rock festival - Truck. Over the past nine years, the annual two-day party at Hill Farm, Steventon, near Abingdon, has gained a reputation for attracting some of the
