Hundreds of mourners packed Wantage Parish Church today to say farewell to 'Mr Wantage'. Jim Moley was found dead in bed at his home in the town nearly two weeks ago. Wantage mayor Lorraine Todd paid tribute to him, saying his death had left an enormous
Part of Oxford city centre came to a standstill tonight as a naked woman rode on horseback through the streets. The stunt marked the premiere of the film Lady Godiva - the debut by Oxford filmmaker Vicky Jewson. There were wolf whistles and cheers
Cannabis plants were seized and one man arrested following a drugs raid on a house near Bicester today. A 35-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession of class C drugs and cultivating cannabis following the raid. Police said they seized
Plans have finally been revealed for a £25m project to redevelop the Old Gaol in Abingdon with homes and shops. Work on the former leisure centre, which has stood vacant for five years, will be carried out by Abingdon-based company Cranbourne Homes.
YOUNG burglars took a photograph of a dead woman as they ransacked her home, an inquest heard. Oxford coroner Nicholas Gardiner today ruled that Freda Timms, 87, of Edgeway Road, Marston, Oxford, died of natural causes at the hearing into her death
Burglars took a photograph of a dead pensioner as they ransacked her home, an inquest heard. Oxford coroner Nicholas Gardiner today ruled that Freda Timms, of Edgeway Road, Marston, Oxford, died of natural causes at the hearing into her death. When
A man may have died from exposure to asbestos 40 years ago, an inquest heard. Oxford coroner Nicholas Gardiner today recorded an open verdict at the hearing into the death of Dennis Cofield, 74, who may have been exposed to the material while working
Oxford United have answered criticism over why they let Aldershot bring forward their game at the Recreation Ground to January 29 - by claiming that the league wouldn't have let them put it back. The Blue Square Premier fixture, originally scheduled
A community is calling on Oxfordshire County Council to close roads to stop motorists using them as a short cut. Members of the Highfield Residents' Association, in Headington, Oxford, feel the increasing amount of traffic rat-running through their
Young people at Wallingford will suffer a "slap in the face" if they do not get a planned £1m youth centre, it has been claimed. A year ago, Oxfordshire County Council promised money would go into the 2008/9 budget for a new centre to replace the current
A BROTHEL in a quiet Oxford street was run so professionally it was "like a restaurant", a court heard today. Mother-of-two Elaine Konopka, 39, admitted helping run the brothel in Middle Way, Summertown. Oxford Magistrates' Court heard the brothel
Artists of all ages are being given the chance to display their work - on the move across Oxfordshire. The Oxford Mail has three new delivery vans that need designs promoting our website www.oxfordmail.co.uk, and we are giving readers the opportunity
A brothel in a quiet Oxford street was run so professionally it was "like a restaurant", a court heard today. Mother-of-two Elaine Konopka, 39, admitted helping run the brothel in Middle Way, Summertown. Oxford Magistrates' Court heard the brothel
RAIL passengers are angry that a peak express service linking Oxford and London no longer stops in Didcot. From this week, the 7.30am weekday express from Oxford to Paddington is not stopping at Didcot Parkway. First Great Western has instead told
A GROUP of pensioners is demanding changes to bus services after claiming it can take up to an hour to travel 1.5 miles to a doctors' surgery. Almost 100 bus users were at a Littlemore Parish Council meeting on Monday to speak to county council officials
A SENIOR railway manager has told Charlbury commuters they were right and First Great Western was wrong over changes to trains calling at the Cotswold Line station. Commuters started a protest petition following two mornings of delays trying to board
Oxford's Cheney School says that the key to its outstanding results in recent league tables was simple. Good communication, solid teacher and pupil relationships, and old-fashioned hard work secured them a place in the top 25 per cent of all schools
A date has been announced for a special welcome home parade to returning soldiers who flew out to Afghanistan, Iraq and Bosnia in the Army's biggest deployment from the town. The parade will be on Sunday, February 3, for the hundreds of men and women
Fairview moved up to third in the Premier Division of the RT Harris Oxford City FA with a 4-2 win at Great Milton. Jason Hartley, Ben Green, Shah Nawaz and Craig Beale were on target for Fairview, with Mathew Wilson-Jones and Tom Grant replying.
Former Manchester United and Northern Ireland international midfielder Norman Whiteside will be guest speaker at Marston Saints' sportsmen's dinner at the Oxford Centre, 333 Banbury Road on Thursday, February 28. Tickets for the evening, which includes
Lead thieves have left residents in an old people's home frightened over what might happen next. The thieves stole lead from the front of the bay windows of many of the 31 flats in the Hanover Court sheltered housing complex in Newlands Avenue, Didcot
Garsington Res had three men and their manager sent off as they crashed to a 4-1 defeat at the hands of ten-man Fritwell Res in Division 1 of the Oxfordshire Senior League. Joe Ewers fired Fritwell into a 20th-minute lead, before he set up Nick Neal
A group of pensioners is demanding changes to bus services after claiming it can take up to an hour to travel 1.5 miles to a doctors' surgery. Almost 100 bus users were at a Littlemore Parish Council meeting on Monday to speak to county council officials
Apologies for the distinct lack of blogs for the last few weeks. In fact, I see my last entry was nearly two months ago, so I have been a slack Oxford Mail blogger. I think it's fair to say, though, that a lot has happened in the last two months. For
A church group based at a threatened community centre in Oxford fears it may become homeless unless it finds new premises. Groups which use the Cowley Community Centre, in Barns Road, are being encouraged to find new homes after the centre was plunged
John Willis notched a double as Harwell Village kept up their quest for the Division 1 crown by coming from behind to beat Coleshill United 3-1, writes ANDY WELLS. In one of only five league games to survive the wet weather, the victory saw Harwell
Community leaders in Oxford have stepped up their campaign to rebuild a crumbling football pavilion. Residents say the Barton building is in desperate need of repair - with a leaking roof, broken floodlights and inadequate facilities. Oxford City
A senior railway manager has told Charlbury commuters they were right and First Great Western was wrong over changes to trains calling at the Cotswold Line station. Commuters started a protest petition following two mornings of delays trying to board
Figures showing that seriously-ill patients can wait more than four hours for an ambulance to transfer them from the Horton Hospital in Banbury to Oxford have been given to experts considering the hospital's future. Ambulance service statistics released
Rail passengers are angry that a peak express service linking Oxford and London no longer stops in Didcot. From this week, the 7.30am weekday express from Oxford to Paddington is not stopping at Didcot Parkway. First Great Western has instead told
AEA Technology 86 BMW 2631 Electrocomponents 181 Nationwide Accident Repair 113 Oxford Biomedica 21 Oxford Catalyst 144 Oxford Instruments 169.5 Reed Elsevier 609 RM 201 RPS Group 258.75 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
CITY council staff who worked round the clock to save more than a dozen Oxford homes from flooding are being thanked for their efforts with a party. About 20 City Works employees lent their efforts to build a wall of sandbags which saved 18 flats from
City council staff who worked round the clock to save more than a dozen Oxford homes from flooding could soon be soaked in Champagne after it was decided to honour their efforts with a party. About 20 City Works employees lent their efforts to build
I hope contractors digging up St Aldate's in Oxford don't make the same mistake as those when Cornmarket was revamped. Do they realise that from the Abbey building at Carfax to the Town Hall, there is a tunnel built in 1700 as an extension cellar for
Pensioner Penelope Jepson has been inundated with rats at her North Oxford home - thanks to her rodent-catching moggie Topaz. The three-year-old tortoiseshell has killed six rats in the past 14 months and brought every one into Miss Jepson's house in
I do not venture into the centre of Oxford much in the evening, but found myself walking down Cornmarket at 9.45pm recently. In the section from Boswells to Carfax Tower, I was accosted by two supposed Big Issue sellers who, when I declined their offer
Chris Clifford has a go at Green, Liberal Democrat and Labour councillors over their running of the city's waste collection scheme (Oxford Mail, January 15). He omits to criticise the Tories - just perhaps because he is looking to get elected as a Conservative
May I say how delighted I was to read that a student had been arrested for littering after attempting to throw a plastic bottle to a protester in a tree? Did I miss the launch of a long overdue police initiative? Can I now look forward to visiting
Once again, the police appear to be an arm of the Government instead of working with the populace. For various reasons, some Oxfordshire residents took it upon themselves to air opposing views about the work being carried out in Bonn Square, Oxford,
Oxford Mail Girls League April England bagged a five-timer as Cholsey Bluebirds cruised to a 7-3 victory over Benson in the Under 11 League. Eleanor Paige deflected a shot past the Cholsey keeper for the opener and Jess Daniels made it 2-2. But
Giles Sports Witney Youth League Paul Banks smashed a brilliant four-timer as Witney Vikings Youth thumped Banbury Town Youth 7-1 in the Under 15 A League. Mark Ryder, Luke Manning and Sam Doherty were also on target for high-flying Vikings, with
Ben Whitehead scored twice as Vale of White Horse Under 14s ran out 3-1 winners over Newbury in the Vale Cup at Milton United. Vale played against a strong wind in the first half, and Whitehead broke clear to shoot just wide, before burying a similiar
Children are being given a unique way to remember a website launched to help them stay safe and healthy. From this week, school pupils joining Oxfordshire's accident prevention and first aid initiative Imps - Injury Minimization Programme for Schools
Botley twice came from behind to defeat Goring Robins 4-3 in a thrilling Oxfordshire Invitation Youth League Under 18 B Division clash. Max Whitby broke the deadlock for Goring after deceiving Botley goalkeeper Dan Boyes with a clever dummy. Mike
To have your event featured in this column, send brief details and a contact name and telephone number to Diary, In Business, Newsquest, Newspaper House, Osney Mead, Oxford OX2 0EJ or e-mail business@nqo.com. To be included in the Business Link event
OXFORD: Dr Clive Dix has been elected chairman of the BioIndustry Association. He was co-founder and chief executive of PowderMed, a vaccines development company acquired by Pfizer in November 2006. Prior to that he was senior vice president, research
A second major development at Howbery Park, Wallingford, has been given the green light by planners. Owner HR Wallingford will now press ahead with the development of the new 40,752 sq ft headquarters building which will cost £5.4m. It will be located
There is always a certain dynamic about family businesses - the members are driven by the need to guarantee their livelihoods by building on an existing relationship to mutual advantage. Usually there are just one or two family members involved, but
The jokes were perhaps predictable - along the lines of "never mind, better luck next month," and "Are you sure you'll make it up North in that?" But I ignored the detractors. Having test driven Kias before, I have certainly had no complaints about reliability
Insects are an irritation to all of us but while in the UK we merely swat them away, elsewhere they can be deadly. Westerners may have heard of dengue and even possibly chikungunya, but are unlikely to have met either unless in tropical climes. Dengue
I have always had a certain fondness for that funny old Victorian building where, until 1947, a famous brand of Oxford marmalade was made. Instead of bewiskered chaps producing the nation's favourite preserve inside you'll find the Jam Factory, a restaurant
One of the easiest investment strategies to understand combines simplicity with rhyme. Let the trend be your friend' it rings, a basic reminder for investors that if a share price has been heading in one direction for a while, there's a decent chance
Tracey Spokes had always dreamed of setting up a theatre company. It might well have remained a dream, had it not been for a social enterprise course at Oxford and Cherwell College. The course was the spur she needed to set up her own business, called
A strong relationship between academic research organisations and technology companies is at the core of many of Oxfordshire's successful entrepreneurial ventures. The transfer of technology between academia and business is recognised as a major component
A love of fresh air and gardening has inspired a former teacher to change his career and start an unusual business. John Kimber has set up Abiding Angels, which specialises in maintaining graves for the benefit of friends and family who want to avoid
As an experienced teacher, Caroline Edwards knew the value of homemade, personalised books in encouraging children to read. But it was only when she started to read to her second child, Olivia, now eight, that she realised their value. Olivia has Down's
We puff more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere from our homes than we do from our cars. And in a city like Oxford, where many of the houses are in multiple occupation, achieving the Government's aim of reducing carbon emissions might pose special problems
Rail passengers in Oxford have praised First Great Western for taking a "step in the right direction" by offering millions of pounds in extra compensation to passengers. The firm, which has been frequently criticised by passengers for poor reliability
As a nation, we spend billions on home improvements, yet our housing is some of the leakiest in Europe. What would our homes look like if being energy efficient was as much of a selling point as central heating, or an up-to-date kitchen and bathroom?
A mother-of-two has admitted helping to run an Oxford brothel, described as being so professional that it was "almost like a restaurant". Oxford Magistrates' Court heard Elaine Konopka, 39, answered phones, counted cash and arranged appointments at
A TRAIN company which has been under fire over its services today announced it was doubling the amount of compensation it will give to passengers affected by delays and disruption. First Great Western, which runs trains from London's Paddington station
Danny Taylor hit a hat-trick to fire Star Wanderers to a 4-1 win at Highfield in the Marston's Oxford Sunday League Premier Division on a day when only two games beat the bad weather, writes GEOFF BOWER. Taylor opened the scoring with a solo effort
Third division Robin Hood marched into the Autotype UTV League's Ridgeway Cup quarter-finals with a shock 4-1 win against Goodlake Arms in one of only four games to survive the atrocious weather, writes TIM SIRET. Craig Mays's left-foot finish gave
Cholsey United's 100 per cent record in the Reading Sunday League Premier Division came to an end with a 1-1 home draw against Purley. The hosts went a goal down late in the second half. Tom Hammond equalised, before Purley missed a penalty in the closing
A MAN killed in a road accident near Thame was named today. Craig Jarvis, 27, of Chinnor, died after his red Volkswagen Golf collided with a steel lighting pole on the A4012 between Long Crendon and Chinnor on Thursday.
Our quick guide to interior style trends for 2008 Out Minimalism: Martin Waller of interior design specialists Andrew Martin says: "Minimalism has been dethroned by a much glossier look. Look for heavy silks, silk velvets, glazed silks, devoré velvets
Walking into designer Kelly Hoppen's apartment home is a genuinely jaw-dropping experience - it is a vast loft-style space, but still manages to be cosy and welcoming, writes Gabrielle Fagan When people first walk into my home, they do have that sense
When it comes to beating winter chills a fire with flickering flames is so appealing - and an ideal focal point. And there is an added bonus, apart from toasting your toes, fires add value to a property, according to recent research by estate agents.
Your windows are a focal point in most rooms, so it is important to choose carefully when you decide to change the look of your home. Modern, minminalist interiors avoid heavy fabric treatments and instead favour the simple, straight lines of Roman or
A man killed in a road accident near Thame has been identified. Craig Jarvis, 27, from Chinnor, died after his red Volkswagen Golf collided with a lamppost on the A4012 between Long Crendon and Chinnor on Thursday.
Plans for the Old Goal in the heart of Abingdon town centre have today been unveiled by the Vale of White Horse District Council. The £25m project has been handed to Abingdon-based Cranbourne Homes, which hopes to start work next January. The plan
PLANS for the Old Gaol in the heart of Abingdon town centre have today been unveiled by the Vale of White Horse District Council. The £25m project has been handed to Abingdon-based Cranbourne Homes, which hopes to start work next January. The plan
Are you Tweedy or a Deco-Ista? Gabrielle Fagan delves into the tribes that inhabit the world of interior design with Hannah Sandling are tell-tale clues in Hannah Sandling's house that point to the fact the glamorous TV presenter is in love. For a
There's a wind of change blowing through interiors which has been long overdue, carrying with it new looks that are not just welcome, but also worthy and warming, writes Gabrielle Fagan Our increasing concern for the planet in 2008 is turning rooms
Gabrielle Fagan finds out why we don't have to pay over the odds for goods and services when she meets bargain guru and TV presenter Alison Cork Cork is not the sort of person you want to meet at the sales. She seeks out home bargains like a heat-seeking
Name: Eirwen Parker Age: 30-something Job: Managing director, Fox FM Time in job: six months Web: www.foxfm.co.uk Contact: 01865 543330 What was your first job and what did your responsibilities include? I had a Saturday job working
The jokes were perhaps predictable - along the lines of "never mind, better luck next month," and "Are you sure you'll make it up North in that?" But I ignored the detractors. Having test driven Kias before, I have certainly had no complaints about
Elizabeth Moffitt of Hedges Solicitors in Wallingford, examines the implications Home Improvement Packs have on those wanting to sell their property. Home Information Packs (known as HIPS) have been regarded by almost all professional bodies concerned
Andrew Smith profiles Regenatec, Oxfordshire's small business of the year, which is driving towards a brighter, greener future. Rapid development of cutting edge technology has propelled biofuel firm Regenatec into the national spotlight. The Milton
AEA Technology 84.25 BMW 2590 Electrocomponents 180.5 Nationwide Accident Repair 112.5 Oxford Biomedica 20.5 Oxford Catalyst 141.5 Oxford Instruments 168.5 Reed Elsevier 589.75 RM 197 RPS Group 255 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
One of Britain's biggest hardwood timber merchants, Timbmet, has moved its depot from Oxford to make way for a housing development. The site on Cumnor Hill, with permission for 192 homes, was sold last year to housebuilder Persimmon for more than £20m
Teenager Tom Ellis is barely out of school but already he has started two successful businesses. Mr Ellis, 18, from Oxford, is at Exeter University studying geography, but his direction is clear when it comes to a career as an entrepreneur. While
A 35-year-old man was arrested today on suspicion of possession of class-C drugs and cultivating cannabis after a raid on a house in a north Oxfordshire village. Police say they seized 13 plants in this morning's operation on a bungalow in Stratton
German rail company Deutsche Bahn (DB) has bought up award-winning company Chiltern Railways for an undisclosed sum. The company, which has among the highest punctuality records in the country at 95 per cent, runs train services from Oxfordshire stations
A 35-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of possession of class C drugs and cultivating cannabis after a raid on a house in Bicester. Police say they seized 13 plants in this morning's operation on a bungalow in Stratton Audley Road, Fringford
A 23-year-old yesterday denied deliberately setting fire to the lower school drama block at Lord Williams's School. Craig Ford, whose last known address was Seven Acres, Thame, pleaded not guilty at Oxford Crown Court to the arson attack last June
DRIVERS in north Oxfordshire suffered serious delays today after a lorry carrying cosmetics overturned. Following the accident before 7am, the A43 was closed southbound, between the B4100 junction at Baynards Green and junction 10 of the M40, and traffic
Drivers in north Oxfordshire suffered serious delays this morning after a lorry carrying cosmetics overturned. Following the accident before 7am, the A43 was closed southbound, between the B4100 junction at Baynard's Green and junction 10 of the M40,
FORTNIGHTLY refuse collections are claimed to be fuelling a rise in fly-tipping in Oxford. The amount of fly-tpping is up almost five per cent, compared with last year, and people living near fly-tipping hotspots are pinning the blame on the change
MARTIN Groves, of Wendlebury, shared the stage with the country's most famous motorsport name Lewis Hamilton when his achievements on the track earned him a prestigious trophy at UK governing body the Motor Sports Association's annual Night of Champions
HOMES in Oxford are no longer thought to be at risk of flooding after lower-than-predicted rainfall helped residents stay high and dry. River levels will continue to be monitored, but the Environment Agency has downgraded all Flood Warnings in the county
THREE Oxford University students who jumped into a swollen stream are being told to make amends. The trio - Ryan McCrickerd, Joe Wellington and Thomas Wherry - had to be rescued from Castle Mill Stream in the city centre by police after the jape in
Darren Patterson has promised it will be a much more "savvy" side when Oxford United take to the field again in Saturday's home game against Grays Athletic. It looked for long periods of Sunday evening's TV offering between Exeter City and Oxford United
A NEW vehicle aimed at reducing road traffic collisions by educating motorists across Thames Valley takes to the road today. The Thames Valley Safer Roads Partnership vehicle has been purpose designed by Thames Valley Police's own graphic designers.
A DRIVER who may have left his daughter scarred for life after flipping his car at high speed has escaped a jail sentence. John Dewdney, of Owens Way, Cowley, rolled his Subaru Impreza near Mays Farm, on the A4130, between Wallingford and Henley.
TESS Gerritsen, the multi-million selling American crime writer, will be appearing at Borders Bookshop, in Magdalen Street, today, at 7pm.
THE funeral of Victor Burge, former political agent to Douglas Hurd and the Conservative Party in Witney, is being held today. The service will take place at St Mary's Church, Cogges, Church Lane, in Witney at 1pm. The family have requested that instead
DOCTORS have advised a stab victim who survived eight knife wounds that his recovery would be helped by downing Guinness. Simon Pratley, 26, returned home from hospital to Norman Smith Road in Blackbird Leys on Friday. He was stabbed eight times
Three Oxford University students who jumped into a swollen stream are being told to make amends. The trio - Ryan McCrickerd, Joe Wellington and Thomas Wherry - had to be rescued from Castle Mill Stream in the city centre by police after the jape in
Homes in Oxford are no longer thought to be at risk of flooding after lower-than-predicted rainfall helped residents stay high and dry. River levels will continue to be monitored, but the Environment Agency has downgraded all Flood Warnings in the county
A NEW mobile library service will be launched from the Mill Arts Centre, Banbury, today. The new library will be funded by Oxfordshire County Council's library service and will cover Oxford, Risinghurst, Cutteslowe, Yarnton, Great Milton, Cuddesdon,
PEOPLE are calling on Oxfordshire County Council to close roads in Headington to stop motorists using them as a short cut. Members of the Highfield Residents' Association, in Headington, Oxford, feel the increasing amount of traffic rat-running through
LANDSCAPE gardeners Sean Skinner and Eve Holding have spoken of their frustration after failing to receive the proceeds of an unpaid bill from cyber-stalker Felicity Lowde. Lowde, 41, formerly of Jackson Road, Cutteslowe, in Oxford, was jailed last
FRIENDS spanning five decades shared memories of their past as they gathered at an emotional reunion to celebrate 45 years of the Oxford Youth Theatre. About 150 former members came together for the party at the Pegasus Theatre, in Magdalen Road, East
THE cast of the Oxfordshire Gang Show took to the stage for a special warm-up show to raise money for charity. More than 600 people turned out to watch as Cubs, Scouts, Brownies and Guides of all ages perform on stage at Oxford's Town Hall, St Aldate's
Opponents of the switch to fortnightly rubbish collections are bound to blame it for an increase in flytipping. But it probably has more to do with the fact that people are too lazy to go to the waste and recycling tips and don't want to pay. Above
Fortnightly refuse collections are claimed to be fuelling a rise in fly-tipping in Oxford. Incidents are up almost five per cent, compared with last year, and people living near fly-tipping hotspots are pinning the blame on the change in collections
A YOUNG footballer is demanding dog owners clean up their acts after becoming outraged at the amount of mess fouling her local park. Natalie Morris, 11, who is a goalkeeper for the Oxford United Centre of Excellence and Kidlington under-11s, said the
CANAL Art, an exhibition by artist Bill Pike, runs at the Vale and Downland Museum in Church Street, until Saturday. The selection of oil paintings, depicting local waterways, is on display daily between 10am and 4.30pm.
A three-acre strip of playing field at Peers School in Littlemore could be sold to housing developers for £6m. The Oxford Mail has learned that the land is being offered for sale to the highest bidder in an effort to raise cash for the soon-to-open
