Darren Patterson laid down some major foundation blocks in his rebuilding job at Oxford United yesterday when he signed three players, and let a second one go. Strikers Justin Richards and Matt Green have joined on loan until the end of the season from
A judge has refused to create an exclusion zone to keep animal rights protesters away from Oxford's Sheldonian Theatre during graduation ceremonies. Oxford University had asked for the ban to stop protesters against its new animal testing laboratory
A 'WALTER Mitty' character who strangled a homeless teenager will serve at least 14 years in prison for the killing, a High Court judge has ruled. Mark Scott, formerly Mark Numms, 33, was jailed in February 2000 after being convicted of the murder
A 'Walter Mitty' character who strangled a homeless teenager will serve at least 14 years in prison for the killing, a High Court judge has ruled. Mark Scott, formerly Mark Numms, 33, was jailed in February 2000 after being convicted of the murder of
Women who give birth in Oxfordshire do not have enough antenatal care or good access to birthing classes, according to a new report. However, managers at the Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust dispute the findings, claiming the Healthcare Commission
CAR crime in Wantage has more than halved according to police who are urging drivers to help them continue to beat the thieves. New figures released by Thames Valley Police this week show that between April 1, 2007, and January 15, 2008, 42 cars were
TRAFFIC tailbacks built up tonight after a vehicle broke down on the A34 near Oxford. There are reports of one lane blocked and queueing traffic due to a broken down vehicle on the Western Bypass between the Botley Interchange and the Peartree Interchange
Children at a village youth club are jumping for joy after winning a grant to buy a custom-built bouncy castle. The John Watson After-School Kids Club, based in the Youth Club, in Littleworth Road, Wheatley, has received a grant of £3,119 from Sports
Pensioners in crumbling council bungalows have vowed to stand firm despite being told their homes must be demolished. Oxford City Council is due to knock down the 19 bungalows in Lambourn Road and Asquith Road, Rose Hill. Cracks have appeared in the
Car crime in Wantage has more than halved and now police are urging drivers to help them continue to beat the thieves. New figures released by Thames Valley Police this week show that between April 1, 2007, and January 15, 2008, 42 cars were stolen,
A rugby player who suffered a crippling injury when he was on the verge of an England career is being helped to rehabilitate by an Oxfordshire man's revolutionary idea. Dr Mick Donegan, from Charlbury, is using technology to enable the most severely
A RUGBY player who suffered a crippling injury when he was on the verge of an England career is being helped to rehabilitate by an Oxfordshire man's revolutionary idea. Dr Mick Donegan, from Charlbury, is using technology to enable the most severely
PEOPLE saved from flooding by the actions of diligent Oxford City Council workers got a chance to say thank-you with some bottles of bubbly. Many residents in Bullstake Close, off Botley Road, had only just returned to their homes after July's deluge
FIRST Great Western rail passengers are the least satisfied in the country. Passenger Focus, the independent rail watchdog's National Passenger Survey for autumn 2007, showed that only 74 per cent of customers were happy with the FGW service, compared
Homeowners saved from flooding by the actions of diligent Oxford City Council workers got a chance to say thank-you with some bottles of bubbly. Many residents in Bullstake Close, off Botley Road, had only just returned to their homes after July's deluge
A group of Oxford women are hoping to revisit the decade of flares, platform soles and glam-rock - by organising a 1970s-style reunion at their former school. Loraine Ludbrook, Agatha Harris and Dolcie Obhiozele are organising the reunion for past pupils
Wallingford urgently needs more firefighters to keep both its fire engines fully manned. The county's fire and rescue service is appealing for men and women to volunteer. Station manager Simon Belcher said: "We need new people immediately. "This
Oxford police hope they've made a significant breakthrough in the war on graffiti, following the arrest of a suspected graffiti 'artist'. The 16-year-old boy was caught by police investigating criminal damage in North Oxford. Officers were searching
Blur bassist and West Oxfordshire cheese farmer Alex James has been visiting Colombia to investigate the "terrifying" effect the cocaine industry is having on the country. Mr James, who lives in Kingham and is the creator of Little Wallop cheese, admitted
Oxford's first organic burger restaurant is set to open in Cowley Road by the end of March. The eaterie is the latest venture by Oxford restaurateur Clinton Pugh, who owns Kazbar and Cafe Coco in the same road. Work has already started on transforming
Oxford is famous in the sporting world for its top-class rowing and its historic running track. But people on one city estate are hoping to put Oxford on the map for another reason - by launching the city's first official wrestling club. Two professional
Battler Bethany Povey celebrated getting the all-clear from cancer with a surprise party. Bethany, eight, of Springfield Road, Wantage, arrived at the town's football club last weekend to find about 50 friends and family gathered in her honour. The
POLICE today issued a photograph of a man wanted in connection with an assault in Oxford. Mahesh Bennett, 22, has been charged with an assault on a woman on November 24, 2007. He was due to attend Oxford Magistrates' Court on Monday but failed to turn
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A 14-year-old boy is recovering in hospital after he was attacked by a gang in Littlemore. At about 2.50pm yesterday, the boy was assaulted by the shops in St Nicholas Road. Det Con Lucinda Bevan, of Oxford CID, said: "The boy was walking alone
Oxford United boss Darren Patterson has signed strikersMatt Green, on loan from Cardiff City, while Justin Richards joins from Kidderminster,both until the end of the season. Green, who was with the U's earlier this season, was unfortunate to break
Vikings A marched into the quarter-finals of the Oxford & District League Handicap Shield with a nine-point victory against Haddenham B. After Vitto Ferrari saw off John Witney 21-11, 21-13, Eamonn Deeley beat John Badmin 21-11, 21-6 as Vikings started
Oxford United left back Alex Jeannin has joined Blue Square Premier rivals Kidderminster on a three-month loan. The Frenchman was one of six players transfer-listed last week, and leaves as replacement left back Michael Howard joins to club from Morecambe
A man found dead in a car in Wheatley has been identified. Paul Johnson, 39, from Dunnock Way, Greater Leys, Oxford, was confirmed dead by police officers who were called to Windmill Lane at 8.10am on Monday. The cause of death is still unknown.
THE Oxford Carp Winter League was fished at Tunnell Barn's Club Pool where a very even match could have been won by just about any one of the 15 anglers. But it was in-form Andy Benwell (Predator) who came out on top with a net of carp weighing 36.0.0
A MAN found dead in a car in Wheatley has been identified. Paul Johnson, 39, of Dunnock Way, Greater Leys, was confirmed dead by police officers who were called to Windmill Lane at 8.10am on Monday.
OXFORD Stadium could be in line for a third Sky Sports TV meeting after the track's landlords, the Greyhound Racing Asso- ciation, signed a sponsor- ship deal with bookmakers Stan James. The county's leading independent chain with 24 betting shops and
OXFORD City Stars will have to do without the injured duo of skipper Darren Elliott and Andy Cox when they face a ENIHL South Cup double-header this weekend. Elliott, who is their top-scorer in the cup with nine goals and three assists, will miss tonight's
Berinsfield bantamweight Richard Tyler came within a whisker of reaching the quarter-finals of this year's NAYCP (Boys' Clubs) competition. He went down by the narrowest of margins to Bideford's Jack Langford in an uncompromising Class A regional final
I agree with everything Stephen Ward says in his letter, Little challenge (Oxford Mail, January 11). I, and many people I know, are afraid for the future of this country. JUNE POOLE Poplar Grove Oxford
JAMES Stone was the hero for Riley D as he helped his side book their place in the Gentworks Oxford & District Jubilee Cup final with a 3-2 victory against New Club A, writes DAVID WHITE. Trailing 2-0 and 20 points behind on aggregate, Riley looked
Division 2 leaders CCC A pulled off a shock as they defeated Division 1 pacesetters New Club 2-1 in the Oxford & District League. New Club's Alan Mander (+70) beat Arthur Coakley (+90), before hitting a break of 30 in beating Dave White (+80). White
I HAD a fall on Saturday, January 12 at Templars Square, Cowley, Oxford. I was impressed by the three women who came to my assistance. They gave me the fare to get a taxi home. I explained to them that I had money, but they insisted that I took it.
SCHOOLS like Rose Hill Primary could dissociate themselves from the halal meat debacle by simply stopping cooked school meals and getting the children to bring in packed lunches, as is done successfully by other primary schools in Oxford, like St Joseph's
It is very clear that my letter about Abingdon, Wake up and rescue town (Oxford Mail, January 9) 'rattled their cage' and woke them up. For the Lib-Dem spokesman (Oxford Mail, January 15) to admit in print that everything that has happened in Abingdon
After the latest fiasco of felling trees in Bonn Square, Oxford, I would like to ask two questions. The first is how much it cost us, the taxpayers - only the council can answer this. My second is how much do these tree activists put into society.
ANTIQUE furniture and silverware were stolen in a burglary in West Ilsley. The burglars gained access to the property by forcing open French doors and stole some antique furniture, ornaments and some silverware from this room and a clock from the mantelpiece
A WOMAN was pushed to the ground in an attempted robbery in Wantage. The victim was walking along Icknield Lane at 9.20pm last Saturday when a man came up behind her and tried to steal her handbag. The strap of the bag snapped and the man ran away
I note that only a few weeks into the new year, travellers are already causing problems (Oxford Mail, January 21). This time it is with Sainsbury's, but in many other cases, it will be on council land. To obtain notices to evict costs money and there
A woman was pushed to the ground in an attempted robbery in Wantage. The victim was walking along Icknield Lane at 9.20pm last Saturday when a man came up behind her and tried to steal her handbag. The strap of the bag snapped and the man ran away
Dan Smith steered King's Sutton to a one-wicket win over Hook Norton in Division 2 of the Banbury Indoor League. Smith made 34 as King's Sutton clinched victory at 108-5 with an over to spare after Hook Norton posted 107-5. Tim Lunel starred for Hook
Witney A came out on top in the battle for runners-up spot with old rivals City of Oxford behind winners Maxwell in the first round of the Home Counties League at Temple Cowley Pools. Yolanda Speare led the way for Witney with an impressive all-the-way
Oxford rail commuters are suspending their fares strike, due to take place at the city's railway station on Monday. Ox Rail Action members have decided to cancel their action following the announcement earlier this week by First Great Western to double
Four schools will battle it out in the semi-finals of Oxford United's debtDr Schools' Under 11 five-a-side tournament at the Kassam Stadium today. Glory Farm (Bicester) take on Whitchurch, while Thomas Reade (Abingdon) face West Kidlington before United's
OXFORD rail commuters are suspending their fares strike, due to take place at the city's rail station on Monday. Ox Rail Action members have decided to cancel their action following the announcement earlier this week by First Great Western to double
We are now well into the New Year and I'm not one to make resolutions but I'm really looking forward to the coming year. However the prospect comes with a mixture of pleasure and sadness when thinking of friends and colleagues who have been affected by
Alex Muir and Ali- stair Duff gave Abingdon School a double success at the Vale of White Horse Schools' Cross Country Championships at Radley Coll- ege. Muir stormed home in the under 17 boys' race, finishing ahead of Phillipe Manning (King Alfred's
A pedestrian has died following a collision with a car in Grove last week. The 85-year-old woman, who has not yet been named, was injured in the accident involving a green Citroen Saxo, in Mably Way, at about 8.30am on Wednesday. She was taken to
A link road between Junction 1a of the M40 and Junction 16 of the M25, near Uxbridge, will close eastbound between 10pm tomorrow and 5am on Sunday. The road will be shut as part of a series of closures which will allow workmen to make £1.3m worth of
Residents in west Oxfordshire who were charged £2.50 per sandbag during the last week will be reimbursed. The promise was given today by a senior officer at the district council because of some confusion over when sandbags will be issued for free in
A PEDESTRIAN has died following a collision with a car in Grove last week. The 85-year-old woman, who has not yet been named, was injured in the accident involving a green Citroën Saxo, in Mably Way, at about 8.30am on Wednesday, January 16. She was
Up to 60 agency workers at the Cowley Mini plant will lose their jobs after it was claimed bosses over-estimated the number of staff needed on the production line. It is understood the staff were taken on before Christmas but will be released in the
PEOPLE in west Oxfordshire who were charged £2.50 per sandbag during the last week will be reimbursed. The promise was given today by a senior officer at the district council because of some confusion over when sandbags will be issued for free in advance
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THE Banbury-built Subaru Imprezas of Chris Atkinson and Petter Solberg were in the top six after the first day of the Monte Carlo Rally. Using slightly revised Impreza WRC2007s, the team is confident of quickly developing a solid rhythm over the next
Oxford United have signed left back Michael Howard on a month's loan from Morecambe. The 29-year-old former Tranmere and Swansea player goes straight into the side to face Grays Athletic at the Kassam Stadium tomorrow.
CHILTERN Railways passengers are being warned to check train times before travelling this weekend, as services will be affected by engineering work. On Saturday, London Marylebone station is closed all day, with most trains diverted to London Paddington
A TWO-YEAR-OLD boy reported missing from Somerset after his father failed to return him home has been found safe and well in Oxfordshire. Anthony Smith, 30, had last been seen with Riley Smith on Tuesday at the Sovereign Centre in Weston-super-Mare.
Chiltern Railways passengers are being warned to check train times before travelling this weekend, as services will be affected by engineering work. On Saturday, London Marylebone station is closed all day, with most trains diverted to London Paddington
A two-year-old boy reported missing from Somerset after his father failed to return him home has been found safe and well in Oxfordshire. Anthony Smith, 30, had last been seen with Riley Smith on Tuesday at the Sovereign Centre in Weston-super-Mare.
CELEBRITY chef Jamie Oliver has bought Oxford's former Cock and Camel pub - to turn it into a new Italian restaurant. The pub and hotel, which is owned by Young's, closed earlier this month and Mr Oliver, the face of Sainsbury's who shot to fame with
Locations that have been considered as future waste management depots across the county have been disclosed. But Oxfordshire County Council has still not stated which, if any, have been shortlisted as suitable for incinerators. No other waste disposal
OXFORD United boss Darren Patterson hopes to sign a new centre forward in time for tomorrow's home game against Grays. Transfer-listed Rob Duffy yesterday joined Coca-Cola League Two Wrexham on a month's loan. Patterson has been working incredibly
AN ART auction and exhibition will be held at the Ovada Gallery, Gloucester Green, Oxford, in a bid to raise money for affordable studios in the city. More than 100 original artworks are available and the exhibition will be open for viewing on today
NEWSQUEST Oxfordshire staff, the holders of the OX5 Cup, have challenged other firms to capture the trophy in this year's charity run to raise cash for the city's children's hospital. Last year, Newsquest staff won the trophy, which is awarded to the
Four wards in our hospitals are full of patients who shouldn't be there. But they are unable to leave because social services can't cope with looking after them, a continuing problem which no-one seems able - or willing - to solve. It is time the
Our councillors expect to have to make tough decisions - and the siting of an incinerator will be one of them. In an ideal world, we wouldn't want one at all, but it looks as if this is the only answer at present. People in Oxfordshire have responded
Sir - I wanted to send a pat on the back to the local postal service: last week a letter arrived which had been badly mis-addressed. Our friends had put our former street name in Aberdeen, given the house number of a mutual friend who lives in the
Sir - I read the letter from John and Barbara Bunyan (Letters, January 4) and their unsuccessful quest to save an ex-RAF airfield - I am sorry they failed to achieve their object but I'm pleased to inform them and your readers that the idea has been
Sir - I was sorry to read of the decision of Oxford University to appeal against denial of planning permission for their book depository in Osney Mead. Clearly the University needs somewhere decent to store five million rising to eight million books
The Oxford Mail can today reveal the locations chosen as future waste management depots across the county. But Oxfordshire County Council has still not stated which, if any, have been shortlisted as suitable for incinerators. No other waste disposal
THIEVES who stole and scrapped a man's classic car after he had died have committed the final insult, his partner said. Angela Hopkins said the culprits were scraping the barrel after they stole the Daimler Sovereign from her drive - and sold it for
VANDALISM victims have hit out at a "ludicrous" six-year delay in closing an alley in Oxford used by yobs and drug dealers. People living next to the alleyway between Windale Avenue and Pegasus Road, in Blackbird Leys, said they had been waiting since
Sir - The debate over whether the Oxford Central Mosque should be allowed to issue the call to prayer has reminded me of a remarkable contribution that a retired priest made to the Mosque. The late Rev Canon Peter Bostock and his wife Elizabeth of
SEA Scouts who have endured a leaky roof for ten years have finally been given the money to fix it. The 22nd Oxford Sea Scouts will make their Donnington Bridge Road headquarters shipshape after a £33,000 grant from the People's Millions ITV1 show.
Sir - As co-chairmen of the Anglo-Asian Association for Friendship in East Oxford, we have learned with some disquiet of the various pieces of 'discussion' about the possibility of the Central Mosque broadcasting the traditional 'Call to Prayer' from
Sir - It's a great idea for the Museum of Modern Art Oxford to display exhibits from the people "working or living in Oxford". Although I fall within this category, I don't feel it's appropriate to give preference to Oxford's residents and workers.
Sir - The recent flooding event, the fourth in eight years, confirms our worst fears. We know that we must minimise carbon emissions and hope to save the planet for our children and grandchildren to enjoy. Reducing biodegradable waste going to landfill
BICESTER Town Council is offering grants to fund innovative and well thought out projects which will bring significance to the town. The council is operating a small grant aid scheme aimed at voluntary organisations and community groups in the town
Sir - The debate has recently become more heated about what kind of waste treatment we should choose for Oxfordshire. It's important to remember our priorities in this debate: prevention, re-use, recycling, recovery and finally disposal. Burning waste
Sir - There will be strong support for the Pedestrians' Association's opposition to car parking on pavements (Letters, January 18). Mention should also be made of similar hazards for pedestrians created by bicycles parked on pavements, particularly
Sir - What is wrong with our county council? They seem to be hell bent in destroying our natural environment -- on the news they have approved applications for no less than three very controversial schemes. First, despite considerable local objection
Sir - Since when did it become 'silly' to stand up for something you believe in (Leader, January 11), whether you're a councillor or not? If The Oxford Times had bothered to gauge the true feeling about the proposed Westgate Centre, they'd have got
A BADMINTON club is searching for new players. The group meets on Fridays between 7pm and 9pm at the sports hall at Oxford Community School in Glanville Road, East Oxford. Sessions cost £4 per person and £3 for members. Call 01865 712080.
Sir - The 100-year-old Plane tree I spent 24 hours in is magnificent: its branches soar up over the top of the four-storey car park and brush against the top of the Westgate centre. Each branch forks repeatedly into lesser branches and at their ends
Sir - Having read the inadequate set of excuses from Michael Crofton-Briggs for the city's latest act of vandalism, it seems that a little common sense could have made such a difference, if the near-hundred design entrants had been told that retention
Sir - I have stood in local elections in Oxford since 1994 because I believe in democracy. I am not an eco-warrior, but I believe there is room for both elected and un-elected representatives. I was arrested (certainly aggravated' but not trespassing
Sir - Allow me to help councillor Warne solve, Ranking slip is a mystery, (Report, January 11). Part of the solution is in the results for city secondary schools. The 2007 GCSE results are definitive figures from the Department for Schools revealing
A SHOPPING parade on an Oxford estate has secured its first CCTV cameras as part of a £250,000 revamp of the area. Residents and shopkeepers have welcomed the installation of two cameras at Underhill Circus, in Barton. And they said the cameras
REG LITTLE reveals Helena Bonham Carter's historic connections with Sutton Courtenay, where she and her film director partner Tim Burton own a house It is pretty doubtful that Helena Bonham Carter will be signing up for any of the excellent post-natal
A VILLAGE school has been judged "outstanding", with friendly children who have excellent behaviour. St Peter's CoE Infants School in Alvescot, was given top grades in 26 categories covering its overall effectiveness, achievements, personal development
PUPILS at all seven west Oxfordshire secondary schools are fundraising for one of Africa's most troubled regions. They will spend next week taking part in events to raise money and give out information about the conflict in Sudan's Darfur region.
SKODA'S all-new Superb four-door saloon arrives in Britain in September, and it will again be unbeatable value for the money. So watch out, then, for some later-summer price-cutting or special offers among the bigger saloon rivals. The latest Superb
HOT on the heels of a record sales year in the UK, BMW has launched a new specification tier on BMW 1, 3, 5 Series and Z4 models. Edition models feature a range of specific colour choices and interior options as well as specification enhancements
RENAULT is launching another special edition of the Kangoo van. Following the success of the Venture special edition, another version, the Extra' special edition now joins the fold, with particular appeal for small business users. The new model
PEUGEOT'S big 807 people carrier range - likewise its sister marque's offering, the Citroen C8 - has just gained a more powerful new diesel engine variant, the 2.2-litre HDi 170. Other improvements for 2008 include a new six-speed automatic transmission
Subaru has a cracking dual-fuel conversion offer going on new Forester 2.0-litre models. The liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) initiative is worth £1,900, and buyers also get plus three years' free servicing, valued at a further £770. This means the
HENLEY MP Boris Johnson will open the new pre-school building at Crowmarsh village school as the first event of his constituency day today. He then has a private meeting with Dirk Jones, chairman of Sonning Common Youth Centre, and in the afternoon
PLANS to redevelop Ruskin College's Headington site have won the backing of city councillors. Councillors have welcomed Ruskin's plans to transform its site in Old Headington into the college's main headquarters. But Oxford City Council's north east
A PRESSURE group is set to stage a protest against the opening of a new identity interview centre in Oxford. The No2ID campaign group is holding a 'barbecue for the grilling centre' protest near the centre - where anyone applying for a first-time passport
Going green pays off for dealers MOST car manufacturers' sales charts moved in an upward direction in 2007, but the signs are now clear that their greener approach to motoring is paying off. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders' (SMMT) newly-released
Well done to Oxford City Council for its plan to pilot a weekly kitchen waste collection and recycling scheme. We have criticised the council many times for being behind the game on a number of issues, one of them being recycling. It is right that
WORKING in Oxford surrounded by an architectural treasure house it is all too easy to get sniffy about a recent upstart such as Milton Keynes. Just celebrating its 40th birthday, the skyline of the 34-square mile city is conspicuously lacking in gracious
We will all soon learn how much council tax we will be paying in 2008/09. For most of us, it will amount to an increase of between 3.5 and four per cent. Not quite the scale of some of the increases we have suffered in past years, but still a hefty
Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver has bought Oxford's former Cock and Camel pub - to turn it into a pukka new Italian restaurant. The pub and hotel, which is owned by Young's, closed earlier this month and Mr Oliver, the face of Sainsbury's who shot to fame
