Former Oxford United midfielder Paul Powell has revealed a break from the game helped him to rediscover his spark - and now he wants to fire Didcot Town to promotion. Last month, boss Stuart Peace told Powell that he was unlikely to play for the British
A woman has appeared before city magistrates accused of running a brothel in Summertown, Oxford. Annabel Wise, 36, of Church Road, Milton-under-Wychwood, was given unconditional bail and ordered to appear at the city's crown court on Monday, April 28
THE man behind plans to build a skatepark in Oxford's Cowley Marsh Park has accused councillors of discriminating against young people. Members of Oxford City Council's Cowley area committee refused to back the scheme, despite receiving 120 letters
A TEENAGER is celebrating after a streak of luck landed her a string of prizes. Leigh Honour has been on cloud nine after winning a new laptop computer and an £11,000 Mini car within a couple of weeks. And she earlier won £300 worth of books in
A WOMAN has been charged in connection with the death of Maurice Batts in Banbury. Tammey Crain, 22, of Springfield Avenue, Banbury, was charged today with assisting an offender. She was bailed to appear at Banbury Magistrates Court on April 25.
A PENSIONER has died from injuries suffered in a car crash a week ago. Police have issued an appeal for witnesses to come forward after the crash in Murcott Road in Arncott, near Bicester, at 6.50am on Friday, March 28. A green Rover 420 driving
A GANG of men attacked a teenage cyclist in Oxford. Two teenagers were on their cycles in Florence Park Road, near to the entrance to Florence Park, Cowley, at about 7pm on Wednesday. One was attacked by a group of six men. The attackers are
Unrest over the future of Royal Mail's Cowley Mail Centre has promoted an Oxford postman to stand for election to Oxford City Council. Trade union activist Paul Garraway is standing in Cowley ward in the city council elections, which take place on Thursday
The man behind plans to build a skatepark in Oxford's Cowley Marsh Park has accused councillors of discriminating against young people. On Wednesday members of Oxford City Council's Cowley area committee refused to back the scheme, despite receiving
Win Perriss had a second helping of celebrations today for her 100th birthday, when fellow nursing home residents joined her for a tea party and anniversary cake. The centenarian was surrounded by 50 residents and some members of staff at the Cotswold
I was right - well half-right really. I did no training at the conference and drank quite a lot. But I managed to get away without drinking too much and therefore awoke yesterday morning feeling sleepy but not much worse. I slightly embarrassed myself
Children hope a new banner they have designed to promote road safety outside their Oxford school will drive the message home to parents. Pupils at Windmill Primary School, in Margaret Road, Headington, were asked to take part in a competition to design
A pensioner has died from injuries suffered in a car crash a week ago. Police have issued an appeal for witnesses to come forward after the crash in Murcott Road in Arncott, near Bicester, at 6.50am on Friday, March 28. A green Rover 420 driving towards
Cyclists' safety around The Plain and Frideswide Square areas of Oxford have been made the key planks of a multi-million pound bid to improve the city's cycling network. Oxfordshire County Council and the cycling pressure group Cyclox are asking Cycling
Moves to improve the Cotswold Line rail route between Oxford and Worcester took a step forward today, when Network Rail indicated its preferred option for the project. This would see double track reinstated for four miles from Finstock, near Charlbury
A woman has been charged in connection with the death of Maurice Batts in Banbury. Tammey Crain, 22, of Springfield Avenue, Banbury, was charged today with assisting an offender. She was bailed to appear at Banbury Magistrates Court on April 25. Mr
Music fans hoping to get into one of the country's best-loved festivals, are being advised to snap up the few remaining tickets today. The organisers of Truck Festival have reported unprecedented demand - with £60 tickets selling as fast as one a minute
04/04/2008 pm AEA Technology 64 BMW 2794 Electrocomponents 197.25 Nationwide Accident Repair 125.5 Oxford Biomedica 21.75 Oxford Catalyst 161.5 Oxford Instruments 190.5 REED 654.75 RM 201.5 RPS Group 308.5
A gang of men attacked a teenage cyclist in Oxford. Two teenagers were on their bikes in Florence Park Road, near to the entrance to Florence Park, Cowley, at about 7pm on Wednesday. One was attacked by a group of six other men. The attackers are
Former fireman Philip Nicks said he was "lucky to be alive" to celebrate his golden wedding anniversary tomorrow. The worst incident in his many years as a retained firefighter happened when friend and colleague John Wixey died while dealing with an
THIEVES ripped out a cash machine stealing £17,000. Police are appealing for witnesses after the cash machine at McDonald's, Green Road roundabout, in Headington, Oxford, was raided on Tuesday. The thieves strapped a chain or rope to the cash machine
City of Oxford's small team of three picked up two medals in the Bracknell Distance Swimming Meet at Aldershot. With their squad significantly affected by illness, City still made their mark, led by 14-year-old Ben Chapman, who came second in the 14
A teenager is celebrating after a streak of luck landed her a string of prizes. Lucky Leigh Honour has been on cloud nine after winning a new laptop computer and an £11,000 Mini car within a couple of weeks. And she earier won £300 of books in a contest
Thieves ripped out a cash machine, stealing £17,000. Police are appealing for witnesses after the cash machine at the McDonald's restaurant, at the Green Road roundabout, in Headington, Oxford, was raided on Tuesday. The thieves strapped a chain or
Firefighters were called to a van fire on the B4437 near Charlbury Railway Station at 10.52am today. One fire engine from Charlbury and one from Burford attended the scene and extinguished the blaze. A spokesman for Oxfordshire County Council Fire
Witney's A team were edged into runners-up position by Maxwell in the final round swimming gala of the Home Counties League at Aylesbury. Following on from their successes at the recent county championships, Witney produced plenty of eye-catching performances
Eddie Chambers, of the St Birinus School Club at Didcot, grabbed the glory at the British Junior Championships at Halifax. The 16-year-old (above left) took the 50kg title with a total of 113kg - consisting of a 51k snatch and a 62kg clean and jerk.
Bartholomew's under 16 girls badminton team, from Eynsham, served up a thrilling success in the southern region inter-schools competition at Bradfield College, Berkshire. The tournament was played on a group basis - and Bartholomew's team of Kathryn
Abingdon School's William Fotherby is dreaming of going to the 2012 Olympics after representing Great Britain at the European Fencing Championships in Rovigo, Italy. With competitors from 32 countries taking part at the event, the 16-year-old, from
St Andrew's are celebrating a double success in the Wantage & District Schools under 11s netball tournament. The Wantage prep school's A and B teams came out on top in their respective competitions, beating their Stanford-in-the-Vale counterparts in
In last week's column I mentioned how Blenheim Palace was earning a reputation for producing a lot of big perch and pike, and this has been confirmed in one of the weekly angling papers by Ian Welch, writes Andy Webber. Ian fished Blenheim with Kim
I received an email last week from Colin Lurcock, who raised a couple of things, the first about fishing the Oxford Canal, writes Andy Webber. He tells me that British Waterways are not very good at publishing their rules and regulations and advises
Joe Lees obtained permission to fish for some of the carp that got into the trout fishery at Darlow after last year's floods - and ended up catching a 32.8.0 pike on a boilie, writes Andy Webber. Ironically, Joe had been trying to catch a '20' all winter
A pensioner has called for action over piles of smelly rubbish piled in his neighbour's "cluttered" garden. Robert Morris, 73, of Cricket Road, East Oxford, has repeatedly contacted Oxford City Council's environmental health department asking for the
A 25-YEAR-OLD man charged with murdering a father-of-two was remanded in custody today. Christopher Philp, of Leiden Road, Wood Farm, Oxford, appeared at Oxford Crown Court for a preliminary hearing. The charge relates to the death of Stephen Pinker
An ambitious project to help feed hungry people in crisis has been launched. The Community Emergency Foodbank opened its doors this week at St Francis Church, in Hollow Way, Cowley, Oxford. It is the brainchild of retired social worker Jane Benyon,
An Oxford vicar is swapping his place in the pulpit to walk 500 miles across Spain to raise money for a drop-in centre for the homeless. The Rev Andrew Bunch, the vicar of St Giles and St Margaret's, is taking a break from parish duties to tackle the
Hold on to your cash for the final race as Get It is expect- ed to end a disappointing run with an easier ride in the A2 at Oxford tonight. TONIGHT'S RUNNERS. : Big Money, Da Best, Snowy Girl, Scarlet Ohara, KILLYS GIRL, Elm Heartache 3. 7.41: Ballyhannon
A grandfather who had to clear up broken glass before his granddaughter could use a playground is urging the authorities to take action. Paul Barlow said he was disgusted to discover the play area in Bicester littered with broken glass when he took
Oxford's champion Ian Wills received further recognition when he was also voted the Midland's trainer-of-the-year at the Midland Greyhound Ball in Birmingham on Sunday. Wills, who is based at Forest Hill, guided well over 300 winners last year to lift
A 25-year-old man charged with murdering a father-of-two was remanded in custody today. Christopher Philp, of Leiden Road, in Wood Farm, Oxford, appeared at Oxford Crown Court for a preliminary hearing. The charge relates to the death of Stephen Pinker
MOVES to improve the Cotswold Line rail route between Oxford and Worcester took a step forward today, when Network Rail indicated its preferred option for the project. This would see double track reinstated for four miles from Finstock, near Charlbury
The so-called national bus pass scheme has been launched, except that, if you live in the Vale of White Horse, the council now makes you travel later and reduces your travel time by half an hour. And, of course, you must be home by 11pm because the
Our family visited Oxford from Cambridge for an enjoyable day out over the Easter weekend, despite very poor weather. We spent the better part of the day at the excellent Ashmolean Museum, had lunch and went shopping. All was going well until we returned
I am very concerned about a hole in county council spending plans which could lead to service cuts after the 2009 elections. The budget from the ruling Conservative administration has failed to fund pressures identified by council officers amounting
Vikings B are now clear favourites to win the Oxford & District Division 2 title following their emphatic 9-1 demolition of Haddenham A. Roel Dullens and Paul Borrowdale both scored maximums for the leaders, with Bill Mason adding a brace. Begbroke
Tony Nichols was the hero as House Club A beat Headington RBL B in a thrilling final of the Oxford & District League's New Team Cup, writes David White. Nichols needed to beat Peter Goodgame by 61 points over two frames to snatch victory for House Club
Fieldside easily retained the Oxford & District League's Atox Cup with a 6-0 victory over CCC A in the final at Cowley Conservative Club. Paul Robinson showed excellent form for Fieldside. He brushed aside Dick Hashman 75-39, 75-59, making a 36-break
Loyyalty may be a priceless commodity in racing, but it cost Jason Maguire last year's Grand National. The much-improved jockey was offered the ride on Silver Birch by his friend, Gordon lliott, but instead pledged his allegiances to fledgling handler
DAUNTING.That's one word to describe the Grand National. And that's just for punters trying to figure out a race that attracts 40 runners doing battle over four-and-a-half miles and negotiating the small matter of 30 fearsome fences. There is simply
A 25-year-old man was due to appear in court today charged with the murder of a father-of-two. Christopher Philp, of Leiden Road, Wood Farm, Oxford, is charged with murder and is due to appear for a preliminary hearing at Oxford Crown Court.
A MAN has been detained by mental health authorities after he was pulled from a burning car in Oxford today. The man, who has not been named, was in a red R-registration Volvo estate, when he set fire to the vehicle at 6.45am near the junction
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A man has been detained by mental health authorities after he was pulled from a burning car in Oxford today. The man, who has not been named, was in a red R reg Volvo estate, when he set fire to the vehicle at 6.45am near the junction of Abingdon Road
PASCALE WATKINS, 17, from Kidlington, said: "My friends came up to me in school one day and said I should enter, so I decided to give it a go. I was so nervous I was shaking during the photoshoot, but it has been great so far."
LAURA TOTTON, 23, from Abingdon, a drama graduate, said: "I have been taking parts in many shows and events, including performing for Andrew Lloyd Webber at the age of 13. My passions and hobbies include fashion and music. I enjoy shopping, theatre, keeping
NICOLA SMITHSON, 20, from Bampton, works as a contracts administrator. She said: "My mum decided to enter me and I thought it would be a good idea too. I have never done this sort of thing before. Nicola enjoys shopping, going out with her friends in
KIMBERLEY ROSS, 21, a student from Cowley, said: "Although I have done this before it always make you nervous. My ambition is to be a clinical psychologist. I want to show people that girls with brains can be pretty too."
POPPY ROBINSON, 19, from Kidlington, is a waitress at the Harvester restaurant in Bicester Road. She said: "I'm a qualified personal trainer and I did a national diploma in dance. I'm hoping to find a job using my qualifications."
SARAH PRATLEY, 22, a beauty therapist from Garsington, said: "I have never done anything like this before but I thought it would be fun to enter. My family told me to go for it. I used to do dance and gymnastics when I was younger but nothing recently
LETITIA POPPLEWELL, 18, from Eynsham, won a competition last year for a photoshoot at Double Take studios in London. She said: "I have been in Witney and District Swimming Club for 12 years, winning lots of medals. I would love to make it in the fashion
CHANTAL MURRAY, 22, from Headington, who works for Champion Recruitment in Oxford, said: "I have done modelling in the past and someone in the office suggested I should enter the competition. When she is not working, Chantal enjoys clubbing in London
SHENNA MCGUINNESS, 22, from Carterton, works as a business administrator in Long Hanborough for a firm of chartered surveyors. She said: "I have never done anything like this before, so I thought I would try something new. "I love horse-riding and I
HOLLY MCBEAN, 19, from Bloxham, near Banbury, listed her talents as "horse-riding and making people feel good about themselves". She said: "I can always turn a negative into a positive - that's why I get told I'm a laugh to be around. My ambition in life
STACIE JUGGINS, 21, a barmaid from Littlemore, Oxford, said: "A lot of people tell me I should try modelling so I thought I would have a go at the Miss Oxford Mail competition." Stacie enjoys socialising with family, friends and boyfriend Anthony, 24
DONNA HARVEY, 18, from Kennington, is an art and design student at Abingdon College. She said: "My friend Olivia Absolom, who is also in the competition, encouraged me to enter. We both thought it would be a fun thing to do."
LYNDSAY FAYLE, 17, from Denchworth, near Wantage, said: "Dancing is my greatest passion. My ambitions include graduating from university with an honours degree in osteopathy and running the marathon when I'm 21."
ZARA FAULKES, 18, from Abingdon, is a business student at the town's college. She said: "If you win, you can help a charity and I'm interested in helping charities for the disabled, because I have a disabled younger brother."
HELEN DAWSON 21, from Cowley, Oxford, is studying performing arts at the University of Bedfordshire. She said: "My mum suggested that I enter and I thought I would give it a go. My main subject is dance and musical theatre is one of my main hobbies.
VICTORIA CROSS: 20, from Headington, is studying management at Oxford Brookes University. She said: "I have never been in one of these competitions before and I thought it would be a good opportunity."
MEGAN CONVEY: 19, of Wroxton Park, Banbury, said: "I am reading law at Oxford Brookes University. My greatest achievement is passing my A-Levels with fantastic grades and gaining a place at the university of my choice."
SASCHA COLLEN: 21, from Warborough, near Wallingford, is studying to be a spiritual healer. She said: "I thought it would be fun - I have never entered a competition like this before and I want to see how far I can get."
SUZANNE BALL: 22, from Eynsham, is a personal assistant at an IT firm. She said: "I entered Miss World last year and thought I would give Miss Oxford Mail a go. I'm trying to get into modelling and this will boost my confidence."
OLIVIA ABSOLOM: 20, from Horspath, said: "My dad always nagged me to enter and he died a year ago, so I am doing it in his memory. I have never done anything like this before but I have always wanted to be a model."
A 25-year-old man is due to appear in court this morning charged with stabbing to death a father-of-two. Christopher Philp, of Leiden Road in Wood Farm, Oxford, is charged with murder and is due to appear for a preliminary hearing at Oxford Crown Court
WITNEY'S Wychwood Brewery has been sold to rival Marston's, it was announced yesterday. The Staffordshire brewer has bought Refresh, Wychwood's parent company, which brews 50,000 barrels of beer a year at its Eagle Maltings site, in The Crofts, close
A DRUG addict caught with thousands of pounds of crack cocaine stuffed down her trousers has been jailed. Oxford Crown Court heard Kafayat Sarumi, of Lakefield Road, Littlemore, Oxford, was caught with 68g of the drug by police in the city's Westgate
THREE local hotels have been named among the top hostelries in Great Britain and Ireland. Celebrity chef Raymond Blanc's Michelin-starred Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons, in Great Milton, and the Randolph and Malmaison hotels in Oxford, are among 300 featured
A FATHER-of-three sped past an unmarked police car on his motorcycle at 115mph, a court heard. Matthew Grihault, of Mickle Way, Forest Hill, was caught on camera travelling southbound on the M40 at dangerous speeds with a pillion passenger on his 1,000cc
DARREN Patterson has described the remaining league games this season as "seven massive cup finals" for those hoping to get a new contract. "I'm making my players fully aware of that, and anybody who thinks we've got nothing to play for this season
Teachers talk as if they are the only ones having to face higher living costs. We all are - so why should they be given exceptional treatment? They are lucky to have been offered a 2.45 per cent pay rise - the police had to put up with just 1.9 per
We wonder if Gordon Brown and his ministers have ever been to Weston-on-the Green. Under their plan to create a series of eco-friendly towns, you would have thought they would have selected places where people could follow an eco-friendly lifestyle.
IN a basement below Beaumont Street, David Fickling was busily preparing to unleash a boyhood dream to brighten up even the dullest of school weeks. Not content with having put Philip Pullman's best-loved characters in front of millions of youngsters
MUSICIANS across the county are lining up to get involved in a month of music in aid of Oxford-based charity Oxfam. The third national Oxjam festival started on Tuesday. The first major event in the county will be a night of metal, punk and rock
A TEENAGER was arrested after a 16-year-old boy suffered a broken cheekbone and had to have nine stitches after an unprovoked attack. The boy was assaulted as he walked home from school along Station Road, Didcot, at about 3pm on Friday, March 14.
A TEENAGE skater from Didcot has overcome injury to win a place on Team England. Charlotte Davis, 16, had thought her dream was over after tearing ligaments in her ankle and knee in the weeks before the national qualifiers in Telford. But she overcame
AUTHOR Philip Pullman may have attracted the biggest crowds at the Oxford Literary Festival, but it was the appearance of political heavyweights Alastair Campbell and Tony Benn that captured the imagination. Mr Benn, the veteran champion of Old Labour
A WOMAN who found a man crawling along a country road with gruesome injuries from a chainsaw attack has described it as something from a horror movie. Victoria Bingham, 65, picked up a police bravery award yesterday for helping a man who had been brutally
MPs in Oxfordshire are facing pressure to state their positions on the controversial Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill. Roman Catholic churches in Oxford have been asking their congregations to write to their MPs urging them to vote against parts
MOTORISTS will not be fined if they are snapped by CCTV cameras if they are parking illegally in Oxfordshire. Since Monday, councils have had the power to use CCTV cameras to catch cars parked on double yellow lines or overstaying in parking bays.
PARENTS of children with special needs are celebrating after winning a four-year battle to get post-16 education in Oxfordshire's special schools. Until now, it was the only county in England without post-16 special needs education with teenagers being
Sir - In the past, the music section of Art Scene in the Weekend section would invariably contain information for more classical concerts than non-classical ones. The latest edition (Friday, March 28) contains information for 31 non-classical concerts
Sir - I was privileged to see all three performances which constituted the Journeys to Freedom pieces at the Pegasus last week. It was an amazing experience with 120 young people involved. I would be very grateful if you would publish my thanks.
Sir - I have just returned home after spending seven days in the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre having a new knee replacement, so through your paper I would like to say a very big thank you to all the staff in Ward F for their kindness, help and undivided
Sir - In response to Michael Goldacre's letter (March 21) regarding bus shelters in Oxford, the new arrangements will see many more bus shelters across the city in the next five years. Mr Goldacre's letter implies that all the new shelters will carry
Sir - In the light of the recent discovery of the super rat in Oxford, I would like to add my own story from North Oxford. My family's Easter Sunday brunch was briefly interrupted by the appearance of a big rat that marched majestically across the
Sir - I wonder how many thousands of your readers still value school memories of skills learned and challenges faced whilst caving, canoeing, climbing or orienteering during outdoor education weeks, particularly at one of Oxfordshire's excellent outdoor
Sir - I am sure I am not alone feeling compelled to object to Mr Nigel Clarke's letter (March 21). Surely Oxford, the heritage jewel in the crown of the south-east region, more than compares with his recommendations. This weekend, a national daily
Sir - I found it astounding reading Nigel Clarke's letter (March 21), with his narrow-minded comments towards our beautiful city that we live in. Even though some of our hotels may appear expensive, we do get a good quality of citizen visiting our
Sir - In your edition dated March 28, Gerry Jackson, of Critchleys, answered questions relating to the recent budget. He informed readers that due to the abolishment of the ten per cent tax band one would have to be earning £36,000 a year before the
A father-of-three sped past an unmarked police car on his motorbike at 115mph, a court heard. Matthew Grihault, of Mickle Way, Forest Hill, was caught on camera travelling southbound on the M40 at dangerous speeds with a pillion passenger on his 1,000cc
Sir - In his Gray Matter column (March 21), Chris Gray wrote about the car park in Walton Well Road, Oxford. As he says, this car park was provided for the use of people visiting Port Meadow, but it is being misused by rail commuters and for the long-term
Sir - Our MP Mr Andrew Smith stated both verbally and in writing that he was vigorously opposing the closure of Grandpont Post Office, but voted to continue the closures of post offices. Will he please explain his actions? E. Henderson (Mrs), Oxford
Sir - Your readers may think that, with the 'consultation' date for post office closures past, with the Parliamentary vote to allow the post office closures past, the matter is complete. It is not. Many of our Members of Parliament opposed the proposals
Sir - From this week, Florence Park loses its longstanding bus service (number 10/U10) to the city and the John Radcliffe. This service is being withdrawn without consultation and precious little publicity. According to the Stagecoach website this
Sir - The High Street in Oxford with its magnificent curve, bordered by a wonderful array of grade 1 and grade 2 listed buildings, rightly deserves to be world famous. However, in so many ways, the High Street has been compromised and it is vital
Sir - You correctly highlight the difficulties posed by flash flooding (Leader, March 21). However, your suggestion that they would be solved if waterways were kept clear is too simplistic. Keeping watercourses clear is vital but does not solve the
The fact that villagers warned Network Rail of the dangers of the crossing near Tackley station five years ago shows that the people who use it daily had real concerns. Then we learn that Network Rail pushed ahead with a planning application for a tunnel
The national free bus pass scheme, which came in this week, has been beset with controversy. The scheme gives people aged over 60, or who are disabled, free travel on local buses between 9.30am and 11pm. Grumbles from users locally have focused on the
West Oxfordshire pensioners Ray and Margaret Young were believed to be among passengers finally heading home last night after their cruise liner was set to be allowed to leave Madeira. They were stranded with nearly 500 other passengers aboard the Van
YOUNGSTERS will be able to turn their hand to weaving at a free session at the Pitt Rivers Museum, Parks Road, Oxford, today. The session, which runs between 1pm and 4pm, will give children the opportunity to learn how textiles are created and try out
A VILLAGE stream has been cleared of obstructions as part of the Environment Agency's maintenance programme following last summer's floods. Tree clearance and removal of vegetation has been carried out on Great Brook at Aston, from the Isle of White
TV's new Miss Marple, actress Julia McKenzie, is taking time out from sleuthing to visit a west Oxfordshire school today. She is cutting the ribbon to open a new outdoor learning area at Burford Primary School. The actress, who has taken over the
A drug addict caught with thousands of pounds of crack cocaine stuffed down her trousers was jailed yesterday. Oxford Crown Court heard Kafayat Sarumi, of Lakefield Road, Littlemore, Oxford, was caught with 68g of the drug by police in the city's Westgate
