Archive

  • CRICKET: Sidebottom to face Oxford students

    Left-arm seamer Ryan Sidebottom, England's man-of-the-series in their tour of New Zealand this winter, will play for Notts in the three-day game against Oxford UCCE in The Parks starting on Wednesday. Sidebottom took a hat-trick in the first Test on

  • City holds on to park-and-rides

    ANOTHER row has broken out between Oxford city and Oxfordshire county councils - this time over the running of park-and-ride sites. Today, city councillors refused to hand over the running of its three car parks until they are given more control over

  • Shop books its place at awards

    A bookshop owner is hoping for success in a prestigious awards ceremony. Mostly Books bookshop, in Stert Street, Abingdon, has been open for just under two years and has been shortlisted for the British Book Industry Awards' New Bookshop of the Year

  • Councils in park and ride row

    Another row has broken out between Oxford city and Oxfordshire county councils - this time over the running of park-and-ride sites. Today, in a show of defiance, city councillors refused to hand over the running of its three car parks until they are

  • Nurse joins war reunion

    A nurse who served in the Falklands War was reunited with more than 170 former Royal Navy personnel and veterans on board the P&O superliner Aurora in Southampton on Sunday. Liz Ormerod, from East Hagbourne, was a senior nurse aboard the hospital ship

  • Golf club death reignites parking concerns

    A fatal accident at an Oxford golf club has reignited concerns about parking in the area. Ralph Woodward, who was in his 90s, died after his buggy crashed into a bunker at Southfield Golf Club, overturning and crushing him. Members of the club said

  • Trust misses cleaning deadline

    The county's mental health trust has been highlighted for failing to deep clean all its hospitals to meet a Government deadline. Health Secretary Alan Johnson's programme to combat bugs like MRSA and Clostridium difficile should have been finished by

  • Burglars attack mental health patient

    A 60-year-old man with mental health problems was attacked by burglars. Police are appealing for information after a gang got inside a home in Sandford Road, Littlemore, Oxford, at about 11.45pm on Monday. They attacked a 60-year-old man but left

  • RUGBY UNION: Chinnor crowned champs

    Chinnor 25, Oxford Harlequins 13 It was a case of third time lucky as Chinnor clinched the South West 1 title with a hard-fought home win. Having lost twice to Oxford Harlequins already this season, Chinnor's sheer intensity ensured there would be

  • Bridge delay annoys residents

    RESIDENTS have criticised Network Rail after it emerged the company will wait until next year to replace a popular footbridge into Oxford. The rail firm closed a well-used 60-metre bridge in Osney Lane in August, telling residents that refurbishment

  • Two arrested over drugs

    Two men have been arrested for drugs offences after being caught on CCTV. Police were called to Barns Road in Cowley, Oxford, at 8.45pm on Saturday by staff at Templars Square shopping centre. They arrested a 22-year-old man on suspicion of possession

  • RUGBY UNION: Hutchings hails spirit

    Captain Matt Hutchings said Chinnor's team spirit had been vital to winning the title. "I don't think many people thought we would be winning South West 1 this season," said Hutchings. "But we have had great team spirit and that showed right up to

  • Stars shine for hospice

    COMEDY fans turned out in force to watch a star-studded show in aid of Oxford's Helen and Douglas House hospices. About 1,800 people from across the county, and beyond, saw stars Jimmy Carr, Bill Bailey and James Campbell at the New Theatre, Oxford

  • Public get say on taxi numbers

    Members of the public are to be consulted on the controversial issue of taxi licence numbers in Oxford. Following a review, the issue of taxi licence numbers is to be put out to public consultation. The main issue to be decided is whether or not Hackney

  • RUGBY UNION: Bowers's plan worked

    Chinnor coach Jason Bowers felt they had finally got their tactics right against Oxford Harlequins. He said: "We have spent a lot of time analysing the previous two matches between the teams. "We put a plan into practice, which meant they had no space

  • Stars out to aid Helen House

    Comedy fans turned out in force to watch a star-studded show in aid of Oxford's Helen and Douglas House hospices. About 1,800 people from across the county, and beyond, saw stars Jimmy Carr, Bill Bailey and James Campbell at Oxford's New Theatre on

  • RUGBY UNION: Wallingford get home play-off

    Wallingford secured a home play-off for a place in South West 2 after defeating Milton Keynes 28-14 in Southern Counties North. They will host Southern Counties South runners-up Wootton Bassett on Saturday after the Wiltshire side could only draw 12

  • RUGBY UNION: Chippy are just grand!

    Chipping Norton became only the third English club to notch 1000 league points this season after winning 60-0 at Gosford All Blacks in the BB&O Premier Division. Their emphatic win saw them match Northampton Saints and Hartpury College in reaching four

  • Would-be burglars attack mental patient

    A 60-year-old man with mental health problems was attacked by burglars. Police are appealing for information after a gang got inside a mental home in Sandford Road, Littlemore, Oxford, at about 11.45pm on Monday. They attacked a 60-year-old man but

  • RUGBY UNION: Harwell promoted

    Harwell secured promotion to the BB&O Premier Division after thrashing Aldermaston 78-0 in Division 1 South. They will replace Wheatley in the Premier after finishing as the highest-ranked first team in 1 South and North. Flanker Kevin Wood starred

  • Bridge delays annoy residents

    West Oxford residents have criticised Network Rail after it emerged the company will wait until next year to replace a popular footbridge into Oxford. The rail firm closed a well-used 60-metre bridge in Osney Lane in August, telling residents that refurbishment

  • Help create winning formula

    You've heard of the face that launched a thousand ships. Now a school is looking for 500 faces to launch one miniature motor car. Motorsports enthusiasts at St Gregory the Great School, in Cricket Road, East Oxford, are taking part in a challenge to

  • Village opposes speed limit cut

    The introduction of a lower speed limit at an accident blackspot has come under attack from community campaigners, who claim it will put schoolchildren's lives at risk. Villagers in South Moreton have objected to a three-year pilot scheme, coming into

  • Gran knits up charity cash

    A gran from Oxford has notched up a quarter of a century of knitting for charity, stitching together thousands of pounds for good causes along the way. Jean Beaver's purl stitches and cross stitches have seen her colourful creations of stuffed elephants

  • Blue plaque to honour historian

    A 17th century historian, responsible for writing one of the most comprehensive books on the history of Oxford, is to be honoured with a blue plaque. Anthony Wood (1632-1695) gathered massive amounts of information on Oxford in his lifetime, making

  • Simple rules when trucks lurk

    CyclinG is safer than non-cyclists think. Statistics usually measure accidents per mile. Motor vehicles travel further than bikes and so seem safer. Bikes are no more dangerous per journey. But cyclists do need to watch out for trucks. Last Thursday

  • Homeless figures are up since 1997

    More Oxfordshire families are living in temporary accommodation now than a decade ago, figures released show. The Liberal Democrats have published data that shows last year, 1,020 households in Oxfordshire were classed as living in temporary accommodation

  • Ancient game still going strong

    The co-founder of an Oxford club dedicated to a 4,000-year-old board game has appealed for more people to give his hobby a try. Harry Fearnley would like people who enjoy playing board games to join him and his companions in weekly sessions playing

  • Sea Scouts seek funds for new fleet

    A Sea Scout group has launched a fundraising project to raise £30,000 to replace their fleet of sailing boats. The 1st Bicester Mountbatten Sea Scout Troop, which offers water-based activities to young people in the town, has been patching up boats

  • Flasher fails to show at court

    Sex pest John Bustin failed to show up at Oxford Crown Court on the day he was set to be sentenced for flashing in public. Bustin, 41, who has a 24-year history of exposing himself to women, faced jail after being found guilty of committing a sex act

  • Cadets scoop award

    Air cadets from Kidlington are flying high after winning the top regional award in a competition to find the most innovative fundraising idea for charity. The Royal Air Forces Association's Top Flight competition recognises the fundraising efforts of

  • Heavy snow saw city at standstill

    At this time of year, we expect to be enjoying plenty of spring sunshine. But 100 years ago this week, much of Oxfordshire was at a standstill - under between 15 and 18 inches of snow. The unseasonal downfall on Saturday, April 25, 1908, blocked roads

  • Mayhem at golf course

    Oxford suffered a second mystery explosion nine days after one that badly damaged the basement of a house in Wellington Square, writes Max Robinson. As we recalled (Memory Lane, April 14), a small bomb exploded at the bottom of the steps of No 35 in

  • Pride on parade

    St George's Day is always a proud day in the Scouting calendar, writes Eva Emendoerfer. This picture shows the Scouts and their leaders taking part in the parade through Oxford in 1961. It, and another on Page 36, come from the archives of George

  • HOCKEY: Hawks at the double

    Oxford Hawks won two age groups at Rover Oxford's 16th annual festival. The event was another success, with 82 teams in eight age groups playing 176 games over the weekend at Cokethorpe School and Witney ATP. Teams as far away as Banbridge, Northern

  • DARTS: Oxon bid for big time

    It's crunch time for Oxfordshire this weekend as they bid for promotion to the British Darts Organisation Inter-Counties Championship Premier Division. The fixture away to mid-table Staffordshire is the most important in more than 30 years of Oxfordshire

  • DARTS: Louise in national champ

    Oxfordshire player Louise Carroll (pictured) captured the ladies title at the England National Singles county finals in Selsey, near Chichester, at the weekend. Seven men and five ladies qualified from Oxfordshire, with ladies A team star Louise beating

  • DARTS: Lion and Shears in neck-and-neck for third

    With Chinnor being crowned Oxfordshire Super League champions and Three Tuns A guaranteed runners-up spot, the spotlight is now on third place where White Lion and Shears are locked together on 51 points. Lion looked to have the advantage as they took

  • Here we go

    Seeds at the ready and getting ready for the off

  • DARTS: All set for winter finals

    The Greene King ODDA's 2007-8 Winter League finals will be held at Rover Sports and Social Club, Roman Way, Cowley, on Friday, June 6. Tickets, at £2 each, are on sale at Three Horseshoes, Old Marston. ODDA PLAY-OFFS. Ladies' Winter Seven-A-Side Cup

  • Drug dealer jailed

    GREATER Leys drug dealer Triston Lawrence has been jailed for six-and-a-half years. Lawrence, 23, of Nettlebed Mead, Greater Leys was sentenced at Oxford Crown Court on four counts of possession with intent to supply Class-A and Class-C drugs worth

  • Bug isolates hospital ward

    PATIENTS on the cardiology ward at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford have been isolated following the outbreak of a diarrhoea and vomiting bug. New patients are no longer being admitted to the ward, which specialises in treatment for those

  • Bug isolates hospital ward

    Patients on the cardiology ward at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford have been isolated following the outbreak of a diarrhoea and vomiting bug. New patients are no longer being admitted to the ward, which specialises in treatment for those with

  • Gourmet County

    Eating out in Oxfordshire is always a treat - because we are positively spoilt for choice when it comes to restaurants, pubs, cafes, bistros, delicatessens, and foodie outlets of all kinds.And the foodie scene is an ever-changing one, with new kids on

  • Drug dealer jailed

    Greater Leys drug dealer Triston Lawrence has been jailed for six-and-a-half years. Lawrence, 23, of Nettlebed Mead, Greater Leys was sentenced at Oxford Crown Court on four counts of possession with intent to supply Class A and Class C drugs worth

  • Today's local share prices (PM)

    AEA Technology 67 BMW 2736 Electrocomponents 191.5 Nationwide Accident Repair 126.5 Oxford Biomedica 24.25 Oxford Catalyst 168.5 Oxford Instruments 219 Reed Elsevier 647.25 RM 196.5 RPS Group 305.5 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon

  • Radiohead up for another award

    OXFORD band Radiohead have been nominated for a prestigious Ivor Novello award for their album In Rainbows. Last year, the group stunned the music industry by allowing fans to download the album for however much they wanted to pay for it. Radiohead

  • Tower block CCTV agreed

    CCTV is to be rolled out at tower blocks across the city following the success of a pilot scheme at Foresters Tower on the Wood Farm estate. Councillors at today's executive board agreed that the scheme, which monitors antisocial behaviour, should

  • Witness appeal after crash

    POLICE today appealed for witnesses following a collision on the B4009 Wallingford Road, just outside South Stoke. A red BMW 328i was travelling from Goring towards South Stoke when it lost control and landed on its roof at about 11.12pm on Thursday

  • Filling of empty homes speeds up

    The time taken to rent out homes formerly considered "voids" by city council housing officers has been significantly reduced. The city council's executive board was told that it now only takes three weeks to prepare a void, or vacant property for letting

  • Accountants in merger deal

    A Botley accountancy firm has merged with a rival practice in Henley. All 12 staff at Cave Harper will transfer to James Cowper following the deal which has been struck for an undisclosed sum. Adrian Rann, managing partner at James Cowper, said: "

  • Accountancy firms in merger deal

    A BOTLEY accountancy firm has merged with a rival practice in Henley. All 12 staff at Cave Harper will transfer to James Cowper following the deal which has been struck for an undisclosed sum. Adrian Rann, managing partner at James Cowper, said: "

  • Tower block CCTV agreed

    CCTV is to be rolled out at tower blocks across the city following the success of a pilot scheme at Foresters Tower on the Wood Farm estate. Councillors at today's executive board agreed that the scheme, which monitors antisocial behaviour, should

  • Political opportunism

    I am glad to back the policy of reducing the speed limit to 20mph in Wood Farm, Oxford (Oxford Mail, April 14). I have given it my support since it was first discussed at the city council's north east area committee in 2006/7. At that time, the IWCA

  • Clowning around

    Brilliant timing or pure coincidence? Three weeks before a local election and I notice that two 'clowning workshops for adults' are to be held on consecutive days at two separate venues in the city. Surely, if we citizens of the fair city of spires

  • Natural phenomenon

    Is it true that some areas of the globe will be cooler than normal this year and, if so, is global warming cancelled for 2008? If true, would that mean that we may all get a rebate from all those environmental taxes which have been heaped upon us of

  • Masterpiece of incompetence

    I would like to pass on my congratulations to the people responsible for the two recent 'intended' improvements to our city. Firstly, the traffic lights at Windmill Road in Headington. Somehow they have contrived to make an already confusing junction

  • Radiohead up for another award

    Oxford band Radiohead have been nominated for a prestigious Ivor Novello award for their album In Rainbows. Last year, the group stunned the music industry by allowing fans to download the album for however much they wanted to pay for it. Radiohead

  • Witness appeal after crash

    Police are appealing for witnesses following a collision on the B4009 Wallingford Road, just outside South Stoke. A red BMW 328i was travelling from Goring towards South Stoke when it lost control and landed on its roof at around 11.12pm on Thursday

  • Falklands nurse attends reunion

    AN OXFORDSHIRE nurse was reunited with more than 170 former Royal Navy personnel and veterans on board the P&O Cruises superliner Aurora in Southampton. Liz Ormerod, of East Hagbourne, was a senior nursing aboard the hospital ship Uganda during the

  • Wheeeeeeee!

    Tried out the new bike yesterday. I have a Ribble which is much lighter than my classic old Peugeot and, more importantly, has modern indexed gears. I have kitted it out so that it looks professional - so much so that it probably objects to having a wobbly-stomached

  • Falklands nurse attends reunion

    An Oxfordshire nurse was reunited with more than 170 former Royal Navy personnel and veterans on board the P&O Cruises superliner Aurora in Southampton. Liz Ormerod, from East Hagbourne, was a senior nursing aboard the hospital ship Uganda during the

  • Today's local share prices (AM)

    AEA Technology 67.5 BMW 2723 Electrocomponents 194.75 Nationwide Accident Repair 126.5 Oxford Biomedica 24.75 Oxford Catalyst 168.5 Oxford Instruments 218 Reed Elsevier 651.25 RM 196.5 RPS Group 312.75 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon

  • Meet the Miss Oxford Mail finalists

    These young women are the lucky seven who have been chosen for the final of the Miss Oxford Mail competition. Tomorrow, the seven women, chosen from an original shortlist of 34, are being invited to the Oxford Mail offices for a final interview with

  • People march to mark St George's Day

    HUNDREDS turned out across Oxfordshire over the weekend to mark St George's Day. Although officially not until Wednesday, St George's Day was celebrated in the county in style - in a variety of colourful events. Yesterday, hundreds of Oxford's Scouts

  • 'Court sent me NHS files'

    OXFORD County Court has tightened its security procedures after a member of staff mistakenly sent sensitive medical information and National Insurance numbers to a woman trying to settle her parking fines. Emma Kelly said she was worried identity fraudsters

  • Comedy's a goldmine for hospices

    HUNDREDS of comedy fans squeezed into Oxford's New Theatre to see a star-studded show in aid of charity last night. Tickets for Childish Things 4 sold out more than a month in advance. Theatre-goers stood excitedly outside the doors of the George Street

  • Club mourns popular player

    MEMBERS of Southfield Golf Club paid tribute to "absolute gentleman" Ralph Woodward who died after an accident on the course at the weekend. Mr Woodward, who was in his 90s, was killed after his buggy drove into a bunker, overturned and crushed him.

  • Bus gates make £123 an hour

    CAMERAS policing a daytime driving ban in Oxford city centre are earning Oxfordshire County Council a staggering £123 an hour. County Hall coffers have been swollen by £665,000 in just 12 months by fines paid by motorists who have flouted restrictions

  • Midfielder gets a big hand

    Jamie Hand did his hopes of landing a contract for next season a power of good with a superb performance as Oxford United won on the road again. The former Watford midfielder laid on the pass for Yemi Odubade's classy opener, and had an excellent game

  • Hand's up for a real battle

    Jamie Hand says he's enjoying his football again, and will be doing his utmost in the last two games of the season to maintain Oxford United's winning run. The U's made it three wins on the spin, within the space of eight days, with their 2-1 victory

  • Comedy is a goldmine for hospice

    Hundreds of comedy fans squeezed into Oxford's New Theatre to see a star-studded show in aid of charity last night. Tickets for Childish Things 4 sold out more than a month in advance. Theatre-goers stood excitedly outside the doors of the George Street

  • They've done the business

    Businesses from across Oxfordshire have been recognised as among the best in world after scooping top enterprise awards. County businessman-turned-adviser John Jennens and companies Owen Mumford and Ovation Systems have all won prestigious Queen's Awards

  • Ball marks life of Sarah

    A 21st anniversary ball in memory of a young child who died of meningitis is going ahead this summer. It is being organised by Maria Drinkwater, who lost her five-and-a-half-month-old daughter Sarah to the disease in 1987, and fellow members of the

  • Funds boost Mind's work

    A NEW service offering support to people with mental health problems is being launched in Oxford. Mental health charity Oxfordshire Mind has won three years' worth of funding from both the county council's Supporting People programme and the city council

  • Muddled thinking on traffic

    For years now, drivers have been left scratching their heads, baffled by the confusing, conflicting and contradictory approach to traffic management in Oxford. On the one hand, we are told it is a vehicle-friendly city where shoppers arriving by car

  • Golfer killed in buggy accident

    Members of Southfield Golf Club last night paid tribute to "absolute gentleman" Ralph Woodward who died after an accident on the course at the weekend. Mr Woodward, of Gidley Way, Horspath, who was in his 90s, was killed after his buggy drove into a

  • Proud to fly the flag

    Hundreds turned out across Oxfordshire over the weekend to mark St George's Day. Although officially not until Wednesday, St George's Day was celebrated in the county in style - in a variety of colourful events. Yesterday, hundreds of Oxford's scouts

  • Aids money

    SINGING from the Dorchester Abbey tower to welcome in May will raise money to help Aids orphans in Kenya, part of the Berinsfield-based Noah's Ark project. A £5-a-head continental breakfast at 8.30am will be followed by the group Two A Part singing

  • Bus gates are raking it in

    Surveillance cameras policing a daytime driving ban in Oxford city centre are earning Oxfordshire County Council a staggering £123-an-hour. County Hall coffers have been swollen by £665,000 in just 12-months by fines paid by motorists who have flouted

  • Police disciplined for rudeness

    POLICE officers have been found guilty of unjustified questioning or surveillance, failure in duty and rudeness to the public after internal investigations. Half the 96 complaints processed by Thames Valley Police Authority over a two-month period