Well I knew it couldn't live up to expectations and would no doubt be a disappointment, but I didn't know to what extent. So it's with a heavy heart that I have to report that Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (we should have known with
Oxford Community Hospital is set to close for good, with a brand new replacement a top priority for NHS managers. The 24-bed unit, part of the Churchill Hospital complex in Headington, was shut to new admissions last week after four patients contracted
Work to repair the mound at Oxford Castle has revealed a 10-sided tower that has been hidden for more than 200 years. The foundations of the 13th century tower which used to stand on top of the mound were discovered during repairs following last year's
An ambitious £100m scheme to redevelop Frideswide Square outside Oxford's railway station is being unveiled tomorrow. Officials at Christ Church, which owns several sites in the area, want to create a new gateway to the city, featuring a mix of hotels
A kebab shop worker is recovering at home last night after being stabbed at least five times during a cigarette break. Turkan Akyuz, 37, was stabbed in the chest and arm while outside Bodrum Kebabs, in Cowley Road, Oxford, where he works, at about 11pm
Cricketers across Oxfordshire will tomorrow pay their respects to The Oxford Times Cherwell League president Derek Primett, who died on Sunday. A minute's silence is to be observed in his memory before matches in The Oxford Times Cherwell League, and
Ian Hawtin wants Oxfordshire to challenge for the Minor Counties Championship when they open their Western Division campaign against Devon at Banbury on Sunday (11). Oxon's captain believes they can build on last season when he felt they would have
It's double derby time tomorrow with Oxford hosting Banbury in Division 1 and Kidlington visiting Thame Town in Division 2 West. Defending champions Oxford enter their clash at Roman Way as league leaders having won their opening two matches. They
SATURDAY. CRICKET. HOME COUNTIES PREMIER LEAGUE. Div 1: Oxford v Banbury, Tring Park v Henley. Div 2 West: Thame Tn v Kidlington. THE OXFORD TIMES CHERWELL LEAGUE. Div 1: Cumnor v Bicester & NO, Great Tew v Banbury XX, Banbury 2nd v Oxford 2nd
Free and Left To Himself, winners of the two feature races at the last meeting at Kingston Blount, near Chinnor, return for the Berks and Bucks Draghounds Hunt fixture on Sunday. Gemma Hutchinson brought Free from well off the pace to beat Home By Midnight
Oxford University's footballers have returned from Czechoslavakia after taking on Slavia Prague. The Dark Blues, who were the first English side to play Slavia in 1899, were there to help open the club's new Stadion Eden ground. Although Oxford lost
AEA Technology 69 BMW 2820 Electrocomponents 176 Nationwide Accident Repair 140.5 Oxford Biomedica 24 Oxford Catalyst 169.5 Oxford Instruments 225.75 Reed Elsevier 624.25 RM 214 RPS Group 334.25 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
An elderly man bullied out of £200 by rogue workmen has labelled them "scumbags". Dr Fred Wright was manhandled and intimidated by four men who surfaced his drive despite him telling them he did not want any work done. The gang - believed to be 'travellers
Right, let's establish some ground rules first of all - 1. No matter what I or any other critic may write, you WILL go to see this film (and that's as certain as death and taxes). 2. And two, if you didn't, you'd be mad... Why? Because this isn't
Following her recent success at the national clay-court tournament, Lucy Brown, 15, from Elsfield, took part in two international tournaments in Istanbul - and did superbly, reaching three finals out of four. The points gained in Turkey help to take
City of Oxford RC returned home with five trophies from the Thames Ditton Regatta, all courtesy of their women. Holly Holden, having reached the final British junior trials, won both the junior and junior 16 singles. Connie Taylor achieved a City
Richard May and Rob Derbyshire were in top form to help last year's runners-up Cholsey A tearn a 5-3 win at promoted Woodstock A in Men's Division 1 of the Wilson OLTA 3-Pair League. May and Derbyshire, playing at second pair, won all their rubbers,
Oxford Premier (Picauville): 1 R M Bostock 1165; 2, 6, 7 R Parker 1149, 919, 918; 3 P Smith 1125; 4, 5 A Bazylkiewicz 986, 961. Oxford Premier (Newton Abbott): 1, 2 R Ward 1213, 1211; 3, 6 R Parker 1158, 832; 4 R M Bostock 1094; 5 A Bazylkiewicz 959;
The kick-off for this year's Lehman Brothers Varsity Match at Twickenham on Thursday, December 11, has reverted to 2pm following police advice.
It has been on my conscience for more than half a century - the day I caused a row between a couple celebrating their golden wedding. This young reporter innocently asked where and how they met. Both agreed it was at a local music hall, but he claimed
With regard to your article, 'Superhead' is transforming school (Oxford Mail, May 14), I would like to query the percentage passes of five GCSEs, A-C, that are given. My understanding at the former Drayton School at Banbury is that 34 per cent of students
Why do the media blame the oil companies and Opec for high fuel prices? They forget to mention that most of the profit from oil comes from abroad, and benefits Britain. The real culprits are, of course, the Government, which does nothing towards oil
The Government has made the right decision to reclassify cannabis to a class B substance. This is to alert and educate the public rather than criminalise users. It is a fact that we now live in a brave new age of biotechnology. Horticulturists have
We need someone at Headington, Oxford, to take care of the pavements. Tree roots are growing through them, making it difficult for old people to walk and push their shopping trolleys. Staff at St Luke's Hospital in Latimer Road have to do outside
Your article about the William Street Scout hut in Oxford (Oxford Mail, May 17) wrongly implies that the whole Marston community' is concerned about the amount of money spent on its refurbishment. Yet half the people pictured are members of Mick Haines's
If there's one story that proves that Darren Day's party days are over it's this: "I was at London Zoo the other day with my wife and kids and I bumped into this pap (paparazzi).o "He must have made a lot of money out of me back in the day and was always
TV presenter Jonathan Dimbleby visited Oxford to talk about his new TV series and book about Russia. Russia: A Journey with Jonathan Dimbleby, screened on Sunday nights on BBC2, took the presenter two years to complete. The 63-year-old told
Anna Popplewell is going places. Having just returned from promoting Prince Caspian, the sequel to Narnia, in the US where it's expected to be a box office smash, you'd think a play in Oxford would be a walk in the park. But Anna, 19, is terrified
Teenage artists are being encouraged to get their creative juices flowing by taking part in a countywide talent competition - and maybe win a £500 prize at the same time. Entrants, who must be aged between 16 and 18, also have the chance to see their
Mark Johnson sat in the hot seat on TV show Deal or No Deal and thought it was best to cut and run as the big money started disappearing. But the 23-year-old from Abingdon, who works at the Citroen Centre, in Grenoble Road, Oxford, is still thanking
A little question for you: What do you get if you cross a preposterously potent drink, the ambiance of Café del Mar and a club reviewer? A not-so-little answer for you: You get me, sitting in the beach-bar area outside the back of Thirst on Monday night
Before I am assaulted for not having mentioning the A word' until now: I want to reassure you that I haven't failed to notice Artweeks is currently in full swing! (Although by the time this column surfaces you can substitute the words coming to a close
Smooth, slick and polished, Ivyrise don't sound like your typical new band. And for good reason. For while it's more than likely that you've never heard of them, this super-tight four-piece are no strangers to the music world - with five long years of
Gospel music, salsa dancing and juggling will help Oxford residents celebrate their estate after a major facelift. Plans for the third annual Barton Bash are hotting up as residents look forward to celebrating their estate's recently-refurbished shopping
Funny how places can look completely different on separate visits - even on the same day. The last time I was a guest at the High Table, the restaurant attached to the Eastgate hotel in Oxford's High Street, it was packed out for its launch party, and
It doesn't happen very often, but it is nice to see hardened clubbers and devoted gig-lovers shaking their butts in agreement. But then few bands spark such universal excitement as Soulwax. One of Europe's most innovative art-rock acts, siblings
With Harrison Ford back as Indiana Jones, the time is certainly right for Oxford-educated author Scott Mariani. Mariani, 39, who studied modern languages at Christ Church back in the 1980s, has created a series of mystery/history thrillers that is starting
Get your arms in the air, blow your whistles and pass the Vicks - because dance music is back! After reverting to its underground roots for a few years, this summer marks the return of dance culture. This weekend sees the welcome return of that old
A celebration of Oxford past and present is promised for this year's Lord Mayor's parade and picnic. The day-long event, which takes place this Bank Holiday Monday, begins with a procession through the city centre before an afternoon of entertainment
Three work colleagues in Kidlington are pounding the streets as they prepare for next month's Race for Life and Run for Moore. Friends Roger Mathew, Katie Connon and Rosie Jones have gone from novice runners to fitness fanatics as they prepare for the
When Oxford businessman Captain J J Cullimore Allen received three brand new five pound notes in 1957, his first instinct might have been to go and spend them. Instead, Capt Allen decided to hold on to them. They have since made their way into the hands
TV presenter Jonathan Dimbleby visited Oxford to talk about his new TV series and book about Russia. Russia: A Journey with Jonathan Dimbleby, screened on Sunday nights on BBC2, took the presenter two years to complete. The 63-year-old told 100 people
When settling on a name for their fledgling band, Thom Yorke and his Abingdon School chums famously settled on the title of an obscure album track by quirky US New Wave act Talking Heads. Radiohead, it was reasonably thought, was a more inspiring name
If there is one thing that I buy as compulsively as wine, it is books. I have, quite literally, thousands of them; some 400-odd cook books at the last count. I just love them. Despite that, I'm a bit funny about wine books. I don't have anything like
LIBERAL Democrat councillor Tony de Vere has been elected the new leader of the Vale of the White Horse District Council following a group shake-up. Mr de Vere, who represents the Abingdon, Abbey and Barton ward, takes over from colleague Jerry
IT's hard to believe it's 20 years since The Charlatans first burst onto the national consciousness. Easily the most consistently brilliant of the 'Madchester' bands, Tim Burgess's crew have always embraced innovation and evolution. So, where others
Liberal Democrat councillor Tony de Vere has been elected the new leader of the Vale of the White Horse District Council following a group shake-up. Mr de Vere, who represents the Abingdon, Abbey and Barton ward, takes over from colleague Jerry Patterson
A MIDSUMMER by-election in Henley is on the cards after two dates were revealed today for a vote to secure Boris Johnson's successor. Conservative Party leader David Cameron will seek to capitalise on an expected win in today's Crewe and Nantwich by-election
A SEARCH has been launched for the next top model - by the Oxford Union debating soceity. The union, in Frewin Court, Oxford, is to host an event scouting for talent in terms of looks rather than brains. It has joined forces with Take 2 Model
A midsummer by-election in Henley is on the cards after two dates were revealed today for a vote to secure Boris Johnson's successor. Conservative Party leader David Cameron will seek to capitalise on an anticipated win in today's Crewe and Nantwich
It was in the summer of 1980 that a lanky fast bowler just out of his teens made his Minor Counties Championship debut for Oxfordshire. Now a remarkable and eventful 28 years later, Keith Arnold is still winging the ball down for the county - not quite
A search has been launched for the next top model - by the prestigious debating society the Oxford Union. The union, in Frewin Court, Oxford, is to host an event scouting for talent in terms of looks rather than brains. It has joined forces with Take
ELDERLY residents are finally settling in to life back at their nursing home in Witney, ten months after last summer's floods. They have arrived back at Mill House in Bridge Street after extensive repairs and rebuilding work in the wake of serious
A serial beggar has been handed an antisocial behaviour order (Asbo) after complaints from the public. Andrew Swadling, 33, of Marlborough Road, Oxford, was issued the Asbo by Oxford magistrates. The four-year order bans Swadling from begging anywhere
A SERIAL beggar has been handed an antisocial behaviour order (Asbo) after complaints from the public. Andrew Swadling, 33, of Marlborough Road, Oxford, was issued the Asbo by Oxford magistrates. The four-year order bans Swadling from begging anywhere
A MAN was stabbed in the chest outside a takeaway in Oxford last night. The 34-year-old was knifed by the entrance to Bodrum Kebabs, on Cowley Road, at about 11pm. He was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital where he remains in a stable condition
A man was stabbed in the chest outside a takeaway in Oxford last night. The 34-year-old was knifed by the entrance to Bodrum Kebabs, on Cowley Road, at around 11pm. He was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital where he remains in a stable condition
Hundreds of railway staff at a train company are to be balloted for strikes in a row over onboard catering facilities, it was announced today. The Rail Maritime and Transport Union said more than 400 catering staff and guards at Arriva CrossCountry
KATHERINE DUNCAN-JONES on A Midsummer Night's Dream at Stratford's Courtyard Theatre The darkly cavernous Courtyard may not appear to be a promising setting for a magical comedy most of whose action occurs out of doors. Sunlight and banks where the
A pub landlord is planning to complete an epic charity voyage along the River Thames in Oxfordshire - by punt. John Bellinger, landlord of The Bell Inn at Adderbury, is planning to punt from St John's Lock in Lechlade to Henley - a distance of more
GILES WOODFORDE on The Pirates of Penzance at the New Theatre this week "It's rather loud," one of Oxford Operatic Society's long-standing members warned me ominously as I arrived at the New Theatre. And indeed the enthusiastic orchestra swirled up
No special celebration would be complete without a feast - which is why chef Joe McCorry and Martin Range, the proprietors of The Plough Inn, Finstock, recreated a 20th-century feast for the villagers last weekend. But it wasn't a feast of gargantuan
From the moment my friend and I got on to our flight to the heart of Transylvania, it was clear we were going far from the beaten track. Romania's second city, Cluj Napoca, is only a three and a half hour flight away, but it might as well be another
MOST things that emerge from the mouth of Boris Johnson, the soon-to-resign Conservative MP for Henley and new Mayor of London, should be treated with a large pinch of salt. But then again, many a true word is spoken in jest. One of his many witty
VAL BOURNE says roses and biennial foxglove just work so well together We are coming up to rose time which is my favourite time of the gardening year. But the roses I admire most are not the repeat-flowering floribundas, hybrid teas or musks.
After last year's heavy rains affected numbers Butterfly Conservation appeals for volunteers to take part in a summer survey, writes ELIZABETH EDWARDS The Upper Thames branch of Butterfly Conservation, whose area includes Oxfordshire, is calling
SYLVIA VETTA reviews China Design Now, reflecting the impact of the major economic changes in the country To understand the design revolution that is taking place in China, it helps to picture a popular cartoon that appeared soon after the Cultural
The Yellow Hat Tribe is the unmistakeable signature of the artist Irene Tyack, who celebrates ten years of success with a new exhibition, writes TRACY ATKINS The yellow car sits abandoned in the field by the road with a sign which entices you to
Sculpture by a great name of 20th-century art, Alberto Giacometti, is on view at Compton Verney, along with work by new talent, James Coleman, writes THERESA THOMPSON Compton Verney has done it again. Cleverly tempting you in with a name you know
Elderly residents are finally settling in to life back at their nursing home in Witney, ten months after last summer's floods. They have arrived back at Mill House in Bridge Street after extensive repairs and rebuilding work in the wake of serious damage
Well I knew it couldn't live up to expectations and would no doubt be a disappointment, but I didn't know to what extent. So it's with a heavy heart that I have to report that Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (we should have
IT WAS the homecoming he dreamed of when he was lying in bed at night as a teenager. Adrian Flanagan had imagined one day returning to British shores with the might of the Royal Navy at his side after sailing around the world. And yesterday that boyhood
VIEWERS will gain a rare insight into the lives of five children at an Oxfordshire special school when an award-winning documentary is screened tonight. The film, Hold Me Tight, Let Me Go, followed the youngsters for 12 months at The Mulberry Bush
RESIDENTS in North Oxford fought back against plans by a new garage which would have disturbed their peace and quiet on Sundays. Kwik-Fit has planning permission to take over the former North Oxford Garage building at 280 Banbury Road, and hopes to
DRIVERS are bracing themselves for two years of slow going on the A34 as work begins to replace the Wolvercote Viaduct north of Oxford. The bridge, which carries the A34 over the A40, the Oxford Canal and the railway line to Banbury, is being replaced
A SHOEBOX left on the arm of a sofa contained the largest amount of class-A drugs ever seized in one go in Oxford. Police raided a one-bedroom flat in Gibbs Crescent, in the west of the city, at about 11am yesterday following a tip-off it was being
Dozens of pensioners are still waiting for their new national bus passes almost two months after the scheme was launched. The Vale of White Horse District Council has a backlog of about 130 pensioners who still have not received their passes, despite
THE Oxfordshire Country Fayre, hosted by Oxfordshire Young Farmers, is being held at Park Farm, Middleton Stoney, on Sunday, May 25, from 10am. Attractions include a sheepdog display, terrier racing, a hunt challenge, vintage tractors, carnival floats
SPRING cleaning expert Clare Baker says a good declutter can uncover hidden treasures. The businesswoman has made a career out of clearing clutter from people's homes and once helped find a first edition Beatrix Potter book worth £6,500. She said
DRIVERS in Banbury and Bicester will now be able to pay for their parking by phone. From today, Cherwell District Council-owned car parks will be operating the RingGo' system, which allows drivers to pay for and top up their parking time by using
PEOPLE in the Abingdon area are being invited to meet their local neighbourhood officer and speak to them about any concerns that they might have within the community. Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) Mark Wakeford will be holding a surgery
A shoebox left on the arm of a sofa contained the largest amount of class A drugs ever seized in one go in Oxford. Police raided a one-bedroom flat in Gibbs Crescent, in the west of the city, at about 11am yesterday following a tip-off it was being
LONG-SERVING Oxford GP and best-selling author Dr Ann McPherson was given an emotional farewell by many of her patients. More than 180 of them attended a tea party at St John's College, a short distance from the Beaumont Street Surgery, where she
SCORES of teenage entrepreneurs from across the county are preparing to do battle today after winning through to the finals of a prestigious business competition. The youngsters - all aged 16 and 17 - have been competing in the Young Enterprise scheme
Drivers are bracing themselves for two years of slow going on the A34 as work begins to replace the Wolvercote Viaduct north of Oxford. The bridge, which carries the A34 over the A40, the Oxford Canal and the railway line to Banbury, is being replaced
