Archive
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Button remains defiant
Jenson Button admits Brackley's Honda team still have "a lot of work to do" as they look to recover lost form - but is adamant he can be Renault's biggest threat in this weekend's San Marino Grand Prix. The 26-year-old's dream of a maiden win three
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Latest share prices
AEA Tech 118.5 BMW 3113 Electrocom 275.25 Isoft Group 134.5 Oxford Bio 30.25 Oxford Insts 210 Reed Elsevier 551 RM 204.75 RPS 188 Torex Retail 96
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Diary April/May 2006
TO find out more details of the events listed below, contact Business Link Solutions on 0845 606 4466 or visit www.businesslinksolutions.co.uk unless otherwise stated. APRIL 22: Advanced Coaching Course Holiday Inn, Peartree Roundabout, Oxford, for
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Safety rewarded
BODICOTE: Charter Community Housing has been given a Gold Award from the Asbestos Aware Contractors Scheme. The award recognises Charter's commitment to ensuring members of its repairs service team are trained to recognise and deal with environments that
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Trainees shine in exams
OXFORD: Critchleys' trainee accountancy professionals proved once again that they are made of the right stuff by passing a series of tough exams. Anne Pritchard, Ben Dixon and Annette Lowe successfully grappled with studying in addition to their day-to-day
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An interesting contest
RADLEY: A team from Radley College, Rupert Harrison and Stephen Tracy, aged 17, and Tristan Wood and James Brown, aged 18, were runners up to Tonbridge School and won £650 for the college in the South East England area final of the Target 2.0 Interest
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April/May movers and shakers
OXFORD: Law firm Blake Lapthorn Linnell has been appointed to the Law Society's conduct assessment and investigation unit's panel of outsourcers. The firm is one of just two legal providers to be appointed by the society. The firm's professional regulatory
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Alonso back on top
World champion Fernando Alonso denied Michael Schumacher top spot in second practice for the San Marino Grand Prix at Imola today. Schumacher had been fastest in first practice and topped the timing sheets this afternoon before the Enstone-based Renault
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A steak in the future
A high-tech approach is helping an historic Oxford butchery business cement its future. Aldens, which can trace its roots back to 1793, has invested £1m in an extension including Meatmaster, a new cash and carry service open to the public at its headquarters
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Diagnosis: not so scary
A regular look at the county's bioscience sector with industry consultant DR VAL TATE, head of Oxford-based BioValue. Doctor Christian Rolff knows better than most that it is what he describes as a scary environment' for small healthcare businesses
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Avoiding the copycats
ALISON SARSFIELD-HALL, a partner at solicitors Oxford-based Morgan Cole, considers the implications of copyright law for businesses. The appearance of author Dan Brown in the High Court facing allegations of plagiarism in relation to his best-selling
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High-flyers set the pace
PATRICK GRANT, Cookson professor of materials and director of Faraday Advance at the Department of Materials, Oxford University, examines how the worlds of academia and business can happily collide in mid-air. There is never a moment when development
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Wedding belles get organised
Hitting 40 was the turning point for four Oxfordshire friends who decided there would never be a better time to launch a business venture. The bridal industry was an obvious choice for former TV presenter Sarah Haywood, who had begun a new career as a
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Confidence grows in conference country
For much of the last century huge stately piles, situated in the depths of the Oxfordshire countryside and redolent of a way of life that all but ceased in 1914, were little more than a potential source of headaches for their owners. Eynsham Hall, near
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Amelia rows her own boat
If you understand terms such as bisweptual, bowside, or coxswain, chances are the clothing line launched by a young Oxford entrepreneur will be just for you. Merging her two passions, life-long rower and Oxford Brookes University business graduate, Amelia
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Designs on a colourful future
While for many turning 40 can be a downbeat affair, for one working mother it was just the kickstart she needed to get her own business up and running. Instead of sticking with her secure career as a public relations and marketing manager for commercial
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Tristan + Isolde (12A)
Director Kevin Reynolds (Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves, The Count Of Monte Cristo) sharpens his blade for another lunge at an epic historical romance, this time based on the popular Celtic myth. Predating both Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet and the legend
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Wild at heart?
For two frantic years, The Libertines were the most exciting rock act on the planet. Their volatile punk energy, fanatical following and the open tension between charismatic figureheads Pete Doherty and Carl Barat made for a fascinating spectacle
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Gardener calling on famous faces
Gardener Stephen Relton did not have to dig far into his address book when he needed help to organise a fundraising event for a hospital baby care unit. He simply turned to Sir John Mortimer, one of his famous clients. There was of course good advice
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Don't let claims hit patients
It is no surprise that some of the families caught up in the Benjamin Geen affair at the Horton Hospital at Banbury may be seeking compensation. With two patients dead and 15 wounded as a result of Geen's inexplicable behaviour, they have been through
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Lib Dem U-turn on parking
I refer to your article, The parking zone rebels (Oxford Mail, April 17). It is interesting to note that members of the Liberal Democrats on the county council have distanced themselves from their previous stance on proposed charges for residents' parking
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Saaging spirits get little cheer
Good friends, wine and the prospect of a yummy curry all the ingredients for an excellent night were in place. But, as in life, things do not turn out quite as you expect. When I and my two girlfriends eat together at home, the house often resonates
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Own Brand loyality
I manage to catch Jo Brand in between sorting through a massive pile of mail and jumping in the car to go and perform in Dartford, Kent. One of Britain's most popular and successful comics, she did a 30-date tour before Christmas and has started 20
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Make a gesture
Firoz Kassam almost certainly saved Oxford United from financial ruin. In the years that followed, while making the financial position more secure, it could be argued that his lack of knowledge on the footballing side contributed to the position where
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Cabbages and Kings: April 21
THE seven-year-old girl was choosing an Easter egg from the expensive range in the specialist chocolate shop. Nothing is too good for an only grandchild her grandparents confessed they were paid-up subscribers to that belief. Grandma spotted some chocolate
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Top hospitals for top staff'
After young Sam Willis was struck down with meningitis it took him six months to learn how to smile again. During that time, he was at the John Radcliffe Hospital, in Headington, Oxford, where his parents Ros Avery, 41, and Matthew Willis, 40, were
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Controls ‘will curb violence’
New stricter controls on violent criminals freed from jail could have stopped a man killing an Oxford woman weeks after his release, according to his daughter. Philip Huggins, 49, broke his parole conditions by fleeing a bail hostel in Milton Keynes
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Firm seeks research cash
A company hoping to produce the clean fuels of the future is poised to raise £15m on the London Stock Exchange later this month.o Oxford Catalysts will use the money to recruit 25 staff and set up its headquarters on a business park near Oxford possibly
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Teenage sailor sets new world record
A SCHOOLBOY from North Oxfordshire has set a world record after becoming the youngest person to windsurf across the English Channel and back again. Dan Simpson, 15, battled against gusts of wind and the wash from huge container ships during the 22-
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Clerk used client's cash
A CROOKED solicitors clerk from Banbury paid off £4,000 of customers' debt with cash taken from other clients, a misconduct hearing was told. Elizabeth Gough pretended she had recovered the money owed to the clients in court judgements when in fact
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SPORT CALENDAR
FIXTURES FOR 21/4/06 FOOTBALL COCA-COLA LEAGUE TWO Oxford Utd v Northampton Tn. SOUTHERN LEAGUE Premier Div: Northwood v Banbury Utd. GLS FOOTBALL HELLENIC LEAGUE GLS Football Supp Cup semi-final 2nd leg: Badshot Lea v Milton Utd. Premier Div:
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Taxi rules shock
A WOULD-BE cabbie has been told he may not get a licence for a specially-converted disabled access minibus because its roof is too low. Michael Gough, of Town Close, Finmere, paid £6,000 for the Nissan Primera minibus, which he hoped would be the first
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Election battle is joined
THE election trail has been launched in Oxfordshire with the main political parties gearing up for the district council elections on Thursday, May 4. Some 61 seats on Oxford City Council, West Oxfordshire and Cherwell district councils are up for grabs
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New festival for 'vibrant' village
A VILLAGE May Festival will raise money for its school and church. Cropredy's first-ever MayFest on Sunday, May 7, will be a day of music, dance, and activities for all the family. The programme will include stalls selling quality crafts, maypole
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Opera offered at lunch-time
A LUNCH-time opera recital in Banbury next month will break new ground for LiveArts, the group that promotes and hosts concerts at the town's St Mary's Church. By July this year, more than 20,000 people will have enjoyed a concert or exhibition at the
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Celebrations with theatrical themes
CHIPPING Norton's 400th anniversary celebrations kick off tomorrow with a spectacular promenade play that explores the town's history. The play, Unlawful Assembly, looks at the people, the places, the past, and the future of the town. Following an
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SPEEDWAY: Fans' favourite returns
The new-look Oxford Cheetahs, who include former No 1 Todd Wiltshire and Freddie Eriksson, have a great chance to chalk up another victory when they visit injury-hit Eastbourne in an Elite League clash at Arlington Stadium tonight (7.30pm), writes JOHN
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New call on doorstep crime
POLICE and trading standard officers in Northamptonshire are asking victims of doorstep crime to report every incident. The two groups are working together to reduce the number of rogue traders, bogus callers, and distraction burglars in the county.
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RUGBY: Marathon men
Oxford Harlequins defeated Chinnor en route to winning the Oxfordshire Cup on Sunday. Chinnor beat Quins twice on the way to clinching the South West 1 title and now comes the decider... Quins' flanker Phil Vinter and his Chinnor opposite number Ed
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Football: On-fire Linnets win with top class
KINGS LYNN 2 BANBURY UNITED 0BANBURY had beaten the Linnets twice already this season, but were second best on Saturday with the home side playing some of the best football seen this year. Kings Lynn's approach play was outstanding throughout, and
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Beer festival opens
BANBURY'S annual three-day beer festival opens today and volunteer bar staff will be pulling pints until 11pm on Saturday. The festival, at the Territorial Army Centre in Oxford Road, will feature 68 beers, four ciders, and two perries, of varying strengths
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RUGBY: Banbury face day of destiny
Simon Purnell says Banbury face a real battle if they are to clinch the Midlands 3 East South title at Daventry tomorrow. Bulls need a win to be sure of top spot and promotion to Midlands 2, but although Daventry lie tenth in the table, player coach
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BADMINTON: Redefield celebrate No 4
Headington & Redefield chalked up their fourth title of the season, as 8-1 and 9-0 wins over Abingdon A and The Park A respectively gave them the Mixed Division 1 crown in the Oxford and District League. Against Abingdon, Redefield relied on Ian and
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Families say NHS cuts could cost children's lives
TWO more families whose babies were born recently at Horton Hospital, Banbury, have said cutbacks to children's services could cost lives. They have come forward to support the campaign to prevent the closure of paediatric services including the maternity
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CYCLING: Lumb's Milton magic
Top Didcot Phoenix roadman Gavin Lumb was in his element in a ten-mile time trial on the technical Milton Circuit. His winning time of 23mins 35secs was more than a minute faster than clubmate Paul Lloyd (24.51), who up until then had seemed unbeatable
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Hospital cut fears
POTENTIAL cutbacks to services at the Horton Hospital, Banbury, have been revealed by a former consultant. The new closures mooted by Dr Peter Fisher include the ending of night-time emergency surgery, and a reduction in micro-biology services. Dr
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Ex-airbase tour proves a winner
ORGANISERS of a tour around the Cold War bunkers of a former airbase near Bicester were overwhelmed by the amount of public interest in the site. Three times more people turned up for the tour of the former RAF Upper Heyford than organisers were expecting
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Geen: 'Staff were all distressed'
THE executive director of Banbury's Horton Hospital has apologised to patients and their relatives abused by murdering nurse Ben Geen. Mike Fleming, who trained as an A&E nurse and has worked in the NHS for 34 years, explained how he had to break the
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FOOTBALL: City halfway to league and cup double
Oxford City 1, Leverstock Green 0 OXFORD City picked up their first trophy of the season when they beat Leverstock Green 1-0 to win the Combined Counties League Premier Division Cup final at Hillingdon Borough on Tuesday night. It gives them a great
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Geen: Painstaking probe
THE police team, who conducted the painstaking investigation into the Geen case, had never experienced a criminal inquiry quite like it. Up to 40 officers collected evidence by speaking to witnesses, potential victims, hospital staff and relatives,
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FOOTBALL: Gee fires up troops
North Leigh face a crucial GLS Football Hellenic League Premier Division clash with promotion rivals Bishops Cleeve at Eynsham Park tomorrow, as they bid for a top-three finish in the Premier Division. Mark Gee's men are lying in fifth place, but have
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FOOTBALL: City trio return
Oxford City welcome back goalkeeper Carl Wilkins, centre back Lewis Craker and winger Chris Potter for the trip to Leverstock Green in the Premier Division. They all missed Tuesday's League Cup final victory when they beat the same opponents 1-0 at
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Kiss of life for ailing companies
PATRICK O'CONNOR, director of Sloan Managers, explains why businesses sometimes need to assume the recovery position. Recovery is the wake up call that points the way to a more successful business. It is the point when the business owner, or chief executive
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FOOTBALL: Banbury aim to avoid double!
Banbury United manager Kevin Brock says his players have a chance to seal a place in the Oxfordshire Senior Cup final line-up when they travel to Northwood in tomorrow's Premier Division clash. Brock, whose side take on Hellenic Premier Division outfit
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CRICKET: Smith hammers ton off students
Former England batsman Ed Smith struck a commanding century as Middlesex rattled up 309-5 against Oxford UCCE on a rain-hit first day of their three-day match in The Parks. Smith, who made 64 on his England debut and played three Tests against South
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A potted history
It is not often that you walk into a shop and find a well-thumbed copy of Plato's Republic lying open, face-down, obviously in the process of actually being read. But then Tuscan Pots is not your average shop, and Robert Moy is a shopkeeper in a class
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CRICKET: Oxon blood youngsters
Oxfordshire take the opportunity to look at a number of promising youngsters when they take on Oxford in their opening friendly at Roman Way tomorrow (noon). Banbury duo Luke Ryan and Ashley Blanchard, Oxford Downs batsman Richard West and Kidlington's
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FOOTBALL: Old boy Cort sinks Thame
Former Thame United striker Wayne Cort was the scourge of his old club when he scored a hat-trick for Brackley, who won 5-0 in a one-sided Southern League Division 1 West game on Saturday. Brackley's first came on 16 minutes when another ex-Thame player
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Pension Levy: Assesing the risk
The Pension Levy introduced this month could hit certain types of companies harder than others, experts at Oxford-based finance firm Grant Thornton warn that partnerships and limited liability partnerships (LLPs) are particularly at risk. The levy is
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Investor's Diary: Machiavelli meets Versace
Prior to embarking with my wife for a hugely enjoyable long weekend in Venice recently, I made a point of brushing down a few old history books to familiarise myself with the city's remarkable history. Venice has a fascinating tale to tell, particularly
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FOOTBALL: Pond seals derby victory
Super Darren Pond scored with his first touch to give Banbury a 2-1 win at home to Southern League Premier Division rivals Rugby in Monday's local derby. Pond came on in the 64th minute and made a sensational impact as he met a clearance by the Rugby
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FOOTBALL: Didcot crowned champions
Didcot Town claimed the Hellenic League Premier Division title for the first time for 52 years with a hard-fought 1-1 draw at Bishops Cleeve on Saturday. Some excellent defending by Didcot, with centre back Danny Campbell in outstanding form, and a
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RESULTS & FIXTURES: April 21
RESULTS FOOTBALL COCA-COLA LEAGUE TWO Oxford Utd 2, Barnet 0. Monday Boston 1, Oxford Utd 0. SOUTHERN LEAGUE Premier Div: King's Lynn 2, Banbury Utd 0. Monday Premier Div: Banbury Utd 2, Rugby Tn 1. Div 1 West: Brackley Tn 5, Thame 0. Midweek
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Nissan Pathfinder
Gordon Brown may not like me saying this, but sticking another £30 or so on to the excise duty of the biggest cars is not going to make much difference. Most cars in that class will come in at over £20,000, so in the grand scheme of things, it is chicken
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Coulthard plays down Speed rift
David Coulthard insists he has no problem with Scott Speed, despite their clash after the Australian Grand Prix. Scuderia Toro Rosso driver Speed was fined by race stewards for swearing at his Red Bull rival, and later claimed Coulthard had been "a
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Getting the message
Simon Morton set up his company Eyeful Presentations after "sitting through some pretty dire presentations" while working for a technology company in Reading. He said: "I was just about to start a family and I had been commuting to Reading and flying
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BADMINTON: Headington on a high
Headington & Redefield chalked up their fourth title of the season, as 8-1 and 9-0 wins over Abingdon A and The Park A respectively gave them the Mixed Division 1 crown in the Oxford and District League. They have already captured Oxford League Men's
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ROWING: Casey's timely win
Wallingford's Helen Casey, entering her seventh year as an international, won the women's lightweight singles at the final GB trials in Belgium on Tuesday, writes Mike Rosewell. Casey has perennially come second in trials, but this time held off Hester
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Quod bar and grill
Location, location, location. The mantra beloved of estate agents is also true for hotels and restaurants, and the Quod bar, in Oxford High Street, is a perfect example. Bang opposite All Souls and the University Church of St Mary's, it must surely satisfy
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CRICKET: Knappett rescues students
Knappett rescues students OXFORD UCCE captain Josh Knappett led from the front with an impressive 77 to help his side salvage an unlikely draw against Derbyshire in their opening first-class fixture of the season in The Parks. Knappett was one of
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The killer nurse
A thrill-seeking nurse is facing a life sentence after murdering two patients by injecting them with lethal doses of drugs. Benjamin Geen, 25, preyed on patients shortly after they were admitted to the accident and emergency department of the Horton General
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SPEEDWAY: Lanney makes peace after row
Oxford Cheetahs promoter Aaron Lanney has made it up with world champion Tony Rickardsson after he branded the Swede a 'disgrace' following the 67-28 Elite League defeat at Reading. Lanney was speaking after he had time to reflect on an up-and-down
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RUGBY: Maudsley tribute to brave leaders
Oxford Harlequins director of rugby Matt Maudsley struggled to look on the bright side despite his side's victory in the Oxfordshire Cup final. Maudsley said: "We played terribly, but fair play to Witney, they did really well. "I thought Anthony Cope
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RUGBY: Quins edge to cup final success
Oxford Harlequins rode their luck on Sunday to defeat a spirited Witney side 19-12 in the Oxfordshire Cup final. Despite being two divisions below Quins, Witney had more than enough chances to win an intriguing final at Iffley Road. Crucially, though
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Horton murders fallout continues
Hospital chiefs are bracing themselves for compensation claims worth hundreds of thousands of pounds by the victims and families of killer nurse Ben Geen. The news comes after Geen, 25, from Banbury, was found guilty of murdering two patients and causing
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Business chills out
It may sound like something out of a science fiction film, but cryogenics is a major industry in Oxfordshire. The process involves super-freezing products and processes, often to temperatures below 200 degrees Celsius, and has a wide variety of applications
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POINT-TO-POINT: Good ends long wait
Tessa Good (pictured) ended a six-year wait for her first winner with a runaway success aboard Boyne Banks in front of a huge crowd at the Old Berkshire Hunt meeting at Lockinge, near Wantage on Monday. Good, 47, who lives at nearby Ginge, sent the
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Pursuing a passion
Talk to Karim Sekkat and you will realise within a few minutes that this is a man passionate about British engineering. For years it seems all we have heard is the story of decline in manufacturing where once we were the industrial centre of the world
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Legging it
The threat of extreme blisters and exhaustion is looming large for thousands of London Marathon runners. Today, we feature three more runners who are bracing themselves to take part in the event. A DOCTOR whose brother died last year is set to run
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Queen's choice
The Queen's Awards, established more than 40 years ago to promote British enterprise as a force for good in the world, are becoming ever more finely tuned to the changing needs of modern business. Among Oxfordshire's crop of winners this year is the
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Death by Powerpoint
Death by Powerpoint is a frequent occurence in the business world. But an Oxfordshire company claims it can help you to avoid the blitz of bullet points and graphs which can send the most patient listeners insane with boredom. Simon Morton set up his
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City teams up to go it alone
Oxford City Council has joined forces with Exeter, Ipswich and Norwich in a bid for total rule free of the county council. The Town Hall has made no secret that it wants to sever all ties with Oxfordshire County Council and be given unitary authority
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'Show you back new animal lab'
A leading neuroscientist at Oxford University has called for the "silent majority" supporting experiments on animals to sign an online petition backing the research. Tipu Aziz, 50, a professor of neurosurgery, has been one of the most vocal supporters
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Centre to have extra housing
New homes in the heart of Oxford will form "an integral part" of the new £300m Westgate Shopping Centre, developers promised this week. With a planning application to be submitted next month, the Westgate Partnership announced that it is working with
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Local share prices
AEA Technology 117.5 BMW 3161 Electrocomp 270.25 iSoft 130 Oxford Bio 30 Oxford Inst 210.25 RM 204 Reed Elsevier 547.5 RPS 188 Torex Retail 95.5
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Council vows to be eco friendly
A new environment action plan agreed by Oxfordshire County Council has been released to coincide with Conservative leader David Cameron promoting green policies. That's the claim from Craig Simmons, Green city and county councillor, who spoke out after
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Epileptic fit fear leads to Christmas light ban
FLASHING lights will be banned from a town's Christmas display this year after a resident with epilepsy complained. The festive season may be eight months away, but Carterton Town Council has already agreed to pull the plug on flashing festive lights
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Drive carefully or lose £50k car
A hooligan driver could lose his £50,000-plus Ferrari under new laws usually used to put the skids under teeny terrors racing about on mini-motorbikes. The motorist was caught racing his top-of-the-range, 180mph silver sports car around Oxford's ring
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Oxford revealed as burglary hot-spot
OXFORD is one of the UK's burglary hot-spots, according to research published this week. It is ranked fifth in a top-ten list of 'at risk' places to live when it comes to house break-ins, coming above cities such as London, Manchester and Sheffield.
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Drivers and riders need to stay alert
We are told that pedestrians, pedal cyclists and motorcyclists are the three most vulnerable modes of transport on our roads, and that motorcyclists are the Grim Reaper's favourite. In Oxfordshire only one vehicle in 20 is a motorcycle, but motorcyclists
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Shire question
The case for unitary authorities is a good one. Why should one council collect rubbish and another dispose of it. Similarly, it is ridiculous that one authority should be responsible for social housing and another for social care. Oxford City Council
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ANGLING: Hunt for river stalwarts
The most famous trout river in Europe will provide a fitting backdrop for a very special series of awards which will be presented this summer to the people who ensure that the whole population can continue to enjoy "messing about on the river." The
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Bookings
WEDNESDAY, MAY 3 Talk: Andre Makine's translator, Geoffrey Strachan, gives a talk with readings (in French and English) from Makine's novels, 5.15 for 5.30 pm. Taylor Institution, University of Oxford, St Giles', Oxford, www.taylib.ox.ac.uk. Free, but
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Facing up to ghosts
Hungry Ghosts, Debbie Taylor, (Penguin, £6.99)Two stories run parallel to each other, merging only towards the end when the boy becomes a man and the woman learns to face her ghosts. Hungry Ghosts is based in part on the true story of an 11-year-old
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Spoiled pig returns
Here's a sneak preview of the new Crispin the Pig book from north Oxford-based illustrator Ted Dewan. His latest picture book about the adventures of the spoiled pig, Crispin and the Best Birthday Surprise Ever (Doubleday, £10.99), is published in June
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Prisoners who paid twice for their sins
Newgate: London's Prototype of Hell, Stephen Halliday, (Sutton, £20)London's infamous Newgate Prison may have been demolished in 1902, but its reputation persists to this day. Stephen Halliday explains why in this engrossing account of the prison's grim
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Nursing school insists numbers will not be hit
A UNIVERSITY department responsible for training staff for local hospitals says student nurse numbers will not be hit by a big drop in NHS funding. Oxford Brookes School of Health and Social Care, which has trained hundreds of nurses, midwives and occupational
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Plans unveiled for city Christmas festival
AN OPEN-AIR ice rink, performances from Russian dancers and street markets are among the attractions planned for the city's first Christmas festival. Oxford City Council is working with a range of partners including Oxford Castle, city centre management
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Warning over use of council mobile phones
A WARNING about the misuse of work mobile phones is to be issued to 750 senior staff at Oxford City Council. The memo, which will explain to staff they can make personal calls as long as they are declared and paid for, will be issued to all staff with
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Church tower will be first building illuminated
THE oldest building in Oxford will be the first historic landmark to be lit up under a bright new scheme that promises to transform the city centre by night. The 11th-century Saxon tower of St Michael at the Northgate Church, pictured below, Cornmarket
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Town cinema plans are back on track
THE MULTI-million pound cinema planned at the heart of Didcot's town centre redevelopment moved a step closer this week. Building contracts and a deal with cinema chain Cine UK have been signed, and work is due to start on the Station Road site next
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Tributes for former president of Oxford Union
TRIBUTES have been paid to a former Oxford Union president who died during a gap-year in the Middle East. Friends said Edward Tomlinson, 24, died from a blood clot while in Lebanon, where he had gone for a year to improve his French and learn Arabic
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Cameras in A34 roadworks had no film
SPEEDING drivers on the A34 escaped without penalty because dummy speed cameras did not contain any film. The empty cameras have watched over drivers between the Pear Tree interchange in Oxford and Weston-on-the-Green on the A34 since September while
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Business school dean took own life
THE dean of the business school at Oxford Brookes University stepped into the path of a moving train because he was tormented by the fear he would die of an incurable disease. Simon Williams died of multiple injuries at about 6am on December 6 last
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£300,000 study starts on proposed rail link
A £300,000 study is under way into how a proposed new rail link between Oxford and Bedford can be funded. The detailed investigation is seen as another major step forward for an east-west rail link, coming only weeks after Deputy Prime Minister John
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Brookes loses out in bid for Plater College site
OXFORD Brookes University has lost out in its bid for the £4.85m Plater College site in the city but it remains unclear who has bought the campus. Brookes was among several to submit a sealed bid in the auction earlier this month, but agent Savills
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Barrichello looks for Imola improvement
Rubens Barrichello hopes Formula One's return to Europe in San Marino this weekend will see him back at the front after a dismal start to life with Brackley's Honda team. The Brazilian has struggled to adapt to his new team after leaving Ferrari at
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Cheerful crews
Sir, Having been hospitalised twice in recent years I must commend the ambulance crews. They were efficient and cheerfully kind. Home again, I needed help from Oxford library and once more met exceptional service. How fortunate we are to live in Oxfordshire
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Heavenly cures
Sir, I am writing a book about the life and times of Oxford's St Frideswide. I would be very interested to hear from readers who may have stories relating to the saint and, in particular, to learn of any recent cures which can be attributed to her well
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Threat to democracy
Sir, I am writing concerning an extremely disturbing Government proposal that is going through Parliament. I have only recently learned of this and it is almost unbelievable, yet true. It is the Legislative and Regulatory Reform Bill and it threatens
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Incredible achievement
Sir, Shouldn't The Oxford Times be supporting our city's largest non-professional theatre company? Lady Windermere's Fan at the Oxford Playhouse has been my first production with the Oxford Theatre Guild (hopefully the first of many) and I have been astonished
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No soft options
Sir, The county Labour group need to get a sense of proportion (Councillors accused of holding back funding as patients block hospital beds, April 14). The carefully managed underspend of £931,000 is out of a budget of over £74m. Much of the underspend
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Hospital charges
Sir, Patients and their visitors across England are being asked for their views on hospital bedside telephone services in one of the largest public surveys of its kind. Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) Forums, independent watchdogs who represent
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No simple matter
Sir, It is kind of Oliver Lovell, of Moreton-in-Marsh, Glos, to advocate the flooding, at huge expense to the Oxford ratepayer, of the most popular city car park. If he would like to indicate a really useful area of Moreton-in-Marsh, I will suggest
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Canal basin would transform a dreary part of city
Sir, In your March 31 issue you were kind enough to mention the launch of FOXcan at the St Aldate's Parish Rooms (which, by the way, is an excellent venue). There were two speakers: Mark Davies, author, lecturer and publisher, who gave a fascinating
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New Transit makes debut
Move over new cars commercials are in the spotlight, led by news that the latest Ford Transit breaks cover this month. Still by far the most popular van buy in Britain, the omnipresent Tranny as it has become affectionately known has undergone significant
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Sirion soars with upmarket model
Daihatsu has launched a new SX special edition of the cracking little Daihatsu Sirion city car, priced at £9,290. The SX is based on the top-spec Sirion 1.3 SE, and adds a deep front spoiler with mesh grille, front fog lamps, side skirts, and rear tailgate
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Vision of freedom
Almost 9,000 new motorhomes took to Britain's road last year, not to mention sales of the thousands of pre-owned models. Which means motorhoming is still the UK's fastest-growing leisure pursuit. A good introduction to the whole experience is Horizons
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Impreza value
Subaru has announced a new variant of its popular Impreza line-up. The 2.5 WRX Type UK model boasts £3,635 worth of extra value, but is priced at £20,945 on-the road. Like the car, you'll have to be quick this is a special edition model and the promotion
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Fiat fires first volly in compact off-roader market
The new Fiat Sedici, which goes on sale in the UK tomorrow, is Fiat's first entry in the compact SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle) market. In a steadily growing segment, the market share for vehicles with off-road capability has risen from 1.7 per cent in
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VW off-roader with altitude
Volkswagen is revising its luxury 4x4 Touareg range to simplify choice for customers and offer better value for money. The entry price for the Touareg is now £28,600 on the road £1,730 less than before while the mid-range V6 SE gains almost £3,000
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All-season A6
Audi dealers are taking orders for the rugged new sport utility version of the Audi A6 Avant, which will be priced from £33,530 on the road. The all-terrain A6 allroad quattro will initially be powered by 2.7-litre TDI and 3.0-litre TDI engines, and
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Roadtest: Pick-up has soft centre
Mean, monstrous, maybe even malevolent. Colleagues formed a far-from orderly queue to offer their opinions on a vehicle that was quickly nicknamed the beast. While it looked like the perfect road transport for Harry Potter's adversary, Lord Voldemort,
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Local author
Former diplomat Ann Granger's amateur sleuth Fran Varady is a detective for our times streetwise and in touch with the seamy side of life. In Mixing With Murder (Headline, £6.99) Fran is blackmailed into coming to Oxford to search for a missing nightclub
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Paperbacks
Home Truths, Freya North, (HarperCollins, £10.99) Aficionados will already be familiar with the McCabe sisters Pip, Fen and Cat heroines of three of North's previous bestsellers. This time the sisters are settled in their relationships, although inevitably
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Artistic opposites epitomise an age
Mary Zacaroli talks to Ross King about two painters who stood on opposing sides during a major turning point in art history Which would you rather have fame, riches and glory in your own lifetime or immortality afterwards? Edouard Manet, often called
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Man who is attacked by passion
The Other Side of You, Salley Vickers, (Fourth Estate, £14.99) Like Vickers's previous work, Miss Garnet's Angel, this muses on themes of literature, psychology and religion, and through a sumptuous and touching narrative offers readers a chance to play
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Drought order 'likely' admits water firm
THAMES Water has revealed it is "seriously considering" applying for emergency measures to prevent all non-essential water use. Sports grounds, parks and businesses across Oxfordshire, such as car washes and commercial building cleaners, could be severely
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Free swimming 'causing chaos'
CHILDREN taking part in sex acts, faeces smeared across walls, toilets vandalised and a teenager threatening to slit a staff member's throat these are some of the incidents reported by lifeguards who said the introduction of free swimming for under-17s
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Lab protests will be biggest yet
ANIMAL rights campaigners say tomorrow's protest march against the building of a medical research centre will be the biggest staged in the city. More than a dozen coaches carrying demonstrators from as far afield as Yorkshire, Devon and Suffolk are
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Man given lifetime ban from city estate
A MAN has been banned from setting foot in Blackbird Leys for the rest of his life. Magistrates placed an Antisocial Behaviour Order (Asbo) on David Reid, 37, after hearing about 26 convictions for offences including theft, burglary and assault in the
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Homes will be part of new Westgate
NEW city centre homes will form "an integral part" of the new £300m Westgate Centre, developers promised this week. With a planning application to be submitted next month, the Westgate Partnership announced that it is working with the Bromford Housing
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City steps up bid to go it alone from county
COUNCILLORS in Oxford have joined forces with counterparts in Exeter, Norwich and Ipswich in a bid to convince the Government they should run all services in the city. The four councils are expected to make bids for unitary status in 2009 by the end
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Re-dedicate memorial
Sir, I read with great interest the letter in your issue (April 7) headed Imaginative proposal by F G Davies. I would like to suggest that instead of building another memorial, the present beautiful Martyrs' Memorial be re-dedicated to include all who
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Heavenly cures
Sir, I am writing a book about the life and times of Oxford's St Frideswide. I would be very interested to hear from readers who may have stories relating to the saint and, in particular, to learn of any recent cures which can be attributed to her well
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One can dream
Sir, Oxford city is currently rated a weak council by the Audit Commission. Oxford city's latest audit report (which it sought to suppress) says it does not offer value for money. Is this the same Oxford city that is campaigning to become a unitary council
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Ignoring the elderly
Sir, I am writing regarding the proposed closure of the Moorview mental health hospital in Witney and to say how disgusted I am that another facility used mainly by the elderly population is to be closed down, when there is a waiting list for admission
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Heartfelt apology
Sir, I am surprised at Ashley Smith's accusation that Barney Williams is arrogant (Letters, April 14). I have met Mr Williams, and his wife coaches our college boat club; they are both extremely modest and unassuming people. Mr Williams has apologised
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Responsible attitude
Sir, Staff at two hospitals have been criticised by police and by the Oxford Coroner's Court for failing to report to the police that a patient in their care had been the victim of a horrific assault (Hospital errors let killer escape, April 14). The
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Appalled at plan
Sir, I was incredulous to see your rather confusing and negative article about BBOWT's CS Lewis nature reserve in Risinghurst (Report, March 31). A site I have known and walked since the 1980s. All the more so, as the editor thought it worthy of being
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County's real identity needs to be reinstated
Sir, Count Tolstoy and his colleagues from County Watch are to be congratulated on their efforts to boost the identity of old Berkshire by erecting road signs at the entrance to the county (Report, April 7). The counties have existed for many centuries
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Unjust comments caused much upset
Sir, After your article on Mr Adrian Percival and his comments regarding Matthew Arnold School when he took over as headteacher and Mr Richard Kennell's comments (Letters, April 14), I was very eager to contact you. I was a pupil at the school between
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Westgate expansion would be disastrous
Sir, In a recent national survey, Oxford was voted the best place in the country for shopping (City rated best for shopping, March 31). And last week's colourful advertising supplement for the Covered Market clearly illustrates the reason why. It
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Criminal loss
Sir, The Old Gaol complex in Abingdon has been left to moulder since the removal of the leisure centre to new premises and the closure of the police station. Now it seems that it may be sold for commercial development. I appreciate that the Vale of White
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Canal support
Sir, The new group seeking to turn the Worcester Street car park back into a canal basin deserves the widest support. The plan would turn an extremely unattractive area into an asset that Oxford could be proud of. The Friends of the Oxford Canal (FOXcan
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Williams aim to keep up winning record
The WilliamsF1 team from Grove heads to Sunday's San Marino Grand Prix aiming to keep up their winning record at the Imola circuit. Since the race joined the calendar in 1981, the Oxfordshire team have won 30 per cent of the races held at Imola. Following
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Gig helps bomb victim's funds
It was the favourite nightspot of one of the victims of the July 7 bombings and now Oxford's Zodiac nightclub will play host to a memorial fundraising event for her. Miriam Hyman, known to friends and family as Mim, was killed when the number 30 bus
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Residents fear mass evictions
Residents living in a north Oxfordshire mobile home park fear they could lose their homes after finding out about plans to completely redevelop the site. Up to 60 people living on the Duvall Mobile Home Park, in Upper Heyford, packed out a residents
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Football club suffers 11th break-in
Burglars ripped open two doors at Bicester Town Football Club before stealing cash and alcohol in the eleventh attack on the club in three years. Club chairman David Simpson said he was gutted by the attack, which he believes caused more than £3,000
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Film star donates gown to Oxfam
Fans of actress Keira Knightley have the chance to snap up one of her designer gowns, which went up for auction in aid of Oxfam today. The 21-year-old star of Pride and Prejudice and Bend It Like Beckham has donated the burgundy taffeta Vera Wang dress
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Special helper to Irish police
A volunteer officer from Thames Valley Police has been helping the Irish Police to establish their own version of the special constabulary. Assistant Chief Officer Rod Attewell, based at force headquarters in Kidlington, has been advising the Irish
