Archive
-
Date
FOOTBALL: U's go nine points clear
Oxford United moved nine points clear at the top of the Nationwide Conference after thrashing Forest Green Rovers 5-1 tonight. Rob Duffy hit a hat-trick, with Yemi Odubade and Chris Hargreaves also among the scorers Read more on thisisunited
-
Date
Americanisms
I simply must grumble about creeping Americanisms in today’s language. In the last couple of days I’ve heard people, including presenters on the BBC, referring to ‘stores’. These are what rational British people know as shops. Later that day I was treated
-
Date
Motorway-chase biker escapes jail
A motorcyclist who led a police car and two helicopters on a chase across three counties at speeds of up to 136mph has escaped a prison sentence. Dean Devitt, 36, of Arlington Drive, Old Marston, Oxford, appeared at Oxford Magistrates' Court yesterday
-
Date
Taste the rip-off
I've just got back from Sainsbury's and was bothered by something that hadn't yet managed to infiltrate my already bother-filled mind. I'm talking about the 'Taste the difference' range. I'd been drawn to its otherwise overlooked temptations because of
-
Date
FOOTBALL: Vale start in style
VALE of White Horse Under 14s opened their season in impressive fashion with a 6-0 win over Wellingborough & Rushden in a friendly at King Alfred's Community & Sports College, Wantage. Sam Quelch opened the scoring, sweeping in a right-wing cross, before
-
Date
GYMNASTICS: Abingdon celebrations
IT'S an upside down world for young members of the Abingdon Gymnastics Club as they celebrate the club's 30th birthday. There are 110 members including pre-school children and there is a five-year waiting list to join the club. Members meet every
-
Date
ICE HOCKEY: Knightley gets all-clear
NEW signing Patrick Knightley can now play for Oxford City Stars, after his registration was eventually cleared by the International Ice hockey Federation (IIHF). He was due to turn out for Oxford at the start of the season. But in the build-up to the
-
Date
SNOOKER: Bury Knowle on the up
BURY Knowle A jumped up four places to second in the Premier Division with a 4-2 win at home to Riley B. With the score at 2-2, Bury Knowle's victory was secured by Andy MacBryan, who beat Malcolm Bough 65-32, 69-31. Division 1 leaders Riley C lost
-
Date
MOTORSPORT: Trio battle it out
A THREE-WAY battle for victory in the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship will be settled at Silverstone on Sunday, October 15. After 27 rounds, Matt Neal, Oxford's Jason Plato and Colin Turkington can all be crowned champion, where one of the
-
Date
ANGLING: Turner's triumph
GARSINGTON angler Neil Turner banked a smashing brace of double-figure barbel from his local stretch of the Thames. The two big fish, which weighed 13.0.0 and 11.13.0, fell to legered meat over a bed of hemp. The biggest is a new personal best.
-
Date
GREYHOUNDS: Trainers up to scratch
THE Oxford trainers merry-go-round is about to stop, according to racing manager Gary Baiden. Over the past few months, Nick Colton and Alan Stevens have left, while Terry Kibble, Robert Hannan, Paul Clarke and Dean Childs have joined the ranks. They
-
Date
Today's local share prices (PM)
AEA Technology 98.75 BMW 2862 Electrocomponents 279.75 Isoft Group 56 Oxford Bio 29.75 Oxford Instruments 202 Oxonica 143.5 Reed Elsevier 595 RM 177.75 RPS 232.5 Torex Retail 39 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
-
Date
Today's local share prices (PM)
AEA Technology 98.75 BMW 2862 Electrocomponents 279.75 Isoft Group 56 Oxford Bio 29.75 Oxford Instruments 202 Oxonica 143.5 Reed Elsevier 595 RM 177.75 RPS 232.5 Torex Retail 39 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
-
Date
Police quiz man after rooftop drama
A MAN climbed on to the roof of a burning centre for homeless young people. Police were called to The Foyer in George Street, Banbury, just after 11pm yesterday. Police spokesman Victoria Bartlett said they found the man on the roof in a state they
-
Date
Cordon around factory on fire
Businesses have been evacuated following a fire at a food factory in Banbury today. Firefighters and police were called to the blaze at Kraft Foods in Ruscote Avenue, at 11.13am. The road was closed up to the A423 as a precaution because the building
-
Date
Firms evacuated in gas blast fears
POLICE evacuated businesses in Banbury today after fire broke out at Kraft Foods in Ruscote Avenue. Thames Valley Police said they were alerted to the incident by the fire service at 11.13am. A police spokesman said: "The road has been closed up to
-
Date
Man found dead in woods named
A MAN found dead in woods near Jackdaw Lane, off Iffley Road, Oxford, on Tuesday, was today identified as Jaroslaw Kurchaski. Police say the 38-year-old, of no fixed abode, who had been sleeping rough, was a Polish man who died of alcohol-related natural
-
Date
FOOTBALL: Brevett boost for mighty U's
Rufus Brevett has signed for a second month at Oxford United. The vastly experienced left back, who celebrated his 37th birthday two weeks ago, is on a month-to-month contract with the U's. The first month ended today, but Brevett has signed an extension
-
Date
FOOTBALL: City chief furious at ban for striker Spence
FA Trophy: Oxford City boss Andy Lyne has expressed his anger at the three-match ban handed to striker Ray Spence for his sending off at Bishop's Cleeve. Spence was sent off for violent conduct during last Saturday's 3-1 FA Cup exit, a decision which
-
Date
FOOTBALL: Wallbridge appointment lifts Wantage
FA Vase: Wantage Town have been boosted ahead of their FA Vase first-round derby clash with Witney United after experienced defender Andy Wallbridge was named the club's assistant manager. The former Banbury United, Oxford City and Didcot Town player
-
Date
FOOTBALL: Wallingford's injury crisis
Sport Italia Hellenic League: AFC Wallingford are struggling to name a full squad for their home clash with Hungerford Town. Juan-Pablo Deschamp and Paul Massaquoi are long-term absentees, while Aaron Baker (cruciate knee ligament) is also added to
-
Date
FOOTBALL: Banbury set for double boost
Southern League: Banbury United goalkeeper Alan Judge and striker Howard Forinton are expected to return to action when they host Gloucester City in the Premier Divison. Judge missed Tuesday's FA Cup second qualifying round replay defeat against Tonbridge
-
Date
Sudden boom on the buses
A big rise in passenger numbers has been announced by Oxford Bus Company, reversing a decline reported to MPs only three months ago. Listen to people describing their regular bus routes. The company said the number of people using its buses shot up
-
Date
RUGBY: Quins signings set for debuts
Oxford Harlequins have named three debutants for tomorrow's away game at Cleve in South West 1. Hooker Henry Mace, centre Tom Cooper and winger Alex Swann all start as Quins bid to extend their unbeaten run to five. Mace, who has joined from Clifton
-
Date
RUGBY: Skipper Steve misses out
EDF Energy Senior Vase: Bicester will be without four key players as they look to progress to the second round of the competition at home to Gloucester side Drybrook tomorrow. Centre John Rollason has a long-term knee injury, while winger Paul Leverton
-
Date
RUGBY: It gets serious now for Oxford
Oxford University captain Kevin Brennan says tomorrow's trip to Bath University will signal a change of tempo in their Varsity Match build-up. The scrum half has named as strong a squad as he has available for the clash and this will be the pattern
-
Date
TENNIS: Oxford trio are still a class above
Oxford top three clubs once again proved that they are the ones to beat. Oxford Sports (ladies), North Oxford (men) and Oxford City (mixed) were all crowned Division 1 champions in the 3-Pair League - the premier competition in the county. The ladies
-
Date
FIXTURES: The week's sporting calender
SATURDAY FOOTBALL FA TROPHY Prelim round: Bromsgrove Rov v Abingdon Utd, Oxford City v Bashley. FA VASE 1st round: AFC Totton v Chipping Norton Tn, Amesbury Tn v Thame Utd, Clanfield v Chalfont St Peter, Fareham Tn v Ardley Utd, North Leigh v Milton
-
Date
Today's local share prices (AM)
AEA Technology 98.5 BMW 2862 Electrocomponents 280 Isoft Group 55 Oxford Bio 29.75 Oxford Instruments 203 Oxonica 143.5 Reed Elsevier 595.75 RM 178.75 RPS 232.75 Torex Retail 38.75 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
-
Date
Today's local share prices (AM)
AEA Technology 98.5 BMW 2862 Electrocomponents 280 Isoft Group 55 Oxford Bio 29.75 Oxford Instruments 203 Oxonica 143.5 Reed Elsevier 595.75 RM 178.75 RPS 232.75 Torex Retail 38.75 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
-
Date
Cabbages and Kings: October 6, 2006
VIC, a one-man cabaret who sells the Big Issue, was in outstanding form. "I'm an untouchable, one of the chosen, with more protection orders than a row of stately homes," he said when I saw him in the city centre this week. Who or what had generated
-
Date
Grim place to live
I lived in Blackbird Leys from 1993-2004. Previously I had lived and worked as a police officer in many deprived areas of London. Your correspondent (Oxford Mail, September 26) and the Daily Mail article (September 18) were correct - it is a grim place
-
Date
We've had more than our share
I felt I had to reply to the excellent letter from Jo Alderhouse (Oxford Mail, September 23). I have lived in Lime Walk in Headington, Oxford, for more than 40 years and have been a regular walker of Warneford Meadow with dogs and children. I have
-
Date
Star role for the city bars
We award stars to hotels and restaurants, so why not bars? On the face of it, the scheme adopted by Nightsafe to grade pubs and bars in Oxford and encourage responsible drinking seems a good one. We're not sure that drinkers, after a few glasses,
-
Date
The Devil Wears Prada (PG)
View the trailer Meryl Streep seems destined for her 14th Oscar nomination for her portrayal of a domineering magazine editor in The Devil Wears Prada, the film version of Lauren Weisberger's international bestseller. The veteran actress is breathtaking
-
Date
Subway's taste is American dream
I used to live in America with a family who ran a Subway. Every night they'd come back from work with these wonderful sandwiches that we'd devour. I never got bored of this staple diet. But once I got home, no-one had ever heard of Subway, and I had
-
Date
Band on the up
Oxford band Fell City Girl have had an amazing year, but frontman Phil McMinn tells Tim Hughes, tomorrow looks like being the highlight so far. Few new bands command as much respect as Oxford's Fell City Girl. Not only are their gigs routinely packed
-
Date
Food for thought
Gordon Ramsay has achieved the impossible over the years. Not only has he managed to get his hands on an OBE, a multi-million pound restaurant portfolio, at least three TV shows at any given time and a wife and four kids, this fiery tempered, foul-mouthed
-
Date
Brookes names new Vice Chancellor
OXFORD Brookes University announced this morning that it has appointed Professor Janet Beer as its new Vice Chancellor. The Pro Vice Chancellor of Manchester Metropolitan University, who is also a special adviser in higher education to the House of
-
Date
'Without the JR I wouldn't be here'
Doctors have told Katie Christensen that her daily dose of vitamin B12 would be enough to keep the whole population of Oxford healthy. Miss Christensen, 28, from Witney, has a rare blood disorder and has to take huge quantities of the vitamin every
-
Date
Teen denies sex attack on student
A teenager yesterday admitted to a jury he was a burglar but denied being the man who sexually attacked a student at her college. Sead Mirvic, 18, of Ingle Close, Northway, Oxford, is accused of burglary, sexual assault and causing grievous bodily harm
-
Date
Accused ‘made trouble for ex’
A jury was told yesterday how a man accused of murder caused problems for his ex-wife and her new husband. Allan Kimber, 41, denies shooting Gary Morgan, 37, in the neck near the victim's home at Danesbrook Farm, Stanton St John, near Oxford, on October
-
Date
Pizza prince
Prince William stunned staff at a pizza restaurant at the Oxford Castle when he dropped in for a meal with his girlfriend. The Prince, 24, treated girlfriend Kate Middleton to some Italian food and a bottle of Chardonnay at Pizza Express in the £40m
-
Date
The final cut
An Oxford video shop owner says he is on the brink of closure because of high rent and rates. There has been a video shop in The Square, Botley, for 25 years, but now customers may lose it because owner Jo Spasic says the rent is unfair. Mr Spasic
-
Date
Safety scheme bites the dust
A £50m plan to improve the A415 between Abingdon and Witney is set to be abandoned by Oxfordshire County Council. The scheme had been seen as an important means of diverting traffic from the heavily congested A34 and A40. The A415 scheme would have
-
Date
Alonso outpaced at Suzuka
Enstone-based Renault F1 team driver Fernando Alonso lost the psychological advantage in his world title battle with Michael Schumacher when the German clocked a faster time in the second session of free practice ahead of Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix.
-
Date
Drop ban now
Gardeners say Thames Water's decision to continue imposing a domestic hosepipe and sprinkler ban over the winter will have only a minimal impact on conserving water. The company claims the continuation of the ban is necessary to save water over the
-
Date
Cuts unsafe say family doctors
Family doctors have branded cutbacks to children's and maternity services at the Horton Hospital in Banbury as unsafe and inhumane. In a report, the doctors have questioned whether Oxford-based clinicians have a genuine commitment to children's health
-
Date
Salon boss wants CCTV
A Bicester hairdresser who says his salon has been repeatedly targeted by vandals and burglars has called for greater security in the area. Martin Parker, who owns Parker's Hair Salon, in Dean's Court, said his business had suffered smashed windows,
-
Date
Blitz on dirt and litter
A blitz to rid Bicester of dirt, litter and rubbish is coming to the town next week. Cherwell District Council is throwing extra resources into cleaning up the Glory Farm area of the town - including extra street sweeping, graffiti removal, litter picking
-
Date
Blaze damages manor house
MORE than 60 firefighters spent last night tackling a blaze at a 14th-century manor house near Wantage. The fire started at 11.15pm at Philberd's Manor, in Halls Lane, East Hanney, and the two residents escaped before flames spread across the roof.
-
Date
Deer on road
Seeing a deer in a woodland glade is a rare, and quite special event - the shy creatures often keep as far away from people as possible. But seeing one at the side of the road when you are driving your car is not quite so magical, as the fear is they
-
Date
Choir culture
For the first time, boy choristers aged from eight to 80 will sing together at Oxford's Christ Church Cathedral to help maintain its 500-year choral tradition. A new trust has been established to support the cathedral's choir and a concert to celebrate
-
Date
Amber glows
When Debbie Ford's 20-week pregnancy scan seemed to be taking longer than usual, she began to worry. But when the doctor summoned a colleague to take a look, Mrs Ford knew something was definitely wrong. The scan, which shows many parents the sex
-
Date
Booze league
Every pub and bar in Oxford city centre is to be ranked in a league table - with the aim of making the area safer at night. Every one of the 70 plus premises in the city will be given a grading of three to five stars for the way they manage their premises
-
Date
New westgate 'vital for city'
Confidential documents have revealed that Oxford would suffer serious economic damage if a hash is made of the Westgate redevelopment. Plans for the £300m scheme to transform the shopping centre are due to be considered by a specially-convened planning
-
Date
Path's given power to the people
Chipping Norton residents showed the value of people power as they persuaded a housing developer not to close a footpath. More than 120 people in the town signed a petition against the decision by Persimmon Homes to temporarily close a path that runs
-
Date
Fire destroys manor house
More than 60 firefighters spent last night tackling a blaze at a 14th century manor house near Wantage. The fire started at 11.15pm at Philberd's Manor, in Halls Lane, East Hanney, and the two residents escaped before flames spread across the roof.
-
Date
Cutting his ties
A hairdresser is packing his scissors and tongs to work on a missionary hospital ship in Africa. Luke Lehmann, 26, above, has left work as art director at an Oxford salon and is set to fly to Ghana as a volunteer with Mercy Ships, a global charity which
-
Date
Rail-death victim named as director's wife
THE woman killed by a train at Wolvercote was last night identified as the wife of a famous Polish film director. Officials formally identified the woman as 53-year-old Irina Pawlikowska, who lived in Lincombe Lane, Boars Hill, Oxford. She died when
-
Date
Man accused of murder ‘made trouble for ex-wife'
A JURY was told yesterday how a man accused of murder caused problems for his ex-wife and her new husband. Allan Kimber, 41, denies shooting Gary Morgan, 37, in the neck near the victim's home at Danesbrook Farm, Stanton St John, near Oxford, on October
-
Date
Hospital jobs 'may go to India or United States'
HOSPITAL staff say hundreds of local jobs could be threatened by the outsourcing of secretarial work to foreign workers in India or the United States. Fears that the Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust might transfer a hefty slice of clerical and administration
-
Date
City centre bars given safety rating
EVERY pub and bar in Oxford city centre is to be ranked in a league table - with the aim of making the area safer at night. Every one of the 70 plus premises in the city will be given a grading of three to five stars for the way they manage their premises
-
Date
Source of trouble
We are all for the NHS looking at more efficient ways of doing things. If it means more people can be helped for the same money, then it has to be a good thing. We do have serious doubts about the wisdom of outsourcing jobs abroad. The Oxford Radcliffe
-
Date
Sabres rattle
The sabres are still rattling at Oxford Town Hall It seems they have been told that they have a 50:50 chance of challenging the county council's decision to introduce a £40 charge for residents' parking permits on the basis that the consultation was flawed
-
Date
Subaru impresses with 4x4 newcomer
SUBARU is introducing an entry-level version of its Impreza. Called the 1.5R Sports Wagon, and available this week, the five-door-only model is a permanent member of the Impreza range and costs £12,495 on-the-road. This is despite standard equipment
-
Date
Legend lift
Honda's latest version of its luxury executive car, the Legend, has been given a vote of confidence from Glass's Guide. Official September figures value the Legend at 35 per cent after three years or 60,000 miles - in line with Honda's targets announced
-
Date
Mondeo stirs up passions in Paris
THE new Ford Mondeo has made its world debut at the 2006 Paris Motor Show. Ford of Europe's stylish new flagship model is being previewed in its estate bodystyle in near production specification, with its launch scheduled across Europe from the second
-
Date
Roadtest: Fiat's just grande
Fiat's friendly little Punto always had its share of adoring fans, but its new Grande successor is simply a star car. Those are hard-earned Euro NCAP crash test stars - a maximum five-star safety rating for passenger safety, three stars for child protection
-
Date
Too easy to be blinded by car takeover
Sir - I was encouraged by the efforts of the volunteers during European Car-Free day on September 22. However I was disappointed that Broad Street was still open to traffic. It seemed like a token gesture that only a very small section of this beautiful
-
Date
Co-operation needed to address city transport
Sir, Letters concerning the inadequacies of transport in Oxford continue to feature in your columns. Serious issues such as parking, city-centre buses, cycle routes and pollution remain unaddressed - indeed, the Westgate scheme will only make matters
-
Date
Dangerous scenario
Sir, Once again, Oxford is facing another massive expansion without satisfactorily planning the bus access and interchange routes in advance. There seems no decision on diverting buses from congested Queen Street. The former proposed bus station, or bus
-
Date
Bus bedlam
Sir, I read with much interest three letters concerning the problem of buses in Queen Street, Oxford (September 29). Particularly the one from the Oxford Bus Company. What has happened to the many good ideas that were submitted by the people of Oxford
-
Date
Bus views canvassed
Sir, On September 15 you reported that several Herschel Crescent residents, and councillor Gill Sanders, had held a protest because there is no longer a direct bus service between Herschel Crescent, Littlemore and Donnington Health Centre on the Iffley
-
Date
Above the law?
Sir, Apologies to those who had hoped to never again see a letter about hunting, however, although the law to ban hunting with hounds was passed with the strong approval of the majority of the electorate, unfortunately recently viewed hunt activity suggests
-
Date
Prejudged decision
Sir, You have given space recently to discussion of how perfunctory the county council's consultation exercise over the extended North Oxford parking scheme was. I have just received a letter about the experimental temporary closure of Jackson Road asking
-
Date
Therapeutic contact
Sir, For family health reasons I am a regular visitor to the Churchill Hospital. In years past we enjoyed the meadows, the rabbits, the pond, the ducks and the occasional heron. They made you feel that even ill people can be human, part of the great web
-
Date
Prince pops in for a pizza
PRINCE William stunned staff at a pizza restaurant at the Oxford Castle when he dropped in for a meal with his girlfriend. The Prince, 24, treated girlfriend Kate Middleton to a pizza and a bottle of Chardonnay at Pizza Express in the £40m Oxford Castle
-
Date
Drivers stuck in 15-mile jams
HUNDREDS of drivers have been caught in motorway tailbacks up to 15-miles long for three consecutive mornings as roads managers argue about the reason. The lengthy tailbacks on the southbound carriageway have stretched from junction 9 of the M40 at
-
Date
Lack of analysis
Sir, I am disturbed by the lack of discussion of the proposed Westgate expansion, which comes up for planning approval soon. Many important features of this development are being ignored. The enlarged Westgate would be three times the size of the current
-
Date
Safety paramount
Sir, I am pleased that my letter of September 22 resulted in three respondents. Barbara Raw reveals that an astonishing 90 buses an hour use Queen Street which is obviously the cause of the log jams. A solution was found to pedestrianise Cornmarket
-
Date
Better say
Sir, Very little is heard of the rights of the alumni of Oxford University these days. Yet they are the first port of call for most fundraising. They are usually classed as 'non-resident MAs'. Their college and university rights are limited. They can
-
Date
Polluter pays
Sir, It is good to see some publicity for the alternative view on parking permits, that "charges are good" (Letters, September 29)."Polluter pays" is now a generally accepted rule for raising money to pay for damage to the environment. It is not unreasonable
-
Date
Brighten our lives
Sir, We don't all run cars, you know. Why should it be assumed that we do? We have our reasons. It may be poverty, it may be that we have had relatives killed by the beastly things. It may be that we consider them in every respect a blight on the environment
-
Date
Save post offices
Sir, Rural post offices are an essential lifeline for many older people in Oxfordshire, yet their future is at risk unless the Government acts quickly. The Government will decide whether to extend its current subsidy of rural post offices this autumn
-
Date
Home truths
Sir, I am the member of the public whose short speech to the full meeting of Oxfordshire County Council on September 12 attracted a cry of rubbish' from councillor Terry Joslin. I would like to respond to councillor Joslin's subsequent letter about this
-
Date
Cycling city
Sir, As a regular city cyclist could I use your columns to remind students and other newcomers to Oxford of the rules of the road? Don't cycle in Queen Street and Cornmarket between 10am and 6pm. Don't ignore red traffic lights. Do use the green cycling
-
Date
Police target speeding drivers
SPEEDING drivers will be targeted in Carterton today by the town's Neighbourhood Policing Team as part of Operation Joule. Starting at 8am and running throughout the morning, the team, in conjunction with Roads Policing, will be out with the Speed Indicator
-
Date
Jaguar XS limited edition returns
THE striking S-Type XS Limited Edition returns to Guy Salmon Jaguar this autumn following the popular success of its predecessor first introduced back in February. Just 200 further examples of the S-Type XS are being produced. Dealer principal Gareth
-
Date
Aston dons new image
Fashion designer Amanda Wakeley will act as an ambassador for Aston Martin globally and will design an 'Amanda Wakeley for Aston Martin' clothing collection, launching next year that will be distributed via the Amanda Wakeley website and also through
-
Date
Diesel dynamo
Audi is planning to launch a 500 horsepower, 6.0-litre V12 version of the Q7 off-roader, which will become the world's most powerful diesel passenger car. Audi says the car will accelerate from 0-62mph in 5.5 seconds, and on to an electronically-limited
-
Date
Lexus backs players
LEXUS Oxford is backing the youngsters of Wheatley rugby team for glory in the Lexus Junior Rugby festival. The centre is sponsoring the club's youth teams in the new nationwide tournament which is designed to encourage sporting achievement among young
-
Date
Williams chase more points at Suzuka
THE Grove-based WilliamsF1 team aim to score more points at Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka. Technical director Sam Michael said aerodynamic changes to the FW28 which were run last weekend in Shanghai would stay on the cars in Japan. He said
