Archive
-
Date
'No road pricing in Oxfordshire'
OXFORDSHIRE County Council has repeated its opposition to road pricing, saying it would hit poorer motorists hardest. In new laws announced by the Government today, councils will get powers to tackle congestion by introducing local road pricing schemes
-
Date
Anger over dumped trolleys
DOZENS of trolleys are being taken from Oxford supermarkets and abandoned in side streets. In the last five weeks alone, 50 trolleys have gone from Tesco in Cowley Road - forcing managers to order an entire new fleet. East Oxford residents are also
-
Date
'Unfair' road pricing schemes ruled out
Oxfordshire County Council has ruled out introducing road pricing, saying it would hit poorer motorists hardest. In new laws announced by the Government today, councils will get powers to tackle congestion by introducing local road pricing schemes.
-
Date
Anger over trolley jollies
Dozens of trolleys are being stolen from Oxford supermarkets and being abandoned in side streets. In the last five weeks alone, 50 trolleys have gone from Tesco in Cowley Road - forcing managers to order an entire new fleet. East Oxford residents
-
Date
Cool-hand Luke gets England call-up
Oxford United defender Luke Foster has been placed on stand-by for the England C squad for their Challenge Trophy Group A fixture with Finland. Fellow U's defender Matt Day has already been included in the England non-league team party, although Day
-
Date
Star striker Steele is centre of attention
Cynics among the Northwich Victoria supporters have been suggesting that the club's big financial problems may have had something to do with Lee Steele missing Vics' last FA Cup tie through injury. In other words, the club didn't want him cup-tied,
-
Date
Northwich are strapped for cash
Northwich Victoria, tomorrow's FA Cup opponents for the U's, are in deep financial trouble. The club looked set to go into liquidation at the end of October, but a group of Manchester businessmen came to the rescue. The consortium is in the process
-
Date
Fisher double gives U's a boost
Les Taylor says Oxford United's superb 2-1 extra-time win over AFC Bournemouth in the FA Youth Cup at Court Place Farm on Wednesday night is a great boost for the club's youth development team. Two goals from Alex Fisher (pictured in action against
-
Date
U's must grasp golden chance
It's that rarest of events at Oxford United . . . a home FA Cup tie on a Saturday - and on paper they will never have a better chance of progressing in this plum tie. Opponents Northwich Victoria have lost every away game this season, apart from their
-
Date
Food waste collection closer
PLANS to build a food treatment centre to handle Oxfordshire's kitchen waste moved forward this week, with Oxford residents likely to see the return of weekly collections of food waste within 18 months. Oxfordshire County Council announced that it is
-
Date
REVIEW: Planet Terror (18)
Robert Rodriguez's bloody homage to '60s and '70s horror films was originally released in America as one half of the ill-fated Grindhouse double-bill with Quentin Tarantino's Death Proof. Planet Terror shoots to kill as a standalone feature on this
-
Date
Kitchen waste plant 'by 2009'
A food treatment centre to handle Oxfordshire's kitchen waste could be up and running within 18 months. Oxfordshire County Council announced tonight it was inviting tenders from companies to build "one or more" plants to process food and green waste
-
Date
Police reopen file on 1989 murders
HOPES are being pinned on new forensic techniques for fresh clues in the unsolved murder of an Oxfordshire couple. Dyfed-Powys Police in west Wales were today giving details into the reinvestigation of the shootings of Peter and Gwenda Dixon, from Witney
-
Date
Police forces appoint joint computer director
THAMES Valley Police and Hampshire Constabulary have appointed a joint Information and Communication Technology Director. It is believed that the appointment of John Hall represents the first time such a joint role has been created by two police forces
-
Date
Survivor vows to continue campaign
An Oxford woman named Ultimate Campaigner of the Year has vowed that the award will spur her on to greater heights. Rwandan genocide survivor Liliane Umubyeyi, who is 29 and lives in Shepherds Hill, Greater Leys, was honoured in the real life category
-
Date
Youth theatre spreads its wings
THIS month Oxford Youth Theatre, based at the Pegasus Theatre, in Magdalen Road, Oxford, celebrates 45 years of theatrical innovation and success. Starting from the most humble of beginnings, Pegasus is now regarded as one of the country's leading centres
-
Date
Hell for leather
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club's Peter Hayes talks about rebellion, smoking and getting back to the wilderness It's mid-afternoon in the Beta Bar - a cool, but smoky, rock venue in Florida's laid-back state capital Tallahassee. Between sound-checks,
-
Date
WAGAMAMA: Eastern feastin'
Alan Carter enjoys a taste of Japan, despite the crush WAGA - WHAT? Wagamama. A chain of noodle restaurants modelled allegedly on traditional Ramen bars in Japan, they've got numerous branches in London and have been branching out into the rest
-
Date
LIONS FOR LAMBS (15)
Drama/Action. Robert Redford, Meryl Streep, Tom Cruise, Michael Pena, Derek Luke, Andrew Garfield, Peter Berg. Director: Robert Redford Lions For Lambs is the latest drama fashioned from newspaper headlines about conflict in the Middle East, and
-
Date
Shopping paradise
For the millions of shoppers from all over the world (and Oxford) who head into the West End and pad along the iconic pavements of Bond Street, Oxford Street and Regent Street, getting the most of their visit when faced with more than 600 shops takes
-
Date
Flooded restaurant set to reopen
An Oxford fast food restaurant is set to reopen - more than four months after it was forced to close due to flooding. The cellar at McDonald's in Botley Road was completely submerged in water, and the restaurant filled with 2ft of potentially contaminated
-
Date
RUGBY UNION: Quins kicked out of cup
Oxford Harlequins have been kicked out of the EDF Energy National Trophy for fielding an ineligible player. Quins were due to face North Walsham next week, but were punished after it emerged flanker Mark Herbert was not properly registered for their
-
Date
Today's local share prices (PM)
AEA Technology 114 BMW 2928 Electrocomponents 241 Nationwide Accident Repair 146.5 Oxford Biomedica 31 Oxford Catalyst 154 Oxford Instruments 222.25 Reed Elsevier 599.25 RM 198.5 RPS Group 358.75 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
-
Date
The ice rink cometh
A cool new attraction will transform the heart of Didcot into a winter wonderland. For one week the town will have its first ever outdoor ice rink. The rink will be set up in the "amphitheatre" area at the bottom of the steps of the Orchard Centre
-
Date
RUGBY UNION: Hawks are unchanged
Henley Hawks should be unchanged for the first time this season when Southend visit Dry Leas in National 2 on Saturday. Centre Jaymes Chapman is now back in full training following the rib injury he suffered at Wharfedale at the end of September.
-
Date
House scheme debate moved
There has been a new twist in the fight to preserve a Wantage building which campaigners want to turn into a community arts centre. Berkeley Homes is seeking planning permission to build 229 homes on the former St Mary's School site. The proposals would
-
Date
U's must end this waiting game
Jim Smith's future must be made clear, writes sports editor Mark Edwards. Whether the Bald Eagle stays on as manager or moves upstairs, we need a firm decision to clarify the situation for the remainder of the season at least. Smith has said that
-
Date
Stolen goods trial jury discharged
THE trial of three men accused of attempting to handle stolen goods has collapsed after additional prosecution evidence came to light. Zafran Abbasi, 28, of Gaisford Road, Cowley, denied four charges of attempting to handle stolen goods; James Sofidiya
-
Date
FOOTBALL: Abingdon struck by Flanagan blow
Abingdon Town midfielder Mark Flanagan could be out for up to eight weeks after breaking an eye socket against Hook Norton. In the same game, defender Christian Perkins had to have stitches in a head wound, but he should be fit for tomorrow's Sport
-
Date
Making a noise to fund a cause
The organiser of a charity music festival being held in Oxford on Saturday is calling on people to put their hands in their pockets and support the cause. The seventh Audioscope Festival takes place at the Oxford Carling Academy, in Cowley Road, and
-
Date
Pub shuts for major makeover
One of Abingdon's oldest pubs - the 16th century Kings Head and Bell - has closed for a revamp. Barry Ladhar, of owners Ladhar Leisure, said: "We plan to invest a substantial amount of money for a major internal refurbishment. In the meantime, we have
-
Date
FOOTBALL: City rocked as Jones limps out
Oxford City could be without the experienced Mark Jones (pictured) for several weeks with a hamstring tear as they look to end their jinx on Windsor & Eton tomorrow. The former Thame United midfielder who has been ever-present for the British Gas Business
-
Date
Let's get Carta
A search to establish the whereabouts of the remaining 13th century manuscripts of Magna Carta has confirmed that nearly a quarter of them are in Oxford's Bodleian Library. The survey was conducted in advance of Sotheby's sale of a rare copy of Magna
-
Date
Town turns stage again
The last of a series of theatre performances using prominent places in Wallingford as a backdrop takes place on Saturday at St Leonard's Church. And as the other three have attracted big audiences, organiser Polly Gibson is going to stage two performances
-
Date
Of Enoch and the actress
IT WAS quiet in Sainsbury's Kidlington. Checkout staff had time to talk to customers. The woman in front was voluble, cheerful and large - like her trolley-full of food. There were enough potatoes to stave off a famine; a mountain of carrots; half
-
Date
Bangers a smash
A small part of Oxfordshire is making the sausage world its own, with a clutch of gold banger awards. Three butchers, based within a few miles of each other in west Oxfordshire, came away with top prizes for their tasty sizzlers this week. Top of
-
Date
ROWING: Home-grown talent boosts Wallingford
Wallingford excelled in winning the men's junior quads at the 550-strong Fullers Fours Head from Mortlake to Putney. They won with a crew of home-grown talent - nurtured by coach Ben Townsend - apart from Simon Steele, who arrived from Magdalen College
-
Date
BADMINTON: Oxon run out of steam
Oxfordshire lost 10-5 to Hertfordshire 3rd when they opened their campaign in Division 1C of the Inter-County Championship at Hatfield. The visitors made a promising start, halving the singles through county champion Ryan Manvel and Amanda King. A
-
Date
TENNIS: Lucy gets call-up
Lucy Brown has been called up to the Great Britain junior tennis team to go out to South Africa at the end of the month for two under 18 tournaments. Following on from her under 14 England selection last month, Lucy (pictured) then won the finals of
-
Date
FIXTURES Nov 10
SATURDAY. FOOTBALL. FA CUP. 1st round: Oxford Utd v Northwich Victoria. BRITISH GAS BUSINESS SOUTHERN LEAGUE. Premier Div: Banbury Utd v Hitchin Tn. Div 1 South & West: Abingdon Utd v Godalming, Bracknell Tn v Didcot Tn, Windsor & Eton v Oxford
-
Date
Local author
US-born Deborah Siepmann teaches at Tudor Hall in Banbury and Cothill, near Abingdon. Her first novel, Starlight Over Simla (Robert Hale, £18.99), tells the story of a young Edwardian lady who travels to India in search of adventure.
-
Date
Why do we think we're on different planets?
Deborah Cameron's favourite postcard bears the slogan: "Men are from Earth. Women are from Earth. Deal with it." Having spent 30 years looking for evidence of language differences between men and women, she is flabbergasted that it is now an accepted
-
Date
Fresh hope in double murder
Detectives are hoping new forensic evidence may finally solve the two-decade old mystery of a couple's execution-style murder. The fresh investigation into the killing of Peter and Gwenda Dixon on the coastline of west Wales is being carried out by
-
Date
Books choice
On the Trail of Britain's Fairy Folk (VisitBritain, £14.99) Even if you don't believe in fairies you may find this enchanting. And if you have seen these elusive little creatures at the bottom of your garden and are convinced that they exist in other
-
Date
University takes classics to new generation
A BOOK that tells the tale of Jason and the Argonauts is being offered free to children across the county. Oxford University's classics outreach department has 45 copies of Jason! by Leonard Colston West to give away as part of a competition to promote
-
Date
War and peace
TRESPASS Valerie Martin (Weidenfeld, £16.99)In 2003 Valerie Martin won the Orange Prize for Property, a riveting novel about slavery. In her latest book, she again plays out individual lives against bigger concerns, this time of civil war and aggression
-
Date
Ofsted praises pupils' choice
A SCHOOL has been praised for the wide range of courses it offers its students. Bicester Community College received a good report from the education watchdog Ofsted, celebrating the success of its curriculum. Inspectors said the 1,376-student college's
-
Date
Botanical artists
From 1828 to 1851, the ladies of the Clifford family of Frampton Court in Gloucestershire - four sisters and their three aunts - painted every plant and flower they found. The paintings were only rediscovered in 1982, having been stitched up in scrapbooks
-
Date
Bright idea
Ho-ho-ho, here we go again, having to put up with those awful Christmas lights in the centre of Oxford. They are about as in vogue as having an Oxford United matching duvet and pillowcase set on one's bed. Give us some colour please, Oxford city councillors
-
Date
Elusive Mr Mortimer
A VOYAGE ROUND JOHN MORTIMER Valerie Grove (Penguin/Viking £25) The shadow of Penelope Mortimer looms very large over the first half of this authorised biography, with Grove focusing on the writer's wife to such an extent that she almost begins to
-
Date
Rocket racket
Yet more countless nights having to endure terrified dogs and panicking horses as the fireworks have now turned into something more like the blitz. I can see people's enjoyment in colourful fireworks but I cannot understand what pleasure people get
-
Date
Taking it to the limit
Why is it that Oxfordshire County Council insists on making journeys a real nightmare for motorists? I read in this newspaper that some bright person working for Thames Valley Police had parked his speed camera van on the cycle track on the Eastern
-
Date
A shining example
The closure of Banbury's aluminium works in Southam Road with the loss of 337 jobs will bring to an end a 75-year-old saga, which began by spelling the regeneration of a town falling into moribund decay. Oxford University tutor Margaret Stacey, in her
-
Date
A caring heart
Caring for people is far more than a full-time job for Oxfordshire woman Anne Brownson. Mrs Brownson, who is one of three people across the UK nominated as Carer of the Year in the Headway Annual Awards, spends her life dedicated to looking after others
-
Date
Students create a 'wonderwall'
Scrawling on the walls of your school is something that would usually land you in detention. But at Oxford Community School, in Glanville Road, East Oxford, a whole series of dramatic and diverse wall paintings are emerging as part of a special project
-
Date
Grandparents go back to school
Grannies and grandads have been going back to school this week as part of a new initiative at an Oxfordshire primary school. Pupils at Appleton CofE Primary School, in Appleton, near Abingdon, had their grandparents in class with them this week as part
-
Date
Southern Rhone mixed case £76
The Southern Rhône Valley has been producing wine since Roman times and for hundreds of years its wines were prized above even those of Burgundy. Using a mix of grapes that are predominantly grenache and syrah, the wines are spicy, concentrated and packed
-
Date
Is it so wrong to be a bon-viveur?
It has been an interesting week. It began with my first (and no doubt last) live television appearance on the BBC's Sunday morning debate programme, The Big Questions. I wasn't too unhappy about being identified for my bon-viveur lifestyle and their hope
-
Date
Ofsted praises pupils' choice
A college has been praised for the wide range of courses it offers its students. Bicester Community College received a good report from the education watchdog Ofsted, celebrating the success of its curriculum. Inspectors said the 1,376-student college's
-
Date
University takes classics to a new generation
A book that that tells the tale of Jason and the Argonauts is being offered free to kids across the county. Oxford University's classics outreach department has 45 copies of Jason! by Leonard Colston West to give away as part of a competition to promote
-
Date
Hopes of breakthrough over couple's murder in 1989
Hopes are being pinned on new forensic techniques for fresh clues in the unsolved murder of an Oxfordshire couple. Dyfed-Powys Police in west Wales were today giving details into the reinvestigation of the cold-blooded shootings of Peter and Gwenda
-
Date
Today's local share prices (AM)
AEA Technology 114.75 BMW 2929 Electrocomponents 243.25 Nationwide Accident Repair 147.5 Oxford Biomedica 30 Oxford Catalyst 154 Oxford Instruments 222.25 Reed Elsevier 603.5 RM 198.5 RPS Group 361.25 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
-
Date
Luxury 4x4
The go-anywhere Toyota Land Cruiser, one of the more legendary names in luxury off-roading, has just gained a new flagship model, the Invincible. It replaces the previous LC5 model. Available with either a 3.0-litre diesel or 4.0-litre petrol engine
-
Date
VW unveils Space Up!
The Space Up! - the latest concept to join the Volkswagen Up! small-car family - has just been unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show in Japan. A modest small car, its spacious interior features four individual seats, three of which can either be folded
-
Date
Fiesta special
The Ford Fiesta line-up gains another special edition, and the bright green paint job plus black and white chequered roof points it firmly at younger buyers. The Fiesta 1.6-litre Zetec S Celebration is priced £12,595, and goes on sale in Britain this
-
Date
Compact concepts the next big thing
JAPANESE manufacturers have been showcasing some cute-looking urban motoring concepts at their home show, Tokyo, and the recurring theme is one of small packages being the next big thing. Toyota, for instance, is not only highlighting ground-breaking
-
Date
Laguna holds out value hopes
RENAULT'S new Laguna hatchback has entered UK showrooms and ordering has opened for top-of-the-range Hatch Initiale and Sport Tourer models, which are due to go on sale in January. The new range has insurance group ratings improved by up to two group
-
Date
Mini fans plan big celebration
MINI fans can look out for a big anniversary bash in the UK in 2009, celebrating 50 years since Alec Issigonis's legend first took to the road. Worldwide gatherings of Mini fans have been staged every two years since 2005, and while this year's took
-
Date
Mondeo wins top safety rating
The new Ford Mondeo has won a five-star rating for adult occupant protection in the latest round of Euro NCAP safety testing. The test result for Mondeo was one of the top ten ever recorded in the respected independent crash testing evaluations. Mondeo
-
Date
Help relieve the workplace stress of dyslexia
David is a great asset to his company, reliable and hard working. "How would you like a promotion?" they ask. But David is worried. "I'm not sure I could cope with the extra paperwork," he said. David is one of the many who suffer from dyslexia. Do
-
Date
The night I developed a taste for pumpkin
'I once judged a 'cooking with pumpkin' contest here," I told the licensees of the Plough at Finstock after the delicious Sunday lunch there. What I had forgotten was that the occasion - as long ago as October 1976 - is preserved on film. That's me on
-
Date
Roadtest: BMW's no softie
BMW reckon the new BMW M6 Convertible is the fastest soft-top they have - but that's not strictly true. The BMW-powered Sauber F1 cars piloted around the world's Grand Prix tracks in the hands of Nick Heidfeld and Robert Kubica should properly claim
-
Date
Revisit the Thames with Henry Taunt
New book puts the spotlight on pioneer photographer's major project of his life, writes CHRIS KOENIG Oxford photographer, writer and publisher Henry Taunt (1852-1922) warned anyone messing about in boats near Oxford of the dangers of the weir at
-
Date
Visiting the Royal Academy in style
As I write, the glorious autumn we have been experiencing over the past three or four weeks appears rapidly to be coming to an end. How wonderful it has been though, perhaps the best I can remember in half a century, and almost a compensation (but not
-
Date
Time to pick your Carol
VAL BOURNE suggests some colourful indoor bulbs for winter The best beloved has (or had) a fetish for big bulbs - the bigger and uglier the better. His first acquisition was Urginia maritima, the Sea Squill. But this lost its attraction quickly
-
Date
Why does Sir Ian Blair live off his patch?
I am sure that many of my readers will have had an "Is it him?" moment - perhaps in a restaurant, or queuing in a supermarket, or maybe simply strolling through sunny North Oxford. OK, so he's not wearing his fancy hat and epaulettes (they will have said
-
Date
Bird atlas for 21st century
A major RSPB-led survey of Oxfordshire birds lasting four years is launched this month and volunteers are asked to play a vital role, writes PETER BARRINGTON Red kites have been a big wildlife success story ever since they were introduced into the
-
Date
Channel 4 after 25 years — the hits and misses
Channel 4 is celebrating its 25th anniversary, having been launched in November 1982. The channel's remit was always to produce innovative and distinctive programmes. Channel 4 at 25 (Channel 4) surveyed its history and suggested how much it has fulfilled
-
Date
Singers moved to Tears by past and innovation
As choral ensemble The Sixteen heads for Oxford for the first of a series of concerts NICOLA LISLE talks to the group's founder and conductor Harry Christophers This week Mexico, next week Oxford. These days, The Sixteen rarely seems to stand still
-
Date
The Plough Inn, Finstock
Lunch at a good country pub will, I suspect, soon become something of a rarity. This is chiefly because good country pubs are themselves disappearing with frightening rapidity (good urban ones too, for that matter). Many of the survivors hardly conform
-
Date
Prints of a red hue — in politics and sorghum
The Ashmolean Museum has one of the finest collections of modern Chinese prints in Europe and some of them are on view in a special exhibition, writes SYLVIA VETTA This exhibition may be small in size but not in ambition. The Ashmolean Museum has
-
Date
Smoked saddle of venison (serves two)
Smoked venison already comes with its own flavour, so very little has to be done to enhance it. Redcurrant jelly is traditonally served as an accompaniment, though some Oxfordshire chefs served it with blackberries this year, which was a delicious touch
-
Date
Spencer's sacred piece of ground
THERESA THOMPSON reviews the first exhibition in the newly re-opened Stanley Spencer Gallery Sarah Tubb, eyes shut, ashen-faced, and round, kneels to pray on the cold, hard pavement slabs at the gate of her home in Cookham High Street. She prays
-
Date
We should all take up smoking for flavour
There was a time when people relied on smoke-cured meat and fish to keep them fed during the winter months when food was scare. Now people reach for such products because they enjoy their mild, smoky flavour. Although the design of the kilns used to
-
Date
Lions for Lambs
During the Second World War, cinema was a powerful weapon for Britain and Germany in the battle for the hearts and minds of the public. A weekly trip to the local picture house became a simple yet effective way to disseminate propaganda to the masses;
-
Date
Teachers trek to aid life of Indian child
Oxfordshire visitors welcomed by ten-year-old in remote village, writes PETER CANN Two teachers from Oxfordshire recently made the trek to India in order to meet one of the girls their school have been sponsoring, through the international charity
-
Date
The Witnesses, Blame it On Fidel, IN Memory of Myself, Heima and Air Guitar Ntion
With films like Z, The Confession and The Siege to his credit, Constantin Costa-Gavras was the titan of 1970s political cinema and his daughter Julie has clearly drawn on her recollections of the times, as well as Domitilla Calamai's novel, for her directorial
-
Date
Four freed from crash
FIREFIGHTERS set four people free following a crash between two cars on the southbound Oxford ring road, between Rose Hill and Headington at 6.30pm last night. Fire crews also cleaned up fuel spilled in the accident.
-
Date
Fire crew called to crash
FIREFIGHTERS were called to crossroads at Wroxton Heath at 5.39am today after a car left the road and overturned into the hedge. The driver was not seriously hurt in the crash.
-
Date
Christian Forshaw's Sanctuary: University Church
Despite its close association with jazz, the saxophone made its debut in a choral work by Berlioz, thematically linking the instrument to the music of Christian Forshaw's ensemble Sanctuary which performed at the University Church on Friday. Although
-
Date
City of Oxford Choir: Wesley Memorial Church
Enthusiasm, commitment and energy were very much in evidence at the City of Oxford Choir's concert at the Wesley Memorial Church last Saturday. This was a finely-balanced programme of music by Brahms and Dvorák, ranging from romantic lieder to Dvorák's
-
Date
Four rescued after road crash
Firefighters set four people free following a crash between two cars on the southbound Oxford ring road, between Rose Hill and Headington, at 6.30pm last night. Fire crews also cleaned up fuel spilled in the accident.
-
Date
Elinor Tolley, Brian Sinfield Gallery, Burford
Elinor Tolley worked in the genetics unit of Oxford University's biochemistry department for 27 years. Maybe the research gave her a feel for what we are as a species. She loves people en masse and I can imagine her painting with a wry smile. Brian Sinfield
-
Date
Car overturns in crash
Firefighters were called to Horton crossroads at Wroxton Heath, Banbury, at 5.39am today after a car left the road and overturned into the hedge. The driver was not seriously hurt in the crash.
-
Date
Au Revoir Parapluie: James Thiérrée, Sadlers Wells
Au Revoir Parapluie is a marvellous, surrealistic show, but although an umbrella - well, actually a parasol - does appear, the title gives no hint at the cornucopia of wonderful scenes that flow with extraordinary imagination and smoothness through this
-
Date
Christmas Crackers, the Sewell Centre, Radley College
Radley College is exhibiting some fine work - from paintings to pots, jewellery to jerseys, rags to riches. Janet Cross has perfected the traditional art of rag rugging, recycling fabrics for her vibrant and useful objects. Her lime green chenille handbag
-
Date
Lielisire d'amore: Glyndebourne Touring Opera. Milton Keynes Theatre
The Andrew Lloyd Webber of his day? It's a title that could arguably be applied to Donizetti. Following its premiere in 1832, his L'elisir d'amore soon became the most frequently performed opera in Italy. Now L'elisir, the delicious story of Nemorino,
-
Date
Neil Angilley: The Spin, Oxford
Neil Angilley has worked with musicians as diverse as Ben E.King and Vanessa Mae, for whom he accompanied the violinist in both her pop' and her classical repertoire. This wealth of experience and necessary technical control was evident within the first
-
Date
Sweet Witcher, Mansfield College
There was a brilliant note in the programme for Sweet Witchery, a celebration of gothic-influenced women writers, held in the atmospheric environs of Mansfield College Chapel. It concerned one of the writers featured, the forgotten 19th-century dramatist
-
Date
Choros: Exeter College Chapel
What do composers Heinrich Schütz (born 1585) and James MacMillan (born 1959) have in common? Perhaps not a lot, but Choros conductor Janet Lincé decided to test the water and alternate them in one concert - the idea coming, she told us beforehand, from
-
Date
The Glass Cage, The Royal Theatre, Northampton
"A man who writes to be read and not to be performed is no dramatist," said J.B.Priestley in a lecture published in 1957. In that same year, he penned a play that was destined - after brief airings in Canada and London - to be neither read nor performed
-
Date
Henry V, the Royal Shakespeare Company, Stratford-upon-Avon
An almighty bang shakes the stage of the Courtyard Theatre. Trapdoors fly open in all directions to release an invading army, with swords and ladders at the ready. "Once more unto the breach, dear friends!" The siege of Harfleur is under way. Jaw-jaw
-
Date
Smith decision delayed
The decision on Jim Smith's future as Oxford United manager has been delayed following the postponement of Wednesday night's scheduled board meeting. Smith was due to meet with co-owner Ian Lenagan and chairman Nick Merry to discuss United's position
-
Date
Bus firm takes express award
OXFORD Bus Company has been named the UK's express bus operator of the year at the prestigious annual UK Bus Awards. The company won the honour for its Airline service, which runs between Oxford and Heathrow airport. A double celebration for the city
-
Date
NHS workers 'more at risk of assault'
WORKERS at one of Oxfordshire's smallest NHS trusts are more at risk of being assaulted than their colleagues at the county's hospitals. Figures released today show that 368 staff at the Ridgeway Partnership, formerly the Oxfordshire Learning Disability
-
Date
Eco-racer to be unveiled
THE world's first hydrogen-powered racing car will go on display today at Science Oxford in St Clement's. The Royal Society of Chemistry is visiting the attraction run by the Oxford Trust, and scientists will discuss the motor sport industry and reducing
-
Date
Minister resigns to race car
DEFENCE minister Lord Drayson, founder of Oxford pharmaceuticals company PowderJect, is quitting the Government to enter the 24-hour Le Mans car race. The 47-year-old former apprentice at the Cowley car factory is resigning his unpaid post to enter
-
Date
Accused ‘didn’t know goods were stolen’
POLICE officers did not make it clear goods were "stolen" when they sold them to three Oxford men in an undercover operation, a jury was told yesterday. Zafran Abbasi, 28, of Gaisford Road, Cowley, denies four charges of attempting to handle stolen
-
Date
Petrol above national average
MOTORISTS in Oxfordshire are routinely paying more than £1 for a litre of petrol because of rising oil prices. The average cost of unleaded petrol broke the £1 barrier in Oxford yesterday, and is now at 100.1p per litre - higher than the national average
-
Date
Father and son set to serve together
A SOLDIER has volunteered to serve with his father in Afghanistan - despite the fact that he has been fighting in Iraq for the last six months. Lance Corporal Chris Hutchinson, 25, followed in his father David's footsteps by signing up to an Army
-
Date
Fisher nets Youth Cup victory
Oxford United reached the second round of the FA Youth Cup with a 2-1 extra-time victory over AFC Bournemouth at Court Place Farm last night. Alex Fisher scored both goals to earn his side a trip to Stevenage in round two.
-
Date
FOOTB ALL: Late goals end Abingdon's Trophy run
Abingdon United pushed Ryman Premier side Maidstone United all the way in Wednesday night's FATrophy second qualifying round replay, before going down 5-3 to two late goals from the hosts. They came back three times, only to fall to a hat-trick from
-
Date
Garage offer
OXFORD City Council has garages for rent across Oxford. Applications can be completed online at www.oxford.gov.uk or by emailing garages@ oxford.gov.uk. Priority is given to people with disabilities and existing council tenants.
-
Date
Think festive
IDEAS for Christmas will focus attention on the festive season at the Wallingford Country Market in the Regal Centre tomorrow. It will feature a special display of seasonal baking, handcrafted gifts, cards and floral decorations. It is open between
-
Date
Garden walk planned
A GUIDED walk and high tea are offered at Waterperry Gardens, near Wheatley, today at 2.30pm. People will benefit from the expertise of the gardens' horticultural expert and receive advice on planning for the new season. Tickets cost £10 and must
-
Date
Bars warned on underage drinking
PUB and club managers in Thames Valley are to be issued with help and advice to combat underage and binge drinking. Thames Valley Police officers, working alongside Hampshire Constabulary and NHS South Central, have started handing out information
-
Date
Flower talk
A CHRISTMAS Feast of Flowers is the title of a talk and flower arranging demonstration in Trinity Church, in Conduit Road, Abingdon, by Matthew Taylor, joint owner of Fabulous Flowers, in Bridge Street, today at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £6, to include refreshments
-
Date
Fuel furore
DRIVERS across the county were feeling the pinch at the pumps again yesterday as the price of oil soared on global markets. The average petrol price based on yesterday's figures showed motorists are now having to pay 100.08p a litre. Motorists are
-
Date
Keeping it in the family
TODAY we feature a touching tale of a father and son who are both serving their country in war torn corners of the globe. Lance Corporal Chris Hutchinson, 25, followed in his father David's footsteps by signing up to an army career in 4 Rifles in 2002
-
Date
Rising star visits children's hospital
PATIENTS at the Oxford Children's Hospital were thrilled to meet a Formula One driver of the future. Brazilian racing driver Lucas di Grassi is part of the Renault Driver Development programme, based in Enstone, and affiliated to the ING Renault F1
-
Date
Muslim school site to be sold
CLASSES of Muslim schoolgirls in Oxford are facing an uncertain future because their school site is about to be sold. The Lawn Upton building in Littlemore, where the Iqra School has been based for five years, is owned by the Diocese of Oxford and
-
Date
Man quizzed on abduction bid
A MAN was being questioned by police over an attempted abduction of a three-year-old boy from an Oxford park. The man, who is thought to be in his early 30s, was arrested on suspicion of attempted abduction following an incident in St Barnabas Park,
-
Date
Bank grant helps homeless
HOMELESS people in Oxford are set to benefit from a scheme aimed at getting people back into the workplace. The Porch Steppin' Stone Centre, in St Mary's Road, Oxford, has received a £16,884 grant from Barclays' Banking on a Brighter Future scheme.
-
Date
New scanner will speed diagnosis
WORKERS knocked a hole in the wall at the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre to install a £1.5m Magnetic Resonance Imaging scanner, which will ensure patients benefit from high-speed diagnostic treatment. MRI scanners use magnets and radio waves to produce
-
Date
Pupils' film to screen in London
A documentary made by pupils at Abingdon School about Cambodia's land-mine victims will have its premier at the National Film Theatre. Gravel and Stones will be shown on Friday, November 16. The 30-minute documentary focuses on the impact of disability
-
Date
Son to serve with father in Afghanistan
A soldier has volunteered to serve with his father in Afghanistan - despite the fact that he has been fighting in Iraq for the last six months. Lance Corporal Chris Hutchinson, 25, followed in his father David's footsteps by signing up to an Army career
-
Date
Failing school set to close
Staff and parents at an Oxford school are looking forward to a Fresh Start - a multi-million-pound initiative bringing new buildings and new equipment. Rose Hill Primary School in The Oval was built in 1951 and is falling apart. Tests results have
-
Date
One bashed & fried Pom
It’s been damn near impossible to get on the internet recently. It is worrying how much you take it for granted and then when it’s gone – yikes! The same can be said for my fitness following Sunday’s race :-( After the World Champs in Hamburg in early
-
Date
£28m 'wasted' on asylum centre plan
The Home Office spent £28m on the aborted asylum centre planned for Bicester and "misjudged" the fight against it, watchdogs revealed today. The National Audit Office said some of the problems with the plans for the proposed centre could have been foreseen
