Archive
-
Date
County shaken by earthquake
PEOPLE across Oxfordshire were shaken up today by the biggest earthquake to hit the country in the past 24 years. The tremor hit at about 1am and measured 5.2 on the Richter scale. The earthquake's epicentre was near Market Rasen in Lincolnshire
-
Date
Burton game goes ahead
United's league game with Burton scheduled for Saturday, March 8 will definitely go ahead following Burton's extra-time defeat to Ebbsfleet in Tuesday night's FA Trophy replay.
-
Date
Fewer drivers caught using mobiles
FEWER drivers have been caught on their mobile phones in Oxfordshire since tougher laws came in to force. Today marks one year since the fine for using a mobile at the wheel was doubled to £60 with three penalty points. The latest police figures
-
Date
Deadly duo want some action!
Oxford United striker Craig McAllister says he's looking forward to linking up again with Justin Richards in competitive league action. The duo struck up a very successful partnership when they were at Woking two seasons ago. Both forwards have been
-
Date
Fewer drivers using mobile phones
Fewer drivers have been caught on their mobile phones in Oxfordshire since tougher laws came in to force. Today marks one year since the fine for using a mobile at the wheel was doubled to £60 with three penalty points. The latest police figures show
-
Date
Youngest Olympian reclaims title
Ken Lester was a bit perplexed at the widespread acclaim of young diver Tom Daley as Britain's youngest male Olympian at 14. The 60-year-old former butcher was aged just 13 years 144 days when he competed in the Rome Games of 1960. And now he has set
-
Date
Earthquake hits county
Residents across Oxfordshire were shaken up yesterday by the biggest earthquake to hit the country in the past 24 years. The tremor hit at about 1am and measured 5.2 on the Richter scale. The earthquake's epicentre was near Market Rasen in Lincolnshire
-
Date
Fears over student hall plans
Residents in a quiet Oxford close are waiting to see if a developer will be given permission to build student accommodation on nearby land. People living in Mattock Close, Headington, were relieved when plans to build two blocks of student flats were
-
Date
PCSO revived 14-year-old drunk
A POLICE Community Support Officer told tonight how she saved the life of a drunk 14-year-old girl in an Oxfordshire park. The teenager had to be resuscitated by Sue Harris after she collapsed in a park and stopped breathing. The girl and a friend
-
Date
Honoured for his Turkish expertise
Prof Geoffrey Lewis, one of the men responsible for introducing Turkish studies to Oxford University, has died aged 87. Prof Lewis was born in 1920 and educated at University College School, in north London, before attending Oxford. He took up Turkish
-
Date
Teacher had a 'great humanity'
Gwyneth Youd, who taught at infant schools in Oxford and Abingdon, died at home on her 74th birthday. Mrs Youd, of Barlow Close, Wheatley, whose maiden name was Jones, was born in Pontlottyn, Glamorgan, in 1934 and attended Hengoed Grammar School.
-
Date
Snow doubt, island wins
My daughter had told her little school friends that I was going to Siberia. I might as well have been, for all that I knew of Sardinia. It's the greatest thing to travel with few preconceptions or expectations, so I had deliberately not done any research
-
Date
HORSE RACING: Iris blooms for Curran's biggest success
Iris De Balme picked the best possible moment to lose his maiden tag by giving Oxfordshire trainer Sean Curran his biggest victory in the inaugural Stop24 Kent National at Folkestone on Wednesday. Curran, in his third year with a trainer's licence at
-
Date
PCSOs resuscitate drunken girl, 14
A drunk 14-year-old girl had to be resuscitated by a Police Community Support Officer after collapsing in a park. The girl and a friend, also 14, passed out drunk at a skateboard park in Mably Way, Grove, on Friday, at about 7.15pm after drinking vodka
-
Date
Landlord gets banned from pubs
A landlord has been barred from local pubs after he punched another publican. Jason Pettis, the 25-year-old licensee of the North Star pub in Steventon, was banned for three years by the area's Pubwatch scheme after being cautioned for assaulting the
-
Date
Burglars escape with two cars
TWO cars were stolen by thieves who burgled a house in Oxfordshire and stole car keys. Police are appealing for information after a property in Thame Road, Waterstock, was burgled between 11pm on Saturday and 7am on Sunday. The thieves forced their
-
Date
Statue mystery hits fever pitch
Mystery surrounds the unveiling of a statue at the home of Oxford United tomorrow as rumours circulate about its design. The much-delayed piece of art, which was a condition of planning permission for the Kassam Stadium, will sit on a plinth outside
-
Date
Council costs criticised
INSPECTORS have criticised Oxford City Council for failing to offer taxpayers value for money. In the Audit Commission report, due to be tabled on Tuesday, the public spending watchdog said costs were "significantly higher than similar councils elsewhere
-
Date
Council 'not value for money'
Inspectors have criticised Oxford City Council for failing to offer taxpayers value for money, in a report branded "damning" by opposition councillors. A top-to-toe examination of crucial Town Hall functions was carried out and ranked one to four, with
-
Date
Camp survivor celebrates 100th birthday
KAZIMIERZ Michalski is a true survivor. After enduring a sentence of hard labour in notorious Russian penal camps and trekking 600 miles to be reunited with his family during the Second World War, the former judge has celebrated his 100th birthday.
-
Date
Penal camp survivor celebrates 100th birthday
Kazimierz Michalski is a true survivor. After enduring a sentence of hard labour in notorious Russian penal camps and trekking 600 miles to be reunited with his family during the Second World War, the former judge has now celebrated his 100th birthday
-
Date
Trouble 'returns to blight estate'
PEOPLE say antisocial behaviour has once again blighted their Oxford estate almost a month after a dispersal order was lifted. At the beginning of February, police relinquished their power to move on groups of youngsters in Rose Hill amid cautious
-
Date
Church wants gay weddings
THE Unitarian congregation at Oxford's Harris-Manchester College is calling for gay couples to be allowed to marry in church. More than 300 gay couples have 'married' in the county since civil partnerships became legal on December 5, 2005. But,
-
Date
Time to turn the table
An Oxford undraising organisation is launching a recruitment drive tomorrow for the first time in its 70-year history. Oxford Round Table is down to 10 full members and two guests - the lowest it has ever had since it was formed in 1937. Despite the
-
Date
Winning Miss Oxford could lead to a Brucie Bonus
Young women are continuing to come forward to compete for this year's Miss Oxford title. The current Miss England, Georgia Horsley, has urged women in the county to take part in the competition, being run by the Miss England organisers and backed by
-
Date
Festival comes of age with stage
Banbury's 21st annual Blues Festival on Saturday, March 8, will feature, for the first time, an acoustic stage alongside the usual electric offerings. The festival will be held at Banbury Mill Arts Centre, starting at 7.30pm. The new stage will allow
-
Date
Yobs 'blighting Rose Hill again'
Neighbours claim yob culture has once again blighted their Oxford estate almost a month after a dispersal order was lifted. At the beginning of February, police relinquished their power to move on groups of youngsters in Rose Hill amid cautious optimism
-
Date
The Insider
THE ineptitude of First Great Western is nothing new, in fact it's about as frequent as rain. So their recently-announced plans to lay on extra trains on busy routes (well, near Portsmouth to be precise) is not exactly rocket science, is it? It would
-
Date
BOWLS: Wise hits back to claim title
Carterton's Andy Wise staged an amazing fightback to be crowned the Oxon and Bucks area singles champion with a 21-18 win over Banbury's Mark Sykes in the final. Trailing 18-6 at Oxford City & County, Wise looked down and out, but he rallied in tremendous
-
Date
Comic book capers
I was very excited recently when I spotted a story in the Oxford Mail about a new comic book project. Oxford publisher David Fickling is planning to launch a new weekly comic for boys and girls in May. Contributors to the comic, called DFC, will include
-
Date
BOWLS: Results round-up
CLUB MATCH Avon Valley 99, Oxord & District 68 (Oxford skips first): M Stradling 11, J Clinton 23; B Buckett 14, M Timms 21; J Franklin 12, M Eaton 17; M Shepherd 20, B Hiam 11; E Gibb 11, R Carey 27. OXFORD & DISTRICT IBA Monday Morning League Nomads
-
Date
RUGBY UNION: Hutchings' final dilemma
Chinnor captain Matt Hutchings faces a dilemma if he is to play in the Oxfordshire Cup final on April 5. The lock is itching to take part in the Iffley Road clash with rivals Oxford Harlequins. But the 25-year-old PE teacher is supposed to be on a
-
Date
AUNT SALLY: Veterans crowned champs in style
The Veterans were crowned champions in the John Smith's New Club Wheatley Winter League following a 5-1 win over The Saints. Mick Belcher led the way for The Veterans with 12 dolls, while Tony Bradford weighed in with 11. New Club A's Adrian Shepherd
-
Date
RUGBY UNION: Academy's winning start
John Brodley was more than happy with the Leadbitter Oxford Academy's debut performance - a 24-13 victory over Banbury Colts. Captain Nick Gardner led the way with a brace of tries, with Paul Hipwell converting one, as Oxford led 12-6 at the break.
-
Date
ATHLETICS: Lyn's medal joy
Radley's Lyn Ahmet struck triple gold and a brace of silver medals at the British Masters Indoor Championships at the Lee Valley Centre, London. Ahmet (pictured) won silver in the 60m hurdles, clocking 12.69secs, and the 60m (10.08), before capping
-
Date
Church wants gay weddings
The Unitarian congregation at Oxford's Harris-Manchester College is calling for gay couples to be allowed to marry in church. More than 300 gay couples have 'married' in the county since Civil Partnerships became legal on December 5, 2005. But, although
-
Date
RUGBY UNION: Making a point
The log jam of teams in the bottom half of South West 1 has led many to recommend a bonus points scoring sytem. Competitions such as the Premiership and National League enable winning teams to increase their points from four to five by scoring four
-
Date
Somethink's wrong
At the risk of being called a grumpy old woman, why is it that many well-educated people and those in the media say 'somethink' instead of something? What has happened to the teaching of English in our schools today? I'm really fed up with it. S
-
Date
RUGBY UNION: Abingdon on the up
Abingdon Under 15s secured the Oxfordshire Division 2 title after winning nine of their ten matches. They will now compete in the top division as under 16s next season. Abingdon's only defeat came against Wallingford, but they beat Oxford, Witney,
-
Date
Any refund?
I am glad to see that Oxford City Council has decided to give free blue wheelie bins, for extra recyclable material, to those who want them. But will those who bought them recently for £20 each receive a refund? SUE NICHOLLS Littlemore Oxford
-
Date
ATHLETICS: Hawtin races to top-six finish
Oxford City's Melissa Hawtin put up a cracking effort to finish sixth at the English Cross Country Championships at Alton Towers. Competing in a field of 300 in the under 15 girls' race, she recorded a time of 13mins 10secs. Emelia Gorecka led home
-
Date
Low-paid betrayed
I was appalled to learn that Green and Labour city councillors have voted to raise council tax by a huge margin (Oxford Mail, February 19). Coming from an area represented by two Labour councillors, I felt particularly angry that the people who are
-
Date
RUGBY UNION: Bulls want revenge
Banbury Bulls coach Grant Holmes says his side will be out for revenge when they host Matlock on Saturday. Bulls' relegation from Midlands 2 East is almost confirmed, but Holmes is determined they keep on battling. He said: "Our focus can now be solely
-
Date
More pollution
So Oxford City Council intends to install a screen costing £7,000 of our money to show us how polluted the city centre is (Oxford Mail, February 22). Most of us already know that the centre is very polluted - and one of the main reasons is that local
-
Date
Social manipulation
On the subject of binge and underage drinking and its problems, increasing taxes will have no effect, other than that of penalising ordinary, sensible drinkers - another stealth tax in fact. Anyone who thinks that, say, 50p on a pint of strong lager
-
Date
Rail staff who work and smile
It seems to me that in this modern world, we are all too quick to share bad news and complaints, but what about the good stuff? OK, so First Great Western has its problems, reliability is not great, but would it be with any other company? After all
-
Date
Shops and hotel boost for town
A shopping and leisure park is set to be built in the centre of Didcot which could more than double the size of the town's Orchard Centre. South Oxfordshire District Council and developers Hammerson have unveiled plans to regenerate a 10 hectare site
-
Date
ICE HOCKEY: Tempers flare in Stars finale
THERE were plenty of fireworks as Oxford City Stars finished their Southern A League campaign with a 3-3 draw at home to Milton Keynes. Despite having little to play for, a punch-up brought a sour taste to the final game as Stars' Patrick Knightley
-
Date
BAR BILLIARDS: Dolphin claim whitewash
DOLPHIN B kept up their bid for the Section 2 championship with a 5-0 hammering of Headington Conservative Club, writes PETE EWINS. Adam Thorn (7,190) got them off to a flier in the opener, with victories for Chris Storch (7,940) Paul Butcher (5,200
-
Date
GOLF: Nicola banks top prize
NICOLA Barclay-Watt claimed Frilford Heath's February Par Competition after defeating Jennifer Simpson by two shots. Marion Snelling was the Division 2 winner on +3, pipping Meredith Wilson on countback. WITNEY Lakes are inviting teams to enter their
-
Date
Burial site plots run out
A drastic shortage of burial space in Kidlington could mean residents are buried on land nearly a mile from the parish church. The cemetery next to St Mary's Church is expected to run out of plots within five years, and parish councillors are desperate
-
Date
Dad's 300 mile ride to say thanks
With less than four weeks to go until their mammoth adventure, a team of Oxfordshire cyclists are getting fighting fit for the challenge. John Sammons' 300-mile ride, with three team-mates, is to say thank you to a charity which continues to help his
-
Date
Today's local share prices (PM)
AEA Technology 77.5 BMW 2783 Electrocomponents 184.75 Nationwide Accident Repair 130 Oxford Biomedica 28.5 Oxford Catalyst 145 Oxford Instruments 194 Reed Elsevier 646.25 RM 215.25 RPS Group 298.25 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
-
Date
PCSO saves drunk girl’s life
A drunk 14-year-old girl had to be resuscitated by a Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) when she stopped breathing. The teenager and her friend, also 14, were found unconscious at a skate park in Grove, near Wantage, at about 7.15pm last Friday
-
Date
Binge drinker, 14, saved by police
A 14-year-old girl was revived by a police community support officer after she passed out following a binge drinking session. At about 7.15pm last Friday police were called to reports that two 14-year-olds were unconscious because they had drunk large
-
Date
FOOTBALL City fail to convince
Oxford City put an end to a poor spell in BGB Southern League Division 1 South & West but were far from convincing in their 2-0 win against basement boys Newport on Tuesday. Darren Pond went close before City went a goal up on nine minutes. Keeper Sam
-
Date
FOTBALL: Abingdon lose away again
Abingdon United put in an improved display but couldn't prevent a ninth successive defeat on the road on Tuesday as AFC Hayes took all three BGB Southern League Division 1 South & West points with a 2-0 win The visitors had the better of the first half
-
Date
Man in court over gun incident
A man has appeared in court over an incident in which a gun was pointed at a police officer. Jeremy Beckford, 19, of Lambeth in London, appeared at Oxford Magistrates' Court today charged with possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause
-
Date
Teenager faces fake gun charge
A 19-year-old man has been charged after a police officer had a gun pointed at him following a car pursuit in Didcot. Jeremy Beckford, of Lambeth, London, has been charged with possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence
-
Date
Passenger’s damages claim fails
Airline passengers face a tougher time making compensation claims after a woman who suffered an agonising knee injury while struggling into her seat on a British Airways Jumbo jet failed in her unique damages bid. Beverley Barclay, 49, from Abingdon
-
Date
Bikes crime rising
Bike thefts are on the rise across towns in Oxfordshire, police have warned today. Already this year 21 bikes have been stolen from Abingdon town centre, nine from Wantage and four in Faringdon. Police in the Vale of the White Horse are urging cyclists
-
Date
Four held over assault
Four teenage boys have been arrested after a man was attacked during a bus trip between Witney and Carterton. RAF serviceman Peter Forrest, 24, of Brize Norton airbase, suffered a broken leg, black eyes and was knocked unconscious in an attack on February
-
Date
Cycle theft warning issued
POLICE in the Vale of the White Horse are urging cyclists to take more care of their bicycles following an increase in cycle thefts from town centres. Since January 1, 21 bicycles have been stolen from Abingdon town centre, nine from Wantage and four
-
Date
Air compensation bid fails
AIRLINE passengers face a tougher time making compensation claims after a woman who suffered an agonising knee injury whilst struggling into her seat on a British Airways Jumbo jet failed in her unique damages bid. Beverley Barclay, 49, of Abingdon,
-
Date
Last chance to enter
A rallying call has gone out to firms and individuals wanting to enter the Oxfordshire Business Awards. Friday February 29 is the deadline for entries to the prestigious competition which is regarded as being the highlight of the county's business calendar
-
Date
Four held over bus attack
FOUR youths have been arrested in connection with the assault on a serviceman on a bus travelling to Carterton from Witney. At about 1.30am on Saturday, February 9. and during the course of the journey, Senior Aircraftsman Pete Forrest, 24, was assaulted
-
Date
Earthquake damages church
A church in Banbury was damaged by the early morning earthquake that shook much of England. A stone cross on the roof of St Leonard's Church in Middleton Road was dislodged by the tremor. The Rev Mark Charmley said: "The quake toppled the cross from
-
Date
Quake damages church
A CHURCH in Banbury was damaged by the early morning earthquake that shook much of England. A stone cross on the roof of St Leonard's Church in Middleton Road was dislodged by the tremor. Rev Mark Charmley said: "The quake toppled the cross from the
-
Date
Boy wins £5m compensation
A 12-year-old boy from Oxfordshire who is facing a lifetime of acute disability after being starved of oxygen at birth today won £5m compensation. Daniel, who suffers from cerebral palsy and lives with his parents, Tina and Stephen, in Middleton Stoney
-
Date
Disabled boy wins £5m payout
A 12-year-old boy from Oxfordshire who is facing a lifetime of acute disability after being starved of oxygen at birth today won £5m compensation. Daniel Godfrey, who suffers from cerebral palsy and lives with his parents, Tina and Stephen, in Middleton
-
Date
Today's local share prices (AM)
AEA Technology 77.75 BMW 2755 Electrocomponents 181.5 Nationwide Accident Repair 130 Oxford Biomedica 28 Oxford Catalyst 145 Oxford Instruments 192.5 Reed Elsevier 633.25 RM 216 RPS Group 285.75 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
-
Date
Driver caught reading newspaper
POLICE stopped almost 50 drivers in a roadside check in south Oxfordshire today. The check was also timed to coincide with the one year anniversary since using a mobile phone behind the wheel became an endorsable offence. It became an offence in December
-
Date
Lorry driver dies on M40
Police are appealing for witnesses after a lorry driver died in a collision on the M40 this morning. A German-registered articulated lorry collided with a Polish articulated lorry, thought to have been stationary in a lay-by at the time, on the northbound
-
Date
Update: Lorry driver dies in M40 smash
POLICE today appealed for witnesses after a crash between two lorries on the M40 in which a driver died. A German articulated lorry collided with a Polish articulated lorry, thought to have been stationary at the time. A German man, in his forties
-
Date
Jelley joins Team RAC
TEAM RAC today announced Stephen Jelley as its second driver for the 2008 HiQ MSA British Touring Car Championship. Jelley joins Team RAC after three seasons competing in the British Formula 3 Series. The 25-year old started his motorsport career
-
Date
Students get hands dirty
A GROUP of student volunteers will be helping with the ongoing restoration project at SS Mary and John Churchyard in Cowley Road, Oxford. Undergraduates from Oxford Brookes University will be working at the churchyard today.
-
Date
The Party
We got our first children's party invitation for the whole family. I was a bit surprised when Himself said he wanted to go. But when I told him about it he said: "Yeah, that'll be nice." What A Disaster! Things started to go pear-shaped before we'd even
-
Date
Driver charged over cyclist death
A LORRY driver has appeared in court accused of causing the death of a cyclist. Andrew Stubbs, 40, of Freehold Street, Lower Heyford, appeared at Wakefield Magistrates' Court charged with causing death by dangerous driving, failing to stop and perverting
-
Date
Lead thieves attacked OAP
A 73-YEAR-OLD man fought off two thieves who battered him with a branch as they tried to steal lead from his church. Church treasurer Peter Grondona spotted two hooded youths on the roof of St Nicholas Church in Tackley, in the latest in a spate of
-
Date
Earthquake felt in county
RESIDENTS across Oxfordshire were shaken during the early hours today by the biggest earthquake in the country in the past 20 years. The quake shook the UK, causing damage to buildings and leaving at least one person injured. Tremors hit the country
-
Date
Rock party for palace
THE serene grounds of Blenheim Palace have long been favoured by countryside lovers, who enjoy its landscaped rolling acres. But this summer the peace will be shattered by a heady mix of rock music and adrenaline sport. We can reveal that the World
-
Date
Earthquake hits Oxfordshire
Residents across Oxfordshire were shaken during the early hours today by the biggest earthquake in the country in the past 20 years. The quake shook the UK, causing damage to buildings and leaving at least one person injured. Tremors hit the country
-
Date
Lorry driver dies in M40 crash
One lorry driver is thought to have died following a crash between two lorries on the M40 during the early hours today. The accident happened after 2am on the northbound carriageway, between junction six at Lewknor and junction seven at Thame. The second
-
Date
Building firm foundations
PARENTS and governors could gain control of a previously secondary school under a bid for independence. Oxford Community School, which has 1,150 pupils, is seeking foundation status - a move that would give governors control over pupil admissions, teacher
-
Date
Not so lazy
It is often said that we are a lazy nation when it comes to learning languages. Wherever we go, we expect everyone to speak English. So how refreshing to see Oxford University students helping pupils at Oxfordshire secondary schools as they prepare
-
Date
Salute to a brave treasurer
Bravo to Tackley church treasurer Peter Grondona. When he saw two youths ransacking his church roof for metal, he didn't think twice. He waded in and put them to flight. They responded by whacking him with a piece of wood, leaving him with a head
-
Date
Play grant
THE adventure playground in Whitehouse Road, Oxford, has received a £6,000 grant from the city council's central south and west area committee. More than 1,300 children registered to use the free adventure playground last year and the money will go
-
Date
Tower block patrols
POLICE are to begin patrolling inside Plowman Tower, Oxford, to tackle antisocial behaviour. Police have made the tower block and shops in Westlands Drive priority areas to tackle unruly yobs. Officers are to be kitted out with their own keys to
-
Date
Police target illegal parkers
POLICE are launching a crackdown on motorists who park their vehicles illegally in Kennington. The focus will be on Grundy Crescent, Kennington Road and the surrounding area. Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) Adrian Wright said: "We are cracking
-
Date
Women get scam alert
A SCAM mail-out, claiming to guarantee weight loss, has been sent to thousands of women in a bid to make them more aware of fraudsters. Thousands of female householders across the country have received details of 'Fat-Off' capsules which claim to guarantee
-
Date
Flood work 'a success'
FLOOD prevention work carried out in an Oxfordshire village a year ago has been hailed a success. More than 20 homes in Nuneham Courtenay, near Oxford, were devastated when two torrential rainstorms hit the village in October 2006, forcing 13 families
-
Date
Graffiti is cleaned up
GRAFFITI has been cleaned from the Northway estate after an Environmental Visual Audit by police and council officers. The spot-checks in January revealed a number of areas which have now been cleaned up. More patrols are planned for later this year
-
Date
Starts to party at the palace
The serene grounds of Blenheim Palace have long been favoured by countryside lovers, who enjoy its landscaped rolling acres. But this summer the peace will be shattered by a heady mix of rock music and adrenaline sport. The Oxford Mail can exclusively
-
Date
Pupils given a master class
STUDENTS from Oxford University have been taking time out from lectures to help GCSE students boost their grades. Modern languages students visited five secondary schools in Oxford to offer support to Year 11 pupils ahead of their GCSE exams in French
-
Date
Pensioner fights off church lead thieves
A pensioner fought off two thieves who battered him with a branch as they tried to steal lead from his church. Church treasurer Peter Grondona, 73, spotted two hooded youths on the roof of St Nicholas Church in Tackley, in the latest in a spate of lead
