Archive
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FOOTBALL: Small fire at stadium
An electrical fire at the Kassam Stadium on Friday meant Oxford United were unable to take telephone calls in their office or ticket office for some hours. The stadium was closed to personal callers for the rest of the day. Saturday's
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UPDATE: Murderer laughs at life sentence
A homeless drunk who murdered two of his closest friends in a jealous rage was today given a life sentence. James Cox laughed as he was led away from the dock at Oxford Crown Court after being told he would serve a minimum of 20 years behind bars.
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Hamilton sets the pace
Lewis Hamilton shook off his Fuji frustration on Friday by setting the fastest time in both practice sessions ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix. Hamilton is a man under pressure in the wake of his first-corner mistake in last Sunday's race in
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Sex pest therapist sent to jail
A former Oxfordshire hair therapist was today jailed for three years for a series of attacks on women at his clinic. Praminder Mankoo, who treated up to 3,000 clients at Hairology, in Thame, was imprisoned and banned from giving massages to
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Prostitute rapist jailed
A 33-year-old man who raped a prostitute was today jailed for 30 months. French cabinet maker Nicholas Cousins paid the woman £20, but would not let her go, pinned her down and covered her mouth to stifle her screams. Jailing him at Oxford Crown Court
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Women protest over prayers
Protesters demonstrated outside a Muslim centre in North Oxford to object to a woman leading an Islamic prayer meeting. Today's prayers, at the Muslim Education Centre of Oxford, in Banbury Road, were thought to be the first time a woman has led a mixed
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Ballerina delights book fans
Britain's best known ballerina pirouetted into Oxford to meet her fans and sign copies of her Magic Ballerina books. Darcey Busell was met by more than 200 fans when she arrived at Waterstone's bookshop, in Broad Street, at 4pm. The
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Street drinker issued with Asbo
A street drinker described as "a thorn in the side" of police and members of the public has been banned from being drunk in any public place in Oxfordshire. Steven Rushmer, 44, of Farmers Close, Witney, was convicted for drunk and disorderly
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Rogue trader preyed on OAP
A conman who swindled a vulnerable 93-year-old man out of thousands of pounds was jailed today. Trevor Parry, 63, cashed three cheques totalling £25,700 from pensioner Henry Ferrar for minor plumbing work which should have cost £450.
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Teenagers found guilty of gang attack
Six teenagers who attacked another youth in Grove using baseball bats and metal poles were today convicted of causing grievous bodily harm with intent. Shane Hare, of Mereland Road; Benjamin Sinclair, of Kibble Close; and Damon Bishop, of Churchill
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Hopes rise for green meadow
Campaigners were celebrating last night after a planning inspector recommended Warneford Meadow in Oxford should be granted Town Green status. The final stages of an inquiry into whether the 18-acre site in Headington should be declared a Town Green
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Man must pay £665 for littering
An unemployed man must pay £665 after he left an empty can of beer lying in a street. David Lambrianou was fined £150 by magistrates and ordered to pay £515 in costs after he threw an empty can of Heineken to the floor in Hart Place, Bicester. The
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Green light for parking zones
Householders in East Oxford have cautiously welcomed the first findings of consultation on plans to introduce permit parking. It has been suggested that residents in the area around Divinity and Magdalen roads should be allowed two permits — and drivers
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Young dancers required
Wannabe dancers are needed to help a new youth company in Didcot. Dance 8, which trains at Cornerstone, perform and teach everything from ballet to breakdancing all over south Oxfordshire. They are appealing for young people aged between 15 to 21
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Fear for North Parade's future
In a little corner of Oxford, between the Winchester and Banbury Roads, lies a piece of living, breathing history. By day, North Parade, Summertown, transports you back to the 1960s, when shopping streets offered a tempting array of individual
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CRICKET: Cheney ease in
Middleton Cheney made light work of beating Sandford St Martin A in Division 3 of the Banbury Indoor League. After restricting Sandford to 86-3 in ten overs, Cheney took only six overs to knock of the runs, courtesy of Matt Stevens's rapid 26 not out
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TRIATHLON: Ironman Nick fifth in USA
Launton triathlete Nick Crutch flies the flag for Britain on the way to coming fifth in the Virginian Ironman in the United States. Crutch, a personal fitness trainer, slipped into the warm waters of Lake Anna for the start of a race that would take
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SWIMMING: Aust sparks City victory
City of Oxford stormed to victory in the National League’s Division 1 first-round gala at Temple Cowley. The host club won a staggering 20 events to finish 20 points ahead of second-placed Wycombe. Chris Aust delivered maximum points in his two individual
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SWIMMING: Jozwin shines as Witney settle for fourth place
Witney were edged into fourth place in the West Midlands Division first-round gala at Bromsgrove. They were just pipped by Boldmere B for the minor honours, with Ledbury taking victory from Bromsgrove. Rapidly-improving Elliot Jozwin won the boys'
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BILLIARDS: Newcomer Challen stars for Riley
Riley A chalked up their fourth successive win to stay top of Division 1 after beating nearest challengers Fieldside 2-1. Newcomer Matthew Challen (+40) gave Riley A a superb start when he beat Norman Woodcock (+70) 200-142. Mike Chapman (+100) levelled
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SNOOKER: Abingdon closing in
Abingdon RBL edged to a 4-2 victory against Woodstock A to close to within one shot of the leaders Fieldside in the Premier Division. Riley C lead Division 1 following a 5-1 success at home to Eynsham A. Division 2 leaders Littlemore RBL A won 6-0
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Today's local shares (PM)
AEA Technology 37.5 BMW 1576 Electrocomponents 138.75 Nationwide Accident Repair 111.5 Oxford Biomedica 5.8 Oxford Catalysts 171.5 Oxford Instruments 205.5 Reed Elsevier 495.25 RM 166.75 RPS Group 200.5 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
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False alarm causes traffic chaos
Firefighters were called to Folly Bridge, Oxford, this afternoon after reports of smoke coming from a home next to the Head of the River pub. The incident caused chaos, with rush-hour traffic in the city centre, including Oxpens, Abingdon Road and St
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£1m station facelift complete
A plaque was unveiled this week to mark the completion of £1m of improvement work at Radley railway station. Oxfordshire County Council, Network Rail and train operator First Great Western have worked on the project, which has seen a new footbridge
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Stolen car loses tyre
Burglars stole a car and drove it around East Oxford with a missing tyre in the early hours of this morning before abandoning it. Keys to the Vauxhall Zafira were stolen during a burglary in Lytton Road between midnight and 4am today. The burglars then
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Actors line up for charity concert
A host of famous actors and thespians have been lined up to add sparkle to a charity programme of words and music at Oxford's Sheldonian Theatre. Dame Judi Dench, Juliet Stevenson and Robert Powell will be among those present — alongside Oxfordshire
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GREYHOUNDS: Meal deal is real deal for punters
Oxford Stadium has seen a sharp increase in attendances in the past month. A campaign promoting a '1p meal deal', which allows race-goers entry and a fast food meal for only a penny, is believed to be behind the increase. Although the promotion is
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GREYHOUNDS: Brickfield eyes up Gold Cup bid
All eyes will be on the Blanchford Building Supplies Oxfordshire Gold Cup which gets under way with the opening heats on Tuesday. None more so than Reading trainer Bob Gilling, whose track specialist Brickfield Class will be among the early frontrunners
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Raider escapes empty-handed
A would-be robber grabbed a shopkeeper in Cowley Road, Littlemore, Oxford, and tried to make her open the shop till. At about 5.30pm yesterday, the shopkeeper was closing the newsagent’s when she saw a man trying to force open the till. She tried
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Time for action
What could the £400bn lifeline thrown to British banks this week, let alone the telephone number size sums dug out of the US and other European governments' pockets, have meant to the 1.5bn people who live in abject poverty in the so-called developing
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Shattering the illusion
If only they had listened. Back in 1998, Warren Buffett disparaged excessive corporate borrowing and exotic financial structures in his own unique homespun way. He said: "If your actions are sensible, you are certain to get good results; in most cases
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Soldiers run marathon for charity
Four soldiers from Bicester are aiming to raise £1,500 when they take part in a marathon in aid of the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal next month. The 23 Pioneer Regiment welfare office team, based at Ambrosden, are hoping that townsfolk
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Club opens £65,000 pitches
A football club that has spent two years transforming wasteland in Oxford into top-of-the range pitches is gearing up to celebrate their opening. Marston Saints Football Club, whose senior team is based in Boults Lane, Old Marston, have finished converting
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Expanding in the age of uncertainty
Despite the credit crunch, could franchising provide a way to grow, or start, a business? Oxfordshire-based Brian Duckett, executive chairman of Howarth Franchising Group, argues that it could be the way forward. Having been involved in franchising
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Any ideas?
I wonder if your readers may be able to help. I have an old photograph which has writing on the back. The writing looks like it is in pencil and is too faint to read. Maybe someone knows an old trick to make the writing more readable. ALAN MORGAN
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Play wreckers
I'm replying to a letter, Shortsighted policy (Oxford Mail, October 10). The author is "saddened to read about the young people, who are not able to use the park close to their school (Matthew Arnold). I think it is at 11-plus that they need to be off
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It's time to ban trick or treat
Have I your undivided attention? Then I'll begin — Boo! It's getting near the time when monsters and ghoulies start knocking on doors, scaring the living daylights out of the elderly and those of a nervous disposition. No! It's not the local election
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Crackdown on the fraudsters
There was some good news in July when the Finance Act introduced new rules which extended exemption from inheritance tax (IHT). As a result, married couples (and civil partners) will benefit because the nil rate band has been extended to include both
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MRSA confusion
I am delighted to learn that I was wrong to suppose that the misleading figure of a 67 per cent reduction in MRSA was supplied by the hospital's PR department (Oxford Mail, October 13). I gladly withdraw any implication that it attempted to mislead
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Utter bankruptcy
It is disappointing to notice that Ed Argar (Oxford Mail, October 14) fails to acknowledge the origin of the credit crunch in corporate greed in the United States and in the City of London. I appreciate that it may be difficult for a Tory to admit that
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Longer parking
Could Oxfordshire County Council please increase the time allowed for churchgoers to park in Oxford streets on Sunday mornings, even if regulars have to have a card from their church to display in the windscreen? Not all services fit the two hours usually
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Village carbuncle
Are your readers aware of the strength of feeling against the corporate developers Persimmon? This ill-feeling is due to their attempt to ride roughshod over the wishes of the residents of Littlemore, and the ruling of Oxford City Council. Having
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Good turn
Last Sunday, I lost my mobile phone in Cutteslowe Park in Oxford. While I was out, it was returned this morning. Unfortunately, I don't have the person’s name or address so I cannot say thank you for his or her kind action, but it is so nice to know
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Halt city's expansion
Oxford should be declared a 'no growth' area. We oppose both the urban extension south of Grenoble Road and the city council's threatened boundary revision into the Green Belt. The whole purpose of the establishment of the Green Belt was to prevent
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Jail them
Fines and points on your licence are clearly no deterrent to those who insist on driving with a mobile phone clamped to their ear. Jail may be the only answer. CARL BUTTERWORTH Iffley Road Oxford
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There's little flab to fight
Puff, puff, puff, puff, puff, puff... walking every day into Oxford along Iffley Road, I'm overtaken by joggers who would be classed as 'anexoric' if they lost an ounce more. They are, of course, usually in their 20s, slim, toned, tanned, and lost
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Where there's a will ...
There was some good news in July when the Finance Act introduced new rules which extended exemption from inheritance tax (IHT). As a result, married couples (and civil partners) will benefit because the nil rate band has been extended to include both
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Bite-sized help is at hand
Oxfordshire is bristling with vibrant small and medium size enterprises, but for many of them, laying down the investment needed to grow their businesses can be daunting. There's not only the investment required, which can be a large part of a small
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Speaking in tongues
One of the greatest strengths of the Internet is that it frees up the possibility of communicating across the globe. The business possibilities of such a tool are infinite. But it could be argued that this is also a major downfall of the web
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Parson's pleasure?
I have always been fascinated by the restaurant trade — how do some establishments thrive while others fall by the wayside? Logic suggests that restaurants are only as good as their customers, or rather the number of them coming through the doors.
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Managing the market
As you try to take euros out of a cash machine in Bilbao or Bremen, the screen may present you with a dilemma: do you want your transaction to be calculated from euros to pounds or vice versa? If you are on holiday you are unlikely to be following
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Battle of the bugs
The Dunn School at Oxford University is famed as the birthplace of modern antibiotics, thanks to the pioneering work on penicillin by Ernst Chain and Howard Florey during World War II. So it is fitting that some 50 years later, the School’s Prof Jeff
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Fears for missing woman
An Abingdon woman last seen two days ago has been reported missing. Anna Sedgwick, 31, was last seen at her home in Bowyer Road at about 7.45am on Wednesday. Police described her as white, about 5ft 2in tall, of heavy build with pink/red hair. She
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Couple celebrate 70-year marriage
A couple who met on a blind date on Magdalen Bridge, Oxford, in 1934, celebrated 70 years of marriage with a meal out in Bladon and a card from the Queen. Basil and Joan Clinkard (née Gibbs), both 91, also enjoyed a tea party attended by four
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Canalside could get housing
The canalside in Banbury could get a multi-million pound regeneration and become a site for 1,200 new homes. If the town's flood alleviation scheme goes ahead next year, the 45-acre site between Bridge Street, Cherwell Street and the railway line would
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Fire cuts stadium power
The Kassam Stadium — the home of Oxford United — is without power after a fire earlier today. Crews from The Slade and Rewley Road were called at about 10.15am, after the football club reported a problem with a fuse board. The club's offices and ticket
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Sunny side of the street
Nestled among the wind turbine, solar panels, non-polluting washing powder, recycled glass beads, mouse mats and compost bins in Eco-St's shop at Yarnton is a book called How Many Lightbulbs Does It Take to Change A Planet? The title sums up the philosopy
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Degrees of certainty
If you thought the Dotcom boom was a one-off, then you would be wrong, according to a group of Oxfordshire entrepreneurs. They believe the 'Green Valley' around Oxford could become the new Silicon Valley, with a 21st-century explosion in environmental
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The master of the plan
Name: Simon McCrum Age: 43 Job: managing partner, Darbys solicitors, Oxford Time in job: One year Contact: 01865 811256 E-mail: smccrum@darbys.co.uk What was your first job? Putting the crosses on hot cross buns in a bakery. As ever, I went
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From Chile with love
Eight years ago a Chilean arrived in England with a mission: to persuade us all to drink more wine produced in his distant land, instead of that produced 21 miles away across the Channel in France. His plan was to set up an offshoot of the old established
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Double murderer jailed for life
A 63-year-old man who murdered two squatters by setting a house on fire has been jailed for life today at Oxford Crown Court. James Cox killed Sian Sanchez, 36, and Howard Blake 51, at Redbridge Cottage in Old Abingdon Road, Oxford, in January 2007.
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Leila insures her future
Three years ago Leila Wilcox became a household name. The 25-year-old from Stonesfield won the TV reality show Make Me A Million with her idea to set up a company offering a range of shampoos and body washes for children that contain no harmful chemicals
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A slice of the meat market
These days growing numbers of people are questioning where their food comes from. Supermarkets are latching on to this by printing the name of the farmer on the produce, but the customer has to take it for granted that these people meet the required
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Police reopen old sex crime cases
Sex attackers who thought they had got away with their crimes have been warned by police they have nowhere to hide. Hundreds of unsolved sexual assaults in Oxfordshire — some dating back 40 years — are being scrutinised by detectives.
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WEIGHTLIFTING: Green lifts fifth world title
Martin Green maintained his stunning dominance of his sport when he landed his fifth World Benchpress Championship title in Belgium last week. The 34-year-old from Didcot was in record-breaking form as he swept to a convincing victory. He has been
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WEIGHTLIFTING: Dutton aims to graduate
Didcot's Peter Dutton is banking on home comforts as he strives to get his 2012 Olympic bid up and running at the British Championships next week. The 18-year-old former St Birinus School pupil went up to Trinity College, Cambridge, last month but
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Brewery opens first pub
An Oxfordshire brewery has defied the credit crunch to buy its first pub. The Royal Blenheim in St Ebbe's Street, in the centre of Oxford, will become the flagship venue of White Horse Brewery after a minor refurbishment next week. The traditional
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TABLE TENNIS: Rigby returns with a bang
Jeff Rigby, who missed last year through injury, made a stunning return with a maximum to help Bicester A to a 5-5 draw against British Rail in Division 1. Nigel Taylor and John Barclay bagged two wins each for British Rail, the old Lord Nuffield A.
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WEIGHTLIFTING: Watson sixth in Youth Games
Didcot teenager Ben Watson finished a creditable sixth for England in the Commonwealth Youth Games in India. Competing in the 77kg section at Pune, near Mumbai, the 18-year-old St Birinus School Club member recorded a snatch of 105kg and a clean and
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TABLE TENNIS: Juniors off to a flier
Oxford's juniors opened their Midland League campaign with a resounding 9-1 victory over Gloucester at Kidlington Forum Youth Club. Ross Henderson and Chris Smith won all their singles and the doubles in a rousing performance. The visitors’ No 1 beat
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Today's local share prices (AM)
AEA Technology 39.25 BMW 1598 Electrocomponents 136 Nationwide Accident Repair 114.5 Oxford Biomedica 5.7 Oxford Catalyst 171.5 Oxford Instruments 207.5 Reed Elsevier 480.5 RM 167.75 RPS Group 207.75 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
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A blend of character and luxury
An idyllic historic house, mentioned in the Domesday Book, is on the market. The Mill House, Marcham, is set against the stunning backdrop of the River Ock, and combines ancient character with every possible modern luxury. At the end of a no-through
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Top-spot tie at Medley
A Winter League Practice Open was held on Medley last weekend in preparation for Sunday's big match. The 45 matchmen found the Thames very clear and with the bright sunshine, fishing was hard. There was a tie for top spot. Pegged on the last peg
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ANGLING: Martin on time for busmen
There was a good turnout of 11 anglers for the latest Oxford Bus AC match at Fritwell, and although the lake looked perfect, it proved to be a bit of a struggle. Martin Room emerged the clear winner with a net of carp and perch weighing 46.6.0 taken
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‘YouTube’ danger biker to be sentenced
A Banbury man who admitted posting footage of himself riding a motorbike at more than 130mph on the Internet is to be sentenced on Monday. Sandor Ferenci, 28, of Fulwell Close, will be sentenced at Oxford Crown Court for three offences of dangerous
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Teenager charged with perverting course of justice
A 15-year-old girl from Oxford has been charged with perverting the course of justice. The charge follows a report of abduction that she claimed took place in Dunnock Way, Blackbird Leys, on Sunday, April 6. Following the report, a 30-year-old man
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Victorian fountain boost for Plain
An unexpected find has boosted plans to restore the Victorian Fountain at the Plain in Oxford. The fountain is in need of urgent repair. But when work began in August no one had much idea what the missing top section would have looked like. A timely
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MAO announces new art director
Modern Art Oxford has announced Michael Stanley as its new director. It will be a welcome return to Oxford for Mr Stanley, who first studied as an artist at The Ruskin School of Drawing and Fine Art. In Milton Keynes, where he was art director, he
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Brookes welcomes back returning heroes
SEVEN Olympic heroes from the Beijing Olympic Games were welcomed back at Oxford Brookes University. Few educational institutions in Britain can have produced as many Olympic rowers as the university in Headington. And Brookes's own magnificent seven
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United away to Forest Green in Shield
Oxford United have been drawn away to Forest Green Rovers in the third round of the Setanta Shield. The tie is scheduled for Tuesday, November 4.
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Meadow campaigners toast victory
Campaigners were celebrating today after being told that a planning inspector has recommended Warneford Meadow in Oxford should be given Town Green status. The final stage of an inquiry into whether the piece of land should be declared a Town
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FOOTBALL: Fordy saves City some cash
Oxford City have saved themselves a hefty expenses bill – thanks to quick-thinking from assistant manager Mike Ford. As soon as the FA Cup fourth qualifying round draw was made late on Monday morning, City anxiously looked at where opponents
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Village property has been transformed
Transforming a village property into a spacious family home with a beautiful garden is not the type of project that would appeal to many buyers. But Tracy Pownall-Carton, and her husband Paul, were happy to take on the challenge when they bought a
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'Arsonists' set car alight in Blackbird Leys
Firefighters were called to Plover Drive in Blackbird Leys, Oxford, this morning after arsonists set a car alight, Oxfordshire fire and rescue said. Fire crews were called to the incident at 5.20am. Thames Valley Police have been informed. No-one
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Red wines for autumn, £66
With autumn we tend to think of slightly richer, riper red wines which go beautifully with a variety of seasonal dishes and give us that additional sense of satisfaction. Try this excellent mixed case which goes well with a wide variety of foods. The
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Enjoy the autumn wine
I see that my local supermarket has moved swiftly from summer to Christmas. Harvest festival and Halloween have been swept aside in the hurry to squeeze mince pies, tinsel and Christmas cards on to the shelves. It’s appalling. In response
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Pollution plan sought for Chipping Norton
West Oxfordshire District Council has endorsed a plan to improve air quality in Chipping Norton. Councillors now want approval to de-trunk parts of the A44 so heavy goods vehicles are routed away from the town. The area around Horsefair in the town
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City set to toast Saint Frideswide
To mark the feast day of Saint Frideswide, a special Solemn High Mass will be celebrated at Pusey House in St Giles, Oxford, on Sunday at 11am. The service will feature a recently-acquired icon of Saint Frideswide, which is on loan from Christ Church
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Firefighters put out tree fire blaze
Police and firefighters were called to Tilsley Park in Dunmore Road, Abingdon, at 5pm yesterday after reports that youths were setting light to trees in the park. One fire engine was called to put out a tree fire.
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Cameron launches fierce attack on Brown's handling of economy
Tory leader and Witney MP David Cameron launched a fierce attack on Gordon Brown's handling of the economy today. To date, Mr Cameron has supported the Prime Minister's decision to bail out banks following a crisis of confidence in stock markets across
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Cameron attacks Brown on economy
Tory leader and Witney MP David Cameron launched a fierce attack on Gordon Brown's handling of the economy today. To date, Mr Cameron has supported the Prime Minister's decision to bail out banks following a crisis of confidence in stock markets
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Hamilton tops Massa in first practice
Lewis Hamilton and Felipe Massa slugged it out for supremacy in the first practice session ahead of Sunday’s Chinese Grand Prix. The two title protagonists went head to head during the 90-minute run at the Shanghai International Circuit, with Hamilton
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Prayers to take place with security
Organisers will have security at a Muslim centre in North Oxford as a woman will historically lead the prayers. The decision to invite Prof Amina Wadud to lead today’s prayers at the Muslim Education Centre of Oxford, Banbury Road, has split the city's
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TV fashion stars give out tips
TV fashion gurus Trinny and Susannah ran their eyes over Oxford shoppers yesterday and were impressed by what they saw. The famously honest duo of Trinny Woodall and Susannah Constantine, stars of ITV’s Undress the Nation, were in the city
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Sparkling
What a great spectacle. The Olympics may have faded in our memories, but yesterday's parade in London, featuring athletes from Oxfordshire, brought back the wonderful achievements of the summer. Even the England football team can do no wrong. It's
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Richard Allum: Trade unionist
RICHARD Allum who worked with the trade unions at the Cowley car factory over three decades, has died aged 81. A life-long member of the Labour Party, it was this connection that saw Mr Allum, known to his friends as Dick, become active in the trade
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Monstrous carbuncle
Sir — Re: Proposed development of the Mabel Prichard School site, Littlemore, Oxford. Are you aware of the strength of feeling against the corporate developers Persimmon? This ill feeling is due to their attempt to ride roughshod over the wishes of
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Out of character
Sir — I'm disturbed at the fact that so many high-rise buildings are to be erected if a planning appeal for Littlemore is allowed. There are seven three-storey buildings, containing 72 flats, on a very important site in Littlemore. The
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Flippant remark
Sir — As a signatory of the letter to The Times which prompted Christopher Gray’s late-night thoughts on a building which he has never seen (Gray Matter, October 10), I must take issue with his conclusion. It is arguable that Seaton Delaval is Vanbrugh
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Paul Clark: Retired Oxford circuit judge
Friends and former colleagues have paid tribute to retired Oxford circuit judge Paul Clark who died last week, aged 68. Judge Paul Clark was a circuit judge in Oxford from 1985 to 2003, and was also a trustee of the city's Ashmolean Museum.
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Stan Ford: Former shoe repair shop owner
Stan Ford, who ran a shoe repair shop in the city for several decades and was a well known figure in East Oxford, has died just a few months short of his 100th birthday. Mr Ford was originally from South Wales. Having left school at a young
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Essential service
Sir — We are delighted to read the praise from some of our patients in your letters pages from Martin Sheldon (October 3) and Jill Esnouf (October 10). It really is most encouraging for all of us, particularly as we have been working very hard to
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Dangerous parking
Sir — There are no parking restrictions presently in place on the humpback canal bridge in Elizabeth Jennings way. Vehicles are parked there most of the time and traffic approaching from the east is forced on to the wrong side of the road where it
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Waste views wanted
Sir — Could I thank you and your correspondents for the comments on rubbish and recycling in Oxford (Letters, October 10)? Even a fortnightly food waste collection would be a big improvement on what Oxford has now. But we want people's views. Labour
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OAP's home wrecked in arson attack
A pensioner was last night counting the cost of damage after a suspected arson attack on her home. Carol Berry came home from a family birthday party in Devon on Monday night to find the home in Leiden Road, Wood Farm, where she has lived for the past
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Worrying strategy
Sir — We fully support Peter Gresswell's letter (October 3). Oxford should indeed be declared a 'no growth' area. We oppose both the urban extension south of Grenoble Road and the city council's threatened boundary revision into the Green Belt. The
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Give us back our gap
Sir — I was amazed to find, like many others who live or work around Thames View (near Waitrose, Abingdon), that the handy short-cut pedestrians had created in a gap in the fence around the Audlett Drive car park had been blocked off with grand, eight-feet
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'Problem' travellers
Sir — Recently, comments have appeared in the press to the effect that pensioners travelling free on buses "are a problem." Some people have claimed that pensioners are being subsidised by council taxpayers. Others allege that pensioners fill the
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No decision yet
Sir — Simon Hunt (Letters, October 10) should not assume that our Lord Mayor 'will' be 'sacrificed' by the city council. The Standards Board which is to judge her, of which I am a member, has been adjourned until early November, and until that sitting
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Self-control on speed
Sir — I started as a 20mph sceptic, but the local debate has convinced me that a city-wide 20mph limit should be our goal. In technocratic terms, there are clearly some roads where 20mph is "more" necessary, and others where it is more likely to
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200mph car a rare sight
The astonishing 205 mph Corvette ZR1, available to order from UK Corvette retailers now, will be priced from £109,000 on-the-road. GM has confirmed just two Corvette ZR1s will be delivered in 2008 and only single digit volumes will be available to order
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Black & White choices
Hartwell Land Rover, at Cumnor, has created a special launch edition of the 2009 Range Rover Sport to highlight the interior and exterior enhancements that have been introduced for the new model year. Unlike some special editions, this launch edition
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Mégane aims to challenge Golf
Renault's sporty new Mégane hatchback has made its debut at the Paris Motor Show. The new Mégane family will consist of six new models by 2010, with the five-door hatchback, priced from £13,995, launching in the UK in November. Renault says the
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Bio power
Saab, which has little to reveal over the last couple of years other than new bioethanol versions of existing models, addresses that dearth of car design with a stunning new convertible concept. Titled the 9-X Air, and on show at the Paris Motor Show
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Cyclists forgotten
Sir — Reducing congestion and the traffic into Oxford seem to be quite a high priority for the city council, as well as the environmental benefits from fewer cars being driven into the city, not to mention the reduction of obesity and the wellbeing
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Nothing is free
We should not be surprised at the huge number of extra trips taken by pensioners as a result of the new free bus pass issued this year. A universal scheme for free travel was always going to be attractive. Add into the equation the pull of Oxford, the
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Unnecessary blight
Sir — We were impressed with Dr Sunderland's letter (October 10) which highlighted an unnecessary blight on our everyday lives. The majority of Oxford residents work hard to maintain the fabric of their homes both internally and externally. We share
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Chevy shows new Orlando
Chevrolet has already revealed its new Cruze family car, which goes on sale in the UK next spring, but now goes further with the unveiling of its new seven-seater compact people carrier, the Orlando. Styled with off-roader leanings, the Orlando should
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Spate of work
News that work will soon start on work to clear out streams around Oxford to prevent flooding is a welcome first step. It is, in truth, the sort of work that should have been routinely carried out over the years. Authorities like the Environment Agency
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Cars that can talk to traffic lights
Coming soon to a junction near you: the car that ’talks’ to traffic lights as it approaches, helping it to cut fuel consumption. A similar traffic management system — which enables communication between cars and lights to reduce stop-start engine
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Roadtest: Striking Accord
If you like pressing buttons then you will be in seventh heaven behind the wheel of Honda's new high-technology Accord. No fewer than 16 are dotted around the reach and rake-adjustable, three-spoke steering wheel; the driver's door houses another
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People power focuses on Thames
Local Hero can be counted among Lord Puttnam's great successes as a film producer. But over the next 12 months the one-time saviour of the British film industry could make eco-heroes of an entire neighbourhood in West Oxford. West Oxford's Low
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Blanket limit no-brainer
Sir — Imagine this scenario: the US government establishes the principle in the 1960s that people of all colours deserve equal rights. 'Whites only' signs on drinking fountains are removed. But in order to appease a few unenlightened voters
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When the law proves hopeless
There are two lessons to be learned from the neighbours dispute involving the Burden and the Ho families. The first is to avoid going to court at all costs. The second is not to rely on getting compensation, even if you are awarded it. Paula and