Archive
-
Date
Spying day halted on top deck
I WAS second in the bus queue from Pear Tree park and ride. It was unlikely the woman in pole position, visibly unsteady on her feet, would go upstairs. For weeks I had waited for this, a front seat to re-live those long-gone days when I would head
-
Date
Free diabetes help
MANY people with diabetes feel they do not have enough information to understand and manage their condition. This is especially so for people with Type 2 diabetes. We have published the first edition of our new free quarterly magazine Type 2 and You
-
Date
Horse and carts
Regarding your article regarding the dangerous 20mph speed limit (Oxford Mail, October 19), I would like to say how refreshing it was to read an artcle that contained pure common sense and logic. I for one have always kept to the speed limits wherever
-
Date
A case of robbing Peter to pay Paul
COUNCILLOR PATRICK MURRAY is in cloud-cuckoo-land if he thinks that the new pool and proposed gym in Barton is all due to local people getting together and campaigning for years for these facilities (Oxford Mail, October 27). People in other areas of
-
Date
Hunt goes on
APOLOGIES for addressing once again the issue of hunting but there are some aspects of this despicable sport that need to be re-visited. Most people believe that, since hunting animals for sport is now illegal, the absence of any recognisable signs
-
Date
Simply bloodlust
ARTHUR Schopenhauer stated that the only true morality derives from compassion. On that basis it is pointless appealing to those such as David Tinson (Letters, October 20), since such people have no concept of compassion for animals, especially when they
-
Date
Abusing our trust
With the MP’s expenses scandal still making headlines and with a general election in the not to distant future, here are a few points people (including past, present and future MPs) should think about. To claim expenses for interest on a mortgage that
-
Date
They're anti-car
I refer to your article “Frugal Trade Shuts Store” (Oxford Mail, October 12). The proprietress says the biggest factor in the closure is the lack of short-term parking in Abingdon. She’s right. Shop after shop closes for the same reason. Whereas
-
Date
Heat is on as autumn turns into summer
BENSON was Britain’s hottest place on Wednesday – with temperatures hitting a balmy 19C (66F). The unseasonal weather was in stark contrast to the same day last year, when a sleet storm hit the village and temperatures rose to just 8.5C (47F). Benson
-
Date
Veterans support Poppy Appeal
SECOND World War veteran Harry Salmon has now been helping soldiers and their families for longer than he served in the Army. Retired Brigadier Mr Salmon, 89, spent 36 years in uniform. But this year he clocked up 37 years working for SSAFA – the Soldiers
-
Date
FOOTBALL: Lyne salutes Odhiambo
Witney United boss Andy Lyne has hailed the capture of Anaclet Odhiambo. Signed from Southern League Abingdon United, Odhiambo scored twice on his debut in the 4-0 midweek win against Malmesbury Victoria. “We are very happy to have Ani on board,” said
-
Date
'Give autistic teen a chance'
A FATHER is appealing for businesses to help his autistic son break down personal barriers and get a job. Teenager James Jeacock adores cricket, football and going to the gym, but his condition means he finds it difficult to make friends or even strike
-
Date
FOOTBALL: Boss Jeffrey on a glory mission
Banbury United boss Billy Jeffrey is looking to repeat his success in the competition as a manager when he takes his side to Ryman League Division 1 South high-fliers Godalming Town in Saturday's second qualifying round. Jeffrey was boss of Stamford
-
Date
UPDATE: Staff robbed by man with cleaver
A MASKED robber armed with a meat cleaver threatened staff at a painting and decorating firm in Oxford during an early morning raid. Police are appealing for help in tracing the robber who struck at Jones and Reeves Painting Contractors, in All Saints
-
Date
FOOTBALL: Trio to miss out
Didcot Town will be without three key players as they look to get back to winning ways away to Leamington in the Zamaretto Southern League Premier Division on Saturday. Andy Williams, Josh Dutton-Black and James Mortimer-Jones are out through injury.
-
Date
Report crime by logging on
VICTIMS can now report crimes to police from the comfort of their homes, through their computer. Police have launched an online crime reporting function via a Thames Valley Police website for minor incidents and non-emergencies. By the end of January
-
Date
Chalgrove crimes could be connected
POLICE are investigating whether an attempted robbery in Chalgrove is connected to a violent burglary in the village. A man was pushed from behind as he walked past the memorial gardens in High Street some time between midnight and 12.30am
-
Date
Plans for Oxford's Old Fire Station unveiled
A NIGHTCLUB in the centre of Oxford will make way for a new £3.4m arts centre for the homeless. In May next year, the Old Fire Station, in George Street, will become the latest in a string of city nightspots to close. From June, the historic building
-
Date
The day Oxford United handed Arsenal a Hallowe'en shocker
IT was 25 years ago on Saturday, on Hallowe’en 1984, that Oxford beat Arsenal 3-2 at the Manor after David Langan’s 30-yarder slipped through the hands of Pat Jennings. That’s one of the joys of Martin Brodetsky’s new book Oxford United On
-
Date
Oxford United boss Wilder says top-six are looking strongest
Chris Wilder believes it’s five from the top six for automatic promotion. The U’s boss says it’s hard to see anyone outside the current top six challenging for the title. Cambridge are one of the ones outside that top group who could
-
Date
Two in court on heroin charges
Two people have been remanded in custody on drugs charges after heroin worth up to £30,000, some of which is alleged to have been posted from Pakistan, was found. Safana Ijaz, 18, of Danvers Road, Rose Hill, is charged with possession of a Class A drug
-
Date
Famous Oxford United Milk Cup picture goes on sale
This great image, from the greatest cup run in the club’s history, is going on sale tomorrow in a limited edition to support the 12th Man Fund. The photo of Jeremy Charles and Les Phillips celebrating reaching the 1986 Milk Cup final, after beating Aston
-
Date
Use our facilities, says Brookes
Oxford Brookes University is inviting the public to use its sports facilities after they underwent a £175,000 overhaul. In the revamp of the sports centre in Cheney Lane, £100,000 has been spent on a new climbing wall and £50,000 replacing
-
Date
Take a peek at new Ashmolean
MORE than 500,000 visitors are expected to come to Oxford’s Ashmolean Museum every year following a £61m facelift. The museum in Beaumont Street is about to reopen following a multi-million redevelopment which was part-funded by a £15m grant from the
-
Date
Post strike boosts couriers' business
BUSINESS is booming for a former lorry driver who decided to become a courier earlier this year. And it’s all because of trouble at Royal Mail. Self-employed Steve Fox, 50, from North Leigh, near Witney, said he had hit the jackpot by buying a franchise
-
Date
RUGBY UNION: Quins confident for Chinnor clash
The smallest of margins separate Oxford Harlequins and Chinnor ahead of Saturday's derby clash in National 3 South West (2.30). And as a result, neither side is clear favourite for the match at the Southern Bypass ground. Chinnor and Quins are level
-
Date
RUGBY UNION: Witney's double injury blow
Lock Owen Fowler and wing Lewis Collins both miss Witney’s home derby with Bicester in Southern Counties North on Saturday due to injury. Tom Overbury replaces Collins for the leaders, while Joe Rowles returns after injury in the second row
-
Date
Robbery bid in Chalgrove
Police tonight appealed for information after an attempted robbery in Chalgrove which happened on Monday. Between 12am and 12.30am a man was walking near to the memorial gardens in the High Street when he was pushed from behind by a man who
-
Date
Voice of Phil Archer dies at 85
Norman Painting, who played Philip Archer in the much-loved radio show The Archers since its trial run in 1950, has died aged 85, the BBC said. Painting was also a scriptwriter on the BBC Radio 4 programme from 1966 to 1982 and wrote 1,198 scripts
-
Date
BADMINTON: Miller makes Oxon debut aged 12
Twelve-year-old Brodie Miller gained her first county cap as Oxfordshire 3rd lost 8-7 to Surrey 4th at Bartholomew School, Eynsham in Division 5B of the Yehlex Inter-county Championships. Oxfordshire led 3-1 after the singles, but following the doubles
-
Date
Bicester traders fail to get free Christmas parking
SHOP owners in Bicester are fuming after Cherwell District Council refused a plea for help to boost Christmas trade. Traders hoped the council would allow free parking at the former cattle market in Victoria Road during December amid fears shoppers would
-
Date
Bogus workmen stole £200
Police are appealing for information after a distraction burglary in Perry’s Road, Stanford in the Vale. At about 10pm yesterday, an elderly woman opened the door to two men who said that they were there to check the water. One man took the woman
-
Date
Opportunity knocks
Talk about one man’s problem being another man’s opportunity. As unhappy Royal Mail workers become submerged in a backlog of post caused by two days of strikes last week, Oxfordshire couriers are cashing in. Among them is man with a van Steve Fox, who
-
Date
Bicester awards launched
The Bicester Business Awards are being revived after a gap of seven years, thanks to energetic work by organisers. The awards were last held in 2002 and 2003, when they were presented by Olympic Athlete Kriss Akabussi and Falklands veteran
-
Date
Local author
Jacquie Walton is one of Oxfordshire’s most prolific writers. She writes crime novels as Faith Martin, but her latest book, River Deep (Robert Hale, £18.99) is a romance written under the name Maxine Barry. It’s set in a riverside hotel and on a narrowboat
-
Date
Seasons in Oxfordshire
English country houses have always fascinated foreigners, and several Oxfordshire examples feature in a new, lavishly illustrated book called Seasons (Lime Walk Press, £27), . First published in Denmark and Germany, where it was apparently very popular
-
Date
A city divided
Before meeting Lindsey Davis, I had a vague notion that Oxford played some part in the English Civil War, but wasn’t sure of the facts. I had heard that a statue on the porch of St Mary the Virgin on the High Street is pockmarked because it was shot at
-
Date
Children who served England
Not much has escaped the vast industry of Nelson literature, which has riveted the nation for 200 years, from battles at sea to the boudoirs of Lady Hamilton. It is refreshing, therefore, to find a theme, never before dramatised, yet offering depth and
-
Date
Local share prices
AEA Technology 29 BMW 2955 Electrocomponents 149 Gladstone 25.5 Nationwide Accident Repair 78.5 Oxford Biomedica 13.5 Oxford Catalyst 50 Oxford Instruments 216.6 REED 469.5 RM 152.5 RPS Group 213.8
-
Date
Get rid of that tired old tree!
Get rid of that tired old tree! Expert ideas for fresh alternatives to the ubiquitous pine Do you dread Christmas tree needles dropping all over the floor every year? Do you live in a small flat and don't have room for a big spruce or pine
-
Date
Crowmarsh Gifford protesters to lobby homes inquiry
VILLAGERS have pledged to picket council offices at the start of an appeal into plans to build 210 new homes near Wallingford. The planning inquiry into whether Bloor Homes should be allowed to build the houses off Benson Lane, in Crowmarsh Gifford,
-
Date
University telescope offer lets you see the stars
WOULD-BE stargazers are being given the opportunity to use Oxford University equipment normally reser-ved for research to look up at the universe. At the university’s physics department, one can glimpse the heavens through the Philip Wetton Telescope
-
Date
Councils set to get 'lost' cash back from Iceland
COUNCILS in Oxfordshire have started to recoup some of the £33.5m thought to have been lost in the Icelandic banking crisis. The county’s six main councils now expect to have the vast bulk of their cash returned from four collapsed Icelandic banks —
-
Date
Big Climate Event to share green skills
COMMUNITY groups will be arming themselves with skills and inspiration next month to help fight climate change on their door-step. Scores of climate-minded community groups will gather at Oxford Town Hall, in St Aldate’s, for the county’s first Big Climate
-
Date
Children explore science behind magic
CHILDREN explored the science which may lie behind wizardry at the Science Oxford gallery. The museum, in St Clement’s, Oxford, sold out all its half-term activities and dozens of children and their parents worked with science enterprise education manager
-
Date
City bus depot becomes business unit
THE site of a former bus garage in Oxford is set to become a home for start-up businesses and student accommodation. Berkeley Homes has submitted outline plans for the final phase of the redevelopment of the Oxford Bus Company’s old depot, off Cowley
-
Date
City allotment prizes handed out
ALLOTMENT holder Wendy Skinner Smith knows her onions – and has a trophy to prove it. Mrs Skinner Smith won the Challenge Trophy in this year’s Oxford and District Federation of Allotment Associations Competition. Bob Timbs, city council
-
Date
Appleton Christmas Barn
Seven varieties of tree in sizes from 4ft to 10ft in stock Larger trees from 12ft to 25ft are available by special order from Sunday 1 November Telephone: 01865 862908 Email: david@appletonchristmasbarn.co.uk Website: www.appletonchristmasbarn.co.uk
-
Date
Man hunted after indecent exposures in Botley
Police are appealing for witnesses after reports that a man has been exposing himself in the Botley area. The most recent incident happened at about 11.30pm on Tuesday, when a man exposed himself to a woman in The Garth, Elms Rise. The man was
-
Date
Man held over £6,000 shop takings theft in Oxford
A man has been arrested on suspicion of snatching a bag containing £6,000 of shop takings in Oxford. A woman was carrying the bag along Between Towns Road, near Templars Square shopping centre, in Cowley, at 4.30pm yesterday, when a man snatched
-
Date
Update: Rail services back to normal
TRAIN services between Oxfordshire and London Paddington are getting back to normal after a signal failure this morning. The fault, shortly before 10.30am, saw signals fail between Didcot and Reading, bringing trains to a standstill for a short time
-
Date
Victim's family come face-to-case with man accused of Wychwoods murder
THE family of Vikki Thompson today came face-to-face with the man accused of killing her 14 years ago. Mark Weston, 34, appeared for a short hearing at Oxford Crown Court after detectives charged him with murdering the 30-year-old mother-of-two
-
Date
Robber threatens Oxford workers with machete
A masked robber threatened staff with a machete in a raid this morning. The robber walked into a business in All Saints Road, Headington, Oxford, at about 7am. He threatened staff with a machete and demanded cash. Det Sgt Matt
-
Date
Signal fault delays rail services
TRAIN services between Oxford, Didcot, Reading and London are currently suffering disruption due to a signal fault between Didcot and Reading. Train operator First Great Western is warning pasengers that theere could be cancellations of some services
-
Date
Battered by Battenberg at the Ashmolean
I got my first glimpse of the brand new 21st century Ashmolean Museum yesterday, but on my journey there were several reminders of the past. As I strolled towards the Botley Road railway bridge, I could see Clan Line 35028, the Merchant Navy class
-
Date
ROWING: Hamburger leading new-look Dark Blues
Oxford president Sjoerd Hamburger Pictured) is the only returning Blue named in the current squad of 26 Boat Race hopefuls in training for the 2010 Boat Race, writes Mike Rosewell. Hamburger, a Dutchman stud-ying at Oriel, is the first Oxford president
-
Date
FIXTURES: October 30
SATURDAY. FOOTBALL. BLUE SQUARE PREMIER. Oxford Utd v Altrincham. PUMA YOUTH ALLIANCE. Under 18 South West Conference: Swansea City Youth v Oxford Utd. FA TROPHY. 2nd qual round: Arlesey Tn v Oxford C, Godalming Tn v Banbury Utd. ZAMARETTO SOUTHERN
-
Date
Latest cortege due this afternoon
A cortege carrying the body of Corporal James Oakland who was killed in Afghanistan is due to pass through Oxford this afternoon. Members of the public and the Royal British Legion will pay their respects as the cortege passes along Headley Way, in Headington
-
Date
Top shops
The doors finally open today at Witney’s new Marriotts Walk shopping centre, bringing a range of major names — Marks & Spencer and Debenhams among them — along with a range of restaurants and a five-screen cinema. The buoyant news from the market town
-
Date
Memorable ‘relief’
Sir – In response to Paul Weindling’s letter (October 22), I also have been concerned about the historic aspects of the old Nuffield Maternity Home. Prior to its handover to the University, I wrote in 2003 suggesting the preservation of the unveiling
-
Date
Tripling value
Sir – I read with much interest Chris Koenig’s article (Past Times, October 15) on the history of the John Radcliffe Hospital. I was, until I retired in 1982, Treasurer to the Oxfordshire Health Authority and am able to add a little more detail to
-
Date
Doubtful age
Sir – I was very much surprised to read, in Geoff Hedge’s article about Sunningwell Manor on the front of the Property supplement (October 22), that the house concerned was originally built before the year 960. Domestic buildings even back to the 14th
-
Date
Herm not gargoyle
Sir – On page 28 (October 22) is published a photograph by Helen Fairweather of what is labelled as “A gargoyle outside the Sheldonian Theatre in Broad Street” with “a garish makeover in the shape of pink lipstick”. The Concise Oxford Dictionary defines
-
Date
Grubby lavatories
Sir – I returned home to Oxford by long-distance coach recently. At the public lavatories at the coach station I met several others who had been on the same coach. It was very sad to hear their complaints: they thought that Oxford was supposed to be
-
Date
Fresh thinking
There is an elegant simplicity in the idea behind Oxford’s newest charity Replenish. Rather than sending hundreds of tonnes of food reaching their sell-by date to landfill, what if it could be delivered to local people who might just benefit from fresh
-
Date
Powerful case
It is astonishing that for the second time in less than three years we were treated to the sight of climate protesters scaling a chimney at Didcot Power Station. This time, the protesters said they rode past security guards into the grounds of the power
-
Date
New campaign needed
Sir – The campaigns by local people against rubbish incinerators at Ardley and Sutton Courtenay were superb (Report, October 22). The county council is already looking at alternatives, in case an appeal to a Government inspector by Viridor is not successful
-
Date
Bayonet the wounded
Sir – I remember reading somewhere that “Newspaper editors are people who come down from the hills when the battle is over and bayonet the wounded”. I think your editorial on our waste management policy (October 22) precisely represents that position
-
Date
Opportunity for rethink
Sir – Perhaps the delay to the Westgate development (Report, October 15) should be seen as an opportunity rather than a setback. An earlier planning proposal was rejected by the Secretary of State in September, 2002, partly on the grounds of size.
-
Date
Scrap the Westgate
Sir – Following my earlier letter and now Susie Crow’s pleas for a purpose-built centre, Oxford City Council must now realise that without such a centre, there is no hope in becoming a city of culture. With the exception of a national department store
-
Date
Views made clear
Sir – Martin Sheldon talks about a ‘deafening silence’ from County Hall and ‘a confused situation’ (Letters, October 22). There have been neither. Oxfordshire County Council made its views clear at a public cabinet meeting on September 15, where it
-
Date
Harsh decision
Sir – I wholeheartedly support Graham Jones’ view that the closure by Oxford City Council of many public toilets in Oxford is unacceptable (Letters, October 22). It seems likely that even Labour city councillor John Tanner knows that intense physical
-
Date
Risky crossing
Sir – It is with great regret that ‘Pat the lollipop man’, appointed in the second week of this academic year to guide children safely across the Oxford Road, Old Marston, as they make their way to and from St Nicholas’ Primary School and the Cherwell
-
Date
Selfish car drivers
Sir – In the article New 20 limits criticised (October 22), you quote Mr McArthur Christie as saying ‘I’m already seeing more narrow squeaks where drivers are turning left across cyclists more than they used to because they are running parallel with
-
Date
Speculative claims
Sir – Mark Lynas’ books and journalism emphasise the scale of threat from man-made climate change, the extent that humankind must reduce its emissions, and that we may have only a few years before it will be too late. It is, therefore, perverse that
-
Date
Sustainable illusion
Sir – Biofuel enthusiasts, conservation volunteers, or well-meaning landowners may be further encouraged to open up the canopy in Oxfordshire’s woodlands by your article on sustainable management (Weekend, October 15). However, research has shown that
-
Date
Postal workers strike again
Postal workers in Swindon who sort Oxfordshire’s mail are out on strike today as the dispute with Royal Mail continues. Today is the first day of three days of action following on from last week when about 1,000 postal workers in the county
-
Date
Council jobs cut could prompt strike
Thousands of Oxfordshire council workers could walk out on strike over plans to cut 500 jobs. Trade union officials issued the warning after it was revealed 50 computer experts may be the first to go from Oxfordshire County Council within
-
Date
Talk is the key as times get tougher
WE may be enjoying an Indian summer, but is another Winter of Discontent about to bear down on Oxfordshire? First we have the postal workers and their ongoing dispute over pay and conditions with Royal Mail. This one has been rolling
-
Date
Food for thought
Robin Aitken is quite right when he says food being wasted while people go hungry is indefensible. That is why the Oxford Food Bank is such a good idea. The scheme has already seen 1,000 meals a week distributed to those who can’t afford
-
Date
Stop cuts to warden service
SHOULD Oxfordshire County Council decide to axe the vital warden services from sheltered accomodation (Mail, October 26) there will be very many unecessary deaths and much avoidable discomfort for elderly residents. Most inhabitants are not in sheltered
-
Date
Why only one cash machine at the John Radcliffe?
I RECENTLY attended the ENT department at the new West Wing at the JR. I noticed that the car park payment machines only accept cash. Not having any I enquired at the West Wing reception the whereabouts of the nearest cash machine. It
-
Date
The Insider
LAST Wednesday, Andrew Smith, the MP for Oxford East, voted against a call for the Government to sign up to the goals of the 10:10 campaign. In case you missed it, this particular campaign calls for a 10 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas
-
Date
Time to tackle toilet closures
NOW that the incinerator problem has possibly been solved, can we review the closure of the toilets in Oxford? You will know that some 50 years ago there were toilets from the Regal to North Oxford in addition to those East and West – most of which had
-
Date
Mitchell buries head in ashes
COUNTY council leader Keith Mitchell’s remarks on incineration (Mail, October 22) only confirm the intellectual and democratic vacuum at the head of Oxfordshire County Council decision making. Despite overwhelming opposition to mass burn incineration
-
Date
Take playgrounds back to basics
IT SEEMS Oxford City Council has to make some savings somewhere and I suggest that they axe the Jamie Murray playground revamps. This summer there was a consultation in Iffley Fields about a proposal to change the layout of the perfectly adequate
-
Date
Survival of the fittest at Oxford United
OXFORD United are leaving the opposition gasping this season – with their exceptional fitness levels. And it’s one reason why FA Cup opponents Yeovil could be in for a testing afternoon when they visit the Kassam Stadium on Saturday, November 7. Part-timers
-
Date
Council job cuts could prompt strike
THOUSANDS of Oxfordshire council workers could walk out on strike over plans to cut 500 jobs. Trade union officials issued the warning after it was revealed 50 computer experts may be the first to go from Oxfordshire County Council within
-
Date
Do something about climate
Climate change is expected to have massive implications both nationally and for Oxfordshire’s local environment and wildlife. At times it is difficult to imagine that our planet is warming up when rain is bucketing down. But in reality, extreme
-
Date
Get out and go wild
FRIDAY, October 30 The life of bats: 2pm, Science Oxford Live, 1-5 London Place, Oxford. An illustrated talk on the life and behaviour of some of our local bats by David Endacott. Free for members of OUWG and Science Oxford Friends. Non-members £3, groups
-
Date
Grant will aid RSPB talks
THE amazing sights and sounds of wildlife will come to life for Oxfordshire communities thanks to £2,347 from the Lottery Awards for All to the RSPB Oxford Local Group. Schools, community groups and the hard of hearing and visually impaired will
-
Date
Lantern walk in woodland
Natural England is inviting explorers of all ages to adventure into the woods led only by a flickering lantern light at Aston Rowant National Nature Reserve (NNR) on Friday. This year’s lantern walk, ‘Glow Wild in the Dark’ will take visitors
-
Date
Fresh approach to food waste
As you fill your supermarket trolley with reduced peaches or pastries, perhaps you sometimes pause to contemplate what happens to the food that the ‘best before’ bargain hunters leave behind. It is not a pleasant thing to contemplate, not least in a
-
Date
Oxford cyclists see the light: 84 unlit riders fined
A CYCLIST was caught riding through Oxford city centre without lights every two minutes during an evening police spot check. Police carried out an operation in High Street between 6.30pm and 9pm on Tuesday. Eighty-four cyclists were
-
Date
Time to spice up a gutsy red wine to keep you warm
I know that everyone talks about mulled wine come Christmas but I like to think of myself as a girl that is one step ahead of the game. I usually make my first bowl around now because, if you are going to be out and about at night for Halloween and Bonfire
-
Date
Wines for Game, £103
With the game season with us once again, we are being asked for suitable wines to go with this excellent source of low-fat, organic, free-range food. Grouse is very expensive this year, but the ever popular pheasant and partridge are great value
