Archive
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Man charged with raping student
A 24-year-old man from East Oxford has been charged with rape, kidnap, and robbery in connection with an attack in Oxford in the early hours of Tuesday. Police said that Yasin Mohamed, of Aston Street, Oxford, was arrested on the day of the
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Anger as house swap vetoed
A family of nine living in a three-bedroom house have been told they cannot move into a larger home because of overcrowding fears. Lindsay and Justin Pritchard and their seven children have been on West Oxfordshire District Council’s housing
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Cappuccino is pick of pack
Cappuccino is under strict instructions to stay in shape after finishing as runner-up for a top prize at Crufts. The Basset Griffon Vendéen (Petit) came second out of 3,351 entries in the Hound Group at the breeders’ competition at the Birmingham
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Tributes paid to 'wonderful' Kathleen
Hundreds of people will wear purple ribbons to pay their respects to a much-loved social worker, photographer and netball player described as a “wonderful woman and a bright light”. Kathleen Bailey, who lost her battle with cancer last month, spent
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Priest leaves Oxford parish
A popular priest is moving on after five years serving the Catholic community on an Oxford estate. Fr David Hartley, who is the priest in charge of Sacred Heart Church, in Blackbird Leys, is leaving the parish to take up a new position near Stoke-on-Trent
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Highest honours for bravest soldiers
MILITARY heroes from Oxfordshire were last night awarded some of the nation’s highest honours. Bomb disposal expert Staff Sgt Olaf Schmid, who was killed in October while defusing his 65th bomb in Afghanistan, was posthumously awarded the
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Priest moves on to pastures new
A POPULAR priest is moving on after five years serving the Catholic community on an Oxford estate. Fr David Hartley, who is the priest in charge of Sacred Heart Church, in Blackbird Leys, is leaving the parish to take up a new position near Stoke-on-Trent
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Former England footballer promotes medical research
A FORMER England footballer has stressed the importance of getting involved with scientific reearch. Cancer survivor and ex-Crystal Palace captain, Geoff Thomas spoke at an open session hosted by the Oxford Biomedical Research Centre at the John Radcliffe
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Purple-ribbon memorial tribute to 'wonderful' Kathleen
HUNDREDS of people will wear purple ribbons today to pay their respects to a much-loved social worker, photographer and netball player described as a “wonderful woman and a bright light”. Kathleen Bailey, who lost her battle with cancer last month, spent
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Anger as association vetoes a house swap
A FAMILY of nine living in a three-bedroom house have been told they cannot move into a larger home because of overcrowding fears. Lindsay and Justin Pritchard and their seven children have been on West Oxfordshire District Council’s housing
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Council urged to tackle city's housing crisis
A LEADING homelessness charity yesterday told Oxford City Council it was not doing enough to solve the lack of affordable housing in the area. The city council is only delivering 12 per cent of the social rented housing or low cost home
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‘No BMWs to be built at Mini plant’
BMW says it is not going to build a small BMW at Oxford’s Cowley Mini plant, following speculation in the press. Spokesman Graham Biggs said the reports arose from an announcement by BMW chief executive Norbert Reithofer of a new chassis structure to
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Brewer brews the bitterest beer ever
A BREWER has succeeded in his attempt to create the world’s bitterest pint of bitter. International laboratory reports commissioned by Peter Fowler, 58, show his eight per cent beer The Hop is more bitter than any known beer anywhere on the planet.
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Lorry plans branded dangerous
COUNCILLORS have asked developers who plan to reverse lorries over an Oxford park to rethink their plans. Planning permission has been granted for 32 student bedrooms, a retail unit and office accommodation off Cowley Road, subject to the agreement of
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Paedophile 'should die for his crimes', says victim
TO the outside world he was a driver ferrying the elderly to hospital and disabled teenagers to college. But behind closed doors, he held a child in an abusive grip which she is still struggling to come to terms with. Despite his caring
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Roach is U's new youth and community marketing manager
Mark Roach has taken over as Oxford United’s youth and community marketing manager. Roach, 42, who lives near Henley, was previously commercial and community manager at Blue Square South club Maidenhead United. He is looking to raise
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Oxford United under 18's grab derby honours
Oxford United’s youth team chalked up a superb 3-1 win at top-of-the-table Swindon Town last Saturday. Les Taylor’s team have been in fine form lately with a seven-game unbeaten run – and 23 goals scored in that time – before losing 1-0 to Swansea.
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Oxford United stars roll back the years
Stars of the Sixties will be out in force as the U’s face Gateshead a week on Saturday. Thirteen players who played such a big part in helping Oxford United into the Football League in 1962 will be guests of the club for the Blue Square Premier game.
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Oxford United on road to victory?
Oxford United are out for revenge when they visit The Lamb on Sun-day after their shock 1-0 home defeat by Tam-worth on January 16. But more important than any thoughts of getting their own back is the need to return to winning ways to kick-start again
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Even Best can't get in Hodgy's dream Xl
What a great piece it was in the Oxford United programme last Saturday when goalkeeping coach Alan Hodgkinson picked his Best XI, from those players he has crossed paths with, both on the pitch and the training ground. The Non-League paper got players
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It's all about the run-in for Oxford United
Oxford United could be down in third place by the time they face Tamworth on Sunday. Luton Town will leap-frog the U’s into second spot if they win at Ebbsfleet tomorrow, although Oxford will have three games in hand. And if Rushden win at Altrincham
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Local share prices (PM)
AEA Technology 22.75 BMW 2938 Electrocomponents 206.1 Gladstone 34 Nationwide Accident Repair 91.5 Oxford Biomedica 10.3 Oxford Catalyst 57.5 Oxford Instruments 257.5 Reed Elsevier 502.75 RM 165.25 RPS Group 185.8
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Crufts judges like a small Cappuccino
CAPPUCCINO is under strict instructions to stay in shape after finishing as runner-up for a top prize at Crufts. The Basset Griffon Vendéen (Petit) came second out of 3,351 entries in the Hound Group at the breeders’ competition at the Birmingham National
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Why am I charged when booking a holiday?
Could someone please explain to me why I am charged by travel agents for using my credit card when booking a holiday, while all other purchases using the card are free? I can buy petrol, food, clothes, household goods and even a car if so desired, without
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Know a man who has some excellent photos
SO, MODERN Art Oxford wants photographs to place online while it is closed for a £250,000 facelift (Oxford Mail, March 2). I personally will not be able to help it in its quest, but I know a man who has some excellent photographs of Thames Valley Police
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That kid was a tough cookie
IT could have been a scene from a Dickens novel. A small child, five or six years old, shivering in rags, her nose pressed against the mullioned window of some eating house, in which an uncaring man, barely 12-inches away from that nose and comfortable
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Chinese are pandering to the masses
I DO not know how the Dalai Lama was selected for the job at the age of two, nor to what extent the mature man is the product of nature or of nurture, but they could have done a hell of a lot worse, as certain other spiritual movements have, by
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Those were the days, and good riddance to them
ED ROTHERY (Oxford Mail, March 8) evokes a time where 11-year-old Scouts were allowed to wear knives on their belts; adult disputes were resolved by highly civilised and sophisticated Queensbury Rules fisticuffs; a rather variegated House of Commons chanted
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Real figure is ten times lower
This new caring image the Tories are trying to promote for themselves is a distortion of the truth. I am constantly reading reports that seem to contradict this promotion. David Cameron, for example, plans to save £400m by taking away tax credits from
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Labour is to blame for recession
This is Labour’s recession, Mr Whittaker, (Oxford Mail, March 17). The recession hit this country on Labour’s watch. Labour was singularly ill-prepared to handle it because Labour has ratcheted up public spending and public debt without bringing a commensurate
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Didn't take long to see how dangerous Facebook can be
Having been challenged to use Facebook by younger friends and relatives – presumably so that they can take a pop at the old guy from time to time – it didn’t take me long to realise how potentially risky this medium is. We’re constantly told that youngsters
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Save your children from online danger
With the recent tragedy in the news of the 17-year-old girl groomed, raped and murdered by a Facebook predator, I thought parents would also appreciate a wake-up call from a slightly different angle. My son is now 18. While aged 17, he was contacted
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Novelist on Orange prize long-list
A mystery with links to Oliver Twist and set in Oxford has been nominated for Britain’s top book award for women writers. Rebecca Gowers, who lives in Summertown, has been long-listed for the Orange prize for her latest novel The Twisted Heart, which
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Iannucci signs up as unit patron
An Oscar-nominated comedy writer has become the new patron of an Oxford charity for pregnant mothers and their babies. Armando Iannucci, co-creator of spoof television presenter Alan Partridge, the political satire The Thick of It and its Oscar-nominated
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Tickled Pink
JESSICA MANN is sold on the tender cuts and smooth vintages of The Fishes’ Argentina night. When you think of Argentina, a few things immediately come to mind – Eva Peron, the Andes, and tango. You should add beef and wine to that list. Argentina
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Age of Reason
Oxford holds a special place in the affections of broadcaster David Dimbleby, he tells Andrew ffrench. WHEN David Dimbleby was at Oxford University he had so much fun editing the student rag Isis, and dining with his pals in the Bullingdon
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RUGBY UNION: Tattersall set for comeback
Hooker Simon Tattersall is set to play his first match since October when Chinnor host Exmouth in National 3 South West on Saturday. The former Henley player has been out of action with a shoulder injury, but his return has proved very timely
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Gourmet Traveller
ANGELA SWANN heads west to rediscover the golden age of rail travel. Not so long ago, in the glory days of rail travel, nothing reeked of glamour more than first-class dining on a train. Despite never having experienced it (a British Rail
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The Odd Couple
The Bounty Hunter (12A). Action comedy. Gerard Butler, Jennifer Aniston, Christine Baranski, Jeff Garlin, Jason Sudeikis, Neal Moritz. Director: Andy Tennant. Andy Tennant, director of Sweet Home Alabama and Hitch, offers much more than
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RUGBY UNION: Collett and Jenkins return
Centre Johnny Collett and lock Dorian Jenkins return to the Wallingford side for their trip to South West 1 East basement boys Wootton Bassett on Saturday. Wallingford showed great form to defeat Oakmeadians last week, but are unlikely to be
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Cell Mates
I LOVE YOU PHILLIP MORRIS (15). Comedy. Jim Carrey, Ewan McGregor, Leslie Mann, Rodrigo Santoro. Directors: Glenn Ficarra, John Requa. Jim Carrey delivers his best dramatic performance since Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind in this
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Iannucci signs up as baby unit patron
AN OSCAR-NOMINATED comedy writer has become the new patron of an Oxford charity for pregnants mums and their babies. Armando Iannucci, co-creator of spoof television presenter Alan Partridge, the political satire The Thick of It and its Oscar-nominated
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Body of Work
Belle de Jour is coming to town on Sunday to shake the Oxford Literary Festival’s traditional foundations to the core. Her latest book about life as a London call girl is titled Belle’s Best Bits. But if these are the best, what are the worst? Katherine
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Historian charts a passage to liberty
HISTORIAN Michal Giedroyc has written a moving account of his family’s epic journey through wartime Russia. Mr Giedroyc, 81, of Western Road, South Oxford, is looking forward to the publication of his life story, Crater’s Edge, next month. Before completing
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Novelist on long-list for top book award
A HISTORICAL mystery with links to Oliver Twist and set in Oxford has been nominated for Britain’s top book award for women writers. Rebecca Gowers, who lives in Summertown, has been long-listed for the Orange prize for her latest novel The Twisted Heart
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Not Too Flush
RICHARD BELL joins the empty-pocketed clubbers for Skint @ Lava Ignite. I’d like to preface this week’s article with a personal opinion – I dislike toilets with attendants. I don’t like the fact that attendants are present at my least
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Rock Solid
FORGET the X Factor; for the ultimate talent contest, you’ve got to go underground. Literally. Oxford’s subterranean hangout The Cellar, tonight hosts the Oxford heat of the UK’s coolest live music face-off. Called the Red Stripe Music Award, the competition
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Clear As Folk
THIS is a public warning: if you’re averse to accordions, fear fiddles, and are hostile to harmonicas – stay well away from Oxford next month. From April 16-18, the streets, squares and ale houses of the city centre will be transformed into
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Get your heart checked out for free in East Oxford
PEOPLE in East Oxford are being urged to make the most of a free heart ‘MoT’ this month . NHS Oxfordshire, the county’s primary care trust, will be offering people aged between 40 and 74 the health checks as part of a campaign to tackle cardiovascular
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Pegasus Primary gets glowing Ofsted as is told it is outstanding in many areas
AN OXFORD school formerly in special measures has been rated good with outstanding features. Pegasus Primary School, in Field Road, Blackbird Leys, is one of the largest primary schools in the city. Many of its 445 pupils have special
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Army cadets honoured
Army Cadets from across Oxfordshire were awarded BTEC qualifications at a ceremony in their honour. The 13 cadets received certificates equivalent to four GCSEs at grade A to C in subjects such as music and public services. Four Army
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FOOTBALL: Witney struck by Thompson injury blow
Witney United striker Ben Thompson is out for the season with a ruptured anterior cruciate knee ligament. Thompson, who has scored 66 goals from 79 appearances for the FTL Futbol Hellenic League Premier Division club, suffered the injury a
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FOOTBALL: Boss Ford eyes Knight booster
Oxford City boss Mike Ford has received a huge boost with keeper Richard Knight set to end his four-month injury nightmare. The former Oxford United stopper hasn’t played since their 3-2 defeat against his old club Burton Albion in the FA Cup
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Wickerman creator looking for designs for this year's big burn
THE CREATOR of the latest attraction at Oxford’s annual South Park fireworks display is looking for more ideas to help him create this year’s Wickerman. Artist Dan Barton wants young people of all ages to help him create a giant wicker sculpture to burn
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Oxfordshire Army Cadet receive honours
ARMY Cadets from across Oxfordshire were awarded BTEC qualifications at a ceremony in their honour. The 13 cadets received certificates equivalent to four GCSEs at grade A to C in subjects such as music and public services. Four Army
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Dance fans still in step 60 years on
AN OXFORD couple who fell in love on the dance floor have twirled their way through 60 years of married life. Bill and Audrey Wilson, who mark their diamond wedding anniversary day today, still regularly take turns across the dance floor, keeping
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Bomb disposal soldier awarded George Cross
Two Army bomb disposal experts were awarded the George Cross today for the extraordinary bravery they displayed in tackling Taliban explosives in Afghanistan. One of the pair, Staff Sergeant Olaf Schmid, 30, of the Royal Logistic Corps - based at Vauxhall
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Pub stages a fundraising for the Cowley Road Carnival
AN EAST Oxford publican is staging a fundraising event to help make sure Cowley Road Carnival returns to its home turf this year. Lance Cowan, who runs the James Street Tavern, is hosting a 12-hour marathon of comedy, live music and food to raise money
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Three arrested over arson
THREE people have been arrested on suspicion of arson after a fire in Oxford yesterday. At about 11.55pm, a white VW campervan was set alight in St Agnes Court, Cowley. Three males, aged 20, 16 and 15, were arrested near to the scene. They are currently
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Irish society celebrate St Patrick's Day
IT WAS a day to celebrate the Emerald Isle as 70 members of Oxford’s Irish community got together to mark St Patrick’s Day. Oxford Irish Society holds an annual lunch to celebrate the saint’s day and this year people gathered at the Hawkwell
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MOTOR MOUTH: Needing may shades, day and night
back in the ’70s, I thought it was cool to wear my shades 24/7 while riding my motorbike. I must admit it wasn’t a very practical fashion statement, especially after dark. Nowadays however, it seems that I might need to keep the Ray-Bans handy both
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Publishing move
A hi-tech firm has become the latest occupant at the Oxford Business Park. Publishing Technology, the UK’s largest supplier of technology and related services for the publishing industry, is moving into the first floor of building 8100 (above) in a deal
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Changing your name
Simon Barker and Chris Jolly opened the post one autumn day last year to a nasty shock. They had been served notice by Companies House to change the name of their new Chipping Norton-based firm Weldtech. Mr Barker said: "They gave us 12 weeks to change
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Brita's journey to help Nepal
EIGHT people have the chance to join staff from a Bicester firm on a trip to change orphans’ lives. Twenty-two people will travel to Nepal in September to spend a fortnight building a water tank. The tank will ensure villagers in Rampur
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Ecp-friendly council building
Waterless urinals, rainwater flushing and solar panels are just some of the eco-friendly facilities in a new £6m Oxfordshire County Council building. The council has moved 300 staff from Banbury, Bicester and Kidlington into Samuelson House, in Banbury
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£1m out-of-town scheme
A new £1m retail development scheme in Marley Way, Banbury, has welcomed its first tenant. Tile Giant has taken 3,500 sq ft of the 6,500 sq ft development on a ten-year full repairing and insuring lease at a rental close to £12.50 per sq ft. The remainder
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Time to consider Witney
Businesses seeking high quality, newly-built accommodation are being urged to consider a major development in Witney. Marriotts Close is a retail and leisure destination with big high street names including Debenhams and Marks & Spencer in place, while
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Timber trackers go global
A firm specialising in timber tracking devices has undergone major expansion, prompting a move to larger premises. Helveta has seen its workforce grow from 12 in 2007, to 40 and there are plans to take on more than 20 staff by the end of this year. As
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Sales 'good news for Bicester'
An agricultural specialist has expanded into new premises in Bicester. Oxford Agricultural Trials, which evaluates agrochemicals, crop varieties, fertilisers and organic products for the crop protection industry, has bought Unit Nine at the Arena 14 development
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Dry cleaners go green
Two Oxford branches of dry cleaning firm Johnsons have been relaunched as part of a major nationwide rebranding campaign. The outlets in Banbury Road, Summertown, and Woodstock Road, have become GreenEarth stores reflecting the company’s commitment to
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Last will and video of ...
A survey commissioned by the organisation Remember a Charity indicates that nearly two thirds of people in the UK would like to create a ‘video will’ for their loved ones. The idea of being able to record your final wishes and pass on words of wisdom
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Thousands join Wallingford's recycling drive
WHETHER he is watching TV, listening to CDs, or watching his grandchildren play with their toys, David Cross can boast he has never paid a penny for dozens of items in his home. From washing machines and spare parts, to televisions and stereos
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Pavilions of splendour
Many of us do one job while feeling that deep down we are hiding an artist — a writer, painter, or perhaps an actor — longing to get out and be recognised. However, in the case of Fuman Dejahang, 32, otherwise known as Fuman Da, some would say that things
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Ford Galaxy
It is easy to forget Ford’s Galaxy. Not as glamorous as a Focus RS, the Galaxy inhabits another world — one full of people, luggage, airports and business appointments. To dismiss the car as a vehicle operating on the fringes of motoring is
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In the swing of exports
British manufacturing has been in decline for decades, thanks to lower costs in areas such as the Far East. But recently, local exporters have been helped by the strength of the euro which makes selling goods abroad cheaper. Companies such as Care and
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Social networking
According to a recent report, social networking will replace e-mail as the main source of communication for 20 per cent of business users. Social networking sites allow us to talk to current contacts, get back in touch with past contacts and have conversations
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The Henley College - an outstanding sixth form
The Henley College is the only Beacon College in Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire and its reputation and success has spread so far that it is the number one choice for many students. It has a broad curriculum, representing over 40 A Level
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Stockmarket storms ahead
As we have seen over the past couple of years, nautical metaphors and financial crises appear made for each other. Since late 2007, investors have frequently encountered murky, stormy, or troubled waters as share prices have sunk and companies been holed
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I should Coco
Anyone wanting evidence that the economy is bouncing back should look no further than Oxford city centre on a Saturday afternoon. Walking down George Street at lunch time, every resturant and cafe was crammed and, once again, a queue was forming outside
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Record number of entries
o Organisers of the 2010 Oxfordshire Business Awards are celebrating another record with 173 entries — ten per cent up on last year, and almost 50 per cent ahead of the 2007 figure. Paul Lowe, chairman of the organising committee, said: “I am delighted
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Key to the castle
Few would disagree that unlocking Oxford’s grim, grey prison in 2006, and opening up the castle in which it was housed, has proved one of the great planning success stories of recent years. For decades before the transformation of that part of Oxford
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On-the-spot diagnostics
Every day, countless patients around the globe provide specimens for laboratory testing. Invariably, the tests are conducted at a centralised facility and the patient has to return days, or even weeks, later to discuss the results and treatment. Enigma
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Rye St Antony - Happy and Ambitious
On Sunday 21 March girls from Rye St Antony will provide the music for the liturgy of the Centenary Mass of the Church of St Anthony of Padua in Rye, Sussex. The church plays a key role in Rye St Antony’s history, for it was in this church 80 years ago
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Breakfast networking
Doing business at 7am may not be everybody’s cup of tea but a growing number of people in Oxfordshire are opting to join burgeoning breakfast clubs and indulge in early morning networking over bacon, eggs and coffee. The business breakfast
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The Henry Box School - Celebrating 350 Years
Nicky Edmondson is proud to be the first female headteacher of The Henry Box School in Witney in its 350 year history. The successful and popular 11-18 comprehensive school was founded in 1660 by local man Henry Box and this year celebrates its 350th
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New College School - an intimate family nurturing School
Robert Gullifer has been Headmaster of New College School for almost two years. One of the special characteristics of the School is its family atmosphere. “After working in several larger schools I really value the fact that I can get to know all
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Oxford Tutorial College - helping you realise your full potential
Fiona Pocock is the Principal at Oxford Tutorial College and insists she be called Fiona rather than any deferential term of address. “When students progress to university and then move into the workplace, they’ll almost certainly be working in teams
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Trophies triumph for Oxfordshire dancers
YOUNG dancers won so many trophies at their first international competition that they could not fit them all on the plane home. Thirty competitors from Flair Dance Studio, who practise at St Gregory the Great School, in Cricket Road, East Oxford
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Tudor Hall - discovering and developing the talent in everyone
Tudor Hall is a small girls’ boarding school in a rural setting which benefits from its proximity to cultural centres such as Oxford, Stratford-upon-Avon, Birmingham, Warwick and London. The size of the school allows all pupils to develop as individuals
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Chandlings - a wonderful place to be
I came to Chandlings in September 2008 from Leeds where I had been the Head of the Junior School to the Grammar School. Having forged many changes to the academic and pastoral life of the school, I count myself as an innovator and a builder - of ideas
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Burglars steal religious medals
Police are appealing for information following burglaries in Faringdon and Shrivenham. Between 6pm and 9pm last Friday, thieves broke into a house in Fernham Road, Faringdon, and stole some cash and two ceremonial religious medals. During
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Three held over Oxford campervan arson
Three people have been arrested on suspicion of arson after a fire in Oxford. A white VW campervan was set alight in St Agnes Court at about 11.55pm yesterday. Three young men, aged 20, 16 and 15, are in custody.
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Burglary in Carterton
BURGLARS stole hundreds of packets of cigarettes and a television from a house in Carterton. Police are appealing for help after the burglary in Black Bourton Road between 2.30am and 3.30pm yesterday. The burglars stole 800 packets of cigarettes and
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Ferndale - giving each child the opportunity to suceed
Ferndale is a co-ed day school for children aged 3-11 years in historic Faringdon. Despite being a non-selective school, Ferndale has an outstanding record for pupils gaining places at their first choice of independent senior school, many attaining
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ROWING: Coach makes his mark for Abingdon
Athol Hundermark, in his second year as Abingdon School’s first eight coach, produced the star local performance in the Schools Head. The Abingdon first crew finished second overall behind the mighty Eton in spite of limited practice due to the flooded
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Fabia scents success
A burlesque dancer who shot to fame with a televised striptease says she has been inspired by comedian Stephen Fry to overcome her bi-polar disorder and start a new career in business. Fabia Cerra, 36, from Greater Leys, Oxford, has qualified as a perfumer
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Fabia scents success
A burlesque dancer who shot to fame with a televised striptease says she has been inspired by comedian Stephen Fry to overcome her bi-polar disorder and start a new career in business. Fabia Cerra, 36, from Greater Leys, Oxford, has qualified as
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Uniform supplier
What was your first job and what did your responsibilities include? My first full-time job was as an office assistant in a wall coating company. Lots of stuffing envelopes, answering the phone and being very bored. How much was in your first pay packet
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Living the green dream
We are living at a time when the environment is rarely out of the news. Only recently, scientists at the University of East Anglia got themselves into a tangle over whether the evidence for climate change had been “sexed up”. But the scientific consensus
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Keeping the noise down
There is music you choose to hear, played at a volume you select — and there is intrusive music — unwelcome loud noise from elsewhere. At Sound Service (Oxford) which operates from Crawley Mill Industrial Estate, near Witney, this is often the starting
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A flutter of excitement
With the Oxford Literary Festival starting at the weekend, I should be developing some highbrow reading habits. And although I have books by Max Hastings, John Simpson and Dave Eggers lined up on my nightstand, my attention has been diverted
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Barrington Stoke helps reluctant readers
When Patience Thomson was setting up her own publishing company, she knew exactly how to recruit the best editors — she found some children with reading difficulties. The company she founded, Barrington Stoke, produces books for reluctant readers, and
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Garden design college
An innovative distance learning version of its post-graduate level diploma in residential garden design has just been launched by the Oxford College of Garden Design. This will enable geographically distant students to train for a profession
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Barristers' clerk
Ask anyone what a barristers’ clerk actually does and they will probably produce some idea of a Dickensian-style character following in the hallowed footsteps of his wigged master. But historically that image never told the full story and, despite the
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Oxford Innovation expands
A company which specialises in running innovation centres is set for nationwide expansion after a major takeover deal. SQW, which owns Oxford Innovation, has bought regional technology park operator Fasset for an undisclosed sum. As part of the deal
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UK launch of Woodsman motorcycle
The Wychwood Brewery, Witney, hosted the UK launch of the new Woodsman model from Royal Enfield motorcycles. Royal Enfields, first produced in Britain in 1901, have been made in India since 1955, but remain popular in the UK and their importer's public
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Cash for Glide
An award-winning biotech company which is developing a needle-free injection has received a major cash boost of £2.7m from investors, including the Oxford Technology venture capital trust. Glide Pharma, based at Milton Park, near Didcot, has now completed
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ROWING: City girls top of their class
A JUNIOR girls crew from City of Oxford Rowing Club won their class at the National Schools Head in London. City’s JW4+ line-up, comprising Holly Holden, Chloe Seal, Cloudy Carnegie, Siân Morgan and cox Floss Smith started in 247th position and finished
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FIXTURES March 19
SATURDAY. FOOTBALL. PUMA YOUTH ALLIANCE. Under 18 South West Conference: Yeovil Youth v Oxford Utd Youth. ZAMARETTO SOUTHERN LEAGUE. Premier Div: Banbury Utd v Clevedon Tn, Hemel Hempstead v Didcot Tn, Oxford City v Truro City. Div 1 South & West
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Bringing taste of Italy to Jericho
TWO Oxford graduates have joined forces to open a wine bar with a difference. Italian Maurizio Luci, 32, has a hospitality management degree from Oxford Brookes, while his English business partner Chris Murray, 30, is an Oxford University engineering
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Builder looks for growth
TIMBER-frame house builder Stewart Milne is starting to recruit again after seeing its workforce almost halved in less than two years. Its Witney workforce was cut from almost 200 staff to 104 during the recession, but now it has changed focus to concentrate
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TV stolen in Carterton burglary
Polcie are appealing for witnesses to a burglary in Carterton. Between 2.30pm and 3.30pm yesterday, a house was broken into in Black Bourton Road and 800 packets of cigarettes and a 26-inch flat-screen television was stolen. Det Sgt Dick White,
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Dipping into the life of ponds
Government-funded research published by the charity Pond Conservation shows that 80 per cent of wildlife ponds in the UK are in a ‘poor’ or ‘very poor’ state. This study has also shown that we have lost almost half a million ponds in the last century.
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Lights trial at Bicester Village
Traffic lights will be trialled this weekend in a bid to ease traffic congestion caused by the Bicester Village retail outlet. A temporary traffic light will be set up on the section of road between the A41 and the Pingle Drive roundabout for
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To and Fro: Rookery, Old Headington
Fancy a 1930s party? That’s what the Oxford Playhouse’s youth theatre company 16|22 will be recreating at the Rookery in Old Headington. It might well be the first time such a party has been held there too — Headington History’s magnificently-detailed
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Melvyn Bragg's upbeat view of the arts
Studying at Oxford gave Melvyn Bragg the “elbow room” to find out what sort of life he wanted. “Oxford gave me the space to turn into the sort of person I became,” he said, in that gentle, Cumbrian tone. “It allowed me to imagine a different life, the
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Oxford Jazz Festival
It’s hard to put on an arts festival but it’s a lot harder to repeat the feat two years running, and to already have plans for the third. Yet that is exactly what the organisers of the Oxford Jazz Festival have managed. This year the festival will have
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The fall of Varsity Express
Two announcements that might affect the travel plans of Oxfordshire residents occurred this month. First, passengers seeking information about their flight with Varsity Express from Edinburgh to Oxford were told when it would take off — never. Secondly
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Heavy metal
It is more than a decade since BMW weaved its not inconsiderable sports car magic over a whacking great 4x4 and unveiled the X5. The aim was simple – produce a formidable 4x4 with the driving dynamics of BMW’s forte, the sports tourer. The success of
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Arsonists attack six vehicles
Five cars and a van were set alight on an industrial estate in Banbury last night. Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service said the arson attack took place at the back of Double M Autos, on an industrial estate off Overthorpe Road. Firefighters and
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Cars torched on industrial estate
FIVE cars and a van were set alight on an industrial estate in Banbury last night. Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service said the arson attack took place at the back of Double M Autos, on the industrial estate off Overthorpe Road. Firefighters and police
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Eco plans boost car firms
The motor industry has been given a double boost with news of huge investments by two of the UK's biggest carmakers, safeguarding thousands of jobs. Ford and Nissan will both receive Government support towards almost £2bn investment to develop
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Universities will see funding cut
The vast majority of England's universities will see their public funding slashed next year. Oxford and Cambridge are among those losing out this year, as institutions are hit with the biggest cuts since the 1990s. It will fuel concerns
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Thatching the old way
Asked to picture a traditional village scene in rural Oxfordshire, many people would point to a thatched cottage. But in fact, the craft of thatching has changed radically since the 1960s. Before that, local houses were roofed using long straw,
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Contested Will: Who Wrote Shakespeare?
For 200 years after Shakespeare’s death, no one thought to argue that somebody else had written his plays. Since then dozens of rival candidates — including Sir Francis Bacon and the Earl of Oxford — have been proposed as their true author. The conspiracy
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TRIALS OF THE DIASPORA by Anthony Julius
Jews were expelled from England in 1290 and only allowed back in Cromwell’s time, so we can be sure that Chaucer and Shakespeare, when they wrote The Prioress’s Tale and The Merchant of Venice, had never seen one. Dickens (who later regretted it) created
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Solar by Ian McEwan
There aren’t many literary novels with a physicist as the hero. McEwan breaks the mould in his latest book, which follows the tribulations of Michael Beard — a fat, short, bearded scientist who is irresistible to women. His fatness, and his disgusting
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Feeding birds 'puts pilots at risk'
Bird lovers could be putting pilots’ lives at risk by feeding red kites near RAF Benson. The birds of prey gather around the airbase because villagers are giving them food – but the RAF is worried this is increasing the chances of a collision
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Oxford United happy to leave stadium pitch behind
Oxford United manager Chris Wilder predicts an away game will do his players “the world of good”. The U’s are preparing now for back-to-back Blue Square Premier matches on the road, with trips to Tamworth on Sunday then promotion rivals Rushden next
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Tackling the bottleneck
OXFORD’S Frideswide Square is set to be redesigned in a bid to ease congestion at one of the city’s most notorious traffic bottlenecks. The junction near the railway station has long been viewed by motorists, cyclists, pedestrians and rail
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Do you live in Abingdon?
Sir – I was in a local pub recently and when a customer went he left the door open. This was greeted with a cry of ‘Do you live in Abingdon’. I had never heard this before, but many of the other customers said it used to be a common refrain when somebody
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Merging libraries
Sir – In 1971 the Oxford Civic Society published a small booklet I wrote entitled Summertown — towards a comprehensive community. In this booklet I explored the concept of community schools. I referred to the Peckham experiment, the work done at Countesthorpe
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Sight for sore eyes
Sir – I just wanted to write on the lovely article on Warneford Meadow in March’s Oxfordshire Limited Edition magazine. It certainly was a sight for sore eyes. As a patient of the Warneford I have walked on Warneford Meadow and indulged in a spot of
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Jewish presence
Sir – I enjoyed reading the article Last resting place for city’s Jews in last week’s issue. It was informative, but unfortunately carried a number of small factual errors. Its appearance is timely though, as only recently a new website has
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Brilliant service
Sir – I have read with interest letters published in The Oxford Times recently regarding transport to the major airports from Witney being very difficult. I thought that readers should be made aware of a brilliant shuttle bus that is now running a
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Soundest investment
Sir – I write to second Alan Alcock’s question “Do we need more shops?” (Letters, February 18). I hope that the Crown Estate will look at the development of the Westgate area and see it in the context of a city centre already blighted by boarded-up
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Concerns surface
Sir – While Janet Beer was posing against the neatly manicured lawns of Headington Hill Hall and extolling the benefits which Brookes University brings to Oxford (Report, March 4), Brookes’s other contributions to the community were surfacing below.
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Square shape set to change
A £2M redesign of one of the Oxford’s worst traffic bottlenecks is being drawn up by transport planners. Highways officers at the county council are to ask the public their views on how they think the road layout in Frideswide Square outside the railway
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Fishy business
Sir – With reference to Robert King’s letter (Oh starchy griper, March 4), may I suggest the following cryptic clue for Christopher Gray: Diner gets high when excited about bouillabaisse of oyster and king carp. R. Newey, Headington
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Far from puzzling
Sir – In the quick crossword on March 4, the clue for 20 down was as follows: “Enlarge” (seven letters). The solution, as confirmed in the March 11 edition, was: “Enlarge”. Is this an example of dumbing down? Bill Hawes, Drayton St Leonard
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A little light caning
Sir – Now that the hallowed stones of Oxford are becoming covered in graffiti, no doubt I would be called middle class, or even fascist, for advocating a little light caning for the culprits, followed by plenty of publicity. J. Lees, Oxford
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Questions raised
Sir – Your report (March 11) that ‘Schools have been given £62m under the Government’s ‘Building Schools for the Future’ (BSF) programme is indeed good news. This news does, however, serve to disguise one important and quite disgraceful matter.
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Urgent action needed
Sir – Councillor Louise Chapman must be very naive to believe that . . . ‘If (young people) appear to be under the influence of alcohol, then they should be banned from the centre.’ This is the perfect pantomime scenario: You’re drunk!’ Oh no I’m not
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Enforce 20mph limits
Sir – Your 20mph speed survey (Report, March 4) came to an odd conclusion. Despite finding that more drivers are obeying the law, it starts, “Driving experts questioned the need for Oxford’s 20mph limits after it emerged motorists are still ignoring the
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Register to vote
Sir – According to the Electoral Commission, 3.5 million people in the UK are entitled, but not registered, to vote. While we may disagree with each other in politics, we are agreed that the right to vote is paramount. It cannot be exercised
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Plague of coaches
Sir – A plague of monster foreign-registered coaches has descended on Iffley Turn, in the evident belief that this is the city’s free coach park. We are not the first to be infested, I am sure, but the problem is here and now. There appears to be
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Britain can break it
Sir – As a pendant to the account of the formal opening of the New Bodleian Library by King George VI, (Feature, March 4) my father, who became Bodley’s librarian in 1948, recorded in his memoirs that after the key broke “the situation was only saved
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Fragile area of land
Sir – Last week’s headline and editorial highlighted the complex planning issues which face the site at Water Eaton where Chiltern Railways hope to build a major new Parkway station to serve Oxford. CPRE supports the broad objectives of the Evergreen3
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Preventable abuse
Sir – I was deeply saddened to read PJ Cresswell’s letter about school bullying in Oxford (March 11). As a student at two of Oxford’s schools about 20 years ago I experienced and also witnessed some horrendous bullying. This has certainly affected
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Greatest story ever re-told
The “angry letters” have already begun arriving. Philip Pullman’s new book The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ will not be in the shops for another two weeks, with its content being kept a closely guarded literary secret. But some people believe
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College sports ground will become eco park
A JAR of honey a year has secured an ecological parkland site near the city centre, after an historic deal between a community group and an Oxford college. Corpus Christi College’s sports ground at Grandpont is to be transformed into what promises
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Jar of honey secures eco-park deal
A JAR of honey a year has secured an ecological site in Oxford – thanks to a deal between a community group and a university college. Corpus Christi College’s sports ground off Whitehouse Road, South Oxford, is to be transformed into a community
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Wines of Argentina, £95
Argentina is making a great name for itself in the world of wine. With the highest vineyards in the world, this is the place to find well made aromatic, floral whites and seriously fruity reds that are the perfect partner for a variety of foods. The
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Unscrambling the objection to wine with your eggs
I have moved; finally. My little, rural idyll feels great and, despite the trauma of zero mobile phone signal (now dealt with) and an access road that is crying out for a four-by-four (despite my strong internal environmental protests), I feel as if I
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Feeding birds 'puts lives of RAF Benson pilots at risk'
BIRD lovers could be putting pilots’ lives at risk by feeding red kites near RAF Benson. The birds of prey hover around the airbase because villagers are giving them food – but the RAF is worried this is increasing the chances of a collision
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Right way to straighten out the square
IT IS a predictable cry from motorists whenever the lights fail in Frideswide Square: Leave them off, the traffic is running smoothly. We welcome Oxfordshire County Council’s confirmation that it is planning to sweep away the complicated set-up that
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It's not cricket
One of Oxford’s unsung resources is its rich number of cricket grounds. Most are owned by colleges that, given the dates of University terms, use them relatively little for their own teams. Many are hired out regularly to local teams that benefit
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Magnolia: A spring beauty
Spring is late this year. So late that my garden has no daffodils in flower apart from the very early ‘Cedric Morris’ and this little charmer has been with me since Christmas. It’s so late that the Spring Show at Cumnor has had to be moved from the March
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Do garden interlopers pose danger to our birds?
My garden has recently been host to a pair of foxes. The dog in particular was especially bold — to the extent he picked up in his mouth a fat-ball I had left on the lawn for the birds and attempted to bury it beneath an ash tree less than five metres
