Archive
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Crashes cause ring road delays
A crash brought long delays to the A34 Oxford Western Bypass tonight. One lane of the northbound A34 was closed after a multi-vehicle accident near the Peartree Interchange. Congestion was reported back to the Botley Interchange.
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Emmerdale star to open new shop
EMMERDALE actor Jeff Hordley will open Abingdon’s new Poundland on Saturday. The star, who plays Cain Dingle in the long-running ITV soap opera, will be at the Bury Street precinct store, the town’s former Woolworths, from 10am. Mr Hordley
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Two smashes lead to A34 delays
THERE are long delays on the A34 in Oxford tonight after two multi-vehicle accidents. Three cars were involved in an accident at about 5.45pm, close to the Kidlington and Islip turn-off. An hour later there was a four car accident at the same turn-off
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Book's authors are really street wise
EVEN in a city so widely written about, Ann Spokes Symonds can surely now be viewed as an author streets ahead of the rest when it comes to knowing her way around Oxford. Almost 50 years ago the former Oxford Lord Mayor set herself the formidable
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Stocking Fillers
YOU might think it’s a bit early in the year to start talking about books to buy for Christmas but the number of shopping days are fast disappearing and it’s well worth drawing up a festive list, writes Andrew Ffrench. In these cash-strapped
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It's Smokin'
Katherine MacAlister talks to the man who makes a living out of being Dean Martin. Where Dean Martin begins and Mark Adams ends is a difficult one. Because Mark has been playing Deano for such a long time, and admires him so much, that even
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Glass Act
Richard Bell has a fine old time at Kukui in Park End Street, Oxford. I recently had to explain the significance of wearing poppies to an American student here for a semester abroad. It was a strange experience, and I’m not sure I did a
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Ruarri's Forte
Tim Hughes has a chat with the man being dubbed the British Jack Johnson. A laidback surf dude, who played his first gig on a beach, Ruarri Joseph is never more at home than when plucking his guitar among the dunes of his seaside home. It
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Gift of The Gab
Tim Hughes talks to singer-songwriter and internet phenomenon Gabrielle Aplin, who is set to become the Next Big Thing. SHE’s a writer of spellbinding, soul-touching music, she has an online fan base of 42,000 fans, and her debut outsold
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Get Fresh
Masters of masala, kings of korma, Tim Hughes and Ed Nix are the Curry Brothers – and are on the search for the best Asian food in Oxford. This week they let their hair down with a party at one of the city’s best-loved eateries, Jamals. NO-ONE
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London Calling
Jeremy Smith looks at the best way to actually enjoy your Christmas shopping in the capital. Like all cliches, it’s only a cliche because it’s true. And going down to London to see the Christmas lights certainly fits this bill. Yet, bizarrely
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Fatal Attraction
HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS: PART 1 (12A). Action/Drama/Romance. Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Ralph Fiennes, Helena Bonham Carter, Jason Isaacs, Tom Felton, Julie Walters, Mark Williams, Rhys Ifans, Evanna Lynch,
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You Beauty
Will true love conquer all? That is the question everyone in Chipping Norton is asking. Because the theatre has been transformed into an 18th century French winter wonderland for Beauty and the Beast, from Tuesday until next year. Katherine MacAlister
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Education chief apologises for school results
The man responsible for improving Oxford schools has apologised to parents for the city’s failing standards. But county councillor Michael Waine has not given any promises on when results will improve. Last week, it was revealed that
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Alphonsus Lord: Pioneering medical engineer
A DISTINGUISHED medical engineer, who developed artificial muscles for the disabled so they could move their arms and fingers, has died. Born in 1916, Alphonsus Lord grew up in Barnoldswick, Lancashire. Alf, as he was known, was one of two pupils to
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Bernard Crapper: Former Oxford speedway promoter
FORMER Oxford Speedway promoter Bernard Crapper passed away on Tuesday, aged 73, after a period of ill-health. A Cheetahs fan since childhood, Mr Crapper got involved in the Save Our Stadium group after Oxford Stadium was sold for redevelopment
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Joyce Collin-Smith: Born to be a journalist
A RENOWNED author and former Oxford Mail, Oxford Times and Fleet Street journalist has died, aged 91. Joyce Collin-Smith, who was The Oxford Times’ first woman reporter, passed away earlier this month. She was born into the newspaper
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Local share prices (PM)
AEA Technology 5.35 BMW 4763 Electrocomps 262.4 Nationwide Accident Repair 99.5 Oxford Biomedica 9.75 Oxford Catalyst 65.5 Oxford Instruments 509.5 Reed Elsevier 532.75 RM 149.25 RPS Group 223.5 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
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Man hands himself in over theft of £6,000 Harry Potter book
A 39-year-old man has handed himself into police in connection with the theft of a rare first edition of the first Harry Potter book. The book, worth £6,000, had been stolen from the Creative Art Gallery, in Oxford Street, Woodstock, on Saturday
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BT leaves advice bureau with no phones
BOSSES at BT have apologised to Didcot’s Citizens Advice Bureau after the charity was left without phone lines for its new office. A dispute with BT means they will not have phones fitted at their new High Street home until at least the end of the month
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We've had enough cuts, says town council
‘ENOUGH is enough’ – that’s the message from Wantage town councillors who fear government and council spending cuts could lead to more community facilities being lost. Wantage Magistrates’ Court, the register office and Vale of White Horse District Council
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Corrie star pulls out of lights switch-on
Helen Flanagan, the Coronation actress who had been due to switch on Banbury’s Christmas lights has pulled out. Helen, who plays minx Rosie Webster in the show, had to cancel due to filming commitments. Instead, her colleague, and arch
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Son's birth led to petrol station ram-raid in Porsche
A FATHER who could not cope with the pressures of a newborn baby ram-raided a petrol station with a stolen Porsche and escaped with £2,500 of cigarettes. James Benson was part of a gang of three who smashed their way into the shop at Sportif Suzuki,
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Council considers property sell-offs
PUBLIC buildings and swimming pools could be sold off in a council cost-cutting drive. Vale of White Horse District Council is reviewing all the authority’s £33.5m worth of buildings and said those “not performing well” will be sold.
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Two arrested over theft of rare Potter book
Two people have been released on bail after being arrested in connection with the theft of a first edition copy of a Harry Potter book. The rare copy of Harry Potter and The Philosopher’s Stone, worth an estimated £6,000, was stolen from the
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No "faffing" at breakfast event
CHALGROVE: Motivational speaker Mike Fagan will be the speaker at The Late Breakfast event at Hampden House, Monument Park. Mr Fagan will be presenting a talk titled “Stop Faffing About!” which focuses on ways to avoid everyday distractions and staying
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East Oxford residents fight new plan to build on leper hospital site
East Oxford residents are reviving their campaign against plans to build student accommodation near a medieval leper hospital. Oxford University’s Oriel College says it will appeal over a scheme to create 31 rooms for graduate students, on
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Deering goes out on loan to Newport
Oxford United winger Sam Deering is to join Blue Square Bet Premier side Newport County on loan until January. The youngster, who last month rejected a move to Kidderminster Harriers, has struggled to hold down a first-team place. It
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RUGBY UNION: Clubs are kitted out
Grove unveiled a new kit when they defeated Wootton Bassett 26-12 in Southern Counties North. The shirts are sponsored by Chevrolet at Bellingers Garage, Grove and Apex Security Systems. Also modelling new kit are Harwell 2nd, with shirts sponsored
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Local share prices
AEA Technology 5.35 BMW 4763 Electrocomps 262.4 Nationwide Accident Repair 99.5 Oxford Biomedica 9.75 Oxford Catalysts 65.5 Oxford Instruments 509.5 Reed Elsevier 532.75 RM 149.25 RPS Group 223.5 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
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BAR BILLIARDS: Sheards lift world pairs crown
Kennington duo Keith Sheard and son Steven lifted the world pairs in Jersey, writes PETE EWINS. After beating Paul Newton and Dave Jones 7,920-4,380 in the quarter-finals, they racked up an impressive 21,930 points to defeat Harry Barbiet and Alan LeBlond
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GOLF: Club results
OXFORD CITY Medal No 11 – Div 1: 1 N Strange 72-5=67 (cb), 2 K Eagle 79-12=67, 3 D Wiggins 73-5=68. Div 2: 1 A John 84-19=65, 2 M Marriott 84-16=68, 3 R Davies 86-17=69. CHIPPING NORTON November Medal – Div 1: 1 G Kay nett 63, 2 J Jones 65, 3 W Preece
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Help being given to first-time buyers insist South Oxfordshire District Council
COUNCIL leaders insist help is being given to first-time buyers to allow them to get a foot on the property ladder in the UK’s most expensive rural area. Members of South Oxfordshire District Council moved to reassure new buyers following the release
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Trevor Smith death: Friends pay tribute to car crash victim
TRIBUTES have been paid to a 26-year-old man who died when his car crashed into a railway bridge in Bicester. Trevor Smith, from Goldsmiths Close, was driving the silver Vauxhall Astra when it hit the bridge at the junction with Lords Lane
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South Oxfordshire homes have highest rural prices in country
SOUTH Oxfordshire has the highest house prices of any rural council area in the country. Figures produced by the Halifax bank show the average price of a property in the district is £388,326 – 26 per cent higher than the same report found last year.
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Retirement homes residents help heroes
Residents and guests at a retirement development in Wantage raised more than £1,000 for charity Help for Heroes at the weekend. The event, at the David Wilson Retirement Homes development Willow Grange, included a cake sale, raffle and stalls. David
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GOLF: Clayton in at Witney
Neil Clayton (pictured left) drove in as Witney Lakes’ new club captain to join Judy Taylor (ladies) and Barry Holmes (seniors) in taking up their offices. Clayton hosted a stableford competition, with a two-minute silence at 11am to mark Remembrance
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GOLF: Gavrilovic bid hangs in the balance
Dusan Gavrilovic has it all to do if he is to qualify for the European Senior Tour. The Studley Wood professional lies joint 25th going into today’s final round of the tour’s qualifying school in Lagoa, Portugal. Gavrilovic needs to finish in the top
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Doctor who worked at Horton Hospital is struck off
A doctor who stormed off while handing over a patient with a head injury to another member of member at The Horton Hospital has been struck off. David Heal was also “misleading” and “dishonest” when he failed to tell the General Medical Council he was
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Riley adds finishing touch to school
Pupil Riley Rowland helped to top out the £11m new building for Wood Farm Primary School and Slade Nursery School in Oxford. Watched by his classmates, the seven year-old donned a hard hat and joined Wood Farm headteacher David Lewin and nursery head
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£30 science attraction aims to be a magnet for tourists
PLANS for a £30m science museum in the shadow of Oxford’s historic Castle Mound were announced yesterday. Science Oxford, which is behind the project, said it would attract more than 100,000 visitors a year. Magnet is among the names being considered
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Prostitute tells court of threats
A PROSTITUTE yesterday told jurors she was threatened by a man accused of trafficking women. The Polish woman, who spoke through an interpreter at Oxford Crown Court, was giving evidence in the trial of two men accused of running the “Fun Girls in Oxford
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Plans for £30million science museum at Castle Mound
PLANS for a £30m science museum in the shadow of Oxford’s historic Castle Mound were announced yesterday. Science Oxford, which is behind the project, said it would attract more than 100,000 visitors a year. Magnet is among the names being considered
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Police issue plea over Oxford cycle crash
Police are appealing for witnesses after a collision in Oxford in which a cyclsit was injured. At about 5.50pm on Friday, a cyclist was riding along Iffley Road, towards Rose Hill, when a car, believed to be a red SEAT, turned left across her path,
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RUGBY UNION: Oxfordshire's super seven
Seven Oxfordshire players have been selected for the South West Under 18 squad. Ali Johnston (Oratory School and Henley), Henry Purdy (Cokethorpe School and Chipping Norton), David Massey, Rory Paxton (both Henley College), Jacob Wilson (Cokethorpe School
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Model Sophie has really got the look
AN OXFORD schoolgirl is on the verge of becoming a top model just two years after she was spotted on a visit to a fashion show. Sophie Rose, then 16, was at the Clothes Show Live with friends when an agency scout picked her out from the crowd. Now Miss
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RUGBY UNION: Witney playing it cool
Witney may have jumped from fifth to first after beating Maidenhead, but they are not yet considering promotion. Saturday’s bonus-point victory took Witney back to the summit of a very congested South West 1 East. However, joint coaches Phil Harper
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RUGBY UNION: Stanley's gave us real test - Henderson
Oxford University head coach Murray Henderson was relatively pleased by his side’s workout against Major Stanley’s XV yesterday, which resulted in a 21-14 victory. Henderson was impressed by the quality of Oxford’s opponents, who led 14-7 at
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ICE HOCKEY: Stars in a hurry to sink Pitbulls
A FOUR-goal burst in the opening period set Oxford City Stars up for a return to winning ways as they beat Bristol Pitbulls 5-2 in South Division 1. After a disappointing defeat to Romford last weekend, the victory was just the tonic for the home side
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Show home to open at new development
A three-bedroom show home at a development near Banbury is set to open its doors this weekend. Church View, in Southam, is made up of two, three and four-bedroom homes with a kitchen/breakfast room, sitting room and fitted wardrobes in the master bedroom
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Can you solve mystery of Greek soldier's grave?
MAY I use your columns to express my appreciation to all those involved in the arrangements for the Remembrance Sunday service at North Hinksey, and to see if any of your readers may be able to help solve a mystery concerning a particular soldier
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Nothing to fear over letting licences
I CANNOT understand why the letting agencies are so worried about Oxford City Council’s decision to force all landlords renting out properties to be licensed. They say that they are worried because landlords won’t be able to get their houses up to the
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Surviving death
VIM Rodrigo (ViewPoints, November 10) asks how man-made garments materialise on ghosts. This is explainable if we accept the hypothesis that in the next world our minds will have the power to create spontaneously. A discarnate entity naturally envisages
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The Insider: Job opening requires special skills
THE Government is set to overhaul the benefits system as it continues to target the fraudulent and feckless who have dragged this country to its knees. While some people are desperate for work, there are others who’d rather live on their £65
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Work plan is unlawful
THIS coalition Government is really showing its true colours now, because they don’t want just to get the disabled back to work, they are saying people on the dole are going to have to do unpaid work each week to be eligible for dole money. Well this
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Stand up to Europe
THE fact that a foreign court with judges from around the world who are going to decide who can and cannot vote in our country, is nothing short of scandalous. And without a fight on behalf of our nation, the Prime Minister is to go along with the “
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Revive disused rail routes
THERE has been a lot of talk about the proposed link by rail to London via Bicester. It is a pity that the old link via Thame and Princes Risborough was axed, because besides being shorter it provided a route when an emergency closed the route through
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How the tenant can help keep a house in shape
Broken boilers, frozen pipes and blocked drains are top of the agenda this month to mark National Maintenance Week. Spotting problems in or outside a property sooner rather than later can save huge amounts of hassle and expense, according to experts.
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Character with bonus of mod cons
Older properties that have been renovated but still have original features are popular with househunters wanting to blend character with modern-day convenience. Mill Lane House is an 18th-century property in the village of Upper Arncott, on the market
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CRICKET: Beard signs pro deal with Gloucestershire
Thame all-rounder Michael Beard has signed a professional contract with Gloucestershire. The youngster, 18, has been part of Gloucestershire’s academy for four years, and follows fellow Oxfordshire player Jack Taylor into a full-time contract with the
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Not Bard value at £1.5m
A former 16th-century inn where William Shakespeare stayed and is believed to have been inspired to write A Midsummer’s Night Dream is on the market for £1.5m. Grade II-listed Shakespeare House, in Grendon Underwood, is part-Elizabethan and part-Georgian
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Two football hooligans could face jail
TWO football hooligans have been told they could be jailed over disorder at two Oxford United games. But another was spared prison after the court heard his parents were both terminally ill. Four men appeared at Oxford Magistrates’ Court
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ROYAL WEDDING: Diana fans gets ready for sleep out for the big day
TRACEY Veal remembers sleeping out on the streets of London in 1981, eager to catch a glimpse of Princess Diana on her wedding day. Now, almost 30 years later, she is preparing to do the same as her idol’s first son plans his own Royal wedding
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CRICKET: Battle for Cherwell League supremacy to conclude tonight
Roger Mitty and Clive Ricks go head-to-head to become the new chairman of the MP Sports Cherwell League tonight. With Hanborough expected to be re-elected, 37 clubs will decide at the annual meeting at Bicester & North Oxford CC (7.30pm) who
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CRICKET: Horspath snap up duo
Horspath have signed Tring Park wicket-keeper/batsman Andrew Wynd and Challow & Childrey batsman Jimmy Phillips as they prepare for their first season in the Serious Cricket Home Counties Premier League next year. Wynd, a former Thame Town player who
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Former hay barn boasts lovely views
A former hay barn with views over the north Oxfordshire countryside is on the market for £375,000. Grade II-listed St Hughes Cottage, which is in the village of Shotteswell near Banbury, was once used to store hay for the neighbouring farm. It was converted
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ROYAL WEDDING: County starts its planning for a bun fight
COUNCIL leaders in Abingdon have pledged to overcome health and safety worries so a traditional bun throwing ceremony can be held to celebrate the Royal wedding. After Prince William and Kate Middleton announced their engagement, civic leaders
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COMMENT: Wedding plea
The Oxford Mail would like to congratulate Prince William and Kate Middleton on their imminent nuptials, and humbly make a polite request. When choosing their big day, we hope they will liaise with the good folk of Abingdon Town Council so
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ATHLETICS: Brackett's slog
Woodstock Harrier’s remarkable marathon man Paul Brackett came 23rd in the Druids Challenge Ridgeway Multi-Stage Ultra Marathon. Brackett completed the arduous 82-mile race in 14hrs 39mins. He ran the 29-mile opening day stage in 5.04
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AUNT SALLY: Cross clangs off sixer as Glacticos cruise in
ADY Cross hit 14 dolls, (6, 5, 3) to help Glacticos to a 6-0 drubbing of Kings Arms (Moors) in the Kidlington Indoor League. Phil Adams and Geoff Townsend clanged off 14 dolls apiece to help Cricketers to a 6-0 win over Alders Oldies in the Gladiators
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Home Instead Senior Care
We are all living longer, which is to be welcomed, but this brings with it many challenges. With greater life expectancy — most people born today will comfortably live into their 90s — more and more require care at varying levels, and this has
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Education chief apologises for schools failings
THE man responsible for improving Oxford schools has apologised to parents for the city’s failing standards. But county councillor Michael Waine has not given any promises on when results will improve. Last week, it was revealed that
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COMMENT: Council must take lead to improve 3Rs
COUNCIL boss Michael Waine is right to apologise for Oxford’s appalling record in reading, writing and arithmetic, where it lies 320th out of 325 local authority areas. The Oxfordshire County Council chief is also right to put the focus
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Local author
Retired economist Charles Young, organiser of Headington Farmers’ Market, spent part of his childhood in Rome. He is so incensed by what has happened to Italy that he has produced a book about its Prime Minister and his business empire, his legal battles
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Joyce Cato murder mystery series
Fashion doesn’t just dictate the length of a skirt or style of shoe —it influences almost everything, including novels. No one is more aware of this than novelist Jacquie Walton, from Lower Heyford, whose writing has remained commercial ever since she
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Paperback round-up
The Other Family Joanna Trollope (Black Swan, £7.99) Some people hate her, but there are plenty of fans waiting for this paperback version of the master storyteller’s view of life, death and what happens when there are two families mourning a partner
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Zulu Rising by Ian Knight
ZULU RISING by Ian Knight (Macmillan, £20)‘In that moment God closed his eyes,”recounts an African legend of the eclipse that shadowed the tragic mountain of iSandlwana in Zululand. It came like an omen on a fateful day in January, 1879, heralding two
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Challenging market
Letting vacant property and retaining existing occupiers are the twin challenges most investors are facing in the current market, according to Livingston Gunn’s third annual survey of Thames Valley-based commercial property investors. One active section
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IRSDirect upgrades
Workers at Bicester marketing and brand development agency IRSDirect enjoyed a triple celebration as the company marked its 20th anniversary with record growth figures and a major upgrade of its offices. The Mayor of Bicester, Councillor Richard Mould
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Perils of interfering with nature
Global warming is largely caused by rising amounts of carbon dioxide and methane in the atmosphere. Many scientists and engineers think we could continue to have industrial growth by countering the effects of these greenhouse gases through man-made
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What Caesar Did
WHAT CAESAR DID FOR MY SALAD Albert Jack (Particular Books, £12.99) You may vaguely know that the Earl of Sandwich invented the sandwich, but you probably don’t know why. You might think the Scots invented porridge – but not a bit of it. Or
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South Oxon house prices among highest
SOUTH Oxfordshire has the highest house prices of any rural authority in the country. Figures from Halifax bank show the average price of a property in the district is £388,326 — 26 per cent higher than the same report showed in 2009. It is the second
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Cornbury Park
Driving to work through a private deer park is no bad way to start the day, even if the journey does involve passing a notice telling you to ‘Give Way To Aircraft.’ I made that journey at 8.45 on a perfect autumn morning last month to meet Lord
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Toumaz monitor in Antarctica
WHEN ten polar explorers set foot on the ice of Antarctica later this month, their medical condition will be monitored every step of the way, using wireless body sensors pioneered in Oxfordshire. Toumaz, a company based at Milton Park, near Didcot, has
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Bodleian applies for weddings licence
OXFORD is set to have a new wedding venue following an application by the Bodleian Library for a licence to hold civil marriage ceremonies. But the Bod, as it is known to students, was quick to point out that weddings would not actually take
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Grant Thornton move
Packing-up has started as staff at financial and business advisers Grant Thornton prepare to move across Oxford to new premises. The firm, currently in Botley, is uprooting to the Oxford Business Park, and will occupy 13,000 sq ft of Building
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Don't lose everything
I was thinking recently about all the bits of software installed on my office PC. I have 151, according to Windows, which is excessive. It is going to take a lot of time and effort to get all those programs installed and settings correct when I eventually
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Palace joins awards sponsors
Organisers of the Oxfordshire Business Awards have been given a major boost after Blenheim Palace agreed to become a sponsor. Blenheim, which is the current Oxfordshire Business of the Year, and a former winner of the Property and Tourism awards, will
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Museums display
The gloomy basement beneath the feet of the mighty diplodocus that famously graces the entrance hall of the Natural History Museum in South Kensington, London, was an unusual location for a design studio. But this was where Claire Venables
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Bookfeast for all
Everyone agrees that reading is ‘a good thing’, but how should we encourage it? With dozens of initiatives under threat from public spending cuts, it is a brave person who decides to set up a new charity promoting reading for pleasure. Angie
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Shocking results
What is more shocking, the fact that Oxford’s primary schools have been shown to have the worst Key Stage 1 results in the country or the predictable response of County Hall, teachers and unions? The one theme that runs through all the responses we have
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Funny old game
Sir – Funny old game politics. Phil Woolas, a former immigration minister is removed by the courts as an MP for misrepresenting Liberal Democrat policies during the last General election. Nick Clegg misrepresented Liberal Democrat policies, in writing
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Playing with explosives
Sir – On entering my garage on the morning of Sunday, November 7, I found part of the work bench and a box of tools soaking wet. Above, in the plastic corrugated roof panel was a hole about two inches across. Also on the bench was the remains of a firework
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I am prepared to pay
Sir – Access to public toilets is a basic human right, particularly in towns and cities. Payment for public toilets is surely already included in the taxes we already pay. I would, however, be prepared to pay up to 50p to use a public toilet
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Safety crusaders
Sir – I am delighted to enlist Gert Westermann into my crusade against cyclists (Letters, November 4). I firmly believe that if I drive my car through red lights, on the pavement or without lights at night-time, the police should certainly confiscate
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Height of hypocrisy
Sir – I note that councillor Tanner regards the Ardley incinerator as a “blot on the landscape” (Letters, October 28) because its chimney will be 270 feet high, but is on the record as supporting wind turbines that tower over 400 feet into the
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Bullied over waste
Sir – By now, most of us in West Oxfordshire have received the leaflet regarding the new, proposed ‘Waste Regime’. Some of the proposals make sense, but there must surely be some concern over the fortnightly emptying of the household waste bin. The newly-delivered
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Unjustifiably complacent
Sir – I, too, think that councillor Tanner is being unjustifiably complacent about the success of the recycling scheme (Letters, October 28). While he acknowledges that most bins were to be delivered during September, the fact that we are heading towards
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Fantastic deal
Sir – I was surprised to read the letter from Paul Withrington (November 11) a resident I understand of Northampton, attacking the widely-supported Chiltern Railways proposal to link the city and London. The scheme will remove traffic from the roads,
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More travel choice
Sir – In an exciting improvement to our rail network, Chiltern Railways plans to link the Oxford-Bicester line to the Bicester-London Marylebone line by means of a short new curve at Bicester. This will open a rapid alternative route from Oxford to London
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Reaching out to carers
Sir – I write in response to Hubert Allen’s letter (November 11), where he discussed the county council’s decision to re-commission services to support carers. At the moment, around one-fifth of carers in Oxfordshire take advantage of existing services
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Maclean is on Oxford United mission
Striker Steve Maclean is confident that victory against Gillingham on Saturday can kick-start Oxford United’s season. The on-loan forward, who impressed in the 2-1 defeat at Rotherham last weekend, is confident that the U’s can return to winning ways
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£30m landmark science centre planned
A £30m landmark cultural centre for science and enterprise is to be built in the shadow of Oxford’s historic Castle Mound in New Road. It will provide Oxford with a major new tourist destination that is expected to attract at least 100,000
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Oxford: Health Valley?
Money from the European Commission could make Oxford and its immediate surroundings a US-style hub of health technology — which in turn could spell jobs here and an increased assault on the world’s most pressing health concerns now besetting humankind
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Totally incongruous
Sir – I refer to the article Both loved and loathed (November 4) about The Queen’s College Grade II Listed Florey Building and the work of Jim Stirling, who was arguably this country’s leading 20th-century architect. It would be of great interest to
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Speed deterrent
Sir – I welcome the news that speed cameras in Oxfordshire are to be turned on again. Liberal Democrats at the County Council opposed their switch-off in the first instance, and we’re delighted that a deal is being brokered to ensure that this bad decision
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Turn on the cameras
Sir – The leader of the Oxfordshire County Council has had to bow to common sense rather than follow his slash and burn approach to speed cameras on our roads. When all the relevant motoring organisations and many letters to your columns criticised the
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Rewarding failure
Sir – Following Saturday’s appalling revelation that Oxfordshire has some of the worst school results in the country, I think the county’s parents and taxpayers are entitled to ask what is going on. No doubt Michael Waine, the head of county education
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Concert hall site exists
Sir – Your correspondent of November 4 regrets the absence of a concert hall for Oxford. This has so far failed, mainly for want of a suitable site, but one is available now, although there is not much time for a decision, which should be made now.
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Build on green land
Sir – As soon as anyone suggests building houses in and around Oxford, the so-called conservationists come out of the woodwork to object. The tragedy for the people of Oxford is that they are usually successful in blocking much-needed new homes for the
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Dangerous delusion
Sir – Regarding some criticism Beechcroft Road’s new “DIY Street” has inspired, it’s clear some people have forgotten the original purpose residential roads were built for: exchange and communication. This has gradually become perverted into today’s
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Uncertain future for Business Link
The future of the Business Link service for Oxfordshire companies is “uncertain” according to its top boss. Chief executive Graeme Sibley has admitted funding for the operation, which helps advise firms on growth and matches them to available grants
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Parky at the Pictures (In Cinemas 18/11/2010)
It's not often that a film can be enjoyed on two levels, but Patrick Keiller's Robinson in Ruins affords residents of Oxfordshire and Berkshire the opportunity to see plenty of familiar landmarks on the big screen, while also processing the wealth
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Parky at the Pictures (DVD 19/11/2010)
Love her or loathe her, it's impossible to ignore Joan Rivers. Few opinions are going to be changed by Ricki Stern and Anne Sundberg's up close and personal profile, Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work. But this isn't a celebration of a trail-blazing and often
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Cut councillors
In these difficult times it is right that local authorities should look at every aspect of their business to see where savings can be found. South Oxfordshire District Council and Oxfordshire County Council have both announced that they are investigating
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Ring road 'boulevard' plan
A STRETCH of Oxford’s ring road should be turned into an ‘urban boulevard’ to ensure thousands of people living in the proposed Barton West development do not feel cut off from the rest of the city. The idea is being put forward by Oxford
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County charities celebrated
NEW community-based charities were among the big winners at the night to honour the work of Oxfordshire’s voluntary sector. Charities that help support refugees and distribute food to the homeless were among the organisations recognised at the Oxfordshire
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Long road to publication
Even in a city so widely written about, Ann Spokes Symonds can surely now be viewed as an author streets ahead of the rest when it comes to knowing her way around Oxford. Almost 50 years ago the former Oxford Lord Mayor set herself the formidable task
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Students try dodging cycling light fines
STUDENTS caught without bike lights are undermining a police scheme to keep them safe by demanding refunds on lights from cycle shops. Police launched their Lights on Bikes campaign at the beginning of November to coincide with the clocks changing and
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'Make the bypass less of a barrier'
PART of the Oxford bypass should be turned into “an urban boulevard” to ensure thousands of people living in a new housing development do not feel cut off from the rest of the city. The idea is being put forward by Oxford Civic Society, which maintains
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Wines for Game, £116
With the game season now just properly underway, 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 popular pheasant and partridge are great value
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Purple or garnet red — colour says a lot about wine
Passionate plum, millennium lilac, Hawaiian wave . . . these are, believe it or not, all colours. Colours, ladies and gentleman, of my latest ‘life-changing’ vice: gel nails. Three weeks of beautifully manicured nails that seem resilient to all sorts
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The Pillowman: New Theatre
Katurian is a writer of disturbing short stories that often include violence against children. When some real child murders start to resemble his stories, he is arrested and tossed into an interrogation cell — and as Katurian lives in a totalitarian state
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The natural way to garden
Whenever you read an old gardening book (written decades ago) you realise that gardeners then were much more in tune with nature than we are today. Many of you, for instance, will have lacewings trying to hibernate in your house. I used to take these
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Get out and go wild
Exciting year on Ray: 2010 has been an exciting year on the Upper Ray Meadows Reserve, which is one of six key areas in the Upper Thames Tributaries for wading birds. It was great to see the new flooded area at Three Points Meadow favoured by up to 200
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Morse the merrier at Christmas
Right Employment is an Oxfordshire charity that helps adults with a learning disability to find paid employment and supports them in the workplace. The charity was established in 1999 and has found more than 420 jobs for people in the county
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Oxford 1 win the key match
The first division of the Four Nations Chess League (4NCL) is split into two pools of eight. After seven rounds, the top eight — that is four from each section — battle it out in the championship group, while the bottom eight contest the four relegation
