Archive
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Removals man died of heroin overdose
A removals worker died from a heroin overdose at his flat in Littlemore, an inquest heard yesterday. Oxford Coroner’s Court was told that Clive Withers died on September 2 last year after taking the drug at the flat in St Nicholas Road which he shared
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Boaters launch campaign against inspectors
A CAMPAIGN group is using the Freedom of Information Act to uncover the details of a crackdown on illegally moored boats in Oxford. Earlier this month it emerged Oxford City Council is paying £44,000 over two years towards work by the Unlawfully
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NHS shake-up 'will cut bureaucracy'
THE controversial shake-up of the NHS will cut out ‘needless bureaucracy’ it has been claimed. The Department of Health said the Health and Social Care Bill, which could be made law within weeks, will hand power to the people who know their patients
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Shoplifter used childhood friend’s name
A SERIAL shoplifter, who pretended to police officers that he was one of his childhood friends, has been jailed for perverting the course of justice. Delroy Johns would often pass himself off as lifelong pal Donny Sam, Oxford Crown Court was told yesterday
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‘Tickets’ campaign to stop CPZ plans
CAMPAIGNERS against a residents’ parking zone for East Oxford have been handing out their own ‘parking tickets’ to drivers. Controversial plans for a controlled parking zone (CPZ) scheme for the Magdalen Road and Divinity Road areas look set
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Bottom Line
KATHERINE MACALISTER and her gal pals try out the new pizza range for weight watchers at Pizza Express... with help from a waiter with an obvious death wish. Just like the Madonna with the big boobies, we had an equally hilarious moment at
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Womanly Smiles
ANDREW FFRENCH enjoys a few laugh out loud moments thanks to our latest Book of the Month, How to be a Woman by Caitlin Moran. THE BOOK: CAITLIN Moran was such a precocious talent as a writer that she penned
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Gross-Out Is A Delight
21 JUMP STREET (15) Comedy/Action/Romance. Jonah Hill, Channing Tatum, Ice Cube, Brie Larson, Dave Franco, Rob Riggle. Directors: Phil Lord, Chris Miller. Two bungling cops are sent deep undercover to expose a high school drugs
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Crocodile Tears
WE BOUGHT A ZOO (PG) Drama/Romance. Matt Damon, Scarlett Johansson, Thomas Haden Church, Colin Ford, Maggie Elizabeth Jones, Elle Fanning, Angus Macfadyen, Patrick Fugit, John Michael Higgins, Stephanie Szostak. Director: James McTeigue.
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Hospital Corners
Rob Judges’ photographic study of the demolition of Oxford’s iconic Radcliffe Infirmary packs a very powerful punch for SARAH MAYHEW at Art Jericho. It’s an emotional journey, it’s haunting and its leaves the visitor feeling somewhat winded
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High Tease
Slinky Sparkles is a clinical neuroscientist by day and a Burlesque dancer by night. Amber Topaz opened to 1,200 at the Blackpool Tower recently. Burlesque is big business and gone are the cliches and preconceptions. The burlesque team coming to
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Killing Time
Post-punk survivors Killing Joke are back, writes TIM HUGHES, and better than ever. FOR 30 years Killing Joke have stood alone, watching their contemporaries stumble, while they rage on, expounding their dark, powerful message. Emerging
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Hat's The Way
This year should spell great things for local band Black Hats. TIM HUGHES finds out more. BRASH, punchy and fizzing with attitude... you know exactly what you are getting from the Black Hats. One of Oxford’s hardest-working bands, they are
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Grave concerns over future of Oxford Canal
I AM concerned as to whether the Oxford Canal is any longer looked upon as a navigation or as an encumbrance and liability to the city. Despite the increasingly fragile physical condition of the waterway and its infrastructure, something with
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Marriotts to strengthen Bicester ties
ESTATE agent Marriotts has opened a new Bicester office to provide a range of commercial property services. Bosses say the office recognises the expansion that is taking place in Bicester and is the first dedicated commercial property consultancy
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Panalpina at Milton Park
A MAJOR logistics firm has returned to Oxfordshire after a break of more than 20 years. Panalpina has taken 102,000 sq ft of space at Milton Park after consolidating much of its UK operation into one central facility. Five new jobs have been created
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Skurrays move to motor park
THE Vauxhall franchise at the Oxford Motor Park has been taken over by independently owned dealer Skurrays. The firm, which also has bases in Swindon and Marlborough, has taken over the site at the Oxford Motor Park in Kidlington from Hartwell. Managing
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Rebirth of a legend
More than half a million MGBs were built in Abingdon before the factory closed in 1980. The most popular sports car of their day, they are cherished by their owners to this day. But what if a car combining the look and feel of the original
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'Ideal place to do business'
SWEETT Group, the international property and infrastructure consultancy has opened an Oxford office. The group has been operating in the Midlands from its Birmingham base for more than 30 years and the move comes as a result of recent project appointments
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Oxford office for Willmott Dixon
Construction firm Willmott Dixon has opened an Oxford office. Business development manager Ian King, has been appointed to spearhead sales activity in the area, working out of the new Headington base. Formerly director of estates and facilities management
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French firm at Littlemore
French-owned Metallography company Presi is creating laboratory space at East Point Business Park in Littlemore to demonstrate its quality testing equipment, used in the automotive, aerospace and other industries. Spokesman Stephane Bonal said the company
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All in the mind
In the basement at Nielsen's offices on Headington Hill, there's a catalogued collection of market share data from the 1940s. It is contained in bound leather books with hand drawn charts and tables. As the race for post-war national brands began, Nielsen
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Record year
The Oxfordshire Business Awards is on course for another record year. There has been a total of 266 entries compared to 235 last year, a rise of 13 per cent. Awards chairman Paul Lowe said: “This is the fifth consecutive year of increases and means a
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Pottery planning for Jubilee rush
Jane and Stephen Baughan took a big gamble when they decided to invest £1.1m into their business, Aston Pottery, just as the world economy was going into a nosedive in November 2008. But their confidence has paid off, and their expanded café — highlighting
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Peter Cockayne: A passion for local politics
A former Thame town councillor has died, aged 67, after a battle with cancer. Peter Cockayne died peacefully at home in Holliers Close, Thame, on Thursday, March 8. Originally from Chigwell, Essex, he and his young family moved to the Oxfordshire town
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Going for Gold
W ith just four months to go to London 2012 it might be assumed it is too late to harness the power of the Olympics for local businesses. Participation has been a huge theme throughout the bidding process for London 2012 and remains so. It is the London
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Light fantastic
W hy would a musician find himself at the head of an expanding lighting company in Witney? The answer is that he is a synaesthete. And if, like me, you don’t immediately know what one of those is when it is at home, it is someone who sees sound, or notes
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Richard Jones: Hero of the skies
A Spitfire pilot who protected the country from Hitler’s planned invasion has died at the age of 93. Flight Lieutenant Richard Jones, of Witney, was one of the very few pilots to fly for the entire duration of the Battle of Britain. He was born on December
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Don't get too greedy
Earlier this month, I was asked if a simple, one-size-fits-all investment strategy actually exists. I hesitated, thinking it was a daft question, but thought it might be worth considering in greater detail, though it was a task I approached with some
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Local shares (PM)
AEA Technology 0.26 BMW 6100 Electrocomponents 262.3 Nationwide Accident Repair 62.5 Oxford Biomedica 3.05 Oxford Catalysts 52.5 Oxford Instruments 1217 Reed Elsevier 545.75 RM 89.75 RPS Group 233.4 Courtesy
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Seeds of change
Rapeseed oil is becoming de rigueur for cooks in the know. I keep hearing foodies talking of its advantages — but being a bit stuck in my ways — even, dare I say it, prejudiced — I have yet to be convinced. Olive oil man, that’s me. But
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Richard launches cafe in a van
A YouTube video about 'coffee art' set Richard Baker up for a new career in van-driving — with a difference. He was working as a freelance chef but wanted to escape the late-night shifts which are a feature of the catering industry. Mr Baker, 36,
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Fighting fever
Dengue fever is virtually unknown in the United Kingdom, except for a few travellers who have contracted the disease abroad. It is a viral fever spread by the Aedes species of mosquito. Known as ‘break bone disease,’ it causes very painful joints as
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Oxford gets 'gamer's heaven'
Video games enthusiasts are being offered the chance to meet and compete at a new, purpose-built centre. Lazy Gamer, which opened in Headington, Oxford, earlier this month, provides a selection of top-of-the-range game consoles and up-to-the-minute versions
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Following a family tradition
The owners of a new business are looking to clean up after opening their first shop. Ervin Hoti and partner Laura Hughes started the Oxford Soap Company last year and after successful trading in local markets, the business, which specialises in hand-made
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Paying Posh's tab
What was your first job and what did it involve? I was an apprentice electrician at Didcot Power Station which involved block release in London and Cardiff. It was just like going to university but with a pay packet each month. How much was your first
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Meet the Digital Dentist
People can be very particular when it comes to choosing a dentist. And once found to provide a good service, they tend to stick with that individual even if they move out of the area, sometimes travelling hundreds of miles for a regular check-up. But
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Gifts for the Queen
A failed art A-Level was the spur for Philip Lawson Johnston to wield a dentist’s drill. Practising on milk bottles, he taught himself by trial and error to become one of the best hand-engravers of glass in the country. He now has an international
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Christmas every day
W ith spring beckoning, most of us have forgotten about Christmas but for Tim Cadel, it is on his mind every day. That is because his businesses are aimed squarely at the annual December festivities as he taps into the corporate market for Christmas.
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Dreams can come true
In the current economic climate many would think it a safe assumption that spending on training and motivation will have been curbed significantly. And they would be right, according to the management at Dreamcarevents.com in Abingdon. There are fewer
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Bright sparks
The sound of hammer on anvil, sparks flying and the clatter of hooves in the stableyard as farriers carry out their vital work. It is a rural scene which has been around for centuries. But just because it is an ancient craft does not mean that it has
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Council rich in real estate
Who owns Oxford? To a surprising extent the answer is: you do. Oxford City Council, which is, of course, owned by the public, owns 577 properties in Oxford, valued at £193m — and that figure does not include the 8,000 council dwellings of which it is
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Review - The Gang Show: A firm favourite
The world has changed a lot since the first Oxfordshire Scout and Guide Gang Show took to the stage more than 60 years ago. But luckily for theatre-goers, the sparkle and talent remains just the same as it did in 1950. This year’s run, which features
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BUSINESS MATTERS: Baby monitor wins £7,000 prize
THE inventors of a device for mothers to monitor the health of their unborn baby has won a major competition. FoetoH is the brainchild of Oxford University scientists Dr Michelle Fernandes, Dr Alex Flint and Dr Ricardo Pachon and allows an expectant
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College plans eco-education
YOUNG people from Bicester could lead the way in sustainable living if plans for an eco- school get approval. The Department for Education is expected to decide on plans for a multi-million pound university technical college, UTC, next month
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A shining example of marriage tolerance
A COUPLE who first met at a birthday party in 1947 are celebrating 60 years of marriage today. Daphne and Derrick Painter, who live in Bampton, were introduced to each other at Mr Painter’s 21st birthday party in Oxford. Mr Painter,
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BUSINESS MATTERS: Historic hostelry given fresh start
A HISTORIC Oxford pub has been snapped up by a small independent brewer, to the delight of real ale enthusiasts. The Grapes, in George Street, the sole surviving Victorian pub in the city centre, was opened for business last night by new operator Bath
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SCRUFFS: Perfect pooches wanted for park parade
Dog owners will be able to pit their pets against each other at a fundraising dog show at Cotswold Wildlife Park this Saturday. The event, known as Scruffs, will raise cash for Sport Relief, which helps people living tough lives in the UK and
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Man poured petrol over cheat wife
Company director Christopher Whiting put his home in his wife’s name when threatened with bankruptcy – then discovered she was having an affair. He assaulted her, grabbed a fuel can from the garage and doused her in petrol after threatening to burn the
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Timetable changes on the Chiltern line
CHILTERN Railways is making more changes to its timetables in May to try to drive punctuality and reliability back to levels seen before its speeded-up Mainline timetable was launched last year. Following a number of alterations in December, the firm
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Rare video of Winston Churchill goes on display in Woodstock
A RARE film of a party thrown by Sir Winston Churchill for the country’s newly crowned Queen has gone on display in Woodstock. The footage shows the then Prime Minister and guests, including Queen Salote of Tonga and Princess Margaret, arriving
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GOLF: Gavrilovic off pace at Studley
Dusan Gavrilovic, the Studley Wood professional, finished six shots off the pace when the last of the Jamega Pro Golf Tour’s winter series was held on his home course on Monday. Gavrilovic shot a two-over- par 74, the same mark as Daniel Thomas, from
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BOWLS: Results round-up
SHORT MAT RESULTS South Oxfordshire League Warborough Wanderers 26 (8pts), Wallingford Royals 15 (0) 1st leg: Warborough Wanderers (B Bland, L Vaughan, S Dyke, L Woodward) 12, Wallingford Royals (M Weller, P Keevil, E Knight, C Robbins) 7. 2nd leg
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AUNT SALLY: Goodall slams a hat-trick of sixes
Roger Goodall achieved the rare feat of hitting three sixes in the Kidlington Indoor League’s competitions. He hit a six on his first throw as Gin’ll Fix It beat Kidlington Sports & Social Club in the Len Hill competition semi-final. Goodall’s second
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BAR BILLIARDS: Vikings on the march
Vikings A won 3-2 at home to Premier Section leaders Kennington Club to keep their title hopes alive in the Johnsons Buildbase Oxford League, writes PETE EWINS. Alan Lacey won the opening leg forVikings 5,930-4,040 over Mark Trafford, before Kennington
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Historic weir replacement now on hold
ABINGDON: The Environment Agency has postponed plans for a £2.5m replacement for an historic Thames weir. Northmoor Weir, near Appleton, is one of the last hand-operated paddle and rymer weirs left on the Thames.
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Thames weir
ABINGDON: The Environment Agency has postponed plans for a £2.5m replacement for an historic Thames weir. Northmoor Weir, near Appleton, is one of the last hand-operated paddle and rymer weirs left on the Thames. See tomorrow’s Oxford Mail for the full
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Villagers won’t get superfast broadband
BRITISH Telecom bosses cannot guarantee bringing superfast broadband to some South Oxfordshire villagers who were expecting to get the service after winning a national competition. In January last year, residents in five villages beat more than 2,500
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Mill Street plans
OXFORD: A proposal to turn sheltered housing into flats and plans to put student accommodation in office space were last night due to be decided by councillors. The city council’s West Area Planning Committee met at Town Hall and was expected
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University still a ‘super-brand’
OXFORD: Oxford University has retained its reputation as a ‘super-brand’ in a new table of university ratings. The university was sixth in the Times Higher Education Supplement’s World Reputation Rankings 2012, which measures the prestige of different
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Pop pin-ups JLS to play South Park
CHART-topping pop sensation JLS are to play a massive open-air concert in Oxford’s South Park. The boy band, who shot to fame on the TV talent show The X Factor, will strut their stuff to an estimated 20,000 people on Sunday, August 19.
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RUGBY UNION: County suffer heavy defeat
OXFORDSHIRE’S hopes of progressing in the National Under 20 Championship ended with a 58-13 defeat to Berkshire at Henley. The hosts had needed to win their final South West Region A match to progress to the quarter-finals, but Berks never looked like
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RUGBY UNION: Four out of four at tens
WALLINGFORD’S under 13 and 14 squads completed a grand slam in the Oxfordshire ten-a-side tournament at Banbury. They won the A and B titles at each age group, beating Banbury in three of the finals. Ian Graney, Wallingford’s chair of youth rugby, said
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RACING: Carruthers back for Gold Cup mission
Carruthers is set for a third crack at the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup tomorrow – after recovering from a near life-threatening injury. The nine-year-old gelding, from Mark Bradstock’s Letcombe Bassett stables, near Wantage, suffered a nasty cut to his
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Local share prices (AM)
AEA Technology 0.25 BMW 6074 Electrocomponents 263 Nationwide Accident Repair 62.5 Oxford Biomedica 3 Oxford Catalysts 53 Oxford Instruments 1247.5 Reed Elsevier 548.75 RM 89.5 RPS Group 234.5 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley
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Driver sustains spinal injuries in head-on crash
CHIPPING NORTON: A driver was taken to hospital with spinal and pelvic injuries after a head-on crash on the A3400 Shipston Road. The Audi A3 driver was taken to Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital following Tuesday’s crash at about 7.30pm. The
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‘No update’ on The Stranglers' ill drummer
OXFORD: The condition of drummer Jet Black was last night unclear as a spokesman for The Stranglers said there would be no further update on his condition. The 74-year-old was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital on Monday after having breathing
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Forces charity man arrested but insists it's all a mix-up
A FUNDRAISER has been arrested for allegedly defrauding Help for Heroes of up to £7,000. Thomas Richards, from Witney, was arrested on suspicion of fraud after money collected for the charity allegedly did not reach its donations account.
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RUGBY UNION: Rivals face late drama
CHINNOR could end up relying on Oxford Harlequins to secure their title hopes. And with Quins battling to avoid relegation, both clubs may not have their destinies confirmed before the final Saturday of the National 3 South West season, April 21, when
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ATHLETICS: Naylor and Briscoe lead way for Oxon
OXFORDSHIRE’S Frances Briscoe and Steve Naylor both achieved top-30 placings in the Inter-Counties Cross Country Championships at Cofton Park, Birmingham. White Horse Harrier Briscoe finished 23rd in the UK’s leading cross country event, clocking 29mins
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Fake £20 notes hit shops in Witney ... could you spot one?
CHARITY stores in Witney are warning of hard-to- detect fake £20 notes after four shops fell victim on the same day. The African Children’s Fund, Oxfordshire Animal Sanctuary, Sue Ryder and Helen & Douglas House were all targeted between 10am
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Hinksey Hill lights failed for more than seven hours
OXFORD: traffic was delayed yesterday when the traffic lights at Hinksey Hill on the A34 failed. The lights went off at about 7am because of an electrical fault. The Highways Agency said they were working again by about 2.20pm.
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Fake £20 notes hit shops in Witney ... could you spot one?
CHARITY stores in Witney are warning of hard-to- detect fake £20 notes after four shops fell victim on the same day. The African Children’s Fund, Oxfordshire Animal Sanctuary, Sue Ryder and Helen & Douglas House were all targeted between 10am
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RUGBY LEAGUE: Griffin's new role
OXFORD Cavaliers have announced Leeds Rhinos and England prop Darrell Griffin as their new honorary president. The rugby league club hope former player Griffin’s appointment will raise their profile as they prepare for the new season. Cavaliers also
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ATHLETICS: Woodstock and Witney shine
WOODSTOCK Harriers and Witney Road Runners pulled off a west Oxfordshire double in the County Road Relays at Hook Norton. Harriers won the men’s race by more than two minutes, while Witney took the ladies’ team prize, pipping Alchester by 20 seconds.
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POINT-TO-POINT: Hill checks in with Fly Direct
Fly Direct showed the benefit of a breathing operation to open his account for Aston Rowant trainer Alan Hill at the Kingston Blount Racing Club meeting at Kingston Blount, near Chinnor. The nine-year-old was upsides Shales Ay Jay at the last fence in
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Warning that right to buy ‘will devastate homes stock’
THE GOVERNMENT is aiming to kickstart sales of council homes in Oxford by offering tenants discounts of up to £75,000. But the city council claimed the Government scheme could have “devastating” effects. Council house sales in the city have all but
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Concerns raised over city council's £193m property portfolio
Oxford City Council has admitted failing to manage its multi-million pound property portfolio as effectively as possible. A copy of the council’s full property portfolio, which has been obtained by the Oxford Mail, reveals the council owns
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RUGBY UNION: Drop 'will not derail merger'
RELEGATION for Oxf-ord Harlequins will not affect the plans under way at the city’s biggest club. That was the assurance of Oxford Rugby chairman Ron Macdonald, who also revealed they will appoint a new director of rugby this summer. With four games
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ATHLETICS: Marley claims marathon win
NIGEL Marley cruised to victory in the Blackpool Marathon and now has a personal best at London in his sights. The 29-year-old, from Bicester, crossed the line in 2hrs 42mins 3secs, two and a half minutes clear of second place. Marley
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THE INSIDER: Red carpet ride for Cameron
PRIME Minister and Witney MP David Cameron is getting the red carpet treatment in the US of A this week – although The Insider fears that is more to do with President Obama wanting to play “world statesman” in election year than any strengthening
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Help checking benefits
COMPLEX benefit rules can make it difficult to work out whether you will be better off taking a particular job, increasing your hours or moving employer. (‘Broken benefits system’, Oxford Mail, February 28) Oxford Citizens Advice Bureau and other local
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Congestion concerns
I CANNOT begin to express my frustration regarding the amount of traffic I (and many other people) have to deal with just to get out of Kidlington to go to work in the mornings. Sometimes it takes at least 10 minutes to cover just one mile and then
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We need health centre
SINCE its inception in 1948 I have always been led to believe that the most important person in the National Health Service is the patient. This respected principle appears to have been ignored by those responsible for the forthcoming closure of the
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School plan still an issue
contrary to your report (Oxford Mail, March 6) where you claim that local residents are satisfied that EF’s plans to expand its facilities at Cotuit Hall in Pullens Lane will not cause many problems, we would like to make it clear this is absolutely
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Young swimmers need best possible facilities
WE constantly hear that it is a travesty regarding the closure of Temple Cowley Pools and a new swimming pool at Blackbird Leys, but how often do we hear from the other side? Both of my children learned to swim at Temple Cowley and, as such, it will
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COMMENT: Make more use of portfolio
OXFORD City Council owns an astonishing amount of land and property — far more than most cities of comparable size, with some building dating back to the 16th century. This should provide an extra stream of council revenue, useful in the battle to keep
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RUGBY UNION: Henley eye repeat show
HENLEY Hawks will make their first Oxfordshire Cup final appearance in seven years after a comprehensive victory in the last four. Hawks, who fielded a second team, ran in six tries to defeat a mixed Oxford Harlequins side 40-22 at Dry Leas on Tuesday
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OXFORD CITY COUNCIL: Investment properties in full
16-17 Turl Street Oxford Oxfordshire 67 Cricket Road Oxford Oxfordshire OX4 3DJ First And Second And Third Floors 3 Cornmarket Street Oxford Oxfordshire 46 Charles Street Oxford Oxfordshire OX4 3AS Accomodation Above 24
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Homelessness jumps
THE charity Shelter reports a 23 per cent increase in homelessness since this coalition Government came to power in 2010. The Government has capped the rents for housing benefit and typically will only pay £150 a week for a one-bedroom property. This
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Estate visit a pleasure
I RECENTLY visited Blackbird Leys in Oxford. I had heard a lot of bad things about this estate but I must say I enjoyed my stay there. People were very friendly and everywhere was clean. GARY HELM Rutland Avenue Perth Australia l I CANNOT
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Cuts destroying lives
I SEE Oxfordshire County Council has done it again, this time looking at raising daily fees for day centres: £15 to attend, £5 for lunch, £5 transport. The OAPs won’t be able to afford it. Don’t they realise it’s a lifeline for most of them? It’s the
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LARGER THAN LIFE: House-hunting is deeply disturbing
There are some activities that I find deeply disturbing. I am, as I type, embroiled in one such enterprise. That some people take huge pleasure in this venture is even more worrying. I am house hunting. How Phil and Kirsty seem to garner so
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Vandals leave trail of damage in Wood Farm
VANDALS attacked nine cars at Wood Farm in Oxford, smashing windscreens and side windows. The incidents happened in Titup Hall Drive, Wood Farm Road and York Road late on Monday night or early on Tuesday morning. Anyone with information
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Doctor tells rape trial of scratches on woman's body
A DOCTOR found a young woman had bruises and scratches over her body after she told police she was raped, a court heard yesterday. The 22-year-old was examined after she said she was raped in Church Lane, Witney, in the early hours of Saturday, May 14
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Jobless count highest for two years
THE number of people out of work and claiming jobseekers’ allowance in Oxfordshire last month rose to its highest level since April 2010. A total of 8,188 or 2.6 per cent of the working age population were signed on the dole in February, 334 more than
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COMMENT: Flush with ideas
IT’S not often we give a great deal of thought to what goes on in our public toilets, but plenty of people consider them an important community asset. Take our features editor, Jeremy Smith, for example, who’s giving up his time to become Oxford City
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New repatriation date is set
THE repatriation of six servicemen killed in Afghanistan will take place on Tuesday. Sgt Nigel Coupe, from 1st Battalion The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, and Cpl Jake Hartley, Pte Anthony Frampton, Pte Christopher Kershaw, Pte Daniel Wade
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Fire by track disrupts passengers
A FIRE next to the train line led to rail services between Oxford and Didcot being suspended for about four hours yesterday. Firefighters had to make safe a gas cylinder which had caught fire about five metres from the line. Passengers used replacement
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Our Man About Town becomes toilets tsar
FRESH flowers, paperback novels and framed newspaper front pages. It might sound like a fancy hotel room, but it’s actually the vision for Oxford’s grotty public toilets. The Oxford Mail’s very own ‘Man About Town’ and features editor
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Stripping off preconceptions
Slinky Sparkles was interviewed by Oxford University aged 18. She didn’t get in, but went on to do a degree in psychology and a masters in clinical neuroscience. The latter she managed on the burlesque tour bus, surrounded by feathers, make-up
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Welsh National Opera - scene and heard
‘We carry 24 corsets round the country for Traviata,” announces Welsh National Opera touring wardrobe manager Judith Russell cheerily. “Each one takes half an hour to lace up and adjust — the singers tell you how tight they would like them, we tell
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Boxing clever helps birds
At this time of year, thoughts traditionally, and often reluctantly, drift towards the burden of spring cleaning. For the overzealous this may extend to a thorough and relentless house-scrubbing. But for the birds that call our gardens home, the luxury
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The Nun by Simonetta Agnello Hornby
This novel opens a previously closed world, telling the story of a fight for female liberation. In the 19th century, many rebellious girls in Italy were forced to live out their lives behind convent walls. The author, a former resident of Kennington,
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Solicitor under investigation over allegations of dishonesty
A SOLICITOR who has dealt with thousands of Oxfordshire clients is under investigation suspected of dishonesty. Raymond Ridley’s firm Ridley’s Solicitors has been closed by regulators after allegations of financial misconduct involving hundreds
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Oxford United weigh up options as Holmes joins Swindon
Oxford United are considering their options in the final days of the loan market after being priced out of extending a deal for Lee Holmes by rivals Swindon Town. The midfielder scored twice in seven games during his four-week stay with the U’s, which
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Show support
Chris Harris is a well-respected headteacher and pupils at Larkmead School in Abingdon are lucky to have him. That’s why they were quick to defend him in a protest at the school on Monday in the furore over the school’s ‘exam wall’. Despite Mr Harris
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Plug leaks
Over the past few months, we have heard dire warnings about forthcoming problems with water supply in the county. Undoubtedly the current drought will cause shortages, which will need tackling and fast. In this country — unlike many hotter climates —
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The Austerity Olympics
When the Olympics came to London in 1948, post-war Britain was in an economic crisis far worse than today. Oxford author Janie Hampton’s book The Austerity Olympics (Aurum, £8.99) was first published in 2008, before the financial crisis, and
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Local author Sylvia Vetta
Some 13 years ago, Sylvia Vetta embarked on a third career. Having been a teacher and ran an antiques centre at Oxford’s Jam Factory, she started to write about antiques for The Oxford Times magazine Limited Edition. Oxford Castaways is a collection of
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Poetry round-up
Many of the best poetry collections come from small presses and are by people who aren’t famous. Strange Horses (Flambard £8), the new collection by Oxford poet and tutor Olivia Byard, a former reviewer for The Oxford Times, is excellent.
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Four car crash on A420
MOTORISTS are this morning facing delays on the A420 after a four car crash. Police are currently at the scene near the turn to Bampton. Delays stretch back to Faringdon. It is not yet known if anyone has been injured.
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Taken seriously
Sir – Thank you for your piece in the March Oxfordshire Limited Edition magazine highlighting International Women’s Day on March 8, and describing the intellectual and musical achievements of Clara Schumann, Professor Susan Wollenberg at Lady Margaret
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Skilled workers
Sir – I read your article (March 1) concerning renovation of the plasterwork in the Odeon cinema in Magdalen Street. My family was responsible for this work when the cinema was built in the 1920s. I have often wondered was there any controversy at the
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No consultation
Sir – Robin Gill is to be much commended for his letter (Leap in the dark, March 8) in which he set out the fallacies and deceits which underlie Michael Gove’s academies policy and practice and the uncritical support given to them by the cabinet of Oxfordshire
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Abuse of civil rights
Sir – Tutors, lecturers and fellows in Oxford have been informed that in order to obtain payment for tutorials and to continue working for colleges, they must show their passports to a college office, or, in one case, a birth certificate. This system
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Imaginative solution
Sir – In the redesign of Frideswide Square (Report, March 8) there are two tasks to be addressed. The first is undoubtedly to ensure that the various types of traffic can flow freely without causing grief to one another. The second and equal task, however
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Poor quality of work
Sir – Your article, It’s back to ‘schoul’ for contractors (March 8) was very amusing until the council announced “We will look at remarking the wording in the course of future highway maintenance work in the area”. Should the words “correcting
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Irresponsible waste
Sir – Surely there must be someone in the Environment Agency (EA) who can see that the daft decision to splurge £3m on the recently renovated Northmoor Weir is a disaster. It will not have any impact on flooding in the area, it will disrupt the village
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Check your eyes
Sir – It is International Glaucoma week and I would be glad if you could remind your readers to have their eyes checked. Strangely, although vision is the most valued of our senses, people tend to put off having their vision checked if they think they
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Waste of cash
Sir – So the county council is set to spend £3.7m on giving Frideswide Square a makeover, when social services and libraries across the county are being starved of funds. You quote Huw Jones, the director responsible, as admitting that the project:
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Riding roughshod
Sir – In an example of Toytown democracy, at 10am on March 22 a single councillor — Rodney Rose, will decide in a meeting at County Hall if a residents’ parking zone will be introduced in East Oxford. Residents with strong views on the zone may wish
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Unwanted scheme
Sir – Peter Lewis, (Letters, March 8) is quite right. On March 22, one Conservative councillor will decide whether or not to impose an unwanted Controlled parking Zone (CPZ) between Magdalen Road and Howard Street in East Oxford. If councillor
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Anti-social restriction
Sir – I am extremely concerned about the Magdalen Road CPZ. Residents have been forced, yet again, to repeat the process of attending meetings, e-mailing, lobbying etc, in order to protest once again about this divisive scheme. It seems
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Distorting evidence
Sir – Peter Lewis’s accusation (Letters, March 8) that councillor Rodney Rose wants to impose residents’ parking zones (CPZs) in East Oxford is both insulting and factually wrong. The demand for CPZs came from residents’ groups (initially Divinity Road
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Green spaces needed
Sir – Responding to Roger Jenking’s letter of March 1 and the subsequent letter from Stephen Lunn (March 8), we would like to explain why the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) has an active district committee concerned with Oxford. Since we were
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Parky at the Pictures (In Cinemas 15/3/2012)
As the daughter of a Jewish father whose parents died in the Warsaw Ghetto and a Catholic mother who fought in the capital's 1944 Uprising, Agnieszka Holland is well placed to assess the thorny issue of religion and resistance in Poland during the Second
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Parky at the Pictures (DVD 15/3/2012)
Nine decades have passed since the German Expressionists took a leaf from their Scandinavian counterparts and began using shadow, distorted shapes and stylised movements to convey the psychological subtext of their pictures. Still widely emulated in horror
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Lions roar for new members
The Lions are making a noise in Witney. No, not the hairy sort with big teeth. The Witney Lions Club, a charity, is part of Lions Clubs International. Witney is regarded as a prosperous area, nevertheless there are people who find themselves in need
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Acid test in PM's backyard
For the hundreds of service families based at RAF Brize Norton David Cameron’s heralded armed forces covenant should begin at home. The Prime Minister left no one in doubt about his personal commitment to the idea of a new military covenant, even proposing
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Town's future is in your hands
Neighbours are to be asked how they want Banbury to look in the next two decades. Planners want to draw up a masterplan outlining how people want the town to develop. The plan will cover developments such as shops and roads, but also issues including
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Roadworks paving the way for complaint
Work to repair Rose Hill’s “crumbling” roads is now under way after a £20m regeneration project to build 254 homes on the estate was completed in February. The project is financed by developers Taylor Wimpey and Oxford City Council as part of an agreement
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Choir support will hit the right notes
The people behind the Jubilee Fund for Oxfordshire are urging the county to ‘sing from the same song sheet’ as the Blackbird Leys Choir – and spread a little love and harmony to others. The 20-strong choir, which found fame after appearing in Channel
