Archive
-
Date
Auction raises £8,000 for carnival
A FUNDRAISING event has given the Cowley Road Carnival an £8,000 cash boost. The three-course meal at Aziz Restaurant in Cowley Road, with an auction and raffle, took the total raised for the event on July 6 and 7 to about £50,000 – two thirds
-
Date
Giving rock lessons to a sweet child o’ mine
WHEN you think of great rock music venues, Witney doesn’t immediately spring to mind in the way Glastonbury, Reading or Leeds do. But the town was treated to a visit by rock ’n’ roll royalty on Thursday when former Guns N’ Roses bassist Duff McKagan
-
Date
More roads equal more traffic
Sir – Traffic jams in Headington, traffic jams on the A34, traffic jams on the A40. Will they never end? Well, we know that making more space for cars is a mug’s game: that was pretty definitively established under the last Conservative Government
-
Date
Port Meadow crisis offers chance
Sir – This is an appeal to common values, common interests and common sense. Our common home is Oxford, one of the world’s great cities. I am both a long-term resident and a member of the University. So are many of your readers. The University
-
Date
Easier to fell trees
Sir – It is perfectly understandable that those who are particularly affected by the university flats near Port Meadow should be against them, and I would not have given approval for them myself. However, many of your readers live far away, and
-
Date
Alien glass block
Sir – The recent packed public meeting in St Barnabas Church on the Blavatnik building in Walton Street seems unlikely to have changed anyone’s view on the desirability of the building. The University and developers (these terms are interchangeable
-
Date
Beacon of light
Sir – Blavatnik’s School of Government is the right building for Walton Street — to be built as drawn, height undiminished, its glazed lantern-like form to complement and counterpoise the macho stone hulk of old St Paul’s Church. R andomly plonked
-
Date
Help us clear litter
Sir – On March 28, you featured a letter from Fiona Smart of Didcot who, along with her daughter, had litter picked the old railway line between Didcot and East Hagbourne. We let her down by failing to collect the rubbish she had cleared and
-
Date
Literary let-down
Sir – I agree wholeheartedly with Peter Snaith’s comments on the Oxford Literary Festival (Letters, April 4). Having attended this event for many years, I was looking forward to listening to wonderful authors, followed by book-browsing and chatting
-
Date
Serious flooding risk
Sir – In his letter All in it together (April 4), your correspondent in criticising the Carterton East development proposal fails to point out that the new housing would be no closer to RAF Brize Norton than much of the existing housing in Brize Norton
-
Date
Friendship with Leon
Sir – When five of us spent a week last month in Leon, Oxford’s twin city in Nicaragua, it was an eye-opener. The university town was hot, dusty and very different from the cold and wet weather of Oxford. Nicaragua is the poorest country
-
Date
Honorary degrees
Sir – Reg Little’s article (The Iron Lady’s complex relationship with Oxford, April 11) needs to be given a broader context. Certainly it was traditional for a Prime Minister who was an Oxford graduate to be given an honorary degree soon
-
Date
Support for medals
Sir – It is a coincidence that Anzac Day on April 25 will be commemorated this year so close to the public meeting in Ottawa Canada, on Monday, April 15, to discuss the confused state of belated Second World War Canadian national and British international
-
Date
Parking punished mercilessly
Sir – Beware all motorists parking in Oxfordshire. The rates have gone up and the council is merciless. Having parked at Redbridge and duly paid my parking fees, as I have for many years now, I was surprised to find a parking ticket on my car
-
Date
Fair representation
Sir – Cara Robertson (Letters, April 11), like Mr Taylor, is short on specific examples. Having no knowledge of it, I won’t comment on the piece suggesting Easter is a thinly-veiled pagan festival, but she misses my point. To disagree with Christians
-
Date
Smaller measures
Sir – I am sorry that The Punter and other pubs are having a tough time (Business, April 11). However, the last time I went in there and asked for a 125ml glass of wine I was told that they wouldn’t serve that measure, only a larger one.
-
Date
Negative review
Sir – I was disappointed by the negative review of Rapunzel (Weekend, April 11). In a most enjoyable afternoon, I found the set original, and the overall impression beautiful. John Killick, Abingdon
-
Date
Programme search
Sir – In May 1943, the Oxford Playhouse company put on the world premiere — and quite possibly the only production ever — of Downfall, Douglas Reed’s play about Adolf Hitler. Copies of the published text of the play are easy to find, as is The
-
Date
A34 bridge repaired
Sir – Re: damaged bridge barrier — A34 Peartree (Letters, March 28 and April 4). Credit where it’s due — I see that the bridge barrier appears to be fixed after just over a year. Testimony to the power of the press. Simon Jefferson, Oxford
-
Date
Fans united in their desire to lose weight
OXFORD United fans were put through their paces at the team’s training ground as part of a new health programme. Footie Fitness is a free weekly session designed to get Oxfordshire men off the couch and on to playing fields. Overweight men
-
Date
Ex-robber hit by police car went back to crime
A “REFORMED” robber and former heroin addict returned to crime after being hit by a police car, a court heard. Prolific criminal Andrew Ivison, of Croft Road, Marston, has been jailed for a spree of five house burglaries and attempted burglaries
-
Date
Who was Oxford United's man of the match at Accrington?
-
Date
Festival organisers say: 'For those about to rock Witney, we salute you!'
STAGES and marquees were being set up in Witney yesterday in preparation for a big music festival in the town centre today. Featuring everything from rock to choirs it will be the first time the annual Witney Music Festival has held an event on
-
Date
RUGBY UNION: The numbers game
Grove won promotion to South West 1 East after a six-try display, but it was far from easy. Here is the numbers' game. See Tuesday’s paper for full report. Southern Counties play-off: Grove 39, Trowbridge 20 Grove player ratings 15. Roger
-
Date
Accrington Stanley 0 Oxford United 3 (Constable 64, Smalley pen 67, Rigg 90)
A STRONG second half performance saw Oxford United sweep Accrington Stanley aside and finish the season with a flourish. There was little to choose between the sides in a poor first half, but United went up a gear on the hour mark to win their third
-
Date
Man arrested over assault on 12-year-old boy
A 21-YEAR-OLD man has been arrested over an attack on a 12-year-old boy in Banbury. Thames Valley Police said a man approached the boy in Calthorpe Street and punched him on the side of his head, knocking him out. He was then kicked while on
-
Date
Man stole numberplates to hide car theft
A MAN has been jailed for taking a car without permission and stealing two numberplates. Daniel Westlake, of Marlborough Road, Oxford, admitted taking a car which did not belong to him and stealing numberplates to hide his tracks. On December
-
Date
Group marching on animal rights
Animal rights campaigners will march through the city centre today. Several hundred people are expected to gather at Oxpens Meadow in Oxpens Road from noon, before marching to Oxford University’s biomedical sciences building in South Parks Road
-
Date
Man hurt in machete attack in Oxford
A driver in Oxford has been hurt in a machete attack. Thames Valley Police officers are appealing for witnesses following an incident in Cowley yesterday. At about 2.53pm, the victim, a 27-year-old man, was driving along Crowell Road when his
-
Date
Animal rights protesters now in Oxford city centre
Hundreds of animal rights protesters have marched in protest against Oxford University's animal testing laboratory. They rallied at Oxpens Meadow in Oxpens Road at 12.30pm before marching through the city centre to the Biomedical Sciences Building
-
Date
Silver at Union
One of the world’s foremost political forecasters and statisticians, Nate Silver, is to speak at the Oxford Union tomorrow. New York Times writer Mr Silver is famed for correctly predicting the winning party of all 50 states in the 2012 American
-
Date
Gym members in a spin
GYM instructor Hester Gaylard pedalled through the pain barrier to help raise thousands of pounds in a charity spinathon. Miss Gaylard, a member of staff at The Barn Fitness Club in Church Road, Cholsey, joined a team of 60 fundraisers for the
-
Date
Family fundraisers are off to Cuba
A MOTHER and daughter from Oxfordshire are taking part in a cycle ride around Cuba to raise money and awareness for cancer charities. Liz Micklewright, 53, and her daughter Olivia, 21, of Stratford Drive, Eynsham, will take part in the Women V
-
Date
Updates - Accrington Stanley v Oxford United
Good afternoon and welcome to a chilly Lancashire, where Oxford United are wrapping up their League Two campaign at Accrington Stanley. All the team news and updates will follow, but as always you can get in touch by tweeting us @oxfordmailoufc
-
Date
Teens accused of GBH
Two teenagers have been charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent. The pair, who are 16, appeared in Oxford Crown Court on Friday, April 26. The pair are charged with assaulting Song Tian in Oxford on March 17. They were bailed
-
Date
Pupils take part in Road Rage opera
CHALGROVE Community Primary pupils will join more than 20 schools in a new opera. Garsington Opera will host Road Rage at Wormsley near High Wycombe on July 19 and 20. The Roman-themed show will feature a cast of more than 180, aged six to
-
Date
Kelly tells of her Town and Gown 10k inspiration
THOUSANDS of people are making their final preparations for the Oxford Town and Gown 10k run. Among those taking part in the Oxford Mail backed race, which raises tens of thousands of pounds each year for the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign, on Sunday,
-
Date
Animal rights day of action is starting in Oxford
Animal rights protesters are preparing to march on an Oxford University laboratory. According to organisers, almost 200 people have arrived in Oxpens Meadow ready for the march to the Biomedical Sciences Building in South Parks Road at 1.30pm.
-
Date
MOTORSPORT: Walkinshaw on podium
Sean Walkinshaw has his sights set on podium glory when the European Formula 3 Open season gets under way at Paul Ricard this weekend. The 19-year-old Chipping Norton driver impressed during the opening round of the two-weekend winter series at
-
Date
MOTORSPORT: Plato's lead cut after battle at Donington
Oxford's Jason Plato saw his lead reduced to five points in the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship standings following the second round at Donington Park. The MG KX Momentum Racing driver remains top with 92 points after finishing fourth
-
Date
Studios set to show off artist skills
ALMOST 1,000 artists are gearing up to throw their studios open to the public for Oxfordshire Artweeks. The painters, sculptors, designers and potters are busy putting the final touches to their work. More than 500 exhibitions and events will
-
Date
Asbestos did not kill engineer
A FORMER engineer did not die from exposure to asbestos, though he may have taken in the life-threatening substance, a coroner said. Frederick Savage worked at Oxford firms W Lucy & Co Ltd and HG East & Co Ltd in the 1950s and 1960s, Oxfordshire
-
Date
Orienteering Fiona triumphs from ‘disaster’
AFTER battling heat, thorny terrain and a disastrous first day of competition, Abingdon’s ‘human sat nav’ Fiona Bunn fought back to scoop gold for England in the World Schools Orienteering Championships. The 14-year-old has been competing in the
-
Date
MOTORSPORT: Fergus out of luck with last-race exit
Fergus Walkinshaw and his FW Motorsport team endured a disappointing second round in the Michelin Ginetta GT Supercup at Donington Park. The 22-year-old Chipping Norton racer posted tenth and 12th place finishes in the first two races won by Carl
-
Date
CRICKET: Oxford off to a flier
ECB Women’s Midlands League Division 1 East OXFORD enjoyed a perfect start to the season with a nine-wicket home win over Plumtree. Emilia Bartram returned the stunning figures of 4-6 from five overs as Plumtree were all out for 35. Lucy
-
Date
CRICKET: Smiths star with ball
ECB Under 15 National Club Championship BEN and Max Smith took three wickets apiece as Tiddington beat Thame by 31 runs in their Group A opener. RESULTS Group A: Aston Rowant w/o Horspath; Tiddington 79-8, Thame 48 (B Smith 3-9, M Smith
-
Date
CRICKET: Boyd shines in Shipton win
Oxfordshire Girls League MAGGIE Boyd took 3-6 as Shipton-under-Wychwood opened their Under 15 League campaign with a 26-run victory over Oxford Downs. Shipton reached 92-3 thanks to Emily Day (27no) and Ella Gorton (25no), before Boyd helped
-
Date
TABLE TENNIS: Vikings in shield joy
VIKINGS A won the Aubrey Hughes Handicap Shield after defeating Forum G in the final at Gladiators Club. Forum had a 240-point handicap advantage, but Vikings eased home 420-382. The handicapping proved spot on until Vikings’ Alan Cherry scored
-
Date
People power saves market at Christmas
OXFORD’S Christmas Market will be held in Broad Street this year after a petition that attracted more than 1,200 signatures. The popular market, which had been held at Oxford Castle for three years, was cancelled last year after a bid to move the
-
Date
TABLE TENNIS: Holton are champs as Rail go down
HOLTON A were crowned Oxford & District Association Division 1 champions after hammering visitors British Rail 9-1 in their final match. British Rail were relegated alongside Vikings B, whose A team were runners-up. Vikings A finished one
-
Date
Cleaner avoids jail sentence for stealing from office
A BURGLAR who stole items including a camera and digital recorder from a building he cleaned has been given a suspended 12-week jail sentence. Damian Stankiewicz, 32, of Pipley Furlong, Littlemore, a cleaner at the Old Music Hall in Cowley Road
-
Date
CRICKET: Thame get tricky opener
Bernard Tollett Oxfordshire Cup THAME Town face a tricky trip to last season’s OCA champions, East Oxford, in the first round on Tuesday, May 21. Shipton-under-Wychwood, who like Thame were relegated from the Serious Cricket Home Counties Premier
-
Date
CRICKET: Johnson's speedy century
National Village Cup TIDDINGTON set up a home clash with Shipton-under-Wychwood after hammering Deddington by 176 runs in the Oxfordshire preliminary round. Matt Johnson smashed 108 not out off 75 balls and Nick Pykett added 54 in Tiddington
-
Date
SWIMMING: Vale quartet on the mark
FOUR young Abingdon Vale swimmers achieved regional qualifying times when competing in the City of Milton Keynes Spring Open at Bletchley. Ten-year-olds Cameron Bullock and Robin Graham, plus Merel Hijink and Jana Cooper-Marcos, who are both nine
-
Date
SWIMMING: Oxford impress in Derby
CITY of Oxford were the top visiting club in the City of Derby Meet at Queen’s Leisure Centre, Derby. Erin Gilchrist (ten) led the way with five gold medals, one silver and two bronzes medals in the club’s impressive haul of 65. Nat Armstrong
-
Date
'Fairer deal' but big price hikes for some in Brookes parking shake-up
PARKING charges at Oxford Brookes University could rise by up to 400 per cent under new plans to cut car use and give staff “a fairer deal”. The university is considering introducing a £2 daily rate for staff and students to use the 350 spaces
-
Date
All eyes are on the skies as RAF drops in to see pupils
SCHOOLCHILDREN were amazed to see a display by the RAF Falcons parachute team over their playing field. The parachutists dropped in at Bampton Primary School yesterday to support the school’s appeal to raise £50,000 for a new classroom. Pupil
-
Date
OUR VIEW: University plans for parking offer a route forward
THERE will no doubt be a few howls of protest but the general thrust of Oxford Brookes University’s proposed parking policy does not seem unduly harsh. Weighting the cost of permits against the salaries of staff under the current system seems an
-
Date
Holiday car crash horror couple tell of pain of their ordeal
A COUPLE hit by a car during a romantic break in Bruges have revealed how they are struggling with the devastating impact of their injuries. Simon Huxtable and Deborah Dale were enjoying a New Year’s Day walk in the Belgian city when they were
-
Date
CRICKET: Academy hit back in style
OXFORDSHIRE Academy produced a battling performance to beat a Great & Little Tew XI by 63 runs in a low-scoring match. It was very much a day for the bowlers as visitors Oxfordshire fell for only 130, before dismissing their hosts for 67.
-
Date
RUGBY UNION: Jones surprised to be on top list
LONDON Welsh's Lyn Jones admitted he was doubly surprised after being nominated for the Aviva Premiership coach of the season award. Jones, the Exiles head coach, who saw his side relegated two weeks ago, has been short- listed in the QBE Director
-
Date
A40 work is over at Cutteslowe and Wolvercote roundabouts
Resurfacing work on the A40 in Oxford was finally completed yesterday. The westbound A40 was partially resurfaced between the Cutteslowe and Wolvercote roundabouts. Drivers were stuck in long delays as overnight work carried out by the county
-
Date
Killings in Burma lead to protest
CAMPAIGNERS gathered at a peaceful protest in Oxford against the killings in Burma. The vigil at Oxford’s Carfax Tower on Thursday afternoon paid tribute to Muslims killed by Buddhists. The event was organised by the Oxford Islamic Information
-
Date
JR helps couple deliver two sets of miracle baby twins
JAMES Turner grabs his brother Joshua’s ear as the miracle babies huddle together. Not just any identical twins, they are brothers to identical twins Lauren and Emily, all born to the same parents at the same time as quads. Doctors at Oxford
-
Date
Man found guilty of attack on Witney teenager Jamie Busby
A TEENAGER has described how a single punch left him with permanent metal plates in his jaw and months of lost memory. Jamie Busby was punched outside the USA Fried Chicken takeaway, in Corn Street, Witney, leaving him unconscious for days.
-
Date
COMMENT: Paying a high price
THE injuries suffered by Jamie Busby from a single punch just demonstrate how quickly a life can be changed over absolutely nothing when too much drink is consumed. Is a dispute at the bar or in a takeaway at 3am really worth ruining two lives?
-
Date
Health watchdog hits inspections target
A HEALTH service watchdog said it managed to achieve its target of inspecting 447 Oxfordshire institutions in the year ending April 1. Concerns were raised in March that the Care Quality Commission (CQC) did not have enough inspectors to complete
-
Date
'Talking helps me remember my brother Luke'
TRYING to explain to a little girl of eight why her brother died raises more questions than answers. But when Grace Chadney’s four-year-old brother Luke passed away from cancer last year, staff at Helen and Douglas House children’s hospice in Magdalen
-
Date
Man still in hospital after blaze rescue
A 48-year-old man was said to still be in a “serious but stable” condition last night at the John Radcliffe Hospital after being rescued from a fire at a care centre in Abingdon. The man, who has not been named, was pulled from a ground-floor bedroom
-
Date
Dog punching sentence delayed
A MAN who punched his dog in the face has had his sentencing delayed. Snowy Snow, pictured, of O’Hanlon House night shelter in Oxford, lost an appeal against convictions for animal cruelty and being drunk and disorderly in a public place on April
-
Date
U's players have last chance to impress boss Wilder
A HOST of Oxford United players will head into today’s clash with Acc-rington Stanley knowing it could be their final game for the club. Just two members of the side – Michael Raynes and Sean Rigg – which started the 3-0 home win over Rochdale
-
Date
Village school celebrating good Ofsted report
STAFF and children at an Oxfordshire school are celebrating after being recognised for their good work. Ofsted rated Fritwell Primary School, near Bicester, as “good” following its latest inspection. Inspectors visited the school last month
-
Date
Breakfast club can carry on dishing up
THERE won’t be any rumbling stomachs at Orchard Meadow Primary School. That’s because the Blackbird Leys school’s early morning breakfast club has escaped the axe. When breakfast cereal giant Kellog’s heard that the group was facing difficulties
-
Date
Thames hydro-power set to make a splash
A SERIES of hydro power schemes are in the pipeline across Oxfordshire to harness energy from the River Thames. Plans for up to 15 of the electricity generating projects along the river have been drafted, including schemes at Benson, Day’s Lock