Oxfordshire | Archive | 2003 | March

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Stories for 1 March 2003

Oxfordshire Business

Rival hostile bid for biotech firm

Britain's largest biotech company, Celltech, has put in a £101m hostile bid for Oxford GlycoSciences.   more...

Latest Mini unveiled

The latest model of the Oxford-built Mini will make its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show on Tuesday, March 4.   more...

Oxfordshire Education

Pupils' hard work delivers success at Didcot Girls' School

The teaching profession claims to mistrust exam league tables, claiming they are a reflection of a school's catchment area rather than the quality of its teaching.   more...

Parents criticise handling of September admissions

Parents in Oxford have complained they have not been reliably informed about which school their children will be sent to in September.   more...

Athlete hits switch of new floodlights

International athlete Mark Richardson was at Banbury School to switch on new floodlights.   more...

Book explores world of Islam

An Oxford author and an Iraqi writer hope their new book on Islam for primary schools will help overcome prejudices at an early age.   more...

Oxfordshire Local Info

John Sutters

The funeral of an Oxford clergyman, the Rev John Sutters, described by churchgoers as a genial presence was held on February 21.   more...

Roderick Bourton

Music teacher Roderick Bourton has died, aged 79, after an illness.   more...

Violet Jacobs

Devoted mother and grandmother Violet Jacobs died peacefully in the John Radcliffe Hospital last week, almost four months after celebrating her 100th birthday.   more...

Peter Kiff

Water expert and analytical chemist Peter Kiff died suddenly in the kitchen of his home at Crowmarsh Hill on January 27.   more...

Amy Woodward

A founder member of both Combe and Woodstock WIs, Amy Woodward, has died at the age of 90.   more...

Oxfordshire News

Police to get 45 per cent increase in council tax

A forty-five per cent increase in Thames Valley Police's part of the council tax bill has been agreed, to boost the number of bobbies on the beat and improve services.   more...

Our battle to get compensation

Early last year, my wife and I were attacked while trying to help a young girl being beaten senseless by her boyfriend.   more...

Enthusiastic students

I was impressed to meet a large delegation of Oxford students at the Oxford University Student Union protest outside the Town Hall (Oxford Mail, February 18). It is good that they wish to participate in local politics and express their opinion.   more...

Iraqis are tortured

For years, men, women and children in Iraq have suffered disgraceful human rights' violations.   more...

Council tax rise is disgraceful

Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith, launching the local election campaign, said: "Trust the people with their own money and stop clobbering them with ever higher council tax increases."   more...

Now legalise brothels

It is good news that Oxford's sex shops are now to be licensed by the city council (Oxford Mail, February 21).   more...

Blair has our support

he so-called peace march 10 days ago gave a platform to certain elements to spout again their distasteful anti-American and anti-Israeli rantings which have nothing to do with opposing a war against Iraq.   more...

War debate justified

Your leader (Oxford Mail, February 18) expresses doubt whether it was relevant to the people of Oxford that we spent one hour of a seven-hour city council budget meeting debating (and eventually passing) a Green Group motion against war in Iraq.   more...

Vets save stick cat's eyesight

Lucky tabby cat Joey used up one of his nine lives after surviving having a 4in stick in his eye.   more...

Charity finances face full inquiry

The Charity Commission has launched a full investigation into the finances of one of Oxford's largest voluntary organisations.   more...

United's mysterious sign

Workmen -- including Anthony Sheehy and Kenny Pritchard, above -- finally put up a sign naming the Kassam Stadium as the home of Oxford United, 18 months after the club moved there.   more...

Parish priest attacks war on Iraq as unjust

An oxfordshire priest has told his parishioners that war against Iraq is not a just war and is urging them to pray for a peaceful settlement instead.   more...

Memorial marks site of historic Norman castle

A small plaque mounted on a stone base in a quiet suburb of Abingdon goes largely unnoticed by passers-by.   more...

Green project turns junk into art

Junk artists have appealed for Oxford residents to become 'bag ladies' for a day as part of a bid to promote recycling.   more...

Bereaved grandson told to leave home

Carer Jason Daniels gave up his job and rented home in Oxford last October to look after his 91-year-old grandmother in Bladon.   more...

'Panic' attack with axe

A man accused of carrying out an axe attack after being asked to leave a wedding reception has denied his actions were intentional.   more...

Directors deny neglect after worker's death

A company director from Oxfordshire faces charges of neglect after a factory worker died of Legionnaire's Disease.   more...

Fears over rail mast

A 30-metre radio mast to be put up in North Oxford to improve rail safety has angered residents.   more...

Wind tunnel row will not blow over, say residents

A racing car company could face legal action if noise from a wind tunnel is not reduced.   more...

Court may hear dog-maul case

The Crown Prosecution Service is examining the case of Count Nikolai Tolstoy's bull mastiff which allegedly killed an elderly woman's pet dog.   more...

Recyclers reach for a record

Residents in Charlbury are planning a blitz on rubbish and have come up with a programme to make them the best recyclers in Oxfordshire.   more...

Plane owners sue over Dettori crash

The owners of the plane from which top jockey Frankie Dettori escaped after it crashed are suing his management company for more than £300,000 in damages and lost trade.   more...

Wardens ready to hit the streets

A team of nine street wardens appointed by Oxford City Council was due to start work on Friday, February 28.   more...

Fresh jobs blow hits car industry

Job losses in the motoring industry in Oxfordshire look set to top 800 after another company announced it is desperately seeking a buyer in a last-ditch bid to save 300 jobs.   more...

Pioneer clinic could treat 24,000 patients a year

A pioneer clinic set up jointly by the NHS and the private sector could relieve pressures at Oxford's major hospitals by treating 24,000 patients every year.   more...

Teenage romance

Richard and Amy Sedin who were celebrating their diamond wedding anniversary on Thursday, February 27, were born and grew up almost opposite each other in the same street.   more...

February 27: Fight for survival

it is ironic, when the Cowley-built Mini is doing so well, that some of the county's motor component companies are struggling.   more...

Businessmen jailed over £4.2m pension scam

Two financial advisers have been jailed for hoodwinking hundreds of people into parting with £4.2m of retirement savings in a fraudulent pensions scheme.   more...

Three booked up for lunch

Authors and book lovers gathered at Oxford's Randolph Hotel on Tuesday, February 25, for the third literary lunch organised by The Oldie magazine.   more...

Memorial service for Chancellor

Two of the contenders for the post of Chancellor of Oxford University will be among hundreds of guests attending a special memorial service celebrating the life of late Chancellor Lord Jenkins.   more...

Accused in court

Four people have appeared at Witney Magistrates' Court accused of breaking into an Oxfordshire air base to stage an anti-war protest.   more...

Street fair promotes Fairtrade

A street fair with stalls promoting food and goods produced by workers in Third World countries will launch the start of the annual two-week Fairtrade campaign in Oxfordshire.   more...

Back at work

The academic accused by US authorities of heading an Islamic terror group said he was determined to carry on "a normal life".   more...

Dead driver identified

Police have identified the car driver who died in an accident on the M40 near junction 10 at Ardley on Tuesday, February 25.   more...

Care centre needs more building cash

A hospital department which treats 500 women and their unborn babies every year needs £90,000 to improve its world-leading facilities.   more...

Grateful father calls for donors

A father is appealing for people to become blood donors after his young son was given life-saving transfusions.   more...

Couple lose home after 16 years

A man is to lose his home in Bicester after a judge ruled his mentally disabled brother did not understand what he was doing when he signed away his property rights.   more...

Children saddle up for charity

Children in Oxfordshire are being invited to take part in a charity cycle ride in May.   more...

Concern over asylum staffing

The Home Office will need to double the number of staff it first estimated to run an asylum seekers' centre, a public inquiry heard.   more...

More nurses needed

A recruitment drive to resolve a staffing crisis at Wantage Hospital has resulted in a new nurse being appointed, although more are still urgently needed.   more...

Minister to leave big gap

A Thame clergyman is looking for 10 volunteers as well as a minister to replace him when he retires.   more...

Plea after two fires

Firefighters returned to Carterton to tackle the second house fire in the area in two days.   more...

February 26: Tonic for patients

We cannot accuse our hospitals of not trying.   more...

February 25: Heads in the sand

The elderly people living near a proposed homeless centre in St Ebbe's, Oxford, deserve full marks for determination.   more...

February 24: Inflexible

If rookie constable Chris Dunn had been 100 per cent determined to make the police service his career, he would have grinned and borne his first posting to Reading.   more...

February 22: Night-time targets

It is disappointing that thieves and vandals are again targeting one of Oxford's park-and-rides.   more...

Willow work

Children at Fir Tree Junior School in Wallingford got back to nature at the school's own mini reserve.   more...

Rival hostile bid for biotech firm

Britain's largest biotech company, Celltech, has put in a £101m hostile bid for Oxford GlycoSciences.   more...

Town has lots to offer shoppers

I refer to your article comparing Abingdon town centre with Witney (Oxford Mail, February 19).   more...

Fundraisers hit first target

The biggest fundraising project undertaken by The Rotary Club of Abingdon Vesper has hit its first target with the presentation of a £12,000 cheque.   more...

Big break for hospital fund

Snooker players Karl Walker and Olly Hoeblyn, played each other for 24 hours -- and it proved a big break for the Oxford Children's Hospital Campaign.   more...

Victim's car found

A car stolen from the victim of an armed robbery at Drayton Park Golf Club has been recovered in Coventry.   more...

Street wardens determined to prove their worth

A specialist team of wardens set up to help cut crime on Oxford's worst-affected estates took to the streets yesterday (February 28).   more...

£220m Westgate Centre plans ruling overturned

The Government's decision to reject the £220m redevelopment of Oxford's Westgate Centre was successfully challenged in the High Court yesterday.   more...

Oxfordshire Sport

Bobby's a real dazzler!

OXFORD United boss Ian Atkins believes that, on his day, Bobby Ford is the best player in the third division.   more...

Rugby tries new shoot-out

TOMORROW'S Powergen Cup semi-final between London Irish and Northampton Saints at the Kassam Stadium (2) could be decided by a new drop goal shoot-out.   more...

Chana in groove to stun Frilford

PAUL Chana was Hadden Hill's hero as they beat Frilford Heath 2.5-1.5 in the Mail on Sunday Classic first round.   more...

Two score aces at same hole

Chipping Norton members Dave Sykes and Dave Monk were lost for words when both holed in one at the same hole.   more...

Five Star schedule

The first of seven golf tournaments, organised by Five Star Events - the Liz Ryder Cup - will be held at Tadmarton Heath on Friday, April 4.   more...

Football fixtures

Fixtures for Saturday, March 1, 2003   more...

Football fixtures

Fixtures for Sunday, March 2, 2003   more...

New boss Lyne aims to stay up

Cherry Red Records Hellenic League preview: New Wantage Town manager Andy Lyne has set his team the ambitious target of staving off relegation from the Premier Division, despite the Alfredian Park outfit being rooted to the foot of the table with just 13 games left.   more...

Atkins ups the tempo

Oxford United boss Ian Atkins has told his players to go for the jugular as they face two home games in four days while many of their promotion rivals are battling against each other.   more...

Late goals steer City into semis

Chipping Norton Tn 1, Oxford C 3: Three goals in the last half hour saw City move into the Oxon Senior Cup semi-finals at the expense of Hellenic League Division 1 Chippy on Thursday night.   more...

Foley fumes at two legs

Didcot Town manager Pete Foley has hit out at the Hellenic League's fixture schedule, after his team reached the semi-finals of the Supplementary Cup with a 5-0 win over Wootton Bassett Town last weekend.   more...

Joey set for Abingdon debut

Former Oxford United winger Joey Beauchamp is set for his Ryman League Division 2 debut for Abingdon Town in Saturday's home game with Tring Town.   more...

Avery back

Mark Avery returns for Thame United for their trip to Yeading in Ryman League Division 1 North on Saturday.   more...

Brock retains hope

Banbury United boss Kevin Brock hasn't given up on promotion, despite losing at home against Dr Martens League Eastern Division rivals Histon on Tuesday.   more...

City hope to end run

Oxford City aim to end a winless away league run stretching back to October when they travel to Barton Rovers.   more...

Ulamek joins Oxford

The Oxford Silver Machine 2003 line-up is almost complete following the capture of Polish ace Sebastian Ulamek.   more...

Rising Sally star Chris aiming for ton of dolls

WHEN a promising young sportsman talks of aiming to get 100, he is normally referring to goals, runs or tries.   more...

Devils' tester

OXFORD Devils face a basketball double-header this weekend as they continue their bid for a place in the National Conference play-offs.   more...

Hockey fixtures

Fixtures for Saturday, March 1, 2003   more...

Henman's back today

British No 1 tennis player Tim Henman makes his return to action today (Tuesday) after 15 weeks sidelined with a shoulder injury.   more...

Saints planning revenge mission

Northampton Saints will be out for revenge in Sunday's Powergen Cup semi-final clash with defending champions London Irish at the Kassam Stadium.   more...

Rugby fixtures

Fixtures on Saturday, March 1, 2003   more...

Henley can move a step closer

Henley Hawks, needing four victories from their last six games to be certain of promotion from National Division 2, should get one of them on Saturday at Wharfedale, who are one of six teams fighting to avoid relegation.   more...

Anderson back worry

Oxford Harlequins are hoping that flanker Jim Anderson recovers from a back injury so he can play in their South West 2 East League game against Stow-on-the-Wold at Horspath Road (Saturday, 2.30).   more...

Rugby fixtures

Fixtures for Sunday, March 2, 2003   more...

Oxford netting

Oxford & Horspath CC begin indoor nets at Oxford Brookes University, Headington on Sunday, March 2 (6-8pm).   more...

Umpire needed

Begbroke require a new umpire to allow their second XI to enter the OCA.   more...

Meeting scheduled

The annual meeting of the Oxfordshire Cricket Umpires & Scorers Association will be held at Garsington CC on Thursday, March 6 (7.30).   more...

Subaru duo face trip into the unknown

The Banbury-based 555 Subaru World Rally team drivers Petter Solberg and Tommi Makinen are preparing for a leap into the unknown this week,when they roar off in the Rally of Turkey.   more...

Richards plays peacemaker

British American Racing chief David Richards is confident he can play the peacemaker, despite Jacques Villeneuve's continued public sniping at new teammate Jenson Button.   more...

McLaren boss lashes Formula 1 changes

McLaren team owner Ron Dennis has accused Formula 1 bosses of trying to `dumb down' the sport by introducing new rules for the 2003 season.   more...

Calasan signs for Renault

Oxford-based French driver Vasilije Calasan is among four more drivers confirmed as competitors in the 2003 Formula Renault UK Championship.   more...

Oxfordshire Whats On

Cast make Popcorn crackle

Freya Rodger saw Popcorn at the Old Fire Station, Oxford.   more...

February 15: Campaigners march against war

Protesters who braved very cold weather to travel from Oxford to London to make a stand against a war on Iraq were impressed by the large number of people who turned out.   more...

February 25: Air views about the Green Belt

Arguments for and against keeping Oxford's Green Belt will be aired on Tuesday, February 25.   more...

March 23: Hospital staff limber up

Children's ward staff at Oxford's Radcliffe Infirmary are getting ready for a five-mile run to raise money for better services for their young patients.   more...

February 21: How to help in a crisis

Free training is available for volunteers interested in helping the emergency services in the event of a crisis.   more...

March 6: Writer invited

Benson Garden Club is hosting an illustrated talk by Saturday Telegraph garden correspondent and author Ursula Buchan in the parish hall on March 6 at 7.30pm.   more...

March 1-16: Belgrade show

An exhibition of postcards from Belgrade and other work by students from Witney and Abingdon College will be held at the West Ox Arts Gallery in Bampton town hall from March 1-16.   more...

February 19: Blood required

Blood donors are needed on Wednesday, February 19, from 1.30-3.25pm, and 4.30-7.15pm, at the Baptist Church Hall, in High Street, Kidlington.   more...

August: Holiday club

Churches Together in Didcot is organising a children's holiday club with crafts, drama, games, singing and other activities between August 18-23.   more...

  
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