Oxfordshire | Archive | 2006 | October

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Stories for 5 October 2006

Abingdon

Pledge on the buses

A PLEDGE to give councils new powers to ensure bus operators serve communities properly has been welcomed in Oxfordshire.  more...

Keeping an eye on police cells

YELLING can be heard as two police officers bundle a drunken yob, kicking and screaming, into a cell.  more...

Boost sought for Lady Godiva film

ROOKIE film director Vicky Jewson, based at Radley, hopes to be given some money for her birthday - a cool £150,000.  more...

Suspect sought over assault

THIS is the man police believe tried to indecently assault an 11-year-old schoolgirl in Southmoor last month.  more...

Drivers battle new road layout

DRIVERS in Abingdon were this week struggling to get to grips with the town's new two-way system in Stratton Way.  more...

Bid to revamp boat centre re-floated

PLANS to upgrade Abingdon Boat Centre with a restaurant with views over the Thames have been refloated.  more...

Drivers battle new road layout

ONLY five days in and already Abingdon's new two-way traffic system in Stratton Way has suffered a barrage of complaints.  more...

Ex's 'jealousy led to killing'

A MAN murdered his ex-wife's new husband in an act of "revenge and retribution", a jury was told.  more...

Abingdon News

Idea refloated

Plans to modernise the Abingdon Boat Centre with a restaurant with views over the Thames have been revived.  more...

Builders vanished

A village pre-school spent £13,500 on renovations - only for the builders to vanish without finishing the job.  more...

Art

An empire built on furniture

Self-assembly furniture began in the days of the British Empire as a series of antique exhibitions show, writes SYLVIA VETTA I wonder what British officers take with them to Afghanistan and Iraq? Thanks to Christopher Clarke Antiques, I know what their 19th-century predecessors transported to the Crimea, India or indeed Afghanistan and it was more or less a house full.  more...

Business

Today's local share prices (AM)

AEA Technology 97.5 BMW 2862 Electrocomponents 280.75 Isoft Group 56.5 Oxford Bio 29.5 Oxford Instruments 202.5 Oxonica 144 Reed Elsevier 599.25 RM 176 RPS 232.25 Torex Retail 41   more...

Today's local share prices (AM)

AEA Technology 97.5 BMW 2862 Electrocomponents 280.75 Isoft Group 56.5 Oxford Bio 29.5 Oxford Instruments 202.5 Oxonica 144 Reed Elsevier 599.25 RM 176 RPS 232.25 Torex Retail 41   more...

Today's local share prices (PM)

AEA Technology 97.5 BMW 2850 Electrocomponents 279.75 Isoft Group 56.25 Oxford Bio 29.25 Oxford Instruments 203 Oxonica 143.5 Reed Elsevier 594.5 RM 176 RPS 232.5 Torex Retail 39.75   more...

Cinema

The Departed and The Devil Wears Prada

Based on the 2002 Hong Kong thriller Infernal Affairs, Martin Scorsese's latest tale of betrayal and deception in the underworld melds stellar performances with earthy dialogue, punctuated with explosions of violence. The Departed bears all of the veteran film-maker's hallmarks, but while this thriller may finally earn Scorsese the Academy Award that has eluded him all these years, he won't truly deserve it.  more...

Misfires still have much to interest

A crushing sense of despondancy is made all the more unbearable by a fleeting moment of hope in Man Push Cart, a poignant slice of sidewalk life from Iranian-American director, Ramin Bahrani. Having lost his wife and been separated from his son, Pakistani singer Ahmad Razvi is saving towards buying his own coffee kiosk to make a twilight living in New York. However, he's recognised from his days as a one-hit wonder by yuppie Charles Daniel Sandoval, who promises him some decorating work and a nightclub gig before he moves in on Leticia Dolera, the Spanish news vendor who was also all alone in the big city before she befriended Razvi.  more...

Columns

The Insider: October 5, 2006

GREEN Party city and county councillor Sushila Dhall probably came up with the best and most plausible reason for missing this week's city council meeting at Oxford Town Hall: she has potentially-fatal viral meningitis.  more...

Country Matters

Passing a decade of growth

North Oxfordshire's organic gardeners mark ten years of growing popularity, writes PETER BARRINGTON For Molly Gatling going organic was a natural step from the time of the Second World War when people had to make the best of scarce resources and grow their own fruit and vegetables. Her interest was spurred by witnessing the early years of industrial farming.  more...

Cricket

CRICKET: Now Rowant 3rd miss out

Aston Rowant and Milton Keynes Park are the latest clubs to fall foul of The Oxford Times Cherwell League's tough stance on administrative irregularities.  more...

Dance

Cathy Marston: Wycombe Town Hall

Cathy Marston has an interesting track record as a dancer, and also now as a choreographer, and at Wycombe Town Hall on Tuesday we saw three works performed by the seven dancers she calls the Cathy Marston Project.  more...

Didcot

Pledge on the buses

A PLEDGE to give councils new powers to ensure bus operators serve communities properly has been welcomed in Oxfordshire.  more...

'Gang mentality' warn the police

PARENTS at Didcot and Wallingford have been told they must help stamp out vandalism and yobbish behaviour.  more...

Memorial to mark loss of children

A LASTING memorial to scores of babies and young children buried in unmarked plots at Didcot Cemetery will be unveiled this week.  more...

Disabled woman wins battle over barrier

A DISABLED Didcot woman has won her battle to stop a planned road barrier blocking access to her home.  more...

Sick boy's dog snatched

A FAMILY who fell victim to a dog snatcher claim police are not doing enough to re-unite their terminally-ill son with his special dog.  more...

Tribute paid to motorcycle crash victim

THE family of a 20-year-old Didcot man killed in a motorcycle accident have paid tribute to the "amazing lad everybody loved".  more...

Didcot News

No police call after dog theft

A family who had their dog stolen from their family home claim police are not doing enough to reunite their terminally ill son with his pet.  more...

Park will stay open

A Didcot park that has been a site of vandalism and teenage binge drinking will not be locked at night, despite calls from residents.  more...

Editorial Comment

Swimming and getting nowhere

So Oxford won't be getting an Olympic-style swimming pool after all. What a surprise.  more...

Education

Schools are failing citizenship test

Government 'British values' agenda is meeting resistance, writes TIM ROSS A quarter of schools are failing to teach children about the workings of British democracy and their rights and responsibilities as citizens, inspectors have warned.  more...

Entertainment

Events Friday October 6

France Today: Its Culture and its Way of Life. WEA (Workers' Educational Association) course. Every Friday for seven meetings. 10.30am-12.30pm. Call for further details. Oxfordshire County Museum, Fletchers House, Park Street, Woodstock. 01993 813010.  more...

Events Saturday October 7

Birthday concert: Bicester Concert Band celebrates its tenth birthday with a concert at the Methodist Church, Sheep Street, Bicester, from 7pm. Tickets £5, or £3 for concessions, available on the door.  more...

Events Sunday October 8

Church anniversary: Twyford United Reformed Church, near Bicester, celebrates its anniversary with a service at 10.30am led by Andrew Kemp, a lay minister and local historian.  more...

Events Monday October 9

Local history talk: GraveTabs and Memorials. Speaker Graham Sutherland 7.30pm. Methodist Hall, West Street, Chipping Norton. 01608 658489.  more...

Events Tuesday October 10

Gallery talk: Ashmolean Women. 1.15-2pm. £2. Booking recommended. Meet in Randolph Gallery, Room 1. Ashmolean Museum, Beaumont Street, Oxford. 01865 278015.  more...

Events Wednesday October 11

Bike ride: Into countryside along quiet and scenic routes. All ages and abilities, 90 minutes, 15-mile return trip. Every Wednesday at 5.30pm. Until October 12. Pub stop halfway. From Martyrs' Memorial, St Giles, Oxford. 07803 596372 or 07901 668665.  more...

Events Thursday October 12

Farmers' market: In Bicester's Sheep Street, 8.30am to 2pm. Includes meat, cheese, fish, ice-cream, cakes and bread.  more...

Cinema listings Friday October 6 to Thursday October 12

CINEWORLD, MILTON KEYNES: Advance showings, Open Season, PG, Sat & Sun only 11am, 1, 3, 5, 7pm. The Departed, 18, 11.20am (Sat & Sun only), 1.30, 2.40, 5, 6, 8.20, 9.20, 11.40pm*. Delux seats 1.30pm, 5, 8.20pm. The Devil Wears Prada, PG, 12.40pm, 1.40, 3.30, 4.20, 6.10, 7, 8.50, 9.40, 11.35pm*. Delux seats 12.40pm, 3.30, 6.10, 8.50pm. Accepted, 12A, 12.05pm, 2.30, 5, 7.20, 9.50, 12.10am*. World Trade Center, 12A, noon, 3, 6, 9, midnight*. Click, 12A, 11am (Sat & Sun only), 1.25, 4.10, 6.50, 9.30pm. Hoodwinked, U, 11.05am (Sat & Sun only), 1.05, 3.10, 5.20, 7.30pm. Life and Lyrics, 15, 2pm, 4.30, 6.55 (not Mon), 9.25pm. Children of Men, 15, 1.10pm, 3.50, 6.30, 9.10pm. Dirty Sanchez: The Movie, 18, 6.25pm (not Sat & Sun), 8.55pm. Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, 12A, 11.30am (Sun only), 12.30 (not Sun & Mon), 2.20 (Sun only), 3.20 (not Sun, Mon & Tues), 5.55 (not Sun, Mon & Tues), 8.40pm. The Queen, 12A, 12.50pm, 3.25, 5.50, 8.30pm. Little Man, 12A, 11.10am (Sat & Sun only), 1.35, 4pm (not Sat & Sun). You, Me & Dupree, 12A, 9.45pm. Cars, PG, 11.15am (Sat & Sun only). Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, 12A, 1pm (not Sat & Sun), 4.40, 8pm.  more...

Cinema listings Friday October 6 to Thursday October 12

CINEWORLD, MILTON KEYNES: Advance showings, Open Season, PG, Sat & Sun only 11am, 1, 3, 5, 7pm. The Departed, 18, 11.20am (Sat & Sun only), 1.30, 2.40, 5, 6, 8.20, 9.20, 11.40pm*. Delux seats 1.30pm, 5, 8.20pm. The Devil Wears Prada, PG, 12.40pm, 1.40, 3.30, 4.20, 6.10, 7, 8.50, 9.40, 11.35pm*. Delux seats 12.40pm, 3.30, 6.10, 8.50pm. Accepted, 12A, 12.05pm, 2.30, 5, 7.20, 9.50, 12.10am*. World Trade Center, 12A, noon, 3, 6, 9, midnight*. Click, 12A, 11am (Sat & Sun only), 1.25, 4.10, 6.50, 9.30pm. Hoodwinked, U, 11.05am (Sat & Sun only), 1.05, 3.10, 5.20, 7.30pm. Life and Lyrics, 15, 2pm, 4.30, 6.55 (not Mon), 9.25pm. Children of Men, 15, 1.10pm, 3.50, 6.30, 9.10pm. Dirty Sanchez: The Movie, 18, 6.25pm (not Sat & Sun), 8.55pm. Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, 12A, 11.30am (Sun only), 12.30 (not Sun & Mon), 2.20 (Sun only), 3.20 (not Sun, Mon & Tues), 5.55 (not Sun, Mon & Tues), 8.40pm. The Queen, 12A, 12.50pm, 3.25, 5.50, 8.30pm. Little Man, 12A, 11.10am (Sat & Sun only), 1.35, 4pm (not Sat & Sun). You, Me & Dupree, 12A, 9.45pm. Cars, PG, 11.15am (Sat & Sun only). Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, 12A, 1pm (not Sat & Sun), 4.40, 8pm.  more...

Features

A cellar could be your best seller

A couple of years ago, I wrote a piece for the Financial Times on the growing fashion for building new wine cellars in your home or installing trendy, new wine fridges. The reasons why people are doing this, of course, are pretty obvious. Wine is becoming increasingly popular while very few homes actually come equipped with their own subterranean cellars.  more...

Pumpkin bread

AFTER cutting into a very large pumpkin last week to make the pumpkin soup, I found myself wondering what to do with all that pumpkin left over.  more...

Football

FOOTBALL: Duo are on song

OFA Sam Waters Cup: Aaron Armstrong and Colin Ryan bagged braces as Barton United marched into the second round with a 4-2 victory against visitors Star Wanderers.  more...

FOOTBALL: Ace Jacobs sinks Saxon

Morrells of Oxford Sunday League: Oxford United Supporters kept up their recent form as they twice fought back to beat Saxon Warriors 3-2 in Division 1.  more...

FOOTBALL: Latimer hat-trick caps dream debut

Martin Latimer smashed a hat-trick on his Robin Hood debut as Division 3A underdogs thrashed ten-man Division 1 outfit East Hendred 7-3 in the first round of the Devenney Cup.  more...

FOOTBALL: Latimer hat-trick caps dream debut

Autotype UTV League: Martin Latimer smashed a hat-trick on his Robin Hood debut as Division 3A underdogs thrashed ten-man Division 1 outfit East Hendred 7-3 in the first round of the Devenney Cup.  more...

FOOTBALL: U's will learn from reprieve

Jim Smith believes his Oxford United players have learned their lesson from Tuesday night's 2-2 draw at home to lowly Southport.  more...

Gardening

Taste of the season

This autumn's Apple Days boosted by huge crops, writes VAL BOURNE I'm weighed down with a glut of apples and pears, kindly provided by neighbours in my village. The plums on their trees are so laden that several branches have snapped under the sheer weight of fruit.  more...

Golf

GOLF: Chippy on brink of top title

CHIPPING Norton look a good bet for the Shaw & Co Oxfordshire Foursomes League Section 1 title after defeating leaders Tadmarton Heath 2-.  more...

GOLF: Chippy on brink of top title

CHIPPING Norton look a good bet for the Shaw & Co Oxfordshire Foursomes League Section 1 title after defeating leaders Tadmarton Heath 2-.  more...

GOLF: Favourites crash

NORTH Oxford and Studley Wood pulled off upsets to reach the Shaw & Co Oxfordshire Foursomes League knockout final.  more...

GOLF: Duo dominate meeting

CHIPPING Norton and Frilford Heath shared the top prizes during the Oxfordshire Ladies County County Golf Association's Autumn Meeting at Carswell.  more...

GOLF: Duo dominate meeting

CHIPPING Norton and Frilford Heath shared the top prizes during the Oxfordshire Ladies County County Golf Association's Autumn Meeting at Carswell.  more...

GOLF: Results round-up

OXFORD LADIES Par Competition - Silver Div: 1 T Holder +1, 2 A Clarke -4. Bronze Div: 1 M Peddie level, 2 M Butcher -3, 3 P Dudding -6.  more...

Gray Matter

Literary giant discusses his work at the QI Club

'My name is Frank Bascombe. I am a sportswriter." Already these few words - the first two sentences, the first paragraph, of Richard Ford's 1985 novel The Sportswriter - are among the most familiar lines in 20th-century American literature. Their down-to-earth simplicity makes them an ideal start to a book about the ordinary sort of guy we shall be befriending over the next few hundred pages. No less appropriate to the character is his name. But why Bascombe?  more...

Headlines

Police issue warning on bogus water men

TWO men posing as water engineers tricked their way into a house in Chipping Norton and stole property from a bedroom.  more...

Police issue warning on bogus water men

TWO men posing as water engineers tricked their way into a house in Chipping Norton and stole property from a bedroom.  more...

Ice Hockey

ICE HOCKEY: Easy does it for depleted Stars

Easy Chalmers played a leading role as depleted Oxford City Stars cruised to a 5-1 victory in their second English League South match of the season against Romford Spitfires.  more...

Letters

PCSOs fulfill a valuable role

In reply to Derek Smith, Use the money on real police, (Oxford Mail, September 29), it is not my place to comment politically on the funding for these new and valuable Police Community Support Officers.  more...

Pathetic lives

Not content with reporting people for smoking, I see we now have a website where people can be reported for driving misdemeanours allegedly perpetrated by the public (Oxford Mail, September 28).  more...

Thanks, Boris

It is not often that I find myself agreeing with MP Boris Johnson; however, on this occasion I fully support his statements and views mentioned in your article regarding the ridiculous new child seat law.  more...

Making it safer

Due to the recent child seat law there has been a lot of public outrage. I just do not see why.  more...

Chamber fears

So, councillor Tony de Vere is annoyed by criticisms from Abingdon Chamber of Commerce that the Vale Council has been tinkering around the edges in Abingdon. Considering how the Liberal Democrats have managed to devastate the economy of the town centre, this criticism is understandable.  more...

Park where?

Councillor Tony de Vere proudly sits in the Abbey Grounds and sings the praises of work carried out by his council. In his letter "Just tinkering", he invites us all to encourage visitors to the town. Could he tell myself and the other thousands who live on the outskirts of town and nearby villages where we can park when taking our visitors to the Abbey grounds?  more...

Main priority

With reference to Mrs Sadler's letter (Herald, September 23), I would like to clarify a number of points raised.  more...

No done deal

Your very clear reporting (The Herald, September 21) of Thames Water's presentation in Abingdon on its proposed £1bn new reservoir failed in one respect. On two occasions in the description of the plans for the scheme, the word "will" was used in association with the plans to build the reservoir.  more...

No done deal

Your very clear reporting (The Herald, September 21) of Thames Water's presentation in Abingdon on its proposed £1bn new reservoir failed in one respect. On two occasions in the description of the plans for the scheme, the word "will" was used in association with the plans to build the reservoir.  more...

Charity boost

I was disappointed (but sadly not surprised) by your report on the All Ford Rally and 4x4 Festival.  more...

Well done!

Hearty congratulations are due to Abingdon's Ock Street Heritage Group for their hugely popular three-day exhibition on the street's past history - what a gathering of the clans this proved to be!  more...

Train call

The Thames Valley Branch of Railfuture has also called on the Department for Transport to reinstate Cross Country train services to Didcot.  more...

Motorsport

Phillips scores top-ten finish

ABINGDON racer Nick Phillips enjoyed his most competitive outing to date in the Cosworth Caterham Masters at the Monza circuit in Italy.  more...

Music

Collutorium: Keble College Chapel

Collutorium . . . strange name. It denotes an a capella group of singers, founded in 1996 by doctors from the Radcliffe Infirmary to raise money for local charities. Perhaps the medical connection explains that name - actually the Latin for mouthwash - which they hope signals a refreshing experience.  more...

Mark Ramsden: The Spin

The autumn season at the Spin kicked off with a guest soloist who was back in Oxford having played here to very appreciative audiences several times over the past few years. Saxophonist Mark Ramsden approaches his music with a very individual mix of reverence, intensity and lyricism which allows him to breathe new life into old standards without breaking away from the integrity of the original.  more...

Oxford Chamber Music Festival

Three composers, each with a different anniversary to celebrate, were the focus of this year's Oxford Chamber Music Festival. By Friday evening, Shostakovich appeared to have been given the boot, leaving us with Schumann and a double dose of Mozart. I don't have a problem with that, especially when delivered with such verve and technical proficiency as they were here. Admittedly, I could have done without Philip Pullman's barely audible commentary, which served only to further extend an evening that started 20 minutes late thanks to the High Street road works.  more...

Oxford Chamber Music Festival: Sheldonian

Contemporary composers can sometimes take themselves just a little too seriously. Not Thomas Larcher, however. His Mumien for cello and piano was played at the opening concert of this year's Oxford Chamber Music Festival. As the piece was about to start, a member of the audience complained that the platform lighting was shining straight into his eyes. After checking with cellist Natalie Clein that she would still be able to read her music, the offending lights were switched off. "Never mind if you can't see," Larcher proclaimed cheerfully, "As it's modern music, nobody will know if you play some wrong notes!"  more...

Thames Consort: St Peter's Church, Wallingford

This year's Music at St Peter's season came to a close on Saturday with its customary finale by the Thames Consort. A joyous, celebratory mood pervaded the evening in a programme dominated by Bach, with a little Vivaldi sandwiched in between.  more...

Sting in the tale

NICOLA LISLE talks to Oxford's Stile Antico With a prestigious award to its credit, a CD release in the offing, and an invitation to collaborate with rock legend Sting, the 12-strong vocal ensemble Stile Antico is flying high. And now, five years after its formation, the group is keen to pass its musical passion and expertise on to A-level students with the launch of an education project.  more...

News

Householders to get recycling tips

RESIDENTS in Brackley are to get tips on recycling as part of a "go greener" campaign by Northamptonshire County Council.  more...

Digging for wildlife

SEVEN Oxfordshire farmers have joined forces with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds to boost the county's wildlife wetlands.  more...

Youth project grants on offer

GRANTS of up to £5,000 are available for youth projects in Northamptonshire.  more...

Councils: Are you happy?

RESIDENTS are to be quizzed on what they think about council services.  more...

Youth project grants on offer

GRANTS of up to £5,000 are available for youth projects in Northamptonshire.  more...

Electoral forms are sent out

RESIDENTS are being asked to save money by returning their Electoral Registration forms.  more...

County's new fire chief

A NEW chief fire officer has been appointed by Northamptonshire County Council. Martyn Emberson, aged 47, will take up the post in December, moving from his current role as deputy chief fire officer for Nottinghamshire.  more...

Dancing returns to historic town hall

FOR the first time since it was built, Banbury town hall will open on a Sunday for music and dancing - for the town's annual folk festival Ceilidh sessions.  more...

Plea for mercy copter

THE director of an air ambulance service, which covers North Oxfordshire, has appealed for public donations to keep the service running.  more...

Brewery backs Botham

HOOK Norton Brewery is backing cricket legend Ian Botham's latest charity walk in aid of leukaemia research.  more...

More deaths on the road

DEATHS on Oxfordshire's roads went up last year but fewer people were seriously injured.  more...

Doctors tell of fears over cut-backs

FAMILY doctors have branded cutbacks to children's and maternity services at Banbury's Horton Hospital as unsafe and inhumane.  more...

Experts dispute trust's claims

CONSULTANTS advising local authorities on health issues have disputed claims by the Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals Trust that treatment in Oxford would be cheaper and safer than at the Horton Hospital in Banbury.  more...

Car-free plan gets go-ahead

A £2.2m plan to pedestrianise Parsons Street and part of Market Place in Banbury was given the go-ahead by Cherwell District Council's executive on Monday.  more...

Scout group celebrates diamond date

BANBURY'S oldest Scout group will celebrate its 60th anniversary next month.  more...

Pool plea floated again

THE campaign to save Banbury's open-air swimming pool took a cautious step forward on Monday when Cherwell District Council's executive agreed to look again at the controversial issue.  more...

Police warn over snatch thief

POLICE are urging people in Banbury to keep their doors and windows secure after two similar thefts in recent weeks.  more...

Police warn over snatch thief

POLICE are urging people in Banbury to keep their doors and windows secure after two similar thefts in recent weeks.  more...

Peers academy plan passes first hurdle

A PLAN to replace Peers Techonology College in Littlemore with an Academy has passed its first major hurdle.  more...

Vandal-hit park to stay open

A DIDCOT park blighted by vandalism and anti-social behaviour will not be locked at night despite calls from local residents.  more...

Riverside restaurant plans revived

PLANS to upgrade the Abingdon Boat Centre with a restaurant with views over the Thames have been refloated.  more...

Death-blaze man named

A 47-YEAR-OLD man, who died after fire swept through his Woodcote bungalow, has been named as Hugh Morton.  more...

'Pavement parkers' cause misery

SELFISH "pavement parkers" are causing misery for pedestrians who are forced to either squeeze past cars or walk in the road, endangering their lives.  more...

'Pavement parkers' cause misery

SELFISH "pavement parkers" are causing misery for pedestrians who are forced to either squeeze past cars or walk in the road, endangering their lives.  more...

Police warn over snatch thief

POLICE are urging people in Banbury to keep their doors and windows secure after two similar thefts in recent weeks.  more...

Police warn over snatch thief

POLICE are urging people in Banbury to keep their doors and windows secure after two similar thefts in recent weeks.  more...

Police issue warning on bogus water men

TWO men posing as water engineers tricked their way into a house in Chipping Norton and stole property from a bedroom.  more...

Murder trial jury told killer was 'lying in wait'

A MAN shot in the neck by a killer who had "laid in wait for him" got into his car and attempted to drive home after the shooting, a jury heard.  more...

Pool hopes dashed

A LACK of cash to build an Olympic-size pool for Oxford has seriously dented the city's chances of hosting international swimmers staying in the UK ahead of the 2012 London Olympics.  more...

Man arrested over toddler car theft

A 29-YEAR-OLD MAN has been arrested over the theft of a car that had a young girl asleep on the back seat.  more...

Dead man died of drink-related causes

THE rough sleeper found dead in an Oxford wood on Tuesday was a Polish man who died of alcohol-related natural causes, police have revealed.  more...

Oxford is third best university in world

OXFORD University is the third best university in the world, new rankings have revealed.  more...

Hospital jobs 'may go to India or United States'

HOSPITAL staff say hundreds of local jobs could be threatened by the outsourcing of secretarial work to foreign workers in India or the United States.  more...

Big rise in bus use

A BIG rise in passenger numbers has been recorded by the Oxford Bus Company, reversing a decline reported to MPs only three months ago.  more...

Chickens dumped in village

THE RSPCA is appealing for witnesses who saw 15 chickens being dumped on a bridle path in Sunningwell .  more...

Police issue warning on bogus water men

TWO men posing as water engineers tricked their way into a house in Chipping Norton and stole property from a bedroom.  more...

Kimber trial: Victim tried to escape ambush

A MAN shot in the neck by a killer who had "laid in wait for him" got into his car and attempted to drive home after the shooting, a jury heard.  more...

Children injured in car crash

TWO cars were involved in an accident last Friday afternoon in Upper Arncott.  more...

Children injured in car crash

TWO cars were involved in an accident last Friday afternoon in Upper Arncott.  more...

Hospital rally in Sheep Street

DOZENS of people waving banners and placards called for Bicester to get its promised 30-bed hospital during a rally on Saturday.  more...

Offers

Fine wine £99

Includes three bottles each of 2005 Pinot Gris Villa Wolf; 2004 Te Mata Woodthorpe Cabernet Merlot; 2003 Chateau Nardou; 2004 Turkey Flat Butchers Block Marsanne Viognier.  more...

Fine wine £99

Includes three bottles each of 2005 Pinot Gris Villa Wolf; 2004 Te Mata Woodthorpe Cabernet Merlot; 2003 Chateau Nardou; 2004 Turkey Flat Butchers Block Marsanne Viognier.  more...

Fine wine £99

Includes three bottles each of 2005 Pinot Gris Villa Wolf; 2004 Te Mata Woodthorpe Cabernet Merlot; 2003 Chateau Nardou; 2004 Turkey Flat Butchers Block Marsanne Viognier.  more...

Other Sport

TABLE TENNIS: Walker brothers on song for Upton

The Walker brothers starred as newcomers Upton moved up to third place in Division 2 of the Didcot & District League, Skipper Stuart Walker completed a treble as Upton beat Abingdon D 6-4, while his brother Gareth won twice.  more...

BOWLS: OIBA open with victory

The Oxford Indoor BowIs Association kicked off their new season with a 20-shot victory over Oxford City & County.  more...

BAR BILLIARDS: Didcot storm in

Didcot Conservative Club crushed newly promoted Gladiators Club B 5-0 in the Premier Division of the Oxford & District League.  more...

Oxford News

Shot man tried to drive home

A man shot in the neck got into his car and attempted to drive home after the shooting, a jury heard.  more...

Cost sinks an olympic dream

There are choppy waters ahead for swimmers in Oxford after it was revealed there is no cash to build an Olympic-size pool for the city.  more...

Poison tragedy hits city’s twin

Up to 70 people are feared dead and more than 800 have been hospitalised after bars mistakenly sold methanol in Leon, Oxford's twin city in Nicaragua.  more...

Toddler snatch: mana arrested

A 29-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the theft of a Range Rover in Headington which contained a two-year-old girl.  more...

Toddler snatch: man arrested

A 29-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the theft of a Range Rover in Headington which contained a two-year-old girl.  more...

Dead man in woods identified

The rough sleeper found dead in an Oxford wood on Tuesday was a Polish man who died of alcohol related natural causes, police have revealed.  more...

Boris - in words and video

It was a typical day in the life of Boris Johnson. Within minutes of telling me he would never ditch his eccentric image, he sparked yet another storm after apparently denouncing Jamie Oliver's healthy eating crusade.  more...

Permit bid may cost city dear

Oxford City Council's chances of winning a High Court battle to stop controversial parking permit charges are only 50-50, the Oxford Mail has been told.  more...

Social workers are assaulted

Social care workers have been subjected to a catalogue of assaults and abuse in the course of their duties across Oxfordshire.  more...

Student victim of sex assault

A burglar sexually assaulted and "savagely beat" a student at an Oxford college, a jury heard yesterday.  more...

Drivers stuck in 15-mile jams

Lorries and cars queue back on to the M40 from the slip road leading up to the roundabout at junction 9 yesterday Thousands of drivers have been caught in M40 tailbacks up to 15 miles long for three mornings running - but highways officials cannot agree on the cause.  more...

Drivers stuck in 15-mile jams

Thousands of drivers have been caught in M40 tailbacks up to 15 miles long for three mornings running - but highways officials cannot agree on the cause.  more...

Jobs loss fear at hospital

Hospital staff say hundreds of local jobs could be threatened by the outsourcing of secretarial work to foreign workers in India or the United States.  more...

Uni climbs world rankings

Oxford University is the third best university in the world, new rankings have revealed.  more...

Teenager denies sex attack =

A teenager yesterday admitted to a jury he was a burglar but denied being the man who sexually attacked a student at her college.  more...

Murder accused ‘caused problems for ex-wife’

A jury was told today how murder accused Allan Kimber caused problems for his ex-wife and her new husband.  more...

Murder accused ‘caused problems for ex-wife’

A jury was told today how murder accused Gary Morgan caused problems for his ex-wife and her new husband.  more...

City pubs to get star rating

Every pub and bar in Oxford city centre is to be ranked in a league table, showing how responsible they are.  more...

City pubs to get star rating

Every pub and bar in Oxford city centre is to be ranked in a league table, showing how responsible they are.  more...

Film director’s wife killed

The woman killed by a train at Wolvercote was last night identified as the wife of a famous Polish film director.  more...

Teenager denies sex attack

A teenager yesterday admitted to a jury he was a burglar but denied being the man who sexually attacked a student at her college.  more...

Pasttimes

Kentissimo in the heart of Oxfordshire

The landscape gardens of Rousham House are regarded among the finest of William Kent, writes CHRIS KOENIG One veteran of the Battle of Blenheim, whose family had been Oxfordshire residents long before the former Royal Park upon which Blenheim Palace now stands was given to the Churchills, was Lieut Gen James Dormer.  more...

Share Prices

Today's local share prices (AM)

AEA Technology 97.5 BMW 2862 Electrocomponents 280.75 Isoft Group 56.5 Oxford Bio 29.5 Oxford Instruments 202.5 Oxonica 144 Reed Elsevier 599.25 RM 176 RPS 232.25 Torex Retail 41   more...

Today's local share prices (PM)

AEA Technology 97.5 BMW 2850 Electrocomponents 279.75 Isoft Group 56.25 Oxford Bio 29.25 Oxford Instruments 203 Oxonica 143.5 Reed Elsevier 594.5 RM 176 RPS 232.5 Torex Retail 39.75   more...

Speedway

SPEEDWAY: Aussie ace Wiltshire facing up to dilemma over his future

Todd Wiltshire admits that his future with Oxford - and speedway itself - is in limbo.  more...

SPEEDWAY: Lanney's year of torment

Aaron Lanney's first season at the helm of Oxford speedway certainly was a baptism of fire.  more...

Theatre

Vicious show

A gripping revival of Edward's Bond's 1981 Royal Court success Restoration by Headlong Theatre Company - previously known as the Oxford Stage Company - is packing in audiences at the Playhouse this week.  more...

Restoration: The Oxford Playhouse

Edward Bond's 1981 play Restoration is at the Oxford Playhouse until tomorrow in a new production by the Headlong Theatre Company, which was previously known as the Oxford Stage Company. Like much of Bond's work, it is a dark piece of writing. It ridicules the English aristocracy of the 17th century, chiefly through the figure of the foppish Lord Are (Mark Lockyer), while starkly depicting their indifference and even outright cruelty to the working-class folk who depend on them for a living. But since there is little in those workers to arouse our sympathy either, the social picture appears bleak indeed.  more...

Sailing the ocean blue with Gilbert and Sullivan

NICOLA LISLE talks to the director and cast of Opera della Luna's HMS Pinafore as they prepare for the Oxford Playhouse A ship that is assembled in front of the audience. An exceptionally seasick Sir Joseph. Principals doubling as chorus. It could only be Opera della Luna, and indeed these are just some of the hallmarks of the company's sparkling, witty and fast-paced production of HMS Pinafore, which drops anchor at the Oxford Playhouse this month.  more...

Travel Features

Bonjour, me hearties...

After several happy visits to the Western edge of France, Reg Little and his family were pleasantly surprised to find a town with more than a passing likeness to the set of a certain swashbuckling film...  more...

Wallingford

Housing moves spark boundary change call

WALLINGFORD is under siege from would-be housebuilders, but all the land is outside the town and that is worrying mayor Nigel Moor.  more...

Pledge on the buses

A PLEDGE to give councils new powers to ensure bus operators serve communities properly has been welcomed in Oxfordshire.  more...

'Gang mentality' warn the police

PARENTS at Didcot and Wallingford have been told they must help stamp out vandalism and yobbish behaviour.  more...

Call for town boundaries to be stretched

WALLINGFORD is under siege from would-be housebuilders, but all the land is outside the town and that is worrying mayor Nigel Moor.  more...

Transplant proves recipe for new passion

A CARPENTER has developed a passion and a talent for making cakes after a combined kidney and pancreas transplant operation turned his life around.  more...

Evelyn celebrates 105th birthday

ONE of the oldest women in Oxfordshire has just celebrated her 105th birthday.  more...

Flu jab shortage hits doctors

WALLINGFORD doctors are short of 1,250 flu jabs this year because of a manufacturing crisis - and they fear a major outbreak of flu could hit this winter.  more...

Wantage And Grove

Pledge on the buses

A PLEDGE to give councils new powers to ensure bus operators serve communities properly has been welcomed in Oxfordshire.  more...

Playground bid pays off

A TWO-year struggle to raise funds to provide village children with a new playground has finally paid off.  more...

Warning renewed over benefit cheats

DISTRICT council officers in the Vale of White Horse have renewed warnings to tax benefit cheats in the area that they will face court action.  more...

MP's joy at new arrival

ED Vaizey, the Tory MP for Wantage and Didcot, is missing his party's annual conference this week because of the birth of his first child.  more...

Parents in storm over lightning strike

ANGRY parents have complained to school officials over taking their children out in the storm which saw a trainee teacher survive after being hit by a lightning bolt.  more...

Witney News

Van and trailer crash

The driver of a Ford Transit van carrying a VW caravan on a trailer escaped injury when the van overturned on the A40 near Witney.  more...

Bicester Advertiser News

Kimber trial: Victim tried to escape ambush

A MAN shot in the neck by a killer who had "laid in wait for him" got into his car and attempted to drive home after the shooting, a jury heard.   more...

Children injured in car crash

TWO cars were involved in an accident last Friday afternoon in Upper Arncott.   more...

Hospital rally in Sheep Street

DOZENS of people waving banners and placards called for Bicester to get its promised 30-bed hospital during a rally on Saturday.   more...

Bicester Advertiser Sport

HOCKEY: Winspear strike in vain

Bicester 2nd went down to a 3-1 home defeat against OMT in their South League Open Division 2 opener.   more...

Oxford Mail Business

Today's local share prices (AM)

AEA Technology 97.5   more...

Today's local share prices (PM)

AEA Technology 97.5   more...

Oxford Mail News

Boris - in words and video

IT WAS a typical day in the life of Boris Johnson. Within minutes of telling me he would never ditch his eccentric image, he sparked yet another storm after apparently denouncing Jamie Oliver's healthy eating crusade.   more...

Shot man tried to drive home

A man shot in the neck got into his car and attempted to drive home after the shooting, a jury heard.   more...

Builders vanished

A village pre-school spent £13,500 on renovations - only for the builders to vanish without finishing the job.   more...

Cost sinks an olympic dream

There are choppy waters ahead for swimmers in Oxford after it was revealed there is no cash to build an Olympic-size pool for the city.   more...

Permit bid may cost city dear

Oxford City Council's chances of winning a High Court battle to stop controversial parking permit charges are only 50-50, the Oxford Mail has been told.   more...

No police call after dog theft

A family who had their dog stolen from their family home claim police are not doing enough to reunite their terminally ill son with his pet.   more...

Park will stay open

A Didcot park that has been a site of vandalism and teenage binge drinking will not be locked at night, despite calls from residents.   more...

Social workers are assaulted

Social care workers have been subjected to a catalogue of assaults and abuse in the course of their duties across Oxfordshire.   more...

Poison tragedy hits city’s twin

Up to 70 people are feared dead and more than 800 have been hospitalised after bars mistakenly sold methanol in Leon, Oxford's twin city in Nicaragua.   more...

Student victim of sex assault

A burglar sexually assaulted and "savagely beat" a student at an Oxford college, a jury heard yesterday.   more...

Idea refloated

Plans to modernise the Abingdon Boat Centre with a restaurant with views over the Thames have been revived.   more...

Drivers stuck in 15-mile jams

Thousands of drivers have been caught in M40 tailbacks up to 15 miles long for three mornings running - but highways officials cannot agree on the cause.   more...

City pubs to get star rating

Every pub and bar in Oxford city centre is to be ranked in a league table, showing how responsible they are.   more...

Murder accused ‘caused problems for ex-wife’

A jury was told today how murder accused Allan Kimber caused problems for his ex-wife and her new husband.   more...

Teenager denies sex attack

A teenager yesterday admitted to a jury he was a burglar but denied being the man who sexually attacked a student at her college.   more...

Film director’s wife killed

The woman killed by a train at Wolvercote was last night identified as the wife of a famous Polish film director.   more...

Jobs loss fear at hospital

Hospital staff say hundreds of local jobs could be threatened by the outsourcing of secretarial work to foreign workers in India or the United States.   more...

Uni climbs world rankings

Oxford University is the third best university in the world, new rankings have revealed.   more...

Van and trailer crash

The driver of a Ford Transit van carrying a VW caravan on a trailer escaped injury when the van overturned on the A40 near Witney.   more...

Toddler snatch: man arrested

A 29-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the theft of a Range Rover in Headington which contained a two-year-old girl.   more...

Dead man in woods identified

The rough sleeper found dead in an Oxford wood on Tuesday was a Polish man who died of alcohol related natural causes, police have revealed.   more...

Oxford Mail Sport

TABLE TENNIS: Walker brothers on song for Upton

The Walker brothers starred as newcomers Upton moved up to third place in Division 2 of the Didcot & District League,   more...

BOWLS: OIBA open with victory

The Oxford Indoor BowIs Association kicked off their new season with a 20-shot victory over Oxford City & County.   more...

BAR BILLIARDS: Didcot storm in

Didcot Conservative Club crushed newly promoted Gladiators Club B 5-0 in the Premier Division of the Oxford & District League.   more...

The Oxford Times News

Pool hopes dashed

A LACK of cash to build an Olympic-size pool for Oxford has seriously dented the city's chances of hosting international swimmers staying in the UK ahead of the 2012 London Olympics.   more...

Man found dead was sleeping rough

A MAN found dead in East Oxford was sleeping rough in the woods, detectives have revealed.   more...

Vandal attacked new car

A YOUTH punched a wing mirror off a brand-new Audi A3 in a Kirtlington causing £400 damage.   more...

Oxford is third best university in world

OXFORD University is the third best university in the world, new rankings have revealed.   more...

Hospital jobs 'may go to India or United States'

HOSPITAL staff say hundreds of local jobs could be threatened by the outsourcing of secretarial work to foreign workers in India or the United States.   more...

Big rise in bus use

A BIG rise in passenger numbers has been recorded by the Oxford Bus Company, reversing a decline reported to MPs only three months ago.   more...

Police target speeding drivers

SPEEDING drivers will be targeted in Carterton today by the town's Neighbourhood Policing Team as part of Operation Joule.   more...

Murder trial jury told killer was 'lying in wait'

A MAN shot in the neck by a killer who had "laid in wait for him" got into his car and attempted to drive home after the shooting, a jury heard.   more...

Prince pops in for a pizza

PRINCE William stunned staff at a pizza restaurant at the Oxford Castle when he dropped in for a meal with his girlfriend.   more...

Prince pops in for a pizza

PRINCE William stunned staff at a pizza restaurant at the Oxford Castle when he dropped in for a meal with his girlfriend.   more...

Drivers stuck in 15-mile jams

HUNDREDS of drivers have been caught in motorway tailbacks up to 15-miles long for three consecutive mornings as roads managers argue about the reason.   more...

Chickens dumped in village

THE RSPCA is appealing for witnesses who saw 15 chickens being dumped on a bridle path in Sunningwell .   more...

Film aims to beat doorstep conmen

A NEW DVD has been launched to warn elderly and vulnerable people of the dangers of bogus callers.   more...

Man arrested over toddler car theft

  more...

Dead man died of drink-related causes

THE rough sleeper found dead in an Oxford wood on Tuesday was a Polish man who died of alcohol-related natural causes, police have revealed.   more...

Bobbies back bikes to fight crime

A DEDICATED cycle team has been formed to support neighbourhood policing in the Abingdon area.   more...

Witney Gazette News

Police target speeding drivers

SPEEDING drivers will be targeted in Carterton today by the town's Neighbourhood Policing Team as part of Operation Joule.   more...

  
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