Archive

  • Far right invitation branded an insult

    More than 100 people turned out at Oxford's Town Hall last night to say they did not want BNP leader Nick Griffin and Holocaust denier David Irving to speak in the city. Mr Irving, once jailed for denying millions of Jews were executed by the Nazis,

  • Councillor denies benefit fraud

    A county councillor who failed to declare her monthly allowance from the council claimed more than £3,000 in council tax benefit to which she was not entitled, a court heard. Olive McIntosh-Stedman, 64, of Williamson Way, Rose Hill, Oxford, is on trial

  • Warning issued on busy trains

    CHILTERN Railways is warning passengers that peak services tomorrow evening are expected to be very busy due to the England v Croatia football match at Wembley Stadium, especially between 6pm and 7.45pm. A number of extra trains will run and other

  • Phone pest put on probation

    A PHONE pest who made obscene calls to 11 different women has been put on probation for three years. Paulo Candido, 35, formerly of the Bear and Ragged Staff pub at Cumnor, admitted conducting himself in a disorderly manner by making obscene and sexually

  • Probation for phone pest

    A phone pest who made obscene calls to 11 different women has been put on probation for three years. Paulo Candido, 35, formerly of the Bear and Ragged Staff pub at Cumnor, near Oxford, admitted conducting himself in a disorderly manner by making obscene

  • Army on march to mark millennium

    Young people in Bicester's schools and youth centres have been making a shadow army as part of Oxfordshire's farewell celebrations to the county's millennium. The Cycle of Time - a 'horrible history' - tells the story of Bicester's battle-scarred past

  • Widow faces extradition

    An 88-year-old Oxford widow has dismissed as "political" plans to arrest her on charges she sent a war hero to his death. A Polish military court has issued a European arrest warrant for Helena Wolinska, who lives in Bardwell Road, North Oxford, after

  • Busy trains warning

    Chiltern Railways is warning passengers that peak services tomorrow evening are expected to be very busy due to the England v Croatia football match at Wembley Stadium, especially between 6pm and 7.45pm. A number of extra trains will run and other services

  • Public respond to credit card scam appeal

    Police have received dozens of calls from members of the public about a couple wanted for a credit card scam after a CCTV appeal. Officers last week released video footage of three people wanted for a £1,000 credit card scam following thefts from Oxford

  • Peers to get interim head

    A former Oxfordshire headteacher has been chosen to lead Peers School at Littlemore, Oxford, in the months leading up to its switch to an Academy. Ed McConnell, the former head of The Marlborough School in Woodstock, will take over from Lorna Caldicott

  • Fans meet Botham head-on

    Cricket legend Sir Ian Botham was in Oxford tonight to sign copies of his new autobiography. The former England Test cricketer, captain and commentator, right, met fans at Borders bookshop in Magdalen Street when he signed copies of his book Head On.

  • A right Royal celebration

    Diamond wedding couples from across the county gathered at Christ Church Cathedral in Oxford tonight to celebrate with royalty. Everyone who married in 1947, the same year as the Queen and Prince Philip, were invited to attend a special Evensong service

  • St Aimie back at QPR

    Oxford United manager Darren Patterson has ended the loan spell of Kieron St Aimie. The striker, signed by former boss Jim Smith on a month's loan from Queens Park Rangers, has failed to impress during his time with the U's. And after a disappointing

  • Tesco makes new bid to expand store

    TESCO has submitted another planning application to expand its Abingdon store - five months after the first was thrown out. It faces fierce opposition from the town's Chamber of Commerce, whose members fear a bigger store selling more non-food goods

  • Father Christmas arrives, by bus

    Father Christmas is going green by abandoning his sleigh and catching the bus into Oxford. That's the claim from Oxford Bus Company, which has the lowest emissions in the country. Santa was helped on his way to Debenham's grotto by three characters

  • Tesco tries again to expand store

    Tesco has submitted another planning application to expand its Abingdon store - five months after the first was thrown out. It faces fierce opposition from the town's Chamber of Commerce, whose members fear a bigger store selling more non-food goods

  • Parents seek pool death answers

    THE parents of a schoolboy who drowned in an Oxfordshire swimming pool are hoping to discover the truth about his death at a forthcoming inquest. Terry and Penny Matthews said they were considering taking legal action after the hearing to seek compensation

  • Family hopes for pool death answers

    The parents of a schoolboy who drowned in an Oxfordshire swimming pool are hoping to discover the truth about his death at a forthcoming inquest. Terry and Penny Matthews said they were considering taking legal action after the hearing to seek compensation

  • Good to be green

    More than a dozen eco-houses across the county are opening their doors to the public in a bid to encourage more people to build into their homes some environmentally friendly features. Reporter Fran Bardsley takes a sneak preview If eco-friendly living

  • FOOTBALL: Philpott is hero as Slade cause upset

    Michael Philpott scored the extra-time winner for Division 1 side Slade Farm United as they reached the semi-finals of the Banbury District & Lord Jersey's Mid Oxon Cup with a shock 3-2 victory at Drayton Village. And they did it the hard way, storming

  • FOOTBALL: Harwell hold on at the summit

    Harwell Village stretched their lead at the top of Division 1 of the North Berks League with a 2-0 success at Marcham, with goals from Lewis Maciak and Alan Bertrum. Although Harwell lead by four points from Saxton Rovers, though they have played three

  • FOOTBALL: Battling Botley shock Kingsclere

    Botley United, of Division 3, came from behind to knock out Divison 2 co-leaders Kingsclere 3-2 in the second round of the North Berks Charity Shield,. Kingsclere fell behind when Ben Taylor tucked in Andy Potter's measured cross after only three minutes

  • FOOTBALL: Dean bags late winner

    Robert Dean scored a late winner for Great Milton as they reached the second round of the RT Harris Oxford City FA County Junior League Cup by beating Wheatley United 2-1. John Bodell's early strike gave Wheatley the lead, before Joe Hope levelled and

  • FOOTBALL: Berinsfield at the top

    Berinsfield took over at the top of Division 2 of the Reading League with a 5-0 win at Theale, Steve Bateman (2), Chris Murphy, Mark Ingram and James Quinton were on target. Berinsfield Res lost 2-1 against Turnpike Sports in Division 4, Lee Allmond

  • Kingfishers spotted on Oxford Canal

    Kingfishers have been spotted along Oxfordshire's waterways this year - an indication of the health of the county's waterways. As well as the iconic blue birds, experts in the county discovered a total of 91 different creatures along the waterside, a

  • FOOTBALL: Glossop double seals comeback

    Andy Glossop bagged a brace as Eynsham fought back to beat Kennington 4-2 in the Premier Division of the Oxfordshire Senior League. Kevin Dunham opened the scoring after pouncing on a loose ball, before Pete Higgins equalised from Tom Jerrerd's pass

  • Children learn how to save lives

    Schoolboy Charlie McPherson cannot remember a thing about his life being saved. But he's making sure he's ready to leap into action should anyone need his help. The 11-year-old pupil at Witney Community Primary School was at the town's community hospital

  • Bodleian refusal forces rethink

    OXFORD University's Bodelian Library is weighing up its options after city councillors rejected plans for a £29m library book depository in West Oxford. The world-famous library wants to build the depository at the Osney Mead industrial estate.

  • Book depository refusal forces rethink

    Oxford University's Bodelian Library is weighing up its options after city councillors rejected plans for a £29m library book depository in West Oxford. The world-famous library wants to build the depository at the Osney Mead industrial estate. But

  • HORSE RACING: Knight seeks new rider for Demon

    Racing Demon is set to have a new man in the plate when he reappears in the totesport.com Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon on Saturday. Graham Lee was on board when the seven-year-old, from Henrietta Knight's West Lockinge stables, near Wantage, struck

  • Free parking

    Mark McArthur-Christie's letter, Easy peasy in council land (Oxford Mail, November 8), only highlights the charges raised by the council for people parking four-wheeled vehicles. He conveniently forgets to mention the numerous spaces available free-of-charge

  • FOOTBALL: Thomas fires rapid treble

    Delroy Thomas hit a hat-trick in the first five minutes to set Cold Arbour on the way to a 7-3 win at Highfield in the Marston's Oxford Sunday League Premier Division, writes GEOFF BOWER. Kieran Davis made it 4-0 five minutes later, before Highfield

  • Issues ignored

    In his letter, Owners kept so badly informed (Oxford Mail, November 13), Chris Boswell has echoed what many residents have been saying about the proposed Rose Hill development scheme in Oxford. Over the past five years since the first exhibition was

  • Today's local share prices (PM)

    AEA Technology 112.5 BMW 2949 Electrocomponents 215.5 Nationwide Accident Repair 137.5 Oxford Biomedica 25.75 Oxford Catalyst 150.5 Oxford Instruments 207 Reed Elsevier 578 RM 193.5 RPS Group 320.75 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon

  • FOOTBALL: Gardner delivers a double to keep Royals on course

    Alex Gardner fired a double as Kidlington Royals kept up their challenge at the top of Autotype UTV League Division 1 with a 3-2 win at ten-man Standlake Garage, writes TIM SIRET. Gardner cracked home his first from 25 yards before Mark White doubled

  • Financial plight

    While I can appreciate Chris Boswell's idea to put up coloured Christmas lights in Oxford for the believers in the Christian faith Oxford Mail, November 9), does he not read that the city council has a financial crisis with funding? His own city councillor

  • We must fight waste scheme

    It was with great interest that I read your comment about the proposed waste recycling plant on the site of the old grain silo near Kidlington (Oxford Mail, November 16). It would appear that the Oxford Mail would support such a move, subject to the

  • FOOTBALL: Leach lashes a brace

    Matty Leach bagged a brace as Cholsey United boosted their Reading Sunday League Premier Division championship hopes with a 2-0 win at title rivals Whitley Tavern Res. The in-form striker fired Cholsey ahead, though they were indebted to goalkeeper

  • Man glassed outside pub

    A 22-year-old man was smashed in the face with a glass as he passed a pub. The victim was walking along Orchard Way near the Admiral Holland pub when he was hit in the face, suffering cuts to his face and eye socket at about 12.30am on Sunday. He is

  • Widow, 88, sought by military court

    AN 88-year-old Oxford widow has dismissed "political" plans to arrest her on charges she sent a war hero to his death. A Polish military court yesterday issued a European arrest warrant for Helena Wolinska, who lives in Bardwell Road, after previous

  • Groups share council grants

    Sailors, musicians and arts fans will gain from more than £11,000 in grants awarded to clubs and groups. Groups in and around Abingdon will benefit from the cash allocated by the Vale of White Horse District Council. Compass Café, at the Peachcroft

  • 88-year-old widow sought by Polish court

    A Polish military court has issued an European arrest warrant for the 88-year-old widow of an Oxford University professor on charges that she sent a war hero to his death. Now a British citizen living in Oxford, Helena Wolinska is accused of masterminding

  • GIRLS FOOTBALL: Kubat is gr-eight!

    Oxford Mail Girls League Steph Kubat was in irrepressible form as Oxford City cruised to a 13-0 win over Bardwell in the Under 16 League Cup. Kubat smashed eight goals as ten-girl Bardwell suffered a torrid afternoon. Sammy Douglas put City ahead

  • Key to safety

    New technology developed by a butterfly enthusiast is being used by Oxford schoolchildren to cut road accidents. And WildKey, the company behind the program, hopes it will eventually allow pupils to get their lessons via mobile phones. Pupils at Windmill

  • MP offers advice to hopefuls

    Budding politicians have been getting tips from the professionals, in a bid to launch their careers. Reece Fox, and Nathan Sinclair, both 15, are hoping to represent north Oxfordshire in the UK Youth Parliament. And to launch their campaigns, the

  • LADIES FOOTBALL: City thump United

    Oxfordshire FA Women's Cup Oxford City claimed the local bragging rights in spectacular style with a 14-0 victory over Oxford United at Court Place Farm. Holders City lost keeper Hannah Cox to an injury early on and didn't score until mid way through

  • Man injured in street attack

    A MAN suffered serious facial injuries after being assaulted in Banbury. The 22-year-old was walking down Orchard Way when he was hit in the face with a glass causing lacerations to his face and eye socket. He is still being treated at the John Radcliffe

  • Clubs welcome new badminton academy

    Plans for an Oxfordshire school to become a centre of excellence for badminton have been welcomed by sports clubs in the area. As reported in the Oxford Mail earlier this month, King Alfred's Community and Sports College in Wantage, is the county's

  • Tributes paid to 'gentle boy'

    THE pupil who lost his life in a road accident in Witney has been praised as a gentle boy who had a sense of humour and fun. The headteacher of Henry Box School paid tribute to teenager Andrew Edwards and said it was a "difficult time" for the school

  • Driver, 22, badly injured in A34 crash

    POLICE this afternoon appealed for information on a crash on the A34 which left a 22-year-old man critically injured. At about 12:45am on Saturday, the man, from Oddington, was travelling in a white Rover northbound on the A34 when the car lost control

  • Hi-tech firm leads the way

    A hi-tech firm is blazing a trail to identify dangerously high levels of lead in toys. Oxford Instruments has developed a special sensor which can pinpoint exact levels of the dangerous metal in paint and other materials. The move follows the UK recall

  • Four arrested over narrowboat murder

    FOUR people have been arrested in connection with the murder of Maurice Batts who was found unconscious on his narrowboat two months ago. Mr Batts, who lived on a boat in Banbury was discovered on September 28 and died 10 days later in the John Radcliffe

  • Turn off, pipe down and zone out

    In four months of commuting I'd begun to think the 'me first' culture had really taken root on the railways. Official proof, if it were needed, this week confirmed our suspicion that Oxfordshire commuters suffer the sloppiest timekeeping in Britain, with

  • Depository fears stack up

    Town vs Gown is perhaps a somewhat outdated concept nowadays but on Monday night, at Oxford Town Hall, it was played out in the atmospheric theatre of the council chamber. As their predecessors peered down from portraits into the dimly-lit chamber, city

  • Four arrested over narrowboat death

    Four people have been arrested in connection with the murder of Maurice Batts who was found unconscious on his narrowboat two months ago. Mr Batts, who lived on a boat in Banbury was discovered on September 28 and died 10 days later in the John Radcliffe

  • Flood warning on county rivers

    Several rivers in Oxfordshire are on Flood Watch, with levels expected to rise with predicted heavy rainfall today. The Environment Agency has issued warnings of flooding of low-lying land and roads on the following rivers: River Evenlode, through

  • Rivers put on flood watch

    SEVERAL rivers in Oxfordshire are on Flood Watch, with levels expected to rise with predicted heavy rainfall today. The Environment Agency has issued warnings of flooding of low-lying land and roads on the following rivers: River Evenlode, through

  • Update: Man questioned over clerk's death

    DETECTIVES investigating the "unexplained death" of Chilson Parish Council clerk Patricia Owens have all but ruled out murder. Ms Owens, 53, was found dead at her Sunnybank home in the hamlet near Chipping Norton on Friday night. An initial post-mortem

  • Source claims clerk murder unlikely

    Detectives investigating the "unexplained death" of Chilson Parish Council clerk Patricia Owens have all but ruled out murder. Ms Owens, 53, was found dead at her Sunnybank home in the hamlet near Chipping Norton on Friday night. An initial post mortem

  • Today's local share prices (AM)

    AEA Technology 112.25 BMW 2936 Electrocomponents 209.75 Nationwide Accident Repair 137.5 Oxford Biomedica 26.75 Oxford Catalyst 150.5 Oxford Instruments 219.75 Reed 579.25 RM 192 RPS Group 321 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon

  • Burglaries fall across county

    THERE have been almost 500 fewer burglaries in Oxfordshire in the past seven months compared to last year. Since April 1, there have been 1,054 burglaries in Oxfordshire compared with 1,548 for the same period in 2006. Throughout November police are

  • Burglaries fall by 32%

    There have been almost 500 fewer burglaries in the past seven months compared to last year. The number of break-ins across Oxfordshire has fallen by 32 per cent since April 1. So far there have been 1054 burglaries in Oxfordshire compared with 1548

  • M40 crashes cause delays

    DRIVERS were delayed on the M40 outside Oxford today following a collision between a car and a lorry. The accident happened at 5.45am between junction six at Watlington and junction seven at Thame. Two hours later there was a four-car collision on

  • RUGBY UNION: Blues come back to win

    Oxford University came from behind twice as they won 30-19 at Loughborough University last night. After going behind to a try, Dylan Alexander levelled, with Toby Henry slotting the conversion, before extending Oxford's lead with a penalty. A Loughborough

  • Diamond day to remember

    SIXTY years ago today, people across the country huddled around a radio or if they were lucky, a television, to witness the wedding of the then Princess Elizabeth and Royal Navy Lieutenant, Philip Mountbatten. The Royal wedding was a joyous but relatively

  • Councillors reject book depository plan

    The Bodleian Library's plan for a £29m book depository in West Oxford has been rejected. The world famous library had wanted to build the new facility on the Osney Mead Industrial Estate. But last night, Oxford City councillors refused planning permission

  • Union to vote on BNP debate

    A CONTROVERSIAL Oxford Union debate involving the BNP's leader and a Holocaust denier could be cancelled. Historian David Irving, jailed in Austria for denying the Nazi execution of millions of Jews, and British National Party leader Nick Griffin have

  • £5m savings to hit pools and blooms

    OXFORD City Council has come up with two new ideas to save the authority more money. Council managers, who are trying to recoup more than £5m in next year's budget, want to reduce the temperature of water in city swimming pools to save £20,000 in heating

  • Victims' families unite for service

    FAMILIES who lost relatives and loved ones on Oxfordshire's roads came together to remember their losses at a special commemorative service. Sunday's memorial service brought together officers from Thames Valley Police, firefighters, paramedics, ambulance

  • Didcot keeper Watkins rejects U's switch

    Darren Patterson has suffered a blow after Didcot Town keeper Michael Watkins (pictured) rejected a move to Oxford United. U's boss Patterson wanted the 23-year-old former Hayes stopper as No 2 to Billy Turley after some impressive displays for the

  • Crowds join One World Fair

    HUNDREDS of people turned out for a Christmas fair in Oxford to promote human rights and environmental issues. The One World Fair, organised by Oxford-based charity Oxfam, was held in the Town Hall on Saturday. Penny Lawrence, the charity's international

  • New council homes could be built

    NEW council homes could be built in Oxfordshire in a bid to combat the county's chronic housing crisis. A pledge from the Government has heralded the "return of the council house" as ministers published plans to make it easier for local authorities

  • Letter offered impossible test

    A MAN was surprised to receive an invitation to come to his doctor's surgery - for a test offered only to women. Mark Garlinge, 33, of Faringdon, received the letter from the Fern Hill Practice at Faringdon Medical Centre asking him to come in for cervical

  • Diamonds

    Many of the younger Royals have made a complete hash of marriage. But that can't be said of the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh. Through thick and thin, they have stuck together, serving our country and the Commonwealth, and today celebrate their

  • Scraping the barrel

    We know Oxford City Council is short of cash. But it is appalling that it is having to resort to such desperate tactics to balance its books. The latest suggestions to save money take some believing. It is almost as if the Liberal Democrats have

  • Parking zones deadline near

    EAST Oxford residents have until Friday to have their say about controversial parking permit schemes. Oxfordshire County Council is carrying out feasibility studies for the East Oxford/Iffley Fields and Divinity Road areas of East Oxford and the first

  • Appeal for help

    OXFORDSHIRE County Council has launched a call for more people to come forward to become foster parents. Gwen Grossman, unit manager for family placements, said: "Rod and Rosalie James are like the backbone of the fostering service. "Rosalie is

  • Lots of love

    ROD and Rosalie James don't know how many children they have fostered over the years. The Abingdon couple, who are celebrating 30 years as fosterers, stopped counting when they passed 100. Mr and Mrs James, who are both 67, have three biological children

  • Rail firm criticised over delays

    DELAYS to rail services in Oxfordshire, the Thames Valley and West of England are "a cause of serious concern", the rail regulator has said. Train punctuality nationally was improving, but there was still a lot of hard work to be done on routes from

  • City hosts national cycling conference

    OXFORD cycle pressure group Cyclox hosted a major national conference at Cheney School in Headington. Called Cycling for the Climate, the conference examined the relationship between urban design and cycling with talks by Mark Lynas, the Wolvercote-based

  • Union to vote on BNP debate

    A controversial Oxford Union debate involving the BNP's leader and a Holocaust denier could be cancelled. Historian David Irving, jailed in Austria for denying the Nazi execution of millions of Jews and British National Party leader Nick Griffin have

  • TV presenter's book urges boys to read

    OUTSPOKEN TV presenter Jeremy Clarkson is disturbing the peace of school libraries across the country under a scheme to encourage more boys to read books. The Chipping Norton resident's book on machines, I Know You Got Soul, has proved the most in-demand

  • Memorial to a 'first-class chap'

    A MAN who died in a car crash has a permanent memorial, at Witney's Windrush Leisure Centre. Friends of Sidney Allen, a former gunner in Wellington bombers in the Second World War, unveiled a seat in his memory outside the entrance. Mr Allen, who

  • £5m cuts to hit pools and blooms

    Oxford City Council has come up with two new penny-pinching ideas to save the authority more money. Council chiefs, who are desperately trying to recoup more than £5m in next year's budget, want to reduce the temperature of water in city swimming pools

  • Road victim families unite for service

    Grief-stricken families who lost relatives and loved ones on Oxfordshire's roads came together to remember their losses at a special commemorative service. Sunday's memorial service brought together officers from Thames Valley Police, firefighters,