With a skyline that inspires dreams, Oxford is one of Britain's busiest and most instantly recognisable movie locations, writes David Parkinson. The city and university have provided the backdrop for historical recreations and literary adaptations, campus
Gill Oliver provides a snapshot of some of the well-known personalities who have connections with Oxfordshire. Sister Frances Born: 1942 Profession: Nun, nurse and charity founder Local links: Took her vows in 1972 and became a Mother
Police are appealing for witnesses after a fire at a flat in Ashurst Way, Rose Hill. The Fire Service and police have been working together to determine the cause of the fire, which happened at about 9.15pm last night. Officers sealed off the flat today
AEA Technology 18 BMW 3447 Electrocomponents 209 Nationwide Accident Repair 83.5 Oxford Biomedica 9.85 Oxford Catalysts 80.5 Oxford Instruments 348 Reed Elsevier 529 RM 130.5 RPS Group 176.7 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley
Police officers discharged a Taser after they were called to a public order incident in an Oxford pub yesterday evening. Thames Valley Police was called to the Holly Bushl in Bridge Streetl shortly after 10pm after reports that a man had gone
A DOG club last night defended its breeding policy as it prepares for its international championship show at Blenheim Palace. Animal rights group Peta has accused the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club of causing suffering to the dogs by promoting in-breeding
11.03: 1 EMLY TARGET 5-2, 2 Follow The Light 2-1 fav. (5x2x4). Trainer: Massey. Time: 27.68. 11.19: 1 BLUE LIGHT 3-1 co-fav, 2 Eagles High 3-1 co-fav. (5x6x3). Trainer: Curtin. Yankie Robin (1), Royalty (2) 3-1 co-favs. Time: 28.02. 11.34: 1 ACTIVE
What vehicle do you drive? A Ford Capri 280 Turbo Technics. This is number 642 out of 1,038 made in November 1986 in the Cologne factory in Germany. This was the last run of the Capri, therefore it was a limited edition. It had a turbo technics
PENSIONER Philip Imray is to sleep on the streets of London for the second year running. Mr Imray, 66, hopes to raise hundreds of pounds for disadvantaged children in India when he camps in the grounds of St James’ Church, Piccadilly. He will be one
THE children’s charity NSPCC is urging people to sign up for the 2010 Hike Against Cruelty to Kids (Hack). It has organised the 25-mile sponsored walk, supported by the Oxford Mail, to raise money for its Child’s Voice Appeal. The aim
THE Straight Story is an unusual but powerful road movie that tells the story of Alvin Straight, a 73-year-old man who makes an epic journey across the American Midwest to reconcile with his ill brother, who he hasn’t spoken to for 10 years.
I PASSED my driving test first time when I was 17... disturbingly (and depressingly) that was 25 years ago which makes me very old and prone to memory loss. However, the one thing I remember very clearly is what my driving instructor said to me as he
IT WAS a solemn announcement made by Trevor McDonald on the Ten O’Clock News. Bong! Ford will end production of the Cortina and introduce a new model at the British Motor Show. Panic hit middle Britain. Throughout the 1970s the Cortina had been the
West Ham are hopeful that if they win tomorrow's Premier League home game against Bolton, Tuesday's Carling Cup tie against Oxford could be close to a sell-out. Hammers owners David Sullivan and David Gold are doing their best to increase attendances
A couple raised £238 from a car boot sale to help furnish a family room at an Oxford hospital in memory of their son Finnley, who died earlier this year. Gemma Froude, her husband Luke and work colleagues, got up at 5.30am for the Bodicote sale on Sunday
Police are appealing for witnesses after a burglary in Carterton in which a gun and car were stolen. Burglars broke into the property in Oakfield Road some time between 11pm on Tuesday and 4.35am on Wednesday. Once inside they stole the .22 calibre
Manchester United striker Michael Owen cast his eye over a selection of future England hopefuls as Marston Saints enjoyed a dream day out at Wembley Stadium this week. The Marston Saints Under 10s – who play in the Oxford Mail Boys League and who were
FALCONS, majorettes, vegetable Aunt Sally and music from a former member of the rock band Hawkwind are among the attractions at one of the quirkiest festivals around. About 3,000 people are expected to attend the 19th Elder Stubbs Festival which will
Oxfordshire have awarded caps to all-rounder Daniel Rowe and left-arm spinner Luke Ryan following their efforts in helping the county beat Devon and clinch third place in the Minor Counties Championship Western Division. Rowe scored 90 and took five
Oxfordshire take on Hampshire in the ECB 50+ County Championship quarter-final at Oxford Downs’s Standlake ground on Sunday (1pm). Oxon give a debut to the county’s record wicket-taker Keith Arnold, who comes into the side in place of the unavailable
ALMOST 200 Oxfordshire patients have had their operations cancelled at the last minute in the past three months. New figures released by the Department of Health show 195 operations at the John Radcliffe and Churchill hospitals in Oxford, and the Horton
A BOXING club is celebrating after winnng more than £340,000 in grants to expand. Berinsfield Boxing Club will be doubling in size after a four-year campaign to secure hundreds of thousands of pounds. South Oxfordshire District Council gave the club
Crews from around the country will battle it out for honours at the Oxford City Royal Regatta on the River Isis this weekend. Started in 1856, the event is run over a 1,000m course on Saturday and a 500m sprint course on Sunday. Competitors from London
Promoted Oxford United face their toughest test so far in tomorrow’s League Two local derby at Wycombe. Their opponents, big-spending Wycombe Wanderers, were made favourites for promotion. They splashed out £125,000 – a big amount at this level – on
IT’s one of the most famous quotes in British history. In just 17 words, Sir Winston Churchill laid bare the sacrifice made by airmen – “Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few”. Today marks the 70th
More than 500,000 people start their own business every year in the UK and this number is set to increase as more and more people face uncertainty over their futures. 95% of the 4.8 million small businesses in the UK employ less than 5 people and
Oxford captain Jason Harrison has pledged to chase the Serious Cricket Home Counties Premier League Division 1 title until it is mathematically impossible – starting with tomorrow’s clash with relegation candidates Aston Rowant at Roman Way. With games
Julian Foster, site manager at the Taylor Wimpey Midlands Bloxham Meadows development in Bloxham has scooped a prestigious housing award. Mr Foster was chosen from thousands of entries to be awarded a National Housebuilding Council’s (NHBC) Pride in
Witney's Will Macke came up against red-hot competition in the National Youth Track Omnium Final at the Manchester Velodrome. The 15-year-old, from Wood Green School, finished 18th in the 25-strong field. He took part in the 1km time trial, scratch,
Potential home buyers are being urged to move before the hike in VAT kicks in next January. Experts at Connells estate agency in Hanwell Fields and Banbury say the tax rise is set to increase moving costs including legal fees, Energy Performance Certificates
Shipton-under-Wychwood will bid to make the most of an unexpected chance of home advantage in their semi-final against Rowledge on Sunday as they bid for a dream fourth trip to Lord’s. National champions in 2002 and 2003 as well as runners-up in 1997
YANOS Soubieski, who attended King Alfred’s College, in Wantage, was told he was dyslexic part way through his sixth-form studies. Last year, the 18-year-old got a U in History and a D in English Literature at AS-Level. But after the diagnosis and with
THE man in charge of Oxfordshire’s top-performing school said the introduction of the A* grade had led to a degree of “bewilderment” among pupils and teachers. Dr Tim Hands, the Master of Oxford’s Magdalen College School, said sixth-formers
Henley Hawks complete their pre-season build-up for their National 2 (South) League programme with a game at Welsh Premier League club Beddau on Saturday. Fly halves Wil Fulton and James Comben will be fit to play for the first time in the club’s pre-season
Youngsters from the White Horse Leisure and Tennis Centre in Abingdon won eight titles at the North Oxford Junior Open. Georgina Todd notched a double in the under 16 and 18 girls’ competitions, while Brad Marriott took the under 18 boys’ crown. At
AN unplanned year off from her studies for Harri Samson, from Headington, in Oxford, ended up proving an inspiration to make the grade. Three years ago, she was on a placement at Woodeaton Manor School, near Oxford, as part of her health and
A GRUELLING combination of studying and international showjumping failed to unsaddle Clark Glasgow’s A-Level results as he landed five A*s. The Magdalen College School pupil, left, gained the highest possible grade in maths, further maths,
A desperate race for university places was under way today, after sixth-formers across the country celebrated another record-breaking year of A-Level results. About one in 12 exam entries (69,302 in total) were awarded one of the new A* grades
WHEN Zulfi Khan learned yesterday he had scored an A* in further maths he had more reason than most to celebrate – because he taught himself. The 18-year-old, right, discovered part way through his university application he would need the qualification
Witney United will give a debut to goalkeeper Dwayne Whylly when they entertain Flackwell Heath at The Polythene UK Stadium in the Premier Division on Saturday. Whylly has signed from Oxford City Nomads and will take over from regular keeper Paul Tassell
AEA Technology 18 BMW 3468 Electrocomponents 203.75 Nationwide Accident Repair 82.5 Oxford Biomedica 9.7 Oxford Catalysts 80 Oxford Instruments 343.5 Reed Elsevier 530 RM 129.5 RPS Group 172 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
Magdalen College School are running a top summer camp at Headington School, Oxford on August 24-25, featuring leading international players. Cost is £40 a day or £70 for two. To register or for more information email info@living-hockey.com
Abingdon United boss Richie Bourne says his Division 1 South & West table-toppers face the biggest test of the season so far when they entertain Cinderford at Northcourt Road on Saturday. Two straight wins have seen Bourne’s side go two points clear
Oxford City boss Mike Ford has questioned the attitude of some of his players after they went down to a 2-0 defeat away to Chesham in midweek. And he has demanded a much-improved display when his injury-weakened side travel to Weymouth in Saturday's
PLEASE can someone explain why the city council seems hell bent on throwing tens of thousands of pounds, if not millions, at the troublespots of Oxford but will not accept the arguments of the people who pay their wages that Temple Cowley Pools should
I HAVE an idea to help relieve Oxford’s traffic problems – banning First Great Western and CrossCountry from stopping their long-distance trains at Oxford and making them call instead at Radley. This measure should be considered by the city and county
THAT icon of the family – the sweet and indulgent grandmother – had reached the end of her tether. (Why patience should be likened to a rope or halter, used to restrict a beast of burden, I’ve never understood.) She seemed at loss to deal with her six-year-old
IT WAS good to see the recent reports in the Oxford Mail about the Didcot, Bicester and Chipping Norton day centres campaigning to protect their services. We at the Shotover – now Options – centre are equally fearful of Oxfordshire County Council
I WAS unfortunately unable to attend this week’s public meeting about Temple Cowley Pools, as I was working. I am therefore writing to make the following points: 1. I live and work in Temple Cowley and I am currently able to swim at Temple Cowley Pools
WITH reference to Oxfordshire County Council’s requirement to cut costs and funding, as continuously mentioned by its leader Keith Mitchell, I and many people are rather concerned and confused on one particular issue. In February, it was announced that
FURTHER to RW Tucker’s letter (Oxford Mail, July 14), it seems that the Home Secretary has lost sight of the fact that Britain is one of the most over-populated nations in the world. The health and safety “boys” would have something to say on the subject
THE NHS often gets a kicking for the way it sometimes treats its clients. However, the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford has cracked the problem. I spent a night at the JR last week and from the time that the receptionist at the medical assessment
A MUM who claimed a flasher exposed himself at her up to 40 times in one day spoke last night about her relief that he was behind bars. Rachel Brandon waived her right to anonymity to enable the Oxford Mail to reveal Nicholas Farrelly was exposing
GAMES firms and interior designers are some of the companies local councils have paid money to over the last two years, it has emerged. Local authorities have been forced by the Government to publish lists of spending and detail all transactions of more
ALICE Churchill has shown just what can be done. It seems amazing a nurse, of all people, would smoke 40 cigarettes a day for 30 years. Yet she finally decided to quit and is one of 3,550 who have sought NHS help in the county in the
A GANG of three assaulted and robbed a man walking through Christ Church Meadow in an attack police have branded a “nasty incident”. As the victim made his way along a footpath he was cornered by the trio who demanded money. Before he had a chance
AFTER 30 years and almost 500,000 cigarettes, nurse Alice Churchill has decided to kick the habit for good. Mrs Churchill, from Bicester, decided to stub out her 40- a-day habit when she realised she could no longer keep up when playing football with
THOUSANDS of students were celebrating last night after Oxfordshire’s A-Level pass rate topped the national average. Magdalen College was the county’s best performing private school, while Bartholomew School in Eynsham was the top state school
THERE are a lot of happy teenagers out there today who can be satisfied their hard work has paid off. They all deserve a pat on the back, but Zulfi Khan and Yanos Soubieski are the epitome of all those students who have put their all in at school this
Police are appealing for witnesses after a number of burglaries in commercial premises in North Oxford. At least three break-ins have occurred in Jericho or Woodstock Road over the last week. Hundreds of pounds were stolen after Daisies
CAMPAIGNERS fighting to save Temple Cowley Pools have demanded the closure plans are stopped. More than 100 people attended a public meeting on the pool’s future at Oxford Town Hall on Tuesday and the majority called for it to remain open.
11.03: Scary Nellie, FOLLOW THE LIGHT, Homestead Form, Maymount Moll, Emly Target 2, Moonveen Paris 3. 11.19: Yankie Robin 3, Royalty, Memories Queen, Killishin Bubble 2, Blue Light, EAGLES HI. 1.34: Vieris Trouble, Ardmayle Chelsea, HEAT BLAST, Active
OXFORD United are looking to bring in another goalkeeper on loan after Simon Eastwod suffered an ankle injury in training. The knock kept Eastwood out of United Reserves’ 1-1 draw with Southend on Wednesday night and the club reckon he’ll be ruled out
Sales and marketing expert Jackie Jarvis has developed a new type of business mentoring to help local small companies sell and market their services. This programme has been approved by Train to Gain as a development opportunity for a training grant
Julie Bond, litigation and arbitration partner at Oxford law firm Manches, examines what recourse firms have when a client cancels a contract The cancellation of government or private projects usually involves cancelling contracts with business, or
It is difficult to imagine a world without barcodes. Supermarkets simply could not function without them, couriers can track their parcels’ location, and your conference badge may well have a barcode to allow the organisers to record which seminars you
Paul Freeth was understandably nervous as he prepared to give a presentation at a gathering of the great and good of Oxfordshire's business world. But he overcame his nerves to make his point — that businesses can make a real difference to people struggling
More and more people are taking their holidays in caravans and motor homes and the trend has accelerated in the last two years. The recession and unfavourable exchange rate with the euro has meant fewer trips abroad for the average holidaymaker, and
William Downing, an employment lawyer and partner with Oxford law firm Morgan Cole, examines the implications for employers from the Government’s new plans for retirement age After months of speculation, the Government has now announced a consultation
BOSSES at the Oxfordshire branch of building services firm Rok are optimistic despite seeing its fortunes slide. The group, which has a maintenance arm in Eynsham, revealed pre-tax losses of £3.8m in the six months to June 30 after major restructuring
CHARITY shops say a controversial £2m road improvement scheme has scared off donors, leaving them “dangerously low” of stock to sell. The Cancer Research shop in London Road, Headington, said donations had dropped by more than 80 per cent from 35 bags
THE husband of a postmistress who took her own life after she felt pressure at work has called on the Post Office to review its target system. Dawn Holt, 50, downed a lethal cocktail of drugs and alcohol after writing a suicide note mentioning
