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A DOG owner has called for tougher laws after his retired racing greyhound was attacked by two Staffordshire bull terriers. Bob Oakes, 55, was walking Misty when the terriers attacked – leaving both him and his dog with bites, cuts and bruises. Misty

Police are appealing for help to trace two missing schoolgirls from Thame. Hannah Waters, 16, and Joanna Walters, 15, were last seen yesterday at 10.30am yesterday boarding a 280 bus in Thame town centre heading for Oxford. The girls were both

WANTAGE museum could be closed within a year unless £200,000 can be found and a new two-storey extension built, staff have warned. The Vale and Downland Museum, in Church Street, needs to build the £350,000 archive block. Chairman of the museum’s trustees

VOLUNTEERS have stepped in at the 11th hour to revive a much-loved Blackbird Leys playground. The 35-year-old Blackbird Leys Adventure Playground (BLAP) closed last year after funds ran out and volunteer numbers dwindled. Since then

COUNCIL chiefs have backed using Slade End Farm in Wallingford for 400 homes, despite being given a choice of two other sites by the new Government. South Oxfordshire District Council is backing the site, between Wantage Road and Bosley Way, over those

SHOPS on the outskirts of Wallingford may stay shut at this year’s annual evening Christmas event. Wallingford In Business, which represents retailers in the town, has pulled out of the 20-year-old festive event after it missed out on funding from South

A WITNEY watering hole has been named West Oxfordshire Town and Village Pub of the Year for the second year in a row. The Eagle Tavern, in Corn Street, won the top award from the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) ahead of about 150 others. Landlord Annette

VOLUNTEERS are being sought to create a new woodland this weekend. They will plant 420 trees over seven acres on land along Deer Park Road, Witney, starting a new green lung to be enjoyed by generations to come. The project by Witney Woodland Volunteers

NEW pedestrian crossings must be installed to keep school pupils safe after two deaths, according to Abingdon headteachers. Six schools, including three secondary schools, a nursery and the town council are backing proposals for five extra crossings,

A NEW cafe bar and electrical shop will open in Banbury in the next 10 days, creating more than 30 new jobs. Pinto Lounge will open next Friday in the former Venture Photography studio in High Street. It has undergone a £300,000 makeover and will create

GENE therapy company Oxford Biomedica has received approval from US regulators to test its eye disease treatment on 18 patients. The company, based at Oxford Science Park, uses an equine virus to deliver genes to the retina in the hope of repairing damage

Storms are heading to Britain, bringing more heavy rain and wind. A deep depression coming in from the Atlantic is set to centre over Scotland before moving out into the North Sea by Friday. Andy Ratcliffe, a forecaster with the MeteoGroup, the

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Police today appealed for help to trace a man in connection with a shoplifting incident in Didcot. The man pictured was stopped by security staff as he exited the Tesco supermarket in Wallingford Road, Didcot, at 4.40pm on November 2.

Police are appealing for information after an attempted burglary at a house in Watlington. Between October 23 and Sunday, burglars tried to force their way into the property in Church Street through windows at the front of the property, but were

BURGLARS have targeted dozens of homes across Banbury over the last three weeks and stolen tens of thousands of pounds worth of property. Over the weekend, another six houses were burgled bringing the total in the recent spate to 26. Thieves have targeted

Fire crews were met with an unusual odour when they attended a blaze at a house in Boxhedge Road West, Banbury, on November 5, at 10.54am. Crews were called out to a fire in a first-floor bedroom with smoke was coming out of the roof of the semi-detached

A NEW cafe bar and an electrical shop will open in Banbury in the next tean days, creating 34 new jobs. Pinto Lounge will open next Friday, November 19, in the former Venture Photography studio in High Street. It has undergone a £300,000 makeover and

Two 19-year-olds have been arrested after an 18-year-old man was assaulted and a gun was allegedly fired in Banbury. The teenager said he was walking along School View about 3.20pm on Friday, October 29, when he was approached by two men who began to

Cherwell District Council is expecting to lose £1.8m of its annual Government grant over the next two years. The council is looking at ways to cut its costs without hitting front line services such as refuse collection and recycling, car parks, housing

I continue to be surprised at some of the errors that appear in publications traditionally known for their felicitous use of our language. There follow three examples I have noticed in recent days. In her Celebrity Watch column in The Times

Police are appealing for help to trace a missing woman from Bicester. Lesley Chamberlain, 43, who lives in Alicante, Spain, was last seen at 9.30am on Friday when she left her sister’s home in the Langford area of Bicester where she has been

It is a book in which the ‘Igor’ alluded to, often and intimately, is Igor Stravinsky, in which ‘Willy’ is W. Somerset Maugham, ‘Charles’ is Charles Laughton, ‘Rex’ is Rex Harrison and ‘Vanessa’ is Vanessa Redgrave. Of course, we know at once the identities

An incidental pleasure for me when I tour an art exhibition is to seek out, where this is possible, any dogs that have been immortalised on canvas. There are rich rewards in this area in the National Gallery’s magnificent Canaletto and His Rivals show

Excellent reports had been reaching me concerning The Vine and Spice in Long Wittenham. These seemed likely to be accurate, since this lovely old pub (formerly the Vine) had been reopened in new style earlier this year by the people behind the

A medieval barn that lay in ruins five years ago has been transformed into a stylish farm shop destined to become the hub of the small village of Farthinghoe, which lies midway between between Banbury and Brackley. For many years, the Dorward

I knew autumn had arrived when I noticed that Richard Golsby, Eynsham’s family butcher, had oxtail displayed in his window. Oxtail is far easier to cook than many realise. The secret with this rich-flavoured meat is to go for slow cooking, and if possible

It was with some difficulty that I dragged myself away from Saturday’s Strictly Come Dancing — indeed, Ann Widdecombe’s hilarious Charleston nearly made me late — but I’m glad I made the effort, because the OSO’s Russian-flavoured evening was,

The Chair formed the main part of C-12 Dance Theatre’s programme, but the short opener, Enough, deserves more than a quick mention. Choreographed by Adam Towndrow, this striking piece (pictured) explores the trials of living with a burden. It begins with

Pilot Theatre’s new production of Romeo and Juliet is certainly more bawd than bard. It’s not entirely a bad thing — this York-based company, who specialise in theatre for teenagers and young adults, certainly evoked an audience reaction highlighting

Among those gathered to witness the horrific execution by firing squad of a poor Witney blanket weaver turned soldier and another poor man from Chipping Norton on June 13, 1795, was Jane Austen’s brother Henry. In 1793, he had taken a break from

It is impossible to pin down reasons for Ross Noble’s success. He looks like a hairy demonic scarecrow. He lopes inconsequentially across the stage while never completing sentences or thought processes. He doesn’t tell jokes as such and plays on

Close the blinds and stay very quiet if you want to survive in Skyline, a fast-paced sci-fi thriller from the Brothers Strause, the directors of AVPR: Aliens Vs. Predator — Requiem. With a background in digital effects and their own company Hydraulx in

Perhaps the greatest feelgood musical of them all, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is in Aylesbury this week to the delight of fans old and new. Old in my case, having reviewed the show dozens of times over more than 30 years. I never tire

The world may just be waking up to Imogen Heap, but she’s been one of the most interesting and inspiring artists for more than a decade. Releasing her first album when she was just 17, Heap makes gloriously uplifting music that combines a technologically

Schumann have grabbed the lion’s share of the attention, while poor old Thomas Arne — born 300 years ago — has struggled to get a look in. Bampton Opera put that right on Friday with a double bill of two Arne masques, presented as concert versions — extracts

‘I wants to make your flesh creep.” The ambition of theatrical impresarios to follow the example of The Fat Boy in Dickens’s Pickwick Papers is understandable in view of the huge success of Susan Hill’s The Woman in Black — 21 years in the West End and

Just in time for Remembrance Day comes this eloquent and reflective collection of choral pieces from Oxford choir Sospiri, founded four years ago by local composer John Duggan and professional tenor Chris Watson. Here, movements from the

This is the fourth year that Oxford Improvisers have put on a special event to celebrate improvisation in all its multiple forms. The first Cohesion Festival brought together ethnic instrumentation and the Western roots of music from Oxford Improvisers

The English Youth Ballet was set up in 1998 as a pilot project to give young dancers in the regions of England more opportunities to perform in full length classical ballets.The producers hire professional dancers for the main roles which would be to

It’s no wonder that he takes to the bottle: servant Leporello is forced to hang about outside at dead of night in his underpants while his master Don Giovanni forces himself upon Donna Anna indoors. It’s midwinter too, with patches of snow lying in the

A MAN who died in a house fire has been named by police. Duncan Fleming, 60, was rescued together with his wife Linda, after a blaze at their home in Lavender Close, at 3.30am on Saturday. However, he was later declared dead at The Horton Hospital.

A 25-YEAR-OLD man has been convicted of killing his best friend. Jurors at Oxford Crown Court yesterday convicted Anthony Bebbington of manslaughter. The six-day trial heard Paul Howkins died from head injuries two days after being pushed down a flight

Mid Oxon Under 15s were edged out 2-1 by Swindon in the Southern League at Marlborough School, Woodstock. The visitors took the lead with a 25-yard shot into the top corner, and they went further ahead with a penalty awarded for handball in

West Witney missed the chance to close the gap at the top of Division 1 of the Witney & District FA after being held to a 2-2 draw by Ducklington Res. Chris Beechy and Dave Boughtflower netted for Witney, with Frank Clarke and Andy Jarvie replying.

WOMEN'S FOOTBALL There was little to cheer for two west Oxfordshire sides in the Thames Valley Women’s League. In Division 2, Tower Hill fell to a 2-0 defeat at Bracknell, with goals from Nicola Adams and Jennifer Mulleady. Carterton were hammered

AUTOTYPE UTV LEAGUE Division 1 leaders Kennington United extended their lead at the top of the table to seven points after inflicting another heavy defeat on Standlake Garage. Joe Parker and Alex Crasson both hit trebles, John Mills grabbed a double

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Steeple Aston Res fought back to beat Heyford Athletic Res away from home in Division 3 of the Banbury District & Lord Jersey FA. Scott Powles fired Steeple ahead early on, only for Adam Horsburgh to level with a great effort from the edge of the area

Michael Raff’s second-half double helped Cherwell (Oxford) to a 3-1 win at Marlborough (Woodstock) in the ESFA Under 15 Schools’ Cup third round. Ryan Heap had given Marlborough a first-half lead, but Cherwell hit back with Duran Martin also netting.

Vale of White Horse bowed out of the ESFA Under 13 Trophy with a 3-1 defeat by Portsmouth in the second round at Gosport Borough FC. Connor Johns made two excellent saves for Vale, but could not prevent Portsmouth taking the lead just before

FEARS have been voiced that plans to build a major new retail park on the outskirts of Oxford will snarl up access to the city from the A34 and A420. A planning application has been submitted to the Vale of White Horse District Council which

Wootton & Dry Sandford missed the chance to go top of Division 1 of the North Berks League after a surprise 2-0 defeat by Kintbury Rangers. With Didcot Casuals not in action, a win would have seen Wootton replace them as leaders, but goals from Scott

Steeple Aston Res fought back to beat Heyford Athletic Res 3-2 away from home in Division 3 of the Banbury District & Lord Jersey FA. Scott Powles fired Steeple ahead early on, only for Adam Horsburgh to level with a great effort from the edge of the

BERKS & BUCKS JUNIOR CUP Mickey Woods hit a hat-trick as Wallingford Keys beat Purple Turtle 4-2 in their second round tie. Luke Higgins scored the other Keys goal to ensure a trip to another Reading side, Chavril Rangers. Didcot

GILES SPORTS WITNEY YOUTH LEAGUE Zak Oliver smashed a six-timer as Tower Hill cruised into the third round of the Under 11 Knockout Cup with a 9-2 victory at Stonesfield. Corey Donohoe, Sam Newcombe and Connor Allsop were also on target. Tower Hill

West Witney missed the chance to close the gap at the top of Division 1 after being held to a 2-2 draw by Ducklington Res in teh Witney & District League. Chris Beechy and Dave Boughtflower netted for Witney, with Frank Clarke and Andy Jarvie replying

Zac McEachran scored one goal and created two as Oxfordshire beat Dorset 3-0 to reach the semi-finals of the South West Counties Under 16 Knockout Cup at Oxford City FC. The Kidlington player took the corner from which Jake Bristow (Crowmarsh) headed

Ryan Curtin scored twice as Bletchingdon came from a goal down to beat Freeland 2-1 and stay top of the Premier Division, writes BRIAN KIRK. The visitors took the lead with a breakaway goal from Nathan Blackwell, but Curtin equalised from a free-kick

OXFORD MAIL GIRLS LEAGUE Ella Joyce scored twice from corners as Wantage defeated Carterton 5-2 in the Under 11 League. Imogen Goodenough, Tilly Breakspear and Lauren Hollinsworth, with her first goal, made up Wantage’s tally. Genevieve Miles scored

A 24-year-old man has been accused of defrauding an elderly woman out of £45,000. Alfred James Down, of East Challow, is charged with 18 counts of fraud by false representation between June 2008 and March 2009. He has also been charged with acquiring

A 41-year-old man has been bailed after being charged with handling stolen goods. Michael Pritchard, of Oxford Road, Cowley, appeared at Oxford Magistrates’ Court yesterday and was bailed to appear at Oxford Crown Court on December 9. The charge relates

ARSONISTS are believed to be blamed for starting a fire at an Oxford bedsit. Fire crews were called at 9.45pm on Monday to a home in Long Lane, Littlemore, where a fire had broken out on the ground floor of the terraced property. It is believed the

THERE are still 44 days before Christmas but a couple have got into the Yuletide spirit early by switching on their festive lights. For the sixth year running, Pete Bonney and wife Carol Ann have transformed their home and garden in Nuffield Road, Wood

Delroy Nanton grabbed a hat-trick as ten-man Corner House stormed to a 5-0 victory at Nuffield Arms to go second in the Premier Division of the RT Harris Oxford City FA. Nanton opened their account, before Ian Smith doubled their lead with Corner House

Andy Potter scored twice as Botley edged to a 3-2 victory at Reading League Division 1 side Reading YMCA Res . An own goal completed their tally as they booked their place in the third round of the Berks & Bucks Cup. Harwell International Res beat Barton

Kevin Earl and substitute Marc Jones each hammered hat-tricks as KEA reached the third round of the Johns Fathers Oxfordshire Junior Shield with a 9-0 thrashing of Corinthians. Steve Roberts notched a double for the Banbury District & Lord Jersey side

ONCE again the UK has sold out to the French – who may end up taking charge of our troops. Can you imagine sloppy French Legionnaires alongside the Brigade of Guards and the Royal Marines? I expect to see a huge increase of voters joining UKIP. They

Miss Cochrane, in her objection to beauty pageants (Oxford Mail, October 18) says that men only look at women for one reason. But, to use her own jargon, she is peddling an adverse sexual stereotype of the male sex and should prosecute herself under

We were extremely concerned to hear that the Kidlington link of the 700 service to the John Radcliffe, Churchill and Nuffield hospitals in Headington, will be axed in December. This is a vital service which staff and patients in Kidlington rely on.

THE county council is having to frontload its cuts, we learn today. It plans to cut significantly more than the originally planned £50m in 2011-2012, but overall it may have to chop £48m less than expected by 2015. In September, county

IT’S awfuL when you find out you’re a fool isn’t it? I’ve owned four cars in my life and until someone pointed it out to me today, I’d never really given thought to the fact that three out of the four have been duds. They also told me I might as well

SOME Oxfordshire County Council services cuts will happen earlier than expected, because the authority is having to push through more cuts in the next financial year. But while the county is going to be cutting significantly more than was

Kevin Earl and substitute Marc Jones each hammered hat-tricks as KEA reached the third round of the Oxfordshire Junior Shield with a 9-0 thrashing of Corinthians. Steve Roberts notched a double for the Banbury District & Lord Jersey side, with Andrew

BIG changes have been made at Rose Hill Primary since headteacher Sue Mortimer arrived four years ago. In January 2007, the school was deemed to be failing by Ofsted and put into Special Measures, but under Mrs Mortimer’s leadership, it passed its inspection

OFA SAM WATERS CUP Oxford Yellows took a big step towards retaining the trophy, after beating Premier Division leaders Barton United 4-2 in a high-profile second round match, writes TIM SIRET. Yellows got off to a strong start, hitting the Barton

MOST religions that I know of are based on the assumption that there is an after-life. But is there any truth in it? Professor Peter Atkins (Oxford Mail, October 8), says: “There is absolutely no evidence”. Whereas Graham Butler (Mail, October 13) says

I COULDN’T believe Headington’s good luck when Field and Jacob opened in March 2010. What an asset. We all love it. It is a quality shop with professional, friendly, helpful staff, and first-class service, where one can buy fresh vegetables, has a

I feel it is a wrong decision to remove the Grovelands leg of the RH bus company’s 700 route. I appreciate the cost pressures under which the RH bus company is working, especially in the current climate. However, I feel the removal of the Grovelands

Oxfordshire were hit by two lates goals as they lost 2-0 at home to Berks & Bucks in the first round of the Mick Parry Cup. Anthony Mendy (Slough Tn) hit both for the visitors, finsing the net in the 82nd and 84th minutes to sink the youthful hosts.

OXFORD United players will have poppies on their shirts for Saturday’s match at Rotherham United before selling them off to raise money for the Poppy Appeal. The club announced it was creating the one-off shirts yesterday and then offering them for fans

HE HAS stood proudly in Oxford every year since 1973, raising enough money to send more than 60 injured and retired servicemen on a much-needed break. But at the age of 81, Army veteran Jim Lewendon says he has no plans to slow down and is

AROUND 150 city centre shops, offices and homes suffered a power blackout this morning shortly before 8am. Areas affected included Cornmarket, New Inn Hall Street, St Ebbe’s and St Aldate’s. At 9am, 13 businesses were still without power, according

Today we find out about the efforts of Royal British Legion stalwart Jim Lewendon, who has done more than his fair share for the Poppy Appeal. He has been at Carfax every morning for the past two weeks and will sell his last poppy of the year

POLICE and PCSOs have been carrying out door-to-door investigations in Blackbird Leys, Oxford, to find out who is behind a spate of vandalism at a nursery school. Yesterday the Oxford Mail revealed Shepherd’s Hill Nursery, on the grounds of Windale Primary

THE body of an Oxford Brookes University student missing for 36 hours has been found in a river close to his home. Matthew Jones, 23, was reported missing by his family at 8.30am on Monday after he did not come home from a city centre pub on

CONSERVATIVES are refusing to fight a £2,000 by-election – because a council-wide poll is just seven months away. An election has been called for Conservative Louise Chapman’s former East Witney seat on Witney Town Council, after she was removed when

FORMER Oxford United player Joey Beauchamp crossed the Channel this weekend to take his daughter to meet two very special mice. The ex-U’s, Swindon Town and West Ham winger and his wife Millie packed their bags for a three-day trip to Disneyland near

A REWARD of £10,000 has been offered after a series of 12 burglaries in West Oxfordshire. In a three-month period, thieves have broken into houses in Burford, Chipping Norton and the villages in between. Police are linking the crimes.