BOMB disposal experts tonight detonated an unexploded bomb on Otmoor. The 250lb device, dating back to the Second World War, was discovered shortly before midday on Wednesday. Police and the Ministry of Defence cordoned off a one-mile exclusion
RESIDENTS have hit out at plans to let council workers escape new parking charges at a popular Oxford open space. Oxford City Council is consulting on plans to introduce parking charges at six city parks, with motorists facing charges of between 50p
Gugu Mbatha-Raw has got Hollywood at her feet. Currently filming with Willem Dafoe, the 28-year-old stunner also stars in Larry Crowne with Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts. And yet this time last year the Witney lass was a total unknown who’d never even been
TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON (12A). Action/Sci-Fi/Thriller/Romance. Shia LaBeouf, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Josh Duhamel, Tyrese Gibson, Frances McDormand, John Turturro, John Malkovich, Patrick Dempsey, and the voices of Peter Cullen,
RACHAEL O’CONNOR gets down and boogies at Girl Friday in the basement of Castle Tavern. When it comes to showcasing one’s finest moves on the dance floor, it should never be forgotten that however one plays the game, the vast majority of
ANDREW FFRENCH discovers the inspiration behind the intriguing tale in our latest Book of the Month. THE BOOK: I was immediately hooked by the intriguing plot device at the beginning of The Distant Hours. This
LARRY CROWNE (12A). Comedy/Romance. Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, Bryan Cranston, Cedric The Entertainer, Taraji P Henson, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Wilmer Valderrama, Pam Grier. Director: Tom Hanks. Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts are two of
TIM HUGHES talks about life on the road with Britain’s most famous singing soldier, James Blunt, ahead of the star’s headline slot at Cornbury Festival tomorrow. JAMES Blunt has done amazing things since he first emerged on to the music
TOPLESS bars are traditionally the haunt of men on stag parties and rugby tours. But now one club in Oxford is looking to redress the balance – by launching a topless night for women. Every Thursday, male bar staff at the No 9 club in High Street will
11.03: Pennys Lexi, Knockanae Slippy, Cabuchon, AARONS LIGHT, Slashers Dasher 3, Captain Tin 2. 11.19: Royal Rumble, BURWOOD INDY, Clear Issue, Eagles Storm, Snazzy Sky 3, Pennys Demo 2. 11.34: Nikitas Jim, DEBIDEE DIANA, Robeen Bound, Meagans Supreme
ALLOTMENT holders say thieves have targeted their plots up to 20 times in less than two months, culminating in a suspected arson attack. Keen gardeners at Launton Allotments, off Charbridge Lane, Bicester, are angry after more than a dozen sheds were
ERIC Dyke OBE, a former education chief described as a natural ‘gentleman’ by friends and family, has passed away, aged 95. Mr Dyke was born in Witham in Essex before moving to Oxford in 1950. During the Second World War, Mr Dyke, pictured right, served
KERRY Hyatt, 29, is mum to 18-month-old twins Archie and Henry – and said they have a mind and language – all of their own. Mrs Hyatt, from Witney, said: “My husband James, 34, has twins in his family – his paternal grandmother was a twin. But when
A CAMPAIGNER who fought for the right for women to be ordained and a biochemistry lecturer are among those starting a new spiritual journey this weekend. On Saturday, 30 people will be ordained as deacons by the Bishop of Oxford, the Right
A CARTERTON man who was heavily involved in youth football in the town has died aged 72. David Waldron, left, was manager of Carterton Crusaders FC and other junior and senior teams during the 1970s and 80s. His son – also called David, but known as
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SWIMMERS plunged into Oxford’s open air pool to help provide clean drinking water for the city’s twin town in Central America. More than 30 swimmers, aged eight to 84, swam as many lengths as they could on one of the hottest days of the year
EIGHT-YEAR-OLD Matty Ball walked more than 15 miles along the Thames to raise cash for a new building for his band. Beginner cornet player Matty, pictured right, has collected £200 so far towards Wantage Silver Band’s £300,000 community centre on land
A COUPLE have handed over two life-saving baby heart monitors to a hospital in memory of their daughter. Karen and Neil Hancox were left devastated after their daughter Kayleigh was stillborn in November, 2007. In tribute to her – and
WORK is about to start on a £2.8m sports village in Bicester, but some of the planned facilities are under threat due to a lack of funding. A total of six football and rugby pitches and a changing pavilion will be built in two phases, but plans for an
LECTURERS at an Oxford college joined thousands of teachers on the picket line today to protest against the Government’s plan to increase their pension contribution. Members of the University and College Union joined colleagues from the National
TROUBLEMAKERS planning to head to Oxford’s Cowley Road Carnival, this year’s, have received some unexpected visitors. Police officers have been visiting people they suspect could cause trouble at the event in South Park on Sunday and warning them bad
There are few absolutes left in contemporary theatre. Fourth walls have long since crumbled underfoot; site-specific and immersive theatre experiences have further done away with divides between theatre and world, performer and audience. The one
A cyclist was taken to hospital yesterday after collapsing on the side of the A420. Ambulance crews were called to the junction with Barcote Lodge, near Faringdon, at 10.21am, when a passer-by spotted the man lying unconscious on the road. He had
LITTLE Madison Southey and her friends showed off their dancing skills to help raise cash for a specialist wheelchair for her mum. Nichola Southey who has ‘locked-in syndrome’ – like a coma – a serious asthma attack in October. Family and friends launched
PLANS to pedestrianise Kid-lington High Street took a step forward as members of the public were invited to have their say. A new draft Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) would pedestrianise the High Street between Oxford Road and Watts Way between 10am
The Corn Exchange in Wallingford is one of the towns oldest buildings and a frequent backdrop for the ever popular ‘Midsummer Murders’. This theatre is home to the Sinodun Players, Wallingford’s amateur dramatics group whose past presidents include Sir
A MAJOR obstacle to the building of student flats on St Clement’s car park, Oxford, could soon be lifted. Oxford City Council says it has found two possible sites for a temporary car park if the St Clement’s car park is shut while student rooms are built
SHAW GIBBS OXFORDSHIRE FOURSOMES LEAGUE Knockout Cup 1st round Tadmarton Heath 2½, Frilford Heath ½ (Tadmarton Heath first): S Hallam & J Burton halved with J Hemmings & H Collins, G Sambrook & O King bt B Paterson & J Rusk 2&1, C Lowe & J Ellis bt
A £40m scheme to extend Wolvercote and create hundreds of homes for university staff looks to have been dropped by Oxford University. The university-owned Wolvercote Paper Mill site, between Lower Wolvercote and the A34, is earmarked for housing and
A TEENAGE vandal who wrecked a £50,000 bronze sculpture was caught after pictures of him climbing on it were posted on Facebook. Jack Kennedy, from Asthall Leigh, near Witney, who was on a night out in Bristol, pleaded guilty at Bristol Magistrates’
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Mike Petersen’s massive rink win proved pivotal as Oxfordshire triumphed 121-112 over Sussex in the Home Counties League at Popes Mead. Oxon, who were making it two wins out of two in the competition, lost on four of the six rinks. But with Petersen
Oxfordshire ended their Middleton Cup campaign on a high note with a 115-97 win over Kent at Oxford City & County. Oxon’s hopes of progressing from Group 2 Section B (South) had already been dashed after they lost their opening two encounters to Hampshire
Oxfordshire's Carole Galletly and Katherine Hawes were members of the England team pipped by Scotland in the Women's British Isles International Series at Llandrindod Wells. England missed out on the title on shots difference after both teams finished
Headington lost top spot in Division 1 of the Oxford & District League, sponsored by Yarnton Nurseries, following a 5-1 defeat at Banbury Central A. Carterton are the new leaders after their 5-1 home win against Kidlington. RESULTS Division 1 Banbury
SIX years ago, Didcot Magistrates’ Court was given a £1.4m facelift. Yesterday, following a busy morning at the 54-year-old court, security guards locked the doors for the last time. The Court Service is planning to save more than £15m a year by closing
CLIVE Brandram secured Frilford Heath’s Seniors’ Club Championship after edging out Gordon Neilson in a play-off. Brandram and Neilson shot rounds of 76 before a six-foot par putt on the 18th hole earned victory for the former. Neilson had the consolation
THE Oxfordshire’s professionals, Ben Ratcliffe and Justin Barnes, came out on top in a charity marathon played across all five Leaderboard courses. Teams from Chart Hills (Kent), Dale Hill (East Sussex), The Leaderboard Golf Centre (Reading), The Oxfordshire
BICESTER schoolchildren forced to stay at home today because of a planned teachers’ strike were warned they could be treated as truants if found in the town centre. More than 100 schools were expected to be affected by industrial action over pension
Woodstock Harrier Steve Naylor continued his record-breaking year with a scorching victory at the CPM Thame 10K. Braving temperatures app-roaching 90 degrees, Naylor smashed the old course record of eight years by nearly a minute as he crossed the line
BUSINESS Secretary Vince Cable yesterday hailed Cowley’s Mini car plant as a great place to work and vital to Britain’s economy. The Lib Dem MP toured the factory with 25 Oxfordshire careers advisers to promote job opportunities in the motor industry
CAPTAIN Annie Gowing hailed Oxfordshire ladies’ “fantastic” performance in Midlands South Division County Match Week at The Worcestershire. Oxfordshire had to settle for joint third with Warwickshire, a point behind winners Northamptonshire and Buckinghamshire
DEMOCRATS Club kicked off their summer season with a 6-0 victory over Gladiators B in Group B of the Oxford & District League, write PETE EWINS. Terry Green (4,060), John Patey (3,900) and Billy Hill (6,940) won their first three games to put Demos in
OXFORD Saints lost 23-6 at home to Leicester Falcons in Division 1 of the BAFA Community League. Falcons led 13-0 after the first quarter as Dale Hawes touched down from 45 yards, Ben Longland adding the extra point. Guy Kearsey scored again for Falcons
READING Lawrence James’ letter criticising the city council for taking action on irresponsible dog owners in last Friday’s Oxford Mail, I initially found myself chuckling along, thinking he was parodying the attitudes of the small-minded and selfish.
Abingdon Amblers’ Paul Fernandez battled the soaring temperatures to finish an impressive third in the English 50K Championships at Boddington near Cheltenham. Fernandez clocked 3hrs 35mins 28secs. He said: “It was the hottest race I’ve ever run in.
I WOULD support the teachers going on strike if more of our children could read and write properly. Those of you who voted Conservative cannot complain; you are getting a taste of your own medicine. BRIAN DUFFY, Bulan Road, Headington, Oxford
I’M sure I’m one of many people who have appreciated Abingdon’s Spring Garden Cemetery being asphalted. My family all say the same: it’s made all the difference, especially when it has been a wet day. An excellent job has been done by all concerned
THE foreign secretary, William Hague, is wasting £300m on a war with Libya and a lot of people are questioning his judgement, including senior naval and military commanders. I feel that he embarked on this foolish war purely to save face and to bolster
I WRITE regarding the campaign to bring speedway back to Oxford Stadium (Oxford Mail, June 16). Sometimes you can’t, nor should you, let a false statement go unchallenged. The chief executive of the Greyhound Racing Association Clive Feltham states
The former home of a world-class scholar and expert on 19th-century Russian literature, is on the market. Paul Foote, who died in March aged 83, translated works by great Russian writers, including Lermontov and Tolstoy, into English. Mr Foote was
Picture-postcard looks make Cotswold stone particularly attractive to house hunters and an example is a former 18th-century coaching inn, once known as The Silver Tavern. Crown House, pictured right, is a Grade-II listed house in the village of Sandford
A COVERED Market trader has won his fight to stop Oxford City Council putting up his rent by 60 per cent. Mortons sandwich shop was facing a rent increase from £15,000 to £24,000-a-year, but an independent review has instead set the new rate
Two into one does go in the case of South View, Upper Heyford. The house is made up of two cottages, dating back to the 1800s, that were knocked together in 1951. Owners Neil and Eileen Protheroe took on the property 14 years ago and
Oxford United supporters have just hours remaining to get their 2011-12 season tickets at a discounted rate. The cheaper price offer ends at 7pm tonight (June 30), after which supporters will pay full price to watch United’s 23 home games this season
Oxfordshire duo Adam Wootton and Craig Hinton were left stunned after qualifying for The Open at Royal St George’s. Wootton, a 23-year-old professional from Oxford and amateur Hinton, 22, from Thame, produced the form of their lives to reach
THE man behind The Beatles yesterday proved the long and winding road had all been worth it. Sir George Martin, 85, known as the “fifth Beatle”, was awarded an honorary degree from Oxford University. He produced all but one of The Beatles
RESPECT and responsibility are the key words where noisy neighbours and rowdy revellers are concerned. Today, we reveal the level of noise complaints, area by area, across the city. And it is clear many residents are suffering the frustration of sleepless
THE noisiest parts of Oxford can today be revealed by the Oxford Mail. We have developed a unique noise map of the city showing how Oxford’s different neighbourhoods compare with each other. The map was drawn up using the number of complaints
Oxford traders have long claimed that the city council, far from helping them through this tricky period of falling footfall in retail centres, has actually been making the situation worse by increasing rents. Now tenants in Oxford Covered Market reckon
With the mainstream gearing up for the summer blockbusters, this is a strangely quiet week for new releases. Considering that multiplexes are having to make do with Robert Redford's latest outing, The Conspirator, and the teaming of Tom Hanks and Julia
Given the mess they made of remaking the Ealing comedy classic The Ladykillers, it is not unnatural to approach Joel and Ethan Coen's True Grit with a sense of trepidation. However, in returning to Charles Portis's 1968 novel rather than the Henry Hathaway
A WILD area of underused playground would be transformed into a sensory garden and outdoor classroom under plans drawn up by West Witney Primary School. If the school wins the Oxford Mail and Leadbitter Group’s SOS School Build competition,
It is a sad fact that most people’s first encounter with our largest predators — the fox and the badger — come from whizzing past their bloated corpses while driving along country roads. Both these animals suffer from horrendous PR, both are considered
RESIDENTS in North Oxford are chipping in to a new investment scheme which aims to cover roofs at the Cherwell School in solar panels. The Oxford North Community Renewables (Oncore) group aims to raise £145,000 to buy 250 photovoltaic panels
For varying reasons many families with a disabled child have found it difficult to find the right school for their child and have chosen to home educate. For some families this is their first choice, whilst for others it is their only choice.
