Archive

  • ‘Dying’ OAP is sent to prison

    A PENSIONER given just five years to live has been jailed for a year after admitting possessing a banned firearm. Barry Haydon, of Oxford Road, Burford, was convicted of taking part in a conspiracy to smuggle £50m of cannabis into the UK in June

  • From Technicolor dream to a dazzling reality

    A CARDBOARD Sphinx, a life-size cardboard sheep and a healthy dollop of sand. That is all it has taken to transform an Oxford church into ancient Egypt. Preparations for a Blackbird Leys production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

  • NHS apologies after patients' records are left in street

    HEALTH bosses have apologised after confidential personal and medical records were found lying in the street outside Littlemore Hospital. The physiotherapy records of two patients were sent to the Oxford Mail anonymously after being dropped in

  • Happy Chinese new year

    OXFORD’S Chinese community – including Grace Zhang – came out in force to mark the Lunar New Year on Sunday. Chinese New Year, as it is often known, is celebrated at a later date because its calendar is based on the phases of the moon. The

  • Terror police swoop on Oxford man

    A MAN has been arrested in Oxford on suspicion of fundraising for terrorism.  The 23-year-old was arrested today on suspicion of fundraising for the purposes of terrorism, contrary to Section 15 of The Terrorism Act 2000 and on suspicion of failing

  • Sync and Swim

    CONTINUING our series on sports that featured in the London Olympics, Pete Hughes looks at synchronised swimming A SCHOOL student from Faringdon is the latest member of the UK’s synchronised swimming squad. Genevieve Randall, a pupil at King

  • Local author David Chambers

    David Chambers worked his way up from an apprenticeship at Pressed Steel in Cowley to become manufacturing director at a BMW plant. Having retired at 55, he now lives in Churchill, near Chipping Norton, and has written a book about his great uncle.

  • Scouts in £100k rally for new hut

    SCOUTS in West Oxfordshire are to launch a £100,000 fundraising appeal to build a new scout hut. The 1st Stonesfield Scout Group has about 100 youngsters on its roll but the current scout hut, built in the 1960s, contains asbestos. The group

  • Controversial housing plan on agenda in Abingdon

    ABINGDON residents are invited to attend a special meeting about a controversial housing development. Hallam Land Management was denied permission to build 160 houses on land east of Drayton Road by the district council in January. However,

  • Abingdon Lock given a new lease of life

    WORK is almost complete on a £650,000 facelift of Abingdon Lock. Since November, more than 40 engineers, divers and fish experts have helped restore the Victorian lock chamber. The lock – which welcomes about 8,000 boats a year – was closed

  • Council pays £6.8m too much into bank account

    OXFORDSHIRE County Council paid £6.8m too much into one of its bank accounts. The council avoids having more than £10m in each account it holds, to minimise risks. But an error resulted in £16.8m of council funds being paid into an account

  • David Gest and the stars of Motown @ The Oxford Union

    Keith Hughes reports on a unique night featuring some genuine legends of Motown Question: where in Oxford on February 9 could you have heard 11 soul stars from four decades performing their greatest hits live on stage? Answer: the Oxford Union

  • Farmers count cost of disease affecting lambs

    A FARM which has lost £30,000 to a deforming disease is one of at least six affected in Oxfordshire. And the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) has warned that the full impact of the disease has yet to emerge. Warborough Farm in Letcombe Regis,

  • Volunteers' event showcases good work

    THEIR selfless actions have touched countless lives from here to Africa and beyond. And for one day, Oxford’s volunteering groups came together determined to become an even greater force for good. The Oxford Volunteering Showcase at Oxford

  • Schizophrenic hanged himself

    A MAN who had battled with schizophrenia for 27 years hanged himself in the garden of his family home. An Oxford inquest heard a police search was launched when Alec Hodson’s parents Anita and Peter could not find him after returning to their home

  • New details on daffodils

    New research from Oxford University has shown that the daffodil’s ‘trumpet’ is not an extension of the petals, as previously thought, but is in fact a distinct organ. Scientists studied the development of plant’s corona, as it is known, and found

  • Rapist admits he attacked OAP, 84

    A PARANOID schizophrenic raped a pensioner with dementia after breaking into her West Oxford home. Daniel Smith, from Milton Keynes, pleaded guilty to one count of rape and one count of burglary following the incident on December 1 last year.

  • FOOTBALL: Bourne praises bold Abingdon

    Abingdon United boss Richie Bourne is looking for his side to make it three wins in a row at Paulton Rovers in Evo-Stik Southern League Division 1 South & West tonight. A draw and two victories have propelled them away from the drop-zone.

  • RUGBY UNION: Trio bag doubles as Chippy march on

    Round-up CHIPPING Norton maintained a strong grip on second place in the BB&O Premier Division with a 44-5 victory at Harwell. Matt Dawson, Barry Nutt and Matty King all grabbed try braces for Chippy. Sam Jackson and Tom Hall also crossed

  • HOCKEY: Four-goal Oxford Hawks in season's best

    Oxford Hawks continued their fine run of form in Women's Conference East with a 4-0 victory over Chelmsford – their biggest of the season. A penalty corner buried by Takara Haines opened the scoring for the home side and they doubled their lead when

  • HOCKEY: Oxford Hawks handed lesson by leaders

    Oxford Hawks were given a lesson in finishing by South League Premier Division leaders Brighton & Hove. The Sussex outfit, who have lost only one of their 15 games this season, ran out 5-1 winners thanks to Sam Rose (2), Andrew Accott, Tom

  • 'Threats to kill' woman injured

    A new date has been set for the sentencing of a woman who admitted making threats to kill. Fiona Vinten, 46, is currently recovering in the John Radcliffe Hospital, in Oxford, after falling down some stairs. She was due to find out her fate

  • Eubank promises to pull no punches at union

    FORMER boxer Chris Eubank came to Oxford yesterday to give a knockout performance at the university’s historic debating society. He had been invited to talk to students at the Oxford Union, following in the footsteps of Winston Churchill, the Dalai

  • Death by dangerous driving charge

    A 45-year-old man has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving after a crash on the A40 near Witney on September 5. A passenger in the car of Andrew Myers, of Birmingham, died in hospital after the crash. Myers will appear before Banbury

  • Flood alerts in place on rivers

    Four Oxfordshire waterways remained on flood alert yesterday. This includes three stretches of the River Thames and its tributaries in Oxford from Wolvercote down to and including Radley and Jericho, in the Abingdon area and in the Wallingford

  • Ex-antique dealer denies producing cannabis

    A FORMER antique dealer started a cannabis factory in an old warehouse, a court has heard. Leslie Ballard, of Broughton Road, Banbury, and Birmingham residents Gulfam Yousaf and Zafar Iqbal, deny producing the Class B drug. Yesterday Oxford

  • RUGBY UNION: Bulls' run is over

    Midlands 2 West South BANBURY Bulls’ four-match winning streak ended with a 27-16 defeat at Kidderminster Carolians. Bulls improved after trailing 22-9 at the break, but were finally sunk by Nick Martin’s interception try. Banbury full

  • Cyclist injured in bus collision

    A elderly cyclist was taken to John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, after he was in collision with a bus at about 9am yesterday. It happened at Oxford Road, near St Thomas More School. Police said the man was in his 80s and was in a serious but stable

  • Residents take their own action over 20mph limit

    A GROUP of frustrated Oxford residents fed up with rat-running drivers have taken matters into their own hands. Campaigners say the 20mph zone in Lime Walk, Headington, is regularly ignored by drivers, who use it to get between London Road and

  • COMMENT: Slowing things down to 20mph with flower power

    THE 20mph initiative was a well meaning idea. Anything we can do to make our roads safer can only be a good thing, and it is a fact that keeping speeds low can save lives. But, four years after Oxfordshire County Council introduced the limit, the

  • RUGBY UNION: Witney let it slip

    South West 1 East WITNEY failed to capitalise on a dominant first-half performance as they lost 11-8 at home to Salisbury. Despite leading 8-0, Witney were punished for ill discipline and errors after the break. The hosts started well and

  • RUGBY UNION: Grove knocked off the top

    Southern Counties North FOURTEEN-man Grove lost top spot after slipping to a 32-21 at home to Buckingham. Grove had wing Guy Nicholl sent off for a tip tackle on Buckingham’s Dom Reynolds in the second half, but still fought back to lead 21

  • RACING: Bradley on course to be trainer

    Graham Bradley feels that becoming a trainer would be the “natural progression” following his successful roles as jump jockey and bloodstock agent. While the Cheltenham Gold Cup and Champion Hurdle-winning rider, who lives at Sparsholt, near Wantage

  • Constable up to third

    James Constable, now third on Oxford United’s all-time list of scorers, believes he and strike partner Tom Craddock can both still get to 20 goals this season. The pair have 23 between them so far, but injury and suspension means they have only

  • Day 21: Doctor not quizzed about 'golf holiday'

    A DOCTOR who “arranged a golf trip” while examining an alleged teenage rape victim did not have to answer questions about the claim. The Oxford child sex exploitation trial heard last week that after the 14-year-girl reported a “brutal” rape, a

  • RUGBY UNION: Chinnor resist Redruth rally

    National 2 South CHINNOR held on to claim a famous 35-34 victory over Redruth at Kingsey Road, despite finishing with 13 men. The hosts had fly half Will Millett sent off for a second yellow card, then centre Sam Stoop was sin-binned at the

  • RUGBY UNION: Abbot defeat adds to Quins' worries

    National 3 South West OXFORD Harlequins’ relegation worries increased following a 24-12 home defeat to Newton Abbot. Quins, who ultimately paid the price for conceding three tries around half-time, remain 15 points from safety with seven matches

  • No need for concerns

    WHAT problems Bernadette Downes has! (ViewPoints, January 31). If she does not wish to utter her address when collecting a prescription “in the chemist”, she simply needs to provide it in some written form or other, which may or many not constitute

  • Labour was responsible

    IN response to Cllr John Tanner (ViewPoints, February 7), he conveniently seems to have forgotten that it was 13 years of Labour financial failure that got this county into the mess it’s in. Remember that it was the Labour Finance Minister, Liam

  • Keep pavements clear

    I WOULD like to congratulate Cllr John Tanner in highlighting a very concerning problem of pavement obstructing, (ViewPoints, February 15). I am a scooter user. Car parking, bins and workmen working on pavements are all a problem for me. The worst

  • Don’t destroy Botley in name of regeneration

    STEADY on. Regeneration rhetoric around what looks like a vast Botley retail park posing as the ‘western gateway to Oxford’ needs careful consideration (February 14 and 15). People live here. Certainly our shopping precinct needs a facelift, our library

  • FOOTBALL: City trio set task by Ford

    Oxford City boss Mike Ford has thrown down a challenge to Josh Mulvany, Callum McNish and Zac McEachran – make me pick you for Saturday’s Blue Square Bet North trip to Histon. The trio are included in a strong line-up for tonight’s quarter-final

  • Council chief crosses picket line to join BBC radio show

    THE leader of Oxfordshire County Council Ian Hudspeth crossed a picket line of striking BBC Oxford journalists yesterday. Mr Hudspeth passed protestors against BBC job cuts at the BBC’s offices in Banbury Road, Summertown, to take part in Radio

  • THE QUIZ LEAGUE: Honouring quiz stalwart Mary

    MARY English, a kind and loving Irish lady, together with her husband, Pat, used to run the now defunct Grandpont Arms in Edith Road, South Oxford. She was a staunch supporter of the Oxfordshire Quiz Leagues, sponsoring her own team. Sadly,

  • Sad to lose dance venue

    I WAS saddened and disappointed to hear that the best dance venue in Oxford is closing. Roman Way will be greatly missed by ballroom and social dancers like my wife and I, and of course those who use the sports facilities on site. I just wish that

  • Madness at post office

    The queues snaking out of Witney post office must be the envy of every shop in town. Many Witney shops have closed for want of the very customers the post office no longer wishes to serve. Lots of customers means lots of costs and the post

  • Change needed for food

    OXFORD’S consumers have a right to know what they’re eating. EU leaders have agreed to implement an emergency programme of DNA testing to help boost confidence in processed foods but it should never have had to come to this measure. Consumers need

  • Council planners failing

    WHAT a joy to read former planning chief Ian Morrow’s comments about planning (February 13). Surely it is time to question and investigate why the planning committee in Oxford does not adhere to Witney’s principles and have public participation.

  • Why such a difference in buses?

    IT’S GOOD news about the Oxford Bus Company investing in electric hybrid double-decker buses (February 16). But out here in the sticks, the buses serving Chinnor are all old bangers – typically S or V registration – and breakdowns are commonplace

  • ON YER BIKE: Crafting your own wheel is very satisfying

    Who needs fishing or yoga or golf – when it comes to chilled-out antidotes to modern life, what could beat a day of wheelbuilding? Wheelbuilding has a kind of mythic reputation. Anyone can change a brake pad. It takes a hardier type, tooled up

  • House burgled

    Thieves stole jewellery, a camera, alcohol and a gym bag from a home in Poplar Grove. The break-in occurred some time between 1.30pm on Friday and 3pm on Sunday. Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101.

  • Crash on M40

    A woman was cut out of her car by firefighters following a multi-car crash on the M40 yesterday. The incident happened on the westbound stretch near Junction 6, at Lewknor, at about noon. According to police, three vehicles were involved.

  • Brewery names new ale after decorated war hero

    WARTIME ace Stan Bradford downed six enemy planes during the Second World War. Now he has done the same to a pint of beer named in his honour. The decorated former gunner pulled the first pint of Gunner’s Gold, produced by Abingdon’s Loose

  • Lib Dem vision: tea parties and social care help

    MONEY for tea parties, concessionary bus travel for young people and cash for occupational therapists have been proposed by Lib Dems on Oxfordshire County Council. The opposition has tabled its own alternative budget ahead of a full council meeting

  • Two in court to deny carrying out rape in park

    A WOMAN told a court how she “wanted to die” when she was raped in an Oxford park. Two men have gone on trial charged with committing the offence in Bury Knowle Park, Headington, at about 11pm on Tuesday, September 11, last year. Julio Dos-Santos

  • COMMENT: Cheers to Stan

    Naming a drink after a war hero is a great idea. People like Stan Bradford and the contribution they made during conflicts like the Second World War should never be forgotten. Although unusual, every time someone discusses where the Gunners Gold

  • Woman fights off attacker

    OXFORD: A woman was dragged into an alleyway during an assault in the early hours of Sunday. The 21-year-old fought off the male offender after he attacked her near Walton Street in Jericho at 3.49am. He was wearing a hooded tracksuit and described

  • Published at last after 415 years

    A MANUSCRIPT from the 16th century which was hidden in a church safe in Burford for centuries has now been published. The Mirror of the Worlde by poet Elizabeth Tanfield Cary was found at St John the Baptist Church in the 1970s. The study,

  • SCALES OF JUSTICE: People convicted at magistrates' courts

    Terrance Kerrigan, 48, of O’Hanlon House, Luther Street, Oxford, admitted being drunk and disorderly in a public place on December 14, and failing to surrender to magistrates on January 3. Community order made with six-month alcohol treatment and 12

  • Chance to save your top spot in the Leys

    A PROJECT has been launched to give greater protection to what residents of an Oxford estate love most about it. Oxford City Council was awarded £60,000 by English Heritage to produce a list of non-protected but locally heralded spots in Blackbird

  • Council tips to start selling off unwanted items

    OXFORDSHIRE County Council has come up with a new scheme to raise money – and it’s rubbish. Councillors plan to set up ‘re-use areas’ at recycling centres, selling second-hand furniture, crockery and toys to bring in extra income. Council leader

  • Bishop's service a first since 1066

    OXFORD’S Keble College played host to a very special ceremony when it welcomed Bishop Jerome of Manhattan, of the Russian Orthodox Church. When His Grace celebrated a Western Orthodox Episcopal Liturgy on Friday, it was the first time the service