A CYCLIST is in a life-threatening condition in hospital after he was involved in a collison with a Range Rover. The 43-year-old man from Banbury has serious head injuries and is being treated at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford. The cyclist
TAKING part in the Oxford half marathon will have particular significance for Ewan Gordon. He will be watched by Thomas Laurie, nine, who inspired the 41-year-old civil servant from Bicester to run several races for Helen and Douglas House.
DRIVERS faced long delays when a lorry broke down blocking Burford High Street this afternoon. The delivery lorry broke down as it was trying to turn road. Thames Valley Police were called to the scene at 2.10pm. The lorry was moved and the
THE consultation into Oxford University’s proposals to build housing on the site of the Wolvercote Paper Mill has been extended. The university wants to sell the 17 acres of land, but first it is hoping to get planning permission for 190 homes.
PARENTS and opposition councillors are calling for a review of Bicester’s “dated” children’s play parks to bring them in line with those in other towns. They say play equipment in many parks is old-fashioned and tired, there are no outdoor water
I was never a Girl Guide. I was always too much of a rebel to enjoy the idea of organised fun. Still, the motto by which generations of Scouts and Guides the world over have lived – Be Prepared – is one that should hold credence for all of us.
Despite a pink helmet and the threat of ‘body contact’ REBECCA MOORE finds a session with Oxford’s female roller derby team empowering An invitation to join a group of cool, sassy – though possibly crazy – ladies is usually a challenge I
So how did you get on after last week’s article explained the importance of introducing some flexibility into your life? Do you feel any better? A little more mobile, perhaps? This week I’m going to explain in more detail the different types
I’m just getting used to wearing clothes, having recently returned from my family honeymoon in Mallorca. Yes I did say family honeymoon; that’s a teenager, a baby, a new husband and myself sweltering in 36-degree heat to the south-east of the Balearic
If you were around in the early 80s you will probably remember the birth of New Man. Something of a phenomenon at the time, this was the term used to describe a male prepared to do more around the home than just put the rubbish out on dustbin day
Ever been left fuming by your bank and threatened to take your custom elsewhere? Chances are, as soon as you realised how complicated it would be to move accounts, you ended up not bothering. Well, from next month, we customers will be laughing
HEALTH Classrooms, whether they’re at the Dragon School or the village primary, are a breeding ground for bugs and viruses. As the new school year approaches, Jaine Blackman outlines the common playground illnesses An education isn’t
WOULD you recommend your friends and family have a child at the John Radcliffe Hospital? That is the question that new mums will be asked from next month as a new patient feedback system is rolled out throughout Oxford University Hospital NHS Trusts
A KARATE club hopes to spread its message of discipline across the city as it marks five years of teaching Wood Farm youngsters. The Ox Ryu Karate club, based at the Bullingdon Community Centre, is to branch out and start teaching at Windmill Primary
A FORMER colleague who rang asking for advice on buying a new car to replace her ageing classic Mini knew exactly what she wanted – and didn’t want. “I don’t need air conditioning, electric windows, or a sunroof. Basically I want a dog kennel on
Now I’m playing an active role in trying to get people dating in order to get my superb – but single – friends off the market, I am concerned there’s no effective way to get them to actually meet one of those few, elusive catches who certainly exist
Women students have come a long way in a short time at Oxford University, writes JAINE BLACKMAN Next year, five formerly all-male Oxford colleges – Brasenose, Jesus, Wadham, Hertford and St Catherine’s – will be celebrating 40 years of allowing
So, here we are already – at the August Bank Holiday and the last hurrah of the summer holidays before we get properly back to work, school and the slog towards Christmas. It hardly seems possible, and I swear that it comes earlier every year.
It’s time for our sheep to go on their holidays. Not that they have to go far, just across the road in fact. But like all family holidays this takes a bit of planning. The sheep may not need spades and swimming costumes for the beach, but they
As we enter the Forest of Dean my daughter Sophie is highly amused by the place names. There’s Green Bottom, The Pludds and Shortstanding. She can’t wait to find Leg Tump and Wallsprings Wood, which she’s spotted on our map. She’s also keen to spot
Like many recent graduates around the country the last few months can be described as a bit of a life crisis. No, I’m not a balding middle-aged man who’s invested in a 1970s Triumph Stag to beat away the blues, but a twenty-something female in
Think a migraine is ‘just another headache’? The debilitating condition affects millions but remains largely misunderstood – which Migraine Awareness Week aims to change. Jaine Blackman reports on the conditions and diecovers what help is at hand in
I love mini-beasts, but what is the deal with wasps? Are they actually good for anything? I was in a mad rush to get the kids to a holiday club earlier this week so I was seriously unimpressed to find my car covered in wasps. I managed to smuggle
One of the advantages of having an other half that does the same job as me is the opportunity to switch roles occasionally. Much as I would like to think of myself and Steve Rees as the Brad and Angelina of the dentistry world, I fear that apart
Redundancy can have a devastating effect on a person’s life but it need not be the end of the road. Jaine Blackman spoke to two women who have used it as a springboard to new directions in life "Being made redundant is demoralising and frightening
HOMELESS people are bringing Oxford’s abandoned bikes back to life as part of a new city project. Broken Spoke Bike Co-operative has teamed up with homeless charity Crisis Skylight Oxford and the city council to run the new scheme. The Co-op
IN March, Jo Hardiman from Chipping Norton received the Oxford MS Young Inspiration Award at Oxford University’s MS 2013 research conference at Abingdon’s Four Pillars Hotel. The annual award, which recognises inspiring young MS sufferers in the
Our pick of the best forthcoming live music events in Oxfordshire-ish! Festival READING FESTIVAL Little John’s Farm, Reading Today-Sunday Tickets have sold out Big, bad and messy, Reading isn’t everyone
FOR fans of food and music it’s a match made in heaven. Next weekend Blur bassist turned celebrity cheesemaker Alex James opens his farm gates for The Big Feastival. Staged in collaboration with his mate Jamie Oliver, the event is the perfect
Oliver Evans catches an Eels show that offers nothing predictable - but plenty of surprises Eels O2 Academy, Oxford ‘Gimme a hug!” bellows Eels frontman Mark “E” Oliver Everett at fellow band members, all clad in matching
INTERNATIONAL students at a private college in Oxford will learn in the luxury of newly-refurbished classrooms after being forced out of their old home. Oxford International College has started moving its classrooms and offices into Cherwell House
MUSIC promoter Shaun Gallagher loves soul and jazz so much that he named his son after one of his musical heroes. In 2011, Mr Gallagher launched the Campsoul music festival at Grove Farms off Milton Hill, between Didcot and Wantage, and it is back
A BID to turn an Old Marston farm into a leisure facility has sparked concerns that it could lead to more development in the rural area. Ranjit Ryatt wants to use Hill View Farm, Mill Lane, for functions like private parties, meetings, seminars
Tim Hughes looks forward to a little festival with big ideas — Towersey Almost half a century ago, a group of South Oxfordshire villagers sat down to discuss ways of paying for the refurbishment of their village hall. They hit on a novel idea
Cornmarket Street — where all of my stress melts away as I peacefully stroll amidst the other kindly shoppers, taking in the enticing aromas of bakeries and delicatessens, waving hello to the local shop owners, and enjoying the melodies of our community
The Master of MCS TIM HANDS on his hopes for the forthcoming year Buying an ice cream in Italy a fortnight ago, I was asked whether I was English, and then where from. Tuscans believe they speak the best Italian: they think an Oxford voice is the
Reg Little meets local rider Izzy Taylor ahead of the Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials Eighteen years ago Izzy Taylor arrived in the magnificent grounds of Blenheim Palace with her favourite pony. A shy 11-year-old, she had gone along
Gill Oliver talks to Olympic dressage champion Emile Faurie at his riding operation near Burford At Olympic dressage champion Emile Faurie’s farm near Burford, three dogs appear from nowhere and hurtle towards me. But there is absolutely no
PRIESTS at one of Oxford’s largest churches have been entrusted with the care of another one – nearly 200 miles away. The Bishop of Middlesbrough has invited the Fathers of the Oxford Oratory to take over St Wilfrid’s Church in York. This means
NOT only do they save the planet all day at work, now they are saving the planet on their daily commute as well. Staff at Oxfam came first in a competition to get Oxford commuters to cut their carbon emissions. More than 100 workers at the
Wallingford Rowing Club captured an impressive nine trophies on the Isis in the Oxford City Royal and Sprint Regattas. A bumper entry of 227 crews from as far afield as Australia, Ireland and Wales raced over the 1,000m course on Saturday while
Oxfordshire's top juniors found the going tough in this week’s National Championships. Alexis Canter was the leading hope in the under 16 event at the Nottingham Tennis Centre, where he was the No 3 seed. After getting a first-round bye, Canter
WORK inspired by a collection of aerial photographs of East Oxford in the 1920s and 1930s will be the subject of a new exhibition. East Oxford From Above has been curated by members of the community and the display has been created by community
RESIDENTS have hit out at Oxford City Council, claiming it has failed to properly repair potholes on their road – despite two attempts to permanently fix them. Householders say potholes in Whitehouse Road, off Abingdon Road, are still a problem
Unbeaten Wantage Town are set to give new signing Stuart Cattell, from Didcot Town, his debut when they travel to Oxfordshire rivals Kidlington in the Premier Division tomorrow. Wantage will be without the suspended Danny Lachacz. The hosts, who
Oxfordshire rowers will be out in force as Great Britain go for gold at the world championships in Chungju, South Korea, starting on Sunday. The men’s eight has eight Olympic medallists on board. They include London 2012 champions Andy Triggs
North Leigh manager Mark Gee has heralded the capture of defender Andy Gunn. Last season, Gunn was part of the Oxford City side that finished tenth in Conference North, but was released last week as he was no longer part of their plans. And
FOR most people, sitting their exams is hard enough without having to concentrate on anything else. But Beth Bowler, 16, from Cowley and a pupil at Oxford Spires Academy, had to sit her GCSEs while trying to overcome a tic disorder. Yesterday she
GETTING nine A*s at GCSE is no mean achievement for any 16-year-old. But for Magdalen College School pupil Arthur Bickersteth, from Summertown, the results were even more of an accomplishment. Last October, the teenager was diagnosed with a
SOME 16-year-olds would take any opportunity to skip school, especially around exams season. Elliott Dugdale was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer five months ago but still took every one of his exams in school with his friends around
DIDCOT Girls School and Banbury Academy posted some of the biggest improvements countywide. At the two state schools, the proportion of children achieving five GCSEs at A* to C including English and maths rose by 14 and 16 percentage points respectively
IN his letter ‘no road tax, but there is vehicle excise duty’ (August 22) Richard Freeth referred to Colin Smith as a misguided person and went on to say there is no such thing as road tax. That being the case, could Mr Freeth please explain why
WITH Olympic cyclists having increased people’s desire to be active and healthy, there is a wonderful opportunity for Oxford to lead the country promoting safety with the popular revival using bicycles as a cheap, convenient form of transport.
I WAS interested to read the article, above, about the new assistant head custodian, Helen Dennett, at Christ Church. They never fail to give us a great welcome, and some of the veteran custodians Bill and Ferdie are indeed sadly missed. It is
A MATHEMATICAL model that predicts whether films will be hits or not has been devised by Oxford researchers. A team from Oxford University, the Central European University at Budapest, and Budapest University of Technology and Economics created
I quite agree with Ian Cummings (August 16). When the Tories are in power they run the public sector down. So when Labour are in power they throw money at the public sector. And so it goes on and on. Utilities and health should be state-owned and
Up to 200 people are expected to protest in David Cameron’s constituency tomorrow against the “bedroom tax”. The Mass Sleep Out will start on Saturday at 1pm on Church Green where they are planning to spend the night in tents. The group is
A CHILDREN’S playground that has had a £130,000 revamp has been targeted by arsonits. Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue confirmed yesterday the blaze in Blackbird Leys Park in Pegasus Road on Wednesday was suspected arson. Firefighters from The Slade
SATURDAY FOOTBALL SKY BET LEAGUE TWO Oxford Utd v Wycombe Wanderers. SKRILL NORTH Hednesford Tn v Oxford City. CALOR LEAGUE Premier Div: St Albans City v Banbury Utd. Div 1 South & West: Didcot Tn v Cinderford Tn
A “SPEED dating” event for council and housing association tenants could help 28 people switch houses. The Oxford City Council events aim to “match” tenants with other residents so they can swap properties and upsize or downsize. At yesterday
A FORMER seamstress who has lived in Donnington her whole life is to become a familiar face at Templars Square shopping centre. Jean Fisher, 89, is one of the many faces to be featured in a new community art project celebrating the people who live
CAMPAIGNERS say they are sceptical about Oxford University’s plans to plant more trees to reduce the impact of the “dreadful” Castle Mill student development at Port Meadow. The eight buildings, which are now virtually complete, will provide accommodation
A SHIRE horse became Cogges Manor Farm Museum’s latest attraction in October 1985. Boxer was welcomed by staff at the Witney museum after The Friends of Cogges had fundraised for the horse for a year. He was bought from Cotswold Farm Park in
Can anyone help me? Does this county still have bye-laws? I ask as I am totally fed up with people lighting bonfires during the day. I live in a relatively ‘nice’ area but am constantly surprised and angered by the number of people who think it
Oxford City’s French winger, Adam Maabdi could make his debut at Hednesford Town tomorrow after Tom Winters was ruled out for several weeks through injury. The former U’s midfielder, who joined from Brackley Town, tweaked a hamstring in Tuesday
WHILE any moves to ‘mitigate’ the visual impact of the Castle Mill student blocks have to be welcomed, campaigners should not let it placate them over the whole sorry saga. If anything, it should spur them on with the knowledge that they are moving
An 18-year-old man has been arrested after a flasher exposed himself in front of women and children. The Wantage man was arrested on Tuesday after the indecent exposures in Warmans Close, Wantage, on July 2, Harcourt Green on August 8, Courtenay
A WOMAN jailed for for running an animal rescue centre in appalling conditions should be released because she’s “depressed, has ulcers and diabetes”, a judge heard. Angela Russell was handed a six-month prison sentence in July after being convicted
Serious Cricket Home Counties Premier League Skipper Ian Crosby believes Oxford are peaking at just the right time as they chase the Division 2 West title. A 66-run over win over previous leaders Gerrards Cross last week saw Oxford establish
ECB National Club Twenty20 Captain Jimmy Phillips is hoping that the incentive of playing at the Kia Oval can spur his Banbury side on when they visit Peterborough Town in the regional final on Sunday. The prize for the winners is a place alongside
A SERIAL burglar has been jailed for four years after he was convicted of walking into a house and stealing a handbag. Yesterday Judge Charles Harris sentenced Graham Crutch, of Longore, Stonesfield, to the minimum three years in prison because
THE day had the makings of a disaster. First, there was no one to talk to on the park-and-ride bus – an essential to start the day for yours truly – only three women, heads buried in mobile phones. One tall, slim woman, probably in her mid-20s, wearing
THERE were a number of articles, (August 20), which had something in common and that is fossil fuel. Some of them are to do with road traffic congestion, including James Styring’s column On Yer Bike, while others are about the prime minister’s views
THE two schools serving Oxford’s most deprived communities have reversed their fortunes – with failing Oxford Academy making substantial improvements at GCSE while Oxford Spires Academy’s results fell sharply. Oxford Academy, which was put in special
GCSE results at a failing school in Bicester have dipped despite efforts to get it out of special measures. Bicester Community College was put into special measures in February after all aspects of the school were rated inadequate by Ofsted.
HIS side may be on the verge of Oxford United’s best start to a Football League season in almost 20 years, but Chris Wilder is more interested in sticking to the basics. Success against Wycombe Wanderers tomorrow would be a fourth win in a row,
THE added competition for a place up front has been the key to Deane Smalley’s excellent start to the season, according to the striker. There were some raised eyebrows when the 24-year-old was offered a new contract by Oxford United in the summer
SEAN Rigg is expected to be out until October after scans confirmed the Oxford United winger tore a hamstring last weekend. The 24-year-old pulled up clutching the back of his leg after sprinting for a ball during the first half of United’s 3-1
JAMES Constable became a father for the first time yesterday, but is expected to be involved against Wycombe. The striker scored a volley at Torquay last week which he regards as his best goal. And after the arrival of Amelia Rose, United’s
CHRIS Wilder has urged Asa Hall to show his talent more consistently. The midfielder has come on as a substitute in all three league games so far and played more than an hour in the 3-1 win at Torquay United last weekend. Hall, who is back
JON-PAUL Pittman will be hoping to get off the mark for the season against Oxford United, but the striker insists there is nothing to prove to his former employers. The forward was released in the summer following an injury-ravaged two seasons,
Joshua Baker, 16, suffers from Asperger’s and yesterday achieved his goal of getting into sixth-form. He achieved one B, five Cs and two Ds. In one maths exam he got every single question right. He said: “I’m feeling absolutely brilliant at
MUCH like last week’s A-Levels, there are some inspiring tales of young people overcoming real adversity to achieve great marks with their GCSEs. But just as impressive are the performances of some of those pupils who were forecast potentially
OXFORD MAGISTRATES Wayne Marting, 54, of Rock Road, Carterton, admitted drink driving on Barns Road, Oxford on August 4. Had 61 micrograms of alcohol in 100 ml of breath, above the legal limit of 35 micrograms. Fined £110, told to pay victims’
A TEENAGER given just weeks to live as a baby has passed nine GCSEs, despite having to sit his exams in hospital. Yesterday Luke Biggs, from Alexander Close, Abingdon, was with friends opening their envelopes and celebrating results at John Mason
SIXTEEN years ago, Ellie Hubbert was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Her parents were not expecting her to survive but yesterday she received one A, one B and six Cs in her GCSE results. Mum Diane Hubbert, 47, from Witney, said: “She has put
