Archive

FIREFIGHTERS are tonight tackling a chimney fire in Manor Crescent, Standlake.  Crews from Witney, Abingdon, and the hydraulic platform from Oxford were called to the scene at around 7.50pm. 

Charlie Longsdon just can’t stop firing in the winners. The Chipping Norton handler saw Azure Fly land a two-mile novices’ hurdle at Huntingdon on Sunday, 24 hours after Hannibal The Great won a two-and-a-half mile novices’ hurdle at Fontwell.

St Edward’s School BC, Oxford, had four wins at the Reading Small Boats Head, writes Mike Rosewell. One of these came in the Masters E (55-60 category) where John Wiggins, former Oxford Blue and ‘Teddies’ supremo since 1999, took the singles trophy

A van was damaged when it was broken into by a tool thief. The crime happened in The Ridings, Kidlington, between 5pm on Sunday and 8.30am on Monday. Police asked witnesses to call 101.

Two Oxford residents are among six people who have been found guilty of criminal damage during a protest at an RAF base that is used to operate Drone aircraft. Susan Clarkson, 66, of Bath Street, and Christopher Cole, 49, of Wilkins Road, were

A woman was woken up by an intruder who kissed her. The sex attacker left the East Oxford house through a window when the victim shouted out. The incident happened at about 4.30am yesterday in James Street. Police described the suspect

STRIKE action is looming at Oxford University and Oxford Brookes University after lecturers and high-ranking university staff voted in favour of striking in a dispute over pay. The University and College Union (UCU) today announced that 62 per

CREATING a “truly wild” stretch of the River Thames in South Oxfordshire is the ambition for a major ecology project. The Earth Trust charity wants to turn the clock back as far as Roman times to return land off the river at Shillingford, near

This week I resumed training again after a long break away with injuries. From now until the end of July next year I will be training six days a week in preparation for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. The winter period that will run through

The fruity benefits of opening a wholesome seasonal restaurant What a summer we’ve had down at The Hog Roast! The weather gods smiled upon us for the entirety of August, and the vegetable gods blessed us with bumper harvests, demanding extreme

Tim Hughes swaps the curry for a Nepalese feast - and finds bold flavours with a homecooked charm very addictive THE hardy mountain folk of the Himalaya have long told of a shaggy ‘wild man of the snows’ who inhabits the inhospitable peaks.

An intriguing mix of Norwegian, Pakistani and Geordie, startling artist Nadine Shah offers something emotional and unsettling. And Tim Hughes discovers that her ‘Dum and Mad’ like her music too... Intense, brooding, and emotional, Nadine Shah has

A WOMAN in her thirties has been taken to Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital with minor injuries after a collision involving a car and a moped.  A grey BMW and moped were involved in the collision in Donnington Bridge Road, near the junction with

They may be awkward and just a bit too clever, but Tim Hughes predicts the future belongs to Bright Works THERE’S nothing more painful than watching a live performance which is teetering on the brink of falling apart. Bright Works look like

With 40 acts playing seven venues, Saturday’s Oxjam Takeover will be the biggest so far. Tim Hughes talks to co-organiser Katie Herring THIS weekend the city of Oxford will be invaded. Not by some hostile enemy but by an altogether more benign

Sleeping may be bad for your health — the wrong kind of sleep that is — according to Milton Park-based ResMed. As many as one in five of us may suffer from some sort of sleep disorder — the most common being sleep apnoea, a condition in which breathing

KATHERINE MACALISTER speaks to stand-up comic Francesca Martinez about her strong ethos in both life and on stage Francesca Martinez’s comedy was born from one of the darkest and bleakest periods of her life. She describes it as being “rescued”

DENNIS Bowerman, who has died aged 90, spent his working life in the Oxford printing industry. He left SS Philip and James School in North Oxford a month before his 14th birthday and started a seven-year apprenticeship with Potter’s Press, a small

CHURCHGOERS in Bicester have officially welcomed their new parish priest Father John Batthula. Father John took over at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in August, but his formal induction as parish priest only took place on Friday.

WANTAGE has a new town councillor – thought to be the youngest ever. Conservative Ben Mabbett, 20, was elected on Thursday and plans to fight for youth services. He said: “I am delighted to have won, I wasn’t really expecting it. “I want

SPACE was the place for these star-gazing youngsters as they visited a new school taking education inspiration from the cosmos. Banbury Academy’s Leah Wheeler and Addison Staite-Loveridge, 12, were among visitors to the Space Studio school in its

MOTHER-of-four Christine McRitchie is up to her elbows in nappies, even though her youngest child is 11. A successful entrepreneur, she runs four washable nappy online businesses and has just moved into offices in Didcot. But until now the

ACCOUNTANCY firm James Cowper has taken nine graduates and modern apprentices on to its student accountant training programme – the highest number for six years. The group will spend the next three years training to qualify as chartered or certified

A MEDICAL device manufacturer has launched a major expansion programme after cracking the lucrative US market. Lombard Medical Technologies is taking another 10,000 sq ft facility at Trident Park, Didcot, on top of its existing 20,000 sq ft building

An Ashmolean gallery is a fitting memorial to a scholar who devoted almost seven decades to studying and collecting Chinese art. Prof Michael Sullivan, who has died aged 96, is remembered in the form of the Khoan and Michael Sullivan Gallery, which

KAREN Gadd was born into an inventive background. Her father, Ken, worked at Pressed Steel, in Cowley, on the RoadRailer, a lorry trailer which could run on railways and roads. At first she followed in his footsteps, training as a mechanical engineer

WORKERS at an Oxford Internet firm are celebrating after it was voted one of the most family friendly small businesses in the country. Digital marketing agency Obergine, based at the Jam Factory in Park End Street, made the top 10 in the category

TENANTS at a business park threatened to “revolt” in protest at slow broadband speeds. Owners of firms at Lower Farm Barns in Bucknell, near Bicester, said they were not prepared to wait until 2015 for BT to upgrade the service and were looking

FOR many people the idea of running a funeral parlour would not be high on their list of business ideas. But for Lucy Jane it is a dream come true. The 31-year-old has just opened The Individual Funeral Company in Rose Hill, Oxford, forming

He’s back after a 16-year break and Alexei Sayle tells KATHERINE MACALISTER why stand-up makes him feel  so alive It’s never easy to come back. What if you fail? What if your audience is no longer there? What if no one thinks you’re funny anymore

And so the turning year slides into autumn, that somewhat melancholy time of gold, yellow and brown falling leaves that flutter to the ground, at least that is until the stormy seasonal winds wrench them from the branches that have nurtured them as

Witney’s Ashley Garrison teamed up with Brize Norton’s Ben Roberts to triumph in the boys’ doubles at the Wiltshire Under 17 Bronze tournament in Melksham. The students from Henry Box School, won the final 21-10 against Dorset’s Matthew Hunt and

University staff have voted in favour of striking in a dispute over pay. The ballot by members of the University and College Union and Unison at Oxford University and Oxford Brookes University today. More than 60 per cent of UCU who voted for

TWO burglars have been jailed after breaking into an Abingdon convenience store with a crowbar. Tony Attwood, of Phipps Road, Cowley, Oxford, and Wayne Axtell, of Pinnocks Way, Botley, carried out the crime at Budgens in Northcourt Road on September

OXFORD MAGISTRATES Gloria Sandford, 71, of Stevenson Drive, Abingdon, admitted failing to provide a specimen for analysis at Abingdon Police Station, Colwell Drive, Abingdon, on September 11. Given a 24-month driving ban and fined £250. Told to

A FESTIVAL featuring TV history expert Mary Beard will be held to launch a community classics centre at a school in Oxford. The East Oxford Community Classics Centre, run by the Iris Project with Oxford University, will provide a learning venue

The cult status accorded to the British horror film The Wicker Man has always surprised me. When I first saw it — indeed when I last saw it — on its release in 1973 the antics it depicted among isolated island folk in Scotland seemed more funny than

There was a happy buzz of activity in the playground as I entered the Wolvercote Primary school grounds last Sunday. This is quite usual on Sunday mornings when the Wolvercote and North Oxford Farmers’ Market is in full swing. With children’s faces

I have a friend who grows flowers in her own garden for a local farmers’ market and she cannot produce enough bunches of garden flowers to satisfy her eager customers. All of them tell her that they are fed up with supermarket bunches of the same

An Evening With MONTY DON  Oxford Playhouse Friday, October 11 Call 01865 305305 or www.oxfordplayhouse.com The nation’s favourite gardener will speak about his travels visiting gardens across the world, what really happens behind the

FOUR STARS Traditional gypsy music has inspired countless composers over the years, and this year’s Oxford Chamber Music Festival cleverly distilled some of the best into a six-day jamboree that showed chamber music at its most exciting. Friday

Budding composers are being invited to enter a competition that will result in a commission and a cash prize for the lucky winner. The new piece will be premiered and recorded in 2015. Oxford Symphony Orchestra has launched the competition in the

Some things have to be seen to be believed. Photos give some idea, and videos even more, such as the clips on Waddesdon Manor’s website, but nothing can match going there and seeing for yourself this extraordinary exhibition of elaborately folded linen

Now in its 13th year, the Oxford Ceramics Fair was started by the Craft Potters’ Association, the professional body that represents studio potters. Studio pottery is pottery made by craftspeople working alone or in small groups to make unique items

Theatre CIPHERS Oxford Playhouse November 6-9 n Box office: 01865 305305 oxfordplayhouse.com Justine is found dead. Her sister Kerry sets out to uncover what happened and stumbles into a world of secrets and subterfuge. She becomes

FOUR STARS Truly successful stage thrillers from the 20th century onwards being as rare as hen’s teeth (Sleuth, Wait Until Dark, Rope — er, that’s about it), the discovery of another in the shape of Peter Colley’s I’ll Be Back Before Midnight is

FIVE STARS The Mousetrap is quite simply unique. It really can’t be judged by the usual criteria of play reviews, because it’s so much more than a play — it’s a theatrical event! That said it has some very traditional strengths: a satisfying

FOUR STARS Coming across as a beguiling blend of Oscar Wilde and Frankie Howerd, David Walliams’s hilarious portrayal of Bottom, in the latest West End success from the Michael Grandage Company, confirms him as a stage performer of rare gifts.

James Martin is flat out. In fact he’s so busy I feel guilty even talking to him. But it’s his own fault for opening a new restaurant, filming a TV documentary, broadcasting Saturday Kitchen, publishing a new cookbook and tackling hospital food all

This is one way of using up windfall apples before they go mouldy and fallen plums that are attracting the wasps because they are juicy and ripe. This chutney is a perfect match for Cheddar cheese and goes particularly well with cold meats.  

THE cooling towers of Didcot’s power station have been depicted as Oxfordshire’s Stonehenge by an artist whose work is on show at an Oxford gallery. The 23 oil and board landscape paintings by Anna Dillon, who lives near Wallingford, are hanging

A HOTEL owner in Boars Hill has abandoned his plans to flatten the building to build million- pound homes on the site. Businessman Edward Adams bought the Foxcombe Lodge Hotel in 2010 and hoped to bulldoze it to build four luxury five-bedroomed

QUEEN guitarist Brian May has been happy to use his fame as a rock star to campaign for greater compassion and appreciation for badgers, foxes and British wildlife. Now he has backed an Oxford-based writer by penning a foreword for the author’s

It is 40 years since The Wicker Man was launched onto unsuspecting cinema audiences. Weird and unsettling, it was instantly hailed a triumph of British horror. Since that time the movie industry has changed beyond recognition, with special effects

WORK has finally started on a controversial plan for more than 1,000 homes in south Banbury. Developers have begun infrastructure work on Longford Park, also known as Bankside, accessed off Oxford Road. It was approved by Cherwell District

BLACKBIRDS Leys residents have welcomed a police decision to stay put on the estate. Crime fell after officers moved in to their base off Blackbird Leys Road in 2010. But fears were raised when Thames Valley Police announced in April that it

JAMES Channon is flying high. After eight years running Fallowfields Falconry from Fallowfields Hotel in Southmoor near Abingdon, he achieved his dream by opening his first public visitors’ centre at Millets Farm in nearby Frilford in May this year

128 minutes. Thriller/Romance n Starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Daniel Bruhl, Carice van Houten, Laura Linney, Stanley Tucci, David Thewlis, Peter Capaldi, Dan Stevens Directed by Bill Condon During a pivotal speech in Bill Condon’s contentious

A SCALEXTRIC model homage to the film The Italian Job has proved a big hit. David Coveney and friend Hayden Marks created the special layout – complete with iconic Minis and a bus for them to drive into – to mark his 60th birthday. Mr Coveney

FOUR STARS Life begins and also falls apart at 60 in the cinematic collaborations of director Roger Michell (Notting Hill) and screenwriter Hanif Kureishi (My Beautiful Laundrette). In 2003, they sensitively explored the spiky issue of romance

It was fitting that David Willetts, the Minister of State for Universities and Science, launched the new report on accelerating growth in Oxfordshire. For the report, The Oxfordshire Innovation Engine: Realising the Growth Potential, set itself

A POPULAR postmaster at East Hagbourne’s community shop is retiring at the age of 80. Terry Clarke started working at the post office in the New Road shop when it was set up in 2001. The former Didcot shop owner is retiring in February after 13

WHEN a poster announcing the arrival of a sex shop appeared on an empty store in Rose Hill in Oxford it upset traders. But the notice on the former Blockbuster shop that says “If you are good with people, and don’t object to handling stimulating

UK Independence Party leader Nigel Farage outlines his plans to cause a “political earthquake” at next year’s European elections THIS week UKIP has announced the list of candidates who will be fighting to win the European elections in 2014.

OXFORD City secretary John Shepperd was still coming to terms with his big day after shaking hands with the Duke of Cambridge at a special ceremony at Buckingham Palace to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Football Association. “It was a day

GOSFORD All Blacks should have a decent crowd for Saturday’s top-of-the-table clash with Tadley – as it their open day. The BB&O Premier Division showdown will be the centrepiece of the entertainment at Stratfield Brake. Youth and women

WADHAM Franklin, the first president of Oxford Harlequins, has died aged 75. An Oxford Marathons stalwart, Mr Franklin was made Quins president after they merged with Oxford Old Boys in 1996. A Quins statement said: “Wadham was a true ‘Rugby

THE pressure goes up a few notches for Oxford University as they play two home games in five days. And head coach James Wade is urging fans to turn out in force for the evening clashes against Trinity College, Dublin (tomorrow) and Newport Gwent

OXFORD City’s Aaron Burgess won the Cricklade 10K by one second. Burgess, who was returning after a two-week injury break, clocked 34mins 10secs, with Gary O’Brien (Swindon) second in 34.11. Meanwhile, Alchester’s Richard Gould recorded 36.23

FUEL worth nearly a quarter of a million pounds has been stolen from county pumps in the last five years. Police figures obtained by the Oxford Mail under the Freedom of Information Act show thieves targeted petrol pumps 4,665 times between January

HOW we will miss our own local heroine Christine Wallace now that her adventure on BBC’s Great British Bake Off has ended. She made her exit at the quarter final stage on Tuesday when her meringues fell flat with judges Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood

WHILE we welcome any move by our justice system to pursue sex offenders and protect the vulnerable, we are uneasy about the law changes announced by the Government yesterday. As we report, police will now be able to apply for orders placing restrictions

UK Independence Party leader Nigel Farage outlines his plans to cause a “political earthquake” at next year’s European elections THIS week UKIP has announced the list of candidates who will be fighting to win the European elections in 2014. I AM

OXFORD City Council have upheld their decision to make the Kassam Stadium an asset of community value. Owners Firoka appealed the ruling, which was passed in May, to make it the first football ground in the country to be protected by the legislation

OXFORD Harlequins pulled off an all-conquering triple double at the Grove Mini Festival. Quins’ under 9, 10 and 11 age groups won their respective A and B competitions to make it six cups out of six. In a tense Under 11 A final, Oxford Harlequins

FORMER Oxfordshire junior Tommy Allan has been called into Italy’s squad for their autumn internationals. Fly half Allan, 20, who hails from Bix, near Henley, was selected after impressing for French Top 14 club Perpignan. He was born in Vicenza

(senior men unless stated) HANNEY 5 Top ten: 1 J Bolton (V40, Wds) 25.47, 2 D Hamilton (Abn) 26.32, 3 J Richardson (V40, Oxf) 26.53, 4 C Riley (V40, Bed) 27.48, 5 M Tyrrell (Eyn) 27.57, 6 D Cantwell (V40, Wds) 28.04, 7 T Hughes (V60, WHH) 28.31

BELLS were hoisted up the tower of St Peter’s Church in Cassington yesterday in readiness to ring across the village once again. The six bronze bells in the village church have not chimed for 13 years. But after a £75,000 restoration project

ABOUT 80 people who work for Vale of White Horse and South Oxfordshire district councils will move from Abingdon to work at Crowmarsh, near Wallingford. About 200 shared council staff work currently in Vale of White Horse District Council's offices

A PLEDGE to help reduce the cost of living by curbing rising rail fares has not convinced local passenger groups. A three per cent cut in the steepest fare increases could save commuters up to £200 a year on some season tickets, the Government

GREAT British Bake-off star Christine Wallace has spoken of her disappointment after she was sent home from the prime-time baking show. The Didcot grandmother said she had an amazing time and made “friends for life” among her fellow contestants

A STUDENT accidentally choked him-self to death after a sex act went wrong. Daniel Harris, 20, whose family are from Abingdon, died in his bedroom at his home in Sydney, Australia on June 21 last year. The inquest at Oxfordshire Coroner’s Court

WE are used to clashing with the Germans over sport, mostly football. But now a 12-year-old girl is preparing to step out in the German region of Saxony in a bid to claim victory for England in the World Tap Dancing Championships. Lily Clifton

CROSS COUNTRY ROY Treadwell and James Bolton will run for England in the British and Irish Masters Cross Country International at Cardiff on Saturday, November 16. Oxford City’s Treadwell and Woodstock Harriers’ Bolton have been selected for

A 20-YEAR-OLD man is due to go on trial today at Oxford Crown Court after he was charged with a burglary. Gary McFarlane, of Hazel Grove, Bicester, has denied one count of burglary with intent to steal at Winterbourne Close, Bicester, on July 3

CHERWELL District Council has been handed a share of £366,932 given to three councils. The money has been awarded to the council and two others because of what officials say are their efforts to minimise expenditure through the continual review

BANBURY: A lost battlefield from the Wars of the Roses has been discovered on the planned route of HS2, the London-to-Birmingham high speed rail link which could go through part of north-east Oxfordshire. The site of the Battle of Edgecote, fought

NEW police powers to tackle sex abusers have been announced by the Government after a campaign launched following the Bullfinch sex abuse investigation. Oxford West and Abingdon MP Nicola Blackwood lobbied for law changes in the wake of Operation

A PERFECT start to the season continued for Oxford City Stars with a 4-1 victory at Haringey Racers. In a cagey game, the visitors only took a decisive lead in the final ten minutes, stretching their winnig streak at the start of the season to

TRAFFIC is slow on the A40 after a two-car collision. Eastbound traffic is delayed between Eynsham Road, at the Cassington traffic lights, and the Wolvercote roundabout. The police were called to the crash, between a grey BMW and a grey Renault

NORTH OXFORD: Developers hoping to convert a former Masonic Lodge into flats have been sent back to the drawing board. The city council’s west area planning committee voted unanimously to throw out plans for 17 flats on the site of 333 Banbury

HANNEY 5 JAMES Bolton was surprised to collect his sixth Oxfordshire Road Race Grand Prix victory of the season. Bolton (Woodstock Harriers) had almost settled for second place in the five-mile road race as Abingdon’s Dan Hamilton built up

THE huge bonus increases awarded to the hospital foundation trust executives is disgraceful, but echoes the policies of a Tory Government in give to the rich and take from the poor. If these bonuses are not returned to benefit hospital staff, then

THE Government is now proposing that, in order to combat the ‘something for nothing’ culture, the long-term unemployed should, on pain of forfeiting benefits, be forced to participate in charity work, care for the elderly, pick up litter, attend literacy

DIDCOT: Power tools have been stolen from a vehicle parked in the town. The break-in happened in Wessex Road between 7pm on Sunday and 6.05am on Monday. Police asked witnesses to call 101 with information.

THAME: A 43-year-old woman has admitted carrying a knife at the Thame Fair last month. Lavinia Ryan, of Van Diemans Road, pleaded guilty on Monday at Oxford Magistrates’ Court to possessing a bladed article in a public place. She will be sentenced

OXFORD: Experts on former Oxford University don CS Lewis have clashed over whether the Narnia author disliked women. CS Lewis: A biography author Andrew Wilson told the Cheltenham Literary Festival on Monday that Lewis patronised and had serious

A 20-YEAR-OLD man has told a jury he did not sexually abuse a teenager or send text messages “blackmailing” him. Tommy Fury, of The Beeches Caravan Park, in Old London Road, near Chipping Norton, is on trial at Oxford Crown Court and denies sexual

AN extra 200 temporary car parking spaces at Oxpens will be built under plans to help accommodate shoppers during the Westgate development. Council officers last night revealed a further 200 spaces on land next to Oxpens owned by the British Rail

OXFORD Playhouse’s latest show, Out of the Shadow, has hidden depths. Performed by Australian dance theatre crew Nobulus, it tells the story of the creation of the universe, the evolution of man and looks ahead to an apocalyptic future. The

I AM writing to let people know what marvellous treatment I had at the John Radcliffe and the Oxford Community Hospital. I fractured my hip and was taken by ambulance and operated on the next morning, the treatment in the trauma ward was first-class

HOW true the letter from Elaine Bennett (October 1). I attended one of these Barton West meetings and I thought it was a complete farce. The application was put through on speculation. I did look up the word democracy when I got home. H KIMBER,

AS a resident of Botley for more than 50 years, I am very anxious and angry about the proposed development of the West Way centre. Doric, the developers, have often stated that it is “only” the elderly who oppose their plans. They and the council

I HAVE heard rumours that the small Heyfordian bus service that covers Kidlington to Woodstock may cease. I hope this is not the case as it’s a very good service and invaluable to the elderly. On Fridays and Saturdays, they can get to the local

I HAVE just read the review written by Katherine MacAlister, regarding Annie’s tea rooms at Thrupp (October 3). I agree with her description of the area, but do think that she has not fairly reviewed Annie’s tea rooms. I travel to Oxford regularly

THE Town Hall has scrapped a policy of opening councillors’ post after an outcry from the Lib Dems – or has it? The Insider has heard that a letter bound for councillor Gwynneth Royce was opened last Thursday, three days after council leader Bob

A ballot on whether dons at Oxford University and Oxford Brookes University will go on strike over a pay dispute closes today. The University and College Union, which represents academics, lecturers and researchers, is expected to reveal the results

A cyclist in his 20s was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital yesterday morning after a collision involving a white VW van at The Plain roundabout. The cyclist was treated at the scene after the 9.30am accident before being taken to the John Radcliffe

The prosecution closed its case yesterday in the Oxford Crown Court trial of five men accused of “turning a blind eye” to undercover police officers posing as metal thieves. The defendants, from TR Rogers and Sons, in Nuneham Courtenay, deny attempting

MORE schools have confirmed they will be closed for strike action next week. The Oxford Mail reported on Tuesday that 278 schools across Oxfordshire would be affected by strikes next Thursday. Yesterday, Larkrise Primary School in East Oxford

World Homeless Day is today and along with the rest of the world, Oxford is no different in that there are those experiencing homelessness. Important projects for the homeless in Oxford include the Luther Street Medical Centre which is a purpose

It seems an age since a general history of Oxford University has come out, writes Will Stockland. A. L. Rowse’s amusing and opinionated Oxford in the History of the Nation (1975) was probably the last full-blooded attempt to weave together 800 years

JAKE Wright is on course to give Oxford United a much-needed boost ahead of Saturday’s crunch clash at home to Northampton Town. But the man who has deputised during the defender’s absence due to a groin injury is hoping he has given United boss

ONLY 36 hours remain for you to put forward the finest talent for the eighth Oxfordshire Sports Awards. Last year’s winners included Olympic and Paralympic rowing gold medallists Andy Triggs Hodge and Lily van den Broecke. With the Oxford Mail

A specialist unit set up to tackle child sex exploitation in the city has been pledged further funding. Oxfordshire County Council leader Ian Hudspeth yesterday said funding for the £1.1m Kingfisher unit would remain in place for as long as needed

We now have carte blanche to sit on the sofa watching TV, thanks to one of Britain's leading science writers. Simon Singh will be in Oxford next week to talk about his new book, The Simpsons And Their Mathematical Secrets. A former Cern physicist

A 42-year-old man was arrested yesterday after a Ford Transit van was stolen in Carterton. The van was found after it crashed into traffic lights in Steventon Hill, Steventon, near Didcot, and police were called at 4.20pm. A police helicopter

Jon Meades has been ruled out until the New Year after the midfielder’s ankle operation was not as simple as expected. The former AFC Wimbledon man went under the knife on Tuesday to repair damaged ligaments, but once the injury was opened up surgeons

HOUSEHOLDS will be hit by a gas and electricity bill hike, a power provider in the county announced today. The Southern Electric price hike will mean on average bills will rise by £2 per week, around £104 a year, from November 15. Southern

HOLDERS Kennington Club were knocked out in the first round of the Gracie J’s League Cup after a 3-2 defeat at Vikings Club. Allan Lacey gave the home side the lead, but Steven Sheard (6,440) and Mark Trafford, who hit a winning break of 5,000

Having billed itself as a festival for its first editions, OxDox has reinvented itself as an autumn documentary season. Playing at the Ultimate Picture Palace from 12 October to 7 November, curator Marie Wright seeks to document the real world with

With both OxDox and the London Film Festival launching this week, there is less time than usual to devote to the latest theatrical releases. Indeed, there is no room in the schedule at all for the DVD column, which will return in a fortnight. Apologies

THE finals night of the Greene King Oxford & District League will take place at Oxford Sports & Social Club, Roman Way on Friday, October 18. Meanwhile, Steve Walton hit 13 and 12 as Deddington opened their Banbury Indoor League season

OXFORD University scientists have found a way of delivering drugs to treat life-threatening cancers that have spread to the brain, according to new research. The study in mice and tissue samples used a protein called TNF that can track sites in

The Annual General Meeting of the Summertown Neighbourhood Forum takes place tonight. The meeting starts at 7.30pm at the North Oxford Association, Diamond Place.

LOUISE Preece, who has had both her breasts removed to reduce her chances of getting cancer, has told how she was too frightened to look at her scars in the days following her operation. Mrs Preece, 40, from Grove, underwent a 14-hour preventative

Bosses at new Asian-inspired shop and takeaway Itsu on the city’s Cornmarket Street say they served more than 10,000 customers in its first week of trading. Julian Metcalfe, founder of the discount outlet, said: “The excitement and interest we’

A fax machine and a purse containing cash were taken after a thief smashed a window to get into a BMW. The crime happened at an unrevealed location in Boars Hill between 9am and 10am on Sunday. Anyone with information should call police on

DANCERS with two left feet are being invited to try out some new routines. Fitness charity Go Active is running Zumba, Latin and Ballroom dance classes for first-timers, and a new dance and fitness regime. Fiona McNally, 32, from Grove, will

A CAMPAIGN group has urged a council leader to ditch a major redevelopment of Botley’s West Way shops, warning the scheme has “grown out of all proportion”. West Way Community Concern said landowner Vale of White Horse District Council should drop

OXFORDSHIRE opened their indoor season with a surprise loss in a friendly against Wiltshire at Westlecot Indoor BC. Despite president Phil Woodville leading his rink to a 32-17 victory, Oxon triumphed on only one more rink skipped by Bill Lucas

A BID to unlock £1.9bn of investment for improved transport links, growth and job creation in Oxfordshire is about to be signed, sealed and delivered. The county council will officially submit its bid for “city deal” status before the deadline

Eyebrows have been raised over ‘bookish’ Mariella Frostrup’s involvement in the tacky Channel 4 series Sex Box in which couples have sex in a box and then talk about it. “Watching Frostrup front this show is a bit like catching your sister slip a sex

Indifferent to desperate hand wafts and wailing, the sight of irate adults karate chopping at thin air has become a reassuringly timeless image. Indeed, after the fly, the wasp is surely our most disliked insect. We can forgive the bee for stinging