Archive

  • Practical Italian style, plus an optional espresso maker

    AT first glance the only obvious link between Fiat’s funky little 500 and the five-door 500L is the name. But the pair share some fantastically Italian eccentricities. While the 500 is a fashion-led, mildly-retro, cheeky city car for the young

  • More could join community activities in East Oxford

    MEMBERS of a community centre are hoping to extend its reach to an extra 500 homes and make it more accessible to people in the area. Florence Park Community Association, based at the Florence Park Community Centre in Cornwallis Road, Oxford, wants

  • Celebrating growth of the modern apprentice + Video

    WITH the country marking the end of its seventh National Apprenticeships Week, new figures have revealed that Oxfordshire is bucking the trend when it comes to apprenticeships. Almost five per cent more youngsters in the county are choosing the

  • Pupils get into character to celebrate World Book Day

    POLLY Rumsby, six, and Amy Covell, 10, dressed up as Wally from the Where’s Wally? books on Wednesday. Pupils and staff from Deddington Primary School all came in dressed as their favourite fictional characters. Polly, a Year Two pupil from

  • Immigration raid on six Didcot restaurants

    Immigration officers have arrested 17 illegal workers following a series of raids in Didcot last night. Officers from the Home Office visited six restaurants and takeaways in Broadway in the town centre at 6.25pm yesterday. All those arrested

  • Elderly couple in hospital following Deddington car crash

    An elderly couple have been taken to hospital after a car crash in Deddington. The couple’s blue Rover collided with a van on Oxford Road at the junction with Chapmans Lane in the village shortly before 11am. The fire service, police and paramedics

  • Oxford Mail Baby of the Year 2014

      IT’S TIME for Oxfordshires’s bonniest babies and cutest kids to step forward for the Oxford Mail Baby of the Year 2014 competition.   The annual contest aims to show off the smiles of the county’s children – and offers one lucky family

  • Women Who Live Their Dreams

    A film festival — Women Who Live Their Dreams — is showcasing some incredible female documentary filmmakers from around the world, in the run-up to International Women’s Day. Students from around Oxford were encouraged to make films to submit for a

  • Inside Oxford - A walk on the wild side

    Alison Boulton digs beneath the city's dreaming spires Walking with friends from London on a country walk just outside Oxford, one of their children stopped dead, and pointed downwards. “What’s that?” they asked. “It’s a cowpat.” The

  • Inside Oxford - Kicking about against the Game Boy trap

    "Thanks to the tireless efforts of volunteers, another star player may emerge" writes Alison Boulton Every Saturday morning Oxfordshire explodes with youthful vigour, as children and teenagers all over the county throw off their duvets and head

  • The Good Life - Rammy gets a bit aggressive

    Valentine was a cute lamb – everyone’s favourite. But he has grown into a troublesome adult ram. He doesn’t appreciate the company of our more valuable pedigree ram Percy – and often gives you a quick and sometimes painful punt if you’re not paying

  • Off with the gloves - Cuddly rabbits are a nuisance

    All my life I’ve considered rabbits quite cute, relatively harmless little creatures and was definitely on the side of poor Peter Rabbit versus the nasty Mr McGregor. But now I’ve got two acres of garden to cultivate, I am afraid that my mind-set

  • Tattoos hold fear for women

    Rebecca Moore discovers why more females are getting inked and that they are the stronger sex when it comes to the pain of the needle Over the past few months, Twitter and Instagram have been alight with images of celebrity tattoos, with the likes

  • Concerns over cycle death junction

    A JUNCTION where a cyclist was fatally injured was an “accident waiting to happen”, say residents. Janet Hagerty, 68, of Stonehill Walk, Abingdon, died after a collision with a car at the junction of Preston Road and Kensington Close last Wednesday

  • The top lifestyle picks this week

    Check out the top features, interviews and columns from this week's Friday Life Bestselling novelist and Oxford old girl Joanna Trollope believes women can have the career and the children and shouldn’t feel guilty about it. Rebecca

  • Oxford Savvy - Spare tots the Barbie trauma

    Rebecca Moore has some thoughts on an artists controversial new project Recently, I saw an art exhibition called It’s a matter of trust that used Barbie dolls to depict domestic violence. Sam Humphreys, a 41-year-old artist, created the work because

  • All aboard the Disney Magic - it's Mickey ahoy!

    Holidays don’t come more dream-like than this. Josie Clarke and her two lucky children hop aboard the Disney Magic for a fantastical cruise As someone whose childhood did not involve a lot of Disney, those Mickey ears are a constant source of amazement

  • On The Cusp: Lent is for life - not just 40 days

    The start of Lent on Wednesday brings about a second chance. A clean slate to repent of all your sinful January woes, and retrieve those New Year’s resolutions. Maybe this time you will slip in a 5km run every morning and you’ll even bound

  • Fashionista: Charity shops are really cool

    Charity shops smell. They sell old clothes for old people and I wouldn’t be seen dead in one...’ Or at least that’s the general consensus on the state of Britain’s charity shops. Many people think of charity shops and second hand shops as the places

  • The Whole Tooth - Suddenly, I'm a fashion expert

    Anyone who knows me well will confirm that for 51 weeks of the year, my fashion knowledge; indeed fashion interest is non existent. When I’m not at work, I’m much more likely to be found in slightly tatty gym kit accessorised with some grubby gardening

  • A smashing time at the shops with vanishing spouse

    I keep losing my husband. In shops. Careless, I know. Actually I should be thankful that he enjoys shopping. I should be even more thankful that sometimes he’s the one who suggests we should go shopping. I lost him in Banbury recently. Just

  • ‘Career women are fact not fiction’ Joanna Trollope

    Bestselling novelist and Oxford old girl Joanna Trollope believes women can have the career and the children and shouldn’t feel guilty about it. Jaine Blackman reports Famed for her family dramas which always feature contemporary social issues,

  • Lorry causes Botley Road log-jam

    MOTORISTS were held-up in queues on Botley Road this morning after reports a lorry caused a log-jam. Witnesses said an HGV approached the railway bridge but the driver then realised his vehicle wouldn't fit underneath, causing traffic to build-up

  • Let us know about your local projects

    WE would love to hear from your readers about local Lottery-funded projects that deserve national recognition for their work. The National Lottery Awards, the annual celebration of the UK’s favourite Lottery-funded projects, shine a light on the

  • Plans are detrimental to Botley community

    THE contribution by Councillor Matthew Barber (‘Should £100m West Way shops redevelopment be given approval?’, February 5) shows how low local democracy has fallen. The period for comments on Doric’s proposals still has three weeks to run, but Cllr

  • Company had no right to give me a parking ticket

    I HAVE had some issues with rogue parking tickets in Oxford which I think people should be made aware of. I have complained to the council, the local police, trading standards and to the British Parking Association, and all have either not responded

  • Grass verges a disgrace due to people parking

    I SHOULD like to put my view of the disgraceful sight of once nice-looking grass verges at Maryfield, Wantage. The grass verges on both sides are now a disgrace due to parking where people ignore the parking signs. Some park all day, making

  • You never know who you’ll be sitting next to...

    ONLY an ignoramus would have failed to greet the smartly dressed chap who sat alongside me in the Water Eaton park-and-ride waiting room. “Good morning,” I said warmly. He returned the thought and followed it with an unsolicited potted CV –

  • State must regulate dog owners

    THE West should keep out of foreign politics until they sort out their own problems at home. One prime example is that the Government can take children into care because they are obese, while they allow other children to be killed by dogs which their

  • I have also seen black squirrel in Cowley area

    FOLLOWING the recent article on February 24, I too have seen a black squirrel near a friend’s house in Wykeham Crescent, Cowley. David Boore spotted a black squirrel in Oxford city This was also (December 7, or 14) and it ran across about

  • This huge development belongs out of town

    TIMES are “tough” as Cllr Barber concedes (March 5). If Doric’s smash-and-grab plans for an out-of-town size retail park go ahead, it could get a lot tougher for all living here. It’ll be tough on local traders in temporary buildings with bulldozers

  • It will be sad day for us if Gladiator's Club closes

    AFTER reading about The Gladiator Club sale, it’s disgusting to think we might not have a club. It’s a lovely place. They are so kind. Christine Burden is a wonderful woman. She is always there for you. We are all pensioners. We really need some

  • The good, the bad and the ugly of county’s public art

    Public art is a tricky area. It’s very difficult to get right. Believe me I know. One piece of art is about to “go up” in Didcot; another sculpture, in the view of many people, should “come down” in Oxford, The Swirl sculpture will arrive next

  • Meades out to repay United

    Jon Meades is in a hurry to begin paying Oxford United back for their support after seven months on the sidelines. The midfielder is back in full training, giving United the rare luxury of a senior squad without any injuries. It is the first

  • Body in woods believed to be missing woman

    A body found in a wood near Oxford yesterday morning is believed to be that of a missing woman. Joanna Stannard, 28, was last seen at her home in Bullingdon Road, East Oxford, on Tuesday. In a police appeal, made on Wednesday evening, investigators

  • University fifth place

    Oxford University has slipped down the international rankings, according to research. The Times Higher World Reputation Rankings put the university in fifth place, down one from last year. There were 12 British universities in the top 100,

  • Barristers in walkout

    Barristers and solicitors from Oxford are expected to take part in a nationwide walkout today to protest against planned cuts to legal aid. It will be the second time the Criminal Bar Association has tried to bring the court system to a standstill

  • Men flee after home owner's challenge

    Three men fled from a home in Berry Close, Oxford, after the owner challenged their claim that they were from the Inland Revenue. Police have urged residents to be on their guard following the incident on Wednesday at 7.45pm. The female occupier

  • Lenagan takes advice on board in Oxford United manager search

    OXFORD United’s board are consulting with trusted figures outside of the club to assist their hunt for a new manager. It is almost six weeks since Chris Wilder left, and the end of the process may still be some way off after club owner Ian Lenagan

  • RUGBY UNION: Keats back with Welsh as Burnell signs eight

    London Welsh announced eight new signings yesterday, including the return of scrum half Tyson Keats. Welsh have bolstered their squad to 47 players as their push for promotion from the Greene King IPA Championship gathers pace. Keats, whose

  • Anti-fraud chief stole £64,000 from Oxfam

    THE former head of counter-fraud at Oxfam is facing jail for taking more than £64,000 from the charity. Edward McKenzie-Green admitted carrying out the fraud when he became addicted to prescription painkillers. The Old Bailey heard fraud expert

  • Wright: United front is key to finishing the job

    JAKE Wright has launched a rallying call for everyone connected with Oxford United to help capitalise on their position in the Sky Bet League Two promotion race. A 3-0 defeat at Rochdale last weekend saw the U’s slip five points adrift of the automatic

  • Bargain hunters queue up as H&M opens doors

    SHOPPERS poured into Oxford’s Clarendon Centre yesterday for the opening of the new H&M shop. Bargain hunters started queueing before 9.30am, more than an hour-and-a-half before the store opened, as they tried to be first in line to check out

  • COMMENT: Councils need to act over traffic pressures

    THERE is nothing new in the fears that a revamped Westgate Centre will add to the traffic pressure on the city’s fragile road network. But this can’t be used to hold up what is a fundamental cornerstone to the future prosperity of our city.

  • Oxford United's home run down to mindset - Mullins

    JOHNNY Mullins believes Oxford United’s improving home form is down to subtle changes made in the last few weeks. Results at the Kassam Stadium were hard to come by earlier in the campaign, but the U’s have picked up ten points out of a possible

  • 'More city traffic problems could turn shoppers away'

    SHOPPERS could be put off coming into Oxford if potential traffic problems posed by new developments aren’t addressed, it has been claimed. Keith Slater of the Oxfordshire Town Chamber Network, said it was not yet clear what measures would be taken

  • Family ordered to pull down illegal back garden building

    OXFORD city councillors have ordered a Headington family to take down a £25,000 back garden building used as a study centre and gym. Tursem Singh Turna owns the house in Dene Road and his brother Kuldip Singh Turna lives there with his wife and

  • RUGBY LEAGUE: Pair's form is tonic for Oxford

    Oxford RL will hope for more of the same from star men Sean Morris and Callum Mulkeen when they visit Gateshead Thunder in Kingstone Press Championship 1 tomorrow. Full back Morris was named the league’s player of the week for his two-try display

  • Power cut affects 700

    A power cut affected more than 700 people in the area yesterday. A spokesman from Scottish & Southern Electric confirmed that a fault occurred shortly after 6am. Engineers were able to identify the problem and restore power to the affected

  • Woman injured after collision with bus

    A woman was injured when she was involved in a collision with a bus on Wednesday. The accident took place in Worcester Street, near the New Street junction, at 6.34pm, police say. The woman suffered minor injuries. She was treated by ambulance

  • RUGBY UNION: Hawks sign on Exiles pair for survival fight

    Henley Hawks have signed London Welsh pair Ollie Frost and Mike Denbee on loan to boost their hopes of avoiding relegation from National 1. Scrum half Frost starts tomorrow’s home clash with Wharfedale, while flanker Denbee joins prop Billy Moss

  • TENNIS@ Sports teams wobble in double title pursuit

    Title-chasing Oxford Sports suffered their first defeat in the Thames Valley Winter League’s Men’s Premier Division. Sports lost 6-2 at Virgin Active, with Ben Calnan and John Loosemoore defeating Ben Coomber and Dave Tuck 7-6, 6-2 in the top match

  • CYCLING: Dant denied but Bigham takes title

    Oxonian's Lydia Dant just missed out on the top ladies’ prize at the Banbury Star Hard Riders 23-mile time trial. Dant completed the challenging course on the A422 Banbury to Stratford road in a time of 1hr 8mins 50secs. But Marina Bloom (Rugby

  • BADMINTON: Super Cook bags bronze for England

    Alex Cook won a bronze medal for England during a very successful week. The under 15 player, from Chinnor, began a stellar seven days by reaching the last 16 of the boys’ singles at the European Championships in Switzerland. Cook lost to the

  • FOOTBALL: Gee hoping new duo provide lift for North Leigh

    North Leigh boss Mark Gee is hoping that the double signing of Mark Bell and Liam Malone can give his side the boost they need ahead of a congested fixture list. The duo are set to join from Oxford City and will go straight into the squad for tomorrow

  • FOOTBALL Ford focused on future after City's week to forget

    Oxford City boss Mike Ford is desperate to sign off a traumatic week on a high. After seeing his side docked three points on Monday for fielding a player (Liam Malone) while suspended, City lost 1-0 at Skrill North's bottom club Workington 24 hours

  • FOOTBALL: Stein upbeat about Blossom injury

    Banbury United boss Edwin Stein thinks Wayne Blossom’s injury is not as serious as initially thought. Blossom was stretchered off in the 1-0 defeat at home to Tamworth in the Birmingham Senior Cup on Tuesday night with a suspected broken leg.

  • FIXTURES: March 8-14

      Saturday FOOTBALL SKY BET LEAGUE TWO Oxford Utd v Burton Albion. SKRILL NORTH Oxford City v Leamington. CALOR LEAGUE Premier Div: Hitchin Tn v Banbury Utd. Div 1 South & West: Didcot Tn v Tiverton Tn, Wimborne

  • Disabled baby’s mum demands £300k in damages

    A DIDCOT mother whose daughter was left severely disabled after being starved of oxygen at birth is seeking £300,000 in compensation. Matilda Hunt-Brough wants money from Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust after daughter Abigail, five, suffered

  • Celebrities doodle their bit to support epilepsy charity

    The Simpsons creator Matt Groening used to get told off in school for doodling. But his story shows that sometimes doodling can pay off and Oxfordshire celebrities including illustrator Korky Paul, Harry Potter actress Miriam Margolyes, newspaper

  • Breakdown causes A34 delays

    A BROKEN down van caused queues for drivers on the A34 this morning. The vehicle was on the A34 northbound near East Ilsley in the south of the county. Live updates will be automatically posted on our Live Traffic Service  

  • Scooter rider injured in A34 collision

    A man was taken to hospital yesterday after a collision on the A34. The incident involved a white Transit van and a scooter on the northbound road, between the Milton interchange and the Marcham junction. The scooter rider suffered minor injuries

  • Fashion Week talk on ethical clothing issues

    OXFORD Fashion Week has showed that fashion may be fun, but it can also be ethical by hosting a speaker event about the impact of clothing production. On Wednesday, Oxford Fashion Week held a panel on the impact of fashion on the environment, global

  • Friday, March 7

    Here's a bit of music to start your day from our Local Bands Showcase, brought to you with the help of the O2 Oxford Academy Breakdown causes A34 delays. A judge has told Oxfam fraudster Edward McKenzie-Green he

  • Jury deliberates over rape verdict

    THE jury has retired to consider its verdict in the trial of a man accused of raping a woman in an Oxford alleyway. Jordan Gibbs, of Saxon Way, Headington, denies two counts of rape and one of sexual assault on September 30, 2012. The 26-year-old

  • PM in trains row

    PRIME Minister and Witney MP David Cameron hailed investment in county rail services in a Commons spat with former Labour Foreign Secretary Jack Straw. Blackburn MP Mr Straw – who has a home in Mr Cameron’s constituency – said he was “astonished

  • Mentally-ill man sentenced for knife offence

    A MENTALLY-ILL man who wandered from home and produced a knife when police tried to approach him, has been given a community order. Matthias Townsend, of Spindleberry Close, Blackbird Leys, Oxford, pleaded guilty to one count of possessing a bladed

  • Muskets at dawn for lessons in war

    PUPILS got to grips with 17th-century weapons during a special lesson on the English Civil War. The Year Eight class at Wheatley Park School enjoyed a visit from English historical association and charity Sealed Knot, on Wednesday. They heard

  • TENNIS: Oxon Under 18s seal promotion

    Oxfordshire's boys boys celebrated promotion after winning Group 4A of the Aegon 18 & Under County Cup in Hull. Oxon opened up with a 7-2 win against Derbyshire before edging out West Scotland 5-4. It all came down to the final set of the

  • Hundreds get set for delayed Oxford 10k run

    ABOUT 400 runners are set to take part in the first Oxford 10k, which was delayed because of flooding. The run, originally set for January 26, was delayed after Cutteslowe Park, North Oxford, flooded and it will now take place on Sunday at Tilsley

  • Primary on the up, says Ofsted

    A primary school has gone up from being rated satisfactory to good. Drayton Community Primary School in Hilliat Fields, Abingdon, was visited by Ofsted inspectors at the beginning of February. The school, which has 145 pupils, was told the

  • Orange artwork quenches the thirst of gallery visitors

    VISITORS to Modern Art Oxford have been tucking in with gusto to an interactive sculpture on display at Modern Art Oxford. Titled Pyramid Soul City, the piece by South African artist Roelof Louw, encourages visitors to each take an orange from

  • Rising demand puts squeeze on ambulance response times

    AMBULANCES are increasingly struggling to get to patients in time because of an increase in calls. Between April and December 2012, the service received 122,352 calls. This rose to 129,856 in April to December last year. And a higher number

  • Oxford children zoom in on the art of movie-making

    TEN-year-old Kirsty Gifford carefully positioned the camera to get her fellow film-makers in shot at a free filming session. The weekly workshops, for young people aged between eight and 14, are taking place at the Barton Neighbourhood Centre,

  • New Oxford Tube coaches to be wheeled in

    STAGECOACH has said it will be replacing its entire fleet of Oxford Tube coaches this year. It is part of what the company says is the biggest order ever placed by any bus operator in Britain – costing more than £100m. The company will be replacing