Archive

  • RUGBY UNION: Welsh's superb late fightback falls just short

    Bristol 25, London Welsh 21 LONDON Welsh’s hopes of finishing top of the table were dashed when they lost narrowly to leaders Bristol at the Memorial Ground last night. From 22-0 down, Welsh staged a magnificent comeback to  salvage a losing

  • Plea to help catch the Charlbury tyre slasher

    A MYSTERY vandal has been slashing car tyres and causing thousands of pounds worth of damage in Charlbury. Police are now appealing for help in catching the culprit after four cars were vandalised last week. Market Street resident Guy Ker,

  • ‘I’m going for gold and my 10th gong’

    GUEST house owner Narinder Bhella is among those vying for glory in this year’s Oxford in Bloom contest. The owner of the Green Gables Guest House in Abingdon Road has won nine awards in the annual contest.and scooped a gold award for his bright

  • RAF Brize Norton crews go ‘quackers’ for duck race

    RAF personnel at Brize Norton are used to flying the latest mighty aircraft but on May 5 they will be hoping far less hi-tech winged creatures take off. They are launching a duck race on Bank Holday Monday, May 5, to support the Royal Air Forces

  • Update: M40 cleared after earlier reports of collision

    TRAFFIC on the M40 near junction eight near Milton Common has returned to normal following a reports of it slowing due to an accident. There were reports of an incident involving two vehicles, but Thames Valley Police said it involved just one

  • Eco boom town near Bicester with £1.65bn investment

    BICESTER will enjoy £1.65bn in investment by 2031, according to a new report ordered by council leaders. It states that investment such as a planned 4,300 homes – including an “eco town” – along with businesses and a town centre redevelopment is

  • Cafe creates space to discuss the big sleep

    NOTHING is certain in life, so they say, except death and taxes. But while most of us are happy to vent opinion on the latter, the subject of mortality remains taboo – too depressing to think about, too morbid to discuss, and definitely not something

  • Oxford Utd 0, York City 1 (Coulson pen 47)

    OXFORD United's play-off fate is no longer in their hands after they were leapfrogged by York City, who won the Good Friday meeting between the sides at the Kassam Stadium. Michael Coulson's penalty early in the second half proved the difference

  • Mum’s anguish as twin girls given different school places

    A MOTHER is angry because her twin daughters – one of whom has special needs – face being sent to different secondary schools. Eleven-year-old Holly Barney – who has Turner syndrome which means she has learning difficulties, a growth hormone deficiency

  • Donations in memory of runner Claire Squires bring in £1.15m

    ABOUT £1.15m has been raised by the Claire Squires Fund in memory of the runner who died after collapsing one mile from the finishing line of the London Marathon two years ago. Ms Squires, 30, a hairdresser, was raising money for the Banbury and

  • Luxury and stamina combine in king of the people carriers

    LONG gone is the time when all drivers expected from a people carrier was space, space and more space. The popularity of the vehicles quickly moved them out of the utilitarian van-like sector, with their soaring levels of comfort and equipment.

  • Major the dog: a companion who found fame in a book

    Major was born on a farm in Wales, on February 5, 2005, a pedigree wire-haired Dachshund. His brother went on to win prizes at Crufts but Major came home to Oxford with me, and was sick in the car. Kids would look at him and ask ‘Is that a

  • Oxford Utd v York City - updates

    4:53pm FT: #oufc 0 #ycfc 1 Coulson’s penalty the difference, sending York back into the play-offs. Utd drop out and are playing catch-up. — @OxfordMailOUFC 18 April 2014  

  • Friday, April 18

    6:06pm Update: The M40 is cleared after reports of an earlier collision near Milton Common  11:29am Don't miss today's Good Friday Oxford mail for your free

  • Make savings by all means but not at the expense of Cowley

    WE are endlessly told how about our rising obesity. Diabetes alone costs the NHS a great deal of money. Temple Cowley Pools and gym tick all the health, sport, leisure and recreation boxes. Cowley is densely populated and is in the process of building

  • A long way to go before I congratulate the police

    BEFORE the police get too pleased with themselves about how they are doing, look at the results as published last week. On the results for my area, south Oxfordshire and Vale, five of the various types of crime, out of eight, were up. These were

  • Green Party’s record speaks for itself

    I HAD to check it wasn’t April Fools’ Day when I learned the Green Party were emphasising housing as part of their election campaign (April 16). I can barely remember an occasion when housing has been proposed and the Greens haven’t been bopping

  • Spoilt for choice... and I hate it!

    Rebecca Moore has a dilemma over two options both with cons but also plenty of pros I have just made a massive life decision. I can’t go back on it and I’m still not sure whether it’s correct. I had to decide whether to stay in Oxford or move

  • Choice is yours: a Ferrarri now or food for later

    Fancy a Ferrari, trip to the Caribbean or a brand new, top-of-the-range kitchen? All you have to do is keep getting older and you’re there. I’m talking about the changes to pensions, announced in George Osborne’s Budget last month. If you’re

  • On the trail of choccy goodies

    Easter. The time of year when you’d imagine dentists around the world are rubbing their hands together waiting for the onslaught of chocolate induced toothaches. A two-week sugar-fuelled festival of all things sweet, veiled in the message of new

  • Tune in, chill out and enjoy some vintage rocking

    Liz Nicholls urges you to check out Jimi Hendrix Night and highlights what else is on offer for the long Easter weekend Summer is coming. Yes, unless you like the idea of being eaten by frozen zombies and wrapping yourself in muddy furs, the arrival

  • Improved food and health is all in the genes

    Vegetarian, vegan or carnivore, you eat more than 100 trillion genes every day. Every time you eat anything that was alive – bananas, eggs, Weetabix, carrots, fish or the peanut butter on toast I ate for breakfast this morning – you are also downing

  • Clare Mackintosh is playing it by the book

    Writer, former cop and Chipping Norton Literary Festival founder Clare Mackintosh finds a little time to talk to Jaine Blackman Clare Mackintosh’s blog is called More Than Just A Mother for good reason. As well as being mum to seven-year-old

  • This week's top lifestyle stories

    Take a look at the best features, news and reviews from this week's Friday Life supplement   Writer, former cop and Chipping Norton Literary Festival founder Clare Mackintosh finds a little time to talk to Jaine Blackman Silent

  • Valuable community asset must not be sold

    THE Gladiator Club in East Oxford is a private club, but don’t think it is for the elite or for those who drink gin and tonic and sip Martinis. This is a social club for the salt of the earth – lorry drivers, factory workers, retired school teachers

  • I think a Shakespeare quote is appropriate here

    PERHAPS the most appropriate words to use in commenting on Oxford City Council’s ruling which led to the cancellation of the Cowley Road Passion Play, are those of Shakespeare’s when he said: ‘Man, proud man, drest in a little brief authority.... plays

  • Time to get facts right over Blair involvement

    TONY Blair may be responsible for many things but contrary to the contention of P. Howard (April 14), taking the UK into the EU is not one of them. Tory PM, Edward Heath, did that in 1973 and in 1975 the Labour Government of Harold Wilson held

  • Predicted development rates are unsustainable

    I READ with interest your article and letters column recording the likelihood of massive development in Oxfordshire up to 2031 and a certain euphoria surrounding the news. We should all be careful what we wish for. A total of 106,000 houses roughly

  • Warming to a shed

    Alison Boulton digs beneath the city's dreaming spires Visiting an agricultural show in the middle of summer, the clouds suddenly darkened and torrential rain fell. To escape a soaking, I took refuge with my children in a wendy house exhibit.

  • Make bike riding as safe as it's enjoyable

    Alison Boulton digs beneath the city's dreaming spires Dusting off my cycle for the warm Spring weather is an annual ritual. With the sun and the bees, it’s a buzz. Even if you lack Bradley Wiggins’ sideburns, or Chris Hoy’s legs, it can be

  • It's chocs away for sweet-tasting festival

    Yael rose tells Jaine Blackman what inspired her to organise Oxford Chocolate Festival which arrives this week Watching TV in 2008 Yael Rose – the woman behind the Oxford Chocolate Festival – had a bit of an epiphany. “I was always a chocoholic

  • Stop stressing and go for a run

    Stress: the word that litters the vocabulary of the young teen and shortly becomes a permanent resident. It is remarkable how its mere sibilant sound actually manages to evoke a sense of panic; the brain is frenzied, and you’re left in a dark rut.

  • 'I'm enjoying a tasty legacy'

    Sheena Patterson of Oxford Garden Design is eating the fruits of somebody else's green labours I’m feeling uncharacteristically smug and organised about feeding the hordes who will be descending en masse chez Patterson for Easter Sunday lunch.

  • Actress Emilia Fox thinks everything in the garden's lovely

    Silent Witness star and Oxford graduate Emilia Fox talks to Jaine Blackman At the end of a hard day’s filming, Silent Witness star Emilia Fox likes nothing better than to venture into her oasis of calm, with its walls of lavender, pretty clematis

  • Remembering when lunches were all liquid

    Last week I met Jo, a lovely friend I’ve known since the 80s, for lunch in a bar. As we automatically ordered lime and sodas we reminisced about how much lunch breaks have changed over the past 30 years. When I first left school, part of the

  • City traders to get a new champion

    AN empty traders’ champion post will be filled, council bosses have said, following fears the under-review role will be axed. Oxford City Council is seeking a new city centre manager after previous manager Gordon Reid stepped down in January.

  • Josh's joy at new Oxford United deal

    JOSH Ruffels was thrilled to sign a lengthy new contract at Oxford United after admitting his first season at the club had exceeded expectations. The 20-year-old, who was due to become a free agent this summer, put pen to paper yesterday on an

  • Memories stick for Constable during Oxford United's run-in

    A RANDOM find in the back of a drawer this week has given James Constable added inspiration ahead of today’s game. The Oxford United striker was looking through some paperwork on Wednesday when he made the unexpected discovery. “I found a memory

  • COMMENT: Passion Play apology is to be applauded

    FAIR play to Oxford City Council and licensing officer Julian Alison for confessing that he did not realise there was a religious aspect to the Passion Play planned for Cowley Road. Clearly in this case a mistake was made and it was an embarrassing

  • Cycle heaven at £10 a head

    CYCLING freeways and quiet ways as well as cutting Oxford’s remaining 30mph speed limits to 20mph are the cornerstone of a new manifesto from campaigners. Cyclox members created a new group called Cycletopia and this week handed in a vision it

  • Jury acquits radio DJ of sex charges

    RADIO DJ Emma Stanfield has walked free from Oxford Crown Court after being unanimously cleared yesterday of engaging in sexual activity with a child. The 40-year-old Radio Cherwell presenter and Strictly Oxford contestant, above, was accused of

  • Oxford United's boss wants a 'very Good Friday'

    GARY Waddock has called on Oxford United to back up last weekend’s fine performance with another against York City as he targets a ‘very Good Friday’ today (3). United go into the game in the final play-off place after leapfrogging the Minstermen

  • Kitson tips Oxford United's O'Dowda for a big future

    DAVE Kitson is convinced Callum O’Dowda has a big future after seeing the way the youngster dealt with a miss last weekend. The winger headed wide from close range at Plymouth Argyle, in what was only his second league start. But Kitson was

  • Gagging politicians is ‘not acceptable’ says minister

    A GOVERNMENT minister has criticised a town council’s proposal to ban councillors from talking to the media without getting written permission first. Local Government Minister Brandon Lewis said democratically elected politicians should not be

  • Delays follow crash

    A crash between a lorry and a bus on the Wolvercote roundabout caused traffic delays yesterday. The collision – which happened just after 9am – caused traffic to build up on the A40 Northern bypass. Nobody was injured in the accident. Thames

  • A lifetime of memories as Margaret marks her 100th

    SHE has experienced a century of change in Oxford. But a modest Margaret Rose, who turns 100 today, said she’ll treat it as “just another day”. She will be in good company on her birthday with staff at the St Andrew’s care home in London Road,

  • York City looking to repeat Fratton exploits at Oxford United

    YORK City boss Nigel Worthington believes their victory at Fratton Park last month was good preparation for this afternoon’s clash against Oxford United. The Minstermen won 1-0 in front of 16,000 at Portsmouth to help get them into contention for

  • A44 speeders caught

    A driver was caught speeding at 76mph in a 50mph zone on the A44 yesterday morning. Police were carrying out a speed check operation on a stretch of the road. Pc Mark Pilling, of the roads policing team, said 60 speeding tickets were issued

  • Cyclist, 12, died from a severe head injury

    An inquest was opened into the death of 12-year-old cyclist Mateusz Kucinski yesterday. Oxfordshire coroner Darren Salter said the boy, who lived in Cherrytree Close, was with two school friends when there was a collision with a car as he tried

  • Comedian backs sacked Miss Oxfordshire contestant

    SACKED Miss Oxfordshire contestant, Georgia Eden, said she has received a personal message of support from comedian David Walliams. Miss Eden, 22, from Abingdon, was kicked out of the contest for tweeting an “implied topless” photo of herself for

  • TENNIS: Oxford Sports complete top-flight title double

    Oxford Sports completed a club double by clinching the Thames Valley League Ladies’ Division 1 championship with a crushing 7-1 win away to Portcullis. Sports have already taken the Men’s top-flight title. Virgin Active defeated Abingdon 6-

  • POINT-TO-POINT: Whittington hands Venant debut at Lockinge

    Sparsholt trainer Joanna Whittington is set to provide Jordon Venant with his first ride in public when she runs Cuban Piece at the Old Berks Hunt meeting at Lockinge, near Wantage, on Easter Monday. Whittington was master of the Old Berks hounds

  • Covered Market robbery suspects bailed again

    Three robbery suspects have all been rebailed again by police investigating a raid where a suspected robber died. The Oxford men, aged 31, 32, and 43, were arrested in connection with the robbery at John Gowing Jewellers in the city’s Covered Market

  • RUGBY UNION: Exiles' form augurs well for play-off bid

    GREENE KING IPA CHAMPIONSHIP DANIEL Browne says London Welsh’s form against their top-four rivals bodes well for the play-offs. Browne hopes Welsh’s 100 per cent record against their fellow promotion contenders remains after tonight’s clash

  • FOOTBALL: Gee urges Millers to keep up pressure

    CALOR LEAGUE NORTH Leigh manager Mark Gee has backed his side to keep up the heat on their Division 1 South & West play-off rivals as they entertain struggling Clevedon Town tomorrow. The Millers have won their last three matches, scoring

  • Biker and cyclist hurt

    A biker and cyclist were taken to hospital after a crash in Chainhill Road yesterday. The motorcyclist was left with leg, back and arm injuries and the cyclist had leg and possible back injuries from the collision just before 7am. Both men were

  • Forgiveness over Easter play apology

    ORGANISERS of the cancelled Passion Play have forgiven a council officer who has admitted making a mistake. The Rev Adam Romanis, of SS Mary and John, in Cowley Road, Oxford, said the officer’s apology was “full and frank” and “smacked of sincerity

  • Oxford United youngster wins award

    SAMI Khawaja will be presented with the Kevin Durham Memorial Trophy before kick-off today. The annual award recognises the most promising under 15 player in Oxfordshire. Khawaja (pictured), from Headington, has been at United from under eight

  • Oxford exhibition chips away at stone carvers’ past

    IRISH artist Sean Lynch brought his show of stone carvings to Modern Art Oxford to honour tradesmen who made the city great. “A blow-by-blow account of stonecarving in Oxford” will run until June 8 and is inspired by brothers’ John and James O’

  • CRICKET: Oxfordshire gain benefit from Sussex link

    Oxfordshire have praised their relationship with Sussex as outstanding on the eve of their Twenty20 friendly match at Hove on Monday. Since the link-up between the two counties in August, Sussex have sent coaches to all Oxfordshire weekend coaching

  • Bailed over robbery

    Two teenagers have been bailed by detectives investigating an armed robbery at a Risinghurst betting shop. The 18-year-old men, both from Headington, were arrested after a raid at Stan James in Roundway last month. Both will now answer bail

  • RUGBY UNION: Welsh are eyeing up top spot

    LONDON Welsh attempt to go top of the Greene King IPA Championship table when they travel to leaders Bristol tonight (7.45). If the Exiles win and deny Bristol any bonus points, they will take over top spot. Head coach Justin Burnell makes

  • Four break into home

    Four people broke into a house in Danes Road on Tuesday while two children were on their own. Between 3.55pm and 4.10pm the male occupant left a 14-year-old and seven-year-old at home while he collected their mother. The four entered and searched

  • Drama for mum and baby in kitchen fire

    A mum and baby escaped a kitchen fire after a warning from the smoke alarm going off. She was upstairs with her baby when the fire broke out on Wednesday. The mum fled the house in Courtington Lane, leaving her baby with a neighbour, before

  • Drug review welcomed by parents of tragic teenager

    THE parents of a 16-year-old boy who took his own life after taking medication for his acne have said every day without him is still difficult. But Michael and Amanda Bowlby, from Kingston Lisle, near Wantage, have welcomed the news the Government

  • RUGBY UNION: Struggling Chinnor ring the changes

    SSE ENGLISH CLUBS CHAMPIONSHIP CHINNOR have made seven changes following their 56-19 hammering at Bournemouth in National 2 South. Prop Anthony Kent, hooker Joe Pickett, lock Andrew Smith, flanker Harry Betts, No 8 Ledua Jope, scrum half Frank

  • ‘Underage sex claims have had big effect on my life’

    A RADIO DJ cleared of sexual activity with a 15-year-old girl said the allegations have had a “hugely damaging” effect on her life. Presenter Emma Stanfield, of Chapel Street in East Oxford, was accused of knowing the girl was under age when they

  • RAF Falcons pass with flying colours

    IS it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it was the RAF Falcons parachute display team in freefall over Oxford. Adi Webb, 48, had been sitting in his mum June’s garden in Raymund Road, Marston having a cup of coffee on Wednesday at about 2pm when she

  • FIXTURES: April 19-26

    Friday April 19 FOOTBALL SKY BET LEAGUE TWO Oxford Utd v York City (3). RUGBY UNION GREENE KING IPA CHAMPIONSHIP Bristol v London Welsh (7.45). RUGBY LEAGUE KINGSTONE PRESS CHAMPIONSHIP ONE Oxford RL v Univ of Gloucestershire

  • CYCLING: Axford's team ease to victory

    Arctic Tacx Racing Team, headed by Oxford cyclist Danny Axford, made it two wins out of two with a two-minute victory over their nearest competitors in the Antelope 50km three-man team time trial in Chalgrove, Averaging 28mph, the Kent-based team posted

  • Union role for Witney teacher

    A WITNEY teacher is the new president of a teacher’s trade union. Geoff Branner, 59, will take over the role in the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT) today at its annual conference in Birmingham. He teaches

  • Raiders snatch wheels ahead of charity ride

    A RETIRED social worker training for a 279-mile cycle ride across China in aid of Women V Cancer has had the wheels of her bike stolen. Janice Lovegrove, 59, from Witney, lost her mother Grace to breast cancer aged 56 in 1984 and 30 years on decided

  • Flood-hit homes and firms set for package of support

    TRADERS and residents hit with bills because of flood damage could soon benefit from support measures. Oxford City Council is set to agree a number of measures aimed at helping those affected by the costs of the floods. Residents who were flooded

  • Mild winter brings bumper crop of bluebells

    A BUMPER crop of bluebells has begun to bloom across the county. The mild winter followed by a warm and sunny period have meant perfect conditions for it and other woodland flowers. Andy Foley, National Trust ranger at Badbury Clump near Faringdon

  • MOTORSPORT: Grosjean is paid at last

    Formula 1 ROMAIN Grosjean has confirmed he has finally been paid by the Enstone-based Lotus team. While former teammate Kimi Raikkonen announced last year he was owed money by Lotus, Grosjean kept his counsel. But the Frenchman has now

  • RUGBY LEAGUE: Don’t underestimate All Golds, warns skipper

    OXFORD RL must keep focused following their excellent victory away to York City Knights in Kingstone Press Championship One last week. Skipper Alex Thompson issued the warning ahead of their derby clash against University of Gloucestershire All

  • Botched plumbing caused sewage to flow into brook

    IFFLEY residents have spoken of their surprise that a nearby brook was being mistakenly used as an open sewer. Boundary Brook, a tributary of the River Thames, was contaminated by waste from toilets, sinks, showers and washing machines. Appliances

  • Ellie loses locks to support friend with cancer

    IT’S been a close shave for Ellie Thompson as she supports a friend with cancer. The 49-year-old Langford Village, Bicester, resident had her head shaved to raise cash for Maggie’s cancer care centre at Oxford’s Churchill Hospital. Almost

  • Consultation on latest plans for new Westgate

    A FRESH round of public consultations is to start on the next stage of the £400m redevelopment of the Westgate Centre. The developers behind the scheme will be canvassing people’s opinions on the new, detailed designs next week. The designs

  • PIGEON RACING RESULTS

    Oxford Central (Portland, 10 sent 96): 1, 3, 6 K Shipperley 1636, 1547.9,1537; 2, 4, 9, L Wheeler 1632, 1547.4, 1496.5; 11, 13 Mr & Mrs V Hall 1540, 1488, 1481; 7, 8 D Bowler 1517.8, 1517.3; 10, 20 K Raw 1489,1458; 12 M Higginson 1484,14,15, 17

  • GOLF: Pepperell's sorry start

    European Tour OXFORDSHIRE’S Eddie Pepperell endured a torrid opening round at the Maybank Malaysian Open in Kuala Lumpur. The Frilford Heath player was seven-over-par after 16 holes when storms ended play.