THOUSANDS of people run marathons every year, but Oxford’s roller derby team have skated one to raise money for Alzheimer’s Society. Nine members of Oxford Wheels of Gory roller derby team each skated 11 laps of the Goodwood Motor Circuit near
OXFORD’S position as a centre for social business was highlighted by the success of the first nationwide event on ethical investment in the UK. The event at the Friends Meeting House in St Giles brought together investors and people running renewable
A HI-TECH security expert has warned Oxfordshire entrepreneurs after the cyber attack on online auction house eBay. James Lyne, global head of security research at Sophos, said bosses should not believe they are too small to be targeted by online
On May 22 this year, 211,706 people voted Green across South East England and returned me to Brussels as a Green MEP for the region. At this election voters had a stark choice. On the one hand you’ve got four political parties, the Lib Dems, Labour
THE Twin Town Challenge began in grand style on Friday when 50 competing cars lined up along the driveway at Cornbury Park, the imposing stately home near Charlbury. And as they roared out of the gates on their way to famous British racetrack Brands
DRIVERS are facing delays on the exit slip road of the M40 southbound near Bicester due to a broken down vehicle. There are two lanes closed at Junction 9 between the A34 and A41 with traffic queuing up to the main carriageway. Police are on
A BROKEN down horse box is causing delays on the A40 Northern By-Pass Road in Marston. There is one lane closed on the Eastbound carriageway between B4150 Marsh Lane and A4142 Eastern By-Pass Road. Police were called at 3.40pm. Spokeswoman
TRAINSPOTTERS are getting all steamed up over a new arrival in Wallingford. Cholsey and Wallingford Railway took delivery of this 1953 Northern Gas Board loco on Friday and it was in use over the weekend. The engine was delivered to Wallingford
A FORMER Wantage councillor and restaurant owner who served his community for half a century has died aged 86. John Coates, of Naldertown, Wantage, ran restaurants in the town and in Grove. A Conservative, his career in local government began
A “MONSTER” £250,000 rail bridge was installed at the “insistence” of a council, it has been claimed. The bridge was moved into place earlier this month to replace Tubbs Crossing between Langford Village and Launton Road. It has since been
A HORSEMAN famous in racing circles for the stallions he bred and trained has died aged 87. David Muir, known as Ian Muir, set up Fawley Farm, near Wantage, which became Fawley Stud in the early 1950s. It was one of the largest of its kind in England
Former Supergrass frontman Gaz Coombes has been announced as one of the acts to play at the new Oxford Oxford festival this summer. The Oxford-born musician is the biggest name so far announced to play during the three day festival. Organisers
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Richard Jones on Harry Bingham's psychologically damaged detective Fiona Griffiths Fiona Griffiths has a razor-sharp intellect but is emotionally detached in her personal life. These character traits both drive and constrain her quest to understand
William Poole manages to avoid small talk on a trip to the hairdresser Going to the barber shop should be a calming experience but I dread it: it’s the small-talk. “On holiday today?” “No, I’m an academic, we’re just idle.” “Busy in town with tourists
How Oxford University of today relates to Christian theological tradition, by Werner G Jeanrond The crest of the University of Oxford includes the Latin inscription: Dominus illuminatio mea — God is my enlightenment. Is this motto a mere relic
During a friendly game of bridge over the weekend, I was dealt the distinctly unpromising hand pictured above (and my apologies to experts who will have noticed that the cards are not arranged in the correct order). I had no one but myself to blame
The steady disclosure of the plot is the principal pleasure for most of us in reading a novel. It is therefore irritating, to say the least, when this is revealed almost in its entirety, in one glance at the cover of the book. I complained many
A 100-METRE wall in Wantage which is falling into the road could take years to repair because no-one knows who owns it. A 30m stretch of footpath by the Wallingford Street wall was closed in January after council officers clearing ivy discovered
Christopher Gray enjoys his food at both ends of the day at the Porch House, a tenth-century inn The week of Rosemarie’s birthday began in suitably lavish style with lunch at Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons and ended on the anniversary day itself with
Helen Peacocke on the joys of a book about the new world of pasta shapes Most books that detail the history of pasta state it comes in more than 300 different shapes, whereas Antonio Carluccio, the master of Italian cookery, claims there are at
Public complain that many gardens are too similar, reports Val Bourne I have just been enjoying the Chelsea Flower Show and was lucky enough to meet Oxford resident Libby Purves, who gave a highly entertaining talk on her love of the theatre, mentioning
Learn how rubbish can be a wildlife haven and why hedgehogs might just save the world this weekend, says Wendy Tobitt Thousands of new homes will be built all over Oxford city this summer. That news caught your attention! If everyone who comes
Giles Woodforde speaks to George Peck of the Oxford School of Drama Just north of Woodstock, a rural cluster of buildings has become an arts powerhouse. The European Union Baroque Orchestra is based there, and almost next door is the Oxford School
There’s nothing more English than local amateur dramatics and no show that has more perfectly captured its essence than A Bunch of Amateurs. Written by Ian Hislop and Nick Newman, it has the incisive wit that I anticipated but its sharpness is judiciously
Christopher Gray tells how Patrick Marber's play shows a card game making fools of people A good knowledge of the rules and arcane varieties of poker comes in handy for prospective audience members at a performance of Patrick Marber’s gripping
THE Insider knows that planning is a complex area, which mere mortals frequently fall foul of. So he was perhaps not particularly surprised to notice that it befuddles even those who should know better. City councillor Mike Gotch, who happens
Giles Woodforde attends a five-star performance of Grease from the Oxford Operatic Society Grease, that pulsating, 1950s-style, rock’n’roll teenage angst musical, has come full circle. It started life as an amateur show in Chicago, and went on
BIOTECH firm Oxford Biomedica has launched a fundraising drive in a bid to secure more than £25m to develop its core technology. The company, based at the Oxford Science Park, will issue almost 1.3 billion new shares at a price of 2p each.
BAKERS and gardeners can join in with the first food swap at the Dean Court Community Centre in Botley. Organisers of Apples for Eggs, Fiona and Kirstie Wheeler, hope to make Saturday’s event a regular occurence. The food swap will see bakers
THE father of a former Oxford University press officer who died from carbon monoxide poisoning has set up an e-petition for compulsory alarms. Katie Haines died aged 31, a month after returning from her honeymoon in 2010 when carbon monoxide from
BANBURY MAGISTRATES Paul Hopkins, 31, of Bridge Street, Banbury, admitted stealing two DVDs worth £24 from Banbury Co-op on February 26. Given a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £24 compensation and a £24 victims’ surcharge.
WHEN Paul Needle sets off on a 100-mile cycle ride, the main thing on his mind will be beating a record set by his grandfather almost 90 years ago. In 1925, Mr Needle’s grandfather Percy clocked five hours and 23 minutes completing the Balham 100
A BMW plant worker who downloaded and shared hundreds of indecent images of children over 10 years has been jailed. Kelvin Merritt, of Chestnut Close, Chesterton, near Bicester, was yesterday handed a 21-month prison sentence at Oxford Crown Court
Giles Woodforde talks to David Parry, conductor of Garsington Opera The eponymous star is nowhere to be seen on the day I visit rehearsals for Garsington Opera’s new production of Offenbach’s operetta Vert-Vert. Or maybe he’s already been banished
Mark Heelis enjoys eclectic performances by the former Doves band member and his opening act Jimi Goodwin O2 Academy Oxford Judging by tonight’s mediocre attendance you would be forgiven for asking the question ‘Jimi who?’
Tim Hughes speaks to St. Etienne pin-up girl Sarah Cracknell about a new book charting her band's history For indie-music lovers of a certain vintage, Sarah Cracknell is the ultimate pin-up girl. The sugar-voiced, blonde bombshell frontwoman of
Theresa Thompson on a manor's history told with extraordinary items Imagine... Lace at Waddesdon suggests the title of one of the new season’s exhibitions at Waddesdon Manor near Aylesbury. Yet few of us — bar contemporary lace-makers who know
Oxford Times music editor Tim Hughes on the surprises in summer festival line-ups and praises the pared-down ideal The announcement that heavy metal monsters Metallica would grace the top of the bill at this year’s Glastonbury Festival took even
Tim Hughes speaks to the ever-affable Jools Holland ahead of his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra's all-star Cornbury collaboration The weather may have taken a temporary turn for the worse, but it’s clearly going to take more than a few dark clouds
THE county is bracing itself for more rain after a severe weather warning was issued for the area. The Met Office issued the yellow warning for rain this morning, and is predicting up to 30mm in three hours or less. The heavy rainfall, which
WORK to replace a pipe that left more than a dozen Cassington homes without water this morning has now been completed. Thames Water was carrying out the work on behalf of a developer. It had written to 12 properties beforehand saying they would
A NEW course will link Oxfordshire’s music service, schools and an Oxford University college, with the aim of producing excellent musicians. Witney’s Wood Green School is launching the Excellent Musicians course in September and is hoping it will
Emily Scott, Jess Hall and Julia Meijer play a night of beautiful music this Saturday THERE’s a gorgeous night of music in store at the Old Fire Station on Saturday courtesy of singer-songwriter Emily Scott and a clutch of acoustic angels.
Liz Nicholls discovers the plethora of wildlife inspired events at Oxford Festival of Nature Are you ready for a properly wild weekend? Then head to a celebration of the great outdoors next Friday and Saturday (June 6 and 7) with the completely
It's Pimm’s o’clock with the Chef’n 2 in 1 citrus juicer. This is a great little gadget for preparing mojitos and Pimm’s – or if you are just a keen chef. The Chef’n Juicester Jr not only strains the pulp and seeds while pouring, but also has
* There's big news at the Harcourt Arms in Jericho, just down from the Rickety Press, which has a new landlord in the form of Alasdair Burn. And he has big plans afoot. Having taken over a month ago you can enjoy the classic Jericho pub and its
Tim Hughes gets on his bike to try out The Rusty Bicycle The Rusty Bicycle is the perfect pub. A cosy bolthole where one can while away an afternoon over craft beer, lovely cider and good wine, with cheerful bar staff, quality newspapers and local
Groaning mezze platters and succulent dishes at reasonable prices keep Tim Hughes happy at this Lebanese eaterie A suave, suited secret agent, unfeasibly long pistol in hands gazes down from the wall – an exotic Levantine version of James Bond.
The third installment of my start-up column finds me on my 50th birthday, realising that a big milestone birthday feels a bit like the millennium... massive build-up, sense that it’s looming over you and fears that the computers may stop overnight.
My name is Shayek Ahmed and I worked as a trainee chef for eight years under head chef Nurul Amin at the Aziz Restaurant. I am presently the head chef at Aziz and my cooking style is Bangladeshi/Indian. My signature dish is Kodu Gosht (lamb with
Grease hits Oxford's New Theatre this week thanks to Oxford Operatic Society. We talk to the two leads and the director about putting on an amateur production in such an enormous city theatre Antony Gibson, 39, from Old Marston, Oxford, works in
I am writing in reply to Sue Holden’s letter (‘A pillar of community for many, many years’, May 26). In my 57 years of being on planet earth I have tried most of that time in helping and giving support to many people. Could I remind Sue that
WHY is it that the older generation are penalised? So many in the press and on television give contacts by email address – but not all older folk have computers or the brain power to learn how to use one. I type my letters and enjoy each day when
MANY thanks for the very informative reading regarding my son, Adam McHugh. He was on loan from Forest Green to North Leigh. He’s since left Forest Green and is in the process of looking for a new club. Many thanks for some entertaining reading.
NICK Duval (May 16) misunderstands my concern about development in the fields behind The Moors in Kidlington. This area is one of the least spoiled parts of the Green Belt around Kidlington and is well used by residents for recreation. If new housing
IN answer to Angela Stevens’ justifiable complaint (May 26) that her daughter’s school was closed on election day. It is the local authority and not the Prime Minister which decides where local polling stations are placed. I suggest that if
THE way people behave towards each other has deteriorated over the last 20 years. TV (particularly the soaps) often portrays the biggest mouths interrupting gentle conversation, showing nothing more than ignorance and selfishness that their contribution
RICH Gabby Logan has serious problems with the tax authorities. It would improve her image if she funded or ran a food bank for the poor. The rich should help the poor rather than just ignoring them. Go for it, Gabby. RON BROOME (formerly of
Your story (‘Anger over dangerous car parking’, May 23), highlights the problem of commuter parking in Radley, a problem not restricted to Radley but experienced by people at many other places in the Oxford area. It seems that places where people
Professionals in all walks of life are frequently asked to give references in respect of people or organisations. The recent case in the Supreme Court called Durkin v DSG Retail Limited brought to light the dangers of negligent references. There
Chas Hodges, of Chas and Dave fame, tells Tim Hughes how the duo got together, and why their unique brand of pub-pop still brings in the crowds As a successful guitarist, Chas Hodges had it all. He was touring with some of the biggest names in
Only Fools and Horses star Gwyneth Strong tells Katherine MacAlister about her latest role, bringing real stories of courage to life Gwyneth Strong may not be starring in Only Fools and Horses any more, but she hasn’t been idle. Instead, the
JUSTIN Burnell refused to get carried away with London Welsh’s pulsating victory over Bristol last night. The Exiles won their Greene King IPA Championship play-off final first leg 27-8 at the Kassam Stadium to seemingly take control of the tie
FANCY a tipple this weekend? Wine lovers are invited to free tasting sessions and tours of Bothy Vineyard in Frilford Heath, near Abingdon, to mark English Wine Week, which ends on Sunday. Richard Liwicki, who has owned the five-acre vineyard
A 42-YEAR-OLD man has been arrested on suspicion of kidnapping and gbh with intent after a father and his three-year-old daughter went missing. Benson man Ewan Powell picked up his daughter Tanith Powell from her home in Worcester on Saturday but
WHAT a great endorsement of our city’s children the Oxford University Word list was. Clearly the imagination of our youngsters is still thriving, despite living in such a digital age. Words such as queen, enemy, treasure, and flame reveal our
WHISTLEBLOWERS are an essential part of society. While colleagues may view them as someone breaking ranks, what they do usually has far wider ramifications. The case at the John Radcliffe demonstrates this. Rather than keep quiet in the face
Oxford City’s men secured a one-two-three in the Wallingford Thames Run 10K. Matthieu Marshall completed the multi-terrain course in 37mins 6secs to pip clubmate Nick Jones (37.09), with Steve Copley (37.19) third. Marshall and Jones led for
COMPENSATION paid out to victims of police blunders in Oxfordshire more than tripled last year. Thames Valley Police has paid out at least £69,000 since January 2012 after members of the public won 70 cases against the force. But last night
ARDLEY United keeper Jack Harding scooped two awards at the Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division club’s presentation evening at Towcester Racecourse. Harding, who was part of their Oxfordshire Senior Cup winning side, won the players’ player
OXFORD Shooting Stars exceeded their expectations after returning from a competition in Europe with silverware. The recreational team, affiliated with National League side Oxford City Stars, finished third in the Loisirs Ice Hockey Tournament in
A taxi driver accused of sexual assault has appeared in Oxford Crown Court and had his trial postponed. Altaf Hussain, of Portway, Banbury, denies committing the crime against a woman on December 16, 2012. The 49-year-old is due to appear again
A 61-year-old woman was yesterday found safe and well after a police search. Thames Valley Police said it was concerned for Susan Bond’s welfare after she went missing from her Stratfield Road home on Tuesday. The police helicopter was used
One person was taken to hospital after a four-car collision in Banbury Road, Bicester. The cars – a Citroen, a Chevrolet, a Renault Clio and a Seat Ibiza – were involved in the collision just before 6pm on Tuesday. Police and ambulance attended
‘SELFIE’ may be one of the world’s newest words, but Oxford’s youngsters seem to be more interested in royalty than self-portraits. ‘Queen’ was the word used the most by Oxford children who took part in a national storywriting competition, appearing
Oxford Brookes University has made it into the top 10 list of the most sexually active universities. According to media brand Student Beans, which interviewed 6,129 students from over 100 universities in the UK, students at Oxford Brookes have
Fraudsters are targeting the city with fake charity activity to steal clothes and money. Organisations have been distributing clothing recycling bags with Cystic Fibrosis Trust’s old logo, top, without the charity’s agreement. Genuine
OXFAM has said it will try to get back the £29,000 “golden handshake” given to fraudster Edward McKenzie-Green when he left the charity. McKenzie-Green, 34, from Chipping Norton, was jailed for two years and five months on Tuesday after admitting
4:53pm Broken down vehicle causing delays on M40 near Bicester 4:52pm Broken down horsebox causing delays on A40
A WOMAN had to be cut out of her car after a collision on the M40 last night. The casualty, in her 50s, had to be cut out of her vehicle with hydraulic equipment. A Volkswagen Golf saloon and a BMW were involved in the collision at 9.40pm
A 44-year-old man has been released without charge by detectives investigating a raid where a suspected robber died. The Oxford man had been arrested in connection with the robbery at John Gowing Jewellers in the city’s Covered Market in March
A SCHEME aimed at making ice hockey more accessible to youngsters in Oxford is beginning to bear fruit. Getting into the sport can be difficult for novices, due to the basic skills and large amount of kit which is required to get started. But
THE family of a 15-year-old boy killed in a plane crash in Drayton has been awarded a five-figure sum from the Ministry of Defence. But air cadet Nicholas Rice’s mother Julia has called for confirmation that the MOD has improved the medical check-ups
Oxfordshire made a solid start in the Home Counties League by beating Berkshire 133-122 at South Oxford. At one point the winning margin looked as if it would be greater, as Oxon led by 24 shots. But Berkshire closed to within eight shots,
MEN'S WINNERS 100m – Senior: R Smith (Rad) 10.80. Under 20: E Burgess (Rad) 12.13. Under 17: A Rowett (Ban) 11.69. Under 15: A Thomson (Rad) 12.84. Under 13: J Judson (Oxf) 14.40. 200m – Senior: R Smith (Rad) 22.02. Under 17: A Rowett (Ban)
Ben Claridge and Ella Turner were the stars of the show with impressive displays in the Oxfordshire Track and Field Championships at Horspath Road. White Horse Harriers ace Claridge broke county records in the under 17 boys’ 400m and 800m while
Oxford City & County duo Katherine Hawes and Carol Penson have qualified for the National Singles Championships held at Leamington Spa in August. Hawes booked her place by brushing aside Banbury Borough’s Carole Walker 21-3 in the Oxfordshire
THESE musical youngsters were on song to entertain patients at Oxford’s Churchill Hospital. The performers played selections from Bach, Vivaldi, Seitz, Mancini, Fats Waller and Shearing in the Headington hospital’s cafe. Violinists Alex
Oxfordshire ran out 119-106 winners over Bedfordshire at Thame in the first of two friendlies. An Oxon win was guaranteed by Bob Gilkes and Alan Ley producing thumping wins on rinks five and six. The following day, Oxfordshire went down 126
Shiplake sprang a surprise with a 6-0 home whitewash of Carterton in Division 1 of the Oxford & District League, sponsored by Yarnton Nurseries. Barrie Evans’s four led the charge in the 92-57 demolition job, scoring 15 shots before their opponents
Watlington's Sam Watts is set to make his Middleton Cup debut for Oxfordshire against Middlesex at Oxford City & County on Saturday (2pm). The county under 25s bowler will play lead in the rink completed by Headington trio Gary May, Jason King
The much-vaunted political earthquake that has shaken town halls and national party leaders the length and breadth of Britain has failed to cause tremors in Oxfordshire. The political landscape this week appears remarkably unchanged, save for the
LONG Crendon are looking to recruit new players for their first and reserve teams. The club, which will be entering the Aylesbury District League next season, are particularly looking for two new goalkeepers. Sessions are being run every Thursday
MASONS A pulled off a suprise as they came from behind to beat Premier side Vikings to reach the Gracie J’s League Cup final, writes PETE EWINS. The Section 1 side went ahead through Dave Rose (4,140), but Alan Oliver (6,310) and Bob Allsworth
How often does an outsider deliver the most acute observations on a society? Screen history is strewn with examples of exiles who dissect the mores of their adopted homelands with a precision that eludes born-and-bred film-makers. Now, Asghar Farhadi
COFFEE lovers and tea drinkers have raised more than £1,000 for a homeless charity by adding a second cup for someone in need to their bill. Customers of Oxford’s Java&Co have bought 550 ‘suspended coffees’ in the last year and the funds raised
Roman Polanski is becoming a dab hand at adapting stage plays for the screen. Following his 1994 take on Ariel Dorfman's Death and the Maiden and his 2011 version of Yasmina Reza's Carnage, he has now joined forces with playwright David Ives to rework
A POP-UP coffee shop at a North Oxford church is raising funds for the building it is housed in. The volunteer-run cafe at St Aloysius’ Church, Woodstock Road, is open every Monday, Tuesday and Friday after Mass, from 10.30am to noon. It is
OXFORD United picked the fewest number of players in Sky Bet League Two last season, writes DAVID PRITCHARD. The U’s fielded 23 different squad members across the 46-game campaign, two fewer than the next best, Morecambe. It was less than half
OXFORD Union president Ben Sullivan has urged speakers to appear before students, as several guests cancelled their talks because of his arrest earlier this month. Mr Sullivan, who was arrested on May 6 on suspicion of rape and attempted rape and
AN INVESTIGATION into Banbury councillor Mark Cherry could last up to two months. Mr Cherry, who sits on Oxfordshire County Council, Cherwell District Council and Banbury Town Council, has been criticised after sending a tweet comparing Conservative
VISITORS to Waterperry Gardens are in for surprise this week thanks to the appearance of eight gnomes. The characters are dotted around the gardens, near Wheatley, in a half-term hunt for children. Three-year-old Kal Mishra said: “I like their
THREE people in Bicester received suspicious calls on the same day, with the caller claiming to be working for the police, a bank, or a fraud investigation company. In each of the calls reported on Tuesday, the callers said that they had two men
NETWORK Rail is investigating plans for trains to run directly from Oxfordshire to Heathrow Airport as it prepares a business case for an enhanced East West Rail link. The proposal could see long-distance services to the airport running via Oxford
THEY clung to their mother for a warm hug and a cuddle. Born just three weeks ago these ring-tailed lemur twins are still a little shy. But they will soon be monkeying around and causing their mum, called Ma, grief with the other primates at Burford
A HOSPITAL review decided staff concerns about heart patients’ safety were unfounded but bosses have made changes to management and training. Concerns about staffing levels were made to county hospital chiefs and through a whistleblower complaint
A MAN accused of perverting the course of justice following sex assault allegations spoke to police about his “strained” relationship with his co-defendant, a jury heard. Evidence continued yesterday in the case of a woman who claims she was sexually
A 26-YEAR-OLD man accused of eight counts of rape has said he assaulted one of his alleged victims because he felt “frustrated and angry”. Lewyn Rudge, of Valentia Road, Headington, denies the charges – as well as five counts of causing actual
INSPECTORS said an Oxford care unit where a teenager died last July has improved but were surprised some issues had not been resolved. The Care Quality Commission said Slade House, Headington, now met six standards around consent, care and welfare
PRIVATE and voluntary nurseries and preschools for disadvantaged areas and children are lower quality than those for more advantaged areas and children, according to Oxford University research. The researchers found that the quality gap between
COUNCILLORS are being asked to approve a further £9.5m to fund new homes across Cherwell. The cash will be taken out of Cherwell District Council’s capital reserves to help fund its £16m self build programme Build! The council has already put £7m
A JUDGE was handed a special gift after he retired after a 45-year career at the Bar. Judge Tom Corrie was given a teddy bear – a present he used to give out to children in adoption cases – after he had presided over hundreds of cases in the family
MILLIONAIRE hotelier Jeremy Mogford is hoping to expand in Oxford by renovating a city centre building. His company, Mogford Hotels and Restaurants, has submitted plans to convert 36 St Giles into a hotel. The building, which is Grade II- listed
