Archive

  • Athletics: Abingdon win after recount

    After a re-count of the final points total at last week's Southern League Division 5 fixture at Tooting Bec, Abingdon Amblers won the event by four points from Team Solent. In their first ever venture into this league, Abingdon's original second place

  • Guest speaker

    Naturalist Beryl Hulbert will be the guest speaker at Chinnor Wine Circle's meeting in the Reading Room, High Street, on June 7 at 8pm.

  • Market dates

    Farmers' Markets will be held on June 12, July 10 and August 14 alongside the street market in Upper High Street, between 8.30am and 1.30pm.

  • Virus shield

    An Oxfordshire-based firm is to protect IT systems in all of Northern Ireland's schools from virus attack. Sophos PLC, based at Abingdon Science Park, will install anti-virus software as part of a deal with eBusiness services company ICL.

  • Christina's tale pays tribute to late friend

    Signing copies of her latest novel at the Didcot branch of WH Smith was a poignant occasion for Oxfordshire author Christina Jones. Her seventh book Nothing to Lose - the story of a single mother who receives a greyhound as payment for a debt - is dedicated

  • Dyslexia school finds renewed lease of life

    A top independent school in Abingdon has thrown a lifeline to a school for dyslexic youngsters. The Unicorn School at Farmoor, which offers vital help to more than two dozen children with learning difficulties, has faced an uncertain future after being

  • Elections 2001: Question time at university

    University staff and students will get the chance to grill parliamentary candidates on their parties' policies for higher education. A hustings meeting has been arranged for trade union members to question the MPs for Oxford West and Abingdon and Oxford

  • 'End deadlock over shopping'

    The new Mayor of Abingdon has urged council officials and owners of a shopping precinct to settle their differences and re-develop the site for the good of the town. Cllr David Allinson, 63, has outlined the big challenges that face Abingdon for the future

  • Dyslexia school finds renewed lease of life

    A top independent school has thrown a lifeline to a school for dyslexic youngsters. The Unicorn School at Farmoor, which offers vital help to more than two dozen children with learning difficulties, has faced an uncertain future after being forced to

  • McDonalds footpath call

    McDonalds Restaurants Ltd wants to lay a footpath to link its Benson restaurant with the existing footpath on Oxford Road. Drawings have been sent to South Oxfordshire District Council.

  • One into two

    Carroll & Partners, the firm of chartered surveyors based in Market Place, is to divide in two to meet growing customer demand, becoming Carroll & Partners Commercial, and Carroll & Partners Residential.

  • River rescue prompts warning

    Bathers have been warned not to swim in the River Thames after a boy had to be rescued. Systems administrator William Payne, 24, swam out to rescue a teenager who had got into difficulty by Wallingford Bridge on Sunday, May 13. The boy, who was badly

  • Martial arts: Spencer's silver

    Didcot youngster Spencer Lawley brought home a silver and bronze medal from the European Taekwon-Do championships in Spain. The 17-year-old, who is studying A-levels at Didcot Sixth Forms, took silver in the free fighting competition for competitors under

  • Cricket: Kingston through in cup cliffhanger

    Kingston Bagpuize edged into the third round of the Wadworth 6X National Vllage Championship in remarkable circumstances on Sunday. Having disposed of 1997 national finalists Shipton in the previous round, Kingston claimed another prize scalp on Sunday

  • Dickens day

    Dramatic readings based on the works of Charles Dickens are being staged by Thame Players at the Players' Theatre in Nelson Street on August 4, produced by member Shirley Gratwick.

  • Arts group opens its doors

    Lovers of the finer things in life in west Oxfordshire have the opportunity to join a new decorative and fine arts society. The Northleach and Decorative Fine Arts Society, based in the town's Westwoods Centre, opened its membership books earlier this

  • Brighter future in store

    Villagers have celebrated their new-look shop with a flurry of activity, including a bouncy castle and wine tastings. Minster Lovell's Crescent Stores Spar shop in Brize Norton Road has been officially re-opened after refurbishment. The store now has

  • Advice grant

    A grant of £250 has been made by the parish council toward the Life Education Centres organised by Rotary Clubs countywide, which tour primary schools giving advice on drugs and healthy living.

  • Rail improvements demanded

    Members of the Cotswolds Line Promotion Group are pressing for the railway line to be upgraded between Oxford and Moreton-in-Marsh. They say the number of trains and passengers on the line has virtually doubled since much of the line was reduced to a

  • Chinnor may bar lorries from street

    A lorry ban could soon be imposed on a village centre road. Heavy goods vehicles use the B4009 through Chinnor as a route to and from the M40. But many are also using Church Road - and the parish council wants that stopped. Now Oxfordshire County Council

  • Acting on advice

    Flower arranging expert Penny Everett had to cram a lifetime's knowledge into an hour when she taught two actresses how to work with flowers. Mrs Everett of Thame Road, Long Crendon, was called in by the producers of the television detective series, Midsomer

  • Plea for books

    Staff at Faringdon Community College's geography department are hoping to build up their book stocks, by appealing for the return of borrowed textbooks. A spokesman said: "No questions asked!"

  • Mobile dishes

    Mobile phone company One 2 One Personal Communications has applied to the Vale of White Horse District Council for permission to install three additional transmission dishes at Wantage fire station.

  • Dance date

    Fitzwaryn School are hosting a barn dance at the Denchworth Road school, at 7.30pm on June 15. The event will feature a bar, raffle, and hot supper. Tickets cost £4 for adults, £2 for children or £10 for two adults and two children. They are available

  • May fair fun

    Visitors will be invited to try their hand at maypole dancing during a school fair. The St Andrew's School fair takes place at neighbouring St Mary's School, on Ormond Road, on Sunday, May 20. As well as maypole dancing, visitors will be treated to a

  • Athletics: Wonder Wilkins steals the show

    Perriss Wilkins was one of the stars of a brilliant Oxfordshire Track and Field Championships at Tilsley Park, Abingdon. As expected, Wilkins, who now competes for British League club Sale, won the discus by more than 20 metres, to record the best senior

  • Rugby: Cavaliers win another epic

    Oxford Cavaliers managed to emerge victorious in their Summer Conference match against Cardiff Demons at Oxford Rugby Club, despite conceding 36 points for the second successive week. Oxford were well below strength, due to injuries from last week's game

  • Football: Magical Marcus nets cup for Stonesfield

    Marcus Albert's double strike saw Stonesfield lift the Witney & District FA Senior Cup with a 2-1 victory after extra time over North Leigh in front of a large and noisy crowd at Witney Town. Albert fired Stonesfield, who were without four regulars

  • Athletics: City veterans make it four titles in a row

    Oxford City confirmed their position as one of the premier veteran outfits in the country when their V50 men's team became national relay champions for the fourth year in succession at Sutton Park, Birmingham. City's veteran teams were well represented

  • Virus shield

    An Oxfordshire-based firm is to protect IT systems in all of Northern Ireland's schools from virus attack. Sophos PLC, based at Abingdon Science Park, will install anti-virus software as part of a deal with eBusiness services company ICL.

  • Rugby: Cavaliers win another epic

    Oxford Cavaliers managed to emerge victorious in their Summer Conference match against Cardiff Demons at Oxford Rugby Club, despite conceding 36 points for the second successive week. Oxford were well below strength, due to injuries from last week's game

  • Cricket: Williams leads in Bicester

    A sparkling half-century by Rob Williams guided Bicester & North Oxford to a comfortable victory at Hertford in the second round of the National Cricket Club Championship. The Oxon club will now face another trip in the third round to either Radlett

  • Teenager fined for offence

    Spending a penny cost a teenager a £50 fine and £55 court costs. Didcot magistrates heard in court that police saw Daniel McGibbon "urinating on the footpath in Broadway, Didcot, in full view of people of both sexes". Karen Williams, prosecuting, said

  • Guide dogs get a ticket to ride

    Puppy walkers training guide dogs for the blind can now get free transport, thanks to a bus company. Stagecoach Oxford is to give free passes to volunteers from the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association. The puppy walkers teach dogs basic obedience and

  • Jail for 'killer heroin dealer'

    a drug dealer who sold a batch of heroin that killed a 21-year-old Oxford man has been jailed for three years. Father-of-three Graeme Plumpton, 38, of Humphrey Road, Barton, sold £20 worth of heroin to a friend who in turn shared it with Matthew Webb,

  • DJ to face trial for murder

    The man accused of murdering 19-year-old Ziggy Fisher, whose body was found on the outskirts of Wallingford in November, is to stand trial in October. David Weller, 34, a part-time disc jockey from Bridgwater, Somerset, was charged with murder when Miss

  • Mill work unveiled

    A major step forward has been taken towards the complete restoration of Wheatley's historic windmill. The windmillA 'cap', costing £34,000, was lowered on to the main building to mark National Mills Day. Hugo Brunner, Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire, was

  • Engineers enter race

    Engineers at Prodrive - more used to tuning Subaru cars to world rally standards - are turning their speed skills to soapbox racing. The Banbury-based firm has entered a cart in the Goodwood Soapbox Race at this year's Festival of Speed in July. The Prodrive

  • Helpers wanted

    Parents and Children Together (Pact) is recruiting volunteers to help young people in custody at St Aldate's Police Station, as members of the Approved Adult Volunteer Service. The service is called on when children's own parents are unable to get to

  • Spotlight on hi-tech fun (May 19)

    Visitors have the chance to study a creative multi-media centre during a planned open day. Banbury's Animation Station, in the town hall dungeons, is crammed with state-of-the art equipment including the latest superfast computers. Dex Mugan, Cherwell

  • Rail improvements demanded

    Members of the Cotswolds Line Promotion Group are pressing for the railway line to be upgraded between Oxford and Moreton-in-Marsh. They say the number of trains and passengers on the line has virtually doubled since much of the line was reduced to a

  • Fiat unveils sports flagship for Punto

    Fiat has launched a sporting flagship version for the Punto range, the HGT Abarth, pictured. Based on the Punto 1.8 16-valve HGT, the new £13,400 HGT Abarth, featuring the latest version of the company's twin overhead camshaft 1747cc 130 horsepower engine

  • Campaign to target child seat safety

    More than a third of car seats could potentially be a serious threat to children travelling in cars, according to a recent Britax survey. To help combat this, Mothercare is running a month-long car seat campaign. Running to May 23, the campaign aims to

  • Subaru Impreza WRX has a Star Wars feel

    If Darth Vader decided to retire from a life of spreading inter- galactic terror and settle for a car to nip round to the shops, the Subaru Impreza WRX would suit him down to the ground. Combining the acceleration of an imperial fighter and aggressive

  • Football: Dazzler Davis in late show

    Striker Ryan Davis grabbed a last-gasp winner as Chinnor finished their Oxfordshire Senior League Premier Division campaign on a high note with a 1-0 victory over Charlton United. Davis broke the stalemate by slotting home after a sparkling solo run.

  • Rugby: Smye sinks Littlemore

    Littlemore RFC went down 39-35 to the President's XV in an entertaining match which celebrated the club's 25th anniversary. Henley scrum half Liam Smye scored two tries for the guest side. A Littlemore Old Boys XV overcame the 2nd XV 26-23. A dinner was

  • Athletics: Abingdon win after recount

    After a re-count of the final points total at last week's Southern League Division 5 fixture at Tooting Bec, Abingdon Amblers won the event by four points from Team Solent. In their first ever venture into this league, Abingdon's original second place

  • Athletics: Records tumble in the opening round

    Local athletes are preparing themselves for an exciting second round of the Mota-vation Race series after a record-breaking opening round at Charlton-on-Otmoor. Newcomers Mark Flint and Kevin Sheppard led from the start, with Flint breaking away after

  • Martial arts: Spencer's silver

    Didcot youngster Spencer Lawley brought home a silver and bronze medal from the European Taekwon-Do championships in Spain. The 17-year-old, who is studying A-levels at Didcot Sixth Forms, took silver in the free fighting competition for competitors under

  • Old and young gear up for the big run

    The final countdown for this weekend's Town and Gown Fun Run is now well under way. Thousands of runners across the country have spent the last few months getting in shape for the big race, which takes place in Oxford on Sunday and is sponsored by the

  • Traders press for £2.25m upgrade

    Business leaders have warned that improvements to a Oxford's man shopping street must not suffer further delay - or it could have a serious effect on local trade. The Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce say it is vital that the £2.25m Cornmarket Street

  • 'End deadlock over shopping'

    The new Mayor of Abingdon has urged council officials and owners of a shopping precinct to settle their differences and re-develop the site for the good of the town. Cllr David Allinson, 63, has outlined the big challenges that face Abingdon for the future

  • Guide dogs get a ticket to ride

    Puppy walkers training guide dogs for the blind can now get free transport, thanks to a bus company. Stagecoach Oxford is to give free passes to volunteers from the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association. The puppy walkers teach dogs basic obedience and

  • Jail for 'killer heroin dealer'

    a drug dealer who sold a batch of heroin that killed a 21-year-old Oxford man has been jailed for three years. Father-of-three Graeme Plumpton, 38, of Humphrey Road, Barton, sold £20 worth of heroin to a friend who in turn shared it with Matthew Webb,

  • Parents appeal to High Court to force inquiry into death

    A couple whose daughter died from chicken pox after being given steroids at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, have launched a High Court appeal to force watchdogs to investigate her death. Art and Victoria McConnell, of East St Helens Street, Abingdon

  • Conmen who tricked OAP sought

    Two men conned their way into an elderly woman's house before stealing her cash and bank books. A man called at the 90-year-old woman's house in Norreys Avenue in south Oxford . After telling his victim he was a representative of Thames Water and had

  • Elections 2001: Tories claim MP is 'running away'

    Witney Labour MP Shaun Woodward's decision to stand for St Helens shows he is running away from west Oxfordshire and his party's record, according to local Conservatives. Mr Woodward, who quit the Tories in December 1999, was narrowly selected to fight

  • Elections 2001: Tory broadcast filmed at city jail

    A controversial Conservative Party political broadcast screened last night, which claimed that two women were raped because of Labour's Early Release scheme for prisoners, was partly filmed at the former Oxford Prison. The bleak opening scenes were shot

  • 'Drug dealers are terrorising us'

    Residents of a block of flats who claim they are being "terrorised" by drug dealers, joyriders and arsonists, have called for a safety fence after a car was set on fire yards from their homes. People living in the two-storey block in Champion Way, Littlemore

  • 'Scale down plans for student hostel'

    Residents turned out in force last night (Tuesday) to call for plans for new student accommodation in Oxford to be scaled down. More than 90 people living in the New Marston area attended a public meeting to air their views about Oxford Brookes University's

  • Footbal: Carterton bid hit by double blow

    Strikers Scott Taylor and Paul Sherwood have been ruled out as Carterton Town seek to wreck holders Swindon Supermarine's treble bid in the Cherry Red Records Hellenic League Complete Music Cup final at Fairford Town tonight (7.30). Leading scorer Taylor

  • Work shuts ice rink

    Oxford Ice Rink is to close for a month this summer for £15,000 worth of repairs. The 18-year-old attraction in Oxpens Road will close on June 4 and reopen on June 23. The ice is being lifted and the pad repainted, together with the replacement of kicker

  • Football: Magical Marcus nets cup for Stonesfield

    Marcus Albert's double strike saw Stonesfield lift the Witney & District FA Senior Cup with a 2-1 victory after extra time over North Leigh in front of a large and noisy crowd at Witney Town. Albert fired Stonesfield, who were without four regulars

  • Football: Dazzler Davis in late show

    Striker Ryan Davis grabbed a last-gasp winner as Chinnor finished their Oxfordshire Senior League Premier Division campaign on a high note with a 1-0 victory over Charlton United. Davis broke the stalemate by slotting home after a sparkling solo run.

  • Tempting TV offer

    Television company LWT is hunting for single people and couples from Oxfordshire to take part in the new series of the smash hit Temptation Island. This will be the second series of the programme but will be the first to have an entirely British cast.

  • Work shuts ice rink

    Oxford Ice Rink is to close for a month this summer for £15,000 worth of repairs. The 18-year-old attraction in Oxpens Road will close on June 4 and reopen on June 23. The ice is being lifted and the pad repainted, together with the replacement of kicker

  • Crime quest

    Neighbourhood Watch volunteers from Oxfordshire could be in line for prizes in a nationwide competition to find outstanding local crime-fighters. The Norwich Union, the National Neighbourhood Watch Association, and BBC Local Radio have teamed up to offer

  • Father to fund schools battle

    A muslim father says he is ready to finance a new court challenge to save single-sex education in Oxford. Only hours after the Save Our Schools group decided to abandon its legal battle with Oxfordshire County Council, garage owner Monawar Hussain pledged

  • Youngsters will run the show

    A Banbury primary school will run the children's entertainment area at this year's Banbury Show. The area will be themed 'all the fun of the fair with Hillview School' and pupils will run stalls with the help of adults. There will be a children's Red

  • Parents appeal to High Court to force inquiry into death

    A couple whose daughter died from chicken pox after being given steroids at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, have launched a High Court appeal to force watchdogs to investigate her death. Art and Victoria McConnell, of East St Helens Street, Abingdon

  • 'Inspirational' head lifts school 's standards

    The Oxford School is celebrating after inspectors declared it no longer has serious weaknesses - and labelled the headteacher as "inspirational". The school, which was branded as having serious weaknesses in October 1998, has received a glowing report

  • DJ to face trial for murder

    The man accused of murdering 19-year-old Ziggy Fisher, whose body was found on the outskirts of Wallingford in November, is to stand trial in October. David Weller, 34, a part-time disc jockey from Bridgwater, Somerset, was charged with murder when Miss

  • Flooding problems discussed

    Flooding problems around Henley are to be one of the first items on the agenda for the new Cabinet running South Oxfordshire District Council. Cllr David Sloan, who represents the town, wants a liaison group set up to discuss the issue and to sort out

  • Elections 2001: Lib Dem hopeful fights for CCTV

    The Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for Wantage, Neil Fawcett, is fighting for funding for proposed CCTV schemes for Didcot and Wallingford. He says figures obtained by his party show that the Government underspent on its Crime Reduction Budget

  • Music night

    The Bob McKinlay Band will be playing at Carterton Country Music Club, in the Social Centre, on Friday, May 25, starting at 8.30pm.

  • Advice session

    The first open advice session organised by Aylesbury Job Centre staff will be at the town hall between 9.30am and 1pm on June 12, for people seeking work.

  • Fashion show

    Consultants House of Colour are holding a fashion show in aid of Macmillan Cancer Relief at Turner Hall, Church Road, tomorrow May 17, at 8pm. Tickets cost £5.

  • Cycle network

    The parish council has stated that the village is interested in becoming part of Oxfordshire County Council's plan for a countywide cycle network and will co-operate with a survey of routes.

  • Sporty theme

    Sport is the theme of the photography section of the village flower show, which is due to be held on August 27 in a marquee on the village's playing field. The full schedule should be out shortly, chairman John Robertson said.

  • Holders get home draw

    Holders Banbury have been drawn at home to Cowley, from the OCA League, in the first round of this season's Bernard Tollett Oxfordshire Cup. Because only 32 teams have entered, the first round will not be held until Tuesday, June 12. 1st round draw (in

  • Trouser slasher to take psychiatric tests

    A man who sneaked into changing rooms to rip up trousers belonging to children has been ordered to undergo a psychiatric assessment. Clive Kemmish, 38, pleaded guilty at Bicester Magistrates' Court to six charges of causing criminal damage to trousers

  • Local astronomer on TV

    Keen astronomer Gordon Rogers and the observatory in his garden in Lower Endwill feature on television's The Sky At Night programme on May 27 after filming was done by Sir Patrick Moore, who has fronted the programme for the last 44 years.

  • Elections 2001: Tories claim MP is 'running away'

    Witney Labour MP Shaun Woodward's decision to stand for St Helens shows he is running away from west Oxfordshire and his party's record, according to local Conservatives. Mr Woodward, who quit the Tories in December 1999, was narrowly selected to fight

  • Mill work unveiled

    A major step forward has been taken towards the complete restoration of Wheatley's historic windmill. The windmillA 'cap', costing £34,000, was lowered on to the main building to mark National Mills Day. Hugo Brunner, Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire, was

  • Cricket squad leaves village

    Chinnor has lost its cricket club to Towersey - a move echoing the departure of the rugby club 40 years ago. The cricket club complained the outfield at the village centre playing fields was not up to scratch. The club maintained the cricket square, but

  • Disco dance

    Students will be taking to the dance floor at Faringdon Community College's PTA disco on Friday. The disco is open to all students from years seven to ten. Tickets, costing £2.50 in advance, are available from the college.

  • Charity disco

    Dancers and music-lovers are invited to a charity disco in aid of the British Diabetic Association on Saturday. The event takes place at Grove Village Hall, from 7.30pm to midnight. Tickets at £3.50 are available by calling 01235 224715.

  • Garden fete

    Fun-seekers are expected to descend on Hendred House, near Wantage, on Saturday for its garden fete. The event, which starts at noon, boasts a fun fair, stocks, china-smashing stall, Aunt Sally, a wheelbarrow race and a tug-of-war contest. Call 01235

  • New depression treatment launched

    The South West Oxfordshire Primary Care Group is launching a new computer-based therapy to treat anxiety and depression. The Beating the Blues package will be offered to patients in a number of local practices, and will be launched at the Wantage Health

  • Walkers raise cash

    Two energetic walkers raised £1,000 for breast cancer research after completing a 27-mile night-hike round London - in their sports bras. Carly Strannix, 22, from the Medway, West Hanney, near Wantage, and Lorraine Harford, 25, from White Road, East Hendred

  • Elections 2001: Candidates to meet public

    The four candidates contesting the Wantage seat at the General Election have been invited to a public question and answer session in Wallingford. Robert Jackson (Con), David Brooks-Saxl (Green), Neil Fawcett (Liberal Democrat) and Stephen Beer (Labour

  • Football: Souldern's double delight Lord Jersey FA

    Division 4 champions Souldern completed a double by lifting the Arthur Crawford Cup with a 3-2 win over Steeple Aston Res at Charlton United. Souldern's Robin Hambidge broke the deadlock midway through the second half, and Brett Moggridge increased their

  • Swimming: Kidlington's relay kings

    Kidlington and Gosford romped home clear winners in a gala at Leighton Buzzard with their success auguring well for next month's junior league. Nine relay victories spanned the age groups from the mixed nine-year team of Amy Pandher, Lewis Fraser plus

  • Aunt Sally: Kev's in rich vein of form

    Kevin Baker continued his good start to the season with another 16 dolls for Cricketers B in their 2-1 victory over Cricketers A in the Premier Section. George A have yet to drop a leg in the Premier after their 3-0 win over Royal Sun B, Dave Sawyer and

  • Cricket: Kingston through in cup cliffhanger

    Kingston Bagpuize edged into the third round of the Wadworth 6X National Vllage Championship in remarkable circumstances on Sunday. Having disposed of 1997 national finalists Shipton in the previous round, Kingston claimed another prize scalp on Sunday

  • Cab driver takes the plunge

    A taxi driver will be celebrating his birthday this weekend by plunging 12,000ft from the skies for charity. Mark Pearson hopes to raise £500 for disability charity Mencap during the parachute jump at Weston-on-the-Green, near Bicester. He read of the

  • Cricket: Scores

    Local cricket scoreboards Cherwell League Div 2: Dinton bt Chalgrove by 7 wkts CHALGROVE N Joyner c Scott b Spicer...0 S Strong c Scott b Bowler...4 J Carr c Bowerman b Spicer...7 T Bagnall run out...3 J Talbot st Risden b Jones...52 A Spiers lbw Bowler

  • Trouser slasher to take psychiatric tests

    A man who sneaked into changing rooms to rip up trousers belonging to children has been ordered to undergo a psychiatric assessment. Clive Kemmish, 38, pleaded guilty at Bicester Magistrates' Court to six charges of causing criminal damage to trousers

  • Athletics: Results

    Oxon County Championships results SENIOR MEN 100m: 1 D Stowell (Oxf City) 11.8, 2 D Ward (Oxf City) 12.0, 3 B Azamjan (Oxf Univ) 12.1. 200m: 1 D Stowell (Oxf City) 23.2, 2 N Hamilton (Oxf Univ) 23.2, 3 S Williams (WSE) 23.3. 400m: 1 S Williams (WSE) 51.0

  • Spotlight on hi-tech fun (May 19)

    Visitors have the chance to study a creative multi-media centre during a planned open day. Banbury's Animation Station, in the town hall dungeons, is crammed with state-of-the art equipment including the latest superfast computers. Dex Mugan, Cherwell

  • Athletics: City veterans make it four titles in a row

    Oxford City confirmed their position as one of the premier veteran outfits in the country when their V50 men's team became national relay champions for the fourth year in succession at Sutton Park, Birmingham. City's veteran teams were well represented

  • Christina's tale pays tribute to late friend

    Signing copies of her latest novel at the Didcot branch of WH Smith was a poignant occasion for Oxfordshire author Christina Jones. Her seventh book Nothing to Lose - the story of a single mother who receives a greyhound as payment for a debt - is dedicated

  • Banned motorist wanted to avoid shower

    A banned driver told police he drove his car "because it was raining". Daniel Copeland, 25, of Mendip Heights, Didcot, was sentenced to a 100-hour community service order for driving while disqualified, and a further 60 hours - to run concurrently - for

  • Open event

    Two gardens in the village will be open to the public on Sunday. Home Farm and Manor Cottage will be open from 2pm to 5pm and admission to both will cost £2.50. Proceeds will go to Barks, the Banbury Animal Rescue and Kindness Service.

  • Loos opened

    The North and West Oxfordshire Carers' Centre has celebrated the opening of a new toilet block and meeting room. The opening ceremony was performed by Carers' Centre patron Jack Friswell, watched by chairman Jim Flux, and Sandra Hunter, who raised a large

  • Youngsters will run the show

    A Banbury primary school will run the children's entertainment area at this year's Banbury Show. The area will be themed 'all the fun of the fair with Hillview School' and pupils will run stalls with the help of adults. There will be a children's Red

  • Work on show

    An exhibition of pottery and small sculptures, produced in after-school pottery classes by children aged between six and 12, will be open to the public for art week. The work will be on display between noon and 6pm on Saturday 19 and Sunday, at 25 Crotch

  • Thousands object to homes

    A second consultation period for controversial plans to build 950 houses at Bodicote, Banbury, could be delayed, after nearly 10,000 people responded to the first consultation exercise. The proposed estate, beginning next to Bankside and extending along

  • Y-reg sales forge ahead

    New car sales powered ahead in the new Y-number plate month of March 2001, according to latest figures. Fuelled by a big rise in private purchases, the number of new cars sold last month reached 408,024 - a 1.5 per cent rise on the March 2000 total, according

  • Lexus 4x4 rated tops for familes

    Lexus Oxford Centre Manager Kirk Gill was so confident of the performance and quality of the new Lexus RX300 4x4 vehicle, that he invited 50 customers to road test the vehicle against its competition. His guests arrived for breakfast at the Weston Manor

  • New addition to Space Star line-up

    Mitsubishi Motors was one of the first manufacturers to combine 'tall' with small when the European manufactured Space Star five-door hatchbacks were introduced four years ago. In keeping with the growth for this type of vehicle, Mitsubishi are adding

  • Freelander gets sporty makeover

    Selected Land Rover dealers in the south of England are offering a sporty version of the UK's best-selling 4X4 - the Freelander. Based on the Freelander V6 GS and available in three and five-door versions, the Freelander Sport limited edition has a package

  • Back to the future - the Audi quattro

    Audi celebrated the 21st birthday of its ground-breaking quattro with a real blast from the past. As part of the birthday celebrations, the German car maker offered me the chance to turn back the clock and drive its 1990 muscle machine. The Audi quattro

  • Footbal: Carterton bid hit by double blow

    Strikers Scott Taylor and Paul Sherwood have been ruled out as Carterton Town seek to wreck holders Swindon Supermarine's treble bid in the Cherry Red Records Hellenic League Complete Music Cup final at Fairford Town tonight (7.30). Leading scorer Taylor

  • Cricket: Williams leads in Bicester

    A sparkling half-century by Rob Williams guided Bicester & North Oxford to a comfortable victory at Hertford in the second round of the National Cricket Club Championship. The Oxon club will now face another trip in the third round to either Radlett

  • Athletics: Wonder Wilkins steals the show

    Perriss Wilkins was one of the stars of a brilliant Oxfordshire Track and Field Championships at Tilsley Park, Abingdon. As expected, Wilkins, who now competes for British League club Sale, won the discus by more than 20 metres, to record the best senior

  • Athletics: Results

    Oxon County Championships results SENIOR MEN 100m: 1 D Stowell (Oxf City) 11.8, 2 D Ward (Oxf City) 12.0, 3 B Azamjan (Oxf Univ) 12.1. 200m: 1 D Stowell (Oxf City) 23.2, 2 N Hamilton (Oxf Univ) 23.2, 3 S Williams (WSE) 23.3. 400m: 1 S Williams (WSE) 51.0

  • Honda's new machine is well worth the wait

    It may have taken more than 14 years of pleading by sports riders, racers and many biking journalists, but the wait has been worthwhile. As long ago as 1987, Honda launched its middleweight sports bike - the CBR600F - and right from the beginning it set

  • Elections 2001: Lib Dem hopeful fights for CCTV

    The Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for Wantage, Neil Fawcett, is fighting for funding for proposed CCTV schemes for Didcot and Wallingford. He says figures obtained by his party show that the Government underspent on its Crime Reduction Budget

  • 'Scale down plans for student hostel'

    Residents turned out in force last night (Tuesday) to call for plans for new student accommodation in Oxford to be scaled down. More than 90 people living in the New Marston area attended a public meeting to air their views about Oxford Brookes University's

  • Conmen who tricked OAP sought

    Two men conned their way into an elderly woman's house before stealing her cash and bank books. A man called at the 90-year-old woman's house in Norreys Avenue in south Oxford . After telling his victim he was a representative of Thames Water and had

  • Swing fun for pupils

    An Oxford pub brought smiles back to the faces of pupils who lost their playground swings when thieves removed them with bolt-cutters. Children from the Chinnor Resource Centre, at St Nicholas First School in Raymund Road, Old Marston, Oxford, were invited

  • River rescue prompts warning

    Bathers have been warned not to swim in the River Thames after a boy had to be rescued. Systems administrator William Payne, 24, swam out to rescue a teenager who had got into difficulty by Wallingford Bridge on Sunday, May 13. The boy, who was badly

  • Trouser slasher to take psychiatric tests

    A man who sneaked into changing rooms to rip up trousers belonging to children has been ordered to undergo a psychiatric assessment. Clive Kemmish, 38, pleaded guilty at Bicester Magistrates' Court to six charges of causing criminal damage to trousers

  • Traders press for £2.25m upgrade

    Business leaders have warned that improvements to a Oxford's man shopping street must not suffer further delay - or it could have a serious effect on local trade. The Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce say it is vital that the £2.25m Cornmarket Street

  • Hotline launched to locate empty houses

    An empty house hotline has been launched in a bid to re-house homeless people in Oxford. The city council is so keen to find vacant private and housing association houses that anyone calling the new action line could win a "slice card" - a discount card

  • 'Drug dealers are terrorising us'

    Residents of a block of flats who claim they are being "terrorised" by drug dealers, joyriders and arsonists, have called for a safety fence after a car was set on fire yards from their homes. People living in the two-storey block in Champion Way, Littlemore

  • Hotline launched to locate empty houses

    An empty house hotline has been launched in a bid to re-house homeless people in Oxford. The city council is so keen to find vacant private and housing association houses that anyone calling the new action line could win a "slice card" - a discount card

  • Mark's a man in a hurry

    Oxford United's new manager Mark Wright says he needs to get to work immediately to improve his squad, so that he doesn't miss the boat in signing players. The former Southport boss has rejected claims that he has gone back to strip his old club, though

  • 'Victims' hunt for TV show

    Viewers in Oxfordshire are being targeted by the makers of Channel 4's TFI Friday and Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. A new fly-on-the wall programme, which offers prizes, will secretly film unsuspecting 'victims' as they try to cope with a series

  • Arts group opens its doors

    Lovers of the finer things in life in west Oxfordshire have the opportunity to join a new decorative and fine arts society. The Northleach and Decorative Fine Arts Society, based in the town's Westwoods Centre, opened its membership books earlier this

  • Christina's tale pays tribute to late friend

    Signing copies of her latest novel at the Didcot branch of WH Smith was a poignant occasion for Oxfordshire author Christina Jones. Her seventh book Nothing to Lose - the story of a single mother who receives a greyhound as payment for a debt - is dedicated

  • Annual Alzheimer's meeting

    The annual meeting of the county's Alzheimer's Society will be in the Witts Lecture Theatre at the Radcliffe Infirmary at 7.15pm, May 16. Guest speaker will be Tessa Gutteridge, manager of The Clive Project which is aimed at helping sufferers from the

  • 'Victims' hunt for TV show

    Viewers in Oxfordshire are being targeted by the makers of Channel 4's TFI Friday and Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. A new fly-on-the wall programme, which offers prizes, will secretly film unsuspecting 'victims' as they try to cope with a series

  • Councillors win 30 per cent rise in pay

    Members of South Oxfordshire District Council are to be awarded 30 per cent pay rises. The increase will be much higher for those with special responsibilities, such as chairmen of committees. The increases have been put forward by a panel of four independent