Abingdon Town aim to celebrate their escape from the drop when they host Wingate & Finchley in Division 3. Manager Alan Thorne said: "It would be nice to finish with a win. We have enjoyed the last half of the season." He added that 95 per cent of
The closure of a school that has been plagued by vandalism and staffing problems could bring new hope to children on Banbury's Bretch Hill estate. Neithrop Junior School will shut by the end of the year, and Neithrop Infants School will become a full
Grove will be hoping it is second time lucky when they entertain Oakmeadians, from Bournemouth, in the Southern Counties promotion play-off at Cane Lane tomorrow. Last year, Grove lost to Salisbury in this clash between the runners-up in the North and
The crisis in farming has forced the Duke of Marlborough to sell his herd of dairy cattle and lay off 12 agricultural employees. Management of the duke's 6,500 acre farm estate, surrounding Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, is to be contracted out as part of
A Wantage woman died at home just hours after she had fallen while trying to climb stairs, an inquest heard. Jennifer Giles, 56, died on July 1 last year, at her Barwell home. Dr Sanjiv Manek, a consultant pathologist, said a post-mortem examination revealed
Grove will be hoping it is second time lucky when they entertain Oakmeadians, from Bournemouth, in the Southern Counties promotion play-off at Cane Lane tomorrow. Last year, Grove lost to Salisbury in this clash between the runners-up in the North and
Andy Wallbridge is set for a surprise return for Banbury United when they host Dr Martens Eastern Division promotion-challengers Grantham Town at The Stadium on Saturday. It was feared he would miss the rest of the season after he suffered a suspected
Likely squads for this Saturday for Banbury United, Oxford City, Thame United and Abingdon Town Banbury Utd (v Grantham Tn, home): from Tricker, Wallbridge, Allen, Muckelberg, Sullivan, Simpson, Fuller, Corbett, M Travers, Redknap, Gooderick, McKay, Milner
Magdalen Eynsham were crowned Men's Division 1 champions in the Oxford and District League following a 5-4 win in their title decider against Abingdon A. It was a rearranged fixture as Eynsham were unable to field a team on the initial date in January
Matches on April 27, 2002 RYMAN LEAGUE Div 1: Oxford C v Dulwich Hamlet, Walton & H v Thame Utd. Div 3: Abingdon Tn v Wingate & Finchley. DR MARTENS LEAGUE Eastern Div: Banbury Utd v Grantham Tn. BERKS & BUCKS SENIOR TROPHY Final: AFC Wallingford
Top scorer Andy Shildrick makes a surprise return for AFC Wallingford as they take on Milton Keynes City in the Berks & Bucks Senior Trophy final at Aylesbury United tomorrow (Sat, 3). The striker was expected to be sidelined for the rest of the season
Bicester Town manager Barry Grant admits it will take a miracle for his side to avoid the drop from the Premier Division. Grant's side, currently third from bottom, have two games left, and need to finish outside the bottom four to guarantee their safety
The Liberal Democrats' local election campaign received a boost when party leader Charles Kennedy visited Oxford yesterday. Charles Kennedy, with Cowley Marsh ward candidate Sajjad-Hussain Malik and other supporters As he went on a whistle-stop tour of
The closure of a school that has been plagued by vandalism and staffing problems could bring new hope to children on Banbury's Bretch Hill estate. Neithrop Junior School will shut by the end of the year, and Neithrop Infants School will become a full
Quarry Nomads, who have eased their relegation fears in Division 1 East with two successive wins, visit bottom side Chalfont Wasps, knowing victory should secure their safety. Jamie Brackett (ankle) and Phil Rodney (wedding) miss out, but David Hutt returns
North Leigh boss Mark Gee has conceded that their title chase is all but over, after their goalless draw with Gloucester United last weekend. He said: "All we can do is keep up the pressure and hope that Gloucester crack." Nick Hughes (ankle), Justin
Banbury United fought back from 3-1 down to beat Thame 4-3 in Oxfordshire Youth Cup final at Court Place Farm. Thame went 2-0 up in the first four minutes, before Tim Jones pulled a goal back for Banbury. Thame made it 3-1, but a double strike from Richard
Champagne corks have been popping at Hook Norton after they secured promotion to the Hellenic Premier Division. A 3-0 win over Cirencester United on Monday ensured they will go up from Division 1 West, and victory at Purtonon Saturday will see Hooky take
Likely squads for Hellenic League games, April 27 Bicester Tn (v Cirencester Acad, home): from Darvill, Schooling, Hammond, Grant, Cresswell, Davies, McGillycuddy, Johnson, Bone, Lissiter, Marshall, Darch, Lynch, Griffiths, Neil. North Leigh (v Fairford
England football coach Sven Goran Eriksson has thanked the Oxford Mail for backing a campaign to raise money for research into men's cancers. Cancer Research UK's World Cup Party is asking businesses in Oxfordshire to give staff extra time for lunch,
Matches on April 27, 2002 RYMAN LEAGUE Div 1: Oxford C v Dulwich Hamlet, Walton & H v Thame Utd. Div 3: Abingdon Tn v Wingate & Finchley. DR MARTENS LEAGUE Eastern Div: Banbury Utd v Grantham Tn. BERKS & BUCKS SENIOR TROPHY Final: AFC Wallingford
Harley-Davidson is looking to recruit about half a dozen key members of staff to fill positions at its new Oxford base. Work on the American firm's new European headquarters at the Oxford Business Park, Cowley, is nearing completion. The majority of staff
The head of Blackwell's bookshops has left the business, "by mutual agreement". Alan Leitch, managing director of Blackwell UK, has been succeeded temporarily by chief operating officer John Greenhalgh. Philip Blackwell, chief executive of parent company
The crisis in farming has forced the Duke of Marlborough to sell his herd of dairy cattle and lay off 12 agricultural employees. Management of the duke's 6,500 acre farm estate, surrounding Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, is to be contracted out as part of
A paedophile with a history of taking indecent pictures of boys and girls has been found guilty of having similar images on his computer. Jurors at Oxford Crown Court yesterday took just over half an hour to find Timothy Newman, of Oakley Wood, Benson
A teenager is aiming to help other young musicians develop their skills by raising the money to build a recording studio at her school. Amy McKay, with other musicians at her schoolGosford Hill School pupil Amy McKay has launched a £3,000 appeal to help
Two men accused of forcing a young woman to rob victims at knife-point told police that she was acting alone, a jury heard. Slimane Benhalilou, of Jane Seaman Court, Blackbird Leys, Oxford, and Ian James, of Nightingale Avenue, Blackbird Leys, deny two
Magdalen Eynsham were crowned Men's Division 1 champions in the Oxford and District League following a 5-4 win in their title decider against Abingdon A. It was a rearranged fixture as Eynsham were unable to field a team on the initial date in January
Farm animals kept as pets have been killed on an Oxford smallholding. Over the past two weeks intruders have slit the throats of two goats -- one of them a toothless 14-year-old animal. The killings are similar to attacks on two sheep at a nature reserve
Oxford Cheetahs bosses will be looking for an improved performance from the side when they take on in-form Wolverhampton in the Speedway Star Knockout Cup first leg at Oxford Stadium tonight (Fri, 7.30). After only one league victory from four home meetings
Thame United will be without Justin Merritt (knee) and Tony Joyce (ankle) for their trip to Walton & Hersham. Andy Smith is doubtful with a thigh strain Team (Walton & Hersham, away): from Foster, Saulsbury, Avery, Williams, Brown, Lee, Smith,
Banbury United fought back from 3-1 down to beat Thame 4-3 in Oxfordshire Youth Cup final at Court Place Farm. Thame went 2-0 up in the first four minutes, before Tim Jones pulled a goal back for Banbury. Thame made it 3-1, but a double strike from Richard
Abingdon United travel to Bishops Cleeve, still hoping to finish in the top three. Kai Ridley is still ruled out with an Achilles problem, but Mark O'Hara is back in the side.
An internal investigation into criticisms of the way Oxford City Council handled millions of pounds to help the homeless is being kept secret. The inquiry into the council's homelessness service was ordered after councillors raised concerns about huge
A magistrate convicted of creating a deadly cache of bombs has had his jail sentence extended from five years to nine, after a court ruled the original term was inadequate. Jonathan Wilkes, 41, formerly of Wroslyn Road, Freeland, had received a five year
Farm animals kept as pets have been killed on an Oxford smallholding. Over the past two weeks intruders have slit the throats of two goats -- one of them a toothless 14-year-old animal. The killings are similar to attacks on two sheep at a nature reserve
The President of the European Commission, Romano Prodi, will address academics at Oxford University, when he officially opens the Said Business School. Before opening the £36m building in Park End Street on Monday, Mr Prodi will be awarded an honorary
Oxford University's reputation as a centre for scientific research was due to receive a boost today with the opening of a new physics laboratory. The new Nicholas Kurti Magnetic Field Laboratory, in the Science Area off Parks Road, is equipped with powerful
A paedophile with a history of taking indecent pictures of boys and girls has been found guilty of having similar images on his computer. Jurors at Oxford Crown Court yesterday took just over half an hour to find Timothy Newman, of Oakley Wood, Benson
Banbury United fought back from 3-1 down to beat Thame 4-3 in Oxfordshire Youth Cup final at Court Place Farm. Thame went 2-0 up in the first four minutes, before Tim Jones pulled a goal back for Banbury. Thame made it 3-1, but a double strike from Richard
Champagne corks have been popping at Hook Norton after they secured promotion to the Hellenic Premier Division. A 3-0 win over Cirencester United on Monday ensured they will go up from Division 1 West, and victory at Purtonon Saturday will see Hooky take
Andy Wallbridge is set for a surprise return for Banbury United when they host Dr Martens Eastern Division promotion-challengers Grantham Town at The Stadium on Saturday. It was feared he would miss the rest of the season after he suffered a suspected
A man with a ferocious left hook is being blamed for two vicious late-night attacks in Witney town centre. One of the victims, a 32-year-old psychiatrist from London, is still recovering in Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital after being knocked unconscious
Bicester Town manager Barry Grant admits it will take a miracle for his side to avoid the drop from the Premier Division. Grant's side, currently third from bottom, have two games left, and need to finish outside the bottom four to guarantee their safety
Matches for April 27, 2002 WILSON OXON LTA 3-PAIR LEAGUE Ladies Div 3: Thame v Cholsey B. Div 4: Banbury B v Woodstock C Men's Div 1: Oxford Spts v Thame, Oxford City v Bicester. Div 2: Goring v Bicester B. Div 3: Oxford Spts B v Abingdon B. Div 5: Witney
Henley Hawks need a miracle against recently-crowned champions Rotherham at Dry Leas tomorrow to have any chance of avoiding relegation from National League Division 1. And even if Hawks should pull off a remarkable victory in their last game of the season
Likely squads for Hellenic League games, April 27 Bicester Tn (v Cirencester Acad, home): from Darvill, Schooling, Hammond, Grant, Cresswell, Davies, McGillycuddy, Johnson, Bone, Lissiter, Marshall, Darch, Lynch, Griffiths, Neil. North Leigh (v Fairford
Oxfordshire are celebrating after winning promotion to the Inter-County Championships Premier Division for the first time in their history. With rubbers counting ahead of team wins, Oxon, who were formed in the early 1970s, came out on top with 23 points
Midfielder Danny Wise (calf) is the only doubt as Oxford City take on Dulwich Hamlet at home in Ryman League Division 1.
Quarry Nomads, who have eased their relegation fears in Division 1 East with two successive wins, visit bottom side Chalfont Wasps, knowing victory should secure their safety. Jamie Brackett (ankle) and Phil Rodney (wedding) miss out, but David Hutt returns
Henley Hawks need a miracle against recently-crowned champions Rotherham at Dry Leas tomorrow to have any chance of avoiding relegation from National League Division 1. And even if Hawks should pull off a remarkable victory in their last game of the season
A Wantage woman died at home just hours after she had fallen while trying to climb stairs, an inquest heard. Jennifer Giles, 56, died on July 1 last year, at her Barwell home. Dr Sanjiv Manek, a consultant pathologist, said a post-mortem examination revealed
The President of the European Commission, Romano Prodi, will address academics at Oxford University, when he officially opens the Said Business School. Before opening the £36m building in Park End Street on Monday, Mr Prodi will be awarded an honorary
A teenager is aiming to help other young musicians develop their skills by raising the money to build a recording studio at her school. Amy McKay, with other musicians at her schoolGosford Hill School pupil Amy McKay has launched a £3,000 appeal to help
Games for Saturday, April 27 Oxfordshire v Henley (11.30). CLUB MATCHES Banbury v Great & Little Tew, Bloxham School v Banbury 2nd, Rover Cowley v Oxford & Horspath, Abingdon Vale v Oxford & Horspath 2nd, Oxford & Horspath 3rd v Abingdon
Top scorer Andy Shildrick makes a surprise return for AFC Wallingford as they take on Milton Keynes City in the Berks & Bucks Senior Trophy final at Aylesbury United tomorrow (Sat, 3). The striker was expected to be sidelined for the rest of the season
Rugby matches on April 27 PARKER PEN EUROPEAN SHIELD Semi-final: London Irish v Pontypridd (Kassam Stadium, 5.30) ENGLISH NATIONAL LEAGUE Div 1: Henley v Rotherham. ENGLISH CLUBS CHAMPIONSHIP Southern Counties promotion play-off: Grove v Oakmeadians (
The crisis in farming has forced the Duke of Marlborough to sell his herd of dairy cattle and lay off 12 agricultural employees. Management of the duke's 6,500 acre farm estate, surrounding Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, is to be contracted out as part of
Shares in an Oxfordshire biotech company fell sharply when a medical trial was halted after a patient developed dementia. Oxford GlycoSciences, based at Milton Park, and in Abingdon, said it had temporarily stopped the clinical trial in Israel of its
Oxford University's reputation as a centre for scientific research was due to receive a boost today with the opening of a new physics laboratory. The new Nicholas Kurti Magnetic Field Laboratory, in the Science Area off Parks Road, is equipped with powerful
Parks around the city are coming to life for another round of Oxford Mail-sponsored Fun in the Parks events. Our editor Jim McClure is pictured, front, at the Fun in the Parks launch with Janine Graham, Bob Staig, city council events officer Anna Dolan
Two men accused of forcing a young woman to rob victims at knife-point told police that she was acting alone, a jury heard. Slimane Benhalilou, of Jane Seaman Court, Blackbird Leys, Oxford, and Ian James, of Nightingale Avenue, Blackbird Leys, deny two
The closure of a school that has been plagued by vandalism and staffing problems could bring new hope to children on Banbury's Bretch Hill estate. Neithrop Junior School will shut by the end of the year, and Neithrop Infants School will become a full
The Liberal Democrats' local election campaign received a boost when party leader Charles Kennedy visited Oxford yesterday. Charles Kennedy, with Cowley Marsh ward candidate Sajjad-Hussain Malik and other supporters As he went on a whistle-stop tour of
NHS managers have revealed proposals to cut the number of Oxfordshire's primary care trusts, even though they have only been running for a year. The move will be the third shake-up of health organisations in the county within 13 months, and will include
With six days to go before the first local referendum in Oxford's history, campaigners are anticipating a close result. More than 102,000 people will get a chance next Thursday to vote on whether the city should elect a mayor. The result could bring about
Parks around the city are coming to life for another round of Oxford Mail-sponsored Fun in the Parks events. Our editor Jim McClure is pictured, front, at the Fun in the Parks launch with Janine Graham, Bob Staig, city council events officer Anna Dolan
North Leigh boss Mark Gee has conceded that their title chase is all but over, after their goalless draw with Gloucester United last weekend. He said: "All we can do is keep up the pressure and hope that Gloucester crack." Nick Hughes (ankle), Justin
Work to strengthen Magdalen Bridge will be completed this weekend, in good time for Oxford's traditional May Morning celebrations. English Heritage were consulted before contractors began work to strengthen parapets on the listed bridge in February, and
With six days to go before the first local referendum in Oxford's history, campaigners are anticipating a close result. More than 102,000 people will get a chance next Thursday to vote on whether the city should elect a mayor. The result could bring about
Rugby fans who feared they would not be able to get a ticket for this weekend's showpiece Parker Pen European Shield semi-final can rest easy. Despite talk of a sell-out, there are still around 5,000 tickets left for tomorrow's clash between London Irish
England football coach Sven Goran Eriksson has thanked the Oxford Mail for backing a campaign to raise money for research into men's cancers. Cancer Research UK's World Cup Party is asking businesses in Oxfordshire to give staff extra time for lunch,
NHS managers have revealed proposals to cut the number of Oxfordshire's primary care trusts, even though they have only been running for a year. The move will be the third shake-up of health organisations in the county within 13 months, and will include
