Archive

  • Have faith in bold, lively wallflowers

    As I write I’m still penned in by cold weather and, when I held a gardening lunch last week, I had the embarrassing experience of showing John Massey of Ashwood Nurseries and Hugh Nunn of Harvington Nurseries, both luminaries of the plant world, my

  • Music highlights for April 18

    Voice Box Choir CONCERT IN AID OF FREEDOM FROM TORTURE St Barnabas Church, Jericho n Saturday, 7.30pm Tickets: 01865 510036 or voiceboxchoir.co.uk An eclectic mix of classical, swing, close harmony and political songs by this Witney-based

  • Oxford Early Music Festival previewed

    It can’t be every day that a group of teenagers climb on to a Cowley rooftop and sing classical music. But that’s what sisters Kate, Helen, Emma, and Laura Ashby, plus their brother Nick, decided to do as youngsters. “As we are all very close together

  • On the Horizon April 18

    Theatre LESS THAN KIND Oxford Playhouse May 14-18 Box office: 01865 305305 or oxfordplayhouse.com London, 1944. The war is reaching its climax, but senior minister John Fletcher is distracted by his affair with attractive widow Olivia

  • Unlikely cigarette brand for young sleuth Endeavour Morse

    I look to be having stay-at-home weekends for the next few weeks, with Richard Wagner’s Ring cycle live from New York’s Metropolitan Opera courtesy of Radio 3 on Saturday nights and the excellent new Morse prequel Endeavour going out from ITV on Sundays

  • The Milkshed, Weston-on-the-Green

    The Milkshed Northampton Road, Weston-on-the-Green, OX25 3QL 01869 351387 themilkshedstore.co.uk Captain Scott deserved two lunches before setting off on his fateful mission to the Antarctic, as did David Walliams before donning his wetsuit

  • Big Issue seller thanks charity for saving his dog

    A BIG Issue seller whose dog saved him from alcoholism has thanked the charity which sponsored her medication. Steve Trigg was drinking seven litres of sherry a day, but when his faithful pet Charlie had puppies, he decided to beat the booze so

  • Government housing cash 'must be used in Didcot'

    MILLIONS of pounds of Government funding resulting from a new 2,030-home development in Didcot must be spent in the town, according to a leading councillor. If the Croudace Homes development north east of the town is approved, South Oxfordshire

  • Scales of Justice

    People convicted of offences at Banbury Magistrates' Court recently: David O’Neil, 24, of East Street, Oxford, admitted driving at 44mph in the 20mph zone in Morrell Avenue on September 17. Fined £150 with a £15 victims’ surcharge and £65 costs

  • ‘Castrate paedophile’ says victims’ relative

    THE relative of two sexual assault victims says he wants to “castrate” the man who abused his loved ones. Robert Ind, of Normandy Crescent, Oxford, was jailed for three-and-a-half years at Oxford Crown Court this week. The family of the two

  • Oxfordshire runners take on the London Marathon 2013

    THE tragic events in Boston on Monday have cast even more of a spotlight on the London Marathon. But instead of giving in to the perpetrators, there is even more of a determination among runners to take to the start line and show the world that

  • Jobless figure falls

    The number of people claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance in the county has fallen for the first time since last November. Latest figures from the Office of National Statistics show 7,090 claimed the benefit in March, a fall of 135 on the previous month

  • Chill Out fund to keep giving

    MORE than £190,000 has helped almost 70 community projects flourish in Oxfordshire thanks to the county’s Chill Out Fund grant. The county council gave a total of £190,656.13 in grants to 69 organisations in the 2012/13 financial year, and senior

  • City residents have racked up £8m in debt crisis

    A PERSONAL debt crisis is sweeping Oxford it is claimed, with one charity reporting its clients are £8m in the red. The city’s Citizen’s Advice Bureau has warned it expects the “epidemic” to deepen with fresh welfare cuts. A mix of mortgage

  • Momentous day for Boundary Brook Nature Park

    AFTER more than 20 years an East Oxford community project will be sowing what could be its final seeds of success. Volunteers at Boundary Brook Nature Park will gather to plant about 150 trees on the last piece of the former allotment site not

  • Town in icy grip on August Bank Holiday

    At about the time that we were starting to wonder if April could get any colder, I came across a reference to even more unseasonal weather in a book I was reading about Southern Region trains on British Railways. This was a snow storm said to have

  • Pub group having a Peach of a time

    There’s always something quite exhilarating about that warm conversational buzz that hits you the moment you enter a Peach pub. It signifies life, enjoyment and a sense of welcome that some pubs fail to offer. As you can imagine when a popular

  • Bullfinch trial: Day 45

    Good morning, our coverage of the Bullfinch trial continues It's day 45 in the #Oxford grooming trial. Prosecution due to finish its closing speech today at the Old Bailey. — @Ben_Wilkinson_ 17 April 2013 Child

  • FOOTBALL: Oxford City hit back for a point

    OXFORD City continued their hectic end-of-season programme with a point from a 1-1 draw against Gainsborough Trinity at Marsh Lane in Blue Square North. A penalty from Jamie Cook earned them a share of the spoils after the visitors had taken an

  • FOOTBALL: Oxford City put dent in Halifax hopes

    OXFORD City took another point off Blue Square North play-off contenders by holding FC Halifax to a 2-2 draw at Marsh Lane last night. Mike Ford’s men, playing their fifth league fixture in just 11 days, also took points off Bradford Park Avenue

  • FOOTBALL: Tower felled by Stratford

    WOMEN'S FOOTBALL A GOAL from Sarah Snowdon was in vain as Tower Hill lost 4-1 at home to Stony Stratford in the Southern Women’s Region Division 1. Gemma Simmons, Keely Moxon, Sarah Coles’s own goal and Jordan Bateman had put Stony 4-0 up.

  • FOOTBALL: Banbury let lead slip twice

    Banbury United led twice in last night’s Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division game against Cambridge City but had to settle for a share of the spoils after a 2-2 draw. Ben Polk put them ahead from 25 yards after 27 minutes, but Danny Blanchett

  • Car parts fire

    ABINGDON: Firefighters battled a fire at Allparts Automotive in Suffolk Way at 2.13am yesterday. The fire was described as small and is not being treated as suspicious.

  • Inquest opened into teen's train death

    BICESTER: An inquest into the death of a teenager hit by a train in Bicester has opened and adjourned. Marcus Rawlings, 19, was killed on April 8 near the bridge carrying the line over the A4095 Howes Lane at the north-west edge of the town.

  • Port Meadow plan discussed

    OXFORD: Councillors will discuss the controversial Castle Mill student development at a meeting tonight. Oxford City Council’s west area planning committee will receive an update from officers about the ongoing saga. Campaigners have challenged

  • More children getting first choice of school

    NINETY per cent of parents in Oxfordshire applying for primary school places for their children this year got their first choice of school. Emails and letters were sent to parents who applied before the January deadline. First choice preferences

  • FOOTBALL: Roberts secures draw

    SCHOOLS' FOOTBALL VALE of White Horse Under 14s were denied victory by a last-gasp equaliser in a 1-1 draw against nine-man Mid Oxon in the Vale Cup at Milton United. Despite being two players short, Mid Oxon battled superbly, with goalkeeper

  • FOOTBALL: McDonagh at the double for North Leigh

    North Leigh halted a run of three successive defeats with a 2-1 win at Shortwood United in Division 1 South & West of the Evo-Stik Southern League, thanks to two Conor McDonagh goals. The Millers dominated the first half, but could not break

  • FOOTBALL: Mawle's four-timer edges out Eynsham

    GILES SPORTS WITNEY YOUTH LEAGUE JAMIE Mawle smashed a four-timer as Ducklington pipped Eynsham Youth 4-3 at home in the Under 15 C League. Matt Floyd, Jake Allison and Jamie Godfrey found the net for the visitors. Ben Thomas hammered a

  • FOOTBALL: St Clair stars for Littlemore

    IMAN St Clair hit six goals as Littlemore Youth beat Kidlington Colts 10-1 in the Under 14 C League. Daryl Samworth hit a hat-trick, with Kevin Chavenduka also on target in a one-sided win. Aron Long replied for hosts Kidlington. Kidlington Youth

  • Defendants deliberately targeted vulnerable

    A CHILD sex gang targeted, groomed, and exploited young girls over nearly eight years in a “pattern repeated time and time again”, the Old Bailey heard yesterday. The trial of nine men accused of running an underage sex ring in Oxford also heard

  • Respect the life savers

    I HAVE to object quite strongly about your article regarding an ambulance driver parked in a disabled bay at McDonald’s. Mr Granville does really need to get a life. Not so long ago, the ambulance-man would have got respect, now he gets reported

  • Oh what a circus

    ROLL up, roll up, here we go again with the next circus act our bungling city council will no doubt get the Oxpens revival totally wrong (April 12). I feel sure that the people of Oxford will be invited to attend the public consultation events

  • Robbery of Stagecoach

    I AM disgusted that Stagecoach is again rising the cost of fares while at the same time presiding over, on occasions, an appallingly unreliable bus service. I regularly use the 242 Witney-Woodstock service to get to and from work but the service

  • LIFE LESSONS: Be yourself and as kind as you can to everyone

    Today we talk to James McGee, owner of Wantage Funeral Service and youngest elected politician in the UK in 2007 WHAT I’M CALLED: James George McGee. Most from school would remember me as Jim or McGee, but anything goes. MY AGE: 26, although I

  • FOOTBALL: Alder stars in Vixens revival

    OXFORD MAIL GIRLS LEAGUE JAZZMIN Alder hammered a four-timer as Tower Hill Vixens fought back to win 5-2 at Kennington in the Under 16 League. Kennington took the lead when Payton Laver fired past Vixens keeper Georgie O’Malley, who was back

  • FOOTBALL: George in decider

    The George take on AFC Blackbirds in the Oxford City FA's County Junior League Cup final at Oxford City on Saturday (3pm).

  • FOOTBALL: Five-star Stonesfield storm into final

    Stonefield turned on the style to thrash Mansfield Road 5-0 at home in the Oxfordshire Senior League's Presidents Cup semi-final. Paul Penny’s 25-yard free-kick set Stonesfield on the way, and Matt Baker jinked his way through to double their advantage

  • Sunken cruiser rescued months after the floods

    A BOAT that sank at Oxford’s Osney Lock in the November floods has finally been raised. Environment Agency contractors pulled the boat out of the water yesterday after a difficult three-hour operation. A crane mounted on a barge was used and

  • Report not sturdy

    I AM very annoyed to read the report (Macky’s Morsels by K MacAlister, April 4) regarding Sturdy’s Castle. My husband and I were very happy with our first visit for many months on Easter Sunday and are both full of praise for the roast meal and

  • Iron Lady proves divisive even on day of her funeral

    I CANNOT stay silent on the subject of Margaret Thatcher any longer while those who disagreed with her policies shout loudly. I appreciate that her government didn’t get everything right (show me a government that has) but surely decisions and

  • FOOTBALL: Royals battle to cup double

    ANACLET Odhiambo’s late strike saw Kidlington Royals seal a cup double with a 1-0 win over Oxford Sports & Social Club in the Critchleys Upper Thames Valley League's Hedley Toms/ Michael Brown Memorial Trophy final, writes TIM SIRET. Having

  • The Disabled Space: Perseverance is the key to success

    Ah well, it is all over bar the shouting. The new benefits system that will have an impact on many disabled people’s lives is now in place. Are our fears of widespread deprivation and isolation unfounded? I think not but only time will tell

  • World of words heads to Chipping Norton

    BOOK lovers will able to enjoy a host of talks and workshops about writing at Chipping Norton Literary Festival, which starts tomorrow. Writers taking part include the creator of hit TV period drama Downton Abbey, Julian Fellowes, Girl with a Pearl

  • Rape trial told of defendant's good character

    A man on trial for rape has been described as being of “exceptional” character. Maximillian Hessel, of Peat Moors, Headington, Oxford, denies committing the crime in June last year. The 22-year-old had been drinking heavily and smoking cannabis

  • COMMENT: Olde worlde woe

    IT MAY have an olde worlde charm, but the Swinford toll bridge is an anachronism in the 21st century. Siemens may be trying to come up with a high-tech way of solving the queues caused by the old-fashioned toll collection, but the real issue is

  • Open verdict recorded on Oxford student

    AN Oxford University law student used her mobile phone to look up suicide websites the day before she died on the A40, an inquest heard. Oxford Coroner’s Court heard yesterday Vandana Singh, 21, died instantly when she was hit by a car on the Oxford-bound

  • Oxford United youngster out to keep the jersey

    MAX Crocombe has set his sights on staying in the Oxford United side for the final two games of the season after claiming a first clean sheet last weekend. The goalkeeper was a surprise inclusion in the starting line-up at Dagenham & Redbridge

  • Dog stadium: fight is on

    Campaigners in vow to challenge plans for 220 homes at dog stadium   PLANS to flatten Oxford’s greyhound stadium to make way for a 220-home estate last night saw campaigners declare: The real fight starts now. The application to knock down

  • COMMENT: Campaigners must keep up the pressure

    THE jaded may feel that it is inevitable housing will eventually sit on what is now Oxford’s former greyhound stadium. Galliard Homes has submitted plans for a 220-home estate on the Blackbird Leys site and, as the weeds begin to sprout, there

  • FOOTBALL: All square in summit clash

    THE Division 1 title race remains open after a meeting of the top two ended in a 1-1 draw, writes PHIL ANNETS. Visitors Saxton Rovers remain six points clear thanks to a goal from Frankie Haines, but Ross Tyler’s effort kept Didcot Casuals, who

  • FOOTBALL: Murphy double puts Berinsfield into final

    NORTH Berks Charity Shield holders Berinsfield strolled into another final with a 3-0 win over fellow top-flight side Kintbury Rangers. Chris Murphy scored twice and Mark Ingram converted a free-kick in the comfortable home victory. James Tranter

  • County approves extra cash to fix potholes

    Transport bosses yesterday approved an extra £3.55m for Oxfordshire’s roads. It comes as county council workers have filled in 677 potholes in the past month. But they got 262 reports of crumbling roads in just the last week. More about

  • FOOTBALL: Chadlington edge home

    GEORGE Slatter scored a second-half winner as Chadlington boosted their Witney & District FA Division 1 title hopes with a 1-0 home victory against leaders Stanton Harcourt, writes ANTHONY BARLOW. The result saw the third-placed side cut Harcourt

  • Village primary's bright new future

    A VILLAGE school which faced closure two years ago is looking at a brighter future. At one point, Culham Primary School, had no headteacher, a £50,000 budget deficit and only 24 pupils on the roll. The Oxford Mail reported in January this year

  • Homes to replace a ‘blot on landscape’

    RESIDENTS can have their say on proposals to build 40 affordable homes on a disused allotment site, described as a “blot on the landscape”. Oxford City Council wants to build the homes on East Minchery Farm in Littlemore and has organised two public

  • Council in talks over surplus MoD land in Bicester

    A COUNCIL is in talks with the Government to buy land that has just been approved for 1,900 new homes. Cherwell District Council wants surplus MoD land known as Graven Hill, in Bicester, to develop for housing, including creating the country’s