Stories for 18 May 2004

Oxfordshire News

More staff are needed

As the owner of a house in multiple occupation (HMO), because I, at one time, let two rooms to students, I keep a close eye on any laws governing HMOs in Oxford.   more...

Can we risk sending our votes by post?

With the backlog of mail from the last unofficial strike still not fully cleared and the prospect of an official postal strike looming, the question we must ask is: "Is it safe to vote by post?"   more...

Road safety 'art exhibit' hijacks festival launch

The launch festival for Artweeks in Oxfordshire was hijacked by a local artist with an unofficial installation carrying a road safety message.   more...

Cowley Road to be closed for carnival

The countdown to Oxford's biggest carnival event is on -- and organisers want businesses and residents to help cover the running costs.   more...

Leave Maxine alone, MP Boris tells media

Maxine Carr should be left alone to rebuild her life in safety, Henley MP Boris Johnson has said.   more...

Learner drivers face longer wait for tests

The Government has been criticised for letting down learner drivers in Oxfordshire by failing to cut "unacceptable" driving test delays.   more...

Soup-er idea may offset PO closure

A new soup business to raise funds for children in India is one of the ideas dreamed up by a north Oxford shopkeeper whose post office has been earmarked for closure.   more...

Surgeon in 'abusive' affair, GMC told

A plastic surgeon had an affair with a patient he had treated for the flesh-eating bug necrotising fasciitis, a tribunal heard.   more...

Carfax Tower quarter-boys to get facelift

A £3,000 facelift being planned for Oxford's quarter-boys is likely to take place next year.   more...

Group 4 'may run asylum centre'

Controversial security company Group 4 is set to run the proposed Oxfordshire centre for asylum seekers, according to Banbury MP Tony Baldry.   more...

Time flies for postie

Postman Malcolm Lucas has notched up 50 years working for the post office, after starting as a 15-year-old boy. "It's all gone in a flash, flown by," he said. "I suppose I've been too busy to notice the time flying by. I'm always on the go, the only trouble now is I am still waking up at 4am."   more...

Benn joins the Levellers

Veteran politician Tony Benn marches with Sealed Knot members at the annual gathering of left wing political activists at Burford on Saturday (May 15).   more...

Land to stay as open space

Seventy-five acres of south Oxfordshire land will be kept as open space despite having been sold to individual owners.   more...

School says farewell to David

Pupils and staff at an Abingdon school gathered yesterday (May 17) to pay tribute to 17-year-old David Jones, who died after being knocked down by a car.   more...

How simple policing was in the old days

I enjoyed Mike Coffey's letter about the police who let down his dad's tyres when he was caught riding with no lights in the mid-1970s (Oxford Mail, May 10).   more...

One in three children has rotten teeth

Children in deprived areas of Oxfordshire have such rotten teeth that some are forced to have them extracted by the time they are five.   more...

'Crash car had defective tyre'

The police car which knocked down Oxford Brookes University student Emily Higson, fatally injuring her, had a defective front tyre.   more...

Oxfordshire Sport

Football: Rix set to get tough

Graham Rix says his Oxford United players have got a hard summer ahead.   more...

Swimming: City's Wall flowers by setting British record

City of Oxford set another British record at the Midland District Masters Championship at Leamington Spa.   more...

Football: Super Allen bags double

Banbury United defender Jason Allen netted a double at the Dr Martens Eastern Division club's annual presentation night on Friday.   more...

Football: Townsend resigns

Witney United are looking for a new boss after Andy Townsend quit the Hellenic League Division 1 West outfit for family and personal reasons.   more...

Rugby: Goode heads Banbury scheme

Banbury have launched a schools' liaison scheme in a bid to increase the numbers of youngsters playing the game in north Oxfordshire.   more...

Football: Bicester are south west champs

Bicester Community College were crowned south west champions in the ESFA Coca Cola Under 13 Cup with a thrilling 4-3 win over Broadlands (Keynsham) at St Mary's Stadium, Southampton.   more...

Darts: Varney and Jukes set for Super League cup

Olly Varney and Jon Jukes head the list of qualifiers for Oxfordshire Men's Super League's Most Wins Cup to be played at Cowley Community Centre on Thursday.   more...

Hockey: West Witney celebrate national success

West Witney girls celebrate after they beat Fyffes Leicester 2-0 in the final of the EHA Under 15 National Plate at Harleston.   more...

Rugby: Storming late burst sends Surrey reeling

Surrey 10, Oxfordshire 42: A devastating late burst of scoring earned Oxfordshire a stunning victory in their Tetley's Bitter County Championship match at Esher.   more...

Rugby: Coach backs Quins return

Oxford Harlequins coach Matt Maudsley vowed that his side would make a quick return to South West 1, when he spoke at the club's annual awards dinner.   more...