EMERGENCY crews were at full stretch this evening dealing with hundreds of flooding calls today as torrential rain swept the county. By 1.35pm alone, the fire service said it had received 100 calls from Abingdon to Bloxham and was dealing with those
Three people have been charged in connection with the death of a woman whose burned body was found in a suitcase in Oxfordshire. The charred remains of Thea Zaudy, 94, from Notting Hill Gate, were found near a suitcase in a field off the A329 Rycote
FLOODING caused by torrential rain has forced the cancellation of Oxfordshire's Truck Festival. The event, which was due to take place at Hill Farm, Steventon, this weekend, was called off this afternoon after the site was left flooded by up to a metre
VILLAGERS who were due to be battling - quite literally - this weekend for better school facilities for their youngsters have had their plans ruined by the rain. Residents of Kingston Bagpuize and Southmoor had been due to stage a mock battle with Roundheads
Millions more letters, parcels and cards will be held up in Oxford after the postal strike intensified yesterday. Nearly 400 Royal Mail workers have vowed to continue a wildcat strike until at least Monday. Two million items are stuck in the Cowley
The decision that the Court of Appeal will look at the sentence given to child rapist Keith Fenn will be widely welcomed. Many people felt his two-year jail term for abusing a 10-year-old girl was lenient. We hope the appeal judges will impose a more
It is always the big crimes which catch the headlines. Newspapers, radio and TV will always give prominence to murder, robbery or rape. But the truth is that most people are unlikely to be a witness to or victim of serious crime. The majority, however
A motorist has admitted causing the death of a student. Grant Embling, 20, died in an accident while riding his motorcycle in September at a notorious accident blackspot on the A4130 in Didcot. Yesterday, Paul Pettifer, 26, of Springfield Road, Wantage
Flooding caused by torrential rain has forced the cancellation of Oxfordshire's Truck Festival. The event, which was due to take place at Hill Farm, Steventon, this weekend, was called off yesterday afternoon after the site was left flooded by up to
Members of other trade unions have backed Royal Mail workers who continued their wildcat strike into its fifth day yesterday. The Oxford & District Trade Union Council and health workers have thrown their support behind the unofficial strike. Nearly
David Leeming is to get a rock and roll send-off at his funeral on Monday - Status Quo-style. The music-loving Quo fan's funeral will take place at Oxford Crematorium with his favourite memorabilia by his side. And his wife, Ann, has given friends
Oxford University's new weapon in its war on riotous final exam celebrations has sparked accusations of cheating and dirty tricks. University staff have infuriated students by using the social networking website Facebook to identify and discipline students
Two Oxford parks have been named among the best in the country. Hinksey Park and Cutteslowe and Sunnymead Park have been awarded prestigious 'Green Flags' by the Government. The annual awards recognise the country's best open spaces and the two Oxford
FERNANDO Alonso insists McLaren team-mate Lewis Hamilton is the clear favourite to win this year's Formula One world title. With a 12-point lead at the top of the drivers' championship, and with eight races remaining, the odds clearly favour Hamilton
Low-level yobbery is the real scourge of police in Oxford, according to the city's senior officer. Home Office crime statistics released this week show year-on-year increases in violence against individuals, sexual offences and burglary in Oxfordshire
Business people can quiz the man behind the £70m Bicester town centre redevelopment at a meeting on Thursday. John Liggins, the managing director of Deddington-based development firm Stockdale, will be at the monthly Bicester Business Breakfast Club
An Oxford pensioner celebrated turning 100 this week with cake and bubbly. Stanley Richens, who lives at the Longland Residential Home, in Blackbird Leys, reaches the milestone today. Shotover Day Centre, in Cowley, where Mr Richens is a regular, hosted
A mystery benefactor has stepped in to help a couple who found themselves boxed in when they appealed for donations to help orphaned children in Africa. Earlier this month, Jeff and Valerie Harris were inundated with boxes of clothes and toys, after
Live music, face painting and a wind tunnel are just some of the things going on in an Oxford park tomorrow. Churches in Headington have come together to organise the free Summer Family Funday in Bury Knowle Park, from 2pm. Pictured putting in some
The man chosen to lead Oxford's first academy school, if it is given the go-ahead later this year, has spoken of his excitement at taking on the role. Mike Reading, currently headmaster of Carre's Grammar School in Sleaford, Lincolnshire, has been named
More than £800 was raised at a teddy bears' picnic held during this year's Cowley Road Carnival. Hundreds of teddies donated by the public were displayed and money was raised for children's charity Barnardo's by selling a bear. A further £200 was raised
Scientists at Oxford University have been awarded £600,000 for research that could transform heart attack treatment. Prof Kieran Clarke, of the physiology department, is trying to grow new heart tissue from stem cells that would replace damaged parts
A pioneering project about the black community in Oxford has been shortlisted as one of the best heritage projects funded by the National Lottery. And people are being asked to get behind the scheme, Black Oxford: Untold Stories by voting for it - giving
War veteran Ron Belcher, 95, and his wife Sybil were at Buckingham Palace this week for an occasion not to be forgotten in every sense. The Kennington couple were guests of the Not-Forgotten Association, an organisation dedicated to providing entertainment
20/07/2007 pm AEA Technology 113.5 BMW 3191 Electrocomponents 259 Isoft Group 65.5 Nationwide Accident Repair 145 Oxford Biomedica 42.25 Oxford Instruments 273.5 Reed Elsevier 642 RM 212.75 RPS Group 349
Motorists should not attempt to drive through flooded roads or fords. The water is often deeper than it looks and may be moving quite fast. Your vehicle may be swept away or you may become stranded. For further information contact Oxfordshire Highways
Move pets, vehicles, valuables and other items to safety. Put sandbags or flood boards in place but ensure that your property remains ventilated. Plug sinks/baths and put a sandbag in toilet bowls to prevent overflow. Turn off gas and electricity and
POLICE are appealing for help to trace a 14-year-old girl who may be in Oxford. Annabelle Trafford, who has been missing since July 4, has previously lived in Oxfordshire and attended the Cherwell School. It is believed she may be in the Cutteslowe
Volunteer drivers have welcomed plans for dedicated parking at Oxford's largest hospital following concerns that it was difficult to drop off elderly and infirm patients. At a meeting earlier this year, NHS managers were warned that many unpaid workers
The Loire Valley is home to a variety of grape varieties, particularly sauvignon blanc, which are wonderfully refreshing wines with a delightful minerality that comes from the chalky soils of the region. The Loire's cool climate results in ultra-clean
I have a confession to make: I have just invested in a bottle of probably the most toxic and environment-destroying toilet cleaner in the world and I feel really guilty. There is method in my madness, which I shall explain forthwith. My husband and
The vineyards of the Loire Valley follow France's longest river for around 400km - from Sancerre to Nantes on the Atlantic coast. You would be right in thinking that in covering such a distance you would be in store for a diverse range of wines. The regions
Torrential downpours are continuing to cause problems across Oxfordshire. Only one lane was open in each direction on the M40 between Banbury and Bishop's Tachbrook, near Leamington Spa, due to flood water and the parallel B4100 was also barely passable
A language student was so upset by an assault in Oxford's Cowley Road she returned home to Germany. The 19-year-old was attacked near the Cape of Good Hope pub. Police are appealing for a couple who intervened to come forward. The 19-year-old German
POLICE are appealing for a couple to come forward after they intervened when a language student from Germany was assaulted in Oxford. Between 11pm and 11.30pm on Monday, the 19-year-old woman was walking from the city centre up Cowley Road. As she
Cherwell District Council has set up an emergency flooding team. It is issuing sandbags to residents living in areas which are flooding or at imminent risk of flooding. Residents requiring sandbags should contact the helpline on 01295 227001. The council
A leaflet we picked up at our local Co-op in Woodstock this week gives a challenging account of the Co-op's recent record. I say "challenging" because other retailers , and banks, are often far behind in responding to their customers' radical demands.
A 28-year-old woman and her three-month-old daughter were killed in a car crash near the Oxfordshire-Buckinghamshire border. The collision happened at 2.23 pm on Wednesday on the A421 at Finmere, near Bicester, when a silver Vauxhall Corsa collided
The family of a woman whose body was found burnt in a field in Oxfordshire has paid tribute to her. Last Friday, farm workers discovered the body in a field off the A329 Rycote Lane at Milton Common, near Thame, close to junction seven of the M40.
A severe weather warning has been issued in Oxfordshire, as heavy rain continues to fall on the county. Drivers in this morning's rush-hour faced surface water on Oxford's Eastern bypass - though the route has not yet been blocked by flooding. Met
Distraction burglars struck at five addresses across Oxfordshire, police revealed today. At 5.10pm on Wednesday, two men called at a house in Keydale Road, Wheatley. They told the 74-year-old resident there had been an explosion nearby and they needed
POLICE are appealing for information after two doorstep conmen struck at five addresses across Oxfordshire on Wednesday. At about 5.10pm two men called at a house in Keydale Road, Wheatley. They told the 74-year-old resident there had been an explosion
THE waiting is almost over for aviation fans as the spectacular Fly to the Past air show arrives at Oxfordshire's Blenheim Palace on Sunday. After months of planning, event director Francis Rockliff is ready to unveil what is probably the country's
YACHTSMAN Adrian Flanagan has finally begun the second part of his round-the-world voyage - with help from Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich. Mr Flanagan, 46, set sail on Tuesday from the Alaskan port of Nome, where his boat has been stored for the past
HARRY Potter mania spells the busiest night of the year tonight for booksellers. Many bookshops are staying open after midnight to make sure hundreds of fans can get their hands on JK Rowling's seventh and final book in the series at the earliest possible
MILLIONS more letters, parcels and cards will be held up in Oxford after the postal strike intensified yesterday. Almost 400 Royal Mail workers have vowed to continue a wildcat strike until at least Monday. Two million items are stuck in the Cowley
JIM Smith has almost finalised his squad for next season after Alex Jeannin, Joel Ledgister and Phil Trainer all signed contracts with Oxford United. Former Exeter and Hereford defender Jeannin, ex-Southend winger Ledgister and Trainer, who was with
Oxford Downs captain Wes Bartlett admitted it was tough keeping his side focused as they prepare for Sunday's last 16 clash at Marshfield in the npower Vilage Cup. Downs are still in with a shout of promotion to the Home Counties Premier League, so
Oxfordshire men's captain Tom Greenland believes that his side will take all the beating in Group 7 at Beckenham, Kent. Despite a number of years of gloom, Greenland is delighted that a full-strength side means that there should no be excuses for not
Oxfordshire's youth will be given the chance to shine when County Week gets under way on Monday - and they will do it on home turf. The women's team, for so long consisting of the same faces, has a new, fresh look as they bid to stop their fall. Having
SATURDAY CRICKET SOMMERS HOME COUNTIES PREMIER LEAGUE Div 1: Banbury v Falkland, Henley v Farnham Royal, Slough v Oxford. Div 2 West: Aston Rowant v Tring Park, Kidlington v Thame Tn. THE OXFORD TIMES CHERWELL LEAGUE Div 1: Milton Keynes v Banbury
Oxford University time trialist David McGaw continued his winning ways with victory in the Oxonian Open Ten on the Southmoor course. In a course record time of 20mins 12secs, he led home Oxford City's Mark Jones by 46 secs. VC ST Raphael rider Jake
Paul Mattick, of Wallingford, made history in the final World Cup regatta in Lucerne. Mattick (pictured) was the No 3 man in the British lightweight coxless four which won gold - their first since the World Cup started ten years ago. Mattick and
Abingdon United manager Andy Slater has added to his ex-Oxford United contingent by signing former U's youngsters Josias Carbon and Daniel Meade. Earlier this month, former Oxford players Billy Beechers, Jamie Brooks, and Andrew Younie signed up.
Oxford Sports C came from behind to snatch an exciting 4-4 draw with Woodstock B in the Wilson OLTA Inter-Club League Ladies Division 2 of the 3-Pair League. Sports were never in front, and went into the last round of matches 3-2 behind. After Woodstock's
Shahbaz Ali has completed a meteoric return by being named in Oxfordshire's side to face Cornwall at Cambourne. The 28-year-old Kidlington all-rounder last played for the county in 2003, but was selected for Oxon's development XI this week. Now the
Sir - In her letter which you published on July 13, the leader of the county council Labour group berates the Lib Dems for "making itself complicit" with the Conservative administration on council tax levels. She apparently sees electoral advantage
Sir - London councils are asking the Government to place a 10p tax on plastic carriers. Shouldn't we be seeing the same in Oxfordshire? Oxfordshire residents consume 100 million plastic bags a year - of which 90 million are thrown away immediately.
Sir - We would like to comment on your article (June 15) regarding the University's plan for Wolvercote homes on the old paper mill site. The people of Wolvercote and Wytham have several concerns about this proposed development for 200 homes. An estimated
Sir - The Oxford health trusts that harbour ambitions to develop Warneford Meadow have made great promises about preserving the Boundary Brook wildlife corridor that runs along the east edge of the site. But on this other side of the corridor, those
Sir - As a scientist and a practising Christian in Oxford, I wish that the various denominations would listen more to the inalienable truths of science, because science has such an important role in the proper interpretation of scripture. For example
Sir - It must be many years ago now that Mrs Thatcher allowed us to have competition between bus companies, a facility which hardly any citizens wanted and which few towns took up. I am pleased to report a co-operative incident last week. A number 4
ENFORCEMENT cameras in Oxford are catching 129 motorists a day entering no-go areas in the city centre. A total of 10,641 fines have been issued to motorists flouting a seven-day-a-week daytime ban on using Oxford High Street, Castle Street, Magdalen
Sir - Residents in East Oxford are concerned at the prospect of buses being diverted through residential streets while St Clements and The Plain are re-surfaced later this month, and have asked for bus routes to be diverted and curtailed. This move
Sir - Thank you for your excellent coverage of the public meeting on road closures planned for St Clements and other main East Oxford roads this summer. It is to be hoped that the county council will listen and learn from the information gathered
THAME Town Council has turned down a project to make the former Woolwich building in Cornmarket into a drop-in centre for local teenagers. Members said no business plan had been produced to show if the project was viable and they did not like it being
Sir - Our campaign which has been saving our old traditional red telephone boxes for 20 years is concerned at the state of the K2 box outside Carfax, Oxford. A plaque in the box states the 'K2 was donated to the city of Oxford' by an individual apparently
A WATERSIDE development in Oxford has sparked about 500 letters of objection from residents. The scheme to build 54 flats on former British Waterways land sparked one of Oxford's most bitter land disputes in recent years, and the closure of the historic
Sir - Summer is a coming in, loudly sing cuckoo. How do I know this? Why because they are digging up High Street again. Actually Magdalen Bridge and some of The Plain. Thank you Oxford, whoever it is. Last week it took 20 minutes to get down High
Sir - On the front page (July 6) you report on a number of proposals for new settlements in Oxfordshire. While on the front page of your property section you report that the 'average house price' in Oxford now stands at £307,692, nearly £100,000 above
EIGHT bulky bins for recycling Yellow Pages directories are to be set up in west Oxfordshire during August and September. And to encourage householders to make use of them the district council is running a lucky draw worth £50 - people simply put
A ROUND-the- clock demonstration is being planned on Thursday next week to coincide with the Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust's meeting on the future of The Horton Hospital. Called '24-hours to save the Horton', the vigil is the brainchild of
WITNEY MP David Cameron is among a group of MPs who will visit the trouble-hit African nation of Rwanda this weekend. Mr Cameron, the leader of the opposition, will stay for three days and is expected to address the Rwandan parliament. The trip
VISITORS to Wallingford Museum in Flint House, High Street, will be invited to dig their hands into a sandpit, draw out whatever is in there and learn from the experts how to identify it as part of Family Archaeology Day on Sunday between 10am and 4pm
A NEW steam engine will be hauling passengers between Chinnor and Princes Risborough this weekend and the weekend after. The heritage railway has a former British Railways and Great Western Railway green-liveried pannier tank steam engine No. 8430 on
A SCHEME to improve sports facilities at a West Oxfordshire school will cost up to £1.8m. Burford School is looking for financial help with the scheme, which has now been approved by local planners. The new multi-use sports facility includes two
LIKE the AA Motoring Trust we were equally surprised by the disclosure that 129 motorists a day are being caught illegally driving down streets in central Oxford. Following the introduction in March of cameras enforcing a seven-day-a-week daytime ban
COUNCILLORS have refused to back plans to introduce CCTV in the Cowley Road until it is clear how much the project would cost. And even if it does turn out to be affordable, some councillors have expressed doubts about whether it is what the area needs
Sir - Having nearly completed the same two-year certificate part-time course in History and English as Bob Warburton, one of 'the oldest students around' (July 6), I should like to add my own comment on the high level of teaching and inspiration provided
PROPOSALS for a new Odeon cinema and shopping area in George Street have been submitted to Oxford City Council. As well as creating a modern multi-screen cinema complex, the scheme promises to bring about the transformation of Gloucester Green.
IT takes a brave man to tell Oxford University that things need to improve, and improve quickly. The last man who tried to steer through a radical shake-up, Dr John Hood, the university's first foreign vice chancellor, was left defeated after his
BMW is extending the 1 Series line-up in the UK with a new model, powered by a brace of high performance twin-turbocharged engines and a diesel capable of a frugal 58.9mpg. The new BMW 1 Series Coupé goes on sale in the UK in November and will be
WE should not be surprised by the decision of Boris Johnson to go for the Conservative nomination as candidate for Mayor of London. It is without doubt a big political job, and clearly bigger than being an opposition spokesman in the Commons. Understandably
Sir - I have always been given to understand that Oxfordshire was part of an inclusive democracy which made provision for all of those of different abilities. Having just come from a planning meeting of the county council concerning the controversial
Sir - Whether it is the location of the thousands of new houses which will be required to be built in Oxfordshire, or the location of wind turbines, or waste disposal facilities, all reported recently in The Oxford Times and discussed on the comment
THE LS 600h, the new hybrid power flagship of the Lexus brand, will cost from £81,400 when the model goes on sale in the UK on October 1. The LS 600h features the world's first full-time, all-wheel-drive, full hybrid, V8 powertrain, combining a 5.0
SELLING a car that looks for all the world like a 4x4 but is not, might seem a risky business. But Nissan reckons it is no gamble it all. It has bet that the compelling reasons for rising sales in compact 4x4 vehicles are a high driving position,
FAMILY and friends have paid tribute to a popular Bicester father-of-four who died after falling from the roof of a van. Gutter repair man Stephen Huntley, 48, was surrounded by his wife and sons when he died in hospital after suffering traumatic
POLICE today appealed for witnesses after a young man was robbed in Kidlington. The man was approached by three men as he walked along Morton Avenue, at the junction of Yarnton Road. The men asked him for cigarettes, his mobile phone and finally
The woman whose badly burned body was found in an Oxfordshire field was officially identified yesterday. On Friday, farm workers discovered human remains in a field off the A329 Rycote Lane at Milton Common, near Thame, close to junction seven of the
Harry Potter mania spells the busiest night of the year tonight for booksellers in Oxford. Bookshops in the city and beyond are staying open after midnight to make sure hundreds of fans can get their hands on JK Rowling's seventh and final book in the
Inspired by the 1988 John Waters film and the smash hit 2002 Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, Adam Shankman's all singing, all dancing spectacular is proof positive that size matters - the size of your heart, that is. Set in 1962 Baltimore - a city
