We should, of course, do everything we can to discourage smoking. It is bad for those who indulge in the filthy habit as well as for others close enough to breathe in the deadly fumes. But we are not too optimistic that the ban on smoking in public
My wife and I have been waiting to move into a bigger flat as we are in a council bedsit which measures 12ft by 15ft. Our kitchen, measuring 9ft by 6ft, is in the same room, so we are left with little space to live and sleep in. Our furniture consists
Five schools in Oxfordshire have been listed in a combined A- and AS-Level league table of the UK's top 100 independent schools. The league table, which does not include schools with fewer than 30 candidates, uses the university admissions body UCAS's
Traders in Oxford have reacted with outrage at proposals not to jail serial shoplifters, in a move that has been described as making thieves "untouchable". Sticky-fingered criminals should not be imprisoned unless they commit an aggravated offence,
Oxford City Council has broken its silence over the city's controversial animal experiment laboratory for the first time. Until now, the £18m Oxford University project in South Parks Road has been a non-political affair, at least at local level. However
Music lovers can enjoy a brand new festival this autumn. The Chilton Music Festival, at the Chilton Estate near Thame, will showcase some of the best unsigned bands from Oxfordshire and the rest of the UK combined with some established artists. Topping
You report that street wardens are being introduced into Marston in Oxford (Oxford Mail, August 17). I have lived in Croft Road with my family since 1973 and we have never had any trouble from anyone. What we need in this area are more community facilities
Smokers who flout the forthcoming ban in Oxford bars and public places face the prospect of being grassed up on a special hotline. A shop-a-smoker line is being launched next summer to coincide with the start of the controversial national smoking ban
Traffic jams on the A40 at the Green Road roundabout in Headington, Oxford, has made the road one of the top 10 places in the UK to avoid over the bank holiday weekend. The AA Motoring Trust has compiled a list of places drivers should avoid unless
Six motorists had a nasty shock yesterday when they found their cars had been torched by arsonists at an Oxford car park. Two Vauxhall Astras, a maroon Volkswagon Golf, a Fiat Uno and a Rover 25 with a French registration were all destroyed in the blaze
Archaeologists from Oxford are taking part in a televised dig of Royal Palaces this weekend to celebrate the Queen's 80th birthday. Oxford Archeology, based at Osney Mead industrial estate, are helping Channel 4's Time Team to excavate the gardens of
A homeless drug addict died of pneumonia in his sleep as the methadone he had taken masked the symptoms, Oxford Coroner's Court heard. Michael Buckle, 19, of no fixed abode, died on October 2 last year at his father Stephen Buckle's home in Saxton Road
Friends dressed as cowboys and Indians to grant the dying wish of retired Oxfordshire farmer and wild west fan William 'Tex' Birch. Two of his most treasured items, a traditional feathered American Indian bonnet and peace pipe, sat on top of Mr Birch's
Two Oxfordshire skydivers have made history as part of an all-woman, all-conquering team. Amanda Kemp, from Didcot, and Claire Scott, from Bicester, were part of the UK women's skydiving team that took the top prize at the UK Championships. It was
Staff sickness rates at Oxford City Council are on course to be the worst ever, latest figures have shown. Employees took an average 2.88 days off each in the three months since April this year, up on 2005 figures. The results were made public in
The grandmother of a premature baby boy organised a fun-day to raise money for the special care baby unit that looked after him. Cindy Donaldson, 50, of Barry Avenue, Bicester, raised £2,055 for the Support for the Sick Newborn And their Parents charity
A MOTORCYCLIST was found dead in the middle of the A34 in the early hours of today in what police fear may have been a collision with a lorry. The man was discovered by a lorry driver at 4am on Saturday on the northbound carriageway near the Marcham
Trout anglers are having great sport at the Farmoor II fishery, near Oxford, with a daily rod average of more than four fish per angler. Senior fishery warden Paul Doherty said with most fish were being taken within six inches of the surface, with the
Oxford's Lucy Brown was denied a chance of Wimbledon glory yesterday. The Elsfield youngster (pictured) was seeded No 2 in the under 14 girls singles in the Road to Wimbledon National Challenge. But Lucy went down 6-3, 6-4 to Alex Walker from Northumberland
Oxford Hawks are holding a club day on Saturday, September 2 at their Banbury Road North ground. Their ladies' first team will play City of Oxford at 10.30am, while at 12.30pm, the men take on Indian Gymkhana. At 2pm, the club will hold a six-a-side
BanburyUnder 11s completed a memorable season as they were crowned Northamptonshire county cup champions on finals day at Marston St Lawrence. The victory gave them a momentous treble as they had already landed the Oxfordshire Club Championships title
Witney weightlifter Dan Middleton has landed his second international call, after being selected for the Great Britain team to compete at the European Junior Championships in Palermo, Italy. The 17-year-old is tipped by many to compete at the 2012 Olympics
Sutton Courtenay's Magic' Open once again proved a big hit, with the 32 anglers raising £150 for Cancer Relief. The match was fished on Sutton's Appleford Reach and the river looked in good shape. Pegged up on the old willows was Andy Whittington
Linear Fisheries worker Chris Blunt went to Spain with his wife Jackie for his honeymoon - but still found time for some fishing, writes Andy Webber. He caught a catfish from the River Ebro weighing 151lb, plus a big common carp of 30.8.0. Not to
Oxford have more than adequately covered for outgoing trainer Nick Colton with the appointment of Terry Kibble and Robert Hannan, who are currently at Swindon. Both are expected to provide around 40 hounds for grading and will begin trialling next week
Banbury Borough, skipped by Gary Lucas, gained two convincing victories to reach the semi-finals of the fours event in the Waitrose Men's English National Championships at Worthing yesterday. After beating Gosforth 20-14 in the third round, the Borough
