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The death toll on Oxfordshire roads continues to grow after two more people died today in difficult driving conditions. So far this year, 67 people have died in the county, the highest toll in 16 years. Eight people have died in the past five days and

I walked into the New Theatre this afternoon having forgotten that there was a matinee on, so I was not expecting to seeing a group of Cats calmly walking by me on their way to the stage. It's things like that which makes me remember how special my job

Oxford United players showed team spirit when they visited youngsters at the John Radcliffe Hospital today. There were smiles all round as the children met players such as captain Phil Gilchrist, as well as chairman Nick Merry and manager Jim Smith.

An Oxford Mail investigation has found traces of cocaine in public toilets in the city centre - prompting police to say they will increase patrols to catch drug users. We discovered the illegal drug in city council-run toilets in Castle Street, next

A private detective has described the part he played in a six-year investigation into a former teacher and paedophile. Phil Lewis spent months searching for former schoolchildren from Oxfordshire who had come into contact with former Olympic gymnastics

POLICE searching for missing woman Maria Pereira have been searching woodland around her home today with dogs. Specialist officers are also carrying out forensic tests at the home of the 43-year-old in Catslip, Nettlebed. Acting Det Insp Chris Biddle

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PROFESSOR Tony Knowland was born in 1919 and was educated first at Dulwich College and later at Frensham Heights, a progressive co-educational school. He became head boy and studied Latin and Greek with Rex Warner, the eminent classical scholar and

RALPH Holland, a former managing director of Oxford firm W Lucy, died on November 19, aged 83. Mr Holland served for eight years as a district councillor in the Vale of the White Horse. He was chairman of the personnel committee, helping the council

CAROLINE Miles, who has died aged 77, was a leading figure in the health service in Oxfordshire. As chairman of the Oxfordshire Health Authority for eight years, she led it through many controversial Government NHS reforms in the 1980s and early 1990s

CREATING a unitary authority for the whole of Oxfordshire would be far cheaper than allowing Oxford City Council to run its own affairs, county council leader Keith Mitchell has claimed. Mr Mitchell has said he is becoming increasingly concerned at

Now take that Harriet Harman, currently minister for constitutional affairs. Whatever they might be (presumably, if I remember my law correctly, when the Executive branch of government has a fling with the Legislature). However, to get back to the point

Following a second successive disappointing Varsity Match defeat, Oxford University's players now shift their focus to choosing a new captain. The election for Kevin Brennan's successor should be in early February when Australian international Joe

Henrietta Knight is under no illusions about the task facing Racing Demon as he prepares to take on Kauto Star in the Stan James King George VI Chase on Boxing Day. The six-year-old, trained by Knight at West Lockinge, near Wantage, is the third favourite

A LORRY driver died today in a four-vehicle crash on the fog-bound M40. Police said four lorries collided at about 9.15am today on the southbound carriageway between junction 11 at Banbury and junction ten at Ardley. The driver of one of the lorries

RESULTS. FOOTBALL. FA TROPHY 1st round: Lewes 0, Oxford Utd 0. 1st round replay: Oxford Utd v Lewes pp. BRITISH GAS BUSINESS SOUTHERN LEAGUE Saturday Premier Div: Team Bath 3, Banbury Utd 0. Div 1 South & West: Beaconsfield SYCOB 0, Abingdon

Jamie Hewitt, who has lost his post as Oxfordshire player-coach, has been given a new role as county coach for next season. The former Middlesex and Kent seamer will be coaching the first team, the development side and be involved in the community

AEA Technology 97 BMW 2932 Electrocomponents 289 Isoft Group 55 Oxford Biomedica 41 Oxford Instruments 252.25 Oxonica 149 Reed Elsevier 557.75 RM 188.75 RPS 268.75 Torex Retail 50.25 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon

A DELAYED £400,000 Oxford park-and-ride bus terminal is expected to open tomorrow. The terminal at Redbridge, off Abingdon Road, was supposed to have been finished on December 4, but the work was delayed and Oxford City Council is hoping the new terminal

Headington A go into the holiday break in first place in Divison 1 of the Wallingford Three Disciplines League. Their 137-135 win over North Abingdon was down to Graham and Vicky Ashdown, who were in devastating form in the mixed. Victories by 15-

Five Wallingford members featured strongly in the Great Britain winter assessment trials at Boston, Lincs. Wallingford were well represented in the men's and women's lightweight sculls. Nick English and Paul Mattick finished fourth and fifth in the

The Oxfordshire GC, at Thame, have condemned the Government's lack of support after they were beaten in their bid to host the 2011 Solheim Cup. Paul Gibbons, joint-owner of the course's parent company Leaderboard Group, hit out following the tournament's

Oxford Cheetahs' fans gave a mixed reaction to the five riders announced at a packed speedway forum on Wednesday. Waiting to hear the news of a world class No 1 to spearhead Cheetahs' challenge next year, they were left disappointed as the new management

Four victims of three fatal road accidents which happened on Oxfordshire's roads earlier this week have been identified. Sidney Allen, of Lower Crescent, Minster Lovell, and James Martin, 62, of Ganarew, Monmouth, Wales, were both killed in a head-on

FOUR victims of three fatal road accidents which happened on Oxfordshire's roads earlier this week have been identified. Sidney Allen, of Lower Crescent, Minster Lovell, and James Martin, 62, of Ganarew, Monmouth, Wales, were both killed in a head-on

KILLER Michael Humphries skipped bail in America for a gun offence before he murdered Barbara Johnston in her Oxford home. Humphries, 43, who lived in Faringdon, was this week convicted at Oxford Crown Court of killing Dr Johnston, 55, in her flat in

Though all newspaper obituaries on journalist Frank Johnson (right) said that he was "the son of a pastry cook", few bothered to name his father (or, as it might have been, his mother). Not The Times or the Guardian; not even the Daily Telegraph, where

Oxford Cheetahs fans gave a mixed reaction to the five riders announced at a packed speedway forum at Oxford Stadium last night. Waiting to hear the news of a world class No 1 to spearhead Cheetahs' challenge next year, they were left disappointed as

There was an old Scot called McTavish Who attempted an anthropoid ravish. But the object of rape Was the wrong sex of ape, And the anthropoid ravished McTavish. The first man to **** Brigid Brophy Was awarded the Krafft-Ebing trophy, Plus £10,000

Oxford United's hopes of rediscovering some form before they appear in front of a record crowd on Boxing Day were ruined last night by the fog. Their FA Trophy first-round replay at home to Lewes was postponed an hour and a half before the scheduled

I am sure we must all have encountered the phenomenon of hearing a word (usually from a radio playing in the background) at precisely the moment one comes across it in a book or newspaper. It happened to me on Tuesday while I was reading The Times's obituary

An organisation which provides support to new businesses is in line for £6,000 of funding from West Oxfordshire District Council. Cabinet Members have recommended that Oxfordshire Business Enterprises Ltd (OBE) is allocated the money for 2006/07 to

Let's raise our glasses to cocktails. Not the alcohol-laden cocktails downed in seconds by binge drinkers whose sole aim is to reach a state of intoxication as quickly as possible. I'm talking about cocktails mixed for their flavour and sipped appreciatively

The hazelnut and herb-flavoured liqueur Frangelico, from Italy, which was released on to the market in the 1980s, tastes great on its own, but when added to coffee, which has been topped with chilled double cream, it tastes absolutely superb. It's the

The kids are bored with their presents, there's nothing on the telly and no one fancies the holiday cinema fare. So, how are you going to keep the family happy? Here's a few festive pointers. The Polar Express got a bit of a mauling when it was released

A trio of films on offer over the Christmas period will transport viewers into three very different worlds beyond the rainbow. One ventures into a Technicolor neverland, another into the most forbidding parts of the globe and the last into an retreat

The image of six soldiers raising the flag at The Battle of Iwo Jima, fortuitously captured by photographer Joe Rosenthal, turned around the Pacific War for the US, re-igniting national pride at a time when public opinion was turning against the conflict

It wouldn't be Christmas without The Messiah, and last weekend, the Oxford Philomusica duly obliged with a technically proficient account of Handel's greatest choral masterpiece. But - and it pains me to say this, because I am a great admirer of the Philomusica

When Julian Bliss (pictured) stepped out at the Sheldonian Theatre for Mozart's Clarinet Concerto, I was immediately struck by how young he looked. A quick glance at the programme confirmed that he is, in fact, just 17, but already a veteran on the international

The queue seemed to stretch round the block. The opening of the latest Bond movie, or a big name act appearing at the New Theatre? No, this was the first of two carol concerts given annually by the Christ Church Cathedral Choir. Eventually the audience

Killer Michael Humphries skipped bail in America for a gun offence before he murdered Barbara Johnston. Humphries, 43, was this week convicted at Oxford Crown Court of killing Dr Johnston, 55, in her flat in Woodstock Close, north Oxford, in January

Uffington was particularly inhospitable on this Sunday night; dark, cold, wet and windy. But inside St Mary's Church, all was welcoming: soft lighting, fresh flowers and a selection of music from some of this country's finest musicians. Promoted by the

A lot of the children's Christmas presents have been burnt or damaged in the fire. It's hard to even think about Christmas now after this' RacheL Elliott A family of seven watched their Christmas go up in smoke as their home was ruined in a fire. Christmas

CRASHES on the fog-bound M40 in Oxfordshire today led to long rush-hour delays. Two lanes were closed between junction 11 at Banbury and junction ten at Ardley on the southbound carriageway and two lanes were also closed between junction ten and junction

Amid the rich choice of Oxford Carol Services, I always particularly enjoy the Oxford Bach Choir's annual contribution in the Sheldonian, this time on Tuesday night, undeer conductor Adrian Partington (pictured). The joy of a carol concert other than

Lord Tebbit - the former Tory cabinet minister and ex-chairman of Oxford's Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre's charity appeal whose wife was treated there after the Brighton bomb - has spoken out about the hospital's future. Last week a report commissioned

A serial "flasher" is at large in Abingdon - but police only issued their warning to the public yesterday, more than two weeks after the latest incident. They also confirmed that the same man is believed to have struck on six previous occasions, all

Just two months after their uproarious HMS Pinafore at the Oxford Playhouse, the Bicester-based Opera della Luna is back in Oxford for a week-long residency at the Old Fire Station with A Little Christmas Night Music. This diverse selection of songs -

The owner of an Oxford city centre bar facing noise complaints has decided to sell up, and it is likely it will turn into a cocktail bar and music venue. Greene King, the owner of G-Bar in Pennyfarthing Place, said its tenant, Pamela Carter, was serving

The abbey looked wonderful last weekend, with a floor-to-ceiling Christmas tree, a spectacular Nativity scene, and beautifully decorated candle arrangements. It was thus the perfect setting for The Coming of Christmas, a celebration of Christmas in words

Abingdon's new traffic scheme has come in for another roasting from one trader who claims it has made a nightmare for Christmas. A mild winter, higher interest rates and increased fuel costs have combined to delay Christmas shopping - although many

Settled in the cosy village hall in Wytham, an expectant hush came over the audience as Neil Canham began to tell us the story of The Happy Prince. With their expert blend of puppetry, storytelling, animated sculptures, imaginative sets, and wonderful

North Oxfordshire residents may be the top recyclers in the county - but Cherwell District Council wants to do even better. The council, which covers Bicester, Banbury and Kidlington, was named as the region's top-performing local authority when it

Keith Mitchell has all but ruled out the creation of a single council for Oxfordshire - but vowed to prevent Oxford City Council going it alone. The Oxfordshire County Council leader said he had become increasingly concerned at the city council's aim

Thousands of new homes look set to be built to the west and south of Didcot. A Hagbourne/Harwell bypass and a southern ring road have also been proposed to serve the development. South Oxfordshire District Council has given an indication of the areas

Police believe that one man has been responsible for a series of 'flashings' on women and girls in Albert Park, Abingdon. Seven incidents have occurred since April. Yet yesterday was the first time we were told of most of them - and that police suspected

There are many misty areas in the art of recycling. What should we to do with printed cardboard and shiny Tetrapacks? Which plastics are not acceptable? (Someone in the trade informs me only polystyrene has no secondary use). Do all cans and bottles

City councillor Ed Turner appears to question what the county council does for Oxford (Oxford Mail, December 14). I could fill this newspaper with a list by way of reply - for example, social services, schools, roads, libraries, fire and rescue, trading

Professor Tony Knowland was born in 1919 and was educated first at Dulwich College and later at Frensham Heights, a progressive co-educational school. He became head boy and studied Latin and Greek with Rex Warner, the eminent classical scholar and

This is the new Oxford Children's Hospital, built with the help of your donations to our Chox appeal and almost ready to open for business. The multi-million-pound hospital, along with the new 'West Wing', opened their doors to visitors for the first

A former Olympic gymnastics judge has been jailed for sex abuse after a private detective used the Internet to trace his victims. Ron Smith, 65, of Wessex Road, Didcot, was sentenced to three years in prison at Oxford Crown Court yesterday for offences

Soul and jazz artists will be raising the roof - and hopefully a lot of money for charity - at a live music event in Oxford in the new year. The concert is being held to raise money for Oxfordshire children's charity Rosy (Respite nursing for Oxfordshire's

A works Christmas party was thrown out of a comedy club for laughing too loudly. Staff from car window repair firm Autoglass were kicked out of Jongleurs comedy club in Oxford on Saturday. Although the compere had picked on them for some laughs, the

TRADING Standards, the Oxfordshire County Council department charged with saving you money by ensuring you are not ripped off, has spent cash producing Christmas cards. Inside the cards, appears this catchy little ditty: 'Tis the season to be jolly,

Seattle - the jewel of the Pacific Northwest ... Surrounded by sea, lakes and lush green forest, Seattle offers a perfect mix of uban attractions and outdoor recreation. Indeed, not for nothing has it been named America's most liveable city'. However

Caroline Miles, who has died aged 77, was a leading figure in the health service in Oxfordshire. As chairman of the Oxfordshire Health Authority for eight years, she led it through many controversial Government NHS reforms in the 1980s and early 1990s

A WORKS Christmas party was thrown out of a comedy club for laughing too loudly. Staff from car window repair firm Autoglass were ejected from Jongleurs comedy club in Oxford on Saturday. Although the compere had picked on them for some laughs, the

FIVE rabbits need a new home after being found abandoned next to a busy road. The rabbits were spotted by Mary and Brian Coles, from Ascott-under-Wychwood, who were driving along the A361 and saw the three lop-eared and two long-haired rabbits huddled

COMMUTERS campaigning against cuts in rush-hour services from Oxfordshire to London are to invite First Great Western's top manager to see the overcrowding on her firm's trains for herself. Members of Ox Rail Action, which was formed at a meeting on

WOLVERCOTE ABC returned with a hat-trick of wins from their trip to Llanwern, South Wales. The trio of brothers Declan and Bradley Townsend and Jordan Otwell reeled off polished victories over opposition from the host Chepstow gym. Declan Townsend

DEAN Francis hit a hat-trick as Oxford City Stars overcame Haringey Greyhounds 5-3 in the South Division at Oxford Ice Rink. Stars, who were still without Easy Chalmers and the injured Ben Moody, got off to a flying start when Darren Elliott stepped

THE Oxfordshire have condemned the Government's lack of support after they were beaten in their bid to host the 2011 Solheim Cup. Paul Gibbons, joint-owner of the course's parent company Leaderboard Group, hit out following the tournament's award to

FOUR youths have denied conspiring to burgle an 87-year-old woman's home. The teenagers appeared before Oxford magistrates and entered not guilty pleas to breaking into the home of Freda Timms, 87, in Edgeway Road, Marston. She was found dead in her

CCTV cameras helped police arrest 50 offenders in November. Figures just out show that Cherwell District Council's cameras were directly responsible for almost half the arrests - and in other cases, the cameras tracked suspected criminals after offences

BANBURY MP Tony Baldry has slammed what he calls a "sham consultation" on the future of post offices. Mr Baldry accused the Government of using the consultation as a delaying tactic so that the exact locations of up to 3,000 post office closures would

VILLAGERS in Adderbury are calling for a new vote on plans for a community centre on the edge of the village. A petition has been launched by residents in a bid to persuade the parish council to think again on the development in Milton Road. The community

A NEW website for Chipping Norton has been launched - www.chippingnortontown.info The site is one of a number of initiatives being developed by the Chipping Norton Town Partnership. Catherine Chater, programme manager, said: "It aims to provide up-to-date

CHIPPY'S panto Mother Goose is stuffed (if you will pardon the unfortunate expression) with nursery rhymes. There are traditional nursery rhymes, set to jaunty tunes by Chippy's stalwart musical director, Peter Pontzen. And there are allusions to nursery

DICK Whittington, this season's pantomime at Northampton's Derngate Theatre, is a show that should be on everyone's list of things to do this Christmas. Starring Julian Clary, the production is hilarious - for grown ups and kids. Whether you love

The Government has decided that there will be no inquiry into the plans to redevelop the Westgate. It means the scheme can now proceed quicker than some expected. Quick is a relative term because it will be another four years before the new shops open

Riverside staged a grandstand finish as they fought back from 3-0 down to edge a nine-goal thriller against Barton United in Morrells of Oxford Sunday League Premier Division, writes Geoff Bower. Barton took the lead when Ben Armstrong cut in from the

DRAYTON A and Crown continue to set a red-hot pace at the top of Division 1 of the Didcot & District League. Drayton, aided by a Karl Bushell maximum, added to bottom team Didcot B's woes with a 7-3 success. Crown whitewashed Abingdon C, who desperately

FORUM A clocked up their ninth successive Oxford & District League win by beating St James A 7-3. St James's Andy Misseldine was the main obstacle to another Karl Bushell maximum in the Division 1 game. Misseldine started well and took the first game

DAVID Richards's Prodrive team say they hope to partner one of the leading names in the sport when they become Formula One's 12th team in 2008. "We are taking a very slow process to this," Richards told the official Formula One website. "If my strategy

The SUPPORTERS of Banbury's Horton Hospital joined a national campaign on Friday - as a public reminder that the fight against cutbacks to services was ongoing. In a demonstration co-ordinated with hospital action groups across England, pupils from

BANBURY'S Beth Morrison has received a top award for her work with the town's air cadets. She was presented with a commendation by Air Marshal Sir Roger Austin during a ceremony at Oxford's Falkland House. Beth has been treasurer for the Penrose Drive-based

Christmas came a week early for Banbury Touch FM listener Michael Brown. Mr Brown, 21, who lives on Bretch Hill, collected a cheque for £10,000 on Monday after winning a 'reverse auction'. Listeners were asked to submit bids, and the person with the

A LOCAL athlete plans to attempt the toughest race on Earth to raise £10,000 for the Royal British Legion. Former soldier Calvyn Hobday, 38, will face freezing temperatures and winds that are strong enough to blow a truck over when he competes in an