An estate agent who described plans to introduce Home Information Packs (HIPS) as a "complete fiasco", has welcomed the Government's climbdown on the issue. Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Ruth Kelly announced yesterday that
A number of the charges against animal rights campaigners on trial for holding a sit down protest in the city have been dismissed. Activists from the organisation Speak, were arrested during a protest outside the Sheldonian Theatre during an Oxford
Most of us who see cyclists breaking the law every day probably won't be surprised that 93 of them were pulled over by police in just three hours. But it is still a staggering number. What idiots they are. The police operation at the junction of Broad
Magdalen Bridge is almost certain to be open to the public for next year's May Morning celebrations without a heavy security presence. A change of tactic has been signalled after scores of people complained that the police operation had marred May Day
Two teenagers have been cleared of murdering an Oxfordshire businessman who died after a fight outside a late night takeaway. James Diggins, 19, and Kes Ingoldsby, 18, denied killing father-of-two Stephen Langford, 43, during a street brawl in Henley
In the ambulance on my way to an emergency admission to the John Radcliffe Hospital on Saturday, May 12, I was fearful of the standards of hygiene I would encounter, based on the horror stories which regularly appear in the press. Fear not, future patients
It is a pity that your article on the recent patients' survey (Oxford Mail, May 16) did not include any of the facts about ways in which we are improving accommodation for patients in our hospitals. The survey was carried out before the new buildings
I refer to Robin Spokes's letter about tree saw maniacs (Oxford Mail, May 14). Take a walk through Brasenose Wood at Headington, Oxford, and see the devastation wrought by the so-called conservationists. They have cut down perfectly good oak trees
Campaigners have fired the opening shots in their bid to prevent Peers School being turned into the city's first flagship academy. A newly-formed group, the Oxford Anti-Academy Alliance (AAA), has been staging meetings this week aimed at raising awareness
David James - the man accused of robbing and blackmailing pensioner Barry Britton - told a jury Mr Britton willingly lent him cash and bought him a mobile phone. The prosecution alleges the homeless 36-year-old forced Mr Britton, 69, from north Oxford
Community leaders in Blackbird Leys have vowed to continue the Oxford estate's parish council after a crisis meeting. The council's future was thrown into turmoil last month with the resignations of long standing chairman Brian Lester and his deputy
They have opened a youth hostel at Colditz Castle, once the unwelcome home for hundreds of prisoners of war. Now, escaping from Britain to the fairytale castle, glowering away on its outcrop of rock in the former eastern (Communist) part of post-war
Environmental health officers are receiving an average of seven complaints a day about noisy and nuisance neighbours in Oxford. In the past year, officers dealing with noise nuisances fielded 2,731 complaints ranging from all-night parties to excessively
RESIDENTS have nothing to fear from microchips in their new wheelie bins, according to Oxford City Council. Household pet-style microchips, which have been fitted to every green wheelie bin across Oxford, are only being used to locate those that have
Artist Ted Dewan is planning to donate an unusual exhibit to Oxford University's Pitt Rivers Museum - his own head. The American-born artist and children's illustrator is offering to leave his head in his will to the museum if its famous collection
Friends and family of the motorist who left a pensioner in hospital after a suspected hit-and-run are being urged to provide information anonymously. Ray Brown, 75, of Headington, Oxford, remains in hospital after he was found lying in Marston Road
A pensioner is complaining to Oxfordshire County Council, claiming her walking frame was regularly confiscated from her at a day centre. County council-run Didcot Day Centre user Jean Archer, who cannot walk without her frame, said for many months
Supporters of a charitable trust raising funds to build a state-of-the-art care centre for the elderly are celebrating after smashing their fundraising target, thanks to a £350,000 windfall. Fundraisers for the Wantage Nursing Home are now planning
A successful Didcot pre-school was one of only 12 in the country to be recognised with a special high-quality status today. Staff and 75 children at The Willows Pre-school, in Bowmont Water, Ladygrove, celebrated getting their national certification
Bicester's variety of shops could be at risk from increasing numbers of estate agents and charity outlets, business leaders have said. The warning came after Cherwell District Council gave planning permission for another estate agency - and released
Peace campaigners who broke into an airbase intending to sabotage US Air Force B-52 bombers have spoken of their relief after avoiding a prison sentence. Toby Olditch, 38, and Philip Pritchard, 36, denied conspiring to cause criminal damage, as they
A Sainsbury store at the centre of a TV exposé has appointed a new manager. The supermarket, in the Orchard Centre, Didcot, was the subject of an episode of BBC1's Whistleblower programme, broadcast on Tuesday, which claimed servers on the delicatessen
AEA Technology 110 BMW 3389 Electrocomponents 300.25 Isoft Group 51 Nationwide Accident Repair 158.5 Oxford Biomedica 39.75 Oxford Instruments 283 Reed Elsevier 671.25 RM 210.25 RPS Group 346.25 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
Valerie Lovegreen, who taught in all Wallingford's primary schools, has died at the age of 84. Mrs Lovegreen came to Wallingford when her husband Alan started working for the Hydraulics Research Institute which later became HR Wallingford. They lived
Hedley Rhymes, one of the oldest men in Oxfordshire, has died at the age of 103. For more than 50 years he worked for Earlys, the Witney blanket manufacturer. He also credited his long life with going to church every week and remaining active and
PEOPLE living in Kidlington and the surrounding areas are being encouraged to tell police what issues need tackling in their community. Supt Paul Emmings, the police area commander for Cherwell, said police officers and representatives from local agencies
Town councillors in Wallingford have earmarked a site for a temporary building to house a post office if a permanent new home cannot be found. Town clerk Andrew Rogers said it could go behind the Regal Centre, in Goldsmiths Lane car park, where power
A taxibus driver from Bicester is gearing up for a 300-mile charity cycle ride from London to Paris. Jim Hagan, 56, of Ravencroft, is tackling the four-day ride in July with fellow cyclist Peter Crinson in aid of Action Medical Research. Mr Hagan
Green MEP Caroline Lucas has demanded a ban on depleted uranium weapons. Her call came as scientists, military veterans and Euro MPs gathered in Brussels this week to discuss the issue. Ms Lucas, who hosted the conference as co-founder and co-president
If you want to get something done, do it yourself, the saying goes. So that's exactly what Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals Trust chief executive Trevor Campbell-Davis did. Mr Campbell Davis abseiled down the eight-storey Women's Centre building on the
Frank Purslow, who has died aged 81, was a leading figure in the world of folk music. He made many appearances at dances throughout Oxfordshire and in other parts of the country as leader and accordion player of the Bampton Barn Dance Band. Mr Purslow
The man in charge of looking after the Rollright Stones, one of the country's top historic stone landmarks, has died. Dohn Prout was appointed site manager of the 4,000-year-old circle north of Chipping Norton in 2001. Despite having to deal with
An important part of community life is returning to a village, after an absence of three years. The community shop in Radley, near Abingdon, has opened its doors following a campaign involving more than 50 people. After the village was shopless for
Didcot businessman and Rotary Club president Paul Tappin has died at the age of 60. He died on Friday morning at the Manor Hospital in Oxford after a long illness, leaving his wife, Liz. Paul Tappin was born in Manor Road in Didcot in 1947 and lived
Abingdon's open air swimming pool in Abbey Meadow opens on Saturday for the summer season. It reopened with a big splash last year, after being closed for a year. More than 12,000 people visited the pool last year, and operator Soll Leisure says it
Town and Gown on Sunday and it was good. 43:06 was my time and I was chuffed - two years ago (six months before giving up smoking) I could only manage 53.45 and last year did 45.02. It's good to have proof that I am improving. Unfortunately I got a bit
What is it about coffee that has some book sellers running for the hills? "We don't allow people in here with hot drinks," said the well-spoken and, no doubt, well-meaning old lady sitting behind the till at Oxfam's bookshop in St Giles. The mild ticking-off
A SENIOR policeman today spoke of the shock following the death of Stephen Langford which hit Henley and the surrounding area. Supt Andy Murray, the commander of the south Oxfordshire police area, said: "The death of Stephen Langford was a shocking and
THE family of businessman Stephen Langford today issued a statement following the acquittal of two teenagers of his murder. The statement said they were distraught and saddened with the verdict. They said: "Even with a conviction and sentence we would
TWO men were today found not guilty of the murder of 43-year-old Stephen Langford in Henley. James Diggins, 19, of Devon Drive, Reading, and 18-year-old Kes Ingoldsby, of Wargrave Road, Henley-on-Thames, stood before a jury at Inner London Crown Court
Oxford City Council was last night likened to a "fascist landlord" after the authority signed a compulsory purchase order giving it special powers to demolish Abbey Place flats for the Westgate Centre redevelopment. The CPO means the authority could
OXFORD Saab is offering you the chance to win a pair of tickets to Grand Designs Live. Taking place at the ExCeL Arena, London between June 8 -10, Grand Designs Live is the UKs no. 1 consumer show for design and innovation. Based on the Channel 4
NEW neighbourhood policing schemes are being rolled out in Oxfordshire. Sergeant Neville Clayton, responsible for the rolliout in the Cherwell area, said: "I am really pleased by the progress we have made. "We now have six live neighbourhoods, they
Primary school caretaker Miles Cooper has denied 11 charges related to a series of alleged letter bomb attacks. Cooper, 27, from Cambridge, appeared at Oxford Crown Court this morning and pleaded not guilty to counts of use or possession of explosive
PRIMARY school caretaker Miles Cooper has denied 11 charges related to a series of alleged letter-bomb attacks. Cooper, 27, from Cambridge, appeared at Oxford Crown Court today and pleaded not guilty to counts of use or possession of explosive devices
Five men arrested in connection with an armed robbery in Bicester on Monday have all been bailed pending further police enquiries. The men, two aged 18, and the others aged 22, 21 and 55, will return on July 6. They were arrested in connection with
The battle to find Oxfordshire's top businesses of 2007 is heating up. After an exhaustive judging process, the final three companies and individuals have been chosen in each of the 12 categories. Judges are keeping the overall winners a closely-guarded
AEA Technology 109 BMW 3388 Electrocomponents 301.75 Isoft Group 52 Nationwide Accident Repair 158.5 Oxford Biomedica 40 Oxford Instruments 283 Reed Elsevier 671.75
An Oxford estate agent who this week described plans to introduce Home Information Packs (HIPS) as a "complete fiasco", has welcomed the Government's humiliating climbdown on the issue. Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Ruth Kelly
FIVE men arrested in connection with an armed robbery on a bookmakers in Bicester on Monday have all been bailed pending further police inquiries. The men, two aged 18, and the others aged 22, 21 and 55 will return on July 5. Police urged anyone
BANBURY'S new mayor, Kieron Mallon, wants more power for local councils and fewer policy decisions made by Whitehall and Europe. Mr Mallon was speaking on Tuesday, just hours before he was due to be installed as the town's 399th mayor. He said: "Next
One of the first bricks in Oxford United's rebuilding plans for next season was put into place yesterday when defender Chris Willmott signed a new two-year deal with the club. The 29-year-old had the most successful record of all U's players last season
GRIEVING relatives have been left heartbroken after a spate of thefts from graves in a churchyard. Kirtlington resident Val Bass, 57, said she felt sick when she discovered a heart-shaped tribute of white flowers had been snatched from her father's
THAMES Water will be told in Parliament today to get its house in order over the billing of the vulnerable and elderly. Oxford East MP Andrew Smith was set to tell the Commons the company supplying Oxfordshire's water was "ripping off" pensioners in
PROTESTERS who broke into a military airbase intending to sabotage B-52 bombers have been found not guilty of causing criminal damage. A jury cleared Toby Olditch, 38, of Percy Street, Oxford, and Philip Pritchard, 36, of Campbell Road, Oxford, of
IT IS thought a teenage boy escaped from court by climbing out of this window and jumping 20ft to the ground. The 14-year-old, who has not been named, was still missing last night, after he was last seen going into the men's toilets at Oxford Magistrates
THOUSANDS of hard-up families across Oxfordshire have received incorrect tax credit payments - to the tune of millions of pounds. Figures published last night showed 42 per cent of the 54,200 Oxfordshire families in receipt of tax credits during 2005
WOOD Farm is becoming a dumping ground for drug addicts with 108 syringes found on and around the Oxford estate last month. Street wardens have seen a big increase in the number of hypodermic needles dumped by drug addicts in Wood Farm since the start
SOLDIERS based at Dalton Barracks in Abingdon are leaving for a six-month tour of duty in Iraq on Friday. Some 140 soldiers from 3 Logistic Support Regiment (3LSR) will be serving on Op Telic 10 centred at Basra International Airport, in southern Iraq
Shelley Strange has been made first-team coach of Premier Division side AFC Wallingford. It's the first time in the history of the League that a woman has been held such a position. Strange, who will qualify for the FA Level Three (UEFA B) coaching
Kidlington chairman Nick Duval said the club had no grounds to appeal despite their controversial Cockspur Cup exit to Slough. An excellent display saw Kidlington require just three runs from five balls to win their second-round clash at Stratfield
Pre-match coaching on how to throw a discus paid off for Oxford City's Clare Palman-Brown as she went on to break a 13-year-old club record. Palman-Brown's throw of 19.25m helped City finished second in their Southern Women's League Division 2 at Eastbourne
SAINSBURY'S in Didcot was accused of misleading customers about the quality and freshness of food last night, after the store was secretly filmed by TV reporters. Undercover footage for BBC1's Whistleblower programme appeared to show staff at the delicatessen
Kevin Baker clanged off two sixes in his first two throws for Cricketers as they beat White House 2-1 in the Premier Section, writes ANDY BEAL. Only one doll separated the teams in each leg, with Cricketers taking the first leg 25-24. White House
MOTORING enthusiasts are being asked to help track down a picture of one of Britain's lesser-known cars. John Chipperfield, on our sister paper, the Oxford Mail, is looking for an image of an Austin Atlantic, which made its debut at the 1948 motor show
SINGER David Graham is to visit Oxford schools today to perform his self-penned anti-drugs song Natural High. His show aims to encourage children to make the most of their lives by rejecting drugs. This follows the success of his last performance
PRIMARY school caretaker Miles Cooper, 27, from Cambridgeshire, is due to appear at Oxford Crown Court today charged over a series of letter bombings. The charges relate to a series of letter bombs, including two which were sent to forensic science
OXFORD University Press has apologised for errors in The Concise Dictionary of World Place Names about places in India. Kirsty McHugh, publicity assistant for trade, reference and academic books at the Walton Street-based publisher, said OUP was "deeply
CITY councillors are likely to debate the pros and cons of allowing the Co-op to set up an 85-metre wind turbine off the Botley Road. Midcounties Co-operative wants to build a wind turbine to supply power for its headquarters in Botley Road and its
A MAJOR conference showing people how they can help fight climate change is being held in Oxford. City council leaders are inviting people who live, work and study in Oxford to take simple action that can make a real difference to global warming.
PARTS of Banbury are to become no-go zones for door-to-door salesmen. Oxfordshire trading standards department, supported by Thames Valley Police and Cherwell District Council, are introducing cold calling bans in Easington and Hardwick. Crime reduction
HEADINGTON Road Runners have come to the defence of the man disqualified from Sunday's Oxford Town and Gown fun run for running as a woman. Russian Vasili Zverev borrowed the race number of club colleague Alison Barry - but ended up running so fast
A PAINTING workshop inspired by a Christian art exhibition, The Colour of Love, will be held at St Michael's Church in Cornmarket on Saturday. The workshop, which will run between 10am and 4pm and costs £24, is aimed at improvers and is part of Oxfordshire
CITY Scouts are to take part in a national bid to see more than 150,000 Scouts nationwide sleeping under canvas simultaneously. About 600 young people aged six to 18 from the Oxford Spires Scout district will hold their own Centenary Camp as part
