Archive

  • Drinkers pass metal detector test

    The first 'search arch' to be deployed in Oxford was put outside a popular pub tonight as police continued their crackdown on knife crime. Drinkers entering the Bullnose Morris, in Blackbird Leys, had to walk through the airport-style metal detector

  • No escape for illegal drivers

    Illegal drivers have no place to hide from detection in Oxford. Hundreds of legal drivers pass by the police in-car automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) system every day relatively unnoticed. But when the on-board computer spots a driver who should

  • There will be a law against it

    You have to be careful - there seems to be a law against anything you might do these days. On the face of it, feeding the birds is a totally innocuous activity. Many of us have been doing it for years. But do it to excess, and you will find the strong

  • Bird-feeder gets £75 fine

    A pigeon-lover got council officials in Oxford in such a flap they fined her £75 for "excessive bird feeding". Environmental health officers gave the unnamed woman a fixed penalty fine after repeated warnings about leaving "excessive amounts" of bread

  • Falcons drop in for air show

    The country's best parachutists will be jumping from the skies over Abingdon tomorrow as one of the highlights of the RAF's Spirit of Adventure airshow. Members of the RAF Falcons parachute display team, made up of expert instructors from RAF Brize Norton

  • Police target underage drinkers

    Drunken louts and pubs selling alcohol to teenagers will be targeted by police in South Oxfordshire. The warning came after this year's crime figures showed a rise in antisocial behaviour in places such as Abingdon and Didcot. According to the British

  • Seaside cheer for families

    Families on an Oxford estate will get the chance to use their buckets and spades this summer thanks to cheap subsidised trips to the seaside. Barton householders from all backgrounds are being invited to have a day out in Weymouth, Bournemouth, Southsea

  • Troops fly out to Iraq

    The commander of an Abingdon-based Army regiment said as his unit flew out to war-torn Iraq there was a mood of apprehension and excitement among his troops. More than 100 soldiers from the 3 Logistic Support Regiment, based at Dalton Barracks, set off

  • Traders back homes plan

    Traders say business will boom if proposals to build 540 houses on land between Summertown and Marston get the go-ahead. Oxford City Council has listed 20 acres of land between Marston Ferry Road and Lonsdale Road, close to the Cherwell floodplain, as

  • Dentist suspended for year

    A dentist who embellished his CV with claims about his experience was today banned from practising for a year. Vishwadev Anand, of Blenheim Drive, North Oxford, gave a presentation on oral surgery to an audience full of postgraduates and oral surgeons

  • Learn from Sybil

    Oh dear, BBC Radio Oxford has done it again. First, we had the infamous Anne Diamond and now we have the self-opinionated Shabina Akhtar. John Webb has completely missed the point in his letter, Hands off the ladies (Oxford Mail, May 12). The comments

  • Voting hots up for film festival

    The voting for this year's Oxford Mail Film Festival is hotting up, with under two months to go before the deadline for voting expires. This is the film festival with a difference, as it's the one where you pick the movies. There are six categories:

  • Flood refugees say goodbye to hotel staff

    For the past four months they have been living out of suitcases while their flood-ravaged homes were renovated. But this week, residents of Normandy Crescent celebrated the light at the end of the tunnel. Eleven residents forced out of their homes when

  • Police launch graffiti blitz

    Police have widened their campaign against graffiti in Bicester after discovering more vandalism hotspots. Officers have found five more trouble areas on their regular check around the Bicester West area. The 'hit squad' of officers from Cherwell District

  • Academy protesters claim growing support

    Those aiming to halt plans to turn Peers School into Oxford's first city academy claim their campaign is growing in support. The protest group, Oxford Anti-Academy Alliance (AAA), held its second meeting on Thursday, this time at the Blackbird Leys

  • Facing execution

    Amnesty members in Headington, Oxford, are asking people to spare a moment to help save a young woman facing execution in Iran. Delara Darabi was only 17 when she confessed to killing her father's cousin. She later retracted the confession, admitting

  • 'Slimy' council picks soft targets

    Welldone on your provocative front page outlining the closure of 14 children's play areas in Oxford (Oxford Mail, May 21). Oddly, as the Government encourages children to play out more, our council identifies softest targets for easy cuts and removes

  • Anne's ex wins libel damages

    The ex-husband of former BBC Radio Oxford presenter Anne Diamond has won £75,000 libel damages over a claim in the Daily Mail that he struck the first blow during a drink-fuelled row which ended his affair with DJ Harriet Scott. After the case at London's

  • 70-year-old takes on 250-mile cycle challenge

    While some people his age are thinking of slowing down, Bob Marriott plans to start his 70th year cycling from London to Paris. Mr Marriott, 69, from Headington, is in training to take part in the Big Issue Foundation London to Paris Bike Ride on July

  • Going short

    Traders in Witney have attacked moves to reduce the number of long-stay parking places while work gets under way on a town centre development. Spaces in Witney's free public car parks are to be substantially reduced while work goes on at the Marriotts

  • Campaign hits gum litter

    A new campaign highlighting the scourge of chewing gum litter is to start in Oxford later this year, it has been confirmed. Following a successful application to the Chewing Gum Action Group, Oxford City Council has been awarded paid-for advertising

  • Parents welcome changes

    Parents of young children have welcomed moves which would allow all four-year-olds to receive full-time education. There have been criticisms of the present system, which sees schools funded to provide part-time early education for children from

  • Golden Compass trailer unveiled

    A new trailer for The Golden Compass - the film version of Oxford author Philip Pullman's Northern Lights novel - can now be seen on the Oxford Mail website. The trailer, which features Nicole Kidman and Bond star Daniel Craig, was partly shot in Oxford

  • Local share prices

    AEA Technology 110 BMW 3351 Electrocomponents 299.5 Isoft Group 50.75 Nationwide Accident Repair 155 Oxford Biomedica 38.75 Oxford Instruments 282.25 Reed Elsevier 660.75 RM 204.75 RPS Group 350.25

  • Finest fare

    You'll never be short of a bite to eat in Oxford, that's for sure. And with standards increasing year on year, Oxford can really hold its own in terms of good food. But it's helpful to have some insight into the city's restaurant scene and Katherine

  • Burning off some energy

    Swimming Barton Pool is a brand new 25m, four-lane swimming pool and multi-activity room in Barton, east Oxford. It is open seven-days-a-week and offers: n general and fun swim sessions n fitness and wellness classes n water workout classes n swimming

  • Police appeal for accident witness

    POLICE are appealing for a motorcyclist to come forward after a lorry jack-knifed at the A34 Milton Interchange. The incident happened Thursday morning and officers believe the motorcyclist may have vital information. The southbound carriageway was

  • Family fun!

    Sitting comfortably between Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Gloucestershire, Northamptonshire, Warwickshire and Wiltshire, our county makes a great base to explore other parts of England. Here Geoff Hedge rounds up some of the top family attractions within

  • Oxford Castle Unlocked

    Oxford's newest development at the site of the former prison in New Street is proving to be a runaway success, with visitors flocking to the Malmasion Hotel, bars, restaurants and interpretation centre, and awards for the complex stacking up. As

  • Eatery Street

    It seems that almost every week a new delicatessen, restaurant or bar opens, each brimming with new edibles and ideas. And if there was any doubt that food is the main leisure pursuit of the 21st century, take a stroll along Little Clarendon Street

  • Bert and Barney the guinea pigs

    Bert and Barney are a lovely pair of Guinea pigs, that came into the centre in April due to the dog in the family becoming over interested with them. They are a pair of brothers (litter mates) that are both chocolate in colour. Bert and Barney enjoy

  • Employment seminar

    You're fired!" It's easy for TV's business guru Alan Sugar to say but not so simple to do in real life. Instead, employers are required by law to follow specific procedures and to consider many factors when contemplating dismissals or other disciplinary

  • A centre for learning

    Most visitors to Oxford want to visit the university's many historic colleges, with their beautiful grounds and stunning architecture. One of the great strengths of Oxford is that each college is so different, and they all have their individual points

  • Space to breathe

    Green spaces are the lungs of any city, and can change a place from chocked and congested to vibrant and peaceful. New York may have Central Park, but Oxford has a great number of different green spaces where visitors can relax, soak up the sun, enjoy

  • Pavement pitstops

    Café culture is synonymous with city life and Oxford is no different - that heady mix of students, tourists and locals means the pavements are spilling over in the summer with tables full of town and gown al fresco café dwellers enjoying the sites, the

  • Landlord uncovers cannabis factory

    A LANDLORD has been praised after alerting police that the house he was renting out was being used as a cannabis factory. The landlord of the house in Harcourt Terrace, Headington, visited his property at 8pm on Thursday to discover more than 200 mature

  • OXFORDSHIRE 1,000 years in the making

    Oxfordshire celebrates 1,000 years in 2007, and there are a whole host of special events, anniversaries, festivals and cultural highlights lined up throughout the county to mark the occasion in style. STEVE HAY guides you through the programme. For the

  • Exploring the city on foot

    Official walking tours are packed with information and anecdotes about the city, the colleges, university life, historic buildings, famous people and odd traditions, and the expert guides will be delighted to answer any questions along the way. Tours

  • Oxford on a shoestring

    You don't have to be ludicrously wealthy to enjoy a visit to Oxford. The city may sometimes seem to have been designed to squeeze money out of tourists and students, but plenty of the most interesting sights cost very little money, from buskers on Cornmarket

  • Not to be missed

    Visitors to Oxford are spoilt for choice when it comes to things to do. It sometimes seems that on every corner there is a new experience to enjoy or famous landmark to see. This can put tourists and other visitors in a spin of indecision. After seeing

  • What’s so great about Oxford?

    Millions of tourists come to Oxford every year. There are thousands of applicants to the university. And house prices keep on soaring. So what is it about Oxford that makes people want to come here - and come back? After London, Oxford must be the

  • The Curious Incident of fine-waiving at Westgate

    I revisited Oxford central library the other day, where I was ticked off last week for clutching a warm cup of coffee. But I don't want to leave you with the misleading impression that all librarians can be a bit on the grumpy side because that is simply

  • Landlord blows whistle on cannabis factory

    A landlord has been praised after alerting police that the house in Oxford he was renting out was being used as a cannabis factory. The landlord of the house in Harcourt Terrace, Headington, visited his property at 8pm on Thursday to discover more than

  • Lorry stuck under bridge

    A LORRY got stuck under the railway bridge in Botley just before 11am this morning. The incident caused tailbacks along the city-bound carriageway of the Botley Road for about five minutes before the driver managed to free the vehicle. Train station

  • M&S opening brings 60 jobs

    About 60 jobs will be created with the opening of a Marks & Spencer Simply Food store in Cowley on Wednesday, June 6. The store, at the Oxford Retail Park, will sell women's and menswear, schoolwear and home goods as well as 2,600 food lines, including

  • Knife arch set up in pub

    Searches for knives and bladed weapons, using a knife arch, are being carried out for the first time tonight at an Oxford pub. A search arch, similar to metal detectors used for security at airports, will be used outside the Bullnose Morris Pub in Blackbird

  • Lorry jammed under bridge

    A lorry got stuck under the railway bridge in Botley Road, Oxford, just before 11am this morning. The incident caused tailbacks along the city-bound carriageway of the road for about five minutes before the driver managed to free the vehicle. Train

  • The sundial king

    David Harber's CV is, to say the least, colourful. A self-taught craftsman, he was, in his own words, "ill-prepared academically" when he left school. Before finding his niche as a designer and maker of sundials, he worked as a rock climbing instructor

  • Visions of Arcadia

    Despite the onslaught of modern, industrial-scale agriculture (with all its efficiency and resulting environmental sterility) there are patches of countryside that, with a little imagination, present a picture of a world from a far gentler time. One

  • Building city treasures

    If you look at almost any major restoration project in Oxford, particularly in the University heartland of the city, there is an even chance that the name Symm will be emblazoned across the scaffolding. What many people may not realise is that the company's

  • Driven to abstraction

    As you may already know, late spring has always been the time when Henry and I take a long weekend in a comfortable hotel somewhere, before the rigours of the Summer Term get their claws into him and he is not seen until our annual trip to the bug-infested

  • Architect of dreaming spires

    If Oxford's Examination Schools building is thought of today, it is generally as a backdrop to Trinity Term celebrations, when undergraduates complete their finals and stream out into the sunlight. Champagne and confetti will greet them in the High. Who

  • CRICKET: Rowant looking to Cremer

    Sommers Home Counties Premier League Zimbabwe Test player Graeme Cremer will make his Aston Rowant debut in their Division 2 West game at home to Burnham tomorrow. The 20-year-old leg-spinner and middle order batsman has played six Tests, but none

  • CRICKET: Harrison to face his old mates

    Sommers Home Counties Premier League Oxford captain Jason Harrison is keeping positive ahead of tomorrow's Division 1 visit of his old club High Wycombe. Luck has not been on Oxford's side so far this season, and you would have thought being skittled

  • FIXTURES: The week's sporting calender

    SATURDAY CRICKET SOMMERS HOME COUNTIES PREMIER LEAGUE Div 1: Banbury v Radlett, Henley v Falkland, Oxford v High Wycombe. Div 2 West: Aston Rowant v Burnham, Gerrards Cross v Thame, Kidlington v Basingstoke & North Hants. THE OXFORD TIMES CHERWELL

  • POINT-TO-POINT: Winners ready to defend their crowns

    Both winners from last year's feature races at Kingston Blount are set to defend their respective titles in Sunday's meeting . Bering Gifts, winner of the men's open, and Free, first in the ladies open in 2006, are among the entries for this year's

  • Woman airlifted after two-car crash

    A WOMAN was airlifted to hospital with multiple injuries following a crash involving two cars in south Oxfordshire. Two children and another adult were also taken to hospital with minor injuries following the accident on the A329, at Moulsford, near

  • Drug addict guilty of robbery

    HOMELESS crack-addict David James was yesterday found guilty of robbing, blackmailing and stealing from retired librarian Barry Britton. A jury at Oxford Crown Court took less than two hours to reach their verdicts, on three counts of blackmail, two

  • Old rivals take up swim, bike, run challenge

    Forget the Boat Race, Oxford and Cambridge will go head to head in a varsity match of a different kind at the Blenheim Triathlon. The Dark Blues will do battle with the Light Blues in the lake, on the bikes and on the run, with the champions being determined

  • Go Team Jenks!

    Crossing the finish line at the Blenheim Triathlon will undoubtedly provide a huge sense of achievement to scores of competitors. But for a team of 20 people from a sales company near Thame, the achievement will be two-fold. Not only will it see many

  • Champions defend their titles

    Elite triathletes Olly Freeman and Rosie Clarke will have something in common at this year's Blenheim Triathlon - they both have titles to defend. Last year, Freeman - who has scores of junior international titles to his name - proved he has what it

  • Tri club aims for success

    Racing on their own doorstep will be athletes from the city's triathlon club Oxford Tri. It will have about 40 triathletes racing at Blenheim, ranging from world championship medallists through to first-timers. The club, which has about 150 members

  • A message from the Duke

    Following the outstanding success of The Blenheim Triathlon in 2006, it was evident to us that there was a huge demand for such an event to be held this year. The event is held over two days, incorporating the demands of the competitors who wish to

  • Hamilton shrugs off crash

    LEWIS Hamilton insists he is "only human" after suffering his first accident of a Grand Prix weekend - but then vowed to go even faster. The 22-year-old Formula One sensation is determined the smash that occurred during the second practice session for

  • Join the tri team as a volunteer

    Keen to get involved in a triathlon but not sure about taking part? Then why not volunteer to help out at the triathlon? The event could not exist without the support of volunteers - and organisers say it is not too late to sign up. Andy Taylor, of

  • Beginner's guide

    So you know it involves swim-bike-run but that's about it? The multi-discipline sport of triathlon can often seem complex to the untrained eye. But fear not, with our guide by Emma-Kate Lidbury, you'll soon have a better understanding of the sport that

  • Record-breaking numbers on their marks

    Competitors at this year's race obviously haven't reached the start line yet, but already records have been broken. About 4,500 entries have been received for the event, smashing last year's total of 2,900, ensuring Blenheim is again the second largest

  • Welcome to the Blenheim Triathlon 2007

    We are delighted and honoured to be coming back to Blenheim Palace again for the 2007 Mazda Blenheim Triathlon, writes Nick Rusling, managing director Mazda Blenheim Triathlon. The setting of the event is stunning and it has fast become an established

  • Men bailed on robbery charge

    TWO men appeared before Oxford magistrates yesterday charged with robbery, in connection with the alleged knife-point mugging of a 24-year-old man in Catherine Street, East Oxford, on Wednesday at about 3am. Daniel Odong, 18, of Jourdain Road, Blackbird

  • Firm agrees to cut water bills

    THAMES Water has agreed to cut water charges for some of Oxfordshire's most vulnerable people. Single residents of sheltered accommodation and tower blocks who are unable to have a water meter fitted are billed the same amount as a family of four.

  • M&S opening brings 60 jobs

    M&S opening brings 60 jobs ABOUT 60 jobs will be created with the opening of a Marks & Spencer Simply Food store in Cowley on Wednesday, June 6. The store, at the Oxford Retail Park, will sell women's and menswear, schoolwear and home goods as well

  • Serviceman died in crash

    AN RAF serviceman who won medals in Iraq and Kuwait died in a motorcycle crash as he was riding to meet fellow bikers, an inquest has heard. Anthony Payne, 27, who was based at RAF Brize Norton, died following a crash on the B4477 in Minster Lovell

  • FOOTBALL: New deal for Quinn

    Oxford United's players' player-of-the-year, Barry Quinn, is staying at the club. The 28-year-old defender, who was runner-up to Yemi Odubade in the supporters' player-of-the-year award as well as winning the accolade from his teammates, has agreed

  • CRICKET: Jamie's county perk!

    Teenager Jamie Perkin will make his senior Oxfordshire debut in Sunday's friendly with Gloucestershire at Challow (11). The Oxford Downs batsman/wicket-keeper has impressed at junior level and gets his chance to shine in a strong Oxon side. Perkin

  • TENNIS: City's grafting triumph

    Oxford City had their top pair to thank as they edged home 5-4 against Banbury West End in an exciting Ladies' Division 1 match in the OLTA 3-Pair League. The contest was all square after the first two rounds of matches and still level after City's

  • SPEEDWAY: Unhappy Jensen quits

    Oxford Cheetahs Danish international Jesper B Jensen has admitted that internal problems at the club and his inconsistent form were behind his decision to quit. As reported in yesterday's Oxford Mail, there had been rumours circulating for the last

  • ROWING: Brodie at the helm

    Former Abingdon School pupil Nick Brodie is the new Oxford University president - the first cox to fill this position for more than 30 years. Brodie coxed the school's first eight for a remarkable five years and won the 'big triple' in 2002 - the Schools

  • Irritating spin

    Sir - Philip Dunstan (Letters, May 18) has been disingenuous in completely missing the point I made in my letter about recycling. I welcome the introduction of the proper provision (blue and green boxes plus wheelie bins) and encouragement to Oxford

  • Going nuclear

    The heated debate over spent fuel ash from Didcot Power Station ending up in a gravel pit at Radley could pale into insignificance against the prospect of Oxfordshire getting its very own nuclear power station. Of course, Oxfordshire is no stranger

  • Update: Dentist may be struck off

    DENTIST Vishwadev Anand, of Blenheim Drive, Oxford, admitted to a panel of the General Dental Council embellishing his CV, and was also found guilty by the panel of misleading oral surgeons during a lecture at the Four Pillars Hotel, in Sandford-on-Thames

  • Long-stay parking spaces will go

    LONG-stay spaces in Witney's free public car parks are to be substantially reduced while work takes place on the Marriotts Close retail, leisure and housing development. West Oxfordshire District Council's cabinet debated this week exactly how to

  • Rising costs delay Wolvercote homes

    OXFORD University hopes to submit plans to create 200 homes for its staff in Wolvercote by the end of the year. The scheme to 'extend' Wolvercote has been delayed as it emerged that the escalating costs would significantly exceed the initial estimate

  • Academic, 72, breaks world record

    A 72-YEAR-OLD Oxford academic has broken a world long-distance running record after completing ten marathons in ten days. Sir Christopher Ball, the former warden of Keble College, only took up running five years ago. But he has entered the Guinness

  • Top restaurant could be demolished

    THE Lemon Tree, one of Oxford's best known restaurants, is facing demolition to make way for apartments. Owner Clinton Pugh says he can no longer afford to keep open the celebrated restaurant in Woodstock Road, despite its longstanding reputation for

  • Winnie retires at 88

    WINNIE Griffin is finally giving up her job to go into retirement - at the age of 88. The great-grandmother started work at The Feathers Hotel in Market Street, Woodstock, at the age of 60 - when other women are calling it a day. And, with her 89th

  • Blenheim hosts three-day craft fair

    BLENHEIM Palace is hosting the Oxfordshire Craft Fair over the coming Bank Holiday weekend, May 26 to 28. On Sunday, at 3.30pm in the Great Court, the Amigo Marching Band, winners of the Dutch brass band championships, is performing.

  • Earful of abuse

    Sir - While everyone is enjoying laying into cyclists (Simon Jones, Iris Potter, Letters, May 18), what about the pedestrians that threaten the safety of cyclists and motorists because they can't tell the difference between a road and a pavement.

  • First sightings

    Sir - Alison Myres's (Letters, May 11) Wendy Cussons roses may well have been early, but her cuckoo was not. I heard my first in the Oxford area this year on April 14, which is a fairly typical date for me over recent years. I believe migratory

  • Canal conundrum

    Sir - Would Priscilla Waugh, and the vociferous supporters of the canal extension, like to say exactly how it can be brought under Hythe Bridge, presumably with boats on it? I have surveyed the site, and cannot work it out, but surely they must know

  • Buses are a joke

    Sir - I heartily endorse the comments made by Julia Gasper regarding the removal of the number 7 bus which runs from Headington, through Summertown and on through Kidlington. Headington has a tremendous number of retirement flats, care homes and nursing

  • Closer attention

    Sir - Reg Little is to be congratulated on his excellent feature, Defusing the Bomb (May 18) on Oxfordshire's ageing population and its effects for the county council's social services department's funding. In regard to residential care homes, there

  • Electoral mockery

    Sir - Two city councillors were last week welcomed to the bosom of the national Conservative party. David Cameron, the party's national leader, himself made a parade of this their second change of political spots in the last year. These councillors

  • Disgusted voter

    Sir - Tia MacGregor's defection to the Tories confirms that Headington residents really do live in a democracy-free zone. The Conservatives have been rejected repeatedly in Quarry ward so the voters' wishes clearly don't count here. And this is the

  • Chance to meet GPs

    AN OPEN meeting for patients at the Windrush Health Centre is being held in the waiting room on Saturday, June 23, at 10.30am. It follows on from the recent formation of a Patients' Group to provide liaison with doctors and staff, produce newsletters

  • On the trail

    PILGRIMS are preparing for the 30th annual walk in the steps of St Birinus. On Sunday, July 1, at 12.15pm they will gather at Churn Knob near Blewbury, where the saint baptised King Cynegils of Wessex in 634. The 12-mile walk goes via Brightwell-cum-Sotwell

  • Drystone wall scheme launched

    A TRAINING project has been launched to get the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty's 4,000 miles of drystone walls - much of which has fallen into a state of disrepair - back into shape. Now training courses are being run for apprentice

  • Garden displays help hall funds

    SIXTEEN gardens in Ducklington are opening to the public on June 9 and 10, 1.30 to 5.30pm both days, to help raise money for the village hall. There will also be a flower festival, morris dancers, handbell ringers, plant stalls and teas in the hall

  • Chevy helps holiday drivers keep in trim

    MOTORING holidays are an even more attractive proposition for Chevrolet owners, thanks to a special offer throughout the summer on cycle carriers and roof boxes. Attached to a pair of roof-mounted X' bars, the Chevrolet cycle carrier provides secure

  • New features for big Fords

    The Ford S-Max and Galaxy models now come with new features and specifications, including Ford's new six-speed Durashift automatic transmission. Prices for the automatic start from £19,995 for the S-Max and £21,995 for the Galaxy. Blue Oval dealerships

  • Roadtest: Sales successor

    WHAT is the most successful car of all time? It is not exotic, not that stunning, and not hugely expensive. Over 41 years, it has evolved into a worldwide favourite, and, as marketing folk would say, 32 million owners cannot be wrong. It is the

  • Cyclist plans ride to France

    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

  • Village shop reopens

    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

  • City walkover

    Sir - If Simon Jones thinks pedestrians only use the pavements, he's obviously never been in Oxford's city centre. A. Williams, Headington

  • Royal reward

    Sir - As an original partner and subsequent director of Seacourt Press Ltd, I was very interested and delighted to read of its recent prestigious award and impending visit to Buckingham Palace (Report, April 27). A far cry from its humble beginnings

  • Shared belief

    Sir - History was made last Friday (Report, May 18), when Rev Peter Hewis, an Oxford Unitarian minister, became the first non-Muslim religious leader in the United Kingdom to preach a sermon during Islamic congregational prayers. As the chairpersons

  • Pathetic defence

    Sir - The comment, by the Lord Mayor of Oxford (Report, May 18) that "if you drive into Oxford in a car on a Saturday... you've only yourself to blame" is a pathetic defence of the chaos on May 12. As I am something of a goody-goody, I was travelling

  • Priority for phantoms

    Sir - Good for the Dutch and their naked streets theory (Letters, May 11). Oxford traffic engineers have a serious love affair with traffic lights. The newish lights on the A40 past Eynsham failed recently and the traffic in the rush hour flowed smoothly

  • Hidden dimension

    Sir - The difference between Richard Dawkins and the religious community is that Dawkins has a book which proves that God does not exist and the religious community has another book which proves that God does exists. The question still remains: How

  • Service worsens

    Sir - I am writing in response to a letter on the subject of the Stagecoach Oxford bus 7. I am a student at Headington School in the Sixth Form so fortunately this inconvenience will not affect me for much longer. I have been using buses to and from

  • Mourning glory

    Sir - I have been visiting the Botanic Garden for well over 50 years. In the 1950s, '60s and '70s entrance was free. Then in the '90s charges were introduced for the summer season. These have increased over the years. Last year it was £2 for a visit

  • Alternative idea

    Sir - Your article (May 11) refers to the long delays at the Post Office in Templars Square following the closure of the one in Rose Hill. Have some of those affected considered using the Post Office in Church Way Iffley which is open from 10am on

  • Hard work paying off

    Sir - The Audit Commission has recently reported that Oxford's financial management is one of the most improved of any council in England. The commission looked at four aspects of our finances as part of their use of resources judgement, ranging from

  • City's green character will be ruined

    Sir - Many people understandably find it difficult to engage in the planning process, which is often protracted and technical. Perhaps this is why there has been little attention paid to the current consultation on the Oxford Core Strategy. This strategy

  • Circus dates

    THE circus will be back in Wallingford for the first time in 25 years. Mayor Betty Atkins will welcome Jay Miller's Circus on the Kinecroft on Thursday, May 31, and it will be there until Sunday, June 3.

  • Remembering a legend

    FOR millions of people aged over 45 it will always be the ultimate symbol of fun on four wheels. Few cars have come even close to stirring the kind of love and devotion that the MG has done right across the globe. Nor can many towns have become as indelibly

  • Museum fun

    CHILDREN'S workshops, creation stations and gallery trails will be among the half-term activities on offer at the Museum of Oxford in St Aldate's. For details call 01865 252761.

  • Stars prepare to shine at speed festival

    A WEALTH of rally stage stars past and present - including Petter Solberg, Colin McRae, Stig Blomqvist and Paddy Hopkirk - will be in action on the demanding Forest Rally Stage on the hillside above Goodwood House at this year's Festival of Speed, being

  • Extra cover

    SUBARU'S big, luxury Tribeca sports utility vehicle now comes with five years' peace of mind under a special offer running until July 31. All Tribecas sold in the UK up to that date will get five years' free servicing, five years' warranty, five years

  • Blink, but do not miss this number

    THERE are still showroom queues for sexy, super-fast sports cars - current attitudes towards climate change and eye-watering prices are putting no one off. So the latest blink-and-you'll miss-it motor, a limited run of just ten at £141,000 apiece,

  • GT given black looks

    RAMPING up the desirability of the Bertone styled Alfa GT, the Italian sporting car manufacturer has added unique 18-inch alloy wheels, metallic black paint and interior sports styling to create the limited edition Alfa GT BlackLine. Despite the stylish

  • Nuclear power station could be built in county

    FEARS of a nuclear power station being built in Oxfordshire were mounting today as the Didcot area emerged as a likely site. Harwell was included as a "key opportunity for nuclear development" in a report as the Government begins planning for a new

  • In the pink

    Looking for a motoring gift for a lady driver? Valeting specialists Autoglym has launched a limited edition Cosmetics For Cars package, containing 11 car-cleaning products in an attractive, monogrammed pink case. The valet case is available exclusively

  • FOOTBALL: United freeze ticket prices

    Match and season ticket prices at Oxford United have been frozen for the third season in a row. Adult season ticket prices start from £235 and there are the same discount deals for junior supporters, with an under 11 season ticket costing just £30 and

  • United freeze ticket prices

    Match and season ticket prices at Oxford United have been frozen for the third season in a row. Adult season ticket prices start from £235 and there are the same discount deals for junior supporters, with an under 11 season ticket costing just £30 and

  • CHAMPAGNE AND LADIES

    Champagne what is all the fuss? It is like beautiful women growing old but still giving you pleasure as they go. Last week I hosted a champagne party in the restaurant for my regular guests, Katrina the blonde sexy!!! with Jeremy yes the famous one from