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Oxfordshire | Archive | 2001 | May

Stories for 04 May 2001

Abingdon News

Soldier admits taking knickers

A soldier has admitted stealing and hoarding women's underwear on three separate occasions. more...

Rugby commentator pays tribute to son

BBC rugby commentator Nigel Starmer-Smith has today paid tribute today to his young son who died earlier this week from a rare form of cancer. more...

Football: Unwelcome ton for Abingdon

Abingdon Town's final home game of the season in Ryman Division 3 saw them reach an unwelcome milestone with their goals against tally topping the 100-mark. more...

Banbury News

Boy beaten up after bus pass mix-up

A boy was beaten up as he walked home after being thrown off a bus in a mix-up over a travel pass. more...

Burford group needs more children

A town with few children has a pre-school where the teaching is good and the youngsters are confident, well-behaved and happy. more...

Centre earns high praise

A pioneering centre for children and adults in Chipping Norton and surrounding villages has been praised by a Government inspector. more...

Train discussion

Thames Trains' passenger watchdog is holding a meeting at the Banbury Old Town Hall on Tuesday , May 8 ,at 10.30am. more...

Shop scheme

The owners of 104 Causeway have applied to convert the general store to living accommodation. more...

Football: Banbury complete programme

Banbury United complete their Eastern Division programme when they visit Tonbridge Angels. more...

Bicester News

Tennis: Gilkes and Gujral star for Woodstock

Liz Gilkes and Manoj Gujral starred as Woodstock edged past Bicester 5-3 in Mixed Division 1 of the Wilson Inter-Club 3-Pair League. more...

Neighbours fume after hedge is cut

Residents have accused contractors of vandalism for cutting back a hedge too heavily. more...

Girl, nine, cut free from car

A child was cut free by firefighters following a two-car smash on the B4027 at Woodeaton, east of Kidlington. more...

Didcot News

Primary earns special birthday present

Didcot's newest primary school received a special birthday present with a praiseworthy report from an education inspection team. more...

Students flee after bomb is dug up

More than 100 children were evacuated from their school after a Second World War bomb was discovered. more...

Court declines to reduce mother's drug sentence

A young mother lured into drug trafficking because of pressure over family debts has failed to win a reduction in her two-year prison term. more...

Crash victim named

A woman passenger who was killed when a skip truck overturned on the A420 near Faringdon on Tuesday has been named as Samantha Gibbs, 33, of Ham Lane, Kempsford, Gloucestershire. more...

Mayor's concert

Didcot Leisure Centre presents the Mayor's Concert tomorrow. more...

Summer teas on a Sunday

Sunday afternoon teas will be provided for visitors to St Andrew's Church, East Hagbourne, from 3pm to 5pm throughout the summer. more...

Cycling: Colbeck cruises in

Chris Colbeck won Didcot Phoenix's time trial over the Milton circuit on Thursday. more...

Oxford News

Colleague punched in window cleaning row

An argument about dirty windows at an Oxford city centre shop erupted into violence when a cleaning firm manager punched his colleague on the nose. more...

Relief is in sight for park visitors

Toilets at a country park, which have been closed for ten years, could reopen if councillors agree to spend £77,000 on their refurbishment. more...

Architects plan revamp for landmark

A well-known Oxford landmark is to get a make-over. more...

Hostel open for business

Oxford's new £3.5m youth hostel was given the thumbs-up yesterday by its first batch of visitors. more...

Father took his own life

A father-of-two took his own life when his partner left him because of his drugs problem. more...

Daniel wins his beret

An assault course was one of the tests marine Daniel Rand had to pass to get his green beret. more...

The plant doc is in

Restore, on Cowley Road, Oxford, is offering a free plant clinic at its rehab garden, which opens on June 30. more...

Free car checks

Motorists can get free car checks over the Bank Holiday weekend. AA patrols will make basic checks and give drivers a written report. more...

Plant doctor

Restore, in Cowley Road, is offering a free plant clinic at its rehab garden, which opens on June 30. more...

Loo view (May 12)

A giant pack of loo rolls will be flying over the city on Saturday, May 12, as part of the Oxford Balloon Festival at Cutteslowe Park. more...

Hockey: Rover skipper out of play-off crunch

Rover Oxford Ladies welcome back Flo Cooke, Lisa Deller and Clare Dunne for their final three Inter-League play-off matches, which all take place at the National Hockey Stadium, Milton Keynes, this weekend. more...

Football: City's hopes dashed - Oxford 1, Purfleet 3

City's hopes of a place in the Ryman League Full Members Cup final were wrecked in last night's semi-final when their young team conceded three early goals against Premier Division Purfleet. more...

Cricket: Tiddington stumped - by foot and mouth!

Tiddington Cricket Club have been hit for six by the foot and mouth outbreak - with the epidemic leaving them unable to reclaim balls which are smashed into adjacent fields. more...

Oxford,Abingdon,Banbury,Bicester,Didcot,Thame,Wantage,Wallingford,Witney News

'Confusion' over restrictions

The lifting of foot and mouth restrictions in Oxfordshire has resulted in "confusion" in the countryside, a county councillor has claimed. more...

Tories reach out for victory

Oxfordshire Tories have staked their claim for overall power in the forthcoming county council elections on an image of an outstretched hand seeking charity. more...

Patients wanted for cannabis trials

More than 90 patients will take part in cannabis trials starting in Oxford later this month. more...

Survey reveals travel insurance ignorance

More than half of holiday makers from Oxfordshire never check their travel insurance before taking part in sports abroad, a survey claims. more...

Fair treatment call by NFU

Farmers from Oxfordshire are lobbying for a "level playing field" across Europe on guidelines governing food production. more...

Chip special

As part of National Pet Week, vets are offering a reduced price on microchips. For £10 animals are injected with the microchip. more...

Football: Fixtures - Saturday, May 5

All Saturday fixtures involving Oxfordshire sides more...

Football: Fixtures - Sunday, May 6

All Sunday fixtures involving Oxfordshire sides more...

Cricket: Fixtures - Saturday, May 5

All Saturday fixtures involving Oxfordshire sides more...

Kids are alright for Ford

Oxford United could put out one of their most inexperienced sides of the season as they say good-bye to the second division in their final game at Notts County tomorrow. more...

Cricket: Oxon seek boost

Oxfordshire, beaten by Huntingdonshire in the first round of the Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy on Tuesday, will be looking for a morale-boosting win when they take on Bicester & North Oxford in a friendly at Akeman Street on Sunday. more...

Oxfordshire Business

Biotech drug may still be marketed

Struggling research firm British Biotech has announced its ill-fated Marimastat cancer drug could come back from the dead. more...

Agency scoops relaunch contract

Marketing communications agency Cooney Bains has won a deal to relaunch a business-to-business customer magazine for European Telecom. more...

Oxfordshire Education

Primary earns special birthday present

Didcot's newest primary school received a special birthday present with a praiseworthy report from an education inspection team. more...

Nursery looking to grow

A popular pre-school has become so successful it is being forced to search for new premises. more...

Businesses asked to back drugs education

A plea to local businesses to help fund drugs education in primary schools is being made. more...

Burford group needs more children

A town with few children has a pre-school where the teaching is good and the youngsters are confident, well-behaved and happy. more...

Centre earns high praise

A pioneering centre for children and adults in Chipping Norton and surrounding villages has been praised by a Government inspector. more...

Oxfordshire Leisure

A splashing preview of summer fun

A splashing time was had when children tested the waters at Hinksey Pool, Oxford. more...

Dancing database

Dance fans will be able to find out where their nearest classes are more easily with the help of a new database. more...

Blood session at football club (May 8)

The Football Sports and Social Club, in Windmill Road, Thame, will be hosting a blood donor session on Tuesday, May 8, between 1.30pm and 3.25pm, and 4.30pm and 6.15pm. more...

Loo view (May 12)

A giant pack of loo rolls will be flying over the city on Saturday, May 12, as part of the Oxford Balloon Festival at Cutteslowe Park. more...

Beer festival (May 26)

The fifth Standlake Beer Festival will be held in the village hall and recreation ground on May 26, from 2pm to 11pm, in aid of Standlake and Eynsham schools. more...

Train discussion

Thames Trains' passenger watchdog is holding a meeting at the Banbury Old Town Hall on Tuesday , May 8 ,at 10.30am. more...

Mill open (May 13)

Church Mill, Standlake, will be open on Sunday, May 13, as part of National Mills Day from 10am to 5pm. more...

Review: Audition (18)

Takashi Miike's Audition is a horror film of rarified atmosphere and terrifying radiance that owes as much to Alfred Hitchcock as David Cronenberg, writes David Parkinson. more...

Review: Dead Bolt Dead

Christ Church student James Rogan's debut feature, Dead Bolt Dead, gets a screening at the Phoenix this weekend, writes David Parkinson. more...

Preview: The Drummers of Burundi at the Apollo Theatre, Oxford (May 4)

The all-conquering rhythms of The Drummers of Burundi have been cited as inspirational to The Clash, Echo & The Bunnymen, Joni Mitchell, Joan Baez and Malcolm McLaren, writes Chris Gray. more...

Review: The Old Fire Station Theatre, Oxford until May 6

Much to celebrate in Oxford on Tuesday - May Day in High Street and A Midsummer Night's Dream at the Old Fire Station, writes Don Fathers. more...

Preview: T'ai Chi ballet at Chipping Norton (May 10-11)

Ballet Central returns to The Theatre, Chipping Norton next Thursday and Friday with a new programme of dance highlights performed by up-and-coming dance stars. more...

Preview: Dance and hip-hop at the Playhouse, Oxford (May 11-12)

Dancer and hip-hop artist Jonzi D will be be joined at the Playhouse by a dozen young local performers when he stages his new show Aeroplane Man next Friday (May 11) and Saturday. more...

Preview: Philomusica at the Sheldonian (May 5)

The Oxford Philomusica returns to the Sheldonian Theatre on Saturday to perform a programme of Telemann, Handel, Vivaldi and Bach. more...

Preview: Cartoon fun at the Apollo, Oxford (May 8 - 12)

Warner Bros' world-famous Looney Tunes cartoon characters promise a 24-carrot sensation when they arrive at the Apollo Theatre from Tuesday to Saturday May 12 to stage their family show. more...

Preview: Oxford Sinfonia performance (May 5)

The Oxford Sinfonia is staging a concert of works by Vaughan Williams, Britten and Stravinsky at the University Church of Saint Mary the Virgin ton Friday, May 5, with conductor Michael Lloyd, and soloists Sue Lyn and Mark Wilde. more...

The Battersea Park Road To Enlightenment by Isabel Losada

A surprisingly insightful guide to New Age treatments. more...

Branson by Tom Bower (Fourth Estate, £6.99)

This is the book which millionaire businessman Richard Branson doesn't want you to read: "What I have read, has offended me on every single level. more...

Caro Fraser by A Little Learning (Penguin, £5.99)

University student Carla was head over heels when she married her trendy, radical lecturer, but now she loathes everything about him - his moustache, his obsession with school league tables, and the way he scrapes the dirt from under his fingernails with a matchstick. more...

Shakespeare's Language by Frank Kermode (Penguin, £7.99)

Shakespeare has not been well served by modern critics, says literary critic Frank Kermode. more...

Sans Moi by Marie Desplechin (Granta, £6.99)

A journalist and mother living in Paris hires Olivia as a mother's help, unaware that she was abused as a child. Slowly, her employer learns the truth. more...

Houdini's Box by Adam Phillips (Faber, £9.99)

Phillips, a child psychotherapist, unravels the notion of escape, arguing that 'mere escapism' can be life-transforming and creative. more...

Slipstream by Kate Bingham (Virago, £6.99)

Nina, Beth and Lou have just finished A-levels and life at school, and so decide to spend one last summer together. more...

Oxfordshire News

'Unpopular' flats go out with a bang

More than 1,000 partying villagers turned out to watch the demolition of 60 flats. more...

Colleague punched in window cleaning row

An argument about dirty windows at an Oxford city centre shop erupted into violence when a cleaning firm manager punched his colleague on the nose. more...

Prison site plans need some 'people power'

Ordinary citizens have been urged to get involved to make sure that the Oxford prison and castle site is redeveloped in the best possible way. more...

Union marches for more pay

Hundreds of public sector workers were today due to march through the streets to campaign for higher wages to cope with house prices in Oxfordshire. more...

Primary earns special birthday present

Didcot's newest primary school received a special birthday present with a praiseworthy report from an education inspection team. more...

Boy beaten up after bus pass mix-up

A boy was beaten up as he walked home after being thrown off a bus in a mix-up over a travel pass. more...

Soldier admits taking knickers

A soldier has admitted stealing and hoarding women's underwear on three separate occasions. more...

Traffic calming scheme `will provoke road rage'

A controversial £300,000 traffic calming scheme proposed for Banbury is "a recipe for road rage and accidents", a county councillor has warned. more...

Firemen praise hostel boss for brave action

The manager of a backpackers' hostel in Oxford has been praised by firemen after he climbed into the roof space and used an extinguisher to stop a fire spreading. more...

Relief is in sight for park visitors

Toilets at a country park, which have been closed for ten years, could reopen if councillors agree to spend £77,000 on their refurbishment. more...

Victims of crime

Burglary. It's upsetting, personal - and preventable. Here, an ex-burglar with a conscience tells us how the cowardly thieves plan their raids. more...

Burglary - The victim

Rachel knew a thief had broken into her house as she lay upstairs in bed. She heard him rifling through the drawers in her kitchen and singing. Her bedroom door didn't have a lock and her landlord was away, so she was alone and at the intruder's mercy. more...

Burglary - What to do if it happens to you

Det SGT Dave Herniman, head of Oxford's burglary team, offers the following advice to anyone who wakes up to find their house being burgled: more...

Students flee after bomb is dug up

More than 100 children were evacuated from their school after a Second World War bomb was discovered. more...

Tories reach out for victory

Oxfordshire Tories have staked their claim for overall power in the forthcoming county council elections on an image of an outstretched hand seeking charity. more...

Hostel open for business

Oxford's new £3.5m youth hostel was given the thumbs-up yesterday by its first batch of visitors. more...

Tests fail to find asbestos

Test results have not revealed any evidence that residents living in an Oxford tower block were exposed to potentially fatal asbestos. more...

Heroin supply mastermind convicted

A man has been convicted for conspiracy to supply heroin worth £800,000 after a police operation on the M40 in Oxfordshire. more...

The plant doc is in

Restore, on Cowley Road, Oxford, is offering a free plant clinic at its rehab garden, which opens on June 30. more...

Vandals set fire to cars

Firefighters were called out to tackle three car blazes, believed to have been started deliberately. more...

A splashing preview of summer fun

A splashing time was had when children tested the waters at Hinksey Pool, Oxford. more...

Walkers scratch their heads over signs

Walkers are puzzled by Thames Water's "closure" of a footpath around a reservoir because of foot and mouth disease. more...

'Confusion' over restrictions

The lifting of foot and mouth restrictions in Oxfordshire has resulted in "confusion" in the countryside, a county councillor has claimed. more...

Fair treatment call by NFU

Farmers from Oxfordshire are lobbying for a "level playing field" across Europe on guidelines governing food production. more...

Please find my son's killers

Search your conscience - that was the message delivered to an Oxford community sheltering the killers of nine-year-old Ross Doyle. more...

Irving visit to union triggers boycott threat

Lecturers are threatening to boycott the Oxford Union after its invitation to the controversial "racist" historian David Irving. more...

Oxfordshire Sport

Kids are alright for Ford

Oxford United could put out one of their most inexperienced sides of the season as they say good-bye to the second division in their final game at Notts County tomorrow. more...

Football: Kassam snaps up the Manor

Oxford United's chairman Firoz Kassam has revealed that he bought the club's Manor Ground himself - because no-one else would risk buying it. more...

Football: Wallingford look to Wilko

AFC Wallingford continue their hunt for the Courage Combined Counties League Premier Division title with the possible return of Dean Wikinson for their two games over the Bank Holiday weekend. more...

Cycling: Colbeck cruises in

Chris Colbeck won Didcot Phoenix's time trial over the Milton circuit on Thursday. more...

Football: Harry's solo wraps it up - Witney 2, Dartford 0

Witney convincingly saw off Dartford last night in what could prove their penultimate Dr Martens Eastern Division game ever. more...

Football: Unwelcome ton for Abingdon

Abingdon Town's final home game of the season in Ryman Division 3 saw them reach an unwelcome milestone with their goals against tally topping the 100-mark. more...

Cricket: Oxford Times sponsors Cherwell League

The Oxford Times - sister paper of This is Oxfordshire and the Oxford Mail - have agreed a two-year deal to sponsor The Cherwell League, Oxfordshire's premier cricket competition. more...

Football: Fixtures - Saturday, May 5

All Saturday fixtures involving Oxfordshire sides more...

Football: Fixtures - Sunday, May 6

All Sunday fixtures involving Oxfordshire sides more...

Cricket: Champs Twenty eye up a repeat show

It's as you were for reigning champions Banbury Twenty, who report no new players as they start the defence of their title. more...

Cricket: Fixtures - Saturday, May 5

All Saturday fixtures involving Oxfordshire sides more...

Tennis: Gilkes and Gujral star for Woodstock

Liz Gilkes and Manoj Gujral starred as Woodstock edged past Bicester 5-3 in Mixed Division 1 of the Wilson Inter-Club 3-Pair League. more...

Hockey: Rover skipper out of play-off crunch

Football: Herbert fires up Carterton

Carterton Town will be looking for more magic from 16-year-old David Herbert when they take on Cirencester Academy in a swift Cherry Red Records more...

Football: City's hopes dashed - Oxford 1, Purfleet 3

City's hopes of a place in the Ryman League Full Members Cup final were wrecked in last night's semi-final when their young team conceded three early goals against Premier Division Purfleet. more...

Cricket: Tiddington stumped - by foot and mouth!

Tiddington Cricket Club have been hit for six by the foot and mouth outbreak - with the epidemic leaving them unable to reclaim balls which are smashed into adjacent fields. more...

Football: Witney fans set for swansong

Fans are gearing up for what could be Witney Town's swansong in the Dr Martens League when they take on Erith & Belvedere at Marriotts Stadium tomorrow. more...

Thame News

Football: Thame face Worthing

Thame United, who have suffered a dramatic collapse to throw away promotion from Ryman Division 1, will visit Worthing in their finale tonight before tackling Banbury United in the Oxfordshire Senior Cup final at the Manor Ground on Tuesday night. more...

Businesses asked to back drugs education

A plea to local businesses to help fund drugs education in primary schools is being made. more...

Charity aid cash stuck in the bank

More than £1,100 raised by a town mayor four years ago to help children in Albania is still sitting in a Thame bank. more...

Town needs new mower

Cutting corners on servicing has left a town council facing a £7,000 bill for a new grass cutter. more...

Volunteers to take on the ball

Future town mayors in Thame will have to organise their own civic ball with volunteers. Council staff will no longer be available to help. more...

Blood session at football club (May 8)

The Football Sports and Social Club, in Windmill Road, Thame, will be hosting a blood donor session on Tuesday, May 8, between 1.30pm and 3.25pm, and 4.30pm and 6.15pm. more...

Play grant

The town council is grant aiding the summer playscheme with £1,000. The annual event will run this year for a fortnight, from August 6 to 16, at Lord Williams's Lower School. more...

Wallingford News

Football: Wallingford look to Wilko

'Unpopular' flats go out with a bang

More than 1,000 partying villagers turned out to watch the demolition of 60 flats. more...

Boy fell out of car in crash

A teenager was flung to his death when a car he was travelling in veered out of control and crashed into a tree. more...

Wantage News

'GM crop trials must stop'

A farmer at the centre of protests over the planting of genetically modified maize, has angered environmental campaigners by agreeing to a second trial on his land. more...

MP lends support to carers

Robert Jackson, the MP for Wantage, is one of more than 150 Westminster politicians to join the Chancellor, Gordon Brown, in offering practical help in support of Carers Week next month. more...

Crash victim named

A woman passenger who was killed when a skip truck overturned on the A420 near Faringdon on Tuesday has been named as Samantha Gibbs, 33, of Ham Lane, Kempsford, Gloucestershire. more...

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