Oxford and Oxfordshire news, sport and information updated throughout the day

Stories for 02 November 2002

Oxfordshire Business

Hangar conversion firm wins award

A company which has converted former US fighter plane hangars into a document store has been named the first Bicester Business of the Year.   more...

Spin-off extends deal with Pfizer

Drug giant Pfizer is to take a share in former Oxford University spin-off company Evotec OAI as part of a £15m deal.   more...

US rival takes over software company

A software company in Oxfordshire has been taken over by its US rival.   more...

Local travel agent is flying high

A travel agent is bucking the trend with turnover soaring and jobs being created.   more...

Oxfordshire Cars

Row over 'pathetic' ad

A Wonderbra-style advert for this year's Motorshow was branded "pathetic" by Trade and Industry Secretary Patricia Hewitt as she prepared for a visit today to the show.   more...

Sports Auto boost

MG Rover has launched a '180 Sports Auto' to boost the performance MG ZT range, providing a choice between the five-speed manual ZT 160 and ZT 190 models.   more...

Sprint puts on the style

MG cars are responding to the demands of the summer's open top motoring season with a new, high specification MG TF SE Sprint.   more...

Sales for Rover

On the opening day of the British International Motor Show, MG Rover Group took orders for new cars to the value of £1m at showroom prices.   more...

Carrier value

People carriers continue to be the darling of the secondhand market as demand for used two and three-year-old models, and older, continues to grow, according to Manheim Auctions.   more...

Pressure plea

Tyre specialists Merityre, which has branches in Witney and Abingdon, is recommending drivers have their tyres filled with nitrogen.   more...

On track for big thrills

An estimated 20,000 drivers are due to sample Subaru's new performance car icon -the Impreza WRX STi - thanks to a sponsorship deal involving the UK's newest racing circuit.   more...

Pole man McWilliams battles back

Banbury-based Proton KR rider Jeremy McWilliams suffered both the highs and the lows at last weekend's Australian Moto-GP.   more...

Prepare for action!

The UK's leading freestyle riders will make a rare appearance at November's International Motorcycle and Scooter Show (15-24 November, NEC, Birmingham).   more...

Oxfordshire Education

Head attacks 'cool culture'

The headteacher of one of Oxfordshire's top-performing schools has hit out at a culture of 'cool', which he says is damaging boys' education.   more...

300 go back to school

A school played host to more than 300 pupils, parents and staff both past and present at a reunion.   more...

Oxfordshire Local Info

NORMAN BOWLEY

Norman Bowley, the man known to many as Mr Horspath, has died at the age of 82.   more...

JAMES FARRINGTON

The founder of a Scout group in Wantage has died, aged 94.   more...

PAMELA MORRIS

Former English teacher Pamela Morris has died in a nursing home in Burford, aged 95.   more...

JACK CHERRY

A former Abingdon GP, and country sports enthusiast, has died at the age of 84.   more...

JOSEPH JACQUES

A keen and generous baker, Joseph Jacques, has died aged 86.   more...

MICHAEL BADGER

A man who started his life in farming, using horse-drawn ploughs, has died at the age of 89.   more...

Oxfordshire News

No co-operation on bus fares rise

Your editorial, Profit before passengers, (Oxford Mail, October 22) contains points with which I must take issue.   more...

Remembering war victims

We are approaching the time of year when we especially remember those who died in the world wars of the last century and more recent wars.   more...

Firefighters will win

Ken Coleman thinks it should be made illegal for firefighters to strike (Oxford Mail, October 22).   more...

Parking fine defended

I need to respond to Canon Williams's letter (Oxford Mail, October 22), where he queried the clarity of using a visitor's permit to cover a loan car in a residents' parking zone.   more...

Staff are not to blame

Your comment which implied that Oxford City Council's housing benefit staff are uncaring (Oxford Mail, October 29) is plain wrong and unjust.   more...

Car worker 'struck colleague with glass'

A BMW worker who smashed a pint glass into a colleague's face for no reason was too drunk to remember doing it, a court heard.   more...

Duchess prepares home in quiet country village

Villagers in Brightwell Baldwin are staying tight-lipped about their new royal neighbour, the Duchess of Kent.   more...

Trick-or-treat calls flood in

Police in Oxford received so many calls complaining about trick-or-treating, telephone operators thought there was a fault in the 999 system.   more...

Driver killed in crash

A motorist veered into oncoming traffic and killed another driver, an inquest heard.   more...

Residents reclaim 'forgotten' estate

Northway has been described as Oxford's forgotten estate by residents fighting increased drug problems.   more...

Police warn of car thefts

Car owners in south Oxfordshire are being warned to be on their guard following a spate of car thefts.   more...

Roadshow spreads anti-drug message

Children in Oxfordshire schools are to receive visits from a pop singer delivering a powerful anti-drugs message.   more...

Survey shows people not doing bit for environment

People in north Oxfordshire are being urged to recycle their old newspapers and magazines.   more...

Doctors pioneer brain therapy

Doctors in Oxford have discovered that patients can be saved from brain injury without having to undergo neurosurgery.   more...

Loan idea to reduce car use

A travel loan scheme has been launched to help 17,000 council employees to travel to work by bus, bike and train.   more...

E-fit pictures issued in hunt for muggers

This is the face of one of the youths wanted in connection with a robbery in Oxford.   more...

MP hears views on OTS

Shadow transport minister Christopher Chope visited Oxford yesterday to examine the city's transport strategy.   more...

Computer help back on offer

Barton Information Technology Hub is up and running again after closing for five months for a £25,000 refurbishment.   more...

Entering into spirit of Hallowe'en

Fairies, devils, witches and skeletons turned up at a Bicester nursery instead of children.   more...

Sisters buy pub to kick off social lives

Three sisters who decided they needed to kick start their social lives have taken over their local pub.   more...

Cadet picked for festival role

A Didcot Army cadet is brushing up on drill after being given the honour of parading the cadets' national standard at the Royal British Legion's annual Festival of Remembrance.   more...

November 1: On the last lap

It is turning into one of the most hotly-debated issues in Oxford for a long while.   more...

High prices `threaten prosperity'

The high cost of housing could harm Banbury's economic future, Maureen Hastings, chairman of Cherwell District Council, has warned.   more...

Tour makes a return

The 36th annual Banbury Tour de Trigs will be held this month with what could be a record number of entries.   more...

Get fit before the ski slope

Winter sports enthusiasts will be able to get fit before venturing onto the ski slopes thanks to a new programme.   more...

Burglars steal street sled

A street luge was among items stolen from an Oxford garage.   more...

60s star back on tour

Sixties folk icon and humanitarian campaigner Julie Felix will appear at The Mill, Banbury, later this month as part of her biggest tour for 20 years.   more...

Woman hurt in bar

Police are hunting a man who threw a bottle at a woman in an Oxford bar.   more...

Oxford writer wins top award

Oxford Mail journalist Reg Little was celebrating today after winning an award from the Newspaper Society.   more...

Candle starts farmhouse fire

Firefighters tackled a bedroom fire at a north Oxfordshire farm on Thursday, October 31, thought to have been caused by a candle being used during power cuts.   more...

Top dogs

RAF Police dog handler Jez Woods and his canine charge Bob won a national competition.   more...

Club aims to move

Faringdon Tennis Club could be knocked down and replaced with houses.   more...

Racist faces prison term

A white supremacist from Carterton who plotted race war after stockpiling weapons was today facing jail for up to 14 years.   more...

Festive card sale

Eleven charities are to benefit from a Christmas card sale in Charlbury.   more...

Swimmer wins four medals

A young swimmer who has cerebral palsy has won medals at an international swimming competition in Belgium.   more...

Kosovo duty calls firefighter

A part-time firefighter is off to Kosovo -- at the same time as his family business merges with another company.   more...

Painting pays off

Charity house painter Tiffany Brownell is decorating a room fit for a German mayor.   more...

£1m bid to boost football

A new community football club is hoping to attract £1m in funding.   more...

Age Concern in need of helpers

A support network which has helped the elderly lead independent lives for decades is under threat because of a lack of volunteers.   more...

Singing for surgery

The Wantage Male Voice Choir will sing to pay for cataract surgery for Burmese refugees on Saturday, November 9. The concert, at St John the Baptist Church, is free, but there will be a collection.   more...

Cards go on sale

Christmas cards produced by 14 charities will be on sale at the Vale and Downland Museum, Church Street, for two weeks from Tuesday, November 5   more...

Tesco to sell land for £1

Tesco is marketing an unusual product in Thame -- a quarter-mile stretch of land, which the company has agreed to sell for £1.   more...

Drink ban backed

The town council is backing moves to introduce bylaws banning drinking in public places in parts of the town.   more...

MP backs fight for care homes

Witney MP David Cameron has taken the fight to save three old people's homes in his constituency to the House of Commons.   more...

Trial delay

The trial of a man accused of murdering a 91-year-old Witney moneylender has been adjourned.   more...

November 1: Market rats

First it was a long-running row over rents, then it was the Oxford Transport Strategy, now it is rats.   more...

October 31: Grasping the nettle

The rejection by BMW workers of a pay offer will remind people with long memories of the bad old days at Cowley.   more...

Employees cut birthday cake

Waitrose celebrated 30 years in Wallingford on October 31 with a party headed by Stella Rance, who was with the store on the day it opened.   more...

Supermarket ready to party

WAITROSE celebrates 30 years in Wallingford on Thursday, October 31 with a party.   more...

Trust silences clock chimes

Complaints from a family have silenced the historic clock chimes at St Peter's Church in Wallingford.   more...

Get involved, residents told

People in south Oxfordshire are being urged to attend one of five area forums being held.   more...

Councillor vows to promote recycling

District councillor Sue Cooper has an ambition in life -- getting people to recycle more waste.   more...

CCTV survey necessary

A survey on the town's CCTV needs will be carried out before Christmas by South Oxfordshire District Council consultants.   more...

Science surprises

Two former Abingdon school pupils met for the first time while filming the new series of TV programme Rough Science.   more...

Living at Barton is marvellous

I would like to clear the name of Barton in Oxford which has such a bad reputation for crime and vandalism.   more...

King of the jungle heads for Oxford

Veteran broadcaster Tony Blackburn will switch on Oxford's Christmas lights.   more...

Refugee centre inquiry to cost council £100k

The public inquiry into plans for an accommodation centre for asylum seekers near Bicester is set to cost Cherwell District Council £100,000 in legal costs.   more...

Weapons collector `had racial motive'

An unemployed carpenter who amassed an arsenal of explosives and weapons at his Oxfordshire home was just a step away from launching a racist attack, a court heard.   more...

Oxfordshire Sport

United boss Atkins fires out warning

IAN Atkins is demanding total concentration, and fight, from his Oxford United players in today's Division 3 game at bottom-of-the-table Carlisle, writes JON MURRAY   more...

Sam's deal hits snag

SAM Stockley admitted to being "bitterly disappointed" last night after his permanent move to Colchester fell through at the 11th hour.   more...

Ford may miss cup tie

UNITED'S star player, Bobby Ford, looks as though he will miss the Aston Villa cup-tie next Wednesday.   more...

Football fixtures

Saturday, November 2, 2002   more...

Football fixtures

Sunday, November 3, 2002   more...

Cherry Red Records Hellenic League preview

Hook Norton have boosted their front line with the capture of prolific Wantage Town striker Ben Spiero.   more...

Louis a breath of fresh air

Standing out like a shining beacon, in what has been an otherwise gloomy week for Oxford United, is the improving talent of Jefferson Louis.   more...

FA Trophy: Super Sylla in fitness battle

Banbury United's prolific striker Norman Sylla is having intensive treatment on a back injury in a bid to be fit for tomorrow's FA Trophy first-round tie at home to Dr Martens League Western Division side Gloucester City (November 2).   more...

Weekend teams

Squad lists for Oxford City, Thame Utd, Banbury Utd and Abingdon Town   more...

Seagrave Haulage Combined Counties League preview

AFC Wallingford could be without six key players for their Premier Division home game with Merstham tomorrow.   more...

FA Trophy: Lee demands more

Oxford City manager Paul Lee wants a radical improvement from his players in their clash with Ryman League Division 1 South outfit Egham Town (November 2).   more...

FA Trophy: Sinnott expects

Thame United manager Andy Sinnott is looking for big display from keeper Alan Foster against Ryman League Division 1 South side Bromley at Windmill Stadium.   more...

Experience tells as Adams lands title

Phil Adams made experience count when he beat Steve Walton to win the prestigious men's singles title at the Oxford and District League's finals night at Rover Sports & Social Club.   more...

Oxford Mail league starts Sunday

The Oxford Mail Cross Country League starts at Ascott-under-Wychwood on Sunday.   more...

Purchase puts forward plan for changes

Oxford promoter Steve Purchase has revealed the proposals he is to put to the British Speedway Promoters Association for the future of British speedway.   more...

Hockey fixtures

Saturday, November 2, 2002   more...

Skipper missing

Rover Oxford will be without skipper Ruth Tuthill for English Women's League Division 2 clash with Bradford Newitts tomorrow (Nov2).   more...

Hockey fixtures

Sunday, November 3, 2002   more...

Proud City unveil new six-rink green

Oxford City and County's new £700,000 six-rink indoor bowls green at Marston Ferry Road was officially opened by Roger Carter and Shirley Digby, the respective national presidents of the English men's and women's associations.   more...

Monbiot stars for Radley

Radley College's tennis players have just returned from a successful tour of South Africa.   more...

Saturday's teams

Teams for games on November 2   more...

Rugby fixtures

Saturday, November 2, 2002   more...

Spike gets the call

Henley have reacted to their surprise 20-10 defeat against Nottingham by introducing in-form Spike Chandler into the backs for their long trip to Kendal in National League 2 tomorrow (Nov 2, 2.30).   more...

Changes for Bulls

Banbury Bulls are forced by suspensions and injuries to make changes when they travel to bottom-of-the-table Ilkeston in their Midland 2 East match.   more...

Cope back at helm

Oxford Harlequins travel to Wimborne in a South-West 2 East game with skipper Jamie Cope back at the helm after injuring his finger at work.   more...

Truro visit Chinnor

Chinnor, who have slipped into the wrong half of South West 1, will be hoping to make home advantage tell against Truro, following the visitors' long trip up from Cornwall.   more...

Cricket: Oxford and Banbury to clash in opener

Newly-promoted Oxford will face old adversaries Banbury in a mouthwatering opener to the Home Counties Premier League Division 1 season next year.   more...

Oxford and Banbury to clash in opener

Newly-promoted Oxford will face old adversaries Banbury in a mouthwatering opener to the Home Counties Premier League Division 1 season next year.   more...

BAR chief predicts a 'vintage' F1 year

The boss of British American Racing, David Richards, has promised grand prix fans a 'vintage' season next year after Formula 1 chiefs unveiled plans to spice up the sport.   more...

Proton challenges big boys

Banbury's Proton Team KR, the only fully independent team in top-level motorcycle racing, is taking a bold step into the future in 2003, with a head-on challenge to the factories with their new V5 four-stroke MotoGP racer.   more...

Motorsport weekend action

Action for November 1-3   more...

Team Bentley sign up with rtn

Team Bentley has confirmed that it will run under one roof at racing technology norfolk (rtn), under the responsibility of Bentley Motors.   more...

Steele ready for test

Final touches are being put to the British Winter SuperMoto Championship, which kicks off at Lydden Hill on November 9.   more...

Jordan opt out of testing

Silverstone-based Jordan are opting out of Formula 1's end-of-year testing. The team are switching from Honda engines to Ford and the Cosworth engine will not fit into the 2002 EJ12.   more...

Oxfordshire Whats On

Review: Mr Deeds (12A, 96mins)

Mr Deeds is a shabby, insincere remake of Frank Capra's Mr Deeds Goes To Town.   more...

Russian ballet star enjoys his elevation

The stakes are high in St Petersburg, Russia's cultural metropolis, where the city's four ballet companies are competing for survival.   more...

Direct from JOR's jaw

The music of JOR is an acquired taste. Their spiky chords, groove-laden beats and adrenaline-soaked vocals bring joy to some and fear to others.   more...

'enry takes it on the chin

Ennie, En it's for you." Henry Cooper's Italian wife Albina answers the telephone in their Kent home.   more...

Review: Changing Lanes (15, 102mins)

One bad turn deserves another. Changing Lanes is a modern day thriller about two men whose lives are changed by a twist of fate.   more...

Tragedy and farce mark romances

Bernstein's classic musical West Side Story is at Oxford Playhouse next week.   more...

Play offers reflections on faith and repentance

Don't expect much levity from Lighthouse Theatre's production of Stephen Adly Guiris's Jesus Hopped the `A' Train which opens at the Old Fire Station next week.   more...

Soap family in freefall

If you think BBC TV's Eastenders has the monopoly on dysfunctional soap families, be prepared to change your mind.   more...

Childish disputes settled

A forbidden scientific experiment is played out in Marivaux's The Dispute at the Burton Taylor Theatre in Oxford next week.   more...

Guide to 'un-married' life

JB Priestley's Yorkshire comedy When We Are Married opens at the Mill in Banbury next week.   more...

Two Stoppard comdies

Two quirky one-act Tom Stoppard comedies are being staged back-to-back at Lains Barn, near Wantage.   more...

Wake up with Alabama 3

Although they may not know the band by name, millions of people already love the sound of Alabama 3.   more...

Squeeze in to see Nick

Nick Harper is a performer who is as famous for his intensity and emotion, as his total spontaneity.   more...

Family values

The Monday Night Blues goes 'back to basics' this week, with a healthy dose of family values.   more...

Sparks may fly in political debate

It is fitting that on the anniversary of Guy Fawkes's plot to blow up the Houses of Parliament, Jeremy Paxman and Matthew Parris will be taking centre stage in Oxford to discuss The State Of British Politics Today -- no doubt causing a few sparks of their own to fly.   more...

Special brew days

A treat is in store for real ale buffs, when the Masons' Arms holds Headington's first beer festival this weekend.   more...

  
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