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Oxfordshire | Archive | 2002 | December

Stories for 03 December 2002

Oxfordshire Business

Software wrangle ends in legal fight

A delayed computer contract could cost a company millions of pounds as it enters legal proceedings which may drag on through most of next year. more...

Jobs to go at Reed despite profit

Trade union officials say they are shocked at the sudden announcement of 27 job losses at the Oxford offices of media group Reed Elsevier. more...

Hunt on to increase composting

The hunt is on to find new sites for compost heaps in Oxfordshire following Chancellor Gordon Brown's increased tax on landfill rubbish tips announced in his pre-Budget statement. more...

Hanson snaps up five new outfits

Building materials group Hanson has bought five companies in a deal totalling £47.7m. more...

Bid to sniff out success

Exotic cosmetics are on the Christmas list of Oxford shoppers after a new shop opened its doors. more...

NatWest appoints Gayer

James Gayer has been appointed as NatWest's area business manager for the county. more...

Former Oxfordshire chief education officer Prof Tim Brighouse, who lives in Oxford, is to stand down from the board of schools computer company RM, of Milton Park, near Abingdon, at the end of the year. more...

Oxfordshire Education

Officials defend county schools

Education officers have defended Oxfordshire's education system after only one state school from the county was rated in the top 400 in a national survey. more...

School praised for high

standards and security So impressed were Government inspectors with an Abingdon primary school that they identified only a couple of areas in which there was need for improvement. more...

'One stop shop' for higher

education UCAS, or the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service, is the UK central organisation through which applications are processed for entry to full-time first degrees, HNDs and university diplomas. more...

School backs cycling

Special measures have been taken at a village school to encourage young children to get on their bikes. more...

Schoolchildren pay us a visit

Children from a Wallingford school visited the Oxford Mail headquarters as part of a project on newspapers. more...

Choir girls face the cameras

Talented choristers from Oxford High School have been recorded by the BBC as part of a national competition. more...

Bishop helps unveil Millennium window

The Bishop of Oxford, the Rt Rev Richard Harries, dedicated a Millennium stained glass window at the Blake Church of England Primary School in Witney. more...

Hip pupils exercise for money

The swinging '60s was the theme of a charity fundraising effort at a school in Woodstock. more...

Charity chess competition aims to get more in library

Pupils have organised a charity chess tournament to encourage more of them to visit the school library in their lunch break. more...

Oxfordshire Local Info

Robert Mattock

Oxfordshire rose grower Robert Mattock has died, aged 75. more...

Dr Joan Harcourt-Norris

A doctor, mayor, councillor and magistrate in Abingdon for more than 50 years, Dr Joan Harcourt Norris, has died. more...

Dorothy Herbert

Herbert, an evacuee from the London Blitz, who became a well-known figure in her adopted community of Kidlington, has died, aged 94. more...

Hester Jenkins

A service will be held next month in America to celebrate the life of a printer and historian who lived in Oxford for 50 years. more...

Oxfordshire News

Club holds dance

A dance will be held at the Carterton Town Football Club on December 13, with the band West Virginia. more...

Scouts on track

Work has started on building a new Scout headquarters in Carterton. more...

Calls for extra security at shops finally pay off

Gates are to be put up behind a shopping parade in Rose Hill, Oxford, after traders and residents campaigned for more than two years for extra security. more...

Traders count cost as vandals strike

Shops in Headington, Oxford, are being targeted by vandals so often traders have stopped calling the police. more...

Stadium permit plan causes concern

A scheme to introduce match day parking zones around the Kassam stadium to protect residents' parking spaces has been criticised by councillors. more...

Guides thank devoted leader

Guider Anne Clark discovered that one good turn deserved another, when friends and helpers sprung a surprise in her honour. more...

Just what the Doctor ordered

Special agent James Bond's latest fast car was on show for film fans in Oxford to handle. more...

Food fair offers rich diet of delights

More than 1,000 people attended The Oxford Times' third annual food and craft fair at the weekend. more...

Diana fund to support Oxfam

Oxfam is to receive £154,662 from the Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Fund to aid research into weapons reduction projects in Cambodia. more...

Councillors spend another £50,000

Oxford city councillors have confirmed that they are to spend an extra £50,000 on Oxford's bid to become Capital of Culture in 2008. more...

Waiting list policy scrutinised

People in south Oxfordshire are being asked to help make sure the district council's housing allocation policy is fair. more...

Hunt for new premises

Organisers of an Oxford social club for elderly people are still searching for new premises and appealing for volunteers after a deal to join forces with another club fell through. more...

Star guest invited

Actress Susan Hampshire, who stars in the popular TV drama Monarch of the Glen, was in Oxford to help Scouts raise money. more...

Supporters hold Aids vigil

A vigil was held in Oxford to mark World Aids Day on December 1. more...

Police quiz three girls

Three teenage girls have been questioned by police over the alleged robbing of a young couple in Oxford. more...

Tree planted in memory of cancer victim Luke

The memory of brave leukaemia victim Luke Wemyss has been marked with the planting of a tree in the grounds of his school. more...

Motorists face rise in parking charges

Car park charges across south Oxfordshire are set to rise. more...

Planning consent expected

Planners are expected to approve proposals to build a three-bedroom house close to Didcot town centre, despite objections. more...

Mast allowed

T-Mobile (UK) was granted planning permission by South Oxfordshire District Council for a telecommunication mast, two transmission dishes, a cabin and other equipment at Hall Farm, South Moreton. more...

Robber snatched till cash

A robber elbowed a shop assistant before snatching cash from a till in the Poundstretcher discount store in Ruscote Avenue retail park, Banbury, on December 2. more...

Interactive show

An interactive exhibition of machines from the Middle Ages has opened at Banbury Museum. more...

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A man's body was found in Chipping Norton on December 2. more...

Court date for kidnap accused

A man charged with kidnapping a 26-year-old woman will appear at Oxford Crown Court on December 6. more...

Cooker blaze

Oxygen was given to a woman suffering from smoke inhalation after a cooker fire at Lower House, in Summertown Road, North Aston. more...

Public lecture sells out

A lecture by Chancellor Jon Snow, at Oxford Brookes University, has completely sold out. more...

Body found

A man has been found dead in Erica Close, Blackbird Leys. more...

Woman rescued

An elderly woman was treated for smoke inhalation after firefighters from Rewley Road station were called to a small kitchen fire in Seacourt Road, Botley, just after midday on December 1. more...

Airfield storage fight gets support

Villagers campaigning against 6,500 cars being stored on an old airfield have won the backing of Cherwell district councillors. more...

Birthday marked by playgroup's reunion

Former members of a playgroup and their parents were asked back to a 16th birthday party. more...

Treat for couple

A couple celebrated their first wedding anniversary in luxury. more...

Scottish tour explained

An illustrated talk with a display of equipment on the three-week circumnavigation of the north of Scotland made by three Oxfordshire canoeists is being given by Roger Hiley at the 1st Bicester Scout group headquarters in Ashdene Road, Bicester, on December 13. more...

Tribute paid to murdered priest

A Roman Catholic priest who inspired villagers near Wantage to raise thousands of pounds for street children has been killed at his home in Africa. more...

Thieves make off with trailer

A trailer adjusted to carry a three-wheeled invalid carriage was stolen from outside a house. more...

Programme published

The community education centre has published its progranmme for next spring. more...

Banned driver threatened to kill man

A disqualified driver threatened to rip a man's throat out and kill him after chasing him in his car, a court was told. more...

MP challenges red tape burden

Witney MP David Cameron has challenged the Government to cut the red tape faced by pre-school and nursery classes. more...

Villages do their bit for recycling

Residents in Finstock and Charlbury, near Witney, are helping to protect the environment by holding a plastics recycling day on December 7. more...

Flood defences almost complete

Agreement has still to be reached over the final part of a flood defence scheme for the village of Standlake. more...

Farm joins campaign

Father Christmas will join the animals at Foxbury Farm, Brize Norton, to raise money for the Oxford Children's Hospital Appeal. more...

Charity cash

Developer Charles Church handed over a cheque for £250 to a children's charity to mark the opening of the show home on a Witney housing development. more...

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A man's body was found in Chipping Norton on December 2. more...

Trekker aims to raise cash

Margaret King, who will be trekking in New Zealand to raise money for Mencap, is holding a table top sale in Langdale Hall on December 8, starting at 10am. Tables cost £5 each. more...

Co-op on the move

The Co-op in Sheep Street, Charlbury, plans to relocate in the spring next to the Spendlove Centre to provide easier access for delivery lorries and more parking. more...

Shoppers stay out late

There will be a late-night shopping evening in Charlbury, with carol singers performing, on December 11, until 8pm. more...

Name for OAPs' home opposed

A row has broken out over the naming of an old people's home in Wallingford. more...

Rowers test their stamina

Hundreds of rowers will arrive in Wallingford on December 8 to compete in one of the town's biggest ever rowing events. more...

Councillors find pizza mind

Wallingford Business Partnership has welcomed the town council's change of mind over a Pizza Express. more...

Charities benefit

Wallingford people have been digging deep to support charities. more...

Artists display work

Local artists will display and sell their work at an art exhibition in Brightwell-cum-Sotwell village hall on December 7, between 10am and 1pm. more...

Residents worried by problem at danger bend

Worried residents in Farmoor are calling for action to stop flooding on a dangerous bend in the village. more...

Broken ankle poses problem for rescuers

An afternoon walk with friends along the Thames near Culham turned into a rescue operation involving the emergency services and a boat. more...

Footpath latest step in valley revamp scheme

The Ock Valley Walk project in Abingdon has moved another step forward with the opening of a new one-mile Jubilee footpath. more...

Party hails 50 years of care

Violence, verbal abuse and theft are among the worst challenges foster carers Rosalie and Rod James face. more...

Two quizzed over break-in

Two men have been questioned at Abingdon police station in connection with a car break-in at the Worcester Street car park, in Oxford. more...

Householders face tax rise shock

Thousands of householders across Oxfordshire could face huge rises in council tax, after the Government announced homes will be revalued to reflect property price rises. more...

Housing scheme may pay for HQ

The headquarters of South Oxfordshire District Council could be sold off for housing if a new scheme to relocate the authority goes ahead. more...

Arrows staff seek advice

More than 80 employees of struggling F1 racing team Arrows met officials from the Citizens' Advice Bureau to discuss their financial plight. more...

Oxfordshire Sport

Brooks aims for return in April

Jamie Brooks, who has won BBC South's Young Sportsman of the Year award, says he is ahead of schedule in his rehabilitation from the life-threatening Guillain-Barre Syndrome, but urges fans not to expect a comeback too soon. more...

Brooks aims for return in April

City draw big boys Stevenage

Oxford City are set for a much-needed cash boost after they drew Nationwide Conference side Stevenage Borough away in the third round of the FA Trophy. more...

Wright future under threat

Mark Wright's career as a football manager is under threat after the FA confirmed they were investigating his weekend touchline scuffle during the Nationwide Conference clash with his old club Southport. more...

Another deal for United

Oxford United have landed another £10,000 windfall with BBC Radio Five Live deciding to provide live commentary on Sunday's FA Cup second-round tie at home to Swindon Town. more...

United to play Windsor

Thame United's reward for a 2-1 win at Horsham is a trip to Ryman League Division 1 South side Windsor & Eton for the next round of the FA Trophy on January 11. more...

Cherwell send Nuffield packing

Premier side Cherwell Club proved too strong for Section 1's Nuffield Bar in the Greene King ODDA Ladies Winter League. more...

Rampant Quins roar into last 32

Powergen Intermediate Cup: Centre Martin Nutt scored a hat-trick of tries as Oxford Harlequins powered into the last 32 with a convincing 50-0 victory over Barton Hill in a one-sided fourth-round tie at Horspath Road on Saturday (Nov 30). more...

Devils fire warning to rivals

Oxford Devils put their off-court problems behind them to defeat high-flying Manchester Magic 111-91 in the National Basketball Conference at the White Horse Leisure & Tennis Centre on Saturday. more...

Hot-shot Harrison on fire

South League report: Simon Harrison hit four goals as City of Oxford ended their losing streak by beating Ramgarhia 6-4 in an open Regional division hockey game at Oxford Brookes University. more...

Rover pick up a point

Women's English League: Rover Oxford battled hard to gain a valuable Division 2 point in a 1-1 draw at home to a spirited St Albans side. more...

Arrows thrown on F1 scrapheap

Arrows look set to join the F1 scrapheap after they were booted out of next season's World Championship. more...

Spencer strike seals win

Trysports 3 Counties Women's League report: Oxford Hawks completed the first half of their Premier Division programme with a comfortable 2-0 victory over mid-table Sonning. more...

Super Sarah does the trick

Youth matches report: Sarah Baggs scored from a short corner to secure Oxford Hawks a 1-0 win over West Witney A in the Oxford Under 14 Girls' League. more...

Oxford going for four-timer

Oxford University's hopes of making it four Varsity Match victories in a row were boosted yesterday when skipper Fraser Gemmell named a full-strength side to face Cambridge at Twickenham next Tuesday. more...

Witney step up a gear

Southern Counties North report: A storming second-half display saw Witney romp to a 40-8 success at home to Wallingford at Hailey Road. more...

Smith shines for Chippy

Berks, Bucks & Oxon report: Adam Smith kicked 18 points as Chipping Norton won 28-8 at Phoenix in Division 1. more...

Barry's boot sinks basement boys

National League 2 report: It may have been top versus bottom, but leaders Henley Hawks had to rely on a late penalty by Barry Reeves to snatch a 21-20 win away to Fylde, after trailing for much of the game. more...

Grove pay for lapses

South West Division 2 East report: Poor discipline contributed to Grove's disappointing 19-13 defeat at home to Maidenhead. more...

Wanders win

Henley Wanderers kept the Oxfordshire flag flying in the Powergen Junior Vase with a 28-22 victory at home to Sidmouth in the fourth round. more...

CART race is axed

Next year's CART championship race at Rockingham has been removed from the calendar, because the organisers say it won't make enough money. more...

BMW Williams up and running in Spain

The Grove-based BMW Williams F1 Team started their winter test programme with a three-day test at the Valencia circuit in Spain. more...

Children to get chance

A new formula to allow children as young as eight to enjoy off-road motorsport will be launched next year. more...

Weekend action, December 7-8

Action for the forthcoming weekend more...

Oxfordshire Whats On

Explore cinema's expanding horizons

DAVID PARKINSON on current festivals celebrating Thai, French and German cinema more...

Review: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (PG)

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (PG): Scarier, more exciting and with a better plot, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is, happily, a much better film than the first one. more...

Review: Mr Deeds(PG13)

Longfellow Deeds, played by actor Adam Sandler, is the extremely laid-back owner of a pizza restaurant in the small town of Mandrake Falls, in America. more...

Preview: Two pantos

Helen Peacocke looks ahead to two highlights of the panto season in Oxfordshire - Jack in the Beanstalk at Chipping Norton and Puss in Boots in Oxford more...

Interview: Baritone Mark Stone

Hugh Vickers talks to Mark Stone about his appearances at the Apollo with Glyndebourne Touring Opera this week (to December 7) more...

Review: Machu Picchu and the Camera

Anne James visits a new exhibition at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, running until December 30 more...

Review: Die Another Day (12A)

James Bond has seldom had it so hard. Lambasted for being boring, and even past it, following The World Is Not Enough, 007 has been forced to watch over his shoulder as every major studio attempts to muscle in on the secret agent genre, with mixed results. more...

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