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

Stories for 29 January 2003

Oxfordshire Business

Amey announces 250 more job cuts

Support services group Amey is slashing another 250 jobs as it finalises restructuring talks with its bankers and faces a possible takeover.   more...

Biomedica develops blood gene therapy

A new treatment designed to heal major wounds suffered by diabetics and cancer sufferers is to be co-developed in Oxfordshire.   more...

Net chaos `avoidable'

The disruption to the Internet caused by a computer 'worm', Slammer, could have been avoided if companies took security threats more seriously, according to an Oxfordshire-based anti-virus company.   more...

Retail park bought for £28m

The Oxford Retail Park, a group of out-of-town stores built ten years ago on part of the former Rover car factory in Cowley, has changed hands for £28.55m.   more...

Brownfield office opened

A firm specialising in cleaning up brownfield sites for building developers has opened an Oxfordshire office to meet growing demand.   more...

Oxfordshire News

Scientist to leave UK

One of Oxford's most distinguished scientists is stepping down as chief executive of the UK's largest cancer charity to take up an appointment in America.   more...

Baptists plan for £1m new church

Plans for a £1m building to replace the crumbling Headington Baptist Church have been submitted to Oxford City Council.   more...

French twinning appeals for help

The committee that has been the driving force behind cultural links between Oxford and France for the last 15 years may be forced to disband due to lack of support.   more...

Charity out to recruit cyclists

Cyclists are being invited to ride for charity.   more...

Brigade to stage concert

The Kidlington with Thame branch of St John Ambulance is hosting a fundraising concert at Gosford Hill School on April 12.   more...

Probation staff strike over rising workloads

The supervision of criminals in Oxfordshire was being disrupted on January 29 as probation service officers took part in a 12-hour strike.   more...

Bike group seeks site

A group of freestyle motorcross enthusiasts is seeking a site where they can practise.   more...

Drink coffee and enjoy a virtual chat

Parents no longer need to leave their home to join a coffee morning -- they can take part in a virtual meeting.   more...

£1,000 drugs fine

A 54-year-old Wheatley man has been fined £1,000 for importing cannabis.   more...

Camera attack claim dismissed

Police have dismissed claims that a militant group was responsible for smashing a car into a speed camera in East Hanney, near Wantage.   more...

Police use CS spray after man exposed himself

Police used CS spray to detain a man suspected of indecently exposing himself to a group of women in Oxford.   more...

Dead driver named

A driver who died after a three-car collision near Lechlade has been named.   more...

Youths arrested with cutters

Four youths were arrested for being equipped to burgle early on January 27.   more...

Road closure

The road between the A44 Woodstock to Chipping Norton road and the B4027 Wootton to Islip road will be closed from February 10 for about a month while repairs are carried out.   more...

Bargains help children

Bargain hunters will be able to help raise money for the Oxford Children's Hospital Campaign at a table top sale being held at Kennington Village Centre, on March 15, between 10am and 2pm. Anyone who would like to sell goods can book a table for £5 by calling 01865 433089.   more...

Burglar's prison term cut

A drug addict who tied up a 14-year-old boy in a burglary has had his sentence cut.   more...

Club patrons tak' a cup o' kindness

There was not a drop of Scottish blood between them, but Captain John Flood and Sharon Frost swathed themselves in tartan for what was called a Robbie Burns coffee morning.   more...

Hunt for masked store mugger

Police are hunting a mugger who tried to snatch a handbag from a customer in the WH Smith in Broadway, Didcot.   more...

Science results

Mary Cholerton, Rachel McAdams, Naomi Nickerson and Katherine Scane of Didcot Girls' School's senior science club have reached the final of the Top of the Bench national schools' chemistry competition.   more...

1,500 homes without gas

About 1,500 homes around Banbury were still without gas on January 29 after workmen ruptured a mains in the town.   more...

Members picked

Keith McClellan, of The Butts, Aynho, and Richard Stopford, of Brackley, have been re-appointed as non-executive board members of the Cherwell Vale Primary Care Trust, which oversees community health services in the Banbury area.   more...

Ringers sound warning

Oxford City Bellringers have given notice that they will be doing an hour-and-a-half's extra practice at St Mary's Church, in Church Road, Wheatley, on February 8, from 7pm.   more...

West side

Gangland love hits the stage until February 1 as Wheatley Park School performs West Side Story at 7.30pm each night. For tickets, priced £6, and £5, call 01865 877698.   more...

Provocative talk

The Rev Dr Graham Tomlin is to give a talk entitled The Provocative Church during a one-day conference at St Andrew's Church, in Linton Road, north Oxford, on February 1.   more...

Club heads for London

Horspath Senior Residents' Club is organising a trip to Kew Gardens, London, on February 19.   more...

Residents fear loss of community spirit

Redevelopment of more than 100 council homes on Oxford's Rose Hill estate would jeopardise community spirit, according to tenants.   more...

No bones about it

After more than 16 years of helping people to fitness, Rosemary Kemp is taking a back seat.   more...

Carers invited

Parents and carers of children with special needs are being invited to a question-and-answer session with Oxfordshire social services manager Sarah Ainsworth at Bardwell School, Hendon Place, Bicester, on February 6, from 9.30am to 11am, and on June 24, from 7.30pm to 9pm.   more...

Repairs go on

Ho's Motors, a motor repair company, is still operating from premises in Launton Road, Bicester, despite landlord Cherwell Homes applying for planning permission to convert the site into living accommodation.   more...

Quiz arranged

A supper quiz is being held at Piddington village hall, near Bicester, on February 15, at 8pm.   more...

Customers rush to snap up homes

Houses on the controversial Wharf development in Wantage are being snapped up before they are built.   more...

On trail of past pong

Tanning, according to Wantage amateur archaeologist John Parrott, was a "dirty, smelly and thoroughly unpleasant business".   more...

Childminder admits taking children's cash

A teenage childminder who took £1,600 from the saving accounts of three young children she looked after has escaped a jail sentence.   more...

Floral demonstration

Christine Townsend, from Thame, will be the demonstrator at Wallingford Flower Club's next meeting with a show called Simple Pleasures.   more...

ME sufferer looks to the future after recovery

After spending most of his adolescence confined to a wheelchair the simple experience of walking has a surreal quality for Rob Fairfield.   more...

Planning shake-up brings objection

People who object to planning applications could now find their voice overruled on the decision of a local government officer.   more...

Pub faces licence renewal fight

A publican who put up a marquee for a New Year's Eve party faces a ticking off from a licensing committee.   more...

Ex-mayor left fuming

A Witney businessman and former town mayor has criticised nearly three months of roadworks in his street.   more...

Go west, young princess

The Brothers Grimm will meet the Wild West in pantoland when the Nortonians Amateur Dramatic Society presents Snow White and the Magnificent Seven.   more...

Safer junction ahead

Plans are being drawn up to make a five way junction in Witney safer for cyclists and pedestrians.   more...

Brothers stand trial for assault

Two brothers are to stand trial for assault.   more...

Limes may be planted

Burford town councillors are considering planting an avenue of trees at The Hill. Siberian Limes are a likely species.   more...

Firework petition takes to the street

Wallingford councillors are taking to the streets on January 30 and January 31 in a bid to get a major review of Government rules on fireworks.   more...

Boat mix-up: company reported

A firm which manages council leisure facilities has been reported to the local government Ombudsman in an escalating row over the use of passenger boats on the Thames.   more...

Painting appeal

Police are appealing for the owners of three modern oil paintings found in a car park in Peppard Common, near Sonning Common, to come forward.   more...

Groups share £5,000 proceeds

Nine organisations have shared more than £5,000 collected in the Abingdon area.   more...

Vandals put bus service at risk

Bus services could be cancelled because youths are putting passengers and drivers in danger by throwing stones at passing vehicles.   more...

Horse ID legislation branded 'completely ludicrous'

Riding enthusiasts have received support from Witney MP David Cameron in their campaign to stop legislation that would force all horses, ponies and donkeys to have passports.   more...

Oxfordshire Sport

Athletics: England stars with super silver medal

Oxfordshire's Hannah England collected a superb silver medal in the under 17 women's race at the South of England Cross Country Championships at Bicton Park in North Devon.   more...

Athletics: Trio battle it out for top honours

The battle for honours in the Oxford Mail Cross Country League hots up as it hops across the border into Gloucestershire on Sunday.   more...

Football: Didcot's late, late show

AFC Wallingford 1,   more...

  
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