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

Stories for 13 December 2004

Oxfordshire News

Festive lights are wonderful

Sir -- We visited friends in Oxford recently and decided to call in to the city centre for some Christmas shopping.   more...

Art or stupidity?

Sir -- In response to your story, Art? It's just bog standard (Oxford Mail, December 7), Marcel Duchamps's factory-produced urinal fountain was sold at Philips in New York for $1.075m.   more...

It's a small price to pay

Sir -- Ian Joseph may feel hard done by because his name and photograph are displayed in various public places (Oxford Mail, December 7).   more...

Gridlock all day long

Sir -- Headington Road and London Road at Headington, Oxford, between Gipsy Lane and Headington traffic lights, must be the most congested road in the country.   more...

Thieves steal charity boxes

Thieves have stolen collection boxes from the gardens of two family households in Kidlington.   more...

New targets for cuts to crime are too high

"Unrealistic", "unachievable" and "morale damaging" are the words Thames Valley Police has used to describe the Government's targets to cut crime.   more...

Riders and ramblers criticise narrow path

Cyclists and ramblers have criticised a new route which links north Oxford to the west of the city for being too narrow.   more...

Santa's festive mail gifts go missing

Children have been left disappointed in the run-up to Christmas after letters from Santa arrived at their homes -- in opened envelopes with a gift of chocolate coins missing.   more...

Girl praised for bravery

A little girl who has battled with poor health all her life has been told her bravery is a shining example to everyone.   more...

Police net closes in on football racists

Fans believed to have racially abused two black Swansea players last week were spotted by police during Oxford United's match against Cambridge on Saturday.   more...

Monday December 13: The doubts still linger

The David Kelly affair simply will not go away.   more...

Children triumph in battle of the bridge

A bridge over some troublesome water has finally been built after a campaign by youngsters.   more...

Traffic campaigners demand 20mph zone

A 20mph speed limit and traffic calming measures are needed along St Helen's Wharf to East St Helen's Street, Abingdon, says the town council.   more...

Heavy cost of empty homes

Sir -- Why is it that there are so many boarded-up properties in Oxford? There are thousands of people on the council housing waiting list, a huge shortage of affordable homes and seemingly no quick fix. Every boarded-up home is a property not being allocated, and a person or family forced to live in unsuitable accommodation, or worse, homeless.   more...

Fresh doubt about Kelly death

Paramedics have disputed official claims that Dr David Kelly died after slashing his wrist, saying there was too little blood around the body.   more...

Be a big softie this Christmas

Following its huge success last year, the Oxford Mail is re-launching its Be a Big Softie campaign, aimed at reducing drink driving by encouraging pubs, bars and clubs to offer cut-price soft drinks to designated drivers during the festive period.   more...

Oxfordshire Sport

FOOTBALL: Ramon off to a flier

OXFORD United's Argentinian management want to bring in experience and organisation to help the team climb up the League Two table.   more...

FOOTBALL: Didcot march on after late Ward strike

DIDCOT Town moved into the fourth round of the FA Vase for only the second time in their history, thanks to a superb 1-0 win at Wessex League high-fliers Gosport Borough on Saturday.   more...

FOOTBALL: Smillie's bravery earns City draw

JACK Smillie showed the sort of bravery Oxford City are looking for with a late equaliser in Saturday's Southern League Division 1 West 1-1 draw at Bracknell Town.   more...

FOOTBALL: Brackley battle to win

IN-FORM Brackley were made to battle hard to overcome basement boys Egham 1-0 in Division 1 West on Saturday.   more...

FOOTBALL: Skipper Joyce spot on for Thame

A COOL penalty from skipper Tony Joyce gave Thame United a 1-0 victory against Sutton Coldfield Town the points in a dour Division 1 West clash on Saturday.   more...

FOOTBALL: Abingdon crash out

ABINGDON Town's seven-game unbeaten run came to end when they went down 2-0 at home to Desborough Town in the third round of the FA Vase.   more...

FOOTBALL: Sherwood strikes to scupper North Leigh

PAUL Sherwood's extra-time strike saw Carterton through 2-1 in Saturday's second-round Oxfordshire Senior Cup tie against Hellenic League Premier Division rivals North Leigh.   more...

FOOTBALL: Banbury held in dour stalemate

BANBURY United were a touch unfortunate not to take three points after drawing 0-0 at Premier Division rivals Stamford on Saturday.   more...

FOOTBALL: Ardley miss out

DESPITE a 3-0 scoreline, Ardley put in a spirited performance against top-of-the-table Highworth in Saturday's Premier Division clash.   more...