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

Stories for 13 August 2004

Oxfordshire News

How we could cut sickness record

Sir - Your report on Oxford City Council sickness rates (Oxford Mail, August 5) refers to the new sickness absence policy, which came into effect last year.   more...

Irresponsible cycling: time for clampdown

Sir - Your article about illegal cycling at Bicester (Oxford Mail, August 5) was another example of the way riders flout the law.   more...

Pepsi Cola politicians

Sir - Recently I used the term `Coca Cola/Pepsi Cola politics' to describe the lack of any discernable difference between Labour and the Liberal Democrats.   more...

Animals have no rights

Sir - In reply to Gillian Whitty (Oxford Mail, August 3), my point, which she fails to understand, is "animals or people first".   more...

Residents welcome diner ban

Householders are celebrating after councillors opposed a plan to let diners use a floating pontoon at a riverside restaurant.   more...

Lucy's housing plan an `important gain'

D-DAY is approaching for developers who want to build a major housing scheme in the heart of Jericho - after more city councillors backed their revised plans.   more...

'Provide addicts place to shoot up'

Heroin addicts in Oxford should have access to "shooting galleries" where they can inject their drugs and dispose of dirty needles.   more...

Families 'could face life with little water'

A permanent water shortage throughout Oxfordshire with homes deprived of "basic needs" is a real possibility, the leader of Oxfordshire County Council has claimed.   more...

Recycle figures hit all-time high

Recycling in Oxfordshire is at its highest ever level, according to figures released by Environment Minister Elliot Morley.   more...

Cash con builder escapes jail term

A rogue builder who took cash deposits from potential clients but never carried out the work has escaped jail.   more...

Village fights plan for 4,000 homes

Parish councillors in Sandford-on-Thames have registered their opposition to 4,000 new homes on the outskirts of Oxford.   more...

August 13: Prescott out of step

There is a great temptation when demand for homes is growing and prices are soaring to say that we should build more and more.   more...

New car park 'will ruin road'

Residents are not looking forward to a disused cattle market becoming a car park while Bicester town centre is redeveloped.   more...

Spruced up loos ready at a price

One of Witney's town centre public toilets is open again - part of a major programme to refurbish all of the district's conveniences.   more...

Harvester accident killed farmer

Farmers are being warned to take extra care when working with machinery while harvesting following the death of a south Oxfordshire farmer.   more...

Mental health: my view from inside

Sir - When I was briefly a psychiatric in-patient in Surrey on four occasions in the 1980s, all of which could have been avoided, had the treatment I received not been so utterly abominable, the cause for concern was the sometimes brutal, ignorant, callous and mocking attitude of nurses towards the patients, not the opposite.   more...

`You will go to jail if you break Asbo'

A "neighbour from hell" has been told to expect a jail term if he is seen wielding a baseball bat or attempts to return to an Oxford estate.   more...

British journalist seized by Iraqis

Militants in the southern Iraqi city of Basra have kidnapped a British journalist and threatened to kill him if US forces do not leave the holy city of Najaf within 24 hours.   more...

Oxfordshire Sport

Football: Tommy sets target

Tommy Mooney has set Oxford United's strikers a 50-goal challenge to help the team achieve prom- otion.   more...

Speedway: Silver Machine hopes washed away again

Oxford Silver Machine suffered their third rain-off in as many days when last night's Elite League encounter at Coventry was called off because of a waterlogged track.   more...

Fixtures: The week's sporting calender

SATURDAY   more...

Football: Sinnott backs new City duo to shine

Oxford City boss Andy Sinnott is setting his sights on a top half finish as they start their Southern League Division 1 West campaign with a trip to Bromsgrove.   more...

Football: Gardner gives Thame boost

Thame United striker Jon Gardner has declared himself fit for the forthcoming Southern League Division 1 West campaign which begins at home to Sutton Coldfield.   more...

Football: Howard signing is way forward

Banbury United boss Kevin Brock will be looking to ex-Yeovil and Birmingham City striker Howard Forinton to make an impact when they start their Southern League Premier Division season with a tough trip to Bath City.   more...

Football: Fowler eyes up promotion bid

Brackley Town won't be there just to make up the numbers when they kick-off their Southern League Division 1 West campaign at home to Cinderford Town.   more...

Football: Joey is key for Town

Abingdon Town boss Paul Berry will be hoping ex-Oxford United winger Joey Beauchamp can maintain his impressive pre-season form when they travel to Camberley Town for Saturday's Ryman League Division 2 opener tomorrow.   more...

Oxfordshire Whats On

Tasty treats lined up for autumn

While August may be slow in theatreland, with many venues closing for a month or so while the holiday play schemes run, it's a good time to look ahead and preview what is coming up in time to book.   more...

Top gear Datsuns: Tim Hughes meets the New Zealand boys making a big noise

The Datsuns are party animals. And they are proud of it.   more...