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

Stories for 21 June 2005

Oxfordshire News

'Forced saving' concerns OAPs

Oxford pensioners' representatives have given a cautious reaction to a call for a new pensions scheme to include an element of compulsion.   more...

Hollow win

Congratulations to Oxford City Council, uniting to back tenants in retaining council housing.   more...

Physios need jobs

I read Victoria Owen's article on the Footsteps Clinic run by Polish physiotherapists with great interest (Oxford Mail, June 16). It quoted Jo Greenfields, whose son attends the clinic, as saying that NHS physiotherapy was in short supply, and that the budget has been cut for physios on the NHS.   more...

'Help us tackle drug dealers'

A councillor is accusing police of not doing enough to stop drug dealers operating in an Oxford playground and community centre car park.   more...

Tesco lorry overturns on roundabout

An overturned lorry reduced rush-hour traffic to a crawl on Oxford's Eastern Bypass this morning (June 21).   more...

Pupils 'skip class' to teach world leaders lesson

A group of Oxford High School pupils will be skipping lessons to go to Scotland for the G8 summit to tell world leaders how the world should be changed for the better.   more...

Bike peril of women

Female cyclists are more at risk of accidents on the road -- because they find it harder to look over their shoulders.   more...

Bucket brigade battle to end poverty

Hundreds of people -- some carrying water buckets on their heads -- are expected to walk a mile along the River Ock to the old County Hall in Abingdon on June 25 where they will wrap the building in a giant 'Make Poverty History' band.   more...

Solstice surprise

A few eyebrows were raised as the start of summer was celebrated at Oxfordshire's historic Rollright Stones -- by King Arthur, complete with his famous sword Excalibur.   more...

Missing man: Body is found

Police investigations are continuing into the identity of a man whose body was discovered by a member of the public at Oxford's Shotover Park.   more...

Sentence cut

A robber who targeted a solicitor as he made his way home from a police station in Oxford had his six-year jail term cut at London's Court of Appeal.   more...

Stories we rarely hear

The issue of refugees and asylum seekers in this country is obscured by prejudice, lazy reporting and ignorance.   more...

Patients help Sophie fund

Patients at a Banbury GP surgery are boosting a fund to help young entertainers.   more...

BBQs stolen

Thieves struck at Homebase in Bicester at the weekend, stealing air conditioning units and barbecues worth more than £4,000.   more...

Vaizey looks at credit laws

Ed Vaizey, the Conservative MP for Wantage, will be studying plans to crack down on loan sharks in his first Parliamentary appointment.   more...

MP LENDS HAND FOR PROJECT X

David Cameron MP took time out from political questions surrounding the leadership of the Conservative Party to lend a hand as work started on a Witney school's Project X, a wildlife garden built entirely by volunteers.   more...

Mock mayor thriller

It was the closest run Mayor of Ock Street election in living memory -- Stuart Jackson squeezed in by just one vote after two recounts to enter his 10th year as Abingdon's mock mayor.   more...

Consultation is too brief

Congested and sometimes downright dangerous -- London Road in Headington, Oxford, needs urgent attention.   more...

Ditched

Zoe Mace's hit album has had its third setback in a week after being thrown out of the official UK classical chart.   more...

'Give us crash barriers now'

Labour councillor Barbara Gatehouse will today (June 21) call for crash barriers to be installed without delay on Oxford's Eastern Bypass.   more...

Oxfordshire Sport

Cricket: Hawtin dismissal hits Oxon hopes

Ian Hawtin was trapped lbw just two balls before the close to cap at eventful second day for Oxfordshire at Challow & Childrey yesterday.   more...

Cricket: Oxon in Devon battle

A determined partnership of 68 between Joe Porter and captain Ian Hawtin clawed Oxfordshire back into contention in their Minor Counties Championship Western Division clash with Devon yesterday.   more...

Darts: Deadly Clare is the one to beat

Clare Bywaters made it an incredible 149 consecutive victories as she helped The Shears come from behind to beat Premier rivals Quarry Gate C 8-1.   more...

Swimming: Sam strikes double gold as he masters Dutch challenge

City of Oxford's Sam van de Schootbrugge was celebrating after clinching a four-medal haul at the Dutch National Age Group Finals in Dordrecht, Holland.   more...

Rugby: Super Ben is on song

Oxfordshire full-back Ben Thompson returned to the UK with a spring in his step after helping England Counties record their best ever victory.   more...

Oxfordshire Whats On

Rock around the clock...

Musicians will play around the clock to raise money for Oxford's Helen House and Douglas House hospices.   more...

Grant boost for talented

Young people in west Oxfordshire who want money to help develop their sporting and artistic talents should start applying now.   more...