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

Stories for 16 February 2006

Oxfordshire Business

THE hunt is on for young people who have made the most of their opportunities as apprentices.

The regional Learning and Skills Council is urging apprentices and employees to enter the National Apprenticeship Awards.   more...

Oxfordshire News

Force defends drug figures

Drug dealers in Oxfordshire have been let off with a slap on the wrist by Thames Valley Police, the Government has revealed.   more...

No improvement

Further to Marjorie White's letter on Radley Lakes (Oxford Mail, February 8), RWE npower's new proposals are in no way an improvement on the earlier ones.   more...

Residents come first

Steve Griffiths (Oxford Mail, February 2) takes us to task for not being overly enthusiastic about the proposed plaque to commemorate the demolition of the Cutteslowe Walls in North Oxford.   more...

Museum has new displays after revamp

One of Oxford's biggest attractions has 'reopened' its doors after a major refit.   more...

Rocket man's park-and-ride

Oxfordshire is getting ready for Elton John -- as more than 70 per cent of tickets already sold have been bought by people living in the county.   more...

DNA files kept on innocent

DNA profiles from Oxfordshire teenagers freed without charge are being kept on file by Thames Valley Police, the Government has said.   more...

River fans hail investment

River Thames enthusiasts have welcomed £1.3m of investment that will be used to improve facilities along the waterway in Oxfordshire.   more...

Nurse 'liked to create drama'

A nurse deliberately drugged vulnerable and elderly patients in order to create drama on the casualty ward without arousing suspicion, a court heard.   more...

Dad wins £2k in asbestos fight

A father-of-three has emerged victorious in a two-year campaign against bungling workmen who left asbestos strewn across his home and garden.   more...

£2.4m hand-out for 16 schools

Pupils at some of Oxfordshire's struggling schools will be given a helping hand to improve their grades with a £2.4m pay-out.   more...

'Improve roads for disabled'

A wheelchair user is calling for changes to pavements and kerbs in her home town to improve safety.   more...

Thursday, February 16: A breath of fresh air in the bar

Our MPs have struck a blow for the wellbeing of all of us, whether we are smokers or not.   more...

Labour suggests pool rescue plan

A £685,000 rescue plan for Banbury's open-air swimming pool has been put forward by Cherwell District Council's Labour group.   more...

'We need a sports village'

A unique opportunity to create a 40-acre sports village on the edge of Bicester must not be lost, a town councillor has warned.   more...

Doctors fear loss of hospital

Fears that Thame could lose its community hospital if new health care plans stick to county boundaries have been voiced by local doctors.   more...

Bike path set to be scrapped

Campaigners who spent years trying to set up a cyclepath between Wallingford and Cholsey are bitter that the project seems set to be dropped.   more...

ID cards backed by shops

Shopkeepers, schools and parents in Abingdon are being urged to support a campaign to reduce under-age drinking.   more...

Police target wrong people

Last Saturday, I was driving along Botley Road, Oxford, when I passed a police officer standing on the pavement.   more...

Ashes to ashes

City landlords claim they will lose trade when smoking is banned in their pubs despite many welcoming the move, according to an exclusive Oxford Mail survey.   more...

Hospital gets £1.25m boost

Peer Paul Drayson and his wife Elspeth have handed over £1.25m to the Oxford Children's Hospital Campaign -- boosting the amount raised to £9.16m.   more...

Oxfordshire Sport

Football: Talbot digs in

BRIAN Talbot defended his controversial decision to bring back Billy Turley in the Oxford United goal last night.   more...

Football: High fives for City

OXFORD City went five points clear at the top of the Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division with a 2-0 victory over Welwyn last night.   more...

Football: Larman strike saves Saxton

TOM Larman spared the blushes of Division 1 side Saxton Rovers as his last-gasp strike saw them come from behind to beat Division 3 outfit Ardington & Lockinge in their Devenney Cup third-round replay.   more...

Cricket: Tauqeer exit adds to Bicester woe

BICESTER & North Oxford, who have seen Oxfordshire captain Ian Hawtin move to Banbury, have suffered a double blow with overseas star Tauqeer Hussain joining Milton Keynes.   more...

Ice hockey: Redskins scalp Oxford

OXFORD City Stars were stunned by an early barrage as they lost 4-1 at Streatham Redskins in the English National League South Division.   more...

Bowls: Carterton are area champs

CARTERTON stormed away in the last six ends to beat Banbury Cross 22-14 and reach the finals of the English Indoor Association fours championship.   more...

Football: Ace Cherry breaks 12-year drought!

SUBSTITUTE Roger Cherry scored his first goal for 12 seasons as Saxon Warriors beat Railway Wheatley 4-3 in Division 1 of the Morrells of Oxford Sunday League.   more...

Table tennis: Forum march on at top

FORUM A consolidated their place at the top of Division 1 of the Oxford & District League with an 8-2 win over Vikings A.   more...

Bar billiards: House suffer shock

PREMIER Section side Corner House suffered a shock 4-1 home defeat by Section 1's Democrats B in the Oxford & District League.   more...