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

Stories for 17 February 2006

Oxfordshire Business

Housebuilder told to `show respect'

Housebuilder Berkeley Homes is facing mounting criticism over a controversial development on the old Lucy's site in Jericho.   more...

Oxfordshire News

Oxfam gift called 'quick-fix disaster'

A Christmas craze pioneered in Oxford to send ethical gifts to Africa has been accused of causing an environmental disaster instead of helping poverty-stricken families.   more...

Come on, smile!

I am sure that Chris Boswell is not always grumpy, but he does sound as if he is the only one dealing with the inadequacies of life.   more...

Bid for record

Some years ago when the Oxford station area was redesigned, 35 poles were erected to carry the traffic lights.   more...

Book store must close down

One of Oxford's best known bookshops is preparing to close, bringing to an end a history of book-selling stretching back to the reign of Queen Victoria.   more...

Patients had to fight for life'

Medics yesterday told a jury how patients being cared for by a nurse accused of murder were left fighting for their lives.   more...

A morning of traffic chaos

Motorists faced a morning of chaos yesterday as three separate accidents led to delays for thousands of road users.   more...

Householder thanks fire rescuer

A security guard who narrowly escaped from a fire has thanked the quick-thinking milkman who raised the alarm.   more...

Westgate hits hold-up again

The £300m redevelopment of Oxford's Westgate Centre has been hit by a snub to the master scheme for bussing shoppers into the city.   more...

Parks get high profile patrol

Uniformed park rangers have started patrolling Oxford's green spaces in a £150,000 project to help keep people safe and secure.   more...

Smith hails our ATM probe

An Oxford Mail investigation into fee-charging cash machines in low income areas has been praised by Andrew Smith MP in the House of Commons.   more...

Friday, February 17: Shame at the bar

Nightsafe's operation to see if any bars would serve alcohol to underage drinkers had depressingly predictable results.   more...

60 crimes admitted by teens

Arrests have been made in the fight against criminal damage in Bicester after three teenagers admitted more than 60 offences.   more...

Smash and grab part II

Thieves targeted a motor- cycle shop in the second raid on it in six weeks.   more...

Village sets up links with South Africa

A Cholsey charity project could become a blueprint for an international initiative to link villages in the UK with communities in developing countries.   more...

Victim of its own success

I must take issue with you over the assertion that because only one of the six Oxfordshire MPs is a Labour MP, Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt is not concerned with the financial problems of the NHS in Oxfordshire (Oxford Mail, February 9).   more...

Chips down over school meals

The future of a service which provides more than 9,000 hot meals a day to schoolchildren in Oxfordshire hangs in the bal- ance, despite a promised £1.3m funding boost.   more...

Booze sting shames bars

Staff at four Oxford bars have become the first in the city hit with £80 fines for serving schoolgirls in an undercover drinking sting.   more...

Oxfordshire Sport

U's boss gets first taste of relegation fight

Brian Talbot admits that he is experiencing a new side to being a manager at Oxford United.   more...

Bookies back Oxford

Bookmakers are confident that Oxford United will survive their relegation battle.   more...

Peirson boosts Abingdon Abingdon United centre back Richard Peirson is set to return to action for the first time since November when they host Hellenic League Premier Division rivals Shortwood.   more...

Quins find cutting edge

Oxford Harlequins director of rugby Matt Maudsley says his side are finally 'clicking' as they prepare for tomorrow's South West 1 game at Reading Abbey.   more...

Banbury face acid test

Banbury United manager Kevin Brock says the next seven days will prove a crucial test of his side's Southern League Premier Division play-off credentials, starting with tomorrow's visit of fellow high-fliers Mangotsfield United.   more...

Crazy days ahead for new Cheetahs

Oxford Cheetahs speedway promoter Aaron Lanney promises a 'gung ho' start to the season where the emphasis will be on fun.   more...

Oxon fail to last the distance

Oxfordshire 2nd went down 12-3 to Dorset 2nd in Division 2D of the Badminton Inter-County Championships - but it could have been so different.   more...