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Oxfordshire | Archive | 2006 | April

Stories for 21 April 2006

Banbury News

Horton murders fallout continues

Hospital chiefs are bracing themselves for compensation claims worth hundreds of thousands of pounds by the victims and families of killer nurse Ben Geen. more...

Bicester News

Football club suffers 11th break-in

Burglars ripped open two doors at Bicester Town Football Club before stealing cash and alcohol in the eleventh attack on the club in three years. more...

Residents fear mass evictions

Residents living in a north Oxfordshire mobile home park fear they could lose their homes after finding out about plans to completely redevelop the site. more...

Bioline

A regular look at the county's bioscience sector with industry consultant DR VAL TATE, head of Oxford-based BioValue. Doctor Christian Rolff knows better than most that it is what he describes as a scary environment' for small healthcare businesses in the current climate. more...

Books

Prisoners who paid twice for their sins

NEWGATE: LONDON'S PROTOTYPE OF HELL, STEPHEN HALLIDAY, (Sutton, £20) London's infamous Newgate Prison may have been demolished in 1902, but its reputation persists to this day. Stephen Halliday explains why in this engrossing account of the prison's grim history. more...

Prisoners who paid twice for their sins

Newgate: London's Prototype of Hell, Stephen Halliday, (Sutton, £20) London's infamous Newgate Prison may have been demolished in 1902, but its reputation persists to this day. Stephen Halliday explains why in this engrossing account of the prison's grim history. more...

Prisoners who paid twice for their sins

Newgate: London's Prototype of Hell, Stephen Halliday, (Sutton, £20)London's infamous Newgate Prison may have been demolished in 1902, but its reputation persists to this day. Stephen Halliday explains why in this engrossing account of the prison's grim history. more...

Spoiled pig returns

Here's a sneak preview of the new Crispin the Pig book from north Oxford-based illustrator Ted Dewan. His latest picture book about the adventures of the spoiled pig, Crispin and the Best Birthday Surprise Ever (Doubleday, £10.99), is published in June. more...

Man who is attacked by passion

The Other Side of You, Salley Vickers, (Fourth Estate, £14.99) (/b>Like Vickers's previous work, Miss Garnet's Angel, this muses on themes of literature, psychology and religion, and through a sumptuous and touching narrative offers readers a chance to play the part of listener in a carefully orchestrated overture of heartbreak in motion. more...

Man who is attacked by passion

The Other Side of You, Salley Vickers, (Fourth Estate, £14.99) Like Vickers's previous work, Miss Garnet's Angel, this muses on themes of literature, psychology and religion, and through a sumptuous and touching narrative offers readers a chance to play the part of listener in a carefully orchestrated overture of heartbreak in motion. more...

Facing up to ghosts

Hungry Ghosts, Debbie Taylor, (Penguin, £6.99)Two stories run parallel to each other, merging only towards the end when the boy becomes a man and the woman learns to face her ghosts. more...

Artistic opposites epitomise an age

Mary Zacaroli talks to Ross King about two painters who stood on opposing sides during a major turning point in art history Which would you rather have fame, riches and glory in your own lifetime or immortality afterwards? Edouard Manet, often called the father of Impressionism, struggled for years against the prejudices of 1860s Parisians, who derided and lampooned his modernist style of painting. By contrast, Ernest Meissonier was possibly the most famous and lauded painter in Europe. His canvases, which sometimes took years to research and paint, sold for astronomical sums. Yet in comparison to Manet, who inspired a new generation of artists Meissonier has practically been forgotten and is often reviled. more...

Paperbacks

Home Truths, Freya North, (HarperCollins, £10.99) Aficionados will already be familiar with the McCabe sisters Pip, Fen and Cat heroines of three of North's previous bestsellers. This time the sisters are settled in their relationships, although inevitably things aren't always as rosy as they might seem. With motherhood the focus of their lives, they begin to wonder about their own mother, who abandoned them as babies, leaving them to be brought up by their eccentric uncle Django. As his 70th birthday approaches, the celebration is shaken by a string of unexpected revelations. North's books are shelved under 'chick-lit', but her thought-provoking novels are far from the stereotypical girl-meets-boy'. From imperfect heroines to sympathetic villains, her characters couldn't be more real, whether they take centre stage or a single-line cameo. more...

Local author

Former diplomat Ann Granger's amateur sleuth Fran Varady is a detective for our times streetwise and in touch with the seamy side of life. In Mixing With Murder (Headline, £6.99) Fran is blackmailed into coming to Oxford to search for a missing nightclub dancer. more...

Bookings

WEDNESDAY, MAY 3 Talk: Andre Makine's translator, Geoffrey Strachan, gives a talk with readings (in French and English) from Makine's novels, 5.15 for 5.30 pm. Taylor Institution, University of Oxford, St Giles', Oxford, www.taylib.ox.ac.uk. Free, but book with liz.baird@taylib.ox.ac.uk Details of book-related events can be sent to Maggie Hartford at The Oxford Times, Osney Mead, Oxford OX2 OEJ, or e-mail maggie.hartford@nqo.com more...

Bookings

Business Advice

Kiss of life for ailing companies

PATRICK O'CONNOR, director of Sloan Managers, explains why businesses sometimes need to assume the recovery position. Recovery is the wake up call that points the way to a more successful business. It is the point when the business owner, or chief executive, realises that executive action alone is unlikely to deliver the expected results and that deeper analysis is required. more...

Business Lunches

Quod bar and grill

Location, location, location. The mantra beloved of estate agents is also true for hotels and restaurants, and the Quod bar, in Oxford High Street, is a perfect example. more...

Chox News

Top hospitals for top staff'

After young Sam Willis was struck down with meningitis it took him six months to learn how to smile again. more...

Top hospitals for top staff'

After young Sam Willis was struck down with meningitis it took him six months to learn how to smile again. more...

Cimena

Tristan + Isolde (12A)

Director Kevin Reynolds (Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves, The Count Of Monte Cristo) sharpens his blade for another lunge at an epic historical romance, this time based on the popular Celtic myth. more...

Tristan + Isolde (12A)

Columns

Cabbages and Kings: April 21

THE seven-year-old girl was choosing an Easter egg from the expensive range in the specialist chocolate shop. more...

Commercial Property

A steak in the future

A high-tech approach is helping an historic Oxford butchery business cement its future. Aldens, which can trace its roots back to 1793, has invested £1m in an extension including Meatmaster, a new cash and carry service open to the public at its headquarters in Osney Mead, which has created about 10 jobs. more...

A steak in the future

Cricket

CRICKET: Oxon blood youngsters

Oxfordshire take the opportunity to look at a number of promising youngsters when they take on Oxford in their opening friendly at Roman Way tomorrow (noon). more...

CRICKET: Smith hammers ton off students

Former England batsman Ed Smith struck a commanding century as Middlesex rattled up 309-5 against Oxford UCCE on a rain-hit first day of their three-day match in The Parks. more...

CRICKET: Knappett

Knappett rescues students OXFORD UCCE captain Josh Knappett led from the front with an impressive 77 to help his side salvage an unlikely draw against Derbyshire in their opening first-class fixture of the season in The Parks. more...

CRICKET: Knappett rescues students

Diary

Diary April/May 2006

TO find out more details of the events listed below, contact Business Link Solutions on 0845 606 4466 or visit www.businesslinksolutions.co.uk unless otherwise stated. more...

Editorial Comment

Don't let claims hit patients

It is no surprise that some of the families caught up in the Benjamin Geen affair at the Horton Hospital at Banbury may be seeking compensation. more...

Entertainment

Celebrations with theatrical themes

CHIPPING Norton's 400th anniversary celebrations kick off tomorrow with a spectacular promenade play that explores the town's history. more...

Opera offered at lunch-time

A LUNCH-time opera recital in Banbury next month will break new ground for LiveArts, the group that promotes and hosts concerts at the town's St Mary's Church. more...

New festival for 'vibrant' village

A VILLAGE May Festival will raise money for its school and church. more...

Features

Gardener calling on famous faces

Gardener Stephen Relton did not have to dig far into his address book when he needed help to organise a fundraising event for a hospital baby care unit. more...

Queen's choice

d=5,5,1The Queen's Awards, established more than 40 years ago to promote British enterprise as a force for good in the world, are becoming ever more finely tuned to the changing needs of modern business. more...

Queen's choice

The Queen's Awards, established more than 40 years ago to promote British enterprise as a force for good in the world, are becoming ever more finely tuned to the changing needs of modern business. more...

Pursuing a passion

Talk to Karim Sekkat and you will realise within a few minutes that this is a man passionate about British engineering. For years it seems all we have heard is the story of decline in manufacturing where once we were the industrial centre of the world, our position has been gradually eroded against a backdrop of intense cheap competition from Asia and Eastern Europe, along with a general decline in the skills of our workforce. more...

Business chills out

It may sound like something out of a science fiction film, but cryogenics is a major industry in Oxfordshire. The process involves super-freezing products and processes, often to temperatures below 200 degrees Celsius, and has a wide variety of applications ranging from food to the storage of tissue and blood samples. more...

A potted history

It is not often that you walk into a shop and find a well-thumbed copy of Plato's Republic lying open, face-down, obviously in the process of actually being read. But then Tuscan Pots is not your average shop, and Robert Moy is a shopkeeper in a class of his own. more...

A potted history

Confidence grows in conference country

For much of the last century huge stately piles, situated in the depths of the Oxfordshire countryside and redolent of a way of life that all but ceased in 1914, were little more than a potential source of headaches for their owners. more...

Wedding belles get organised

Hitting 40 was the turning point for four Oxfordshire friends who decided there would never be a better time to launch a business venture. The bridal industry was an obvious choice for former TV presenter Sarah Haywood, who had begun a new career as a wedding and party organiser, while Oxford photographers Susie Barker and Harley Evans had been working at several celebrity weddings. more...

Finance

Investor's Diary

Prior to embarking with my wife for a hugely enjoyable long weekend in Venice recently, I made a point of brushing down a few old history books to familiarise myself with the city's remarkable history. more...

Investor's Diary: Machiavelli meets Versace

Pension Levy: Assesing the risk

The Pension Levy introduced this month could hit certain types of companies harder than others, experts at Oxford-based finance firm Grant Thornton warn that partnerships and limited liability partnerships (LLPs) are particularly at risk. The levy is being introduced in a bid to build up a central pot of funding to meet pension scheme liabilities in the event of a company failing. more...

Fixtures

RESULTS & FIXTURES: April 21

RESULTS FOOTBALL COCA-COLA LEAGUE TWO Oxford Utd 2, Barnet 0. more...

Football

FOOTBALL: Banbury aim to avoid double!

Banbury United manager Kevin Brock says his players have a chance to seal a place in the Oxfordshire Senior Cup final line-up when they travel to Northwood in tomorrow's Premier Division clash. more...

FOOTBALL: City trio return

Oxford City welcome back goalkeeper Carl Wilkins, centre back Lewis Craker and winger Chris Potter for the trip to Leverstock Green in the Premier Division. more...

FOOTBALL: Gee fires up troops

North Leigh face a crucial GLS Football Hellenic League Premier Division clash with promotion rivals Bishops Cleeve at Eynsham Park tomorrow, as they bid for a top-three finish in the Premier Division. more...

FOOTBALL: Didcot crowned champions

Didcot Town claimed the Hellenic League Premier Division title for the first time for 52 years with a hard-fought 1-1 draw at Bishops Cleeve on Saturday. more...

FOOTBALL: Pond seals derby victory

Super Darren Pond scored with his first touch to give Banbury a 2-1 win at home to Southern League Premier Division rivals Rugby in Monday's local derby. more...

FOOTBALL: Old boy Cort sinks Thame

Former Thame United striker Wayne Cort was the scourge of his old club when he scored a hat-trick for Brackley, who won 5-0 in a one-sided Southern League Division 1 West game on Saturday. more...

FOOTBALL: City halfway to league and cup double

Oxford City 1, Leverstock Green 0 OXFORD City picked up their first trophy of the season when they beat Leverstock Green 1-0 to win the Combined Counties League Premier Division Cup final at Hillingdon Borough on Tuesday night. more...

Headlines

Thames Water considers emergency measures

THAMES Water has told the Witney Gazette it is 'seriously considering' applying for emergency measures to prevent all non-essential water use. more...

Woodstock parking in the spotlight

COMMUNITY leaders in Woodstock are considering ways of solving a long-standing parking problem in the town. more...

Innovation

High-flyers set the pace

PATRICK GRANT, Cookson professor of materials and director of Faraday Advance at the Department of Materials, Oxford University, examines how the worlds of academia and business can happily collide in mid-air. There is never a moment when development of new technology in the aircraft industry stands still. In response to market trends and consumer demand, aircraft manufacturers are constantly looking to reduce the cost of making, flying and maintaining their aircraft. more...

High-flyers set the pace

It

Death by Powerpoint

Death by Powerpoint is a frequent occurence in the business world. But an Oxfordshire company claims it can help you to avoid the blitz of bullet points and graphs which can send the most patient listeners insane with boredom. more...

Getting the message

Simon Morton set up his company Eyeful Presentations after "sitting through some pretty dire presentations" while working for a technology company in Reading. more...

Leader

Shire question

The case for unitary authorities is a good one. Why should one council collect rubbish and another dispose of it. Similarly, it is ridiculous that one authority should be responsible for social housing and another for social care. more...

Shire question

Legal

Avoiding the copycats

ALISON SARSFIELD-HALL, a partner at solicitors Oxford-based Morgan Cole, considers the implications of copyright law for businesses. The appearance of author Dan Brown in the High Court facing allegations of plagiarism in relation to his best-selling novel The Da Vinci Code, and the possibility of Prince Charles being cross-examined over the contents of his journals, have put copyright law on the front pages. more...

Letters

Lib Dem U-turn on parking

I refer to your article, The parking zone rebels (Oxford Mail, April 17). more...

Make a gesture

Firoz Kassam almost certainly saved Oxford United from financial ruin. more...

Canal basin would transform a dreary part of city

Sir, In your March 31 issue you were kind enough to mention the launch of FOXcan at the St Aldate's Parish Rooms (which, by the way, is an excellent venue). more...

Canal basin would transform a dreary part of city

Sir, In your March 31 issue you were kind enough to mention the launch of FOXcan at the St Aldate's Parish Rooms (which, by the way, is an excellent venue). more...

No simple matter

Sir, It is kind of Oliver Lovell, of Moreton-in-Marsh, Glos, to advocate the flooding, at huge expense to the Oxford ratepayer, of the most popular city car park. more...

Canal support

Sir, The new group seeking to turn the Worcester Street car park back into a canal basin deserves the widest support. The plan would turn an extremely unattractive area into an asset that Oxford could be proud of. The Friends of the Oxford Canal (FOXcan), a group of local volunteers with no commercial interest in the proposed scheme, now needs to produce a set of draft plans to show how the basin might look. I am writing to ask your readers to donate small sums to help set up a competition for architecture students to design drawings and a visualization of the area. more...

Canal support

Criminal loss

Sir, The Old Gaol complex in Abingdon has been left to moulder since the removal of the leisure centre to new premises and the closure of the police station. Now it seems that it may be sold for commercial development. I appreciate that the Vale of White Horse District Council cannot take on alone the expense of refurbishing and maintaining this important part of Abingdon's heritage. more...

Westgate expansion would be disastrous

Sir, In a recent national survey, Oxford was voted the best place in the country for shopping (City rated best for shopping, March 31). more...

Unjust comments caused much upset

Sir, After your article on Mr Adrian Percival and his comments regarding Matthew Arnold School when he took over as headteacher and Mr Richard Kennell's comments (Letters, April 14), I was very eager to contact you. more...

County's real identity needs to be reinstated

Sir, Count Tolstoy and his colleagues from County Watch are to be congratulated on their efforts to boost the identity of old Berkshire by erecting road signs at the entrance to the county (Report, April 7). The counties have existed for many centuries and a mere change in local government boundaries cannot remove that heritage, 1,146 years in the case of Berkshire. more...

Appalled at plan

Sir, I was incredulous to see your rather confusing and negative article about BBOWT's CS Lewis nature reserve in Risinghurst (Report, March 31). A site I have known and walked since the 1980s. All the more so, as the editor thought it worthy of being placed on the front page with a sensational and very negative headline (are you thinking of turning The Oxford Times into a tabloid?). Had the journalist taken the time to investigate properly, talk to local people and to investigate Mr Brind's operation further, he would have been able to report a story of a local charity's efforts to involve the local community in helping look after a cherished wildlife site. A site that has seen its share of typical urban problems in recent years (vandalism, motorcycles, fires, rubbish, etc.). more...

Appalled at plan

Hospital charges

Sir, Patients and their visitors across England are being asked for their views on hospital bedside telephone services in one of the largest public surveys of its kind. more...

Responsible attitude

Sir, Staff at two hospitals have been criticised by police and by the Oxford Coroner's Court for failing to report to the police that a patient in their care had been the victim of a horrific assault (Hospital errors let killer escape, April 14). The police pointed out that, because they were only alerted when the patient died of his injury three weeks later, their murder inquiry was seriously handicapped through loss of evidence and inability to interview possible witnesses promptly. Yet the hospitals concerned signally fail to accept that they grievously erred. more...

Heartfelt apology

Sir, I am surprised at Ashley Smith's accusation that Barney Williams is arrogant (Letters, April 14). I have met Mr Williams, and his wife coaches our college boat club; they are both extremely modest and unassuming people. Mr Williams has apologised profusely for his behaviour and is clearly hugely embarrassed. To say that 'the impression one gets from his 'apology' is that he believes he and his friends had the right to damage property' makes me wonder what on earth Ashley Smith has been reading, because it surely cannot have been Mr William's heartfelt apology. more...

No soft options

Sir, The county Labour group need to get a sense of proportion (Councillors accused of holding back funding as patients block hospital beds, April 14). The carefully managed underspend of £931,000 is out of a budget of over £74m. Much of the underspend is being used to ensure that vulnerable children in danger and people with learning disabilities are looked after. I don't think any straight thinking person would begrudge spending on them. Some of this money will be spent on adult services in 2006/7 to ensure that the level of services is maintained. It is always necessary to manage the various budgets in social and community services to ensure that the increasing number of vulnerable people in the council's care get help, often at short notice. more...

Ignoring the elderly

Sir, I am writing regarding the proposed closure of the Moorview mental health hospital in Witney and to say how disgusted I am that another facility used mainly by the elderly population is to be closed down, when there is a waiting list for admission to the wards and to the day unit, which provides a unique service for the depressed and patients with dementia in west Oxfordshire. All governments change in time. Once Moorview is gone, it's gone. more...

One can dream

Sir, Oxford city is currently rated a weak council by the Audit Commission. Oxford city's latest audit report (which it sought to suppress) says it does not offer value for money. Is this the same Oxford city that is campaigning to become a unitary council in order to take over the running of our schools, social care, libraries and transport within the city boundaries? Dream on. more...

Incredible achievement

Sir, Shouldn't The Oxford Times be supporting our city's largest non-professional theatre company? Lady Windermere's Fan at the Oxford Playhouse has been my first production with the Oxford Theatre Guild (hopefully the first of many) and I have been astonished at the level of energy and commitment that members of the Guild have demonstrated since rehearsals began. more...

Threat to democracy

Sir, I am writing concerning an extremely disturbing Government proposal that is going through Parliament. I have only recently learned of this and it is almost unbelievable, yet true. It is the Legislative and Regulatory Reform Bill and it threatens to destroy 700 years of democracy in the UK. It gives Government ministers the power to change or replace any law, without requiring detailed scrutiny by Parliament. The Bill can be used to change any existing legislation, from Magna Carta, to the Local Government Acts. The Bill can be applied to itself! The Government are pushing this Bill through under the guise of deregulation, when in fact the Bill not only lacks any mention of deregulation, but also lacks any meaningful safeguards to prevent abuse. The only protection we have is that the Government have stated that they will not misuse it. This is not enough. more...

Heavenly cures

Sir, I am writing a book about the life and times of Oxford's St Frideswide. I would be very interested to hear from readers who may have stories relating to the saint and, in particular, to learn of any recent cures which can be attributed to her well at Binsey. If anyone can help, please write to me at PO Box 84, Woodstock, OX20 1WY Susan Adams, Lewes, Sussex more...

Heavenly cures

Re-dedicate memorial

Sir, I read with great interest the letter in your issue (April 7) headed Imaginative proposal by F G Davies. I would like to suggest that instead of building another memorial, the present beautiful Martyrs' Memorial be re-dedicated to include all who suffered for their faith, whatever their religion. One has to face it: the Protestant queen, Elizabeth, was just as bad as her sister, the Catholic queen, Mary. more...

Cheerful crews

Sir, Having been hospitalised twice in recent years I must commend the ambulance crews. They were efficient and cheerfully kind. more...

Silence

Sir, WODC's silence over the Marriotts Close development scheme is well analysed by Chris Purple (Letters, April 5). more...

Motors

Pick-up has soft centre

Mean, monstrous, maybe even malevolent. Colleagues formed a far-from orderly queue to offer their opinions on a vehicle that was quickly nicknamed the beast. While it looked like the perfect road transport for Harry Potter's adversary, Lord Voldemort, if his broomstick happened to be in for repair, in fact the Navara pick-up is hiding a much darker secret behind its tinted windows. more...

Roadtest: Pick-up has soft centre

All-season A6

Audi dealers are taking orders for the rugged new sport utility version of the Audi A6 Avant, which will be priced from £33,530 on the road. more...

VW off-roader with altitude

Volkswagen is revising its luxury 4x4 Touareg range to simplify choice for customers and offer better value for money. more...

Fiat fires first volly in compact off-roader market

The new Fiat Sedici, which goes on sale in the UK tomorrow, is Fiat's first entry in the compact SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle) market. more...

Impreza value

Subaru has announced a new variant of its popular Impreza line-up. The 2.5 WRX Type UK model boasts £3,635 worth of extra value, but is priced at £20,945 on-the road. Like the car, you'll have to be quick this is a special edition model and the promotion lasts until June 30. Based on the latest facelifted Impreza WRX with its new 230 horsepower, 2.5-litre turbocharged boxer' engine, the Type UK car has a 143mph top speed and can sprint to 60mph in 5.4 seconds. Key attractions for this limited edition car include five year/50,000 miles' free servicing and a free theft tracking system. more...

Vision of freedom

Almost 9,000 new motorhomes took to Britain's road last year, not to mention sales of the thousands of pre-owned models. Which means motorhoming is still the UK's fastest-growing leisure pursuit. A good introduction to the whole experience is Horizons 2006, the free magazine from the Motorhome Information Service (MIS). Horizons has details on hiring, insurance, shows, clubs to join, all with the latest motorhome dealer and manufacturer lists. To request a copy, ring the MIS on 01444 458 889, or email infomotorhomeinfo.co.uk. You can order online, too, at www.motorhomeinfo.co.uk more...

Vision of freedom

Sirion soars with upmarket model

Daihatsu has launched a new SX special edition of the cracking little Daihatsu Sirion city car, priced at £9,290. The SX is based on the top-spec Sirion 1.3 SE, and adds a deep front spoiler with mesh grille, front fog lamps, side skirts, and rear tailgate spoiler. It looks good value with standard kit such as alloy wheels, aircon, four electric windows, driver, passenger and side airbags, a radio/CD player, remote central-locking, and 58.9mpg available on the country driving cycle. Launched only last year, the all-new five-door only Sirion is Daihatsu's best-seller. more...

New Transit makes debut

Move over new cars commercials are in the spotlight, led by news that the latest Ford Transit breaks cover this month. more...

Nissan Pathfinder

Gordon Brown may not like me saying this, but sticking another £30 or so on to the excise duty of the biggest cars is not going to make much difference. Most cars in that class will come in at over £20,000, so in the grand scheme of things, it is chicken feed. more...

Motorsport

Williams aim to keep up winning record

The WilliamsF1 team from Grove heads to Sunday's San Marino Grand Prix aiming to keep up their winning record. more...

Williams aim to keep up winning record

The WilliamsF1 team from Grove heads to Sunday's San Marino Grand Prix aiming to keep up their winning record at the Imola circuit. more...

Barrichello looks for Imola improvement

Rubens Barrichello hopes Formula One's return to Europe in San Marino this weekend will see him back at the front after a dismal start to life with Brackley's Honda team. more...

Coulthard plays down speed rift

David Coulthard insists he has no problem with Scott Speed, despite their clash after the Australian Grand Prix. more...

Coulthard plays down Speed rift

David Coulthard insists he has no problem with Scott Speed, despite their clash after the Australian Grand Prix. more...

Alonso back on top

World champion Fernando Alonso denied Michael Schumacher top spot in second practice for the San Marino Grand Prix at Imola today. more...

Button remains defiant

Jenson Button admits Brackley's Honda team still have "a lot of work to do" as they look to recover lost form - but is adamant he can be Renault's biggest threat in this weekend's San Marino Grand Prix. more...

Movers And Shakers

April/May movers and shakers

OXFORD: Law firm Blake Lapthorn Linnell has been appointed to the Law Society's conduct assessment and investigation unit's panel of outsourcers. The firm is one of just two legal providers to be appointed by the society. The firm's professional regulatory team will work closely with the unit, which handles complaints about solicitors' misconduct, and which last year received around 4,500 complaints. Bradley Albuery, who heads the team, said: "We are delighted with this appointment, and believe it is a reflection of the skill, energy and hard work of members in the team." Based in Oxford and Fareham, team members are barristers Nick Leale and Katharine Blackburn, solicitors Chris Alder, Natasha Browne, Rashidah Conroy and Jamie Foster, plus a team of case-workers and support staff. more...

An interesting contest

RADLEY: A team from Radley College, Rupert Harrison and Stephen Tracy, aged 17, and Tristan Wood and James Brown, aged 18, were runners up to Tonbridge School and won £650 for the college in the South East England area final of the Target 2.0 Interest Rate Competition. Radley recommended that base rates should stay at 4.5 per cent, feeling that the current UK economic recovery was unlikely to be strong enough to put upward pressure on inflation at a time when unemployment is rising. Tonbridge argued for a rate cut to 4.25 per cent in March. more...

Trainees shine in exams

OXFORD: Critchleys' trainee accountancy professionals proved once again that they are made of the right stuff by passing a series of tough exams. Anne Pritchard, Ben Dixon and Annette Lowe successfully grappled with studying in addition to their day-to-day work. All three are going on to further study. more...

Safety rewarded

BODICOTE: Charter Community Housing has been given a Gold Award from the Asbestos Aware Contractors Scheme. The award recognises Charter's commitment to ensuring members of its repairs service team are trained to recognise and deal with environments that could contain asbestos. Chris Crerie, AACS business development manager, said: "The health risks of asbestos are well documented and anyone who is engaged in any form of building, installation or refurbishment work needs to know how to find it, avoid it and what to do if it is accidentally disturbed." more...

Music

Wild at heart?

For two frantic years, The Libertines were the most exciting rock act on the planet. more...

News

The killer nurse

A thrill-seeking nurse is facing a life sentence after murdering two patients by injecting them with lethal doses of drugs. Benjamin Geen, 25, preyed on patients shortly after they were admitted to the accident and emergency department of the Horton General Hospital in Banbury. more...

Geen: Painstaking probe

THE police team, who conducted the painstaking investigation into the Geen case, had never experienced a criminal inquiry quite like it. more...

Geen: 'Staff were all distressed'

THE executive director of Banbury's Horton Hospital has apologised to patients and their relatives abused by murdering nurse Ben Geen. more...

Geen: 'Staff were all distressed'

THE executive director of Banbury's Horton Hospital has apologised to patients and their relatives abused by murdering nurse Ben Geen. more...

Ex-airbase tour proves a winner

ORGANISERS of a tour around the Cold War bunkers of a former airbase near Bicester were overwhelmed by the amount of public interest in the site. more...

Hospital cut fears

POTENTIAL cutbacks to services at the Horton Hospital, Banbury, have been revealed by a former consultant. more...

Families say NHS cuts could cost children's lives

TWO more families whose babies were born recently at Horton Hospital, Banbury, have said cutbacks to children's services could cost lives. more...

Beer festival opens

BANBURY'S annual three-day beer festival opens today and volunteer bar staff will be pulling pints until 11pm on Saturday. more...

New call on doorstep crime

POLICE and trading standard officers in Northamptonshire are asking victims of doorstep crime to report every incident. The two groups are working together to reduce the number of rogue traders, bogus callers, and distraction burglars in the county. Det Insp Steve Lingley said: "We work very hard to reduce the number of doorstep crimes and the police force has a working group which meets regularly with the trading standards service to prevent and detect this despicable type of crime. Sometimes people don't bother to report suspicious callers because they think we wouldn't be interested, but we are. We can only crack down on rogue traders or distraction burglars if we know what vehicles they use, what they look like, and where they are operating. The best way to keep all kinds of conmen on the run is not to open the door unless you are expecting someone to call." Anyone who has been affected by doorstep crime should contact Consumer Direct on 08454 040506 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111. more...

New call on doorstep crime

POLICE and trading standard officers in Northamptonshire are asking victims of doorstep crime to report every incident. more...

Election battle is joined

THE election trail has been launched in Oxfordshire with the main political parties gearing up for the district council elections on Thursday, May 4. more...

Taxi rules shock

A WOULD-BE cabbie has been told he may not get a licence for a specially-converted disabled access minibus because its roof is too low. more...

Clerk used client's cash

A CROOKED solicitors clerk from Banbury paid off £4,000 of customers' debt with cash taken from other clients, a misconduct hearing was told. more...

Teenage sailor sets new world record

A SCHOOLBOY from North Oxfordshire has set a world record after becoming the youngest person to windsurf across the English Channel and back again. more...

Firm seeks research cash

A company hoping to produce the clean fuels of the future is poised to raise £15m on the London Stock Exchange later this month.o Oxford Catalysts will use the money to recruit 25 staff and set up its headquarters on a business park near Oxford possibly at Begbroke. more...

City steps up bid to go it alone from county

COUNCILLORS in Oxford have joined forces with counterparts in Exeter, Norwich and Ipswich in a bid to convince the Government they should run all services in the city. more...

City steps up bid to go it alone from county

COUNCILLORS in Oxford have joined forces with counterparts in Exeter, Norwich and Ipswich in a bid to convince the Government they should run all services in the city. more...

Homes will be part of new Westgate

NEW city centre homes will form "an integral part" of the new £300m Westgate Centre, developers promised this week. more...

Brookes loses out in bid for Plater College site

OXFORD Brookes University has lost out in its bid for the £4.85m Plater College site in the city but it remains unclear who has bought the campus. more...

Brookes loses out in bid for Plater College site

OXFORD Brookes University has lost out in its bid for the £4.85m Plater College site in the city but it remains unclear who has bought the campus. more...

Man given lifetime ban from city estate

A MAN has been banned from setting foot in Blackbird Leys for the rest of his life. more...

£300,000 study starts on proposed rail link

A £300,000 study is under way into how a proposed new rail link between Oxford and Bedford can be funded. more...

Business school dean took own life

THE dean of the business school at Oxford Brookes University stepped into the path of a moving train because he was tormented by the fear he would die of an incurable disease. more...

Cameras in A34 roadworks had no film

SPEEDING drivers on the A34 escaped without penalty because dummy speed cameras did not contain any film. more...

Tributes for former president of Oxford Union

TRIBUTES have been paid to a former Oxford Union president who died during a gap-year in the Middle East. more...

Town cinema plans are back on track

THE MULTI-million pound cinema planned at the heart of Didcot's town centre redevelopment moved a step closer this week. more...

Church tower will be first building illuminated

THE oldest building in Oxford will be the first historic landmark to be lit up under a bright new scheme that promises to transform the city centre by night. more...

Oxford revealed as burglary hot-spot

OXFORD is one of the UK's burglary hot-spots, according to research published this week. more...

Epileptic fit fear leads to Christmas light ban

FLASHING lights will be banned from a town's Christmas display this year after a resident with epilepsy complained. more...

Warning over use of council mobile phones

A WARNING about the misuse of work mobile phones is to be issued to 750 senior staff at Oxford City Council. more...

Lab protests will be biggest yet

ANIMAL rights campaigners say tomorrow's protest march against the building of a medical research centre will be the biggest staged in the city. more...

Plans unveiled for city Christmas festival

AN OPEN-AIR ice rink, performances from Russian dancers and street markets are among the attractions planned for the city's first Christmas festival. more...

Free swimming 'causing chaos'

CHILDREN taking part in sex acts, faeces smeared across walls, toilets vandalised and a teenager threatening to slit a staff member's throat these are some of the incidents reported by lifeguards who said the introduction of free swimming for under-17s had plunged Oxford's pools into "chaos". more...

Drought order 'likely' admits water firm

THAMES Water has revealed it is "seriously considering" applying for emergency measures to prevent all non-essential water use. more...

Nursing school insists numbers will not be hit

A UNIVERSITY department responsible for training staff for local hospitals says student nurse numbers will not be hit by a big drop in NHS funding. more...

Firm seeks research cash

Opinion

Drivers and riders need to stay alert

We are told that pedestrians, pedal cyclists and motorcyclists are the three most vulnerable modes of transport on our roads, and that motorcyclists are the Grim Reaper's favourite. In Oxfordshire only one vehicle in 20 is a motorcycle, but motorcyclists are one in five of our county's road deaths and serious injuries. more...

Other Sport

CYCLING: Lumb's Milton magic

Top Didcot Phoenix roadman Gavin Lumb was in his element in a ten-mile time trial on the technical Milton Circuit. more...

BADMINTON: Redefield celebrate No 4

Headington & Redefield chalked up their fourth title of the season, as 8-1 and 9-0 wins over Abingdon A and The Park A respectively gave them the Mixed Division 1 crown in the Oxford and District League. more...

ANGLING: Marathon man Kevin's too late

It was a match of mixed emotions for champion baits man Kevin Green on a remarkable day's angling at Panshill Fishery, on Monday. more...

ANGLING: Hunt for river stalwarts

The most famous trout river in Europe will provide a fitting backdrop for a very special series of awards which will be presented this summer to the people who ensure that the whole population can continue to enjoy "messing about on the river." more...

POINT-TO-POINT: Good ends long wait

Tessa Good (pictured) ended a six-year wait for her first winner with a runaway success aboard Boyne Banks in front of a huge crowd at the Old Berkshire Hunt meeting at Lockinge, near Wantage on Monday. more...

BADMINTON: Headington on a high

Oxford News

Council vows to be eco friendly

A new environment action plan agreed by Oxfordshire County Council has been released to coincide with Conservative leader David Cameron promoting green policies. more...

Gig helps bomb victim's funds

It was the favourite nightspot of one of the victims of the July 7 bombings and now Oxford's Zodiac nightclub will play host to a memorial fundraising event for her. more...

Film star donates gown to Oxfam

Fans of actress Keira Knightley have the chance to snap up one of her designer gowns, which went up for auction in aid of Oxfam today. more...

Special helper to Irish police

A volunteer officer from Thames Valley Police has been helping the Irish Police to establish their own version of the special constabulary. more...

Drive carefully or lose £50k car

A hooligan driver could lose his £50,000-plus Ferrari under new laws usually used to put the skids under teeny terrors racing about on mini-motorbikes. more...

Centre to have extra housing

New homes in the heart of Oxford will form "an integral part" of the new £300m Westgate Shopping Centre, developers promised this week. more...

'Show you back new animal lab'

A leading neuroscientist at Oxford University has called for the "silent majority" supporting experiments on animals to sign an online petition backing the research. more...

Controls ‘will curb violence’

New stricter controls on violent criminals freed from jail could have stopped a man killing an Oxford woman weeks after his release, according to his daughter. more...

City teams up to go it alone

Oxford City Council has joined forces with Exeter, Ipswich and Norwich in a bid for total rule free of the county council. more...

Legging it

The threat of extreme blisters and exhaustion is looming large for thousands of London Marathon runners. Today, we feature three more runners who are bracing themselves to take part in the event. more...

Restaurant Reviews

Saaging spirits get little cheer

Good friends, wine and the prospect of a yummy curry all the ingredients for an excellent night were in place. more...

Results And Fixtures

SPORT CALENDAR

FIXTURES FOR 21/4/06 FOOTBALL COCA-COLA LEAGUE TWO Oxford Utd v Northampton Tn. more...

SPORT CALENDAR

FIXTURES FOR 21/4/06 FOOTBALL COCA-COLA LEAGUE TWO Oxford Utd v Northampton Tn. more...

SPORT CALENDAR

FIXTURES FOR 21/4/06 FOOTBALL COCA-COLA LEAGUE TWO Oxford Utd v Northampton Tn. more...

Rowing

ROWING: Casey's timely win

Wallingford's Helen Casey, entering her seventh year as an international, won the women's lightweight singles at the final GB trials in Belgium on Tuesday, writes Mike Rosewell. more...

Rugby

RUGBY: Banbury face day of destiny

Simon Purnell says Banbury face a real battle if they are to clinch the Midlands 3 East South title at Daventry tomorrow. more...

RUGBY: Marathon men

Oxford Harlequins defeated Chinnor en route to winning the Oxfordshire Cup on Sunday. more...

RUGBY: Quins edge to cup final success

Oxford Harlequins rode their luck on Sunday to defeat a spirited Witney side 19-12 in the Oxfordshire Cup final. more...

RUGBY: Maudsley tribute to brave leaders

Oxford Harlequins director of rugby Matt Maudsley struggled to look on the bright side despite his side's victory in the Oxfordshire Cup final. more...

Share Prices

Local share prices

AEA Technology 117.5 BMW 3161 Electrocomp 270.25 iSoft 130 Oxford Bio 30 Oxford Inst 210.25 RM 204 Reed Elsevier 547.5 RPS 188 Torex Retail 95.5 more...

Local share prices

AEA Technology 117.5 BMW 3161 Electrocomp 270.25 iSoft 130 Oxford Bio 30 Oxford Inst 210.25 RM 204 Reed Elsevier 547.5 RPS 188 Torex Retail 95.5 more...

Local share prices

AEA Technology 117.5 BMW 3161 Electrocomp 270.25 iSoft 130 Oxford Bio 30 Oxford Inst 210.25 RM 204 Reed Elsevier 547.5 RPS 188 Torex Retail 95.5 more...

Latest share prices

AEA Tech 118.5 BMW 3113 Electrocom 275.25 Isoft Group 134.5 Oxford Bio 30.25 Oxford Insts 210 Reed Elsevier 551 RM 204.75 RPS 188 Torex Retail 96 more...

Speedway

SPEEDWAY: Lanney makes peace after row

Oxford Cheetahs promoter Aaron Lanney has made it up with world champion Tony Rickardsson after he branded the Swede a 'disgrace' following the 67-28 Elite League defeat at Reading. more...

SPEEDWAY: Fans' favourite returns

The new-look Oxford Cheetahs, who include former No 1 Todd Wiltshire and Freddie Eriksson, have a great chance to chalk up another victory when they visit injury-hit Eastbourne in an Elite League clash at Arlington Stadium tonight (7.30pm), writes JOHN GAISFORD. more...

Sport

Football: On-fire Linnets win with top class

KINGS LYNN 2 BANBURY UNITED 0BANBURY had beaten the Linnets twice already this season, but were second best on Saturday with the home side playing some of the best football seen this year. more...

Theatre

Own Brand loyality

I manage to catch Jo Brand in between sorting through a massive pile of mail and jumping in the car to go and perform in Dartford, Kent. more...

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