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Oxfordshire | Archive | 2006 | July

Stories for 13 July 2006

Abingdon

Meat firm to appeal court case ruling

A COMPANY selling home-grown beef faces a near £55,000 pay-out after being caught selling foreign meat. more...

Vaizey attacks Ross's salary

WANTAGE MP Ed Vaizey has criticized the BBC for agreeing to pay entertainer Jonathan Ross, right, £18m over three years. more...

Arsonist set light to his own home

AN arsonist who set his own home alight with himself and his 15-month-old daughter inside has been detained indefinitely under the Mental Health Act. more...

Area blot on the figures

THE number of abortions carried out in Oxfordshire fell last year but South East Oxfordshire had an increase of almost ten per cent. more...

BEING struck on the head by a football, knocked down by a falling bookcase, overworked, and exposed to asbestos are among the hazards school staff in Oxfordshire have claimed compensation for. more...

Final chapter in Jim's story

THE family, friends and former colleagues of former Herald editor Jim McClure gathered at Wallingford last week for his funeral. more...

Final chapter in Jim's story

THE family, friends and former colleagues of former Herald editor Jim McClure gathered at Wallingford last week for his funeral. more...

Surgeries show they are the tops again

DOCTORS' surgeries in south Oxfordshire are set to be named among the best in the country for the second year running. more...

Surgeries show they are the tops again

DOCTORS' surgeries in south Oxfordshire are set to be named among the best in the country for the second year running. more...

Surgeries show they are the tops again

DOCTORS' surgeries in south Oxfordshire are set to be named among the best in the country for the second year running. more...

When schooldays seemed 'torture'

OUT went computers and white boards, and in came writing slates, chalk and a blackboard and easel. more...

A £600,000 gallery to inspire art

A NEW £600,000 visual arts and gallery centre has been opened at the John Mason School, Abingdon. more...

Storm leaves trail of havoc

TORRENTIAL downpours caused flash floods and bolts of lightning left thousands of homes in the dark as a storm wreaked havoc in Oxfordshire last week. more...

Big grants to theatre and sports pavilion

A THEATRE and a sports pavilion are among Oxfordshire projects that have netted £270,000 in grant funding, thanks to the landfill tax credit scheme. more...

Campaign bids to save lives

IN ten years, 365 people who would have died in either road crashes or fires in Oxfordshire will hopefully still be alive. more...

Their target is the Olympics

OLYMPIC silver medal sprinter Mark Richardson called on more than 800 young athletes at Oxfordshire's first Youth Games to continue a quest for Olympic glory. more...

Vale towns protest at meetings snub

THERE is concern that Abingdon and Wantage could be sidelined in public consultations over future health care plans for Oxfordshire. more...

Doubling up for Miss England

KAYLEIGH George was happy to be sent to Coventry as it means Oxfordshire has double the chance to prove its girls are best. more...

Protest pledge despite verdict

DIDCOT Power Station will pump half a million tonnes of ash into Thrupp Lake, near Abingdon, following the go-ahead by Oxfordshire County Council. more...

Abingdon News

Show reaches for the skies

A spectacular two-day air show, involving fighter jets, the Red Arrows, helicopters, transport planes and a Second World War Spitfire, will take to the skies over Abingdon next month, when the RAF flies into town. more...

Art

Treasure trove

Jeannine Alton views the prize exhibits at the Ashmolean The Ashmolean is having a face-lift. More of a backside-lift, really. At vast expense target £50m and under the overall design of leading architect Rick Mather, the galleries north of the famous Beaumont Street entrance, themselves later extensions to Cockerell's original, are to be demolished. more...

Bicester News

Dexter’s room opens at last

A disabled teenager who has a unique blood condition was over the moon to finally be able to play in a special sensory room two years in the making. more...

Business

Today's local share prices

AEA Technology 101 BMW 2701 Electrocomponents 227.25 Isoft Group 60.25 Oxford Bio 25 Oxford Instruments 210 Reed Elsevier 527.5 RM 166 RPS 222 Torex Retail 55.5 more...

Today's closing local share prices

13/07/2006 PM AEA Technology 101.5 BMW 2677 Electrocomponents 228.25 Isoft Group 58.5 Oxford Bio 25 Oxford Instruments 208 Reed Elsevier 522.25 RM 166 RPS 223 Torex Retail 56 more...

Today's closing local share prices

AEA Technology 101.5 BMW 2677 Electrocomponents 228.25 Isoft Group 58.5 Oxford Bio 25 Oxford Instruments 208 Reed Elsevier 522.25 RM 166 RPS 223 Torex Retail 56 more...

Today's closing local share prices

AEA Technology 101.5 BMW 2677 Electrocomponents 228.25 Isoft Group 58.5 Oxford Bio 25 Oxford Instruments 208 Reed Elsevier 522.25 RM 166 RPS 223 Torex Retail 56 more...

Columns

The Insider: July 13

ISN'T it amazing how a headbutt by a mad Frenchman dominates the news agenda for days? more...

Country Matters

Serving woods and community

Weaveley Furze in Shipton-on-Cherwell is one example of the Oxfordshire Woodland Project's new approach to their 400 sites in the county, writes PETER BARRINGTON An ancient woodland that was once the source of fuel for poor parishioners and a neglected copse on the edge of a village recreation field have been rejuventated thanks to the efforts of experts and enthusiasts. more...

Cricket

CRICKET: Smith harbours first-class hope

Oxfordshire batsman Chris Smith says he has not given up hope of securing a career in the first-class game. more...

CRICKET: Abingdon charity game raises £20,000

More than £20,000 was raised for charity when Chris Tarrant brought a Lord's Taverners team to play an Abingdon School old boys XI. more...

CRICKET: Kidlington will not back League

KIDLINGTON have dealt The Oxford Times Cherwell League's beleagured executive committee a potentially fatal blow by refusing to support them in their darkest hour. more...

Didcot

Big grants to theatre and sports pavilion

A THEATRE and a sports pavilion are among Oxfordshire projects that have netted £270,000 in grant funding, thanks to the landfill tax credit scheme. more...

Area blot on the figures

THE number of abortions carried out in Oxfordshire fell last year but South East Oxfordshire had an increase of almost ten per cent. more...

Cost of 'accidents' at school

Final chapter in Jim's story

THE family, friends and former colleagues of former Herald editor Jim McClure gathered at Wallingford last week for his funeral. more...

Final chapter in Jim's story

THE family, friends and former colleagues of former Herald editor Jim McClure gathered at Wallingford last week for his funeral. more...

Hold your ears, folks

HE'S louder than thunder, much louder than a pneumatic drill and even louder than tennis ace Maria Sharapova's on-court shrieks. more...

Surgeries show they are the tops again

DOCTORS' surgeries in south Oxfordshire are set to be named among the best in the country for the second year running. more...

Car crime purge shows quick results

A CRACKDOWN on car crime in south Oxfordshire has brought quick results. more...

Storm leaves trail of havoc

TORRENTIAL downpours caused flash floods and bolts of lightning left thousands of homes in the dark as a storm wreaked havoc in Oxfordshire last week. more...

Campaign bids to save lives

IN ten years, 365 people who would have died in either road crashes or fires in Oxfordshire will hopefully still be alive. more...

Their target is the Olympics

OLYMPIC silver medal sprinter Mark Richardson called on more than 800 young athletes at Oxfordshire's first Youth Games to continue a quest for Olympic glory. more...

No U-turn over signs

A CONTROVERSIAL decision by South Oxfordshire District Council to break its own planning laws will not be overturned. more...

Doubling up for Miss England

KAYLEIGH George was happy to be sent to Coventry as it means Oxfordshire has double the chance to prove its girls are best. more...

Vaizey atttacks Ross's salary

WANTAGE MP Ed Vaizey has criticized the BBC for agreeing to pay entertainer Jonathan Ross, right, £18m over three years. more...

Protest pledge despite verdict

DIDCOT Power Station will pump half a million tonnes of ash into Thrupp Lake, near Abingdon, following the go-ahead by Oxfordshire County Council. more...

Didcot West deal is done

MAJOR improvements to the A34 Milton Interchange will have to be completed before a 3,300-home estate can be built in Didcot. more...

Didcot News

Homes fund A34 junction work

Major improvements to the A34 Milton Interchange will have to be completed before a 3,300-home estate can be built in Didcot. more...

Safety pledge over lake ash

Didcot Power Station will pump half a million tons of ash into Thrupp Lake, near Abingdon, following the go-ahead by Oxfordshire County Council. more...

Eating Out

Good food, happy memories — and a fine filling of both

When I had last visited The Coach and Horses, Kinecroft, Wallingford, it was to lunch with our former editor, Jim McClure. It was a happy occasion filled with animated conversation and good food. more...

Entertainment

Art in Action with insights on still life

Art in Action may not take place in south Oxfordshire, but it does call on several talented artists from the area to demonstrate their skills. more...

The sewing machine goes with the brushes

TEXTILE artist Amanda Hislop, from East Challow, stages an exhibition of her work, Inspired to Stitch, Paint and Draw, at the Vale and Downland Museum, Wantage, from Monday until August 5. more...

Food

Summer salivations over a barbecue

What is it about eating charred meat in the open air that makes it taste so good? We seldom tolerate burned food during the winter months, yet in the summer we salivate at the very thought of a barbecue. more...

Football

FOOTBALL: Ex-Thame duo sign for City

Oxford City boss Andy Lyne has made former Thame United Alex Stewart and Mark Avery his latest captures. more...

Gardening

Herbs for the hot sun

Mediterranean plants that thrive in the heat. VAL BOURNE reveals her favourites The recent hot weather has crisped my astrantias, my heleniums and even my Brussels sprout plants. But all my silver-leafed, aromatic herbs have loved it because many of them hail from the Mediterranean regions of Europe. As a result they adore sun-baked, dry summers and as far as they're concerned, the hotter and drier the better. more...

Herbs for the hot sun

Golf

GOLF: Thomas edges thriller

DEREK Thomas wrestled Kirtlington's club championship away from defending champion Nathan Marsh after a titanic battle. more...

GOLF: Sir Bobby flying in to open Hinksey's nine-hole course

FORMER England football manager Sir Bobby Robson is to open Hinksey Heights' new nine-hole course next Thursday. more...

GOLF: Eddie sneaks second

FRILFORD Heath star Eddie Pepperell came within a whisker of winning the English Boys Under 16 Stroke Play Championship at Worthing. more...

GOLF: Cook's book is a recipe for success

AN OXFORDSHIRE pro who turned to coaching after being injured in a military coup has shared his tips for success in a new book. more...

GOLF: Oxon juniors begin Belfry bid

TALENTED youngsters can win the chance to play at The Belfry when the British Junior Golf Tour comes to the BB&O region next month. more...

GOLF: Oxon juniors begin Belfry bid

TALENTED youngsters can win the chance to play at The Belfry when the British Junior Golf Tour comes to the BB&O region next month. more...

GOLF: Results round-up

FRILFORD HEATH Ladies' July Medal Div 1: 1 P Dale 80-17=63, 2 J Purcell-Smith 83-18=65, 3 N Barclay-Watt 86-19=67. Div 2: 1 B Baden 94-25=69 (cb), 2 J Kilpatrick 98-29=69, 3 A Hulse 93-23=70. Golf Foundation Brooch: 1 P Dale. more...

Leader

Planning gain and future pain

The £120m package of improvements secured by South Oxfordshire District Council from the developers of a new 3,300-home estate to the west of Didcot sounds impressive. The council will have been anxious to avoid a repetition of the mistakes made with previous major expansions of the town when community facilities either failed to materialise, or followed many years behind. more...

Planning gain and future pain

Letters

Road campaign gathering pace

During my lifetime, I have survived two near fatal road crashes in Oxfordshire. In both, I was the innocent party and the one seriously injured. more...

Road campaign gathering pace

During my lifetime, I have survived two near fatal road crashes in Oxfordshire. In both, I was the innocent party and the one seriously injured. more...

Save our shops

What is happening to the retail outlets in Upper Barr and Pound Way at Templar's Square shopping centre at Cowley, Oxford? more...

Hardened

Sir, How refreshing are the comments in recent letters in stark contrast to Thames Water's intransigence over the possibility of something else other than a huge tank of water which would destroy one of the last quiet areas of the county. more...

Not impressed

Sir, The mocked-up photograph of Battersea Power Station in Thames Water's advertisement in The Herald of July 6 demonstrates how much water Thames Water proposes to be saving per day in London by 2010. It's certainly a novel use for a large, derelict building it must be, let's see, twice the height of the structure with which the company proposes to flood 23 sq kms of Oxfordshire? more...

Gesture

Sir, As an ex-member of staff at St Mary's School, I recently received a brochure explaining the future of the school, combined with Heathfield, Ascot. I understand that the present pupils will move to Ascot, and that, ultimately, the buildings in Wantage will be converted to accommodation, or demolished, including the new music block. Apparently, this building is well equipped with sound proofing, practice rooms and large rehearsal rooms, as well as good storage space. more...

Music

Teenage talent with love of the violin and music

Giles Woodforde interviews the brilliant young violinist Esther Monaghan 'It was more than just fun for me." Thus 16-year-old Kidlington musician Esther Monaghan describes her decision to take the violin seriously. She began playing the instrument at the age of five, and went on to win several senior violin competitions in the Oxford area. more...

Mikado meets swinging forties

NICOLA LISLE talks to director Craig Revel Horwood about Hot Mikado, which opens at Newbury's Watermill Theatre next week If you think you know The Mikado, you ain't seen nothin' yet. One of the highlights of the Watermill's current season is Hot Mikado, a jazzed-up, spiced-up, sexed-up version of Gilbert and Sullivan's biggest hit. You can almost feel the collective shudder of disapproval from the G&S purists, but director Craig Revel Horwood is quick to leap to the show's defence. more...

News

Health cuts would be disaster

A CALL for a halt to local health cuts is made in a report by Oxfordshire County Council's social services director. more...

Skimming device 'was extremely sophisticated'

ONE of the most sophisticated 'skimming' devices ever seen by police has been found attached to a cash machine in Summer- town, Oxford Bank customer Michael Sullivan, 28, discovered the contraption on a NatWest cash machine in Banbury Road after it took too long to return his card on Tuesday. more...

On the right track?

Oxford University plans to rejuvenate its world-famous sports ground on Iffley Road, but could face strong opposition from residents and conservationists Its place in history is unrivalled, thanks to Sir Roger Bannister. Now Oxford University has unveiled plans which it says will secure an exciting future for its famous sporting home on the Iffley Road. more...

Obituaries

Farmer set up racing arena

Michael Hook, a former farmer and motorsports enthusiast who set up Standlake Arena race circuit, has died aged 75. more...

Poet expert inspired students

Prof Jonathan Wordsworth, a popular tutor with generations of English Literature students at Oxford University, has died aged 73. more...

Other Sport

BAR BILLIARDS: House in top form

Corner House A hit top form with a 5-1 away demolition of Didcot Conservatives Club in the Oxford & District League. more...

BOWLS: Oxon sign off on high note

Oxfordshire ended their EBA Middleton Cup campaign in style by thrashing Middlesex 155-91 at Banbury Central to finish runners-up in Group 3A. more...

Oxford News

Brave Rosa's day of bliss!

A mother who donated a kidney to save her daughter's life has watched her walk down the aisle at her dream wedding. more...

City bank hit by clone con

One of the most sophisticated 'skimming' devices ever seen by police has been found attached to a cash machine in Oxford. more...

Gay pride could take to streets

Oxford's Gay Pride could grow in size to incorporate a flamboyant Notting Hill-style street carnival in years to come, organisers have said. more...

‘Clarkson-types’ blamed for attacks on cyclists

Oxford cycling pressure group Cyclox has said "Jeremy Clarkson-types" who resent cyclists' ability to dodge traffic could be to blame for a series of incidents in which riders have been shoved from the saddle - some seriously injuring themselves. more...

Hindered trying to do his bit

A man "trying to do his bit" for the environment has said recycling banks are overflowing and claims Oxford City Council is failing to pick up recycling boxes regularly. more...

Error ends eviction bid

A family accused of antisocial behaviour by a council has escaped eviction due to a typing error - despite a four year investigation. more...

Lib Dems unveil 'windfall' plan

Liberal Democrat-run Oxford City Council has unveiled details of four schemes it is to fund with spare cash from its housing benefits account. more...

Public urged to use inspectors

Oxford's police commander has called on the public to contact new neighbourhood inspectors if they feel officers in the city have let them down. more...

Wall stays put

The "Wall of Jericho" will come tumbling down - but it could take up to a year to do so. more...

Parking plans just the ticket

Plans to make council car parking enforcement in England more motorist-friendly have been welcomed in Oxfordshire - by motorists, the county council and even wheel-clampers. more...

£8m list could force sell-off

Oxford City Council might have to "flog the family silver" to finance a wish-list of projects totalling more than £8m. more...

Enron banker en route to USA

A former NatWest banker from Oxfordshire has begun his extradition journey to the US to face fraud charges. more...

RAF jet crashes

AN RAF Harrier plane has crashed near a pub in Oxfordshire - striking a car as it came down. more...

Recipes

Chilled strawberry soup

I MAKE no apology for featuring strawberries so soon after suggesting they can be turned into an attractive dessert by placing them into ginger baskets. more...

Chilled strawberry soup

I MAKE no apology for featuring strawberries so soon after suggesting they can be turned into an attractive dessert by placing them into ginger baskets. more...

Share Prices

Today's local share prices

13/07/2006 AEA Technology 101 BMW 2701 Electrocomponents 227.25 Isoft Group 60.25 Oxford Bio 25 Oxford Instruments 210 Reed Elsevier 527.5 RM 166 RPS 222 Torex Retail 55.5 more...

Today's closing local share prices

13/07/2006 PM AEA Technology 101.5 BMW 2677 Electrocomponents 228.25 Isoft Group 58.5 Oxford Bio 25 Oxford Instruments 208 Reed Elsevier 522.25 RM 166 RPS 223 Torex Retail 56 more...

Speedway

SPEEDWAY: Dryml accident rocks Cheetahs

Oxford Cheetahs 41, Wolverhampton 51: Oxford Cheetahs fans will be keeping a vigil for Czech Republic ace Ales Dryml who lies in the John Radcliffe hospital with severe head injuries following a crash against Wolverhampton at Oxford Stadium last night. more...

Theatre

Balancing acts

GILES WOODFORDE on Creation Theatre Company's Merchant of Venice at Oxford Castle It's several minutes before Creation Theatre's new production of The Merchant of Venice reaches the first line of Shakespeare's text: "In sooth, I know not why I am so sad". Before Antonio delivers that line, a lengthy compilation tape of rock and rap numbers resounds round the Oxford Castle performance space the first of several such interludes, designed to amplify points made in the play itself. more...

Travel

Steamed puddings are just the ticket

SYLVIA VETTA on how Isambard Kingdom Brunel will drive your diet off the rails Didcot Railway Centre is celebrating the bicentenary of Isambard Kingdom Brunel in style, with Victorian Pudding Evenings on Wednesday, July 19, and Wednesday, July 26. Energetic marketing executive Jeanette Howse is always finding innovative ways of attracting enthusiasts. Most of the events this summer have a Victorian flavour in honour of the great engineer. more...

Travel Features

Game fore a laugh?

There are two things I learned about the Portuguese last week - and given that I only went for three days to learn how to play golf, I thought that was pretty good going. more...

Wallingford

Cost of 'accidents' at school

Arsonist set light to his own home

AN arsonist who set his own home alight with himself and his 15-month-old daughter inside has been detained indefinitely under the Mental Health Act. more...

Area blot on the figures

THE number of abortions carried out in Oxfordshire fell last year but South East Oxfordshire had an increase of almost ten per cent. more...

Final chapter in Jim's story

THE family, friends and former colleagues of former Herald editor Jim McClure gathered at Wallingford last week for his funeral. more...

Final chapter in Jim's story

THE family, friends and former colleagues of former Herald editor Jim McClure gathered at Wallingford last week for his funeral. more...

Final chapter in Jim's story

THE family, friends and former colleagues of former Herald editor Jim McClure gathered at Wallingford last week for his funeral. more...

Hold your ears, folks

HE'S louder than thunder, much louder than a pneumatic drill and even louder than tennis ace Maria Sharapova's on-court shrieks. more...

Surgeries show they are the tops again

DOCTORS' surgeries in south Oxfordshire are set to be named among the best in the country for the second year running. more...

Car crime purge shows quick results

A CRACKDOWN on car crime in south Oxfordshire has brought quick results. more...

Storm leaves trail of havoc

TORRENTIAL downpours caused flash floods and bolts of lightning left thousands of homes in the dark as a storm wreaked havoc in Oxfordshire last week. more...

Big grants to theatre and sports pavilion

A THEATRE and a sports pavilion are among Oxfordshire projects that have netted £270,000 in grant funding, thanks to the landfill tax credit scheme. more...

Campaign bids to save lives

IN ten years, 365 people who would have died in either road crashes or fires in Oxfordshire will hopefully still be alive. more...

Their target is the Olympics

OLYMPIC silver medal sprinter Mark Richardson called on more than 800 young athletes at Oxfordshire's first Youth Games to continue a quest for Olympic glory. more...

No U-turn over signs

A CONTROVERSIAL decision by South Oxfordshire District Council to break its own planning laws will not be overturned. more...

Doubling up for Miss England

KAYLEIGH George was happy to be sent to Coventry as it means Oxfordshire has double the chance to prove its girls are best. more...

Vaizey attacks Ross's salary

WANTAGE MP Ed Vaizey has criticized the BBC for agreeing to pay entertainer Jonathan Ross, right, £18m over three years. more...

Debate over town closure

A ROW has broken out over whether Wallingford town centre should be closed to traffic for major community events. Councillors are divided over the issue and traders are also in two minds. more...

Wantage News

Oaps want police to stop yobs

Pensioners in Wantage have had enough of yobbish behaviour near their town centre flats. more...

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