Oxford UK Travel Guide

Cheap Car Hire Service

noreply@blogger.com (ska) — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 17:01:00 +0000

Do you travel frequently in UK, you will find this service very handy. You can now hire car very cheaply on the website I am going to mention here. The site is located at http://www.carhiredirect.co.uk/ You can compare various types of cars with rates to suit your needs.

Now, you can also hire the car all around the world on this website, just type your location, date and time you want to hire and some small contact details and you are on your way to get some nice cheap ride. You can now hire the car within seconds with the help of this website.

Carhiredirect.co.uk searches up to 40 car rental companies, guaranteeing you the cheapest car hire price online. To Search for a cheap car hire deal simply enter the location you would like to pick the car up from anywhere in the world, select the dates you wish to hire the car for, enter your age and click on the "Proceed" button to compare prices of up to 40 car hire suppliers.

If you are looking for some more information, you are advised to visit their website and go through the FAQ section and all of your queries might be clear.

Oxford Rose Hill Primary School off special measures.

noreply@blogger.com (ska) — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 12:26:00 +0000

This is great news for the people of oxford as Oxford's Rose Hill Primary School is celebrating after being taken out of special measures. Following the latest visit to the school, in The Oval, Rose Hill, Government inspectors said the school had improved "beyond all recognition" in the last two years.

Inspector Cathie Munt said: "Everyone involved should be proud of the progress made. The school has been turned around in a comparatively short timescale." The outstanding leadership of headteacher Sue Mortimer and the hard work and diligence of staff and governors were singled out for special praise.

Inspectors also noted that pupils at the school, where more than a third of pupils do not speak English as their first language at home, "could not stop singing its praises". But in most year groups, standards in mathematics and science remain well below expected, inspectors said.

And although the report highlighted that the "rejuvenating" painting which staff, their families and volunteers have done in classrooms and corridors has helped breath light and life into the "dark, dismal and depressing" school building, some areas are in need of more than a facelift.

It is one of three Oxford primary schools which is due to be rebuilt as part of a £67m package of improvements. What a achievement by Rose Hill primary school. It is praise worthy.

Disclosure Policy.

noreply@blogger.com (ska) — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 08:52:00 +0000

This policy is valid from 1 January 2008
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Delays To affect City Centre.

noreply@blogger.com (ska) — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 12:40:00 +0000

Hi all,

Motorists and road users in Oxford have been warned to expect delays after it was revealed five city centre streets would be closed next month - until the end of November. Oxfordshire County Council, the highways authority, has put in place a temporary road closure order while its contractors, Jacobs Engineering, do urgent repair work.

The closures will take effect from Monday, August 11, and last for about 15 weeks. Pembroke Street is to be changed to a two-way street and will be closed between August 11 and September 25.

St Aldates will be closed between August 11 and November 21, although general traffic will be allowed to use the road between its junction with Thames Street and Speedwell Street. And Brewer Street will be changed to a two-way street with no entry via St Aldates.

Work there is expected to last between September 26 and November 21. So, make the note of it.

Four Schools to close down

noreply@blogger.com (ska) — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 12:35:00 +0000

Four more schools in Oxfordshire have been added to the list affected by the two-day strike by council workers, taking the total to 10. Today, Unison and Unite members walked out over the Government's below-inflation offer of a 2.45 per cent pay rise. More industrial action is expected tomorrow.

Mark Fysh, Unison branch secretary for Oxfordshire, said: "We don't have an awful lot of people on pickets, but an awful lot of people have stayed away from work. "County Hall normally holds about 800 people and only a 100 came in today.

The four schools are Church Cowley St James Primary School in Oxford, John Watson School in Wheatley, Ladygrove Park Primary School in Didcot and St Nicholas Primary School in Oxford.

Bardwell School in Bicester, Didcot Girls' School, Kingfisher School in Abingdon, and Iffley Mead School, Northern House School and Northfield School, in Oxford, are also closed or partially closed today and tomorrow.

Kevin Spacey to teach in Oxford University.

noreply@blogger.com (ska) — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 12:23:00 +0000

All you students seeking education in Oxford University, a good news for you all. I came to know about this fantastic news that Double Oscar winning actor Kevin Spacey is going to teach students in Oxford Universiy. He said it is an "honour" to be named as a University of Oxford professor and he was very pleased to get such a honour.

Students also got overjoyed and they are waiting the things to happen as early as possible. I think my friend who is at Oxford University will be a lucky man to get in touch with such a strong personality.

So, good luck.

Good News for Soccer Fans

noreply@blogger.com (ska) — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 12:12:00 +0000

Do you love soccer and want to be a professional soccer player, this is a very good news for you. As you might heard about Oxford Soccer Leage, they are looking for tryouts and want to fill those vacant places in the national side. So, if you are passionate about soccer and want to make soccer your full time profession, don't delay as time is running out.

Following is the schedule : -

Tryouts for U12 Boys' Travel are at 8 p.m. Friday, June 13, at Quaker Farms School. The rain date is June 19.

Tryouts for U12 Girls' Travel are from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 17, at Quaker Farms School. The rain date is June 20.

Registration is also beginning for the Oxford Soccer League's Fall U14 Boys and Girls Travel.

Tryouts for U14 Boys' Travel is at 8 p.m. Monday, June 16, at Greak Oak School. The rain date is June 19.

Tryouts for U14 Girls' Travel are from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 18, at Great Oak. The rain date is June 20.

Oxford Soccer League Fall Recreation Program Registration is due by June 27.

Registration forms can be downloaded at www.oxfordsoccerleague.net

Bike Week 2008

noreply@blogger.com (ska) — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 11:56:00 +0000

Love cycling and Bikes? It's Bike Week 2008 in the UK from 14 - 22 June 2008. This event highlights the fun and fitness aspects of cycling. There are free events all over the UK for beginners and experienced cyclists and some family events. You can search for what's available in your area by entering your postcode in the event finder.

So if the weather is good and you feel like some exercise over the next few days check out the free cycling events in your area. If you take part in any of the events and fill out a short feedback form online evaluating the event you could win a free short break with Center Parks in the prize draw.

For more details, you can visit the website at http://www.bikeweek.org.uk/index.php

Women Killed In An Accident.

noreply@blogger.com (ska) — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 06:40:00 +0000

A 56-year-old Oxford woman died early Sunday morning after a two car collision near the 6100 block of U.S. 78 West. According to sources, Janice Abernathy, a district manager for The Anniston Star, was pronounced dead on the scene around 6:15 a.m. Sunday.

Dunn said Abernathy had been with the company for nearly 20 years in various capacities. The entire Anniston Star family of employees and carriers are deeply saddened to lose one of its most loved and deeply respected members.

Janice was a valued associate as a newspaper carrier and respected member of the community. In her time as an employee, her caring personality touched everyoned. The accident is still being investigated by the Oxford Police Department. The driver of the other vehicle was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

Oh God....save him.

The Loy Krathong Festival, Thailand.

noreply@blogger.com (ska) — Thu, 22 May 2008 11:52:00 +0000

Do you know about The Loy Krathong Festival, if not, read on and you will be amazed to see how this festival is celebrated all over Thailand.

The Loy Krathong Festival or Festival of Light, takes place annually all over Thailand during the 12th full month in the traditional Thai calendar. The main part of the Festival entails the construction of a krathong, a cross between a tray and a raft constructed from trunk of banana trees, which contains a flower, a candle and three incense sticks designed to float down a river or canal.

You make a wish as you light the candle and set the krathong afloat. if the candle keeps burning until the krathong is out of sight, your wish will come true. The Festival basically intends to honor the Water Goddess. In this festival, there are also beauty contest and firework displays which are worth watching.

This year, it is around the month of November between 11 and 13. So, book your vacation tour now to enjoy this festival in Thailand.

Some Beautiful moments at Oxford.

noreply@blogger.com (ska) — Fri, 02 May 2008 19:32:00 +0000

Oxford is a nice place for people who love sightseeing. And you know, sightseeing is pretty much compulsory in Oxford. Even popping out for a pint of milk, you'll pass some amazing historic buildings coming in your way.

So, take out the Digital Camera and start caturomg the Bridge of Sighs, Christ Church College or Magdalen College on your way to one of Oxford's many pubs. Go for the student favourite of the Turf Tavern for a spot on outside pint, or, for a bit of river action, head down to the Head of the River pub for a quick one.

Then you can take a wander round the shops and cafés of Jericho ending up in the Duke of Cambridge or Beat on Little Clarendon Street in time for a last-minute cocktail at happy hour before leaping onto that bus home.

So, nice moments you can enjoy in Oxford with someone you love.

THE SUNDAY TIMES OXFORD LITERARY FESTIVAL

noreply@blogger.com (ska) — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 19:04:00 +0000

If you're interested in books, famous authors, celebrities and fine dining, the Sunday Times Oxford Literary Festival, in the first week of April, is the place to be.

Book fans, at the festival, were able to walk with the literati gods and soak up the Oxford dream. If you were lucky, you might perhaps, speak with your favourite author.

Certainly, the festival's choice of writers was eclectic, from local science writer Richard Dawkins, London poet Ben Okri, former politician and television presenter Oona King, Sunday Times columnist Cristiana Odone, derivatives expert Nassim Nicholas Taleb, playwright Tom Stoppard and novelist Fay Weldon.

As for the writers' performances during the week, many were very professional and gave slick sales presentations of their latest books. Today, writers are like medieval itinerant traders travelling from town to town with their wares. This means most have become well practiced in their jokes and speeches, though for some they don't even bother to change the script, even for the next presentation they are in that very same town. In effect, visitors to the literary festivals are paying to see a series of book commercials.

Professor Richard Dawkins

Dawkins was at the festival to promote his latest book 'The Oxford Book of Modern Science Writing'. This excellent new book is a collection of writings by different scientists, chosen by Dawkins, that captures the joys of scientific understanding since 1900 to the present day, for the public at large.

What was memorable about Dawkins' presentation, was that he arranged to have former BBC Radio Oxford presenter David Freeman interview Richard Dawkins about his work, opinions and his latest book, with Dawkins wife reading out appropriate, but often amusing passages to the great enjoyment of the audience present.

Amongst the questions Dawkins' was asked was, what he thought of his critics. Dawkins answered that he regarded them as insignificant 'fleas'.

One of the writers included in his book as an extract, is best selling Cambridge University scientist Steven Hawking's work 'A Brief History of Time', though Dawkins admitted with a laugh: 'I must be the one of the extremely few people who managed to finish reading the book to the very end.'

Amongst other writers Dawkins admires is Peter Atkins, Dawkins has included an excerpt in his anthology from Atkins book 'The Creation Revisited' Dawkins observes: 'Peter writes in a wonderful poetic style, worthy of Carl Sagan.'

London poet Ben Okri

One of the sublime moments at the festival were London poet Ben Okri reading extracts from his latest book of poetry ' Starbook'. His verse made one believe one was in a world of fairy tales, not the hard realities of the modern world. When Ben finished the audience broke into long sustained cheers.

The Black Swan Phenomenon

Attending a presentation given by Nassim Nicholas Taleb proved to be a disappointment. Taleb had problems right from the start, in his production about his book 'The Black Swan: The Impact of the Highly Improbable'. Instead of providing a thought provoking account of the usage of the Black Swan logic phenomenon, the audience was subjected to a rather repetitive and confusing ramble through the topic, which at times gave the impression that a black swan was some sort of black parrot rather than an Australian variety of Swan.
He argued that the Black Swan phenomenon is an event or occurrence that deviates beyond what is normally accepted as a situation, and that would be extremely difficult to predict, for example the fall of the Berlin Wall. The author contended that this phenomenon is used by speculators as a basis for their computer models to predict prices in futures markets.

Taleb managed to sow such bewilderment in my mind, that subsequently forced me to consult my notes, from my university days about the use of the Black Swan phenomenon to clear up the resultant confusion Taleb had caused in his talk.

As for side events there were discussions on current affairs, some of which were sit down formal dinners with the writers speaking on topics that are commonly fashionable with the literati. The trouble was, their dialogue often revealed, how generally ignorant the speakers were outside their particular expertise.
The Business of the Festival

Behind the scenes the real business of the festival was taking place, with deals during festival week were being struck as writers, agents, publishers and Public Relations reps were busy networking at a string of parties held in Oxford's many colleges or over lunch in the cities restaurants. For many of the publishers, the Oxford Literary Festival is really a book trade event for publishers like Blackwells and Oxford University Press to promote their books.

Certainly, to the visitor, the festival was organised in a very professional, yet unobtrusive manner. The festival has grown, over the past twelve years from just a few rooms in Oxford's Union building in the heart of the old city to taking over Christ Church, Oxford's largest college with its many available rooms and many other locations throughout Oxford's town centre.

Where were the popular European writers?

What struck me about the Sunday Times Literary Festival was that this was really an English book fair, not a European literary festival. It's as if our neighbours in mainland Europe with their wealth of talented writers did not exist. Where were the popular European writers who publish their books in English, like Danish science writer Bjorn Lomborg, Swedish crime fiction author Hakan Nesser, and Italian novelist Umberto Eco?

Now that the Oxford Literary Festival has ended for another year, it is time to remedy this situation and bring a taste of European talent to visitors to the next literary festival to Oxford in 2009.

Find Iceberg in Canada.

noreply@blogger.com (ska) — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 11:48:00 +0000

Do you spotted iceberg anywhere, if not I am going to you to visit a place where you can spot the iceberg. Yes, these are

The Newfoundland and Labrador coasts in Canada are some of the best spots for iceberg spotting. You can even see two to three storey icebergs in Iceberg Alley where icebergs make their way from Greenland to the Atlantic.

I really like the Iceberg Finder website. I think the site is great for either planning a trip to the area or for armchair iceberg spotters. There's an interactive map of iceberg locations. with sightings by satellite and human eye and suggested driving itineraries and a gallery of beautiful photos. In the Q&A section at http://icebergfinder.com where you can find out iceberg facts such as the different shapes of icebergs and the largest ever iceberg.

Have a very nice and pleasant journey in this iceberg locations.

Windsor Castle, Stonehenge and Georgian Bath.

noreply@blogger.com (ska) — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 20:22:00 +0000

Hey guys,

Staying in England is a very nice thing and you can enjoy you trip by visiting some nice places. One of the places to visit in England is Windsor Castle, Stonehenge and Georgian Bath.

I recommend you for this becuase last time I was there and

the tour was a great experience from start to finish. We enjoyed the Windsor Castle since there is so much history and structures.

The city of Bath was just beautiful since it was Roman built and there is so much to take in in the form of information.

Stonehenge was a nice way of ending the tour. The tour guide was extremely knowledgeable, informative, friendly and accommodating.

I was very much pleased with this tour in the last tour I made in England with these destinations.

Destination Oxford, UK.

noreply@blogger.com (ska) — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 20:11:00 +0000

Destination Oxford, UK.

England was generally thought of as a gentle, fabled land freeze-framed sometime in the 1930s. England was home of the post office, country pub and vicarage. It's now better known for vibrant cities such as London, Oxford and so on. The cities are coupled with great nightlife and attractions, contrasted with green and pleasant countryside.

From Stonehenge and Tower Bridge to Eton and Oxford, England is loaded with cherished icons of past eras. Fashion, fine dining, clubbing, shopping are now the order of the day. I think, England is now rated higher and compete with the world's best countries.

What are your thoughts about this post, do comment please.

Oxford's filthiest restaurants

noreply@blogger.com (ska) — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 06:26:00 +0000

Restaurants around Oxford are breaching dozens of environmental health regulations, The Oxford Student can reveal. In a series of inspections carried out by Oxford City Council, numerous restaurants were found in contravention of the Food Safety Act (1990). Reports ranging from dirty chopping boards in Maxwell's to serious insect infestations have shocked diners across the University.

The inspections, carried out without warning over an 18-month period, found 15 restaurants in Oxford that "pose a considerable risk to the health of customers". At Chopsticks restaurant on Cowley Road, the infestation of pharaoh ants was so severe that the inspector ordered that it be removed by a pest control expert. The management at Chopsticks refused to comment on the issue.

Some restaurants had failed to perform a risk assessment or COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) report. The latter is required by law and premises that do not comply risk immediate prosecution and closure. At La Cucina, the inspection discovered ice cream stored next to raw prawns, risking cross contamination. It was also noted that raw produce was being stored in the original cardboard packaging, risking it being impregnated with cockroach eggs, which would cause an infestation.

Aziz Restaurant was criticised for storing potentially lethal cleaning chemicals alongside food products. The restaurant was also criticized for having no sanitiser in its kitchen and no inlet ventilation in the cooking area. Mario's Pizzeria was found to have left the chemical cupboard open to customers during the inspection. Joe's Café on Cowley Road was found to have no ventilation in the toilets, resulting in an unpleasant smell.

Quod and La Cucina were found to be either lacking a wash basin in the kitchen or had one that was broken or unacceptably dirty. In a report made only two months ago it was noted that the ice machine at Holywell's showed signs of mould growth. Holywell's also had a walk-in fridge which showed significant mould growth.

At Spice Village on Cowley Road, the oven lining was found to be defective, leading the inspector to claim that there was serious danger of cement contamination in all food cooked on the premises. Chain restaurants were also criticised for negligent practises. At Bella Italia, three staff had received no hygiene training and cooking equipment was found to be in a highly unsanitary state. The manager has told The Oxford Student that the issues have since been rectified.

The Food Safety Act (1990) allows the council to impose a range of deadlines depending on the nature of the complaint. For serious problems such as pest infestations, the inspector can close the restaurant immediately. Structural issues such as cracked tiles or peeling paintwork are treated less severely; where there is no "imminent risk to health", the restaurant may be given a period of weeks. Students were shocked by the reports.

Hayley Wood, a first year English and French student at Trinity College said, "It makes you wonder what goes on in kitchens like that. I had no idea places were allowed to run in such a terrible state." Among the more bizarre practices found by the inspections was the use of a builder's blowtorch at Bar Meze to light ovens. In contrast to more established restaurants, the kebab vans and mobile takeaways in Oxford were almost universally well maintained and exceptionally clean.

Ali's Kebab Van was praised for its "experienced and good operational standards," whilst Boss's Kebab Centre was described as "an excellent catering trailer with high standards of construction and cleaning." John Evans, a Council Environmental Officer, said, "After seeing reports like this, I've actually eaten at the takeaway vans a lot more. The kitchen area is totally on show to the customer, so they have to keep it clean.

The well known chain restaurants Zizzi, ASK and Pizza Express all performed well in the inspections and, apart from minor infractions such as cracked tiles, were well kept and efficiently managed. Particular comment was made on how well the Cowley Road restaurants Kashmir Halal and Mirch Masala were run. A supervisor from ASK restaurant said, "ASK takes great pains to maintain high standards of hygiene. Obviously we're delighted that this is reflected in the Council reports.

In January 2006, The Oxford Student revealed 80 breaches of environmental health laws in Oxford college kitchens, including 18 serious violations. The colleges claim to have improved kitchen conditions since then.