Why my job is pants!
	5:19pm Thu 14 Aug 08
	Smalls' used to mean breeches' but around 1943, according to The Oxford Dictionary of Slang, the word began to be applied to underwear. This euphemistic usage does suggest that many people feel slightly embarrassed about what they wear under their clothes, an awkwardness that can extend to the business of buying pants.

	Why my job is pants!
	5:19pm Thu 14 Aug 08
	Smalls' used to mean breeches' but around 1943, according to The Oxford Dictionary of Slang, the word began to be applied to underwear. This euphemistic usage does suggest that many people feel slightly embarrassed about what they wear under their clothes, an awkwardness that can extend to the business of buying pants.

Women-only gym

2:31pm Thursday 17th July 2008

A former shop manager was so impressed with her gym that she has dropped her career to take on the mantle. Tracey Gilbert has just invested £35,000 in Gymophobics, a women-only gym in Banbury's Bridge Street.

Business in Bloom

2:30pm Thursday 17th July 2008

Mother-of-twins Ruth Peters is nearly a year into her new business of selling organic maternity and nursing wear. With eco-conscious parents striving to limit their babies' exposure to unnecessary chemicals, organic children's clothing is growing in popularity.

Aboard the barbus

11:27am Friday 20th June 2008

Louise Viggers has taken an idea that came to her while she was pregnant and turned it into an innovative new business. She said: "I mentioned it to my mum and a friend and they both thought it was such a good idea that they joined in, too."

Affordable solutions

11:21am Friday 20th June 2008

A wide variety of business experience has led to an Eynsham man setting up a business consultancy that he believes can deliver real benefits to small business owners.

Charity club

3:02pm Friday 23rd May 2008

What do people do after they come into an inheritance or earn their first million? Some people just continue to accumulate money, while others join the jet set. Polly McLean, 34, daughter of the late founder of Oxford Airport, is one of a growing number who have turned to philanthropy, giving to charity through The Funding Network.

Frilling time

2:59pm Friday 23rd May 2008

After bringing up two boys, keen needlewoman Vera Jordan was thrilled when her first granddaughter was born. "I thought: I've been waiting all these years so that I can make frilly dresses'. I used to hate making dungarees and shorts for my sons," she said.