Archive

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Klien completes Aston Martin line-up

Banbury-based Aston Martin Racing today confirmed ex-F1 driver Christian Klien as the team's sixth factory driver. The Austrian joins Adrian Fernandez (MX), Andy Meyrick (GB), Stefan Mücke (D), Harold Primat (CH) and Chacombe driver Darren

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Midsomer Murders boss ‘to step down’

THE producer of ITV detective drama Midsomer Murders who sparked a race row will step down from the show at the end of the current series. Production company All3Media launched an internal investigation after the publication of Brian True-May’s comments

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Oxford dads and lads make top teams

LADS and dads teamed up for a fun day of challenges at The Oxford Academy. Boys at the Sandy Lane, Littlemore, school brought in their dads, uncles, brothers and other role models to take part in activities including clearing ‘mines’ and assembling an

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Tesco’s Oxford pub plans under microscope

TESCO’S plans for an Express store on the site of a former Oxford pub should be thrown out, councillors will tell a public inquiry next week. Oxford City Council members will argue higher traffic and the impact on on neighbours should stop

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Will the Budget help?

Commentator were last night divided on the impact of Chancellor George Osborne’s Budget. Moves such as cutting fuel duty, raising the tax threshold and major incentives for businesses and entrepreneurs have been set against continuing above-inflation

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Local share prices (PM)

AEA Technology 4 BMW 4765 Electrocomponents 265 Nationwide Accident Repair 97.5 Oxford Biomedica 5.6 Oxford Catalysts 96.75 Oxford Instruments 645.5 Reed Elsevier 513.25 RM 153.5 RPS Group 210 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley

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BioMedica founder bows out

ALAN Kingsman, the co-founder of gene therapy company Oxford BioMedica, is to quit as chairman at the annual meeting in May. The news follows the death of his wife Susan, the company’s co-founder, on January 29 at the age of 58. Prof Kingsman, 60, headed

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Gray Matter has a tip for fashionistas

Reading the Sunday Times’s Style section this week (how else to maintain my position in the van of fashion?) I chanced upon this photograph. I reproduce it, in part, to mollify readers known to complain that there are too many pictures of me and too few

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Traffic 'experts' create another fine mess

My attendance at the hilarious Big Ballet in High Wycombe on Tuesday — or at any rate my snatching of a brief pub meal ahead of it — was all but compromised by an almighty traffic snarl-up that appeared to have engulfed the whole town. The jam up the

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Blur star Alex James plans a festival of food and music

Alex James’s transformation from rock star hellraiser to family man and farmer is entertainingly (and instructively) chronicled in his autobiography bit of a blur (Little, Brown, £8.99). I read it this week with great enjoyment after attending a party

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The Red Lion, Gloucester Green, Oxford

The Red Lion in Oxford’s Gloucester Green has rarely troubled the columns of The Oxford Times in the many years of its existence. A customer won a weekly pint of Double Diamond for a year in a competition in 1960 (hope it worked wonders for her

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An Indian theme for the Lit Fest dinner

Another Oxford Literary festival, another literary festival dinner. Like previous events, this year’s dinner will take place in the Great Hall at Christ Church. Like previous events, this year’s dinner will take place in the Great Hall at Christ Church

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Recipe for almond soup Elizabeth II (serves 6)

This is one of two soups with an Anglo-Indian influence that will be served at the festival dinner. It was offered to Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II on her inaugural visit to India in 1962 at the Ashoka Hotel, New Delhi. The Chef de Cuisine at the time

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How a friendship saved John Milton's life

Without the influence of the colourful son of an Oxford innkeeper — who nevertheless encouraged the rumour that he was really the son of William Shakespeare — the world would never have gained some of John Milton’s greatest poems, including Paradise Lost

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The Eagle and Limitless

A brave and noble son atones for the sins of his father in Kevin Macdonald’s swords and togas epic The Eagle, based on the novel The Eagle of the Ninth by Rosemary Sutcliff. Set in the wilds of 140AD England and Scotland, but partly filmed in Hungary,

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Oxford Art Society: Town Hall Gallery

Unfortunately, the little art gallery at the rear of Oxford Town Hall — on the ground floor next to the café — is not terribly well known. This means that the really great exhibitions staged there can be overlooked. This is a shame, as the gallery is

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To the Sea: Sophie's Barn, Chacombe

For the fourth year running — in a valuable contribution to Anglo-American cultural relations — a group of young actors from Western Washington University’s theatre arts department visited Chacombe, near Banbury, with a series of new short plays penned

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Roman Ondak and Michael Sailstorfer: Modern Art Oxford

The lights in the Upper Gallery of Modern Art Oxford have been dimmed and all the windows covered so that it takes a moment for the eyes to adjust as you scan the room for the artwork. Then you see it in the far left hand corner — the Time Capsule

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Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo: Milton Keynes and touring

It’s two years since this area was last visited by The Trocks — Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, to give the troupe its full name — and in that time they have considerably refined their show. But, by that, I don’t mean toned it down! At Milton Keynes

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Phoenix Dance Theatre: Pegasus Theatre

Phoenix Dance Theatre, which shares a spiffing new building in Leeds with Northern Ballet, presented a four-part show of real quality at the Pegasus on Friday. Richard Wherlock’s Switch found them at their very best in a fast-paced abstract

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Burglars steal dead Oxford student's belongings

The family of a 33-year-old PhD student who died unexpectedly last week have appealed for the return of his belongings which were stolen from his unoccupied flat just days after his death. Exeter College student William DeJanes, who lived in a flat

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The Canterbury Tales: Oxford Playhouse

The arrogant cock of the walk Chanticleer strutted his stuff to the Rolling Stones’ Little Red Rooster in last week’s excellent production of The Canterbury Tales by 16/22, the resident young company at the Oxford Playhouse. Ryan Full’s show-stopping

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Milton Keynes Printmakers: Sewell Gallery, Radley College

This is a group show, entitlted Prints from the South Pavilion, the pavilion being the base for the artists involved. It makes a substantial exhibition composed of 65 pieces by ten artists, who cover a wide range of print-making techniques. The work

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Gerry Badger: Art Jericho

As Gerry Badger is probably best known for his writing on photography and photographic history, this solo show presents a welcome opportunity to explore his own photography. It features three of his photo-book projects. The images are unframed A4 portrait

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BUDGET 2011: Full budget statement in full

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Shelly Perkins: Sherborne

The fascinating juxtaposition of pictures old and new adds an extra dimension to the fascinating atmosphere of the Lodge, Sherborne, off the A40 beyond Burford, which has now opened its doors to visitors again. Built in 1635, the Lodge, which is part

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10cc: The New Theatre, Oxford

The obvious joke? On the New Theatre stage on Tuesday night, there were but 2.5cc — Graham Gouldman being the only member of the 1970s super-group performing. And the bass player was never the lead vocalist on the original group’s hits. That said, Rick

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Chancellor's Budget statement in full

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Choros: St Margaret's Church, Oxford

Oxford has more church organs than it has dreaming spires, but finding the right instrument for Poulenc’s Organ Concerto isn’t necessarily an easy task. Choros decided to go for St Margaret’s in North Oxford, which completely rebuilt its two-manual

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£200k resurface work may have to be done again

TRADERS in Wantage are stunned after it emerged roadworks which cost £200,000 may have to be done again. Wallingford Street was closed for three weeks from September 13 last year, and shops reported huge losses. But parts of the road are now cracking

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Budget 2011: Treasury tweets as announcements from George Osborne come in

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Make the most of going green

A special seminar focusing on how businesses can make the most of the drive to be green is being held at the Kassam Stadium on Monday. The meeting will feature interactive workshops and the opportunity to network with up to 100 firms from across the

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Crash causes Eastern Bypass delays

A three-vehicle crash today caused delays for drivers on the Oxford Eastern Bypass. One lane of the eastbound carriageway was closed between the Heyford Hill roundabout and the Littlemore roundabout after the collision, which led to a spillage of oil

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BUDGET 2011: Live blog and Treasury tweets as the big announcements from George Osborne come in

Leave your comments on the budget below.

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YOUTH FOOTBALL: Magical Muraga blasts a treble

Julius Muraga hit a hat-trick as Oxfordshire Under 16s ran out 6-2 winners over Guernsey at Thame United to finish Group A runners-up in the South West Counties Youth Championship. He opened the scoring from close range after three minutes following

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Builder awarded £1.2m after fall

A SELF-EMPLOYED builder who suffered severe spinal injuries on a building site has won a £1.25m compensation payout. Dean Winstone, 47, of Hailey, near Witney, tripped and fell from first-floor scaffolding while working on a house in Cornwall in 2007

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COMMENT: New plans do little to help

IT seems fresh plans for student accommodation on top of St Clement’s car park have done little to satisfy local businesses. The developer has revised the plans and cut the number of blocks from four to three. It means about 70 spaces will remain out

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FOOTBALL: Harwell crowned champions

OFA INVITATION YOUTH LEAGUE Harwell & Hendred, who have won the Under 16 D League title. Back row (from left): Niall Buckley, Rory Lemmon, Alex Rodman, Jack Aram, Michael Jobling, Lewis Mangan, Andrew Nisbet. Front: James Roberts, Danny Ellwood, Kieran

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Former park boss charged with fraud

THE former chief executive of Cotswold Water Park has appeared in court on fraud charges totalling £707,000. Dennis Grant, 63, of Upper Tadmarton, near Banbury, had the seven charges, each alleging he made false representations to gain advantage for

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‘Closing St Clement's car park will devastate us’

THERE will be no car parking spaces around St Clement’s for almost a year if a controversial student housing plan gets the go ahead. Developer Watkin Jones Group yesterday said the Oxford City Council car park would close for 50 weeks if it

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FOOTBALL: Tower ease into final

GILES SPORTS WITNEY YOUTH LEAGUE TOWER Hill eased into the final of the Under 14 Knockout Cup with a 4-0 victory over Ardley United. Luke New hit a brace, with Jess Lawrence and Cameron Taylor also on target. In the B League, Carterton thumped Moreton

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FOOTBALL: Thistle pull off a shock

Crown & Thistle knocked RT Harris Oxford City FA's Couling Cup favourites Cowley Crusaders out of the competition with a 5-3 quarter-final win. Rui De Abreau smashed a hat-trick, with Otis Woodward and Bradley Fine completing their nap hand. Robbie

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FOOTBALL: Athletic cruise

Heyford Athletic stayed at the top of Banbury District & Lord Jersey FA Division 1 with a 5-0 thumping of Kings Sutton. Wes Bone led the way with a brace, with Mark Byrne, Adam Barker and Ryan Dudley (penalty) securing the win. Joe Haynes scored a second-half

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FOOTBALL: Spartan march on at top

Spartan Rangers consolidated their position at the top of the Witney & District FA Premier Division, beating Wychwood Forest 5-1, writes Anthony Barlow. David Cross and James Clarke netted doubles, with Matt Townsend also on target. Mike Duerden replied

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FOOTBALL: Banbury rocked by point deduction

Banbury United’s Zamaretto Southern League Premier Division survival bid has been dealt a blow after they were docked a point for fielding an ineligible player, Mitchell Bryant, against Leamington last year. The offence was discovered when Bryant, whose

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Local share prices (AM)

AEA Technology 4 BMW 4826 Electrocomponents 265.2 Nationwide Accident Repair 97.5 Oxford Biomedica 5.65 Oxford Catalysts 96.75 Oxford Instruments 643.25 Reed Elsevier 516.5 RM 152.5 RPS Group 209.5 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley,

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FOOTBALL: Saxton stay in hunt

Saxton Rovers will not relinquish their North Berks League Division 1 title without a fight as they beat Childrey United 3-0. Goals from Kyle Allsworth, Frankie Haines and Gary Hartley keep Saxton six points off top spot, but still with two games in

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‘Fill in census or the city will lose cash’

MILLIONS of pounds in funding could be lost for Oxford if people living in the city do not complete their national census returns, the leader of the city council has warned. Bob Price said he believed the last time the census was completed, in 2001,

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YOUTH FOOTBALL: Windmill blown away

Windmill Primary School (Headington) were out of luck while flying the flag for Oxford United in the npower Football League Under 11 Kids Cup at Wycombe. They failed to progress in the regional south area final of the six-a-side tournament after losing

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U’s fan claims he had a Hart attack

POLICE are investigating an Oxford United supporter’s claims that he was assaulted by Swindon Town FC’s boss after chanting that the team was “scum”. Robins manager Paul Hart, 57, was last night backed by his club, which said players and staff

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FOOTBALL: Leaders go nap

Oxfordshire Senior League Division 2 leaders Bletchingdon Res hammered Horspath Res 5-1. Warren Jones, Nick East, Stuart Wells, Joey Beauchamp and John Webb were on target for Bletchingdon, with a Paul Creed own goal making up Horspath’s reply. John

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FOOTBALL: Jericho spring cup shock

AFC Jericho caused a huge surprise in the quarter-finals, sending AFC Hinksey crashing out after a superb defensive display, writes TIM SIRET. The Division 2 outfit shocked the Premier Division title contenders 3-1. Hosts Jericho came right at Hinksey

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FOOTBALL: Barcelos is hat-trick hero for Oxford City

Striker Felipe Barcelos bagged a hat-trick as Oxford City continued to climb further away from trouble in the Zamaretto Southern League Premier Divison with a 3-0 win at Stourbridge on Tuesday night. Without the unavilable Lee Steele, City soaked up

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Southend United Res 1, Oxford United Res 1

Oxford United Reserves, leaders of the totesport.com Combination East, were held to a 1-1 draw at Southend United’s Roots Hall on Tuesday. United had the better of the early exchanges and went ahead on 26 minutes from a corner headed back across

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School Focus: North Kidlington Primary School is much improved

THE Oxford Mail has not been the only visitor to North Kidlington Primary School recently. Later this week, Ofsted inspectors will publish their latest report into the school, upgrading it from “satisfactory” to “good”, and praising “rapid progress”

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FOOTBALL: Kennington claim title

KENNINGTON are the Upper Thames Valley Sunday League Division 1 champions. Two John Mills goals gave them a 2-1 victory over nearest rivals Mason’s Arms to clinch the crown. And to compound Mason’s misery, Ben Strong was sent off for two bookings.

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Midsomer producer 'will step down'

The producer of Midsomer Murders who sparked a race row has apologised and will step down from the show after "the current production run". Production company All3Media launched an internal investigation after the publication of Brian True-May's

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School Focus: North Kidlington Primary School - star teacher

IT IS brave teacher who gets a cast of 50 primary schoolchildren to stage an all-singing, all-dancing production of The Wizard of Oz. But, with the help of colleagues, the school’s art and drama coordinator Lynsey Jones has taken on the challenge to

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FOOTBALL: City seal title

OXFORD MAIL GIRLS LEAGUE OXFORD City claimed the Under 16 League title with a 3-0 home victory over Crowmarsh. Charlotte Franklin put City ahead on 20 minutes, with Abi Currie netting soon after. Franklin lifted the ball over keeper Rubyanne Ryan

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FOOTBALL: Tucker treble caps thriller

Karl Tucker scored a hat-trick as Broughton & North Newington edged to a 5-3 win against Yarnton in which each side had a player sent off. Tucker’s treble had put Broughton in control of the Oxfordshire Senior League Division 1 encounter, before Mark

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FOOTBALL: Berinsfield send Botley packing

North Berks League Division 4 side Berinsfield pulled off another shock as they made the final of the War Memorial Cup with a 2-1 comeback win against Division 2 high-fliers Botley United, writes Phil Annets. It is the third time this season that Berinsfield

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SCHOOLS' FOOTBALL: Mid Oxon eye up final spot

Mid Oxon are set for the biggest game in their history when they face holders Liverpool in the ESFA Under 15 Trophy semi-final at Chipping Norton tonight (7pm). It’s the first time in more than 50 years of trying that Mid Oxon have reached

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Oxford University academics join picket line

ACADEMICS and support staff at the University of Oxford manned a picket line yesterday to protest over changes to their pensions. Members of the University and College Union (UCU) at 47 universities have embarked on a rolling programme of strikes to

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Family flees tsunami city

TWO suitcases of belongings and a sense of dislocation were all the Jones family had when they arrived in Oxford after leaving tsunami-hit Japan. Dominic Jones, 41, his wife Eri, 44, and their children Lawrence, seven, and Michelle, two, were

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'Brazen' thieves steal rare Fender Strat

TWO thieves walked out of an Oxford music shop with a rare £1,900 electric guitar hidden in a secret coat pocket. The pair are alleged to have distracted staff at PMT Music in Cowley Road while they swapped the Fender Stratocaster – one of

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COMMENT: A tale of tragedy

Today we tell the story of a family who have been forced to return to the UK after fleeing tsunami-hit Japan. Dominic Jones and his wife and children arrived in Headington after escaping from the devastation to stay with family. Their tale is one which

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Saint Ryan fits the bill for Oxford United

Oxford United have signed a young striker with an international pedigree. Manager Chris Wilder captured 20-year-old Ryan Doble, on loan from Southampton until the end of the season. Doble, who has been on loan at Stockport County this

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Hospital pays out for disabilities

A MAN left facing a lifetime of disability due to a “failure of care” at Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital during his mother’s pregnancy more than quarter of a century ago has been guaranteed multi-million-pound compensation. Matthew Calcutt’s mother,

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£24m Icelandic order for Liberty electric cars

Oxford-based Liberty Electric Cars has signed a memorandum of understanding with Icelandic company, Northern Lights Energy (NLE), for an order for 150 electric vehicles to be delivered across Scandinavia, Iceland and the Faroe Islands over the

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Blenheim invests in industrial estate

A multi-million-pound deal to buy a 28-acre industrial estate in the heart of Witney has been declared “a vote of confidence in the town’s economy”. Blenheim Estates has taken over Windrush Industrial Park, in Burford Road, in a deal rumoured to be worth

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Victorian prints of Oxford go on show

RARE original prints of images taken in Oxford by Victorian photographer Henry Taunt are on display in the city. More than 130 pictures from the 1850s to 1900s by Taunt and other early photographers are on show at Sanders of Oxford in High Street. They

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Addict jailed for knifepoint raid

A MAN with a £200-a-day ketamine habit has been jailed for robbing a Grove newsagent’s at knifepoint. Jonathon Flint left staff and customers terrified as he burst into McColl’s, in Savile Way, and demanded cash at 7.30pm on February 21.

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Calls to help drivers cut costs

GEORGE Osborne must tackle the soaring cost of fuel, housing and alcohol in today’s Budget, businesses said last night. The Chancellor is expected to outline policies including a £1,000 increase to the income tax threshold to £7,475, and lowering the

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Cut duty on fuel call to Chancellor

GEORGE Osborne must tackle the soaring cost of fuel, housing and alcohol in today’s Budget, businesses said last night. The Chancellor is expected to outline policies including a £1,000 increase to the income tax threshold to £7,475, and lowering