Archive
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£100,000 bill for damaged paving
Workmen have caused £100,000 damage to a new pavement in one of Oxford's main shopping streets, city council officers have claimed. A £400,000 scheme to put expensive new paving outside Debenhams, in Magdalen Street West, began last June as part of a
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Players wait in the wings
Performers and artists are waiting in the wings for the fourth annual Abingdon Arts Festival, which starts on March 2. Over the next five weeks, nearly 2,000 performers and artists will display their talents at 64 performances. The festival opens with
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Husband of Lord Mayor dies at 73
Distinguished scientist Jack Christian, husband of the Lord Mayor of Oxford, Maureen Christian, has died, aged 73. Cllr Christian was with her husband when he collapsed on Tuesday at Oxford University's Material Science Laboratory, in Parks Road. The
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Designs on bun throwing
A mechanical toy based on a famous bun-throwing tradition is being planned. The idea is that the mechanism - costing about £2,000 - would be used in Abingdon's museum to raise money. Each donation would activate the model which comprises four characters
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Hi-tech worker 'stole from firm'
A worker stole £16,000 of precision equipment from his hi-tech chemical company employers and posed as a scientist to sell it, a court was told. Northampton Crown Court heard that Peter Wilson, 38, of High Street, Milton, near Abingdon, stole equipment
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Welcome for £1m sports hall
An Oxford upper school is to get a 1m sports hall after a ten-year wait. Plans to reorganise schools in the city will mean Cheney School must expand to cater for 450 extra pupils. At the moment the 950-pupil school has two small gyms but no sports hall
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Football: Pegasus Juniors 1, Didcot Tn 1
Didcot bounced back from last week's defeat in the Cherry Red Records Hellenic League to take a point at Pegasus. After a two-hour coach trip, Didcot were rocked when the match officials deemed the Hereford Leisure Centre pitch unplayable and it was decided
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Big boost for sports fans
Minister for Sport Kate Hoey will officially open a new sports hall on Monday. The £850,000 project at Witney's Henry Box School was funded by Oxfordshire County Council from the sale of surplus playing fields and replaced a smaller hall with much improved
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Poetry with your packet of peas
Customers at four village shops in west Oxfordshire will soon be able to ask for verses with their vegetables. Cotswold poets Marcus Moore and Sara-Jane Arbury will bring poetry to life in a project called Village Verses - Poetry in Village Shops, which
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Villagers in pub appeal
People in a tiny hamlet are desperate to get their local pub reopened. Campaigner Geoff Wheatcroft said The Royal Oak in Moreton, near Thame, was the community's meeting place. But it closed at the end of 1999. Residents have formed an action group to
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Winning letter helps youths to go online
Members of an Oxfordshire youth centre have won an Internet-ready computer to help them with their projects. The 90-strong Thame Youth Centre is based at Lord Williams's Lower School in Towersey Road. The computer, which was delivered to the club this
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Golf: Jackie in jolly hockey launch
Jackie Gilson's previous sporting achievements and current profession were the twin themes as she drove into office as Studley Wood Golf Club's new ladies captain. A former hockey player with Headington Ladies, until taking up golf seven years ago, Jackie
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Bar Billiards: Leaders' defeat opens up race
With five matches remaining in the Morrells Oxford League, the race is hotting up in Section 3 with 5T points separating the top four teams, writes Pete Ewins. Leading the pack are Shelley Arms even though they crashed 4-1 at Masons B. In second place
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Football: Battling Cosmos unlocked by Keyes
Star Wanderers were made to battle all the way before defeating their Division 2 visitors Cowley Cosmos 3-2 in the Morrells Oxford Sunday League Cup. An even first half ended with the teams level at 0-0, before Abdullah Shehab put the visitors in front
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Table Tennis: Crown chase leaders
Second-Placed Crown House recorded a 10-0 win over Morris Motors A to stay hard on the heels of leaders Kidlington Forum A in the Oxford & District League. However, the Division 1 leaders show few signs of cracking as they saw off St James A 8-2.
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Truancy success brings top award
Truancy-busting measures including telephoning the parents of absent pupils have helped an Oxford school win a national prize, writes Madeleine Pennell. Schools minister Jacqui Smith was today congratulating St Augustine of Canterbury Upper School at
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Welcome for £1m sports hall
An Oxford upper school is to get a £1m sports hall after a ten-year wait, writes Madeleine Pennell. Plans to reorganise schools in the city will mean Cheney School must expand to cater for 450 extra pupils. At the moment the 950-pupil school has two small
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Football: Brock's happy return (Oxford C 0, Banbury Utd 2)
Kevin Brock made a happy return to Court Place Farm as his Banbury United side knocked out holders Oxford City to reach the semi-finals of the Oxfordshire Senior Cup. The Banbury boss, who was sacked as City's manager three years ago, saw his side show
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Football: Battling Cosmos are unlocked by Keyes
Star Wanderers were made to battle all the way before defeating their Morrells Oxford Sunday League Division 2 visitors Cowley Cosmos 3-2 in the League Cup, writes Geoff Bower. An even first half ended with the teams level at 0-0, before Abdullah Shehab
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Rowing: Bourne-Taylor's sights set on Boat Race glory
Robin Bourne-Taylor has seen six years of hard work bring him his ultimate challenge - a chance to beat Cambridge University in this year's Boat Race, writes Mark Edwards. When the Dark Blues sit parallel to the Light Blues on March 24, there will be
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Boxing: Grant outgunned in finals bidJason Grant failed in his bid to become the Home Counties champ
Competing in the welterweight final against Slough's J Akram, Grant took an early standing count of eight before being stopped inside 90 seconds by a powerful opponent. It was a great honour for Berinsfield to stage the Home Counties finals, but sadly
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Golf: Jackie in jolly hockey launch
Jackie Gilson's previous sporting achievements and current profession were the twin themes as she drove into office as Studley Wood Golf Club's new ladies captain. A former hockey player with Headington Ladies, until taking up golf seven years ago, Jackie
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From rails to footpath
Part of the route of a disused railway will be turned into a path and cycleway. Sustrans, which is working with local authorities in creating the National Cycle Network, has negotiated lease agreements with landowners along a two-mile section of the former
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Unfolding a little history
A 55-year-old bedsheet with a charcoal drawing depicting Stalin, Roosevelt and Churchill has been unearthed. It was done by an unknown Russian prisoner of war as a gift for British soldier, Capt Robert Waldock who, after the 1945 Armistice, helped shepherd
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Bowls: Gillett's going for four-timer
Chipping Norton's world pairs champion Les Gillett is through to four area indoor EIBA finals. The talented left-hander faces Ted Hanger (Slade) at Foxhill IBC, Swindon, on Friday, March 9 (6.30) in the singles, and is also through to the pairs, fours
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Youthful United hit back to grab point
A young Oxford United reserves side containing 15-year-old schoolboy Josias Carbon were good value for a point against Crystal Palace in last night's Avon Insurance Combination game at a snowy Manor ground. The lines had to be cleared before the start
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Swimming: Wildridge sees off rival Gibbons
There were no surprises as Tom Wildridge led from start to win the men's 1500 metres title in the Oxon and North Bucks County ASA Championships at Stantonbury. Wildridge came under a little pressure from his younger teammate Craig Gibbons in the latter
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Extra funds
The West Oxford After School Care scheme, which runs from Monday to Thursday between 3pm and 5.30pm at West Oxford Community Primary School in Ferry Hinksey Road, has received 3,750 from the New Opportunities lottery fund. The money will be used to take
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Dancers step out in style
A team of morris dancers begins its 2001 programme with a "walking tour" round an Oxfordshire town. Kirtlington Morris will dance around Woodstock on Saturday, March 10, with guest teams Leominster Morris and Elephant up a Pole - a border morris side
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Gala honours hotel staff
Twelve awards were presented to staff members of the Four Pillars Hotels group at its fifth annual gala awards evening, held at the Abingdon Four Pillars Hotel. Managing director Ian Keeling said: "This is a people industry where service is paramount
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Asbestos blamed for death
A 65-year-old toolmaker died after inhaling asbestos at work, an inquest heard. Thomas Reilly, of Fairfax Road, Chalgrove, died in Watlington Community Hospital on August 4, 1999, an inquest in Oxford heard yesterday. Michael Reilly, of Chapel Lane, Chalgrove
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Company pays £500 mud fine
A quarry company whose lorries left mud on roads was fined £500 by Bicester magistrates. Stratton Audley Quarries Ltd was also ordered to pay £5,000 costs to Oxfordshire County Council, which brought the prosecution. The case also cost the business a
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Inquest appeal succeeds
An Oxford man who is demanding an investigation into his sister's death at a Bristol bail hostel has won his High Court fight for a new inquest. Catherine Whitley, 22, died on December 17, 1999, at the Ashford House Bail and Probation Hostel where she
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Students picket in protest over fees
Students formed picket lines and boycotted lectures in protest against tuition fees today. At Ruskin College, Oxford, members of the National Students Union urged fellow students and tutors to join in the boycott. Picket lines were held at the college's
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Crucial hearing for U's stadium
A battle in the High Court today over a right of way could decide the future of Oxford United's new stadium. Taking shape: The south stand at United's new stadium After a four-year delay, building work at Minchery Farm stadium re-started last October
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Women's football: Reagan at the double
Mansfield Road put three goals past Thame Ladies without reply in their Southern Region game. Emma Livingston-Jones scored first for the visitors, with two more goals in the second half from Helen Reagan ending Thame's resistance.
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Villagers in pub appeal
People in a tiny hamlet are desperate to get their local pub reopened. Campaigner Geoff Wheatcroft said The Royal Oak in Moreton, near Thame, was the community's meeting place. But it closed at the end of 1999. Residents have formed an action group to
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Players wait in the wings
Performers and artists are waiting in the wings for the fourth annual Abingdon Arts Festival, which starts on March 2. Over the next five weeks, nearly 2,000 performers and artists will display their talents at 64 performances. The festival opens with
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Rising number of complaints
Complaints about Thames Valley Police officers have risen by more than nine per cent in the past year, new figures reveal. Altogether 624 accusations of unprofessionalism were made against officers between April 1, 2000, and January 31, 2001, compared
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Rowing: Bourne-Taylor's sights set on Boat Race glory
Robin Bourne-Taylor has seen six years of hard work bring him his ultimate challenge - a chance to beat Cambridge University in this year's Boat Race, writes Mark Edwards. When the Dark Blues sit parallel to the Light Blues on March 24, there will be
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Football: Sandman tame leaders at last
Second-placed Sandman inflicted the season's first defeat on Autotype UTV Division 1 leaders Milton United, thrashing them 6-1 in their own back yard, writes Mick Day. Kev Deane hit a hat-trick for the Abingdon-based side, but the drubbing should ultimately
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Putting energy into thrift
Pupils at Middle Barton Primary School are giving parents lessons on saving fuel. The school is one of the first in Oxfordshire to take part in a "think energy" scheme devised by British Gas. Pictured with the future of the world in their hands are pupils
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Oyez! Ten town criers speak up
A barber, an accountant, two traditional Morris dancers, two women and a toastmaster are among people interested in becoming the new town criers for Abingdon, writes Gordon Rogers. Ten new recruits are lining up following a special meeting called by the
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Big boost for sports fans
Minister for Sport Kate Hoey will officially open a new sports hall on Monday. The £850,000 project at Witney's Henry Box School was funded by Oxfordshire County Council from the sale of surplus playing fields and replaced a smaller hall with much improved
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Honours for a lifetime's work
A former doctor, mayor and councillor for more than 50 years has been honoured, writes Gordon Rogers. Dr Joan Harcourt-Norris, 93, has received the Freeman of Abingdon badge and ribbon in recognition of her work and commitment to the town and people of
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Pupils celebrate Oxford success
A school has had a bumper year for getting students into Oxford University. Three pupils at St Augustine of Canterbury, Iffley Turn, Oxford, have been offered places. Success: Peter Dunford, left, Nickia Blackstock and Joshua RedgateNickia Blackstock,
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Honours for a lifetime's work
A former doctor, mayor and councillor for more than 50 years, who now lives in Shillingford, has been honoured by her former town, writes Gordon Rogers. Dr Joan Harcourt-Norris, 93, has received the Freeman of Abingdon badge and ribbon in recognition
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Football: Fairford Tn 0, Wantage Tn 1
Wantage recorded a much-needed win at high-flying Fairford in the Cherry Red Records Hellenic League. Roache had two good chances for Wantage before they went ahead in the 15th minute through Bedwell. Frankie Dorrian went close with a lob, but Wantage
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Trainers back seven-day shutdown
Racehorse trainers in Oxfordshire have backed the decision to suspend racing for a week due to the foot and mouth crisis, writes Russell Smith. Wantage trainer David Gandolfo said: "I think it is exactly right because basically I have the utmost confidence
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Bowls: Gillett's going for four-timer
Chipping Norton's world pairs champion Les Gillett is through to four area indoor EIBA finals. The talented left-hander faces Ted Hanger (Slade) at Foxhill IBC, Swindon, on Friday, March 9 (6.30) in the singles, and is also through to the pairs, fours
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Truancy success brings top award
Truancy-busting measures including telephoning the parents of absent pupils have helped an Oxford school win a national prize, writes Madeleine Pennell. Schools minister Jacqui Smith was today congratulating St Augustine of Canterbury Upper School at
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Football: Brock's happy return (Oxford C 0, Banbury Utd 2)
Kevin Brock made a happy return to Court Place Farm as his Banbury United side knocked out holders Oxford City to reach the semi-finals of the Oxfordshire Senior Cup. The Banbury boss, who was sacked as City's manager three years ago, saw his side show
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Mystery in the making
Villagers in Long Crendon are deep in rehearsals for their annual cycle of medieval mystery plays. The productions from the York Cycle will be on May 10, 11 and 12 - the 30th year they have taken place. The mystery plays were performed in the streets
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Call to help make streets safer
Thame people are being urged to take part in a Home Zones scheme aimed at making streets safer for residents and their children. The scheme is being piloted in Oxfordshire and money has been set aside to fund experimental Home Zones across the county.
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Football: Will's on mark with clincher
The Giles Sports Witney Boys League's Under 14 representative side continued their winning run at Buckingham Town with a 2-0 win against a strong Milton Keynes side. Milton Keynes started strongly, but it was Witney who went ahead when Johnny Embra (Easington
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Golf: New section gives league extra spice
There will be an extra edge to competition in this year's Shaw and Co Oxfordshire Foursomes League campaign which tees off on Saturday. The league's decision to extend from three to four divisions for 2002 means there is an extra premium on a high placing
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Boxing: Grant outgunned in finals bid
Jason Grant failed in his bid to become the Home Counties champion when he fought in front of his own Berinsfield ABC members on Saturday. Competing in the welterweight final against Slough's J Akram, Grant took an early standing count of eight before
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Football: Sandman tame leaders at last
Second-placed Sandman inflicted the season's first defeat on Autotype UTV Division 1 leaders Milton United, thrashing them 6-1 in their own back yard. Kev Deane hit a hat-trick for the Abingdon-based side, but the drubbing should ultimately prove little
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Rowing: Bourne-Taylor's sights set on Boat Race glory
Robin Bourne-Taylor has seen six years of hard work bring him his ultimate challenge a chance to beat Cambridge University in this year's Boat Race. When the Dark Blues sit parallel to the Light Blues on March 24, there will be nobody more determined
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Company pays £500 mud fine
A quarry company whose lorries left mud on roads was fined £500 by Bicester magistrates. Stratton Audley Quarries Ltd was also ordered to pay £5,000 costs to Oxfordshire County Council, which brought the prosecution. The case also cost the business a
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Football: Two-goal Chris the hero for Kidlington
Kidlington battled out a thrilling 3-2 victory over Quarry in the Boys Under 12 A League. Looking good: The Oxford Mail Boys League Under 11 representative team line up in their new strip Robert Zihni put Kidlington ahead but after a series of excellent
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Lottery grant puts old records online
A cash injection from the Heritage Lottery Fund will enable people to browse through records of Oxfordshire's past from the comfort of their home on the computer. Record offices across the south-east have been successful in their joint-bid for the 85,600
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Winning letter helps youths to go online
Members of an Oxfordshire youth centre have won an Internet-ready computer to help them with their projects. The 90-strong Thame Youth Centre is based at Lord Williams's Lower School in Towersey Road. The computer, which was delivered to the club this
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Date
Bar Billiards: Leaders' defeat opens up race
With five matches remaining in the Morrells Oxford League, the race is hotting up in Section 3 with 5 points separating the top four teams, writes Pete Ewins. Leading the pack are Shelley Arms even though they crashed 4-1 at Masons B. In second place
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Boxing: Grant outgunned in finals bid
Jason Grant failed in his bid to become the Home Counties champion when he fought in front of his own Berinsfield ABC members on Saturday. Competing in the welterweight final against Slough's J Akram, Grant took an early standing count of eight before
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Table Tennis: Crown chase leaders
Second-Placed Crown House recorded a 10-0 win over Morris Motors A to stay hard on the heels of leaders Kidlington Forum A in the Oxford & District League. However, the Division 1 leaders show few signs of cracking as they saw off St James A 8-2.
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Swimming: Wildridge sees off rival Gibbons
There were no surprises as Tom Wildridge led from start to win the men's 1500 metres title in the Oxon and North Bucks County ASA Championships at Stantonbury. Wildridge came under a little pressure from his younger teammate Craig Gibbons in the latter
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Date
Youthful United hit back to grab point
A young Oxford United reserves side containing 15-year-old schoolboy Josias Carbon were good value for a point against Crystal Palace in last night's Avon Insurance Combination game at a snowy Manor ground. The lines had to be cleared before the start
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Football: Oxon fall to late goals
Two goals in the last 15 minutes saw Oxfordshire go down 3-1 away to Berks & Bucks in the South West Counties Youth League. After a dour first half ended goalless, Oxon went behind on 60 minutes before Daniel Keen equalised after 68 minutes via the
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Crucial hearing for U's stadium
A battle in the High Court today over a right of way could decide the future of Oxford United's new stadium, writes Andrew Ffrench. After a four-year delay, building work at Minchery Farm stadium re-started last October after city councillors agreed to
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Golf: New section gives league extra spice
There will be an extra edge to competition in this year's Shaw and Co Oxfordshire Foursomes League campaign which tees off on Saturday. The league's decision to extend from three to four divisions for 2002 means there is an extra premium on a high placing
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A toast to Adam
On Friday, March 2, fundraising coffee mornings are taking place across the country to highlight the dangers of meningitis. Zahra Akkerhuys spoke to a group of students who lost a friend to the deadly disease. When Paul Nolan first started at Oxford Brookes
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Arms control
Global arms control and landmines will be discussed at a conference on March 3, organised by the United Nations Association pressure group. The morning session will take place at Rhodes House, South Parks Road, Oxford, from 9.45am to noon and the afternoon
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No buyer for Alldays
Convenience store chain Alldays said it had failed to secure a buyer for the business despite considerable interest. The group, which has bank debts of £179m, said none of the offers was acceptable. In a separate announcement, the company, which has shops
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Trials of liver vaccine start
A group of 24 volunteers has joined trials of a new treatment for the killer liver disease hepatitis B. Powderject Pharmaceuticals, based at Oxford Science Park, said the clinical trial, sponsored by pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline, was designed
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Rising number of complaints
Complaints about Thames Valley Police officers have risen by more than nine per cent in the past year, new figures reveal. Altogether 624 accusations of unprofessionalism were made against officers between April 1, 2000, and January 31, 2001, compared
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Blagdon appeal
Lawyers of arsonist David Blagdon will discover next week if they are to be granted leave to seek a judicial review into the Home Office decision to keep him in a 'closed' prison. Blagdon, 49, has served 22 years in prison since he admitted setting fire
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Husband of Lord Mayor dies at 73
Distinguished scientist Jack Christian, husband of the Lord Mayor of Oxford, Maureen Christian, has died, aged 73. Cllr Christian was with her husband when he collapsed on Tuesday at Oxford University's Material Science Laboratory, in Parks Road. The
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Flying dream led to death
Investigations were continuing today into the cause of a plane crash which claimed the life of an Oxfordshire pilot. First Officer Russell Dixon, 29, of Welford Gardens, Abingdon, and Captain Carl Mason, 58, of Ayr, died on Monday when their Royal Mail
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First floods, now a water bill
Gardeners whose allotments have been flooded for months are now being asked to pay a £100 bill for water they could not possibly have used. Not only have they had rain in abundance since last autumn, piped water to the site is always turned off over winter
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Country walkers urged to be sensible
The public has been banned from Oxfordshire's 2,368 miles of footpaths in an effort to stop foot and mouth disease spreading. Oxfordshire County Council is posting out signs to farmers and landowners today, giving them powers to close footpaths, and control
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Football: Will's on mark with clincher
The Giles Sports Witney Boys League's Under 14 representative side continued their winning run at Buckingham Town with a 2-0 win against a strong Milton Keynes side. Milton Keynes started strongly, but it was Witney who went ahead when Johnny Embra (Easington
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Date
Bar Billiards: Leaders' defeat opens up race
With five matches remaining in the Morrells Oxford League, the race is hotting up in Section 3 with 5 points separating the top four teams, writes Pete Ewins. Leading the pack are Shelley Arms even though they crashed 4-1 at Masons B. In second place
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Drugs used in suicide
A 53-year-old man with no known relatives killed himself with a drugs overdose, an inquest in Oxford heard yesterday. Robert Lewis, of Laburnum Crescent, Kidlington, who worked as a sandwich filler, was found dead in bed in his rented ground-floor room
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Pupils celebrate Oxford success
A school has had a bumper year for getting students into Oxford University, writes Madeleine Pennell. Three pupils at St Augustine of Canterbury, Iffley Turn, Oxford, have been offered places. Nickia Blackstock, 17, of Nye Bevan Close, east Oxford, has
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Date
Mystery in the making
Villagers in Long Crendon are deep in rehearsals for their annual cycle of medieval mystery plays. The productions from the York Cycle will be on May 10, 11 and 12 the 30th year they have taken place. The mystery plays were performed in the streets of
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Date
Poetry with your packet of peas
Customers at four village shops in west Oxfordshire will soon be able to ask for verses with their vegetables. Cotswold poets Marcus Moore and Sara-Jane Arbury will bring poetry to life in a project called Village Verses - Poetry in Village Shops, which
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Stop and search queries
Community groups may be consulted on how Thames Valley Police should improve its stop and search procedures. Under the proposals up to 100 invited guests from the county will be asked to discuss the controversial police technique. Those represented will
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Lottery grant puts old records online
A cash injection from the Heritage Lottery Fund will enable people to browse through records of Oxfordshire's past from the comfort of their home on the computer. Record offices across the south-east have been successful in their joint-bid for the £85,600
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Date
Arrests in police blitz on bikers
Three people have been arrested and two stolen motorbikes recovered in a Thames Valley Police drive to improve security in Oxfordshire, writes Emma Henry. Traffic officers spent two weeks carrying out routine checks on motorbikes and riders across the
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Country walkers urged to be sensible
The public has been banned from Oxfordshire's 2,368 miles of footpaths in an effort to stop foot and mouth disease spreading. Oxfordshire County Council is posting out signs to farmers and landowners today, giving them powers to close footpaths, and control
