Archive
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Rugby: Abingdon get off to super start
Abingdon started the New Year with a victory as they beat Supermarine 19-7 in a friendly at Lambrick Way. Tries by winger Richard Yates and 18-year-old prop Carl Blewitt, plus a conversion from skipper Xavier Lecocq, put Abingdon 12-0 ahead at half-time
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Motor sport: Ace Holden gunning for Thunderdome bid
Brisca Formula 1 stock car driver Jason Holden, from Radley, has qualified for the Thunderdome Live Action Arena at the NEC, Birmingham, as part of the Autosport International show from January 10-13. Holden, 29, the Brisca Supreme Champion, said: "It's
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Workshops start
A series of Saturday workshops on script writing, screen painting and drama is being launched by the River & Rowing Museum, Henley, on January 19. Call 01491 415605.
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Error blamed for death crash
A 49-year-old lorry driver pleaded guilty to careless driving after his vehicle hit a family car, killing an 11-year-old girl. Derek Tawn, of Worsley, near Manchester, admitted driving without due care and attention on the A34 near Drayton on May 26 last
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Mendl - 'Oxon's greatest batsman' - dies aged 89
Jack Mendl, arguably the greatest batsman ever to play for Oxfordshire, has died at the age of 89. Mendl played 73 Minor Counties Championship games for the county between 1946 and 1956, scoring 5,541 runs at an average of 50.83. His total of 20 centuries
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Vigil for peace
Members of two Wallingford groups are preparing to hold vigils for peace every month in the town's market place. Julia Rose, speaking for Wallingford Peace Group and Wallingford Friends, said: "We know this will take a long time, but we are determined
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Lions roaring for next 25 years
Wallingford Lions have just completed 25 years' of service to the community, and are ready to start on the next 25. Founding president Alan Kings presided over the Lions' silver anniversary. He said: "There seems to be more and more need for volunteer
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Eviction threat blunder causes fright for tenant
A woman who got the fright of her life before Christmas with an eviction threat and a bill for £2,000 rent arrears is scared it could happen again. Elaine Hart, 27, of Ock Drive, Berinsfield, said: "It was a dreadful shock. I went straight into a panic
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Playground cash
Combe parish councillors have agreed to spend about £300 on replacing equipment in the playground.
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Over-18s disco
An over-18s disco will be held in the Langdale Hall, Witney, on January 18. More details on 01993 891312.
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Society walk
Woodstock Natural History Society is organising a walk to Combe on Saturday, January 19, leaving the Rectory Lane car park at 9.30am.
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Running total
The Rotary Club of Woodstock raised about £4,000 with its annual run in the grounds of Blenheim Palace. Money from the event, which attracted a record 413 entries, will be given to the Oxford Adaptive Rowing Club.
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Job is just the ticket
Betting shop assistant Ann Price decided she would become a traffic warden for six months because she wanted to enjoy the fresh air. After 22 years, she has received a long service award and has been promoted to head traffic warden for the Northern Oxfordshire
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Motor sport: Villeneuve ready to stay at BAR
Jacques Villeneuve has insisted he will drive for Brackley-based British American Racing this season, despite the sudden departure of friend and mentor Craig Pollock. The 1997 world champion is clearly unhappy that Pollock has been replaced as team chief
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Racing: Webber charge in Ascot mission
Redemption, from Paul Webber's Cropredy stables near Banbury, will bid to overturn Ascot form with Wahiba Sands and Get Real when he returns to the Berkshire track on Saturday for the Victor Chandler Chase. Last time, the seven-year-old gelding finished
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Friends meet
The Wheatley branch of Friends of the Earth will meet at 7, Anson Close, on January 14, at 8pm.
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Off to see wizard
The Chinnor Players are staging their panto The Wizard of Oz , from January 30 to February 20 in the village hall.
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Bowls: Gillett to face Skelton
Les Gillett, the No 7 seed from Chipping Norton, will play England international Simon Skelton in the second round of the World Indoor Singles Bowls Championships in Norfolk. Skelton yesterday beat Scottish qualifer Alex Hurry 11-2, 6-7 (2-0) in the first
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Cricket: Course for umpires
The Oxfordshire Cricket Umpires and Scorers Association are holding a five-week umpires course at Oxford Brookes University, starting on Monday, January 21. Anyone interested in attending should contact Errol Carrington on 01189 479714. The association
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Motor sport: New Jaguar is set to roar in Spain
Jaguar plan to test their new R3 Grand Prix car for the first time at the Circuit de Cataluyna in Barcelona, Spain today. The car, which was unveiled at the team's Milton Keynes base last week, was designed by chief designer John Russell and chief aerodynamicist
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Fair sum
A Christmas fair in Newton Purcell village hall, near Bicester, raised £300 for hall funds.
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Motor sport: Villeneuve ready to stay at BAR
Jacques Villeneuve has insisted he will drive for Brackley-based British American Racing this season, despite the sudden departure of friend and mentor Craig Pollock. The 1997 world champion is clearly unhappy that Pollock has been replaced as team chief
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Motor sport: Silverstone chiefs get stark warning
The promoters of the British Grand Prix at Silverstone have been warned they have just one chance to keep the race on the Formula 1 calendar. Octagon Motorsports have lodged a $5m bond with the FIA, the sport's world governing body, as a guarantee that
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'Please give blood, but we won't'
Big Brother celebrity Stuart Hoskins helped launch Oxford's new blood donor centre at the Town Hall -- but left without giving blood. The former communications director, who lives in Murcott, near Bicester, yesterday said he had given blood before, but
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Cricket: Skipper Arnie upbeat on county's title bid
New Oxfordshire captain Keith Arnold says his side have what it takes to challenge for next season's Minor Counties Championship Western Division title. Arnold, who has replaced Rob Williams as skipper, believes that his men will be in the running to
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Army tolerates racist soldier
The Army will take no action against a soldier who urged an armed sentry to shoot a taxi driver in a racist incident at St David's Barracks, Bicester. James Charman, a private in 23 Pioneer Regiment based at Graven Hill, Bicester, racially abused Naveed
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OUP plans world's largest website
Britain's oldest publishing house, Oxford University Press, plans to launch the world's biggest general knowledge website. The pay-to-view site, Oxford Reference Online, is scheduled to go online in March. It will contain more than 130 million word definitions
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Football: New blow for United fans
Oxford United fans, already angry over the late call-off at Shrewsbury on Saturday, have suffered another setback. U's followers who bought tickets for the postponed New Year's Day game at Rushden but can't go on the rearranged date of February 5 have
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Man, 45, remanded
A 45-year-old man appeared before Didcot magistrates yesterday, charged with murdering his wife. Kenneth Whittaker is accused of murdering his wife, Stephanie, 30, at their home in Blenheim Close, Didcot, on Saturday. He was remanded in custody and is
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Toys scale new heights
Bargain-hunters were out in force at the first Didcot Toy Collectors' Fair of 2002. Stallholder Keith Glancy was among more than 25 stallholders at the Civic Hall, offering an assortment of old and new toys, including die-cast vehicles and the massive
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Passenger train over-runs signal
A passenger train over-ran a red signal by 573 yards at Didcot Parkway station, a report by the Health and Safety Executive has revealed. The incident, involving a Thames Trains service, happened on November 24 last year and was the third such incident
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Woman named
A woman whose body was found in an Oxford car park has been named as 29-year-old Katrina Raschke. Her body was found in a car parked behind the Falcon Rowing and Canoe Club, off Meadow Lane, just after 11am on Saturday. Police say they are not treating
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Job is just the ticket
Betting shop assistant Ann Price decided she would become a traffic warden for six months because she wanted to enjoy the fresh air. After 22 years, she has received a long service award and has been promoted to head traffic warden for the Northern Oxfordshire
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'Please give blood, but we won't'
Big Brother celebrity Stuart Hoskins helped launch Oxford's new blood donor centre at the Town Hall -- but left without giving blood. The former communications director, who lives in Murcott, near Bicester, yesterday said he had given blood before, but
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Runaway success stateside for Mini
Drivers in America hoping to buy an Oxford-built Mini have been warned they face a three-month waiting list. The first of the new Minis will go on sale in the US in March, but thousands of American fans have joined unofficial waiting lists to buy the
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Police hunt park robber
Police are hunting a man who robbed a passer by at knifepoint in a park. The 21 victim, who lives near Chipping Norton, was attacked in Banbury's People's Park, at about 6pm on Sunday. The robber escaped with a Motorola mobile phone, a wallet containing
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Silver lining for family
The premiere of a play based on the writings of a talented young actress has boosted a memorial fund set up in her memory. The Methodist Church in Chacombe, near Banbury, staged the first performances at the weekend of Sophie's Log, adapted from the writings
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Farmers' market
A farmers' market will be held on Church Green, Witney, on Thursday, January 17.
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Bright idea
Katy Hubble, 28, originally from Kidlington, has had the Privilege Plus scheme she devised for hotel group Corus and Regal recognised as the best leisure marketing campaign at the Hotel Marketing Awards. Ms Hubble came up with the idea to retain the loyalty
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Systems review
Fixings manufacturer fischerwerke, based on the Hithercroft Industrial Estate, Wallingford, has been awarded the the ISO 14001 environmental standard after introducing a complete environmental management system. All aspects of the company's operations
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Service reward
Jill Kite, of Church View, Banbury, has been recognised for her outstanding service to direct sales company Betterware, after working for the firm for just eight months. Mrs Kite, who is regional development manager, joined a Directors' Club awards ceremony
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Firms' finances in mind
An accountancy firm which specialises in dealing with small businesses has moved to Harwell Innovation Centre, Harwell. AMC Accountancy Services was set up by Ann Cummings last year, because she felt small businesses needed a tailored service. She said
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Expansion for Speedy Hire group
Rental group Speedy Hire has sealed a deal to buy building merchant Jewson's stand-alone hire branches. The £13.5m bid for the 37 outlets was completed last week, and strengthens Speedy Hire's presence in the south, bringing its total number of stores
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Disabled miss out as grants held up
The elderly and disabled are missing out on £250,000 of renovation grants for their homes because Oxford City Council has failed to release the cash. On October 31, the executive board agreed an extra £270,000 should be spent on grants to bring this year's
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Plot-holders' ranks growing
A desire to eat more organic food is leading to an increase in the number of people taking up allotments, according to organisers of an annual Oxfordshire competition. Norman Ballard, winner of Didcot's Bosley Shield for the best-kept allotment, is among
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Waste fire
Fire crews were called to the Co-op in Zilliers Lane, off Henley Avenue, Rose Hill, Oxford, last night when rubbish caught fire outside.
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Silver lining for family
The premiere of a play based on the writings of a talented young actress has boosted a memorial fund set up in her memory. The Methodist Church in Chacombe, near Banbury, staged the first performances at the weekend of Sophie's Log, adapted from the writings
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Firm trading
Andy Andrews, owner of Airport Express taxis in Cowley Road, Oxford, has asked us to point out that his firm is still in business, contrary to a statement by the Oxford and District Private Hire Association, published in yesterday'sOxford Mail, that it
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Woman named
A woman whose body was found in an Oxford car park has been named as 29-year-old Katrina Raschke. Her body was found in a car parked behind the Falcon Rowing and Canoe Club, off Meadow Lane, just after 11am on Saturday. Police say they are not treating
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Court told magistrate intended to bomb ex-girlfriend's new love
A magistrate manufactured booby-trapped bombs intending to use them against his ex-girlfriend's new lover, a court was told. Jonathan Wilkes, 40, was arrested after a cache of eight pipe bombs was discovered in woods near his home in Wroslyn Road, Freeland
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'Please give blood, but we won't'
Big Brother celebrity Stuart Hoskins helped launch Oxford's new blood donor centre at the Town Hall -- but left without giving blood. The former communications director, who lives in Murcott, near Bicester, yesterday said he had given blood before, but
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Runaway success stateside for Mini
Drivers in America hoping to buy an Oxford-built Mini have been warned they face a three-month waiting list. The first of the new Minis will go on sale in the US in March, but thousands of American fans have joined unofficial waiting lists to buy the
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Bowls: Gillett to face Skelton
Les Gillett, the No 7 seed from Chipping Norton, will play England international Simon Skelton in the second round of the World Indoor Singles Bowls Championships in Norfolk. Skelton yesterday beat Scottish qualifer Alex Hurry 11-2, 6-7 (2-0) in the first
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Ex-topless model 'sacked over past'
Former model Kristy Green claimed she was sacked by an Oxford photographic firm after bosses discovered her past as a topless model. Miss Green, 21, from Newcastle-upon-Tyne, joined Gillman and Soame, in Mill Street, Osney, last February, as a trainee
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Funds for home
A Christmas fair held at Glebe House old people's home in Mill Street, Kidlington, raised more than £870.
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Off to see wizard
The Chinnor Players are staging their panto The Wizard of Oz , from January 30 to February 20 in the village hall.
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Talking plants
A talk on British rare plants has been organised by the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire branch of the Wildlife Trust. It will be held at the Plant Sciences Department, South Parks Road, Oxford, at 1.10pm on Thursday, January 17. Admission is
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Oxford Mail Pub Quiz League
Civil Service keep up perfect record Bicester Civil Service ended the first half of the Oxford Mail Quiz League season as they began. They won their match against the House of Windsor 86-52 and extended their unbeaten run to a spectacular eight wins out
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Army tolerates racist soldier
The Army will take no action against a soldier who urged an armed sentry to shoot a taxi driver in a racist incident at St David's Barracks, Bicester. James Charman, a private in 23 Pioneer Regiment based at Graven Hill, Bicester, racially abused Naveed
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Open day
Oxford Brookes University is holding an Open Day on postgraduate courses at its Gypsy Lane campus on January 26 from 10.30am. Call 01865 484848 for details.
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Meeting switch
The next meeting of Abingdon Joint Environmental Trust has been moved from February 1 to January 25 at 3.30pm in the Guildhall.
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High blood pressure 'prevents dyslexia'
Families with a history of high blood pressure are less likely to have children with the reading disorder dyslexia, according to new research by Oxford scientists. Yesterday's announcement comes just days after another group of city researchers said it
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Silver lining for family
The premiere of a play based on the writings of a talented young actress has boosted a memorial fund set up in her memory. The Methodist Church in Chacombe, near Banbury, staged the first performances at the weekend of Sophie's Log, adapted from the writings
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Car dumping fee
South Oxfordshire district council will collect unwanted cars for a charge of £25. Call 01491 823455 for details.
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Jazz evening
A jazz night, with a 17-piece big band and vocalist Colin McCann, has been organised by Goring jazz appreciation society in the village hall on January 11, from 8pm.
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Farmers' market
A farmers' market will be held on Church Green, Witney, on Thursday, January 17.
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Council expands its green agenda
West Oxfordshire is starting 2002 with a more determined green agenda. The district council is planning a campaign to publicise its recycling services and expand the fortnightly kerbside collection to include cans, bottles and papers. Details of discount
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Co-operation will tackle rise in antisocial crime
New figures show that recorded crime in Witney and west Oxfordshire is on the increase. A nine per cent rise, over two years, has been reported, compared with a national average of 7.9 per cent. The main area of increase is in antisocial behaviour, including
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Court told magistrate intended to bomb ex-girlfriend's new love
A magistrate manufactured booby-trapped bombs intending to use them against his ex-girlfriend's new lover, a court was told. Jonathan Wilkes, 40, was arrested after a cache of eight pipe bombs was discovered in woods near his home in Wroslyn Road, Freeland
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Car dumping fee
South Oxfordshire district council will collect unwanted cars for a charge of £25. Call 01491 823455 for details.
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Jubilee planning
The Wheatley Society is holding an open evening to discuss how to celebrate the Queen's Golden Jubilee. All are welcome to attend on Friday, February 15, at the Merry Bells hall in High Street.
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House bid for ex-pub
A new bid is being made to turn the Royal Oak at Moreton, Thame, into a house. The pub, which became a French cuisine restaurant, closed its doors without warning at Christmas two years ago. It has not opened since. Villagers want it to reopen as a viable
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Car dumping fee
South Oxfordshire district council will collect unwanted cars for a charge of £25. Call 01491 823455 for details.
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Camera club
The second round of the Chilterns Association Rosebowl Competition takes place at the next meeting of Wantage camera club, at the Methodist Church Hall, Newbury Street, on January 15.
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Motor sport: Ace Holden gunning for Thunderdome bid
Brisca Formula 1 stock car driver Jason Holden, from Radley, has qualified for the Thunderdome Live Action Arena at the NEC, Birmingham, as part of the Autosport International show from January 10-13. Holden, 29, the Brisca Supreme Champion, said: "It's
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Job is just the ticket
Betting shop assistant Ann Price decided she would become a traffic warden for six months because she wanted to enjoy the fresh air. After 22 years, she has received a long service award and has been promoted to head traffic warden for the Northern Oxfordshire
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Greyhounds: Tomorrow's Oxford Bags Card
11.26 450m A9 Copper Wheat...(Ron Bicknell) SCRATCHING UP...(Terry Atkins) Curley John...(Angie Kibble) Aha In Detail...(Jim Morgan) General Willow 3 (W)...(Gloria Stringer) Bradwell Pita (W)...(Nick Colton) 11.41 450m A8 BANKERS GLORY...(Paddy Curtin
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OUP plans world's largest website
Britain's oldest publishing house, Oxford University Press, plans to launch the world's biggest general knowledge website. The pay-to-view site, Oxford Reference Online, is scheduled to go online in March. It will contain more than 130 million word definitions
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Cricket: Course for umpires
The Oxfordshire Cricket Umpires and Scorers Association are holding a five-week umpires course at Oxford Brookes University, starting on Monday, January 21. Anyone interested in attending should contact Errol Carrington on 01189 479714. The association
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Ice hockey: Stars back with a bang
Oxford City Stars started the New Year with a 12-5 victory over Bracknell Hornets in the English National Cup on Sunday. With no fewer than nine players returning to the team after missing the Telford game two weeks ago, Stars took their time to get going
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Greyhounds: Tomorrow's Oxford Bags Card
11.26 450m A9 Copper Wheat...(Ron Bicknell) SCRATCHING UP...(Terry Atkins) Curley John...(Angie Kibble) Aha In Detail...(Jim Morgan) General Willow 3 (W)...(Gloria Stringer) Bradwell Pita (W)...(Nick Colton) 11.41 450m A8 BANKERS GLORY...(Paddy Curtin
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Man fined over drug
A 20-year-old man was fined for possessing cannabis by Didcot magistrates yesterday. Robert Dopson, of Monument Road, Chalgrove, pleaded guilty to possessing a small amount of the drug on November 19 last year. He was fined £100 and told to pay £55 costs
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Help for shoplifter
A shoplifter convicted of possessing heroin was remanded for a report on drug treatment and testing. David Archibald, 26, of Kibble Close, Didcot, had pleaded guilty to possessing heroin, and stealing a Karcher pressure washer from Halfords, Didcot, washing
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Plot-holders' ranks growing
A desire to eat more organic food is leading to an increase in the number of people taking up allotments, according to organisers of an annual Oxfordshire competition. Norman Ballard, winner of Didcot's Bosley Shield for the best-kept allotment, is among
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Firm trading
Andy Andrews, owner of Airport Express taxis in Cowley Road, Oxford, has asked us to point out that his firm is still in business, contrary to a statement by the Oxford and District Private Hire Association, published in yesterday'sOxford Mail, that it
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Man, 45, remanded
A 45-year-old man appeared before Didcot magistrates yesterday, charged with murdering his wife. Kenneth Whittaker is accused of murdering his wife, Stephanie, 30, at their home in Blenheim Close, Didcot, on Saturday. He was remanded in custody and is
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Job is just the ticket
Betting shop assistant Ann Price decided she would become a traffic warden for six months because she wanted to enjoy the fresh air. After 22 years, she has received a long service award and has been promoted to head traffic warden for the Northern Oxfordshire
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Date
Over-18s disco
An over-18s disco will be held in the Langdale Hall, Witney, on January 18. More details on 01993 891312.
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Hockey: Abingdon hit by late show
Abingdon let slip a 3-1 lead as they were held 3-3 by Phoenix in South League Area Division 1 at Tilsley Park. Phoenix took the lead after 15 minutes when Mike Latham's low flick eluded the Abingdon defence. Abingdon equalised within a minute, Andy Maunder
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Work to start on industrial estate
A multi-million pound expansion is set to take off at a major industrial estate. Construction of a new phase of units is about to start at Crendon Industrial Park, Long Crendon, near Thame. The work will expand the site by about 25 per cent. Owners Marlborough
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Union moves to save jobs at Elliotts
Union leaders were today staging talks with bosses at a mobile cabin firm over plans to axe about a dozen workers. Staff at Elliott Group, based at Priest End Works, Rycote Lane, Thame, were told before Christmas that redundancies were in the pipeline
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OUP plans world's largest website
Britain's oldest publishing house, Oxford University Press, plans to launch the world's biggest general knowledge website. The pay-to-view site, Oxford Reference Online, is scheduled to go online in March. It will contain more than 130 million word definitions
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Date
Ex-topless model 'sacked over past'
Former model Kristy Green claimed she was sacked by an Oxford photographic firm after bosses discovered her past as a topless model. Miss Green, 21, from Newcastle-upon-Tyne, joined Gillman and Soame, in Mill Street, Osney, last February, as a trainee
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Passenger train over-runs signal
A passenger train over-ran a red signal by 573 yards at Didcot Parkway station, a report by the Health and Safety Executive has revealed. The incident, involving a Thames Trains service, happened on November 24 last year and was the third such incident
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Disabled miss out as grants held up
The elderly and disabled are missing out on £250,000 of renovation grants for their homes because Oxford City Council has failed to release the cash. On October 31, the executive board agreed an extra £270,000 should be spent on grants to bring this year's
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Football: New blow for United fans
Oxford United fans, already angry over the late call-off at Shrewsbury on Saturday, have suffered another setback. U's followers who bought tickets for the postponed New Year's Day game at Rushden but can't go on the rearranged date of February 5 have
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Rugby: Chinnor triumph
South West Division 1 Chinnor rediscovered the art of try-scoring when they crossed Dings Crusaders line four times in their highly competitive 26-13 victory at Kingsey Road. With Ben Thompson, Paul Hennessy and Charlie Oyebade all unavailable for Saturday's
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Hebrew values
Prof David Aberbach, of the London School of Economics, will talk on Hebrew Studies as Value at Yarnton Manor, Yarnton, on January 16.
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Jazz evening
A jazz night, with a 17-piece big band and vocalist Colin McCann, has been organised by Goring jazz appreciation society in the village hall on January 11, from 8pm.
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Chamber recitals
The new programme for the Oxford Coffee Concerts has been published. The chamber music recitals are held every Sunday at 11.15am in the Holywell Music Room.
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Workshops start
A series of Saturday workshops on script writing, screen painting and drama is being launched by the River & Rowing Museum, Henley, on January 19. Call 01491 415605.
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Camera club
The second round of the Chilterns Association Rosebowl Competition takes place at the next meeting of Wantage camera club, at the Methodist Church Hall, Newbury Street, on January 15.
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Model railways steam ahead
Model railways attracted more than 1,000 enthusiasts over the weekend. The toy version of a currently troubled industry proved as popular as ever at an exhibition in Exeter Hall, Kidlington. Continental and steam versions were among the interests, running
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Cricket: Indoor nets at Abingdon
John Mason School in Abingdon have two indoor nets available to local cricket clubs throughout the winter. Details available from William Richardson on 01235 536533.
