Archive
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Hanged boy had taken ecstasy
A 15-year-old boy who had taken 16 times the normal recreational dose of ecstasy hanged himself, an inquest heard. Schoolboy Glen Edwards was found with a noose made from a hose around his neck in a garden shed at his home in Bourton Close, Witney, on
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Families unite to fight care cuts
Parents of disabled children who use three threatened respite care centres in Oxfordshire have said they could go to court in a bid to stop the closures. A protest meeting last night also heard a psychologist had warned of "dire consequences" if the closures
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Town prepares for 850th anniversary
Plans to celebrate the 850th anniversary of the signing of Wallingford's charter in 1155 are already in hand, with town councillors agreeing to start saving now. The council is backing plans to mark the anniversary in 2005 and will put £1,500 into the
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Man faces further charges
A man facing explosives charges following a suspected animal rights attack on an Oxfordshire abattoir is to face further charges. David Blenkinsop, 35, appeared before Oxford Crown Court yesterday on 10 charges relating to the attack on Mutchmeats in
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Developers offer land for new park-and-ride
A consortium of landowners has promised to provide a park-and-ride site on the edge of Witney if they get permission to build 500 new homes to the east of the town. The consortium has earmarked a third possible site for development in the town between
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Sheriff shares school lunch
Sixth-form pupils in Thame shared their lunch break with Lady McLintock, High Sheriff of Oxfordshire. Lady McLintock and Patsy Townsend, of Thames Valley Partnership, which works with police and other agencies dedicated to improving safety, met the students
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Beware of bogus contractors
The Vale Housing Association is warning tenants to beware of bogus contractors trying to gain access to their homes. A man posing as a contractor tried to get into two properties in East Hendred, near Wantage. Although he was not allowed in and nothing
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Hospital unveils birthing pool
Mothers-to-be in south Oxfordshire can now deliver their children in a new birthing pool. The £4,000 pool at Wantage Community Hospital's maternity unit was officially opened by mayor Jenny Hannaby on Monday. She welcomed the new investment in the hospital
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Town split over plans to move hospital
People in Wantage are divided over plans to move the town's hospital to a new site in neighbouring Grove. Doctors are leading calls for Wantage Community Hospital to be moved to a new site, adjoining the new health centre, in Mably Way, Grove, but many
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Golf: Taylor third at Chippy
Return to full time coaching saw a return to form for Andy Taylor, in the Spring Classic at Chipping Norton, the opening event of the Berks, Bucks & Oxon professional season. The former Magnolia Park pro, who now teaches at the Heathfield Driving
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Bowls: Richens fightback ends in defeat
Oxfordshire's Stuart Richens saw a tenacious fightback halted by Teesside's Glenn Skipp as they duelled for a place in the quarter-finals of the Greengauge Men's All-England singles at Melton Mowbray. The Carterton ace kept his cool as Skipp, from Thornaby
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Table tennis: Kidlington defeat Bicester in semi
Kidlington Forum B defeated Bicester B 420-408 in the Oxford & District League's Handicap Shield semi-finals. Giving away a huge handicap of 270 points, Forum slowly knocked off the deficit, but with three games to play the match was still very much
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Football: Talboys on mark in Six Bells win
Morrells Sunday League round-up SIX Bells reached the semi-finals of the President's Cup after a 2-0 win over Barton United, writes GEOFF BOWER. But they left it late, Geoff Talboys grabbing their second to seal the win after Paul Faulkner put them in
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Football: Four off as Rovers lose out to rivals
Autotype UTV League Saxton Rovers had four men sent off as their Division 1 title aspirations slipped with a 4-3 defeat at championship rivals Sandman. Saxton's Matt Shelton, left, battles with Sandman's Nathan ClulowSandman were trailing to a James Clarke
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Table tennis: Crown House in title celebration
Crown House A are celebrating after being crowned Oxford and District League Division 1 champions. They took the title by two points from Kidlington Forum A, who completed their programme with a dramatic fightback to beat Crown House B 6-4. Trailing 4
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Table tennis: Kidlington defeat Bicester in semi
Kidlington Forum B defeated Bicester B 420-408 in the Oxford & District League's Handicap Shield semi-finals. Giving away a huge handicap of 270 points, Forum slowly knocked off the deficit, but with three games to play the match was still very much
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Archer is on target
One of Britain's great hopes in archery is being helped with sponsorship worth £500 over the next two years. Colin Geenes, 16, of Barrington Close, Berinsfield, hopes to be in the national squad at the world championships in the Czech Republic next year
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Beware of bogus contractors
The Vale Housing Association is warning tenants to beware of bogus contractors trying to gain access to their homes. A man posing as a contractor tried to get into two properties in East Hendred, near Wantage. Although he was not allowed in and nothing
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Veteran licensee retires
Thame's longest-serving licensee has retired. David Barrington took over the Spread Eagle Hotel in 1969 when it was closed and derelict. It will now be run by his wife Sarah and general manager Mark Baxter. The hotel in Cornmarket was once owned by the
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County's jobless count rises
The number of unemployed people in Oxfordshire has risen for the fifth month in succession -- bucking the national trend. As reported in the late edition of yesterday's Oxford Mail, latest figures showed that 3,744 people in the county were claiming benefit
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Film-maker's documentary will focus on rental stories
A film-maker is looking for people to appear in a documentary about tenants' experiences with landlords in the Wantage area. Gabriel Davies, 38, is making the film as part of a course on creating documentaries. He chose to focus on landlords in and around
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Jockey to face charge of indecent assault on plane
An Oxfordshire jockey charged with indecent assault is due to appear in court tomorrow. Timmy Murphy, 27, of Faringdon, was arrested after police boarded a plane at Heathrow airport on Sunday. He was released on police bail after questioning, and is due
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Burglar stole cash from former home
A man who returned to his former home to steal goods and cash has been jailed for two years. Kenneth Morris, 32, burgled a house in Victor Street, Jericho, Oxford, during the August Bank Holiday last year. Rachel Drake, prosecuting, told Oxford Crown
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Speed cameras go yellow to aid road safety
Drivers are seeing yellow as grey speed cameras across the county are made more visible to warn drivers to slow down at accident blackspots. The Thames Valley Safer Roads Partnership (SRP) has to ensure that speed cameras, at sites where there have been
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Football: Talboys on mark in Six Bells win
Morrells Sunday League round-up SIX Bells reached the semi-finals of the President's Cup after a 2-0 win over Barton United, writes GEOFF BOWER. But they left it late, Geoff Talboys grabbing their second to seal the win after Paul Faulkner put them in
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Golf: City off the mark as Frilford crash
Reigning champions Oxford City got back on track with a 2-1 victory away to previously unbeaten Studley Wood in Section 1 of the Shaw & Co Oxfordshire Foursomes League. City, who lost their opening match at Buckingham, secured their success thanks
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BUDGET: From a family's point of view
Helen and Tim Gustafson, of Fairacres Road, Oxford, said they were happy to pay extra National Insurance contributions if it meant improvements to the health service and education. Their five-year-old son, Jamie, is due to start at St Ebbe's School, in
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BUDGET: How it affects individuals
We spoke to a student, a pensioner, a single parent and another single woman to get their views on the Budget. Alexis Knox, 17, a student at Oxford College of Further Education, said she was pleased with most of the Budget, but felt there was little help
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Innovative start-up ideas win award
Pioneering companies in the county have been praised after Oxfordshire won an award as one of Europe's most innovative regions. The Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire, Hugo Brunner, travelled to Sweden to receive an Award for Excellence, presented as part
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Post Office in desperate search for premises
The future of Didcot's main post office hangs in the balance after the Post Office confirmed it has to move out of the WH Smith store in Broadway. Speculation about the possible closure of the town centre post office counter has been rife since a public
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Post Office in desperate search for premises
The future of Didcot's main post office hangs in the balance after the Post Office confirmed it has to move out of the WH Smith store in Broadway. Speculation about the possible closure of the town centre post office counter has been rife since a public
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Council vetoes road closure bid
Broad Street in Oxford will not be closed to traffic as part of a European Car Free Day, county councillors have agreed. A proposal was put forward by Oxford's Green Party and the city's Pedestrians' Association that the street should be closed on Sunday
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Remanded in custody
A man charged with the attempted murder of the woman he was living with has been remanded in custody. James Childs, 39, appeared before Oxford magistrates yesterday, accused of trying to kill Stephanie Dix at their home in Champion Way, Littlemore, last
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Clean sweep for city
The Lord Mayor of Oxford has launched the city's annual clean-up operation. Cllr Peter Moss officially started the Oxford Spring Clean Campaign which aims to tidy up the city's streets, with the help of volunteer groups and organisations. Now in its 10th
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Cycling: New academy hunts for winners
A new cycling academy is launched in Abingdon this evening in a drive to uncover Olympic medal winners of the future. And on Saturday at Tilsley Park, there is the first of six cycle challenges taking place in the county during the coming months. The
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Football: Clubs to face OFA charges
Roebuck and Jamii could face sanctions after both clubs were charged with misconduct by the Oxfordshire FA. The Morrells Oxford League teams have been charged with failing to control their spectators during their Jack Sadler third round tie on April 7
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Boxing: Pat shows true grit to triumph
Thame junior Pat Nevin delivered a gritty performance to outpoint the host club's Steve Shaw in a show at Marlow. Abingdon's Jake Guntert fights Aaron Kehoe Nevin utilised his height and reach advantage to maximum effect, particularly in the final two
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Cast adds polish to top tale
Top Girls, Oxford Playhouse: It is 20 years since Caryl Churchill asked in Top Girls whether Margaret Thatcher's ideas were quite the right ones on which to build a fair society. Her suspicion was . . . well, perhaps not. Now that the Iron Lady is rusting
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Boxing: Pat shows true grit to triumph
Thame junior Pat Nevin delivered a gritty performance to outpoint the host club's Steve Shaw in a show at Marlow. Abingdon's Jake Guntert fights Aaron Kehoe Nevin utilised his height and reach advantage to maximum effect, particularly in the final two
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Football: Just the ticket for U's fans
Oxford United today announced their season ticket prices for the 2002/03 season - and it's good news for fans. There will be just one increase on the current rates, with supporters wishing to use the Manor Lounge and Maurice Evans Lounge areas now getting
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Table tennis: Crown House in title celebration
Crown House A are celebrating after being crowned Oxford and District League Division 1 champions. They took the title by two points from Kidlington Forum A, who completed their programme with a dramatic fightback to beat Crown House B 6-4. Trailing 4
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Jubilee street party signs cost to be cut
A bill for road closure signs for a village Golden Jubilee street party is to be reduced. Residents planning the party outside the Red Lion pub in Main Street, Wendlebury, on June 3, were dismayed when contractors quoted them £2,000. Parish council chairman
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Golf: City off the mark as Frilford crash
Reigning champions Oxford City got back on track with a 2-1 victory away to previously unbeaten Studley Wood in Section 1 of the Shaw & Co Oxfordshire Foursomes League. City, who lost their opening match at Buckingham, secured their success thanks
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History fans look busy
There is nothing parochial about the interests of Wallingford Historical and Archaeological Society. Subjects for its Friday meetings up to December include talks on the Royal Arsenal at Woolwich, digs in Oxford, European transport and an update on work
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Long walk continues
A 61-year-old grandmother from Oxfordshire has passed the half-way mark in a fundraising trek from Land's End to John O'Groats. Daphne Samworth, of Sutton Wick Lane, Drayton, near Abingdon, was on course to cross the Scottish border, with 520 miles already
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Sheriff shares school lunch
Sixth-form pupils in Thame shared their lunch break with Lady McLintock, High Sheriff of Oxfordshire. Lady McLintock and Patsy Townsend, of Thames Valley Partnership, which works with police and other agencies dedicated to improving safety, met the students
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School makes cycling safer option
A new entrance is being built at a school in Didcot, to make it safer for pupils to cycle to school. The £32,000 project aims to provide a safe route for pupils at St Birinus and Greenmere Primary School, both on Mereland Road. Mike Cox, assistant headteacher
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Hospital unveils birthing pool
Mothers-to-be in south Oxfordshire can now deliver their children in a new birthing pool. The £4,000 pool at Wantage Community Hospital's maternity unit was officially opened by mayor Jenny Hannaby on Monday. She welcomed the new investment in the hospital
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Families asked to switch nappies
Councils in Oxfordshire are joining forces to offer families a cash incentive to switch from disposable to reusable nappies in a move to cut down on waste. Every day in the county, an estimated 100,000 disposable nappies are thrown away -- five-per-cent
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School makes cycling safer option
A new entrance is being built at a school in Didcot, to make it safer for pupils to cycle to school. The £32,000 project aims to provide a safe route for pupils at St Birinus and Greenmere Primary School, both on Mereland Road. Mike Cox, assistant headteacher
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Wall repairs spark row
Cherwell District Council is taking action against a retirement home developer for failing to repair a boundary wall. At a south area planning meeting, councillors agreed to serve a formal notice on builder McCarthy and Stone requiring it to raise the
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Town prepares for 850th anniversary
Plans to celebrate the 850th anniversary of the signing of Wallingford's charter in 1155 are already in hand, with town councillors agreeing to start saving now. The council is backing plans to mark the anniversary in 2005 and will put £1,500 into the
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Alleged anti-Jew remarks investigated
Oxford University has launched an investigation into allegations that one of its lecturers said American-born settlers in Israel should be shot dead. Poet Tom Paulin, a Fellow at Hertford College, claims he was misquoted in an interview with the Egyptian
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Families unite to fight care cuts
Parents of disabled children who use three threatened respite care centres in Oxfordshire have said they could go to court in a bid to stop the closures. A protest meeting last night also heard a psychologist had warned of "dire consequences" if the closures
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Football: Four off as Rovers lose out to rivals
Autotype UTV League Saxton Rovers had four men sent off as their Division 1 title aspirations slipped with a 4-3 defeat at championship rivals Sandman. Sandman were trailing to a James Clarke goal, before they took control with a brace from Dave Stanley
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BUDGET: Council cautious over cuts
County council officers are waiting to see what effect the six per cent increase in social services spending, announced in the Budget, will have. Primary care trusts, responsible for community hospitals, which have become blocked by elderly and infirm
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Brewers savour medal success
Two Oxfordshire beers have been judged to be among the best in the world by a panel of professional brewers. Wychwood Brewery's strong stout, Black Wych, took a gold medal and Hook Norton Brewery's Best Bitter a silver at the Brewing Industry International
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BUDGET: Brewers hope for tax cut
Workers at old-established family firm Hook Norton Brewery are waiting to hear if the company will qualify for the cut in beer tax. Managing director James Clarke, great-great-grandson of the founder of the 153 year-old brewery, said: "We produce 19,000
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BUDGET: Stop the smugglers, says tobacconist
Tobacconist Michael Davies, who owns the Frederick Tranter cigar shop in Oxford's High Street, was not surprised by the 6p extra tax levied on a packet of 20 cigarettes. He said: "My view is that the Government would do better to have spent money sorting
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Strong sales growth prompts acquisitions
Online publisher Ingenta says it is seeing strong sales growth in key areas of its business. Directors at the company, based in Hythe Bridge Street, Oxford, said sales of research publications and fees from publishers for distributing research via the
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BUDGET: What business leaders think
Business leaders feared the Chancellor had gambled with the long-term success of the economy by promising a huge investment in the NHS, largely paid for from National Insurance. Bill McCardle, policy manager of the Oxfordshire Chamber of Commerce, said
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Developers offer land for new park-and-ride
A consortium of landowners has promised to provide a park-and-ride site on the edge of Witney if they get permission to build 500 new homes to the east of the town. The consortium has earmarked a third possible site for development in the town between
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Date
Jubilee street party signs cost to be cut
A bill for road closure signs for a village Golden Jubilee street party is to be reduced. Residents planning the party outside the Red Lion pub in Main Street, Wendlebury, on June 3, were dismayed when contractors quoted them £2,000. Parish council chairman
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Road is accident waiting to happen, say campaigners
Parents, teachers and politicians are calling for a pedestrian crossing to be built in a road in Grove. Wantage MP Robert Jackson is among those supporting a campaign for a crossing in Brereton Drive. Campaigners have described the road as an accident
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Children at risk of skin damage
Children in Oxford will be exposed to the equivalent of eight days of unprotected sunlight during their summer term at school, according to a new skin safety campaign. Cancer Research UK, together with Lloyds pharmacy, claims children are just as much
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Children at risk of skin damage
Children in Oxford will be exposed to the equivalent of eight days of unprotected sunlight during their summer term at school, according to a new skin safety campaign. Cancer Research UK, together with Lloyds pharmacy, claims children are just as much
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Town split over plans to move hospital
People in Wantage are divided over plans to move the town's hospital to a new site in neighbouring Grove. Doctors are leading calls for Wantage Community Hospital to be moved to a new site, adjoining the new health centre, in Mably Way, Grove, but many
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Date
Burglar stole cash from former home
A man who returned to his former home to steal goods and cash has been jailed for two years. Kenneth Morris, 32, burgled a house in Victor Street, Jericho, Oxford, during the August Bank Holiday last year. Rachel Drake, prosecuting, told Oxford Crown
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Date
Alleged anti-Jew remarks investigated
Oxford University has launched an investigation into allegations that one of its lecturers said American-born settlers in Israel should be shot dead. Poet Tom Paulin, a Fellow at Hertford College, claims he was misquoted in an interview with the Egyptian
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Football: Witney United appoints first boss
Witney United club have named the little-known Ian Feaver as the manager for their inaugural season. United have been formed out of the ashes of Witney Town, and will use their facilities at Marriotts Stadium. The 39-year-old Feaver, whose playing career
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Basement blooms puzzle passers-by
Peering through pavement grilles isn't one of Oxford's most famous attractions. But one basement-dweller in St John Street is trying to change that. Melissa Perot, who has always been a keen gardener, has transformed the space beneath the grille at her
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Council vetoes road closure bid
Broad Street in Oxford will not be closed to traffic as part of a European Car Free Day, county councillors have agreed. A proposal was put forward by Oxford's Green Party and the city's Pedestrians' Association that the street should be closed on Sunday
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Football: Witney United appoints first boss
Witney United club have named the little-known Ian Feaver as the manager for their inaugural season. Ian FeaverUnited have been formed out of the ashes of Witney Town, and will use their facilities at Marriotts Stadium. The 39-year-old Feaver, whose playing
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Date
Boxing: Pat shows true grit to triumph
Thame junior Pat Nevin delivered a gritty performance to outpoint the host club's Steve Shaw in a show at Marlow. Abingdon's Jake Guntert fights Aaron Kehoe Nevin utilised his height and reach advantage to maximum effect, particularly in the final two
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Date
Boots plans to sell off Halfords
High street chain Boots will sell off its car and bike parts business Halfords, it was announced today. But a company spokesman said the most appropriate method could be a demerger to shareholders. Under the proposed deal, Boots' shareholders would receive
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Health services receive a tonic in latest Budget
Health services in Oxfordshire could receive an extra £10m following Chancellor Gordon Brown's latest Budget. Chancellor Gordon Brown NHS managers in the area predict they could pick up about one per cent of £1bn cash announced by the Chancellor. The
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Long walk continues
A 61-year-old grandmother from Oxfordshire has passed the half-way mark in a fundraising trek from Land's End to John O'Groats. Daphne Samworth, of Sutton Wick Lane, Drayton, near Abingdon, was on course to cross the Scottish border, with 520 miles already
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Police stretched by 'rowdiness'
Late-night rowdy behaviour in Abingdon is becoming so common at weekends that police are unable to provide full cover to surrounding communities. Insp Robin Rickard said his officers were responding to so many incidents of violence in the town centre
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Families unite to fight care cuts
Parents of disabled children who use three threatened respite care centres in Oxfordshire have said they could go to court in a bid to stop the closures. A protest meeting last night also heard a psychologist had warned of "dire consequences" if the closures
-
Date
History fans look busy
There is nothing parochial about the interests of Wallingford Historical and Archaeological Society. Subjects for its Friday meetings up to December include talks on the Royal Arsenal at Woolwich, digs in Oxford, European transport and an update on work
-
Date
Families unite to fight care cuts
Parents of disabled children who use three threatened respite care centres in Oxfordshire have said they could go to court in a bid to stop the closures. A protest meeting last night also heard a psychologist had warned of "dire consequences" if the closures
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Date
Golf: Taylor third at Chippy
Return to full time coaching saw a return to form for Andy Taylor, in the Spring Classic at Chipping Norton, the opening event of the Berks, Bucks & Oxon professional season. The former Magnolia Park pro, who now teaches at the Heathfield Driving
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Date
Hanged boy had taken ecstasy
A 15-year-old boy who had taken 16 times the normal recreational dose of ecstasy hanged himself, an inquest heard. Schoolboy Glen Edwards was found with a noose made from a hose around his neck in a garden shed at his home in Bourton Close, Witney, on
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Date
Mobile home owners fight scheme to redevelop park
Families on a mobile caravan park which could be redeveloped for housing are fighting to keep their homes. Developer Carterton Construction wants to build retirement and affordable homes on the four-acre Kings Court residential park at Carterton, which
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Veteran licensee retires
Thame's longest-serving licensee has retired. David Barrington took over the Spread Eagle Hotel in 1969 when it was closed and derelict. It will now be run by his wife Sarah and general manager Mark Baxter. The hotel in Cornmarket was once owned by the
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Jockey to face charge of indecent assault on plane
An Oxfordshire jockey charged with indecent assault is due to appear in court tomorrow. Timmy Murphy, 27, of Faringdon, was arrested after police boarded a plane at Heathrow airport on Sunday. He was released on police bail after questioning, and is due
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Film-maker's documentary will focus on rental stories
A film-maker is looking for people to appear in a documentary about tenants' experiences with landlords in the Wantage area. Gabriel Davies, 38, is making the film as part of a course on creating documentaries. He chose to focus on landlords in and around
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Road is accident waiting to happen, say campaigners
Parents, teachers and politicians are calling for a pedestrian crossing to be built in a road in Grove. Wantage MP Robert Jackson is among those supporting a campaign for a crossing in Brereton Drive. Campaigners have described the road as an accident