Archive
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Poisoned rats left under floorboards
Dead rats were discovered by council workers after a family threatened to spend the night at a housing office in protest at the smell in their home. Keiran Currah, 29, and his partner Sonya Joseph, 34, went to complain about a nasty smell in their house
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Firefighters don't want to strike
Rarely do I laugh out loud at newspaper pieces but your editorial about the firefighters' strike (Oxford Mail, November 13) was a case in point. Firstly, the public are NOT caught in a 'crossfire between employers and workers'. I have not met one firefighter
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Public loos 'a disgrace'
Wallingford wants better public lavatories but the town council does not want to take over running them. At present they are owned by South Oxfordshire District Council and some of them are horrendous, a town council meeting was told. Member Adrian Payne
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Rugby: Harlequins triumph
Oxford Harlequins overcame Swanage & Wareham 17-7 in South West 2 East on Saturday. Pictured is replacement Gareth E Jones getting in a pass as he tumbles to set up Matt Sims for the first try. The game was switched to Gosford All Blacks' Stratfield
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November 16: No more strikes
We should breathe a sigh of relief, in this area at least, that the firefighters' strike did not have severe consequences. Now that the crews are back at work, the two sides must spare no effort to find a solution to this long-running pay dispute. Forty-eight
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Memorial fair nets £2,300
A dolls house show and fair organised by the Yarnton and Kidlington 1/12th Club in Witney's Langdale Hall raised £2,300 for the Oxfordshire Guide Association Jubilee House Rebuilding Fund. The show was held in memory of Joyce Winstone, who had been a
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Melodious melodeons
Nearly 100 melodeon players from all over Britain congregated in Witney for the weekend. They were attending a Hands on Music weekend at Henry Box School. As well as two days of workshops, there was a concert on November 16. Tutor John Kirkpatrick Hands
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Survey finds fewer people commute
A new survey suggests people in Witney are less dependent on Oxford for their place of work. Although more people have jobs in their home town, many still commute and the majority use a car, not public transport. The survey, carried out by West Oxfordshire
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Charity wrapped up
Youngsters are wrapping up 'love in a box' to send to needy children worldwide. Pupils at Millbrook School in Grove, are either donating their own toys or buying a gift as part of Operation Christmas Child, which is run by Samaritan's Purse international
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Party selects election hopeful
Liberal Democrats have chosen their prospective parliamentary candidate for Wantage. Andrew Crawford will contest the seat at the next General Election, which will see the sitting Conservative MP, Robert Jackson, stand down. Mr Crawford represents the
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Hockey: Weekend results
Results of games played on November 16 and 17 ______ MEN ENGLISH LEAGUE Div 2: Oxford Hawks 3, Peterborough Tn 0. SOUTH LEAGUE Premier Div 1: Oxford Univ 1, Beckenham 1. MBB&O Regional: City of Oxford 0 Newbury 0 (abandoned after 35mins); British
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Thame go on rampage
THAME UTD 7, WIVENHOE TN 0: Thame United hit a magnificent seven goals as they brushed aside the challenge of Wivenhoe Town in Saturday's Ryman Division 1 North encounter at Windmill Stadium. Mark JonesThe visitors did not help their cause by having David
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Charitable spirit
Students around the county got into a charitable spirit to raise money for the BBC's Children in Need appeal Emily Blay-Rochead, 12, takes part in a talent contest, based on the TV programme Stars In Their Eyes, at Bicester Community College Students
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Football: Weekend results
Scores from the Joe Roughton Oxon Youth Cup. Elsevier Youth League, OFA U16 Invitation League, Oxford Mail Boys League, Giles Sports Witney Youth League and schools matches JOE ROUGHTON OXFORDSHIRE YOUTH CUP Under 18 1st round: St Claire's School v Oxford
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Foyer to become youth night shelter
A project set up to provide accommodation and training for homeless young people in Banbury is to become a short-term night shelter. Four of the 19 flats at the Foyer in George Street will be used to house people who would otherwise be forced to sleep
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Thame go on rampage
THAME UTD 7, WIVENHOE TN 0: Thame United hit a magnificent seven goals as they brushed aside the challenge of Wivenhoe Town in Saturday's Ryman Division 1 North encounter at Windmill Stadium. Mark JonesThe visitors did not help their cause by having David
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Football: Weekend results
Scores from the Joe Roughton Oxon Youth Cup. Elsevier Youth League, OFA U16 Invitation League, Oxford Mail Boys League, Giles Sports Witney Youth League and schools matches JOE ROUGHTON OXFORDSHIRE YOUTH CUP Under 18 1st round: St Claire's School v Oxford
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Science park bus service improved
The first passenger to use an improved bus service connecting Oxford Science Park to the city centre was given a bottle of Champagne. Alison Philips, left, receives her Champagne gift from science park facilities manager Suzi Chapman Alison Phillips was
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Personal tax rise predicted
Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown is unlikely to unveil any radical changes affecting businesses in his Autumn Statement but may well increase taxes for individuals, says business and financial adviser Grant Thornton. Ray Thomas, tax partner at
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New bank to help charities
The world's first charitable bank launched itself to Oxfordshire investors at the Oxford Playhouse. The Charity Bank, endorsed by Chancellor Gordon Brown, invited local businesses and charities to hear about its innovative approach to banking and the
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November 18: Find the money
One major plank in the Government's fight against drugs is the rehabilitation of offenders. But the policy will succeed only if there is enough money. The work to wean people off drugs in Oxfordshire looks like coming unstuck. With five months of the
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Pressure mounts for Ridgeway ban
Campaigners in Didcot are expected to increase pressure to ban motorcycles and off-roaders from the Ridgeway. At a public meeting on November 19, the Ridgeway National Trails management group plans to present a package of proposals to protect the 6,000
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Honour for Chief Constable
The Chief Constable of Thames Valley Police, Peter Neyroud, has received a long service commendation after 22 years in the police. Mr Neyroud, 42, became the country's youngest chief constable earlier this year. He took over from Sir Charles Pollard,
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£150,000 grant for charity
An Oxford drug education charity run by two former addicts has received a £150,000 grant. Energy & Vision, was founded in 1998 by its project directors, Paul McCabe and Spencer Hudson, and informs young people about the dangers of drugs. It works
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Singing in streets
Students limbering up for a production of the comedy musical Falsettos at Keble College launched a cryptic publicity stunt on the streets of Oxford. Students sing to publicise their show They sang Barmitzvah songs in Hebrew at 13 locations to advertise
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Wildlife probe into lake sculling
An investigation is under way to find out how wildlife on Hinksey Lake in south Oxford is affected by scullers who have used it for more than a decade. The report was commissioned by the Hinksey Park Users' Group after Hinksey Sculling School applied
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Gardeners' lucky escape
A car crashed through a garden fence in Oxford and almost slid down a bank into the householder's lounge. The abandoned car after the crash Two men raking leaves in the garden were lucky to escape unhurt. The driver of the Rover 414 ran off after saying
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United pull a cup cracker
Oxford United's players, officials and supporters were celebrating today after their FA Cup dreams were realised with a home draw against their biggest rivals, Swindon Town. The second-round tie will take place at the Kassam Stadium on Saturday, December
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City going downhill
I see we are having an inquiry into the student's death when a tree fell in Oxford - a tree which is now said to be rotten (Oxford Mail, November 8). No doubt, the conclusions reached by this panel of 'worthies' will be either an 'Act of God' (a good
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Angels to cut down on cash
A group of high-flying business angels in Oxford, which has raised more than £15.2m for start-up and early-stage businesses within 60 miles of Oxford, has warned that it is cutting down on the size of its investments. Lucius Cary, director and investment
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School has fine record
I was saddened to hear of the likely closure of Headington Quarry School. It is not through any of its own shortcomings (Oxford Mail, November 11). This small school is a casualty of the re-organisation of city schools. Unfortunately, it does not have
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Buses moved to safety as water spills into depot
Floods from country park hit roads and care home Flooding caused chaos in parts of Oxfordshire over the weekend of November 16 and 17. Staff from bus company Stagecoach had to move cars and four buses parked on a track behind its depot after water running
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Cash threatens drugs policy
Drug addicts who steal to pay for their habit could be denied the chance to choose treatment instead of jail, because money for rehabilitation is drying up. The budget for drug treatment in Oxfordshire is almost exhausted just seven months into the financial
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Conmen use credit card scam on store
Retailers are being warned about a credit card scam after an Abingdon store was conned out of goods worth more than £2,000. The conmen telephoned Abingdon Beds in Spring Road and bought beds using credit cards which were later reported stolen. Store owner
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Carols must ring out
A new sound system is urgently needed for Wallingford's annual carol service in the Market Place. The current one does not pick up the children's voices in the choir so they are inaudible. The move to get a new system comes from town council member John
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Landgrab angers council
A landgrab bid by Reading Borough Council for parts of South Oxfordshire has raised new fears over a new river bridge across the Thames. But the way the issue has been handled has angered South Oxfordshire District Council. Chief executive David Buckle
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Rugby: Weekend results
Matches played on November 16 ENGLISH NATIONAL LEAGUE Div 2: Bracknell 46, Henley 26. ENGLISH CLUBS CHAMPIONSHIP Powergen South West Div 1: Cheltenham 26, Chinnor 20. Powergen SouthWest 2 East: Grove 13, Amersham & Chiltern 8; Oxford Harlequins 17
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November 15: Emma's ordeal
Road accident victim Emma Dibdin has one consolation - her ordeal may help save other pedestrians from serious injury. One of the quirks of life is that the more casualties there are on a road, the more quickly councils are likely to act with safety measures
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Children's choir opens fair
Members of The Batt Primary School choir in Witney provided musical entertainment at the town's parish fair. The fair was opened by the town's deputy mayor, Leslie Semaine. Attractions included Christmas gifts, a prize draw, cakes and a bouncy castle.
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Petition will call for better buses
Witney residents claim that improvements to local bus routes have left them with an unreliable service. They are planning to present a petition with more than 100 signatures to Oxfordshire County Council, which unveiled the subsidised services three weeks
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Football: Weekend results
Scores from the Witney & District FA, North Berks League, PL Kits Banbury and Lord Jersey FA, Morrells of Oxford Sunday League and Autotype UTV League WITNEY & DISTRICT FA Fred Ford Cup 2nd round: West Witney 1, Bampton Tn 2; Carterton Tn A v
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House sees visitor boom
Visitor numbers at Upton House, the National Trust property north-west of Banbury, almost doubled this year. Staff said 70,000 people paid to tour the house during the 2002 season -- 30,000 more than last year. The boom in business is put down to the
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Barber evades prison sentence
A trainee barber stole a police officer's jacket that had been left in a barn after a police surveillance operation. David Harrison, 43, appeared before Oxford Crown Court on November 15 and admitted stealing the jacket from Four Winds Farm, Shipton-under-Wychwood
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Rain pain for City
Oxford City's Ryman Division 1 North fixture against Berkhamsted was postponed because their Court Place Farm pitch was waterlogged. City Reserves won 2-1 away to Uxbridge in the Suburban League, Ben Cogger scoring both goals.
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It's a cruise for Wally
CHESSINGTON & HOOK 3, AFC WALLINGFORD 6: AFC Wallingford cruised into the third round of the Seagrave Haulage Combined Counties League Premier Division Cup. Two goals from Bradley Ward, one a penalty and the other a free-kick, put Wallingford 2-0
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Banbury get scant reward
EASTBOURNE BORO 1, BANBURY UTD 2: Banbury came away from the South coast with three hard-earned points - yet actually dropped a place in the Dr Martens League Eastern Division table. They overtook second-placed Eastbourne to be just one point behind leaders
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Parker sparks Abingdon comeback
New Abingdon manager Pete Lamont celebrated his first match in charge by coming away from Ware with all three Ryman Division 2 points on Saturday. Garry ParkerLamont, who has recruited Kidlington Old Boys boss Gordon Geary as his assistant, was given
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Football: Weekend results
Results from the FA Cup, Ryman League, Dr Martens League, Football League Youth Alliance, Cherry Red Records Hellenic League, Oxfordshire Senior Cup and Senior League and RT Harris Oxford City FA FA CUP 1st round: Dover Ath 0, Oxford Utd 1. RYMAN LEAGUE
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£150,000 grant for charity
An Oxford drug education charity run by two former addicts has received a £150,000 grant. Energy & Vision, was founded in 1998 by its project directors, Paul McCabe and Spencer Hudson, and informs young people about the dangers of drugs. It works
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Father Christmas visits children at craft fair
Father Christmas met children in his grotto at Hagbourne School craft fair on November 17. Lauren Atkins, six, enjoys her visit to Father Christmas There were more than 50 stalls displaying a range of crafts, including lace-making, glass engraving, ceramics
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Consultation on health
Residents in Oxford are being invited to have a say about community health services in the city. Oxford City Primary Care Trust and Oxfordshire Community Health Council are hosting a meeting on November 19 to find out about people's views and experiences
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Teacher resigns over porn
A teacher resigned from a north Oxford boarding school following allegations he was in possession of indecent material. Nigel Kitchen, 41, a science master, resigned from Summer Fields School, the boys' boarding school in Summerfield Road, after police
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Cafe aims to provide fair deal
Oxford Fairtrade Coalition is using a church cafe to promote Fairtrade shopping. Lord Mayor of Oxford Gill Sanders helped launch the initiative at St Michael's Church cafe in Cornmarket Street on November 16. Kath Anderson, a member of the coalition,
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Cafe aims to provide fair deal
Oxford Fairtrade Coalition is using a church cafe to promote Fairtrade shopping. Lord Mayor of Oxford Gill Sanders helped launch the initiative at St Michael's Church cafe in Cornmarket Street on November 16. Kath Anderson, a member of the coalition,
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Appeal to drivers: Kill your speed
Residents living in a north Oxford street fear someone will be knocked down and killed by speeding motorists unless traffic-calming measures are installed. Ted Dewan and his daughter Pandora, four, in Beech Croft Road, Oxford They claim Beech Croft Road
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Science park bus service improved
The first passenger to use an improved bus service connecting Oxford Science Park to the city centre was given a bottle of Champagne. Alison Philips, left, receives her Champagne gift from science park facilities manager Suzi Chapman Alison Phillips was
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U's over first Cup hurdle
DOVER ATHLETIC 0, OXFORD UNITED 1: A stunning individual goal from David Oldfield brought Oxford United their first win at a non-League ground in the FA Cup since they last visited Dover 21 years ago. Matt RobinsonIt was Oldfield's first goal for Oxford
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Come and see the hunt
The Countryside Alliance's advertising campaign has begun in regional newspapers across Britain. The advertisements, which coincide with the start of the hunting season, feature a selection of people who go hunting. They include a nurse, plumber, vet,
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Police must not dictate the law
Insp Malcolm Collis shows all the usual arrogance one comes to expect from British police officers in his views over speed cameras (Oxford Mail, November 13). Could someone please tell him that donning a blue uniform (and in his case a bright yellow coat
