Archive
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Police radios are 'waste of £12m'
A hi-tech police radio system coming to Oxfordshire next July is a waste of money, say MPs. A Parliamentary spending watchdog claimed the Government had squandered hundreds of millions on an "unnecessarily advanced" network called Airwave. The Commons
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Market helps wildlife
THE fourth Christmas market to raise money for wildlife group BBOWT takes place on December 7, in Abingdon Market Place. More than 40 volunteers will be running 15 stalls, selling home-made food, children's clothes, toys, glass and china, books, and gifts
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Students take first steps
Adults are taking their first steps towards higher education thanks to part-time university access course. Bob Priest, course co-ordinator Students in the Vale of White Horse can opt for philosophy, history of art, literature, environmental studies and
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Public's views sought on Old Gaol's future
Details of the public consultation exercise over the planned £10m redevelopment of the Old Gaol in Abingdon are to be revealed by mid-December. Consultants hired by the Vale of White Horse District Council have already published plans to convert the building
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Leisure centre success as the visitors flood in
Nearly three-quarters of a million people have visited Abingdon's leisure and tennis centre since it opened eight months ago -- and now there are plans for a £2m expansion to cater for growing demand. Staff break open the bubbly to celebrate The £10m
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Sale referred
Proposals to sell South Oxfordshire District Council's existing offices in Crowmarsh for housing and find a site for new council offices in the Wallingford area have been referred to the council's scrutiny committee, which meets on December 17.
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Police warn shoppers
Police have warned shoppers to watch out for thieves in the run-up to Christmas. The warning comes after a series of thefts of charity collection boxes and purses in Wallingford. The nuisance of anti-social behaviour has led one resident to call for criminals
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Mine clearance event
The west Oxfordshire branch of the United Nations Association is holding a wine and cheese evening on December 6, at 7.30pm in the Memorial Hall, Charlbury, to raise money for a minefield clearance campaign.
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Council to foot bill
Members of West Oxfordshire District Council's cabinet have agreed in principle to pay for 14 affordable homes in Milton-under- Wychwood. The council's cabinet member for housing Louise Chapman said: "Providing affordable housing is a top priority for
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Banks merge
Two branches of Lloyds TSB in Witney have now merged into one. The bank is now open from 9am to 5pm from Monday to Friday, and from 9.30am to 12.30pm on Saturdays. Witney MP David Cameron officially opens the refurbished building in Market Square on December
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Green award studies bear fruit
A woman's work for the environment has taken her from studying black bears in the wild to planting trees with schoolchildren. Mother-of-three Penny Franklin has been finishing her Millennium Award work in her home village of Long Hanborough. Helped by
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Minister urged to help police
Witney MP David Cameron has tackled Home Office Minister John Denham over the need to give Thames Valley Chief Constable Peter Neyroud extra cash and flexibility. The Conservative MP warned the force would continue to be a 'training college' for the Metropolitan
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Call for better infrastructure
Wantage Town Council has agreed that extra infrastructure is essential to support up to 2,500 new houses in Grove. Members backed the provision of new schools, cycleways and footpaths, as well as enlargement of Wantage cemetery, if the former airfield
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School plans welcomed
Plans for extensions and alterations to provide staff and administration rooms at St Edburg's Primary School, in Cemetery Lane, Bicester, have been welcomed by town councillors. The planning application has to be approved by Cherwell District Council.
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Sporting open day for over 50s
An open day for the over 50s is being held at Bicester and Ploughley Sports Centre in aid of charity. People can try out the centre's facilities, including the health suite, swimming pool, saunas and squash courts, on December 17, from 2.30pm to 5.30pm
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Wolvercote stars all set to shine
Boxing fans can look forward to a festive feast at the Exeter Hall in Kidlington on Friday night (December 6) with 12 quality bouts to augment the Christmas dinner menu as the Wolvercote ABC stage their first tournament of the season. And the success
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Two are shortlisted for top beat bobby award
Two Oxfordshire police constables have been nominated for a prestigious new community beat officer award. Pc Tony Hodgson, 49, has been a policeman for 18 years, and has served as a beat officer in Bicester and Banbury. He now works at the Thames Valley
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Swindon tamed by the Bulls
Oxford Bulls overpowered local rivals Swindon Nationwide Knights 10-5 with an excellent team display at Oxpens Road. The Bulls showed their intentions early on by romping into a 4-0 lead after only ten minutes through Canadian Phil Sauv (2), Eldar Tulebayev
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Awards hailed a big success
The Bicester Business Awards will become an annual event. Plans are already being made for the second awards night next year and it promises to be bigger and better than the first ceremony held in October. A provisional booking has already been made for
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Memorial upsets villagers
Parish councillors in a north Oxfordshire village are livid after the Army revealed plans to close their main road on December 8 so a monument can be installed. The Army is closing the road through Arncott from 6am, to put a Tornado aircraft on a plinth
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Be on your guard
Police are warning residents to be on their guard after two men posed as bogus council workers calling to do fencing work in the Merton Close area, Eynsham.
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Band on board
A village band played at locations on the Oxford Monopoly board to raise money for new instruments. Members of Bletchingdon Silver Band were helped around the city by a bus donated by the Oxford Bus Company, or walked to familiar sights such as the Ashmolean
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Schoolgirl's life saved by GP's rapid response
A Banbury girl struck down with the deadly meningitis bug received life-saving hospital treatment just 20 minutes after her mother called their GP. Susan Collis said the doctor's swift response saved four-year-old Ellie Rose's life. She became worried
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Players catch cup fever
Ian Atkins says the Oxford United dressing room is buzzing in anticipation of Sunday's FA Cup clash against Swindon. Ian AtkinsBut the U's boss admits he has so far kept the build-up low-key so that the players do not peak too early ahead of their big
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Cunning Cuddon stuns Indaline
Autotype UTV League round-up: DIDCOT outfit Queens Arms - just four places off the bottom of the whole league - produced the shock of the second round of the Devenney Cup with a stunning 3-0 win away to joint Division 1 leaders Athletico Indaline. Queens
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Parking rise
South Oxfordshire District Council's cabinet has approved a plan to increase fees at most of the council's car parks from April 1. Parking at Hill Road in Watlington will remain free, pending further consultation.
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Pensioners donate gifts to hospice
Pensioners have been busy packing Christmas parcels for children at Oxford's Helen House Hospice. Autumn Leaves members hard at work Ellen Watson, leader of the Didcot Autumn Leaves group, pictured front, said: "Members all donated crafts and presents
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Secretary heads for Amazon
A hospital secretary will take part in a gruelling canoe trek along the Amazon to raise money for charity. Maths graduate Amanda Simpson is planning a 12-day trek and canoeing trip in Ecuador, South America, to raise money for the Deaf Childrens' Society
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Enthusiast fears for his classic car
Classic car enthusiast Rod Munday fears his favourite vehicle may be damaged by one of the growing number of speed humps in the county. Mr Munday owns a white Lancia Fulvia sports car. He is most annoyed by humps in Islip since he has to pass through
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Man died in water tank
A man suffering from Parkinson's disease drowned himself in his garden water tank, an inquest heard. Frank Parslar, 53, was found floating in the water tank at his garden in Oxford Road, Garsington, by his family soon after he went missing on May 7. His
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Banned driver gets jail term
A disqualified driver has been jailed for more than two and a half years for dangerous driving and using his car as a weapon to intimidate. John Pitson, of no fixed address, was convicted at Oxford Crown Court on December 4 of common assault, three counts
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Appeal for Africa
A campaign to raise £50,000 to build a home in Uganda for orphans whose parents have died after contracting Aids has been launched in Oxford. Reeta Kaala and Lise Humphries Ugandan Reeta Kaala, who has lived in the city for more than 10 years, has set
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Police warn drivers to avoid drink
Drink-drivers are a year-round menace and not just a problem during the festive season, say police. Figures released by Thames Valley Police show collisions involving motorists over the limit remain constant throughout the year. They do not peak around
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Covers come off ox
Artist Olivia Musgrave helped unveil the life-size ox sculpture she created to welcome visitors to Oxford, pictured. Olivia Musgrave with the ox More than 100 people gathered outside the Said Business School, opposite Oxford railway station on December
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Green rules roost with world crown
Didcot's Martin Green struck gold in the World Bench Press Championships in Italy. Competing in the 90k class at Como, Green produced the winning lift of 195k in the first round. He then had two cracks at equalling his own European record of 202.5k, but
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MS booklet published
A free booklet has been published by the Multiple Sclerosis Society. Just Diagnosed: an introduction to MS is available from the Information Team, MS Society, MS National Centre, 372 Edgware Road, London.
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Write way to promote area
Authors and artists are putting their work on display at an open evening at the Woodstock Visitor Information Centre on December 5. The event, from 5.30pm to 7.30pm in the Oxfordshire Museum, aims to promote Woodstock within the Oxfordshire Cotswolds.
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Arrests follow catapult death
Two men have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter following the death of an Oxford University student in a human catapult stunt, police said on December 4. Kostadin Yankov, 19, a Bulgarian student at Wadham College died on November 24, after the
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Boy, 16, died after sniffing fuel
A group of teenagers hid canisters of lighter gas from paramedics while their friend lay dying in an Abingdon park, an inquest heard. Kevin Field, 16, collapsed and died as a result of inhaling butane gas at Albert Park on June 3. Oxford Coroner's Court
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Vandals strike at town's abbot
The Abbot of Abingdon -- the wooden figure in the middle of the Marcham Road roundabout -- has been dragged into the firefighters' dispute. A yellow Fire Brigades' Union T-shirt was draped over the sculpture and several black letters scrawled over part
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Protest at park sacking
Up to 100 people have signed a petition calling on an Abingdon charity to retain a park keeper. Christ's Hospital said it was being forced to make one of two park keepers redundant and contract out gardening work to save money. But people living near
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Oxfordshire make loss of £5,000
Oxfordshire made a loss of around £5,000 last year, the county's annual meeting at Oxford & Horspath CC was told on Wednesday night. Oxfordshire Cricket Board chairman Simon Porter put it down to a fall in the value of grants from, amongst other sources
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Royal visit due
The Princess Royal will be the guest of honour at a candlelit concert in Dorchester Abbey on December 17 at 8pm. The The Coming of Christmas concert, performed by the choir of Magdalen College, Oxford, will be followed by mulled wine and mince pies in
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Scrooge takes stage
Old skinflint Scrooge is coming to Witney before Christmas but he will not be spoiling anyone's celebrations. Miserly Scrooge takes a musical turn Drama group Class Act will perform the musical Scrooge from December 11-13, at Our Lady of Lourdes School
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Students take first steps
Adults are taking their first steps towards higher education thanks to part-time university access course. Students in the Vale of White Horse can opt for philosophy, history of art, literature, environmental studies and sociology. Course co-ordinator
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Flying duo remembered
Daredevil aviators John and Fred Holmes have been recognised in a book produced by Hanney History Group. Frank Poller, with the book The brothers from East Hanney made their mark by creating one of the first aeroplane "joyriding" companies in the country
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Staff crisis shuts unit
Wantage Hospital is to close half its beds and its minor casualty unit because of a staffing crisis. Twelve beds could shut by the end of the year if recruitment does not improve. South West Oxfordshire Primary Care Trust has pleaded for any registered
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Anti-drink-driving campaign in trouble
A mother whose son was killed by an intoxicated motorist has warned that the anti-drink-driving charity she works for is under threat. Jane Evason's 19-year-old son Gareth was knocked down following a night out with friends near Wantage. The tragedy in
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County keeps its standards high
The performance of primary schools in Oxfordshire is steadily improving and is better than the national average, according to Government league tables published on December 5. While school league tables attract criticism from some teachers, who see them
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Yard concern
Town councillors have backed plans for nine detached homes to be built on the Bicester Timber yard, but they have reservations over access on Buckingham Road. It would be next to Bicester North railway station's entrance road and close to a railway bridge
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Motors pip St James in thriller
Fourth division Morris Motors F upset Division 1 side St James A by a single point in a thrilling Oxford & District League's Handicap Shield clash. The match went down to the doubles, with St James's father-and-son partnership of Brian and Stewart
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Deadly Danny drives Motors into last 16
OFA Sam Waters Cup: Danny Williams was in the driving seat as Morris Motors reached the last 16 with a 2-1 victory away to Kidmore End. Vikings' William Boyes and Rose Hill's Wayne McLennon clash in their tie, which Rose Hill won 10-4Williams gave Motors
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Man accused of robbery
A man will appear in court on December 9, charged with robbery. David Anthony Reid, 33, of Green Hill, Greater Leys, is alleged to have robbed a woman in Barton, Oxford, on November 28. He was remanded in custody by Oxford magistrates and the case committed
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Limits are being obeyed
Traffic checks carried out in the area by Oxfordshire County Council have revealed that most motorists using local roads obey the speed limits. Of 792 vehicles recorded within the 40mph zone at Cumnor Hill, 739 were travelling below the limit and only
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Deano's mission
Midfielder Dean Whitehead has a score to settle against Swindon on Sunday, because the last time he faced them he was sent off - and the memory of that awful day still haunts him. Dean WhiteheadIn derby matches, midfielders often go into the tackle with
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'Woodies' prevail in nine-goal thriller
Morrells of Oxford Sunday League round-up: The weather may have hit the league programme but it could prevent a cracking nine-goal thriller between Woodchip Wanderers and Star Wanderers Res, both in the top three of Division 2. Woodchip eventually ran
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New captain
Retired solicitor Mike Lewis will drive-in as the new captain of North Oxford at the Banbury Road club on Sunday, December 15.
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Bright spark Andy is Studley saviour
Studley Wood member Andy Hill came to the rescue when the club's annual dinner and presentation evening was hit by a power cut. Hill, an electrician, soon sorted out the problem at 333 Banbury Road, Oxford and the 130 guests were able to enjoy the rest
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Golf scores
Scores from around Oxfordshire's golf clubs . . . STUDLEY WOOD Winter League 2nd round: 1 J Ball & R Knight 44pts (cb), 2 D Wilding & G Booker 44, 3 S Hunt & M Gregory 43. Leaders (after 2 rounds): 1 Ball & Knight 100pts, 2 M Lochrie &
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Coach firm in red
Transport group Stagecoach, which runs one of Oxford's two bus companies, has tumbled into the red. This reflects a dramatic downturn in its Coach USA arm, which is still suffering from the slide in the US economy. Stagecoach ran up pre-tax losses of
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Antibiotic link-up
Researchers looking for new antibiotics to tackle drug-resistant infections have signed a £3m deal with an Oxfordshire chemical company. Evotec OAI, of Milton Park, near Abingdon, will provide chemistry skills to biotech company Prolysis, based at Begbroke
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Awards hailed a big success
The Bicester Business Awards will become an annual event. Plans are already being made for the second awards night next year and it promises to be bigger and better than the first ceremony held in October. A provisional booking has already been made for
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Directors seek partner for troubled company
Defiant directors at troubled British Biotech say the company is in a stronger position than many of its competitors. But they have confirmed that joining forces with a similar firm was a key priority along with managing its portfolio of products and
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Review: Carmen
Apollo, Oxford Sultry, sexy and smoky. Glyndebourne Touring Opera's season at the Oxford Apollo opened on Tuesday with Bizet's classic tale of passion and jealousy. This is the story of an impressionable soldier (Peter Auty) who, despite his intentions
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Pensioners donate gifts to hospice
Pensioner members of Didcot Autumn Leaves packed Christmas parcels for children at Oxford's Helen House Hospice. Autumn Leaves members hard at work Ellen Watson, leader of the group, pictured front, said: "Members all donated crafts and presents which
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Man denies 'horrific' sex attack
A man has appeared before Oxford Crown Court charged with a "horrific and vicious" rape. Richard Day, 21, of Greenmere, Brightwell-cum-Sotwell, near Wallingford, denies attacking a woman while she was babysitting at her friend's house in the early hours
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Lack of information delays site decision
A decision on the future of a derelict piece of land in Didcot described as an eyesore has been further delayed after vital information was left out of a council report. South Oxfordshire District Council's cabinet was due to make a decision on the future
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Pupils learn recycling tips
Pupils at an Oxford school are learning environmental tips and putting waste materials to good use. Schoolchildren at West Oxford Primary School in Ferry Hinksey Road wanted to recycle and asked their city councillor Susanna Pressel for help. She arranged
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Birthday for county's oldest resident
A woman believed to be Oxfordshire's oldest resident has celebrated her 105th birthday. Hilda Brooks Great grandmother Hilda Brooks was proud to receive a telegram from the Queen as she enjoyed a family party at the Spencer Court Care Home For Older People
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No fee as park and ride opens
Shoppers and commuters in Oxford can use a new park-and-ride for free. As reported in later editions of yesterday's Oxford Mail, the Water Eaton park-and-ride, near the grain silo between Oxford and Kidlington, opens on Tuesday and will offer free parking
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Mayor gets cuffed for charity
The mayor of Woodstock, Gwen Mason, found herself arrested by police on the steps of the town hall. Mayoral chains take on a new meaning She had not committed any crime, but was among a group of people taking part in the Royal National Institute of the
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Anti-war protesters obstruct Whitehall
Protesters from Oxford were arrested after they blocked the road during a "die-in" in London. They laid down in the road in Whitehall and played dead in protest against any future attack on Iraq by the US and Britain. Four people from Oxford were arrested
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Funding cuts close theatre group
A theatre company for adults with disabilities is to close due to a cut in council funding. For the past 13 years, the Oxford Libra Theatre Company has provided skills training and performance opportunities for adults aged 20 to 80. From December 31,
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Police pledge hooligan crackdown
Oxford police have pledged to crack down on any football hooliganism at a derby between Oxford United and Swindon Town on December 8. More than 100 Thames Valley Police officers will be on duty during an operation, overseen by Oxford area commander Ch
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Oxfordshire make loss of £5,000
Oxfordshire made a loss of around £5,000 last year, the county's annual meeting at Oxford & Horspath CC was told on Wednesday night. Oxfordshire Cricket Board chairman Simon Porter put it down to a fall in the value of grants from, amongst other sources
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Engineering group to sever ties with town
Multi-national engineering group Smiths Industries will end a long association with Witney with the sale of its Sifan business. Sifan, which employs 138 people at its Northwood Road factory, forms part of a group of operations being sold off by Smiths
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Back on board
Maurice Johnson has been re-appointed as a non-executive director of Oxfordshire Ambulance Trust. The former county chief fire officer, of Fogwell Road, Botley, Oxford, has sat on the ambulance board since 1998, and will now stay until October 2006.
