Archive
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Bingo event in Lewknor
Lewknor's annual fundraising Christmas bingo evening will be in the Jubilee Hall on Monday, December 9, at 7pm.
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Christmas fairs in Burford
Christmas Craft Fairs will be held in the Methodist Hall in the High Street, Burford, on December 13 and 14, from 10am to 5pm.
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Traders offer festive cheer
Traders in Oxford's High Street are inviting shoppers to take part in a special pre-Christmas celebration. The event takes place outside the University Church of St Mary the Virgin on Thursday, December 5, at 5.30pm, when traders will offer mince pies
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Hip pupils exercise for money
The swinging '60s was the theme of a charity fundraising effort at a school in Woodstock. Pupils at The Marlborough School dressed up in 1960s gear and ran around the park at Blenheim Palace to raise money for various charities. Pupils go back in time
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Choir girls face the cameras
Talented choristers from Oxford High School have been recorded by the BBC as part of a national competition. Cameramen recorded the choir after 46 girls from years five and six (ages nine to 11) were selected as one of the final six groups in the junior
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Schoolchildren pay us a visit
Children from a Wallingford school visited the Oxford Mail headquarters as part of a project on newspapers. The 33 children aged between eight and 10, from Fir Tree Junior School, were shown round the building at Osney Mead, Oxford, and introduced to
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School backs cycling
Special measures have been taken at a village school to encourage young children to get on their bikes. New bicycle racks and designated cycle paths in and around the entrance to Stonesfield Primary School are part of the campaign. Proficiency lessons
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'One stop shop' for higher
education UCAS, or the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service, is the UK central organisation through which applications are processed for entry to full-time first degrees, HNDs and university diplomas. The mission of UCAS is to promote a partnership
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Weekend action, December 7-8
Action for the forthcoming weekend SATURDAY Coniston, Cumbria: Grizedale Stages Rally. 0122 958 5244. Bayford Meadows: EKC Winter Kart Championship. 0179 541 0707. Three Sisters: MBKC kart races. First day of two-day event. 0194 227 0230. SUNDAY Brands
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Donor figures boosted by our appeal
A blood donor session on an Oxford housing estate has been saved thanks to help from Oxford Mail readers. The future of a regular session at Blackbird Leys Leisure Centre in Pegasus Road was under threat because not enough people attended the three-monthly
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OTS is 'good for children's health'
Children's lungs are healthier since the controversial Oxford Transport Strategy was introduced, according to researchers. Preliminary studies by specialists from the British Thoracic Society showed traffic restrictions and pedestrian-only areas in the
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Review: Oxford Pro-musica Singers
Derek Jole reviews the Singers' 25th anniversary concert An ever-so-tactful wigging from the Pro-Musica's conductor, Michael Smedley, delivered to a crowded University Church last week, expressed the hope that we would henceforth support not just this
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New school only half the size
The Rev James Cocke and other readers are wrong about the proposed size of Windmill Primary School at Headington, Oxford. I certainly would not send my children to a 900-pupil primary school. No doubt, many readers have the same feelings and will not
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Hester Jenkins
A service will be held next month in America to celebrate the life of a printer and historian who lived in Oxford for 50 years. Hester Jenkins, founder of the TruexPress, an innovative printing press, was 82 when she died on October 26. Mrs Jenkins, came
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Dorothy Herbert
Herbert, an evacuee from the London Blitz, who became a well-known figure in her adopted community of Kidlington, has died, aged 94. Mrs Herbert, who was postmistress in Garden City for 17 years until her retirement in 1973, came to the village with her
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Cambridge gain edge
Cambridge gained a psychological edge over Oxford ahead of next Tuesday's Varsity Match at Twickenham when they won the clash beween the second teams at Grange Road. Oxford Greyhounds went down 13-8, their points coming from a try by replacement scrum
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Cornish visitors for Henley
Launceston visit Henley for the second time this season, when they take on the leaders in a National League Division 2 clash on Saturday. The Cornish side were at Dry Leas in October for a Powergen Cup tie which the Hawks won 46-10. Henley scrum half
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Rugby teams for the weekend
Local line-ups for matches on Saturday, December 7, 2002 Henley Hawks (v Launceston, home, 2): McNair, Chandler, Obi, R Osman, Van Zyl, James, Davies, Reeves, Ayres, Smaje, Fuller, Hall, Hamilton-Smith, Hopcroft, Winterbottom, Martin, Coke, Atkinson,
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Rugby fixtures for Saturday
Matches to be played on Saturday, December 7, 2002 ENGLISH NATIONAL LEAGUE Div 2: Henley v Launceston. ENGLISH CLUBS CHAMPIONSHIP Powergen South West Div 1: Chinnor v Reading. Powergen South West 2 East: Maidenhead v Oxford Harlequins, Salisbury v Grove
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Faith put to TV test
An Anglican curate from near Thame narrowly pipped a Roman Catholic priest from Didcot to the post in the BBC TV show Top Gear. The Rev Antony Feltham-White, of the Bernwode benefice, won a time trial challenge set by presenter Jeremy Clarkson, who lives
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Town rejects supermarket
The Corn Exchange was packed for a meeting on the future of the town's Marriotts Close site -- and no one spoke in favour of a superstore. About 200 people attended the meeting, which was held 24 hours after Asda announced it had drawn up plans to build
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Icy dip to say thank you
Siblings from Witney will be spending their Christmas Day taking a cold plunge -- to raise funds for charity. Lucy and Jack prepare for the cold dip When Lucy Chance-Arkell was born 10 weeks' premature, she weighed under three pounds and spent four weeks
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Reward offered for stolen quad bike
A Witney boy has had his quad bike stolen -- but he does not yet know about it. It was given to him on his fourth birthday by parents Jane and Lawson Edwards, who are dreading having to break the news to Jake. Instead, they are hoping the public can help
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Charity theft shocks family
A Charlbury family have been left shocked by the theft of a charity box containing money for Mencap. For the last four or five years George Dowell and his son Steven, pictured, have decorated the outside of their house in Hughes Close before Christmas
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Consortium hopes for public support
A consortium is carrying out a major promotion campaign in a bid to recruit supporters for its plan to build 850 homes. The proposed development in north Witney, between Woodstock Road and Hailey Road, is one of three options for the next big expansion
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Review: The Hobbit
M.B.DRENNAN on the welcome return of Tolkien's The Hobbit to the Oxford Apollo I don't know. They get such a bad press. Sit on your backside all day, demanding massive wealth, and letting everything round you burn to the ground, and suddenly everyone
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Christmas Eve market
A MARKET will be held in Wantage on Christmas Eve. Wantage Town Council agreed to allow stall holders use of the Market Place on the Tuesday before Christmas. They would have missed two trading days because of bank holidays over the festive period.
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Hockey fixtures for Sunday
Matches to be played on Sunday, December 8, 2002 Women's HA Cup 4th round: Leyland Motors v Rover. Oxon Under 14 Girls League: Henley A v Wallingford, Henley B v Tilsley Tigers, West Witney A v Banbury, West Witney B v Bicester, City of Oxford v Oxford
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Court extension
Town councillors have welcomed plans to build an extension to provide witness rooms and other amenities at Bicester Magistrates' Court in Waverley House, Queen's Avenue. The plan has to be determined by Cherwell district councillors.
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Potter doubles needed
Harry Potter and Hermione Granger look-alikes are being sought by Specsavers opticians in Crown Walk shopping mall, Bicester. Young people are being asked to send in photographs of themselves as the characters by December 11. The top prize in the national
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Hockey fixtures for Saturday
Matches to be played on Saturday, December 7, 2002 ________ MEN ENGLISH LEAGUE Div 2: Nottingham v Oxford Hawks. SOUTH LEAGUE Premier Div 1: Eastcote v Oxford Univ. MBB&O Regional: Banbury v Slough, High Wycombe v City of Oxford. Div 1: Mill Hill
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Picture perfect
Sunsets, flowers and landscapes of Oxford were all shot by photographer Lyndsay Miles Coxhill for his first exhibition in Bicester. Mr Coxhill His show at the Courtyard Youth and Arts Centre, Launton Road, runs until December 19. Mr Coxhill, 26, of Water
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Mitchell set to miss out on derby
Oxford City are likely to be without striker John Mitchell for Saturday's Ryman League Division 1 North derby encounter with local rivals Thame United at Court Place Farm. Justin Lee The ex-Thame player was taken off with an ankle injury during the first
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Crash victim tried to phone for help
A motorcyclist who tried to call for help on his mobile phone after hitting a telegraph pole at speed later died from his injuries, an inquest heard. Mechanic Henry Wadley, 28, of Spingleside, Southwold, Bicester, was out on a motorcycle ride with a friend
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Goddard misses out
Matty Goddard is unavailable due to work commitments as Letcombe visit Midgham in the Berks and Bucks Intermediate Cup third round. Liam McCollough is added to the squad. Letcombe (v Midgham, away): Game, Burry, Delacoze, J Simms, Jelinski, Fairchild,
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Radio head
David Walley, chief executive of the Arena Event Services Group and a previous winner of the town's Businessman of the Year award, has been appointed a non-executive director of Banbury FM, the company looking to win a radio licence for north Oxfordshire
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Fears over Sikh temple plans
Plans to build a Sikh temple in Banbury could cause public unrest, Cherwell District Council has been warned. The council has received a planning application to build a temple and community centre in Longlandes Way, next to the Musketeer pub. The land
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Oxford Mail Cross Country League report
Former champion Richard Bromley, of Headington, marked his arrival in this year's Oxford Mail Cross-Country League with a stunning victory on a new and challenging venue at Lambourn on Sunday. Jo Rhodes, of White Horse Harriers In the absence of last
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Witney and Woodstock escape charges
Witney United and Old Woodstock Town have escaped charges from the Oxfordshire FA following the mass brawl in their game at Marriotts Stadium last month. Mayhem broke out in injury time at the end of the match on Saturday, November 9 - which Witney won
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Cherry Red Records Hellenic League squads
Player squads for the matches on December 7 Bicester Tn (v Tuffley, home): from Butler, Peake, Hopcraft, Lissiter, Blake, B Thomas, Bone, Ayris, A Thomas, Charlton, Simpson, Edney, Robinson, Please. Adderbury Park (v Purton, home): Daley, Chard, Agnese
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Steele could be secret weapon
Lee Steele could make a surprise FA Cup entrance at the Kassam Stadium on Sunday. Lee SteeleUnited manager Ian Atkins says he is "giving serious consideration" to starting with Steele, who has yet to make a first-team start this season after an injury-plagued
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Let's do it again
Oxford United manager Ian Atkins is confident his players can produce another of their great 2002 cup performances to beat derby rivals Swindon Town at a Kassam Stadium that wil be a cauldron of emotion on Sunday. Ian Atkins"We've done it against Bristol
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Football fixtures for Sunday
Matches to be played on Sunday, December 8, 2002 FA CUP 2nd round: Oxford Utd v Swindon Tn (1pm). OFA SAM WATERS CUP 2nd round: Chase Financial v Donnington Hotspur. 3rd round: Highfield SC v Iffley Harriers, PDB Ath v JK Spts. MORRELLS OF OXFORD SUNDAY
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Football fixtures for Saturday
Matches to be played on Saturday, December 7, 2002 RYMAN LEAGUE Div 1 North: Oxford C v Thame Utd Div 2: Abingdon Tn v Leyton Tn. DR MARTENS LEAGUE Eastern Div: Banbury Utd v Dartford. FOOTBALL LEAGUE YOUTH ALLIANCE Under 19: Oxford Utd v Cambridge Utd
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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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Interview: Baritone Mark Stone
Hugh Vickers talks to Mark Stone about his appearances at the Apollo with Glyndebourne Touring Opera this week (to December 7) Mark StoneTalking to Mark Stone, the young baritone who sings Eugene Onegin in the Glyndebourne Touring production of Tchaikowsky's
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Radio head
David Walley, chief executive of the Arena Event Services Group and a previous winner of the town's Businessman of the Year award, has been appointed a non-executive director of Banbury FM, the company looking to win a radio licence for north Oxfordshire
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Farmer ready to talk turkey
A farmer is branching out to open his own shop -- just in time for Christmas. Mr Holloway David Holloway is raising 250 traditional farm fresh turkeys for Christmas, which will all be plucked by hand and sold in his new shop at Callows Farm, Stonesfield
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Culture chief chosen
The former chief of Southern Arts has been chosen as the man to lead Oxford's bid to become the European Capital of Culture. Oxford Inspires, the consortium behind the city's efforts to win the Capital of Culture title in 2008, has appointed Robert Hutchison
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Joint deal rescues Amey bid for Tube
Service company Amey has accepted a rescue plan by its two partners to ensure the part-privatisation of the London Underground. Amey, based at Sutton Courtenay, near Abingdon, is in financial difficulty after spending large sums bidding for public-sector
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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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Dec 4: Squabbling must stop
It is difficult to know what to make of the endless argument over social services spending in Oxfordshire. The Government claims that it has been generous in its cash handouts and the county council is responsible for any cuts. The council says it has
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Review: Mr Deeds(PG13)
Longfellow Deeds, played by actor Adam Sandler, is the extremely laid-back owner of a pizza restaurant in the small town of Mandrake Falls, in America. Adam SandlerBy some insane fluke, he inherits his late-uncle's $40 billion fortune. On a trip to New
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Accused 'sent fake letters'
A man brutally raped a woman with cancer and then tried to cover his tracks by sending threatening letters to himself, a court heard. Richard Day, 21, of Greenmere, Brightwell-cum-Sotwell, near Wallingford, denies two counts of rape. Day is accused of
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Co-op steps in to save nursery from closure
A nursery threatened with closure has been rescued by the Oxford Swindon and Gloucester Co-op. Children at the nursery have plenty to celebrate The Little Scholars Nursery, based at Oxford College of Further Education's campus in Cuddesdon Way, Blackbird
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Orange and milk mixture banishes graffiti
Graffiti in Oxford could soon be a thing of the past, thanks to an unusual organic experiment being carried out. Chemical detergents may be abandoned if tests carried out using a simple mixture of orange and milk prove successful. Orange and milk does
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Hospital parking fees jump 33%
Parking fees at Oxford hospitals are to be increased by a third in a bid to raise revenue and cut debts. Four hours' parking at the John Radcliffe and Churchill Hospitals, both in Headington, will go up from £1.50 to £2, bringing them in line with charges
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Council wins legal battle over fines
A legal challenge over parking fines, which could have cost Oxfordshire County Council £6m, has been defeated. In September, the National Parking Adjudication Service ruled in favour of accountant Joe Hannigan, who claimed the council had not properly
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Cash bonanza provides Christmas cheer
Oxford owners and trainers, who have been seeking better prize money for years, have received a boost for next year. The British Greyhound Racing Fund, which backs the tracks and allocated Oxford £41,000 this year, are to increase that amount to £50,000
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Let's do it again
Oxford United manager Ian Atkins is confident his players can produce another of their great 2002 cup performances to beat derby rivals Swindon Town at a Kassam Stadium that wil be a cauldron of emotion on Sunday. Ian Atkins"We've done it against Bristol
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Ordinary Diana
So Diana Spencer is the third greatest Briton of all time. If that is the case, I am the greatest driver of a golf ball off the tee since Jack Nicklaus. We must be a very naive and shallow nation. What did she achieve in her admittedly short and tragic
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Always in the wrong
A motorist was outraged at cyclists going the wrong way down a one-way street (Oxford Mail, November 20). It is ironic that the motorist poses far more of a threat to motorists, cyclists and pedestrians by going the right way down the street than cyclists
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Fire crews have strong support
After reading another unfair, inaccurate and unbalanced article on the firefighters' industrial action (Oxford Mail, November 30), we must educate you on the following points. You say the firefighters are losing public support. We presume you gauged the
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Correction
We are asked to point out that the Oxfordshire Woman of the Year competition, reported in theOxford Mail on December 2, was organised by the Oxfordshire Working Women's Forum, a special interest group of Oxfordshire Chamber of Commerce. The gala dinner
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Christmas arrives in Woodstock
The Woodstock Natural History Group will be holding a Christmas evening in the community centre on Tuesday, December 10, from 7.30pm.
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Floral example in Wantage
Diana Joyce will give a demonstration called Christmas Carillon to Wantage Flower Club at 7.30pm on Thursday, December 5. Entry costs £6 for visitors.
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BBC carols in Witney
BBC Radio Oxford will be recording its service of Christmas Carols in St Mary's Church, Witney, on Monday, December 9, starting at 7.30pm. It is open to anyone who wishes to come. The service will be broadcast on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
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Charity chess competition aims to get more in library
Pupils have organised a charity chess tournament to encourage more of them to visit the school library in their lunch break. They are involved in a knockout tournament to raise money for Cancer Research UK. The tournament is organised by students and
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Bishop helps unveil Millennium window
The Bishop of Oxford, the Rt Rev Richard Harries, dedicated a Millennium stained glass window at the Blake Church of England Primary School in Witney. The school won the chance to have a special stained glass window after entering a Diocesan competition
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School praised for high
standards and security So impressed were Government inspectors with an Abingdon primary school that they identified only a couple of areas in which there was need for improvement. The Ofsted team said Caldecott Primary School was "good with some excellent
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Children to get chance
A new formula to allow children as young as eight to enjoy off-road motorsport will be launched next year. The Junior Trials Vehicle (JTV) was the result of two years' work by the off-road committee of the Motor Sports Council, which wanted a formula
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BMW Williams up and running in Spain
The Grove-based BMW Williams F1 Team started their winter test programme with a three-day test at the Valencia circuit in Spain. The tests were conducted by BMW Williams F1 driver, Juan Pablo Montoya and official test driver Marc Gene. Giorgio Pantano
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CART race is axed
Next year's CART championship race at Rockingham has been removed from the calendar, because the organisers say it won't make enough money. The event was due to take place on May 3/4, but CART and Rockingham have jointly agreed to cancel the event. Rockingham
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Oxford on alert for football clashes
Oxford is gritting its teeth for potential problems as December 8's FA Cup second-round tie between the Oxford United and Swindon Town looms. With extra security laid on to counter the possibility of crowd clashes before, during and after the local derby
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Arrows thrown on F1 scrapheap
Arrows look set to join the F1 scrapheap after they were booted out of next season's World Championship. The Leafield-based team, who failed to compete in six of the final seven races of last season because of cash problems, were not on the entry list
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Date check: Choral concert
The Chipping Norton Choral Society is presenting Bach's Christmas Oratorio on Saturday, December 7, in St Mary's Church at 7.30pm.
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Review: Martin Souter
Hugh Vickers enjoys a performance by harpsichordist Martin Souter at the Ashmolean, Oxford The Friends of the Ashmolean hosted another concert in the Tapestry Gallery by the harpsichordist Martin Souter. This time, however, Souter played not only the
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Lorry and car collide
A crash involving a lorry and a car closed one lane of the A34 near Abingdon at 11.45pm on December 5. One person trapped in a vehicle was freed by firefighters and taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, after the two vehicles crashed down an
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Review: Nikolai Demidenko
Richard Hollingum visits Wotton House for a musical treat Hidden in the countryside on the border between Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire is the wonderful Wotton House and hidden in the house is a wonderful architectural secret - though not for much longer
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Dr Joan Harcourt-Norris
A doctor, mayor, councillor and magistrate in Abingdon for more than 50 years, Dr Joan Harcourt Norris, has died. She was 95. Last year Dr Harcourt Norris received the Freedom of Abingdon badge and ribbon in recognition of her work and commitment to the
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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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Sandford prove too strong
Sandford St Martin were too hot for a youthful Oxford & Horspath side in the Oxfordshire Indoor Cricket Competition at Blackbird Leys. Oxford Downs were unable to raise a team, which meant there was only one match played on the evening. Richard Murray
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Teenagers in brawl
Teenagers brought traffic to a standstill in Wallingford on December 6 as they fought a pitched battle in the town centre. Police reports said between 20 and 40 youths were involved in the fracas in the High Street just before 11.30pm. Police were called
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Boost for Banbury
Banbury are boosted by the return of goalkicking centre Andy Noyce for their Midlands 2 East basement battle away to Nottingham Modernians on Saturday. Both clubs are on four points, Modernians' better points difference putting them one place above Banbury
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Away kings out to stretch lead
Oxford Harlequins will be aiming to extend a remarkable sequence of away wins when they take on closest rivals Maidenhead in South West 2 East on Saturday (2.15). Richard RouseQuins, who lead the table by four points, have won their last 13 league games
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Novice Tony aims for Twickers grand slam
AT round 2.45pm on Tuesday, in front of 50,000 rugby fans at Twickenham, an Oxford University student will be kicking for goal as though his life depended on it. Tony Montague practisesAnd the man in the spotlight won't the Dark Blues' goalkicking specialist
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Dec 2: Reckless drivers
It is no surprise that Oxfordshire County Council is having trouble filling vacancies for lollipop men and women. They not only have to work inconvenient hours for little pay, but face the daily danger of speeding drivers. It is appalling that drivers
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Dec 3: High price of living
Many of us are going to have to pay heavily for the privilege of living in Oxfordshire. That has become clear after the Government's decision to revalue homes and adjust and increase the number of council tax bands. The present bands, fixed nine years
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Nov 30: Time to talk - again
Ian Beesley's demolition of the road hump outside his home has whipped up an extraordinary amount of interest. The Oxford Mail's story last Monday about his antics with the JCB has been followed by media organisations in Britain and many parts of the
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Market to be held
A Farmers' Market will be held on Church Green, Witney, on December 19, from 9am to 1pm.
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Christmas sell-out
A Victorian Christmas show performed by The Songsters of Carterton raised £500 for charity. The performance at Gateway Primary School sold out, and cheques for £250 were presented to Macmillan Nurses and the British Heart Foundation.
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End of road for Arrows workers
Troubled Arrows Grand Prix team, based at Leafield near Witney, has issued redundancy notices. According to reports out on December 6, up to 200 staff have been sent letters confirming they no longer have jobs. A few days earlier, the Leafield-based team
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Villagers demand approval for shop
Villagers in Ascott-under-Wychwood are pressing planners to forego strict development policies so they can have a shop. The only store in the village closed five years ago, but it could now be replaced as part of a housing redevelopment in High Street
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Offices sold
Belmont House, a Grade II listed office building in Upper High Street, Thame, has been sold to Working Assets, a property company that specialises in the acquisition and management of multi-let industrial estates.
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Preview: Albert Herring, Glyndebourne Touring Opera
Derek Jole reviews a show which local audiences can catch at the Apollo Oxford on Thursday, December 5 To hear some talk, you might suppose the anti-hero Britten and his librettist Eric Crozier found in Maupassant sprang from the likes of Hoffman's people
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Preview: Two pantos
Helen Peacocke looks ahead to two highlights of the panto season in Oxfordshire - Jack in the Beanstalk at Chipping Norton and Puss in Boots in Oxford There is a buzz of excitement backstage at The Theatre, Chipping Norton as the cast prepare to add a
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£64,000 extension for hall
Wantage MP Robert Jackson officially opened the doors to Longworth's extended village hall. More than £64,000 has been spent on the building, thanks to a grant from Oxfordshire Community Fund. The hall is used for a range of activities and the extension
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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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Claire goes top of the class!
Oxon Schools increased their lead at the top of Divison 3 in the Five Disciplines Badminton League with a 140-109 victory over hosts Cramic Demag, from Banbury. Schools opened strongly with two 15-8 victories by Paul Dyer and Amanda King. Chris Knapp
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Rover eye double
Rover Oxford Ladies face a double-header against Leyland Motors at Preston on the last weekend before the mid-season break. The Oxford side hope to have Liz McVey back from her hamstring strain for tomorrow's contest in English League Division 2. They
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Sandford prove too strong
Sandford St Martin were too hot for a youthful Oxford & Horspath side in the Oxfordshire Indoor Cricket Competition at Blackbird Leys. Oxford Downs were unable to raise a team, which meant there was only one match played on the evening. Richard Murray
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Flowers look festive
Yuletide was the festive theme chosen by Bicester Floral Club for its annual show. Under the title of Yuletide with Style, floral art classes included Santa's workshop, crackers, candlelight, a seasonal fantasy and music for Christmas. The club's show
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Lots of bottle
Taking a wrong turn led to a man donating 75 pints of blood -- but not in one go. Mr Carberry At a ceremony to mark the achievement, Matthew Carberry, pictured, was presented with a crystal plate by the National Blood Service. Mr Carberry, 54, of Windle
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Robert Mattock
Oxfordshire rose grower Robert Mattock has died, aged 75. Robert Mattock, who has died aged 75 Mr Mattock, owner of The Rose Nurseries in Lodge Hill, Abingdon, was well known for his work in producing new rose varieties. He took over from his father John
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Review: Die Another Day (12A)
James Bond has seldom had it so hard. Lambasted for being boring, and even past it, following The World Is Not Enough, 007 has been forced to watch over his shoulder as every major studio attempts to muscle in on the secret agent genre, with mixed results
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Talking in code
Jim Parke will give a talk called 'Codebreaking: The impact of Enigma and Ultra on World War Two', to members of the Companions Club at its meeting in Cumnor on February 4. The informal group, mainly for women, is always keen to see new faces, and further
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Money mounts up
Didcot Evening Women's Institute held a coffee morning at King Alfred Drive Community Centre in aid of the new Douglas House respite centre for young people in Oxford. Sylvia Pollard tucks in President Sylvia Pollard, pictured at the event, said: "Members
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Attempt to abduct two girls
Two 15-year-old girls narrowly escaped being abducted in Oxford on December 2, police have revealed. A man tried to drag the two into a red car as they walked home from school along Sandy Lane West, Littlemore, at about 3.15pm. The girls managed to escape
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Advent puzzle
Life size figures from the Christmas story can be found in several front gardens in Eynsham. The trail was the idea of St Leonard's Church warden Claire Page, pictured with one of the Magi. Claire Page and one of the Magi "I visited a scarecrow trail
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Headington aces storm in
Headington won the women's race in convincing style at the Chiltern League cross-country meeting at an extremely wet and muddy Shotover. They had a clean sweep of the first four places in the women's race, with Jude Craft first in a time of 24.19, Allison
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Oxford Mail Cross Country League results
Individual and team results and standings from the second round of the league . . . INDIVIDUAL RESULTS Senior men (top 50): 1 R Bromley (Hed) 30.03, 2 M Ashton (Wit) 30.14, 3 P Wilson (WHH V40) 31.21, 4 P Haarer (Hed) 31.50, 5 P George (Wds) 31.56, 6
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Sawyer shines
Dave Sawyer's 15-doll haul - including a six - helped Clare Car Hire storm back to the top of the Gladiator Beer Seller Friday Aunt Sally League with a 5-1 win over Pips. RESULTS Gladiator Beer Seller Friday League: Pips 1, Clare Car Hire 5; Ox 2, Garsington
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Sylla set for return
Norman Sylla should return for Banbury United as they aim to regain top spot in the Dr Martens League Eastern Division at the expense of a resurgent Dartford at The Stadium on Saturday. The 27-goal striker missed Tuesday's Bucks Charity Cup win at Long
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Atkins challenges fans
Ian Atkins has issued a challenge to Oxford United's fans ahead of Sunday's big screen test against Swindon. Ian AtkinsHe is asking them directly just how badly they want victory over their derby rivals in the televised FA Cup second-round tie, and to
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Mitchell set to miss out on derby
Oxford City are likely to be without striker John Mitchell for tomorrow's Ryman League Division 1 North derby encounter with local rivals Thame United at Court Place Farm. Justin Lee The ex-Thame player was taken off with an ankle injury during the first
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Cherry Red Records Hellenic League preview
Chipping Norton Town centre back Jon Muttock could be on the move to Abingdon United. Jon Muttock, left The former Oxford City, Carterton Town, Witney Town and Abingdon Town defender is the subject of a seven-day approach from United. Abingdon manager
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Review: Machu Picchu and the Camera
Anne James visits a new exhibition at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, running until December 30 This new exhibition comprises photographs that record both the ruins of the ancient Inca royal city itself, precariously perched as it is
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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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Offices sold
Belmont House, a Grade II listed office building in Upper High Street, Thame, has been sold to Working Assets, a property company that specialises in the acquisition and management of multi-let industrial estates.
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Pride of place
Chris O'Driscoll of Ambrosden Court has won the Bicester company's seventh Pride in the Job award organised by the National House Building Council. The awards are presented to the top 400 UK site managers for exceptional quality of work.
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End of road for Arrows workers
Troubled Arrows Grand Prix team, based at Leafield near Witney, has issued redundancy notices. According to reports out on December 6, up to 200 staff have been sent letters confirming they no longer have jobs. A few days earlier, the Leafield-based team
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Train operator in £7m revamp
Train operator First Great Western spending £7m in a bid to improve customer service. The company which has express trains serving Didcot, Oxford and the Cotswold Line, is creating 55 new jobs, 37 of which are for new staff to work on board the busiest
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Sifan boss reassures over job fears
A manager with a Oxfordshire firm that has just been sold to a banking group has reassured workers it is "business as usual". Colin Sorrell, operations manager at Sifan in Witney, said there were no plans for redundancies among the 100-strong workforce
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Review: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (PG)
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (PG): Scarier, more exciting and with a better plot, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is, happily, a much better film than the first one. Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter and Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley in
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Explore cinema's expanding horizons
DAVID PARKINSON on current festivals celebrating Thai, French and German cinema Such is society's insatiable appetite for novelty that the search is always on for 'the next big thing'. In recent years, the Austrian, Korean and Argentinian film industries
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Culture chief chosen
The former chief of Southern Arts has been chosen as the man to lead Oxford's bid to become the European Capital of Culture. Oxford Inspires, the consortium behind the city's efforts to win the Capital of Culture title in 2008, has appointed Robert Hutchison
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Teenagers in brawl
Teenagers brought traffic to a standstill in Wallingford on December 6 as they fought a pitched battle in the town centre. Police reports said between 20 and 40 youths were involved in the fracas in the High Street just before 11.30pm. Police were called
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Restrictions 'routinely flouted'
Cowley residents claim their area has been let down by transport planners. Some told the city council's Cowley area committee on December 5 that parking restrictions in the area were routinely ignored by drivers, while others said contractors working
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Inmate takes hostage
A man failed to appear before Oxford Crown Court because he had taken his cellmate hostage. The 22-year-old had been due to appear to make plea on a robbery charge before a judge on December 6. But the case had to be adjourned in his absence because of
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Green light for festive recycling
An environmental art group encouraged shoppers to recycle at Christmas and turn rubbish into attractive, seasonal decorations. Jane Carey and Clare Goodhall, both of Re-Create, with one of the baubles Re-Create held a workshop at the Co-op in High Street
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Festive lights add support to charity
A Kidlington family have decorated their house with hundreds of Christmas lights to raise money for charity. Michaela Cusden and partner Dave Taylor hope to raise hundreds of pounds for the Make A Wish Foundation and Sergeant Cancer Care for Children.
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New lead in police hunt for woman
Detectives investigating the disappearance of north Oxford woman Greta Verdin have received their first confirmed sighting since she went missing at the beginning of last month. A woman, who police believe was Ms Verdin, was seen by a member of the public
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Man died after falling on concrete staircase
A man died in hospital from a head injury after falling down concrete stairs, an inquest heard. Simon Woodward, 32, of Clive Road, Cowley, Oxford, had been diagnosed with bowel cancer and was worried about his health when he met up with his friend Dr
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Nigella rescues magazine
Nigella Lawson, the celebrity television chef, is reported to have saved the Oxford student magazine that helped to set her on a career in journalism. Miss Lawson, pictured, heard about the financial problems facing Isis after a visit to the city to see
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Delay in council tax announcement
Finance experts at Oxfordshire County Council say it could be next week before they can reveal how much council tax will increase in April. On December 5, the Government unveiled its Local Government Settlement, which revealed how much grant funding councils
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System aims to beat vandals
A £10,000 security system has been installed in a block of council flats in Barton, Oxford, to prevent vandalism. In the past 18 months, Oxford City Council has spent more than £5,000 on the Brome Place flats to repair damage caused by vandals. This week
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Heart pump appeal
May I, through your excellent paper and website, thank everyone who has, and still is, supporting my appeal for 5p pieces to buy a Jarvik heart pump for the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford. Those who do not know about the Jarvik pump can log on to www.norgrove.co.uk
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Road hump tremors
I sympathise with Ian Beesley, who dug up the road hump outside his home. My house is also next to a ramp. When I'm in bed, the earth often moves, but for all the wrong reasons. The vibrations are comparable with the Richter scale. When the recent earth
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Fire crews not greedy
While on picket duty, there were a couple of occasions when passers-by shouted obscenities at firefighters, including references to being greedy. None of them stopped to explain why, but drove or cycled off at high speed. After four years of training,
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Reed confident of earnings increase
Reed Elsevier, which is axing up to 20 jobs in Oxford in the run-up to Christmas, has told shareholders they should see increased earnings this year and next. Reed Elsevier shares rose 20p to 555p after it reassured investors it was on track to hit full-year
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Train operator in £7m revamp
Train operator First Great Western spending £7m in a bid to improve customer service. The company which has express trains serving Didcot, Oxford and the Cotswold Line, is creating 55 new jobs, 37 of which are for new staff to work on board the busiest
