Archive
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Half term fun
The combination of a long Bank Holiday weekend and half term may appear a bit daunting for some parents, until they discover the wealth of activities laid on all over Oxfordshire to keep school children amused. For instance, the Vikings are coming to
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Consultation continues on special education
Consultation is to continue on the sensitive issue of including pupils with special education needs in mainstream schools. Last year, the county council's policy on including special needs children was criticised by the Oxfordshire Secondary Heads Association
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Primary school testing curbed
Oxfordshire headteachers have welcomed an announcement by Education Secretary Charles Clarke that primary school testing is to be watered down. Mr Clarke will drop the target for 85 per cent of 11-year-olds to achieve set standards in English and maths
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Humphrey's private joy
Russell Humphrey, of Didcot, won the third round of the Castle Combe saloon car championship in his Vauxhall Astra SRi to take the lead in Class A. The 1998 champion is driving a current Vauxhall Astra SRi hatchback, which he believes to be the first
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Holiday action guide
Motorsport action May 23-26 SATURDAY Rockingham: MGCC historic car races. First day of two-day event. 0153 650 0500. Donington Park: International Ferrari Festival. First day of two-day event. 0133 281 0048. Santa Pod: FIA European Drag Racing Championship
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Low-cost homes needed in city
The number of new houses allocated to Oxford by Oxfordshire County Council in the structure plan is ludicrously small. Five hundred new homes a year nowhere near meets the demand for housing in our city. Oxford needs new homes of all kinds --high cost
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Teens call for skate site
Teenagers are calling on councillors to provide a skate park in Abingdon to avoid the dangers of using roads and car parks -- and the anger of annoyed or abusive adults. A petition signed by 200 people was presented at the Vale of White Horse District
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Dhruve in the groove
Home Counties Premier League Division 2 West: Thame's derby against Bicester & North Oxford was another victim of Saturday's rain. After a delayed start, Bicester won the toss and elected to field in a game reduced to 84 overs. Ian Mason grabbed threeThame
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More woe for troubled Motors
Cherwell League Division 3: Morris Motors hired a pitch at Bicester & North Oxford after being kicked off their Crescent Road ground - but it didn't help their cause as they slipped to a 33-run defeat against Dinton 2nd. Seamer Rashid Iqbal (4-21)
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Oxford's batsmen waste good starts
Rain brought a premature end to Oxford's Division 1 clash at Hemel Hempstead - but not before the visitors' batsmen once again demonstrated their inability to play a major innings after establishing themselves at the crease. Pat JobsonA delayed start
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Cricket results from OCA League
Results check from May 17-18 Division 1 Hook Norton 161-6 (R Knight 36, P Souch 36, T Lunel 33), Witney Swifts 162-7 (A Walker 52, O Hussain 43). Garsington 107-7 (S Curley 3-36,) Westbury 108-4 (C Swain 45, N Wilkins 33). Brill v Freeland, Great Horwood
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May 19: Pushed off the ladder
For those people who have paid or nearly paid their mortgage, the rise in house prices may be good news. But for thousands of others trying to get on the property ladder, the outlook is grim. A survey today shows that nearly 90 per cent of single people
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May 20: Shining example
We are pleased to have been able to help Raja Hussain in his drawn-out battle for bathroom repairs at his Oxford council flat. No-one -- let alone someone who has heart problems -- should have to tolerate leaking lavatories. We are even more pleased that
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Players get set to thrill
Murder, madness, ghosts and retribution are all on the menu in Chinnor Players' production of the thriller Black Widow. The play, set in 1909, will be performed at the village hall from May 21 to 24 at 7.45pm. Leading roles in the production are taken
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Student comedy night
There's a chance to catch the next Rowan Atkinson in Student Comedy Night at the Oxford Playhouse on Monday. The show features a mix of stand-up, sketches, surreal songs and slapstick from Oxford and Cambridge students. The revue started in 1952, scoring
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Love, shoes and Audrey Hepburn
Love, lust and getting lucky in New York City is explored at the Burton Taylor Theatre in The Hepburn Fallacy. A die-hard romantic falls for Mr Right on his way out the door, while her supportive gay best friend concentrates on the more important things
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Dawn of new era for talking newspapers
MORE blind and partially-sighted people in Oxfordshire will hear news from the Oxford Mail and its sister titles, thanks to grants to two groups. The Didcot, Abingdon and Wantage Talking Newspaper -- better known as Dawn -- has received £3,500 and Oxford
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Students challenge tuition fee report
Oxford students have criticised an academic study which advocates tuition fees of up to £10,000 a year. Academics at the London School of Economics have produced a report which found graduates of the 19 'elite' universities -- including Oxford, Cambridge
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YOUTH CRICKET: Ducklington out for 2
MINSTER Lovell Under 13s bowled out Ducklington counterparts for just two runs in the first round of the Ron Maudsley Plate. Minster, who had been knocked out of the main competition at the first hurdle by Thame Town, bowled ten consecutive maidens, after
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Skipping a beat for charity
Pupils were roped in to raise money for the British Heart Foundation. Daniel Raven, five, takes his turn Children at Langford Village Primary School, Peregrine Way, Bicester, spent about 10 minutes doing a sponsored skip.
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The Matrix Reloaded (15)
It's been four years since The Matrix burst onto our cinema screens. So was it worth the wait for The Matrix Reloaded? Well, yes and no. It feels like a film made not by two brothers, but a committee whose members insisted on alluding to their favourite
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Sally on the mark
Sally Woolven, of Henley, won the Oxfordshire Ladies' Alternative Silver meeting held in blustery conditions at her home course. She recorded a nett 73, three over her handicap, to win on countback from Dorothy Arlett, of Badgemore Park. Kirsty White
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Dobbins denied in trophy washout
Bicester's Wayne Dobbins just missed out on a major prize when he finished third in the Berks, Bucks & Oxon's Penfold Trophy at Maidenhead. However, Dobbins's high placing has earned him a place in the BB&O Amateur Championship at East Berks on
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Golf results
Results from around Oxfordshire's golf clubs FRILFORD HEATH Ladies Stableford finals - Silver: 1 R Fenwick 38pts, 2 V Sydenham 36. Bronze: 1 L Budgen 39, 2 J Harland 36. May Stableford - Div 1: 1 Kate Tiller 42pts, 2 K Harris 38 (cb), 3 R Fenwick 38 (
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Darius's time
Darius needs no introduction. He doesn't even need a surname. Like Robbie and Elvis, his Christian name suffices. You'd have had to be living in a war bunker to have missed his rise to stardom. Whether you've become hooked on his songs on the radio, been
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Firm plans more pubs
The Henley pub group Brakspear is planning to spread its wings. It is looking to buy more pubs outside its Oxfordshire and Berkshire heartland. The area between Brighton, Bournemouth, Birmingham, Bristol and London are being targeted. Brakspear stopped
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Innovation bid offers 200 jobs
A new innovation centre that could create up to 200 jobs is in the pipeline -- using expertise from Cambridge University. The £4m development will be built at the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority site at Harwell if planners give the green light.
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Wanderer Redwood returns
Nostalgia came flooding back as the outspoken Tory MP John Redwood visited Witney for a lunchtime engagement on May 23. Mr Redwood was the guest speaker at a West Oxfordshire Conservative Association lunch, attended by about 100 party workers and supporters
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Car crime victim to set up own CCTV
An Oxford man plans to set up CCTV cameras aimed at the road after his car was vandalised in an acid attack. Acid corroded the bonnet of Rahul Handa's light blue T-registration BMW Z3 and melted part of the windscreen, causing hundreds of pounds worth
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College accused of 'cut-throat' tactics
St John's College is coming under pressure to spell out its development plans for north Oxford, amid claims that the college is behaving like "a cut-throat developer". City councillor Jim Campbell, who represents St Margaret's ward, said there were growing
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Don't blame us for rowdyism
We share the concern and annoyance of residents of Woodstock Road, Witney, following drunken misbehaviour by a group of young people early on Wednesday (Oxford Mail, May 15). We are assisting the police in identifying the people involved. Our investigations
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Fair deal for pensioners
I would pay our council tax demands more willingly if there could be a fairer system for retirement pensioners. How can it be fair to be left with just £9 from the state pension for ten weeks of the year when paying by instalments? In 1999, the figure
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Testing is stifling our children
I was pleased to read that author Philip Pullman is talking to Government ministers, trying to change their minds about their obsession with testing children (Oxford Mail, May 12). Teachers are no longer allowed to encourage creativity in children. They
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Scientists put flood defences to the test
Hope is in sight for householders whose homes have been hit by flooding. Technician Tom Stevenson watches a product test Scientists at the HR Wallingford hydraulic research station are working with the Environment Agency and the British Standards Institute
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Oxford's Big Brother
If you miss Channel 4's Big Brother tonight, catch a live version in Oxford tomorrow. Ten students will be locked in a room and surrounded by cameras for 12 hours as part of a college arts festival. The St Peter's College students will face challenges
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School seeks specialist status
Residents and traders in Wallingford are being urged to back the town's secondary school in its bid to attract £1m of Government funding. Wallingford School is applying for specialist status as a Sports College and needs to raise £50,000 by the end of
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Gaw helps Arrowstar to carry on flying
The Bicester-based Arrowstar team continued their winning ways at Croft, in North Yorkshire, team driver John Gaw claiming victory in the third round of the Powertrain Caterham R400 Challenge. Gaw, 32, guided his Carlube-backed machine to the chequered
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City house prices remain second only to London
Oxford is the second most expensive city in Britain, according to new research from Halifax Estate Agents. It said the average price of housing per square metre in Oxford was £2,170. In a league table of 30 major UK cities, Oxford was second only to London
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Teenagers jailed for assault on student
Two youths who subjected an A-Level student to a brutal and humiliating attack have been jailed. Mark Tyrell was left bleeding and terrified after 18-year-olds Daniel Harwood and Daniel Mills beat, stripped and threatened him during the unprovoked attack
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Blowin' a storm
Coming all the way from Laurens, South Carolina, Jonny Mars looks every inch the bluesman. He has played alongside everyone from Bananarama to BB King and is recognized as one of the most exciting exponents of the blues harp. He appears at The Monday
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Peppercorn steps out
Hailing from the sand dunes and vast horizons of Western Sahara, singer-songwriter Peppercorn is an artist of rare quality. Her African roots and London childhood have shaped her into an international figure, whose music embraces elements of both cultures
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Humpage shines again for Vale
Cherwell League Division 2: Ben Humpage's run of good form with bat and ball continued in Abingdon Vale's rain-affected draw with Kidlington. Ben HumpageHe made 76 of Abingdon's 160-8, Mark Strong taking 5-51. In spite of further stoppages, Humpage then
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Rampant Rowant on song
Cherwell League Division 1: Aston Rowant beat the weather to make it two wins out of two - and at the same time sent champions Shipton-under-Wychwood to their second successive match. Chris Hutton's team, who beat Sandford St Martin last week, found fortune
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Banbury denied by rain
Home Counties Premier League Division 1: Banbury's attempt to get their season back on track was thwarted by the weather after their bowlers had given them a good chance of victory against Radlett on Saturday. The Hertfordshire visitors, who last week
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Venture takes root
A business venture set up in a restored Victorian kitchen garden near Wallingford aims to present customers with boxes of fresh, organic vegetables picked on the day of delivery. Catherine Ducker, who set up Green Bean at Little Stoke, said: "There is
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Aven's injury hits Cavaliers
A serious injury to leading scorer Dean Aven marred Oxford Cavaliers' emphatic 50-20 victory away to Bristol Sonics in the South West Division of the Totalrl.com Conference. Aven faces a long lay-off after damaging a cruciate ligament in a knee. Cavaliers
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Oxon book Twickers date
The glory days are here for Oxfordshire, who will play at Twickenham next Saturday after the most nail-biting of victories over Hampshire in the Tetley County Shield semi-final at Basingstoke on Saturday. In the end, it came down to one kick, as Hampshire
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Teenagers jailed for assault on student
Two youths who subjected an A-Level student to a brutal and humiliating attack have been jailed. Mark Tyrell was left bleeding and terrified after 18-year-olds Daniel Harwood and Daniel Mills beat, stripped and threatened him during the unprovoked attack
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Jazz galore at Manor
Towersey's jazz singing Lady of the Manor and parish council chairman is ready to swing again. As Marie-Jane Barnett she is the chatelaine of Towersey Manor and chairman of the five-strong parish council. But let the music sound and she becomes jazz singer
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FOOTBALL: Ex-United boss loses job
FORMER Oxford United manager Joe Kinnear and his assistant Mick Harford have left Luton after new owners took charge of the club. A consortium gained control of the club on Tuesday following the retirement of chairman Mike Watson-Challis and Kinnear lasted
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WEIGHTLIFTING: Ton-up Toni
YARNTON-based powerlifter Toni Hollis achieved one of her ultimate ambitions at the British Bench Press Championships in Birmingham, when she lifted 100kg - almost twice her own body weight to secure the title. Hollis, who was crowned World Masters champion
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SCHOOLS FOOTBALL: Bills girls cherish Anfield memories
LORD Williams's, Thame had a day to remember in the ESFA Coca-Cola Girls Under 13 Cup final at Anfield - despite going down to a 6-1 defeat against Thomas Telford, Shropshire. The Oxon champions took the lead in the tenth minute of Sunday's showdown at
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Stuck in a rut
Just when Oxford have got the track right, someone comes along with a heavy vehicle and makes big ruts in an already-saturated surface, writes John Gaisford. That was the scene which greeted promoter Nigel Wagstaff after he was called to the Stadium on
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Pedersen off to flier
What a wonderful start for Nicki Pedersen in the opening Grand Prix in Poland, writes John Gaisford. Tipped by many to be a future world champion, the Oxford Silver Machine rider has time on his side and he just seems to get better and better. The 25-
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Benefits cheat in court
A woman claimed £6,674 benefit while she was working, Banbury magistrates heard. Tina Colley, 34, of Woodfield, Banbury, admitted three charges of fraud and asked for two other offences to be taken into consid- eration. She was sentenced to 100 hours
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Rowell takes top sporting award
Oxford University student Aly Rowell was last night chosen as Oxford Sports Council's young sportsperson of the year. Rowell has represented Great Britain in the Modern Pentathlon at junior level. Lord Mayor Pat Stannard hands the trophy to Aly Rowell
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Ford and McMahon seal cup triumph
Morrells of Oxford Sunday League round-up from Sunday, May 18 JUSTIN Ford and John McMahon were on the scoresheet as Premier Division side Rose Hill beat third division The Nelson 2-0 to lift the League Cup, writes GEOFF BOWER. The Nelson, the Division
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You'll love homelands
It may not feel like it, but at long last summer is here - and with it the start of the festival season. The Chemical Brothers Tomorrow, thousands of Oxfordshire music lovers will be heading down the A34, for the first of the year's great outdoor gatherings
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Mike's joy at charity success
North Oxford's captain's charity day proved a success in more ways than one for the men's captain Mike Lewis. Most importantly for him, the day raised £1,500 for his chosen charity, MacMillan Nurses. But Lewis, together with his wife Pat, Mike Rainford
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Drayson to quit if PowderJect sold
The millionaire founder of Oxford vaccine giant PowderJect is to leave the company if a takeover by an American rival is successful. PowderJect chief executive Paul Drayson, at the launch of the Oxford Children's Hospital campaign, of which he is chairman
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Liverpool two
You'd expect being a Liverpudlian would give actor Christopher Warburton a head start in his role as Mickey in Willy Russell's Blood Brothers. But he insists he has to tone down his thick Scouse accent so us southerners can understand his jokes. Christopher
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May 21: Heartless decision
The Government is often accused of being too lenient in its handling of illegal immigrants. Yet the reverse is true in the case of South African schoolgirl Nthabiseng Moloi. She joined her mother in Oxford after her father died, settled at John Mason
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Second seat lost as councillor blunders
A second Oxfordshire councillor has lost their seat after failing to fill out the correct paperwork. Conservative Patricia Bosley won 539 votes in the local election on May 1 to win a seat on Didcot Town Council, then went abroad on holiday without having
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Drug team backs helpline
Almost half the people arrested in Oxfordshire for theft-related crimes are taking drugs, according to experts backing a project to deter children from taking illegal substances. The county's Drug and Alcohol Action Team has pledged to support the Frank
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RAF homes must go, says council
Carterton town councillors are inviting Government minister Dr Lewis Moonie to view the lack of progress in redeveloping Ministry of Defence housing which has become an "eyesore" in the town. They want the Defence Minister to inspect the dilapidated housing
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Residents fear leak contains sewage
Residents fear raw sewage may have been leaking continuously into an Oxford street for more than a year. Mystery surrounds the leak, in William Street, Marston. The water was initially thought to be from a spring, but Thames Water and Oxford City Council
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Revamp is a net benefit!
Oxford's most popular tennis courts have re-opened in time for Wimbledon season after undergoing a £26,000 facelift. George New, 11, is pictured front with, from back, parks supervisor Ian Thompson, Summertown ward councillors Alan Armitage and Tony Hollander
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Mobile ramp will develop board skills
A skateboarding event in Oxford will teach young people to skateboard or develop their skills. A £2,500 mobile skate ramp will be constructed at a two-day training camp at Meadow Lane Skate Park in east Oxford. The ramp was bought with money donated by
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SPEEDWAY: Pirates hold all the aces
Oxford Silver Machine 41, Poole Pirates 49 By John Gaisford SWASHBUCKLING Poole Pirates left the Oxford Silver Machine high and dry in last night's Sky Sports Elite League clash at Oxford Stadium. As home No 1 Todd Wiltshire put it: "We came up against
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£350,000 strategy to increase tourism
An ambitious £350,000 tourism strategy has been unveiled in a new effort to deliver a bigger slice of the multi-million-pound industry to Oxfordshire. With Oxford already receiving seven million visitors a year, the emphasis will be on trying to tempt
