Archive
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Big band sounds make wishes come true
Phil Tufnell, winner of TV's I'm a Celebrity -- Get Me Out Of Here, will be among the guests at a masquerade summer ball at Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, on June 7. He will be joined by Linda Lusardi, Sam Kane and Keith Chegwin at the fifth Make a Wish
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Chance to display driving skills
Female motorists are being urged to show off their skills at a driving event near Bicester, and raise money for charity. Men and women will be able to test their motoring skills against each other by taking part in a Battle of the Sexes driving challenge
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Paper fortune for young tycoons
A group of schoolchildren from Thame wheeled and dealed their way to a national award in a share dealing performance that was the envy of stockmarket professionals. The five-strong team of traders from Lord Williams's School, named Bodgers, made a 141
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Solberg signs for Subaru
Banbury's 555 Subaru World Rally Team have received a massive boost after driver Petter Solberg signed a contract which will see him, and co-driver Phil Mills stay with them until the end of the 2006 World Rally Championship season. The 28-year-old Norwegian
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Hayes leads the way
Standlake Arena racers Michael Hayes and Trevor Harvey lead their respective groups after two of the five 2003 SEGTO Championship rounds. Hayes, of North Leigh, is leading the junior class by 17 points from Carterton racer Mickey Godfrey, who competes
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Weekend action guide
Motorsport meetings on the weekend of May 31-June 1 SATURDAY Douglas, Isle of Man: TT Motorcycle Races to June 6. 01788 566400. Prescott, Cheltenham: Classic and motorcycle hillclimb. 01242 673136. Mutiny Stages, Builth Wells: Armajaro British Historic
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Judith Durham of The Seekers
The Seekers epitomised the 60s. With number ones in the UK, US and all over the world, Judith Durham's voice packed out stadiums and had people humming her tunes across the continent. Their single Georgy Girl made history when the Seekers became Australia's
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Henley beaten
Henley bowed out with a four-run defeat at home to Finchampstead in a rain-affected match. Chasing the visitors' 198-9 from 45 overs, Henley saw their target reduced to 194 after two rain interruptions. They needed five to win off the last four balls
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Tiddington shock fancied Rowant
Tiddington revived memories of their glory days in the National Village Championship with a shock 48-run victory at home to Aston Rowant in the third round. Tim Morgan strikes out for TiddingtonNational runners-up at Lord's in 1995, Tiddington struggled
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A day to remember
Oxfordshire's appearance at Twickenham on Saturday will hold a special memory for all those connected to the county's rugby scene - but for one person in particular. Ron MartinRon Martin, a dedicated worker for both the Oxfordshire RFU, and the Oxford
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Ride will help deaf
A team of 45 cyclists will ride a 50-mile route in the Chilterns to raise money for the charity Hearing Dogs for Deaf People. The sponsored event, on June 1 at 8am, starts at the Hearing Dogs training centre in Saunderton and involves a circular route
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Henman back with a bang
The service gun caused something of a stir at Roland Garros on Tuesday when it recorded the speed of one of Tim Henman's serves at 583mph, which is approaching the speed of sound. It was, of course, faulty but Henman still came back with a bang after
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Get your motors running...
Inventive children rose to the challenge of building a buggy at a half-term workshop in Wantage. Eight-year-old Callum Baker with his effort A dozen took part in the event organised by the Vale and Downland Museum's children's club, held in the Guide
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Fundraising event to remember
Elephants never forget, so the saying goes, and these children at St Barnabas' School in Jericho, Oxford, will always remember how their school raised cash for books for a new library. Jessica Slim and Olivia Tadman filling in a square A target of £1,000
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Shrubs' topiary trim upsets mourners
People visiting the graves of relatives have protested after shapes were cut in evergreen shrubs in Bicester Cemetery. Town councillor Carol Steward with one of the topiary bushes They were surprised to discover three box privet bushes, standing over
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Cricket results
Results from the weekend, May 24-25 HOME COUNTIES PREMIER LEAGUE Division 1 This was a familiar scene on many cricket grounds on Saturday as the weather again intervened. Here, Mike Wethey and Richard Kelly of Bicester and North Oxford 2nd head for the
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Dryml has 'em drooling
Silver Machines fans saw how much progress Lukas Dryml has made with a superb display against Oxford for Poole on Friday, writes John Gaisford. Lukas DrymlThe Czech, who learned his trade from the likes of Leigh Adams at Cowley, has blossomed alongside
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Boden just misses bronze
Radley's Veronica Boden narrowly missed out on a bronze medal at the CAU meeting in Bedford. She finished fourth in the 1500m steeplechase in 5.13.62 - four hundreths of a second adrift of third place. Lorna King fell at the water jump, but still finished
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Haarer can't be caught
Peter Haarer, from Ranelagh, won the Oxfordshire 10,000m title at Horspath Road. He cruised over the line in 32mins 19secs - almost four minutes ahead of second-placed Robin Schofield (Abingdon). Club Les Newell was third in 36.26. In the 2,000m walk,
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Sutton strikes golden double
Oxford City's Lucy Sutton made an excellent debut in the under 20 age group, bagging a pair of gold medals at the South of England AA Championships in Watford. Lucy Boggis Sutton threw a personal best of 40.57m to win the discus title, then added gold
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Sixer Joey eclipses Seven Stars
Former Oxford United midfielder Joey Beauchamp showed off his Aunt Sally skills, hitting a maximum six in North Oxford Conservative Club's 2-1 Section 4 win over Seven Stars in the Greene King Oxford League. Joey BeauchampBeauchamp, who was released last
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Aunt Sally results
Recent reasults in the Abingdon League as of May 28 <image large="sport-sally.gif" small="sport-sally.gif" type="portrait"></image>Prem/A Section: Wootton Legion 0 Crispin 6; Fox Steventon 6, Berinsfield SC 0; Plough Appleton 6, Tandem 0;
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Redknap lands award
Banbury United striker George Redknap picked up the players' player-of-the-year award at the club's annual presentation night. hereRedknap, pictured, who scored 15 goals in the Dr Martens Eastern Division, formed a deadly partnership with striker Norman
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Louis on the list
Oxford United striker Jefferson Louis has been transfer-listed. Jefferson LouisThe 24-year-old shot to national stardom when he scored the winning goal against Swindon in the televised FA Cup second-round clash in December, and was seen dancing around
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Women get set to race for charity
About 850 woman are expected to show their support for cancer research on June 1 by running around one of Oxfordshire's more beautiful landscapes. Participants in the Race for Life will jog, or walk, 5km around Heythrop Park, near Enstone, to raise money
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Relief as City break duck
The nightmare ended for defending champions Oxford City when they finally recorded their first victory of the Shaw & Co Oxfordshire Foursomes League campaign - at the fifth attempt. City trimphed 2-1 away to fellow strugglers Tadmarton Heath in Section
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Veteran Barlow does it again
Geoff Barlow made it a golden double when he won the 70 Plus title for the second year running at the Berks, Bucks and Oxon Senior Championships. Geoff BarlowThe six-handicap member of Frilford Heath fired a 36-hole total of 172 over the long Castle Royle
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Blood Brothers
There is no-one quite like the Nolan sisters for keeping it in the family - as the opening of Blood Brothers at the Oxford Apollo proved on May 27. As she stepped on to the stage as Mrs Johnstone, singer Denise Nolan became the third Nolan sister to have
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May 28: Nearer the people
Critics of the new system of local government say it has been a backward step -- and they may have a point. With cabinets and executives, there is a danger of power being put into a few hands, with little or no opportunity for opposition parties to scrutinise
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Wall hanging symbolises partnership
People who use a drop-in centre in Didcot have created a wall hanging, symbolising partnership, for a community mental health team. Liam Cuttell, manager of the Whistlestop drop-in centre, with the silk patchwork wall hanging People using the centre -
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Pair get seven years for violent raids
VIolent robbers who stole nearly £25,000 in three raids, and were planning several more, have been jailed for seven years. Sean White, 26, admitted two charges of robbery and 22-year-old Samuel Jackson pleaded guilty to three charges. Oxford Crown Court
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Smith denies 'hiding' claims
Oxford East MP Andrew Smith has denied that he pulled out of giving speeches about pensions at two major conferences. Mr Smith, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, withdrew from the two engagements, according to a report in The Times, amid growing
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Paramedics to get rest rooms
Paramedics will be able to put their feet up in new rest rooms across the county if eight ambulance stations are sold. Public sector trade union Unison said the move was a fresh twist to the controversial plans, following negative reaction from ambulance
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500 sign artist's petition
A Sculptor who says he faces eviction from his north Oxford studio has presented a petition signed by 500 supporters to St John's College. Martin Jennings believes the Oxford college is determined to see him out of the studio in Rawlinson Road he has
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Pensioners introduced to the benefits of recycling
A housing association has introduced two environmental schemes. Residents of a sheltered housing scheme in Botley, Oxford, are to get a recycling scheme to bring them in line with other people in the Vale of White Horse District Council. Field House,
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Triumph turns into tragedy for Manton
THE highs and lows of greyhound racing were never better illustrated than by the fortunes of Manton, who was fatally injured - just nine days after he scooped a £1,000 race for his connections. The brindle dog, owned by Oxford painter and decorator Ian
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Oxford duo in glory bid
SILVER Machine duo Nicki Pedersen and Todd Wiltshire head for Sweden tonight in the pursuit of more speedway Grand Prix glory, writes JOHN GAISFORD. Pedersen, still lapping up the limelight after his excellent runners-up spot behind five-times champion
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Bulldog Oli ready to maul might of Italy
OXFORD Brookes University student Oli North is setting his sights on Italy after he was selected for the Great Britain Bulldogs student team. Oli, 21, of Headington, who is currently on a year's placement at Land Rover in Gaydon, Warwickshire, as part
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Clarkson was cruel
I was shocked to read that Jeremy Clarkson had deliberately run over a fox (Oxford Mail, May 6). You would think that someone whose job is driving would be aware of potential accidents and drive accordingly. To deliberately mow down a defenceless animal
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Our leaders are guilty
The war with Iraq is over and the Americans, who are conducting the show, have brought in their own teams of inspectors to search for the chemical and mass destruction weapons. It was vital that these weapons were found as the premise for declaring war
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Advice at hand for small firms
Seminars providing practical business advice for small companies is being launched in Wantage. Called Smart Thinking, they help small business owners and employees improve their marketing, financial and personal communications and discover how that can
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Ride will aid deaf
A team of 45 cyclists will ride a 50-mile route in the Chilterns to raise money for the charity Hearing Dogs for Deaf People. The sponsored event, on June 1 at 8am, starts at the Hearing Dogs training centre in Saunderton and involves a circular route
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Collectors gather for vintage show
Enthusiasts will be displaying an Aladdin's Cave of vintage machines, models and collectables at their 23rd annual rally. The Windrush Valley Collectors' Society is preparing for the rally on June 7 and 8 at Burford Recreation Ground. The show attracts
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Helen Peacocke celebrates National Watercress Week
Had farmers tending British watercress beds at the turn of the 19th century declared a National Watercress Week, the picturesque village of Ewelme, where watercress once grew in profusion, would have been celebrating this event in style. Sadly, the historic
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Nursery teacher in line for award
Three decades of dedication to educating younger children could bring a top award for an Oxfordshire nursery teacher. Lesley Neilson, who has been in the profession for 30 years, has been shortlisted as a 'lifetime achievement teacher' in the National
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Strange questions reveal dons' interview strategy
The mysterious nature of the Oxford University application interview was revealed with the release of some of the more outlandish questions put to this year's applicants. Interviewers routinely asked questions such as: "Is Taggart an accurate portrayal
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We all deserve a decent pension
I was interested to read the comments of Bryan Compton and Keith Mitchell (Oxford Mail, May 8 and 14) on inflation-linked, final salary-based pensions for public sector workers. In my view, all workers should be entitled to such generous retirement pay
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Theatre gala marks 50 years
Abingdon's Unicorn Theatre, which is housed in a former granary at the Abbey Buildings, celebrates its 50th anniversary in June. Pictured rehearsing one of the new shows are, from left, Allen Dannfald, Julie Kedward and Jim Levi. On Saturday, June 14,
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Shipton win through
Tiddington will be at home to holders Shipton-under-Wychwood in the Oxfordshire semi-finals of the National Village Championship on June 8 following the latter's 59-run victory at home to Cherwell Division 1 rivals Sandford St Martin. Former Oxfordshire
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County stars return to boost Banbury
Banbury marched on in the National Club Championship with an 18-run victory over Coventry & North Warwicks in the third round at White Post Road. The early abandonment of the first day of Oxfordshire's match against Berkshire at Falkland on Sunday
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County tumble
Oxfordshire's opening Minor Counties Championship game of the season ended in a disappointing ten-wicket defeat by Berkshire at Falkland on Tuesday. Keith Arnold's men conceded a first-innings lead of 133 runs in the morning session, before being tumbled
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Riders tackle 'gruelling' route
About 50 cyclists embarked on a gruelling 100-mile ride to raise thousands of pounds for a range of good causes. Some of the cyclists prepare to set off Forty-eight riders set off on the two-day event from Wallingford Castle on May 24, on a mainly off-road
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May 26: Community priorities
We all have our priorities and never is this better illustrated than in today's stories from the Oxford areas of Cutteslowe and Headington. Cutteslowe needs £90,000 over the next three years to pay for part-time community workers. Ten years ago crime
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May 27: Frustrating delays
Anyone who lives near the A34 north of Oxford or has driven along it will know how noisy it is. For those inside a vehicle, the vibration is so intense that it is impossible to talk or hear the radio. For the hundreds of families living in earshot of
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Soldier injured by grenade attack
An Oxfordshire soldier has been injured after a grenade was thrown at international peace-keeping troops in Afghanistan. Rifleman Matt Brain, of Kingsfield Crescent, Witney, suffered minor shrapnel wounds to his right hand after a surprise attack on the
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Review: Eynsham A village and its Abbey compiled by Oxford Archaeology (English Heritage £4.50)
This book brings together the history of the village and the results of excavations undertaken from 1989 to 1992 by members of the Oxford Archaeology Unit, writes Helen Peacocke. The colourful publication, compiled by the archaeologists, illustrates the
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Two from two
It's played two, won two for the Oxfordshire Vice Presidents after their 132-112 victory over Buckinghamshire VP's at Banbury Borough. George Swan's and Ian Whelpton's rinks tied for the highest winning rink, with the same shots difference of 11 and number
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Oxon confident for new cup mission
Oxfordshire have high hopes as they embark on their new Middleton Cup campaign on Saturday, June 7. ob Gilkes's team kick off with a trip to Hampshire at Atherley, followed by another away match against the Isle of Wight at Plesseys BC on June 21, and
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Petition to insist on hospital
MP Tony Baldry is launching a petition calling on the Government to fulfil its promise to provide Bicester with a new community hospital. The petition, being launched next week with the backing of all political parties, will say the people of Bicester
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Nielsen still speed king
Research by Chronicle editor Robert Peasley reveals that Tony Rickardsson's time of 57.33 seconds in heat four of last week's Oxford v Poole match was the sixth fastest time ever recorded at Sandy Lane. It was the fastest time recorded since Hans Nielsen
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Wiltshire: Why I am quitting
Todd Wiltshire is more than likely to swap his speedway kevlars for a Bob the Builder outfit when he quits the sport at the end of the season. Todd WiltshireThe 34 year-old Oxford Silver Machine No 1, married to wife Linda with two sons, ten-year-old
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Staff raise their hats to aid cancer charity
Staff at a Banbury travel agency tipped their hats to customers -- to raise money for charity. Workers at Jeff's Travel, in Parson's Street, joined employees up and down the country in 'wear a hat to work day' -- in aid of Macmillan Cancer Relief. Billed
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Aaron breaks Amblers record
Aaron Teal was the star of the show again as he set a new Abingdon Amblers' club record in the 400m in the Heart of England League Division 1 meeting at Banbury. Teal, running in the under 17 men's race also achieved not only a National Grade 1 time,
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Aunt Sally results
Recent results in the Greene King Oxford League as of May 28, 2003 <image large="sport-sally.gif" small="sport-sally.gif" type="portrait"></image>Premier/Section 1: Plough A 0, Cricketers B 3; Royal Sun 0, Highfield SC A 3; George B 3, White
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United break silence
Oxford United have broken their silence over the decision to ban Oxford Mail football writer Jon Murray. Banned: Jon MurrayMurray, who has been covering United for the past 16 years, was informed by letter from chairman Firoz Kassam last week that he
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Playing for Portugal!
Oxfordshire clubs Magnolia Park and Waterstock will be chasing a trip to Portugal when they compete in the south regional final of the Lombard Trophy at Camberley Heath next Wednesday. Magnolia Park will be represented by their professional Jeremy Dale
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Club results check
Recent club results, as published in the Oxford Mail on May 29, 2003 NORTH OXFORD Paton Cup: 1 B Millar 66-5=61 (cb), 2 T Brennan 68-7=61, 3 D Shepherd 82-17=65. BUPA Jubilee Trophy: 1 I Wilkins 40pts, 2 M Lewis 34. Ladies Social Evening (9-hole better
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Exchange visits planned for Middle East twinning
Exchange schemes are to be set up offering Oxford's young people the chance to visit the Middle East, in the latest move towards twinning the city with a community in Israel. Oxford City Council played host to two visitors from the village of Neve Shalom-Wahat
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Fingers crossed for Mars probe launch
Space scientists in Oxfordshire are keeping their fingers crossed that a mission in search of life on Mars will have a hitch-free launch on Monday. Experts at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, in Chilton, near Didcot, hope that Mars Express, a European
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Residents start petition against gravel digging
People living next to the River Thames are protesting against plans for more gravel digging in their area because of worries about flooding. Homes at Thameside Court at Bablockhythe, near Stanton Harcourt, have been threatened by rising water levels in
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Bikers' trove
Bikers rode into Douglas House, the new Oxford respite centre, to present staff with £500 of electrical entertainment equipment. Bikers at Douglas House Club members, who all own Honda Goldwing motorbikes, are pictured at Douglas House. They handed over
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Hospice children enjoy day trip
Children, parents and carers associated with Oxford's Helen House hospice had a fun day out on May 29 thanks to supermarket staff. Setting out on the trip are Daniel, 12, Michael, 11, William, 11, and Andrew, eight Workers from Asda's warehouse in Didcot
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Concannon tops charts
DIDCOT Town striker Ian Concannon is the Cherry Red Records Hellenic League's top scorer for the second season running. He ended the campaign with an impressive tally of 56 league and cup goals. Concannon's goalscoring feat was recognised with the manager
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McGowan takes charge for Oxford
Oxford Silver Machine 53, Reading Racers 37 (agg Oxford 103, Reading 77) AUSSIE ace Travis McGowan took over the mantle of Todd Wiltshire to notch up a superb paid 15-point maximum as the Silver Machine easily accounted for Premier League rivals Reading
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We answer Kassam's claims
Yesterday, in his latest attack on this newspaper and Jon Murray, the reporter he has banned from his stadium, Oxford United chairman Firoz Kassam made a string of allegations on Radio Oxford. Today, the Oxford Mail responds. Kassam says: Our coverage
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Wrong solution on Ridgeway
We remain concerned about the solutions for the Ridgeway path proposed by the National Trails Office and the Ridgeway Management Group (Oxford Mail, May 16). It is clear that the surface is in a poor state and, in places, dangerous for walkers, cyclists
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Review: Angels by Marian Keyes (Penguin, £6.99)
This is the latest from the unchallenged queen of chick-lit, writes Andrew Ffrench. Having dealt with the topics of addiction, new motherhood and Aids in her previous novels, Keyes now turns her hand to marriage breakdown, which in this case is contributed
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Exams row 'scapegoat' to head hospital trust
The man at the centre of last year's national row on A-Level grade fixing has been selected as the next chairman of Oxfordshire's largest hospital trust. Sir William Stubbs Sir William Stubbs, the former chairman of the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority
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Review: The Hedgehog, the Fox and the Magister's Pox by Stephen Jay Gould (Jonathan Cape, £17.99)
This is an often entertaining book, but not as well written as it thinks it is, Paul Stammers writes. Gould, the American palaeontologist who died a year ago, attempts in this modest-sized volume to reconcile what he sees as a clash between science and
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Review: How did I get here from there? by Claire Rayner (Virago, £17.99)
Given her dreadful start in life, seen as nothing but a nuisance by her parents, it is amazing that Claire Rayner should become such a caring and compassionate figurehead, with her 'agony aunt' column known to millions of readers, Philippa Logan writes
