Archive
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Clown and out
Finally it was time to shout about my favourite restaurant in town from the rooftops, or at least from the pages of The Guide. Gushing adjectives were rolling off my tongue in anticipation, the thought of the food alone making me dribble, and then the
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Planet Zuton
First there was the Beatles, then The Farm, The Las, and more recently, The Coral and The Stands. Will Liverpool ever stop exporting great rock bands? Judging by the performance of Merseyside's latest offering, let's hope not. The Zutons are a four-piece
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Win an album
With the party season a distant memory, we have reached that time of year when we make (and break) New Year resolutions about giving up booze, cigarettes and chocolate -- and even consider joining gyms. If you are having trouble with your post-Yule detox
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Police are picking the wrong target
I have noticed a significant increase in the number of mobile speed traps in Oxfordshire. The location of anonymous white vans so that they cannot be easily spotted indicates to me that the campaign is less to do with road safety and more to do with income
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Gay group sad over bishop row
The co-founder of a movement supporting diversity within the Church has welcomed the selection of the new Bishop of Reading, who will oversee parish work in Abingdon. But he expressed his sorrow at the circumstances surrounding the resignation of Canon
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Deals back on road
Followers of Oxford's music scene have known it for some time, but now the secret is well and truly out. Oxfordshire noise-mongers Winnebago Deal are the future of rock. The band -- two cool-looking fellas in their 20s, both called Ben -- have captured
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John Boughton
A well-known Wallingford businessman, John Boughton, has died aged 84. He owned Boughton's Mill and garden shop in the town and was a member of several Wallingford organisations. Mr Boughton died on December 30 and his funeral took place at Benson church
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Gwendoline Godfrey
A leading member of the Girl Guide movement in Oxfordshire, Gwendoline 'Betty' Godfrey, from Appleton, near Cumnor, has died after a short illness. She was 79. Mrs Godfrey first became involved in the Girl Guide movement in the 1960s. Born in Charles
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Charles Cordingley
Folk musician Charles Cordingley, familiar for his concertina playing in clubs and pubs, has died after a short illness, aged 76. Mr Cordingley played for a folk band called Mixed 'Erbs and later for a band known as Sage and Onion. The bands appeared
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The Rev Roger Clayton-Jones
The padre of an independent Wantage school has died suddenly, aged 65. The Rev Roger Clayton-Jones, who joined St Mary's School in Newbury Street 11 years ago, died on Friday at Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital after a heart attack. The Rev Clayton-Jones
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Club set to de-merge
Oxford & Horspath CC, the county's biggest cricket club, are sensationally set to 'de-merge'. The Home Counties Premier League and Cherwell League outfit, formed in 2001, look likely to become two clubs again because of a rift between former Oxford
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Rugby: Hawks swoop for second Dark Blue
Henley Hawks have signed up a second Oxford University player before their National League Division 1 match against London Welsh at Old Deer Park tomorrow. The Dark Blues' No 8 Tom Hayman made a big impact when coming on as a replacement during the Hawks
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Jan 2: Difficult days ahead
It is hardly surprising that proposals to cut the number of community hospital beds across south Oxfordshire are creating such a fuss. The protesters are venting their anger through a public consultation. But looking at Oxfordshire's recent community
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Taste of health
Pupils in Witney are chewing over ideas for healthy packed lunches as part of a national drive to tackle child obesity. Katie Bigos, Sam Dalton and Gemma Slee, pictured, attend The Blake Primary. It is one of about 100 schools in the South East which
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Search for alley flasher
Police are searching for a man who indecently exposed himself to two women in Thame. The incident happened as the women, in their 20s, walked along an alleyway between Pym Walk and Ireton Court, on the Lea Park estate, on December 29, at about 8.10pm.
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Money handout manager wins unfair sacking case
A manager who was sacked after he handed out foreign currency found in a machine to staff has won compensation for unfair dismissal. Jeff Ellis, 42, of Manor Farm Bungalows, Wantage, was accused of theft from his former employers Astro-systems. He worked
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Mullins quits Oxford for new job at Hove
Greyhound trainer Kelly Mullins is quitting his post at Oxford to join south coast track Hove. It's no real surprise that he is moving on as he comes from a family with a long tradition in greyhound racing. His late father, Pat, was a top trainer and
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Stars aiming to silence the Thunder
Oxford City Stars will be without Andy Cox when they return to competitive action in tomorrow's English Cup tie with bogey side Milton Keynes Thunder at Oxford Ice Rink (6pm). Cox only trained this week for the first time since dislocating a shoulder
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Bywaters title hopes vanish
Clare Bywaters's dream of winning the World Darts Championship ended after a narrow 2-1 defeat by Dutch rival Francisca Hoenselaar in last night's semi-final at Lakeside Leisure Centre, Frimley Green. Bywaters (left), 31, an assistant financial controller
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Tie-break woe for Henman
Tim Henman paid the penalty for losing two tie-breaks in a rain-interrupted semi-final against Ivan Ljubicic in the Qatar Open, losing 7-6 (7/2), 3-6, 7-6 (7/5). The shaven-headed Croat caused Henman a number of problems with his big serve, but it was
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Review: The Last Samurai (15, 154mins)
Captain Nathan Algren (Tom Cruise) is a veteran of the American Civil War, who proudly fought for his men and for his country. At the request of the Emperor of Japan (Nakamura), Algren travels to the Far East to school the Tokyo troops in the art of modern
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Speedway: Something's in the air!
The new safety air fence, which will be brought in for the first time this season at Oxford Stadium, could prove a big hit with advertisers. The new fence, introduced to combat the growing number of injuries in the sport, is to be installed at all Elite
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Lesbian framed, court told
A woman was framed by her managers when they altered documents on her computer's hard drive after discovering she was a lesbian, a court heard. Kesiree Moodley, 34, is accused of forging a degree certificate to get a £32,000 a year job as a chemical engineer
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Bowled over
Bowlers at Banbury's indoor green at Woodgreen Leisure Centre enjoy attractive surroundings thanks to club member Reg Boscott. He is pictured, right, with club captain David Pridmore. Mr Boscott, 78, who began painting 18 years ago when he retired, has
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Football: Foran's out to make his mark
Oxford United's new loan signing Richie Foran says he is determined to let his boots do all his talking over the next month. The former Republic of Ireland international striker, who has joined from Carlisle, is set to make his United debut against Lincoln
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Golf: Shrivenham back in Foursomes League
Shrivenham Park have rejoined the Shaw & Co Oxfordshire Foursomes League, restoring it to a full complement of 24 clubs. The club, then known as Bremhill Park, played in the early years of the league before dropping out. They now return to Section
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Far sighted
If you didn't know better, you might suspect the lads from Longview of having a shady love affair with Oxford. Last year they played the city three times, enjoying intimate nights in with a few hundred admirers in the less-than-romantic setting of the
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Jan 5: Old ways are often the best
The police officers of yesteryear would be astonished at the high-tech paraphenalia their modern-day colleagues have at their disposal. Yet, it is often the old-fashioned ideas that come up trumps. We reported last week how Thames Valley Police, in a
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Mundane names belied quality
Giving unusual names to wines is nothing new. With so many different chateaux, bodegas, vins de pays and co-operatives to choose from, marketing becomes more difficult by the hour. I spotted a trio whose mundane names hid their quality. The first was
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Watch out for bike pests, estate urged
Residents of Oxford's Rose Hill estate are being asked to be vigilant after bikers have been seen tearing around the area causing a nuisance. David Penwarden, former Rose Hill and Iffley councillor, said: "During the Christmas break there were motorbikes
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Publican upset by mud
A pub owner claims building work to transform Oxford's castle site is thwarting attempts to run his new business. Neil Ritchie spent £30,000 refurbishing the Jolly Farmers pub in Paradise Street, which he bought in November. But he has become sick of
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University: we are not racist
A Government minister has accused Oxford University of prejudice and said it needed to do more for black and disadvantaged communities. But figures from the university appear to give the lie to the claim made by Labour MP David Lammy. According to a list
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Atkins fires out warning
Oxford United boss Ian Atkins is demanding more from wingback Scott McNiven. And he is giving strong hints that he may soon change his top-of-the-table side unless the former Oldham defender gets back to the form he produced earlier in the season by showing
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Recycling is simple -- and successful
I refer to John MacAllister's letter about recycling and rubbish collection in the Cherwell district (Oxford Mail, December 27) . Cherwell District Council was under threat of financial penalties from the Government on a directive from the EU if it did
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School merger would save £200,000
Oxfordshire could save £200,000 a year by merging two special needs schools if a cost-cutting plan is approved. According to the proposals, Woodeaton Manor School outside Oxford and Iffley Mead School in Oxford would be merged to provide one school for
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Equality council to look at cricket bans
The Oxfordshire Racial Equality Council has been asked to investigate delays over an appeal after a cricket league banned two players for an on-field flare-up last year. The Oxfordshire Cricket Association suspended East Oxford's Adnan Hamid until July
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Estate wants special site to scatter ashes
Residents of an Oxford estate love the area so much they want to stay there forever - even after death. Pensioners living in Blackbird Leys and Greater Leys for years have called for an official area, blessed by local churches, where ashes can be scattered
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Henry Warnes
The late Henry 'Harry' Warnes was very much a Wallingford man -- he was born in the town, went to school there and lived there all his life. Mr Warnes, 79, of St George's Green, died on December 19 and his funeral was held at Oxford Crematorium on Christmas
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Valerie de Tracey-Kelly
Valerie de Tracey-Kelly, who was the driving force behind a former Oxfordshire preparatory school, has died a few months after her husband, Edward, died in July. Mrs de Tracey-Kelly lived in retirement at Chesterton, near Bicester, and died on December
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Gay group sad over bishop row
The co-founder of a movement supporting diversity within the Church has welcomed the selection of the new Bishop of Reading, who will oversee parish work in Wallingford. But he expressed his sorrow at the circumstances surrounding the resignation of Canon
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Jan 3: The living ain't easy
It will come as no surprise to anyone who has hankered over living in Henley-on-Thames. With an average price of almost £412,000 -- and this does not include millionaire's row or those bijou residences set in rambling acres along the river front -- it
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Review: Dave Gorman's Googlewhack Adventure by Dave Gorman (Ebury Press, priced £10.99)
Whiling away the hours on the internet search engine Google as a result of a chance email from an Australian, Dave Gorman begins a seemingly pointless mission around the globe. The reason? To seek out what are known as 'Googlewhackers', which are when
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University: we are not racist
A Government minister has accused Oxford University of prejudice and said it needed to do more for black and disadvantaged communities. But figures from the university appear to give the lie to the claim made by Labour MP David Lammy. According to a list
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Ton-up for Crosby
Skipper Andy Crosby chalks up his 100th start for Oxford United against Lincoln today. He told United's official website: "I think I've played more than 500 games in all competitions now and it's nice to get to 100 for Oxford. "I think I've only missed
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Kibble hangs on to trainers' crown
Angie Kibble retained her Oxford trainer's title after one of the tightest battles in recent years. The Standlake handler finished three ahead of Nick Colton with the rest nowhere. She ended the year on 303 winners with Colton on 300, with only graded
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Council awaits asylum ruling
Cherwell district councillors are still waiting to hear if the High Court will agree to a judicial review of the plan for an asylum seekers' accommodation centre at Bicester. The authority had originally hoped a judge would make a decision by the end
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Vandals wreck pavilion
Hooligans caused thousands of pounds worth of damage to a sports pavilion. During the Christmas break, hooligans struck four times at the changing rooms in Sunderland Drive, Bicester, breaking through metal shutters, smashing toilets, basins and interior
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Prof Norman Heatley
An Oxford University scientist, who was an unsung hero of vital penicillin production during the Second World War, has died. Prof Norman Heatley, 92, of Old Marston, Oxford, was Nuffield Research Fellow in pathology for 30 years. He lectured at Lincoln
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Athletics: Sheppard and Dean land titles
Kevin Sheppard retained his Oxfordshire Cross Country Championships senior men's title in impressive fashion at Horspath Road on Sunday, January 4. The Tipton Harrier, who lives in the county, ran a controlled pace to develop a clear lead of 200m by the
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Football: Keen out for the season
Thame United have suffered a major blow after young striker Danny Keen was ruled out for the rest of the season with a cruciate knee ligament injury. Keen, who had forced his way back into the Ryman League Division 1 North side, suffered the injury during
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Store move put on hold
A supermarket in Witney will stay open for another four months. The Co-op was due to move from Market Square, in the town centre, to the Madley Park development, on the outskirts, during January. Co-op spokesman Adrian Barradell said: "There have been
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Review: Cold Mountain
If there's one film which could stage an upset at next year's Oscars and pip The Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King to Best Picture, it's Anthony Minghella's adaptation of Charles Frazier's novel. Jude Law and Nicole Kidman star in the American
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Gay group sad over bishop row
The co-founder of a movement supporting diversity within the Church has welcomed the selection of the new Bishop of Reading, who will oversee parish work in Didcot. But he expressed his sorrow at the circumstances surrounding the resignation of Canon
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Bookie backs writer for prize
Bookmakers William Hill have named Oxford writer Mark Haddon as 2-1 favourite to win the Whitbread Book of the Year -- one of Britain's two main literary prizes. His book, The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time, won the Whitbread Novel Award
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Pensioner upset by police hours
Pensioner says he was left livid when he discovered Wantage police station was closed after travelling there to complain about a car abandoned in front of his garage. Bill Caldwell, 82, of Three Pigeons Close, Wantage, initially only called Thames Valley
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Whitehall may help kill meadow weeds
Renewed efforts to control the spread of weeds on Oxford's ancient Port Meadow could be paid for by the Government. Oxford City Council and the Freemen of Oxford are hoping to get the internationally important wildlife site included in the Environmentally
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Accident victim up and running
A woman who suffered serious injuries after she was crushed beneath a 10-tonne lorry while cycling in Oxford is to run a half-marathon a little over a year after the accident. Cyclist Sarah Broadway, 25, spent two months in hospital and endured 50 hours
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Minister praises school
The Taiwanese education minister praised an Oxford school for its language teaching during a visit. Dr Jong-Tsun Huang -- pictured being presented with a gift by Nafisa Bashir while Zainab Rana, Danny Doyle, Tom Pye, Charity Kibathi, Emilee Fergason,
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Park festival plan worries residents
A two-day music spectacular headed by pianist Jools Holland is being planned as a major attraction in Oxford City Council's 2004 events programme. But residents living near Cutteslowe Park are concerned about traffic congestion and are demanding that
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Huge rise in council tax not our fault
Keith Brooks sent Christmas greetings to all except Oxfordshire County Council, on the basis that it "seems to get pleasure out of squandering council taxpayers' money, then blaming someone else" (Oxford Mail, December 24). I am taking the opportunity
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£28m bid for firm
The boss of air-filter maker McLeod Russel is upbeat about job security following a £28.1m takeover bid from an American company. Ian Hazlehurst, chief executive of the Abingdon-based firm, said management was in talks with the US-based SPX Corporation
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More rail commuters get to sit down
More commuters from Oxford into London can take the weight off their feet during their daily journey after Thames Trains agreed to provide more seats. The company announced it would provide an extra 186 seats on the 07.32 service from Oxford following
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Review: Incompetence by Rob Grant (Gollancz, priced £9.99)
For far too long, the stupid and incompetent have been mercilessly discriminated against and ridiculed by society. But in this hilarious vision of the near future, all that's about to change. Thanks to a new Pan-European Constitution, no-one can be sacked
