Archive
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Court told of cyclist's death
The driver of a bus which ran over an Oxford University student was distracted by an off-duty colleague chatting to him, a court was told today. Oxford Bus Company driver Paul Willis appeared at Wantage Magistrates' Court charged with careless driving
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1,000 new homes for city
City planners will explore ways of building up to 1,000 homes in Oxford's West End. Today the city was confirmed as one of 29 growth points' - areas where the Government wants the population and jobs to boom. The Town Hall received a £1.16m windfall
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Today's local share prices (PM)
AEA Technology 91.25 BMW 2963 Electrocomponents 263.75 Isoft Group 48.75 Oxford Biomedica 26.75 Oxford Instruments 200.25 Oxonica 172.5 Reed Elsevier 601.25 RM 171.5 RPS 235.25 Torex Retail 37 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
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Today's local share prices (PM)
AEA Technology 91.25 BMW 2963 Electrocomponents 263.75 Isoft Group 48.75 Oxford Biomedica 26.75 Oxford Instruments 200.25 Oxonica 172.5 Reed Elsevier 601.25 RM 171.5 RPS 235.25 Torex Retail 37 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
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Limit speed?
47 road deaths so far this year in our county. That was the news in Monday's Oxford Mail. Since the recent high figure of 64 deaths in the year 2003, there has been an improvement in Oxfordshire: 2004 33 deaths 2005 40 deaths Although the overall trend
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Marriage is murder
As a devotee of such murder mystery shows as The Midsomer Murders and The Mousetrap, I am always cheered to see The Mill at Sonning's offerings in this genre. The reason is because they always do such a good job. Suspenseful and intriguing, Time to
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Dog walker dies in crash with motorcycle
A PEDESTRIAN was killed after a collision with a motorcycle today. The elderly woman, who has not been named, was walking two dogs when he was involved in an accident with a motorcyclist on Chinnor Road in Kingston Blount shortly before 8am. She was
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Knife robber holds up bus driver
A KNIFE-wielding robber threatened to stab a bus driver before stealing his takings in Rose Hill, Oxford. Two masked youths were captured on CCTV as they held up the driver at knife point as the bus stopped at The Oval. They stole a cash box containing
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Pedestrian dies after bike crash
An elderly woman was killed after she was hit by a motorbike this morning. The woman, who has not been named, was walking two dogs when she was involved in an accident with a motorcyclist on Chinnor Road in Kingston Blount shortly before 8am. She
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Bus driver robbed a knife-point
A knife-wielding robber threatened to stab a bus driver before stealing his takings in Rose Hill. The two masked youths were captured on CCTV as they held up the driver at knife point as the bus stopped at The Oval in Rose Hill, Oxford. They stole
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Victorian values
There is a terrific interest in vegetable and fruit growing at the moment and yet there aren't many gardens where you can see them growing in abundance. But I recently discovered a gem of a walled garden planted with heritage varieties popular in the
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Catch a falling star
The phases of life are marked in religion by christening, confirmation, marriage and the last rites of death and burial. People have developed many superstitions to encourage good luck at these times. In 1520 a couple from South Leigh, John Phipps and
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Stag party at Cornbury
Formosan Sika stags are males, hinds are females and their young are calves. If they're fallow, then it's bucks, does and fawns.". Jim Brannan, Cornbury Park's deer manager, clearly knows his stuff. For a millennium, deer have been part of Cornbury,
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You are what you eat . . .
Nutritional information and advice seems to be everywhere at the moment. Frustratingly, much of it appears conflicting and so can lead to confusion. The amount of information on the subject of weight loss, particularly, can be overwhelming. I have lost
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Break the rules
I 'd never met Raymond Blanc before, but I didn't doubt the culinary commitment and drive of a man who has retained two Michelin stars for his restaurant, Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons, at Great Milton, for a remarkable 21 years. A great restaurant is
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The importance of a warm welcome
Lukewarm is the best way to describe my response to the new Aziz Pandesia in Oxford, which is a shame because I had heard great things about this recent addition to the Aziz empire. The location of the latest Aziz on Folly Bridge means parking is nigh
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An enchanted isle
As a little girl, I used to adore our family's annual summer pilgrimage to Northern Ireland's spectacular Antrim Coast, where many a carefree day was spent happily playing on the golden sands of beautiful beaches, going for a donkey ride or accompanying
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Police achieve good marks
Oxford's police force has won praise for neighbourhood policing and tackling anti-social behaviour following a Government inspection, it was announced this morning. Thames Valley Police was graded 'excellent' for local policing and a majority of residents
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Magical ceramics
Almost all cultures have a tradition of pottery. Archaeologists can weave entire histories from the smallest fragments of ancient cups and vases. The potters' art is very affordable - and the scope for the collector is astonishing. You can buy 2,000
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Police win praise
THAMES VALLEY POLICE has won praise for neighbourhood policing and tackling anti-social behaviour following a Government inspection, it was announced today. The force was graded 'excellent' for local policing and a majority of residents rated the neighbourhood
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Dynamic duos
One of the finest examples of motorsport journalism ever written was by ex-world sidecar champion and editor of Motor Sport magazine, Denis Jenkinson, describing his winning car ride with Stirling Moss during the 1955 Mille Miglia road race in Italy.
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Why Should we care about St Giles?
The roof of Oxford's St Giles' Church roof urgently needs repair. And the lowest estimate for repair comes more than £150,000. Why should those who don't go to church there, who don't perhaps go to church anywhere, care? One reason could be that it is
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From Diamonds to dogs
One of John Howard's earliest childhood memories is of playing with Staffordshire and Gaudy Welsh animal figures on the dresser in his grandparents' tranquil and very isolated small holding at Cilcennin, just 15 miles from Aberystwyth. Oil lights and
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The duchess and the colonel
The glory of St Mary's Church, Ewelme, is a magnificent alabaster monument to Alice de la Pole, Duchess of Suffolk. Richly carved, painted and gilded, it commemorates the church's patron who died in 1475 at the age of 71. Diminutive, gold-winged angels
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A splendidly humorous writer
It was John Betjeman who called Barbara Pym "a splendidly humorous writer". The sparkling elegance of her prose has attracted plaudits from other writers and critics for its wit, subtlety, delicate irony and refreshing unpretentiousness, while her exploration
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DARTS: Railway on track for double
Premier League champions Railway Social Club stayed on course for the league and cup double after an impressive 7-0 victory at the Three Horseshoes in the second round of the George Pegram Cup. Cowley Community Centre B also cruised through with a 5
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SWIMMING: Witney leave rivals rocking
Witney Synchronised Swimming Club were celebrating after storming to victory in the South Eastern Regional 19 & under team combination event at the Heron pool, Haslemere, Surrey. In their first competition since regional reorganisation, the Oxfordshire
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MOTORSPORT: Fennymore on song
Autosport Caterham Superlight Challenge-title winner Graham Fennymore, from Weston-on-the-Green, put in a champion's drive in streaming wet conditions to win Friday's penultimate round at Brands Hatch. In the R400 class, season-long rivals Jack Newland
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HOCKEY: Hawks on slide
Oxford Hawks sunk to the foot of the Slazenger England League South Division table as they crashed 4-1 to Plymouth Marjon while University of Birmingham managed a 1-1 draw at Firebrands. Dan Strange got the goal for Hawks, who have just one point from
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HOCKEY: Hawks at bottom
Dan Smyth hit a hat-trick as Rover Oxford notched their first victory of the season in the South League Middlesex, Berks, Bucks & Oxon Division with a 4-2 win over South Bucks. The game started poorly for Rover, however, as they conceded from an early
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HOCKEY: Lammey leads City charge
Rachel Lammey (pictured left) continued her rich vein of scoring for City of Oxford with a brace in their exciting 4-3 win over Abingdon in Women's Trysports 3 Counties League Premier 1. City hit back from 3-1 down at half-time to clinch the win, which
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A generous Puritan
Penicillin, antibiotics - we take them for granted, don't we? We swallow those brightly coloured capsules and expect our sore throats and other infections to be cured within days. It is so easy to forget that only 60 years ago they didn't exist. A
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FOOTBALL: Banbury sweat over Hayward
Banbury United give a late fitness test to centre back Matty Hayward ahead of tonight's FA Trophy first qualifying round replay against Taunton Town at Spencer Stadium. The former Oxford City defender missed Saturday's 0-0 draw in the west country through
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FOOTBALL: Yemi seeks starting place
Hot-shot Yemi Odubade (pictured right)) says he wants a starting place at Oxford United after his run of goals. The former Eastbourne Borough striker hit a brace in the U's 3-0 win at Cambridge last Friday, which took Jim Smith's men five points clear
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Cuckoos in the nest
What happened to my empty nest? There I was poking about in all the nooks and crannies, planning what would be thrown out as soon as the daughters turned their backs on me, visions of a minimalist future dancing in my head like the proverbial Christmas
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A Rose by any other name
At 20 the tabloids were gleefully reporting that Billie Piper was washed up. But winning turns in a Shakespeare adaptation won her the coveted role of sidekick to Doctor Who number nine and, as Katherine MacAlister discovered, she hasn't looked back since
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Fire crews tackle shed blaze
FIREFIGHTERS tackled a blaze outside flats in Oxford on Monday. Burning rubbish was discovered in a wooden cycle shed behind a flat in Northway, Headington, at 6.45pm on Monday. Two fire crews from The Slade and Rewley Road tackled the blaze.
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Blaze damages converted barn
EIGHT fire crews battled with a serious blaze in a converted barn. The fire ripped through the roof of a two-storey building in Chapel Lane, Adderbury, on Monday evening. Fire fighters extinguished the blaze but continued on the scene carrying out
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RUGBY UNION: Wandering into trouble
HENLEY Wanderers slipped into the South West 2 East relegation zone after losing 15-13 at home to Windsor. Scrum half Mark Metcalf crossed for their only try, while fly half Robert Dudding added a conversion and two penalties, but it wasn't enough.
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RUGBY UNION: Bicester's eight-try romp
BICESTER bounced back from last week's loss at Wallingford by thrashing Broadmoor Staff 48-0. No 8 Christian Wright and flanker Darren Cassidy both crossed twice as Bicester ran in eight tries in a dominant display. Lock Mark Malins was named man-of-the-match
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RUGBY UNION: Witney self-destruct
WITNEY lost top spot in Southern Counties North with a lacklustre 17-15 defeat at previously struggling Buckingham. To make things worse, they had led 15-3 and must improve if they are to maintain their title challenge. Witney scored first from a
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RUGBY UNION: Hawks blunt Barking
HENLEY Hawks were forced to hang on for a 19-5 victory at struggling Barking in National 2. Playing some crisp rugby at the start, Hawks were 19 points up in as many minutes and it seemed that Barking were in for a thrashing. But only some excellent
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RUGBY UNION: Davis snatches it
A PETE Davis penalty eight minutes into stoppage time secured a dramatic 25-24 victory for Oxford Harlequins at Basingtoke in South West 1. Quins looked in control when they led 19-0, but Basingstoke's second-half rally saw them surge ahead 24-19.
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RUGBY UNION: Chinnor hang on for second victory
Chinnor 20, Old Patesians 19 CHINNOR were well worth only their second victory of the season in National 3 South after an excellent second-half defensive display. The margin of victory may only have been one point, but it would have been cruel on
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RUGBY UNION: Students stung
Oxford University 0, London Wasps 54 A LONDON Wasps side, featuring three full internationals, proved too strong for Oxford University in front of 1,800 supporters last night. But this was no meek submission from the Dark Blues for whom prop Ollie
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On Yer Bike: October 24, 2006
I'm convinced that cycling provides a solution to many modern day dilemmas. I'm not suggesting it is a panacea, but in the spirit of making the world a better place to be - cycling ticks lots of boxes. Not only does cycling get you from A to B in a benign
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A chance to remove an eyesore
Villagers may not be pleased, but the proposal to fill in Shipton-on-Cherwell quarry, possibly opening the way for new housing in the future, is a scheme that should be supported. It is a brownfield site, an eyesore, near a railway line and whatever
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Bucking the trend
With reference to your story about potholes (Oxford Mail, October 19), it is important to point out that Oxfordshire is bucking the national trends. Our number of damage claims is on the decline while those in other areas rise, and we have a good record
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Bank raid gang put behind bars
A gang has been jailed for a total of more than 30 years after a foiled bank robbery in a small Oxfordshire town. The six men crashed a stolen JCB into the Burford branch of Lloyds TSB in Sheep Street, in April last year, attempting to steal the cash
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Sex offender list revealed
There are 306 registered sex offenders living in Oxfordshire, it was announced for the first time yesterday. In their annual report about the number of criminals being monitored under Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (Mappa), Thames Valley
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Where's my pond gone?
A family were left scratching their heads when they returned home to Oxford after a two-week holiday to find thieves had stolen their fish - and the pond they were in. Dave and Barbara Radbourne and their 14-year-old son Sam were bemused to find a gaping
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Wait is over
Wood Farm residents could be forgiven for thinking the old adage about buses now applies to bus shelters as well. They have waited two years to get a new bus shelter and now four have come along at once. Oxford City Council has finally replaced the
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We won't leave, vow residents
Flats housing vulnerable and elderly people in Oxford city centre have become the battleground in the Westgate Centre redevelopment. Abbey Place in St Ebbe's, the city council-owned flats for disabled and elderly occupants, would be flattened if the
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Danger of new type of camera
Why do people in authority who are meant to be above us peasants act without a little forethought before coming to their decisions? We are soon to be blessed with more CCCs (cash cow cameras), no doubt stategically placed to generate maximum income
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Wall collapses into busy main road
Bricks from a collapsed wall next to a busy Oxford road spilled out on to the carriageway yesterday, causing an obstacle for cyclists and cars. The rubble, at the top end of Headington Hill, was cordoned off with two orange barriers and temporary traffic
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Drivers facing more A40 jams
Drivers are being warned they face further delays at Oxford's gridlocked Green Road roundabout. Work started in April to build a lane running through the round-about in Headington - converting it into a hamburger design - and is due to finish in the
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River rescuer saves woman
Ambulance worker John Jenkins last night told how he pulled a woman from the fast-flowing River Cherwell after her canoe capsized. Mr Jenkins, 61, was out strolling with his wife Sue, 54, in Mesopotamia Walk in the University Parks, on Saturday afternoon
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Patients shun food on wards
Some hospital patients in Oxfordshire are getting their families to bring in food because they don't like the meals being served to them. This is one of the key findings of the national Food Watch campaign, launched by the Patient and Public Involvement
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Dance led to happy years
Bruised feet were no obstacle for one couple who are celebrating 50 happy years together. Former Witney mayor Ted Cooper, 74, and his wife Jean, 72, will be celebrating their golden wedding anniversary with their family this weekend. The couple, who
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5,000 homes planned for quarry
Developers have come up with a plan which could lead to the 'eyesore' of Shipton Quarry becoming a site fit for 5,000 homes. Kilbride Properties, which owns the redundant 168-acre former cement works between Woodstock and Bicester, wants to fill in
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Banbury sweat over Hayward
BANBURY United give a late fitness test to centre back Matty Hayward ahead of tonight's FA Trophy first qualifying round replay against Taunton Town at Spencer Stadium. The former Oxford City defender missed Saturday's 0-0 draw in the west country through
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Bank raid gang jailed
A GANG has been jailed for a total of more than 30 years after a foiled bank robbery in a small Oxfordshire town. The six men crashed a stolen JCB into the Burford branch of Lloyds TSB in Sheep Street, in April last year, attempting to steal the cash
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Bishop takes seat
THE seat in the House of Lords formerly occupied by the Bishop of Oxford, the Rt Rev Richard Harries, has been taken by the Bishop of Ripon and Leeds, the Rt Rev John Packer. The Bishop, who retired last year, continues to sit in the Lords as a life
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Duke returns to visit firm
THE Duke of Kent will be visiting Wantage next week to officially open a firm's new headquarters - 25 years after he opened its old premises. The Duke opened ElectroMedical Supplies' Limborough Road premises near the Market Place in 1981. The firm
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Crash bail extended
POLICE have extended the bail on a motorist arrested after a road crash which killed a family on the A34. The 59-year-old man from Leicester had been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving following the seven-vehicle crash on July
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Dumping plan to fill quarry
DEVELOPERS have come up with a plan which could lead to the 'eyesore' of Shipton Quarry becoming a site fit for 5,000 homes. Kilbride Properties Ltd , which owns the redundant 168-acre former cement works, wants to fill in the quarry using demolition
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Family baffled as thieves steal pond
A FAMILY were left scratching their heads when they returned home to Oxford after a two-week holiday to find thieves had stolen their fish - and the pond they were in. Dave and Barbara Radbourne and their 14-year-old son Sam were bemused to find a gaping
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Water 'safe to drink'
BOTTLED water is being handed out in Clanfield, after residents complained about discoloured tap water. Thames Water stressed the tap water was safe to drink, but villagers have been given access to free bottled water if they feel uncomfortable with
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Passer-by rescues woman
AMBULANCE worker John Jenkins told how he pulled a woman from the fast-flowing River Cherwell after her canoe capsized. Mr Jenkins, 61, was out strolling with his wife Sue, 54, in Mesopotamia Walk in the University Parks, on Saturday afternoon, when
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Fennymore rounds off season in style
AUTOSPORT Caterham Superlight Challenge title winner Graham Fennymore, of Weston-on-the-Green, put in a champion's drive in streaming wet conditions to win Friday's penultimate championship round at Brands Hatch. Ben de Zille Butler claimed a dramatic
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Billie beams in to Borders
DOCTOR Who star Billie Piper will be appearing at Borders in Magdalen Street, Oxford, tomorrow. Former pop starlet Billie will be at the store to sign her autobiography between 12pm and 2pm and staff are advising people get there early to see her.
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Scientist gets regulars to play host to bugs
THINK twice if Dr Mike Leahy invites you for a beer, because you could end up with a hideous parasite growing inside you. The "mad" scientist - as his brother fondly describes him - talked regulars at the Shaven Crown pub, in Shipton-under-Wychwood,
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Man who set up laughing machine escapes jail
A MAN who breached a court order made after he set up a laughing machine to annoy his neighbours has been told he must stop taunting them or face jail. Keith Quartermain, 61, of Austin Place, Abingdon, was last week given a 28-week prison sentence,
