Archive
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Trick or treat? Do me a favour
And so here we are at 10.00pm on Halloween and I'm removing the fortifications from my house and calling off the sniper turret guards after an expected invasion of demonic Trick or Treaters. Of course, it hasn't really been that way. I live on a major
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Hospitals cost ‘six times more’
New Oxfordshire health facilities worth £300m will end up costing taxpayers £1.86bn over the next 30 years because of the Private Finance Initiative, it has been revealed. It means three schemes given the go-ahead in Oxford since Labour came to power
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Shot boy feels 'abandoned' by police
The mother of a 14-year-old boy who lost the sight in an eye after he was shot with a pellet gun says they were "abandoned" by police. Rhys Thomas, of Tarragon Drive in Greater Leys, Oxford, spent two weeks in hospital after a ballbearing was lodged
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Westgate plans 'must go to inquiry'
The councillor who chaired the meeting at which the controversial £300m revamp of Oxford's Westgate Shopping Centre was approved has urged the Government to hold a public inquiry. Green councillor Elise Benjamin, chairman of the city council's strategic
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Sybil says farewell to Radio Oxford
BBC Radio Oxford's breakfast presenter Sybil Ruscoe is quitting just six months after replacing Anne Diamond. Ms Ruscoe, 45, has been a popular replacement for Ms Diamond - who lasted 18 months in the hot seat. The former BBC Radio 1 and BBC Five
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Tragedy of novice driver
A father has spoken of his anguish at losing his teenage daughter in a car crash that also claimed the life of her best friend. Cameron McHardy waved 17-year-old Kirsty off in the red Renault Clio he had bought her that day, with no idea that it would
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Nuclear team wins training contract
Oxfordshire scientists are celebrating after winning a contract worth almost £1m a year to train the next generation of European experts in handling radioactive material. The contract involves training remote-handling engineers for the International
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Taster toasts exam success
Ace quaffer Rob Hayward is toasting his success after scoring top marks in a national exam for wine experts. Mr Hayward, 22, finished in the top 25 nationally out of more than 3,600 who entered the Wine & Spirit Education Trust Advanced Certificate
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Taster toasts exam success
Ace quaffer Rob Hayward is toasting his success after scoring top marks in a national exam for wine experts. Mr Hayward, 22, finished in the top 25 nationally out of more than 3,600 who entered the Wine & Spirit Education Trust Advanced Certificate
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Today's local share prices (PM)
AEA Technology 91.5 BMW 3026 Electrocomponents 287.5 Isoft Group 45.5 Oxford Biomedica 25 Oxford Instruments 198.5 Oxonica 163 Reed Elsevier 597.75 RM 169.75 RPS 235.25 Torex Retail 36.5 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
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Today's local share prices (PM)
AEA Technology 91.5 BMW 3026 Electrocomponents 287.5 Isoft Group 45.5 Oxford Biomedica 25 Oxford Instruments 198.5 Oxonica 163 Reed Elsevier 597.75 RM 169.75 RPS 235.25 Torex Retail 36.5 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
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Dog sniffs out drugs
A DOG trained to sniff out drugs led to 27 people being searched on the city centre streets of Oxford. It was the latest patrol involving a black Labrador called Benson, his handler Phil Munt, director of Corporate Search Ltd, Nightsafe manager, Karen
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Man dies on holiday
A 50-year-old man from Banbury who was found in a street with head injuries while visiting friends in Blackpool has died. Malcolm Davenport was discovered unconscious in Blackpool in the early hours of Saturday after going out with friends on Friday
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BBC breakfast presenter moves on
BBC Radio Oxford's breakfast presenter Sybil Ruscoe is leaving just six months after replacing Anne Diamond, it emerged today. Ms Ruscoe, 45, was a popular replacement for Ms Diamond, who lasted 18 months in the hot seat. Ms Ruscoe, a former BBC Radio
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Good causes
It is a moral imperative that we should all get behind Oxfam's latest campaign to end poverty in Africa. I just don't think many of us realise the conditions that some people have to live in. How must they feel, when they see other people having ostentatious
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HOCKEY: Trio make their mark
Three Oxfordshire youngsters helped the South West finish runners-up at the England Under 17 Regional Tournament. John Billington (Henry Box School, Oxford Hawks HC), Jonny Taylor (John Mason School, Abingdon HC) and Tim Craven (Banbury School, Banbury
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RUGBY UNION: Varsity beaten
CHINNOR 2nd struck an early blow for the Varsity Match by defeating Cambridge University 2nd 24-17 in a friendly. Darren Oxley (2), Jamie Hiscock and Rich Grimsdell all scored tries, with the latter converting two. OTHER SCORERS Friendlies: Witney
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HOCKEY: Gosnell treble lifts Witney
Witney producing a stunning comeback to recover from 3-0 behind after just ten minutes to beat Bracknell 4-3 in a thrillingSouth League Division 1 clash that saw Andy Gosnell hit a hat-trick. The home side started slowly and were made to pay for three
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RUGBY UNION: Lewis stars for Harwell
HARWELL reached a national cup third round for only the second time in their history with a 25-5 win over Hungerford in the EDF Energy Junior Vase. A penalty try after only five minutes, converted by Lee Lewis, gave them the best possible start. Harwell's
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HOCKEY: Tolsma at the double
Sjouke Tolsma scored twice as Oxford Hawks Ladies 2nd beat Sonning 2nd 4-1 in Trysports 3 Counties League Premier 2. Georgia Martin and Jacqui Barlow were also on target. City of Oxford Ladies secured a 3-1 victory away to Windsor in Premier 1.
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RUGBY UNION: Oxford crush Gosford
OXFORD outshone Gosford All Blacks in the backs to romp home 48-8 in the BB&O Premier Division. At half-time, there was all to play for as Oxford led only 10-3 thanks to two tries from winger Kenny MacLennan, with Gosford's reply coming from a penalty
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HOCKEY: Nervy Rover tough it out
Rover Oxford maintained their Women's South Clubs League Division 1 unbeaten record - but produced a below-par performance in their 1-0 win over Southgate. Rover started well, and took the lead with their first penalty corner of the game. Strong attacking
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SWIMMING: City enjoy medal haul
Five of City of Oxford's National and Youth squad competed at the City of Milton Keynes Long Distance Open Meeting with outstanding results, bringing home 15 medals between them. Pippa Canlan-Shaw, 17, Laura Ralph, 14, and 13-year-old Sam van de Schootbrugge
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Three bailed over death crash
THREE people arrested in connection with a fatal crash in Abingdon Road, Drayton, on Sunday, have been released on police bail. The men, aged 18 and 25 and a 15-year-old youth, have been bailed to return on January 4, 2007. They were arrested after
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RUGBY UNION: Nightingale in tune
BICESTER produced a superb display to power past higher league opponents Beaconsfield 38-17 in the EDF Energy Senior Vase second round. Flanker Anthony Nightingale and Fijian winger Esawa Rakacikaci both bagged try doubles to send their visitors from
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RUGBY UNION: Hawks grind to victory
IT was not pretty, but Henley Hawks battled hard for a 12-5 victory against a dogged Manchester side at Dry Leas in National 2. Manchester spent 65 per cent of the game in Henley territory, but they paid for three missed easy kicks from the usually
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RUGBY UNION: Dudding is on song
ROBERT Dudding kicked Henley Wanderers to a dramatic 23-21 first round victory over Taunton in the EDF Energy Intermediate Cup. Tries from Tim Hollow, Pieter Tosen and Chris Hurley, all converted by Bradley Field, put Taunton 21-0 up. Sam Taylor then
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RUGBY UNION: Chinnor stunned
CHINNOR snatched defeat from the jaws of victory to lose 17-15 at home to North Walsham in round one of the EDF Energy National Trophy. They led 15-5, but were evetually undone by a stoppage time converted try in one of the longest matches ever seen
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DARTS: Goodlake off the mark
New boys Goodlake Arms recorded their first win of the season with a 7-2 victory over fellow debutants Brackley Band Club. However, they had to do it the hard way after Steve Coles and Andy Douglas put Brackley 2-0 ahead. But Andy Povey got Goodlake
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DARTS: Due battle it out for ODDA title
The Greene King ODDA Ladies Summer League season draws to a close with teammates Irene Richardson and Karen Williams doing battle for the singles crown. Richardson is appearing in her first final, but faces a tough task to see off her Cricketers Arms
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RUGBY UNION: Quins left frustrated
Oxford Harlequins 15, Westcombe Park 21 OXFORD Harlequins had more than enough possession and territory to win this EDF Energy National Trophy round one clash. But all too often they lacked the guile and patience to cut through in a second half they
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DARTS: Jack, 12, is oxon starlet
Oxfordshire's youth team maintained their unbeaten record with an impressive 11-6 win over Middlesex. o And it was 12-year-old Jack Lucas who stole the show. The youngster won the man-of-the-match award for the Oxon under 18 side after finishing with
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RUGBY UNION: Dark Blues draw blank
OXFORD University failed to score for the second week running as they went down 21-0 to a strong Bristol side at Clifton last night. Bristol fielded two full internationals in Argentinian full back Bernardo Stortoni and Italian centre Walter Pozzebon
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MOTOR CYCLING: Bradley makes it to top dozen
Bradley Smith put a miserable qualifying campaign behind him to finish a creditable 12th in the final race of the 125cc Grand Prix season in Spain. The Wheatley youngster, who is just 15, crashed in both qualifying sessions riding his Repsol Honda.
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SPEEDWAY: Horton backs co-boss Lanney
Speculation that Oxford Cheetahs co-promoter Aaron Lanney, who sold the club to Peterborough owner Colin Horton a few weeks ago, would not have a role to play next season has been dispelled. Horton insists Lanney is going nowhere. The new chief has
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FOOTBALL: Foley quits Ardley
Pete Foley resigned as Ardley United manager after Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Sport Italia Hellenic League Premier Division strugglers Harrow Hill. The Oxford United legend, who has also managed Didcot Town, Oxford City, Marlow and Brackley Town, said
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FOOTBALL: Lyne resigns in City bombshell
Oxford City have been rocked after manager Andy Lyne sensationally resigned following the club's 2-0 defeat against Beaconsfield SYCOB on Saturday. Lyne, who oversaw City's promotion to the Southern League last season, is believed to have become disillusioned
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FOOTBALL: Turley relief at penalty save
Billy Turley says that it was about time he saved a penalty - and knows that by doing so he avoided the wrath of manager Jim Smith. The Oxford United goalkeeper dived to his left on Saturday to save Glen Southam's spot-kick with 12 minutes of their
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Van theft leaves woman stranded
A father has condemned thieves who stole and then set fire to a specially-converted van used to transport his daughter in her wheelchair. Arthur Allen, pictured with 20-year-old Mary-Jayne, who has cerebral palsy, said she found it difficult to get
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Car conman is sent to prison
A conman who abandoned a pensioner in the countryside after driving off with the car he was selling was yesterday jailed for nine months. Phillip Topp, 45, of no fixed address, left Eric Truby, 70, of Yarnton, stranded in his slippers with no money
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This is a ghoul area to live in
Oxfordshire is almost as famous for its ghosts and ghouls as it is for its history and heritage. And as the county gears up for Halloween tonight, we look at some of the county's most haunted spots - and put a spooky video on our website. In it, Oxford
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Hamburger set to be served up
Motorists who feel like they've spent a lifetime sitting in traffic jams near roadworks at Oxford's Headington Roundabout will be relieved to hear the end is in sight. The roadworks, which began in April and have caused countless problems ever since
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Tree trouble
Residents in Oxford staged a musical protest yesterday to try to save up to a dozen willow trees from being cut down. About 30 Osney Island residents staged a dawn protest to stop Oxford City Council cutting down the 40ft trees which line the towpath
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School to celebrate top marks
Staff and pupils at Kidlington's St Thomas More Catholic Primary School are planning a celebration day after receiving a top-class Ofsted report. Teachers are asking children what they want to do during the celebration, after the school was officially
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Most are happy with their care
As the new Head of Service for Adult Social Care at Oxfordshire County Council, I read with concern Linda King's letter about her mother-in-law's experiences of home support (Oxford Mail, October 11) . I would be grateful if you would allow me to use
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Community chain
I would like to respond to Phil Neale's letter, Unsupported areas (Oxford Mail, October 25). I am most encouraged by the extremely large donation given by the Plough pub in Appleton for the work of the Appleton Mission. We not only appreciated the
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On Yer Bike: October 31, 2006
The other day, I found myself cycling along the Oxford Eastern Bypass. Quite inadvertently, I might add. It's 7am on the first day of my new fitness regime, and I'm feeling virtuous. My regime takes in a few miles of ring road cycle track which, between
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Row over new cancer test
Women across Oxfordshire will have to do without the latest smear testing technology to combat cervical cancer until 2008. Many women in Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire are still being denied access to the most effective smear testing technology
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‘Nurses got me back on my feet’
Martha Lane Fox, the founder of travel website lastminute.com, has praised staff at Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital for helping her to walk again following a road crash abroad. In May, 2004, five months after the sale of the website, Ms Lane Fox, then
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Rebel red gets a home at last
A naughty dog that no-one wanted to look after has now found himself a home, thanks to the efforts of staff at an Oxfordshire animal sanctuary. Red, a whippet cross, had been living at the Blue Cross animal adoption centre, in Burford, for five months
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Wearing advice
Straight-talking fashion experts Trinny and Susannah didn't beat around the bush when they dished out style advice to three Oxford Mail readers yesterday. Nicky Farmer, 54, who won our contest with Nescafe to have a consultation with the TV duo, learnt
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No more delays to Westgate
It's been long awaited and much debated, but at last the Westgate development looks to be in the home straight. Plans to transform the current ugly monstrosity into a gleaming new 21st-century shopping centre worthy of a city like Oxford have been batted
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Porn addicted vicar shames church
An Oxfordshire clergyman has spoken about his "addiction to pornography" after escaping a jail sentence yesterday for downloading more than 100 child porn images. Former Abingdon curate Richard Thomas, 56, admitted he had been addicted to adult pornography
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‘We just want some answers’
A heartbroken mother whose 29-year-old son was killed after being hit by a car faces an 18-month wait until an inquest is held into his death. Jane Cherrill, 54, from Marston Road, Oxford, says the family are "stuck in time" while they wait to find
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Arson suspected after barn blaze
Arsonists are believed to have started a fire which destroyed 500 tonnes of hay and a tractor in an Oxford barn. The blaze, pictured, began in a Dutch Bay barn in Binsey Lane, off Botley Road, at about 2am on Monday. At its height six fire engines
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Protest over removal of trees
RESIDENTS in Oxford staged a musical protest yesterday to try to save up to a dozen willow trees from being cut down. About 30 Osney Island residents staged a dawn protest to stop Oxford City Council cutting down the 40ft trees which line the towpath
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Police award '£118,000 short'
THAMES Valley Police will be paid back less than a quarter of the money it spent on drawing up the dumped force merger plans, it has emerged. Home Office minister Tony McNulty awarded the force £33,860 to cover the additional costs spent on hastily
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Van theft leaves woman stranded
A FATHER has condemned thieves who stole and then set fire to a specially-converted van used to transport his daughter in her wheelchair. Arthur Allen said 20-year-old Mary-Jayne, who has cerebral palsy, found it difficult to get her wheelchair on buses
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Jail for man who abandoned 70-year-old
A CONMAN who abandoned a pensioner in the countryside after driving off with the car he was selling was yesterday jailed for nine months. Phillip Topp, 45, of no fixed address, left Eric Truby, 70, of Yarnton, stranded in his slippers with no money
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Shopping centre plans gain approval
OXFORD'S biggest planning application for a generation, the £300m revamp of the Westgate Centre, has been given the backing of city councillors. City council planners last night gave the scheme the all clear, but as in previous attempts to refurbish
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Roundabout roadworks nearing completion
MOTORISTS who feel like they have spent a lifetime sitting in traffic jams near roadworks at Oxford's Headington Roundabout will be relieved to hear the end is in sight. The roadworks, which began in April and have caused problems ever since, are nearing
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Pupils and staff get ‘outstanding’ report
STAFF and pupils at St Thomas More Catholic Primary School, Kidlington, are planning a celebration day after receiving a top-class Ofsted report. Teachers are asking children what they want to do during the celebration, after the school was officially
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Debate crime over cereals
CRIME and disorder will be the theme of the next breakfast meeting to be held by Witney and District Chamber of Commerce. Bill Oddy, from West Oxfordshire District Council, will discuss 'Whose Responsibility It Is' at the group's meeting in the Masonic
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Renault 'in F1 for long term'
RENAULT'S president Carlos Ghosn has pledged the company will stay in Formula One for the long term. Speaking after the Enstone-based Renault F1 team retained both the drivers' and constructors' championships he said was proud with the efforts made
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Smith shows his class
BRADLEY Smith put a miserable qualifying campaign behind him to finish a creditable 12th in the final race of the 125cc Grand Prix season in Spain. The Wheatley youngster, who is just 15, crashed in both qualifying sessions riding his Repsol Honda.
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Arson investigation into barn blaze
ARSONISTS are suspected of starting a fire which destroyed 500 tonnes of hay and a tractor in an Oxford barn. The blaze was in a Dutch bay barn in Binsey Lane, off Botley Road, and firefighters were called at 2.03am on Monday. At its height there
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Alert issued on Hallowe'en face paint
PARENTS are being warned to take care with face paints they may use to make their children look ghoulish and scary on Halloween tonight. Trading standards officers at the county council found 22 face paint products did not carry adequate safety warnings
