Archive
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Big Ron backs his old mate
Ron Atkinson has urged Oxford United not to panic and is confident his old pal Jim Smith can get the club back on track. Following a board meeting, Smith's future at the club is set to be cleared up. Speculation is rife that the U's boss may step
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Accused 'didn't know goods were stolen'
Police officers did not make it clear goods were "stolen" when they sold them to three Oxford men in an undercover operation, a jury was told today. Zafran Abbasi, 28, of Gaisford Road, Cowley, denies four charges of attempting to handle stolen goods
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Small NHS trust workers face more attacks
Workers at one of Oxfordshire's smallest NHS trusts are more at risk of being assaulted than their colleagues at the county's hospitals. Figures released today show that 368 staff at the Ridgeway Partnership, formerly the Oxfordshire Learning Disability
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Crash victim speaks on road safety
YOUNG people learned a tearful lesson in road safety today thanks to a talk from a crash survivor. Teenagers wept as a video was shown at the King's Centre in Osney Mead, Oxford, as part of the Safe Drive Stay Alive campaign. Gareth Houston, of
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Latest: Two hurt in chemical spill
TWO cleaners were hurt after a chemical scare closed part of Banbury for six hours today. The men suffered severe skin irritations and vomiting after coming into contact with powder leaking from a drum at the rear of Specsavers opticians at about 9.15am
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'Save memorial to war dead'
WORKERS at Banbury's doomed SAPA aluminium factory are appealing to save the firm's war memorial. The call to protect the monument from the bulldozers comes as staff and retired employees prepare for this year's remembrance service. The memorial
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Traffic shake-up blamed for shoppers slump
A sharp decline in the number of people heading to Abingdon's car parks could force even more shops to close, traders have claimed. New figures show a 90,000 drop in the number of cars using the town's eight main car parks between April 2004 and March
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Two hurt in chemical spill drama
Two cleaners were hurt after a chemical scare closed part of Banbury for six hours today. The men suffered severe skin irritations and vomiting after coming into contact with powder leaking from a drum at the rear of Specsavers opticians at about 9.15am
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AUNT SALLY: Double joy for Oxford pair
John Townsend and Paul Sawyer bagged sixes for North Oxford CC as they beat King's Arms 4-2 in the Kidlington Indoor League. KIDLINGTON INDOOR LEAGUE Gin'll Fix It 5, Kidlington SC 1; North Oxford CC 4, Kings Arms 2; Punch Bowl 4, Dogwood 2; Unknowns
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Teens learn lessons in road safety
Youngsters learned a tearful lesson in road safety today thanks to a talk from a crash survivor. Teenagers wept as a video was shown at the King's Centre in Osney Mead, Oxford, as part of the Safe Drive Stay Alive campaign. Gareth Houston, of Didcot
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A34 pensioner death mystery
A woman pensioner was killed after running from a car parked next to the A34 into the path of an oncoming vehicle. Police accident investigators are trying to establish why the 66-year-old from Bicester left the blue Citroen Xsara she was a passenger
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ICE HOCKEY: Stars duo in the wars
Oxford City Stars skipper Darren Elliott was taken to hospital with concussion and Dean Francis left dazed as they crashed to a 7-2 defeat against a physical Peterborough side in Saturday's English National League South Division A clash. With Stars
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'Save memorial to SAPA war dead'
Workers at Banbury's doomed SAPA aluminium factory are appealing to save the firm's war memorial. The call to protect the monument from the bulldozers comes as staff and retired employees prepare for this year's remembrance service. The memorial stands
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Projects face TV vote for cash
Good causes in Oxford are going head to head to win thousands of pounds of National Lottery cash. Schemes to redevelop the Blackbird Leys Adventure Playground (BLAP) and Carterton town centre will face a public vote to see which of the two projects
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Tai Chi finds fans on Leys
It's a Chinese martial art known for its slow motion routines and, as people in Blackbird Leys are finding out, it is perfect for the over-50s. Tai Chi - which translates roughly as Supreme Ultimate Boxing - aims to generate energy and strength through
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The Insider
NEGLECTFUL landlords are one of the biggest causes of social blight in East Oxford. 'Resign!' That was the understated opinion of Tony Brett after the Oxford Mail revealed Oxford city councillor Mohammed Abbasi had been in court for failing to remove
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'£28m wasted' on asylum centre plan
THE Home Office spent £28m on the aborted asylum centre planned for Bicester and "misjudged" the fight against it, watchdogs disclosed today. The National Audit Office said some of the problems with the plans for the proposed centre could have been
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Death-crash court case moved
A MAN charged with causing the death of a motorcyclist by dangerous driving had his case moved to Bristol Crown Court. Malcolm Tierney, 50, of Early Road, Witney, is accused of causing the death of Andrew Wilcoxon, 40, of Hucclecote, Gloucester on
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Fire crews enjoy a quiet Bonfire Night
Firefighters enjoyed a peaceful Bonfire Night as hundreds safely watched fireworks displays across the county. Oxfordshire's fire crews answered just seven emergency calls between November 3 and 5 - compared to 15 during the same period last year.
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GOLF: Frilford lift trophy
Frilford Heath won the Shaw Gibbs Oxfordshire Foursomes Knockout Trophy after easing past Oxford City 2.5-0.5. Their victory at North Oxford came a week after finishing second in Section 1. Ben Paterson and Ashley Walton got Frilford off to a solid
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GOLF: Trio take title
Mike Redmond, Malcolm Bate and James Ormrod won the Five Star Masters at Huntercombe. The trio claimed the latest event in the series with 81 points, which is raising funds for Oscar - a charity for children with brain and spinal tumours. Jim Elkins
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Driver in death smash case
A man charged with causing the death of a motorcyclist by dangerous driving had his case moved to Bristol Crown Court. Malcolm Tierney, 50, of Earley Road, Witney, is accused of causing the death of Andrew Wilcoxon, 40, of Hucclecote, Gloucester on
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BOWLS: Oxon thrash Wilts
Oxfordshire proved a class above Wiltshire as they strengthened their position at the top of the Premier Group 4 table. They romped to a 32-4 victory in Melksham, losing just two rubbers all afternoon and are now 22 points clear with just two matches
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BOWLS: Latest results
CLUB RESULTS Oxford & District 104, Banbury X 58 (Oxford skips first): M Stradling 27, S Warning 11; K Hawes 23, A Gilkes 13; A Wootton 27, S Amos 12; M Shepherd 25, A Norton 22. Oxford & District 101, City and County 72 (Oxford skips first): N Welsh
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BAR BILLIARDS: Webb break in vain
A brilliant break of 21,340 from 17-year-old Chris Webb proved in vain for Masons in a 4-1 defeat against Dolphin in Premier/Section 1, writes PETE EWINS. Dolphin cruised into a 4-0 lead after victories from Jimmy Robson (8,010), Simon Ellam (4,790
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Thieves strike at refit houses
Burglars are stripping renovated houses and stealing thousands of pounds worth of furniture and fittings from inside. Six homes undergoing refurbishment have been burgled in as many days in Oxford. Twice thieves returned to the same property to steal
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Today's local share prices (PM)
AEA Technology 115 BMW 2929 Electrocomponents 246 Nationwide Accident Repair 147.5 Oxford Biomedica 30.75 Oxford Catalyst 156 Oxford Instruments 221 Reed Elsevier 603.75 RM 200.25 RPS Group 366 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
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Mini sales boom
Sales of the Cowley-built Mini are booming. Latest figures for the period to the end of September show 57,315 cars were sold worldwide, a rise of 25.2 per cent on the same period in 2006. Over the nine months, a total of 164,891 cars have been bought
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Pupils' landmine film to screen in London
A documentary made by pupils at Abingdon School about Cambodia's land-mine victims will have its premier at the National Film Theatre. Gravel and Stones will be shown on Friday, November 16. The 30-minute documentary focuses on the impact of disability
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Councils to police parking rules
Parking violations in Banbury will become the responsibility of Cherwell District Council under new plans put forward by the government. Proposals to be introduced on March 31 next year will decriminalise parking offences, enabling local authorities
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Anger over activity centre plans
An ancient wood loved for its wildlife and peacefulness could become an activity centre not just for schools but businesses looking for a corporate day out. As the Oxford Mail discovered this week the firm behind the scheme for using part of the Blenheim
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Three bailed over scalding death
THREE people arrested over the death from severe burns of a disabled woman have been released on bail. Yelena Hasselberg-Langley, 18, died in August, after suffering burns when lowered into a bath at a care home in Owens Way, Cowley in Oxford. A
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Bath scalding trio bailed again
Three people arrested over the death from severe burns of a disabled woman have been rebailed. Yelena Hasselberg-Langley, 18, died in August, after suffering burns when lowered into a bath at a care home in Owens Way, Cowley in Oxford. A man and a
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Gang knocks down wall
A GANG knocked over a wall and damaged a fence in Kennington. Police said the group committed the damage in Upper Road, Kennington, at 1.05am on Sunday, shortly before getting into a taxi. PC Jon Bodinham, from Abingdon police, said: "Reducing criminal
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Muslim school faces closure
Classes of Muslim schoolgirls in Oxford are facing an uncertain future because their school site is about to be sold. The Lawn Upton building in Littlemore, where the Iqra School has been based for five years, is owned by the Diocese of Oxford and the
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RUGBY UNION: Blues stronger than last year
Oxford University director of rugby Steve Hill says he has a stronger squad than last year with the Varsity Match fast approaching. Twelve months ago, most positions in the Dark Blues' Twickenham side looked sewn up, but this time there are more players
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Cuban mission to aid children
Computer analyst Emily Skelton is taking a screen break to cycle 230 miles in five days over mountainous terrain in Cuba. Miss Skelton, 27, from Pipkin Way, East Oxford, will be embarking on the marathon bike ride in February to raise money for Computer
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RUGBY UNION: Maudsley hails consistency
Matt Maudsley believes Oxford Harlequins are finding real consistency for the first time in South West 1. Quins director of rugby has seen his side win their last four matches, including three in the league. And having struggled with squad depth in
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RUGBY UNION: Henley to host England
Henley Hawks will host England Students' clash with Irish Colleges on March 14. The students will be the third England team to appear at Dry Leas in a year after the under 19s and under 18s played a double-header last season. Oxford University director
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£1m council house on market
OXFORD City Council is selling a £1m Georgian townhouse in Jericho and plans to use the money to refurbish homes across the city. The six-bedroom, three-storey, terraced house, in Walton Street, which is in the heart of one of Oxford's most desirable
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RUGBY UNION: Chinnor Academy beaten
Chinnor Academy lost 27-5 to their Moseley Under 19 counterparts despite a strong start and finish. After five minutes, wing Alec Warriner gave Chinnor the lead with a try in the corner. Moseley worked their way back into the match and led 15-5 at
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RUGBY UNION: Oxford go third
Oxford Ladies will go into Saturday's Midlands 1 derby at Witney in confident mood after a 22-3 home victory over Malvern Angels. Tries from flanker Tia Winegard, centre Kate Warner, plus locks Sarah Johnson and Charlotte James helped Oxford to third
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Council to sell off £1m townhouse
Oxford City Council is selling off a £1m Georgian townhouse in Jericho, despite a long list of families waiting to be re-housed. However, the council has insisted the money can be spent on refurbishing homes across the city. The six-bedroom house,
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RUGBY UNION: Chippy top dogs
Chipping Norton were Oxfordshire's top team for the second month running during October. They just pipped Harwell in my rankings on points difference per game (DPG) after both 100 per cent teams averaged two points per game (PPG).
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Memorial service for road crash victims
A memorial service will be held in tribute to lives lost on Oxfordshire's roads. The multi-faith service at St Mary the Virgin, in Thame, will allow the emergency services to come together with members of the public to remember those who have died in
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TV winners celebrate rave reviews
A RESTAURANT run by two reality TV show contestants has been given the thumbs-up by its first customers. Eight at the Thatch opened in Thame under the guiding hand of husband and wife Jane and Jeremy Hooper - winners of BBC2 TV series The Restaurant
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Green grants aid projects
MORE than £3m of "green cash" has been ploughed into community projects across Oxfordshire. The milestone has been reached by environmental body Wren, which redistributes money raised through the landfill communities fund. So far bus museums, nature
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Green grants aid projects
More than £3m of "green cash" has been ploughed into community projects across Oxfordshire. The milestone has been reached by environmental body Wren, which redistributes money raised through the landfill communities fund. So far bus museums, nature
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Rave reviews for restaurant show winners
A restaurant run by two reality TV show contestants has got rave reviews by its first customers. Eight at the Thatch opened in Thame on Tuesday night under the guiding hand of husband and wife Jane and Jeremy Hooper - winners of BBC2 TV series The Restaurant
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Update: Two hurt in chemical alert
EXPERTS are still trying to pinpoint the chemical responsible for leaving two men suffering from blistered skin and vomiting today. Initial reports suggested that three people had been affected during the incident in Banbury, but only two required
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Farmers' markets win signs battle
Farmers' Markets in west Oxfordshire have won a battle to keep their roadside adverts. District councillors have given them planning permission to keep using the 2ft square signs at Chipping Norton and Charlbury. But there is another battle on, to
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Chemical incident: Cause investigated
Experts are still trying to pinpoint the chemical responsible for leaving two men suffering from blistered skin and vomiting. Initial reports suggested that three people had been effected but only two required treatment. Specialist staff from South
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Sporting star dies
Eric Farr, who has died aged 69, was a keen sportsman, as a player and coach. He played football for Oxford City, starting when he was still a pupil at the City of Oxford High School. He would often play rugby for the school on a Saturday morning,
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Green passion burned bright
Patsy (Patience) Wood has died following a four-month battle with an aggressive cancer. Although aged only 47 at the time of her death, she had already made her mark in the important field of environmental awareness. About 12 years ago, following
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ATHLETICS: Headington are given a pasting
Reigning men's champions Headington Roadrunners were given a wake-up call as they were well beaten in the first round of the Oxford Mail Cross League at Ascott-under-Wychwood. It was Cirencester who emerged as early favourites to take the league honours
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ATHLETICS: Classy Glastonbury coasts in at a canter
Radley's Rhys Glastonbury emerged victorious in the combined under 15/17 boys race in the Oxford Mail Cross Country League at Ascott-under-Wychwood. He looked a class above the opposition as he outpaced Newbury's Marcus Bridger-Wilkinson to win in 16mins
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ATHLETICS: Oxford Mail Cross Country League results
Senior men (top 40): 1 C Illman (Cirencester) 29.39, 2 D Roper (Cirencester) 30.41, 3 E Womersley (St Edward's School, U20) 30.51, 4 P Hails (Witney RR) 31.05, 5 N Marley (Alchester) 31.10, 6 B Gardner (Swindon H, V450) 31.11, 7 A Tilsley (Hook Norton
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ATHLETICS: Veteran Shipway eases to victory
Woodstock Harrier veteran Mike Shipway finished first in the vet 65 age category at the Derwentwater 10-mile race in the Lake District. Shipway recorded 1hr 10mins to take first place. Meanwhile, Oxford City's Mike Welland stormed to victory in the
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Fuel for Thought
I'm glad fuel prices in Oxfordshire have reached an all-time high. Maybe it will make people think a little before using their cars - especially those with huge great Chelsea tractors who burn petrol like it's going out of fashion. There are plenty
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Well Spotted (I promise this will be my last spot pun)
The spots seem to have stopped. Appearing, that is. I was expecting her to be covered, but although she has lots on her body, especially her back, she has very few on her face, just a few by her nose and some on her forehead. Even so, she's looking a
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Today's local share prices (AM)
AEA Technology 115 BMW 3023 Electrocomponents 248 Nationwide Accident Repair 148 Oxford Biomedica 30 Oxford Catalyst 156 Oxford Instruments 222.5 Reed Elsevier 605.75 RM 202.5 RPS Group 371.5 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
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Three hurt in chemical incident
Three people have been hurt in a chemical incident in Banbury this morning. An area at the back of shops in Bridge Street has been closed off by paramedics. It is understood three people have suffered severe skin irritations and vomiting and are being
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Pedestrian killed: Update
The pensioner who died after being hit by a car on the A34 last night was from Bicester. Police are appealing for witnesses following the fatal collision on the northbound carriageway, between South Hinksey and North Hinksey at about 7.10pm. The 66
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Update: Woman killed on A34
A WOMAN from Bicester died after being hit by a car on the A34 near Oxford last night. Police are appealing for witnesses following the fatal collision on the northbound carriageway, between South Hinksey and North Hinksey at about 7.10pm. The 66-
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Guilty pleas in fraud case
A WOMAN has admitted two counts of false accounting at an Oxford post office. Margaret Sowinska, 46, of Willow Road, Ambrosden, was manager of the post office at Martin's newsagents, in Banbury Road, Summertown, Oxford, at the time of the offences
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Riders protest at court cost order
MEMBERS of the British Horse Society rode into town yesterday to protest against BMW's closure of a bridleway. At Witney Magistrates' Court last month, the company won permission to close the Roman Way bridleway, which run through its Mini plant at
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Nakajima joins Williams
THE Grove-based AT&T Williams team confirmed today that their driver line-up for the 2008 FIA Formula One World Championship would be Nico Rosberg partnered by Kazuki Nakajima. After two seasons of racing for AT&T Williams, Rosberg is an established
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TV stars open for business
THE winners of the BBC reality TV show The Restaurant opened for business last night. Eight at the Thatch opened under the control of Jane and Jeremy Hooper in Lower High Street, Thame, at 6.30pm. Mr and Mrs Hooper were trained by celebrity chef Raymond
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Pedestrian killed on A34
A pedestrian died last night following a collision with a car on the A34 outside Oxford. The accident happened shortly before 7.15pm on the northbound carriageway, between the Hinksey Hill and Botley interchanges, paramedics said this morning. A spokesman
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Obesity link to cancer
BEING overweight or obese accounts for about 6,000 women's cancers each year in the UK, new research based at Oxford University has shown. Two thirds are cases of womb or breast cancer in middle aged and older women. The findings from the Million
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Green hair leads to lessons ban
WHEN Kathy Singer streaked her hair green for charity her teachers saw red and banned her from lessons. Kathy, a Year 11 student at King Alfred's School, Wantage, dyed her hair in aid of Children in Need. The 15-year-old from Churchward, Grove, set
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Police offered laptop as bait
UNDERCOVER police officers posed as drug addicts to sell 'stolen' goods to three Oxford men, a jury was told. Oxford Crown Court heard that the three officers, who disguised their identities, offered the men cheap laptops, DVDs and alcohol, admitting
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Cowley Road to get CCTV
COWLEY Road, Oxford, will get CCTV coverage. Arguments about installing cameras on Cowley Road look set to come to an end after the working group formed to look into the issue recommended four wireless cameras be put in place for a trial period of a
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Miner parts
AYNHO'S community theatre group is presenting I Thought I Heard A Rustling by Alan Plater on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, November 15-17. The plot involves ex-miner-turned-poet Bill Robson who is appointed writer-in-residence at a local branch library
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Memories of town’s men
EVERY man named on Wallingford's war memorial will have a special place in a two-day exhibition in the town hall over Remembrance weekend. Organisers Andrew Russell and Gary Skinner, who have researched the history and military records of all the
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Demolition bid
PLANS to demolish 45 Sunderland Avenue, North Oxford, and build a three-storey block containing six flats on the site have been submitted to Oxford City Council.
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New shop helps support Helen House
THE founder of Helen House, the world's first children's hospice, visited Witney to see one of nine new shops helping to raise funds. Sister Frances Dominica joined Witney MP David Cameron to open the new shop at 26 Market Square. On the first day
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Pupils raise charity cash
THE Year Seven group at Burford School is handing over a cheque for nearly £2,000 to the charity Barnardos. The money was raised through sponsored maths and spelling events over the past year. The same pupils also raised £500 for the BBC Children
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£10,000 boost from runner
RUNNER Paul Ryman completed the Great South Run to help raise £10,000 for the Cheshire Home charity. Mr Ryman, 44, from Banbury, did the 10 miles in one hour, 56 minutes, and Rebecca Thomas, the events coordinator at Leonard Cheshire Disability, said
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Pub to reopen after Christmas
A PUB in South Oxford is being refurbished and is not expected to reopen until after Christmas. The Fox and Hounds pub at the corner of Donnington Bridge Road and Weirs Lane closed at the weekend and metal shutters have been put on the windows to protect
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Rail upgrade praised
A SERIES of enhancement projects to improve the capacity and reliability of Oxfordshire's railways feature in Network Rail's new strategic business plan. The company said the schemes, and others on routes out of London's Paddington station, would help
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Daylight raiders strip lead from roof
THIEVES stripped lead in broad daylight from an abandoned building where two people died earlier this year. Two thieves - described as teenagers - were spotted on the roof of a derelict house on the Old Abingdon Road, near Redbridge park-and-ride, in
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Cameras are lesser of two evils
Shopkeepers and local residents are fiercely proud of Oxford's Cowley Road. In the last few years they have fought an increasingly tough battle to maintain the street's flamboyant atmosphere and should be applauded for their efforts. The street is
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MP helps out politics day
WITNEY MP and Conservative Party leader David Cameron helped school children get to grips with problems during a politics in action event. Teams from Burford School, Carterton Community College, Bartholomew School in Eynsham, Cokethorpe, Wood Green
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Fresh choice
The Daihatsu Sirion supermini now comes with a 1.5-litre petrol engine, in SX trim priced £9,495. The new 101 horsepower Sirion gets a deep front spoiler with mesh grille, front fog lamps, side skirts, a rear tailgate spoiler, red interior trim, alloy
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Dealer's staff tough it out
STAFF from Hartwell Land Rover in Cumnor followed in the footsteps of some of the worlds most adventurous athletes last weekend by taking part in a gruelling competition based upon Land Rovers global G4 Challenge. Like the event from which it takes
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Alice celebrates 102nd birthday
A great-great grandmother has celebrated her 102nd birthday - with family and friends and a piece of her favourite pink sponge cake. Alice Rose Webb, of Stoner Close, Didcot was born and raised in nearby Aston Tirrold and said she never expected to
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Mother backs 20mph limit plea
A MOTHER who campaigned for safety improvements on an Oxford road where her daughter was run over has backed calls to cut speed limits outside schools to 20mph. Sybil Dibdin visited children at North Hinksey Primary School as Brake, the national road
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Row as pupil dyes hair for charity
When Kathy Singer streaked her hair green for charity her teachers saw red and banned her from lessons. Kathy, a Year 11 student at King Alfred's School, Wantage, dyed her hair in aid of Children in Need. The 15-year-old from Churchward, Grove, set
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County gathers to pay respects
COMMUNITIES around the county are preparing to pay their respects to the war dead on Remembrance Sunday at ceremonies across Oxfordshire. For the first time, serving personnel, ex-servicemen and women, members of youth groups and civil dignitaries
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Flood fairs display expert help
A NOT-for-profit community network is coming to Oxfordshire for two special Flood Fairs in the wake of the July deluge, which hit hundreds of homes and businesses. The National Flood Forum is linking up with the Environment Agency and local authorities
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Cowley Road to get CCTV
Oxford's most crime-ridden street will get CCTV - 15 years after it was first mooted. Years of arguments about installing cameras on Cowley Road look set to come to an end after the working group formed to look into the issue recommended four wireless
