Archive
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Boy killed and woman fighting for life after two crashes
A 13-year-old boy has been killed tonight and a motorist is fighting for survival after two serious crashes in West Oxfordshire tonight. The teenager died after a collision with a grey Fiat Punto car outside McDonald's in Ducklington Lane, Witney, at
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Boy killed in road crash
A 13-year-old boy has been killed tonight after a road crash outside a fast food restaurant. The teenager died after a collision with a grey Fiat Punto car outside McDonald's in Ducklington Lane, Witney, at about 8pm. Emergency services were called
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Boy killed in road crash
A 13-year-old boy has been killed tonight after a road crash outside a fast food restaurant. The teenager died after a collision with a grey Fiat Punto car outside McDonald's in Ducklington Lane, Witney, at about 8pm. Emergency services were called
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Fan Dan has foot in both camps
Oxford United fan Dan Leach has divided loyalties today - because he's one of the 20,000 MyFootballClub members who have paid £35 for a stake in Ebbsfleet United. The 18-year-old from Eynsham (pictured right), said: "Of course I'm interested in seeing
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Well done!
After so many years, we thought Children in Need might be losing its appeal. How wrong we were. As usual, hundreds of people in Oxfordshire thought up all sorts of wacky ideas to raise money. There were raffles, collections, competitions, sponge throwing
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Hamilton books in for signing
FORMULA One driver Lewis Hamilton is visiting Borders Bookshop in Magdalen Street, Oxford, later this month to sign copies of his new autobiography. Mr Hamilton, above, will be at the store on Monday, November 26, between 5pm and 7pm to sign copies
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People do it for the children
PEOPLE across Oxfordshire baked cakes, designed crockery and dressed in costume today to raise thousands of pounds for the BBC's Children in Need Appeal. Fundraisers in the county embraced the spirit of the appeal by holding a series of wacky events
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Doing it for the kids
People across Oxfordshire baked cakes, designed crockery and dressed in costume yesterday to raise thousands of pounds for the BBC's Children in Need Appeal. Fundraisers in the county embraced the spirit of the appeal by holding a series of wacky events
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HORSE RACING: Mill stars to delight Knight
Glasker Mill reaped the reward of some intensive schooling sessions at Henrietta Knight's West Lockinge stables, near Wantage, with a thrilling victory at Cheltenham on Friday. The seven-year-old lost his way over fences last season after making a winning
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Crash victim was former teacher
A woman who died while walking along a road just outside Witney was a former teacher in the town. Christine Diacon, who was in her late 50s, suffered fatal injuries after being hit by a black Honda CRV at about 3.55pm on Thursday. She was pronounced
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Bandit on bus steals just £1
A robber has been captured on camera threatening an Oxford bus driver at knifepoint - then stealing just £1. The robber, with tights pulled over his head to cover his face, struck on a route 7C Stagecoach bus in Headington. The CCTV video shows him
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Four in court
Sentencing has been adjourned for four people convicted of benefits offences. Mizel Kinanga, 26, of Watlington Road, Cowley, Oxford, admitted being concerned in an arrangement linked with criminal property and possessing a false identity document.
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Lewis books in for signing
Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton is visiting Borders Bookshop in Magdalen Street, Oxford, to sign copies of his new autobiography. Mr Hamilton, above, will be at the store on Monday, November 26, between 5pm and 7pm to sign copies of Lewis Hamilton
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BBC 'sorry' for quins soundtrack
The BBC has apologised for adding the sound of babies crying to its footage of the quins born at Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital. The five girls, delivered last Saturday, are the latest individuals to be drawn into the broadcasting fakery row. The
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Cancer victim fights drug refusal
Cancer victim Stephen Dallison is angry that NHS staff spend £11m on management costs while denying him a £2,500 drug to fight his terminal illness. The 31-year-old, who has been given 12 months to live without the treatment, is appalled that Oxfordshire
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Warneford Meadow safe, for now
Health chiefs have admitted defeat in their attempts to build a massive housing development on Oxford's Warneford Meadow. The Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust wanted to sell off the 18-acre site in Headington for student
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Four car pile-up on A34
Motorists experienced severe traffic delays along the A34 this evening following a four car pile-up. Emergency crews were called at around 4.06pm to attend the multiple vehicle collision on the south bound carriageway between Bletchingdon and the Peartree
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Fire badly damages house
FIREFIGHTERS were called to deal with a blaze at a house in Rose Hill, Oxford, today. Emergency services arrived at the house in Courtland Road at about noon. The first floor and roof of the two-storey semi-detached house were ablaze. Fire crews
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Man arrested over knife
A 51-year-old man is in custody today after he was spotted waving a knife in a busy Oxford street. Police were called to Cowley Road outside Cycle King at about 4.20pm yesterday. A man was arrested on suspicion of possession of a bladed article
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Man arrested over knife
A 51-year-old man is in custody after he was spotted waving a knife in a busy Oxford street. Police were called to Cowley Road outside Cycle King at about 4.20pm on Thursday. A man was arrested on suspicion of possession of a bladed article and is
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Snapshots of estate life go on show
The building of the Holy Family church and snapshots of school life are part of a photographic exhibition celebrating 50 years of Oxford's Blackbird Leys estate. Opening at the Leys Linx Centre, in Blackbird Leys Road, tomorrow, the Leys 50th Anniversary
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New use likely for historic chapel
A theological college could be forced to turn one of its historic chapels into a concert hall or exhibition space because of rising maintenance costs. The Grade I-listed St John the Evangelist Church, in Iffley Road is the largest of three places of
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Fire damages house
Firefighters were called to deal with a blaze at a house in Rose Hill, Oxford, today. Emergency services arrived at the house in Courtland Road at about noon. The first floor and roof of the two-storey semi-detached house were ablaze. Fire crews managed
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Thief steals £500 from OAP
A thief stole £500 from a pensioner's home after pretending to be a water worker. He knocked on her door at Hawkins Way in Wootton, near Abingdon, between 4.30pm and 5pm on Wednesday. He claimed there was a problem with the water pressure and needed
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New express train standards set
A new fleet of express trains to replace First Great Western's 30-year-old InterCity 125 High Speed Trains will be lighter, greener and carry up to 70 per cent more passengers, the Government said today. Laying down specifications for the new trains,
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Distraction burglar strikes
Police have issued an image of a man wanted for a distraction burglary on a 98-year-old woman. The man, described as stocky, aged between 30 and 40 and about 5ft 7in, knocked on the front door of a house at Mill Stream, in Benson, near Wallingford,
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RUGBY UNION: Tom's try seals spot in final
Marlborough (Woodstock) battled to a 7-5 win over St Birinus (Didcot) in the Oxfordshire Under 14 Cup semi-final. A try by Tom van der Ploeg, converted by Jake Willis, gave Marlborough the edge. They now await the winners of Lord Williams's (Thame
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Bogus water worker stole £500
A BOGUS water worker stole £500 from a house in Wootton, near Abingdon. The man said that there was a problem with the water pressure and that he needed to check the pipes. He followed the woman into the kitchen and made her turn on the taps and empty
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RUGBY: West Kidlington's tag hat-trick
West Kidlington completed a hat-trick of wins in the Kidlington Partnership Year 5/6 Tag Rugby Festival at Stratfield Brake. The school's A team beat their B team in the final of the competition, which attracted 11 sides. The teams had earlier competed
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KICKBOXING: Haspra lifts Euro crown
Vladimir Haspra headed a successful display from Oxfordshire competitors in the European Championships at Worcester. oHaspra, from Kidlington, won the men's 75kg points competiton with an excellent display. Shani Hawthorne, 15, who was taking part
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Burglars target 87-year-old
POLICE are appealing for information and urging the public to be vigilant after two distraction burglaries, one near Brackley and another in Aylesbury. At about 3pm yesterday in Orchard Place, Westbury, near Brackley, a man came to the house stating
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AMERICAN GANGSTER (18)
Casting Denzel Washington as a quietly spoken crime boss who shoots a man in the head before resuming conversation over a meal with the quip "Now where was I?" - there's something not quite right here, just as in the film, white cops furrow their brows
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INDOOR CRICKET: Hill hammers the Marston bowlers
Tom Hill smashed a brilliant 63 not out as Broughton & North Newington thrashed Marston St Lawrence by 71 runs in Division 3 of the Banbury Indoor League. Batting first, Broughton rattled up a massive 141-5 in their ten overs, Jason Hillcock chipping
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Police search for burglar
POLICE are appealing for information following a burglary at a 98-year-old woman's home in Mill Lane, Benson. A man knocked at the front door of the property and asked for a glass of water. The occupier gave him some water and he then asked if it could
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Horton nurses speak out
NURSES at Banbury's Horton Hospital have called proposed changes to children's and maternity services 'unsafe, unfair, and illogical'. They have hit out at the plans, saying the downgrading of services at the Horton would be detrimental to the health
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ICE SKATING: Super Watson glides to free skating gold
Reece Watson (pictured) was the star of the show as Oxford Figure & Free Skating Club held their annual national free skate competition at Oxford Ice Rink. The competition attracted 140 skaters, representing 19 rinks throughout the country, and Watson
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Council planners 'are too costly'
The planning department at Cherwell District Council is too costly and needs to develop an understanding of value for money, according to an Audit Commission report. The commission awarded the planning department one star out of three and described
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Helen House special: Drumming up money
Keeping Helen and Douglas House hospices running is not a cheap business. It costs about £4m every year to pay for staff, care and the general upkeep of the two hospices, in Leopold Street and Magdalen Road. Staff at the pioneering hospices are celebrating
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SPORTS AWARDS: Smith picks up top honour
Bradley Smith capped a sensational year by landing the Sportsman of the Year award. The 16-year-old, from Forest Hill, has just finished his second season with the Repsol Honda team in the 125cc Moto GP. And having just signed a new deal to ride for
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BILLIARDS: New Club aces go marching on
New Club stretched their lead at the top of Oxford & District League Division 1 with a 3-0 victory at Thame. Alan King (+40) got them off to the perfect start with a 200-126 victory over Nigel Bossom (+30), then Dave White (+30) defeated Peter Hawkes
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SNOOKER: Witney take over at summit
Three matches in a week have seen Witney A move top of the Gentworks Oxford & District League Premier Division. However, Witney did not have it all their own way, as their first match, against New Club, ended in a 3-3 draw. Things looked bleak for
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SWIMMING: Canlan-Shaw sets City on way to third
Joe Canlan-Shaw set City of Oxford on their way to an impressive third place in a tough competition at the second round of the Speedo League at Temple Cowley pools. Portsmouth Northsea and Amersham finished first and second, but City put in a fine all-round
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SWIMMING: Bowles smashes club records
Robert Bowles broke two records at Wantage White Horse's annual 1500m championships. The 17-year-old's time of 17mins 10.77secs was not only only an age group record, but also beat the overall men's best time. Josh Harrop (12) and Guy Giles (13) also
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GYMNASTICS: Maddy is champion
Maddy Crossley, from Carterton, has been crowned Southern Regional Challenge Cup champion after seeing off rivals from across the south east at the regional championships in Basingstoke. The 15-year-old completed a brilliant floor routine with tumbles
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GYMNASTICS: Seven-up for Wantage youngsters
Wantage gymnasts came away from the Oxon Championship in Maidenhead with 14 medals, including seven golds. The golds came from Chloe Palmer (level 5 beam), Lisa Henry (level 4 floor), Rebekah Godden (level four vault), Abbie Rawlings (level 4 bars),
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TABLE TENNIS: Forum A turn up the heat
Forum A cut Rutherford A's lead at the top of Division 1 to a point with an 8-2 demolition of Lord Nuffield A in the Oxford & District League. Karl Bushell's maximum proved crucial as they claim all the points. Lord Nuffield's Nigel Taylor made Bushell
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Palin praises £8m Pitt Rivers plan
Intrepid explorer and former Monty Python star Michael Palin has welcomed the completion of an £8m extension at Oxford's quirkiest museum. The celebrity, whose travels around the globe have been televised by the BBC, praised the improvements at the
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ICE HOCKEY: Oxford duo eye Swindon reunion
OXFORD City Stars duo Nick Eden and Grant Bailey will be aiming to sink their old mates when they travel to Swindon Wildcats in the English National League South Division A tomorrow. oLast season, Eden and Bailey played for Swindon, but decided to move
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Grimm way to help children's hospital
Drama lovers in Oxford are being urged to go to the theatre in a giant tent to raise funds for the £15m Oxford Children's Hospital Campaign. The hospital, part of the £130m West Wing at the John Radcliffe Hospital site, has welcomed the support of the
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Library store faces fresh hurdle
An 11th-hour attempt to stop Oxford University building a giant book depository in Osney Mead will be launched on Monday. The university wants the facility as a new store for books from the Bodleian Library. Vale of the White Horse District Council
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Healthy pointers to a very long life
Former schoolteacher Olive Rudlin says there is no secret to reaching 100 years. But then, not smoking, not drinking, not eating meat and having a deep faith probably counts in reaching a ripe old age. On top of that she had a poor childhood in East
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GREYHOUNDS: Now it's time to double up
Oxford owners and trainers are in for a pre-Christmas boost with double prize money on offer at tomorrow's BAGS meeti- ng. Racing manager Gary Baiden has decided to distribute an additional £2,384, which in effect doubles the normal prize money. Baiden
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Homes help pay for new campus
More than 80 new homes many of them 'affordable' are to be built on the site of an Oxford college, to help fund its £86m redevelopment. The homes will be built on surplus land in Oxpens as part of the transformation of Oxford and Cherwell Valley College's
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It's Shao time for rapper at final
An Oxford rapper has been chosen from thousands of hopeful musicians as a finalist in a search for the best young singing star. Elliott Haslam, who performs under the name Mr Shaodow, is one of 11 performers who will take to the stage tomorrow for the
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Spectators at parade made us proud
Yet again, the Oxford branch of the Royal Tank Regiment Association would like to congratulate all concerned for making this year's Remembrance Sunday parade so memorable for all of us privileged to take part. As always, the spectators, who appeared
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It was an illegal war
I read with amazement and disgust Lord Mayor John Tanner's comments and the fact he was to lay a wreath on Remembrance Day (Oxford Mail, November 7). How can a socialist atheist do this? His party and the illegal war in Iraq are the cause of many deaths
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Get tough with the cheats
Where has our work ethic gone? Once people were proud to go out to work and provide for their families. There was some shame if you couldn't. Work gave you a sense of pride and dignity. Things have all changed. A lot of people who work full-time struggle
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ANGLING: Gray day again as Steve wins
IT was Steve Gray all the way for the second time in two weeks when he won the latest Jolly Anglers' club match on the BMH. The nine members who took part found bream rolling in a couple of swims, but overall it proved hard work. Gray was on groundbait
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No more Elvis, please
Has everyone quite finished celebrating the death of Elvis, this year? If the answer is yes, thank goodness for that! To think that the next time it comes around, I will probably be in a nursing home with an ear trumpet attached. "What was that dear
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Grey hairs should be a warning
So Patrick Tolani, director of Oxfordshire Racial Equality Council, thinks that illegal immigrants have more right to be in Britain than the old (Oxford Mail, November 1). May I remind him that many of the old, black and white, fought a massive war
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It's attempted murder
It started with hay and straw being set on fire by arsonists, then it spread to schools. Now a huge warehouse is set on fire by these terrible people. When they start a fire, it must be attempted murder as they know what could happen. The death penalty
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Praying for a dry winter
I completely share Andy Webber's frustration at the lack of action to reduce future flood risk in Oxford (Oxford Mail, November 7). I've been pushing all I can, but so far in vain. Along with the residents of West Oxford, I'm praying for a dry winter
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Key problem
I don't like dispersal zones any more than Chris Boswell (Oxford Mail, November 6), but I have to admit that the area around The Oval at Rose Hill, Oxford, is safer and more pleasant to walk through since various Asbos were served and the zone has been
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Smoky pubs are part of history
In reply to Derek Honey, Fears grow for our empty pubs (Oxford Mail, November 5), pubs were not created solely for the use of smokers. Times have changed. We do not want to breathe in secondhand smoke just because people are addicted to nicotine and
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Bus driver robbed at knifepoint
This masked man is wanted for a knife-point robbery of a bus driver in Oxford. The man, with tights covering his face, burst on to the Stagecoach 7C bus on London Road, Headington, near the Green Road roundabout at 10.25pm on Sunday. He threatened
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Bus driver robbed at knifepoint
THIS masked man is wanted for a knifepoint robbery of a bus driver in Oxford. The man, with tights covering his face, burst on to the Stagecoach 7C bus on London Road, Headington, near the Green Road roundabout at 10.25pm on Sunday. He threatened
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Pair quizzed over lead theft
TWO men are being questioned by police on suspicion of stealing lead after they were spotted on the roof of an Oxford pub today. Police were called to the Fox and Hounds pub in Abingdon Road shortly before 7am. Officers arrested two men on suspicion
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Pair quizzed over metal theft
Two men are being questioned by police on suspicion of stealing lead after they were caught on the roof of an Oxford pub today. Police were called to the Fox and Hounds, in Abingdon Road, shortly before 7am. Officers arrested the men on suspicion of
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Today's local share prices
AEA Technology 107 BMW 2974 Electrocomponents 235.5 Nationwide Accident Repair 137.5 Oxford Biomedica 29.25 Oxford Catalyst 154 Oxford Instruments 221.5 Reed Elsevier 595.5 RM 185.5 RPS Group 348.25 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
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Update: Death-crash driver bailed
A DRIVER has been released on bail in connection with the death of a woman pedestrian who was hit by a car outside Witney. He was arrested yesterday on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and police have bailed him without charge until January
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Death crash: driver bailed
A driver has now been released on bail in connection with the death of a woman pedestrian who was hit by a car near Witney. He was arrested yesterday on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and police have bailed him without charge until
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Update: BBC faked quins sound
THE BBC has apologised for adding the sound of babies crying to its footage of quintuplets born at an Oxford hospital. The five girls, delivered at the John Radcliffe Hospital last Saturday, are the latest individuals to be drawn into the broadcasting
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Quins footage sound faked by BBC
The BBC has apologised for adding the sound of babies crying to its footage of quintuplets born at an Oxford hospital. The five girls, delivered at the John Radcliffe Hospital last Saturday, are the latest individuals to be drawn into the broadcasting
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Driver arrested after pedestrian killed
A driver has been arrested after a woman pedestrian in Witney was hit by a car and died yesterday. The incident happened at about 3.55pm on the westbound slip road of the A40 towards High Cogges. The pedestrian, who has not been identified, was involved
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Skulls fractured in village fight
TWO young men suffered fractured skulls after a fight broke out in a village. They were so seriously injured in the fight in Combe on November 5 that police have only just been able to interview them. Police today appealed for witnesses after the
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Drugs den man evicted
A HEROIN addict who caused 11 years of hell for his neighbours will be evicted from his house - but he insists it's not all his fault. Graham Chiswell, 50, allowed his council home to become a haven for drug dealers and a place for users to smoke crack
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Residents see latest flood defences
FROM sandbags that inflate in water to a house alarm system which warns you when water levels start to rise, a fair yesterday claimed to provide the solution to every kind of flooding problem. Held in the King's Centre, on Oxford's Osney Mead Industrial
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Pub closures gather speed
THE smoking ban and soaring property prices are killing off Oxford's pubs at a rate of almost one every eight weeks, claim real ale enthusiasts. In September, the White House pub, in Botley Road, was boarded up and now the Marlborough House, at the
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Patto will take patient approach
OXFORD United manager Darren Patterson says he is determined not to rush players back from injury too soon. He has been boosted by the sight of Rob Duffy playing 70 minutes of a friendly at Aldershot this week and fellow striker Gary Twigg making his
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Rally shows solidarity with Burma
A RALLY to show solidarity for the people of Burma will be held in Oxford tomorrow. Protesters against the military junta will gather at Manzil Way from 11am, set off down Cowley Road at noon, march along the High Street and end with a rally on Broad
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Eyesore
A waste plant on the grain silo site near Kidlington is hardly likely to scar the landscape, even though it would be in the Green Belt. The silo is an eyesore, and is surrounded by the A34, a railway line, a railway siding where aggregates are unloaded
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Breweries too quick to shut doors
It will indeed be a sad day if we lose too many of our pubs. They have a long tradition of providing not only drink but acting as the hub of many communities. But we suspect claims that the smoking ban is a major factor in their demise are, dare we
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Best of the tasting mixed case, £65
The Oxford Times Wine Club Tasting was a great success. Here, in one case, are the four top-selling and most popular wines of the evening, as selected by you, the club members. This is an opportunity for those not present to taste these excellent wines
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Spoiling the view
Sir - Next Monday, the city council will take a decision that will save, or spoil for ever, the world-famous views of Oxford's "dreaming spires". Oxford University wishes to build a book depository at Osney Mead because space has run out at the Bodleian
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Eco support
Sir - We support the proposal for a new rail station at the Shipton-on-Cherwell eco-town, as described in your article by Reg Little (November 2). The use of rail access is important, since the neighbouring roads are heavily congested, and this would
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Roadside question
Sir - On reading of the battle to keep roadside advertising signs for farmers' markets in West Oxfordshire (Report, November 9), I could not help but wonder what the position is in Oxford city. Do the Gloucester Green farmers' market signs which appear
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Decades behind
Sir - Two of your recent correspondents seem to have no idea what's going on in the real world outside the inward-looking UK. Michael Heavey ascribes Britain's lack of work ethic to our joining the European Union, but this is patent nonsense. We had
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Robbery victim to avoid lone walks
A ROBBERY victim has vowed never to walk alone at night along the Oxford street where he was attacked. The 21-year-old man, who asked not to be named, was confronted by a gang of yobs at SS Mary and John churchyard, in Cowley Road. They chased him
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Litter-picker helped solve murder
PENSIONER Victor Hearne has described being hailed by police as the man who helped convict three murderers as the "proudest day of my life". Former litter-picker Mr Hearne, 65, of Alice Smith Square in Littlemore, Oxford, picked up a Chief Constable's
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Rickshaw rules move approved
A CODE of conduct is set to be drawn up in an attempt to regulate the use of rickshaws in Oxford - but it will still be illegal to flag one down in the street. The pedal-powered vehicles fall into a legal grey area and do not require a licence, as
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Death of a scientist
CORONER Nicholas Gardiner spoke in Latin to bring to a close the Oxford inquest into the death of Dr David Kelly. "Functus officio," he said, in a barely audible whisper, best translated as "my task is done, I have no further function". However, it
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Charity fair
BURE Park Primary School, Bicester, is hosting a fundraising fair in aid of Children in Need. Attractions include jewellery stalls, hair, make up, the Body Shop, Christmas decorations, wrapping paper, Christmas cards, a raffle and a children's lucky
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Mayoral pair celebrate
TWO former Lord Mayors of Oxford are celebrating 50 years of marriage today. Childhood sweethearts Bryan and Beryl Keen, of Liddell Road, Cowley, were married at the Holy Trinity Church, Norwich, on November 16, 1957. The pair, both 73, went to
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Flood defences go on show
From sandbags that inflate in water to a house alarm system which warns you when water levels start to rise, a fair yesterday claimed to provide the solution to every kind of flooding problem. Held in the King's Centre, on Oxford's Osney Mead Industrial
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Ex-presenter takes top role
A FORMER Oxford radio presenter has been elected as the national president of the Country Land and Business Association. Henry Aubrey-Fletcher, who was a presenter on BBC Radio Oxford in the 1970s and 1980s and later chairman of Fox FM, will head the
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Tesco quiz for shoppers
A LEADING supermarket chain is planning to extend and modernise one of its large stores and potentially close one of its smaller stores in Bicester. Tesco began its three-day public consultation on plans for the store in Pingle Drive and the future
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Hospice appeals for Christmas volunteers
KATHARINE House hospice is calling for volunteers to help at two fundraising events in the run up to Christmas. The first is the Banbury town centre collection day on Thursday, December 6, when hospice supporters will be asking for donations, and the
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Schools compete for green prize
Water butts, composters, recycling bins and even rap music are among the weapons in the battle to become Abingdon's greenest school today. Six schools in the town are competing in the fourth annual sustainability awards, which are organised and sponsored
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Ban fireworks
Sir - Despite the excitement and pleasure fireworks close at hand give to parents and children on Bonfire Night, I think the indiscriminate sale of fireworks should cease and only properly organised displays be allowed. Hubert G. Busby, Long Hanborough
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Shedding light
Sir - Could I draw your readers' attention to an error in the date of the Cycle of Time event which takes place in Bicester as part of Oxfordshire 2007's Winter Light closing events. The Cycle of Time takes place on Friday, November 30 (not the 19th
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Valuable time lost
Sir - The Oxford Times is correct to highlight the power of the scrutiny system in local government (Editorial, November 9) and its importance in the forthcoming flood inquiry of the county council. However, it is not at all clear that the ruling
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Homes plan for college land
AFFORDABLE city centre homes will be built on surplus land in Oxpens as part of the £86m redevelopment of Oxford and Cherwell Valley College campuses. A masterplan to transform the college's ageing city site into state-of-the-art learning facilities
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Running joke
Sir - H Jaeger's letter is right to highlight the almost certain reduction in service quality if Royal Mail RM do indeed go ahead with plans to have our mail sorted in Swindon. I defy any sane person to rationalize a real benefit from mail posted
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New patrons take pride
ORGANISERS of Oxford Pride have announced two more patrons will be joining the board of the gay community's annual festival. Television presenter Paul O'Grady and stand-up comedian Clare Summerskill will join Lord Waheed Ali, actor Sir Ian McKellen
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Hands are tied
Sir - The article PO verdict next year (October 26) raises two important points which may have escaped your readers' attention. The first point to be made is that post office closures are the direct result of EU legislation, passed a few years ago
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Parks worker wins top award
A TEENAGER who has "given 110 per cent" to his work and studies has been named national Horticulturist Apprentice of the Year. Patrick Middlehurst, pictured, works for Oxford City Council's parks department and was chosen for the award by Association
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Parking nonsense
Sir - With reference to Simon Jefferson's letter (November 2) entitled 'blatant discrimination over parking permits', I concur heartily with his observations. He is, in fact, more fortunate than me as a Summertown resident. I was informed by the arrogant
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Dreadful collection
Sir - Under your headline Councillor in court over mess (Report, November 9) the Green group leader Craig Simmons is quoted as saying "Labour talks the talk, but when it comes to it, their own councillors aren't serious about the environment or about
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Fossil fuel junkies
Sir - Michael Tyce condemns Climate X Change's graphic illustration, of Victorian bloomers sharing a washing line with thongs (Letters, November 2), because he thinks it fails to take account of the fact that bloomers existed for reasons of modesty
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Cared for nothing
Sir - Michael Tyce (Letters, November 2) suggests that the scientific consensus on global warming and mankind's culpability for accelerating climate change is wrong. His implication is that urgent action is not needed to reduce harmful greenhouse gas
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Green vision
Sir - What do a few "convenient untruths" matter, write your green warriors, if the cause is just? The fact is that a cause which relies on untruths can never be just - but without them they have no cause. Climate has always changed, but the green
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Hard-won viability
Sir - Desmond Morris (Letters, November 2) is quite right to urge us to view the fate of the Jericho boatyard from a historical viewpoint. As a local historian with a particular interest in Oxfords waterways, I hope you will allow me to add to this
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Scheme would reinforce city's design ambition
Sir - Zaha Hadid's proposed design for the much-needed extension to the Middle East Centre in the grounds of St Antony's College is a dynamic and exciting move. The design promises for Oxford a state-of-the-art building by one of Britain's and the
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£6m cancer machinery arrives
MEDICAL machinery weighing 42 tonnes has completed a 5,550-mile journey to an Oxford hospital. In the largest delivery of its kind in the UK, six state-of-the-art radiotherapy machines, costing a total of £6m, arrived at the Churchill Hospital in Headington
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Pub closures gather speed
The smoking ban and soaring property prices are killing off Oxford's pubs at a rate of almost one every eight weeks, claim real ale enthusiasts. In September, the White House pub, in Botley Road, was boarded up and now the Marlborough House, at the
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School welcomes its high ranking
Staff and pupils at a Kidlington primary school are celebrating after being ranked highly in a national league table. St Thomas More Catholic Primary School in Oxford Road came third in the top 10 state primary schools in the South East in The Sunday
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Drug den man kicked out
A heroin addict who caused 11 years of hell for his neighbours will be kicked out of his house - but he insists it's not all his fault. Graham Chiswell, 50, allowed his council home to become a haven for drug dealers and a place for users to smoke crack
