Archive
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Converted bank wins top ten hotel ranking
A STYLISHLY converted Oxford bank has made it into a top ten list of converted hotels in Europe. Owner of the Old Bank Hotel in High Street, millionaire Jeremy Mogford, said it was absolutely fantastic to be recognised. The Old Bank, which was converted
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Police launch pioneering blog
THAMES Valley Police has launched the first regular officer's blog in a bid to keep people in touch with local policing. The first posting came from Chief Inspector Dennis Evernden. Officers from the Anti-Social Behaviour Team and Priority Crime
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Youthful ideas for old issues
A scheme suggested by young people, to help rehabilitate young offenders, is set to be adopted by Oxfordshire County Council. The council has given its backing to a plan to develop Positive Achievement Records - which would act as passports to employment
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Helping others this Christmas
The Oxford Mail is appealing for people to think of others this Christmas and drop off food, new toys and gifts for people less fortunate than themselves. For the third year, we are holding a Christmas collection on behalf of the Salvation Army. Mavis
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Police launch first officer blog
Thames Valley Police has launched the first regular officer's blog in a bid to keep people in touch with local policing. The first posting came from the area's top cop, chief inspector Dennis Evernden. Officers from the Anti-Social Behaviour Team
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Hotel conversion ranked in top 10
A stylishly converted Oxford bank has made it into a top 10 list of converted hotels in Europe. Owner of the Old Bank Hotel in High Street, millionaire Jeremy Mogford, said it was absolutely fantastic to be recognised. The Old Bank, which was converted
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Untrue accusation
In his letter, Profitable Tipping (Oxford Mail, November 16), Michael Tyce refuses to accept any personal responsibility for Oxfordshire County Council's evidence being described as 'unreliable' by the planning inspector at the 1999 planning inquiry
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Idiotic brainwaves
What on earth is the Government doing? It seems it doesn't know what it wants. It wants to cut air pollution to help save climate change. Now it wants to build a new runway at Heathrow Airport, plus another terminal, increasing the number of planes
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Get it right
I agree with Peter Collett about parking problems in The Slade at Headington, Oxford (Oxford Mail, November 28). I and other ward councillors from Lye Valley and Wood Farm attended a presentation from Oxfordshire County Council on October 8 at Wood
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More taxis would be disastrous
After reading your article, Gold plated (Oxford Mail, November 24), about a possible increase in the number of taxis in Oxford, I am compelled to ask the following questions. Would increasing the number of taxis on the road increase the city's already
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Pupils dream of eco-friendly Christmas
Schoolchildren in Oxford joined together to dream of a greener Christmas. Pupils from West Oxford Primary School, one of the county's 176 eco-schools, gathered at a green Christmas tree at County Hall in Oxford to share ideas about how to enjoy a more
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Today's local sharte prices (PM)
AEA Technology 88 BMW 2926 Electrocomponents 212.75 Nationwide Accident Repair 125.5 Oxford Biomedica 22.25 Oxford Catalyst 150 Oxford Instruments 203 Reed Elsevier 601 RM 201.5 RPS Group 286 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
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Support grows to save Cogges
A grassroots campaign is growing in protest at threats to close an Oxfordshire museum. As reported in Monday's Oxford Mail, Oxfordshire County Council has suggested closing Cogges Manor Farm Museum, in Witney, to save cash. A fundamental review of
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Purse snatcher targets 87-year-old
POLICE tonight appealed for witnesses after an 87-year-old woman in Headington had her purse snatched on her doorstep. At 11.30am on Saturday, the woman was standing outside her property in Mattock Close when a man ran past, took her purse from her
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Pair want help to buy football club
Two Oxfordshire businessmen are offering football fans the chance to buy a club - and have their say in running it. Abingdon-based Carl Christensen and Simon Lassam have joined forces in a bid to turn fantasy football into reality with ThePeoplesClub.com
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Baby equipment firm burgled
BURGLARS broke into a shop selling equipment for babies after making a hole in the wall. The burglars removed breeze blocks creating a 25in by 120in hole in Babyworld, in Wallingford, at about 10.30pm on Sunday. Once inside they stole baby equipment
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Flood family's caravan burgled
BURGLARS broke into a caravan being lived in by flood victims then took the owners' car and wrecked it. A caravan at Chaunterell Way in Abingdon was burgled overnight on Friday, police said today. Burglars stole mobile phones, wallets, keys and alcohol
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GIRLS FOOTBALL: Gardner in Tigers treble
Oxford Mail Girls League Molly Gardner grabbed a hat-trick as Kidlington Tigers defeated Charlbury 6-1 in the Under 13B League. Gardner's first-half brace put Kidlington 2-0 up with Rachel Ward netting twice after the break. Sophie Lack pulled
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FOOTBALL: Harwell storm through
Harwell International marched into the third round of the North Berks Cup with an 8-0 win against Uffington United. Simon Rees, Tom Baptie and Adam Blaszko hit doubles, with Dave Bartlett and Gary Wilson also on target. Botley United eased to a 4-
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FOOTBALL: Stacey strike in vain for Vale
Vale of White Horse Under 13s bowed out of the Meeson Trophy after a 2-1 defeat at Bedford. Four withdrawals left Vale with only 12 players, but with the wind at their backs, Sam Short twice made the Bedford keeper produce good saves. The hosts raced
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FOOTBALL: Super Sutton stuns champions
Gary Sutton fired a double as Faringdon Town beat defending North Berks League Division 1 champions Ardington & Lockinge 3-1. Faringdon opened the scoring after six minutes when Gary Sutton fired home and doubled their advantage through Darryl Curtis
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LADIES' FOOTBALL: Proctor strike is too late
Carterton slipped to a 2-1 defeat at home to Newbury Ladies in Southern Region League Division 1. Newbury went in front on two minutes after their striker smashed home from 14 yards before keeper Becky Elson managed to react. Newbury played some impressive
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FOOTBALL: Hunt is Enstone hat-trick hero
A first-half hat-trick from Josh Hunt helped Enstone Sports to an 8-2 victory at Wychwood in the Giles Sports Witney Under 10 B League. Joey Lee chipped in with a brace, and there were further strikes from Ralph Watts, Chay Fisher and Dan Woodell.
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FOOTBALL: Marcham spring cup surprise
Ten-man Marcham upset the formbook as the Division 1 strugglers edged to a dramatic 5-4 penalty shoot-out win against Reading League side Newbury in the Reading Intermediate Cup. With the sides locked at 3-3 after extra time, it was Marcham, with only
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Benefits cheat jailed
A benefits cheat who conned thousands of pounds from local taxpayers has been jailed as a warning to others trying to cheat the system. George Allan, 59, falsely claimed £21,227 in council tax benefit and income support over five years despite being
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FOOTBALL: Gerbaldi grabs a hat-trick
North Oxford Res had to withstand a terrific comeback from Golden Ball before battling to 7-5 victory in the RT Harris Oxford City FA . Trailing 4-1, Golden Ball hit back to lead 5-4. Oxford were grateful to their keeper Tom Berry, who made three
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Nifty Nathan sinks Arncott
Nathan Beckett hit a four-timer as Bampton Town cruised into the fourth round of the John Fathers Oxfordshire Junior Shield with an 8-0 victory over Arncott. Beckett's haul, plus a hat-trick from Jason Trinder and a goal from Paul McEntegart, eased
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FOOTBALL: Super Fenny end Slade run
Slade Farm United threw away the lead as they lost their unbeaten record in Division 1 of the Banbury District & Lord Jersey FA after a 2-1 defeat at Fenny Compton. Early on, Slade had a lucky escape when Fenny hit a post, while at the other end, Lee
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Deadly Dan slams five on debut
Debutant Dan Cox smashed a five-timer for FC Chequers Res in their 9-0 demolition of Eynsham SSC in Division 4 of the Witney & District FA. Defender Shaun Rayfield picked up a hat-trick, with Justin Thomas completing the rout. At the top of the table
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OAP cyclist suffers serious injuries
A pensioner was knocked off his bike suffering serious injuries. The 80-year-old man was cycling along Ploughley Road, in Ambrosden, near Bicester, when he collided with a grey Nissan Almera at the junction with Merton Road at about 3.50pm yesterday
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FOOTBALL: Gray scuppers Rover revival
Oxford University Press edged a seven-goal thriller against high-fliers Rover Cowley in the Premier Division. A three-goal blitz in the opening 17 minutes left Cowley reeling. Lee Kilpin slotted the opener from close range before he netted a second
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80-year-old cyclist seriously injured
POLICE today appealed for witnesses after an 80-year-old cyclist was seriously injured in a collision with a car near Bicester. The elderly man was cycling along Ploughley Road in Ambrosden at about 3.50pm yesterday when he was involved in a collision
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Focused Ford at the double
James Ford fired a double as Barton United reached the last eight of the OFA Sam Waters Cup with a 4-1 victory against Banbury side Duke of Wellington. In appalling conditions, Liam O'Callaghan gave Barton the lead, before Duke levelled. Barton restored
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Forbes fires first-half treble
Corey Forbes hammered a first-half hat-trick as Division 2 side AFC Cowley strolled into the third round of the Devenney Cup with a shock 8-0 win against Division 1 high-fliers Kidlington Royals. Kidlington were never in the hunt as Cowley raced into
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Sandman off mark – at last
Sandman finally got off the mark in Division 1 of the Autotype UTV League as they held Saxton Rovers to a 3-3 draw in a programme badly hit by the wet weather. It looked like Sandman would hold on for a win, but Matty Woodside's late header salvaged
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Art show will be open for all
One of Oxford's leading art galleries is throwing open its doors to all-comers. Modern Art Oxford, in Pembroke Street, which is staging the Oxford Open in January, is abolishing any critical criteria for selection on the provisos that the artist lives
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Burger bar reopens after flooding
An Oxford burger bar, devastated by the July floods, has welcomed back its first customers following a £300,000 refit. The cellar at McDonald's, in Botley Road, was completely submerged and the rest of the restaurant filled with 2ft of potentially contaminated
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McGillycuddy reeks havoc for Highfield
Lewis McGillycuddy hammered a hat-trick as Mansfield Road strolled to a 6-2 success against Highfield. Danny Trinder bagged a double, while Leon Nikitenko completed their tally. Wayne Blossom and Keith Adams replied. In Division 1, AFC Boudika and
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Singers search for mystery date
SINGING duo Serenade have a problem. The couple, Ruth Sale and Gwyn Osborne, have agreed to sing at an elderly people's Christmas party in north Oxfordshire on Tuesday, December 11, but the person who arranged the date rang off without saying where
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Nick Merry escapes driving ban
Oxford United Football Club chairman Nick Merry has escaped a driving ban for failing to provide a breath sample at a police station. Mr Merry, 46, had pleaded not guilty to failing to provide a test after he was stopped in August. Today's trial at
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United chairman escapes driving ban
OXFORD United Football Club chairman Nick Merry has escaped a driving ban for failing to provide a breath sample at a police station. Mr Merry, 46, had pleaded not guilty to failing to provide a test after he was stopped in August. Today's case at
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Village lights up for Christmas
KIDLINGTON'S Christmas Lights are being turned on this evening. The switch-on is at 7pm in the High Street, but the events start at 5.30pm. There will be stalls, Father Christmas, a brass band and carols
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Funds allocated for flood victims
A further £250,000 is to be handed out to victims of the July floods in Oxfordshire. The money has been allocated from the British Red Cross National Floods Appeal, which so far has brought in more than £3.7m in donations. It is being distributed
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More cash offered to flood victims
A FURTHER £250,000 is to be handed out to victims of the July floods in Oxfordshire. The money has been allocated out of the British Red Cross National Floods Appeal, which so far has brought in more than £3.7m in donations. It is being distributed
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Pub chain unveils record results
MANAGERS at brewers Greene King say they are "cautiously encouraged" by the reaction to the smoking ban. The company, which owns 135 outlets in Oxfordshire, has installed smoking facilities in the majority and will continue to review the situation.
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Pub chain unveils record results
Bosses at brewers Greene King say they are "cautiously encouraged" by the reaction to the smoking ban. The company, which owns 135 outlets in Oxfordshire, has installed smoking facilities in the majority and will continue to review the situation.
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Today's local share prices (AM)
AEA Technology 94 BMW 3002 Electrocomponents 210.5 Nationwide Accident Repair 125 Oxford Biomedica 22.75 Oxford Catalyst 150 Oxford Instruments 204 Reed Elsevier 598.75 RM 202 RPS Group 282.25 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
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Christmas concert proves popular
ONLY a few tickets are left for Saturday's A Celebration of Christmas' concert at Banbury town hall. A joint choir from St. Leonard's and St. Mary's churches will lead the singing of traditional carols, and the Steeple Aston hand-bell ringers, the Town
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Warning on purse snatches
WARNINGS about purse thieves will be given to visitors to The Place, Banbury's Age Concern coffee shop on Thursday December 13. Jayne Taylor, Thames Valley Police crime reduction officer, will be at the White Lion Walk cafe from 10am to midday. She
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Westgate inquiry starts
A two week inquiry into whether a compulsory purchase order should be granted to allow the Westgate development to progress starts today. Oxford City Council directors Sharon Cosgrove and Michael Crofton-Briggs are set to give evidence to the inquiry
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Westgate inquiry starts
A TWO-WEEK inquiry into whether a compulsory purchase order should be granted to allow the Westgate development to progress starts today. Oxford City Council directors Sharon Cosgrove and Michael Crofton-Briggs are set to give evidence to the inquiry
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Club takes on £4.5m clubhouse
THE Lord Nuffield Club, formerly Morris Motors Athletics and Social Club, has taken formal possession of its new 30,000 sq ft clubhouse, which cost more than £4.5m to build. The club has already taken on 12 staff, including manager Brian Hirschfield
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Sooty the sportsman
This is Sooty a five-year-old Greyhound, he came into the centre due to a relationship split and is now looking for a nice new home. Sooty is a very affectionate dog who loves cuddles and really enjoys human company. Sooty is very focussed on movement
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Social and sports club set to open
The Lord Nuffield Club, formerly Morris Motors Athletics and Social Club, has taken formal possession of its new 30,000 sq ft clubhouse, which cost more than £4.5m to build. The club has already taken on 12 staff, including manager Brian Hirschfield
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Surviving in the 1970s
I was delighted to receive confirmation the other day that The Page Turner has gone global. Philip Pullman fan CL Tarvin wrote in from Portland, Oregon, to say how much he enjoyed my "wonderings" around the bookshops of Oxford, a city he adores. I'm not
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Robbers jailed for 45 years
A GANG of five robbers from Coventry have been handed prison sentences totalling 45 years for a crime wave across the Midlands. The five plotters ram-raided a jewellers in Banbury in March, smashing the shop front with axes. Speaking as she sentenced
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Insurers demand 25-year flood strategy
The Government must develop a 25-year strategy to manage the UK's growing risk from floods, an insurance trade body said today. The Association of British Insurers (ABI) urged the Government to embark on an investment programme that reflects climate
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Flood strategy needed
THE Government must develop a 25-year strategy to manage the UK's growing risk from floods, an insurance trade body said today. The Association of British Insurers (ABI) urged the Government to embark on an investment programme that reflects climate
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Pool drowning inquest resumes
AN inquest resumes today into the death of an 11-year-old boy during a school swimming lesson. Nathan Matthews went under water at the shallow end of the pool but failed to resurface. Efforts to revive him were unsuccessful. Nathan, a pupil at Stokenchurch
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United hospital visit brings cheer
CHILDREN at an Oxford hospital were given an early Christmas present - when the Oxford United squad turned up for a visit. All the players, along with chairman Nick Merry, new manager Darren Patterson and community officer, Peter Rhoades- Brown, spent
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Swim death inquest reopens
An inquest resumes today into the death of an 11-year-old boy during a school swimming lesson. Nathan Matthews went under water at the shallow end of the pool but failed to resurface in July 2004. Efforts to revive him were unsuccessful. Nathan, a
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Queue jumping numbers soar
AN INVESTIGATION by The Oxford Times has revealed that the number of drivers illegally sneaking along a dedicated park-and-ride lane to beat traffic queues has soared. Despite Oxfordshire County Council pledging action 18 months ago, almost half of
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U's fans pay the price
Oxford United fans will have to pay through the nose to continue watching their team in the FA Cup this season. Opponents Southend United originally wanted to charge adults £22 on the day, or £20 in advance, for next Tuesday's second-round replay against
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Family celebrates 70 years in business
When the shops in Elms Parade took their first deliveries in 1937 their goods rolled up in a horse and cart. But now the shops rely on refrigerated lorries and use the latest marketing techniques to sell their wares. Although a great deal has changed
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Trust defers cancer treatment decision
OXFORDSHIRE Primary Care Trust has been accused by campaigners of "moving the goalposts" after delaying its decision on whether cancer patient Stephen Dallison can have a life-prolonging drug. Although the 33-year-old scientist, of Iffley Road, Oxford
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Walk will mark Cecily's Legacy
A MAJOR fundraising effort has been launched to mark the tenth anniversary of a young woman's death in Africa. West Oxfordshire teenager Cecily Eastwood died aged 19 when her gap year adventure in Zambia ended in a road accident. Hundreds of thousands
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City council says it is improving
OXFORD City Council's performance is improving, according to a survey of services. The survey, conducted by council officers, shows improvements in many areas compared to the same period last year. These include significant improvements in recycling
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Bomb disposal school could move in
The Ministry of Defence is planning to move its bomb disposal training school to Oxfordshire from Kent. The plans would see the Defence Explosive Ordnance Disposal School relocate to St George's Barracks, in Arncott, near Bicester. Although the
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Cyclists rally for homeless
DOZENS of cyclists are to take to the streets of Oxford to buy gifts for the city's homeless. It is the third cyclists' social rally in the city, but the first to be held in aid of charity. Organiser Dan Harris, who works at Oxford Cycle Workshop
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Learn about crime solving
A SESSION on how to solve crime using all the latest techniques will be held at Science Oxford's Hand On scheme on Saturday. Marked money, fingerprinting and magnetic cards will all be part of the session which will take place at the organisation's
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Hairdressers win awards
A HAIRDRESSING team proved they were a cut above the average by winning three gold awards in a national competition. The team, from Ekko, in High Street, Banbury, went head to head against salons from across the country at the British Hairdressing Championships
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Pupils accused of putting lives at risk
PUPILS from Faringdon Community College ignored advice and walked home along a busy road after their school bus broke down. The college's headteacher has said youngsters who decided not to wait for a replacement had "put lives at risk". The bus
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Steaming in
ALAN Titchmarsh ditched his gardening boots and put on his train driver's hat for Nature of Britain. He took the controls of a tank engine at Didcot Railway centre for a piece of film which will be shown on BBC1 tomorrow, and repeated on Sunday. Mr
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Children boost charity funds
YOUNGSTERS braved freezing conditions and a rough night's sleep to buy livestock for villagers in an Aids-ravaged part of Africa. About 30 children took part in a sleep-out at Blackbird Leys Community Centre, Oxford, on Saturday night to mark World
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Heartbreak of grieving widow
A WIDOW has spoken of her heartbreak after thieves cut through chains to steal ornaments from a memorial garden. Pensioner Pam Stockford, of Lydia Close, Barton, Oxford, was distraught when she discovered a memorial bench and stone teddy bear had
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Action group hunts volunteers
THE Chipping Norton Area Neighbourhood Action Group is holding an open evening for any volunteers interested in joining the group. The meeting will take place this evening, at 7.30pm at Chipping Norton Police Station, London Road. The evening is
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University stance 'shows academy will fail'
OXFORD University's refusal to 'adopt' academies such as Peers is another sign the new school will fail, campaigners have claimed. The Government has been pushing top universities to support new city academies. Liverpool University is one of 21 institutions
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Oxford hotel makes top-ten list
A CONVERTED Oxford bank has made it into a top-10 list of converted hotels published today. The list, from travel information company TripAdvisor, shows The Lighthouse in Llandudno, North Wales, in fifth place, with the Old Bank Hotel in Oxford sixth
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Labour and Greens pledge to save pool
CAMPAIGNERS were celebrating a stay of execution for Peers Sports Centre in Littlemore and vowed to continue campaigning to save it long-term. More than a dozen people gathered outside Oxford Town Hall to lobby councillors discussing the proposed closure
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On guard
Yet again, we see how kicking up a fuss pays dividends. The campaigners who fought to keep Peers' sports centre at Littlemore, Oxford, open have been rewarded - it is to stay open for the time being. But our advice is - stay on your guard. The battle
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Accident waiting to happen
There is a simple and inexpensive solution to the problem of motorists abusing the bus and park-and-ride lane at Botley, Oxford - shut it. If the section from the Botley interchange on the A34 to the traffic lights in Botley Road was taken out, the
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Towpath 'scrimping' denied
City council leaders insisted yesterday they had not scrimped on safety measures on Oxford's towpath in the wake of the death of teenager Ben Halsey-Jones. Sid Phelps, chairman of the council's environment scrutiny committee, spoke of his concern after
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United's hospital visit brings cheer
Children at an Oxford hospital were given an early Christmas present - when the Oxford United squad turned up for a visit. All the players, along with chairman Nick Merry, new manager Darren Patterson and community officer, Peter Rhoades-Brown, spent
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Park and ride lane queue jumpers soar
AN Oxford Mail investigation has revealed that the number of drivers illegally sneaking along a dedicated park and ride lane to beat traffic queues has soared. Despite Oxfordshire County Council pledging action 18 months ago, nearly half of all drivers
