Archive
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Blackwood set for debut
Oxford United are sending out a strong squad to play Abingdon United in a friendly at Northcourt Road on Tuesday night (7.45). It will be almost a full-strength first team, with the exception of Billy Turley, who is given a rest because of a shoulder
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HORSXE RACING: Hills strikes for Hiatt
Blue Hills, trained by Peter Hiatt at Hook Norton, ran out a game winner at Southwell on Monday. The seven-year-old, ridden by Phillip Makin, pipped George Henson by a neck in a handicap over a mile and six furlongs at the Nottinghamshire track. Blue
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Burglar escapes jail
A DISTRACTION burglar who kept a householder talking while another crook stole her purse escaped jail today. Oxford Crown Court heard Daniel Webb, 24, of Calder Way, Didcot, admitted two burglaries and possessing heroin. He was sentenced to a six-month
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Council digs in over allotment plea
CITY council leaders have refused to give in to the demands of allotment holders in Oxford who claim their rent should be waived for a year due to flooding. The Osney, St Thomas and New Botley Allotment Association has asked the council for its first
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Pupils cotton on to green bags
CHILDREN at an Oxford school have traded in their plastic carrier bags in exchange for eco-friendly bags. St Barnabas Primary School, in Hart Street, Jericho, has been given 150 cotton Fairtrade shopping bags by the Midcounties Co-operative. The
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Cyclist death witnesses 'told driver to stop'
PASSERS-BY pleaded with a lorry driver to stop as the wheels of his refuse truck crushed a student cyclist, a trial was told. Tsz Fok, 22, was killed at the junction of Broad Street and Parks Road in Oxford last April. A trial at Wantage Magistrates
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Motorcyclist 'killed woman and dog'
AN elderly woman and her pet dog were killed by a speeding motorcyclist during an early morning walk, Oxford Crown Court heard today. Caroline O'Keeffe, 70, was crossing the road in Kingston Blount, with her two dogs when she was hit by Michael O'Neill's
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Council won't back down over allotment rent
City council leaders have refused to give in to allotment-holders in Oxford who claim their rent should be waived for a year due to flooding. The Osney, St Thomas and New Botley Allotment Association has asked the council for its first rent rebate in
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Hospital treats Libyan patients
Libyan patients being treated privately at an Oxford hospital are helping to boost NHS funds. The Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust has struck a deal with the North African country's government to care for its citizens at its three hospitals. So
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House sellers must declare poor air quality
Oxford residents have been told they are stuck with the area's air pollution problem and it must be declared when they sell their homes. The Vale of White Horse District Council is set to create an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) around the A34 in
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Cyclist death witnesses 'told driver to stop'
Passers-by pleaded with a lorry driver to stop as the wheels of his refuse truck crushed a student cyclist, a trial was told. Tsz Fok, 22, was killed at the junction of Broad Street and Parks Road in Oxford last April. A trial at Wantage Magistrates
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Estate’s bus service revamped
Mothers and elderly people have easier access to Oxford city centre following a £24,000 bus service revamp. The Oxford Bus Company has changed the livery and made it easier to get on and off six out of 10 of its buses operating on the City4 route between
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Motorcyclist ‘killed OAP and dog’
An elderly woman and her pet dog were killed by a speeding motorcyclist during an early morning walk, Oxford Crown Court heard today. Caroline O'Keeffe, 70, was crossing the road in Kingston Blount, near Thame, with her two dogs when she was hit by
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RUGBY UNION: Boar upset in balance
The outcome of Bicester's Oxfordshire Shield semi-final clash with Blue Boar remained in the balance last night. Boar won the match 12-8 at Oxford Road, but holders Bicester have appealed the result after the visitors fielded three players who have
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RUGBY UNION: Brodley buoyant
Oxford coach John Brodley was full of praise for his side after beating Gosford to reach the Oxfordshire Shield final. He said: "We did all the hard work in the first half against the wind and to have the lead at half-time was a bit of a bonus. "We
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RUGBY UNION: Oxford cruise into final
Oxford 32, Gosford All Blacks 10 Oxford ran out comfortable winners to book themselves a place in the Oxfordshire Shield final. The hosts scored six tries to Gosford's one and had far more incision in their back line. Gosford led 3-0 and rallied
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RUGBY UNION: Monks leads try fest
James Monks bagged a hat-trick of tries as Witney turned on the style to crush visitors Grove 44-0 in Southern Counties North. Grove's forwards were below their usual standards as Witney's tight five really asserted themselves. The hosts opened the
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Nag-ging to police pays off
Speeding cars, antisocial behaviour and cycling on pavements are the key issues police need to tackle in Headington, Oxford, according to residents. A public consultation carried out by the police's neighbourhood team found these issues as the priorities
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Distraction burglar escapes jail
A distraction burglar who kept a householder talking while another crook stole her purse escaped jail today. Oxford Crown Court heard Daniel Webb, 24, of Calder Way, Didcot, admitted two burglaries and possessing heroin. He was sentenced to a six-month
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RUGBY UNION: 'This means nothing yet'
Chinnor coach Jason Bowers urged his side to keep focused after their dramatic victory. He said: "I am really proud for everyone at the club. "We've now given ourselves a great opportunity to go on and win the league. "But I said to the players
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RUGBY UNION: Cathcart keeps cool
Bracknell 16, Chinnor 19 James Cathcart's stoppage time penalty sent Chinnor back to the top of South West 1 in the most dramatic manner possible. The Irish fly half held his nerve to slot the decisive kick with what proved to be the final action
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Business advice service revived
An organisation providing office space for new companies has been taken over and is to have its advice service revived. Thames Business Advice Centres (Tbac) currently offer start-up businesses office space on a flexible basis, saving them from getting
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Band battles to beat 10,000
OXFORDSHIRE band Outcry are aiming to win a competition entered by more than 10,000 groups and land a record deal to launch their career. Live and Unsigned is a national music competition for unsigned bands and singers who want to prove they
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Today's local share prices (PM)
AEA Technology 83 BMW 2889 Electrocomponents 200 Nationwide Accident Repair 119.5 Oxford Biomedica 18.5 Oxford Catalyst 144 Oxford Instruments 182.5 Reed Elsevier 610.75 RM 209 RPS Group 266 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
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Band in battle to beat 10,000
Oxfordshire band Outcry are aiming to win a competition entered by more than 10,000 groups and land a record deal to launch their career. Live and Unsigned is a national music competition for unsigned bands and singers who want to prove they can be
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Pupils put plastic bags out of use
Children at an Oxford school have traded in their plastic carrier bags in exchange for eco-friendly bags for life. St Barnabas Primary School, in Hart Street, Jericho, has been given 150 cotton Fairtrade shopping bags by the Midcounties Co-operative
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Former Scout boxed clever for jamboree
Jeffery Broxholme has a constant reminder of his visit to the Scout World Jamboree near Paris in 1947 - thanks to his Brownie box camera. He took numerous photographs of the event, which attracted Scouts from many countries. It appears that Mr Broxholme
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‘War plane was diving towards us’
Derrick Holt has vivid memories of the day a wartime bomber crashed in North Oxford. He and a friend, Gordon Carter, were walking beside the River Cherwell when they saw a Whitley aircraft circling. Mr Holt, of Fortnam Close, Headington, writes: "
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Can we press you for answers?
Here is another picture of Pressed Steel rugby players, based at Cowley, Oxford, in the 1950s. The picture comes from Geoff Nash, of Grunsell Close, Northway Estate, Headington, Oxford. How many of the players can you recognise?
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Flipping great
As anyone who has taken part in a pancake race will know, the key is to get plenty of practice. These competitors were determined not to be caught out on the day. When this picture was taken five days before race day, they were already perfecting the
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Youth club reunion to remember 'Plum'
An Oxford pensioner is calling on childhood friends to take a step down memory lane. Bob Light, 65, from Headington, has organised a reunion for former members of Plum Brown's Barton Youth Club, which closed in the mid-1960s. The club, which ran football
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Ferraby earns Hawks a point
Oxford Hawks fought out a 2-2 draw with Maidstone at Banbury Road North in a Premier Division 1 game which would have gone either way. Hawks played rather better than in their last two league outings and in newcomer Nick Ferraby had the game's stand-out
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Hamilton-Martin outstanding
Oxford Hawks Ladies were in sparkling form as they defeated lowly Eastcote 4-0 in an exciting South Clubs' League Division 1 game that saw the Eastcote coach, Simon Ball, sent off near the end and told to leave the ground. Hawks scored after only ten
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Wallingford claim derby honours
Wallingford beat Abingdon 3-2 in Division 1 of the South League to leapfrog their rivals on goal difference. Wallingford raced two up with strikes from Nick Golding and John Brown. Midway through the second half, Abingdon hit back when Will Trigg
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Floods: 'Protect rail line'
ACTION to protect the main rail line through Oxford from flooding should be a priority for Network Rail, according to the body representing the rail freight industry. The route came within inches of being being engulfed at Kennington a fortnight
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School unveils wind turbine
THE winds of change are blowing through an Oxford primary school as it begins to generate its own electricity. The blades of the turbine started turning at Sandhills Community School, in Terret Avenue, on Friday, after an 18-month fundraising
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Boat scrapped in canal tax crackdown
AN UNLICENSED boat has been lifted out of the Oxford Canal and destroyed as part of a drive to recover unpaid licence fees. British Waterways lifted the craft from the water at Nell Bridge Lock, near Aynho, as part of a campaign against rogue
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Strange sight
Driving along the A40 from Oxford recently, I was gazing across fields near the Cogges Farm turn when I spotted an animal I did not recognise. I got a very good view of it. It had a tubby, square body with a smaller head, was medium brown in colour,
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Group hopes grant will secure its future
A children's group is hoping a grant to pay for a temporary support worker will help secure its future. The group, based at the Pact Family Centre, in Hillary Drive, Didcot, was set up by children's charity the Springboard Family Project. The group
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Simple setting
Why does anyone with accurate devices to indicate and be reminded of the time require a muezzin to call them to prayer? Would not the simple setting of a personal, or family, alarm be sufficient and less intrusive on others? The ringing of church bells
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Mature approach
It is very strange to see Labour county councillors attacking the Liberal Democrat group at County Hall for allowing its members a free vote on charging for residents' parking permits in Oxford (Oxford Mail, January 29). Residents in different areas
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7/7 victim's art goes on show
An Oxford woman is planning to exhibit paintings by her sister, who was killed in the July 7, 2005, terror attacks. Esther Hyman has invited the public to view about 30 pieces of art by her sister Miriam, who died when a bomb exploded on the bus she
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Bring them home
How much longer is the Iraq war going to last? Maybe five to 10 years or more? It's time it was over. Brave men are in a war they cannot win. The Prime Minister should bring the troops home this year. Bush started it. There is no end to it. What
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We must unite on wind power
We are delighted that the initiative by Oxford's Green councillors to site up to three large wind turbines on council-owned land on the edge of the city - first reported in the Oxford Mail in 2006 - is moving forward (Oxford Mail, January 30). But why
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Theatre aims to boost reserves
Oxford's Creation Theatre Company has launched an appeal to raise £250,000, as it looks to survive the impact of another disaster like the July floods. Last summer's poor weather, topped off by the floods, almost ruined the Heading- ton-based company
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On Yer Bike
Well, all the papers are talking about it, a recession's coming and it's going to affect us all. Here then are a few simple tips from a cyclist about riding the storm when it hits. Well, firstly, that upgrade, that dream car you ogle - think again
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School unveils wind turbine
The winds of change are blowing through an Oxford primary school as it begins to generate its own electricity. The blades of the turbine started turning at Sandhills Community School, in Terret Avenue, on Friday, after an 18-month fundraising campaign
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Crackdown on canal sees boat scrapped
An unlicensed boat has been lifted out of the Oxford Canal and destroyed as part of a drive to recover unpaid licence fees. British Waterways lifted the craft from the water at Nell Bridge Lock, near Adderbury, as part of a campaign against rogue boaters
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'Get on track to end floods'
Action to protect the main railway line through Oxford from flooding should be a priority for Network Rail, according to the body representing the rail freight industry. The route came within inches of being being engulfed at Kennington a fortnight
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Unipart lands £5m logistics deal
The logistics division of Unipart has won a new multi-million pound contract with a high street furniture chain. The Cowley-based operation will take on the warehousing and distribution for Habitat which is headquartered in Wallingford. About 95 Habitat
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School Watch launched in county
SCHOOLS in West Oxfordshire are joining a School Watch network run by Thames Valley Police. School Watch is based on similar principles to Neighbourhood Watch where members receive relevant information and witness appeals direct from the police. The
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Book designer dies on motorway
An Oxfordshire man has died in an accident involving a lorry on the M25 in Kent. Alex Hibbs, from Blewbury, near Didcot, a book designer for Macmillan publishing in Oxford, was believed to have been getting out of a vehicle parked on the hard shoulder
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Tributes paid to M25 victim
AN OXFORDSHIRE man has died in an accident involving a lorry on the M25 in Kent. Alex Hibbs, from Blewbury, near Didcot was killed at noon on Sunday. Mr Hibbs, who worked as a book designer at Macmillan publishing in Between Towns Road, Oxford, was
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Turbine plan welcomed
City council leaders today agreed to press ahead with plans for four large wind turbines on a site on the edge of Oxford. The council is in the early stages of discussions with experts about putting 125-metre generators on land near the BMW plant in
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City presses ahead with wind turbines
CITY council leaders agreed today to press ahead with plans for four large wind turbines on a site on the edge of Oxford. The council is in the early stages of discussion with experts about putting 125m generators on land near the BMW plant in Cowley
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Post Offices ‘losing £4m a week’
The Post Office said fewer customers and losses of almost £4m a week are behind the proposed closure of 22 of its Oxfordshire branches. A list of the branches facing the axe was leaked on Friday ahead of an official announcement tomorrow. The Government
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Massage parlour robbed
A massage parlour in Oxford was robbed by two men on Saturday night, who escaped with cash and jewellery. The two men forced their way into the Kitten Club, in Cherwell Drive, Marston, at 8.35pm. They threatened four women. No weapons were used in
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Crash kills motorcyclist
A motorcyclist has died after his bike left the road in a west Oxfordshire village yesterday. Police are appealing for witnesses following the fatal incident in Curbridge, near Witney. At about 5.45pm, the red-and-black Suzuki motorbike left the A4095
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Post offices 'losing £4m a year'
THE Post Office said this morning fewer customers and losses of almost £4m a week were behind the proposed closure of 22 of its Oxfordshire branches. A list of the branches facing the axe was leaked on Friday ahead of an official announcement tomorrow
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Robbers strike at massage parlour
A MASSAGE parlour in Oxford was raided by two men on Saturday night, who escaped with cash and jewellery. The two men forced their way into the Kitten Club, in Cherwell Drive, Marston, at 8.35pm where they threatened four women. No weapons were used
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Rider, 43, dies in crash
A 43-year-old motorcyclist has died after a crash near Witney. Police said the accident happened at about 5.45pm yesterday, when a red and black Suzuki motorcycle left the A4095 Witney Road, just west of Downs Road, near Curbridge. The rider was pronounced
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Local stars win film awards
HELENA Bonham-Carter was named best actress at the Evening Standard British Film Awards last night. The 41-year-old, who lives in Sutton Courtenay, took the prize for two performances - in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street and low-key
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Event to tackle tribunal trauma
More than 80 per cent of employers fear being taken to an employment tribunal by their staff, according to recent research. But what can be done to avoid potentialy damaging and costly legal action? A seminar designed to advise firms on this and other
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Today's local share prices (AM)
AEA Technology 83.75 BMW 2892 Electrocomponents 199.75 Nationwide Accident Repair 118 Oxford Biomedica 18.25 Oxford Catalyst 144 Oxford Instruments 182 Reed Elsevier 612.75 RM 207.5 RPS Group 263.75 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
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RESULTS February 6
FOOTBALL. BRITISH GAS BUSINESS SOUTHERN LEAGUE. Premier Div: Bedford 0, Banbury Utd 0. Div 1 South & West: Bridgwater 2, Oxford City 2; Didcot Tn 3, Bracknell 0; Godalming 3, Abingdon Utd 1. SPORT ITALIA HELLENIC LEAGUE. Premier Div: Abingdon Tn
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Bus service relaunched
A REVAMPED bus service for Rose Hill is being launched today. The improved Oxford Bus Company City4 service, which runs between the South Oxford estate and the city centre, will have low floor access for wheelchair users and special liveries promoting
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Local stars scoop film awards
Helena Bonham-Carter was named best actress at the Evening Standard British Film Awards last night. The 41-year-old, who lives in Sutton Courtenay, took the prize for two performances - in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street and low-key drama
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Cyclist death trial due to start
THE trial of a lorry driver who denies careless driving following the death of 22-year-old Oxford University student is expected to start today. Trevor Ashworth, 31, from Theale, Berkshire, is due to appear at Wantage Magistrates' Court this morning
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Soldiers given town salute
BICESTER honoured its troops yesterday as 300 soldiers returning from Iraq, Afghanistan and Bosnia were treated to a homecoming parade. Members of the 23 Pioneer Regiment of the Royal Logistic Corps, based at St David's Barracks, at Ambrosden, attended
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PO axe is bolt from blue
STAFF and customers at post offices have reacted angrily to news that their branches may be axed. One shocked postmaster only learned about the threat to his branch when he read a newspaper report on Saturday. The services at Grandpont and Iffley,
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Claire takes top contest title
KIDLINGTON shop assistant Claire Howard has been crowned Oxfordshire's "hottest mum" - after being nominated by her own daughter. Mother of three Miss Howard, who lives in Marlborough Avenue, Kidlington, was voted the hottest mum in the county after
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Giving the gift of life
LORI Smith wakes up every day hoping she will get a new kidney. The 34-year-old mother, from Garford, near Frilford, is one of 67 people waiting for an organ transplant in Oxfordshire. The statistics don't make positive reading. In the last four years
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Blackwood to wing in for U's
Oxford United fans will witness something they haven't seen for a while when new signing Michael Blackwood makes his U's debut against Histon this Saturday. That's the view of United boss Darren Patterson, who has signed 27-year-old Blackwood on loan
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Presumed consent is the way forward
There can be no doubt that change is needed at the heart of Britain's outdated organ donor system. Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said he is in favour of the UK adopting a "presumed consent scheme" similar to that used in Spain - a change that could
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Join sports
ARTS activities and a netball academy and netball super league are activities being organised by the Vale of White Horse District Council at primary schools over the February half-term holiday. Each sport and art day costs £12 and runs between 10am
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School for advice
A NEW information point offering advice on employment, benefits, housing and debt is being launched at Harwell primary school. The free service, run by volunteers, is being launched today and will be available in the school's community room every Monday
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Post office axe 'out of the blue'
Staff and customers at two Oxford post offices have reacted angrily to news that their branches may be axed. One shocked postmaster only learned about the threat to his branch when he read the report in Saturday's Oxford Mail. The services at Grandpont
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Help honour local heroes
RESIDENTS are being asked to nominate local heroes who deserve recognition for voluntary work in the city. Lord Mayor John Tanner is urging people to nominate volunteers to receive a certificate of honour. Nominees do not have to live in Oxford,
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Allotment holders withhold rent
AN ALLOTMENT association is refusing to pay rent to Oxford City Council after plot holders lost almost all their crops in the floods. The Osney, St Thomas and New Botley Allotment Association is asking for its first rent rebate in its 155-year history
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Musicians to picket show
MUSICIANS will picket an Oxford theatre this week to protest against a touring company's decision not to employ a live band. The Musicians' Union will demonstrate outside the New Theatre, in George Street, on Thursday ahead of the performance of Oh
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Novelist wins fumes payout
THRILLER writer Dr Joan Brady has received a £115,000 out-of-court settlement following her claim she breathed in fumes from a shoe workshop. Dr Brady, 68, from Jericho, who was awarded the Whitbread Prize for her novel The Theory of War, won the settlement
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Claire crowned county's hottest mum
Kidlington shop assistant Claire Howard has been crowned Oxfordshire's "hottest mum" - after being nominated by her own daughter. Mum of three Miss Howard, who lives in Marlborough Avenue, Kidlington, was voted the hottest mum in the county after hundreds
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Give the gift of life
Lori Smith wakes up every day hoping she will get a new kidney. The 34-year-old mother, from Garford, near Abingdon, is one of 67 people waiting for an organ transplant in Oxfordshire. The statistics don't make positive reading. In the last four years
