Archive
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'Old boy' Sam off to USA
Former Oxford United player Sam Stockley is to travel to America for a trial with Major League Soccer club Dallas. The 30-year-old defender will train with Dallas this week and play in a game. Stockley cost United £150,000 when bought from Barnet
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Garath aims to grab big chance
Former Oxford City striker Garath McCleary is determined to make the most of his big break following a dream move to Nottingham Forest. The 20-year-old striker joined the Coca-Cola League One promotion-chasers from Bromley for an undisclosed fee before
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Benefit cheat escapes jail
A mother-of-four who illegally claimed more than £15,000 of benefits escaped being sent to jail today. Sandra Paxford wept as a judge at Oxford Crown Court heard she had dishonestly claimed income support, housing benefit and council tax benefit over
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Group embarks on panto voyage
A boxing monkey, a slave seller and belly dancers all feature in a drama group's annual panto. The Wootton Players' version of Sinbad the Sailor opens tonight and runs until Saturday. The drama group members are hoping the performance will be good
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Absent dads owe children £11m
The Child Support Agency is chasing more than 4,300 Oxfordshire parents for failing to pay £11m towards the upkeep of their children - an average of £2,700 per family.o New figures published by the Conservative Party, see table below, show how much
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BOXING: Robertson leads the way
The next generation of University boxers celebrated a decisive 7-4 victory in their annual encounter at the Oxford Union. Welterweight James Robertson collected the boxer-of-the-night award after he made full use of his extra height to defeat durable
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ICE HOCKEY: Morvan slams Telford tactics
Oxford City Stars coach Darryl Morvan has praised the discipline shown by his players during Sunday's 5-1 win against Telford. Morvan was unhappy about the lack of protection his players received against the Tigers who had two players sent off. "Against
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ICE HOCKEY: Double joy for shining Stars
Oxford City Stars had double reason to celebrate after back-to-back South Cup victories. Their 5-4 success at Coventry was followed by a stormy 5-1 win at home to Telford Tigers on Sunday, in which the visitors had Dave Fielder and Owen Bennett sent
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Lorry driver tells of death crash
The lorry driver whose dustcart crushed a student cyclist to death today defended his driving. Trevor Ashworth, who denies careless driving, told Judge Brian Loosley at Wantage Magistrates' Court his memory of the collision, in which Tsz Fok died, was
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King of Grunge plans guerilla gig
Pixies frontman Frank Black is set to play a street gig in Oxford city centre tomorrow night, it has emerged. The singer - also known as Black Francis - is believed to have arranged an acoustic taster set before his concert at Oxford Brookes University
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Road injury toll rises
THE death toll on Oxfordshire's roads may have halved last year but they were not much safer overall, it was revealed tonight. Road safety campaigners had welcomed the fall from 68 killed in 2006 to 34 last year, but the number of people who were seriously
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Injuries rise on county's roads
The death toll on Oxfordshire's roads may have halved last year but they were not much safer overall, it was revealed today. Road safety campaigners had welcomed the fall from 68 killed in 2006 to 34 last year, but the number of people who were seriously
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Customers lose out as spa shuts
CUSTOMERS of an Oxford health spa have been left feeling the pinch after it shut its doors for good. Heavenly Bodies Day Spa, in Beaumont Street, has ceased trading and is heading for liquidation - but some clients say they have bought vouchers for
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HORSE RACING: Comber collects
Comber, trained by Henrietta Knight at West Lockinge, near Wantage, got off the mark over fences at Ludlow on Wednesday. Robert Thornton powered the six-year-old home to beat Basic Fact by a short head in a thrilling finish to the two-and-a-half mile
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BOWLS: Oxfordshire A handed a Cornish pasting
Oxfordshire A were hammered 26-10 by Cornwall in their English Short Mat Association Inter County Competition quarter-final at Pucklechurch Village Hall, Avon. It was a disappointing end to the season for Oxon, who had promised so much in easily winning
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AUNT SALLY: Clare Car Hire motor home to claim crown
Clare Car Hire slayed Gladiators 6-0 to be crowned champions in the Gladiators Beer Seller Friday League. With Cricketers losing 4-2 to Pips, it means Calre Car Hire have an unassailable seven-point lead with one week left. Kevin Giles led the way
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Jamie recruits for Oxford launch
CELEBRITY chef Jamie Oliver has spoken for the first time about his plans for a new restaurant in Oxford - and is looking for staff to help him run it. Mr Oliver has bought the former Cock and Camel pub in George Street after it was closed by Young's
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Crushed car cash fight continues
A MAN is still battling for compensation from Oxford City Council nine months after it scrapped his car. In May, the council mistook Martin Young's badly vandalised blue Ford Escort estate for an abandoned vehicle in a private road off Headington Hill
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Police plea on street attack
POLICE today appealed for witnesses to an attempted street robbery in Grove. At about 6.30am on Sunday, January 20, a man was walking along Brereton Drive when he was confronted by two men. They threatened him and demanded that he hand over his
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Boy, 12, held after robbery bid
A 12-year-old boy has been arrested, accused of carrying out an attempted knife-point robbery on a boy aged ten in Wantage. Police arrested the 12-year-old on suspicion of robbery in connection with an incident in Tirrold Way, at about 4.10pm on Monday
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Petition brings back goalposts
A community is celebrating after scoring a victory to get back football goalposts in a park. Dozens of children were disappointed when Oxford City Council removed the posts from the park, in Valentia Road, Headington, in October, after an inspection
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GOLF: Perrie's on song
Andy Perrie won the latest Professional's Swindle at Chipping Norton after carding a 44-point haul. Perrie pipped John Sadler by three points and Dave Sykes by four. CLUB RESULTS CHIPPING NORTON Professional's Swindle: 1 A Perrie 44pts, 2 J Sadler
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RUGBY UNION: Blue Boar get green light
Blue Boar will play in the Oxfordshire Shield final despite an appeal by beaten opponents Bicester. But the Oxfordshire RFU will review the rules for next season after Boar benefitted from a loophole. The 'non-league' club, who are based at the pub
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RUGBY UNION: Witney upset odds
Witney Under 17s shocked Bicester 27-10 in the Oxfordshire Colts Cup. Despite being younger and smaller, Witney produced a fine first half to lead 22-5 at the break. It was more even after that, but Witney will now play Banbury in the semi-finals
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RUGBY UNION: Brodley's double dream
Having masterminded Chinnor's promotion to the National League, John Brodley is now targeting a double with the City of Oxford Rugby Partnership. Brodley's Oxford side reached the Oxfordshire Shield final after defeating Gosford All Blacks on Sunday
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RUGBY UNION: Boggis on target
Oxfordshire's Charlotte Boggis scored a try in England A Women's 27-12 defeat to Nomads as she continued her rapid progress in the sport. The centre, from Lew, near Bampton, only took up rugby in the autumn of 2005, but must now be close to a full England
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Police seek robbery witnesses
Police are appealing for witnesses to an attempted street robbery in Grove. At about 6.30am on Sunday, January 20, a man was walking along Brereton Drive when he was confronted by two men. They threatened him and demanded that he hand over his belongings
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RUGBY UNION: Fenlon sinks Navy
Oxford University made it two wins from two this term with a 26-0 victory over the Royal Navy in Portsmouth. Flanker Chris Davies was driven over for the Dark Blues' opening try with fly half Stuart O'Flanagan converting. Nearing half-time, flanker
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Boy arrested over attempted robbery
A 12-year-old boy has been arrested, accused of carrying out an attempted knife-point robbery on a boy aged 10 in Wantage. Police arrested the 12-year-old on suspicion of robbery in connection with an incident in Tirrold Way, at about 4.10pm on Monday
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Sloping off for some fun in the Alps
Skiing is all very well, but it's the flights I always hate. If you're going to a well-known ski resort, the terminals and planes are always full of people carting their skis (and everything else snow-related) around with them, and it takes forever to
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RUGBY UNION: Chinnor branded average
Chinnor are now in the driving seat to land the South West 1 title for the second time in three seasons. Their dramatic 19-16 victory at Bracknell gives them a one-point lead in the table with seven matches to go. But Chinnor's jubilant celebrations
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There's a buzz on the streets to drive away youth
A high-pitched noise device and a new youth club are the latest tools in the fight against teenage antisocial behaviour in Didcot. The Co-op, in Lostock Place, Ladygrove, has installed a Mosquito device outside the shop in a bid to disperse groups of
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Firm unveils 4,000mph plane
An Oxfordshire team has designed a hypersonic passenger aeroplane that could one day fly passengers between Europe and Australia in less than five hours. The A2 aeroplane, designed by Culham-based Reaction Engines with funding from the European Space
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Customers lose out as spa shuts
Customers of an Oxford health spa have been left feeling the pinch after it shut its doors for good. Heavenly Bodies Day Spa, in Beaumont Street, has ceased trading and is heading for liquidation - but some clients say they have bought vouchers for
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Today's local share prices (PM)
AEA Technology 79 BMW 26.01 Electrocomponents 195.75 Nationwide Accident Repair 119.5 Oxford Biomedica 18.5 Oxford Catalyst 144 Oxford Instruments 183 Reed Elsevier 593.75 RM 203.5 RPS Group 257.75 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
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Community gets online forum
Residents in Cowley are being urged to sign up to a new online discussion forum which could cover anything from street crime to church fairs. It is planned to launch the Cowley online discussion forum through the website e-democracy. About 50 people
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Garage blaze sparks rebuild safety fears
Villagers have voiced concerns over the future of the Sutton Courtenay petrol station destroyed by fire after an explosion. Fifty families were evacuated from their homes for almost 36 hours last Wednesday after the blaze at Sutton Courtenay Tyres.
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Jamie Oliver starts recruiting staff
Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver has spoken for the first time about his plans for a new restaurant in Oxford - and is looking for staff to help him run it. As reported in the Oxford Mail, Mr Oliver has bought the former Cock and Camel pub in George Street
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Compensation fight over crushed car
A motorist is still battling for compensation from Oxford City Council nine months after it scrapped his car. In May, the council mistook Martin Young's badly vandalised blue Ford Escort estate for an abandoned vehicle in a private road off Headington
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Lady Barbirolli
Lady Barbirolli - the oboeist Evelyn Rothwell - has died at the age of 97. She was the widow of the conductor Sir John Barbirolli, who died in 1970. She was born in Wallingford, and Rothwell Close in the town is named after the family. Her father
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Leigh Jackson
Oxford publican Leigh Jackson, known to many of his regulars as Mr Snuff, has died aged 86. Mr Jackson worked in the pub trade for more than 50 years, running several pubs across the county. His career began in 1937, when he joined his father-in-law
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£10k survey aims to scrap traffic system
A businessman has launched a £10,000 survey of Abingdon's controversial traffic scheme after blaming it for a cut in trade. Businessman Steve King, who owns properties in the town, is leading the campaign to get the changes scrapped. He said: "I have
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Developers get flood warning
Plans to double the size of Grove must not leave the current village at risk of flooding, the Environment Agency has stressed. The area is set to balloon in the next five years with 1,000 homes in the pipeline and another 1,000 properties by 2021.
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The Insider
With barely disguised glee, the Liberal Democrats are making the most of Labour's 'court shame' in a pamphlet being delivered in the Marston area of Oxford. Drawing attention to court appearances by former Labour (now independent) county councillor
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Conman uses fake name
A conman talked his way inside a house by using a fake name. Two men knocked on the door of a house in Elm Drive, Chinnor, on Monday at about 5.15pm asking to speak to a man called Michael Janes. The resident said he did not know anyone of that name
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BMWs stolen after house raided
THIEVES stole two cars after breaking into a house in Kidlington. The cars were stolen from outside an address in Brasenose Drive at about 1.10am yesterday. The alarm of one of the vehicles was activated and a neighbour witnessed the cars being driven
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Warning after doorstep con
POLICE today warned people to be on their guard after an attempted distraction burglary in Chinnor. On Monday, at about 5.15pm, two men went to a home in Elm Drive and asked to speak to a man called Michael Janes. The resident did not know anyone of
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ATHLETICS: Kimber eyes third title
Oxford Mail Cross Country League Steve Kimber closed in on his third successive senior men's title, despite having to settle for second place in the fourth round at Cirencester Park on Sunday. o The Headington Roadrunner will go into next month's final
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ATHLETICS: City juniors have field day
Oxford Mail Cross Country League Oxford City once again had a good day in the junior events. In the under 13/15 girls' competition, they brought home five athletes in the top six, although Banbury Harrier Connie MacMillan won the race in 8.05. City's
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BAR BILLIARDS: Dolphin eases to victory
Dolphin A swept into the semi-finals of the Johnson's Buildbase Oxford & District League's Team Knockout Cup after a superb second leg 4-1 home win against Mason's B. High scores were the order of the night as Paul Caister kicked off with a brilliant
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Hand on heart
MP ANDREW Smith feels Oxford East voters are best qualified to determine whether his wife merits the undisclosed amount of money he pays her from the public purse (Oxford Mail, February 1). With Mr Smith claiming £83,308 for staff wages in 2006/7, some
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Ridiculous idea
Just when some of us were beginning to think the Green Party was more than a collection of over-zealous vegetarians, Oxford city councillor Nuala Young puts the movement back a dozen years with her ridiculous suggestion to sell off part of the city's
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Energy policy
The proposed Oxford wind turbines can only be regarded as a token effort - and an expensive one at that - towards relieving the rapidly looming energy crisis. Remember, they work only when the wind blows, and conventional power stations have to pick
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Back head in uniform row
Oh dear, we have a spat in the education system at Cheney School in Oxford, The wrong trousers (Oxford Mail, February 2). A school with a uniform has pupils rebelling against it. The headteacher wants to maintain the uniformity and has pointed out
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Police meeting arranged
Residents living in the Thame area can meet their local officers to raise issues and concerns. People can speak in confidence with local officers about any issues, from neighbourhood disputes to problems with litter and speeding or anything that affects
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Church celebrates 50th birthday
The community of Kennington gathered in the parish church to mark the building's 50th anniversary. The service on Tuesday night - led by the Bishop of Oxford, the Rt Rev John Pritchard - was attended by hundreds of residents who paid particular tribute
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Housing plan 'recipe for disaster'
Wallingford residents have raised concerns about plans to build housing next to the town's new youth club development. Oxfordshire County Council has earmarked £730,000 to replace the existing club, in Clapcot Way, but land on the site will be sold
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Don't miss the Oxford Mail Wedding Fayre
Bouquets, bridal dresses and balloons are just some of the attractions on offer at the Oxford Mail Wedding Fayre this weekend. Dozens of soon-to-be brides are expected to flock to the event at the Oxford Hotel, at Wolvercote roundabout, on Sunday.
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Motorcyclist cleared of killing woman
A MOTORCYCLIST has been cleared of killing a pensioner after a judge told the jury there was insufficient evidence. Caroline O'Keeffe, 70, died after a collision with a Suzuki motorcycle while crossing a road with her two dogs in Kingston Blount
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Motorcyclist cleared of killing OAP
A motorcyclist has been cleared of killing a pensioner after a judge told the jury there was insufficient evidence. Caroline O'Keeffe, 70, died after a collision with a Suzuki motorcycle while crossing a road with her two dogs in Kingston Blount, near
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Motorists caught on the phone
A driver was caught every eight minutes using their mobile phone at the wheel during police spot checks in Oxford today. Traffic officers stopped 14 drivers using phones while driving in Marsh Lane, Headington, between 8am and 10am. A further 27 motorists
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Fears voiced over blast garage
VILLAGERS have voiced concerns over the future of a petrol station destroyed by fire following an explosion. Fifty families were evacuated from their homes for almost 36 hours last Wednesday after a gas cylinder exploded at Sutton Courtenay Tyres.
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Police check traps 47 drivers
FORTY-SEVEN drivers were stopped in Oxford today as part of a seatbelt and mobile phone check. The check took place between 8am and 10am in Marsh Lane with officers from the roads safety team and road safety officers from Oxfordshire County Council
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Slugging it out at Union
BOXERS from Oxford University powered their way to victory at a prestigious Town versus Gown contest. The students, coached by ex-England featherweight boxer Des Brackett, secured wins in seven bouts out of 11 at the Oxford Union debating chamber
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New hospital still in balance
THE future of Bicester's promised community hospital still lies in the balance following a meeting with a Government health minister. North Oxfordshire MP Tony Baldry, Bicester mayor John Cozens and councillors Les Sibley and Rose Stratford met Health
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Schoolboy hit by bus
A TEN-year-old boy was injured in a collision with a bus in Eynsham today. The accident happened in Oxford Road, shortly after 7.30am, near the B4449 junction. A spokesman for South Central Ambulance said: "A ten-year-old male was hit by a bus but
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Boy hit by bus
A 10-year-old boy has been injured after a collision with a bus in a village this morning. The accident happened in Oxford Road, Eynsham, shortly after 7.30am, near the B4449 junction. A spokesman for South Central Ambulance said: "A 10-year-old male
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Hair today, gone tomorrow
Baby's first haircut turned out to be a bit of a fluke really. Her lovely blonde hair, (which has taken a pretty long time to grow) has gone into overdrive recently and she was starting to look like a hippy child thanks to the long, sticky-out bits that
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School set for new beginning
A SCHOOL is set to become the first in Oxford to wipe the slate clean under a Fresh Start scheme. Rose Hill Primary School, in The Oval, has received the backing of parents, governors and the headteacher in its bid to be given Fresh Start status.
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Celebrate my father's life
THE son of rugby fan Dave Lambourne, who died in a motorbike crash, has called on friends and family to celebrate his father's life. Mr Lambourne, 43, was a member of Witney Rugby Club, and officials of the Hailey Road club were yesterday remembering
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Pupils debate Shakespeare
A SCHOOL has been picked from more than 60 others to take part in a national debate in Stratford-upon-Avon this week. The Great Shakespeare Debate, now in its third year, will take place today and tomorrow and girls from SS St Helen and Katharine
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Menace
Sat-navs have proved a great help in getting drivers safely and quickly to their destinations. But they are a menace when they send heavy lorries on narrow country roads through villages like Charney Bassett, near Wantage. The brains that thought
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Band show
BINSEY-based indie band The Epstein are one of the subjects of an exhibition at the Jam Factory, in Park End Street, from today until Friday. Their pictures will be part of a series of paintings, The Binsey Collection, by Francis O'Neill, which also
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Pupils put best feet forward
WACKY wellies brightened Brightwell-cum-Sotwell Primary School as the children decorated their boots in aid of charity. By paying a fee to decorate their wellies, they raised £60 for the school's chosen charity, Water Aid, which helps provide safe water
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A brighter time ahead for school
Rose Hill Primary School in Oxford has been in the limelight for all the wrong reasons lately. Teaching took a backseat as the row raged over halal meat being served to pupils at school dinners, without parents being told. However, the school now
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Square plea
KNITTERS in East Hagbourne made squares to make nine blankets as well as a batch of children's knitted tops, to send out to children in Luili, in Tanzania. They now need knitters to create the next delivery. Call Joy Napper for more information
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Floods: 'Plenty of tradesmen'
TRADESMEN in Oxford have hit back at suggestions there are not enough local workers to bail out flood victims in the city. Self-employed plasterer Joe Digweed said he was surprised to read that flood-hit residents off Botley Road felt they were living
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GP hours row may split NHS
GPs IN Oxfordshire are warning that a dispute over surgery opening hours could end with them severing ties to the NHS. They say they may follow the example set by dentists and offer patients treatment privately instead. And they claim a planned GP super-surgery
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Ice dance star makes her mark
ICE maiden Natasha Mooney is making her mark in the world's top ice spectacular alongside one of the celebrity winners from ITV's Dancing on Ice series. Ms Mooney, 30, from Wheatley, is one of the world-class skaters in this year's troupe of Holiday
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School set for a fresh start
A STRUGGLING school is set to become the first in Oxford to wipe the slate clean under a Fresh Start scheme. Rose Hill Primary School, in The Oval, has received the backing of parents, governors and the headteacher in its bid to be given Fresh Start
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School unveils new-look garden
WITH spring just around the corner, pupils at an Oxford primary school are looking forward to getting out of the classroom and into their new-look nature garden. Youngsters at Botley Primary School in Elms Road, Botley, will be able to get out and
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Tributes paid to tragic rugby player
The son of rugby fan Dave Lambourne, who died in a motorbike crash, has called on friends and family to celebrate his father's life. Mr Lambourne, 43, was a member of Witney Rugby Club, and officials of the Hailey Road club were yesterday remembering
