Archive
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FOOTBALL: Peirson has score to settle
Former Oxford City defender Richard Peirson says he is determined to put the record straight when his new side Didcot Town visit Court Place Farm in today's Southern League Division derby encounter, writes Nick Farrant. Earlier in the season, Didcot
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GP hits back over hours row
An Oxfordshire GP tonight hit back at claims doctors have backed down in their dispute with the Government over surgery opening hours. Abingdon GP Prit Buttar, who represents the county on the British Medical Association, said doctors had been forced
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Solberg off to flying start in Sweden
PETTER Solberg got the Rally Sweden off to a flying start for the Banbury-based Subaru World Rally Team by winning the first Superspecial stage. The Norwegian said: "It was a great, great feeling to win the Superspecial and lead the rally! "We are
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FOOTBALL: Berinsfield player Brind banned for 827 days
Berinsfield player Danny Brind has been handed an 827-day ban and fined £200 after he admitted his part in a mass brawl that erupted in a county cup game last month. Trouble erupted towards the end of the Oxfordshire Junior Shield fourth-round tie against
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'Potential sports star' turned robber
A TEENAGER described as a future international sports star held a knife to the neck of one of his victims during a series of robberies. The 15-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, threatened four boys with a craft knife at Christ Church
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Posh cat Lolita is title contender
A cat from Kennington too prim to use a cat flap is crossing her manicured claws hoping to be named Britain's Poshest Cat on Sunday. Lolita, a 10-year-old Norwegian Forest Cat, has strutted her way to the finals of a competition run by Disney. Owner
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Sports hope robbed boys
A teenager described as a future international sports star held a knife to the neck of one of his victims during a series of robberies. The 15-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, threatened four boys with a craft knife at Christ Church
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'Convert home back to garage'
A judge has ordered an Oxford residents' association officer to gut an illegally-built bungalow and turn it into a garage - which it was meant to be in the first place. Old Marston Residents' Association secretary Nigel Cowell, of Mill Lane, Marston
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Bishop does not back sharia call
THE Archbishop of Canterbury's backing for some aspects of sharia law in the UK failed to meet the approval of the Bishop of Oxford. Dr Rowan Williams said the UK had to "face up to the fact" some citizens did not relate to the British legal system
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Bishop doesn't back Sharia call
The Archbishop of Canterbury's backing for some aspects of Sharia law in the UK failed to meet the approval of the Bishop of Oxford yesterday. Dr Rowan Williams said the UK had to "face up to the fact" some citizens did not relate to the British legal
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Crash causes A34 delays
A FOUR-vehicle accident on the A34 is causing miles of tailbacks during tonight's rush hour. The crash blocked one lane northbound, just after the Peartree interchange, near Oxford. Congestion has reached back to the A4130 Milton interchange, near
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More pubs say end smoke ban
A landlady has spoken out against the smoking ban, which she says is stubbing out her trade. Sandra Brown, 53, who manages The Plough, in High Street, Long Wittenham, said the future looked bleak for the village's only pub since the July 1 ban on smoking
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Link to new air terminal set for take-off
Oxford will have its own direct link to Heathrow airport's new Terminal 5 when it opens next month. The Oxford Bus Company will serve the new terminal from its opening day, on Thursday, March 27, and is spending more than £3m on a fleet of new low-emission
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Group gives carers care
A new support group for older carers who look after someone with a learning disability has been set up in Oxfordshire. The group, which is run by volunteers who are older carers themselves, is the first of its kind to offer countywide information and
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Resident speaks out to save her post office
Brenda Horwood can still remember the first time she skipped up the street as a six-year-old to buy stamps at Grandpont Post Office in 1928. Now 86, the Marlborough Road resident lives in the same house she set off from 80 years ago, and has no intention
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Undergraduates join litter blitz campaign
A group of students has set out to clean up their Oxford campus and neighbouring streets. More than 100 young people from Oxford Brookes University are hoping to clean up the image of students living in Headington and East Oxford, by joining the OxClean
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Half-term blitz on underage drinkers
Extra patrols tackling underage drinking and confiscating alcohol from youths are starting tonight. Youngsters drinking in streets and parks across Oxfordshire will be targeted in a two-week crackdown to coincide with school half-term holidays. Police
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Lack of parking hitting traders
Cars blocking a service road alongside an Oxford shopping parade have left traders fearing for their businesses. Owners of the shops in Cherwell Drive, Marston, blame Oxfordshire County Council for not enforcing a three-hour waiting limit in the road
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ATHLETICS: Douglas eyes up Olympic final
ATHAN Douglas believes he can reach the Olympic final in August, but is keeping his feet on the ground. The Oxford City triple-jumper is cautiously optimistic for the season ahead and will forego a lot of competitive action to peak in Beijing. But
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Parents group thrown a lifeline
Playtime has been extended for a group of toddlers at an Oxford parent club after it was given cash to keep running. Wood Farm Parent and Toddler Group has been awarded £2,500 from the Oxfordshire Community Foundation. The parent-and-toddler group
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ICE HOCKEY: Jake's a star of the future
Young Oxford City Stars prospect Jake Florey takes his first steps on the international stage when he represents England Under 13s in a tournament in Canada. Florey, 13, flies out next week to join fellow England squad players before their first game
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SQUASH: Johnson victory in vain for Esporta
Esporta Oxford stay third in the Professional Squash League following a 4-1 defeat by near rivals Birmingham. But the contest was much closer than the score suggests. Esporta's second string Chris Ryder had an incredible 12 match points - including
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Zat iz FORBIDDEN
Did you know they've banned smoking at the John Radcliffe? Not just inside and by the entrance, but across the entire site. I only discovered it recently when on one of my rare visits to my doctor's (do I hear a muffled 'Hah! coming from that direction
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BOXING: Coach Faz is seeking double time!
Oxford Boxing Academy supremo Faz Keyani wishes he had the ability to clone himself on Sunday. The coach faces a race against the clock to be in the corner for both of his title prospects as they bid for championship glory at venues 80 miles apart.
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Violence at JR drops 33%
Increased security measures at Oxford's largest hospital have led to a reduction in violence and thefts. Improved CCTV and better use of security staff at the John Radcliffe Hospital has also meant a drop in the number of people wandering on to the
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BILLIARDS: Eynsham are whitewashed
Eynsham were whitewashed 3-0 by hosts CCC A in the Oxford & District League, but the contest was much closer than the scoreline suggests. Arthur Coakley (+90) got CCC off to a winning start when he defeated Geoff Watson (+90) 150-100. The second game
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Crash causes delays on A34
A four-vehicle accident on the A34 is causing miles of tailbacks during tonight's rush hour. The multi-vehicle crash blocked one lane northbound, just after the Peartree interchange, near Oxford. Congestion has reached back to the A4130 Milton interchange
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It's hip to be square
The cream of Oxfordshire's professional dancers are set to make an exhibition of themselves when they perform an unusual show. As part of the Oxford Open exhibition, at Modern Art Oxford, Pembroke Street, a troupe of dancers will be taking part in a
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ATHLETICS: Hawtin storms to title treble
Melissa Hawtin completed a hat-trick of titles at the Oxfordshire Schools' Cross Country Championships at Radley College. Hawtin (Gosford Hill), winner at under 15 for the last two years, overcame muddy conditions to beat Bea Swords (Headington) in
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HOCKEY: Magdalen's cup joy
Hockey players from Magdalen College School, Oxford, are celebrating after winning the Oxfordshire Under 18 Cup for the first time. They stormed to a 5-1 win over Bloxham in the final with Robbie Blencowe (2), Jim Charleston, Guy Tasker and Hugh Collins
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Today's local share prices (PM)
AEA Technology 79.75 BMW 2551 Electrocomponents 188 Nationwide Accident Repair 118.5 Oxford Biomedica 18.25 Oxford Catalyst 144 Oxford Instruments 183 Reed Elsevier 586.75 RM 205.5 RPS Group 262.5 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
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TABLE TENNIS: Bushell absence hits Forum
Rutherford took advantage of the absence of Karl Bushell to inflict the first defeat of the season on Forum A in Division 1 of the Oxford & District Association. Glen Freeman and Neil Hurford won two apiece, and a Chris Rowlatt triumph put 5-4 up.
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TABLE TENNIS: Oxford shot down by RAF
Two wins from Andy Misseldine proved in vain as Oxford went down to a 6-4 defeat against the RAF in the Midland League. Greg Boone and Ellis Bicknell posted a win apiece on their seasonal debuts in this competition. However, Misseldine and Bicknell
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Burglars foiled by alert OAP
Would-be distraction burglars fled empty-handed after being challenged by an elderly resident. Two men called at the 73-year-old's property in Loddon Close at 10am on Tuesday claiming there had been flooding next door and they needed to turn off her
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TABLE TENNIS: Didcot go rolling on
Didcot A extended their lead at the top of Division 1 of the Didcot & District League with two whitewash victories against Moreton A and Abingdon B. RESULTS. Div 1: Didcot A 10 (J Barclay 3, E Herrity 3, R Hudson 3), Moreton A 0; Abingdon B 0, Didcot
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Blasts spark fire safety alert
Businesses are being warned to notify firefighters of any dangerous substances they are storing, following two recent explosions and fires in the Abingdon area. Oxfordshire Fire Service said firms had a responsibility to contact them if dangerous substances
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Six cars broken into within 24 hours
Thieves broke into six cars in just 24 hours in the Chipping Norton area. They targeted a blue Mazda in the town's New Street car park on Wednesday between 8.45am and 5.35pm but nothing was stolen. Later that night, thieves also broke in to a silver
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Youth club needs new members
The organisers of an Oxford youth group have appealed to teenagers to "use it or lose it". Committee members of The Barn Youth Project, in Greater Leys, say they will be forced to shut a weekly session for older youths if they do not attract more people
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'Have a say over wheelie bins'
Leaflets are to go into every home in Wallingford asking local people whether they will be able to cope with wheelie bins when the new rubbish collection contract starts next year. They will be inserted into the new monthly magazine The Window For Wallingford
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Pupils hope for own allotment
Green fingered children are looking forward to growing - and eating - their own vegetables, with plans to set up allotments in the grounds of their school Seventeen pupils from Brookside Primary School in Bicester, went to the town's Leach Road allotments
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Tributes paid to retiring Lord Lieutenant
Tributes have been paid to Hugo Brunner who is stepping down after 12 years as Oxfordshire's Lord Lieutenant. Since being appointed as the Queen's representative in Oxfordshire in 1996, Mr Brunner has been a central figure in practically every royal
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Les gets third Labour nomination
A Bicester councillor has won the nomination for the third time to become Labour's Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for the Banbury constituency. Les Sibley was delighted to win the overwhelming backing of local party members, and will now fight
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Going for OX5 glory
Staff from accountants Grant Thornton are aiming to recapture the OX5 Cup, which is awarded to the fastest team in the charity race for Oxford's children's hospital. Last year, staff from the Oxford Mail and The Oxford Times captured the trophy and
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Six cars attacked in 24 hours
SIX cars were broken into within 24 hours in Chipping Norton and surrounding villages. On Wednesday, sometime between 8.45am and 5.35pm, a blue Mazda was broken into in the New Street car park in Chipping Norton, but nothing was stolen. Then overnight
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Patto looks for magic formula
DARREN Patterson is stamping his mark on Oxford United by changing some of the players' routines to try to get them back into the winning mode. He has already brought in new signings who possess a strong work ethic, and he's making some alterations
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In the footsteps of the past
The first thing is to decide what you are interested in. It could be the story of the road where you live, your neighbourhood or village - how it has changed over time and how people have interacted with their locality to make it what it is today. Or
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Trials and tribulations
H arold Mark Avery, an Oxford resident in his latter years, began his working life as a motor engineer apprenticed to G H Norton and Co, of Stroud, at one shilling a week. Eventually starting his own business in Cheltenham, and then in Oxford, he
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Woman foils distraction burglars
A 73-year-old woman was targeted by distraction burglars in Bicester. Two men called at a property in Loddon Close, Kings End, at 10am in Tuesday claiming there had been flooding in an adjacent property and they needed to turn off her water. One
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When fantasy meets reality
The blockbuster movie The Golden Compass is attracting a whole new audience to Oxford author Philip Pullman's book on which it is based. The opening scenes are set in Oxford - or rather, a version of Oxford, in which familiar settings and real events
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Glazier’s magnificent seven
What have Marsh Baldwin primary school, Oxford Castle, a churchyard in Cowley Road, Oxford University's Botanic Garden, 33 Northmoor Road and the ante-chapel of New College in common? They all won Plaques in the 2007 Oxford Preservation Trust Environmental
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Cyclist, 60, in fight for life
A 60-year-old cyclist suffered life-threatening injuries following a collision with a scooter in Burford last night. The collision happened at about 6.20pm on the B4020 Shilton Road towards Carterton. Police said the cyclist had stopped to allow two
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£20,000 cocaine haul in village
POLICE arrested four people after cocaine worth up to £20,000 was found at a house in Warborough. Two men and two women were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class-A drugs following a raid on a house in Sinodun View on Wednesday
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Cyclist seriously injured in crash
A 60-year-old man is seriously ill after a crash near Burford. Police said the man was cycling along the B4020 Shilton Road, from Burford towards Carterton at about 6.20pm yesterday when the accident happened. A spokesman said the man stopped to
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Spoil your loved one with a luxury spa day for two
To celebrate the season of romance, Red Letter Days, the UK's leading experience company, is offering readers the chance to win a deluxe spa day for two in central London. The lucky winner and their guest will spend a day at the spa with unlimited access
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Building site raided three times
POLICE are appealing for information after three burglaries at a building site in Cumnor Hill. The first burglary was between 5pm on Thursday, January 24, and 7.20am on Friday, January 25. Tools were stolen from the upstairs bathroom. Between 5pm
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The perfect massage
To celebrate St Valentine's Day, Neal's Yard Remedies has put together some top tips for giving a great massage: 1. Create the right ambience - light some candles and make sure the room is warm. 2. Using massage oil will allow you to slide your hands
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Turn up the heat
With Valentine's Day just around the corner, minds are buzzing with ideas for treating that special someone to the perfect romantic evening. Thanks to Tabasco, we have a great way to turn up the heat for a memorable date. We have ten copies of Tabasco
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The food of love
The man who has been described as able to make women "swoon at the flick of his whisk" is the ideal person to turn to for advice on preparing a romantic meal for St Valentine's Day. Jean-Christophe Novelli said: "Many men tend to try to over-impress
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Hearts and flowers
On February 14, people in the UK will spend £22m on flowers to show our true feelings to our loved ones - and a large proportion of that is spent on roses. For centuries the rose has symbolised love and passion, but the rose fascinated us long before
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A gentleman’s guide to buying lingerie
So then guys, you want that ideal gift for your lover? Well lingerie is the perfect way to pamper her and make her feel oh so good about herself. But shopping for lingerie can be confusing and, yes, a little intimidating, writes Marco Costello, director
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On a collision course?
When John Gray's international bestseller Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus, first hit the shelves back in 1992, he became an over-night success. The book shed light on countless relationship problems, offered an explanation for many social inequalities
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Car carnage comes to village
A quiet Oxfordshire village is set be the scene of motoring mayhem a week on Sunday, when the new banger racing season gets under way at Standlake Arena. All sorts of clapped-out cars, from hearses to Citroen 2CVs, have graced the 300-yard concrete
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Oxford stance is Good move
Just when you thought there was enough racing going on at the moment, some tracks will now race on Good Friday - one of the few days that all those connected with the sport could have as a day off. Is nothing sacred? Corals decided to race and the
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Scrooge College
What an excellent tribute you paid to the Morris Minor (Oxford Mail, January 31). I well remember going with my father in 1957 to pick up our new Minor 1000 from the old Morris Garages in St Aldate's. It is, therefore, all the more incredible to read
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Self-righteous
Derek Honey's letter about the smoking ban in pubs (Oxford Mail, February 4) is as smugly self-righteous as most of the correspondence he writes. His anecdotal assertions about pub economics, customer trends and smoking statistics related to the ban
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Magnificent job
I am replying to your article, Protest sparks bid for election (Oxford Mail, January 28). Why is Dr Francis Kennett so much against rats? Does she not know that these small creatures enter her home looking for something to eat? Is she hoping to
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Wrong way to revamp estate
So one side of Lambourn Road in Rose Hill, Oxford, is to be levelled (Oxford Mail, January 26). A lot of elderly folk - some very old - face huge upheaval late in life. How convenient - the council has discovered that the bungalows are on the verge
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Bean scores with Bransom beam
The Cherwell at Branson's Meadow once again produced the goods when 11 Kidlington AS anglers fished their Hillier Championship. Fishing the lollipop float with lobworm tail on the hook, Jason Bean landed six bream for a top weight of 27.15.0. His best
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Extra patrols tackle underage drinking
Extra patrols tackling underage drinking and confiscate alcohol from youths begin tonight. Youngsters drinking in streets and parks across Oxfordshire will be targeted in a two week crackdown to coincide with the school's half-term holidays. Police
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Scotcher hands out awards
Commonwealth Games gold medallist Alex Scotcher was the main guest at City of Oxford's awards lunch, which marked achievements at the 2007 club championships. The excellent results at the championships have generated many qualifying times for the Oxon
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Murrey's a star for Banbury
Ollie Murrey starred as Banbury A opened the Division 1 programme in the Banbury Indoor League with a 14-run win over Cropredy. He hit an unbeaten 25, and with Cropredy's wayward bowling contributing 44 extras, Banbury rattled up 102-4. Murrey then
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Cautious welcome to interest rate cuts
Oxfordshire businesses reacted cautiously to the decision by the Bank of England to cut interest rates by a quarter of a point to 5.25 per cent. Barry Wheatley, chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses in Oxfordshire, who runs Internet company
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Police target underage drinking
EXTRA patrols tackling underage drinking and confiscate alcohol from youths begin tonight. Youngsters drinking in streets and parks across Oxfordshire will be targeted in a two-week crackdown to coincide with the school's half-term holidays. Police
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Today's local share prices (AM)
AEA Technology 81 BMW 2592 Electrocomponents 192.75 Nationwide Accident Repair 118.5 Oxford Biomedica 18.5 Oxford Catalyst 144 Oxford Instruments 183 Reed Elsevier 586.75 RM 206 RPS Group 259.75 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
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Glow for it
We're at Lava & Ignite in Park End Street, Oxford on Saturday from 11pm. Don't miss our report in The Guide next week Nights like this unfortunately come few and far between in Oxford, so when they do you've got to grab the proverbial bull by the horns
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Death-crash driver sentenced
A BUILDER has been convicted of causing the death of a former Banbury man in a car crash while driving on the wrong side of a country road in France. James Lee, 33, collided head-on with Erik Williams's car in Brittany on March 1 last year.
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Anti-reservoir group to meet
GARD - Group Against Reservoir Development - is holding a discussion evening tonight at Steventon village hall at 7.30pm. Wantage MP Ed Vaizey is expected to be a guest speaker at the meeting.
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Mini's year off to award-winning start
THE Oxford-built Mini has started the new year with awards from Top Gear, What Car?, BusinessCar and Parker's Car Guides. BusinessCar magazine readers have awarded the Mini its 'Best SuperMini' accolade for the sixth time. BusinessCar editor-in-chief
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M3 hard man
THE fourth generation of BMW's M3 Convertible arrives in Britain in April, and it will be the first M car to feature a retractable hard-top. A 3,999cc V8-power unit sits under the bonnet, developing 420 horsepower and capable of powering the car from
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Last off line
THE final Clio Renaultsport 197 F1 Team R27, a unique glacier white example, has rolled off the production line at Dieppe, Northern France. Just 500 were produced for the UK market, and number 500 will go to Bedfordshire man James Brookes, a keen
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Mazda adds three in two
A THREE-DOOR version of the Mazda2 hatchback will debut in March at the Geneva Motor Show, in Switzerland, and should build on the success of the five-door Mazda2 range, launched in the UK last September. It shares the same dimensions as the five-door
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Fiat 500 is eye flyer
FIAT launched the stunning new Fiat 500 with a flight in one of the British Airways London Eye capsules. The new Fiat 500 took to the sky as a light show lit up a showbiz and celebrity event on the banks of the River Thames. About 500 VIPs, including
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Tepee gives more choice
PEUGEOT'S new Partner Tepee will replace the current Partner Combi and will become the latest addition to the Peugeot Tepee range. Two Tepee versions will be available, the standard version and an Outdoor version aimed at customers who enjoy exploring
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Revamped Ibiza leads SEAT charge
SPANISH car maker SEAT has made a raft of changes to its most widely-owned model - the sporty Ibiza supermini. Among the alterations to the familiar three- and five-door range is the arrival of the 1.4-litre 100 PS Sport. A permanent addition to the
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Insider's view of formidable firm
FEW people are better placed to take a look back at Land Rover's 60-year history than Mike Gould. He started his career in the motor industry with Chrysler UK and joined Land Rover in 1972. Over more than 30 years with the company he occupied senior
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Roadtest: Time to Twingo
I had always fancied driving a Renault Twingo, but faced quite a long wait before I got my hands on one - 14 years and nine months to be precise. This was no reflection on the efficiency of Renault's super-slick press office, simply that until now
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Protester marches in
PARLIAMENT Square peace protester Brian Haw took his campaign on the road by walking 60 miles from London to Oxford. Mr Haw, who began a peace camp outside the Houses of Parliament in 2001, reached the city last night, pictured, to address the Oxford
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Firms warned on fire risks
BUSINESSES are being warned to notify firefighters of any dangerous substances they are storing following two explosions in the Abingdon area. Oxfordshire Fire Service says firms in the county have a responsibility to contact them if dangerous substances
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Crash near M40 delays drivers
DRIVERS suffered delays today after a two-vehicle accident close to junction six of the M40. The accident happened on the B4009 Chinnor Road in Aston Rowant and partly blocked the carriageway. Paramedics from Oxfordshire Ambulance Service were called
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Black strikes a chord with fans
HUNDREDS of people turned out to see Pixies frontman Black Francis - formerly Frank Black - play an impromptu gig in Oxford last night. About 300 people gathered under the Bridge of Sighs to listen to the musician play a series of songs on his acoustic
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Crash near M40 delays drivers
Drivers suffered delays this morning following an accident involving two vehicles close to junction six of the M40. The accident happened on the B4009 Chinnor Road in Aston Rowant, partially blocking the carriageway. Paramedics from Oxfordshire Ambulance
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Collection boosts cancer centre
A STREET collection in Banbury on Saturday to raise money to extend the Brodey Cancer Centre at the town's Horton Hospital raised £711. Fundraising project manager Yolanda Jacob said: "I want to say a huge thank you to everyone to gave up their time
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Banbury marks 400th anniversary
A YEAR-LONG programme of events is being planned to help Banbury celebrate the 400th anniversary of its town charter. The original charter document, signed by King James 1 on June 28, 1608, is on display in Banbury Museum and will stay there until December
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Advice bureau looks for volunteers
BANBURY'S Citizens Advice Bureau is looking for new volunteer advisers. A training course is planned to start in March, covering all the subjects advisers are called on to deal with. The course also covers CAB computer programmes and local procedures
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Park-and-ride revamp nears completion
A £2M upgrade to facilities at the Thornhill park-and-ride site, Oxford, is close to completion. Renovations which began 15 months ago will include a new terminal building with a heated waiting room and seating. Four large bus stops will serve
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Deal ends rail strike threat
RAIL firm First Great Western and the RMT union have resolved a dispute over staffing levels and industrial relations which almost led to a strike last month. The union said that after negotiations, 40 extra guards would be taken on by FGW and managers
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Radio station to change name
A COMMUNITY radio station wants to change its name to reflect its young audience and make the move to win a permanent FM licence. Just Oxfordshire, set up three years ago to serve west Oxfordshire, already broadcasts every night at justoxfordshire.co.uk
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Council steps in to help arts
STOP-GAP funding of £20,000 has been provided by Cherwell District Council to keep the award-winning Animation Station open after the Arts Council withdrew its annual grant of £23,000. The council's executive agreed on Monday to increase its funding
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Express service
Sir - In Christian Wolmar's excellent recent book Fire and Steam, a history of the railways in Britain, he points out: "By October 1852 the company (Great Western) was running an express service from Oxford to London in 68 minutes". I imagine
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The Birds
Sir - Walking along a built-up residential street in Headington today, I was stopped in my tracks by what seemed to be a small jet flying past my face and slamming into the hedge across the road. It was actually a sparrowhawk, which emerged after
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City crime
Sir - I reply briefly to the letters from Messrs Lewis and Thayer (February 1). The clear-up rate for Oxford city centre crime is currently 55 per cent. There are no full-time CCTV cameras along the Botley Road, which is why Mr Thayer's friend's trailer
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Wind farm blight
Sir - The Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), Oxfordshire Branch, agrees with your editorial (February 1) that the precious Green Belt surrounding Oxford is no place for windfarms. CPRE does not oppose wind farms and turbines in principle.
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Intrusive clutter
Sir - Your balanced response (Editorial, February 1) to the city council's suggestion that wind turbines be erected on the eastern fringes of Oxford is very welcome. Whatever arguments there may be for such turbines elsewhere, the Green Belt is not
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Harmful impacts
Sir - Your column on the new proposed wind turbines includes a suggestion that windmills would replace pylons. Probably even more pylons will be needed. The existing pylons will be needed for backup when there is no wind. And, since underground cables
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Fine example
Sir - What rich irony your correspondent displayed when he suggested that the felling of trees was to be deplored as Oxford sought to "become the new Milton Keynes". He is unaware that all purchasers of new houses in Milton Keynes were given a tree
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Insatiable greed
Sir - The lead column in your editorial (January 25) congratulates Oxford City Council on its plan to pilot a weekly kitchen waste recycling scheme. Put another way, you commend recycling food we throw away, when what you should be doing is encouraging
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Bin the bags
Sir - Your editorial (January 25) praised the city council for getting "ahead of the game" with our plans for weekly kitchen waste collection. I just want to make clear that our longer-term plan has always been to reduce the amount of waste, to re-use
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Flood views sought
WEST HANNEY parish councillors will meet the Vale of White Horse District Council this month to discuss flooding. Anyone who has information they would like to contribute should call 01235 868146 or 868293.
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Relying on nanny state
Sir - I am amazed that Mr Walker seeks to speak on behalf of Kennington residents after a mere four months of living here. (Letters, February 1). I for one do not want an unsightly wheelie bin imposed on me, nor am I besieged with rats, despite having
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Trendy word
Sir - I have noticed that when rubbish is disposed of by means of heat, there is a nasty word, incinerator, and a trendy word, pyrolysis. The trendy word has not been much heard during recent discussions in Oxfordshire. If it is not planned that we
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Carbon dinosaur
Sir - The Oxfordshire Climate Alliance - representing the groups listed - wishes to express its great dismay at the county council's decision to limit the choice of technologies for the future of waste treatment in Oxfordshire to incineration. Contrary
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Village vote
CHERWELL District Council says people are backing moves to extend Chesterton's conservation area. A well-attended public exhibition and question and answer session gave residents the chance to air their views, and the council said all parties supported
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Rambling return
Sir - Thank you for your generous publicity of The Seven Shires Way long distance footpath (Limited Edition, January 4). For those who would like to walk a day or half-day's section high up on the Berkshire Downs and to see the remarkable John Piper
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Back the Bishop
Sir - Charlie Cleverley (Report, February 1) is living in a bygone age, I fear. As a recent article in The Church Times makes clear 'the English are no longer C of E by default', so it seems unlikely that any rector can now claim a privileged position
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Farm shop appeal
A GOVERNMENT planning inspector will hear an appeal over plans to open a butcher's at the Rectory Farm shop, Stanton St John, after South Oxfordshire District Council refused planning permission. The hearing will be at the council's Crowmarsh HQ on
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Breach of courtesy
Sir - We were interested to read the joint letter by the co-chairmen of the Anglo-Asian Association of Friendship (January 25) indicating the provisional state of the leadership at the Oxford Central Mosque. And in particular, we and many other people
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Cash in
Carting Oxford's recycling waste all the way to Milton Keynes seems to go against green principles. Is no-one willing to set up a recycling plant nearer home? After all, where there's muck, there's brass, we're told.
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Eileen takes on marathon
A WOMAN is in training to run the London Marathon for the first time, to raise money for charity. Eileen Naughton will take to the streets on April 18 for the 26.2 mile route through the capital to raise money for the Meningitis Trust. Ms Naughton
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Challenge that faces everyone
It is a bitter disappointment to see Oxfordshire demoted from four stars to three in the performance tables. The county council made much of its 'excellent' status, never losing an opportunity to contrast itself with the 'weak' Oxford City Council.
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No help for education
Sir - The interview with Jane Tomlinson on the front page (February 1) was most encouraging. However, I note that, in Slough, Ms Tomlinson was director of edcation, whereas here she is also responsible for young children and families. Since the war,
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Dark matters
IS It a Dark Lonely Universe? and other big questions about astronomy are the subject of a roadshow at Henry Box School, Witney, on Thursday, March 13, starting at 6pm. The speakers are Dr Kate Land and Dr Chris Lintott in a series of free public lectures
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Baldry lays first stone
The start of work on Banbury School's new £6m classroom block was marked by the laying of a foundation stone by MP Tony Baldry. Hornton Quarries donated the stone and Mr Baldry paid for it to be engraved. As well as new classrooms, the block will
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Floods: New defences to be trialled
NEW lightweight flood defence bags are to be trialled alongside traditional sand bags in a bid to prevent flood devastation similar to that suffered in the 2007 summer rainstorms. Cherwell District Council, in partnership with Charter Community Housing
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Ruskin should remain
Sir - Surely the aim of Ruskin College's masterplan (Report, January 25) to move the college's main centre to Headington cannot mean the end of the college's historic presence in Walton Street? For more than 100 years, the college has been the defiant
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Shoppers face parking fines
SHOPPERS face £60 fines if they misuse parking spaces at the Asda store, Wheatley. The supermarket giant is the first retailer to fine drivers for misusing disabled and parent and child parking bays in its car parks - and from February 28 the store
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Athletes dash to the palace
BLENHEIM Palace is to be transformed into an athlete's heaven once again this year for the Blenheim Triathlon. The event, which involves swimming, cycling and running, is due to take place on Saturday and Sunday, June 7 and 8, at the stately home in
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Absent fathers owe £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. New figures published by the Conservative Party show how much is owed in each Parliamentary
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Royal appointment
In every community there are those who act as a kind of glue to stick everyone together. They are the ones who make it their business to know everyone, who are expert at putting people together and who promote the general good. The Lord Lieutenant
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Driver fined over cyclist's death
A DUSTCART driver whose vehicle crushed a cyclist to death, has avoided jail - angering his victim's family and friends. Trevor Ashworth, 31, was fined £500 and banned from driving for eight months yesterday after being found guilty of careless driving
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Falling star
There is no escaping the verdict on Oxfordshire's schools. The county's new education director said it last week, and this week no less an authority than the Audit Commission agreed - Oxfordshire's state schools are not performing as well as they should
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Hopes rise for hospital plan
THERE is new hope for a community hospital in Bicester after campaigners pressed health officials to look into offers to build it. Although it is uncertain whether Bicester will get the 30-bed community hospital promised more than a decade ago, Oxfordshire
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Canal gateway is drug den eyesore
BOATS close to Jericho's former Castle Mill Boatyard have been turned into drug dens, according to local residents. Residents believe the derelict yard is attracting an increasing number of vagrants to the area. Boats in nearby Castle Mill Stream
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Evidence on Everest
GRAHAM Hoyland was always worried about meeting his hero. Now the recent death of Sir Edmund Hillary means he never will. As someone who has himself been on eight Everest expeditions himself, Mr Hoyland would surely have had plenty to discuss with
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Police raid £30,000 drugs factory
A CANNABIS factory with £30,000 worth of plants was raided by police today after being spotted by a member of the public. About 200 cannabis plants - some had recently been harvested, it is believed - were discovered when police broke into the rented
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Villagers invited to meet police
PEOPLE in the Wheatley area are being invited to meet their local neighbourhood officer. PC Paul Gregory will be holding a surgery at the police office in Church Road, Wheatley, tomorrow between 10am and 2pm. Anyone is welcome to attend and no appointment
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Brookes cleans up students' image
MORE than 100 young people from Oxford Brookes University are looking to really clean up the image of students living in Headington next month. The president of Brookes University Student Union, Antoinette Kyuchukova, says she is determined that students
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Anti-reservoir group meets
A MEETING organised by campaign group Gard - Group Against Reservoir Development - will take place today, in Steventon village hall to discuss ways to oppose plans for a £1bn reservoir between Steventon and East Hanney.
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Rail improvements 'on track'
THE CHIEF executive of rail company First Great Western, who has apologised for the poor performance of his company, has pledged real improvements are on track. In an interview with The Oxford Times this week, Andrew Haines said: "I'll stick my neck
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Two to oversee mental health services
TWO Oxfordshire men have been appointed to help oversee the county's mental health services in years to come. As part of the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Mental Health Partnership's bid for foundation status, governors have been elected to represent
