Archive
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I'd like to thank Movie geek
So here we are on the eve of the Oscars, which with the timely end to the writers strike should be another laugh-free back slapping extravaganza of disappointments. No doubt all the usual suspects will claim the prizes and revel in their glory by spouting
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Police arrest two men after drug raids
Police targeting drug dealing in south Oxfordshire villages today raided two homes. Officers forced their way into a house in Meadside, Dorchester-on-Thames, at 3.50pm and seized what is believed to be cannabis during a search of the property and nearby
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Drugs police raid more village homes
POLICE raided two more homes in Oxfordshire villages this afternoon as part of an ongoing operation to disrupt the trade in Class-A drugs. Officers raided a house in Colne Drive, Berinsfield, at 3.50pm and at Meadside, Dorchester, 30 minutes later.
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West End revamp given £5.4m boost
OXFORD has received a £5.4m cash boost to help pay for the regeneration of the West End and Bonn Square. The West End Partnership, the organisation responsible for the refurbishment, has already received £1.6m from the Government. The cash will
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Police carry out more rural drugs raids
Police raided two homes in rural Oxfordshire villages this afternoon as part of an ongoing operation to disrupt the trade in class A drugs. Officers raided a house in Colne Drive, Berinsfield, at 3.50pm and at Meadside, Dorchester, 30 minutes later.
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Parking plans branded 'madness'
PLANS to introduce residents' parking zones across East Oxford in stages have been branded as "madness". The results of a feasibility study on whether to charge people to park outside their homes in parts of East Oxford, Wood Farm, Marston and Lye
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Live review: The NME Awards Tour @ The Carling Academy Oxford
The Shockwaves NME Awards Tour has always been a good guide to what is happening in the world of indie-rock and this year's tour was no exception - with four must-see acts all vying to be a cut above the rest. On a personal level, the night began well
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Village anger at eco-town plan
Fears are mounting that a quiet Oxfordshire village could be over-run if a 15,000 home "eco town" is approved by the Government. Householders in Weston-on-the-Green have rallied to form a pressure group - set up by the father of tennis ace Tim Henman
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West End revamp gets £5.4m boost
Oxford has received a £5.4m cash boost to help pay for the regeneration of the West End and Bonn Square. The West End Partnership, the organisation responsible for the refurbishment, has already received £1.6m from the Government. The cash will be
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Resident parking zone plans 'madness'
Plans to introduce residents' parking zones across East Oxford in stages have been branded as "madness". The results of a feasibility study on whether to charge people to park outside their homes in parts of East Oxford, Wood Farm, Marston and Lye Valley
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Stabbings: Health worker goes home
A 29-YEAR-OLD man, one of two mental health workers injured in a stabbing in Oxford yesterday, has been discharged from hospital. His 44-year-old colleague remains at the John Radcliffe Hospital, in Headington, in a serious but stable condition.
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Dealer jailed for five-and-a-half years
A DRUGS dealer who ran a series of street crack cocaine dealers in Oxford has been jailed for five-and-a-half years. Aaron Willett, 26, of Sawpit Road, Blackbird Leys, was sent to prison at Oxford Crown Court today for possession with intent to supply
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Drugs boss jailed for five and a half years
A drugs boss who ran a series of street crack cocaine dealers in Oxford has been jailed for five and a half years. Aaron Willett, 26, of Sawpit Road, Blackbird Leys, was imprisonment at Oxford Crown Court today for possession with intent to supply Class
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Second chance to show mum you care
Children are getting a second chance to record video messages for their mums to appear on the Oxford Mail's website www.oxfordmail.co.uk on Mother's Day - Sunday, March 2. Launched today at Delteys Supermarket in Blackbird Leys, it proved such a hit
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Fair is just the job
Hundreds of job seekers gave their careers a boost by attending the Oxford Mail Job Fair. More than 1,500 people checked out the exhibits at Oxford Town Hall today, meeting representatives from a range of firms and recruitment agencies plus Thames Valley
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FOOTBALL: Perkins looks set for Witney return
Christian Perkins is set to make a return debut for Witney United when they travel to Shrivenham in the Sport Italia Hellenic League Premier Division on Saturday. The big defender rejoins the club from Abingdon Town. Former Manchester City trainee
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FOOTBALL: Yankee Doodle Banbury!
Banbury United have two new fans - Americans Elaine Turner and her daughter Heidi. They were guests of Puritans striker Nicky Gordon for their Premier Division home game with Mangotsfield United last Saturday. Gordon stayed with the Turners last year
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FOOTBALL: Play-offs within reach – Sullivan
Banbury United player-manager Kieran Sullivan has urged his side to pull out all the stops and reach the Premier Division play-offs, starting with tomorrow's home game against Merthyr Tydfil. Although the Puritans are 12th in the table, Sullivan believes
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County 'likely to be on eco-town shortlist'
FEARS are growing that an eco town scheme in Oxfordshire will be on the shortlist of settlements soon to be announced by the Government. Two separate schemes to build major eco towns near Kidlington and also at Weston-on-the-Green have been submitted
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Guide meets Asian needs
A new information guide has been published to help the Asian community in Banbury find useful services. The Banbury Asian Directory, produced by the town's Asian Forum, is a free guide to help Asian residents track down services including health, leisure
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Latin in the park class planned
An Oxford woman is on a mission to get people in the city learning Latin - and is taking to the parks to spread the message. After setting up a number of successful projects to teach children in state schools, Dr Lorna Robinson, of Franklin Road, has
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Stabbing: Injured health worker goes home
One of the two mental health workers injured in a stabbing in Oxford yesterday, a 29 year old man, has been discharged from hospital. His colleague, a 44-year-old man, remains at the John Radcliffe Hospital, in Headington, in a serious but stable condition
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Freelander muscles in
LAND Rover will introduce a new HST derivative to complete the Freelander 2 range. On sale from next month, the Freelander 2 HST will be available from £31,990 on the road. Features include a sports styling pack with front and rear bumper aprons
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Fabia joins space race
SKODA'S new Fabia Estate went on sale in the UK this month The Czech firm says the compact load lugger, which costs between £9,360 and £13,775, is supremely practical thanks to its 1,460-litre stowage potential. Insurance groupings that start as low
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Roadtest: Deserved winner
BY now, you will likely have had your fill of car award announcements. Sitting atop the honours pile is, of course, the 2008 Car of the Year, the Fiat 500, with a plethora of press releases sitting beneath it promoting magazine-this, website-that,
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RUGBY UNION: Bowers buoyed by Wallingford
Chinnor coach Jason Bowers said he was delighted with Wallingford's progress ahead of tomorrow's Oxfordshire Cup semi-final at Kingsey Road (2.30). Bowers's day job is rugby development officer for Oxfordshire, which involves promoting the sport at
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RUGBY UNION: Henley's big test
Henley Hawks host National 2 leaders Otley tomorrow in their relegation battle. It could be a baptism of fire for new player-coach Jason Forster, whose side travel to third-placed Manchester the following week. Two defeats could leave Hawks almost
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BADMINTON: Foster's double tops
Becky Foster turned in two unbeaten displays as Headington A cruised to two comfortable victories. Foster was partnered by Amanda King in a 5-1 win over Windrush in Division 1 of the Oxford and District Women's League. And she teamed up with Colin
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Alcohol seized from young drinkers
UNDERAGE drinkers had their alcohol confiscated during a police crackdown aimed at tackling antisocial behaviour. Officers seized 50 bottles and cans over the first two days of the operation in Bicester - part of a North Oxfordshire-wide clampdown
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Teenage drinkers booze seized
Underage drinkers had their alcohol confiscated during a police crackdown aimed at tackling antisocial behaviour. Officers seized 50 bottles and cans over the first two days of the operation in Bicester - part of a North Oxfordshire-wide clampdown over
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30 stopped in police check
POLICE stopped more than 30 people as part of seatbelt and mobile phone checks in Chipping Norton. A speed check was scheduled on London Road yesterday morning but owing to dense fog making the use of cameras impossible, officers from the Roads Safety
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Artist’s work inspired by city band
An up-and-coming artist enjoying success at his first independent exhibition has said he draws much of his inspiration from his "spectacularly beautiful" Oxford hamlet. Francis O'Neill's distinctive oil paintings depict the area around Binsey, beside
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Cycle shop given reprieve
AN OXFORD cycle shop under threat of closure has been spared the axe after controversial plans to redevelop the site were rejected. Planning permission to knock down most of the building housing Beeline Bicycles, in Cowley Road, and replace it with
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A420 lane closed as car overturns
POLICE have closed a lane on the A420 near the Botley interchange after a car overturned. The Volkswagen Golf rolled over on the eastbound lane at about 1.44pm. No one was seriously injured in the crash. Police closed one lane of the dual
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Today;s local share prices (PM)
AEA Technology 79 BMW 2742 Electrocomponents 178.75 Nationwide Accident Repair 123 Oxford Biomedica 28 Oxford Catalyst 144 Oxford Instruments 188 REED 630 RM 211 RPS Group 284.25 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
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Pet cat blasted by shotgun
A FAMILY'S pet cat has lost a leg after being hit by a blast from a shotgun. But after having the leg amputated, Oscar has turned from a fun-loving, playful animal into a quiet, nervous creature. His owners, who adopted him from the Blue Cross
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Library to honour ex-Premier
RUSKIN College is launching a major fundraising campaign for a new library to honour former Premier Jim Callaghan. The college, in Oxford, believes it will be the first library in the country to be named after a former British Prime Minister. It
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Two held in brothel raid
TWO women have been arrested after a raid on a brothel. Police raided a property in People's Place, Banbury at about 7pm yesterday. Two women aged 44 and 34, who were both Thailand nationals, were arrested for immigration offences. The 44
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Osney to get new flood defences
NEW FLOOD defences are to be deployed on Osney Island to protect 75 vulnerable properties. Barriers made of galvanised steel will be deployed at strategic locations on the island during times of flood risk. The £150,000 defences will be stored at
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Village wants a £750,000 pavilion
A community in Oxford is aiming to raise £750,000 to build a new top-of-the-range sports pavilion. Old Marston Parish Council has joined up with local football team Marston Saints to raise funds to update the facilities at the recreation ground in Boults
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Experts submit hospital report
A group of health experts - the independent reconfiguration panel - has submitted its recommendations on the future of Banbury's Horton Hospital to Health Secretary Alan Johnson. However, its report will not be made public for a month - and by then
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BE KIND REWIND (12A)
Comedy/Drama. Jack Black, Mos Def, Danny Glover, Melonie Diaz, Mia Farrow, Sigourney Weaver, Chandler Parker. Director: Michel Gondry. Always look on the bright side of life with writer-director Michel Gondry (Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind,
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Rambo (18)
Action/Thriller. Sylvester Stallone, Julie Benz, Paul Schulze, Graham McTavish, Matthew Marsden, Tom Kang, Ray Gallegos, Jake La Botz. Director: Sylvester Stallone. Twenty years after Rambo's last bloodthirsty tour of duty, Sylvester Stallone's iconic
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Library to honour ex-Premier
Ruskin College is launching a major fundraising campaign for a new library to honour former Premier Jim Callaghan. The college, in Oxford, believes it will to be the first library in the country to be named after a former British Prime Minister. It
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Pet cat loses leg in shooting
A family's pet cat is lucky to be alive after being wounded in the leg by a blast from a shotgun. But after having the leg amputated, Oscar has turned from a fun-loving, playful animal into a quiet, nervous creature. His owners, who adopted him from
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Two held in brothel raid
Two women have been arrested after a raid on a brothel. Police raided a property in People's Place, Banbury at about 7pm yesterday. Two women aged 44 and 34, who were both Thailand nationals, were arrested for immigration offences. The 44-year-old
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A420 lane closed as car rolls over
Police have closed a lane on the A420 near the Botley interchange after a car overturned. The Volkswagen Golf rolled over on the eastbound lane at about 1.44pm. No-one was seriously injured in the crash. Police closed one lane of the dual carriageway
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Busy bike shop given reprieve
An Oxford bike shop under threat of closure has been spared the axe after controversial plans to redevelop the site were rejected. Planning permission to knock down most of the building housing Beeline Bicycles, in Cowley Road, and replace it with a
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Better late than never
Masks, feathers and jewels will bring a carnival flavour to Oxford's Cowley Road for a belated Mardi Gras celebration tomorrow. For the second year running, the Plain Traders' Association will be holding a colourful event in Dawson Street, off Cowley
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FIXTURES February 22
SATURDAY. FOOTBALL. FOOTBALL LEAGUE YOUTH ALLIANCE CUP. Oxford Utd Under 18s v Colchester Utd Under 18s (Milton Utd, 11). BRITISH GAS BUSINESS SOUTHERN LEAGUE. Premier Div: Banbury Utd v Merthyr Tydfil. Div 1 South & West: Andover v Abingdon Utd
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Landmarks to be cleaned up
While schools and residents' groups have been taking the lead in organising volunteers for next month's big Oxford spring clean, the city's historic sites are not being ignored. Five years ago the Martyrs' Memorial in St Giles underwent a £147,000 facelift
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Celebrating art with a radical perspective
The first UK exhibition of the work of Alexander Rodchenko must not be missed, says THERESA THOMPSON St Petersburg-born Alexander Rodchenko was one of the great figures of 20th-century art. Flourishing in the years following the Russian Revolution
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Police recruits to trace crime cash
Criminals who make millions of pounds in ill-gotten gains are now being targeted by extra financial investigators. Police have recruited 10 specialists to trace funds hoarded by criminals in the Thames Valley. More than £42m has already been seized
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Bidding to stop plastic bags
Wallingford is bidding to become one of the country's first plastic bag-free towns. Councillors, business people, voluntary organisations and schoolchildren are all part of the campaign to get people to ditch plastic bags and use calico, cotton or other
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Zizzi, George Street, Oxford
It's a good thing Zizzi is supposedly Italian rather than French, as 'zizi' means something a bit rude on the other side of the Channel. The place, which is owned by Ask Restaurants Ltd, was smart without being memorable (but upstairs a large and fiery
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‘Wall of steel’ to save homes
New flood defences are to be deployed on Oxford's Osney Island to protect 75 vulnerable properties. Barriers made of galvanised steel will be set up at strategic locations on the island during times of flood risk. The £150,000 defences will be stored
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Printing firm folds
WORKERS at an Oxford printing company say they are owed thousands of pounds in wages after it went out of business. Penny Cooper, a sales consultant for Oxprint, in New Inn Hall Street, said she was told to leave as the firm had gone into liquidation
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Black Boys Inn
Head Chef Simon Bonwick says he cooks from the heart, so that his customers' hearts jump for joy. It's a typically sweet statement from the chef at the Black Boys Inn, in Hurley, near Henley, who loves to talk about food and has pictures of the chefs
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ROWING: Oriel face full challenge in Torpids
Rachel Quarrell, an expert at organising Oxford University events, is looking forward to what could be the first full Torpids in many years Floodwater has really taken its toll of the inter-college competition in recent years. There was no event at
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Still secret
Whenever city councillor Stuart Craft is challenged (Oxford Mail, February 10), he likes to change the subject. In response to his question, I have fully declared my interests in the publicly available register of members of the county council. On
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Ill-conceived
The placing of Crowmarsh Gifford sub-post office on the list for possible closure is an ill-conceived and badly thought-out proposal. This is a branch which is efficiently run and makes money for the Post Office. It serves a wide community and people
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Active part
RWE npower's decision to defer using Thrupp Lake as an ash dumping site (Oxford Mail, February 19) is a great relief to all of us who have been fighting to save it for the residents of Oxfordshire. Thrupp Lake is a well-loved and much-used area of natural
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Print firm goes out of business
Workers at an Oxford printing company claim they are owed thousands of pounds in wages after it went out of business. Penny Cooper, a sales consultant for Oxprint, in New Inn Hall Street, said she was told to leave as the firm had gone into liquidation
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Cut the pay of council bosses
We see a never-ending increase of our council tax, with services declining each year, and with cuts announced on a regular basis. Why is this? I think we should be looking in a different direction and start to analyse where our council tax goes before
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Cabbages and Kings
It is arguable that the standard of debate in a certain Covered Market café ranks alongside - and occasionally above - that of the Oxford Union. Topics emerge, they are never planned; neither is there a dress code. Carbon footprints became the subject
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Art deck-o
It may have a reputation as one of Britain's great musical cities, providing a leg-up to some of our best-loved bands - but Oxford has never been a clubbing city. While its live venues have attracted gig-goers from far and wide, its club scene has been
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Centre that's proved to be a very good listener
The staff at The Listening Centre need to be good at their job for they are presented with a range of difficult family problems, from relationship breakdowns and bereavement, to mental health issues, childhood abuse and bullying. TLC, as it is known
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'Either you or your bear must go'
CHRIS KOENIG returns to the eccentric Victorian clergyman and professor, William Buckland More about William Buckland, the Oxford don who helped himself to the heart of the King of France - preserved in a silver casket at Nuneham Courtenay -
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Pama serve up quality dub tunes
The party continues at the Carling Academy on Thursday, with the long-awaited appearance by those ska rascals Pama International. Masters of soul-fuelled, dub-induced 21st century roots rock, the collective includes members of The Specials, Bentley
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Bees do need your help
Gardeners can come to the aid of threatened species, says VAL BOURNE By now you will almost certainly have seen your first bumble bee and it's likely to have been a large Bombus terrestris. These short-tongued, buff-tailed bumble bees are often
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Give it some stick
Klaxons are loving life. And it's easy to see why. Since we last saw them in Oxford, headlining the NME Awards up at Brookes, they have ripped up Glastonbury, topped the bill at Reading, landed a Mercury Music Prize, and this week stormed the Brits
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The perfect home for the newt
Northmoor Trust at Little Wittenham has ideal conditions for the Great crested newt to thrive and has led to a conservation project, writes ELIZABETH EDWARDS The world's largest population of Great crested newts is to be found in the UK. The
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Actor stakes his claim on the national stage
A.S.H. SMYTH talks to Sam Crane whose promising acting career sees him appearing at the National Theatre On a freezing, windy afternoon, I bundle into the South Bank's BFI café, to be greeted by Sam Crane's affable smile and properly actorish
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The quickest way to Headington?
Wit and raconteur Sir Clement Freud talks to NICK UTECHIN ahead of An Evening With . . . at Headington Theatre We got off on the wrong foot, Sir Clement Freud and I, when we talked about his life and times - as he will be before an audience
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BADMINTON: Foster doubles up for Headington
Becky Foster turned in two fine displays as Headington A cruised to a 5-1 win over Windrush in Division 1 of the Oxford and District Women's League and a 7-2 victory over Park A in Mixed Division 1. Foster was partnered by Amanda King in the women's
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STABBING UPDATE: Man detained
A man arrested on suspicion of attempted murder has been detained under the Mental Health Act. The 42-year-old man was arrested after two health workers were stabbed inside a house in Celadine Place, Greater Leys, Oxford, at 12.20pm yesterday. He
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Nightclub VIP area refused
PLANS to build a new VIP lounge for an Oxford nightclub have been turned down by councillors. The application, by Clementines in St Clement's Street, East Oxford, had been recommended for approval by Oxford City Council planning officers.
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The Bridge, Oxford
Having been to a B-themed house party dressed as a buccaneer beforehand, I was suffering from a mild crisis of identity as I travelled to the Bridge on Friday night. My outfit was complete with an eye-patch, a plastic pirate sword and a tattoo on my
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Did you see the moon turn red?
Early birds got to see the moon turn red in a total lunar eclipse early today. The total eclipse occurred between 3.01 and 3.52am, with the partial eclipse beginning at 1.43am and finishing at 5.09am. For those of you who missed it, here is a sequence
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Nightclub VIP area refused
Plans to build a new VIP lounge for an Oxford nightclub have been turned down by councillors. The application, by Clementines in St Clement's Street, East Oxford, had been recommended for approval by Oxford City Council planning officers. But members
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Bosses learn seven deadly sins of business
Business leaders in Oxford are being given top tips on avoiding the seven deadly sins that restrict the growth and innovation of their companies. With the challenges of running a successful firm harder than ever in today's tough climate, a seminar at
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Today's local share prices (PM)
AEA Technology 79 BMW 2776 Electrocomponents 180.5 Nationwide Accident Repair 122 Oxford Biomedica 28.25 Oxford Catalyst 144 Oxford Instruments 187.5 Reed Elsevier 618.25 RM 208.5 RPS Group 286 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
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Crew called to cooker blaze
FIREFIGHTERS were called to a cooker fire in a ground-floor flat in Saxton Road, Abingdon, yesterday afternoon. No one was injured in the blaze.
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The Oscars
So here we are on the eve of the Oscars, which with the timely end to the writers strike should be another laugh-free back slapping extravaganza of disappointments. No doubt all the usual suspects will claim the prizes and revel in their glory
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Old Before My Time
I was mildly surprised on a visit to the cinema this week to be asked if I wanted a senior citizen's ticket. I was on the point of explaining that no, I was on my own, when I realised that the supposed senior citizen was me. This was the first time I
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Rakin in cash it what it's all about
It was rash, not to say stupid, of me to boast in this column a couple of weeks ago that I had not received a parking fine in decades, if ever. Nemesis read my words, and Nemesis quickly struck. Within days I was the surprised - and annoyed - possesser
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Two views of life in Oxford
Oxford appeared in two different guises on Sunday's TV. Our caring side was illustrated in Our Big Fair Trade Adventure (Channel 4), which followed three pupils from Cheney School on a trip to India to get a school shirt manufactured the Fair Trade way
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Spice Valley, Gloucester Green, Oxford
Thus far, Spice Valley is proving one of the better-kept secrets of Oxford. For some weeks I have been recommending it to friends; not one of them had heard of it, though it opened before Christmas. It is in part of what came to be known as the Old School
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Sticking out for the benefits of real food
I was travelling home from work when Michael Pollan's name was announced on the BBC Radio 4 Food Programme by presenter Sheila Dillon. Michael, who is the author of In Defence of Food (Allen Lane £16.99), began the interview as he begins his book: "Eat
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Fact File on Cauliflower
It is always alarming to hear that yet another British product is under threat, particularly when it is one of those real foods of the sort that Michael Pollan rates highly in his book In Defence of Food (Allen Lane, £16.99). This time it's the cauliflower
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Rambo
Twenty years after Rambo's last bloodthirsty tour of duty, Sylvester Stallone's iconic warrior stumbles out of retirement to wreak havoc on the oppressive Burmese military. In his role as director, co-writer and leading man, Stallone's intentions are
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WAZ, Edge of Heaven and Annie Leibovitz: Life Through a Lens
British TV veteran Tom Shankland wears his influences on his sleeve in his feature debut, W?Z, a serial killer chiller whose nasty atmosphere (and stylised title) owes much to Bryan Singer's Se7en (1995), while its luxuriation in torture and gore derives
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Preview — Zena James, Carswell Golf and Country Club
Zena James may be a relative newcomer to the crowded field of young female jazz singers touring the country at the moment, but this doesn't mean we have to wait for her voice to mature. This 37-year-old from Twickenham is already blazing a trail and making
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CD REviews: African Scream Contest and Best of Joe Brown
Don't be put off by the title - there's very little screaming on African Scream Contest (Analog Africa), a fascinating compilation which chronicles dance music from Benin and Togo, originally recorded in the 1970s. Label owner and vinyl collector Samy
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Henri Oguike: Wycombe Swan
This has to be one of the best contemporary dance companies in the world! Henri Oguike is remarkable for the originality which makes his work instantly recognisable. It's very accessible, and at the same time extremely complex, and the three pieces on
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CandoCo: Oxford Playhouse
CandoCo is a company of disabled and able-bodied dancers who worked with great skill last Wednesday night to bring to life two very different and striking pieces of dance. The first was The Stepfather, a dark and macabre tale of adultery, incest, murder
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Tis Pity She's a Whore: Claus Moser Theatre, Wadham College
Oxford's student thesps are venturing boldly into X-certificate territory this week, with a play about the Marquis de Sade at the OFS Studio and that trusty old shocker Tis Pity She's a Whore at Wadham.The latter is presented in a (well-acted) version
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Quills: OFS Studio, Oxford
Lewd, lascivious, lecherous, love . . . all the best words begin with 'L'. This is something the Marquis de Sade knows very well, and Doug Wright's Quills is a play that attempts to get underneath his image as verbose, perverse pornographer extraordinaire
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Fabulous Beast Dance Theatre: Oxford Playhouse
Fabulous Beast is an award-laden Irish dance company, based in Longford, but sponsored by the Barbican. It's run by choreographer Michael Keegan-Dolan, but the cast jointly take credit for the "choreography" of James Son of James, and have fused themselves
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Dave Spikey: New Theatre
At a time when a good stand-up comic like Milton Jones can't fill the OFS Studio, and Nick Revell does not sell out the Cellar, it's heartening that Dave Spikey can get a big theatre about 60 per cent full on a Sunday. His audience ranged in age from
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Steve Rose with Rob Townsend, Winston Clifford and Raf Mizraki at The Spin, the Wheatsheaf, Oxford
Drummers are not supposed to upstage the rest of the band. It's a bit like the best man at a wedding wearing a sharper suit than the groom. But then, as one of the very best drummers in the country, Winston Clifford (pictured) is no ordinary musician.
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Modern Times at the BMW Plant, with Oxford Philomusica
'Ladies and gentlemen, would those holding ticket numbers 200 to 249 please assemble to the right." No, not a delightful early morning departure from Heathrow, with cattle class passengers being shuffled into line. This was a most unusual Oxford Philomusica
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Cloudcuckooland: The North Wall, Summertown
It's a familiar lament: "There's absolutely nothing on the telly tonight," cries Swift. The next line isn't exactly unusual either: "Nothing ever happens around here". Swift's partner has no suggestions to offer as he returns home after a day's work at
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Fans go wild over Sir David's book
BROADCASTER Sir David Attenborough visited Oxford yesterday to sign copies of his latest book, Life in Cold Blood. More than 100 fans queued to meet Sir David at Borders Bookshop in Magdalen Street between 4.30pm to 5.30pm. Some arrived shortly after
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‘Keep it open’
A PETITION to stop the closure of an Oxford post office broke the 1,000-signature barrier last night. Neighbours have signed a petition in droves in response to the planned closure of the post office in Church Way, Iffley - the only post office which
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Food recycle trial agreed
A TRIAL food waste recycling collection scheme will be going ahead in Oxford in June. It will be the first time Oxford City Council has collected this sort of waste in its drive to increase its recycling rates. But for the 6,250 homes taking part
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Staff stabbed in line of duty
TWO mental health workers fled bleeding from an Oxford flat after being stabbed while making a house call. One of the men was stabbed in the back and the other in his abdomen after they visited a patient in Celandine Place, Blackbird Leys, shortly after
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Ex-members’ curtain call
A CITY youth theatre company is trying to trace former members to celebrate its 20th anniversary. Myco, the Musical Youth Company of Oxford, reaches the milestone when it performs Thxoroughly Modern Millie at the Oxford Playhouse from April 9-12.
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Students get active for Sport Relief
STUDENT broadcasters in Oxford are hoping to raise £10,000 for good causes by raffling prizes donated by sports stars - and auctioning Oxford University's top athletes. Kelly Holmes, Sir Steve Redgrave, Alan Shearer, Michael Vaughan and Linford Christie
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Plot invite
KENNINGTON villagers are invited to become allotments holders, at Redbridge Hollow on the outskirts of the village, after plots became available. To apply, or for more information, call Tim Gardiner on 01865 739653.
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Man charged with Asbo breaches
A MAN has been charged with two breaches of his antisocial behaviour order. Stephen O'Leary, 49, of Cornish Road, Chipping Norton, is expected to appear at Banbury magistrates' court on Friday, March 7. His Asbo states he is not allowed to make
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Death blaze 'caused by stove'
POLICE officers have taken over the investigation into a fire that killed a pensioner and injured her husband. Oxfordshire firefighters left the scene in Sutton Wick Lane on Monday and Thames Valley Police are now investigating the cause. Although
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Rider's death was an accident
A MOTORCYCLIST killed after colliding with an oncoming car died as a result of an accident, the Oxford coroner ruled today. Sean Doody, 34, was riding his Suzuki motorcycle in Besselsleigh Road, off the A420, when he was in a collision with a Mitsubishi
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Garage blaze 'caused by electrical fault'
A GARAGE fire which caused 100 homes in Sutton Courtenay to be evacuated is thought to have been caused by an electrical fault. Police and firefighters investigating the cause of the blaze at Sutton Courtenay Tyres garage has confirmed that it was not
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Chance to meet police
PEOPLE in the Wheatley and Chalgrove area are being invited to meet their local neighbourhood officer and speak to them about any concerns that they might have within the community. PC Abi Derbyshire will be holding a surgery at the John Hampden Hall
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Allotments going begging
MEMBERS of an Oxford allotment association are urging residents to go out and get digging. A decline in people taking up plots at the Mill Lane allotments, in Mill Lane, Old Marston, has worried its members - especially site manager Bill Agent
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Food recycle trial agreed
A trial food waste recycling collection scheme will be going ahead in June. It will be the first time Oxford City Council has collected this sort of waste in its drive to increase its recycling rates. But for the 6,250 homes taking part in the 10-
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Smelly
Someone must know the identity of the thieves, who are drilling through car petrol tanks and stealing fuel in Oxford. Petrol and diesel have pungent smells, and there must be plenty of tell-tale signs when the gang have finished their latest 'operation
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Ruthless
The response to the campaign to save our post offices has been encouraging. With the deadline rapidly approaching, make sure your voice is heard if you want to save yours. The ruthless Post Office, which is more interested in balancing its books than
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Stabbed while doing their duty
Our thoughts today are with the two mental health workers who were stabbed at Greater Leys in Oxford. Many of our public servants, like soldiers, police officers and firefighters, go about their daily duties knowing that they might face injury, perhaps
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Student housing plan inquiry
A LOCAL inquiry will be held at the Town Hall in April following an appeal by developers to build student accommodation in Headington. Cherwell Housing Trust launched the appeal after Oxford City Council refused planning permission to demolish 88
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Uni catering deal sealed
OXFORD Brookes University has awarded catering firm Scolarest a new multi-million-pound contract. The three-year deal, worth £11.4m, covers catering and hospitality services for 22,000 students and staff at five campuses. Under the new contract,
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1,000 signatures on post office petition
A petition to stop the closure of an Oxford post office broke the 1,000-signature barrier last night. Neighbours have signed the Oxford Mail petition in droves in response to the planned closure of the post office in Church Way, Iffley - the only post
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Stabbing: Knifed in the line of duty
Two mental health workers fled bleeding from an Oxford flat after being stabbed while making a house call. One of the men was stabbed in the back and the other in his abdomen after they visited a patient in Celandine Place, Blackbird Leys, shortly after
