Archive
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Coach crashes off M4
A COACH crashed off the M4 near Newbury tonight. At about 7pm, police were called after a coach with more than 20 people on board left the westbound carriageway, between junctions 14 and 15. The coach travelled down an embankment coming to rest in
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Oxford go for veteran Wherley
American Olympic veteran Michael Wherley will be the oldest oarsman in this year's University Boat Race when he makes his debut for Oxford. Wherley, who rowed for the USA in the 2000 and 2004 Games, will occupy the No 5 seat in the 154th varsity clash
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Council urged to end base saga
COUNCIL officials are facing mounting pressure to bring to a close a long-running planning saga which could affect hundreds of jobs. The North Oxfordshire Consortium has spent the past 11 years trying to push through proposals to build 1,000 homes,
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40,000 quizzed on county traffic
THE largest programme of travel surveys carried out in Oxfordshire has finished. Over the past six months, Oxfordshire County Council has carried out roadside traffic surveys at 48 sites. They have also interviewed rail passengers, park-and-ride users
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Pals on the ball for team-mate
MATTHEW Lee misses his football... and his mates are missing him as captain of their junior team. The 13-year-old has been out of action since falling ill and being diagnosed with leukaemia just before Christmas. It came as a shock to his family
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PCSOs patrol North Oxford school
POLICE Community Support Officers (PCSOs) have started patrolling the grounds of a North Oxford school following complaints of antisocial behaviour. PCSOs will be at Cherwell School, in Marston Ferry Road, during school terms. Extra patrols will
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Tree protester bailed again
A PROTESTER who spent 12 days camped up a tree in Oxford city centre has been bailed again. Gabriel Chamberlain, 34, was arrested on suspicion of aggravated trespass after setting up camp in a tree in Bonn Square in January as campaigners tried to
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Cannabis users 'risk their sanity'
OXFORDSHIRE'S top drugs officer said the county is on the verge of a mental health epidemic unless more is done to tackle cannabis abuse. PC Leigh Thompson, the county's drugs coordinator, last night called on the Government to reclassify the drug
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Hundreds expose scams
HUNDREDS of potential victims of conmen have come forward with information on scams since a crackdown was launched earlier this year. Trading standards officers in Oxfordshire have received more than 300 examples of dodgy mail from members of public
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Views divided over park ban
PEOPLE have backed a time limit placed on teenagers using a Risinghurst play park, despite claims the action was "heavy-handed". A row has broken out over the use of a play area next to the community centre off Richards Way. The row erupted after
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Sorry for 999 call fiasco
The ambulance service apologised last night after admitting it made the mistake which sent paramedics to the wrong town 50 miles away to treat a seriously ill girl. The 14-year-old girl, who had collapsed with a friend after drinking vodka, stopped
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GOLF: Pepperell sets target
Eddie Pepperell is targeting a place in amateur golf's top 200 after making a promising start to the year. The 17-year-old Drayton Park member finished tied 14th in the Portuguese Amateur and lost in the semi-finals of the Spanish Amateur in successive
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Cannabis users risk their sanity
Oxfordshire's top drugs officer said the county is on the verge of a mental health epidemic unless more is done to tackle cannabis abuse. Pc Leigh Thompson, the county's drugs coordinator, last night called on the Government to reclassify the drug after
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GOLF: Hull of a talent
The Oxfordshire have awarded 11-year-old golfing prodigy Charley Hull a junior scholarship. Club officials were so impressed with the four-handicapper during the London Golf Show media day that they made her an offer as she walked off the 18th green
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GOLF: Waterstock march on
Waterstock Ladies reached round two of The Mail on Sunday Classic after beating The Oxfordshire 4-. Jane Tavinor defeated The Oxfordshire's Berly Brown 7 & 6, Pauline Swan beat Tak McMillan 4 & 3 and Ann Purnell saw off Miyako Ishida 3 & 1. Waterstock's
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BAR BILLIARDS: Sheard storms back
Nelson's Keith Sheard fought back to snatch victory from Didcot's Dennis Atkins in the Johnsons Buildbase Oxford & District League men's individual second round. Atkins, with the break, took the first leg by 17,760 at the Corner House. But Sheard
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BOWLS: Allen's triple triumph
Oxford & District's Nick Welsh, Howard Watt and skip Chris Allen triumphed in the English Indoor Association's Oxon & Bucks area triples final at Oxford City & County. They came out on top 20-13 from Carterton trio Andy Wise, Pete Maisey and Robbie
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Make them walk
So £36,000 of council taxpayers' money has had to be paid to solve a problem caused by parents insisting on driving their children to Church Cowley St James School in Oxford (Oxford Mail, March 3). Is it really necessary for so many children to be given
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Rant about smoking ban lacks substance
Derek Honey rants on about the pub smoking ban (Oxford Mail, February 16 and 27), the former in rebuttal to my letter challenging him to substantiate his claims that pub closures are at a certain (high) level and that this is due to the smoking ban.
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Is underground car park safe?
Following the flooding in West and South Oxford last summer, I wrote to the Environment Agency expressing my concern that the proposed Westgate development in Oxford includes a multi-storey car park with two floors underground. Since the development
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Gone to the dogs
Our wonderful masters have proudly announced that new immigrants wishing to enter the UK will now have to pass a points system to gain admission. Here we go again, in an attempt to try and hoodwink the populace, they are again using smoke and mirrors
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HORSE RACING: Knight's charge to miss Festival
Ringaroses, from Henrietta Knight's West Lockinge stables, near Wantage, will miss next week's Coral Cup at the Cheltenham Festival after suffering an injury setback. The seven-year-old was the 7-1 second favourite with the sponsors for the two-mile-five-furlong
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Tree protester bailed again
A protester who spent 12 days camped up a tree in Oxford city centre has been bailed again. Gabriel Chamberlain, 34, was arrested on suspicion of aggravated trespass after setting up camp in a tree in Bonn Square in January as campaigners tried to stop
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Pals on the ball for team mate
Young Matthew Lee misses his football... and his mates are missing him as captain of their junior team. The 13-year-old has been out of action since falling ill and being diagnosed with leukaemia just before Christmas. It came as a shock to his family
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Thousands quizzed about traffic
The largest ever programme of travel surveys across Oxfordshire has finished. Over the past six months, Oxfordshire County Council has carried out roadside traffic surveys at 48 sites, including Botley Road and Marston Ferry Road. They have also interviewed
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PCSOs go on school patrol
Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) have started patrolling the grounds of a North Oxford school following complaints of antisocial behaviour. PCSOs will be at Cherwell School, in Marston Ferry Road, during school terms. Extra patrols will also
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Teen's dogs aim for Crufts win
Dobermans may not be the pet of choice for most animal-loving girls, but youngster Hollie Kavanagh adores them so much she is showing five at this year's Crufts. The 13-year-old, who is based at Archway Kennels in Garsington, is taking the trip to Birmingham
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Cinema safe as appeal fails
Campaigners bidding to save a Wantage cinema breathed a sigh of relief today after an inspector threw out a plan to convert it into flats. A Government planning inspector dismissed an appeal by the owners against a Vale of White Horse District Council
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Councillor wrote and staged village history
A long-serving Kidlington parish councillor who wrote and produced an ambitious stage history of the village has died. Joy Masefield, who lived in Kidlington for 26 years, served on the parish council for 18 years and Cherwell District Council for three
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Size no bar in beauty contest
Miss Oxford contestants are being reminded they do not need to be thin to enter this year's competition. Angie Beasley, the organiser of the Miss England contest, has reminded young women in Oxfordshire that size does not matter when it comes to taking
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Ex-bishop was a top scholar
Tributes have been paid to the Rt Rev Kenneth Woollcombe, a former Bishop of Oxford, who has died aged 84. Bishop Kenneth, who was Bishop of Oxford from 1971 to 1978, died in Worcestershire on Monday. Bishop Kenneth had a distinguished academic career
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District urged to end base saga
Council officials are facing mounting pressure to bring to a close a long-running planning saga which could affect hundreds of jobs. The North Oxfordshire Consortium has spent the past 11 years trying to push through proposals to build 1,000 homes,
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Family figure missed by all
The family of a popular Bicester councillor say he will be missed by many people. Dr Ajit Bhart suffered a heart attack, the day after celebrating his 70th birthday. He had been on a lay visit to Banbury police station and was due to return to his
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RUGBY UNION: Banbury must learn lessons
The post-mortem has already begun on Banbury Bulls' wretched season in Midlands 2 East - with player-coach Grant Holmes admitting some home truths. Banbury's relegation back to Midlands 3 East South was confirmed after Saturday's 13-3 home defeat to
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RUGBY UNION: Clarke's England call
Oxford University captain Peter Clarke is in the England Students' squad to face their Scotland counterparts tomorrow night, despite being a proud Welshman! Clarke joins fellow Dark Blues Ricky Lutton, Tom Gregory and Toby Henry in the 22 for the clash
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Ruby rowers
Members of Oxford's largest and oldest rowing club are preparing to celebrating its 40th anniversary - and plan to name the newest addition to the club's fleet Ruby to mark the occasion. The City of Oxford Rowing Club, based at Donnington Bridge, has
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Former mayor was real 'gentleman'
Former mayor of Chipping Norton, county and district councillor John Hannis has died, aged 83, after a long battle with cancer. Mr Hannis represented Chipping Norton for several decades on both Oxfordshire County Council and West Oxfordshire District
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Run up here
World-class athletes have been encouraged to choose Oxfordshire as their training base for the London Olympics in 2012. Three of the county's sports venues have been included in a list of elite sporting venues to be offered to nations competing at this
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New mayor's a Harley fan
Wallingford's motorbiking mayor-elect, Alec Hayton, has promised a spectacular start to this year's Wallingford Carnival. The mayor normally leads the procession sedately ensconced in a horse-drawn carriage or a vintage car. But Mr Hayton, 66, a hedge-layer
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RUGBY UNION: Witney march on
Witney produced some stunning rugby to ease to a 30-8 victory over Wadebridge in the National Under 17 Cup. Their victory at Millfield School, Somerset, means they are now in the last 16. Steve Miller's late penalty earned Bicester a dramatic 20-17
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Residents split over park ban
Residents have backed a time limit placed on teenagers using a Risinghurst play park, despite claims the action was "heavy-handed". A row has broken out over the use of a play area next to the community centre off Richards Way. The row erupted after
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The Scambusters
Hundreds of potential victims of conmen have come forward with information on scams since a crackdown was launched earlier this year. Trading Standards officers in Oxfordshire have received more than 300 examples of dodgy mail from members of public
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Boy, 13, assaulted in street
POLICE are appealing for a woman to come forward following an assault on a 13-year-old boy in Abingdon. At about 5pm on February 21, the boy was assaulted by two boys in Lumberd Road, between Boxwell Close and Trinity Close. PC Stuart Webber said
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Signs of spring
Spring starts at ground level - especially in the lea of deciduous trees and shrubs. These woody plants offer two things - overhead shelter (via the bare branches) and underground drainagethanks to their root systems. Both warm and drain the soil making
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If you go down to the woods...
Of all British animal species, one more than any other is particularly associated with a particular month. The Mad March' Hare also occurs in the folklore of these islands more so than any other creature. Of course, the madness' referred to is a most
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Event explains how to do your homework
A free seminar is being staged for business people who like the idea of home working but are unsure how to go about it. Many businesses are exploring the best way to employ remote and home workers. There are clear advantages such as cost, helping flexible
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Champion of the arts
Few people wandering through Jericho can fail to spot the lofty, Italianesque tower of St Barnabas Church, which dominates the skyline and dwarfs all other buildings around. This ecclesiastical gem was given the nod of approval by Sir John Betjeman,
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Today's local share prices (PM)
AEA Technology 75 BMW 2728 Electrocomponents 170.5 Nationwide Accident Repair 134.5 Oxford Biomedica 27.75 Oxford Catalyst 148.5 Oxford Instruments 190.75 Reed Elsevier 630.75 RM 213.5 RPS Group 292.75 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
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Island in the sun
I couldn't help humming Oh, we're going to Barbados', the catchy pop song from the 1970s, as we winged our way across the Atlantic at the beginning of November. The lure of the sunny Caribbean sea' was undeniable - and we were really looking forward
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Bill’s excellent adventure
The voice of our third castaway will be familiar to anyone who listens to Radio Oxford. His phone-in programme every weeknight includes the great and the good and the boy or girl next door. Maybe his American origins give him the easy manner that makes
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BOXING: Brackett confident of Varsity treble
Oxford University head coach Des Brackett is confident of securing a hat-trick in tonight's Varsity Match at Oxford Town Hall (7.30). Brackett has seen side win the last two clashes and believes they are in a stronger position than last year to retain
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Miss Preston’s hidden treasures
It was what every art expert must dream of. Discovering two lost' Renaissance masterpieces - in this case, two small panel paintings of saints by Fra Angelico hanging behind the door of a spare bedroom in an elderly woman's two-up two-down terraced house
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Bosom pals unite for Race for Life
The aptly-named Bosom Friends are putting on an united front - and their trainers -for this year's Race for Life. A support group for breast cancer sufferers and survivors from across the county, Bosom Friends is fielding a team of eight for the 5km
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ATHLETICS: Kimber crowned champ again
Steve Kimber, as expected, wrapped up his third successive senior and overall men's titles, despite finishing second in the final round at Horspath. For the second race in a row, Kimber was no match for Alchester's newcomer Mathew Almond, who romped
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POINT-TO-POINT: Manor gets Zara off and running
Zara Phillips added to her collection of equestrian feats by sending out Manor Down to post her first winner as a trainer with victory at Dunthrop, near Chipping Norton. The Princess Royal's daughter, who won individual gold for Great Britain at the
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Saving Great War memories
Researches from Oxford University have urged people to search for photographs or transcripts of World War One memorabilia hidden in their attics. The search for artefacts, letters, diaries, poems and stories will continue for the next three months.
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ATHLETICS: Young Billie ready for next step
Billie Meadowcroft (pictured), of Headington Roadrunners, was taking part in her 25th consecutive Oxford Mail Cross Country League race at Horspath. And it was quite an achievement, as she is still an under 11 athlete! Billie ran her first mini-minors
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ATHLETICS: Five in a row for Hawtin
Oxford City's Beth Hawtin won her fifth successive race to confirm the under 11 girls' title at the Oxford Mail Cross Country League. She clocked 4mins 4secs in the mini-minors race to maintain her 100 per cent record this season. Banbury Harriers
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ATHLETICS: Ridley secures bronze medal
Witney's Elysia Ridley won the bronze medal in the under 23 age group at the Welsh Cross Country Championships in Singleton Park, Swansea. Ridley (pictured), who finished seventh overall, was then handed a call-up for the Welsh under 23 squad for an
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CYCLING: Phoenix roll up for title
Host club Didcot Phoenix CC regained the coveted inter-club roller competition trophy, despite competition from Newbury, Swindon, Reading and Oxford. A team of five riders from each club race their bikes on rollers at speeds of up to 60mph over a distance
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The Devil Wears Pampers
Brushing our teeth together in the bathroom the other day I looked around to see her using her toothbrush to clean the toilet. I shrieked and got it off her - she grinned - leaving me to fret aboiut how many millions of germs she'd just swallowed. Later
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Auctioneers forecast classic car surge
THE classic car cult is set to go large as more and more British drivers home in on the advantages of owning a car that is cheap to insure, does not attract road tax, and has an easy-to-maintain engine. Even the country's biggest vehicle auctioneers
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Car occupants escape serious injury
A driver and passenger narrowly escaped serious injury or even death in an accident near Abingdon, police said today. Officers have appealed for witnesses to the crash at about 2.50pm at the Kingston Road junction with the A415 in Frilford, near Abingdon
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Today's local share prices (AM)
AEA Technology 78 BMW 2736 Electrocomponents 171.25 Nationwide Accident Repair 134.5 Oxford Biomedica 27 Oxford Catalyst 145.5 Oxford Instruments 190.75 Reed Elsevier 624.25 RM 214.75 RPS Group 298.5 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
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Swimming at last
Lazy lazy days are over (in theory). As I finally plucked up courage to go along to one of Oxford Triathlon Club's coached swimming sessions. I should have been doing this for six months or more but instead didn't bother preferring to convince myself
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Cars crash outside Oxford ice rink
PARAMEDICS were called following a two-car collision outside Oxford's ice rink today. The accident happened in Oxpens Road, near the junction with Osney Lane, shortly after 7.45am. A spokesman for South Central Ambulance said: "One female driver
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Ten held after cocaine raids
TEN men arrested in a series of raids targeting cocaine supply across the region remain in custody today. Police raided 14 homes in Oxford, Didcot, Deddington and Banbury in an operation against a suspected Albanian drugs ring yesterday morning. Nine
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Police issue plea on crash
POLICE today appealed for witnesses to a collision on the A415 at Frilford. A green Jeep Cherokee coming from the A338 collided at the cross roads with a blue Volkswagen Passatt which had been travelling towards Abingdon from the direction of Millets
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Men still held by police
Ten men arrested in a series of raids targeting cocaine supply across the region remain in custody this morning. Police raided 14 homes in Oxford, Didcot, Deddington and Banbury in an operation against an Albanian drugs ring yesterday morning. Nine
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999 mix-up admitted
A PARAMEDIC crew sent 51 miles away to the wrong place while a teenage girl stopped breathing in a skatepark was an error of the ambulance service, it was confirmed today. The 14-year-old girl waited an hour for a crew to be sent to Grove, near Wantage
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Ambulance service apologies
A paramedic crew sent 51 miles away to the wrong town as a teenage girl stopped breathing in a skate park was an error of the ambulance service, it has been confirmed this morning. The 14-year-old girl waited an hour for a crew to be sent to Grove in
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Cars crash outside Oxford ice rink
Paramedics were called following a two-car collision outside Oxford's ice rink this morning. The accident happened on Oxpens Road, near the junction with Osney Lane, shortly after 7.45am. A spokesman for South Central Ambulance said: "One female driver
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Hospitals treat 5,163 drink cases a year
OXFORDSHIRE'S hospitals treated 5,163 people for alcohol-related illnesses last year - about 14 each day. And, on average, one person a day was patched up for injuries caused by drink-fuelled violence in Oxford city centre. The figures came as the
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Police in fake drug blunder
HUNDREDS of families were warned about a bogus drug being handed out to children after a blunder by a policeman. Pupils and parents at 80 schools in West Oxfordshire were warned of the possible dangers of a fake drug called Strawberry Meth on Tuesday
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FOOTBALL: Ackling sacked by Milton
Gary Ackling has been sacked as manager of Milton United. Ackling, in his fourth season at the Sport Italia Hellenic League club, had guided them to sixth in the Premier Division and two cup semi-finals this season. "It's not often in those circumstances
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Seeking ideas for centre's future
MANAGERS of Didcot's new arts centre are asking south Oxfordshire residents to help shape its programme of events. The £7.4m Cornerstone Centre is under construction and will open its doors later this year. Jane Martin, the centre's marketing manager
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Cost of drunken violence
Alcohol has long been the scourge of society. For centuries, drink has been a pivotal part of life in Britain but the story we publish today is sure to shock right-minded people across the county. A mind-boggling 5,163 people were treated at Oxfordshire's
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Check first
No doubt the policeman who alerted schools about a potential drugs threat acted with the best of intentions. But his announcement that Strawberry Meth had been handed out at school gates certainly caused anguish to pupils and parents. It also caused
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Nine out of ten pupils get first choice
Nine out of ten pupils starting secondary school in Oxfordshire in September have been allocated their first choice of school. Parents yesterday received letters indicating which school their youngsters would go to. Oxfordshire County Council said
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Bikers hatch egg run plan
COLLECTING cuddly toys and Easter eggs for disabled children may be a far cry from the reputation of the Hells Angels, but that does not bother members of Caldarium Motorcycle Club. More than 100 bikers are expected to participate in the club's
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Police in school drugs scare blunder
Hundreds of families were warned about a bogus drug being handed out to children after a blunder by a policeman. Pupils and parents at 80 schools in West Oxfordshire were warned of the possible dangers of a fake drug called Strawberry Meth on Tuesday
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Facelift for Thames lock gates
A 35-TONNE crane was called into action to complete renovations on an Oxford lock. Iffley Lock's gates, which weigh four tonnes were returned to the lock after being refurbished. Lock keeper Ferd Orchard is pictured watching the operation. Al Wells
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Lead taken
LEAD was stolen from a house in Elm Tree Close, Littlemore. The metal was pulled from a bay window and the front of the house between 5pm on Wednesday and 7am on Thursday last week, police said. Call police on 08458 505505 or Crimestoppers anonymously
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Park saved by padlock cash
A PARK plagued by antisocial behaviour after being left unlocked at weekends is set to be locked overnight for at least the next three years. Florence Park, in Cowley, Oxford, is expected to benefit from a £44,500 cash injection to pay for refurbishing
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Pupils inspiried by dance
EAST met West for a special Indian-inspired dance and music production put on by more than 150 Oxford schoolchildren. Pupils at four Headington primary schools worked with South Asian dance company Kala the Arts for three weeks to prepare for the production
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Ganging up to entertain
IT is almost time for audiences to meet the gang as an all-singing, all-dancing spectacular is set to hit the Oxford stage. Hundreds of Scouts and Guides are taking part in this year's Oxford Gang Show. And that means sleepless nights for the director
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Booze trouble figures shock
A staggering 5,163 people were treated at Oxfordshire's casualty departments for alcohol-related illnesses last year - about 14 each day. And, on average, one person a day was patched up for injuries caused by drink-fuelled violence in Oxford city centre
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War cemetery to get major facelift
A DISUSED cemetery which is home to 13 war graves is to get a major facelift. Woodstock Town Council has agreed to spend £2,000 to spruce up 27 trees and bushes at the old burial ground in Hensington Road. Parish clerk Peter Anderson said
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Patterson so frustrated
Oxford United boss Darren Patterson revealed his frustration after "uncharacteristic" defensive lapses cost them against Cambridge. His new-look Oxford team went down to their first defeat in four games as Cambridge completed the double over them with
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Didcot dumped out of Errea Cup
DIDCOT were dumped out of the Errea Cup at the semi-final stage with a 2-1 extra-time defeat at home to Clevedon on Tuesday night. The visitors made a bright start to the game but it was Didcot who took the lead on the quarter hour. Matt Bicknell's
