Archive
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Warning of storms
Gale force winds look set to hit Oxfordshire at the end of the weekend, with gusts set to reach near hurricane speeds. The Met Office is predicting winds of up to 60mph to hit Oxfordshire late on Sunday night, peaking during Monday's morning rush hour
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My training took over, says RAF heroine
For Flight Lieutenant Michelle Goodman there was no question about what she had to do after hearing a British soldier was critically injured in Basra. Despite being aware her Merlin helicopter was a prize target for Iraqi insurgents the Benson-based
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HORS RACING: Katie riding high again
Katier Clark is perched high aboard Racing Demon as she prepares to take the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup contender out for his daily exercise. The eight-year-old gelding is very much on his toes at Henrietta Knight's West Lockinge stables, near Wantage
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HORSE RACING: Knight just so proud of recovery
Henrietta Knight has paid tribute to Katie Clark's bravery in beating cancer to return to work at her West Lockinge stables. The trainer said: "She has shown so much courage. She would not accept that she would not get right. "She loves her horses
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Pop star fights post office axe
Two political heavyweights and an Oxford pop star gave their backing to communities struggling to save their under-threat Post Offices today. Oxfordshire MPs Boris Johnson and David Cameron visited six branches between them, while Supergrass drummer
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GREYHOUNDS: Positive is the way forward
Positive Step will lead Oxford's challenge in the £8,000 William Hill Pall Mall which gets under way next week. The Maurice Massey-trained white and black dog, who has twice been beaten by the other local hope Isle Of Tara, gained sweet revenge with
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TABLE TENNIS: Hurford flying as Rutherford eye second
The good form of Rutherford captain Neil Hurford in the Oxford & District League continued as he led his team to a 6-4 victory over St James A. Hurford's decisive maximum included an 11-8, 11-5, 11-4 win over St James star Andy Misseldine. Rutherford
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BOXING: Brackett so proud
Oxford University head coach Des Brackett couldn't hide his joy at completing a hat-trick of victories. And Oxford's 7-2 success represented a massive turnaround from a difficult start at the helm. Brackett said: "I could have packed it in when we
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BOXING: Oxford power to Varsity hat-trick
Oxford University retained the Truelove Bowl for the third year running after a dominant display at the Town Hall. The Dark Blues roared into an unassailable 5-0 lead by the interval before Cambridge found some solace in their eventual 7-2 defeat.
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ANGLING: The big fish scene
Stewart Moss and his fishing mate Steve Russell have turned their attention from chub and roach fishing on the Evenlode to piking on an Oxfordshire stillwater. And they were pretty successful too, landing 23 of them, the best going 25.6.0 to Stewart
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ANGLING: Skipper Cave is Isis ace
Fox Match Isis Oxford captain Robin Cave finished second individual in the Angling Times Team Championship contested by 14 teams and 140 anglers at Monk Lake in Kent at the weekend. High winds made presentation difficult and despite Robin's efforts,
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Team effort from fitness club
Staff at an Oxford health and fitness club are warming up for this year's OX5 Run. Jessica Robinson, 25, senior sales consultant at Esporta, in North Oxford, will lead a team of runners around the grounds of Blenheim Palace on Sunday, April 6. Ms Robinson
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Landlord fined over 'danger' house
A city landlord has been prosecuted for allowing a property he rented to fall into a dangerous condition. Rizwan Sultan, of Rymers Lane, pleaded guilty to a breach of the Housing Act 2004 at Oxford Magistrates' Court for offences relating to a house
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Fiscal ineptitude
Anyone wishing to understand the difficulties faced by Oxford City Council doesn't have to look much further than the three largest parties represented on the council, and in particular the Labour Group. Ed Turner's claims of financial mismanagement
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Call the action line
It's not often that I get irritated when I read your paper, but I found the story, Yobs blighting Rose Hill again (Oxford Mail, February 28) very frustrating. The only people referred to in the article who said antisocial behaviour had gone up on the
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Residents get glimpse of new homes
People living in dilapidated post-war housing on an Oxford estate have been given a glimpse of the new homes they will soon move into. Rose Hill will see 254 new houses built over the next four years to replace the pre-fabricated 'Orlit' houses - which
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Banding together to fight poverty
The country's largest music festival is set to return to Oxfordshire next month - and bands across the county are being called on to get involved. Oxjam, which is made up of thousands of events put on by music lovers across the UK, is in aid of Oxford-based
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Twins are born survivors
An Oxfordshire mother whose twins survived premature birth has backed a national Stand Up for Tiny Lives Campaign. Gail Laing's two girls, Sophie and Emily, are now 11 years old and are leading normal and healthy lives. At the time of their birth,
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Budding DJs are in a spin
Youngsters were keen to show what they could do as they got behind the decks during a DJ class in Bicester. Eight-year-old Darius Rodriguez, pictured, was taught DJ skills by Gospel DJ Gary Smith. He was one of about 13 students on the six-week after-school
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Murrey's the hero
Ollie Murrey hit 44 not out to help Banbury A to a thrilling two-wicket victory over Preston Capes in Division 1 of the Banbury Indoor Cricket League. Batting first, Prestone rattled up a useful 116-3, Rob Williams top-scoring with 39 not out. But
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Ace Smith crowned champion
Hard work paid off as Poppy Smith fought off competitors from 21 clubs to be crowned the grade two champion at the Southern Region Championships at Milton Keynes. The 12-year-old, from Radley, recorded an impressive score of 48.700, which earned her
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Canlan-Shaw is record-breaker
City of Oxford's Joe Canlan-Shaw became the county's all time fastest 400m individual medley swimmer when he stormed home in 4.27.18 at the Oxfordshire and North Bucks long distance championships. Teammate Sam van de Schootbrugge, 14, took the 16 &
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Cinema is reprieved
The silver screen should return to Wantage now an inspector has thrown out plans to convert the former cinema into flats, campaigners have said. Supporters bidding to save the Regent Cinema in Newbury Street breathed a sigh of relief when a Government
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Walker century sees off Witney
Karl Walker rattled in a magnificent 130 break as Fieldside A strolled to a 5-1 win against Witney F in the Premier Division of the Gentworks Oxford & District League. Walker's brilliant 15-red clearance, the highest of the season, came in the fourth
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Theatre group in spotlight
A youth theatre group is celebrating winning a place at the Edinburgh Fringe. The Shed Theatre at Charlbury has won a place to stage Dylan Thomas's play Under Milk Wood at the prestigious festival in August. A group of 33 young actors, aged 15 to
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Life sentence for suitcase killer
A CLEANER who killed her 94-year-old employer before stuffing her body in a suitcase and setting it on fire a manure heap was today jailed for life. A jury at Oxford Crown Court convicted Jolanta Kalinowsica of murdering her boss, Thea Zaudy, whose
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Oracle stroll on at top
Oracle stayed on track for the Division 1 championship with a 3-0 hammering of HCC A in the Oxford & District Billiards League. Matthew Bramall (+70) swept past Terry Walsh (+90) 150-97 compiling breaks of 20, 22 and 23. Richard Connerty (+50) made
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Ready for football marathon
Pupils and teachers at Carterton Community College are making a marathon effort this weekend to raise money for Sport Relief charity with a 24-hour indoor football marathon. About 150 children, some parents and teachers have signed up to take part
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Life term for 'suitcase killer'
A cleaner who killed her 94-year-old employer before stuffing her body in a suitcase and setting it on fire on a manure heap was today jailed for life. A jury at Oxford Crown Court convicted Jolanta Kalinowsica of murdering her boss, Thea Zaudy, whose
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Inquiry into cattle market move begins
A Government planning inspector is to hold a public inquiry into the refusal by South Oxfordshire District Council to allow Thame cattle market to move from its present site in North Street, close to the town centre, to Thame show ground alongside the
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'Supermarket has super queues'
Tesco managers are promising customers shorter checkout queues at their store in Cowley Road following a revamp. Last month, customers of Tesco Metro were asked to be patient while major works were carried out inside the store. Managers say extra
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Vandalism spate in Wheatley
Vandals attacked a vehicle and buildings during a spree in Wheatley. Police have appealed for witnesses following three incidents last Friday. A Royal Mail van was vandalised, a pane of glass was smashed at the police office and three windows were
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Head criticises grading system
The headteacher of an Oxford school, whose pupils consist of 41 different nationalities, has hit out at a grading system which ranked it the worst in Oxfordshire. Of the 1,049 children at Oxford Community School (OCS), in Glanville Road, just 665 have
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Arrests after £1m house used as a squat
Conmen pretended they wanted to buy an elderly man's £1m townhouse before moving in and turning it into a squat. Police said the gang tricked their way into the four-storey Victorian terrace in Jericho after spotting a for-sale board outside and persuaded
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Reality TV chef evicts himself
Celebrity chef and former Big Brother contestant Herjender 'Gos' Gosal has left the Oxford restaurant where he has been cooking up a storm for the last two years. Larger than life Gos decided to leave the restaurant at Oxford Greyhound Stadium, in Cowley
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Today's local share prices (PM)
AEA Technology 73.75 BMW 2651 Electrocomponents 170 Nationwide Accident Repair 136.5 Oxford Biomedica 27.75 Oxford Catalyst 155 Oxford Instruments 194 Reed Elsevier 633.25 RM 212 RPS Group 301 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
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CO2 just won't do!
A community in Oxford is hoping to do its bit for the environment by setting up a low carbon group. Headington residents Jill Haas and James Bloice Smith want to set up a group to promote green issues and raise awareness of the impact people's day-to-day
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Burglars barged into house
Police have issued an appeal for information following a burglary in Cutteslowe. On Wednesday, two men knocked at the front door of a house in Aldrich Road, claiming to be delivering a parcel. A woman opened the door and pair barged past her into
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Village vandals strike three times
POLICE this afternoon appealed for witnesses after three vandal attacks in Wheatley. A Royal Mail van was vandalised, a pane of glass was smashed at the police office and three windows were broken at a building all in the Merry Bells car park, off
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Burglars locked woman inside home
POLICE today appealed for information after burglars barged into a home in North Oxford and locked the householder inside. At 10am on Wednesday, two men knocked at the front door of the property in Aldrich Road, Cutteslowe, and claimed to be delivering
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Teen conception rates fall
Official figures have shown the biggest fall in Oxfordshire teenage conception rates since 1998. Figures released by the Office for National Statistics show the number women aged under-18 getting pregnant fell from 390 in 2005 to 318 in 2006 - a reduction
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Pilot 'honoured' by award of DFC
A BENSON-based pilot said she was honoured to become the first woman to receive the air force's highest award. Flight Lieutenant Michelle Goodman will be the first woman to be awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in London today for her exemplary
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Highest award for hero pilot Michelle
A Benson-based pilot said she is honoured to receive a top medal which today makes her the first woman to receive the air force's highest award. Flight Lieutenant Michelle Goodman will be the first woman to be awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross
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Raid at Oxford bank
A robber is on the run with tens of thousands of pounds after a smash and grab on a security guard outside a bank in Oxford this morning. Police said the man is believed to have 'bumped into' the security guard and stole a cash box containing cash at
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Street robber snatched thousands
A ROBBER is on the run with tens of thousands of pounds after an attack on a security guard outside a bank in Oxford today. Police said the man is believed to have 'bumped into' the security guard and stole a cash box containing cash at Lloyds TSB bank
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Double jubilee
Rather curiously celebrating both its Golden and Silver Jubilees this year, the Vale and Downland Museum in Wantage has developed from a small collection of objects in the kitchen of the urban district council into a thriving community-based centre promoting
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Easy reading, but good
Colin Shone, manager of Waterstone's, Oxford is delighted that the book club has been launched. The self-confessed bookaholic said:"I'm delighted that we're starting The Oxford Mail/Waterstone's Book Club with Getting Rid of Matthew. It's one of those
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Best brews
Jennings Brewery, in the historic Cumbrian market town of Cockermouth, was established in 1828 by John Jennings, a local farmer, and remained an independent brewery until it was acquired by Marston's PLC in 2005. Jennings Cumberland Ale 4% ABV RRP
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Mad about Austria
The annual Austrian Wine Tasting took place in London recently and it is one of those fixtures I aim to get along to because it is always so interesting. I turned up all smiles at the doors of the Institute of Directors having completely forgotten that
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Magic of The Vineyard
The entrance to The Vineyard at Stockcross is stunning. In the darkness seven tongues of fire leap from a huge black mirrored tray of water, creating a constantly-changing abstract canvas. It was very impressive, and could only auger well for our eating
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Time for a spring clean
The evenings are getting lighter and spring is almost upon us. In nature, this is the time of year for growth, regeneration and renewal - everything begins to wake up and burst into life. We also start to think about spring-cleaning the house and clearing
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Northern Italian mixed case, £98
Our Italian offers have always proved popular in the past and, though we have covered the central and southern regions, the famous regions in the north have not so far been featured as an offer in themselves. So here are some classic examples from some
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Cute, chic and cool
It is true to say small cars are now big business. The Oxford-built Mini has proved that and all manufacturers with city type cars aspire to achieve the same cult status. In Fiat's case the original 500 model, launched more than 50 years ago, was a cult
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Getting Rid of Matthew
The Oxford Mail's books editor Andrew Ffrench likes nothing better than curling up with a good book. So out of the thousands of titles he could have chosen to launch the book club, why did he select Getting Rid of Matthew as his first pick? He explained
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The llamas of Lois
Talk of Peru, South America and animals, and Paddington Bear springs immediately to mind. But just over the border in Northamptonshire is a much bigger native of South America, the llama. Mary Pryse and husband David run Catanger Llamas at Lois Weedon
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Book club launched
Today is the launch of the Oxford Mail Book Club, and together with Waterstones in Oxford and Witney, we have chosen Jane Fallon's rom-com Getting Rid of Matthew as our very first Book of The Month. In order to buy your copy of the book for HALF PRICE
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Mini sales surge ahead
Sales of the Mini in February are up more than a third on the same month last year, latest figures have revealed. A total of 15,954 models were sold worldwide, 34 per cent more than February 2007 with 2,982 of those being the new Clubman estate model
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Moving with the wines
I am writing this week's column from bed. I am neither ill nor tired. It is just that it is the only piece of furniture, along with my laptop and wireless router, that the removals firm have left me with. I have limited time before I am unplugged and
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£5m gift will open Bodleian to the public
The largest single cash donation made to a university library in the UK has been given to Oxford University's Bodleian Library so the public can see its treasures. Julian Blackwell, President of Blackwell's, has donated £5m towards the redevelopment
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Another honour for business of the year
Bosses and staff at Oxfordshire Business of the Year are celebrating again after scooping another major award. Engineering firm Crompton Technology Group has won the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) Business Award for Manufacturing. The
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Bodleian given £5m donation
THE largest single cash donation made to a university library in the UK has been given to Oxford University's Bodleian Library so the public can see its treasures. Julian Blackwell, President of Blackwell's, has donated £5m towards the redevelopment
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Fair for peace
A ROUGH Guide to Peace is the subject of an educational fair at Oxford Community School, Glanville Road, tomorrow. The event is being organised by Rotary International and information will be available about educational, cultural and humanitarian programmes
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Footballer stamped on team-mate
A FOOTBALLER knocked his team-mate to the ground and stamped on his face during a drunken end-of-season celebration. Former serviceman Colin Blake, of Abbott Road, Didcot, quit the Army after admitting the attack, which happened at the end of a nine-hour
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St Aldate's work completed early
Workmen have completed the first section of repair work to Oxford's worn-down St Aldate's two weeks ahead of schedule. The work, between Carfax and the Post Office, was done by Oxfordshire Highways and Scotia Gas Networks. Repairs to the bed of the
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City roadworks finish early
WORKMEN have completed the first section of repair work to St Aldate's, Oxford, two weeks ahead of schedule. The work, between Carfax and the Post Office, was done by Oxfordshire Highways and Scotia Gas Networks. Repairs to the bed of the road, the
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Sarah proves a hit at storytime
THE Prime Minister's wife is "warm and fuzzy" according to children who met her in Oxford yesterday. Sarah Brown read to children and even joined in an impromptu dance session during her hour-long visit to Pegasus School, in Blackbird Leys. Mrs Brown
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Armed raid in Bicester bookmakers
Armed robbers threatened staff in a bookmakers in Bicester night and then stole £300. At about 7.10pm, two men wearing balaclavas entered William Hill Bookmakers in Market Square, forced one male customer to get on the floor, and then threatened two
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Top honour for Benson pilot
A WOMAN pilot based at RAF Benson who dodged low-flying missiles to rescue a badly injured soldier in Iraq will today be awarded the air force's highest honour. Flight Lieutenant Michelle Goodman - who flies Merlin helicopters stationed at the South
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Revival for riverside pub
A RIVERSIDE pub is set for a revival after a couple stepped in to spruce up the neglected Oxford drinking spot. Part-time psychiatrist and former corporate lawyer Dr Jonathan Price and his wife Jane have bought the Isis Tavern, on the River Thames
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Vandals show off on camera
A YOUTH laughs as he stamps on a car windscreen and a boy is threatened with a knife in Internet videos that appear to have been filmed in Oxford. The disturbing footage is available to view on the popular Internet site YouTube. In one video entitled
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Armed robbers raid bookmakers
ARMED robbers escaped with £300 last night after raiding a bookmakers in Bicester. At about 7.10pm, two men wearing balaclavas entered William Hill Bookmakers in Market Square, forced one customer, a man, to get on the floor and then threatened two members
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Patto wants unbeaten end to season
OXFORD United manager Darren Patterson has laid down a challenge to his players - to see if they can go unbeaten for the rest of the season. He knows it's a tall order, not least because the next match is a testing one against play-off chasing Burton
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Dirty lot
Many of our roadside verges are in a disgraceful state. Drivers and their passengers treat them as a dump for the cans, bottles, plastic bags and other rubbish they don't want to take home. The result is that you see unsightly litter almost everywhere
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Our salute to women of courage
One of the most revealing aspects of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan has been the increasingly important role women are playing in the conflicts. They have always played a part in war, but more and more are emerging at the forefront of battle. Today
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Learn all about Rotary
THE High Commissioner for Uganda, Joanne Rwabyomere, will open an educational fair about Rotary Club programmes at Oxford Community School, in Glanville Road, tomorrow. The event, from 9.30am until 4pm, aims to teach people about Rotary International's
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'Direct action' threat to Westgate
PROTESTERS are planning a prolonged campaign of direct action to hit the construction of Oxford's new Westgate Centre. The spectre of building work being halted by demonstrations was raised, as opponents of the £300m shopping scheme vowed to step
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Close call
We are pleased that the ambulance service has admitted that it cannot lay any blame on the caller for its error in sending an emergency vehicle to Grove, near Leighton Buzzard, instead of Grove, Oxfordshire, last week. Fears that a lack of local
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It is democracy
Can there be any justification for direct action in protest at the redevelopment of the Westgate Centre in Oxford? That is the question we are asking in our online poll this week. For us, the answer is no, and we do have concerns about some of the
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Cold night highlights plight
ABOUT 140 people slept rough to highlight the plight of the city's destitute asylum seekers. The Oxford Sleep-Out took place in the churchyard at St Mary Magdalen, in Magdalen Street and was inspired by Amnesty International's Still Human Still Here
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Women sign up for pampering
UP TO 100 women from three Oxford estates will be treated to lunch, pampering and an assertiveness workshop as part of International Women's Day. Oxford Brookes University has collaborated with the Learning Communities Initiative (LCI) to provide an
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Pool open after £170k revamp
IMPROVEMENTS costing about £170,000 have been completed at Temple Cowley swimming pool, Oxford. The pool - the city's only competition standard swimming venue - was closed for a month while essential maintenance was carried out, including replacing
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New life springs from old tree
WILDLIFE enthusiasts mourning the destruction of one of Kidlington's finest trees are delighted after discovering young saplings sprouting in its place. The 300-year-old hornbeam, in fields behind St Mary's Church, was badly damaged in a storm last
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Pubs reopen after floods
TWO of west Oxfordshire's villages badly hit by last summer's floods are at last to get their pubs back. Today, Witney MP and Tory party leader David Cameron is reopening the Maytime Inn at Asthall with a party for locals and friends. And on March
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Fun activity at garden
BARRACKS Lane Community Garden, in Oxford, is set to start its spring programme by taking part in a county-wide swapshop tomorrow. The following Friday, March 14, the community garden will be host to an intimate evening of acoustic music, starring
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Celebrities boost hospice funds
CELEBRITY sportsmen helped fundraisers boost a charity for the terminally ill - with about £15,000 in donations. Jockey Frankie Dettori and Manchester United footballer John O'Shea donated their kits to a charity auction in honour of horse-mad Sarah
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Audi estate makes world show debut
AUDI'S new A4 Avant made its world public debut at the Geneva Motor Show this week as UK dealers opened their order books for models with SE or S line trim options. The first UK deliveries of the new estate are due in June. UK on-the-road prices have
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French flyer arrives soon
Peugeot's latest flying hatchback, the 308 GT, goes on sale in the UK next month, complete with 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine that packs in 175 horsepower. It has a top speed of 140mph, a 0 to 62mph time of 8.3 seconds, and a combined-cycle
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Mercedes stretches out
HOT on the heels of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Saloon comes the new C-Class Estate range, combining the same qualities of safety, agility and comfort with a significant increase in spaciousness and versatility. As well as a luggage capacity of up to
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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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PM's wife is storytime hit
The Prime Minister's wife is "warm and fuzzy" according to children who met her in Oxford yesterday. Sarah Brown read to children and even joined in an impromptu dance session during her hour-long visit to Pegasus School, in Blackbird Leys. Mrs Brown
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Backing grows for city clean-up
THE LORD Lieutenant of Oxfordshire, Hugo Brunner, put his ceremonial sword to good use at the official launch of OxClean Spring Clean 2008. The Lord Lieutenant showed his personal commitment to the great city-wide clean up when he visited St Gregory
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Roadtest: Top of the world
If everything had gone to plan you would be reading about an affordable car capable of covering 70 miles per gallon. One glance at the picture above will tell you the scheme went slightly awry. For reasons I won't bore you with, instead of the Volkswagen
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Towpath repair work set to start
REPAIR work on a stretch of towpath where Oxford teenager Ben Halsey-Jones fell to his death is due to start on Monday. Towpath access will be restricted between Rainbow Bridge at Medley Boatyard to Bailey Bridge in Port Meadow. Ben, 15, of Home
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Bypass litter 'a disgrace'
LITTER along the Oxford Eastern Bypass has been branded a disgrace by a man who has called for urgent action to clean the area. But Oxford City Council says mounting an operation to clear up the mess would cost too much. David John, 70, said the
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Courage under fire
A pilot from RAF Benson, who dodged missiles to rescue a wounded soldier in Iraq will make history today when she receives the airs forces' highest award. Flight Lieutenant Michelle Goodman - who flies Merlin helicopters stationed at the South Oxfordshire
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Organ donor register 'saved my life'
SUSAN Kinch was only ten years old when her mother died from kidney failure. At 20, she also developed the same life-threatening kidney disease. But her life has been saved, because a stranger signed the organ donor register. Mrs Kinch, 49, from
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Aerial action
A TALK about the Berlin Airlift will be given at a special lunch in the George Hotel organised by Wallingford Rotary Club. Retired RAF Squadron Leader Alan Garretts will give the talk at the £25-a-head event on Sunday, March 16, at 1pm. Profits will
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Hot stuff
Sir - May I be one of the first to wish your esteemed journal well in its new format. You had me worried for a while, but then I realised that your property section is to remain in a large format. Not only will your paper be easier for me to read
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Turl in poor state
Sir - In the flurry of roadworks in and around Oxford at the beginning of this year, to use up last year's money, I would have thought that the resurfacing of The Turl would have taken high priority. In its current state it is only a matter of time
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Smaller and better
Sir - Parkridge's proposal for 15,000 homes at "Weston Otmoor" would destroy 600 acres that should be preserved to grow food. Councillor Mitchell admits it would compete harmfully with Bicester but ignores the fact that its location beside M40 junction
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Customers disliked
Sir - Post Offices are being treated only as cost centres. It is ironic that the Government, which is so concerned about our sense of community, is failing to safeguard a long-standing centre of many communities, the Post Office. My friend tells
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Offices under threat
Sir - Your correspondent (February 22) complains that unreliable mail delivery has reduced him to sending all his business letters by recorded delivery. We can only sympathise, but he is lucky to have a local post office at which to record them. His
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Lacking ambition
Sir - I was surprised to read the letter from county councillor Roger Belson (Letters, February 22), cabinet member for sustainable development, complaining at your selection of incinerator photographs accompanying the story of February 15. The cabinet
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Bin the bags
Sir - It is sad to see that we as a community have chosen to use incineration as the means of recycling used materials. I don't blame the council - they are legally bound to dispose of the contents of our bins, and they are soon going to be not able
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Short walk
Sir - I was intrigued to read Time of your Life, page 36 that in the 1920s they had to walk the one-and-a-quarter miles from their home in Islip to Webbers in the High. The distance now is about six miles. Is this extension yet another unexpected
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Winning tale
A SCHOOLGIRL from Oxford's short story was published in an anthology of tales for World Book Day. Madeleine Latham's tale An Easter Story was among just 12 chosen from more than 3,000 entries across the country to appear in a special book sold to raise
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Hollie aims for Crufts win
DOBERMANS may not be the pet of choice for most animal-loving girls, but 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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Risky business
Sir - I read with great delight your supplement (February 29). However, what is it about Oxford that we fail to learn about the significance of safety for cyclists. In the supplement on page eight, Friday, May 11, 1945, an open verdict was recorded
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Vandals show off on camera
A yob laughs as he stamps on a car windscreen and a boy is threatened with a knife in internet videos that appear to have been filmed in Oxford. The disturbing footage is available to view on the popular internet site YouTube. In one video entitled
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Deliberate ploy
Sir - I write with regard to the speed camera positioned on the east-bound carriageway of the main road through Wheatley. This camera is almost totally hidden behind another road sign. This, I believe, is illegal, as I understand that a camera must
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Grave disrepect
Sir - William Henry Butler was Mayor of Oxford 1836 and is buried in Carfax. The church was demolished many years ago except for the tower. Some of the graves are still in their original place. I am William's great-great grandson and I learn that
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Proper restoration
Sir - The countryside between Abingdon and the River Thames should be the glorious setting of the town. In fact, as a result of more than half a century of gravel-quarrying, ash-dumping and landfilling, much of it is now badly scarred. Parts are a barren
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The epic bus trip
MOST people travelling from Oxford to Crewe would go by car or catch a train - but not Roger Jenking. On April 1, the 60-year-old is undertaking a more ambitious way of tackling the 100-mile trip - solely using local buses. He has decided to test
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Hospital parking
Sir - In the south east corner of the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Headington has appeared an elaborately raised and, no doubt, expensive, small car park. This is a minor addition to the extensive parking area in the centre of the site. Every 15
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Increasing delegation
Sir - Your article Secondary eyes up foundation status (February 29) may well have given your readers the wrong impression as to the current consultation being conducted by the governing body of Oxford Community School. The governing body's interest
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Car park concerns
Sir - Following the flooding in West and South Oxford last summer, I wrote to the Environment Agency expressing my concern that the proposed Westgate development includes two floors of multi-storey car park underground. Since the development was granted
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Well-deserved honour
Sir - Even though I am not an Oxonian and not aware of the political set-up in the city, I have to disagree with Katherine Hughes's comments (Letters, February 29) about naming the new library at Ruskin College after James Callaghan. I feel it is
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MK rail link plan on track
WORK on a rail link between Oxford and Milton Keynes could begin next year, with a new study signalling the start of detailed construction planning. The link holds out the promise of 12-minute train journey times between Oxford and Bicester and 35
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Ruskin must prevent erosion of values
Sir - Reading Professor Audrey Mullender's letter (February 8) certainly did not allay my original fears about the future of Ruskin College. Indeed the involvement of Messrs Blair and Brown fill me with dismay! Neither of them have shown any interest
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More cycles could spell disaster
Sir - I am dismayed to read (Report, February 29) that there is a proposal to remove some bicycle stands in the city centre. As a disabled person who relies on an electric mobility aid I am constantly frustrated and put at risk by the irresponsible
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New debate on call to prayer
THE debate on whether a call to prayer should be broadcast from the Oxford Central Mosque comes under the spotlight on Sunday. The Bishop of Oxford, the Rt Rev John Pritchard, mosque general secretary Altaf Hussein, and Eton College Imam Monawar Hussain
