Archive
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Crash closes stretch of A40
A section of the A40 was closed tonight after a serious accident. Firefighters were called to free two people who were trapped in a car after a two-vehicle collision at about 9pm between the Ducklington Lane junction with the A415 at Witney and the Asthall
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Roy Harden
Roy Harden - the former head concierge of Oxford's Randolph Hotel and affectionately know by many as Roy of the Randolph - has died aged 77. Mr Harden worked at the Oxford hotel for 50 years, rubbing shoulders with world leaders and Hollywood actors.
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Fred Farley
Fred Farley, who has died aged 93, won the Military Medal for an act of bravery during the Second World War. He was serving with British troops in North Africa when his detachment came under attack from German bombers. As they returned fire, ammunition
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Denys Dyer
Denys Dyer, a former Oxford city councillor, magistrate and fellow of Exeter College, has died aged 86. Dr Dyer came to Oxford in 1959 after four years service in the RAF and eight years teaching at Manchester University. A lecturer in modern languages
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Willoughby Goddard
Willoughby Goddard, star of television shows and films in a career spanning more than four decades, has died aged 81. His television roles included being the partner of Charlie Drake in such shows as Drake's Progress and the Charlie Drake Comedy Hour
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Pensioner sees off phone thieves
A 71-year-old man foiled two thieves who tried to rob him at knifepoint in Banbury today. He was waiting in his car for his wife to finish shopping at the Tesco supermarket, in Lockheed Close, when two Asian men tried to steal a mobile phone visible
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CCTV for all tower blocks
Secutiry cameras are set to be rolled out to tower blocks across Oxford after a pilot scheme cut antisocial behaviour in one city high-rise. A six-month trial scheme in Foresters Tower, Wood Farm, was last night hailed a success after figures revealed
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L-centre axe sparks concern
THE closure of Oxford and Banbury's motorcyclist test centres could spark an increase in illegal riders and casualties on the road, claim an instructor and learner riders. From September 29, motorcyclists' licence tests will no longer be held in Hollow
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L-Centre axe sparks alarm
The closure of Oxford and Banbury's motorcyclist test centres could spark an increase in illegal riders and casualties on the road, claim an instructor and learner riders. From September 29, motorcyclists' licence tests will no longer be held in Hollow
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Oxford Mail to host Spielberg film festival
The Oxford Mail and Phoenix Picturehouse have teamed up to stage our very own celebration of the world's greatest film maker. It comes just before the release of Steven Spielberg's latest blockbuster, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of The Crystal Skull
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£5,700 bill for smoking breach
A FLAMBOYANT pub landlord has become the first in Oxfordshire to be fined for flouting the new anti-smoking laws. Gerry Stonhill came out of court with a combined bill of £5,750 for allowing smoking in his pub-restaurant, the Mason Arms, in South Leigh
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Council worker jailed for stealing £24k
A former receptionist who stole nearly £25,000 from a leisure centre in Bicester wept at Oxford Crown Court today as a judge sentenced her to nine months behind bars. Diane Taylor, 49, of Kiln Lane, Oxford, pleaded guilty to 18 counts of theft by fiddling
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Smoking costs publican a £5,700 fine
A flamboyant pub landlord has become the first in Oxfordshire to be fined for flouting the new anti-smoking laws. Gerry Stonhill came out of court with a combined bill of £5,750 for allowing smoking in his pub-restaurant, the Mason Arms, in South Leigh
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71-year-old foils knife robbery
A 71-year-old man foiled an attempted armed robbery in Banbury this afternoon. The man was waiting in his car for his wife to finish her shopping in Tesco, Lockheed Close, when he was approached by two men. One of them placed the blade of a knife
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Shop saved by sweets
One of the last independent retailers on Oxford's Cowley Road has been saved from closure - by sweets. Bead Games, a fancy dress hire and vintage clothing shop, opened Sweet Heaven - a traditional sweetshop - to help subsidise it. Bead Games had been
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Town clock 'snub' anger
A decision by South Oxfordshire District Council to turn down the gift of a £12,000 clock for Didcot has angered town rotarians. Didcot Rotary president Les McDonagh said: "This is a snub - a slap in the face for the people of Didcot and the Rotary
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Battle launched against rural crime
Rural homes and isolated farms are to be protected by an 'early-warning' network of intelligence. Police are fighting back against metal thieves, distraction burglars and bogus traders by launching the Countrywatch scheme. Any countryside property
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RUGBY UNION: Scene set for big finish
When the South West 1 fixtures were published last summer, April 19 always looked a tasty end to the campaign for Oxfordshire rugby. And that has certainly proved the case with Chinnor needing to draw with or beat rivals Oxford Harlequins at Kingsey
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RUGBY UNION: Mini champs
Banbury Under 10s celebrated victory in Derby's mini festival. The talented youngsters scored 125 points in their five matches to be cowned champions. Banbury beat Derby B 20-5, Kettering 15-0 and Hinckley 45-0 in their pool, Percy Park 35-0 in the
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RUGBY UNION: Henley fans plea
Henley Hawks are hoping to bounce back by becoming the best supported club in National 3 South, according to their latest newsletter. Relegated Hawks still have two games remaining in what has proved a disastrous season in National 2, but they are urging
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Stormin' Normandy
Ah, Rouen... a city of wonky half-timbered shops, 100 belltowers - and a drive-in tattoo parlour. Yup: visit drive-in.tattoo.site.voila.fr if you don't believe me. The capital of Upper Normandy - and the gateway to this region of orchards, towering
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RUGBY UNION: Chippy's bright future
Andy Dawson believes Chipping Norton could push for a second successive promotion after clinching the BB&O Premier Division title. Chippy's director of rugby has been delighted with his side's progress this season, culminating in Saturday's league-winning
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RUGBY UNION: Bulls out to end on high
Banbury Bulls coach Grant Holmes hopes to give their fans something to cheer at the end of a nightmare campaign. Relegated Banbury have won just three games all season and host Paviors in Saturday's final outing. Holmes said: "We are intent on finishing
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GOLF: Round's tour chance
A shocked Sam Round was handed a place in the Ladies' English Open after winning the Oxfordshire Ladies' Championship. Round had no idea that the reward for regaining her county crown at The Oxfordshire would be competing with some of Europe's best
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GOLF: Friends had to battle hard
The Oxfordshire ladies' championship saw Sam Round defeat close friend and county foursomes partner Tilly Holder 3 & 2 in the final. But both players came close to semi-final exits in a keenly-contested tournament at The Oxfordshire. The top 16 players
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GOLF: Eddie edged out
Defending champion Eddie Pepperell had to be content with second place in the BB&O Junior Championship at Woburn. The Drayton Park member and England junior international carded a level par two-round total of 144, but was pipped by Jake Canning (Stoke
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GOLF: Burford off the mark
Burford produced some solid golf to pick up their first victory of the season in Section 1 of the Shaw Gibbs Oxfordshire Foursomes League. They eased past The Oxfordshire 3-0 with Ian Liddle and Simon Hopkins cruising to a 7 & 6 win in match one.
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GOLF: Results round-up
FRILFORD HEATH Ladies' April Medal (Red Course) - Div 1: 1 C Bickerton 40pts, 2 M Glennie 35 (cb), 3 A James 35. Div 2: 1 S Duncombe 46, 2 E Downes 38, 3 B Hamilton 36. Div 3: 1 H Fooij 33. CHIPPING NORTON Ladies' Edward Douglas Stableford: 1 J Reynolds
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Sprint finish
After my poor performance at University parks last week, I knew I had some work to do this week. I went out on Tuesday lunchtime to do out usual 8ish mile run up to Boars Hill and found the going harder than I expected. I wasn't wearing a watch but just
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Three puzzles
There are things that really puzzle me. One, why does a multi-millionaire like Michael Parkinson, one of the richest men in global TV, a man who can ask (and get) whatever he wants for interviewing anyone for half-an-hour or so, need to do ads for life
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Install camera
When will the powers-that-be finally realise the necessity for a camera on the Oxford Eastern Bypass? Twice I have seen near misses when drivers in the outside lane maintained a 50mph speed, only to be overtaken by drivers coming up behind and using
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Blame parents
In reply to Michael Clarke (Oxford Mail, April 2), the Government should ban all forms of tobacco advertising. It is a dirty, filthy habit and it costs the NHS millions of pounds to treat smoking-related illnesses. My wife had a knee replacement eight
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Piffling amount
Our wonderful Government has kindly contributed £86m to help victims of last summer's floods. Some of this piffling amount was given to Oxfordshire residents. The average repair costs of £30,000 per home were subject to VAT. The extra money collected
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Time to count our blessings
One of the many thoughtful sayings of years gone by, 'Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit', comes over in many of the letters you publish. It would do many of us good to consider how fortunate we are, compared with many of our parents. My own poor mum
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Police appeal after attack
Police are trying to trace these three young men in connection with an assault in Didcot. A 16-year-old boy was walking home from school along Station Road at 3pm on Friday, March 14. He was approached by a group of about five men and punched in the
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JJB stores future is unclear
JJB Sports was unable to confirm today whether jobs in Oxford would be affected after it announced it is closing UK 72 stores. The retailer has stores in Magdalen Street, in Oxford, and The John Allen Centre in Between Towns Road, Oxford. A spokesman
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Today's local share prices (PM)
AEA Technology 66 BMW 2678 Electrocomponents 189 Nationwide Accident Repair 127 Oxford Biomedica 22.25 Oxford Catalyst 168.5 Oxford Instruments 217 Reed Elsevier 657.75 RM 196.5 RPS Group 318.25 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
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Fuel tank thieves strike again
THIEVES who drill inside cars' fuel tanks and steal petrol have struck again. There were 17 thefts of petrol from cars in Oxford reported to police in the first six weeks of the year. During the night on Tuesday, thieves drilled a hole in the tank
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Gang hunted after street attack
POLICE are trying to trace these three youngsters in connection with a vicious assault in Didcot. A 16-year-old boy was walking home from school along Station Road at 3pm on Friday, March 14. He was approached by a group of about five youngsters and
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Families urged to join race
People are being urged to sign up for a fun run in Oxford that will help children with disabilities live life to the full. Although the Run for the Children event is not due to take place until June 29, organisers have appealed for people to sign up
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Shop offers safe haven for students
A city centre bookshop is offering a safe haven for foreign students staying in Oxford. Borders Bookshop in Magdalen Street will act as a waiting room for students who feel they have been the victim of a crime, or are threatened in any way, while staff
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Novelist's first hand account of Mugabe's reign
Robert Mugabe's brutal regime in Zimbabwe will survive the recent bid to oust him in the presidential election, according to Oxford author Joy Maclean. Mrs Maclean, 82, of Woodstock Road, north Oxford, has just had her third book published, entitled
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Letters led to long marriage
A pair of pen pals whose romance blossomed when they wrote to each other during the Second World War are celebrating 60 years of marriage tomorrow. Ken and Margaret Lake, of Kennet Road, Radley Green, Abingdon, started writing to each other when Mr
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Extra week of roadworks
Roadworks which last week brought Abingdon to a grinding halt will continue until the weekend. Queues built up through the week in Drayton Road and Ock Street due to sewer works in Marcham Road. Last week, Oxfordshire County Council's website informed
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Man found guilty of carjacking
A MEMBER of the travelling community at Redbridge Hollow in Oxford has been found guilty of carjacking. Anthony Joyce, 20, was told at Oxford Crown Court today he could expect a custodial sentence for stealing a Honda Civic at knifepoint in January
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Clothes shop's future in doubt
The future of discount clothes shop Ethel Austin is in doubt after the company went into administration. About a dozen jobs are at risk at the chain's store in Templars Square, Cowley, which is continuing to trade. John Gorle, of shopworkers' union
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Pub owner fined for smoking breach
The owner of a gastro-pub in South Leigh near Witney has been fined £1,765 for breaching new smoke-free legislation. Gerry Stonhill, of The Mason Arms, was given three separate fines of £500 for failing to prevent smoking in a smoke-free area, along
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Giant bubbles hobby sparks career
For most people, four foot bubbles floating over the garden wall is quite an unusual sight, but for neighbours of Felipe Gonzalez this is an everyday occurrence. For his converted barn in Great Milton is the backdrop for his almost fairytale existence
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The Insider
WHAT a chore it is being leader of Her Majesty's opposition. Take David Cameron, the leader of the Tories, for example. He is swanning around his west Oxfordshire constituency, popping in and out of pubs that were flooded during the rising waters
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Traveller guilty of carjacking
A member of the travelling community at Redbridge Hollow in Oxford has been found guilty of carjacking. Anthony Joyce, 20, was told at Oxford Crown Court today he could expect a custodial sentence for stealing a Honda Civic at knifepoint in January
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Businessman pays £34,000 for plate
A WELSH businessman from Oxford has paid £34,400 for the number plate WEL 5H at a DVLA Personalised Registrations auction held at the Celtic Manor Resort in Newport, South Wales. The businessman, who wishes to remain anonymous, says he made the purchase
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Surprise in store
Sir - Following the snowfall on Sunday, April 6, my wife and I decided to take a walk that took us from Radley up Sugworth Lane. We took with us a camera expecting to take some photos of the snow against the blue skies. What did we find in a lay-by
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Former receptionist jailed
A FORMER receptionist has been jailed for nine months after stealing almost £25,000 from Cherwell District Council while working at a leisure centre. Diane Taylor, 49, of Kiln Lane, Oxford, was told by a judge at Oxford Crown Court her actions were
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Council worker jailed for £25k theft
A former receptionist has been jailed for nine months after stealing nearly £25,000 from Cherwell District Council while working at a leisure centre. Diane Taylor, 49, of Kiln Lane, Oxford, was told by a judge at Oxford Crown Court her actions were
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Boreholes drilled in flood inquiry
ENVIRONMENT Agency staff have started drilling boreholes in Oxford to help prevent further major flooding in the city. The investigation work is taking place at 30 sites around Oxford, including New Botley and areas in and around Hinksey. In July
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Anti-flooding holes being drilled
Environment Agency staff started drilling boreholes in Oxford yesterday to help prevent further major flooding in the city. The investigation work is taking place at 30 sites around Oxford, including New Botley and areas in and around Hinksey. In
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Concern over TA site homes plan
COUNCILLORS have "expressed concerns" over plans to build more than 350 student bedrooms and 72 new homes on the Territorial Army Centre at Slade Park, Oxford. Members of Oxford City Council's north-east area committee were asked for their comments
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Plans for TA centre cause concern
Headington and Wood Farm councillors have "expressed concerns" over plans to build more than 350 student bedrooms and 72 new homes on the Territorial Army Centre at Slade Park. Members of Oxford City Council's north-east area committee were asked for
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Traders fear for future if costs rise
TRADERS in Oxford's Covered Market vented their frustrations to shadow chancellor George Osborne as they continue to feel the financial pinch. Mr Osborne, a former Magdalen College student, was invited to Oxford by Paul Sargent, one of two Conservative
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Road delays
ROADWORKS in Abingdon have been extended until Friday. The sewer works along Marcham Road, outside Abingdon Community Hospital, were due to finish last Sunday but are now set to continue this week. Drivers have complained of heavy congestion on
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Ecuador crash brings back memories
THE father of an Oxford student killed on a gap year trip spoke last night how the Ecuador bus crash brought tragic memories flooding back. Ian French said he was saddened, but not surprised, to hear of the crash on Saturday which killed four British
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Nose Juice
Am up to my eyes in nose juice. Have never seen so much mucus. I have a permanent snail trail down one or both sleeves and it's not pretty. She has had a cold for a week or so, but I also think she is getting those side teeth because she is still chomping
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Village speeders caught
MORE than 30 people were caught speeding in Benson during two police operations. Officers set up a speed indication device for an hour on Thursday, April 3, in Brook Street, and for another hour in Oxford Road on Friday, April 4. Five drivers were
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Vandals defecate in church pulpit
CHURCH leaders have expressed their disgust at vandals who defecated in a pulpit and spread the mess on to stained glass windows. The doors at St Edburg's Church, in Church Street, Bicester, have been bolted following the attack. Yobs went inside
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Hospice fundraisers praised
GENEROUS fundraisers have been offered a hearty pat on the back after helping Helen & Douglas House bank £4.8m in a year. Founder Sister Frances Dominica has applauded the thousands of people who have helped the east Oxford hospice celebrate its 25th
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Sam's off to look at European spaces
A PARKS officer from Oxford has won a scholarship to travel across Europe, learning how to design green spaces for young people. Sam Parry, who works for the city council, was one of 50 people who applied for the trip, which coincides with a three-year
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Flooded pub will re-open
The last pub in west Oxfordshire to get back into business after last summer's floods is to reopen on Friday. Almost nine months to the day, the Old Court in Bridge Street, is welcoming customers back to its bar and restaurant. And among those coming
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Cricket star aids appeal
FORMER Zimbabwe Test cricketer Henry Olonga helped Charlbury's cricket club to raise more than £1,000 towards its new pavilion fund. The 32-year-old entertained more than 150 people at St Mary's Church, with anecdotes from his playing days and a
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Wonderful climax to a special year
Other hospices and charities that shore up our sadly deficient National Health Service by providing care for the terminally ill, or those with life-limiting conditions, can be forgiven if they look enviously at Helen and Douglas House. To have raised
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Gap year victim's father sets up charity
The father of an Oxford student killed on a gap year trip spoke last night how the Ecuador bus crash brought tragic memories flooding back. Ian French said he was saddened, but not surprised, to hear of the crash on Saturday which killed four British
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You made it a £4.8m reality
Oxford's generous fundraisers have been offered a hearty pat on the back after helping Helen & Douglas House bank £4.8m in a year. Founder Sister Frances Dominica has applauded the thousands of people who have helped the east Oxford hospice celebrate
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Who owns this no-man's land?
A WELL-USED gateway into Oxford is littered with rubbish, broken glass and surrounded by a dilapidated fence - but no one seems sure who is responsible for the eyesore. The stretch of land runs along Botley Road towards the city centre from the junction
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Tucking in
HAUTE cuisine is not the first thing that springs to mind when you talk about Army rations. But one Kidlington Territorial Army chef - and Sainsbury's butcher - has been doing his best to prove otherwise. Lance Corporal Frankie Fathers, 52, joined
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Rent crisis grips market
Traders in Oxford's Covered Market yesterday vented their frustrations to shadow chancellor George Osborne as they continue to feel the financial pinch. Mr Osborne, a former Magdalen College student, was invited to Oxford by Paul Sargent, one of two
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St George's Day events planned
HUNDREDS of people of all ages are expected to turn out this weekend for St George's Day events across Oxfordshire. On Sunday in Oxford, more than 200 members of the Oxford Spires Scout District will hold their annual parade through the streets.
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Bikes day
A MORNING all about bicycles will take place at Lord Williams's Lower School sports hall, in Queens Road, Thame, on Saturday, between 10am and noon. People will be able to buy, sell and swap cycles, have their cycles postcode marked and even repaired
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Clean sweep
OXFORD City Council has carried out work to improve the underpass linking Barton Lane to Barton Village Road. Walls have been covered with anti-graffiti paint and metal hoops have been placed along the ramps down into the underpass to prevent mopeds
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Airbase plan appeal move
DEVELOPERS hoping to build 1,000 homes and a school at the former US Air Force base at Upper Heyford have lodged an appeal to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government. The appeal has been made after Cherwell District Council failed
