Archive
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Reading demise could boost U's
Oxford United could recapture some of their 'lost' floating fans following Reading's relegation from the Barclays Premier League. The Royals' two-year stay in the top flight came to an end on Sunday when their 4-0 victory at Derby on the final day proved
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Court told of perverted act
A driving instructor enticed young girls into secluded woodland and made them kick him in the groin for sexual gratification, a jury heard today. Oxford Crown Court heard married David Aston, 32, stripped naked and crouched on a rug on his hands and
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Gang stole bank card details
A Romanian man who admitted being part of a gang who fitted a so-called skimming device to an Oxford cash machine was jailed for more than three years today. Oxford Crown Court heard Florin Solomon, 25, travelled from London to Oxford in June last year
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Police issue plea over injured naked man
MYSTERY still surrounds the discovery of an injured naked man near the River Thames. Police are appealing for witnesses after they were called to the junction of Botley Road and Bridge Street, on Osney Island, in Oxford, at 7.45am today.
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Thieving bingo cashier jailed
A bingo hall cashier who stole more than £16,000 from her employers wept as she was jailed for eight months today. Oxford Crown Court heard Emma Meechan stole £16,178 from Gala Bingo in Banbury by taking advantage of a computer glitch. Meechan, of
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'Green-fingered' cannabis grower
A "green-fingered" man with a background in electrical engineering avoided jail today after admitting growing 40 cannabis plants in his Oxford home. Oxford Crown Court heard Leonardo Wieland, of Henley Road, Sandford-on-Thames, cultivated the drugs
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Residents find fault with tennis plans
Elderly residents fear a new tennis centre could make a real racket near their homes in North Oxford. And they have urged city councillors to take a closer look at proposals by Wildwood Leisure to modernise Alexandra Courts, in Middle Way, Summertown
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Duke tours new Islamic centre
Prince Andrew has expressed his admiration for the design of the New Building of the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies. The Duke of York, who is the UK's Special Representative for International Trade and Investment, was greeted at the Centre in Marston
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Horspath win on top-flight debut
A spirited comeback inspired by two of their younger players earned Horspath an unlikely victory on their first appearance in the top flight in Division 1. Chasing Banbury Twenty's 145 all out, the hosts were in deep trouble on 74-5. Paceman Faisal
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Nondies too Strong
Mark Strong hit 37 vital runs and then took 6-15 as Oxford & Bletchingdon Nondescripts carried on where they left off last summer by beating Abingdon Vale in Division 2. Nondies won every match in 2007 as they raced to the Division 3 title. But they
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Girls suffer sex attack
Police have appealed for information after two teenagers were sexually assaulted in Thame on Saturday. Three 16-year-old girls were in Cuttlebrook nature reserve, next to Southern Road recreation ground, at about 9.30pm when they were approached by two
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Shepherd's ton in vain
A classy 102 from Martin Shepherd and a more workmanlike 82 by Rob Keates set Kingston Bagpuize on their way to an impressive 259-7 at Bledlow Village in Division 3. But it was to prove insufficient as Adam Mould hit an outstanding 137 not out, and
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Shipton fall just short
Newly promoted Shipton-under-Wychwood 2nd came within nine runs of pulling off an opening day win at Chearsley in Division 4. Mark Claridge hit 77 in the hosts' 183 all out, then Craig Lambert's 65 put Shipton in with a real chance of victory. But
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Scrivener sets up dramatic win
There was a close finish on the opening day as Abingdon Vale 2nd suffered a one-wicket defeat at the hands of visitors Oxford & Bletchingdon Nondescripts 2nd in Division 5. Graham Coates (58) and James Cook (53) took Vale to 170 all out, while Graham
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Heritage in vintage form
A devastating spell which saw Dave Heritage take four wickets in ten balls reduced Stanton St John Willows from 80-1 to 85-6 at home to Horspath 2nd in Division 6. Heritage finished with figures of 6-23 from 13.3 overs as Willows were eventually bowled
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Hip hop dancers take on world
Nine talented young dancers from Oxford are set to take on hoofers from around the globe at a world hip hop dance championships. The seven girls and two boys have beaten hundreds of other children to be selected to represent England at the International
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Boiling water thrown at inmate
A sex attacker threw a kettle of boiling water over a fellow inmate in prison, a court heard today. Oxford Crown Court heard John Cassidy, 29, threw the water over an inmate at Bullingdon Prison because of rumours he had tried to rape a woman. Cassidy
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Woman hurt in hit and run
A motorcyclist suffered injuries in a hit and run in Abingdon. The woman was riding a small silver Honda motorcycle when it and a red car collided on the A415 Marcham Road, opposite Tesco, at 10pm on Saturday. Pc Eddie Hulme, of Abingdon Roads Policing
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RUGBY UNION: Oxford battle in France
Oxford Under 17s reached the plate final at the French Festival of Rugby in Arras, despite having only 13 fit players. Highlights included 46-0 and 52-0 victories over the French sides Douai and Arras, while their final loss was against local rivals
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Support floods in for double track
Cotswold Line passengers' support for plans to reinstate double track on much of the Oxford-Worcester route has made a big impression on a key railway official. Chris Bolt, the chairman of the Office of Rail Regulation, who will decide next month whether
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Race honour for cancer survivor
As the warm-up person at Chipping Norton's annual Race for Life, Sharon Canning helps 2,000 women gear up for a challenge - but she has faced tough challenges of her own. The race next month is to raise money for the fight against cancer - a fight which
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Rowing club thrown a lifeline
A rowing club aiming to get talented youngsters to the 2016 Olympics has been saved from closure after being thrown a cash lifeline. The Oxford Falcons, which is coaching young oarsmen and women to represent Team GB, was almost sunk when last year's
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RUGBY UNION: Overseas duo run off with awards
Departing overseas players Dave Payne and Paddy Soper were among the winners at the Oxford Rugby Partnership's awards dinner. Lock Payne was named Oxford Harlequins players' player of the year, while back row forward Paddy Soper won the coaches' player
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Daredevil pensioners go parachuting
Two pensioners will be leaping from an aeroplane at the weekend when they do sponsored tandem skydives to raise money for charity. Gwynneth Cooke, from Kidlington, and Trish Wagstaff, from Appleton, near Oxford, are looking forward to their leap at
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RUGBY UNION: Brodley's men feel the heat
Oxfordshire coach John Brodley felt his side had not succeeded in their game plan at Chinnor. He said: "What we failed to do was to put some phases together and release our speedy backs. "They managed to turn the ball over a lot, which was disappointing
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RUGBY UNION: Defeated Oxon on the brink
Oxfordshire face an uphill battle to avoid relegation after a below-par display in their 18-14 defeat at Chinnor in the south group of the County Championship Shield on Saturday. They must now beat hosts Hertfordshire by 29 points in their final match
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Floods 'could cause crash'
VILLAGERS in Radley fear drainage problems along a country road could cause a serious accident. For months, blocked drains outside Radley College have caused rainwater to swamp Kennington Road. During storms, motorists are forced into the
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Today's local share prices (PM)
AEA Technology 69.25 BMW 2857 Electrocomponents 182 Nationwide Accident Repair 140.5 Oxford Biomedica 23.75 Oxford Catalyst 169.5 Oxford Instruments 211.5 Reed Elsevier 665.75 RM 209.75 RPS Group 328 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
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Pegasus fundraiser a soaring success
An all-singing, all-dancing theatre extravaganza brought in more than £3,000 for a theatre refurbishment programme. The show, called Something Old, Something New, was held at Pegasus Theatre, Magdalen Road, East Oxford, to help raise the final £1.7m
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Baker scoops three awards
Mark Baker scooped three awards at Hellenic Premier League Kidlington's presentation evening. Baker won manager's player-of-the-year, players' player-of-the-year and ended 34-goal top scorer. Last season was the club's best ever, with all four Kidlington's
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Pupils enjoy hi-tech nature lessons
Pond-dipping at a field studies centre has been given a hi-tech boost by a batch of handheld computers. Children from St Thomas More Primary School, in Kidlington, have been visiting Hill End field studies centre, in Farmoor, on a weekly basis as part
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Palmer turns on style to lift trophy
Joe Palmer captured the Jim Allen Memorial Trophy, beating Nick Cobb 3-2 in a high-quality final. Former Oxfordshire player Palmer came through his group, beating his Hundred Acres teammate Chris Webb in the first game and then Andy Povey and Simon
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All in a line
I wrote to you about the withdrawal of the No 10 bus service from Littlehay Road and Rymers Lane at Cowley, Oxford, leaving Florence Park estate virtually without a bus service and taking away a lifeline from many elderly residents (Oxford Mail, April
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1.5m see 'our Lucy'
One and a half million viewers watched Oxfordshire athlete Lucy Boggis' debut in the new series of Gladiators on Sunday. The show, which sees the 19-year-old star as the gladiator Tempest, grabbed 11.6 per cent of the overall viewing audience between
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Appleton puts Oxon through
OXFORDSHIRE won their preliminary round group in the Women's County Championships at Cokethorpe School, Witney, at the weekend - thanks to a dramatic finish. Victories on Saturday over Devon and Herefordshire, and then on Sunday morning over Somerset
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Young and old
In reply to Dorothy Holloway's reaction to my previous letter (Oxford Mail, April 30), may I point out a few facts? My concern is that if all bus pass holders can travel free in ANY town or city, this will push up Oxford fares for non-pass holders to
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Floods 'could cause crash'
Villagaers in Radley fear drainage problems along a country road could cause a serious accident. For months, blocked drains outside Radley College have caused rainwater to swamp Kennington Road. During storms, motorists are forced into the middle of
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Unique attraction
I refer to Emmett Schlueter's letter, Come clean on market plans (Oxford Mail, April 30). I have fond memories of visiting Oxford's Covered Market with my late Nan Gibson during the 1970s. She took me on a whistle-stop tour to buy ham, Polish sausage
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Stop bashing our teachers
I must reply to the appalling letters from Helen Gaen, Edith Parsons and others, criticising teachers for going on strike. It is worth pointing out that teachers have all our children's future in their hearts. Secondly, I don't see how, when you take
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Tourists and wasps spell trouble
AS I write this (grudgingly sitting inside at the computer while it's so sunny outside), it's another boiling hot day. I'm hoping by the time you read this, you're not staring out at rain lashing on the window, but I can't predict the future - sorry!
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That loving feeling
ABOUT 4,000 Christians gathered in Oxford to praise God and enjoy the sunshine. Members of 47 churches from the city met in Broad Street for Love Oxford, with a service led by Michael Green, former rector of St Aldate's, and the Bishop of Oxford
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That loving feeling
About 4,000 Christians gathered in Oxford to praise God and enjoy the sunshine. Members of 47 churches from the city met in Broad Street yesterday for Love Oxford, with a service led by Michael Green, former rector of St Aldate's, and the Bishop of Oxford
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A40 crash victims still in hospital
TWO drivers injured when their cars collided on the A40 on Saturday are still receiving treatment in hospital. The collision happened on the road between Wolvercote and Cassington, which resulted in a Henley woman being airlifted to hospital.
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RM 'insulated' from credit crunch - boss
The top boss at an Oxfordshire information technology giant RM has revealed the business is unlikely to be affected by the credit crunch. Tim Pearson, chief executive of the firm based at Milton Park near Didcot, said that the firm's core market of
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Inquest plane may have been switched
RELATIVES of 14 men killed when a spy plane crashed in Afghanistan may have been shown a replacement aircraft after the one they were meant to see developed a fuel leak, an Oxford coroner said today. The risk of leaks in the fuel tanks of RAF Nimrods
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Crash victims still in hospital
Two drivers injured when their cars collided on the A40 on Saturday are still receiving treatment in hospital. The collision happened on the road between Wolvercote and Cassington, which resulted in a Henley woman being airlifted to hospital. The
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'Age is no barrier to adventure', says Brian
Actor Brian Blessed is famous for so many things - his voice, his beard and, of course, his trips up Everest. He was policeman in the classic TV cop show Z Cars, armoured from head-to-foot in Robin Hood Prince of Thieves, wearing a Viking helmet in Flash
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Who do you think you are?
At this time of life we tend to think we should know who we are. Heavens above, we've had long enough to find out, haven't we? But for many of us, later life can be a time when we start to question whether we are still the person we thought we were
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The stair boy who played violin with Einstein
When he was 14, in the 1930s, Denis Winter became a stair boy at Christ Church. The boys helped the college scouts cleaning rooms, making beds, lighting fires, laying tables, taking meals to students and doing the washing-up - generally keeping the dons
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Inquest plane may have been switched
Relatives of 14 men killed when a spy plane crashed in Afghanistan may have been shown a replacement aircraft after the one they were meant to see developed a fuel leak, an Oxford coroner said today. The risk of leaks in the fuel tanks of RAF Nimrods
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When silence isn't golden
I reached the age of 63, without the thought of getting prostate cancer crossing my mind. There was no history of cancer in my family as far as I could ascertain. The matter was not discussed among my friends, nor was it the subject of a suggestion by
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Coming in from the cold
Among sweet wines, ice wine is one of the most intriguing. Its production demands great devotion and hard work from the grower. There is also the danger of losing all the grapes in the vineyard because the grower has to wait until the temperature
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TRIATHLON: Lidbury strikes gold
Emma-Kate Lidbury produced a career-best performance to win gold at the European Triathlon Championships in Portugal on Sunday. The Oxfordshire athlete saw off hundreds of rivals to storm home by almost ten minutes in a staggering display in an event
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Making hay
Saturday morning saw the first open water swim session at Cassington gravel pit. It's organised by Oxford Tri Club and it was great to see some familiar faces splashing about. That first dip is a bit shocking. As warm as the air felt at 8.30am, at 15C
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Safe as houses?
The post-war 'baby boomers' now reaching their 60s have had all the luck - rising house prices, free NHS medical care, cheap energy, final salary pensions (gold-plated and index-linked in the public sector), and virtually free higher education. So why
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Derbyshire ready for Anglesey debut
BANBURY driver Adam Derbyshire will enter unknown racing territory next weekend as he takes part in the second round of the UK VdeV Championship at the Anglesey circuit in north Wales. The newly refurbished and updated circuit will be a completely new
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Students warned over burglaries
Police are asking students in the East Oxford area to make sure they secure their homes when they go for a night out - and also when they get back. The warning today comes after a number of incidents in which thieves have followed university students
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Burglary warning issued to students
POLICE today appealed to students in the East Oxford area to make sure that they secure their properties when they go out and also when they get back to their houses after a night out. PC Craig Burchall, based at Oxford police station, said: "If houses
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Police plan art attack
POLICE are running an arts event in South Oxfordshire today aimed at breaking down barriers with young people. Sgt Vicky Sims and Police Community Support Officer Katrina Murray will be hosting the initiative with Henley Youth Club, from 7pm to 9pm.
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Pieces of eight
Jason Richmond, pirate, took part in the run round University Parks. arghhh.
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Recreating the heyday of steam
The golden era of steam is being vividly brought back to life at many restored railways and museums across the UK. And people who remember this romantic age of the railways are joining railway preservation societies or even learning to drive one of the
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Say cheese
Team of runners from Pathway Workshop, Blackbird Leys, have picture taken.
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Superstars
Superheros, Lisa Kyle (left) and Sophie Forster.
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Open road
A runner finds some open road as he makes his way around the course.
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Creating the Green Belt Way
It might come as a surprise to some people that the creation last year of the Oxford Green Belt Way was the brainchild of the Oxfordshire Branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England. CPRE is perhaps better known for its campaigning against damaging
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Sparklers in the sun
Crown Jewels team in action.
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So good
Feel Good Fitness team in action.
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Ready for the challenge
Sam Page, Anton Zeelie and his wife Gina Zeelie, of the Crazy Action Boats International aka The Fungis.
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Shroom to paddle
The Crazy Action Boats International aka The Fungis, racing in mushroom hats.
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The yardstick of equality
Divorce for the over-50s is often traumatic. The financial settlement will be of vital importance in many cases, and essentially dictate the quality of life for the rest of one's days. Divorce has only been a significant phenomenon in our society since
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Mondeo man is on move
The Ford Mondeo has been revealed as the most-used car in the UK, according to research conducted by Warranty Direct. On average, Mondeo Man' clocks up 15,483 miles each year - over 700 more than the next most-used car, the Saab 9-5. Warranty Direct
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Today's local share prices (AM)
AEA Technology 68.5 BMW 2853 Electrocomponents 182.25 Nationwide Accident Repair 140.5 Oxford Biomedica 23.5 Oxford Catalyst 169.5 Oxford Instruments 211.5 Reed Elsevier 661.75 RM 207.75 RPS Group 327.75 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
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Teen whizzkids set for final showdown
Scores of teenage entrepreneurs from across the county are preparing to do battle after winning through to the finals of a prestigious business competition. The youngsters, all aged between 16 and 17, have been competing in the Young Enterprise scheme
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Growing up at 50
Remember the glee with which you used to answer the question, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" Fireman, ballerina, explorer, scientist, George Best . . . Anything and everything was possible, and the future was so bright, you were probably
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Teen gig is a flop
Another Friday night gig for teenagers, organised by the town council, turned out to be a flop. Only two young people turned up at the town's Langdale Hall, outnumbered by the musicians playing on stage, and the plug was pulled on the event after two
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Spa capital of the world
Some 2,000 years ago the Romans established the spa town of Aquincum near the banks of the river Danube. This settlement was to become the captial city we now call - the spa capital of the world. For centuries its hot springs have lured visitors to relax
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Witney youth gig flops
ANOTHER Friday night gig for teenagers, organised by Witney Town Council, turned out to be a flop. Only two young people turned up at the town's Langdale Hall, outnumbered by the musicians playing on stage, and the plug was pulled on the event after
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Digital dating
The UK's silver surfers are as tech-savvy as their younger, digitally-aware counterparts, according to new research, with a third now using the Internet and mobile messaging to find love. Oxford writers William Horwood and Helen Rappaport met online
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Sharing your skills
Are you sitting comfortably? Then let Gordon Balme tell you the story of the University of the Third Age You may well be asking yourself what is this Third Age?' My definition is that it is the time of your life when you are no longer in full-time
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Planning a move?
Choosing the perfect home for your retirement means you need to carefully consider factors such as location, costs and inheritance tax. Adrian Bird, sales director for David Wilson Retirement Homes, which is currently building at Willow Grange, Wantage
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Airport agonies
. . . or why getting away from it all can become hell-on-earth when you reach your half-century I have identified a new age divide. I call it a 21st-century MOAT - or Measurement of Airport Tolerance. When you are young - in your teens and twenties
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Family rescued from burning home
A MOTHER and her three children were rescued from their burning home in Oxford. Fire crews arrived at Lyndworth Mews, in Headington, shortly after 4am yesterday following reports of a woman screaming for help from a second-floor window. Heavy smoke
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RESULTS May 10
>OXFORD TIMES CHERWELL LEAGUE Division 1 Bicester & NO 204-6 (G Sansome 70, A House 43), Banbury 2nd 205-6 (C Board 75, L Sabin 57). Great Tew 207-6 (D Powles 117, A Morteza 3-46, D Gaunt 3-55), Cumnor 211-4 (A Morteza 60, J Douglas 42, A Robertson
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CRICKET: Kidlington collapse in sight of victory
Kidlington drew a blank at Wokingham on Saturday as they collapsed to a 28-run defeat against the leg-spin of Australian Daniel Doran in Diviison 2 of the Home Counties Premier League on Saturday. Having inserted the home side, Kidlington reduced them
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Heroes
Stories of the heroic work of our firefighters regularly come out but you have to give them even more thanks for the dramatic yet efficient rescue of a young family yesterday. You can imagine the horror of the mother as she screamed from her top floor
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Why can't they get it right?
British weather may not carry the greatest reputation around the world but it's a fair to assume that at this time of year the temperature is sure to be rising. That first sight of sun will see families racing to enjoy the warm temperatures. It's like
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Cab firm family take on race for life
CUSTOMERS of Ambassador Taxis in Chipping Norton are being given the chance to help find a cure for cancer - by sponsoring owner Nicky Hancock in the Race for Life. Mrs Hancock, 35, and her daughter Amy-Louise, 16, are taking part in the annual Race
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Ex-addict stole from flood victim
A RECOVERING heroin addict stole £3,000 from a victim of last summer's flooding whose house he was repairing, to pay off drug dealers threatening his family. Kevin Wood, 33, of Heath Close, Headington, Oxford, admitted a charge of theft when he appeared
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Flames engulf family's home
A mother and her three children had to be rescued from their burning home in Oxford yesterday. Fire crews arrived at Lyndworth Mews, in Headington, shortly after 4am following reports of a woman screaming for help from a second floor window. Heavy
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TV show fans to visit town
CAUSTON - or should that be Wallingford - is bracing itself to welcome an influx of Midsomer Murders fanatics next month. Wallingford is the fictional town of Causton, the main setting in the crime drama series popularised by Det Chief Insp Tom Barnaby
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Hospice launches tea party bid
PEOPLE across Oxfordshire are being asked to get out their tea cups and start baking cakes and biscuits for a massive fundraising tea party. East Oxford hospice charity Helen and Douglas House, in Magdalen Road, is relaunching its Tea at 3
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Warmth speeds birds' breeding
GREAT tits in woods near Oxford have adapted their breeding patterns to fit warmer springs brought on by climate change, a study has revealed. Research carried out by scientists at Oxford University showed that, over nearly 50 years, a population of
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Beauty spots to receive makeover
TWO Wantage beauty spots will receive a £32,000 makeover after they were attacked by vandals - and ducks. Letcombe Park and the seven-mile Letcombe Brook will be restored by members of the Letcombe Brook Project with funds from Barratt Homes. The
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Help conquer breast cancer
A MOTHER whose baby was delivered early because she needed treatment for breast cancer has urged people to take part in a fundraising walk in Woodstock. Janet Moran, of Witney, was diagnosed with breast cancer three years ago when she was 37. She
