Archive
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Patient care has improved
Fewer patients are having to use mixed-sex bathrooms at Oxford hospitals, according to a new survey. The Healthcare Commission found a number of improvements for patients at Oxford Radcliffe hospitals compared to last year, with 92 per cent of patients
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Fishy tune has eco message
There is something fishy about an Oxford band's latest single. Acoustic folk band Stornoway have released their latest track The Good Fish Guide to encourage people to eat fish ethically. Based on the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) guidelines of
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Anaclet quits United
Eddie Anaclet is leaving Oxford United - and has signed a two-year deal with Stevenage Borough. The right-sided player was offered a new contract by the U's after an impressive second half of the season, but he told the club last night that he would
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Council 'sorry' over smoke alarm fiasco
Council officials have apologised for putting the survivors of a house blaze into emergency accommodation without working smoke alarms. Charmaine Partlett, 25, and her four children aged between two and nine, were left homeless after a fire ripped through
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Kidney swap couple doing well
Transplant couple John and Suzi Macfarlane are recovering well after their odds-beating kidney swap. Surgeons at Oxford's Kidney Transplant Unit spent seven hours transplanting one of Mr Macfarlane's healthy kidneys into his wife's body last Thursday
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Survey highlights hospital improvements
FEWER patients are having to use same-sex bathrooms at Oxford hospitals, according to a new survey. The Healthcare Commission found this was one of a number of improvements for patients at the Oxford Radcliffe hospitals compared to last year, with 92
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School visitor is Korking success
Children from an Oxford primary school were given a treat today when illustrator Korky Paul dropped in to open their new kitchen. Pupils at New Marston Primary School got the chance to speak to the world famous illustrator, whose work includes Winny
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FOOTBALL: It's a Brize bonanza
Brize Norton completed a league and cup double as they saw off Freeland in the final of the Witney & District FA Fred Ford Centenary Cup on penalties. John Curtis gave league champions Brize (pictured) the lead in the first half when he swung a corner
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Pregnant mum in chase drama
A heavily pregnant mum charged an attacker with her pushchair and house keys after being chased across an Oxford park. Monica Thomas, 20, who is seven months pregnant, was followed by a man while walking with her two-year-old daughter and a pushchair
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FOOTBALL: Ardington are crowned cup kings!
David Smyth scored the winner as Ardington & Lockinge lifted the North Berks Cup for the third time in four years with a 1-0 victory against Faringdon Town. Ardington dominated the first half, but all they had to show for their efforts was Smyth's strike
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New campus sparks flood fears
Fears have surfaced over potential flood risks from the proposed £30.5m college redevelopment in Witney. The Environment Agency has said it will object to the plans when they go before district councillors on Monday unless Abingdon and Witney College
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FOOTBALL: Enstone too hot for rivals
Enstone Res wrapped up their Division 2 campaign with a 2-0 victory against derby rivals Chadlington Res. It was all over for Chadlington within 20 minutes, Liam Fudge opening Enstone's account, with Dean Blake doubling their advantage to give them
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WOMEN'S FOOTBALL: City on the up!
Lisa Shannon, Deanne Tomkins and Rachel Catling hit doubles as Oxford City Ladies won the Women's Southern Regional League crown with a 7-1 thrashing of Wycombe Wanderers Ladies. Wycombe's early opener was cancelled out by Shannon equalising after Hannah
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Burglars stole cash from woman, 88
AN 88-year-old woman was the victim of a distraction burglar. A man knocked on her door in Wood Farm Road, Oxford, at around 3.20pm on Friday claiming he needed to check the water supply because of a leak. The pensioner let him inside and he asked
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FOOTBALL: Bailey grabs share of the spoils
Champions Barton United completed their Premier Division campaign with a 3-3 draw at Star Wanderers in the Marston's Oxford Sunday League. Jamie Hodges fired Star ahead before Barton hit back through Aaron Armstrong and Carl Bloomfield to take the lead
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Enjoyable evening
Please can you thank the Oxsrad Singers and Jubilee Brass Band for a lovely evening's entertainment at Oxsrad on Saturday, April 26. It was a most enjoyable night, with lots of singing. The audience joined in some of it. I think it's lovely that they
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FOOTBALL: Oxon ease home
Rob Hoskins (Milton) hammered a hat-trick as Oxfordshire under 16s won the Doug Watts Memorial Cup with a 5-0 victory against Berks & Bucks. Oxon keeper Josh Bourton made outstanding saves, before his side took the lead when Hoskins fired home for 15
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I'll fight on
I would like to thank all the people who voted for me in the Marston and Old Marston ward in the Oxford City Council election. I stood as an Independent candidate and polled 457 votes. Unfortunately I did not win. I came third behind the Labour Party
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Shopping for art
Thousands of pieces of art will go on display across Oxford as part of a week-long exhibition. Oxford Artweek will be taking place in studios, galleries, community centres, schools and even shops around the city, beginning on Saturday. This is the
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FOOTBALL: Thatcher is hero for King Alfred's
King Alfred's (Wantage) lifted the Oxfordshire Under 12 Cup with a 1-0 win over Cherwell (Oxford) in the final at Letcombe FC. The only goal came following a free-kick after 20 minutes when Alex Frost headed the ball on, and George Thatcher lobbed the
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Vital five votes
Allow me to thank the five Barton and Sandhills Labour voters who stayed at home on May 1. They are heroic without realising it. This prevented New Labour winning there and spared Oxford the humiliation of becoming the only council in the entire country
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Flytipping blitz brings results
Flytipping is now less of a problem in west Oxfordshire thanks to a junk fighting team. Flytipping incidents in the area fell by 85 - 11.5 per cent - during the year, according to the latest national statistics published by the Environment Agency.
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Old school friends support hospice charity
Two organisers of a 1970s inspired school reunion have made an emotional donation to Oxford's Sobell House hospice. Former classmates Lorraine Ludbrook and Agatha Harris handed £700 to the hospice after asking their old school pals for donations at
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Tram support
I agree with Peter Collett about the use of trams in Oxford (Oxford Mail, May 7). They could quite easily be used in a loop from The Plain up the High, down St Aldate's, past the ice rink, stopping briefly at Oxford railway station, then up Hythe Bridge
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Sign the safety pledge
Firefighters have urged the public to sign up to an Internet pledge aiming to save hundreds of lives across the county. The Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service has added the three step pledge to the website of its 365 Alive safety campaign. The website
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FOOTBALL: Vale Boys in Cup triumph
Vale of White Horse Under 14s completed a double with a 6-0 win over Mid Oxon in the Oxford Times Cup final at Old Woodstock Town. Having lifted the Vale Cup - which is played on a league basis - a week earlier, Vale finished the season in style.
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Eating disorder hell
May I reply to Malcolm Baker (Oxford Mail, May 6), and his comments on my "cheap attack" on John Prescott's bulimia? People who know my family are well aware of the hell of eating disorders. My point was that this disclosure came at the time of his
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CRICKET: Brooks in Surrey chance
Jack Brooks is going all out for a professional contract after being selected for Surrey's 2nd XI. The 23-year-old Oxford paceman is this week playing against Somerset 2nd in a four-day game at Taunton. And he feels if he is to make a living from
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Rail sidings could be upgraded
Facilities at First Great Western's Oxford carriage sidings may be upgraded to help improve reliability of rail services in the county, particularly on the Cotswold Line to Worcester. Mark Hopwood, the performance director of First Great Western, told
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Festival seeks helping hands
A rallying call has gone out for helpers to boost an Oxford festival. The Headington Festival, which is being held on Sunday, June 1, takes place in Bury Knowle Park, London Road, between 1pm and 5pm. This is the sixth year of the festival, and while
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Blame the EU
In your article on post office closures, you failed to mention that these closures are being driven by EU directives. Directive 97/67 of 1997 meant that the Royal Mail lost its monopoly of postal services. Private companies cherry-picked the profitable
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CRICKET: Hawtin hails strength
Oxfordshire captain Ian Hawtin says their MCCA Trophy victory over Cheshire showed just how good they can be. The six-wicket success at Great & Little Tew was based on disciplined bowling and fielding, plus an excellent innings form Rob Williams.
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Local Share Prices
13/05/2008 AEA Technology 69.75 BMW 2904 Electrocomponents 181.5 Nationwide Accident Repair 140.5 Oxford Biomedica 24 Oxford Catalyst 169.5 Oxford Instruments 212.75 REED 661.5 RM 208.5 RPS Group 331.25
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FOOTBALL: Officials launch probe
Officials have launched an inquiry after the Autotype UTV League Division 3A game between OARDFC and Robin Hood had to be abandoned. Trouble flared towards the end of last Thursday's game following the dismissal of OARDFC's Sama Mara. Robin Hood were
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Post office closures hit the poor
What I consider to be the most appalling aspect of post office closures is the fact that these are being carried out under a Labour Government. I always thought that the Labour Party's main concerns were with the vulnerable and poorer members of our
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CRICKET: Hunt smashes record
Jason Hunt smashed Minster Lovell's club record with a massive 212 in their 297-run friendly victory over Kilkenny (Carterton). Hunt, who was known as Jason Constable when he played for Shipton-under-Wychwood, held the record three years ago with 190
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CRICKET: OCA's early start?
The OCA league could be "even better" if matches were to start at 11am not 2pm. That is the view of Deddington player Andy Stiff, who has written to the league with his idea. He believes the change would enable to more people to play and promote a
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Pensioner targeted by burglar
An 88-year-old woman was the victim of a distraction burglar. A man knocked on her door in Wood Farm Road, Oxford, at around 3.20pm on Friday claiming he needed to check the water supply because of a leak. The pensioner let him inside and he asked her
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FOOTBALL: Megan hits hat-trick in Carterton's cup triumph
Oxford Mail Girls League Carterton's Megan Attenborough smashed a hat-trick to steer her side to a 5-1 victory over Wantage in the final of the Oxford Mail Girls League Under 10 Cup. Molly Bishop opened the scoring, then Rosie Herridge doubled the
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Yachtsman nears end of epic journey
YACHTSMAN Adrian Flanagan has entered British waters as he approaches the finish line on his round-the-world voyage. Mr Falanagan set off in November 2005 in a bid to raise money for the Oxford Children's Hospital appeal and to become the first person
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Police target motorcyclists
Police stopped more than 100 motorcyclists near Fox's Diner at Dorchester-on-Thames after complaints from residents. Police and the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) carried out road safety checks on the A415 in Burcot and A4074 in Shillingford
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Police carry out checks at biker hotspot
POLICE stopped more than 100 motorcyclists near Fox's Diner at Dorchester-on-Thames after complaints from residents. Police and the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) carried out road safety checks on the A415 in Burcot and A4074 in Shillingford
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Rail services 'return to normal'
Rail services between Oxford and Didcot have returned to normal following problems at a level crossing this morning. The technical fault at Appleford level crossing near Didcot delayed services by up to 40 minutes for commuters earlier today. First
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Flanagan re-enters British waters
Yachtsman Adrian Flanagan entered into British waters yesterday as he approached the finish line on his round-the-world voyage. Mr Falanagan set off in November 2005 in a bid to raise money for the Oxford Children's Hospital appeal and to become the
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District sees big drop in flytipping
Fly tipping incidents in West Oxfordfshire have fallen by 85 or 11.5 per cent during the year, according to the latest national statistics published by the Environment Agency. The latest incident saw the council target an area off Cuckoo Lane at Barnard
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College plan sparks flooding fears
FEARS have surfaced over the potential risk of flooding from the proposed new £30.5m college redevelopment in Witney. The Environment Agency has said it will object to the plans ready to go before district councillors next Monday unless the college
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Prince visits Islamic centre
PRINCE Andrew visited the New Building of the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies yesterday and viewed a garden being designed by his brother. The Duke of York was greeted at the Centre in Marston Road by a welcoming committee including the Lord Lieutenant
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Extradition decision delayed
A man convicted of negligent manslaughter after a road crash in Greece 11 years ago will have to wait four weeks for an official announcement on whether moves to extradite him have been dropped. Paul Pettinger, now 36, of Woodfield, Banbury, crashed
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Brother and sister in kebab shop attack
A brother and sister who attacked a man after a dispute in a kebab shop were handed suspended jail sentences. Aaron O'Rourke, 19, admitted grievous bodily harm and his sister Samantha, 22, admitted affray after the incident on October 26, 2006. Aaron
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Police seek driver who failed to stop
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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Cannabis grower had 40 plants
A "GREEN-FINGERED" man with a background in electrical engineering avoided jail 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 after
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Drug-dealer jailed for three years
A 37-year-old drug dealer was jailed for three years yesterday after admitting possessing crack cocaine and heroin with intent to supply. Oxford Crown Court heard Otis Nash, of Priory Road in Littlemore, Oxford, had £770 of crack cocaine and £630 of
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Update: Police investigate Thame sex assaults
Police believe two 16-year-old girls raped and sexually assaulted in Cuttlebrook nature reserve, Thame, may have been seen with their attackers for up to an hour before the incident. Three 16-year-old girls were in the park next to Southern Road recreation
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Real ale festival 'a sell-out'
REAL ale enthusiasts who visited Banbury's Beer Festival at the weekend drank the place dry. Around 1,600 drinkers consumed 6,300 pints of beer, cider, and perry from 80 different breweries. The first beer to sell out was the Banbury 400 ale, brewed
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Today's local share prices (AM)
AEA Technology 69.75 BMW 2890 Electrocomponents 180.75 Nationwide Accident Repair 140.5 Oxford Biomedica 23.75 Oxford Catalyst 169.5 Oxford Instruments 211.25 Reed Elsevier 660.25 RM 207.25 RPS Group 328.75 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
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Paul Weller @ Carling Academy
"Strange Town" shouted one Jam loyalist from a sweaty, packed crowd gathered to greet Paul Weller at the Carling Academy. While each person in the audience was secretly hoping for a few Jam numbers, Strange Town was a lame request, as the Modfather
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Bingo hall cashier stole £16,000
A BINGO hall cashier who stole more than £16,000 from her employers wept as she was jailed for eight months yesterday. Oxford Crown Court heard Emma Meechan stole £16,178 from Gala Bingo in Banbury by taking advantage of a computer glitch. Meechan
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Sia @ the Oxford Carling Academy
Teddy bears adorn the stage and bizarrely shaped, loopy neon lights resembling cartoon trees offer the promise of a rather surreal performance. And when Sia and her crew bounce onto stage dressed in black with their features marked as big, smiley fluorescent
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Rare butterfly sets up home
A RARE breed of butterfly has set up home in Oxford. Conservation volunteers helped to plant special butterfly-attracting hedges in Long Close, Wood Farm, in September 2006, hoping to attract the Brown Hairstreak Butterflies and this year a colony had
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Play-off drama
I always find myself watching play-off matches at this time of year that I actually have no interest in at all. Take Leeds and Carlisle last night - I don't actually care which side goes up, and I'm not really sure why I bothered to watch it. Then it
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Dead lorry driver named
A LORRY driver killed on the A34 at the weekend has been named. David Percival, 62, of Southampton, died when his articulated lorry toppled over after it hit a crash barrier while approaching the roundabout at junction 9 of the M40 at 5.30am on Sunday
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Prisoner threw boiling water over inmate
A SEX attacker threw a kettle of boiling water over a fellow inmate in prison before calmly walking away, a court heard. Oxford Crown Court heard John Cassidy, 29, threw the water over an inmate at Bullingdon Prison because of rumours he had tried to
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Skimmer 'copied 63 cash cards'
A 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 yesterday. Oxford Crown Court heard Florin Solomon, 25, travelled from London to Oxford in June last year to
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Fire at phone exchange
Firefighters extinguished a small roof fire at the BT phone exchange in Queen's Avenue, Bicester. It took around 20 minutes to put out the blaze, which happened at 10.45am yesterday.
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Driving instructor denies sex charges
A DRIVING instructor enticed young girls into secluded woodland and made them kick him in the groin for sexual gratification, a jury heard yesterday. Oxford Crown Court heard married David Aston, 32, stripped naked and crouched on a rug on his hands
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Update: Rail passengers suffer delays
Rail services between Oxford and Didcot have returned to normal following problems at a level crossing this morning. The technical fault at Appleford level crossing near Didcot delayed services by up to 40 minutes for commuters earlier today. First
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Rescued family meet fire chief
A MOTHER and three children saved from a burning house yesterday said thanks to their rescuers. Charmaine Partlett, 25, and three of her children Travis, seven, Mimi, three, and Skye, two, were rescued by firefighters from the blaze at their three-storey
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Rail delays between Oxford and Didcot
Rail passengers travelling between Oxford and Didcot experienced delays this morning following problems at a level crossing. The technical fault at Appleford level crossing near Didcot delays services by up to 40 minutes. First Great Western spokesman
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Leader brands pool queues 'unacceptable'
EMERGENCY talks were held yesterday over "absurd" and "unacceptable" staff shortages at Oxford's only public outdoor swimming pool. Bob Price, the leader-elect of Oxford City Council, met Town Hall chief executive Peter Sloman after experiencing first
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Spirited
Some often say that pensioners spend too much time protesting about council tax rises and low pensions and moaning about life. But that doesn't apply to them all. Just look at Gwynneth Cooke, from Kidlington, and Trish Wagstaff, from Appleton. They
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RUGBY UNION: New Zealand skipper to join Oxford
Former New Zealand All Blacks captain Anton Oliver will be playing for the Dark Blues of Oxford University next season. The 32-year-old hooker, who retired from international rugby after the 2007 World Cup, is to study an MSc in Biodiversity, Environment
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A chance to give your view
It is understandable that elderly neighbours are wary about plans to modernise the Alexandra tennis courts in North Oxford. They fear private developers will turn the 14 grass and six hard courts near their homes into a mini sports centre, creating
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Korky visits
CHILDREN'S illustrator Korky Paul will visit New Marston Primary School today to open its new kitchen. The world famous illustrator, whose work includes Winny the Witch and Pirates, will join pupils, parents and staff at the school in Copse Lane,
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Teen jailed over drugs
A TEENAGER who admitted possessing illegal drugs has been jailed for 12 months. Oxford Crown Court heard Nathan Forbes, of Wylie Close, Headington, was caught with 2.53g cocaine and 1.27g of heroin. The 16-year-old was found with the drugs after
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Council's crisis talks over pool fiasco
Emergency talks were held yesterday over "absurd" and "unacceptable" staff shortages at Oxford's open-air swimming pool. Bob Price, the leader-elect of the city council, met chief executive Peter Sloman after experiencing the problems first-hand, queuing
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Family thanks firefighters for rescue
A mother and three children saved from a burning house in Oxford yesterday thanked their rescuers. Charmaine Partlett, 25, and three of her children Travis, seven, Mimi, three, and Skye, two, were rescued by firefighters from the blaze at their three-storey
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Big debate
SOME of the world's foremost experts on the Jewish religion will be meeting at Oxford Town Hall today to discuss whether Jews can ever believe that Jesus is God. Controversial American Rabbi Shmuley Boteach will debate against author Dr Michael Brown
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Acting dates
The 13th theatre company, which integrates disabled and non-disabled actors and backstage staff, is holding open auditions for a St George and the Dragon double bill to be held at Oxsrad leisure centre, Oxford, in August. The auditions are today,
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Rare butterfly settles in city
A rare breed of butterfly has set up home in Oxford. Conservation volunteers planted butterfly-attracting hedges in Long Close, Wood Farm, in September 2006 hoping to attract Brown Hairstreak butterflies - and yesterday they revealed a colony had been
