Archive
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Jim fixes it with Fulham!
Oxford United could have a pre-season friendly against the Premier League's Houdini team, Fulham. That was one the upshots of Jim Smith's special evening at 10 Downing Street, when he was inducted into the Show Racism The Red Card Hall of Fame. Smith
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Socialist icon debates invasion
Veteran socialist politician Tony Benn was in Oxford tonight to take part in a debate about the controversial Iraq war. The former MP for Chesterfield, 83, who in February, 2004 was elected the first President of the Stop the War Coalition, appeared
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School loses bid for £5m fresh start
A plan to wipe the slate clean by giving a failing Oxford school a £5m makeover has been scrapped after a bid for funding fell through. Rose Hill Primary School, in The Oval, was set to become the first school in Oxford to be granted Fresh Start status
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Passengers’ plea as profits rise
A passenger group has called on Oxfordshire rail operator First Great Western to invest more money in its network after its parent company reported a sharp hike in its fortunes. FirstGroup said its annual operating profits reached £360.1m for the year
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Villagers fear paedophile’s return
A father is furious a paedophile convicted of abusing his son has been cleared to return to his home village. Thomas Brant, 51, is to be released within days after serving half of a four-and-a-half year prison sentence for two charges of indecency with
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Renewed hope for cinema
FILM fans in Wantage have welcomed news that the Regent Cinema could reopen after plans to turn it into flats were turned down. Estate agent Green and Co confirmed it is looking for an operator to reopen and run the Newbury Street cinema. Plans
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Cinema gets second showing
Film fans in Wantage have welcomed news that the Regent Cinema could reopen after plans to turn it into flats were turned down. Estate agent Green and Co confirmed it is looking for an operator to reopen and run the Newbury Street cinema. Plans by
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Sex trial accused takes stand
A MARRIED driving instructor who asked schoolgirls to kick him in the groin today denied having an "unhealthy interest" in children. Father-of-two David Aston, 32, took the stand at Oxford Crown Court and said he was told by one of the four girls they
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Police launch 'surgery' days
An assault and disputes between neighbours were among subjects aired at the launch of a new police office in Oxford. Barton's neighbourhood policing team hope estate residents will realise it's good to talk at a weekly walk-in surgery, which will give
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Sex trial accused takes the stand
A married driving instructor who asked schoolgirls to kick him in the groin today denied having an "unhealthy interest" in children. Father-of-two David Aston, 32, took the stand at Oxford Crown Court and said he was told by one of the four girls they
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Plan for flats goes to appeal
Developers wanting to knock down a block of buildings in Oxford to make way for student housing are taking their case to appeal. Permission to demolish buildings along Cowley Road, including the Majestic Wine Warehouse, Mr Clutch garage, Nabeel Fashion
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'Grain lorries will harm roads'
Villagers fear ancient roads and bridges will crumble when lorries begin hauling grain from a new barn. The Vale of White Horse District Council approved plans for a store able to hold 1,700 tonnes of grain in West Hanney, last month. But residents
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Tesco under fire over trolleys
A CONSERVATION volunteer has criticised supermarket giant Tesco for not collecting trolleys more than a week after they were reported. Ten days after volunteers fished out trolleys from the River Ock, in Abingdon, Tesco has still not picked them up
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Chip fat to help power music festival
A MUSIC festival powered by chip fat, bicycles and solar power is to be held for the first time in Oxfordshire this weekend. Wood Festival, which starts at Braziers Park, in Ipsden, near Wallingford, on Friday and runs until Sunday, is the brainchild
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Susanna set to be Lord Mayor
Susanna Pressel is set to take over as Lord Mayor of Oxford tomorrow. Ms Pressel, a Labour city councillor for Jericho and Osney, will officially take over from John Tanner at a meeting in the Town Hall in St Aldate's. She becomes the 48th Lord Mayor
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Chip fat and bikes to power music festival
A music festival powered by chip fat, bicycles and solar power is to be held for the first time in Oxfordshire this weekend. Wood Festival, which starts at Braziers Park, in Ipsden, near Wallingford, on Friday and runs until Sunday, is the brainchild
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Charity needs more help
THE wife of football legend Sir Bobby Moore has called on men and boys of all ages to support a charity fun run in Oxford in memory of the legendary England captain. Race for Moore is aimed at raising money and awareness of bowel cancer, which took
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Cherie memoirs stir up anger
The family of Oxfordshire weapons expert David Kelly has criticised Cherie Blair for dredging up his suicide in her controversial memoirs. Dr Kelly, who lived in Southmoor, near Abingdon, died in 2003 following reports in the media that the Government
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Charity events needs moore
The wife of football legend Sir Bobby Moore has called on men and boys of all ages to support a charity fun run in Oxford in memory of the legendary England captain. Race for Moore is aimed at raising money and awareness of bowel cancer, which took
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Man attacked with bottle
A 24-year-old man was smashed in the face with a glass bottle during a fight in Carterton. Police are appealing for witnesses to a fight between two men in Stanmore Crescent, near the junction with Lyneham Close, at about 1am on Saturday. One of
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Jaws' fan welcome big screen return
There is no substitute for watching Steven Spielberg's iconic Jaws movie at the cinema - and Steve Chance should know. Mr Chance, a self-confessed Jaws addict, has been collecting memorabilia from the 1975 movie for more than 30 years - and even owns
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Insider
In true Liberal Democrat style, the job of electing a prospective Parliamentary candidate for Henley has descended into chaos. In the New Year, South Oxfordshire district councillor Susan Cooper was given the nod. But then Boris decided he wanted
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BAR BILLIARDS: Nelson on charge
Nelson reached the Buildbase Oxford & District Bar Billiards Association's threes final after an 3-3 aggregate win over Democrats. Richard Garrett (6,240) put Demos ahead and although Pete Ewins (4,340) levelled, Billy Hill (5,770) restored Demo's
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Bombing heroes win awards
Two commuters were given a bravery award today for helping to save the lives of victims of the July 7 London bombings. Tim Coulson, from Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, accepted his own Royal Humane Society Bronze Medal as well as one awarded to Peter
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RUGBY LEAGUE: Cavaliers hit form
Oxford Cavaliers crushed Wolverhampton Wizards 96-6 at Marston Ferry Road. Shane Turner starred with three tries and 12 conversions, while Ben Louisson also got a hat-trick. James Batstone put Cavs ahead 4-0, before George Symond put debutant Pat
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Music fans cut up rough
Researchers for the latest tourist guide to England have been criticised for failing to recognise Oxford's vibrant live music scene. In the eighth edition of The Rough Guide to England, Oxford gets a glowing review and is praised for its fine university
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BOWLS: Champs face tricky opener
Defending champions Banbury Central A will be looking to make it five titles in a row when the Oxford & District League, sponsored by Yarnton Nurseries Garden Centre, gets under way tonight. Banbury have won the crown for the past four seasons, but
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Mayor honours town heroes
Pensioner Dave Drury, who keeps an Abingdon estate tidy, was among those honoured in the town's Mayor's Awards. Outgoing mayor Lorraine Oates said: "He has been there a long time: I have gone to Peachcroft sometimes and there's an absolute dump - you
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BOWLS: Sizzling Oxon turn up heat
Oxfordshire warmed up for their forthcoming Middleton Cup campaign by seeing off Northamptonshire at Banbury Central. But they had to battle back from behind over the closing five ends, to triumph 129-123 in a cracking finish. Bob Gilkes's Oxon side
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Tesco under fire over rescued trolleys
A conservation volunteer has criticised supermarket giant Tesco for not collecting trolleys more than a week after they were reported. Ten days after volunteers fished out trolleys from the River Ock, in Abingdon, Tesco has still not picked them up.
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Everyone speeds
Am I the only driver who sticks to the 50mph speed limit on the A34 through Botley? No-one else seems to bother these days. Even some of the flashing lights which reminded everyone to slow down have been removed. ANGELA WAINWRIGHT Oxford Road
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No ladies of the night
I refer to your article about the excellent news that the old Coach and Horses public house in St Clement's, Oxford, will now not be demolished to make way for another restaurant and seven flats (Oxford Mail, May 3). I must take issue (purely out of
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Green omissions
County councillor Larry Sanders's letter about the transport budget proposals of the Green Party (Oxford Mail, April 30) failed to point out that it did not contain £100,000 to investigate a rent-a-bike scheme for Oxford. It also failed to point out
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Demolition derby
I agree with Richard Moss (Oxford Mail, April 22) that the newly-improved crossroads junction in Windmill Road, Headington, Oxford, is a masterpiece of incompetence. He describes it as a free-for-all. Ian Hudspeth, the county council's cabinet member
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Bus service is a shambles
What a shambles Stagecoach is making of its No 10 service from Oxford city centre to the John Radcliffe Hospital. No wonder people from the Cowley and Wood Farm areas can never arrive on time for their appointments. My wife and I waited 45 minutes
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Man glassed in fight
A 24-year-old man was smashed in the face with a glass bottle during a fight in Carterton. Police are appealing for witnesses to a fight between two men in Stanmore Crescent, near the junction with Lyneham Close, at about 1am on Saturday. One of the
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Tasters invited to break world record
A pub deputy manager is calling on wine connoisseurs and novices alike to take part in a world record wine tasting event. Robby Warrior, deputy manager at The William Morris in Pound Way, Cowley, Oxford, is staging the event as part of the pub's 19-
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Spreading joy to community
Gladys Joy Denton, a former nurse at Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital, has died at the age of 70 after a lifetime of community work. Mrs Denton, a mother-of-five known to all as Joy, was well known in Blackbird Leys through her work with the elderly
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Get cash to improve homes
Cash grants are available to help disabled and elderly people in north Oxfordshire become energy efficient. More than £1m is available from Cherwell District Council for work on private homes, and landlords could qualify for grants to install first-time
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Brothers appear in TV series
Acting definitely runs in the blood for one family, as a mother and her two sons have been picked to appear in a new BBC drama series. Brothers Joshua and Ethan Sarphie, who attend Abingdon Preparatory School, will appear in Mutual Friends, along with
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A long life on the canals
John 'Jack' Skinner, who has died aged 88, worked on the canals for most of his life. Mr Skinner, known by many as Jack, was born on August 19, 1919, into the close-knit community of boat people. Mr Skinner could trace his boating ancestry back more
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Falling for Flanders
So you've worked hard, you need a break, and your love life badly needs a boost. You need a change of scenery. You need good food and drink, charming surroundings, sandy beaches, and, above all, romance. However, you don't want to break the bank,
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Today's local share prices (PM)
AEA Technology 68.75 BMW 2991 Electrocomponents 178.5 Nationwide Accident Repair 140.5 Oxford Biomedica 23.75 Oxford Catalyst 169.5 Oxford Instruments 211.5 Reed Elsevier 655.25 RM 207.5 RPS Group 339.5 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
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Antiques Roadshow returns to city
THE Antiques Roadshow is coming to Oxford for the first time in more than a decade. The team will be filming at Hertford College in Catte Street on June 28, and are hoping to unearth a host of forgotten treasures from the attics and closets of
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£100,000 drive to make Didcot brilliant
Community leaders have urged people in Didcot to get behind a £100,000 initiative to shake off the town's negative image. South Oxfordshire District Council has spent Government money rebranding the town by cashing in on the area's cutting-edge technology
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Antiques Roadshow returns to city
Antiques Roadshow - mainstay of British television for more than 25 years - is coming to Oxford for the first time in more than a decade. The team will be filming at Hertford College in Catte Street on June 28, and are hoping to unearth a host of forgotten
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Cameron's tribute to county's beauty
David Cameron has paid tribute to the "breathtaking beauty" of Oxfordshire's countryside - and pledged a future Tory government would protect rural services. The Conservative Party leader attacked Labour's "top-down" approach to running the country.
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Child stars set to shine
Hundreds of young actors from across the county will be taking to the stage in Oxford next month to raise money for charity. They will be performing at the New Theatre, in George Street, on Sunday, June 22 in the Stagecoach Charity Spectacular - which
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Art exhibition to help city's homeless
Artists are gearing up to offer a boost to the city's homeless thanks to an exhibition in an Oxford church on Saturday. And it is hoped that the Pulse exhibition, which will be at St Aldate's Church until Saturday, May 31, will raise thousands of pounds
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Park to host nature zone
A section of Spiceball Park in Banbury is being turned into a wetland nature reserve as part of a scheme to prevent flooding at the new Spiceball Sports Centre. Part of the park is being lowered to act as a flood plain in the event of more storms similar
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GOLF: Chippy exact revenge
Chipping Norton gained revenge on Tadmarton Heath with a 2-1 home victory in Section 1 of the Shaw Gibbs Oxfordshire Foursomes League. Tadmarton whitewashed Chippy in the equivalent clash last year, but needed a stirring comeback from Spencer Hallam
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GOLF: Treble county triumph
Frilford Heath had a one-two-three in Oxfordshire Ladies' Seniors' Three-ball Stableford Alliance at Chipping Norton. The Friford trio of Mo Seward, Pam Matthews and Carol Wadsworth amassed 74 points to take first prize. Behind them were clubmates
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Thieves strip lead from house
THIEVES stole 50ft of lead flashing from a house in Faringdon. The lead was stolen from a house in Swan Lane between April 29 and May 8. Police made an appeal for information this afternoon. PC Simon Jenkin, of Faringdon police station, said: "I
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Victory!
Well the European Champs couldn't really have gone much better! I won my age group by almost 10minutes and in doing so posted the fastest female age group time of the day, which officially makes me the fastest amateur female triathlete in Europe - not
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GOLF: England's Frilford win
Neil Chaudhuri sealed victory as England defeated France 14-10 in an amateur international at Frilford Heath. Chaudhuri gained the winning point to land England victory on a sun-bathed Red Course. Going into the second and final day one point ahead
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GOLF: Eddie's Japan call
Eddie Pepperell has been named in a strong England team for next month's World Junior Team Championship in Japan. The Drayton Park member will line up along Matt Haines, who made his full England debut at Frilford Heath last weekend, at Chukyo Golf
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Lead theft in Faringdon
Thieves stole 50ft of lead flashing from a house in Faringdon. The lead was stolen from a house in Swan Lane between April 29 and May 8. Police have made an appeal for information today. Pc Simon Jenkin, from Faringdon police station, said: "I would
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GOLF: Results round-up
CHIPPING NORTON Ladies' Edward Douglas Medal: 1 S Stanton 100-32=67, 2 R Davies 86-14=72, 3 P Mitchelmore 106-30=76. Junior Monthly Medal: 1 G Kay 89-19=70 (cb), 2 C Rose 90-20=70, 3 C Dyer 92-20=72. Men's match: Wragg Barn 2.5, Chipping Norton 2.5
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ATHLETICS: Owen keeps cool to be crowned sprint king
Radley speedster Ben Owen grabbed a senior men's sprint double at a hot and humid Horspath Road. With weather conditions a far cry from a year ago, when several events had to be abandoned due to torrential rain and high winds, Owen continued his excellent
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Illegal immigrants found in lorry
SEVEN suspected illegal immigrants have been found in a truck at Oxford logistics firm. The six men and one woman were discovered in a truck at Unipart in Oxford Business Park, Cowley, at about 1.30pm today. They were detained by police and due to
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ATHLETICS: Tara breaks record to land title
Tara Kafke (Radley) blitzed her way to a championship record as she was crowned county champion in the under 20 women's 100m. Kafke clocked 12.1 secs to take the gold medal, before adding 400m gold in a time of 58.8. Witney's Claire Butler won the
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Illegal immigrants found in truck
Seven suspected illegal immigrants have been found in a truck at Oxford logistics firm. The six men and one woman were discovered in a truck at Unipart in Oxford Business Park, Cowley, at around 1.30pm today. They were detained by police and due to
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ATHLETICS: Woodstock are bit of all-Wight!
Woodstock Harriers won the team prize at the Isle of Wight International Marathon. On the hottest day of the year so far, Martin Townsend was first home in 19th, clocking 3hrs 36mins 37secs. Paul Brackett finished 21st in 3.38.32 in his third marathon
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ATHLETICS RESULTS
SENIOR MEN 100m: 1 B Owen (RAD) 11.0, 2 T Jamera (OCAC) 11.3, 3 J Osun-Sanmi (OUAC) 11.5. 200m: 1 B Owen 22.0, 2 W Hooton (OUAC) 22.6, 3 R Mihushaki (OUAC) 22.8. 400m: 1 J Morrissey (OUAC) 49.6, 2 J Lodowski (AAAC) 50.6, 3 A O'Leary (OUAC) 52.7. 800m
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Sexy stage antics for Narnia's Susan
Daniel Radcliffe might be said to have established the pattern by taking on a daring stage role in Equus far removed from his image as the screen's Harry Potter. Now Anna Popplewell, who plays the goody-goody heroine in the Chronicles of Narnia films
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Why didn't they use an expert?
If there is one word that sums up much present-day television, it is superficiality. Many TV programmes like to skim lightly over a subject, rather than examining it in depth. For example, Russia: A Journey with Jonathan Dimbleby (BBC2) tries to cover
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After Myra, fresh hope
At last! New opportunities, fresh hope. Ever since the death of Myra Hindley plunged me into despair, expectations rise once again. She, of course, the poor, poor misunderstood, much reformed Moors Murderer, died, alas, before she could be released, which
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Quod Restaurant, the Old Bank Hotel, High Street, Oxford
Eager to celebrate Rosemarie's birthday in style, we chose the place in Oxford where style comes in bucketloads. Quod, at the Old Bank Hotel in High Street, has become such a part of city life over the past eight years or so that I wonder how we ever
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Perfect pints after beating the bound
'It's obviously another of those quaint old Oxford traditions," remarked one delighted tourist to another as they joined the entourage who, armed with willow rods, were watching the Rev Hugh Lee chalk a cross on a boundary stone in Broad Street. "We
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Rhubarb wine recipe
In 1983 the late Mollie Harris, whose delightful books about the countryside made such an impact on us all, wrote A Drop O'Wine. My copy is now brown with age, but I still count it as a kitchen Bible as it provides me with recipes for a superb collection
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Terror's Advocate, Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden? and RFK Must Die,
Jacques Vergés is an enigma shrouded by mystery inside a conspiracy. An anti-colonialist since his childhood, Vergés was a student friend of Pol Pot, the future dictator of Cambodia. He made his name defending Algerian heroine (and future wife) Djamila
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La Antena, XXY, Caramel and Heartbeat Detector
The continuing strength of New Argentine Cinema is demonstrated by two films on release this week. Dazzlingly inventive throughout, Esteban Sapir's La Antena is a noirish fantasy set in the Year XX in the City Without a Voice, whose population has been
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Abingdon and District Camera Club: Artweeks
A visit to view the Artweeks photographic exhibition by members of the Abingdon and District's Camera Club was not for the faint hearted - only those capable of climbing six flights of stairs and live to tell the tale would have been able to enjoy this
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Sue and Alan Mynell: Artweeks show
This was the first time that husband and wife Sue and Alan Mynall had exhibited together. Sue's work was shown in the comfortable surroundings of their home and Alan's in his business-like studio, where there is also an opportunity to see him working.
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Andrew Walker: West Oxford Community Centre
Watercolourist and potter Andrew Walker is also a professional framer and has mounted and framed all the pictures he has in this exhibition (until May 26). The 15 paintings on show have a strong Oxford and Oxfordshire bias, as Andrew is Oxford-based,
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Balanescu Quartet, North Wall
This was an unusual multi-media event as the music, specially composed by Romanian virtuoso violinist Alexander Balanescu for two very different films by Gillian Lacey, was actually played live as they were shown. Balanescu's quartet seemed very at home
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Henry VI, Royal Shakespeare Company, Roundhouse, London
Reflecting on unexpected camaraderie born from the experience of seeing the three parts of Henry VI, the late Bernard Levin observed: "By the end of the day, complete strangers were offering each other wine gums." Thirty years on, the Royal Shakespeare
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Born in a Barn preview: Oxford Contemporary Music
Reaffirming music's roots outside the concert hall, the last two events in Oxford Contemporary Music's present programme, entitled Born in a Barn, take place in rural venues and involve in different ways an interaction between the music and the immediate
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100 Years of Broadway: Kidlington Operatic Society
A heady mix of nostalgia, poignancy, romance, catchy melodies and good clean fun were the main ingredients of Kidlington Amateur Operatic Society's celebration of Broadway last weekend. This was a sparkling, slick and dashing affair, which took the audience
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Carmen: Holywell Music Room
Oxford Triptych Theatre launched its new Opera in Concert project last weekend with a spellbinding performance of Carmen. Concert version this may have been, but all the passion and drama of Bizet's opera were superbly captured by a young and immensely
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Bonachela Dance Company: Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham
Two years ago the Everyman Theatre presented the first performance by the newly formed Bonachela Dance Company. This was quite a coup, but - judging by the pitifully small audience onTuesday - it did not go down well in Cheltenham. Rafael Bonachela had
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Assassins: OFS Studio, Oxford
Musicals of Oxford and The Player's Fools have bitten into a tough cookie from the godfather of modern musical theatre, Stephen Sondheim. Assassins is essentially a one-act concept musical with no likeable characters, no obvious structure and no happy
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Hamilton preaches equal rights
Lewis Hamilton is determined to achieve his aim of winning the Monaco Grand Prix in two weeks time, but is not expecting any preferential treatment from his McLaren team. Hamilton came within a whisker of victory last season, only to lose out to then
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New plea after rape attack
POLICE today renewed an appeal after the rape and sexual assault of two 16-year-old girls in Thame. Insp Jim O'Ryan, based in Thame said: "We are still appealing for help from the public to trace two men who were in the Cuttlebrook Nature Reserve, in
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Drugs raid women bailed
Two women have been released from police custody after an estimated £1,000 worth of cocaine was found in a raid on an Oxford house. Police raided the home in Aldrich Road, North Oxford, at 9am yesterday. Both women, aged 22 and 42, were arrested on
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Overturned vehicle destroys walls
A VEHICLE overturned in Cherwell Drive, Marston, today destroying two garden walls. Firefighters made the vehicle safe after the accident, which happened just before 1am. Nobody was injured.
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Hunting campaigner in court
The son of Roxy Music star Bryan Ferry has appeared in court to answer charges of robbery and assault. Pro-hunting campaigner Otis Ferry, 25, is alleged to have robbed a woman of a video camera and assaulted another woman while riding with the Chipping
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Ferry faces robbery charge
THE son of Roxy Music star Bryan Ferry has appeared in court to answer charges of robbery and assault. Pro-hunting campaigner Otis Ferry, 25, is alleged to have robbed a woman of a Samsung video camera and assaulted another woman while hunting in Gloucestershire
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Women released after Oxford drugs raid
TWO women have been released from police custody after an estimated £1,000 worth of cocaine was found in a raid on an Oxford house. Police raided the home in Aldrich Road, North Oxford, at 9am yesterday. Both women, aged 22 and 42, were arrested on
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Three injured in A420 crash
FIREFIGHTERS were called to a road accident involving three vehicles on the A420. The vehicles collided outside Wadley Manor Cottages, near Littleworth, at about 10.40pm last night. Three people were injured in the accident. One was taken to
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Today's local share prices (AM)
AEA Technology 69.75 BMW 2913 Electrocomponents 179.25 Nationwide Accident Repair 140.5 Oxford Biomedica 23.75 Oxford Catalyst 169.5 Oxford Instruments 211.5 Reed Elsevier 656.5 RM 207.25 RPS Group 333.75 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
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Jobless total rises again
The number of people out of work and claiming Jobseekers Allowance in the county has gone up for the fifth month in a row. A total of 3,820 claimants are gistered for the benefit in Oxfordshire, a rise of 58 on the previous month. But the overall
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All change for Crewe....
Well a little natural break there. Sorry if you missed me but I’ve had a few days in the sun you know. By golly they can’t touch you for it but I bet this government will try. The memory of the April play is already fading and rehearsals are galloping
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Traders upbeat despite gloomy figures
Optimistic city centre traders in Oxford are upbeat about the economy despite the latest set of gloomy statistics. Figures released by the British Retail Consortium (BRC) show that high street sales nationally were down by 1.6 per cent in April compared
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Sleepyhead
Back to the lake this morning. Alarm rang at 6.10am which was nasty as I have gone soft in my old age. This time last year my then one-year-old daughter frequently had us awake at that time but being awoken by alarm to dip in Cassington gravel pit seems
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Campaigners fear new Horton threat
HOSPITAL campaigners have pledged to keep a close eye on planned NHS cutbacks - mere weeks after services at Banbury's Horton Hospital were saved. The Government is planning a new nationwide shake-up of health services, but Horton supporters have said
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Dealer jailed for three years
A 37-year-old drug dealer was jailed for three years after admitting possessing crack cocaine and heroin with intent to supply. Oxford Crown Court heard Otis Nash, of Priory Road, Littlemore, Oxford, had £770 of crack cocaine and £630 of heroin in his
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Failure
There was much heroism in the fire which ravaged the Partlett home in Oxford on Sunday morning. Firefighters were praised for rescuing mum Charmaine and three of her young children from their three-storey house. But the accolades stop on the steps
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Sailor nears voyage end
YACHTSMAN Adrian Flanagan has entered British waters as he approaches the finish line on his round-the-world voyage. Mr Flanagan 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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Arsonist torches motorbike in the Leys
An arsonist torched a motorcycle in Gillians Park, Greater Leys, this morning. Firefighters, who are treating the incident as deliberate, extinguished the blaze, near Dunnock Way, at about 5.30am.
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OAP conned
CONMEN posing as 'water board' officials stole £1,000 in cash from an 88-year-old woman. A man knocked on the door of the pensioner's home, in Wood Farm Road, Oxford,at about 3.20pm on Friday, claiming he was investigating a water leak, and while
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Overturned vehicle destroys garden wall
A vehicle overturned in Cherwell Drive, Marston, this morning - destroying two garden walls. Firefighters made the vehicle safe after the accident, which happened just before 1am. Nobody was injured.
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Motorists get the speeding message
NEIGHBOURHOOD officers did not catch any speeding drivers through rat-runs during an operation in Oxford yesterday. Officers carried out a survey between 3pm and 6pm, monitoring the speed of vehicles in Old High Street, Osler Road, Sandfield Road
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No one injured in shed fire
A shed fire in Horspath threatened to spread into neighbouring properties before firefighters extinguished it in the early hours of this morning. The 4m by 3m shed caught alight in Manor Farm Road at just after midnight. By the time firefighters arrived
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Girls' 'shame' in sex trial
TWO schoolgirls yesterday described their "shame and disgust" after agreeing to kick a married driving instructor in the groin. They told a jury at Oxford Crown Court that David Aston, 32, drove them to secluded woodland near Bicester and performed
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Three car accident on A420
Firefighters were called to a road accident involving three vehicles on the A420 last night. The vehicles collided outside Wadley Manor Cottages, near Littleworth, at about 10.40pm. Three people were injured in the accident. One was taken to the
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Oxon 7/7 hero honoured
AN Oxfordshire man who tried to save the lives of London Underground passengers in the aftermath of the July 7 terror attacks in 2005 will be honoured today. Tim Coulson, from Henley-on-Thames, is among 10 people being recognised by the Royal Humane
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A wake-up call for academy
The Ofsted report on the progress towards Oxford's first academy is a grave disappointment. The creation of an academy was seen as a cure for all the ills which had beset Peers School at Littlemore. But it is clear that much work remains to be done
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Report knocks academy plan
The Government's education watchdog has raised serious concerns about progress of plans to transform Oxford's Peers School into the city's first academy. In a report sent to the Secretary of State for Education Ed Balls, Her Majesty's inspector of schools
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Pregnant mother flees attacker
A HEAVILY pregnant mother 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 from Field Avenue, in Blackbird Leys, while walking with
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NAG needs volunteers
VOLUNTEERS are wanted for the Woodstock Neighbourhood Action Group. The committee is made up of residents, councillors, police and other groups and tasked with tackling problems raised by residents in the town. The group's next meeting is scheduled
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Cycle alert
POLICE say they will clamp down on cyclists riding on pavements after spotting 33 in just two hours. Police in Headington have carried out four surveys at the junction of London Road and Windmill Road in the past month. The highest number of culprits
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Ofsted 'fears' over Peers Academy
THE Government's education watchdog has raised serious concerns about progress of plans to transform Oxford's Peers School into the city's first academy. In a report sent to the Secretary of State for Education Ed Balls, Her Majesty's inspector of schools
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Girls' 'disgust' in driving instructor sex case
Two schoolgirls yesterday described their "shame and disgust" after agreeing to kick a married driving instructor in the groin. They told a jury at Oxford Crown Court that David Aston, 32, drove them to secluded woodland near Bicester and performed
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Barrichello future in the balance
HONDA chief Nick Fry is refusing to offer veteran Rubens Barrichello a guarantee he will be around next year, never mind in a position to chalk up 300 grands prix. Barrichello revealed his ambition at the weekend when he became the most experienced
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Carers back new drive
FOSTER parents have backed a recruitment drive aimed at getting more people to share their homes with vulnerable children. Foster Care Fortnight, which began this week, will see a special van driven to various parts of the county in order to allow people
