Archive
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Superhero fatigue
So here we are again poised to run the gauntlet of Hollywood's blockbuster season. These over-priced, under-written and over-hyped films are designed to lure the young and impressionable into the cinema and away from more noble summer pursuits like fornicating
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TENNIS: Henman happy with progress
TIM Henman believes that Oxfordshire has made great strides in junior tennis - but says that they still have a long way to go. The former British No 1, who retired last year, was brought up in the county as a youngster before leaving Oxford's Dragon
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U's look for youth boost
OXFORD United will be pulling out all the stops in a bid to let their youth scheme continue. But they need to find a considerable sum of money, and are actively seeking help from potential sponsors. The Football League gave Oxford a boost by saying
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Pools still struggling for staff
Blackbird Leys Swimming Pool may be shut on Saturday because of staffing problems, Oxford City Council has warned. Long-standing staff shortages meant the council was forced to cancel several sessions at the pool and the pool at Peers Sports Centre last
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Police seek leads in lead case
Two youths were caught with hundreds of pounds' worth of suspected stolen lead stuffed inside wheelie bins. Police were called to Heyford Hill Road, in Littlemore, Oxford, at about 11pm on Monday and found the teenagers running along the road with two
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Equality body 'discriminated against me'
Race equality council bosses in Oxford refused to give an employee the pay rise he had been promised because he was the wrong kind of black man, a tribunal has heard. Nolan Victory claims his bosses - who were all black - ignored his complaints and even
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The fat bird and the Cauliflower
I am not, as a rule, an angry man and will cross the street to avoid bother… or some of Cowley Road’s more crossed-eyed souls. But, I must admit, to feeling the red mist descend this week. It was all over a fat bird. The temptation as this stage is
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Nightmare neighbour avoids prison
A nightmare neighbour has avoided a prison sentence for breaching an antisocial behaviour order weeks after it was imposed. Shannon Ryan, 26, of Daisy Bank, Abingdon, was yesterday given a suspended sentence by Didcot magistrates for breaching the order
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Horrible history comes to life
Actors putting on a production of Horrible Histories in Oxford are marking the anniversary of the beheading of Anne Boleyn in particularly dramatic style. Monday is the 472th anniversary of the former queen's untimely demise. And to mark the occasion
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Police on move to London
Record numbers of police officers are leaving Oxfordshire for better pay in London. In the past year, 78 officers left Thames Valley Police to join the Metropolitan Police - the largest exodus for six years. And the Oxfordshire branch of the Police
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Plea issued after homes raided
POLICE today issued an e-fit after two burglaries in north Oxfordshire, which detectives believe are linked. The break-ins happened on Wednesday, April 30, but the e-fit was only issued this afternoon. Officers said some time between 8.15am and
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Show shines light on holograms
An exhibition celebrating the 60th anniversary of the hologram is going on show at the Oxfordshire Museum in Woodstock. The hologram was invented by Hungarian scientist Dennis Gabor in Rugby in 1947, as a result of research into electron microscopy.
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Double killer to serve 20 years
A JILTED lover who murdered his former partner and the man she planned to marry has failed in his bid to reduce his prison sentence. Robert Shreeve, 45, was jailed for 20 years for stabbing to death Margaret Burtenshaw, 48, and John Partridge, 50,
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Celebrity chef feels heat over barbecue
ANTONY Worrall Thompson's Oxfordshire gastro-pub has landed the celebrity chef in trouble after its barbecue was criticised by environmental health officers. The barbecue put up at The Lamb Inn at Satwell, near Henley-on-Thames, was not to the taste
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Lend a hand to learning
People from all walks of life in Oxford have been invited to offer a helping hand to their community through education. Oxford Learning Communities is looking to recruit about 20 more volunteer 'learning champions' to help staff its offices on the Barton
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Worrall Thompson feels heat over barbecue
Antony Worrall Thompson's Oxfordshire gastro-pub has landed the celebrity chef in trouble after its barbecue was criticised by environmental health officers. The barbecue erected at The Lamb Inn at Satwell, near Henley-on-Thames, was not to the taste
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Double killer to serve 20 years
A jilted lover who murdered his former partner and the man she planned to marry has failed in his bid to reduce his prison sentence. Robert Shreeve, 45, was jailed for 20 years for stabbing to death Margaret Burtenshaw, 48, and John Partridge, 50, at
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ROWING: Juniors show way
City of Oxford Rowing Club junior squad were celebrating after winning a haul of tankards at the Evesham Regatta Sprint. Shannen King and Annie Robinson won both the under 14 and under 15 girls' double skulls. Holly Holden triumph in the under 18
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Pigeon results
Shotover & District FC (Picauville, 15 sent 114): 1, 3, 5 R Wiggins & son 1158, 1091, 1059; 2, 4, 12, D S & R Wiggins 1099, 1071, 887; 6, 10, 18 R Jenkins, son and daughter 1055, 925, 783; 7, 8, 14 Sherman & Wells 957.5, 957.4, 854; 9 L Wheeler 938; 11
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Jury retires in groin kick case
A jury will tomorrow continue deciding whether a driving instructor is "a predator who targets underage girls", as they were told yesterday. Married father-of-two David Aston, of Bell Close, Cassington, admits driving four teenagers to secluded woodland
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CYCLING: Elzinga on song
Oxford University time trialist Jesse Elzinga won the Burford to Lechlade and back ten-mile time trial in 21min 29sec. The event was promoted by the Oxonian CC and had a very good entry of 33 riders. Oxford City ace Mark Jones had to settle for second
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Farmer calls it a day at 92
For 40 years Wally Ward has run one of the last privately-owned farms within Oxford's ring road. But now the 92-year-old is having to call time and put Hill View Farm in Marston on the market because none of his grandchildren want to take it on. Last
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Rivers taken off flood watch
THE Environment Agency has taken three rivers in Oxfordshire off its Flood Watch warning. The rivers Ray, Windrush and Evenlode were put on Flood Watch after heavy rain. Although more rain is forecast, the Environment Agency said it did not expect
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CYCLING: Deadly Steve is Wright on time
Only seconds separated the Didcot Phoenix trio in the Hillingdon 25-mile open time trial on the High Wycombe, Sonning and Marlow course. Steve Wright was fastest of the Phoenix riders in 57 mins 16 secs. A second behind was Mark Scanlan with 57.17.
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TENNIS: Newcomers Wychwood give City fright
Wychwood came so close to producing a huge shock in their first season in Ladies' Division 1 of the OLTA Wilson Inter-Club 3-Pair League. Facing defending champions Oxford City, Wychwood trailed 3-2 going into the final round of matches. They levelled
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Book shop wins award
AN ABINGDON book shop has won a prestigious industry award. Mostly Books, in Stert Street, has been open for just under two years, and was shortlisted for the British Book Industry Awards New Bookshop of the Year category. Manager Mark Thornton
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Quarry backing causes anger
VILLAGERS objecting to plans to create a giant quarry close to Oxford said they were furious the Environment Agency had backed the proposals. Hanson Aggregates wants to extract 1.55m tonnes of sand and gravel from a site the size of 40 football pitches
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TENNIS: Henman's return was real thrill
North Oxford chairman Mark Wilkinson admitted the club could not believe their luck when Tim Henman agreed to open their new clubhouse. Since his retirement, Henman (pictured) says that he has been innundated with requests to open and launch various
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Labour to run city executive
OXFORD City Council will be run by an all-Labour executive board, it has been decided this afternoon. Breaking with recent convention, the new ruling Labour administration - led by council leader Bob Price - has made no room at the top table for opposition
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Simply divine
One of this country's most creative, and intriguing songwriters, Neil Hannon has redrawn the boundaries of experimental indie music. Trading under the name Divine Comedy, he has challenged and amused listeners with wry tales of everyday life for nearly
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All systems red
If there's one thing that defines Red Light Company it is determination. Ambitious, pushy and utterly assured of their own brilliance, they allow nothing to get in their way. Not even pushy immigration officers. When he was pulling together the band
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Caramel (PG)
Directed, written by and starring Nadine Lakabi, Caramel is a suitably sweet melodrama revolving around a Beirut beauty salon called Si Belle. The place provides a focal point for the gossiping of the local women as they search for love and fulfilment
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Shutter (15)
Asia is the birthplace of some of the biggest electronics and technology companies, so it's fitting that the continent's filmmakers should conjure modern day nightmares from this economic boom. In The Ring and its sequels, the humble video recorder
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Rivers off flood watch
The Environment Agency has taken three rivers in Oxfordshire off its Flood Watch warning. The rivers Ray, Cole and Evenlode were put on Flood Watch after heavy rain yesterday morning. Although more rain is forecast for today the Environment Agency
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Keeping it secret
Prunella Scales is terribly well spoken, a far cry from the screeching Sybil whose laugh was described by John Cleese as "someone machine-gunning a seal". Only 12 episodes of Fawlty Towers were made, yet Prunella will be forever immortalised as Basil's
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SPORT CALENDAR: All the action in Oxon for the week ahead
SATURDAY CRICKET HOME COUNTIES PREMIER LEAGUE Div 1: Banbury v Falkland, High Wycombe v Henley, Reading v Oxford. Div 2 West: Gerrards Cross v Thame Tn, Kidlington v Finchampstead. THE OXFORD TIMES CHERWELL LEAGUE Div 1: Aston Rowant v Oxford
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Moon walkers prepare for the off
Five women from Bicester have decorated their bras with lights and glitter as they prepare to take part in this weekend's MoonWalk for charity in London. Jeanette Watts, 48, and daughter Rachel, 18, Trisha Kidd, 44, Gina Coles, 35, and Linda Hurley,
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RUGBY UNION: Pride key for Oxon
Pride will be the key when Oxfordshire face Hertfordshire at Old Albanians tomorrow in their final County Championship Shield game of the season. Oxon need to beat Herts by 29 points to avoid relegation, but coach John Brodley says simply winning is
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City backs eco-town plan
THE proposed eco-town near Weston-on-the-Green has been welcomed as "a massive opportunity" for Oxford, by the new Town Hall administration. The incoming Labour administration has wasted little time in signalling its backing for the 15,000-home settlement
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Ocean's swell
Ocean & Collins - or 'The OC', as I've overheard some particularly astute members of Oxford's socialite population beginning to call it over recent months - was on top form last Thursday night. Feeling Funky was the name of the night, and the tunes
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Quarry backing sparks outrage
Villagers objecting to plans to create a giant quarry close to Oxford said they were furious the Environment Agency had backed the proposals. Hanson Aggregates wants to extract 1.55m tonnes of sand and gravel from a site the size of 40 football pitches
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RUGBY LEAGUE: Ravens will be tougher
Oxford Cavaliers coach Mark Shaw expects a far tougher challenge when they visit Redditch Ravens in the Rugby League Conference South West and Midlands division tomorrow. Cavaliers crushed Wolverhampton Wizards 96-6 in their opening match, but games
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Executive board is all red
Oxford City Council will be run by an all-Labour executive board, it has been decided this afternoon. Breaking with recent convention, the new ruling Labour administration - led by council leader Bob Price - has made no room at the top table for opposition
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CRICKET: Oxon go the extra mile
Oxfordshire may be a little weary when they take the field in Sunday's MCCA Trophy clash with Cumberland at Work- ington. The Cumbrian town is 285 miles away from Oxford and Oxon's players must travel there tomorrow night after their club matches.
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Young singers launch CD compilation
Young female singers and musicians from around the county have launched a three-CD compilation of their music. The women are all part of the Young Women's Band Project (YWBP) run by the Ark-T Centre in Cowley. The Spark 3 CD, launched at Oxford's
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CRICKET: Bhatti's belated bow
Thame Town's overseas player Jaydeep Bhatti will make his belated debut when they visit Gerrards Cross in Division 2 West of the Home Counties Premier League tomorrow. The Indian left-arm spinner's arrival was delayed last week, but he is now determined
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Tim Jagger?
Henman pulls a Mick Jagger-like face as he controls a backhand volley
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Carted off
Talk about a Mad Hatters tea party. Our visit to The Feathers in Woodstock challenged anything Lewis Carroll could come up with. But, as with all good stories, this has a happy ending. SO WHAT HAPPENED? To cut a long story short, we had booked
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Power and control
Henman puts his all into a backhand during a knockabout at North Oxford Tennis Club
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Net tips
Young fans soak up the advice dished up by the man rated as one of the best volleyers to have played at Wimbledon
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Shirt signing
The former England number one signs the shirts of a few young fans
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Posing for fans
The tennis ace has his picture taken with a few fans
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Officially open
Tim Henman cuts the ribbon to officially open North Oxford Tennis Club's £300,000 clubhouse.
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Dark thoughts
The hardback version of the story, which has been snipped for paperback About four years ago, two Oxford authors met over a cream tea at the Old Parsonage Hotel and the plot thickened. They set about solving a problem that has been troubling some authors
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Looking back
Tim Henman speaks to Oxford Mail sports editor Mark Edwards
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Young poet wins prestigious Amnesty International prize
A poem inscribed on a tiny scrap of paper has won the regional round of a prestigious human rights poetry competition. Oxford schoolgirl Aditi Gaddam, a pupil at St Clare's School, Banbury Road, was named the Midlands winner for Amnesty International's
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Man in court on wife attack
A petty tyrant who launched a vicious attack on his wife has walked free from court. Angur Ali broke his wife Rohima's nose when he repeatedly punched her - accusing her of damaging a pair of trousers he had asked her to repair. Jennifer Edwards,
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Neighbours cry foul over kickabout area
A controversial kickabout area in Cowley remains open - six months after it was agreed to sell and relocate the site. Residents asked for action over footballs repeatedly thudding into their homes after coming over the fences of the small, concrete
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Proposed city council executive board revealed
The Oxford Mail can reveal the proposed make-up of the city council's new decision-making executive board. There is no room at the table for any opposition councillors in the nine-strong cabinet. Labour, by virtue of the fact the group has the largest
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A sign to keep cyclists alive
Your readers may remember our daughter, Rachel Barker, aged 30, was killed near Oxford station bridge on May 11, 2000. One comment in James Styring's article, Simple rules when trucks are lurking (On Yer Bike, Oxford Mail, April 22) is hard to understand
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Real insight
On May 5, the Oxford Israeli Cultural Society brought "A little piece of Israel" to the heart of Oxford, including camel rides, music and belly-dancing. I have other suggestions for any future event: An all-day curfew, enforced by tanks rolling up Broad
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Book shop wins award
An Abingdon book shop has scooped a prestigious industry award. Mostly Books, in Stert Street, has been open for just under two years, and was shortlisted for the British Book Industry Awards New Bookshop of the Year category. Manager Mark Thornton
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Three rivers on floodwatch
Three rivers in Oxfordshire have been placed under a Flood Watch by the Environment Agency. Flood Watches are now in place on the rivers Ray, Cole, and Evenlode, which indicate that these rivers in the Thames region may flood in the near future. If
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Sex case jury retires
THE jury in the case of a married driving instructor accused of getting underage girls to kick him in the groin has retired. Father-of-two David Aston, 32, denies denies sexual activity with a child, causing or enticing a child to engage in sexual activity
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Jury out in groin kick case
The jury in the case of a married driving instructor accused of getting underage girls to kick him in the groin have retired. Father-of-two David Aston, 32, denies denies sexual activity with a child, causing or enticing a child to engage in sexual
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Safari Sa-goody
Making the most of the sun we went for a day out at Woburn Safari Park. First stop were the animal enclosures you drive through and I put Littl'un on my lap so she could see al the creatures. As we drove past the lions she got excited. Then we realised
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Cabbages and Kings
It was one of those hard-to-explain happenings, unexpected on a sunny Tuesday morning on the banks of the Thames, yards from the gasworks bridge. There was not a narrowboat or any other craft to be seen in either direction. No swans, geese, ducks, coots
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Today's local share prices
AEA Technology 68.25 BMW 2899 Electrocomponents 178 Nationwide Accident Repair 140 Oxford Biomedica 23.5 Oxford Catalyst 169.5 Oxford Instruments 215.75 Reed Elsevier 661.25 RM 208 RPS Group 337.75 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
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Bellringer tells of injury
A bellringer who was injured when his leg became caught in a rope has told of the moment he was hoisted off the ground. Academic Dr Tony Merry was taking part in the bell ringing practice at St Mary's Church in Church Street, Charlbury, when the accident
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Update: Injured bellringer talks
A bellringer who was injured when his leg became caught in a rope has told of the moment he was hoisted off the ground. Academic Dr Tony Merry was taking part in the bell ringing practice at St Mary's Church in Church Street, Charlbury, when the accident
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Rail passengers warned of Wembley delays
Chiltern Railways trains are expected to be very busy all weekend, due to the closure of the main Virgin Trains Birmingham-London route for engineering work and football finals at Wembley on Saturday and Sunday. Modified timetables will be in operation
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Teens caught with lead hoard
Two teenagers have been caught with hundreds of pounds worth of suspected stolen lead stuffed inside wheelie bins. Police are today asking residents in Littlemore, in Oxford, and Sandford-on-Thames to check their homes and roofs for missing lead.
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Walk to raise awareness of condition and funds
Summer is the perfect time for going on leisurely walks in the park, so what better time to think about embarking on a sponsored walk for a national charity? The Oxfordshire branch of Diabetes UK is holding a sponsored walk to highlight diabetes and
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A pyramid, Milton and the North Sea
Wheatley has curious connections with the past, from John Milton to making bobbins for fishermen's nets, writes CHRIS KOENIG Here is a poignant little fact about Wheatley, that village on the outskirts of Oxford. For centuries it had a curious
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Bin boys caught with lead haul
TWO teenagers have been caught with hundreds of pounds worth of suspected stolen lead stuffed inside wheelie bins. Police are today asking residents in Littlemore and Sandford-on-Thames to check their homes and roofs for missing lead. Officers were
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Time to plan for autumn splendour
VAL BOURNE says autumn-flowering perennials are ideal for this time of year I called in at Waterperry Gardens, near Wheatley, to see the nursery is bulging with good plants and I'm delighted to say that not many of them were in flower. Go to most
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'Early birds' beat the climate
Research carried out by Oxford scientists shows that great tits breeding in Wytham Woods have adapted their breeding to fit warmer springs, writes ANDREW FFRENCH Great tits in woods near Oxford have adapted their breeding patterns to fit warmer
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Renoir's lasting impression
The Courtauld Institute selects the Impressionist artist to help mark its 75th anniversary, writes THERESA THOMPSON La Loge, Renoir's picture of an elegant couple in their box at the theatre, was his major contribution to the first Impressionist
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Lily: a blue eyed girl
Lily is a black and white terrier cross. She is a very active two-and-a-half year old who will make a fantastic companion. Lily has a unique blue eye, which adds to her quirky and fun loving nature. She has bags of energy and will need an active owner
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Hamlet on an emotional and dark journey
Next week Northern Ballet Theatre bring David Nixon's startling new version of Hamlet, set in 0ccupied Paris, to Milton Keynes Theatre. He talked about the production to DAVID BELLAN David Nixon is a highly talented choreographer, and also a wonderful
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Springboard to a bright future
As Music at Oxford launches a festival for young musicians, NICOLA LISLE talks to one of the hosts, the renowned pianist Melvyn Tan A whole day of classical music, with food, drink, lawn games and an art exhibition thrown in for good measure. It
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Warts and all view of children's pain
A TV documentary next week shows the vital role of the Mulbery Bush School, writes PETER CANN An award-winning film about the work of Mulberry Bush School at Standlake is being broadcast on BBC4 on Thursday. Hold Me Tight, Let Me Go is made by prize-winning
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Lorry overturns on M40
DRIVERS were delayed today after a lorry overturned on the M40. The accident happened before 7am on the northbound carriageway, between junction six at Lewknor and junction seven at Great Haseley. A spokesman for South Central Ambulance said the
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Accidental rest
Well, I managed to fit in an extra rest yesterday having not made it to the University Parks for a quick blast. My wife had an unfortunate incident with our car and I had to go home instead of running. Fortunately no-one was badly injured but it did force
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The Rat Pack Live from Las Vegas
The morning after seeing The Rat Pack this week, I turned on Radio 2 to find Aled Jones playing Frank Sinatra and marvelling that it was now ten years since this wonderful entertainer died. "I can't believe he's not still with us." Well, Aled, you would
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Educating Agnes
Liz Lochhead is one of Scotland's finest contemporary playwrights, while the 17th-century writer Molière is a legend of the French theatre. So it's no wonder that the combination of these talents has created a play that will leave you grinning from ear
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Superhero fatigue
So here we are again poised to run the gauntlet of Hollywood's blockbuster season. These over-priced, under-written and over-hyped films are designed to lure the young and impressionable into the cinema and away from more noble summer pursuits
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Lorry overturned on M40
Drivers were delayed this morning after a lorry overturned on the M40. The accident happened before 7am on the northbound carriageway, between junction six at Lewknor and junction seven at Great Haseley. A spokesman for South Central Ambulance said
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Fire crew rescues bellringer
FIREFIGHTERS rescued a bellringer in Charlbury after his leg got caught in a bell rope. Academic Dr Tony Merry was taking part in the bell-ringing practice at St Mary's Church, in Church Street, when the accident happened at about 8.45pm last night.
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Injured bellringer rescued from church tower
Firefighters rescued a bellringer in Charlbury after his leg got caught in a bell rope. Academic Dr Tony Merry was taking part in the bell-ringing practice at St Mary's Church in Church Street, when the accident happened at about 8.45pm last night.
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School loses bid for £5m
A PLAN to give an 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 - meaning it could reopen
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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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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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Overriding
News that a paedophile has been cleared to return to his home and live not far from his victim is startling. Officials assure the community that there will be a "robust" protection system in place. But can we really be sure that he will be monitored
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Council 'sorry' over fire 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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Challenge facing our schools
It has been a bad week for ambitious school projects in Oxford. Yesterday, we reported that an Ofsted inspector had been highly critical of progress towards turning the troubled Peers School at Littlemore into the city's first academy. Now there is
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Town heroes honoured
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 go back
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Sign up for charity walk
PEOPLE are being urged to join a sponsored walk in aid of Witney charity Cecily's Fund. The walk, on Saturday, runs along the Oxford Canal and starts at Somerton. It will mark the 10th anniversary of the charity. For more details, see cecilysfund.org
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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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Benn will be key speaker
TONY Benn, the 83-year-old former Labour Cabinet minister and MP, is the lead speaker on the main theme of this year's Levellers' Day, the need for a written constitution, in Burford on Saturday. The event, which also includes a parade through the
