Archive
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Drug plea to health trust
Campaigners fighting for the right to receive the life-extending cancer drug Sunitinib made an emotional plea to Oxfordshire Primary Care Trust (PCT) at its annual general meeting. Kidney cancer patients from across Oxfordshire were present at the
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Smokers face shock tactics
Graphic new warnings of the dangers of smoking, which will appear on cigarette packets from next week, have been welcomed by Oxfordshire health officials. From Wednesday, the UK will be the first country in the European Union to introduce the picture
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Shop sold food with glass in it
A fast food stall owner whose business served a falafel sandwich containing glass was fined £3,000 today. Mohammed Ali, owner of the Falafel House Kiosk, in Gloucester Green, Oxford, admitted at Oxford Magistrates' Court three charges of breaching
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Iraq death 'was avoidable'
A coroner today criticised the lack of protective buildings at Britian's main military base in Iraq following the death of a Carterton soldier. Sgt Duane Barwood, 41, was killed during a rocket bombardment at Basra Airport in February. An inquest
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Lord Mayor ups reward
A reward for the safe return of a stolen address book and diary belonging to Oxford's Lord Mayor has doubled. Susanna Pressel's orange handbag was stolen from the Lord Mayor's Parlour, at Oxford Town Hall, in St Aldate's, on Tuesday. Police checked
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Smokers face shock tactics
Graphic new warnings of the dangers of smoking, which will appear on cigarette packets from next week, have been welcomed by Oxfordshire health officials. From Wednesday, the UK will be the first country in the European Union to introduce the picture
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Mayor doubles bag theft reward
A reward for the safe return of a stolen address book and diary belonging to Oxford's Lord Mayor has doubled. Susanna Pressel's orange handbag was stolen from the Lord Mayor's Parlour, at Oxford Town Hall, in St Aldate's, on Tuesday.
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Iraq RAF death 'was avoidable'
A coroner today criticised the lack of protective buildings at Britian's main military base in Iraq following the death of a Carterton soldier. Sgt Duane Barwood, 41, was killed during a rocket bombardment at Basra Airport in February. An inquest
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Children put on cutting edge show
Talented child martial artists have made their stage debut after two years of intensive training. Team Taurus's unique blend of hip hop, breakdancing and karate was finally unleashed on the public yesterday. More than 100 people looked on as the group
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Cancer drug plea at PCT meeting
Campaigners fighting for the right to receive the life-extending cancer drug Sunitinib made an emotional plea to Oxfordshire Primary Care Trust (PCT) at its annual general meeting. Kidney cancer patients from across Oxfordshire were present
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House price fall accelerates
The rate at which house prices are falling in Oxfordshire has accelerated, official figures have revealed. The latest statistics from the Land Registry show prices tumbled by 1.5 per cent in August, up from 0.3 per cent recorded in July, which was the
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Shop sold food with glass in it
A fast food stall owner whose business served a falafel sandwich containing glass was fined £3,000 today. Mohammed Ali, owner of the Falafel House Kiosk, in Gloucester Green, Oxford, admitted at Oxford Magistrates' Court three charges of breaching food
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Be pampered for £1
Women living on an Oxford estate have the chance to pamper themselves for a pound tomorrow. More than 150 women of all ages are expected through the doors of Barton Neighbourhood Centre, in Underhill Circus, for the estate's sixth annual therapy day
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Simply farcical
Colin Baker, the former Doctor Who, actually started off as a solicitor before emerging on our TV screens as a bonafide actor. Although, by the sounds of it, he wasn't a very good one because he always sympathised with the underdog rather than
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Listen to the Hold Steady
It was about 18 months ago that I realised The Hold Steady were currently one of the best bands in the world. Thousands swarmed to Smashing Pumpkins at last year's Reading Festival, but meanwhile a select rabble of odd-shaped souls bounced around in
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On the run
IN A scene reminiscent of a Brighton Bank Holiday in the 1960s, an Oxfordshire pub will this weekend be swamped by scores of scooters and their sartorially gifted riders. To celebrate their 30th anniversary, The Oxford Roadrunners Scooter Club
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Hello Mr Blue Sky!
Fusing rock with cellos, violins and horns, Electric Light Orchestra were the undisputed masters of symphonic rock. Between 1971 and 1986, the Brummie band was responsible for a clutch of massive hits which show no sign of growing old. Livin' Thing
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Star in show
Scouts and Guides from Oxfordshire are being invited to audition on Sunday to land a place in the 2009 Oxford Gang Show. Preparations for the all-singing, all-dancing performance, which will be staged in March next year, are already under way and organisers
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Learning how to be a petit Blanc
Children are being given the chance to learn how to cook like Raymond Blanc — by two chefs that trained with the French master. Abi Rose and business partner Chris Bentham will take over the Black Boy pub in Old High Street, Headington, next month and
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Delicious
Oxford is blessed to have the cream of the crop when it comes to restaurateurs and hoteliers. And soon it could get better with the arrival of Gordon Ramsay. The X-rated celebrity, who has a string of restaurants in London and abroad, opens his
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Car crashes into hedge
A car left a road and crashed into a hedge near Chipping Norton today. The driver was unhurt in the incident, which happened at about 2.30pm. Fire crews from Chipping Norton and Hook Norton made the scene safe.
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Targeting drivers in paying off
For motorists, the sight of a policeman at the side of the road holding a speed gun is an irritating one. Drivers bemoan the fact forces spend time checking to see whether people are wearing seat belts or using their mobile phones at the wheel. But
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Car crash victim unhurt
A car left a road and crashed into a hedge near Chipping Norton today. The driver was unhurt in the incident, which happened at about 2.30pm. Fire crews from Chipping Norton and Hook Norton made the scene safe.
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Oxford in Bloom prizes handed out
More than 200 green-fingered homeowners and business people turned out for Oxford In Bloom's annual awards ceremony. Hundreds of glittering trophies and framed certificates were handed out throughout the evening — held at Roman Way Sports and Social
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Nursing home work looks the art
Elderly people coping with dementia unveiled a handmade piece of permanent artwork at an Abingdon care home. Residents of Abingdon Court, in Marcham Road, a nursing home for elderly people needing treatment and help for dementia and Alzheimer's, spent
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Today's local share prices (PM)
AEA Technology 38 BMW 2246 Electrocomponents 160.25 Nationwide Accident Repair 125.5 Oxford Biomedica 8.2 Oxford Catalyst 171 Oxford Instruments 232.25 REED 568.75 RM 169.5 RPS Group 255.25 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
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Different meanings
In reply to William Cowan (Oxford Mail, September 20), I also read the letter from Graham Butler, proving that two people can get different meanings from the same words. I was taught by my parents to respect others' religion and beliefs and it would
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Pathetic excuse
I think the award for shameless tight-fistedness in 2008 must be the Paul O'Grady show on Channel Four. I wrote to the show during the last series, asking for a nodding Buster for the new cancer centre's appeal at the Churchill Hospital, Oxford, only
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Women clue to raid
Police today appealed for information after a house was burgled in Preston Crowmarsh. The thieves broke into the property, between 10am last Friday and 8am on Sunday, and stole a variety of electrical and hand tools. Det Con Georgina Bradley said
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Efficient treatment
I'm sure I'm one of many people who are grateful Abingdon has a minor injuries unit attached to the hospital in Marcham Road. I had an occasion to use it the other day and could only praise the nurses for the quick and most efficient way I was dealt
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NHS is our greatest blessing
Having spent a little time recently in the Churchill Hospital in Oxford, I would like to confirm, beyond doubt, that the NHS is one of the greatest blessings our nation has ever received. The nurses were virtual angels, and the surgeons of the
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Caring staff
I am writing to say a big thank you to the staff at Sainsbury's at Heyford Hill, Oxford, for the way they cared for my father who collapsed there recently. They managed the situation outstandingly well and saw my father was given the best care and consideration
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Stressful challenge
Many proud parents will have been anxiously watching their sons and daughters heading off to colleges and universities all over the country. This should be a happy and exciting time for young people. For many, it will be the first time they will have
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Crime? We're at a peaceful demo
Some of your readers will have suffered various forms of crime on the afternoon of Sunday, September 21, only to be told by a pompous police call operator that their officers were too busy to come out. These victims of crime will therefore be disgusted
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Jericho stars in free film
The Phoenix Picturehouse in Walton Street, Jericho, Oxford, is showing a home-grown film tomorrow. Cine-camera footage of Jericho in the late 1950s and early 1960s, shot by builder's merchant Wally Pedell, has been transformed into a 50-minute
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Scenes from the past
The Phoenix Picturehouse in Walton Street, Jericho,Oxford, is showing a home-grown film tomorrow. Cine-camera footage of Jericho in the late 1950s and early 1960s, shot by builder's merchant Wally Pedell, has been transformed into a 50-minute film called
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Archaic practice
While I agree that the waste collectors do a job not many would do, I take great exception to the way they carry out their duties. They are supposed to return bins to their collection point, and not use wheelie bins for anyone else's rubbish
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Backing Brown
There are two reasons why the Labour Party doesn't want a leadership contest now. The vast majority of the electorate would never accept yet another unelected Prime Minister. If this should happen, Labour would be defeated, with perhaps only 100 seats
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Great display
What a fantastic display by the British paralympic team who did us proud by winning 42 golds and a total of 102 medals, coming second only to China. Many world records were smashed. The whole games were something to remember. My only criticism
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Driver held on drugs charge
A man was arrested and a stash of drugs discovered after police stopped a car driving erratically in Watlington yesterday. Police stopped a car at around 2.10am and arrested the driver for failing to supply a breath specimen, driving a motor vehicle
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The village Samaritan
On Monday morning, I was working as usual from home when I spotted a middle-aged woman walking up High Street, Kidlington, towards School Road. I was instantly intrigued by her behaviour as she bent down here and there. It was not until she got much
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Pity the sad sporty types
There was a time when old people knew their place. You could rely on someone aged 50 or over to accept that, barring any major scientific breakthroughs, their life was essentially over.o After all, you can't really have sex once you are 50-plus
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Burglars steal electric equipment
Burglars stole electrical equipment from a house in North Oxford. Police are appealing for information following the break-in, which happened some time between 8am and 3.30pm yesterday in Lucerne Road. A back window was forced open and several items
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Driver arrested after crash
A motorist has been arrested on suspicion of drink-driving after a collision near Charlbury. Police were called to the B4437 Woodstock Road at 6pm yesterday after the crash involving two Nissan cars. Two people were taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital
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A pampering for a pound
Women living on an Oxford estate have the chance to pamper themselves for a pound tomorrow. More than 150 women of all ages are expected to go through the doors of Barton Neighbourhood Centre, in Underhill Circus, for the estate's sixth annual therapy
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Arrest follows two-car crash
A motorist was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving after a collision near Charlbury. Police were called to the B4437 Woodstock Road at 6pm yesterday after a collision between two Nissan cars. Two people were taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital
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Ceramicists raise cash for autism
A group of ceramicists who held an impromptu charity auction of their wares raised £2,000 to help educate children with autism. The money was collected during an Art in Action event at Waterperry House, near Wheatley, and was handed over to autistic
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Burglars strike in North Oxford
Police are appealing for information following a burglary in North Oxford. Between 8am and 3.30pm yesterday, offenders forced a back window to an address in Lucerne Road and stole several electrical items, including mobile phones, computer
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CRICKET: Prichard to speak at dinner
Former Essex captain Paul Prichard will speak at the South Oxfordshire Amateurs CC's 75th anniversary dinner at Standlake on Saturday, October 4. He has taken over following Test umpire David Shepherd's withdrawal due to illness. Those interested
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Firefighters bring home medals
Super-fit firefighters from Oxfordshire showed true Olympic spirit to bring home a bumper haul of medals after competing at the World Firefighter Games. The team competed with a wide range of public and private sector organisations, including
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Litter pickers tackle river
Litter pickers tackled a section of the River Windrush in Witney as part of the national Big Tidy Up campaign. Staff from West Oxfordshire District Council, Oxfordshire Waste Partnership (OWP) and Fox FM joined local group Witney Woodland Volunteers
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Charity day in teenager's memory
Comedy, craft workshops and live music will provide an "amazing tribute" to an 18-year-old teenager who died suddenly. Volunteers from Emma's Trust have invited people from across the county to join them at Emma's Day in Chipping Norton on Sunday
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Store jobs under threat
Workers at the three Oxfordshire outlets of soft furnishings retailer Rosebys are facing an uncertain future after it was taken into administration. The company, which has a store in Oxford's Westgate centre and a further two in Banbury, has become
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Medal success at firefighter games
Super-fit firefighters from Oxfordshire showed true Olympic spirit to bring home a bumper haul of medals after competing at the World Firefighter Games. The team competed with a wide range of public and private sector organisations, including other
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Litter pickers tackle river
Litter pickers tackled a section of the Windrush River in Witney as part of the national Big Tidy Up campaign. Staff from West Oxfordshire District Council, Oxfordshire Waste Partnership (OWP) and Fox FM joined local group Witney Woodland Volunteers
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Rosebys stores face uncertain future
Workers at the three Oxfordshire outlets of soft furnishings retailer Rosebys are facing an uncertain future after it was taken into administration. The company, which has a store in Oxford's Westgate Centre and a further two in Banbury, has become
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Campsfield rooftop protest ends
A detainee has ended a rooftop protest at Campsfield House. It is believed the detainee began his protest at the Kidlington immigration detention centre yesterday and remained on the roof through the night. Negotiators from the UK Borders
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Rooftop protest at centre ends
A detainee has ended a rooftop protest at Campsfield House. It is believed the detainee began his protest at the Kidlington immigration detention centre yesterday and remained on the roof through the night. Negotiators from the UK Borders Agency
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Charity day in teenager's memory
Comedy, craft workshops and live music will provide an "amazing tribute" to an 18-year-old teenager who died suddenly. Volunteers from Emma's Trust have invited people from across the county to join them at Emma's Day in Chipping Norton on Sunday.
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Muggers strike three times
A gang of teenage robbers attacked a man, a woman and a student in three separate bag snatches in Oxford yesterday. The first robbery happened at about 10.30am. A student was reading in Bury Knowle Park, Headington, when a boy came up and stole his
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CRICKET: Alex kills off Tew title bid
Alex Kill was the star of the show as Shrivenham were crowned county under 17 champions after a five-wicket victory over holders Great & Little Tew in a twice-postponed final at Horspath. Kill finished with fine figures of 3-15, before almost carrying
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CRICKET: Paceman Amin lands top award
Fast bowler Amin Rafiq landed the player-of-the-year award for Oxfordshire Under 17s at the OCB's youth presentation evening at Rover Cowley Sports & Social Club. More than 250 people attended the inaugural event, which recognised the performances of
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GREYHOUNDS: Yeates switch boosts Stadium
The trainers' ranks at Sandy Lane have been boosted by the appointment of Reading's top trainer Richard Yeates. The High Wycombe-based handler has quit the Berkshire track which is closing due to redevelopment of the Smallmead site. It is unlikely
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Park robbers strike three times
A gang of teenage robbers attacked a man, a woman and a student in three separate bag snatches in Oxford. The first robbery happened at about 10.30am yesterday while a student was reading in Bury Knowle Park, Headington, when a boy came up and stole
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GREYHOUNDS: Trainer Wills fined £750 by stewards
Ian Wills has become the third Oxford trainer this year to incur the wrath of the NGRC stewards following cases against Michael Peterson and Paddy Curtin. Wills was fined £750 and severely reprimanded at a recent NGRC inquiry. He was
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GREYHOUNDS: Peterson's on a roll
Trainer Michael Peterson is on a roll. Clara Belle has won four races on the trot taking in an A9,A8, A7 and S5. Meanwhile, he landed four winners over the weekend BAGS and has high hopes for new acquisition Scala Honcho who posted 27.06 in trials
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ANGLING: Champion Cave is Thames king
The Thames Championship, fished by 124 anglers between Kelmscott and Newbridge last Sunday, was won by Robin Cave (Fox Match Isis Oxford) with a bag of big chub, writes Andy Webber. Sat on peg 2 at Newbridge, Robin fished the feeder with chopped
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ICE HOCKEY: Ex-Elite League ace signs for Stars
Oxford Stars have signed Richard Hargreaves from English Premier League side Slough Jets, as they attempt to build on their good start in Division 1 South of the English National League. Hargreaves, brother of current Stars player Mike, has a proven
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GYMNASTICS: Blunsden retains top title
Susan Blunsden, from Bicester, battled through the pain barrier as she retained her 30+ recreational women's artistic title at the British Veteran Championships in Ipswich. Two weeks before the competition, Blunsden fell awkwardly while training on
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ANGLING: Why autumn's my favourite time of year
With the nights starting to draw in, autumn is only just around the corner, and I have to admit that I enjoy this time of year the most, writes Andy Webber. There are not so many anglers on the rivers, and once the rain arrives we have extra colour
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MP welcomes flats clampdown
Oxford East MP Andrew Smith has welcomed Government plans to control the spread of multi-occupancy housing in the city. Housing and planning minister Caroline Flint has pledged to toughen up planning laws to limit the number of houses being converted
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FOOTBALL: Ben scores twice in Vale spree
Ben Whitehead scored twice as Vale of White Horse Schools under 15s opened their campaign with an easy 5-1 victory over Newbury in a friendly at Kintbury on Thursday. Whitehead opened the scoring after three minutes when racing through a square defence
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ATHLETICS: Oxon lads star in gold strike
Oxfordshire's junior boys upstaged their illustrious rivals to strike gold in the English Schools' Sainsbury's Combined Events Championships at Birmingham's Alexander Stadium. The trio of Ed O'Hara (Larkmead School, Abingdon), Peter Barnshaw (Abingdon
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SNOOKER: Fieldside hit rivals for six to go clear
Fieldside romped to a 6-0 win at home to New Club A to move clear at the top of the Premier Division in the Gentworks Oxford League, writes David White An outrageous fluke on the black saw Paul Robinson beat Ian Gee 49-43 in the opening frame before
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BILLIARDS: New Club suffer surprise defeat
Ashton stunned New Club by beating them 3-0 on their own table in the Oxford & District League. Keith Maskens (+50) set the pattern for Ashton when he outscored Dave White (+50) 150-126, making a 26 break. Nobby Noble (+100) made
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MP welcomes plan to limit flat conversions
Oxford East MP Andrew Smith has welcomed Government plans to control the spread of multi-occupancy housing in the city. Housing and planning minister Caroline Flint has pledged to toughen up planning laws to limit the number of houses being converted
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Would-be thieves assault man
Police have appealed for information after two robbers assaulted a man in Oxford. Police said a 23-year-old man was approached by two men in Little Clarendon Street, outside Strada restaurant, at about 1.30pm on Tuesday. They attempted to steal
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Would-be thieves assault man
Police have appealed for information after two robbers assaulted a man in Oxford on Tuesday. Police said a 23-year-old man was approached by two men in Little Clarendon Street, outside Strada restaurant, at about 1.30pm. They attempted to steal his
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Man arrested over mayoral bag
A man has been arrested in connection with the alleged theft of the Lord Mayor's handbag. Susanna Pressel's orange handbag went missing during a council function at the town hall in St Aldate's on Tuesday evening. Police arrested a 39-year-old
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When the nation's men returned
Julie Summers has begun to feel very protective towards the small army of middle aged and elderly women that she repeatedly refers to as "my ladies". In London at the launch of her new book, her head was constantly swivelling around to make sure they
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Man arrested over missing handbag
A man has been arrested in connection with the alleged theft of the Lord Mayor's handbag. Susanna Pressel's orange handbag went missing during a council function at the town hall in St Aldate's on Tuesday evening. Police arrested a 39-year-old man
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Update: Cyclist injured in crash
A cyclist injured in a crash with a car in Abingdon today has been taken to hospital. The 37-year-old man suffered minor injuries in the collision outside The Anchor pub in St Helen's Wharf, at 7.50am, according to a Thames Valley Police spokesman.
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Update: Man suffers minor injuries in accident
A cyclist injured in a crash with a car in Abingdon this morning has been taken to hospital. The 37-year-old man suffered minor injuries in the collision outside The Anchor pub in St Helen's Wharf, at 7.50am, according to a Thames Valley Police spokesman
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Plain sailing for force chief?
Three of the most senior members of Thames Valley Police are hoping it will be plain sailing in their bid to raise £100,000 for charity. The team of six — including chief constable Sara Thornton, deputy chief constable Francis Habgood and assistant
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Alonso concerns over circuit
Enstone-based Renault F1's two-time world champion Fernando Alonso has expressed concerns over the effects bumps at one of the turns might have at this weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix. The Spaniard is worried cars may suffer damage at a tight
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Paramedics on scene at accident
Paramedics were called to an accident in Abingdon this morning following a collision between a car and a bike. The accident happened at 7.50am, in St Helen's Wharf, and police closed off surrounding roads in the area, causing delays for traffic. A
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Gardener's first-time triumph
Oxford's keenest gardeners were blooming with pride at the city's annual flower awards. The Oxford In Bloom presentation evening — held at Roman Way Sports and Social Club in Cowley — was attended by hundreds of residents and businessmen from
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United fans rally behind club
Oxford United fans say they will dip into their own pockets to help buy its £13m stadium from former owner Firoz Kassam, as they rally round the club. Supporters were responding to a statement from chairman Nick Merry who said he would welcome "
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Pupils tie the knot
They might be ten years too young to legally tie the knot, but this did not stop pupils at one Oxfordshire school taking part in their very own white wedding. The service, which was held yesterday at St Peter's Church, in Wootton, near Abingdon
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Perm visitors eye up centres
Visitors from Oxford's Russian twin city of Perm have been getting a taste of the local community spirit. Envoys from the city have arrived on a fact-finding mission to learn how community centres in Oxford are run. They will be visiting
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Mother groomed in £56k fraud
A single mother from Oxford has described how she was "groomed" by a man who swindled her out of almost £56,000. The 38-year-old Headington woman, who has asked not to be named, spoke out to warn other women not to fall for the same fraud. Police
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FOOTBALL: City are up for the Cup!
Oxford City player-manager Justin Merritt wants his side to take full advantage of their FA Cup reprieve when they host Tiverton Town in the 2nd qualifying round tomorrow. Merritt's side get a second bite after Bracknell Town were thrown out for fielding
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Pupils tie the knot
They might be 10 years too young to legally tie the knot, but this did not stop pupils at one Oxfordshire school taking part in their very own white wedding. The service, which was held yesterday at St Peter's Church, in Wootton, near Abingdon
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United want Osborne to stay
OXFORD United boss Darren Patterson is confident he can persuade Brentford to agree to extend Karleigh Osborne's loan. The 6ft 2in defender has been excellent in his month's loan from Griffin Park, which is due to finish after tomorrow's game
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Sweet talk that netted a fortune
Don't trust anyone. That would seem to be good advice after the experience of a single mother-of-three from Oxford. She tells a depressing story of how she fell under the spell of a conman, who duped her out of a staggering £56,000. The man overheard
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Blooming
It hasn't been the greatest of summers, but Oxford's gardeners have again come up trumps. Many of them have tasted success in the annual Oxford in Bloom contest. The awards presented last night were testimony to the hard work carried out over many
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Triple deal
Chevrolet is running a September sale on selected 58-plate models. Three models are included in the promotion, which offers savings of up to £2,375 on certain cars. The biggest saving is on the Kalos supermini, with the 1.4SX five-door reduced from
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Kidnap bid on woman, 25
Detectives today renewed an appeal for witnesses after a woman said that a man had tried to kidnap her in Oxford. At about 11.15am on Wednesday, a 25-year-old woman was walking along Marsh Road towards Crescent Road when a silver 4x4 car,
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Mazda keeps it clean
Mazda will reveal its racy Kiyora compact concept car at the Paris Motor Show on October 2. Kiyora means clean and pure in Japanese and Mazda says it represents the harmony between driving pleasure and environmental and safety considerations that
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Sitting in the dark
Sir — No one disagreed with me that windfarms were an expensive and unsightly way of putting the lights out — indeed, Ag Smith, for the climate campers, felt we should learn to live without electricity on tap anyway. Few of us are likely to share
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Study planning
Sir — On a day that the front page is devoted to the proposed eco-town 'to bring in 15,000 new jobs,' (Report, September 12) and the leader covers the Grenoble Road development of 3,000 houses and the re-development of Westgate, it is easy to see the
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Illegal occupation
Sir — Baroness Deech (Letters, September 19) is wrong: Britain did plan a Palestinian state. A 1939 White Paper rejected partition and proposed Palestinian-Jewish shared independence within ten years. The 1945 Labour Government continued this policy
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Roadtest: Volvo versatility
The mung bean morons who attacked 30 cars in Oxford recently would probably have the Volvo XC90 bang in their blinkered sights. An impressive, leather-trimmed, cruise-controlled seven-seater riding on 18-inch alloy wheels is obvious red-rag-to-a-bull
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Not enough space for cars
Sir — Andrew J. Henderson (Letters, September 5) is clearly irritated by my suggestion that students not paying council tax should not be able to park their cars on the street. He suggests, I quote, that students in private accommodation, along with
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Solid reality
Sir — Jeremy Woodley (Letters, September 19), in answer to the claim that the Theory of Evolution is 'still only a theory', writes that it is a theory of elegant explanatory power. So it is, but it is more than a theory: evolution is a continuing
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Guards not needed
Sir — Daniel Laurence (Letters, September 19) is wrong to insist that I said God is the cause of all disasters in the world. Disasters are random events in the natural world for which no force for either good or evil appears to be to blame. The central
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Body of evidence
Sir — Mr Weavers in his letter (September 12) uses my words out of context. If quoted in full it would be clear that I was, in fact, saying it is inexcusable for anyone to suggest Mr Dawkins had told an African vicar that he specifically was an ape.
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Different sounds
Sir — If Ken Weavers wishes to demolish the theory of evolution, fine and dandy; but it really does work better from a position of knowledge (Letters, September 12). For example, he asks whether there are remains of the many intermediate semi-apes
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Ringing the changes
Sir — On August 18, I returned from holiday to find my telephone line dead. On ringing up I discover that BT has decided for reasons unknown that I have not paid my bill and therefore should be disconnected. On August 20, I receive my quarterly bill
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Toyota grabs attention
A model tweak here, a new version there — things have been pretty quiet on the Toyota front so far this year. But watch Toyota go in 2009. The firm paraded a couple of stylish, attention-grabbing newcomers before the public at the recent British International
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Mum conned out of £56k
A single mother from Oxford has described how she was "groomed" by a man who swindled her out of almost £56,000. The 38-year-old Headington woman, who has asked not to be named, spoke out to warn other women not to fall for the same fraud
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Free parking coming
Oxford's park-and-ride parking will become free of charge at all sites across Oxford from Wednesday. At present there is only free parking at the Water Eaton and Thornhill sites, run by Oxfordshire County Council. But free parking will be extended
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Specialist focus
Sir — We consider that your page 3 story Changes to care for local elderly (September 19) misrepresents Oxfordshire Primary Care Trust's (PCT) position with regard to community hospitals. Oxfordshire PCT has consistently recognised the fantastic contribution
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Treatment at home
Sir — Diana Berry's generous and brave donation of her kidney using the Paired Share Donor Transplant scheme (Report, September 5) will rightfully highlight the plight of the 8,000 people in the UK waiting for an organ transplant. But what happens
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Long way round
Sir — Recently I went to look at the new development adjoining the new Marston British Legion clubhouse in Hadow Road. The club itself is a smart new building some 50 yards from its previous site. Between it and the top of Lynn Close is a terrace
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Injurious strategy
Sir — Robin Spokes recently wrote of his concerns regarding the diesel fumes emanating from the buses in St Clements. He is right to be vigilant regarding this matter as numerous studies have shown that inhaling diesel fumes for one hour can dramatically
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Help at hand
Sir — When I was a student at the London School of Economics, there was considerable interest in the speed of the recovery of patients, according to the distance to and from their family. The result of the research was: the further the family the
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Narrow escape
Sir — I looked at the photographs of the "Softbridge" building plan (Report, September 12) with horror. Possibly there is place for such architecture in Baghdad or Dubai but never in a city such as Oxford. To me it looks like a 'plane crash and
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Housing advice
Sir — Many proud parents will soon anxiously watch their sons and daughters heading off to colleges and universities all over the country. This should be a happy and exciting time for young people. For many it will be the first time they will have
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DPD within LDS of LPA
Sir — Returning from holiday, I found awaiting me a letter and questionnaire from a Mr Mark Jaggard of Oxford City Council, who introduces himself as Planning Policy Manager and whose salary is no doubt paid out of our astronomical council taxes. It's
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Flooding fears
Further frustration at the apparent lack of action since the floods of 14 months ago has been voiced again this week. Residents at Burwell Meadow, Witney, are still waiting for a blocked drain and culvert to be cleared, the main culprit causing their
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Back on the beat
Thames Valley Police deserve praise for their decision to pay a visit to every person who reports a crime in Oxfordshire. Following a pilot scheme, that has been running in south Oxfordshire, the plan is to be extended across the whole county
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Postal praise
Sir — Yesterday my wife and I left our house at 9am to go out for the day, just at that moment we noticed the police helicopter hovering over our estate. After watching it for a few minutes we drove off, leaving our front door wide open (a senior
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Argentina’s finest mixed case, £67
Argentina was known in the past for quantity rather than quality, and was ranked as the world’s fourth largest producer of wine. Quality, though, has risen at an impressive speed and today it is easy to find some really great bargains from
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World-first line-up expanded
Subaru’s highly-acclaimed new Boxer Diesel engine will appear for the first time in both the new Forester and Impreza at the 2008 Paris Motor Show (October 4-19). Meanwhile, other highlights include a Subaru Impreza WRX2008 replica plus the Subaru
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Eco-town bill disputed
Oxfordshire County Council has refused to do further work on "fairytale" proposals for the proposed Weston Otmoor eco-town unless the developer settles a £115,000 bill. Council leader Keith Mitchell has criticised developer Parkridge for not paying
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Riverbank being repaired
The latest phase of a £1m scheme to repair the Thames Towpath in Oxford has been completed. The sections of towpath in the Fiddler's Island area of Oxford have been repaired at a cost of £400,000. And Oxfordshire County Council has set
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Without fizz it's not the same
The recently aired What’s in Your Wine as part of Channel 4’s Dispatches series was one of the most frustrating pieces of television I have watched for some time. The central theme was that a list of ingredients should appear on every wine bottle
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Superb start for Skoda
Jewsons Skoda, in Abingdon Road, Oxford, launched the new Skoda Superb at Hinksey Heights Golf Club last week. Over 200 people attended the launch and were treated to a free round of golf together with an invigorating test drive of the new
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Triple triumph for Jeep
Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge dealer Ryfield Oxford is celebrating the news that Jeep has taken the top spot in three categories of the UK’s biggest on and off-road test of 4x4 vehicles. 4x4 Magazine reviewed 67 vehicles for its annual ‘4x4 of the Year’
