Archive
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FOOTBALL: Sampson eyes Didcot debut
Didcot Town are set to give a debut to teenager Ian Sampson after signing him on loan from Oxford United. The 17-year-old right back, who was United's young player of the year last season, is added to the squad for Tuesday night's Southern League GX
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Pub plans Halloween spectacular
A Wantage pub is preparing to let down its drawbridge when it transforms itself into a haunted castle for Halloween. For the second year running, a huge facade, complete with Gothic arches, leaded windows and a drawbridge, will cover the front of the
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Teacher jailed over sex abuse
A teacher who fantasised about molesting children has been jailed for attacking a girl. Kevin Lomas — who ran the Kip McGrath Education Centre in Didcot before his arrest — has been sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison. Oxford
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Thief given suspended sentence
A thief who snatched a wallet from a man in Oxford's Cowley Road was today given a suspended jail sentence. Oxford Crown Court heard Aaron Gardner, of no fixed address, took the wallet from his victim after asking him for change at 3.40am on June 13
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Widow features on poppy poster
For mum Joanne Stansfield, every day is a Remembrance Day. When her husband Sgt Mark Stansfield was killed in Iraq the day before he was due to head home, the 28-year-old was pregnant with the couple's first child. Thirteen months on, Mrs Stansfield
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Singer reaches contest finals
Teenage singer Zoë Mace has reached the finals of a competition to find the nation's best singer. Zoë, 13, from Freeland, near Witney, was the only one of 18 competitors in the regional finals of Idol 2008 in Fareham, Hampshire, to sing a classical
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100 not out for racing fan
Strong faith and the ability to enjoy yourself — they are the essence of a long and happy life, according to Agnes Lightfoot, who has celebrated her 100th birthday. The sprightly centenarian, above, who still enjoys a flutter on the horses,
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MP calls for donations ban
Oxford West and Abingdon MP Dr Evan Harris has called for big money donations to be outlawed from British politics after the latest controversy landed George Osborne in hot water. Mr Osborne, MP for Tatton, today admitted he made a mistake over his
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Honour for M. Blanc
French-born chef Raymond Blanc has been awarded an honorary OBE for services to the British food industry. The host of the BBC show The Restaurant said he was proud of the work he had done for "British palates". Blanc, 58, who was born in Besancon
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Conmen pose as council staff
A warning has been issued after would-be thieves tried to con their way into several Oxford homes posing as council workers. Oxford City Council has told private homeowners and its own tenants to be wary of the scam after reports in the Barton and Iffley
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Burglars steal £800 cycle
Police today appealed for help in tracing an £800 bicycle stolen during a burglary in Oxford. At sometime between 1.20pm and 4.45pm last Thursday, a house in Meadow Lane was broken into. The French windows were smashed using a hammer and a 32-inch
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RUGBY UNION: Quins break duck
Oxford Harlequins 34, Chippenham 14 John Brodley's reign as Oxford Harlequins' coach got off to the best possible start with an emphatic home win in South West 1. Chippenham are also struggling in the league and were missing several first-choice
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RUGBY UNION: Brodley buoyed
Oxford Harlequins' victory over Chippenham was well received by new coach John Brodley. He said: "The spirits have been lifted and we've just got to carry it on. "At any time I would just take a win. I'm not after the classiest performance all the
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RUGBY UNION: Payne at the double
Henley Hawks beat Canterbury 21-14 at Dry Leas in a National 3 South game they dominated on the possession front. The home pack were particularly impressive with flanker Alex Dupee, a former Henley junior, named man-of-the match. Hawks fly half Scott
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RUGBY UNION: Errors cost Wallingford
Poor kicking and lack of composure cost Wallingford dear as they lost 21-20 at Trowbridge in South West 2 East. The absence of Jackson Sayce through injury proved crucial as wing Pete Strang struggled to hit the target. Strang did, however, put Wallingford
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RUGBY UNION: Chippy go joint top
Chipping Norton went joint top of the Southern Counties North table after beating Bicester 25-7 in their Oxfordshire derby. They are one of four teams on ten points after winning five of their six matches. Playing into the wind, Chippy took the lead
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RUGBY UNION: Newells on song
The Newell brothers had a field day as Gosford All Blacks consigned Abingdon to a sixth straight defeat with a 44-10 home victory in the BB&O Premier Division. Tommy Newell ran in a hat-trick of tries, while Eliott added a brace of his own. And having
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RUGBY UNION: Webster to the four!
Hooker Matt Webster bagged four tries as Chinnor 2nd crushed Hertford 2nd 47-15 in Canterbury Shield Division 2. Man-of-the-match Webster notched a first-half hat-trick, while Duncan Williams (2) and Tommy Jarvis also went over. Thad Cooper, back
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Roadworks end ahead of schedule
Oxford's St Aldate's is finally free of roadworks after Oxfordshire County Council completed its repairs three weeks ahead of schedule. The council had expected the road to remain reduced to one lane of traffic until November 21, but temporary traffic
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Sell-off pledge branded ‘hogwash’
No progress has been made on selling off a controversial kickabout area in Oxford — a year after it was agreed to sell and relocate the facility. Information requested by Ben Mumby-Croft under the Freedom of Information Act revealed that despite members
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Not the ticket
I was interested in your editorial and story regarding the shortfall of £400,000 in the bill for bus passes (Oxford Mail, October 15). Could this be partly due to the council being overcharged by the bus companies? I and my wife always get on the bus
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Nursery class plan is passed
A school has been granted permission to build a new facility for nursery children. Oxfordshire County Council has given Radley Primary School, in Church Road, planning consent to open a new nursery class. It will replace an existing on-site pre-school
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It's rubbish
In reply to John Tanner's appeal and letter to the Oxford Mail for a cleaner, greener Oxford. There has been a battle at Overmead Green for just that aim, under attack by legions of maggots from our bins. Their first offensive failed, drive back
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Youths preach about knives
Teenagers at an evangelical church in Oxford took to the pulpit at the weekend to tackle the serious issues of knife crime and teenage pregnancy. Word Fountain Christian Ministries, in Hollow Way, Cowley, invited their younger members on to
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Underground is the way to go
Cycled to the Phoenix cinema in Jericho the other evening to watch The Arctic Monkeys at the Apollo. It was good: it went straight into a tight set heavy on punky riffs and light on repartee. I nearly didn’t make it though. I was on the "pub bike",
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Furry safe
Please beware on Bonfire Night to check all bonfires for hedgehogs and small animals. Keep all domestic pets indoors. Consult a vet if any animal is very frightened. Please, no fireworks near pets. Thank you. JANET HEATH West Oxford Animal Rescue
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Actors help mark theatre's 70th year
The Oxford Playhouse celebrated its 70th birthday with a weekend of special gala performances. Since opening in 1938 the theatre in Beaumont Street has hosted some of the world's greatest acting talents, including Sir Ian McKellen, Dirk Bogarde, Richard
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School reaches 100th year
A primary school is embarking on a year of activities to mark its 100th birthday and celebrate its place in an Oxford community. Windmill Primary School, in Margaret Road, Headington, has been been helping to mould the minds of young people since it
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Bus plans are round the bend
It has been announced on TV and in the papers that the county council wishes to extend the pedestrian zone in the city centre so that buses will stop even further from the middle of Oxford. They are talking about making passengers change on to a second
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Cricket cop aims at high score
A policeman is swapping his beat for a bat, to vice-captain a team in a world record-breaking cricket match near Mount Everest. Pc Gareth Lewis, from Sunningwell, was appointed last week to play in an official Twenty20 game on the 5,165 metre-high
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Business leader calls for aid
An Oxfordshire business leader has called on the Government and banks to help small firms as the country lurches towards recession. Barry Wheatley, chairman of the Oxfordshire branch of the Federation of Small Businesses, wants to see direct action
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Today's local share prices (PM)
AEA Technology 32.75 BMW 1391 Electrocomponents 132 Nationwide Accident Repair 111.5 Oxford Biomedica 5.75 Oxford Catalyst 163.5 Oxford Instruments 178.5 Reed Elsevier 502.5 RM 151.5 RPS Group 134.5 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
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Estate garden secret tidy-up
A group of "guerilla gardeners" descended on a Cowley estate this weekend in an attempt to try and make the area look better. The Horspath estate residents were fed up with the lack of work being done to clear-up the area, plant flowers and generally
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Woman dies at 107
One of the county's oldest residents, Myra Dowding, has died aged 107. Mrs Dowding, of Kynaston Road in Didcot, died at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Headington on Tuesday, October 21, after suffering a fall at home, it was announced today. Her
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City roadworks finish early
ST Aldate's is finally free of roadworks after the county council completed its repairs three weeks ahead of schedule. The council had expected the road to remain reduced to one lane of traffic until November 21 but temporary traffic lights were finally
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Alleycat race attracts ghost riders
Ghosts, ghouls, and characters from spooky movies cycled through the centre of Oxford to take part in the Halloween "alleycat" bike ride. It was the biggest "alleycat" ride the city has seen so far, with more than 90 cyclists, in Halloween-themed fancy
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2nd phase of roadworks completed early
Oxford's St Aldate's is finally free of roadworks after the county council completed its repairs three weeks ahead of schedule. The council had expected the road to remain reduced to one lane of traffic until November 21, but temporary traffic lights
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Jobs go as stores close
Twelve workers at troubled textile retailer Rosebys have lost their jobs after administrators decided to close more stores. The firm, which was taken into administration last month, has closed its Oxford branch in the Westgate Centre with the
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Brook cleaned 15 months after floods
A WEST Oxfordshire brook is being cleaned — 15 months after it played a key part in the July 2007 flooding of the village of Bampton. The Environment Agency has started work to desilt Shill Brook, maintenance which it says will also benefit
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Woman injured in A40 crash
A woman was taken to hospital today after a crash on the A40 near Oxford. A green Honda Accord struck the central reservation of the Oxford-bound carriageway a mile from the Thornhill park-and-ride site at 11am today. The driver was taken to the John
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Woman hurt in A40 crash
A woman has been taken to hospital after a crash on the A40 near Oxford this morning. A green Honda Accord collided with the central reservation of the Oxford-bound carriageway a mile from the Thornhill park-and-ride site at 11am. The
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Textile retailer shuts shops
Twelve workers at troubled textile retailer Rosebys have lost their jobs after administrators decided to close more stores. The firm, which was taken into administration last month, has closed its Oxford branch, in the Westgate Shopping Centre, with
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Jobs go as Rosebys closes stores
Twelve workers at troubled textile retailer Rosebys have lost their jobs after administrators decided to close more stores. The firm, which was taken into administration last month, has closed its Oxford branch in the Westgate Centre with the loss of
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Today's local share prices (AM)
AEA Technology 34.25 BMW 1363 Electrocomponents 132 Nationwide Accident Repair 111.5 Oxford Biomedica 6 Oxford Catalyst 167.5 Oxford Instruments 178.5 Reed Elsevier 495.25 RM 150.5 RPS Group 134.75 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
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Dud was no dud on piano
If the young pianist looks familiar, you'd be right. It was the multi-talented Dudley Moore, comedian, actor, writer, musician, composer and arranger. The picture, taken in 1957, was found in the depths of the Oxford Mail archives by our ever-resourceful
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Protecting their patch
Militant children saw red when they heard that their favourite play area was under threat. They had been used to playing on wasteland near their homes in Harefields, North Oxford. And when they saw an earthmover and other equipment move on to the
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Children soak up days by the sea
Children in St Ebbe’s, Oxford, enjoyed at least two day trips to the sea every year. One was organised for Sunday School members and the other by Mrs Dawson, of Paradise Square. Rosemary Russell-Vines, who lived in Chaundy’s Place, off the square,
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Up close and personal with nature
It was a hands-on lesson for these schoolchildren. They could gain knowledge about botany in the classroom, but there is nothing like seeing nature in the flesh. These pupils at Lawn Upton School at Littlemore, Oxford, were lucky — they had plenty
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Local Navy men among 29 to perish
A ceremony at Wolvercote Cemetery recalled a tragic night 60 years ago in which an Oxford man and 28 Royal Navy comrades lost their lives. A boat capsized in stormy water in Portland Harbour in Dorset on Sunday, October 17, 1948, as the men returned
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Firms targeted in safety drive
A fire safety campaign targeting businesses and homes situated above shops is to be launched in the Cowley Road area of Oxford. The fire service will inspect every such business in the Cowley Road area — believed to total more than 100 — to check
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Extreme weather hits two-day marathon
An Oxford man was caught up in the floods and 90mph winds which turned a gruelling mountain run into an emergency zone. Tim Beale, 24, was for the first time taking part in the Original Mountain Marathon (OMM) along with 2,500 other runners. Yesterday
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Blanc to receive OBE
Michelin-starred chef Raymond Blanc is today set to receive an honorary OBE for his services to the food industry. Mr Blanc's restaurant Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons, in Great Milton, has two Michelin stars which the establishment has had for 19 years
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Hospital staff praised for heart care
Health watchdogs have praised staff at Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals for making significant progress in improving the treatment of heart surgery patients. The review, by the Healthcare Commission, follows a 2007 report that said that while mortality rates
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Pooh Sticks saved by Rotary switch
Pooh Sticks — the Wallingford-run event which has been seen on television all over the world to illustrate the eccentricities of the English — has been saved. Wallingford's Sinodun Rotary Club, which gave notice last year it would not be running
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Fire crews tackle M40 blaze
Fire crews from Bicester dealt with a car on fire on the hard shoulder of the M40 between junction 10 for Ardley and junction 11 for Banbury early yesterday afternoon. Two lanes were closed causing traffic delays. Earlier, shortly before midday, fire
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Rainy walkers raise £20,000
People with personal experiences of cancer were among those who sacrificed an extra hour in bed yesterday to take part in a charity walk. About 400 walkers braved dismal weather to participate in 'It's Not Just a Walk in the Park' in Oxford. The three-mile
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Man faces explosives charges
The trial of a man charged over the discovery of an improvised bomb at Oxford University is expected to begin today. Mel Broughton, 47, from Semilong Road, Northampton, faces two charges of possessing or controlling explosives with intent to endanger
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Patto happy with Cup draw
Oxford United manager Darren Patterson declared himself quite happy with yesterday's FA Cup draw which gave his team a first-round tie at home to another Blue Square South side, Dorchester Town. But he also issued a warning to his players that if they
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Walkers boost cancer centre
People with personal experiences of cancer were among those who sacrificed an extra hour in bed on Sunday to take part in a charity walk. About 400 walkers braved dismal weather to participate in 'It's Not Just a Walk in the Park' in Oxford. The three-mile
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New row flares on waste
Six thousand flat dwellers are set for fortnightly bin collections as the city council's controversial recycling revolution gathers pace. The council will spend £186,500 on converting city flats and maisonettes to make sure they have large
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New row over fortnightly collections
Six thousand flat dwellers are set for fortnightly bin collections as the city council's controversial recycling revolution gathers pace. The council will spend £186,500 on converting city flats and maisonettes to make sure they have large
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Food bills rise as crunch bites
The cost of a basket of basic groceries in Oxfordshire has soared almost 15 per cent since the beginning of the credit crunch, our investigation has found. Families are being forced to pay more for everyday goods each month as prices continue
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Crunch hits food bills
The cost of a basket of basic groceries in Oxford has soared almost 15 per cent since the beginning of the credit crunch, an Oxford Mail investigation has found. Families are being forced to pay more for everyday goods each month as prices
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Can any good come from this?
The words "credit" and "crunch" are common parlance these days. Most people are feeling pinch, whether it be through rising mortgage payments, utility bills or other spiralling outgoings. And it's at the supermarket where the squeeze is being felt