Archive
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Hundreds express sympathy for Camerons
David and Samantha Cameron have been overwhelmed by the thousands of messages of condolence following Ivan’s death. The couple have not yet made a public statement, but a Tory party spokesman said there had been more than 2,000 emails, hand-delivered
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Cameron makes hospice appeal after tragic death
David and Samantha Cameron are asking for donations in memory of their son Ivan to be made to Oxford hospice Helen and Douglas House. The Conservative leader and his wife — who will be holding a funeral for the six-year-old in West Oxfordshire
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Bailed renewed for gun charges man
Police have released a 63-year-old man on bail for the fourth time, until March 11, as they investigate a haul of 400 guns found at a house in Headington, Oxford. Martin Young, also known as David Young, was arrested in October on suspicion of possessing
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Mystery driver tackles flames
A pensioner has thanked a van driver who saved her life after an arson attack on her home. Sheila Smith was woken by a mystery motorist who banged on her door after seeing a blaze outside her home in Wood Street, Wallingford, at about 6.15am
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Flasher shocked delivery worker
A man who flashed at a female delivery worker taking a parcel to his house, was yesterday told he could be spared jail. John Devine, of Coxwell Road, Faringdon, beckoned to the woman through his window on November 11, telling her to go to a side door
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Truant total drops again
Fewer children have been bunking off school in Oxfordshire for the second year running, according to a report released today. Government figures for 2007-2008 showed the county’s absence levels were lower than both the South East and national averages
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Care home deaths: Heating broken
The central heating at a care home was broken for 10 days just before half of its residents died, it emerged today. A Government watchdog is investigating the Crown Nursing Home, in Harwell, after eight elderly people died from chest-related
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CARE HOME DEATHS: Heating was broken
The central heating at a care home was broken for 10 days just before half of its residents died, it emerged yesterday. A Government watchdog is investigating the Crown Nursing Home, in Harwell, after eight pensioners died from chest-related
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Protesters gag emperors
Oxford University students gagged the giant heads outside Oxford’s Sheldonian Theatre shortly before midnight on Wednesday, to protest against plans for a new immigration centre near Bicester. The students, members of Student Action For Refugees
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Listen to our ideas
For six months, the Oxford Mail, and its sister papers The Oxford Times, and Witney Gazette, have encouraged the people of Witney, and the wider community, to believe that Oxfordshire County Council has entrusted the future of Cogges Manor Farm Museum
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Mobile mania
A lot of people have mobile phones now, and they seem to use them everywhere. It seems strange when people are having private conversations on the bus. However, it is not as strange as those headsets which you cannot see, where people seem to be talking
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Plan will make traffic worse
Oxfordshire County Council is planning its £62m Access to Oxford project to reduce congestion on Oxford’s northern approaches. Chiltern Railways’ planned Oxford-Marylebone rail service would include a new station at Water Eaton, and the county is planning
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Lake response
As the Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust’s Upper Ray Project Officer, in charge of the Upper Ray Meadows Nature Reserve, I would like to answer some of the concerns raised by Mr Neil, from Thame (Oxford Mail letters, February 10). BBOWT has been working
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Chilliest winter in county for 27 years
Oxfordshire suffered its coldest temperature in 27 years, the Met Office revealed today. RAF Benson, near Wallingford, saw temperatures fall to -11.8C on January 7 – the lowest in southern England this winter. The last time it was colder
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BMW CULL: Poor show at East Oxford job club
Just six people went to a new scheme set up to help hundreds of former BMW workers find work. The East Oxford Job Club was launched within 48 hours of BMW’s announcement last Monday that it was axing 850 jobs at its Cowley Mini Plant.
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We're big outsiders - Wilder
Chris Wilder believes Oxford United are still big outsiders for a play-off place, despite their stunning recent run. The U’s boss says his team will do everything they can to secure a top-five position, but fans need to be realistic. The midweek results
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Mansfield boss backs United's challenge
Mansfield Town manager David Holdsworth has no doubts Oxford United are capable of reaching the play-offs. And he highlighted the impressive spine to the team as a major reason why they can finish in the top five. “Oxford are the best
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Run equals charge to title
Oxford United have now equalled their seven-game winning home league run at the end of the 1984-5 season, which helped them clinch the second division title under Jim Smith. That run, stretching through the whole of March and April 1985,
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New D-Day
The Conference have moved the full programme of Blue Square Premier fixtures on the final day of the season, Saturday April 25, back to Sunday, April 26 with all kick-offs scheduled for 4pm. In a repeat of last season’s final day, Setanta will
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Meet the new scholars
Here are the lads who have been taken on by Oxford United as scholars for next season. They are from United’s current Under 16 side, which is proving potentially a good year. Most of them have been with United for years, progressing through
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FOOTBALL: Bone appointed as Milton manager
Milton United have appointed Andy Bone as their new boss after Kevin Lloyd moved upstairs. Bone will be assisted by Harry Malcolm as the club look to pull away from the drop zone in the FTL Futbol Hellenic League Premier Division. Milton chairman Barry
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Simply superb
If you had planned to launch a large new four-door car you could hardly have picked a worse time than now. As the world slides into recession, sales of big, luxurious saloons are taking a pasting. So Skoda needed a unique selling point
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Starsailor play at Witney
Indie rock band Starsailor will be performing free in Witney next week. The group, which has been together since 2001, will sing live at the Rapture store, in the Woolgate Centre, on Tuesday, from 5pm. Starsailor, which has three successful albums to
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Football goes Fairtrade
Oxford Brookes University, which was the world’s first Fairtrade University, is marking Fairtrade Fortnight with a series of activities. Two talks will be held, the film Black Gold will be screened and the celebrations will culminate in a Fairtrade football
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FOOTBALL: Merritt throws down gauntlet
Oxford City player-manager Justin Merritt has challenged Ryan Brooks to start realising his potential when they travel to Rugby Town on Saturday looking to boost their British Gas Business Southern League Premier Division play-off hopes.
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Powell on pace in testing
Thomas Hylkema emerged from this week’s two-day official Formula Renault UK test at Rockingham in Northamptonshire as the fastest of Manor Competition’s three drivers while Chipping Norton's Alice Powell continued to impress during preparations for
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Don't leave us out of CCTV scheme, say traders
Traders have urged councillors not to forget them if they decide to install CCTV cameras on an Oxford estate. Oxford City Council’s south east area committee is considering a plan to install cameras at two parades of shops in Blackbird Leys – the Top
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Poor school is back on track
An Abingdon secondary school told to shape up by the Government a year ago is celebrating after inspectors said it had improved. Di Mashiter, headteacher at John Mason School, said pupils had seen “real change”. This time last year the specialist visual
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Lord and Sir host black tie do for cancer centre
Novelist Jeffrey Archer and Olympic rowing legend Sir Matthew Pinsent helped host a charity dinner at Oxford University’s Trinity College to raise £47,000 for the city’s new cancer centre at the Churchill Hospital. Oxford colon cancer charity Octopus
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United open day targets next generation
Oxford United is looking for the next generation of soccer stars to join a scheme which gives youngsters a chance at becoming professional footballers. The U’s want boys and girls aged between 16 and 19 to join its football and education scheme, which
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Litter army to clean up Oxford
An army of community groups and schoolchildren are gearing up to take part in this year’s OxClean spring clean event. So far 93 groups have registered to take part in two days of intense litter-picking next Friday and Saturday in an effort to rid Oxford
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Victorian home has family appeal
A Victorian house in the heart of East Oxford has been given a new lease of life by a local developer. Alex Gandon, and his wife Jane, have spent two years refurbishing and extending 5 Southfield Road to create an appealing three-storey home. Mr Gandon
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West Oxon: Council tax rises 4.9%
West Oxfordshire district councillors voted unanimously for a 4.9 per cent council tax increase – the same as last year. The rise, set at today’s annual budget setting meeting, was just below the Government’s five per cent maximum guideline before it
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Annual headcount keeps wildlife park staff busy
KEEPERS at the Cotswold Wildlife Park have completed one of the most important tasks of the year – working out how many animals they have. The annual census at the park, near Burford, puts a figure on every creature on the 160 acre site – from the smallest
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Rural retreat is an artist's paradise
Living in a picturesque thatched cottage has provided the perfect inspiration for an Oxfordshire artist. Jackie Roberts, and her husband. Tony, have lived in Manor Cottage, Horton-cum-Studley for the last ten years. Mrs Roberts, pictured above, said
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Gang Show ticket sales slump
Organisers of the Oxford Gang Show think ticket sales have been hit by the recession. The music and dance spectacular has been performed by Oxford’s Cub, Scout and Guide groups since 1951. But director Kim Griffiths says year ticket
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Joy greets Oxford play area makeovers
Thousands of children across Oxford will be able to get to grips with new play parks after the city council confirmed plans for a £2.5m refurbishment programme. The news has been greeted with joy by parents and children across the city who will benefit
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Ticket sales slump alarms Gang Show organisers
Organisers of the Oxford Gang Show think ticket sales have been hit by the recession. The music and dance spectacular has been performed by Oxford’s Cub, Scout and Guide groups since 1951. But director Kim Griffiths says year ticket
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Bishop on 'carbon fast' for Lent
As some people tighten their belts and give up alcohol, meat or chocolate for Lent, the Bishop of Oxford is calling for a rather different sacrifice. The Rt Rev John Pritchard is urging people to go on a ‘carbon fast’ in the 40 days leading up to Easter
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Today's local share prices (PM)
AEA Technology 15.5 BMW 1818 Electrocomponents 130.75 Nationwide Accident Repair 107.5 Oxford Biomedica 6.8 Oxford Catalysts 56.5 Oxford Instruments 140 Reed Eslevier 518.25 RM 170 RPS Group 136.25 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
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RUGBY UNION: Quins will bounce back, says Brodley
Oxford Harlequins coach John Brodley has urged his players to forget last week’s hammering at Bracknell when they host Exmouth in South West 1 tomorrow (2.30). Quins were crushed 60-5 at promotion-chasing Bracknell, but victory against Exmouth would
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SPORT CALENDAR: The week's sporting fixtures
FOOTBALL BLUE SQUARE PREMIER Oxford Utd v Torquay Utd (5.45). BRITISH GAS BUSINESS SOUTHERN LEAGUE Premier Div: Farnborough v Banbury Utd, Rugby Tn v Oxford City. Div 1 South & West: Didcot Tn v Paulton
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BADMINTON: Oxon's real team effort
With every team member contributing at least one win, and Becky Foster an unbeaten four from four, Oxfordshire 2nd beat Herts 3rd 10-5. This reinforced their mid-table position in Division 3B of the Inter-county championships with one match to go. Oxon
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Police stop 550 drivers
More than 550 drivers across the Thames Valley were stopped last week for offences including failure to wear a seatbelt, using a mobile phone while driving or not having insurance. Thames Valley Police and the Safer Roads Partnership teamed
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RUGBY UNION: Awcock selected
Former Grove back Alan Awcock has been named in the England Students squad to face Ireland Colleges at Derry RFC tonight (7.30). Awcock joined Grove at seven and progressed into the first team before going to study at the University of Wales Institute
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POINT-TO-POINT: Bowdens Lane on track for Dunthrop
Bowdens Lane could bid to regain winning ways in the men’s open at the rearranged Bicester with Whaddon Chase Hunt meeting at Dunthrop, near Chipping Norton, on Sunday. The Julie Houldey-trained ten-year-old captured the Lord Ashton of Hyde's Cup – one
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United chairman interview: Part 2
Darren Patterson was relieved of his duties because of poor results. Did it ever cross your mind to do the same to Mick Brown over the points saga? Not at all. Not being in charge of the club at the time the incident happened, it allowed
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Man stabbed in Bicester attack
Police are appealing for information after a man was stabbed in an attack in London Road, Bicester. The man was walking along London Road, close to the Mallards Way roundabout, just after 1am on Tuesday. He was attacked by a man who stabbed him in
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Harley Davidsons worth £36,000 stolen
Burglars stole two Harley Davidson motorcycles, worth a total of £36,000. Police are advising residents not to leave vehicle keys on display at home after the burglary in Wootton End, Stonesfield. Burglars got in through a front window then gained access
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Hoodie gang attacks teen
A teenager was attacked by four men as he walked home in Witney. Police are appealing for information after the 17-year-old boy was set on in Bourton Close at about 10.45pm on Friday. The attackers were all described as white.
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Out with the old
If the tabloids are to be believed then all teenagers are mindless thugs, wearing hoodies and standing around town centres, terrorizing everyone and anyone who strays across their path with the threat of being mugged. While we all know not to believe
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Thieves steal Harley-Davidsons worth £36,000
Police are advising residents not to leave their car keys on display after two high-value motorcycles were stolen in a burglary in Stonesfield last week. Sometime between February 12 and 22, a house in Wootton End, Stonesfield, was entered through
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Another youth attacked by gang in Witney
Police are appealing for information after a teenager was assaulted by a gang in Witney. At about 10.45pm on Friday, a 17-year-old boy was walking home when he was assaulted by four men in Bourton Close. The men were all white, and one
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Fewer teens get pregnant
The number of girls aged under 18 in Oxfordshire getting pregnant has fallen by 5.6 per cent, according to figures released by the Office for National Statistics. The Government had pledged to halve teenage pregnancy rates among girls under 18 by 2010
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Teen pregnancies rise
The number of teenage pregancies increased in Oxfordshire last year, according to the latest figures released by the Office for National Statistics. In 2006, the pregnancy rate per 1,000 females aged 15 to 17 was 320 or 27.5 per cent. In 2007, the total
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Man held after 'copter search
A helicopter and specialist search team were scrambled after a suspected armed robber was spotted in Oxford this morning. Detectives were alerted by a member of public who reported a man acting suspiciously in Iffley area about 8.30am. Police matched
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Today's local share prices (PM)
AEA Technology 15.75 BMW 1780 Electrocomponents 129 Nationwide Accident Repair 110 Oxford Biomedica 6.75 Oxford Catalyst 57.5 Oxford Instruments 142.5 Reed Elsevier 519.5 RM 170 RPS Group 132 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
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United chairman interview: Part 1
TRYING to buy a stadium, increase income and minimise debt, while still helping build a team capable of winning promotion is a near-impossible combination. But it is the job Oxford United chairman Kelvin Thomas, is desperately working to achieve
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Helicopter search for 'armed robber' in Iffley
A helicopter and specialist search team were scrambled after a suspected robber was spotted in Oxford this morning. Detectives were alerted by a member of public who reported a man acting suspiciously in the Iffley area at about 8.30am.
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Joining the celebrations at a favourite pub
With all the doomy talk about the future of our public houses – some of it emanating from me, I confess – it is reassuring to report on one that has so far proved impervious to the decline. Let us pray that the Rose and Crown, in North Parade,
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The Eyston Arms, East Hendred
There’s a sign on an approach road into Oxford from the west advertising “the best Sunday lunch in the world (except your mum’s)”. While flattering to mothers everywhere, the come-on does not do the biz with me: I want any Sunday lunch I eat out
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Pleasing spread of Fairtrade products
There are now two whole shelves stacked with Fairtrade goods in my local Co-op and the fruit shelf is bulging with bananas bearing the blue and green Fairtrade symbol. Other supermarkets all over the country are promoting Fairtrade foods too, and not
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Poached eggs wth winter vegetables (serves one hungry visitor)
This is a super dish I made quickly when an unexpected guest turned up who was obviously hungry. It’s actually a very good way of using up those vegetables stored in the bottom of the fridge that have been stored a little too long. I have listed the vegetables
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Henry Box School founded on a grocery fortune
mischievous pupils of the Henry Box School in Witney. The ordinances laid down in 1674 for the running of the school states that Latin, Greek, and Hebrew should be taught free in in the school to 30 scholars of the town of Witney, with preference to the
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Gran Torino and The International
In what reportedly will be his final appearance in front of a camera, Clint Eastwood delivers a tour-de-force performance as a xenophobic war veteran in the timely, humanist drama Gran Torino. While the rest of America looks to conflicts raging overseas
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Swan Lake, Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham and touring to Oxford
This is an effective, if robust, telling of the well-known story, with much in it to praise, but also some oddities. The programme rightly credits the work to Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov, but there are long sections where the great choreographer and
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The Tempest, Courtyard Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon
Stratford’s new production of The Tempest, a co-operative venture between the RSC and South Africa’s Baxter Theatre Centre, is a not-to-be-missed theatrical experience. A blend of stunning visuals, evocative African music and acting of the highest
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To Just Travel, Chipping Norton Theatre
One might well ask what three Greek islands, Iceland, Swanage in Dorset, and West Cork in Ireland have in common. And the answer would be found in this very personal exhibition of photographs, which records: coastlines, waters, sunsets and scenery. All
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Red Priest preview, Sheldonian Theatre
Forget Pirates of Penzance or Pirates of the Caribbean – now we have Pirates of the Baroque, and they’re as swashbuckling a bunch of seafarers as you could hope to find. Baroque music may not be something anyone would normally associate with piracy, but
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The Tempest, Royal Shakespeare Company, the Courtyard Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon
Stratford’s new production of The Tempest, a co-operative venture between the RSC and South Africa’s Baxter Theatre Centre, is a not-to-be-missed theatrical experience. A blend of stunning visuals, evocative African music and acting of the highest
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West Side Story, Wycombe Swan
‘Could it be? Yes, it could,” sings Tony early on in West Side Story. He continues: “Something’s coming, something good, if I can wait!” His optimism is soon cruelly misplaced, as rival New York street gangs the Jets and the Sharks square up for a rumble
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Don Carlos, the Oxford Playhouse
Cowled figures in sackcloth shuffled, phantom-like, in the aisles, muttering Latin prayers. On stage, a cross shone amid a pall of incense and crimson drapes. A chilling prelude to the play's opening scene – the effect spoiled only slightly the night
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Into the Little Hill and Down By the Greenwood Side, the Opera Group, the Oxford Playhouse
‘In a text for music, something should be missing – and what’s missing is the music.” It’s an obvious point that Martin Crimp – playwright and librettist of Into The Little Hill – makes, but one that cuts to the dynamic relationship between words
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The Oxford Revue, OFS Studio
For a showcase of rising comedy talent, there’s something curiously old-fashioned about this year’s Revue, which starts with the self-styled Renegades parading on stage to a voiceover parodying the 1980s action series The A-Team. The smorgasbord of
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Riverdance, New Theatre, Oxford
‘Be there as we bid farewell for the very last time,” said the handbills promoting Riverdance, on its return to Oxford’s New Theatre this week. Even less cynical folk than I, however, might suspect reports of its demise to be a tad exaggerated. The show
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Chisato Kusunoki, Balliol College, Oxford
Oxford graduate Chisato Kusunoki returned to her alma mater on Sunday night to thrill members of the Balliol College Musical Society with a piano recital that was brimming with virtuosity, passion and drama. Since graduating from University College with
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What's on in jazz, February 26-March 5
A reminder that the wonderful vocalist Juliet Kelly is at the Spin Jazz Club tonight. Tomorrow, there’s the first of two opportunities to hear the excellent saxophonist Dave O’Higgins when he appears with the Nicolas Meier quartet at the Carswell Golf
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Cut carbon, cut energy bills, cut cost
Reducing costs in the recession is top of the list for every manufacturing business in the country. Now a free workshop is offering tips on how to reduce bills by up to 20 per cent a year. Industry expert Ed Horgan of Briar Associates will show how
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Etiquette, George & Delila, Cowley Road, Oxford
A warm welcome from the Oxford Playhouse Plays Out team at George & Delila’s Café in Cowley Road was a reassuring beginning to an event I was rather nervous of attending as I was required to take part myself. Etiquette is a half-hour
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Othello, Royal Shakespeare Company, The Oxford Playhouse
In a month in which the comedian Lenny Henry is earning plaudits as the Moor of Venice, it is instructive to see another production of Shakespeare’s Othello in which laughter (or the potential for it) plays so oddly prominent a role. Kathryn
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Students stage Sheldonian protest
Students today gagged the giant heads outside the Sheldonian Theatre, Oxford, today to protest against plans for a new immigration centre near Bicester. The Oxford University students, who are members of Student Action For Refugees (STAR), carried
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Woman escapes house blaze
A passer-by led an elderly woman to safety following a blaze at the pensioner’s home in Wallingford this morning. A spokesman for Oxfordshire Fire Service said two crews were called to the fire at the house in Wood Street at about 6.15am. She added
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Sheldonian heads gagged in immigration protest
Students today gagged the giant heads outside Oxford’s Sheldonian Theatre to protest against plans for a new immigration centre near Bicester. The Oxford University students, who are members of Student Action For Refugees (STAR), carried out
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Woman rescued from Wallingford fire
A passer-by led an elderly woman to safety following a blaze at the pensioner’s home in Wallingford this morning. A spokesman for Oxfordshire Fire Service said two crews were called to the fire at the house in Wood Street at about 6.15am. She added
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U's on brink of signing Sandwith
OXFORD United are set to sign Weymouth left back Kevin Sandwith today – but it is likely to happen on the basis of a player going out as well. Sandwith, a 30-year-old, will be in the squad for United's televised home game against Torquay tomorrow evening
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Branson rejects United approach
OXFORD United chairman Kelvin Thomas has revealed the club have approached Sir Richard Branson in a bid to help them buy the Kassam Stadium. And although the Kidlington tycoon said that he was unable to help at this time, he appears not
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Leisure not being privatised
REGARDING The Insider column (Oxford Mail, January 29). The fact is Labour is not privatising the city council’s leisure facilities. We are actually preparing to start a working relationship with Fusion, which is a well developed, registered charity
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Bendy bus plan thrown out
Proposals to operate bendy shuttle buses on Oxford High Street from an interchange near Magdalen Bridge are to be dropped in the face of widespread opposition. Pensioners and residents warned East Oxford would be cut off from the rest of the city if
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BMW CULL: Sacked staff deserve cash
A TOP union negotiator has told BMW bosses at the Cowley Mini plant that 850 sacked agency workers should be paid financial compensation – and that either the agencies or BMW should pay up. Dave Osborne, Unite’s national secretary for the automotive
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Flawed concept
Sir — The Oxford City Council report on the Northern Gateway wants the fire service and the police to be moved there. It says that this “would improve response times and release sites in the West End and elsewhere for future development.” But how valid
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Firm on board for clean
WITH just one more week to go before the big Oxford spring clean, there is still time to get involved and join the army of volunteers who will be out cleaning up the city on Friday, March 6 and Saturday, March 7. Large numbers of schools and residents
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Anthony Walker: Acclaimed stonemason
An Oxford stonemason whose lasting legacy can be seen around the city has died. Anthony Walker, who was 78, died at home in Marston on February 6, after a long illness. The former stonemason was responsible for building and restoring many of Oxford’s
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Bogeyman or saviour?
Tariq Ramadan has been described as a Muslim Martin Luther, but he remains banned from the United States as an extremist judged to have provided material support to terrorist organisations. He is an Oxford University professor ranked by both Prospect
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Navy's secrets surface
CANNON brought up from a sunken Elizabethan ship by Oxford archaeologist Mensun Bound have offered up new secrets of English naval successes in the age of Drake. Mr Bound recovered two guns from an Elizabethan ship that went down in 1592, off
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A nuclear 'coming out' for Greens
TWO GREEN Party members from Oxford are among a small group of leading environmentalists who this week came out in support of nuclear power. Mark Lynas, the author of the award-winning Six Degrees: Our Future on a Hotter Planet, and Chris Goodall
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Green energy
We are pleased to report this week that at least some local Green Party members are prepared to take a pragmatic line on global warming and future energy supplies. We refer to Green party campaigner Mark Lynas, of Wolvercote, who this week stated that
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BMW: Job club launched today
FORMER BMW workers have been invited to find out more about their future prospects at the launch of a job club today. The East Oxford Job Club was set up in the wake of BMW’s announcement last Monday that 850 agency staff would lose their jobs. At least
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Long overdue
It appears that the county council is stepping back from the idea of providing large bendy buses in Oxford’s High Street, linked to an interchange at the Plain. The idea was always an ambitious — and potentially expensive — one. Added to that, it has
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Elisabeth Beckett: Restaurant owner and campaigner
Elisabeth Hibbert Beckett, who has died at 84, was a champion of organic farming who ran restaurants in Oxford and Bristol. She was also a proponent of education based on the principles of the Austrian philosopher Rudolf Steiner, and operated a nursery
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John Glozier: Former University chief technician
John Glozier, who worked in Oxford University’s Department of Human Anatomy workshop for 40 years, has died aged 90. He joined the Royal Navy, aged 21 in 1939, serving on HMS Ambitious and the aircraft carrier HMS Argus, which was wrongly reported sunk
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Isobel proves a puzzle champion
Ninety-year-old Isobel Brown had no clue about how brilliant at crosswords she was until quite late in life. But she has certainly been making up for lost time since Inspector Morse writer Colin Dexter put the idea into her head while watching a cricket
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Lady Bullock: Wife of eminent historian and founding master
ELISABETH Hibbert Beckett, who has died at 84, was a champion of organic farming who ran restaurants in Oxford and Bristol. She was also a proponent of education based on the principles of the Austrian philosopher Rudolf Steiner, and operated a nursery
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Clearly delivered
Sir – This statement, in a letter from Royal Mail headquarters, will at least make it clear to your readers where they stand: “Under conditions set out by the Postal Services Act 2000, Royal Mail cannot be held liable for errors made by our delivery
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Shuttle bus plans to be dropped
Proposals to operate bendy shuttle buses on High Street, Oxford, from an interchange near Magdalen Bridge are to be dropped in the face of widespread local opposition. Pensioners and other city residents had warned the east of Oxford would be cut off
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Important work
Sir – A couple of weeks ago I went on a visit to Oxford City Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) to meet its manager, David Scott, to discuss the work of the CAB and the impact of the current crisis. That visit highlighted for me the excellent work our CABs
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Desperate lives
Sir – Your article covering the raid on a brothel in Marston (February 12) missed an opportunity to give your readers some vital context to the story. I make no claim to know the women or their circumstances, but while you are quick to point out that
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Burrow under meadow
Sir – At the risk of opening old wounds I would like to suggest that a review is undertaken for a traffic route across Christ Church meadow. The proposal by the county council for the sem-pedestrianisation of the city centre streets come at a cost.
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One tunnel is enough
Sir – Oxfordshire County Council is planning its £62m Access to Oxford project to reduce congestion on Oxford’s northern approaches. Chiltern Railways’ planned Oxford – Marylebone rail service would include a new station at Water Eaton, and the county
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Huge disappointment
Sir – In June last year, the Government took an important step forward — they finally acknowledged the injustices faced by older people every day in accessing basic goods and services. They promised to abolish the last ‘ism’ permitted in our society
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Where duty lies
Sir – January 1982 saw really severe winter weather. Snow covered the county six inches deep, 40 centimetres across the higher ground. Some main roads were impassable due to rutted ice. Temperatures fell to minus 21C and even the daytime maximum was
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Top New World Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon is surely the world’s most widely recognized red wine grape variety and is grown in nearly every major wine-producing country. The New World has long sought to emulate the great Cabernet-dominated wines of Bordeaux — to what degree
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Compelling film uncovers soul of winemakers
I have just been watching the utterly charming, well-informed and captivating short film that is, Kissed by the Grape. It was released last year but, in typical style, I missed the launch and only recently managed to secure a copy because it stars two
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Burning remembered
Sir – It is not strictly true that the anniversary of the purge of Oxford 1,000 years ago will not be commemorated by the people of Oxford. Every Friday at 2 pm from Friday, April 24, until Friday, October 23, 2009, an Historic Oxford Walking Tour
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Knockabout debate
Sir – From the evidence of your report on the great Darwin debate re-run, (Feature, February 19), those in search of some public controversy and knockabout debate would have done better going to the European Movement’s Any Questions-type panel show
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Untenable policy
Sir – The icecaps are melting, the earth is experiencing more extreme weather conditions of flooding, hurricanes and droughts and there is increasing loss of biodiversity with a continuing reduction of species across the globe. However, against this
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Deafening silence
Sir – Twice now have I challenged Oxfordshire county councillors, through your letters page, to indicate whether they consider waste incineration poses health and environmental risks. Others have done so in the public forum of your comments online
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Replacing animals
Sir – Now that the construction of the Oxford Animal Lab is complete, it is time to move on from the controversy surrounding the lab to an open and educated debate on the future of animal testing. The European Parliament is preparing to debate
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Modest adjustment
Sir – I was surprised at your editorial comparison between Bill Heine’s sculptural achievement and the planned Anthony Gormley erection (Leader, February 5). Bill Heine’s creation was the soul of originality, natural warmth and carefree style
