Archive
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Honda F1 set to race in Australia
Brackley-based Honda Racing appear poised to be on the grid for the new Formula One season in four weeks' time. Although Honda pulled out of the sport in early December due to the global economic crisis, the team continued to work hard behind
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Paedophile ‘stole girl’s childhood’
A paedophile who raped and abused a girl was today jailed for eight years. Paul Allison, of Collinwood Road, Risinghurst, admitted a string of sex offences after his victim reported his abuse to the police. Oxford Crown Court heard the
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Hit and run driver gets nine years
A man who left an innocent bystander fighting for his life after driving at a crowd of people outside an Oxford nightclub was today jailed for nine years. Mane McKenzie revved the engine of his blue Renault Megane and hit Richard Waters after
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Two homes burgled in Grove
Police are appealing for witnesses after two houses were burgled in Grove. Between 10.30pm on February 22 and 6.40am on February 23, a house was burgled in Vicarage Close. The thieves broke in and stole items including a mobile phone and a camera.
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Crash closes A34
Long delays built up on the southbound A34 tonight after a crash involving two cars and a lorry. One of the cars involved in the crash at Beedon, Berkshire, overturned. The southbound carriageways were completely closed for a time, but
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Wife killer’s sentence extended
A father who murdered his wife will spend an extra two years behind bars after a judge heard his children had witnessed the attack. Mohammed Rashid said his two children were asleep upstairs when he killed his wife Sughra Rani with a kitchen knife and
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PM speaks on Mini jobs
Prime Minister Gordon Brown today pledged support for Oxford’s sacked BMW agency workers — but employees said his promises were “too little too late”. Mr Brown said legislation was being brought in to provide additional protection for agency
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Dangerous driver jailed for nine years
A man who left an innocent bystander fighting for his life after driving at a crowd of people outside an Oxford nightclub was today jailed for nine years. Mane McKenzie revved the engine of his blue Renault Megane and hit Richard Waters after accelerating
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PM's visit: 'Science must not be recession victim'
Prime Minister Gordon Brown visited Oxford University today announce ambitious targets to increase the numbers of pupils studying sciences and maths in state schools. Mr Brown visited a bio-chemistry facility in South Parks Road, before giving a lecture
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PM quizzed over BMW car jobs
Prime Minister Gordon Brown today pledged support for Oxford’s sacked BMW agency workers — but employees said his promises were “too little too late”. Mr Brown said legislation was being brought in to provide additional protection for agency
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Pcsos focus on cars, not yobs
Police community support officers have handed out twice as many traffic fines as penalties for antisocial behaviour, figures show. Last year, Oxfordshire’s 147 Pcsos raised £145,740 by handing out 4,858 fines for a range of traffic violations like illegal
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Cannons get Oxford archaeologist all fired up
Cannons 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 Alderney
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Old comrade seeks closure
A serviceman is trying to track down the family of a Didcot comrade whom he was with when he died in Palestine in the 1940s. Edward Fisher, 81, is appealing for information after his friend Philip Roy Broughton, who lived in Didcot, died aged 20 in a
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Sex charge teacher walks free from court
Controversial judge Julian Hall today let a teacher who had sex with a 15-year-old boy walk free after saying he wasn’t sure she harmed him. Catherine Armstrong, 33, had promised the boy a “birthday bonk” for his 16th and had sex with him several
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Dropping in for a 'cop' of tea
It's a “fair cop” for the county’s crime fighters who are being given free mugs of Fairtrade tea at their local supermarket. Co-operative stores across Oxfordshire will act as pit-stops for thirsty police officers on the beat. Police
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Blazing feud
Arsonists hurled a petrol bomb at a house and then poured petrol through another home’s letterbox on an estate in Oxford. Firefighters and police were called to High Cross Way, Barton, at 12.15am yesterday. Flames had engulfed the front door
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Charity wins gaming gong
A charity in Charlbury has been awarded a national award at the IT Volunteering Awards. SpecialEffect, which helps young people with disabilities to enjoy computer games, won the Best IT Volunteering Project, in the innovation category. It received
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Oxford dental surgery will accept new NHS patients
A dental practice in Oxford is signing up thousands of new NHS patients after completing an expansion programme costing more than £1m. Two new buildings have opened in the grounds of Bury Knowle Health Centre, in Headington, to enable the practice, currently
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'30s film showed madness of smoking joints
Why has the Government spent public money on making an anti-cannabis advert when there can be no better exposure of the dangers of this vile drug than the 1930s American film Reefer Madness? As this film is now in the public domain, it would have cost
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Cancer survivor climbs Kilimanjaro on one leg
A cancer survivor scaled Africa’s highest mountain walking with a false leg, suffered blindness and needed to be carried down in a stretcher – all in aid of fellow patients. Andy Ward, 41, described reaching the summit of the 19,000ft high
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Tatchell: don't discipline Green candidate over nuclear power
Green Party campaigner Peter Tatchell has called for fellow party member Chris Goodall to be spared disciplinary action by the party after backing nuclear power. Mr Goodall, prospective parliamentary candidate for Oxford West and Abingdon,
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Transport chief ignore CLA fair chaos
It seems Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet member for transport, Ian Hudspeth, has ignored last July’s Blenheim Palace CLA Game Fair traffic chaos (Oxford Mail, January 28). He seems over eager to please the CLA and Blenheim Palace gentlemen. Bill
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Parking: An easy mistake to make
Oxfordshire County Council dishes out £70 penalty charge notices even if you correctly display a parking coupon. All you have to do is forget to scratch off just one of the five panels showing the date, hour of arrival, minute of arrival, month and year
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Parking fines unnecessarily severe
A parking ticket was placed on my son’s car when he came to visit my wife and myself last Saturday. My son had scraped the date, time of arrival, and year spaces correctly, but had omitted to scrape the month space. For this he was told the penalty is
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Shuttle buses were daft idea
So Oxfordshire County Council’s traffic supremos have dumped the idea of making people change onto shuttle buses at the Plain to get into central Oxford (Council Backtracks on Interchange Scheme, in Thursday’s Oxford Mail). Why on earth did they put
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Team intent on hanging on to trophy
Staff from a hi-tech firm are hoping to hold on to the OX5 Cup, awarded to the fastest team in the charity race for Oxford’s children’s hospital. In 2007, the Newsquest team won the trophy from Botley-based finance firm Grant Thornton. But they
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Nuclear is not Green Party policy
NOT only is Mr Lynas’s view on nuclear power not Green Party policy in Oxford (Nuclear Fallout for the Greens, in Tuesday’s Oxford Mail), but his views on nuclear power are not national Green Party policy either. It is a measure of how desperate
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Save a life: Carry a donor card
Geraldine Grant is one of only a handful of diabetes patients of her type in the world to undergo a kidney and pancreas transplant. Now she wants Oxford Mail readers to do something world-changing too, by becoming organ donors. Fifty-one-year-old divorcee
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Kennington urged to go bananas for Fairtrade
Go bananas! That’s the message from parish councillors in Kennington, who are showcasing the world of Fairtrade in the village hall today. It is one of many events taking place across the county to publicise Fairtrade products as part of Fairtrade Fortnight
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Queue and be damned
I’VE spent most of this week either in queues or avoiding them. And with the exception of just one, none were worthy of the wait. It started on Monday when I queued to see Riverdance at the New Theatre in Oxford, and, I kid you not, if Hitler had risen
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Heroin cheaper than wine, judge tells conference
A judge joked about a drug addict saying she took heroin because it was cheaper than red wine in a debate about drugs policy. Oxford Crown Court judge Julian Hall was taking part in a panel discussion organised by drugs charity Smart to discuss the Government
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Owners of savaged Yarnton dog fear child could be next
A family whose Jack Russell was savaged in an attack by another dog fears a child could be injured next. Pippi suffered severe wounds to his back after he was bitten and clawed in Begbroke, near Yarnton. The pet was left with skin hanging off its body
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Lots on offer at Rose Hill women's day
A multi-cultural event in celebration of International Women’s Day will aim to bring the community of an Oxford estate closer together. Rose Hill and Littlemore Children’s Centre, in The Oval, Rose Hill, will stage a day of activities open to women and
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Clarke joins Oxford City
James Clarke has left Oxford United and joined Oxford City in their push for the Southern League Premier Division play-offs. The 19-year-old right back joined the U’s at under 16 level and, after making his debut at Kidderminster in 2007, made
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FOOTBALL: Crawley win points appeal
Crawley Town are celebrating after winning their appeal to the Football Association to have their points deduction reduced. A three-man FA appeal board yesterday upheld their appeal against the sanction imposed on them for fielding an unregistered
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Awards deadline extended
The deadline for the Oxfordshire Business Awards has been extended until Monday, March 2 at 5pm. A technical problem with the website has led to some problems with a rush of late entries struggling to enter their details. Organisers have now agreed
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Today's local share prices (PM)
AEA Technology 15.25 BMW 1741 Electrocomponents 123 Nationwide Accident Repair 107.5 Oxford Biomedica 6.7 Oxford Catalyst 56.5 Oxford Instruments 137.75 Reed Elsevier 522 RM 170.25 RPS Group 128.75 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
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Ivan's doctor pays tribute to the Camerons
David and Samantha Cameron did an "extraordinary" job of caring for their disabled son while carrying on professional lives, his doctor said today. Dr Mando Watson, who looked after Ivan Cameron for five years, heaped praise on the "strong couple" and
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Jazz musicians trumpet city hospitals' cause
Jazz musicians are trumpeting a good cause at a charity gig for the Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals. The organisation runs a number of cafés at the city’s hospitals and the proceeds from the food and drink sold goes towards new hospital equipment. On Sunday
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Four Pillars Hotels parent firm goes into administration
The parent company of Oxfordshire-based Four Pillars Hotels has been taken into administration. But bosses say the move involving Four Pillars (Oxford) Ltd is to do with financial restructuring and will have no effect on the hotels themselves or the
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No charges over city death
Two men arrested as part of the investigation into the death of a man in Oxford have been released without charge. The body of Frederick Carter, 74, of Vicarage Road, Oxford, was discovered at about midnight on Wednesday, February 18, on the
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BADMINTON: King Alfred's claim silver
A team from King Alfred’s Community & Sports College (Wantage) won silver at the Centre Parcs National Schools south east regional badminton final at Blackbird Leys Leisure Centre. The under 16 boys side of George Brewis, Sam Burr, Harry Boulter and
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SCHOOL SPORT: Hawtin races to title four-timer
Melissa Hawtin captured her fourth successive title at the Oxfordshire Schools’ Cross Country Championships at Radley College. Hawtin (Gosford Hill, Kidlington) retained her under 17 girls’ crown after having been the under 15 champion for the previous
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SWIMMING: Gala joy for City
City of Oxford won their Home Counties League second-round gala at Lynslade, pipping Leighton Buzzard by six points. Marianna Kristiansdottir and Bethany Melville shone, both claiming double successes. Kristiansdottir won both the senior girls 100m
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SWIMMING: Juniors hit the jackpot
Sam van de Schootbrugge led the way as City of Oxford shone in the Oxfordshire & North Buckinghamshire County Championships distance events at Aylesbury. City’s 23 competitors in the 400m freestyle and individual medley (IM) events swam 32 personal bests
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CYCLE SPEEDWAY: Horspath are revving up
Oxford's cycle speedway club, the Horspath Hammers, are continuing their preparation for the 2009 season. The club has seen an increase in junior riders, bucking a trend of dwindling numbers in recent seasons. Each Sunday, more than 15 youngsters turn
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BOXING: Flynn storms through
Berinsfield's Jordan Flynn powered his way through to the finals of the 2009 National Schoolboy Championships with an emphatic points victory over Ben Brown in Surrey. Quickly into his rhythm, Flynn got behind the jab to frustrate his Guildford opponent
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WEIGHTLIFTING: Wonder Watson hits gold again
Didcot teenager Ben Watson struck gold at the English Championships for the second successive year. The 18-year-old, from the St Birinus Club, who has been selected to be part of the World Class Lifting programme aimed at producing lifters for the London
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BILLIARDS: Mander breaks duck to seal cup success
Alan Mander (+60) is the new Arthur Cook Cup champion in the Oxford & District Billiards League. The new Club player defeated four-time champion Nigel Bossom (scratch) 200-182 in a thrilling encounter. Mander led for most of the way, but Bossom, helped
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SNOOKER: Fieldside crash out
Fieldside were sent spinning out of the Oxford & District Snooker League's Buildbase Cup after losing 4-2 to Cowley Con D. The Premier Division outfit found the handicapping a bridge too far against their Division 5 rivals. Doug Turner got Cowley off
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GREYHOUNDS: Colton back on track at Oxford
The top-end strength at Cowley is about to take on a new look with the return of former dual champion trainer Nick Colton as contract trainer. Colton, who was champion in 2005 before leaving to join Hall Green, will still be training at his current track
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GREYHOUNDS: Freedom victory is boost for duo
What a result for owner Stuart Locke-Hart and trainer Richard Yeates after Freedom Emma ran away with the £1,000 Pattinson Construction Tra-falgar Cup final on Saturday. It was a timely boost for both as the owner has been ill for the past year or so
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GREYHOUNDS: Beta is threat
The Terry Kibble-trained Beta Figure will be out to stop Paddy Curtin's Farloe Culmore from taking a four-timer in the STL Communication Stakes over 595m at Oxford Stadium tonight. The early-pacer needs a big lead as Culmore does his best work at the
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GREYHOUNDS: Campbell takes over from Harris
Former Reading bookmaker Ken Campbell is to take over at Oxford Stadium following the dismissal of London-based bookmaker Stephen Harris. Campbell stood at Reading's Smallmead Stadium for many years until it closed last year. On Harris’s departure,
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ANGLING: Steve strikes down on farm
The venue for last week’s Oxford Carp Winter League was the Club Pool at Tunnel Barn Farm and the 20 matchmen found some consistent action. Fishing at 16 metres tight to the island, Steve Bartrum weighed in a winning 39.12.0 of small carp on expander
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ANGLING: Joint venture to encourage kids
The Environment Agency, Marsworth Moat Angling Club and Littlemore Angling Society have joined forces to help boost fish stocks in Sunningwell Lake in Oxford, in a bid to get local children involved in fishing. EA fisheries officers will be removing
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TABLE TENNIS: Forum back in control
Two wins in a week has seen Forum A turn up the heat at the top of the Oxford & District Table Tennis League's Division 1 table. Karl Bushell was undefeated in both matches as Forum saw off Forum B 8-2, before squeezing past Vikings B 6-4. Forum B
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Night raid on shops
Police are appealing for witnesses after two shops were burgled in Faringdon. Turners Tackle and Bait in Station Road was burgled at about 2am on Saturday, the thieves smashing a window and stealing a catapult. At about 2.30am, The Bargain
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Girl grabbed by man in Rose Hill
A 16-year-old girl was grabbed and threatened by a man as she walked to school in Oxford. At about 8.45am yesterday, the girl was walking through an alley off Nowell Road, Rose Hill, when a man grabbed her arm and threatened her. When she resisted
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Boy accused of tent pole attack
A teenager has been accused of attacking a boy with a tent pole. The 14-year-old, who cannot be named, is accused of intimidation and assault after a youth, also aged 14, was attacked on Wednesday in Barton, Oxford. The boy was due to
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Teenager stabbed in house raid
A teenager suffered multiple stab wounds after three men kicked down his front door during a raid in the early hours. Police are appealing for witnesses after the attack in Acacia Avenue, in Blackbird Leys, Oxford, at 1.20am today. A
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Faringdon blighted by night of crime
Two shops were raided, a car was broken into and graffiti sprayed on buildings during a night of crime in Faringdon. Burglars stole a catapult after smashing a window at Turner’s Tackle and Bait, in Station Road, at around 2am on Saturday Half an hour
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BARTON: Youth 'attacked boy with pole'
A teenager has been charged with attacking a boy with a tent pole. The 14-year-old, who cannot be named, is charged with intimidation and assault after a youth, also aged 14, was attacked on Wednesday in Barton, Oxford. The boy was due
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Witney store goes ahead
Marks & Spencer bosses have confirmed the firm is still coming to Witney, despite store closures and redundancies throughout the country. The new store, on two floors, will remain a centre piece of the £50m Marriotts Close redevelopment, which is still
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Bionic assassins
Many diseases mutate as they progress, but HIV is a genius at changing to lie undetected in infected cells and avoid the body’s immune response. But now, scientists from Oxford-based Adaptimmune, in collaboration with the Universities of Cardiff and Pennsylvania
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Magic carpet
Shoppers and the occasional tourist in Chipping Norton emerging from the grip of this bitter winter will have been warmed by a new arrival on the town’s retail scene. The Persian Shop has brought a real flash of colour to the High Street, with its evocative
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Taking no prisoners
If the outlook of some commentators, Government ministers included, becomes any more gloomy, then it would seem we will all be living on bread and water before the year is out. Such universal hand-wringing from those who should know better is annoying
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Stimulus versus sprees
For many businesses, the only remaining route to surviving what promises to be a severe recession this year is to lay staff off and to further reduce the prices of their goods and services. It is an unedifying combination, but Britain’s economy is in
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Innovating through recession
If you thought that campaigning for global justice had disappeared, crushed under the consequences of 9/11, then you have not been reading the New Internationalist magazine. With its roots within the student organisation Third World First — now known
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International perspective
If you thought that campaigning for global justice had disappeared, crushed under the consequences of 9/11, then you have not been reading the New Internationalist magazine. With its roots within the student organisation Third World First — now known
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On the road to carbon zero
In this responsible era, all of us ponder the question of how to move from A to B in the most efficient fashion. We all know we need to cut emissions and boost sustainability in every area, but when it comes to transport, the greenest option is, in many
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Never stumped for ideas
As with so many of the best ideas, the one that floated into the mind of Richard Beghin back in 1994 was born from a feeling that there was a social need for his product; that he could help improve the lives of others. The fact that the idea was also
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Grand design
From advertising to film directing, American football to finance, one pair of Oxfordshire entrepreneurs have now added building luxury homes to their list of achievements, proving they can turn their hand to just about anything. Business partners David
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BLACKBIRD LEYS: Teen stabbed in attack on home
A teenager suffered multiple stab wounds after three men kicked down his front door during a raid in the early hours of this morning. Police are appealing for witnesses after the attack in Acacia Avenue, in Blackbird Leys, Oxford, at 1.20am. A 19-
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Churches targeted in 'religious' attacks
Two churches were raided in what police believe were “religious” attacks. A burglar broke into St James the Great church, in West Hanney, near Wantage, between February 19 and 24, and forced open the safe. Nothing was stolen. Detectives are linking
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Woman from Warneford goes missing for week
Police are trying to trace a woman who has not been seen since she left an Oxford hospital seven days ago. The woman, who gave her name to police as Terri Woods, was picked up in Aylesbury and taken to the Warneford Hospital, in Headington, earlier this
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Police hunt Chinnor flasher
A flasher exposed himself to two women. Police are appealing for information after the man flashed at a women in Riders Way, in Chinnor, at about 9.45am on Wednesday. Fifteen minutes later, the same man exposed himself to another woman in Estover Way
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Vehicles graffitied in Ruscote, Banbury
Graffiti was sprayed on three vehicles in Banbury. All three were parked in Woodfield, Ruscote, between 11pm and 11.20pm on Wednesday. Pc Paul Townley said: “This type of criminal damage is a problem and causes inconvenience to the local residents.
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House prices fall again
House prices in Oxfordshire fell by 0.8 per cent last month, according to the latest official figures. The Land Registry statistics showed the average price of a property in the county currently stands at £224,113, compared to £225,808 in December.
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Burglars steal hundreds from The Eagle, Watchfield
Burglars stole hundreds of pounds from The Eagle pub, in Watchfield, near Faringdon, sometime between midnight and 7am yesterday. They got in through the cellar and stole around £300 to £400 in cash. Investigating officer Pc Sarah Wilson
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Battling evil-minded fairies
While I have never actually seen any fairies at the bottom of my garden, I have always assumed that if I ever discover some, they will be enchanting little creatures with shiny gossamer wings as thin as cobwebs. Since reading Michelle Harrison
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THE OTHER HAND Chris Cleave (Sceptre, £6.99)
Chris Cleave’s novels deal with political violence and personal tragedy on both a national and a domestic scale. His first, Incendiary, about the bombing of the Arsenal football stadium, was published on July 7, 2005, the day the Islamic suicide bombers
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Story of lucky holocaust survivor
A LUCKY CHILD Thomas Buergenthal (Profile, £15)This wonderful book tells the remarkable story of Thomas Buergenthal’s survival of the Holocaust. He was the only son of a German mother and Polish father, who owned and ran a hotel in Lubochna before the
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Agency workers 'exploited'
Thousands of foreign agency workers in Oxfordshire are being routinely exploited, according to a publicly-funded report commissioned by the West Oxfordshire Citizens’ Advice Bureau. Examples of abuse included: a Witney company which hired receptionists
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House prices fall again
House prices in Oxfordshire fell by 0.8 per cent last month, according to the latest official figures. The Land Registry statistics showed the average price of a property in the county stands at £224,113, compared to £225,808 in December.
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Estate agent reborn
OXFORD estate agent James C Penny has gone into liquidation with debts of more than £400,000. The four staff were made redundant but were then almost immediately re-employed by a new company called James C Penny (Estate Agents) Ltd, according
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Hairdresser opens new salon
A HAIRDRESSING company is defying the recession by opening a new salon in Oxford. Philosophy, which already has branches in Abingdon and Witney, has spent £50,000 refitting premises vacated by a previous salon, Revolution, which closed down last year
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County house prices continue to drop
House prices in Oxfordshire fell by 0.8 per cent last month, according to the latest official figures. The Land Registry statistics showed the average price of a property in the county currently stands at £224,113, compared to £225,808 in December
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Do you know this woman?
Police have appealed for help in identifying a woman who went missing from the Warneford Hospital, Oxford, last Friday. She was initially picked up by police in Aylesbury town centre before being transferred to Oxford. The woman is described as
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Cash stolen in pub raid
Police are appealing for witnesses after The Eagle pub in Watchfield was burgled. Between midnight and 7am yesterday, thieves broke into the property through the back gate. They entered the pub through the cellar and stole £300 to £400 in cash before
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Man exposed himself to women
Police are appealing for witnesses after a man exposed himself in Chinnor. At about 9.45am on Wednesday the man exposed himself to a woman in Riders Way. Fifteen minutes later, the same man exposed himself to another woman in Estover Way. The man
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Church burgled
Police are appealing for witnesses after a safe in a church was forced open. Between February 19 and 24, someone entered St James the Great Church in West Hanney and forced the safe open. The thieves did not steal anything, or cause any damage.
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Vandals spray graffiti on cars
Police are appealing for witnesses after three vehicles were damaged in Banbury. Between 11pm and 11.20pm on Wednesday, the cars, which were parked in Woodfield, Ruscote, had graffiti sprayed on them. PC Paul Townley, based at Banbury police station
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FOOTBALL: Oxford City reunion
Oxford City are holding a ex-players re-union at Court Place Farm on Friday night (8pm). All ex-players will be very welcome to attend & re-new acquaintances with their former colleagues. There is also memorabilia items on show for viewing & a
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Today's local share prices (AM)
27/02/2009 AEA Technology 15.25 BMW 1781 Electrocomponents 125.5 Nationwide Accident Repair 107.5 Oxford Biomedica 6.9 Oxford Catalyst 56.5 Oxford Instruments 140.5 Reed Elsevier 521.25 RM 171 RPS Group 132.25 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley
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Doing lunch
Lunch on the Cowley Road is obviously not a big event. I don’t know what everyone does in East Oxford at noon, but most of the restaurants there remain closed. Elsewhere in the country the population continues to thrive, eat and venture
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Just plain odd
When local history author Roger Long asked the landlord of the Crown and Thistle in Abingdon if any ghosts resided in his ancient pub, the reply he got was unexpected. “At least four,” the landlord stated, “in residence that is, and of course
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Arsonists strike twice on Barton
Arsonists hurled a petrol bomb at a house and then poured petrol through another house’s letter box on an Oxford estate early this morning. Firefighters and police were called after a fire at the front door of a house in High Cross Way, Barton, at about
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Shirty Harry
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 this timely, humanist drama. While the rest of America looks to conflicts raging overseas
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That's the spirit
Anyone hoping to unearth a few more local Oxford ghosts will be disappointed by Derek Acorah’s visit to Oxford’s New Theatre on Tuesday. Because the 59-year-old may be coming to talk to the dead, but it’s only to pass on messages to their loved
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Banking on some slick set pieces
Could the timing be more perfect for a conspiracy thriller that paints the banking community as moustache-twirling villains? With the blame for the credit crunch being leveled squarely at financial institutions, which allowed savers to borrow
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My career is a blast!
Joe Rowntree burnt down his dad’s coal shed when he was younger after trying to make a flaming spear. Six fire engines later his father was still coming to terms with his sons’s inquisitive nature. “He still reminds me of it to this
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Thieves target older cars in Wheatley
Thieves have targeted a series of older models of cars during a spree in Wheatley. In the past three weeks, eight cars have been stolen, a further four broken into and another three damaged. Pc Ian D’Angeli said: “Car crime can cost
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Going Live
l IT’s been a while since we’ve heard from Howling Bells. Since their majestic self-titled debut in 2006 they seem to have, well, dropped off the face of the earth. Thank the gods of rock & roll, then, that they’re back with a new album – one worth
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Setting the tone
Tim Hughes catches up with Mark Morriss, frontman of Britpop survivalists The Bluetones BACK in the hazy days of 1994, a new band called The Bluetones were being touted as ‘the next big thing’. ‘Yeah, right’ we probably muttered, before getting
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Latest squeeze
Tim Hughes enters the surprisingly fascinating world of fiery Argentinian accordian virtuoso Chango Spasiuk. TO MOST people, Argentina will always be synominous with the highly charged urban rhythm of the tango. But there is a grittier
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Village suffers spate of car crime
Police in Wheatley have warned residents to take extra security precautions following a spate of car crimes in the area. Since February 8, car thieves have stolen eight vehicles, stolen items from a further four vehicles and caused criminal damage
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International final set for Kassam Stadium
Oxford United's Kassam Stadium is set to be announced as the venue for the final of the International Challenge Tournament between England C and their Belgian counterparts at the end of the season. United's James Constable, who scored the goal in Italy
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Scores of printing jobs could go
Scores of jobs could be lost at a Bicester printing firm after the gloomy economy forced it to shut down two presses. Up to 60 staff at BGP in Launton Road, part of the Goodhead Group, look set to lose their jobs. Staff have now started a 30 day consultation
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Drivers stopped in police crackdown
Almost 150 drivers were stopped in Oxford during a six-hour crackdown on illegal motorists. Police caught 105 motorists who were not wearing seatbelts, 22 using their mobile phones and 12 for illegal levels of window tint in Sunderland Avenue and London
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Police stop 150 drivers in city
Almost 150 drivers were stopped in Oxford during a six-hour crackdown on illegal motorists. Police caught 105 motorists who were not wearing seatbelts, 22 using their mobile phones and 12 for illegal levels of window tint in Sunderland Avenue and
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Camerons in hospice plea
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 on
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PM visiting city
Prime Minister Gordon Brown is visiting Oxford University today and is set to announce ambitious targets to increase the numbers of pupils studying sciences and maths in state schools. Mr Brown is expected to visit a biochemistry facility in
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Brown in town for science push
Prime Minister Gordon Brown is visiting Oxford University today and is set to announce ambitious targets to increase the numbers of pupils studying sciences and maths in state schools. Mr Brown is expected to visit a bio-chemistry facility in South Parks
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Fans welcome Kassam deal
Oxford United’s financial future was offered a boost after the club brokered a key deal with former chairman and stadium owner Firoz Kassam. Mr Kassam – who left United in 2006 – has agreed with the club a 50/50 split for advertising and
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United fans welcome 50/50 deal
Oxford United’s financial future was offered a boost last night after the club brokered a key deal with controversial former chairman and stadium owner Firoz Kassam. In a breakthrough deal, Mr Kassam – who left the Us in 2006 – has agreed
