Archive
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Oxford CC in triple coup
Oxford CC have made a trio of key signings by recruiting Cambridgeshire all-rounder Nick Ferraby, Oxfordshire opener Chris Sandbach and Oxon Development XI’s David Smith. Ferraby, who made three one-day appearances for Leicestershire and was a regular
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Ecclestone: New system 'good for fans'
Bernie Ecclestone is convinced we will now see "real racing" in Formula One after a winner-takes-all system was given the green light on Tuesday. From this season, the driver who wins most races will be crowned world champion - a ruling that would
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FOOTBALL: Jeffrey gets Banbury out of danger zone
BillyJeffrey recorded his first win as Banbury United manager after steering his side to a 2-0 victory over Stourbridge in Tuesday's Southern League Premier Division clash. Jeffrey, who was only appointed on Friday, saw his side move out of the relegation
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Pilot rescued after Enstone Airfield crash
A pilot had to be freed from an overturned aircraft at Enstone airfield today. Firefighters were called to the airfield just before 11am after reports that the plane had overturned after failing to land on the runway, said a fire service spokesman.
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Is no news good news?
Committee meeting this week so perhaps there will be something madly exciting to report on the drama front next time. The Blandy Boffins village quiz is later this week and the Drama Group is fielding two teams in this annual event held in the
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Help plant hundreds of trees in West Oxford park
CITY residents are being asked to help plant more than 350 new trees in a West Oxford park. The Forest of Oxford was set up to establish small pockets of woodland to brighten up empty spaces across the city. The next target is to plant
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Stolen garden equipment seized in Didcot raid
Police are trying to trace the owners of stolen garden equipment found during a search of a caravan in Didcot. Officers raided the caravan, in Roxburgh Drive, on Saturday, March 7. Now police are asking the public to check their sheds
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Thief swaps injured fighting bird for healthy cockerel
A COCKEREL has been stolen from a chicken pen and replaced by an injured fighting game cock. The bird, which has injuries to its wings and feet, was discovered in a coop near Benson this morning. The RSPCA said it had launched an investigation into
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ATHLETICS: Mara set to fly flag in London
Former Headington Roadrunner Mara Yamauchi will be Britain’s best hope of glory at next month’s Flora London Marathon, following the withdrawal of Paula Radcliffe through injury. Radcliffe, the world record holder, was aiming to win her fourth title,
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BOWLS: Oxford lifted by buggy booster
Disabled and wheelchair-bound players can now enjoy the sport at Oxford & District after the club were presented with a bowls buggy. The buggy was donated by the English Bowling Association’s Charity Trust and honorary president David Bryant
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ATHLETICS: Witney Miles gets a shoe-ing!
Witney Roadrunner Chris Miles set a personal best at the Silverstone Half Marathon on Sunday, clocking 1hr 42mins 36secs. That didn’t tell the full story, however, as Miles reported. He said: “We got a nice medal, but the embarrassing
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AUNT SALLY: Allen's sights on Kidlington titles
Phil Allen will be chasing a hatful of titles at the Kidlington Indoor League’s final night on Monday. Allen beat Henry Johnson 2-0 in the semi-finals, taking one leg on three sticks. Allen is also through to the pairs final with Eddie Gordon following
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BAR BILLIARDS: Nelson secure a rare victory
Nelson B registered only their third win of the season as they beat Section 1 leaders Didcot Conservative Club 3-2 in the Johnsons Buildbase Oxford League, writes PETE EWINS. After seven defeats in a row, Sean Stratford put Nelson in front with a 5,740
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School pupils inspire top TV chef
PUPILS inspired one of the world’s top chefs when he popped into their school for a French-style breakfast. Raymond Blanc, who owns Le Manoir Aux Quat Saisons, visited Great Milton Primary School to celebrate the 25th anniversary of his two Michelin-starred
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RUGBY UNION: England's loss is Chinnor's gain
England Under 20s’ loss may be Chinnor’s gain after Bob Baker and Arthur Ellis were not selected to face Scotland tomorrow. The Wasps-contracted duo both featured for England in last week’s 31-11 defeat against France. But they are now available for
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RUGBY UNION: Oxon get started
Oxfordshire begin their quest for the County Championship Plate on Monday with their first training session. Cokethorpe School ‘s Gareth Rees and Chinnor’s Richard Williams have taken over from John Brodley as coaches. Players will train at Oxford RFC
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RUGBY UNION: Hawks can end on high
Henley Hawks’ director of rugby Jason Forster is looking to finish the campaign on a high note. Hawks were expected to challenge near the top of National 3 South, but a poor start to the year sees them in ninth place. However, they have games in hand
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RUGBY UNION: Blues unite for tour
Traditional enemies Oxford and Cambridge University unite for the first time in 16 years this weekend with a tour to Japan. The Oxbridge squad, captained by Oxford’s Varsity Match-winning skipper Peter Clarke (pictured), flies out today to help celebrate
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RUGBY UNION: Wheatley pull out
Wheatley captain James Knoll-Pollard hopes they will be allowed to drop just one level after withdrawing from the BB&O Premier Division. The Oxon club found it tough throughout their campaign, conceding eight walkovers in 18 matches, but Knoll-Pollard
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RUGBY UNION: Bulls in double
Banbury Bulls play twice this weekend, but player-coach Grant Holmes says their priority is the Oxfordshire Cup. Bulls host Vipers in Midlands 3 East South on Saturday then entertain Witney in the county cup semi-final on Sunday. Holmes said: “It is
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Harwell nursing home exonerated over deaths of eight residents
THE Oxfordshire nursing home at the centre of a investigation following the death of eight residents in a two week period was last night told it was not responsible for their deaths. The individuals all died of natural causes, an inquiry has
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Recession not Queen's fault, Mr Tanner
JOHN Tanner’s letter in yesterday’s Oxford Mail should come as no surprise, given his often-publicised views, but you have to admire his nerve in the current climate. A great many people are currently experiencing financial and other hardships
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RUGBY UNION: Quins one win from safety
Oxford Harlequins are now one win away from guaranteeing a place in next season’s renamed National 3 divisions. Restructuring for 2009-10 means only the two teams with the lowest points totals from South West 1, London 1, Midlands 1 and North 1 will
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Anniversary marked abolition of monarchy
I WRITE regarding your story Republicans protest on execution anniversary (Tuesday’s Oxford Mail). The 360th anniversary of Charles I’s execution actually occurred on January 30 2009. In fact, the protest seems to be related to the date
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RUGBY UNION: Hill's rallying cry
Tom Hill urged his Wallingford teammates to ensure their season does not go flat. Saturday’s defeat at High Wycombe leaves Wallingford in a fight to secure fifth place in South West 2 East. “With only three league games left, and fifth place up for
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Get off the soap box, John
DEAR John Tanner. I have read your opinions on the monarchy for many years now, and it’s the same old boring rote. Please don’t think that, in principle, I don’t agree with you. Yes, the monarchy is outmoded and a relic of bygone centuries, but it’s
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South Oxford pub fire arson, say police
ARSONISTS are believed to have torched an empty pub in South Oxford – just before a deal was struck with a new landlord. Fire crews were called to the blaze at the Berkshire House, in Abingdon Road, at the junction with Vicarage Road, at about
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Local share prices (PM)
AEA Technology 15.5 BMW 2066 Electrocomponents 130.75 Nationwide Accident Repair 99.5 Oxford Biomedica 6.1 Oxford Catalysts 56.5 Oxford Instruments 114.75 Reed Elsevier 508.75 RM 160.5 RPS Group 139.75 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley,
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Paedophile Anthony Barron loses appeal
A paedophile from Grove jailed for attacks on children has lost an appeal against the length of his prison sentence. Anthony Barron, of Collett Way, admitted a series of child sex offences and was convicted of rape and attempting to rape young children
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Blackbird Leys - no hotbed of crime says cop
A NEW police poll has blown away the perception of an Oxford estate as a hotbed of crime, a police inspector has claimed. Insp Andy Storey has just overseen the largest police consultation undertaken on Blackbird Leys. The consultation — which saw nearly
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Cancer survivor has a sweet idea
A MOTHER-of-three who battled cancer for three years and was told she may never leave hospital, is launching her own business. Emma Davies, 32, organised her own funeral and had the heartbreaking task of writing letters to her three children Katie, 13
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Didcot school's science centre open for studies
A STRIKING multi-million pound science centre has opened for lessons at a Didcot secondary school. Pupils at St Birinus School are now firing up their Bunsen burners in their £4.5m science block. The new building is one of the tallest in the area
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Oxford charities urged to apply for Gannett grants
CHARITIES across Oxfordshire have less than a week to apply for money from the Oxford Mail’s parent company Gannett. Every year, the Gannett Foundation hands out thousands of pounds to charitable organisations. Groups have until Wednesday to put in
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Oxfordshire military homes 'need major repairs'
HUNDREDS of service families, including some in Oxfordshire, are being forced to live in homes in need of “major repairs” to roofs, walls and bathrooms, according to a new report. Accommodation at RAF Brize Norton, in Carterton, has been named
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Friends reunited to remember Plum times
FORMER members of a youth club are being encouraged to attend a reunion in Oxford — more than 40 years after the club shut its doors. Pensioner Bob Light, 66, of Green Road, Headington, is searching for childhood friends who used to meet at Plum Brown
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Dr David Brown: Chemistry, Yorkshire and cricket!
FORMER colleagues have paid tribute to chemist Dr David Brown, who has died aged 72. Dr Brown, a father-of-two from Chilton, near Didcot, worked at the Atomic Energy Research Establishment near Harwell for 34 years, where he studied the chemistry of
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Anthony Walker: Lasting legacy in stone
AN Oxford stonemason whose lasting legacy can be seen around the city has died. Anthony Walker, who was 78, died at home in Marston after a long illness. During his career he was responsible for building and restoring many of Oxford’s most famous buildings
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Joe Blewitt: Our champion
COMMUNITY champion Joe Blewitt, who represented the people of Littlemore on local councils for 35 years, has died aged 89. The former councillor is survived by widow Beryl, 80, their five children — Leslie, 60, Pat, 56, Stephen, 55, Christine
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Eco vandal targets cars
A TRAIL of vandalised vehicles has sparked fears that an eco-fanatic is targeting four-wheel-drive cars in Oxford. Builder Phillip Bradley has seen his new £25,000 Isuzu attacked outside his home on Osney Island four times, leaving him with
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Vandals target 4x4s in Oxford
A SPATE of vandalised 4x4 vehicles has sparked fears an eco-fanatic is targeting “gas guzzling” cars in Oxford. Builder Phillip Bradley has seen his new £25,000 Isuzu attacked outside his home in Osney Island four times, leaving him with a £1,700 repair
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Countdown to Oxfringe festival
OXFORD is preparing to stage its own version of Edinburgh’s famous Fringe Festival, with the third year of Oxfringe. The festival, which features everything from music, theatre, comedy, literature, starts on Wednesday, April 1. Co-director
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Witney muggers steal leather jacket
A 23-YEAR-OLD man was robbed for his leather jacket by a gang of teenagers in Witney. The man was approached by six or seven teenagers in Church Lane between 2.15am and 2.30am on Friday. They demanded money and his coat. He handed over a brown leather
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Eye Spy, Jericho Gallery
Some photographers go for scenic shots – mists rising from the river and that sort of thing – others concentrate on taking close up shots that highlight minutiae of nature. Kazem Hakimi ignores the scenic. He points his camera towards fleeting moments
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St john Passion: St Michael at the Northgate
If you thought Bach’s monumental St John’s Passion needed a large-scale choir and orchestra, think again. On Tuesday night, at St Michael at the Northgate in Cornmarket, the Oxford Singers demonstrated emphatically that the work can be just as effective
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Singin' in the Rain: New Theatre, Oxford
Lavish is not a word that could properly be applied to the new production of Singin’ in the Rain which is at the New Theatre this week early in its national tour. In fact, reflecting tht spirit of the times, this offering from Peter Frosdick and Martin
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Oxford Bach Choir: Sheldonian Theatre
Hubert Parry termed it “the mightiest choral work ever written” and other commentators have gone even further, with Hans Nageli hailing Bach’s Mass in B Minor as “the greatest artwork of all times and all people”. Since its inclusion into the musical
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ICE HOCKEY: Stars sign off on a high note
Oxford City Stars ended their Division 1 South season on a high with a 4-2 win over Milton Keynes Thunder. The success means they go into their two-legged play-off with runners-up Bracknell Hornets in a fortnight full of confidence. Although Stars were
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GOLF: Taylor's lessons to 'teach' maths
Kirtlington professional Andy Taylor will coach in six local schools after receiving an £800 grant from the Golf Foundation. Taylor’s sessions will teach the sport and look to improve numeracy skills by applying a scoring system relevant to times-tables
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GOLF RESULTS
FRILFORD HEATH Annual fixture: Frilford Heath 11, Oxford University 4. Ladies’ March Stableford – Div 1: 1 C Weldon 42pts, 2 A Tyreman 35, 3 J Topliss 34. Div 2: 1 S Duncombe 40, 2 J Hill 39, 3 M Snelling. Div 3: 1 P Lund 27, 2 D Taylor 25, 3 V Calderbank
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GOLF: Frilford Nose best!
A Red Nose Day tournament at The Oxfordshire raised over £1,000 for the charity. The event was won by the Frilford Heath team of Lee Stopps, Simon Bishop, Paul Smith and Paul Whittington with 82 points. Mark Thompson, Mark Glanville,
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The end of the story for Anita Brookner fans
I was sorry to learn, from a well-written profile by Mick Brown in the Daily Telegraph’s magazine, that Anita Brookner’s latest novel is likely to prove her last. At least she is going out on a high note with Strangers (Fig Tree, £16.99) – or rather,
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Recipe for noisettes of lamb on minted cabbage
Noisettes of lamb are the eye of a lamb loin that has been trimmed of all fat and formed into miniature lamb fillets. They are a little more expensive than other cuts of lamb, but well worth seeking out as they look good and taste absolutely scrumptious
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Gentleman Edmund Hockridge bows out aged 89
I read with some sadness this week The Times’s obituary on Edmund Hockridge, a Canadian-born one-time star of the English musical stage, who has died at the age of 89. It is more than four decades since his days of greatest fame as Skye Masterson in Guys
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The Swan at Ascott, Ascott-under-Wychwood
I don’t often get out to the Wychwoods and for some reason I always seem to take a daft route. Heading for the Swan, I made a wrong turning in Charlbury and ended up on a tour of West Oxfordshire that would have been pretty had it been light. Fortunately
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Young and old cook a real local feast
There was a buzz of excitement in Garsington Village Hall when I arrived. Some residents of the village were arriving with large dishes covered in tin foil and jugs of hot soup; others were laying up a central table with napkins and cutlery. They were
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Eightieth anniversary of Wolvercote Commoners
Ghosts of a way of life that for the most part has long since vanished still linger in the morning mists through which some of us commuters on the Cotswold Line travel into Oxford. They exist in the shape of the cattle and horses, and even the
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Duplicity - Reviewed
Julia Roberts and Clive Owen reunite in the highly anticipated new film Duplicity, from writer/director Tony Gilroy (Michael Clayton), set in the high stakes arena of corporate espionage. Words are meaningless in this comic caper because everyone
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David Atkins, Sarah Wiseman Gallery, Summertown
The award-winning artist David Atkins, has long established himself as an evocative landscape painter, but his latest exhibition, now on show at the Sarah Wiseman Gallery, South Parade, Summertown, proves he can capture vibrant city scenes too. At the
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Ensemble Ox previewed
No prima donnas. That’s very much the ethos of the newly-formed Ensemble Ox, which debuts at the Jacqueline du Pré Music Building next week with a programme of 20th- and 21st-century music. Its founders – flautist Marion Ackrill, pianist Rod Varty
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Jenufa: English National Opera, The London Coliseum
The fine soprano Amanda Roocroft, whose sensational performance as Desdemona for Welsh National Opera electrified local audiences three months ago, is wringing the withers once more as she returns to the title role in Janacek’s opera Jenufa. This is a
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Glassworks: West Ox Arts, Bampton
Five fine artists display both traditional and innovative ways of making and displaying stained glass, a craft that has embellished churches and cathedrals for over a thousand years. Sarianne Durie, a member of the Art Workers Guild, makes handmade coloured
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Life and Beth
Where exactly is Ayckbourn Land? Certainly nowhere near Carfax, as I passed one of those pathetic, loud confrontations that thankfully petered out to nothing a few minutes after curtain-down. No, his dramas are far less hysterically obvious and seem
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Oxford Philomusica: Sheldonian Theatre
‘A brilliantly gifted musician of exceptional promise.” To borrow yesterday’s advertising catchline, this is not just an imprimatur, this is an Alfred Brendel imprimatur. It has been given to 16-year-old Californian pianist and composer Kit Armstrong,
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Preview of Can Any Mother Help Me? Oxford Playhouse
For one night only members of the Foursight Theatre Company will be bringing their touring show Can Any Mother Help Me? to the Oxford Playhouse. This evocative and touching new play, inspired by the best-selling book of the same name by Jenna Bailey,
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Waiting for Godot: Milton Keynes Theatre, Theatre Royal Haymarket
Four of the leading actors of our age combine to perform one of the 20th century’s most justly celebrated plays . . . small wonder that the new production of Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot is the hottest of hot tickets. Audiences at Milton Keynes
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Turandot: New Theatre, Oxford
The first five minutes of Turandot see a long-lost father and son reunited. Give it a further five and a beautiful girl declares her long-hidden love for a handsome youth, and if you can manage to hold thumb-twiddling ennui at bay for just a few
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Lent Concerts: The Queen's College, Oxford
Tuesday saw the opening of a four-concert series designed to take audiences on a musical and spiritual journey through Lent. The Oxford Lent Concerts series is now in its fourth year and offers a refreshing alternative to the commercialism that dominates
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The Sixteen: University Church, Oxford
It’s quite a year for musical anniversaries, one of which has a strong Oxford connection. Thirty years ago this year, Harry Christophers (pictured) left Magdalen College Choir, and founded his own group, originally of 16 singers. To celebrate its 30th
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Takeover boosts biotech firm
A rapidly expanding Oxfordshire biotech firm has made another major leap in its growth after taking over a Berkshire company. Oxford Gene Technology, which has already seen its workforce grow from 40 to 50 people in the last year, will add
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3,000 homes lose power
Three thousand homes lost power in the Blackbird Leys and Greater Leys area of Oxford in the early hours today. A spokesman for Southern Electric said power was lost at 4.42am and returned to all homes by 5.39am. He said: “The vast majority we got
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3,000 homes lose power
Three thousands homes lost power in the Blackbird Leys and Greater Leys areas of Oxford early this morning. A spokesman for Southern Electric said power was lost at 4.42am and returned to all homes by 5.39am. He said: “The vast majority of homes were
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Crash causes A34 delays
Drivers on the A34 in north Oxfordshire faced delays today after a car crashed off the road into a ditch following a collision with two lorries. One southbound lane was blocked by the two lorries near junction nine of the M40 following the crash. Recovery
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Local share prices (AM)
AEA Technology 15.5 BMW 2110 Electrocomponents 131 Nationwide Accident Repair 99.5 Oxford Biomedica 6.4 Oxford Catalyst 56.5 Oxford Instruments 114.75 Reed Elsevier 519 RM 163.5 RPS Group 145 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
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Witney drivers hit delays
Long queues built up in Witney again today as roadworks continue in the town. Drivers experienced long delays yesterday as traffic lights were set up in Bridge Street.
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Police search for missing teenagers
Two teenage boys have been missing for the past five days. Elliot Clark, 15, and Kieran Ball, 14, have not been seen since they were in Middle Barton, in north Oxfordshire, on Friday. Elliot is described as white, 5ft 7ins, medium build
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Breathtaking class
David says: “THAT car looks b****y lovely.” The opinion of one of my printing colleagues, who had been casting his eye over Vauxhall’s new Insignia in the office car park, was succinct, but heartfelt. The fact that his assessment was delivered
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Tastebuds are Tingling- but House wine disappoints
At a recent wine tasting I got to try some extraordinary “New World” wines. Granted the cheapest of the bunch was just over £12 topping out with a stunning Shiraz from a true Masters private stock, price unknown. I left the tasting with a mouth
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Bodleian book store to be built in Swindon
MILLIONS of books from Oxford’s historic Bodleian Library are to be housed on an industrial estate on the outskirts of Swindon, it emerged last night. The university was thwarted in its plans to build a £28m book depository on Oxford’s Osney Mead
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Burglars strike at three Didcot homes
Police are appealing for witnesses after three burglaries in Didcot. Between 10pm on Monday and 8.20am yesterday, two houses in Torridge Drive were broken into. Thieves stole a laptop from both of the houses and from one they stole the car keys
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Number of race wins to decide F1 title
The FIA have agreed to award the Formula One world drivers' championship to the driver with the most race wins from this season onwards. The governing body's World Motor Sport Council has agreed to the proposal from Bernie Ecclestone's Formula
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Blaze rips through disused Oxford pub
Thirty firefighters fought a severe blaze at a disused pub in Oxford’s Abingdon Road early today after being alerted by a member of the public. Shortly after 2am, fire crews were called to the fire at the Berkshire House pub at the junction with
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Blaze at Berkshire House pub
Thirty firefighters fought a severe blaze at a disused pub in Oxford’s Abingdon Road early today after being alerted by a member of the public. Shortly after 2am, fire crews were called to the fire at the Berkshire House pub at the junction
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Nelthorpe's red alert!
OXFORD United manager Chris Wilder hopes Craig Nelthorpe will have lear-ned his lesson from his punishing red card. The former Doncaster Rovers winger, who was sent off in United’s 2-0 defeat by Torquay United on February 28, has had to sit out the last
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Gastric band surgery has its hazards
IF there was any doubt as to the potential dangers of weight-loss surgery our story today should put an end to it. Rachel Sosville went under the knife and had a gastric bypass operation in a desperate bid to beat the bulge. She is now disabled and
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Leys hit-and-run suspect is Oxford's most wanted man
THIS is Rohan Crooks – Oxford’s most wanted man. Police are hunting the 31-year-old in connection with an attempted murder after a cyclist was left fighting for his life during a hit-and-run in Blackbird Leys six months ago. Det Insp
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Why Witney is booming
WITNEY is a pretty, thriving market town whose success flies in the face of the ongoing economic downturn. The multi-million pound expansion of the town’s Woolgate Centre is to start within six months. How many towns or cities can say that? True, the
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My gastric bypass hell
A WOMAN who went under the knife in a desperate attempt to lose weight has warned of the possible catastrophic side effects of a gastric bypass operation which left her disabled. Single mum Rachel Sosville says her surgery has also left her disfigured
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Vale sees biggest leap of unemployment in UK
THE Vale of White Horse district – which includes Abingdon and Wantage – has seen the greatest leap in people claiming jobseekers’ allowance in the UK. But traders and civic leaders are shrugging off the statistics, saying they have to be looked at in