Archive
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Roxie marks her Turf
Pub: The Turf Tavern, 4 Bath Place Holywell, Oxford, OX1 3SU Contact: 01865 243 235 or through their website www.turftavern.co.uk Opening hours: Mon - Sat 11 – 11PM, Sunday 12 – 11:30PM Dog friendly: Yes. There’s no official puppy proclamation
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MPs' EXPENSES: Baldry says he's kept to the spirit of the rules
BANBURY MP Tony Baldry claimed £56,759 on his second home in London over four years – including £36,355 on paying off the interest on his mortgage. But the Tory MP, who was first elected in 1983, said he had never claimed for food or furniture
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Fabia says she'll overcome back injury for semi-final
FABIA Cerra will put a slipped disc behind her tomorrow night as she gets on stage for one of the live semi-finals of Britain’s Got Talent. The 35-year-old burlesque dancer, right, from Greater Leys, Oxford, believes a combination of acupuncture
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Fire in Blackbird Leys
An Oxford tower block is being evacuated following reports of a fire in a flat. Seven fire engines are currently at the scene of the fire at Evenlode Tower, in Pegasus Road, Blackbird Leys. A Thames Valley Police spokesman said officers were alerted
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Learn from Dutch over Remembrance, says outgoing Lord Mayor
THE city’s outgoing Lord Mayor has called on residents to ‘go Dutch’ and honour the country’s war heroes. Susanna Pressel, who handed over the mayoral reins to fellow city councillor Mary Clarkson last week, issued the rallying cry after returning
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£35,000 raised for hero's children
FRIENDS of a bomb disposal expert killed in Afghanistan have raised almost £35,000 for his family. Warrant officer Gary O’Donnell, 40, of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment, Royal Logistics Corps, based at Vauxhall Barracks, Didcot, died from blast
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BOWLS: Generation game at Bicester
Bicester BC saw a bit of club history on Monday when three generations of bowlers from the same family played on the same rink together. Delvering their woods (from left) are Mick Davis, his eight-year-old grandson Jason King, who was playing his first
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BAR BILLIARDS: Trafford stars for A team
Oxford A take a slender 3-2 lead into the return leg of their Inter Area competition second-round tie against Oxford C at the Gladiators on Thursday night. The A team’s Mark Trafford was the top scorer in the first leg at the Democrats, racking up more
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Anger at 'blight' of homes plan
RESIDENTS are furious after a housing association submitted plans for the third time to tear down garages and replace them with homes. Charter Community Housing wants to knock down 11 garages and build three houses with driveways and create an additional
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BOWLS: Sharman's back after 22 years
Carterton's Paul Sharman is back in Oxfordshire’s EBA Middleton Cup team for the first time since 1987. Sharman, the county singles champion, ends a 22-year spell in the wilderness after being selected for the opening group game against Hampshire
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BOWLS: Super Central crush Shiplake
Banbury Central A followed up their opening win in the Oxford & District League, sponsored by Yarnton Nurseries, with a 90-shot whitewash of a weakened Shiplake team in Division 1 at Horton View. Central romped home 128-38 for a 6-0 success, which suggests
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CRICKET: Players wanted
Didcot CC are looking for new senior and junior players. Those interested should ring 01235 818089 or email enquiries@didcotcricketclub.co.uk.
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RUGBY LEAGUE: Hat-trick hero gets Cavaliers off mark
John Connaughton scored a hat-trick of tries as Oxford Cavaliers posted their first win of the season with a 48-30 victory over Southampton Spitfires in the Rugby League Conference London & South Division at Stratfield Brake, Kidlington. Connaughton’
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Landlords face new fines
DODGY landlords have been warned they will face new fines under an Oxford City Council initiative. The council’s executive board plans to charge £300 for issuing notices related to hazards in residential accommodation. The council has previously not
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Picknicking into the records
PICNIC rugs carpeted the grounds of Grove Primary School as families turned out to enjoy a record breaking sandwich in the sunshine. About 150 villagers took part in the alfresco event, organised by Care for the Family as part of National Family Week
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'Shirt race' tribute to soldier
A west Oxfordshire village halted its celebrations as it fell silent in memory of a soldier killed in Afghanistan. The minute’s silence punctuated Bampton’s 57th Shirt Race, and saw villagers bow their heads to honour Marine Jason Mackie, killed in the
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United against the fascist threat
THE people of Oxford have a tradition of opposing racism and fascism. In 2007 mass protests took place against the invitations extended to holocaust deniers Nick Griffin and David Irving to speak at the Oxford Union. It should come as
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Do we need a report to plant more trees?
GREEN environments are good for you. Quite apart from the implications for biodiversity and climate change, there is considerable evidence that people are happier and healthier in a green environment. With the current trend towards the replacement of
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What credit crunch?
I VISITED my bank the other day and was asked if I wanted a loan, despite the fact my current account was fairly healthy. When I said no, I was given a card anyway saying I could borrow up to £20,000. I would have thought bankers would be trying to
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Lifelong volunteer and worker for NHS
JOHN Webster, former patient services manager at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, has died, aged 86. Born in Cheltenham, Mr Webster moved to Yarnton in 1957 after serving with the Royal Corps of Signals in Normandy, India and Japan during the Second
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A ticket to ride
REGARDING the letter about free bus passes (On The Buses, Oxford Mail, May 18). I am also a pensioner with a free bus pass which I use about once a month. I recently caught the bus from Henley Avenue to Carfax. But when I looked at my ticket
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Taking issue over the banner banning
MILL Street denizens of various ages complain about the “ridiculous” removal by the council of the two “inoffensive” banners displayed near the railway station which condemn the proposed creation of the probation megacentre (Oxford Mail, May 9).
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Gardeners take top honours at Chelsea
GARDENERS from across Oxfordshire were recognised for their innovative horticultural designs at this year’s Chelsea Flower Show. The county claimed a variety of prizes at the prestigious five-day festival, which ended on Saturday. Stephen
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Tireless work for Witney societies
JOHN Dossett-Davies, well-known for his work in several Witney societies, has died. Mr Dossett-Davies retu-rned to Witney in 1985 on retirement, after holding several prestigious roles in social work, having worked in the town as an aircraft inspector
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Hunks strip-off in aid of pre-school
A village was filled with the sound of screaming women after a troupe of buff male dancers performed a risque show. Here Come The Boys! — which includes six former Chippendales — performed at Tackley village hall to raise cash for the village’s pre-school
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Biker reaches 205mph
A biker has taken his motorcycle to more than 205mph in preparation for races at the Bonneville Salt Flats in the USA. Barry Beadle, of Eagle Motorcycle Services in Witney, hit a personal-best 205.3mph on his modified Suzuki Hayabusa at RAF Woodbridge
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Charged over egg assault
A 37-year-old man has been charged with punching a woman and attacking her with eggs. Peter Haslam, of Larkhill Road, in Abingdon, is accused of two assaults and a theft and has been bailed to appear at Didcot Magistrates’ Court on June 10. The charges
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Young enterprisers scoop trio of awards
A GROUP of teenagers have won top honours in a competition designed to find the best young business talent in Oxfordshire. Pupils from Oxford High School formed their own company called Eclectic, and wrote, illustrated and published the children
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The Insider
EVER wondered why it’s been so many years since a single Conservative councillor represented Oxford on either the city or county councils? Even though Tory gophers have been out knocking doors ahead of the June 4 elections, it appears the party
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Timorese come together for support
Ex-patsfrom East Timor have used their Independence Day celebrations to launch Oxford’s first community group for people from the remote Asian island. In 2002, the former Portugese colony became the first new sovereign state of the 21st century when
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Gospel DJ gets radio show
AN OXFORD gospel DJ has been given his own radio show. From June 7, Gary Smith, who lived in Cowley for 21 years before moving to Bicester, will host the Urban Gospel Experience at 9pm every Sunday on BBC Radio Oxford. The father-of-one, who also
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Bishop: don't vote for extremists on Thursday
THE Bishop of Oxford has urged people to use their votes ‘constructively’ in the European and council elections. He also warned that “extremist” actions at the ballot boxes could have severe consequences. The Right Rev John Pritchard
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OAPs angry over new wheelie bins
Pensioners in Wallingford have claimed they will not be able to cope with the town’s new wheelie bins. South Oxfordshire District Council has delivered thousands of wheelie bins to residents in the town ahead of the launch of its new refuse collection
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Primary pupils turn budding movie makers
A NEW generation of Steven Spielbergs and Nick Parks is being groomed for stardom at an Oxfordshire school. Pupils at Wychwood Primary School, in Shipton-under-Wychwood, are planning to put on their own film festival – screening films they have written
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Vandals strike at Risinghurst play area
CHILDREN on an Oxford estate have been left without play facilities during half-term after yobs trashed their playground. The play area at Downside Road, in Risinghurst, was attacked some time during the afternoon or evening of Bank Holiday Monday.
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Spring peak for birdwatchers
One of the reasons why birdwatching is so popular is that it can be enjoyed all year round. There is always something going on throughout the seasons, but for many the special times are the peak periods of the incredible migration movements in spring
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Art from Flowers of Botany Bay
At an interior decorator’s shop in Burford (Ian Wright Interiors), I came across some exquisite flowers depicted on table mats and coasters which, I learned, had been originally produced by Mary Delaney (1700-1788) using a completely novel means of production
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Jonas Brothers: The 3D Experience and 12 Rounds
The Jonas Brothers — aka good Christian boys Joe, Nick and Kevin — are an impeccably-styled, multi-million-dollar global phenomenon. The siblings are pin-ups for an entire generation of excitable teenagers and the embodiment of modern family values, wearing
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Stephen Tompkinson talks about Sign of the Times at the Oxford Playhouse
‘He’s a bit of a jobsworth, is Frank Tollit; he’s been head of installation at his company for some time and there’s nothing he doesn’t know about putting up P-9s, which are individual isolators.” Thus actor Stephen Tompkinson, in his deadpan Northern
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Blithe Spirit: Watermill Theatre, Newbury
‘If I died, how long would it be before you married again?” Ruth Condomine (Caitlin Mottram) asks her husband Charles (Hywel Morgan) in viperous and loaded tones. It’s a good question, for she is Charles’s second wife. Elvira, wife no 1, died some seven
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Bicester school step closer to specialist status
A BICESTER school has moved a step closer to gaining specialist status thanks to a cash boost. Bardwell School, a special needs school in Hendon Place, needs to raise £20,000 before it can apply for specialist status in communication and interaction
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Dido, Queen of Carthage: National Theatre
Once a relatively obscure corner of Christopher Marlowe’s output, Dido, Queen of Carthage is now enjoying a renaissance on the London stage. This new version, directed by James Macdonald, is the third production in recent years and does an admirable job
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Summertwon Choral Society: St Andrew's Church
Summertown Choral Society’s recent concert was something of a landmark occasion. For the first time in its 48-year history, the society had commissioned a new work, which was given its world premiere in the graceful setting of St Andrew’s Church in Summertown
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Sexy routines top up pre-school funds
HERE Come The Boys! gave the women of Tackley a night to remember after staging a teaser show at the village hall to raise much-needed money for the local pre-school. The 15 dancers and singers gave local women a sell-out taster of what’s to come in
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Dr Jennifer Bate: Christ Church Cathedral
The third Andrew Chamblin Memorial Concert, given by internationally-renowned organist Dr Jennifer Bate, was an appropriately solemn but enjoyable occasion, held to commemorate the life of the former Christ Church graduate whose life ended tragically
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Anger over lack of carers' funding
A CHARITY has called for answers over fears that carers in Banbury are experiencing a shortfall in funding for respite care. New figures from The Princess Royal Trust for Carers indicate Oxfordshire Primary Care Trust (PCT) was given a £519,143 slice
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Preview of Oxford Music Network Concerts: Baptist Church, Bonn Square
It is a sad fact that even in the world of art and culture humanity’s proclivity for competition can cause needless upset. Consequently, it is a great step towards civilisation when cultural organisations work together to help promote each other’s events
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Jutta's Party Band: The Spin
It’s a jazz story. A guitarist (Pete Oxley) asks some fellow musicians to play for his wife’s birthday. Being jazz musicians they are all happy to do this for the opportunity to be at the party. It was such a good party and the music had such a good vibe
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Julius Caesar: The Courtyard Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon
‘Brutus and Cassius are levying powers,” Mark Antony (Darrell D’Silva) announces to his fellow Triumvirs Lepidus (James Gale) and Octavius (Joseph Arkley). “We must straight make head,” he continues, illustrating his point by tossing away the severed
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As the Mother of a Brown Boy...: Oxford Playhouse
Mischa is a half white/half black boy who struggles to fit in. Despite his mother’s love, his intelligence and ability, he dies aged 19 during a police chase. With the help of Mischa’s family Chickenshed have turned his true story into an incredibly powerful
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Beauty and the Beast: New Theatre, Oxford
The small girl in the next seat looked unimpressed at the announcement: why, she asked her father, was it necessary to delay the start of Beauty and the Beast by 15 minutes “owing to technical difficulties”? Her father explained that the Beast has to
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defence agency chief suspended
THE head of Bicester’s Defence Storage and Distribution Agency has been suspended. A Ministry of Defence spokesman said chief executive Neil Firth was one of a “small number” of staff who were suspended at the end of April during an investigation into
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Waiting for Godot: Theatre Royal, Haymarket
This much-anticipated, starry production of Samuel Beckett’s famous 1950s play, in which famously nothing happens, finally arrives at the Theatre Royal, after touring at select venues across the country. Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen
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Blown away in Bedfordshire
Firstly, have you ever been to Bedfordshire? Secondly, could you even find Bedfordshire on a map? Thirdly what if I told you in Bedfordshire you can go clay pigeon shooting with a former deputy mayor, cable tow on a peaceful lake overlooking
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Police close down illegal raves
Police closed down three illegal raves in Oxfordshire during the recent Bank Holiday Weekend. The three unlicensed parties, at Wytham, in Oxford, Thame Showground and Checker Walk in Abingdon, were among 10 raided by police across the Thames Valley
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Motorists caught in Chipping Norton spot checks
About 50 motorists were caught during a police crackdown in Chipping Norton today. Police caught 24 cars speeding past Holy Trinity School, in London Road, between 8am and 10.30am. Six were fined and 18 were given roadside safety education by Oxfordshire
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ABINGDON ROAD CRASH: Cyclist, 11, recovering
A boy injured in a collision in Oxford yesterday is out of intensive care. The 11-year-old was in a serious condition with severe head injuries after he struck the windscreen of a silver Volkswagen Sharan while cycling at the junction of Abingdon Road
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COWLEY ROAD MURDER: Family's tribute to victim
A 42-year-old man murdered in East Oxford was today described as “funny and loving” by his family. Devon Delroy McPherson, of Divinity Road, Oxford, died when he was stabbed in the neck following an argument with another man in Ridgefield Road
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Missing man found safe
A MAN who was missing for over a week has been found safe and well, police said today. Twenty-four-year old Conal Browning, of Upper Fisher Row, Oxford, went missing on Friday, May 15. He returned home on Sunday, but police only released the information
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POETRY ROW: Applause for professor who resigned
THE first woman to be named Oxford University’s professor of poetry was greeted by applause at the Hay Festival of Literature the day after she resigned the post. Ruth Padel held the prestigious position for just nine days, stepping down from the job
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Banbury job club leads way
BANBURY’S job club is leading the way for other towns across the country to help their unemployed. The weekly club was the brainchild of Banbury MP Tony Baldry and opened at the Mill in Spiceball Park. Since then, two high-profile ministers have visited
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Ryan out to be top cat
Billy Turley faces fierce competition for the No 1 jersey at Oxford United for the first time since their Football League days following Chris Wilder’s double capture of Ryan Clarke and Marcus Kelly on Tuesday. New keeper Clarke, 27, has been signed
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Mini looks towards a healthier middle age
AS FAR as timing is concerned, the announcement that car production at Cowley is to swing back towards some week-round operation couldn’t have come at a better moment. Mini — celebrating its 50th birthday — is looking a little healthier again in its
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BMW needs 250 staff to meet Mini demand
AXED Mini factory staff are being offered jobs back as the Cowley plant swings back towards seven-days-a-week production. BMW announced last night it needs 250 temporary staff to fill extra shifts for at least the next three months after an upswing in
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Wallingford mum tracks gap-year son's progress
HARRY WILDER is being watched by Big Brother — or more correctly, Big Mother — as he travels the world on his gap year. Nineteen-year-old Harry, who will start his studies at Oxford Brookes University in September, has been given a Traakit device, which
