Archive
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BMW staff to work this Saturday
Hundreds of workers at Oxford's Cowley Mini plant will clock on for a Saturday shift this weekend as they look to pay back hours owed to the company. Under an agreement with union leaders, the workers will be working hours banked when the plant shut
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University Tory association's racism claims investigated
The Oxford University Conservative Association is investigating claims of racism that allegedly occurred during a meeting to determine its next president. Two members have been suspended following the alleged incident at a hustings meeting
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County swine flu cases now stand at 14
THE total number of Oxfordshire swine flu cases has reached 14, health chiefs say. Oxfordshire Primary Care Trust (PCT) confirmed a case of Influenza A H1N1 in the county. The case involves a 21-year-old woman, who is being treated at home with anti-viral
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SOUTH OXON: Police launch more drugs raids
POLICE have raided five homes in south Oxfordshire as part of a week-long crackdown on drug use in the county. The swoop, which began shortly after 6.30am yesterday, saw officers enter three homes in Wallingford. The 24-strong team searched
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MPs rap councils over Icelandic banks
COUNCILS in Oxfordshire were yesterday criticised over “substantial failures” that led to millions of pounds of taxpayers’ money being invested in Icelandic banks that later collapsed. Oxfordshire councils invested £23.5m in Icelandic banks which went
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Councils join food safety ratings scheme
SEVENTY-THREE food premises in Oxford have been given top ratings under a new food hygiene scheme. Scores on the Doors rates hygiene standards in restaurants, cafes, delis, school kitchens, takeaways and street traders’ food vans. All eateries which
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Acts roll out to aid skate park campaign
SKATEBOARDERS in Oxford are hoping to get cash towards a new skatepark with the help of rock and roll. Dozens of musicians are tuning up for the Out to Graze festival, which takes place this weekend near Thame in support of the Oxford Wheels Project.
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CRICKET: Hawtin backing bowlers
MCCA Trophy Oxfordshire captain Ian Hawtin is backing his bowling resources to do the damage in Sunday’s quarter-final clash againt Wiltshire at Corsham (11). Although Wiltshire may include former England seamer Andy Caddick, and Oxon are missing
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CRICKET: Oxford 'very confident'
Serious Cricket Home Counties Premier League Oxford captain Jason Harrison says his side are “very confident” for tomorrow’s Division 1 derby at Banbury. If league positions are anything to go by, leaders Banbury should provide Oxford’s toughest test
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CRICKET: Horspath hope for fourth time lucky
npower Village Cup Horspath, runners-up in the Oxfordshire final for the last three years, bid to end their hoodoo when they take on old rivals Aston Rowant at the Recreation Ground on Sunday (2pm). And they will fancy their chances this time as they
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CRICKET: Rain denies Dark Blues
The Charles Russell Twenty20 Varsity Match was declared a draw after rain took its toll at Fenner’s. Batting first, Oxford University managed a creditable 72-2 in a reduced seven-over innings. In reply, Cambridge were 28-3 after three overs when bad
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Maggie's Centre design for hospital site wins praise
A CANCER charity’s scheme to build a treatment support centre on stilts at Oxford’s Churchill Hospital is likely to be given the go-ahead by councillors next week. A campaign to raise £3m to build a new drop-in centre for cancer patients and
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Banbury's Job Club proves a national model
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 North Oxfordshire Tory MP Tony Baldry and opened at the Mill in Spiceball Park. Since then, a steady stream of representatives
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Village carries county hopes for Britain in Bloom
VILLAGERS in East Hagbourne are carrying Oxfordshire’s hopes as they gear up for a colourful competition which could put them on the map. For the first time in its history, the village is a finalist in the Royal Horticultural Society’s Britain in Bloom
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Oxford United tussle posted on web
FOOTAGE showing fans clashing during a home game between Oxford United and Aston Villa in 2002 has been posted on video sharing website YouTube. The five-minute video – recorded on the Kassam Stadium’s security cameras – shows a steward
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ROWING: Brind's girls at the double
Wallingford RC’s women’s crews are in tip-top form as they prepare for the Henley Women’s Regatta next week and the Royal Regatta a fortnight later. Following a gold medal performance in the Belgian Championships in Ghent last month, Wallingford’s women
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RUGBY UNION: Gaunt to coach Dark Blues
Oxford University have appointed former scrum half James Gaunt as their new backs coach. Gaunt, who plays for Henley Hawks, takes on the role as his club announce two signings in scrum half Dan Smaje and hooker Andy Dalgleish – the former Dark Blues
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Heroes concert 'will be back'
ORGANISERS of an Oxfordshire music festival cancelled because of poor ticket sales hope to return next year to raise £1m for the armed forces. It was hoped Festival for Heroes would raise funds for the Royal British Legion (RBL), which supports veterans
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SPORT CALENDAR
SATURDAY CRICKET SERIOUS CRICKET HOME COUNTIES PREMIER LEAGUE Div 1: Banbury v Oxford (11am). Div 2 West: Aston Rowant v Thame Tn (11.30am). THE OXFORD TIMES CHERWELL LEAGUE Div 1: Buckingham v Bletchley Town, Banbury XX v Shipton, Bicester
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Recycling rage
I AM so sick of our city council’s little money-making schemes. I phoned the refuse department yesterday to ask why my green bags had not been collected. We had cut a lot of ivy down and had four bagfulls. I had bought three extra green bags from a
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A stab in the back
THE BNP gains in the European Parliament elections were expected following the public disappointment with the corrupted mainstream politicians and the media promotion of the BNP, which shifted from exposing them as racists to giving them a platform.
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Olympic star comes out to bat for pupils
OLYMPIC athlete Gail Emms hung up her badminton racket and took part in a game of rounders when she visited young sports fans. The mixed doubles badminton player, took time out to mentor a group of pupils at Faringdon Community and Technology
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Enjoying cheer on a gloomy day
THE Cotswold Wildlife Park has many attractions for young and old, but it is hardly the place to be when the Almighty is doing his best to prevent a hose pipe ban come late July. But there I was last weekend, cold and drenched, with the pungent pong
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Did PCSO act on the cash skimming crime?
I ONCE again write concerning PCSOs being foisted on us. This is not an attack on PCSOs, but the powers that be who decided to put these people out with poor training, in lieu of real, trained police officers. I have had two occasions when these were
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Nine-year-olds get drugs warning
MOVES to tell children as young as nine about the dangers of drugs have been welcomed by a mother whose son was ravaged by heroin. Drugs advice has been handed out at schools and colleges this week as part of a five-day crackdown on drugs and the drug
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Make selling come naturally
A sales and marketing expert and author is running a seminar designed to inspire and boost the confidence of local businesses managers. Jackie Jarvis of Wallingford-based Marketingco and author of the book ‘85 Inspiring Ways to Market your Small Business
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Youngsters offered rally driving experience
Twelve to 16 year olds have a great opportunity to leave their computer rally games behind and try the real thing at MGLive!, the biggest MG event on the planet organised by the MG Car Club from July 10 -12 at Silverstone circuit. Based
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Green shoots at Gloucester Green
Is the recession over? I couldn't tell you, but the Gloucester Green market appeared very busy when I dropped in the other day for a pasty and a cup of Darjeeling. There were plenty of second-hand bookstalls to browse and I noticed a collectable
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Man cons his way into 88-year-old's Oxford home
Police are appealing for witnesses after an attempted distraction burglary at the home of an 88-year-old woman in Oxford. The woman was waiting for a lift when she heard a knock at the door of her home in Wood Farm Road, Wood Farm, at about 7am yesterday
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Mother praises social services
A MUM has praised social services for stepping in to look after her children while she fought drug and alcohol addictions. After the Baby P scandal mother-of-five Amanda Carson, 30, wanted to speak out in support of the agency. She says without its
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Circus rolls into town
John Lawson’s Circus is rolling into Bicester tomorrow, and has promised its award-winning clowns will help residents beat the credit crunch blues. The Popolinos, who have won the ‘Best Comedy Act’ in the UK National Circus Awards and the special prize
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Local shares (PM)
AEA Technology 23.25 BMW 2495 Electrocomponents 159.5 Nationwide Accident Repair 82.5 Oxford Biomedica 11.9 Oxford Catalysts 56 Oxford Instruments 139 Reed Elsevier 473 RM 161.25 RPS Group 209 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
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'Outstanding' Sibford School
STAFF and pupils at a Banbury school have been celebrating a successful inspection report from the Independent Schools Inspectorate. The report said Quaker-run Sibford School, near Banbury, encouraged all pupils to recognise their talents and to realise
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TENNIS: Banbury turn up heat at the top
Despite an appalling weekend, weather-wise, one of the most crucial matches was completed in the Wilson OLTA League’s Men’s Black Division where Woodstock were hosts to Banbury. Both teams were undefeated and it was a game that Woodstock had to win to
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CYCLING: Cox is Phoenix champion
Mark Cox won Didcot Phoenix's ten-mile time trial championships with a time of 21mins 37secs over the fast Southmoor course on the A420. Just behind him came Phil Brown in 21.50, while Paul Lloyd collected bronze in 22.03. Fastest rider on the day
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Walking for mum
WHEN Claire Thomas puts on her walking shoes at midnight next month she will know the importance of every step. The 28-year-old will be one of 740 people taking part in the midnight walk in aid of Katharine House Hospice on July 4. Miss Thomas, will
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Man indecently exposed himself in Headington
Police are appealing for witnesses after a man exposed himself to a passer-by in a Headington park at about 4pm yesterday. The young woman was walking through Headington Hill Park in the direction of Oxford Brookes University when the man stepped out
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A fine marriage of good food and robust wine
Flicking through the photographs that we took at the recent The Oxford Times Wine Club dinner at The Corner Club I was delighted to see everyone having such a good time. Everything was spot on: great venue, fabulous wine, lovely food and really terrific
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Rotary boosts Bardwell bid for specialist school status
BICESTER’s Bardwell School has moved closer to gaining specialist status thanks to a cash boost. The special needs school in Hendon Place needs to raise £20,000 before it can apply for specialist status in communication and interaction. Thanks to a
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Tiny tots make a giant effort for Barnardo's
ALMOST 400 children from across Oxfordshire turned up at a wildlife park for a sponsored toddle. The under-fives and parents and carers took part in Barnardo’s Big Toddle at the Cotswold Wildlife Park, near Burford, on Wednesday. The fundraising event
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Two firms join race for Formula One places
TWO companies at the heart of Oxfordshire’s successful motorsport industry have applied to join the sport’s elite on the 2010 Formula One grid. Both Prodrive of Banbury, which employs about 500 people and has a £100m annual turnover, and the new Brabham
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Protest petition over Brookes' campus plan handed in
A PETITION signed by 1,064 people opposing Oxford Brookes University’s plans for a new £150m campus in Headington has been handed to Oxford City Council. The signatures were collected by members of the Headington Hill Residents’ Association, which is
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Obama's green pledge boosts AEA
Bosses at Harwell environment consultancy AEA Technology say the election of US President Barack Obama has provided a major shot in the arm for the company. President Obama has pledged to adopt a greener approach and AEA is set to benefit directly after
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Burglars steal car from Witney home
Police are appealing for witnesses after a Witney house was broken into overnight and the owner’s car was stolen. Burglars took the keys to a Renault Scenic, registration OU07 XZW, from a home in Ashcombe Crescent, Witney, between Monday and Tuesday
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Missing student found safe
A student missing for more than three weeks has been found safe and well. Police appealed for help to trace Oxford Brookes University student Dorcas Adjei, 22, after she disappeared on May 18. Her father Victor Adjei, 50, came to Oxford
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Tories suspended over jokes
Two Tories have been suspended from the party following allegations of racism at Oxford University's Conservative Association. A row broke out after electoral candidates were asked to tell "inappropriate" jokes during hustings for junior officer positions
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UPDATE: Missing student found safe and well
A STUDENT missing for more than three weeks has been found safe and well. Police appealed for help to trace Oxford Brookes University student Dorcas Adjei, 22, after she disappeared on May 18. Her father Victor Adjei, 50, came to Oxford yesterday
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Equestrian delights
Buyers who want to combine living in the Cotswolds with an equestrian lifestyle could consider viewing an attractive family home in a rural location near Burford. Barley Park House, which stands in about seven acres of grounds including low-maintenance
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Local share prices (AM)
AEA Technology 23 BMW 2506 Electrocomponents 157 Nationwide Accident Repair 82.5 Oxford Biomedica 12.25 Oxford Catalysts 58 Oxford Instruments 138.5 Reed Elsevier 471.75 RM 163.5 RPS Group
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Bicester families take big step forward
CHILDREN and their parents will be putting their best foot forward to raise money for a charity close to their hearts. Down’s Syndrome Oxford is hosting a Big Step Forward 4km walk and fun day at Cutteslowe Park, Oxford, on Sunday. And three Bicester
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County swine flu cases increase
The number of cases of Swine Flu in Oxfordshire has reached 14. Earlier today Oxfordshire Primary Care Trust confirmed a case of Influenza A H1N1, which involves a 21 year old woman, who is being treated at home with anti-viral drugs. All close contacts
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FOOTBALL: Keeper Harrison quits City
Oxford City are on the hunt for a new goalkeeper after Ryan Harrison joined Blue Square South side Weymouth. Harrison, 23, was outstanding for City last season where they just missed out on a play-off spot in the BGB Southern League Premier Division.
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Living in a castle
In his new book The Music Room William Fiennes did not formally identify the family home as Broughton Castle, near Banbury. “I wanted people reading the book to imagine the castle for themselves without necessarily knowing where it was. “However, I know
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History of Mini
MINI: THE TRUE AND SECRET HISTORY OF THE MAKING OF THE MOTOR CAR Simon Garfield (Faber, £16.99) The original Mini has become an icon of the Swinging Sixties, but it was actually born in the dour 1950s, when Britain was poor and struggling with huge
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Desperate fight for Normandy
If there is a wartime scenario that we will never forget, it is the Normandy invasion. The vast armada that unleashed thousands of soldiers on to the beaches under a hail of German bullets is as vivid today as it was 65 years ago. A time
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A tight grip
What is one to make of last week’s election results? Clearly, it was a good result for the Tories who increased their share of the vote and added a further eight councillors to give them a cast-iron grip on the county. The party did not appear to suffer
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Horton shop marks 60 years
A FUNDRAISING hospital shop which started life selling sweets from a makeshift table, will this year celebrate its 60th anniversary. The original Friends of the Horton, which was set up in 1949, began by making a few shillings a day for the Horton General
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Wilder's playing a waiting game
Oxford United boss Chris Wilder says he is now playing a waiting game after getting the bulk of his squad in place for next season. Wilder already has a group of around 17 for the 2009-10 campaign after a spate of signings and new deals in
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Cressida van Gordon
It’s a time of opportunities. For opera lovers who’ve survived the credit crunch, it’s time to don the evening dress and posh frocks, bring out the picnic sets, and head off to Garsington, Grange Park, Glyndebourne or Longborough. At the other
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Green light for Maggie's
A cancer charity’s scheme to build a cancer treatment support centre on stilts at Oxford’s Churchill Hospital is set to be given the go-ahead by councillors next week. A campaign to raise £3m to build a new drop-in centre for cancer patients and their
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Father desperate to trace daughter
A desperate father came to Oxford last night in a bid to find his daughter who disappeared without trace more than three weeks ago. Dorcas Adjei left her parents home in Croydon on May 18 to return to her house, in Outram Road, Cowley, and
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MISSING OXFORD STUDENT: Dad's desperate appeal to find Dorcas
A DESPERATE father came to Oxford last night in a bid to find his daughter who disappeared without trace more than three weeks ago. Dorcas Adjei left her parents home in Croydon on May 18 to return to her house, in Outram Road, Cowley, and take her exams
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Claims of kidnapping 'wildly inaccurate' court told
A TEENAGE boy who claimed he was kidnapped and beaten by a group of seven had given a “wildly inaccurate” account of the incident, a court heard. The 16-year-old, who cannot be named, was cross examined on day two of the trial at Oxford Crown Court yesterday
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Petition against Brookes plan handed to council
A petition signed by 1,064 people opposing Oxford Brookes University’s plans for a new £150m campus in Headington was handed to Oxford City Council yesterday. The signatures were collected by the Headington Hill Residents’ Association, which is spearheading
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Twin association chairman resigns
The chairman of Bicester and District Twinning Association has resigned less than a fortnight before signing a charter with Poland. John Clutterbuck stepped down last week and his wife Sue will follow on June 23 after the signing celebration. The
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Rattling good plant
I have hinted that gardening ‘a deux’ can be difficult at times. But it does have it’s delightful side too. I get extra pleasure every January when my lovely witch hazels flower because ‘him indoors’ voiced the opinion (rather vigorously) that it would
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Chile's finest mixed case, £76
Chile is known for producing great value, everyday wines from Merlot or Malbec but this is a country which can also produce stunning wines of style and character. Vines flourish because of Chile’s extraordinary microclimate — why else would Domaines
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Fishy business
Sir – I am not too sure about the crop ‘jellyfish’ (Report, June 4). It seems much more likely that we are being told 11 aliens visited us in a comet. Alan Broad, Headington
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Reassess evidence
Sir – Mel Gibson (Letters, May 21) says that he is not convinced that Oxfordshire is against the proposed Sutton Courtenay incinerator planned by the county council. The Sutton Courtenay incinerator would be built and operated by WRG at a cost of over
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Spending on food
Sir – With homes in Oxford and London partially provided by the taxpayer, and access to subsidised meals in the House of Commons, can MPs Andrew Smith and Evan Harris explain on what they actually spent the food expenses they claimed. Frank Bland,
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Late deliveries
Sir – Recently postal deliveries in Arnolds Way have been about 2pm. Can the Post Office gives us any reason for this late delivery? Rosemary Beuzeval, Oxford
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Losing confidence
Sir – The recent incidents of disappearing mail are cause for concern and the scale might be larger than realised. The letter from B. Lingard (June 4) reporting items of outgoing mail which failed to reach their destination will hopefully prompt others
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Ms Tomlinson?
Sir – It was interesting to read your front page of May 28, just prior to the elections, where the management of school budgets and their attendant surpluses and deficits was rehearsed. The council warns that schools may face future budget difficulties
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Expensive ride
Sir – I have just paid £1.80 (single fare) on the number 6 bus to go from Wolvercote to Summertown. Did I miss something? I thought buses were cheap. Clearly I am supposed to use my car much more as this is a much cheaper option. Alex Babic, Oxford
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Questionable decision
Sir – Many people in Oxfordshire are concerned on financial, environmental and health grounds about the current county council Conservative administration’s decision to use incineration as a means of waste disposal, without considering alternatives.
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On the run through Bagley Wood
Bagley Wood, one of the largest woods around Oxford, is an ancient woodland steeped in history and known for wildlife. Owned by St John’s College, its 550 acres — a mosaic of natural oak and coppiced woodland, plantations, experimental plots and specimen
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Christ Church Cathedral Choir
In Merton College gardens, sunlight filtered gently through the daffodils, lighting them from behind, and giving them a yellow glow. Blossom was just beginning to appear on the trees. The sound of early Tudor church music wafted across the grass from
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Plus ça change
Sir – Thirty-eight per cent of the electorate voted for change nationally (a mantra lifted from President Obama’s campaign) resulting in 70 per cent of the available county council seats being awarded to the Conservatives. And this is called democratic
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Undisturbed space
Sir – So the Oxon and Bucks Mental Health Trust is seeking a judicial review into OCC’s decision to register Warneford Meadow as a town green — despite the fact that an exhaustive public inquiry concluded that the meadow conforms to the legal definition
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Impressive gateway
Sir – Oxford Brookes University is a real force for good in our city, county and region and we sometimes need to remind ourselves of its value. As Pro Chancellor — that’s Shami Chakrabarti’s deputy — and past chairman of governors I am enormously
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More students
Sir – Sietske Boeles claims that research by Professor Dorling, of Sheffield University, indicates that having students living amongst us “is not healthy” (Letters, June 4). Professor Dorling’s research report is available at www.sasi.group.shef.ac.uk
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Poorer place without Brookes
Sir – I would like to address questions raised in readers’ letters (Letters, June 4). In response to consultations in 2008 and meetings with residents, we have already made changes to our plans. We will use specialist glass to avoid
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Wood engraving exhibitions: Oxford
The Society of Wood Engravers claims: “Once you’ve felt the lure of wood engraving, it can be hard to resist.” This seems about right if you take as your example local artist Peter Lawrence, the society’s current chairman. For him the ‘lure
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Anger and action
Sir – The three chancellors of Brookes University (Letters, May 28) are concerned about the tone of the comments towards their university, and wonder if the contribution Brookes makes to the city has been forgotten. The only examples they give of
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70 per cent in favour
Sir – I am writing in response to Colin Rosser’s letter regarding Oxford Brookes University’s development proposals (June 4), in which he refers to a report prepared by us for the University. Pall Mall Consult is an independent communications consultancy
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Concerns belittled
Sir – In the lead story Pressure is mounting on Brookes (June 4), we are once again treated to an award-winning piece of Alice in Wonderland reasoning by the university’s deputy vice-chancellor Rex Knight. To sketch the bare bones: over a short
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Reject this monster
Sir – With reference to recent correspondence regarding Brookes’ development proposals, it would seem that many of the issues raised are beside the point. The debate is not about Brookes’ status as a university, the work carried out by its staff and
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Let's avoid another roads fiasco in Oxford
What is it about the words ‘Oxfordshire County Council’ and ‘resurfacing work’ that seems to strike fear into the hearts of some people? With the starting pistol about to be fired on two major projects in the centre of Oxford, a right royal
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30 years of Oxfordshire Touring Theatre Company
Celebrating 30 years of bringing high-quality theatre productions to the county and beyond, the much-loved OTTC are ringing the changes with a new name, Oxfordshire Theatre Company, and some new ideas, while still retaining what has made them such a highly-regarded
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Major city projects start
TWO major projects to transform the centre of Oxford are about to begin. Work on the long-awaited scheme to improve Oxford’s iconic High Street starts on June 22. And it will be quickly followed by work to upgrade Queen Street, in the first
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Oxford and Beatles come together
The voice of John Lennon drifted from the open windows of Oxford University’s Faculty of Music. Officers arriving at St Aldate’s police station next door may well have guessed that the sound of Come Together signalled an early weekend party for
