Archive
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Oxford United mull over Deering loan
OXFORD United are mulling over whether to let midfielder Sam Deering stay on at Blue Square South leaders Newport County for a second month. Manager Chris Wilder said: “His loan finishes on Saturday, they’re looking to extend it for a further month,
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Stars show support for Oxford hospice
OXFORD’S Sobell House Hospice got some celebrity support for its fundraising efforts today. TV satirist Rory Bremner and Oxford United manager Chris Wilder and some of his players called in as part of the Headington hospice’s open week.
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ATTEMPTED MURDER TRIAL: Accused tells of violent partner
A MAN accused of trying to stab his ex-partner to death told a jury he was a victim of her violent outbursts during their three-year relationship. Benjamin Thompson, 26, denies attempting to murder Harriet de Raeve, 22, who was found at the house they
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Thousands show devotion to St Therese
ROSE petals were left scattered in their thousands at an Oxford church last night after more than 6,000 pilgrims paid tribute to an “inspirational” saint. For 22 hours, the Oxford Oratory, in Woodstock Road, was home to the relics of Roman Catholic St
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Upper Heyford's ex-air base changes hands
THE former US Air Force base at Upper Heyford has been sold, with its new owner pledging to retain existing housing and redevelop other buildings. Base manager Michael Loveland said the site, west of Bicester, had been bought by the Dorchester Group.
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FOOTBALL: Hot-shot Simms puts comeback on ice
Abingdon Town striker Mark Simms has suffered a setback in his recovery from a knee injury. He was due back soon, but boss Mark O’Hara said: “It’s a big setback, and he probably won’t play until the new year at least.” Christian Perkins (hamstring),
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FOOTBALL: Boss Ford issues cup warning
Oxford City boss Mike Ford has warned his players ahead of Saturday's third-qualifying round clash against underdogs Cirencester Town – write them off at your peril. Victory against the Division 1 South & West outfit could mean they face a Conference
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FOOTBALL: Banbury hit by Stone injury blow
Banbury United could be without leading scorer David Stone for a number of weeks with an ankle problem. The former Rugby striker suffered the injury when he was brought down in the area by defender Alex Stanley in the closing stages of Tuesday
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U's take on the terminator!
Chris Wilder’s men are out to terminate The Terminator on Saturday That was the nickname given to tough-tackling Julian Dicks, one of the hardest defenders the modern game has known. Former Birmingham City, West Ham and Liverpool left back Dicks is
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Loyal fans follow United to the ends of the earth!
Introducing the most loyal and dedicated fans in the land . . Seven days after 548 Oxford United supporters made the long terk to Gateshead, some 265 of them were back on the road again for the similar 500-mile round trip to the north-west outpost of
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Yellow cards starting to tot up
Several United players are getting closer to suspension under the totting-up procedure – though after 15 games the same can probably be said of a lot of players up and down the country. James Constable collected his fourth yellow card at Barrow last
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Players on road to recovery
United's coaching staff are hoping to see the players looking more refreshed after giving them some recovery time this week. “It does take it out of you sittin on the coach for so many hours, and being away,” said Chris Wilder. “We’ve had a little
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Skateboarders' bowl damaged by fire
OXFORD skateboarders are calling for a popular skate bowl to be repaired after it was badly damaged in an arson attack. Three weeks ago thieves rammed a stolen van through the gates of the Louie Memorial Playing Fields before driving it into the Botley
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CAMERON: I'll reveal my wealth, if necessary
TORY Leader David Cameron has said he would be willing to tell Oxfordshire voters how rich he is – but only if new Parliamentary rules demanded it. Witney MP Mr Cameron, who has so far refused to reveal the extent of his wealth, told the Oxford Mail
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Local shares (PM)
AEA Technology 28.5 BMW 2981 Electrocomponents 153.3 Gladstone 26.5 Nationwide Accident Repair 77.5 Oxford Biomedica 10.6 Oxford Catalysts 55 Oxford Instruments 194 Reed Elsevier 467.25 RM 154.5 RPS Group 225.1 Courtesy of Redmayne
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Waste burner protest will now be fought by spam
PROTESTERS are gearing up for a last ditch fight to stop a £100m incinerator being built in north Oxfordshire. Campaigners opposed to plans to site the waste burner in Ardley, near Bicester, have vowed to bombard councillors with emailed images in a
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Man held over thefts from lorries on A34
A 35-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of theft after blank CDs and £2,000 of rugs were stolen from two lorries parked in lay-bys on the A34. The blank CDS were stolen overnight between Tuesday and yesterday from a lorry parked near Weston-on-the
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A heavy encounter with MI5
After forcing myself to watch the troubling crime drama Criminal Justice, I tried to relax with Rat Run, a paperback copy of one of Gerald Seymour's superb blockbusters. She Who It Is Best To Obey suggested that I should save the Seymour canon
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Banbury Sea Cadets are buoyant again
A SEA cadet branch, threatened with closure just a year ago, is now thriving. Just 12 months ago, Banbury Sea Cadets was down to eight members, had no staff and faced imminent closure. Its fortunes were turned around after former cadet commander Jon
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Police set up Blackbird Leys base
POLICE are to set up a permanent base in the heart of Oxford’s Blackbird Leys estate. Officers will be based in a new neighbourhood office which could open before Christmas. And, in a double boost, they will receive a new addition to their team, with
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Boaters take to water to clean up city
BOATERS will be setting off on Saturday to give Oxford’s waterways an autumn clean. Volunteers will leave clubhouses and marinas across the city to carry out a two-hour morning stint of rubbish and litter clearance on the Thames, Cherwell, other tributaries
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Thieves steal Abingdon garage's £11k canopy
THIEVES wrecked plans to redevelop a garage after spotting an £11,000 canopy lying on the forecourt. The large open-sided canopy had been bought by Lodge Hill Garage, near Abingdon, and would have doubled its covered car sales area. A crane was needed
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Brides compete in Burford for a dream TV wedding
BRIDES-TO-BE battled it out at Cotswold Wildlife Park, in Burford, to win their dream wedding. Ten women had to complete challenges such as feeding a pack of lions, shovelling rhino dung and putting their hands into a jar of cockroaches.
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North Oxford park to get £55k revamp
PARENTS with young children have welcomed a £55,000 revamp for a play area in North Oxford. Work began on the new-look Alexandra Park play area, in Summertown, on Tuesday. The city council work is expected to take three months and the
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RUGBY UNION: Jaw-breaker's six-week ban
The player who broke Chinnor scrum half Toby Prescott’s jaw in four places has been banned for six weeks. Bournemouth fly half Puks Ngapaku was only yellow-carded for the forearm smash on Prescott in National 3 South West on September 5. But he received
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RUGBY UNION: Coach hopes for luck change
Wallingford welcome back Henry Venners and Johnny Collett when they host Swanage & Wareham in South West 1 East on Saturday. Venners will fill the problem No 10 shirt and Collett slots in a centre, with regular scrum half Derek Viljoen facing a fitness
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The shape of things to come for Chapel
RIPON College in Cuddesdon has unveiled plans for a new chapel with a distinctive boat-shaped roof, following a major design competition. It is one of the Church of England’s most important training and educational centres, responsible for training more
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Hospital brings in 70 more beds
OXFORD’S John Radcliffe Hospital is bringing in new beds and scheduling more operating time to battle delays and an upsurge in patient numbers. The Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust pledged to create 70 extra beds with more operating time, despite
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FIXTURES: October 9
SATURDAY. FOOTBALL. BLUE SQUARE PREMIER. Oxford Utd v Grays Ath. PUMA YOUTH ALLIANCE Under 18 South West Conference: Oxford Utd Youth v Cheltenham Tn. FA CUP. 3rd qual round: Oxford C v Cirencester Tn. ZAMARETTO SOUTHERN LEAGUE. Premier Div:
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Blueprint for a green future in Oxfordshire
Professionals from all areas of the construction industry looking to develop their green credentials are being urged to attend the first of a series of conferences. Hosted by the Oxfordshire Economic Partnership, the event, Sustainable Construction Oxford
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Postal workers vote for strike action
Postal workers have voted in favour of a national strike in a bitter row over jobs, pay and services, threatening widespread disruption to mail deliveries in the coming weeks. The Communication Workers Union said its members backed a nationwide walkout
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Workers arrested in immigration raid
Ten workers have been arrested as part of an immigration raid at a Bicester food factory. Twenty UK Border and Immigration officers and two police officers raided the Just Prepared factory, in Bainton Close, off Charbridge Way, at around 10.30am.
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Brita blames euro for jobs axe
Water filter maker Brita has revealed it is to axe about 12 staff. Bosses say that while demand for filters manufactured at the Bicester site remains firm, the strength of the euro has led to the German company’s costs increasing by 30 per cent this
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Modelling futures
The abstruse subject of quantitative finance has emerged from obscurity recently, with its mathematical models blamed for causing the economic crisis. Nobel Prize winning economist Paul Krugman, for example, believes ‘beautiful mathematics’ blinded people
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Gentleman hellraiser
ERROL FLYNN David Bret (JR Books, £8.99) This straightforward and largely non-judgemental account of Errol Flynn’s life is based on the star’s own writings and the reminiscences of his contemporaries. Born in Australia, but educated for a time in
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Global sales boost for Mini
Worldwide sales of Minis, built at BMW’s Cowley plant, last month climbed 9.5 per cent to 24,759 cars, up from 22,619 during September 2008. The new Mini Convertible, launched in March, sold 3,870 cars. The Mini One, now available in Hatch and Clubman
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Triumph of plot over character
ORDINARY THUNDERSTORMS William Boyd (Bloomsbury, £18.99) An industry insider, who knew I was a big fan of the author, handed me an uncorrected proof copy of this six months before publication. I read about 100 pages before being told to hand back the
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Parenting through the ages
LOVE TO THE LITTLE ONES Louisa Lane-Fox (Frances Lincoln, £14.99) For all those struggling with recalcitrant teenagers, crying babies, tantrumy toddlers, and even those whose children are grown up, be assured that it was ever thus. In Love to the Little
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'Dressing up as a woman is liberating'
John Barrowman kicks off his high heels and peels off his stockings during a break from his West End role in La Cage Aux Folles, in which he stars as a drag queen. “Dressing up as a woman is kind of liberating — I don't know what you women complain about
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A taste of rural life
Steve and Eva Mason have spent the last three years renovating their home in Middle Barton but need to relocate to the south east because of a job opportunity. The couple have put Greenways, in Church Lane, on the market at a guide price of £450,000.
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Local share prices (AM)
AEA Technology 28.5 BMW 2976 Electrocomponents 153.1 Gladstone 26.25 Nationwide Accident Repair 77.5 Oxford Biomedica 10.75 Oxford Catalysts 54. Oxford Instruments 194 Reed Elsevier 473 RM 154.5 RPS Group 225.5 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley,
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A Cowards way out.............
Our ‘A Brief Encounter with Noel Coward’ evening is in full rehearsal with the ‘Still Life’ play nearing books down and the poetry/songs/performance pieces for the other half of the evening all in place. Set Building is looming and as the
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It was not political
Sir – I am concerned that both Reg Little and your correspondent Harry St John (report and letter, October 1) seem to believe that planning decisions are party political issues. If any party had agreed to a party line on the Oxford Brookes University
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Modern arts centres
Sir – I am happy to be able to respond positively to Susie Crow (letter, October 1) about the need for more good quality performance space for dance in Oxford. The city council is working with the charity Crisis to redevelop the Old Fire Station as
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Picture this
Sir – There are no fewer than four photographs of Christopher Gray on p.27 of last week’s Weekend, excluding his multiple reflections in Anish Kapoor's sculpture. Does Gray’s vanity know no bounds? Brian Atkins Eynsham
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It was a candle
Sir – I liked the photographic portrait of Colin Dexter (part of the My Ashmolean, My Museum exhibition) with Latimer’s famous words on his way to be burnt at the stake written on Dexter’s forehead: “. . . we shall this day, by God’s grace, light such
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Where is our choice?
Sir – Our daughter attends Larkrise Primary School in East Oxford, and we are delighted to have the choice of a non-faith school in our area. We are also pleased that, of the choice of three local secondary schools, one is a non-faith secondary school
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Try 700 service
Sir – Delia Twamley (letter, October 1) is incorrect to state that “North Oxford now has no direct (bus) link with Headington”. Might I draw her attention to the excellent 700 service that runs during the day every 15 minutes from Grovelands in Kidlington
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Tsunami appeal
Sir – The Red Cross has launched an appeal for Samoa, American Samoa and Tonga, to support people affected by the 8.3 earthquake and subsequent tsunami that struck on September 29 at 6:48am local time. Samoa Red Cross and Tonga Red Cross staff and volunteers
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Honest approach
Sir – John Tanner (letter, October 1) suggests that local councillors should decide the layout of controlled parking in Oxford. He rightly stresses the needs of pedestrians, visitors, clients of local businesses, and cyclists. Long ago, the city council
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Seek a better balance
Sir – It is welcome news that the cost of a legal hearing into the South East Plan can be avoided (report, October 1), but it should be remembered that the situation would not have arisen in the first place if the city council had not promoted development
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Promoting state schools
Sir – I noticed that there were no less than five glossy adverts for independent schools in the last edition of The Oxford Times. This made me wonder how state schools might promote themselves. I expect the following attributes would be noted: l Schools
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The faintest idea
Sir – Philip Pullman claims that I cannot have the faintest idea what his forthcoming book The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ says, since it has not yet gone to the printer. Actually, I do have the faintest idea — I merely commented on two widely
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Speed is the danger
Sir – Hugh Jaeger (letter, October 1) states that motorists endanger cyclists not with their speed but by leaving too little room, and uses this to argue that 20mph limits are dangerous. That is simply untrue. There is plenty of evidence that the
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Muddled, fuzzy, partial thinking should worry city taxpayers
Sir – I write as an Oxford resident and Brookes alumnus who depends partly on Brookes for his livelihood. Clearly, the council’s decision on September 24 was intended to give Brookes a bloody nose — but why? Brookes is one of the city’s success stories
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A34 diamond
The change in stance from the Highways Agency over a full diamond junction on the A34 at Lodge Hill north of Abingdon is a welcome move. We all know that this would play a significant part in easing congestion in the town. It would be foolish of us,
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Kickabout
We have been watching with growing concern the goings-on at Oxford School. The East Oxford secondary school seems to have become a political football to be kicked about. We do not pretend to have an inside track on the goings-on. From the outside, however
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Recouping rail costs
Sir – How time flies! Two years ago the Department for Transport ruled out any further railway electrification. Hopes that Oxford station might get the four through platforms recommended by Arup in 2002 were dismissed out of hand. Yet now we are promised
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Son of God
Sir – Maurice Smithson (letter, September 24) believes Jesus to be the Son of God because the latter said so. Well, firstly, someone we call John in English possibly stated that another known as Jesus made this claim on one occasion. Secondly, even
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20mph signs are costly and pointless nonsense
Sir – I’m puzzled. As I drive into my little network of roads in North Oxford, I see self-congratulatory signs telling me that ‘It’s 20 for a reason’. I agree: it’s impossible to drive at more than 20, because of the pernicious speed bumps and hollows
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Oxford hospice opens doors to explain its work
“SOBELL House is not a frightening place” is the message that staff and volunteers at the Oxford Hospice are trying to get across as they hold open days this week. For the first time in the hospice’s 33-year history, it is staging an open week
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David Cameron and Paris Hilton make the cut
David Cameron can now feel that he has finally arrived as a statesman and man of words. Yes, opinion polls have been telling us for months that the Witney MP is well on track to become Prime Minister. But never mind Downing Street next year, this month
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Making headway against brain injury
Headway is a charity that provides information, advice and support to adults with an Acquired Brain Injury (ABI), their families and carers. Over 1 million people across the UK attend hospital every year following an ABI, and surveys show that an estimated
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The gardener's friend
I’ve always acknowledged that the wheelbarrow is a wonderful invention in the garden. But in the last week I have taken my appreciation to a new level. The best beloved and I have moved across the road while our derelict cottage is gutted, and we’ve used
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A partner in conservation
County ecologist Craig Blackwell can reflect on the healthy state of nature conservation in Oxfordshire as he contemplates the beginning of his retirement this week. Among its greatest strengths, he says, is the partnership style of operating that has
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Get out and go wild
Hard times: Birds need plenty of high energy foods during the cold weather; small birds such as blue tits need to eat a quarter of their body weight each day. While most birds can usually cope with a short, cold snap, if freezing weather lasts more than
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Oxford 1 faces difficult season
Oxford 1 start their first season in division 1 of the Four Nations Chess League against champions Wood Green Hilsmark Kingfisher 1. Oxford have strengthened with the return of Alex Milovanovic and the inclusion of Tsanas Thanasis from Greece, Jamaican
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Thames Valley Antiques Dealers Association Annual Fair
The Thames Valley Antiques Dealers Association’s sumptuous annual fair takes place at Radley College from October 30 to November 1. Some of the faces of TVADA members will seem familiar to readers, following the BBC’s new programme Trust the Dealer.
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Proclaimers: O2 Academy
It’s been an extraordinarily busy year for The Proclaimers. As well as releasing their eighth studio album, Notes and Rhymes, in June, they have had a relentless schedule of almost non-stop touring, taking in Canada, the US and festival appearances in
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The History Boys: OFS Studio, Oxford
A milling mass of Oxford freshers out on the lash packed the pavements around the OFS Studio on Tuesday night. Inside the theatre, meanwhile, a full house was gripped by Alan Bennett’s compelling 2004 play focusing on eight young men making their bid
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Dial M for Murder: Oxford Playhouse
The West Yorkshire Playhouse’s touring production of Frederick Knott’s 1952 play Dial M for Murder comes drenched with warnings that it should be judged on its own stage merits: just forget about the classic Alfred Hitchcock film version made a couple
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Julian Clary: New Theatre
Gearing up for his first nationwide tour in five years (he comes to the New Theatre tomorrow evening), Julian Clary muses on having recently turned 50. “I’ve actually embraced it; there’s been a certain sense of achievement as each decade has passed.
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Michel at the George, Oxford
Acar alarm that went off in the night (and again the following morning) led directly to my first visit to Michel at the George. Handily adjacent to Motorworld in Botley Road, the pub was the obvious place for a cup of coffee while the pesky vehicle
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Ensemble Ox: Charlbury Memorial Hall
Piazzolla with Berio: at first glance, it sounds like an exotic mix at the deli counter. But in fact we’re talking about Argentine tango composer Astor Piazzolla, and Luciano Berio, noted for his experimental music. Even if you can’t eat it, however,
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Utsav: The Celebration, OFS Studio
Utsav – the Celebration is an evening of five new pieces, based on the Kathak dance style, brought together by the Oxford-based choreographer and dancer Anuradha Chaturvedi. Anuradha is a highly talented dancer who has mastered the expressive Kathak style
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Climate change beliefs 'like religion'
An executive sacked from one of the UK's biggest property companies began his defence today of an employment tribunal decision that he can claim he was unfairly dismissed because of his belief in climate change. Tim Nicholson, 42, from Oxford
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Hospital hit by big rise in demand
OXFORD’S John Radcliffe Hospital has announced new measures to cope with a big rise in patient numbers, with the hospital facing complaints about delayed operations. The Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust pledged to create 70 extra beds and more operating
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CRICKET: Duo will not fight penalties
Neither Kingston Bagpuize nor Wolverton will appeal against the penalties handed out by The Oxford Times Cherwell League following a fracas last month. Kingston’s Robert Keates was banned for eight weeks, with four weeks suspended, while the club were
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CRICKET: Rowant hearing is delayed again
The eagerly-awaited disciplinary hearing into the pitch battle between Aston Rowant’s Tim Miles and Basingstoke’s Dean Nurse has been called off again. The Home Counties Premier League’s original decision on the case had to be rescinded because neither
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Best is yet to come says Clist
Midfielder Simon Clist believes there’s much more to come from Oxford United, despite their superb start to the season. The U’s have amassed 36 points from 15 games and are six clear at the top. But former Bristol City, Barnet and Forest
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Give credit to skills of winemakers
I was in the south of France, having a little look around whilst the 2009 harvest was in full swing. It is a fabulous time; the vineyards are speckled with pickers, the wineries are a hive of activity and the air is full of the smell of fermenting grape
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Police put the heat on Leys pushers
MORE than 40 homes have been raided in seven months on Blackbird Leys as police tackle the Oxford estate’s “drug issue”. Between March and September, officers swooped on 42 premises across Blackbird Leys and Greater Leys after residents complained
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Wines for Autumn, £79
With the Autumn days now gradually drawing in it is time to lay in some stocks of wine for the new season that will go with richer foods like stews, casseroles and game. This mixed case contains a variety of full ripe wines that will warm you up and complement
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Battle lines at Oxford School gates
HOW Oxford School is run will be decided by the Government after the county council made an unprecedented move to oust its board of governors. Oxfordshire County Council is so concerned that weak leadership and infighting among governors is hampering
