Archive
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Public have their say on gym at pool
RESIDENTS on an Oxford estate will soon be able to have their say on plans for a community gym. Oxford City Council has set aside more than £2m to improve the city’s leisure facilities, starting with expanding services at Barton pool. The facility,
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The Insider
Bloxham resident Tony Baldry MP has already given his excuses to the organisers of the village’s inaugural music festival next May, apologising that he won’t be able to take on the official ribbon-cutting duties. Apparently, he thinks there may be something
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Advice to parents as strike starts
PARENTS applying for their children to start school or move to secondary school are advised not to post the applications because of the planned Royal Mail strike. Up to 120,000 staff across the UK were due to strike today and tomorrow after
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Murder arrest shocks village
A MAN was tonight in police custody after being arrested on suspicion of murdering a woman in an Oxfordshire village 14 years ago. Police investigating the killing of Vikki Thompson, of Ascott-under-Wychwood, in 1995, yesterday arrested a 34
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Pyjama crew chill out for charity
PYJAMA-clad workmates strolled through the centre of Oxford – and raised more than £200 for charity. Yesterday, 18 employees from Cowley-based Intraining walked to Helen & Douglas House Hospice, in East Oxford, via the city centre, to collect money for
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Comedy club closes down
A COMEDY venue and nightclub has closed as the list of Oxford city centre establishments to shut their doors in recent months increased. Jongleurs, and the adjoining Bar Risa, in Hythe Bridge Street, was shut down after its owner Regent Inns went into
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School show launches Woodstock art festival
THE Art in Woodstock Festival was launched last night with a sneak preview exhibition at the Marlborough School. The week-long celebration officially begins on Saturday, but sixth-form art students, from left, Eva Davies, Laura Ralph and Lauren Sadler
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Leys school is back on song
p> PUPILS at a once struggling Oxford primary school are singing their way to a better education, according to the headteacher. Dianne Carbon, head of Windale Primary School, in Blackbird Leys, is convinced regular singing lessons over the past
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Gran calls for culvert alerts after Witney flood drowning
THE grandmother of a Witney teenager who drowned in last year’s floods has called for signs to warn others of the danger. Patricia Weeden made the plea after the inquest into the death of her grandson Max Sullivan Webb – also known as Max Weeden. The
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Carterton adviser stole £800,000 from wills
A “DESPICABLE” financial adviser from Oxfordshire who devised three wills so he could steal a total of £800,000 was yesterday jailed for eight years. Richard Nelson, left, was said to have been motivated by “selfishness and greed” and planned to steal
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MG driver conquers world to win bet
A GRANDFATHER has survived floods, an earthquake and a Taliban attack to drive his 1977 MG Midget around the world to win a bet with his neighbour. Roy Locock, 62, from Chinnor, arrived at the MG Car Club’s Abingdon headquarters after completing his
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Jobs at risk as councils merge operations
JOBS at South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse district councils are under threat as the two authorities move to merge their management, the Oxford Mail can reveal. Councillors have been briefed about the plans and consultations with staff have
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Dancers ready for big day in Bicester
DOZENS of people have signed up for a fundraising dance-a-thon to help a playgroup get a new home. Bicester mayor James Porter will open the event on Sunday, November 8, and will be invited to get the ball rolling by taking part in the first
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Williams F1 boss races to thank fire crew
FORMULA 1 motor racing boss Frank Williams has paid tribute to firefighters who tackled a blaze at his team’s headquarters and prevented tens of millions of pounds of damage. To thank them for bringing the blaze under control, he gave the fire
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Heavy lifting at Brize Norton lands RAF prize
A PHOTOGRAPH of a helicopter being loaded on to a transport plane at RAF Brize Norton has been named one of the best of the year in an RAF contest. Senior Aircraftman Neil Chapman took the picture of the Merlin helicopter, from RAF Benson, near Wallingford
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County reviews 40 limit on road
OXFORDSHIRE County Council is to review a road speed limit after a campaign by residents. They want the limit in Mably Way, Grove, cut from 40mph to 30mph after a series of accidents. In January last year, Betty Ashley, 85, of Courtenay Road, Wantage
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Pat Thompson: Fellow who changed college’s reputation
ARTHUR Frederick Thompson — known as Pat — was one of a generation of young Fellows who, under the leadership of the Warden Maurice Bowra, transformed the reputation of Wadham College. Previously considered respectable if dull, Wadham acquired a reputation
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Harry Salmon: Ex PoW always met the Fallen
AN OXFORD soldier who spent more than a year in a German prisoner of war camp has died, aged 88. Former Grenadier Guardsman Harry Salmon spent 14 months in Stalag IV-B, near Dresden, after being caught during the Battle of Anzio in 1944 as 40,000 Allied
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Regal sculpture takes shape at last
The Queen came face to face with a bronze bust of her youthful self, wearing the crown of state, when she unveiled a new sculpture with an Oxford connection, above. The unveiling took place in front of more than 150 peers and staff from the House of
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Call to rethink Westgate plans
OPPONENTS of the £330m Westgate Centre development in Oxford are to mount a bid to kill off the scheme and force planners to “return to the drawing board”. A motion is due to be presented to Oxford City Council next month calling for it to reconsider
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Church revamps respite centre
A RESPITE centre for adults with learning disabilities has been given a facelift by an Oxford church. Two hundred members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints off Abingdon Road took part in the Mormon Helping Hands community project. Armed
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Mail reader solves toy mystery
THE mystery surrounding the origins of a luxury toy car has been solved – with the help of Oxford Mail readers. A red Austin J40 Roadster stood out at an open day at Oxfordshire County Council’s museums resource centre in Standlake, near Witney, earlier
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Brides can get a day of treats
BRIDES-to-be can plan their perfect day with the help of the professionals at an event staged by the Oxford Mail this weekend. Our latest wedding fair will bring together a host of dressmakers, photographers, cake-makers and florists to help brides make
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BOWLS: Rae-Welsh revels in England debut
Oxfordshire's Nick Rae-Welsh revelled in his first appearance for England in an international tournament in the United States – and is hungry for more. The 29-year-old Headington bowler missed out on a place in the last four of the singles and pairs
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BOWLS: Oxon in groove to sink Surrey
Oxfordshire's Premier side made it two wins out of two in Group 3 of the English Short Mat Association Inter County Competition with a 25-15 victory over Surrey at Wallingford. Oxon’s success was built around a brace of wins by the two pairs with Julian
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UPDATE: Vikki Thompson murder probe
A man arrested on suspicion of murdering Vikki Thompson 14 years ago remains in police custody tonight. A 34-year-old man was arrested in the village this morning in connection with Mrs Thompson’s death, aged 30, in August 1995. A spokesman for Thames
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BOWLS: City & County go out in last eight
An Oxford City & County rink reached the last eight of the Warner Leisure Hotels Champion of Champions competition at Lakeside Village Resort, Hayling Island. Ray Gaskill’s side of Pat Rist, Susan Mayo and Carol Gaskins bowed out 16-4 to England international
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AUNT SALLY: Lyon out to roar again
Reigning champion Neil Lyon (Three Pigeons) defends his singles title against Kevin Giles (George) at the Greene King Oxford & District League finals night at Rover Sports & Social Club tomorrow (7.30pm). A cracking contest is in prospect as Giles was
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BAR BILLIARDS: Democrats bounce back
Democrats stormed back from last week's whitewash with an emphatic 5-0 victory over Masons B in Section 1 of the Johnsons Buildbase Oxford & District League. John Patey (6,640), Terry Green (6,420), Richard Garrett (2,840) and Bob Parsons (3,160) all
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RACING: Gandolfo calls it a day
Former Wantage trainer David Gandolfo has announced his retirement after a career spanning 50 years. The 71-year-old sent out around 1,500 winners, including a string of big-race successes during his 40 years training at Downs Stables, before moving
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Jewellery stolen in Great Coxwell burglary
Police are appealing for information after a house was burgled in Great Coxwell. The house was broken into yesterday, some time between 2pm and 9pm. The burglars forced open the rear door and stole some jewellery. PC Maria Morrisey, based at Abingdon
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RUGBY UNION: Brodley happy with Quins' progress
John Brodley believes Oxford Harlequins are developing a squad capable of shining in National 3 South West. Last season, Quins often struggled to put out a competitive side and won just six league matches, but director of rugby Brodley is more than
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RUGBY UNION: Henley's 'heavy' penalty
Henley president Noel Armstead feels his club were treated harshly in having two points deducted for a player registration error. The National Clubs Association (NCA), which runs National 1 and 2, handed Henley Hawks the penalty after they
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Bird row couple could lose home
AN elderly couple were facing homelessness last night after being given an eviction notice following a row over bird feeding. Marilyn Brown and partner David Brookes have been told they have six weeks to leave the almshouse in Kidlington in
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RUGBY UNION: Cueto's star turn
England and Sale Sharks winger Mark Cueto handed out a coaching masterclass to Sunningwell School pupils. And he went down a storm. The visit came about after a parent, Stuart Bates, entered a competition to win a day’s coaching by an England star
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RUGBY UNION: Defeat no disaster, says Hill
Losing 50-0 would usually be a pretty demoralising experience, but that is not how Oxford University director of rugby Steve Hill saw their hammering at Northampton. Hill stressed the quality of the Dark Blues’ opponents, who included many established
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RUGBY UNION: Banbury runners-up
Banbury Under 9s finished runners-up at the Cheltenham Festival after scoring 20 tries and conceding just two. They lost out to Droitwich in the final following four wins. Banbury’s try scorers were Alfie Barbeary, Toby Parker, Nick Dawkins, Tom Chesser
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GOLF: United in the swing
Oxford United players and staff were the star visitors at Southfield’s open day on Monday. Striker Jamie Cook (pictured third from right), who plays off one and has considered becoming a professional, won a mini tournament among the United representatives
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GOLF: Celtic test for county trio
Three Oxfordshire golfers will next week bid to play against a team of former Ryder, Solheim and Walker Cup players at Celtic Manor. Andy Jennings (The Wychwood), Oliver Ebsworth (Burford) and Kate Evans (Frilford Heath) have qualified for the Single
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GOLF: Results round-up
SHAW GIBBS OXFORDSHIRE FOURSOMES LEAGUE Section 1 Frilford Heath 3 (4pts), Oxford City 0 (0) (Frilford Heath first): P Richardson & P Dolton bt M Hall & J Payne 4&3, J Summers & G Hart bt A Hooker & J Humes 4&3, B Mann & B Paterson bt J Stone & C
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ICE HOCKEY: Stars' mixed fortunes
English National League Oxford City Stars suffered mixed fortunes – beating Bracknell 3-1 before going down by the same scoreline to Chelmsford Chieftains 24 hours later. The results leave Stars fifth in the Division 1 table, having won four
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Local shares (PM)
AEA Technology 31 BMW 3203 Electrocomponents 156.6 Gladstone 25.5 Nationwide Accident Repair 79.5 Oxford Biomedica 14.3 Oxford Catalysts 54.5 Oxford Instruments 225 Reed Elsevier 465.8 RM 156.5 RPS Group 215.8 Courtesy of Redmayne
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Driver killed in Great Milton smash
A woman has been killed in car crash in an Oxfordshire village. A silver Toyota Celica and red Toyota pick-up truck collided on the A329 junction with Church Road, in Great Milton, at 7.40am today. The driver of the car, a 49-year-old woman, from
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Plague Dogs and the Gospel Truth
I failed to get to grips with the Gospel of Mark in time for my bible studies class the other night, which left me virtually speechless as my classmates made a series of astute remarks. The tutor clearly realised I hadn't done enough homework
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ATHLETICS: Ace Male crowned champion
Oxford City veteran Steve Male was crowned Oxfordshire marathon champion after an impressive debut over the distance on Sunday. Male finished fifth in the open race, clocking 2hrs 38mins 21secs, and this was more than enough to land both the overall
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ABINGDON MARATHON RESULTS - TOP 50
(Top 50, senior men unless stated) 1 P Martelletti (Team Sub Three) 2.28.37, 2 N Aspinall (Aldershot, Farnham & Distr) 2.35.58, 3 G McCourt (Aldershot, Farnham & Distr) 2.36.48, 4 R Tuddenham (Serpentine, V40) 2.37.34, 5 S Male (Oxford
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ATHLETICS: Abingdon trio on song
Abingdon Amblers’ under 15 girls took on one of their toughest challenges of the year when they competed in the National Road Relay Championships at Sutton Park, Birmingham. The team of Lucie Webb, Cordelia Parker and Ellie Wilkins finished the relay
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Thief snatches 87-year-old's handbag in Oxford
A handbag containing £800 was snatched from an elderly woman while she sat in her car in Oxford. The 87-year-old woman had earlier withdrawn the money from the Cheltenham and Gloucester and visited several shops with her 85-year-old sister-in-law
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Thompson family call for justice
The family of an Oxfordshire mother Vikki Thompson murdered in an Oxfordshire village 14 years ago today called for justice after a man was held in custody on suspicion of murder. In a statement issued through Thames Valley Police, Jonathon
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Woman killed in Great Milton crash
Police are appealing for witnesses to a collision in Great Milton today in which a woman died. At about 7.40am, a silver Toyota and a red Toyota pickup collided on the A329, at the junction with Church Road. The driver of the silver
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Vikki's family calls for justice
The family of an Oxfordshire mum murdered 14 years ago today called for justice to be done. Mother-of-two Vikki Thompson, 30, was found barely conscious, bruised and caked on blood at the bottom of a railway embankment in the village where
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County reviews 40mph limit on Grove road
OXFORDSHIRE County Council is to review a road speed limit after a campaign by residents. They want the limit in Mably Way, Grove, cut from 40mph to 30mph after a series of accidents. In January last year, Betty Ashley, 85, of Courtenay
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Police raid house in Leys
A 22-year-old man is in custody accused of drug dealing following a raid on an Oxford estate. Police raided a house in Merlin Road, Blackbird Leys, at 8.10am this morning and found cannabis and drugs paraphernalia. Officers arrested the man on suspicion
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Recipe for apple tarte Tatin
This is one of the recipes that Vladimir Niza, head tutor at the Daylesford Cookery school included in the session I attended. He insists that the secret of this dish is to use either Braeburn or Cox’s apples as they hold their shape when cooking.
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Church members pitch in to revamp care centre
A RESPITE centre for adults with learning disabilities has been given a facelift by an Oxford church. Two hundred members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints off Abingdon Road took part in the Mormon Helping Hands community project. Armed
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Arbat Russian restaurant, Cowley Road, Oxford
My experience of Russian cooking is not extensive, and the meal I ate last week at Oxford’s only Russian restaurant did not convince me that it ought to be much further expanded. On the other hand, the evening we spent at Arbat, in Cowley Road,
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Learning to respect the best ingredients
It was a Friday, the end of a working week, when I made my way to Daylesford Organics, near Kingham, to attend the press launch of Daylesford’s new Organic Cookery School. I must admit that on seeing the new purpose-built kitchen, with its demonstration
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Fantastic Mr Fox
Hip indie director Wes Anderson (The Royal Tenenbaums, The Darjeeling Limited) is an odd fit for Roald Dahl’s classic children’s story Fantastic Mr Fox. He certainly brings his offbeat and adult sensibilities to bear on the film, though, creating another
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Preview of The American Pilot: Oxford Theatre Guild, North Wall, Summertown
Oxford Theatre Guild’s Autumn season begins with a modern work, The American Pilot, which was first performed by the RSC in 2005. It shows what happens when a US Air Force pilot crash lands into a community caught up in a long civil war, and the impact
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Mail reader solves mystery of antique pedal car
THE mystery surrounding the origins of a luxury toy car has been solved – with the help of Oxford Mail readers. A red Austin J40 Roadster stood out at an open day at Oxfordshire County Council’s museums resource centre in Standlake, near Witney, earlier
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That Old Feeling: The Mill at Sonning
Full of fun and music but with a strong central story, That Old Feeling, at the Mill at Sonning dinner theatre, is a corker. I always expect quality at this venue but this latest show is certainly one of their best. I felt great sympathy with the central
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Farmer fined for digging up riverbank
AN OXFORDSHIRE farmer has been told to pay £5,100 after carrying out work on his riverbank that could have flooded nearby properties and threatened rare water voles. Paul Caudwell, owner of Caudwell and Sons Ltd of Gravel Lane, Drayton, was
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Dina Duisen: Jacqueline du Pre Music Building
Kazakh pianist Dina Duisen is no stranger to Oxford, having played at five Oxford Philomusica Piano Festivals. Impressed with her playing, Jonathan Williams, director of music at St Hilda’s, invited her several years ago to give a recital at the Jacqueline
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Ricky Gervais: New Theatre, Oxford
Not so long ago, Ricky Gervais was a comedy colossus. The Office and Extras, of course, a clutch of awards and popular stand-up tours off the back of those TV successes: all then led to blandishments from Hollywood. Now he’s facing some
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Jericho Living Heritage Trust: Art Jericho
The Jericho Living Heritage Trust was initiated in May to protect and promote the heritage of Jericho and to add to its amenities and those of its neighbouring communities, waterways and open spaces. Its immediate goal is to acquire the Castle Mill Boatyard
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Oxford Art Society: Said Business School Gallery
Once again, members of the Oxford Art Society have filled the gallery at the Said Business School with the most amazing assortment of pictures and sculptures. Be assured the standard is as professional as ever. Indeed if I played my usual game and tried
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Oxford Lieder Festival 2009: Opening Concert, Jacqueline du Pre Building
Goethe was so moved by Des Knaben Wunderhorn (‘The Youth’s Magic Horn’), a collection of folk poetry published in Germany between 1805 and 1808, that he famously declared that every household should own a copy. He also expressed the hope that composers
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Branson tight-lipped over Brawn deal
Sir Richard Branson will decide after the final race of the Formula One season whether his Virgin Group will continue as a sponsor of the victorious Brawn GP team. Virgin agreed to sponsor the Brackley team just before the season began in March, just
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Audioscope: Jericho Tavern, Oxford
Now in its ninth year, Audioscope has seen bands like Young Knives, Fourtet and Clinic pitch in to support Shelter. 2009 sees the event grow in size, with a stunning line-up of well-established acts alongside the local talent offered in the past. Things
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Farmer fined 'for creating flood risk'
AN Oxfordshire farmer has been told to pay £5,100 after carrying out work on his riverbank that could have flooded nearby properties and threatened rare watervoles. Paul Caudwell, owner of Caudwell and Sons Ltd of Gravel Lane, Drayton, was fined £2600
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Wolfgang Holzmair and Andreas Haefliger: Oxford Lieder Festival, Holywell Music Room
You can tell a lot from the silence at the end of a concert – its quality and duration testify to the success of the performers in claiming and transporting the audience. I have rarely – particularly not in a venue as small as the Holywell – heard so
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The Proclaimers: 02 Academy
With only three years to go before they hit their half century, you’d think Scottish twins Craig and Charlie Reid – aka The Proclaimers – would be slowing things down a little. Not a bit of it. Their gig at Oxford’s O2 Academy last week saw the brothers
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Tim Minchin: New Theatre, Oxford
Is Tim Minchin a stand-up comedian or a musician? Certainly, he enters the stage like a rock star; strobing effects, customised lighting, loud music and smoke effects announce his arrival, before he launches into a song. Which is funny. And consists of
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The Masked Canterbury Tales: OFS Studio, Oxford
Masks in the theatre possess the surprising and useful property of concentrating the audience’s attention on the character being played rather than the actor who is playing him or her. This was neatly demonstrated to me last Saturday at the matinee performance
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The Pitmen Painters: The Milton Keynes Theatre and National Theatre (from December)
Writer Lee Hall showed in Billy Elliot that artistic ambitions and success are not the exclusive preserve of the affluent classes (did anyone seriously suppose they were?). He has gone on to present the same lesson again – in my opinion a shade
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Local share prices (AM)
AEA Technology 31 BMW 3137 Electrocomponents 157 Gladstone 25.5 Nationwide Accident Repair 79.5 Oxford Biomedica 15.25 Oxford Catalyst 54.5 Oxford Instruments 214.5 Reed Elsevier 464 RM 156.5 RPS Group 212.75 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
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Man dies in Yarnton collision
Police are appealing for witnesses to a collision in Yarnton in which a man died. Police said at about 8.15pm yesterday a white Ford Fiesta collided with a pedestrian who was lying in the middle of the A44, near to The Turnpike public house
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ROBIN takes off for businesses
Are you a local employer looking to raise your profile in the community, and/or eager to fulfil your corporate social responsibilities? The Responsible Oxfordshire Business Involvement Network (ROBIN) being launched tomorrow aims to bring together the
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Man killed while lying in road
A man died last night after he was hit by a car while lying in the middle of the A44, in Yarnton near Woodstock. Thames Valley Police is appealing for witnesses to the collision, which happened at about 8.15pm. A white Ford Fiesta collided with the
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Fire and crash cause M40 delays
A car fire and a crash caused delays for drivers on the M40 in north Oxfordshire today. Two lanes closed of the northbound carriageway were closed after a car fire on the hard shoulder between junction ten at Ardley and junction 11 at Banbury
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Oxford United striker has point to prove
Jack Midson feels he has a point to prove when he leads the Oxford United attack against Thurrock. And he knows just what a good run in the FA Cup can mean to a Conference club – because he had one last year, helping Histon to shock wins over Swindon
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Man arrested over unsolved murder
Police investigating the brutal killing of mother-of-two Vikki Thompson 14 years ago have this morning arrested an Oxfordshire man on suspicion of murder. Detectives are currently holding the 34-year-old man on suspicion of murder after arresting
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THOMPSON MURDER: Timeline
1995 Saturday, August 12: 4pm: Vikki Thompson leaves her home in Chestnut Drive to take dog Daisy for a walk 7pm: Her bloodied and barely concious body found by husband Jonathan on railway embankment near Shipton Lane Friday
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World class facilities on our doorstep
Oxford is blessed to have many world-class institutions, none more so than the array of medical facilities housed here. Today, the Oxford Mail publishes the first pictures inside the new Oxford Heart Centre, the latest addition to the John Radcliffe
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Wartime sweethearts celebrate 65th anniversary
A COUPLE who planned their white wedding in less than five days during the Second World War today celebrate 65 years of wedded bliss. Jim and Alice Ewins, now 88 and 86 respectively, met in 1941 when they both worked for the RAF at Upper Heyford
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Firms could fight incinerator refusals
PLANS for a £100m incinerator in Oxfordshire have been delayed by at least one year, it has emerged. But county council bosses refused to reveal the potential cost of the delay to taxpayers, insisting the information was “commercially sensitive
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Ollie to the rescue after mum has fit
SEVEN-year-old Ollie Maddigan has been hailed a hero after his quick thinking helped save his mother’s life. The Finstock School pupil put mum Charlie Comber into the recovery position and dialled 999 after finding her having an epileptic fit
