Archive
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U's want more tickets
Oxford United have been in talks with Stevenage to try to increase their away ticket allocation for the top-of-the-table clash at Broadhall Way on Tuesday, March 30. United have been allocated 1,400 places, which they say is inadequate. The game is
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RACING: Roulez bid hits a snag
Roulez Cool, favourite for the Christie’s Foxhunter Chase, remains on target for the Cheltenham Festival despite suffering a slight setback. The seven-year-old, owned and trained by Robert Waley-Cohen at Edge Hill, near Banbury, is the general
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Woman foils Didcot bag snatcher
A woman foiled an attempt by a young knife-wielding cyclist to snatch her handbag in Didcot. The 41-year old woman was walking along Vicarage Road at about 3pm on Sunday when a teenage boy came up behind her on a bicycle and grabbed her handbag
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Injured cyclist taken to hospital
A cyclist has been taken to hospital after colliding with a car in East Oxford. The male cyclist is understood to have suffered back injuries following the accident at the junction of Cowley Road and Divinity Road. There are traffic problems in the
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Burglar poses as police officer
A burglar posed as a police officer to gain the trust of his victim. Police are appealing for witnesses after the man knocked on the door of a 91-year-old woman in Union Street, East Oxford at about 1.30pm on Saturday. The man claimed
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U11B Crowmarsh 2 Chalgrove 3
Chalgrove blew the title race wide open with a thrilling victory at runaway leaders Crowmarsh. Both teams were missing key players before kick off, a situation made even worse when the Cavaliers second top scorer pulled up injured in the warm up. The
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Four county schools to share £62m rebuild cash
FOUR Oxfordshire schools are to get major revamps after Oxfordshire County Council was awarded £62m of Government cash. Cheney School and Iffley Mead Special School in Oxford, Larkmead School in Abingdon an Banbury School will all be refurbished or
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Dead man's wagers could win £323k for Oxfam
OXFAM workers are keeping their fingers crossed for a winning run of bets placed by a man who left his estate to the charity. The Oxford-based charity is mystified why Nicholas Newlife, of Rousham Road, Tackley, left his entire estate to Oxfam
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Supermarket boss: 'I treated thief just like a son'
A TEENAGER who committed “the ultimate betrayal” by stealing almost £10,000 from his former employer, and threatening him ahead of a court case, is behind bars. Joseph Mohamed, 19, burgled the Sanghera Supermarket in Underhill Circus, Barton, to pay
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Penguin Club invite alarms Oxford High School
THE headmistress of an Oxford girls’ school has branded the actions of university drinking club members “wholly inappropriate” after they invited pupils to a party. More than a dozen male students from Hertford College have been suspended following
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Drug teens brandished Gurkha knife
TWO teenage heroin users who threatened a 16-year-old boy with an eight-inch Gurkha knife were sentenced yesterday – but a court ordered the weapon should not be confiscated due to its sentimental value. Ujwal Rai, 18, and Sandip Limbu, 19, who are sons
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Battling Kye dies surrounded by his family
THE parents of a severely disabled four-year-old boy described the moment they watched him pass away. Kye Sammons was surrounded by relatives when he died at Helen and Douglas House hospice in East Oxford on Friday. Kye, who suffered from epilepsy and
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RUGBY UNION: Quins secure win bonus
Oxford Harlequins 26, Barnstaple 3 Two tries in five second-half minutes ensured another bonus point victory for Oxford Harlequins in National 3 South West. Wing Huw Jones and centre Dom Maley bagged the crucial scores on 50 and 55 minutes
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RUGBY UNION: Edney praises enthusiasm
Oxford Harlequins coach Tony Edney was quietly satisfied at his side’s victory over Barnstaple. Edney, who took charge in the absence of director of rugby John Brodley due to work commitments, said: “We were trying to play a really, fast expansive game
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RUGBY UNION: Cathcart on song
James Cathcart kicked 14 points as Chinnor earned a 24-16 victory at Cleve. Liam Gilbert returned at No 8 after injury in place of Tom Mowbray in the only change to the side beaten by Oxford Harlequins. Cathcart put Chinnor ahead with a third-minute
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RUGBY UNION: Fulton secures draw
National 2 South Will Fulton kicked 14 points as Henley Hawks secured an impressive 19-19 draw at home to promotion-chasing Ealing. James Gaunt’s first game as captain began badly, with Phil Chesters’s spectacular finish giving Ealing a third-minute
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RUGBY UNION: Smith shines for Wallingford
South West 1 East Ralph Smith scored all Wallingford’s points in a 13-8 victory at Trowbridge. Wing Smith put the visitors ahead with a penalty after they made a decent start. Trowbridge’s big forwards then took control as Wallingford
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RUGBY UNION: Bulls duo at double
Midlands 2 East South Captain Sean Bannister and wing Jed Boyle each bagged a brace of tries as Banbury Bulls won 39-3 at Northampton Old Scouts. The solid display keeps Banbury six points clear the top – although they have played two more games.
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RUGBY UNION: Witney claim derby spoils
Southern Counties North Witney were made to work hard for a 30-3 derby victory over Chipping Norton at Hailey Road. Full back Ed Mitchem’s penalty calmed Witney after they struggled to get past a stubborn Chippy defence. The Lamb brothers, Henry
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RUGBY UNION: Briggs seals it
BB&O leagues Alchester eased to a 20-12 home victory over Phoenix in the Premier Division. Flanker Niall Morrow charged down a clearance and prop Nick Brits pounced to score Alchester’s opening try, converted by Ali Smith. Smith added a penalty,
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Would-be burglar poses as cop
A BURGLAR who poses as a police officer to gain the trust of his victim. Police are appealing for witnesses after the man knocked on the door of a 91-year-old woman in Union Street, East Oxford at about 1.30pm on Saturday. The man claimed to be a police
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Literary festival logs on to Amazon link
The Oxford Literary Festival has announced a business partnership with online bookseller Amazon, in the website’s first link-up with a literary festival. The festival has its own store at amazon.co.uk/oxfordliteraryfestival which includes a bestseller
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Discount designs boost cancer charity funds
IT was every fashion fan’s dream – designer labels at rock-bottom prices. About 1,000 bargain hunters flooded into Oxford Town Hall, in St Aldate’s, for a charity clothes sale, and raised more than £18,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support in Oxfordshire.
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Kidlington primary school hits out over Ofsted notice to improve
A PRIMARY school put on notice to improve by Ofsted inspectors has branded the decision “totally inappropriate”. West Kidlington Primary School, which has 375 pupils, received the notice — Ofsted’s second most serious sanction — because it failed to
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Traffic blight
I WRITE regarding the comments made about road traffic in Donnnington Bridge Road (Oxford Mail, March 1). This road was opened in 1961 to help relieve St Aldate’s from through-traffic. This traffic had been hugely increased by lorries transferring
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A meaty issue
Judaism and Islam stoned people to death and Islam severs people’s hands, but Christianity never taught either. Bernadette Downes (letters, March 2) should explain whether she was merely misinformed or was deliberately smearing Christianity. Mick Heavey
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Euro-trashed
With the appearance of the recent letter from R Lee (letters, February 26) I too was embarrassed to be British. He asserts that 50 per cent of the UK’s imports and exports involve the EU. It should be pointed out the last cost/benefit analysis done for
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Shelling out
DO you think by next December I’ll be able to purchase year 2011 Easter Eggs, use them as 2010 Christmas presents, and kill two birds with one stone? Mick Heavey, Oxford Road, Old Marston, Oxford
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Carry on snapping
Steven Dunkerley’s experience in trying to take photos involving people (Oxford Mail, March 2) suggests that the campaign by HM Government and sections of the media to instil a state of paranoia in the public has met with some success. I have to point
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We should not be breathalysing kids
I would like to clarify the situation regarding the Friday night sessions held at the Sweatbox youth centre in Wantage (Oxford Mail, March 2). Firstly, I don’t believe we should be breathalysing young people wanting to attend an event at a youth centre
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Ask the Vet: Bull Terrier is prone to cysts
Q In 2006, our Staffordshire Bull Terrier started to suffer from inter-digital cysts. At that time he was given antibiotics and steroids and then a biopsy to determine what infection was in the cysts. Since then he has suffered on and off with this problem
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Volunteers clear tons of rubbish
Volunteers collected 10,000kg of rubbish over the weekend in the biggest litter-pick in the city’s history. An estimated 1,700 people took part in the OxClean Spring Clean 2010 on Friday and Saturday, leaving the city the cleanest it has looked
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Tackling issues over a game of football
MOST people believe that if police are at a football game, it is to prevent trouble. But at a weekly kickaround in Tilsley Park, Abingdon, members of the town Neighbourhood Action Team take on youngsters to encourage a more positive relationship with
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Soldier tells of Afghan duty
A SOLDIER who served alongside her fiancé dodging landmines and delivering supplies to troops has spoken of her experiences on the Afghan frontline. Corporal Lisa Cracknell, 26, based at Dalton Barracks in Abingdon, spent six months on tour
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Comedy stars sign up to help Oxford hospice
TV COMEDIANS Graham Norton and Rory Bremner will join Rob Brydon and a host of other stars for a fundraising show for Oxford’s Helen and Douglas House hospice. The two comedians complete the line-up for this year’s Childish Things, at the New Theatre
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Bikers warned to stay safe on the roads
BIKERS across the county have been warned: “Know the risks or become another casualty.” First-time riders and those returning to their bikes after a long absence are at the highest risk of death or serious injury, according to Thames Valley Police.
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Local share prices (PM)
AEA Technology 23.25 BMW 2884 Electrocomponents 197.9 Gladstone 34 Nationwide Accident Repair 91.5 Oxford Biomedica 11 Oxford Catalyst 60.5 Oxford Instruments 238.5 Reed Elsevier 514.75 RM 168 RPS Group 184.8 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
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HOCKEY: Holt's back to snatch point
Oxford Hawks bounced back from last week’s calamity, when the pitch was double-booked and they were left without a game, to draw 2-2 with Henley in Premier Division 2. Hawks, looking to keep their winning run going, dominated much of the play.
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HOCKEY: Hawks' standards slip
Oxford Hawks Ladies failed to maintain last week’s standards as they slipped to a 1-0 defeat against Hampstead & Westminster in South Clubs’ League Division 1. The winning goal came from a short corner after 20 minutes. It was a disappointing performance
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Crowbar raider strikes at Oxford shop
THIS would-be robber armed with a crowbar demanded cash after bursting into an Oxford newsagent’s shop. Wearing a black hooded top with just his eyes showing, he entered Martins, in Balfour Road, Blackbird Leys, on Saturday afternoon but fled empty-handed
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DARTS: Oxfordshire's promotion hopes look over
Oxfordshire’s promotion hopes in Division 1 of the Rileys British Inter-Counties Championship appear to be over after a 20-16 defeat at home to second-placed Surrey. Oxon were 11-7 down after the first day’s play at Challow Royal British Legion
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Crowbar raider threatens Oxford shop staff
Police today appealed for information about an attempted robbery at Martins Newsagents in Blackbird Leys, Oxford. At about 2pm on Saturday, two white men came into the shop on Balfour Road and demanded money. The first man wore a black
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Three Thame homes burgled
Police are appealing for witnesses after three burglaries in Thame. Between 2am and 7am today, a house in Hamilton Road was burgled and thieves stole items including a laptop, handbag and some cash. On the same night, a house in Ormond Drive was
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Foreign students' parents are 'shunning the Leys'
PARENTS of foreign students feel unsafe sending their children to an Oxford estate, one of the nation’s biggest language schools has revealed. Every summer, EF teaches English to up to 5,000 students from across the world, who are drawn to
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Takeover leads way for expansion
A COMPANY which specialises in running innovation centres is set for nationwide expansion after a major takeover deal. SQW, which owns Oxford Innovation, has bought regional technology park operator Fasset for an undisclosed sum. As part of the deal
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Runners in line for trophies
THERE are now five trophies up for grabs for people taking part in the OX5 Run in aid of Oxford Children’s Hospital. In a bid to get more companies to enter teams, Allen Associates, the Oxfordshire recruitment consultants sponsoring the race, has created
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Still with her toyboy 70 years on
AN ACT of teenage gallantry towards a girl abandoned by her date triggered a lifelong romance between one of Oxfordshire’s longest-married couples. Vic and Mary Biddulph, of Manor Road, Witney, celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on Saturday.
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Rare teddy bears put up for auction
A COLLECTION of more than 300 rare teddy bears is set to fetch thousands of pounds when it goes under the hammer. Mallams Auctioneers in Abingdon is selling off the hoard of Steiff, Merry-thought and other teddy bears following the death of
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Repair work to start on Shillingford Bridge
STONEMASONS are to start major repairs to an ancient Oxfordshire bridge from pontoons in the River Thames. The £400,000 project will restore Shillingford Bridge, which was built in 1827. Over the years, traffic crossing the bridge has damaged the stonework
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Management Committee Minutes February 11th 2010
Present: Alan Wilkins, Paul Lyon, Tracey Haslam, Kevin Trendall, Dave Ashman, Kenny Moore, Chris Madden, Lakis Christodoulou Apologies: Steve Simmonds, Mary Simmonds, Neil Smith, Claire Newell, Leighton Greenslade 1. Minutes of the last
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Puppy stolen from house
A MAN is in custody after burglars forced their way into a house and stole the owner’s puppy. Police are appealing for information after three men burst into the house in Trefoil Place, Greater Leys, Oxford, at about 8pm yesterday. They stole a sandy
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Raiders snatch family's puppy
Police today appealed for information following a burglary in Oxford in which the intruders made off with a puppy. At about 8pm yesterday, three men forced their way into a house in Trefoil Place, Blackbird Leys. They threatened the occupants before
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Man remanded on Bicester murder charge
A man charged with the murder of a Bicester mother appeared at Oxford Crown Court this morning. Sean Freaney, 50, of Purslane Drive, Bicester, is alleged to have murdered his partner, Lisa Consterdine, 48. Freaney was remanded in custody
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Sean Freaney in court
A MAN charged with the murder of a Bicester mother appeared at Oxford Crown Court this morning. Sean Freaney, 50, of Purslane Drive, Bicester, is alleged to have murdered his partner, Lisa Consterdine, 48. Freaney wore white tracksuit bottoms and a
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Building a Better Business
A major opportunity for businesses to learn new skills and network with more than 100 delegates is taking place at Milton Park this month. Workshops , clinics , exhibition , discount voucher packs , refreshments and lunch are all included in the package
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Betting slips left to Oxfam
OXFAM could make as much as £330,000 after a Kidlington man left a series of betting slips to the charity in his will. Nicholas Newlife placed the bets with bookmakers William Hill between 2000 and 2005. The charity has already received £16,750 from
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Local share prices (AM)
AEA Technology 23.25 BMW 2880 Electrocomponents 197.1 Gladstone 34 Nationwide Accident Repair 92.5 Oxford Biomedica 11 Oxford Catalysts 60.5 Oxford Instruments 237.5 Reed Elsevier 511.75 RM 168 RPS Group 182.7
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Headington Sharks 1 Hanney 1
Headington and Hanney shared the spoils in a closely fought out game. William Munt gave Headington the lead in the 10th minute. The Sharks held out until the 34th Minute when Hanney equalised, neither team managing to nick a winner in the last few minutes
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The changing face of Wallingford
THE town’s day centre took delivery of a new television set and two armchairs in 1981, thanks to Wallingford Round Table. Rotarians and people who used the centre are pictured when the gifts were handed over. Visitors welcomed the Cholsey & Wallingford
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Morris Motors' Home Guard in frame
THESE are the smart men who formed the Home Guard unit at Morris Motors at Cowley, Oxford, during the Second World War. The first picture shows the men of C Platoon, while in the other the officers and NCOs are seen with Lord Nuffield, formerly
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Oxford Gang Show was sell-out success
THERE was no lack of enthusiasm or commitment when these young people were on stage. They were some of the cast of more than 200 who took part in the 25th Oxford Gang Show in 1977. Scouts, Guides, Cubs and Brownies had rehearsed for months to make sure
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Minor rural railway had a grand name
WHILE it may have rejoiced in the grand title of the Banbury & Cheltenham Direct Railway, this thread of silver rails across north Oxfordshire and the Cotswolds was very much a backwater of the Great Western Railway. A recently published
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Scout 'roostabout' got fetes in spin
THE 41st Oxford Scout troop found a clever way to make money. They built a children’s roundabout – or ‘roostabout’, as they called it – and it became a popular attraction at fetes and other events. Fred Mogridge was reminded of the ingenious
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Oxford schoolboys enjoyed days out on bikes
AFTER lessons, a group of schoolboys enjoyed heading into the countryside on their bicycles. The after-school cycling clubs drew pupils from New Marston and Blackbird Leys Primary schools in Oxford. Teacher David Munday, who ran the
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Red League Semi Final - Summertown 4 - Chalgrove 3
A competitive fixture between two sides of similar ability saw Summertown edge past Chalgrove to set up a final against Horspath who overcame Kidlington in the other semi-final. The first match was very much Summertown's who moved the ball well and
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Car clear-up costs council £46,000
Three cars are being removed from Oxford’s streets every week. New figures show that Oxford City Council removed 153 dumped cars during 2009, at a cost of £46,000, with 28 of the vehicles taken from streets in Blackbird Leys and Greater
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Lewis gives Oxford United lift
Kelvin Thomas believes the arrival of promotion-winner Lewis Chalmers can give Oxford United’s squad another lift. The U’s chairman was delighted to complete the signing of the Aldershot man on loan for the rest of the season. And he is hopeful that
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Car clear-up costs council £46,000
THREE cars are being removed from Oxford’s streets every week, the Oxford Mail can reveal. New figures show that Oxford City Council removed 153 dumped cars during 2009, at a cost of £46,000, with 28 of the vehicles taken from streets in
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Poppy Appeal fundraisers say thanks for £540,000
FUNDRAISERS last night thanked YOU – the people of Oxfordshire – for helping raise more than £500,000 for ex-servicemen during last year’s Poppy Appeal. Donations beat the total for 2008. And the Royal British Legion said the county raised
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Vaizey apologises for Cameron gaffe
WANTAGE MP Ed Vaizey has said he had “no justification” for claiming David Cameron’s wife might not vote for him in this year’s General Election. Mr Vaizey will be on television tonight seemingly indicating that Cameron’s wife Samantha had voted Labour
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Didcot Town Youth (B) 2 – Faringdon Town 1
An exciting, tense match that saw plenty of opportunities for both sides to take an early lead. Great defending and fabulous goalkeeping kept Faringdon at bay and Ben Payne put Didcot 1-0 up before half time after a superb run by Matthew Matley. Faringdon
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Splendid effort
ONCE again, Oxfordshire people have shown they stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our service personnel, past and present. The £540,871.65 raised in the county for the 2009 Poppy Appeal is a magnificent amount that helps so much in providing services for
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School must not dodge real issue
ROSE Hill Primary School’s governors have come out fighting after we reported their legal threat to muzzle a mother’s complaints about bullying. They claim the story a week ago – in which Samantha Barson said she was not happy about how her
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Doll highlights child neglect campaign
PEOPLE across Oxford are being urged to keep their eyes peeled for a missing girl. Action for Children, which aims to raise £17m over the next three years, has put 23 three-foot-high models of six-year-old Emily in a series of locations around