Archive
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Schumacher in running for winning return
Michael Schumacher's claim he is not in the running for victory on his comeback in Bahrain on Sunday appears to hold little water. The seven-times Formula One champion and his team-mate at Brackley-based team Mercedes GP Nico Rosberg finished
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ANGLING: Big perch trio seal shield for Steve
The third and final leg of Sutton Courtenay’s Markertow Shield was fished by six on the Culham Cut, as the Thames at Appleford was still hammering through. Despite that, the river produced three quality perch for winner Steve Wheatley, the best going
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ANGLING: Drennan aces in final fling
OXFORD Division champions Drennan GOT Baits produced a magnificent performance in the the Angling Times Winter League semi-final on the Kennet and Avon Canal in Bath, writes ANDY WEBBER. They finished second behind Diawa Gordon League, who amassed 51
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Parents back youth club breathalysers
Teenagers are getting drunk on the streets because County Hall suspended a popular Friday night youth club, critics claim. Oxfordshire County Council is carrying out a review of safety at the Sweatbox, based at King Alfred Community and Sports
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ANGLING: Taking a break on our rivers
SUNDAY is the last day of the 2009-10 river fishing season, so those anglers who observe the close season can put their gear away and have a 12-week break. I have renewed my membership to CEMEX, who control the Kennet at Burghfield, and also the Birmingham
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Police seize gun in Wallingford raid
Police discovered £1,000 in cash and a “John Wayne-style handgun” in an armed raid in Wallingford. Twenty police officers, including an armed response unit and a sniffer dog, searched a terraced house in Goldsmith’s Lane at 3pm yesterday.
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Green shoots for Witney firm
Businessmen and women donned their wellies to do their bit for the environment at a tree planting event. The launch of Witney-based company The Breathing Planet’s campaign to plant more than 200,000 trees by the end of the year started today
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'Brokeback Mountain' jibe attacker jailed
A man who claimed he knocked out a clubber because of a “Brokeback Mountain” reference to his shirt was jailed. Jamie McAnulla, 29, of Moor Avenue, Witney, punched Craig Siwek once, leaving him having a medical fit in the middle of a dance
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Families struggle despite fall in evictions
THE number of Oxford families evicted from their homes has dropped by a third, according to Shelter. But the charity says many people are still struggling. From January to September last year (the last available statistics) 295 families
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Check your health - by mobile
Experts at an Oxford hospital have devised a high-tech way of reading blood pressure and helping cancer patients through a mobile phone. The application, which can also help people who have had a stroke or suffer from diabetes, helps people
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Oxfordshire fuels F1 spectacle
IT is feted as the most glamorous sport in the world. And, as millions of fans tune into to watch the glitz and glamour of the new Formula 1 season tomorrow, they will also be watching a showcase for some of Oxfordshire’s finest engineering
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Fan banned after United clashes
A FOOTBALL fan has been banned from attending games for three years and five others have been charged following clashes between Oxford United and Luton Town supporters. The cases have been brought after trouble flared before and during United
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Toothache appointment fixed - for June 2011
A man who says he is suffering “absolute agony” from toothache was told a dentist would fix the problem in June... next year. Martin Eldridge thought a mistake had been made when the letter arrived with details of an appointment for root canal
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Councillor's son jailed for attacks
The son of an Oxford city councillor has been jailed for attacking a man and a 14-year-old boy. Law student Omer Hussain was given two 12-month sentences, to run concurrently, after being found guilty of two counts of assault occasioning actual
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Bungled theft leaves hundreds offline
Hundreds of homeowners and businesses have been left without phone and Internet connections after a bungled attempt to steal underground copper wire. Thieves dressed in reflective jackets coned off a bus lane on Botley Road, Oxford, in the
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Varsity airline aims to relaunch
Young entrepreneur Martin Halstead admitted suffering a “pretty awful” few days after his airline’s flights from Oxford to Edinburgh were grounded after just a week. Varsity Express suspended flights on Monday because the firm had “operational
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No plans to 'pay-as-you-throw'
Residents in Oxford will not be charged to throw away their rubbish, the city council has pledged. John Tanner, executive member for a cleaner, greener city, made the pledge after human rights group Big Brother Watch produced a survey revealing
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Football fan banned after United clashes
A FOOTBALL fan has been banned from attending games for three years and five others have been charged following clashes between Oxford United and Luton Town supporters. The cases have been brought after trouble flared before and during United
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Man's agonising wait for toothache treatment
A MAN who says he is suffering “absolute agony” from toothache was told a dentist would fix the problem in June... next year. Martin Eldridge thought a mistake had been made when the letter arrived with details of an appointment for root canal
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Dental work delays are outrageous
IT IS outrageous that dental patients have been told they will have to wait 15 months for complex treatment. Martin Eldridge thought it was a joke or a mistake when he got an appointment for June 2011. No such luck. Astonishingly, that
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Councillor's son jailed for attacks
THE son of an Oxford city councilllor has been jailed for attacking a man and a 14-year-old boy. Law student Omer Hussain was given two 12-month sentences, to run concurrently, after being found guilty of two counts of assault occasioning actual
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Revealed: How to live for 100 years
TWO Oxfordshire centenarians have shared their tips for a long life. Brigadier Rupert Crowdy, who was made an OBE in recognition of his work during the Berlin Airlift in 1949, celebrated his 100th birthday at the Cotswold Home in Bradwell Village
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Cheeky but inept
THE ambition and cheek of thieves who attempted to steal copper wire from beneath Botley Road certainly exceeds their abilities. Despite donning clothes to appear like workmen and coning off a bus lane, they then managed to bungle the enterprise – cutting
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Bungled theft leaves homes and businesses offline
HUNDREDS of angry homeowners and businesses have been left without phone and Internet connections after a bungled attempt to steal underground copper wire. Thieves dressed in reflective jackets coned off a bus lane on Botley Road, Oxford, in
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Family forced to flee flames
A FAMILY fled their cottage as flames engulfed its thatched roof. A woman and her three children evacuated their home in Netherton, near Fyfield, on Thursday at about 6.30pm. It is thought a spark from a log burner caused the fire. No-one
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Police divers search for stolen computer
UNDERWATER police divers scoured the Thames riverbed during an investigation into a theft. A 39-year-old man was arrested in connection with shoplifting after a computer was stolen from Staples, in Park End Street, Oxford, on Wednesday, February
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‘Brokeback Mountain' jibe attacker jailed
A MAN who claimed he knocked out a clubber because of a “Brokeback Mountain” reference to his shirt was jailed yesterday. Jamie McAnulla, 29, of Moor Avenue, Witney, punched Craig Siwek once, leaving him having a medical fit in the middle of
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Grounded Varsity airline aims to relaunch
YOUNG entrepreneur Martin Halstead admitted suffering a “pretty awful” few days after his airline’s flights from Oxford to Edinburgh were grounded after just a week. Varsity Express suspended flights on Monday because the firm had “operational issues
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Tree business breathes new life into Witney
BUSINESSMEN and women donned their wellies to do their bit for the environment at a tree planting event. The launch of Witney-based company The Breathing Planet’s campaign to plant more than 200,000 trees by the end of the year started today
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Oxfordshire fuels the Formula 1 spectacle
IT is feted as the most glamorous sport in the world. And, as millions of fans tune into to watch the glitz and glamour of the new Formula 1 season tomorrow, they will also be watching a showcase for some of Oxfordshire’s finest engineering
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Church warden spends weekend in a shack
A CHURCH warden is living in a shack this weekend to raise awareness of housing conditions in some of the world’s poorest countries. Ian Brown, who volunteers for charity Habitat for Humanity, set up home in the churchyard of St John the Baptist Church
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Evictions fall, but families still struggle
THE number of Oxford families evicted from their homes has dropped by a third, according to Shelter. But the charity says many people are still struggling. From January to September last year (the last available statistics) 295 families in the city
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Oxford artist to paint Archbishop's portrait
PAINTER John Isitt is about to start work on a portrait of the Archbishop of Canterbury. Mr Isitt, 75, from Jericho Street, Oxford, has been a painter all his life, but Rowan Williams is his most high-profile project to date. The artist suggested the
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Parents back youth club breath tests on kids
TEENAGERS are getting drunk on the streets because County Hall suspended a popular Friday night youth club, critics claim. Oxfordshire County Council is carrying out a review of safety at the Sweatbox, based at King Alfred Community and Sports
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Police seize gun in raid on Wallingford house
POLICE discovered £1,000 in cash and a “John Wayne-style handgun” in an armed raid in Wallingford. Twenty police officers, including an armed response unit and a sniffer dog, searched a terraced house in Goldsmith’s Lane at 3pm yesterday.
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Villagers face defeat over sale of hall
WATLINGTON residents campaigning to save a church hall appear to have lost their battle. St Leonard’s parochial church council is going ahead with plans to refurbish the church, funded by selling the church hall site. In January more than 80 people
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GREYHOUNDS: Colton to solve kennel problem
Dual Oxford/Swindon trainer Nick Colton is hoping to solve a shortage of kennels by having some new ones built in Tipperary. Colton, a regular visitor to the big races in the Emerald Isle, says he is finding it increasingly difficult to find alternative
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GREYHOUNDS: Predator is set to strike
Primo Predator can see off his rivals in the Paishy’s 40th Birthday Stakes at Oxford Stadium on Saturday. Tony Magnasco’s black dog was a comfortable winner over the highly rated Tictac Gold in 26.89 last time out. SATURDAY'S RUNNERS 7.35: All Spice
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Hi-tech system offers health checks through your mobile
EXPERTS at an Oxford hospital have devised a high-tech way of reading blood pressure and helping cancer patients through a mobile phone. The application, which can also help people who have had a stroke or suffer from diabetes, helps people self-manage
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GREYHOUNDS: It's triple delight for owner Clay
Owner Paul Clay had three reasons to celebrate as he picked up three trophies with three different trainers at Oxford Owners’ Association meeting. He scored with Milton Bradley (Tony Magnasco), Crown Simba (Paddy Curtin) and Fiery Ceilidh (Nick Colton
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Councils rubbish fears microchipped bins to be used to fine families
RESIDENTS in Oxford will not be charged to throw away their rubbish, the city council has pledged. John Tanner, executive member for a cleaner, greener city, made the pledge after human rights group Big Brother Watch produced a survey revealing 68 local
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GREYHOUNDS: Max saves the day for Cesarewitch
Leading Oxford owner Max Picinelli has stepped in to save one of the oldest staying races in the country – the Cesarewitch. The prestigious event, which originated in 1928, offers a magnificent silver trophy standing almost two feet tall to the winners
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Wheatley Park school progressing well
THE headteacher of an Oxfordshire school placed in special measures has thanked parents and pupils for rallying behind the school. Kate Curtis’ comments followed the first monitoring inspection at Wheatley Park School, Holton, since the original Ofsted
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Club notches up 25 years of fine dining
PENSIONERS have celebrated the 25th anniversary of their village lunch club. More than 45 people got together on Thursday to mark the silver jubilee of Kingham Lunch Club, which meets every month at the village hall, in West Street.
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ARCHERY: Simpson enjoys double delight
Oxfordshire's Nichola Simpson had two reasons to celebrate after striking gold and a bronze at a test event in India ahead of the Commonwealth Games later this year. She helped England win team gold on Thursday, before yesterday winning an individual
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SCHOOL SPORT: Super Lourdes are leaping!
Our Lady of Lourdes, Witney, boasted an unbeaten record to be crowned champions in the Oxfordshire Under 11s hockey tournament held on the town’s artificial pitches in Gordon Way. They recorded 3-0 wins over Eynsham and Harriers, Bloxham, and drew 0-
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GYMNASTICS: Trio lead way for Bicester
Three youngsters from Bicester & District’s club qualified for the Southern Regional Grades final. It followed their success at the Oxfordshire Gymnastics Association’s Regional Club Grades competition. Amy Aston and Orlaith Lyford, who both gained
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GYMNASTICS: Carterton girls star
Molly Mullins and Natasha Granville won silver medals at the Oxfordshire Gymnastics Association Club Grades Competition at the Phoenix Gym in Maidenhead. Remarkably, the girls – both from Carterton – finished on the same score of 59.9 points
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TABLE TENNIS: Simpson enjoys double delight
Kidlington Forum B kept up their Division 1 title bid by demolishing Gladiators A 10-0 in the Oxford & District Table Tennis Association. Second placed Rutherford won 4-1 against Forum A, with wins for Neil Hurford (2), Glen Freeman (2) and Anders Markvardsen
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SWIMMING: Alex smashes records
Alex Murphy was in record-breaking form, winning three gold medals in the Oxfordshire & North Bucks County Championships at Aylesbury. The 14-year-old, from the Didcot Barramundi club, smashed three championship age group records. Murphy won the open
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SWIMMING: Currie is hot stuff
Chris Currie, 15, gained his first silver medal at the National Junior Disability Championships in Sheffield. The City of Oxford swimmer swam the first leg of the men’s 4 x 100m freestyle relay in 1min 18.45 secs for the Greater London regional team
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ICE HOCKEY: Stars look for repeat
Oxford City Stars are hoping for more of the same when they host Milton Keynes Thunder tomorrow. Stars beat their opponents 9-1 last weekend, and will be eager to put on a repeat performance. It is the penultimate week of the season, and coach Ken Forshee
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INDOOR CRICKET: White proves all-round hero
Dan White was the star with bat and ball as Hook Norton edged past Great & Little Tew by one run in a thrilling Division 1 encounter in the Banbury Indoor League. Tom Bartlett (30no) and White (26no) helped Hooky to 110-3. White then returned superb
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TAE KWON-DO: Pilling's bid for talent
Neil Pilling has started his own Tae Kwon-Do school. Pilling won his black belt in the Korean martial art at Carterton’s Tae Kwon-Do Association of Great Britain School. Three years on, he is now as a second degree black belt and qualified instructor
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SWIMMING: Super Joe hits gold standard
City of Oxford swimmer Joe Canlan-Shaw, 22, broke a record on the way to claiming four gold medals in the County Championships at Aylesbury. The 22-year-old stormed to victory in the open 200m individual medley in an Oxfordshire & North Bucks record
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SHOOTING: Dan's the man
Dan Rivers, of Wantage Target Shooting Club, is a British junior champion for the second time. The 19-year-old, who lives in Didcot, regained the British Junior 10m precision air rifle title he first won at Bisley in 2008. Rivers, who has won the British
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Boy bailed over 15 break-ins
A 17-year-old boy has been arrested in connection with a series of 15 burglaries in the Bicester area over the past two months. Officers arrested the 17-year-old yesterday in George Street, Banbury, on suspicion of burglary. He has been bailed
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Coal comfort for charity fundraisers
CROWDS of people cheered on 35 firewalkers who braved hot coals for charity. A 20ft path of coals heated to 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit was laid out in Market Square, Witney, yesterday. The volunteers completed the sponsored firewalk after a two-hour motivational
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Learn to walk differently in the French Alps
OUR mountain guide must have lost the plot. Here we are in the French Alps on a perfect August day, snow tipped peaks glinting under azure skies, crystal clear streams carving through carpets of green pastures, a chorus of twittering birds, clicking crickets
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Warning after purse thieves strike again
Purse thieves have struck again in Abingdon. A 59-year-old woman discovered her purse was stolen while she was shopping in Hallmark Shop, Bury Street, at around 11am last Wednesday. Pc James Cartwright said: “The woman said she remembers her bag being
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BOXING: Flynn is beaten in final
Berinsfield ace Jordan Flynn’s bid for a second successive national schoolboy crown ended in disappointment after he was outpointed by Sahir Iqbal. Flynn failed to get into his stride quickly enough in this Class 2 (under 14 years) 46 kg final at Brentwood
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BOXING: Stevens on song
Oxford Boxing Academy’s teenage prospect, George Stevens, was on top form when he stopped Martin Clarke at Hatherley Manor Hotel in Gloucester. Stevens, 15, who recently gave up a promising rugby career with Wasps to concentrate on boxing, was quickly
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SNOOKER: Thame's long wait is over
Persistence paid off for Thame B, who beat Division 2 rivals Riley E 4-2 to win their first match of the season at the 16th attempt in the Gentworks Oxford & District League. Brendan Ensoll set Thame on their way with an easy win against Dave Daley.
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BILLIARDS: Watsons keep it in the family
It was a true family affair for the Watsons as Eynsham, bottom of Division 2, sprang a surprise as they beat Division 1 outfit Fieldside 2-1 in the Oxford & District Billiards League, writes DICK HASHMAN. Dean Watson (+50) lost the opening game 118-150
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Police launch phone crackdown
Police today warned they plan a special crackdown on drivers using their mobile phones. From Monday to the following Sunday officers will be running a special campaign in and around Oxfordshire. Thames Valley Police said that enforcement
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Burglars steal silverware in Henley break-in
Police are appealing for witnesses after a burglary at a home in Henley, where burglars stole thousands of pounds worth of antique silverware. Burglars forced their way into the property in Makins Road some time between 1.30pm on Saturday and 3.50pm
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Duo in fine form
A duo with local links will be appearing at Oxford Literary Festival on March 23 in Winning the Ashes: Living the Dream, in Fiction and in Fact. Author Simon Rae, from Bampton, and England cricket captain Charlotte Edwards, who works as a coaching
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Joanna’s in high spirits
Joanna Trollope is thrilled. The Other Family, her latest novel about the tangled emotional and financial mess when two families quarrel over a musician’s inheritance, has just hurtled to the top of the bestseller list. “It was on sale for three
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Novelist’s new book set to shock fans
Joanne Harris shot to fame with the film of her sensuous, romantic novel Chocolat, and some of her fans may well be taken aback by her latest offering. Blueeyedboy is told in the form of a weblog, apparently written by a serial killer. She said
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Pickpocket strikes in Abingdon
Police today appealed for witnesses after a woman had her purse stolen from her handbag while she was shopping in Abingdon. The 59-year-old woman was shopping in the town when she entered the Hallmark stop in Bury Street. PC James Cartwright
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Here come the girls...
Formerly Oxford’s only female college, St Hilda’s flies the literary flag for women, writes Gill Oliver It may have relinquished its status as the only remaining exclusively female college at Oxford University, but St Hilda’s is as keen as ever
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Force India set early pace
There may be a fly in the ointment if the first practice session of the new Formula One season is anything to go by. All the talk in the pre-season build-up has centred around 'the big four' of McLaren, Ferrari, Red Bull Racing and Brackley-based
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Festival hosts ‘lost Booker’
As well as presenting a glittering line-up of the authors of this year's 'must-reads', the 2010 Oxford Literary Festival has scored a major scoop. Festival-goers will be able to mix with news reporters to hear the announcement at 2pm on
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Cornbury Festival line-up unveiled
The line-up for this year’s Cornbury Festival near Charlbury was announced today. Hugh Phillimore, the festival organiser, announced that David Gray, Squeeze and the Noisettes would play on Saturday, July 3, with Jackson Browne, The Feeling
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Cornbury Festival line-up unveiled
The line-up for this year’s Cornbury Festival near Charlbury has been announced this morning. Hugh Phillimore, the festival organiser, announced that David Gray, Squeeze and the Noisettes would play on Saturday, July 3 with Jackson Browne, The Feeling
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Oxford tops sandwich price league
For many, a bacon sandwich and a cup of coffee is the ideal start to a long day at work. But, if a new survey is to be believed, Oxford is the most expensive place in the country to buy a bacon butty. The poll by Marks & Spencer
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Oxford United boss faces dilemma
OXFORD United manager Chris Wilder admits he faces a real dilemma on Saturday – whether to risk star striker James Constable. Following Tuesday’s dismal defeat to Hayes & Yeading, Wilder knows his side must produce the goods at home to Kettering tomorrow
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Oxford team in TV skip showdown
A TROUPE of karate kids have skipped their way into the final of a reality TV competition. The four-strong team from the Oxford School of Martial Arts have battled their way through to the final round of Jump Nation, an X-Factor-style CBBC programme,
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Cops admit they haven't been catching enough criminals
POLICE last night admitted they have not been catching enough criminals after damning criticism from a Government inspector. Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary rated Thames Valley Police’s performance as ‘fair’ in this year’s Police
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Crime report brings credit and concern
THERE is merit in the police’s approach to try to stop crime happening in the first place. If there is no crime, there is no victim, and therefore no suffering, misery or loss. Prevention is, they say, better than cure, and crime has
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Pricey bacon butty claims 'just porkies' say city cafes
FOR many, a bacon sandwich and a cup of coffee is the ideal start to a long day at work. But, if a new survey is to be believed, Oxford is the most expensive place in the countryto buy a bacon butty. The poll by Marks & Spencer claimed
