Archive
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Oxford not yet on Pope's itinerary
The Pope will visit the UK in September, it has been confirmed — but it is still unclear whether he will come to Oxford. Buckingham Palace today confirmed Pope Benedict XVI would visit Britain between September 16-19. But the only stops confirmed
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Student found hanged
The family of an Oxford University student found hanged in his room described him as a “true intellectual” after an inquest into his death today. Oxford Coroner’s Court was told Toby Rundle, 21, was found hanged at Lady Margaret Hall, in
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Vandalism at Banbury cemetery
Floral displays which were laid to mark Mothering Sunday were wrecked at Southam Road Cemetery. Posts were also smashed by vandals between 6.30pm on Sunday and 6.30am on Monday. Police have appealed for witnesses. Anyone with information should call
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Didcot and Abingdon to lose full-time firefighters
COUNTY bosses tonight approved controversial changes that will remove four full-time firefighters from Didcot and Abingdon. Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet voted unanimously to relocate the firefighters to other stations, covering up shortfalls
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Greater Leys family escapes blaze in house
A MOTHER has told how her life flashed before her eyes as she escaped with her family from a house fire. Sally Noble was downstairs cleaning at her home in Brook View, Greater Leys, Oxford, at about 10am on Monday when she heard the smoke alarm. After
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MUMPS: No more reported cases
There were no known further outbreaks of mumps among Oxford’s student population today. Forty-one Oxford University students and four from Oxford Brookes have contracted the virus, which can lead to meningitis and deafness in severe cases, since February
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Big green lies
YOUR story shaming the traders who waste energy by leaving their lights on at night (Monday’s Oxford Mail) expertly exposes the lies of those big businesses which purport to be ‘green’, yet squander the planet’s resources. We are bombarded with adverts
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At one with the world
WHY ON earth does Ralph Leavis think that those of us who promote animal welfare do not support victims of the Haiti earthquake? Surely, intelligent people can understand that every creature is motivated by a common will to live. This perception leads
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Biblical wrongs
IT is Ralph Leavis’s prerogative to believe all the stories in the Bible, if he chooses to do so (Viewpoints, March 4), whereas I do not, and I find better things to do with my time than trawling through the scriptures to find support for my beliefs.
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Grounded business
I welcomed Andrew Ffrench’s report into Martin Halstead’s latest failed attempt to get his mini-airline service off the ground (no pun intended). I remember it was about five years ago when he attempted his maiden flight service out of Kidlington –
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Student found hanged after drinking
THE family of an Oxford University student found hanged in his room described him as a “true intellectual” after an inquest into his death today. Oxford Coroner’s Court was told Toby Rundle, 21, was found hanged at Lady Margaret Hall, in Norham Gardens
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Recession rebrand
I was interested to see that Oxford West and Abingdon’s local Conservative Party is trying to re-brand the current downturn as “Labour’s recession” in its current pamphlets in the run-up to the General Election. However, the recession was not caused
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SASSY & SINGLE: Drowning in information
I kept a count of the emails I received last week, and there was 1,426. Now, don’t be fooled into thinking this was because I’m particularly popular, this is pretty much usual for most of my friends. On top of that, I probably spoke to a good couple
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Responding to Ralph
RALPH Leavis continues his relentless crusade against animal welfare campaigners by quoting various passages from the Bible, including the story that God allegedly drowned all the animals in the world, except two of each kind, because of the wickedness
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Use the matrix
ON Friday March 5, a petrol tanker was involved in an accident between J11 and J12 on the M40. The northbound carriageway was completely closed as a result. At 1.45 pm I joined the M40 en route to Banbury at Cherwell services. After travelling for two
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Fight plans to get rid of our subway
THE HEADINGTON subway has kept people safe for 40 years and is a secure way for people to cross the road without accidents. The subway was designed to prevent people being hurt. When we mention to disabled people that the subway is due to be replaced
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Oxford not on Pope's itinerary yet
THE Pope will visit the UK in September, it has been confirmed — but it is still unclear whether he will come to Oxford. Buckingham Palace today confirmed Pope Benedict XVI would visit Britain between September 16-19. But the only stops confirmed so
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RACING: Knight thrilled by bold Somersby
Henrietta Knight is to target next year’s Gold Cup with Somersby after her charge finished a gallant second in the Irish Independent Arkle Challenge Trophy at the Cheltenham Festival on Tuesday. The six-year-old, from Knight’s West Lockinge stables,
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Waste contractor gets suspended jail sentence
A SKIP hire contractor who consistently flouted waste regulations has been given a 28-day suspended prison sentence and ordered to pay costs of £18,000. Oxford County Court found Geoffrey Parker, of Hundridge Farm, Ipsden Heath, in contempt of court
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A brave and inspiring girl
HOW proud Sophia Steinberg’s parents must be of her. The youngster fought an extremely rare and debilitating form of bone cancer. She had to undergo a six-hour operation, chemotherapy and a skin graft. And she remains so positive. What bravery she
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Radley teen cancer battler to front Tesco national campaign
A TEENAGER who battled cancer is to be the fa-ce of a national camp-aign to raise money to fight the disease. Sophia Steinsberg, from Radley, near Abingdon, was diagnosed in December 2008 with bone cancer. The 13-year-old has now been picked by the
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Local share prices (PM)
AEA Technology 23 BMW 2969 Electrocomponents 198.1 Gladstone 34 Nationwide Accident Repair 91.5 Oxford Biomedica 10.5 Oxford Catalyst 57.5 Oxford Instruments 251.5 Reed Elsevier 507.25 RM 168 RPS Group 178.9 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
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Schools praised for 'outstanding' rating
Nine county schools have been praised after receiving an ‘outstanding’ rating from school inspector Ofsted. Pupils and staff at the six primary, two secondary and one nursery schools were invited to a special reception at Yarnton Manor, where
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Tribute to 'beloved son'
The family of a Banbury man who died after an incident in the town have released a tribute to him. Paul Howkins, 25, of Red Poll Close, Banbury, was found on the stairwell of flats at the Ruscote Arcade shops, in Longelandes Way, at 11.10pm
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Nine Oxfordshire school honoured for their Oftsed excellence rating
NINE county schools have been praised after receiving an ‘outstanding’ rating from school inspector Ofsted. Pupils and staff at the six primary, two secondary and one nursery schools were invited to a special reception at Yarnton Manor, where
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Brookes campus planning briefing was 'unfair' say opposing residents
A BRIEFING given by Oxford Brookes University staff to city councillors over the planned redevelopment of its Gipsy Lane campus was “unfair”, residents claimed today. The future of the £132m scheme, which would house the university’s library, computer
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Ales well as Abingdon to brew beer again
BEER is to be brewed commercially in Abingdon for the first time in a decade. A new brewery, Loose Cannon, is due to pour its first pints in May – the first beer to be produced in the town since the closure of the Morland brewery in 2000. Brewer Will
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GIRLS FOOTBALL: Mullis leads treble spree
Oxford Mail Girls' League Three players scored hat-tricks as North Leigh moved into title contention in the Under 14 League with a 13-0 victory over Chinnor Youth. It was goalless for 20 minutes before North Leigh, who are up to third
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WOMEN'S FOOTBALL: Thomas on song
Sophie Thomas bagged a four-timer as Carterton romped to an 11-0 win at Bardwell in Division 3 North of the Thames Valley Women’s League. Thomas netted twice in each half, with Stacey Oakey adding a hat-trick. Further goals from Kayleigh Murphy, Charlotte
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FOOTBALL: Bough double boosts Rover
Charlie Bough fired a quickfire double as leaders Rover Cowley kept up their chase for the Premier Division crown following a 2-1 victory at fellow Oxfordshire Senior League high-fliers Garsington. All the goals came in the first half, with former Rover
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FOOTBALL: Bough double boosts Rover
Jon James hit a hat-trick for Marston Saints Res in their 4-1 win against Broughton & North Newington Res in Division 2 of the Oxfordshire Senior League. Gary Ware got their other, his first for the club, with Richard Goodwin on target for Broughton.
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FOOTBALL: Super ABK sink Ferry
ABK Sports cruised to a 4-1 win at Fenny Compton in the Premier Division of the Banbury District & Lord Jersey FA. Strikes from Justin Barnes, Joel Hart and James McMahon saw ABK stroll into a 3-0 lead. After the break, Fenny pulled one back with a
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FOOTBALL: Brace for Brackett
Jamie Brackett hammered a hat-trick for Corner House in their 7-0 win at AFC Temple in the RT Harris Oxford City FA Premier Cup. Aaron Campbell, Shaun Yearwood, Ryan Taylor and Daniel Powell completed the rout. In the Doug Hobbs Cup, James Cunning smashed
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FOOTBALL: Quickfire McAree is Eynsham's star
Rob McAree scored after nine seconds as Eynsham beat Wychwood 5-1 in the Under 12 C League. Ben Thomas (2), Tom Bruner-Ellis and Alex Siret were also on target as their side kept their outside title hopes alive. Lewis Metcalfe hit a four-timer as Yarnton
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FOOTBALL: Hinksey hopes hit by Barton
Autotype UTV League BARTON United edged past AFC Hinksey 2-1 in the battle of Division 1’s top two – in a thrilling game that lived up to expectations, writes TIM SIRET. Jelroy Constant’s perfectly-timed run and finish put Barton ahead, and 12 minutes
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FOOTBALL: It's cup glory for Mid Oxon
MID Oxon Under 14s lifted the Vale Cup with a 2-0 win over Cheltenham in their title-decider at Ardley United. Needing victory to pip Cheltenham for the crown, Mid Oxon took the lead after 15 minutes when Liam Botcherby tapped home. Mid Oxon clinched
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FOOTBALL: Bayards roar on
BAYARDS Hill Primary School, Barton, are through to the national final of the ESFA Under 11 girls’ seven-a-side competition. The Oxfordshire champions booked their place in the four-team decider at Watford Academy on Saturday, May 1 by winning the reg-ional
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Browns Restaurant reunion rolls back the years to the 1980s
REVELLERS shared memories and partied like it was the 1980s at a reunion for staff from an Oxford brasserie. About 300 former staff from Browns Restaurant and Bar, in Woodstock Road, met to relive the past and catch up with old friends at Camera
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FOOTBALL: Sanders stars for Shrivenham
Paul Sanders hammered a treble as Shrivenham A stayed on course to retain the North Berks League's Nairne Paul Trophy by reaching the final after a 3-1 extra-time win against Marcham Res. Goals from Sanders and Matty Wall saw the teams level at 1-1 after
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FOOTBALL: Brize survival bid is boosted
Brize Norton boosted their hopes of avoiding relegation with a 4-2 victory over fellow strugglers Minster Lovell in the Witney & District FA Premier Division on Saturday. Matt Townsend, Gerard Morgan and Richard Taylor, plus an own goal from Ed Dunn,
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Witney traders seek compensation over gas works road closure
TRADERS plan to seek compensation – claiming roadworks have cost them custom and hit their profits. Businesses in Corn Street, Witney, say trade was down by as much as 50 per cent after gas works forced the closure of part of the road, on February 22
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CCTV clue in hunt for hospital thief
Police today released a CCTV image of a man wanted in connection with a series of thefts at the Horton General Hospital in Banbury. Between November 16 and 23, there were three separate incidents where members of staff reported having their
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Track work causes train changes
Train services on Sunday will be affected by engineering work on two of the county’s main rail routes. First Great Western and CrossCountry services north of Oxford will be replaced by Buses, due to track renewal work. Buses will
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Oxford faces music over Swindon rivalry
Musicians, promoters and rock journalists have dismissed a survey which fails to put Oxford in a list of the top 20 musical centres – but puts Swindon at 13. The survey, by the Performing Right Society, calculated the number of musicians per
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Oxford forced to face music over Swindon rivalry
MUSICIANS, promoters and rock journalists have dismissed a survey which fails to put Oxford in a list of the top 20 musical cities – but puts Swindon at 13. The survey, by the Performing Right Society, calculated the number of musicians per
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Track work means train alterations
TRAIN services on Sunday will be affected by engineering work on two of the county’s main rail routes. First Great Western and CrossCountry services north of Oxford will be replaced by buses, due to track renewal work. Buses will run to Bicester Town
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Mint condition
Volkswagen's new Polo was not designed as a flamboyantly styled, head-turning troublemaker. Tell that to the idiot in the Golf GTI who drew up alongside me in the outside lane of the A40 just outside Witney and kept pace for a ridiculously
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Fuel prices 'heading for record high'
Petrol prices will reach record levels this year, according to research by the AA. The organisation has warned unleaded fuel could soon cost £1.20 a litre or more and urged Chancellor Alistair Darling to delay the introduction of a planned 3p increase
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Hamilton to rally McLaren troops
Lewis Hamilton will head into the McLaren factory in Woking and again demand the kind of effort that sparked the team's about turn last season. McLaren's problems are nowhere near as acute as a year ago after building a car that languished
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Teenager raped in East Oxford
A 19-YEAR-OLD woman was raped in East Oxford this morning. The teenager was walking along St Clement’s Street at about 2am when she was grabbed by an unknown man, taken into the nearby St Clement’s Church graveyard and attacked. She
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Young woman raped in Oxford
Police are appealing for witnesses after a 19-year-old woman was raped in Oxford in the early hours today. The woman was walking along St Clement’s Street, at about 2am, when she was grabbed by a man, taken into the nearby St Clement’s Church
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£2m bill to keep Horton services
Proposals aimed at securing the future of Banbury’s Horton Hospital will cost the NHS an extra £2m a year, it has emerged. The news comes months after the Better Healthcare Programme said consultant-led services were the only way paediatric and maternity
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Local share prices
AEA Technology 23 BMW 2971 Electrocomponents 198.9 Gladstone 34 Nationwide Accident Repair 91.5 Oxford Biomedica 11 Oxford Catalyst 57.5 Oxford Instruments 251.5 Reed Elsevier 505.75 RM 166 RPS Group 176.8 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley
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£2 million bill to keep Horton services
PROPOSALS aimed at securing the future of Banbury’s Horton Hospital will cost the NHS an extra £2m a year, it has emerged. The news comes months after the Better Healthcare Programme said consultant-led services were the only way paediatric and maternity
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Gary reveals toys stories
Gary Grant, founder of The Entertainer toy stores, will give a talk entitled Faith in the High Street at the next Bicester Business Breakfast Club. Mr Grant, who owns 50 stores and employs 800 staff, will speak at the breakfast at the Littlebury Hotel
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Crash closes A4130
Two separate crashes occurred on the same stretch of road near Didcot today. In the first incident, the A4130 was closed following a crash involving two cars on Hadden Hill at 6.25am, close to the junction with Long Wittenham Road. David Staines
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Skip hire contractor 'ignored court orders'
An Oxfordshire skip hire contractor who consistently flouted waste regulations has been given a suspended prison sentence after being found in contempt of court. His actions spoiled an area of outstanding natural beauty in the Chiltern Hills
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Skip hire contractor ignored court orders
An Oxfordshire skip hire contractor who consistently flouted waste regulations has been given a suspended prison sentence after being found in contempt of court. His actions spoiled an area of outstanding natural beauty in the Chiltern Hills and he
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Two rush-hour accidents cause A4130 snarl ups
There were two separate crashes on the same stretch of road near Didcot this morning. In the first incident, the A4130 was closed following a crash involving two cars on Hadden Hill at 6.25am, close to the junction with Long Wittenham Road. David
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Bratt makes move into F2
GP2 Asia Series competitor and reigning Party Poker Racing Euroseries 3000 Champion Will Bratt will race in the FIA Formula 2 Championship this year as he bids to continue his journey to Formula One. Just a day after concluding his maiden
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Police investigate Varsity airline
Police are investigating allegations of “fraudulent activity” at the airline Varsity Express after its Oxford to Edinburgh flights were suspended. The entrepreneur behind the operator, Martin Halstead, vigorously denied his firm had done anything
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Policing 20mph limit would be waste of money
JAMES Styring (On Yer Bike, Oxford Mail, March 9) demands police enforce Oxford’s 20mph limit. Police resources are always finite but especially in a recession, so what other policing does James want cut to enforce this limit? James decries road lobbyists
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Seek sensible solutions to gridlock
WHILE the debate over trains, buses, trams and their respective suitability rages on, are we not taking our eyes off the real focus of the problem? Surely we need to be looking at why so many people are travelling in and out of our city centres, not
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First class post nothing of sort
ON Thursday, February 25, I posted a first class good luck card to my grandson in Bicester. It arrived 11 days later on Monday, March 8. What possible excuse can Royal Mail give for such an appalling service? Is it any wonder people are turning to
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Louis leads way on just one wheel
THIS week I was lucky enough to meet up with a young Oxford cyclist by the name of Louis Claremont. Louis isn’t your average bike rider – as became clear as he cycled round on only one wheel. No, he hadn’t been in a crash or been the victim of a wheel
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The real roots of Lent traditions
THE Bishop of Oxford (The Issue, March 9) is surely more educated in theology and church history than I am, and he cannot be ignorant of the origins and nature of the Lenten fast. It has no place in the worship of the one who said “a corrupt tree cannot
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Toilet claims are no joke
ON THE subject of the closure of some Oxford lavatories, Councillor John Tanner (Oxford Mail Viewpoints, March 11) says: “Labour has already saved the toilets”. Four of the seven public toilets which Mr Tanner himself proposed to shut were saved after
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UKIP isn't living in real world
I REFER to the letter by David Phipps, chairman of Witney UKIP (Oxford Mail Viewpoints, March 9). He referred to the right-wing Bruges Group’s figures of an accumulated trade deficit with the EU of £387bn. While I don’t have time to
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Oxford United chief's rallying call
Oxford United chairman Kelvin Thomas has urged fans to remember how far the club has come. Thomas spoke out in an attempt to counter an air of doom and gloom among some supporters. It comes after Oxford have seen their early-season lead
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Police to probe Varsity airline
POLICE are investigating allegations of “fraudulent activity” at the airline Varsity Express after its Oxford to Edinburgh flights were suspended. The entrepreneur behind the operator, Martin Halstead, vigorously denied his firm had done anything wrong
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Round world cyclist back home after 37k trek
AFTER cycling through suffocating heat and dust storms on a three-year around-the-world adventure, John Harwood has finally returned to his West Oxfordshire home. The intrepid cyclist originally only planned to be gone for two months on a ride from London
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Legion fails in poppy theft sentence bid
The Royal British Legion has failed in its bid to have the sentences of two Poppy Appeal tin thieves increased. Legion representatives had asked Oxford East MP Andrew Smith to write to the Attorney General Baroness Scotland to ask her to
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POPPY THEFT CASE: No chance for tougher sentences for two Oxford thieves
THE Royal British Legion has failed in its bid to have the sentences of two Poppy Appeal tin thieves increased. Legion representatives had asked Oxford East MP Andrew Smith to write to the Attorney General Baroness Scotland to ask her to
