Archive
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Tribute to 2005 bypass crash victims
FAMILY and friends gathered in silence to remember four young men killed in one of Oxford’s most tragic car crashes. Three 13-year-old boys – Marshall Haynes, Liam Hastings and Josh Bartlett – and 21-year-old student Howard Hillsdon died following the
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Oxford United returning to Scotland
IT played a part in Oxford United’s flying start to their promtion season – so Chris Wilder will hope that a pre-season tour to Scotland will do the trick again this summer. The U’s manager will again take his side north of the border for a six-day training
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Buildbase end Oxford United shirt sponsorship deal
OXFORD United will have new shirt sponsors next season after it was announced Buildbase will end its ten-year partnership with the club. Although they will continue to provide advertising support and have a corporate box, United’s longest continuous
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Author helps students produce anthology
PUPILS from an Abingdon school have produced a book of stories with the help of a leading local writer. Oxford-based author Tim Pears ran weekly after-school creative writing workshops at Larkmead School, in Faringdon Road, throughout the school year
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U’s fans convicted of rioting in pub
TWO Oxfordshire man are facing jail after being convicted of taking part in a violent brawl between rival soccer fans. At the end of a four-day trial at Gloucester Crown Court, a jury convicted Dale Bowman, 36, of Compton Drive, and Christopher
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Mother’s pride as medal presented
THE mother of a helicopter pilot killed in Iraq has spoken of her pride after receiving a medal in his honour. Deirdre Gover, 63, plans to have the Elizabeth Cross made into a pendant as a constant reminder of her son Flight Lieutenant Kristian Gover
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Bus pervert walks free
A MAN who performed a sex act in front of a senior police officer’s daughter has escaped being sent to jail despite having two previous sex convictions. Hugh White, from Littleworth Park, Littleworth, near Wheatley, exposed himself to the schoolgirl
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Rail boss with a special train set
IT’S A train enthusiast’s ultimate dream — a life-size model railway in your back garden. Adrian Shooter boasts a fully restored 120-year-old Darjeeling steam locomotive complete with track in his three-acre estate at Steeple Aston, near Bicester. It
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Caterpillars cover school tree in silk
CATERPILLARS have covered a tree in the grounds of a school in Abingdon with web. As reported in yesterday’s Oxford Mail, a tree next to the Crown and Thistle pub in the town was cut down, after it became infested with Spindle Ermine moths,
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Pub changes its name for the World Cup
AN Oxfordshire pub has changed its name to The Three Lions. Football-mad general managers Adam Manning and Emma Pearce changed the name of The Red Lion, in Oxford Road, Kidlington, for the duration of the World Cup. Ms Pearce said: “
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Wine bar is backing England's World Cup mission
THIS giant 50ft by 20ft St George’s Cross could be the biggest flag of its type in the country, according to an Oxfordshire wine bar manager. The flag has been hoisted on to the front of Izi Cafe and Wine Bar in Witney’s High Street as part of the venue
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Housing targets to be scrapped, Oxfordshire councils told
THOUSANDS fewer homes could be built in Oxfordshire following a Government announcement which confirmed councils would be given more power to set their own housing targets. The new Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Eric
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Top class teachers fly flag for county
TWO teachers and a school will be flying the flag for Oxfordshire at the annual teaching awards. They have been shortlisted for the South East finals of the 2010 Teacher of the Year awards. They find out if they have made it to the national
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Pubs combine to keep yobs away
SEVENTEEN Oxford Pubs have teamed up with police to crack down on troublemakers in the run-up to the World Cup. They have joined forces to form the new OX3 Pubwatch to keep watch for punters who break the law and do not act responsibly inside
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Plans on track to improve Oxford's rail station
PLANS to improve Oxford’s railway station have been submitted to Oxford City Council. Oxfordshire County Council has lodged an application to build a new pedestrian and cycle bridge over Botley Road, which would replace the existing footbridge. Network
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Local shares (PM)
AEA Technology 18 BMW 3209 Electrocomponents 217.6 Nationwide Accident Repair 85 Oxford Biomedica 10.1 Oxford Catalysts 70 Oxford Instruments 259 Reed Elsevier 483.3 RM 174.25 RPS Group 195 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
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Is your baby the county's bonniest?
THE county’s bonniest babies will show off their smiles at the launch of the Oxford Mail Baby of the Year competition 2010. Parents and guardians can take their babies to Debenhams in Oxford city centre from Tuesday, where Fraser Photography will be
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Police perform plays about tackling crime
POLICE have turned playwrights to tread the boards in three mini dramas to spread the word about tackling crime. Officers and Pcsos from the Barton Neighbourhood Team will take centre stage in July when they visit two primary schools in their
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Beer donation gives troops a taste of home
SERVICEMEN and women on their flight back from Afghanistan have been treated to a well-deserved taste of home. Forty cases of Old Speckled Hen, each containing 24 cans and bottles, were delivered to Dalton Barracks, Abingdon, and another 40 to RAF Brize
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Soldiers take steps to help their mates
SOLDIERS have been pounding a treadmill since noon knowing every step will help their comrades. Four members of 23 Pioneer Regiment have been taking turns to run for an hour on a running machine to raise cash for the Army Benevolent Fund.
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Churches aim to pull in tourists
Some readers said drivers should use park-and-ride services into the city as a way of saving money. Jamesp, from Oxford, said: “There are so many buses into and out of Oxford, that you really don’t need to drive. “The bus from the park-and-rides
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Antony and Cleopatra: The Royal Shakespeare Company, The Courtyard Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon
It was daring casting by Antony and Cleopatra’s director Michael Boyd to place on stage a Queen of Egypt whose appearance so flatly contradicts what is said about her in the play’s most famous speech. “Age cannot wither her . . .” That so, Enobarbus
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MOTORSPORT: Bratt bid hit by clutch problem
Banbury's Will Bratt raced to his second podium of the season during round six of the FIA Formula 2 Championship at a scorching hot Monza on Sunday – despite being hampered by clutch problems. The 3.6-mile circuit, scene of his Party Poker Racing Euroseries
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ATHLETICS: Wonder Wilson breaks record
Edward Wilson set a North Oxon Schools Athletics Trials record with victory in a superb javelin competition at Horspath Road, Oxford. Wilson (Blessed George Napier, Banbury) threw 47.47m in the junior boys’ competition, which was well beyond the national
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Cherwell changes announced
THERE have been a few changes in the corridors of power at Cherwell District Council. George Parish has been elected council chairman, taking over the post from Diana Edwards, and Timothy Hallchurch is the new vice-chairman. There have
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Parking pensioners' campaign for new shelter
North Oxford pensioners are demanding the reinstatement of a shelter which was destroyed by arsonists. Three years ago, a canopy over the parking ticket machine at the car park in Diamond Place, Summertown, was wrecked by fire. City council managers
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GREYHOUNDS: Mover can make mark in Derby
All eyes will be on Max Picinelli’s Lyreen Mover when the traps go up in the William Hill Derby final over 480 metres at Wimbledon on Saturday. Italian Picinelli, who has been a great supporter of Oxford racing over the last few years, faces his biggest
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Leys estate gets special sensory room
CHILDREN with impairments can now chill out in a therapeutic room designed specially to stimulate them. The Dovecote, which runs after school clubs and holiday playschemes in Blackbird Leys, has unveiled a £14,500 sensory room at its base in Nightingale
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GREYHOUNDS: Farloe's fancied
Farloie's Dexter is fancied to repel the late challenge of Yahoo Pat in the A1 over 450 metres on Saturday. Pat finished well to win last time out, but Dexter without a win since March, can get back to winning ways. TONIGHT’S RUNNERS
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Getting around
OXFORD PARK AND RIDE There are five park and ride car parks: Redbridge, off Abingdon Road, two miles south of the city centre. Pear Tree Roundabout, on the A44 Woodstock-Oxford road. Seacourt, on Botley Road, one-and-a-half miles west
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CYCLE SPEEDWAY: Horspath suffer a time-out
Horspath Hammers lost their 100 per cent British Premier League record with a controversial 93-83 defeat at Birmingham. Hammers went into heat 15 with a two-point advantage. Matty Szymczak and Mark Carmichael rode to the start line with Birmingham
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BOXING: Saddler secures only home win
Paul Saddler was the only host club winner at Abingdon ABC’s end-of season dinner show at Didcot Town FC. The light-middleweight Paul Saddler used his extra reach to claim a unanimous points verdict over Adam Steel, from Bulmershe. Abingdon light-heavyweight
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Sport for all
Oxford offers a wide range of facilities for having fun and keeping fit . . . ATHLETICS The Horspath Road Athletics track is a state-of-the-art facility available to everyone. It aims to encourage both the beginner and expert to try
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Istanbul's a real Turkish delight
LIGHT glinted off the dancer’s toothy smile, as the strains of classical Turkish music filled the cavernous nomad-style tent. The crowd sat transfixed as the lithe form seemed to float across the floor, abdomen rotating in time to the quickening rhythms
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Cinema and theatre
CINEMA There are two multi-screen Odeon cinemas in Oxford, one in George Street and one in Magdalen Street. A 24-hour telephone line covers programme information and ticket booking for both cinemas. Call 0871 224 4007 or visit the website: www.odeon.co.uk
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After dark
As a master of occupying his thoughts with absolutely anything that will take his mind off the real world for as much time as possible, Richard Bell, the Oxford Mail’s clubbing editor, has unparalleled knowledge of the nightlife on offer to fellow
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Literary tales from the riverbank
Writer and waterways historian Mark Davies reveals how the Thames, and Oxfordshire’s waterside watering holes, have, over the years, inspired generations of authors. With original Yellow Hat Tribe illustrations by Irene Tyack. Few cities
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Ancient & modern
No city would be the same without a wide variety of watering holes, and Oxford seems to have hit the jackpot in this department, with enough pubs and bars to drown in — probably something to do with the huge student population and all those thirsty
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Foodie's paradise
Eating out in Oxfordshire is always a treat — because we are positively spoilt for choice when it comes to restaurants, pubs, cafés, bistros, delicatessens, and food outlets of all kinds. And the food scene is an ever-changing one, with new kids
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YOUTH CRICKET: Sam is the man for Didcot
Sam Couldrick hit a half-century and then returned remarkable figures of 5-2 to steer Didcot to a 91-run victory over Sutton Courtenay in League F of the Oxon Under 15 Club Championship. Batting first, Didcot raced to 129-2, Coudrick hitting 50 not out
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SCHOOLS CRICKET: Nolan's 5-0 lifts Burford
Harry Nolan produced the remarkable figures of 5-0 in two overs as Burford dismissed Carterton for 58 in the Oxfordshire Under 13 League. Burford replied with 59-0. Bradley Rose hit 103 of Lord Williams Thame’s 154-4 aga-inst Gosford Hill in
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Sales surge at Electrocomponents
Bosses at electronics and maintenance products supplier Electrocomponents are upbeat thanks to a strong start to the year. Ian Mason, managing director of the firm based at the Oxford Business Park, said: “Growth rates have improved around the world.
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Staying out for the summer
Oxfordshire is home to some great summer music festivals, and one of the longest-running is Fairport’s Cropredy Convention, which this year takes place on August 12-14. Apart from the usually very eclectic line-up, it is the friendly vibe that
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YOUTH CRICKET: Polito shines as Oxon cruise in
An innings of 81 from William Polito saw Oxfordshire Under 11s to a seven-wicket win against Magdalen College School in a friendly. Magdalen batted first and posted an impressive 210-4 from their 40 overs with Niall Devaney (47) leading the way. Jack
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YOUTH CRICKET: Happy Harry leads way
Westbury maintained their unbeaten start to the Oxfordshire Under 11 League with a 27-run win over Thame. Harry Lewis made 32 not out as Westbury reached 89-9, before Oliver Worrall took 4-4 as Thame were dismissed for 62. RESULTS. OXON UNDER 11
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YOUTH CRICKET: Upham stars for Oxford
James Upham’s fine figures of 5-4 helped Oxford A to a 66-run victory over Buscot Park in the third round of the Oxfordshire Under 13 Ron Maudsley Trophy. Oxford were again in the runs as they rattled up 162-2, Nick Lancaster making 32 not
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If I Were You: The Mill at Sonning Dinner Theatre
‘You know what your father thinks about all this acting,” says harried housewife Jill to her son, Sam, who is hopeful of a role in his school play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Sam knows only too well. To his dad, Mal — about as far from the New
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ANGLING: Orchid catfish record is smashed
Coventry angler Sim-on Poole smashed the catfish record at Dorchester’s Orchid Lakes when slipping his net under a magnificent 52lb 8oz specimen, writes Andy Webber. Poole used a popped up squid bait to land the huge fish. Over the years, the Club Lake
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ANGLING: Ton-up Ferris in top form
Steve Ferris caught more than 100lb of carp to win Beehive AC’s FA Cup first round match at Milton Pools. Ferris landed 100.2.0 of carp to pole and paste for a convincing victory. Chris Dingle was second with 74.12.0, also to pole and
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SWIMMING: Witney dig deep for thrilling win
Witney's swimmers put in a superb performance to secure victory in round two of the Chiltern League at Leighton Buzzard. They trailed in second place for most of the competition, but a final push saw them pip Linslade by six points.
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TABLE TENNIS: Bushell and Brown are China bound
Karl Bushell and Janet Brown will be travelling from Ox-fordshire to China this month to compete in the veterans world championships. Bushell, who has been the county’s leading player for 25 years, will compete in the men’s over 50’s singles and doubles
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Local share prices (AM)
AEA Technology 18.25 BMW 3229 Electrocomponents 217.9 Nationwide Accident Repair 85.5 Oxford Biomedica 10 Oxford Catalyst 70 Oxford Instruments 259 Reed Elsevier 481.4 RM 174.5 RPS Group 194.25 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley
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Life in paradise
It’s the ultimate fantasy: abandon the stresses and disappointments of the Western world and flee to some remote, exotic island. Replace the white noise of a humdrum life in Britain for the balmy, swooshing sound of Pacific waves breaking on gleaming
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Local author
Ali Shaw, who worked at the Bodleian Library before becoming a full-time writer, has been shortlisted for the £10,000 Desmond Elliot award for his first novel, The Girl With Glass Feet, a fantastical tale about a woman in a wintry island called St Hauda's
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Paperback choice
Oxford Guide To Countries of the World Peter Stalker (OUP, £9.99) A welcome breath of fresh air for information collectors worldwide. If you want to know the ethnic make-up of Belize, or the relative poverty of Namibia and Nepal, it's all here
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Where The Serpent Lives
WHERE THE SERPENT LIVES Ruth Padel (Little, Brown, £12.99)This is a spell-binding read — dense, luminous, fantastic and true. In her debut novel, Padel weaves an intricate tapestry, encompassing contrasting settings, from London and Devon to the jungles
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The Art Room
A pioneering charity based at Oxford School called The Art Room has succeeded in using art to help children with problems settling at school. A new book called The Art Room (Frances Lincoln, £11.99), to be published next month, presents 12 projects
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The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind
THE BOY WHO HARNESSED THE WIND William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer (Harper, £7.99) William Kamkwamba grew up on a farm near Masitala village in Malawi. The early part of the book deals with his upbringing in a loving family, showing how hard
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Wristbands 'selling like hotcakes'
FOOTBALL-mad brothers Tim and Harry Sutton are hoping that World Cup mania will launch them into a new career. They have set up a company called Country Cuffs producing wristbands for each of the 32 countries taking part, selling them to pubs,
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Free schooling
Four Oxfordshire schools are in danger of seeing £62m disappear in the first volley of cuts from the new Government. At the same time, groups of parents and teachers are mobilising to avail themselves of public money to start up their own independent
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Residents escape Cowley blaze
RESIDENTS of a house in Cowley escaped a blaze last night despite having a faulty smoke alarm. Ten firefighters from the Slade and Rewley Road stations were called to the fire in Lytton Road at 9.20pm. They found smoke coming out of the ground-floor
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U's star Sam is so proud
SAM Deering is in dreamland. Two weeks ago he came off the bench to help Oxford United win promotion back into the Football League, and this week he picked up his first caps for England. The tiny winger was named man-of-the-match by many as the FA Representative
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Minister intervenes as anger mounts over TV mast fiasco
MINISTER for Culture Ed Vaizey has backed calls for compensation over Oxfordshire TV signalling problems. Analogue and digital viewers across the county are unable to watch certain channels because of ongoing work at the Oxford transmitter
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Teen hero ran down burglar
WHEN 17-year-old athlete Luke Franklin returned home to find his mum confronting an intruder, he knew there was only one thing to do. Jumping over five fences, he chased burglar Peter Gaughan, forcing him on to a railway track and into the
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Motorbike louts make life misery on Leys again
FAMILIES’ enjoyment of peace and quiet and hot summer weather is once again being blighted by louts on motorbikes in Blackbird Leys. Police have received numerous reports from residents who are annoyed at the incessant noise created by scrambler , quads
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Time for refunds
WHEN you start trying to unravel who should be held to account financially for the debacle over the TV antenna you get a lot of organisations pulling in a lot of taxpayer money yet with no responsibility to you, the badly affected viewer. How can TV
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Action is needed on mini-bikes
EVERY summer we get the same problems of yobs riding around the area south of Blackbird Leys on mini-motorbikes. The police go out, issue warnings about riding “antisocially” and seize a few machines. It is depressingly predictable. And, given the pattern
