Archive

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Hundreds expected for Oxford Mail Job Fair

HUNDREDS of job seekers are expected to flock to the Oxford Mail Job Fair in Abingdon on Friday (25). Prospective employees can get advice and information from 15 stalls in the town’s Guildhall, and workers looking for a change can find out

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Future of eco-town in doubt

THE future of the controversial 5,000 home eco-town planned for Bicester was uncertain last night after the Government confirmed further backing for the scheme was under review. Last summer, farmland at north-west Bicester was one of four sites

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Cable thieves caused railway chaos

MAJOR disruption to train services between Oxford, Didcot, Reading and London yesterday was caused by the theft of a 300ft section of signal cable. The incident, which happened at West Drayton, in west London, at about 11.30am, crippled signals

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Cricket girls bowled over by World Cup winner Charlotte Edwards

GIRLS in Didcot are being introduced to cricket by England’s World Cup-winning women’s captain. Charlotte Edwards, who has been made an MBE for her sporting prowess, is coaching pupils at Didcot Girls School in the hope of inspiring stars of

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'Secretive' arsonist avoids jail term

A FANTASIST who started a fire that almost burned down a pensioner’s home – with her inside – has been ordered to carry out community service. Alan Whitten, of Hammer Lane, Warborough, caused £45,000 damage to the home of Sheila Smith when he torched

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Hair Today, Fish Tomorrow

The Hairy Bikers have come in out of the cold. KATHERINE MACALISTER finds out more. Simon King, aka Hairy Biker, is the one without the glasses who bounced on to our screens in a cloud of exhaust smoke and a biker jacket to entrance us with

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A Very Rare Treasure

SARAH MAYHEW views a new exhibition of abstract paintings by the great Howard Hodgkin – a man who excels in saying so much with so little. It’s all about Howard Hodgkin! Royal Elephants from Mughal India is an exhibition of paintings and

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The Grape Outdoors

A European getaway can be a lot closer than you think. Especially if it’s France you’re thinking of running away to. And should you find yourself in the land of chateaux and croissants, take time to check out Pays de la Loire. Jessica Mann gushes

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Kiss of Life

Kiss Bar in Park End Street sends RICHARD BELL down memory lane. I remember the first time I kissed a girl. I was about ten years old and hadn’t the faintest idea how to do it, so I just went for it with gusto. Her name was Teri, and I

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'Oway' They Go...

IF you’re heading to a festival this summer, there is one thing you can look forward to, pretty much wherever you go. No, not cider, bongos and mud – though you might want to pack your wellies. I’m talking about a folk-pop band who in the past six months

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Greek Tragedy

GET HIM TO THE GREEK (15) Comedy. Russell Brand, Jonah Hill, Sean Combs, Rose Byrne, Elisabeth Moss, Colm Meaney. Director: Nicholas Stoller. Supporting characters can make a film. James Bond wouldn’t have his licence to thrill without

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Pop Star Dining

KATHERINE MACALISTER is set to become a regular customer at Modern Art Oxford’s pop-up café. Modern Art Oxford’s new café is the closest thing Oxford’s got to a pop-up restaurant – fresh, funky, original, inspiring and more importantly surprising

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School of Law

Bestselling author and Oxford lad John Grisham (Oxford, Mississippi that is) talks about his latest legal novel – for children. His legal thrillers grace the best-seller shelves of every mainstream bookshop on the planet and are among the

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Yuk and Learn (read on and this does make sense...)

Nick Arnold, Mr Horrible Science, made me wait exactly 90 seconds for him to make his cup of coffee before asking my first question. Only a scientist would be so precise. And yet Nick doesn’t see himself as a scientist but as a writer, and an inordinately

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True Legend

TIM HUGHES talks to legendary rock-poet Alejandro Escovedo about the highs and lows of his long career. PUNK-rocker turned country troubador Alejandro Escovedo is a man whose time has surely come. Long respected as one of North America

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City home is given a unique makeover

An architectural makeover has transformed a between-the-wars detached house into a spectacular contemporary home. No. 257 Woodstock Road has been extended to almost double its original size and fitted with state-of-the-art technology. Architect Wayne

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St Mary's option is so manageable

Having suffered two strokes, Ken Breakspear decided it was time he and wife Maria moved somewhere more easily manageable. The couple, who are both in their 60s, put their two-bedroom house in Grove on the market and began to look for an alternative property

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A flexible four-bed residence

An extended, detached house, set in a large corner plot on Woodstock Road, could make an ideal base for a family. The four-bedroom property, built in the 1930s, also has the advantage of two single-storey extension wings, each providing a study/bedroom

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The oak and the beech

Former farmhouse Chalford Park, which was built in the 1850s and was once part of the Heythrop estate, is on the market for a guide price of £2m. At present, the property is split to create two self-contained areas — Oak House and Beech House — and sits

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Spectacular views from manor

A majestic manor house is the setting for a top-floor luxury apartment with a roof garden and panoramic views. The 18th-century property that houses the two-bedroom flat was once a country house, hotel and children’s home before being converted to residential

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Holiday Lettings snapped up by TripAdvisor

A fast-growing firm which rents out holiday properties has been taken over by a major American company. Holiday Lettings based in Summertown, Oxford has been bought for an undisclosed sum by travel website TripAdvisor. The move is a

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Mike Taylor: Head porter of Brasenose College

MIKE Taylor, head porter at Oxford University’s Brasenose College, has died aged 65. As one of the ‘Guardians of the Gates’, he was well known and highly regarded within the university family, yet remained firmly Town all his life. Born

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Witney couple still in step 50 years on

BOB and Gill Haley danced their way to their 50th wedding anniversary. The couple, who are members of line dancing clubs in Witney, Hailey and Hanborough, marked their anniversary with their two sons and three grand-daughters. Mr and Mrs Haley, who

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ROWING: Dent is Dark Blues' new president

Alec Dent, who rowed in the Isis boat for the past two years, has been elected as the new president of Oxford University BC to lead the Dark Blues into the Xchanging Boat Race against Cambridge next March. Dent, 20, is in the final year of a three-year

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Pedestrian injured in Oxford

Police are appealing for witnesses after a pedestrian was injured in a rush-hour collision in Oxford. At about 7.50am yesterday, a collision occurred between a blue Volkswagen Passat estate and a pedestrian at the junction of the A420 West Way with

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Man critically injured in Kidlington attack

A 20-year-old man has been arrested after a man was critically injured in Kidlington. Police said at about 6.45pm yesterday, the ambulance service attended The Red Lion pub, in Oxford Road, following reports that a 30-year-old man suffered

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Walkers step out for NSPCC Hack

A CHILDREN’S charity is asking the people of Oxfordshire to step out and help end child cruelty. The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) is holding a sponsored hike, starting and finishing at Cornbury Park, near Charlbury

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Dreweatts

Dreweatts is growing fast, not only is it Britain’s largest regional auctioneers but it has also recently joined forces with Bloomsbury Auctions, which sells more books and works on paper than any auction house in the world. Today Dreweatts embraces

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BABY OF THE YEAR: Last chance to win trip to Disneyland Paris

TOMORROW is your last chance to put your tot forward for the Oxford Mail Baby of the Year Competition. Our photographer will be in the childrenswear section of Matalan, at the John Allen Centre, in Cowley, between 10am and 4pm. Hundreds

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Rev up for the Oxford Mail Motor Show

When it comes to showing the world just how cool, just how suave, just how ... dammit, successful you are, it’s your car that remains the last true status symbol. And because most of us aren’t that successful or wealthy, we like to dream; you know, about

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ATHLETICS: England hoping for Euro berth

Hannah England believes she is ready for the next step as she prepares for this weekend’s European trials in Birmingham. The Oxford City ace, who finished a brilliant second for Great Britain in last Sunday’s European Team Championships, says she’s ready

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ATHLETICS: Seb vows to bounce back

Sprinter Seb Tully-Middleton has vowed to bounce back in style from a disappointing weekend at the England Under 20 & 23 Championships. The 19-year-old, who hails from Culworth, arrived at Bedford’s International Athletic Stadium with high hopes following

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ATHLETICS: City veterans shine for gold at Horwich

Oxford City’s vet 60 team stormed to gold in the British Masters Athletics Federation (BMAF) 5K Championship at Horwich. The side of Roy Treadwell, Gareth Jones and John Exley finished on top, with Treadwell collecting individual silver for his 18mins

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Workers exposed to asbestos at Arncott MoD site

THIRTY-ONE people could have been exposed to asbestos because a company broke health and safety laws, a court has heard. Interserve Defence, based at Defence Storage and Distribution Agency (DSDA), Arncott, near Bicester, has admitted three charges of

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Holloway’s

Banbury will become the focal point of the international art world when the town’s auctioneers Holloway’s holds its regular Antiques and Fine Art Sale on Tuesday, June 29. With an important collection of Chinese porcelain and pictures by renowned

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West Oxfordshire Motor Auction

Established more than 24 years ago, West Oxfordshire Motor Auction has become known as the “local auction” with the “national reputation”. A family owned business which employs 26 full and part time members of staff, who welcome you to our site in Witney

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Mallams

Established in 1788, Mallams is one of the country’s leading provincial auctioneers and estate agents. Fine art, specialist and decorative sales take place regularly in Oxford, Cheltenham and Abingdon. Consignments are received from across the country

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Unmasking pupils' talents

SCHOOLS in Wantage, Grove and surrounding villages have been working together to give pupils a chance to reveal their creative talents. Fourteen primary and secondary schools have teamed up to run a series of art workshops. The Wantage Area Schools

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City celebrates fictional heroine Alice in Wonderland

OXFORD is set to become a magical Wonderland for a day as the city celebrates one of its most famous fictional heroines. The third Alice’s Day is on Saturday, July 10, with a host of activities celebrating Oxford author Lewis Carroll’s most

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Robbery in Cornmarket Street

A 20-year-old man was thrown to the floor during a robbery in Oxford. The man was in Cornmarket Street at 1.50am on Thursday when he was grabbed by a black man. Another man tried to make him withdraw money out of a cashpoint, but the victim refused

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Hamlet raiders steal £750 TV

Police are appealing for witnesses after a burglary in Eaton Hastings, near Faringdon, in which a £750 TV was stolen. Police said sometime between 7.45am and 3.30pm on Tuesday, burglars broke into a bungalow by smashing the rear patio window. Det

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BAR BILLIARDS: Trio boost Kennington

Kennnington defeated Vikings 3-2 in their opening Group A game of the Area All-England team championships. Played in a round robin format at the Lamb & Flag in Hailey, Kevin Godfrey (11,430) won the opener, before Steven Sheard (6,670) and Eynsham’s

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AMERICAN FOOTBALL: Saints too hot for Falcons

Quarterback Jay Taylor threw two touchdown passes as Oxford Saints got back to winning ways with a 19-3 victory at BAFA Community League South West Conference Division 1 new boys Leicester Falcons. In hot and humid conditions, the opening exchanges

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GOLF: Results round-up

FRILFORD HEATH Ladies’ Saturday Stableford: 1 P Haslam 42pts, 2 M Wilson 38 (cb), 3 K Evans 38. Ladies’ Tuesday Stableford - Div 1: 1 J Adams 38pts, 2 S Russell 37 (cb), 3 B Hamilton 37. Div 2: 1 M Craik 38, 2 E Wilson 37, 3 S Duncombe 35. Lady Captain

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RUGBY LEAGUE: Cavaliers break duck

Oxford Cavaliers picked up their first points of the season with a 40-16 win at Swindon St George the Co-operative Conference South East Division. The visitors went ahead early on when prop Barry Llewellyn went over, with Jack Briggs’s conversion

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Ark sails into action

Since January, the CIAO! Ark Project has been working with primary school children, scientists, artists and architects to create a positive vision of a low-carbon future that culminates in the installation of the CIAO! Ark, a large-scale public art installation

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US orders boost for AEA Technology

Bosses at climate change consultant AEA Technology said they have seen a major rise in orders and are confident about the financial future. They revealed new contracts in the United States are more than compensating for UK Government spending

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GOLF: Oxon second again

Oxfordshire finished runners-up for the second year running in the Midlands South Division of Women’s County Week at Goring & Streatley. After losing their opening match against defending champions Warwickshire, Oxon had to win the remaining four matches

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GOLF: Cricketers pay tribute

A group of Oxfordshire county and club cricketers line up following the Phil Garner Memorial Golf Trophy at Burford. Martin Lee, captain of the winning Headington CC team which comprised him, Cecil Jackson, Barrie Hunt and Peter Dier, receives the trophy

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GOLF: Johnson is champion

Matt Johnson was crowned BB&O Colts champion after winning a play-off at Chipping Norton – his home course. Johnson finished tied with Paul Raines (Winters Hill) on level-par 142, but pipped him at the first extra hole to land the trophy. With Burford

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Three magistrates’ courts face axe

MAGISTRATES’ courts in Bicester, Didcot and Witney could be shut under Government plans to save more than £36m. The Government yesterday announced proposals to close 157 magistrates’ and county courts in England and Wales. The move would leave just

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Faith groups clock up thousands of volunteers hours

WORSHIPPERS across Oxfordshire devote a total of 12,500 hours of their free time to the community a month. A new survey revealed that faith communities in the county clock up a combined 150,000 volunteering hours every year. The effort would be worth

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Lemon Tree restaurant to become school music room, says owner

THE Lemon Tree restaurant in North Oxford is set to be turned into a school music room, owner Clinton Pugh says. Last month Mr Pugh, who owns a series of restaurants in the city, announced plans to reopen the Woodstock Road eaterie.

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GOLF: Pepperell bags another big win

It took Eddie Pepperell five years to win a title, but he has now claimed two inside a month. The 19-year-old Drayton Park member bagged the Berkshire Trophy on Sunday after carding four sub-par rounds at The Berkshire. This success comes hot on the

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Street 'safe' despite stabbing

A residents’ group leader has called for perspective, insisting her street – the scene of a stabbing on Tuesday – is still a safe place to live. A 37-year-old man was stabbed in the arm and head in Divinity Road, East Oxford, following a row in the street

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'Give your views on Oxford School academy plans'

CAMPAIGNERS fighting plans to shut Oxford School and reopen it as an academy are urging parents to have their say at two meetings tonight. Two consultations are under way – one on plans to close the 1,100-pupil school and another on running an academy

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Art ark sails on to museum’s lawn

A GIANT ark has ‘washed up’ on the lawn of Oxford’s Museum of Natural History. It will be moored in place until the end of the week and is the culmination of the Ciao! Arts Festival, which has seen county schools paired up with both scientists

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Refugee jailed over stabbing

A CHARITY helper who stabbed his friend in the stomach has been jailed for four years. Thomas Kamau left Teddy Harrison with life-threatening injuries after plunging a knife into his stomach at a party in Iffley Road, East Oxford, in December. The married

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Advert's timing is ridiculous

ON JUNE 7 I saw what I think was the first Christmas catalogue TV advert. They say shop early for Christmas but this is ridiculous. VAL WEBB, Webbs Close, Wolvercote, Oxford

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Obama's ranting affects pensioners

I SUSPECT many people are a little tired of President Obama’s rants against ‘British’ Petroleum. This is having an unfortunate effect not only on company finances but on many pensioners, not only in this country but also in the US. Obviously we have

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City of pointless pranks

So because we see some student or other, pretending to cut a security chain off his own bike (Oxford Mail, June 10), at the same time his student friend is filming him, in Oxford, city of students – prank city – we are supposed to rush up to him, whack

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Problems lies with the speed

With regard to using chippings to resurface roads (Oxford Mail, June 18) I completely understand the concerns of motor bike riders, however, being a car driver, I think it is a very cost effective and quick method of improving the road surface. I think

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A weekly update from the corridors of power

Sometimes, when you’re on a hot streak, you just can’t stop winning. That’s certainly the case for Oxford West and Abingdon MP Nicola Blackwood. In May, she scored a surprise victory, with a majority of just 176 votes in a constituency

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Man himself is most destructive animal

I WHOLEHEARTEDLY agree with Perry Little’s enlightening defence of foxes (Oxford Mail, June 16). Her views are of paramount importance because, as manager of a wildlife sanctuary, she has had a unique opportunity to study these misunderstood creatures

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Show solidarity with those who'll lose jobs

I INVITE all readers of the Oxford Mail to stand in solidarity with all those who are going to lose their jobs or be clobbered by the VAT increase to 20 per cent and the 25 per cent cut in public services after Tuesday’s Budget. Some readers may remember

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High time students cleaned up their act

In your report ‘City Wide Clean Up Expands’ (Oxford Mail, June 17),you say the cleaner Greener Oxford campaign will now include Cowley Road, The Plain and Magdalen Road. I hope that Merton Street and roads which students use to celebrate the end of

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CRICKET: Cater bags double ton

Jonny Cater became the first batsman to score a double century for the Oxford Development team when he struck a magnificent 216 on the first day of their match against Northants Academy at Bicester & North Oxford yesterday. Cater, who was born in Oxford

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Nature's own supermarket

Lying just to the west of Oxford, the Cothill area is classic Oxfordshire countryside with sleepy stone houses and a welcoming pub. The real jewels, however, are hidden behind the extensive gardens and the local airfield — the Cothill Fens. These are

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City council chiefs' pay rises branded 'a kick in the teeth'

A DECISION to award pay rises of up to 34 per cent to senior city council managers during the economic downturn has been condemned as “a kick in the teeth”. Details of the inflation-busting pay hikes were released by Oxford City Council within

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Romantic fiction for girls

It may seem a big jump from depression and self-harming to romantic fiction, but children’s writer Jo Cotterill has made the transition. Her first full-length novel – written under her maiden name of Joanna Kenrick — was Red Tears, the story of 15-year-old

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Building better communities

Faith communities in Oxfordshire give 12,500 hours every month as volunteers, and invest over £8.5m each year in employees, a new study has revealed. In addition, they make 220 rooms and halls available for community activities other than worship, and

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Local author

Elizabeth Brunner, who died in 2003, was known in Oxfordshire for her work with the Women's Institute, particularly in helping to set up Denman College at Marcham. She also created the garden at Grey’s Court, near Henley, now owned by the National Trust

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Making Haste From Babylon

MAKING HASTE FROM BABYLON Nick Bunker (Bodley Head, £25)Any book about the Pilgrim Fathers is to be eagerly awaited. In his outstanding descriptions of land and seascape scattered throughout this book, Bunker offers a background that gives immediacy

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Save the country £1m

The organisers of Oxfordshire’s entrepreneurship showcase Venture-fest, held at the Kassam Stadium on Tuesday, must have been filled with despondency when they learned that Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne had chosen the very same day for his

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Former iSoft men in court

THE former chairman of IT firm iSoft has denied conspiring to make misleading statements about a major NHS project. Patrick Cryne, 58, and three other former directors of the IT firm pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to make the statements to the stock

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Oxford United's summer deals are almost done

Oxford United manager Chris Wilder says he is close to completing his summer transfer business. The capture of Mitchell Cole from Stevenage Borough made it eight signings during the close season and gives United a squad of 19 senior players for next

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'Obscene' pay rises

An inquest will be held into “obscene” salary increases made to senior city council officers at a time when major cuts to services and job losses were looming, The Oxford Times has discovered. The city council’s chief executive Peter Sloman

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Parky at the Pictures (In Cinemas 24/6/2010)

It's 50 years since British audiences first heard the name Jean-Luc Godard. The release of A Bout de Souffle (1960) sent shockwaves through the cinematic establishment and confirmed that the nouvelle vague was much more than a Gallic flash in the pan.

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Parky at the Pictures (DVD 24/6/2010)

The achievements of Alexander Dovzhenko and Vsevolod Pudovkin have always been overshadowed by those of their fellow montagist, Sergei Eisenstein. A couple of Pudovkin titles are available on DVD in this country, but Earth (1930) is the first from

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WORLD CUP: Fans find a way to watch victory

ENGLAND fans were celebrating last night after Fabio Capello’s team secured their place in the World Cup second round. Thousands of people packed into pubs and bars across the county to see Jermain Defoe’s 22nd minute strike secure a 1-0 win

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Lots of tots aim to be Baby of the Year

PARENTS and carers are being urged to head to Matalan and put their tots in for the Oxford Mail Baby of the Year competition. Matalan’s Carly Reid said staff at the Cowley store had enjoyed welcoming scores of babies and were looking forward

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Legalised vandalism

Sir – I write in response to the story, about the local council using chippings to repair the city and the county’s roads (Report, June 17). This is, and has, been the custom for many years, and it’s about time it was stopped. The motorist is used

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Gross miscalculation

Sir – While fuming for 15 minutes in the queue on the A420 to enter the new traffic light system at the Botley interchange roundabout, I had plenty of time to reflect on the possible reasons for the delay. It appeared to me that the timings of the

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Lights not needed

Sir – Who are the idiots who have decided the Botley interchange roundabout needs traffic lights? Who are the idiots who have spent a huge fortune of our money on unnecessary road works, traffic lights and pedestrian crossings for people who do not

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Disfiguring building

Sir – Reports earlier this year implied unanimous approval of Wilkinson Eyre’s redevelopment plans for the New Bodleian. Your readers’ letters now reveal otherwise. There is significant opinion that the New Bodleian Library is unworthy of its site,

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Starring role

Sir – I am disappointed that Christopher Gray’s review of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the New Theatre (Weekend, June 17) makes no mention of local boy, Steve Kirwan, who starred in the leading role in the matinée performance on Wednesday

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Careful work on copse

Sir – Reg Little’s article (June 17) Row flares up over woodland was lacking in facts and, therefore, North Hinksey Parish Council’s intentions were misrepresented. The Open Spaces Society sent a press release about our planned copse improvements taking

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Ageing successfully

Sir – We believe Oxfordshire to be vibrant, healthy, well-educated and prosperous. But, there is a hidden side – which we are less proud to acknowledge – that is, the 30 per cent who are already over 65. Half of this other Oxfordshire lives in its

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Mysterious ways

Sir – Colin Smith is completely correct in his analysis of the mysterious way the over 60s bus pass is handled in Oxford compared to London and elsewhere (Letters, June 17). Moreover, if you complain in Oxford that you have been issued with an incorrect

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Time to hide

Sir – If I were councillor Bob Price and it was my party that had brought this country to its knees by consistently spending more than it earned and racked up an unsustainable level of debt in the process, I think I would have found a dark corner in

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Help Wytham studies

Sir – International environmental charity Earthwatch is seeking volunteers to join a new research expedition right here in the UK. The Oxfordshire-based project is part of an ongoing global forest research programme. Volunteers are needed to join

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Vandalism costs town almost £40k

REPAIRING vandalism in Witney has cost taxpayers almost £40,000 over the past five years, it has been revealed. Mayor James Mills said: “Valuable resources, which we as a council can ill afford, are being directed away from the really important projects

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Landowners push for rival to Cogges

LANDOWNERS have spent £20,000 on a report saying there is a cheaper alternative to the controversial Cogges Link Road in Witney. The East Witney Land Consortium is pressing for Oxfordshire County Council to ditch its plans for the Cogges Link Road in

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Facebook may be key to finding dog

A FACEBOOK campaign could be the key to finding missing Staffordshire bull terrier Chaos. When Lyndsey Harding’s dog went missing on March 25, from outside an office in Woodside, off Hinksey Hill in Oxford, she contacted the police. The 21-year-old

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Avoid misunderstanding

Sir – Here we go again! It is only a couple of months since you last published a letter complaining that, by not keying in the correct destination for free tickets, bus drivers are defrauding public funds, when — as I understand it — charging for free

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Mind-boggling

There have been some mind-boggling increases in pay at Oxford City Council over the last two years. These are historic figures (albeit recent history) and we would like to think that they would not be contemplated today. That said, is it possible to

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Many reasons to save pool

Sir – I am writing to you about Temple Cowley Swimming Pool. I do hope the city council will reconsider its plan to close this pool and build a new one in Blackbird Leys. My friends and I can cycle safely to Temple Cowley pool but the safe cycling

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Double whammy

If Oxfordshire’s policy on dealing with residual waste was confused before this week, it is even more confused now. The county council’s decision to allow the market to dictate that policy led to two deeply unpopular applications for incinerators — one

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Neglected town

Sir – Carterton is a great place to live but I feel the residents of are being let down, neglected, overlooked, ignored by various companies or councils and, maybe, others with personal interests? Sainsburys are willing to come to the Business and

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Noisy fundraiser

Sir – I would like it to thank the residents, who live close to Dalton Barracks, for putting up with the noise etc from our yearly CAR-nival event held on June 12/13. The proceeds from this event are shared between the Friends of Stowford and the Army

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Look to long term

Sir – As a keen swimmer, I am all for the swimming club thriving and I understand that means having a decent venue. However, the City of Oxford Swimming Club is not the only interested party in the future of Temple Cowley Pools and with a bit of imagination

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Reservoir could improve landscape

Sir – While walking around the lake at Blenheim I was reminded that a capable Mr Brown taught us what the presence of water can do to improve the natural landscape. Blenheim Lake is wholly artificial. The difference between a lake and a reservoir is

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Magdalen College School Arts Festival

Named Independent School of the Year by the Sunday Times in 2004 and again in 2008, Magdalen College School has been described by the Good Schools Guide as “a comfortable mix of brains, brawn and artistic flair but demanding and challenging too”. The

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Summer exhibition: Royal Academy

A week before the Royal Academy’s Summer Exhibition opened to the public it was Non-Member’s Varnishing Day — set aside since 1809 for exhibiting artists to retouch their work, apply a coat of varnish on to not-long-painted canvases. This was the

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Kingfisher: Jewel of the waterways

Just occasionally, as you walk beside river, stream or lake, a flash of blue, turquoise and orange hurtles through your eye line, often accompanied by a strident ‘peep, peep, peep’. As quickly as it appeared, this electric blend of colours has gone,

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Should last year’s big pay rises for senior Oxford Town Hall officers be reversed?

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Preview of 2010 Cornbury Festival

Cornbury Festival, one of the most beloved weekends of Oxfordshire’s calendar, is nearly upon us. This is only the festival’s sixth year, but it’s already a firm favourite with thousands of people across the country. The festival is the brainchild

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Operation to keep city unit alive

Stephen Westaby has been performing heart surgery for 30 years. In that time he has carried out more than 10,000 open-heart operations, and can claim a place in medical history as the first surgeon to have fitted a patient with a new type of artificial

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Matching wine with the tennis at Wimbledon

It seems as though summer has arrived. At the time of writing, 96 hours have gone by without me getting rained on and, most importantly of all, The Wimbledon Tennis Championships are upon us. This is the time of year when one of my oldest and dearest

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Passion Flowers

Whichford Pottery, just a smidgeon outside Oxfordshire, is one of our local treasures, and this summer a series of talks are being held on various topics. Visitors (who have to pre-book) can pay £5 for an hour-long talk by an expert nurseryman

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Fresh waste plant plans

A MAJOR new waste plant could be built in Oxfordshire to take hundreds of thousands of tonnes of waste every year from London. The Waste Recycling Group (WRG) is to submit plans for a £20m mechanical biological treatment (MBT) plant on a landfill

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The Loire's Finest, £117

The Loire Valley is home to a variety of grape varieties, particularly sauvignon blanc that here makes wonderfully refreshing wines with delightful minerality which comes from the chalky soils of the region. The Loire’s cool climate results in ultra-clean