Archive
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Crash closes A415
A crash between a car and a motorcycle has closed the A415 near Marcham this evening. The collision happened between the A34 Marcham Interchange and Howard Cornish Road. Police closed the road in both directions while investigations continued.
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Tesco driver had no licence
A Tesco lorry driver has been given a suspended sentence for possessing false documents. Croatian national Bore Nikodinovic, 46, of Bosley’s Orchard, Didcot, told bosses he had a Lithuanian driving licence and then a Slovenian driving licence to allow
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Fathers for Justice stunt falls short
Protesters from New Fathers for Justice attempted to climb the roof of St Mary’s Church, in Church Green, Witney, during the Witney Feast. They failed because their ladder was too short, said Nigel Ace, known as Captain Equality. The campaign group
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Radcliffe reunion: Trainee nurses meet up after 50 years
AFTER 50 years apart, you could forgive former nurses at the Radcliffe Infirmary for shedding a few tears at seeing their former colleagues. The women met at the former hospital in Woodstock Road – the site of their nursing training half a century ago
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TV host in Fat Duck claim
Oxford United director Jim Rosenthal was in court yesterday to sue Heston Blumenthal’s Fat Duck restaurant after the broadcaster and his dinner guests became violently ill. A District Judge initially ruled against the TV football pundit’s claim at
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Boss will not question Lewis' drive
McLaren team boss Martin Whitmarsh feels a "battle-hardened" Lewis Hamilton has the stomach to cope with the latest rollercoaster ride in his Formula One career. For the second time this season, Hamilton relinquished his lead of the championship
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Oxford Instruments predicts profits hike
Bosses at hi-tech firm Oxford Instruments are predicting profits of £10m for the first six months of the year. Speaking at the company’s annual general meeting, chairman Nigel Keen said there was strong demand in the company’s reseach markets, while
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RAF sorry over fatal crash
THE RAF has apologised for supervisory failings over the deaths of an Abingdon pilot and a 15-year-old school boy in a mid-air collision last year. Flight Lieutenant Mike Blee, from Abingdon, and Nicholas Rice, 15, from Calcot in Reading, died
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Local shares (PM)
AEA Technology 16.5 BMW 3908 Electrocomps 241 Nationwide Accident Repair 86.5 Oxford Biomedica 9.5 Oxford Catalyst 70.5 Oxford Instruments 433 Reed Elsevier 538.75 RM 133.5 RPS Group 184.2 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
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Lease on 'delightful' inn for sale
A popular pub in an Oxfordshire village has come onto the market. The Chequers Inn, Charney Bassett, near Wantage, comes with three recently refurbished and decorated en suite letting rooms and dining areas. Dating from the 1800s and sItuated on the
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New premises suits company to a tee
A company which specialises in global positioning systems to help golfers estimate distances between shots has set up its new European headquarters near Thame. Skyhawke Technologies has taken a 13,650 sq ft unit at Haddenham Business Park, after relocating
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Free family activities draw Abingdon crowds
A HEADY mix of history, sport and fun were on offer at a series of free events in Abingdon. The town’s historic buildings and homes were opened up to the public for Heritage Day on Saturday, while Abbey Meadows was filled with family entertainment
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Independence is crucial
The newly-created Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) is the UK example of what are generically termed fiscal councils. These are independent advisory bodies set up by governments to monitor the overall state of the public finances. There are longstanding
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HOCKEY: Hawks 2nd go goal crazy
Hannah Williamson and Kelly Fogden both hit hat-tricks as Oxford Hawks 2nd went goal crazy against Rover Oxford 2nd in a friendly. Hawks won 14-0 with Sjouke Tolsma (2), Beth Warne (2), Kara Kerr, Sue Clark, Helen Davies and Nikki Palmer also getting
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Woman locked up for arson suicide attempts
A 20-YEAR-OLD woman who set fire to herself and her flat for the second time in a year has been jailed. Stephanie Ramsey sprayed deodorant on her nightdress and duvet at her flat in Cromwell Court, Banbury, on June 6 in a suicide attempt. She was pulled
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Young jobless to build their own homes
JOBLESS young people are looking forward to being the first in the county to build homes and then live in them, as part of a project aimed at getting them into work. Twenty unemployed people, aged 18 to 25, will help build homes in Ruscote, Banbury,
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Hospice opens doors to thank donors
SUPPORTERS of Oxford’s Helen and Douglas House were treated to an open day at the children’s hospice to thank them. More than 500 people took the opportunity to see behind the scenes – with children treated to a visit by Minnie Mouse, a miniature Shetland
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Couple's dream home on awards shortlist
A STRIKING home built for a prominent Oxfordshire family has been shortlisted for a major architectural award. Tinel House in Charlbury is up for the Royal Institute of British Architects’ prestigious Downland Prize awarded – the only project in the
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Oxfordshire anti-bullying musical goes to the West End
AN AWARD-WINNING rock musical staged with a cast of young actors from Oxfordshire is heading for London’s West End. Anti-bullying musical David v Goliath will enjoy a London run in 2012 and a UK tour next year. And the production – performed
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BATTSTOCK: Playtime for bands
SCHOOL playgrounds are usually filled with kick abouts and hopscotch games. But the playing field of one Witney primary school was transformed into a rock paradise complete with booze and loud tunes when it hosted its first ever music festival. More
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HOCKEY: Rover men seal first County Cup
Rover Oxford claimed their first Oxfordshire Men’s County Cup with a 1-0 win over Banbury in the final on Saturday. Having already clinched the Oxford Hawks Men’s Summer League title, with an undefeated campaign that saw them beat Banbury in the final
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All dressed up for day out
IT WAS not surprising that some of these day trippers were drinking ale – they made the stuff. The picture above shows a group of workers at Morrell’s Brewery in Oxford enjoying a day out in the early 1950s. We are not sure of their
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RUGBY UNION: Arthy's solo try clinches it
Didcot opened their BB&O Division 2 South campaign with a 17-12 victory at Wallingford 3rd. New captain Paul Parlett crahsed over from a five-metre penalty move for Didcot’s opening try. Hooker Sam Lacy burrowed over to make it 10-0, but Wallingford
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Charlbury homes burgled
Police are appealing for information after two burglaries in Charlbury over the weekend where houses were left unlocked. On Saturday, September 11, burglars entered a property in Market Street some time between midnight and 4am and stole a laptop and
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RUGBY UNION: Carr is star on debut
Southern Counties North Seventeen-year-old Harry Carr scored a hat-trick of tries on his debut as Grove hammered Beaconsfield 44-16. Beaconsfield led 8-0 thanks to a Nick Tappin penalty and an opportunist try from centre John Bondoc
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Piers Browne: Art Jericho
Piers Browne trained, some 40 years ago, as a print-maker and a painter. This exhibition contains his work in both media as well as some of his handsome handmade books: A. E. Houseman’s Shropshire Lad, William Wordsworth’s A Lakeland Anthology
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The Like: Jericho Tavern
When The Like first appeared in 2005, they seemed tailor-made for big things. Four sassy girls, each one the daughter of a rock ’n’ roll super producer: they had style, attitude and a collection of punky, energetic and neatly packaged pop rock songs that
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Chalgrove Cavaliers snatch a win at Kidlington Youth
A fantastic game with end to end action! Chalgrove took a demanding lead then Kidlington Youth put the pressure back on with great goals by Elliott Dandridge and Arron Cook. Pressure was on both teams in the final minutes when Chalgrove hit the cross
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House of Ghosts: New Theatre
Inspector Morse has become as central to the way many people imagine Oxford as punts or dreaming spires or Brideshead Revisited. On that basis alone this new stage play based on the character of Morse seems set to do brisk business at the New Theatre,
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FOOTBALL: City's double swoop in bid to stop rot
Oxford City hand debuts to new signings Wayne Blossom and Ashley Kington as they seek their first win of the season in the Zamaretto Southern League Premier Division against leaders Cambridge City at Court Place Farm tonight. Former Banbury
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FOOTBALL: Williams out for Didcot
Didcot Town will be without defender Andy Williams for their FA Cup first qualifying round replay against Cirencester Town at the npower Loop Meadow Stadium tonight. Williams is unavailable due to work commitments, and Alex Stanley takes his place.
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RUGBY UNION: Bulls lose home record
Midlands 1 West Banbury Bulls secured their first point of the season in a 22-20 home defeat to Bournville. Bulls battled back from 19-6 down, but couldn’t preserve an unbeaten record stretching back to January 2009. Banbury withstood an early barrage
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CRICKET: Robbie paases 1,000 runs
OCA League Seventeen-year-old Robbie Nicholson completed a memorable season, despite his Combe side sliding to a nine-wicket defeat at home to Eynsham in Division 3 on Saturday. The youngster completed the feat of 1,000 league runs in a season as
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CRICKET: Westbury in double glory
OCA Divisions 1-3 Westbury clinched a league and cup double as their 23-run victory at Marcham secured the Division 1 title on Saturday. Westbury, who won the Airey Cup two weeks ago, always had too much for Marcham, and with title rivals Horley slipping
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CRICKET: Chadlington romp home
OCA Divisions 4-8 Division 4 champions Chadlington finished their campaign in style, thumping runners-up Winslow Town by eight wickets. Winslow were shot out for a paltry 50, Martin Shepherd taking 3-7. Chadlington then eased home at 55-2 off just
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CRICKET: Leighton land cup
MP Sports Cherwell League Leighton Buzzard thrashed Bourton Vale by 89 runs to clinch the Derek Primett Memorial Cup on Saturday. In a one-sided final played at Horspath, Leighton Buzzard batted first and posted a solid total of 211-7, thanks to Chris
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Music at Oxford
It’s 27 years since the notes rang out at the very first Music at Oxford concert. There have been highs and lows in the intervening years, but how is the organisation doing now? “We’re just on the end of our financial year as we speak, and it’s been
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'Last chance' junkie jailed
A LONG-TERM heroin addict who was given one last chance to clean up by a judge has been sent to prison after failing to stay off the drug. Andrew Lennon, 28, had his sentence for shoplifting, two burglaries and failing to attend a drug assessment
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New partner at Carter Jonas
Steven McLaughlin has joined property agent Carter Jonas as rural partner. He will take on a range of rural and estate management responsibilities, helping to build the firm’s presence in areas such as rural finance, commercial mediation and rural professional
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Churchyard headstone fails safety test
ONLY one headstone has been ruled unsafe following annual safety checks at city graveyards. Oxford City Council inspected nearly 1,500 memorials earlier this month. One headstone, in St Mary’s churchyard in Iffley, had to be laid down for safety reasons
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Bulldog mauled in busy Oxford street
A BULLDOG about to start a new life with adoptive owners was mauled by another dog in a busy Oxford street. The attack, in Cowley Road, which is being investigated by police, left Paddy with five puncture wounds to his face, substantial bruising and
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RUGBY UNION: Strong finish seals spoils for Chinnor
National 3 South West Two tries in the final quarter earned Chinnor a 20-8 home victory over Old Patesians. Full back Richard Williams and replacement centre Trevor Powell touched down to complete a hard-earned victory over last season’s runners-up
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MoD rapped over asbestos scare
MILITARY chiefs were rapped by the Health and Safety Executive after potentially exposing workers to deadly asbestos fibres. A 2005 survey which found asbestos at an MoD base at Arncott, near Bicester, was ignored for more than a year. Defence Estates
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RUGBY UNION: Hawks crush Newbury
National 2 South Henley Hawks continued their strong start to the season with a 43-18 victory at Newbury. Hawks, who gave debuts to scrum half Kenny Sewell and lock Howard Parr, led with a first-minute try from centre Danny Wells, converted by full
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DARTS: Oxon's Capital Show
Oxfordshire produced one of the strongest ever displays to come from behind to defeat London 19-17 in their opening Division 1 match of the campaign at Wandsworth. Stars of the show were the Oxon men’s A team, who with the county trailing 13-11, pulled
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Morse returns to tread the boards
TEN years after solving his last crime, Inspector Morse returned to Oxford last night – this time as a star of the stage. The famous detective arrived at the New Theatre in George Street to solve the murder of a young Oxford actress in a new
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Horton revamp raises dialysis hopes
A SHAKE-UP of services at Banbury’s Horton Hospital is being planned by health chiefs which could see more specialist treatment offered in the town. Health boss Sir Jonathan Michael has set out his future vision which could bring more day
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COMMENT: A healthy future ahead
IT IS good to see new commitments to improve the services and treatments at Banbury’s Horton Hospital. For many years heath chiefs planned to diminish what was on offer under a plan that drew huge public outrage. The campaign to save services cannot
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Koran row 'damaged city relations'
A FAILURE by religious leaders to condemn a pastor who threatened to burn the Koran may have damaged interfaith relations in Oxford, a Muslim Imam has warned. Dr Taj Hargey said the “deafening silence” from the heads of other religions, including
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Thriving club
I am afraid your report of the proposed new Dean Court community centre (August 30) does a grave disservice to the many local people who made the Dean Court Social Club a success for more than half a century. The report said the club started in July 2006
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Cowardly move
AS expected we read that the Government is looking at scrapping the winter fuel payments for pensioners as well as free TV licences and bus passes. What two-faced cowards; I have a letter from the Conservatives categorically stating they would never
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Flat rate
I WRITE regarding Mary Blewett’s letter (September 10) about bus passes being charged a fair fare. The Oxford Mail reported, when they were first issued, that there is a flat-rate charge for the journey regardless of where people get on and off the bus
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Fans rush for Didcot Christmas show tickets
CHRISTMAS may still be more than three months away but tickets are already selling fast for Didcot’s Cornerstone Arts Centre Christmas show. Beauty and the Beast will play at the centre from Wednesday to Sunday, December 15-19. Arts centre spokesman
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RUGBY UNION: Seven up in derby romp
Witney 41, Wallingford 5 Carl Strutt and Phil Gouldie grabbed try braces to fire Witney’s derby demolition of Wallingford in South West 1 East. Centre Strutt and wing Gouldie were the chief beneficiaries as Witney produced the sort of display that
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RUGBY UNION: Coaches' mixed emotions
Witney's joint coaches Phil Harper and John Campbell were very happy men after their resounding victory over Wallingford. Harper said: “It’s brilliant. Everything seems to be clicking at the moment. It is going really well. “I thought some of our passing
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This is a great time of year for bike nuts
Attention all fair-weather cyclists; do not attempt to put away that cycle! The temperature may be cooling but the cycle season is hotting up. Stage One of the Tour of Britain began in Rochdale on Saturday and culminates at a fast pace in the capital
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Nothing to do with crossing
I WAS sorry to hear Marcus Mabberley had a near miss with a cyclist close to County Hall (Oxford Mail Insider, September 9). This has nothing to do with the position of the particular crossing where this happened and everything to do with the behaviour
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Licence won't help
ESPITE the calls for the reintroduction of the dog licence, I am not convinced it will help with abandoned or ill-treated dogs. When the licence was in force, I knew of someone who ill-treated their pet, despite having a licence, and was thankfully
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Culture of blame
YeT again county council leader Keith Mitchell enters the letter columns of the Oxford Mail intent upon supporting the myth that all of our economic troubles can be laid squarely on the spending of the last government. The Tories hope that the more
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Fares are fair for OAPs’ bus tickets
Clive Harrison (Oxford Mail, August 3) and Mary Blewett (September 10) have raised the point about whether bus companies are benefiting unfairly from the concessionary fares scheme because the ticket they receive may sometimes not tally with the journey
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HOCKEY: Banbury pip Hawks to lift women's title
Banbury edged past Oxford Hawks to win the Oxfordshire Women’s Cup in dramatic fashion on Saturday. Seven teams from around the county took part in the round-robin style event at Cokethorpe School, near Witney. Hawks took on City of Oxf-ord, last year
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Joe, six, cycles to 44 churches in a day
SIX-YEAR-OLD Joe Appleford visited 44 churches during an eight-hour charity bike ride to help preserve Oxfordshire’s famed spires. Joe cycled 20 miles from Woodstock to Farmoor, via Oxford, as part of the Oxfordshire Historic Churches Ride and Stride
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COMMENT: Sheer stupidity
THE sheer imbelicity of people like Sean Keaney continues to amaze. Why on earth would anyone feel it necessary to return to a bar where you have been turned away, armed with a knife, and stab a doorman? Lee Donnelly was lucky his wound
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Facebook nets Four Candles knifeman
A PUB doorman identified his teenage attacker hours after being stabbed at an Oxford nightspot – from a picture on social networking website Facebook. Lee Donnelly was shown a photograph of Sean Keaney by his son hours after being taken to
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Wheeling in: Panda car
The giant panda, the archetypal symbol of a cute, cuddly animal, is, of course, nothing of the sort. Matching an American black bear in size, and growing to 250lb, the bamboo-crunching panda can be as dangerous as any bear. At first
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Car fire blocks A3400
A car fire today partly blocked the A3400 north of Chipping Norton. The car caught fire between the B4026 and Butlers Lane, Long Compton, two miles north of Chipping Norton, blocking the northbound carriageway. Emergency services are
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Hall's dying for a goal
Oxford United’s goalscoring midfielder, Asa Hall, who has yet to get off the mark this season, admits he’s desperate to find the net. The 23-year-old former England Under 19 and England Under 20 player has watched James Constable – with six goals – Simon
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Double celebrations as play areas open
CHILDREN in Horspath are celebrating after getting not one, but two playgrounds. The youngsters – from toddlers up to 14-year-olds – can now slide along a zip wire, climb in a giant crow’s nest or play on swings after the installation of the two parks
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By-election to fill council vacancy
A town council by-election is to be held this week to fill the vacancy left by former Abingdon mayor Patricia Hobby, who died in July. Conservative Peter Jones, Labour’s Bobbie Nichols, and Liberal Democrat Helen Pighills all hope to represent the Northcourt
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Inquiry into homes plan resumes today
AN INQUIRY into the future shape and size of Oxford resumes today. Government planning inspector Stephen Pratt will hear objections to Oxford's core strategy, the planning blueprint for city development over the next two decades, at a hearing expected
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Open Doors event sets new record for visitor numbers
OXFORD’s hidden treasures went on display during a weekend of events that attracted 50,000 visitors. Oxford Open Doors featured 176 activities and a host of historic buildings welcoming in members of the public, all thanks to more than 100
