Archive
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Quarry Rovers 9 Garsington Youth 1
"Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, No, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes" sang the joyful chorus of Quarry Rovers fans. Garsington were unlucky and deserved to score more. However this was Quarry's day, as they drew a new and awesome weapon shining from its scabbard -
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Have your say on county's transport wish list
A MULTI-MILLION-pound package of transport improvements including new park-and-rides and workplace car parks in Oxford will be submitted to Oxfordshire County Council. But the county’s new draft transport plan, setting out measures to ease congestion
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Protesters take on high speed trains
FIVE villages in north Oxfordshire have banded together in protest against a proposed high-speed Rail route through the county. The High-Speed Rail 2 (HS2) line was planned in 2009 to provide a fast train line from London to Birmingham by 2025
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Game Boy
The Guide’s games page starts today, with Craig Willis, right, of HMV Oxford. Each month, Craig will review the latest releases. * STARCRAFT II (PC/MAC) £39.99. Somewhere in the corner of the milky way galaxy, we find the setting
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Murder She Wrote
Val McDermid returns to her old stamping ground this weekend for the Woodstock Literary Festival, writes ANDREW FFRENCH. IN 1975, English student Val McDermid was graduating from Oxford University's St Hilda’s College. At the same time,
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Bleak House
THE KID (15) Drama. Rupert Friend, Augustus Prew, William Finn Miller, Natascha McElhone, Con O’Neill, Ioan Gruffudd, Jodie Whittaker, Bernard Hill, Shirley Anne Field, Alfie Allen, James Fox. Director: Nick Moran. Based on the
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Latin Rhythms
RICHARD BELL makes a long-overdue visit to Que Pasa for a few Friday night cocktails. In our on-going quest to find the very best nights out in the city, I found myself rather surprised that our adventures had never taken us to Que Pasa.
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Scooted and Booted
TIM HUGHES searches through the wardrobe for his Sta-Prest and Harrington ready for this weekend’s Mod extravaganza. SOUL grooves, ska rhythms, gleaming scooters and green parkas. It can mean only one thing – the Mods are coming. Lovers
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Oxford Station revamp plan branded tacky
CITY councillors have voted overwhelmingly against proposed plans to add a new platform to Oxford train station. And, although the final decision will be made by the county council, the design was branded unacceptable. At a meeting of the Central South
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Pizza The Action
Feel like staying in with a takeaway and DVD? KATHERINE MACALISTER finds a perfect pit-stop. As you held that wishbone in your fingers and closed your eyes at Christmas, what did you ask for? When you cut your birthday cake and screamed
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Ferrell's On Fire
THE OTHER GUYS (12A). Comedy/Action. Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg, Eva Mendes, Michael Keaton, Steve Coogan, Damon Wayans Jr, Rob Riggle, Samuel L Jackson, Dwayne Johnson. Director: Adam McKay. It has been almost four years since
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Single Minded
Shazia Mirza is THE hot ticket in comedy – so what’s all the fuss about? And why do men find her so intimidating? Katherine MacAlister finds out. As expected from someone as busy as Shazia, who’s had to cancel the interview
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Busy Isy
KATHERINE MACALISTER finds Isy Suttie relishes her workload. Isy Suttie’s tour means she has no social life to speak of and no spare time, but apart from feeling guilty about never seeing her friends she’s happy as Larry. And with a national
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Swing Out Sister
TIM HUGHES is sold on the vintage sight and sound of The Long Insiders. SHARPLY dressed and effortlessly cool, but with a dark edge, The Long Insiders come across as characters from a half-remembered 1950s film. They look, and sound, like
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Man jailed for causing death by dangerous driving
A 26-year-old man was today sentenced to five years’ imprisonment for causing the death of a Thame teenager by dangerous driving. Sammy Edwards, from Lake House, Marsh, near Aylesbury, was found guilty at Reading Crown Court today, of causing the death
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FIXTURES: Sept 17
SATURDAY. FOOTBALL. NPOWER LEAGUE TWO. Oxford Utd v Stockport Co. FOOTBALL LEAGUE YOUTH ALLIANCE. South West Conference: Oxford Utd v Swindon Tn. ZAMARETTO SOUTHERN LEAGUE. Premier Div: Banbury Utd v Swindon Supermarine, Chippenham v Didcot Tn,
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RUGBY UNION: Dark Blues lose in Moscow
Oxford University lost their opening tour match 29-19 to RC Slava in Moscow. Nikita Medkov’s try gave Slava, who are professional, the lead, but Oxford hit back with scores from centre Alex Cheesman and fly half Charlie Marr plus a Marr conversion.
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Jewels in her crown
Microbiology research and jewellery may seem worlds apart, but according to scientist and part-time jeweller Astrid Woollard they are perfect partners. She said: “Jewellery design, just like science, allows a lot of room for imagination and creativity
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Local shares (PM)
AEA Technology 17 BMW 3950 Electrocomps 239.15 Nationwide Accident Repair 89 Oxford Biomedica 9.75 Oxford Catalysts 71.5 Oxford Instruments 431.5 Reed Elsevier 538.5 RM 138.5 RPS Group 183.7 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
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Vicar retires after 25 years' service to villages
A VICAR has retired after serving two South Oxfordshire villages for a quarter of a century. Chris Stott, 65, moved to Harwell in February 1985 as Rector of St Matthew’s Church and nearby All Saints’ in Chilton, after six years working overseas
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Bishop to tackle run for charity
AN Oxfordshire bishop and his daughter are taking part in a ten-mile charity run to raise funds for Zambian children orphaned or made vulnerable by the Aids virus. The Rt Rev Colin Fletcher, the Bishop of Dorchester, and his daughter Pippa,
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Win one of 50 pairs of tickets for National Home Improvement Show at Earls Court
The National Home Improvement Show is back at Earls Court between October 1 and 3 with inspirational home improvement ideas, interior design and a wide range of expert advice from the country’s leading celebrity and industry experts. The Oxford
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The Author: North Wall Arts Centre
One of the big hits of the 2010 Edinburgh Fringe, Tim Crouch’s The Author, is being staged at the North Wall Arts Centre, in Summertown, next Friday and Saturday (September 24 and 25). The play — which has just won The Total Theatre award
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Diamond bikers celebrate
SIXTY-two years ago a man offered a girl a ride on his motorbike. Two years later they married and today Bunty and Norman Green celebrate their diamond wedding. The couple will hold a party next week at the Duke of Monmouth pub in Oxford with their
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Broken jaw led to golden romance
A BUILDER who met his future wife shortly after he broke her brother’s jaw still managed to get the girl! Richard, 72, and Shirley Chambers, 71, of Kennedy Road, Bicester, celebrated their golden wedding on Friday. Mr Chambers said he was about nine
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Vicar says farewell after 25 years
A VICAR has retired after serving two south Oxfordshire villages for a quarter of a century. The Rev Chris Stott, 65, moved to Harwell in 1985 as Rector of St Matthew’s Church and nearby All Saints in Chilton, after six years working in Tanzania. He
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Man stabbed 13 times in Oxford
AN attempted murder investigation has been launched after a man was stabbed 13 times at flats in Oxford. Police were called at about 1.30am today to Gibbs Crescent following reports that a man had been stabbed. The man, in his 40s, was take to the John
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Four held over attempted murder in Oxford
Police are investigating an attempted murder in Oxford today. At about 1.30am, officers were called to an address in Gibbs Crescent, following reports a man had been stabbed. The man, aged in his forties, was taken to the John Rasdcliffe Hospital
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Prison officer 'tea poisoning' probe launched
An inquiry was under way today to establish how two female prison officers became ill amid fears their tea may have been poisoned in jail. The victims became seriously ill and collapsed at Bullingdon Prison in Bicester, Oxford, on Monday, the Prison
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Firefighter scoops a clutch of medals at World Games
A CITY fireman caused a splash by scooping 14 swimming medals at the World Firefighter Games. Chris Aust, 28, who works at Kidlington Fire Station, won eight gold and six silver medals at the event in Daegu, South Korea. Despite suffering severe jet-laghe
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GOLF: Results round-up
SHAW GIBBS OXFORDSHIRE FOURSOMES LEAGUE Knockout Cup - 2nd round Drayton Park 2 (3), Burford 1 (1) (Drayton Park first): M Roberts & E Pepperell bt J Wilks & J Lally 8&7, A Grifftihs & A Elmey bt D Summers & A Salter 1 hole (after play-off), G Shirley
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ATHLETICS: Results round-up
COTSWOLD CLASSIC (top 20, senior men unless stated) 1 O Ellis (Abingdon) 56.05, 2 J Bolton (Woodstock H) 56.07, 3 M Smith (Bourton RR, V40) 56.46, 4 N Marley (Coventry) 56.48, 5 P Gregory (VOA, V50) 57.43, 6 P Jegou (WHH) 58.46, 7 H
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RUGBY UNION: Angels in charity boost
Witney Angels, pictured with sponsor Barry Bowles, raised £578 for armed forces charity Help for Heroes during a pub crawl around the town. The team are preparing for the new season, with training sessions at Hailey Road on Wednesdays at 7pm. Potential
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Firefighters tackle barn blaze
Firefighters are tackling a major barn blaze in Southmoor today. Eyewitnesses reported that a large storage barn at New House Farm caught fire before 7.30am. Several fire crews, ambulance and police are attending the incident.
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A chance to view new properties
Househunters have a chance to view a new development of seven three-bedroom town houses and corner cottages at a new development near Banbury. During the open day at Orchard Close, Middleton Cheney, on Saturday, October 2, representatives from agents
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Dinner & Dance Weekends, 2 for £39.95
For a get together with friends or family or even a company night out why not join us at one of our Speciality Events. These include comedy nights or Cabaret and Disco evenings At Abingdon you can also join one of the Dinner & Dance Weekends
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GOLF: Centenary champs
Ian Disney receives Frilford Heath’s Centenary Trophy from club captain Bill Simpson after triumphing in the event on their Blue Course. Disney carded 39 points to pip Harminda Sehmi and Dave Roberts by one point. Julie Purcell-Smith took the ladies
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RUGBY UNION: Banbury making progress
Coach Grant Holmes believes Banbury Bulls are making progress despite losing their first two matches in Midlands West 1. Bulls were edged out 22-20 at home to Bournville on Saturday after a 33-15 defeat at Walsall in their opener. Holmes said: “It was
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Work to start on 95-home project
Ninety-five new homes, including two-bedroom apartments and three-, four-, five- and six-bedroom family homes are to be built in Bicester. Bovis Homes will start work on the Kingsmere site, which is near the Bicester Village shopping centre in the south
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In the country but well connected
Many families, particularly those with young children, prefer to be in a more rural location but still within striking distance of the city. Between £3,500 and £4,500 per month will secure a good-sized home in a picturesque but well-connected part of
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Seven bedrooms for £2m
Parts of a seven-bedroom period manor house near Abingdon are believed to date back to 1620. Park End in Radley, which is on the market for £2m, was extended in the early 1800s and includes sash windows and a number of other features such as quarry tiled
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Buy One Day, Get 12 Months Free!
When you purchase a single day ticket for the Palace, Park and Gardens (or upgrade a Park and Gardens ticket) you will be able to convert your entry ticket to a 12 month Annual Pass - for free! This offer is available throughout 2010. You pass
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Views to White Horse Hill for reduced price
Views towards White Horse Hill and the Downs are among the highlights of a detached period house that has had its price cut by £50,000 for a quick sale. Greenlanes, in Great Coxwell near Faringdon, was on the market for £650,000, but is now being offered
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Patients are ‘waiting too long’
SOME patients are waiting too long to be discharged from Oxfordshire hospitals, a patients’ group has claimed. And almost a quarter of county GPs think the quality of paperwork sent from hospital departments is poor, according to the group’s research
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ATHELTICS: Wizard Oz lifts crown
Oz Ellis, of Abingdon Amblers, won the Cotswold Classic road race in Witney and in so doing, captured the Oxfordshire AA ten-mile county championship. Ellis pipped Woodstock Harrier James Bolton by two seconds to cross the line in 56mins 5secs. Woodstock
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Friends mourn talented teen
“THERE was a never a bad memory with Callum.” That was the touching tribute from friends of a teenage car crash victim who filled a Carterton church for his funeral yesterday. About 400 friends and family of Callum MacKinnon, of Pinecroft
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GOLF: Henley trio shine
Henley's Justine Voss, Sarah Arnold and Morag Morrison won the Oxfordshire ladies’ Three-ball Stableford Alliance at The Wychwood. Starting on the tenth tee, their 27-hole total of 115 points pipped Christine Pickering, Linda Walton (both Rye Hill) and
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RUGBY UNION: Moran's staying positive
Wallingford director of rugby Martin Moran feels hard work will be the key to finding their form in South West 1 East. Moran, who took over the reigns at Wallingford this season, has seen his side draw 12-12 at home to promoted Amersham & Chiltern
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Local share prices (AM)
AEA Technology 17 BMW 3935 Electrocomps 238.9 Nationwide Accident Repair 89 Oxford Biomedica 9.75 Oxford Catalyst 70.5 Oxford Instruments 435.25 Reed Elsevier 538.5 RM 139 RPS Group 183.3 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
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2 tickets for the price of 1
See Great Western Railway Steam Engines on shed and at work. Experience travel on Brunel’s broad gauge and travel on the country branch line train. Visit the science, learning and railway centre. All this plus lots more to see and do at Didcot
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ICE HOCKEY: Stars showing early promise
OXFORD City Stars moved top of the South 1 table after a 4-2 win over Wightlink Raiders. Although they have played a game more than most of their rivals and it’s still very early stages of the season, it’s an encouraging start for Ken Forshee’s side.
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BAR BILLIARDS: Masons march on after whitewash
MASONS A are through to the next round of the Scotlands Ash League Cup after whitewashing Comrades 5-0, writes PETE EWINS. Debutant Maxi McDonnell put the hosts in front with a 6,750-4,680 win over Simon Ellam. Martyn Wood (4,420), Alan Lowe (4,920
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BOWLS: Headington seal double success
Headington completed the double after storming to victory in the Oxford & District League Cup final, sponsored by S&J Timms Cleaning Services and Rub A Dub Dub Laundrette. The Division 1 champions beat Division 2 title-winners Witney Mills 93-57 under
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Ice rink revamp 'for the long term'
OXFORD Ice Rink will undergo a £700,000 overhaul in November in a bid to secure its long-term future. The centre, in Oxpens Road, will be closed for three weeks from November 15 to allow its chiller unit to be replaced, shower and changing areas to be
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GOLF: Frilford duo's merit double
Frilford Heath have swept the board in the BB&O Order of Merit competitions. Ashley Walton retained the main title after collecting 60 points over the 12-event season, while Sandy Bolton (Goring & Streatley) was second on 45. Frilford’s Joe Richardson
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COMMENT: Visit overshadowed
The Pope begins his four-day visit to Britain today. And inevitably his presence has attracted controversy. Oxford luminaries Prof Richard Dawkins and author Philip Pullman have added their names to a letter stating he should not be
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BOWLS: Country beaten by City
THE City Clubs regained the Oxfordshire Bowling Association’s Bradshaw Cup with a 122-118 win over the Country Clubs at Chipping Norton. Captain David Allin’s City Clubs team won on four of the six rinks. Country Clubs 118, City Clubs 122 (Country
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BOWLS: Champs' glory bid
OXFORDSHIRE’S champions do battle in the Home Counties Championships at Worthing Pavilion BC on Sunday. They will be up against the respective title-holders from Berkshire, Bucks, Kent, Middlesex, Surrey and Sussex. Headington’s Shaun Claridge flies
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BOWLS: Vaughan wins title
LLOYD Vaughan is Rover men’s singles champion after a 21-9 win over Ray Plested on finals day. Gill Walker captured the ladies’ crown with a 21-14 victory against Gwen Johnson. The two represent Rover in the Oxfordshire Champions of Champions competitions
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Pullman protest against papal visit
AUTHOR Philip Pullman last night signed a letter which said the Pope should not be given the honour of a UK state visit. Pope Benedict XVI will arrive in the UK today to visit Edinburgh, Glasgow and London. He will then head to Birmingham
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RUGBY UNION: Ex-RAF man has Witney flying
Witney have attributed their flying start in South West 1 East to the fitness training they received from a former RAF officer. Joint coaches Phil Harper and John Campbell asked Tom Wattleworth to take their pre-season fitness sessions and
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Timeshare scam inquiry leads to Banbury arrest
A 55-year-old man from Banbury has been arrested following an investigation into a timeshare scam originating in Spain. Thames Valley Police launched an inquiry in July after a complaint from a member of the public was passed on by Bedfordshire Police
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The Insider
SWEET-TOOTHED customers at Lloyds Bank in Cornmarket were given a special treat the other day. Former Green city councillor Sushila Dhall greeted them with cakes – and a leaflet reminding them how the public have helped to prop up the banking
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Question of speed
WE keep hearing scaremongering about speed limits being ignored, as was stated on the front page of the Oxford Mail on Monday, but where’s the proof? What are the statistics of accidents and injuries concerning vehicles since the cameras have been switched
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Pupils to be educated in portable buildings
PRESSURE is mounting on Oxford primary schools after a surge in pupil numbers led to shortages of classroom space. Many children now face being taught in temporary classrooms. Oxfordshire County Council said it needed to provide an extra
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Nice one Cyril
I have just returned from the funeral service of Sir Cyril Smith, the former Liberal MP for my home town of Rochdale. Although we had political differences, I always respected Cyril for his devotion to Rochdale, his hard work and his habit of blurting
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Pool resources
it was interesting to read the letter from Bob Timbs, the city council’s executive member for leisure, and his so-called answers to questions about the closure of Temple Cowley pool (Oxford Mail, September 1). But he created more questions than answers
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Tip generously
I agree that the flytipping at Tesco in Cowley, as reported in the Oxford Mail, is not a good idea, or a good sight for all to see. But at least rubbish is being left at a location which is cleared each day – therefore saving other areas of fly tipping
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High speed rail line will bring benefits
Strangely, the Government’s proposal to construct the High Speed Two rail line has been met by a storm of opposition, largely by a group of people who fear their way of life will be threatened. Yet the long-term advantages of such a proposal are self-evident
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Missed chance
Abingdon Town Council must be congratulated for organising its Heritage Weekend and Fun in the Park – its now traditional ‘winding down from the summer’ festival. It was pleasing to see Abingdon residents and visitors alike enjoying themselves
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Toxic waste
Recently the pavements and parks of Oxford seem to have been bombarded by dog mess. There is nothing more unpleasant than realising you’ve just trodden in the stuff. However, it’s not just the aggravation of having to clean your shoes that is a problem
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Housing ‘would compound traffic woes’
A TRAFFIC expert employed by Oxford City Council says the authority’s plans for thousands of new homes would compound Oxford’s congestion. On the second day of a public inquiry into the council’s core strategy – Oxford’s planning blueprint for the next
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Lesson for life
IT just shows how keeping active and having a little bit of what you fancy does you good. The story of great-great-grandfather Harold Morris was heartwarming and a great testament to the occasional tipple (Oxford Mail, August 28). Celebrating his 100th
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ROWING: Dent quits as president
Oxford University president Alec Dent, twice a member of the reserve crew Isis, has resigned at the beginning of his year of office. The 21-year-old former pupil of Oxford’s Dragon School has been suffering from a back injury and is not confident that
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Veteran recalls day he joined Battle of Britain
A VETERAN of the Battle of Britain has recalled taking the controls of a Spitfire exactly 70 years ago to the day. On average, pilots who flew in the pivotal Second World War battle had a life expectancy of a week. But, seven decades on, Richard Jones
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COMMENT: We still owe a debt
Never in the field of human conflict, was so much owed, by so many, to so few. It goes without saying that each and every one us will, at some time, have either heard this famous quote or read it. Wartime Prime Minister Winston Churchill delivered this
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Firefighters tackle barn blaze
Firefighters are tackling a major barn blaze in South Oxfordshire this morning. Eye witnesses reported that a large storage barn at New House Farm, in Southmoor, caught fire before 7.30am. Several fire crews, ambulance and police are attending the
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Fateful journey: Dad killed son in drink drive crash
A FATHER was almost three times the drink-drive limit when he killed himself and his four-year-old son in a car crash. Tony Eldridge was driving without his seatbelt or insurance as the Subaru Impreza he had borrowed from his sister’s partner
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Blackwell's gives firm to staff
HISTORIC Oxford bookseller Blackwell is to close its head office, Beaver House, and hand over ownership of the business to the bookshop staff. The office in Hythe Bridge Street will close by Christmas, with the loss of 25 jobs. The remaining
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Deadline for carbon registration
Reduce your production of carbon or pay up. That is the make-the-polluter-pay-message that the Government has appointed Oxfordshire firm AEA Technology to help deliver. Under the Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) Energy Efficiency Scheme, organisations
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Winston Churchill's grandmother
Pperhaps because she is married to Blenheim Palace archivist John Forster, or perhaps because she likes to see unfair treatment corrected — whatever the reason, retired teacher Margaret Forster felt so strongly that Winston Churchill’s grandmother had
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Rupture by Simon Lelic
Rupture Simon Lelic (Picador, £7.99) This will prove uncomfortable reading for parents who prize good exam results and academic excellence above all else. It’s Lelic’s first novel, but you feel in the hands of a capable storyteller as the tale of
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To War With Wellington by Peter Snow
TO WAR WITH WELLINGTON Peter Snow (John Murray, £25) The siege of Badajoz was one of many epic battles that challenged the skill and courage of the Duke of Wellington in the Napoleonic Wars and Snow illuminates the storming of its fortress
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Woodstock and the Royal Park
Associations with celebrities in the world of literature date back even further in Woodstock than the 900 years that the wall surrounding the park has been standing there. Legend has it that in the ninth century the scholar-king Alfred the Great, who
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Melville and Lewis agree new terms
Chris Wilder was delighted that Oxford United coaches Mickey Lewis and Andy Melville also agreed new deals. The duo signed new two-year contracts, and United’s boss, who has agreed a three-year deal, said he feels the trio work well. “We all have the
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Five UK universities in top 50 list
Only five British universities are ranked in the world's top 50, according to an annual league table published by the Times Higher Education magazine. Oxford and Cambridge are joint sixth, Imperial College London is ranked ninth, University College
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Why the extra costs?
Sir – I am genuinely puzzled about the cost of two well-known benefits for the over-60s and I’m hoping one of your readers may be able to help; I refer to the bus pass and the free swim for over-60s. Why do these benefits seem to take so much from
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Inadequate seating
Sir – Further to Virginia Pasley’s letter Nowhere to perch (September 9) I would like to mention two more seatless hospital bus stops. The bus stop nearest to the entrance to the West Wing at the John Radcliffe Hospital and the one used by the No 10
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Improving outcomes
Sir – It is a shame that Michael Waine chooses to write to you (Letters, September 9) with his political hat on, rather than as a retired headteacher. 1: The issue concerning the timing of the decision to close Oxford School was raised specifically
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Kidlington carbuncle
Sir – I cannot imagine what possessed the owners of Kidlington airport to site their new huge hangar (currently under construction) right on the main road running between the business park and the A44. It overshadows housing around the Campsfield House
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Dangerous practice
Sir – Whilst loath to revive the “motorist” “cyclist” debate I would like to highlight an increasingly dangerous practice that the Oxford bus companies appear to follow. The practice does not appear to be unique to any one company but seems common
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Absurd NHS schemes
Sir – We should all remember that the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre’s “serious financial problems four years ago” (Report, September 9) occurred despite excellent management, largely because the Department of Health introduced a defective payment by results
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Avoiding the dark side
Natalie Birrell highlights the implications of employees using social media in the workplace Many businesses are reaping the rewards of social media. A wide range of social networking platforms are enabling businesses to interact in real time,
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As safe as houses?
James Woodhouse, a property litigation specialist with Wantage law firm Charles Lucas & Marshall says new legislation will go some way to protecting tenants of ‘unauthorised tenancies’ In times of economic hardship, many property owners find themselves
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Audio engineers get creative
The old fashioned way into the alluring world of sound engineering, back in the days of vinyl records, was to persuade someone at a recording studio to let you make the tea, and then, with luck, progress to being a tape operator. That was how Gavin Attard
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Not immune to expansion
The giant conglomerate Hanson once lauded its USA expansion with the slogan ‘a company from over here doing rather well over there.’ Abgent is a San Diego antibodies company from over there looking to do rather well over here. Humans and
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Mamma's move opens new market
It has taken a long time — more than 25 years in fact — but Mamma Mia has finally opened another branch in Oxford. Why it has taken this long is a good question, bearing in mind how popular the original restaurant in South Parade, Summertown, has been
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Spotting the gap in the market
As business adviser Lisa Butler says, if you wait for the best time to set up a new venture, you would wait for ever. But even she had second thoughts when she realised that she would have a ten-week-old baby when her company, Adhere Training, was due
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Following his instincts
What was your first job and what did your responsibilities include? I had many part-time jobs from the age of 14, including paper round, butcher’s boy, market stall worker, but my first real full-time job was as a commis chef. How much
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Dyeing to knit
Jeni Hewlett knows exactly the quality and provenance of the wool and fibres which she is ordering for her supplies. That is because she has been out to Peru to visit the mills, see the suppliers and meet the farmers themselves with their herds of sheep
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Wilder's new deal
Chris Wilder has signed a new three-year contract as Oxford United’s manager. And he immediately set his sights on seeing just how far the club can go. Wilder, who was appointed United’s boss in December 2008, signed an improved deal last season after
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Oxford to bid for world book title
Oxford will today launch a bid to become the UNESCO World Book Capital in 2014. If the city sees off competition from cities across Europe, Oxford would be invited to host a year-long programme of events that could bring many thousands to the city, along
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Long overdue memorial
Sir – I understand that the Mayor of Dresden has asked Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, to stop the erection in Green Park of a Memorial to Bomber Command (BC). Planning permission for this has already been granted and design approved. More donations
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Safer roads?
Sir – For lack of £300,000 the county council has closed down Oxfordshire’s speed cameras, however much this may cost us in increased accidents. But a year ago, £300,000 was spent on installing “20 mph” speed limit signs on the residential roads in
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Bring back parking charges
Sir – Councillor Mitchell (Letters, August 26) seems to be labouring under the impression that his decision to switch off Oxfordshire’s speed cameras was entirely due to a cut in funding by the coalition Government. In fact, the Government cut the
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Preserve individuality
Sir – I cannot understand this obsession with people (Letters, September 9) of turning our historic, world-famous city of Oxford into another Swindon, Milton Keynes or Cheltenham. Our streets, with historic buildings, are so narrow compared to these
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Why does Venice thrive?
Sir – Much as I am a fan of Oxford’s shops, I’m bewildered by Rescue Oxford’s continuing insistence that their businesses require Oxford’s citizens to tolerate the threat to health and safety and the despoiling of our precious public space with parked
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Westgate is worst
Sir – I am rarely motivated to write to newspapers, but your front-page article on the projected losses for Oxford car parks (September 2) has astonished and angered me in equal measures. One of the most disturbing issues is that those responsible
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City school space runs out
PRESSURE is mounting at Oxford primary schools after a surge in pupil numbers has led to shortages of classroom space. As the new school year gets under way, many pupils face being taught in temporary classrooms put up to meet the demand for places.
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No surprise on speed
Sir – So what’s new? The recent survey indicating that the extinction of speed cameras has led to increased disregard for speed limits is hardly matter for surprise. Perhaps I. Hudspeth et al. should each receive The Square Wheel Award for their percipience
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Missing link
Sir – We seem to be missing a vital piece of information, which would illuminate the discussion about the reduced number of people using Oxford city car parks. What fraction of the former parkers are now coming into town by other means? A survey would
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No request for city galas
Sir – During the current debate about swimming pool provision within Oxford city, there have been some comments made relating to non-city run swimming facilities including the University Swimming Pool in Iffley Road and what planning requirements were
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Getting the point across
Presentation skills expert Benjamin Ball, based at Bledington, near Chipping Norton, says preparation is vital when making a speech to a business audience In today’s global market place, putting the key messages about your business across in a
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Easing pain of the cuts
David Murray, an associate with Oxford law firm Morgan Cole, looks at the steps private sector businesses can take to reduce the burden of public sector cuts The collapse of a major property maintenance company with thousands of employees starkly
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The next Mini adventure
To call the Countryman a Mini is something of a contradiction because in terms of size it certainly isn’t mini. Cutting through the hype, this car is firmly in hatchback territory and competing against the VW Golf and Ford Focus, so unlike the standard
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Exchange and restart
Dr Vince Cable’s relentless march to deification took a bit of a knock last month when he suggested regional stock exchanges could be re-introduced across the UK to act as conduits for capital to flow into local enterprises. On paper, it’s not a bad
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The cream of the dairies
The gentle purr of the milk float, and the ‘whup’ as it took the speed hump woke me up at 5.30am every day for a decade.Then one day I realised I had not heard it for a while. Door-to-door deliveries had clearly become a thing of the past, because everyone
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Getting bums on seats
Not only does youth theatre and dance centre Pegasus have a spanking new building, it also has a shiny new business director. Enter stage right former management consultant John Wilkes, who hails from the distinctly non-luvvie background of finance, IT
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Still pedalling their wares
It's an iconic image — the Hovis advert showing a delivery boy pushing a bicycle carrying fresh bread. It helped to sell millions of loaves, but is it just part of history? It seems possible, since ‘health and safety’ considerations are set to
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Destroying ideas remains hot topic
Book burning, sad to say, was for centuries a habit of those in authority throughout the western world — not least here in Oxford. Way back in 1225 Pope Honorius III ordered all surviving copies of books by the ninth century Irish philosopher
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Dementia breakthrough
Finding ways to slow down brain shrinkage that can lead to memory loss and Alzheimer’s disease may be one of the more challenging and urgent areas of research being undertaken in Oxford. But the findings of Professor David Smith and his team
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Parky at the Pictures (DVD 16/9/2010)
Claude Chabrol always seemed the least complicated of the Cahiers du Cinéma critics who launched the nouvelle vague. Yet he possessed a fierce cinematic intelligence and the 1957 book about Alfred Hitchcock that he co-wrote with Eric Rohmer remains one
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CLIFFORD HAINES: 'Mr Charisma' of Oxford's water-ski world
FLAMBOYANT west Oxfordshire businessman Clifford Haines, who ran a water-skiing club near Witney, has died aged 89. Mr Haines, of High Street, Standlake, died last Thursday. He had been suffering from dementia. The Witney-born entrepreneur ran a building
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Departing head backs awards
FEW are better placed to assess the tough times facing Oxfordshire charities than David Young. Having been a director with Oxfordshire County Council for 20 years, he knows all about the impact of cuts in council funding on the voluntary sector. And
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Back the bid
It would be very hard to argue that Oxford does not have a case to be World Book Capital in 2014. Over the centuries, the city has been — and still is — home to world-class writers and publishers. Oxford is awash with literary associations, from the
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Parky at the Pictures (In Cinemas 16/9/2010)
An exceptional performance from Jennifer Lawrence dominates Winter's Bone, Debra Granik's adaptation of a bleak Ozarks novel by Daniel Woodrell. Indeed, Michael McDonough's camera can barely pull itself away from her steadfast features to focus
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Motor centre hit for six
The Heritage Motor Centre at Gaydon is to host six events in one day. The Gaydon Autumn Classic, Autumn Cream Tea Run, Club Peugeot Rally, Rover SD1 Club Spares Day, Boot for Ben Car Boot and Heart of England Autojumble all take place on Sunday
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Thame Food Festival
What better time to hold a food festival than the autumn, when the harvest is being gathered in. For the third time running, Thame shopkeepers, publicans, caterers and cooks are taking over the centre of town to stage a family-friendly food festival
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Gerry Marsden: New Theatre
The Solid Silver 60s pop tour has mutated up a precious grade into the 60s Gold Tour and the ageing stars roll into the New Theatre next Wednesday to please all of us who still love that music from nearly half a century ago. The headline acts are the
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Hairspray: New Theatre
‘Lose that padding!” snaps the producer of the Corny Collins TV talent show. Reluctantly the latest in a long line of would-be Elvises pulls a thick pair of socks out of his trousers. But the scorn directed at the unfortunate lad is as nothing compared
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A Majestic choice of bottles from New Zealand
It has been an exciting week in my house as we have just adopted a ‘fallen angel’ from the Hearing Dogs for Deaf people. Starsky (name, please note, pre-allocated) sadly did not make the grade and we are the lucky beneficiaries of his lack of aptitude
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The Kid (15)
Based on the harrowing and ultimately life-affirming memoir by Kevin Lewis, The Kid (15) is a shocking portrait of child abuse and neglect set in 1980s and 1990s south-east London. Actor turned director Nick Moran continues to flourish behind the camera
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Rich ripe reds, £77
This week’s case contains some of the classic grape varieties that really shine when handled well by good winemakers using modern equipment. These rich ripe wines go very well with a wide variety of food and can also be enjoyed equally well on their own
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The Other Guys (12A)
It has been almost four years since Will Ferrell starred in Stranger Than Fiction, a film that could justifiably claim to be a comedy without arousing the suspicions of trading standards. Undeniably, he is a gifted mimic and with the right
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The Silver Tassie: Oxford Playhouse
Two test questions on the plays of Sean O’Casey: which was his fourth drama after the three consecutive hits of The Shadow of a Gunman, Juno and the Paycock and The Plough and the Stars, and why wasn’t it a hit? Answers: The Silver Tassie and because
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Praising a bug's life
Some of you may know that I have always been a green gardener. You may think that it’s all about saving the planet. Sadly it’s much less worthy and more to do with being a child of the 1950s and gardening with my grandmother who was born in 1881. Put
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A watchful eye on wildlife
Knowledge of our wildlife is vital if we are to protect it. Understanding how species react to the issues that face them, such as development and climate change, helps us to provide the right kind of habitat for them at the right time. BBOWT invests
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Get out and go wild
A peaceful start: Today is a quiet day; I can hear the birds singing in the trees around the centre as I watch rabbits hopping about on the grass and deer flitting through the hedges. Most days are not quite so peaceful, however, but they are lots of
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Recipe: Sweetcorn Blinis
Sweetcorn is now in season. If you purchase it fresh from a pick-your-own and eat it within a day of bringing it home, you are in for a real treat as the kernels will be succulent and sweet. Leave them hanging about for a few days and you will
