Archive
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PCSOs to patrol mental hospitals
THREE police commuity support officers (PCSOs) are being recruited to patrol the grounds of Oxford’s two mental health hospitals to track down missing patients. Mental health chiefs are joint funding two full-time officers at Littlemore Mental
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Ex-BP boss to talk on banking crisis
THE former head of international bank Goldman Sachs and the oil firm BP will speak in Oxford next week about the international banking crisis. Peter Sutherland will head a public discussion on how the economic climate has affected the relationship between
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Performance poets slam the opposition
A TEAM of performance poets from Oxford have talked their way to the top spot in a national “poetry slam”. The group – known as The Dreaming Liars – fought off lyrical challenges from Bristol and Glasgow to take the title at the Bristol Poetry Festival
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County council 'washing its hands' over traffic congestion
A TRANSPORT expert claims bosses have ‘washed their hands’ of Oxford’s traffic problems – and is calling on them to bring in local congestion charges to tackle jams. Peter Headicar hit out at Oxfordshire County Council’s claim that it did
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Park recalls MG glory days
A PARK celebrating Abingdon’s history with car maker MG is taking shape. A large MG logo has been unveiled in the Drayton Road development, and benches, paths, landscaping and information boards will soon be added. Abingdon Town Council
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Rapunzel or the Magic Pig at The Mirror Tent, MINI Plant, Oxford
Until Wednesday 15 January 2011 For more information visit www.creationtheatre.co.uk
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Oxford Christmas Market
On until Sunday 12 December 2010 Opening Hours: Thursday – Saturday 10.00am – 8.00pm Sunday – Wednesday 10.00am – 6.00pm The Oxford Christmas Market is a German-style Christmas Market that takes place in the heart of the city at
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Cinderella at the Oxford Playhouse
Until Sunday 16 January 2011 For more information visit www.oxfordplayhouse.com
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Local shares (PM)
AEA Technology 16.5 BMW 4239 Electrocomps 234.4 Nationwide Accident Repair 100 Oxford Biomedica 9.5 Oxford Catalyst 69 Oxford Instruments 458.5 Reed Elsevier 540.25 RM 139.25 RPS Group 179.45 Courtest of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
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New faces and old friends at Savills
Three professional departments at Oxford-based property consultants Savills have gained a further team member. Charmaine Williams has rejoined the development and valuation team in Oxford, where she started her career in 2002, after working for Savills
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Mother plans lasting tribute to Callum
THE family of a teenager who died in a car crash want to build a covered seating area for youngsters in his memory. About £2,500 was donated to a fund set up in memory of Callum MacKinnon, 19, who died in an accident on the B4020 Shilton Road, between
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Finding & recruiting good people
Last week’s Crosstalk prompted an e-mail from old STL colleague Tony Rowell when I was trying to decide what to write about this week. ‘Recruitment’, Tony said, ‘Definitely recruitment, any business is only as good as its weakest member of staff’. Over
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Didcot teacher, 57, takes a gap year
A FORMER teacher from Didcot is spending thousands of pounds of her redundancy pay on a trip to Peru to help children with special needs. Supply teacher Susan Ward-Davis, 57, will embark on the journey of a lifetime next month when she flies out to a
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RAF crew complete marathon up a mountain
IT’S touted as one of the world’s hardest marathons, with competitors warned taking part could kill them. But a crew from RAF Benson decided to tackle the notorious Jungfrau Marathon in Switzerland – and raised £11,700 for injured servicemen’s charity
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School dunces
uch time Councillor Mitchell finds to write letters to the Oxford Mail on such a wide variety of subjects. Perhaps I can bring to his attention the fact that his ruling Conservatives have almost brought secondary state education in Oxford to its knees
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Witney mum died from drug overdose
A WITNEY mother died from methadone use brought on by her estrangement from her children, her husband said. Jillian Jones, 46, was found dead on April 23 following a cardiac and respiratory arrest caused by methadone, an inquest in Oxford heard. Her
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Carpenter's hand-made box given to Pope
SEMI-RETIRED carpenter John Leather spoke of his pride at being asked to make a special gift for the Pope for his historic visit to the UK. Mr Leather, 68, was asked by the Oxford Oratory to make a presentation box to hold a rosary that had
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TV stars shine for Sixties show
TELEVISION stars Brian Conley and Les Dennis dazzled in their bright outfits in Oxford yesterday. The pair play husband and wife Edna and Wilbur Turnblad in the hit musical Hairspray, which runs for 15 performances at the New Theatre from October 12-
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Police say robberies have fallen by a third
ROBBERIES in Oxford have dropped by a third compared to the same period last year, police said last night. The three-month Operation Buzzard was launched in June to crack down on the number of people being robbed in the city, particularly in Rose Hill
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RUGBY UNION: Witney wait on Lamb's fitness
Witney captain James Lamb could miss tomorrow’s home game with Reading in South West 1 East due to a hand injury. Lamb will have a fitness test, while the leaders welcome back Phil Gouldie and Jake Thomas. Witney joint coach John Campbell
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Cases of antisocial behaviour 'are falling'
ANTISOCIAL yobs are not out of control in Oxfordshire, a top police officer insisted, despite a police watchdog claiming they were ruling UK streets. Chf Supt Steve Kirk, head of local policing in the Thames Valley, said the force, which covers
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COMMENT: A big problem
Antisocial behaviour has become a byword for lots of little things that get on our nerves. Vandalism, drunken yobbery and general mischief-making. As Blackbird Leys parish councillor Brian Lester pointed out: “Sometimes it is just youngsters letting
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UPDATE: Signal delays on rail line
Rail passengers travelling through Didcot faced delays of up to 90 minutes this morning after lightening struck signalling equipment at Cholsey. Network Rail said the lightening struck the transformer about 4.30am this morning and the problem is expected
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COMMENT: Richly deserved
Another Oxfordshire-based soldier has been awarded one of the highest military honours today. George Medal winner Staff Sergeant Karl Ley, of the Royal Logistic Corps, based at Didcot’s Vauxhall Barracks, deserves the ultimate respect.
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Video peeper filmed under women's skirts
A 34-YEAR-OLD Oxfordshire man has appeared in court after being caught using a video camera to film up women’s skirts in a shopping centre. Matthew Parker, 34, of Buckland, near Faringdon, was spotted by security guards following women around Marks &
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RUGBY UNION: Fuller's milestone
Veteran prop Rowan Fuller makes his 250th appearance for Henley Hawks in their National 2 South clash at Westcombe Park tomorrow. The 37-year-old starts at loose-head as the leaders bid to make it four win from four. Lock Howard Parr
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CABBAGES AND KINGS: Flushed with success
IT wasn’t the sort of idea you expect from a gently brought up North Oxford girl! Madeleine Woolgar is the Oxford Playhouse’s ever-smiling press and marketing officer. She wanted to boost the appeal to refurbish the theatre’s lavatories. Already, a classically
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defending Zion
AFTER reading Tim Siret’s recent letter in the Oxford Mail, criticising the BBC Panorama programme about the Maui Mamara incident, titled Death In The Med, I was left wondering if some people might wonder whom to believe: Mr Siret’s account, which included
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Weighty issue
Am I missing something in the debate about overweight people opting for gastric surgery? (Oxford Mail, September 8) Surely, if the surgery makes the new stomach feel full, then eating less will achieve the same means. This would be cheaper to both
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CRICKET: Horspath promotion confirmed
HORSPATH have been accepted into next season’s Serious Cricket Home Counties Premier League. The MP Sports Cherwell League champions will play alongside Oxfordshire rivals Thame Town and Aston Rowant in Division 1 West. However, the ambitious club have
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CRICKET: Duo battle for Cherwell League chief role
MARTIN Phillips is to quit as chairman of the MP Sports Cherwell League, triggering a battle to be his successor. Phillips, who is also Banbury chairman, took over at the helm three years ago after the late Derek Primett stood down due to ill
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Don't be snobs
Before the scrutiny meeting takes place on Monday, I would like to ask a question. Would you like a brand new state of the art swimming pool attached to a very successful leisure centre that is located within two miles of the old site at Temple Cowley
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Cut council waste
Following the recent announcement that the county council is staging several public meetings as part of a spending cuts debate, perhaps the council should be looking at limiting waste and concentrating on providing an efficient service. We have seen
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Lock 'em up
Much debate has and is being talked about on the subject of speeding and speed cameras. One answer that has not been mentioned, no doubt because it would be very very unpopular, would be the issuing of a three or six-month ban on being caught speeding
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Didcot film-maker enjoys African adventure
FILM producer Jackie Sheppard journeyed across Africa to make a movie about three Rwandan children trekking to the opening ceremony of this year’s football World Cup. Ms Sheppard, from Didcot, hopes the film, called Africa United, will score with all
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Pool support
l I am writing in response to last week’s letter by Vim Rodrigo (Oxford Mail, September 17) regarding the proposed closure of Temple Cowley Swimming pool and sports centre. Mr Rodrigo made some very useful comments – saying this is almost a done deal
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Assessments show council is working well
I am afraid politicians necessarily cultivate thick skins and I would normally ignore the sort of mindless rant from Richard Anderson (Oxford Mail, September 22), but his untrue statements might be seen as a reflection on our hard working staff
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Every garden needs a shed!
Need some extra storage space, or just somewhere to hide away from the world? Follow our tips and you can’t go wrong . . . Like any other building, wooden garden sheds need a sturdy and level base if they are to stand the test of time and survive
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County gets a date for going digital
TELEVISIONS across Oxfordshire will go fully digital on September 14 next year, it was revealed last night. Analogue transmissions will be switched off forever and viewers will need a set-top box or digital TV to pick up terrestrial channels
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RUGBY UNION: Brodley issues Cleve caution
Oxford Harlequins look to have a great chance of bouncing back from their derby defeat when they visit Cleve in National 3 South West tomorrow. The Bristol side have lost all three of their matches and sit one place off the bottom. But Quins’ director
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My first kitchen
As school-leavers and university graduates prepare to set up their new homes, chef Tiffany Goodall reveals the kitchen essentials to Kate Whiting. Thousands of baked bean tins and Pot Noodles will soon be disappearing from supermarket shelves
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FOOTBALL: Didcot plot cup revenge
FA Cup Didcot Town will be looking for revenge when they travel to face Paulton Rovers in the second qualifying round of the FA Cup tomorrow. The teams met at the same stage of last year’s competition at Loop Meadow, where the visitors from the Zamaretto
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FOOTBALL: Deabill misses out
Uhlsport Hellenic League KIDLINGTON will be without star striker Jimmy Deabill for their top-of-the-table Premier Division clash with Slimbridge at Yarnton Road tomorrow. Deabill is away on holiday, along with new signing Tom Woodbridge. Brad Chalmers
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Parky at the Pictures (Film Books 24/9/2010)
Inside the Hollywood Fan Magazine: A History of Star Makers, Fabricators & Gossip Mongers The fan magazine is one of the clearest indicators of cinema's shifting demographic in its first 120 years. The earliest publications were aimed at increasingly
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Flying the nest
Banish empty nest feelings by transforming your student’s new university room into a little palace. Gabrielle Fagan has done the homework to make it easy. Student rooms in colleges and universities don't usually win prizes for their
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Student drowned during dive in Caribbean
A MARINE conservation student blacked out and drowned while diving on a coral reef in the Caribbean, an inquest heard. Thomas Dunkley, 28, of Forest Hill, Oxford, was carrying out research for his Masters degree. The diving enthusiast
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FOOTBALL: Banbury to face old boy
Zamaretto Southern League BANBURY United will come face to face with old boy David Stone when they host Hemel Hempstead Town in the Premier Division tomorrow. Striker Stone is one of a number of new faces at the Hertfordshire side, who have made a good
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Hundreds flock to Oxford Mail Job Fair
HUNDREDS of job hunters descended on the Oxford Mail Job Fair yesterday. Stalls were set up at the town hall by many of the region’s major employers, including the Army, Oxford City Council and British Gas. And, although many of the estimated 900 people
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How to boost your bulb displays
As a director of Bloms Bulbs, the award-winning family-run firm which this year celebrates it 150th anniversary, there’s not much that Chris Blom does not know about bulbs, writes Hannah Stephenson. You might think that after more than a
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RAPIST JAILED: 'Every woman's worst nightmare'
“ANGRY and rejected” at being spurned by a woman on a night out, Yassin Mohamed reacted by dragging a stranger off the street and raping her. His 19-year-old student victim, picked at random, was walking home from an Oxford nightclub when he
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Signal problem causes train delays
A signalling problem left commuters stranded in Oxford this morning, as trains running to London were cancelled. There were also delays of up to 45 minutes on the line between Oxford, Reading, and London and cancellations and delays on services
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Van crash causes M40 chaos
Two vans have been involved in a crash on the M40 this morning between junctions ten for Brackley and nine for Bicester. The incident happened at around 5.50am, but the central barrier was damaged and fuel spilled onto the road. One
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Payne keen to stay at Oxford United
JOSH Payne has told Oxford United manager Chris Wilder that he wants to stay at the club for another month. With his loan spell from Championship side Doncaster about to expire, Wilder was keen for the midfielder, who turns 20 in November
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Lewis praises Oxford United's second string
Mickey Lewis has praised the efforts of the U’s reserves in Wednesday night’s display against Watford. Although United’s second string went down to a 1-0 defeat against a lively Watford side, Tom Aldred heading in the second-half winner, first-team coach
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We got caught napping - says Oxford United keeper Clarke
Oxford United keeper Ryan Clarke felt it was a harsh scoreline at the Kassam Stadium on Saturday, because the team played well. And the U’s No 1 said that the game brought back memories of a couple of games last season where United failed to win, despite
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Crewe boss Gradi anxious over Oxford United duo
Crewe manager Dario Gradi says there is one aspect of Saturday's game against Oxford that he is not looking forward to – meeting up again with U’s defenders Anthony Tonkin and Harry Worley. The pair both had spells at Crewe, Tonkin was there
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U's boss Wilder seeks a change in luck
Chris Wilder feels Oxford United need a bit more luck in front of goal, starting with Saturday’s League Two trip to Crewe. The U’s created numerous chances against Stockport last Saturday, only to go down to a 1-0 defeat against Paul Simpson’s side,
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Grant boost for classes on African history
A REGGAE-LOVING youth worker is celebrating after banking £800 to help run classes on African history. Mark Samuels – known as Natty Mark – has secured the cash thanks to Oxfordshire County Council’s community support fund, to provide books and teaching
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Riddle over Milton's 'bawdy' ode
AN Oxford University academic has sparked a literary riddle over a “smutty and innuendo-laden” poem by one of Britain’s most celebrated scribes. John Milton, famous for poems like Paradise Lost, Paradise Regained and Lycidas, is credited with writing
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Teens' mural project goes underground
TALENTED teenagers in Cutteslowe who transformed their community centre now have their sights set on a much bigger canvas. The group spent six weeks designing and painting a mural to brighten up the front room of the building in Wren Road. And the public
