Archive
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Bursar stole £40,000 from school to pay off debts
A 61-YEAR-OLD school bursar bought two cars and paid off his own debts with £40,000 stolen from his employers. Michael Hall was paid £60,000 a year with free accommodation at Kingham Hill School, near Chipping Norton, but still used school funds for
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No end in sight to icy conditions
Forecasters warned there was no end in sight for icy conditions as the death toll rose and transport networks struggled to cope with the freezing weather. Two pensioners died after falling in their gardens in sub-zero temperatures, while a
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Youth cautioned for taking ambulance
An 18-year-old has been cautioned after taking an ambulance without consent and driving it to Cheshire. The man, who cannot be named, made off with the St John’s Ambulance from its Caldecott Road base in Abingdon at about 10am last Saturday. He was
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Two cautioned for poaching
Two men have been cautioned after being found trespassing on land at Upton with poaching equipment. The men, both from Didcot, aged 18 and 22, were found with the carcasses of two rabbits, as well as an air rifle, knives and torches on Wednesday, November
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Objections put Bicester town centre revamp on hold
BICESTER’S £70m town centre redevelopment has been dealt a major blow, which could delay building work for at least a year. Fourteen people have objected to a compulsory purchase order by Cherwell District Council. The move means there
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Local shares (PM)
AEA Technology 5.5 BMW 5457 Electrocomponents 272.8 Nationwide Accident Repair 95.5 Oxford Biomedica 9.25 Oxford Catalysts 59.75 Oxford Instruments 598.5 Reed Elsevier 524.75 RM 157.5 RPS Group 239.75 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
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WHEELING IN: Renault Wind Roadster 1.6 Collection 133
FOR years, car makers have romantically linked their car names to air-currents across the world. From the humble Austin Maestro, through Ford’s Zephyr and Volkswagen’s Scirocco to the meatier Maserati Ghibli and potent Pagani Zonda, motor manufacturers
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THE WORST CARS EVAH: Sinclair C5
If ever a vehicle was way ahead of its time it was the Sinclair C5. This was a contraption so utterly ridiculed back in the 1980s, that it flopped faster than you could say Frankie Goes to Hollywood. It was the madcap brainchild of electronics whizz
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MOTORMOUTH: It's only snow
Ice, ice – my God, check out the gravity and drama in TV and radio weather reports and anybody would think that we were about to be invaded by aliens or that a black plague was going to descend upon the country! When in fact the only invasion will be
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THE STAR'S THE CAR: Aston Martin Vanquish
Because 99 per cent of my actions are still governed by hormones, it was inevitable I guess that I’d finally stumble across this creature – the Arash AF10. It’s a British car (I’m very patriotic you know) with more charm than Sean Connery and better
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New plans for student housing in Headington welcomed
NEW plans for student accommodation in Headington have been welcomed. The London Road site has been the subject of planning battles, with Dorset House, a large Victorian property, already demolished. The site was acquired by Berkeley
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Festive market sounds boost charity
SHOPPERS are being serenaded by the sounds of a traditional organ at Oxford Castle’s Christmas market. Organ grinder Alan Roberts is raising money for Macmillan Cancer with his seasonal music, at the German-style event. Wooden stalls selling hand-crafted
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Inquests told of two suicides on railway at Radley
TWO people committed suicide at an Oxfordshire train station two days apart in unrelated incidents. Lisa Wright and Richard Burke climbed on to the tracks and stood in front of oncoming trains at Radley, near Abingdon, in June, Oxfordshire Coroner’s
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Burglars target Kennington home
Police are appealing for information after a burglary in Kennington. Burglars forced their way into a property in Upper Road some time between 12.30pm and 6pm on Monday and stole electrical items, including a 40in TV, two laptops, a digital camera
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Stroke victim's family raises £4k for hospital unit
AN 85-year-old widow teamed up with her family to raise £4,000 for a hospital stroke unit. Gladys Hudson and her five daughters raised the money to refurbish a day room for the unit at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford. The room will be used as a
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Local share prices (AM)
AEA Technology 5.6 BMW 5247 Electrocomps 270.3 Nationwide Accident Repair 97 Oxford Biomedica 9.1 Oxford Catalysts 59.75 Oxford Instruments 590 Reed Elsevier 519 RM 155.25 RPS Group 232.9 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
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Fresh-looking Heslop back to his best
Midfielder Simon Heslop admits coming out of the team for three or four games may have “freshened him up”. The 23-year-old former Barnsley player was back to his very best in United’s last game, when they came from behind to win 2-1 at Chesterfield last
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BADMINTON: County's national dreams are over
Oxfordshire's hopes of reaching the national finals of the under 15 Team Challenge ended at Warwick. Edith and Imogen Langford, Alice Atkins, Emma White, Harry Brewis, Andrew Brockie, Daniel Cook and Jack Bird finished third. They were beaten into second
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Thieves pinch salt from roadside bin
THIEVES have emptied a neighbourhood’s roadside salt container in what police have branded a “mindless” crime. The salt was taken from the side of the road in Farmers Close on Tuesday morning as temperatures plummeted. Police yesterday
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Warning over festive frauds
Shoppers are being warned to watch out for online counterfeit scams this Christmas after a surge in the number of complaints. Oxfordshire County Council’s Trading Standards said copycat products are likely to be inferior and unsafe, and refunds are almost
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Troops will parade through Abingdon
MORE than 300 soldiers will parade through Abingdon after coming home from Afghanistan for Christmas. Members of 12 Logistic Support Regiment, based at Dalton Barracks, hold the Freedom of the Town, and will use their right to march with bayonets drawn
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Supermarkets look at moving into Cowley
Several well-known supermarket chains are in talks about moving into Cowley, Oxford, according to the owners of Templars Retail Park. Resolution Properties said DIY chain B&Q could move to a smaller store, leaving space for a supermarket. Spokesman
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BADMINTON: Colts see off Hill's challenge
Colts were in top form in Division 1 of the Oxfordshire Five Disciplines League as they gained a maximum in a 250-149 victory against Gosford Hill. Abingdon eased to a 250-188 victory against Evenlode. Headington lost 248-160 to Feathers from Banbury
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Friday, December 3: Name this trio of shoplifters
THESE three suspects certainly do not look like Santa’s little helpers. They were caught on CCTV stealing computer games from Tesco in Abingdon. The trio are behind the third window in the Oxford Mail’s Badvent Calendar, a criminal countdown
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2nd Cumnor Guides, Christmas Fayre
2nd Cumnor Guides, would like to thank everyone who supported them at their Christmas Fayre, Sunday 28th November at The Old School in Cumnor. Thank you once again. Based on information supplied by Lisa Leighton.
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Bogus water workers steal cash from 85-year-old
Bogus water workers stole cash after tricking their way into an 85-year-old man's home in west Oxfordshire. Between 5.45pm and 6pm on Tuesday, two men called at the property of the man in Eynsham Road, Sutton, saying they were from the 'Water
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MPs claim £23k in expenses
PARKING costing 60p, £11.97 on pens and £1.68 for petrol – these are just some of the minor expenses claimed by MPs who earn at least £65,738. In total, Oxfordshire’s six representatives claimed £23,447 from the public purse between May and
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Man goes missing after court hearing
AN Abingdon man is missing after failing to return home following a court hearing in Bristol. Paul Noel, 53, was last seen at Bristol County Court at 2pm on Wednesday. He has links with the Lake District, Cheltenham, Gloucester and Salcombe. He is
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Twistina takes top prize
IT might seem like child’s play, but one Abingdon woman has become world champion for her balloon sculptures. Christine Belcher, or Twistina, took first prize at the Millennium Jam competition in Belgium, with her model of a meerkat. She beat competitors
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Murder accused denies having a knife
THE teenager accused of murdering Blayne Ridgway outside a city bar has denied even knowing the 22-year-old had been stabbed. The defendant, who the Oxford Mail is banned from naming, admitted at Oxford Crown Court yesterday he had been in a fight with
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Barton Christmas display is fit for heroes
BRITAIN’S Got Talent star Fabia Cerra lit up the brightest house on an Oxford estate last night to start the countdown to Christmas. Martin and Debbie Scarrott, from Northway Road in Barton, have been adding lights and displays to their ground-floor
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Good news sells
Last Friday I was lucky enough to attend the launch of the 2011 Oxfordshire Business Awards in The Orangery at Blenheim Palace and - in addition to the fantastic lunch - it provided a great opportunity to catch up with the runners, riders, movers
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Benson landlord died after pub fight, inquest told
A PUB landlord collapsed and died after losing control and attacking customers at his pub near Wallingford, an inquest heard. Oxford Coroner’s Court was told yesterday that Wayne Marshall, 41, died following a fight in the Crown Inn in Benson on June
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FOOTBALL: Kidlington optimistic of beating freeze
The Uhlsport Hellenic League programme looks set to be decimated by the freezing weather conditions on Staurday, but one or two clubs are hopeful of playing. Kidlington’s ground at Yarnton Road has a covering of snow, but with the forecast
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FOOTBALL: Peace hits out at Organ's dismissal
Didcot Town boss Stuart Peace has slammed James Organ’s red card as ‘ridiculous’ after the defender was ordered off on his debut. The new signing from Abingdon United was sent off after collecting two yellow cards during their 2-1 Zamaretto
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U's hoping to remain clinical
Oxford United are facing two big challenges this weekend – to beat the weather, and also beat Barnet. But they have taken extra measures to get the npower League Two game at the Kassam Stadium on against the Bees. And Chris Wilder’s team are hoping
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Housing found for paraplegic
A man found “waiting to die” by the Oxford Canal last week has been temporarily rehomed. Mark Payne, whose plight was featured in the Oxford Mail on Saturday, November 27, was moved to Fewcott House Care Home, near Bicester, for almost a week
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RUGBY UNION: Ten new Blues for Oxford
Oxford University captain Nick Haydon has named ten new Blues in his side to face Cambridge in the 129th Nomura Varsity Match. Four of Oxford’s back line and six of their pack will win their first Blues when they take the field at Twickenham
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Student protesters spruce up to make their point
THE leader of Oxfordshire County Council last night turned his fire on the parents of the teenage protesters who this week stormed County Hall. Up to 50 schoolchildren and sixth formers occupied the building, in New Road, Oxford, on Tuesday
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RUGBY UNION: Chinnor clash is major doubt
Chinnor will hold a pitch inspection at midday today to see if tomorrow’s crunch National 3 South West clash with Hartpury College can go ahead. Head coach Jason Bowers, who will name an unchanged squad, should the match take place, was not optimistic
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Crash partly blocks A361
A two-car crash today partly blocked the A361 Banbury Road, Chipping Norton. Traffic was affected both ways between the A3400 and the A44.
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Drivers warned as ice takes hold
Drivers in weather-affected areas are being warned by police to only travel if "absolutely essential" after further heavy snowfall and as ice takes hold in freezing conditions. Kent Police are advising of "very poor visibility" and
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Oxford United still confident of beating freeze
OXFORD United are confident tomorrow’s League Two game against Barnet at the Kassam Stadium will go ahead – after bringing in warm air blowers to beat the freeze. The whole pitch is covered, and the blowers circulate hot air underneath the covers.
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Police launch drink-driving campaign
“There won’t be any traffic around” or “I’ve had food so the alcohol will be soaked up” are among the most heard excuses from Oxfordshire’s drink drivers. Partygoers are being warned to think before they drink and organise alternative transport home
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Ashmolean gets go-ahead for Egyptian galleries revamp
A £5m redevelopment at Oxford’s Ashmolean Museum to showcase the museum’s world famous collections from ancient Egypt has been given planning permission by Oxford City Council. Work will begin immediately to transform the Egyptian galleries on the ground
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Final call for Oxford Fashion Week models
WANNABE models around Oxfordshire are being urged to come to the final casting call for Oxford Fashion Week tomorrow. Judges from the event in March are on the look-out for men and women to model in the annual show. They are also on the hunt for the
