Archive
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Prolific burglar comes clean over previous raids
A SERIAL burglar took car keys from houses with unlocked front doors and then made off with the vehicles. Serving prisoner Nicholas Shackleford was given an additional jail term at Oxford Crown Court on Monday after admitting one burglary and
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Mail prize makes author's day
ONE Day, a bittersweet love story, has won the 2010 Oxford Mail/Waterstone’s Oxford Book of the Year prize. The contest was launched last year by The Guide, the Oxford Mail’s weekly entertainment supplement. The Oxford Mail and Waterstone’s joined forces
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10-year milestone for charity bookshop
A CHARITY bookshop which has raised £1m selling almost half a million books is celebrating 10 years since its tills started ringing. The Oxfam Bookshop, in The Cornmarket, Thame, set up shop on December 2, 2000, and since then books, both fact and fiction
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Police link nine Oxford burglaries
Police are appealing for witnesses following nine burglaries in the Oxford area during the past three weeks. Houses in Rose Hill, Risinghurst, Cowley and Headington were targeted, and all broken into in a similar way – by smashing a rear window
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Couple moved to help trike theft victim
A MULTIPLE sclerosis sufferer who was left stranded when thieves stole her mobility trike has been given a replacement – thanks to the Oxford Mail. Jane Hughes, 32, told earlier this month how thieves stole the Atala three-wheeler from outside her flat
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BLAYNE KILLER NAMED
A TEENAGER has been convicted of murdering father-of-one Blayne Ridgway in the centre of Oxford. Eze Eke, 16, stabbed his 22-year-old victim outside Que Pasa in Queen Street on May 8 and this afternoon was jailed for at least 15 years.
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Family flees Wantage arson attack
Two sheds were set on fire in Wantage on the same night. Arsonists targeted sheds at properties in St Mary’s Way and Denchworth Road in the early hours of Saturday, November 27, but details were only released this afternoon by police.
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Best books of 2010
The defeat of Napoleon in the Iberian Peninsula and at Waterloo underlined the strategic brilliance of the Duke of Wellington, who won his military spurs in India. Peter Snow’s superb narrative of these highly attritional battles, To War With Wellington
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Vicar's Diana Dors clanger at the church fete
In the week of James Naughtie’s gaffe on the Today programme, it is amusing to recall — amusing to me, at any rate — a clanger of a rather similar sort that occurred many years ago at a church fete in Swindon. A former colleague of mine was present at
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Jewellery found dumped after Carterton burglary
Police are appealing for information after a burglary in Carterton. Burglars used a spade from the shed of a property in The Crescent to break into the house some time between 9am on December 2 and 4pm on Monday. Using the spade, burglars smashed
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The peculiarities of the great Dr Spooner
The name of a former Warden of New College, Oxford, has been on everyone’s lips this week following James Naughtie’s unfortunate confusion between the initial letter the surname of James Hunt and that of the Culture ministry he heads. I refer to Dr William
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Zizzi, George Street, Oxford
I have ventured fairly frequently lately into that region of pseudo-Italy that is Oxford’s George Street. At the end of last month I sampled roast turkey pizza (surprisingly good, since you ask) at Fire & Stone. Last Thursday, I enjoyed a Christmas
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Prime Minister delights in Chippy's pantomime
Iwas very pleased to see David Cameron doing his bit to support the performing arts this week when he took two of his children to The Theatre, in Chipping Norton — which is close to his constituency home — to see the Christmas pantomime. The Prime Minister
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Top tips for making the best of game
I was given one of my Christmas gifts a month early this year, and — surprisingly — so had several of the other participants attending a day school on game cookery at Thyme, Southrop. It seems that more and more people are providing their friends with
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Recipe for warm game salad with pomegranate (serves four)
This is one of the many recipes that formed part of the Thyme at Southrop’s Game Cookery day. The delightful thing about this recipe is that it is so quick and easy to cook. The addition of red pomegranate seeds gives it that seasonal touch, which
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The Vaccines: Jericho Tavern
One city’s history has cast a shadow over every band it produces — and that's Liverpool. Ever since the Fab Four, it feels like every Liverpudlian band must come complete with jangly guitars, psychedelic edges and a scholarly approach to the writing of
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Echo and the Bunnymen: O2 Academy
The trend of bands playing one or more of their classic albums straight through at a live gig has been growing in recent years. The likes of Suede, Sonic Youth and Belle & Sebastian have already done it and now Scouse legends Echo and the Bunnymen
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The parson son of King William IV
Talking of English girls marrying into the Royal family, as I did in this column last week, a reader has pointed out that one such was Joan of Kent, who married Edward of Woodstock, otherwise known as the Black Prince, born at the Royal Palace of Woodstock
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The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
There’s action and adventure ahoy in the third book of C.S. Lewis’s enchanting Narnia series, published back in the 1950s. Following on from the daring escapades of Prince Caspian, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader sets sail without the two eldest
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No Peace of Mind: University Church, Oxford
To highlight the effect of the lengthy conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo, an exhibition of photographs featuring everyday occurrences witnessed by members of the Overseas disability charity CBM is on show at the University Church until December
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Eynsham Choral Society: St Leonard's Church, Eynsham
It has been a momentous year for Eynsham Choral Society. They celebrated their 30th anniversary in April, and last Saturday they bade an emotional farewell to long-serving conductor Alison Wilson. Chairman Janet Gray, in her thank-you speech, noted, among
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Preview of Oxford Theatre Guild's production of Tom Stoppard's Travesties
Oxford Theatre Guild break new ground next week when they perform for the first time at Oxford’s newest theatre. They stage Tom Stoppard’s Travesties from Tuesday in the Simpkins Lee Theatre at Lady Margaret Hall. Travesties is a laugh-out-loud high-speed
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The Bach Choir, Hayd's Creation, Sheldonian Theatre
Haydn’s Creation has deservedly received every accolade it is possible to bestow on a piece of music. The composer’s use of descriptive orchestral colour, adventurous harmonies, and varied rhythmic inventiveness — all have been singled out for praise.
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The Burford Singers: Burford Parish Church
A mouth-watering selection of Handel fare was on the menu at the Burford Singers’ annual pre-Christmas concert on Sunday, and the choir performed with its usual cheerful enthusiasm under the ever-reliable baton of Brian Kay. In the first half the singers
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Anjali Dance: Pegasus Theatre
It’s five years since I last saw this unusual company. Their show at the Pegasus was a delight. The first half consists of six separate works cleverly linked by having the performers make small dramas out of placing the required props, or removing
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Public 'should help clear roads'
The public should have access to grit and salt supplies to help clear roads, the Transport Secretary has suggested as the worst December weather for 19 years continued. With icy weather warnings in place across much of the country, Philip Hammond
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The Magic Flute, Welsh Natiional Opera, New Theatre
‘It fills me with such happiness,” sings Papageno the birdcatcher as he describes his life. And happiness is what Welsh National Opera’s Magic Flute plainly aims to dispense: Dominic Cooke’s production (first seen in 2005) never forgets that Mozart was
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Tom and Viv: Moser Theatre, Wadham College
‘I’m afraid,” says Rose, one of the leading characters in Michael Hastings’s Tom and Viv. She has good reason to be. The behaviour of her daughter — the Viv of the title — is becoming increasingly erratic, while her long-suffering husband, the poet T.
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A Bedfull of Foreigners: The Mill at Sonning Dinner Theatre
Never mind A Bedfull of Foreigners (and that incorrect second ‘l’, by the way, is present in the title). The double beds on stage at the Mill could so easily be full of theatre patrons. A pair of them stand at the ready, covers drawn back — ideal for
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Gold coins to go on display at museum
A HOARD of gold coins found in the county which dates back more than 500 years is to go on show at Oxford’s Ashmolean Museum. The coins, which were minted between 1470 and 1526, were found near Burford three years ago and have been bought by
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Tesco snaps up another local boozer
PUB regulars are furious their favourite watering hole has been handed to Tesco. The lease of the Fitzharris Arms in Abingdon has been sold for a Tesco Express store by brewer Greene King. The Thornhill Walk pub, open since the 1950s, will shut in the
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Human rights endeavours net gong
A FORMER Labour MP and Oxfordshire resident went to Buckingham Palace to collect an honour for his work promoting human rights across Europe. Terry Davis, MP for Hodge Hill Birmingham for 25 years, was awarded the CMG, a Companion Order of St Michael
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West Kidlington Primary focuses on values
IN the 1990s, West Kidlington Primary School became the launchpad of a new ‘Values Education’ initiative designed to transform the way children learn. Since then, the concept has been taken across the country by former headmaster Neil Hawkes
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Cash-strapped council gives pay rises
A COUNCIL has approved about £800,000 of cuts at the same time as giving 304 staff a pay rise. Cherwell District Council has slashed funding across services, reduced staff hours and cut vacant job posts in response to October’s Government
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FOOTBALL: High-fives for Cholsey
Berks & Bucks Sunday Junior Trophy Cholsey United continued their excellent form by handing out a 5-0 hammering to hosts Curzon (Reading) in round three. Their unbeaten run continued thanks to another brace from the Andy Allum, with
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CRICKET: Oxon go down to Knox
Oxfordshire Under 19s lost by 18 runs to Knox Grammar School in a 50-over match on their Australia tour on Tuesday. Knox, one of the strongest public school sides in New South Wales, posted 195 all out, before restricting Oxfordshire to 177-8 in reply
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Local share prices (AM)
AEA Technology 5.35 BMW 5294 Electrocomponents 276.8 Nationwide Accident Repair 96.5 Oxford Biomedica 9.25 Oxford Catalysts 9.75 Oxford Instruments 596.5 Reed Elsevier RM 151.5 RPS Group 241 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
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Town centre deal to go ahead
A MULTI-MILLION pound deal is about to be struck to bring Abingdon’s faded 1960s shopping precinct into the 21st century. Vale of White Horse District Council is close to signing an agreement that will kickstart the refurbishment of the Abbey Shopping
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New threat to The Horton
THE future of the Horton Hospital is in doubt again after it emerged there is a new threat to its maternity service. Under proposals by the Oxford Deanery, which oversees postgraduate medical training across the Thames Valley, it plans to withdraw from
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JR rated among best in country for maternity care
MATERNITY staff at Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital have been rated among the best in England for the care given to new and expectant mums. They were ranked in the top 20 per cent of all units in a range of areas, including treating patients
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Headington agency wins two awards
Headington-based estate agent Scottfraser beat more than 4,000 local and national competitors to take silver and bronze in the Sunday Times Estate Agency of the Year Awards. The awards, judged by the Property Ombudsman and announced last week
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Worker tried to blackmail his boss
A 20-year-old man who attempted to blackmail his boss for £15,000 has been given a community order. Lukasz Hampel, who worked at motor parts firm HBPO in the Banbury, claimed he had a photograph of Leon Murray taking drugs and would show his employers
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Fears for maternity posts at Horton Hospital
MATERNITY services at Banbury’s Horton Hospital are under threat because of a planned shake-up in medical staff. The Oxford Deanery, which oversees postgraduate medical training across the Thames Valley, plans to cut the number of middle grade doctors
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Wednesday, December 8: Suspect wanted over graffiti and vandalism
BEHIND the door of day eight lurks a man who police believe may have scrawled offensive graffiti on the front of a house in Cowley. Altin Dulaj, 35, is the latest criminal suspect to appear in the Oxford Mail’s Badvent Calendar, where every
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Marsh Baldon man denies drugs scam
A man from Marsh Baldon is one of five men accused of profiteering from alleged counterfeit cancer and heart drugs in a multi-million-pound scam. Ian Gillespie, 58, of The Green, Marsh Baldon, pleaded not guilty at Croydon Crown Court on Monday to an
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Fans meet musical Maria
One of theatre’s most renowned shows has started a week-long run in Oxford. The Sound of Music started at the New Theatre yesterday and star Connie Fisher was there to give out some early Christmas presents to local schoolchildren to mark
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I was at home, murder accused tells jury
A MAN accused of killing a mother-of-two more than 15 years ago maintained he was at home at the time and not out night fishing as his police statement claimed. Mark Weston continued to deny the murder of Vikki Thompson who was hit repeatedly over the
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Doc pedals past 10,000km mark
A CYCLING doctor is celebrating after clocking up 10,000km in his attempt to pedal around the globe. Dr Steve Fabes, who grew up in North Oxford, notched up the milestone in Sudan, the 17th country he has travelled through since leaving London
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Hurtful comments
I was very interested to read Cllr Mitchell’s comments against students and I have to say, they hurt very much. Despite the fact students have to work incredibly hard to prepare for exams, I am very sure that the opinion of a man shown to be living
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Students' anger
Much has been made in the Oxford Mail of the actions of young people in Oxford protesting against increases in university tuition fees. I fully understand why they are angry and wish to make their anger known. The inappropriate comments by Cllr Mitchell
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Better deterrents
I totally agree with Simon Hammond (ViewPoints, December 1) that there are not enough deterrents to stop cyclists breaking the law, and putting motorists at risk of getting their cars kicked or worse, because a cyclist doesn’t like being told that they
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Libraries are a social hub of the community
Who cares about public libraries? I am not sure that the ruling Conservative clique in the county council do. A library in 2010 is not a silent zone dedicated to book borrowing. It has become a social hub of the local community. It is where people
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FOOTBALL: Kings edge it off the Cuff
OFA SAM WATERS CUP AFC Jericho went close to shocking favourites Kings Arms, Wheatley in the only OFA Sam Waters Cup third-round tie to beat the big freeze, writes TIM SIRET. Autotype UTV League Premier Division side Kings Arms eventually
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Why should we pay?
RE Susan Thomas’s complaint regarding police assaults. Her 14-year-old daughter would have been better at school than taking part in a stupid demo. The officer was doing his job and Miss Thomas should have been in class. Why should taxpayers subsidise
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Seeking death?
Many cyclists in Oxford appear to be seeking death by cycling at great speed in the dark while wearing grey or black clothes and without bells or lights. Not only is such behaviour stupid but it is also very selfish. The motorists who will inevitably
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Running the lights
I had to write in response to the letter on cyclists (ViewPoints, December 1) ignoring red lights. Myself and my toddler have nearly been cycled in to many times on Cowley Road by ignorant, dangerous cyclists. They show absolutely no regard for ‘road
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There's a limit
I need to tell Mr Clark and Cllr Mrs Pressel (ViewPoints, December 6) that, as an Oxfordshire resident whose village library is listed to lose its funding, I am already working hard with local residents to keep it open in Adderbury as a community library
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Sassy & Single: Why it pays to fight for a good deal
On Saturday I won a gold medal. Well actually, it wasn’t really a gold medal, it was actually more a moral victory than something you pin proudly on your lapel, but it was the type of personal triumph that makes you feel like you’re wearing a lump of
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Oxford United's Lincoln trip in doubt
Lincoln City say that the prospects of Saturday’s League Two game against Oxford United taking place are no more than 50-50, even at this early stage. The pitch is frozen solid and conditions around the Sincil Bank ground are described as dangerous,
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Oxford United wait on Maclean
A key meeting today involving League One Ply-mouth Argyle and a High Court judge could have a major bearing on whether Oxford United can keep striker Steve Maclean bey-ond next month. The 28-year-old Scot has played four games for the U’s, on loan from
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Man charged with child sex offences
A 47-year-old man has been remanded in custody charged with 14 sex offences against children. Mark Ryder, of no fixed address, appeared at Oxford Crown Court on Monday for a preliminary hearing. The charges relate to alleged incidents in Abingdon between
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Axeman jailed
A 42-year-old man has been jailed after wielding an axe in Furlong Close, Blackbird Leys, Oxford. Peter Smith, above, of no fixed address, was jailed for two-and-a-half years at Oxford Crown Court on Monday after earlier admitting affray, possessing
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COMMENT: Let's make the most of Olympics
WHILE the nation still smarts over the failure of England’s bid to stage the World Cup, we should not lose sight of an even bigger event which is rapidly approaching – the Olympics. Since the initial joy after the announcement that London was
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London 2012 Olympics 'can help Oxfordshire'
PEOPLE across the county were last night urged to make the most of “the gift of the Olympics” by running legend Sir Roger Bannister. Sir Roger was speaking at the launch of a new initiative by Oxfordshire 2012, which aims to ensure the county
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Father of murder victim is taken to hospital
THE father of a student murdered six years ago was rushed to hospital yesterday, after the man convicted of ordering the “honour killing” won the right to an appeal hearing. Chomir Ali, 49, of Asquith Road, Oxford, was jailed in 2005 after
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Lotus unveil link with Renault
Group Lotus has become title sponsor and a major shareholder in the rebranded Enstone-based Lotus Renault GP Team. Renault has sold its stake in its F1 team back to co-owners Genii Capital and will focus on being an engine supplier.
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Council set to take over slum house
IS this the worst house in Oxford? The city council could for the first time be forced to take over a rat-infested house which has been empty for 15 years. The house in Weirs Lane has blighted the neighbourhood near Abingdon Road with bags of rubbish
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Council set to take over slum house
IS THIS the worst house in Oxford? The city council could for the first time be forced to take over a rat-infested house which has been empty for 15 years. The house in Weirs Lane has blighted the neighbourhood near Abingdon Road with bags of rubbish
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COMMENT: Action on slums is long overdue
EVERYONE must have sympathy for the householders in Weirs Lane who have had to live beside a rat-infested slum. So we can only imagine the delight with which they received the news that the home which has stood empty for 15 years is to be sorted
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Football club stripped of 'vital' alcohol licence
WITNEY United Football Club has warned its future is at risk after it was stripped of its right to sell alcohol. West Oxfordshire District Council revoked the club’s premises licence after police took action over alleged violence, drugs and underage
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Choirs urged to perform at special event
OXFORDSHIRE’s choirs are being urged to add to the festive cheer at Oxford United’s game against Macclesfield on December 28. Subsidised tickets for the match are being sold by Bridle Insurance, as part of their Christmas Bonanza. Spokesman Darren Nangle
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£6m nature boost
A £6m deal has been struck that will almost double the size of Oxfordshire’s most visited open space. The 700-acre Wittenham Clumps and Little Wittenham Wood, near Didcot, will benefit from a 500-acre expansion into neighbouring North Farm.
