Archive
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Issy grasps her chance to shine
Issy Ferris, 14, who goes to a stage school held at Blessed George Napier School in Springfield Avenue, made it through to the live final of ITV’s Born to Shine. The Banbury Stagecoach student partnered former EastEnders actress Tracy-Ann Oberman when
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Magical spark
A lifelong love affair was sparked when Irene Bowler asked Tony Pomroy for a cigarette in Oxford city centre more than 60 years ago. Shortly afterwards, the couple married at Oxford register office in St Giles and they have just celebrated their diamond
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Road closed after collision
A tractor and car crashed in East Challow on Monday night, closing the road for more than two hours. The collision happened at 4.40pm on the A417 and fire engines were called from Wantage and Oxford to cut a man from his Honda Accord. He received treatment
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Fire-damaged cafe rises from the ashes
A family-owned cafe in Witney has risen from the ashes after a devastating fire last month. The fire started in a chip pan in Cafe Bakehouse, High Street, and quickly spread, destroying almost every item in the kitchen. Three fire engines
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Blackbird Leys pool battle rumbles on
RESIDENTS on Oxford’s biggest estate have said if they do not fight for their park now, it could be the first step to losing their green space forever. Oxford City Council plans to build a £9.2m swimming pool on the Pegasus Road park in Blackbird Leys
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Box clever to aid Christmas appeal
Keen knitters and big-hearted volunteers are gearing up to pack boxes brimming with treats for disadvantaged youngsters. Operation Christmas Child, which sends shoeboxes filled with gifts for children overseas, is launching its annual Christmas
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Skatepark inspires exhibition of art
AN EXHIBITION of artwork inspired and created by users of an Oxford skatepark has opened. Pieces from artists linked to the Oxford Wheels Project, which runs the Meadow Lane ramps in East Oxford, will be on show at the Jam Factory for a month. Graffiti
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Gymnast inspires kids
OLYMPIC gymnast Craig Heap inspired pupils to reach for their dreams yesterday as he showed off his medals. Former world champion Mr Heap, right, visited Edith Moorhouse School, in Carterton, to talk about his experiences of doing gymnastics as a young
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Mother died after daughter’s death
A BED-RIDDEN 94-year-old woman is believed to have died after her daughter and only carer had a seizure and died. The bodies of Emily Kinsey and her daughter Prudence Kinsey – who lived alone in Littlemore – were only discovered by police officers when
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Special project to help dementia sufferers
‘NEWSPAPERS’ recording dementia sufferers’ lives are being developed to help combat memory loss. Dementia experts last night spoke about the project ahead of World Alzheimer’s Day today. Staff at Marston Court Care Home in Marston launched
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The Independent Woodstock Theatre Festival pulls in the top people of print
Hugh Grant failed to make it to The Independent Woodstock Literary Festival — despite wide expectation that he would — for Saturday’s lively debate on phone hacking, but there was a more than adequate (and infinitely more glamorous) celebrity substitute
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Food from the forest
Venison became so popular during the medieval period that there were almost 2,000 deer parks in England alone. Few remain now, though venison is a very popular meat, and considered the healthy option for those who need to restrict their intake
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Recipe for saddle of venison
The average saddle on a young roe deer weighs approximately two kilos, which is ideal, when the weight of the bones have been taken into consideration, if cooking for four to six people. The aim is to allow approximately eight ounces (250g) per person
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Merry times at the Michaelmas Feast
About this time of year I often visit a certain walnut tree in open country near my old home in Combe. This is partly because it stands near a favourite mushroom field, the secret location of which I am not about to tell; partly because I like
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Iffley Music Society: Church Hall
Was it the unusual combination of composers, or the even more unusual combination of instruments? Or maybe both? Either way, I wasn’t the only one to be attracted by the first concert in Iffley Music Society’s new season — the Church Hall was packed.
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Preview of Holmes and Watson - The Farewell Tour, The Mill, Banbury
"Holmes, this is amazing,” I said, perusing an item that had arrived in the mail delivery. My companion stared out of the window. “Why, Watson, that our brand continues to entertain and delight, especially in Banbury tomorrow evening? That
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Happy as Larry: Oxford Playhouse
This was the UK premiere of Australian Shaun Parker’s new piece, which aims to investigate the elusive nature of happiness. On stage we are presented with characters based on a psychological system called ‘Enneagram’. This divides human beings into
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Adderbury Ensemble: Holywell Music Room
William Alwyn, Alan Rawsthorne, and John Veale: three British composers whose lives spanned much of the 20th century — with Veale living in Oxford for nearly 80 years. The three produced a considerable body of work between them, but little of it is performed
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Journey's End: Milton Keynes Theatre
Triumphantly received in the West End, on Broadway and across Britain since its first performances in 2004, David Grindley’s superb revival of R.C. Sherriff’s 1929 box office smash Journey’s End is once more out on tour and playing this week at
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Orchestra of St John's: Dorchester Abbey
Beethoven’s Mass in C received a chilly reception when it was first performed before Princess Maria and Prince Nicolaus Esterhazy in 1807. The prince, used as he was to Haydn’s perhaps more immediately accessible masses, allegedly made his displeasure
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John Hounam: Said Business School
Pictures need titles — if only to guide us into the work and suggest what we should find there. Sadly John Hounam’s Recent Paintings, on show until October 15, are untitled. There they hang, on the white walls of this ground floor space, looking down
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Pip Shuckburgh: The North Wall
Walking into the North Wall Gallery last week you could have been forgiven for thinking you were viewing work by L.S. Lowry. Not so, the oils were by Bampton’s Pip Shuckburgh. Whereas Lowry painted the industrial districts of the north and peopled them
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Fiori Musicali: Merton College Chapel
James Bowman was given top billing at Fiori Musicali’s concert last Friday — understandably so, as he has become the most revered countertenor of his generation and now, with his 70th birthday imminent, he still commands attention with his energetic,
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Speechless: The North Wall
‘Let’s get one thing straight: nobody knows us really.” So says June Gibbons of herself and her sister Jennifer early in this intriguing play based on the true story of the twin daughters of Caribbean immigrants. The point is, nobody was really
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Anger at bid to demolish historic shops
RESIDENTS have hit out over plans to demolish two historic shops in Wantage town centre. Vanderbilt Homes wants to knock down and rebuild 21 and 23 Wallingford Street as part of a new development to create five shops and 12 apartments at a site in Stirling
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Weight loss surgery requests triple
The number of people asking for expensive weight loss surgery has tripled in four years, new NHS Oxfordshire figures show. In the last year 92 people have pitched to health chiefs for the surgery which can cost up to £14,000 a time. In 2007,
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Villagers shocked by wind turbine plans
VILLAGERS have reacted with shock at plans to build up to eight giant wind turbines near their homes. Energy firm Regenco could put five to eight machines on farmland north of Hanwell, home to about 260 people, near Banbury. It said the wind farm –
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Army cause has royal support
PRINCE William has backed a campaign by an Oxfordshire teacher to raise £1m for forces charities. Alix Hodge’s Ten for Ten campaign aims to raise the cash for army rehabilitation centres by 10am on October 10 to mark the first 10 years of the conflict
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Trust's meeting
The annual general meeting of the Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust will be held on Friday. It will outline the activities of the trust, which runs centres including The John Radcliffe Hospital and the Horton General Hospital in Banbury, during the
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Duke will visit green printers
The Duke of Kent, above, will visit an environmentally friendly printing firm tomorrow. The Queen’s cousin will visit Seacourt’s premises on the Horspath Road Industrial Estate in Cowley this morning. Seacourt won this year’s Queen’s Award for Sustainable
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Gravel plan could ‘damage tourist trade’
Gravel extraction near Wallingford will harm the town’s bid to attract tourists to its Agatha Christie trail and steam railway, according to campaigners. Last month, villagers in Cholsey launched a campaign to stop plans to extract almost five
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Drink and drugs blamed as attacks on ambulance staff rise
DRINK and drugs are responsible for an increase in attacks on ambulance staff, a victim has warned. In 2009, 60 front line staff from South Central Ambulance Service NHS Trust (SCAS) were assaulted during the course of their work. Last year that rose
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Rail forecourt £6.7m revamp delayed again
WORK due to start on a new £6.7m railway station forecourt at Didcot Parkway has been delayed for the second time. County council bosses said in July that the 18-month project was likely to start next month. But the council has now issued a statement
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WI members create a new banner for town
MEMBERS of the Women’s Institute hope to proudly represent Witney with a brand new banner. West Witney WI created the banner after going to an Oxfordshire WI event at Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford, in 2009. Almost every other club in the county paraded
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FOOTBALL: Hastings caps win
Rose Hill made it two wins in a row as they took over at the top following a 5-0 thrashing of Community All Stars in the RT Harris Oxford City FA. Goals from Michael Bateman and Colin Ryan saw Rose Hill take a 2-0 lead at the break. It was all over
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City hotels cost £103 per night
The average cost of a hotel room in Oxford has risen by five per cent in the first half of this year to £103 a night, according to latest figures. The price increase bucks the national trend, with the nationwide figure falling by one per cent to £82
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FOOTBALL: Crowmarsh swoop for double award
Crowmarsh Youth FC had two reasons to celebrate after winning two awards at the Oxfordshire FA awards evening at the Witney Lakes Resort. They won the FA Respect Fair Play Youth Club Male category, while the Outstanding Contribution to Community Football
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Enterprise fund
A new grant scheme to boost enterprise has been set up by Didcot Chamber of Commerce. The organisation has earmarked £500 for worthy projects which must be used for a specific aspect of a project, rather than for general fundraising.
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Talking library
The Friends of Summertown Library are holding a public meeting tomorrow. The group is keen to drum up support for the library, despite a county council pledge to continue funding staff at the South Parade branch. The meeting is at 7.30pm at St Edward
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Wife wins victory over bill red tape
A CAMPAIGNING pensioner has persuaded Thames Water to change its security policy after being blocked from paying a bill for her sick husband. Grace Brown, from Eynsham, was told she could not pay water bills on her husband Malcolm’s behalf because of
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FOOTBALL: Hummel hat-trick sees off Drayton
Ben Hummel hit a hat-trick for Wantage Town A as they ran out 7-1 winners at Drayton Res in Division 3 of the North Berks League. Paris Cleary also bagged a brace alongside goals for Adam Fecher and Aidan Necchi-Ghiri. Gareth Small scored the consolation
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FOOTBALL: Tower grab great point
WOMEN’S FOOTBALL NICOLA Warner scored twice as Tower Hill fought back from 5-2 down for a dramatic 5-5 draw against Unity (Reading) in Division 1 of the Thames Valley League. Trailing 2-0, Lisa Freeman and Warner’s penalty made it 2-2. But Unity
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FOOTBALL: Mid Oxon at home
MID Oxon, last season’s runners-up, have been drawn at home to Swindon in the English Schools’ FA Under 15 Trophy second round. Vale of White Horse take on reigning champions Dacorum at Milton United on Tuesday, October 4. Oxford City are away to Banbury
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FOOTBALL: Shoot-out triumph for Exiles
BERKS & BUCKS SUNDAY JUNIOR TROPHY ABINGDON Exiles won 4-2 on penalties after their first round tie at Pangbourne Res ended 0-0 following extra time. Ally Wolfe, Chris Parsons, Adam Godwin and Rob Lucibello netted from the spot for Exiles, who would
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FOOTBALL: Duo in to boost Slade
Marcus Arthur and Callum Wynne scored twice as Slade Farm United Res beat OUP Res 6-4 in Oxfordshire Senior League Division 2. Arthur’s double and goals from Michael Philpott and Dave Evans saw Slade storm into a 4-0 lead. Chris Parsons clawed one back
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FOOTBALL: Gaul's strike seals revival
Marston Saints came from a goal behind to beat early pacesetters Oxford Irish 2-1 in a thrilling Oxfordshire Senior League Premier Division encounter. After a goalless first half, Irish took the lead when Neil McMahon’s low shot found the bottom corner
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FOOTBALL: Willis treble lifts Casuals
JR Willis smashed in an extra-time winner to complete his hat-trick as Didcot Casuals beat Reading League Senior Division side Mortimer 3-2 in the first round of the Berks & Bucks Intermediate Cup. Drayton crashed 10-1 agai-nst Hampshire Premier Lea-gue
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Consulting ends
The public consultation on the redevelopment of the town centre ends on Friday. The Bury Street, Abingdon, precinct is expected to undergo a £3m revamp next year with smaller shops making way for two large units. A £50m redevelopment of The Charter
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Youth projects hit the £300k jackpot
New youth clubs are expected to spring up across the county thanks to a £300,000 National Lottery boost for youngsters in isolated communities. One of the county’s oldest youth organisations, Oxfordshire Association of Young People (OAYP),
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FOOTBALL: City Veterans get new kit
OXFORD City Veterans have received a brand new kit – as a thank-you for raising money for Steve Tavinor, whose leg was crushed by a car. A benefit match took place last year between City Veterans and Oxford United Legends for the former Witney Town captain
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FOOTBALL: Cholsey's unbeaten run shattered
CRITCHLEY’S UPPER THAMES VALLEY LEAGUE Cholsey United’s 21-game unbeaten run was shattered with a 4-3 defeat at Rutherford Lab in Division 2. Cholsey were 3-1 up at the break, courtesy of a Matty Leach double and James Ham, John Hawkins having fired
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Consulting ends
The public consultation on the redevelopment of the town centre ends on Friday. The Bury Street precinct is expected to undergo a £3m revamp next year with smaller shops making way for two large units. A £50m redevelopment of The Charter area in 2013
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Crash outside power station
An air ambulance helicopter was called to help a motorcyclist with serious leg injuries after a road accident. The air ambulance was called at 11.23am yesterday after the crash on the A4130, outside Didcot power station, above. The rider of a red Honda
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Gang attacks man outside garage
A gang beat up a man in an attack outside a petrol station in Headington yesterday morning. The 20-year-old man, from Oxford, was kicked and punched by a group of Asian men outside the Shell garage, in London Road, at about 1.30am. He suffered serious
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Dr Marigold and Mr Chops: The Oxford Playhouse
‘It was heard from beginning to end with the deepest attention and most manifest delight.” Thus reported The Times on the first public performance by Charles Dickens in 1866 of his short story (now monologue) Dr Marigold’s Prescription, which its
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FOOTBALL: Basham brace downs Didcot
STEVE Basham struck twice in the second half as Oxford City eased to a 3-0 victory at Didcot Town in last night’s FA Cup first qualifying round replay. City, who will now visit Thame United in the second qualifying round on October 1, pulled clear after
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Drunken louts up in court yet again
Two East Oxford menaces have been hauled before the courts in an effort to curb their antisocial behaviour. Leslie Belcher, of Magdalen Road, was given an Asbo in October last year. But since then the 50-year-old has repeatedly broken the conditions
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All smiles for Callow's book signing
Actor Simon Callow chatted and joked with fans last night as he signed copies of his new book. My Life In Pieces is the 19th work by the stage and screen star, who is currently performing in Dr Marigold and Mr Chops by Charles Dickens at the
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FOOTBALL: Steph doubles up for Carterton
OXFORD MAIL GIRLS LEAGUE TEN-GIRL Carterton defied the odds to beat Marston Saints Angels 4-3 in the Under 16 League. Despite being a player short, goals from Steph Bent (2), Ella Butler and Chloe Billins were enough for victory.
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Traveller troubles
I find it absolutely appalling the travellers, or gyspies were given a reprieve from being evicted from their site in Essex. For too long these communities have taken advantage of this country’s fear of upsetting them, successfully seeking what they
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CRICKET: McCuaig magic sinks yellows
CRITCHLEY’S UPPER THAMES VALLEY LEAGUE JAMIE McCuaig hit the winner as reigning champions AFC Hinksey were made to battle for a 1-0 victory at Oxford Yellows, writes Tim Siret. Yellows keeper Ryan Davis kept his team level before Jeroy Constant set
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Mustang mistake
What utter bilge, Derrick Holt (Viewpoints, September 15) writes about the north American Mustang. Yes, the Mustang fitted with Allison 1,100 HP engines was unsuitable for combat, but when the Rolls Royce Merlin engine was fitted in the Mustang, it was
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Council's decision over toilets will really catch people short
The decision by Oxford City Council not to consider re-opening the St Giles public conveniences on health and safety grounds is ludicrous. Oxford already has a shortage of such facilities and the council has a duty to provide for this need, especially
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Unable to pay respects
As many people will know, the repatriation of Royal Marine Sergeant Barry Weston took place on September 8; the first from Brize Norton in four years. I, with many others gathered at the A40 entrance to Cutteslowe Park on the northern by-pass to pay
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Sassy & Single: Airlines drive you bonkers over bookings
Can I just check something? Today is September 21, 2011 isn’t it? And if I’m not wrong, most of us have been using computers for, say at least 10 or 20 years now haven’t we? And unless I’m also mistaken, one of the greatest features of a computer
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A big thank you
The organisers and helpers of the Alzheimer’s Society street collection, held on August 20, 2011 in Summertown wish to thank all their generous supporters for their help. The monies donated amount to £600.23 and will be used to help those suffering from
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Fact or fiction of war
Tim Siret, (Viewpoints, September 13) seems to have forgotten why the Iraq War happened. Saddam invaded Kuwait on his way to Saudi Arabia. The UN made a resolution that he must get out, he did not. So, as part of the UN we kicked
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Dairy farming - the truth
WHEN the truth about the nature of dairy farming is presented in all its ugly detail, it is inevitable that farmers such as Chris Lane (Viewpoints, September 19) respond with the usual glib propaganda. He states that his calves do not get a bullet in
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SAILING: Shaw named in Olympic team
Oxford windsurfer Bryony Shaw has been named in Great Britain’s team for the 2012 Olympics. The 28-year-former Cheney School pupil, who won a bronze medal in Beijing, will compete in the RS:X women’s category, having also finished third in the Olympic
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Oxford United sitting pretty
OXFORD United’s management will now be watching home games from luxurious seats in their dug-out following a first-ever formal link-up between the club and Mini Oxford. And U’s chairman Kelvin Thomas is confident that it will be one of many mutually-beneficial
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Airport boost
Oxford Airport has seen its business traffic rise by 12.2 per cent in the last year. According to the Eurocontrol report, the airport saw an average of 7.8 business aviation departures a day, up from 6.9 last year. That puts it ahead of Stansted and
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Bones are not human remains
Bones found at a building undergoing renovation are not human remains, police said last night. Archaeological experts were brought into identify the bones discovered in the building on the corner of Botley Road and Mill Street. Experts believe
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Second repatriation is confirmed
The second repatriation from RAF Brize Norton will take place tomorrow at about 2.30pm, it was confirmed last night. Lance Corporal Jonathan McKinlay, of First Battalion The Rifles, was killed in Afghanistan last Wednesday. He was killed by small arms
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Squeezed out - Link road public enquiry
The start of a public inquiry into a controversial link road scheme was last night branded a “fiasco” as the hearing was postponed minutes after it had started. The public inquiry into the compulsory purchase of land for the Cogges Link Road, in Witney
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Bid to reconsider car park flats plan fails
An attempt to get a planning application for St Clement’s car park reconsidered by councillors has failed. Developer Watkin Jones Group wants to build an £8m student accommodation complex on the city centre site, cutting the number of car parking spaces
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Jobs set to double at Prodrive
Plans to create almost 1,000 jobs in north Oxfordshire were unveiled yesterday, thanks to a triple boost for the county’s economy. Motorsport firm Prodrive said it would double in size after announcing a move to the former Hella Manufacturing factory
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COMMENT: Gloomy picture
THE immediate economic picture remains gloomy, but once again there is some optimism for the future with three announcements on the jobs front. Close on 1,000 jobs are likely in the north of the county by the middle part of this decade and
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COMMENT: Let’s hope more firms follow suit
GRACE BROWN has, on the face of it, won only a small battle with Thames Water. We hope, though, that it could be quite a significant one that could affect thousands of people in their dealings with utility companies and internet, phone and television
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Fire union warns over single control room
THE Fire Brigade’s Union (FBU) has warned Oxfordshire’s fire service may be less able to deal with emergency conditions under plans for a single Thames Valley control centre. At a county council cabinet meeting yesterday, FBU representative Rachel Dobson
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Sisters of Mercy bid fond farewell
SISTERS of Mercy have worked in Abingdon for the last 151 years. But they will no longer have a presence as of today as Sister Monica and Sister Helen leave the town after 50 years. Monica and Helen Sheehy, who are also siblings, are the only Sistters
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‘Change your Grand Design please Kevin'
RESIDENTS have claimed they have not been properly consulted on proposals by TV presenter Kevin McCloud to transform part of an Oxford estate. The property design expert has plans for an eco-development of homes at three city council-owned sites in Cowley
