Archive

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Help is needed

Ladygrove Youth Club in Didcot is looking for volunteers to help with its management committee. The club attracts up to 50 young people on Friday nights and needs more volunteers to provide support behind the scenes so the club can continue. The club

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£154,000 boost for play area

A play area in Oxford Road, Eynsham, could be in line for a £154,000 revamp. West Oxfordshire District Council’s cabinet has recommended that developers’ cash be spent on the scheme. A zip-wire, large sandpit and ground-level trampoline are all being

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Comedy club boss sues TV's Glee

An Oxford comedy club has said being confused with hit TV show Glee is no laughing matter as it pursues legal action against Twentieth Century Fox Entertainment. The Glee Club, in Hythe Bridge Street, is one of four comedy clubs of that name owned by

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RUGBY UNION: The numbers game

Grove went top of the table with a third bonus-point win in a row. Here is the numbers' game. See Tuesday’s paper for full report. Competition: Southern Counties North Score: Grove 34, Wallingford 16 Grove player ratings: 15. Chris Clare 7 (

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'Mindless vandals' smash up pumpkins

Vandals broke into a nursery and smashed pumpkins which were being grown by toddlers in time for Halloween. The yobs are believed to have broken into the Child First Nursery School, in Launton Road, Bicester, overnight on Wednesday. The remains of the

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Council vows to fix cobbles

OXFORD City Council said it would carry out full repairs on the city’s only cobbled street when funding was available. In Friday’s Oxford Mail, the Town Hall came under fire for carrying out repairs that have resulted in black patches appearing on historic

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Council wants eight apprentices

A council is looking for eight young people to sign up for its apprenticeship scheme. The apprentices will learn a host of skills across Cherwell District Council’s services and get a qualification. Last year, six apprentices were taken on to work in

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Young scientists put wits to test

STUDENTS from all over the UK descended on Oxfordshire on Thursday to put their brains to the test. The final of the National Inter-School Year Five Science Competition was held at Culham Science Centre near Abingdon. Some of the brightest nine- and

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Banbury blooms scoop accolades

THREE hundred stunning flower displays have helped Banbury scoop a top award. The town won gold in the small city category of the Thames & Chilterns in Bloom competition, overcoming competition from Bracknell and Aylesbury. It was the first time since

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New manager’s bid to keep business local

A TOOLKIT to help businesses move to Bicester is being developed in a bid to keep jobs in the town. Business support organisation Bicester Vision is “refocusing” after appointing a new manager. Placi O’Neill-Espejo is now in place and on the top of

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Who was Oxford's man of the match against Accrington?

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Oxford United held at home by Accrington

Oxford United 1 (McLaren 35), Accrington Stanley 1 (Murphy 62) Oxford United let slip the lead for the fourth time in five home matches as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Accrington Stanley at the Kassam Stadium. And although they remain unbeaten

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Vote for village shop favourite

Oxfordshire Rural Community Council is running its biennial competition to find the county’s best village shop. All villages in Oxfordshire are eligible, including independent stores and community-owned shops. Voting slips will be available in shops

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Trudy on song

Faringdon Teenager Truly Ford is to compete in the regional finals of the Open Mic UK competition. The 17-year-old singer, of Faringdon Community College, recovered from meningitis to impress in the auditions last month. She will compete against about

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Choose annual meeting

The annual general meeting of the Choose Abingdon Partnership is set for Wednesday, October 12, in the Roysse Room in the Guildhall from 7pm. The group gets £60,000 a year from local authorities to promote the town.

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Pieces of mind

A free mosaic course will begin in Headington Parish Hall in Dunstan Road from Wednesday, October 12. It will be held between 12pm and 2pm for eight weeks and is organised in partnership with Ruskin College. Contact Emma Carney on 07770641359 or ecarney

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Quick off the Draw to make map

How well do you think you know Oxford? Modern Art Oxford is about to find out with its latest venture. The gallery is inviting visitors of all ages to take part in The Big Draw on Saturday, October 8, by creating a giant map of Oxford from memory.

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Florence Park 5-0 AFC Brightwell

Florence Park started strong from the whistle and took an early lead with a fierce header coming from Callum Crook off a well delivered Harry Cook corner. A second was added in quick succession as Florence Park continued to dominate. Callum Crook completed

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Cancer coffee morning toasts 21 years

Caffeine and charity come together again next weekend for Macmillan World’s Biggest Coffee Morning. The annual event sees hundreds of community groups across Oxfordshire coming together to enjoy a cup of coffee and a slice of cake. Last year saw more

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Final chapter for literary festival

ORGANISERS of a much-loved literary festival in King’s Sutton have called time on the event. The King’s Sutton Literary Festival has been running for eight years and has attracted thousands of book lovers. It was a celebration of books in the spring

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Steep rise in theft of numberplates

NUMBERPLATE thefts are on the rise across Oxfordshire, latest statistics reveal. Cherwell saw the biggest increase in the crime with 39 numberplates stolen between January and August last year and 79 taken in the same period this year. Throughout the

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One change for Oxford United

ANDY Whing replaces Jake Wright as Oxford United bid to make it three straight wins against Accrington Stanley at the Kassam Stadium. Wright is suspended after his sending off at Barnet, and with Harry Worley injured, Whing comes in to an unwise unchanged

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Only volunteers can save playground

THE future of an Oxford playground hangs in the balance as its long suffering committee tells residents: It’s now or never. Blackbird Leys Adventure Playground closed in December 2009 after 35 years of providing fun for children on the estate. And

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Armed robbers threaten staff at supermarket

ARMED robbers threatened supermarket staff at knifepoint before fleeing with cash and cigarettes. Three men burst into McColls in Millbrook Square, Grove, just before 10pm last night. The gang threatened staff with a knife and stole

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Crafty crew bag some networking

Craftproducers came together to share their secrets. The first Crafty Networking Event was held at O3 Gallery in Oxford Castle where producers could meet up with anyone interested in their skills. Pictured from left are local handbag designer Verity

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Grant has given a lifeline to so many

DISABLED people across the county have been given a “lifeline” thanks to a grant by the Oxford Mail’s owners. Oxfordshire Crossroads received £25,300 from the Gannett Foundation, a charitable arm of the 0’s parent company, in 2009 to buy a

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Nursery rated good

The Petit Enfant Day Nursery on West Oxfordshire Business Park in Carterton has been rated “good” by Ofsted. The nursery, which cares for 142 children each week, was described as a “safe, friendly and stimulating environment” by inspectors.

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Energy bills talk

A free talk in Greater Leys on Thursday will teach older residents how to cut energy bills in the run-up to winter. The talk begins at 11.15am at the Clockhouse in Long Ground and will discuss how to keep a warm home, while keeping fuel bills down

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Social club to demolished

Demolition of a fire-damaged social club begins on Monday in preparation for work on a new community building to start. Dean Court Social Club in Pinnocks Way was badly damaged by a blaze in February. Residents hope to create a community centre on the

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Debate has plenty bite

THE Headington Shark has provoked lively debate at an Oxford book store, 25 years after it was first added to the Oxford skyline. The Great Shark Debate was held at Waterstone’s in Broad Street on Thursday night to mark the publication of The Hunting

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Headington's market marvel

Jack Mcleod is hoping to become Headington’s market marvel. The new manager of Headington Farmers’ Market is hoping to turn its fortunes around and put it back on the map. Mr Mcleod has been in charge for three of the monthly markets and revealed there

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Kilimanjaro for the team

A CHARITY worker is to climb the world’s tallest free-standing mountain for the cause she works for. Tessa Stanley Price, 25, manages the philanthropy team at FARM-Africa, and joins a team of executives from the food and drinks sector to climb Kilimanjaro

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MOTORSPORT: Powell's in sixth

CHIPPING Norton’s Alice Powell moved up to sixth place in the Formula Renault UK Championship standings following the latest round at Rockingham. Driving for the Manor Competition team, she finished seventh in the first race won by Oliver Rowland. She

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NETBALL: Jets downed by Pumas

BRIZE Norton Jets lost their South Regional League opener with a 44-34 defeat to the NRG Sussex Pumas in Worthing. Jets matched Pumas goal-for-goal early on, but trailed 10-7 by the end of the first quarter. Annabel Bottomley and Kirsty Floyd’s battling

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ICE HOCKEY: Stars seek double

OXFORD City Stars player-coach Ken Forshee is targeting two wins in this weekend’s English National League South Division 1 double-header. Stars visit Bracknell Hornets today and then host historic rivals Bristol Pitbulls at Oxpens Ice Rink tomorrow

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Cogges Link Road inquiry 'a fiasco'

THE start of a public inquiry into a controversial road scheme in Witney was labelled a “fiasco”. The public inquiry into the compulsory purchase of land for the Cogges Link Road was due to start on Wednesday at Eynsham Hall, in North Leigh

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Rhythmic fun off the beaten track

YOUNGSTERS in Summertown could definitely feel the beat yesterday. Staff at Oxford Rhythm Centre were teaching children the art of African drumming using a wide range of drums. Held at the Barefoot Books Studio in Banbury Road, it was open to children

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Partner jailed for 'frenzied' murder

THE family of a woman brutally murdered by her partner welcomed his life sentence yesterday. Gary Spalding, 34, was yesterday jailed for life for killing former Bicester woman Denise Skilbeck. Nottingham Crown Court heard he bludgeoned her head 16

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GREYHOUNDS: Emma is on form

FREEDOM Emma, one of the top bitches in the country, made her return from seasonal problems with an encouraging calculated 15.26secs over two bends on Monday. She will now tackle the four bends on Monday in readiness to defend her Oaks title. SWIFT

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RACING: Double for Longsdon

Chipping Norton trainer Charlie Longsdon continued his winning run with a double at Worcester yesterday courtesy of Vincitore and Hazy Tom. Longsdon, who holds a public open day at his Hull Farm Stables tomorrow from 10am, sent out Vincitore to land

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DRESSAGE: Greenwood and Deville capture national title

Chipping Norton’s Daniel Greenwood won his third national title with victory at the Dressage Deluxe Dressage Championships at Stoneleigh Park. Riding the chestnut stallion GF Deville, he scored 70.81 per cent to take the Stretch & Flex Elementary Open

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City gears up for big race

ALMOST 2,000 runners are on their marks to compete in tomorrow’s Oxford Half Marathon. The race is expected to raise about £10,000 for Helen & Douglas House hospice in East Oxford. Olympian marathon runner Liz Yelling is expected to

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MOTORSPORT: Senna’s sights on securing 2012 drive

BRUNO Senna is determined to secure a place in Formula 1 for next season – although Renault team principal Eric Boullier is unable to make any promises it will be with the Enstone-based outfit. Heading into tomorrow’s race in Singapore, he concedes to

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GREYHOUNDS: Stringer's fab five

TRAINER Chris Stringer and owner Max Picinelli had more than 1000-1 worth of winners at yesterday’s BAGS meeting thanks to Primo Flasher, Primo Warrior, Primo Striker, Primo Venus and Swift Oscar. BAGS RESULTS 11.03: 1 SQUASHEDTOMATOES 5-1, 2 Fridays

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GREYHOUNDS: Kates tipped for winning return

KATES Noblestile, out of action since July due to lameness, can bounce back in style where she carries the nap in the A2 over 450 metres at Oxford Stadium tonight. The Richard Baker-trained black bitch showed her form in a 27.11secs solo run on Monday

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Council issue apology over vote debacle

VOTERS who missed out on a chance to go the polls in the May local elections will get an apology from South Oxfordshire District Council. Printing problems resulted in chaos during the elections this year in the Vale of White Horse and South Oxfordshire

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MOTORSPORT: Walkinshaw roars back

CHIPPING Norton’s Fergus Walkinshaw staged a terrific charge from the back of the grid to equal his best result so far in the Michelin Ginetta GT Supercup with a fifth-placed finish in race two at Rockingham. It represented a terrific recovery by the

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CRICKET: Freeland's excellence

FREELAND Under 15 girls were handed an OCB Excellence Award at the first of three youth presentation evenings at the Hawkwell House Hotel in Oxford. The youngsters were honoured after they landed the Lady Taverners Under 15 national title in August.

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CYCLE SPEEDWAY: Trio are unbeaten in Hammers romp

HORSPATH Hammers stren-gthened their lead at the top of the British Premier League table with a 106-70 win at home to Ipswich. Hammers hit the newcomers for three 7-3 maximum heat wins to start the match. Only four exclusions halted the route, despite

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Atlantis the Palm, Dubai - surreal splendour

Sharks are circling in the lagoon 100ft below and all my senses are screaming at me not to do it. Trying not to look down, I shuffle towards the precipice – and take the plunge. It takes just a few seconds to reach the bottom of the

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MOTORSPORT: Plato and Neal fined for clash

OXFORD driver Jason Plato and rival Matt Neal picked up £1,000 fines after clashing in the latest round of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship at Rockingham, near Corby. The pair were also given three penalty points on their competition licences

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GREYHOUNDS: Carter raring to go

NICK Carter says he can’t wait to get started after being appointed as a new trainer by bosses at Oxford Stadium. Currently training at Harlow, he will become the fifth trainer at Cowley to be dual attached and with over 80 greyhounds (including some

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BOXING: Mullins' testing opener

HAVING had to change his name to get a licence, Witney middleweight prospect (Steve) Marvin Mullins will face Walsall southpaw Bobby Wood in his professional boxing baptism. The pair will fight at the Oasis Leisure Centre in Swindon on Friday. And the

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ANGLING: Witney men hit jackpot with sharks

A GROUP of Witney anglers hit the jackpot when they travelled down to Milford Haven in West Wales for a spot of sea fishing. They went out with skipper Andrew Alsopp on his boat White Water 4 and landed five sharks – one porbeagle and four blues. The

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ANGLING: Benwell's title hat-trick

ANDY Benwell made it a hat-trick of wins in the 14th and final match of this season’s Carp League 2011 held at Rissington. In a titanic scrap, he finished level on points with Gary Knight, but took the title on heavier weight. The last match also provided

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ATHLETICS: County pair find it tough

OXFORDSHIRE’S Peter Barnshaw and Rosie Kingston found it tough going in the English Schools’ Combined Events Championships’ national final at Exeter Arena. Barnshaw, of Abingdon School, finished 19th in the senior boys’ decathlon with 4,996 points as

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SWIMMING: Murphy in record

Didcot Barramundi’s Alex Murphy set a new county junior record of 59.56secs for the 100m individual medley during the BBAT gala at Aquavale, Aylesbury. Barramundi won overall by a large majority and also took the cannon relay, finishing a length ahead

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Hospital denies raising PFI concerns

HOSPITAL managers in Oxfordshire have denied they specifically contacted the Health Secretary with concerns about ballooning loan repayments. The Government announced that 22 NHS trusts, including Oxford, had said their “clinical and financial stability

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Man's job takes him to 320 pubs in six months

IT’S either a labour of love, or nice work if you can get it. Matthew Bullock has spent the past six months visiting 320 pubs across Oxfordshire – and having a drink in each – to compile a new encyclopaedic pub guide. The 40-year-old

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'I dealt drugs to stay off benefits'

AN engineer started dealing drugs after being made redundant because he was “too ashamed to claim benefits”. Mechanical engineer Samuel Barson turned to selling drugs after being made redundant in December, Oxford Crown Court heard yesterday. The 25

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COMMENT: Turn out to cheer on runners in city

Tomorrow the starting pistol will fire on the reinstated Oxford Half Marathon. Almost 2,000 runners will pound the city streets in an event that could blossom into a bigger race in the next few years. Reading’s 13-mile run has proven to be a roaring

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COMMENT: Upset caused by crime can be a killer

Daphne Whiteing’s story is tragic. The great grandmother was the victim of crime, which is, sadly, a common occurrence on our streets. The 82-year-old’s purse was stolen while she was out on a shopping trip in Witney. The scumbags then

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'Mum killed by fear of thieves'

A GREAT-grandmother suffered a fatal stroke brought on by living in fear after she was targeted by thieves, her family said. Daphne Whiteing, 82, had her purse and house keys stolen from her bag while she was shopping in Witney. Thirteen

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Constable in Oxford United goal mission

JAMES Constable is desperate to regain his goalscoring touch again-st Accrington Stanley today. Oxford United’s leading scorer has played a big part in helping his side secure back-to-back away wins at Dagenham and Barnet, but did not score in either

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Rally Minis have high hopes for France

Banbury's Mini World Rally Championship team are hoping for another top placing as they head for Strasbourg and their fourth event of the year, Rally France-Alsace. The team are keen to capitalise on its third place in Germany for Spaniard

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Mum’s plan raises £9,000

A WOMAN whose son was killed in Afghanistan has welcomed the public’s support to install a bell for repatriation ceremonies. Lee Mackie, from Bampton, whose son Jason, 21, died in a bomb blast in 2009, said: “This whole thing just renews my

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Campuses triumph

Green spaces in Oxford Brookes University campuses have been voted among the nation’s favourites. Two of Brookes’ campuses made the top 10 of the country’s most popular parks and green spaces in the People’s Choice Award poll. The university’s Harcourt

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Speedway fans in bid to save ‘home’

SPEEDWAY fans are being urged to lobby their councillors in an ongoing campaign to bring the sport back to Oxford. During its heyday in the 1980s, more than 3,000 fans crammed into Oxford Stadium each Friday to watch the sport. But earlier this year