Archive
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Hospitals see big rise in complaints
THE number of complaints at Oxford’s hospitals almost doubled following the introduction of a new electronic records system. The Oxford University Hospitals Trust (OUH) reported the leap in complaints from December to January this year. Hospital chiefs
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Casting an expert eye
FAMILY heirlooms and recent finds were examined by experts at Oxford’s Ashmolean museum. Archaeological artefacts were brought in by members of the public as part of an open day for Oxfordshire Science Festival. Curators examined a range of items at
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Relief road could be open early
A NEW perimeter road aimed at reducing traffic at a Bicester trouble-spot looks set to open a year early. Countryside Properties has revealed the road, from the new roundabout on the A41 across new housing estate Kingsmere to Howes Lane, could open by
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'Please sign up'
A widow who turned £100 into £100,000 for the Oxford kidney unit has been campaigning once again. June Keep has been inviting people into her charity shop in Wantage all week to raise awareness of the importance of becoming a donor, and of World Kidney
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Local shares (PM)
AEA Technology 0.28 BMW 5837 Electrocomponents 245.25 Nationwide Accident Repair 63.5 Oxford Biomedica 3.15 Oxford Catalysts 57.5 Oxford Instruments 1165.5 Reed Elsevier 546.25 RM 90.1 RPS Group 230.8 Courtesy of Redmayne
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ROWING: Oxford coach Bowden makes light of weight difference
Coach Sean Bowden was unfazed that Oxford will enter the 158th Xchanging Boat Race on April 7 with a ten-stone disadvantage – the second greatest weight difference ever, writes Mike Rosewell. “You have to carry yourself for the whole distance
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GREYHOUNDS: Oxford BAGS results
11.03: 1 SCALA CHAMP 5-2, 2 Fragrant Rose 2-1 fav. Trio (3x4x2). Trainer: A Kibble. Time: 28.48. 11.19: 1 ROYAL RUMBLE 5-2 jt fav, 2 Hillcross Gypsy 5-2 jt fav. Trio (2x5x4). Trainer: T Kibble. Time: 28.10. 11.34: 1 POSH CHANEL 5-2, 2 Effernogue Hands
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Peugeot Partner Tepee S e-HDi 92: Loads of space
PEUGEOT’S pitch into the value-for-money people carrier market, the Partner Tepee, is about to get a long-awaited lift. The versatile vehicle is about the same size as a compact hatchback but offers a whopping amount of interior space. It’s that family-friendly
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Decide on museum history
History lovers are being invited to choose two iconic Oxford characters to be featured in a display at a new museum in the town hall. The Museum of Oxford closed in October last year to prepare for a revamp and will reopen in June after a funding
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New shops reflect a different suburb
TWENTY five years ago Summertown was home to independent butchers, florists and fishmongers, a branch of Allied carpets and banks that no longer exist today. A quarter of a century later the Banbury Road shops have moved distinctly upmarket with high
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Memorial garden design unveiled
Many young people remember losing a friend or classmate while at school. Now residents in Thame hope to provide a lasting memorial and a place to remember all those from the area who died too young. The Thame Youth Memorial Garden project
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Towpath cycling made easier thanks to £200k boost
CYCLISTS will be encouraged to use a city centre towpath more often thanks to a £200,000 cash boost, campaigners have said. The 1,100m stretch of the Oxford Canal towpath near Jericho is to be upgraded with Government cash this year. Campaigners said
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TV animal expert celebrates school merger
SCHOOL and nursery pupils celebrated the merger of Elms Road Nursery and Botley Primary School with a visit from animal expert James McKay. The CBBC star brought an eagle to meet the children and long-serving school volunteer Ted Lainchbury at the school
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Local share prices
AEA Technology 0.28 BMW 5797 Electrocomponents 247.1 Nationwide Accident Repair 63.5 Oxford Biomedica 3.1 Oxford Catalysts 59.5 Oxford Instruments 1171 Reed Elsevier 545.75 RM 86 RPS Group 234.5 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
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Red card taught Oxford United captain lesson at Bradford
OXFORD United captain Jake Wright returns to Bradford City tomorrow older and wiser after admitting emotions got the better of him during last season’s clash After a goalless first half, the U’s collapsed after the break at Valley Parade en route to
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Horse stunt is a 'desecration'
VILLAGERS last night branded a publicity stunt involving Oxfordshire’s 3,000-year-old chalk white horse as “desecration”. Betting firm Paddy Power added a canvas jockey to the prehistoric monument on White Horse Hill near Uffington to promote
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BADMINTON: Oxfordshire duo secure silver medals
BEN Egginton and Jordan Beardmore won the boys’ doubles silver medal in the Badminton England Under 17 Bronze Grade tournament at Bournemouth. Egginton, from Faringdon, and Cumnor’s Beardmore lost 21-15 in the final to Harry Brewis (Chilton) and Josh
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BOXING: Dark Blues in stunning victory
The Dark Blues maintained their grip on the Truelove Bowl as they scored an emphatic 6-3 success over Cambridge in the 105th Varsity Match at Oxford Town Hall on Tuesday. Chief coach Des Brackett, who saw Oxford secure a 5-0 winning lead before
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Clarke hails Oxford United's defensive unit
RYAN Clarke puts Oxford United’s improved defensive record this season down to the wholehearted displays he has witnessed from the back four. The U’s kept 11 clean sheets in the whole of last season, a total which was surpassed in this campaign by the
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Man hanged himself
BICESTER: A father-of-two hanged himself after suffering depression, an inquest heard yesterday. Martyn Beard, 52, was found dead at his home in Merganser Drive, Bicester, on January 3. An inquest at Oxford Coroner’s Court yesterday ruled the motorsports
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Bats spark fresh rail link inquiry
THE public inquiry into a new multi-million pound rail link between Oxford and London will be reopened because of bats. Chiltern Railways thought the issue of bats in Wolvercot Tunnel had finally been resolved after reaching a deal with Natural England
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COMMENT: Sensible option
THE operation at Magdalen Bridge last year was a far more sensible option than the closures of previous times. It was always a bit of a farce when the barriers closing the bridge for May Morning were lifted early, leading to people jumping anyway. Last
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FIXTURES March 9
SATURDAY. FOOTBALL. NPOWER LEAGUE TWO. Bradford City v Oxford Utd. EVO-STIK SOUTHERN LEAGUE. Premier Div: Banbury Utd v Totton, Oxford City v Chesham Utd. Div 1 South & West: Abingdon Utd v Wimborne, Didcot
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TENNIS: Todd reaches international final
Georgina Todd, from the White Horse Leisure & Tennis Centre, Abingdon, enjoyed success at an International Tennis Federation junior tournament in Norway. Todd, competing in the 18 and under section, won through three rounds of qualifying in
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Lenagan targets Championship in five years for Oxford United
OWNER Ian Lenagan is full of praise for the part that Kelvin Thomas and Chris Wilder have played in making a success of Oxford United. In a rare interview, the U’s backer confirmed that the club’s aim is to be in the Championship within five years –
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Apprentice star visits Cherwell School
OXFORD: The Apprentice finalist Claire Young will spend today at the Cherwell School after a group of fundraising youngsters ‘won’ her for the day. Ms Young, who reached the final of the BBC show in 2008, will talk to business studies students about
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Whing happy to prove worth to Oxford United fans
ANDY Whing is delighted with the way Oxford United supporters have warmed to him after a difficult start at the Kassam Stadium this season. Many were underwhelmed by the former Coventry and Brighton player early in the campaign, but consistently
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Burglary charge
CUTTESLOWE: Two men charged with burgling a home in Buckler Road were remanded in custody until their next appearance at Oxford Magistrates’ Court on March 15. Gezim Loka, 24, and Xhim Tota, 23, both of no fixed address, appeared in court on Wednesday
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Bridge to open for May Morning celebration
MAGDALEN Bridge will be open for May Morning celebrations again this year. However, safety experts warned there could be the lowest water levels ever. The River Cherwell looks likely to be as low as in 2005 when 40 people were hurt in
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Man killed by flesh-eating disease
A PENSIONER caught a flesh-eating disease and died after a surgeon accidentally perforated his bowel. Raymond Gardner developed necrotising fasciitis at Oxford’s Churchill Hospital after an initial operation to remove his gall bladder. The 72-year-old
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'Quit smoking if you want surgery'
PATIENTS waiting for routine surgery are being told to stop smoking before they go under the knife. A new policy in Oxfordshire means doctors must enrol patients in stop smoking classes while they are waiting for surgery. Similarly,
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RUGBY UNION: Chinnor face wing poser
CHINNOR head coach Jason Bowers said he is facing a “nice selection problem” ahead of tomorrow’s National 3 South West clash at home to Barnstaple. With Mark Chase, who has scored nine tries in his last three games and Pip Seymour returning, Bowers has
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LIFE LESSONS: Restoring historic city centre sites is so rewarding
Today we talk to Debbie Dance, who is the director of the Oxford Preservation Trust WHAT I'M CALLED: Debbie Dance MY AGE IN YEARS: 54 WHAT I DO: Director, Oxford Preservation Trust WHERE I LIVE: On a village green in South Oxfordshire –
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Town green application
We are saddened and angered to read that the application for town green status on well-used green land in Blackbird Leys is likely to be rejected by the county council. This would lead to an unrecoverable loss of open land in an area which already has
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Help with saving water
I write to offer support for Adrian Taylor who unsuccessfully tried to purchase a water butt from Homebase (Oxford Mail, March 2). While I offer no excuse for Homebase, I would like to draw attention to the water butt and home compost bin offer all local
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Big stage should inspire Oxford United - Wilder
MOTIVATING Oxford United’s players to produce another top display at the end of a tough week will be no problem at Bradford City this weekend, according to manager Chris Wilder. The U’s took four points from tough games at home to Swindon Town and away
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COMMENT: Steering a subtle course to health
NHS Oxfordshire is steering a sensible middle course with its new policy over encouraging surgery patients to attempt to cut weight or stop smoking rather than an outright ban. Health chiefs in Hertfordshire have banned those smoking and over a certain
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FOOTBALL: McGlynn set for Abingdon debut
Abingdon Town give a debut to midfielder Piers McGlynn (pictured) for their Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division trip to Reading Town tomorrow. McGlynn, who has played this season for Oxford Irish in the Oxfordshire Senior League, joined
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CABBAGES & KINGS: Lucky escape for some, but there's no justice
Have you ever felt there was an accident just waiting to happen? Nothing specific, just an accident? The feeling manifested itself shortly after 11am on Tuesday morning when a man, late 30s or early 40s and clad in running kit, would appear to have believed
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Time for a change
nless I have been misinformed, the council (and other local authorities) have spent thousands of pounds over the last three years with telephone calls to the speaking clock. Have you not heard of radio-controlled clocks? Last year I purchased, for less
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Graffiti witticism
SO graffiti artists are blooming again. It escapes me why scribbling on walls should be a way of making a mark on life and at significant cost to ratepayers. There are only two I have seen which had some wit. The first, outside Paddington station which
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Thanks for your help
Hundreds of volunteers of all ages were out in Oxford over the weekend picking up litter. Could I say a huge thank you to everyone who used a grabber, filled a rubbish sack or collected recycling? It was an even bigger Oxford spring clean than last
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Solar commitment
Our house which we own happens to face north-south. This qualifies us under a Government scheme to have solar panels provided free of charge. So when, at a time when the politicians were getting cold feet, a cold caller invited us to take advantage
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Religious support
What a wonderful letter by Dermot R Carroll in Viewpoint (Monday, March 5). I thank him for his courage in speaking out and I support him wholeheartedly. In my lifetime I have met acclaimed scientists who have also been devoted Christians and what an
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We weren't causing trouble
As an Oxford United season-ticket holder and regular reader of the Oxford Mail, I’m writing to express my disappointment at your page 2 picture and headline in Monday’s edition. The headline ‘Trouble sours derby win’ printed below a group of supporters
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FOOTBALL: North Leigh face test with leaders
North Leigh’s stunning winning run faces its biggest test when they entertain Evo-Stik Southern League Division 1 South & West leaders Bideford Town tomorrow. Mark Gee’s side have won ten of their last 11 games to move within one place of the play-offs
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FOOTBALL: Fuller still focused on league
Ady Fuller hopes to mark his first season as Banbury United manager with a trophy after his side reached the Evo-Stik Southern League's Red Insure Cup final in midweek. The Puritans beat Chesham United 5-4 in a thrilling penalty shoot-out following
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ANGLING: Fancy a final fling
Coarse fishing’s close season on rivers comes into force next Thursday, so for most anglers, this weekend is the last chance to get out and have a go, writes Stuart Earop. Big chub will be top of the list for some of them, and if the weather holds, there
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Branson's plans to extend home
BILLIONAIRE Richard Branson has applied to Cherwell District Council for permission to extend his Kidlington home. Proposals for the house, in Mill End, include extending a kitchen, altering a bedroom, creating a toilet and lobby, replacing a window,
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‘Gullible’ OAP lost £30k life savings
A PENSIONER who lost his life savings by replying to junk mail claiming he had won a lottery jackpot, has urged others not to fall into the same trap. Retired watch and clock repairer Graham Townsend signed thousands of cheques to companies
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Bishop criticises gay marriage bid
THE Bishop of Oxford last night warned the Government was “playing with fire” by considering same sex marriages. The Rt Revd John Pritchard hit out at gay marriage plans, saying: “We know what does work, male and female.” But Prime Minister and Witney
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Wilder hoping Morgan can give Oxford United spark
CHRIS Wilder is hoping the experience of Dean Morgan can prove crucial to Oxford United’s promotion hopes. The Chesterfield forward joined the U’s on loan yesterday and will meet his new teammates for the first time today when the United coach makes
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Sex abuse priest to be sentenced
A ROMAN Catholic priest convicted of sexually abusing boys will be sentenced today. Alexander Bede Walsh, a former priest at St John The Evangelist Church, in Banbury, was found guilty of 21 sex offences by jurors at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on February
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A34 closed as police swoop on van
ARMED police closed the A34 as they swooped on two men wanted in connection with an attempted murder inquiry in Ireland. The dual carriageway was closed close to the Islip turn, near Bicester, from 10.40pm to 11.10pm on Wednesday after an automatic number
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Bailed over drugs farm
A 28-year-old man from Banbury arrested over the discovery of a cannabis farm off Oxford Road in Bodicote was rebailed by police yesterday until April 11. On February 7 police seized more than 25 cannabis plants and a quantity of Class A drugs and arrested
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Rape trial told: ‘She started it’
A MAN accused of rape yesterday told jurors the sex was consensual. Waad Namek took the stand at Oxford Crown Court on day three of his trial. The 36-year-old denies two counts of raping a Romanian woman at his home in October 2010.
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Leven could make Oxford United return in a week
PETER Leven could make a surprise return to the Oxford United side next weekend after a shoulder injury reacted well to a period of rest, writes DAVID PRITCHARD. There were fears the talented midfielder would miss the rest of the season with
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Project unveils history of Blackbird Leys
THE origins of Blackbird Leys and the people who live there will be in the spotlight on the estate this year. Working Class History Month, organised by the Independent Working Class Association, will take place in May. There are plans for school projects
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Book celebrates Oxford Tube's 25th anniversary
WOMEN love sitting on the top deck of the Oxford Tube to peer into people’s homes and gardens, according to the author of a book about the iconic bus. Launched in 1987, the Oxford to London service started out with just seven second-hand coaches, each
