Archive
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CRICKET: Students toil
OXFORD MCCU’s bowlers were made to toil in the sun on day one of their friendly with Gloucestershire in The Parks today. The visitors closed on 384-5 off 96 overs, led by Chris Dent’s 137. Alex Gidman made 67, while former Oxfordshire
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UPDATE: Rail services at standstill after train hits person but bus services being organised
RAIL services between Oxford and Banbury are at a standstill tonight after a train hit a person on the line. There is no information at the moment how long trains will be suspended, according to First Great Western. However, at 10.30pm
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Accrington Stanley 0, Oxford United 2 (Hall 42, 73)
ASA Hall’s hot streak in front of goal was extended with two precious strikes to give Oxford United a terrific victory at Accrington Stanley. The result was hugely significant, lifting the U’s up to sixth in npower League Two and clear of
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Oxford United ahead at half-time
Oxford United were leading 1-0 at half-time in tonight's npower League 2 clash at Accrington Stanley. Asa Hall's 42nd-minute strike was the difference between the two sides.
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Williams F1 racing chairman resigns
THE chairman of Grove-based Formula 1 motor racing team Williams has resigned. Team founder Sir Frank Williams said Adam Parr, who will leave on Friday, wanted to pursue “a better life balance”. Mr Parr said, “I am very grateful to Frank for giving
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Wilder makes three changes for Oxford United at Accrington
Cristian Montano makes his first start for Oxford United in one of three changes to the starting line-up for the trip to Accrington Stanley. The on-loan West Ham youngster replaces Dean Morgan, who had a quiet game in Saturday’s goalless
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Bus fare increases 'will hit passengers hard'
A RISE in bus fares will hit passengers’ pockets hard, according to people in Oxford. But a bus users’ group said the rises agreed by the Oxford Bus Company still mean journeys in the city are good value. The firm is putting up single and return ticket
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FOOTBALL: Shoot-outs in Charity Shield semis
Penalty shoot-outs were needed to settle both North Berks Charity Shield semi-finals as two top flight sides were knocked out by lower league opposition, writes Phil Annets. After a goalless 90 minutes, Brian Rawlings’s opener for Berinsfield early in
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Aim for more tourists - PM
W OXON: Prime Minister and Witney MP David Cameron says the Cotswolds still have “enormous untapped reservoirs” of potential for increasing tourism. He gave the message as he met tourism, community and business leaders at a networking event in Witney
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Grant gives group ‘breathing space’
A CHARITY based in Kennington is making real headway after a £91,000 grant saved it from having to scale back its work. Headway Oxfordshire supports people affected by acquired brain injury across the county. It was awarded the money by the Big Lottery
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Pub’s revival recognised with prize
A WANTAGE pub revamped by its new owner 18 months ago has been crowned pub of the year by local drinkers. The White Horse branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) voted the Shoulder of Mutton in Wallingford Street its favourite pub. Branch chairman
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Local share prices
AEA Technology 0.27 BMW 5734 Electrocomponents 256.2 Nationwide Accident Repair 63.5 Oxford Biomedica 3.1 Oxford Catalysts 48.5 Oxford Instruments 1227 Reed Elsevier 559.25 RM 77.6 RPS Group 245.1 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley,
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Pensioner in serious condition after bus crash
A 66-year-old woman has been taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital after a collision with a bus in Wantage. A police spokesman said the accident happened at about 1pm today in Wallingford Street. She was said to be in a serious condition upon
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Three fallen soldiers will be repatriated on Thursday
Three fallen servicemen will be brought back to the UK from Afghanistan on Thursday. The plane carrying the bodies of Captain Rupert Bowers and two as-yet-unamed servicemen will land at RAF Brize Norton at about 2.30pm. The cortege will pass the memorial
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The Land of Decoration
The Land of Decoraction by Grace McCleen The author of this remarkable book, is well named — her debut novel is concerned with religion, sin and grace. “My name is Judith McPherson. I am ten years old. On Monday a miracle happened. That
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Didcot soldiers praised for efforts to save colleague
Colleagues of a Didcot-based soldier have been praised for risking their lives to help her after she was injured defusing a bomb in Afghanistan. Captain Lisa Jade Head, of the Didcot-based 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment, the Royal
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Small but bloomin' special
WATERPERRY Gardens were ablaze with colour as thousands of tiny alpine plants came into bloom. On Saturday and Sunday the Wheatley gardens, which hold the national collection of Kabschia and Silver Saxifrages, threw open its doors for people to view
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Criticism over use of police cautions
POLICE have cautioned people for sex offences against children, violent attacks and burglary, figures obtained by the Oxford Mail reveal. Over the past three years, 6,553 cautions were given in Oxfordshire by Thames Valley Police, figures obtained under
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Angelic sculpture wins chef gold medal
PASTRY chef Naoko Sukegawa has carved out a name for herself with a pastry fat sculpture. The 70cm sculpture called Falling Angel took the chef, who works at Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons, in Great Milton, 180 hours to make by applying pastry
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Call for action to end sewage leaks
HEADINGTON residents want a water company to tackle an ongoing sewage problem in their streets. Residents called in Thames Water on Saturday after they woke to sewage running down the road. They said it was not the first time it had happened. Judith
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Pioneer free school opens admissions
ADMISSIONS have opened for Oxfordshire’s first free school. The Europa School, in Culham, opens as a state-funded, multi-lingual school in September and parents can now apply direct to the school for places in reception, Year 1 or Year 2. The Europa
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HOCKEY: Oxford women clinch place in Trophy final
Oxford booked their place in the women's Investec Trophy final with a 2-1 triumph away to Wellingborough. Caro Harris fended off some crunching tackles to square the ball for Rachael Lammey to put Oxford 1-0 up. After the break, the home side came
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Village shop ready to deliver postal service
WHEN film star Helena Bonham Carter needs a pint of milk she often calls in at the village store in Sutton Courtenay. Now she will be able to fulfil all her post office needs after Deepak Patel, 52, the owner of Burgrey Stores, agreed to open
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HOCKEY: Banbury still haunted by relegation
Banbury look set to go down from South League Premier 1 despite defeating Richmond 3-1 with goals from Adrian Simons (2) and James Dick. They must beat second-placed Wayfarers this Saturday and hope Eastbourne slip up at Chichester. Oxford Hawks,
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RUGBY UNION: Rampant Chippy stay on track
Round-up CHIPPING Norton maintained their promotion hopes with a 64-8 victory at Princes Risborough in the BB&O Premier Division. Should Chippy claim maximum points from their remaining three matches, starting with Saturday’s home clash with Thatcham
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COMMENT: Big Society in practice
David Cameron has spoken of a ‘Big Society’ and now an opportunity has arisen for people in Oxford to embrace this vision. A new ‘People’s Supermarket’ is planning to open in either Cowley Road or Marston by the summer. Under the scheme, shoppers can
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Rail contract is a boost for jobs
Leading public services supplier Amey, which has its headquarters at the Oxford Science Park, has won a five-year contract to electrify the Great Western main line between Maidenhead and Cardiff. The contract, part of Network Rail’s £700m
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Dogs seized after toddler attack
STAFFORDSHIRE Bull Terrier type dogs have been seized by police after a 21-month-old child was attacked in Cowley. The toddler was walking with his mother in Horspath Road, near Brasenose Driftway, when they were attacked by two dogs which
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Community supermarket plan mooted
SHOPPERS in Oxford may soon own their local supermarket as plans for a new breed of store get underway. Community Grocer Chris Waites wants to open up a ‘People’s Supermarket’ in either Cowley Road or Marston by the summer. Under the scheme shoppers
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Date set for repatriation of dead soldier
THE repatriation of a soldier killed in Afghanistan last week will take place on Thursday. Captain Rupert Bowers, of 2nd Battalion, the Mercian Regiment, was leading a patrol in Helmand province when he was killed by a bomb on Wednesday. The 24-year-old
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No hotline to report hosepipe ban cheats
THAMES Water has said it will not set up a special hotline to report people flouting the countywide hosepipe ban, which comes into force on Thursday next week. Spokesman Natalie Slater said the company was not encouraging people to “snoop” but instead
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Ambulance waits outside casualty units soar
TIME spent by patients waiting in ambulances to be admitted to casualty departments at Oxfordshire hospitals has soared, according to new figures. Ambulances spent 399 hours queuing outside the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford in January, compared
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RUGBY UNION: Four-try Brettell leads comeback
Southern Counties North ANGUS Brettell scored four tries as Wallingford fought back from 14-0 down to defeat Alchester 29-14 at the Hithercroft. Alchester took the lead when Jack Briggs intercepted skipper Pete Holton’s pass and raced in from 60 metres
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RUGBY UNION: Witney's run ends
South West 1 East WITNEY’S three-match winning run was ended by a below-par 32-12 defeat at High Wycombe. Wycombe led 15-0 at half-time thanks to two tries, a conversion and a penalty. Witney brought on lock Richard Haire and
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RUGBY UNION: Henley hammer Lydney
National 2 South HENLEY Hawks won 46-30 at home to Lydney. Hawks fly half James Comben kicked a penalty and then converted a try from flanker Matt Payne. Lydney replied with a penalty from full back Anthony Wicks, but Hawks were awarded a penalty
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RACING: Longsdon in 187-1 double
Chipping Norton trainer Charlie Longsdon took his impressive tally for the season to 61 winners with a 187-1 double at Towcester yesterday courtesy of Rossmore Lad and Venceremos. Rossmore Lad (9-2) took the three-mile handicap hurdle under Richard Johnson
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RACING: Winner Gannon's back in the Pink
Wantage jockey Cathy Gannon rode her first winner since making her comeback after five months on the sidelines with victory aboard Strictly Pink at Lingfield yesterday. The four-year-old filly had been the Irish-born rider’s first competitive ride since
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French Street dancers take to stage
OXFORD’S Bridge of Sighs formed the backdrop for breakdancing fresh from the streets of Paris. Elektro Kif, billed as the first new dance style to come from France since the Can-can, is bursting on to the stage at Oxford Playhouse. Dancer William
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RUGBY UNION: Chinnor pipped by title rivals
Bournemouth 27, Chinnor 26 THIS was truly dramatic stuff in front of 1,200 fans at Chapel Gate as Chinnor’s stirring comeback fell just short. Victory leaves Bournemouth eight points clear at the top of National 3 South West and firm
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RUGBY UNION: Bowers proud of his players
CHINNOR head coach Jason Bowers felt their comeback against Bournemouth merited victory and praised his players’ character. Bowers said: “I thought we played some really great rugby and probably deserved to win after coming back the way we did, so it
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Dismayed by new dial-a-ride service
I am writing in dismay at the news of the new dial-a-ride service that is to start next month. Currently I use the service on a Monday, Tuesday and Thursday to visit my elderly mother and also to have a short visit to my local library. Being housebound
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Give council staff some praise
I wanted to contact you because I feel council staff get a lot of stick from Oxfordshire residents. I recently made a quick trip into Oxford city centre and parked in the Westgate car park. After I had paid (£2.40) I went back to my car, realising I
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Make Mr Tanner the toilet attendant
I am very surprised that a man of Jeremy Smith’s intelligence should accept the appointment of loo supremo. To suggest having paperback novels in a toilet at Gloucester Green, among other things such as flowers, makes me wonder how long are they expecting
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Lack of loos gives poor impression
I FOUND it quite ironic to read that John Tanner is now promoting the need for loos in Oxford (Oxford Mail, March 15). I wrote to him more than a year ago about the lack of them in the city centre and all I received was a glib reply saying he was sorry
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Why do we give all this aid?
Chairman of the international Development Select Committee Malcolm Bruce said we need to ensure that £5.1bn of British aid is reaching the people who need it, and not being frittered away along the delivery chain. So why on earth does this Government
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Atheism is belief in nature
IN response to James Morris’s letter (March 1) atheism in its truest form is non-religious and a belief in nature. Atheists do not have to prove the non-existence of God, or a God-like being because, in essence, God only lives in the people who believe
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River link would avoid new reservoir
IT is worrying that we are facing a drought this summer. The water companies want to build a new reservoir for millions of pounds near Drayton, Abingdon. Some people may lose their homes because of this. A better idea was that they should make a better
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Have a sense of adventure on May Morning
Yes, D Howard is right (Oxford Mail, March 20), let there be sense of adventure on the bridge leading into Oxford on May Morning. Temporarily dam the river either side of the Magdalen Bridge so there is no water. Then let the sillies jump off the bridge
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On Yer Bike: In cycle heaven at Bristol show
The pride that is displayed when a custom built frame is being discussed and admired is truly immense. Last Friday I entered a hall where hundreds of people were talking handmade bikes at the Bristol handmade bicycle show. 2012 saw the venue change to
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QUIZ LEAGUE: Front-runners neck-and-neck at final fence
Won 12, lost three, aggregate points scored – 1159. These are the identical records of the top two teams in the Premier Section, namely the Chester Arms (Oxford) and the Six Bells (Headington), as the league campaign enters its final round of fixtures
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FOOTBALL: Chilton set to miss Banbury final
Banbury United boss Ady Fuller is likely to be without Dan Chilton when they travel to Clevedon in the first leg of the Red Insure Cup final tonight. The defender went off with a thigh injury in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Evo-Stik Southern League Premier
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Clarke seeking special victory
Ryan Clarke believes a win for Oxford United at Accrington Stanley tonight would be viewed as one of the team’s best results of the entire campaign. The U’s head to Lancashire looking to consolidate their place in the npower League Two play-off positions
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Burglar targeted string of charities
AN “incorrigible career burglar” stole charity boxes and cash as he raided churches and local businesses. Serial criminal Robert Taylor, 42, even switched to breaking in to “non-dwellings” having become aware of the stricter sentences dished out for
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LIT FEST DIARY: If in doubt, just nod your head
WELL, I did my homework – I whizzed through Cosmos by Carl Sagan, A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking and Wonders of The Universe by Prof Brian Cox. Also, because I know nothing about art, I flicked through The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown
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RUGBY UNION: Quins hit by double blow
National 3 South West OXFORD Harlequins slipped back into the drop zone, despite gaining a bonus point in a 30-23 defeat at Exmouth. Quins felt they deserved more from a strong performance and their frustration was increased by relegation rivals Amersham
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Students stand up for gay rights
Students standing up for gay rights held a demonstration outside an Oxford University college. The demo was held outside Exeter College after Christian organisation the Wilberforce Academy booked conference facilities at the college.
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Lambing weekend visitors see the magic of Spring
SPRING officially arrived in Oxfordshire at the weekend, as the sun shone and children enjoyed meeting new arrivals. Families flocked to the Earth Trust’s Hill Farm at Little Wittenham, near Didcot, for its annual lambing weekend, run by farmers Roly
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CRICKET: Taylor in Parks
Oxfordshire all-rounder Jack Taylor plays for Gloucestershire against Oxford MCCU in a two-day friendly in The Parks, starting today (11am). Taylor is joined in the Gloucestershire side by Oxford MCCU graduates Ed Young and Richard Coughtrie. Charlie
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COMMENT: A shining example
The tragic news of further deaths in Afghanistan throw the work of our soldiers into sharp focus. Regardless of the politics, men and women are putting their lives on the line on a daily basis to save others. The bravery of Capt Jim Fidell who spent
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Police talk to more girls over suspected child sex ring
POLICE investigating a suspected child sex ring in Oxford said last night they are speaking to more girls as the investigation continues. Det Insp Simon Morton, right, who is leading Operation Bullfinch, said: “More girls are talking to us – but that
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Brave soldier defused bomb in cramped Afghan tunnel
SOLDIERS from the Oxfordshire regiment dubbed the “real Hurt Locker” are used to deactivating bombs. But for Captain James Fidell one task was more risky than most. The 28-year-old had to crawl into a cramped tunnel beneath a road to deactivate a 50kg
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Accidents close two roads in Oxfordshire
MOTORISTS were injured in two separate incidents on Oxfordshire roads yesterday. A car flipped onto its roof in Cowley Road, closing the road for more than an hour. The grey Hyundai Coupe hit two parked cars and overturned between Southfield Road and
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Oxford United to cement play-off spot
Motivation will not be an issue for Oxford United as they head to Accrington Stanley tonight eager to make the most of their game in hand. With most of United’s rivals not in action, the long trip north offers a big opportunity to make up ground
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Teenage cyclist taken to hospital after accident
A teenage girl was taken to hospital this morning after falling off her bike in Wallingford. South Central Ambulance spokesman Gill Hodgetts said the accident happened at 6.45am near the junctions of Fir Tree Avenue and Atwell Close. She said
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Oxford United boss hails Asa the ace
Chris Wilder hailed Asa Hall after the midfielder’s double won a tricky game for Oxford United at Accrington Stanley on Tuesday night. It maintained Hall’s purple patch of five goals in seven games as he stepped up to claim a vital three points
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Botley Road dubbed one of Britain's most dangerous for cyclists
OXFORD’S Botley Road has been named one of the most dangerous for cyclists in Britain. Sustrans, which helps shape policies and lobbies the Government for improvements to national cycle networks, labelled the area an ‘accident blackspot.’ And last night
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New playground produces some big smiles
CHILDREN celebrated finally being able to try out their new £150,000 play area. Over the past few months, a disused bowling green in Florence Park, Cowley, has been transformed into a play centre for young and old children. And on Friday, children and
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County's boost for Sport Relief charity
Fundraisers laced up their trainers to raise thousands of pounds for charity over the BBC’s Sport Relief week. Serious athletes, youngsters and those in fancy dress got involved in sporting events across Oxfordshire to raise vital cash for
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New play park produces smiles
CHILDREN celebrated finally being able to try out their new £150,000 play area. Over the past few months, a disused bowling green in Florence Park, Cowley, has been transformed into a play centre for young and old children. And on Friday, children and
