Archive
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Scales of justice
OXFORD Matthew Brain, 26, of Delbush Avenue, Oxford, admitted assault by beating on August 12 and criminal damage to an internal door valued at £25 on August 14 in Oxford. Also admitted committing offence while on suspended prison sentence. Jailed
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It's this way to the show
MEEKO the Japanese Spitz may have looked reluctant to accompany owner Joey Price, aged seven, to a dog show, but he came away with a prize. Joey and his best friend, pictured, took fourth place for ‘best turned out’ at Steeple Aston’s flower and
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Buyer's deal likely to mean end of old pub
A SHUT DOWN West Oxford pub looks like it has definitely served up its last pint after a deal has been struck with an unnamed buyer. The Osney Arms in Botley Road has been shut for nine months after landlady Maria Oliver decided to cut her losses
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Former Footballer's Wives star Susie Amy Enjoys Performing With Killer Cast in Oxford
Katherine MacAlister speaks to former Footballer’s Wives actress Susie Amy about her latest stage role Susie Amy? Gorgeous, funny, FHM pin-up and adventurer, who manages to look as glamorous in a bikini as she does in her Arctic snow gear.
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Simon Annand's Candid Camera Catches Stars At Oxford's North Wall
Katherine Macalister was granted exclusive access to question photographer Simon Annand about his extraordinary work and his yet unfulfilled ambitions. He answers her questions – including which actors turned him down Look him up on Wikipedia
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Kate O'Mara in Death On The Nile Talks Openly About Lives and Loves
Kate O’ Mara is on cracking form when she speaks to Katherine MacAlister about her recent operation, relationships, men and why her character in Murder On The Nile is such a nightmare Kate O’ Mara can scarcely conceal her disdain for her part
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Eye-Popping Special Effects Herald In Movie Remake Of Total Recall
TOTAL RECALL (12A) Sci-Fi/Action/Thriller. Colin Farrell, Kate Beckinsale, Jessica Biel, Bryan Cranston, Bokeem Woodbine, Bill Nighy, John Cho. Director: Les Wiseman. The human brain is capable of processing hundreds of billions of instructions
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One Off Concert at Oxford Castle Unlocked Looks Set To Rock
TIM HUGHES bangs the drum for a one-off concert in a special location Oxford Castle has witnessed some dramatic scenes in its almost 1,000-year history. Its ancient stone walls have seen executions, sieges, revolts, uprisings, bloodshed, riots
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Country Rockers Treetop Flyers play at Modern Art Oxford
Tim Hughes catches up with old friend, country rocker Reid Morrison of the band Treetop Flyers ahead of his return to the city he considers his second home TREETOP Flyers are used to playing in unusual places. The country-soul-rockers have played
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He who dares gets a soulmate for lifetime
IT WAS a case of he who dares wins for Keith Treadwell who met his wife of 60 years after friends challenged him to talk to her at the bus stop. Mr Treadwell and his wife Joan celebrate their diamond anniversary today. They were both born in
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Great Fun For Children and Adults Alike at Vauxhall Holiday Park
TIM HUGHES’ great expectations are rewarded as the penny really drops at Vauxhall Holiday Park in Great Yarmouth THIS summer the country has been celebrating the best of British. The Jubilee and the Olympics have all had us pinning up bunting
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Council wastes money
Sir – Whatever “extraordinary claims” Mr Smith thinks I’m making, his letter (August 23) amply demonstrates how little of the Campaign to Save Temple Cowley Pools he really understands. The campaign’s detailed evidence for keeping Temple Cowley
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Priority to pedestrians
Sir – In his attempt to justify cycling in the Green Road (or any other) subway, Richard Mann of Cyclox refers to an Act of 1835 (Letters, August 23). This Act can hardly have considered bicycles or subways. A subway is a continuation of a footway
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Parents in the dark
Sir – One of the iniquities of the academy system was highlighted in the survey of countywide A-level results, by Oxford Academy not supplying any figures and, moreover, the head flatly refusing any comments other than that students had done
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Mend broken hearts
Sir – Do you have some spare time on your hands? Would you like to make a difference for heart patients living in your area and help fund groundbreaking research? Would you like to meet new friends? If the answer is yes and you live in Bicester
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Re-writing history
Sir – Dr Atkinson (Letters, August 23) bizarrely seems to claim that the Tories were in power up to and including 1999. He then claims that the “last” Labour Government transformed the NHS, yet I experienced the daunting reality of two-year
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Not a green preserve
Sir – Contrary to Hugh McManners’ claims (Letters, August 23) that: “St Clements remains the sole preserve of the Green Party”, readers should note that the ward is actually represented by councillor Graham Jones (Liberal Democrats) and myself
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Parallel universe
Sir – Hugh McManners (Letters, August 23) is exercised about what he imagines are the forces of party politics in local planning decisions and in particular in the recent decision not to grant planning permission for the development of student
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Support farmers
Sir – Look after our farmers and you look after our countryside. The farming industry is in crisis. Dairy farmers are getting a raw deal for their milk, pig farmers struggle as feed prices increase. Some farmers can no longer cover their overheads
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Save our squash court
Sir – Oxford City Council are considering closing one of their three remaining squash courts. They wish to build a spinning studio and a soft play area at the Ferry Centre which requires the closure of a squash court. I am not against the provision
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Rival reading schemes
Sir – As it was Professor Howson who revealed the shocking state of KS1 results in Oxford City schools nearly two years ago, we are, of course, delighted that both the city and county have found some more money to help schools achieve the results
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Emerging hazards
Sir – The parking problems in the Cutteslowe Park area were discussed at a meeting, on August 20, in the Cutteslowe pavilion. It was organised by Mr John Goddard, Ms Jean Fooks and Mr Mike Gotch, local councillors and Mr David Tole, the county council
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Lambs to slaughter
Sir — Thank you for your continued coverage of the parking issues in the Cutteslowe Park area. In last week’s issue you reported on the public meeting called by local county councillors, John Goddard and Jean Fooks, to discuss the parking proposals
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Maintaining independence
Sir – It is interesting to compare the principles of social care of the elderly in the 1970s to that of today. In the ‘70s the statisticians were indicating that the elderly population would increase, in consequence, more frail and dependent
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Local shares (PM)
AEA Technology 0.12 BMW 4588 Electrocomponents 223.3 Nationwide Accident Repair 61 Oxford Biomedica 2.125 Oxford Catalysts 59 Oxford Instruments 1308 Reed Elsevier 591.75 RM 79.75 RPS Group 241 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
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Dr Dominic Hibberd: expert on war poets
Dr Dominic Hibberd, a biographer of the poet Wilfred Owen, has died at his west Oxfordshire home, aged 70. Dr Hibberd was a world authority on Wilfred Owen and is credited with writing the definitive biography of the First World War poet, who was
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GOLF: Green claims a second victory
Charlie Green stormed to his second BB&O Golf Partnership Junior success of the season. The Hadden Hill member won the boys’ 14 and over event at Mentmore with 40 points. The victory was his second in the six-event competition, following
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BAR BILLIARDS: Skipper Simon seals it
RESULTS SHAW & CO OXFORDSHIRE FOURSOMES LEAGUE Section 1 Drayton Park 1 (1pt), Frilford Heath 2 (3) (Drayton scores first): A Elmey & A Griffiths lost to D Newbold & E Bradley 3 & 2; D Morton & C Wilson lost to A Booth
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Jubilee fund aims to give thriving Brigade group a boost
THE oldest youth organisation in the world set up camp in Wallingford just seven years ago and has been giving its community a helping hand ever since. Now the Boys’ Brigade needs a helping hand itself and is hoping the Jubilee Fund for Oxfordshire
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Redevelopment plans 'confusing' say council's critics
DISTRICT council leaders have come under fire for a “confused approach” to redeveloping the Didcot Island site. South Oxfordshire District Council revealed in February that consultants Aecom were drawing up a masterplan for how the town should
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Stores will not open by Christmas
TWO new large stores at the heart Abingdon’s £4m shopping precinct revamp will not be open for Christmas. The two-storey shops are being created out of five old units, and other work will see the canopies removed, facades renewed and pitched roofs
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Appeal for stolen bike
Thieves stole a £1,000 bike, pictured above, from outside a gym. The Carrera Banshee mountain bike was taken from energie Banbury in Middleton Road between 6.15pm and 7.20pm on Tuesday. Owner Yasser Malik said he was planning on using it in
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GOLF: Juniors miss out
Oxfordshire's juniors had to settle for second place in their three-team county match at Mentmore GC. The eight-strong team of captain Sophie Stone, and Olivia Herring (both Studley Wood), Cara Gainer, Sally Ayres (both Frilford Heath), Imogen
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New Oxford theatre company inspired by Elizabethan concepts
Just when you thought Oxford was sufficiently endowed with theatrical companies, along comes another to add to the mix — and the founders promise that this one will be refreshingly different. Flintlock Theatre — named after the mechanism used in
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Villager funeral
The funeral of a farm worker killed after an oil drum exploded will take place next Friday. Ian Simpson, 48, died after he cut into the drum in the front garden of his family’s College Way home last month. A horse-drawn carriage will carry
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BOWLS: Headington on track for double
Headington A remain on course for their third successive double following a nail-biting 70-69 win over Carterton in the Oxford & District League Cup semi-final. With the league title already in the bag, they will now face Oxford City &
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BOWLS: Richens bows out in last 16
Carterton's Stuart Richens reached the last 16 of the National Two Wood Singles Championship at Worthing before bowing out. He opened up with an 18-6 win over Ross On Wye’s Glyn Williams, before squeezing past West Ealing’s John Carey 15-14 in
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BOWLS: Hawker Cup joy for Carterton
Carterton lifted the Oxfordshire Bowling Association’s Hawker Cup with a 42-36 win over holders Headington in the final at Oxford City & County. The Carterton rink of Tim Jupp, Malvyn Pitman, Shane Cooper and Gordon Walker posted the decisive
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ATHLETICS: It's bronze for Ahmet
RADLEY'S Lyn Ahmet won bronze for Great Britain at the European Masters Championships in Zittau, Germany. Competing in the vet 60 age group, her medal came in the 4x100m relay, with the GB team’s third place helping them to second overall.
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Baby is not 'disabled enough' for benefits
THE mother of a baby who will be incontinent for the rest of his life has been told he is currently not disabled enough for benefits. Seven-month-old Max Royan was born with Hirschsprung’s disease which severely affects his bowel. As a result
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BOWLS: Hawes eyeing up title dozen
Oxford City & County’s Katherine Hawes bids for a 12th Oxfordshire ladies’ singles title when she faces Banbury Central’s Stella Amos in the final at Oxford City & County on Saturday (10am). Hawes also features in the City & County
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ATHLETICS: Fernandez takes third
ULTRA marathon international Paul Fernandez finished third in the 85-mile Ridgeway Challenge. The Abingdon Ambler completed the course from Ivinghoe Beacon to Avebury in 15hrs 22mins – with winner Robin Houghton clocking 13.34. Abingdon clubmate
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A feast of Hobbits at ready
For Tolkien fans everywhere, the annual Oxonmoot is an absolute must. Now in its 38th year, this three-day Tolkien fest is an opportunity to gather with like-minded people and enjoy a mix of fun and educational activities — which always includes
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Former policeman died of asbestos exposure
A FORMER Met policeman who carved part of the Bishop of Oxford’s ceremonial staff died after being exposed to asbestos in the 1960s. Robert Collins, who worked for Oxford City Council as an environmental health enforcement officer, died on July
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COMMENT: A home in the real sense of the word
Never judge a book by its cover...well, here’s a perfect example. On the outside, it’s nothing more than a rusting shipping container. Just the kind in fact you might see at any industrial site. But inside, a little like Doctor Who’s Tardis, it
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ATHLETICS: Carter and Bellinger land titles
SOPHIE Carter and Darrell Bellinger sealed their maiden Mota-Vation Series titles with victories in the delayed first round at Charlton-on-Otmoor. Carter, the 33-year-old Woodstock Harrier, completed her fourth win in four races, so cannot be overhauled
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Family of sex victim appeal for leniency
A PAEDOPHILE who abused a 13-year-old girl has escaped being jailed after the victim’s family and the police pleaded for leniency. Dane Walker was 27 when he began communicating with the schoolgirl through Facebook and text messages. The pair
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ATHLETICS: Gain smashes club record
DAVID Gain was Oxfordshire’s star in the UK Counties Athletic Union (CAU) Track and Field Championships at Bedford. The 22-year-old Oxford City sprinter finished fourth in the 200m final, clocking a club record and personal best 21.39secs.
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Theme is a dead ringer for our era
This summer, the North Wall has two things to celebrate: its fifth birthday and its first in-house theatrical production. And it is due to long-time contact between the North Wall’s artistic director Lucy Maycock and Barry Kyle — honorary associate
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Tough girl reputation
Kate O’ Mara can scarcely conceal her disdain for her part in Murder On The Nile coming to the Oxford Playhouse on Monday. Not only is her character quite detestable but she has to work twice as hard to add flesh to the bones. “At least I play
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Lost pictures
A man who found a memory card in Botley Road is trying to trace its owner. Rob Wallace, from Didcot, came across the card on Saturday. It contains family pictures, including some of a newborn baby, taken on November 15, last year, and music tracks
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No dog arrests
Police have not made any arrests after a chihuahua was killed by another dog in the town centre last Monday. The Staffordshire bull terrier-type dog that killed the pet in Church Green was seized by police.
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Dog shook toddler 'like a rag doll'
A MOTHER whose escaped dog shook a toddler “like a rag doll” told a court yesterday that she never wanted to own one again. The 21-month-old suffered deep puncture wounds when a Staffordshire Bull Terrier and an English Bull Terrier escaped from
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Recycling dates
HOW can West Oxfordshire Council send out forms for waste and recycling with dates missing? There was no December 1 and 2 and then no December 23. Do they know something we don’t? How much is that going to cost me more in council tax to
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Preferential treatment
Could it be that Thames Water affords preferential treatment to Abingdon when it comes to water leaks? When Michael Dean reported a leak in a street in Abingdon, it took only a few days for blue lines to be painted on the road (Oxford Mail, August
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Border concerns
ADRIAN Taylor’s comments that borders should close, (View Points, August 23) is quite right. Why the floodgates have been open to mass immigration is baffling. Like a goldfish bowl with one goldfish swimming happily, add more fish and the quality
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Literacy failures
IN regards to the letter from David Diment (View Points, August 28) and his reference to the reintroduction of national service to ‘teach the nation’s youth’. These calls for national service reintroduction are fairly common and are connected to
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Hypocrisy over planning permission
I’d love an explanation from our beloved city council on how they reconcile the apparent hypocrisy of granting house-building planning permission. Sites such as the redundant Plasterers Arms in Old Marston Village with negligible garden space is
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ATHLETICS: England vows to fight on
OXFORD’S Hannah England will run through the pain barrier when she competes in the Zurich Diamond League meeting tonight. The 25-year-old Oxford City athlete lines up in the 1,500m, looking to build on her fourth place in Sunday’s Aviva Birmingham
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Making a care home a home
‘Volunteers are vital to our success and do so much to help enrich the lives of older people in our care,” says Tracy Garwood, Volunteer Coordinator at the Homestead, a not-for-profit care home, housing and support services for older people in Carterton
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CRICKET: I'd run my race, admits Strauss
Andrew Strauss, who began his cricketing life in Oxfordshire and went on to become captain of England, blamed his poor batting form in ending his 100-Test career that peaked with an Ashes victory in Australia 18 months ago. But he denied his
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FEASTIVAL: Music and food extravaganza comes to Kingham
EARLIER this month, he was playing to 80,000 cheering fans at the Olympic closing ceremony celebration. Now he is embarking on something he insists is even more exciting – hosting his own festival. His band Blur may have played their last gig,
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Eviction threat hangs over man living in box
ON the outside it is the kind of rusty shipping container you would expect to see at a port or riding on a ship, train or lorry. But the inside of the steel container is home to father-of-one Craig Farmer. The makeshift house in East Hendred is
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Donnington Bridge celebrates 50 years
IT WAS one of the most controversial builds in Oxford over the past century. But love it or hate it, Donnington Bridge will officially celebrate its 50th birthday later this year. And to mark the occasion, residents plan to stage an exhibition
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House prices fall by 0.2 per cent
THE combined effects of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the Olympics has slowed the Oxfordshire property market, an expert has claimed. Figures for July from the Government’s Land Registry show the average price of a home stands at £240,260, a
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Fitting day for torch to be put on display
PARALYMPIC torchbearers from Oxfordshire lit the way towards the 2012 Games yesterday as they carried the torch to London. And to boost the Olympic spirit in Oxfordshire even further, the Oxford Museum has a new exhibit – a golden Olympic torch.
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INSIDER: Councillor is seeing green over leadership
A CITY councillor has been seeing green over his choice of party leaders. David Williams has thrown his weight behind Peter Cranie and Alex Phillips for leader and deputy leader of the green party after Caroline Lucas announced she was stepping down
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Arnhem military tour
THE Birmingham War Research Society is a voluntary organisation run by retired police officer, Alex Bulloch MBE, who has been taking people to famous battlefield sites in Europe for 40 years. On September 20 we will be travelling to Dover, and then
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No flexibility for pool
HOT weather is forecast for next weekend and reaching 26C by the middle of the following week (September 5) and only falling to 18C on some nights. At least that is the story according to the BBC website. But institutional plans laid down in
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You're in the minority
I THINK David Diment is the only one in this country who does not want capital punishment brought back (View Points, August 28). I was for the abolition of the death penalty when it was first introduced as long prison sentences would replace it
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Reds need chilling as room temperature rises
This weekend’s foodie festival wasn’t all about food. There were plenty of libations to keep even the thirstiest satisfied. Besides the drinks master classes and without even mentioning the Casillero del Diablo wine stand I counted, three
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Smoke alarm to the rescue
Five adults and three children escaped a kitchen fire unhurt, thanks to a smoke alarm. Two fire crews were called to Chestnut Avenue, Headington, at about 3.45pm on Tuesday. Firefighter Nik Brown said: “The working smoke alarm gave the occupiers
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Hall could become a restaurant
THE revamp of Oxford’s run-down St Michael’s Street could see a former drop-in centre for the homeless transformed into a restaurant. With a row of council-owned properties on the historic street being turned into a hotel, plans have been submitted
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Son sues mum over bypass crash injuries
THE son of a driver who killed four people in a crash on Oxford’s Eastern Bypass is suing his mum – claiming his chances of getting a good job will be affected by his injuries he sustained. Anton Dublin, now 20, wants more than £300,000 because
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COMMENT: A very Oxford celebration
Happy 50th, Donnington Bridge. That’s half a century as one of Oxford’s favourite cause celebres. How brilliant then that residents plan to hold an exhibition and a party celebrating its notoriety. And how wonderful that they plan to call
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Botley burglary
Burglers stole jewellery from a home in Hutchcomb Road after breaking in through rear patio doors. A bedroom was searched in the burglary which happened between 9am and 2pm on Friday. Anyone with information should call police on 101.
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Local author Simon Tolkien
Simon Tolkien is the grandson of the great JRR Tolkien and was born in Holywell Street, Oxford, in 1959 — his father taught at New College. He grew up and went to school and university in the city before becoming a barrister. In 1999, aged 40 he
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Middleton Cheney family thanks hospital for meningitis care
WHEN Adam Prewer heard his infant son was being treated for suspected meningitis, his world turned upside down. He said: “When you hear that word your heart sinks, you feel helpless and pray everything goes well.” Six-week-old Finnley was rushed
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Pre-Raphaelites and their muses
The Pre-Raphaelites started as a group of hard-up young artists, who roamed the streets around 1848, looking for striking young women whom they politely asked to pose. Rossetti and Holman Hunt were both fine painters, but Millais was a genius. He
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Parky at the Pictures (In Cinemas 30/8/2012)
For over a decade now, the August bank holiday has played host to FrightFest. As with any genre-based festival, the quality of the pictures screening is often variable and this year's event contained more than its share of macabre misfires. But audiences
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Parky at the Pictures (DVD 30/8/2012)
The release of three classics by Alexander Dovzhenko in a new boxed set and the arrival of five more titles in MovieMail and Ruscico's pioneering Hyperkino series provides ample excuse for a focus on Soviet cinema in this week's DVD column. Anyone
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Vow to fill gap in benefit cash
Oxfordshire’s hard-up councils have vowed to bridge a £3.2m benefit shortfall created by Government cuts. Responsibility for council tax benefit will be handed to local authorities next year, but they also face a 10 per cent funding cut. The
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Police pledge action as crime shoots up in Iffley
Burglaries, vehicle thefts, and drugs possession have all seen an increase in Iffley in the past 12 months. But police have vowed work is well under way to tackle areas of crime. Overall total crime in Iflley is up 15.5 per cent with incidents
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Youth centre given a new Vibe
OXFORD graffiti artist James Loraine-Smith has helped to give the Didcot Vibe youth centre a new lick of paint. He joined centre users to complete a summer clean-up at the centre in Park Road. A group of teenagers aged 15 to 17, pictured, helped
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RED CROSS FUNDRAISING PARTY
On Saturday 8th September 2012 at Abingdon's Guildhall their will be a Fundraising music event called "hype" featuring top indian drumming act 'Rythym Masters' and Dj's Rickyensku and Reckluse. Entry is Free B4 9pm and £3 after All in aid of the
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Oxford United keepers' coach Hodgkinson calls it a day
After six decades in professional football Alan Hodgkinson has finally decided to hang up his gloves. The legendary goalkeeping coach has announced his retirement, aged 76. It brings an end to a remarkable career, which included playing and