Archive
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RUGBY UNION: Welsh run ragged by champions
Oxford-based London Welsh suffered their second defeat in two games as they were outclassed 40-3 by reigning champions Harlequins at The Stoop last night. Ugo Monye and George Robson scored two tries each as Quins cruised to a bonus-point victory
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Exiles take another beating
Oxford-based London Welsh suffered a second heavy defeat in the Aviva Premiership when they lost 40-3 away to Harlequins at The Stoop. Harlequins, who led 21-3 at the break, scored six tries through Ugo Monye (2), George Robson (2), George
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Helpers needed for people with learning difficulties
Volunteers are needed to help people with learning difficulties, mental health problems and dementia make themselves heard. Oxfordshire Advocacy is recruiting for good communicators who can give up half a day a fortnight for at least a year.
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SCALES OF JUSTICE: People convicted of offences at Magistrates' Court recently
Paul Williams, 44, of Gatteridge Street, Banbury, admitted using threatening words or behaviour to cause harassment, alarm or distress in Lockheed Close, Banbury, on July 13. Fined £100, a £15 victims’ surcharge and £40 costs. David Fannon,
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'Overwhelming' volunteer support for Oxford Half Marathon
Organisers of this year’s Oxford Half Marathon say they have been overwhel-med by volunteer support. They already have 180 marshals for the October 14 race, but still need another 50 to make the event a success. The half marathon, supported
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Local shares (PM)
AEA Technology 0.065 BMW 4649 Electrocomponents 231.7 Nationwide Accident Repair 60.5 Oxford Biomedica 2.13 Oxford Catalysts 71 Oxford Instruments 1387.5 Reed Elsevier 601.25 RM 79.25 RPS Group 246.5 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley
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Wantage town centre about to lose more stores
WANTAGE is losing two more town centre shops with traders blaming tough economic conditions. The town is to be left without a shoe shop as Stead & Simpson in the Market Place is to shut. And the Wantage Health Store in Wallingford Street is
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Charity canoe down the Thames
THREE men from Abingdon are taking on the Thames to raise money for a young cancer sufferer. Liam Noble, Kyle Smith and Micheal Smith are canoeing 123 miles from Lechlade to London to raise money for five-year-old Harvey Hext, who has a rare form
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Delays on A34 following five car crash
An accident involving five cars at the Pear Tree interchange is causing delays of around an hour. Police received a report of a collision involving a car and a lorry at 4.17pm. At 4.45, the A34 western by pass road was blocked by queueing traffic
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Kingston Bagpuize is being left to ‘mercy of developers’
ANOTHER week and another scheme to cover green areas in and around the village of Kingston Bagpuize and Southmoor with housing. That is how it is beginning to feel to villagers as word began to spread that new planning applications had been submitted
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Schemes aim to plug the gap left by dial-a-ride transport axe
TWO community schemes are hoping to plug the gap left by a major cut in council dial-a-ride services. They will provide minibuses, volunteer car drivers and information in the wake of the cuts to the door-to-door service. Until April, there
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Wheels & deals
MAZDA is building on the success of its MX-5 GT4 race car in the Avon Tyres British GT Championship by building customer MX-5 GT4 race cars to order for the 2013 season. Earlier this month at Snetterton, the Mazda MX-5 GT4 finished on the podium
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Request for councillors to keep residents better informed
Residents must be kept better informed about roadworks and building plans, councillors will be asked to agree next week. Roz Smith, who represents Barton & Churchill on Oxfordshire County Council , said efforts by council staff to inform councillors
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Councillors to debate controversial RAF Bicester base plans
Plans to develop RAF Bicester are to be discussed in the wake of a row between council and defence chiefs over housing plans for the site. Cherwell District Council director of development Calvin Bell will address the council’s overview and scrutiny
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Head sees vision of ‘outdoor’ free primary fulfilled
WHEN former headteacher Lee Ryman floated the idea of setting up a free school, education bosses had their doubts. But she was determined to pursue her dream of establishing a non fee-paying independent primary school in Cholsey, near Wallingford
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Nissan has hit on a recipe for success with its luxury Note
SOME things that sound so wrong can prove to be surprisingly excellent – take banana pizza, for instance. A mixture of thin crust pizza base, cheese, banana, cinnamon and sugar appears an unappealing combination, but in the hands of master pizza
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Global Mini sales leap
Global sales of the Mini have risen by more than eighteen per cent, latest figures from parent company BMW have revealed. A total of 18,671 vehicles were sold worldwide in August, compared to 15,762 for the same month last year. For the first
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Graffiti vandal taunts police with message
A vandal has taunted police who painted over graffiti on a Woodstock garage. Neighbourhood police painted over graffiti on a garage in New Road after it was vandalised in the spring. But the garage was hit again last month with the tag ‘SODA
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Fears for museum after new MoD claim
CONCERNS have been raised over the future of a museum plan for RAF Bicester after defence chiefs said the site could be used for homes. Cherwell District Council (CDC) has criticised the Ministry of Defence, which is selling the site, for suggesting
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Heroes' turn in the spotlight
WORTHY local organisations and projects have been shortlisted for praise at this year’s Oxfordshire Charity and Volunteers Awards 2012. The second annual award ceremony aims to celebrate people and charities for their dedication and inspirational
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Local share prices
AEA Technology 0.065 BMW 4655 Electrocomponents 234.25 Nationwide Accident Repair 60.5 Oxford Biomedica 2.1 Oxford Catalysts 68 Oxford Instruments 1385.5 Reed Elsevier 603.25 RM 79.4 RPS Group 244.4 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley
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Discover how Oxfam became a global name
COWLEY-based Oxfam is throwing open its doors tomorrow to celebrate 70 years of helping communities around the globe. As part of Oxford Open Doors, people will be able to see how the charity works. Duncan Green, Oxfam’s senior strategic adviser
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Free maths and English for adults
ADULTS in Oxfordshire have the chance to improve their basic qualifications with free county council-run courses in English and maths. The courses are available to any Oxfordshire resident above the age of 19 and cover all abilities, from beginners
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Max comfort
Indulgent is not a word that you instantly associate with Mini , a brand founded on brilliant packaging, creative use of space and surprising versatility. But the Mini Roadster, the sixth model in the new Mini line-up, is perfect for drivers who
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RUGBY UNION: Chippy boost coach ranks
League previews CHIPPING Norton have recruited two new coaches as they prepare for the BB&O Premier Division campaign, starting at Stow-on-the-Wold tomorrow. Former London Irish player Steve Corley has taken over forward coaching alongside
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Plans for sheltered housing site approved
COUNCILLORS have approved plans to redevelop the Bradlands sheltered housing site in Marston. The Oxford City Council plan will see the current flats demolished and 39 flats for elderly residents built at the Mill Lane site. East area planning
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RUGBY UNION: Grove to lead way
League previews GROVE, who visit Reading Abbey tomorrow, should be Oxfordshire’s leading side in Southern Counties North, provided they can keep their best players fit. Their pre-season highlight was a 21-19 victory at Oxford Harlequins and
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TENNIS: Double for Dyakowski
TOM Dyakowski completed a notable double when he won both the boys under 16 and the under 18 singles titles in the Oxfordshire Wilson junior closed tournament at North Oxford Tennis Club. In both finals, Dyakowski overcame his great rival Giles
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Favourite old cinema gets a fresh new look
AN ICONIC independent cinema has been given a stunning facelift to restore it to its former glory. Last year Becky Hallsmith from East Oxford took over the Ultimate Picture Palace in Jeune Street, off Cowley Road. The attraction has been closed
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Think tank call for action on UK migration
EVEN if the Government met its target to cut migration into the UK the population would not stabilise at 70 million, an Oxford University report has found. MPs have debated the issue of immigration after an online petition started by think tank
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RUGBY UNION: Students face Russia
OXFORD University will host two international fixtures in the build-up to the Varsity Match. The Dark Blues will play Russia, where they toured last year, at Iffley Road on Sunday, November 4. Then three weeks later, the Maori All Blacks will
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Police role is up for discussion
A hustings-style debate is due to place in the town next month, to try to drum up excitement for the Thames Valley Police Crime Commissioner role. The event, from 7pm to 8pm, is due to take place at Didcot Civic Hall on October 11 and has been
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Last chance to transform your patch
CELEBRITY Denise Van Outen visited Florence Park in Oxford to drum up support for a campaign to improve children’s playgrounds. The Transform Your Patch campaign has already helped to regenerate 165 outdoor spaces. Florence Park has had new
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Man gets eight years for dangerous arson
A BURGLAR has been sentenced to eight years in prison for deliberately starting a fire that left an OAP with serious burns. Ireneusz Strzelczyk, 26, started the 1.30am fire in the Abbey Road, West Oxford, house to cover his tracks, a judge said
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CYCLING: Oliver pips his dad to title
OLIVER Clark beat off a strong challenge from his father, Andy, to win Didcot Phoenix’s prestigious Hill Climb Championship at Goring and Streatley. With defending champion Ron Smith absent, it was close after the first leg as Clark junior led
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Oxford United skipper: this means more
JAKE Wright was delighted to help Oxford United beat rivals Swindon Town in midweek, but he views tomorrow’s league game against Exeter City as much more important. The 26-year-old played a starring role in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy tie at
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FOOTBALL: Fuller: Why I said 'no' to new Banbury role
Ady Fuller revealed he turned down the post of director of football at Banbury United after being told he was no longer manager at the club. Fuller, who was in his second season in charge at Spencer Stadium, met Jed McCrory, one of the Evo-Stik
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£9m concert hall will be music to the ears
MUSICIANS have welcomed the announcement of a new £9m concert hall for Oxford. Architects have begun design work for the hall on the Woodstock Road, with space for a full orchestra. The scheme – totalling £15m – which also includes a music
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RUGBY UNION: Arscott praises Welsh progress
LONDON Welsh full back Tom Arscott says they are not far away from being competitive in the Aviva Premiership. The 25-year-old was delighted to score Welsh’s opening try in their 38-13 defeat to Leicester at the Kassam Stadium on Sunday. And
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RUGBY UNION: Four in for Quins' trip
OXFORD Harlequins have made four changes for tomorrow’s trip to Brixham in National 3 South West. Hooker Chris Davies, lock Luke Brown, centre Pete Kelly and debutant wing Rob Cumbria all come in for the visit to Devon. Regular captain Simon
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Two arrests after derby clash
A man has been arrested on suspicion of throwing a missile at spectators during Wednesday’s Oxford United v Swindon Town match. The 24-year-old, from Cumnor, was arrested after a flare was discharged during the derby at The Kassam Stadium .
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CRICKET: No excuses, says Crosby
Serious Cricket Home Counties Premier League OXFORD captain Ian Crosby said they will only have themselves to blame if their relegation from Division 1 is confirmed tomorrow. Should Potters Bar get a single point against champions High Wycombe
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Oxford enjoys a taste of the Orient
THE colours, rhythms and sounds of north east Japan have been celebrated outside Oxford’s Ashmolean Museum . Oshu Kanatsu-Ryu Dance Troupe are in the country to take part in the Thames Festival in London this weekend. But yesterday they gave a
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Hodgkinson prepares to bid emotional farewell to Oxford United
AS a tough Yorkshireman who grew up during the Second World War, tears may not usually come easily to Alan Hodgkinson, but he is preparing to shed a few tomorrow. After 60 seasons in senior football, as a goalkeeper and then as a coach, Hodgkinson
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Immigrant TB fears
The rise in tuberculosis cases over recent years is attributed to the increase of non-immunised immigrants coming from Asian and African countries (Oxford Mail, September 3). Now will Prime Minister, David Cameron , take notice? We have already
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Students’ needs are given higher priority
LIKE David Diment (View Points, August 21), I too am concerned about what his happening to the occupants of Luther Court with A2 Dominion’s plans to redesign it to include dwellings for overseas students. Many years ago I was involved with a
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CABBAGES & KINGS: Room for smiles even in tragic circumstances
THE Jubilee, the Olympics, the Paralympics and the birth of my seventh grandson apart, 2012 has so far been a terrible year. Countless murder, needless deaths and inexplicable cruelty – all too often involving children - hog the headlines.
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LIFE LESSONS: Today we talk to Malcolm Fretter, an Olympic torchbearer in Oxford.
WHAT I’M CALLED: Out of work: Malcolm Fretter, and at work MOG (Miserable Old Git). I actually do do pretty serious stuff as a volunteer advisor at the Independent Advice Centre in Wantage. MY AGE: Over 65 and still counting. WHAT I DO: Voluntary
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Fraudster jailed for tricking shop staff
A PROLIFIC fraudster who deceived sales assistants in Oxfordshire to fund his cocaine habit has been jailed. Mark Coe, 23, of Marston Road in Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire, admitted fraud at a store in Main Road, Long Hanborough, and the Co-op in London
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Motorist fights for life after A40 crash
A PERSON involved in a crash on the A40 near Witney on Wednesday was in a life-threatening condition in hospital last night. The accident, which took place at 3pm on the eastbound carriageway past the junction with the A415 at Ducklington, involved
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Try to solve jams
WE HOPE and expect London Welsh will be an asset to the city, but the traffic problems caused by the first game should have been envisaged. While proportionately more rugby fans will have been using cars than Oxford United fans, the Kassam Stadium
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CRICKET: Derby decider
Serious Cricket Home Counties Premier League THERE could hardly be more at stake when Aston Rowant host Thame Town in tomorrow’s Division 2 West final day derby. Title-chasing Rowant lie six points behind leaders Slough, who remain firmly in
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Welsh issue apology over matchday traffic
THE managing director of London Welsh has apologised to fans following “horrendous” traffic problems at their first game in Oxford, and has pledged to sort them out. A crowd of 6,850 turned up at Oxford’s Kassam Stadium for the 38-13 defeat to
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Disillusioned views
I DO wonder about people like Alba Thorning and their disillusioned views. I wonder if these religious people were in Tony Nicklinson’s shoes they would feel the same way. M PIPER, Barton, Oxford
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Playing God
THROUGH your columns I would like to ask your correspondent, Alba Thorning, (View Points, August 29), why the good Lord, who, according to Alba, granted Tony Nicklinson merciful relief from his distress at a particularly auspicious time, caused Tony
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No interest in politics
BEA Bradley asks whether, if he were alive today, Christ would be a “tally-ho Saviour” (August 28). Christ lived about 2,000 years ago in a distant land with no foxhunting culture. However, to answer Bea Bradley’s question as best I can, he
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Car plant debate
I BEG to differ on Ken Roper’s (View Points, August 31), comments concerning Cowley car works. Contrary to his view that the lack of car fittings was due to supplier failure, it was due to the Ryder report which advocated less volume of fittings
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Europe referendum
I READ with concern John Maden’s letter (View Points, August 24), entitled ‘Clarity on EU Law’. What on earth did Gordon Brown and Ed Miliband sign up to a few years ago? What was the content of the so-called Lisbon Treaty which we were not
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Set the record straight
AM writing to set the record straight in relation to your piece (September 4). As so often happens in the media a good story was turned into a bad one. The headline chosen was ‘Concerns after college says it may take on students’. The information
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Loss of English language
FORGIVE me if I am mistaken, but the only problem with the recent GCSE marks appear to be in the English exams. Now long retired after taking many examinations over the years (some with better results than others) each examination had a pass mark
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I await in anticipation of some progress
I HAVE recently returned from shopping in Kidlington High Dtreet. The time was 11am and should have been vehicle free. I, along with every other pedestrian, take our lives in our hands every time we enter the High Street, as traffic is still driving
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FOOTBALL: Ford keeps City up to the mark
Oxford City boss Mike Ford has no intention of letting his players rest on their laurels following their excellent start to the campaign, writes Michael Knox. City trounced Boston 4-2 at Court Place Farm on Tuesday night to move up to seventh.
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Chappy's so happy with Oxford United life
ADAM Chapman is looking to round off a perfect week by helping Oxford United to three points against Exeter City tomorrow. The midfielder delivered arg-uably his best performance of the season on Wednesday, as United beat rivals Swindon Town 1-
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Hollywood actor set to pass on expertise
AN ACTOR who has appeared in films with Hollywood’s A-list is hoping to pass on his talent to would-be Oxford thespians. Sam Douglas was born in Banbury but went on to feature in nearly 30 films, appearing alongside the likes of Tom Cruise, Brad
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Melville warns Oxford United of Cureton danger
ANDY Melville has warned Oxford United ’s defence they will have to be on their guard to keep out one of npower League Two’s master goalscorers tomorrow. Jamie Cureton is expected to lead the line for the visitors. The experienced striker
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Pipe works will cause road delays
MOTORISTS will face delays in a busy Bicester through road for almost four months when work to replace gas pipes gets under way. Work is due to start on Monday in Buckingham Road to swap existing metal gas mains and services to modern plastic polyethylene
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Enthusiasts must be quick to snap up fastest Mini ever
THE fastest production Mini ever built is due to go on sale in November. But anyone wanting to get their hands on a John Cooper Works GP, which can reach 150mph, will have to move quickly as there are just 2,000 models being made at the Cowley
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Farmer to blame for power cut
POWER was cut to more than 5,000 homes in villages west of Oxford. Villages affected included Stanton Harcourt, Aston, Chimney, Standlake and North Hinksey on Wednesday night. Southern Electric Power Distribution (SEPD) was called out to restore
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FIXTURES: September 7
FRIDAY RUGBY UNION AVIVA PREMIERSHIP Harlequins v London Welsh (7.45) . EQUESTRIAN Fidelity Blenheim Horse Trials (Blenheim Palace). SATURDAY FOOTBALL NPOWER LEAGUE TWO Oxford Utd v Exeter City. BLUE SQUARE BET NORTH
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Ambulance case is a cause for major concern
IT IS a matter of concern if our ambulance service employed a murderer in a senior position without his past being discovered. Robert King, once the operations manager for South Central Ambulance Service, will appear before a disciplinary hearing
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Ambulance manager ‘didn’t tell bosses he was convicted of killing'
A FORMER ambulance manager faces a disciplinary hearing today accused of not admitting to his bosses he was a murderer. Robert King, once operations manager for South Central Ambulance Service Trust (SCAS), faces allegations that he failed to declare
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HS2 campaigners urge Government to reconsider
CAMPAIGNERS opposed to the planned high speed rail link which will skirt north Oxfordshire have called on the Government to drop the scheme following the cabinet reshuffle. Patrick McLoughlin replaced Justine Greening as Secretary of State for
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Rollover win awaits Oxford Mail Loyalty Card holder
Thanks to another rollover there is a whopping £500 up for grabs in the Oxford Mail Loyalty Card page free numbers draw this week. There are also two great deals: 25 per cent off sweeties at Mr Simms Olde Sweet Shoppe in High Street, Oxford, and
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Bid to turn village pub into a house
AN OLD Marston pub which has quenched thirsts for nearly 260 years could be turned into a house. The Three Horseshoes in Oxford Road closed down last month when landlady Jeanette Cadd decided to retire after 30 years behind the bar. When she
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Developers' £1m lies unspent in city council coffers
MORE THAN £1m of developer cash is sitting in city council coffers waiting to be spent. Eight infrastructure projects in the east of Oxford have been completed in the past year thanks to contributions from builders. But Oxford City Council