Archive
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Carry on mentoring, council tells charity
A DOZEN youngsters in Barton will get a helping hand thanks to a County Hall grant “which is better than a slap in the face with a wet kipper”. County council education chief Melinda Tilley ignored officers’ recommendations and awarded a grant
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Pool review costs thousands
OXFORD City Council has revealed it spent more than £7,500 on contesting the judicial review against its decision to build a new swimming pool in Blackbird Leys. Plans to build the pool were approved in July 2011 but it has been hit by setbacks
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Christmas markets set to return next year
A battle of the baubles could break out in Oxford next year with rival Christmas Markets on the cards. It comes after Oxford City Council threw out plans to stage this year’s market in Broad Street because businesses did not support the idea.
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Timetables change on X9 bus service
NEW operator Stagecoach is making minor changes to the X9 timetable between Witney and Chipping Norton after replacing RH Transport. The weekday 7.24am bus from Charlbury to Witney will now start from Chipping Norton at 7.08am and the Saturday
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Barn and stables put up for sale by council
A STONE barn and stables in Headington have been put up for sale by Oxford City Council. Anyone interested in purchasing the Bury Knowle stables will have to pay in the region of £450,000. The buildings, which the city council has described
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Farm's wind turbine appeal turned down
PLANS for a 20-metre wind turbine at a farm near Wantage have been refused on appeal. The Planning Inspectorate threw out the 10kW plan for Down Barn Farm, at Sparsholt. It would have provided energy to the farm and farmhouse, including a bed
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RUGBY UNION: London Welsh get a hammering
London Welsh 19, Stade Francais 68 LONDON Welsh's European debut ended in a nightmare nine-try home defeat to Stade Francais today. The Exiles were off the pace for most of this Amlin Challenge Cup hammering at the Kassam Stadium, while
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Oxford Half Marathon: Get on your marks
THE long wait is finally over. Tomorrow at 9.30am, 4,200 runners will set off from the Kassam Stadium in the second Oxford Half Marathon. And money raised through entry fees will be donated to Helen and Douglas House hospice in Magdalen Road.
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RUGBY UNION: London Welsh v Stade Francais
2:51pm This must surely be the first time a team in purple have hosted a team in pink at the Kassam Stadium. London Welsh will be wearing their new purple European kit. 2:38pm
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Arrests made following Gloucester Green brawl
TWELVE men have been arrested following a brawl in Oxford’s Gloucester Green in the early hours of this morning. Police were called to the fight, which involved 10 to 15 people, at about 4.10am. The square was still cordoned off this morning.
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Oxford Half Marathon: Journalists press ahead, while scientists face testing time
MORE than 4,000 runners will be on the starting line of tomorrow’s Oxford Half Marathon, and among them will be a team from the Oxford Mail. For months the team of five have been sticking to a strict training regime spurred on by the knowledge
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Women mark milestone
BESPOKE bike maintenance classes for women in Oxford are fast approaching their first anniversary. Cassiope Sydoriak, 25, opened the women-only classes at South Oxford Community Centre in Lake Street in November last year and they now run every
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Facing up to death at a very unusual festival
A two-week festival of death in Oxford aims to break the taboo of talking about dying. The Kicking the Bucket festival, which runs from Monday to Friday, November 2, will feature dance, music and art sessions as well as talks and debates on the
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X marks the spot for thousands of children
SCHOOLS which sign up to take part in the Oxfordshire Reading Campaign will be following in the footsteps of 1,000 nationwide. That is how many schools have already used the Project X Code books, which will be used during the Oxfordshire programme
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Three injured in Gloucester Green fight
THREE people were treated in hospital after a large scale brawl in Oxford's Gloucester Green in the early hours. Areas of the square remained cordoned off this morning as police investigation work continued. Those cordons were lifted at 11.30am
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Police hunt for house burglars
A HOUSE in Woodstock Road, Charlbury, was broken into by would-be burglars. Offenders entered the property between 7.30am and 6.40pm on Wednesday. An untidy search was carried out after entry was forced at the rear of the house, where windows had
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Jamming for Oxfam's 70th anniversary
A SERIES of concerts are taking place in Oxford today to celebrate Oxfam’s 70th anniversary. Oxjam starts at 4.30pm today and runs until midnight. Four venues will host 28 bands showcasing the diversity of Oxford’s musical talent. The venues
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Lanterns lead way for a sparkling festive procession
THOUSANDS of people are expected to join a seasonal procession through the city centre, as details of Oxford’s festive celebrations are revealed. More than 29,000 took part in last year’s Christmas Light Night, with a lantern parade, stalls and entertainment
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Singing their own praises
CHILDREN from two Oxford primary schools sang songs they wrote to launch a music festival at the Ashmolean Museum yesterday. Around 50 ten and 11-year-old pupils from North Kidlington Primary School and West Kidlington Primary School took part
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ANGLING: Clean sweep for Gunsmiths in opener
The Drennan Banbury Gunsmiths team made it a 1-2-3 in the first round of the Angling Trust Oxford Winter League, fished by five teams of eight on a swollen Thames at Abingdon and Clifton Hampden. With plenty of pace and colour in the water, the
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Antiques taken in house raid
BURGLARS stole cash and antique coins from a home in Ducklington. On Wednesday at about 2pm, thieves broke in through a window of a house in Aston Road and stole £600, 1,200 euros, antique coins and various items of jewellery. On the same day
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School children get a taste of Victorian life
YOUNG children at Christ Church Cathedral School in Oxford took a step back in time yesterday. More than 40 pre-preparatory pupils experienced a Victorian Day, attending school dressed in costumes from that era. They found out the kind of jobs
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Traffic lights out of order
TRAFFIC light failure will affect the B4495 in Weirs Lane, Oxford, until tomorrow. The lights were damaged in an accident at the Abingdon Road end of the lane on Thursday, at about 5.30pm, when a car crashed into the lights. Delays are expected
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Five county buildings 'at risk'
FIVE Oxfordshire buildings have been added to English Heritage’s “at risk” register. Grade I listed Milton Manor House in Milton, near Didcot, is one of the new additions in the county. For the full list go to english-heritage.org.uk
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New bus service gets a thumbs-up
WEST Oxfordshire schools and residents have praised bus operators that stepped into the breach after a local transport firm closed down. Witney-based RH Transport announced it was going into administration due to financial problems last week. The
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ICE HOCKEY: Oliver back for cup test
Joe Oliver is back to full fitness as Oxford City Stars face Bracknell Hornets in the National League Cup at the Oxford Ice Rink tomorrow (6.15pm). Oliver iced in the 4-3 league win over Invicta Mustangs, but as he was suffering from a shoulder
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Deddington is first to get quickest broadband
A SMALL Oxfordshire village will be the first in the country to have every house connected to super fast broadband. Deddington was chosen by British Telecom to trial a pilot scheme that will see fibre optic cables connected to each of the 1,400
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MOTORSPORT: Prodrive to keep MINI in rally
Banbury-based Prodrive are to continue to target a full programme of events in the World Rally Championship next year, backed up by a comprehensive development programme for the MINI John Cooper Works WRC and S2000 cars. It follows the announcement
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MOTORSPORT: Grosjean eyes up clean start
Romain Grosjean has vowed to take a careful approach to the opening lap of tomorrow's Korean Grand Prix, in order to avoid letting down the staff at the Lotus factory in Oxfordshire. The Frenchman has shown impressive speed on the occasions he
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RUGBY UNION: Van Zyl's happy to be back
Stade Francais lock Anton Van Zyl is eyeing a fond return to Oxford today, eight years after winning his second Blue. The 32-year-old South African, who will line up against London Welsh at the Kassam Stadium in the Amlin Challenge Cup, still views
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Hopes that field can become wildlife haven
A COUNTRYSIDE area south of Wallingford Bridge is set to become a wildlife haven. Cultivation work on Riverside Meadows, managed by Earth Trust on behalf of South Oxfordshire District Council, began on Thursday. Following funding from Higher
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MOTORSPORT: Liquorish is runner-up
Steve Liquorish’s hopes of winning the Porsche GT3 Cup challenge title were dashed on a disappointing final weekend at Silverstone. The Wantage driver finished sixth and fourth in the two races as James Birch took the title. He said: “I was
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MOTORSPORT: Meadows savours title glory
Runaway leader Michael Meadows wrapped up the Porsche Carrera Cup GB title with two races remaining. The Banbury driver has been favourite to clinch the crown ever since winning four of the first five races. And he finished the job in style
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MOTORSPORT: Plato in double delight
A pair of victories kept Jason Plato’s title hopes in the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship firmly on track. The Oxford driver snatched his second win at Silverstone in an incredible race three in his MG KX Momentum Racing MG6, despite
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RUGBY UNION: Jones rings the changes
London Welsh head coach Lyn Jones has rung the changes for today’s Amlin Challenge Cup tie against Stade Francais at the Kassam Stadium (3pm). Full back Alex Davies and right wing Ashley Smith make their seasonal debuts, while Ryan Davis comes
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Oxford United drawn away in Johnstone's Paint Trophy
Oxford United have been handed a long trip to play Plymouth Argyle in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy. The U's booked their place in the area quarter finals with a 4-2 win at Cheltenham Town on Tuesday. United, who have never been beyond the last
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Funeral help
A bereaved man will finally be able to bury his brother thanks to an anonymous donation. Michael Walton, 40, of Lambourne Road, who lost his brother David in August, is unemployed and had been unable to secure a government grant to help him pay
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SNOOKER: Abingdon aces reel off clean sweep
Abingdon Conservative Club whitewashed Witney G 6-0 in Premier & Division 1 of the Oxford & District League, sponsored by Gentworks Ltd. Karl Walker, Paul Chester and Michael Bennett each recorded 2-0 wins for the hosts. Oxford Union
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CYCLE SPEEDWAY: Horspath chasing title hat-trick
Horspath Hammers bid to complete a title treble when they take on nearest challengers Poole Comets in the BCTG Elite League at the village track tomorrow (2pm). Hammers, who have already captured the British Team and British Open Fours Championships
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SWIMMING: Lovibond sparkles with five golds
Abingdon Vale’s Zoe Lovibond claimed five gold medals at the Maxwell Meet in Aylesbury. The ten-year-old triumphed in the 50m backstroke, 200m individual medley, 200m freestyle, 100m backstroke and 100m freestyle. Conor Rees shone with a hat-trick
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Mullins wants to repay 'gaffer' Wilder
Johnny Mullins has praised the welcoming atmosphere at Oxford United and the loan signing is keen to build on his excellent debut when the season continues on Monday. The defender arrived on a three-month deal last week after falling out of favour
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Traffic warden case thrown out as witness fails to attend
A TRAFFIC warden accused of assaulting a driver had the case against him thrown out by magistrates yesterday. Peter Swatton, 48, of Cuddesdon Way, Blackbird Leys, Oxford, was accused of attacking Ryan Corbett in Adelaide Street, North Oxford, on
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GREYHOUNDS: Zodiac Zeus to thunder home
Zodiac Zeus, one of the six winners highlighted in this column last week, can continue his good form in tonight’s final of the £1,000 Blanchford Building Supplies Oxf-ordshire Stakes final. Zeus, who overcame a crowded start in the quaifiers before
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BOXING: Flynn given a walkover
Oxford's Jordan Flynn has been handed a walkover in tonight’s London finals of the Clubs for Young People Championships (formerly National Association of Boys’ Clubs). The 16-year-old, who fights for the London-based Repton ABC, had been due to
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House burgled
A burglar smashed a glass door panel to break into an Iffley Road home and steal a mobile phone and cash between 6am and 11.45am on Wednesday, October 10.
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Bridge woman is talked down
A woman was safely talked down from a bridge yesterday morning. Police were called at 11.35am to the Marsh Lane bridge over the A40 after members of the public contacted them with fears over the woman’s safety. The road was closed at the junction
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Man spared jail over fake passports
AN illegal immigrant who helped his wife and son move to Britain has been spared jail because he is mentally ill. Sukhdev Singh, 37, right, was yesterday handed a 12-month supervision order at Oxford Crown Court. Singh, of Alesworth Grove,
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GREYHOUNDS: Uncertainty over GRA's future
Oxford Stadium’s owners, the Greyhound Racing Association, face a period of uncertainty at their five tracks after failing to meet a £49m loan, which expired last year. The group showed a slight improvement in trading last year, but even though
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TABLE TENNIS: Brown's Bicester bonanza
Stuart Brown marked his debut in the Oxford & District League Division 1 with a maximum to help Bicester B to a 6-4 victory at British Rail on the opening night. A hat-trick of wins for Jeff Rigby proved in vain for Bicester A, who went down
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COMMENT: Good for Melinda
IT is always refreshing to find a politician willing to swim against the tide in the interests of ordinary people. County councillor Melinda Tilley is clearly one of these rare creatures. Witness her response at a meeting when officers recommended
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MP Baldry is knighted by prince
THE MP for Banbury Sir Tony Baldry has officially been knighted by the Prince of Wales. Sir Tony’s honour was announced in the Queen’s Birthday Honours early this year, and he received the honour at a ceremony yesterday. The Conservative MP
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RUGBY UNION: Exiles can't wait to face French opposition
Lyn Jones says London Welsh cannot wait for today’s “historic” clash with Stade Francais at the Kassam Stadium. The Exiles host French giants Stade in their opening Amlin Challenge Cup fixture – kick-off 3pm – which is the first European rugby
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COMMENT: Grieving parents' example to us all
The compassion shown by the family of Joanna Braithwaite is humbling. They have lost a daughter and words cannot describe how that must feel. Pensioner Stephen Bateman has admitted it was his actions, at the wheel of a cement mixer lorry, that
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Author: 'Thaw is the one and only Morse'
INSPECTOR Morse author Colin Dexter has revealed his will demands no-else play the detective on television. The 82-year-old said no-one could replace late actor John Thaw, who portrayed the Oxford detective between 1987 and 2000. He said the
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Death driver shown mercy
A LORRY driver who killed a cyclist in a “terrible accident” has been spared jail, thanks to a plea from his victim’s parents. Pensioner Stephen Bateman had admitted causing the death of Oxford church rector’s assistant Joanna Braithwaite by careless
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Check before getting train
Due to track renewal work on the Cotswold Line, trains between Oxford, Hanborough, Charlbury and Kingham will operate to slightly modified timetables today, with passengers advised to check before travelling. The line will be closed between Moreton-in-Marsh
