Archive

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Update: Oxford-London trains returning to normal

TRAINS between Oxford, Didcot and London are now operating to normal timetables after the completion of emergency engineering work in West London. Two of the four tracks on the Great Western main line had been closed at West Drayton since yesterday

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Last-ditch plea for train speeds to be limited

RESIDENTS are to make a last-ditch appeal to reduce train speeds through North Oxford on the new £130m Rail link to Marylebone. They looked to have lost their battle for a 40mph limit when the Transport Secretary last month approved the new Oxford

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Children still inspired by storyteller Lear

TWO centuries on, children continue to be inspired by the poetry of Edward Lear. Anna Shearn, three, made the piggy from The Owl and the Pussycat at a half-term workshop at Oxford’s Ashmolean Museum. The museum, in Beaumont Street, has the

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Getting creative with clay tiles

KEEN crafters in Abingdon got the chance to put their art skills to the test this week – with their work to feature in an exhibition at the end of the month. People attending the Creative Clay workshop helped to create one big ceramic artwork at

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Pensioner cyclist in critical condition after crash

A PENSIONER is fighting for his life after a serious crash in Didcot this morning. At about 11.35am, a black Renault Megane was in collision with a silver racing bicycle on a roundabout at the junction of Foxhall Road and Broadway. The cyclist

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Teenagers arrested over thefts from cars

THREE teenage boys from Carterton have been arrested after items including mobile phones and satellite navigation systems were stolen from cars. Five people have reported thefts from their vehicles in the last three weeks. One of the incidents

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NHS trust status switch wins support in consultation

RESIDENTS have given an overwhelming thumbs-up to long-awaited plans to give hospital managers more independence. A public consultation in Oxfordshire has supported Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust’s bid to become a foundation trust. The

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Who was Oxford United's man of the match at Barnet?

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Channel hopping: Lucy Golding finds Alderney is a world away from commercial-centric holidays

‘TWO thousand alcoholics clinging to a rock,’ is what they say... Before visiting the practically unknown Channel Island of Alderney, I considered this a rather derogatory representation of the estranged island residents, stuck 60 miles away from the

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Barnet 0 Oxford United 2 (Constable 56, Rigg 80)

GOALS from James Constable and Sean Rigg saw a dominant Oxford United reach the FA Cup second round against a timid Barnet. The visitors were in charge of the first round tie for most of the afternoon, but were unable to take advantage until the

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TRIATHLON: Ripley's in the frame

Oliver Ripley (14), from Didcot Barramundi Swim Club, finished third in the South East Triathlon Junior Series for his age group (Tristar 3 13-14 years). Ripley competed in three triathlons over the summer – in Dover, Eastleigh and Croydon – which

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Picture this: your own book

YOUNG people in Oxfordshire can enter a competition to have their own picture book printed. The county library service is running the competition for children and families to design their own story. To get started, young readers should visit

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Fashion week is back with a stylish flourish

THE fourth annual Oxford Fashion Week starts today with a range of events across the city. Oxford Fashion Week will run until Saturday, showcasing up-and-coming designers at themed fashion shows. Carl Anglim, 26, started Oxford Fashion Week

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Choir concert raises thousands for trust

A CHARITY concert by the London Philharmonic Choir has raised £4,000 for young people in Oxfordshire. The celebrated choir raised the roof of London’s Middle Temple Hall in a fundraising performance for the youth arts charity OYAP Trust, based

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SNOOKER: Unbeaten leaders storm on

Riley B maintained their 100 per cent record at the top of Division 1 of the Gentworks Oxford League with a resounding 5-1 victory away to New Club A. Lewis Moss, with a top break of 32, gained a 2-0 win for Riley B along with Peter Franklin.

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Musicians join forces to remember a friend

MUSICIANS are joining together to celebrate the life of a popular concert-goer by raising money for the hospice that cared for her in her final weeks. Friends and relatives of Leila Soltau were devastated by her death from a brain tumour just a

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ANGLING: England team at Millets

Millets Farm trout fishery at Frilford is hosting the England flyfishing team next Wednesday when they will be competing for the Millets Farm Challenge Cup. The fixture came about after one of the members at Millets, David Wiggins, who runs the

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Updates - Barnet v Oxford United

2:19pm As well as a place in the second round draw tomorrow, a win is worth £18,000 in prize money. Not to be sniffed at. #oufc — @OxfordMailOUFC 03 November 2012 2:19pm

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Olympic Sports: Basketball is a true team game

HOW do you improve at football? Take up basketball. That is the advice from the founder and head coach of Oxfordshire’s largest basketball club, Oxford Hoops. Franky Marulanda, 45, said: “Our 12-year-old players are far more advanced mentally and

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MOTORSPORT: Far East joy for Aston Martin

Banbury's Aston Martin Racing team scored a dominant class victory in the Six Hours of Shanghai to take their first win of the year. Chacombe driver Darren Turner and Stefan Mücke had what amounted to a perfect weekend after qualifying in pole

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ANGLING: Chub to the fore on county rivers

THERE were some consistent returns from most of last weekend’s fixtures as the Thames and Thame produced some good chub. The practice match for the third round of the Oxford Winter League was fished by 25 anglers on the Thames at Radley, which

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SQUASH: Oxford suffer first defeat

Oxford Health & Racquets suffered their first defeat of the season in the Premier League with a 3-2 loss at home to newcomers Chapel Allerton. Kristen Johnson was handed victory by the Leeds club’s manager and veteran campaigner, Simon Parke

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MOTORSPORT: Messenger's in the frame

Eynsham's Dave Messenger recorded a brace of third-place finishes in his class in the final two rounds of the Alfa Romeo Championship at Donington Park. It saw him finish in fourth place in the Class E championship standings, having only competed

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GREYHOUNDS: Barnish claims gold cup glory

The Claydon Racing at Witney Oxfordshire Gold Cup was the culmination of a busy three weeks Saturday racing at the Sandy Lane track. Won in style by Barnish Booth, locally-owned by Mick Freshwater and trained by Kevin Hutton at Swindon, it sealed

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Son ran cannabis farm at his parents’ house

A MAN who ran a cannabis factory containing up to £75,000 worth of plants at his parents’ house was jailed for 16 months at Oxford Crown Court. Habeeb Marham, of Britannia Wharf, Britannia Road, Banbury, admitted production of Class B drugs and

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SWIMMING: Five-star show for ace Ford

Abingdon Vale’s Emily Ford won five gold medals in Rushmoor Royals’ autumn long-course meet in Aldershot. The ten-year-old entered five races and won the lot as well as smashing Vale’s long-course club records. She won the 200m individual medley

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A green light to cut energy bills

A NEW plan to make Barton a more environmentally friendly place is being launched today. Free surveys are now on offer to Barton residents which could help them cut their utility bills by making more efficient use of the energy they use in their

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Supermarket boss comes up with a really bright idea

IN A continued effort to go green, People’s Supermarket manager Chris Waites has been busy changing light bulbs at the store in Cowley Road. Mr Waites has converted all the shop lighting to LED bulbs. Twenty-five 6ft long overhead lights have

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CYCLE SPEEDWAY: Horspath Hammers are treble winners

Horspath Hammers finally got their hands on the BCTG Elite League title with a 94-81 victory away to Sheffield Stars. It completed a superb treble for Hammers, who earlier in the season won the British Team and British Open Fours crowns. And

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Bicester Round Table Firework Display

Images from the annual bonfire night firework display at Pingle Field, Bicester hosted by The Round Table on 3rd November 2012. Based on information supplied by Peter Greenway.

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Update: Disruption on Oxford-London rail route continues

TRAIN services between Oxford, Didcot and London Paddington are expected to operate to modified timetables until late this afternoon due to emergency engineering work in West London. Two of the four tracks on the Great Western main line have been

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TABLE TENNIS: Vikings A are closing in

VIKINGS A moved to within two points of Division 1 leaders Rutherford with a 10-0 win against Vikings B in the Oxford & District Association. The table-toppers drew 5-5 with Bicester A – Tony Gorman scored a maximum. Bicester C now head

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BILLIARDS: Moss takes win for Riley

Lewis Moss (+30) had six breaks of more than 20 while helping Riley A to a 2-1 victory away to Division 1 leaders Con Club in the Gentworks Oxford League. Moss and Malcolm Bough (+20) secured Rileys’ wins. GENTWORKS OXFORD LEAGUE RESULTS

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GREYHOUNDS: Ballymac tipped to shine

Ballymac Vincent, who has made a good impression so far for owner Keith Brewerton and trainer Richard Baker, can land the the A2 at Oxford Stadium tonight. TONIGHT’S RUNNERS 7.30: Sly Dabend, Primo Caloona, Meenala Harry, Hello Navigator, Effernogue

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GREYHOUNDS: Withdrawal of BAGS is kick in teeth for stadium

The withdrawal of the Friday morning BAGS meeting will be like a knife through the heart of all the people fighting to save Oxford Stadium from houses being built on the site. What more incentive is there for Oxford City Council now not to accept

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CRICKET: Taylor knock is all in vain

KEVIN Taylor’s unbeaten 47 wasn’t enough to save Great & Little Tew A from a one-wicket defeat by Deddington in the Banbury Indoor League Division 3. RESULTS Preston Capes A 110-5 (10 ovs, Mark Daynes 28no, Matt Daynes 23, M Froom 2-21)

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GREYHOUNDS: Swindon too strong

Hosts Swindon proved too good for Oxford and Poole in the opening round of the £160,000 BAGS Track Championships at the Abbey Stadium yesterday. They racked up 78 points, with Oxford posting 39. Trainer Richard Baker scored 22 points for Oxford

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Two people arrested after a drugs raid bailed

OXFORD: Two people arrested after a drugs raid in Osney Court, West Oxford, have been bailed by police. The 31-year-old woman and 34-year-old man were arrested on suspicion of possessing class A and B drugs and also on suspicion of possessing cannabis

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20-year-old man killed by train is named

WALLINGFORD: A 20-year-old man who died when he was hit by a train at Cholsey was yesterday named as Kyle Dawson. Mr Dawson, of St Martin’s Street, Wallingford, died in the incident on Tuesday at about 7.20am. Oxford Coroner’s Office opened

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Hurricane Sandy cannot stop marathon runner

A RUNNER is set to live his dream of taking part in the New York Marathon despite fears he wouldn’t make it due to Superstorm Sandy. Adam Wheeler, from Sutton Courtenay, was hoping to raise £1,000 for care charity Sue Ryder by running the marathon

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‘She was a superstar and kind to the end’

THE family of a young pre-school assistant who ‘loved life’ have spoken of the huge hole left by her sudden death. Anna Jones, 24, of Witney, died at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford last week after her heart stopped while recovering from

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Robbers try to steal girl's handbag

A 17-year-old girl was dragged to the entrance of an Oxford park and assaulted by two men in an attempted robbery. The girl was walking alone in Dunnock Way, Blackbird Leys, at about 9pm on Tuesday when the men, who were both black, tried to steal

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Lorry jam causes chaos at toll bridge

A CRASH between two lorries on the Swinford toll bridge caused long delays yesterday. The privately-owned bridge south-east of Eynsham was shut for nearly an hour after two lorries became jammed together during the morning rush- hour, right.

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RUGBY UNION: Gardner's Varsity boost

NICK Gardner gets a chance to stake his claim as Oxford University’s Varsity Match hooker when they host Russia at Iffley Road tomorrow (2). The Oxford Harlequins man and former Magdalen College School pupil starts in what captain John Carter billed

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Fears grow over future of greyhound track

FEARS for the future of the Oxford Stadium are growing after a key greyhound race meeting was axed. Campaigners said that the loss of Friday morning meetings at the stadium, which is between Blackbird Leys and Cowley, would jeopardise its future

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RUGBY UNION: Voyce in 20-point mission

TOM Voyce believes London Welsh can boost their survival hopes by doubling their Aviva Premiership points tally before the end of 2012. New recruit Voyce, who starts at left wing at home to Bath tomorrow, said he came to Welsh because he wanted

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Youngsters get close up with a crocodile

YOUNGSTER Beth Aveyard snapped up the chance to hold a baby crocodile in a guided tour. Crocodiles of the World in Crawley, near Witney, ran the tours everyday during half term and let children hold some of the young reptiles. Mum Nicola Aveyard

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Anthrax warning as heroin user falls ill

WARNING posters were last night being put up across Oxford after a heroin user injected a batch contaminated with anthrax. Drug organisations in the city were last night also talking to addicts directly about the dangers involved with the lethal

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Sentence delay

Sentencing of a man who admitted wielding a golf club at Templars Square in May has been delayed at Oxford Crown Court for a psychiatric report. Michael Hutchinson, of Pegasus Road, was bailed until December 14.

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RUGBY UNION: Henson's switch

GAVIN Henson and Gordon Ross both start for London Welsh in tomorrow’s Aviva Premiership clash with Bath at the Kassam Stadium (3). The pair have both appeared at fly half this season, but Henson moves to inside centre, allowing Ross to return

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Repatriation dates

The repatriation of two servicemen who were killed in Afghanistan will take place on Thursday. Lieutenant Edward Drummond-Baxter, 29, and Lance Corporal Siddhanta Kunwar, 28, died on Tuesday. The plane carrying their bodies will land at RAF

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Paralympics postbox will stay in gold

Royal Mail has announced that all the postboxes painted gold to celebrate British Olympic and Paralympic victories in the summer will retain the colour permanently. More than 100 postboxes around the country were painted gold to celebrate each

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Date fixed to start work on controversial student flats

WORK to build 140 student rooms in blocks above the St Clement’s car park in Oxford will start in February, it has been revealed. Developer Watkin Jones finally won planning permission for the scheme in September after a series of applications

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Sitting pretty, former Oxford schoolgirl with the world at her feet

SHE may have just won a top US reality TV show, but Oxford model Sophie Sumner is dreaming of a Christmas at home with her family and friends. Former Headington School pupil Sophie Sumner, 22, has been taking part in America’s Next Top Model: British

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Oxford United boss Wilder's got cup fever

CHRIS Wilder will reject any suggestion of squad rotation as he plans to send out his strongest possible Oxford United side at Barnet in the FA Cup today. The priority for the U’s remains the npower League Two campaign, which continues against

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Nuisance neighbour found dead at hostel

A NOTORIOUS former East Oxford resident, who was given an Asbo for making his neighbours’ lives a misery, has died. Leslie Belcher, 51, died at Lucy Faithfull House in Speedwell Street on Wednesday. South Central Ambulance Service was called

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RAF issues another apology over engine noise

A SENIOR officer at RAF Brize Norton has issued a new apology over high noise levels caused by testing of engines on Hercules aircraft, pictured. A report released last month revealed that noise levels recorded in nearby villages broke guidelines

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RUGBY UNION: Welsh announce new Kassam fixtures

LONDON Welsh will play two more fixtures at Oxford’s Kassam Stadium, the Aviva Premiership club confirmed yesterday. The Exiles will host Grenoble and Cavalieri Prato in the Amlin Challenge Cup at the Kassam after failing to get a new safety certificate

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New military homes get warm welcome

HUNDREDS of new homes fit for Oxfordshire’s military heroes were unveiled last night. Extra housing for nearly 400 people is set to be built at three bases. Some of it replaces accommodation which Ministry of Defence (MoD) bosses have admitted

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COMMENT: Decent housing for brave troops is long overdue

TODAY’S news that almost 400 new homes for armed forces personnel are in the pipeline is long overdue. Public controversy over conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, lack of frontline equipment and housing back home has sapped morale. But the ever-growing

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COMMENT: Time to come clean

DISQUIET continues to grow about the future of Oxford Stadium. The stadium, which faces the prospect of closure with houses built on the site, has suffered a body blow with the decision by the Bookmakers Afternoon Greyhouse Service to move its

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Park runners celebrate group's anniversary

RUNNERS will be out in force today to celebrate the first anniversary of a global fitness scheme coming to Oxford. The parkrun scheme has been running, if you pardon the pun, in Oxford for a year. It is a worldwide initiative where free, weekly

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Carbon monoxide victim's family call for people to fit alarms

THE father of a former Oxford University press officer who died from carbon monoxide poisoning has called on homeowners to have alarms fitted. Katie Haines died a month after returning from her honeymoon in 2010 when carbon monoxide from a faulty

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Students proud to help the collection

THE Oxford Mail is supporting this year’s Poppy Appeal by highlighting the good work of the Royal British Legion in supporting our troops. Each day we will bring you the stories of how the charity is transforming the lives of former and current