Archive
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Rewind Festival @ Henley: Time to unwind
Rewind Festival Henley August 17 & 18 THERE were only a few clues there were 40,000 people enjoying a festival season favourite of Rewind alongside the riverbank in Henley-on-Thames. The brilliant whites of a
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Community first responders: every second counts in fight to save lives
WHEN a person suffers a sudden cardiac arrest, the following seconds and the treatment they get can mean the difference between life and death. Volunteer community first responders are often the first on the scene in these emergencies and help
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JACK BROOKS COLUMN: Weights, not pints, are the priority for modern cricketers
These past two weeks have seen me without any first-team games as we had a break from the County Championship and I have pulled out from playing any more YB40 cricket. We can go no further in the competition and hopefully this means I can fully
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Vinegar in the shed brings a sweet success
BALSAMIC vinegar bottled by a mum-of-three in the garden shed of her Oxford home has won a top award. The vinegar, sourced in Spain by Susie Taylor, has won the top three star ranking at the Great Taste awards, beating thousands of other businesses
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Bid is made to run third town school
DIDCOT Girls’ School and St Birinus School are bidding to run a third secondary school in the town. Earlier this year, the county council announced a strategy to provide additional school places as 9,000 new homes are being built in the area.
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Charity benefits from car wash and go
TEENAGER Katie McFarlane took her mind off her GCSE results by cleaning cars in a charity wash. The car wash was carried out by Bicester members of the National Citizen Service at the Bicester fire station on Tuesday. It raised more than £200
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Former academic helped make particle physics a force in the world of science
THE former director of the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory and Master of St Cross College has died aged 93. Dr Godfrey Stafford helped transform particle physics in Europe from its early days in modest university facilities to huge national and
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Oxford college snaps up high street banks building
A PRIME Oxford city centre site has been snapped up by an Oxford University college in a multi- million-pound deal. Lincoln College has acquired 120-121 High Street from the Royal Bank of Scotland, which has branches of NatWest and Coutts in the
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Oxfordshire life sparked newspaper columnist's passion for gardening
A GARDENING writer and former columnist for The Oxford Times has died aged 76. Elizabeth Seager became a keen gardener when she moved to a cottage in Oxfordshire with her husband. She began the weekly column in 1990, under the pen-name of Dilly
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NHS union man has strong belief in teamwork values
Mark Ladbrooke’s coal miner grandfather was imprisoned during the General Strike of 1926 and both his parents were union reps. So, perhaps it was a foregone conclusion that Mark Ladbrooke would be a union man. The 57-year-old secretary of Unison
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Young apprentices through to the next round
Two apprentices have landed permanent jobs with a firm of solicitors. Lauren Sole, 19, will take up a full-time role with Brethertons in Banbury when her year-long legal apprenticeship ends in six months’ time. The former Banbury School pupil
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Goodbye to John Lewis, hello to making a difference
IT'S a big step to give up a top job in the retail sector to set up your own business, but Dan Knowles is not short of courage. He quit his job as director of selling operations at department store chain John Lewis in July 2009, at the peak of
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Born in the boozer, a well organised business launch
When entrepreneur Mark Wainwright sold his online recruitment website Gaapweb in 2005, he moved out of London preparing to enjoy the fruits of his labour. But after a year or two, he linked up with his former sales director Karl Schweppe to mull
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The Scales of Justice
OXFORD David Taheri, 54, of no fixed address, convicted of harassment after sending rude and threatening emails, calls and texts in Kidlington between November 7 and February 25. Sent to prison for 28 days. Two restraining orders also made.
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Taking a tumble/Ageing hands
I’m a ditherer. People who know me well have long since given up offering me options. Just choose for me – it’s quicker, it’s easier, and I’ll try anything once. So it was with some bemusement I read that Oxford University’s undergraduate admissions
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Screen Breaks - James Luxford: Colourful time as Reykjavik dogs
Tomorrow, I will be sitting in an airport lounge with my dearest friends – Mr White, Mr Blonde, Mr Blue, Mr Orange, and Mr Pink. It’s my stag do, and the theme is Reservoir Dogs. There are a few more of us than in the movie, so we had to improvise
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Out & about: Elder Stubbs Festival, Oxford
Well, there was a short shower after all, but being British, we wouldn’t let that dampen our spirits, would we? More than 3,000 people turned up once again to enjoy one of OX4’s most cherished events last Saturday. Elder Stubbs is a unique festival
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Nibbles: Sophie Grigson's cookery school, cheese awards and news from The Chester
Sophie Grigson is holding a pasta course on Friday, August 30, in her new pop-up Cookery School teaching you how to master the art of making perfect pasta. Start by making your own pasta dough and then create beautiful dishes such as potato, goat
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Teen taste: See you at the Subway
What was it like? I love Subway and we go there all the time. It’s great for teens because it’s fun – you get to choose your own toppings, and the subs are really filling which is perfect because I’m always hungry. Plus it’s quick and you don’
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Review: Aziz, Cowley Road, Oxford... Pilgrimage to the very top
TIM HUGHES drops in to try a curry institution that’s still leading the way Aziz, in Oxford INDIA has the Taj Mahal, Egypt its Pyramids and China its Great Wall. The curry world, meanwhile, has Aziz. Far fetched? Well, okay, perhaps a little
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Starting up - Shaun Dickens @ The Boathouse: 'Restaurant dream is not for fainthearted'
Writing this blog is probably the first time since opening the restaurant that I’ve properly sat down and thought about the incredible roller-coaster ride I have taken to the opening of my first restaurant, in April. I’ve wanted to open my own
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Man cleared of sex assaults
A TATTOO artist has been cleared of two charges of sexually assaulting a teenage girl. Jamie Gardiner, of Colwell Road, Berinsfield, denied two counts of indecent assault during a week-long trial at Oxford Crown Court. Yesterday the father-of-two
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Charity urges others to apply for a grant it says was 'game changer' for disabled computer users
A CHARITY says a grant from the Gannett Foundation has been a “game changer” as it encourages others to apply for funding this year. The Gannett Foundation is again offering grants of up to £10,000 to charitable causes across Oxfordshire. SpecialEffect
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Chase and Status are ready to rock Reading Festival
As 2011’s second biggest-selling British band, Chase and Status don’t mind playing second fiddle to Mick Jagger. Tim Hughes learns more... AS achievements come, they don’t get much bigger than headlining the Glastonbury Festival. It would also
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TAKE NOTE: ... Reading, Towersey and the mighty Black Hats
LOVERS of rock, punk and indie will be packing their tents, studded belts and Aspirin in readiness for the start of the planet’s biggest celebration of rock – Reading. The festival, which takes place just over the county border beside the Thames at
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Oxford United reveal extent of Rigg's injury
SEAN Rigg is expected to be out for six to eight weeks after tearing a hamstring last weekend. The damage was revealed by a scan yesterday after the winger pulled up injured during Saturday's 3-1 win against Torquay United. U's boss Chris Wilder
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Musical marriage: The August List
Ask almost any active band member in Oxford, and you’ll find out there’s something unanimously wonderful about playing music with others. Collaborating with fellow musicians is one of the many thrills to be experienced as a songwriter and performer
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Oxford singer-songwriter Chris Ryder hits all the right notes
Singer-songwriter Chris Ryder explains to MATT AYRES why moving to Oxford helped kickstart his solo career For Chris Ryder, great songs don’t come from hours sweated away in a stifling recording studio, nor fidgety post-production techniques. This
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Stage Whispers: Tei Williams: 'Paperwork is a drama in itself'
THE Theatre, in Chipping Norton, is deep into its preparation for two autumn productions. The venue usually presents work from touring companies and films but recently has moved into creating its own shows; Frankie & Johnny at Claire de Lune and
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Robin Simpson's fun times as a Grandpa in My Pocket
MATT OLIVER finds out how a classic children’s TV show has hit the big time on stage HAVE you ever wondered how your child’s favourite TV show would look on stage? CBeebies hit, Grandpa In My Pocket, makes its Oxford debut today, in a live stage
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Rocky Horror Show hits middle age
Taking on The Rocky Horror Show’s most iconic role was a challenge relished by West End favourite Oliver Thornton, as he tells MATT OLIVER Back in 1973 Richard O’Brien couldn’t have possibly known how popular and enduring his now cult stage show
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Old tellies and typewriters buzz with new lease of life
OLD electrical items will be given a new lease of life thanks to a collection set up by an environmental group. A range of TVs, microwaves, vacuum cleaners, lamps and even electric typewriters have been dropped off at Church House in The Oval for
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Lexus man admits drugs and weapon charges
A MAN found with drugs worth almost £36,000 and a knuckleduster tried to drive off as police searched his car, a court heard. Joshua Johnson of Spear Close, Luton, appeared before Oxford Crown Court yesterday. He was arrested on Sunday, June
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Former mayor appeals for zip wire fun in park
A FORMER Wantage mayor has called for a zip wire to be installed in the recreation ground. Charlotte Dickson put a motion to the town council, which was passed last month, to ask the district council to negotiate money from housing developers for
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Retail trade sees ups and downs
THE number of empty shops has fallen in Wantage, risen in Faringdon and stayed the same in Botley in the past year. Vale of White Horse District Council’s cabinet member for economic development Elaine Ware revealed that in Wantage the figure has
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New technology highlights museums’ history displays
MODERN technology is being used to help people explore ancient history on display in Oxford’s museums. A new, free mobile phone app has been launched to help people get the most out of a visit to Oxford University’s four museums. As well as
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Residents create a stink over human waste dump bid
N OXON: Residents fear misery if a firm is allowed to double the amount of human waste dumped near their homes. Waste firm Peter Bennie Ltd is seeking permission to dump another 40,000 to 50,000 tonnes of treated waste at Wroxton Fields Quarry
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Calls to encourage credit unions to replace loan sharks on housing estates
A CREDIT union service could be set up to help people living on estates to avoid them getting deeper into debt. Calls have been made to bring the community lending service to Barton and Wood Farm to help those currently relying on high interest
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The Fishes: North Hinksey, Oxford
The Fishes North Hinksey Village, Oxford OX2 ONA 01865 249976 fishesoxford.co.uk Oxford is blessed, to the delight of its residents and visitors, with a number of fine pubs that are at once in the city yet at the same time clearly
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Police seek woman over scooter crime
POLICE want to speak to this woman after cash was stolen from a 67-year-old woman on a mobility scooter in Witney. The crime happened in Witan Way between 2.50pm and 3.06pm on Tuesday last week. Police said the suspect was a white woman with
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Meet Ollie, the only boy in town with a ceramic skull
MOST children will have sinus infections at some point in their lives. But few will end up having half of their skull removed as a result. Nine-year-old Ollie Kirk, from East Hanney is believed to be the first person in the country to have
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ATHLETICS: Hot-shot Luisa's up to second in rankings
SOUTHERN COUNTIES RADLEY’S Luisa Chantler Edmond won girls’ under 15 shot putt gold in the Southern Counties Championships at Ashford, Kent. Chantler Edmond took victory with a personal best distance of 12.24m, which took her to second in the
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Arson hedge attack
About 20 metres of hedgerow has been damaged in an arson attack. It happened on the playing fields off Cote Road on Monday evening. Police asked witnesses to call 101 with information.
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Arrests of repeat offenders falls by 54 per cent
A SCHEME aimed at cutting the number of convicted criminals reoffending in the county has been branded a success. There are 82 Oxfordshire criminals on the Integrated Offender Management scheme, run by Thames Valley Police. The force says as
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ATHLETICS: McBain is on song
ROAD RUNNING ALCHESTER’S Jenny McBain stepped up her comeback from injury with two good performances in three days. McBain was the second lady home and first vet 35 at the Barney Memorial 5K in Peterborough, clocking a new club veteran record
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Review: Irregular Folk @ Perch, Binsey - 'beautiful music in a stunning setting'
James Prescott enjoys a lovely day of quirky folk beside the Thames MOST people would agree that summer is over now, maybe not on the calendar but look out the window there are almost certainly clouds in sight. Back in May when the Irregular
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Arson attack damages listed summer house
A LISTED summer house has been damaged by an arson attack. The thatched roof of the summer house in Main Road, Stanton Harcourt, was set on fire at 10.50pm on Saturday, August 10, but police only released details yesterday. Pc Victoria Channon
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Jailed animal centre owner to appeal against sentence
A WOMAN is to appeal against her jail sentence for animal cruelty. Angela Russell is due to appear at Oxford Crown Court today to challenge the 26-week prison sentence handed to her in July. She was convicted on 16 counts of animal welfare
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Man exposed himself in front of children
Police are investigating possible links after two incidents where a man exposed himself in front of children. Two nine-year-old girls were walking across Harcourt Green at about 4pm on Thursday, August 8, when a man aged about 17 got out of a silver
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Council shortlists Castle Mill review applicants
INTERVIEWS will be carried out next week to appoint an independent person to carry out a review into how the controversial Castle Mill student development was approved by Oxford City Council. The review will look into how the council can instill
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Churchyard warden all set for an evening hunting bats
WILDLIFE enthusiasts will be able to head down to SS Mary and John Churchyard at twilight next Wednesday to hunt for bats and moths. Bat detectors, which convert the sounds bats make when hunting to find their prey into sounds audible to the human
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‘Criminal’ to sue police for knife robbery arrest
A SELF-confessed “experienced criminal” who was cleared of an attempted knife-point robbery said he is going to sue the police for wrongful arrest. Eamonn Anderson, of Salter Close, Oxford, was charged with one count of attempted robbery and one
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ATHLETICS: Treadwell bags title double
VETERANS OXFORD City’s Roy Treadwell completed a national veteran double with victory in Glasgow’s Pollock Park. Treadwell took vet 65 gold in the British Masters Athletic Federation (BMAF) 10K road race championships after holding off a strong
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Pirates offer some ss-slithery fun for care home residents
ELDERLY care home residents experienced a day of pirate-themed activities at the King’s Centre in Oxford yesterday. Orders of St John Care Trust brought together residents, staff and volunteers from 17 of its county care homes for the event.
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University Press ‘exploring options’ on expanding HQ
OXFORD University Press is “exploring its options” over a major expansion of its Jericho HQ. Last June, OUP was given planning permission to build a new three-storey wing because it said it was running out of space for its staff. The scheme
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ATHLETICS: Grieveson making his mark
RISING STAR SPRINTER Liam Grieveson’s strong progress this season has seen him leap into the UK’s top ten rankings. The 16-year-old Banbury Harrier clocked a 100m personal best of 10.8secs in the UK Youth Develpment League at Sutton Coldfield
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ATHLETICS: Double French at Radley College
BRITISH ULTRA FEST THE British Ultra Fest at Radley College concluded with a French double in its six-day track race. Didier Sessegolo and Christine David were crowned men’s and women’s champions as the supreme endurance event reached its climax
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FOOTBALL: City in action at Wallingford
Oxford City visit AFC Wallingford tonight for the annual Robin Antonowicz Memorial Match (7.45pm). Antonowicz played for both clubs before losing his life in a road accident in 2005 at the age of 24.
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RACING: Candy delighted by Treaty Of Paris
Wantage trainer Henry Candy was thrilled to see Treaty Of Paris land the Group 3 Pinsent Masons LLP Acomb Stakes at York yesterday. The 11-1 shot made all the running under James Doyle, before holding off The Grey Gatsby by a neck. Candy said
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Reading volunteers must also be praised for steady progress made
TO say I was impressed by the headlines (August 19) in reference to the progress made by students in Key Stage One in reading due to the Reading Campaign would be an understatement. “Delighted” of course but upon reflection a little surprised.
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Chance for locals to say what they want on site
YOU have covered the progress of the Summertown/St Margaret’s Neighbourhood Forum as it has developed over the last months. We are now nearing the time when the city council will be consulting on a Development Brief for the very large site, which
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Smokers are already paying a heavy price
ALL these moaning minnies complaining that the John Radcliffe Hospital has set up shelters for smokers have lost their grasp on reality (August 13). Despite the illness that smoking could possibly cause, smokers pay mega bucks to the Treasury in
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At last action is being taken against tailgaters
AT last action is to be taken against tailgating drivers with on the spot fines of a £100 and three penalty points on the licence, and not before time. Bring it on. A third of all accidents are caused by these kind of drivers. I feel vindicated
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Please help me find an old friend from Oxford
I AM wondering whether you can help me trace a friend from 60 years ago. My husband and I were married on September 12, 1953 at Headington Quarry Methodist Chapel. We had three bridesmaids. The senior one was a girl I had grown up with – Margaret
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No road tax, but there is vehicle excise duty
OH dear! Yet again another letter from a misguided person (Colin Smith, August 20). Cyclists do pay as much for roads as anyone else. There is no such road tax. It’s vehicle excise duty and is paid into central funds. If anything, cyclists
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LEGAL CHALLENGE: Housing issues have strong link to human rights
A look of bewilderment is the common response I get when I explain that I specialise in human rights law as it applies to housing issues. So how can human rights be linked to housing law? Access to suitable housing has a huge impact on health and wellbeing
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It is too early to put out peanuts for young birds
WHEN we first had a new format for the Oxford Mail I found it quite difficult to get along with (old habits die hard) but now I am more comfortable with it. However, this morning (August 16) I was surprised to read that Chris Packham was advising
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ATHLETICS: Brits deserve credit for Moscow, says England
HANNAH England said the Great Britain & Northern Ireland team enjoyed a strong World Championships, despite a comparative lack of medals, writes STUART WEIR. Oxford City star England, finished a very creditable fourth in the 1,500m final in
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THE INSIDER: Election line-up is a page out of the history books
BY-ELECTIONS are always great fun, and this September presents yet another opportunity to test the political water in Oxford. And the line-up is already looking like a page out of the history books as three people who are very familiar with elections
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Community order for assault on partner
A CHARITY worker who was caught by an off-duty top police officer putting his hands around his partner’s neck has received a community order. Mohamed Boubbane was charged after Detective Chief Superintendent Brendan O’Dowda saw the attack at Oxford
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RUGBY: Chalmers lands new coaching role
CHINNOR say they are “not surprised” Craig Chalmers has joined Esher’s coaching team less than two weeks after quitting Kingsey Road. The former Scotland and Lions fly half resigned as Chinnor head coach without ever leading them in a match.
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‘Boiler repair man’ steals OAP’s wallet
A 92-YEAR-OLD man’s wallet was stolen by a thief who got into his New Hinksey house posing as a boiler repair man. The crime happened in Lake Street, off Abingdon Road, at 6.14pm on Tuesday, August 13, but the police only released the details yesterday
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Chickens moved amid barn fire explosion fears
ABOUT 26,000 chickens had to be moved after a barn fire. Firefighters placed a 200-metre cordon around the single storey building at Ricksfield Farm in Station Road, Milcombe, near Banbury, after discovering it contained five gas cylinders on Tuesday
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COMMENT: Some local flavour for hit baking show
NOT long ago, the suggestion that a programme about people baking would become a national TV obsession would have met with derision. But that is exactly what has happened with the BBC’s Great British Bake Off. The first series was a huge and
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RUGBY: Welsh club captain exciting by Kassam Stadium return
LONDON Welsh club captain Matt Corker says he cannot wait to be back playing at the Kassam Stadium on Sunday. The Exiles host Llanelli Scarlets in their first home pre-season match, which is also billed as a family day. Having enjoyed a debut season
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Firework ‘prank’ at shopping centre
POLICE are investigating a suspected incident of criminal damage after a “prank” in the Westgate Centre. Shoppers were evacuated from the centre for about 40 minutes, from about 4pm, on Tuesday. Westgate general manager Brandan Hattam said
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Cooking that delighted the Great British Bake Off pair
A GRANDMOTHER whose baking know-how was passed down the generations has launched her bid for stardom on The Great British Bake Off. Didcot resident Christine Wallace, 66, is hoping to win the popular prime-time show, which began its fourth series
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Broken down car causes delay on M40
A BROKEN down car has partially blocked the northbound entry slip road at junction nine for Bicester on the M40 this morning. Motorists at the junction of the M40, A34 and A41 are being advised to approach with care.
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Walk-in theft was not me, convicted burglar tells jury
A MAN who was found to have used stolen bank cards to top up his mobile phone has denied burglary. Graham Crutch, of Longore, Stonesfield, denies walking into a property during the night of February 25 and 26 this year and stealing a handbag.
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Cyclist accident report adds new drive to improvements
TODAY the Oxford Mail can reveal the most dangerous roads for cyclists in the city. Campaigners are calling for improvements to make Oxford safer for people on two wheels, as accidents hit a five-year high. Since 2008 there have been 786 accidents
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COMMENT: Should bikes or motorists have priority on our roads?
YOU will not go very far in Oxford without seeing a cyclist. Like London or Bristol, it’s a place that has taken what some see as a divisive form of transport to heart. But everyone knows that when cars and bikes share busy roads, there’s a chance
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Lost days of cricketing glory
Douglas Jardine was the archetypal gentleman cricketer — educationally and socially grounded in the playing fields of public school and the dreaming spires of Oxford. Paradoxically, though, this beacon of amateurism will forever be associated with
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Suspected arson at children's play area in Blackbird Leys
A BLAZE at a playground last night is suspected arson according to Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service. One crew from The Slade fire station were called to the children’s play area at Pegasus Park opposite the primary school in Pegasus Road, Blackbird
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Farm equipment destroyed in fire
A PIECE of farm equipment was completely destroyed following a farm blaze yesterday. Firefighters were called to Stainswick Farm off the B4000 in Shrivenham at about 7pm. One baler - used to pack compact bales of crop - was destroyed.
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ICE HOCKEY: Comeback in vain as Stars lose in pre-season
OXFORD City Stars began pre-season with a 5-3 defeat at National Ice Hockey League 2 North side Solihull Barons. Joe Oliver put the visitors in front after 12 minutes following good work from Jeff Sykora and Alan Green. The lead did not last
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GCSEs 2013: Blog of results, updates, reaction, pictures and tweets
6:07pm For an evening wrap-up, here's a couple of our audio clips from earlier today for you: 4:56pm Icknield Community College recorded its best ever results
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Fierce competition in Norway battle
The winner and runner-up of the World Cup presently taking place in Norway will qualify for the Candidates Tournament of the next World Championship cycle. With such a prize, the competition has been fierce and England’s two representatives Michael
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LIVE: GCSE Results 2013: Table of results, school by school
Apologies for a formatting gremlin that affected the table on Friday. It is fixed now. We have a Live Blog running of updates, pictures and tweets Visit our picture gallery You can review last week's A-Levels results SchoolABCDAbingdon
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BAR BILLIARDS: Play-off joy for Masons
MASONS A clinched Group A of the Johnsons Buildbase Oxford Leagu after winning their title play-off 4-2 against Vikings at the Gladiators Club, writes PETE EWINS. Masons swept into a 2-0 lead as Dave Rose (7,700) and Alan Lowe (2,750) got the better
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Developer appeals against rejection of housing at police station site
A DEVELOPER refused planning permission to build sheltered apartments in the former Wantage police station will appeal against the decision. Hampshire firm Churchill Retirement Living wants to demolish the former station and magistrates’ court
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Parky at the Pictures (In Cinemas 22/8/2013)
Henry James adaptations seem to reach the screen in little clusters. Martin Gabel presented The Aspern Papers as The Lost Moment in 1947 and William Wyler reworked Washington Square as The Heiress three years later. Merchant Ivory followed suit in
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Parky at the Pictures (In Cinemas Special 22/8/2013)
The August Bank Holiday weekend can only mean one thing in screen terms: FrightFest. Now in its 14th year and still sponsored by Film4, this feast of ghoulish delights essentially acts as a showcase for forthcoming releases both at cinemas and on DVD
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Canalside café is dream job for former Oxford Tube coach driver
FORMER Oxford Tube bus driver Marianne Stevens only had one ambition... to run a quaint tea shop in the heart of England. Now she is living the dream and even has the endorsement of the bible of great national traditions – This England magazine
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Sign up for talent competition
THE third annual Chippy’s Got Talent contest takes place on Saturday. The competition will be held on an open-air stage at Chipping Norton Football Club's ground, in Walterbush Road, with cash prizes for the top acts. Anyone with a talent is
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Bridges to close for roadworks
TWO bridges in Standlake will be closed for three weeks next month for roadworks. From Monday, September 16, the Gaunthouse Mill river bridges will be shut to traffic along the length of Standlake Road and Rack End. The road is being resurfaced
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Students are satisfied
Oxford’s Medical School is the highest-rated UK medical school in terms of student satisfaction. In the Higher Education Funding Council for England survey, 99 per cent of Oxford medical students said they were satisfied with the quality of the course
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Calling in The Vikings
Mayor Fiona Roper has invited re-enactment group The Vikings to invade the town. The Mayor has contracted the group to take part in the Alfred’s Day celebrations on October 26 and 27. They will set up a Viking encampment in the Manor Road Park
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'Speed dating' event for tenants to move
Council house tenants looking to move to avoid the “bedroom tax” will meet others at an event today. The city council will host its second “mutual exchange speed dating” event at the Town Hall from 2pm to 4pm. Under the Government’s social
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Parties aim for council seat held by former Lord Mayor
BATTLE lines are being drawn ahead of a by-election in a key swing seat on Oxford City Council. Labour, the Greens, Liberal Democrats and Conservatives have all unveiled candidates for the North ward by-election taking place on September 19.
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Scrap children’s homes says child sex gang trial witness
CHILDREN’S homes should be scrapped to stop child sex exploitation, a grooming gang trial witness has told the Oxford Mail. The 20-year-old – who grew up in care with two girls abused by the Oxford gang – said social workers could not provide the
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When Terry rounded on his old mate Hitch
I was able in my short review a couple of weeks ago to do little more than hint at the delights to be found in the selection of 90 articles from the New Statesman reissued together in a handsome publication designed to mark the 100th anniversary of
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Elysium (15)
THREE STARS Accordingly to a report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the gap between rich and poor is accelerating. Fast-forward a century to the setting of Neill Blomkamp’s Elysium, and it seems plausible that only
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Lovelace (18)
TWO STARS In 1972, Linda Lovelace, born Linda Boreman, became an overnight sensation as the fresh-faced star of hardcore adult film Deep Throat, written and directed by Gerard Damiano. Audiences flocked to this seedy tale of a girl with an
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Impromptu highjinks at a favourite pub
They were dancing in the street the night I celebrated my birthday last week — the one, I hasten to add, in no way connected with the other. But the Oxford City Morris Men, who had been doing their stuff outside the Rose and Crown in North Parade
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Trust hisses at county's adders loss
almost extinct in Oxfordshire although it is possible that there are a few in the wooded southern slopes of the Chilterns. This magnificent creature, characteristically marked in a dark- and light-coloured zigzag pattern, may never be seen living
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Sherlock Holmes: Pantaloons Theatre Company, Waterperry Gardens
FIVE STARS Being a Sherlock Holmes fan I was intrigued to see that an outdoor production featuring some of his best-loved cases was being staged at the stunning Waterperry Gardens. Pantaloons Theatre Company have adapted four of Conan
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Everyday Moments: Burton Taylor Theatre
FOUR STARS The phrase ‘and now for something completely different’ could have been invented for the audio installation Everyday Moments by Hofesh Shechter at the Burton Taylor Theatre. It’s a unique experience — instead of being a passive
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Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: Theatre Royal, Drury Lane
FIVE STARS I rarely go to the West End. Why bother when Oxford has such riches of plays and shows? But Sam Mendes doing Charlie and the Chocolate Factory had to be seen. Having turned down the second Bond to do it, one suspects he committed
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Steven Isserlis on his headline appearance at Dorchester Abbey Festival
Alongside his most obvious claim to fame, international cello star Steven Isserlis can also claim what he calls a “very distant” family connection to composer Felix Mendelssohn, as well as to Karl Marx and Helena Rubinstein. Perhaps more pertinently
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On the Horizon: August 22
Theatre DAYTONA Oxford Playhouse September 23-28 Box office: 01865 303305 or visit oxfordplayhouse.com Haunting, funny and poignant, Daytona is a love story full of mystery. Happy in their shared passion for ballroom dancing, Joe
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Actress Sophie Ward on Go Back for Murder at Oxford Playhouse
Sophie Ward didn’t want to talk about her personal life. And why should she? She’s here to discuss her part in the new Agatha Christie play coming to the Oxford Playhouse. However, as a very public and vocal supporter of Stonewall (working for
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Flats fall-out
In the long-running saga of the Castle Mill flats overlooking Port Meadow there are few things which retain the capacity to surprise. We have learned that Oxford University is offering to create a protective layer using 390 tonnes of topsoil to
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Clear pricing
The issue of how and why Oxford City Council charges residents to be released from covenants is an important one. The city council is a public body which ought to be acting in a more transparent way than just picking a figure out of thin air and
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Flood relief
The completion of a £1m project to create a new sewer and drainage pond in Kennington, to help protect homes and rail tracks in Oxford from flooding, is welcome news. What must not be forgotten is that it has been the selfless folk of Kennington
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Jurassic Park 3D (PG)
FOUR STARS In 1993, dinosaurs ruled the world, and smashed box office records as Spielberg’s blockbuster Jurassic Park stomped past E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial to become the highest grossing film of all time. Long queues snaked around multiplexes
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Raspberries are a delight to harvest
One of the wonderful things about raspberries is the fact that you can go on harvesting some varieties right through to October and those late raspberries are just as sweet as any picked during the height of the summer. The other thing that makes them
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Job means I will lose plot
I always seem to make life… how can I put this… ‘quirky’ for myself. Scratch that – let’s stick with darn right awkward. I was pottering along quite nicely thank you very much. It all sounds rather twee, but I was enjoying going to work and had
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Why wasps want a warm welcome
There has been a lot of publicity this year about the absence of wasps in the garden and I suspect many gardeners are feeling rather thankful. However, like much this year, the wasp is almost certainly late in appearing rather than absent. I have
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Preview of The Queen's Knickers, Oxford Playhouse
T he Queen’s Knickers is a winning title all on its own, but thanks to the stage production, you can finally see the evidence for yourself. It also means you can meet Luanna Priestman, The Queen herself, and of course her strange array of knickers
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Highlights for week beginning August 22
Oxford Coffee Concerts FOURNIER PIANO TRIO Holywell Music Room, Oxford Sunday, 11.15am Tickets: 01865 305305 www.ticketsoxford.com A contrasting programme from one of the UK’s most exciting young chamber ensembles, including Haydn
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Visiting With the Ancestors: The Blackfoot Shirts project, Pitt Rivers Museum
In the late 19th century, the Pitt Rivers acquired a group of Native American ceremonial shirts from a senior official of the Hudson Bay Company, who had collected them from the Blackfoot tribes when visiting the company’s fur trading stations in the
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Chapters: Modern Art Oxford
A man, perhaps a mystic, his face concealed behind a golden starburst, stands before us, gold necklaces about his chalk-whitened neck; people in white robes stand holding staves as though guarding something sacrosanct; the same duo reappears, now a