Archive
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‘Housing would be vandalism’
RESURRECTED plans to build homes on a tree nursery have been described as an “act of vandalism”. Vale of White Horse District Council wants to build eight “emergency housing” flats on the former Harcourt Way tree nursery north of Bowyer Road.
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A taste of the wilderness at Wytham Woods
FAMILIES got a taste of the outdoors an a bushcraft day in Wytham Woods, learning basic survival skills like setting up shelters and making fires. Seven-year-old Francis Garcia Shapley said: “My favourite bit was the fire. We learned how to make
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Pub manager’s big push on the way to WWI tribute
SHOPPERS at Sainsbury’s Didcot had a surprise this weekend as local pub manager Tom Oytaben cycled on the spot in the supermarket. On Saturday he cycled on a bike machine by the shop entrance to raise money for Help for Heroes. Mr Oytaben spent
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Going down the slide in aid of good cause at Carterton May Day Fair
MASON Morgan made the most of the inflatable slide at Carterton’s May Day Fair. The annual fair, which took place on Monday at the Alvescot Road Recreation Ground, raised money for Save the Children. Six-year-old Mason said: “It was really
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Variety’s the spice of talents for Artweeks
ARTISTS came out in force over the Bank Holiday weekend to mark the start of Artweeks. They were celebrating the best of South Oxfordshire as part of the county-wide event which began on Friday and ends on May 26. Penguins and chickens were
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Man, believed to be president of Oxford Union, arrested on suspicion of rape
A 21-year-old man was arrested in Oxford yesterday morning on suspicion of rape and attempted rape. It is believed he is history and politics student Ben Sullivan, president of the Oxford Union. The alleged rape happened in January 2013, and
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Care home to offer residents independence
WORK has begun on a new £4.9m care facility in Abingdon. A construction team made up of builders from Wantage, working for national firm Stepnell, will rebuild what was Mayott House, Ock Street, by next March. The new two-storey development
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Channelling new ideas for our flood defences
THE question of how to tackle flooding is a thorny one. But most people seem to agree that building more houses doesn’t make the situation better. However, this is something that goes against Oxfordshire’s pressing need for new homes. Damian Fantato
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Tree on line causing rail delays
TRAINS are delayed for about 15 minutes between Bicester and Haddenham and Thame Parkway after a tree fell on the line. It has now been moved away from the line and services are moving again through the area at a reduced speed. For the latest
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Nothing worse than relegation from the top flight
One of the proudest aspects of my career was playing Premier League football with some of the best players of my generation. The high of being a top-flight player was like no other, as was the low of no longer being in that company. I have
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Paint-splattered run is par for the course
OXFORD’S first Rainbow Run is a winner before even touching the starting line, becoming hospice Helen & Douglas House’s fastest-selling event. The run will see 600 people take on a 3k course while being pelted with powdered paint. Community
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Scout leader given town’s top honour
WHEN Andrew Stokes became leader of Witney Buttercross Scout Group five years ago, there were fewer than 100 children involved in its beaver, cub and scout packs. The number has since more than trebled and Mr Stokes has been rewarded by being named
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Tradition meets style in period home
Tradition blends with style in a character property set in almost an acre of gardens. Poundcroft House in East Hanney, near Wantage, has been refurbished to add a contemporary twist but still has many original features such as exposed beams and open
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Andy Melville resigns as Oxford United coach
Andy Melville has left Oxford United after five years as part of the club's coaching staff. The former defender, who won 65 caps for Wales, said he does not have another job in mind, but intends to assess his options after resigning. Melville
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Independent Police Complaints Commission called in over Thames Valley Police investigation of two sex attacks
THAMES Valley Police has called in the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) to look at its handling of two sex attacks. The same man has been charged over offences in Oxford on March 20 and on May 1 in Watlington, a police force spokesman
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Scarf knitters of the world unite against anti-nuclear weapons
THESE people might not look dangerous but they’re taking up arms against weapons. A group of knitters from Wallingford have been taking part in a national campaign against nuclear weapons – by creating a seven-mile long pink scarf. Once complete
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Playhouse plans for its major makeover
OXFORD Playhouse is planning a major refurbishment to draw a wider audience to the Beaumont Street theatre. In a two-year project, bosses hope to refurbish and replace the interiors. Chairs and carpets will be replaced in the auditorium, and
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We need to get wind farm technology right
OUR great country is known for producing talented inventors and engineers. Therefore it is high time that we took control of the wind farm industry which presently relies on an inferior Danish import. The turbines that we import are not efficient
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Figure for flood relief channel seems wrong
THE announced cost of £125m for the Western Conveyance Flood Relief Channel seems excessive (April 26). It is to run, you say, from Botley Road to Sandford Lock, about four miles, and to be as wide as the River Thames. The construction costs
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Don’t miss your chance to have your say about university plans
I AM writing to thank the local residents and members of your wider readership who have already contributed to the public consultation on the University of Oxford’s proposed development at the Old Road/Park Hospital campus. The university was granted
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MS does kill thousands worldwide every year
IN reply to your article Keeping strong in face (May 1), I feel I must correct a statement you made concerning MS: You said “while MS is not fatal, at present there is no cure”. It is true, there is no cure, but it most certainly can be fatal.
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Chance of any party getting majority unlikely
OVER the next 12 months, we are going to hear from the leaders of the various political parties what they are going to do when they win the next election in May 2015. What they forget to mention is that the chance of any party getting an absolute
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A simple yes or no would suffice judges
WHY do the judges on Britain’s Got Talent issue warnings of which way they will vote on a particular act? All too often, individually when asked to cast a vote, they say “I am going to say yes or occasionally no.” Is there any need to say anything
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Solar farm plans rejected
PLANS for a solar farm which would have powered more than 1,000 homes were thrown out by West Oxfordshire District Council (WODC) last night. Council planning officers said the 30-acre facility on Cornbury Park estate would have blighted the Cotswold
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Cyclist helps raise over £2,000 for charity
WHEN Mark Beard learned of the work done by Helen and Douglas Hospice to help a family friend he decided to get on his bike. And on Sunday, April 27, the 47-year-old completed the Cambridge 100 cycle ride and raised more than £2,000 in memory of
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Festival to celebrate town’s ties with Native Americans
WITNEY’s link to Native Americans will be celebrated in a 10-day music festival for the first time. Pubs, restaurants and churches will host music and dance performances for the Witney Music Festival from May 16 to 26. And this year organisers
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Is the Help to Work project effective in getting unemployed back into jobs?
YES - Minister for Employment Esther McVey WITH the economy growing, we now have record numbers of people in work, and this month saw the largest annual fall in long-term unemployment since 1998. In the South East, employment is up 147,000 on the
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We should be grateful for the care we receive
CONGRATULATIONS, you have just won the lottery. We often hear in the media that term postcode lottery for health care. This term means that depending on where you live you will have differential levels of health care available to you. Well, congratulations
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Oxford United youngsters handed pro contracts
OXFORD United’s squad for next season has started to take shape after decisions were made on six development squad players. Matt Bevans, Sam Long, Josh Shama and Aidan Hawtin have been offered the chance to stay, while David Lynn and Kenzer Lee
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M40 tragedy: heartache of bride-to-be
THE fiancee of the 29-year-old man killed in a crash on the M40 has said they were due to get married in September. Amy Bothwell said Warren Carl Stone was the love of her life and “enjoyed every moment to the maximum”. Mr Stone, from Headington
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TV presenter cracks secret of tasty beer
TV presenter Jesse McClure from the US show Storage Hunters had his first taste of Oxfordshire beer yesterday . He joined his wife Ashley and guests for a tasting session at Witney’s Wychwood Brewery. And marketing manager Chris Keating was
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Appeal to find cabbie
Police are hoping to find a taxi driver who stopped to help an injured cyclist. Patrolling officers found the 49-year-old woman in Oxford Road, Cowley, at about 3.45pm on Thursday. She had suffered concussion and bruising. Anyone with information
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Driving instructor fined over cereal offence
A driving instructor was caught by the police eating a bowl of muesli behind the wheel. Officers from the Thames Valley Roads Policing team stopped the man between 8.30am and 9am in Garsington Road, Cowley, yesterday. Police spokeswoman Hannah
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Thieves threaten violence in Post Office raid
TWO men threatened a Post Office worker with a weapon and snatched a haul of cash in an afternoon raid. The robbers demanded money from staff at the Woodstock Road Post Office in Oxford yesterday. One of them was armed with a pole and threatened
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CRICKET: Rump blasts ton as Hook Norton are made to pay
ASHLEY Rump made hosts Hook Norton pay dearly for an early dropped catch by leading Charlbury to a 106-run victory on the first day of the season, writes DAVID QUINN. The opener was put down off just the second ball of the Division 1 match before
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Nurse who threatened her patient avoids jail
A CARE home nurse who stuffed a flannel into a patient’s mouth and threatened to hit him was given a suspended prison sentence yesterday. Jacqueline Duncan-Smith admitted abusing 86-year-old dementia sufferer Patrick Whelehan at Hempton Field care
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Care home takes on extra staff after complaints
A CARE home says it has employed extra workers after concerns were raised about the staffing levels. Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspectors visited the Bridge House in Thames View, Abingdon, in March after the family of one of the residents lodged
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Injured pub landlord’s flown back to the UK
A pub landlord critically injured after he was hit by a car on a golf holiday in Portugal was flown home yesterday. Stan Hawkeswood, who has run the Queen’s Head in Horspath for the past nine years, suffered a bleed on the brain and broke his leg
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Comment: A betrayal of relatives' trust
THE family of dementia sufferer Patrick Whelehan entrusted this frail man in his 80s to the Hempton Field care home in the expectation he would be safe. The treatment meted out by nurse Jacqueline Duncan-Smith, where she threatened him and shoved
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FOOTBALL: Freddie stars as Didcot Casuals lift title
FREDDIE Copping hit a fabulous four-timer as Didcot Casuals lifted the Under 10 Spring B League title with a 5-2 win over Stanford Youth. Goals from Copping and Jacob Knight put Casuals 2-0 ahead at half-time and on their way to victory. Joshua
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Three men taken to hospital after A34 collision
THREE men were taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford last night after a collision on the A34. One man suffered life-threatening injuries in the incident on the southbound carriageway between Weston-on-the-Green and Kidlington at about
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Wednesday, May 7
1:59pm Andy Melville leaves Oxford United after five years on the coaching staff 12:55pm Independent Police Complaints Commission called in to look at
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Crowds out in force to pay respects to five servicemen
FIVE hearses carrying five servicemen killed in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan were greeted by large crowds yesterday. More than 1,400 people turned out to pay their respects in one of the biggest repatriations Oxfordshire has hosted. The
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FOOTBALL: Super Swan make serene progress to seal terrific treble
Original Swan completed an Oxford City FA treble with an emphatic 4-0 win over The George in the Couling Cup final at Abingdon Town. With the league title and the County Junior League Cup in the bag, Swan took the lead midway through the first
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SCHOOLS' FOOTBALL: Vale sunk by Southampton
Vale of White Horse Under 13s were unable to prevent Southampton lifting the Meeson Trophy as they slipped to a 1-0 defeat at Milton United. It saw Southampton complete their programme in the league-based competition with a 100 per cent record.
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SCHOOLS' FOOTBALL: Matthew Arnold are cup kings
Matthew Arnold (Oxford) lifted the Vale of White Horse Under 13 Cup with a 4-3 penalty shoot-out win over King Alfred’s (Wantage) at Letcombe FC. The clash finished 1-1 after extra time, with Adam Megarity giving Matthew Arnold the lead early in
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Industrial disease death inquest adjourned to allow more time
A former health and safety officer at Cowley car plant died of an industrial disease, an inquest heard. Anthony Bodell, 75, of Kidlington, died at Oxford’s Sobell House hospice on April 25. A post-mortem examination concluded he died of mesothelioma
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Discount supermarket gets go-ahead
A NEW budget supermarket is set to be built in Chipping Norton after plans were approved yesterday. West Oxfordshire District Council approved the proposal to build an Aldi store on the former Highways Depot site at Cromwell Business Park, off
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SCHOOLS' FOOTBALL: Miller fires Didcot into national final
Katie Miller’s extra-time winner saw Didcot Girls’ School triumph 3-2 at Highworth GS (Ashford, Kent) in a thrilling ESFA Under 14 PlayStation Schools’ Cup semi-final. Her super strike took Didcot through to face Kibworth (Leicester) in the final
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FOOTBALL: Two Eagles sent off as Yeoman claim Trophy
FREELAND Yeoman ran out 4-0 winners to lift the Alan Alder Trophy after beating nine-man Cowley Marsh Eagles, writes TIM SIRET. Premier Division Eagles were left to rue early missed chances. They could have been well in front by the time Neil
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New initiative launched to help homeless people
A BLACKBIRD Leys charity has launched a volunteer initiative to help the homeless and vulnerable. Connection Floating Support wants volunteers to work with full-time support workers and outreach volunteers to help those in need. Clients are
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Atlantic rowers thank their charity supporters
A TEAM who rowed across the Atlantic – including a record-breaking teenager – thanked their supporters at a Bank Holiday Sunday event. The team of four were at the TLA Fitness Studio, Sunningwell, near Abingdon along with the boat they rowed for
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FOOTBALL: Lulu on song as Stars lift crown
LULU von Pander hit a hat-trick as Summertown Stars Reds clinched the Under 10 Spring League title with a 5-1 victory at Kidlington. Anna Hamerow gave the visitors the lead just before half-time, before von Pander doubled the advantage minutes
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RUGBY UNION: Quins aim to put icing on the cake
OXFORD Harlequins will be trying to cap a memorable season in perfect style when they face Banbury Bulls in the Oxfordshire Cup final at Iffley Road tonight (7.45). Having easily won the South West I East title to make an immediate return to National
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Comment: Fingers crossed for A40 junction work
THE softening in the position of the Walker family towards selling land needed to vastly improve the A40 around Shores Green at Witney is to be welcomed. Previously, during the inquiry into building the Cogges Link Road, the family said they would
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FOOTBALL: Clinical Bourton end Hailey's title dream
Hailey Res’ saw their Witney & District FA Division 1 title dreams disappear as they lost 4-2 away to Bourton Rovers. Needing to win to deny leaders Brize Norton the crown, Hailey got off to a poor start as Craig Gilson and Matt Winter put
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FOOTBALL: Ardington stay in hunt for Division 1 title
ARDINGTON & Lockinge are still in with a shout for the North Berks League Division 1 title after two important wins, writes PHIL ANNETS. On Saturday, they were 3-2 victors at title rivals Kintbury Rangers. Charlie Allsop twice levelled
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Former Oxford United youth player fined £60,000
Nottingham Forest striker Dexter Blackstock, who began his career with Oxford United before moving to Southampton, has been hit with a suspended three-month ban and fined £60,000 after admitting breaking the Football Association’s betting rules.
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Man admits police assault
A 28-year-old man admitted assaulting a police officer at Oxford Crown Court yesterday. David Sutton, of Ottery Way, Didcot, admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm in respect of PC Stephanie Varnes on June 14 last year. He last November
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Woman sentenced over cheque fraud
A pregnant woman has been jailed after admitting a cheque fraud offence. Kelly-Marie Haynes, 26, admitted trying to cash a cheque while serving a 12-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, for seven other cheque fraud offences. The mother-of-two
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Site offer may clear last hurdle for Shores Green
A LANDOWNER has said he will now discuss selling the site needed to make way for the Shores Green A40 scheme. Mark Walker, who owns the land in High Cogges, south of the dual carriageway, previously said that he would resist any efforts to buy
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Owl event proves a real hoot for fascinated tots
Toddler Max Roozen, pictured, has been getting up close and personal with some feathered friends at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History. The 23-month-old from Headington was fascinated by the life-like owl and was thrilled to get the
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‘Owner told pit bull to attack me’ court is told
THE owner of a pit bull terrier set it on a man three times during an argument, a jury was told. Thomas Derosa, 24, denies telling dog Kush to ‘get’ Matthew Brewerton on June 6 last year. Mr Brewerton said Derosa turned up drunk outside his
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Bishop urged to back battle to keep Gladiator Club open
MEMBERS of an East Oxford club that could be sold into private hands for redevelopment have appealed to the Bishop of Oxford for help. It was announced last September that the site of Iffley Road’s Gladiator Club, including the main building and
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Some bubbly, a cake and a card from the Queen
BIRTHDAY bubbly, cake and a card from the Queen greeted Violet Davies yesterday for her 100th birthday. Mrs Davies celebrated in style at Glebe House in Kidlington surrounded by her two daughters, grandchildren and 12 year-old great granddaughter
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Drowning verdict on stolen car man
A MAN who had taken amphetamine and abandoned a stolen car on the M40 near Wheatley died by accidental drowning, a coroner has ruled. Oxfordshire coroner Darren Salter yesterday said that Michael Griffiths, 31, died on or about November 28 last
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New funding for victims of crime
THE Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley has announced new funding arrangements to support victims’ services. Anthony Stansfeld, pictured, said he is working towards fully commissioned services by April next year. In November, the
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Police officer conned shops out of £11,000
A SENIOR police officer who conned shops out of £11,000 by in part using a Bicester Village outlet has been jailed for two-and-half-years. Former Surrey Police chief inspector Tanya Brookes, 46, netted more than £11,000 from firms like Micro Scooters
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FOOTBALL: Gray's strike seals Oakley cup triumph
A dominant Oakley United lifted the Oxfordshire Senior League President’s Cup for the first time as they ran out 3-0 winners against Mansfield Road. The Premier Division leaders were fast out of the blocks at Abingdon Town’s Culham Road. Their
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City restaurant bid recommended despite residents’ opposition
OXFORD City Council will tonight decide whether to allow another restaurant on the corner of Little Clarendon Street and Walton Street. Shirehall Properties Ltd has applied to change the use of three shops into a restaurant or cafe. The ground-floor
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No compensation over Network Rail work
BUSINESSES will not be offered compensation when Network Rail closes major roads for up to four months at a time, the Government has said. Transport Minister Stephen Hammond made his declaration to Wantage MP Ed Vaizey on Thursday over the £1bn
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AUNT SALLY: Goodgame off to flying start for Six Bells
ALAN Goodgame and his Six Bells C Kidlington team were in devastating form in the opening Premier/Section 1 game of the season at Yarnton British Legion, writes ANDY BEAL. Goodgame missed with his first three sticks, but then clanged off the doll
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Details ahead for Jericho's boatyard’s grand design
DETAILED plans for the Jericho boatyard redevelopment are to be submitted in the next few days, the architect has said. It follows a public consultation in February after proposals for a “piazza” square were revealed. The square would sit in
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Ninth Oxford Mail film festival opens with Some Like it Hot
THE Oxford Mail’s ninth film festival opened in style this week with a special screening of Some Like It Hot starring Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis. It just one of the six films the Mail is sponsoring to celebrate Hollywood writer and director Billy
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Long locks of hair disappear to support two good causes
FOR most of us, cutting just a few inches off counts as a radical haircut. But for two Oxfordshire residents, the weekend saw far more drastic hairdos, as they went under the scissors for charity. Six-year-old Freya Gregory had her long locks