Archive
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Jayden trial: Blakeley relives the night he killed the teenager
BEN Blakeley relived the night he killed Jayden Parkinson at Oxford Crown Court today. But he denied being a 'real killer', saying: "I have met them and I’m not like them." Blakeley, 22, from Didcot, said he put his hands around 17-year-old
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ROWING: Oxford Brookes bring Temple Cup back home
Oxford Brookes University displayed their dominance of student rowing by comfortably defeating Brown University, USA in the final of the Temple Challenge Cup at the Henley Royal Regatta. The event was hotly contested by crews from Japan, Holland
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Rapper Tinchy Stryder brings East End grime to village cricket club party
One of the biggest UK rap stars is playing an Oxfordshire cricket club fundraiser. Tim Hughes finds out why... HE is one of Britain’s biggest rap stars, a chart-topping giant of urban music whose hard hitting lyrics have won him fans around the
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Circus comes home for the ringmaster
THE LAST time Katie Rogers was in Wantage she was at school. But on Monday she stormed back into her home town triumphant as the ringmistress of Jay Miller’s Circus. Mrs Rogers, 25, finally fulfilled her childhood dream of running away to join
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Town outgrowing its hospital, says councillor
A DIDCOT councillor has warned that the town’s rapid growth is outpacing its shrinking hospital facilities. County councillor for Didcot West Nick Hards told the Oxfordshire joint health overview and scrutiny committee that halving the number of
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Grant boosts Thames wetland project
WORK to create a £1m wetland habitat on the banks of the Thames near Wallingford has taken a step forward, thanks to an environmental grant. Environmental charity Trust for Oxfordshire’s Environment has donated £10,000 to create the habitat.
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Getting to the bottom of the great fracking issue
As a special debate is planned to set out the county’s position on fracking, DAMIAN FANTATO unpicks the controversial drilling process A YEAR on from the Government earmarking parts of Oxfordshire for fracking, the debate over the controversial
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Rail delays after person hit by train at Ealing
TRAINS from Oxford to London Paddington are being delayed by about an hour after a person was hit by a train. The incident happened in the Ealing Broadway area this afternoon and services between Paddington and Reading and Heathrow are all affected
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Guns set to blaze for 10th Battle Proms concert at Blenheim Palace
A 10th anniversary Battle Proms concert is being staged in the grounds of Blenheim Palace in Woodstock at the weekend. The concert will make its annual appearance in the grounds of the palace, and the musical programme on Saturday will mark the
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RUGBY: London Welsh sign Argentina prop Pablo Henn
London Welsh have continued their rebuilding for life in the Aviva Premiership by signing Argentina loosehead prop Pablo Henn. The 31-year-old won the most recent of his nine caps for his country against England in June 2013 and joins from French
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Poshstock: Thrills, spills and welly-ache
Bandleader and music writer Stuart Macbeth shares his favourite moments from this year's Cornbury Music Festival Great Tew Park provided an idyllic setting for the 11th Cornbury Festival - with five stages set among rolling Oxfordshire countryside
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Wednesday's letters: What are your fellow readers writing in about today?
Want to give your opinion? Email letters@oxfordmail.co.uk
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Surely councillors have better things to do
I WAS shocked recently to discover that a metal plaque that had been put on a public bench in Marston had been removed. It had been attached to the bench as a token addition to the Marston community. Mick Haines, the independent councillor
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Prince the last person to advise any government
AFTER hearing accounts of handwritten letters from HRH Prince of Wales being sent to the then Home Secretary David Blunkett and other democratically elected MPs, attempting to influence or change government policy, I would have to ask who does this
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‘Remember When’ got me thinking of the past
Annabal Bagdi, in ‘Remember When,’ shows Charles Broadhurst discovering a millstone at Hinksey in 1970. I have sent a painting of Botley Mills. The Earl Of Abingdon employed four generations of the Hunt family to run the mill, prior to its sale
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Things are improving except for Queen Vic
I am writing concerning Abingdon. Over the last years we have had bad press about Abingdon but I think there is good news in Abingdon. The flowers in the Abbey Grounds and in the town are fabulous and well worth coming to Abingdon to see. Well done
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No provision made for getting rid of the waste
OH no. How daft is this? The city council suggests closing Market Street to vehicles, especially the vans that both deliver to or collect from businesses in the Market itself. I’d also have to assume, then, that, with the road closed, the waste
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How is conflict of use going to be resolved?
N your report of the planning application for Jericho’s Canalside (July 1), the developer describes the proposed public square as a relatively informal, public space, the focus for a number of activities, with the café and restaurant setting up tables
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UK residents should not be living a Victorian subsistence these days
PROFESSOR Elizabeth Dowler’s important letter (There’s no evidence that increased food aid help is driving demand, July 7) on why there has been and is increasing use of food banks, should be at the top of Iain Duncan Smith’s in-tray. Or taped to his
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It’s a novel idea for a new business
A GROUP of North Oxford authors have started their own publishing business for local writers who have been overlooked by bigger firms. Blank Page Press is the joint-enterprise of Dennis Hamley, of Elizabeth Jennings Way, and colleagues Kamal Lathar
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Jayden trial: Jurors retrace the steps of Jayden and Ben Blakeley when she died
JURORS have this morning retraced the route Ben Blakeley said he took with Jayden Parkinson on December 3, the night she died. Meeting at Mowbray Road in Didcot at 11am, members of the jury - accompanied by judge Patrick Eccles and prosecution
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Man stabbed on Cowley Road in 'planned attack'
A man was stabbed in Cowley Road last night in what police believe could have been a planned attack. The 25-year-old man was in the Simpli Fresh store at about 9.10pm when he was called outside and attacked by a man. The attacker ran off when
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Fundraising bracelets loom large for event
DESPITE the fact that she’s not running Sunday’s Race for Life, 11-year-old Lexie Lydon wanted to do her part to help beat cancer. Along with a group of friends, she decided to turn her hobby into a money-making scheme after being inspired by others
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Car thief jailed for four years
A BURGLAR has been jailed for four years after he admitted breaking into two homes and stealing the vehicles outside. Declan Williamson, of Kingfisher Green, Greater Leys, Oxford, also pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated vehicle taking after
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Swords clash as Alex brings King Arthur to life
TEENAGER Alex Cowan swapped science books for swords at the weekend. The A-Level student trod the boards as King Arthur at the Oxford Playhouse. He took the lead role in the Magdalen College School production of Idylls of the King by Lord Tennyson
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Residents take sides over ‘teen zone’ bid
A ‘TEEN zone’ planned for a Witney field has divided residents on either side of the site. About 300 residents have signed a petition opposing plans to create an area for teenagers on the Madley Park Estate. The area, proposed by a project
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Should firefighters strike again in their dispute over pensions?
To begin with we have a legal right to go on strike, the same as anyone else. We are employees and just because we’re doing a particular job doesn’t preclude us from taking industrial action, writes Steve Allen. The Fire Brigades Union has been
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Food litter sparks invasion of rats at city centre church
RATS have infested a cemetery in the heart of Oxford because of food litter thrown in by passers-by, it has been revealed. The Church of St Mary Magdalen, in Magdalen Street, has had to call in Oxford City Council – which maintains the churchyard
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Summer living is not so easy in certain streets...
Summertime and the living is easy… or so the song goes. Well summertime is also tourist season here in Oxford. Whilst I love the hum drum, the happy families and the hordes of selfies being taken across the city, there is a darker side to this influx
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Village shop scoops environmental award
A COMMUNITY shop has been awarded for its dedication to helping the environment. Tackley Village Shop in Medcroft Road won the better environment category of the Plunkett Foundation’s first UK Rural Community Ownership Awards, which celebrate community
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Oxford United must play with no fear, says new boss
MICHAEL Appleton used his first meeting with Oxford United’s players to call for them to stick to their strengths and play without fear. The new head coach is well aware time is of the essence after starting work on Monday, just over a month before
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New Playhouse chief
Oxford Playhouse has appointed a new chief executive, Louise Chantal. An Oxford University graduate, she joins the Beaumont Street theatre in September after working in London and New York as a freelance producer. Do you want alerts delivered
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Liberty died from head injuries, inquest is told
An inquest has been opened and adjourned into the death of 14-year-old Liberty Baker. The Henry Box School pupil was killed as she walked to school last Monday when a car mounted the kerb in Curbridge Road. Yesterday at Oxfordshire Coroner’
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Jayden jury visit scene
The jury in the murder trial Jayden Parkinson’s killer will go on a site visit this morning. Ben Blakeley, formerly of Christchurch Road, Reading, admits manslaughter and perverting the course of justice, but denies murdering his 17-year-old ex-girlfriend
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"I've got nothing to hide" arson death defendant tells jury
ARSONISTS who killed a young brother and sister in a house fire 17 years ago have been branded “evil and sick” by a woman accused of murder. Fiaz Munshi broke down on the witness stand as she told jurors she knew nothing about the fire that killed
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So tell me, how well do you interact with robots?
SPOUTING Shakespeare and acting out a scene from The Terminator, Artie the robot was the star of a science and technology fair in Oxford yesterday. Visitors to Venturefest 2014 at the Said Business School also had a chance to try out three space
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Man assaulted at pub
A 27-year-old man needed 17 stitches after being assaulted at the Blue Boar pub in Wantage. He was attacked between 11pm and midnight on Friday, June 20, in the rear garden and then again at the front of the Newbury Street pub. He suffered
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Suspect bailed over Littlemore attempted murder
A man arrested on suspicion of attempted murder has been bailed until September 26. He was arrested after a man in his 70s was attacked in Littlemore on Saturday. Police officers were called to the scene in Long Wall where the victim was found
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Striking new Maggie's Centre opens its doors at the Churchill Hospital
CANCER sufferers and their loved ones can get support in a state-of-the-art new charity facility which opened at Oxford’s Churchill Hospital yesterday. Maggie’s opened a treehouse-style facility opposite the Headington hospital’s main entrance.
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Botley Road work causes long queues
MOTORISTS faced long queues as roadworks began in Botley Road near the railway station yesterday. Thames Water began sewer repair work with three-way traffic lights at the junction with Abbey Road and work is expected to continue until Friday,
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Long Hanborough rail station holds key to A40 traffic, says county council leader
LONG HANBOROUGH railway station could hold the key to unlocking West Oxfordshire’s traffic woes, Oxfordshire County Council leader Ian Hudspeth has claimed. He said commuters could park at the station, which had its car park increased to 191 spaces
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140 council jobs at risk as authorities merge services
WORKERS at Oxfordshire County Council could be told to relocate to Hampshire or lose their jobs. It is part of a shake-up at the county council which would save about £700,000 a year. If the plans go ahead, large parts of the county council
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Wednesday, July 9
1:23pm The jury in the Jayden Parkinson trial have this morning visited the site where Ben Blakeley said she died 12:14pm Man stabbed on Cowley Road in
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Injured death crash survivor fights to gain degree success
JOE Robinson was left fighting for his life after a car crash on the A34 that killed one of his friends. Given a mere three per cent chance of survival by medics, he was in a coma for a month. Making a full recovery seemed nothing short of
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Inspired by tale of brother and sister
THE story of Joe Robinson is one that cannot help but inspire others. Given practically no chance of surviving after a car crash on the A34, he is about to receive a masters from Oxford Brookes University. The staff at the John Radcliffe Hospital
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CRICKET: Downs up and running as Bartlett leads way
Wes Bartlett hit 81 and James France made 53 as Oxford Downs finally secured their first win of the season in Cherwell League Division 1 at the expense of Great Brickhill. The home side’s innings was reduced by rain to 40 overs, from which they
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CRICKET: Launchbury's big ton boosts Radley
Radley's Matt Launchbury blasted an unbeaten 151 as the OCA Division 2 leaders won by 110 runs at East & West Hendred, writes David Quinn. Launchbury helped the visitors rack up 258-4, before Ali Malik (3-29) and Edward Clark (3-35) restricted
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AUNT SALLY: History made as Lyon and Cox hit maximums
A DRAMATIC night of high-scoring action saw several records tumble in the Greene King Oxford & District League. Going into the last leg, four players had not missed, with two – Neil Lyon from the Three Pigeons and Team Monarch’s Darren Cox
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Update: Drivers facing major delays in to the city due to roadworks
TRAFFIC is already building up all the way along Botley Road this morning because of roadworks in the Abbey Road area. Temporary traffic lights are in force while Thames Water workers repair a sewer. Drivers are reporting major delays all
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Power cut hits homes
Around 1,200 homes were without power yesterday following a fault. The fault was reported to Scottish and Southern Energy at around 10.40am and it affected the Bicester and Caversfield areas. Engineers rerouted the network in the area and power
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Arrest over assault
A 33-year-old man needed surgery for a fractured skull after an alleged assault in the village centre in Bampton. A 35-year-old man from Minster Lovell was arrested and bailed to August 15 for grievous bodily harm in Market Square, between 4am
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Greyhound bidder to be announced soon
A decision on the future of Oxford Stadium could be made within the next week. Agent CBRE has been marketing the Sandy Lane stadium on behalf of its owners GRA Acquisition Ltd. The greyhound stadium closed in December 2012 and a planning application
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Extradited mum set for USA kidnap trial
AN AMERICAN mother-of-three is expected to now go on trial in the USA after being extradited from her Oxfordshire home. Eileen Clark, who lived in West Way, Botley, has been forced to travel to the States to face charges of “international parental
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Party held to mark end of Ramadan fast
MUSLIMS across the city gathered to celebrate breaking their religious fast yesterday. Committee members of Bath Street’s Mosque held an Iftar party to mark the breaking of their daily Ramadan fast. Muslims have been fasting from sunrise to
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College graduate’s benchmark for design success
FURNITURE designer Tom Parfitt relaxes on the bench he envisaged in the leafy grounds of a college, as he celebrates two successes. Mr Parfitt, 26, who completed the BA (Hons) in Furniture Design and Make at the Rycotewood Furniture Centre, part
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Push on for towers blast time change
RESIDENTS are continuing to keep the pressure on energy bosses to switch the time of the demolition of Didcot A power station. RWE npower has announced that three cooling towers at Didcot A power station will be demolished by Coleman and Company
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RUGBY UNION: McCaffrey capture boosts London Welsh
LONDON Welsh head coach Justin Burnell moved quickly to sign Lachlan McCaffrey after the back row forward impressed against his side just a fortnight ago. The Exiles completed the capture of the 24-year-old after he made his mark in the Singapore
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CRICKET: Oxfordshire collapse to 54 all out and heavy defeat
OXFORDSHIRE plunged to 54 all out in their second innings to slump to a 166-run defeat on the final day of their Unicorns Counties Championship Western Division clash against Shropshire at Bridgnorth. Oxon had looked to hold the upper hand at the
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'We were not told our mum was at risk of suicide'
THE family of a 61-year-old grandmother, who died after going missing, has said they were not properly informed how at risk she was of self-harming. Oxfordshire Coroner’s Court yesterday ruled Jackie Gulliford from Eynsham was “likely” to have
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Drivers fight in busy city centre street as tourists look on
TWO drivers were caught up in a city centre fight in front of tourists and shoppers. The road, at the junction of Walton Street and Beaumont Street, was blocked around midday yesterday when the fight happened, police said. A 50-year-old driver
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Play offers a Dream role
MIDSUMMER may have passed for this year, but the magic of the traditionally topsy-turvy evening has carried through to a city stage. Oxford-based theatre company Tomahawk Theatre put on the first performances of A Midsummer Night’s Dream on Monday
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AUNT SALLY: Goodgame so close to perfection
ON ALMOST any other week, Alan Goodgame’s 17 for Six Bells C Kidlington would have been the week’s top scorer. He came close to becoming the third maximum man of the night, but missed with his 13th stick. Backed up by Andy Beal (4-5-4), Bells
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How fast will the authorities respond to fix this 999 crisis?
RESPONSE times have been a concern for our ambulance service for years. The latest figures do nothing to alleviate these worries, with SCAS falling short of national targets, especially in rural areas. It is a fine balancing act for the service
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Rural areas hit by a drop in ambulance response times
SENIOR figures from Oxfordshire’s ambulance trust have warned a recruitment crisis and rise in demand is affecting response times in rural areas. Representatives from South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) said there had been a significant rise
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Oxfordshire health watchdog praised for work during first year
A WATCHDOG boss who quit over “hostile” board members has praised the group in its first annual report. Larry Sanders said Healthwatch Oxfordshire was standing up for patients and tackling difficult issues. He quit last month after 10 months
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New lease of life for historic Banbury site
AN historic employment site which played a key part in the Second World War could be turned into a distribution centre. Cherwell District Council has agreed to Standard Life Investment’s plans to turn the former Alocoa Europe site, in Southam Road
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Update with extra pictures: Luminous summer clouds light up the Tackley sky at night
RARE ethereal-looking clouds were spotted in the county’s skies. This picture of the noctilucent clouds (NLCs) – sometimes called “night shining clouds” – was taken on Sunday night by amateur astronomer Mary Spicer from her bedroom window in Tackley
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Fury as Kidlington high street’s rising bollard is delayed yet again
A COMMUNITY is said to be “absolutely furious” at the latest setback of the installation of a rising bollard in a village high street. There were hopes that work on the bollard, in Kidlington High Street, would start on Monday – more than two years
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Breathing new life into an old club
AN OXFORD Rotary Club is trying to broaden its appeal to younger and working-class people with the appointment of its new president Blackbird Leys man Stephen Axtell. The Rotary Club of Oxford Spires chose Mr Axtell, 48, as its president for 2014
