Archive
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Friendly: Didcot Town 0 Oxford United 1
JAMES ROBERTS' second-half strike made it three wins from three pre-season games for Oxford United as they beat a spirited Didcot Town side 1-0 at Draycott Engineering Loop Meadow Stadium. United are four leagues above Calor League Division One
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Weather: Whirlwind hits Blackbird Leys during downpour + flash flooding and trees down - readers' pictures
A MINI whirlwind was spotted in the centre of Blackbird Leys during this afternoon's hail storm, while this tree was split in two in Cowley. The heavens opened earlier this afternoon with rain and hail falling on Oxford for around half an hour.
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Cyclists in danger
Sir – Your report of the petition, asking for changes at The Plain, presented to the county council (Report, July 3) includes councillor Nimmo Smith’s revealing response. (The petition was gathered in a few days and signatures exceeded the minimum
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Flood channel not needed
Sir – The Western Conveyance flood mitigation channel has apparently been “given the go-ahead”. But this is a potentially a dreadful mis-use of taxpayers’ money. What are the facts about flood losses in Oxford? In 2013/14 there were just a few
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Not unsightly channel
Sir – It was gratifying to see that the £26m funding for the Western Conveyance, just announced by the Government, was front-page news (Report, July 10). However, it might be helpful to reassure readers that the Oxford and Abingdon scheme will
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Chain of destruction
Sir – I was horrified to read in last week’s The Oxford Times that what I thought to be a fantasy proposal, ie the so-called Western Drainage Channel, has metamorphosed into a distinct possibility. This, a full-scale river, will lead to the complete
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Assessment required
Sir – I think and hope what is meant by City flood channel is given the go-ahead (July 10) is no more than that the funding has been arranged should the environmental impact be found to be acceptable. A scheme of this nature will require an Environmental
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Call for transparency
Sir – In your article on the Western Conveyance Channel (July 10) councillor Rose is quoted as saying the flood relief channel will now go ahead. How? There’s been no detailed feasibility study commissioned yet, no route determined, no significant
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Powerful persuasion
Sir – Having lived in Didcot in the early 1960s when plans for Didcot Power Station were being discussed, I find it remarkable how gullible we, the residents of South Oxfordshire and Vale of the White Horse, were. First we were told that the chimney
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Moving exhibition
Sir – With the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings still fresh in our minds and the forthcoming commemorations to mark the 100th anniversary of the First World War, it is an good opportunity to remind people of the excellent exhibit currently on
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Road repairs debacle
Sir – I am amazed beyond words with some of the road repair activities locally recently. The A420 being a prime example. Just this weekend, for some odd reason a reasonably well-surfaced stretch of the A420 near Besselsleigh was randomly resurfaced
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Put homes near jobs
Sir – The leader of Oxfordshire County Council, Ian Hudspeth, expressed surprise at the recent Connecting Oxfordshire event in Witney on July 7 when the clerk of Carterton Town Council stated that 80 per cent of Carterton residents out-commuted.
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Monorail eases jams
Sir – It was nice to see such a large turnout for the ‘Connecting Oxfordshire’ public meeting in Witney. I had with me a limited number of information packs I compiled in support of my idea for an A40 rapid transit system in the form of a monorail
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Station no solution
Sir – If, as reported, the county council leader really said that Hanborough station holds the key to unlocking West Oxfordshire’s traffic problems, who was he trying to kid? As you point out, the car park there was extended last year and has 191
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Lack of communication
Sir – I have lost count of the number of complaints I have heard from others about telecommunications companies like BT and Talk Talk; now I have joined the complainants. After three weeks without a reliable BT email service and after countless
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Dangerous overtaking
Sir – The speed limit in the London Road, in Headington, is 20mph. Car and van drivers make some effort to stay (roughly) within this limit. But what use is this when coaches, buses and taxis dangerously overtake them on the inside lane
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Install speed cameras
Sir – Very often on St Giles, in Oxford, at least seven fully uniformed traffic police are visible, filming drivers as they break the 20mph speed limit. A couple of traffic wardens or speed cameras could do the same job for less cost. Go to the opposite
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Explosive raffle
Sir – I am writing concerning the publicity over RWE npower’s decision to blow up the Didcot Power Station cooling towers in the dark, thus depriving the community at large an opportunity to view this long-awaited spectacle. I have a suggestion
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Choral contribution
Sir – Kennington and District United Church Choirs recently performed Gilbert & Sullivan’s Trial by Jury and HMS Pinafore at various venues in Oxfordshire. We would like to thank all our audiences for the splendid money raised for Christian
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Puzzling choice
Sir – Yet again you publish letters critical of Christopher Gray (July 10). In the face of persistent criticism from readers over many years, the continued allocation of a full page of newsprint to his weekly pompous ego trip can only mean that
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Superb performers
Sir – Having read the feature in the Oxford Mail, and now The Oxford Times, (July 10) I am very disappointed that no mention has been made of 10cc’s presence at the Cornbury Festival, surely they are ‘up there’ with the other artists still performing
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Retirement beckons as school term ends
As schoolchildren look forward to a summer of freedom, education reporter SOPHIE SCOTT speaks to teachers saying a more permanent farewell to lessons as they prepare for retirement BETWEEN them they have more than 180 years’ experience of teaching
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Picture special: From Battle Proms to charity running, life can really be a blast
Quite a sea of faces here in our main picture by Damian Halliwell, giving a great feel of the scale of the event as more than 5,000 women warm up for the Race For Life at University Parks There were many cracking pictures from Mark Hemsworth
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First cash boost for £1m Wallingford sports changing rooms revamp
A PLAN to invest almost £1m in new changing rooms at Wallingford Sports Park has received its first cash boost. The sports facility off Hithercroft Road is owned by South Oxfordshire District Council and is managed by Wallingford Sports Trust.
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Pick-your-own farm deal means cafe can stay open
A PICK-your-own fruit farm that built a cafe without planning permission say it has reached a “good solution” after striking a deal to keep it open. Rectory Farm was finally allowed keep its cafe after moving it from a temporary marquee to an extension
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Blackbird Leys social club helping to tackle loneliness
ISOLATED people from across Blackbird Leys are coming out from behind their front doors to mingle at a new social club to tackle loneliness in the area. Friendleys meets every week to bring people together for a coffee morning, games and a small
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From the West End to Wantage for Legally Blonde musical
A WANTAGE theatre group is one of the first in the country to be allowed to stage an amateur production of a popular West End musical. Members of Look Theatre! have been selected to stage Legally Blonde The Musical. The group is planning to
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Residents asked to dig deep for centre
RESIDENTS living on Oxford’s Cutteslowe estate are being asked to make donations to save their community centre. Last month trustees revealed that the centre was losing £2,000 every month and could shut by November. But vice-chairman Sarah
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Strike-hit fire service responds to three incidents
FIREFIGHTERS were called to three incidents during strike action overnight. Members of the Fire Brigades Union walked out between 11pm and 1am last night as part of their ongoing national dispute with the Government over pay and conditions.
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Weather update: Mixed forecasts over thunderstorms but rain all day
THERE are mixed forecasts over the likelihood of today's thunderstorms hitting parts of the county today. Saturday pm update: Storm hits Oxford, causing a whirlwind and snapping trees - see the readers' pictures This morning's wet start
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Appleton cool on Gillett link
Michael Appleton says Simon Gillett is not a transfer target despite the midfielder being spotted watching Oxford United this week. The 28-year-old was among the crowd as the U’s won 1-0 at Oxford City on Tuesday night. It sparked speculation
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Comment: Groups’ squabbles leave a bad smell
THE prospect of raw sewage flooding into our homes is a horrible one indeed. For far too many people in Oxfordshire, it is a grim and frequent reality. As if that was not bad enough, the three key agencies who victims turn to for help, appear
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COMMENT: Food van rules are easier to stomach if you value standards
IT would be so very easy to condemn Oxford City Council over its proposal to hold your corner kebab van to a different hygiene standard than normal restaurants. The proposal is that food vans will not be allowed to trade unless they hold a minimum
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Toddler found alone in busy street
A TODDLER was last night due to be reunited with his parents after he was found wandering alone in a busy street wearing just a nappy and a T-shirt. The youngster – thought to be no more than two years old – was spotted in Blackbird Leys, Oxford
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Hygiene ratings proposal ’will push street traders out of city’
STREET traders claim they are being “pushed out” of Oxford by council proposals to ban vans with poor hygiene ratings. The city council said food vans peddling snacks on the street should have a minimum Food Hygiene Rating of three – which is “
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Jayden jury is still out
The jury in the murder trial of Ben Blakeley at Oxford Crown Court has not yet reached a verdict. The 22-year-old has admitted manslaughter and perverting the course of justice following the death of Jayden Parkinson on December 3 last year, but
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Boy, 11, dies after falling off a horse
An inquest has been opened into the death of an 11-year-old boy. Medi Mehra, from London, died after falling off a horse in Kidlington on Tuesday. A post-mortem examination found that he died from a severe head trauma. Oxfordshire Coroner’s
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It’s wonderland for those enjoying Peace in the Park
FAMILIES met Alice in Wonderland characters as part of a day to promote peace and harmony. The Peace in the Park three-day fair began yesterday at the Global Retreat Centre in the Nuneham Park estate in Nuneham Courtenay. It included sessions
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ATHLETICS: Super Simi retains title in Oxon's golden treble
ENGLISH SCHOOLS' TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS SIMI Fajemisin dug deep to retain her long jump title at Birmingham’s Alexander Stadium and spearhead a golden hat-trick for Oxfordshire. The 16-year-old, from Headington School, led the way
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Man convicted of rape
A 20-year-old man has been convicted of rape at Oxford Crown Court. Jamie Williams, of Chaffinch Walk, Greater Leys, Oxford, denied forcing a female complainant, who cannot be named for legal reasons, to perform a sex act on him. But yesterday
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Mental health patients are being sent miles out of area for treatment
MILLIONS of pounds has been spent sending hundreds of mental health sufferers outside the area for inpatient treatment – on at least one occasion more than 500 miles away, the Oxford Mail can reveal. This includes patients sent to a deaf unit in
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Flood warnings across Oxfordshire
COMMUNITIES across Oxfordshire have been warned to prepare for the risk of flooding over the weekend. The Environment Agency has said that the thunderstorms and torrential rain which are expected to move across England today will increase the risk
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BASKETBALL: Hoops sign 7ft 4ins giant
Oxford City Hoops have signed former National Basketball Association (NBA) player Priest Lauderdale, who stands at a towering 7ft 4ins. The 40-year-old played for Atlanta Hawks and Denver Nuggets in the NBA in the 1990s. He has also played
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Oxford United expect quartet to play part at Didcot
Oxford United have almost a clean bill of health as their build-up to the new season continues this afternoon with a friendly at Didcot Town (3). Only goalkeeper Ryan Clarke and midfielder Andy Whing, both recovering from surgery, are unavailable
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FOOTBALL: City trio back to tackle Wantage
Liam Malone, Jamie Cook and Lee Henderson are available for Oxford City’s match at Wantage Town today (3). The trio were away on holiday and missed Tuesday’s 1-0 home defeat to Oxford United.
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Historic ‘swan upping’ ends for another year
An ‘upping’ of Oxfordshire’s swan population finished in Abingdon yesterday. The annual census has been carried out each year since the 12th century, when the Royal Family claimed ownership of the birds – then considered a delicacy at banquets. In
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Farm centre hopes for an amazing year among the maize
TODDLERS were invited to the annual opening of a maize maze to celebrate the end of the summer school term. A group of 25 children from Longworth Pre-School, near Abingdon, visited the Millets Farm Centre maize maze which opened for the season yesterday
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BOXING: Hall gets experience of a lifetime with Kell Brook
Windrush BC’s light bantamweight Nathan Hall, 15, had a work experience week he will never forget after he trained at the famous Ingle Gym in Sheffield. The chance came when the Witney gym contacted Brendan Ingle, who runs the gym with his son
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Crowdfunding campaign to back young artist
AN ARTIST has started a crowdfunding campaign to back her first exhibition in an Oxford arts venue. Claire Duffy, of Witney, is staging a display themed around 12 birds that can be found across Britain, at the Old Fire Station in George Street.
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MOTORSPORT: Wolff admits to uncertainty over future
Susie Wolff now faces “the million dollar question” as to where her Formula 1 career goes from here. As part of her planned programme as development driver for the Grove-based Williams team, the 31-year-old Scot completed the first practice session
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RACING: Gannon's March aim
Wantage-based jockey Cathy Gannon has written off her hopes of returning to the saddle this year, and will now target a comeback in March 2015 following shoulder surgery last November.
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RACING: Limato turns on style
Limato could go for the Gimcrack Stakes at York next month after completing a hat-trick in impressive style for Wantage trainer Henry Candy at Newbury yesterday. The two-year-old gelding cruised home under James Doyle to take the Listed Rose Bowl
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MOTORSPORT: Moody out to shine on Isle of Man return
OXFORDSHIRE motorcycle racer Steve Moody is looking to do even better when returning to the Isle of Man next month – five years after he last competed in the Manx Grand Prix. The father of two, from Carterton, finished 16th in the prestigious senior
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Shaping future of area health services
HEALTH bosses are seeking people with ear, nose, throat, bladder and bowel conditions to join advisory groups to shape the future of services. Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group – which decides where most NHS funds in the county are spent
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Business community rises to charity sports challenge
BUSINESSMEN and women swapped their suits for sports gear to take part in a fundraising challenge in Oxford. More than 100 staff from 22 firms across Oxfordshire were invited to take part in the sporting challenge by Oxfordshire High Sheriff Tony
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CRICKET: County's all-round show secures big win
AN outstanding all-round performance saw Oxfordshire Under 17s crush Bedfordshire on first innings in their ECB Championship match at Bedford Modern School. After rattling up a massive 372 all out in their innings, Oxon shot out their hosts for
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MOTORSPORT: Walkinshaw's revved up for Silverstone podium
Chipping Norton’s Sean Walkinshaw is eyeing a push for his first podium of the EuroFormula Open campaign when rounds nine and ten take place at Silverstone this weekend. After four consecutive points scoring finishes, the Campos Racing driver is
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Westgate incident unexplained
Police have still not explained why officers cordoned off part of the Westgate shopping centre car park on Thursday evening. The force at the time told the Oxford Mail it had received reports of “suspicious activity”, but would not give further
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Group mail council every day over city farm bid delays
CITY Farm campaigners are piling pressure on council leaders by inundating their postbags with daily postcards. Oxford City Farm steering group want to turn a plot of land in Florence Park into a city farm with animals and crops. In September
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Man in court charged with causing GBH
A 39-year-old man has appeared at Oxford Crown Court charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent. Mohammed Nazir, of Cowley Road, Oxford, has also been charged with possession of a blade and possession of cannabis after a 25-year-old
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CRICKET: Rowant crowned champions
ASTON Rowant are the Oxfordshire Under 11 champions after a rapid victory over Banbury in the final at Charlbury. After beating Abingdon Vale by four runs in a tense semi-final, Rowant lost just one wicket on the way to passing Banbury’s total
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CRICKET: Burford defeat hands Lord Williams success
LORD Williams (Thame) won the Under 15 league title without playing a game. Burford needed to beat Wood Green (Witney) in their final match, but crashed to a ten-wicket defeat. James Mayers (53no) and Laurence Dick (51no) starred for Wood Green
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Residents the target of cold call fraudsters
FRAUDSTERS have targeted Cherwell District Council residents in a cold calling council tax scam. A number of people have been phoned by callers claiming to be council officers offering tax refunds and asking for bank details to allow them to transfer
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Register bikes to stop thefts
Residents are being urged by police to register their bicycles online to prevent theft in the city. A new website, bikeregister.com, has been set up to increase the chances of stolen bikes being returned to owners. It is part of a city-wide
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Man jailed for 20 months for growing cannabis
A 43-YEAR-OLD has been jailed after a cannabis factory capable of producing up to £43,500 worth of the drug a year was found at his home. Jeffrey Hunt, of Westfield Road, Benson, near Wallingford, pleaded guilty to producing cannabis and received
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Immigrant ‘wasn’t treated unfairly’
A MAN who illegally immigrated to the UK and obtained a false passport to say he was Oxford-born failed in his claim that the justice system treated him unfairly. Sukhdev Singh, of Alesworth Grove, Headington, slipped into Britain on his third
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Signed edition of Great War novel in charity auction
A SIGNED first edition of a Great War novel will raise hundreds of pounds for good causes, charity volunteers hope. An edition of Sebastian Faulks’ Birsdsong was donated to the Oxfam Bookshop, in Cornmarket, Thame, which was sent to the author
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Weird, wacky and downright outrageous, it’s Truck Festival
THE weird and the wonderful descended on the village of Steventon, near Didcot, yesterday. Truck Festival got off to a flying start with thousands of people descending on Hill Farm to listen to music and have a good time. IN THE SWING
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MARTIAL ARTS: Carl's treble caps fine day for Wantage
Carl Davis was celebrating after winning three gold medals at the London Taekwondo Championships in Guildford. Davis, an instructor at Wantage Taekwondo club, won the adult black belt patterns, sparring and board breaking disciplines to become
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Golf course dumping row leaves council a £27k bill
THE latest twist in a legal row over the dumping of waste material at an Oxfordshire golf course has left a council with a bill of £27,000. Oxfordshire County Council mistakenly believed the High Court had made an order allowing it to apply to
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CRICKET: Abingdon's Kwik victory
Abingdon Vale Under 10s regained the Vale Cricket Development Group Kwik Cricket title, overcoming Cumnor in the final on home soil. Back: Tom Guntrip (coach). Middle row (from left): Freddie Beneat, Jonty Wright, Sam Ferguson, Harry North, Robert
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Damning health and safety report shocks Witney councillor
A WITNEY town councillor said she was “appalled” at a report which shows a hall that has been open for three years is not complying with health and safety regulations. Chrissie Curry made the comments at Witney Town Council’s public halls committee
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CRICKET: Oxford on brink of women's title
OXFORD are firm favourites to win Division 2 of the ECB Women’s Midlands League following a nine-wicket victory over second-placed Charlbury at Roman Way. Having asked the visitors to bat, Oxford tore through Charlbury’s line-up, dismissing them
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SWIMMING: Wynne-Jones doubles up for Blue Fins
LOTTIE Wynne-Jones stormed to back-to-back wins as Bicester Blue Fins climbed to fifth in the Milton Keynes & District League Division 1 table by finishing third in the second round gala at Hillingdon, London. The 11-year-old touched home first
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So who is responsible for the scourge of sewage flooding in Oxfordshire?
SEWERS in Oxfordshire need to be upgraded to cope with more housing, according to councillors and residents hit by overflowing sewage. Residents across the county were hit by sewage flooding and were unable to use their toilets or drink clean water
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ANGLING: Aldridge nets big bream bag for Radley triumph
JOHN Aldridge caught a nice bag of bream to take the third round of the Oxford Summer League fished by seven teams of six on the Thames either side of Radley boathouse. All the top weights came from the top shallowest section, Aldridge (Isis) catching
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Hydropower scheme turns the screw on green energy bid
THE Duke of Marlborough has switched on a new hydropower scheme in the grounds of the stately home in West Oxfordshire where he lives. The Archimedean screw turbine at Blenheim Palace in Woodstock was installed by Hallidays Hydropower. Its
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Blue-sky thinking in aviation dream
AN aviation-themed industrial estate should be built in Carterton to create jobs, says the town council. It would help create employment space after the council claimed 80 per cent of residents commute out of the town for work. The move comes
