Archive
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Kidlington blooms studied by the judges
ORGANISERS of Kidlington’s floral displays are hoping for marvellous results for its entry to Britain in Bloom. Judges visited last Tuesday for its entry to the town category of the Thames Valley and Chiltern heat. A regular runner up with
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Kidlington school board of governors chairwoman stepping down
AFTER a quarter of a century as a governor at Gosford Hill School, Doreen Rose is stepping down having learned and changed a great deal. The chairwoman of the board of governors for eight years is moving on from the Oxford Road school this summer
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Council struggling to get its information to people, claim residents of the Leys
OXFORD City Council is trying to find a way to connect with residents of the Leys, after a recent meeting about the estate’s community plan attracted just three residents. The meeting last week was supposed to be an opportunity for people who live
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Oxford brass band trumpets regional final success
BRASS band members have their sights set on national glory after blowing their horns and cornets into the finals of a musical competition. Jubilee Brass Band is in the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain after being crowned winners
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Update: Three arrested after Cowley Road pub fight
THREE people were arrested after a brawl on Cowley Road. It is understood that at least two people were involved in a fight at Art Bar this evening. Police were seen restraining two men outside after bundling them out of the pub. One
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It’s double the delight for West Way Festival
BOTLEY’S second West Way Festival attracted almost double the number of visitors as last year for a day a sunshine-filled fun. More than 350 people attended celebrations in The Square on Saturday, 150 more than last year’s inaugural event.
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Fears new road layout will cut off pedestrians
RESIDENTS have called for a pedestrian crossing on Hinksey Hill interchange so they are not isolated from Oxford by the new, faster traffic system. Oxfordshire County Council is in the process of building a £7.5m scheme to improve traffic flow
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Picture Special: a colourful look at weekend events
TWO vicars from churches in Witney went head-to-head in the town’s first tug-of-war match for more than 50 years. Rev Simon Kirby, from St Mary’s Cogges, and Rev Toby Wright, from St Mary’s Witney, were either side of the Windrush river by Church
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Oxford vigil in support of Gaza scholar
A vigil has now started for an Oxford Brookes Gaza Scholar in intensive care after losing six members of his family in an Israeli bombardment. Hassan Al Hallaq is being treated for serious injuries following the attack on Saturday which killed
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Trio of traders take up longer lease at shop
ENTREPRENEURS who trialled their businesses in an empty Wantage shop unit have taken it over. Upvamped, Shabby Style and Cushion Solutions tested out their wares on shoppers from a vacant unit in the Arbery Arcade for three months. Now they
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50 glorious years of a fine village institution
IN 1965, when the Beatles released their album Help!, residents in Towersey realised their village hall was in desperate need of repair. So they launched the Towersey Festival to raise funds for the hall, a building that commemorated 14 local men
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Man injured in Folly Bridge collision
A pedestrian is being treated at the side of the road after a collision with a car in Folly Bridge, Oxford. There are seven police cars and an ambulance at the scene and there are reports a man had to be restrained. Thames Valley Police spokesman
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Police called after man is spotted with gun in North Oxford
Police officers have been called to the Cutteslowe estate in North Oxford after residents reported seeing a man with an air gun. Officers were called to Hawksmoor Road, Cutteslowe, at about 2pm. Rhianne Pope, a spokesman for Thames Valley Police
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Listen: Fiaz Munshi guilty of manslaughter over Magdalen Road arson as police apologise for blunder + Audio
FIAZ MUNSHI has been found guilty of manslaughter and not guilty of murder over the deaths of two children in an arson attack in East Oxford in 1997. The 38-year-old was convicted after a six-week trial at Oxford Crown Court of being involved in
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Tile unearthed on family dig near museum
MEDIEVAL pottery was discovered outside Wallingford Museum at its family archaeology day on Saturday. The museum allowed children to assist with an archaeological dig in the courtyard of the High Street museum, letting them sieve fine dirt and
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Lift-off for airfield’s 2,500 homes project
WORK will be able to start at Grove Airfield following a decade of discussions when the final agreement is signed later this month. Planning permission for the 2,500-home estate was granted on December 4 by Vale of White Horse District Council’
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A Queen or republic for solo Scotland?
IN the event of a yes vote for Scottish Independence, is it known if Scotland will become a republic or a monarchy? Nobody seems to have raised this question. Edward I must be spinning in his grave. CLIFF HARRIS Church Way Iffley Today
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Blessed is he who embraces equality
DOES the Prime Minister seriously believe that many women will be silly enough to alter their voting intentions regarding the forthcoming general or any other election as a result of his elevating more of their gender into ministerial positions?
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Dredging essential to help stop county’s flooding
READING the letter from Nick Mills (Oxford Flood Alliance Steering Group) about the western relief channel (or whatever they call it), I noticed no mention was made about maintaining this channel. We all know that years of neglect of the rivers
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Israel should never be supported by Cameron
THERE can be few who do not condemn the kidnapping and murder of the three Israeli teenagers and the burning alive of a Palestinian youth. Both of these horrific incidents and the over-reaction of Israeli “defence” forces have led to another assault
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Evolve as humans and stop bloodlust of hunting
THERE must have been be countless people who were appalled, as I was, at receiving leaflets included in the Oxford Mail, advertising the CLA Game Fair. These leaflets showed a picture of fox hounds, despite the fact that hunting with hounds is
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With all the other Botley plans do we actually need a skatepark?
SO, Botley needs a skatepark as a panacea for the leisure needs of our young people (Judi Bolder, et al, July 8). With the imminent Vale of White Horse District Council planning committee movement on the West Way development, the prospect of no
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Headington nursery school is 40 years ‘young’
WHEN it opened 40 years ago, Headington’s Kiddies Korner Nursery School operated in a different climate. Stay-at-home mums were more common and childcare had yet to expand to the major industry of today. Staff and parents will mark its birthday
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A maze of activities in new park feature
A NEW adventure playground created using four miles of timber is set to amaze visitors to a wildlife park this summer. The Skymaze playground at Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens in Burford opened to visitors on Saturday. It includes interconnecting
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Underdogs turn the tabletops
Somewhat surprisingly but nonetheless refreshingly, both themed tabletops staged so far this season have been won by teams from the lower of the Winter Leagues two divisions. Back in May, the Green Road Club (Kidlington) were triumphant on home
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Promise to keep traders in the loop over square work
BUSINESSES and residents have been promised more information in the future over the redevelopment of Oxford’s Frideswide Square. Oxfordshire County Council’s deputy director for environment and economy Mark Kemp made the promise after some traders
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Opening doors to county’s fascinating country houses
THE fictional lives of the Crawley family at Downton Abbey continue to have a tangible effect on the Oxfordshire economy. According to an October 2013 report from VisitBritain, almost one in three tourists to the UK visited an historic house or
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She was loved by so many: huge turn-out for the funeral of Liberty Baker
MORE than 300 friends and relatives turned out yesterday to pay their final respects to Witney schoolgirl Liberty Baker. The 14-year-old was killed on June 30 after she was hit by a car which mounted the kerb on Curbridge Road as she walked to
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More pain, no gain as police face up to yet more austerity
THAMES Valley Police chiefs have achieved what many would consider the impossible – cutting crime and reducing the annual budget by millions of pounds at the same time. Like forces across the UK, Thames Valley Police have been told that funding
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A welcome wander down memory lane
IN Victorian times the celebrated photographer Henry Taunt would take pictures of Oxford’s riverside using glass plates – and now some of the iconic images are available online. During the 20th century there were major advances in film technology
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Oxford United striker Kitson calls time on career
DAVE Kitson has called time on his career after agreeing to leave Oxford United by mutual consent. The legal loose ends were tied up last night to confirm the final season of the 34-year-old’s contract would be scrapped. It brought an end to
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GOLF: Cook on course to lead double life
JAMIE Cook is all set to juggle two different sports this season as the Oxford City forward gets closer to becoming a professional golfer. The 34-year-old told the Oxford Mail in February he intended to turn professional this year. And after
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Jayden jury still out
The jury in the murder trial of Ben Blakeley was sent home yesterday and will continue deliberating on Thursday. The 22-year-old, formerly of Christchurch Road, Reading, admits killing Jayden Parkinson on December 3 last year and perverting the
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Oxfam’s boss goes undercover for a TV eye-opener
OXFAM’S chief executive Mark Goldring will appear on tonight’s Channel 4 programme Undercover Boss, posing as a new volunteer. He spent a week in April being followed by camera crews, while wearing a long-haired wig and glasses, travelling across
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Fifty drivers stopped in swoops by police
A car was seized and 50 drivers were stopped on Monday morning in Oxford during police checks in Northway, Headington. Thames Valley Police said a driver of a red Vauxhall Corsa was caught driving while speaking on the phone, without wearing a
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Exhibition unravels the story of boy king’s tomb
HIDDEN under the sand for centuries, this little statue will come face-to-face with thousands of visitors in Oxford. The limestone model of boy pharoah Tutankhamun’s head is just one of 145 exhibits which will go on display at the Ashmolean Museum
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Community association given stay of execution
A COMMUNITY group was celebrating yesterday after being told it could stay at its base for the immediate future. East Oxford Community Association’s home at the Cowley Road community centre came under threat last month after it was asked to leave
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RUGBY UNION: Piri Weepu will make big impression at London Welsh, says Nathan Vella
NATHAN Vella is backing his former Auckland teammate Piri Weepu to shine at London Welsh. Exiles hooker Vella made his Auckland debut alongside scrum half Weepu in New Zealand’s ITM Cup in 2012. And now that the former World Cup winning All
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Cyclist taken to hospital with a serious back injury after Headington collision
A CYCLIST has been taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, with a serious back injury after a collision. It happened on London Road near the Shell garage at about 6.30am this morning and involved a blue Vauxhall Zafira. Thames Valley
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DARTS: Peachcroft stun Premier leaders
Peachcroft Social Club, the Men’s Section 1 leaders caused a big upset with a thrilling 5-4 victory at home to Premier Section pacesetters Goodlake Arms A. The hosts went 2-0 ahead after wins from Michael Wilkes and Stephen Wilkes, but the Premier
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FOOTBALL: Concannon upbeat about Didcot after U's clash
Didcot Town joint manager Ian Concannon praised his players after they were beaten 1-0 at home by Oxford United in a pre-season friendly on Saturday. The Railwaymen have impressed in pre-season and Concannon is confident that they will start their
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Hunt for flasher in luminous pink top
A man in a pink top exposed himself to two women in a park in Bicester. The man in his thirties approached two women aged 18 and 21 in Bure Park Nature Reserve and exposed himself at about 7.30pm on Sunday. He then left using the main pathway
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Inspectors praise police, but officer morale ‘low’
INSPECTORS have praised Thames Valley Police for making savings while increasing the number of officers and staff in frontline roles. A report released today by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary for England and Wales (HMIC) says the force
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Barn blaze shuts A418
The A418 was closed last night near Thame to allow firefighters to tackle a barn fire. Four fire engines were called to Abbey Farm in North Weston at about 5.20pm. Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service had to close the A418 in both directions
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Operation clean-up on estate hit by mini whirlwind
A CLEAN-up operation was under way yesterday to remove the damage caused by a whirlwind over the weekend. During the storm that swept across Oxfordshire on Saturday, a mini whirlwind formed and pulled up trees across Blackbird Leys, damaging people
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GOLF: Dines lifts Frilford championship on way to USA
JAKE Dines came through a five-hole play-off to become the new Frilford Heath club champion. The 19-year-old, playing the final competition before he leaves for a golf scholarship at a university in Tennessee tomorrow, edged out close friend Lee
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FOOTBALL: Millers swoop to capture Bird in revamped line-up
North Leigh have boosted their Southern League campaign by signing former Bolton Wanderers and Aberdeen striker Michael Bird. Bird, 30, started his career at the north west club before an impressive trial took him to Scottish Premier League side
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Tuesday, July 22
5:42pm Vigil begins for Oxford Brookes Gaza scholar after his family was killed in bombing. 3:13pm Fiaz Munshi found guilty of manslaughter and not guilty of murder
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Firefighters continue to tackle barn blaze near Thame
Firefighters are still tackling a barn blaze near Thame which closed the A148 for four hours last night. One fire crew is still on the scene at Abbey Farm in North Weston. The blaze started around 5.20pm last night. A spokeswoman from
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Reeling back the years with films from Oxford's past
WHEN we think back to the decades which have gone by it is easy to see everything in black and white. But as recently discovered film reels show, Oxford was just as colourful in the 1940s as it is now. It is part of a project being run by staff
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TENNIS: Defeat for Oxfordshire men and ladies in openers
OXFORDSHIRE’S men’s and ladies teams both tasted defeat on the first day of of the Aegon Summer County Cup. The men, bidding for a hat-trick of promotions, were edged out 5-4 by Sussex in Group 5 at West Worthing. And the women found Cambridgeshire
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CRICKET: Skipper Ryan is Oxfordshire star with 7-78
CAREER-BEST figures of 7-78 from captain Luke Ryan have given Oxfordshire a golden chance of recording their first Western Division victory of the season against Dorset at Bournemouth. The home county had looked in total command when openers Masoor
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Murder jury retires
The jury in the trial of Fiaz Munshi has begun its deliberations. Munshi, 38, denies murdering a two children in an arson attack at a family home in Magdalen Road, East Oxford, in 1997. Anum Khan, eight, and her brother Majid, 15, died after the
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Disgust as puppies abandoned in box
Two puppies, one of which was dead, were found abandoned in a cardboard box in Wallingford yesterday. A landscape gardener working by the Thames found the Staffordshire bull terriers, about eight weeks old, and took them to Oxfordshire Animal Sanctuary
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Morris team is looking to the future with its newest recruit
YOU’RE never too young to take up an age-old hobby. Miniature Morris man Harrison Brown, three, showed off his skills to a crowd at Oxford’s Ashmolean Museum on Sunday. Icknield Way Morris Men toured the county over the weekend with Spanish
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Schoolboy dies after falling ill on holiday
TRIBUTES have been paid to a 14-year-old described as a “fantastic kid” who died after becoming ill on holiday in France. Felix Byam-Shaw, who was taught at Dragon School in North Oxford and had just completed his first year at Eton – is thought
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Downton’s church set
ITV drama Downton Abbey came to Charlbury's St Mary’s Church yesterday. Cast and crew of the international hit series were in the churchyard to shoot scenes between 8am and 10am. The Rev Jan Fielden said the crew had been filming a scene for
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GOLF: Club results
FRILFORD HEATH Club Championship: 1 J Dines 220 (won via play-off), 2 L White 220, 3 J Payne 223. John Fisher Cup: 1 A Lowe (7) 138, 2 L White (1) 144, 3= J Payne (0), O Huggins (1) 145. NORTH OXFORD Captains’ Day stableford: 1 M Wharton
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MOTORSPORT: Albert points way for Walkinshaw in the wet
Jordan Albert secured a seventh-placed finish in the latest round of the BRDC Formula 4 Championship at a rain-hit Oulton Park International Circuit on Saturday. A hat-trick of points finishes in the three races saw the driver from the Chipping
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Last chance for say on transport
THE public have their last chance to comment on proposals for major transport schemes across Oxfordshire. Oxfordshire County Council said so far 400 people have attended meetings around the county. The last one is tomorrow night at County Hall
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Plans unveiled for 200-home development
RESIDENTS were invited to give their views on a proposed 200-home development in Witney yesterday. Developer Taylor Wimpey wants to build the houses on a site between Woodstock Road and New Yatt Road. It would feature two to five-bedroom homes
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Schoolgirl laments the loss of towers in poetic tribute
THIS 12-year-old girl was so moved by the impending demolition of Didcot Power Station she wrote a poem about it. Alex Foley, who won a prize for her prose at Cranford House School, Moulsford, has good reason to be sentimental about the station
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Zebra crossing plans prompt traffic concerns
CONCERNS have been raised about plans to place a zebra crossing on one of Witney’s busiest streets. Oxfordshire County Council is currently consulting on the proposals, which would see the crosswalk placed on Bridge Street, between the CostCutter
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Great Western primary will take 60 pupils in first year
THE body appointed to run the new Great Western Park Academy in Didcot has published its proposed admissions criteria. Oxfordshire County Council has appointed GEMS Education to run the primary school for the large development outside Didcot.
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Ding-dong is brewing over pub’s missing bell mystery
MYSTERY surrounds the disappearance of a bell that has called time at a Yarnton pub for almost 30 years. The bell in the Red Lion, Cassington Road is from HMS Yarnton, a Royal Navy patrol ship and former minesweeper. It was presented to the
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Shining a light on solar stance
SOLAR farms have won the official support of Oxfordshire County Council experts following a raft of new plans. The authority has had to clarify its position on “solar farms” after having to deal with 30 planning applicants in the last year.
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Hair today, gone tomorrow, as eight-year-old loses locks for charity
HOPE Steptoe volunteered to have almost all her hair cut off so another little girl could benefit. Hope, eight, from Magnette Close, Abingdon, donated her locks to the Little Princess Trust, which makes wigs for children with cancer. After
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Minister will have final say on school expansion plans
A PRIMARY school’s plan to expand by building on its sports field will go all the way to the top for a final decision. An objection by Sport England to the Wolvercote Primary School plans means that a Government minister will have the final say
