Archive
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Enthusiasts’ rapid response to Minor matters
IN their jobs for South Central Ambulance Service, Dick Tracey and David England’s rapid response can mean the difference between life and death. But at weekends the classic car enthusiasts slow down the traffic for a very different reason. A former
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Meet the man putting us in the pictures
WHEN you think of Hollywood, you probably don’t think of Oxfordshire. But the county is starting to gather pace on Tinsel Town. And one of the key players has been film producer Damian Jones, who is from the West Oxfordshire village of Church
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Inquest to open into asbestos-linked death
An inquest is being held after a 68-year-old man from the town died of an asbestos-related disease. Kenneth Kerby, of Bath Street, Abingdon, died on Saturday after contracting mesothelioma. The married former maintenance engineer was diagnosed
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Northern Gateway views sought
A consultation into the Northern Gateway area action plan has opened. Oxford City Council this week began asking residents to comment on the business park scheme, which would be located on land bordered by the A40, A34 and the A44. Up to 500 homes
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Arrest warrant issued
An arrest warrant has been issued after a 39-year-old man failed to appear in court on Monday. Christopher Walden, of Wilsdon Way, Kidlington, did not attend a court date at Banbury Magistrates’ Court. He is accused of six charges of burglary
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Tennis club serves ace expansion plan
TENNIS in Abingdon is set for a volley of investment. Abingdon Lawn Tennis Club (ALTC) is planning to build four new adult courts, one mini tennis court and two paddle courts. The tennis club, at Southern Town Park in Lambrick Way, has 250
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Future is bright for county's energy trainees as centre opens in Witney
APPRENTICES can take advantage of a modern purpose-built training centre when it opens in September. Oxford Energy Academy spent a year planning its new £50,000 apprentice complex at its premises in Swain Court, Witney. The extension to its
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Royal history tour during twin town visit from Wantage
BRITAIN’S Royal connection to Germany was celebrated by a diplomatic visit from Wantage. Members of the Wantage and Grove German Twinning Group caught up on their Royal history during a trip to Wantage’s twin town Seesen earlier this month.
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First day of A420 roadworks described as a nightmare
THE first day of major roadworks along the A420 were described as a ‘nightmare’ by locals in Shrivenham yesterday. Oxfordshire County Council has closed the Shrivenham bypass for seven weeks meaning up to 20,000 extra vehicles will now pass through
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BBC journalist Naga's golf day raises £24k for deaf
MORE than £24,000 was raised by golfers at The Oxfordshire Golf Club near Thame to train and provide hearing dogs for the deaf. The golf day, held earlier this month, saw BBC journalist Naga Munchetty help raise money for the charity Hearing Dogs
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Rabbit Foot Dispatches: 'Dangerously sober, stood up by a shire horse - but rubbing shoulders with a half-naked hero'
The Original Rabbit Foot Spasm Band's festival summer rolls on - with dates at Cornbury, Marlborough and Truck... rubbing shoulders with a half-naked Georgie Fame and being stood up by a shire horse. OXFORD jump-blues and vintage-jazz group The
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Abingdon & Witney College handed £4m building boost
A COLLEGE has been handed a £4m boost to build a new centre to train youngsters in core engineering skills. Abingdon & Witney College was given the cash through Oxfordshire’s Local Enterprise Parternship (LEP) and the Oxfordshire Growth Deal
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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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Department must take another look at centre
FIRSTLY I must say how pleased I am with Oxford City Council Planning Department for listening to my objections regarding neighbouring developments. Thanks to their efficiency one proposal was amended. The other proposal to build onto an historic
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There are also virtues of a time before cars
THE letter by Tony Augarde (July 17) extolling the so-called virtues of the motor car made me look back with nostalgia to a time when there were few cars. A time before front gardens, streets, town and village centres were littered by them, when you
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Association made life easier for other parents
I WAS surprised that your obituary, July 17, for Ann Hunt did not mention that many of us are familiar with Ann through the amazing book Can Any Mother Help Me? The book, written by Jenna Bailey, is a collection of correspondence inspired by women
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The cast gave it their all and audience loved it
Saturday morning, I open the paper – murders, wars, food banks, cruelty to old folks. I wonder what is going on in our wonderful planet. Why can’t we learn to live together in peace with each other? Then later, for a few hours, we can almost
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Weekend was spoilt by trespassers on property
I live in a beautiful spot by the river near Oxford and this weekend it has been lovely to see groups of people enjoying the weather and the amazing resource that runs through our county. However, once again, our weekend has been spoilt by the
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Skydive is to help raise awareness of meningitis
ON August 25 this year I will be making a skydive (as a first timer) for a very special little girl. Charlotte is a quadruple amputee at only five-years-old after contracting meningitis and septicemia at two-years-old. I know Charlotte personally
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It’s impossible to find a pool open for general swimming in Oxford
I HAVE tried to go swimming with the aim to teach my grandson how to swim. However, I cannot get into a swimming pool when I want, like in the old days, and when I say when I want, I mean when I want. All the pools in Oxford are closed to general
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‘One track can’t cope with this extra traffic’
CAMPAIGNERS will have to wait to outline their concerns about traffiafter planning officers decided at the last minute to delay discussing plans for 166 new homes near Wallingford. The plans were supposed to be discussed tonight at South Oxfordshire
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Plans for thousands of extra homes branded a catastrophe
THE face of Witney could “fundamentally change” if another 3,500 homes are built in the town, according to a resident. Stuart Harrison, 67, of New Yatt Road, believes it would be a “catastrophe” if West Oxfordshire District Council’s draft Local
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Ex-Oxfordshire teacher charged with historic sex offences
A FORMER Carmel College teacher has been charged with a number of sexual offences. Trevor Bolton, aged 77, Kestrel Way, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, was arrested on June 6 last year on suspicion of four counts of indecency with a child and five counts
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Construction firm fined £525,000 after death of worker Mark Williams
A CONSTRUCTION firm has been fined £525,000 and ordered to pay costs of about £90,000 after the death of Nuneham Courtenay worker Mark Williams. Father-of-two Mr Williams died instantly when the telehandler vehicle he was driving toppled over
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Yellow lines to free up village bus route
DOUBLE yellow lines could be introduced in Wolvercote to help buses move through the village’s crowded streets. Oxfordshire County Council is looking at lines for Godstow Road after concerns from Oxford Bus Company about its City6 service.
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Update: Power restored to 2,000 homes in Witney
POWER has now been restored to the properties in Witney. Southern Electric has said the power cut affected 2,060 properties and was caused by a safety switch at a substation being activated. Power was restored at 10.36am having been lost at
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A solution for someone with a disability is a solution for all
So here I sit at a desk, on a come down as I have just returned from (yet another) trip to France. This time it was a fun-filled family holiday at a lovely gite nestled in the hills of the Lot Valley. Given the remote location and the potential
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Upper Fisher Row residents claim drunk students vomit in their street
LARGE groups of foreign language students have turned a local park into a hub of anti-social behaviour and vandalism, residents have claimed. People living in the area have reported up to 50 teenagers who gather regularly at Hythe Bridge Street
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Was the Oxfordshire Growth Deal introduced in a democratic way?
YES: Ed Turner, deputy leader of Oxford City Council Oxford’s City Deal, or ‘Growth Deal’, is excellent news for the city of Oxford, and also for the wider county. It reflected many hours of negotiations with Central Government by elected politicians
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ATHLETICS: Clarke keeping focused for Glasgow
LAWRENCE Clarke will not allow himself to look beyond the Commonwealth Games as he prepares for two championships in three weeks. The 24-year-old sprint hurdler (pictured below), from Christmas Common, near Watlington, runs for England at Glasgow
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CRICKET: Sorry Shrivenham bowled all out for 9
SHRIVENHAM 2nd captain Martin Hammond was rueing his side’s chronic availability after seeing them bowled out for just nine runs in their OCA League Division 6 match at home to Faringdon 2nd. “We had only nine players and three of those were under
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London Welsh sign second row James Down
London Welsh have made their 24th new signing of the summer after announcing the arrival of second row James Down. The 6ft 7in forward moves from Cardiff Blues and links up again with Justin Burnell. Down, 26, was spotted by Burnell as a 16
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Hopefully council will find a solution
‘COMMON sense has prevailed” said mum Lorna Mills after an appeal panel agreed that asking children to walk to school along the A40 was a bad idea. The problem still remains that Oxfordshire County Council, for financial reasons, needs to scrap
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Horror of the crisis in Gaza decimates yet another family
THE near unimaginable tragedy that has befallen a former Oxford Brookes scholar and his family should awaken us all to the situation on the ground in Gaza. Setting aside the political element of the conflict, this shows the human cost. Hassan Al
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Anti-UKIP meeting
Speakers will tonight campaign against the UK Independence Party. Organisers of Oxford Stands up to UKIP will meet at the Asian Cultural Centre in Manzil Way in East Oxford to challenge the party and its members. Speakers include Labour city
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Cyclist is hurt in crash
A cyclist was taken to hospital with suspected leg and head injuries yesterday after an accident with a car. The man and a blue Vauxhall Zafira collided outside the Shell garage, at the junction of London Road and Lime Walk, in Headington, at about
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Pair remanded over charge of blackmail
A man has appeared in court charged with blackmail and false imprisonment. Francis Essilfie, of The Square, Botley, appeared at Swindon Crown Court on Friday alongside another man, Francis Njoroge, of Pinehurst, Swindon. They are accused of
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Fiaz Munshi: The face of a double killer convicted over the 1997 Magdalen Road arson
FIAZ Munshi is facing a lengthy prison sentence today after she was found guilty of being involved in an arson attack which killed two children. The 38-year-old was yesterday convicted of two counts of manslaughter after a “complex and challenging
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Drink-binge driver is jailed over fuel spill
A DRINK-driver who caused a fuel spill after crashing his wife’s car into two trucks has been jailed for 16 months. Thomas Scanlon, of Ruislip, West London, pleaded guilty to five driving offences on June 9 on the A40 near Forest Hill. The
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Oxford Airport plane celebrates Prince George's first birthday
HANGAR8 Aviation – based at Oxford Airport – gave Prince George a birthday card plane on a larger scale. A Bombardier Challenger private jet has been painted into a giant birthday greeting for the royal tot, saying “Happy Birthday Prince George
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CRICKET: Rae ton boosts Westbury
BEN Rae smashed an unbeaten century as Westbury stretched their lead at the top with a 69-run win at Minster Lovell, writes David Quinn. Rae hit exactly 100 as Westbury amassed 231-6, before the visitors’ skipper Richard Tredwell claimed 4-41 as
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Wednesday, July 23
3:13pm A former Oxfordshire teacher has been charged with historic sex offences 10:53am About 2,000 homes are said to be affected by a power cut in Witney
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Fire crew remains on site of barn fire at Thame
The barn fire at Abbey Farm, North Weston, near Thame has now been put out. Fire crews are still on the site but say the blaze, which began on Monday night, has been extinguished. It involved 20 tonnes of manure along with hay and farm machinery
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Vigil for ex-Gaza Scholar as wife and children are killed
A FORMER Oxford Brookes Gaza Scholar is in intensive care and six members of his family dead after their home was bombed by Israeli forces. Hassan Al Hallaq is being treated for serious injuries following the attack on Saturday which killed his
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COMMENT: Horror of the crisis in Gaza decimates yet another family
THE near unimaginable tragedy that has befallen a former Oxford Brookes scholar and his family should awaken us all to the situation on the ground in Gaza. Setting aside the political element of the conflict, this shows the human cost. Hassan Al
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COMMONWEALTH GAMES: England out to shine on national service
HANNAH England will not take making the final for granted when she competes in the 1,500m at Glasgow. The Oxford City athlete will be one of the better known names in the field having finished second and fourth in the last two world championships
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COMMONWEALTH GAMES: Chance encounter set Rivers on course
WHEN Dan Rivers was first introduced to target shooting aged 13 at a fair with his grandad, he couldn’t have imagined it would one day lead to the Commonwealth Games, writes MATTHEW BRUCE. That chance encounter encouraged Rivers to join Wantage
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How two little ‘princes’ spent their very different birthdays
OUR FUTURE king celebrated his first birthday yesterday, but it wasn’t just Prince George who blew out a candle. As third-in-line to the throne the little prince had a birthday tea party at Kensington Palace with both sets of relatives. But
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COMMONWEALTH GAMES: Douglas delight
OXFORD City triple jumper Nathan Douglas has had to shrug off a series of injury setbacks to make the England team. The 31-year-old finished fourth at Delhi 2010 and has won European silver indoors and outdoors. But serious injuries meant he
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COMMONWEALTH GAMES: Buoyant French's medal tilt
OAKLEY’S Matt French will compete in the double trap event as part of England’s 12-strong clay target shooting team. The 33-year-old won the English title earlier this year and is now targeting a medal in Glasgow on Sunday. “I am over the moon
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TENNIS: Third pair set up Oxon's first victory
OXFORDSHIRE’S men, inspired by third pair Tom Greenland & Benedict Calnan, recorded their first victory in Group 5 of the Aegon Summer County Cup at West Worthing with a 7-2 triumph over Hereford & Worcester. Greenland and Calnan won all
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Oxford United try out Slovakian goalkeeper
FORMER Brighton and Swindon goalkeeper Peter Brezovan has joined up with Oxford United’s training camp at Bisham Abbey. The 34-year-old from Slovakia is being considered for a short-term deal to act as back-up to Max Crocombe. United are in
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AUNT SALLY: Ruffels leads Garsington to break Six Bells' streak
PREMIER Section leaders Six Bells C Kidlington lost for the first time this season as they were edged out in a thriller at Section 1’s Garsington Sports A, writes ANDY BEAL. The Sportsmen won the opening leg by the odd doll 27-26, but Six Bells
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17-year wait for killer to be brought to justice
NOT long after 3am on Tuesday, August 26, 1997, petrol was squirted through the letterbox of 156 Magdalen Road, East Oxford, using two Tango bottles. The killers had waited half an hour after the lights had been switched off in the Khan Akhtar
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CRICKET: Oxfordshire denied by Dorset last pair
Oxfordshire had 22 balls at Dorset’s last pair but could not quite force victory in a thrilling West Division encounter which ended in a draw at Bournemouth. Leading by 195 with five wickets in hand, Oxon took their overnight 214-5 to 329-8 before
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U-turn on tower demolition invite
A DEVELOPER has told people they are no longer invited to watch the demolition of Didcot power station cooling towers from a nearby housing estate. Taylor Wimpey was planning to offer the public a viewing area at Great Western Park, off the A4130
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Hay barn blaze is still burning
FIREFIGHTERS were still putting out a blaze at a hay barn yesterday in a village near Thame. The fire started at about 5.20pm in North Weston on Monday evening and one fire engine and crew were still at the scene at 8am yesterday morning. A
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COMMENT: Hopefully council will find a solution
‘COMMON sense has prevailed” said mum Lorna Mills after an appeal panel agreed that asking children to walk to school along the A40 was a bad idea. The problem still remains that Oxfordshire County Council, for financial reasons, needs to scrap
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COMMONWEALTH GAMES: Blues are set to run
THREE former Oxford University students will be competing as part of the Glasgow 2014 athletics programme. Ben Moreau, 32, runs for England in the marathon on Sunday, having finished 11th over the 26.2-mile distance at Delhi 2010. Luke Caldwell
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Arrest after gun alert
WHEN police were called to reports of a man holding a gun in North Oxford yesterday, they attended immediately. But officers who arrived at the Cutteslowe estate found a teenager carrying an air gun in Hawksmoor Road. A worried resident alerted
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A partial victory as school bus service saved for another year
CAMPAIGNERS in West Oxfordshire say they have have gained a partial victory after an appeal overturned plans to end a free school bus service. On Monday parents from St Bartholomew’s School in Eynsham appealed against the decision of Oxfordshire
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Man arrested after accident closes St Aldate’s
A MAN was arrested for assault at the scene of an accident in St Aldate’s yesterday just metres away from the city’s police station. The road was closed for 30 minutes and buses diverted as the police and the ambulance service were scrambled to
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COMMONWEALTH GAMES: Paul's back on track
FORMER Oxfordshire sportsman of the year John Paul is gearing up for his second Commonwealth Games as part of Scotland’s track cycling team. The 21-year-old (pictured), whose parents still live in Wantage, races in the sprint competition at the
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COMMONWEALTH GAMES: Shipperley heads up Oxon trio
THREE hockey players with Oxfordshire connections will be representing the home nations in Glasgow. Zoe Shipperley is in the England women’s squad and Dan Fox plays for their men, while Emma Batten is in the Welsh ladies’ ranks. Shipperley
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COMMONWEALTH GAMES: Watson's targeting top five
WEIGHTLIFTER Ben Watson can’t wait to get going in Glasgow. The 24-year-old, from Didcot, competes in the 105kg category event next Wednesday night and is relishing the highlight of his career so far. Like rifle shooter Dan Rivers, Watson is
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COMMONWEALTH GAMES: Mitchell eyes up title bid
ENGLAND rugby sevens captain Tom Mitchell believes they can dethrone the All Blacks and claim their first Commonwealth gold. New Zealand have won four out of four titles since the sport’s introduction in 1998, but former Oxford University fly half
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COMMONWEALTH GAMES: James in final aim
SWIMMER James Jurkiewicz believes he can make a final at Glasgow 2014. The 22-year-old, who graduated from Oxford University this summer, competes for Guernsey in the 50m, 100m and 200m backstroke events. Jurkiewicz begins his campaign tomorrow
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Mothers organise event to celebrate breaking their fast
A TEAM of mothers in Oxford united to organise a multicultural event to share the message of Ramadan. Mothers from St Nicholas’ Primary School, in Raymund Road, Old Marston, organised their Big Iftar event to celebrate breaking their religious
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Learning to juggle business with lots of ‘mummy time’
IT’S often said that mums rule the world, but it’s harder than it looks to run a business and cope with kids. Now the Oxford Mail is supporting your chance to nominate your top business mums for the NatWest Venus Awards’s Business Mother of the
