Archive
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Pictures bring ancient Ridgeway to life
THE grand vistas of the ancient Ridgeway are brought vividly to life in a new photography exhibition. Wantage photographer Matthew Wright has spent the past three years capturing Britain’s oldest road and the surrounding North Wessex Downs in all
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Latitude: 'halloumi heaven in a middle class wonderland'
Esther Beadle gets stuck into Britain's most wholesome festival If you don't like mess or smell, then Latitude's the festival for you. It's possibly the cleanest weekend going. For all the eco-friendly fun though be prepared to get shuttled
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Two incidents causing traffic delays on A34
TRAFFIC is slow on the A34 near Islip after a four-car collision. The cars have been cleared from the road onto the hard shoulder, but northbound traffic on the A34 near the B4027 (Islip Turn Off) is still slow. Meanwhile, one lane of the A34
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British Prime Minister's address to Parliament on August 6, 1914
British Prime Minister Herbert Asquith's Address to Parliament, 6 August 1914 With the utmost reluctance and with infinite regret, His Majesty's Government have been compelled to put this country in a state of war with what for many years and indeed
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Great war took so many from our playing fields
NOT only did many pupils and teachers head off to the battlefields, many never to return, but children too young to sign up or left behind by brothers, fathers and teachers saw their schools undergo major changes during the First World War. As
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Cost of new managers would fund radiotherapy treatment
Just as I had been wondering whether this column was worthwhile, I received an email on behalf of Lawrence Dallaglio (former England rugby captain) inviting me to Westminster a couple of weeks ago, to discuss the failure of NHS England (NHSE) to provide
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Taskforce of volunteers sought to revamp the rec and rebuilt old fort
A £150,000 fundraising campaign has been launched for new play equipment at Wantage Recreation Ground. A wooden fort, zipwire, adult and children’s play equipment and a picnic area are all on the wishlist of a campaign to “revamp the rec” on Manor
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Rail link could force stables to close down
RIDING school owners fear they might have to close and sell their animals because of noise from a new rail link. Wendlebury Gate Stables owner Hazel Offord said noise from the planned East-West rail link could interrupt classes and frighten horses
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Villages’ united front against quarry
FOUR South Oxfordshire villages have joined forces to fight plans for a gravel pit which opponents say will “ruin” the countryside. Aggregate and waste disposal firm Hills wants to develop the 160-hectare site between Clifton Hampden, Appleford
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‘Mortuary fridges will kill our peace’
NEIGHBOURS of a Cowley funeral parlour have raised concerns about noise from a proposed extension to its mortuary. A planning application has been submitted by S & R Childs Funeral Services to extend its Oxford Road branch for a larger mortuary
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Attempted burglary at Banbury Co-op store
POLICE officers are currently investigating an attempted burglary at a shop in Banbury. Burglars tried to break into the Co-op store in Mewburn Road at around midnight last night. Thames Valley Police spokesman Francine Rodrigues said the burglary
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DUBERRY COLUMN: Appleton is Oxford's best summer signing
Football is back and the new season is only days away. During the off-season Oxford United have been synonymous with the word new. The U’s have a new chairman, manager, players, sponsors and even a revamped kit. All of the above bring a
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Increase in population is also a contributing factor
The story regarding the crisis in GP practices across the county reflects the acceptance that it is reaching breaking point for patients and their doctors and staff. The reasons given – ageing population, demand for better access, cuts to budgets
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Other professions also face long working days
You quote a local senior general practitioner in the article “GP service ‘is in real crisis’ ” (Monday, August 4) as saying that he works 4.5 days ‘in his practice’, and it sounded as if he was satisfied with that. I think what many of us are unable
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New bin enables all of us to keep area tidy
I was elated to see the sturdy council bin recently sited in Marston at the crossroads junction where Edgeway Road, the lane, cycleway and pathway meet. This installation has enabled dog owners to deposit their dog waste and enables everyone to
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Coverage of First World War has been excellent
I would wish to congratulate the Oxford Mail on the recent coverage it has given to the 100 year anniversary of the beginning of the First World War. I really do not think enough can be said about the loss of 700,000 British soldiers in what was
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Last night reminded me of life during blackout
Last evening, as usual, I took the dog out for her late exercise just after 10 pm. It was a most eerie feeling walking round the area with so few houses lit. One particular house impressed me most as it was in complete darkness but with two tea
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Masterplan for Oxford rail station doesn’t look good enough to me
I wonder how many rail station users were able to attend the public consultation on the station masterplan on Friday and Saturday in the Westgate Centre. Were they disappointed? As an “interchange” station (First Great Western’s description) it
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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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Rail link could force stables to close down
RIDING school owners fear they might have to close and sell their animals because of noise from a new rail link. Wendlebury Gate Stables owner Hazel Offord said noise from the planned East-West rail link could interrupt classes and frighten horses
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Taskforce of volunteers sought to revamp the rec and rebuilt old fort
A £150,000 fundraising campaign has been launched for new play equipment at Wantage Recreation Ground. A wooden fort, zipwire, adult and children’s play equipment and a picnic area are all on the wishlist of a campaign to “revamp the rec” on Manor
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Bishop’s blessing for town hall’s windows
A STAINED glass window marking Britain’s entry into the First World War was blessed by the Bishop of Dorchester on Monday. The panes of coloured glass were unveiled at Banbury Town Hall by the Rt Rev Colin Fletcher. The town hall is also holding
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Tribute to the Fallen at service
IFFLEY’S Fallen were remembered at a service in St Mary’s Church, Mill Lane. Church bells rang out a muffled half-peal from 9pm before the names of the Fallen were read out. A wreath was later laid on the graves of two First World War soldiers
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Sacrifices are kept alive by younger generation
TWO brothers learnt a little bit more about the Great War by helping out during a ceremony in South Hinksey. Jacob, 11, and Louis Barron, seven, of Manor Road, laid wreaths on the graves of First World War soldiers from the village in a ceremony
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The bells ring out
AN 80-strong congregation marked their respects to the Fallen at an evening church service in West Hanney. The St James the Great Church held a candle-lit service and vigil in which parishioners were invited to lay rosemary plants in front of the
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Oxford seventh most visited town or city in country last year
OXFORD was the seventh most visited town or city in the UK last year, figures show. In 2013 456,000 people came to the city for “staying visits” – which means they spent a night in Oxford. This figure is up from the previous year when 430,000
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Two answer appeal to join Leys council
TWO Blackbird Leys residents are ready to serve on the estate’s parish council after an Oxford Mail appeal for new members. Daniel Jones and Jadine Kennedy have started as Northfield Brook councillors after being asked to join Blackbird Leys Parish
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Readers, I need your help so pay close attention...
You guys have all heard of crowd- sourcing, right? Wikipedia describes it as: ‘Crowd-sourcing is the process of obtaining needed services, ideas, or content by soliciting contributions from a large group of people’. I have decided to put you, my dedicated
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We must share the load, says Oxford United's Rose
DANNY Rose says Oxford United’s midfielders have to take up the goalscoring slack while the club continue to look to strengthen up front. Carlton Morris agreed a loan move from Norwich City on Monday, joining fellow summer signing Danny Hylton.
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UPDATE: Man arrested after crash in Carterton leaves 100 homes without Internet
ENGINEERS from BT have said they are working as quickly as possible to reconnect their customers who were affected by a crash last night. A Vauxhall Corsa crashed into a cabinet in Swinbrook Road, Carterton, yesterday at 10.42pm leaving 100 BT
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Wednesday, August 6
6:01pm Two incidents causing traffic delays on A34 11:56am Oxford seventh most visited town or city in country last year
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COMMENT: Let's give this brave little boy everything he wants
THE moving story of brave Skye Hall reminds us all to not take life for granted. The five-year-old only has weeks to live after being diagnosed with a brain tumour last year. But he has not let the condition dampen his spirits. He has tackled
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READER APPEAL: Family asks for help for terminal son Skye
FIVE-year-old Skye Hall may have only weeks to live, but his parents are desperately battling to complete his bucket list. The Abingdon family only have two tasks left on Skye’s list and are looking for people to help them. The Rush Common
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COMMENT: Games duo deserve lasting honour
DIDCOT was famed for its cooling towers at the old power station. But while the first three of Didcot A’s six towers have tumbled down in a cloud of ash, two stars have risen to put the town back on the map. Dan Rivers and Ben Watson have made
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New plans for two fresh garden cities entered for prize
THOUSANDS of new homes near Kidlington and two other “satellite” settlements would transform Oxford into a “garden city” in a new plan. The man behind the Oxford Futures transport project, design expert Nicholas Falk, of Stroud, Gloucestershire
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Nearly 30 council top brass now earning £100k or more
TWENTY-SEVEN council employees across the county earned £100,000 or more last year, six more than the previous year. Oxfordshire County Council, which had to make £64m of savings over four years from its last budget, employs some of the highest
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Gas bottles in shed blaze
Firefighters faced a possible explosion rish when they were called to tackle a fire in a shed containing gas cylinders. Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service was called to Appleton Close at about 6.20pm. The blaze involved two LPG cylinders which
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Fabia reaches pin-up contest semi-finals
Burlesque performer Fabia Cerra has made it through to the semi-finals of Miss Pin Up UK. Miss Cerra, who lives in Greater Leys, was voted through to the semi-finals by members of the public. The 40-year-old mother-of-one shot to fame in 2009
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Oxford company behind laboratory on comet probe 250 million miles away
A mini-laboratory designed and built by Harwell-based RAL Space and The Open University is due to reach an icy comet today. Mission controllers in Germany are preparing for the crucial six minute 26 second thruster burn that will set the Rosetta
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Boat firm to be asked to return
A JERICHO boating firm would be welcomed back to the Castle Mill Boatyard, the developer set to take control of the site has said. College Cruisers was evicted from the site on July 26 by owners Cordatus Partners Limited, after some 40 years.
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Drink and drugs death
A 27-year-old died after taking a cocktail of drugs and alcohol, a coroner said yesterday. Police and paramedics found Anne-Marie Gale unresponsive when called to her Dover Avenue home in January, where a flatmate was attempting CPR. She died later
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Man killed in collision after parking on M40
A man killed by a lorry on the M40 on Monday was a 40-year-old from Thame. Thames Valley Police yesterday appealed for more information about the collision between the man who was on foot after parking his car on the hard shoulder. The incident
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Man is handed two years in jail after beating up his ex-girlfriend
A 30-YEAR-OLD has been jailed after beating his ex-girlfriend so badly that he was covered in her blood when he answered the door to police, Oxford Crown Court heard. Martin Potter, of Lamb’s Crescent, Banbury, admitted one count of assault that
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CRICKET: Cumnor spurn chance to narrow gap at top
Cumnor missed the opportunity to close the gap on the Cherwell League Division 1 leaders when they lost by five wickets at Twyford. With the two sides above them unable to complete their matches, a win would have moved Cumnor into second place
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Twitter ‘Holocaust’ councillor reinstated
A COUNCILLOR suspended by the Labour Party after he was accused of posting a tweet which compared Conservative Party policy to the Holocaust has been reinstated. Mark Cherry, who represents Banbury Calthorpe on Oxfordshire County Council, said
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BMX park plan halted in its tracks by wrong kind of soil
PLANS to build a BMX track have had the brakes slammed on after parish councillors could not get the right type of soil. Up to 1,000 cubic metres of soil is needed to create the track at Littlemore’s Herschel Crescent Recreation Ground. Littlemore
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AUNT SALLY: New wave make last four in battle for singles title
There will be a new name on the Greene King Oxford & District League singles trophy as the four semi-finalists have never won the title before, writes ANDY BEAL. The competition had a slightly odd look about it this year with 12-times winner
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Dealer hid drugs inside Kinder Surprise
A MAN who hid £620 worth of cocaine and heroin in a Kinder Surprise has been jailed for two years and eight months. Police officers searched Devon Thompson’s car on January 21 and found 39 wraps of crack cocaine and 23 of heroin hidden in the egg
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‘My tour across England and I did it all on my free bus pass’
BUS fanatic Alan Gurr has achieved his dream of travelling across England for nothing using his bus pass. The 67-year-old granddad’s first attempt to traverse the country by bus failed last year because he missed a connection. But now the divorced
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Wildlife park tops poll
Cotswold Wildlife Park in Burford has been named in Europe’s top 25 zoos. The wildlife park was ranked at number 22 in Europe and number seven in the UK in the tables published by TripAdvisor. Chester Zoo was named the best in the UK while
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Rape accused due to take the stand today
The trial of a man accused of rape and sexual assault dating back to 1995 is set to begin today. Craig Preston, of Longfields, Marcham, near Abingdon, denies 17 sexual offences allegedly committed against three girls between December 1995 and December
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Teenager is injured in beer garden attack
A 19-YEAR-OLD man suffered a serious cut to his neck when he was attacked with a bottle in an Oxford beer garden. The victim was hurt following an argument in the garden shared by the House Bar and The Bear pub, in Blue Boar Street, between 12.30am
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CRICKET: Harding hammers dominant century
Danny Harding crac-ked an unbeaten 149 as Chadlington compiled 209-3 in 35 overs of their OCA League Division 1 clash. Although Saqib Mohammed made an excellent 94 not out, Garsington fell an agonising five runs short. Chadlington 27pts, Garsington
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RUGBY UNION: New prop Cooper is signing No 25 for Exiles
LONDON Welsh head coach Justin Burnell hopes to bring the best out of Ben Cooper (left) after making the tight-head prop his 25th summer signing.. Cooper, 25, had rejoined Cambridge from Bedford Blues for the 2014-15 season, only for Welsh to swoop
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CRICKET: Oxfordshire denied by Berkshire and the rain
OXFORDSHIRE’S hopes of recording a first Unicorns Counties Championship Western Division win of the campaign were foiled by the weather and some stubborn Berkshire batting at Great & Little Tew yesterday. Oxon were already firmly in command
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Extra trains run to Charlbury for Wilderness Festival
SEVENTEEN extra 17 trains and more than 4,500 seats will be provided this weekend to help take revellers to and from the Wilderness Festival. First Great Western (FGW) has said additional trains will run to and from Charlbury station, where shuttle
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Family pays tribute to much-loved footballer
THE mother of former Chelsea youth player Jordan Tabor paid tribute to her “best friend” as he was laid to rest in Abingdon yesterday. More than 600 mourners turned out at Trinity Church to pay their last respects to Mr Tabor, 23, who died when
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M&S closes food hall over ‘sewage flooding’
MARKS & Spencer closed the food department at its Oxford city centre store yesterday afternoon after it was reportedly flooded with sewage. A spokeswoman for the firm said the food hall, in the Queen Street branch, closed from 2pm “following
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Agencies try to confirm owner of canal land
TWO authorities have failed to stop boat dwellers occuyping canal land illegally because they cannot decide who owns it. The Canal & River Trust (CRT), the waterways body which replaced British Waterways in 2012, and Network Rail said ownership
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Gold medal star’s on target for return to the daily grind
HE may have returned home a Commonwealth Games gold medallist but it was back to work as usual just days later for shooter Dan Rivers. The 23-year-old was victorious in the 50m rifle three positions event on Tuesday, July 29. But just days
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Commonwealth medal heroes go back to school
DIDCOT duo Dan Rivers and Ben Watson were flying the flag at their old school yesterday as they reflected on their Commonwealth Games triumphs. Rivers, 23, won gold and bronze medals in rifle shooting at Glasgow 2014, while 24-year-old Watson secured
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Grundon plans to make a clean sweep of waste
OXFORDSHIRE’S recycling rates could improve with a new processing plant in a landfill site at Ewelme, near Wallingford. Grundon Waste Management Ltd has submitted a planning application for a road sweepings recycling plant to help the county recycle
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Solar farm would wreck the views
Plans for a solar farm that would power more than 2,000 homes have been rejected. Solar installations company Lightsource applied to West Oxfordshire District Council for planning permission to build the facility on a four-hectare plot – the size
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Can you help donkeys like Tracey?
A donkey sanctuary has launched a £35,000 appeal to set up a hospital for the abandoned and abused animals it looks after. Island Farm Donkey Sanctuary in Brightwell-cum-Sotwell wants to build an in-house operation theatre so that animals do not
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Police called 58 times to tackle parents smacking their children
ALMOST 60 Oxfordshire parents have been reported to the police for smacking their child in the last five years. A total of 58 reports were made to Thames Valley Police between 2009 and March this year, figures released to the Oxford Mail show.
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Pictures conjure up image of school life in the ’50s
DO you recognise anyone in these photographs of Oxford High School pupils from the 1950s? Digging through boxes of photo albums in Camden Market, London, an orange photo album caught Clare Gillett’s eye. Peeping out from the pages of black
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Widower gives assisted dying bill his full support
THE widower of a city GP who campaigned for the right to die has welcomed a Bill to legalise assisted dying. Klim McPherson said Lord Falconer’s Bill – making its way through the House of Lords – was important to establish the principle of legalising
