Archive
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Thousands flock to enjoy all the fun of St Giles’ Fair
ONCE again St Giles’ Fair has been and gone, after the city was swamped with happy visitors throughout Monday and yesterday. Thousands of people flocked to Oxford for the annual two-day celebration, which featured traditional funfair staples like
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Woman in her nineties taken to hospital after crash
A WOMAN in her nineties has been taken to hospital with a neck injury after a two-vehicle crash. Drivers have been facing delays north of Kidlington after collision happened on the A4260 Banbury Road at the junction with the B4027. Two people
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Place your bets for Mercury Prize winner...
BOOKIES William Hill have listed their odds on the shortlisted artists for this year's Mercury Prize - with former Blur frontman Damon Albarn and rockers Royal Blood coming in as joint favourites. Rupert Adams, a spokesman for the firm said “There
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"Inventive" Mercury Prize Albums of the Year shortlist revealed
THE 12 albums nominated for the prestigious Barclaycard Mercury Prize have been announced - with the chair of judges hailing the artists’ “inventive passion”. Anna Calvi, Bombay Bicycle Club, Damon Albarn, East India Youth, FKA twigs, GoGo Penguin
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Farmers asked for views on improving livestock inspections
LIVESTOCK farmers in Oxfordshire are being invited to give their views on ways to cut red tape and streamline farm inspections, at a workshop event next month. The National Farmers’ Union is organising the event in Thame, between 11am and 1pm on
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Massive Attack, Grace Jones, Frank Turner and more play new festival this weekend
Stars of food and music come together for debut festival glittering bill at weekend festival WE may be well into September, but there is one more music festival to get stuck into before confining yourself to gloomy clubs and the sticky-floored
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Being mindful of how depression could kill
WHEN actor and comedian Robin Williams was found dead after an apparent suicide in August, thousands around the world were shocked that someone so beloved could feel there was no other way out. But mental health workers are hoping that his death
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Corn Exchange reopening should remain on track
THE reopening of Witney’s Corn Exchange should not be further delayed despite more asbestos being found, according to a councillor. Workers made the discovery while removing the hazardous material elsewhere in the Grade II-listed Market Place building
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Artist mum hopes Didcot towers image will power allergy research
GRAPHIC designer Karen Waggott is hoping nostalgia for the demolished Didcot A power station will help fund research into her son’s severe allergic condition. Mrs Waggott, from Didcot, created an image of the power station, which was demolished
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Family’s fight for 20mph limit honours Didcot boy Freddie
ALMOST a year to the day that Freddie Perry died following a road accident, Didcot finally has its first 20mph speed limit. And his family have vowed to continue their fight to make all roads near schools in the town 20mph. Freddie’s father
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Writers join forces to open a fresh chapter for Oxford library
WRITERS from North Oxford are to join forces for a fundraising event for their library. It is part of efforts by the Friends of Summertown Library and Oxfordshire County Council to give the South Parade building a £400,000 refurbishment. Next
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Tyrone Barnett makes loan move to Oxford United
OXFORD United have moved to boost their goalscoring options by signing Tyrone Barnett on a 93-day loan. The 28-year-old, who came close to agreeing a move to the U’s on transfer deadline day last week, has joined from Peterborough until mid-December
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Lone protester objects to naming housing estate after wartime PM
A NEW estate in Sutton Courtenay is to be named after the Prime Minister who led the nation into the First World War, despite a one-woman protest against it. Developers Redrow Homes plans to build 64 new homes off Milton Road and intends to name
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MICHAEL DUBERRY COLUMN: England's win gives me hope for a brighter future
THE rebuilding started on Monday night against Switzerland and the first layer of foundation seemed strong enough. What better way to put England’s misery of the recent World Cup finals to bed than to start the European Championship campaign with
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Discovering the art of Artemis
THE ancient Greek goddess Artemis is still beguiling visitors to Oxford’s Ashmolean Museum. Retired librarian Mary Haynes, 66, sketched the head in the Cast Gallery during an afternoon art session held by the Beaumont Street venue. The South
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Will Hoskins ruled out until January through injury
Oxford United have been dealt a huge blow after Will Hoskins was ruled out until January. The striker was carried off on a stretcher during Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Southend United and an MRI scan shows a tear in a tendon in his groin. The 28
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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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WATCH: London Welsh v Exeter Chiefs rugby highlights
Video highlights from London Welsh v Exeter Chiefs
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Cop a load of the new police treasures behind bars around Oxford Castle
THE area around Oxford Castle is no stranger to guests. The site now houses the Malmaison Hotel, as well as a heritage centre attracting tourists from around the world. But Philip Haynes knows it for some very different guests – the historic castle
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Mailbag September 8
Getting a good view at St Giles Fair I LOVED to walk through St Giles Fair when I lived in Oxford. This photograph taken in 1964 appeared in the Oxford Mail with the caption: “’When will I be old enough to go on the dive-bombers, Dad?’ Young
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The changing face of: Abingdon
Dunmore Primary School returned to Victorian times with a cast of 320 pupils starring in an old-time music hall in 1988. Among them were Catherine King, left, James Hathaway and Alison Sharp. Parents made costumes for their children and joined in the
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A look back at St Giles Fair
ST Giles Fair in Oxford has catered for people of all ages for centuries. These are just some of the thousands of photographs taken at the annual festival. Picture 1 shows six-year-old Emma Tate getting revved up to ride on one of the roundabouts
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Kidlington soldier was among first to die
THOMAS Neighbour was one of the first Commonwealth soldiers to be killed in the First World War. It is said that the first to die was John Parr, a 17-year-old milkman’s boy from North London, serving with the Middlesex Regiment. He was reported
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Three vehicle crash on A40 near Cassington
THREE cars have been involved in a crash on the A40, reports have said. It happened on the eastbound carriageway near the Cassington traffic lights. More to follow.
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From strict roots to dance fun
NO-ONE was left out when this school staged a variety show. All 207 pupils at SS Philip and James School in North Oxford took part in a stage spectacular which included no fewer than three productions. Five-year-old first year pupils put their
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There is a difference between hay and straw
Regarding your news item about the latest ‘hay’ bale fire, near Farnborough, I am astounded that, after all these years that your reporters have been following these stories, they still do not know the difference between hay and straw. Anybody
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Driverless vehicles will just not work in the UK
Although I applaud the developing technology of driverless vehicles for safer driving and environmental protection, I wonder about other effects. The idea of a platooning lorries raises images of being stuck behind such a convoy travelling at 40mph
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Remember everything of value has its price
Honouring our war heroes is seemingly unpopular. But people everywhere forget the freedoms we have today were never free. Everything of value has its price. Patricia Vanhoy, Mountain Street, Kernersville, North Carolina, US
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All vehicles should obey the rules of the road
It is to be hoped the that suggestion by Mr Tanner that cyclists should be allowed to ride the wrong way down one way streets is rejected out of hand. In this town it is a common sight to see cyclists going the wrong way down West St Helens Street
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Great care and dedication helped save my little granddaughter’s life
All too often I have heard people ready to slate and run the John Radcliffe down. Well, I’m here to say that without them a couple of weeks ago my four-year-old granddaughter wouldn’t be here today. She was minutes away from a dangerous coma
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Hopefully pilot scheme will benefit customers
Last Sunday (September 7), East Oxford Delivery Office began a pilot of Sunday opening. The initiative is designed to make it easier for online shoppers not at home during the day to get their parcels. The East Oxford delivery office was open six
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How much longer will we enjoy our freedom?
I read with total disgust the Oxford Mail of Saturday, August 30, about a man having to remove the Union flag. Some years ago the Oxford Town Hall flew a C ampaign for Nuclear Disarmament banner. Every day the Randolph hotel fly the Flag of
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Meet the Oxford woman who is still growing at the age of 43
AT 43, Deborah Axtell thought she would have stopped having growing pains. But she is one of the oldest people in the country with the rare genetic disorder Beckwith-Wiedemann Syndrome (BWS), first discovered in the 1960s. It means parts of
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Motorcyclist injured in crash in Oxford's Woodstock Road
A VAN and a motorcycle crashed in Woodstock Road, Oxford, this morning. Thames Valley Police said the motorcyclist had sustained leg injuries and was treated by paramedics. Spokeswoman Hannah Williams said: “We were called at 8.48am to reports
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The feeling of difference can be more acute...
Well in my past two columns I have been dealing with life and death, which all feels a bit melodramatic, so I thought I’d take it to a more contemplative place. Before my now infamous dip in the river I was intending to write about my trip to the Reading
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Life through a lens is focused firmly on photography festival
FOR three weeks starting on Sunday Oxford will be a beacon for world-class photography as the city will host the first new international festival of its type in the UK for many years. Oxford Brookes is extremely excited and proud to be participating
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Safety fears over delays to bypass barrier repairs
A BARRIER to protect pedestrians from bypass traffic has not been replaced, five months after it was destroyed by a crashing car. Oxfordshire County Council is now being called upon to hurry up and replace the metal barrier, which guarded cyclists
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Appleton grateful for blank midweek
MICHAEL Appleton is planning to make the most of Oxford United’s first blank midweek of the season, writes DAVID PRITCHARD. A hectic start has seen the side play nine games in 29 days, so yesterday was the first Tuesday of the campaign they have
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Police bugging operation led to discovery of £1.3m of drugs
A MAN accused of being involved in a £1.3m drugs conspiracy was caught “red handed” by a police bugging operation, a jury was told. Shorne Ross, 42, went on trial at Oxford Crown Court yesterday accused of being part of a conspiracy to supply heroin
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Ross backs Weepu to be Welsh's driving force
GORDON Ross has tipped Piri Weepu to be a driving force for London Welsh in the Aviva Premiership. Scrum half Weepu saw his Exiles debut end in a 52-0 home defeat to Exeter Chiefs on Sunday – not the 31st birthday present he had hoped for.
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Two-vehicle collision on the M40 between junctions 9 and 8a
THE M40 is closed between junctions 9 and 8a southbound after a collision. It happened at 8.10am and involved a BMW and Citroen van. Police are at the scene and have closed part of the road. A spokeswoman said the drivers are believed
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Mini’s success story that keeps on rolling
THREE million Minis. That’s the staggeringly impressive number of the ‘new models’ produced since 2001. Yesterday, as the three millionth motor came off the production line, Oxford’s contribution through the Cowley plant was hailed in this modern-day
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A clear policy is needed on how we meet housing needs
EVERY time there is a planning application of substance in rural areas there are bound to be complaints. The county needs to build more houses and most people recognise this. They just believe their corner of the countryside and community will
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County fighting a losing battle against road repairs with a 255-year backlog
OXFORDSHIRE’S worst roads will no longer be given priority when it comes to repairs as the county council admits it is “managing a decline”. And it has warned over the next decade we’ll see the number of kilometres of roads in need of critical
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FOOTBALL: Summertown Stars off to winning start on emotional day
SUMMERTOWN Stars paid their respects to Felix Byam-Shaw as the new season got under way, writes PAUL LYON. All 18 matches involving Stars held a minute’s silence before kick-off as a mark of respect for the popular captain of their under 15 team
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Woman cut free from car after A40 crash
woman was taken to hospital after an accident on the A40 at Wheatley yesterday. Her car came off the road at about 4pm and she had to be cut free from the vehicle by fire crews. An air ambulance was sent and landed near Wheatley. The woman
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Drayton jogger rape prompts extra police presence
Extra police officers have been drafted into the Drayton area after a jogger was raped on a bridleway off the A34 last week. Thames Valley Police had last night not made any arrests following the attack on the woman in her 20s on Thursday.
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Queen Street closed for Thames Water repairs
Emergency works to be carried out by Thames Water will see Queen Street closed today until Saturday. Buses will be diverted down Castle Street, instead of Bonn Square. Thames Water spokeswoman Sarah Sharpe said: “The team will be working [24
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One hurt in crash
A motorcycle and a lorry were involved in a crash yesterday. The accident happened on the A34, at about 6.10am near Weston-on-the-Green, South Central Ambulance Service spokeswoman Michelle Archer said. A patient was treated at the scene and
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Do you recognise this man?
CCTV images have been released by police wanting to solve three burglaries of University of Oxford college buildings. Police want to speak to this man in connection with the burglaries at St John’s College and Balliol College’s Holywell Manor in
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Minister praises Cowley's 'world-beating product'
BUSINESS Minister Matthew Hancock has hailed the Mini production plant at Cowley as proof that “Britain’s automotive renaissance is in full flight”. Visiting the Said Business School’s Launchpad for entrepreneurs yesterday, Mr Hancock MP said:
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CRICKET: Thame defeated but retain top-flight status
Thame Town survived the drop from Division 1 despite losing at Cumnor on the final day of the Cherwell League season, writes GRAHAM SCOTT. Along with the league’s other clubs, Thame only learned of the new approach to determining which teams are
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Cowley plant lauded as 'the home and heart of the Mini' + Video
BMW executives hailed Oxford’s contribution to Mini and said the city will remain the “home and heart” of the iconic car as the three millionth ‘new’ model built since 2001 rolled off the production line yesterday. More than two million Minis have
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Wednesday, September 10
10:51am See today's top stories from the Oxford Mail +++ County fighting a losing battle against road repairs with a 255-year backlog +++ Police bugging operation led to discovery of £1.3m drugs +++ Cowley
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FOOTBALL: Iffley zoom past Zubry to make a flying start
Iffley Harriers got their new campaign off to a winning start with a 4-1 home victory over Zubry Oxford in the Critchleys Upper Thames Valley League Premier Division, writes MATTHEW HARDY. Iffley took the lead against the run of play after a clinical
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FOOTBALL: Horwood shatters St Clements
St Clements let a two-goal lead slip as they fell to an agonising 3-2 home defeat against Masons Arms on their Oxford City FA debut. Steve Slatter fired into the bottom corner following a free-kick, and Saints quickly doubled their lead through
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FOOTBALL: Champs West Witney are fried by Chippy in opener
Reigning champions West Witney slipped to a shock 2-1 opening day defeat at home to Chipping Norton Town in the Witney & District FA Premier Division, writes ANTHONY BARLOW. Dan Brierly put the home side ahead, but the tie was turned on its
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CRICKET: Super Cowley are looking good in bid to double up
Cowley Internationals are in prime position to lift their first Division 1 title to add to their recent Airey Cup success, writes DAVID QUINN. They go to Charlbury on Saturday knowing their fate is in their own hands. This after they demolished
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AUNT SALLY: Goodall inspires Six Bells to Premier title
SIX Bells C Kidlington are the new Greene King Oxford & District League Premier Section champions after beating The Black Prince 3-0 on their own alley, writes ANDY BEAL. Skipper Roger Goodall (6-4-4) led the way with 14 dolls as they won 25
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£5,500 stolen from jet firm at Oxford Airport, court told
A WOMAN has gone on trial accused of stealing about £5,500 from the private jet aircraft firm which sacked her. Grace Folan, of Oxford Road, Kidlington, has pleaded not guilty to three counts of theft from Hangar 8 Ltd between April and July last
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Bees love the buzz of the city, scientists discover
BEES seem to prefer the buzz of the big city to the country, Oxfordshire scientists have found. This summer researchers at Wallingford’s Centre for Ecology and Hydrology asked 30,000 people across the country to count the number of bees visiting
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WOMEN'S FOOTBALL: U's match switch
Oxford United’s FA Women’s Super League 2 match against Reading due to take place at Farnborough Town on Saturday has been postponed until Sunday, September 28. Do you want alerts delivered straight to your phone via our WhatsApp service? Text
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WOMEN'S FOOTBALL: Tower Hill held at Marlow
Tower Hill Ladies were pegged back to a 2-2 draw at Marlow in Southern Region Women's League Division 1. Amy Pollard put the hosts ahead in the 18th minute after Tower failed to clear the danger. Samantha Bevan-Talbot equalised five minutes
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FOOTBALL: Horspath battlers hit back to deny Chalgrove
A battling performance from Horspath earned them a 3-3 draw at Chalgrove in the Oxfordshire Senior League Premier Division, despite falling behind three times. The home side raced to an early lead when Robert Brown played in Simon Godfrey for a
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FOOTBALL: It's a magnificent seven for rampant Oxford City
OXFORD City put Saturday’s 8-1 drubbing behind them with a sensational display at Boston in Vanarama Conference North last night. Justin Merritt was looking for a reaction from his side following their heavy defeat at home to AFC Fylde. And
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Tree set for chop despite PM’s intervention
AN 87-year-old tree at the centre of a dispute that saw David Cameron intervene is to be chopped down. The horse chestnut tree in Leafield village green will be felled next week after the parish council decided it had damaged a nearby home.
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Dynamic duo picked out as the ‘faces’ for city’s big race
WITH little more than a month to go until 7,000 people hit the streets for the Oxford Half Marathon, two runners have been announced as the faces of the event. Simon Hodkin, from Steeple Aston, was one of two to win the honour after impressing
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‘These 1,000 homes will swallow up our village’
RESIDENTS have vowed to fight plans to build 1,000 homes that would strip them of their independence. More than 400 people in Witney and Hailey have signed a petition opposing the potential Witney North development, which is included in the West
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FOOTBALL: Saxton Rovers hit for six
SAXTON Rovers’ poor start to their North Berks League Division 1 campaign continued as they were thrashed 6-1 at Wallingford Town, writes Phil Annets. Ashley Searle and Connor Mattimore grabbed two goals each, alongside strikes from Andy Allum
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Police seeking help
Police yesterday released a photograph of a man who died after he was assaulted and robbed in People’s Park, Banbury. Martins Rudzitis, 43, died on August 3 following the robbery in People’s Park on July 11 at about 9.30am. A post-mortem examination
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Mum discovered baby face down in her bath
A 13-month-old baby was found dead in a bath, an inquest heard yesterday. Robyn Andrews-English was discovered lying face down in the water by her mum at their home in Kents Row, Grove, near Wantage, on Thursday, August 7. Oxfordshire Coroner
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‘Disappointment’ at decision to approve homes
RESIDENTS say they are “astonished, disappointed and angry” at councillors’ decision to approve 166 homes on a “fast and dangerous” road near Wallingford. Comer Homes was granted planning permission to build 35 houses, 113 flats, a swimming pool
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Sex abuser given 14 years in prison
A FORMER Sunday school teacher has been jailed for 14 years for sexually abusing two girls. John Laister, 72, was sentenced yesterday after being found guilty of 11 charges including rape on two girls aged under 16. The Sunningwell man faced
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Some children still waiting on school places
A NUMBER of children in the county are without school places due to a large number of applications submitted. Oxfordshire County Council has said it has dealt with 2,400 in-year transfer request this summer and admissions officers are looking at
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Pensioner died after fall while insulating his loft
A MAN from Headington died after falling from his loft while carrying out insulation work, an inquest heard yesterday. Retired electrical engineer Richard Fairfield, 69, was rushed to the John Radcliffe Hospital and operated on following the accident
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West Way protesters say plan changes are ‘cobbled together’
REVISED plans for the £100m West Way shopping centre redevelopment have been branded ‘cosmetic’ by local residents. Campaign group West Way Community Concern said developer Doric Properties has ignored local concerns and made only minor changes
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Murder mystery among literary festival events
LITERATURE lovers will be called on to crack “an unsolved crime” at an annual literary festival. The murder mystery meal at The Bear Hotel, Wantage, is one of the highlights at this year’s (Not Just) Betjeman Literary Festival, which runs from
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Footbridge row delays plan to extend school playground
SCHOOL playground expansion plans have been delayed by a row about a railway bridge. St Philip and St James’ CofE School, in Navigation Way, North Oxford, wants to increase the size of its playing area southwards, but needs land currently used
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Commuters save as cap on price rises is extended
COMMUTERS in Oxfordshire will save about £40 in January after the Government extended a cap on rail ticket rates. Chancellor George Osborne announced on Monday that regulated ticket prices will now increase by no more than 2.5 per cent next year
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Boxers square up for a Rumble in the Cotswolds
THE Cotswolds may be better known for its rich rural beauty than pugilism, but a former prominent sportswoman wants to make it a centre for boxing. Penny Mallory, who was the first woman to drive a World Rally car, is organising the Rumble in the
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Plain sailing for canal service after lock hitch
AFTER negotiating tricky waters on Friday, Oxford’s first canal Water Bus service enjoyed a more successful start to its six-week trial period. The boat, whose maiden test voyage was redirected as it was too big for the Isis Lock, finally made
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'I was raped at age 14 but told nobody for 28 years' says client of new men's counselling group
A FATHER-of-two has told of the difference a new rape counselling service specifically for men could make for victims. Upper Heyford-based Clean Slate launched its Adult Rape Outreach Service (AMOS) and Talking Young Men service (TYM) on Monday
