Archive

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Capital rail link consultation is open for views

A CONSULTATION on a proposed new timetable between Oxford and London Marylebone has been launched. Trains will run from the planned Oxford Parkway station to the capital from September 2015 with a frequency of around every half an hour. The

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Police and Crime Commissioner 'concerned for future' as new budget cuts set to take effect

IN November, the region’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) will have been in the new job for two years. Crime reporter Ben Wilkinson spoke to Anthony Stansfeld about the job, the threat of further funding cuts and the future for Thames Valley Police

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Half marathon runner aims to raise awareness

FOR Claire Court and her fellow runners on Team Thomas, this year’s Oxford Half Marathon isn’t about achieving a personal best time or realising a life-long ambition. Instead she wants to raise money and awareness in memory of Bicester boy Thomas

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Exeter City 1 (Cummins pen 4), Oxford Utd 1 (O'Dowda 15)

THE wait for a league victory this season goes on for Oxford United and Exeter City after the winless pair shared the points at St James Park. City roared out of the blocks at the start of a remarkably open first half, with Graham Cummins opening

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Who was Oxford United's man of the match at Exeter?

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Brave four-year-old with rare brain condition joins group for Legoland fun

DESPITE being unable to walk or talk, four-year-old Isabella Gardiner never fails to put a smile on her mum Tracey’s face. The Carterton youngster, who has a rare brain condition slowing down her physical development, can be left frustrated at

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National award for Daphne’s macular conception dream

A WOODSTOCK resident who helped set up support groups for people with a common eye condition is to receive a national award. Daphne Dorman, 83, is to receive the chairman’s award for volunteering at the Macular Society’s Awards for Excellence.

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Walk this way to help us, says Parkinson’s founder

SIXTEEN years ago Alan Wharton set up the Oxford & District Branch of Parkinson’s UK to try to help others with the disease. What started as a few friends and his wife, Pauline, has transformed into a group with more than 200 members. Parkinson

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Fire in Banbury house

Firefighters were called to a blaze in a Banbury bedroom earlier today. Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue was called to the house in Levenot Close at 12.30pm. No one was injured.

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From an heir to the throne to a lot of hot air, we capture it all

Photographer Richard Cave takes his pick of the week's best photographs and tells us why he reckons they make the grade.   Last Saturday St Mary’s Church in Cholsey held a balloon festival to raise funds for a bakery in Kenya and this

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Updates - Exeter City v Oxford Utd

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Man's walking tall after losing more than 10 stone

A FORMER fried breakfast-lover has lost a ‘woman’ from his life. But luckily for Michael Smith, from Carterton, it’s not down to any heartbreak. Instead Mr Smith has shed 10-and-a half-stone since February – and he didn’t go to the gym once

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UPDATE: Broken down train cleared but delays still between Didcot Parkway and Reading

A broken down freight train at Tilehurst is causing delays of up to 20 minutes to trains between Reading and Didcot Parkway. The train has been moved but delays are still expected until about 2pm, First Great Western said.

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Electronic items stolen in Banbury burglary

Electronic items were stolen from a house in Banbury during a burglary. The house in Priory Road was entered through a ground floor rear window sometime between Tuesday, September 2 and Sunday, September 7. Items including a laptop, a sat-nav

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Bishop joins Thames Path pilgrimage

FOR hundreds of years Christian pilgrims have trodden well-worn paths to holy sites from Jerusalem to Canterbury in search of a closer relationship with God. Next Thursday the way to spiritual enlightenment will pass through Oxfordshire as a 10

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School's doing well in any language

OXFORDSHIRE’S first free school is doing “très bien!” after receiving the results of its first inspection. The Europa School in Culham is starting its third year in existence and is the only school in the country following the European curriculum

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Port Meadow’s annual round-up a partial success

ATTEMPTS to catch illegal cattle and horses being grazed on Oxford’s Port Meadow was only partially successful yesterday after a number of the beasts escaped the historic annual round-up. The ancient custom usually sees animals driven off the meadow

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CRICKET: Brooks thrilled after he helps Yorkshire win Championship

Jack Brooks was struggling to fight back the tears as he celebrated becoming a county cricket champion. The Oxfordshire bowler has been a leading light for Yorkshire this season and played his part once again as his side yesterday sealed the Division

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FOOTBALL: Rose backs United to have edge over fellow strugglers Exeter

Danny Rose believes last weekend’s results will give Oxford United a psychological edge as they visit fellow winless side Exeter City this afternoon. The clash at St James Park is a meeting of the two lowest ranked clubs in the Football League.

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COMMENT: Spate of broken sewers points to deeper problems

WOES underground are being felt more and more overground. It appears the sewer pipes below us are creaking like the joints of an octogenarian and cannot cope with 21st century living. The city has seen a catalogue of collapsed and broken sewers

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COMMENT: Stars' approval is bang on

THEY have been given the seal of approval from the Earl of Grantham and his cohorts, but thankfully Alison Weaver’s sausages are not a work of fiction. Her pork offerings are the favourite of the Downton Abbey actor Rob James-Collier and the rest

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Top Oxford judge speaks out as cases delayed and cancelled

THE top judge at Oxford Crown Court yesterday criticised an “embarrassing” series of failures that led to hearings being delayed and cancelled. Judge Gordon Risius said he was concerned by prisoners not being brought from HMP Bullingdon, “unnecessary

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Sex assaults alleged

A MAN appeared at Oxford Crown Court yesterday accused of two counts of sexual assault. Collin Kordieh, of no fixed address, is alleged to have committed the crimes in New Road, Oxford, on May 30 this year. The 32-year-old was remanded in custody

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Breweries make Good Beer Guide

TWO North Oxfordshire breweries are among new entries in this year’s Good Beer Guide. The Campaign for Real Ale’s guide includes Cats Brewery, in Shenington, and Turpin Brewery, in Hook Norton, for the first time. Both were founded last year

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Lib Dems hold seat in council by-election

THE Lib Dems held their seat in the Abingdon Dunmore ward in Thursday’s Vale of White Horse District Council by-election. Margaret Crick won with 745 votes after the resignation of Julia Bricknell, who moved out of the area for work reasons.

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Downton stars big fans of Bampton butchers’ bangers

PRIZE-WINNING bangers made by a village butchers have taken on a whole new level of fame after being endorsed by Downton Abbey stars. The Bampton Royal pork sausages, produced on site at Patrick Strainge Butchers, were feasted on by the cast of

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RUGBY UNION: Exiles must show true colours, says McCaffrey

London Welsh are desperate to make amends when they visit Bath today. That is the view of back-row forward Lachlan McCaffrey, who was part of the side thrashed 52-0 at home by Exeter Chiefs in Sunday’s Aviva Premiership opener. Welsh began

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CRICKET: Banbury to face Cumnor in final

Cumnor and Banbury will do battle in the Oxfordshire Under 17 Competition final at Horspath next Sunday (10.30). Banbury stormed to a ten-wicket victory at Aston Rowant in the semi-finals after bowling the hosts out for 76. Sam Pearce, Ollie

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CRICKET: Spittles stars in Magdalen cup triumph

Arhcie Spittles hit a superb 91 to set Magdalen College School (Oxford) on the way to an 89-run victory over Lord Williams’s (Thame) in the Oxfordshire final of the ESCA Under 14 County Cup. Spittles, with good support from Charlie Taylor (53)

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WATER SKIING: Nutt sparkles in seventh for Great Britain

Standlake's Katie Nutt finished in a superb seventh place for Great Britain in the Junior European & African Championships in Sesena, Spain. The 14-year-old produced a personal best in the slalom, finishing fourth. This represented a huge

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SWIMMING: Abingdon's aces shine at Blenheim

Abingdon Vale members shone in the British Gas Swim Britain Open Water Challenge at Blenheim Palace. Vale fielded four teams of four in the unique competition, which involved swimming a 4km open water relay (1,000 metres each) in the Great Lake

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It’s not too late to apply for charitable aid

GOOD causes across the county have two extra weeks to apply for their chance to win up to £10,000. The Oxford Mail’s parent company is offering grants through its charitable branch the Gannett Foundation. Charities and groups in the county

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Former headteacher faces trial over historic sex abuse claims

An 82-year-old former headteacher facing trial over accusations of historic sex abuse against boys is due to appear in court later this month. David Tuohy, of Whitehouse Road, Oxford, appeared at Norwich Magistrates’ Court last month charged with

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ICE HOCKEY: Buoyant Stars aim to shine

An excited Oxford City Stars begin life in English National League Division 1 with a double-header this weekend. Stars, who have recruited heavily over the summer, visit Invicta Dynamos this evening and host Cardiff Devils tomorrow (6.15).

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CRICKET: Oxford cap crown as last pair snatch win

Oxford, the newly-crowned ECB Midlands Women's League Division 2 champions, finished the season undefeated after recording a thrilling one-wicket win at Astwood Bank. The Worcestershire side posted 152-8 off their 45 overs after electing to bat

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Two charged over theft of rings worth £14,600

Two people have been charged after three rings worth a total of £14,600 were stolen from a Bicester Village store. Steven Spooner, 47, from Vincent Drive in Birmingham has been charged with the theft on September 4, and Meana Spooner, 45, of Hazelville

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School hit by virus sends pupils home

Parents were asked to bring their children home yesterday after a vomiting and diarrhoea bug broke out at a primary school in Berinsfield. Abbey Woods Academy in Wimblestraw Road, was hit by the contagious illness yesterday morning and the school

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Olympic legend hosts marathon training session

WITH the Oxford Half Marathon less than a month away, runners are being given some extra motivation by Olympic legend Sir Steve Redgrave. The five-times gold medallist will host a fitness training session tomorrow for fundraisers for the Laureus

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Bus passengers face huge delays as sewage works continue

THOUSANDS of bus passengers will face delays for another week as Thames Water works to fix a broken sewer pipe. Both of Oxford’s bus companies have said the closure of Queen Street has caused huge delays so far. The road was originally closed

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SCHOOL SPORT: Oxfordshire trio sparkle in gold rush

Oxfordshire competitors struck triple gold at the Sainsbury’s 2014 School Games in Manchester. Wheatley Park School’s Megan Twigg won all three of her fights to take the girls’ under 70kg judo title. And in athletics, Amy Werrington (Gillotts

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DUATHLON: Dettmar is vet champ

Chris Dettmar was crowned vet 40-44 men’s champion at the ITU Powerman Long Distance World Championships in Zofingen, Switzerland. The 44-year-old Headington Road Runners member finished almost six minutes clear of runner-up Yuris Rossi (Italy)

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ANGLING: Wonder Webb bags huge haul

Chris Webb claimed an incredible 117lb 8oz haul to win Littlemore AS’s W Henwood Cup. Fished on Club Lake, Dorchester, the main bowl of the water was the place to find the bream, and Webb had 35 slabs to 6lb for his huge haul. All his fish

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ANGLING: Quartet reap rewards as French trip is big success

Four Oxfordshire anglers hit the jackpot on their annual trip to France. Sean Trafford, Michael Trafford, Mick Trafford and Mick Denton, all from Kidlington, enjoyed a range of fine catches from the Val Doré area, an hour’s drive from Calais.

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RUGBY UNION: Bath clash should be a spur , says London Welsh coach Ross

London Welsh should have no lack of motivation when they visit Bath in the Aviva Premiership today. That is the view of assistant coach Gordon Ross, who admitted they have a point to prove after their 52-0 opening-day drubbing against Exeter.

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Rape sentence due

A man who pleaded guilty to raping a 19-year-old is due to be sentenced at Oxford Crown Court next month. Christian Perera, 31, of Samphire Road in Blackbird Leys, admitted two counts of raping a woman in Stone Lane between Clare and Little Haseley

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Pair face stab charges

Two men have been charged in connection with the stabbing of a 22-year-old in a Banbury park. Atique Akhtar, 20, and Umar Bashir, 21, were arrested after the man was stabbed in the stomach in Moorfield Park at about 11.50am on Thursday. Akhtar

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Headstones clue to Oxford's geology

YOU may not think the rock that makes up your grandparents’ gravestones would shed much light on the history of Oxford. But Nina Morgan and Phil Powell would say you are wrong. Geologist and science writer Ms Morgan and Mr Powell, a retired

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Councils merger plan is given £400,000 funding

AN OXFORDSHIRE council’s move to merge services with three other authorities has been given £400,000 of Government funding. Local government minister Kris Hopkins announced yesterday that the partnership between West Oxfordshire District Council

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EQUESTRIAN: Fox-Pitt has three-pronged challenge at Blenheim

World No 1 William Fox-Pitt is poised for a major assault on this weekend’s Blenheim International title after mounting an impressive triple challenge. All of the former Oxfordshitre rider’s CCI *** contenders are in the top eight among 79 starters

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CYCLING: Wiggins left in the wings as Brandle takes stage

THE crowds flocked out throughout Oxfordshire to see Sir Bradley Wiggins, but it was Matthias Brandle, who collected his second successive stage win on the Tour of Britain yesterday. The 130-mile six trip from Bath to Hemel Hempstead snaked through

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Fans are out in force as the Tour of Britain pedals past + video

STAGE six of the Tour of Britain raced through Oxfordshire yesterday as hundreds of fans turned out to catch a glimpse of their cycling heroes.     The riders made their way through Wantage and Didcot on their way from Bath to Hemel

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Anne has a clear round at Blenheim Horse Trials

FORMER royal Olympic rider Princess Anne rolled back the years yesterday at the Blenheim horse trials. The gold and double silver European Championship medallist who was the first royal to compete in the Olympics, in 1976 – had to jump a few fences

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PM's personal video to teens

PRIME Minister and Witney MP David Cameron sent a personal video message to youngsters who completed their National Citizen Service in Oxfordshire. The video was shown at a graduation service at Oxford Brookes University, after 112 16 and 17-year-olds

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Top scientist's ex-secretary choked on meal

AN 89-year-old woman who once worked under a prominent Oxford scientist choked to death while being fed at a nursing home, an inquest heard. Dorothy Rawlings – a retired secretary for Sir Robert Macintosh, the first professor of anaesthetics outside

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Child sex abuser not left on own

A PARISH priest last night said a man jailed for abusing girls in the 1970s had not been left unsupervised with children when he helped out at her church. Sunningwell man John Laister, a former Sunday School teacher, was jailed for 14 years at

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Motorcycle rider died after losing control of bike

A CIVIL engineer died after he lost control of his motorbike and crashed on the side of a busy road near Wallingford. Oxfordshire Coroner’s Court heard on Thursday that Steven Wicks, 65, of Hardwell Close, Grove, died after his BMW RT 1200 motorbike

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Hospitals failing to meet targets on dementia tests

HOSPITALS in Oxfordshire are failing targets for screening elderly patients for dementia, potentially missing hundreds of cases every month. According to targets set by NHS England, all hospitals should screen at least 90 per cent of emergency

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Young Bodhi branches out on some woodland fun

TWO-year-old Bodhi Hale made the most of summer’s last rays at the Wheatley woodland’s Forest School session. His mum Marie said: “Bodhi had a great time climbing trees and cooking bread on sticks. He was enjoying all the leaves that are starting

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Striking picture clicks with judges in our photo contest

THE winner of the photography competition organised by Oxford Brookes University and the Oxford Mail has been revealed. John Boteler, of Duns Tew, won with his striking picture of a traveller in her caravan at the Stowe Fair. The winning