Archive

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Documenting fight to save rainforest

BUDDING filmmaker Ross Harrison spent six-and-a-half weeks with a rainforest tribe for a documentary. The 22-year-old funded Sunset Over Selungo from his savings to highlight a battle to save the Borneo rainforest from logging companies. The

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Ford Fiesta ST-3: A scorching sporty version of Ford’s classic hatchback

NEVER mind the suggestion that bottles of alcohol should carry health warnings – there are cars that ought to be plastered with them. On the face of it, Ford’s Fiesta ST-3 with its bodystyling, lowered suspension and roof-top spoiler looks for

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Meet the top mums who do the business

HUNDREDS of women have been nominated for the Oxfordshire Venus Awards and now it’s down to you to pick your top mum. The awards were set up in 2009 in Dorset and now run in eight regions across the country. It’s the first time the awards have

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Can you help find missing man Peter Dixon?

A SEARCH has been launched to find a man from Oxford who has been missing for more than two days. Peter Dixon was last seen on Wednesday morning in Clarks Row. Police are worried about him because he needs regular medication and has limited

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Heavy traffic after crash on A34 and congestion in city centre

DRIVERS are facing long delays on the A34 this afternoon (Friday) after a two-car collision. Police were called to a northbound accident between a black Mercedes and a grey BMW just after 2.15pm near Weston-on-the-Green. A police spokeswoman

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Cyclist sexually harassed two women in Oxford

A CYCLIST who sexually harassed two women this morning is being hunted by police. Thames Valley Police said the man made sexual comments and gestures to a woman in her 40s on a bridleway near Knights Road in Blackbird Leys at about 5.45am.

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RUGBY UNION: Britton, Schofield and Down return for London Welsh

LONDON Welsh head coach Justin Burnell has shuffled his pack for tomorrow’s Aviva Premiership clash with Sale Sharks at the AJ Bell Stadium (2). Hooker Koree Britton, plus locks Dean Schofield and James Down come into the starting XV. Britton

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Kennington roundabout contraflow switch put back by a month due to fragile cables

A CHANGEOVER in the traffic system at Oxford’s Kennington Roundabout is to be delayed by four weeks, to mid-October. Oxfordshire County Council was set to move a contraflow system put in place on the Southern Bypass last month, from the eastbound

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More heavy rain forecast for Oxfordshire on Saturday

THE Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for rain across Oxfordshire tomorrow morning. The warning, which is in place from 12.15am to 10am, means heavy showers and thunderstorms are likely. People should be aware of the potential

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Friday’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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First OxfordOxford festival cancelled a week before event

THE inaugural OxfordOxford festival has been cancelled due to poor ticket sales and uncertainty with a booked artist, organisers have said today. In a statement on the festival website the organisers said tickets for the three-day festival next

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Teenagers to headline festival Stateside

SOME parents would worry if their teenage child announced they were to embark on a heavy metal tour of the US. But Witney’s Eric Marshall, 48, said Twisted State of Mind’s stateside jaunt is helping the trio to mature and develop. Luke Ashby

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Tale of the lord, the house, his ‘mad’ lover and his wife

A HORSE drinking tea in a drawing room furnished with grand antique furniture. A man riding naked in the grounds of a country house. A folly built in the shape of a phallic symbol. It could be part of a painting by Salvador Dali but it all really

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Thanks for the music

My father – a city librarian – had many readers over a 50-year career. None were more precious to him than Mr C, born in the East End of London. Their friendship lasted several decades, yet I don’t believe either knew the other’s Christian name. It

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Catch up on our brilliant Lifestyle section

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Sit quietly, think of nothing and ease your stress

There are many physical and mental benefits to meditation and I’m hoping that when you’ve read this article you’ll wonder why you haven’t tried it before. The physical are: lowers high blood pressure; lowers the levels of blood lactate, reducing

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Make the most of mellow days while you can

With such beautiful weather (well, it was at time of writing) and some of the UK’s most picturesque countryside on our doorstep surely September is the time to get out among nature. I find it amazing how much it recharges my batteries to be breathing

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Chief hands reins over at homeless drop-in project

THE boss of a city homeless charity is set to retire after more than a decade of supporting vulnerable residents. Andrew Smith has been project director at The Gatehouse, Woodstock Road, for 14 years and will leave on Friday, October 10. The

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Mum ditches her wigs and scarves

It’s National Alopecia Awareness month and Jaine Blackman meets Laura Griffiths who is going ‘au natural’ to highlight the condition Dropping her son off for school on his first day was quite an ordeal for Laura Griffiths. Apart from all the

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Disturbing images of two different lives in torment

Two women, differently possessed by demons, have been haunting me since I saw them on telly this week. One is Becky, the 31-year-old shoplifter in Cops and Robbers (9pm, Mondays C4) and the other is the Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama. They might

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Victoria Hislop finds novel inspiration overseas

Her husband may be a very well-known face on TV, but bestselling novelist Victoria Hislop, who visits Woodstock on Monday, is big in Greece. Jaine Blackman reports The Hislop family is undoubtedly a super-bright one. Bestselling novelist Victoria

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'Mum calls me the Queen of Oxford'

As the Cleaner, Greener Oxford campaign is launched this week, city centre manager Laurie-Jane Taylor talk about her role and how she got there. Jaine Blackman reports One of the best things about landing the job of Oxford city centre manager for

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New film makers shorts are sweet

Oxford is blessed with cinema: five sites to choose from. Everything from blockbusters to independent cinema. Oxford is also home to film makers: scriptwriters like The Full Monty’s Simon Beaufoy, producers like Peter Bennett – Jones (Tiger Aspect

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I like weddings... at a distance

IN the past six months, three of my ex-boyfriends have gotten married. I know this, of course, because their pictures and celebrations have been plastered all over my Facebook wall. It’s all rather rude. According to social media, the lives

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Fairytale romance has an unhappy end

Rebecca has her illusions shattered by the break-up of a friend’s whirlwind courtship A few weeks ago, I excitedly recounted the story of my best male friend falling head over heels in love and proposing to his lady within 10 weeks. The whole

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Whirlwind break in London

Katherine MacAlister has an action packed overnight stay in the capital In the cold winter evenings of early 2014 we were discussing our New Year resolutions in the local pub. The usual hopes surfaced from the gang – to lose weight, spend more

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A big merci for care of mum

Toulouse airport would not be my first choice of destinations to hang out on a Friday night. Especially waiting for an Easyjet flight which has been predictably delayed until the small hours of Saturday morning. This week has not been a week

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When "new for old" insurance just won't do

I don’t own much jewellery but there are a couple of pieces I treasure. One is a cameo brooch, which is beautiful but unusual, because it was made at the turn of the century. It was my gran’s and when it was passed on to me after her death, I found

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You can buy food cheaply if you are prepared to wait

Supermarket snobbery is an old tale but it’s got a new twist. People used to take pride silently in how much more they paid for the better Sunday joint; now they publically brag about bargains. Supermarkets have changed as well. Chris Waites

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‘Revamp leaves no room for cyclists’

CYCLING groups have objected to plans for “shared space” in a major redesign of Oxford’s Frideswide Square. Two groups said plans for cyclist and pedestrian sections of pavements at Oxford train station would lead to irritation between the two

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Many innocent local people will be killed

Terry Roper (September 12) does not like anti-warmongers making their case publicly in Bonn Square using a megaphone. So he insults them quite gratuitously by suggesting that they support public executions etc. But there is a serious question to

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Idea of Botley fair is to unite the community

I was sorry to see that the article about the Botley Fete in Tuesday’s newspaper got the date wrong. It is actually on this Saturday, September 20, starts at 3pm and goes on till late with lots of local bands in the marquee. The headline also

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This isn’t what they intended when drawing up the present boundaries

One of the principal aims of a Green Belt is to prevent urban sprawl. In the case of Oxford it has succeeded all too well. The combination of a tight Green Belt and a buoyant economy has resulted in the most unaffordable housing in the country, and

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A big thank you to all who helped find dog

On Monday evening I lost my black and white whippet on the top of Boars Hill. I was told by passers-by that she was heading down Hinksey Hill towards the A34. And she did indeed go on to the dual carriageway. I am desperate to pass on a huge thank

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No mention was made of political aims of fete

I am writing concerning clarification of the contents made in the article “Organisers urge visitors to fete to unite against the plans”, September 16. Your article implies that North Hinksey Parish Council, in supporting the “Third Botley Big Fete

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UPDATE: London Road in Headington reopens after car fire

London Road in Headington has reopened following a car fire. Firefighters and police were called to the scene by the Green Road Roundabout at about 11.30am. Thames Valley Police spokeswoman Rhianne Pope said the smoking car was a white Fiat

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Heavy traffic in Oxford causing delays

CITY bus services have been delayed by up to 25 minutes due to traffic congestion this morning. There is heavy traffic on Botley Road from Botley Interchange to Frideswide Square and traffic is also queuing on the Woodstock Road from the junction

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Newey: Oxford United are doing it right

TOM Newey hopes Oxford United’s supporters will embrace the side’s progressive style after seeing them make it work for the first time at the Kassam Stadium. The U’s entertain Stevenage tomorrow, looking to build on Tuesday night’s 3-1 home win

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Joining Oxford United's 'project' offers new chapter in life of Brian

HIS varied CV may include a spell at arch rivals Swindon Town, but Brian Howard’s debut for Oxford United should have gone a long way to convince any doubters not to hold it against him. Despite clearly being short of match fitness, the midfielder

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COMMENT: Watch the birdies and save a species

THERE are often appeals for volunteers from village fetes to medical trials. But it is not often people are urged to sign up for Penguin Watch. Dr Tom Hart’s plea for penguin spotters is for a worthy cause. Just a few hours of counting the

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COMMENT: Worrying lack of detail over grand plan for development

PLANNING is not a chicken and egg scenario. Infrastructure is essential prior to any development. Without it, the impact felt from a proliferation of people on an area can be huge. From overcrowded schools to congested roads, the list of problems

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Fazackerley: Oxford United boss has managed with testing start well

DEREK Fazackerley says he has been impressed by the way Michael Appleton has dealt with a challenging start to life as Oxford United’s head coach. A seven-game winless run at the start of the league season took the team to the brink of a club record

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AWARDS: Your chance to nominate best in local talent

NOMINATIONS for the 2014 Oxfordshire Sports Awards open today. Anyone can put forward individuals, clubs or teams who have excelled in the past year. There are 11 categories, with the top three in each invited to a prestigious awards evening

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My tie could be consigned to history today...

IT was a Father’s Day gift from my daughter – a beautiful silk tie that appeared to have been fashioned from an impressive Union Flag. A real eye-catcher. It was love at first sight. Our hot summer had seen me temporarily abandon ties (this alone

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Bombs found inside house

A STREET was evacuated after a stash of First and Second World War explosives were discovered at a house in Bicester yesterday. Residents of Buckingham Crescent were told to leave their homes as Army bomb disposal experts carried out controlled

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Collins thankful for Oxford United support after family emergency

MICHAEL Collins says he was moved by the support from Oxford United’s fans and staff during a difficult time earlier this month. The midfielder’s newborn baby daughter Nyla was rushed to hospital with breathing difficulties the night before United

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Burglars take laptop

JEWELLERY, a laptop computer and a camera were stolen in a burglary at a house in Bicester on Tuesday. Burglars smashed a patio door to get into the Turnberry Close home between 8.40am and 2.30pm, police said. Our top stories

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Westley wary of Oxford United as the rivalry with Stevenage resumes

GRAHAM Westley believes Oxford United’s new signings will help to make life difficult for Stevenage tomorrow. Brian Howard and Tyrone Barnett have made their debuts for the club in the last week, after playing at a higher level. The pair were

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Boost as Oxford United striker avoids surgeon's knife

WILL Hoskins could face a shorter lay-off with a groin injury than feared after a specialist advised surgery was not needed. The 28-year-old required gas and air to numb the pain after tearing a tendon in the game at Southend United earlier this

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Labour holds Quarry and Risinghurst in city by-election

THE Labour Party’s Chewe Munkonge was elected as the new city councillor for Quarry and Risinghurst following yesterday’s by-election in the ward. Mr Munkonge won 782 votes to secure victory, with his nearest challenger, Roz Smith of the Liberal

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Experts to investigate eco-town rubbish bid

Specialist consultants have been appointed to investigate whether the new eco-town can be heated by burning rubbish. Ramboll will gather data and information to see if the scheme is viable. Last year Cherwell District Council was given an £83,000

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Alcoholic jailed for ‘sickening’ attack in street

AN ALCOHOLIC who kicked a woman’s head like she was “taking a penalty” has been jailed. Joanne Moriarty, 30, was yesterday sent to prison for 27 months after the assault outside Oxford’s Nightshelter homeless hostel in March 2012. Oxford Crown

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Raids linked to thefts of munitions from conflict sites

IT is believed the unexploded ordnance discovered in Bicester yesterday and Hertfordshire on Wednesday may have been stolen from heritage sites such as battlefields in the UK and abroad. National policing and crime adviser for English Heritage,

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Man freed from car

An elderly man had to be freed from a car yesterday after it was found upside down in a ditch by the A40. The man was found trapped in the silver Renault Clio at about 4pm and was freed by firefighters. He was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital

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Can you p-p-p-pick out the penguins in uni’s photos?

PENGUIN-SPOTTER is not a job you would normally expect to do in Oxford. But people across the city are being urged to keep count of as many of the birds as they can. Rather than waddling around the city’s streets, the birds are all in photos

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Man arrested after Bicester explosives discovery released on bail

A MAN arrested following the discovery of a stash of First and Second World War explosives in Bicester yesterday has been released on police bail until November 11. The 35-year-old from the town was arrested on suspicion of theft from heritage

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UPDATE: Normal service resumes after train delays due to bad weather and signalling problems

FIRST Great Western train services have returned to normal following delays caused by bad weather and technical faults this morning. Services running through Oxford and Didcot Parkway were delayed up to 15 minutes due to signalling problems.

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Friday, September 19

4:14pm Heavy traffic after crash on A34 and congestion in city centre %if(after3) %if(after7)

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Man injured in collision

An elderly man was taken to hospital after being struck by a car in Banbury’s West Bar Street yesterday at 2pm. The incident involved a white Ford Fiesta and the pedestrian was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford. Thames Valley Police

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Vote means county leader must write cuts letter to PM

THE leader of Oxfordshire County Council will be writing to the Prime Minister to express concern about funding cuts to local government after his coalition split for the first time. Labour group leader Liz Brighouse had proposed the motion that

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RUGBY UNION: Williams urges Chinnor to be quickly out the blocks

DIRECTOR of rugby Matt Williams has called on his Chinnor team to be smartly into their stride when they take on Dorking in National 2 South at Kingsey Road tomorrow. Chinnor lost their derby clash 28-24 at Henley last week after trailing 16-0

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Pothole repair delays

Emergency road repairs caused delays on the A40 both ways near Witney yesterday afternoon. Oxfordshire County Council highways engineers were repairing potholes between the B4022 Witney East turn and Eynsham Roundabout from 11am to 3pm. Our

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Deadline looms for a say on housing plans

THE deadline for residents to have their say on housing plans in West Oxfordshire is today. West Oxfordshire District Council will finish its public consultation on the draft local plan, which proposes to build 9,450 homes by 2029. It held

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‘Co-operation is key to ending child sex gangs’

A HOME Office minister has admitted that social services and police officers should have been co-operating “for years” to stamp out child sexual exploitation. Crime Prevention Minister Norman Baker spoke out during a visit to Cowley Police Station

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FOOTBALL: Gee looking to Cook for missing ingredient

North Leigh boss Mark Gee has hailed the capture of Jamie Cook from Oxford City. Gee moved swiftly for the former U’s striker, 34, following his release by the Vanarama Conference North side. However, Cook who has been training with Gee’s Southern

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RUGBY UNION: Witney pay tribute to ex-captain Richens

WITNEY'S game at home to Buckingham in South West 1 East tomorrow promises to be an emotional occasion following the sudden death of former captain Doug Richens. Richens, 72, died on Monday while on holiday and a minute’s silence will be held in

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Yellow weather warning for rain and possible thunderstorms in Oxfordshire today

A YELLOW weather warning for rain has been issued for Oxfordshire today. The Met Office warning, which is in place until 11.45pm, means there is a risk of heavy showers and thunderstorms. There is also the potential for disruption in some places

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Friends starting life together highlights role of older carers

A TV documentary about adults with learning disabilities leaving home for the first time has raised vital public awareness about the issue, a charity boss has said. Ben Lanes, a director at residential homes charity Style Acre, said last night’

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Salmond concedes defeat as Scotland votes against independence

Alex Salmond conceded defeat in his fight for Scottish independence, after Scots voted by a margin of around 55%-45% to stay part of the United Kingdom. The Scottish National Party First Minister said he accepted "the democratic verdict of the

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GOLF: Pepperell's well placed

EUROPEAN TOUR AN EAGLE at the last saw Oxfordshire’s Eddie Pepperell end day one of the ISPS Handa Wales Open tied for seventh place. The Frilford Heath player, from Abingdon, fired a three on the par-five 613-yard 18th hole to complete an

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Burglar takes jacket

A tweed jacket was among items stolen in a burglary at a house in Benson on Tuesday morning. Burglars entered the house in Westfield Road through an unlocked back door between 2am and 4.30am and took the jacket as well as cash, cigarettes, a driving

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Northern Gateway ‘will increase traffic by half’

MORNING traffic on a main route into the city could increase by almost half if a major development in North Oxford goes ahead, it has been claimed. Transport consultant Mike Schofield, of Summertown, has told Oxfordshire County Council that Woodstock

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Villagers join forces to create loads of festive bunting

SPLASHES of colour will hit the streets of a village this weekend after residents created more than half a kilometre of decorations. Culham residents have rallied together for the last three weeks to fashion 600 metres of bunting in time for their

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FOOTBALL: Davis has mixed feelings over Murombedzi

Banbury United boss Paul Davis says he does not expect to see Shepherd Murombedzi in the near future. Last week, Murombedzi spent a week on trial at Sky Bet League Two side Mansfield Town. And Davis feels he will land a professional deal any

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FOOTBALL: We've got feet firmly on ground, says City boss Merritt

Oxford City general manager Justin Merritt says they are not getting carried away by their terrific start to the Vanarama Conference North season as they look to make it four victories on the spin away to Guiseley tomorrow. City moved up to third

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Classic cars at castle

A Christmas celebration featuring classic cars and craft and food stalls will be held this year at Oxford Castle Quarter. Festive-themed activities will also take place around the complex on December 6, spokesman Sam Pace said. He added: “Classic

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Man hanged himself in his outbuilding

A 55-year-old man killed himself after battling depression and anxiety, an inquest heard yesterday. Howard Hodson, of Church Lane in Brightwell-cum-Sotwell, near Wallingford, was found hanged in an outbuilding at his home on June 3. Oxfordshire

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TENNIS: Patel captures junior crown

OXFORDSHIRE’S Nathan Patel won the boys’ cup in the Grade 5 10 & under event at St Hugh’s School, Carswell. He took the honours with a 5-4 win against Berkshire’s Thomas Passmore. Oxfordshire’s Georgina Halfhead was runner-up in the girls

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TENNIS: More glory for Canter

ABINGDON’S Alexis Canter continued his winning streak by capturing the ITF Grade 4 Junior title at Nicosia, Cyprus. The 16-year-old is now unbeaten in 15 matches after defeating Derbyshire’s Jay Clarke 6-4, 6-2. It saw him break into the top

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RESULTS & FIXTURES: Sept 20-26

SATURDAY FOOTBALL SKY BET LEAGUE TWO Oxford Utd v Stevenage. VANARAMA CONFERENCE NORTH Guiseley v Oxford City. SOUTHERN LEAGUE Premier Div: Banbury Utd v St Neots Tn. Div 1 South & West: Clevedon v Didcot Tn, Evesham

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Girls approached by men in a van

FOUR girls were approached and followed by a group of men in a black van on their way to school on Wednesday. Thames Valley Police said it had stepped up patrols after the girls, aged between 11 and 13, were approached by the three men as they

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Passengers in for rail treat as station undergoes £8m upgrade

AN £8m revamp of Didcot Parkway station will bring “great benefits” to Oxfordshire commuters, it was claimed after work finished this week. Oxfordshire County Council (OCC) cabinet member for transport David Nimmo Smith visited Oxfordshire’s second-busiest

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Jury told ‘creepy’ behaviour had preceded sexual assault

A WOMAN pushed a council team leader away by his throat after he sexually assaulted her in her home, jurors have heard. Peter Brown, of Oxfordshire County Council’s roads and transport department, denies the 2011 assault. Oxford Crown Court

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FOOTBALL: Hop aboard

The fourth North Berks League Groundhop takes place this weekend. The event kicks-off tonight with Abingdon Town’s home clash with Saxton Rovers in Division 1 (7.30). Tomorrow 10am: Crowmarsh Gifford v Wallingford Town. 1: Dorchester

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SQUASH: Tournament at Racquets

RACQUETS Fitness Centre, Thame, plays hosts to a graded tournament this weekend. Adrian Waller, who has a world ranking of 27, heads an entry which also includes Oxfordshire stars Mark Cairns and Scott Handley, plus club pro Will John. The

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Charity places still left for this year’s city half marathon

ALL 6,000 public places for the Oxford Half Marathon may have sold out, but there is still a chance to be able to run in the event. Charity places are still available, including those for Oxfam and Helen and Douglas House, and prospective runners

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New £3m teaching block for international school

A CITY international school is celebrating 60 years’ teaching with a new £3.3m block. St Clare’s in Banbury Road was founded in 1953 by Pamela Morris and Anne Dreydel OBE for children displaced by the Second World War. They originally taught

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It’s no mystery why county is a star for film companies

STARS graced Oxfordshire with their presence this week when film crews descended on the county. Actress Elizabeth Hurley was seen on the set of upcoming E! Entertainment drama The Royals at Blenheim Palace on Tuesday. And Little Britain comedian

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Adventuring around county

PHILEAS Fogg begins a journey around the world – and two of West Oxfordshire’s village halls – today at The Theatre in Chipping Norton. The Theatre and the Oxfordshire Theatre Company (OTC) have joined forces for a new production of Jules Verne

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PIGEONS: Latest results

Oxford Central (Wadebridge, 9 sent 42): 1, 4, 7 Mr & Mrs R Ward 996.8, 957, 879; 2, 5, 6 D Fellows 996.6, 949, 940; 3 L Wheeler 972; 8, 9, 10 Mr & Mrs S Capon 864, 796x2; 11 K Shipperley 774; 12 L Hall 715; 13, 14, 15 M Kelly 644, 635, 633.

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Children’s author’s triple tonic

AN author from Bicester has published the third book in his children’s series. Peter Kavanagh, from Langford Village, has released Art Myatt and the Viking Treasure. Set in the fictional Oxfordshire village of Brillion, the adventure novel

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Take a bite in the fight against cancer

SWEET treat lovers are being asked to bite into cupcakes to help beat cancer. Oxford bakers Maison Blanc have created a special cupcake to raise money for charity. Each treat is priced at £1.99 and 50p of that will be donated to Macmillian