Archive

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Aiming to provoke royal debate

A NEW exhibition at Modern Art Oxford questions the values of the British monarchy. Political artist Stuart Brisley’s exhibition State of Denmark opened to the public on September 18 and he hopes it will act as a catalyst for debate between republicans

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Pensioners who raise cash for hospital need new volunteers

PENSIONERS who raise thousands of pounds each year for their community hospital are in urgent need of more and younger volunteers. Since 1998, Abingdon Community Hospital League of Friends has raised about £150,000 to buy life-saving and therapeutic

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Group backs road flood barrier plan

A group campaigning to battle flooding in Witney has backed an investigation into whether a flood barrier could be added to plans for a local link road. Witney Anti-Flood Group has supported the idea of having a two-metre barrier as part of the

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Young high-flyers wanted as cadets

BICESTER air cadets are trying to recruit more members after the group’s numbers dropped when it lost some facilities. Based at Duclos Hall, in Skimmingdish Lane, the Air Training Corps had used several bunkers and garages for storage at the old

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RUGBY UNION: Welsh beaten again after another woeful collapse

London Welsh 10, Gloucester 46 What looked being being a fairly respectable performance ended up in another woeful defeat for London Welsh in the Aviva Premiership. The Exiles were right in the match when they trailed 15-10 with 20 minutes

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Yeti’s macho side remains despite smooth makeover

When I was in my 20s there was only one car I ever dreamed of owning – a Matra Simca Rancho. With its raised roof, body-moulded side protectors and bonnet-mounted spotlights, in the late 1970s, when ownership of a Range Rover remained a mere dream

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RUGBY UNION: London Welsh v Gloucester

9:37pm Final score: Welsh 10, Gloucester 46 %if(after3) %if(after7) google_ad_client = "pub-1163627261638862

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Two people being treated after accident in Botley Road

SOUTH Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) is treating two people for minor injuries at the scene of a traffic accident in front of McDonald’s, Botley Road. A spokeswoman said paramedics were called to reports of a two-car collision at 5.21pm, and

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Buses delayed due to congestion in Oxford

Bus services through Oxford are delayed by up to 25 minutes, Oxford Bus Company has said. As well as rush-hour traffic and existing road works on the Southen By-Pass, a malfunctioning set of traffic lights at Wendlebury roundabout is causing delays

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Oxfordshire MPs vote in favour of air strikes against IS in Iraq

OXFORDSHIRE’S MPs have voted in favour of air strikes on Iraq in response to the threat of the Islamic State. They voted following a seven-hour debate in the House of Commons today. Oxford West and Abingdon MP Nicola Blackwood, Wantage MP Ed

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Problem with traffic lights causing queues between Oxford and Bicester

A MALFUNCTIONING set of traffic lights is causing traffic queues on the A34 between Oxford and Bicester. The problem with the lights at Wendlebury roundabout is causing delays from the M40 interchange near Bicester to Hinksey Hill interchange.

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How London drives up our house prices

THE average cost of a property in Oxford has now hit £357,000, almost 14 times the £26,000 average wage. Giles Lawton, head of residential sales at Summertown-based agents Savills, says the “massive” price growth is fuelled by wealthy families

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Bike team cross England to help adoption cause

JUST over 13 years ago, Paul Mason and his wife Iris adopted their daughter Megan. In 2001, he founded Paul Mason Consulting, and for the last five years, with the help of his staff, he has raised more than £30,000 for the charity which helped

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Doors open wider for Oxford's architecture snapper

OXFORD’S annual Open Doors event has created a stream of new customers for a Cumnor photographer. Ian Fraser, 63, has snapped some of the city’s most famous landmarks in his work taking architectural pictures. He said the recent Open Doors

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Cancer survivor starts support and healing sessions for women sufferers in Wantage and Grove

A BREAST cancer survivor from Wantage is setting up a sufferers’ support group. Elaine Collier, 61, said she wants to give women an environment away from the hospital to talk about how they are coping. The mother-of-one, from Roman Way, Wantage

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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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UPDATE: Marston Flyover shut after crash between car and motorbike

A MOTORCYCLIST has been taken to the John Radcliffe hospital with serious injuries following a collision with a car. The BMW motorbike and black Vauxhall Zafira crashed on Marsh Lane, the B4150, at Marston shortly before midday. The road, including

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6 things you probably didn't know were happening in Oxfordshire this weekend

Saturday 1. Abingdon Fire Station in Ock Street will hold an open day from 11am to 3pm to mark its 50th anniversary. 2. The British Heart Foundation Oxford to Cambridge Bike Ride will be held. Cyclists will ride a 90-mile route between the

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‘Asian women in Oxford facing barriers to see their GP’

ASIAN women in Oxford face too many barriers to access their GPs, according to a watchdog report. Language issues, a lack of Asian doctors and not enough community-based services are the main issues, Healthwatch Oxfordshire said. A survey of

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Young ‘mud slingers’ to take aim at their friendly enemies

PLAY days usually conjure up images of slides and hopscotches but a Witney event wants an army of medieval-style catapult machines. Organisers have secured a trebuchet and are asking for more people to come forward with the ancient equipment so

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365alive campaign celebrates hitting its target two years early

ORGANISERS of a campaign to reduce fire and road deaths and save an estimated 365 lives in 10 years say they have passed the target two years early. The 365alive campaign says it has saved an estimated 386 lives since 2006 through education and

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Duke of Gloucester to witness disbanding of Bicester's 23 Pioneer Regiment

Bicester's 23 Pioneer Regiment will disband later this morning in front of the Duke of Gloucester. The regimental flag will be ceremonially lowered for the last time and two symbolic axes handed over to severing Royal Logistic Corps soldiers at

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Why truth about sweetners could leave bitter taste

In most coffee shops, cafes and restaurants you’ll find sweeteners available as the ‘healthier’ option to add to your tea or coffee. In health food shops agave nectar is recommended because it is natural. So, it must be better for you, yes? Well… What

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Setting sail for Andrew

The death last year of British Olympic gold and silver medallist Andrew ‘Bart’ Simpson, 36, in a sailing accident in San Francisco Bay touched many people deeply. Since he first sailed a Seafly at the age of six with his father, Bart was dedicated

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Beauty of a Greek island

Hoping to transform herself into an Aphrodite, Nicole Gallagher visits the Greek goddess’s stomping ground Locking my gaze into the splintered grooves of a pine tree, I try to hold my balance as I totter on one leg with my hands in an Anjali Mudra

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Packing it all in Swedish style to save planet

Don’t you find it irritating when you buy something small and it comes wrapped like a ‘pass the parcel’ prize in mountains of packaging!? I mean I love a bit of a surprise but seriously we are all trying to do our bit for the environment and here

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Lack of shuteye seems a dream

Back in 2003 as we were handed a screaming newborn, life felt like it would never be the same again – and how true that was. Fast forward to 2006 and 2007 and yet more chaos was added to our lives. For seven years it felt that being a mum to

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Puppeteer Emma Boor leaves it all to the imagination

Four years ago, Emma Boor landed here in Oxford with a bump. Both literally – she was heavily pregnant and would give birth to her son Mo a couple of months later – but it was also a bumpy landing in a different world. One moment she was up

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Laugh all you like, little raises a smile quite like Downton

Ah, Downton Abbey is back to reign over Sunday nights and – save your cynicism – add joy to our lives. As ITV brings out its big guns for a fifth series, tuning in with a drink in your hand again feels like slipping on a perfect pair of PJs.

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Oxford festival proves 'old is the new young'

Jaine Blackman talks to the organiser of a new festival in Oxford aiming to celebrate the wisdom of advancing years Old is the new young,” declares TV producer, author, comedy writer and organiser of an Oxford festival to celebrate ageing Judith

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Catch up on our brilliant Lifestyle section

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The big brains who made science sexy

Oxford attracts independent thinkers – none more so than William Buckland, who transformed the teaching of science at Oxford University, and made the science of palaeontology intriguing and sexy. It’s about big beasts. According to a series of

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Beware of the rise of the machines

First they came for the supermarkets and I didn’t say anything because I hate supermarkets. Then they came for the post office and I didn’t say anything because I have a postal service at work. Then they came for my bank… and I was too broke to

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Enjoy freedom of uni but get it all covered

Students heading off to uni should take a few minutes to make sure their belongings are properly insured. Some will be covered under their parent’s home insurance policy, others buy student contents policies and it’s becoming more common for cover

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Hertford College puts women's talent in the picture

Tim Hughes reports on an Oxford college that’s shrugging off centuries of male dominance with photographic portraits of its high-achieving women It’s no secret that despite decades of co-education, the hallowed halls of Oxford University can still

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Oxford tour signs get lost in translation...

‘DON’T tell me there are turf wars in Oxford.” The call for clarification came from Richard, a tall, recently retired real estate manager from New York. He had spotted the damning words ‘Oxford is corrupt’ on a hand-written notice attached to an old

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I don’t think it is good to add fluoride to water

I don’t think fluoride should be added to tap water as the type of fluoride which they add is fluorosilicic acid, which is toxic waste from the chimney scrubbers of phosphate fertiliser factories. This is more toxic than lead and only slightly

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Many ‘yes’ voters were also rejecting austerity

There is one aspect of the Scottish referendum result that has so far received little comment, but which the Government would be well advised to heed. Only four areas within Scotland, Dundee, Glasgow, North Lanarkshire and West Dunbartonshire voted

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Common sense is needed when repairing our county’s potholes

We tell the Highways about potholes, we even give postcodes and send photos. Eventually a man comes out with an aerosol spray and marks a few. Nothing happens and the spray wears off. Another bloke comes out with a different coloured spray and

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An inspiration in bringing out the best in the young

Mix teenagers and children who have been excluded from school or addicted to drugs or arrested for GBH and add children with severe learning or physical difficulties or Down’s Syndrome and you might have a recipe for disaster. At the Trax Project in

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People voted for this pro-development Tory

I have sympathy with the residents of Brize Norton as they oppose the new housing development planned for the east of Carterton. However I believe they have probably shot themselves in the foot. Four months ago they had their own referendum on

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Some great cars shown during weekend event

I would like to congratulate all involved with Oxford Open Doors for a fascinating and thoroughly enjoyable weekend, with some interesting and unusual places open for the public which would not usually be assessable. Some of the cars on display

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Girls gear up for car industry career

THE car industry is sometimes seen as a man’s world. At Mini’s Cowley plant, however, young women are being given the chance to break through the glass ceiling. Owner BMW is to run its Girls Go Technical programme for a second year after the success

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Calllum's living the dream for Oxford United

Callum O’Dowda is aiming to carry on a rich vein of form tomorrow as the winger admits he is in dreamland hearing Oxford United’s supporters chanting his name. The 19-year-old from Kidlington is in line for a fourth successive start, which would

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Oxford United boss aiming to exploit extra time in training

MICHAEL Appleton thinks an increase in time spent on the training pitch over the next month will prove to be important for Oxford United’s development. A hectic start to the season saw the U’s play midweek fixtures in five of the opening six weeks

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Westgate is hit by delay

WRANGLING over the potential collapse of a city centre street has held up the plans for the £400m redevelopment of the Westgate Centre. Oxfordshire County Council, Oxford City Council and the Westgate Alliance have been in deadlock over what would

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COMMENT: Skye’s smiley legacy inspiring hundreds

BRAVE Skye Hall has touched so many people with his bucket list. The five-year-old lost his fight against his brain tumour but his legacy is inspiring hundreds of others. Pupils from across the county are getting involved with his loom band world

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COMMENT: Spiralling cost of housing can only impact badly on NHS

MANY owe hospital staff a debt of gratitude for their work. But those who choose to work for the NHS should not find themselves in the red due to the cost of living. Oxford is an expensive place to live and work, and demand for housing is only

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Man cleared of GBH

A man who accused his housemate of stealing from him has been cleared of assaulting him. Joseph Mourier, 24, said he was acting in self defence when he hit Madi Nget in an argument at their shared house in Broadway, Didcot, in August last year.

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M40 commuters delayed by car fire

A car caught fire on the M40/ A34 junction near Bicester, yesterday morning, spreading smoke across the motorway. Two lanes of the northbound carriageway were closed between Weston-on-the-Green and Junction 9 while two fire crews dealt with the car

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Oxford United youngster is a 'frightening' talent - Whing

JOSH Ashby is showing signs he will have a big future in the game, according to fellow midfielder Andy Whing. The pair played alongside each other as Oxford United’s development squad beat their Southend United counterparts 2-1 on Tuesday.

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Stolen lorry recovered near M40

A stolen lorry was recovered yesterday in Waterstock, just off the M40 near Thame. The vehicle had been reported stolen from the Essex area earlier in the day and was found by roads police in the early afternoon. No arrests have been made and

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Cyclists go down petition path in a bid for new route

CYCLISTS took over the roads as campaigners from charity Bike Safe demanded a cycle path between Eynsham and Botley. The group of about 40 cyclists gave Oxfordshire County Council leader Ian Hudspeth a petition, which had been signed by more than

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Primary pupils help get Skye's loom towards the moon

HUNDREDS of school pupils are getting involved to help brave Skye Hall’s dying wish of creating the world’s longest loom band. The five-year-old from Abingdon died on August 29 after battling a brain tumour for a year. His parents, Andrew and

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Riley revelling in regular football with Oxford United

JOE Riley is loving life at Oxford United and the on-loan defender believes a run in the side is proving his injury problems are in the past. The 22-year-old (pictured) joined from Bolton Wanderers this summer after playing just twice in two and

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Burst pipe repairs continue as flooding inquiry goes on

WORK is continuing to repair a burst water main that flooded a Cowley street leaving residents’ homes devastated. Thames Water engineers have been in Normandy Crescent after a pipe burst for the second time in seven years on Tuesday, severely flooding

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Hoskins gets up and running for Oxford United

WILL Hoskins is making rapid progress as the striker recovers from a groin injury. Just three weeks on from being carried off on a stretcher at Southend United, the 28-year-old is back running. Appleton, United’s head coach, said: “It’s far

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Uni paper editor axed after article on rape

The editor of Oxford University student newspaper the Oxford Student has been removed from her position after a row broke out over comments about rape in an article that she had written. Amelia Hamer published the piece after Oxford Union president

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FOOTBALL: Concannon wants to hang on to hot-shot Mills

Didcot Town joint manager Ian Concannon has saluted the goal-scoring exploits of John Mills, but recognises his form could see him head off for new pastures. Last weekend, Mills, 25, took his tally to 15 goals from his last nine games in a 4-2

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RUGBY UNION: Exiles will get better, insists Thorpe

AVIVA PREMIERSHIP - LONDON WELSH V GLOUCESTER PREVIEW RICHARD Thorpe says London Welsh remain confident they will improve after a nightmare start to the season. Welsh lost 46-8 at Sale Sharks on Saturday, their third straight defeat maintaining

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RUGBY UNION: Reynolds praises spirit

AVIVA PREMIERSHIP - LONDON WELSH V GLOUCESTER PREVIEW NIC Reynolds says London Welsh’s poor start to the season has not affected morale in the squad. Former Llanelli Scarlets player Reynolds, who starts at outside centre, has seen his new side

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Sweet time at food fest’

FOOD fans are licking their lips ahead of the return of Thame Food Festival tomorrow. The event will take over the town centre with about 200 stalls of locally grown produce. Tom Goldsmith, landlord at The James Figg pub, will tend a pop-up

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‘Pay hospital staff extra cash to stop them leaving county’

MORE needs to be done to tackle the cost of living in Oxfordshire to stop hospital staff from leaving, a trade union representative has said. Sharon Akers, Unison convener for Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, said extra cash should be offered

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RUGBY UNION: Chinnor need to grind it out

CHINNOR director of rugby Matt Williams said his side must tighten up ahead of Worthing’s visit in National 2 South tomorrow. Williams’s men lost 23-22 at home to Dorking last week after a 28-24 defeat at Henley. “We want to stay positive.

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Estate stallholders hope to corner weekly market

A MONTHLY community market in Blackbird Leys has ambitious plans to expand. The Leys Community Market, which runs on the last Saturday of every month, will go weekly from Saturday, November 15. It began in December 2012 at The Barn, Nightingale

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10 things you need to know Saturday

The 5 essential stories you need to read today   My bombs are safe and I let my kids play with them: We speak to the man whose home was raided for First and Second World War munitions   The family and

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Friday, September 26

11:48am Duke of Gloucester to witness disbanding of Bicester's 23 Pioneer Regiment %if(after3) %if(after7)

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Delays on the A34 at Hinksey Hill after earlier broken down vehicle

DRIVERS are facing queues on the A34 southbound at the Hinksey Hill Interchange after an earlier broken down vehicle. All lanes have now reopened but there are still delays.  Automatic updates on our Live Traffic Service  Our top

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Fuel spill closes road

A two-car crash caused a fuel spillage that closed the B4016 between Appleford and Didcot yesterday. Police were called at 6.25am to the collision at the junction of Sires Hill and the B4016. The spillage was cleared at 7.40am but motorists

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FOOTBALL: Banbury are handed Cup boost

Banbury United have been handed a double boost ahead of their FA Cup second qualifying-round trip to Weston-super-Mare. Oxford United have agreed to extend Josh Shama and Aidan Hawtin’s loan spells to the delight of boss Paul Davis. He said

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FOOTBALL: City stopper Freddy ready for his debut

Oxford City could give Bermudan international keeper Freddy Hall his debut when they travel to Shortwood United tomorrow looking to avoid an early exit from the competition. With regular stopper Mark Scott struggling with a hip injury, City’s general

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RUGBY UNION: We must improve, says London Welsh head coach Burnell

London Welsh head coach Justin Burnell says they are determined to put on a better show for fans at the Kassam Stadium tonight (7.45). The Exiles host Gloucester looking for their first win of the Aviva Premiership season after three heavy defeats

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TENNIS: Bamber into UK top five

OXFORDSHIRE’S Liz Bamber has secured a top-five ranking for Britain’s over 60 women. The Bampton player climbed into the country’s elite with victory in the Grade 3 event at Woking. Bamber beat Surrey’s Barbara Awbery 6-2, 6-2, in the final

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Asbestos led to death

A MAN who worked in Abingdon’s MG factory died because of asbestos he inhaled during his employment, his inquest found yesterday. Kenneth Kerby, 68, died at his home in Bath Street, Abingdon, on July 19. His inquest, at Oxfordshire Coroner’

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New bishop wanted

People are being asked to nominate replacements for the Bishop of Oxford. The Church of England has formally advertised that the position of Bishop of Oxford will fall vacant on November 1 following the retirement of current bishop, Rt Rev John

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Council team leader found guilty of sexual assault

AN OXFORDSHIRE County Council team leader was yesterday convicted of sexually assaulting a woman in her bedroom. Peter Brown, from the authority’s roads and transport team, was found guilty by Oxford Crown Court jurors after nine hours of deliberations

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Princess does the honours for military and medicine

BELSEN liberator Gilbert King welcomed the Princess Royal as she opened the Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum yesterday. In 1945, Gunner King was in the Oxfordshire Yeomanry when he was among the first troops to arrive at Bergen-Belsen Nazi concentration

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Judge us on our actions, United chairman tells fans' forum

Oxford United chairman Darryl Eales was encouraged by the response from supporters at a forum held at the Kassam Stadium last night. About 200 fans turned out and asked questions of Eales, chief executive Mark Ashton and head coach Michael Appleton

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By-elections looming

Both Oxford City Council and Oxfordshire County Council are waiting to hold by-elections in Blackbird Leys following Val Smith’s resignation on Wednesday. There are vacancies in both councils after she stepped down due to ill health. Two potential

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Barriers ‘used as last resort’ to stop drivers

WATER-FILLED barriers have been used as a “last resort” to stop drivers ignoring road closure signs. Cow Lane in Denchworth is closed to stop people using it as a shortcut whilst the A417 at East Challow is closed for works until early December

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Pooches on parade for charity

BARTON residents are gearing up to test the pedigree of their pets this weekend at the second annual Barton Fun Dog Show. The show was conceived last year to help foster community spirit by showing off and judging the neighbourhood’s dogs.

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FIXTURES: September 26 - October 3

Saturday FOOTBALL SKY BET LEAGUE TWO Luton Tn v Oxford Utd. FA CUP 2nd qual round: Abingdon Utd v Dorchester Tn, Chippenham Tn v Ardley Utd, Shortwood Utd v Oxford City, Weston-super-Mare v Banbury Utd. SOUTHERN LEAGUE Div

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Fears that new estate is too big for small village

PLANS for a 270-home estate will increase the size of Kingston Bagpuize by 20 per cent, an opponent has said. Glasgow housing developer Mactaggart & Mickel has revealed plans to build the homes south of the A420, east of Witney Road. Its

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Town Green inquiry could block creation of junction

AN INQUIRY into whether land in Northway should be protected starts next week. A group of residents is attempting to protect the land at Foxwell Drive from being used for part of a junction across the A40. The junction is being planned as part

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Uncertainty remains after bid for 200 homes dropped

CUMNOR residents have raised concerns over plans to remove land from its Green Belt despite a decision to axe plans for 200 homes. Vale of White Horse District Council first proposed removing land off Appleton Road from the protected Green Belt

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Councillor’s on the run for hospice

SOME say politics is all about hot air but one Oxford councillor hopes he won’t be doing too much huffing and puffing next month. City and county Labour councillor Mark Lygo will be taking part in the Oxford Half Marathon with two friends for Helen