Archive
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World-leading robotics firm wins royal seal of approval
THE Duke of Gloucester played with robots at an Abingdon technology firm. Prince Richard, the youngest grandchild of King George V and Queen Mary, visited Oxford Technologies to present it with the Queen’s Award for Enterprise. The company,
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Pupils are united by the history of war
TWO schools that once had pupils on opposite sides of the battlefield joined forces for an exhibition to commemorate the First World War. Abingdon School invited pupils from Ratsgymnasium Bielefeld in Germany for an exhibition on the Great War’
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‘Don’t build homes close to gas depot’
A PROPOSED new estate in Witney should not go ahead as building homes too close to an existing gas storage facility could be “dangerous”, say councillors. Gladman Developments submitted plans in August to West Oxfordshire District Council to build
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Gargoyles make some sweet sounds
FOR a bunch of Gargoyles, this group of students have voices that could belong to angels. The Oxford Gargoyles, a jazz a cappella group, have made it to the semi-finals of the Choir of the Year competition. Made up of Oxford University students
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Update: Three roads in Bicester are closed after reports a man is threatening to harm himself
MALLARDS Way, Redwing Close and Siskin Road, Bicester, have been closed after reports a man is threatening to harm himself. Police said they were called at 2.50pm to a fear for someone’s welfare, and have been there since. No one else is involved
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Mallards Way, Bicester, closed due to police incident
MALLARDS Way in Bicester has been closed to traffic because of a police incident. The street is closed both ways between London Road and Gavray Drive. It is not yet clear what the police are doing there. Automatic updates on our Live Traffic
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Memory Lane Mailbag:There's a memory in every photograph
EVERY memory, story or photograph which appears in Memory Lane seems to start a chain reaction which triggers memories with your readers and results in more memories and photographs arising. How great. One such ‘chain’ of memories relates to Margaret
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A cracking game
IT WAS one of those days when the Manor Road football ground at Headington was packed to the rafters. With 16,870 spectators squeezed into the tiny ground for the FA Cup fourth round tie between Headington United and mighty Bolton Wanderers, there
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Firm makes an £8,000 donation to Sobell House
A MOTORCYCLE company has donated more than £8,000 to an Oxfordshire charity that provides palliative and end of life care. Staff at Harley-Davidson Europe Ltd, in Garsington Road, Oxford, chose Headington’s Sobell House as its charity of the year
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World-class imagery in the festival frame
Not surprisingly, it’s been turning heads for the past three weeks. Now Damian Fantato looks back on a festival of world-class photography A FESTIVAL of “world-class” photography exceeding expectations, according to the organiser. Photography
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The Changing Face of Wantage
Picture 1 MODEL locomotives were on display at Wantage Museum in 1978 to coincide with the 150th anniversary of the Stockton and Darlington railway, and the opening of the National Railway Museum at York. Among the visitors were three-year-old Andrew
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Brushing up their singing
THESE pupils were ‘gated’ after school and enjoyed every minute of it. Headington Middle School in Margaret Road, Oxford, was putting on three performances of a musical version of Tom Sawyer in 1978. Pupils are pictured after lessons brushing
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A look back at Harvest festivals
CHILDREN were always generous when it was harvest time. They would raid their mums’ larders and bring a variety of vegetables, fruit, food tins, cakes and other goodies to school, as these pictures from the Oxford Mail archives show. Picture
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Where were they off to?
I T WAS a day to abandon the pub and go on an outing when regulars at the Friar pub in Marston Road, Oxford, and members of the Marston branch of the British Legion joined forces for a day out. They posed for the well-known Oxford photographer,
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Man fighting for his life after crash near Banbury that will be investigated by police watchdog
A 19-year-old man suffered life-threatening head injuries in a collision with a car near Banbury this morning. The man was walking on the A4260 between Twyford and Bodicote at about 1am when the collision with a red Hyundai happened. He was
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Station Road in Kingham closed after crash
STATION Road in Kingham, West Oxfordshire, has been closed because of a traffic accident. The B4450 is closed near to the train station. Our top stories Do you want alerts delivered straight to your phone via our WhatsApp service
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Man sexually assaults woman in Magdalen Road
A WOMAN was sexually assaulted while walking down an Oxford street. The 22-year-old woman was walking on Magdalen Road last Tuesday at 12.45am when the man approached her from behind. He touched her "inappropriately" police have said, then
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SCALES OF JUSTICE
Katie Dudley, 24, of Southmoor Way, Abingdon, admitted assault by beating in St Mary’s Green, Abingdon, on September 6. Told to pay £50 compensation and £85 costs. Robbie Stephens, 23, of Clarks Row, Oxford, admitted using threatening, abusive
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Paedophile avoids jail term
A PAEDOPHILE who had more than 43,000 indecent images of children on his computer has avoided prison. Paul Ayling, 50, of Manor Road, Witney, admitted downloading the images between 2008 and 2013 and was given a 12-month suspended jail sentence
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Crash involving car and motorbike closes Cowley Road
COWLEY Road has just been reopened after a car and a motorbike collided. Police were called at 2.45pm and closed the road after the biker was injured. The collision was in Cowley Road at the junction with James Street. There is still congestion
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UPDATE: Marussia driver Jules Bianchi "critical but stable"
MARUSSIA driver Jules Bianchi is in a "critical but stable" condition following his accident at the Japanese Grand Prix, according to motorsport's governing body, the FIA. The 25-year-old Frenchman suffered a severe head injury after his car ploughed
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Monday’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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Oxford United fans' chat
12:02pm Tweets by @OxfordMailOUFC %if(after3) %if(after7) google_ad_client = "pub-1163627261638862";
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Residents offered cash boost by council
YOUNG people and community groups could benefit from a cash boost. South Oxfordshire District Council is offering two funding schemes to residents. Projects previously funded include play areas, skate parks, village halls, IT equipment and
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Medal-winning ex-Marine is raising the bar for challenge
WHEN Adam Clark was forced to quit the Royal Marines through injury after serving for half of his life, he had no idea what to do next. But after picking up silver and bronze medals in cycling at the Invictus Games, it has given him a real energy
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Three cars in crash near Chippinghurst
THREE cars collided during the morning rush hour today. Police were called at around 8.30am to the collision on the B480. It happened at the turn off for Chippinghurst, between Oxford and Stadhampton. There were three cars involved – a grey
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Cones must be put up during A34 roadworks
THE A34 roadworks continue to cause chaos. I ride a scooter but even I cannot weave by when going through Kennington on the way home from work. Everyone seems to going through Kennington to avoid the roadworks, including the buses. Due to the
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This destructive era of austerity needs to end
WE WELCOME the Oxford Mail’s editorial comment on finding ways to ensure hospitals and other services in the county are able to recruit staff, given such low rates of pay for the majority of local healthcare and public services workers, and soaring
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There’s still time to build school extension away from the railway line
I AM shocked and non-plussed that the county council plan to build the new extension to Wolvercote Primary School, in First Turn, as close to the railway line as possible. This line is due to be upgraded to take over 200 trains per day, travelling
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It was hard to believe what I was reading
I DID not realise that this year we were having an extra two April fools’ days, both in October. On Wednesday, October 1, we had Cllr Tanner telling us on the letters page that if Labour win next year’s general election they will get the country
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Politicians failing to comprehend what they are doing
I READ with interest Wantage MP and Communications Minister Ed Vaizey’s article (October 2) entitled “Investing wisely in future of our county’s communications”. He misses many points. In spite of many, many emails to his colleague Nicola Blackwood
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Availability of housing needs to be increased
THE story of the Morad family shows that our city continues to fail people who most need our support. As a city we should be welcoming migrants. Providing the security to settle in a place is important for well being and helps people move on with
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Fears little-used footpaths may end in disrepair
GREEN campaigners are worried less popular footpaths in Oxfordshire could fall into disrepair. The fears have been prompted by Oxfordshire County Council, which is responsible for maintaining rights of way, after it asked town and parish councils
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Students help to make Oxford a little bit special
EVERY city has an issue or two which divides its people and refuses to go away. For some, like Liverpool, it’s football. For others, Belfast being the most dramatic example, it’s religion. For a few special places – Glasgow springs to mind – it
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Time to reflect and rejoice during a month of festivals
FOR me, as a Jew, the past week has been a time for reflection. We are in the middle of the High Holy Days, religious festivals which take place over a month in the autumn. Because of the vagaries of the Jewish calendar, the actual date varies
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Challenging the true meaning of freedom
ON Saturday it’s the day in the Church’s year when we remember St Francis of Assisi, who lived in Italy in the 13th century. Francis was extraordinary. He was born wealthy and had a wild youth. But then he embraced poverty and founded communities
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Oxford United keeper Ryan Clarke 'loved every minute' of return + VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS
RYAN Clarke relished surviving under pressure on his long-awaited return as ten-man Oxford United held on for a precious 1-0 win at home to Newport County. The goalkeeper had to work extremely hard to claim a clean sheet on his first appearance
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Three Rs project sees primary pupils' results improve
READING, writing and maths have improved among primary school pupils in disadvantaged communities in Oxford over the past three years as part of a council project. Eleven out of the 12 schools taking part in Oxford City Council’s Education Attainment
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All aboard for ride to vintage vehicle rally
RUBEN Stringfellow, five, visited Oxford Bus Museum in Long Hanborough yesterday for its annual classic vehicle rally, which also featured a gathering of buses and other vintage transport at Oxford Airport. The museum was offering free 20-minute
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Overhaul for sewerage network in the pipeline
A COMPLETE review of Oxford’s entire sewerage system is set to be carried out after concerns were raised that it is no longer fit for purpose. Thames Water has agreed to carry out the review after Oxford City Council lobbied for the work to be
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Power restored to homes after power cut in Witney
Power was restored to 900 homes in and around Witney last night. A fault to an underground cable initially hit 1,200 homes and businesses before 300 were reconnected. Scottish and Southern Energy confirmed the power was back on by 10pm in the
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FOOTBALL: Depleted City storm back after frittering lead
An injury-hit Oxford City side emerged 5-3 victors from a bruising Vanarama Conference North encounter at Colwyn Bay on Saturday, writes Matthew Bruce. However, they had to do so without defenders Alejandro- Adrian Santiago and Ander Del Alamo
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RUGBY UNION: I believe we can survive says London Welsh coach
Head coach Justin Burnell remains defiant that London Welsh can survive in the Aviva Premiership. Harlequins inflicted a fifth straight defeat on the Exiles with a 52-0 win at the Twickenham Stoop on Saturday, but Burnell is confident that Welsh
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Rescuers' efforts deserve our praise
ALMOST a year since he went missing, Canadian mountain rescue volunteers have continued to search for missing Oxford backpacker Scott Billings. The North Shore Rescue team, near Vancouver, is to be applauded for its latest attempt to find the 22
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Sewers review welcome but company must shoulder costs
USUALLY, announcements by bodies that provide essential public services that they are to carry out a long, complex project are met by a chorus of groans. But Thames Water’s pledge to thoroughly assess Oxford’s water network is to be welcomed as
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People trapped in toilet twice in just 14 hours
FIREFIGHTERS were called twice within 14 hours to rescue people stuck in the same public toilet. Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service received the first call to the toilet in Banbury Market Place at about 10.30am on Friday. The second call was
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Update: Major traffic around Oxford this morning with a warning of up to an hour on buses
Commuters are facing a miserable morning on the roads with the weather and roadworks affecting journey times. Work has begun on Worcester Street in Oxford, with one lane closed at Hythe Bridge Street and temporary traffic lights installed.
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Motorbike is stolen
A motorbike has been stolen from a Headington driveway. The blue and white Suzuki GSXR disappeared from Headley Way overnight between Thursday and Friday, Thames Valley Police said. Our top stories Do you want alerts delivered
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Drive for defibrillator at Kidlington supermarket
SUPERMARKET staff and customers in Kidlington took part in a fundraising campaign over the weekend to raise money for life-saving medical equipment. The Midcounties Co-operative supermarket in High Street ran a tombola and collected donations from
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Campaigners' event to highlight housing
Campaigners are set to hold a four-day event later this week to highlight the city’s housing crisis. Titled House of the Commons, it will run in the city centre from Thursday, October 9, to Sunday, October 12. Organisers say it will be held
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Heads for heights abseil to help support rape crisis centre
A CHARITY that helps victims of sex crimes reached new heights as supporters abseiled down an Oxford church tower in its biggest-ever fundraising event. More than £5,000 was raised for Oxford Sexual Abuse and Rape Crisis Centre with its first abseil
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Estate drugs arrest
Four men and two women suspected of possessing and dealing drugs have been released on bail. The suspects were arrested following raids at five addresses across the Blackbird Leys estate on Friday, September 26. They have been arrested on suspicion
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Appleton delighted with manner of Oxford United victory + VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS
MICHAEL Appleton was thrilled at the character Oxford United displayed to grind out a 1-0 win after playing with ten men for most of the second half against Newport County. The head coach was less impressed with the officials, though, and predicted
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‘Foul language’ Asbo man is jailed for fresh offences
A 21-YEAR-OLD given an Asbo for using foul language has been jailed for year for handling stolen goods and careless driving. Jed Denton, of Underhill Circus, Barton, in Oxford, pleaded guilty to committing both offences on July 13 this year, as
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Monday, October 6
6:10pm Update: Three roads in Bicester are now closed after reports a man is threatening to harm himself %if(after3) %if(after7)
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FOOTBALL: Millers pay for early mistakes
North Leigh conceded two goals in the first ten minutes, but afterwards matched their high-flying Southern League Division 1 South & West opponents Merthyr Town who won 3-1. After five minutes, Jarrad Wright the Merthyr centre back, rose to
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FOOTBALL: Merritt has worries over side's defence
Relief was the overriding emotion for Oxford City general manager Justin Merritt after seeing his side battle back to win 5-3 at Colwyn Bay, writes Matthew Bruce. City were in trouble after squandering a three-goal lead. Merritt admitted they
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FOOTBALL: Coyle boosts Kidlington
Kidlington held onto third place in the Uhlsport Hellenic leaguePremier Division with a 3-2 victory at Holyport. The visitors star was Lewis Coyle, with two goals, while Ryan Curtin completed the scoring. Jamie West and Fred Tripp struck for
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FOOTBALL: Whitehead's strike extends Didcot run
Didcot Town extended their unbeaten Southern League Division 1 South & West run to six matches with a hard- fought 1-1 draw at Tiverton. In blustery conditions, the hosts had a number of chances early on, but were unable to beat James Foster
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Sun shines down on 4,000 charity runners at palace
ABOUT 4,000 people raced around the stunning grounds of Blenheim Palace yesterday to join the fight against heart disease. The Woodstock event included a half marathon, 10-km run and two km “family run”, for British Heart Foundation (BHF) research
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Car fire closes lane northbound on Woodstock Road near Oxford Airport
A car fire has left one lane closed on the A44 near Oxford Airport. There is slow traffic as a result northbound between Langford Lane and A4095 Upper Campsfield Road (Bladon Roundabout). Our top stories Do you want alerts delivered
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Family escapes blaze
A family and pets escaped a house fire in Kingham. Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service was called to the roof blaze in New Road at about 6.45pm on Saturday. Paramedics treated a person for smoke inhalation at the scene and they did not require
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Council in running for living wage prize
OXFORD City Council has been shortlisted for an award for its commitment to paying the living wage to its workers. The authority has been nominated for the Living Wage Champion 2014 award for the South East of England. The award – which is
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Child involved in crash
A child and two adults were involved in a car crash on Saturday morning. Police, paramedics and firefighters were called to the scene at the junction between Park Road and Boxhedge Road at about 9am. The cars involved were a Vauxhall Corsa and
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Murdoch and Freud are set to divorce
Television magnate Elisabeth Murdoch, daughter of media tycoon Rupert Murdoch, is to divorce her husband Matthew Freud, it has been reported. The Mail on Sunday claimed the Burford-based couple would begin divorce proceedings this week after 13
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Rosa's pink roses help town's charity day to blossom
FLORIST Rosa Ashby helped to paint Witney pink for the town’s annual breast cancer fundraiser on Saturday. The Welsey Walk florist sold pink roses to raise money for Against Breast Cancer while more than 1,000 pink balloons decorated the town.
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Grand designs of six luxury homes must pass council test
TV PRESENTER Kevin McCloud’s housing company is the latest firm to consider building new homes in Cumnor Hill overlooking Oxford. Followng this latest application a Cumnor parish councillor said the area was coming under “intense pressure” from
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UPDATE: Travel: Rail tickets from today valid for tomorrow as Paddington train problems continue
COMMUTERS have been warned First Great Western services remain badly affected through the evening rush-hour because of the signal problem near Slough. Trains into London Paddington have been cancelled or severely delayed all day after overnight
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FOOTBALL: Edney sees Abingdon through
Graham Edney scored twice as Abingdon United put last week’s FA Cup exit against Dorchester behind them by beating hosts Wootton Bassett 3-2 after extra time in Saturday’s FA Vase second qualifying round tie. Dan Bailey put Bassett ahead in the
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FOOTBALL: Banbury hit by referee's error
Banbury United slipped to a 4-1 defeat when forced to play with ten men following a case of mistake identity in their Southern League Premier Division match at Truro. Banbury were leading through Leam Howards’s goal following a Jacob Walcott’s
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FOOTBALL: Late goals send Wantage to another defeat
Wantage Town twice took the lead, but conceded two late goals to lose 3-2 to Scholing in their Southern League Division 1 South & West clash at Alfredian Park on Saturday. With new signing Bidemi Afolabi up front, Wantage started brightly.
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Council forced to reveal details of development
A BOTLEY woman is fighting Vale of White Horse District Council to get secret documents about the West Way development. West Way Community Concern member Mary Gill submitted a Freedom of Information request last October to find out why Doric Properties
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MOTORSPORT: Massa concerned about conditions before Bianchi crash
Williams driver Felipe Massa says he was “screaming” his concerns about the conditions at the Japanese Grand Prix before Jules Bianchi suffered a severe head injury in a crash yesterday. Bianchi, 25, who drives for the Banbury-based Marussia team
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All God’s creatures gather for special blessing service
DONKEYS have been associated with Christianity since Biblical times, but dogs and cats less so. However, a Wantage church was filled with animals of all shapes and sizes for a special blessing service yesterday. The service at the Catholic
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Lib Dems vow to reinstate full Varsity rail link
A DIRECT railway link between Oxford and Cambridge would be resurrected if the Liberal Democrats remain in Government after next May, party leader Nick Clegg will say today. He will tell the party’s conference in Glasgow that about 50,000 new “
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Christ Church’s dean installed
A CEREMONY was held at Christ Church in Oxford on Saturday evening to confirm its new dean. The Very Rev Professor Martyn Percy took an oath of allegiance as he replaced the Very Rev Dr Christopher Lewis, who retired after 11 years as the head
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Special award for 83-year-old Woodstock volunteer
AN 83-year-old volunteer who helps run a sight loss support group has been handed an award for her work. Daphne Dorman, of Woodstock, won the chairman’s award for volunteering at the Macular Society’s Awards for Excellence for her dedication to
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Council refuses permission for further homes
A PLAN for 140 extra homes in Banbury has been thrown out. Developer Pandora Ltd had Cherwell District Council approval for 600 homes either side of Southam Road to the north of the town. Yet it applied for another 140 on the western side and
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New search fails to find sign of backpacker
SEARCH and rescue teams in Canada have combed new territory in the hunt for missing Boars Hill backpacker Tom Billings. But no trace was found of the 22-year-old, who has not been seen since November when he set out for short hike in mountains
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One third of county foster care siblings split up last year
MORE than a third of brothers and sisters in foster care in Oxfordshire were split up last year, according to the latest research. As a result, the county council is recruiting more foster carers so that it can avoid “breaking more young hearts
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WEEKEND RESULTS: October 4-5
SKY BET LEAGUE TWO Oxford Utd 1, Newport Co 0. VANARAMA CONFERENCE NORTH Colwyn Bay 3, Oxford City 5. SOUTHERN LEAGUE Premier Div: Truro City 4, Banbury Utd 1. Div 1 South & West: Merthyr Tn 3, North Leigh 1; Tiverton
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We were due some luck, says Oxford United goalscorer Collins + MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
MICHAEL Collins admitted there was a hint of fortune about his winning goal, but the midfielder felt Oxford United were due some luck. The home side’s pressure in the first half against Newport County finally yielded an opening goal four minutes
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Crowds flock to day of messing about on the water
LIFE on the waterways was celebrated in the sunshine this weekend as boaters, craft enthusiasts and tourists came to the annual Banbury Canal Day. Sunday saw the event’s 11th year and thousands flocked to the Oxford Canal beside Castle Quay shopping
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County ‘preventing cycling schemes from going ahead’
LEADERS at Oxfordshire County Council have been accused of standing in the way of improvements to Oxford’s cycling infrastructure. Oxford City Council had set aside £840,000 to be spent on the city’s cycling network by 2016, but in July the Oxford
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Father calls for action after son falls from ruins
A FATHER has called for ancient ruins to be made safer after his son “almost broke his neck” while trying to climb them. Witney resident Adam Richman believes someone could die at the ruins of Minster Lovell Hall after 13-year-old Jack fell 20ft
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Pupils breathe new life into vital first aid skills
POTENTIAL lifesavers of the future got hands-on with first aid at Long Wittenham Church of England Primary School. Staff from St John Ambulance visited the school, near Didcot, when more than 40 pupils practised their skills on two mannequins and
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'Common sense' changes to care funding are welcomed
A MAJOR change in the way adult mental health care is paid for is hoped to have major benefits for patients and prevent them from being overlooked. Managers have agreed the first stage of long-running plans to pay for care based on how well patients
