Archive
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Flood victims reflect on lessons learned a year on
ON THIS day last year the Oxford Mail reported that more than 3,500 sandbags were needed across the county. Casting as much of a shadow over Oxfordshire as the rainclouds in the sky, 10 flood warnings were in place for the River Thames between
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Junior Brown and Michael Raynes released by Oxford United
JUNIOR Brown and Michael Raynes have left Oxford United by mutual consent. Brown has agreed a permanent deal at Mansfield Town and is due to be joined at Field Mill by Raynes, whose switch is yet to be finalised. It is a return to the Stags
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Winter visitors get between covers at Wallingford Museum bookshop
AS the Wallingford Museum prepares for new exhibitions in the spring, its second-hand bookshop has continued to pull in the visitors over the winter. The High Street museum’s bookshop is open on Fridays and Saturdays from 10.30am to 1.30pm until
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Call to build athletics track in Wantage
THE new chairman of Wantage’s biggest running club has called for a full-size permanent running track and other facilities in the town. Simon Leech, who took over as chairman of White Horse Harriers in December, says the town needs to cater for
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MICHAEL DUBERRY COLUMN: Winning is the be-all and end-all
Happy New Year to you all and I hope 2015 has very started well. Usually at the start of a new year the word “change” is thrown around like confetti at a wedding. People proudly talk of their changes, the things they want to start doing and
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Wednesday’s letters: What are your fellow readers writing in about today?
Want to give your opinion? Email letters@oxfordmail.co.uk
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Rush Common School's hearing help centre set to close its doors
A SUPPORT centre for children with hearing problems at an Abingdon school has been approved for closure. Rush Common School in Abingdon said no-one had signed up to use its Southern Hearing Resource Base last year or this. And on Monday Oxfordshire
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Twice as lucky for Oxford Mail TV competition winner
STEVE Wedge proved lightning really can strike twice by winning his second Oxford Mail competition. The father-of-four correctly answered our festive question: “According to the song, how many days of Christmas are there?” And in case you hadn
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Man's phone containing last photos of dying sister stolen in Wheatley
A MAN is appealing for his stolen mobile phone to be returned as it contains the last pictures of his dead sister. The phone was stolen from the 51-year-old while he was shopping at the self-service tills at ASDA in Wheatley on Tuesday, December
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Should shops shut on public holidays or should we keep on bargain hunting?
KEEP THE SHOPS OPEN Says Graham Jones, co-ordinator of city traders group ROX (Rescue Oxford) THE Christmas and New Year period is a wonderful time for people to show their consideration for family and friends by buying them presents, as well
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Free course to help the young learn job skills
UNEMPLOYED youngsters and students between 18 and 24 can now hone their application and interview skills with a free three-day course on applying for apprenticeships. Abingdon & Witney College is looking for young students to join its new Catapult
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Lensman taking long view as he readies for marathon
PHOTOGRAPHER Marc West is usually featured in the Oxford Mail for his pictures, rather than for pounding the pavements. But this time he has set himself the gruelling challenge of running his first marathon and raising £2,000 for charity. The
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Family left homeless after fire at their Appleford bungalow
A FAMILY of five is facing the next few months in temporary accommodation after their house near Didcot caught alight. Fire crews were called to the home of the Lamb family in Main Road, Appleford, after the blaze started in the roof at about 5.30pm
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Can the brightest brains put drain in right place?
WORK appears to have ended at the junction of George Street, Hythe Bridge Street, and Worcester Street. It took months. Goodness knows what it cost. Well, yesterday it rained a bit and a large puddle developed by the traffic lights, because
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Government can ‘stump up’ cash for rail facilities
HUGH Jaeger (January 4) may see Hanborough as Witney’s new railhead, but I would rather press for something more significant in terms of new transport links. We need a mass transit scheme from West Oxfordshire to have any chance of managing the
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Oxford should be ashamed to be the UK’s roadside rubbish capital
WE can always tell when we approach Oxford – one of the great cities of the UK. The litter on the A34 and A418 and on all the roundabouts and junctions around Oxford is truly awful and I believe the worst in the UK. There appears to be no pride
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Cowley hairdresser named as one of the country's best stylists
AFTER being named one of the country’s best hairdressers Andreea Dumitru now has high hopes of opening her own salon. The Cowley-based hairdresser, who has been working in Oxford for five years, was a cut above her competitors in the Britain’s
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What has happened at the Covered Market?
IN January of last year Oxford City Council published the results of its public consultation on the future of the Covered Market. This came in the wake of a business plan it commissioned from an independent retail specialist. A year on and almost
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FOOTBALL: Oakley is star in cup glory bid
Goalkeeper Callum Oakley was man of the match as North Berks League side Long Wittenham Athletic progressed in the Berks & Bucks Intermediate Cup. Oakley kept Thames Valley Premier League Premier Division outfit Mortimer at bay while Joe Cheong
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Second estate plan sparks traffic fears
PLANS for a second new housing estate that would send more traffic on to Abingdon’s Drayton Road have been described as “horrifying.” Glasgow-based Miller Homes has applied to Vale of White Horse District Counci for planning permission for 73 homes
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Chipping in to hit Christmas recycling target
NOW that Christmas is over it is time to get rid of trees that are starting to shed pine needles all over the floor. Oxford City Council has set up 17 collection points across Oxford where real Christmas trees can be put through wood chippers.
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New year is a time to accept the status quo
IT was the return to work this week and most of my emails were prefixed by Happy New Year greetings. It got me thinking about whether the new year is a happy time? After an excellent Christmas and two weeks off work, the return to normality
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Oxford United vow to take time over Will Hoskins return
OXFORD United are keen to see Will Hoskins play a couple more games for the development side before being considered for the first team. The 28-year-old striker, pictured, made an encouraging return to action yesterday after four months out with
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Teenager denies assaults on student at a Plush Lounge club in Oxford
A 19-YEAR-OLD man has pleaded not guilty to attacking and sexually assaulting a student in a Oxford nightclub. Abdulrahman Abdelsalam, of Watling Avenue in Edgware, London, denied sexual assault and an assault occasioning actual bodily harm in
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Trains delayed between Oxford and London Paddington after person hit by train at Ealing Broadway
TRAINS from London to Oxford are delayed because a person has been hit by a train. The incident was at Ealing Broadway but is also affecting trains coming out of London Paddington. Delays are currently lasting up to 30 minutes and disruption
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Firestarter is jailed for cars arson spree in Didcot
A “DANGEROUS” arsonist who caused £33,000 worth of damage by setting fire to cars during a criminal damage crime spree was jailed yesterday. Lee Tyler, of Richmere Road, Didcot, has still not provided any explanation for why he targeted nine cars
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Police commissioner told 'Don't shift the blame' ahead of Bullfinch review
THAMES Valley’s police commissioner has been accused of trying to “shift the blame” away from police ahead of a serious case review into the Bullfinch scandal. Anthony Stansfeld said the force would have found it easier to deal with if the abuse
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Police and Crime Commissioner Anthony Stansfeld has got it wrong over the police role in the Bullfinch scandal
WHILST there are far too few open and honest opinions given these days by public officials, the utterances about the police role in the Bullfinch scandal by Anthony Stansfeld border on the bizarre. As we report today, Mr Stansfeld, our Police and
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Missing woman last seen in Thame could be in Oxford
A 63-year-old woman has gone missing in Chinnor and may have travelled to Oxford. Alice Thomas was last seen getting off the number 40 bus in Thame town centre at about 12.25pm yesterday. She is white, of medium build, about 4ft 10in, with
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Police appeal after road rage attack on cyclist
A cyclist was injured in a road rage incident with a driver, say police. The 47-year-old victim was cycling along Honeybottom Lane when he got into an argument with the driver of a silver Mercedes E Class. Police say the driver punched the
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Golly gets in a bit of a jam with a man from the BBC
A MAN campaigning to save his local swimming pool says the BBC refused to interview him because he was wearing a golly doll. Barton resident Chaka Artwell claimed a reporter told him the soft toy he was wearing around his neck would “distract”
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Farmers get together to talk about ways to work
HUNDREDS of farmers have descended on Oxford to attend two agricultural conferences. The sixth Oxford Real Farming Conference runs at the Town Hall, in St Aldate’s, until today. More than 40 discussions, talks and debates have been lined up
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More traffic delays as Headington work continues
DRIVERS were held up by temporary traffic lights yesterday morning as work continued in London Road, Headington. A scheme is under way to improve the road surface and the cycle route. Work started on Monday and included resurfacing from the junction
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Redesigned road junction is dangerous say cycle campaigners
A NEW road junction in Oxford has been described as an accident waiting to happen by a national cycling charity. The Cyclists’ Touring Club (CTC) has written to Oxfordshire County Council to raise concerns about the re-designed junction between
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FOOTBALL: Sutton shine to rack up a hat-trick of victories
Sutton Wanderers secured their third straight win in Critchleys Upper Thames Valley League Division 2 with a comfortable 3-0 victory at Watlington Town. Chris Stringer headed the visitors in front and Andrew Conway doubled it before half-time,
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FOOTBALL: Cropredy hit back in style
Cropredy came from two goals behind to win 3-2 at Blackbird in the Oxfordshire Sam Waters Sunday Cup quarter-final. Anaclet Odhiambo put the hosts in front and Craig Bloomfield’s header just after the break doubled the advantage. But Cropredy
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Oxford Story Museum’s first festive production proves a sell-out hit
A CHRISTMAS show delighted audiences so much that there is already a buzz about next December’s production. The Story Museum held its first festive production, Snow and Tell, selling out performances in its final fortnight. The show finished
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Actress nominated for a Bafta
Oxford born actress Gugu Mbatha-Raw has been nominated for the 2015 EE Bafta Rising Star award. The actress grew up in Witney and was educated at Henry Box School in the town before attending the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts. She landed her
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A34 crash inquest opens
The inquest into a 22-year-old woman who was killed when her car came off the A34 opens today. Ayesha Idris was driving south when her white Seat Ibiza left the road and collided with a tree near Kidlington on December 28. The Kidlington resident
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Calls to revive direct rail link from Oxford to Bristol backed by Oxfordshire MPs
DIRECT rail services from Oxford to Bristol should be brought back to boost tourism and open new commuter routes, Oxfordshire County Council and two MPs said. A high-speed train service would bring tourists into city pubs, restaurants and hotels
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FOOTBALL: Horspath boosted by own goals
A pair of own goals helped Horspath Res move level on points at the top of Oxfordshire Senior League Division 2 with a 4-0 win away to neighbours Garsington Res. The home side had good chances early on, but quick goals from Simon Burton and Craig
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Popularity forces World Pooh Sticks Championships to look for new venue
THIS year’s World Pooh Sticks Championships will not be held at Day’s Lock in Little Wittenham, organisers have said. The Rotary Club of Oxford Spires says the event has become a victim of its own success, with more than 1,000 people turning up
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Alcoholic gets an Asbo for 999 staff abuse
AN ALCOHOLIC who repeatedly verbally abused hospital staff and paramedics has been given an Antisocial Behaviour Order (ASBO). Raymond Clarke, of Medhurst Way, Littlemore, was given the Asbo at Oxford Magistrates’ Court on Monday. It bans him
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M40 southbound re-opens after crash but queues remain
THE M40 has re-opened following a crash this morning but there remains queueing in the area. It is understood there was only one vehicle involved in the crash but there was a lot of debris left on the road that needed clearing up. No further
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Take That star Howard Donald marries in ceremony at Aynhoe Park
TAKE That star Howard Donald has married his long-term girlfriend Katie Halil at 17th century house Aynhoe Park, Aynho, near Banbury. According to the Daily Mirror, the 46-year-old popstar was joined by bandmates Gary Barlow, Mark Owen and former
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Driver, 81,dies after accident involving lorry
A PENSIONER has died following a road accident involving a car and a lorry near Thame. The crash happened at about 6.10pm on Monday on the A418 Oxford Road at Waterstock. Thames Valley Police spokeswoman Connie Primmer said an HGV pulled out
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RAF base demonstration ends in charges
AN OXFORD man has been charged with criminal damage in connection with a protest at an RAF airbase. Christopher Cole, 51, of Wilkins Road, was one of four people arrested and charged after a demonstration against drones at RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire
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A&E waiting times worst since Oxford University Hospitals NHS was formed in 2011
OXFORDSHIRE’S hospital authority recorded its worst quarterly A&E waiting times since it was formed in 2011, figures released yesterday showed. From October to December, 86.1 per cent of patients were discharged, admitted or transferred within
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FOOTBALL: Rayfield and Blackman hand Hailey tonic
Hailey steamed up to second in the Witney & District FA Premier Division with a 2-1 home win over Minster Lovell. Shaun Rayfield and Jason Blackman fired the hosts to victory, with Nathan Harris replying for Minster. Jamie Kennedy’s strike
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FOOTBALL: Nomads are sent packing as Harris blasts five-timer
Liam Harris hit five goals to help Hanborough to a spectacular 8-0 home success over FC Nomads in a one-sided Oxfordshire John Fathers Shield fourth-round contest. Will Potter, Mark Stichcombe and Arran Hobley were also on target for the hosts,
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FOOTBALL: Didcot Town's unbeaten league run is over
DIDCOT Town lost in Division 1 South & West for the first time since August as AFC Totton fought back from 3-1 behind at half-time to run out 5-3 winners of an entertaining clash last night. The result sees the Railwaymen miss out on the chance
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Volunteers needed for new Ebola vaccine research trial
DOCTORS and scientists at Oxford University are launching a safety trial for new Ebola vaccines. The Oxford Vaccine Group, part of the university’s Department of Paediatrics, is running the trial and aims to have 72 adult volunteers vaccinated
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FOOTBALL: Hotshot Seamark in four-star show
Ashley Seamark produced the performance of the day in North Berks League Division 1 as he scored four time in Drayton’s win at Dorchester. The hosts led through Cameron Patterson, but there was no stopping rampant Seamark, who hit all his side’
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Human brain proves clever at learning to handle disability
YOU can’t teach an old brain new tricks – or so we thought. New research by Oxford scientists has found evidence that the organ could be even more adaptable than previously thought. And it is believed the findings could lead to new ways to
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Michael Raynes and Junior Brown set for Mansfield moves
MICHAEL Raynes and Junior Brown are close to completing moves from Oxford United to Mansfield Town. The Oxford Mail understands only the final paperwork is required for the pair to make the switch on free transfers, which it was hoped would be
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£20m boatyard plan set for approval despite homes flaw
A £20m SCHEME to redevelop the Castle Mill boatyard has been recommended for approval, despite defying city housing targets. The plans submitted to Oxford City Council were criticised for failing to meet the city policy of 50 per cent affordable
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If you swing by the woods today
JACK Brandram went for a walk in the woods and got more than he bargained for. The four-year-old from Wallingford was taking a stroll in the woods at Little Wittenham with family and friends on Sunday when they found a bustle of activity. It
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Collapsed City Link keeps on four staff in Bicester for time being
THE Bicester depot of collapsed parcel delivery company City Link has retained four employees while the company’s operations are finalised. A spokesman for administrators Ernst & Young said yesterday was the last day all City Link depots around
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Eleanor set sights on a music career
A SCHOOLGIRL from Headington has gained top grades for her music skills, but she won’t be blowing her own trumpet about it. Instead 10-year-old Eleanor Voak will be reaching for her bassoon. Despite having only played for three years, Eleanor
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Loans move to plug funding black hole for Witney Corn Exchange restoration
BRIDGING loans will be needed to fund the £650,000 renovation of the Corn Exchange in Witney. Witney Town Council had planned to pay for much of the work, which began in November, with the £750,000 sale of Langdale Hall, for which a buyer had already
