Archive

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Wst End vision starts to become a reality at last

IN 2003 two council leaders took a stroll together around Oxford’s West End. They were political rivals Keith Mitchell, then Conservative leader of Oxfordshire County Council, and Alex Hollingsworth, the Labour leader of Oxford City Council. The

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Oxford Town Hall to get £285k upgrade

OXFORD The Town Hall is to be improved over five years to increase the income it brings to city coffers, Oxford City Council has said. The authority is investing £285,000 into the historic St Aldate’s building, pictured. Of that amount, £180,000

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Out-of-town car parks set to be resurfaced

CAR parks on the outskirts of Oxford will be resurfaced to the tune of £1.3m, Oxford City Council has confirmed. Sites set for an upgrade include Seacourt park-and-ride, Redbridge park-and-ride and Gloucester Green coach park. The authority

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Aristocratic home brought back to life by modellers

WITH bespoke furniture, electrics and even occupants, work is under way on a miniature model of a famed aristocratic county home. Museum volunteers are putting together a dolls’ house version of now-demolished Lockinge House, former home of Lord

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UPDATE: Delays between Didcot Parkway and Reading after train hit obstruction

Passengers are facing 60 minute delays after a train hit an obstruction, believed to be scaffolding, between Reading and Didcot Parkway. The incident happened about an hour ago near Cholsey. All lines between Reading and Didcot Parkway have

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Walk to commemorate Churchill anniversary

Blenheim Palace in Woodstock will be hosting a special walk to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the death of Winston Churchill on Saturday, January 24. The guided walk lasting approximately an hour, will take visitors on a journey around the

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Tree falls down in Alma Place off Cowley Road

A large tree has fallen down in Alma Place off Cowley Road. Thames Valley Police received a call at 4.49pm to reports of a large tree that had fallen, knocking down part of a garden wall and landing on a car. Nobody has been reported injured

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Council considers fixing parish hall after West Way plan folds

A Botley community hall may get a new lease of life after the failure of a major redevelopment scheme that would have replaced it. North Hinksey Parish Council is to employ a chartered surveyor to carry out a structural audit of Seacourt Hall to

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Roadworks spark fears over May Day trading

MAY DAY boosts to business could be scuppered by work overhauling The Plain roundabout, it is feared. Oxfordshire County Council cabinet member for transport David Nimmo Smith said the programme would run through May because of works to Magdalen

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Healthy hearts bring hospital donation

A PHARMACY in Wheatley has donated £250 to a charity at the John Radcliffe Hospital after winning a prize draw. The Midcounties Co-operative Pharmacy encouraged residents to have heart checks as part of a national All About Health campaign called

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UPDATE: Driver in hospital after lorries crash on M40 near Lewknor

A DRIVER is in serious condition in hospital after a crash on the M40 yesterday,  police said. A white Scania lorry with blue curtained sides and a white Mercedes lorry collided on the M40 southbound between Junctions 5 and 6, near Lewknor, at

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Cultivating an online presence

If you’veeen living in and around Oxford over the past few years, and especially if you’re keen on food, you have likely heard about Cultivate Oxfordshire.  Cultivate’s VegVan, an artistically spray-painted mobile greengrocery, has become a

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New Year's mixed case, £66

Drank too much over Christmas?  Spent too much?  Giving up drinking as your New Year’s resolution?  Cheer up – it might never happen!  There’s always time for a soothing glass of wine. But not expensive wine – we do understand that you’ve spent

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Police investigate three separate incidents of indecent exposure in Abingdon and Didcot

POLICE have said they are investigating three separate incidents of indecent exposure in Abingdon and Didcot. They said two of the offences took place on Tuesday and the third on Thursday. They said the first happened at 7.50am on Tuesday and involved

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Didcot Gateway vision updated

REVISED plans for Didcot’s Gateway site are likely to include proposals for a hotel block up to eight storeys high, according to a councillor who has seen the plans. South Oxfordshire District Council wants to revamp the area opposite Didcot Parkway

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Citroën C4 Cactus Flair Blue HDi 100

NOTHING puts a smile on your face more than a carmaker having the confidence to take a risk. And Citroën, with its history of producing cutting-edge cars from the Traction Avant and DS to the 2CV, has never been afraid of challenging the norm with

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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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RUGBY UNION: London Welsh skipper May to retire at end of the season

London Welsh captain Tom May has announced that he will retire from rugby at the end of this season. May, who turns 36 next month, led the Exiles to Championship success last year in his first season at the club, and will make his 46th appearance

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Town green bid looks set to win council backing

A RESIDENT’S bid to create Didcot’s first town green to protect it from housing development should be approved, a council officer has said. Oxfordshire County Council’s Peter Clark has recommended councillors accept Trevor Davies’s application

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Interactive: Explore our big match preview U's at Dagenham + video

Post by Oxford Mail Interactive Graphics.

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Joy over MBE shattered as vandals wreck minibus for the elderly

A CHARITY’S minibus was vandalised beyond use just days after its trustee was awarded an MBE. Age Concern Chalgrove said vandals broke into the compound where the van is kept in the village last weekend. They said the bonnet was prised open

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Residents asked for their views on plan for 1,500 homes, school and businesses on outskirts of Woodstock

CHERWELL and West Oxfordshire residents have been asked for their feedback on plans for a major new development on the outskirts of Woodstock. The Vanbrugh Trust and Pye Homes Ltd has submitted plans to build 1,500 homes, a primary school and retail

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The female face of alcoholism

Unwinding with a glass of wine might be a normal part of daily life for many Oxford women but are we in denial about the extent of our drinking habits? Journalist and author Ann Dowsett Johnson certainly thinks so When Ann Dowsett Johnston makes

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A helping hand to having a fitter and healthier lifestyle

The new year is well underway so… what are you plans for 2015. Did you make any new year’s resolutions? Have you broken them yet? If getting fitter and losing weight was one of them, then here’s your chance to make this the year you achieve it.

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Comparisons are not worth it

We’ve all been there: you spend hours in front of the mirror, doing your hair, pulling a face while applying the third layer of mascara and picking the perfect outfit which holds in your tummy while accentuating your (insert best body part here).

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A new year of dark mornings and hugs

Rebecca Moore doesn’t relish the dreary days in the months ahead but applauds the efforts to brighten them with special events So this is it: a week in to a brand new year. Naturally, for many of us we happily go along with the belief that it heralds

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Fat chance of any sympathy from a weight loss bully

If you want to lose weight all over again during another stereotypical January of false starts, you’re in good company. You can hardly get to the biscuit tin without being nagged to consider the happy, healthy, sober, sugar-free new you. But

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Nothing missing from Frances O'Connor's busy career

Actress Frances O'Connor was born in Wantage, but raised in Australia. She found fame in movies including Mansfield Park and AI: Artificial Intelligence, and was nominated for a Golden Globe for her performance in the BBC’s drama The Missing. She talks

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Bah, humbug to the feelgood factor surveys

The government loves running surveys to find out how happy we are and measure the “feel-good factor”. But I’m convinced they’re coming at this from the wrong angle, because what they should be asking is: “How grumpy are you?”. I’ve come up with

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Hit those sales and get ahead

Jaine Blackman pulls her socks up to save cash and get better prepared Have you started your Christmas shopping yet? No, I’m not terribly behind the times... I’m talking about getting ready for the 2015 festive season. After leaving things

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'I'm having a taxing time'

By the time the first week of January is out of the way, it feels like the excesses of Christmas are but a distant memory. After a full month of, most notably, over-eating, drinking and spending, January is a month to tighten belts, both real and

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Catch up on our brilliant Lifestyle section

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Stay cool in pastel shades for winter

Want to brighten up your winter look for 2015? Take a look at the best pastel pieces and frosty cosmetics with Jaine Blackman Now that the turkey leftovers are finally finished and the popping of Champagne corks is a distant memory, thoughts turn

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Why the little bubbles can be a big headache

Champagne, prosecco, sparkling rosé – give me anything with bubbles and I am one happy lady... until the next day that is. I don’t know about you, but hangovers hurt more the older I get and none more than those from drinking Champagne. Now

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Top trends for fitness in the year ahead + win fantastic personal training sessions

Are you ready to catch the fitness bug in 2015? Not having time is no excuse any more. Jaine Blackman takes a look at the rise of HIIT and fitness trends for this year Long gone are the days when exercising meant going for a jog around Port Meadow

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Dig in to lose festive flab

Sheena Patterson of Oxford Garden Design on why gardening is good I know I can’t be alone in regretting the number of calories I consumed over the festive season. This week, with the leftovers finally finished off, reality hit home for me and

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Making a new start

What a good thing it is to dig. In the dark days of December, I lifted the heavy clay earth to put in bulbs of all colours: snow drops and grape hyacinths, tulips and narcissi. I popped them under the scrappy sods of grass on our rain soaked lawn

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Testament to the sufferings of war

If you’ve all been together for the festive season, you’ll know the pain of parting. It’s been so good to gather – at home, in the pub, at a relative’s house, out for a bracing winter walk. There’s been gift giving and receiving – and a good deal

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Looking back at a year of globetrotting

Karen Bowerman on life as a travel writer So, you’re a travel writer,” someone says. “What a great job!” Last year, I clocked up 50 destinations, 60 flights and 70,000 photos. Yes, I do take a lot of photos, but then there’s an awful lot to

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Submerged by a tidal wave of total junk mail

FAR be it for me to complain at the amount of mail I receive – the paper and envelope variety as opposed to the social media tsunami – as some lonely people never hear the letterbox open from one month to the next. But Tuesday’s mini-mountain of

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We want to hear the non political voices

I was very disappointed to see only four letters on your Letters page of January 6. Even more disappointed to note that every one was from a sitting councillor. I hope that this does not indicate a trend towards political posturing by monopolising

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General Election: Why my party is a contender

Danny Dorling is right when he says that there’s little to choose between the Conservatives and their Liberal Democrat partners when it comes to the General Election in Oxford West and Abingdon. But he is quite wrong to propose that the response should

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Carterton Community College pupil makes blue jeans plea for RAF families

AN OXFORDSHIRE teenager is calling on her whole town to wear jeans for one day to support air force families. Carterton Community College pupil Ciara McAleese, 15, wants everyone in her community to join in the denim day on Friday, February 6.

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Bill Heine: It can't be right that no public-spirited witnesses means no police action

A former Lord Mayor of Oxford, Patsy Yardley, was knocked off her bicycle and knocked out cold on the Banbury Road in Summertown. Heather Simpson first saw her mother in A&E at the John Radcliffe. “I was horrified but relieved she wasn’t dead or

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Left out in the cold by everything going online

I read your columnist Stuart Macbeth’s article on pensioners being cast adrift by today’s online culture (January 15). This is true not just for pensioners but for disabled people and those on low incomes. Surely there must be provision for the

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Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No it’s Rodney

Is Cllr Rodney Rose really Superman. He is reported as saying that he works 18 hours a day, six days a week. Really Mr Rose? That means you spend 108 hours of the 168 hours in a week toiling on our behalf. As a mere mortal I can only imagine

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School staff shortcut is a real safety worry

I am very concerned about the safety of staff at the Cherwell School in Oxford. All the students, when necessary, cross the very busy Marston Ferry link-road by the underpass. However,the staff do not and regularly cross via a five-bar gate

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Rich get tax breaks while spending cut

LIBERAL Democrat John Howson wants the Government to find money for various public works, but the Lib Dems are part of the Tory Coalition, who have cut expenditure to the bone, whilst giving tax cuts to the very rich. John H Richards Hodges

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£1m on roadworks here is Plain nonsense

The Plain roadworks are going to cause misery for motorists, local businesses and residents and, according to seasoned cyclists I know, there is nothing wrong with the roundabout as it is. The county council insists it will make The Plain safer

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Shifting city’s floodwater will just cause more problems downstream

There is a constant demand for someone to do something to prevent future flooding of homes, particularly those beside the Botley Road. I’ve thought about this problem many times but can’t see an easy answer. One tends to forget that the wide

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Alfie Potter is set to leave Oxford United

Alfie Potter’s days at Oxford United appear numbered after head coach Michael Appleton admitted the winger was available to leave during the January transfer window. The 26-year-old has not been included in the match day squad for the last two

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Appleton: Home woes are hindering Oxford United's progress

A PRESSURISED atmosphere at the Kassam Stadium is having an impact on both selection and the type of players Oxford United are looking to recruit, according to Michael Appleton. Back-to-back home defeats to Shrewsbury Town and Cheltenham Town have

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Fire crews support struggling ambulance staff

FIREFIGHTERS had to be called in to help struggling ambulance crews over Christmas as paramedics faced “unprecedented” demand. Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service yesterday revealed its 24 stations had responded to almost 300 serious medical emergencies

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COMMENT: Discreetly working with the movie stars

BRUSHING shoulders with film stars is normally the stuff of dreams for film fans. But Ian Bellnam has done it so many times it barely fazes him anymore. Despite falling into the extra business with no prior desire to be a star of stage or screen

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Hoban a 'caged animal' with Oxford United debut on horizon

PATRICK Hoban says the longest lay-off of his career has made him feel like a “caged animal”. Fortunately for the Irishman, the wait to pull on an Oxford United shirt for the first time is nearly over. The visit to Dagenham & Redbridge

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COMMENT: Crisis-hit NHS deserves more than a sticking plaster solution

THE NHS is in crisis. Barely a day goes by that does not see a headline on overcrowded wards, cancelled operations and missed Government targets. The latest sign of our health service in critical condition is firefighters being drafted in to help

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Oxford Brookes wins grant to boost university education

Oxford Brookes University has been handed £150,000 to help encourage more young people into higher education. It is part of Higher Education Funding Council for England’s (HEFCE) National Networks for Collaborative Outreach (NNCO) scheme, which

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Man died after New Year's Day crash near Faringdon, inquest told

A 45-year-old man died after he lost control of his vehicle, an inquest opening heard yesterday. Vehicle maintenance manager Jason Parker from Faringdon, was killed in the crash on the A417 Lechlade Road on New Year’s Day, Oxford Coroner’s Court

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Oxford United's James Roberts determined to ignore January speculation

JAMES Roberts sees his long-term future at Oxford United and is determined to ignore any speculation which comes up during the transfer window. The first year professional has burst on to the scene in the past two months, scoring four goals in

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Oxford United defender Joe Riley rated unlikely to feature at Dagenham

Michael Appleton has admitted it would be a surprise if Joe Riley returned to Oxford United on loan before tomorrow’s trip to Dagenham & Redbridge. The right back returned to Bolton Wanderers this week after spending the first half of the season

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Inquest opens over blaze death of OAP

A pensioner died after his house caught fire, an inquest opening heard yesterday. Retired office manager Julian Koenig, 74, from Grandpont, died following a fire at his home in Marlborough Road on Saturday, December 27, Oxford Coroner’s Court was

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Man jailed for Asbo breach 48 hours after his court case

A DISTRICT judge has jailed an alcoholic who breached an antisocial behaviour order (Asbo) banning him from abusing NHS staff less than 48 hours after it was made. On Monday Oxford magistrates imposed the Asbo on Raymond Clarke, pictured, of Medhurst

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Film extra has a glittering career with the stars

BLOCKBUSTER movies such as Tomb Raider and Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone made Angelina Jolie and Daniel Radcliffe household names. But you may not have noticed Radley-based actor Ian Bellnam, who appeared as an extra in these and more

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Bid for health cash goes ahead despite criticism

HEALTH officials will bid for £37.5m of funding, despite previously saying Government targets attached to the cash could not be met. Oxfordshire County Council and Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group will put together a joint bid for funding

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Jon Meades hopes freshness will boost claim for Oxford United shirt

JON Meades is hoping his lack of game time in the first half of the season will allow him to come on strongly for the remainder of the campaign. The Welshman has started the last two games for which he has been available and with Joe Riley unlikely

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Jericho street closure

A Jericho street will be closed for more than a week for supply and connection water work to be carried out. From Monday, Cranham Street will shut between Walton Street and Grantham Street. The temporary measure is expected to last for 10 days

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Van crashes into tree on A361 Banbury Road

MOTORISTS were delayed in Bloxham this morning after a van collided with a tree. The crash happened shortly after 7am this morning on the A361 Banbury Road near The Warriner School. Police said no one was injured. Our top stories

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RUGBY UNION: Brave Tom Wells on the mend after serious back injury

Grove's Tom Wells says he is making ‘slow but steady’ progress after badly injuring his back in Saturday’s South West 1 East win over Trowbridge. The 20-year-old scrum half was stretchered off and taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, during

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FIXTURES January 10-13

Saturday FOOTBALL SKY BET LEAGUE TWO Dagenham & Redbridge v Oxford Utd. FA TROPHY 2nd round: Oxford City v Woking. EVO-STIK SOUTHERN LEAGUE Premier Div: Banbury Utd v Frome Tn. Div 1 South & West: Larkhall Ath

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Designer brings 60s heroine Bunty back to life

AS THE sassy schoolgirl looking for adventure, Bunty was one of the biggest-selling comics of the 1960s and 1970s. And now, 50 years later, Oxfordshire designer and entrepreneur Paula Daly has brought the comic-strip heroine back to life. Ms

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Prime Minister pays glowing tribute as long-serving party agent stands down

DAVID Cameron has praised Barry Norton, who has left his role as party agent for West Oxfordshire Conservative Association. The West Oxfordshire District Council leader stood down from his position as consultant agent on December 31 due to ongoing

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RUGBY UNION: Chinnor star Toby Salmon leaps off to New Zealand

Chinnor second row Toby Salmon has left the club to go and play in New Zealand. The 21-year-old lock forward played his last game for Chinnor in the 6-5 win at second-placed Dorking in Nat-ional 2 South last Saturday. With Daz Oliver having

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RUGBY LEAGUE: Ricky Hopwood's excited by switch to join Oxford

Ricky Hopwood is switching codes by joining Oxford RL from Chinnor. The scrum half joins former Chinnor players Ed Vickers and Henry Swailes at the Iffley Road-based outfit. Oxford have also been boosted by re-signing Jonny Morris and Wes Newton

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Daggers boss senses chance to build momentum with Oxford United visit

OXFORD United’s hosts tomorrow are seeking some overdue momentum at home after beating Bury 1-0 last weekend. No team in Sky Bet League Two has lost more in front of their own fans this season than Dagenham & Redbridge, with eight defeats from

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Friday, January 9

5:28pm Update: M40 now reopen after earlier collision  %if(after3) %if(after7) google_ad_client

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UPDATE: Delays on A34 after crash at Peartree Interchange

TRAFFIC has returned to normal after an earlier crash on the A34 northbound at the Peartree Interchange. Police were called shortly before 7.45am after a Peugeot 306 crashed into the central reservation. The car has now been removed from the

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Community stalwarts toast yet another double delight

THEY were born five days apart, lived on the same council estate, went to the same school and have both been Lord Mayor of Oxford. Now Cowley couple Bryan and Beryl Keen have both been honoured by the Labour Party for their support since 1971.

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Oxford University college bursar unfairly sacked, tribunal rules

A SACKED Oxford University college bursar was unfairly dismissed, an employment tribunal ruled. Jean Wright, 60, claimed she was fired from her role at St Peter’s College after she pushed for an archivist to be dismissed over harassment allegations

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Sales of Mini reached record high in 2014, says BMW

UK sales of the Cowley-produced Mini went up by 3.3 per cent in 2014, to 53,661. Plant owner BMW said it was the Mini’s highest annual UK sales since its launch in 2001. The three-door hatch, which was launched in March, was the brand’s biggest-selling

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First Great Western's new Intercity Express train starts long journey from Japan

THE first Class 800 Intercity Express Programme (IEP) train for Great Western services has begun its journey from Japan. The IEP will enter passenger service with First Great Western from 2017 on services between London, Bristol and South Wales

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Cyclist injured in collision with van on A41 near Bicester

A CYCLIST was seriously injured in an accident involving a van near Bicester. The 40-year-old man is being treated at the John Radcliffe Hospital following the collision on the A41 near Graven Hill on New Year’s Eve. Police did not release

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FOOTBALL: Confident Wantage boss Daniel Barry aims to build on Cinderford win

Wantage Town are looking to build on their first victory under manager Daniel Barry as they host fellow strugglers Clevedon Town in Evo-Stik Southern League Division 1 South & West tomorrow. Barry had been waiting since his appointment in October

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FOOTBALL: Let's keep up good work, urges Banbury United boss Paul Davis

Banbury United boss Paul Davis called on his players to continue a recent run of positive news with victory at home to Frome Town in the Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division tomorrow. The Puritans officially moved off the bottom of the table

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‘Stupid’ teenage drug dealers from Witney are spared prison by judge

TWO teenage drug dealers were spared jail by a recorder who said he had “seldom seen two more stupid young men”. Dominic Dyce, of Burwell Drive, Witney, and Andrew Hale, of Lowell Place, Witney, were sentenced yesterday after being caught with

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FOOTBALL: Abingdon United handed Riccio boost

Luca Riccio is back in the Abingdon United squad following a hamstring injury as they host Thatcham Town in Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division tomorrow. Tom Butler and Carl Evans also return, but they are without Cameron McNeil and Ryan

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FOOTBALL: Oxford City boss Justin Merritt unfazed by Woking challenge

Oxford City boss Justin Merritt is eyeing an FA Trophy upset when his side entertain Vanarama Conference high-fliers Woking in the second round tomorrow, writes Matthew Bruce. The visitors, who have five ex-Oxford United stars in their squad, including

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No flagging as toddlers dance and play at classes in Oxfordshire organised by MAD Academy

THERE was no flagging as toddlers danced and played at a music and dance company. The MAD Academy hosted classes for babies and toddlers up to age four teaching movement, rhythm and dance in Oxford and Bicester. Hannah Walker attended the Bicester

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Big rise in mental health problems among young people in Oxfordshire

THE number of young people and families in Oxfordshire who were referred to mental health services in the county rose by 12.1 per cent in a year. The Oxfordshire Safeguarding Children Board‘s (OSCB) yearly report showed 4,224 people were referred

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Residents protest at proposal for railway flyover by Port Meadow

A RAILWAY flyover scheme near Port Meadow could cause more anger than the Castle Mill student flats, a councillor has warned. Network Rail is considering the flyover for the railway junction at Wolvercote to cope with predicted future demand.

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Oxford United fans given chance to see Stars for half price

SEASON ticket holders are being offered half price entry to Oxford City Stars’ clash this weekend as part of the second Oxfordshire United game. The initiative was set up last season to deepen the links between Oxford United’s Yellow Army and the

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Cotswold Wildlife Park welcomes its newest arrivals

NEW twin agoutis have been welcomed as the newest additions to West Oxfordshire’s Cotswold Wildlife Park. The duo were born in the Burford park and have taken up home with the squirrel monkeys. Small mammal keeper Estelle Morgan said: “Agoutis

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Waves created over the name of new £9m Leys pool

SWIMMERS love the new pool in Blackbird Leys but some fear its name will lead to visitors getting lost. The name Leys Pool & Leisure Centre not only refers to the Blackbird Leys estate, but also the adjoining Greater Leys estate. But residents

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Consultation event to explore future of Didcot A

A CONSULTATION event on the re-development of Didcot A power station will be held next weekend. Planning consultants the Pegasus Group will hold the event on Saturday, January 17 at Cornerstone Arts Centre, Station Road from 10am to 2pm. It

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It promises to be a corking future for county vineyards

COUNTY vineyards have a reason to celebrate after a minister told a city conference the UK is providing healthy competition overseas. Secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs Elizabeth Truss praised producers at the Oxford Farming