Archive
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South Oxfordshire councillors vote for bigger than expected allowances increase
COUNCILLORS in South Oxfordshire voted to give themselves a 58 per cent increase in their allowances instead of 21 per cent increase recommended by an independent panel. The increase means the council's 36 councillors will now be able to claim
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Midsomer helps traders make a killing
BUSINESSES in Wallingford have enjoyed a big boost in trade thanks to fans of TV crime drama Midsomer Murders. According to South Oxfordshire District Council , coach trips to the town doubled between 2013 and 2014, and there was a 60 per cent
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Former minister backs city’s Pride
BRITAIN’s first openly gay cabinet minister leant his support to Oxford Pride when he visited the city. Lord Chris Smith – who served as secretary of state for culture, media and sport in Tony Blair’s first government – backed the event which will
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Video: Buskers make a noise in Cornmarket over 'antisocial' fines plan
BUSKERS were out on Cornmarket Street today campaigning against plans to introduce fines for musicians who don't follow council rules. Jonny Walker, a busker from Leeds, led a protest by the Keep Streets Live campaign group which champions freedom
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Man arrested after teenager punched at funfair in Witney
A MAN has been arrested after a teenager was assaulted at a funfair in Witney, police said. Officers said the 16-year-old boy was punched in the face after a man approached him and started an argument. He was left with bruising on his face
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Wild flowers rescued from hospital site
WILD flowers have been rescued from the crumbling site of the old Bicester Community Hospital and given another chance to blossom. As plans are in place to see the old town hospital in Kings End redeveloped, the Langford Community Orchard Group
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Free week-long rock festival’s ‘slimmer and fitter’ this year
WITNEY is set to rock for seven days straight when the town’s free music festival opens on Saturday. There will be pub gigs and acoustic shows in venues around town, building to an all-day finale on Saturday, May 30. But the team behind it
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Endeavouring to keep the Morse legacy alive
THE city of dreaming spires was the scene of murder, subterfuge and intrigue yesterday as ITV continued filming the latest series of Endeavour. Liverpool-actor Shaun Evans was spotted around Christ Church Meadow as the young Inspector Morse while
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Police appoint new deputy chief constable
THE acting deputy chief constable for Thames Valley Police has officially been appointed in the role. John Campbell was chosen by a selection panel, including the force’s new chief constable Francis Habgood, on Friday. He joined Thames Valley
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Fault on the line results in delays between Didcot Parkway and Oxford
TRAIN services between Didcot Parkway and Oxford are being delayed by up to 30 minutes by a fault. First Great Western spokesman James Davis said a fault on the line meant trains from Didcot to Oxford were running at reduced speed. The company
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£6m retail park revamp plans for future without Homebase
A REVAMP of Abingdon’s Fairacres Retail Park costing £6m has been redesigned for a future without Homebase. Mays Properties Ltd, which owns the park, amended its plans after the DIY company announced it was to close more than 80 UK outlets in October
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Toddlers and parents get messy at play sessions
MOST parents dread getting their children messy, but at the West Oxford Community Centre it is encouraged. Toddlers and their parents got down and dirty during a Messy Play session on Monday, which aims to stimulate youngsters’ senses. In the
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The Bodleian’s buried treasures
Andy Ffrench on a book that catalogues the masterpieces to be found in Oxford’s famous library A few years ago, Richard Ovenden, now Bodley’s Librarian, took me on a whistle-stop tour of the stacks. He had an intimate knowledge of where the
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Thursday’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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Review: Aziz, Cowley Road, Oxford
Katherine MacAlister tries the Aziz’s Meat Free Monday and finds it delicious It’s always important to stay ahead of the game. Where restaurants are concerned it’s vital. No one knows this better than Aziz Ur-Rahman, who has just celebrated 25
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Run away to enjoy taste of the circus
Helen Peacocke talks to the man who serves up delicious food at Giffords Circus Ollie Halas is one of those lucky people who has found his dream job. Ask him about his family and he’ll declare that Giffords Circus is his family. He will have it
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The glory of the Chelsea Flower Show
Local beekeper and Abingdon Horticultural Society chairman David Bingley presents the highlights of this year’s Chelsea Flower Show The great thing about the RHS Chelsea Flower Show is that it has something for everyone. Inspiration for the new
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A true great among Oxon birdwatchers
Bruce Campbell was an outstanding researcher and broadcaster, says Oxford Ornithological Society’s Keith Clack In earlier articles I have introduced an Oxford student who became the father of ‘patch watching’ — Gilbert White — and one of Britain
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Watercolours reflect beauty of Tuscany
Theresa Thompson delights in an exhibition on the Woodstock Road With his sights set firmly on Rome, in his classic memoir Italian Journey the poet Goethe gives only a few pages to Tuscany. Yet for many today Tuscany is considered to be the very
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Richard Alston presents the height of dance
Acclaimed choreographer Richard Alston is bringing his company on a rare visit to Oxford next week. He talked to David Bellan ‘If someone had told me at school that my life would be working with dancers”, says Old Etonian Richard Alston, “I would
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Review: Every Brilliant Thing @ The North Wall, Summertown
Aplay about depression and suicide hardly seems likely to supply entertainment in a comic vein, but this is exactly what the audience is given in Duncan Macmillan’s Every Brilliant Thing. Having garnered glowing reviews over the past two years,
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Tuberculosis sufferer David Goodwin jailed for 10 months after spitting on medical staff in Oxford
A HOMELESS man with tuberculosis who spat at medical staff has been sentenced to 10 months jail. David Goodwin, of no fixed abode, appeared at Oxford Crown Court today. He was convicted last month of breaching an antisocial behaviour order
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Review: Why don’t musicals all have the depth of Jersey Boys?
Christopher Gray urges you to see this cracking show about The Four Seasons The phenomenal British success of Jersey Boys since its opening in the West End seven years ago is now being duplicated on a first national tour. Showcasing the timeless
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Review: Mermaid @ Oxford Playhouse
A 13-year-old girl is deprived of swimming pool frolics at the birthday party of a pampered contemporary on account of her parents’ lack of lucre. Her trainers — oh horror! —are the hostess’s cast-offs, acquired at a charity shop. So Blue (Natalie
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UPDATE: Both rail unions call off Bank Holiday Monday strike action
A BANK Holiday Monday rail strike has been called off after both unions suspended their walkouts. TSSA and RMT have now confirmed they will not take action on Monday after an offer from Network Rail. TSSA General Secretary Manuel Cortes said
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What to expect from this year's Bledington Music Festival
Nicola Lisle talks to organiser Rodney Beacham about this year’s Bledington Music Festival Some people put their feet up when they retire, or take up a new hobby. Rodney Beacham decided to start a music festival in his local church. Fifteen
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Highlights - George Ezra, Witney Music Festival, James Arthur and more
Rock VIC GODARD & SUBWAY SECT * The Wheatsheaf, Oxford * Tomorrow * Tickets £10 from wegottickets.com An acquaintance of Malcolm McLaren – who persuaded him to form his band - Vic Godard’s Subway Sect was part of that original first
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The Oxford Punt takes the spotlight
Brighton has its Great Escape, Camden has its Crawl... but only Oxford has its own urban festival dedicated to home-grown music, writes TIM HUGHES. The Oxford Punt Oxford City Centre May 13 2015 The Oxford Punt,
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Review: Suave set from the king of cool Bryan Ferry
Yesterday — well it seemed so cool — when I would play my Roxy Music singles and imagine I would one day be as suave as Bryan Ferry. Now I’m old enough to realise this will never be possible. But at a sold-out show at the New Theatre I was
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Swervedriver bring it all back home + listen to new music
Oxford’s Swervedriver are coming home with new songs, says Stuart Macbeth Los Angeles is a long way from East Oxford. Yet that’s where Creation Records boss Alan McGhee first heard Oxford band Swervedriver’s debut demo, recorded in Union Street
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For Art's Sake with Rob Gee
Ex-psychiatric nurse turned stand-up poet Rob Gee explains why it’s important to laugh at ourselves Pranks in mental health are very common: the Greek student nurse who I sent to pharmacy for some fallopian tubes has yet to forgive me. If a patient
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See RSPCA’s Lauren in dog rescue show
AT 6AM on a Friday morning, most Oxfordshire residents would still be fast asleep or just preparing to greet the day, But for Lauren Bailey there was no rest, as she was up until 6am rescuing animals in Witney. Miss Bailey, 27, works as an RSPCA
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John Hegley finds poetic justice
Stuart Macbeth talks to performer John Hegley about his love of verse ahead of his show at The North Wall Behind John Hegley’s trademark NHS spectacles, there’s more than meets the eye. He may have recently been named “the people’s Poet Laureate
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Web videos strike chord with customers
GOOFING about on the internet has sent sales at an independent music store soaring and transformed its staff into YouTube stars. David Cooper and Chris Hammond of Banbury-based One Man Band run their own online TV channel Tyros Tipsters, demonstrating
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County firms at forefront of UK export drive, survey finds
THE chief executive of Cobalt Lights Systems, Paul Loeffen, does not distinguish between domestic and export sales, which helped make the Milton Park-based company one of the most successful exporters among Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the
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Landlords getting rich at the expense of taxpayers
ALL housing benefit should be stopped and then Oxford landlords will have to bring rents down in line with wages and incomes. Excessive rents should not be topped up by housing benefit which comes from the taxpayer. In 1979, Margaret Thatcher
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Lack of a referendum on EU lost Miliband election
ANEURIN Bevan must have had two dreams in the immediate post-war years. One, gratefully, came true – and that was/is our coveted National Health Service, which, despite the insidious threats of privatisation, we must all protect at all costs (no
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Why are cars allowed to obstruct so many streets?
THE letter by Laura Hook about parking permits in today’s Oxford Mail (May 18) took my mind back into the past. There was a time that if the local bobby saw a car parked on the road and it was still there when he returned you would get a knock
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There are good and bad apples in the police force
IN your article about a policeman sacked for lying that his car had been stolen (May 13), not only to his colleagues but also to the insurance company which actually forked out the value of the vehicle, you quote Det Chief Supt Tim De Meyer as stating
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Roundabout cash could have been better used
ALL the people I have spoken to feel that the £1.6m cost of redesigning The Plain roundabout could have been better used. Except for buses, all traffic going to and coming from the John Radcliffe Hospital has to use Headley Way. A difficult but
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Officer’s complacency over postal votes is scandalous
I AM one of the people affected by the failure of Vale of White Horse District Council to deliver postal votes, and I find this saga, and the complacent attitude of the returning officer, David Buckle, scandalous. Although ballots were supposed
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Travel: Bodrum, Turkey - We’re too busy chilling out
Katherine MacAlister discovers ultimate understated luxury in Turkey’s Barbaros Bay So busy we kept muttering to ourselves throughout our stay at the five-star Kempinski Hotel Barbaros Bay. So busy we hardly stopped for breath. Busy deciding
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Longer jail sentence is meated out to shoplifter for legging it
A HOMELESS man had his sentence multiplied five times for stealing steaks from a Co-op for running away from police who had arrested him. Aaron Gardner, 29, of no fixed address, was sentenced to five months in prison instead of one at Oxford Crown
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Scales of Justice: 18 cases heard at Banbury and Oxford Magistrates Court
BANBURY MAGISTRATES Paul Wyeth, 34, of Shackleton Close, Bicester convicted of entering Bicester Toys in Sheep Street, Bicester, with intent to steal on February 15. Convicted of stealing a ladies’ bike in Sheep Street on the same date. Admitted
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Regiment to exercise ‘Freedom of the City’
CITY council leader Bob Price is urging residents to support The Rifles as they parade through Oxford for the first time. The regiment was given the Freedom of the City of Oxford, which allows it to parade through the city, i April and will exercise
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A fantastic day for all at fete
THE Lake Street Playgroup hosted its Hinksey Spring Fete over the weekend in what event organiser, Caroline Bushell, called “a fantastic day out for the community”. There was fun for all the family on Saturday with stalls, games, a bouncy castle
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Science campus will open its doors to the public for a day
SCIENTISTS at the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus are preparing to meet thousands of visitors this summer as they prepare for their biggest open day ever. The site is home to 150 organisations, including the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority
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Legal Challenge: Changes to the law for families who separate
As of last week, we have a new government. The new Conservative government proposed in its manifesto a number of changes which affect families going through separation, including further cuts in legal aid; the abolition of the Human Rights Act; and
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Students and elderly may share garden
STUDENTS and elderly people could share “chance encounters” in a rose garden under plans to add college accommodation to a care home site. University College and Fairfield Residential Home have proposed moving 29 elderly residents into a new building
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Your issues are my issues as we expand and grow
Victoria Prentis Banbury Conservative MP Sir Tony Baldry did a very good job of representing us in the Banbury constituency. He has been the MP here since I was 10, and he is a large and impressive figure and I’m very fond of him. He was
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New career leads to proving metal
A FORMER roofer who left the trade after being injured has become one of the country’s best young leadworkers. Standlake resident Kevin Bennett was named runner-up in the Young Leadworker of the Year Award. The 27-year-old said he still cannot
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The Guide: What is happening on the entertainment scene
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Five men are bailed over ‘cyber crimes’
Five men arrested on suspicion of cyber crimes in Kidlington have been rebailed. South East Regional Organised Crime Unit and the National Crime Agency, known as Britain’s FBI, raided a property in Danebrook Court, Langford Lane, on March 4.
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Charity urges people grab ‘buy now, die later’ funerals
FAMILIES across the county are being urged to prepare for rising funeral costs. Charity Age UK Oxfordshire is encouraging families to discuss end of life arrangements after a report warned of soaring funeral expenses. It comes as the charity
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Hospital trust one of best for trials
THE organisation which runs some of Oxfordshire’s main hospitals has been ranked among England’s best for the time it takes to begin clinical trials involving new medicines and treatments. Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust (OUH) which runs
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Greens support calls for change in voting system
A CHANGE in the electoral system has been backed by Green Party members of Oxfordshire County Council. The leader of the Green group on the council, David Williams, said he supported his party’s decision to deliver a petition to 10 Downing Street
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Meeting postponed
The monthly Blackbird Leys Parish Council meeting will be postponed to mark the death of former councillor Val Smith. The council usually meets on the last Tuesday of every month, which would be Tuesday, May 26. But because Mrs Smith’s funeral
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Profile: Guy Briggs
Stuart Macbeth talks to stage director and primary school deputy head Guy Briggs Director and choreographer Guy Briggs got his break in showbusiness thanks to “a very musical, acting family” with whom he made his stage debut at the tender age of
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Quad Talk: ‘My Brideshead had croquet, but also Blair’
Edward Clarke is transported back to his own Brideshead-style Oxford paradise I was rereading the opening of Evelyn Waugh’s Brideshead Revisited the other day in preparation for a critical reading class at the Department of Continuing Education
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Knowing where to draw the line at the Ashmolean
Photographer Marc West puts pen to paper at a workshop inspired by the Ashmolean’s latest show As a professional photographer, I’ve spent the last decade painting with light. But, try me at drawing and I’m a complete amateur. In my mind
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Teatime @ Fallowfields, Kingston Bagpuize
I’ve always wanted to visit Fallowfields near Kingston Bagpuize so thought it would be a nice idea to make tea a family affair this week. We arrived at 3.30pm on a Sunday afternoon, feeling peckish, and were warmly welcomed and shown into the sitting
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Nibbles - Marco Pierre White, Shaun Dickens and more
* The Fabulous Bakers have relaunched and rebranded from their former incarnation as Witney’s The Fabulous Bakin’ Boys, and have reformulated their products using only natural, honest ingredients, real fruit and no artificial nonsense. The new
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Starting Up: Jump on the dray cart for celebration of beer
Starting Up with George Harwood-Dallyn @ The Chester Beer Festival If you’re reading this on a day that’s anything like the day that I’m writing (wet and windy), it’s probably best to stay inside – I won’t blame you for your aversion to the outdoors
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Obituary - Val Smith
Councillor, former Lord Mayor of Oxford and MP’s wife Aged just 16 in the 1960s, a young Val Smith was hitchhiking from her home in Salford, Lancashire, to spend the summer in Bournemouth. But the lorry she had been riding on with a friend
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First Person: How the Oxford Fringe happens
Tom Crawshaw on the challenge of putting together the Oxford Fringe I’ve been involved in Fringe festivals – in Buxton, Edinburgh, Brighton – for much of my life. When I was a student at Mansfield College, Oxford, I was surprised to learn the city
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Review: El Mexicana, Oxford
Slow service takes the spice out of Katherine MacAlister's lunch at a new Mexican eaterie The name says it all, El Mexicana, and as suggested, the new cafe/take-away/fast food joint turns out to be a cross between Subway and Mission Burrito.
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Chef's Special recipe - Chocolate & hazelnut torte with hazelnut praline
Nick Welford at The Cherwell Boathouse provides this week's special recipe Fills one fluted tart case measuring 12in by 1in Hazelnut praline * 200g sugar * 200ml water * 75g finely chopped hazelnuts Torte Base * 250g digestive biscuits
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Get set for a summer of cult movies
Joel Pickard settles in for a summer of outdoor cinema The outdoor cinema season is taking Oxford by storm this year with an overflow of filmmakers and film lovers putting their ever so creative brains together to give us an unmissable experience
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Take it to the Fringe for top entertainment
Katherine MacAlister chooses her pick of the packed programme for Oxford Fringe 2015 Comedy * Abi Roberts: Downtown Abi Go downtown with Abi and her Labrador Al Qaeda. Join her in tales of Welsh debauchery, the perils of singing karaoke in
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The rise and rise of George Ezra
This Saturday sees one the biggest gigs of the year – and one which has come as a total surprise. Tim Hughes looks at the rise and rise of George Ezra… Funny how the best things are always the most unexpected – especially when it comes to music
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Passion for magic was always burning for Oliver Meech
Magician Oliver Meech is bringing his new improv show to Oxford, as he explains to Katherine MacAlister Magic consultant is the kind of job title that small boys and girls can only dream of, right up there with train driver, princess and astronaut
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Dine and dash man freed from prison
A con artist who dines and dashes from restaurants without paying has been released from prison, police said. Eric Austin was jailed for 10 weeks on April 4 for defrauding two city eateries, but by law had to only serve half his sentence in prison
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Council gets a new chairman
MELANIE Magee has been appointed the new chairman of Cherwell District Council for the coming year. Mrs Magee, who has been a Cherwell district councillor since 2011 and was mayor of Bicester in 2013, stood as the Conservative parliamentary candidate
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Councillors are formally inducted
FOUR new councillors were formally inducted into West Oxfordshire District council at a full council meeting yesterday afternoon. Following the May 7 election, Ted Fenton representing Bampton and Clanfield, Andy Graham representing Charlbury and
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Man, 40, rebailed
A FORTY-YEAR-OLD man arrested on suspicion of running a brothel in Oxford has been rebailed by police. The man was arrested on July 23 on suspicion of causing or inciting prostitution for gain and keeping or managing a brothel for prostitution
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No decision on bail
A man charged with conspiring to rob another man in Oxford had a bail application adjourned yesterday at Oxford Crown Court. Marek Hnida, 30, of Fettiplace Road, Barton, is currently in custody charged with conspiracy to rob Rafal Stowski between
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Punctuality goes up for county’s trains
TRAIN companies serving the county have improved their performance in the past 12 months, according to a new report. The Office of Rail and Road released figures on Passenger and Freight Rail Performance, for January 1 to March 31 this year, compared
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Police seek owner of bomb scare bag
Police have not yet managed to track the owner of a black suitcase that sparked a bomb scare on Wednesday. The suitcase was left against a car, prompting police to cordon off the road. Officers closed Woodstock Road and neighbouring Little
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Voluntary Voice: Motors group names trio of charities it will be supporting
Rygor, the UK’s largest Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicle dealer group has launched its Charities of the Year 2015, a new initiative to actively support and fundraise for a group of three causes which have been nominated and voted for by the company
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Apologies for disruption
Sir – We apologise for the disruption caused by building works at Waterstones Oxford. In response to customer feedback, the lift is being refurbished and a goods lift installed – so you no longer have to share the lift with our deliveries. This
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Cycle designs ignored
Sir – Your correspondent Michael Lawrence calls for cyclists to be fined if they do not use cycle tracks. In my experience, cyclists spurn cycle facilities not because they enjoy annoying motorists but because much cycling infrastructure is so badly
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Cutting up cyclists
Sir – Can someone tell me in what way has The Plain roundabout been made any safer after the works done on it? There has been widening here and there, a centre cycle lane coming from the city . . . yes the cycle lane in the middle of the road,
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Motorsport star
Sir – Well I remember reading about Dave Brodie’s exploits in Motoring News every week, usually driving the black Escort “Run Baby Run”. However, I do hope that the forthcoming film about the life and times of Dave Brodie (First Person, May 14)
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Poor design of major schemes putting road users at risk
Sir – A collision between a pedestrian and a bus in Oxford’s Gloucester Green highlights its poor design. The situation is painfully similar to that in Market Street since the 10am restriction for traffic entering Cornmarket Street as part of the
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Three factors for peace
Sir – John Tanner’s letter about the EU (Letters, May 14) urges us to vote to remain members of the EU in the forthcoming referendum. That comes a bit rich from somebody who has been actively campaigning for the Labour Party, which stood on a policy
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Exit Left strategy
Sir – John Tanner is one of our more active Labour councillors, deserving respect for regularly attending protests, demonstrations, and for speaking out against right wing extremists, but his views on the EU (Letters, May 14) are surely misguided.
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Progressive alliance
Sir – In reflecting on the recent election result I have to say that I was only minimally concerned about the differences in the policy positions of the Labour Party, the Liberal Democrats and the Greens. Given the terrible consequences that will
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Insensitive vandalism
Sir – Your edition of May 14 features an article which begins: “A 300-year-old manor house (Woodstock House) described as having ‘the finest view in England’ is up for rent to those who can foot the £3m renovation bill.” It seems somewhat ironic
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Plain death trap
Sir – I have recently taken to my bike to commute into work, mostly as I was driven insane by the gridlocked traffic in Oxford and the unpredictability of arrival times at work. A great decision for a host of reasons. However, after weeks and weeks
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School bus volunteer
Sir – After reading Gayna Forest’s letter (Letters, May 14) I get the feeling Hailey village no longer has a bus to the secondary school. Such a pity as my mum, Iris Sewell, used to collect the money for Dore’s Coaches so we children could get to Wood
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Rail link growth plans for city do not go far enough
Sir – The proposal by Chiltern Railways to open the Cowley branch line to passenger trains is welcome. However, it does not go far enough. At the public meeting on transport in Oxford I made the point to the leader of the county council that, to
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Gray Matter: Play on a philosopher more than a postcard
What I know concerning the life and works of the French philosopher Jacques Derrida could easily be spelt out on the back of a postcard, with space left over. The Post Card [sic] is in fact the title, in translation, of one of his better-known
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Gray Matter: Song choice a significant error in good taste
This column does not go in for pretended outrage, so I won’t say more than I was mildly surprised by Brian Matthews’s playing of one particular record in his excellent Radio 2 show Sounds of the Sixties last Saturday. From the dawning year of the
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The new man at the helm
Reg Little talks to Oxford Brookes University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Alistair Fitt If you think that building work at Oxford Brookes University seems to be never ending, you are not alone: the new Vice-Chancellor of Brookes, Professor Alistair
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‘Incredible’ iMac solved my computing needs
David McManus says he got far more than he bargained for in the shops My daughter starts university after the summer. While trying to wrap my head around the fact that I am a parent to an adult, I have been helping to organise the things she will
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Uprosa: Starting-up the digital scene
Gill Oliver looks at the companies coming together to drive technological innovation The stylish, brightly-coloured laptop and mobile phone covers wouldn’t look out of place in a fashionable boutique. But rather than just eye-catching accessories
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Still waiting to discuss plan for volleyball court
Sir – In December 2014 the Friends of Cutteslowe & Sunnymead Park submitted a formal complaint to Oxford City Council (OCC) regarding the lack of proper consultation on the beach volleyball courts proposal. This was submitted online and by
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Abysmal A-road
Sir – In response to Mr Ingham-Johnson’s letter in last week’s issue, it’s about time that someone has stated one of the most obvious facts that not all the traffic travelling on the road is going to work in Oxford. As a driver that uses this road
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Church hall restoration
Sir – After eight years of being locked up and not used, the church hall of St Mary and St John Church is now a beehive of activity as the work of restoring the hall has begun. The current project started in October 2013. It has taken this long
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Nuclear dangers
Sir – Re Increasing A34 danger (Letters, May 6). I think Robert Griffiths has made some very good points, but this would still leave HGVs having many accidents just as they have had recently. These main roads in an area where there are so many
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Gone fishing
Sir – Perhaps through your letters page you could help to solve a mystery? I refer to Uncle Sam’s Vintage American clothing in Little Clarendon Street which has remained closed for some time. There is a sign on the door that informs potential
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Take in refugees
Sir – My family came to England in 1945 as refugees from Nazi persecution. There were many like us, and there was a quota system: not everyone got in. Other countries also helped. We were lucky. So were the “Kindertransport” children. England was
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Gargantuan error
Sir – I was very encouraged to learn that our new Prime Minister, David Cameron, is proposing to decriminalise non-TV licence payers. During my Masters degree in Criminology I learnt that many poor women with young children were being sent to Holloway
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Comment: City's sad loss
The loss of the former city and county councillor Val Smith has been deeply felt far beyond the Labour Party and the Blackbird Leys estate, which she proudly represented for 27 years. Her commitment to community politics and love of Oxford won
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Gray Matter: Biographical musical shows off band’s talent
The breadth of The Four Seasons’ songbook is such that many of their finest numbers are squeezed out of their musical “biography” Jersey Boys, a must-see until Saturday at Oxford’s New Theatre. Among “The Ones That Got Away”, as the programme styles
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Would you pay £25,000 a month for this house? + explore with our interactive graphic
TWENTY-FIVE thousand pounds isn’t far off the average yearly wage in Oxford, but for one resident it will just about cover a single month’s rent. Whoever moves into number 17 Bradmore Road in Summertown will be taking on what is believed to be
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GOLF: Eddie Pepperell reveals his crazy week ahead of launching Wentworth bid
EDDIE Pepperell is hoping for a calm start to his BMW PGA Championship campaign today after an astonishing week, which has featured lost clubs, two unnecessary flights and a change of coach. In the midst of the chaos, the 24-year-old, from Abingdon
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Travel chaos predicted in Oxfordshire as full effect of rail strike revealed
ALL trains between Oxford and Didcot will be cancelled if a national 24-hour rail strike goes ahead on Bank Holiday Monday, a train operator has warned. Rail bosses have warned the walkout could cause up to 48 hours of disruption, from just after
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New £45m heart centre planned for Oxford as break-through research for cardiac patients revealed
A NEW £45m centre in Headington jointly run by Oxford University and the British Heart Foundation will hope to attract “the world’s best junior scientists and fellows.” The national charity for heart disease will contribute £10m to a new centre
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CRICKET: Price is right for three brothers captaining Oxfordshire junior sides
IT was a day to remember for the Price family, as all three brothers captained junior sides for Oxfordshire. Tom led the under 15 side to victory over London Schools, Ollie skippered the under 14s to a win against Hertfordshire, while Will was
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Bond girl Gemma Arterton takes a bit of Solace in visit to Bicester Village
ACTRESS, Bond Girl and fashionista Gemma Arterton visited Bicester Village to launch an event among photographers and fashion designers yesterday. The 29-year-old was at the outlet shopping centre to take on a fashion ambassador role, launching
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AMERICAN FOOTBALL: Strong Saints hit back to sink Sharks
OXFORD Saints ran in four touchdowns in the second half as they came from behind to win 43-24 against Cornish Sharks. It saw them bounce back superbly from the 50-16 defeat at Swindon Storm in their previous game and improved their record in Southern
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Time gentlemen please: parking limits on notorious A40 lay-bys used to meet up for sex
NOTORIOUS spots used for sexual encounters on the A40 could have restrictions imposed to limit parking to 30 minutes. The measures for two laybys at Forest Hill, between Oxford and Wheatley, have been proposed by Oxfordshire County Council in cooperation
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Buskers protest against spectre of fines for not smiling enough
BUSKERS will take to the streets today to protest changes they fear could land them hefty fines if they don’t smile enough. Oxford City Council wants to bring in a Public Space Protection Order for the city centre to tackle antisocial behaviour
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Now you can own the shoes Sir Bannister broke the four-minute mile in + video
THE shoes worn by Sir Roger Bannister as he broke the world record for the four-minute mile will be going on sale later this year. He wore the thin, leather running shoes, which have six spikes on each sole, when he became the first man to run
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BOWLS: Headington set standard with Bicester blitz
Headington A made it two wins out of two in Division 1 of the Oxfordshire League, sponsored by Bridle Insurance, with a 5-1 home victory over promoted Bicester. Mark Charlett led the way for the reigning champions with a massive 37-5 win in the
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FOOTBALL: Banbury United to begin manager interviews
BANBURY United are set to hold interviews for a new manager today. The supporters' group hoping to take over the running of the club, in conjunction with the Puritans board, launched the search for a new boss after relegation from the Evo-Stik
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CRICKET: Challow & Childrey surprise Shipton-under-Wychwood in Davidstow Village Cup
Challow & Childrey kept their nerve to gain a surprise three-wicket win at home to Shipton-under-Wychwood in the Oxfordshire quarter-finals of the Davidstow Village Cup. Chasing the Home Counties Premier League club’s 173-6, Challow squeezed
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BOWLS: Mark Charlett's four lead charge in big Oxfordshire triumph
Mark Charlett’s rink chalked up a 22-shot success to spearhead Oxfordshire’s charge to a resounding 142-98 victory over Gloucestershire in their second Middleton Cup Trial match. With Charlett’s four of Sam Watts, Shaun Claridge and Jason King
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Abingdon & Witney College taking over running of evening classes for adults
EVENING classes for adults in the county will be run by Abingdon and Witney College under new plans announced yesterday. Oxfordshire County Council said it would transfer its adult learning service to the college from June 1. The deal will
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Rush begins to grab the first houses at new Barton Park estate
ASPIRING homeowner Courtney Thomas was one of the first to put her name down for a house in the new Barton Park estate. With the initial plans unveiled last week, Miss Thomas, 21, was keen to register her interest. She was speaking at a public
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Breaking News for Oxford and Oxfordshire, Thursday, May 21
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Parky at the Pictures (In Cinemas 21/5/2015)
Ruth Rendell passed away on 2 May at the age of 85 and a late tribute comes in the form of The New Girlfriend, François Ozon's adaptation of a 1985 short story that ranks as one of the best screen adaptations from her writings under her own name and
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Parky at the Pictures (In Cinemas 21/5/2015)
Writer-producer-director Phil Grabsky has been set a tricky task with the latest entry in the estimable Exhibition on Screen series. Rather than focussing on a renowned artist, The Impressionists - And the Man Who Made Then centres on the shift in
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RUGBY UNION: Craig Burrows upbeat despite Oxfordshire exit
HEAD coach Craig Burrows believes Oxfordshire’s County Championship Shield campaign should still be viewed as a success despite their failure to reach the knockout stages. A 39-6 defeat to Leicestershire at Chipping Norton on Saturday saw Oxon
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ATHLETICS: Teenager Petrina Chantler Edmond triumphs at Banbury tester
PETRINA Chantler Edmond shone for Radley AC as she won three titles at the second match of the Oxfordshire Junior Track and Field calendar at Banbury. The 14-year-old took the under 15 high jump and shot. She also joined clubmates Victoria
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BAR BILLIARDS: Sid Ponting helps to seal Section 2 title for Headington
HEADINGTON Conservative Club have been crowned Johnsons Buildbase Oxford & District League Section 2 champions after a 3-2 win at Marlborough. Sid Ponting, who takes the most wins award with a game to spare, secured the deciding leg. Gladiators
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ICE HOCKEY: Darren Elliott’s happy to relinquish Oxford City Stars head coach role
DARREN Elliott has stepped down as Oxford City Stars’ player-head coach in order to concentrate on his own game. Stars avoided relegation in their first year back in National Ice Hockey League 1 this season. Assistant coach Simon Anderson will