Archive
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District council approved budget and freezes council tax for sixth year
A £12.2m budget and a freeze on council tax precepts for 2016/17 was agreed at a full council meeting tonight. Leader of the Vale of White Horse District Council, Matthew Barber, said he was "very pleased' to be able to present the budget.
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Football fans hope to rekindle FA Cup fun with road trip
THREE football fans wanting to rekindle the magic of Oxford City FC’s FA Cup qualifier last year have embarked on a road trip supporting various teams all the way to Wembley. When David Lewis, Liam Corbally and Ben Rayner went to City’s qualifier
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Calls for businesses to be charged for parking spaces to help vital transport subsidies
CALLS are growing for businesses to be charged for parking spaces as councillors claim it could fund under-threat bus routes. Liz Brighouse, leader of the Labour opposition group on Oxfordshire County Council, said the workplace parking levy should
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Pregnant deer attacked by pet dog at nature reserve
A HEAVILY-PREGNANT deer was left fighting for its life after being attacked by a dog in an Oxford nature reserve. The gruesome incident happened at Aston’s Eyot wildlife reserve, a 30-acre patch of land next to Christ Church meadows, on Tuesday
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Community rallies together to find missing pooch Jager
COMMUNITIES have rallied together in Bicester to help track down a missing pub pup called Jager. The ‘peekapoo’ – a Pekinese/poodle cross – who went missing from the Saxon pub in the early hours of Tuesday morning has been the centre of a huge
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Fans across county pay tribute to tragic rock band Viola Beach
OXFORDSHIRE fans of the rock band who plunged to their death at the weekend have paid tribute to the rising stars. Members of Viola Beach and their manager were killed in Sweden just one week before they were set to play a sold-out gig at the Bullingdon
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Ed Miliband cancels talk at Oxford University Labour Club after anti-Semitism allegations
Former Labour Party leader Ed Miliband has reportedly cancelled a talk at Oxford University Labour Club following allegations of anti-Semitism. An investigation was also launched into the club today by national body Labour Students. Mr Miliband
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Camera come out across Oxfordshire for glorious sunrise
EARLY risers were met with a glorious sunrise across the county yesterday which was quickly followed by a cold snap. Readers sent in their own pictures of daybreak with a sea of colour spreading out across Oxfordshire’s skies. But temperatures
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Profile: ‘Shells are the sea’s jewels’ says expert Ingrid Thomas
Esther Lafferty talks to an acknowledged expert who uses shells as an art form Hidden in the heart of Oxford, miles from the coast, conchologist Ingrid Thomas has a studio lined wall-to-wall with jars of shells, as temptingly colourful as an old-fashioned
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IT guy with passion for photography snaps "perfect" sunrise shot
A DEDICATED amateur photographer has snapped the “perfect” sunrise after months driving past the same viewpoint. Anthony Inwood works as in IT contractor in Witney, but says his real passion is photography. The 49-year-old, who runs a photography
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SCORES ON THE DOORS: The latest hygiene ratings for food outlets across Oxfordshire
1 STAR Aangon, 7 Falklands House, Black Bourton Road, Carterton Food Hygiene and Safety: Fair. Some non-compliance with statutory obligations and industry codes of recommended practice. Confidence in Management: Little. Varying record
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Plan for free school in Abingdon may bring solution to overcrowding problem
PARENTS struggling to squeeze their children into crowded classes could find salvation in plans for a new school in Abingdon. Free school group Chapel St has selected North Abingdon as one of two places to open schools next year, easing the area
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Team calls it quits for community magazine after 40 years
THE editors of a community magazine have put their pens down for the final time as they announced plans to retire after 40 years. Carterton Community Magazine will be released for the final time on March 1, to coincide with its 40th anniversary
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Park patrollers launch drive to clean up dog mess across the Leys area
COUNCIL officers have begun patrolling dog fouling problem areas in Blackbird Leys and Greater Leys in a bid to clean up the estate’s parks for good. The project, launched on Monday, is beginning with two weeks of official presence aiming to re-educate
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Pupils' exotic Chinese dragon marches through town centre
A STRIKING musical monster marched through Bicester's town centre with the help of a class-load of youngsters celebrating Chinese New Year.The pitter-patter of little feet from St Mary's Catholic School could just be seen beneath the colourful Chinese
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Banbury boxer jailed for producing £30k worth of cannabis
A BOXER’S fledging career has been left in tatters after he was jailed for producing £30,000 worth of cannabis. Undefeated light heavyweight Joe Jackson-Brown, 23, was stunned when Judge Patrick Eccles QC refused to suspend a jail sentence to spare
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Council stunned by "extraordinary" number of responses to online survey about parking
HUNDREDS of people have given their views on the ins and outs of parking in West Oxfordshire, leaving council officials stunned at the “extraordinary” response. Within just two days of an online survey being launched by the council, more than 1,000
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Headteacher claims new partnership of eight schools is ‘invaluable’
A NEW partnership of eight Wantage area schools will be “invaluable” to children’s education, one headteacher has said. Fitzwaryn special school, Stockham Primary School, Grove CofE and five village primaries have formed the new Springline Partnership
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Court hears handyman claimed £9k in benefits while sub-letting flat for £18k
A HANDYMAN claimed housing and council tax benefits while sub-letting out his flat for £18,000, a court heard.Keith Smith had lived in the council flat in Northway since 2009, working as a handyman and cleaner and claiming housing benefit, council tax
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Review: X Factor's Sam Bailey failed to dazzle in Chicago
Andrew Ffrench loves the latest version of Chicago at the New Theatre but says Sam Bailey was outshone X Factor star Sam Bailey tried her best to razzle dazzle the audience in this latest production of the musical Chicago and her musical theatre
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Runners can now sign up for this year's Vitality Oxford Half Marathon
RUNNERS can sign up to this year's Vitality Oxford Half Marathon which will see the event start and finish in the city centre for a second time in its history. A date of October 9 has been set for the 13.1-mile run, which saw thousands of people
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Parents of "Jihadi Jack" bailed again by police
The parents of a man labelled "Jihadi Jack" have been bailed again by police. John and Sally Letts were arrested by police after sending money to their son, Jack Letts, who is believed to have left the UK to join the Islamic State in Iraq.
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UPDATE: Traffic easing after two lorries collide on A34
A collision involving two lorries caused delays on the A34 this afternoon. The road was partially blocked northbound following the incident which saw two heavy goods vehicles collide between the Marcham Interchange and Abingdon North. Thames
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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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Appleton fumes with ref after penalty decision costs United
MICHAEL Appleton was critical of referee Keith Hill and his officials after Oxford United lost 1-0 to a controversial penalty against Northampton Town last night. Marc Richards converted the spot-kick just before the hour, when Johnny Mullins was
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Oxford United sell out away allocation for AFC Wimbledon visit, plus latest Wembley figure
OXFORD United will be backed by a sold out away section when they visit AFC Wimbledon next weekend. All 900 terrace and seating tickets made available for the clash on Saturday, February 27, have been snapped up. No more will be made available
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Man sent to jail for robbing woman of phone at knifepoint
A 28-YEAR-OLD man who robbed a woman in her own home at knife point for an iPhone 6 has been jailed. Serial offender Asif Hussain was sentenced to five years and five months in prison after he pleaded guilty on the first day of his trial to robbing
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Youngsters at nursey pick up a bit of Spanish flair from teacher
A SPANISH-SPEAKING mum has started teaching Witney children as young as two to sing and speak a new language. Helen Hamm, who is originally from Venezuela, began volunteering at a local nursery several months ago, and now has big plans to set up
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VIDEO: Highlights from Oxford United's defeat to Northampton Town
WATCH the key moments, including the controversial penalty decision, from Oxford United's 1-0 loss to Sky Bet League Two leaders Northampton Town. Video via Oxford United's official Youtube channel The Oxford Mail now has a
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Homeless Lottie speaks out after being arrested for Lush burglary
THE homeless woman hailed a hero after saying she foiled a burglary has spoken about being arrested. Thousands has been raised on a fundraising site set up by staff at Lush beauty shop who praised Lottie Pauling-Chamberlain for handing back items
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EU club has a very costly membership for us in UK
IN HER letter on the price of being in the EU ‘club’, Susan Thomas asks (Oxford Mail, February 11) “are we getting value for money?” In addition to the direct payments she mentions of £1bn per month, there are far greater hidden costs, due to British
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Seems to be no point in us having any opinions
I UNDERSTAND that the decision not to proceed with the student accommodation at the top of Latimer Road in Headington has been overturned. What is the point in having an opinion on anything in Headington? Residents’ opinions clearly aren’t valid
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How can I access services if my essential bus is cut?
I LIVE in Standlake and rely on the X15 bus, which runs between Witney and Abingdon. I don’t drive so if it is cut, how does Oxfordshire County Council expect me to visit a doctor, optician, dentist, bank, post office, solicitor etc? Do they have
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Flood scheme needed to correct procedural errors
THE Northway and Marston Flood Alleviation Scheme is necessary to correct errors made in decision-making processes – approving development without sufficient pipework infrastructure, removing green spaces, trees and shrubbery, our original water storage
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What’s happened to my idea of nominal charges?
WHILE appreciating that the West Oxfordshire District Council’s policy of free parking is popular with many residents and traders I feel quite strongly that the cabinet member for car parking and transport, Cllr David Harvey, was misguided to say in
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Residents will suffer from ‘double whammy’ of cuts
CUTS by Oxfordshire County Council, coupled with those imposed by Swindon Borough Council will hit some communities very hard. This ‘double whammy’ effect will hit the communities on the borders of the county in a disproportionate way. The villages
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Please make annoying aircraft stop buzzing me
IT’S A beautiful sunny Sunday morning in February. Outside in my garden I hear the A34 in the far distance and the periodic car engines driving up and down Steventon Hill. It’s only 9.30 in the morning and yet again above me, like an outbreak of
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Our market town needs to make radical changes
DIDCOT is to get a second new shopping centre and multi-story car park. What has Abingdon got? A grotty throwback to the 1970s with a few changes made a couple of years ago. I don’t understand how other local towns like Didcot, Banbury, Bicester
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Sports enthusiast “Chipper” is honoured for contributions to cricket and football clubs
A DEVOTED cricket and football enthusiast has been rewarded after spending 20 “tireless” years building up his community sports teams. Martyn Cross, fondly known as “Chipper”, has made endless contributions to the cricket and football clubs.
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Teacher channels passion for music into creepy-crawly memory app
A SPIDER whose leg has been ripped off by a "musical madman" is the star of a new app which combines memory with music.Economics teacher Ben Ponniah channelled his extracurricular passion for music into Spidey's Piano, which hit Apple's App
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Cancer victim and former neurologist uses will to create 'social change' charity
A CANCER victim and former neurologist has achieved his dying wish from beyond the grave. Christopher Fursdon-Davis used his will to set up a “social change” charity, appointing his friends as trustees and urging them to continue his work.
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Opinion: UK’s economy is resilient despite worldwide jitters
Graeme Chaplin Bank of England agent for the West Midlands and Oxfordshire What should we make of the state of the UK economy in the early weeks of 2016? It’s a question my colleagues and I in the Bank of England’s Agency network try
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Dazzling Diamonds: Just a single gene could be capable of changing world
HUMAN beings each have an estimated 24,000 different genes, but if just one goes wrong it can spell serious problems – that’s where gene therapy comes in. By manually replacing or de-activating faulty genes, it’s possible to correct some genetic
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Oxford Utd 0, Northampton Tn 1 (Richards pen 58)
A DISPUTED penalty proved the difference as Oxford United lost out to runaway Sky Bet League Two leaders Northampton Town. The game's key moment came just before the hour mark, when Johnny Mullins was harshly penalised for a handball he knew little
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Schoolgirl trio set up website to raise money for the homeless
A GROUP of youngsters on a mission to solve Oxford’s homelessness crisis are urging families and businesses to dig deep into their pockets. Sisters Libby and Flo Hadfield teamed up with friend Eve Shorten to raise cash for the city’s homeless after
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"It's not all doom and gloom" says leader of county council in wake of cuts
Leader of Oxfordshire County Council says it is "not all doom and gloom" following the approval of a drastic budget which could see more than £69m worth of savings. Speaking to BBC Oxford this morning, Ian Hudspeth said councillors had put politics
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Is this the best Tennis club in Oxfordshire?
THAME tennis club has been revealed as the best in Oxfordshire. The club, based in Queens Road, beat off 40 others from around the county to win the 'Aegon Oxfordshire County Club of the Year 2015' award. It has around 300 members and is the
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Youngsters walk on the wild side at Oxford's Story Museum
YOUNGSTERS took a walk on the wild side at The Story Museum, Oxford, as it launched its new Animal exhibition.The interactive trail explores why there are so many children's stories about animals and what they tell us about ourselves and the natural world.This
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VIDEO: One-footed cockatoo fitted with 3D-printed prosthetic replacement at rescue centre
COCKA-TWO legs are better than one, as feathered friend Mr Ben is now finding out. The previously one-footed cockatoo has been fitted with a 3D-printed prosthetic replacement after an Abingdon rescue centre took him under its wing. Mr Ben was
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Mystery of the gold caterpillar pin is solved after 10 year search for origins
A GREAT-grandfather has traced the origins of a mysterious gold pin that belonged to his late wife after a 10-year search. Jeff Broxholme, 84, was surprised to discover the small, gold brooch shaped like a caterpillar had a unique history.
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Tower block residents invited to drop-in session in Blackbird Leys today ahead of repairs
Residents of Oxford's five tower blocks are invited to a launch event at Blackbird Leys Community Centre today ahead of repair works. From 3pm to 6pm representatives from Oxford City Council and contractors Willmott Dixon will be on hand to answer
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FOOTBALL: Fraser's double proves in vain as Crowmarsh are denied victory
PATRICK Fraser bagged a brace for Crowmarsh Gifford, but they had to settle for a 2-2 draw at home to East Hendred, writes PHIL ANNETS. Adam Sell and Paul Jezzard were both on target for the visitors in the North Berks League Division 1 encounter
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FOOTBALL: McLemen rescues a point for leaders West Witney
WEST Witney maintained their three-point lead at the top of the Witney & District FA Premier Division as they held second-placed Carterton Town A to a 1-1 draw, writes ANTHONY BARLOW. Jack Morton scored for the hosts, but Tony McLemen equalised
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YOUR PICTURES: Oxfordshire wakes up to stunning sunrise
PEOPLE have shared their stunning pictures of the sunrise across Oxfordshire this morning. The mild start to the day bought with it a beautiful scene in the county's skies. Share your images with us by emailing them in Cracking
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FOOTBALL: Janes hits hat-trick in Didcot victory
MARK Janes hit a hat-trick as Didcot Town won 5-0 at home to Burnham in Division 1 South & West of the Evo-Stik Southern League last night. Jack Longford headed in a Josh Dutton-Black free-kick after 15 minutes, before Janes scored on 41, 45
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Feature: Youngsters have a new social hub after years of planning and fundraising
TEENAGERS in Rose Hill have been given their own youth club after years of planning. The new club, for youngsters aged 11 to 18, was launched at the new Rose Hill Community Centre in Ashhurst Way on Saturday. Sessions will be led by the youngsters
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FOOTBALL: Super Horton fires Press to victory
OXFORD University Press stayed top of the league after debutant Will Horton came off the bench to help them to a 4-0 win over Launton Sports. The 18-year-old fired home from the edge of the area in the Oxfordshire Senior League Premier Division
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UPDATED: Heavy rain set to batter most of county with snow only forecast for higher ground
The county is set to experience a deluge of rain but areas of higher ground may be dusted with a few centimetres of snow. The Met Office has warned temperatures could fall below freezing tonight and lead to ice on the roads on Thursday morning
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FOOTBALL: Thame United Reserves book final spot
IT will be an all-Thame final in the Oxfordshire Intermediate Cup. Uhlsport Hellenic League Division 2 East leaders Thame United Res beat Berinsfield 3-0 in the last four. Jacob Davis, Louis Cordice and Luke Hurley scored to extinguish the
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Couple use Christmas lights display to give boost for hospital's baby unit
A COUPLE from Barton have raised £300 to help poorly babies at Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital thanks to their annual Christmas lights display. Martin and Debbie Scarrott, who live in North Way, raised the cash for SSNAP, the charity which supports
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FOOTBALL: Yearwood scores four but Florence are beaten
JEREMIAH Yearwood hit a four-timer for Florence Park but ended up on the losing team as Headington Youth continued their good form with a 6-4 win in the Oxford Mail Youth Under 14 B League, writes PAUL LYON. Harry Wheeldon (2), Bradley Cox, Ben
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Five stars for the top team at hospital’s League of Friends cafe
A HOSPITAL cafe which caters for more than 300 patients and staff every day has praised the food hygiene rating system after being awarded five stars. The League of Friends cafe in the John Radcliffe’s West Wing is run by more than 50 volunteers
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Controversial £14.8m hospital pipeline plans deemed "invalid" as council may not own land
PLANS for a controversial heating pipe in Headington have been declared “invalid” by Oxford City Council after being blasted as “unlawful” by local residents. Comments on the application for the £14.8m scheme to connect the John Radcliffe and Churchill
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Choral concert ends month-long project to tackle loneliness
A CHORAL spectacular at the Sheldonian Theatre will form the culmination of a month-long project by Age UK Oxfordshire to tackle loneliness. The Voyage, a full-length choral work based on poems about loneliness by Oxfordshire composer Bob Chilcott
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Vital services still under threat as £15m black hole remains following budget agreement
MILLIONS of pounds of cuts to council services were agreed last night, but a “black hole” of more than £15m in county finances was still not addressed. An emotionally-charged meeting of Oxfordshire County Council saw councillors stop midway through