Archive
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Huge boost in funding will provide Oxford University with futuristic science and engineering
SUPERFAST computers and driverless cars which put Oxford at the forefront of British science are among the projects set to benefit from £204m of new funding. Universities and Science Minister Jo Johnson announced the investment yesterday at Oxford
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Early recollections of school life paint picture of education in a bygone age
WHEN Mike Brogden started school, he thought his teacher was called Miss Smell. It was in fact Miss Snell. And when Miss Snell told pupils to say “present” when she called the register, he sat back and waited in vain all day for – yes, you’ve guessed
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When private fire brigades put on exciting public shows
OXFORD once had numerous private fire brigades attached to factories, hospitals and university buildings. They were manned by employees who would down tools and rush to the scene of a fire or other emergency as soon as the alarm sounded. Their
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Workers played on a Thursday
THE Oxfordshire Thursday Football League provided sport for those who, because of work and other commitments, couldn’t play on Saturdays.Among the teams were Oxford Post Office, pictured when they reached the Tee Bee Cup final against Old Corinthians
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Mailbag: Fine reminder of football side
A FRIEND sent me a cutting of the picture of Blackwell’s football team in the 1960s (Memory Lane, January 25).My brother was Ken Rose who moved to the Isle of Man in the late 1960s and died aged 65 in 2009.The picture brought back a pleasant memory.DAVID
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Mailbag: Legion of times gone by
I ENCLOSE a picture of British Legion members from Wootton village taken in about 1950.In the front row, left to right, are Molly Boswell, Bill Boswell, Charlie Cumming, Vicky Cumming, Elsie Cumming, Ina Beattie, George Beattie, George Percival, Mrs Nureton
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When private fire brigades put on exciting public shows
OXFORD once had numerous private fire brigades attached to factories, hospitals and university buildings.They were manned by employees who would down tools and rush to the scene of a fire or other emergency as soon as the alarm sounded.Their quick intervention
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New wheels for elderly and disabled residents
ELDERLY and disabled people had a new form of transport in the shape of a Red Cross ambulance.The second-hand vehicle was given to the Charlbury Red Cross group in 1985 on permanent loan from their colleagues at Henley who did not need it.Charlbury group
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Young quintet that took the local music scene by storm
THE Alphabeats were one of the bands which were hugely popular at local gigs. The quintet – a trainee salesman, two apprentice plumbers, an apprentice draughtsman and an oar maker – provided the music for hundreds of youngsters to dance the night
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Fancy dress competition at school carnival
JOAN Kitchen, five, appeared as a doll in a box in the fancy dress competition at St Aloysius School carnival in Oxford.The carnival, organised by headmaster Anthony Gariff and art teacher Teresa Broad, was held annually at the school in St Margaret’s
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Churchyard proves perfect setting for operatic promo
A CHURCHYARD proved the ideal setting to bring Wantage Operatic Society’s 1985 production to life.Four members of the cast – from top, Lynn Banks, Brenda Brown, Kerry John and Kath Watson – chose the tombstones around Wantage parish church for an impromptu
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Voters take to booths to elect school council
VOTING was taken seriously at John Mason High School at Abingdon.Polling booths and ballot boxes were installed and tellers sworn to secrecy were appointed as pupils elected their representatives to the school council.An official from Abingdon Borough
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Woodstock Women's Institute celebrates 50 years
WOMEN’S Institutes have just completed a year of centenary celebrations, but this event marked the movement’s half century.Members of Woodstock WI were enjoying a jubilee year harvest supper in 1965.Their latest project at that time was a meals on wheels
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Early recollections of school life paint picture of education in a bygone age
WHEN Mike Brogden started school, he thought his teacher was called Miss Smell. It was in fact Miss Snell.And when Miss Snell told pupils to say “present” when she called the register, he sat back and waited in vain all day for – yes, you’ve guessed it
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Young quintet that took the local music scene by storm
THE Alphabeats were one of the bands which were hugely popular at local gigs.The quintet – a trainee salesman, two apprentice plumbers, an apprentice draughtsman and an oar maker - provided the music for hundreds of youngsters to dance the night away
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Huge plumes of black smoke seen across Oxfordshire following barn fire near Thame
A fire has broken out at a barn in Shabbington, near Thame, this afternoon. Twitter users posted pictures of large clouds of black smoke billowing from the building, located between Crendon Road in Shabbington and Sheldon Road in Ickford. The
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MG police car from 1938 to be auctioned for £24,000+
A 1938 MG police car is set to fetch more than £24,000 at auction next month. The 78-year-old MG TA, once used to shuttle around the boys in blue and likely to have beeen made at the firm's old factory in Abingdon, will be sold at Historics at
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Review: Brushstrokes in Time by Sylvia Vetta
Jan Lee embarks on a journey through time to discover issues people faced in China in the 60s Little Winter’s story begins in Beijing 1962, four years before Chairman Mao launched the Cultural Revolution, in this novel by Oxfordshire Limited Edition
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Oxford United players to appear on TV's Nick Kicks again
OXFORD United fans will see some of their favourite players get a bit of custard pie treatment this weekend. U’s stars Kemar Roofe, Chey Dunkley, Johnny Mullins and Freddie Grant appear on children’s TV channel Nicktoons on Saturday as part of
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Kemar Roofe in line for Oxford United return as Jake Wright also rejoins training
KEMAR Roofe and Jake Wright were due to return o training today, although only one of them is likely to feature in Oxford United's game with York City tomorrow night. Top scorer Roofe has sat out the last two games to rest a minor groin injury
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Monday’s letters: What are your fellow readers writing in about today?
Want to give your opinion? Email letters@oxfordmail.co.uk
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Pedstrians step up campaign over 'nightmare' Hinksey footbridge
A MOTHER struggling to carry her daughter and buggy up a steep footbridge has joined residents campaigning to make it accessible for all. With her one-year-old niece in a backpack and two-year-old daughter in the pushchair, Katherine Palles-Dimmock
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Dead baby found off footpath in Oxford
A BABY's body was found dumped off a footpath in Marston, Oxford this morning. Thames Valley Police officers are at the scene investigating, after being called out at 9.20am to Edgeway Road. A scene watch is currently in place in the area while
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Jonjoe Kenny extends loan at Oxford United from Everton
JONJOE Kenny will stay at Oxford United for another month after agreeing an extenstion to his loan from Everton. The full back, who turns 19 in March, has made eight appearances since joining in January after MK Dons recalled George Baldock.
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U’s fan to miss Wembley trip for epic sporting adventure
OXFORD United fan Simon Parker is delighted the season so far is going swimmingly for the Yellows. But he is gutted he will miss their big game at Wembley as he will be in the middle of the Pacific Ocean at the time, about 8,000 miles from the
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Country roads ‘are no longer safe’ for horses and cyclists
ROADWORKS in North Oxford are turning winding country roads into busy A roads not safe for horses or cyclists, it has been claimed. Work on the Cutteslowe and Wolvercote roundabouts has led to cars using roads between Elsfield, Woodeaton and Beckley
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Oxford United fans' chat
1:03pm That's your lot for today, many thanks as always for your thoughts. We'll be back with updates from
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Suggestion for improving disabled parking
WITH reference to the parking debate for Witney (which we knew nothing about!) I would not say it is a joke, but certainly could be improved upon. Before I had a blue badge, my husband often had difficulty finding a space in the Woolgate car park
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We should embrace the EU with open arms
I FIND the current discussions regarding this country’s EU membership just a little perplexing. We joined the common market after electing a Conservative government which promised (presumably) to do just that. We then elected a coalition which
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A memorial to those who died in Spanish Civil War
OXFORD, unlike other nearby towns such as Reading, still does not have a memorial to commemorate those who fought against tyranny by volunteering to join the International Brigade in the Spanish Civil War. Oxford has an honourable place in the
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It’s so easy to pull the wool over their eyes
NIGEL Bridle’s scaremongering with regard to the UK leaving the EU is complete nonsense (Letters, February 11). He says we would be swamped with asylum seekers from migrant camps in France. Before 1980 when illegal immigrants were caught in the
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They’re giving our island away without a fight
COULD someone please tell me why David Cameron is trying to scare us out of the dire consequences if we leave the EU? What did we do before we got involved with them? Every Prime Minister after Margaret Thatcher – especially David Cameron – is
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Does the BBC only cater for football fans?
HAS the BBC lost the plot? Surely it should treat all licence payers the same. It’s great if you’re a football fan, but I am not. I am a fan of horse racing but I get not a mention. As the BBC seems to be showing more and more football, can
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Nominate projects for National Lottery awards
WE WOULD love to hear from your readers about local National Lottery-funded projects that deserve national recognition for their work. The National Lottery Awards, the annual celebration of the UK’s favourite Lottery-funded projects, shine a light
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To axe county council is just act of revenge by Cameron
A PLAN has appeared – seemingly from nowhere and yet backed by the Right Hon. Member for Witney – in which Oxfordshire County Council's abolition was proposed.Coming so soon after the Prime Minister was embarrassed by the Conservative leader of the county
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Crackdown on illegal mooring proposed using PSPO
NEW rules to crack down on illegal mooring and anti-social behaviour along Oxford's waterways could be brought into force. Oxford City Council has proposed a new public spaces protection order (PSPO) covering the River Thames, the Cherwell and
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Scales of Justice - Oxford Magistrates' Court hearings and verdicts
BANBURY MAGISTRATES Jonathan Boyce, 46, of Lapsley Drive, Banbury, admitted pursuing a course of conduct that amounted to harassing Paula Munday by sending unwanted parcels and texts and caused damage to her vehicle between December 6 and
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Dance with another man saw woman attacked by her lover
A 21-YEAR-OLD man who shoved his girlfriend against a city centre bridge after getting “upset” because she danced with another man has been fined £600. Tommy Stapleton, of Ivy Close, Harwell, Didcot, was also ordered to pay £450 costs after admitting
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Family "lucky to escape serious injury" after food caught on fire
A WOMAN who neglected to watch her food as it cooked was "lucky to escape serious injury" after it caught on fire. Crews of fire fighters tackled the blaze at a house in Ridgefield Road in Cowley early on Saturday evening. The family fled the
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Oscar-winning movie composer Ennio Morricone to star at Blenheim Palace
OSCAR-winning film composer Ennio Morricone, who took the Academy Award for ‘Best Original Score’ at last night’s ceremony, is to play a concert at Blenheim Palace, it has been revealed this morning. The Italian, who picked up the accolade for
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UPDATE: All lanes back open after broken down lorry slows traffic on M40 near Wendlebury
TRAFFIC was held up earlier today after a lorry broke down on an M40 slip road near Wendlebury. A southbound lane was blocked on the road towards the A41 (Bicester) but has now re-opened and the lorry has been removed. Traffic was queuing for
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Appleton delighted with pre-match plan as United grind out vital victory over Wimbledon
MICHAEL Appleton was delighted after his pre-match plan worked a treat as Oxford United ground out a precious victory at AFC Wimbledon on Saturday. On a tricky playing surface the game was played at a furious pace and the U’s had to withstand plenty
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Government backs plan for 'unitary councils'
THE government has said it will consider new proposals to abolish Oxfordshire County Council and hand its duties to new "unitary councils". Under plans revealed on Thursday by Oxfordshire’s four district councils and Oxford City Council, four new
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COMMENT: Colin’s kindness is an inspirational act
CONGRATULATIONS to Colin Dobson for offering to take war veteran Sam Langford to pick up his Legion d’honneur for free. We all buy a poppy and observe a minute’s silence on Armistice Day, but we must remember not just those who lost their lives
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Dancin' Oxford festival lights up the city's streets
CROWDS of curious onlookers clapped along to a diverse dancing display that decorated the streets of Oxford. Dancin’ Oxford celebrated its 10th anniversary at the weekend, hosting dance troupes in Bonn Square on Saturday. Director Claire Thompson
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COMMENT: The survival of service should not depend on television show
IT COMES to something when the fate of a vital service for hundreds of children comes down to a TV show. While in the past individuals have competed for cash in front of the cameras in shows such as Who Wants to be a Millionaire, the government
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Lib Dems threaten to to leave children's centre working group
COUNCILLORS locked horns when an opposition party threatened to withdraw from a children’s centre panel. During an impassioned meeting, the county’s Liberal Democrat leader Richard Webber warned his party could pull out from the cabinet advisory
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Five things to do to make the most of your Leap Day
IT is a day which only comes round once every four years. February 29 - also known as Leap Day - is an extra day gifted to the world's population which aligns the calendar with the Sun's position in space. One solar year is a smidgen more
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War veteran has earned a free ride to collect D-Day medal
SUITED up in military finery, war veteran Sam Langford has earned a free ride to collect his D-Day medal. The decorated former soldier, 93, will receive the Legion d’honneur on Tuesday for his fight against the Germans. Wantage-born Mr Langford
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Ruffels so happy to be back in the thick of it
PLAYING well in a tough victory on a first appearance in almost three months was just perfect for Oxford United midfielder Josh Ruffels. An injury to John Lundstram opened the door for the 22-year-old, who had not featured in a competitive game since
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FOOTBALL: Ten-man Kidlington Wembley dreams dashed in replay loss
KIDLINGTON’S Wembley dream is over after they went down 4-0 at home to Bowers & Pitsea in their FA Vase quarter-final replay. The dismissal of Lewis Gabbidon early in the second half proved to be their downfall. James Stevens had put them
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Don’t miss first deadline for business awards
MORE than 200 firms have come forward to take part in the 2016 Oxfordshire Business Awards. The awards were officially launched in December at sponsor Inchcape Mercedes-Benz’s showroom, in Langford Lane, Kidlington. Among those who have entered
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Grass verges in Blackbird Leys 'are being turned into a muddy bog'
GREEN spots throughout Blackbird Leys risk being turned into a “muddy bog” by selfish drivers parking on grass instead of the road, councillors say. In recent months verges around the estate in places such as Pegasus Road, Cuddesdon Way, Merlin
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FOOTBALL: Battling City earn a point but winless run goes on
A DEPLETED Oxford City played out a goalless draw at play-off rivals Gosport Borough in Vanarama National League South. The stalemate extended their winless run to seven games and keeps City five points adrift of the play-offs. Despite being
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'Nuisance' Hylton hails massive win
OXFORD United goalscorer Danny Hylton relished being a thorn in AFC Wimbledon’s side after being told to go out and be a nuisance to the home side. The forward opened the scoring with his tenth goal of the season early in the game, but contributed
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Heavy traffic through Islip following light failure
TRAFFIC lights have failed in Islip, causing a heavy stream of congestion into and out of the village. The lights on Wheatley Road at Islip bridge are stuck on red, causing slow traffic both ways. The route has become popular with commuters
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Oxford Road reopens after crash in Abingdon
A CRASH which sparked the partial closure of Oxford Road in Abingdon has been cleared. The road was closed both ways between the A34 (Abingdon North) and the roundabout with Twelve Acre Drive and Dunmore Road, but has since reopened. David
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FOOTBALL: Barcelos and Johnson fire Puritans to top
FELIPE Barcelos and Ricky Johnson scored as Banbury United beat leaders Winchester City 2-1 to go top of the table. The Puritans are now a point clear in Evo-Stik Southern League Division 1 South & West. Banbury took the lead on 25 minutes
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Road reopens in Frilford after car crashes and ruptures gas pipe
A CAR crashed into a building this morning and ruptured a gas pipe. Frilford Road (the A415) was closed both ways, between the A338 Frilford Crossroads and Howard Cornish Road, but has since reopened. At about 5am the car smashed through a
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ATHLETICS: Brilliant Hannah rules in Sheffield
HANNAH England could not hide her delight at winning 1,500m gold for the first time at the British Indoor Championships in Sheffield, writes STUART WEIR. The Oxford City runner won in 4mins 15.44secs, building on her strong performance at last
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Mum overdosed on crack and heroin while grieving for son
A GRIEVING mum overdosed on crack and heroin after hearing the news her son had been stabbed to death by his hairdresser girlfriend. Joanne Guy, 44, from Kidlington, had been clean for two years when she embarked on a two-day binge a week after
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Oxfordshire hospital wards under-staffed 'due to high cost of living'
THE high cost of living in Oxfordshire is leaving health bosses struggling to fully staff mental health and community hospital wards. Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust has failed to fully staff seven of its mental health and community hospital
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WEEKEND RESULTS: February 27-28
SKY BET LEAGUE TWO AFC Wimbledon 1, Oxford Utd 2. VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE SOUTH Gosport Borough 0, Oxford City 0. FA VASE Quarter-final replay: Kidlington 0, Bowers & Pitsea 4. EVO-STIK SOUTHERN LEAGUE Div 1 South
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Leap year birthday boy finally marks his 18th after 72 years
FOR most 72-year-olds their 18th birthday seems like a lifetime ago but one retired police inspector has had to wait a long time for his. John Wheeler from Kidlington is finally enjoying his coming of age as a leap year baby with family and friends
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Prostate cancer survivor urges men to go for blood test which could be a lifesaver
A PROSTATE cancer survivor is urging men to know the symptoms and make sure they are not at risk. German teacher John Grundy was diagnosed with prostate cancer six years ago after he noticed he was having urinary tract problems. Now retired
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One day left for flood channel consultation
OXFORDSHIRE residents have one more day to respond to a public consultation on the £120m flood alleviation channel being planned for Oxford. People can give their feedback on the Environment Agency’s first plans for the scheme online or via email
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TV competition could be last lifeline to save Dovecote Project from closing
AN UNDER-THREAT centre for hundreds of young children is having to put its survival in the public’s hands today. The Dovecote Project offers after-school activities, play schemes and parental support to children in Blackbird Leys and Greater Leys