Archive

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The best time to buy (and carve) your pumpkin so it stays spooky for Halloween

A supermarket expert has revealed the best time to both buy your Halloween pumpkin and when you should carve it so it stays fresh for when the spooky day arrives.  Over 17 million pumpkins are estimated to be bought every year in the UK for delicious

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Bosses 'in crisis talks' to save This Morning brand after Holly Willoughby exit

ITV bosses are reportedly in "crisis talks" after the departure of Holly Willoughby from This Morning. The news comes four months after Philip Schofield exited the show and weeks after it failed to secure a National Television Award for the first

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Household bills could rise to support struggling energy suppliers, Ofgem warns

Ofgem, Britain’s energy watchdog, is considering a one-off increase to the energy price cap to help prevent energy suppliers from going bust. The industry regulator could potentially hike the cost of the cap by £17 a year to support companies facing

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Government considering total ban on disposable vapes amid consultation launch

A consultation document has been published as government ministers seek views on how to lessen the appeal of vapes among children amid a "worrying rise". Among the options being considered is the complete ban on disposable vapes and restrictions

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Why Rishi Sunak is deploying British armed forces to Israel

Rishi Sunak has announced that Royal Navy vessels and surveillance aircraft are being sent to the eastern Mediterranean to support Israel. The prime minister said the British armed forces being deployed would “support efforts to ensure regional

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Reports of bomb disposal squads heading to Stansted after RAF intercepts flight

A PLANE had to be intercepted by RAF pilots and ordered to land at Stansted Airport after fears it had been “hijacked”, according to a passenger on the flight. Emergency services rushed to Stansted Airport at about 3.30pm on Thursday after a Kenya

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Orchestral-pop band bring uplifting music to Oxford church gig

ENGAGING, expansive and emotive, The Irrepressibles craft beautiful music to move the soul and fire the imagination. The orchestral-pop collective blend strings, keys, woodwind and percussion to conjure up deeply thoughtful and often ecstatic tunes

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Police hunt for prisoner on the run from jail

Police are hunting for an escaped prisoner who may be in Oxfordshire. Gary Hopes escaped from HMP Leyhill in South Gloucestershire on Wednesday (October 11). He has links to Banbury and Aylesbury. Hopes is 5ft 8in tall and was last seen

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No homicide arrests after death of woman involved in 'horror crash'

A CORONER has confirmed that there have been no homicide arrests following the death of a woman involved in a crash on the motorway near Beaconsfield. Alisha Saeed, 23, from Croydon, died after a crash on the M40 motorway on Monday, May 22, which

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Flag flown at half-mast as city council 'unequivocally condemn Hamas' actions'

Oxford City Council has been flying its City flag at half-mast over the Town Hall this week. The council said it was "a mark of respect following the horrific violence that Hamas perpetrated on Israel over the weekend". Susan Brown, leader

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'They are acting like dictators': Florence Pugh's dad puts up another anti-LTN sign

A restaurateur has compared councillors to “dictators” in a new banner which he installed outside his business today (Thursday, October 12). Clinton Pugh put up the sign outside Cafe Coco to protest the East Oxford Low Traffic Neighbourhoods which

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Hundreds turn out for protest over Israel-Hamas war

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Pizzeria wins Best Street Food category at national awards

An Oxfordshire pizzeria has won a national award at an event held in Birmingham this week.  Patrons Pizza in the heart of Thame picked up the award in the Best Street Food category at the Food Awards England 2023 on Monday (October 9). The

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Barton United team gets a new kit sponsor

Barton United under nines team has been given a boost after getting new kit, thanks to the Oxford Bus Company. The boys’ team, known as ‘The Warriors’ will look the part this season, in its distinctive red and black striped shirts, sponsored by

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Prince Harry and Meghan condemn ‘all acts of terrorism’ in Israel-Hamas war

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, have appeared to not take sides in the Israel-Gaza war by condemning "all terrorism and brutality". It comes a day after King Charles condemned Hamas attacks as “barbaric acts of terrorism

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Oxford named happiest city in UK

Oxford has been named the happiest city in the UK. According to research by the savings platform Raisin UK, Oxford is home to the happiest people across the United Kingdom. The study used recent ONS personal well-being reports to measure categories

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Oxford Food Hub partners with influencer and model for half marathon

Oxford Food Hub has announced model and influencer, Addis Miller, as their ambassador in the upcoming Oxford Half Marathon this Sunday. On Sunday (October 15), 22 runners will take to the streets of Oxford to raise money for Oxford Food Hub.

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Murdered girl's Israeli father 'wished for her death' in heartbreaking interview

An Israeli father who tragically lost his daughter in the Israel-Gaza war has explained how her death was "the best news of the possibilities" in a heartwrenching interview. Interviewed by American broadcaster CNN, Mr Hand broke down in tears as

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Man arrested after woman 'punched in face' outside Travelodge

Police have made an arrest in connection with an incident which involved a woman being punched in the face outside an Oxford hotel. The incident happened after a woman in her 30s was punched in the face outside the Travelodge on Abingdon Road at

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Optician warns against TikTok trend that could 'damage' eyesight

TikTok users often see videos become viral and start trends but these trends aren’t always safe. An optometrist is warning users against trying one trend called ‘sungazing’ as it could actually cause damage to a person’s eyesight. But what

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Captain Tom's daughter admits to pocketing £800k from book sales after his death

Captain Tom's daughter Hannah Ingram-Moore has confessed to pocketing £800,000 from three books written by the veteran. She claimed that her father, born in Keighley, wanted her to keep the profits from the books when talking with Piers Morgan.

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Away clash at Reading rearranged for December

OXFORD United’s Sky Bet League One clash away at Reading has been rearranged for Tuesday, December 12. The fixture will be an 8pm kick-off, after the initial meeting – scheduled for this weekend – was postponed due to international call-ups.

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Oxfordshire restaurant handed new four star rating

An Oxfordshire has been handed a new food hygiene rating after a recent inspection. Five Little Pigs, a restaurant in Wallingford, was given a four-out-of-five rating by the Food Standards Agency. The Food Standards Agency visited the restaurant

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UK Government sorts flights for stranded Brits in Israel as conflict intensifies

The UK Government has organised flights for British nationals stranded in Israel as the conflict with Hamas in Gaza intensifies. The news was announced by the Foreign Office, with the first flight set to leave Tel Aviv on Thursday. This comes

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Thames Valley Police detective named national investigator of the year

A Thames Valley Police officer has received the national investigator of the year award. Detective Chief Inspector Laura Corscadden was awarded the accolade on Wednesday (October 11) by the Police Federation of England and Wales.   The force

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Number plate recognition approved at busy city roundabout to stop illegal turn

Oxford’s highways chief has approved plans to install automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras at one of the city's busiest roundabouts. At a meeting this morning (Thursday, October 12), Andrew Gant agreed to bring in the technology at

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AI-driven software could revolutionise brain aneurysm treatment

A software platform created powered by artificial intelligence (AI) could revolutionise the way brain aneurysms are treated. It comes after a study found the programme – known as PreSize – was more accurate in predicting the placement of a stent

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Cat and her 9-week old kitten found in taped up banana box in Oxfordshire

A young mother and her nine-week-old kitten were found dumped outside a charity’s rehoming centre in a taped-up banana box. The pair were covered in fleas when the team at Blue Cross in Burford opened the box. The team named the mother Chiquita

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Closure of Oxfordshire Homebase store confirmed

DIY and garden chain Homebase has announced it will close one of its Oxfordshire stores next month. Homebase bosses have confirmed that their store on Southam Road in Banbury will shut in November. An exact closing date is yet to be announced

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Cleared on Thursday, in prison on Wednesday

A knifeman was cleared of affray on a Thursday, got work on the Monday before being jailed on Wednesday. Hasan Zubair was cleared by an Oxford jury at the end of September of fronting up to another young man outside his home in Banbury, claiming

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Oxford school wins school of the year accolade at national awards

An Oxford school has been named the independent girls’ school of the year. Oxford High School picked up the accolade at the Independent School of the Year awards in London on Tuesday (October 10). Headteacher Marina Gardiner Legge attended

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Councillors to hold crunch talks over SEND services at meeting tomorrow

Councillors will discuss ways to improve the county’s special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) services at an extraordinary meeting tomorrow (Friday, October 13). Oxfordshire County Council will hold crunch talks at County Hall at 10am

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EuroMillions winner reveals he spent his £108m fortune renovating 'dream estate'

What would you do if you won the EuroMillions? Well, one lucky winner has revealed exactly what he put his winning fortune towards as he works hard to renovate his 'dream estate'. In 2014, Neil Trotter used part of his £108 million jackpot

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DWP reveal 56 health conditions that could guarantee you an extra £407 a month

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is offering financial help to Brits with certain health conditions. Those who are eligible could receive a monthly boost of £407. In England, two main types of disability benefits are available to people

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'Arrogant bully' from Milton Keynes jailed for headbutting ex-wife in Bicester

An ‘arrogant bully’ who headbutted his ex-wife has been jailed. Milton Keynes man Bernard La Pierre, 55, had travelled to the woman’s home in Bicester from where he lived on May 1 last year. An assault on another individual, who cannot be named

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Concerns growing for missing 'vulnerable' woman last seen five days ago

Concerns are growing for a missing Oxford woman who was last seen in London five days ago. Penny was last seen on Saturday (October 7) and is described by police as "vulnerable". Police have released an image of Penny and are urging anyone

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Thames Valley Police officer named national roads policing officer of the year

A Thames Valley Police officer has been recognised as the national roads policing officer of the year. Inspector Simon Hills picked up the award from the Police Federation of England and Wales on Wednesday (October 11). Mr Hills initiated Operation

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Teletubbies sun baby announces pregnancy and millenials can't quite believe it

Jessica Smith, who played the sun baby in Teletubbies, has announced she’s pregnant with her first child and 90's kids can't quite believe it. The Teletubbies, starring Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Laa-Laa and Po, was originally created by Anne Wood and

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'Fascinating' excavation at former RAF base reveals hidden past

Archaeologists have excavated an experimental World War Two catapult that was designed to launch bomber planes into the sky. A team from the Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA) unearthed the proto-type Royal Aircraft Establishment Mark III Catapult

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Greyhound on parade at stadium in support of rehoming charity

A retired greyhound and her owners who were at the forefront of the successful Save Oxford Stadium campaign will return to the track to raise funds for a homing charity. Dash, aka Walnut Dash, retired from racing in 2013 after recording six wins

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First-ever Vegan Fiesta to sell street food, vegan bakes and handcrafted gifts

Witney is to hold its first-ever Vegan Fiesta selling a range of street food, vegan bakes, handcrafted and artisan gifts. There will be over 20 stalls at Marriotts Walk Shopping Centre offering delicious French patisserie, handmade jewellery, unique

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Oxfordshire to be hit by heavy rain as weather warning issued

A yellow weather warning has been issued for Oxfordshire with heavy rain expected to hit this week.  The Met Office issued a yellow weather warning with heavy rain forecast likely to cause disruption to travel and flooding. The heavy rain warning

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Major delays on A34 due to crash

10:04am 🚨UPDATE The #A4185 Westbound approach to #Harwell near the #Chilton Interchange on the #A34, is

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Bathroom bedbug warning to all Brits after recent report finds dirty details

With the recent outbreak of bedbugs being found in Paris, reports have suggested that the UK could see similar scenes soon. As a result, experts are saying now is more important than ever to wash your sheets and towels thoroughly. Recent reports

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Watch the viral Palestinian rapper MC Abdul who sings about Israel conflict

A young Palestinian rapper called MC Abdul has recently gone viral for his collection of emotive songs concerning the Israel and Hamas conflict. His music frequently centres on the plight of his compatriots and has written a number of hit songs

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Warning for pubgoers as climate change linked to bad tasting beer in near future

The taste of beer could be made worse in the near future due to the effects of climate change, scientists have warned. A new study reveals that the quantity of European hops, which gives beer its distinctive bitter taste, is declining. Summers

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Two arrested for 'drug crimes' after cuckooing reports

Two people have been arrested on suspicion of drug supply offences in West Oxfordshire. Officers were called to an address on Gregory Place in Witney on Tuesday (October 10) following reports a person was being cuckooed. Cuckooing is described

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Rise in number of road casualties in Oxfordshire

There were more road casualties reported in Oxfordshire last year, new figures show. The RAC Foundation said the increase in casualties across Britain is a reminder that more work needs to be done to improve road safety. Figures from the Department

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Police find sawn-off shotgun in cannabis grower's airing cupboard

A cannabis grower who had a sawn-off shotgun hidden beneath a pile of socks in his airing cupboard ‘panicked’ and burned his plants after a visit from the police. Michael Lawson’s back garden bonfire came after police officers investigating drug

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Oxfordshire MP of Palestinian heritage speaks out over 'huge tragedy' in Middle East

MP Layla Moran revealed that her family were separated, with some in Israel and others in Palestine, as she spoke about the ‘huge tragedy’ unfolding in the Middle East. The Oxford West and Abingdon representative became the first MP of Palestinian

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Three extra apartments could be built in retirement complex

Plans to expand a Bicester retirement home have been hit with parking and safety objections from residents and the town council.  An application has been submitted to Cherwell District Council’s planning portal and, if approved, would see three

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Oxford City hope to get most of squad back after training with nine players

ROSS Jenkins is hopeful of getting the majority of his squad back training today after having just nine available earlier in the week. Oxford City trained on Tuesday night with eight first team players and a 17-year-old, such is the raft of minor

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Huge billboard installed with face of last place marathon finisher

The face of a man who finished last in the London Marathon has been plastered over a town billboard. Sports brand ASICS recruited Banbury transport manager, Tom Durnin, 35, as a new campaign ambassador. The initiative was launched by the brand

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Pedestrians call for wider walkway at Botley Road rail bridge

Residents have asked Network Rail bosses to provide a wider walkway at the Botley Road rail bridge. The busy road is currently closed to traffic at the rail bridge as the rail authority works on a £160m upgrade to Oxford station which includes

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Jericho is hosting its own Oktoberfest

The latest gathering at a community space in Jericho is being held at the weekend. A series of Lazy Saturday and Lazy Sunday events have been staged in Mount Place, and the latest one - an Oktoberfest - is happing on Saturday. Mount Place is

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U’s CEO says proposed stadium will ‘set the benchmark’ for others in the country

OXFORD United’s proposed new stadium at The Triangle will ‘set the benchmark’ for other grounds in the country, the club’s chief executive has said. United are looking to build a 16,000-capacity venue south of Kidlington Roundabout, with the club

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'Unconscious' man died after falling down stairs

A man died in hospital after falling down stairs at his home, a coroner’s court heard. Retired assembly line fitter Raymond Haycroft, 83, was said to have fallen unconscious after the fall at his home in Didcot. An ambulance was called and

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Volunteer soldier killed while fighting in Ukraine, coroner hears

A volunteer soldier died in a Russian bombardment while fighting in Ukraine, Oxford Coroner’s Court heard. Samuel Newey, 22, from Solihull, had travelled to the eastern European nation last year around six months after the invasion by Russia.

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Councillor's efforts to protect court boosted after potential buying offer

A councillor who is trying to prevent an old magistrates’ court from being converted into flats has been contacted by a company interested in purchasing the site. District councillor for Bicester West Les Sibley said he has been contacted by a

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Missed hospital appointment despair due to Royal Mail delays

Householders in Bicester are becoming frustrated over delays and long waits for post from Royal Mail. A number of eager would-be recipients of letters and parcels in the town, including a councillor, have taken to social media to air their grievances

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‘Stadium is striking and modern, and will provide great viewing areas for all fans’

SOME members of Oxford United Supporters’ Panel attended the launch of the stadium plans on Monday. Colin O’Toole shares his initial reaction. The plans for the new stadium seem very well considered in that they are very applicable to both the

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Traders hit back after controversial LTNs recommended for approval

East Oxford business owners fear for their trade after councillors were advised to make the controversial low traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs) in the area permanent Oxfordshire County Council officers have recommended that the trial LTNs in Divinity