Archive

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Size isn't everything

Anyone watching David Lynch's latest head-trip, Inland Empire, may at times find themselves distracted and quite possibly physically uncomfortable. Now this isn't just because it contains a sinister rabbit sitcom, dancing prostitutes and the usual dramatic

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Vandals target Rollright Stones

CONSERVATIONISTS are considering using CCTV to protect the Rollright Stones following the latest vandal attack. Police said a symbol, which is believed to be a pagan swastika, was drawn in black marker pen on the information notice boards on the hut

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Vandals target Rollright Stones

Conservationists are considering using CCTV to protect Oxfordshire's Rollright Stones following the latest vandal attack. At the weekend, vandals daubed swastikas on the warden's hut at the ancient stones near Chipping Norton. They set fire to a stone

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Motorists still drinking and driving

Motorists are still drinking and driving - despite a summer crackdown by police. Officers tested 349 drivers in August and 52 tested positive for alcohol. In the same period, police tested 17 drivers suspected to be under the influence of drugs and

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Four arrested over muggings

Three teenagers and a 21-year-old man have been arrested after a spate of robberies. The arrests were made after three attacks on the towpath between Sandford Lock and Donnington Bridge. On Friday, a gang attacked a 31-year-old jogger with pieces

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Paedophile pointed camera at children

A paedophile from Didcot caught looking at children on a beach through his camera has been given a three-year community supervision order. Ian Davidson, of Tamar Way, Ladygrove, aroused suspicion when he was spotted pointing his camera at children playing

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Super School opens its doors

A 'super-school' has officially opened its doors after a six-year project which saw its headteacher travel abroad to get ideas for its design. Elms Road Nursery, in Botley, and Botley Primary School have joined forces and share purpose-built premises

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Crumbling roads need repairs

Residents are demanding that Oxford City Council repair crumbling roads near their homes. Steve Head and Nicholas Lee contacted the Oxford Mail after our story highlighting the backlog of road repairs across Oxford. Mr Head, of Collinwood Road, in

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Flats decision delayed

Littlemore residents face a delay of at least one month for a decision about two controversial blocks of flats. Developer Persimmon Homes wants to build 72 flats at the site of the former Mabel Pritchard School and St Nicholas House in St Nicholas Road

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Man remanded over stabbing

Craig Ballantyne, 19, of Primrose Place, Greater Leys, charged with wounding with intent after a man was stabbed outside the Royal Standard pub, Headington, was remanded in custody by magistrates. The injured man remains in a stable condition in the

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Man remanded over attack

A 32-year-old man arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a 30-year-old was found with serious head injuries on a driveway in Margaret Road, Adderbury, was bailed until October 5.

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Raider holds up garage

A robber held up a garage armed with a brick and a hammer. The masked robber - possibly a teenager - stole an undisclosed amount of money from Rectory Garage, in Station Road, on Saturday at about 10.20pm, after banging the counter with the hammer and

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Man appears in court over stabbing

A man arrested after a stabbing outside an Oxford pub has been remanded in custody. Craig Ballantyne, 19, of Primrose Place, Greater Leys, appeared at Oxford Magistrates' Court today charged with wounding with intent. He was remanded in custody to appear

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Pig farm faces chop

A WEST Oxfordshire pig farmer has sent her last batch of sows to the abattoir because she can no longer make pork pay. Mother-of-two Louise Davidson, 50, of Oathill Farm, near Enstone, took over the running of the farm and 700 pigs in her late 20s.

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Man remanded on wounding charge

A MAN was remanded in custody today after appearing at Oxford Magistrates' Court charged with wounding with intent. Craig Ballantyne, 19, of Primrose Place, Oxford, will next appear at Oxford Crown Court on Monday, September 17. Police said the

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Double triumph for RJN

RJN Motorsport, of Denchworth, enjoyed a double finish for their pair of Nissan 350Zs at the Britcar 24 hours of Silverstone. The GT4 350Z with a top driver line-up of Anthony Reid, Kurt Thiim and Alex Buncombe joined by journalist Owen Mildenhall battled

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Phone call clears patients for surgery

Day surgery patients at an Oxford hospital are being cleared for their operations with a telephone check-up. Most people visit a consultant for a medical assessment to ensure they are fit for their procedure, during an appointment called a pre-op.

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Play area report delayed

The future of a kickabout area in Crescent Road, Cowley, remains up in the air after a report was delayed. Members of Oxford City Council's Cowley area committee were due to consider a report on long-term options for the area, which has been plagued

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Ins and outs of Internet maps

I needed to get from East Oxford to a gig in Chalk Farm on a Friday evening, to arrive at about 7pm. Both the train and the buses drop you near Edgeware Road, so I looked on the Transport for London website for the quickest mode, coming back the following

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Becky's Ball: I fear I may have let down my murdered sister

AN OXFORDSHIRE man has spoken of his fear that he will fail his murdered sister if he has to cancel a charity ball in her name. Richard McGlone wants to raise £50,000 in memory of nursery nurse Becky McGlone, who was strangled two years ago by her former

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Bikers roar in for rally

Hundreds of bikers descended on Cornbury Park for a massive rally for disabled riders at the weekend. The event, now in its seventh year, attracted bigger crowds and more bikes than ever before, and was organised by the National Association for Bikers

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MP calls for fast flood work

Oxford West and Abingdon MP Dr Evan Harris is pressing the Government to release money so minor work can be done quickly in a bid to avoid a repeat of the summer floods. More than 600 homes and properties in Abingdon and the Vale district were damaged

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Today's local share prices (PM)

AEA Technology 119.25 BMW 2909 Electrocomponents 247.5 Isoft Group 68.5 Nationwide Accident Repair 155.5 Oxford Biomedica 40.75 Oxford Instruments 233.5 Reed Elsevier 583.25 RM 192 RPS Group 357.5 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon

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Race on to find sporting heroes

The race is on to find the county's sporting heroes for this year's Oxfordshire Sports Awards. The awards are run by the Oxfordshire Sports Partnership, which is appealing for people to nominate talented sportsmen and women, teams and clubs as well

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Take off blinkers over Europe

I found Cliff Harris's letter interesting when he suggests (though he is not sure) that the EU issued a directive stopping spoil dredged from rivers being deposited on the banks (Oxford Mail, August 31). Where then is it to go, as it is impossible to

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Don't be scared of skateboarders

All we ever seem to hear about nowadays is young people behaving badly, but it is not true of so many of them. Near where I live, there is a large group of children, teenagers and young adults who, after school and at weekends, come to our local skate

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Make the wardens walk

The latest thing to happen on Northway Estate is a traffic warden on a motorbike. People are complaining he doesn't look like a traffic warden with a crash helmet on. I know one victim stopped at his friend's house, just to use the toilet. He was only

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Runners step out for city causes

Dozens of people took to the streets of Oxford on Sunday to help raise money for two charities based in the city. More than 50 people walked or ran five miles through the city centre to take part in the Heart of Oxford fun run. The aim was to raise

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Marquess jailed for road offences

Troubled aristocrat the Marquess of Blandford was jailed for six months at Oxford Crown Court this morning for a string of motoring offences, including a road rage attack near Witney. James Spencer-Churchill, 51, of Wootton Down Farm, near Woodstock

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Arrests after towpath robberies

Three teenagers and a 21-year-old man have been arrested after a spate of towpath robberies and an assault in Oxford. The arrests were made after three attacks on the towpath between Sandford Lock and Donnington Bridge. On Friday, a gang used pieces

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Update: Marquess jailed for motoring offences

THE Marquess of Blandford was jailed for six months at Oxford Crown Court for motoring offences including a road-rage attack. James Spencer-Churchill, 51, admitted one count of careless driving and another of criminal damage in relation to a road-rage

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Hammer-wielding robber holds-up garage

A robber armed with a brick and a hammer held up a garage in Wallingford. The masked robber - possibly a teenager - stole cash from Rectory Garage, in Station Road in the town, on Saturday at about 10.20pm. He banged the hammer on the counter and

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Arrests follow towpath robberies

THREE teenagers and a 21-year-old man have been arrested after a spate of towpath robberies and an assault in Oxford. The arrests were made after three attacks on the towpath between Sandford Lock and Donnington Bridge. On Friday, a gang attacked

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Hammer raider attacks garage

A ROBBER held up a garage armed with a brick and a hammer. The masked robber - possibly a teenager - stole cash from Rectory Garage, in Station Road, Wallingford, on Saturday at about 10.20pm. He banged the hammer on the counter and demanded cash

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Unipart wins book supply contract

Oxford-based group Unipart has won a multi-million pound contract to supply the 325 bookshops owned by Waterstone's. Unipart, once known only as a car-parts supplier, now earns most of its money from logistics - delivering supplies from warehouses to

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Nursery firm goes for growth

A children's nursery company has snapped up another school, completing a year of dramatic growth. This time last year, The Old Station Nursey based in Faringdon owned just two schools, but this figure has now swollen to 11, with the latest acquisition

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Mayor cashes in on union

Lord Mayor of Oxford John Tanner has become the 500th person to sign up as a member of a community bank set up 18 months ago. The Oxford Credit Union lends comparatively small sums to its members at afforfable interest rates while at the same time encouraging

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Crackdown nets drink-drivers

Motorists are still drinking then getting behind the wheel in Oxfordshire - despite a summer crackdown by police. Officers tested 349 drivers in August and 52 tested positive for alcohol. In the same period, police carried out 17 tests on drivers suspected

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Crackdown catches drink-drivers

MOTORISTS are still drinking then getting behind the wheel - despite a summer crackdown by police. Officers tested 349 drivers in August throughout Oxfordshire and 52 tested positive for alcohol. During the same time police carried out 17 tests on

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Today's local share prices (AM)

AEA Technology 118.5 BMW 2924 Electrocomponents 248.5 Isoft Group 68.5 Nationwide Accident Repair 155.5 Oxford Biomedica 41.25 Oxford Instruments 233.5 Reed Elsevier 589.75 RM 195.5 RPS Group 359.5 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon

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Police hail crackdown on drunk yobs

Six drunken yobs have been arrested on average every weekend during a summer crackdown in Oxford city centre. Extra officers were sent out on to Oxford streets during a five week period over the summer to tackle fears of a rise in drunken trouble due

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Names are added to roll of daring canoe caperers

Sid Barber and Denis Russell have added their names to the list of intrepid sailors who successfully negotiated an underground stream through Oxford. They completed the journey along the Trill Mill Stream during school holidays in 1938 aged 11. Mr

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WEEKEND RESULTS CHECK

FOOTBALL BLUE SQUARE PREMIER Altrincham 1, Oxford Utd 3. YOUTH ALLIANCE LEAGUE Oxford Utd 4, Hereford 0. BRITISH GAS BUSINESS SOUTHERN LEAGUE Premier Div: Clevedon 0, Banbury Utd 1. Div 1 South & West Didcot Tn 0, Farnborough 0; Oxford City 2,

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CRICKET: Thame finish on a high

Thame Town finished sixth in Division 2 West, after winning by 61 runs against relegated Beaconsfield. Star of the show was off-spinner Steve Merry who took 6-14, including three wickets in four balls, as Beaconsfield collapsed from 107-3 to 126 all

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CRICKET: Waqar strikes to end Kidlington title hopes

Kidlington's distant Division 2 West title hopes of disappeared when they lost by five wickets to Burnham, who thus ensured they avoided the drop on Saturday. Left-arm paceman Waqar Ahmed did the damage on a sporting pitch with 6-49, as Kidlington were

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Ring road car fire investigated

FIRE crews were called to a car fire on the southbound carriageway of the Oxford ring road last night. The blaze, near the Rose Hill roundabout at 6.20pm, is being treated as suspicious and Thames Valley Police have been informed about the incident.

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CRICKET: Oxford clinch top title

Oxford were celebrating after landing their first top-flight title -the Sommers Home Counties Division 1 crown - with a 48-run victory away to Radlett in a tense, low-scoring game on Saturday. Excellent all-round performances by Stuart Hole and Graham

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CRICKET: Defeated Banbury drop to fifth spot

Banbury's hopes of finishing third in Sommers Home Counties Premier League Division 1 were dashed when they lost by eight wickets at home to High Wycombe on Saturday. Led by Chris Smith's 69, Banbury made the most of a perfect pitch to rattle up 265

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BBC reshuffles presenters

BBC Radio Oxford presenter Sybil Ruscoe is off again, prompting a re-shuffle at the station. And Mike Knibbs, an ex-police officer who presents travel bulletins on the breakfast show, has been told his contract is not being renewed. Managers at

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FOOTBALL: Launton hit top gear

Launton Sports were back to their very best in Sport Italia Hellenic League Division 1 West with a 4-0 thrashing of Winterbourne United. Gary Lawton opened the scoring in the 12th minute and man of the match Nick Neil doubled the lead before the break

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FOOTBALL: Holder grabs hat-trick in 12-goal thriller

Carterton secured their first away league win of the season, but needed to score seven times in an amazing 12-goal thriller against Harrow. Every time Carterton took the lead, they were rocked by some stunning long-range equalisers from the hosts.

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Blenheim Horse Trials pictures

The crowds were out in force for the 2007 Blenheim Horse Trials this weekend. Click here for pictures

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Long films

Anyone watching David Lynch's latest head-trip, Inland Empire, may at times find themselves distracted and quite possibly physically uncomfortable. Now this isn't just because it contains a sinister rabbit sitcom, dancing prostitutes and the

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FOOTBALL: Bailey brace earns battling Milton replay

Two late goals from Adam Bailey ensured a 2-2 replay for Milton United in their FA Vase first qualifying round at United Services Portsmouth. Luke Grice put the hosts ahead in the 77th minute, however Adam Bailey equalised in the 90th minute. Bailey

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The fine art of eventing

Gill Oliver talks to equestrian artist Christine Bousfield who creates portraits of horses and the fences they jump Ever since she won an art competition at the age of four, Christine Bousfield has been impressing people with her talent and incredible

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The course-designer's view

Eric Winter reveals the challenges and tests he has in store for competitors at Blenheim 2007 Although I have been assistant designer here at the Blenheim International Horse Trials for three years, it is suddenly a different ballgame having it all

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Alice returns to the Palace

Gill Oliver talks to horsewoman and TV presenter Alice Plunkett, who will be commentating on this year s event at Blenheim Former champion jockey and eventer Alice Plunkett has carved out an impressive new career as a TV and radio presenter. Her

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Welcome to Blenheim

The Blenheim International Horse Trials is one of the world s premier three-day events. Set in the magnificent grounds of Blenheim Palace in Woodstock, and with the palace as the backdrop for the main arena activities, the horse trial offers a fantastic

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FOOTBALL: Kinch saves the day for Banbury

Banbury United grabbed a valuable 1-0 away win at The Hand Stadium - but only after Tommy Kinch cleared a shot off the line in the last few seconds. Troy Bryan scored the only goal of the match in the 35th minute, but Kinch had to react quickly to keep

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Blenheim 2007 supports the Rare Breeds Survival Trust

Most farm animals were created to provide traction, milk products, fibre or meat. Only by utilising rare breeds in the most appropriate way for them can we increase numbers. Most farm animals were created to provide traction, milk products, fibre or

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Andy picks up the reins for our top international event

Gill Oliver talks to Blenheim s new event director, Andy Griffiths Andy Griffiths grew up within galloping distance of Blenheim Palace, so it seems fitting that he s just taken over as director of the international horse trials held there. But

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FOOTBALL: McSporran grabs two as City share points

Jermaine McSporran struck twice to maintain Oxford City's unbeaten start to the season. City went ahead twice, but a determined Gosport oufit managed to claw back the deficit on each occasion. Andy Puckettt cleared off the line in the opening minutes

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FOOTBALL: Abingdon fall to third defeat of the season

Abingdon United suffered their third defeat of the season with all the goals coming in the first half of their 2-1 win against Paulton Rovers. Visiting keeper Simon Tricker was forced into into an early save, but could do little about Paulton's opener

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FOOTBALL: Penalty misses ensure a draw

Didcot Town missed a penalty at Loop Meadow on Saturday - and were thankful that the visitors also failed to convert from the spot in a goalless draw. Didcot's spot-kick failure came in the first minute when Michael Bartley was brought down by Mark

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SPEEDWAY: Depleted Cheetahs struggle

Oxford Cheetahs took a further step towards the Conference League play-offs, despite a 59-36 defeat at Buxton yesterday. Cheetahs were again severely depleted, with Jordan Frampton and Sam Martin in Premier League action and four riders out injured.

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The fine art of eventing

Gill Oliver talks to equestrian artist Christine Bousfield who creates portraits of horses and the fences they jump Ever since she won an art competition at the age of four, Christine Bousfield has been impressing people with her talent and incredible

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The course-designer's view

Eric Winter reveals the challenges and tests he has in store for competitors at Blenheim 2007 Although I have been assistant designer here at the Blenheim International Horse Trials for three years, it is suddenly a different ballgame having it all

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Alice returns to the Palace

Gill Oliver talks to horsewoman and TV presenter Alice Plunkett, who will be commentating on this year s event at Blenheim Former champion jockey and eventer Alice Plunkett has carved out an impressive new career as a TV and radio presenter. Her

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Fancy dress demo supports campaign

CAMPAIGNERS angered by plans to redevelop Jericho boatyard staged a canalside protest at the weekend. About 80 residents gathered on the towpath next to the former Castle Mill Boatyard with placards to voice their concerns about the plans to build 54

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Police find BBC stalker

A MAN obsessed with BBC newsreader Emily Maitlis for the past 17 years is back at the Warneford psychiatric hospital after absconding for a week, it emerged yesterday. Thames Valley Police, working with the Metropolitan Police, launched a nationwide

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Police hail crackdown on drunks

SIX drunken youths have been arrested on average every weekend during a summer crackdown in Oxford city centre. Extra officers were sent out on to Oxford streets during a five week period over the summer to tackle fears of a rise in drunken trouble

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Didcot residents live the longest

IT MAY surprise even the most loyal of townsfolk, but Government statistics have revealed Didcot as the place where residents stay healthy for the longest in England and Wales. The Oxfordshire town is best known for its power station, railway station

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Three hurt in head-on crash

THREE people were injured after a head-on collision between two cars in Oxford Road, Abingdon, on Saturday. They were taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford - one by the air ambulance - after the accident, which happened shortly after 3pm. The

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Vandals cause rail delays

TRAIN services in the county suffered severe disruption yesterday, due to signalling problems which passengers were told was caused by vandalism at Hinksey, in South Oxford. First Great Western and Virgin CrossCountry services were replaced by buses

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Man charged over street stabbing

A 30-YEAR-OLD man suffered a serious stab wound to the stomach following an incident outside an Oxford pub. Paramedics were called to the Royal Standard pub in London Road, Headington, shortly before 7.30pm on Saturday. The victim was taken to the

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CRICKET: Hanson hammers big ton

AUSTRALAN batsman Mick Hanson smashed 176 not out as Minster Lovell thrashed Division 2 champions Marcham by 215 runs in the OCA league. Minster rattled up 354-6, Ben Tew chipping in with 54. Jamie Cross then claimed 4-18 as Marcham were skittled

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Day: 'I was just following orders'

Oxford United's Altrincham saviour, Matt Day, said he was just following instructions after he buried the match-turning goal at Moss Lane on Saturday. Day arrived beyond the far post, on the blind side of Alty's defence, to head home Alex Jeannin's

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RESULTS: September 8

THE OXFORD TIMES CHERWELL LEAGUE. Division 1. Banbury Twenty 84 (S West 6-51), Bicester & North Oxford 86-3 (K Talsania 32no, A Grubich 3-32). Oxford Downs 265-7 (W Bartlett 102, R West 76, G Pearson 4-64, J Khan 3-50), Buckingham Town 266-7 (J Khan

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Action talk

THE first Cowley Neighbourhood Action Group meeting since Insp Graham Sutherland took over the district's policing will be held on Wednesday, September 12, at John Bunyan Baptist Church in Crowell Road. The meeting will run between 2pm and 4pm and will

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Zoe to sing at 9/11 concert

YOUNG singer Zoë Mace is to take part in a London concert marking the sixth anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks. The 12-year-old, from Freeland, near Witney, was asked to take part by organisers the British Memorial Garden Trust and the

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The healthiest place to live

It may surprise even the most loyal of townsfolk, but Government statistics have revealed Didcot as the place where residents stay healthy for the longest in England and Wales. The Oxfordshire town is best known for its power station, railway station

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Welcome to Blenheim

The Blenheim International Horse Trials is one of the world s premier three-day events. Set in the magnificent grounds of Blenheim Palace in Woodstock, and with the palace as the backdrop for the main arena activities, the horse trial offers a fantastic