Archive
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Under 12 Cup Third Round Draw
Stanford/Chalgrove v Kidlington Colts/Ox City Oxford Irish v Didcot Town Youth B Horspath v Didcot Town Youth A Abingdon Town v Abingdon Youth Kidlington Youth v Marston/Summertown Dr Summertown Stars v Cholsey Bluebirds
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Under 11 Cup Third Round Draw
Stanford/Chalgrove v Kidlington Colts/Ox City Oxford Irish v Didcot Town Youth B Horspath v Didcot Town Youth A Abingdon Town v Abingdon Youth Kidlington Youth v Marston/Summertown Dr Summertown Stars v Cholsey Bluebirds
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Abingdon soldier faces extra charge
A SOLDIER accused of desertion has appeared before a court martial charged with a second offence. Lance Corporal Joe Glenton, of 4 Logistic Support Regiment, part of the Royal Logistic Corps, based at Dalton Barracks, Abingdon, was initially
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Rail worker dies after collapsing in Banbury
A NETWORK Rail employee collapsed and died today while working on the tracks in Banbury. The air ambulance was scrambled to the incident at about 1.45pm but the man was pronounced dead at the scene, near the town's waterworks, off the A422 Hennef Way
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Oxford University seeks views on sports complex scheme
HOUSEHOLDERS have been invited to help shape a multi-million pound revamp of Oxford University’s Iffley Road Sports Centre. The university plans to overhaul the centre, which surrounds the famous running track where, in 1954, Sir Roger Bannister
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Pupils learn about Harwell science complex
PUPILS got a chance to consider cutting-edge engineering as a career on a visit to a pioneering research centre in Oxfordshire. More than 80 children from schools around the county and beyond visited the Diamond Light Source, in Harwell, which is used
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RAF Benson helicopter damaged in US crash
A MERLIN helicopter from RAF Benson has been damaged after a hard landing during a training flight in the US. Three members of the crew sustained minor injuries in the incident, which occurred during a night flying exercise at the El Centro
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MOTORCYCLING: Brad signs new deal and aims for world title
Oxfordshire star Bradley Smith has signed a new deal with the Spanish-based Aspar team to spearhead their efforts to retain the World 125cc Championship. This year, Smith came so close to matching Britain’s last world champion, Barry Sheene, but eventually
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Oxford United reject unofficial approach for Wilder
Oxford United chairman Kelvin Thomas has turned down an unofficial approach from Peterborough United for U’s boss Chris Wilder. Skybet.com made Wilder the 6-4 favourite to take over from Darren Ferguson after his dismissal this week. But Thomas said
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Oxford college unveils £50m campus plan
Keble College has unveiled new plans for a £50m scheme to create a new campus between Woodstock and Banbury Road, Oxford. The college wants to build on the site of the former Acland private hospital, which the college bought four years ago
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Veterans remembered at abbey service
THE death of an Oxfordshire First World War veteran was marked at a memorial service at Westminster Abbey yesterday. The Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, senior politicians and the heads of the armed forces attended the service, which was held
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Bus workers vote on pay
Hundreds of drivers, engineers and office staff at the Oxford Bus Company will today vote on whether to accept an offer of a 1.6 per cent pay rise. About 400 members of the union Unite will take part in a ballot at Oxford's Watlington Road
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Suicide verdict
A mother-of-one died from an overdose of painkillers, an Inquest heard. Julie Low, 45, was found dead by her brother Simon Bustany at her caravan, in Thameside Court, Northmoor, on Friday, May 29. A verdict of suicide was recorded by coroner Nicholas
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RACING: Ray shines for Curran
Sean Curran, who is based at Hatford, near Stanford in the Vale, produced a fine training performance when Ray Mond overcame a 767-day absence to win at Warwick on Wednesday. Wayne Kavanagh was aboard the eight-year-old in the handicap chase over three
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Silent salute to lost war heroes
SILENCE spoke volumes as thousands of people in Oxfordshire paused to remember Britain’s war dead yesterday. Two minutes of silence were held at 11am as part of commemorations of Armistice Day, marking the moment the guns fell silent in France
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Oxford teenagers have dramatic message
TEENAGERS have been using the power of drama to address family issues such as divorce, money and adultery. Members of Oxford Youth Theatre’s company, based at East Oxford’s Pegasus Theatre, drew on their own experiences and those of their friends to
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Team effort saved Steve's leg
A FORMER Oxford United footballer has given a heartfelt thank-you to the team of health workers who saved his crushed leg. Father-of-three Steve Tavinor said it was unbelievable that more than 40 people working for the NHS had played a part
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Witney school gets consent to grow
PLANS are being drawn up to expand a Witney primary school after education chiefs agreed it should be allowed to take 50 per cent more children. Madley Brook Primary School opened in 2003 to serve the Madley Park estate by taking on 30 children
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Pub praised by guides
A WEST Oxfordshire village pub has received accolades from three independent guides. Since reopening a year ago, the Swan, at Ascott-under-Wychwood, has featured in the Good Beer Guide 2010, Michelin’s Guide to Eating Out in Pubs and Alastair Sawday’
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Lawrence Didcock: Served in fire brigade for more than 30 years
DIDCOT will fall silent on Tuesday to pay its respects to a man who gave 35 years continuous service to the town’s fire brigade. Lawrence Didcock, 81, who died of a heart attack on Friday, joined the service in 1948 and was on the scene during
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Oxford author praises young readers
WINNIE the Witch author Korky Paul praised children from Oxfordshire who have overcome difficulties to master the art of reading. He was speaking at a ceremony at St John’s College, Oxford, on Friday for those completing the Reading Quest programme,
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Crowmarsh awaits housing inquiry verdict
AN INQUIRY into whether 210 homes should be built in Crowmarsh Gifford could have a far-reaching impact on the district. Villagers packed the four-day hearing, which finished on Friday, to protest against a development they say would adversely change
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I can understand US objections to NHS
I CAN understand America’s reluctance to have NHS-style medical care in part. In America, those with thyroid inactivity problems, which thyroxine does not solve alone, are given the chance to have an additional hormone T3 in combination with thyroxine
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A failure to grasp council procedure
OXFORD city councillor Nuala Young seems sadly not to have understood the city council’s constitution or how the finances work (Oxford Mail letters, November 5). Motions ‘on notice’ at council meetings have no relevance for the council’s day to day administration
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Property is beyond buyers' budgets
OWNING your own home in Oxfordshire is just a dream for most people living in the county, according to a report published this week. The National Housing Federation report, Home Truths 2009, found that last year the £293,128 average cost of
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Roll out the red carpet
Roll out the red carpet – but not for Daniel Craig He might be good for quantum leaps or doing a stunt Let the red, red carpet of poppies made by Haig Acknowledge all the men who fought the line at the front Roll out the
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Halloween costumes were a treat
CAN I say thank you to all the trick or treaters who called at my home at Halloween. Tiny tots to teenagers with mums and dads: your outfits were great, whether made by yourselves, mums or shop-bought. And your manners were impeccable. I’m sorry if
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Help with a cuppa
Dementia is a devastating disease that changes lives – not only of those with the disease themselves, but whole families. When my mother was diagnosed we did not know where to turn. We needed as much help as she did. Admiral Nurses – trained and supported
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Mayor is missing the point
AS Lord Mayor of Oxford, Mary Clarkson’s explanation of allocated time for debate at council meetings (yesterday’s Oxford Mail letters) proves the comments made by Nuala Young (letters, November 5). Mrs Clarkson has not grasped (as is common with county
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The Insider
Council meetings can be tedious affairs at the best of times, but when Labour is at the helm there is always cause for a smile sooner or later. We are told that at last week’s city council bun fight – sorry, full council meeting – Labour councillor Val
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Robert Stevens: Musician performed in countless concerts
MUSICIAN Robert Stevens has died after a short illness, aged 55. Mr Stevens, who lived with his family in Bicester, was one of the earliest to benefit from Oxfordshire County Music Service’s instrumental tuition in schools. He studied trombone and composition
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Dan Kemp: Dedicated to the timber trade
TRIBUTES have been paid to Dan Kemp, the former managing director of Oxford timber firm Timbmet, who died on Sunday aged 87. Hundreds of mourners attended his funeral at Wolvercote Cemetery on Tuesday and Simon Fineman, chairman of Timbmet and Mr Kemp
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£1.3m hall overhaul wins support
DIDCOT’S Civic Hall is set to have a £1.3m facelift at taxpayers’ expense. On Monday, town councillors voted to back plans which will see the creation of a new entrance block facing Broadway and improvements to the existing building. They decided to
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Burglars steal car from Horspath
Police tonight appealed for information after two burglaries in South Oxfordshire. Overnight, a property in Cuddesdon Road, Horspath was burgled. The thieves got into the house through an insecure front door and stole a mobile phone and car keys.
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MP backs Wantage rail plan
“I WAS sceptical, now I’m a believer.” That’s the view of Wantage MP Ed Vaizey on the likelihood of a train station reopening near the town after he held high-level talks with the Association of Train Operating Companies. Now Mr Vaizey is calling for
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Conman steals £60 from man, 70
Police are appealing for witnesses following a distraction burglary in Wilcher Close, East Hagbourne. At 12.30pm yesterday, a man called at the property and told the occupant that he had read his meter and he owed £60. The victim, a 70 year-old
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It's boom time at Marriotts Walk
WITNEY’S newest shopping centre has recorded huge sales in its first fortnight of trading. Since Marriotts Walk opened 13 days ago, business has been booming with Marks & Spencer enjoying three times its expected sales. There are
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Nursery opening prompts call for new crossing
CHILDREN could be injured or killed unless a pedestrian crossing is installed outside an Oxford nursery, a former parish councillor has warned. Brian Lester, a past chairman of Blackbird Leys Parish Council, said he was “horrified” a crossing had not
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GOLF: Pepperell's England call
Eddie Pepperell represents the English Golf Union (EGU) in Argentina’s Juan Carlos Tailhade Cup, starting today. The 18-year-old Drayton Park member teams up with Tommy Fleetword (Formby Hall) in the 72-hole strokeplay event at Los Lagartos Country Club
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GOLF: Frilford clinch KO crown
Frilford Heath went one better than last year by winning the Shaw Gibbs Oxfordshire Foursomes League’s Knockout Cup. The 2008 runners-up defeated Chipping Norton, who had already claimed the Section 2 title, 2-1 in the final on Mentmore’s Rothchild Course
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AUNT SALLY: Maunder's magic in vain
Ken Maunder’s 14 dolls proved in vain as reigning champions Garsington Sports A went down 4-2 to the Plough in the Gladiator Beer Seller Wednesday League. A bad week for Garsington Sports was complete when they were thrashed 6-0 by Clare Car Hire in
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BAR BILLIARDS: Vikings stun Democrats
Vikings Club made it three wins in a row with a brilliant 4-1 victory at the Democrats Club in Section 1 of the Johnsons Buildbase Oxford & District League, writes PETE EWINS. Democrats’ John Patey scored 8,310 to take the first game against Alan Oliver
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GOLF: Results round-up
OXFORD CITY Thistle Cup: 1 J Humes 41pts, 2 P Bradbury 39, 3 N Holman 38. NORTH OXFORD Winter Challenge – 1st round: 1 I Booth & C McNulty 44pts, 2 B England & J Riley 43, 3 S Horne & G Watts 42. 2nd round: 1 M Allen & M Boulton 40 (cb), 2 I Booth
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Finance man plans solo 2,400-mile cycle across Oz to mark 50th
FINANCIAL adviser John Vaughan-Fowler is planning to spend his 50th birthday in Melbourne — but he’s got to cycle 2,400 miles first. The father-of-four, whose sister Susan Santamaria lives in the city, will face extreme temperatures of more than 40C
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RUGBY UNION: 'No need to panic'
Banbury Bulls coach Grant Holmes says his side must keep calm after suffering their first defeat in Midlands 2 East South – at new leaders Market Harborough. Holmes said: “There certainly isn’t any need to hit the panic button. “What we must do is take
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RUGBY UNION: Erinle's Hawks boost
Henley Hawks may have slumped since their heyday, but they can still add an England international to their ranks after Ayoola Erinle made his debut on Saturday. Erinle, who played for Henley between 2001 and 2003 and is now with Biarritz, came on as
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RUGBY UNION: Wallingford happy to fight
Wallingford head coach Chris Norrington says playing in South West 1 East is definitely worth the fight. Norrington’s men have found it hard going in their second season at this level, with four wins and six defeats so far. But having risen to the highest
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RUGBY UNION: Volley to skipper Stanley's XV
Former Wasps, Harlequins and Chinnor flanker Paul Volley will captain the Major Stanley’s XV to face Oxford University at Iffley Road next Wednesday. Volley, who is now with London Scottish, came through Chinnor’s junior ranks before embarking
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ATHLETICS: Hawtin's silver lining at Luton
Beth Hawtin, the youngest of the talented clan at Oxford City, upstaged her sisters in the second round of the Apex Chiltern Cross Country League at Wigmore Park, Luton. Hawtin took home the silver medal in the under 13 girls’ race, finishing
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ICE HOCKEY: Stars hit back to see off battling Haringey
Oxford City Stars moved up to fifth in Division 1 South of the English National League after beating Haringey Greyhounds 5-3 Oxford travelled to London with a depleted squad, with Dean Francis, Grant Bailey, Shannon Taylor, Dax Hedges and Yousif Abu
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ATHLETICS: Brackett goes that extra mile
Woodstock Harriers marathon man Paul Brackett was delighted to put his feet up for a well-deserved break after he took part in the arduous Druid Ridgeway three-day Ultra Marathon. Brackett took part in the challenge – a combination of three
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The Rite of Spring and Bluebeard's Castle: English National Opera, The London Coliseum
Daniel Kramer’s new production for English National Opera of Bartok’s Bluebeard is paired here with yet another version of Stravinsky’s ballet The Rite of Spring. Duke Bluebeard brings his new bride to his gloomy home. In the dim light she sees seven
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A decade of music from the Pavlova Wind Quintet
If the name ‘Pavlova’ suggests puddings or ballet to you, the chances are you’re not alone. You might also wonder what they have to do with a wind quintet. Happily, it’s easily explained. “My house is in Anna Pavlova Close,” Simon Payne, founder
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Mr Nice reveals his rare talent to abuse
It is gratifying indeed to find Gyles Brandreth describing Elizabeth Sweeting, the one-time administrator of the Oxford Playhouse, as “a difficult old cow”. That was my opinion of her, though – such was the deference shown by most of those obliged
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John Piper Prints: The Jam Factory
Fergus Madden is holding an exhibition of original prints by John Piper at The Jam Factory, Oxford’s arts centre in Park End Street. A new film on Piper will also be shown, and copies of Frances Spalding’s new biography of the artist will be on sale.
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Great range of food at our new museum
The view is amazing, the food fantastic and the venue is now propelling the country’s oldest museum into the 21st century. I am talking about the Ashmolean’s stylish new roof-top restaurant that opened to great acclaim last weekend. Perhaps one
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Ideal Home for an Arbiter of Taste
Fitting somehow that Sir Hardy Amies (1909-2003), the urbane and witty designer of The Queen’s clothes for almost 50 years, should have lived and died in the village of Langford, in west Oxfordshire. The village was listed as a Royal estate in the Domesday
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Recipe for steak tartare
You don’t find steak tartare on many menus these days, so Hugo and Ben Warner are being very bold by reintroducing their diners at the roof-top restaurant to this delicious dish, which can be served as either a starter or a main course. It’s said that
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Oxford Symphony Orchestra: Oxford Town Hall
It sounds odd to describe any of Brahms’s major orchestral works as a comparative rarity, but his Double Concerto for Violin and Cello doesn’t turn up all that often in the concert hall. As the OSO’s thoughtful programme note suggested, perhaps that’s
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2012
Cancel the London Summer Olympic Games! Our time on the third rock from the sun will come to a dramatic end on December 21, 2012, when planets align as decreed by the Mayan calendar. Thus no one is going to care a jot about whether our stadia are finished
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As You Like It: OFS Studio
A programme note from director Maximus Marenbon raises the worrying possibility that the Oxford University Dramatic Society’s Acorn Productions might be adopting a quirky approach to As You Like It at the OFS Studio this week. First, there
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Buttermilk, George Irvine: Art Jericho, Oxford
George Irvine asks that people see this, his photographic exhibition, through the eye of a painter. He is a painter by training and initially simply used photographs to help in his teaching. But increasingly he found that he could create what he wanted
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Sharon Thomas: The North Wall
The dry autumn leaves strewn on the floor of the North Wall Gallery, Summertown, have not been blown in by the wind. They are all part of the picture Apotropaic, by Sharon Thomas, which dominates the main wall (see picture). This long charcoal drawing
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Art and craft: Witney Museum
A mixed art and craft exhibition is on show in the delightful upper gallery of the Witney Museum, Gloucester Court Mews, High Street, Witney, until November 15. Wood turners from West Oxon Woodturning Association, based at Brize Norton, are showing some
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Jenny Jowett and Jonathan Savill: Said Business School
enny Jowett and her husband Jonathan Savill are holding this substantial exhibition in aid of The Oxford Botanic Gardens. A percentage of each sale will go to support the work of the garden and the Harcourt Arboretum. Savill paints the diverse places
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Bounce Street Dance Company: Wycombe Swan and touring
Insane in the Brain is the Swedish company Bounce’s take on One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, the multi-Oscar-winning film based on the 1962 play by Ken Kesey. McMurphy has got himself transferred from a criminal work-camp to a psychiatric institution
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The Black Album: Oxford Playhouse
The year is 1989, and Shahid is taking up a place at a north London college. “Make sure you wash under your arms,” cries Mum as he departs with all possible speed from his staid suburban home in Kent. Once in London, the impressionable Shahid is
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Schola Cantorum: Exeter College Chapel
Two composers: one familiar, the other perhaps not quite so familiar. Schola Cantorum’s typically adventurous programming paired Maurice Duruflé’s Requiem with sacred works by one of his successors as organist at the church of St Etienne du Mont in Paris
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Dreams of Violence: Out of Joint, The North Wall, Oxford
Stella Feehily’s Dreams of Violence is a cracking play – funny, serious and always accurate as a portrait of life as some people lead it. It would make a marvellous 90 minutes of television were the overpaid and under-talented tribe who run this
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Peach Boy: The Adventures of Momotaro: Oxfordshire Theatre Company, touring
Created in collaboration with Pegasus Theatre, Oxfordshire Theatre Company’s winter show Peach Boy: The Adventures of Momotaro is a delightful and accessible taste of Japanese folklore and customs. It follows the adventures of a fabulous boy, discovered
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Wozzeck: Welsh National Opera, New Theatre, Oxford
Wozzeck is not an opera for everyone, as the people who left after the first scene – a full 12 minutes into Thursday night’s show – will testify. However you package it, it remains a bleak tale of madness, exploitation and infidelity that opens
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Madam Butterfly: Welsh National Opera, New Theatre, Oxford
A regular visitor to Oxford over 30 years, WNO’s acclaimed production of Puccini’s Madam Butterfly from director Joachim Herz returned to the New Theatre last week to delight two packed houses. That it still looked good under revival director Caroline
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Good Shoes: The Jericho Tavern, Oxford
three unknown bands called Franz Ferdinand, Bloc Party and Razorlight were all emerging from Britain’s toilet circuit armed with spiky guitar riffs, driving rhythm sections and acerbic lyrical observations on modern life. They were Gang of Four meets
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Brawn won't meet Button's demands
Ross Brawn has indicated Jenson Button's salary demands will not be met and is instead prepared to offer the new world champion more freedom to seek out personal sponsorship deals to boost his income. Button has been locked in contract negotiations
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Bruno hopes to make his own way
Bruno Senna hopes to quickly shake off the tag of being the nephew of one of the greatest grand prix drivers of all time when he makes his Formula One debut next season. Senna, whose uncle Ayrton won 41 races and three world titles in a glittering
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Computer games stolen in Wallingford break-in
Police are appealing for witnesses after a burglary at Blockbusters in St Martins Street, Wallingford, in the early hours today. At 1.15am, offenders smashed through the front door of the property and stole four Call of Duty computer games, a Wii and
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Boys charged with Iffley Road burglary
Two boys have been charged with aggravated burglary following an incident in Iffley Road, Oxford, on Monday. A 15-year-old and a 16-year-old have been remanded to appear at Oxford Youth Court today. An 18-year-old has been released on
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Crash partly blocks A421
A two-car crash today partly blocked the Bicester to Buckingham road. The A421 was blocked eastbound by the collision which happened between Main Street and Radclive Road, Tingewick, shortly after 9am. Emergency services attended the
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Crash blocks A4130
A crash is reported to have blocked the A4130 at Didcot. The crash, at the junction with the B4493, is reported to be causing congestion to the Milton Interchange on the A34. Heavy queues are reported into Didcot from the A34 with no
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UPDATE: Local jobless figures fall
THE number of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) in Oxfordshire has fallen. Figures released by the Office of National Statistics revealed 8,951 people were claiming JSA in Oxfordshire in October - a fall of 289 on the previous month. Nationally
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Oxon jobless figure falls
Oxfordshire's jobless figure dropped last month by 289 people, despite the worst national total for 12 years. The number of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance fell in Oxford, Cherwell, the Vale of White Horse, South and West Oxfordshire, giving a
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Young people feel the pinch as unemployment rises
The youth unemployment rate has reached a record high of almost 20 per cent as the jobless total continued to increase, although at a slower pace. The number of people out of work increased by 30,000 between July and September to just under two and a
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Former Met boss to head local crime group
Former Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair has been appointed head of local crime prevention group the Thames Valley Partnership. The voluntary organisation aims to cut crime in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire. The appointment
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Students warned before fancy dress binge
POLICE have warned hundreds of students to watch their behaviour on a fancy dress pub crawl tomorrow night. About 800 students are expected to attend the “doctors and nurses” themed event in Oxford city centre. The night has been organised
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It's a crunch month for Oxford United
Oxford United boss Chris Wilder says this month can set the club up – if everyone works hard to get the results they want. Eight points clear at the top of the table, the U’s have important Blue Square Premier games at Kidderminster and Forest Green
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FOOTBALL: Quickfire Abingdon up to second
Abingdon United jumped up to second place in the Zamaretto Southern League Division 1 South & West table after a splendid 2-0 win away to Mangotsfield last night. Two goals in the first eight minutes did the damage. The home crowd of 135 were stunned
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Blame city's road layout, not the police
THE anger of drivers caught in yet another Oxford jam is understandable, yet the police find themselves caught between a rock and a hard place. On the face of it, taking 11 hours to clear the wreckage of a lorry carrying car parts on the southern
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20mph? If only
ABINGDON is set to follow Oxford by implementing 20mph zones. But again the question has to be one of enforcement. Without the stick of police ticketing there will be motorists who are prepared to blithely ignore the new limits and continue on their
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Cancer centre staff win award for work
A TEAM which checks thousands of Oxfordshire women for breast cancer each year has been recognised for its excellence. Staff from the breast imaging centre at the Oxford Cancer Centre, in Headington, will travel to the House of Commons tomorrow
